Spock Is Sick
The next day, Jim stood next to Spock’s station and glared at his first officer.
“You’re sick,” Jim told him.
“’m not sick,” Spock said, sounding congested.
“How many layers are you wearing?” Jim asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Spock looked down at himself then back up to Jim. “As you know, Vulcans come from a desert planet and this ship is not kept at a temperature suitable for us.”
“So…five undershirts then?”
“’m not sick.”
“Go to your quarters.”
“I am not…”
Jim stood up straight and went full captain on Spock. “Get off the bridge, Commander, and go to medbay, or your quarters. Now.”
Spock slowly stood up and gave Jim a speculative look. He opened his mouth to argue but Jim arched a brow, daring the Vulcan to say something. Spock shut his mouth then trudged off the bridge.
Jim sighed then walked to Uhura’s station. “Are we in communication range with New Vulcan?”
“We are, Captain,” she replied. “Want me to connect you to his mother?”
Jim nodded, “Yes. I’ll be the conference room so just patch me through when you get her.”
“Aye, Captain. I hope she’ll be helpful.”
Jim chuckled. “Me too.”
Jim smiled as Spock’s mother’s face appeared on the view screen in the conference room. She was a beautiful older woman with the same eyes as Spock.
“Lady Amanda,” Jim greeted. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Captain Kirk, what did Spock do?” Amanda asked, smiling at him.
Jim huffed out a light laugh. “He didn’t do anything. He…he’s just sick.”
Amanda placed a hand to her cheek and sighed. “I see. He’s quite stubborn when sick.”
“I’ve noticed. I was wondering if you had any advice so that I could…I mean not me, but like us…his friends could make him feel better.”
Amanda eyed him then smiled. “Plomeek soup and pla-savas juice. I’ll send you my special recipe for both. If he’s congested, get some vapo rub and make sure he stays in bed and rests, but that’s easier said than done.”
“Can’t you just come here?” Jim asked with a chuckle.
“I don’t believe that is possible. You’ll do fine, Jim. I mean, you all will do fine. Spock’s stubborn but I’m sure you can handle him.”
Jim nodded. “Thank you. Um…is there any chance that Selik is there?”
“He is in the garden just outside. I’ll go get him for you.”
“Thank you, Amanda, and thank you for the help with sick Spock,” Jim said before waving to Amanda.
“You’re welcome, Jim,” she replied before leaving.
A few moments later Jim heard rustling then Selik appeared on the view screen. Jim smiled at seeing his love’s older counterpart.
“Jim,” Selik greeted. “Amanda has informed me that my young counterpart is sick. I grieve with thee.”
Jim burst out laughing. “Oh god, are you…is he that bad when sick?”
“Yes. Give him plomeek soup…”
“And pla-savas juice,” Jim interrupted. “Amanda told me.
“Also read him a story.”
“A story?” Jim asked, his expression quizzical.
Selik gave Jim a small smile and nodded. “I illogically enjoyed when my mother would read me a story when I was sick.”
Jim smiled back. “I don’t think he’d want me to read him a story. I just…Uhura and all of us just wanted to see what we could do to make him less grumpy.”
“The food, perhaps coddling him a bit, and the story will make him feel better.”
Jim nodded. “Thank you. Um…the actual reason I wanted to speak to is…that…I wanted to know if you could teach me any um…shielding techniques. It’s just…you know Spock’s mental faculties may not be the best right now so I thought I could make it better for him if I had to…I guess I had to touch him in anyway. Does that make sense?”
Selik’s eyes twinkled as he smiled. “Of course, Jim. First, close your eyes…”
Jim got Amanda’s recipe for the soup and juice and managed to find everything he needed in the small kitchen the Enterprise had. He made sure he fixed everything right before placing the bowl of soup and the glass of juice on a tray and left the kitchen.
He entered the lift to head down to the right deck and found Bones standing inside. He smiled at his friend and noted that Bones was heading to his deck as well.
“What do you have there, Jim?” Bones asked.
Jim tried not to blush as he said, “Just…something to make Spock feel better.”
“Is that plomeek soup?”
Jim nodded as the turbolift arrived on the deck and they exited. “His mom said he likes it. Why?”
“Chapel brought some of that soup down here not too long ago,” Bones replied.
They walked closer and Jim fought back the jealousy at the fact that Chapel had beat him to the soup with Spock.
I have the right recipe, though, Jim thought as they neared the door to Spock’s quarters. When they were a few feet away, the door slid open and something flew out of it and hit the bulkhead across the way. Jim and Bones stopped in their tracks.
“I don’t want your soup!” Spock congested voice yelled from the room as Chapel ran out near tears.
Bones and Jim exchanged a look before the doctor took a hypo from his pocket and sat it on Jim’s tray. “For Spock. Good luck.” Bones then turned and quickly walked away.
Jim nodded at his friend left him alone in the hallway. He sighed then entered Spock’s room, shutting the door behind him.
“Whoa, it's hot,” Jim commented as he placed the tray of food on Spock’s desk.
