#ticklish!chekov

“How many times was I called to Sickbay.” He blurted out. “And every time I went it was a bunch of tests! And they hurt! I didn’t even get a second to process what was happening, it was all so fast!”

The helmsman listened, taking in all of his friend’s complaints. But the thing about Chekov was, whenever he complained to Sulu, it was funny.

“What happened to the Hippocratic Oath?!”

Sulu didn’t know why, but Chekov was always over dramatic when he vented to him.

“‘Do no harm,’ Doctor! Do. No. Harm. Do you understand what that means?!”

He wanted to help, but it was almost impossible with Chekov acting the way he was - it always made him see humor in the situation. It was happening now, and he couldn’t help himself.

“I had so much blood drawn, you’d think I was donating it to everyone on the ship! I’m going to have bruises for weeks!”

“Well, when you think about it, if he had found something in your blood, you would be donating it to everyone on the ship.”

“Very funny,” Chekov commented sarcastically. “You’re lucky McCoy didn’t test on you.”

“Really?”

“You’ll understand when it’s your turn -”

“It already was. Remember when that disease that made you become who you were inside spread?”

“Yeah?”

“I caught it, was captured, restrained, and McCoy tested on me to find the cure.”

“Wait, why did he restrain you?” Sulu sighed, embarrassed.

“Because I thought I was a pirate and ran around the ship with a fencing sword. Now, did he strap you to a bed?”

“No, but you didn’t have an old McCoy - he’s even grumpier than normal McCoy!” Sulu laughed.

“What if he just fell asleep in the middle of a test?” Chekov chuckled at the image of the old, grumpy doctor, looking at results, just to sit and go to sleep.  “Or if he got confused and jabbed Chapel instead?” Chekov laughed out loud at that. “There’s that smile! I knew you had it in you,” Sulu said, poking him on “you.” Chekov jumped back in his chair, guarding his ribs.

“Sorry, forgot you’re ticklish. At least McCoy doesn’t know.”

“...He does.”

“He knows you’re ticklish and let you leave all mad?! He must’ve forgotten with that old mind he had!” Chekov laughed again. ”Guess I’ll have to make you happy, then!” The young Russian brought his arms up and out in front of him.

“Wait, Hikaru!” The next thing he knew he was tackled out of the chair and onto the floor, where Sulu drilled his fingers in between his ribs. The navigator squirmed in his friend’s grip, but didn’t really try to get away. It was no secret to Sulu that he didn’t mind being tickled. With that thought in mind, he flipped his friend over, deciding to go for his worst spot early.

McCoy, now back to his normal self, was walking through the hall, when he heard a screech come from the conference room. When the door opened for him, he saw Chekov laughing hysterically on his stomach, legs kicking, while Sulu was scribbling up and down his back - neither knew he was there.

McCoy stepped back out and, when the door closed, said to himself, “You deserve it, Chekov.” After all he’d been through, Chekov did deserve it.

“Hey, who wants to see something cool I learned in the Academy?” Bones said, that damned smile lighting up the room. Everyone else murmured in interested agreement. 

“One of my classmates taught me this but I never had the chance to try it. Jim, c’mere,” Bones tugged on Jim’s arms to get him to sit up. Jim groaned, but allowed himself to be pulled into Bones’s arms. 

“Why is it that when I want to relax, you’re suddenly hyper?” Jim leaned his head against Bones’s shoulder.

“You did say that you were bored, Jim,” Uhura chuckled, and Jim stuck his tongue out at her.

“Quit complaining. Scotty, try this on Chekov. I think he’ll get a kick out of this.” Bones smirked. Chekov perked up, having been absorbed in reviewing old mission reports. He had never really known how to relax, anyways. With some physical and verbal prodding, Chekov crawled over to Scotty and sat in front of him.

“Okay, so what you want to do is cup your hands, like so, then press down on your victim’s shoulders, for leverage.” Bones demonstrated, holding his hands like he was going to strangle Jim, then pressing down on his shoulders.

“Wait, did you say victim?”

“Next,” Bones said quickly, talking over Jim, “You place your middle fingers on either side of the throat. Move up a little—there you go. Just where the underside of the chin meets the neck.” Bones smiled a little when both Jim and Chekov flinched, huffing little snickers as they tried to stay still.

“Alright, now this is the fun part. Take your IP joint—where the thumb bends in half, here—and press right on the sides of the cheekbones. Don’t squeeze, but be firm. Jim, Chekov, you ready?”

“I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to be ready for.” Jim sat up a little straighter, as if it would help.

“I agree with the captain. I am a bit confused,” Chekov said, stuttering around a sweet giggle when Scotty adjusted his hold. Uhura cooed at him and he blushed a pretty pink.

“Scotty, pull your middle fingers up.”

The room exploded into laughter. 

Chekov turned to putty in Scotty’s grip, hands clawing at the engineer’s in order to break free. High-pitched, hiccupy laughs tumbled from his lips and he scrunched his nose. 

Jim toppled backwards into Bones and flailed like a fish out of water. After his initial screech, he threw his head back, completely unable to stop his bright laughter and Bones’s evil fingers.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen, our lovely victims are in a spot where they can’t escape, but it really tickles,” Bones said, grinning when Jim started to kick his legs.

“B-Bohohohones!”

“Jim. Is something the matter?” Bones asked innocently. Jim growled, or at least tried to, and Bones wiggled his fingers a little to send him into cackles.

