As McCoy and Kirk started for the Intensive Care Unit Chekov was leaving but stopped and looked at McCoy, "I made a slightly different soup, only slightly, and he actually liked it, wanted more."
McCoy tilted his head, "He asked for more or you just think he would want more?"
"Oh no. Mister Spock, he asked for more. He said more in a way I know he wants more next time. I never liked it even though I was told how good it was for me. It is a good sign, isn't it?"
McCoy's grin was the answer before he said, "Yes, a very good sign. Do you think you could let me try some if it next time?"
"If you do not blame me if it makes you sick."
"Promise, Pavel. Now, go get some sleep."
When Kirk and McCoy entered the Intensive Care Unit Scotty was talking to Spock as he adjusted the tubes going into Spock's nose. "Aye, that's it, lad. Now the next time I come ta see ye I'll nae have this but the padding to put so ye smell it as I drip it onto the pad. Tis grand ta see ye can and do open ye eyes, though I am nay a sight ta behold but," Scotty paused as he became aware of McCoy and Kirk watching him, "Ye may like ta see somebody else here. Now wait," he motioned Kirk over to be by the bed, "Ye may like ta see this one."
Very slowly Spock's eyes opened and at first Kirk saw uncertainty and a touch of fear till Scotty said, "I nearly had ta put the best Security team about him ta keep him out."
It was a slow movement but Kirk saw it just as he heard the soft, "Jim." and he gripped the hand that was trying to reach out to him as he nodded.
"I'm right here, Spock." He wanted to hug the Vulcan to him when he felt the fingers try to grip his hand but he placed his hand over the long fingers and saw the slight nod before the eyes closed. "I'm right here. Bones and I had things to deal with but I'm back know and will stay with you if you will allow it." Another slight grip.
Kirk saw Scotty make a slight move and looked at him as the Engineer looked down at Spock, "Now that the Captain is here and will be with ye I best be getting back to check on me bairns . He knows what ta do. I'll be back to do this without the tubes. I know ye will like that better. Ye just rest as the Captain is here and will see nay harm comes to ye."
Spock gave a slight nod and Kirk saw how McCoy looked from Spock to him and then to Scotty, "Do not spent too much time with your bairns as I,"
"I'll just check that all is well then will get ma sleep. Tis good to know the lad is improving."
Sulu walked in and nodded to Kirk and McCoy before quickly walking over to the bed and lightly touching Spock's shoulder, "It's Sulu, Mister Spock. Scotty told me you had visitors. He also told me you were feeling better and your breathing was deeper and better. Think your visitor is helping you."
Although it was hardly a movement Kirk saw Spock give a slight nod and, when he looked at McCoy and Sulu, he saw them both nod, it was not just his imagination. Despite all that medical science said, despite all that Vulcan healer said, Spock was still with them. He was still with them and aware they were there and what they were saying.
"When you return to the Science Department, the Botanical Unit in particular, you will need so see how that rare Vulcan plant you have been nurturing is about to flower and those graphs you took from it have what appear to be the start of a root system, well they would be in other plants but I am not sure about a plant that needs as little water as that one does." Sulu had talked on and on about the different events in the Science labs as well as how he noticed the deeper muscles in Spock's neck not being so tight and that next time he would bring some special oils he would blend that would help even more.
Kirk was aware that the hand holding his was holding his hand, not just resting in it but actually holding it. Not firmly but there was an awareness there that it was holding his hand. He looked up at McCoy who he saw was looking between what Sulu was doing and him. "Bones?"
"Slight improvement in all readings and I take it he is holding your hand not just letting it rest on his?"
"Yes."
"Slight improved cognizant external awareness then. We have just over two days to get him to understand more to,"
"Mister Spock, I am not sure about one of your experiments. Should I give that Phormium cookianum the same liquids as the Linum usitatissimum for your study in flaxes? Squeeze the Captain's hand once for yes and twice for no."
For just an instant Kirk was going to protest then realized what Sulu was doing and closed his eyes as he remembered what the healer had said about "able to meet basic Starfleet regulations with regard to mental fitness". He felt a distinct grip on his hand followed by a second one.
"It is the Linum usitatissimum that gets the liquid?"
A distinct squeeze.
"Thank you, Sir. I get the flaxes mixed up."
Two squeezes.
"They are both flaxes, aren't they?"
Two squeezes.
"Wait, one is a type of lily, isn't it?"
One squeeze.
"The Linum,"
Two squeezes.
"I will have to do more study on them."
One squeeze.
"Thank you, Sir. I will study them later but now you need to rest a few minutes before Uhura returns. I will come back."
Two squeezes and then one.
As Sulu started to leave Kirk saw McCoy nod him into the office and saw a look about his face, "I've got to go see McCoy for a minute, Spock. I will be right back."
Two squeezes.
