Humanity

Spock let out a small yawn and snuggled further into the Captain's shirt. Kirk grinned and curled his hand protectively around the three-year old, his eyes crinkling when Uhura let out a quiet "awww" from her station.

The young vulcan blinked sleepily and turned his head to watch the stars through the viewing screen, smiling contentedly when Jim began pointing out constellations and distant planets so different from our own with life forms we can't even begin to consider.

There was a 'woosh' as the bridge's doors slid open and a gruff voice called out "Chekov! How many times do I have to remind you of the consequences of 'forgetting' a check up?"

A soft curse spoken in Russian and the Ensign was sinking into his seat as the doctor, wielding a tricorder, stalked almost predatorily towards him.

Suddenly, Spock was wide awake and reaching, small hands outstretched, for the newest addition to the bridge, even going so far as to whine when McCoy didn't immediately turn around.

Startled, the doctor whirled to face the source of the pitiful noise and his expression softened when he spotted the vulcan child staring stubbornly at him, a petulant frown marring his features.

Kirk chuckled when Spock squirmed in his lap, only settling down when the CMO stooped to pick him up.

"He's taken quite a shine to you, Bones."

"No idea why. I got the impression I was nothing more than an illogical, emotional irritation to him when he was his adult self."

The child looked up at this, a confused frown on his face. That is until McCoy noticed and cracked a smile at him and the child's face lit up, a happy giggle escaping his mouth.

"Doesn't seem to be the case now. He really likes you." Jim smirked as the toddler tried to make a grab for McCoy's communicator.

"Or he likes to see what he can get away with," muttered the doctor as he pulled the Spock away from the device.

"I can hear you."

"I know you can, which means you can also hear me when I say 'keep your paws off'!" McCoy mock threatened as he lifted the little vulcan high into the air, prompting full blow laughter from the child.

Sulu and Chekov shared a knowing look and once again pretended they were more interested in their duties rather than the events taking place between the two most clashing personalities on the ship.

"Doctor, you said you'd watch a movie with me today." Spock stated matter-of-factly.

"Did I? I don't remember saying that. Are you sure I wasn't talking to another highly intelligent vulcan child?"

"Nuh-uh!" Spock shook his head as he grabbed his friend's shirt.

"Alright, alright. Well, I've got to work at the moment, but how 'bout we watch something when my shift's over?"

Spock beamed and nodded enthusiastically as Leonard handed him back to the Captain, who was going to need a muscle relaxant if his smile got any wider.

As McCoy turned away, Spock hopped off the Captain's knees and ran to the Doctor, wrapping his arms around the man's legs and squeezing tight.

"Thank you."

McCoy didn't usually compare himself to the Grinch, but his heart grew three sizes larger.

"No problem, kiddo. Now come on, I've got a hypo with Chekov's name on it if he doesn't get his backside to sickbay within the next three minutes. Isn't that right, Ensign?"

Pavel gulped and looked to Sulu, who merely shrugged and turned back to his station. The young Russian glanced to McCoy and darted to the turbo lift the minute he saw the CMO's eyebrow raise.

Spock pulled gently at the doctor's trouser leg.

"Can I come? Just to see what you do? I've never been before."

McCoy grinned and held his hand out, which Spock eagerly gripped and followed the navigator into the lift, pulling McCoy with him.

When the doors finally shut, Sulu turned to the Captain.

"Permission to speak freely, Sir?"

"Of course."

"Doctor McCoy seems to have taken as much 'shine' to the new Mister Spock, as Mister Spock has to the Doctor."

"It certainly seems that way."

"Do you think Mister Spock will remember any of this in two weeks time? When he's back to normal?"

"The Jeunessetians didn't specify. It'll be a shame if he doesn't though, won't it?

"Aye, Sir." There was a pause, broken only by the beeps and whistles of different consoles around the room, before the Captain sighed thoughtfully.

"Who would've thought that Spock was such a human-like child?"


A/N: I do these in between homework when I want to relax, so if anyone has any prompts I would be happy to have a go! :D Hope you enjoyed.