I only own Riley and the plot :)

Thank you so much to my reviewers! In particular, Hope and Love, Paula545, fangurlie, & Pup-of-Power who have given me multiple reviews. :D

This chapter is particularly short. Mainly because it is not from Riley's POV. I might re-write it later and make it longer, but at the moment I don't know what to add to it. I wanted to get it up for all my wonderful reviewers. Tomorrow we will be back to Riley, and longer chapters. Hope you like this chapter, it was hilarious to invent! Again, sorry its so short.

Chapter four.

"So Spock. Any hints on how to woo your sister?"

If James Kirk had not before felt fear in Spock's presence, he did now as Spock glared at him. One eyebrow raised. Riley had alluded to the fact that Spock was extremely protective of her. As far as resorting to violence, however Kirk was still surprised. Spock was normally able to control his emotions to the extent that most of the time, James almost forgot he had emotions. The only thing that could really get him heated was the mention of his mother. Apparently it was the case with his sister also.

"And why would you want to have hints on how to woo my sister?" Spock asked coldly.

"Um no reason. I just saw some other crew member flirting with her. I was wondering whether he was using the right techniques." Kirk explained calmly, silently applauding his own ability to invent a lie on the spot. It was a skill. An awesome skill which helped him when it came to matters that involved girls and their overprotective older brothers.

"What crew member was that?"

"Um someone in a red uniform." Kirk replied quickly and calmly, still applauding his own awesome skills. There were plenty of men in red uniforms that one of them might have once looked at Riley in a flirtatious way. She was a mighty fine girl and all.

Spock raised his eyebrows, giving him an utterly flabbergasted look.

"Captain, there are 430 crew members on board this ship. The majority of them have red tops."

Damn, he had noticed that huh. He racked his brain quickly for some insignificant detail he could offer Spock that would satisfy him, without making him able to pin down on any individuals.

"Um, he had brown hair." Cue loud applaud.

"Like yours?"

Kirk was beginning to curse himself for ever having lied in the first place. Obviously his impossibly vague answers were not enough to satisfy Spock. Then again, how hard could it be to simply say, hey Spock, I fancy the pants off your human sister! He had similar things to other boys at home in Iowa. Like Tom Embers little sister, that really pretty red-head, Taryn. She had been real spunky. And awfully willing to give a few good snogs if it wasn't for her brother Tom Embers always watching her like a hawk.

The difference, and therefore the problem, was that he respected, and was actually friends with Spock. Tom Embers had been a right old git. And he was pretty sure that while Tom Embers couldn't aim a punch to save his life, especially not while drunk, Spock had previously attempted to strangle him. And Kirk was pretty sure that he never drank alcohol, because he didn't quite believe getting drunk was is Spock's catalog of logical behavior.

"Um, no, not quite like mine. His was... curly! Yeah, really curly. Practically in ringlets."

"Fascinating."

Kirk had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn't quite decide whether Spock meant that he really and truly was fascinated by the fact that a man in a red top with ringlets had been flirting with his little sister. Or whether Spock simply didn't believe him.

"Yeah. You don't see that every day do you? You know, guys with ringlets."

Just then Scotty hailed Spock.

"Spock? We be needin' ye help in engineering. Its pretty urgent sir."

Spock looked up at Kirk, who looked more then a little relieved. In fact he practically looked like Christmas had come early.

"I'll keep my eye out for men with red tops and brown ringlets Captain. If you should see him, I would appreciate it if you remind him of rule of conduct no. 789.45."

With that Spock turned on his heal, entered the elevator, and made his way to engineering. Kirk stared after him, perplexed. He wasn't quite sure whether Spock had been serious, but he had the nagging feeling that he had not, and he had in fact been mocking him. The only person Spock ever mocked was McCoy, and it was always terribly amusing to watch. However it wasn't even half as amusing to experience it first-hand.

"What does rule of conduct no. 798.45 state?" He asked as he turned to look a Uhora.

"It states that you as captain cannot misuse your position to flirt and force yourself upon other crew members. It states you must in fact follow the old-fashioned mechanisms of asking a girl or woman's parents or closest on board relative whether you may woo her before you may proceed to do so, so as to assure that you do not insult alien cultures." Uhora replied with a smile.

"I have to ask permission? From Spock?!"

"Yes."

"Damn." Was all Kirk said, before he to left the bridge, going to his ready room to read up on some reports. He needed time to think about this.

He had to ask Spock's permission! How on earth was he going to do that? Then he froze. Spock hadn't believed him! Not if he had referred him to that rule, since he, James T. Kirk, was the only captain on board. The only one who would have to ask Spock's prior permission. How was he going to face him now?!

"When do you think he'll realize that code of conduct 789.45 does not exist?" McCoy asked Uhora once the captain had left.

"Who knows?"