A/N: Is this really my first Star Trek story? Huh. That's kinda cool ;)


"Scotty took me to the big engine! It was huuuuuuuge!" A grinning four-year-old Jim animatedly told a now Acting Captain Spock, stretching his arms as wide as they would go. His giddiness was like a whirl of energy on the bridge and Spock was having difficulty keeping the small human in his lap. Stars sped by on the forward screen as they neared the Andorian homeworld. Spock was simultaneously monitoring all stations while keeping up with Jim's running commentary. To say the least, that was the easy part. Jim turned around suddenly, his eyes bright and expectant. "And after that, he took me to McCoy, who put me on a high-bed." Jim thought for a moment, turning back around and gazing towards the ceiling, just noticing the lights up there. He gazed at them. "That was boring though," he said finally, rolling his eyes.

Jim's high-pitched voice lowered slightly and it sounded so like the adult-version of himself, it was difficult for Spock not to take note of it. Spock took the rare thoughtfulness of the young boy and repositioned his arms firmly around Jim's small waist. Jim could wiggle when he wanted to and Spock could keep him firmly on his lap, where he would not interfere with any of the other bridge crew. Being a Vulcan was also part of the reason he had taken charge of this accidentally de-aged Jim; as impossible as it was, he was practically the only one capable of handling the energetic "bundle of joy."

Spock had little experience with children, and he was finding it... sufficiently challenging. He found the dynamic strange; a first officer taking care of his captain who had de-aged into that of a young child. Despite this, he took the duty as seriously as he would any other, entertaining and keeping an eye on Kirk while captaining the starship. It wasn't so difficult if your IQ was higher than humanly possible, but little humans could stretch even those qualifications to their limits.

"I don't think I'm allowed in Medbee anymore though," Jim recounted, disheartened. "McCoy got mad at me when I broke a… a hi-po. I didn't like that; McCoy is scary when he's angry." Kirk looked away and gulped. Doctors were frightening when you broke their things.

Despite Spock's own emotional control, he could read human emotion rather well, and noticed Jim's glum mood was apparent to everyone.

"I can sympathize," he said to his young charge after a moment.

Only, Jim wasn't listening. Spock didn't notice this until he spied his now second-youngest crewmember facing him and making slightly silly expressions at Jim. He heard the human giggle softly. Spock sent a disapproving look in Chekov's direction. The navigator's eyebrows rose, having been caught in the act, and he gave a faint, guilty smile.

"I'll… go back to vork now," he laughed tensely once.

Spock raised an eyebrow and Chekov sighed in defeat, giving Jim one last cross-eyed grin before reluctantly turning back to his instruments.

Kirk had settled down finally, finding sitting cross-legged much more comfortable, and looked around contentedly. He leaned back into Spock and seemed to relax on the soft material and warm core that supported him. The Vulcan's hands had retreated to just a light touch on his sides, so if the ship shook suddenly Jim wouldn't go flying.

Kirk was suddenly quite adamant about examining Spock's hands, taking the Vulcan's right in his own. Spock's eyes widened and he glanced down. Jim took Spock's hand and held it up first, then the individual fingers, curling and uncurling.

As Kirk did this, Spock felt tiny sparks fly up his arm, the surprising warmth reminding him of days past, of innocent caresses igniting a burning ache in him. He barely breathed as Jim played with his strong yet highly sensitive fingers.

Jim was quiet, finding every crease and imperfection with wonder. Overcome at one point, he pressed Spock's curled hand to his cheek to feel the heat radiating from the Vulcan. It was a comforting sensation.

The action took Spock by surprise. The corners of his mouth twitched and he watched Jim affectionately. At the back of his mind he noted the undeniable urge to reciprocate, but he did not dwell. There would soon be a time for all, and right now, Jim simply needed him to be there.

A small giggle cut through Spock's melancholy. He turned to the source of the noise and found Uhura grinning at him.

"Look, Spock," she motioned to Jim.

Confused, Spock turned and found his hand parted in a perfect imitation of the Vulcan salute. Jim held his milky green hand for a moment more before turning it over to investigate Spock's sharp knuckles.

Spock could not look away from where his hand had been splayed; the ancient symbol of well-wishes and prosperity formed unknowingly by a child. How did such a coincidence seem so significant to him?

He blinked to get a hold on himself. And just in time, too, he thought as the ship suddenly dropped out of warp. The happy motions ceased as Jim stared, wide-eyed at the planet Andoria now in full view beneath them.

The bridge seemed to thaw and a flurry of activity broke out as they entered orbit. Chekov and Sulu were still finalizing their position as the government hailed them. Spock gave a few commands but was otherwise occupied.

Upon seeing the massive, crystalline sphere that was directly ahead, Jim Kirk became a struggling mass of determination and willpower.

