"Bones how sick is too sick to go to class?" Kirk asked.
"If you have to ask the question you're too sick go to bed." Bones said without turning up or looking around.
"I'm not asking for me-Spock is puking his guts up and he still thinks he should go class because his fever 'is manageable' and I told him that's stupid because a fever is a fever." Jim said.
"I'll talk to him." Bones sighed as he got up from eating breakfast and went into Spock's room.
"Spock if you're puking you're staying in today-not very logical to go to class like that don't you think?" he asked.
"On the contrary-it would be illogical for me to stay in." Spock said, looking up at Bones. He looked exhausted. "I am nearly positive my illness is not contagious to non-Vulcans as my symptoms match those of Sanek's flu which is-"
"-Something I've heard of. isn't there something about 'delusional hallucinations' because it sounds like you're having one. Go to bed." Bones said.
"I think y-"
"Bed."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I took medication to reduce my fever."
"Bed."
"I am perfectly capable of handling classes today."
"Bed."
"I can return to the apartment if I need to."
"Bed." Bones repeated yet again. "I'll keep saying it and standing here in your way until you go lay down and I'm satisfied you'll stay there until you're feeling better." Bones said. "Seriously, how can you think going to class like this is remotely a good choice?"
"...I have things to accomplish."
"Tough. Bed." Bones said. "I'll call The Dean himself to personally excuse you if that's what it's gonna take to make you stay in so stop being a stubborn ass and go to bed until your cold medicine kicks in, makes you realize how stupid you are for thinking ti was a good idea to get up int he first place and stay in bed."
Spock stood staring somewhat blankly for a moment before rubbing his eyes.
"...I'll go to bed." he slowly. "but not because of your lecturing."
"then why?!"
"Because you are correct that even with only a low-grade fever this particular illness can cause hallucinations...and you have two heads...I may not be able to concentrate today if such held true for every Starfleet cadet." Spock said before turning around, taking his shoes off and going back to bed.
Bones watched him and then left the room, mumbling something or another, grabbing his book bag and leaving for class.
Kirk and Bones got back to the apartment around the same time that afternoon.
"Spock?! You awake?" Kirk called out but got no response before he wandered into Spock's room.
"Bones...?" Kirk said. "Spock isn't here..."
"What?" McCoy came in and swore quietly. "well where is he?!"
"Not here." Kirk said.
"Don't be a smart mouth-he was hallucinating this morning!" Bones said.
"Then why did we leave?" Kirk asked. "Why didn't you tell me that then?"
"Because I had a test I couldn't miss you need to actually go to class sometimes and it's normal for this kind of thing-but nevermind that we need to find him!"
"Bones I'm sure he's fine." Kirk said. "He's a grown man! And you're a mother hen apparently."
"I am not! And if I was I would have good reason to be he is sick and should absolutely not-in my personal and medical opinion-be out of-"
"-Excuse me, Leonard. But why are you both in my room?"
"Why were you not in your room?" Bones demanded.
"I went to the doctor's as my condition progressed. He gave me a shot-I could explain the chemical composition but I think that is necessary and frankly not your business-and now I am almost back to my normal health."
"You went all the way back to campus? By yourself?" Bones questioned.
"No. I went to the doctor's two blocks away-I understand that in the condition I was in this morning even that was a poor choice but I was out of other options as I was aware my illness was impeding my judgement and perception of my surrondings immensely." Spock said. "Additionally I normally got to the clinic down the street when I'm scheduled for routine checkups or need medication as has been the arrangement ever since I began attending the academy."
"That was a lot of words-at least we know you're feeling better." Kirk said. "but why do you go there and not the on-campus clinic?"
"This doctor is Vulcan." Spock explained, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "And she recommended I rest today anyway so if you two wouldn't mind."
"You should've just rested when I told you to." Bones grumbled but left with Kirk, following him into the kitchen.
"I told you he was fine." Kirk said.
"But you didn't know that!" Bones said. "And he admitted that he wasn't well enough to do what he did so I was right to worry-and what are you eating?"
"Chips?"
"Do you know how much salt is-are you laughing at me!?"
Kirk was indeed, laughing at Bones. "Sorry." he managed to say. "it's just-you're such a worrywart-you're gonna be a great doctor. Man I really hope you're my doctor. Or maybe I hope you're absolutely not. I really don't know." He looked at Bones. "No. When I have a ship I'm gonna specifically request you to be my CMO."
"And there is not a thing in creation that'll make me serve on those big starships you're so caught up in wanting to captain." Bones said decidedly.
"Even if I'm the captain?" Kirk pressed.
"Especially if you're the captain! You'd be by far the worst patient to deal with you're so stubborn."
"Am Not."
"Are too."
"Am Not."
"Then why're you arguing?"
"Am Not." Kirk said then laughed. "Okay I have assignments to finish for class." He said and retreated to his room with the bag of chips.
Bones rolled his eyes and set about making himself an actual meal.
And to think.
And to decide after eating, doing the dishes and going back to his room to read that maybe-just maybe-he could handle serving on a starship under a captain James T. Kirk.
Maybe.