Just for a moment did Kirk think of objecting but saw the determination and plea about his friend's face and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll do that but first," he helped Spock sit on the side of the bed and quickly wiped his face with a damp cloth and combed his hair into place, "That's better. Now, are you sure you,"

"This time I would like to be standing to face Healer T'Tonan, Jim."

Seeing that his friend was fine just sitting on the side of the bed Kirk quickly fetched the robe and, holding his breath, helped him to stand. For a few moments Spock held onto his shoulders for support but then stood on his own and took two steps forward with Kirk taking two steps backward, watching for any sign his friend might fall. The two steps had not been as smooth as he usually walked but both men exchanged nods, physically he was able to stand and walk. As Spock had not been on his feet for seven weeks they both knew it would take time for him to manage more than a few steps at a time. They gradually added another step, then another, neither saying a word but nodding to one another after each step. Spock took one hand off Jim's shoulder and found he could take two steps on his own then took his other hand off Kirk's other shoulder so he stood on his own, paused for a moment then took a step, then another, then another.

There was no mistaking the momentary flash of a cauldron of surprise, disbelief and amazement on Healer T'Tonan's face when he walked into the room and saw Spock standing and walking unaided. Kirk also knew there was no way of missing the "What-the-hell-do-you-two-think-you-are-doing?" look that McCoy gave them.

Both Spock and Healer T'Tonan almost simultaneously held their hands up in greeting but it was Spock who spoke first, "Healer T'Tonan, I am grateful for the opportunity to thank you for your assistance."

"Spock, it is most pleasing to see you have made such a most remarkable recovery. Might I be informed as to how this was accomplished? When I was last here I believed that you would have to return to Vulcan and be taken care of for the rest of your life but there was a group of your shipmates who, to the individual, did not agree. May I ask if they are responsible for such an improvement?"

"Healer T'Tonan, you make one serious error which is understandable for Human emotions are involved. Those whom you called my shipmates are my friends. I cannot say if it is my Vulcan heritage or my Human heritage but to me it is actually an insult to them to call them friends for, if you exclude the necessity for any connection by bloodline, they are truly my family. For the three days that they were given to assist me before your final analysis of my condition and your decision as to where I belong, should I not be able to decide for myself, I was not aware of never being alone, one of them was always assisting me in my recovery."

For a moment the healer was quiet then he looked at McCoy, "Doctor McCoy, I was unaware that those officers I met were also medical officers."

"They are not but,"

"You you profess to be a doctor and yet you allowed personnel who are not qualified medical personnel to treat,"

It was clear even to Kirk that that response and the tone had stuck a nerve in not only McCoy from the way he slightly rocked on his heels but also from Spock from how he flexed his shoulders before he looked at Healer in almost a challenge, " Healer T'Tonan, you WILL NOT speak to Doctor McCoy in that manner. You do not know the facts behind the actions and you, in all probability, would not have even the slightest understanding of them. If memory serves, you were prepared to send me away to a place where you told Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy I would be tended to however you and I both know that while I would be cared for I would also be constantly studied and watched as I was as a child based solely because of my biology. Away from here I would have been little more than an object of study, just as I was then."

The healer looked at him in amazement, "You, you were aware of what was said?"

"Yes, although at the start there was just jumbled words and thoughts. As I have slowly recovered many of the things I heard and the sensations I experience have become clear. I believe it was Doctor McCoy who fount it necessary to remind you that the Human elements in my system make my brain different in many ways."

"You are aware that your recovery was highly unlikely, that there has been no record of one fully recovering from the exposure to,"

"I ask pardon, Healer T'Tonan, but none of the others who have been studied have had my biological makeup nor did they receive the kind of care I received."

"You remember the care?" it was clear what Spock was saying was of great surprise to both the healer and McCoy but McCoy was not showing it as much as the Vulcan which made Kirk smile. So many years around Spock must have had some impact on their friend. Kirk could tell from how McCoy glanced at him that to Healer T'Tonan nobody else ws there. "I was going to ask Doctor McCoy about it but you will be able to supply more of the information I seek. I did tell Doctor McCoy that I would like to be to be informed of what was done but you will be able to tell me what was done and what you experienced which will be of more importance and interest."