“It tihihickles! Mr. Scott, pleahahase!” 

“Oh, does it? I couldn’t tell by the way you’re thrashing about,” Scotty teased, laughing himself when Chekov whined.

Another laugh joined the fray, and Bones was surprised to see Spock crumpled in Uhura’s lap, laughing for what was probably the first time. 

“I’ll be damned. He can smile after all,” Bones chuckled, drinking in the unexpectedly gentle sounds drifting from the Vulcan. 

“I couldn’t let you boys hog all the fun,” she smiled, vibrating her fingers to draw a snort out of Spock. His long limbs had seemingly tangled, leaving him completely helpless under Uhura’s soft hands. 

Jim, meanwhile, was laughing far too hard to enjoy the legendary moment. He’d been tickled plenty by his crewmates, but this was nothing like anything he’d ever experienced. Every nerve in his neck was alight with sparks, the sensation worming into his muscle and leaving him at a complete loss for words. The tingles jumped behind his ears and along his spine, and he even felt it in his arms, which was horrible.

“I’ll let you breathe. You okay, Jim?” Bones released Jim and he wheezed an answer, flapping a hand so Bones wouldn’t fuss over him. Scotty did the same, and Chekov curled up, still giggling as the sensations eventually faded.

“That was awful,” Chekov said, still sporting a blinding smile as he flopped onto his back and caught his breath. Scotty reached over and started poking Chekov’s stomach, delighting in the sudden breathy laughter that sent him curling up.

“Oh, you’re lucky you’re an ensign. If you were an engineer you’d never hear the end of this.”

“Trust me, Mr. Scott, I know. Thankfully, Mr. Sulu will protect me from the rest of you,” He smiled, batting away Scotty’s persistent hands. 

“Don’t count on it, Pavel. Hikaru has a mischievous streak like you wouldn’t believe.” Uhura had taken to stroking Spock’s hair as he calmed down.

As if by providence, Sulu poked his head in the room, curious and also seemingly dodging boredom. 

“Room for one more?” He smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets.

“Sure. C’mere, I wanna show you a cool trick I learned in the Academy,” Bones said with a bright smile and a wicked gleam in his eye.

“Run, Sulu!” Jim sat up with as much drama as he could muster, reaching out to Sulu like a man being dragged away. Bones immediately took the opportunity to vibrate his fingers into Jim’s ribs, toppling him backwards as he laughed frantically.

“It’s a trap!” Chekov yelled, before he too was pinned to the ground by tickling fingers. Scotty vibrated a clawed hand into Chekov’s stomach and the ensign shrieked, his arms and legs flailing wildly. He kept trying to protest, but he couldn’t overcome the giggles that burst out of him every time he opened his mouth. Sulu’s eyes widened into saucers and he bolted.

“10 credits says I catch him,” Bones said, dropping the now-incapacitated Jim. 

“20 if you make him squeal.” Scotty smirked, playing Chekov’s ribs like a piano.

“Aye, Lad. You shouldn’t have insulted the hair on his head.”

“Thank you, Scotty.”

“Yeh shoulda gone for the hair on his arms! Thickest I’ve ever seen!”

“That’s it!” McCoy let go of Chekov and tackled Scotty to the floor, digging into his belly. Scotty screamed as laughter bolted out of his mouth. His legs kicked and he tried to roll from side to side to save his sensitive stomach.

“I don’t know why you’d make fun of McCoy’s hair,” said Kirk. “Especially since your getting a little bald spot. Is your head hair going to his arms?” Kirk had been laughing through this whole ordeal, certainly not as hard as Scotty or Chekov, but hard enough not to notice when Spock left the room. As soon as he did notice, however, he stood and left without another word and without Scotty or McCoy even knowing.

***

Spock laid down on his bed staring at the ceiling. Everything rang thorough his head - the insults, the chants, the cruel songs. Everything. The ones that stuck out the most weren’t the insults about him being part human. The ones that he remembered most was when he’d be called ugly.

Due to his human heritage and nose they’d call him, “Elephant seal.”

They’d chant, “Ugly! Ugly! Ugly!” That was a double insult, since “ugly” was a human word.

They’d sing, “Vile profile! Spock has a vile profile!” His human part thought it sounded odd, but his Vulcan part knew what they meant, so his human half hurt. His human half still hurt.

As he stood and looked at his reflection in the mirror on his wall, his fear came true. One of his deepest insecurities had grown - they always did after he had these flashbacks. When he looked in the mirror, he didn’t like what he saw. He saw an ugly crossbreed. His eyes were small, his nose was too big. He had what humans called “laugh lines” - Vulcans didn’t laugh. Or even smile. They were ugly.

He was ugly.

The more he looked at himself, the more disgusting his face became. He wanted to look away, but he couldn’t. It was almost as if he was frozen, left to himself and his thoughts. Humans judged by appearances. If he was ugly on Vulcan, he must look horrendous to the humans. He looked so different from them with his eyebrows and ears. How could they see him as an equal when he was so ugly?

The Vulcans thought he was ugly. The humans thought he was ugly. It had to be true. Perhaps that was why he was often treated as an outsider. Treated like he was different.

His door opened. “I thought you’d be here,” Kirk said stepping into his quarters. “I wanted to check up on you. You left so quickly that...Spock?” The half-Vulcan had turned his back to Jim, sparing him from having to look upon his monstrosity of a face. “Look at me, Spock. What’s going on?”

