"We will travel two days into the Romulan Neutral Zone, where we will rendezvous with the Warbird Ra'kholh and its commander. From there we travel together to Nimbus III." Kirk tried to keep himself from swiveling in his chair. "Then we beam down to the planet and play nice."

"One doesn't play nice with the Romulans," Admiral Komack spoke up from his seat and Ambassador April chuckled beside him. It even drew a brief quirk of the lips from the elder Spock.

Kirk smiled as well, glad for the interruption of the Super Serious Briefing. The questions and answers had gone on for almost an hour, and just now had they arrived at the heart of the matter, a summing-up of the files all present had received by data PADD upon arrival. The questions - or in the case of the Tellerite delegation, arguments - had been lengthy and in some places Kirk could have felt they were posed merely to consume his time further. "We have security details assigned to each delegation, rotating irregularly. You'll be briefed by my head of security, Commander Giotto, at the scheduled times to be found in your briefs. If there are no more questions, Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer, Doctor McCoy, will give his brief on vaccinations strongly advised before time of beam down."

McCoy cleared his throat perhaps a bit too roughly and Jim hid a smile at the way the doctor shuffled forward to place his elbows on the conference table. Jim was utterly at home with attention, positive or negative, but his friend was not, and he was certainly no diplomat, any Southern charm aside. "We'll be administering several vaccines," he said, watching his PADD more than his audience. "'Strongly advised' is just the captain's way of saying 'required'. The Federation does not allow admittance to the Romulan Neutral Zone without taking precautions against certain diseases. You'll find the list specific to your own species on your PADDs."

McCoy then descended into the incredibly tedious task of listing and explaining each of the possible ailments each delegation would be immunized against. In addition to this, he cautioned that given the limited and hostile interactions involved with Romulans, much knowledge came from brief encounters or estimations on Vulcanoid physiology, and therefore, there was always the risk of contracting diseases as yet unknown. Looking around, Kirk realized that no one seemed pleased to hear that.

"Look on the bright side," he offered. "If we all manage to catch something new and deadly, we'll make history even if the talks fail."

It received a few laughs and definitely lightened the mood, but Jim noticed Komack looked less impressed with his joke than he had with his own. He couldn't allow himself to be bothered by it; he would probably annoy himself too if he were thirty years older. He glanced to the elder Spock again, listening attentively, and swallowed uneasily. He would have to ask him to know.

"The schedules for the vaccinations have already been assigned and you'll find your own appointments alongside your lists," McCoy said, and his tone was near relieved, so Jim assumed this was his conclusion. "We begin this afternoon."


And begin they did.

McCoy's whole staff was on-call to answer questions and shepherd the bureaucrats with the least actual amount of contact with him. But when a familiar dark head ducked in almost thirty seconds earlier than scheduled, Leonard stepped out of his office and beckoned.

"Ambassador," he said shortly, waving him in. For some reason, even though this was Spock, it wasn't, and he didn't want his staff gawking, whether or not they had been forewarned. He glanced over to see the disappointment in Nurse Chapel's face, and knew he had made the right decision.

"Thought you'd want to be away from pryin' eyes," he said gruffly as he closed the door behind them.

"That was most considerate of you, but I am not perturbed by their curiosity. It serves to remind me that I am a visitor here, and should tread as such."

Leonard shook himself out of his stupor and nodded hastily. Watching the man move and talk was so eerie, and now he was only doing what he claimed to be protecting the elder Spock from. "Yeah, well I'd rather give you the vaccines myself. You're the chief negotiator down there if I understand what Kirk was babbling at me, and that means if you croak, it's on my watch. And I try not to let people die on my watch." He produced the sterile tray of hyposprays with an almost child-like glee.

Spock sat there and merely looked at him with what he would almost call a smile. This was getting a little too strange. Leonard cleared his throat. "So, what's the plan down there? I didn't think a Vulcan would want to come try and make peace with the Romulans after what happened," he said bluntly, and set the hypospray against the ambassador's neck, pressing. Spock did not flinch, but his eyes glanced over at his face and then away again.

"Forgive me, Doctor McCoy, but I have not seen you as young as you are now in quite some time. It will take some getting used to."

"Missed my pretty face?" he joked, and Spock did give what could only be described as an actual half smile this time.

