Beta Gamma 24- 5:41 a.m.

Thankfully, Bones did get the fire going, and we all huddled around it, eager to finally receive some sort of heat. The cold wind had let up some, and the icy white sun was just beginning to rise over the tops of the trees.

"Doctor, I assure you, I am quite well. I am no longer in danger of going into hypothermic shock. This intrusive exam is no longer necessary."

McCoy rolled his eyes and snatched Spock's wrist, counting the First Officer's pulse silently. "Would you shut up and let me finish. Just cause you and Jim've been spooning, it doesn't mean you're back to normal. Now keep quiet."

I scoffed and grabbed Spock's hand, and his features softened as a hint of green tinged his cheeks.

Of a sudden, we heard sharp popping sounds. We jumped, pulling our phasers, only to freeze in place. A few more branches snapped, and our poor makeshift shelter finally collapsed. I sighed and put my phaser back on my belt.

Bones sighed and shook his head. "Not like we needed the sleep anyway."

I nodded knowingly. The long night out in the cold had taken its toll on all of us. God, I need sleep. And a hot shower. And as many sandwiches as I can find.

"T'hy'la." Spock called, squeezing my hand tightly. I looked up, startled.

"You seemed distracted." I smiled. "Just thinking about getting back home."

He raised an eyebrow. "Home, Captain?"

"He means the Enterprise, you dense hobgoblin." McCoy joked, giving Spock a light hearted punch on the arm. Spock wheeled around, his eyes narrowing. I grabbed his shoulder tightly, trying to prevent Spock from beating Bones to a pulp. He eased back, and muttered through gritted teeth.

"Then why did the Captain not say that?" I grinned, running my hand lightly down his back. "Because they mean the same thing."

Spock looked confused, and opened his mouth, presumably to ask a question, but was cut off by my communicator beeping.

"Enterprise to Captain. Scott here." The Scotsman said. "Kirk here, give me some good news Scotty."

"Glad to sir. We've fixed the transporter, and we've locked onto your location. We're beamin' a test subject down to make sure everything's ship shape."

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Excellent Mr. Scott, you may proceed."

After a few seconds, we saw a shape begin to materialize in the distance. It was too small to be a person, and I wasn't sure what it was. After it had fully formed, we all stood and began to walk towards it. Suddenly, McCoy froze, his jaw dropping. Spock and I stopped, looking at him with concern.

Then we saw what he saw. The small furry creature burrowing into the snow. Scotty had beamed down a tribble.

His face contorting into an expression of fury, Bones let out a scream and started racing toward it, his phaser held high in the air.

Spock and I shared a look before running after him. Being Vulcan, Spock reached him before I did, and I watched as he gripped McCoy's shoulder tight, causing him to pass out and fall to the ground.

I caught up to them, and shot Spock a look. "Did you have to use the nerve pinch on him? You know how much he hates that."

He shrugged and said, "The doctor was emotionally compromised. I thought it to be a logical course of action." I rolled my eyes and pulled out my communicator. "Three to beam up, Mr. Scott."

"Aye sir." He replied, and within a few moments we were back aboard the Enterprise. Back home.

Following their icy adventure, Kirk declared mandatory rest for all crew members, and the Enterprise sat quietly for a few days, content to enjoy the silence.

Due to the reports of the landing party, the science team decided not to build their outpost on Gamma 24, deciding on a warmer alternative.

Everyone was surprised the first day Captain Kirk and Spock were found holding hands in the hall, but it soon became just another normal part of the ship, although Bones couldn't resist teasing them.

And lastly, Scotty added extra panels around the warp core, to ensure that nothing, not even a tribble, could get in ever again.

The End.