I don't own Star Trek, or any of the many other things that get referenced here.

Thank you all for the well wishes I got. And a big hello to all the people who keep joining this story. You readers make it worth it.

… … .. . .. … …

Jim squirmed, fiddling with the medals on his chest to make absolutely sure they were straight. McCoy knocked loudly on the frame to his door, not bothering to ask why he even had it open. Jim glanced back and grinned weakly at him. He looked quite the southern gentleman, all dressed for the ball.

"Have I mentioned how horrible I am at espionage? Or what ever this counts as?"

"Did you know that our freshman year alone you managed to flirt and bullshit your way into twenty interplanetary events you didn't have clearance for and diffused a cultural snafu at three of them?"

"I did, didn't I?"

"Why do you think Pike put you in those negotiation classes?"

"You mean they weren't necessary?"

"Come on Jim. We have to beam down now."

"What ever happened to being fashionably late?"

"Not to your own party golden boy."

Jim sighed, removing his hands from his impeccable dress shirt and following Bones to the transporter. Sulu was already there, along with Scotty, Giotto, and Spock. Jim had to tear his eyes from the Vulcan, not the least surprised that his form fitting blue dress shirt was an attention grabber. He knew for a fact that all of their dress shirts were designed to impress.

"Did we beam the hidden members to another ship?"

"Yes sir." Giotto answered immediately, stopping his own fiddling with his dress shirt. "They'll be beaming down with the other dignitaries brought along for this."

"Alright. Where is everyone else?"

"Women folk and Chekov are busy gussying up for the party." Sulu sighed, fingers itching to run through his neatly combed hair. "They said they'll be down in a minute and we should beam without them."

"And Chekov…" Jim shook his head, bemused. "Okay. I guess we'll…Scotty, what the hell are you doing out of the engines?"

"Ah…ahm I naugh allowed to go at the ball?"

"Of course you are! I just…didn't figure you'd want to."

"Knowing what Uhura's going to be wearing tonight, I can't exactly blame him." McCoy smirked, pushing Jim onto the transporter.

"Wait, Uhura?"

"Energize." Spock told the woman working the console.

Jim put on his best face immediately as they materialized in the crystal palace, dropping the conversation. It was a beautiful place, just as promised. A few people already meandered around. A round of applause greeted them from a few who recognized them, and someone announced who they were. Jim bowed his head politely, a warm grin on his face, and lead the men with him to commandeer a table.

A few more groups beamed down before the girls arrived. Rand was in a long red dress, hair pulled up in an elaborate beehive with a red mesh netting decorating it. Chapel was decked out in a pale blue and silver gown. Chekov looked adorably out of place in his stuffy high collar. Uhura…Uhura was stunning in a well cut golden evening dress, just managing to cling in the right places and somehow defying gravity as it made soft rustling sounds that shouldn't have been legal.

Not for the first time, Jim realized he had an amazingly photogenic crew. He frowned a little, watching as his crew, who were not masters of subtlety, met up with their dates. Scotty was doing an admiral job of keeping his eyes on Uhura's face. Giotto was, in contrast, not making eye contact, but Rand didn't seem to mind. Bones…what the hell was Bones doing on a date with his head nurse? He was distracted from his musings on their date choices by a hand on his shoulder.

A pleasant, earthy voice sounded behind Jim, full of just enough snark to prove she knew him. "And here I thought they were joking when they said James Kirk would be making an appearance."

Jim whirled around, face pure white as he met the grey-green eyes of a pretty blonde. "Mom!"

"Jimmy!" She squeaked, wrapping him up.

His entire crew turned to look at him, as well as several other patrons. "M-mom. I- What are you doing here?"

"Honey, Christopher had to ask someone."

Jim paled further, looking for the world like a teenager that had just been told his parent would be chaperoning the dance. McCoy stepped up, elbowing Jim none too gently.

"Mrs. Kirk. It's a pleasure to meet you. Jim's mentioned you a few times." He kissed her hand politely.

