the stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun, can you read my mind?

[straightontilmorning]

Jim didn't do well with nothing to do. Reading books, watching holos, bugging her crew, hustling them at pool, beating them up (and being beat up in turn) in the name of improving their fighting skills - they all served as distractions, but in the end she went to bed, slept fitfully, and faced another day to fill with inanities when she woke up.

And avoiding Helen, fighting with herself about whether or not to talk to her. At any given time, she could tell you what was on the doctor's schedule for the day, both for being conveniently out of the way and in it. She had a few extremely awkward conversations with Helen, and she hated it. More than anything else, this was what she truly abhorred about her time on Tantalus: that he had so easily reached into her head and twisted her emotions around, made her believe she was in love when she was really just reacting to false memories he'd instructed her mind to create.

She wasn't quite sure how, but somehow sleeplessness and restlessness had brought her to Spock's door. After a moment of hesitation, she pressed the door chime. With any luck, she wouldn't be waking him up.

Comments

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

And at the heart of the human psyche were useless, unnecessary emotions that were very difficult to discard. But

breathe.

they could be moved past, for a time.

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

Agitated, Leonard barked out his authorization code, the doors to the cabin opening with a low swooshing sound. This was swiftly followed by his gasp, and the sound of heavy footsteps over towards the two.

"Jesus, you two... I need to know these things!" Not that he expected a response just yet from either.

[verystubbornman.livejournal.com]

He could not pay attention to the man, not now. T(s)hey were still too fragile, all the links not properly put together.

But they were better than before. Slowly healing.

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

And it took time. Somewhere, deep in the unnoticed portions of Jim's mind, she registered Bones' presence, maybe even felt a little guilty for not letting him know, but there were more important matters to attend to. And they took time and patience.

Because, eventually, when things in histheirher head were a little more sorted, Spock began disentangling their minds, and she grew slowly more aware of her surroundings.

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

His face was contorted with concern as he ran his medical tricorder over Jim. Yes, he was upset at not being consulted, but his main priority was concern over her well being. If this really had helped like he hoped it had, he would be satisfied. Though a part of him was utterly terrified that he had made the wrong call suggesting this.

[verystubbornman.livejournal.com]

Spock sat back, letting out a breath that it seemed he had been holding for a very long time. It took him a moment to register Bones' presence properly. "Doctor."

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

All's well that ends well; aside from a few physiological tags from the mind meld, the scanner showed nothing out of the ordinary or worrying.

Jim's mind, on the other hand, is a little busy putting together a list of Jim things that make her James T. Kirk and not Spock, so her acknowledgement is a little late and lopsided. "Do- Bones."

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

"Spock," he gave him a nod of his head in acknowledgment, though he kept his eyes fixed to the scanner. Satisfied with the readings, he turned it to Spock to scan him. Resting the tricorder down, he resumed looking at Jim, a slight scowl on his face. "You should have warned me."

[verystubbornman.livejournal.com]

Spock turned to watch his Captain, to make sure she seemed to be recovering well from the mind meld; it would be wroth nothing if the mind meld itself caused additional trauma.

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

She shook her head for a moment to clear it, but so far she didn't seem to be showing any signs of becoming a Spock clone. "I didn't exactly plan it."

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

"Hmm," he replied simply at first. "How do you feel?"

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

"Better," she said, and... she did, really. Maybe a little mixed up in Spock still, but - speaking of which, she glanced in Spock's direction to check on him.

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

He nodded, still looking concerned as he too looked at Spock then. "And how do you feel?"

[verystubbornman.livejournal.com]

"I am perfectly well. There are no adverse affects in my case." He knew how to sort himself out a lot quicker than his Captain.

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

But slow and steady won the race!

Or at least got off medical leave please. :D, Bones. :D?

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

He nodded slowly and carefully reached out for her monitor, removing it gently. "I'll remove this, but in three days time I want to see you in my med bay so I can check up on you. Alright?"

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

"Does this mean I'm back on duty?"

Can you resist those eyes, Bones?

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

"Not yet." Evidently, he can.

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

...Goddamnit.

"When?"

[hesdead-jim.livejournal.com]

"In three days providing everything checks out. Alright?"

[kirk-it.livejournal.com]

She sighed. "Fine."

At least there was an end in sight.