Spock POV
Do not lose control. I diverted my focus to that internal command I could not lose control, not in front of the doctor – Leonard. I could not allow myself to appear angry, nor could I admit to him that he was correct because that would uncover to him my emotions which I had learned to guard carefully. However, I saw his logic behind the emotional complications. If I was unwell, I would be unable to attend properly to my duties, and the likelihood that the space gas crisis would be resolved would fall significantly. He was simply concerned for the life of a whole planet, and secondarily, for my own welfare. Being a human and accustomed to physical interaction, the probability that he had taken offense was high. I had to attempt to make amends to him.
"Doctor," I began, "please do not view my last comment as – a comment made in haste. Vulcans do not often experience any form of physical interaction."
"Spock," he began, and then shook his head wearily. "Nevermind. You ought to go get some rest, I ought to go get some rest, and we can work on this damned space gas problem tomorrow."
We. To whom was he referring? The Enterprise as a collective, surely.
"I wish to… convey gratitude for your concern, Doctor."
"Leonard," he said, fixing my eyes with his sparkling blue ones.
"Leonard." I repeated, breaking eye contact with him 2.3 seconds later.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No, I have not required sustenance," I answered.
He smiled at me, with an expression I had learned to read as victorious from my experience in his company. He looked as if he was a Terran cat capturing a Terran mouse in a corner.
"Well then," he said, "we're going to go to the galley and grab some grub."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why should we resort to an impolite method of snatching our midday meal?"
He smiled again, even broader. I realized that another round of verbal sparring was about to commence.
