After their stop on Rigel, they directly went to Starbase 137 so that Renaud could get transferred to the USS Victoria and Jim deliver all the reports of the incident with the ambassadors. In the last days that he still was on the ship, Renaud basically wanted her to take over his work already so that he could see how she was doing and help her if necessary. Carissa was glad about that because she discovered many things that she had been unsure about before but now she was somehow truly looking forward to taking over officially. Nevertheless, she also was sad about Renaud leaving but she knew she'd probably had to ask him for help sooner than she knew. Of course, she probably could just ask her boyfriend, but she didn't want to bother him if someone else could help her.

Not even two weeks after Renaud's departure, she realized why William didn't want to take the job. Her collaboration with Spock greatly increased and they met at least once a week and she had to deliver all reports every week. At times he also came to see her before or after an explorative mission on a planet to tell her what she should let her colleagues look at and all. Her away missions, however, became fewer because she didn't want to be the only to go and asked the other biologists if anyone was interested to go.

Although everything seemed to work just fine, she should have known that sooner or later problems would start to show. Not just some that concerned her work but rather the team spirit. After a lengthy experiment, Carissa asked Yvonne, who she had put in charge for her group, to deliver the report. Yvonne had only delivered a couple of sentences instead of a long report that was appropriate for this size of the experiment. So she had to confront her about it

"What report?"

"The Thurnahli experiment" she said, crossing her arms

"Something wrong with it?"

"Alright, listen here, you know as well as I do that what you delivered is a joke!"

"And what are you gonna do 'bout it, huh?"

"I'm asking you to give me the actual report"

"That is our report"

"What are you up to?"

"If that report's so important to you… why don't you do it yourself? Then you can ensure it fulfils yours and your Commander's expectations"

"That's not how it works. I didn't really have much to do with this experiment. Is a fucking report too much to ask for?"

"If it's you asking, yes"

"Alright, what's your problem?"

"My problem? Well, you come here after graduation, as Junior Lieutenant and now you're Lieutenant and our superior. Just as me, some are pissed too"

"Sorry but there is always a reason why someone's asked to do something. Sarah, Jarell and Will all didn't want the job. And sorry but if you pull stunts like 'I don't deliver the report because I don't like you' I fully understand why he didn't ask you. There already is a report about your behavior. The broken SEM, you remember?" she referred to the time their controversy had started. "And if I don't have that report in the next 48 hours or at least an update and a new deadline, I'll make sure there will be a second report"

"Oh that's too bad… because I already wrote the Commander and told him you said that you'd finish the report and edit a little. So just guess who'd be the one in trouble"

"Well I'll just explain him the matter. He'll understand that it can't be my job to edit your reports. Look over them to see if something's missing. Edit minor details, yes. But not fucking write it!"

"And again, what are you gonna do about it? I can talk myself out of this…. But can you?" Carissa was on the brink of just shouting at her face that she'd do the report herself. Then she remembered that this was what her colleague wanted and took a deep breath

"I might get in trouble. But not as much as you. Besides, I won't waste my free time for this. It was your job to do the report and if you haven't written it yet… your bad. But you've been a group of three, so I don't believe that no one actually did something. So you'd better ask them or I'll do it and tell them to deliver the report. I know you're trying to make me do your work but I'm not falling for this again. This time you can do it yourself. And in 48 hours I will deliver the reports at the latest. And if I don't have yours until then I'll send him your behavior report as compensation" she glared at her

"And what if we all refused to do the work? The Commander will think that this is too unlikely and rather believe us, that you want to edit a little"

"As I said, I can't write the report because I haven't participated in the experiment"

"You're clever, you'll find a way" with that she left, leaving a fuming Carissa behind. She kicked her food against the wall, grabbed her PADD and marched to her boyfriend's office

"Evening Sir" she said almost dropping the PADD in front of him "I suppose you received Miss Brecher's message by now? That I'd edit her Thurnahli-report?"