"Occasionally," he said, and Leonard laughed. He was beginning to understand why Jim was so fond of this version of his friend. It was comforting to know that Spock might actually pull the abnormally long stick out of his ass one day and endear himself to someone other than Jim and Uhura. "You must understand, Doctor, that Vulcan is the crux of the issue. Whether it is a desire to make peace, or simply to prevent war, I have no choice but to be here. In truth, I would be no where else."

McCoy shrugged a shoulder. "Fair enough, I guess." He set aside the first hypospray, now empty. "That Vulcan for 'it's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it'?"

"I have indeed missed your colorful expressions, Doctor."

"So, yes."

There was that greatly unnerving almost-smile again. "Yes," Spock said.

McCoy lifted the next hypospray, satisfied. "Tuvan Syndrome," he explained, before pressing it to the ambassador's neck as well. "So, am I as ruggedly handsome as you remember?"

"I am afraid I recall you more as I last saw you, several years ago." Spock lifted a hand to his neck as McCoy withdrew, but of course did not wince. His dark eyes lowered. "I am not generally the sort to keep holos or other keepsakes."

"So then, I'm even more handsome than you remember," McCoy chuckled, and actually felt bold and comfortable enough to pat the ambassador's shoulder. He felt a little awkward after he had done it, but it was nothing compared to the unease he often experienced in the younger's presence. "What about our Miss Uhura?" he teased, setting aside this hypospray as well.

When he looked up from that, Spock's expression was different, but he wasn't sure how. His eyebrows were slightly lower. "I had not seen the lieutenant for some time as well," he offered. "She is lovely, as always."

Spock was surely just being careful not to reveal which of the two of them was to outlive the other, Leonard decided. "Yeah, well," he smirked, administering the third and final vaccine, "may not wanna get too friendly with her, if you know what I mean. I think Jim can testify that the other Spock doesn't care for it. Her either, when it comes to Jim for that matter, but I don't think you'd have to worry about that."

Up came the ambassador's hand to his neck again as McCoy finished. "My counterpart discourages the lieutenant's friendships?" he asked, and McCoy paused to look up at him, pretty sure he wasn't playing dumb as was sometimes the younger's wont.

"No, just... I was kidding," he said.

"I see," the ambassador said, and McCoy knew Spock well enough to know that meant he really didn't.

He grinned at Spock anyway and stepped back. "You're all set," he said. "Take it easy this evening; you're likely to have some head aches or nausea, and your neck might swell there a little."

Spock rose to his feet, looking decidedly thoughtful. "Thank you, Doctor," he said.

"Just doin' my job. Now shoo and stop crowding my sickbay." It was said lightly and the brief return of Spock's small smile let him know it was taken as such.

Sure enough, as Spock left, he was not offended, merely confused. He paused in the outer sickbay, watching the occasionally staring staff mill around amid the smattering of patients and delegates, and pensively reached up to finger the only keepsake he did in fact maintain possession of, dangling from his neck, before moving out into the corridors again.


It happened every time the doors opened on the bridge; everyone who was not busy with a vitally important assignment looked over and straightened.

"Admiral on deck," was announced by Haines, and everyone at liberty to rise did so at attention, including Spock.

"At ease," Admiral Komack said with a quick nod of his head. Everyone returned to their duties, except for Spock, who currently had the conn. "Commander Spock, may I have a word?"

"Certainly, Admiral." Spock followed his gesture to a less populated area of the bridge, where he understood a human brain would derive a semblance privacy and isolation, however impossible the notion. He waited as Komack stared back at him, obviously anticipating being set at ease with a human colloquialism.

Spock stared straight ahead and waited.

Komack cleared his throat. "I see you're in charge right now," he began, and trailed off.

"That is correct, sir."

"Where is Kirk?"

"As it is currently beta shift, his past habits lead me to believe he is either in the officer's mess or in his ready room."

"Why are you still here and your captain is not?"

Spock could pick up on the subtle change in Admiral Komack's tone, and tilted his head. The reason behind it eluded him, but he answered promptly. "I am Vulcan, and therefore do not require as much rest as a Human. We are able to further presence of senior command without the detriment of performance if the captain and myself stagger our shifts. Most days I am present on the bridge until late beta shift. I am given to understand that this system is not unusual."

Komack waved a dismissive hand and glanced around the bridge, inciting a curious Lieutenant Riley into facing forward again. "No, of course not," he said, eyes taking in everything. "But I was under the impression he was aware I would be visiting today."

