Dependency

Summary: When Spock and Bones are trapped in a no-win scenario on a slave planet, they become closer than anyone would have thought possible. Gen story with a slash sequel.

Rating: T (for now)

Disclaimer: Not even remotely mine. You can tell because this show is decades older than I am... And I'm not making any profit off of writing this, unless you count fine-tuning my writing skills.

.o0o.

"I didn't realize the Federation was in the habit of making deals with slave-traders." McCoy groused as he hurried along to Kirk's left, straightening his uniform as he went. He'd only gotten out of surgery ten minutes before and had to rush to get ready. Chapel had assured him that Ensign Wash'li was going to be perfectly safe in her capable hands as she handed him a folded uniform.

Kirk sighed. "They aren't. Unless dilithium crystals are on the table."

"Seems to me like we should pick a side and stick to it."

"Need I remind you, Doctor, that many cultures across Earth practiced slavery for thousands of years." Spock intoned from his position to Kirk's right as the trio walked quickly toward the transporter room.

McCoy bristled. "We abolished that practice hundreds of years ago." He bit out. "It is morally wrong, and we shouldn't be condoning the behavior by trading with the Boringdans."

"Bloringdians." Spock automatically corrected.

"Whatever." McCoy didn't sound like he cared. "My point is that our morals shouldn't be bought and sold. We should insist that they end their slave practices before we are willing to barter."

"Our prime directive dictates that we not interfere with the internal development of the Bloringdians. It is highly probably that as their culture and technology advances, they will no longer feel obligated to keep slaves. Is forcing our moral standards upon them not also morally wrong?"

"There are different levels of wrongness, Spock!"

"That's enough." Kirk interrupted as they entered the transporter room, used to his friends' constant bickering. In truth, he appreciated it because it gave him insight on two very different perspectives on any issue. His effectiveness as a captain was largely in thanks to Spock and McCoy arguing all that time. But he wasn't about to tell them that. It would go straight to their heads. "I know you're opposed to the way they run things down there, Bones, but I need you to keep quiet about it. Starfleet has made it abundantly clear that we are not to leave this planet without a signed treaty for those dilithium crystals. The Romulans and Klingons have been breathing down our necks and we can't build any more effective weaponry without those crystals."

"Well, that's all fine and dandy, Jim, but can't you do it without me?" McCoy was openly pouting as he stepped onto his transporter pad in front of the three security personnel, but no one would have dared to say that to his face. "I hate having my molecules scrambled. 'Specially not for these people."

"Bones, you know I'd let you out of this if I could, but the Bloringdians specifically asked for a doctor. It appears that their medical technology is abysmal, and it's the only thing they were willing to trade us for. You should be happy they're not asking for weapons."

McCoy snorted. "Or whips and chains."

"Energize." Kirk boomed, ignoring his CMO entirely.

.o0o.