This rumble was followed but the sounds of falling rocks and the clicking of pebbles around them.

 

Dr. Leonard McCoy mumbled some curse words under his breath as he steadied the equipment he had set up on a small table.

Commander Spock fifty feet away cocked his head and looked at the doctor.

 

“What was that, Doctor?” He asked.

 

“Never mind, I know your keen Vulcan ears picked up everything I said over there.  How are we supposed to perform these experiments on this blasted rattle box of a planet?”  McCoy growled.

 

“The planet is spherical in shape, Doctor, it is not box shaped.”  Spock replied in a tone that would encourage a barrage of illogical verbal statements from McCoy.

 

McCoy placed his hands on his hips and started at Spock open mouthed.  Then he huffed, “I know that, I was only making an analogy.  You don’t have to be a damned smarty pants about it.”  He turned back to his collection of lichens and soil samples.

The landing party was spread out over the area being studied.  It was a desolate planet now.  It once had been rich in flora and life forms; however, that was two hundred years ago.  Now there were only rocks, primitive plants and fungi and traces of life that had once thrived here.  This planet was a geologist’s dream and Lt. Starke, a new member of the Enterprise, was gathering information on the rock formations and mineral content in the rocks and soil.  His work was interrupted by McCoy and Spock’s discussion.   He snorted at McCoy’s reply.  Joining a landing party with these two was entertaining.  Demetri Starke was not used to a Lt. Commander talking to a Commander and Second in Command the way that McCoy did.  He had been with Star Fleet for some time and was strictly military in his thinking.  It shocked him at first to hear Dr. McCoy talk to Captain Kirk like he did, it was so unprofessional and extremely out of line.  However, Kirk was an incredible captain and his knowledge of military tactics and protocol was impressive.   He also ran a tight and orderly ship.  Kirk did not appear to be bothered by McCoy’s behavior and at times it amused him.  The doctor was also a very close friend.

 

Spock was another story.  He had not served with a Vulcan before and he had trouble reading Spock.  Spock’s knowledge of all areas of science was overwhelming.  There was smugness about the Vulcan that Starke didn’t like, maybe not smugness but an inflexible know-it-all.  He did not understand how Kirk could hold him up in such high esteem and from what he had heard from the other crew members; Spock was the best First Officer in all of Star Fleet.  Mr. Spock was also his commanding officer as Spock was the Chief Science Officer.

 

Starke brought his thoughts back to McCoy.  The doctor was so different in his stance and in his attitude.  Demetri Starke was tall and would probably be described as brawny.  His ancestors on Earth came from the Slavic and Turkish cultures.  He had thick brown curly hair and his body was a testimony to a well disciplined life.  Starke was admired by some of his fellow crewmen for his strength and muscular build.  The women on board made frequent passes at him, but he was not interested.

 

The same women also thought Spock was attractive and were impressed by his Vulcan stamina and mental proficiency.  Then there was Dr. McCoy, who scared some of the crew by his temper but was also liked because of his compassion.    Everything about him was so unmilitary: his liberal, bleeding heart attitude; his criticism of Star Fleet’s policies and his relaxed body image around those higher in Command.  Like Spock, he was revered in Star Fleet and a very close friend of the captain’s.  Dr. McCoy was rated one of the most gifted and brilliant surgeons and physicians in Star Fleet.  There was also something else about McCoy, Starke had never seen such intensely blue eyes before, and they were stunning.  Then there was McCoy’s mouth, he had a natural pout to his lower lip.  The doctor’s body was slight and lithe, he had sinewy muscles and his movements were graceful.  He possessed certain vulnerability; Starke thought he would be easy to control physically and the doctor’s maverick attitude needed to be tamed.  He rarely saw him in the gym or working out.  McCoy had a small waist and a tight butt.  Suddenly Starke realized he was lost in thought staring at McCoy’s backside.

 

He glanced over at Spock and found the first Officer glaring at him.  He rolled his eyes and walked over to some of the rock formations.  As he was leaving, he caught one more look at McCoy, who was bending over picking up specimens.