"I'm afraid Jim and I haven't spoken in quite some time. Who are you?" She sent a narrow glance at Jim.

"Leonard McCoy."

"And that is more than enough of you meeting my crew." Jim insisted, pushing her away, and shuddering as he realized she was wearing one of those little black dresses.

"Nonsense." She easily slipped away, heading over to the rest of his crew. "What kind of mother would I be if I didn't take the opportunity to meet your crew?"

"A absentee one?"

Winona paused sharply for a moment, face betraying nothing, and Jim winced. "Uh…This is Uhura, Giotto, Scotty, Rand, Sulu, Chekov, Chapel, and Spock."

"Oh don't mention their positions or anything." She rolled her eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet the woman who managed to raise him." Uhura smiled.

Winona didn't. "I won't take credit for that. He did most of it himself."

"And you've made this awkward." Jim announced.

Spock quirked an eyebrow at him and Jim felt his chest constrict a little. Winona glanced between them and frowned at McCoy, who shook his head in exasperation. She mouthed 'oh' and grinned like only a Kirk could, so what if she married into it.

"So Mr. Spock. How do you like working with my son?"

"It is often a trial."

She paused a moment, but Jim laughed, so she smiled. "I see."

"Didn't you say Pike was here?" Jim didn't like the way she was looking at Spock, like she knew something.

"With luck, he's speaking with Vina right now." Winona winked. "Took long enough to get that girl out of her shell to go speak with him."

Jim's eyes widened and he busted out laughing. "No way! You're playing match maker with Pike!"

"You should know by now, Jimmy." She narrowed her eyes in an almost threatening way. "I love to meddle in affairs of the heart."

Jim gulped, unsure how to respond when another group beamed down. His spine snapped straight even as the group was announced. When he glanced back at Spock, he could see a moment's uncertainty there. Apparently he didn't know his father was going to be showing up as well. Sarek took no time in spotting Spock and making his way over.

"Father."

"Spock."

They exchanged a Vulcan salute before Sarek greeted everyone else present. Winona smiled politely at him, her own hand forming a rather crude imitation of a greeting.

"I apologize." She told him with a soft smile. "I must be making quite the impression. Hopefully not as poor of one as my son…"

Jim choked on air, glaring at his mother. "Can you go away? You're kind of ruining this for me."

"Of course Jimmy, do be careful?" She placed a kiss on his forehead, which he squirmed and grimaced at. "Mr. Sarek?"

"Mrs. Kirk." He bowed his head lightly and offered his arm to her in a polite gesture as they headed off.

Jim's jaw dropped, and he knew for a fact his wasn't the only one. "That did not just happen."

"Fascinating." Spock tilted his head to the side, watching them leave.

"Oh god this is not going at all as I planned it."

"Because your mother and Spock's father are here?" Sulu asked incredulously. "I don't believe they could possibly be a problem. Relax. Nothing will go wrong."

"You completely underestimate the force of two Kirks in a room together." Jim said with no trace of humor.

"Iz like critical mass in atomic reaction, da?" Chekov beamed at him. "Wery mess if not contained?"

Jim shook his head, glancing around the room. "I need a drink."

"I do not suspect imbibing in alcohol would be a wise decision." Spock informed him, arms coming behind his back at a parade rest. "Nor do I suspect your mother will in any way be harmful to these proceedings."

Jim didn't have time to comment on that as the delegates were released from their meeting and several other parties beamed down in rapid succession. He didn't recognize any of the Cardassians he spotted, but that didn't mean much in the long run. There were quite a few people milling about. Scotty excused himself to go attend the buffet before too many people took interest in it, and several of the others joined him, promising their dates they would bring back a plate for them. Music filled the room as people wandered about chatting and shaking hands, or the general equivalent.

A couple Tellarites were arguing loudly with a pair of Cardassians, and Jim was pleased to note they seemed to be enjoying each others company immensely. He could thank Uhura for that little recommendation of putting the Tellarite delegates closest to the Cardassians. If this wasn't all just a ruse to kill a bunch of people, the negotiations would go fantastically.

