USS Enterprise, Bridge
Captain's log, Stardate 3844.9
The Enterprise is drawing into orbit around Babel. Ambassador Sarek awoke yesterday from his convalescing after his surgery and has been in conference with his aides and allies ever since. Now the delegates can finally begin the formal debate over the explosive issues facing the council over the Coridan matter.
The Babel planetoid was the best thing Kirk had seen in a long while after staring at the Sickbay walls for two days.
"You know, Jim," McCoy argued, standing to the left of the captain's chair, "it doesn't hurt you to have a couple boring days like you just had. Every day doesn't have to be knife fights with undercover Orions."
Kirk protested, "Not knife fights, Bones. I'm not saying someone has to get hurt or killed."
Spock, on his right, spoke thoughtfully. "The Chinese do have a curse. May you live in interesting times."
"The two of you are blowing this out of proportion. I only said it would have been nice for something… all right, interesting to happen."
"Like?"
"Like… we met Spock's parents at the beginning of this mission. So, what if we…"
"What, met his kids? They paid us a visit from the future?"
Kirk's mouth twitched. He hadn't thought of that, but it was a much better answer than his. "It would be interesting."
"It'd be terrifying." McCoy scowled at the Vulcan across from him. "Spock, reproduce? I'm going to need some time to prepare for that… and a place to hide from the new generation of little Vulcan science officers here to rid us of all the joy in our lives."
Kirk couldn't resist. "Who knows, Bones? You might like them better."
McCoy brightened. "Hey!"
Spock flicked up an eyebrow.