This one was suggested by my plant loving friend, Kris. Hope the plant shows up!
Spock knew his captain had not been particularly interested in this particular planet, but he had come along with the landing party anyway because more than anything Kirk hated being left behind.
Consequently on a planet of only plant life, Kirk was bored. And to make that plain, he was flirting currently with Lieutenant Ryan, who to Spock’s annoyance…flirted back.
Spock stopped before a giant plant that was more than twice the size of the humanoid currently examining it. Perhaps three times. He had never seen anything like it.
Kirk sauntered up next to him. “What have you got there, Commander?”
Spock glanced at him briefly. “You are aware that Ilea Ryan is married, are you not?”
“Hmm. What? Yeah, of course.”
“You were flirting.”
“Was not. And I am too, so what’s your point? What is this thing?”
“A rather fascinating plant that—”
“A plant, huh?” Kirk stepped closer. “It sure is ugly.”
“Captain, I don’t think…Jim!”
At that moment the plant suddenly opened wide, like a gigantic mouth, and swallowed Kirk up into it.
“Spock!!!”
All Spock could see was Kirk’s feet, but in just a few seconds, those too hand disappeared. The captain gave one final cry and then went silent as the plant bounced up and down.
Spock lifted his phaser and shot at the giant plant’s stem. It wriggled but did not release its prey.
“Commander,” Sulu rushed over. “Did this thing eat the captain?”
“It did not eat him, Mister Sulu,” Spock insisted. “But it has abducted him. I am going to pry its mouth open, you stand by to fire should the need arise.”
Spock braced himself and then moved his hands to where he had seen the plant swallow Kirk. Spock managed to successfully separate the two parts of the plant, and he reached his arm in, searching for the captain.
His hand finally felt shirt material, Spock gabbed on to it and pulled hard.
Suddenly he landed on the ground, Kirk falling on top of him. Overhead, Sulu shot at the plant until it stopped moving toward them.
But Kirk didn’t seem to be breathing.
“Spock to Enterprise. Immediate beam up directly to the medbay.”
A moment later the transporter engaged.
****
Both Spock and McCoy stood next to the biobed as Kirk’s eyes fluttered opened.
“What the—” He sat up abruptly.
“Easy, Jim.” McCoy settled him back down. “Don’t get all worked up.”
“What happened?”
“You do not recall?”
Kirk scrunched his face. “Not really.”
McCoy smiled. “You almost became plant food.”
“What? Oh my God. That plant ate me?”
Spock arched a brow. “Since you are in fact here, Captain, it did not eat you.”
“Came close, though,” the doctor declared with a cheerful chuckle. “Luckily for you, your husband saved you. Again.”
Kirk’s gaze followed McCoy as he moved away, then landed on Spock.
“Uh, thanks, babe.”
“If you had not been on that planet where—”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Spock softened. “You should rest, Jim. I will be here when you wake.”
“Like always.”
“Like aways.”