“Nothing, Captain,” he lied as he slowly turned to face him. “You may depart and resume comradery with the rest of the bridge crew.”

“I make the rules around here, Spock, and  I’m - ”

“Starfleet makes the rules and regulations of each starship, Captain.”

“...And I’m staying. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Is that an order, Sir?”

“...Yes.”

“I just thought it most logical to exit before everyone turned their insults toward me.”

“Ah, you mean your being half Vulcan and half human.”

“Somewhat...” Spock said quietly, turning away again. “I thought they might  comment on my appearance. I thought you might.”

“What are you talking about, Spock?”

“You humans call it... ‘ugly’.””

“You are not ugly, Spock. Look at you! How many missions have we gone on where the girls were all over you?”

“Compare that to your number of occasions where females wanted your company.”

“It’s happened to you more than Bones.”

“At least he is treated well. Humans see that I am not one of them. They treat me differently for it. Sometimes they point out my difference I even say anything.”

“Spock, you know that -”

“Of course I know it! Look at me. My nose is massive. My eyes are miniscule. I have wrinkles around my mouth. I was ugly on Vulcan and I’m ugly by human standards. Two planets - two completely different species - two different cultures. Both say it in different ways. I’m ugly, Jim.”

***

“Hey, where are Jim and Spock?” Bones asked as he stood up from the floor, finally letting poor Scotty go.

“I saw ze Captain leave, but Spock was already gone,” Chekov took a sip of the drink he must have gotten while Bones was getting his revenge on Scotty, whose breathless giggles sounded in the background.

“Well I gotta get them too. Jim making fun of my arm hair and Spock is probably trying to protect him. Let’s go, Scotty.”

“’Let’s’?” Scotty asked as he sat up, finally catching his breath.

“Yes, ‘let’s,’ the two of us.”

“Why?”

“Because he made fun of your hair too!” A memory of Kirk mocking his hair played in his head, as vague as it may have been since he was distracted at the time, it still played.

“Aye, he did. Alright, Doctor; let’s go.” As soon as he was alone, Chekov shook his head with a smile.

“Zis is going to be a long night,” and took another sip of his drink.

***

Kirk sat with Spock, flabbergasted over what he just said. How could he repel the words and actions of two planets. Two separate people. Two separate cultures - wait a minute. That was it!

“Spock, I want you to listen to me now.” The Vulcan made a small sound, he was listening, even though he wouldn’t show Jim his face. “You’re part human.”

“Do not remind me.”

“Unlike Vulcans, most humans believe in the phrase ‘beauty comes from within’.”

“I’m not like you within. My heart is where your ribs should be.”

“Most humans believe that physical appearance doesn’t matter. Looks don’t define beauty, but it is how you behave that makes you beautiful. The way you speak, how you treat others, how you treat yourself. I can’t promise you that there won’t be anyone ever again who will treat you different or even say that you’re ugly. But I can promise you that you are one of the most beautiful people inside that I know.”

“What are you implying?”

“I’m saying that the people who bullied you, shouldn’t bother you anymore because they ignore the universal truth - that beauty does not come from the outside; but from inside. They looked over your beauty and proved their own ugliness. Spock, you’re intelligent, kind-hearted, and very loyal. These are three of the many things humanity knows is beautiful. You’re not ugly, Spock. And I’m lucky to have you as my first officer and friend.”

Spock didn’t know what to say, how to react. Thankfully, he didn’t have to because his door suddenly flew open to reveal a smug looking doctor and a proud engineer. Before Kirk could even speak, Bones looked at the Scotsman. “You get Jim. I’ll get Spock.” As the two of them were tickled to pieces, Spock didn’t hold back and let his laugh lines show.

12 days. It had been 12 days since any excitement. Normally, Jim would have been thrilled, but he had grown accustomed to the chaos that they had continually encountered for the past several months. It felt odd to not have his adrenaline kicking in - his muscles would spasm. It felt weird not to have to race against the clock - instead, time significantly slowed. It felt unusual for his crew to be acting calm. Heck, even McCoy let his guard down and was relaxing - taking Spock’s insults as a grain of salt. He hungered for the thrill that was nonexistent and thirsted for the activity that was not there.

It was boring. For the first time in months, Jim Kirk was bored.

Sure Jim had resorted to his usual teasing of crew to try to pass the time. Whenever McCoy offered to get him a drink, he’d say with a smirk, “Why, Bones, I thought you were a doctor, not a waiter.” Or he’d make an ear joke around Spock and when he was ignored, Kirk would add, “Can’t think of a comeback? Are your ears sharper than your wit?” Then he’d slap him on the back to show he was joking. He’d make drinking jokes to Scotty when he saw him downing his scotch, “Watch your intake, Scotty, or you’ll go from a Scotsman to an Irishman.” But when he teased Chekov, he was always teased right back.

No one else did that. Just Chekov. It wasn’t that they were hurt by the Captain’s comments, it was just that with no missions, they could finally relax and didn’t want to disrupt it with banter. But since, it was only Chekov, this only made Kirk even more bored because the others wanted nothing to do with it. He felt it was as if they were silently telling him to knock it off and to leave them alone

Now, Jim and boredom did not go well together. They didn’t mix, like oil and water. He couldn’t just sit and relax when he felt really bored with food or a book or anything. He had to be moving; and he had to have some kind of social interaction. He couldn’t have movement alone, and he couldn’t be with friends without movement. He needed them both; it was a symbiotic relationship.

