The water park was a rather unique place to visit. The waterslide where the riders flew from side to side laid in their tubes heading in the direction of the gravitational based pool of water. Children were dancing around in their swimming suits getting wet by the jets of water coming out of the floor from small rounded holes. Transparent, gusts of liquid. A woman lured a man into the gust of water getting him soaking wet. Jim dashed through the slide on the water raft laughing with Scotty close behind him, squealing, in joy waving clutching onto the sides. He was shirtless while wearing black shorts with the design of a constitution class dotting all over. He dashed by the camera as his laughter echoed behind him soaring through the dark tunnel. Scotty's floaty twirling in circles.

Jim's floaty crashed into the water tipping over skidding fast gaining traction sending waves of water flying over the heads of teenagers tickling each other taking turns. Jim's legs propelled him forward grabbing onto the rubber, soft but wet object. He laughed as his head was above water. He slid his curled dirty blonde bangs to the side. He needed to get a hair cut before turning out into space to shorten the bangs. He swam his way toward the stairs until his feet met the floor then climbed out holding his floaty. He had a strange feeling that Spock was nearby. It was a familiar feeling that he had developed in their first year together in space as science officer and captain on away missions. It was a sure feeling that usually eased and calmed him about the away mission. He rubbed the back of his head briefly with his free hand going over to the area of the pool that was dry. The pavement soaked the dripping moisture where it dried on the spot.

The pavement was hot to the touch but Jim did not seem to mind.

He saw a pair of pointy ears and a black bowl hair cut walking among the crowd.

But why would Spock go to a water park?

Spock didn't strike the man as the type who could swim.

Vulcan's were more dense than humans when it came to floating in water.

That meant they sunk.

Jim's eyebrows rose seeing the figure come into focus but he was looking down in the direction of someone shorter than him. Jim's eyes went lowered to see the remarkably still alive doctor who was rolling an eye. Spock had not spoken of the doctor over their games of chess which was unusual. Even more strange when he knew the man like the back of his hand and he hit a brick wall when it came to figuring out how the two were doing. Jim had found the book that he had given to Spock laying in his quarters with a padd reading "I will not need this gift" and it was out of character for him. Jim had apparently brought the book with him. He looked down on the white chair where the book laid then picked it up. And he leaped his way, like a ballerina, in the general direction of the two.

"Oh, isn't it Mr I-have-perfect-hair again," McCoy complained, sarcastically.

"Good morning, Jim," Spock said.

"Good morning, Mr Spock, and Mr McCoy," Jim said, he handed the book to the doctor. "this is my relationship gift for you and your boyfriend," McCoy raised an eyebrow taking the book. Jim noticed the two men were shirtless with hairy chests compared to his well shaven, baby smooth chest. He directed his next comment to the doctor with a loving, dotting smile. "nice to see you are well, doctor.

"Spock, why didn't you tell me that you were given gifts and not me?" McCoy asked.

"That is your gift," Spock said. "not mine."

"I never heard ya read it to me if it was for me," McCoy said.

"You were not interested in learning Vulcan," Spock said. "and it was three months ago."

"Ya sayin' this-" he waved the book. "is in Vulcan of all thin's?"

"Mostly," Spock said. "there are some Vulcan words you will not grasp." McCoy's eyebrows hunched together narrowing back at the Vulcan for him to realize that he had crossed a line.

"Uh huh," McCoy said, not satisfied while putting the novel under his arm. "Jim, where is the highest slide?"

"It is the dark orange one," Jim said, he gestured in the general direction of the water slide. McCoy's eyes slowly followed the man's hand and they slowly grew wide at the sight of the tall but massive towering water slide set in the dead middle. Three people came flying out in a straight line with their floatys aimed up and cheering until they crashed into the water turning upside down with the riders. He turned in the direction of the doctor. "But given your-"

"I am goin'!" McCoy's support chair wheeled past the two men.

"The doctor is rather angry at me and it would be illogical to follow him when his fury is fresh," Spock said. "the only help he will need is the support chair being moved and-" he took out a folded floaty from the bag. "this gravitational based floaty will prevent him from falling out." Spock turned away then headed toward a beverage stand.

Jim gawked, realizing that Spock had assigned him with taking care of McCoy.

What had he done?

Jim sighed.

"I should have thought this through," Jim said. His eyes brightened with a smile seeing the Scotsman firing a hydro gun at a group of young men who were firing back with a smaller model in their hands. "Scotty!"

Scotty lowered the hydro gun.

"Aye, Jim?" Scotty lowered his hydro gun.

"I need a favor," Jim said.

"Name it!" Three jets of water hit at the side of Scotty's face.


McCoy made it in line that was getting shorter and shorter.

There were people dripping wet, in front and behind, around the doctor. He could notice the birth marks on the legs of the men that reminded him of different shapes of the states in America. And the shaving cuts on the women's legs. He could see remainments of sunscreen resting on their arms. The shine of the water dripping down the skin. The swimming trunks stuck to the side of the swimmers legs. The long, dark curly hair to the light brown people alongside dark brown people. Their were Orions part of the line that had the notable red mess of hair. Red was a very popular hair color in the Orion civilization. There were men who had small curled locks of hair that were tucked behind their ears and some that had scrunchies up.

