Jim woke very slowly, not really wanting to admit that he was no longer unconscious. He vaguely remembered talking to Spock – no, communicating with him over their bond. He did know that much of what he had said wasn’t really coherent but Spock had either understood or figured it out. He also remembered Bones telling him that he had to wire his mouth shut. Not good. //Spock?//he said as he reached up to carefully touch the side of his face. He could feel the swelling and bruising, and his mouth was completely immobilized.

“I’m right here, t’hy’la,” Spock assured him, standing next to the biobed so Jim could see him. “How are you feeling?” he asked, taking Jim’s hand into his own.

//Everything hurts, especially my mouth. But I can breathe. And I’m making sense, right?//

“Very much so,” Spock assured him, kissing his forehead. “I need to inform the doctor.”

Jim thought he probably nodded but wasn’t completely sure. His head seemed to be enveloped in gauze or cotton. Everything – sounds, sights, smells – seemed muted. He wondered if it was a result of the latest concussion he remembered them saying he had. When he heard the return of Spock with Bones by his side, Jim carefully turned his head, wishing he could laugh at the way Bones looked. Spock had clearly woken him up, his hair standing up at odd and amusing angles, and he was wearing pajamas. Jim thought vaguely that they looked too big for him but knew he didn’t need to be considering that fact at present.

“Welcome back,” Bones said, one hand on Jim’s arm. “How are you feeling?”

Jim looked up at Spock who explained.

“I’m sorry you are in so much pain, Jim. I can sedate you but I’m leery of giving you too much pain medicine. You know what they can do to you.”

Jim nodded, looking back at Spock. //I’m really thirsty.//

“Can he have some water?” Spock asked on his behalf.

“Yes. Tiny sips,” Bones said, getting a glass of cold water with a straw, handing it to Spock. “Tiny sips.”

Spock helped Jim raise up just a little, the pain renewed in his mouth and head. That first sip made the pain worth it, his throat soothed by the cooling water. “Mmm…” Jim sighed. //Thank you.//

Spock lowered him back onto the bed, returning the glass to the doctor.

“Does he want to be sedated?” Bones asked, studying the readouts over Jim’s head.

//He knows I’m right here, right?// Jim asked Spock with a very small silent laugh.

“Yes. But I must answer for you. Do you?” Spock asked.

//No. Can you help me with some of the pain?// Jim requested.

“Of course. He does not want to be sedated,” Spock told the doctor as he sat by Jim.

“All right. Tomorrow he can go to your quarters. Will you stay with him?” McCoy asked Spock.

“Of course. How long will he be relieved of duty?” Spock asked, ignoring Jim when he said he wasn’t going to be relieved of duty at all.

“Until the pain diminishes. About a week. He’ll be too tired from the pain until then. And then it’s not going to be easy for him to be on duty when he can’t talk,” Bones pointed out.

“I can interpret,” Spock said. //It will be fine. I spend most of our shifts on the Bridge.//

//Starfleet may not allow it,// Jim said in concern.

“Of course,” Bones said with a nod.

“He is concerned that Starfleet will not approve,” Spock said.

“I’ll release him to return. They’ll have a tough time overriding my authority,” Bones assured them both.

//Tell him thank you,// Jim requested.

“He says thank you,” Spock said with a nod.

“You’re welcome, Jim. Try and sleep. If the pain gets too bad, Spock should come and get me.”

“Of course, doctor. Sleep well,” Spock said.

“Good night,” Bones said with a last glance at Jim before wandering away.

“Let me take your pain,” Spock soothed, one hand on Jim’s meld points.

//Why do you need to touch me?// he asked, melting into the warmth Spock was giving him.

//In order to directly access the pain. Release it to me,// Spock said, closing his eyes to locate the worst of Jim’s pain. It was represented in Jim’s imagination as thorns, sharp black and three inches long. His jaw was filled with them, random and numerous. Spock touched one very carefully, Jim gasping. “You must release them, t’hy’la.”

//Mmm…not that simple,// Jim said.

“Have you always seen pain as thorns?”

