A/N: Well, here it is! This takes place about 6-7 years after 'Two Survivors' and explores the first mission with the Big Three (Kirk, McCoy, and Spock). Canon will still be involved, though not as intensely as the first book. Here, Kirk has been promoted (McCoy, too) and Spock is a commander on the Enterprise. It may help in a few parts to have read 'Two Survivors' first, but the references won't be overwhelming. I figure this will be an action story mixed with a character study.

At any rate, please enjoy!

James T. Kirk relaxed in the starbase's diner, reclining in his chair so that the two front legs were just a hair off the floor. He sipped a peculiarly sweet juice- this particular starbase was closer to the Andorian homeworld, so many of its personnel, foods, and rec activity were more traditional to the species. Not that Kirk minded, the drink was good, company pleasant, and on this occasion the base was buzzing not with blue Andorians, but pinker humans.

He watched the activity mildly. He didn't know many of the faces. On other occasions he wouldn't hesitate to make friends- but today he was waiting for a certain someone.

Kirk continued to sip his drink, keeping watch for a green skin tone and pointed ears. No, he had no guarantee that Spock would be here… but he figured the Vulcan must show up sooner or later. The orders Kirk received could apply to Spock as well:

Starfleet Classification A-Red: You have been selected based on outstanding merit and performance on a starship and planetary investigations for a 31-B Priority mission. All persons who receive this message are to report to Starbase 27 for briefing. We have decided that your quick-thinking skills, aptitude for decision-making, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty will be valuable in this vital mission. Replies will be expected before Stardate 0118.6 with your commanding officer's signature. We encourage full cooperation.

By 'encourage' they meant 'expect'. Kirk shook his head, gazing across the diner. Starfleet was looking for its best people who were still non-vital. Something major was up, and Kirk was certain Spock would be called.

He'd gotten to know the half-Vulcan on and off for the past several years, particularly in the last three. Their respective starships had been assigned a few missions together, and Kirk enjoyed the brilliant, green-blooded man. Spock also didn't seem uncomfortable around Kirk, apparently recognizing his insights and interpretations as "illogically logical". Whatever the reason, their acquaintance had morphed into a light friendship. Kirk was eager to do another mission with him.

Sure enough, his gamble paid off and he spotted Spock wandering into the diner. Grinning, he dusted himself off, stood, and waved.

"Spock!"

Vulcan hearing picked it up across the diner, and Spock deftly made his way towards him. "Commander Kirk," he greeted.

Kirk waved him off. "It's Jim. I thought you might be here." He smiled when Spock raised an eyebrow, questioning his precognition. "Who better for a secret mission?"

"Ah. You surmised based off of the orders that I would qualify. Clearly, you have inferred correctly."

Kirk chuckled. "Why don't we sit down, Spock? It will be a bit before all of the transports get in… do you want a drink?"

"Negative, I am well," Spock replied. Kirk shrugged and they sat down.

"So how are things on the Enterprise?" he asked casually.

"Adequate and efficient," Spock answered. "Captain Pike is an admirable commander."

"Oh, I'm sure," Kirk agreed nonchalantly. "He has plenty of experience. The job suits him."

He could tell Spock was a little confused by the vague compliments. Kirk sipped his drink and decided to change the subject.

"Do you have any ideas what this mission may be about?" he asked.

"Negative. I was not informed."

"Any guesses, perhaps?"

Spock looked at him oddly. "I do not 'guess'."

"Could you?"

Spock folded his arms. "'Guessing' implies an illogical deduction with no data. I prefer to 'estimate' based on what information is available." He turned his head. "Right now, there are not enough facts to form a coherent hypothesis."

Kirk shrugged. "They might be there." Spock looked at him as he continued. "Fact: Starfleet is calling on its best from all corners of the Federation. Particularly those with space-field experience. Fact: they're not calling in seasoned officials or whole starships, so we can conclude that we're considered 'expendable'. Fact: the meeting place is this starbase. We're somewhat in Andorian space. But beyond, in the other direction, is disputed territory. It's likely that our mission is there." He leaned back in his chair. "Am I doing good so far, Spock?"

"Logical," the Vulcan conceded. "It is a standpoint I had not considered."

"You just need to think outside the box," Kirk suggested. "Consider all viewpoints- if not of the mission itself, then examine the orders."

"I shall endeavor to remember that," Spock mentioned earnestly.

Kirk grinned. "Good." He finished his drink and set down the empty glass with a clunk. He watched Spock survey the milling crowd. "See anyone you know?"

Spock turned back to him. "I am familiar with several faces," he reported. "And others I know from their Starfleet files." He scrutinized an incoming group. "For example, that is Dr. Eisenberg, from the field of architectural studies. And that is Lt. Braden, who serves on the U.S.S. Carolina, and over there is Dr. McCoy, from the-"

Kirk choked on his own tongue. "Bones is here?" he asked, rising.

Spock had no time to puzzle the unusual phrase before Kirk spotted the doctor and started running over. "Bones!"

