I attempted to make this chapter a little more lighthearted after the previously gloomy chapter. I did my best to make sure they stayed as much as in character as possible, but please forgive me if I did make them a little out of character at some points. Without further ado, here's "Green."

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Humans tended to like aesthetically pleasing colors, Spock observed. While Vulcan primarily tended to enjoy the vibrant colors of found on their planet, humans particularly like the calming color of green. The color of their Earth. He wasn't surprised when his crew-mate's moral greatly improved on the sight of their green planet. He supposed he would be spending most of this week of shore leave on the starship, as he had done so in the past when they stopped at Earth.

But, he didn't calculate the chances of being inevitably dragged down onto the surface with the rest of the crew. He also didn't factor in the fact that it was McCoy who…persuaded him to join the others.

"You may have gone to the Academy here in 'Frisco, but you haven't been anywhere else," McCoy said to the Vulcan. "You're really missing out on what our planet has to offer."

"I have had no need to see the rest of your planet. It was illogical to spend time away from my studies at the Academy to explore this terrain any further then need be," Spock answered, indifferent as always. The almost inseparable trio gathered stood in the park not far from the academy.

"You really don't know the definition of fun do you," McCoy muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Fun is a noun, meaning a source of amusement, enjoyment or pleasure. It seems you would fall into the category of 'boring', doctor."

"You green blooded hobgoblin, I wasn't asking for the dictionary definition. And I'm fun. And, at least I can have fun unlike you," the doctor retorted. Before either of them could open their mouths again, Kirk interrupted,

"Alright. We're on shore leave, meaning we should be having fun instead of arguing about it."

"I concur, Captain. Though, I am unsure how humans have fun," Spock said.

"We'll teach you. Now…we just need to find something to do. What do you think Bones?"

No reply.

"Bones?"

Kirk looked over at his friend to see those blue eyes transfixed on a hover car.

"Jim…are you thinking what I'm thinking?" McCoy asked, glancing back at the captain for a moment.

"Bones, I think I am."

"What are you two thinking about then?" Spock inquired, clearly out of the loop. McCoy and Kirk exchanged looks. Smirking, they answered simultaneously,

"Road trip."

Spock found himself sitting in the back of a hover car, slightly amused yet slightly confused about his companions actions. The other two sat in the front, Kirk driving them to god knows where, with the radio blaring nonetheless.

"Where are we heading?" the Vulcan asked, eyebrow raised.

"There's this place out in the desert that we're going to. There will be lots of sand there, maybe you can build a sand castle like on Vulcan," McCoy answered.

"…We do not build sand castles on my planet. We devote our time to science, and therefore, we are far more technologically advanced then your society."

"You two are not arguing this entire trip, or I will kick you the two of you out of the car," Kirk said quickly.

"You wouldn't do that. You'd be loosing your connection to Romulan Ale if you did that," Bones grinned.

"Yeah, but I always have Scotty too. He knows quite a few people, apparently."

"…Then you'd be loosing your two best friends. Stranded, in the desert, dying," he continued.

"I wouldn't die, doctor. Vulcan is a desert planet after all. We have adapted to its environment. This desert is nothing compared to my planet," Spock said offhandedly.

"Yes, but your planet doesn't have the place we're going to."

After 5.67 hours of driving (not counting the stops along the way), Spock found himself looking at an apparently rundown building, leaning dangerously to the left of it's foundation.

"This is our destination?" he questioned, unamused. No, he would have had to sit through 5.67 hours of obnoxiously loud music, and obnoxiously annoying McCoy, just to see this deplorable looking shack.

"Everyone who's anyone in Starfleet has been here. Sure, it may look decrepit on the outside, but just wait until you get inside," Kirk answered, walking towards the building. Spock cast a questioning glance at the doctor.

"Just trust him. I've been here before too," McCoy said, before he two walked up the broken steps. Having little to no other options, the Vulcan followed. The Captain knocked on the door, with a peculiar rhythm. A small beam of neon blue light sprang out into the darkness as the door opened an inch. One dangerously green eye peered at them, inspecting them. After a moment the door opened fully.

"Welcome, sirs," the doorman said, ushering them in.

Spock was rendered speechless for a moment, before an old Earth adage came to mind,

"Never judge a book by its cover."

He was astounded by how many members of Starfleet were seated in the bar. Even some people off the Enterprise were here. A few people waved as they entered, before returning to their drinks. For the terrible outward appearance, the inside was pristine, and had a very welcoming atmosphere to it. Spock noted the blackout shades covering the windows. He wordlessly followed his friends to the counter, where a few seats were still open. The other two were quick to order their drinks, while he just sat there, observing.

"Spock, you've got to try this," Kirk said, pushing a reservoir glass in his direction. A green liquid rested in the glass, almost perfectly clear.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Drink it, trust me."

"Captain, having many years of scientific experience, I've observed that drinking anything green has not yielded pleasant-"

"Spock, I would never make you drink anything dangerous. You know that. Just try it."

The Vulcan examined the drink for a moment, before tentatively drinking it. He could clearly taste the alcohol, amongst other things. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw McCoy grinning.

"So, you like absinthe?" the country boy asked.

"…It is interesting. But I prefer other things."

Spock watched as his friends ordered the green drink once more. He knew he was possibly going to be dealing with their drunken singing later. He had never heard of 'absinthe' before that night, and knew that only a human could come up with such a brew.

Humans were attracted to green after all.

And that my friends was "Green." If you liked (or disliked) it, please review it. Next up: Blue.