 

Spock had seen that look before in a human, it was lust.  Starke seemed to have undercurrent anger about him and an irrational pride in his physical prowess.  His work in geology was excellent and his knowledge of planets, asteroids and other intergalactic bodies was somewhat impressive.  His attitude toward Spock was not acceptable but when he was in the company of Kirk, his demeanor was more professional.  Spock watched Starke venture off then he walked over to McCoy.  Their relationship was new and known only to a few crew members and of course there were the perpetual rumors.  Spock was very protective of McCoy and the doctor was just as protective of Spock.  Although they quarreled and sparred on occasion, it was a familiar interaction for them.  As Kirk put it, like an old married couple.  Spock had seen Starke look at McCoy on several occasions, the first one was when McCoy treated Starke in the Sick Bay.  Demetri had injured his leg when he had been exercising in the gym and Spock had assisted him to Sick Bay.  

 

McCoy had on his surgical scrubs which were closer fitting than his uniform.  Many female patients and nurses would ogle McCoy when he wore his surgical attire.  As McCoy examined Starke’s leg, the physical  and emotional response of the doctor’s hands on his leg was very obvious, except to McCoy.   This incident revealed a lot more of what Starke was thinking of McCoy.

 

As usual, the doctor was totally unaware that someone found him attractive.  He did not feel that he was attractive, but he did feel his physical attributes were appreciated by Spock.  McCoy on the other hand, thought everyone found Spock to be very attractive and agreed with them.  McCoy was rarely jealous; he trusted Spock and this made the doctor more valuable to Spock.  Neither McCoy nor Spock was possessive or demanding of each other.

 

Spock stood next to McCoy still watching Starke in the distance.  McCoy looked at Spock and frowned.

 

“What is it, Spock?”  He asked.

 

“Lt. Starke.”  Spock replied.

 

“What about him?”  McCoy inquired.  His expression was clueless of Demetri’s scrutiny of his body.

 

“What is your opinion of him, Doctor?”  Spock asked as he shifted his attention to McCoy.

 

The doctor shrugged his shoulders, “I really don’t have an opinion of him.  Now Nurse Sanchez practically drools when she talks about him working out in the gym. I guess he can be kind of an ass from what other crewmembers have said, but since he isn’t beating up anyone or causing trouble, I really don’t know.”

 

“You sound like Jim.”  Spock said with a sigh.

 

McCoy searched Spock’s face, “What has he done, Spock?  You rarely complain about anyone.”

 

“I find his attitude unpleasant and he was just…”  Spock stopped.

“He was just what, Spock?”  McCoy asked slightly confused.

“It is of no consequence, Doctor.”  Spock said and he walked back to the area he was studying.

 

After two hours, it had become hot and McCoy took off his blue tunic, keeping the black t-shirt in place.  Starke had returned to the base camp completely shirtless, his muscled chest and arms glistened with sweat.  He sat down next to McCoy and drank one of the water containers they had brought with them.

 

“You should take that t-shirt off, Doc; it would be a lot cooler.”  He suggested.

 

“Nah, I’m okay” McCoy said not looking at Starke.  “I grew up in Georgia.  This is dry heat, not the muggy, suffocating heat of the south.”

 

Demetri grabbed a water bottle for McCoy and opened it, “Care for some water?”

 

McCoy turned around and took the offered water.  Starke watched McCoy’s mouth encircle the top of the bottle and drink.  Some of the water trickled down his chin and throat.  It was all Demetri could do not to groan.  “Thanks”, McCoy said as he finished another gulp.  The doctor’s dark hair had auburn streaks and he had a natural wave to his hair, by appearance his hair looked soft.

 

“Anything else I can get for you, Doc?”  Starke asked as he placed his hand on McCoy’s shoulder and let it slide down his back.  Just as he had imagined, tight smooth muscles on a lean frame.  He looked around, the other two geologists were off somewhere and Spock was not in site.  “You’re muscles are really tight, Doc, you need a massage.”  The strong hands dug into McCoy’s shoulders and he could feel McCoy relax into the massage.  The doctor’s body was supple, adapting to his touch and easily manipulated.  When Starke’s hands dipped below his waistline, McCoy sat up slowly and moved away. 

 

“I think that will do, Demetri, thank you.”  McCoy said almost sternly.  “I need to get back to work.”  McCoy gave him a slight nod and leaned closer to his experiments.

