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Bones was really starting to hate away missions.
He paced back and forth in front of the entrance to their small cave shelter, cursing their luck and Starfleet and the fact the landing party had split up and poisonous plants and self sacrificing First Officers.
He glanced back to the far end of the cave, where Spock was curled up on a pile of the crew's outer jackets, an emergency blanket draped over his shivering frame. Janice was still trying to get him to drink some water, he had given up the pretense of being able to continue the mission more than an hour ago, had started shaking in earnest 20 minutes ago, and now was reduced to low whimpers, asking for Jim.
Bones swore under his breath and flipped his communicator open to hail the other half of the landing party, they should've been here by now, and the sun was going down. They wouldn't be beaming back aboard the ship until morning at the earliest, there had been a malfunction with the transporter and Scotty had promised them he'd work through the night to get them back as fast as possible.
Jim answered his call immediately, “Bones? Is he worse? What's happening?” Bones heard Jim's labored breathing and hurried footsteps in the background, they had to be practically running.
“No Jim, he's stable, the poison isn't fatal, but he's in a lot of pain, he won't let any of us touch him. He just wants you, how close are you?”
“Dammit, we got caught up on some rough terrain, had to go around a bog on our way out of the north forest, tell him I'll be there soon, ten minutes tops.”
“Dr McCoy?” Bones spun around when Janice called for him, beckoning with a slender hand.
“I've gotta go Jim, hurry.”
“We will, Kirk out.”
He snapped his communicator shut and hurried over to them. “Hey Spock, Jim said he'll be here soon, hear me? He's coming.” He ran his tricorder over Spock's body, his temp was up another half degree, there wasn't any other change.
“Is he getting worse Doctor?” Janice's eyes were shining with unshed tears, she hadn't strayed from Spock's side since he had been hit with the barbs, he had pushed her out of the way when he saw the alien flower turning towards her.
“The scans confirm the poison isn't fatal,” Bones answered softly. “though it is destabilizing his nervous system, as sensitive as he already was to touch it's probably even worse now, he may be having touble shielding effectively, we're just gonna have to ride this one out, my biggest concern is his temperature right now, if it keeps going like this we'll have to find a way to cool him down, there's a stream nearby….”
“I could fetch water Sir.” Jones was the Head Security Officer assigned to the landing party, and had gone with Bones, Janice, and Spock when they had split into groups of four in order to cover more ground.
“Thank you Jones, I think that would be best.” Bones grabbed one of the empty canteens and tossed it over to the man, who was standing at attention on the wall across from them.
“Thank you Bobby.” Janice smiled sweetly up at him before dropping her attention back to Spock, who was beginning to move restlessly. She was still careful not to touch him directly, as much as she wanted to comfort him, she fought against her natural instinct. Spock had responded quite negatively when she had tried to soothe him with a hand on his shoulder, even with the fabric of his uniform as a barrier.
“Jim?” Spock’s voice wavered on the pronunciation, rolling onto his back he blinked up at the cave ceiling before turning his head towards Bones.
“He'll be here soon, Spock.” Bones sank himself down next to him and sat cross legged, he hated feeling so helpless. Spock nodded and closed his eyes, wincing as he shifted, trying to find a comfortable position. The barbs had hit him in the chest, thankfully not close to his heart or other major organs, Bones longed for his medbay. Minutes passed and he flinched when his communicator went off, a high pitched tone piercing the silence, he flipped it open. “McCoy here.”
“Bones!” Jim's voice bordered on hysteria. “We're on top of your last known position, where are you?”
Janice raised her head and cocked it to the side, listening.
“I think I can hear him, he has to be right outside.” She sprang up and ran to the entrance, casting her eyes out and down the cliff face, she spotted Jim pacing back and forth right below them.
“Captain!” Jim spun around and looked up, catching her gaze, he said a quick word into his communicator and snapped it shut, running up the short path that was carved into the mountainside. The rest of his group struggled to keep up as he came flying towards the cave. Janice was so relieved to see him that the tears she had held back started rolling down her face.
