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"Something is bothering you," Spock observed.
Jim, who had been idly kicking his feet against his chair, looked up and over at Spock's bridge station. "You noticed?"
"You're concerned for Dr. McCoy," Spock said. Again, a statement, not a question.
"None of this sits right with me," Jim admitted. "It's never a good sign when anybody asks that a crew member beams over alone. I understand that it was a sensitive medical issue, but I'd feel a lot better if one of us was over there with him."
"You sent over a security detail," Spock pointed out.
"Well yes, but we haven't heard from them or Bones in over an hour. I'm getting nervous. I can't help but feel that it was a mistake, sending them alone."
"You have beamed down alone before, at the request of the landing site."
"Are you suggesting it's hypocritical of me to worry? Well damn it Spock, I'm the captain. If I have to be a hypocrite, I'll be one. I don't like the thought of having to replace my CMO."
Spock came to lean on the side of Jim's chair. He was worried about McCoy as well, and he knew just how to press Jim's buttons so that he'd take action to reassure them both.
"Uhura, I want a channel open with the colony. Now."
"Yes, Sir."
The main viewing screen lit up quickly, displaying the face of the colony's governor. It was a Federation colony, and the governor wore the grey jumpsuit that all Federation colonists seemed to have adopted in this sector.
"Captain Kirk. How may I help you? Your landing party isn't due back for many hours."
"I want to speak with my CMO. I'm expecting an update from him."
The governor glanced at something off screen, eyes darting nervously back to the screen almost immediately. "I'm afraid your doctor is otherwise occupied. Things are bad here. We're keeping him busy."
Spock noticed Jim's hand tighten on the arm of his chair. "Then put me on with one of the two officers that beamed down with Dr. McCoy."
"They are unable to speak with you at present."
"Unable?" Jim said, his voice rising. "Unable to speak with their captain? Governor, I take a very dim view of this. I want to speak to a member of my landing party. Now."
"I'm afraid it's impossible."
"Well then, you can deliver a message for me," Jim said. Spock glanced at him in surprise. There was no way Jim had seceded so easily…
"Tell them the emergency relief team is on its way now. I'm beaming down myself with more men. We have supplies that McCoy needs in order to complete his work on your colony."
"Captain, you can't--"
"I can and I will. This is a necessary addition to the landing party. We'll be beaming down within the hour. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," the governor said. "We'll be expecting you."
The screen switched off. Jim stood so quickly, Spock nearly tumbled over from where he was leaning. “I'm beaming down. I don't like this silent treatment."
"Permission to accompany the relief team?" Spock asked as they started the turbolift.
"Certainly, Mr. Spock," Jim said. "Bring your tricorder and a phaser. We leave in ten minutes."
***
"I assure you, Captain, this is entirely unnecessary--"
"Governor, with all due respect, I believe I'm the final authority on what is and isn't necessary for my crew," Jim said. The governor was struggling to keep pace with both Jim and Spock, who were moving at warp speed towards the colony's central buildings.
Spock felt himself grow more relaxed when he spotted two red shirts directly ahead of them. Jim put on a burst of speed, carrying himself over the final stretch of grass to reach them.
"At ease," he said. "We're--" he waved a hand in a vague gesture at one of the crates that Spock was carrying. An excuse to get them down on the surface. "Delivering supplies."
"The doctor is just up ahead," one of the ensigns said.
The direction they were pointed in was a small building, not much more than a hut. It was too small to allow for the entire group to enter. Instead, Jim pushed the door open a crack and poked his head in. Spock could hear the relief in his voice when he exclaimed: "Bones!"
"Jim?" came the answering call. "What are you doing down here?"
"Checking up," Jim said honestly. "Just had a feeling. Is everything alright?"
Dr. McCoy emerged from the hut, forcing Jim to step backwards. Soon they were both out in the open air and Spock could dispel any lingering fear he may have inherited from Jim. The doctor looked in the same condition as he had been when he had left the ship.
"Everything's just fine. I wasn't expecting to see you for another few hours--" he broke off, his gaze resting on Spock. "Hang on, do you mean to tell me that you were worried too? That's a new one, Spock."
"We have had repeated incidents when senior crew members have beamed down unattended," Spock said defensively. "Statistics support our concern."
"Of course they do. Well, next time you should both just come with me in the first place, instead of sitting on the bridge sulking."
"Perhaps," Spock agreed.
They stood a moment longer, exchanging barbs and basking in the knowledge that they were, all three of them, quite alright. Eventually, the governor cleared his throat to get their attention. "Gentlemen, the doctor has work to attend to--"
"I suppose he does," Jim said. "Well, if everything is alright here, then I guess Spock and I can head back to the ship."
There was a moment of silence, the unspoken message being that they were all content as they were, standing there together. Finally, Spock placed a gentle hand on Jim's arm. "We should go," he said softly.
"Right," Jim said. He stalled another moment, unsure of what to do with himself, then he leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to McCoy's cheek. "See you, Bones."
Spock was surprised, but not as surprised as the doctor, who looked as though he might collapse on the spot. Spock dragged Jim away before he could do anymore damage.
They beamed up, leaving the image of Bones standing there red faced and grinning like an idiot burned into Spock's mind. At least until he had time to get used to it, which he was forced to do quite quickly when it became a rather common sight. Apparently Jim, now that he’d had one kiss, was not content to settle with that single one.