//Think so. Not sure. Don’t touch,// he requested frowning internally.

“We need to take them out. Then the pain will not be as severe,” Spock said softly, carefully approaching one.

//No no,// Jim pleaded. He moaned when Spock ignored him long enough to pluck one out and lay it carefully aside. //Oh.//

“Is that not better?” Spock asked, soothing the spot where the thorn had resided.

//Better,// Jim had to agree. //Are they hurting you?//

“I am aware of your pain but it is not disturbing to me,” Spock assured him, releasing another thorn.

//Mmm…// Jim moaned at the sting of removal. //Can’t stand for you to take all of them.//

“What if I distract you with other thoughts?” Spock suggested, taking a moment to form a picture in his mind. He and Jim were standing on a sunny beach, the waves lapping gently at their feet. Jim studied the scene, enjoying the friendly sun and call of the seabirds. After a moment’s concentration, he managed to make both of them naked. “Is that better?” Spock teased.

//’Course,// Jim agreed, holding tight to their mental vacation as Spock continued to carefully pull the thorns from Jim’s jaw. //Can we swim?//

“Certainly,” Spock said, taking his vision of Jim by the hand and leading him into their private ocean.

//Nice,// Jim sighed, loosing himself in the sensation of floating on the ocean, staring up at the endless blue sky, his love next to him as the waves gently soothed them both. With Spock’s mental and physical presence providing him comfort, he fell into the sleep of the injured.

_o0o

When he woke, he wasn’t at all surprised that it was to the sounds of Bones and Spock talking quietly about him.

“Good morning,” Spock said, kissing his forehead.

//Why’s Bones so worried?// Jim asked, looking up at them both.

“It’s nearly noon,” Spock explained.

//Oh. Tell him I’m feeling much better. You stopped almost all of the pain.//

Spock nodded, repeating to the doctor what Jim had said.

“That’s why you were able to sleep,” Bones said in relief.

Jim nodded at that, holding tight to Spock’s hand. //I’m not going anywhere,// Spock promised him.

Jim nodded again. //Can I have something to eat?//

“He is hungry,” Spock told Bones to his nods.

“Good. I’ll make you a protein shake. And I promise it’ll have enough fruit in it you won’t be able to tell it’s good for you,” Bones said.

“Thank you,” Spock said for Jim. “May I help him to the bathroom?”

“If he can stand up you can take him,” Bones said, helping Spock to help Jim off the bed. “How is it?”

//If the floor would hold still, it would be fine,// Jim said, leaning heavily on Spock.

“He is a little dizzy but otherwise fine,” Spock said, waiting until Jim was ready to try to walk to the bathroom.

“Take it slow. And don’t let him go in by himself,” Bones warned, watching them make their slow way to the bathroom.

Spock carefully walked Jim to the common bathroom, entering with him as instructed. “Do you need a hand?”

//Not since I was two,// Jim laughed silently, tending to his body’s need. //Did you put me in pajamas?//

“I did. They are more comfortable for sleeping than your uniform.”

//That’s for sure.// Jim stood shakily in front of the sink to wash his hands and made the mistake of looking at his reflection in the mirror. //I look like something the dog drug in. That’s been dead for a week.// His eyes were encircled in black, the right side of his face one mass of bruises, his lips split and swollen. And chapped. //Chapstick?//

Spock reached into his pocket and took out the familiar tube, handing it to Jim who gratefully applied it. “You will always be beautiful to me.”

//Thanks,// Jim said with an internal smile. //I love you too.//

//I know you do,// Spock assured him, kissing his head.

//Do you love me?// Jim teased, a comforting ritual they shared.

//Only more than life itself,// Spock answered as he so often did, making Jim sigh internally.

//Sure am glad.//

“As am I. We must return you to your bed or Dr. McCoy will come to find us.”

//’Kay. Is he going to let me sleep in our quarters tonight?// Jim asked as they made their way out of the bathroom and back over to the biobed.

“I believe so. We will ask when he returns.”

