It became something of a routine for them; it didn't happen every night but it was rare for them to go an entire week without incident.

It was Saturday night and the statistical likelihood of either himself or Jim waking from a nightmare was exponential because so far that week had been clear.

Spock couldn't focus on his meditation, he was too busy straining to hear the quiet rustle of sheets closely followed by a soft tap on the bathroom door.

In all probability it was going to be Jim that came knocking, Spock hadn't had a bad nightmare in quite a while. He didn't believe he was one hundred percent fine yet but he was closer to being there than he had been just six weeks before.

Spock had to wait about one more hour before his prediction was proven correct. When he opened the door it was to find the same disheveled image of his Captain he'd been greeted with every night he knocked.

He let the Captain in immediately, both settling into bed next to one another as had become their custom.

"Why do you not alert Dr. McCoy of these issues?" Spock asked out of pure curiosity when the room lapsed into silence. "I am certain he would be able to assist in making the nightmares cease."

Jim took a moment to answer, breathing deeply and seeming to get his thoughts in order. "Bones already has so much on his plate, an entire ship of people to worry about. Not to mention he already worries about me because I'm an accident-prone freak of nature. What type of friend would I be if I added more to his already full plate?"

"I am positive he would not mind. Quite the opposite in fact, if I know the doctor correctly, I believe he would feel more upset by you not alerting him immediately than you adding to his work load."

"Be that as it may it's not gonna change anything. Bones has a way of caring too much about others, even at the expense of his personal health."

"That sounds like an accurate description of another person I am acquainted with."

Jim smiled slightly before rolling onto his side. He fell asleep without another word.

It was late into the evening when Spock was awoken from his slumber, but when he blinked awake he wasn't sure what it was that had pulled him out of his thankfully peaceful dreams. Then he heard it again: a whimper.

Glancing down at his current bed companion it was obvious to see that he was in distress. Jim's eyes were scrunched up tight, breaths coming in tight gasps.

"Jim." Spock called urgently, knowing the best course of action to be waking Jim up. "Jim."

Suddenly Jim shot awake, eyes wide and full of terror as he pulled in gasping breath after gasping breath. "Shit." He wheezed, running a shaking hand through his hair. "That was a bad one."

"Was it the same?" Spock questioned, staying near Jim as he knew his body heat helped to calm the man down.

"I was in the core, I couldn't breathe." Jim huffed out, still gasping heavily. "Every time I tried it burned."

Spock didn't know what to say, six weeks and he was still not good at the reassurances. Instead he allowed Jim to gather his thoughts and calm his breathing in silence, all the while remaining close to his Captain's side.

"We paint a pretty picture, don't we?" Jim's tired voice shattered the silence that had fallen over the room.

Spock paused a moment to consider how things must have looked to a passerby: Captain and First Officer curled up against one another in the same bed. "Quite the spectacle I am sure."

"I just want them to stop." Jim whispered, scrunching his eyes shut tight as tears began to fall.

"They will Jim." Spock promised readily.

"When?" Jim sniffed in defeat.

"Eventually. And until then I will always be available for you."

"Thanks Spock."

"You are most welcome Jim."