“Spock? Is he?...” Jim was already moving past her when she shook her head.
“Dr McCoy said he'll be alright Captain, he's just hurting.” She turned to follow him in, the security detail remained outside. Bones met him just inside, stepping out of the way after a quick embrace, Jim hurried over to Spock and lowered himself down next to him.
“Captain, don't!-” Janice started to say, the words dying in her throat as she watched Jim murmur something low when Spock opened his eyes and saw him, Spock made a wounded noise and reached for him, Jim ducked down and gathered the Vulcan into his arms in one smooth motion, settling on his back with Spock laid over him, his head resting on Jim's chest, his left arm flung over Jim's side.
“-Touch him.” She moved her incredulous gaze to Bones, who was watching them with a fond expression. He looked at her and snorted a laugh.
“What, you didn't know? I thought they were obvious enough for anyone.” He walked over to the two men and knelt down, speaking to Jim quietly, Jim nodded, running his hand up and down Spock's back, she averted her eyes, feeling like she was intruding. She went outside to wait for Jones, trying to process the revelation of her two commanding officers' now apparent relationship. She wondered how she had ever been so blind.
“Bones, he's burning up.” Jim held Spock tighter, pressing his lips to sweat slicked hair. Spock shifted against him, whispering his name and something else in Vulcan Bones couldn't make out.
“Shh, I've got you, you'll be alright.” Jim’s answer seemed to settle him and he fell back into a fitful sleep.
“His fever is high but we're not in dire circumstances yet, we sent Jones for more water, I gave him a hypo earlier but I'm not sure how much it helped, we'll just have to hang on until we can get back to the ship. I'm here Jim, I’ll help him any way I can.” Bones ran his tricorder over Spock again as he answered. “Fever hasn't gone up since I checked him last, the area of impact has to be sore so be careful.”
Jim sighed and adjusted his head against the makeshift pillow Bones had shoved under him when they had settled. “I can only imagine what Janice is thinking right now.”
“Funny, I assumed everyone already had you two figured out, the way you look at Spock like he hung the moon and stars,” Bones chuckled. “If she's surprised then I can't say much for her perception skills.”
“Alright alright, I get it.” Jim's smile vanished as quick as it had appeared as he turned his attention back to the man in his arms. “Bones do you mind?” He gestured down at the emergency blanket that had ended up tangled around their legs, Spock was shivering again.
Bones grabbed the crinkly fabric and snapped it out over them, Jim pulled it up and tucked it around Spock's shoulders.
“Thanks for looking after him.”
“Don't mention it, if it wasn't for you two finding trouble around every corner, I'd be out of a job.” Bones rolled his eyes skyward and Jim huffed a laugh.
They both turned towards the cave entrance when they heard raised voices outside and Jones came striding in a moment later, only pausing for an instant when he saw them before handing Bones the canteen now filled with cold water and nodding sharply to Jim's words of thanks, returning to his former position against the wall, standing guard over them.
Janice hovered a few steps inside, worried but not wanting to push in on them. Jim caught sight of her and smiled warmly, beckoning her over, she hurried over and knelt on the cold stone beside them.
“Are you alright Yeoman? I understand my First Officer prevented the plant from harming you, are you injured in any other way?”
She couldn't help thinking how naturally they fit together, Spock held securely against her Captain, like nothing in the whole galaxy could bring him to harm as long as Jim was there.
“I'm alright Captain,” she smiled shakily and wiped at her eyes. “I was so worried about Mr. Spock Sir, none of us knew what it was.”
Bones had been soaking compresses while they talked and handed one to Jim who thanked him and pressed it gently to the back of Spock's neck, Spock jerked away from the sudden cold, choking on a sob and burying his face in the crook of Jim's neck.
“I know, I know, I'm sorry. You'll be alright, this'll help.” Jim soothed, holding the cloth to the fevered skin and muttering more comforting platitudes. Janice stared, she had never seen her Commanding Officer brought so low, panic and guilt warred for first place in the forefront of her mind.
