A/N: Wow. That's a lot of reviews in a short amount of time. Thank you all, I'm glad that you're interested, but I'm starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into. I'm still trying to finish my video, so this particular story is more of an 'on-the-side' job.

Anyways, thanks y'all again for reviewing. 2trek, I have heeded your words and am posting chapter 2. Minecraft Guardiansaiyan, I know how much you love K/S/Mc friendship. There's a little bit of that in here. Enjoy!

Spock had been surveying the events on the planet ever since Kirk returned to the bridge. Things were quiet. The civil war that had been raging on Shekk had calmed down in the area where they were concentrating their attention. Both sides- Demetrian and Nekati- seemed to have drawn back to lick their wounds. The yellow alert faded and reports on the situation were coming in.

Except for Sickbay's. The report on injuries had yet to be submitted. Spock knew well enough to give it extra time- surgery could draw out, or they were busy with the medical supplies for the planet- but Uhura reported that both Douglas and Axel were out of surgery and stable hours ago. Where was the report?

Spock didn't know what state Dr. McCoy was in. He wasn't injured, but the captain had returned to the bridge with his brow creased in worry. Deciding to check on the doctor himself (as well as locate the report) Spock excused himself from the bridge to pay a visit to Sickbay.

He entered the main of Sickbay and walked back to the post-op section. McCoy had his back to him, scrutinizing the readouts of Axel's condition. He stayed like that for a long time. Spock found it necessary to clear his throat.

McCoy jumped about two feet in the air. "Jesus, Spock! Don't do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"I apologize, Doctor. I am here inquiring about the medical report."

"Oh, yeah, yeah that." McCoy left Axel's side and crossed the room to a computer terminal. His movements seemed slightly more agitated and jerky. "It's not finished- I got about half of it done before I checked back up on Axel and Douglas."

"When do you estimate it will be completed?"

He looked at it. "Well, only a couple of hours unless you keep showing up making me jump out of my skin."

The quip didn't seem to hold much meaning. It was more of an off-the-shoulder comment, barely any real thought behind it. Spock regarded the doctor. He had a haggard appearance, and looked exhausted. Spock figured it was from working hard to set up medical stations down on the planet, followed by an unexpected attack, followed by long hours in surgery. His jumpiness, however, could not be explained.

"Very well, Doctor. There is also your report of the events on the planet."

McCoy's head snapped up. "Have the others turned in theirs already?"

"All but you and the two injured crewmembers."

The doctor's demeanor suddenly changed. "You'll get it," he said coldly.

"When shall I expect-"

"You'll get it, Spock," McCoy growled icily. He jabbed a finger at the computer. "As soon as I'm done writing this damned report!"

Spock could hardly process his sudden vehemence. While the doctor was a very emotional being, most of his mood changes could be traced to the conversation or events. The inexplicable shift from edginess to concealed anger was most odd. He would need more data.

Murmuring something, Spock withdrew his presence. In order to collect the data he needed, he knew exactly where to look and whom to talk to.

"Captain, here are the ship's forms for you to sign, including the medical report on Lieutenants Axel and Douglas."

"Thank you, Mr. Spock," Kirk said, idly wondering why the Vulcan was delivering them himself, instead of Rand.

"The eyewitness reports have been filled out by all personnel down on the planet during the attack except for the injured crewmembers and Dr. McCoy."

"Bones, eh?" Kirk commented, flipping through them. He bit his lip, trying not to think of why the doctor had yet to tell his story.

"Indeed." Spock hesitated. "Captain, from viewing and correlating the reports, we know that Dr. McCoy and Nurse Radner were both taken prisoner by the invading Demetrian forces. We managed to beam Radner aboard before they reached Vilsa; the doctor was only rescued during the Nekati counterattack."

"That is true, Spock…" Kirk didn't like where this was going. He got a sinking feeling in his gut.

"Captain…" Again, Spock hesitated. "What was he like, when he came aboard?"

Kirk considered. "Mad. That kind of pent-up anger you get over something you can't change. And he was tense, as in really tense. He wouldn't say why, just snapped at me and left."

Spock nodded slowly. "That tension was still prevalent when I visited him in Sickbay. He also grew- angry- when I brought up the subject of his report." Spock inclined his head towards the stack.

They stayed silent for a few moments. "You don't suppose…" Kirk trailed suddenly. "That something happened down there?"

Spock resisted the urge to point out that a number of things had happened. "Unknown," he said instead. "It could very well be nothing of concern. Yet his countenance is somewhat outside his normal parameters."

"He's unusually wound-up," Kirk reiterated.

"Indeed."

Kirk gave a quick, business-like sigh. "Okay. We can go about this in two ways. Either we can get Bones to talk about it, or we can start piecing things together for ourselves."

Spock considered the options. "Do you want the easy path or the harder path?"

Kirk grinned weakly. "Spock, you know I'm always up for a challenge."

"Agreed."

Without a word, they both turned and headed for Sickbay.

I considered having more for this chapter, but I'm bumping to the next because I like this ending. I hope it wasn't too boring..