Chapter 3

Spock was neck-deep in research when he heard the signal at his door.

"Come in,"

McCoy stepped a few feet inside. All he saw were several gigantic stacks of books, no sign of Spock.

"Uh…Spock?"

"I'm right here, Doctor."

McCoy, standing on tiptoe, could just make out the top of that stupid bowl-cut from behind the great wall of literature. Several open books littered the desk, but Spock was focused on the computer screen, his eyebrows so furiously furrowed that the space between them was a million creases.

"If you're here to apologize, it isn't necessary," he said without looking up.

McCoy crossed his arms but held back a sigh. "What a relief. What are you doing?"

Spock finally turned to face the doctor. "I have been conducting thorough research on the concept of favors. From what I've gathered, they are usually done without complaint. It seems you were right. I don't fully understand what it is to be 'nice.'"

McCoy blinked a few times. "I was…right?"

"Yes."

"Hm. Well, when you're right, you're right," McCoy mumbled. "Why are you so interested in being nice? That isn't very logical of you."

Spock pondered the question for a moment, his head tilted to one side. It reminded McCoy of a dog he'd had once. The ears were a lot alike too.

"The concept of 'Christmas spirit' has always eluded me, as many aspects of human behavior. However, my mother and the majority of the crew seem to value it. I have endeavored to explore the idea," Spock said.

"You want to learn about Christmas spirit?" McCoy laughed, shaking his head. Then he sobered a bit. "Alright…how about granting another favor to someone who hasn't paid back the first?" Even as he said it, he kicked himself. Leave it to him to get in the situation where he had to ask Spock for a favor not once, but twice.

"The idea that favors must be repaid goes against the very definition of the word," Spock mused, perplexed. He looked up. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, it's very similar to the last favor. The same, actually."

"Hm," Spock stood, collecting books. "You are looking to cancel the fake divorce of our fake marriage. I take it you decided to not tell Lieutenant Morris the truth."

"I was going to," McCoy began, rocking back and forth on his feet, "but then I thought about how she wouldn't trust me again, but then I realized that if I don't set this right, we're never going to live it down. And still, I really don't want to hurt her feelings all over again."

"So?"

"So I'll tell her the truth…after Christmas."

"Is this significant?" Spock asked after a brief pause.

"It's a holiday. It'll be better to let her enjoy it first."

"I don't see how it matters whether she knows now or later."

McCoy let out an exasperated sigh. "Listen here, you cold-blooded computer, I don't know if you knew this, but Christmas is supposed to be damned joyful and I'm not going to be the one to ruin it. You wanna know what Christmas spirit is? Not being a jackass."

Spock nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. I don't see any reason to cause more emotional harm than necessary."

"Good."

"I do have a question."

"What?"

"How do we convince the lieutenant that we are married?"

McCoy winced. He hadn't thought this through. At all. Even the thought of someone else marrying Spock made him feel very, very tired. And a little nauseated.

"The key is to be convincing but not disgusting," he said, "We just have to hint at it."

"And how do we do that?" Spock reiterated.

McCoy crossed his arms again and shrugged. "Hell if I know. It's been a while since I've been married."

"Perhaps we could use some advice."

"No, no, no, definitely not. Are you crazy?"

"No. What do you suggest?"

"Well…everyone knows you're not a…very expressive person, so they won't expect you to act out of character. Maybe we just need to…I don't know…spend more time together?"

"It seems logical."

"Thank you."

An uneasy silence followed.

McCoy cleared his throat. "I find it a little hard to believe that there are that many books about favors."

"It is quite a complex and expansive topic, in theory."

"In theory?"

"In practice, it becomes a simple process. Although I suppose there are still complicated underlying themes: both parties' attitudes towards each other, previous favors both requested and received, the extent of the request, et cetera. However, one element that circumvents all other factors of the favor-granting system is kindness. It is not a logical phenomenon, but it does…simplify the process. I am attempting to understand the reasons behind this," Spock glanced behind him at the piles of books, "There doesn't seem to be a consensus in the scientific community," he grumbled.

McCoy smirked. "I think you're looking for answers in the wrong places."

As he left, he peeked over his shoulder to see a puzzled Spock muttering to himself and grabbing for more books.