“That’s gonna smart, not that the hobgoblin would admit it.”  McCoy thought to himself.  He rose out of his seat and gently lifted Spock’s head off of the console and supported his head and neck back to the support of the seat.  McCoy patted Spock’s face.  “Spock, talk to me…come on wake up.  Spock, I need you to wake up!”  The smoke was so dense that it induced a coughing spasm from McCoy and his eyes were watering making it difficult to see the tricorder readings.

      McCoy hobbled over to the shuttle craft door and opened it.  It was fortunate that they had crashed on a class “M” planet.  He inhaled the fresh air and his coughing eased.  A sudden spray of sparks on the console grabbed McCoy’s attention.  This was followed by eruption of fires along the fuel and coolant lines.  He had to get Spock out immediately.  Once again he shook the Vulcan’s strong shoulders.

     “Damn it, Spock!  Wake the hell up!”  McCoy yelled.  There remained no response from his friend.  McCoy pulled Spock sideways in his seat toward the isle; he went behind him, encircled his arms around Spock’s chest and pulled him out of the seat and on to the floor.  As he went to arrange Spock’s legs a spray of hot fluid hit his face, McCoy quickly closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands.  He screamed from the pain in his eyes, face and hands.  As he moved away from the caustic fluid, he fell on top of Spock.  He was still screaming when a groan and movement from Spock shifted his attention back to the urgency of evacuating the craft.  McCoy rolled off of Spock and felt up his body for his face.  McCoy paused with his burning eyes closed and tried remember where the open shuttle door was.  A breeze on his face directed him and he felt along the floor for the doorway.  When he reached the open door he pivoted back and felt for Spock’s body.  His hands came in contact with the Vulcan’s shoulder; McCoy gripped the uniform and tugged Spock out of the shuttle craft.  They both fell on the ground outside the shuttle.  McCoy was gasping from the effort and from the increasing pain in his eyes and face from the burns.

      He reached under Spock’s arm pits and pulled Spock with him as he walked backwards as fast as he could from the shuttle.  McCoy was unfamiliar with the terrain of the planet and stumbled over the uneven ground, but he kept up his pace.  Suddenly the sound of an explosion followed by a wave of foliage, dirt and shuttle debris knocked McCoy back; he lost his grip on Spock was driven hard against the planet surface.  He gasped in pain then he lost consciousness.

     The impact of the explosion brought Spock back to consciousness.  He found himself lying supine outside of the shuttle.  His back was cushioned on soft fern-like foliage but the front of his body was covered with dirt, ripped foliage and debris from the shuttle craft.  Carefully he assessed his injuries; a large cut on his forehead and possibly cracked ribs on his front chest.  He took some deep breaths, it was uncomfortable but there did not appear any damage that would affect his air exchange.  Slowly he sat up and surveyed his surroundings.  The Shuttle craft had crashed and smoke was pouring out of the open door.  The duranium metal shell of the craft was intact; the debris was the interior contents of the shuttle.  Had the explosion thrown him out of the shuttle?  That was hardly likely since it was apparent that the explosion had happed after the shuttle door was opened.

     “McCoy, where was McCoy?” he thought.  He gingerly pushed himself up and walked over to the shuttle craft.  If McCoy had remained in the shuttle, his body would have been consumed by the flames that were licking the interior.  Though the smoke and flames, he could not make out a body in the console seat nor anywhere else in the shuttle.  He wiped a stream of blood that was trickling from the cut on his forehead into his right eye.  Spock turned and scanned the area around the shuttle for any sign of McCoy.  He walked back to where he had been lying and followed the path of debris.  Then he spotted a small patch of blue and made his way toward it.  As he approached the patch of blue became larger and he found McCoy.  The doctor lay on his back, his face turned away from Spock.  The first thing that Spock noticed was the red, raw flesh on McCoy’s hands.  He knelt down next to the doctor’s body and placed a hand on McCoy’s chest.  He was assured by the breathing and the steady beat of the heart under his hand.  Then Spock saw the side of McCoy’s face, he gently turned the doctor’s face toward him.  Red, swollen and blistered skin covered McCoy’s face and his eyelids were so swollen that only small slits were visible.  Spock searched urgently for McCoy’s medical kit and a tricorder.  They were not on or around the doctor; these valuable items must have remained on the shuttle.  Spock did a further check for them by following the path of the explosion back to the shuttle and tried to spy them in the burning wreckage inside.  Spock’s search was in vain.  He walked back to McCoy and found the doctor still unconscious.

