- Jim, are you ready for boarding?

- I'm never ready but I charge anyway - Captain said and rushed forward.

Spock smiled his invisible smile and followed him to the transporter room. He was fond of his captain, especially in these kinds of situations when his human compassion would overcome his caution. Caution was usually Spock's policy, but Jim often made him forget it, his human enthusiasm was contagious, but Spock would never admit that; like he wouldn't admit any emotions. More than any Vulcan he would deny himself luxury of emotions. He trained himself to be true Vulcan to make his father proud but he often forgot about his mother in the process. It was easy really because she made her human self invisible to adjust to life on alien planet, to minimize her influence on her husband's affairs. Spock joined Star Fleet to explore human aspects of nature, he thought it will help him cultivate his human side, but he found himself more and more drawn to adventures and laughter, especially to his Captain, but that was harmless distraction, for science sake he indulged that almost feeling just to see where it goes.

It would take allot of time for him to admit that his curiousness would lead him far away from secure shelter that was Vulcan logic; even when he would be force to acknowledge presence of unconquerable feeling within him, he will not acknowledge that it can't be controlled or that he acts according to it. And that denial, not the feeling itself, was the thing that revealed his human heritage, but Spock was too humanly stubborn to admit that. It will take years for him to surrender to unchangeable fact of human side within himself. But for now he followed his Captain into the danger of a burning ship to recover survivors.

Only after they returned to the ship Spock realized that his Captain was hurt. His hand was injured. Spock immediately knew when that occurred, he saw the Captain grab hold of that conduct when they stumbled under another explosion in the engine room. At the moment Captain show no reaction, he just kept walking, grabbing, and pushing people towards transporters Mr. Scott kept working. It was the safest way out, escape pods were jammed, and shuttles dismayed.

Now, when everything started to whine down in usual rush of repairs and patching wounds Spock and the Captain stood in midst of groaning and crying people with different states of burns. Doctor McCoy and his staff had full hands of injuries, and saving dying from drifting. After they beamed back to Enterprise, there weren't anyone left to save on Savage, they stood stranded on transporter pads. They beamed casualties in such speed that there wasn't single spot to stand, let alone cross to the door.

It showed amount of fatigue in the Captain that he didn't even cross a step to crunch beside first injured. That's when Spock noticed Captain's hand. Only because he witnessed the moment, he knew that the burn on the side of his palm is just a small part of the injury. Captain held himself tall, hiding pain, and to avoid attention he closed his fist. Spock understood the gesture; he wouldn't want to waste medics' time and risk someone dying because he took two minutes for McCoy to mend his hand.

Spock's eyes stayed fixed to exposed burnt skin as he considered his options. It took him almost twenty seconds to decide, which is in Vulcan thinking eternity. Finally he compelled under situation and showed his knowledge of the injury knowing it would lead to something uncomfortable for him, but his Captain was in pain. That's why he gestured towards Captain's arm.

"It's nothing" he urged in hush tone.

"Then it's logical to let me observe It" answered Spock with his eyebrow lifted in challenge. Captain looked at the room locating McCoy on the far end. Then he turned towards Spock and opened his hand shielding it from view.

It was far worse than Spock has anticipated; he had inclination to underestimate Captains will to withstand pain. His palm was covered with blisters. Spock instinctively reached for injured hand but he stopped himself an inch away. Strangely Captain didn't flinch in wait of pain. It always amazed Spock to which extends Captain trusted him.

"If I may?" he inquired keeping his voice steady.

"I won't mind help, if that's what you're asking" said the Captain in a strained voice and that made Spock forget his hesitation. He moved himself to shield their hands from sight. Then he moved his hand hover over Captain's palm, only fraction away from touching, but he didn't feel any connection. Pain was to severe so he moved his hand to align with Captains so he could press tip of his index and middle finger to Captains fingers that were uninjured. As their fingers touched connection was made and Spock had to brace himself not to sigh audible. Captain let go of breath he was holding and Spock felt how his posture loosen up. Soon he felt how Captain leaned in pressing part of his weight against Spock's shoulder. He didn't waver to show he's noticed it. They stood there for awhile and Spock discovered he lost track of time. He felt Jim's pain in his palm, he wasn't disturbed by it, but he was disturbed by a sensation on tip of his fingers, he wouldn't call it a feeling, it wasn't unpleasant sensation and it went past the pain and up his arm like something is crawling into his consciousness, but he ignored it knowing his friend needs him. They were startled by McCoy's voice.

"You two, don't you have any decent work to do than to conspire up there."

Their hands broke apart from first sound that he made. Captain took a moment to compose himself and stand up straight. He turned slowly with his hand stretched upwards in same position.

"Bones, did you mend most of them?" he said with a strained smile. Spock looked around and found that most of the room was vaccinated, only the ones lying down were still there. Lights were dimmed.

"Damn you Jim" McCoy's voice went to worry "you should have said something" he pointed his tricoder mending damaged skin. "Damn you green blooded cold hearted alien isn't your job to report him when he's being stubborn?"

"There were more pressing emergencies" said Spock flatly and Captain smiled with fatigue.

"What are our losses?" he cut doctors reply.

"It could have been worse" doctor flinched his face turning towards the room that smelled heavily on burnt skin and flesh. "Damn spaceships without emergency exits" he shrugged.

"There was a transporter, one exit wasn't jammed" said Captain squeezing doctors shoulder with his healthy arm, offering reassurance even in moment like this.

Spock watched as Captain's skin repaired itself. When it was done he composed himself back in his usual posture of professionalism.

"Anything I should do now Captain" he spoke evenly and in return Captain lifted his gaze and smile like he said something pleasing. That always baffled Spock, source of Captain's approval.

"I think we should change first, don't see the need to extend this stench to the bridge."

Spock looked at his attire and again was surprised how his nose adjusted to the smell, maybe it reminded him on hot desert air, but surely it wasn't pleasant smell.

"Indeed" answered Spock and without procrastination went to his quarters. Captain has left behind with the doctor. As he walked Spock reassigned his inner workings to remove remaining traces of discomfort, and of that other sensation, to make himself most efficient and logically arranged.