“Bones?” Jim's voice sounded as disturbed as she felt.
“It's alright Jim, we're still okay, you can trust everyone here, you know that.”
Janice frowned, what was Dr. McCoy referring to? Then it clicked, Spock would probably be mortified at his lapse in control if he was in any state to comprehend it, he was the most private individual she had ever encountered. She had the overwhelming urge to reassure both of them that she would never do anything to break the trust she had worked so hard to earn with both of them.
“Sir….” Jim's sharp eyes landed on her and she swallowed against the lump in her throat. “Is there anything I can do?”
Jim's expression softened and he shook his head, the tension dissipating, she didn't blame him for being protective. She glanced at Jones but he had half turned away from them, keeping his eyes fixed on the exit, respecting their privacy.
“I'm sure you have questions…” Jim gestured vaguely and cleared his throat.
“You don't owe me anything Captain, your personal business is none of my concern, just know that I'm happy for you, present circumstances notwithstanding.”
Bones looked at her gratefully and she nodded before rising to her feet. “I should go check on the others, we need to get settled for the night.”
Jim's eyes followed her out and he watched her take charge outside, everyone scurrying off to their assigned tasks, gathering firewood and stacking their supplies near the mouth of the cave.
“We're lucky to have her.” Jim said softly, Bones nodded and took the compress Jim held out, soaking it again.
“I don't know how bad this is gonna get Jim, it's gonna be a long night, I'm sure the others would understand if they need to sleep outside.”
“And you know Spock would be the first one to oppose such an idea, we'll be alright Bones, we just have to let this thing run its course, right?”
Bones nodded, flipping the blanket up to wrap cold cloths around Spock's wrists.
“Careful,” Jim murmured, bracing Spock when he felt him stiffen at the contact. “I can't get a good read on him, the bond feels stable but…like it's muted somehow. I hate this Bones, I could feel when he got hit and I didn't know what it was, then everything became muffled through the link, I was terrified.”
“That would explain his reaction earlier when Janice touched him, she was scared, Jim, she wasn't thinking.” Bones was quick to add when he saw rising indignation in Jim's eyes, everyone was well briefed on Vulcan customs and knew physical contact was to be avoided with Spock, Jim made sure of it.
Jim sighed. “I know, it's not her fault, I-”
He was cut off when Spock's eyes blinked open and he looked blearily around before his gaze landed on Jim's face, his brow furrowed in concentration or confusion, Jim couldn't tell, and he hitched him closer.
“Hey..hey Honey, heard you ran into some trouble out there, you'll be okay, I'm here, Bones is here, we just have to wait it out.”
Either Jim's words weren't having the desired effect or Spock simply wasn't registering them because instead of relaxing his entire body tensed, tremors wracked his frame. He adjusted in Jim's arms, trying to get himself up.
“Woah, hey, Spock? You hearing me?” Bones held his arms out in front of him, refraining from touching, but wanting to be ready in case Spock pitched forward. “Spock you need to lie down, your fever is high, you need to rest.”
Jim was sitting up slightly behind and held his left arm across Spock's back in case he fell.
“No-no I…Jim?” Spock's voice was wrecked, nothing like the strong baritone Jim loved so much.
“I'm right here Spock, right here, look at me Honey.” Jim cupped Spock's face in his palm and turned him gently around so he could see him. He smiled sadly when fevered eyes met his, god he wanted this to be over. Spock was hurting and he couldn't do a damn thing except try to comfort him.
“Ashayam?” The word hit like a physical blow and he heard Bones’ sharp inhale as his vision narrowed down entirely to his bondmate.
Bones cleared his throat. “We'll be outside if you need us Jim.” He stood and motioned Jones out with a sharp point, following behind him.
“Spock? What is it?” Jim reached to sweep mussed bangs off Spock's forehead and trailed his fingers down his face, lingering on his psi points.
“I don't-I can't feel you Jim…Your mind is hidden from me?...Jim, what is happening?” Spock's breathing picked up, and he shifted closer, reaching with trembling hands to clasp Jim's forearms.
