Concern
by Starsinger
The day following the attack, and Spock comes out of his trance. Fortunately, M'Benga knows how to give him a hand in doing so. Don't own any of them.
Kirk was back the next day. M'Benga had wanted to wait until the next day to use the bone regenerator to help his shoulder heal, and Kirk wanted to see how the away team was doing. He waited patiently as Nurse Chapel ran the tricorder over it and passed the readings onto M'Benga. M'Benga had Jim set his arm down on a table while he ran the regenerator over his shoulder. It wasn't comfortable, but Jim had been through a lot worse. While M'Benga was checking his work one last time, T'Ler came running in, "Doctor, Spock is reviving." M'Benga quickly turned the final check over to Dr. Curry and hurried out of the room.
Curry quickly finished, advising the Captain to keep the arm in a sling the rest of the week before they both hurried out to see what was happening. Spock was on his feet being gently restrained by T'Ler as M'Benga stood in front of him and slapped him. The slaps were hard enough to sting and get Spock's attention without actually causing any injury, but the continuous nature of the blows caused alarm as Kirk approached M'Benga. Just as he was about to put a stop to the whole procedure, Spock put up a hand, "It's alright, Jim," came his husky voice. "M'Benga knows what he's doing. We're fortunate to have him aboard. T'Ler is the only one strong enough to restrain me while the Doctor did what needed to be done." Spock reached out a hand and laid it on M'Benga's sleeve, "Thank you, Doctor."
"M'Benga, just how did you become an expert in Vulcan physiology?" Kirk asked.
"I served in the Vulcan Halls of Healing on Mount Seleya ten years ago, Captain. I applied there after finishing up my residency. They were intrigued enough to let me go study. I became certified there to treat Vulcan patients. The healing trance can be a tricky thing. Vulcans can come out of light ones for minor injuries with little to no help. For deeper trauma, even the end stages of Pon Farr, it requires direct intervention, otherwise they'll never completely come out of it and die." Kirk blanched at the thought of what would have happened if M'Benga hadn't been here. "Uhura should be able to take him back to his quarters tonight. Go get some rest, T'Ler, I'll see you in the morning," they both watched the cadet leave. "I think T'Ler has developed a crush on our Commander."
Kirk nodded as they approached McCoy. Bones was in and out of consciousness, and while M'Benga wasn't really concerned about the outcome, but wanted someone to sit with Kirk. Jim pulled up a chair and a table to put a PADD on so he could still perform some work. He watched T'Ler as surreptitiously as he could as she finally propelled herself out of Sickbay, and just in time, too. Uhura came off shift and strolled in to check on Spock and Bones.
"How's the shoulder?" the question came out of nowhere. Jim looked up and saw Uhura hovering over him and McCoy.
"Healing, M'Benga said I'll be back on duty by the end of the week. How's Spock?"
"We're leaving in a few minutes. How's McCoy?"
"Grumpy, as usual, he hates being in here even worse than I do. I mean as a patient!" Kirk laughed. Uhura patted him on the shoulder as she and Spock eventually left.
Jim had fallen asleep in the chair when he heard McCoy's voice, "Hey, go to your quarters and rest that shoulder. You don't need to babysit a grumpy old man."
Kirk awoke with a grin, "I'm not. M'Benga asked me to sit with you, and after all that you've done for me…" Jim didn't need to finish the sentence.
McCoy patted Jim's hand, "Well, for a change, you just pulled my ass out of the fire, and I appreciate it."
"Hey, what are friends for?"