      Spock began to catalog the area and make a plan for their shelter, water and food needs.  The flora was lush around them, a vast collage of greens, reds and purples.  Up from the ground foliage grew tree like structures that were dotted with flowers and possibly fruits.  The air was filled with the rustling of foliage and the occasional cackle of some life form.  Spock closed his eyes and filtered out these sounds until the reassuring bubbling and melodic sound of water drew his attention.  He followed these sounds to approximately three hundred yards and discovered a rapidly flowing stream.  He did not have a tricorder so he used his keen sense of smell and taste to determine the quality of the water.  The stream was clear and not stagnant; there was no decaying plant or other material present.  Spock knelt down and cupped the cool water in his hands, a quick taste revealed no toxins just minerals.  If there were bacteria present, the effects of these contaminants would manifest themselves later.  He took a deeper drink from his hands and his first analysis was confirmed.  On the other side of the stream, he spotted a grotto under the rise of some rock formations.  Spock found a natural path across the stream made by flat smooth rocks.  The ground in the grotto was slightly damp; the area was large enough for both of them and it would make an excellent shelter.

      Spock made his way back to McCoy.  The doctor was groaning and stirring.

    “Dr. McCoy, I am here.”  Spock said as he placed his warm hand on McCoy’s arm.

     McCoy jumped at the sudden touch and voice.  “Spock?  Spock!  Are you alright, Spock?”

     “I am well. “  Spock replied.

     “Don’t give me that crap.”  McCoy growled his voice was course from the inhaled smoke “I know that you have suffered a concussion, a deep cut on your forehead and you have some cracked ribs.”

     “My injuries, though irritating, are not as severe as yours, Doctor.”  Spock said as he noticed that there were more blisters forming on the burnt face and McCoy’s lips were now swollen and blistered.

      McCoy brought his trembling hands up to his face and felt the hot blistered surface.  “How bad is it, Spock?”  He asked quietly.

     “I would estimate that you have received second degree burns on your face and your hands.  Were you exposed to a fuel line rupture?”  Spock asked.

      McCoy nodded.  “They ruptured as I was trying to pull you out.  I don’t have my medical bag or my tricorder.  Do you have yours?”

      “No, Doctor, all of our equipment, food and supplies were damaged or incinerated in the shuttle explosion and fire.”  Spock said, “However, I have located water and shelter.  There may be some edible fruits in the trees.”  Spock assisted McCoy to a sitting position then to a standing position.  “I think that it would be beneficial for you to wash off the chemicals and apply some water compresses to your burns.”  McCoy held Spock’s arm tightly as they walked in the direction of the stream.  The doctor’s hands were trembling.

      “How do you know if the water is okay to drink?”  McCoy asked.

      “I have tasted it and I have not detected any contaminants.”  Spock replied.

     “What about bacteria?”  McCoy asked wheezing from the exertion of the walk.

      “I venture that if I had ingested some bacteria I will feel the effects later, but at this time I do not feel any ill effects.”  Spock said and slowed their pace so that McCoy could catch his breath.  “You appear to have inhaled some of the fumes from the smoke.”

     “You’re right, I did but I also aspirated some of the spray from the ruptured fuel lines.”  McCoy said his voice raspy.

      The melodic gurgle of the stream was now evident to McCoy; he smelled the moist soil as they reached the side of the stream.  Spock guided him further across the stream to the grotto.  He assisted McCoy to sit down with his back supported by the rock surface.  McCoy leaned forward and took off his tunic.

     “Use strips of my uniform to make bandages; I don’t want you to get chilled, Spock” McCoy said as he handed over his blue tunic.  He could hear the fabric tearing then heard the soft tread of Spock’s boots on the ground.  In a few minutes, Spock returned with the water soaked strips of cloth.  McCoy leaned back and applied the strips to his face.  The cool water eased some of the discomfort in his face and eyelids and he sucked some of the water out of the strips over his blistered lips.  He jumped slightly as he felt cool strips of cloth being applied around his hands.  “How are those cracked ribs?  You had a concussion, Spock, do you have a headache, nausea…”  McCoy asked, his voice muffled by the wet fabric over his lips.

      “My forehead is sore from the laceration, but I do not have any symptoms that would indicate adverse effects from the concussion.  When I was unconscious, my brain healed the bruised areas.  The cracked ribs are distracting, but there is no indication that they are fractured.  I am able to breathe well.”  Spock said.   “I would recommend that you cease from conversation at this time, Doctor, and allow the compresses to be of benefit.”

