Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot of the story. Now that is over and done with, on with the sass!

Warning: Cheesy, deliciously so.

The Emotional Outbursts of Spock

"Captains log, Stardate 2264.3. It has been twenty-two hours since we returned from the planet Alpha 32-1. Our exploration of the planet has found it, as of yet, barren of any humanoid species. We encountered several predatory animals, which claimed the lives of three crew members. Vruna Tebars, Tui Nebanda, and Merit Brunner. They will be mourned by the crew. On the planet's surface, we also discovered a species of flora, now named the Sneedo Plant, which excreted a strange liquid onto our landing party as a form of defence. So far no one has been affected by this."

Breathing out a sigh, Jim turned off the recorder, and let himself relax into his Captains Chair, weary from the encounter and death of crew members. It was always hard, losing members of the crew. It was a risk they all agreed to, he knew, but it was his job to try an prevent it from happening. He always tried to remember their names, so they weren't forgotten.

Knowing he was still on duty, he straightened up in his chair, ready to address the bridge and crew. It was high time they all had some rest. He opened up a shipwide communication. "This is the Captain speaking. I'd like to commend you all on your service these last few weeks. You have all expressed extraordinary strength in the face of adversity, and for that, I think its time we all had a break. You deserve it. In three earth days, we will be arriving at a nearby planet for shore leave. Kirk out." He shut off the communicator, observing the bridge.

Three days would be enough to determine if the 'sneedo' plant had any late occurring effects on its victims. So far nothing seemed amiss with anyone. Bones was still, well, Bones. Uhura was still as diligent and strong-minded as ever, Chekov was still eager and ready to take on anything, and Spock was always ready to ground him with logic and sensibility.

He turned in his chair to where he knew Spock would be, "what do you think, Spock? Some shore leave might do us some good, considering everybody seems fine after the 'sneedo' incident."

Immidetly, his First Officers face went from unreadable to infuriated. He raised one deliberate eyebrow, "What do I think, Captain? I think you are an illogical and unequivocally unobservant idiot of a Captain that is completely incapable of rational thought."

Silence.

The whole bridge turned their heads to the Science Officer, all bearing the same stunned expression.

Jim stared, speechless, trying to decide whether he should react like a Captain, or like a friend. Under normal circumstances, he knew Spock would react better to direct orders. This was definitely not normal circumstances. Ignoring protocol, and probably proving Spock's comment right, he chose to be a friend. "Spock, are you alright?" he asked, genuinely concerned for his friend's sanity.

Spock took a purposeful step forward. "no, I am not 'alright', as you say, Captain. The plant's discharge appears to be making me ill, which you failed to notice. My home planet is destroyed, my species endangered, and less than 10.5 minutes ago you made a cruel jape at my ears: an aspect of myself I am highly sensitive about due to your repetitive critique."

"Spock, I didn't realise you felt-"

"Yes, I felt, Captain, which you fail to realise, always. Just like you fail to realise my need for your accept-" Spock suddenly straightened himself, composed. "I apologise for my behaviour Captain; it is unacceptable for a First Officer. May I be dismissed from the bridge?"

Startled, it took Jim a moment to process the question, "Uh, okay. Yeah. Relieved. Just stop by Bones as you go, all right?"

"Understood, Captain," and with that, Spock turned on his heel and made for the turbo-lift, leaving Kirk and the bridge utterly bewildered, and overwhelmingly worried.

Spock made a direct beeline towards the med-bay, nonplussed by his behaviour. Back on the bridge, he had meant to say, 'I believe shore leave will greatly benefit the crew's performance and moral,' but instead, a lot more was said, in a more emotional manner. Though, curiously, what he had said to Kirk had been eaxtly what he had attempted to suppress in that momment.

He theorised that the 'sneeze' of the Sneedo Plant was the cause for his lapse. It appeared to not affect the rest of the landing party due to their human origin- which caused them to be impulsive and reactive in regards to their emotions by nature, where Vulcans were controlled and logical. Perhaps the plant was causing his Vulcan side to react and display all his human half was thinking and feeling?

The doors to the med bay opened with a hiss, giving sight to Leonard McCoy, hypo in hand. Spock entered the room, hands folded behind his back. He held back as much emotion as he could. I will not be emotionally compromised; I will not.

"What's the problem, Hobgoblin?" Bones asked, brow furrowed.

He burst into tears.

Bones' eyebrows rose significantly, and he led Spock to a bio-bed. "I think I found the problem."

Spock sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes, "how observant of you, doctor."

"Alright, take it easy," Mcoy said, sitting Spock down as he scanned him. His reader detected an unknown substance within the Vulcan. "Do you think it's that plant thing that's making you like this?"

He sneered, hiccupping. "No, I think it was a tribble!"

Spock wanted to slap himself.