McCoy glanced at Starke’s enormous hands; they could fit around his waist.  It struck McCoy that it was a little odd that he would offer him a back rub.  But then a lot of his patients had offered him little gifts of gratitude, this was probably just one of those gestures.  The geologist stayed for a few more minutes, extending and flexing his muscles under the warm sun.  He called the other geological team on his communicator; they had stopped to rest at a place forty five minutes away from camp.  He was about to ask McCoy where Spock was when he saw the Vulcan approaching the camp.  Starke gave him a toothy smile and flexed his chest out and then he let his hand stroke the back of McCoy’s head and pat him on the back.  Spock stared at him with raised eyebrows then he looked at McCoy, who was totally concentrating on his work.

 

“See you in a bit, Doc.”  Starke said as he refilled his water bottle and set back out.

 

“Sure, thanks, Demetri.”  McCoy murmured.

 

Spock lowered himself next to the doctor.  “Why was he shirtless and you are wearing your t-shirt?”  He asked.

 

McCoy turned to Spock.  “Not all of us grew up on a hot desert planet, Spock.  I was hot and apparently Starke was very hot.”

“He touched the back of your head and touched your back, Doctor.”  Spock said.

 

“He also gave me a back massage, big deal” McCoy sighed.

 

“Doctor, I feel that you do not comprehend the meaning of his actions.  I found him staring at your body earlier this morning.  I do not like the attention he is giving you.” Spock said as he scanned McCoy’s back and shoulders.

 

“Oh, please, Spock, I’m a crotchety old doctor.  He was probably trying to get on my good side.  I really doubt that he has other intensions.”  McCoy said, and then he remembered the hands that went below the beltline.  He did not mention this to Spock.  “Please sit down, Spock; I think the sun is getting to you.”  Spock let out a loud sigh and complied with the doctor’s request.  McCoy handed him a bottle of water.  “Have you found anything of interest in your scans?”

 

“Indeed, I have, Doctor. There are scattered concentrations of Agent 4127, which accounts for the sudden expiration of the flora and fauna.”  Spock said.

 

McCoy frowned, “Agent 4127?!  That was outlawed five hundred years ago or more.  You’re sure this extinction took place two hundred years ago?” 

 

Spock’s eyebrow rose, “My estimates are precise based on the half life of Agent 4127 and the lack of returning life forms.”

 

“Agent 4127 is a nasty chemical to use.  It breaks up DNA and sub articles down to nothing.  Amino acids and necessary chemicals are unable to reform.  What is its half life?”  McCoy asked concerned.

“Around one hundred to one hundred and fifty solar years, we are safe the agent I have scanned is inactive.”  Spock replied.

 

“I wonder who was responsible for the use of the agent.”  McCoy asked. 

 

“This area was scouted by Klingons and Romulans; however, Agent 4127 was formulated on Earth.”  Spock said.

 

“Yeah, I remember.”  McCoy said.  “I have treated the generations that were exposed to small doses from the agent.  The genetic code holds on to the effects and it cannot be bred out or removed.”

 

“What have you found, Doctor?” Spock asked.

 

“Your mention of agent 4127 explains the primitive and incomplete development of plant and animal life.  The bacteria and single cell organisms are abnormal as well.  What area were you sampling from?”  McCoy asked.

 

“Over there where the ground gives way to a canyon.”  Spock replied and he stood up, attaching the water bottle to his tricorder strap.  Before he left he scanned the area for Starke, satisfied that the geologist was not in the area he headed back to his research area.  Spock paused, “If you are interested, join me at my area.”

 

McCoy smiled at him, “I will do that, Spock, I am almost finished here.”

 

McCoy finished the final results and packed up his equipment.  He walked over to where Spock had pointed.  He could not find him but he did find Spock’s equipment.  The ground around the equipment had been disturbed and there were wet green stains on the rocks and soil.  McCoy became concerned then grew anxious as his tricorder revealed that the stains were Spock’s blood.  He called out Spock’s name but there was no answer.  The tricorder readings lead him to the edge of the canyon.  McCoy peered over the side and saw Spock’s body motionless on a ledge of rocks below.

McCoy was about to descend down to the still body of the Vulcan, when a strong arm grabbed him from behind.  Starke quickly locked McCoy’s neck in the bend of his elbow and pulled the doctor backwards.

