A Vulcan kiss?

Captain's log, stardate 3842.4

"The conference on Babel has begun. Sarek was the last ambassador to leave the ship. The heart surgery performed by Dr McCoy having been successful, Spock's father has been able to join his colleagues to discuss the membership of the Coridans in the Federation. The vote that will follow will have serious repercussions on the relations between Tellarites, Vulcans, Andorians et cetera…But whatever the outcome, it will not be my problem! The Enterprise will not serve as taxi for their return."

oOOOo

"Captain! It's your turn!"

Spock and Jim were in Jim's quarters, playing a game of tridimensional chess. Spock has moved his rook two minutes ago and was now waiting for his captain's next move. Spock was worried as Jim seemed distracted.

Our last mission has been grueling. Indeed, the transport of all the diplomatic delegations from one point to another has not been a sinecure. The murder of the Tellarite ambassador, the attempted sabotage of the conference by the Orions, and then their suicidal mission… the Orion spy who attacked Jim…the blade of the dagger almost hit his heart…

"Jim? …Jim, something is wrong?" Spock's face is impassive, however... "Are you tired or are you suffering again from your injury?"

"Um… No, Spock. I'm fine…It is just that…I overheard a conversation between an Alphan and an Andorian, yesterday morning and…"

"And what did they say that was so interesting?" Dr McCoy asked suddenly. The latter has entered the room quietly, a bottle of Whiskey in one hand and was looking for two glasses in Jim's closets.

"Mister Spock, given your last blood test, I think that in your case alcohol consumption is not wise."

"Doctor McCoy! Entering in Jim's quarters without authorization or invitation is not correct!" Spock said in a cold tone.

"Mister Spock, I am Jim's physician and I need no invitation or authorization for visiting him. I must survey that he is following my prescription which is: rest!"

"And in his case, is alcohol a wise consumption?"

"Gentlemen! Stop, please! Bones! Sit down and serve us! That's an order!"

"Well, okay!" Bones replied while watching Spock with a triumphant smile. "So…What did those two guys say?"

Jim was smiling too but it was a shy smile. Spock noticed that he was reddening despite the fact that he has no drunk a drop of alcohol yet!

"Well…This is embarrassing…They were speaking about Sarek and Amanda…Something about their behavior on board and in public…"

"Fascinating!" Spock replied, raising one eyebrow.

"Well…When they exchanged that gesture multiple times. You see, like this!" Jim tended his index and his middle finger of his right hand together, hesitating. "They said that this gesture is a …a sort of Vulcan kiss!"

"Wow... Vulcans are touch telepaths but I doubt that it is indeed a kiss." Bones said.

"Could you explain your reasoning, Dr McCoy?" The half-Vulcan asked.

His face was showing no sign of discomfort or amusement. He was contemplating the chess board with scrutiny, his interlaced fingers supporting his chin.

"Sure…I know that Vulcans are chaste and reserved. Actually, sex and what is related to it are taboo. I remember perfectly your father making this gesture when he arrived onboard. He was presenting his wife. Then, he made this same gesture during the party, in front of us and of all the others diplomats…I saw him and your mother exchanging this gesture in sickbay…" He said.

"Personally, I saw your father doing the same thing in the engine room, he called your mother and …well, he asked her to continue the visit without him…Do you remember, Spock?"

"Yes…You asked me to explain to him the components of the computer …"

"Um… I did not know that your relation with him was bad." Jim said, uneasy.

"Indeed. Please, continue Doctor."

"Well, sex and everything related to it is taboo on Vulcan." McCoy said, reminding of Spock's behavior during his Pon Farr and how secret and private he was at this time and now. "I have seen how your mother reacted to this gesture, fondly and with a gentle smile. But I don't imagine your parents kissing in public all day long! In my opinion, this is simply a symbolic gesture without any sexual connotation…This indicates that they are a couple. This is like holding hands or walking, you know, arm in arm."

"I agree with you. There is probably something with their telepathic link but this is not like a kiss." Jim added. "So…Spock, tell us the truth…Is this gesture a kiss?"

"Gentlemen," Spock answered while standing. "Like you said, Dr McCoy, do you really think that my parents would kiss each other in public all day long?" Then, Spock left Jim's quarters. He was calm and impassive as always.

oOOOo

Less than five minutes later, Spock was seated in front of his computer. He has quickly asked for a communication with the apartment of his parents, on Babel. Soon, both Sarek and Amanda were on the screen.

"Spock! What a surprise! We did not expect to see you so soon, my son!" Amanda said, smiling.

"Indeed, Mother."

"Spock, you seem to be …preoccupied. Is there a problem?" Sarek asked.

"No, father…I'm just asking a favor."

"Which is…?"

"Well…Please, the next time that you are in front of my friends…Could you control yourself and refrain from kissing Mother every five minutes!" Spock exploded.

THE END.