"I did. Why are you inquiring me about this?"

"Because, Spock" she said, starting the PADD to show him what Yvonne had delivered "This is her report she wants me to edit" he quickly read it "It's a little short, don't you think? You know what she's doing? She's trying to get me to write her report" he looked up at her

"I trust that you are not going to do so?"

"Hell no. If you want to yell at me for this, go on. But remember that it's not my fault"

"Even if it was, I would never yell at you, Lieutenant" he said, handing her back the PADD, which she pressed against her chest.

"And how do you suggest I get this report?"

"I will answer the Ensign's message that solely she and her group are responsible for the finishing of the report"

"Do you think she'll listen?"

"I cannot say for certain, but I am positive that she is more likely to do as I say rather than if you told her"

"Alright, that makes sense. Besides, I already told her that she has 48 hours to complete it or I'll file you a behavior report about her"

"That sounds like a reasonable suggestions. Thank you for bringing this to my attention"

"Thanks" she mumbled and smiled at him

"Is there anything else that you wish to discuss?"

"No, that's it from my part" he gave a court nod and focused on his work again "Bye" she breathed and left his office with a grin.

- oO0Oo -

Apparently, Spock's reply had an effect on Yvonne since she got notified that Yvonne had submitted a document with the comment that the group would finish it until tomorrow evening. I wasn't a perfect report or anything near finished but a lot better than what she had gotten before. Carissa suspected it was something like their summaries and notes during the experiment that would need to be reformulated and brought into an appropriate style. Happy with the outcome, she wrote a short message to her boyfriend to thank him for his help. In his reply he advised her to try and do something about her relationship with Yvonne to make sure something like that doesn't happen again. Somehow, Carissa had no idea what to do but when it was time for the second monthly meeting of all the laboratory Heads with Spock, she heard about a larger project and instantly made up her mind to put Yvonne in charge. She wanted responsibility and all. She could have it, Carissa thought. After all they'd be working together with the Commander, so she wouldn't need to deal with her too much. Her colleague seemed surprised when Carissa asked her if she wanted to participate in the project and agreed.

"But only if you want to. I thought, you want to do something special, so I believed that could be something for you"

"No, I'd like to do it" she nodded at her then went back to work. Carissa smiled to herself. At least she seemed happy now. She only hoped the enthusiasm wouldn't die down so that she'd cause problems again in the end. When the project started, Spock gathered all the project leaders as well as the lab Heads again to share new information. After the meeting was over, the Commander dismissed them

"Lieutenant Wiley, Ensign Brecher, a word please" the two females exchanged a look and stayed seated until everyone left

"What is it?" Carissa asked

"I doubt that Ensign Brecher is the right person to take such a responsibility, given her most recent history"

"Thanks, Commander" she said "I appreciate that you expressed your concern. But I chose her because everyone deserves a second chance and I truly hope that this responsibility will help her with her future" she could feel Yvonne's look of surprise

"Lieutenant, you do not have to choose people because of emotional reasons"

"And what makes you think that are emotional reasons? Yes, emotion is involved but as I explained before it also was a decision I made with logical arguments"

"Yet they do not seem to logical to me" she closed her eyes

"As you told us in the meeting, you said you trust us to choose the people we consider to be most qualified for the task. Yvonne is eager and her lack of cooperation was only a result of her issues she has with me. But as you know, this time she will be working directly with you, so this problem won't happen. Then you can see for yourself that she is capable to work splendidly and not just hear about problems she causes" Spock raised an eyebrow but said nothing "But if you refuse to work with her I can't help but conclude that maybe you don't want to work with her, which probably is based on emotional reasons"

"That is not quite correct. I do not mind working with Ensign Brecher if you think she is the right person. I only wanted to ensure that you are convinced about the decision"

"Well then I suppose I've made myself clear…" she glared at her boyfriend who gave a nod

"Very well. You are both dismissed" they stood up and left.

