Spock and Jim quickly established a routine of playing Tri-D chess each day for an hour. Bones had a good deal of difficulty telling the hospitalized Captain about his condition daily. Jim'd stay on his own for awhile, silently contemplating his issue with Vulcan seriousness. And then he'd get visitors. At first it was just Spock, but by the beginning of second week, other members had begun to visit as well. It appeared the half-Vulcan had deduced the Captain's condition(sneaky green blooded hobgoblin) and informed the crew. Thus, they began to visit to cheer him up. Scotty was the first.

Bones had stepped from the room for maybe five minutes, having expected that the Engineer and Captain couldn't get into too much trouble. Honestly, the boy was on bed rest for at least a month, what could possibly happen to cause issues? The Scotsman, apparently. Bones shot the Engineer a glare, "Where the hell did you put Jim?"

"Ah dinae put him anywhere, Doc." Mr. Scott stated innocently.

"So you drowned him in tribbles?" Dr. McCoy raised a brow.

"No, Ah gave him one an' began explainin' about the Enterprise's state, looked away fer a wee moment an' found a bed full o' tribbles." The Engineer explained.

"Help me get the damn things off of him then." Bones and Scotty moved swiftly, pushing the balls of fur onto the floor to uncover their Captain. Jim smiled sheepishly at them, petting a tribble that remained on his chest. Dr. McCoy crossed his arms, glowering at the youngest man, "What the hell did you feed them?"

"Nothing… On purpose." Kirk's eyes shifted suspiciously.

Bones rolled his eyes, "This is why you aren't allowed pets, kid."

"I thought it was because you said I wouldn't feed them." Jim tilted his head like a pup.

"Ah'm sorry fer the mess, Bones." Scotty said.

"Yeah? Well you'll be helping clean it." The CMO drawled.

The Engineer grimaced, "Where're Ah going the put 'em?"

"How'm I supposed to know? Dammit man, I'm a doctor, not a zoologist." Bones snapped.

"But zoologists are doctors, Bones." Kirk stated.

Dr. McCoy glared, "Shut up, Jim, or I'll make you help."

The Captain shut his mouth.

[|]

Uhura had decided that she would be his second visitor, though, from her expression, it was not to cheer the young Captain up.

Jim was doing everything in his power not to fidget under his Communication Officer's piercing glare. She sat across the room, both arms and legs crossed, her right foot tapping the – presumably – cold tiled floor. In all honesty, he wasn't sure how to react, though his instincts were screaming at him to run as far as possible. Even facing a very pissed off Spock hadn't frightened him this much. But the Captain didn't have the ability to run, he could barely stand – not that he'd admit that to anyone – and if that wasn't bad enough, Bones had put him in arm restraints. Something about him being subconsciously suicidal.

"James Tiberius Kirk." Uhura began, her tone completely professional and stern.

Jim squared his shoulders, discarding his wince, "Captain."

"We'll see about that after the Admiralty talks to you," Uhura's smile held no mercy, "won't we?"

Jim ducked his dead, half-shrugging. Nyota watched him for a couple of moments, her expression softening. He looked a good deal more worn for his troubles. His thin worry lines were etched further into his skin and his eyes held now more ghosts.

"Jim," She took his hand, undoing the band on his arm. He looked up, as a brow rose. She smiled, expression warm, "Thank you."

"Wh-what?" He was a deer in headlights.

"Thank you." She chuckled, "You've saved Earth and the Federation at least twice now, as well as all the crew."

Jim blushed, "I only did what I felt right."

"Yet, not everyone would have. So, thanks, Jim." Nyota grinned.

"You're welcome." He smiled, giving her hand a weak squeeze.

Spock stood in the doorway, his stomach burning. The dragon in his stomach roared for him to take action but the half-Vulcan's logic iced the thought. Mostly. He entered the room further, clearing his throat. Uhura and Kirk looked his way, a bit startled, hands still together. The Captain's face split into a grin.

"Hey Spock." Jim greeted.

"Captain." Spock gave a small nod, eyes flicking intently to the hands. Uhura watched him for a moment, noting his formal, tense stance and attempted to deduce why. She followed his gaze, gave a tiny exclamation of understanding and retracted her appendage. The First Officer's eyes softened a minute amount, as did his posture, "Nyota."

"Hi Spock." She gave him a smile.

"Time for chess?" Kirk asked, eyes alight.

"Yes, Captain." Spock said as he began to set up the board.