When Spock awoke the next morning, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Kirk was still wrapped in his arms.

Keeping still to avoid waking him, Spock gazed at the sleeping face of his Captain beside him. Kirk's hair was all askew, his breathing was deep and even, and his face was completely relaxed. Spock felt his heart flutter at his side.

Despite the amount of time they had spent together, it really was quite fascinating how Jim Kirk never failed to draw these unusual sensations from his body.

They were very strange indeed—the way his heart sped up when Kirk looked at him, how the blood seemed to rush to his face, and the way his skin tingled when it came into contact with the Captain's.

Suddenly, Kirk stirred in his sleep, shuffling slightly closer to Spock before growing still again. His shirt was now pushed up slightly, exposing a bit of skin on his stomach.

Without really intending to, Spock lifted his arm from the bed and gently touched the exposed area. He marveled at its smoothness, mesmerized by the feeling of Kirk's skin on his sensitive fingers.

Spock glanced back up and was startled to see Kirk's bright eyes staring back at him.

"Forgive me," Spock said, quickly withdrawing his arm. A greenish tinge covered his cheeks.

Kirk reached out and caught Spock's hand in midair. "It's alright," he said softly, an affectionate smile on his face.

He then shifted his fingers into a Vulcan kiss, rubbing them gently against Spock's own.

The Vulcan sighed and closed his eyes, lost in the touch. How very much he wished to lay with his Captain forever, where he did not need to guard his thoughts and mind from anyone.

But alas, the day was passing by, and they had duties to attend to.

"Jim, we must be on the bridge soon," Spock reminded him in a slightly regretful tone.

Kirk leaned forward and gently kissed Spock's face, right on his jawline.

"Yes, I know," he sighed after a moment. He gave Spock one last peck, then sat up in bed, stretching. Spock rose after him, and soon they were ready to start the day.

-------------------------------------------------------

Later that morning, Kirk received a message on the bridge. It was from McCoy down in sickbay.

Kirk stabbed one of the buttons on his chair. "What is Bones?" he asked, wondering if something was wrong.

"Jim, I'm gonna need to see you down here in sickbay. Your quarterly physical check is long overdue," the Doctor replied.

Kirk glanced over at Spock, annoyed. His first officer simply raised an eyebrow, a slightly sympathetic gleam in his eye.

"Do we really have to do that now?" Kirk asked, always one to resist the Doctor's examinations.

"Unless you have a valid reason to remain on the bridge," McCoy responded, his tone indicating that he knew Kirk didn't.

The Captain sighed. He could just imagine the knowing smirk on McCoy's face. The morning had so far been pretty quiet, so he couldn't really think of an acceptable excuse.

"I'll be down in a minute, Bones," Kirk replied, resigning himself to his fate. He turned back to Spock.

"Seems like I don't have a choice," Kirk shrugged. "Spock, you have the bridge." He then got up from his chair and moved into the turbolift.

When Kirk arrived in sickbay, McCoy was all ready for him. They proceeded with his physical, doing all the necessary checks and tests.

As they were finally finishing up, McCoy suddenly changed the subject of their conversation. "So... how's it going with you and Spock?" he asked, smirking slightly.

Kirk rolled his eyes, accepting the inevitable. "It's going just fine, Bones," he replied in an annoyed tone, but the effect was ruined by the friendly gleam in his eyes.

"Hard to imagine that green-blooded hobgoblin being all warm and cuddly," McCoy said, smiling to show he was joking.

"Yes, well, that's why I'm involved with him and you aren't," Kirk replied, the corners of his mouth twitching up slightly.

"He seems a lot happier these days," McCoy remarked. "I mean, for a Vulcan, of course," he amended.

Kirk chuckled a little. "He does, doesn't he?" Kirk said softly, his eyes glazing over a bit. He smiled a little then, temporarily lost in thought.

McCoy watched him closely, noticing his reaction. "You really love him, don't you," McCoy said after a moment. It was more of a statement than a question, really.

Kirk looked back up at him. "I do," he replied quietly, then blushed and looked away.

At his words, McCoy suddenly felt a small pang of longing. He seriously doubted he would ever have anything like what Kirk and Spock did. As soon as he had the thought, though, it disappeared, replaced only with delight for his friend.

