Chapter Two: Watchful Eye

Three weeks passed before McCoy and Spock met once again. They had been in close vicinity, and had even met eyes or found the other's eyes resting on them, but there was little time to converse. Things were in action and happening at warp speed. The Doctor had moved most of his necessaties to the Sickbay his office and quarters. Several items had needed special care, experiments not completely done. Other tools and items the Empire had provided, new and more impressive than the outdated instruments he had previously had.

The Vulcan had not brought much of anything. A few items from his father, Sarek's, Vulcan heritage. One possession he hid safely away in a chest while he was alone. It had also come from his father but belonged to his mother. The item had been to painful for the General to keep and he had found it less embarrassing to give it to his son who was half-human afterall. He could never escape from that shame.

The day the Enterprise started off on its mission, Spock found his was to the Sickbay and McCoy was startled to find the Vulcan standing near the door.

The pretty new nurse, Christine Chapel, was talking to the man. She seemed animated and decidedly enamoured by the Vulcan. Her feminimity was heightened for his sake but Spock seemed not to notice.

"Mr. Spock," McCoy said garnering the attention of the two.

Chapel looked upset slightly. She glanced at the Vulcan and then at the Docter. Spock ignored her completely, saluting the Empire. The nurse walked away dejected.

"Did you change your mind about that sample?" McCoy tried to joke but he sounded serious and slightly hostile.

"Do not make me regret being here," Spock warned.

The Doctor frowned not wanting to explain the joke that had failed.

"This is the first time I have been here," Spock stated, looking around. "Let me correct that statement: I have been here before but not since you have occupied it."

"It really isn't all that different," McCoy said.

"You being here is the difference," Spock replied and the Doctor knew that the Vulcan was not convinced that the change would be for the better.

Spock walked to a cluttered table.

"I haven't found a place for some of that yet. I'm just getting settled," McCoy warned.

Spock offered a raised eyebrow as he picked up a cage, which held a small furry rodent in obvious pain.

"What is this?" the Vulcan asked.

McCoy walked slowly to the table. "That is a guinea pig. I'm trying to find a way to…"

"An experiment," Spock interrupted and stopped the explanation. "I can see what you are trying to do but I can foresee a problem, Doctor. It is a waste of time, unless you count reliving a piece of human history while helping to illustrate the phrase useful."

McCoy took the cage and moved it to the other side of the counter. As he did, the animal screamed. It was in agony. His eyes rested on it for too long a time for mere curiousity's sake.

The human turned to say something to the other man but the moment he met the Vulcan's eyes he felt exposed. The First Officer had witnessed a side of the Doctor that was weak by the standards he undoubtedly expected and judged by. The Doctor knew he had let his compassion be seen. He prayed Spock would not reveal it to Kirk. For his own reasons, McCoy desired to remain aboard the starship.

"Why the blazes are you really here anyway?" the man snapped.

Spock studied the other man's face. He nodded. "The Empire trusted me as First Officer. I want to make them not regret that decision. I have little doubt that Kirk will do fine in his role as Captain and make the proper decision and choices. It is up to me to insure that the rest of the crew is as up to the task at hand."

"I think Kirk hiring me tends to flatter and prove my credentials, don't you agree?" McCoy stated.

"I admire Kirk and I hope he remains Captain for a long time since I have no desire for the post," Spock coldly complimented. "Still, he is human and here primarily because he killed the previous Captain."

McCoy had heard the rumor before. That the logical Vulcan reaffiremed it only made it into truth.

"Pike was your Captain. How can you work with Kirk after that?"

"It is illogical that I shouldn't. There is a string of violence asscociated with that particular post. If I had looked deeply into Pike's past I would discover he had done the same and would do the same as well."

McCoy nodded. In a way it was similar to the reason why he continued to work with James though the man had bedded his wife. He would have been fooling himself to think Kirk had been the first.

He paused for a moment. "So who did you kill, Mr. Spock?"

"I did not kill anyone for my rank," Spock said. "I merely knew where to step when a position became available."

"Don't want red blood on your hands? I guess we are the same."

"On the contrary your work is all about death," the Vulcan said. "If people remained healthy you would not be needed. You have your position and rank because of death, disease and pain."

"No more Vulcan logic," the Doctor snapped.

The other man turned and started to leave.

"So how did I do? Did I pass inspection?" the human called out.

Spock turned and looked at McCoy. "this was not a true inspection but rather something to fufill my own interest. You would not know when I was studying you. However, be assured you will be under my watchful eye, Doctor. I would suggest one thing to improve the running of this Sickbay."

"What?"

"Your nurse, Miss Chapel, is far too friendly. Tell her we are not on one of Harry Mudd's pleasure barges."

"I certainly will," McCoy said. "Besides, pleasure seems to be the furthest thing from you mind, I do believe."

With that assessment from the physician, the Vulcan left.