The captain seemingly had made other plans and Bones found himself summoned to the transporter room.
He was scowling as he strode into the room but Jim either didn't notice or more likely chose not to care.
"Finally. Time to get going doctor."
"May I ask where? Or even why?" McCoy didn't growl but only because there were ensigns present.
"Pollux V colony. Distress signal," the captain replied succinctly apparently hoping to speed things along.
He hadn't allowed for McCoy having a headache from lack of sleep.
"And you couldn't have taken Sanchez? Dammit Jim I only just got on duty! You know how I hate these contraptions." He shot the transporter a look, accidently catching sight of Spock and immediately bringing his eyes back, stamping down on any emotional reaction to the Vulcan.
"Bones," Jim used his official voice. "Asides from your name being top of the rota, you have far more surgical experience than Sanchez and that could be vital to any survivors we find. Ditto why we can't have a nurse. And you know M'Benga is still on sick leave himself following that bout of Therbian fever."
McCoy crossed his arms and purposely ignored Spock as he continued.
"And why d'ya need the First Officer?"
"I need my best Science Officer to try and work out just what exactly has happened down there. Now stop huffing and get on the platform."
McCoy recognised he was beat and stepped up beside the Captain.
"Energise," Jim announced.
Six figures dematerialised and rematerialised moments later on the planet's surface.
Jim gestured to security to fan out even as Spock and McCoy both began scanning.
"These readings are consistent with the expected level of technology," Spock reported briefly.
Jim nodded, relieved that it wasn't a more advanced race out to conquer the natives at least. That should simplify their humanitarian mission.
"Jim!" McCoy called as he picked up a signal. "I've got a survivor."
He hurried through the debris until he saw a prone figure. Jim helped the doctor clear the rubble and then waited as McCoy made his initial assessment.
"Damn. He's bleeding heavily."
The doctor forgot about everything except his patient in that moment as he cleared the wound and began sterilisation and sealing.
"Bones," Jim interrupted. "Can he talk? We need to find out what happened."
McCoy shook his head, still focused on finding and stopping the bleeding.
"He's in shock Jim. I daren't try and rouse him 'til I've stabi-"
The crack of a gunshot broke the doctor off midsentence.
Several things happened at once.
Jim spun to locate the shooter, drawing his phaser with one hand and flipping open his communicator with the other to summon back the security detail.
McCoy lurched forward over his patient who was now pierced through with a much more serious wound.
Spock turned and ran for them with a sudden cry of, "Doctor!" but it wasn't until the Vulcan skidded to his knees besides McCoy that Jim realised what had happened.
Spock pulled McCoy over onto his back and swiftly pressed his hands to the bleeding hole in McCoy's side.
"Damn! Bones!" Jim fretted next to them, unsure of how to immediately help. The arrival of security gave him a focus and he directed them to the nearby hillsides to scan for snipers.
When he looked back to his friends he was in control once more. Swiftly he pulled open his communicator again.
"Enterprise. Three to beam up, one in critical condition. Have a team from medbay meet us at the transporter room."
As they materialised on the ship, McCoy writhed.
"You must be still, Doctor," Spock instructed tensely.
"It hurts like a -" he broke off with a gasp of pain.
"You are fortunate in your human physiology," Spock spoke calmingly. "If you were a Vulcan that shot would have pierced your heart."
"You admitting… you got a heart Spock?" McCoy was struggling to breathe normally but focusing on the banter seemed to help.
"You of all people should know that I do, Doctor."
Jim blinked and wondered if the First Officer recognised the double meaning that could be construed from that sentence.
For his part McCoy smiled weakly but any reply was cut off by the arrival of Doctor Sanchez and Nurse Chapel with a stretcher.
In a flurry of activity the medical staff whisked their patient away leaving the captain and Spock behind.
Jim eyed his friend cautiously.
"You better go get yourself cleaned up Spock. I'll contact the rest of the away team."
Spock inclined his head in acknowledgment and left without a word.
Jim couldn't help the feeling of guilt over forcing McCoy onto the away team with them.
But he'd been so sure that getting Spock and Bones working together would break them out of their self-inflicted stalemate. They were both miserable, everybody could see that, but they were both too stubborn to admit they just plain missed each other.
He quickly dispatched a security team to join the two on the planet, with instructions to assess the situation and report, then he headed to sickbay.
It felt strange to sit in McCoy's office without the irascible doctor and Kirk moved to pace out in the main area. He was completing another turn when Spock stepped inside.
Neither spoke for a moment as Jim mentally glanced over his friend. Although the signs were well hidden on the Vulcan, it was clear he was concerned. Just his very presence here announced that.
"Is there any report on Doctor McCoy's condition?" he enquired.
Jim shook his head and continued his pacing. Spock's voice interrupted him again.
"He seemed to lose a lot of blood."
Jim stopped short.
It was an unusual statement for a Vulcan to make, stating the obvious, and conveyed the true depth of his worry.
Jim nodded in agreement but spoke comfortingly.
"He's a stubborn devil though. He won't give up easily."
"I believe he would refute the term 'devil'. Particularly when he could apply it to myself."
That drew a smile from Jim.
"That he would." He eyed his First Officer speculatively. "Nothing seems to make him happier than arguing with you," he suggested. "But he's too stubborn to admit that."
"It is a fault we both share, perhaps," Spock conceded. "I too, enjoy our debates."
Jim refrained from letting out a sigh of relief.
"I think you should tell him that when he's awake."
A crease of his brow depicted Spock's anxiety.
"If he awakes," he amended.