Six point four hours after he had slipped into the final healing trance Spock cautiously sat up. He saw M'Benga looking at him but knew the man knew enough about Vulcan healing trances to know that he had needed no assistance to fully awaken. It was clear M'Benga had seen him look at Walker.
"He is still sedated, Sir. All readings are normal or so close to normal to be of no concern. I am sure Doctor McCoy will be able to remove the tubes later."
"What are the possible lasting effects or side effects, if any?"
"From what I have read about this treatment he will have had the maximum recommended time on the warming rehydration which means he will, no pun intended, be very physically drained. He is likely to have some immediate motor skills difficulty, a near total lack of balance and spatial difficulties, and it will take some time for him to be able to eat and process solid foods."
Spock had not missed the way the man looked at Walker. There was more that the man was clearly not comfortable talking about. He knew he really had no right to know more than what M'Benga had told him but he felt he had to know. "Is there something else I need to know."
M'Benga looked at him, looked directly at him, "Nothing you need to know, Sir. I do not think that Doctor McCoy would tell you but there is something I think you should know."
Over the years Spock had realized that Leonard McCoy as the man and the doctor did tend to often tell only what he thought another person needed to know in such situations. The good doctor often would try not to reveal those details that tended to make humans feel either to blame, uncomfortable, or indebted to a patient.
When he nodded M'Benga went over and briefly touched the side of Walker's face. It took him a moment to steady himself as he stood but he slowly walked over to the bed and, for the first time, clearly saw the bruising to the man's face. Resting one hand on the bed he reached out and lifted the sheet covering the body enough to see how the rest of the body he could see was a patchwork of bruises and a rash with the appearance of a massive spider's web.
"Deep tissue damage," M'Benga said softly, "Worse on his back and limbs."
Memories of his own back being pressed hard against something and Walker pressing against him, protecting him from the debris that surged around them.
A familiar hand rested on his and Spock opened his eyes to look into two blue eyes, "I told you I would let you go back to your quarters, Spock. First I want to check you over to find where and how that Blarnock might have entered your systems. After that I will personally escort you to your quarters."
It was, as Spock knew it would be, a very thorough examination of his body, McCoy taking readings and small tissue samples from five different locations, oddly silent each time.
"Your findings, Doctor?"
"You have any recollection of feeling punctures, needles, Spock?"
"I recall all of us receiving an injection from you upon arriving on the planet because of an unusual pollen and while in the water I was aware of debris not reflected off Walker striking me but I could not clearly decipher if any were actual puncture wounds, why do you ask?"
"Looks like that's how you got the Blarnock then. Their chief medical officer said they had just dumped some down the far end of the beach and you have five places where there are the distinct pattern of Blarnock packs."
"Walker?"
"His scans were all clear of Blarnock. Had several other things but no Blarnock." McCoy had seen the flash of concern, something that the Vulcan would never admit to, on Spock's face, "But nothing serious. May cause some very minor skin infections, like that rash, but that is about all."
As they walked to his quarters Spock could tell from his stance that McCoy was both oddly annoyed and relieved. That was a talent that Spock knew the Doctor was a master in as many times he had observed the man emitting two conflicting emotions with the same intensity at the same time.
Once inside his quarters Spock looked at McCoy, "You said 'about all'. May I ask what other things being in that water and protecting me may cause him to experience?"
"Do you really want to hear how stiff and sore he will be despite all the medication I can give to him without him collapsing on us because of all severe bruising to the entire length of his back? Do you really need to know how fortunate he is not to have irreversible damage to his spinal column and nerves?" McCoy suddenly went quiet and Spock saw him close his eyes and regretted having asked as he realized how it had made the man remember what he had treated, what he and seen on Walker. The blue eyes opened and McCoy attempted a smile, "Sorry, Spock. I didn't mean to take it out on you like that."
"I understand, Doctor. Perhaps I should not have asked."
"No, no you had every right to know. You just have to know that in no way were you responsible for those injuries. It was his decision to go after you, to do what he did."
His decision. Then Jim had not sent him. Then he had seen something or, as Jim often said, felt something was amiss. He had come after him not out of duty.
"If I may I would like to be there and of assistance when you remove the tubes."
"Fine. I am sure he would like that. As far as I know Jim will be there as well and I would not be surprised if Scotty does not just happen to be there."
Spock nodded, "I would also not be surprised if Mister Scott did not want to help."
"Fine now you rest here and I will let Jim know you are here."
Two point nine one hours later Captain Kirk walked into his First Officer's quarters, carefully carrying a tray which he set down and handed his friend a bowl of thick vegetable soup, "Doctor's orders." Spock took the bowl and saw that Kirk had the same. "He said I could come and see you if I took us both some soup."
"He tell you about removing the tubes from Officer Walker?"
"Yes, told me that by the time we finished these and sorted out the day he would be ready."
Kirk almost laughed when he saw the ascent of the Spock's right eyebrow, "Sorted out the day?"
"Just need to finalize some reports and check on the evacuees. Routine things that need to be done."
"I, I will be able to give you mine today. I have remembered all the events in the order they happened although there are one or two areas I still need to investigate as I am uncertain of a few events."
"Anything I can help you with?" Kirk found it unusual that Spock would have areas where he was uncertain. The few times he had said that had meant he did not want to accuse somebody of an action before he had all the proof. He wanted to ask if it was to do with Officer Ganner but knew it best to wait.
Spock's intercom unit beeped, "Sp,"
"I am going to speak if you give me a second." It was Uhura and Kirk was pleased she stopped Spock from speaking as clearly Ganner was on the bridge. "I am looking for the Captain."
"I'm here, Uhura. What is it?"
"I will just put your reply on speaker, Sir," there was a click, "One of the evacuees would like to see you in a conference room with Doctor McCoy."
"That will be fine, Uhura. I will be about ten minutes. Have you,"
"Doctor McCoy will meet you there. Nothing else to report."
In the background they heard Ganner saying, "Tell him I am awaiting his announcement."
"What that something in the background, Lieutenant?"
"Apparently you were going to announce something but it can wait. I will let Doctor McCoy know you will be there shortly. Uhura out.""
Again there was a raised eyebrow when Kirk looked at Spock, "An announcement?"
"Nothing of real consequence. And, like you, I still need to investigate a few things I am uncertain about."
"You rest and when you feel up to it start on your reports. I will see you in Sickbay when it is time to remove the tubes."
"Agreed. And thank you for bringing the soup. It did not taste like the normal,"
"Uhura and Scotty got for you on McCoy's orders so I will not vouch for what extras could have been in it but it was more flavorful than usual."
Down in the conference room a man Kirk recognized from the evacuees was waiting with McCoy who was looking one step away from murderous. "Jim, you gotta hear this."