"You summoned me, Doctor?"  Spock stood just inside the door to McCoy's office.

"Yeah, come on in."  McCoy looked up at the Vulcan now standing in front of him.  He motioned for Spock to sit.  "What were you talking about?"

Spock looked at him blankly.  "When?"

"On the bridge a while ago.  What do you think Connell is up to?"

"I am not experienced in judging human emotions.  However, it seemed to me that Admiral Connell is a very jealous man."

"Jealous?  What about?  I thought he was mad about the mission.  That we didn't return Lexxi to earth like he asked."

"In a way, yes."

McCoy frowned and leaned toward Spock.  "What are you thinking?"

"It is only a theory."

"Spock, you're theories are usually better than most people's absolutes.  I'm willing to take a leap of faith."

"Faith, doctor?"

"Faith, now spill it."

The doctor could see that Spock chose to ignore the figure of speech as the Vulcan began to speak, folding his hands in front of him as he often did before a monologue.  "In the time since Lieutenant Montgomery's attempted suicide, I reviewed her personal files again.  I understand you also did so."

"Yeah, there was nothing there.  The bare minimum."

Spock nodded.  "No history, no biography…and what I had read and shared with the captain at the beginning of the mission is gone."

"Gone?"

"Gone."  Spock didn't elaborate.

"So…"

"Her files have been tampered with."

"Obviously.  Why?"

"I do not have sufficient information as of yet."

"Great!  So what else?"

"Lieutenant Montgomery served as communications officer on a freighter under Captain Andrew Hanson immediately following her graduation from Starfleet Academy in 2252.  She is on the enrollment list for 2250.  However, the records from her stay there have disappeared."

"Strange."

"Returning to Captain Hanson.  Lieutenant Uhura informed me that you contacted him recently"

"I did, to talk about Lexxi.  He said that he thought she didn't belong on a freighter and recommended her for promotion.  Admiral Connell interviewed her and took her away."

"That is not what the records state."

"There are actually records of something?  Amazing.  What do they say?"

"Admiral Connell's records of the event state that she requested a transfer to earth and applied to be his assistant.  They attempted to promote her and she rejected."

"Bullshit!  Andy wouldn't lie!"

"Obviously, Admiral Connell would.  I reviewed the communications logs between Admiral Connell, Captain Hanson, and Lieutenant Montgomery.  It happened as Captain Hanson says."

"You're sure it was Connell?  Lexxi isn't exactly crystal clear either."

"Taking into account the nature of the other changed records, Admiral Connell is a distinct suspect.  Lieutenant Montgomery has no motive to change her own files."

"And Connell does?"

Spock didn't answer.

"You think they're romantically involved, don't you?"

Spock still didn't answer.

McCoy chose to reroute the conversation.  "What's Jim doing down there anyway?"

"The captain did not inform you of his plans?"

"No, he did not inform me of his plans.  Only assured me that there'd be no Stones, Beatles, or Monkees."

One Vulcan eyebrow flew up.  "Stones, beetles and monkeys, doctor?  I would certainly hope not."

Grinning, McCoy reveled in Spock bewilderment.  "What did he tell you?"

"He was spending the evening with Lieutenant Montgomery, would be back in the morning, and was not to be disturbed except in an emergency."

"I still think we would call him.  Connell is one mad admiral, and you never want one of those on your hands."

"I believe Jim needs an uneventful evening of rest."

"With girls, evenings are never uneventful," McCoy muttered.

"I also believe Lieutenant Montgomery will come to no harm from such an experience."

"So now you're practicing psychiatry?  And without a license.  Wait!"  McCoy gasped.  "Was that compassion I hear in your voice?  Oh, I believe I'm gonna have a heart attack!"  The doctor clutched his chest and closed his eyes.

Spock looked down him condescendingly.  "Then I suggest you report to sickbay; I am unable to help you."

The doctor looked up into Spock's hard expression and his smile faded.  He watched as the Vulcan left the room.  "Ouch."

"So, Lieutenant," Kirk spoke as music began playing, "being such as you are…"

Lexxi looked indignant.  "Such as I am, Captain?"

"What is the most amusing situation you've found yourself in?"  Kirk had to admit that it wasn't the best subject he'd come up with, but conversation was difficult with Lexxi.

"You mean, how embarrassed have I been because I'm an alien?  What, more research before you dive in?"

"No.  Simple conversation.  I can tell you several situations I'd have rather not been in."

"All right then, for simple conversation, you first."

"Yeah, you."

"Okay.  Let me think a minute.  I have many to choose from."

"I'm sure.  I'm counting, Captain. Mississippi one…"

Kirk sat back, grinning at Lexxi's spark, and began running through past mission in his mind.  Deneva…Neural…some really weren't all that funny…Charlie…the Iotians…

"Mississippi twenty-seven….Mississippi twenty-eight…"

"Stop, stop," Kirk chuckled, "I've got one.  Trying to explain Mr. Spock to a 1930's police officer.  I think I told him Spock was Chinese and said something about a rice-picking accident and an American missionary whose hobby was plastic surgery."

"A 1930's police officer."  Lexxi looked slightly past Kirk as if remembering something.

Kirk sigh.  "I'm sorry I can't tell you more.  I believe everything concerning that is classified."

Lexxi's eyes came back to his.  "Not for everyone, Captain, not for Admiral Connell."

"Really."

"Yes sir.  I know all about the time planet, the Cordrazine overdose, the Guardian of Forever, Edith Keeler…"  Lexxi stopped as she watched Kirk's face fall.  "You thought you loved her."

"I did love her."  Kirk's voice was laced with agitation.

"Was she the one?"

Kirk looked up and into Lexxi's piercing gaze.  Once more, his anger melted.  She was not taunting or accusing, but…curious.  Like a child asking about heaven.  He smiled and slowly shook his head, watching as her face fell.

"I'm not the one either," Lexxi whispered, her bottom lip trembling almost imperceptibly.

Kirk looked away and took a deep breath.  "Your turn!" he announced.

Lexxi glanced at the ceiling.  It was time for a reality check.  "The time I fell in preschool and skinned my knee.  I had to stay away until my picture left the tabloids.  The fact that I matured several years before my peers.  Having to tell my first date that we were physically incompatible."  Lexxi ignored the stinging in her eyes.

Kirk was speechless.  This wasn't what he wanted.  He reached across the table and covered Lexxi's hand with his.

Lexxi looked down and smiled.  Pulling her hand away, she said, "Alcohol has no affect on my.  In high school, I was the only designated driver who could drink twice as much as everyone else."

"Damn," Kirk grinned, "there goes plan A."

"So what's plan B, Captain?"

Kirk stood and offered his hand.  "Would you like to dance?"

Lexxi cocked her head and strained to hear the soft music she'd failed to notice before.  Suddenly, it grew a little louder and she could hear it perfectly.  At the first notes, she gasped and took a step back, away from Kirk.  "How…?"

"I'm going to speak with Kirk, whether it be on his own terms, or in his own brig.  And if you interfere in any way, Mr. Spock, you will join him!"

"On what charges?"  Spock was perfectly ready to stare Admiral Connell down.

"Insubordination!"  The transmission ended.