Commander Spock stood in the receiving hall of the Enterprise. The new transfers were boarding the ship and as Chief Science Officer he had a duty to uphold.
His first year as First Officer and Chief Science Officer hadn't been without its trials. Captain Kirk had a tendency to go out on a limb and act like a child. There was sensibility to him whatsoever when he had his mind set. He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. He stayed in trouble as well. There were countless times when Spock, or the Doctor, had to bail him out, much like he had to do for someone else when he was a child.
Shaking his head of the sudden memory, Spock continued his wait in the receiving hall. There was already a crowd amassed that parted when he showed up. He stood off to the side with Chekov and Sulu as they waited for their captain and CMO to arrive off the shuttle with the rest of the crew.
Uhura was the first off. She was in her dress sweaters as she stood beside them. She obviously had had a decent break with her family. Her skin glowed darker with a tan that was obvious from her days in the sun.
The next out were Kirk and McCoy. They were dressed in their uniforms, even if Kirk was wearing sunglasses. Three others stood behind them and to the right. When the only female stepped into view, Spock really paid attention. She hadn't changed in twelve years, facial wise at least. Her hair was long; so long it touched her back. She was in her blue sweater with the silver circlets around her wrists she was a commander, much like himself.
"Welcome back, Captain." The helmsman who usually worked Beta shift said.
Jim smiled. "Thank you, lieutenant." He looked up and around at his crew. "Everyone, listen up! This is Lieutenant Sanders, Ensign Wright, and Commander Grayson. Grayson is the newest doctor on board. She will be joining Doctor McCoy and Doctor M'Benga in Medical Bay. Ensign Wright will be joining our navigation team and Lieutenant Sanders will be with Scotty in Engineering. Make our new shipmates feel at home. Dismissed."
Spock watched as Dr. McCoy steered Dr. Grayson in the direction of Medical Bay. She didn't even glance in his direction. She knew he was there and she hadn't even looked. Their minds had brushed like they used to. This was annoying, as Captain Kirk would say. He had to understand the reasons for Dr. Grayson's sudden appearance.
"Captain," he said as he joined the fray of people surrounding Jim.
"Hey, Spock." Jim replied as he took padds from every division on the ship, frowning as he did so. "What can I do for you?"
"I would like to have a word with you."
"All right. Let's go to my office. It's slightly quieter."
They walked to the captain's office/ located o the same deck as the bridge, it was the quietest place in the ship on good days. Bad days there were people, including Spock and McCoy, swarming to get a word with the captain. Jim spent many afternoons here without really doing anything.
Rattling off the code, the door swooshed open, allowing them access. Jim dumped all of the padds on his spotless desk that Spock had reorganized and cleaned somewhat unceremoniously and sank into his seat with a sigh. "Sit." Spock sat attention in the chair on the left. "What's up?"
"How well do you know Dr. Grayson?" Spock asked. There was no point beating around the bush, as Dr. McCoy would say. He needed to know. His curiosity was getting the better of him.
"Anni?" The Vulcan's eyebrow shot up at the familiarity in the captain's voice. "I've known her since I was in the Academy. I lived with her for a little bit when Bones went on a tirade." Jim watched as the information sank into his friend. "I have a feeling you're more than just curious about my relationship with Dr. Grayson. What's this about, Spock?"
Spock lowered his heart rate as a sudden calmness came over him. There was no way he could blame Jim. He was answering his question. "It is nothing, captain."
Jim bit the inside of his jaw. His friend was lying. Something about Hannity had this man on edge and Jim did not like it one bit. There was something there. Right now, he couldn't say anything until he was certain he had the right information. And getting that from the Vulcan was going to be hard, damn near impossible actually.
"Okay, Spock. I don't mean to be rude but I need to sign off on these before we depart."
"Of course, captain. Thank you for your time." The Vulcan stood and left the office.
Spock stood in the corridor for a few moments before heading in the direction of Medical bay. He had to see her.
(&)(&)(&)
Hannity reclined in the office she and Bones now shared. The older man was running through protocol she already knew but that he had no choice but recite. She was highly amused by his droll speech, even though she had heard it plenty of times before. He was so happy when he spoke about such things.