"I did hear that conversation and I believe that Doctor McCoy said that he would give you copies of my medical records. That should suffice."

"If you heard the conversation you will know I asked to talk with Mister Scott about your relationship with him and his treatment of your over the last three days."

There was just the slightest of movements about Spock's eyes that let Kirk know that his friend did not want that to happen. "I did hear you ask to speak with Mister Scott and I believe it only fitting that you know I believe you will find that when Mister Scott decides that something is personal and he does not want to talk about it there is no way he will talk about it. In that regard he is almost Vulcan."

"That understood, do you have any objection to my speaking with him and the others, then, about their relationship with you and their treatments."

"None whatsoever as long as you do so in the presence of Captain Kirk, myself, and Doctor McCoy. There are still aspects regarding my treatments I am uncertain about."

For a moment Healer T'Tonan looked at Spock and both Kirk and McCoy thought he would protest but he nodded, "It is only logical that all three of your be there."

"Doctor McCoy, will you ask the four of them to report here. Inform them that it is not an emergency and that Healer T'Tonan wishes to ask them a few questions about their methods of treatment used on me."

While he knew that Healer T'Tonan had not seen it, Spock saw how both Kirk and McCoy gave a slight nod. He knew Jim would think it right that they all be there and he could tell from the momentary way McCoy looked at him and the slight nod that he understood why he was to tell them about the questions. Spock could almost hear him saying, "Why-you-cunning-little-Vulcan."

"I'll do that now, Spock." Feeling sure that with that Vulcan hearing Healer T'Tonan might possibly hear what he said so he contacted Scotty, "Mister Scott, this is Doctor McCoy. Could you please get the other three involved with Mister Spock's care and come to Sickbay as Healer T'Tonan wants to ask you all some questions strictly about the treatments you used on him. He said to tell you it is not an emergency."

There was a moment's pause then came Scotty's voice, "Aye, I'll do that and we will be right with ye."

When McCoy re-entered the room he saw Spock's right eyebrow just marginally rise and a slight nod. Gawd, when did they start understanding one another so well that even such a slight movement conveyed so much?

When the four walked in Kirk noticed not only how they all looked like they were going before a review board as they were in fresh uniforms and in their professional modes but also their very pleased surprise at seeing Spock standing.

"I with to formally thank all four of you as a group for your administrations to me these last few daya and I will thank you all individually later for the great assistance you have given me in my recovery but at the moment Healer T'Tonan wishes to ask about your methods of treatment."

"Tis grand ta see ye upright, Mister Spock," Spock heard the warmth in the voice before the Chief Engineer changed it just slightly to add, "and I am sure we will be able to tell him what we can about your treatment."

"I would expect nothing less, Mister Scott. I do, however, suggest we adjourn to a Briefing Room."

As they walked into the Briefing Room Kirk saw a quick exchange of glances between Spock and the four and the slight nods that only one who had spent as long as he had observing this, this family would have noticed. So much was said in that moment. When he glanced at McCoy he saw a knowing look about the blue eyes. That confirmed it, this was a family. Sitting down he looked around and knew that this family would protect one another against any outsider, they had so many times before and would now, if need be, as will as in the future.

"Mister Scott, please tell me exactly what your treatment regime involved. I had seen how you were able to assist Spock deal with his pain how you were of assistance in reassuring him but I do have reason to believe your other ways of assisting him that I was not witness to were different."

Scotty looked at Spock and then at Healer T'Tonan. "Sir, my way of assisting Mister Spock t'was using the ways of my ancestors way before they had what we think of as medicine. I will tell ye I had Mister Spock inhale special vapors but that it was just a wee bit of what helped him as what the others did also helped him."

Healer T'Tonan clearly was studying Scotty as he asked, "But you and Mister Spock have a special relationship, do you not?"

A/N Thanks for reading. Hope you are enjoying it. Take care and HAVE FUN!