He could maybe go play chess with Spock when their shifts were over? No, not physical enough. He could go train in the gym? No; that wasn’t social enough. Unless he would wrestle. No. He only felt comfortable really training and pushing himself with Spock or Bones as his partner. He knew for a fact that Bones wouldn’t want to wrestle during the day; let alone at night. And Spock, well, Jim didn’t know what Spock did at night; but he did know that the only thing he had ever agreed to doing was chess. Jim didn’t want to intrude on what could be an important Vulcan ritual unless it was an emergency. And unfortunately, his boredom was not a big enough emergency.

Dealing with boredom as an adult was hard. Why, when Jim was a boy and he felt bored, he would just pull practical jokes on anyone near him. Anyone he saw was a potential target. Jim smiled to himself as he remembered some of the pranks he’d pulled. He’d put a fake snake in the toilet, swapped kids’ belongings at school by putting their stuff in different backpacks, prank call random people - he even got someone in Germany once. Those were fun, but there was always something missing.

However, once he used his first joy-buzzer, it was different. He started doing pranks to peoples’ faces and being there with them; only then was he truly happy. He liked seeing their reactions and laughing alongside them. Once they were both laughing, he always knew that that person was his friend. He needed camaraderie just as much as he needed air.

He yearned for the old days; all he really did now was verbally befuddle Spock and just tease Bones in general. He needed something else. He sat at his Captain’s chair trying to think of something good to do. Chekov, unlike Kirk, was completely happy with this. It was his first time really relaxing in a long time - sort of like a vacation that he desperately needed; and he wanted it to last as long as possible.

Chekov turned in his seat to tell Kirk that they were entering another galaxy - no big deal; they’d been there before. There were no distress calls from anyone and there was no mission there. It looked like they were just passing through. Boring for Kirk. That’s when he saw it - Kirk’s thinking face. This was going to be either good or bad for him. Was Kirk just think of something to do after his shift? It was no secret that Jim was bored - which was weird seeing him like that and Chekov just wished it would stop. Or was Kirk going to tease him again? Well, maybe if he just told him, he’d get distracted. He took a breath.

“Captain, we are entering the -” He stopped when Kirk looked at him and suddenly smiled a mischievous smile. He quickly looked away, breaking eye contact. “The Triangulum Galaxy.”

Kirk began to rise from his chair, “Where are we going in from?” He walked forward to the Russian’s station. “I wanna know if we need to be prepared for any funny business from the - are you alright, Mr. Chekov?” On “funny” Kirk had brought up his hand and brushed his fingers across the back of Chekov’s neck. He gasped at the feeling. Sulu, who had seen it, kept glancing over at the two; trying, and failing, to hide the smirk on his face.

“Yes, Sir.” OK, this isn’t too bad, Chekov thought to himself. Worse things have happened. He sqeaked as Kirk tapped his fingers against his collarbone.

“Are you sure?” Kirk used one finger and scratched against the back of his ribs. Chekov lunged forward. Still watching the scene, Sulu’s smirk quickly became a grin. OK, I can do this, he thought to himself. It’s just a little tickling. I mean, it was a Russian who did it first. Tickling was nice here and there, it was good to laugh. But being tickled too much was something he didn’t like; and that was not good. He had his boundaries. And with Kirk, he didn’t know if he was going to be the only target.

“Absolutely, Sir.”

“Good,” Kirk turned to go back to his chair, but not without a squeeze to his right side, making Chekov jump. Sulu’s grin grew into a full smile.

“You know,” Sulu started. “This is probably going to be going around the entire ship now.” Chekov smiled at the thought that it wouldn’t be just him. That was good.

“Yes, I believe you’re right. I guess now I have to tickle someone?” Was he supposed to get Kirk back?

“Maybe,” Sulu said while sitting back in his chair as he smiled. “But I wouldn’t be so sure that Kirk’s turn is over.”

“Why?”

“He’s eyeing Spock now.”

***

“Mr. Spock, I’d like to see you in the break room for some chess.” After his shift, Kirk passed Chekov in the hall to catch up with Spock.

“Of course, Captain.”  Was Sulu right? Could Kirk’s next "victim” be the emotionless Vulcan? Would that even work on Spock? If Spock was next, he knew that Kirk would do it when they were alone, so Spock could keep his dignity - hence the break room. That was a shame because Chekov really would like to see Spock’s reaction to tickling. It had the potential to be incredibly entertaining - or fascinating, as Spock would say. Maybe he wouldn’t react at all. Either way, he wanted to see it.

Yet, he did want some revenge from earlier even more. He smiled and called down the hall, “Run, Mr. Spock!” That was when the door to the break room closed. Oh well. Chekov jogged to the room’s wall to see if he could at least hear anything - and he was not disappointed.

On the other side of the door, Kirk and Spock sat at a table and set it all up. Kirk began playing normally, making some smart moves that would occasionally confuse the half Human, and acting as if he was completely focused on chess. However, in reality, he was consumed by the thought of his own game. He settled out every little detail in his head - where he would target his friend and how...and hoping he’d become the loser of a tickle fight in the end. When his plan was complete, all he had to do was to wait for an opportunity to begin ‘Phase I’ and start making illogical moves. Chekov was about to get up and head to the mess hall for dinner when he heard Spock’s comment.

“Captain, that is the fifth illogical move you have made in a row. Are you alright?” Jim had to use much of his strength to suppress a grin.

