“Hh’ASCHHhuh!” He sneezed explosively, and then groaned as he felt his nose immediately fill again.

For a fleeting second, he considered running to Bones. It was only recently that he was coming to terms with his feelings for his CMO, and the thought of being near the man, while also being fussed over and allowed to sleep all day (even if it was at the cost of a few hypos) sounded like heaven.

God, I must have a fever, too, Jim scoffed as he dragged himself out of bed.

The truth was, it didn’t matter what he wanted, because Dr. Leonard McCoy was insanely busy today. And really the whole week. The medbay had been overrun with scientists who had managed to give themselves some sort of painful, itchy rash that didn’t respond to normal medications, and Leonard was hell-bent on finding the cure.

So instead of bothering him, Jim vowed to just get through his shift and then go back to bed. They were cruising through space en route to their next planet, and weren’t due to arrive for another few days, so at least he wouldn’t have to do much. He could hide how he felt for a few hours, no problem!

With that, he shoved a clump of tissues into his pocket, and made his way up to the bridge.

Spock was already there, but thankfully seemed to be deep in conversation with Uhura, so Jim managed to sneak to his chair largely unobserved.

At least, until his traitorous nose betrayed him.

“HPMFSH! Hh'KGNx't!” He stifled hard into his fist, causing pain to shoot through his sinuses.

A chorus of “bless you”s sounded from around the bridge, and Jim felt his ears go pink as he nodded his thanks. Glancing back, he saw Spock start towards him, so he quickly swiveled forward and addressed the rest of his crew.

“Good morning everyone. If I could get the updates, please?” He quietly cleared his throat, trying to dispel some of the gravel coating his vocal cords.

He saw a few people exchange glances in surprise: on a normal day Jim would joke around with everyone first, making conversation or simply checking in, but today he was just too tired, and besides, every word he spoke made his nose twitch.

“Umm…nothing to report, sir,” Sulu finally responded. “We’re on track to reach our destination in 3.57 days.”

Kirk nodded appreciatively, knuckling at his nose. The rest of the crew gave similarly short updates as they moved to their stations.

Except for Spock. He lingered beside him, head cocked slightly as he asked, “Captain, are you alright?”

Jim smiled as convincingly as he could as he deflected. “Uh oh, emotions this early in the morning, Spock?”

The Vulcan flushed slightly but persisted. “I am merely inquiring as to why you have deviated from routine. Additionally, I believe I can hear your lungs-”

“I’m fine,” Jim interrupted quickly, not wanting the entire bridge to be regaled with how thick and congested his chest must sound to Spock’s superhuman ears.

“Should I comm Doct-”

“No! I’m fine,” he repeated hastily. “Now, how are your scans of the new planet going?”

Spock raised an eyebrow at him, pausing for a long moment before, thankfully, he let the matter drop. “They are progressing steadily.”

“Good. If you could continue with that, then, please…?” Jim suggested.

Spock’s disapproval was nearly palpable, his dark eyes piercing, but reluctantly, he made his way to his station.

Jim breathed a small sigh of relief, only to have it catch on the ever-present tickle in his throat. He coughed once, and then again much harder, but seeing Spock out of the corner of his eye, forced back the fit that threatened to spill out.

And so it went, for the majority of the shift: Jim struggling to suppress symptom after symptom under the Vulcan’s piercing gaze, while surreptitiously wiping his nose on his dwindling tissues - and then his sleeve once he ran out - whenever Spock’s back was turned.

As the final hour began to tick by, though, Jim found himself losing the battle against his cold more often than he won, and he was truly exhausted from the effort. His nose was running nearly non-stop, his lungs were burning with the need to cough, and he was freezing.

He crossed his arms over his chest for added warmth, leaned back against his chair, and let his eyes drift closed, just for a second…

***

He jerked awake some time later to Spock looming over him.

“Captain, I believe you would be more comfortable in your quarters,” the Vulcan murmured, bent in close this time to keep others from hearing. “It is obvious that you are not well.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he mumbled raspily, wiping sleep out of his eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. How much longer is our shift?”

“13 minutes, certainly a timeframe short enough that you should not be missed,” Spock replied pointedly.

“Spock, I - Hih’IHDSCHh’uh!” Kirk jerked his arm up just in time to keep from spraying his First Officer. “IH’DZSCHH’uh!”

“My point precisely.”

“Mbost people say ‘bless you,’” Jim rolled his eyes, wincing as he heard the congestion seeping into his words. “Bud fide, you wid.”

He dragged his body out of his chair, trying not to groan at the ache in his muscles. The movement made black dots swim before his eyes, and he swayed.

Spock grabbed his arm in an instant, alarmed. “I will accompany you.”

Too tired to protest, Kirk merely nodded his thanks, and the two made their way to the turbolift. “Sulu, you habe the conn.”

The walk to his room wasn’t far, but by the time they made it there, the Captain felt ready to collapse, leaning more and more heavily on Spock as they progressed. Spock half-carried, and half-dragged, him to his bed, and he flopped down on it.

“Thagks, Spock,” Jim mumbled, face-down in his blankets.