"Oh God did you hear the way he talked about me?" Yvonne asked and Carissa gave a nod

"Yeah"

"He's such an asshole. Thanks for defending me though… you could have just agreed after everything I did"

"No. That wouldn't have been fair. Besides, I meant what I said. And I am sorry that I got promoted so quickly"

"Ah no, don't apologize. Now that sounds so mean… it's not a culpability that you're already Lieutenant. It's actually pretty cool for you"

"Okay you're right" she smiled "But I'm sorry if I did something else to upset you. I want you to know that it never was my intention to be mean to anyone… only if people are mean to me or people I care about"

"So that's why you talked back to the Commander like that?"

"Yes, among other"

"Among other? Does he annoy you as well? I mean you're working with him far more often than the rest of us"

"No, it's not that"

"Well anyway, respects for talking to him like that. It somehow surprises me he let you get away with it"

"Actually, everything that I said was justified. So he probably couldn't find a logical reason to punish me or whatever"

"Do you think he has a problem with me?"

"I can't say. At least he said he's fine working with you… but I don't know what 'fine' means in that relation. You don't have to like someone to work together with them"

"You mean we two are the proof for that?"

"To be honest… I only dislike you at times when you did something that was annoying. But I almost forgot about it afterwards. I'm not someone who stays mad at people for long. I just am… careful with them because I fear they might disappoint me again. So it's probably more of a trust issue" Yvonne shrugged

"Well I want you to know that from now on, I won't try something like making you do all the work or blaming you again. And if I do something that upsets you… let me know. I've always had a good relationship to my superiors and I'd like to keep it that way"

"It's fine. Thanks for being honest"

"But we probably won't become friends. At least not now"

"I can live with that" they arrived back at the lab and they nodded at each other before they went to their seats

"Wow" Ben said "You talked to Yvonne and you didn't shout at each other"

"I believe we agreed on a truce. Besides, it wasn't that bad"

"It was that bad to watch, I assure you"

- oO0Oo -

Ever since she had been working closer with her boyfriend more often, she found that she also wanted to see him privately more often. She tried to see him at least once a week, however, only if he also had time for her. Sometimes she just sat in his office and they were both working. But she found that she could focus better when she was with him than in the small room the biologists could use for small meetings or to write reports. If she was in her room, she found herself getting distracted too easily. So being with her boyfriend only brought her benefits. Afterwards, they'd often go and have dinner together or he'd just accompany her to her quarters so that they still could talk a little.

But as always, her good time didn't last for too long. On an away mission on a planet with an outpost Spock had completely lost it when one of the Starfleet officers who worked there wanted to see her off with a small peck to the cheek. Before Carissa even had known it, the Vulcan had pulled him away from her and basically growled at him to not touch her like that. He only let go of the man when Scotty asked what he was doing. And that wasn't the only incident he had been behaving odd. Yvonne, who was still working on her project with Spock came back after one of their meetins, looking really disturbed

"What happened?" Carissa asked

"The Commander lost it. Completely"

"You mean for Vulcan standards? What did he do? Sigh?"

"No. Totally lost it. Human standards. Slammed his PADD onto the table so that it broke into two and yelled at us before he stormed out of the room" she grimaced "It would've been funny if he hadn't been so scary"

"Wow okay…" she muttered and promised herself to go and see after him when she was done. He surely was in his room to meditate. But she had no idea what could have made him loose his temper like that. Since she didn't want to disturb his meditation, she wrote him a message after her shift to tell her when he was done. But she didn't get a reply and she remembered that he had broken his PADD so she had no choice but to go and see for herself. When she knocked, she didn't get an answer what worried her more. "Spock? If you don't say anything in the next five seconds I'm just gonna come in!" she said

"Do not come in" he snapped

"Spock, hey, what's wrong?" she asked

"I do not want to talk about this. Leave me alone"

"Is there anything I can do?"

"I do not need your help. Leave!"

"Do you want me to get someone else for you?"

"No!"