"He was, Admiral," Spock said. "Without a scheduled time of appearance, it is only natural for shifts to operate as they always do, the captain's included." Here, Komack's gaze darted back to him as though he were about to take offense at that, but Spock's austere expression must have calmed him. "I have been authorized to interrupt whatever duty is currently occupying him in the event of your arrival, however."

"No, that's..." There went the hand again, "that's not necessary. This won't be my only visit, I'm sure, and I can see well enough how the bridge operates. May as well observe several shifts."

"Indeed, Admiral."

"So, tell me then," Komack turned to face Spock fully again, attention solely resting upon him, "how is Kirk doing?"

Spock thought for a moment. The admiral appeared concerned and he could discern no reason to be; surely he was not under the impression that Jim's presence was expected on the bridge at this time and Spock was choosing not to reveal this. "You must excuse me, Admiral, but I am uncertain as to what exactly you are asking." There were too many possible avenues a Human could mean by such a query; relative skill, emotional state, physical health.

"With the new command," Komack explained. "Is he working out?"

Again, he was uncertain if the admiral was inquiring after how command was affecting Jim or how Jim was affecting command, but considering his position in Starfleet, he was inclined to believe the latter. Spock had been under the impression that the Enterprise's success rate spoke for itself. "The captain is quite capable."

"Mm." The admiral nodded thoughtfully. "I know he performed admirably during the incident with Nero. Whether luck, skill, or some combination thereof, I have to commend him for that. I was told you had your own reservations about him at first." Here he paused, observing Spock's posture which Spock was loathe to admit had stiffened. "I understand he asked specifically for you as his executive officer. And that you refused."

Spock almost swallowed before he realized it was not necessary to his continued speech. "I did."

Oddly and surprisingly enough, Komack did not ask why he had changed his mind, which was likely for the best. Spock had no desire to give the man reason to question his counterpart. "So as a man who can understand why an officer would be disinclined to trust Kirk, I'm asking you... can I? Can we?"

Spock hesitated. "I believe I already answered that question, Admiral." Komack watched him, and when no reaction seemed forthcoming, Spock went on. "The Enterprise has an eighty-eight point three percent success rate, and Captain Kirk's approval rating is-"

"High, I know." Komack sighed. "He's young."

"I believe we can hardly count that as his own fault."

Komack actually smiled, even though Spock had not been attempting to make a joke. He supposed it was the kind of thing Jim might have smiled at as well, however. "Yeah," he said. A small degree of tension seemed to leave his stance. "I think maybe it's dinner time for me as well."

Spock nodded his head. "Admiral."

"Commander."

All present stood again as Komack made to leave the bridge and Spock watched this, hands clasped behind his back, before, decision made, he stepped forward before the turbolift doors could shut. "Admiral," he said again, out of the range of prying ears. Komack observed him curiously and Spock nearly sighed. "The captain is young. He is impulsive, brash, occasionally easy to anger, and he can appear cavalier. He procrastinates, and there is a great deal of protocol he does not yet understand and has no desire to learn." The door beeped at him, and Spock held it back, adamant. "And I have never worked under a man I trusted more."

Komack continued to stare at him. Ultimately, his only response was a single nod of acknowledgment before Spock finally allowed the door to slide shut.


A fruit salad with whipped cream was calling her name, so after four attempts to read the same paragraph in her daily report, Nyota decided that eating would be prudent. Donning a set of Starfleet issue sweats, she didn't bother to pull her hair up since she was off duty and brought along her report to read. Rounding the corner, she nodded at a few people and saw a set of doors open farther down the corridor. "Hold the lift," she called out, running to catch up.

She slipped inside just in time to realize who she was presently holding up. "Ambassador," she nearly exclaimed in surprise. "I'm sorry, I did not realize it was you inside the lift."

"You mean to say that if you had indeed known it was I who held the turbolift for you, you would have rather used the next?"

Nyota barked out a laugh as she realized Ambassador Spock had just teased her. "Of course not," she said, stepping inside. "I, just... seeing you is... strange." She stopped to call out her intended deck. "I could always use the preparation."

"Understandable," Spock said. "I feel the same with most I encounter here."

Nyota glanced to him out of the corner of her eye, watching him carefully stare into the middle distance, waiting for the doors to open again. It was rare that she had heard Spock use the word "feel" to describe his own experiences. She was more accustomed to "think" or "find" or "believe". "Sorry," she said, and it wasn't until he turned his head to look at her that she realized what she was apologizing for. She cleared her throat. "Obviously, it's more trying for you."

