A/N: okay, I am going to write each of the remaining season three episodes like Spock and Chris were dating, and first up is the empathy. This chapter is mostly background work building up to the actual episode :D Thanks to Lucida for the use of Hermann, her and her cousins will be reappering! To find out about Hermann's grandfather read her fic 2175.

Disclaimer: Don't own them, and Lucida owns Hermann.

I feel awful, I shouldn't have gotten mad at him like that. I just got ticked at him because he wasn't displaying emotions. It didn't seem like that at the time but now I see that I was. It all started the day after he asked to court me...

~~ooOoo~~

Nothing could bring my spirits down that morning. I woke up humming a love song. I got dressed in my uniform and put on Spock's necklace, it was light and beautiful. However it was a bit much for duty so I wore it under the uniform. I loved its cool feel against my chest. I had to remind myself periodically that no one knew I was dating Spock. I had decided to let Spock announce the incredible news. I myself still couldn't believe I was dating Spock, and he asked to court me! He was pursing me! I still don't remember how I wound up at sickbay; I honestly didn't even remember leaving my quarters. I tried to not make my joy to obvious as I walked into sickbay.

"Good morning Len! How is everything?" I need to tone my perkiness down a bit.

"I'm fine Chris, what's gone and got you so happy?" he had a suspicious glint in his eyes, did he suspect?

"No reason, just in a good mood." So no the truth! I wanted to shout the news out while jumping and squealing like a little girl.

"I bet its Spock." What?! How did he know?

"What do you mean?"

"He wanted to talk to you yesterday, what'd he say?" oh, phew, I could lie my way out of that.

"He simply wanted to ask me when I was free to do his physical." Not an entire lie, he asked me last night and he was coming this afternoon for one.

"Okay, why don't you check on ensign Hermann."

"Yes Sir." That was easier than I thought. I went to the next room and examined ensign Hermann, a twenty two year old brown haired woman who had a thick accent.

"You have a slightly fracture humerus, do you mind my asking how you got it?"

"Not at all ma'am I haf, no problem vith you asking. You see, it vas my cousins und friends. Ve vere playing a game of vootball on de recreational deck, und de game got a vittle out of hand ja."

"You broke your humerus in a game of football? You must have a very competitive family!"

"Vell, I hav sixteen cousinz, und two of my friendz vere playing, I had de ball und they all vanted it. So they tackled me, und it broke."

"Sixteen cousins? My, you have quite a large family! Well, I mended the bone but I wouldn't suggest using it to strenuously in the next three days."

"Thank you Nurse Chapel, I shall ve on my way." Hermann, that name seemed familiar, but then with sixteen cousins on board I was bound to have treated several of them. The rest of the morning passed by quickly with a number of bruises and strains, nothing too exciting. Finally it was 1400 hours, time for Spock's physical. I could hear him come in and start talking to Len.

"I have an appointment with Nurse Chapel for a physical."

'Of course Spock, she's in there." My heart started pounding as I heard him walk into the room, I turned around and smiled at him. he had his usual blank expression on but his eye were dancing.

"Good afternoon Nurse Chapel, I am ready for my physical."

"Right this way Mr. Spock." I took him to the bed and took some blood. I must admit, I was having a really hard time acting like normal- I just wanted to hug him. As I took his readings his hand brushed mine, and for an instant I froze, an unfortunate instant. Leonard was right behind me.

"Y'all alright over her?" He drawled out, I could practically feel his mischievous grin on the back of my neck. Spock of course had on a blank expression, I however was blushing terribly.

"I assure you Doctor, the Nurse and I are fine. She is merely taking my vitals." His voice never wavered; I would kill for that kind of control.

"Alright, I'll be in my office if y'all need me." he left the room and I tried not to giggle. I felt like a girl caught kissing behind the school house. If only they knew we were dating.

"I believe my vitals are correct." woops, I forgot about the physical.

"Yep, your perfect." I let my eyes wander over his fine body, a very pleasant task. To my surprise his cheeks turned slightly greener, he was blushing! I grinned even wider and led him over to the exercise machine.

"If you would." He lay down on his back and started pushing the pedals. I was looking in his eyes as he did it and I didn't even hear the ding signifying he had been on it long enough.

"Christine." His tenor voice was hardly a whisper as he spoke my name. It was enough thought to draw me out of my daze. I looked up at the readings and smiled, he was perfect as usual.

"You're perfect again Mr. Spock, just a few more test and you'll be clear." The rest of the physical went far too fast.

"Your in great health Mr. Spock, have a good day." I hated to see him go.

"Thanks you Nurse Chapel." Then he added in a whisper "Would you mind having dinner in my quarters?" Would I mind?

"Of course, I would love to have dinner." I was struggling with keeping my voice quite, I was so happy! But why not have dinner in the mess hall? I didn't get a chance to ask, he had already left.