McCoy entered the Medbay on a mission to get his supplies and get back to the captain as fast as he could. He was still on duty for another 2 hours but he decided to call Dr Ygosse in to start her shift early so he could be free to stay with Kirk, but before Dr Ygosse had a chance to arrive the captains Yeoman entered looking particularly pale. McCoy was the only physician currently on duty so he had to assess her before he could leave. McCoy discovered she also had the virus so she was admitted to a bed in isolation for treatment and observation. McCoy was hoping he didn't have to prepare for an outbreak on board, but prepped his staff just in case, and he got the guys in the lab to start analyzing the virus so he can synthesize a vaccine for the crew. Once Dr Ygosse arrived and everyone was bought up to speed to McCoy went back to attend to the captain.

He entered Kirk's quarters quietly and was grateful to see Kirk still sleeping, so he set himself up on the couch. He had lost count of the number of times he and Jim had crashed in each other's rooms for one reason or another so it felt second nature to him to make himself at home while Jim was asleep. Kirk's yeoman had just returned to the ship after visiting family on Starbase 3, and so far, it was only her and the captain who were sick. He had been a doctor long enough to not believe in coincidence, so McCoy decided to reach out to a colleague stationed there to see if his hunch was right.

Attn: Dr Alex Foster
Medical Dept, Starbase 3
Good (whatever time it is) Alex, How are things in that hamster wheel you call a space station?
I am contacting you out of professional courtesy to let you know that I have a patient with a mutated variant of Rotavirus who just recently returned from your base. I have a suspicion that they have contracted the virus while they were a guest of yours. Have you seen any cases or have any knowledge of this virus in your area?

Regards,
Dr Leonard McCoy
CMO, Starship Enterprise

Just as McCoy finished sending his message there was movement from Kirk as he started shifting restlessly and his breathing changed. McCoy was walking over when Kirk opened his eyes and suddenly lost what little color he had before bolting off the bed towards the bathroom.

"Ugh, this SUCKS Bones…" Jims voice was muffled as he was still in position over the toilet between heaves
"Yeah, I bet it does. I've got a stronger antiemetic to give you that should help" Bones was wetting a cloth for Jim to wipe his face when he was done. Jim sat on the floor with his head resting on his arms that were propped up on his knees. He lazily waved the cloth as a signal for Bones to go ahead and give him whatever, not having the energy to move or respond in any other way. Bones administered the hypospray gently and felt his own stomach unclench when Kirk visibly relaxed as the medication took effect.
"Feeling better Jim?"
"Yeah, thanks Bones. I have had enough of vomiting for one day"

When Kirk felt like he was up to moving he got himself comfortable on the couch next to Bones who was checking his vitals.
"Your temp is still up a bit but that's to be expected. I'll make another electrolyte solution for you, just sip on it over 20min and it should sit better." Bones fussed as he always did while Jim just enjoyed feeling comfortable for the first time in a few hours. Jim sat next to Bones obediently sipping his drink as he watched Bones make notes and look stuff up, just quietly enjoying each other's company. A ping from McCoy's data pad alerted him to a new message in his inbox, it was a reply from Dr Foster.

Good whatever to you too Dr McCoy,
I will take my 'hamster wheel' over your 'tin can' any day. At least my base stays in stationary orbit unlike your ship that goes walkabout all the bloody time.
I appreciate you contacting me. We have had an influx of patients presenting with Rotavirus-like symptoms over the past 3 days. Most have been only mildly ill except for a few who are very young or immune compromised, but all have responded well with appropriate medications. I suspect your patient must have caught the virus right before they left, and before we were made aware of it. Our lab is working on identifying the mutation and developing a vaccine. I will keep you updated.

Regards,
Dr A. Foster

McCoy turned to tell Jim about the message but found Jim slouched in the corner and zoned out.
"C'mon, you need to sleep it off" McCoy helped his exhausted friend shuffle back to bed. It had been half an hour since Jim's last bout of nausea and to McCoy's relief it looked like Jim was finally getting a break to rest his exhausted body. His temperature was still mildly elevated, and his vitals were a bit off due to the severity of his symptoms, but hopefully he was through the worst of it and there would be significant improvement after a good sleep. McCoy hadn't realized how tired he was himself, and he didn't feel himself drift off to sleep.

