****
Spock studied her a moment as she dipped into her soup, eyes averted. Something was different about her. She seemed to be—glowing. Yes, he confirmed, that was the word. Her eyes had a—certain sparkle that had been missing since the day that he had left her.
He wondered at it curiously and before his mind could go further she spoke first.
"You're confirmed for the away team," she informed him.
He nodded. "I have spoken with Starfleet, they have informed me of my change in status. Have you spoken with Elder?," he asked.
She gave him a guilty look before shaking her head, "No, but he has been keeping me updated daily of his progress with the virus."
He took a sip of his plomeek soup and regarded her quietly. She was looking off into the distance and his ears picked up a strange sound. She was singing, humming lightly, some Terran song she used to sing whenever she was terribly happy.
His brow wrinkled slightly in confusion and deep down a feeling of dismay bloomed within him. He studied this emotion for a moment, wondering why he was experiencing it. Then a tall man with deeply set, bright green eyes crossed the floor, a plate of food in hand.
As he sat down next to Nyota, and her eyes lit up with barely contained joy, and he swept his hand lightly, so very lightly, against the back of her hand, Spock's suspicions were confirmed.
*******
He surreptitiously surveyed the Talexian scientist. He was aesthically pleasing and skilled at his work, but Spock was not overly impressed by his presence.
The Talexian spoke first, "So, Commander, how long have you served on the Enterprise?"
Spock finished sipping a spoonful of soup and fought the odd compunction to engage in combat with the researcher. His primal instincts were screaming, urging Spock to overtake him and claim his mate. Spock felt his back stiffen.
"It has been exactly three years, eight months and two days," he replied.
"And you were the one who drafted the subspace regulation process," the scientist smiled, "Impressive."
Spock nodded, "As I have been a researcher for many years and up to that point pioneered many techniques it was a natural process."
Nyota gave him a strange look.
"I have yet to hear of your work, doctor. What is it that you do?," he said pointedly and Nyota was looking oddly from Spock to the Talexian as if she was trying to figure something out.
"I do research at the Nexis BioMedical Research Laboratory in Prague."
"You are employed there? I was under the impression you were a—lead scientist," it was a subtle, gentle barb, one that any common person would miss. But Dimitri smiled widely, knowing a pissing contest when he saw one.
"No Commander, I am president and founder as well as lead researcher within the facility. I founded the laboratory after I was given the Quartz prize for mathematics and physics. I decided my skills would be useful in conjunction with our space program."
The Quartz prize was the highest honor that could be bestowed upon any single researcher in the galaxy. Very few humans or human hybrids had ever been gifted with this prize. It was a very rare and unprecedented accomplishment for a man who was still in his prime.
Spock narrowed his eyes only slightly. "I believe that I have heard of your research. You worked with the investigation of neutrinos? Then you may have heard of the theory I proposed and pioneered."
"Ah," Dimitri grinned, "Yes. The correct displacement of the valence level response to energy arrays, yes, I have heard of it."
"I was successful in installing the Arturnian Process. As a scientist I am sure you are aware of its importance."
"Why yes. This is why I chose to work with the neutrinos in the first place."
Spock nodded, a small part of him feeling smug and confident.
"There was a fatal flaw in the equation which led to an increase in run off."
Spock's lips thinned ever so slightly. "That is a result that cannot be helped. The flaw was not fatal but instead a natural implication of the neutrinos themselves. Since you are not a subspace regulator, I am sure you are not overly familiar with neutrinos. That is to be expected."
Nyota's sensitive ears picked up the smallest bite to Spock's otherwise very friendly assessment. She frowned.
"On the contrary Commander, I was able to compensate for the heavy mass and instead created an equation that will mostly cause the valence level to become stable. It was a very interesting project. It will be covered in the upcoming Galaxy of Science journal next month."
Nyota hid her mouth behind her hands, trying hard to stifle a chuckle. Galaxy of Science was Spock's favorite journal. She was sure there was a copy sitting in his quarters even now.
Spock blanched the tiniest bit and Dimitri cleared his throat. "I am always eager to work with a fellow scientist, especially of your caliber, Commander. I am sure you will be a great asset to the away team."
"Yes," Spock replied. "It is my hope we can defeat this threat."
"I look forward to working with you then."
A short look of confusion passed over Spock's face before it was smoothed out.
"I take it you will be on the away team as well," Spock commented.
Dimitri nodded, "It is my hope as well that we defeat this threat."
Dimitri stood as his communicator chirped. "I have to get back to work. Commander," he nodded and then let slip, "Nyota."
She did not correct him but instead nodded as he stood and grabbed his nearly empty plate. He disposed of his waste and quickly made his way out the mess hall doors.
"You seem to be very familiar with the doctor."
Nyota had been busy watching Dimitri saunter out the door, "Oh," she replied, snapping back to attention, "Well, he will be working closely with us and I've read many of his father's works."
Before Spock could investigate further she stood up and said, "I really have to get to these reports. I'll see you later Commander."
Spock began attending to his now lukewarm plomeek soup. She had not called him Commander, with such ease in many years. It was—unsettling. He watched her retreating back, the feeling of determination growing as well as his dislike for the scientist.
********