“Hey, hey it's alright Spock, I'm right here see? I think whatever poison that plant had is messing with your telepathy. Just hold onto me, you'll be alright.” Jim tried to inject confidence he didn't feel into his voice, he drew Spock into his arms and eased them both back down onto their makeshift bed, Spock clung to him.
“You can't feel me at all?” Jim asked, carding his hand through Spock's hair. “I can feel our bond, Spock, it's fine, it's still there.”
Spock shook his head against Jim's shoulder, he tried to calm his breathing but was on the verge of panic, he knew Jim was here physically but it was disorienting to be cut off from him mentally, he missed the calm light that emanated from Jim's side of the link, he had grown quite accustomed to it resting in the back of his mind.
“Alright, ok…We can handle this, I don't want to risk a meld Spock, not until this fever breaks, just hang on a little longer, I’m not going anywhere.” He kept talking until Spock's breathing evened out in sleep and he felt his own eyes falling shut, utterly exhausted from the day's events and the adrenaline crash.
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Jim startled awake when he felt a hand gently laid on his arm, he opened his eyes and saw Bones, heard the whir of his tricorder. He took stock of their situation, taking a deep breath and stretching his cramped legs. He had recently invested in a double bunk for practical reasons; he wished for nothing more then to be back on his own ship in his own bed with Spock. They were taking a day off after this, and they weren't leaving Jim's quarters.
Spock was still asleep, his hand was placed close to Jim's face, fingers splayed like he was subconsciously reaching for his meld points. Bones was being careful not to wake him.
“How long were we out?” Jim whispered, he glanced towards the cave entrance, it was pitch black outside, he could see the light from the fire they had started flickering against the stone.
“About an hour,” Bones replied softly, running his scanner. “You both needed the rest, Jim,” He cut him off before he had time to protest. “Besides, it looks like his fever is going down, he might be strong enough to regulate his temperature effectively.”
“Really?” Jim asked, surprised at their seeming good fortune. “Maybe he’ll be able to sleep through the night, any word from Scotty?”
“I called him actually, status hasn't changed, he's doing everything he can.” Bones stood back up and cracked his back. “Lord I don't know how you can sleep on stone Jim, I'm hurtin’ just looking at you, I'm to damn old to be spending the night on the ground."
Jim huffed a laugh. “Believe me I'm not recommending it, desperate times my friend.”
Spock stirred in his arms and sighed, settling again when Jim hugged him closer.
“Can I tell the crew to start bedding down in here?” Bones asked, still giving Jim the option of relative privacy for them both, warmth spread through Jim's chest at the gesture.
“Yes of course, just let them know to stay quiet, I want him to sleep as long as possible.”
Bones nodded assent. “If he does wake up, try and get him to drink something alright? He's bound to be dehydrated after this.” He turned and exited the cave, returning a moment later with the crew in tow, everyone crept silently around, settling themselves for the night, giving the two men a wide berth, only a few whispered words passing between people.
A few curious glances were thrown their way but he didn't pay them any mind, whoever hadn't known about them had been thoroughly enlightened on this mission, Jim couldn't find it in himself to care right now, he closed his eyes as the fire was dying down outside.
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“Jim?”
He was roused out of sleep and opened his eyes to see Spock leaning over him, he was startled by the sudden clarity in which he could feel his bondmate, the bond was humming with their close proximity, shining warm and golden in Jim's mind.
“Spock!” A delighted smile broke out on Jim's face and he sat up, taking one of Spock's hands and enfolding it in both of his. “How are you feeling?” He kept his voice low, everyone else still appeared to be sleeping, deep even breathing filling the space.
“I find myself much improved, it is fortunate the same fate did not befall one of the human members of the crew, it would have been much worse for them. My Vulcan heritage appears to have given me an advantage.”
Jim's grip tightened. “I don't want to think about it, I was so scared Spock, I felt it when you were hit…and I wasn't there…” Jim's intention was to gauge Spock's temperature, placing his palm against his forehead, it turned into a tender caress, his hand sliding down to cup Spock's face. Spock took hold of Jim's wrist, thumb moving back and forth against his pulse point.
