There was a terribly awkward silence. My mouth was hanging open with no hope of ever closing. This was the first time anyone had ever come out and confessed that they "loved" me. And now my head was all kinds of messed up.

Spock looked around at the people passing by. He moved slightly and caught my attention.

"Perhaps we should move to a more secluded area," he suggested.

I nodded, still unable to talk. Chekov stepped forward and led us to an empty room where he locked the door so we wouldn't be disturbed. He took a seat at the table that was in the room and Spock stood on the opposite side. I moved to the head of the table, opposite the door, and paced the width of the room. Neither of them spoke while I tried to think over what was happening.

Nothing made sense. When did Chekov develop these feelings for me? And why? And it wasn't helping me figure out the churning in my stomach whenever I looked at Spock. If anything, it complicated things more than I thought possible. And now, as I glanced at Chekov, I felt tingling in my fingertips. What did that mean? Of course, I was flattered that he thought of me that way, but that was probably all it would ever be. Flattery. I didn't want to follow the butterflies and later realize that there was really nothing there, just to end up breaking his precious heart. But he really was adorable. But Spock's eyes...and his voice...and...

"ARRRGGHHHH!"

The frustrated groan came out before I could stop it. I think they were both a little disturbed by the sound, though neither showed any reaction.

What was I supposed to do? Everything was getting muddled in my head as I tried to reason it out.

After another moment, the silence was broken when Spock cleared his throat, preparing to speak. I ceased my pacing and looked to him expectantly. I needed something, anything, to clear my mind.

"Perhaps we could step outside for a moment..." Spock suggested, nodding toward the door.

I looked from him to Chekov and back again. The ensign was sitting silently. He wasn't going to take the chance of saying something wrong.

"Ensign?" Spock pressed.

I took hold of the chair in front of me, grappling for an answer. "Yes," I finally managed.

Spock led me outside the room. Chekov watched us go silently.

"What is the problem?" Spock asked me as soon as the doors were closed.

"I have so many mixed emotions about this situation," I said slowly. "I know I shouldn't have feelings for you, Spock, but I do. And it bothers me. With Chekov, I also have feelings, but I'm afraid it is simple flattery, that I don't really...love him back. And I just don't know what to do."

Somehow, saying it out loud left me with a sense of relief. Someone finally knew what had been going on in my head. I had been feeling guilty, dealing with my own problems while trying to help get the Enterprise back on the move. So much had happened in the last few hours and I needed someone to lean on. Where was the Doctor when you needed him?

"If you think about the situation logically," Spock began. I laughed quietly to myself at the familiar tone of his voice. "I am currently engaged in a relationship with Lieutenant Uhura. This would make it impossible for you to engage with me, even if I reciprocated your sentiments." He sighed, looking down at the floor. "This is one of the reasons Vulcans have rejected emotion..."

I looked up at him. "If I could reject my emotions, I would. Believe me."

"I do not doubt it," he answered. "Continuing our chain of thought; there are two persons you feel for, one of which is off limits. The other, however, is free, even presenting himself to you. The logical action to take then would be to engage the man in that room, even if only for a trial." He gestured to the doors where Chekov was waiting on the other side.

Surprisingly, Spock had helped me reason out my thoughts. Setting aside feelings for the moment and using pure logic was actually a really good strategy. I made a mental note to use the technique more often.

"Alright," I finally said. "I think I know what I want to do now. Thank you Spock."

He nodded, stepping aside to let me into the room to give Chekov the good news.

Chekov looked up when I stepped inside. He waited until the door closed behind me with Spock still on the other side, then he sprang to his feet, his hands grasping the edge of the table to keep himself steady.

"Please, Miss Sputnik. Give me a chance. Let me give you a reason to love me back."

I couldn't stop the smile forming. It was there before I even registered that it was coming. I let the smile continue, and his lips curled upward when he saw my face.

"Is zat a yes?" he asked, eyes excited.

"I have talked with Mister Spock, and he has suggested that I give this a trial run for now."

He looked like he was about to spring up to the ceiling and let out a whoop for joy, but somehow he kept it under control and stood calmly.

"I von't disappoint you! I vill put somesing togezer for tonight!"

The calmness stayed as he exited the room, and then disappeared once he started down the corridor. I think I saw him jump and click his heels together with a shout as he left, but he turned the corner before I could really make the note.

I had followed him out and stopped beside the Vulcan who had been waiting patiently. Surprisingly, Spock wore a bit of a grin when I looked up at him. Apparently, he found Chekov's enthusiasm amusing.

He stood and held a hand out, gesturing for me to precede him down the corridor. I stepped forward and we started toward the transporter room, at least I thought that was the direction we were heading.

"I would like to thank you for the flattery you have given me by confessing your feelings," Spock said as we walked.

"Um...sure thing."

He stopped me in the middle of the hall.

"Don't let your predilection for intelligence color your opinion of Mister Chekov. He is intelligent in his own right and one of the finest crew members aboard this ship. You will grow fond of him."

I nodded, a fondness for Chekov already growing in my chest. "I think so, too. Thank you, sir."