"Doctor McCoy!" a older man's voice drew the doctor's attention. At first glance, McCoy could see that the man had four fingers rather than five fingers once he came to a stop panting with his hands on his knee. He was lacking a middle finger. McCoy raised his arched eyebrow at the man.

"Do I know ya?" McCoy asked.

"Nae," Scotty said. "Montgomery Scott, but call me Scotty."

"Oooh," McCoy said, in realization. The man's wet hair resting on his forehead just above his eyes had made it difficult to identify the older man. Scotty pressed a button on the side of the flattened device. "Spock has shown a lot about you. You are a miracle worker!"

Scotty smiled.

"Aye," Scotty said. "it is the Enterprise who makes the miracles, not me."

"I will say," McCoy said.

"How are ye feelin'?" Scotty asked.

"Rotten," McCoy said. "should be feelin' better but I don't."

"Ye feel better after goin' on this water slide," Scotty said. "I know I did."

"Ya love the Enterprise!" McCoy said, taken back. Scotty shrugged.

"I love her but sometimes we need time apart," Scotty said.

"Ah, I see," McCoy said. "I sympathize with ya."

"Ever been tae a starbase waterpark before?" Scotty asked.

"Nah," McCoy said. "most starbases have synthetic beaches and I am good with that. None of them were in a starbase designed this way," Scotty's eyebrows raised as he followed the man. "there is always chances that someone will break through the protective barrier with a big ass starship and destroy the walls and cause a catastrophic. Can always happen."

"These walls can nae be penetrated," Scotty said.

"But the entrance can," McCoy said. "someone might take out the defenses, scur through the starbase, and fire at will at everythin' that moves, destroy every buildin' that stands, destroy all the parks, and pavement," Scotty's eyebrows lowered. "I don't worry about that happenin' because I only worry about losin' oxygen and gravity bein' lost because of a massive starship crash," McCoy twirled his twitching index finger in a circle. "That is the more likely scenario to happen in this snow globe."

Scotty steadied the floaty at the entrance of the rounded hole.

"Need help gettin' in the floaty?" Scotty asked.

"It seems I do," McCoy said.

Scotty lifted the doctor up from the wheelchair then slid him into the chair. The floaty gravitized McCoy's butt to it preventing him falling out. Scotty moved the support chair to the side apologizing for the hold up to the other people who appeared to be baffled at a wheelchair bound man lurking around. Back problems were in the middle of being removed such as a spinal regenerator. Replicating a healthy spinal cord. It was also rare to find someone bound by wheelchair in the united federation of planets.

"Ready?" Scotty asked.

"I am ready, Scotty!" McCoy said.

"Bomb's away!" Scotty slid shoved the floaty through the hole.

"Woohoooooooooooooooooo!" McCoy's voice echoed through the tube. "Weeeeeee!"

The floaty swished from side to side splashing water against the walls.

The surrounding walls gave way and McCoy could see the several parts of the starbase in the distance. Like he was at the very top of it. He could see the water park and the various stands. He saw hundreds of figures down below that looked like ants. Some of which were ant like such as the Lacciev, the leaf cutting species. McCoy turned his attention away with his arms out enjoying the rush. The floaty bounced from side to side following with the heavy torrent of water speeding down. There were twirls in the water slide. McCoy was engulfed back into the tubes out of the sheer brightness. He noticed there were bright colors reflecting on the wall around him. Now that was a first but it was unnecessary. The ride went faster and faster with portions without the wall surrounding the slide.

It felt like his floaty can fly right off the ride.

Which would result in a terrible crash landing that resulted in a untimely death.

McCoy shook off the fear.

This was fun.

Undeniably fun.

Finally the exit came as a bright shining circular light. McCoy was laughing while having the time of his life. McCoy flew over the heads of several young men and women. The floaty flipped over crashing him into the water face first. The floaty turned right side up with his head soaked in water. Both ears felt like they were full. He took out a pair of sunglasses and put them onto the bridge of his nose. Scotty ditched McCoy's wheelchair with Spock. Jim was in the deep end of the pool sitting in a floaty reading a padd with his legs crisscrossed. McCoy allowed the floaty to drift in the large pool as he was relaxed. Perhaps staying at a starbase did have its perks.


Jim made his way over toward Spock who was sitting in a chair alongside a pair of Loches with the wheelchair along him. Spock appeared to be in the middle of meditation with his fingers pressed together and his eyes closed not making a sound nor a hum, a sight that Jim would normally see when visiting the Vulcan's quarters on the Enterprise. The Vulcan appeared to be at peace. It became apparent that Spock had thought of visiting this place on the whim. Spock sensed the captain's presence nearing him. Spock slipped out of meditation opening his eyes to see the shirtless man with both hands on his hips.

"Why Mr Spock," Jim said. "you should be enjoying yourself."

"I am, Jim," Spock replied.

"Meditating is not the same as getting a floaty and having fun," Jim said. "for being more dense than a average human I thought you would disregard it and find a way to have fun with your S. O."

"There is two ways S. O. can go," Spock said.

"Science Officer, security officer, second officer, superior officer. and significant other," Jim said. The captain smiled back at the lieutenant with heart like eyes. "five ways."

"The doctor is enjoying his quality time," Spock said.