     There were muffled curses and McCoy sagged against the rock surface, his arms crossed over his chest.  Spock watched him for a while and soon McCoy’s posture softened then the arms relaxed as the doctor fell asleep.  Spock used one of the strips of McCoy’s tunic to clean the laceration on his forehead and tie the strip across his forehead. 

      The sounds of life around them increased and Spock spied some life forms moving in the foliage and the trees.  It was these life forms and flora that Spock and McCoy had come to study.  A quick survey of this newly discovered planet had opened an opportunity to study and catalog the life around them. 

      Their captain and mutual friend had decided that they both needed a vacation and sometime together that entailed their common interests.  Jim Kirk still did not understand the complex relationship between Spock and McCoy and their heated ‘discussions’ served to irritate him.  Though at times their arguments amused Kirk and when he was bored he would instigate them.

      The survey reports provided a vast botanical spectrum but also reported various life forms that ranged from herbivores to aggressive carnivores.  There were also sightings of a higher advanced species that appeared to be primitive humanoids that lived in small tribes.  It was the aggressive carnivores that alarmed Spock, their sizes ranged from 40 lbs up to 500 lbs.  Spock looked around the grotto for stones and large branches to make weapons with.  As he searched for these items, he also collected dry sticks and foliage to make a fire with.  The temperature had been 26-30 degrees Celsius (C) and with the onset of evening the temperature had fallen down to 20 degrees C.  Spock was not sure how low the temperature would fall during the night. 

      By night fall, Spock had made a number of spears and several clubs using the branches and stones he had collected.  He had collected enough branches and kindling to keep the fire going well into morning.  Among the stones he had found was flint rock for starting a fire and for sharpening the ends of his spears.  During his foraging, McCoy had slept undisturbed.  The moist scraps of cloth had fallen off of the doctor’s face and revealed a decrease in the swelling, although the blisters remained.  Spock found empty round pod husks that were perfect for holding water, food or whatever they would need in their shelter.

      Spock had been wise to build a fire; the temperature had dropped to 10 degrees C.  The cold temperatures brought on shivering that increased the pain from his cracked ribs. Spock remoistened the strips of cloth and reapplied them to the doctor’s face.  McCoy still wheezed mildly when he breathed but his breathing was unlabored.  He sat down next to McCoy and drew the sleeping doctor into his arms for warmth.  Then he entered a trance and allowed the subconscious area of his brain to monitor their environment.  During the night, McCoy awoke frequently, groaning from the pain from his burns.  When McCoy’s skin made contact with his, he could feel the intense burning, pain and pressure from the scalded skin.  He assisted the doctor in applying fresh moist cloth over his face and hands.  He also held McCoy upright when a coughing spasm shook the doctor’s thin shoulders.  At one point the pain and coughing caused McCoy to wretch uncontrollably.  The vomiting only increased the pain and soreness in his mouth and throat.  It was at daybreak that McCoy lay exhausted against the rock wall of the grotto, panting and groaning from the pain.  Spock squeezed some water into McCoy’s blistered mouth.  He could sense that McCoy had reached the limitations of his endurance from the pain. 

     “Doctor, since we do not have your medical kit, my I assist you in alleviating some of your discomfort?”  Spock asked.

      McCoy’s answer came so fast that it almost caught Spock off guard.  “Please, Spock, I…I don’t think I can take much more of this pain.”  The doctor gasped.

     “I am going to touch your face to initiate a meld” Spock said as he brushed back McCoy’s sweat soaked hair back from his forehead.  Spock flinched at the waves of pain coming from McCoy but he also felt the undercurrent of the complete trust that the doctor had in his abilities.  He splayed his long fingers in the meld positions on McCoy’s face and he eased in without difficulty into the doctor’s mind.  Spock followed the sensory pathways to the cerebral cortex and blocked the receptors for pain while at the same time stimulated the production of endorphins.  He could feel the success of his meld in the decreased perception of McCoy’s pain and the relaxation of McCoy’s body.

      While McCoy was sleeping, Spock applied the wet strips of cloth to the doctor’s face and hands.  The swelling in McCoy’s eyelids had decreased greatly; he was able to see the dark eyelashes and the slits of the eyelids.  Carefully, Spock separated the lids to assess McCoy’s eyes.  There was intense redness of the eye surfaces and the irises were covered by an opaque film.  McCoy would not be able to see with his eyes in this condition, the caustic chemical and thermal burns had caused damage.  If only they had the doctor’s medical kit and some of their supplies.

