Epilogue
Captain's Log – Supplemental: Sextus Dominar, on my recommendation is ready to be fully introduced to the Federation. As my crew celebrates, Doctor McCoy has requested a leave of absence.
"I really wish you'd stick around for the celebrations to finish," Kirk said, following McCoy as he headed towards the shuttle bay. As they walked, they passed Chekov and Sulu. Both were immensely drunk on G'neld liquor and staggering off to their quarters, singing a drinking song as they went while holding each other up.
"I'm sorry, Jim," McCoy shook his head, his thumb hooked under the small duffel bag as he continued his stride down towards the shuttle bay, "Spock needs me to be away from here for a while."
Kirk shook his head as the Doctor pushed the button to open the shuttlebay doors. They opened with a "woosh" and he stepped through. Kirk held up his hand to stop McCoy. McCoy turned to look at him, and both men looked at each other. Understanding passed between them. Slowly the Captain nodded and pulled his hand back.
Spock had been despondent the past three days. He had lost a very dear woman, something that McCoy knew he was grateful had never happened. He had married his wife, Natira, when he had come down with a disease with no cure in the Federation. He had no hope in the future, and she had been looking for something beyond her hollow asteroid. They had parted after the cure had been found, but during that time they had truly fallen in love. So much time had passed, he hoped she would still have the same feelings he had for her.
The shuttle door was open and he stepped through. If anything, the Federation knew how to make spacious shuttlecraft. He reached behind to close the door and pulled it down. Suddenly there was resistance and he looked out saw a pointy-eared fellow. He opened the door fully and looked at the face of Spock.
"Spock," he said, "What do you want?"
Spock took a look around the shuttle, looking a little unsure. Leonard had never known Spock to be unsure about anything. They had avoided each other the past few days. Time needed to be apart. Time would heal the wounds that had been inflicted.
"Can I come with you?" he asked.
"Why?" McCoy asked, suspicious.
Spock closed his eyes, licking his lips. "I need to talk," he said with effort, "And…you are the only one I can talk to."
McCoy frowned in confusion. "Why not Kirk?" he asked accusingly, "He's the only one you ever talk to."
"He would not understand," Spock said, closing his eyes. "You do."
McCoy stared at him, not sure what to do. There was bad blood between them. Even as friends it had always been a tense relationship. And now with the events on the planet….with her….there was even more bad blood.
"Please," Spock said, holding up his hand and placing it on McCoy's arm, "As a friend I need you."
McCoy looked at him a few more seconds. Well, it couldn't hurt anything. They both could use the time to heal their friendship. Make it stronger.
"Alright," he nodded, "Get onboard."
So Spock entered the shuttle. Soon it was powered and they'd be gone. And Kirk stood there, watching the shuttle begin to power up. As he stood there, he wondered at what this portended to be. Was this the beginning of the end of a friendship?
No, he thought to himself, stepping back and letting the shuttle door slid shut to allow them to leave, It was a new beginning. It was….a logical undertaking.
