"Parchi, please get T'Tellis's loved one," Soval sad.

"Yes, Doctor," Parchi left the scene.

"Doctor Culber, a word?" Soval called for the man attending to a recent Andorian transferee.

"Sure," Culber said.

The two men walked out of the main sick bay into the operation room. Soval came to a stop behind the operation table then placed his hands on it including a padd then moved it beside him. Soval had a skeptical look back at Culber. It was a curious kind of expression. One of those most common looks before Soval prodded into matters that he needed to know. The door had whished shut behind Culber.

"How did you know there would be a bonding ceremony?" Soval asked.

"I didn't. I assumed," Culber said. "People tend to get hurt when they go to Vulcan around me so that is why I brought VetiGel," a proud smile grew on his face. "I always make sure to have it on me."

"Logical," Soval said, with a nod. "Burnham was very lucky to have you there."

"All in a days work," Culber said.

"Speaking of which," Soval said. "for the next three days, Burnham is relieved of duty as is Tilly."

"Why?" Culber said.

"You thought it would last a day," Soval said. "It won't. It lasts half of a week."

"What is it called?" Culber said.

"That, I cannot tell," Soval said, earning a frown from Culber.

"Be that way," Culber said. "but if it comes of your efficiency as a doctor then I have to know."

"I am not your patient," Soval said.

"You could be in some certain circumstance," Culber said. "As I said, people who visit Vulcan get hurt. And if Vulcans keep this information back for too long, Starfleet officers might just die because we don't have that useful information."

"Then you have to be the one to tell T'Turak that she has to save him," Soval said.

"I'll do that," Culber said. "assuming they get a room to themselves."

"They will," Soval said. "Room 204. He has been beamed over right after I finished surgery." A thin smirk grew on the Vulcan's face. "You have the honor." then off he went leaving Culber in the operation room.

Culber watched Soval exit through the open doorway.

"One day being private is going to bite him in the ass," Culber said, picking up the padd. Culber paused, look on in confusion. "Make sure asshole goes into sick bay for his required vaccination?"

T'Turak was guided by a babbling Parchi down the corridor. The brightness of the corridor was pleasent and friendly to her eyes. Federation vessels were all like that. Appealing to the better aesthetic in space. The designs were different from the historical representation of early Starfleet vessel corridors. They were gray and dark at once with small windows that peered into the vastness of space. She had her hands linked behind her back. Being unexpectedly beamed up after feeding her pet chitchia wasn't how she pictured her evening to conclude. She came to a stop where two men were talking with their voices echoing down the hall.

"You mean to tell me that in the middle of a war we have two officers who can't serve?" Lorca asked.

"No, no, no, they can serve. . ." Culber replied. "Just not right now."

"And having two Vulcans who need to have sex so one of them won't die?" Lorca added. "This is not a sex ship."

"I know, Captain. It inconveniences me as it does with you," Culber said. "Just humor them."

"Does any of my other Vulcan officers have any required sex time aboard this ship?" Lorca said.

"I checked," Culber said. "They already have scheduled their time for Vulcan."

"Really?" Lorca asked.

"Yes," Culber said. "No more surprises."

"Good," Lorca said. "Think you can write a report about this?"

"This wasn't a mission, Captain," Culber said, earning a weathered smile from Lorca.

"Just what I wanted to hear," Lorca said. "Besides, if it was, it would be classified by Starfleet brass."

"Understood," Culber said. "and you need your biannual check up."

"I know, I have been dodging," Lorca said. "I will fix that."

"You better," Culber said. "Soval's padd said what he didn't really say about that issue."

Lorca grew a bemused expression then walked away.

"Doctor Soval," Parchi said, as they approached the doctor. "This is T'Turak."

"Glad to meet you," Culber said, with a polite smile.

"What issue makes Starfleet beam me up without asking first?" T'Turak asked.

"Life and death," Culber said.

"'Who?" T'Turak said.

"It is about T'Tellis," Culber said. "He is in heat behind this door and I was told you were his preferred partner."

"I am," T'Turak said.

"Still want him?" Culber asked, to be sure.

"Nothing has changed since we first met," T'Turak said. "Kaiidth." What is, is.

"Go on ahead," Culber said, gesturing toward the door.

T'Turak went toward the doors then they whished open before her allowing the Vulcan in.

"So, Kat, what is our next mission?" Lorca asked.

"Getting repairs," Cornwell said, from over the large and wide computer screen.

"Oh right, repairs," Lorca said. "Sure that is it?"

"You went through a very difficult battle," Cornwell said, with her arms folded from the other side of the screen. "Have you seen the damage that your test bed ship has? Your ship needs a week of repairs. Can't give your crew another mission."

"Yes," Lorca said. "and it makes her beautiful, experienced, and to be feared."

Cornwell smiled then shook her head.

"Look, Gabe," Cornwell said. "I know you enjoy being out there in the front lines and your ship can't always be there. You can't be there in the front lines."

"I can," Lorca said, taking out a small black insignia from the desk.

"You're not up for that," Cornwell said.

"I was a Marine and still am," Lorca said. "Just one mission."

"You can't stand still for a week during war, can you?" Cornwell said

"No, I can't," Lorca said. "I am here to serve the Federation not do nothing."

"Sometimes I hate it when you are right," Cornwell said. "And I suppose you have a good idea of not letting crew morale faltering."

"Oh, I do," Lorca said, stroking Merkin his lap. "And I need to bring Merkin."

"No," Cornwell said.

"Yes," Lorca said.

"No," Cornwell said.

"No," Lorca said.

"Yes," Cornwell said.

Lorca raised a eyebrow.

"Fine," Cornwell said. "Just make sure it doesn't get in the way."

"It won't," Lorca said. "I will be very careful with them."

"You better," Cornwell said. "How is the Klingon Consultant?"

"L'Rell is doing fine," Lorca said. "Though, after the war, I am thinking of settling down. For good."

"The only way of getting that is by submitting the application for Vice Admiral," Cornwell said.

"Yes," Lorca said. "I want that."

"Starfleet council will be waiting for your submission," Cornwell said.

"Don't get your hopes up," Lorca said. "luck might change."

"That luck we have means we lose the war and the Klingons win," Cornwell said.

"It could end next year," Lorca said, in hope.

"Let 2257 be the year of the war ending," Cornwell said. "and new beginnings."

"Speaking of beginnings," Lorca said. "Ellen is going to be captain. Let's get that clear. It is what she deserves."