“Do you require anything, Captain?” he asked.

Jim shook his head, launching into a painful coughing fit.

To his surprise, he felt Spock’s hand on his back, rubbing gently until he managed to regain control of his lungs.

“Please allow me to comm Dr. McCoy,” he murmured, and when Jim turned over to look at him he saw the Vulcan’s face pinched with concern.

He shook his head again. “I will, later. Just wadt to sleep for awhile first.”

Seeming to begrudgingly accept that, Spock nodded, and turned to leave the room. “Rest well, Jim.”

“Oh, Pavel!” Sulu said suddenly. “I’ve been meaning to tellyou…”

Those words were tangible; Jim could feel each one needlingat his head and boring into his skull. His eyes involuntarily snapped shut andhe squeezed them tightly, and then even tighter. If only he’d done somethingwhen the symptoms first emerged…if only he hadn’t been so needlessly stubbornto remain here reviewing reports on his PADD, as if the outcome would be anydifferent this time…

After all of the migraines Jim had endured over his life, itwas obvious that this one wouldn’t just go away without some kind of treatment.But as usual, he’d hoped the pain would simply dissipate or at least lessenwhile perusing the latest engineering efficiency statistics.

The PADD he’d used to do that presently rested on his lap,and had gone untouched for several minutes. When would he ever learn?

Chekov’s laugh was by no means loud or obnoxious, but it wasthat sound which finally made the situation unbearable. Jim opened his eyes,inhaled and exhaled rapidly several times, and then braced himself as he intendedto shove his body out of his chair and make a prompt exit from the bridge. Hestopped right when he slid to the edge of the seat, however, finding Spock wasdescending the front stairs.

Gathering every bit of strength within him, Jim held his breath andthen put on his best professional face while his first officer silentlyapproached.

When he arrived at Jim’s side, Spock didn’t look at him. Hishands folded behind his back as he turned to face the main viewer, and then heslightly leaned in. “Captain.” Spock’s words were barely audible. With hisattention still on the screen, he continued, “May I speak with you privately?”

“Yes,” Jim breathed and hauled himself up. The excruciatingpressure in his head was more apparent than the weight of the PADD on his lap,and as he clumsily got on his feet, the forgotten device fell to the floor witha slap. All eyes temporarily shifted to the center of the bridge.

With dignity to preserve, Jim beat Spock to squatting toretrieve the PADD. The change in position made him dizzy and more nauseous ashis temples throbbed, but he would be damned if he’d compromise his reputation infront of his crew. Jim placed the device on the side console of his chair, thenpushed his chest out and lifted his chin. “Uhura,” he managed in an unaffectedvoice, “take the conn.”

“Aye, Sir.”

With that, Jim swiftly strode up to the lift, waving hishand before the sensor and calling it. Spock followed without a sound andremained perfectly still beside him.

‘Hurry,’ Jimsilently demanded, and then stood with his eyes closed and brow furrowed.

He couldn’t afford to look at Spock right now. Jim knew fromexperience that if their eyes met, the immense pain he was enduring would beobvious; in fact, he was certain it already was apparent and that Spock’sdetection of it had been the reason for his request for private conversation.However, as they were still on the bridge, they both needed to remainunaffected and establishing eye contact would only make that more difficult.

Jim swallowed hard and clenched his hands.

It was no secret that he was tough as hell and just asobstinate; he could keep himself looking and acting fit for duty in front ofanyone—even McCoy. Yet, Jim hadn’t been able to conceal any ailments from Spockafter a certain point in time. He could only assume it came with the territoryof sharing a bed with someone for so long.

The doors finally split and without a moment’s delay, Jimstepped onto the platform. Spock ghosted in beside him while Jim’s hand grippedthe lever. He cleared his throat before commanding, “Deck five.”

It took those doors only three seconds to shut, but those secondscould have been three minutes for all Jim knew. As soon as his privacy wasgranted, he groaned and grabbed his head, squeezed his eyes together and pantedthrough gritted teeth. Through his heaving, Jim heard Spock telling the lift topause its descent and all movement ceased.

“Jim,” Spock whispered.

Cracking one eye open with baited breath, Jim turned towardthe wall and braced himself against it. “Migraine,” he rasped, and then let hishead fall as he finally exhaled.

Jim’s shoulders rose and fell as he gulped air, trying tomake his pain manageable so he could at least make it to his quarters for ahypo. A hand fell on one shoulder and waited for a protest that never came before it gently coaxed Jim’s body to the side. Now facing Spock’s chest, Jim reached out and took a fistful of his blue uniform.

Spock snaked an arm behind Jim and then drew his headunto him. His hand caressed through blond locks gently and though Spock’svoice was soft, Jim could still hear the rumbling of it from within his chest. “Allowme.”

A single nod was all it took for fingertips to fall in placeover Jim’s psi points, and the divine feeling of utter comfort began washing his anguish awayin waves. The hand that had clenched to Spock’s shirt gradually releasedits grasp and Jim’s breathing slowed. He remained with the side of his facepressed against Spock for a few moments, reveling in the utter relief beforehis lashes fluttered open.

