Alive but not Kicking

by Starsinger

I'm bowing to demand that there's a sequel to Two Weeks of Hell. I'm not taking this day-by-day, we're talking about the better part of a year. I'm not putting up 365 chapters. We'll just see how this goes. I don't own them.

Apparently, Jim had started to read "A tale of Two Cities". The book was in his lap. Naturally, he'd fallen asleep. Out of a coma for two days, and he really was behaving himself. Not that he had much choice, his body wouldn't let him do otherwise. McCoy looked at his friend fondly. He walked up to the monitors and checked them. His condition continually improved as the days went on. Jim woke up with a start. He looked at McCoy before rubbing his eyes. "How are you feeling?" McCoy asked.

"Hungry," Jim replied.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here with lunch, then, isn't it Captain?" Nurse Crachett asked cheerfully. Kirk smiled. Crachett wasn't the prettiest nurse, and she was old enough to be Jim's mother, but that didn't matter. She was his favorite nurse. She always knew exactly what to say. She deposited the tray on the table and sat down. She tucked a napkin under his chin before lifting the cover. At least it wasn't pureed, Jim thought. Chicken, mixed fruit, mashed potatoes, and a brownie sat on the plate. At least it wasn't broccoli.

Jim chewed thoughtfully as he suddenly realized that not only was he not on the Enterprise, he wasn't in San Francisco. He had doubts that he was in North America for that matter. He searched his tired brain for what the scenery outside the window matched in his memory. "Bones, are we in Zurich?"

"Yes, the Swiss were kind enough to take us in," McCoy replied with a laugh.

"Why?"

"Jim there are things that happened after you died that you're not ready to hear yet. I'll give you the full story, but, please, be patient." Jim looked at his friend, and realized that he wasn't lying. Jim nodded his head, he would learn soon enough.

"Is there anything you can tell me?" Jim asked.

"The Enterprise is in drydock, right now. She sustained heavy damage, but you already knew that," Jim nodded. "They say it will be about a year before she's repaired. That'll be enough time to have you back on your feet." Nurse Crachett finished feeding Jim before bustling back out of the room. "Alright, Jim, here are the tests again." Jim squeezed McCoy's hand, but his hands were shaking so hard that McCoy had to settle them. Jim was frustrated. He was helpless, and he hated this with every fiber of his being. Soon, McCoy switched to his feet and Jim pressed down as hard as he could. Physical Therapy would start working with him next week to help him build his strength.

It was difficult to tell how much pain Jim was really in. Nothing was ever really obvious. Years of tough living made him less likely to admit to pain unless it was excruciating. He hadn't asked for so much as an aspirin. Jim sighed as McCoy put down his left foot. He was breathing hard. "It'll get worse before it gets better," McCoy quipped.

"I know, Bones, I know." Jim watched as McCoy put the book back on the table. He had laid it on the chair for the exercises. "Oh, hello Ambassador." McCoy looked up to find Sarek standing in the doorway.

"May I have a word with the Captain?" Sarek asked.

"Certainly, Ambassador," McCoy replied. He left telling Kirk to obey his body.

Kirk watched the Ambassador curiously. Theirs was a curious friendship, if you could really call it that. Starting with his rescue from Vulcan. When Kirk had apologized for provoking Spock, Sarek had replied that it was only the logical thing to do. Spock had been emotionally compromised and needed to be shown that he was. Kirk knew Sarek loved his son, and envied Spock even this tenuous relationship he had with his Father.

Sarek looked at Kirk, unsure as to where to start. How do you thank a man who saved your son's life? Abruptly he picked up the water pitcher and poured water into the cup and offered it to Kirk. Kirk stared, he'd heard about the water ritual in the Vulcan tradition, "I offer you water and shade in my home." Sarek said. The ancient Vulcan tradition that named Kirk as a guest-friend caused his eyes to water.

"I come to serve," Kirk replied in perfect Vulcan.

"You honor us with your service," Sarek said finishing the ritual. Traditionally, Kirk would reach for the cup and drink from it, but Sarek had noticed his unsteady hands and instead served Jim himself. "Sitar speaks very highly of you," Sarek said.

It took a minute for Jim to place the name, "Oh, the young Vulcan lost in Georgia. How is he?"

"He fares well. He and his wife are expecting their first child," Sarek looked around, nervously.

The water ritual conferred a first name basis with the Ambassador. Jim knew it when he asked, "Sarek, what is it?"

"It is T'Pring, Spock's wife. She wishes to break her marriage contract," Sarek finally said.

Kirk searched his brain, children on Vulcan were traditionally betrothed at the age of seven. They didn't see each other until years later when they finally entered the fires of Pon Farr. This wasn't common knowledge, Kirk had stumbled across this fact when studying Vulcan. Now, even though T'Pring was just Spock's betrothed, they were still considered husband and wife. As Spock had once said, it was complicated.

A marriage contract could only be broken by the consent of both parties, or, under worst case scenarios, the challenge of kun-ut-kali-fee, ritual fight to the death. It happened during the marriage itself if at all. The woman chose a champion to fight her betrothed. The victor would claim her as his bride. "Does Spock know?"

"No, I haven't spoken to him yet."

"I would, I'm certain, it would be a great relief for him if this was done without a challenge," Sarek nodded at the wisdom of the words.

"I will tell him. Uhura should be relieved as well. Thank you, Jim."

Sarek rose and left. "What were you talking about?" McCoy asked. "You know I don't speak Vulcan." There was no answer. He looked down and Jim, yet again, was fast asleep. "I'm amazed you stayed awake this long," McCoy muttered. He left the room with a grin.