      Spock left the sleeping doctor and returned to the shuttle craft.  The interior was still smoldering and the smells of the burnt fuel, fabric of the seating and flooring remained toxic.  Their heavier research equipment had melted into one solid mass.  As he explored the area around the shuttle; Spock found the shattered and incinerated remains of the medical kit, their lab computers, their food and the tricorders.  The console of the shuttle craft was charred and melted.  Had they been able to use the Galileo, this crash and damage would not have occurred.  They had to use one of the shuttles on Space Station Omega IV.  McCoy had murmured during their journey to this planet that something “felt wrong” about the motion and noise of the shuttle.  However, he usually found something to obsess about on every shuttle mission.  When the shuttle interior cooled further, Spock would look for their communicators and phasers. 

      As Spock made his way back to the grotto, he watched some of the creatures in the trees eating the various fruits that grew on the branches.  Similar to a winged lemur, these blue and green furry creatures ate the red and purple fruits greedily.  Their orange eyes watched Spock intently but did not stop  devouring  their juicy prize.  The brown leather-like wings fluttered nervously in anticipation of a sudden flight if this stranger proved to be a threat.  Some of the fruits had fallen to the ground.  Spock picked one up and smelled its aroma, and then tentatively he took a small bite from the fruit.  It was rather pleasant to taste, its texture was like that of a pear but had a delicate taste of a melon.  There were some small yellow berries growing on a bush, but these had a pungent sour smell and the creatures did not appear to be eating these.

      He picked up a dozen or so of the fruits and headed back to the grotto.  As he approached their shelter he heard the sounds of painful grunts and cries from McCoy.  He found the doctor in the stream splashing and rubbing water over his face.  He could tell from McCoy’s frantic movements that something was wrong.  He deposited the fruits in one of the hollow pods he collected yesterday.   Spock strode over to McCoy and grabbed the doctor by the arms, McCoy shrieked at the unexpected contact.  Spock turned the doctor around to look at his face.  Attached to McCoy’s face were approximately thirty crustacean-like organisms.  There was bleeding from the skin where the doctor had tried to pull the bright yellow crustaceans off. 

     “Get them off, Spock!  Get them off of my face!  I woke up to find these things all over me.  What the hell are they?  Oh God, they hurt…get them off!”  McCoy screamed.

     “Doctor McCoy, calm down immediately.  You are causing more damage to your skin by trying to tear them off.”  Spock commanded firmly.  He grabbed the doctor’s wrists and guided him out of the stream and back to the shelter of the grotto.  He forced the doctor to sit down, and then examined the organisms that had attached themselves to McCoy’s face.  “Fascinating.”  He said.

     “Fascinating?....  Fascinating?!!”  McCoy cried exasperated.  “I’m covered in blood sucking slimy things and you find it fascinating?”  McCoy swung at Spock with his fists futilely.  Spock grabbed his wrists and held them firmly in one of his hands as his free hand touched the crustaceans.  He was able to break the mouth seal of one by squeezing both sides of the creature’s head and pressing down on the top of its head. 

      Spock studied McCoy’s face; the creatures had removed the blistered area of the doctor’s skin, even on the eyelids and mouth.  McCoy’s face was still bright red but the swelling had been greatly diminished.  “Doctor, you have been assisted in healing by this planet’s equivalent of leeches.  These creatures have removed the blisters and edema from your face.”

     “I don’t care, get them off!”  McCoy yelled.

      Spock sighed and complied with the doctor’s request by removing every creature.  He released them back into the stream.  He turned back to McCoy who was feeling the skin on his face, his expression of revulsion had changed to one of awe.  Spock studied the doctor further; his black undershirt and pants were soaked, the wrappings around his hands had fallen off and his boots were water logged and squished with movement.  Some of the crustaceans were attached to the doctor’s hands, arms and neck.  It was necessary to remove McCoy’s clothes to allow them to dry and to check for other creatures that might have latched on to his skin.

     “Doctor, you need to remove your wet clothes and boots before you become chilled and it would be wise to check you for other organisms.”  Spock said as he tugged at McCoy’s black undershirt.

       McCoy was able to open his eyelids and the red circled filmy irises stared in Spock’s direction.  “Are there more on me, Spock?” the doctor asked as the undershirt was removed.  Spock gently pushed him back against the wall of the grotto and removed McCoy’s boots, socks and pants.  McCoy drew his knees to his chest and huddled shivering. 