"Okay. I'll go. But if you need me just let me know… I don't want you to deal with this alone, whatever it is, okay?" she leant her head against the door before she left. Not knowing what else to do, she went to see Leonard

"What brings you here today?"

"When you checked up on Spock after we came back from Relia… did you notice anything odd?"

"Not that I'd know… what do you think I should be looking for?"

"Dunno…" she explained him how what she had heard from Yvonne and how he sent her away. With a frown he asked his computer for the report he had filed after he checked him up two days ago.

"His neurochemistry seems a bit off, but I'd have to take a closer look if you want to know more" he contacted the Commander and told him he should come to get checked up.

"I am fine and I do not need your help" he growled

"Carissa is worried about you. Something's definitely wrong and you know that"

"If you do not stop intervening in my personal affairs I will break your neck"

"You know what? I'm gonna tell Jim. You're a complete wacko" he ended the call before Spock could say something and contacted the Captain instead as he had promised. Needless to say, he was concerned as well and promised he'd talk to the First Officer and make him see sense. "Good. Make sure, he comes here when you're done with him!" Jim agreed and again the call was ended. "Do you want to be here when I examine him or do you want me to just tell you what he has once I know?"

"I'll stay" she decided. The doctor nodded and told her to have a seat at one of the tables as he went back to work. They talked occasionally until Spock arrived. Leonard nodded at him and told him to lie down on one of the biobeds. The Commander's look fell to Carissa and she saw him swallow and the next second he looked back to the doctor, who had his back turned to him and quickly left. "Stop" Carissa protested and when Leonard turned around he only saw how the door closed

"That little…" he stormed after the Vulcan and shouted at him to stop at what Spock yelled back at the doctor. "If you don't shut up right now I'll stun, drag you back to Med Bay and examine you myself. Something is wrong with you. More than that"

"I can handle this myself. It is none of your business so leave me alone"

"As CMO it is my job to make sure everyone's healthy. And all I can say is that you're not! You know that. So get your Vulcan ass back into Med Bay right this instant" there was silence for some seconds and then Carissa got up to have a look because she had at least expected Leonard to say something. But she only saw him lying on the floor and Spock was nowhere to be seen. She called for a nurse who confirmed her assumption that he was unconscious

"What happened?"

"I don't know. I'd say Spock nerve pinched him…" Carissa muttered, not liking his behavior at all. She helped carrying the doctor back to Med Bay and placed him on one of the beds and promised to stay with him until he woke up. When he did, he rubbed his neck

"That fucking bastard nerve pinched me"

"I thought as much"

"What the hell's wrong with him?"

"No idea"

"Do you know what he had why he left?"

No. He came, looked at us and then left. I should go and talk to him"

"I'm not sure this is a good idea. Not that he hurts you" she bit her lip

"Do you think it's possible that something is affecting his mind again? Like the time this being possessed him? When he tried to kill me? Maybe it's back somehow"

"I doubt it's the same being but maybe you are right. But I can't say anything if I can't examine him and he's not exactly cooperative as you have seen. I'm just gonna force him on sick leave for the next few days"

"He'll go to work anyway if he wants to…"

"But he can't do too much. He'll know that. There are things he won't be allowed to do"

"He still could do them. And considering the state he is in I suppose he doesn't care"

"I just should sedate him and examine him. He's a danger to everyone around him. Maybe even himself. But I'm just wondering… what could upset a Vulcan so much? Not even the destruction of his planet seemed to shake him in the slightest"

"It did"

"I said it didn't seem to. I know it hurt him, of course it did"

"Maybe something's affecting his mental control and makes him go crazy?"

