A/N: So I'm turning into a rather large Trekkie and am quite loving this rapid transformation. After seeing STXII 3 times and then buying the novelisation (what) I was desperate to write something. So because I'm a sick bastard and love men when they're vulnerable, I've taken the idea of Tony Stark's anxiety attacks in IM3, and used this for Jim after the events of STXII. It's happening from various points of view, and my Trekkie writing skills are hardly yet up to scratch so forgive me my trespasses and likely numerous mistakes.

Spirk, angst but also fluff, Bones/Jim/Uhura friendship, Bones/swearing, maybe some Bones/Uhura flirts. Because who wouldn't want those legendary hands?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Star Trek universe, else they'd all just be having sex and fluffiness all the time. Like, all the time.

The first time Bones saw it was when the damn Admirals barely gave Jim two days after he'd first woken up before they were breathing down his neck barking one question after another. No matter how much Bones had protested, how much he'd thrown on his most authoritative doctor voice, they wouldn't hear it and arrived for the official debriefing for the Khan incident. He'd watched the panic creep into Jim's face, before he called the meeting to a close with strict instruction. The Admirals initially had been reluctant, but Jim had answered all their questions and in Bones eyes, they were only there to cause more disaster.

'Course that's when they dropped the bombshell of Jim's captaincy. As the bastard had been walking out of the door like it was an afterthought, he held back to say 'Oh and Jim, we're reviewing your case closely, and you'll be informed as soon as we've decided whether Admiral Marcus' reinstatement of your captaincy is permeant.' then with a nod was gone. Bones was all for storming out the room after him, more than happy in introducing the Admiral to some afterthoughts of his own, when he heard the tone of Jim's voice.

"Bones." It was broken and shaking and downright terrified. Jim hardly recognised himself. As Bones reached his side, it really hit him. He'd been fighting it off all throughout the interview, shoving it down while the Admirals had asked him questions, but with that fleeting comment it resurfaced anew. Jim's chest was tight, his vision going funny, his head was fucking swimming, and he felt like his throat was shutting down.

"Jim…" He barely heard his friend's voice; there was a roaring in his ears and he was seriously struggling to breath, his mouth gaping, hands clasping at anything that would give them purchase. "Jim, Jim listen to me…" There was too much noise. His heart was hammering erratically in his chest. He was back inside the chamber again, Spock's voice, the radiation coursing through him, two hands pressed on glass, the sound of the Enterprise, the noiseless presence of death. "Jim!"

Then he's aware of two hands gripping him. Tight, solid, warm. Safe. "That's it, Jim, that's it. In, and out. In and out." Breathing. Concentrate. He focuses on the voice and exaggerated breathing, he homes in on the thick Southern accent. He thinks of the heat and the dirt and the air. Of the face behind the accent. The hands cupping his face. The hazel eyes feverishly watching him. "You're doing great, just a few more breaths." When he can finally fucking see the face behind the drawl that's bringing him back to ground level, his breathing calms more rapidly. It's simple; in and out. Walking into medbay, walking out.

"Wh…" Jim clears his throat and starts again, "What the hell was that? Am I having a reaction to the meds?" His voice is still shaky and he can almost feel the energy leaving his body in a tidal wave.

"Jesus, Jim. No, it wasn't the damn meds. You had an anxiety attack. No fucking wonder after those bastards." Bones face softens a little but Jim can still see the worry plastered over his features. His thumb strokes gently at Jim's cheekbone but he grabs him by the arms and hauls him off the ground.

"Thought I wasn't allowed to leave bed." Jim mumbled as Bones shoved him back onto the cot.

"You're not." Jim frowns and Bones glares at him, "You practically leapt off the damn thing the second they were out the door." He gestures behind him and runs his eyes over Jim's vitals. Jim lets out another shaky breath and runs his hands over his face.

"You all right, kid?" Bones' voice is filled with concern and Jim feels a rush of guilt and embarrassment. He nods and refuses to meet his eyes. "Jim you went through a lot, hell we all fucking did, it's only expected that there's gonna be repercussions."

"Yeah, I know." His voice is quiet and he looks up. He notices the dark circles under his best friend's eyes, the tiredness that suddenly seems evident on him. Jim feels like a heel for not noticing sooner. "Bones when was the last time you got any sleep?" Bones shrugs nonchalantly, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Go get some sleep. 'M fine." He stifles a yawn and winces; apparently leaping out of bed after being out for two and half weeks didn't agree with his muscles.

"Sure, Jim, whatever you say." He rolls his eyes and Jim scowls at him.

"Bones get some fucking sleep. You're no use to anybody tired."

"Are you questioning my methods?" Bones raises his eyebrows at him, daring him to cross that line.

"No, no of course not, 'm just saying, you need sleep too." Jim feels a sharp jab in his neck and he yelps, realising all too late Bones had just inflicted him with another damn hypo. "Hey!"

"That's for being an ass." He says, still glaring.

"Whatever. You just know 'm right…" He yawns again and frowns. One day he's going to remove the sedatives from his friend's over eager hands. "Jus' get s'm sleep, 'kay? 'S 'n order." He tries to look as captainy as he can, something Bones finds terribly amusing with his drooping eyelids and sleepy puppy dog expression.

"'Course, Jim." He smiles fondly as Jim's head drops against the pillow. He then sits in a nearby chair and drops his head in his hands. God knows he knew that Jim was going to suffer some kind after that whole nightmare, but he hadn't bet on it happening so soon. He doesn't know why, and he's actually a little surprised he didn't have one the second he woke up, but still, Bones thought it would have taken a little longer. If only to spare his friend having to go through it all again.

The door slides open and he looks up to find Spock stood just inside the doorway.

"Doctor." He inclines his head towards Bones, then stops, looking at him more carefully. "Has something happened?"

Bones debates. He argues he doesn't want Spock to know, he doesn't want Spock to get all goddamn uppity and not understanding of the human mind, he doesn't want him to him to start seconding guessing him, but really he just doesn't want Spock to worry. He snorts despite himself. If someone had told him that he'd one day be sparing a Vulcan's feelings from worrying, especially Spock, he would have laughed in their face and told them they could stick that idea up their ass.

Spock continues to watch him, eventually quirking his eyebrow at Bones' lack of response. That's as much prompt as he needs. "Nothin'. Practically falling asleep during the damn debriefing, which I still stand by was too soon." Spock nods, his gaze falling back to the unconscious soul on the cot. "Told me to get some sleep. Ordered me too actually. Which was hellish funny with his dumb sleepy expression." Bones finds himself mumbling and stands up to roll his shoulders.

Spock spares him a glance. "I agree with the captain. You have not had sufficient rest since the incident."

Bones snorts again. His whole body aches, and he feels it in a wave. After the sudden adrenaline rush that seems to only arrive whenever he's around Jim he's not too surprised. "Tell me something I don't know."

Instead of answering, Spock merely pulls up a chair by Jim's side, and says "I will watch over him while you rest. If there is any change in his state I shall notify you immediately." He says it in a voice that is most definitely a do not argue with me voice, but gently. At least as gently as Bones thinks the Vulcan can manage. He hesitates but grudgingly nods and pulls off his communicator, throwing it to the side as he climbs onto the spare cot they'd pulled in there at his request.

"Thanks, Spock." He grumbles as he feels every cell in his body cry relief when he finally lies down. Spock nods but doesn't look up. His eyes are fixed on their captain. Bones smiles to himself, too tired to even mumble a teasing comment about Spock's dedication to their captain. His last image before he closes his eyes and lets sleep overtake him, is of Spock silently reaching for Jim's hand.