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"So, Spock," the captain drawled as his First Officer faced him. The two were standing in the hall just beyond the bridge. "You ever gonna tell me where you disappeared off to the day before yesterday?"

There are some a few things in life that James Kirk has not yet experienced yet. Such as being Captain during a five year mission, being the true first contact on unexplored worlds, and the like. Figuring out his First Officer, unfortunately, fell in that category. The Narada incident gave a great view into the Vulcan's personality under stress, but really wasn't an ideal picture of the man on an everyday basis. And try as Kirk might, he could not get any surer footing with the commander. The Spock from an alternate reality seemed to be an absolutely unrelated individual. For all Kirk knew, maybe Spock Prime was. Alternate realities and timelines were difficult to wrap one's head around.

"There was an issue I was required to help resolve."

"An issue that needed resolving? There something I need to know?" Kirk asked, worried and somewhat surprised.

"It is a situation pertaining to a more personal nature. I do not believe it to be significant." Spock informed him. Logically, informing the captain of the previous day's events should have had no personal significance. However, the commander felt himself reluctant to go into detail unless asked to do so.

Kirk snorted. Did Spock really think that was going to fly? As captain, it was his duty to know what was going on with his crew. At least, that was his excuse for prying. "What happened? Last time something of a 'personal nature' affected you, I ended up seeing my life flash before my eyes."

"Captain, nothing of the sort-"

"Just answer the question." Kirk stated.

It was then Spock noticed something curious. Something that was typically rare with any other starship, but the Enterprise. Something Spock was beginning to recognize more readily in his captain.

Mischief.

Its presence was nonsensical to the commander. After hardly a moment of consideration, Spock decided to inform the captain and rid the man of whatever need for mischief he had.

"Were you aware that Paladians possess a form of touch empathy?"

"No, I wasn't." Kirk thought for a moment. "That means when they touch you, they know what you are feeling?" That was almost as frightening a prospect as the touch telepathy of the Vulcans.

Spock tilted his head at the man. "It was described to me as a method of sharing emotions, for various reasons. For example, joy is one that is commonly shared. Also grief, when a loved one is distressed." He clarified.

"And I presume Dr. Sargent was the one to explain it?" Kirk asked.

"Captain, you know of my whereabouts?"

"I do." His smirk was just a tad too smug.

"Then why did you inquire of them?" The only response Spock got was a shrug.

"So," Kirk drew the word out. "It was Dr. Sargent who explained it? Since she's the only Paladian on board, and you spent several hours in her quarters."

Resisting the urge to sigh, the commander nodded. "You are correct, Dr. Sargent did explain this aspect of her people to me."

"She touched you?" The captain briefly thought about asking where she touched him, but knew that would be a mistake.

Spock nodded. "I am certain that you are unaware two days ago was the anniversary of the birth of my mother." The date would not have been significant to other Vulcans, however 'birthdays' were something his mother often insisted on recognizing.

Understanding filled Kirk. "And she tried to share her joy with you?"

"I am not certain," Spock subtly corrected. "However, the result was the sharing of my grief with her."

Chewing on his lip, Kirk sighed. "How is she?" He asked. Kirk saw his First Officer pause in well covered surprise and said "Come on, Spock. I know that Vulcan emotions are rumored to be stronger than human ones. And I know you would have been grieving more than just your mother." Patting the commander's shoulder, he asked again "So, how is she?"

"She is adapting."

"Adapting? That's good. She'll need to, what with being around new species and cultures. We can't have her touching just anyone."

The captain's word choice seemed odd to Spock, but the Vulcan believed he understood what Kirk was attempting to say. "Actually, Dr. Sargent stressed that such a thing is considered an invasion of privacy when done to strangers. It is reserved for those that are considered family, including those close through friendship."

"Really?" Kirk responded. "Then why did she touch you? And for that matter, how did she know you were grieving? I know it didn't slip past your control."

Glancing away, Spock raised an eyebrow. Both were valid questions. "Neither Dr. Sargent, nor myself know the answers to either of those questions. It appears to have been instinctual. She merely knew and acted accordingly, per her culture."

"She just knew?" the blond man asked, incredulous.

"It appears so, Captain." Spock didn't know why the captain seemed disappointed by his answer. He also didn't understand why the conversation was so repetitive. The truth of his answers did not change, and thus there was no reason for clarification.

Jim Kirk watched Spock for a moment then shrugged. If the man was clueless, then he was clueless. Maybe Bones was right. Maybe meddling really was only a pain in the ass. With a noncommittal grunt, the captain turned on his heel and walked onto the bridge. It was time to report for duty anyways.