"Mr Spock," Jim said. "have you learned to swim?"

"I do not need to swim as I can watch my boyfriend enjoying it," Spock said.

Jim folded his arms.

"You must learn to swim," Jim said. "we might come across a planet with civilization underwater. . ."

"That is highly illogical," Spock said. "living underwater is not plausible as the first step forward of evolution, in most species, requires going to land," Jim nodded to what the Vulcan was saying. "and the thousands of other planets are emerged from the water. Atlantis and merpeople do not count nor do sirens."

"I will sign you up for swimming lessons," Jim said. "for mission purposes."

"I will elect to ignore it," Spock said.

"The Enterprise cannot lose one of the best men in the fleet over not being able to learn to swim," Jim said. "what if you fell into a puddle and it turned out to be a ocean in reality?"

"Not plausible," Spock said.

"Mr Spock," Jim said, again. "Of our first year in space. . . we have faced ridiculous layers of logic."

"Indeed," Spock said. "but that is due to the way the planet was made and science."

"Science," Jim said.

"Science," Spock repeated.

"What if science is your downfall?" Jim asked. "scanning the water when you suddenly tip over, you fall, and you kick your legs but you keep falling. A thought occurs to you, you could be out of this if you knew how to swim but it is too late, you are drowning," Spock did not have an answer. "by the time this shore leave is over, I want you to know how to swim. It's logical for a five year mission in deep space."

"That is logical," Spock remarked. It was, in reality, a excuse to have Spock learn to swim and eventually go swimming with his significant other. The possibility of finding a civilization based underwater was remote and highly unlikely just as Spock had said. Spock may be expendable but he was not expandable to the captain.

"Has he met the parents?" Jim asked.

"Negative," Spock said. "the state that he is in now. . . would be . . . quite illogical. It would not be a positive experience."

"Might do some good with his recovery," Jim said. "and something to look forward to for him."

Spock raised an eyebrow at the captain, tilting his head, baffled.

"Sometimes anxiety is our best friend and then it is. . ." Jim started.

"Your worst friend," Spock finished.

"Afraid so," Jim said, with a nod. "my apologies for disrupting your day with your boyfriend."

"There is no need for apologies," Spock said. "it was bound to happen."

"I do not need to be the one to sign you up for the lessons?" Jim asked.

"I will acquire myself a slot," Spock said.

Jim smiled back at the Vulcan then went over to retrieve his floaty that was in the shape of the USS Enterprise with two nacelles at the back and a hole right in the saucer section. He pranced his way to the row of stair cases leading up to the tall tubes going to a different staircase that lead to a maze of people flowing forwards. Spock took sip of the drink that he had purchased from the nearest station. It felt warm to his mouth as he finished off the small disposable glass. Spock looked over to see the novel was laid in a pocket that was to the side of the machine. Spock gently tugged at the link between himself and McCoy feel the doctor's content. Spock could not see the man from the crowded massive pool.


McCoy fell asleep on the floaty. He fell asleep, all right, enjoying the sounds of people having fun.n What a time to feel alive. He dreamed of riding a bubble seahorse with a bubble around his head allowing him to breath. The dream had a half octopus man who took his ability to move his lower legs in order to meet this strange, mysterious man on the surface. McCoy awoke when the crab started talking. When he awoke his stomach was growling and there was a familiar, tall figure standing above him. McCoy could see through the dark shade of the sunglasses feeling well rested. His right hand twitched as his stomach loudly grumbled. He could hear the squirts of hyrdro guns. He lowered his glasses to see a jet of water flying over the Vulcan's head.

"Would you like a corn dog?" Spock inquired, McCoy noticed that the Vulcan was luring the floaty toward him using a long thin metal rod.

"Hmm," McCoy said. "not sure that is healthy for someone like me."

"Your legs need fat," Spock said. "or would you prefer sugar fried onion rings?"

"No!" McCoy splashed water back at the Vulcan landing onto the Vulcan's hairy legs. "No onion rings!"

Spock resisted the temptation to roll his eyes at that.

"Then would cotton candy be preferable?" Spock asked.

"No," McCoy said, as the Vulcan was knelt down to the human's level and lifted the floaty out onto the nearby floor.

"Leonard," Spock said. "you must eat something." the Vulcan stressed out in the last part.

"I don't eat carnival food," McCoy said.

"This is not a carnival," Spock said. He pressed a button on the side of the human's device with his hand on the human's slender, long shoulder.

"Ya should join my next ride," McCoy said.

"Illogical," Spock said. "I do not believe the raft can support my weight."

"Ya skinny as a stick," McCoy said, raising a brief eyebrow. "ya not that heavy."

"I assure you, I am," Spock said. "Looks can be deceiving."

"Logically, sweetie," McCoy said. "since it can right itself up, that means, reasonably, it can withstand your weight."

"Negative," Spock said, lifting the man into the wheelchair. "you are the thin one. I am the one with the muscles."

"Muscles?" McCoy asked, pretending to be shocked. "What muscles do you have?" he had his right twitching hand on the Vulcan's left but hairy fore arm that was more rounded and had more muscle tone than McCoy's. "ya don't have muscles. The muscles ya have are natural and ya don't need exercise."

