Spock frowned as he considered the cargo bay. The cage in the center of the space contained the suitcases, some soft rugs, and a few large pillows. He knew one of the displaced refugees was always supposed to be monitoring the cage, but it appeared as if no one was there. He moved closer to the cage without crossing the carefully marked border and noticed one of the pillows shift slightly.
"Got your attention." Harry Potter's head appeared to hover around him. "Hermione would have fits if she knew I was using this. She doesn't want any magical artifacts outside of the cases."
"She most likely has a good reason for such a desire." Spock examined the man as he removed a shimmering cloak from his body. "We can not afford to have these cages fail."
"I agree, but I'm worried about her. She's working herself to death trying to protect us all. She's not taking proper care of herself." The dark haired wizard ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and shrugged. "She talks with you. She actually smiles once in a while after a few minutes spent in your company. I know you've been avoiding her. What I don't know is why."
"I have not been avoiding her." Spock took a step back from the demarcation.
"Obfuscation." Harry waved his hand dismissively. "You've been avoiding all of us. Your father comes and talks with us as do several others, but not you."
"I do not owe you an explanation." Spock retreated another step.
"Maybe not." The wizard shrugged. "She says you've been distressed by helping us because it pushed you into conflict with your own code of conduct. I'm pretty sure she's right. She usually is. We grew up in a war. We learned to survive and to sacrifice. Our personal codes are more flexible than yours."
"While I appreciate your candor, I do not see why it gave you leave to deceive me and draw me into this conversation." Spock looked at the cargo bay doors for a moment before turning back to face the man in the cage. "My personal matters are of no concern to you."
"They are if she is hurt by them." The wizard sighed. "She's as close to me as a sister. We've been through so much together. She's suffered enough for my survival. I don't like to see the loneliness in her eyes. She enjoys spending time with you. Can you see fit to talk with her a little?"
Spock took a deep breath before he nodded. He understood Harry's motivation. He would do the same for James if his friend required it.
Hermione's mind was as regimented in its own way as any Vulcans. She was an insightful and considerate individual, but she pricked at his self control. He had chosen her welfare over his duty to The Federation. He had chosen her, and he did not regret it which made it all the more concerning.
Jim Kirk took a drink and laughed as Nyota savagely rejected another idiot. The bar was crowded, but there was no hint of trouble in the air. He'd been hoping for a bit of entertainment, but this place wasn't likely to provide him any. Things on Earth were so tame. It was as if the adventure had been sucked right out of the place.
"You could warn them off." His communications officer huffed at him as she tossed her long hair over her shoulder.
"Why should they be spared?" Jim smirked. "It's fun watching you loose that tongue on other people."
Nyota rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. Jim scanned the crowd beyond her hoping to see her next victim's approach, but there weren't any brave souls left in the crowd. It just wasn't his night. There was no trouble to be found. None at all.
"I think Spock might be in some kind of trouble." Nyota took a deep breath and met his eyes. "I've been thinking about his behavior, about how strangely he was acting before he left on that mission for the Vulcans. He didn't want any of us involved."
"He is Vulcan, and he was involved in a Vulcan matter. They don't really enjoy having other Federation members poking around in their business." Kirk leaned back on the bar stool. "I'm not sure that can be construed as trouble."
"He's gone off world without back up." Nyota glared down into her drink. "What if there is trouble? What if he is out there risking himself without our help?"
Jim sipped his drink and considered the night before him and the next several weeks of nights stretching into the future. He knew Uhura was trying to play him. She wasn't that good at it, but a brief jaunt off world would do him good. At the very least, it offered more entertainment than cooling his heels on Earth.
"They're testing some new ships for shorter range missions." Kirk smirked as Nyota leaned toward him. "Maybe I should we volunteer us to check one out."
"We might need to bring in a few of the others to round out the crew." Uhura smiled at him. "If we want to give a comprehensive assessment."
"Let's see if I can get one of those ships first." Kirk tossed down the remains of his drink. "I need to do something before all this twiddling my thumbs drives me crazy."
Uhura joined him as they headed back towards their temporary housing. Spock probably didn't need their help, but he would just have to put up with it. Jim looked up at the night sky and smiled. A bit of adventure never hurt anybody.