At the buffet table, Scotty quickly downed a glass of water before he set about getting food. "Ah do'naught know how long ah can stand looking at the lass like that. She's ah bonny girl, like a warp nacelle after my own heart."

Bones snorted. "Who'd have guessed?"

Sulu clucked his tongue. "Oh man. I think we should beam Chekov back up. Someone's going to freaking eat him if he stays here."

"Well, I can defend him from you, but not much else." Giotto promised, shrugging a little.

"Spock, grab a plate for Jim." McCoy ordered. "Or he'll never get over here to eat. Christ I think Chapel has more meat on her…not that it's…uh…bad…meat…I mean…"

"We get it, you like her curves." Sulu spared him further embarrassment. "Call her meat to her face and she might slap you."

Spock quirked an eyebrow, but did as he was told and selected a mix of foods for the Captain. A few aliens stopped to make their greetings and Spock obliged them before moving on. As they approached the table, they could see a group of women from several planets speaking animatedly with the crew. One woman curled her long fingers around Jim's bicep as she chuckled at a comment of his.

"Captain." Spock interrupted, getting a surprised glance.

Jim watched Spock place the plate on the table in front of him, the woman effectively forgotten. "Oh. Thanks. I would have gotten around to it eventually."

"Doctor McCoy did not believe you would."

The woman pouted a moment and, when she realized Jim was not going to return his attention to her, huffed and walked off. Spock refrained from looking smug, but that didn't stop Sulu and McCoy from sharing a knowing look behind his back. Most everyone took the time to start eating, and the litany of people took note and left the table alone until they finished, or were taking the time to get their own meals.

"How is the meet and greet going, Jim?" McCoy asked as he made a vain attempt to cut Chapel's steak for her.

She was brandishing a knife at him and warning him not to, gentlemanly or not.

"Good. No Cardassians yet." Jim shrugged, speaking around a mouthful of salad. "God, Spock. How do you always know how to please me?"

There was a beat of silence before Sulu started laughing. "Tell me they don't have you giving a speech."

Jim groaned, placing his face in his hands so he wouldn't have to look at his first officer's green ears. "At the end of the ball, yeah. They want me to talk about trust and tolerance and all that."

"Oh boy." Uhura snickered. "Do you have cards?"

"The standard." Jim pulled a small electronic device form his pocket and handed it over. "They only told me about it this morning."

"And you weren't going to tell me?" She snorted, flipping through the digital note cards.

"I. Just. Found. Out. About. It. This. Morning." Jim emphasized each word with a stab of the fruit on the side of his plate, though there was no real malice in his tone. "So no, not if I didn't get a chance."

She winced dramatically, holding the edges of the device like it were set to explode any second. "Good god. Tell me you aren't actually taking pages out of the textbook on this one."

"Public speaking 305." Jim nodded. "Diplomatic treaty dinners, speeches in the face of tragedy, and in-laws."

The table laughed. Uhura puckered her lips. "I'm making changes to this, so be sure to read it before you go up there."

Jim flapped his hand absently at her. "Yeah, sure. Feel free. Just make sure I have ten minutes to read through it."

"Captain Kirk." A man's voice sound behind him.

He glanced up to see the head of the Cardassian delegates and was on his feet in seconds, bowing his head quickly in greeting. "Sir."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet the man we've heard so much about." He spoke politely, and Jim noticed, for the first time, a young girl with him, no older than sixteen. "My daughter would request a waltz with you."

Jim smiled, managing not to leer instinctually because that would be creepy on so many levels. "Of course."

The girl was silent as he lead her to the dance floor. Eyes caught on them as they went. Jim had never really been nervous about being the first person on the dance floor, but this was his senior prom all over again. Everyone watching to see if he tripped over his own feet, because there was no way they were going out there if the first person on the floor embarrassed themselves. Except, his senior prom didn't have quite as many aliens and wasn't possibly being tracked by Klingons as far as he knew.