"You are flattering," Spock said, holding his two fingers out.

"Ya eat well," McCoy said, returning the gesture and his fingers twitched brushing Spock's fingers missing them all together. Spock's long, two green fingers caught the two fingers grabbing them into a hold in the center sending affection toward the human. A different form of affection was unleashed upon the doctor. Undying, deeply passionate stable affection. It was this way mostly due to this being the Vulcan equivalent of french kissing. His cheeks turned a shade of pink while his stomach growled.

"Taluhk nash-vek k'du," Spock said.

"I win," McCoy said, with a snicker.

"Not until the fat woman sings," Spock said, unhooking his finger around McCoy's now steady two fingers.

McCoy's hand lowered to the side.

"There is a fat woman singing at a theater tonight," McCoy said. Spock put the long, shortened rod into his pocket. "is there any other reason why ya prefer not to join me?" Spock paused, folding the floaty.

"When I know how to swim," Spock said.

"Oh," McCoy said. His face full of understand then it turned into a pissed off one with his face turning red. "ya should have told me that on the way here!"

"I did not want to damper your mood," Spock said.

"Screw that," McCoy said. "ya goin' be on the floaty, hold me, and go down the damn water slide and have fun!" Spock was about to open his mouth when the doctor continued. "Which means ya won't have to go swimmin' with that arrangement," Spock closed his mouth. "Ya will get wet, if anythin'."

"If you eat something, I will take it under consideration," Spock said.

McCoy smiled.

"That can be arranged," McCoy said.

"Excellent," Spock said.

The two men left the pool. McCoy admired the Vulcan's shirtless chest. His long, slim flat arms and long fingers. The two men passed several goers but yet in the background we can see behind Spock's head a figure with golden curly hair in a Enterprise floaty jet out of a light blue circular tunnel to the left hand section of the facility. The two men made their way to the snack section of the area. There was a verity of food left out for advertisement. McCoy tapped his chin while Spock was quick to take vegetables. McCoy hummed to himself unable to determine what to chose. What was on the menu looked excellent. All of the food appeared to be excellent. There was hot, steamy sausage covered in sugar, there was fish fingers coated in cheese, there was chips covered in hot cheese, there was heated rice with fruit and vegetables, and different kind of food related edible food. There were Gangorians at tables eating small rice like food off their plates using spoons. It almost looked like fish food at first glance. Small, square multicolored pasta like pieces resembling raviolis.

Spock carefully took out a plate then used the long, slender arms of the clipped mechanical device to put the sausages on the late. He placed the plate on the ledge then dipped some corn onto the plate including three large spoons of pudding. McCoy's eyes widened seeing a large portion of rice be put onto the plate. McCoy placed a hand on the Vulcan's forearm sending the feeling of horror with the message of 'enough'. Spock turned his head in the direction of the human then nodded his head. McCoy let go of the Vulcan's forearm. Spock then put vegetables onto his empty plate. McCoy's trembling hand reached out to the silverware. His hand twitched grazing over over to the spork. Which was good enough. He picked up the spork placing it onto the side of his plate. He moved his hand toward the knives only to have it flick to the usual spoons. McCoy sighed, in annoyance, moving it back to the plastic knives. He grabbed the handle while his hand twitched then placed it on his plate.

Spock finished filling his plate.

"Would you rather eat away from the others?" Spock inquired.

"No," McCoy said. "I am a social animal. Despite the annoyin' twitches, I can make do with conversations."

"As you wish," Spock said.

The two men came to a table that was somewhat occupied lacking a seat to the left side of it.

"Miss Uhura, Miss Chapel, Miss Rand," Spock said, drawing the attention of the giggling women.

Nyota turned her head in Spock's direction chewing on a french fry that was sticking half way out of her mouth and a smile grew on her face, a pleased one in fact, and Christine used a napkin to clean the side of the woman's face while leaning forward on the table raised above the surface. Alongside Christine sat Janice who was eating a blizzard in a red swimming suit that looked great on her body. Her long hair was resting on her shoulders while some of it looked like it had been curled but it really looked like someone gave up on braiding it all together. McCoy was not at the least surprised to see this kind of hair style. It was a pleasing sight to see. The 1960's hair style was coming back viciously in Star Fleet with the women.

The women's eyes aimed at the men.

"Doctor McCoy," Christine said, with a smile. "it is good to see you."

Nyota chewed her french fry, nodding, ferociously.

"Congratulations for making it through the surgery," Janice said. "news travels fast on the Enterprise."

"Thank ya," McCoy said, moving to the free space. He tremblingly moved the plate on to the metal table.

Spock took out a napkin placing it alongside the man's right hand.

"Say, anythin' interestin' happen in space?" McCoy asked.

"We'll tell you the highlights," Janice said.

"The highlights are better than the mundane, non surprising events," Nyota agreed.

"I like mundane," McCoy said.

"We'll list them," Christine said.

McCoy raised an eyebrow.

"Salt vampire," Christine said.

"Charlie Evans," Janice said.

"Polywater intoxication," Nyota said.

"The captain being split into two people," Janice added.

"The gentle and the aggressive," Nyota said.

"Immortal children," Janice said.

"A doctor destroying people's minds," Christine said.

"Fleet Captain Pike," Spock said.

