"I assure you doctor the pain was only temporary. It is gone. I need the dermal regenerator for this cut and I will be fine to return to my duties."

"Humph" the CMO responded. "you may not hurt anymore and you may even be controlling the pain like you claim to be able to do, but we were trapped on a freezing planet where you were wounded. Then you were stuck in that blasted transporter when it malfunctioned. You are far from fine and you can return to your duties as soon as I clear you... which i wont do without an exam. You heard the captain."

Spock sighed and sat back as the table reclined . He had no desire to spar with the doctor at that moment. He wasn't exaggerating this time. He really was fine. In fact, he was better than fine. He was exerting very little effort to control the pain and his mind seemed unusually quiet. For the first time in what had to be forever the doctor had nothing to say either. He relaxed into the quiet of his wanted to meditate and explore this unusual sensation. He would as soon as he finished his report on the planet and saw engineering's report on the transporter.

McCoy's voice interrupted his thoughts "Okay, Spock, now you are all clear. You may go."

"Thank you" Spock said and left quickly.

McCoy looked over his computer and made final notes before going back to his office. According to all his instruments and from what he could see Spock was telling the truth. He was fine. Physically anyway. But the doctor knew there was more than just what could be observed. medicine was an art just as much as a science and he knew the first officer too well. Something was off. He couldn't quite pin point it and unlike the last time when his body gave him away there was nothing. He was in perfect health. Almost too perfect. He went to the office and pulled up Spock's record. He would find it before bringing it up to the Captian this time. Jim was busy and would dismiss it without something definate to go by. Blood borne illnesses, something on the planet. He wasn't sure where to start. Just then his thoughts were interrupted by a comm.

"Bio lab, to Dr. McCoy. I need you to come look at something. I may have found what star base 2 was looking for, for the colony"

"Acknowledged. On my way." He sighed glad for the distraction and possible cure but he really wanted to focus on this.

"Ive got to get to sickbay" he thought forcing himself to stand and carefully step off the transporter pad. His muscles ached and his legs were cramping. He was cold. "No doubt close to hypothermia" he thought angrilly. His wound continued to throb. He looked at it again, still in disbelief. An infection of some kind, he thought. No. there was no know bacteria that would change the color of blood. The only logical explanation for that was simply impossible. One did not change species either. He was sure he was loosing it now.

He left the transporter room and noticed the corridor was empty. He arrived at sickbay. "Doctor?" No one was there. he couldn't figure out what was going on. Had he beamed to the right Enterprise? it seemed so. He looked up and saw his reflection in the mirror in the door way and froze. "Impossible" he whispered to no one as his hands unconsciously went to his ears. His round ears. I'm...I'm human! Of all the things that could possibly be wrong with me! I'm Human! he laughed. the shock of the pain that hit him while laughing brought him back to reality. He found the regenerator still out on the table and quickly healed the wound on his arm. He found a hypo of what he knew to be a mild pain killer and injected himself. He needed a muscle relaxer but didn't think he had enough time to be sneaking around sickbay. he was sure the doctor, or nurse chapel would be back shortly and he really didn't want to run into her at the moment. He shook himself at the thought. She tried way to hard. He found a hat and hid his round ears. He didn't want to be accused of being an intruder on his own ship. Admittidly he had not had time to think through a plan yet but he would before duty shift tomorrow. He had just enough time to slip around the corner before Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy came to sickbay.

"I was not going to bring it up until i have answers, Jim, I know you are busy but since you noticed it too this time. He didn't have a response. Like he didn't want to engage in our verbal matches." he noticed the Captain looked unsure. "No, I don't think it was because he was tired. Spock always has a smart comment to make. He didn't even really protest much about the physical either. And about that. Physically he is perfect. Almost too perfect.

"Too healthy? Bones that's crazy"

"I didnt say it made sense, Jim, and this time there is nothing I can call him on. I'll keep an eye on him though and just as sure as there is something tangible I will call him on it."

"He'll be thrilled"

"Yes, how to deal with an angry Vulcan." the doctor laughed. "It wont be the first time."

Spock raised his round eyebrow like he always did. He made a note of the conversation and went to find a place to wait out the shift. Something is definately up because he had not seen the doctor since leaving the planet, but clearly the doctor saw him. Was there an impersonator running around on the ship. If so he clearly had them fooled and considering his new condition they would never believe him when he told them that He was indeed Spock and the other was impersonating him. He needed answers. He was so lost in thought he almost ran into the yoman.

"Commander, Are you okay. I heard about the transporter problem. I was worried."

"I am fine, Yoman. I am just going to my quarters." He reached for his hat. "I still havent acclimated to the temperature. I will be fine."

"Yes, Sir. Good to hear Sir." she said and left.

He settled down in the vacant quarters that the visiting star base officer had been in the week before. He was a little afraid. If he was honest. Yet, at the same time, he felt free. He didn't have to hold back. He thought of things he had not been able to say. Feelings he hadn't been able to express. If something was wrong with his impersonator. He was everything that was right. He laughed. it felt so good to express all the emotion. He was human now, for whatever reason and he would feel. He would enjoy it. For a little while at least.

Vulcan Spock finally was able to relax. it had been a stressful day. he sat back in his quarters and prepared to meditate. He needed to process the emotions. They seemed so different. More intense. Yet it was easier to meditate and bring them under control. Just as it was easier in sickbay to control the pain after the transporter incident. He knew that had something to do with it, but wasn't sure what. he needed answers. He would question Scotty the next morning. He sipped his tea and looked into his flame. "My thoughts focused, My emotions controlled and my soul centered" he whispered. After a few moments his eyes flew open. "Surely Not" he said out loud to no one. He rose and stood starring at his reflection. His eyes lit up and a slight smile crossed his lips for the briefest of moments. "It is gone. Peace. I no longer need to fight. I am free. "He would find a humane way to elilminate any "problems" that might hinder his new found peace. The crew will surely appriciate his new vulcan efficency.