The waltz started up, and Jim was careful to lead her smoothly through the motions. She kept her eyes fixed steadily on the medal on his chest and he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her, having to dance with him because of her father.

In his periphery, he caught another couple moving onto the dance floor and realized it was Spock, being accosted by another Cardassian. He tried to keep his grin down. And that was all the prompting people needed as the dance floor was suddenly flooded. The other dancers weren't really much of an obstacle, but he was mindful of them anyway. It wouldn't do to back into someone and expose the phaser he was keeping concealed on his hip.

As soon as the waltz finished, she practically ran away from him. Within seconds another woman was asking him to dance. He readily agreed. It continued like that for several dances, and he lost track of where his crew had gotten to. Finally, amid groans of disappointment, he bowed out and returned to the table.

McCoy was sprawled across his seat, dress shirt partially undone and hair slightly mussed. Scotty looked no better. Jim plopped down, wishing he had the bravery to undo his shirt, but knowing he'd end up in the bathroom fixing it before he could go up to speak. That just wasn't worth it.

"Where are your lovely dates?" Jim snickered.

"Fixing their hair." McCoy growled. "Because apparently a waltz is too fast paced for them."

Scotty sighed. "Ah dare say the lass won't be content till me feet have fallen off."

"So wait, what is this thing between you and Uhura?" Jim leaned forward, propping himself up on his elbows.

Scotty squirmed. "Ah…nothing yet."

"Yet?" Jim leaned back in surprise and glanced at McCoy, who was shaking his head and smiling. "And what about you, Bones? I never figured you'd go for Chapel."

"Christine is a nice girl." McCoy told him, scowling a little. "And it's just a dance."

Jim whistled. "Uh huh. I see how it is. Where the hell is Sulu?"

"My guess? Still dancing with Chekov."

Jim nearly spit out his water, a mischievous grin sliding up on his face. "No way. He finally came out with it and just told the kid he liked him?"

"I believe they came to some agreement about not having any girls on the ship they wanted to ask, but not wanting to go alone." McCoy shrugged easily. "So no, the boy still has no clue. And Sulu's going to adamantly deny any feelings for him until the day he dies. Or one of them comes close enough anyway."

Jim sighed, shaking his head affectionately. "Is everyone on my crew falling in love?"

"I don't know Jim, you tell me." McCoy fixed him with a look that made him flush.

"So have you seen Natima?" Jim switched tracks quickly in an obvious bid to change the subject. "I would have figured she'd have been invited."

He saw the twin looks of horror on their faces and wondered what he'd done when Spock sat down on his left. His movements were extremely stiff, and Jim realized he must have said that loud enough Spock could hear. And he thought…

"I'm just going to shut up so I don't stick my foot in my mouth again." Jim sighed.

Spock quirked an eyebrow at him. "You are not, at current, placing any appendages in your mouth."

Jim grinned. "But I'm totally flexible enough to do it."

"Stop reading off skills for your sex resume." McCoy warned him.

"I am so glad I missed that part." Uhura said as she approached the table.

Jim watched her not so subtly place her hand on Scotty's shoulder. He really, really, needed to give them lessons on tact because it was like getting hit with a brick there. It never occurred to him that maybe that was the point.

He nudged Spock under the table with his knee, and earned a much more understated glance from the Vulcan. He rolled his eyes, letting them land first on his handsy communication's officer, and then on the head nurse who had scooted her chair over enough to make the doctor uncomfortable. Spock's eyebrow twitched and Jim had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

"You seem to be quite the proficient dancer." A Cardassian woman said as she approached from behind Bones.

It took Jim a moment to realize her eyes were fixed on him. "Thank you, but I really have no experience with it."

She smiled, and glanced over at Spock who bowed his head to her. Jim recognized her as the woman who had been dancing with him previously. So why was she approaching Jim?

"Nonsense, you move like a natural." She argued politely.

Jim shook his head. "I move like a clumsy man with a very good teacher."