Spock lifted a familiar eyebrow. "Are we in contest, Lieutenant?"

Nyota smiled again. "No, I suppose not."

"Then I would say there is no reason to propose that my difficulty negates your own." His tone was incredibly gentle, enough so that she could almost imagine that he had known her as intimately as she hoped. "You are preparing to eat, then?"

Her brow furrowed, trying to detect a segue. "Uh, yes."

"It is nineteen thirty-six," he said, answering her unspoken question. "I make an educated guess." He turned to face the doors again. "Perhaps you are meeting someone?"

Nyota hesitated. Was he suggesting they eat together? Even if he wasn't, should she invite him along? She had intended to work during her meal or grab something to bring back to her quarters. "No, I hadn't planned to," she said. That was open enough. True, but not uninviting. "Would you like to join me?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I have already dined." He paused briefly. "Do you not have someone to share your meal with?"

Nyota thought of Spock briefly, and realized she hadn't seen him apart from their shared shift this morning. "I do, but he's currently unavailable." She glanced over at the ambassador and wondered if he could tell that her chemistry changed as she thought of his... younger self.

Probably not, as he hadn't made mention of it and Spock had never seemed to have trouble with that.

She looked up with a small smile to find him looking back at her almost curiously. It ignited her own questions again. "Is there something the matter, Ambassador?" she finally said. Silence had a comfortable place in her and Spock's relationship, so his steady regard did not unnerve her, but this was different. It was searching for something, examining it against something else. Was something found lacking?

"A curious phrasing, I have always found," he replied. "There are always ongoing matters."

She snorted a laugh. Spock could be brilliant at dodging. "I suppose so. Is something wrong, then?"

Spock swallowed, eyes still fixed resolutely on the door. She felt the lift thrush to a stop. "'Wrong'," he said as the doors slid open, "is a relative term, Lieutenant." He turned and offered her one of his slight smiles. "And I believe this is your stop."

Nyota paused, unwilling to break the eye contact for some reason. But she couldn't deny that he was right and that it would look odd if she stayed. She nodded and forced a smile of her own for him before stepping out into the corridor again.


Jim glanced up from his PADD and tried not to frown. "Come," he said quickly. Although he hated paperwork, as soon as he put his nose to the grindstone he was reluctant to be interrupted.

The doors to his ready room opened and Admiral Komack entered as if he owned the place, he thought dryly. "Admiral," he said, respectfully rising from his seat. "I did not expect a visit from you."

"Should I have made an appointment?"

Jim blinked and found the grace to smile. "Of course not, Admiral. Would you like to have a seat?" He gestured toward one of two chairs before his desk and resolutely took his seat again. Komack hesitated before he sat down finally, adjusting his tunic and clearly trying not to appear stuffy.

Kirk liked to think he was adjusting the stick up his ass; it had to make sitting uncomfortable.

"I did not see you in the officer's mess," Komack said.

He nodded and gestured to the PADD. "Lots of paperwork night before the big day," he said, referring to their rendezvous with the Romulan ship.

Komack cleared his throat. "I spoke with your first officer."

"Couldn't ask for a finer one than Spock," Jim replied easily. He shifted in his seat, but otherwise there was no outward sign of his impatience for the man. "Have you noticed anything against regulations or conduct you would like to bring to my attention?" he prompted.

The admiral paused, and shook his head. "No, I have not. Quite the contrary, Commander Spock is under the impression that you can handle this mission."

"Can't fault Vulcan logic," he joked.

"He has more faith in you than I do."

Jim felt his smile fade a micron. "I am aware that you're not convinced I can do the job."

"I do not see the merit in awarding what is potentially the most important mission in decades to the youngest captain in the fleet. It doesn't matter if he commands the flagship or not."

"Admiral, I would like to think that the men and women who weighed the situation and decided to pick me know what they're doing." The body Komack was a part of, Jim thought.

"Kirk, I hope you've been able to absorb some maturity while you've been in space. I think you'll need more than your boyish charm to navigate this mission. This mission here, is politics." Komack rose abruptly with a nod. "I'll leave you to your paperwork."

Jim rose again and nodded himself. "Thank you, Admiral."

He watched the man leave and realized what he thought was indifference was actually dislike.