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"Captain James Kirk, you are under arrest by order of the city council. You will accompany our marshal to a secure holding area where you will be held until you agree to pay the fine for your criminal activities."
Jim didn't have anything to say to that. He glanced back at the other members of his away team as a pair of stasis handcuffs was produced.
"Captain?" Sulu looked just as surprised as Jim felt. "Shall I call for backup?"
"No," Jim said. "I think we'd better comply. I'll find out what it is I'm supposed to have done. You two report back to the ship."
Sulu nodded. He and Uhura took a step back, both visibly tense, watching every move Kirk's captors made. Jim raised his hands in peaceful surrender. "Understand that the unlawful detention of a Starfleet commanding officer won't be taken lightly," he cautioned.
"You have broken our laws," the alien nearest to him said. He felt the hum of the stasis cuffs as they were fastened around one wrist. His arms were guided down to be fastened together behind his back. "Our detention of you is not unwarranted."
Jim shot a last look at his officers. He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he was led away.
***
"Arrested!? What the hell for?"
Sulu and Uhura had the misfortune of reporting back to the Enterprise at the exact moment that Dr. McCoy had entered the bridge. They found him standing beside the captain's chair, discussing something with Spock. Both of them were already frustrated with each other, so the news of Kirk's arrest was all it took to push them both over the edge.
"Was he taken forcibly?" Spock asked, his concern poorly hidden, even behind his careful mask of Vulcan reticence.
"He went peacefully," Sulu said in an attempt to reassure his superior officer. "They did not attempt to harm him, nor did they seem to have any mal-intent. The captain broke a law and is being held until he can pay a fine."
"A fine? What did Jim do?" McCoy asked again.
"They didn't say," Uhura told him.
"Well I'm damned if I'm staying up here while Jim's in a cold cell on the surface. I'm beaming down."
"Doctor, that is not advisable. I am first officer, I should beam down alone to retrieve Jim."
"That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard," McCoy said. "I'm beaming down with you and a security team and we'll get Jim out of there, even if we have to pay their damn fine to do it."
"Paying the fine would seem the most logical way to proceed," Spock said as they both started for the lift. "Mr. Sulu, you are in command until we return."
On the surface they were greeted by a small party. "We have been expecting you. Captain Kirk told us that we would likely have visitors. We assure you that he is unharmed and expects you to make the payment necessary for his release."
Spock turned to the one who had spoken. "We would like to see him before any payment is made."
"I want to know what the hell he did," McCoy said. "Jim's never done anything wrong in his life. What are you accusing him of?"
Spock would have pointed out that this was a falsity, and that McCoy knew it to be one, but he was beat to the punch by their hosts.
"He jaywalked. Twice. There is a fine, and choosing not to pay is punishable by jail time on our planet. We will arrange for his release into your custody once the fine has been paid."
There was a moment of silence, then McCoy burst into a fit of raucous laughter. Spock put out an arm to steady him as the doctor fought to catch his breath against another wave of laughter.
"He jaywalked?" McCoy asked when he could hold himself upright again. "That's what you've got Jim for? Jaywalking?"
"We take traffic safety very seriously here," came the defensive reply.
"Evidently," Spock said. "May we see our captain now?"
They were led by their hosts across a street, very mindful of obeying the traffic signals, and to a small industrial building. They entered past a desk where a clerk sat, and followed their guides into the back of the building where holding cells were set up. They passed a hallway of them. Inside the cells Spock could see an Andorian, a Tellerite, and two Orion women.
"Are they all here for jaywalking?" he inquired.
"Yes," their host replied.
"Sounds to me like the problem here is with your signage," McCoy said. "You're not making things very accessible to visitors if this many of them end up in holding cells."
Spock frowned. "Doctor, it is hardly the fault of the planet that visitors do not educate themselves on the laws and customs before their arrival."
"Of course you would think that way," McCoy shot back. "Sometimes you need to help people out. We can't all possess the foresight of a Vulcan."
"Bones? Spock?" Jim, now visible a couple of cells down from them, called out. "I could hear you arguing the minute you entered the building. Do you have the money?"
Spock looked at McCoy. McCoy looked at Spock. Neither of them had remembered, in all of the confusion and concern for Jim, to bring any money with them from the ship. Sulu's account of the event had mentioned a fine, but they had both been in too much of a hurry to arrange for credits or any other monetary item that might satisfy the fine.
"Well, Spock?" Jim asked. "Are you paying the fine?"
McCoy looked at Jim, stuck behind the violet tinted forcefield of his holding cell. He grinned. "Spock, do you know what I think?"
"Doctor?"
"I think we should let Jim learn his lesson. If we don't pay the fine, what's the jail time?"
"One solar day," their host informed them.
"Hear that? One solar day. Plenty of time for Jim to sit and reflect on his terrible wrongdoings."
"A moment ago you were protesting the unfair nature of Jim's imprisonment."
"Well, we could call Starfleet and kick up a fuss, but it’s like you said. The responsibility is on the visitor. You do still feel that way with Jim in the cell?"
"You wouldn't leave me here," Jim said. He didn't look sure of it though. He was pressed up against the forcefield, eyes wide with disbelief. "Bones, you wouldn’t ."
"I just might," McCoy said.
"I'm sorry, do you want him out or not?" their host demanded.
McCoy glanced at Spock. Spock raised his eyebrow in question. The question was answered when a nervous ensign stumbled into view at the end of the hallway. "Lieutenant Sulu sent me down with money for the fine," he announced, scurrying down the length of the hallway towards them.
Their host looked relieved to be rid of them. He stepped over to the ensign and hastily made the transaction. The forcefield lowered as the money was transferred.
Jim, who was still leaning on the field, practically tumbled out of his cell. He steadied himself, then immediately extended his hands towards them. Spock met Jim's upturned fingers with his own.
"You were going to leave me," Jim said. There was a barely suppressed whine to the words. He looked a little betrayed, despite his best efforts to maintain a brave front.
"Of course we weren't," McCoy told him. He pressed a soothing kiss to the creased brow. "I was just proving a point to Spock."
"Indeed," Spock agreed. "I am sorry that Leonard’s point was made at your expense. Neither of us had any intention of leaving you here."