//Good,// Jim agreed, sitting propped up with Spock’s help. //Ship’s status?//

“Starfleet has put us on light duty for the next week,” Spock told him. “Admiral Pike was most insistent.”

//He would be,// Jim agreed. //Is he angry?//

“At the Bulibelgs and at the Federation for not being more careful.”

//So not at me?// Jim asked, had to make sure.

“You have done nothing to make him angry,” Spock assured him, watching Dr. McCoy return with a glass filled with a thick pink substance, a straw up and ready.

“Here you go. Leonard McCoy Special,” Bones said, handing it to Spock. “Drink as much as you can.”

Jim nodded, waiting as Spock sat next to him and handed him the glass. After some awkward maneuvering, Jim got the straw through the gap Bones had left between his teeth, carefully sucking on the straw. The pressure caused some of the pain to flare up but Spock eased it with his tender care. //Thank you,// Jim said, drinking more of it.

“Is it good?” Bones asked.

//Tell him yes,// Jim requested.

//Even though it is not true?// Spock said in response.

//Polite lies,// Jim said. //It’s not completely untrue.//

“He says that it is tasty,” Spock finally said.

“Thanks. But I know you don’t really think so,” Bones said with an affectionate shake of his head.

//It’s growing on me,// Jim decided, drinking more of it. //How long will my mouth be wired?//

“His mouth will be wired closed for four to six weeks?” Spock asked.

“About that,” Bones agreed. “Maybe a little less. There was a minor fracture which I was able to repair. But we have to make sure your jaw heals as much as possible so it won’t go out again.”

//Do I have to be relieved of duty for a whole week?// Jim asked as he finished his protein drink.

“He would like to return to duty right away,” Spock said accepting the empty glass.

“Of course he would. You won’t feel up to for a week anyway.” Bones said. “So be a good boy and I’ll release you to your quarters.”

//Snort at him please,// Jim requested.

“I do not snort,” Spock informed him firmly.

“I’ll consider myself snorted at,” Bones assured Jim. “Do you think you can get to your quarters with Spock’s help?”

//Absolutely,// Jim said eagerly.

“I did not think you would be willing to release him already,” Spock admitted.

“I wouldn’t but you’ll watch him. And I have other things to do than babysit him. He’s way too high maintenance to keep him here,” Bones scolded.

//Tell him thanks,// Jim said, easing his legs over the side of the bed. //And get me out of here before he changes his mind.//

“Here,” Bones said, giving Spock a robe so Jim wouldn’t be roaming the halls of his ship in pajamas.

“Thank you,” Spock said, helping Jim into it and watching to make sure he was going to be steady on his feet.

//I’m okay. The drink helped,// Jim told him warmly.

Spock nodded, wrapping one arm around his waist, walking with him to the door.

“Let me know if you need something to help you sleep,” Bones said, going with them to the hallway.

“We will, Doctor,” Spock said, leaving and walking with Jim toward the turbolift and then their quarters. Spock helped him inside and to his desk. “I really wish you would rest.”

//Not yet. I want to check my messages, ship’s status, stuff.//

“Stuff?” Spock teased sitting next to him.

//Go to the Bridge, t’hy’la,// Jim said, looking at him with love shining in his blue eyes.

“I will shortly.”

//Once I’m safely in bed, right?// Jim said.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Spock said.

//Of course not. Has anything happened I need to know about?// Jim asked as he queued up his messages.

Spock caught him up on everything he had missed, none of which was particularly important. But Spock knew from experience that Jim considered everything that happened on his ship to be of importance to him. He would never micromanage his departments but he still wanted to know what was going on with his entire crew.

After Jim read most of his messages, he had to admit he was too tired to continue. //You’ll come back at the end of shift?// he asked as Spock settled him in their bed.

“I will. Are you going to sleep?”

//Uh huh. I hope I don’t bother you.//

“You did not contact me last night. I feel sure you will sleep,” Spock said, kissing him on the head before standing.

//How long before we can make love?// Jim asked, looking up at him from beneath his lashes.

Spock shook his head at that, backing away. “You are incorrigible.”