“It is freezing,” Spock commented from where he sat on the couch, cocooned in blankets.
“You feel that way because you have a fever.”
“I do not.”
Jim sighed and then took off his gold shirt then rolled up his black undershirt’s sleeves. He turned to Spock and smiled.
“I brought you soup.”
“I don’t want soup,” Spock fussed before looking away and nearly coughing up a lung.
“Want some pla-savas juice?”
“No I don’t...wait,” Spock turned and looked at Jim with wide eyes. “Pla-savas juice?”
Jim smiled and nodded. “I called your mom and she gave me the recipe for juice and for plomeek soup.”
“I…I would like the juice and soup. Please.”
“Okay, but first you have to get into bed.”
“No. I‘m not sick and I don’t need to be in bed.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “Then no soup or juice. Only sick Vulcans get them.”
Jim tried not to laugh as Spock got a grumpy look at his face.
“’m not sick.”
“Spock…fine…just admit you don’t feel good then.”
Spock stood up and replied, “Well. I…do not feel well.”
Jim smiled. “Will you get into bed?”
“Can I have my soup and juice?”
“Yes, but bed first.”
Spock nodded then walked into his bedroom. Jim chuckled at how cute Spock looked bundled up in the covers before grabbing the tray and following the Vulcan. Jim bit his bottom lip at seeing Spock sitting up against his headboard, still bundled in his covers.
“Gonna become a Vulcanfly?” Jim teased.
“That is not logically possible.”
Jim grinned as he sat the tray on the bedside table then grabbed up the hypo. Spock moved his head to the side and bared his neck. Jim gently administered the hypo and then put it to the side. He then took a step back from the bed and smiled at the Vulcan.
“I’ll leave you to your soup and juice now.” Jim told him. “I’ll come by later to check on you.”
Spock looked to the tray on his bedside table then looked to Jim. His eyes almost pleading. Jim arched a brow.
“What?”
Spock looked back to the tray then to Jim. “I…I feel achy when I move.”
“And?” Jim asked before realizing what Spock was requesting. He huffed out a light laugh and shook his head. “I’m not spoon feeding you.”
Spock nodded then took a hand out of his blanket cocoon and reached towards the tray. Jim watched him grasp the bowl and shakenly try and move it closer. Jim caved when a few drops spilled over the lid of the bowl. He took the bowl from Spock then sat on the edge of the bed next to the sick Vulcan.
“I’m only doing this once, Spock,” Jim told him.
“Of course, Jim. Thank you.”
Jim smiled then dipped the spoon in the purple colored soup and held it out to Spock’s mouth. “Here comes the choo-choo.”
Spock arched a brow at Jim then opened his mouth and accepted the spoon.
Jim quietly tiptoed from Spock’s room. The Vulcan had eaten all his soup and drank his juice then promptly fell asleep. Mouth open and snoring. Jim thought it was cute but he needed to get back to the bridge.
Jim made it through his shift, but kept thinking about Spock and his sickly self. He grabbed himself a quick bite to eat before heading to medbay.
Spock woke up with a pounding headache from his congestion. He rolled over and wished he could smell the spot Jim had been sitting. He wanted his t’hy’la back. He didn’t feel well and he needed his mate.
Spock slowly sat upright on the bed and closed his eyes to stop the room from spinning before walking to the bathroom to relieve himself. He then checked on the temperature in the room and sighed. He was freezing but he didn’t want to raise the thermostat anymore in case Jim came back.
He bundled back in his covers and went to the corner of his room to try and meditate. He needed some clarity through his fever and achiness. He skipped lighting his meditation incense since he couldn’t smell and closed his eyes.
Spock focused on his parental bond with his mother and it soothed him. He then thought of were his bond with Jim would go and that made him sad. He opened his eyes and pouted before closing his eyes again and trying to continue to meditate.
Spock woke up to someone shaking his shoulder. He groaned and tried ignoring it but when he felt a cool hand touch his forehead, he opened his eyes and saw Jim kneeling over him.
“Hey you,” Jim smiled at him. “Thought you’d slipped into a coma or something. Why are you on the floor?”
“Was meditating,” Spock replied, slowly sitting up in seat position and realizing his headache was still present. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“You were snoring.”
“I was not.”
Jim chuckled. “Must be your congestion then, mouth breather.”
“Indeed.”
“How are you feeling? Still achy and feeling bad.”
“Yes,” Spock told him.
“How about you go take a nice hot shower and change your pajamas.”
Spock pulled his covers tighter around him and said, “No.”
“Spock.”
“I do not wish…”
“Do I need to call your mother?” Jim asked with a small smile.
Spock sighed and shook his head which aggravated his headache. He held a hand up to his temple. “I am not a child.”
“Headache?”
“Yes.”
“I got some vaporub to help with your congestion and a hypo for the fever, aches, and headache. I also brought more soup and juice.”
“Thank you.”
“You get them after you take a hot shower.”
