McCoy finished the last chart and closed his medical log entry. It had been a routine and ordinary day, the kind of shift that had allowed him to navigate primarily on a kind of auto pilot. He didn't like the feeling of disconnect; detachment was not how he conducted his life as a doctor or a person. But it had served well enough, especially when he felt the concerned glances coming from his chief nurse when she thought he wasn't looking.

He had realized early in their association that Chapel was protective of the Sickbay in general and him in particular. She was a fine nurse, proficient, knowledgeable, smart, insightful, and she made the patient load flow through Sickbay like a smooth river. She delegated his time and resources, and made his job easier. Most of the time her mothering instinct was a tolerable offshoot of this protectiveness. Occasionally McCoy felt suffocated by the attention. Fortunately Chapel usually sensed when he needed to be left alone, and gave him room. So although he could feel her watchful eye, she had refrained from any personal discussion and had been the very model of professionalism. He was relieved. Chapel was hard to bluff.

"Doctor McCoy, may I enter?"

McCoy jumped just a bit, startled. "Dammit, Spock. Make some noise when you sneak up on me."

Spock inclined his head. "That is a nonsensical statement, Doctor. If my intention was to approach stealthily, then it would be illogical to broadcast my arrival with unnecessary noise. However, I was not sneaking. You were preoccupied, and thus inattentive."

McCoy blinked. "Never mind. Come in. What brings you here? I assume this is not a social visit."

"It is not wise to make assumptions, Doctor McCoy. One could say that this is indeed a social visit." Spock lowered his tall frame into a chair, watching McCoy digest his statement and waiting expectantly for the doctor's rejoinder.

McCoy leaned forward, focusing on the Vulcan, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. Their eyes met for a moment, then McCoy suddenly seemed satisfied. He leaned back with a soft snort. "All right, Spock. Let's hear what's on your mind. But before you start, I have a question for you. Why in blazes are we headed for Vulcan?"

"The Enterprise received orders from Starfleet Command," Spock answered mildly.

"I know that, ya pointy eared computer," McCoy said. "But why to Vulcan? What will we do there?"

"The Enterprise will pick up a small contingent of scientists on Vulcan, then proceed to Nu Aminta II, with supplies and equipment for the research outpost there."

"I don't think I've heard of Aminta," McCoy said.

"Hardly surprising," Spock said. "Nu Aminta II is an abandoned space port planet discovered by a Federation and Andorian joint scientific expedition approximately one point eight Earth years ago. It is remarkable for its large number of intact relics dating back more than five thousand years. These are of great interest to historical linguists in particular, as many contain fragmented links to languages that are no longer in existence. It is also..."

McCoy held up his hand. "A cosmic Rosetta Stone in the galactic Library at Alexandria. I get it." He chuckled at Spock's raised eyebrow of surprise. "So I guess you're excited. You'll be in scientific communion with a bunch of Vulcans just like you. Y'all can use big words without stopping to explain what you're sayin'."

"Really, Doctor," Spock admonished. "Sardonicism is not becoming on you. But you extrapolate from a mistaken premise. I will not be traveling with the Enterprise to Aminta II."

"No?" McCoy was quickly serious. "Where will you be, Mister Spock?"

Spock regarded him gravely. "I shall be on a diplomatic mission with members of the Vulcan Council. I cannot speak openly at this time."

"Diplomat? You?" McCoy studied Spock's poker face for a moment, but did not press further. "So do you want me to water your plants while you're gone or what?"

"That will not be necessary. Kylin'the and cacti can go without water for extended periods."

McCoy rolled his eyes.

"Actually, Doctor, I do have something to discuss with you."

McCoy heard the slight hesitation in Spock's voice. "Go ahead," he prompted. "Spit it out."

"One associate who will board when we reach Vulcan is not a scientist, per se. But she possesses a unique skill that may help decipher some of the tomes found on Aminta and has agreed to aid in the translation. She is a rather well known musician."

"Well, that sounds lovely," said McCoy. "But I don't understand how I can help. I'm a doctor, not a linguist." He looked quizzically at the Vulcan, wondering what Spock wasn't saying.

"I realize that," Spock said. "In addition, she is a member of my family. Her name is T'Phol."

McCoy stared at Spock in confusion, unsure where the conversation was going. He decided to take a direct approach. "Well, it's too bad you won't be here to visit with her. Now why don't you tell me where this is headed and how I can help."

"It is neither your scientific nor medical skill that might benefit T'Phol. She is - questing for her identity. I believe she will find your insight into the human condition to be engaging, perhaps illuminating, and, at the very least thought provoking." Spock paused. "T'Phol is half Vulcan. Her mother is Human. "

"Just like another Vulcan I know? Oh, Hell...Spock..." He broke off, a little nonplussed. "I've been trying for years to engage and provoke you. Look how great that's working out. How many of you exist, anyway? "

Spock's dark eyes glinted with amusement, visible for those few who knew how to see. "In my family, just myself and T'Phol. Historically, since First Contact, there have been fifty-four successful births of Vulcan/Human hybrids. I think you will find her to be quite different from me in many fundamental ways. You and I have served together four years, seven months, and twenty-three days."

"Well, that's a relief. How many hours?"

"Seventeen hours, three minutes, fourteen seconds."

"Huh." McCoy leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. He opened them to find Spock gaze focused on him keenly. "What? It's enough to have Nurse Chapel hovering and watching me outta the corner of her eye all day. I promise I'm not gonna crack just this second."

Spock raised a brow. "That is fortunate."

McCoy considered a retort, but let it pass unsaid. The physician in him was certainly intrigued at the prospect of meeting another Vulcan/Human hybrid. But approaching with an agenda seemed underhanded and manipulative, bordering on unethical. He wished that Spock had said nothing to him at all.

Spock seemed to have picked up on his thought. "Doctor McCoy, I am not suggesting that you should schedule a psycho-analysis session, nor invade her privacy with prying or goading. T'Phol is both perceptive and discerning, as well as selective of her companions. You are astute, compassionate, and dare I add, occasionally even winsome, or so it has been reported."

McCoy's bark of laughter was sharp and sudden. "Winsome? You're slipping."

"I did indicate it has been reported. I have no first hand knowledge of the phenomenon." Spock's face was thoughtful as he continued. "The life of a prodigy and performer is often singular by necessity or desire. To be driven by such a Muse is a hard burden, particularly as a child on display. To borrow an Earth expression, I simply think the two of you might 'hit it off'. And I believe you both would benefit from making the acquaintance." Spock left unspoken his thought that McCoy also projected an air of loneliness, more pronounced of late than usual.

McCoy sat up straight, his blue eyes meeting Spock's with an intensity that the Vulcan found a little unsettling. Spock could sense some anger or annoyance there, though he did not understand the cause. Finally the doctor relented with a slight shrug. "Fine. I'll be sure to meet your cousin while she's on board. But on my terms."

Spock nodded and rose. "I would expect nothing less from you, Doctor McCoy. Thank you. Now if you will excuse me, I must prepare for beam down when we reach planet orbit. Good evening."

"You be careful, Spock. And you're welcome. I guess." The latter he muttered under his breath at Spock's departing back.

McCoy stared after Spock for several long minutes, deep in thought.