Hey there! Thanks for all your wonderful reviews! As per one reviewer's suggestion, to stop writer's block, I have downed four Dr. Peppers. We will see if it works, or if I explode.

Either way.

Rated M, I own nothing there is a line from Mass Effect 2 just because I thought it fit really well in this chapter; this is unbeta-ed once more do to my own failings for patience.

OoOoOo

Spock strolled leisurely toward the turbo-lift. His gait was slow for he needed the time to ponder, just what exactly, to say to James. To put it in the simplest of terms, James was a very quixotic individual. The Vulcan acknowledged that she seemed to carry the unique ability to turn any ordered situation into chaos in its basic form. Spock found it to be… perplexing. The components, constants, and variables swan in his thoughts faster than any Starfleet computing device.

How did one quantify a catalyst such as James?

He had several theories that posed as possible solutions for her mercurial nature. He understood that she was quick to the human form of humor known as sarcasm. Spock also acknowledged that she held an intellect that might, perhaps, rival his own. However, hers was saturated in useless emotion, while his was unrestrained logic.

His eyes sliced over toward the wall console and he waited without any outward expression for the lift to arrive at the same floor that held the Medical Bay. He had found the sense of relief at her safe return to his ship to be profound. Were he a lesser Vulcan, his serene mask might have cracked under the sheer weight of such a knee-weakening emotion. However, anger at the situation nipped hotly at the heels of relief. Logically, after further information had been obtained as to the nature of her departure by one Second Engineer, Spock had been perturbed by how quickly James had sacrificed herself.

It had not escaped his vast intellect, that she had done it to save him and his crew. Yet, that did not excuse her excessively rash actions. Spock resolved to speak with her on this very human failing. He, himself, had once been erroneously accused of suffering such a trait from his human genealogy. However, Spock had known that… brashness… was not within him. Pride, on the other hand, was very tangible.

Spock's eyebrow quirked in irritation at the inordinately slow speed of the turbo-lift, and the need to set eyes on James. The lift was off by 34.922% under its optimal capacity, thanks in no small part, because of the Romulan's attack. He swiftly clamped down at the rising ire to stop it from growing stronger. It would not behoove him to give into the dangers that emotions could bring.

He felt the lift slow to a stop, and the doors opened with a pressurized hiss. His black boots made little noise down the corridor to the Medical Bay. The Medial area had seen an influx of patients from burns, injuries sustained in the line of duty, and some for mental duress. It was not a matter that Vulcans took lightly. Though each member was expected to keep their mental shields in check, it was not unknown during a tragedy to require a skilled medical assistant to oversee a barrier's resurrection.

His stiff posture remained unaltered s he punched in the code for access upon the slightly damaged panel. A micro-frown creased his features as he noted the male Terran, the same one that he was certain entertained delusions of James returning his affections, was free and moving about. Logically, Spock understood he was an asset in the crucial time after the attack. The terran male was helpful toward the convalescence of his people, though his scope of practice was limited. His fathomless eyes noticed the bright patch of blonde amongst the sea of black hair immediately.

He stared forward to the area of floor space that James occupied, before his steps fell short. He calculatingly took in her posture, and the measured breaths she was taking. He concluded that James was asleep. A faint twitch of his lips showed on his face before he schooled his features back to their placid mask. His gaze caught that of the Terran male 'Bones', who glowered at him, in what Spock supposed was, a threatening manner.

Spock was unimpressed.

He was also slightly un-amused at the damper James' sleeping put upon his plans for a discussion with her. It also did not escape his vast intellect that the terran male was attempting to stare him down. It raised something wild, and unrestrained in Spock to see the unworthy specimen so close to James while she was in a vulnerable state. Therefore, it was only logical to warn the opposing male in no uncertain terms.

"T'Starla," Spock started neutrally, "I require a status report on Chief Engineer Kirk."

Her inky eyes swung to his direction, and Spock stood gazing right back at the terran. His eyes refused to move from the equally icy stare of his competition. Not that Spock was concerned over James' affection. He already possessed the knowledge that James was to be his wife. He doubted the man called 'bones' understood the volume of the trespass he was attempting. Although ignorance was not an excuse for idiocy, Spock would not shame James by harming her soon-to-be former crewmate. He understood realistically, that she would react poorly with bountiful amounts of human emotionalism.

"Chief Engineer Kirk has sustained injuries to all appendages. The most significant of which is one single puncture wound that resulted from shrapnel lodging in her radius," the Medical Officer stated passively, "other injuries range from minor abrasions to a phazer wound on her other arm. However, given the nature of human anatomy, I conclude that Chief Engineer Kirk will make a full recovery and is otherwise in stable condition," T'Starla concluded before turning back to a Vulcan patient.