"Now I may just have to hand over to you how to get him to,"
Sulu shook his head, "We all agreed as soon as there was any mention of an improve we had to come up with a way to see how he was really doing. It was all I could think of at the time."
"I take it you knew the answers?"
"Oh yes, so when Mister Spock gets better I know he will be furious if he believes I did not know."
"Bones, does that show any,"
McCoy looked at him and gave a slight nod, "There was increased activity in areas of his brain that there had been little activity in since the accident. He was able to understand and answer the questions."
Then McCoy looked at Sulu, "I want you to go get some sleep. Do not worry about the plants. Can't have you four collapsing on me."
When he had first gone to the Bridge after Sulu's questioning Kirk noticed how Officer Steven Sanchez was trying too hard be act like a First Officer and there had been a moment when he saw relief on the faces of the other crew on the Bridge when he had gone there. It was clear that Sanchez was not accepted at all well yet his crew were doing their duty and it had not surprised him when Sanchez said there were no problem.
As he had walked by Officer Hanner who was reliving at Communications, Kirk paused as she had a hint of the aroma of the oils Uhura was using on Spock, and waited till she looked at him, "Sir?"
"Thank you for your work here and with Lieutenant Uhura away from here."
"Is he,"
"Mister Spock is doing as well as can be expected, thank you."
Officer Keith Williams had walked over to him and, with a nod of his head, motioned away from where Sanchez was standing, watching. Kirk moved and, for a moment, studied him, aware that he clearly had been helping Sulu as that oil Sulu was using had a most distinct aroma not as pungent as Uhura's but a distinct aroma all the same, "Is there any chance that Mister Spock will return to his roles, Sir?"
"At the moment that is still uncertain."
"I want you to know that should he be able to slowly work his way back to being the Chief Science Officer I will be more than willing to help him in any way I can. It is an honor to fill in for him but I doubt if there is a being alive who could do justice to his role let alone the additional role of your First. I am so very privileged to work with him as his main assistant but this is his position, Sir. Please let him know that if he needs help getting back to his high standards I will do all that I can."
"Thank you, I will. And thank you for assisting with the making of the oil being used on him."
"How do." he paused, sighed, "I do have a habit of not fully rinsing it all off as the First is not in favor of me not being at the Science Station. I mean we are docked yet he wants us all at our posts all the time. I never would leave it unattended, Sir, I,"
"I understand, and thank you.".
For the next twenty-nine point five one hours Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty kept up their routines and Kirk seldom left Spock's side. He would briefly go to his quarters to freshen up, go to the bridge where, he realized it was most likely noticeable but knew he would get the true status, he would nod to Sanchez but go to Williams for the information he wanted. He would doze by Spock's side but keep hold of his hand and feel Spock holding his.
Both he and McCoy watched as the four seemed to be oblivious of them as they worked on Spock, slowly changing their routines and starting to move and flex Spock's arms and legs, asking him easy and complex questions, seeming to constantly challenge him mentally and physically. Only having worked for so many years with the four and being so close to McCoy let Kirk see the exhaustion they were not allowing themselves to acknowledge. As he watched them working he saw the real concern and care as well and the determination and he realized that this was truly a family. It was obvious that he was gradually getting improving but at what cost and would it be enough for Healer T'Tonan? Would it be enough for Spock?
He was just starting to consider what Spock would want should he not be up to the level Healer T'Tonan was expecting, to the level to keep him on the ship. And he was still wondering if Spock would even want to remain on the ship after his behavior when Scotty's voice came from the communicator. "Captain, I am bringing Healer T'Tonan to Sickbay. We will be there shortly."
"Understood and thank you, Scotty." he gave Spock's hand a squeeze, "He's here, Spock. If you want to stay with us you have to show him you do. I, we will understand if you do not want to stay. It is all up to you and Healer T'Tonan now."
For a moment Spock squeezed his hand back and opened his eyes as he said, "Jim, I," then obviously saw McCoy was there as he stopped.
"I'll be in my office getting your file up for Healer T'Tonan, Spock. You just lay still."
When McCoy had gone Spock opened his eyes again and looked at Kirk, "I, I now understand and wish to stay. I feel myself getting better. The Vulcan aspects of me are remembering my Vulcan training. What the others have done for me has helped my Human elements relearn." Kirk felt the hand holding his squeeze his hand, "Jim, I know now you were not yourself because of not only your human hormones but also because of her drugging you. Forgive me, I should have known."
Kirk squeezed the hand in his then placed his other hand over it and shook his head, as usual his Vulcan friend was trying to take all the blame, "There is nothing for me to forgive, Spock. It is you who I hope can forgive me for," the long fingers gripped his and for a moment they looked at one another and Kirk knew they were both thinking of how stupid they had been and how that special thing they shared had shown how strong it was.
"Before Healer T'Tonan gets here there is something you can do for me if you will, Jim."
"Name it."
"Hand me that robe and help me to stand."