"Romulans," Christine said. "they look like Vulcans except for the 'v' forehead crest."

"And shore leave on a planet that gives you what you want!" Nyota said. "It is a shame that I didn't see the real Spock there." she shook her head earning raised eyebrows from Spock. McCoy was eating the pudding first with his spork that was trembling in his grip as he appeared not to be surprised by it.

"The captain wanted Spock more than women?" McCoy asked.

"I am not sure how he wanted but it wasn't romantic by the looks of it," Nyota said. "they just . . . hung around. . on the hill. After his former fling had vanished," she shrugged. "he frankly enjoyed shore leave more than we did," her eyes flickered over toward the Vulcan. "I think the captain feels more at home with you around."

"Ah," McCoy said. A soft, fond smile grew on the doctors face. His eyes lit up. "friendship."

"Indeed," Spock said, bowing his head. Like he had been believed.

It became clear to the doctor that Jim enjoyed Spock's company as he did with the Vulcan. Perhaps it wasn't romantic as McCoy had thought. But all the mind melds had shown those love heart eyes directed at Spock. He had also directed heart eyes at every person that he had seen except for those who was the villain of the week which was women most of the time. But valuing friendship over romance? It wasn't sexual. It was, something, different that the human understood. Love had various forms. Caring and affectionate to name a few. McCoy resumed eating his lunch that Spock had retrieved for him. One day he wouldn't need help putting food on his plate. Moving his hands steadily. His fingers not twitching nor his entire hand twitching.

"Do you two play anything other than 3-D chess?" Nyota asked.

"It is a challenging game," Spock said. "it exercises patience and intellect."

"A challenging game. . ." Nyota said. "if it is so challenging then why do you always lose to the captain?"

"Because the captain thrives in challenges," Spock said. "with illogical solutions."

"I don't know about you but it looks like you lose on purpose," Janice said. "just to see him smile."

"Negative," Spock said.

"I do that all the time with Jim," Nyota said.

"Me too," Janice said.

"Me three," Christine said. "anyone would do the same thing. He is so. ." she waved her hand. "adorable-"

"When he is happy!" Nyota finished, earning a laugh from the doctor.

"I figured that he is that kind of golden man," McCoy said. "it's okay to admit it, Spock."

"I decline to answer," Spock said.

"All right," Nyota said. "Doctor, you should have seen the little animal that we picked up."

"It was the size of a little puppy," Christine said.

"It was like a dalmatian but then it wasn't with the wings," Nyota said.

"It had the head of a dalmatian," Janice said.

"The torso of a dog," Nyota said.

"The tail of a lion," Janice said. "that was a Dalion. It had the lower limps of a lion."

"But it didn't have a mane," Nyota said.

"It was a female," Janice said.

"Females can grow manes," McCoy said. "naturally possible."

"No, it isn't," Christine said.

"Look it up," McCoy said, as Spock handed Janice his personal pad.

"Transgender lionesses," Janice said, rolling an eye. She searched on the internet.

Christine looked over the woman's shoulder.

"Lionesses can not be gender fluid," Christine said. "that is just-"

"Too surreal," Nyota said.

"Out of the ordinary," Christine agreed.

Janice stopped, staring at the screen, with widened eyes then back toward the doctor.

"You are not shitting with me," Janice said.

McCoy shook his head.

"No," McCoy said.

Christine looked over to see the long page going on about the phenomenon. Her eyes slightly widened, her jaw fell, and her eyebrows were hunched together. She blinked, stunned, at the information laying in front of her. It was real. It was real, hard, concrete information from a reliable source. There was a picture of a lioness with a mane on the front alongside the text. It was a piece of knowledge that was relatively new and stunning. Something that no one would have ever expected. It was also startling because she should have learned that growing up as common knowledge.

"Damn," Christine said. She slid her jaw back up.

"Who would have thought that," Janice said, handing Nyota the padd. "gender fluid."

Spock carefully ate his vegetables.

"I did not think that would be possible," Christine commented, slightly irked. "the animal kingdom is still a mystery but dumbfounding."

"We figured out what lurks in the deep," Nyota said.

"Frightening, awe inspiring, and beautiful," Janice said.

"This is unique. . ." Nyota said. "and here I thought we were the weird evolution of primates."

"Negative, that goes to the people of Gangor who by instict go to the nearest mountain and latch on to any solid rock surface above level an hour before a devastating flood arrives," Spock said.

"Oh really?" Nyota asked. "What about the Lacciev?"

"The Lacciev does not count," Spock said.

"They live on a planet with gigantic trees," Nyota said. "Which makes it logical for their ability to climb trees, cut leaves, and stare at leaves, therefore, they are more bazaar."

"Gangorian behavior is still . . . unusual. . . compared to all the other species," Spock said. "and they eat smaller types of food to sustain themselves."

"Which makes them the most bazaar species in the sector," Nyota said.

"They are bazaar and capable of breathing under water," Spock said. "but I doubt they have a sub species that are sea horse based."

"Ya never know," McCoy said. "ya might come across a species with a sea horse head when ya go back out into space. And they will have feet instead of a tail but have pouch inside like their counterparts," the doctor twirled his twitching index finger. "with stron' arms and legs to keep themselves from bein' blown away. Ya know the automatic 'grab anythin' that stands' type when there is a stron' wind going."