"Jim," Bones growled in his unusual accent, "also was pumped full of some Romulan drugs!"

Spock narrowed his eyes a fraction, his displeasure shining behind coal eyes. "James was forcibly medicated?"

The Terran male seemed to ignore the dangerous edge to Spock's words. "You're damn right she was 'forcibly medicated'," he snarled angrily, "bastards nearly killed her!"

Spock felt his katra swirl in rapid succession around his heart, as if constricting it. The sheer thought of James in danger sent a fiery blaze of fury running down his spine. The darkest parts of Vulcan physiology roared in primal rage at his intended's suffering. He vowed to find Maelrok, if he still lived, and rip the Romulan into shreds until he was a fine mist.

Vulcans were, by nature, pacifists. However, that did not mean that they could not be incited to violence by the actions of others. Nor did it mean that they did not defend their own. NO advanced civilization could exist without some form of military, and weapons. Too find logic in such an ideal as universe-wide peace, while a lofty goal, was sheer buffoonery. Many encountered 'advanced' species still believed in violence as a form of power. It was unavoidable, and Spock understood his people had already allotted for such an unfortunate equation.

"Indeed?"

Bones stared at him hatefully. "Indeed? Is that all you have to say?"

Spock blinked at the terran mutely. "What other form of verbal communication do you require?"

"You emotionless bastard," the terran snarled loudly.

"It appears that you in particular have a remarkably difficult time in retaining the information that my parents were married at the time of my conception, and consequently, my birth," Spock droned placidly, "It does make me question your ability to adequately see to the needs of your fellow crewmembers. Furthermore, I admit I am curious how you believe my emotional response will in anyway help James. However, if you think that she will be best served by my weeping in the halls, I would seek your professional medical opinion."

A mutter, turned to a whimper, drew their attention as James rolled over on the hard metal floor. Spock felt his heart tighten painfully in his chest at the small cut that accentuated the snowy canvas of her cheek. He reaffirmed that it had been an appropriate choice to make a heading straight for Vulcan without delay.

He felt his fingers twitch in a subconscious urge to hold her hand flush with his own.

OoOoOo

Jim woke in stages. The first stage had sound and a soft rumble beneath her chest. The second stage had pain in her arms and light. The third and final stage contained awareness.

Awareness sucked.

Her blue eyes snapped open to see a mangled Medical bay, with lights hanging askew, or broken all around her. She could feel her arms in the back of her throat, as everything ached with startling clarity. She also realized she really had to pee. Groggily, she struggled to rise to a sitting position. She made a few noises that sounded similar to a pig in heat on her old family farm in Iowa. That thought alone made her feel less than attractive, but highly amused.

She blinked a few times, trying to focus on the sea of people around her. The last thing her abused brain could recall was being trapped in that God-forsaken Romulan escape pod and setting up a distress call. It had been in Morse code, a risky gamble for her, but she had banked on Uhura being aboard the Vulcan vessel. Most likely, and Jim knew her personal limits, she must have passed out from exhaustion. And, whatever the Romulan giant had given her.

'What was his name again?' She stared blankly at the unknown sleeping faces around her. Unsurprisingly, she could not remember the giant's name. Yet, she could recall, in vivid detail, his face when she had shot him.

Good times. Good times.

She scowled a grimace as she moved to sit cross-legged on the patch of floor she had been occupying. Her interested eyes landed on the number of people in beds, and on the floor like herself. Jim felt a tug of guilt that so many had been injured, yet again, because of her. The jocularity she had felt earlier melted like snow in the desert. Shame, and horror crept along with the guilt. 'If only I had gone with Maelrok earlier. Perhaps, if I had never spoken with him, this wouldn't have happened.'

"You move, and I'll kill you," a male voice hissed behind her.

A slow and genuine smile split her face. "Bones, you and I both know you can't kill me with so many witnesses around."

"Justifiable homicide, Jim," he stated smugly.

She glanced over her shoulder at his relieved face. Her aching body protested the action after being forced to lie on the hard surface for so long. Her blonde hair, now very dirty, hung limply around her shoulders.

"Bah," she gave a dismissive gesture, "you'd be better off with an insanity plea."

His stubble filled face grinned back at her and Jim winked at him in return, the familiarity brought her comfort. "So..," she started conversationally, "did you miss me?"

"Like Aquagenic Urticaria," he quipped.

Jim stared at him blankly for a few moments. Bones started to laugh, a deep rasping chuckle in the back of his throat. She huffed in annoyance at his lack of an explanation.

"Damn doctors," she muttered half-heartedly causing Bones to laugh harder.

"It's good to have you back Jim," he stated somberly after his fit of laughter had subsided.

"It's good to be back Bones," Jim said giving him a bright smile.