In the lab, Crewman Michaels frowned into the microscope as a certain thought kept pressing on her. Pursing her lips she glanced at the back of the woman across the lab from her. Shaking her head, Michaels focused back on her task. She had no business even thinking about such a thing.

A sigh escaped her lips.

Nia felt her eyes cross. That was the eighth time the other woman had sighed since lunch and the doctor was really starting to wonder when her assistant was going to stop beating around the bush.

Opening her mouth, Michaels started to speak and panic hit her. Snapping her mouth shut, she changed her mind… again.

Nia turned when she heard the half syllable escape the other woman's lips. "Alright, I don't care what it is you have to say, just say it already! Anymore sighs and I am going to stick a probe in my eye so that I can escape to the medbay!"

Whatever Michaels had been expecting her to say, that was clearly not it. Michaels almost sighed again, but caught herself just in time. Instead her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I just… I mean-ok, so… There might be some rumors spreading around the ship." The brunette sheepishly looked up at Nia, gauging her reaction.

Rumors? What the…? Nia was baffled. "Rumors about what?" A stone was forming in the pit of her stomach.

"Rumors about you… and Commander Spock."

If Nia had been eating anything she would have choked. "What? What do you mean? What kind of rumors?"

Michaels shrugged. "Oh just the usual ones."

"Usual ones? I may have lived on Earth for nine years, but you are going to have to specify a bit more."

"Only that the two of you are in a possibly secret relationship." Seeing the look on Nia's face, Michaels quickly added "Well, it is a little odd that you two eat lunch together every day. And then Ensign Harris overheard that Commander Spock had 'disappeared' the day before yesterday… and was in your quarters. Which you never explained what happened in the lab that day… Dr. Sargent, are you alright?"

Fire. Her cheeks were on fire. That stone in her stomach? Lead, and gaining velocity as it dropped and dragged her stomach along with it. She was having flashbacks from her educational institute days.

"Dr. Sargent?" Michaels asked again.

Before she could respond, Nia felt a giggle bubble up inside her. Really, why should it matter what people think? Soon the giggle turned into a full blown laugh and Nia rubbed her face with her hands. Finally she answered Michaels' worried look with "You know, I think I've had closer intimacy with the sparring mats than with any male on this ship."


During his entire shift, the conversation with the captain bothered him. Spock was certain that he missed something significant during the conversation. Human mannerisms still escaped the Vulcan at times.

Perhaps it was due to the involvement of Doctor Sargent. The captain had seemed rather… particular about the scientist. In fact, the captain had already known of his whereabouts when he had inquired. Suddenly Spock was finding the other man's response to be unsatisfactory. Why would he ask if he had already known? Did the man have a negative opinion regarding the Paladian scientist? The captain did not appear to be disapproving, so another explanation must be available.

These questions hovered in the back of his mind, never impeding his ability to fulfill his duties yet still ever present, up until the end of his shift.

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Spock requested a moment with the captain.

"Sir, I must request an explanation for our earlier conversation."

Kirk nearly rolled his eyes. "Mr. Spock I believe I told you my reasoning – "

"As a matter of fact, Captain, you did not. Instead you seemed highly interested in the involvement of Dr. Sargent. Is there a problem I should be made aware of?"

Well, Kirk had to give him credit. He wasn't going to let this one go easily. The captain opened his mouth to respond and thought better of what he was going to say. Finally, he let out a puff of air and looked around him before gripping Spock's arm and leading the Vulcan to a more private part of the hall. "Look, Spock, you must be aware of the rumors that have been circulating. About you and Sargent."

Spock nodded. "Yes, Captain, I am aware of the assumptions of some of the crew. However, I fail to see the connection."

"So then there is no truth to the rumors? There's no relationship developing between you two?" Kirk frowned. That was definitely not what he had been hearing.

The other man's brow furrowed slightly. "It would be illogical for Dr. Sargent to choose myself as a mate."

"Why do you say that?"

"While Vulcans and Paladians have both successfully paired with Humans, there is no precedent for a Vulcan and Paladian pairing. Such a match would be unlikely to produce viable offspring."

Kirk sputtered. "Viable offsp..? What the hell are you talking about?" He rubbed his face with his hand. "Spock, man, having a relationship is not just about having kids. Haven't you ever thought about, I don't know, companionship? Love? Hell, lust even?"

