Spock was sitting on a bio-bed watching McCoy sleep. Kirk knew he had been sitting there ever since he'd brought the doctor to sickbay. His uniform showed dark blotches of McCoy's blood on his chest. Bones' breathing was a little strained, though he was sleeping peacefully. An oxygen mask lay unused in his hand which he held to his chest. His wrists were bandaged, Kirk noticed.
"How is he?" he asked Spock who nodded in acknowledgement to his presence.
"He has been sedated. The thorns of the succulent plant that caused the doctor's injury to the shoulder bore a mild kind of poison. It has caused some breathing difficulty, but nothing serious."
"Really?" Kirk could hear the rattling noise accompanying each of McCoy's breaths increase. Spock noticed it too, but didn't move. McCoy started to cough suddenly, dropping the mask.
"Hey, Bones. Take it easy." Jim reached out, turning him to his side in hope of making it easier for him to breathe. Spock had retrieved the mask from the floor, hesitating and then handing it to Kirk, who placed it on the doctor's face so that it could provide him with a steady flow of oxygen.
"What?"
"Captain, I'm not sure if my presence here is beneficial to the doctor's recovery."
"Why?" Kirk was alarmed. Spock had just been ordered by Nogura to perform a mind-meld. Now if even his presence at Bones' bedside produced a problem ...
"At least, I cannot touch him."
OK. Here it comes. "What did he say to you?"
"Nothing. However, I fear I will hurt him if I do."
Great. "Explain."
"The doctor had quite some difficulty breathing before. When I placed the oxygen mask on his mouth and nose, I briefly touched his face and immediately connected with his mind."
"You mean you melded?" Kirk felt nauseous again.
"Yes, unintentionally. I was so focussed on the events that I lost control. I did not mean any harm of course, but it happened nevertheless."
Kirk froze. "What did you sense?"
"Fear."
"Of you?"
"No, I don't believe he realised that I had any access to his thoughts. It was too brief, nevertheless I don't think he would want me to meld with him. I shall not touch him again until I'm sure of my control over my abilities."
Kirk bit his lower lip. Spock wasn't going to like this. "Is it not true that the recommended therapy after a forced meld is yet another meld, performed by a person trained in mental techniques - to heal?"
"Yes, Captain. However, it is necessary that this meld will be performed with the greatest possible caution. Right now I believe that I am not capable of summoning the control necessary to perform such a delicate task. I believe also, that the doctor will not be ready for such kind of therapy, in the near future. By the time he is, I think I will be able to perform my duty."
Duty. Spock didn't seem to be too thrilled to be the one to perform the meld. If he didn't know it better, he would say his Vulcan science officer was afraid."Spock, I agree. However, there are other circumstances that might make a meld necessary, as soon as possible."
"What circumstances, Captain?"
"Yes, well... Nogura said there is reason to believe that the Klingons have something to do with this. Starfleet Command wants to know what exact information the Meriahn stole from McCoy. He practically ordered you to perform the meld."
Spock nodded. "Captain, then you have to convince the doctor to allow me to meld with him. I will not do this if he doesn't accept."
Kirk smiled, of course not, he wouldn't hurt Bones in that way, but he would risk insubordination instead. "Spock, the thing is, if you don't do it, they will send someone from the Vulcan Science Academy."
Spock blinked and realized he disliked that thought to the same extent his captain did. "Then, I ask your permission to retreat to my quarters and meditate, in order to prepare myself."
"Bridge to Captain Kirk." It was Uhura's voice. Kirk nodded to Spock who left sickbay, a little too fast for the practiced observer, and answered the call over the intercom.
"Captain, Prime Minister Coltan for you."
"Right. Put it through to Dr. McCoy's office, Lieutenant. Kirk out."