“Yes, Mr. Spock, I’m quite alright. And it’s Jim; we’re not working right now.”

“We have talked about this, I do not wish for anyone under any circumstances to let me win.”

“That was never on my mind.”

“Then why have you been more illogical than usual?” ‘Than usual,’ Kirk thought, He’s so gonna get it.

“Sometimes, Mr. Spock, illogic is what keeps us humans going. We can’t be quite as serious and focused all the time as Vulcans can. We get bored. And when that happens, we need to have a little fun.” Spock stared blankly at him. “Fun like this!” He immediately began ‘Phase II’ and pinched and kneaded into the First Officer’s ribs.

Outside, Chekov waited for a response. Despite the fact that earlier he was questioning if Spock was even ticklish, he had since decided to not believe he was even capable of laughing. He’d never even seen the Vulcan smile, so how was he supposed to laugh? If Kirk thought he was going to get any reaction out of Spock of all people - or Vulcans for that matter - then he was sorely -

“Cahahaptain!” No. Way. Chekov pressed his head slightly harder against the wall.

Kirk kept at his ribs for a little bit longer before switching to his underarms after Spock tried to grab his wrists. As expected, Spock’s arms went down to his sides, pressing against them. Kirk knew he wouldn’t be able to pry his arms from his sides even if he tried; so it was surprising that he still had circulation in his hands. This meant that Spock was doing his hardest to not press down to hard on his Captain. Jim smiled, happy that Spock was clearly trying not to hurt him - Vulcan strength and all - but that didn’t stop his playing.

“Hahahahaha! Jihihihihihim!”

“Yes, Spock?” Kirk asked and quickly began pinching one armpit while lightly and quickly scritching his fingers on Spock’s skin with the other - not to mention occasionally digging in with one or both hands.

“Stohohohohop!” Chekov couldn’t believe his ears. A few feet away, Kirk  was tickling a Vulcan into oblivion.

“You want me to stop tickling your armpits, Spock?” Spock quickly nodded his head through his laughter, his dimples showing. He pushed his legs against the table trying to push himself further back and out of his Captain’s grasp. “Okay,” and with that Kirk pulled his hands out and went for his neck.

“Eeehehehehehehe,” Spock immediately scrunched his shoulders up to his jaw in an attempt to block the sensation. His head moved back and forth - as if that would help - but Kirk just kept it up, knowing that Spock was nowhere near saying their safe-word. Soon Spock’s laughter loudened as Kirk moved to his stomach. Spock bent over in his seat revealing his worst spots - right under his shoulder blades. All according to plan, Kirk thought and dove into ‘Phase III.’

“GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” On the other side, Chekov’s eyes widened.

“Well, I guess he has some human in him after all,” he said as he listened to the superior officer’s screaming laughter. Chekov couldn’t help but start laughing himself. After a few minutes, Spock managed to say something through his laughter.

“Ehehehenterprihihihise!” Kirk stopped immediately. Chekov figured that must have been a safe-word. When footsteps came closer to the door, Chekov bolted for the corner leading to a different hall. When the door opened, Kirk saw him at the last second and smirked to himself. He was going to have to get him again.

* * *

The next day after his shift, Kirk walked through the halls on his way to go see another friend of his and tickle him into next week - then he saw Chekov and remembered him running away the night before. Well, now’s as good a time as any, Kirk thought. He crept up behind him and tasered the twenty-two-year-old’s sides causing Chekov to yelp and jump forward. Kirk chuckled happily; the only reason he was getting Chekov again was because he was there last night.

“Captain,” he said as Kirk started to rapidly pinch at his sides. He tighttly closed his eyes and backed up into a wall and Kirk kept tickling as he heard Chekov’s laughter - it sounded so carefree. Jim wished he could be so carefree again and have the non-dangerous excitement that kids get to have. Maybe that was why he decided last night to get him again. Maybe he was hoping that some of Chekov’s nature would rub off on him. But deep down he knew that that would only happen if someone would tickle him in return. He wasn’t a kid anymore and so his only excitement while on the job would always be because of something dangerous.  

When he saw his face turning red though, he stopped and went on his merry way. By the time Chekov opened his eyes and caught his breath, Jim was gone. Twice. Kirk had gotten him twice. This wasn’t enough to make him feel uncomfortable yet. Honestly though, it was still kind of fun - like when adults act like kids. Actually, that was exactly what it was.

He decided then that he wanted to see who Kirk would get next. He figured it would have to be someone he was closer to. He had already gotten him and Spock, so that left McCoy, Sulu, Uhura, and Scotty. McCoy was his first guess, so he quickly made his way down to sick bay. On the way, he saw Sulu and Uhura talking to each other with the Captain nowhere in sight. When he looked in the lab, Bones was there, but no Jim. He slunk out before McCoy could see him.

“Scotty.”

* * *

By the time Chekov got to Engineering, Scotty was already on the floor laughing himself to pieces as Kirk pinched his knees. He has his hands on the Captain’s shoulders trying to push him away and failing. The rest of the Engineers looked on in delight with a sense of wonder in their eyes that could only be matched by a child looking for a sleigh in the sky on Christmas Eve.