The light was no longer harsh, his ears no longer sensitive. His nausea had disappeared, and now that he felt well again, he also felt strange.

Jim had always been the one to look after others and put themfirst, so much that forever assuming the role of the giver had become part ofhis character. It was a curious sensation now to find that role reversed with himself pulled into Spock’sembrace like this. Suddenly uncomfortable with the attention, he gently beganto push back, but found himself held tightly where he was.

“Spock,” Jim said quietly. “Thank you.” He felt a handstroke through his hair one more time before he was released. Neither movedaway, however, as they remained standing with their chests touching.

“You require rest,” Spock said.

Jim shook his head and gazed at where his cheek had just been. “I should go back to the bridge.”

“Jim.” Upon hearing his name, Jim’s eyes raised to findSpock’s regarding him with the look he only received when they were alone. Darkbrows raised as Spock dipped his chin in a nod. “Rest. One hour and twenty-fourminutes remain of this shift. I will handle it.”

The logic was sound; after all, Spock had only shielded Jim’smind from perceiving pain. It was dangerous to leave the barrier in place,considering that he could wind up hurting himself without realizing it.Blocking the ailments wouldn’t cure the condition, either, and therefore, Jimrelented once more.

Spock took the lever and stepped back, but before hecommanded the lift to move again, he let his other hand trail down Jim’s arm.

Wordlessly, they walked down the corridor and bothdisappeared into the captain’s quarters. Jim went directly to the sleepingalcove and freed himself from his shirt. His fingers began undoing the zipperon his trousers when Spock approached with a hypo.

“Thanks,” Jim offered, stopping his movements to allow thecontents to be injected in his arm.

“There is no need.” Spock deposited the empty syringe in theproper receptacle and then returned to where Jim stood in nothing but hisbriefs. He was folding his trousers, so Spock reached for the gold tunic and did the same to save Jim the extra step. As he did that, he added, “I would request, however, that next time youdo not deprive yourself of necessary medical attention.”

Jim’s lips formed a small smile and he glanced down to thefloor before his eyes found Spock’s again. “You’re lecturing me about that?” he demanded playfully,taking both garments and setting them aside on the nearby ledge. “After youavoid sickbay like the plague?”

“The captain’s life is precious,” Spock repliedmatter-of-factly, pulling the covers back. When he straightened his spine, twoarms were placed loosely over his shoulders and about his neck.

Jim’s gaze fell to Spock’s mouth and his brows pulled in forjust a moment before he whispered, “Are you saying the first officer’s isn’t?”

Spock closed his eyes and barely shook his head, then openedthem again. With an inhale, he admitted, “It had not been my intention.”

“Good.” Their lips met in a soft kiss which lingered beforethey slowly pulled apart.

“I must return to the bridge,” Spock said. “And you,Captain, must rest and recover.”

Jim hummed and drew his arms away as he lowered to the bed.He slid his feet beneath the blanket, but remained sitting. “What are you doingwhen the shift ends? Working in the lab?”

“On the contrary.” Spock pulled the cover up to Jim’s waist.“In one hour and fifteen minutes, I shall return here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Indeed.”

“Only if you can.” Jim nodded. “And you want to, of course.I’d really like that.”

“Recall one time I have ever desired to not be near you.” Spock raised his handand settled his fingertips over Jim’s psi points once more. “As expected, you cannot.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

“Are you prepared?I suspect the medication has begun working, but it is likely you willexperience some pain once the shield is removed.”

“Mm,” Jim agreed. He looked up and called, “Computer,lights at fifteen percent.”

As the space dimmed, he felt a dull ache begin to resurface in his head, but itwas nowhere near comparable to the insufferable agony that had assaulted himpreviously. Taking a breath, Jim laid back against his pillow and felt Spockfollow him down. When deft Vulcan fingers caressed over his cheek, Jim feltlips pressing against his own again briefly before Spock pulled away.

“Sleep. I shall return shortly.”

Jim’s mouth pulled upward into a lazy grin and he closed hiseyes. Though he wouldn’t admit it, the sound of Spock’s footsteps walking awayfrom him left him feeling awfully bereft. Once the door swished shut, hereached for a pillow that didn’t belong to him and mumbled into it. “I love being near you, too.”

Holding it tightly, Jim pressedhis face against the soft fabric and inhaled the familiar scent that reminded himof cinnamon, of Vulcan, of home. It comforted him, lulled him into a sleep thatcured his migraine completely.

Jim had been in the middle of a dream that was much toosweet when he felt something soft brushing over his forehead. His eyesfluttered open to find Spock sitting beside him and stroking his brow.

“Do you still feel pain?”

It took a moment for Jim to realize he was no longer dreaming.Reaching up, he took Spock’s hand and brought it his mouth. Pursing his lips against it, he quietly thanked the stars for giving him this preciousgift. Against Spock’s fingertips, he whispered, “Only when you’re not with me.”

“I shall endeavor to always be, then.”

All Jim could do was close his eyes for that moment and smile. He would have it no other way.

~

Anonzy, I’m sorry this took like weeks to write. I started it when you sent it but then a lot of things happened and I couldn’t finish until now.