Her back popped as she turned to face him. She realized that he had slept next to her on the floor, thought he had played an interesting game of contortion in the little available space on the floor. Her sapphire eyes locked with his and she gave a questioning gesture around the room.

"You missed a few things on your little vacation," he mused gently.

"Vacation?" She questioned with a quirk of her lips. "Oh yes, very relaxing vacation that one. Ships almost being blown to smithereens, phaser fire, lustful Romulans, and an escape pod," she lamented sarcastically, "honestly it was just like going to a spa."

"How'd you figure?"

"It was painful and not worth it," she shot back with a chuckle.

"Speaking of painful," Bones started with a frown, "you're other pointy-eared boyfriend has been in here twice now waiting for you to wake up."

"Captain Spock?" Jim questioned with confusion in her tone.

"Who else?" Bones rolled his eyes at her obvious question.

"Well, it could have been Ra'Vesti," she pointed out logically.

Bones' eyes widened and he stared at her in horrified fascination. "How many pointy-eared hobgoblins do you have after you?"

"Counting today?" She queried smarmily, "Um… two I think. But, let's not forget my Klingon paramours either."

Bones made a sickened face, and Jim felt pity for him. Well, a little pity, not too much otherwise Bones would start to think his opinion mattered… or something. Jim felt a twinge in her next, and moved her hand to cusp the bruised muscle. She could swear she felt a phantom pain from a non-existent hypo.

She really needed to talk to Bones about the hypos. 'Preferably,' she thought vaguely, 'outside of a Medical bay, where his arsenals of sharp pointy things are unavailable'. She eyed his mischievous smirk and decided that she should sleep with the lights on in the near future.

"By the way, Captain Scott is on the bridge, but he wanted me to tell you when you woke, that we are in Vulcan space," his gaze leveled hers calmingly, "so, we are out of Neutral Space."

"Oh thank GOD!" Jim called ecstatically.

"Thanks are illogical," T'Starla stated, as she moved out from behind her console.

Jim blinked at her in awe and a good amount of irritation. She gave Bones a pointed look. "It's like she waits for the opportunity."

"I think she does, honestly, I do," he drawled slowly.

"Wouldn't that be 'illogical'?" Jim inquired with mock seriousness.

"I do believe it is," Bones whispered conspiratorially.

T'Starla looked at them both for a long, slow, and calculating moment. "You are attempting to mock me," she stated factually.

"We aren't 'attempting' anything," Bones pointed out congenially.

T'Starla lifted a black brow in surprise. "Fascinating. Humans, even after recovering from severe physical trauma, have sufficient energy to resort to sarcasm."

"Annnnd… just like that, the fun is over," Jim muttered and moved to stand.

Her legs protested just as loudly as her back. Her knees locked slightly, and she fell forward into Bones. He had been trying to stand when she knocked into him. They both let out a few moans of pain. Jim pouted as Bones began to awkwardly shift one of his shirt buttons caught a lock of her hair, and she yelped when he tugged too hard.

"Watch it Bones!"

"I'm trying; it's a bit hard to move you. What have you been eating?"

Blue eyes narrowed harshly, and Jim snapped her gaze to his. "Was that a fat joke?"

"Only if it fits," he replied amused.

"I hate you so much."

"Are you going to help us or not?" Bones snapped at T'Starla, who was standing passively beside them.

"No. I enjoy the sight of Humans beneath me."

Jim and Bones stared at her aghast. The Vulcan blinked once, her face betrayed nothing.

"That was a joke," she commented dryly.

Jim glanced at bones with worry in her gaze. Her fingers moved to work the caught lock of hair out of the knot it had made. Bones looked torn between laughing and grabbing the nearest narcotic to take the edge off of dealing with Vulcans.

"Don't look at me," he warned softly, "I'm just a doctor."

"Yeah," Jim hissed sarcastically, "And I'm just a mechanic."

Bones blinked at her wickedly. "Well, aren't you?"

"Dr. McCoy," T'Starla interrupted, " I believe it would be in the best interest of your safety to move away from Engineer Kirk."

His hair moved in time with his body as he turned toward her. "I know. She would clean my block, but she wouldn't be able to read the signs in Vulcan to get to it."

"Say that again in Klingon!" Jim shouted.

"Why don't I just say it in Breen? Or Xindi?"

"I would be happy to translate such overtures for you Engineer Kirk," the Vulcan offered tonelessly.

Jim groaned and slammed her forehead onto Bones' chest in defeat. "Can everyone speak more languages than I can?"

A low rumbled echoed in her head as Bones gave a full throated laugh.

"I thought that was obvious," he gasped between fits of laughter.

"Oh, ha ha ha. You're a doctor, not a comedian," Jim replied unhappily.

"Indeed," A baritone voice interrupted, "And I am a Captain."