 

“You need to be careful, Doc, it is easy to fall down into the canyon.”  Starke said.

 

McCoy could see that Starke’s arm was scratched and bruised; there was green blood on his hands and arms.

 

“Damn you, did you hurt Mr. Spock?”  McCoy gasped through the tight hold Demetri had around his neck.

 

“Let’s say he had an accident.  Since he is out for a while that gives us some time together.”  Starke said as he loosened his grip on the doctor’s neck but he spun McCoy around and placed his large hand around the doctor’s throat, his fingers almost met each other.  “I wouldn’t struggle if I were you for Spock is unable to assist you and the geologists are more than a half hour away.”  He pushed McCoy to the ground and knelt on his thighs.  Demetri was easily able to subdue him by the grip around McCoy’s throat.  McCoy wheezed through the tightening human vise.  “Like I suggested earlier, take off your t-shirt.”  Starke ripped the black shirt off and moved his other hand across the doctor’s chest and down his abdomen.  Demetri leaned in closer, “You have such a tight body and soft skin, Doc.  You need to show it off more often.  The scrubs do a good job but this is better.  I bet you’re very tight inside.”

 

His strong hand easily ripped open McCoy’s pants and he pulled them down below McCoy’s knees.  The doctor winced at the hot sharp rocks and coarse ground as his naked skin was pressed against them.  He struggled in panic and clawed at the beefy fingers around his throat.  He yelled as two of Starke’s fingers cruelly pushed their way inside his rectum, his eyes watered from the pain.  Starke shifted his weight as he parted McCoy’s thighs.  The offending fingers were smeared with blood when he reached back to open his own pants.  McCoy acted quickly, he applied pressure to the tender areas of the hand around his throat and was able to get in a back handed hit to Starke’s stunned face.  Then McCoy was able to dislodge the large geologist and kick him hard in the scrotum.  Starke cried out in anger and pain and he rolled away.  McCoy hit him with a side kick to the side of his head and knocked him unconscious with a chop to the back of the large neck.  Ignoring the ripped state of his pants, McCoy ran back to the edge where he had spotted Spock.  The Vulcan had not moved and his eyes remained closed.  McCoy made his way down to Spock basically by sliding down; he winced as the rocks cut into his exposed skin.  He had almost reached Spock when he lost his footing and fell down the side of the rock wall.  He landed hard close to Spock but when he hit the rocks he felt a snap in his left thigh and hip.  This was followed by intense pain; he knew he had broken his  femur.  McCoy panted from the pain and the exertion.  After a few moments, he pulled his body over to Spock.  The Vulcan’s eyes were closed and he did not respond to his name or McCoy shaking him.  McCoy hissed from the pain as he pulled himself closer and did an examination of Spock.  When he felt the back of Spock’s head, he could feel the fractured area where Spock’s head had impacted the rock and he could feel the sticky warm blood that was oozing from the injury to the scalp.

He checked Spock’s eyes for the pupil reflex, it was sluggish but at least there was some reaction.  He checked the rest of Spock’s body and bound some contusions and cuts.  Spock was breathing well and had a strong pulse.  McCoy whispered thanks for Spock’s incredible Vulcan stamina. McCoy cursed when he felt around the remnants his own pants, his communicator as well as his medical field kit had been ripped off by Starke.  He searched Spock, his communicator was gone as well and his tricorder was smashed and inoperative.  The pain in McCoy’s left thigh was increasing as well as the swelling; the skin around the fracture was tight and discolored by the bleeding beneath the skin.  The fractured bone must have cut a vein or an artery. If he did not get help soon, the bleeding would cause compartment syndrome and the circulation to the rest of his leg would be compromised.   The rate of the swelling made him guess that the vessel was an artery and he was losing blood inside his leg.  McCoy tried calling out, hoping that the other geologists had returned.  Soon McCoy started shaking and sweating, he was going into shock.  Spock still remained unconscious but he still had a good pulse and was breathing.  McCoy placed his hands on Spock’s face knowing Spock was a touch telepath.  Concentrating hard, McCoy sent thoughts for Spock to rally and heal his injured brain and to maintain his current autonomic brain control over his body.  McCoy fell back next to the Vulcan, the pain in his thigh and hip were diminishing as well as his awareness.  He felt cold, his vision dimmed and then blackness engulfed him.