She glanced around the office. It was impersonal, just the way she liked it. Bringing personal items were not something she was used to and seeing them made her slightly uncomfortable. She knew Bones wouldn't make her uncomfortable so she assumed he had hidden all his pictures in his drawers.
That upset her. No one should hide their family and friends because one person was uncomfortable with that fact. Bones had a beautiful daughter and it was a shame that he had hidden her picture because of her.
"Hey, Bones." He looked up when she pulled her feet up to rest on the edge of her desk. "You can put your pictures back on your desk. I don't mind."
He visibly relaxed. "Thanks." He pulled several holos from his drawers and set them on the blank spaces. "I thought you hated photos."
"I do not hate them. I just do not have any. My upbringing did not have that luxury. My mother had a few of her family but other than that, there were none."
"It must have been rough not seeing your family."
"I saw them. Well, my father's side anyway. My mother's lived somewhere else."
"This is the most you've spoken of your family." She shrugged. "Do you have any siblings?"
"I have two brothers."
"What are their names?" She was saved from answering when the office door opened. Spock stood in the way doorway staring at them. "What can I do for you, Mr. Spock?"
"I just came to welcome our new doctor. I am Spock, first officer and Chief Science officer. If there's anything you need that Dr. McCoy cannot get you, feel free to ask." He said. She nodded but didn't otherwise reply. He stared at her slack way of sitting behind the desk. He caught her eyes and watched as they sparked.
"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Spock?" Bones asked. He was using the respectful name because he thought the two didn't know each other; he would be completely surprised if he did ever find out.
Spock returned his attention to the other doctor. "No. I was just fulfilling the captain's orders."
"Good job. Now, get out." Hannity offered a small wave as the first officer walked out of Medical. She had a feeling those two saw eye to eye only when Jim did something stupid. "Green-blooded hobgoblin. Messing up my rant just to come say hi."
"Jim did say for us to feel welcome." She replied.
Bones lifted his head to pierce her with a look she had seen before. "Do you listen to everything that boy says?"
She shrugged. "Depends on what he wants done."
"I knew it! You two have always had it out for me. It's a conspiracy."
"You think too much, Bones."
"How so?"
"If we had it out for you, you would be dead long before now, possibly on one of Jim's harebrained schemes."
The doctor took a minute to think it over. She was right and usually was when he went on one of his fanatical tirades. She could always be the trusted voice of reason.
He chanced a glance at her. In the four years they'd known each other, first as colleagues then as close friends, Bones had never really taken in her appearance. In the clinic at the Academy, she had always worn her hair in a loose ponytail. Now it slid freely down her back past her shoulder blades. Her unworldly like manor had made her graceful in his eyes. That grace still lingered on the Enterprise but it was now replaced by something else. Her blue eyes matched Jim's and stood out starkly against her black hair.
"Bones, you have a tendency to stare when you think."
Her voice broke his train of thought, bringing him back to reality. She wasn't looking at him but he had a feeling she was concentrated on him. He scratched his head. "Sorry.
"I am not worried."
He looked down at his padd with all the rules and regulations then sighed. "You know all this. Why don't we call it a night?"
"Your decision."
He looked at the chronometer on the wall. "It's 2200 and shift starts at 0600. Enterprise is well-underway. I think we should be fine until tomorrow."
She looked at him then. "If you are certain."
"I am. Go on and rest."
"See you tomorrow, Bones."
Hannity stood and left Medical Bay. Luckily her quarters were just down the hall. After putting in her code, the doors opened, allowing her passage. Her room was chilly. She set the room to a more moderate temperature and changed into her pajamas.
This day had been long, especially after listening to Jim ramble out everything they already knew. It was protocol they had to go through. She mostly ignored Jim as he rambled on about one of his favorite games. Then they decided he had spoken long enough, Bones had steered her away to Medical. Then Spock had joined them, clearly searching her out.
Expelling the thoughts, she shut out the lights and climbed in her bed.