Title: Tangents Taken
Author: Ellen Smock
Series: TOS
Codes: S/Mc
Rating: [PG] (slash, if that bothers you, don't read)
Summary: Visiting dignitaries lead Spock and McCoy to rethink their relationship.
Disclaimer: CBS-Paramount owns Star Trek. No infringement intended, no money being made.
Beta: Thanks to my friends Dragonfly and Miss D. All mistakes are my own.

Kirk looked around the room as his officers settled in for the briefing. On the surface this would be quick and simple; however, the implications were complex. He found himself wishing Star Fleet had picked another ship for this particular honor.

When everyone was seated, Kirk spun his chair to face the center of the table, calling the meeting to order.

"Mr. Spock, can you give us some information on Ormacon 7?"

Spock raised a brow. Kirk probably should have felt guilty for putting him on the spot, but didn't. He was confident that, despite being unaware of the reason for the meeting, Spock knew more about Ormacon 7 than Kirk knew about Vulcan.

"Located in the Helidian Sector, Ormacon 7 is a non-aligned planet. The population is humanoid. Though possessed of warp capabilities, they rarely leave their own system, preferring the artistic and literary aspects of their society over the technological. Ormacon fabric arts are held in particularly high regard."

Spock paused a moment as though considering something, then continued.

"The planet contains large untapped quantities of dilithium and other valuable minerals. To this date, the ruling body—known as The Senaach—has refused all overtures from the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Both consider Ormacon 7 to be highly desirable for a number of reasons. Located close to the Romulan Neutral Zone, it would be a strategic location for a military outpost. There are two other inhabited, if less developed, planets in the Ormacon system. There is substantial commerce amongst the three. It is assumed that these planets would follow Ormacon 7 into whichever organization they might join."

"Thank you, Mr. Spock"

Spock gave Kirk a look which suggested he had barely scratched the surface of interesting facts about Ormacon 7, but did not protest the interruption.

"The Senaach has expressed interest in seeing how Federation Starships are run. They want more than a tour; they want to place one of their representatives onboard for a substantial period of observation."

"Might I ask exactly how substantial?" McCoy inquired.

"100 days."

Eyebrows shot up around the table. While it was common for researchers and technicians to be assigned temporary duty for periods of 100 days or longer, it was unheard of for what was, effectively, a diplomat to be onboard for more than 30 days.

Diplomats rarely made pleasant passengers and almost always had a negative effect on crew efficiency and morale.

"Let me guess" McCoy drawled. "We're the lucky ship."

"We are. Senaach Representative Arnt and his spouse will rendezvous with us at Starbase 17 in three days. I understand they have a young daughter, so we should arrange some educational and entertainment options to help fill her time. Yeoman Rand, I'd like you to be in charge of that."

Rand nodded but rolled her eyes slightly as if thinking "Sexism, alive and well in the 23rd Century."

Spock sympathized. The Captain was often overly quick to assign duties based on a parochial concept of natural abilities.

"Yeoman, perhaps I could assist you in gathering age appropriate material. I'm sure the young lady would be interested in various aspects of science, technology and art on Federation planets."

Rand responded with relief. "Thank you, Mr. Spock."

McCoy spoke up. "I can probably help too, Rand. I've had some experience with kids."

"Yes, well we're not here to discuss day care issues. Let's get back to the topic. We'll have a diplomat and his family on board for a very long stretch of time. Any easily foreseeable problems we can address in advance?"

"Unknown. Much will depend on the temperament of the Representative." Spock said.

McCoy replied "A hundred days is plenty of time for this ship to get into more than a couple of disasters, Jim. Is Star Fleet planning on lightening up our assignments for the duration?"

Spock rotated his chair to face the doctor. "That would be illogical. No doubt the purpose of the visit is to ascertain how a Federation crew performs under trying circumstances. To attempt to control the situation so there is no opportunity for crisis would be unethical."

"Unethical? Don't you mean sane? We're trying to put on our best appearance, here, Spock, not show them our dirty linens."