“You're really alright?” Jim asked after a moment.
“I am well, Jim.” Spock's eyes were clear and shining in the faint light spilling into the cave. “My only immediate need is hydration.”
“Oh! Of course, I should’ve thought of that, sorry.” Jim moved to stand and Spock let him go reluctantly, the noise must have woken Bones, Spock saw his head pop up across from them against the opposite wall. He didn't say anything, simply rolled over and grabbed his scanner before rising and making his way over.
“How are you doing?” The Doctor's voice was rough with sleep.
“I am functional Doctor, there is no need for your scans, my temperature is slightly elevated but I am handling it.”
“Humor me.” Bones frowned at the readings as they came flitting onto the screen. “I think the worst is over, as soon as we get back to the ship I expect you to report to medbay, I wanna be sure there isn't any long term damage, for now we need to get your fluids replenished.”
Spock couldn't help the smirk that rose on his face when Jim appeared in his periphery, holding out the canteen, it's contents sloshing.
“Yeah I should've known.” Bones rolled his eyes and caught the canteen when Spock attempted to hold it on his own, his hands were still trembling slightly. “Here, take it easy.” Bones helped him drink and set it aside, Jim sat back down next to Spock, keeping contact to a minimum now that his bondmate was more aware and no doubt wanting to preserve some of his dignity while surrounded by the crew.
“The sun will be up soon, I'm going to restart that fire.” Bones stood and picked his way gingerly over the sleeping bags, walking out into the pale light of early dawn.
“Still feeling weak?” Jim asked softly. Spock simply nodded instead of denying it, he felt the lingering effects of the poison keeping his muscles tight, he desperately wanted to relax. He took a deep breath in, closing his eyes, it would still be awhile before he could meditate properly. Jim's steady presence was an anchor in his mind, he was gratified to be able to feel the bond again, it’s absence had been most disturbing.
He heard the others beginning to stir, his eyes landed on Janice when he opened them, she was sitting up and looking at them, the question clear in her expression. He nodded once in her direction and her answering smile was bright, relief replacing the worry in her face, she stood and made her way outside.
Spock answered various inquiries as to his health and well being from everyone as they awoke and packed up their makeshift camp, drifting outside one by one. He and Jim were the last ones out, and he couldn't help smiling into the kiss Jim gave him after helping him to stand, supporting him until he was sure he could make it on his own.
“C'mon Spock, I don't know about you but I'd like to go home.”
Jim held his arm lightly against Spock's waist and they made their way slowly outside, just as the sun was appearing over the mountains to the east.
They all enjoyed a delightful breakfast of emergency rations, Janice sat a bit closer to Spock then she normally would've, offering to fetch him anything he might need. Bones grumbled about Spock's caloric intake and Spock assured him he was in no danger of suddenly withering away, at the same time accepting the protein bar Janice pushed into his hands with a word of thanks, this seemed to placate Bones momentarily. Jim was reveling in the familiar banter when his communicator pinged.
He snapped it open. “Kirk here.” Everyone spun to face him, conversation dying instantly, no one was particularly eager to linger on the planet.
“Aye Captain! Are you and the rest of the crew ready to beam back aboard? We've got it all sorted up here, the transporter's fully functional, awaiting your command.”
Cheers broke out amongst the crew and Jim heaved a sigh of relief.
“Copy Mr. Scott, stand by to transport the first group.”
“Aye Sir, standing by.”
They quickly cleaned up, dousing the fire and packing the supplies.
“Remember what I said Spock, straight to medbay!” Bones shouted just as Jim gave the order to energize, not giving Spock the chance for rebuttal.
“I think he means it Spock.” Jim laughed, sensing Spock's resigned amusement through the bond, they stepped together and Spock held out his hand, offering the ozh’esta to Jim. Jones purposefully turned, the others following his lead and Jim's surprise melted into open affection as he returned the kiss, holding it when he ordered four to beam up, only letting go at the last possible second.