Okay, I've gotten a couple of reviews mentioning people not remembering Archer being such a bad guy and I'm going to clear that up now by saying: I had forgotten he was actually in the old series. ^^; I watched the series many, many years ago and haven't been able to pick it up again despite my wanting to, so I completely forgot Archer was in there and wasn't the bad guy I made him out to be. I feel rather foolish now because I don't like making characters uncharacteristic, I do try really hard not to, though maybe he just got steadily angrier without his dog or doesn't like Kirk for getting Scotty of Delta Vega early, I don't know. I tried to clear it up a little and spin it around to make it more believable.

Anyway, I feel like a n00b for not remembering but the movie was the thing that really got me into Star Trek and learning about it, so I'll just give a big my bad for that.

Okay, apologetic defenses over, on with the show!


Spock frowned slightly as he stood outside Kirk's room once again. The first time he had been…mildly concerned for his captain's well being given that she had been in pain. Now he was mildly concerned mixed with mildly annoyed, with a heavy dose of confused as to what had just happened. He rang the call button. "Captain? I wish to speak with you."

"Piss off!" came an angry voice over the comm.

One eyebrow twitched and he sighed quietly to himself. Dealing with James T. Kirk had been difficult when he was a man, now it was an even more daunting task because as little as Spock could relate before, he could relate less now that his captain was a female. "Captain, please, I wish to discuss why you are upset with me so suddenly. You left the transporter room before I could ask for your presence."

"You want to know why I'm upset? Go look in a fucking mirror!"

Spock took another deep breath, doing a fast meditative exercise in his head to ensure all his control was there. "Captain-"

"I said piss-GAH, MOTHER OF GOD!"

Spock tensed and punched in his override code quickly. "Captain, what has happened?" He paused, seeing Kirk on the edge of her bed, looking in pain. One of her boots were in her hands and looking down, he inwardly winced at the blisters and cuts across her feet. Some looked as if they had just popped, others were still fresh.

"How did you get in my door?" she growled.

Spock chose to ignore her like he often did when she asked unnecessary questions and walked over, kneeling to look at her foot. "Those shoes were ill fitting?"

"Uhura mentioned I should've worn them in first…" she muttered, looking at her raw feet disdainfully.

"You should go see Dr. McCoy."

"Nah uh, I had to bribe and threaten most of the crew to keep Bones from knowing about the heels or he would mercilessly tease me about it when I'm a man again. Besides, I don't want to walk like this."

Spock gave her a dry look, but she glared back and he knew she would be stubborn both to spite him and remain where she is. Reaching into his pack belt pocket, he brought out a mini dermal generator. "It's not much, but it should at least help. Remain seated." He began to run the generator over the popped blisters, watching as they healed slowly. He set it to the side when they were just new patches of skin and stood to go to the bathroom, coming back with a small hand towel. Kneeling again, he reached back in to the pack and pulling out a small sewing kit.

"…you have a sewing kit?" Jim asked incredulously.

"I find it useful and a logical edition to my supplies in case of an emergency."

"Of course you do…" Spock drew a needle from the kit and Jim tensed, moving back across the bed. "Uh, what are you doing?"

"In order to heal the others to a manageable state I must pop them and drain the puss from them."

"…Nothing in that sentence did not make me want to go "ew"."

Spock gave him the Vulcan eye roll, which was really just staring at him a moment before he gently propped her foot up. Jim looked at him warily before sighing and trying to relax. Spock went about his "draining", Jim wincing every now and then but otherwise not complaining.

"…You seem like one loyal first officer, popping your Captian's blisters and draining them…" she said quietly.

"…Captain, I meant no offense before."

"Sure you didn't. But I don't want to-"

"I did not. I was merely commenting that it may not be a good idea to engage in sexual relations with Councilman Rangere."

"And you just assumed I would?"

"Your desire for sex is not unknown." Jim glared as if about to yell. "But I was only trying to warn against it because should Rangere find out you are really a man, his reaction is unpredictable. You may endure more slander and accusations, create an international incident, offend many, and have to deal with an irate councilman. Also, we are still unclear if it could have an adverse effect on your body, such as it is."

Jim blinked and slowly deflated, though she was still glaring. "You…were trying to keep me from getting hurt?"

"In a sense, yes, as it could have both emotional and physical effects on you that could be harmful."

"…You did a really shitty job of bringing that up."

"I realize that now, Captain." Spock ran the minigenerator over the newly drained blisters till the skin tightened once again. "Would you allow me to do the other foot? It is more than likely similarly effected." He knew she could do it herself more than likely, but hoped she would see this as his way of making up for the misunderstanding.

Jim paused before swinging her legs back over, raising it up to undo her boot and slide it off. Spock tried not to look when the position of her skirt was riding higher than it truly should. She set the foot down where its partner used to be and Spock set to work again.

"Insinuating any sexual promiscuity was not my intention, Captain. I…realize that human and Vulcan views on sex are vastly different. Though I may disapprove of such practices on a logical level, it is not my place to attempt to direct your life according to beliefs that are not your own."