When Kirk scratched against his ribs he squealed, his laughter became higher and louder as he squirmed in a “desperate” effort to escape the Captain’s clutches. His laugh lines prominently showing as his hair became tangled from his squirming. Chekov didn’t know why Kirk suddenly chose to tickle people when he was bored, but right now he didn’t care. Scotty had just rolled over and Kirk took the opportunity to poke at the backs of his knees. Chekov had never seen Scotty look so happy. Now this? This was good.

When Kirk kneaded into his stomach right after he rolled over again, Scotty just about lost it. His laughter became even more loud and he gave up on squirming all together to instinctively roll himself into a ball. It was then that Chekov heard a familiar laugh next to him. He had been so distracted by the scene before him that he didn’t even notice when Sulu came into the room. Chekov smiled at his signature deep laughter.

“Careful, Sulu,” he said. “If the Captain sees you here, you might very well be next -.” It was then that they heard a scream from Scotty and Sulu laughed even louder; attracting Kirk’s attention. “Too late.” Kirk got up and started walking toward the door where Sulu and Chekov were with a mischievous smile gracing his face. Scotty was still curled up and was giggling breathy giggles with a hand laying on his somach.

“Uh oh,” Sulu said still giggling. He fully understood what was about to happen and had mixed feelings. He had known Jim for the past three years, but only had complete and total trust in him since year two. Yet, for some reason, and he didn’t know why, he was feeling OK right now. Still giggling up a storm, Kirk approached Sulu as Chekov stepped back to watch. Kirk shot his hands beneath his ribs and dug in.

Sulu’s head flew back and his mouth was wide open with laughter gushing from his lungs. The only attempts he made to get away were doubling over and an occasional twist or two. Kirk smiled at Sulu and started to laugh along side him, almost forgetting the audience of one still watching a few feet away. He kept this going for a few minutes and backed off. Then he saw Chekov. Here again, Kirk questioned in thought. I guess he’s asking for it.

He walked to Chekov and spidered his hands up his ribs. Chekov squirmed which only provoked Kirk to give more attention there. Chekov laughed as he tried to grab his hands, but that only gave room for his underarms to be gently scratched.

“Nohohohohoho!” Kirk pulled his hands out and left the scene with a smile on his face. Unknown to the crew though, was that he was hoping that someone - anyone  - would just get him back already. He didn’t care who it was. He just wished someone would get him back.

Chekov watched him vanish from sight as he stepped into the turbolift and the doors closed behind him. OK, now it was starting to get annoying. Every time Kirk even so much as saw him, he’d get attacked. He wasn’t all too happy when Sulu suggested that they head to the Bridge for their shifts, thinking that the Captain might try something there. He’d already done it there, so why not again?  This was quickly turning into a bad situation for Chekov.

“I just...I don’t get it, Hikaru. Why is he always attacking me?”

“He’s not always attacking you. He got me too.”

“Yeah, but he gets me more than anybody else. I was the first one, then after Spock, and now after you and Scotty.”

“Maybe he just likes you.”

“I’m not interested in him, Sulu.”

“I didn’t mean like that. Maybe he sees some potential in you or something.”

“Well, then I wish he wouldn’t. I’m getting uncomfortable whenever I see him. It’s annoying. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish we would just cross paths with the Klingons or Romulans or something already to just give him something else to do.”

“Well, then tell him to stop,” Sulu said simply.

“He’s the Captain, I can’t tell him what to do. My rank -”

“Pavel, if it’s getting too much then you can tell him what to do. And by the looks of it, you need to.” Kirk wasn’t getting Chekov as long as he did the others, but Chekov still felt uncomfortable. He was doing it so much that the Ensign felt that even if he did tickle him longer, that he might not stop when Chekov asked him to.

This whole thing was starting to scare him.

* * *

Chekov was jumpy and on high-alert at his station.

“Coordinates, Mr. Chekov?” Kirk said and squeezed the back of his neck. Chekov jerked his head forward and brought his shoulders up. Once Kirk got his ship’s location, he strolled over to Uhura. “Frequencies open?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Are you getting anything? Any signals?”

“No, Sir. It’s still quiet and calm - just the way I like it.” Don’t remind me, Kirk thought and prodded her side, but nothing happened. He tried again, still nothing. He pinched her shoulder blades and poked her neck, but there was no reaction. He was about to try her sides again, thinking that maybe he should squeeze with a different pressure or speed, when Uhura spoke up.

“Captain,” was all she needed to say because by her tone of voice alone Jim knew he’d crossed a line.

“My apologies, Lieutenant,” he said and went back to his chair.

Wow, Chekov thought. If Uhura did that, then maybe I really can tell him that this is bothering me. The only thing to do now was to wait for a good time...after their shifts.

* * *

“Jim - Jim dohon’t!”

“But you’re always so grumpy, Doctor,” Chekov heard him tease. Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter coming from the sickbay. Anyone who passed would stop for a moment, have a listen and smile or laugh before heading on their way again.

Chekov heard the laughter and pleas to stop and his stomach dropped. He was sure he broke into a cold sweat as he couldn’t help but put himself in the McCoy’s possition. Being at the hands of another person who had just about complete control of your body, all because of a feeling on the skin, and no matter how much you begged and pleaded, they wouldn’t stop what they were doing and give you control of your body back. He stole a moment to gather himself as the doctor’s laughter grew more frantic, took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and courageously stepped through the door.

“Staahahahap!” Chekov’s fears became a reality - Kirk didn’t stop. He moved to his hips causing him to kick. The doctor was trapped laying down on a biobed by his own Captain as he tickled silly. Jim laughed at the situation.