She cocked her head to the side questioningly and Jim introduced her to Uhura, laying on thick her skills and cultural knowledge. Uhura sent him a sweet glare across the table before delving into a cursory background of her knowledge. It became rapidly apparent the woman was another xenobiologist. Jim shuddered to think how many were trying(or pretending) to transition from making targeted poisons and weapons, to studying other cultures with good intentions.

"You know, a waltz wasn't the only thing I taught him." Uhura grinned mischievously.

Jim's spine snapped straight in an imitation of Spock, who oddly enough stiffened at that statement as well. The Cardassian had taken the bait, hook, line, and bobber, and was peering intently at him. As Uhura explained the excruciating details of what she went through to teach them both a native Cardassian dance, Jim resisted the urge to make an excuse to bolt out of the room.

The woman gave Jim a very pleased, very predatorily smile. "Would you do me the honors of a dance?"

"Ah…Does the band even know-"

"I can make the request. I'm sure they will be familiar with it." She interrupted quickly before turning on her heel and disappearing in the direction of the band.

Jim seethed. "Uhura, next time we're involved in cultural exchange, don't."

McCoy shook his head and Uhura patted Jim's hand in mock sympathy. A few seconds later the waltz died down and people dispersed from the dance floor in mild confusion. He distinctly spotted Sulu whispering to Giotto as they tucked into one corner. The woman reappeared from the middle of nowhere and Jim made a show of overtly cordial behavior and lead her to the dance floor. He caught Pike's eye as he did, a mildly exasperated, amused smile.

In the center of the room, Jim resisted the urge to close his eyes and take a deep breath. He needed to see the eyes on him, know they were watching.

Uhura shuddered as she watched them start to dance. If Jim had been purely professional dancing with her, he was practically clinical with the Cardassian woman. Most of the room watched with a sense of awed detachment. The other Cardassians, who took the floor not long after, were far more critical in their evaluation of his performance.

The whole floor turned into an intricate mechanism, each person dancing not only with their partner, but with the group as a whole. Scotty caught her wistful look and loudly declared that Spock should dance with her at least once. They made their way to the floor as the remainder of the party made their way back to the table.

Jim's eyes managed to find the pair through the crowed and he quickly refocused on the woman in his arms. She was pretty. And enthusiastic.

His chest constricted painfully. No. He couldn't, wouldn't, think like that. Not any more. It wasn't who he was. Who he wanted to be. That wasn't his life. A wave of nausea crashed over him and he excused himself quickly, running from the dance floor. He closed his eyes so he couldn't see everyone else's follow him out. He was grateful, momentarily, for the privacy of the washrooms, made from an opaque crystal.

His head was spinning, and no matter how much water he splashed on his face, he seemed to retain the same slightly warm, clammy feel. He considered briefly that he was having some reaction to something in the room, and dismissed it just as quickly. The only thing he was having a reaction to was himself. Was it possible to be allergic to yourself? Another question for Bones.

"Captain Kirk."

Jim nearly shrieked, rounding on Sarek with wide eyes. Sarek quirked an eyebrow at him, and Jim wondered if he was the only one to have trouble doing that. Sarek was kind enough to wait for most of Jim's color to return to his face before he began speaking.

"I was not previously capable of finding the necessary time or privacy to make enquiries of you. May I do so now?"

"Sure." Jim squeaked, coughed to right his voice, and smiled nervously.

"What are your intentions with my son?"

Jim finally understood the expression 'floored' as his knees buckled suddenly and he hit the ground. Sarek twitched, but that was the only inclination that he considered catching him. Jim stared at the wall a moment, trying to reboot his brain. When the question didn't just go away, though, he braced himself on the counter and stood back up.

"M-my intentions?"

"What is your intended relationship with my son?" Sarek almost sounded hesitant, like he wasn't sure it was safe for Jim if he asked the question.

Jim nodded to say he understood the question had been exactly what he was afraid it was. After a second, he pulled down his best captainly face and managed to straighten himself out. "Spock is my most valuable colleague, and my friend. I intend to keep it that way."