     “Doctor, I am going to be removing more of these creatures.  I will start with your neck and chest first, and then remove those on your back, legs and arms.”     Spock said, he slightly grunted from the pain in his chest as he knelt down next to McCoy.  The doctor was silent during the removal of the creatures; some had embedded their mouths deep in McCoy’s skin.  Occasionally McCoy would wince but he remained calm.  When Spock had removed most of the crustacean-leeches, he sat back to rest and relaxed his chest.

     “How are those ribs feelin’, Spock?”  McCoy asked.

    “As I stated before, the pain is an annoyance but I do not have difficulty in breathing.  There is one more area that needs to be checked for these creatures.  You need to remove your briefs, Doctor.”  Spock noted the sudden stiff posture from McCoy and the color of his skin had reddened further.

   “You don’t think that….? Dammit,  I’ll do the exam myself.”  McCoy said as he felt around his groin and testicles, then he felt his buttocks.  “I don’t feel anything that shouldn’t be there.”

   “It may be wise to examine your rectal area as well.  Leeches have been known to…..”  Spock said, McCoy could swear there was hint of smugness from Spock. 

    “Ug!  You don’t have to remind me!”  McCoy said as he examined himself further, Spock assessed the exposed skin.  There were no remaining creatures.  What he did notice was the smooth musculature of McCoy’s body.

     Though slim, McCoy had well defined muscles, he had what could be described as a runner or dancer’s body.  His movements were agile and smooth.  Spock had noticed the even skin tones and the softness of the doctor’s skin as well. Some humans would not consider McCoy as being attractive, but his dark hair and the vibrant blue eyes complimented him.  There were times when he had seen McCoy asleep or when he smiled, the doctor was beautiful.

      “Well, that should count as a complete yearly physical.”  McCoy said as he pulled his briefs back on.  “Spock, would you please help me to the stream to wash my hands?”  Spock knelt forward and guided McCoy to the stream.  “Thanks.”

     After they had both settled back against the wall of the grotto, Spock brought the pod containing the fruit closer to them.

      “I observed some of the animals eating this fruit.  I had a bite of it and I have suffered no ill effects.”  Spock said as he placed one of the fruits in McCoy’s hand.  It does not need to be peeled.”

      McCoy had difficult biting into the fruit with his raw lips.

     Spock took the fruit and cut slices using a flint tool.  He returned the sliced fruit into McCoy’s hand.

      McCoy sucked on the fruit and was able to squash the fruit into a consistency that he could swallow.  He ate two more of the fruits greedily; the juices had dribbled down his chin and neck.  Spock dipped his hand in water and delicately wiped the juice from McCoy’s face.  He turned to Spock, his sightless eyes opened in Spock’s direction.  McCoy reached out his hand until he made contact with Spock’s face, his fingers tracing the Vulcan’s face and then to his ear.

      “Thank you for helping me, Spock, I don’t think I could have made it this far without you.”  McCoy paused and Spock could hear a stifled sob.  “I would give anything to see you.”  The reddened fingers traced back from Spock’s ear to his eyebrow.  “I know I make crude comments about your Vulcan features, but I think that you are handsome.”  Then McCoy let his hand fall back and for a moment, Spock felt the loss of McCoy’s touch.  “Are my clothes dry?’  McCoy asked.

      Spock slowly rose and walked over to the clothes drying on a tree branch.  The clothes were still wet, “I regret that they are still wet, Doctor.”  Spock looked at the sun setting; the clothes would not dry until tomorrow.  “Evening is approaching, Doctor, the clothes will not be dry until tomorrow.  I could give you my pants…”

      “Absolutely not, Spock.  Even with your uniform on, the night is too cool for you.  I can take the cool temperatures; it will be like some of my camping trips      in Colorado.”  McCoy paused then said softly, “You could see a million stars at night, sometimes shooting stars.  Well, let’s at least get a good campfire going.”