"Spock lemme down! I wanna see the—the planet, look—"

Jim made a small noise of frustration as Spock held tight. He tried to squirm down and out of Spock's arms, but Spock dexterously navigated to stop his actions. Jim stopped and huffed, finally looking up at Spock with pleading eyes.

"I wanna see the planet up close, Spock," Kirk's chin wobbled and he looked back longingly and then around again, judging if he could get away the second time. He didn't see how and turned back, more urgently this time.

"Spock, Spock, let me down, please, please, please!" His tiny fists were balled and he jiggled up and down in agitation and eagerness, swiftly looking from to the screen to Spock, Spock to the screen. He couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed down; he wanted down.

"Please…?" he tried one more time.

Spock debated for a moment, before finally relenting. He set Kirk down on the deck and the human squealed in delight. Jim ran to the front screen.

Passively, Spock watched Jim press first his hands to the glass, and then his nose. Now that he was not otherwise occupied, Spock noticed the crew were working well, more so than usual even. In spare moments, a few gave Jim looks of adoration, the general mood significantly improved. It was tangible; the humans' emotions were stronger when a child of their own was among them, the desire to protect and be good around him infectious.

Distantly, Spock heard the turbolift doors open, and the easy stride of the ship's CMO. McCoy stopped to lean languidly on the railing just to Spock's side.

"Yer' hands full yet, Spock?" McCoy chuckled low, a cheerful smugness in his voice.

"Indeed, Doctor." Spock placed his fingers together and glanced back to McCoy. "He is quite vigorous for a child."

"A Vulcan child, maybe, but adventurous as they come for a human." McCoy grinned, enjoying the whole situation immensely.

"Yes, I am beginning to see that." Spock's eyebrows rose and his voice lowered tiredly. This earned him a low laugh from the doctor.

"Ah, don't worry about it, Spock; we'll have him back to normal in no time."

"I do not doubt it, Doctor."

"We're being hailed, Captain," Uhura informed him.

"Forward monitor," Spock returned.

Moments later, an Andorian space traffic controller appeared onscreen, her smiling, pleasant blue face filling the glass. Bobbed white hair curled around her ears, and blue antennae poked through the top of her head.

Kirk looked up; eyes wide at the image that now filled the screen.

Spock's expression didn't falter as he quickly gained Chekov's attention.

"Chekov," The direct command was understood, as the wide-eyed ensign squeaked, "Aye." He scrambled out of his chair to scoop Jim up, despite startled protests.

"I am Tifiq," the Andorian STC said, her voice tinkling. "Weelcome to Andoria Captain Spouck and Enterprise crew. I troost you eentered orbit without deefficuulty?" Her Federation Standard was enunciated with an Andorian accent but she did not lack conviction in the statement, and her eyes were warm.

Spock inclined his head, returning the greeting.

"Indeed we did, I believe I may say 'thank you' on behalf of the Enterprise and her crew. I trust Andoria's government is in a position to uphold earlier arrangements?"

"Ceertainly; the beeam-down coordineetes are being transmitted to youur veessl. Oh!" she exclaimed, a light blue blush rising to her cheeks as she spied Jim staring wide-eyed.

McCoy noticed this as well and sighed interally. Even as a toddler the guy was an insufferable ladies magnet.

"How adoooooureeble…" the woman cooed, the high tones of her voice washing over the bridge like honey glaze.

Yep. There went his appetite. No matter how sugar sweet the voice was, if Jim was the cause, he wanted no part in it.

Spock's reaction was far less visual than McCoy's slight grimace, but his body still went infinitesimally stiffer at the reaction Kirk garnered.

Far from the realm of his two gaping friends, though they should have hardly been surprised, Jim Kirk was suddenly plummeted out of dreamland when the pretty-faced girl turned and spoke to him. His eyes widened and he gulped. His hesitancy only lasted a second however, and then he grinned widely.

"Hi!"

"Hello, there. You'ree a very sweet leettle boy. Is this the huuman youu require our servicees for, Ceeptain Spouck? A one, Ceeptain Keerk?"

"He is, Miss Tifiq." Spock spoke levelly, watching Chekov's indulgent cuddling with wary distaste.

McCoy could have sworn the pointy-eared hobgoblin had about said 'unfortunately'. He sure wanted to say it. Not that Kirk was unfortunately Kirk, but that he was unfortunately around two decades younger than he should be.

"And I shall be quite relieved when he is back to his… regular self," Spock said with obvious relief.

"Captain," Uhura called quietly, gaining his attention. "I have the coordinates and have sent them to the transporter room."

"Of course, thank you, Lieutenant. Miss Tifiq, I am appreciative of your services, and if you will excuse us, we shall beam down immediately."

"Understood, Ceeptain Spouck." She ended the call, resuming the screen to its brilliant glassiness showing the planet below. Kirk babbled happily in Chekov's arms as the Russian crooned to him in his native tongue. Spock steepled his fingers.