"…damn straight." Jim raised her other leg and rested her hands and her chin on it, regarding Spock a little more curiously. "Vulcan's have views on sex?"

Spock ears turned slightly green. "…we do not see the logic in having many sexual partners. Sex itself is a time when…certain things are released-"

"No shit." Spock glared at her and she held up her hands. "Sorry. Please, continue."

"…certain things are released, things we prefer to keep under control. As such, sex is much more a discreet and more thought out act as the truest form can only be carried out with someone we would truly love, respect, and wish to bond with."

Jim blinked and her eyes widened. "Wait, so…do Vulcans like…mate for life?"

"In a way. It's not necessary, but our greatest release is when we find someone we may bond with and share of ourselves completely with. And afterwards we are bonded through our minds. To deceive that bond would cause great pain. And severing it can be worse."

"Wow…" Jim looked thoughtful. "So…I take it you and Uhura never…"

Spock blushed again before glaring at her. "I would rather not talk about that."

"Of course, personal life, sorry." The answer was obvious really. "And…you weren't trying to insinuate I slept and cheated my way to being captain here? Or that I'm a slut or a whore that tries to solve my problems with sex?"

Spock's eyes narrowed slightly. He had never liked that word. Never. "No, Captain. Though you are…trying at times, I do hold a high respect for you. I have seen the hard work you have done in the last year to make the Enterprise what it is, and I know you do not take your position or responsibilities lightly, no matter what you try to say or do to convince others otherwise."

Jim's cheeks turned a little redder and she looked down. Her toes wiggled as if to show her embarrassment. "Uh, thanks…I…uh…" she sighed and pulled at her hair. It was a familiar gesture and for a moment Spock saw his normal Captain sitting there. "Geez, I just keep doing stupid shit where I need to apologize to you, don't I?"

"It is fine, Captain. As I said, the misunderstanding was in my choice of how to begin-"

"No, it's not," she said firmly and looked at Spock. Her blue eyes looked angry, but not at him. "I let what Archer said get to me and then blew up at you cause I thought you thought the same thing."

"Archer?"

"Yeah, Admiral Archer…insinuated stuff…"

Spock's eyes grew a little colder and he put away the generator and kit back into his belt. "Did he?"

"Yeah, and it just pissed me off!" she threw her hands up into the air and flopped back on the bed. "I mean shit, I know I'm not exactly the greatest role model ever, but I'm doing damn good! And then he tries to say that it's all cause of good luck and my sex appeal and that-that-aah! I'd like to see his wrinkly ass going through what we went through with Nero! See how he likes it."

"I doubt the admiral's posterior is wrinkly. He endeavors to take very good care of his body, through natural or unnatural means."

"Yeah, well, I ain't gonna ask to loo…wait…" She sat up on her elbows and looked at Spock. "Are you…do you mean that Admiral Archer gets work done? Everywhere?"

"I recall Admiral Pike remarking once that Archer strived to take good care of his body by anymeans necessary. Being that he has lived over a hundred years I believe."

"…So he got a butt lift?" She snorted then fell back laughing.

"I am uncertain of that. I am merely stating what I have heard."

"Oh, but it makes me feel so much better to think that jerk was making comments on my body when his is made to look that way. At least I'm all natural." Spock blushed slightly when she lifted a leg and waved her foot around as if to admire it.

"Then think what you will. If I may say in his defense though, he is a good Starfleet officer usually with many years of service. I believe his vendetta with you is that you rescued Mr. Scott from Delta Vega, where he was attempting to punish him for—"

"Yeah yeah, the dog, I remember. I'm sure he's all kittens and rainbows when it's not me or Scotty then, but that doesn't mean I'll forgive him. He was a bit perverted back there."

One eyebrow ticked as he thought that over. "Indeed, I believe you are most justified, Captain."

She looked up at him again. "Really? No lectures on respecting my elders or the Starfleet hierarchy?"

"Admiral Archer behaved in a manner unbefitting to an admiral. His reasons are unimportant."

Jim smiled and sat up, clapping a hand on Spock's shoulder and surprising him. "Thanks, Spock, I feel better. And…I'm glad you don't think I'm…you know…I have been good about this whole "no sex" rule." She mock glared at him as if he were the one denying her sex but kept her hand on his shoulder.

Spock regarded her before clapping a hand on her shoulder in return, making sure it was her out shoulder so that she needn't worry about reliving certain things. "Indeed, Captain, you have shown an impressive amount of restraint. Even more so that you should have been walking around with that many blisters."

Jim grinned. "I didn't want Rangere to think I was uncomfortable. Plus, I've had worse injuries. Just looking at them surprised me."

"…And yet, only a few days ago you were so adament that you were dying…"

Jim looked affronted but there was a smile underneath and he knew she caught his tease. "That was different! You try having your lower intestines replaced by snakes doing the watusey and we'll see how little you complain."

"I believe that is quite impossible, Captain."

"That snakes can do the watusey or that intestines can be replaced by them?"

