Hello! For those of you still reading, thank you!

Jim woke to the sound of his alarm going off and after looking at the clock he was relieved to see he managed to not sleep late. He was covered in sweat from his restless sleep and in need of a shower and breakfast. Jim took a longer shower than usual hoping the hot water would help make him feel more refreshed. It was successful to a degree and he hoped breakfast would accomplish more. 'Don't get depressed. Do this for Spock. Let him see you can respect his boundaries and your friendship. Do this for yourself also. You can get past this.' Jim continued this dialog is his head while he went through the line at breakfast before settling at the normal table. Jim put on his biggest smile, even if it was forced. No one seemed to notice or comment so it must have worked.

"Morning. What are we all talking about?"

"Spock just told us that we are meeting with The Excalibur to share in the mission. We were just wondering what their part would be and about…the crew." Uhura seemed a bit shy about the last part. Jim pushed his brows together in confusion. 'Does she know about Kate? How could she? That's just what I need…'

"She don't like linguistic competition." Bones chipped in almost like he knew that Jim's thoughts. Jim sighed an inaudible "oh". Sulu chuckled and Uhura glared back teasingly.

"I don't mind competition, if you can call commander Slone that, I just don't want him stepping on my toes while I'm learning the newest discovered dialect of the Traxen language." Uhura nonchalantly waved her spoon through the air.

"I don't think you'll have to worry too much. It's been made quite clear that The Enterprise is taking the lead. The Excalibur is actually going to be helping with the scientific readings of the planet. Starfleet thinks that we will need help. I on the other hand, think Spock and the rest of his team are more than capable and could probably finish faster without having to share the responsibility with another ship, but orders are orders." Jim made sure not to make eye contact with Spock or anyone for that matter. He just continued to pick at his breakfast that was fast becoming unsatisfying. Jim nearly jumped at Spock's voice.

"Your compliment is appreciated Captain. I would have to agree on your assessment on the time consuming nature of collaborating with another team, especially that of The Excalibur, but I am certain we will manage." 'Especially that of the Excalibur? Odd..'

"Well, try not to use that Vulcan death grip on any of them cause I have enough trouble patching you lot up. I don't need to be patching up their crew because they shorted a wire in that brain of yours." Bones smirked at Spock.

"I cannot promise anything Doctor." Uhura all but spit her milk out of her nose. The rest of the table laughed in earnest. Jim couldn't help but smile at Spock. Spock didn't let his lips upturn but there was a light in his eyes when he quickly glanced at Jim. 'Dammit, don't look at him.'

"He jokes. When did that happen?" Bones looked at Jim. Jim quickly looked down at his plate frowning a bit and furrowing his brows. Bones raised is eyebrow and tried to silently grab Jim's attention while the rest of the table was talking about the planet. Spock was looking in Jim's direction. Jim was staring at his plate like it was puzzle, refusing to look up. After a few more minutes of listening to the banter Jim gathered his tray.

"I'll see you guys later. I have to talk with Captain Harris before shift." They all said their goodbyes aside from Bones, who gathered his tray and said his goodbyes to the rest of the table. Jim walked as fast as he could without looking like he was trying to escape, but Bones caught up anyway. 'Damn his long legs'

"Jim, what's going on? You looked great at the beginning of breakfast and now…what happened?" Bones whispered while Jim sped his walking speed.

"It's nothing Bones. Just drop it. Chess was fine last night, great actually. Then after I got a call from Pike about the new mission plan, everything went back to brick wall Spock and I realized that it was making him uncomfortable being personal around him. I'm not going to force him into that. It's like you said, I pushed and he shied away. I just have to let him go." Jim didn't want to say anymore. It was already hurting to say that aloud.

"Jim…I don't understand. If it was going so…"

"Just drop it Bones, seriously. It will be fine. I have to make this call. I'll talk to you later." Before Bones could argue Jim had jumped into the turbo lift and was on his way to the bridge. Jim took the short ride calming himself down. 'Alright, so now that Bones knows not to bring it up this will be easier. Now, I can just focus on whatever the shift brings me and I'll relax tonight at poker. Good plan Kirk.'

His conversation with Harris was very pleasant given his current mood. They had met a few times and always got along at the functions they had to attend. Harris was in his late thirties, married and had been a captain for 15 years. He was one of the few captains not killed in the Narada incident. They talked about the roles they each would play in the mission. Jim had agreed to Harris to helping with negotiations because Spock would be in charge of both science teams for the time being. Harris had no problem letting Spock take the lead, knowing his credentials and diligence. He did voice a concern about what his CSO would say, but he assured Jim that she would be nothing but courteous. Jim kept an easy smile on while him thoughts contradicted. 'Kate is going to be courteous to someone that would be in charge of her and her team? Ha! I wish Spock would do that Vulcan nerve pinch thing to her…don't think like that. Be the better person here. Spock would be.' After about an hour of discussing particulars of the collaboration Harris signed off and Jim returned to the bridge. He felt better after his talk, and didn't even flinch when Rand dumped several new PADDs into his lap. He overdramatically sighed but gave her his charming smirk. Rand rolled her eyes smiling and strolled off the bridge. Jim would complain about all the paperwork that woman brought him, but she was a damn good ensign.

