Chapter Two

Jim remembered it all now. Why had he not listened? Why did he always have to rush in head first? He called out Spock's name once again and thought he heard shuffling. Or perhaps it was the sound of more rubble threatening to pile on top of his head.

His communicator, surprisingly left almost unscathed, bleeped but he could not reach it. It bleeped again and again. He groaned in frustration and then in pain caused having groaned in frustration. This really wasn't his day.

"Jim?" said a voice. He heard the tumble of little rocks and scuffling feet as Spock searched for him. He tried to call out again but no sound left his mouth. Straining his throat, he tried again, desperately.

"Over here," he managed to croak, spluttering from the dust.

"Keep talking," said Spock, his voice sounded muffled. "It will help me locate your position." The footsteps were getting nearer but they were slow and Spock was stumbling.

"Are you okay?" He was sure the Vulcan's ears shoul have been able to find his location by now. "Follow the beeping noise," Jim added, trying to twist his arm free so he could get to it. "Probably Scotty got the transporter fixed. That'd be typical." The rocks above moved slightly, dusting him in tiny bits of debris.

"Have you sustained any injuries?" said Spock.

"Trust me," he replied, trying not to let the strain show in his voice, "I've been worse." Finally, some of the rock was shoved aside, allowing a little light to pour in. "At last," he breathed, squinting at Spock's dark figure. "Will you please answer the damn thing!"

But Spock ignored the communicator, gripped the rock that was currently pressing him into a pancake and very carefully removed it. As soon as it had been moved, Jim shot his least painful arm towards the communicator on his belt and flipped it open.

"Kirk here," he breathed. It felt so good to be able to breathe properly again even though the air was dry and stung his chest.

"Ah," said Scotty's voice, "there yer are. Am afraid the transporter's still not found yer and we're wanting to know what yer found or if Mr Spock has any bright ideas as to what could be blocking our signal?"

"We're on sacred ground," said Jim. "Once we're outta here, we're betting we'll be able to beam up."

"We are trapped, Jim," said Spock, breathing heavily. Jim shivered at these words and wondered why Spock was rubbing his arms. The stone shouldn't have been that heavy for a Vulcan to lift. Not enough to cause pain in any case. Perhaps it was the thought of being trapped in a small space that was making him uneasy. Jim thought it best not to bring it up. He wasn't in the mood for a debate about emotionalism.

"Err," he stammered. "Scotty, there's a problem. Basically, we'll be digging our way out. Any chance of some assistance." There was quite a long pause.

"Don't panic, captain," said Scotty.

"Who said anything about panicking?" Jim wondered how bad he actually sounded.

"I'm sure they'll be plenty of volunteers," he continued, sounding worried. "We'll get a team down to you immediately."

"Thanks," said Jim, "and hurry." He flipped shut the communicator and reattached it to his belt before glancing up at the shadowy figure of Spock. "Give me a hand," he said, reaching up his better arm. Hesitantly, Spock took it. Through a sliver of light cutting through a half obscured window, he caught Spock wincing as he pulled him to his feet.

"Sorry," said Jim, unnerved. "If you were hurt, you should of said." Spock looked away and recomposed himself.

"I did not mean to show weakness," he admitted. "For the moment, my injuries do not cause me any hindrance."

"Bullshit," said Jim, noticing green blood trickling down the side of his first officer's head. Guilt stabbed him in the gut. If only he had listened...

"Perhaps we should begin making our exit," said Spock, "before the rest of the building collapses on us."

"Logical as always," agreed Jim.

They made their way back through the corridor only to find that the way was blocked and the rubble was too much for two people to move on their own. They would have to find a different path. Across the nest, there was another tunnel, but it seemed much darker than it should have been, indicating that further ahead would be blocked off too. They were right. Another huge wall of rock greeted them. Even though they hadn't been walking for long, it was starting to take it's toll. Exasperated, Jim collapsed against the wall.

"We cannot give up, Captain," said Spock. "If we manage to move some of this rubble then Mr Scott's team will be able to reach us more easily." Jim coughed, the dust irritating his lungs.

"I know," he said. "I'll be alright in a second."

Spock, however, got to work immediately. Jim didn't get to rest for long. He too started moving the rocks he could, arms aching as he made slow progress. After a while, he took a breather and stood back to admire the pile of rocks he had moved. Then he saw that Spock's pile was three times the size and could not help but feel a little deflated.

"I need to hit the gym," he said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Spock looked up and he too glanced over the progress they had been making.

"I also," he said. Jim wasn't even sure if that was a joke or not.