Spock gave him a flat look and she laughed again. "Okay, okay, I get it. But seriously, somethings are harder to deal with. You're tea made it better." Spock blushed slightly and didn't meet her gaze. "And…thanks for taking care of them. The cramps and the blisters. I mean, we're good, right?"

Spock nodded, feeling somewhat relieved deep down inside.

"Good. You know, if there's anything I can do for you, just say so. I feel kind of bad you do all this for me and haven't really gotten anything for it."

"I do not need repayment, Captain."

"But I insist." She was suddenly very close and Spock had to keep himself from jerking back when his breath stilled. The blue of her eyes was almost blinding this close. "If you need or want anything, just tell me. I'll do my best to help get it."

"…Thank you, Captain. I will keep that in mind."

Jim smiled then paused, staring over his face. The light blush returned and she leaned in a centimeter more before suddenly pulling back. "Uh, right. So, good. Yeah. I'll help if you need it."

"…I believe that applies to many of us here on the Enterprise."

Jim blinked before smiling warmly and Spock's eyes widened minutely at how much that smile was still like the one in his male form. "Yeah, I'd like to think so too." She suddenly fished into her pocket and brought out the note from Rangere. "So, you think me going with Rangere is a bad idea."

"Indeed, Captain. From a political, personal and health standpoint."

"Mmmmm…think he'd be interested in being my wingman sometime when I'm a guy again?"

Spock gave him a straight stare.

"Okay, okay. Just sucks cause he is a nice guy. Still a player, but at least he didn't put his head in my cleavage or pinch my ass." Spock blushed, his eyebrows rising. "Hopefully he won't hold not calling against me."

"As the negotiations have already been sent through, I see no problem with that."

Jim rolled her eyes. "Of course you wouldn't. Remind me to at least send him a letter or transmission of apology." She hopped up and went to her desk, taking out an old file and putting the note away.

"You wish to keep it?" There was no trace of annoyance in his mind.

"I keep a lot of things like that." Holds up the file. "Addresses, contacts, numbers, stuff to use for blackmail, etc. Never know when you may need some help in another part of the galaxy."

"…I will admit, that is logical Captain." She suddenly pouted at him. "Is something wrong?"

"Why is it you never call me Jim?"

Spock blinked then looked away. "It is unprofessional, captain."

"But we aren't on the bridge right now." She walked over and leaned toward him again and Spock kept his gaze resolutely on her face since if he didn't he'd be staring right down her shirt. "It's just you and me. And…well, I think of you as a friend. And I prefer my friends to call me by my first name when we're not working. Except Bones, cause he'll call me it even when we are working."

Spock did look into her eyes when she said that. A friend?

"Hey, don't look so surprised! Yes, I can tell, this close it's hard to hide it. Is it so weird I consider you a friend?"

"…In all frankness, yes captain, given our history."

She waved her hand and straightened. "Meh, that is history. If I got angry at my friends every time they tried to kill me, Bones and I wouldn't be BFFs."

"BFFs?"

"Best friends forever. I just call it that to annoy him cause human teenage girls usually say stuff like that," she winked. "But seriously, call me Jim, okay?"

"…I shall think on it."

She rolled her eyes and sighed but smiled. "Okay, fine, think on it, meditate on it, do whatever you like, but I will get you to call me Jim one day."

"Life goals are certainly a healthy and logical thing to have, Captain."

"Hey, you made a funny! And outright one I mean."

Spock rose, ignoring her comment. "I have some things I should take care of. I will speak to you later, Captain."

"Okay…You know, we haven't played chess in a while. We started getting it down to a routine before I changed."

"Indeed…perhaps a game later. For now, I should check on if we have a way to change you back."

"Okay…And…thanks Spock." She smiled, looking touched and embarrassed. "Knowing you…respect me is…it makes me feel good."

"...My high regard of you is not unwarranted, Captain." Spock headed for the door and was out before she could say something more.


Archer glared into his brandy in his quarters. Really, he truly did not like the young captain. He had planned on trying to knock him down a peg somehow, but upon seeing him as a her his original plan had been shot. Latching on to the next best thing, he wondered if he had taken it too far. Then again, he was still pissed at himself for screwing up with the Urellians, at Scotty, and at Kirk so what use were regrets when they didn't even stop anger. And she had better get used to it anyway if she had to stay as a woman.

His terminal beeped and he brought up the message board, surprised to see who it was. "Commander Spock? How can I help you?" Spock he liked. The man had a sense of duty and propriety.

"Admiral. I understand that you had a conversation with my Captain earlier today."

"Mmm, yes, we had somethings to discuss."

"Yes. In future, however, I would request you leave all petty misconceptions and derogatory remarks out of "official" business where they have no place.

Archer stared in shock. "What…?"

"Further more, while you may feel wronged by past actions, any other attempts to badger any member of the Enterprise will be seen as a confrontation and will be reported it to Starfleet. I believe your wife will be informed as well. Thank you for your time, admiral." The feed cut and Archer was left staring at the blank screen dumbfounded.