Spock narrowed his eyes at Jim before sighing and standing up. He stumbled a bit and Jim reached out and steadied him.
“C’mon, Spock. Off to the bathroom,” Jim said before leading Spock in the bathroom and helping him remove his blankets and clothes. Jim turned on the shower for him and put it on hot then ushered Spock into it.
Spock eyed the water but caved and got in. He wouldn’t admit it, but it actually felt nice.
“Need help with anything?” Jim asked.
Yes, Spock thought before saying, “No.”
“Alright,” Jim chuckled. “I’ll see you when you get out. Try and stay in there for about ten minutes though. The steam will help with the congestion as well.”
Spock nodded and shut the shower door and let the hot water wash over him.
When Spock came out of the shower, Jim had set out pajamas pants and a button-up matching shirt for him. He dried off and put it on before getting into his bed. He tried making his cocoon again but Jim stopped him. Spock nearly whined but then Jim started unbuttoning his pajamas shirt. Spock watched his fingers then looked to Jim with an arched brow.
Jim laughed then moving his hands away after unbuttoning the top buttons and opening up Spock’s shirt a bit to reveal his chest. He reached over to the bedside table and picked up the hypo first and held it to Spock’s neck and injecting him the pain reliever. He put the hypo back and then picked up the small tub of vapo rub.
“I contacted Selik,” Jim told him.
Spock kept back a growl. You are mine. Not his. Mine.
“He taught me some shielding techniques. I know your mental bearings are probably wonky so I thought this would be easier on you if I learned some techniques.”
Spock nodded. “Thank you.”
Jim gave him a radiating smile. “You’re welcome.”
Spock closed his eyes and laid his head back on his pillow as Jim rubbed the ointment on his chest. When Jim finished, Spock opened his eyes and watched Jim put everything away then went into the bathroom. Jim came back out a few minutes later and went into the other room before returning with a tray of soup and juice. Spock sat up slightly and ate the soup and drank half the juice before laying back down on the bed.
Jim left him again for a moment then returned holding a book in his hand. He smiled at Spock then got on the bed next to him and laid down next to him over the covers.
“So I also found out that you like to be read to when you’re sick.”
“That is illogical and not conducive towards my recuperation.” It is true.
“So you want me to just leave then?”
“No.”
“Want me to read to you?”
“Yes,” Spock said softly. He looked up to Jim and saw the blonde with the bright blue eyes staring back at him. Do not leave me.
“The only children's book I have is Winnie the Pooh. Is that okay or do you want me to read you an adult book?” Jim asked.
Spock nodded and closed his eyes. “That is acceptable.”
He felt Jim get comfortable beside him then opened the book. He relaxed as Jim began to read about Winnie and his adventures.
Jim woke up a few hours later and found he had become a Vulcan’s teddy bear. Spock’s arms were wrapped around him and his head rested on Jim’s chest.
Cute, Jim thought as he tried moving out from under Spock. Spock made a disgruntled sound before tightening his hold on Jim. Jim then heard and felt a rumble from Spock. Jim raised a brow and looked down to the top of Spock’s head.
“Are you…are you purring?” Jim asked.
Spock didn’t respond, just rubbed his head against Jim’s chest and continued sleeping.
Jim smiled and wrapped his arms around Spock. “Spock, are you asleep?”
When Jim got no response or movement, his eyes softened. He gently kissed the top of Spock’s head before whispering, “I love you.”
He then laid his head back on the pillow and went back to sleep.
Jim woke up several hours later to someone poking his stomach. He batted the hand away and opened his eyes to see Spock standing over him. Jim blinked and noticed that his Vulcan was dressed in science blues and black pants.
“Hey, you’re sick,” Jim said, sitting up on the bed.
Spock arched a brow. “I was, but now I am well.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I woke four point one hours ago without any congestion. I meditated and my mental and physical functions are satisfactory.”
Jim nodded and stood up. He looked over Spock and did see the Vulcan looked better than he did the previous day. “That’s good. You look good. I’m glad that you were only sick for a day.”
“My previous illnesses only last between twenty-four and thirty-six hours.”
Jim grinned. “So you have been sick before?”
Spock glanced away. “Perhaps.”
Jim huffed out a light laugh. “And they say Vulcans don’t lie.”
Jim watched Spock give him an almost smile before looking back to Jim and meeting Jim’s gaze again. Spock’s eyes softened as he took a step closer to Jim.
“Jim. I…I…lo…”
“Yes?” Jim asked a little hopefully. What is he going to say? Love? No…why would he say he loves me.
“I…I just wish to thank you for your actions yesterday in regards to my well-being,” Spock said before stepping back.
Of course, Jim thought before giving Spock a dazzling smile. “No problem, Spock. I’d do it for any one of my crew. Well maybe not anybody.”
“Of course. Thank you again, Captain. I shall see you on the bridge.”
“Right, yes,” Jim said, nodding then walking over to the bathroom. “See you on the bridge, Mr. Spock.” I love you, you stupid Vulcan.