"And you let him go?!" Jim exclaimed through the screen, frustrated at Leonard for obeying Spock.

"No! I'm in love with him, how could I let him go?" Leonard replied, equally frustrated at Jim for thinking that he wanted to leave Spock.

"You never said you loved him." Jim said, softening his tone slightly.

"Well... I think I do," Leonard told him, putting his head in his hands and rubbing his forehead. "What do I do? His father obviously disapproves of anything like it, that's the only reason Spock sent me away. Jim, we were this close to kissing!"

Jim looked sadly at his clearly frustrated, dejected, lovesick friend, desperately trying to figure out what he could do to help.

"You said he's half Vulcan, half human, right?" he asked, and Leonard nodded. "Then he's probably got some kind of Feceration profile. I could try to get his contact number for you."

Leonard looked up at the screen, his eyes bright and hopeful.

"Ya could do that?"

"Sure, I could try."

"You're the best, ya know that?"

"Yeah, I do! Goodnight Bones."

"G'night, Jim."


VN975946. That was Spock's contact number. After staring at his PADD's screen for a while, Leonard sent him a simple greeting and hoped for the best. Would Spock think he was being a creep? Was he as eager to do this as Leonard was? Leonard sighed in relief when his PADD pinged.


Contacting...VN975946: S'chn T'gai Spock

Leonard, how did you find my contact number?
Spock

...

My friend at Starfleet pulled some strings.
You

...

Ah. Did you want anything specific from me?
Spock

...

Not really. I guess I just wanted to know you
were ok.
You

...

I am well.
Spock

...

Right. I'll leave you to it then.
You

...

Would you like to meet me somewhere?
Spock

...

Sure! I mean, if you want to. I'm open to
suggestions. I don't know the place that well!
You

...

That is to be expected. Perhaps we could
meet outside your hotel.
Spock

...

Yeah! That sounds good!Is 1500 good
for you?
You

...

It is. What is the name of your hotel?
Spock

...

Hang on a minute.

Apparently it's something like
'Waterside ShiKahr'. Dad's not too
sure either!
You

...

Your father is with you?
Spock

...

Yeah. Don't worry, he's fine with
me seeing you.
You

...

That is good. I shall see you later.
Spock


When Leonard finally found his way to the hotel lobby, he saw Spock hovering just outside the door. He grinned as he made his way out.

"Hey!" he said happily, tapping the Vulcan's arm.

Spock turned around sharply at the light touch.

"Leonard." he replied, nodding at Leonard.

"C'mon, don't be so formal," Leonard teased, as they started walking. "So, where are we headed?"

"There is a small park a short walk away," Spock told him. "I had thought that to be a suitable place for our... 'first date'."

"Sounds good!" Leonard cheerfully agreed.

They walked in a comfortable silence until Spock caught his companion smiling softly at him.

"I would advise that you don't do that." he quietly told Leonard.

"Sorry." Leonard apologized, tearing his gaze away from the Vulcan.

"It's fine," Spock replied, surprising Leonard slightly by using such a human phrase. "I realize it is in your nature to act like this whilst with a person you like-" Like? Leonard thought. Forget like, love's more like the word! "-but I am afraid that others may not. I personally find it somewhat... endearing."

Leonard smiled at his feet as they carried on walking. When they got to the park, his jaw dropped; there were trees akin to weeping willows ad blossom trees, and the bushes and flowers were diverse and of pure, fresh colours. Leonard came out of his daze when he realized Spock had stopped a way behind, staring at a fixed point.

"What is it, Spock?" he asked, after jogging back to him.

"I have known those Vulcans over there for my whole educational period. They have been... quite mean to me throughout that time." Spock explained, starting to walk again.

"How'd they do that?" Leonard asked.

"I have not even told my mother of this," Spock hesitantly said, before pausing and turning his gaze to Leonard, looking as though he'd seen something in Leonard's mind. "They insulted me to get an emotional response from me. They insulted my intelligence and my family, mainly. Later on, they somehow found out about my sexuality and used that against me also. I was fifteen when their homophobic comments started, and that was when I snapped, so to speak."

"I hate people like that," Leonard strongly said, before noticing that Spock was cautiously watching the group. "Don't make eye contact. If ya do, they'll know ya've recognised them."

Spock nodded, and turned to look at Leonard.

"A logical suggestion." he replied.

Embarrassed, Leonard pulled his gaze away from Spock's, smiling.

"Don't expect it too often, I'm probably the most illogical person you'll ever meet!" he chuckled.

Spock raised his eyebrows.

"I will not say otherwise." he said.

Leonard laughed. The pair continued walking through the park.

"This is nice." Leonard commented.

"Indeed it is." Spock agreed.

Spock and Leonard continued on in a comfortable, companionable silence. Before they got to the exit, Leonard stopped, causing Spock to do the same. He took a step closer to Spock and fixed his gaze on Spock's eyes.

"Can I...?" he quietly asked, leaning his face a little closer to Spock's.

After a curt nod of approval from Spock, Leonard pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. Spock blinked at Leonard, before nudging him to keep moving. When they got back to the lobby of Leonard's hotel, they faced each other.

"We should do something like that again," Leonard suggested. "I... I enjoyed it."

He felt his cheeks burning, and looked at the ground.

"I agree. I found it... quite enlightening." Spock replied.

!I get the feelin' that's the best I'm gonna get from ya for a while," Leonard said, smirking. "Don't worry, though. I'll get ya to say somethin' else at some point."

The only response he got was a raised eyebrow, and he laughed. He swore the corners of Spock's mouth twitched up, though.

"I'll send ya a message when I'm free," Leonard told Spock. "You should too."

"I will endeavor to," Spock promised, before subtly brushing his hand against Leonard for a brief moment. "Goodbye, Leonard."

"See ya soon." Leonard replied, feeling an oddly pleasurable sensation in his fingers as Spock left.


A/N:

Hi! Just a reminder to you all to review! They keep me upbeat! No flames though, please.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! ;)

~Ellis~