//I know,// Jim sighed internally. //Bye.//

Spock waited to make Jim could sleep before leaving to go to the Bridge. There wasn’t a lot that required his attention but he handled all those routine matters, also answering the Bridge officers’ questions about the state of Jim’s health. That they adored their Captain was obvious and filled him with gratitude that he too was a part of their lives.

When shift was over, Spock returned to their quarters, finding Jim still asleep. He informed Dr. McCoy who said Spock should let him know once he woke up. Spock agreed, handling some of his own work, listening carefully for signs of Jim stirring.

At the first sounds from the bed, Spock rounded the divider to find Jim visually searching the room. //Hey.//

“My love,” Spock said, sitting next to him. “Dr. McCoy needs to know you are awake.”

Jim nodded, breathing deeply. //Ship’s status?//

“All systems report normal, sir,” Spock said, kissing his forehead. “He can bring you a pain reliever.”

Jim nodded reluctantly, wishing that his jaw didn’t ache so terribly much. //Ask him if we can take a shower.//

“I already took one,” Spock teased.

//I can’t stand myself much longer.//

“I will ask. Stay where you are until Dr. McCoy arrives.”

//Yes sir,// Jim agreed with an internal laugh. He heard Spock talking to the doctor and knew Bones was on his way. Which he wished he could avoid but understood it was impossible.

“He will be here shortly,” Spock said as he sat again next to him.

//’Kay. Is he bringing me something to eat?//

“Yes. Oatmeal.”

//Gross,// Jim complained.

“There will be no raisins. You will enjoy it,” Spock said, making it vaguely sound like a threat.

//Fine,// Jim sighed. //When he releases me to eat, I’m going to have the biggest steak I can find. Even if you can’t be anywhere near me.//

“I will purchase you the steak and wait as you enjoy every bite,” Spock promised, looking over at the door as Dr. McCoy entered.

“How are you feelin’?” Bones asked him as Spock stood so that the doctor could have his seat.

Jim shrugged, looking up at Spock.

“The pain is still quite intense. But he is hungry. And he would like to shower,” Spock said.

“I have a hypospray for the pain. And his oatmeal. And you can take a shower together,” Bones agreed.

“Thank you,” Spock said.

“I know you don’t really like oatmeal. But there’s plenty of sugar. Enough even for you,” Bones said handing it to him. “And no raisins.”

Jim nodded, accepting the bowl and a napkin.

“You’re probably goin’ to have some drooling. But it’s just us so don’t worry about it,” Bones said.

//Drooling?// Jim repeated, taking an experimental taste of the oatmeal. It was better than he wanted to let on and took another bite.

“It is natural,” Spock said, using an extra napkin to wipe up a small spill of oatmeal threatening to run down Jim’s chin.

//Oh god. I can’t eat in front of the crew,// Jim said in exasperation.

“No one will comment,” Spock assured him.

“About what?” Bones asked as he watched Jim.

“If he drools in front of the crew,” Spock explained.

“You can’t help it, Jim. Everybody understands. And they are worried. Think you can have lunch in mess tomorrow?”

//Tomorrow?// Jim asked.

“Is tomorrow not too soon?” Spock asked for him.

“It will only be for lunch. Better they all see you at once than individually traipsing through your quarters,” Bones said. “They need to see for themselves that you are alright.”

//Okay,// Jim agreed. //But no drooling.//

“The doctor will provide you another protein shake. You had no difficulty with it,” Spock said.

//True.//

Spock and Bones chatted casually as Jim finished his entire bowl of oatmeal, handing it to Spock when it was empty. Bones gave Spock the hypospray for him to use after their shower, a shower which nearly exhausted Jim. But feeling clean and fresh was worth the effort. Spock decided that maybe he could sleep without the pain reliever and allowed Jim to convince him not to administer it.

//If I wake up, you can give it to me,// Jim promised, settling back into their bed.

Spock returned to his computer to finish some of his work. When his eyelids refused to stay open any longer, he carefully joined Jim in bed who automatically moved closer.

//Sleep, t’hy’la. I am right here.//

Jim sighed in his sleep, still again.