“Do I need to move to your legs, Doctor?”

“Nohohohahaha!”

“OK, how about...here?” He started scratching the sides of McCoy’s ribs and would tease the bottoms every now and again. Chekov flinched as Bones started squirming like a fish out of water and his uniform became wrikled.

“Dohohohon’t Hahahahaha!” Jim only smiled and began squeezing his hips. Bones instantly curled up and grabbed his wrists. His head was back, his nose scrunched up, eyes almost completely shut, smile wide and Kirk heard happiness in his laugh...while Chekov heard angst.

“Stohohohohohop!”

“As you said earlier, Bones: ‘No’.” With that, he shoved his fingers under Bones’ arms - and Jim knew that was his weak spot. When he heard Bones scream and saw him stop moving (not knowing that Bones always became a non-moving dead weight whenever his armpits were focused on), Chekov decided that he had to step in.

“Captain!” He yelled. Kirk pulled his hands out and looked at Chekov worried. What was happening? Was someone hurt? Were the ship in danger? He started to run to Chekov, but he held out his hand. “Stop!” Jim stopped in his tracks two feet away from the young Ensign. Without lowering his hand, he looked past Kirk to the doctor catching his breath in the bed. “Are you OK, Doctor?”

“Ye-yeahaha...” He looked back to Kirk.

“Captain, a word?”

“Of course, Mr. Chekov.” He looked back to McCoy.

“Doctor, would you mind giving us a minute, please?” As soon as Bones caught his breath, he left the two of them alone.

“Is anyone hurt? Are we in danger?”

“No, Sir.” Kirk sighed in relief and sat on a biobed, but Chekov kept standing. “What do you want to talk about, Mr. Chekov?”

“I don’t really know how to say it, so I just will. Captain, you have got to stop this tickling.” Kirk stared at him. “People have asked you to stop and you haven’t. You’re crossing boundaries. And - “

“Mr. Chekov, it’s all in good fun. Besides, I know my crew and I know when they’re at their breaking points. Spock and I have a safe-word. Scotty enjoys it and goes a long time. Sulu has mixed feelings, so I was careful. I guess Lieutenant Uhura’s not ticklish. I know that Doctor McCoy can go a lot longer than that. And I’m pretty sure you don’t mind it.”

“But that’s just it,” Chekov said. “I do mind it.” Kirk stared at him, speechless. He really thought he didn’t mind. “I was OK with it the first two times, but you keep going after me and I don’t like it. I feel really uncomfortable. I can’t be within twenty feet of you without getting attacked. If the others are fine with it, then OK. But I’m not and I want you to stop doing it to me. Now.” Kirk looked to the ground, thinking about what was just said.

“Chekov, I’m sorry.” Kirk turned to him, but didn’t meet his face. “I thought you wanted it because you were always following me when I went to tickle someone. I thought you were asking for it. When I’m bored, I need something that’s both social and has some kind of action. This was the only thing I could think of .” Kirk looked directly at Chekov now,  a look of guilt in his eyes. “I didn’t know that you weren’t alright. I’ll stop. I’m sorry.” Chekov nodded.

“Thank you...Captain.” Kirk smiled.

“But, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You’re my superior officer...I didn’t feel like I could tell you what to do.”

“Chekov, when something’s going on that’s not right and you know I can fix it, tell me. I’ll fix it. It’s my job to keep my crew safe. Besides, how can you navigate us if there’s something really bothering you?” Chekov nodded in agreement and smiled.

“You have a point there, Sir.”

“So, are you OK, Chekov?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.” They both started to leave when Chekov thought of something.

“Sir?”

“Yes, Mr. Chekov?”

“It just occured to me. Since you kept tickling me, don’t you think that some revenge is fair? Besides, aren’t you still bored?” Kirk chuckled to himself.

“Yes, I guess you’re right.” Finally, he thought to himself as Chekov went after his stomach and tickled him until his own breaking point.

“You should’ve seen her face,” McCoy said as he told the story of Joanna’s first Christmas. “She was so excited about her new pacifiers and toys. Now she’s grown and studying medicine. Where does the time go?”

“I did not know you had a daughter. I knew you were divorced though.”  

“You didn’t?”

“No offense, Doctor, but I thought that Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock were your family now.”

“I suppose they are when I’m on this ship.” Chekov smiled at the Doctor’s realization. “That must make Sulu, Uhura and Scotty your family.”

“They are.” His smile became even more warm. “They are.” Chekov loved those guys more than anything or anyone in the universe. He would fight a Gorn, heck, an entire army of Gorns for them. He’d willingly lose his job if it was for their good. He would even let himself be abandoned on a planet, never to return to earth - or a starship,  if it would ensure their safety. “I am going to go see them after we are done.”

“Well then, let’s head back to Sickbay so you can see them.”

“But Doctor-”

“But nothing.” McCoy said. He wanted Pavel to see them. “This is family we’re talking about.” Chekov smiled.

“Yes, Sir”

***

“Bones,” Kirk said when they entered the Sickbay. “Me and Spock have been waiting for you!” Sure enough, he and Spock had been sitting by his desk. Spock sat with his hands folded in his lap as Kirk stood up. “Mr. Chekov,” Kirk greeted warmly.

“Captain.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Promptly following your departure, Doctor,” Spock said.

“They are your family,” Chekov said to McCoy. “They waited that long for you.”

“What was that?” Kirk asked.