Leonard McCoy, a professional doctor and friend, was not used to seeing the Vulcan show any emotion other than light sass, and was moderately concerned that Spock was temporarily insane. He watched in mild curiosity at Spock's rare display of unguarded emotion. He wondered if Jim had said something. He did seem to be one of the only people able to get the Vulcan to show any form of emotion. He supposed that when the ingested substance left his system, Spock would return to normal. He said as much to the Vulcan.

Spock seemed to consider this for a moment, before sighing. He straightened his back and rose to a stand. "If there is nothing you can do to reduce the effects, may I retire to my quarters now, Doctor?"

"Yeah, okay. There isn't much I can do for you medically, except advise you to get some rest and talk to somebody if you need to."

Spock nodded and exited the med bay.

Jim twirled a chess piece in his fingers, concerned. Spock had the whole crew terrified, that much he knew. Those who didn't know him feared there was something seriously wrong with their apparently emotionless second in command. Those who knew him best knew that Spock was probably one of the most emotional members of the crew, but also one of the most controlled, and so they felt fear for the thing that had caused Spock to lose that control. Other than that, there was a small amount of curiosity, and even humour, at Spock's sudden emotional outbursts.

It had been going on for about two days since they discovered it, a bit longer than anyone had expected. Over those two days, stories of the crew's encounters with 'emotional-Spock' soon circulated around the ship, and eventually to his ears as well. He would have to admit, some were quite funny. Many seemed to have witnessed, or fallen victim to Spock calling crew members 'illogical idiots', or 'idiotic tribbles.' He was even rumoured to have been seen crying over a PADD, sobbing mathematic equations to himself. No longer was Spock's emotions hidden behind apparent control. It was out there for everyone to see.

He hadn't personally had a conversation with Spock beyond 'causal' exchanges on the bridge, and he felt he was well overdue to have one, with shore leave so rapidly approaching. He owed his friend an apology. He knew better than most that Spock could lose control and show raw emotion. Though sometimes it was easy to forget that behind those pointed eyebrows and composed demeanour was a being that did take offence, and wasn't immune to emotional overload.

He felt Spock was right, to be honest. He was an illogical and unobservant idiot. Spock never really let on about how all that stuff was bothering him, but of course, it was. How could it not be? He felt such an idiot.

There was one other thing that was bothering him. Does Spock actually think I don't accept him? The thought was a chilling one. He always had kind of thought his acceptance of his friend was obvious, and that Spock knew as such. He had to know that, didn't he?

Not knowing what else to do, Kirk picked up his receiver. "Hey, Spock?"

"Yes, Captain?" a controlled voice answered.

Maybe it's worn off? "Can you meet me in my quarters? There is something I want to talk to you about."

"As you wish, Captain."

"Thanks, Spock." He closed the receiver and waited. Maybe we could play chess? That would take away from some of the awkwardness. He put the chess piece he had been fiddling with back in its place on the third layer.

Not too much later, his ears were greeted with the sound of doors sliding open and shut again.

Spock stood tall and composed, hands clasped behind his back. "You wished to see me, Captain?"

He moved a chair out from under the desk for Spock, who took it without question. "Yeah, something's been on my mind lately."

Spock reached out with his fingers, "I could perform a mind meld, if it would help ease your mind, Captain."

He waved his hand, smiling. "That won't be necessary, Spock. You seem well, have the effects of the Sneedo plant worn off?"

"It appears to be so."

He nodded, "Okay, that's um- "

"I apologise if my previous behaviour disrupted the order of the crew, Captain. If that is all, I have duties to return to," Spock said, a hint of dismissiveness in his voice.

He sighed, "No, that's not what this is about Spock, it's about something you said when you were affected by the Sneedo Plant."

Spock visibly tensed, straitening his spine, "Captain, if I said something that upset you, I apologise."

Dejected, he shook his head, "No, you didn't. But I believe I said, and did, some things that upset you. Before the Sneedo thing."

"Jim-"

He shushed him, "I want to apologise. I didn't think about all that stuff I said about your ears, I know I should have, just like I should have noticed that it upset you." He smiled, "I actually really like your ears."

Spock raised an eyebrow, "truly Captain?"

He laughed, "don't get ahead of yourself Spock."

Spock looked down.

Shit, I did it again! "Sorry, that was a bad joke."

"You are forgiven."

He nodded, wondering what he did to deserve such a forgiving friend. "Truth is Spock; I just wanted to tell you that I do accept you. Truly." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You're my friend, Spock. My best friend. I couldn't imagine being on this ship without you."

Spock didn't react for a second or two, then finally, he offered a hint of a smile. "Thank you, Jim," he paused for a moment, "you too, are my closest and most trusted friend."

Jim smiled, "chess?"

"Of course, Jim."

Sometime later, back in the med bay, Leonard McCoy spat out his coffee on his latest patient. "He said who was his best friend?!"

fin?