A/N: it seems like nobody is cheering for Spock to succeed in his attempt to stay detached

Beta is still required


"What exactly are you saying Bones?" Kirk's voice was dangerously soft. "Are you saying I went too far?"

"Well Jim, you are the Captain here, damn it" Bones was all flustered, he knew he was walking a dangerous tread "you outrank every damn person on this ship, that puts you in a dangerous situation, you wouldn't use it, but it could be interpreted like it."

"Interpreted?" Kirk pondered it for a moment and then he tried to stifle a smile. "So you think our First Officer would soon report me to Head Quarters for being… what exactly; sexual harassment?"

"Well when you put it like that of course it sounds ridiculous" Bones got defensive.

"You are aware on physical conditions of our First, you best of all, he could just snap me like a twig or put me to sleep with on move, I think he'll manage to defend himself from a… crude guy like me" he said it lightly and with a smile but the words didn't sit right.

"Yeah, yeah" Bones turned away "when I think of whom I'm talking about I feel silly, he has no emotions to be violated against, but still. He was strange on the last mission, I had to order him to sit with you while I was preparing vaccine, and later on… well he looked more stuffed than before."

"I don't imagine that sitting while someone else works is his kind of situation" Kirk pointed out carefully wondering was there something to doctor's words, besides his flammable temper, he knew to evaluate men on his care. Sometime he could even read Spock, but that was very rarely. Was this one of those times?

"Yeah probably, but you…" Bones looked him over his shoulder and offered him a crooked smile "you won't do anything crazy?"

"You know me" Kirk smiled "I just like to poke sometimes. It's nothing harmful."

Bones sighed and shook his head.

"I know Jim, but sometimes I think your sense of humor will cost me my liver" with that he poured himself another glass of ale.

Kirk wasn't at ease with doctor's prying. It wasn't like him to cross that line between Kirk's private affairs and his duties. Maybe it was because Spock was mainly entwined with his duties that Kirk stopped perceiving that he is outranking him. It was ridiculous to think of Spock as damsel in distress but something triggered protectiveness in Bones. Kirk could understand that but he was sure that his small pokes and provocations are hardly bruising against Spock's impenetrable shell of logic. He wasn't worried for Bones, Spock would provoke him with something perfectly logical and Bones will remember he considers him almost a machine. But Spock was different thing. How would Kirk be sure when he had overstepped the line in his poking? Would Spock really react violently? He couldn't imagine that, not yet, but maybe… How do Vulcan's react to sexual harassment? With that Kirk felt smile spreading across his face because he found another interesting question considering his First Vulcan.

With that smile he entered the bridge and was greeted with Spock getting gracefully from his chair and reporting that all is well in the Universe, at least at this portion of the Universe, surely it would change soon. Kirk took a good look at Vulcan face but nothing could be seen there. Only thing was that Spock seemed undisturbed, calm, he looked straight at the Captain. Soon, as Kirk continued to stare, one eyebrow quirked quizzically and Kirk laughed softly.

"Thank you Mr. Spock. So it was a dull shift I guess?" Kirk offered him a suppressed smile and Spock almost sighed in return, like he's enduring long and boring part of his duty.

"Dull wasn't the word I would use Captain" he said as his eyes drifted up to panels behind Kirk's back "there is always something worth observing."

"Of course Mr. Spock" Kirk positioned himself to his chair "what was it this time; some nebula?"

"No, this is quite vacant part of the Universe" he answered almost sounding tired "emptiness was most illuminating."

"Glad you found your mental stimulation for the day" Kirk said cheerfully and earned one careful gaze that lingered a moment too long as he's trying to decide should he be offended by something or amused. After a second Spock nodded as he understood something and went to his station. Kirk watched him retreat and wondered how his complex mind calculated that statement.

Kirk turned ahead thinking how that interplay was done. He wasn't quite satisfied with his odds, it seemed like he would be forced to stall his plans and puns for awhile; it was a small chance the doctor was right in his estimation. After all there was somewhat colder between him and his First since his pun with hand touching.

"Talking about stimulation" Spock spoke up like he could hear Kirk's thoughts, Kirk spun around surprised but Spock looked at his console "maybe you'll find this site gratifying, I found it deeply interesting."

With that he called on the main screen an image.

"We passed that an hour ago, I though you'll find it interesting." Spock explained himself focusing on his console.

Kirk turned around and found himself breathless.

"It's beautiful Spock" he said quietly leaning forward studying emptiness. It was really empty, dark space, but stars that were beyond that clear space were bright and clear like someone cut their shape on black velvet. It was like he could see stars and their dance through the space as they are chasing them to catch them before they move to new parts of the Universe. It seemed like it's almost impossible for them to catch them ever. It was a real wonder they ever managed to get to where they are going.

"Beautiful isn't the word I would use" Spock's even voice came from behind him "that's not measurable variable, but I could agree it has its advantages in count of unison and working of the universe."

Kirk smile grew and he sighed deeply feeling like everything is well with the world. Everything was in place with his Spock, he was balanced and logical as ever. That made it possible to put in motion his next poke to his armours. He just wanted to see a crack, that was all.


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