      Spock did not want to break the nostalgic memories for the doctor by arguing that this was not a camp out.  He gathered the dried leaves, kindling and larger pieces of wood for their fire.  Spock made the fire closer to the wall of the grotto to keep them warm during the night.  As they settled to go to sleep, Spock pulled McCoy closer to him.  McCoy’s body relaxed in the heat from Spock and later he had draped his arm across the Vulcan’s waist and one of his legs had intertwined with Spock’s legs.  McCoy stirred a couple of times but fell back asleep when Spock initiated the meld to control the pain.  Spock listened to the sounds around him, the gurgle of the water and the doctor’s warm breath against his neck.  He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

      Spock’s subconscious awareness woke him when he heard a low growl from      a large dark shape that stood on the bank by their shelter.  The spears that he had made were ten feet away.  He eased McCoy’s sleeping body off of him and gingerly rose, his legs, back and chest were stiff from his sleeping position.  His chest was still painful from the cracked ribs.  He walked away from McCoy to the spears, the dark form paralleling his movements.  It had to weigh more than 200 lbs, the eyes glowed red in the reflection of their fire and its muscular body was covered in matted gray fur.  Then the animal attacked with a leap at Spock the large form making contact with him.

     He felt the claws of the animal tearing at his shoulders and he held the huge head away from his face and neck.  Large sharp teeth snapped at him, while the animal’s claws moved over his chest.  The pain from the contact over his ribs engulfed him.  He used all of his strength to push the animal off of him, but his strength was ebbing.  Then he heard McCoy screaming at him.

    “Spock, what’s going on?  Are you being attacked?  Where are you?”

    The pale form of McCoy came within site and the animal stopped his attack on Spock and bolted for McCoy.  At this time Spock was able to grab one of his spears and precisely throw the spear through the chest of the seething animal.

      The beast landed with a thud two feet from McCoy.  The doctor could smell the pungent odor of the beast and feel the hot breath on his bare feet.  The doctor swung his arms about wildly.  “Spock, where are you?  Are you hurt?  Damn it, where are you?!”

       “I am uninjured, Doctor, do not move.  There is a wounded animal laying two feet in front of you.”  Spock called out to McCoy.

     Uncertain of what to do, McCoy took several steps back.  Spock pushed another spear through the animal’s chest and the creature died.  Spock dragged its body away from the grotto.  He returned to their shelter and sat down near McCoy.  Immediately the doctor grabbed Spock and held him still. The doctor’s swollen fingers quickly assessed the scratches on Spock’s shoulders and chest.  Taking some wet strips of cloth from a bowl that was in their sleeping area, McCoy cleaned the scratched area by feeling where Spock’s torn skin was.  Spock closed his hand over McCoy’s halting the doctor’s ministrations.

      “Thank you, Doctor.  I can take over from here.”  Spock said but then McCoy was frantically feeling Spock’s face and neck for injuries.  Once again he held McCoy’s hand and pushed it away from him.  He could hear the fear in McCoy’s fast breathing and the trembling of the doctor’s hand.  “I assure you that I am only superficially scratched, McCoy.”

      McCoy groaned and sighed with frustration.  “I wish I could see what the hell is going on!”

      “We briefly encountered one of the larger predators on this planet.  I have killed it.”  Spock informed McCoy.

     “Killed it with what?”  McCoy asked he was much calmer now.

      “I had made some spears using wood with flint spear heads.”  Spock said.

       McCoy whistled, “Boy, Jim will be impressed.  I’m impressed as hell.  Who knew you were such a big game hunter, Tarzan.”  McCoy whistled.

       “I see no similarities between myself and an illogical fictional character.”          Spock sighed.

      “Well if you want to beat on your chest, yodel and swing from the trees. I wouldn’t   mind.”  McCoy laughed.  He could hear the long sigh from the Vulcan and if raised eyebrows could make a sound, he would have heard it.

       “I think it would be wise if we return to our sleep.”  Spock said.

       McCoy shook his head, “There’s no way I can go back to sleep after that.  What if the animals hunt in pairs?”

        “Very well, I will build our fire up again.  The light and heat may keep other predators away.”  Spock was also cold; the heat would be beneficial for him.

       When morning came, they both were still awake.  McCoy had become quieter and seemed to be cold, he was shivering.  Spock added more wood and dried foliage to the fire.  Spock felt McCoy’s pants, socks and undershirt, they were damp but at least the doctor would have something to wear.  When he helped McCoy with his undershirt, Spock could feel the heat from the doctor’s skin.  Spock felt his chest and back, McCoy was running a fever. 

     “How are you feeling, Doctor?”  Spock asked. 

      “I’ve got a killer of a headache and my whole body aches.”  McCoy said as a shiver ran through his body.  “When you were just touching me, were you checking me for fever?”

