Author's Note:

Hello everyone and here is a new chapter featuring Original Spock and Bloodcarver the super-tribble. This is actually based off a suggestion Minecraft Guardiansaiyan made in a review for Chapter Two ages ago so thank you for the idea and I hope it's what you wanted. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.

An Old Acquaintance

Elder Spock was enjoying his visit to the newly re-built Enterprise.

Not long after her re-commissioning he had taken a short time away from helping construct New Vulcan to see the Enterprise before she started her five year mission which would no doubt claim her place in history in this universe as it had in his own. The crew were more than happy to see him and were even suppressing the urge to ask about his former reality, most likely at the request of both his younger self and this universe's Jim. He was being shown around by Jim when they met the Enterprise's latest family member.

A tribble was sitting right in the centre of the corridor and Elder Spock found this strange considering that he knew this Enterprise had already discovered the unique threat a tribble presented on a starship. It became more unusual when young Jim simply sighed and scooped the purring creature up petting it. He noticed the questioning eyebrow being sent his way by the elderly Vulcan and gave an explanation, "This is the tribble Bones brought back with Khan's blood leading to the serum he used on me. It brought it back but due to the blood being human it couldn't fix the physiology used for its reproduction so it's basically neutered. Thankfully with me being human it completely fixed everything, well except for my already useless immune system and my numerous allergies which not even Bones or our Spock can find an explanation for. He's called Bloodcarver and is technically Sulu's and keeps escaping from his quarters somehow."

Jim suggested that they carry on with the tour and the continued on with Jim carrying the tribble Bloodcarver, though he was giving Jim his attention Elder Spock could feel a feeling of familiarity at the back of his mind related to the tribble. Though it was nearly impossible he couldn't shake the thought that he'd met another version of this tribble somewhere before and it remained there the rest of the day.

Later on he sat in the quarters assigned to him as the Enterprise returned him to New Vulcan thinking about the similarities and differences between this ship and the one he knew. His thoughts were interrupted by a noise from in front of him and looked down at his feet to see the tribble from earlier sitting there purring at him. Once again the feeling of almost displaced familiarity made itself known and he found himself remembering the time when his Enterprise had come across tribbles.

He remembered his first encounter with the seemingly harmless creatures had been in the recreation room when Uhura had brought one aboard which had quickly become several. He'd explained that the tribble's purr seemed to cause humans to show feelings of affection towards the creatures. He'd picked one up and was in the middle of saying that since he was half-Vulcan the tribble's purr had no effect on him when he realised he'd started to pet the one in his hand.

It then all clicked and another look at the tribble before him confirmed his theory, it seemed that this universe's version of the tribble he petted on his Enterprise was the one called Bloodcarver currently sitting at his feet. He allowed a small smile to grace his lips, it seemed time and destiny worked in very strange ways, and he gently picked Bloodcarver up, "Hello old friend."

He placed it gently on his lap and began to slowly pet it causing Bloodcarver's purr to become louder and take on a tone of contentment. They stayed that way for some time until there was a knock on the door and young Jim poked his head in the room, "I'm sorry to disturb you but have you seen…"

He stopped speaking as he took in the sight of Elder Spock petting Bloodcarver and appearing quite content. The elderly man looked at him and spoke still petting the tribble, "Is there something I can help you with Jim?"

Jim stopped staring and answered, "I was just going to ask if you'd seen Bloodcarver but it looks like you found him."

"I would say that it wasn't so much I found him as he found me but I assume that you would like to return him to Mr Sulu."

Elder Spock had got up as he was speaking and handed Bloodcarver to the young captain, Jim took a moment then gently took the tribble in his hands. He stood awkwardly for a minute and turned to leave, just before he did he suddenly turned back as curiosity got the better of him, "What were you doing before I came in?"

Elder Spock gave a very calm reply, "I was getting to know a very old acquaintance better."

Jim looked confused at his reply and gave an awkward apology and goodbye and left with Bloodcarver. When he was gone Elder Spock returned to his former seat with a small smile on his face.

Time and destiny worked in very strange ways indeed.

PS-I hope you liked that and once again thank you Minecraft Guardiansaiyan for the idea.