"Wow," Lexxi breathed, "the controls for the lights on the entire ship are all on this one panel?" *AN: I don't know if that's true or not.*

"Aye," Scotty replied, smiling at the girl's awe, "except, of course, for individual quarters.  Ye have seen the heart, now how about the brain?"

"The brain?"

"Aye, the bridge."

"All right, lead the way."  Lexxi followed the beaming Scotsman through the outer doors of engineering and a maze of corridors.  As they neared the turbolift, the door slid open to reveal Mr. Spock, in all his austere solemnity.

"I shall finish the tour from this point, Mr. Scott," the Vulcan stated.

"Aye, Mr. Spock," Scotty replied, "If the lass doesna mind."

Startled, Lexxi looked from one man to the other.  "Of course not.  Thank you, Mr. Scott.  I believe that was the most fun I've had in weeks."

Scotty grinned before turning to leave.  "Thank ye, my dear."  And Lexxi was left alone with Spock.

"Are we still visiting the bridge?" she asked.

"If you wish."

"I do."

Spock studied Lieutenant Montgomery.  "I do not believe you have been entirely honest."

"What?"  Lexxi froze.  What had he discovered about her?  Her precious web of deception began to shatter before her imaginative eyes.

"The Aldrin was a Constitution class starship.  You told the doctor you had never seen one."

It was all Lexxi could do to suppress a sigh of relief.  "I meant extensively, Mr. Spock.  All I saw of the Aldrin was my cabin, the transporter room, and the turbolift between."

"I see."  Spock began to walk and Lexxi strove to match his long stride.  She drew a deep breath.

"I'm willing to speculate that you have formulated more questions for me."

"Indeed.  Your speculation is correct."

"And…"

"Are you aware that we were in telepathic contact earlier?"  Spock had initially asked the captain to alert Lieutenant Montgomery of this situation, but had since then thought better of it—something, he had to admit, he rarely did.

Lexxi smiled a little.  "Yes, I am aware that you used a mind meld to convince me to live after the explosion on…" her voice trailed off as he frowned.

"I am relieved that you are aware of that.  However, that is not what I was talking about."

Lexxi's mind raced and recoiled as she remembered.  "No."

"I believe you have psionic abilities you are unaware of."

Lexxi recovered control and found her voice.  "You seem to believe a number of things, Mr. Spock.  I may be a psychopath, but I'm not a telepath."

"Lieutenant," Spock replied, eyebrows raised, "a psychopath is defined as a person having a character disorder distinguished by amoral or antisocial behavior.  I do not believe this describes you."

"Yeah?  Well, I was a serial killer in a previous life."

"Fascinating.  Are you referring to reincarnation?"

"No.  I was kidding."

"Very well."  Spock had no patience for humor.  "When we talked in sickbay, you addressed my thoughts before I expressed them"

"I did not read your mind."  Lexxi's trace smile returned.  "It was the logical thing for you to be thinking about with your emotions taken into account.  I know that even Vulcan's radiate emotions, Mr. Spock.  They are simply more tightly controlled."

"You have an acute sense of emotion."

"Precisely.  I've always been told I was a very perceptive person when really, me seeing that you are slightly puzzled and rather awed is like you seeing that I have curly hair.  Given the situation we are in, all I have to do is guess that you are feeling this about your newfound knowledge of me."

Spock studied Lexxi a moment before replying, "Quite correct, Lieutenant.  Am I to conclude," he asked, "that you are able to radiate your emotions as definitely as you read others?"

"If you wish."

"Would you explain then why I was experiencing your memories and emotions at the time you were attempting to take your life?"

"If you wish."

"I do."

Lexxi sighed.  "You received my emotions and they replayed what you had learned about me in the meld."

"I had guessed that much."  The Vulcan didn't add what was in his eyes.  Why me?

"I don't know why it was you.  According to my experiences, no one should have picked them up.  Unless you're not as emotionally deaf as humans are.  I can only guess.  It may be your hybrid heritage."

Spock remained silent.

"I can understand your irritation, Mr. Spock."  Lexxi sighed again.  "The first Vulcan to enter Starfleet has always been of interest to me.  Who you are and the miracle of your existence are no secrets."

She turned away and gestured forward.  "The bridge?"

"You are able to radiate your emotions."

"I promise, Mr. Spock, it will not happen again."