McCoy awakened in Sick Bay.  He was warm and comfortable.  His hand made an assessment of his left thigh and hip.  The area was still sore and he felt the bioskin patch over the presumed surgical site.  As he tried to sit up, a firm hand on his shoulder pushed him back.  It was Kirk and his expression was tense.  McCoy’s stomach spasmed, what had happened to Spock?

 

“How’s Spock?”  McCoy asked his friend.  He relaxed at Kirk’s smile.

 

“He’s fine, Bones.  You saved his life by injecting your illogical thoughts into his mind.”  Kirk laughed.

 

McCoy snarled, “Why that ungrateful, pointed eared…..he said that?  He said I sent illogical thoughts into his brain.  Well, I never!”  The doctor said as he fell back against the pillows and crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“Now, Bones, you know I am adding my own spin on things.  Spock did not say you sent any detrimental or illogical thoughts in to his head.  You did reach his subconscious mind and set in motion the Vulcan healing process.  When he regained full consciousness, he found you next to him.”  Kirk’s expression darkened, “He found you in a state of undress and he recounted what had been observed of Starke’s behavior.”  Kirk stared at the bruises around McCoy’s throat, “Did he try to choke you?”

 

McCoy nodded, “That and he tried to assault me.  I was able to get away from him.”

 

“You beat the crap out of him; Bones, the crew is very impressed.  He is in the brig awaiting court-martial for his assault on Spock and you.”  Kirk said.

 

“He assaulted Spock, Jim?” McCoy asked.

 

“Yes, Spock said he caught him off guard and pushed him down into the canyon.  However, Spock landed on an out crop of rocks a third of the way down.  Bones, Spock also mentioned that Starke had made advances toward you.”  Kirk asked.

 

“I didn’t think so at the time.  He felt my back and the tight muscles and he gave me a back rub.  I was busy with my tests and I thought he was just being nice to an old doctor.  But when he put his hand down past my beltline, I thought it was a little too close.  I didn’t tell Spock about that.  He made me aware of Starke’s attention to my scrawny body.”  McCoy said embarrassed by his inattention to Starke’s behavior.

 

Kirk’s expression lightened, “Well some people really like scrawny, stubborn doctors, Bones.”

 

Spock had entered the Sick Bay and came to the doctor’s bedside. “Doctor, it is good to see you awake.”  The dark eyes met McCoy’s and there was something other than relief in them.

 

“Bones, I’ll check on you later.”  Kirk said as he motioned for Spock to take his place next to McCoy.

 

“How’s your head feeling?’  McCoy asked.

 

“My head is fine, Doctor, thank you.  Had you not attempted to reach my subconscious mind, the swelling and bleeding in my brain would have killed me.

That was a very astute action on your part.”  Spock sighed and then sat down on the bed next to McCoy.  “When I became conscious and found you next to me with your pants ripped and…you were bleeding, I knew Starke was at fault.  He had come up behind me and pushed me over the side of the canyon overlook.  His hand made contact with the skin on my neck and I was sickened by the thoughts that Starke had for me but especially for you.  Before I lost consciousness, I felt I had failed to protect you.   The other geologists had returned and when no one was at the base camp they searched for us and found us.  When they found Starke, he was just regaining consciousness and denied knowing where we were.  They said he was acting angry and was attempting to run off and they were able to subdue him.  Then they found us and called the Enterprise to send a medical team.  I was conscious but weak.”  Spock reached out and stroked McCoy’s face and his fingers traced the curve of his lower lip.  “Leonard, you are not aware of how handsome you are.  I, for one, find you attractive.  It is not pleasant to see another desire you so and wish to harm or posses you.  I treasure thee.”  Spock said quietly.

 

McCoy fought the tears that were forming in his eyes and his lips trembled.  “I love you, Spock.  I have for a long time.  I’m not very good at expressing my feelings…”

 

Spock raised an eyebrow at this statement, “Leonard, I do not recall a time when you have not expressed your feelings.”

 

Tears made their way down McCoy’s cheeks as he laughed at Spock’s statement.

“You know what I mean.”

 

“I do indeed, Leonard.”  Spock leaned in closer and they kissed.

 

                                 The End