"I fail to see how unwashed laundry is a factor in this discussion, Doctor."

"Enough!" Kirk managed not to roar but it was clear he had no interest in yet another Spock/McCoy debate.

"Sulu, plot a course for Starbase 17, warp factor 4. Maybe we can arrive before Representative Arnt and get in a bit of shore leave."

Looking around, Kirk sensed approval for that idea. "Good. If there's nothing else, then let's get back to work."

Kirk rose and strode out of the meeting room, not wanting to give anyone the chance to voice an objection.

McCoy, Spock and Rand remained in their seats. Uhura rose and addressed Rand. "It's a good thing he didn't try to stick me with that nursemaid job, Janice. I'd have bitten his head off."

"I assume, Lieutenant, that is why he did not—as you say—stick you with it." Spock said. If he was shocked at the way Uhura had spoken of her commanding officer, it didn't show.

Uhura laughed. "You're probably right, Mr. Spock."

Rand looked across the table. "Mr. Spock, Doctor, I can't thank you enough for offering to help me. I am not the maternal type at all. My only experience with children was with those 300 year old kids on the duplicate Earth."

Spock and McCoy flinched at the memory.

"Fortunately, Yeoman, it appears both Doctor McCoy and I have more experience. I will endeavor to discover the child's age. That will be important in determining the material we choose. Perhaps we should regroup here tomorrow at 1600 hours?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you again." Rand rose and stepped out of the room.

McCoy turned to give Spock a quizzical gaze. "I have a daughter, Spock, but how do you come to have experience with children?"

"I have a daughter as well, Doctor. That fact is included in my personnel file."

"Spock, your personnel file fills 14 data chips. I had the computer filter out anything but medical information and it still took me 5 hours to read it."

McCoy could swear that Spock looked amused though he couldn't point to any change in expression another would recognize.

"I concede that it is an intimidating prospect for review."

"So, how'd you get the daughter? I thought that whole thing with T'Pring was mental."

"I assure you I acquired my daughter by purely conventional means. The recent, unfortunate experience with T'Pring was, as you say, strictly mental. Vulcan marriage laws are somewhat different than those of Earth. While T'Pring was to be my wife, it was my right to take a consort of my choosing. We were married in an Earth ceremony during our time at the Academy. Though recognized as my wife on Earth, on Vulcan she was considered my Scontolat. You would translate that as 'companion of choice.' Our daughter was born the year we graduated the Academy."

"You said she "was" considered your whatever that was…"

"Yes. My wife died, doctor."

"Oh. I'm sorry. She was in Star Fleet?"

"Yes. She served with me on the Enterprise for 11 years, 3 months and 14 days."

"You mean she died just before Jim took over."

Spock looked surprised that McCoy had this level of detail at his command. "No. She was reassigned to a Special Operations unit headed by Admiral Grayson. At the end of our respective missions we were both to assume teaching positions at the Academy."

"She was killed while on assignment?"

"Not precisely, Doctor. It is a somewhat unpleasant and lengthy story. Perhaps another location might be preferable."

"What about your daughter?"

"She is in the process of completing 3 doctorate programs on Earth. She will spend a year on Vulcan before returning to Earth to attend the Academy."

McCoy was stunned. It was as though his mother had told him that she had a third arm. He thought he knew Spock. He couldn't decide which—if any—of the many questions clamoring to be asked were appropriate. Changing topics seemed like a safe bet.

"You seemed to have something else to say about Ormacon fabric arts, what was it?"

"I have several garments of Ormacon make. I decided it was not germane to the discussion."

"If Ormacon stuff is so highly prized, those must have been expensive garments."

"Agreed, however, as they were gifts, I did not ask the price."

"Of course not. Maybe you could wear one while Representative Arnt is on board. It might make an impression."

"I doubt that would be appropriate. Would you like to see them? It would increase your understanding of our guests as well as give us a chance to converse without tying up a conference room."