Sarek raised both eyebrows minutely. "So you do not harbor romantic interest towards my son?"

Jim almost swore he sounded disappointed, and flushed brightly. "I…uh…" Why was lying to him so freaking hard? "I didn't say that. The interest is there, just not the intent."

Sarek's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I presume you understand the serious nature of romantic interactions with Vulcans?"

Jim paled. "I didn't mean it like that! I don't- I'm not- I-i mean I would never…"

And that hit him far worse than the fact that Sarek was bearing down on him like he'd just admitted to having a condom in his pocket on a first date with his daughter. It was a unique look that Jim had encountered on more than one occasion…

He would never. He couldn't say he respected Spock more than that, because he'd made those kinds of mistakes with women he truly respected. He couldn't say he was being culturally sensitive because yeah, he wasn't. The fact was he just couldn't have a physical relationship with him. He would never have the kind of intimacy that came along with things like romance with Spock.

Sarek took an alarmed step back as Jim's eyes brimmed with tears. "I'd never have that kind of relationship with him."

The elder man glanced at the door, betraying how very, very nervous he was. "I understand. You should be aware, I will support whatever relationship my son chooses to foster with you."

A few tears leaked out as he squeezed his eyes shut. Because that was just it, wasn't it? It didn't even matter, that he couldn't have a relationship with Spock because of how damaged he was, because he'd never even had a chance. Someone had to want to have a relationship with you for you to screw it up. And that just made everything he'd ever done seem so stupid. He choked out a laugh, throat tightening at the memories.

Sarek backed quickly out of the room, recognizing he'd obviously gone too far and deeming it best to give Kirk his privacy. The only sign the Vulcan was rattled was his slightly paler expression.

… .. .

Spock watched Jim leave the dance floor in a hurry, but finished the dance with Uhura. She was far too perceptive to not notice if he were to stop dancing with her simply to follow Jim. Once the Cardassian song finished, as he made his way off the dance floor, another waltz started up. Eyes locked on the exiting hallway, he saw his father slip off after Jim. Before he could move in that direction, a strong, almost familiar hand caught his arm. He glanced sideways the see Winona watching him intently.

"Dance with me."

As it wasn't a request, he was given no room to protest. Winona took his hand easily, and he was met with a shrewd wash of feeling. There was no real emotion he could feel, but something familiar in the gauzelike sensation against his mind. She didn't appear to be restraining herself, simply keeping her emotions wrapped up tight where she could keep track of them.

"You like Jim, don't you?" Her voice whispered inches from his ear as she rested her head against his shoulder in a matronly manner.

He stiffened. "Like has variable definitions."

"So does what you feel for him." She pulled back to look at him, small smirk in place.

Spock didn't blush, but his face felt a bit warmer with the effort. "A perplexing and grammatically incorrect statement."

"A sentence fragment." She countered. "I hate to break you out just when you're getting started in the grammar department, but you know what I meant."

"…Indeed." He furrowed his brow, trying to recognize the sensation of her emotions.

"Look." She sighed, earning the quirk of an eyebrow. "Jimmy…he has a past. Not the one you're aware of, I'm sure. But there are things…"

"Are you fully aware of his past?" His voice snapped a little.

He couldn't imagine her knowing, actually knowing. Not with how she left Jim. Because if she knew, and let him try to cope on his own, with a man made of vitriol, he could not forgive her. And he could not possibly reconcile her actions with those of a parent if she had known. It was her turn to draw her brows together.

"I suppose I don't." There was a hint in her voice that she had always known there was something he didn't tell her, and she wanted nothing more than to force it out of Spock now. She didn't. "That actually illustrates my point perfectly. You may think Jim has shared it all. That he's opened up. He hasn't."

"I do not presume to make assumptions about your relationship with Jim. Do not presume to make them about mine."

"Damn it Spock." She hissed a little. "I'm trying to help you here. Jim's never going to open up more than he thinks he has to. And that's never enough. It may seem like he's just a big puppy, or a sehlat, that's latched onto you and wants nothing more to please you but it's just an act."