"Captain, I assure you I fully understand the purposes to choosing and bonding with a mate. Companionship, the strengthening of ties between families, and indeed procreation are all very important factors in a relationship." Spock was unsurprised by the need to give Captain Kirk this information. According to Vulcan standards, the captain had behaved very inappropriately throughout his time at the Academy.

"So if you take out the … procreation… would you still consider a relationship with Dr. Sargent?" Kirk paused. "Wait, you listed procreation as a reason for her not desiring to be with you. What about you desiring to be with her?" Good Lord, Kirk realized he was on the verge of giving relationship advice to his first officer. To his Vulcan first officer, who almost had a relationship with a certain Lieutenant. Oh boy.

Spock thought on his answer before stating "Dr. Sargent is a quite capable woman and has particularly proven herself through her work. She is aptly sociable and appropriately respectful."

"Ok… I'll take that as a 'yes'." The captain thought for a moment. "How are relations between Paladians and Vulcans at the moment?"

"Strained. Palad claimed to be more limited in resources than was documented and hence was unable to fulfill the aide agreement set by a previous treaty between the two planets."

"Huh." Kirk had nothing to say to that. "Well, I don't know. Maybe a successful relationship between the two races would help smooth the waters. Anyway," the shorter man hit the other on the arm, not caring that he tensed under the contact, before continuing "think on it. And maybe talk to her. Procreation isn't important to everybody."

Spock watched Kirk leave and took a moment to mull over the contents of the discussion in his head.

He decided that perhaps discussing the potential for interests with the woman in question may be the most logical course of action.

Walking quickly, Spock efficiently navigated his way to the turboliftturbo lift, and then through the halls to the lab Dr. Sargent had been assigned.

As he approached, he could clearly hear giggling coming through the open doorway. Bits of conversation followed.

"So you just fell head over heels" said a voice Spock quickly recognized to be Crewman Michaels. He noted the odd breathiness to her tone "for Matt with his dark looks, smooth exterior, and convenient placement."

Matt was a human name. Michaels must be speaking of a fellow crewmember, but who was she speaking to?

"Oh yes, you know I just can't resist him." Dr. Sargent's voice was equally breathy. "I just keep falling over and over again."

"Even though he gets all sweaty?" Michaels giggled, and Spock realized the two women were discussing Dr. Sargent's relationship with another male on board.

"Oh especially when he's all sweaty.?" Nia snorted. "I kinda have no choice, but to get intimate then."

Spock felt something twist inside him as he listened. It was illogical for him to react adversely to the conversation, as it was illogical for him to listen in the first place. Spock had already acknowledged that Dr. Sargent possessed many qualities a mate should possess, if not for a Vulcan suitor then for a Human one most certainly. He could hardly blame another male for agreeing.

Michaels voice had raised in pitch as the conversation continued. "And to think, it all happened because of Sulu. Who knew he could be such a… match-maker."

In the ensueingensuing laughter, Spock decided he had heard enough. It was time for the evening meal, though the women in the lab had obviously not realized it yet. Or had already eaten.

Spock ignored whatever was manifesting in his gut, and opted for the logical option of leaving the area.

Meanwhile, Nia was wiping tears from her eyes. "Oh man, Michaels. You crack me up."

Michaels raised her hands defensively. "Hey now, you are the one who admitted to having gone further with the sparring mats than anyone would care to know."

Nia rolled her eyes. "Oh ha ha. You realize I'm probably going to be thinking about this conversation during my next sparring match."

"Oh good. Then you can tell Sulu about him being a match-maker."

"And have him look at me like I'm crazy?" Nia asked. "Yeah, no thank you."

Michaels chuckled. "So, back to our earlier topic… is there really nothing going on between you and the commander?"

Sighing, Nia shrugged. "I have the utmost respect for the man, but really, why would he want be? I'm not a member of his species." She paused. "Either of them. I'm willing to bet he'd be much more comfortable with a Human or a Vulcan wife than a Paladian one."

Her assistant frowned. "Well, ok. So do you want there to be a relationship forming?"

"I think I've already said enough. And if you tell anyone what I've told you" the scientist mock glared at the younger woman "there are special Paladian punishments for failed secret keepers."

If she was trying to be intimidating, she utterly failed. Michaels ended up laughing so hard she fell from her stool and lay on floor until she could breathe again.


A/N I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. I really liked writing this one, I must say.

Thank you to MaGiCaL MoOn, QHJumper, Fruityloops87, England101 for reviewing. Also, I want to thank those who have added this story to favorites/alerts. I'm glad to know people are enjoying this story.