"Then there would also be something that actually upsets him…"

"Right" she sighed "You know what. I'm gonna talk to him again"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll just stay outside his quarters"

"Good" he nodded "And good luck" as she had imagined, Spock only told her to go away again

"No" she insisted "I'll stay here until you've told me what is wrong"

"I do not have to discuss everything with you"

"You don't have to discuss it… just tell me what it is and we can talk tomorrow"

"I do not want to talk about it at all. You would not understand"

"Says who? You said that I'm very intelligent myself. And if it is something embarrassing… I promise I'll take you serious"

"Stop talking and leave"

"No" she took a seat and leaned her back against the wall "I'll stay all night if I have to"

"Do that if you want. I do not care"

"Spock… that's not you. Please…I-I just want to help"

"I do not need your help nor have I asked for you to do so"

"But it's only logical if I help you. You've helped me countless times so just let me help you this once"

"I told you to shut up!" his shouting was followed by a thud, a clash and a low curse in Vulcan. At least she thought it was a curse. And that was the moment she decided that she had had enough, opened his door and stepped into his room. It looked like an explosion had gone off in it and she let out a gasp

"Spock" she whispered, making his head turn to her abruptly

"I have not given you permission to enter my quarters. On contrary, I asked you to leave and leave me alone on multiple occasions"

"Please Spock… just tell me what's wrong"

"What is wrong? I do not want people to invade my privacy and try to 'help me'"

"If-if you don't want to talk to me that's okay… but there's gotta be someone you can talk to about this. Your father? Or maybe Ambassador Spock?"

"It is none of your concern who I discuss this with" she crossed her arms, stepped further into his quarters and took a seat on his bed

"I won't move until you've told me something about the issue"

"It is something private. And that is all the information you get. Get out" he pointed at the door

"Make me" she snapped back. To her surprise, he was the one who left, leaving the door open behind him. She shook her head but didn't follow him for some reason. Instead she left for her own quarters, where she was visited by Jim about half an hour later

"Do you have any idea what's going on with Spock?" he asked

"Wish I did" she told him everything that had happened

"Do you know what he just did?"

"No?"

"A helmsman from Beta shift told me that Spock has ordered to set course for Vulcan"

"New Vulcan?"

"No. Vulcan. That's the thing. So when I confronted him he said he can't remember doing it and that it would be illogical to head for Vulcan because it's gone. I've tried to get him to Med Bay again… but he stormed off before I could finish"

"What are we gonna do?"

"The only logical thing. We're going to head to New Vulcan. Because whatever it is, something tells me it's got to do with Vulcans so they can take care of that if he refuses to speak about it"

"Hm okay" she gave a nod "Do you think he'll be fine?"

"I don't even know what it is, how am I supposed to give you an answer"

"Oh…I somehow feel bad… He's suffering and there's nothing I can do"

"Hey, don't blame yourself. You've tried everything to help. Maybe he just needs time and will come and talk to someone once he's better. Or at least accepted whatever it is" he gently squeezed her shoulder

"If he tells you what it is… will you let me know?"

"Depends. If he doesn't want you to know I'll respect that"

"But can you at least tell me what I could do to make it better? You don't need to tell me what the problem is"

"I'll see. But maybe he won't even talk to me. A part of me thinks he'd rather talk to Bones than me"

"Do you think he'll ever agree to be examined?"

"I really don't know" he sighed "I suppose we should just wait what he does tomorrow and decide then"

"Okay" she gave a nod "I guess I can live with that… I probably have to" Jim gave a nod and left after he promised to let her know if Spock told him what it was regardless whether he would tell her what it was or not.

- oO0Oo -

However, he didn't tell anyone. All Carissa heard from Jim was that her boyfriend seemed quite nervous and short-tempered during his shift. A part of her wanted to confront her boyfriend again but she knew that he wouldn't talk to her. And she also didn't want to see him like that because the way he treated her hurt her. So she took a piece of paper and a pen and wrote him a short message (that she loved him and was there for him no matter what) which she slipped into his quarters beneath the door. She waited for a while and heard how he picked it up, placed a hand on the wall then left without a word. Somehow she had hoped it would make him see sense and that he'd come after her but nothing happened.

