The captain and first officer sat comfortably in the rec room after shift.
"Jim?" Spock looked thoughtful.
"Yes, Spock."
"This afternoon, I am certain I heard Mr Sulu refer to Mr Chekov as 'an apple'. Most illogical."
Kirk smiled. "Yes. An apple. Fresh, green. Sulu was referring to Ensign Chekov's lack of experience. Metaphors are a human tradition, Spock."
The Vulcan cogitated on that.
"In that case, Jim, you are a cha'il, a fruit which survives through hardships where others perish. It is strong and golden in colour. It shelters and protects many other fruits from Vulcan's harsh conditions."
Kirk suddenly felt an incredible warmth seep through his body at his friend's softly spoken words. He leaned in close to Spock. "And you, my friend, are an avocado. Green on the outside, with an extraordinarily tough centre."
Spock's eyes lowered. "You mean that I am hard hearted," he whispered.
Kirk stared intensely at Spock until the Vulcan was forced to look up. Hazel eyes bored into brown. "No. I meant that you have a solid core of integrity, an inner strength few possess."
Spock smiled suddenly, looking down at himself.
"How do you account for the avocado's high fat content?
FIN