[sickbay - McCoy's surgery: open]

[rn_chapel]

As soon as Uhura had alerted her that the away team was beaming back, Chapel had sent a message to M'Benga, knowing that the experienced doctor would be needed. He was trying to get some much-needed rest, after a shift and a half overseeing the sickbay before Chapel took over, but it wouldn't be the first time that either of them forced themselves

Comments

[original_fine]

Jim can feel him pull away, and that absence is if anything more acute than the loss of Bones. Because it is deliberate. And of course, Jim has no way of knowing why, or what Spock is thinking, or whether this is to protect Jim or protect Spock. He can't even know what he himself is projecting that makes Spock react this way. After what they have shared, it seems unwarranted.

Was it just sex? No, not just sex, it couldn't be with Spock. It never was "just sex" with Jim, either, for all his reputation might suggest otherwise. But he can't help but take this as an insult, a lack of trust.

And then Spock collapses.

Jim tries to catch him, but Spock's weight is greater than his appearance suggests and Jim manages only to cradle him to the ground. He can feel a sudden spike of Spock's weakness, his physical deterioration, and all at once he recalls that he hasn't seen Spock eat or sleep. He's not sure about himself, either.

He wants to remain there with him, his fingers smoothing the gleaming black hair, but that won't help. He leaves Spock on the floor for a moment, telling him he'll be right back and trying to project calm and support through the link, not knowing if Spock can hear or feel him.

He bursts into Sickbay. "I need help. Mr. Spock has collapsed; someone help me carry him in."

[rn_chapel]

Chapel's smile drops away again, tension and concern coming to the surface once more.

"Put him there," she says, gesturing at a free biobed. "I'll get M'Benga."

[[OOC: I've got a class to teach, so you all might want to use M'Benga NPC-style until I get back? (and I'm doing tense shifts all over the place too, original_fine, so it's not just you at least ;))]]

[kirktastic]

Jim looked over as Kirk burst into the room and hissed through his teeth. He got off the biobed quickly and looked to the other-him. "Where is he?" He'd help get the Vulcan into sickbay.

[original_fine]

Kirk nods at Jim and returns to Spock, expecting the man to follow. Which he does, and between the two of them they manage to arrange Spock on the biobed.

He schools himself to patience though it is not in his nature. The bond makes it even worse, his anxiety more difficult to contain and he waits for M'Benga to finish with another patient. They do not wait long, but Jim has to force his fingers to relax. He knows he cannot hurt Spock's arm by clutching it but the joints of his own hand are showing white. He glances at Jim, unsure what the kid knows, or what he's been through himself but grateful for his presence. He'll have to remember to tell him so, when he can think again.

"What wrong?" he demands of the doctor, his gaze intense and his manner equal parts captain and worried friend.

M'Benga can find nothing physically wrong with Spock apart from the lack of rest, fluids and nutrition. But Spock has pushed himself too far before, farther, without such drastic results. It makes Jim feel guilty, that he has neglected Spock when his needs should have been all the more transparent and important to him.

The doctor orders hydration and rest, for now, and promises that Mr. Spock will be closely monitored.