The next day, Jim had started another attempted to get Spock to Med Bay but it failed as well. Leonard joked that he would find a way to drug and examine him anyway. But Carissa wasn't too sure if it only was a joke, she wouldn't put it past him to actually do it. And somehow she hoped he would because then she'd ad least know what was wrong with him. Jim on the other hand was playing with the thought of making the First Officer lose it completely so that he realized that he should get checked up. But even the doctor disapproved of this idea and together they talked the Captain out of it.

If she had thought it couldn't get worse, she was mistaken. Jim had asked her to come to his office because he had an idea

"What is it?"

"I think I might know how we can find out what it is"

"How?"

"Whatever that is… he probably wouldn't want to deal with it all alone. I mean it seems to be a Vulcan problem. So who does he contact, logically?"

"His father? Or-or maybe his future self?"

"Exactly. So I suppose we just ask them. And if he hasn't told them, they might still know what it is when we talk to them"

"That's a great idea!" she smiled "But won't he be mad if he finds out what we did?"

"Probably…"

"Don't you think that will dangerous? Given his current state?"

"That's why I'm not sure if it's clever if you help me… because he somehow seems to have a problem with you"

"Why that?"

"Look, I don't know. But talking to Vulcans might help"

"Okay, I'm in" she said and Jim suggested they tried it with Sarek first. But he hadn't spoken to his son and when they started telling him how Spock was behaving, he only cut them off, saying that they had to respect his privacy and just bring him to New Vulcan so that the matter could be settled. Unfortunately, they didn't reach Spock's older version so Jim promised to try again later.

"Would you mind some sparring?"

"With you?"

"'course. Letting off some steam" she shrugged

"I've actually never really liked sport a lot… but I suppose you're right. It can't hurt to think of something else"

"And you might need to defend yourself again sooner than you know" he said with a wink.

"Let's hope not" she replied but got up and followed him to the training room. After a good hour of hand to hand combat, Jim wanted to accompany her to dinner and commed Leonard that he should come too. On their way to one of the rec rooms, they met Spock, who instantly went the other way as soon as he saw them

"Oi, Spock wait!" Jim called and they both hurried forward "We're just about to get dinner. Why don't you come with us, huh? I promise we won't bother you about your 'issue'" To her surprise, Spock stopped and turned around slowly

"I am not hungry"

"Then just come and sit with us a little" he said, wrapping an arm around Carissa "Bones is coming too" The Vulcan froze and before either of them knew it, he had grabbed the Captain by the throat and was pressing him against the wall

"You will not touch her ever again" he threatened in a voice so deep that made Carissa feel uncomfortable.

"Spock!" she cried "Let him go!" she ran over to them and grabbed her boyfriend's arm trying to pull him away or at least calm him down "Spock please" she said "You know he didn't mean it that way. Pull yourself together. He's your friend"

"Ya" Jim choked out and tried to give a nod.

"Please" Carissa said and let go of his arms to wrap her arms around her boyfriend instead. At that, he listened and let go of the Captain but also shoved her away with such a force that she stumbled a little

"What the fuck?" Jim coughed

"Do not touch me" he growled at Carissa and left

"What is wrong with you, Spock?" she shouted after him "One second it's 'don't touch her' then it's 'don't touch me'. That's illogical!" she tried to catch up with him "Please just talk to someone… I-I hate seeing you like this"

"Then stay away from me" she stopped and let out a gasp

"What's that supposed to mean? Is that your new way of dumping me?"

"It appears that you seem to be the one who wishes to end the relationship if you react like this"

"What? I've never mentioned anything like that! You're the one pushing me away! But if you can't talk to me… or at least treat me with a little more respect I will have had enough"

"Very well" he said "It is over then. I can live with that" and then he was gone, leaving her behind shocked. Trembling she returned to Jim who had gotten up and held his neck

"That boyfriend of yours really is into choking" he said. She shook her head

"Ex-boyfriend" she muttered and looked down

"Ex? What? No, he didn't… again?" she gave a nod and now broke out in tears. Her friend wrapped his arms around her "I'm sorry, Carrie. Really am. Can I do something for you?"