He caught him just as he turned around. "Jim!" McCoy exclaimed. He grasped his hand excitedly. "It's good to see you! Though, on second thought, I probably should've known you would be here."

Kirk grinned. "Great to see you too, Bones. It's been too long."

"It has," McCoy agreed.

"Did you just get in?"

"Oh, yes, a shuttle from the Beecher dropped a load of us off." He stretched his back. "Cramped, but I'll take it any day over the transporter."

Kirk shook his head, smiling. Some things never change. "Well, why don't we sit down? I have a friend I would like you to meet…"

They walked back over to the table Spock was waiting at. "Spock," Kirk said heartily as the Vulcan rose from his seat. "I would like you to meet Dr. Leonard McCoy. Bones, this is Commander Spock of the U.S.S. Enterprise."

"How do you do?" McCoy asked politely.

"I am in good health," Spock replied. "Was your journey here adequate?"

"For the most part, yes."

Kirk clapped his hands together. "Well, this is fantastic! Tell you what: you two sit down and get acquainted, and I'll bring us all back some drinks. They have an amazing, sweet juice here that I insist you try…" he ambled off towards the counter as Spock and McCoy sat down.

For several moments, both endured the awkward silence that comes when two strangers with a mutual friend are thrown together. McCoy drummed his fingers on the table, leaning his chair back slightly. Spock sat ramrod straight with his hands folded, fingertips resting against each other.

"Well," McCoy cleared his throat. "Jim did say to get acquainted…" he shifted. "How ya been, Spock?"

Spock turned his head. "I informed you that I was in good health."

"I know that," McCoy replied. "Now also know that I'm not a doctor every second of the day. So I'm going to ask again: how ya been? Outside of a health-related context."

Spock considered his words. "I am… well."

McCoy looked at him expectantly for a minute, then sighed, and slumped back into his chair. "I suppose that's a start," he muttered to himself. "That's good, Spock."

"I do not understand. How is my replying 'good'?"

McCoy blinked. "I meant that it was good that you are well, and not not well." He leaned forward. "Cause see, it would be bad if you were not well, because it would be bad, and it's always better to be well, that's why I became a doctor, and so if you weren't well, then I would have to do something about it- not that that's the bad part, good Lord no, but it's simply bad that you would not be feeling well."

Spock stared at him, trying very hard to process the illogical monologue. "Doctor," he began hesitantly. "I thought you said that you were not a doctor 'every second of the day'."

A change came across McCoy's face. "And I'm not," he insisted. "Right now, I'm trying to get to know Jim's Vulcan friend!"

"Ah," Spock said. "In that case, 'I am pleased to make your acquaintance'."

McCoy opened his mouth and closed it. "Fine," he grumbled. "I guess that counts." He contemplated for a moment, sighed, then shrugged. "So, what do you want to know?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "I do not follow."

"We're supposed to get 'acquainted' with each other," McCoy pointed out.

"I admit to a lack of experience in that field," Spock confessed.

Good Lord, it's like talking to a computer, McCoy thought. He fumbled with his hands. "Just… what are you curious about?"

"Everything," Spock answered.

McCoy flummoxed. "Everything?"

"Indeed. That is part of the reason why I sought to become a science officer. It allows me to discover new and previously unknown things. Space holds infinite unknowns, and serving aboard a starship is a fascinating way to-"

"I wasn't speaking literally!" McCoy interrupted. He pressed a hand to his brow, pinching the bridge of his nose between his eyes. "Getting acquainted with each other involves both parties learning and asking questions about one another. I was asking if you had an questions for me."

Spock seemed barely ruffled. McCoy wondered if he had surprised the Vulcan. The man was silent for several moments. He went back to drumming his fingers on the table, desperately hoping Jim would get back soon.

"How did you meet Kirk?" Spock asked suddenly.

McCoy paused and shrugged. "We fell off the same cliff."

Spock blinked. "I am unfamiliar with that expression."

"No, really, we fell off a cliff into a canyon."

Spock took a moment to consider this before asking his next question. "How long have you known each other?"

McCoy frowned, counting and thinking back in his head. "I'd say about, oh, 6 or 7 years."

"Oh, at least 6." They turned as Kirk arrived and set down the three drinks he was balancing. "Sorry for the wait- apparently word got out about the juice and suddenly everyone wanted one…" he broke off and stared as McCoy instantly threw his head back and chugged half the glass.

"Careful, Bones. It's got a strong taste."

"I needed it," he gasped, plopping his drink down.

Kirk looked between the doctor and the Vulcan. McCoy was glaring at his drink. Spock looked like he had silently suffered a root canal operation.

"Well," Kirk said. "I'm glad you two met, and I hope you will continue to learn more about each other." He paused. "And get along," he added hastily. His eyes unfocused as he looked back behind them, over their heads.

"I think everyone's here," he murmured. "They're leaving for the central room." He shook out of his brief daze. "Spock, Bones," he said, brushing past them, expecting them to follow.

"Let's go see what this is all about."

Reviews appreciated! Hope y'all like it so far!