There are certain noises a person can hear that put them instantly on alert no matter if they are asleep- like certain alarms, or glass breaking- and medical staff and parents everywhere will tell you that someone vomiting is one of those sounds. McCoy sprang to his feet and ran the few steps over to Jim before he was fully awake. Jim had been sick but was too groggy to wake up and move before he soiled himself and the bed, Bones helped him lean over the side and held a basin for him as he suffered through another bout.
Jim collapsed heavily against Bones when he was finished
"I'm Done!" he declared with a tone of authority like he could just order the vomiting to stop "I've had ENOUGH Bones".
Bones could hear how frustrated and over it Jim was
"If I could wave my magic wand and make you feel better Jim I would, but I can't. I'm sorry."
It hurt his soul to have to admit that he couldn't do anything more to help. He was supposed to be a healer damn it, what good is being a healer surrounded by all this equipment if he couldn't help his friend with a nasty stomach bug. Life just likes to have a laugh sometimes.
"S'OK Bones, I know" Jim mumbled as he leaned against his friend for comfort and support until he got his bearing back "I just feel like shit"
"I know you do. When you're ready I'll get you cleaned up and see how you feel after a shower, but I'm this close to admitting you Jim"

Jim waved his hand as response, again signaling permission for Bones to do whatever he has got to do, which showed just how miserable he was feeling. Then Jim took a slow, deep breath before sitting himself up and putting his head in his hands only to suddenly realize that he had vomited on himself, and the bed, and it was in his hair "Eww, YUCK!". The look of shock and disgust on Jims face would've made Bones laugh if he wasn't feeling so sorry for his friend
"c'mon lets get you cleaned up" Bones followed Jim into the bathroom and got the shower started while Jim very carefully removed his soiled clothes
"You good?" Bones asked as Jim stood there in his boxers waiting to hop in "Yeah, I'm good from here, thanks Bones"
Bones took that as his cue to leave so Jim could clean himself up
"I'll leave the bathroom door open, call out if you need help" then he picked up Jims soiled clothes and went to strip the bed.

Jim was in the bathroom for nearly 10minutes before Bones decided to check on him "You alright Jim?" he called from the doorway.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm good. Just working up the motivation to move" A very tired sounding Jim replied
Bones opened the door to the shower to find Kirk sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. Bones ducked his head back out for a second and came back with his sleeves rolled up and a towel that he threw to Jim to cover himself as Bones switched off the water and helped him up.
"Jim this virus is really doing a number on you, more than anyone else from what I can gather, and it concerns me."
"Why? Who else is sick?"
the sudden switch to 'captain mode' had Bones rolling his eyes

"Your Yeoman was on Starbase 3 recently where she picked it up, and a colleague there confirmed they have just started seeing an outbreak of cases. Now were it anybody else I would question how you managed to contract it from your assistant, with a strong suspicion that fornication was involved. However, I know you, and I know that since you have been captain of this crew you have taken that role very seriously and wouldn't cross that line." He nailed Jim with a glare that dared him to say otherwise as he helped Jim, but Bones knew he was right and Jim was speechless for once, so he continued
"So I don't have a method of transmission, but I do know that thus far all reported cases have been relatively mild with the exception of you. So, tell me something, how have you been sleeping?" Bones had that look on his face that meant Jim wasn't getting away with any bullshit, so Jim sighed and rolled his eyes as he finished getting his clothes on and shuffled back out into the main room
"I've been sleeping every night Bones, honest"
"how long each night?"
"You know me, my sleep patterns suck but I got like 5hrs the other night"
"Jim, 3-4 hours each night aint sleeping – that's napping! You know that you can't run on that forever. We've been through this before Jim, I thought you were doing better?" There was no judgement or condescension in his question, Bones knew Jim had a troubled past and that it affected his ability to sleep properly.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just thought that at least 4hrs each night was a pretty good run for me ya know"
"well it was, but it wasn't enough to keep you functioning and give your body what it needs to fight off whatever you put it through. Hate to break it to ya kid but your bound by the same physiological requirements of every other human – and that includes 7-8hrs of sleep per night"

"You know I can't do that Bones. I try, I do, but I can't"
"I know you do. We got you sleeping better once before, so we'll just find out what's not working now and go from there."

They sat there in silence for a few minutes, both lost in thought until Jim gave into a big yawn
"Speaking of sleep you should go back to bed. It's all new sheets and there's a bed pad for you to sleep on just in case – but please don't feel obligated to repeat recent events. I'm a doctor, not a bedmaid."
"Thanks Bones" Jim said sincerely before making his way over to the bed and snuggling back in.

It wasn't long before he was asleep again, but Bones stayed awake a while longer to keep a watchful eye on him, his instinct warning him it was going to be a long night.