Spock stiffened at the mention of the native Vulcan animal. "He-"

"He's a le-matya, a cat, a snake, a creature that will take all it can get, and give only as much as it has to in return." She interrupted. "I know this seems cruel from his own mother but I don't want him to hurt you. He won't even realize he's doing it."

Though no tears spilled from her eyes, he could feel the liquid sadness she felt slip through her lacy hold like fat tears splashing against his shields. "You regret the way Jim is?"

She sighed, shaking her head and looking at him with mournful eyes. "Yes. But more I regret letting him get that way."

Spock with drew his hands from her. "Our discussion is over."

She folded her arms over her chest. "Fine, but eventually you're going to fall for those big blue eyes and don't be surprised when all you find is your heart on the ground next to you."

Spock glanced away, seeing his father reenter the room. "You may find Vulcans have incredible reflexes and always land on their feet."

He left her gaping at him. He briefly considered going after Jim, only to see him step back into the room. Two bright apples of color were visible on his cheeks even from the distance he was at. They had not dissipated by the time they both reached the table.

"Hey Bones, I don't suppose you have something that could settle my stomach?" Jim asked without so much as a glance at Spock.

McCoy scowled. "Are you feeling sick? Was it the food? Should we beam you back up? You're red, do you feel warm? You aren't having a reaction, are you? Sit down."

"I'm fine." Jim complied with his demand though. "I'm just feeling a bit nervous."

McCoy eyed him critically a moment before pulling out the bag Jim was sure he hadn't had when they beamed down. "Alright. I understand. I'm starting to feel sick just sitting here and thinking about your speech."

Jim grinned reassuringly at him. "Come on, Uhura's been looking over it."

"Speaking of which." Uhura handed his device back over.

"Yeah," McCoy injected the necessary hypo, and Jim's color looked better immediately. "But if something is going to go wrong, that's when it will happen."

Jim grimaced. "I know. Everyone knows. But nothing's going to go wrong, so stop worrying."

"It is foolish to assume that, given the calculations-"

"Stop." Jim told him sharply. "Stop undermining my attempt at a pep talk. If you weren't so damn smart I wouldn't want you in a position of leadership."

The table went very quiet, the room practically roaring around them to make up for the lost sound. Spock's hand shook as he set down his water glass, and he quickly excused himself. Jim stared after him a moment, mouth hanging open.

"I've got him." McCoy told him, racing after the rebuked officer.

Spock didn't stop for him when he caught up.

"Hold up Spock. He didn't mean it and you know it."

"I am aware." Spock finally came to a stand still, out of sight of the table, and gave him a baleful look. "However, in my agitation, I nearly gave response…"

"Ah." McCoy gave him a look of pure understanding. "The tension is high. Jim would have understood. Come back to the table and hit Jim upside the head with some of that logic of yours."

Spock quirked an eyebrow. McCoy smirked at him and they headed back to the table. The crew was exceptionally good at hiding how surprised they were in the success of the doctor's mission. Jim glanced up from where he was trying and failing to read his new speech.

"I apologize if my phrasing was particularly pessimistic. In a more pragmatic phrasing, it would be relevant to point out that, invariably, something always follows at least one definition of wrong when you are involved, Captain."

Jim gaped, having successfully registered that Spock was mocking him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Spock's eyes crinkled with the slightest smile. "I believe you are quite aware of the meaning behind my statement."

"Ambiguity too?" Jim grinned. "Stop distracting me. I'm supposed to be learning to communicate."

Spock took a seat and discussion continued, somewhat, as normal. Jim cast a grin at him, and for the moment, everything was right between them once again.

… … .. . .. … …

What's this? Only one break between the entire thing? Cool.

So this whole chapter was pretty fun to write for some reason. I really enjoyed the interactions. Especially the parental interactions…

Kept the angst to a minimum for this chapter. There's more than enough of that coming up.