Chapter 22: Answer

McCoy did not send the gift away, though he always strove to break free from the guard's company, and more preferably, his earshot.

He felt most safe in his office even if it was a sure bet that the man from Spock's team was lurking around outside.

The new security for McCoy did not go unnoticed byKirk, who ruefully entered the Sickbay, glancing behind him. "So Spock went ahead and did it then?"

"Did he discuss it with you first?" McCoy asked.

"Briefly… very briefly," Kirk smiled and sat down on the desk, a hand resting on his knee. "I recognize the man. He's one of the better ones too."

"Am I supposed to be flattered?" the Doctor tried to seem untouched by the information. In truth, he was close to blushing.

"My goodness this place is empty and quiet! Our casualty rate must be decreasing," Kirk said sadly.

"On the contrary," McCoy drawled. "No one stays around here too long these days. They die quickly without too much suffering. I guess I should be grateful for that at least."

"Oh how I miss the sound of suffering!" Kirk said half in jest and the other half in deadly earnest. He studied the Doctor. "I also miss Chapel."

"You miss terrorizing her more like it."

"Either way, she looked a great deal better than you," the Captain smirked and examined the man sitting behind the desk. "You look even more tired and old than ever, McCoy."

The comment made the Doctor frown even though he had seen the truth repeatedly in the mirror.

"Get some rest," Kirk said.

"You're not firing me are you?"

Kirk shook his head. "After all we've been through together? You're my oldest friend. In all respects."

"How kind of you," McCoy replied wryly.

"Get some rest. And get some assistants while you're at it! The prettier the better!"

"Aren't you busy with Marlena? Congratulations, by the way. She's stunning."

Kirk looked suddenly smug and slightly dishevelled. "To tell you the truth, I don't know which one of us seduced the other."

Both men were stopped mid-thought as the doors opened and Spock entered the office.

"And there he is looking as unfazed as always," Kirk commented.

"It is difficult to look any other way when I do not know what is being discussed," Spock said, thoughtfully.

"And it would hardly matter if you did," Kirk said, patting the First Officer on the back. "You possess the libido of a jellyfish."

Spock raised an eyebrow and McCoy, who had expected the remark to bounce off the Vulcan as easily as every other vague insult was taken off guard by the quick impression that the First Officer seemed slightly irritated by the Captain's words. Spock refused to speak, however, and McCoy saw the expression vanish.

"I wish to discuss something with you, Captain," Spock informed.

"Go ahead," Kirk said still sitting on the desk, looking as if he was more ready to hear a joke than anything remotely concerning business, which seemed to McCoy the only news Spock ever brought.

Spock cast a glance at McCoy and then back at Kirk. "I do not believe it necessary to discuss the subject in front of the Doctor," Spock said. "It is not of a medical nature."

"Awww… Now you've gone and hurt McCoy's feelings!" Kirk cooed. "But that's more of a game with you two, isn't it?"

"And if you joined in you would be the constant winner," McCoy smirked and pushed the other man off from his desk. "You'd better go. I've got to start looking for my help."

"I can tell when I'm no longer wanted!" Kirk declared in mock hurt. "Come on."

Spock nodded at McCoy and the Doctor nodded back.

As both human and Vulcan were leaving, Kirk quickly turned around and pointed a finger at the Doctor. "Make sure they're pretty!"

"And so medical qualifications are basically to be beamed to Hell, huh?"

"Yes!"

"You get what you get," McCoy snapped.

In the hallway, Spock let curiosity get the better of him. "What was the Doctor referring to?"

"That was about hiring some new nurses to help him out. Poor haggard old soul. I'm afraid he's wearing out ahead of us, Spock."

"His emotions are his ailment," Spock stated.

"Is that your scientific assessment? Maybe he should hire you. Although you aren't nearly half as pretty as I would have hoped."

"His humanity creates a heavy weight on his shoulders. This universe, this Empire, is not suited for him."

Kirk looked wearily at Spock. "Well you spend more time with him than I do. If we could just make him give up that annoying conscience he'd be more suited. Just as we are."

The statement did not feel like a compliment to Spock, though he said nothing.

"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Kirk asked when they were safely alone in a corridor.

"It is the matter I approached you about stardates previously, Captain. The one I needed to remind you about most recently."

"Oh that."

"And you have talked with the Empire about a temporary departure from the Enterprise?"

"Yes."

"And their answer?"

Kirk stopped and looked at Spock gravely. "No. Discussions with the Plakavoids are soon approaching. They do not want to afford you being absent. I cannot agree with letting you go at such an important time as well."

"I approached you in advance about the subject before the negotiations with the Plakavoids were announced."

"Well I forgot until just a few days ago," Kirk confessed.

Spock stopped in the corridor and looked at the Captain. Looking into the darkness of the Vulcan's eyes, Kirk saw something close to anger there for the first time he could remember. Fearful at first, the man almost backed away until the realization that something odd was occurring with the First Officer to suffer such a human emotion so easily, made him braver.

Not for the first time, Kirk became intrigued by the motivation for Spock's request for a leave of absence, a request he had never discussed with the Empire at all.

"Would you mind telling me why it is you need to leave us?" Kirk asked, the confidence returning to his voice.

The Captain was pleased to see a look of fear now enter the Vulcan's eyes.

Studying Kirk, knowing he had taken a mistaken step, Spock closed his eyes, indulging in one brief moment to compose himself, and knowing that he had done so far too late.

"It was for a Vulcan ritual," Spock answered.

"Aw… Well would you like to share what it is with me? You know, how interested the Empire is with all things Vulcan."

Spock shook his head. "A trivial thing, Captain."

"I don't believe that anything the Vulcan's let occur is trivial," Kirk said, folding his arms. "You do a great disservice to your people, Spock."

The Captain searched the First Officer's face looking for some sign of hurt that his stinging remark had been uttered to inflict. When he saw none he was highly disappointed.

Tiring of the matter, Kirk resumed his walk and increased his pace. "I've given you an answer. It is final."

Spock walked by the Captain's side, trying to appear as if the matter had dissolved although the subject was deeply in this thoughts. Once more, above all else, was his relief that he had at least taken the precaution to protect McCoy. There was one option left to be taken in regards to leaving the Enterprise during Pon Farr, however, despite Kirk's obvious decision.

Concerning his father, it was the avenue the Vulcan had dreaded the most but now had no other choice than to pursue.