"Dunno…" she mumbled

"Carissa" she heard Leonard "What happened?"

"Ask that bloody Vulcan"

"What did he do now?"

"Do you mind?" Jim asked and she shook her head "We saw him and I invited him to come with us… when I wrapped an arm around Carissa, he lost it and tried to choke me. Then Carrie got him away from me but he shoved her away and left. She went after him and he broke up with her"

"What?" Leonard asked and snorted "That's it, I'm gonna kill him" he muttered

"No we just deposit him on New Vulcan and leave"

"Good. Something tells me I should drug him until we're there so that he can't do anything else. Who knows who he's gonna attack next?"

"To be honest… he actually only attacked people who touched her" Jim said pointing at Carissa. "And from what I've seen and heard he always left as soon as he saw her"

"So he didn't want her anymore but was still possessive when someone else came too close?"

"Appears so" Carissa muttered "It's like something Blacky does sometimes"

"Who's Blacky?"

"My cat"

"Ah"

"Well anyway, my cat often plays with toys for a while then doesn't find them interesting anymore. But if you try to put them away he'll grab them or try to scratch you or hiss"

"He actually does have a lot of that behavior… so I guess that whatever it is, I almost think that it has something to do with you. Like you're the plaything he's not interested in anymore but not willing to give it up completely…"

"But what? I've done nothing that could upset him like that. Maybe his father is behind this again"

"What's that supposed to mean?" she told them how Sarek had told his son he didn't think their relationship was appropriate the way it was right now.

"Hm…" Jim rubbed his cheek. "You know what, I'm just gonna talk to him"

"Are you sure that's such a good idea? He's basically tried to killed you moments ago"

"Good. I'll talk to him tomorrow" he looked at Carissa "if you still want him I can try and make him see sense… that he takes the break up back"

"Right now I don't even know what I want… if he continues like that I really don't want him"

"Understandable" he nodded. Despite everything that had happened, they went to eat dinner together anyway. To her delight, they didn't talk about Vulcans at all.

- oO0Oo -

Although Carissa had considered not going to work she did so anyway. She was even playing with the thought of appointing someone else as the Head of the lab. At least for a while, until she was over Spock. Because she was sure that she couldn't work with him in the next few weeks. Especially not if he behaved like that. After her shift was over, she directly went to her quarters to watch a movie, hoping it would help her to calm down. She almost didn't hear the knock on her door and winced when she heard the Vulcan's calling her name.

"Go away" she shouted "I don't want to see you. Two can play the game. And if this is about work, Commander, you can write me a message" she paused the movie to hear if he left but as it seemed he didn't. Then she heard a rustle and saw how something was slid into her room under the door. Before she heard him leave. She got up and picked up a crinkled piece of paper. It was the short letter she had given him earlier this week. She wondered why it was crinkled because it was unlike Spock to treat objects with such little care. At least in his usual state. When she turned it around, she saw that he had written a response on it.

"Dearest Carissa

Contrary to your beliefs I do still love you and I refuse to give up on you if you are willing to give me another chance.

Spock" she pressed the letter against her chest. And opened the door

"Wait!" she shouted and to her surprise he hadn't come so far as if he had hoped she'd come after him. He turned around "What-what is the meaning of all this? What's even going on with you? I-I have literally no idea what to do" she sighed

"May I come in?" he asked and she bit the inside of her cheek, then nodded. He followed her and she took a seat on the bed

"I don't mean to upset you again… but you seem a lot better today" she said and he replied that it probably was due to the meditation and that he followed the Captain's advice. She placed the letter on her nightstand and tucked up her knees "Why are you here?"

"There is an important question I have to ask you" she frowned

"A question?" he affirmed "Okay" she said, taking a deep breath, not quite liking the direction this was going.

"Do you wish to marry me?"

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