"I look forward to meeting a humanoid with a sea horse head," Nyota said, looking off into the distance with one hand on the side of her face.

"It would be a cute thin' to see," McCoy said. "somehow . . I feel like I would be terrified at first sight."

"I would be too until the shock wore off," Christine said. "and then focus on taking care of them."

"Willing to bet that ya wouldn't even scream," McCoy waved, waving his trembling fork.

"She wouldn't," Janice said. "she barely screams when it comes to being frightened."

"Not if a ensign can help it," Nyota pipped up.

A smile slowly grew on the Vulcan's face, which was mostly ignored by the women, but it was not entirely ignored. Not by a certain, paralyzed human. The smile was beautiful coming from Spock, long and wide, a complete set of white clean teeth with k-nines that were sharp. Spock almost looked like a vampire. But that smile! It made McCoy feel like he was looking at a human being. A quite handsome one at that. I am datin' that man, McCoy thought. McCoy stopped chewing the sausage letting it go down his throat. It stopped in his throat from going down further as it was too big to go down. It felt like McCoy could not breath. His head began to spin. He began to choke leaning forward toward the table. Spock became a blur to the human. Spock leaned the man forward then delivered a hard chop to the man's back.

The sausage was dislodged landing onto the plate.

"Thank ya, Spock," McCoy said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Chew, then swallow, doctor," Spock said. "or do you need to learn it again?'

"Now, you listen here, pointy eared," McCoy said, pointing his index finger at the Vulcan. "just because I was bedridden doesn't mean I forgot to chew!"

Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Did you?" Spock asked, his arms folded, sitting down back at his seat.

"Well," McCoy said. "this instance counts because of the smile you shined."

"What smile?" Nyota asked, alarmed.

"I didn't see a smile," Janice said, as Spock took a bite from his vegetable.

"Aw," Christine said. "that is sweet."

"I do not smile," Spock said.

"It is too beautiful for me," McCoy said, dramatically, shielding his eyes turning his head away.

"Now, that, I know is not true," Spock said.

The three women laughed as Spock resumed eating his lunch. McCoy plowed through the lunch cleaning the plate. Spock watched the man's hands frequency of twitching turn into trembling. It was a soothing, comforting sight for the Vulcan. The more that the doctor used his hand, the more he did not pay attention to what his hands were doing except for the occasional flicks of his pudding onto Nyota's plate. Nyota, bless her, was too amused to react to it and decided to ignore it. The Vulcan gently stroked at the growing link between him and the doctor. McCoy felt something different when Spock gently stroked the link sending encouraging emotions toward him. Then there was touching pride for the doctor. McCoy's cheeks were turning heated as he glanced back the Vulcan munching on his vegetables. Right over the Vulcan's shoulder, something caught the human's attention. McCoy saw a familiar figure. It looked like his grandpa TJ holding his hand. The little boy looked like him with baby blue eyes looking up toward him. The doctor shook his head

He was nostalgic.

Nothing else.

For no reason at all.

When McCoy looked again, the two figures were gone.

Nostalgia was the only reasonable explanation. It was the most reasonable explanation for the doctor. The human sighed in relief as the Vulcan was focused on eating that he didn't notice the man's reaction. The women were busy talking ignoring the change in his demeanor. The way McCoy's skin turned white. The way his eyes grew small. The way he froze in place. The way his heart pulled a string. The doctor slowly counted back from ten to calm himself down. This time, however, he cut the sausage into small tiny pieces so it can go down his throat without choking him the next time a rare smile came from the Vulcan. He resumed eating the pudding listening to the women exchange stories about their time on the Enterprise. The conversation was changing to animals.

"There is a center for breeding unidogs on the Yorktown some where around here," Christine said. "a few blocks at least."

"I believed they were not common," Spock said.

"Well," Christine said. "they are getting easier to get by."

"Intriguing," Spock said.

"It is a shame I can't get Tommy company," Nyota said. "he would love the unidog."

"Whose Tommy?" McCoy asked. "Spock never showed me a Tommy."

"My black pug," Nyota said. "of course he has never seen Tommy. . . Tommy hates cats. And cats don't like Tommy."

"It is true," Christine said. "he has a grudge on cats unlike most dogs."

Janice laughed.

"It is hilarious," Janice said. McCoy glanced in Spock's direction with a raised arched eyebrow.

"Tommy scratches Spock at any chance that he gets," Nyota said. "makes sense why he wouldn't show that to you."

McCoy had a look of sympathy at the Vulcan.


Scotty exited the pool maze with his floaty in hand. He joined the growing line to see a tall green figure and a Caucasian long, thin hand trembling holding onto something small. Scotty came to the back end noticing a smaller green man standing behind them in line with their arms folded. Scotty towered over the smaller alien. Scotty leaned to his side looking off into the distance to see the captain was in the dead center that was cluttered up with people ally eyes on a charismatic figure speaking with a mix of men and women. Scotty rolled an eye. Of course he got attention. Jim got attention on him wherever he went. Poor lad. That attention one day will be a pain in the ass when the captain does not need it.

