Captain Kirk had the self-satisfied air of a man watching his plan coming together. Spock was sufficiently familiar with the expression to recognise it without difficulty.
While the Vulcan did not pretend to understand the emotional tangle his friend was untying him from, he wasn't unconscious of the gratitude the effort warranted.
"So how long have you been pining for Bones?"
Recognising that gratitude was warranted did not make the questioning any easier to put up with.
"Vulcans do not pine," he answered evasively. Jim merely smirked.
"I'll take that to mean longer than you're willing to admit."
Spock was reminded of why he'd sought Nurse Chapel's help in the first place. However he would admit with hindsight Jim's assistance, even with his teasing questions, was preferable to the tangled mess Spock had made without his help.
"I have been in no way assured the doctor would consider agreeing to initiate a relationship with me," he offered in explanation of why he had – not pined – for as long as he had.
"First things first," Jim replied swiftly. "We've got to get you dumped. It's been very helpful you holing yourself up in the laboratory for so long."
"As I indicated before, that research was scheduled prior to other events. It was illogical to alter it."
"Indeed Mister Spock. Most illogical as it was so helpful." Kirk got a playful glint in his eye. "Did Ensign Chekov report correctly that you and McCoy spent all night in there? Together?"
Spock recognised the innuendo implicit and chose to ignore it.
"Ensign Chekov was correct," he replied briefly. Kirk grinned.
Thankfully Spock was spared any further humour by Jim apparently noticing the chronometer.
"Time to go, Mister Spock." He stood up and led the Vulcan out of his quarters. Spock followed unhesitatingly but he did point out,
"We are leaving early for our bridge shift."
"I've got an errand to run first," Jim replied over his shoulder. "I need to collect a data disc from Lieutenant Uhura."
"You allocated her a free shift this morning, did you not?"
"I did, that's why I need to stop by her quarters."
"In that case I shall meet you on the bridge, Captain."
Kirk grabbed the Vulcan's arm as he moved passed him.
"Oh no you don't. You're accompanying me to the Lieutenant's quarters. That's an order."
When Spock raised a curious eyebrow, Jim rolled his eyes.
"Don't ask, just follow."
Spock silently acquiesced and they continued on their way.
To his surprise, the captain didn't signal their arrival at Nyota's quarters but simply used his override and stepped inside.
"Lieutenant. I'm just here for that disc. I'll just collect it and –"
Spock had naturally followed the captain inside and he now stopped short along with Jim.
Nyota was still in bed, her sheet pulled up to cover her nakedness, and beside her was Christine.
"Oh! Captain!" Nyota was clearly startled. "I forgot you were coming."
Next to her, Nurse Chapel was blushing in embarrassment.
"Captain… Spock…" she obviously didn't know what to say. It was telling that she didn't attempt to distance herself from Nyota though.
"Nurse," he responded, equally unsure what should be said in this situation.
"I'm sorry Spock," she blurted suddenly. "I didn't mean for this to happen but… I never realised how much Nyota meant to me and –"
"It is unnecessary to explain," he interrupted before the situation became too awkward for her. "You obviously require a partner able to offer more time and emotional input. You have made a logical choice and I wish you success in your next romance."
He saw with some satisfaction that Christine joined hands with Nyota.
"We'll leave you ladies to it," Jim added, gripping Spock's shoulder and directing him to the door although he was quite capable of managing the manoeuvre himself. Kirk grabbed a disc off the desk before he shoved Spock out the door and let it close behind them.
As they began their walk down the corridor towards the turbo lift, Jim eyed the Vulcan and asked seriously.
"Are you alright?"
"I am well." He glanced at his captain. "May I assume you arranged that scenario?"
It hadn't taken Spock long to piece together the unusual sequence of events that led to this satisfactory conclusion.
"Well, Uhura and I agreed she'd buzz me if such an opportunity arose and I'd wrangle you along somehow."
"The Lieutenant is a consummate actress," he commented.
"That she is," Jim agreed. "Seriously though. Did it… unsettle you? Seeing your girlfriend in someone else's bed?"
Spock raised an eyebrow.
"I have never considered Nurse Chapel to be my girlfriend. I am merely content to be unattached without having caused her unnecessary hurt."
They stepped into the lift and Kirk directed it to their destination.
"I may now put the practise to its intended use," Spock added.
"Lift halt," Kirk commanded abruptly. "Spock, you're not planning on asking Bones out are you?"
"That was the intended purpose of all this," Spock responded, confused as to how Jim might have forgotten.
"I know that," he waved that aside. "What I mean is you've supposedly just been cheated on by your girlfriend. If you go straight to asking him out it'll look rather suspicious."
Spock considered this.
"That is logical. I will wait a suitable period before approaching him. Although I do think it will be better to explain the situation when appropriate."
"When appropriate, yes," Jim conceded. Then he grinned. "But I think you'll find you don't have to approach him."
"Jim?"
"I'll bet that when he finds out what happened… as he will – she is his head nurse after all – he'll turn up on your door offering a shoulder to cry on."
"Vulcans do not cry," Spock responded automatically.
"Does that mean you'll take that bet?" Jim raised his eyebrows challengingly.
"Vulcans do not bet either."
Kirk huffed out a breath and restarted the lift.
"Whatever. I'm telling you, two days at the most and you'll have McCoy at your door with a bottle of bourbon."