     “Yes, you are feverish.  Perhaps last night was too cool for you and…”

     “Or I have picked up something from those leechy things.”  McCoy replied soberly.  “On earth, you can get a lot of nasty things from parasites, I’m sure this planet is no exception.  How are the scratches from our visitor last night?”

      Spock had checked them earlier, “There does not appear to be any infection at this time.”

     “I guess we both could be infected from something around here.  God knows with my burned skin and your cuts and scratches, we’re both at risk.”  McCoy said as he cradled his head in his hands. “What a mess this has been.  All of this plant and animal life around us, I can’t see a blasted thing and all of our equipment is destroyed.”

      Spock was quiet for a moment.  “I am going back to the shuttle, Doctor.  The fire, no doubt, has ceased and there is a chance that our communicators or phasers were spared.”

     “Be careful, Spock.  Would you bring me a couple of your spears?  I may not be able to see what ever attacks me but I’ll be able to poke it or scare it away.”

      Spock placed 2 of the spears by McCoy and one of the flint knives he had fashioned.  He also left a pod of water and some fruit for McCoy.

      The shuttle fire was out and Spock viewed the melted equipment and the console.  He checked a compartment at the back of the shuttle which opened       easily.  The phasers and one communicator were undamaged.  He stepped outside and tried to hail anyone with the communicator.  There was no response, but at least they had a communicator and phasers.  A thought occurred to him, Spock left the communicator open to serve as a signal in case their absence had been noted and help was on the way.  He made his way back to the grotto and gathered some of the fruits for them to eat.

      McCoy had dozed off after Spock left.  He awoke to a tangle of long hair covering his face.  He screamed and tried to move away.  Something was feeling his face and his neck.  Guttural sounds came from whatever it was; there was an odor to the thing, not as pungent as the animal last night but more of an earthy, herbal smell.  One of the appendages slipped past his mouth and probed inside, McCoy gagged.  Then he felt his undershirt being lifted and his skin explored, the touch seemed purposeful.  What or whoever it now sat on top of his legs and the exploring touch proceeded over his pants then into his pants.  He felt the thing turn and explore his feet and it pulled off his socks.  McCoy felt around for the spears and knife Spock had left for him. He could not find them in his quick sweeping motions.  There were more guttural sounds from the thing, only louder. 

     “What the hell do you want?”  McCoy said, thinking “As if the thing could speak.”There was a rustling of fabric and the smell of something a kin to rotting meat and sewage, and then he could feel a wet thick paste being applied to his face.  It was putting this vile smelly substance on his face, was this substance digestive juices?  McCoy found the strength to push whatever it was off of him and he backed away from it hugging the grotto wall. 

      “Spock!  Spock!  Where are you, I need help!”  McCoy cried out.  He could hear the thing coming closer and again the guttural sounds emitted from this intruder.

      McCoy heard the splashing of feet and heard Spock.

      “Doctor, what is it?  I am here.”  Spock paused.  Standing by McCoy was one of the reported humanoids.  It stood approximately six feet in height, its skin was maroon colored and it had long white hair flowing from its elongated head.      Its eyes were a shade of olive green and they scanned Spock quizzically.  Multicolored woven fabric covered its body and it held a pouch in one of its eight fingered upper appendages.  It turned to Spock and produced the same guttural sounds that it had said to McCoy.  The humanoid pointed to the pouch in its grasp, then motioned the contents were what was spread over the shocked doctor’s face.  Spock nodded to the humanoid in a gesture of understanding.  Then it made its way back into the overgrowth and disappeared.

     “Spock, what was that?  Is it still here?  What kind of crap did it put on my face?”  McCoy asked frantically.

     “I believe that you have been treated by the local medicine man, I do not think that a witch doctor applies in this case.”  Spock said as he examined the doctor’s face.  “It was concerned about the burns on your face and has applied one of its remedies.  It is very interesting that it showed no fear in approaching us.”

     “It may not have shown fear but it scared the hell out of me!  It felt all over my body and made some grunting noises.  Then it applied this rancid shit on my face.”  McCoy said as he wiped the paste off of his face.

     “Now you know how the natives of other planets perceive your care, Doctor.”  Spock said with a cool smugness.

    “Ha,Ha, very funny.  At least my treatments don’t smell this bad.”  McCoy replied.  “I wonder what this is anyway.”

      Spock examined the paste again, it was a pale yellow and the smell was familiar.  “Ah, yes the yellow berries I had seen.  This paste contains some of these.”

      “How was the shuttle craft?”  McCoy asked.