Scotty could picture the media on his left, back, and right but not in the lead. He could picture Spock in the lead allowing room for Jim to get somewhere urgent. Of course, this would only happen when the man was considerably older. When his interest in talking had waned as had his patience. The golden curly hair turning a shade of white. His once prominent, youthful figure sagged into a rounded one in formal attire. Jim would make a great fleet captain. The thought of it felt fitting. Because he would never, ever, leave space at the rate that he was at now. He could picture Spock closing the door along side him, looking not a day older but perhaps with a few new lines here and there. It was a plausible scenery. Scotty overheard a debate from in front of himself. It was Spock and McCoy. The two men had finally made up. The Scotsman sighed, in relief, that he wouldn't need to continue the favor that Jim had asked of him. The last he had seen the doctor was relaxing in his floaty wearing sunglasses that might have come from his ass.

The good doctor had kept them there the entire time.

"If ya were blinded, what would you do?" McCoy asked.

"I will resign," Spock said. "and find a activity that warrants my current skills."

"Uh huh," McCoy said. "or ya can clone your eyes in the black market. Ya toast as a scientist without those eyes."

"That is illogical," Spock said.

"It is the ethical thin' to do," McCoy said. "because from what the women recounted to me what ya failed to tell me is seems ya very fine, damn lieutenant commander."

"Aye!" Scotty agreed.

McCoy looked over the Vulcan's shoulder with a short wave.

"Thanks for the help, Scotty," McCoy said.

"Lon' as I dae nae have to do it all the time then I am cool with it," Scotty said.

"See?" McCoy said. "You would need help in your new life. I am not sure if a blind man and a paralyzed man can co-exist without difficulties."

"I have excellent memory over my surroundings," Spock said. "being blind will not thwart my day to day activities."

"Meditating, taking a sonic shower, gettin' dressed, sending a message, and writin'," McCoy started to say as his attention directed his attention toward the Vulcan. "now as I was saying. Star Fleet shouldn't lose that over somethin' that can be fixed."

"You can be my eyes," Spock said. "which, in all consideration, is the prime example of beauty from the human race."

"Spoilin' me rotten callin' my eyes beautiful," McCoy said, his cheeks becoming heated. "but human eyes cannot catch everythin'."

"I nearly missed a stop sign on the last earth planet durin' a away mission," Scotty said.

"See?" McCoy asked. "Vulcan eyes are better."

"I see the advantages of having my eyes instead of yours. . ." Spock said.

"One, they don't get nerves stressed out," McCoy said. "two, they don't roll right out of ya head after rollin' ya eyes too much, and three, they are incredibly observant to detail humans cannot catch."

"Would you do it?" Spock asked. "go into the black market if you were blinded."

McCoy nodded.

"Yes," McCoy said. "and no one would ever know because it was clean and efficient."

"You imply that you have connections in the medical community willing to cross a line," Spock said.

"I do," McCoy said. "completely ethical as lon' as it is not grown from a human body."

"Compared to what you lack and I have," Spock said. "that would be a difficult task of returning."

"Now hold on," McCoy said. "we are not comparin' my disability to your hypothetical blindness!"

"It is a permanent to the moment type of ordeal, doctor," Spock said. "therefore my hypothetical blindness would be a logical comparison."

"Well butter my biscuits, ya just won a debate," McCoy said, amused.

"Indeed," Spock said.

The short, green man was tapping his right foot.

"Hello," Scotty said, directly toward the green man. "how are ye today?"

Keenser shrugged.

"Hello, lad, I am Scotty," Scotty said.

Keenser turned toward the man with his small, rounded eyes sticking out of the sockets.

"Who might ye be?" Scotty asked.

"Keenser," Keenser said. "and you are the chief engineer of the Enterprise."

"Aye," Scotty said. "she is my baby."

"Is it true about engineering being a war zone?" Keenser asked.

"When it comes tae ion storms then it does get messy," Scotty said. "all of which true."

"And the transporter malfunctions?" Keenser asked.

Scotty nodded, holding his floaty to his side.

"Not like it is goin' tae send us tae a alternate timeline one of these days," Scotty said.

"Oh dear," Keenser said.

"What?" Scotty said.

"You are asking for it to happen," Keenser said.

"There is nae chance of it happenin'," Scotty said.

"From the stories I heard on my ship, chances of anything remotely unusual goes up exponentially for the Enterprise," Keenser said. "a lieutenant security officer has been talking about his near-misses and all the weird stuff that goes on the ship."

"Aye," Scotty said. "part of bein' in space."

"But that doesn't happen on most vessels," Keenser said.

"That is because they are nae in deep space," Scotty said.

"Point taken," Keenser said. "how often do you find something. . unusual. . . occurring in the ship?"

"More often than ya think," Scotty said, as the line moved. "some of the best engineers get hurt when there is not a ion storm."

"I know how that feels," Keenser related.

"Ye in engineerin'?" Scotty asked.

"Lieutenant commander," Keenser replied.

"That is cool!" Scotty said. "I am a Liuetenant Commander, tae. What ship are ye posted on?"

"The USS Hope," Keenser said.

"The hospital ship?" Scotty asked.

"Affirmative," Keenser said, nodding as he followed the line.

"Aye, that's the second best medical ship in the fleet asides tae the bunker hill," Scoty remarked.

