Unpleasant Memories

"Spock! We know that you're in there. Please let us in!" Kirk said to the shut door of his first officer's quarters. They had been screaming at it for almost five minutes now and the doctor had already given up and was leaning against the opposite bulkhead.

"He won't answer, Jim." He said.

"I'll try one more time." Kirk said while looking over his shoulder. He turned around and swung his hand to knock at the door when it opened by itself. They walked inside and saw Spock sitting in the corner, on the floor.

"Spock!" Kirk said and kneeled besides him. "Are you all right?"

Spock looked up but didn't meet his CO's eyes. "I must appologise for my behaviour in the transporter room." He said. "It was most unbecomming of an officer. I will take whatever punishment you think will be necessary."

"Spock! It wasn't your fault! That scientist started it and we just want to know what happend!" Kirk said with compassion in his eyes.

For the first time Spock looked up and met his eyes. He then turned to the doctor, who was watching carefully. He already scanned Spock with his tricorder without being seen.

"What did Savann say to you? We don't speak vulcan like you." Kirk said with a small smile.

"I have met Savann before." Spock began."In primary school. He, and some of his peers used to..." Then he halted as if the memory alone was painful.

"Are they the ones who gave you a hard time?" Kirk said.

Spock nodded.

"And those scars?" McCoy asked.

Spock nodded again.

"How can they give you scars? You had a medikit, didn't you?" Kirk said in surprise.

"scars can only be removed if they are fresh or lie on your skin." McCoy said.

"I was unsure of the reaction of my parents, that is why I did not seek treatment for my injuries at the time." Spock added to McCoy's statement.

"O, Spock!" Kirk said and sat besides him. "What did he say to you this afternoon?" He then added, almost whispering. McCoy sat down on the only chair in the room.

"You both have heared the first part of his remark." He answered with new strength drawn from his friend beside him. " He said that I was still the pathethic halfblood who wanted to be vulcan which he can't so he tries to be human instead. An action which failed again so he is the scum of society."

Kirk took a sharp intake of air. The nerves of that guy! He thought.

"Freely translated" Spock added with a wry look on his face.

"Let's talk to the man!" McCoy said. The two men on the floor looked up and saw the doctor with a shocked face.

"I do not think Savann will change his attitude." Spock said.

The next few minutes,Kirk and McCoy tried to change Spock's mind, wich was futile. Since it was already late, they decided to let it rest for the day and went back to their own quarters.

"Doctor." Spock said when they were by the door. McCoy turned. "Please do not tell this to Chri.. ehm Miss Chapel." His ears flushed.

"Sure I don't Spock." McCoy said with a wide grinn.

"If there is something, please don't hesitate to wake me." Kirk said to Spock who nodded.

"Good night y'all!" The doctor said, suddenly in a good mood.

"Night." Kirk said and they all went to their rooms for some well deserved rest and time to think.

--

The following morning hadn't changed Spock's mind and he and the captain were heading for sickbay.

When they entered they were stunned for a moment from what they saw. The sickbay beds were transformed into tables with chairs around them and all the vulcan children were seated at them with paint everywhere. In the middle was McCoy who was also covered with paint. He was so buisy instructing them with the use of the brush that he didn't hear them enter. The children on the other hand had heard them and stood up to see who they were.

"You didn't come to join, did you?" McCoy said after he too had noticed their arrival.

"I don't think so, Bones." Kirk said.

The children had completely forgotten their previous activity and were now curiously looking at Spock who became a bit uncomfortable. "Can I help you?" he said.

"Are you a vulcan too?" One of the children asked.

"Yes I am." Spock said. Kirk watched with a smile on his face. He didn't dare to look at McCoy, who was in the meantime trying to get the paint of his skin.

"Are you the head of this ship?" Another asked.

Spock looked uncomfortable, but before he could answer one of the two children who still were at the table spoke; "Of course he isn't, he's only a halfblood!"

"And if he is, why doesn't he can command a ship?" Kirk said, trying to hold the anger out of his voice.

The boy shrug. "Because my father says only true vulcans can be important, because they can control their emotions." He then answered.

"Who's your dad?" McCoy said. He looked as if he was ready to run at the boy's father and strangle him.

"My fathers name is Savann, and he is the smartest scientist in the universe." The boy said, and apparantly he believed it.

No wonder these kids think like that. Kirk thought. "I'm gonna talk to him." He said with a tone that didn't wanted to be stopped.

"No captain." Spock said before Kirk had turned for the door. "I will go."

"Are you sure?" Kirk replied. The children were still admiring Spock, except for the two at the table.

"Indeed." Spock stepped before Kirk and walked out of the room.

Kirk and McCoy looked at eachother not knowing what the result would be. Their glance was disturbed by the arrival of someone with her hands full of paint.

"I've found the fingerpaint!" Christine Chapel said when she walked into sickbay. The children cheered. They were too young to control their emotions, except for the boy at the table, who was the oldest of the group.

Christine placed the paint on the table and looked from McCoy to Kirk and back. "Is there something wrong?" she said with a watchful eye locked on the Doctor.

"No, nothing." He said and wit ha last glance at Kirk he turned around and started to give out the paint.