"Since Starfleet did not reply to our previous appeal, I will send another and that will give you a legitimate reason to delay your departure." Spock walked quickly after his captain as he rummaged through his room, looking for things to pack.
As he shoved another yellow shirt in his pack, Jim Kirk turned to face his Vulcan friend. "Spock… We did get the transmission… they told me to stop making excuses and-"
"-And you did not tell me sooner? I could have submitted another appeal on the distress that this will cause the crew!"
Kirk reached out a hand to place on Spock's shoulder. "I have to go, I'm sorry. Starfleet's orders… I've already trashed enough of theirs… and they said that if I failed to comply it could reflect badly on my command and the entire crew of the Enterprise…"
Spock's face greened – blood heating and boiling.
"The crew is unfit to serve under any other commander than yourself. We cannot be expected to continue on without you. Their performance will be less than optimal rendering our attempts at service nearly futile… I will not stand for it and neither will the crew."
Silence.
"You're captain, Spock."
The Vulcan's hair stood on end and he set his jaw. "I will not be."
Kirk snorted in exasperation. "It's three months, Mr. Spock! I'll be back before you know it."
Eyebrow raised, Spock stiffened. "That his highly illogical considering that I will realize you are gone immediately-"
"I know."
Kirk's face then dropped. "You'll take care of the crew…"
He looked back up at his first officer. Brown eyes soft, the Vulcan exhaled slowly.
"I will miss you."
The captain nodded and rubbed his hand down his face. "I know, I know…" Looking back up, he smiled. "But, we'll be in touch…"
Spock nodded slowly and touched his temple.
Kirk chuckled. "Of course, that." He brushed the walls with his fingertips, looking around his quarters dramatically and then back at the Vulcan.
"Here too." He rasped, patting his chest.
Taken aback at first, Spock then untensed and nodded slowly.
"Always, Jim."