      “I was able to retrieve two phasers and a functioning communicator.”  Spock said.

   “Has anyone contacted us?”  The doctor asked.

    “No, but I have left the channel open as a signal.”  Spock answered.  “I have brought more fruits for us.”

    “Thanks, Spock, I’m not very hungry now.”  McCoy said as he sank down against the wall.  Spock noted a change in McCoy’s skin color, it had gray undertones.  The doctor was getting sicker and Spock’s hand on McCoy’s forehead confirmed his suspicions.  McCoy’s fever was higher.  The doctor did not try to remove Spock’s hand from his forehead; in fact he seemed to lean into the touch. 

     “Your fever is higher, you need medical assistance.” Spock said concerned.

      “I wonder if our friendly medicine man will make another visit.  You did pay him, didn’t you?”  McCoy smiled at Spock’s snort, and then he rested his head on his arms encircling his knees.  He felt horrible, his head throbbed, his body ached and he was nauseated.  The remaining odor from the paste that he humanoid had applied only increased this feeling.  The thought of spending more time on this planet disheartened him.  If he had acquired some disease from the crustacean-leech creatures, it would claim him soon.  He could hear Spock starting another fire and preparing their shelter for night fall.

       Later that evening, McCoy curled up next to Spock and felt the comfort of his strong presence and his warmth.  It took him a while to fall asleep and his dreams were of Jim, the Enterprise and Sick Bay.

      It was deep in the night that their shelter was disturbed again.  However, this time there was a bright light and the familiar sounds of a shuttle making a landing near their shelter.  There was static over the communicator then the sound of Jim Kirk’s voice booming out.  The shuttle landed across the stream and Kirk, Chapel, M’Benga and Scotty emerged from inside.  Spock immediately greeted them and took them to McCoy. 

      McCoy heard the classic, “Oh, Bones.” from Kirk.  He also heard the startled gasps from Kirk and Chapel when they saw his face, eyes and hands.  As they were loaded onto the shuttle craft, McCoy begged Spock to bring his spears, knife, some of the fruits and the curious paste that the humanoid had applied to McCoy’s face.

      Kirk informed them that they became concerned when the research reports had failed to reach the Federation Science Division.  It took the Science Division a day or two to notice that the shuttle craft was not sending a signal; it was as if their shuttle craft had suddenly disappeared.  Then they notified the Enterprise.

      Christine and M’Benga tended to McCoy’s injuries temporarily until they were aboard the Enterprise. 

      Spock’s cracked ribs were repaired and the scratches were cleaned, there was bacteria present in the wounds.  He was released to his quarters the next day.     M’Benga was able to perform surgery on McCoy’s eyes, successfully applied corneal grafts and returned sight to the brilliant blue eyes.  McCoy’s burned skin on his face and hands were repaired and new skin grafted.  However, he spent several more days receiving treatment for dehydration and antibiotics for the bacteria that had been injected into his blood stream from the crustacean-leeches.  The analysis of the paste made of the yellow berries revealed that the berries contained both a healing property and an antibiotic property as well.

      Spock visited him every day; it was a comfort to McCoy.  His whole life had depended on Spock and Spock had met that duty with all of the Vulcan strength and intelligence that he had needed.  McCoy could still feel the reassuring warmth from being close to Spock as they had slept and the gentle meld that had blocked his pain. One afternoon as he was sleeping on the Biobed, he felt a dip in the bed and once again felt the comforting presence of Spock beside him.  McCoy looked over at Spock and sighed.

      “It’s seems that I have missed the contact that we shared.” Spock said quietly as he looked into McCoy’s blue eyes.

       “I know, Spock, I feel vulnerable without you beside me.”  McCoy said as he rested his head on the strong Vulcan shoulder.

       “I will always be here to protect you, Doctor.”  Spock promised.

       “For that I will always be grateful.  You saved my life, Spock.”  McCoy murmured sleepily.

      Then their solitude was broken by Jim bounding in with the spears that Spock had fashioned.

      “Tell me again, Bones, how Spock slew the savage beast with the spears.”

       McCoy sighed as Spock rose from his place beside the doctor and proceeded to act out the battle with the beast for his captain.  McCoy smiled at the excited awe in Kirk’s face, he had not been able to see how Spock had fought with the wild animal.  He remembered his talk with Spock and now observed the fine olive skin, the high cheekbones, the dark eyes and slanted eyebrows and the pointed ears.  Spock was handsome indeed.