“I suggested to Dr. McCoy that the three of you are family; and he agreed.”

“Is that so, Doctor?” Kirk asked. His eyes were warm; he was touched by this information. But they had a hint of...mischief?

Chekov was confused by the look in Kirk’s eyes; he was even more confused when McCoy’s eyes widened and when he backed up once Spock stood from his chair. It was almost as if he knew what happening.

“Mr. Chekov,” Bones said and snapped Chekov out of his thoughts. “This might be a good time to see your family.”

“Mr. Chekov, you are dismissed,” Kirk said as he and Spock closed in on McCoy. Chekov decided to take their advice and left. However, he wasn’t even a foot away from the Sickbay when he heard McCoy shriek. He looked back in to make sure nothing bad was happening.

He was shocked when he found Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock tickling McCoy against the wall. Chekov smirked and left again. This time, he heard a yelp, although he couldn’t tell who it was. All he knew was that it was coming from the Sickbay and that that yelp certainly did not belong to McCoy.

He peaked in again and was even more shocked to see Spock was now against the wall as Kirk and McCoy tickled him! Chekov chuckled and left again. Suddenly there was a scream. A loud scream. Chekov panicked and went to run into the room as he hoped no one was hurt. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Captain Kirk on the ground as Spock and McCoy gave their full attention to his hips. Kirk was still screaming. Since no one noticed Chekov had come back at all, he backed out of the room and this time would let nothing stop him from getting to the Break Room.

He laughed all the way there at the things he had seen.

***

“And he was screaming at the top of his lungs,” Chekov told them.

“Kirk’s ticklish?!”

“And McCoy?!”

“And Spock?!”

“Yes, yes and yes,” Chekov answered.

“Guess it makes sense. Most people are,” Scotty said.

Chekov peered over at Scotty and couldn’t help himself. He pinched his side.

“Hey!”

“Looks like someone else is ticklish,” Uhura said. She pounced onto Scotty followed by Chekov and Sulu.

“Don’t!” Scotty “demanded”, but his smile gave him away. He really didn’t mind. Soon he was thrown into a heaping fit of laughter with his eyes shut tight as his friends tried different spots. They even got him to squeal when they wiggled their fingers on his ribs. But his worst spot was his stomach. He brought up his legs and used his arms to try to guard his belly, but it did no good. Soon after, though, they learned something else new about the Chief Engineer: when he’d had enough, he’d fight back.

Suddenly his arms reached out, with his eyes still closed, and grabbed the first person he felt and started to kneed what he could feel was their sides. Nothing happened. Uhura did not make a sound, although Scotty’s plan did work - she stopped. Sulu and Chekov also stopped and stared dumbfounded at Uhura. When Scotty calmed down, he too realized what was happening and was just as shocked as the other two.

Sulu and Chekov joined Scotty in searching for a single ticklish spot on her body. Belly? Nope. Knees? No. Armpits? Nada. Neck? Try again. It seemed the woman really wasn’t ticklish...

Until they heard a snicker. When Chekov and Scotty looked up, the saw Sulu was tickling her collarbones and she was gently batting at his hands. Chekov and Scotty got up and joined their friend. Uhura had three pairs of hands against her only ticklish spot. Some dug in while others danced against her skin. The differing sensations were overwhelming, in a good way, and she snorted; this made the other three laugh. She was having the time of her life as she slowly fell to the floor with her friends still tickling her. She adored hearing them laugh.

She decided to have a little more fun and gently scribbled her fingers against Sulu’s ribs, since he found her collarbones. He yelped and laughed loudly and the attention of the crowd was automatically turned to him. Since Chekov was the closest to him, having working with him all day, he tackled Sulu to the ground and went for his neck and as a result, high pitched giggles spilled out of his mouth. When Scotty raked his fingers up and down his sides, his arms shot down for protection and he squrimed. Uhura tried his thighs and he kicked accompanied by a belly laugh. They had a wonderful time listening to him laugh, it showed his happiness. But try as they may, no other spot gave them the same reaction as his ribs did and after ging back to them, they eventually had to stop.

“How did this start, anyway?” Sulu asked once he relaxed for a few minutes.

“Chekov pinched my side,” Scotty said. Everyone slowly turned to look at Chekov. He giggled nervously and backed up. He had hoped that they would have forgotten to get him, but, obviously, they didn’t. Scotty lunged at him and pinched up and down his sides as revenge for earlier. Sulu went for his knees and Uhura attacked his stomach. Chekov yelled out with laughter as they tickled him silly. He tried to protect his belly, his worst spot, but he couldn’t. Uhura was too fast and his hands couldn’t keep up with hers. However, when Scotty accidentally tickled his back, Chekov screamed. He didn’t even know he was ticklish there.

They rolled him over on his stomach and together tickled his back. His shoulder blades, spine and lower back were all tickled at once and he was gone. He squrimed, screamed and laughed. Chekov discovered three things there and then. One - his belly was not his most ticklish spot anymore. Two - he didn’t mind being tickled by them as much as he thought he would. Three - they really were his family. He decided to let his guard down and just let them do their thing. He trusted them.

He found that he was actually enjoying himself more than he had all night.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy walked by the Break Room and McCoy decided to see if Chekov was still there with Uhura, Sulu and Scotty. When he saw Chekov pinned to the ground and laughing hysterically at his friends’ fingers, all he could do was chuckle.

“They’re your family, Chekov,” he whispered. “They are your family.”