Dr. McCoy and Spock stood outside of Kirk's quarters, bickering.
"Come on, Spock, it's been three days," Bones said. "This ship needs its captain, and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit around and let him mope!"
"I agreed," Spock said. "But perhaps I should go in alone and convince him of his responsibilities through logic."
Bones rolled his eyes. "That's ridiculous, he just needs me to knock some sense into him!"
The door to the captain's quarters opened at once. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" Kirk asked.
Bones pushed past the captain and strode into Kirk's room. "Listen, Jim, you have to pull yourself together! Spock's been working his pointy ears off and we need you back on the bridge!"
Kirk, looking despondent, walked back into his quarters and sat down. At Bones' mention of Spock working overtime, he said, "Is that true, Mr. Spock?"
"My position as first officer demands it, Captain," Spock said. "But I have to admit, I have been concerned about you."
McCoy realized that his outburst had been insensitive. "Sorry if I was a little blunt there," he apologized. "But Edith Keeler is gone now and I wish we could bring her back, but we just can't, Jim."
Kirk sighed and straightened his back. "No, Bones, you're right. I just..." Tears sprang to his eyes. "It just doesn't seem fair that she had to make a sacrifice that she didn't even know about, and that I had to lose her, and all the potential we could have had together was just... lost." He looked away from his friends.
Bones shook his head. "Yeah, I'm sorry Jim. I guess this is kind of all my fault."
"How?" Kirk asked.
"Well, if I hadn't overdosed on that cordrazine, then she wouldn't have had to die, isn't that right?"
"But then, the captain would have never met Miss Keeler in the first place," Spock pointed out.
They were all silent for a few moments. For the first time since watching Edith die, Kirk smiled. "I guess I haven't thought of it that way. It was a gift... just to know her for such a short time."
"She was a very kind and thoughtful person," Spock observed. "I am sure she was missed greatly."
Kirk nodded. "Thanks, both of you." He looked around his quarters. "Would you gentlemen care to join me for a walk? I have to say it's been a little cramped in here."
McCoy grinned and clapped the captain on the shoulder. "We'd be happy to come along with you."