Not Mine, Never Mine, Usual Disclaimers.

A/N: As promised, I updated again.

Spock had to admit that Nyota's wants were simple enough, all she craved was some time with him, alone. Kirk's presence had "put a dampener on the mood" as she put it, and Spock agreed to find a way to distract the captain so that they could enjoy some time together. Heading back to his quarters, Spock outlined his plan for getting some time alone, which consisted mainly of leaving Kirk with McCoy for some tests.

'How exactly are you going to convince McCoy to take Jim in order to run tests? For that matter, how are you going to convince him to run the tests to begin with?' Nyota asked.

'He mentioned the other day that he was hoping that more data would give him answers. Simply telling him that he is not running the proper tests should be enough,' Spock replied.

'Kirk wont forgive you, he avoids medicals whenever possible, being submitted to McCoy for more than a few hours is going to make him feel like a lab rat.'

'If I explain the situation...'

'He will hate you more, thinking that you did it for selfish reasons, rather than out of concern for him.'

Spock considered her words carefully, 'so you want me to lie?'

'It's not a lie if the other person simply thinks it was for different reasons than that which it is.'

'I find the concept very confusing.'

'Trust me Spock; it will work, assuming that you can get McCoy to take him to begin with.'

Spock opened his mouth to argue that trust in her wasn't the issue when his comm. beeped.

'McCoy to Spock.'

'Doctor,' Spock answered.

'Commander, I think I've figured out a way to measure the energy levels, but I'm going to need Kirk for a while to run more tests to be sure.'

Nyota smiled at him, 'see, don't even need to suggest it.'

'When did you need him?' Spock asked, ignoring her.

'In about an hour, if that works for you.'

'I'll make sure that he's available,' Spock promised.

Nyota was beaming at him, obviously pleased by the recent turn of events, and the prospect of several Kirk free hours that were ahead. The two of them entered Spock's quarters and looked for the troublesome pup, locating him sprawled out in the bathroom.

'Your quarters are probably too hot for him,' Nyota commented, reaching down to scratch behind Kirk's ears, watching him pull away.

'Has it not occurred to you that he does not like to be touched?'

'McCoy touches him.'

'McCoy doesn't have any choice, Spock answered.

The need not to be touched was one he understood, and for humans, this concept was often difficult to understand. Spock grabbed a towel and ran it under the tap, soaking it in cold water before spreading it out on the floor. Nyota stared but Kirk got up and sprawled on it.