"Friendship is not something Vulcans understand nor appreciate, Kirk. If what you said about a friendship with your First Officer was true we would be out of here by now. Face it. He has followed standing orders and left you just as I would expect my crew to leave me."

James Kirk looked at Captain Darren Evans. They had been sent here on a joint fact finding and evacuation mission and been trapped by those they were rescuing, stripped of their communicators and weapons, and left in this, this cave. "He will not have left." Kirk turned and standing, as he had since they were placed here, at the entrance to the cave looked up at the stars. "He will come back for me."

"Vulcans follow orders, Jim. We were ordered to find out what the problem is with the planetoid, which we did, and to evacuate the inhabitants, which we did, and leave, which our ships did. As a First Officer he would have taken command and left. No thought of friendship or our fate. He will do as my First will, answer questions, fill and file forms, and move on without a second thought as they know that their role is to take charge in our place. They know they have to think of the others."

The others would be who Spock would be thinking of. He would have all scanners aimed at this planetoid on full gain for lifeforms. They knew that the minerals of the planet caused false readings but with few animals on the planet he knew Spock would be looking for any lifeforms. By being at the opening of the cave the scanners could detect him. Spock would be having the others watching all the available scanners and he would most likely keep scanning till Scotty or Bones or both physically made him stop.

"What do you know of your First Officer, Darren? Now, before you get riled I figure we may as well forget rank at a time like this and talk as normal people. I mean what do you know about your First Officer as an individual."

"Okay, Jim. All I know about my First Officer is what I need to know. He is human, eight years younger than me, and knows his job and his place. I have found it best not to get too involved with the others. And, before you ask, I do tend to keep to myself. I read a great deal and listen to music when off duty. I like a ship and crew that follows routine and regulations. I have heard some colorful stories about the Enterprise but always how your First is total Vulcan and is always in officer mode."

Kirk smiled to himself. Spock was a private person but those few on the ship who he let see his Human side knew he was not only not total Vulcan but also was not always in the officer mode that so many saw. As far as Kirk knew all of the bridge crew had seen him at least ten or a dozen times let that Vulcan wall down and that Human peek out.

"I also like the ship the have routine and regulations but I also like it to think of it as a body of beings working together. Some have said that I am the driving force of the Enterprise, my Chief Medical Officer its heart, and my First Officer its reasoning. I like to think of the bridge crew as my siblings and the rest of the crew as an extended family." Still looking back at the stars, "I believe my First will keep looking for me till my Chief Medical Officer and Chief Engineer force him to stop by using medicine, physical means, and stating the regulations and how his not following them would impact on other members of the crew."

"I do not think your First knew you were taken as he was on your ship. My First was there as we were taken: he may not have seen it happen but he would have known I was not there before they left."

Kirk nodded. Spock had gone up to the ship before him to ensure everything was ready and to upload all he could from the computers on the planetoid. They had been taken in a very carefully planned way, separated from the group, and, judging from the rope they found, lowered and swung into the cave. That was three days ago. There were some water canteens that had been slung in with them but no food. Although he knew that Evans was correct in what should have been done, what would be done by officers who followed the rules and regulations, he knew Spock. That stubborn being would later justify his actions but Kirk knew his Vulcan friend would not give up on him.

Time had no meaning. Kirk just sat looking at the stars. He wondered how many of the crew Spock had watching the scanners and how many of the ships scanners he was using. In his mind he could hear McCoy telling Spock to have a break, to eat, to rest for a few minutes and Spock would either ignore him or say he had to maintain his observations.

"Guess I just sit here with you. We know how this is going to end but if it gives you some sort of comfort believing they are scanning then they would pick up two forms easier than one."

"Spock will be scanning."

"You really are certain about that, aren't you? I have heard that Vulcans are loyal to their commanding officers but they also follow regulations."

"Spock will find me, us. He is my friend."

"Jim, when will you face facts? It is a known fact that Vulcans do not have friendships even with other Vulcans."

"Decidedly not the superficial friendships so many humans have but I know what it is like to have a Vulcan as a friend."

For the rest of the night and well into the next day they just sat in silence. They stood looking at the last canteen of water and Kirk saw the look Darren gave him, one of real satisfaction.

As they each took a last mouthful of the water Darren looked at him, "Well, Jim. Orders are if there is not trace,"

"Spock will come."

"I have proof on my side, Jim. The proof of this and of years of reading about Vulcans."

"While wisdom might be a defense, Darren, understanding and first-hand knowledge is an even better defense. You're sure to have read more about Vulcans than I have but I have had the privilege to know one as a friend."

"A privilege to know a cold, unfeeling, emotionless, thing that sees you are a mere human and a being he must obey?"

A rage suddenly built in Kirk. too many times he had heard people talk of Spock as though he were a thing. For Evans to actually call him that was the last straw. He took a step towards him and suddenly felt the familiar tingling of a transporter beam.

As they materialized on the platform Kirk glanced quickly to where he knew Spock would be with Scotty only to see Bones, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov also waiting.

Before he could say anything Spock said, "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Captain Evans. Captain Kirk, the ship is yours." As Kirk looked at his friend he knew that Evans would not have heard the relief but saw the others did and saw from the look Bones gave him that the Vulcan had not rested, eaten, or done anything but look for them for four days.

"Thank you, Mister Spock. You are relieved. I will see you in the briefing room in twelve hours after you have had something to eat and have fully rested as per Doctor McCoy's orders, am I clear on that?"

"Yes, Sir. I shall see you then."

"See, what I told you," Evans whispered as they stepped down from the platform. "A friend would have been more relieved to see you, would have said so. No feelings at all."

"Captain Evans, your ship left three days ago. Your First Officer took command and all but declared you dead." Sulu looked at the man, "He pointed out to Mister Spock that it was as per regulations but Mister Spock said he had to locate Captain Kirk: we all agreed with that command decision."

Kirk could tell that Evans was shocked that he had been abandoned as quickly as he had despite his statements about rules and regulations.

"While you two are checked over by Doctor McCoy I will notify your ship, Captain Evans, of your status, Sir." Uhura nodded at Kirk, "Good to have you home, Sir. After I have notified Captain Evan's ship I will just check on the earlier matter and confirm it with you, Captain."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I am would appreciate that."

After they had contacted his ship and had a meal Kirk took Evans to the quarters he would be using for the night while waiting to rendezvous with his ship. Several of the crew had shown how pleased they were to have him back, a few had asked if Spock had finally gone for some sleep, and some had commented on the strength of their friendship and how Spock had not listened to that other First Officer.

At the door to the quarters Evans looked at him and Jim Kirk saw envy on the man's face. "You were right, Kirk, about you being the driving force, the doctor the heart, and clearly the Vulcan is the reasoning. I have a ship with crew but you have a crew with a ship. Clearly there is something to that Vulcan that is not found in books as I could see how your crew respects him as a man and not as a Vulcan. I still have my doubts about friendship being a part of them, but I could be wrong,"

Kirk looked right at him and said quietly, "You are. You are so very wrong."