Jim pointedly did not look towards the science station and kept his eyes either on the view screen or on his reports. He needed a distraction. He started watching Sulu and Chekov interact. They were inseparable. Sulu was Chekov's senior by four years, but Chekov's intellect bridged the age gap quite well. It did help that Sulu retained some of his boyish charms as well. It always amused Jim when they would silently bicker and joke at the same time. He had that kind of easy friendship with Spock before Jim had ruined it. Jim put his face in his hands smoothing his hair before rubbing his temples. 'Stop thinking about it. You will have that back when you get over yourself! I never thought I'd be happy to meet up with The Excalibur for a distraction…'

"Sir, we are within beaming range of The Excalibur." Sulu brought Jim back from his thoughts.

"Alright people. Captain Harris will be beaming aboard to discuss the mission. He will be accompanied by his CSO, Commander Lacey. Spock, you will be discussing your plan for the science department," Jim risked glancing at Spock feeling it rude to ignore him and he noticed a bit of tenseness. "Everyone remain at your posts and Sulu you have the Conn. Any questions?" Jim took a spin around the bridge. "Excellent. Spock, after you."

Spock stepped into the lift with Jim close behind. Jim wanted so badly to find out what he had done wrong, but knew that the ride would be short, and this was a time for business. Jim could feel his face heating up just from being so close to Spock, and his breathing was affected. 'I really hope Spock can't tell I'm freaking out'

"Captain, are you well? Your breathing is altered and your complexion is a shade of red." Spock turned with concern in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm, uh good. I guess I'm just nervous with the visit and all." Jim quickly put a fake smile on.

"Indeed." Spock turned forward quickly, putting up his wall. 'I hate that fucking wall!'

They walked into the transporter room quietly and awaited their guests. Within seconds Captain Harris and Commander Lacey were standing on the pad. Jim smiled wide at both of them.

"Welcome to The Enterprise."

"Not to shabby, Kirk." Harris took Jim's hand as they laughed.

"This is my CSO and First officer Commander Spock." Spock nodded gracefully towards the captain and his CSO.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Spock. This is my CSO Commander Katherine Lacey." Kate nodded to Spock curtly and took Jim's hand.

"Yes, we've met haven't we Jim? Haven't changed a bit since I saw you last, except for the uniform that is." She was grinning at him in a way that made his skin crawl. 'I can only imagine Spock is mentally rolling his eyes at me. I remember that look she's giving. Ugh.'

"Am I going to have to worry about my CSO trying to jump ship?" Harris joked as they walked down the hall towards the conference room.

"Oh no. That won't be a problem, right Kate. Definitely not." Jim tried to make it a joking comment but couldn't hold the venomous tone completely out.

They split up after that. Jim couldn't help but be a little worried about Spock being left alone with Kate. He had learned in the short amount of time seeing Kate again that Phil and her had split. 'Why are you worrying? She is terrible. She is also brilliant. She does want a slave. Spock likes to please people. No, don't go there. If she makes him happy then you will be happy for him. FOCUS!' Jim snapped out of his mind debate and he focused on what Harris was saying. When they finished, Jim showed Harris around the ship to some of the difference in the two designs until they met back up with Spock and Kate. Kate had a smug smile as she said goodbye while Harris was nice as ever. Kate's smile made Jim's stomach uneasy. After their departure Jim was eager to find out how they worked together, and what they talked about.

"So, how did it go with Commander Lacey?" Jim tried to be casual.

"It went…adequately." Spock looked tenser than he did in the lift, if that was possible.

"Well, in Spock talk, that means 'not as good as it could have' right? I know she's a pain. I can't be happier that she isn't on The Enterprise."

Spock raised a brow. "So, your past relationship with the Commander did not end well I assume."

"Uh, no. She dumped me for a guy that was gutless and couldn't think for himself, which is what she was looking for. She's smart and pretty, but I couldn't be what she needed. I'm not gonna lie, I did not like the way she looked at me today." Jim felt calmer than he thought he would. "…So, adequately?" Jim realized Spock never answered that question. Jim glanced at Spock and saw he had his lip upturned on one side. 'I got a smirk!'

"The only thing I think appropriate to say is that I agree that it is good that she is not assigned to The Enterprise."

Jim couldn't hold back the smile he had been denying himself for hours.

TBC