The planet Vulcan took up almost the entire view screen as Captain James T. Kirk stepped onto the bridge that morning. He took a seat in his chair and addressed no one in particular. "I see we've arrived at Vulcan."

"Yes, sir, right on schedule," said Chekov.

"Excellent." The captain was contemplating whether or not to change into shorts before they beamed down, when the turbolift doors opened behind him and he naturally turned around to see who it was, expecting Spock.

He was glad to see his other best friend, but not so glad to see the grave look on his face. "Jim, I need to talk to you," said the doctor.

Jim got out of his seat and went over to talk quietly with Leonard. "What is it, Bones? Is something wrong with Spock? He's two minutes late now and he's never late."

"Yeah, it's Spock."

"Is he okay?" Jim suddenly became panicked.

"No, well yes… but no." McCoy decided to be more straight-forward as Jim's confusion and concern deepened. "Joel broke up with him."

"He what?" Kirk practically yelled, causing everyone on the bridge to stare at them.

"Let's take this in private," said McCoy. The crew was fully aware of Spock and Joel's relationship, but Leonard didn't know if Spock wanted them to find out about the break-up just yet. There would be rumors and gossip and Spock sure as hell didn't need to have to deal with that.

McCoy took Jim by the arm and led him into the turbolift and promptly pushed the stop button when the doors shut.

"Is he okay? How's he taking it?" asked the captain.

"Not good, Jim. I've never seen a Vulcan cry like that. He came to my quarters right after it happened and he was a complete emotional wreck," McCoy explained, running a hand through his own hair and sighing from stress and worry.

"He was crying? Oh God! Where is he?" asked Jim.

"He's still in my bed," said McCoy.

Jim raised an eyebrow with confused concern. "You slept with each other?"

"We slept next to each other."

"You sure?" Jim teased.

The doctor growled. "Damnit, Jim, yes I'm sure!"

Jim chuckled slightly and pressed the start button on the turbolift. When the doors opened they were in the corridor outside the mess hall. Jim proceeded to waltz inside, Bones following close behind.

"Damnit, Jim, this isn't time for eggs and bacon! We need to go help Spock! And give that no-good-son-of-a-bitch Joel a piece of my mind!"

"Calm down, Bones, this'll only take a second. I know after a hard break-up all I want is a nice hot plate of pancakes!" said Jim, walking up to the pancake replicator only to find that it was out of order. He growled and grabbed his communicator. "Scotty!" he called the engineer.

"What is it, Cap'n?" came Scotty's voice over the communicator.

"The pancake replicator is broken!"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I have more important things to fix right now," he replied.

"Like what?" Jim all but snapped at him.

"Well, for one, the engines."

Jim sighed. Scotty was right. The engines were more important than pancakes, but not by much. "Alright. Just fix it when you get the chance. Kirk out."

"Can we please just go see Spock? He's probably awake by now," said McCoy.

"Yeah, you're probably right. Let's go."

The two walked down the hallway to McCoy's quarters and lightly tapped on the door to see if Spock was awake. When they got no reply, they entered. Spock was exactly where Leonard had left him, curled under the blanket, sleeping sideways on the bed.

Jim's heart broke when he saw how miserable his usually emotionless first officer looked, even in his sleep. Leonard strode over to Spock and gently shook him awake. "Spock, darlin'?"

"Doctor," said Spock as he woke up and looked about the room. "Jim," he acknowledged.

"Hey, Spock," said Jim. "Can I sit next to you?"

"Of course," said Spock as Jim sat down on his right side and McCoy on his left. Turning to the doctor, he said, "I must apologize for my emotional outburst last night."

McCoy shook his head. "Don't ever apologize for crying."

"Then I apologize for being a burden. I did not intend to impose."

"Spock, you're never a burden. Come to me whenever you need me; I'll be glad to take care of you," he smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You gonna be okay, Spock?" asked Jim.

"I am still very troubled by the sudden end of my relationship. But I believe I will be able to function properly."

"Well, I was gonna bring you some pancakes, but the replicator was broken so I just got you this instead," said Jim, pulling a stick of gum out of his pocket and handing it to Spock.

The Vulcan raised an eyebrow as he accepted Jim's gift. "…Thank you, Jim."

"Any time, Spock."

"Have you decided what you're going to do about your mom?" McCoy questioned gently.

Spock seemed to take on a depressed aura at the mention of the situation. "The only logical course of action is to tell her that Joel and I are no longer engaged."

McCoy sighed defeatedly. "Well, it's best to just get these things over with, Spock."

"It would seem that you are right, Doctor," said Spock as he got up off the bed and prepared to face his parents on the planet below.

The intense heat of the Vulcan desert hit Kirk and McCoy as soon as they materialized outside of Spock's house. McCoy squinted in the glaring sun and looked up at Spock for any signs of discomfort. He showed none. He could certainly hide his emotions when he wanted to.

"I think I should've worn shorts," Jim commented.

"Damn straight," McCoy muttered.

"I believe you will find the temperature inside more accommodating," said Spock, leading them in.

Amanda and Sarek were waiting for them inside. "Spock!" smiled Amanda, for once she did not resist the urge to hug her son. Spock stiffly returned the hug, not wanting to let his emotions get the best of him.

"Ambassador Sarek," Jim greeted Spock's father formally.

"James," he acknowledged.

"Greetings, Ambassador. I'm Doctor Leonard McCoy," he introduced himself.

"Greetings, Doctor, and welcome to Vulcan."

Amanda let go of her son and he went to go stand with his friends. "Mother, I believe you have met Captain James Kirk," he introduced.

"Yes, hello, James!"

Jim nodded a hello at her.

"And this is Doctor Leonard McCoy," Spock absent mindedly placed his hand on the doctor's shoulder as he introduced him.

Amanda grinned ear to ear. "Is he your fiancé, Spock?"

Jim coughed in surprise and McCoy and Spock froze. McCoy looked up into Spock's beautiful dark eyes and saw the pain and anxiety surfacing at the thought of what he was going to have to tell his mother. And upon seeing the joy in Amanda's eyes and the hurt in Spock's, Leonard McCoy made a very impulsive, illogical, irrational, human decision. "Yes," he said. "I am."