"Well, you know I'm happy for you, Jim," McCoy said sincerely, giving him a warm smile.

"I know, Bones, and thank you," Kirk replied, looking over at him gratefully.

"Well, you're good to go," McCoy announced, setting his pad down on the table beside him.

Kirk got up off the biobed and straightened his uniform. "Thank you, Bones," he said again.

"Now, I'd better go and make sure nothing exciting's happened while I've been gone," he said in mock seriousness.

McCoy smiled as the Captain turned to leave. "Oh, and Jim?" the Doctor added. "When you get to the bridge, make sure to send Spock down here. He hasn't done his physical yet either."

"Will do, Doctor," Kirk agreed, smiling in amusement.

When Kirk arrived at the bridge again, he discovered that, of course, nothing important had occurred during his absence.

"Mr. Spock," Kirk began as he settled into his chair, "I believe it's your turn to pay the good Doctor a visit."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "For what purpose, Captain?" he asked.

"I believe he said your physical is overdue as well."

Spock considered this for a moment, then—like the Captain—he seemed to accept his predicament.

"Very well," Spock agreed, rising from his station and moving toward the turbolift.

Kirk gave him a sympathetic smile, then returned his attention to the view screen in front of him.

When Spock arrived in sickbay, McCoy was once again prepared. Spock got onto the biobed and allowed the Doctor to give him a complete physical. Though as the hour dragged by, he found himself growing more and more impatient.

"Doctor, I can assure you, my condition has not changed since my last examination," Spock said as McCoy scanned him for perhaps the fifth time in a row.

"I'm just being thorough," McCoy informed him, hiding a grin. "Besides, is that irritation I hear, Mr. Spock?" he teased.

"I simply do not see the purpose of this exercise. I have other duties to attend to that are of greater importance," Spock explained.

"That's not going to get you out of your physical, Mr. Spock, and you know it," McCoy told him firmly. "Between you and the Captain, it's a wonder I even got you both down here at all. He avoided two appointments that I made for his physical exam without reason."

"That's not at all surprising, Doctor, he's probably terrified of your beads and rattles," Spock retorted, drawing out the last three words. Glaring, he finally swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

"Now, wait a minute, Spock," McCoy stopped him, moving to block his way. "I'm almost finished, I promise."

Spock seemed to consider this for a moment, then reluctantly resumed his seat, a slightly annoyed expression on his face.

McCoy resumed his scanning. "So, Spock, how's it going with you and the Captain?" he asked, in much the same way he had earlier with Kirk.

Spock immediately blushed. "I do not know what you are referring to," he replied flatly.

"Oh, come on, Spock," McCoy said. "I know about your relationship with Jim."

For several moments, Spock struggled to come up with an answer. "Did the Captain inform you of this?" he asked finally.

"Well, I sort of figured it out on my own, but he confirmed it, yes," McCoy said smugly. "Don't worry, Spock," he added in a gentler tone. "I won't tell anyone."

Spock's face softened a little. "I would appreciate that, Doctor."

"So, how's it going between you two?" McCoy repeated, eager for Spock's opinion on the matter.

Spock's expression became confused. He was not certain what the Doctor wanted of him.

"Our relationship is progressing... adequately," he said at last, looking vaguely uncomfortable. "I must return to the bridge now," Spock declared, standing up.

"Alright, well, I suppose I'm finished," McCoy relented, knowing he wasn't going to get much more out of Spock.

As the Vulcan turned to leave, McCoy suddenly stopped him. "Spock, wait."

"Spock, uh..." he began. "I know we've, uh... had our disagreements. Maybe they're jokes, I don't know. But, uh... what I'm trying to say

is—"

"Doctor, I must return to my post. Will you please be brief?" Spock interrupted him.

"Well, what I'm trying to say is, I'm happy for you," McCoy continued. "If you ever need advice, or... just, someone to talk to... sickbay's always open," he finished with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Spock was silent for a moment, stunned. "Thank you, Doctor," he replied quietly. He looked like he was about to say something else, then quickly turned and left sickbay.

McCoy raised an eyebrow, lips twitching slightly.

Perhaps Spock did have a sensitive side after all.