What would this technology do to Kirk besides the intended effect? He would again be an adult but would there be any side-effects? No. Though he was not completely familiar with the machine or the techniques used, he had high trust in the Andorians besides the fact that this was the only solution to their problem. The scientists there had assured him the science used was perfectly safe and tested; he had even glanced at blueprints for it and found nothing to be faulty. Still, he found himself worrying.

"Why, Spock…" McCoy said after a moment of silence, "if I didn't know you better I'd bet you were feeling something more than just normal precaution."

"It is logical, Doctor, to have slight doubts about an invention I am not perfectly sure of, when the safety of our commanding officer is the element that will be effected should it fail to operate correctly."

"Right." He let that hang there in attempt to make Spock uncomfortable, but the Vulcan rose quickly, issuing orders like the conversation had never taken place. sighed softly.

"Chekov, you will accompany Engineer Scott and myself down to the planet momentarily. Sulu, you have the con."

"Aye, Captain," Sulu said from forward control.

Spock turned to the doctor. "Doctor McCoy, if you will excuse me." He stepped around the CMO to enter the turbolift, but as soon as he turned around to wait for Chekov, he stepped slightly back into the bridge in alarm.

The young ensign had just awkwardly handed Kirk to Sulu, who looked uncomfortable to be holding his friend like the child he currently was, when said child suddenly burst into tears, reaching in Spock's general direction. Sulu looked more alarmed than any of them, and held Kirk back out to Chekov.

"Aye!" The Russian exclaimed, turning back to Kirk to comfort the small boy. "Zer, zer, do not cry little vone..." He patted Kirk's shoulder soothingly, and Kirk settled marginally, whimpering quietly. His anguish reached everyone on the bridge. Kirk's sobs echoed and everyone was still, the little scene like a tableau.

For several seconds this went on with growing tension occupying the crew. A few looked to Spock. Spock, who was standing as still as a stone, face closed off to the casual observer.

Uhura was one who immediately saw the infinitesimal changes on Spock's face, saw them for what they were. As Chekov attempted to control a confused and scared little boy, Spock's eyebrows knitted together, his lips hovering on an order. To Uhura, it looked like Spock could not bear to be away from Kirk as much as Kirk couldn't fathom a separation himself. The only difference was that Kirk vocalized these feelings, eyes full of tears. But Spock's body language was just as revealing.

Spock did not move for a good thirty seconds, seeing Kirk looking directly at him with confusion and pain in his young eyes.

He soon found himself beside the trio, his own eyes locked onto two desperate, crying ones.

"Spock, Spock," Jim sobbed out almost incoherently, making grabby motions at the stiff Vulcan.

The Russian, just noticing Spock standing there, stopped his feeble actions and looked worriedly at his captain, his eyes darting back and forth.

"Perhaps it would be wise to bring Kirk along if he is this adamant, Chekov," Spock said without a hint of emotion.

"Aye... aye, sir." But before he could take Jim—now struggling even more—Spock's hands reached out to take the small body in his own. Sulu obliged willingly, almost pushing him into Spock's arms.

"Oh, thank God," Sulu sighed, happy to be rid of Kirk.

Once in possession of the small human, Spock gingerly twisted Kirk around while simultaneously moving a hand to support the child. He hugged Jim close, one arm protectively around the human who had happily and immediately curled into him, grinning and giggling.

Spock readjusted his position to account for the added weight and dipped his head down to gaze at the top of one caramel head. His eyes mellowed and the corners of his mouth turned up.

It was only with the Vulcan dignity he was born with that Spock was able to again enter the turbolift with Chekov, completely ignorant yet fully aware of the broad grins that had swept the bridge.

"Keptin?" Chekov asked as the doors slid shut, voice bubbling over with happiness.

"Yes, Ensign," Spock asked in a daze that only a fellow Vulcan would recognize in a conversation.

"May I sing to him again?"

Spock looked up sharply and then down at Chekov, who gazed just as dazedly at Kirk.

The navigator chanced to look up and see the stern eyes of his commanding officer looking at him.

"No, Ensign."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Vhy not?"

"Because, Ensign, I said so."

Chekov earnestly searched Spock's face and after a moment, saw a tiny glint of amusement in their solemn depths, one that twinkled with merriment.

He smiled again. "Aye, Keptin." He sighed, looking down into Kirk's face.

"He is such a sweet, tiny weetle thing…"

Letting out a small breath, Spock allowed a sense of quiet peace wash over him. "I could not agree more."


A/N: Thank you, bookworm-4-ever2012, for being an awesome beta and fixing some errors on my part :) And as a last note: please review! Constructive criticism, comments and love are all welcome, even if it's just something like 'I liked it'. Reviews are food for the brain! It only takes you two seconds, and I can guarantee it will seriously make my day.