Captain James T. Kirk was walking down the halls casually on the USS Enterprise. Christmas music was playing over the PA, since Christmas was only two days away. He headed towards his best friend's, Dr. Leonard H. McCoy, quarters. He entered to find Dr. McCoy hovering over a crib and smiling down at his newborn daughter, Julia McCoy. It took a few seconds, before Dr. McCoy noticed him, but eventually looked up and smiled.

"Hey yah, Jim," Dr. McCoy answered, friendly.

"Good day, Bones; how's fatherhood treating you?" Captain Kirk questioned, with a smile.

Dr. McCoy looked down in the crib and smiled.

"Just fine, Jim," Dr. McCoy answered, beaming.

Julia was fast asleep and looked like she was in a world of peace and tranquility.

Captain Kirk smiled.

"Bones, can I speak with you for a minute?" Captain Kirk questioned.

"Sure, Jim; what's up," Dr. McCoy replied. He walked with Captain Kirk to another section of his quarters, but not far from where Julia was. Dr. McCoy put his arms behind him and grabbed both of his hands.

"Bones…have you seen Spock, lately?" Captain Kirk questioned.

"Not since my release from Sickbay, why?" Dr. McCoy answered.

"He's acting a bit…well…strange."

"Strange in what way,"

"Well…you see…Spock's been…a bit moody."

"A bit moody; Jim, you can't be serious. Spock's a Vulcan; they can't express feelings of moodiness." Dr. McCoy was chuckling softly. It still hurt him to laugh from having Julia, and probably would for at least another good two months.

"Bones, would I lie to you?" Captain Kirk questioned.

"No, Jim, it's just, as Spock would say, it's illogical for a Vulcan to express such feelings." Dr. McCoy answered.

Knowing the new father wouldn't leave without his newborn daughter, Captain Kirk walked over to the communicator attached to the wall and pushed a button.

"Scotty, send Mr. Spock down to Dr. McCoy's quarters. I'd like to speak with him." Captain Kirk ordered.

"Aye, Captain; Scott out," Scotty responded.

Captain Kirk ended the call and walked back over to Dr. McCoy.

"Jim, what is all this," Dr. McCoy questioned, concerned.

"I need to prove to you that something's going on with Spock. I need to know whether or not I should get Dr. M'Benga involved and examine him for something psychologically wrong with him." Captain Kirk responded, sharply, but worried.

Dr. McCoy looked at Captain Kirk, his eyes filled with worry.

"Jim, you're not kidding…are you." Dr. McCoy gasped.

"No, I'm not, Bones…though I wish I were." Captain Kirk answered.

"Jim, even if what you say is true, I can't give you my advice unless I get a good look of Spock in person."

"Which is why I exactly…" Captain Kirk was interrupted, when Dr. McCoy's quarter doors opened and in came walking Spock. His eyes seemed slightly off, yet Dr. McCoy couldn't tell what about them seemed peculiar. Spock seemed slightly agitated with something, and his skin looked slightly pale for his usual look.

"You wished to speak with me, Captain." Spock answered, sounding like his normal self.

"Spock, are you alright," Dr. McCoy asked, worried.

"I can assure you, Doctor, I am more than functioning." Spock answered, slightly irritated.

Dr. McCoy raised his eyebrow, not exactly buying it.

"Spock, how many fingers am I holding up?" Dr. McCoy questioned, holding up two fingers.

Spock glared at him, coldly.

"I can count fine, Doctor. You have up exactly two fingers on your right and dominant hand." Spock answered, semi harshly.

Dr. McCoy lowered his hand and continued to observe Spock. Something did seem to be slightly off, but Dr. McCoy couldn't quite pick up what it was that was doing it. His tone of voice seemed to be fine, besides for the sometimes harshness of it, his skin color was slightly off, but it could've been from the lighting; same went for his eyes that seemed to be dazed over.

"Spock, how are those files and science reports coming along for Starfleet Command?" Captain Kirk questioned.

"I was working on them, when I was called in here, Captain." Spock hissed back.

Captain Kirk looked stunned at Spock for a moment. He couldn't tell whether it were from the lighting in Dr. McCoy's room or his actual complexion, but Spock seemed to look half possessed, like Dracula in the old 1930s' film. Captain Kirk glanced slightly over at Dr. McCoy, whom also seemed to be making an analysis of Spock's strange behavior, trying to fit pieces to the puzzle one by one. Of course, he couldn't complete the picture without all the pieces.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright, Spock? Been getting enough sleep, recently?" Dr. McCoy questioned.

"I said I was fine, Doctor!" Spock snarled.

Dr. McCoy jumped back slightly and gave Spock his usual glare.

Spock continued to give Dr. McCoy a death glare then snapped his head back towards Captain Kirk.

"I wish to leave now, Captain…unless you wish to ask me anymore questions." Spock hissed.

Captain Kirk shook his head, stunned from what he had just witnessed. Spock had never snapped at anyone; it wasn't part of his Vulcan blood to do so. Spock was always very reserved, when it came to his emotions, and if he were to get angry, it was never with him, Dr. McCoy, or Scotty.

"No, Spock…you may leave, if you wish." Captain Kirk answered, softly.

Spock looked at Captain Kirk coldly, then at Dr. McCoy, then stomped off about to exit, when Julia began to cry.

"And would you make that cursed thing shut up?!" Spock snarled, and left without another word.

Dr. McCoy tried walking fast to Julia, when Captain Kirk gently stopped him and ran to get Julia for his recovering friend. Captain Kirk leaned over the crib and gently grabbed a hold of Julia in his arms, walked quickly back over to Dr. McCoy, and handed him his newborn daughter. Dr. McCoy held Julia close to him and hushed her, rocking her gently from side to side, when she stopped and fell back to sleep. He then looked up at Captain Kirk, who was obviously worried about Spock.

"Bones…" Captain Kirk began.

Dr. McCoy nodded; he knew exactly what he was going to ask of him.

"Get Spock checked out as soon as possible, Jim." Dr. McCoy answered, softly.

"Bones…what do you think's wrong with him?" Captain Kirk asked, worried.

"I don't know, Jim; I can't say I ever studied such a disease that Vulcans are susceptible to."

"Do you think it's life threatening?"

"I'm sorry, Jim…I just don't know, with this scenario. I've never heard of such diseases Vulcans suffer from that include the symptoms Spock is showing. Atticus would know, however; I'm sure he'll be able to answer your questions."

Captain Kirk nodded and approached Dr. McCoy's doors to leave his quarters, when Dr. McCoy stopped him.

"Jim," Dr. McCoy spoke. Captain Kirk slowly turned around, filled with worry and anxiety for his First Officer. "No matter what, Jim, Spock's gonna be alright…you gotta good doctor as temporary CMO." Dr. McCoy managed to give a small smile to give encouragement for his best friend.

Captain Kirk nodded and sulked out of the room, with questions unanswered…and knowing what he had to do next.