"And the princeton-plainsborough teaching recovery wing," Keenser said.

"That is nae a ship," Scotty protested.

"It works like one," Keenser said. "I once spent a week there regaining my vision."

Scotty raised a baffled eyebrow.

"How is it like a starship?" Scotty asked.

"Everyone reports to the person who is the head of the facility," Keenser said. "there is several employed technicians who have to fix what somehow breaks apart or has a bad glitch. A bit like engineering which occurs often. A good deal of science and medicine works together in the recovery wing. The nurses make sure the patients are recuperating fine. Sometimes they have problems with the recovery so there are on sight doctors including from cancer procedures. Security Officers, at the front doors, are alerted to when a patient is capable of going out the facility during their recovery. A low risk job."

"Aye," Scotty said. "I see why it is like a starship."

"It is," Keenser said. "depending on how it is operated, it can be strict or be family friendly."

McCoy pressed a button that inflated the device then Spock placed it down. The floaty was built to be like a chair with two cup holders at both sides. The back rest and butt rest section hummed to life glowing a shade of light blue. Spock positioned the chair in the entrance with his left hand. He slid his other hand underneath the human and easily held him up without any support. Spock slid himself in to the seat using his left hand to prevent the floaty from sliding out of place. He was earning looks of concern from Scotty and those behind him. But it was a impressive sight to see from a Vulcan. Spock placed the man onto his lap. They were in the entrance of the blue tube.

Spock let go of the side of the wall.

Spock did not believe that such a delighted, loud squeal could come from a small, shorter human.

Intriguing.

Spock had a tight grip on the man's sides keeping them in place.

Spock's heart raced against where his liver should be which was not in the chest but rather where his lower abdomen was. Spock smelled the man's clean, combed hair that smelled unique. A fruity, floral fragrance that mixed notes of magnolia and aster flower with Georgia's prided peaches and a soft undertone of white musk. He needed to pay a visit to Georgia with his boyfriend when he could walk on a away mission. Spock kissed along the man's neck earning laughter. A smile curled on the edge of the Vulcan's cheek while nuzzling the side of McCoy's neck. A deep, beautiful purr came from the Vulcan as the water splashed into the floaty getting the Vulcan partially wet. The floaty jetted through the tubes and through the portions that lacked ceilings.

McCoy turned sideways in the direction of the Vulcan, his trembling hands traveled to the Vulcan's shoulder blades right over the long shoulder, his legs on the Vulcan's legs,while leaned forward toward the Vulcan. The human leaned forward turning his head to the side until his lips ended on Spock's. A wave of warmth carried its way through their growing link to Spock as McCoy relaxed in the kiss almost melting. Spock returned the kiss, passionately, as his left hand traveled down to the doctors's feminine like hip where he gently squeezed and his other hand went to the back of the human's head with his eyes closed. It was a slow, but steady and long kiss. Spock felt the inside of the man's mouth where he massaged it

The floaty jetted out into the water recieving a large, yet huge splash on them.

Spock let go of the back of McCoy's cranium, gasping, for breath.

"Not bad for a first kiss," McCoy said.

"Technically, it is our make out," Spock said. "and we are on second base."

"That doesn't count, damn it," McCoy said. "that was a . . . uh. . non-physical one."

"What about the other times we kissed in mind meld?" Spock inquired.

"They weren't physical!" McCoy protested.

"Hmmm. . ." Spock said. "perhaps we should catch up on the kisses we never had. And then, logically, get to second base."

"We cuddle afterwards," McCoy said.

"Leonard-" Spock started.

"No ifs, buts, whines about it," McCoy said. "I like your company."

Spock bowed his head.

"As you wish," Spock said.

"Now, where were we?" McCoy asked.

"We were in the middle of this-" Spock brought the human into the kiss once more with a hand on the side of his face while the floaty gently went down the path. McCoy's right hand squeezed the Vulcan's shoulder, nearly digging his fingernails into the man's shoulder, gently letting go once releasing the strong, living passion. Their foreheads touched once the vVulcan briefly ended it. "and this. . ." he kissed along the human's neck, slowly, sending a shiver up the man's spine while the Vulcan purred.

"As much as I love ya, we are not makin' out in a waterpark," McCoy said, gazing back the Vulcan's brown eyes. "let me give you the McCoy standard of kiss plantin'," the human planted small kisses along the man's jaw and his cheek. He kissed along the Vulcan's temples then to the middle of his head as Spock kept a stoic, rock like expression attempting to prevent himself from falling apart with his many years of Vulcan training before the human's eyes. McCoy's hand grazed Spock's getting a flash of what the Vulcan was experiencing. The human had a sympathetic expression on his face. "Awww . . . ya poor sweet-heart."

McCoy's lips met met the smooth, soft lips of Spock.

Taluhk nash-vek k'du, hinek, Spock thought to himself, feeling, experiencing, a new non-categorized emotion for the first time.

A feeling that he belonged.

A feeling where the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

A feeling where he didn't need to search anymore for where he belonged.

A feeling that made his heart soar.

His entire being soar into the air.

Which was illogical because it was only possible via sky orbit or fair rides.

It registered as happiness.

Now Spock understood the meaning behind the word 'happiness' that humans referred to so often.