I love the idea of Kirk casually joking about Nomad and referring to it as his, or their (mcspirk's) son.

Between the itchy formal wear, and the party having lasted three hours longer than any of the admiralty had originally informed the captain, Kirk was waiting for something to happen. If he were lucky an emergency would occur. One of the nonfatal sorts so the party could be called off and he could return to work without carrying guilt for being thankful this nonsense was done. Though he could bear the last of this party so long as something interesting happens to carry his attention.

"Captain." Spock tilts his head slightly, as he rounds Kirk's shoulder to stand by his side.

Kirk pulls the champagne glass he had been casually nursing, away from his lips. "Mr. Spock." He allows a polite smile to rest on his lips. At least he wasn't alone in this torture.

A lieutenant spies the men, and their face lights up. They were a human, with short curly, brown hair, wearing a blue formal uniform. Probably a science officer seeking Spock's attention. When the lieutenant makes a beeline straight for them, Kirk lets out a sigh. His smile grows a little more strained.

Bones' head rises from where he stood next to Scotty a few feet across the room. As if sensing trouble, or perhaps he was also seeking some entertainment. Whatever the case when his eyes meet Jim's, they narrow before he lifts an eyebrow with a questioning look. The confusion melts away as the stranger steps right up to them. A look of, 'ah, I understand' passes across Leonard's face.

"Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Commander Spock,"

"Lieutenant?" Kirk takes a single step ahead to meet the stranger. Which just so happens to place Spock right behind his left shoulder.

The stranger practically beams as they introduce themself. "My name is Lieutenant Ross, sirs. I'm surprised to see you two here."

"Well, you know how it goes." Kirk begins and throws a glance back towards the buffet. Scotty was not standing alone. Bones out of sight. "It's hard to tell the admiralty no."

"It is only difficult when there's not sufficient cause to," Spock adds bumping his arm, gently against the back of Kirk's. Always at his back. Now where was his second shadow?

"Though they were kind enough to offer a lovely spread of food." As if summoned by his thoughts, McCoy rests a hand on Kirk's right shoulder as he places himself right behind the captain, lining up with his vulcan counterpart. "How are you today, lieutenant?"

The younger human's face blanches out as they are faced with the three most infamous men from the Enterprise. "V-very well, sir." They raise their head towards Spock. "I was hoping to ask Mr. Spock, how it felt working alongside Doctor Daystrom."

"Alongside, Lieutenant Ross?" Spock asks with a raised brow.

They quickly give a nod. "Yes sir. You were the last science officer to ever work with him. I've long since followed his work, and I was sad to hear about his affliction." McCoy and Kirk share incredulous looks. The younger Starfleet officer continues on. "How was it, before the incident?"

"It was an informative experience."

"Yes almost as informative as that time we had our child aboard."

"Y-your child?"

Spock looks down with his eyes closed. His patience already tried. "I've asked you to please refrain from phrasing your stories about Nomad in such a way."

Ross' mouth forms an 'o' of surprise. Kirk laughs it off. "Come now Mr. Spock we can be honest about it. I feel like Nomad was almost the perfect combination of myself, you, and Bones. Isn't that right Bones?" Kirk asks with a grin as he sets a hand on Bones' shoulder.

Dr. McCoy had already begun tuning out the conversation. Kirk could tell by the way he was staring off to the side, fingers digging dust out from under his nails. As Jim's hand calls back his attention, he doesn't even try hiding his ignorance. "What are you on about now, Kirk?"

"Your child." The stranger adds, sounding far less nervous than they had moments before. Perhaps it was the matter of a few minutes that allowed them to feel more at ease. It could be the chance for gossip about one of the most famous ships around, was cause enough for any nerves to shy away.

"Joanna?"

"No, no Bones." Jim pats his shoulder. He leans in closer to the doctor. "Not your child. Our child."

"The Nomad unit, doctor," Spock answers with a sterner tone.

"Oh." McCoy voices holding his drink closer to his chest. "Ooooh." He repeats longer now as the memories resurface. "Yes, yes, he would have made a fine doctor."

"It was a fascinating piece of technology," Spock explains hoping to clarify the confusion on Ross' face.

"A doctor like myself, with a mind like Spock's and admiration in abundance for our dear captain," McCoy explains with a grin. He playfully bumps his elbow against Kirk's.

"I was the favorite parent of course." Kirk insists as he casually takes another sip from his glass. "Though Spock did come in close behind."

"Took after my career, but none of my personality." McCoy jokes with a shake of his head. Spock and Kirk turn to watch the doctor. As he finishes the simple shake, he offers the young lieutenat a wink. Jim leans back, letting his shoulders loosen along with the easy mood. These parties were quite insufferable. Spock and Bones made it a little better.

"Three officers and a probe." Lietuenant Ross muses with a small smile. Spock hands tighten behind his back.

McCoy steps forward patting behind Ross' right shoulder, "Now lieutenant what three men decide to do in the privacy of their room is for them, and them alone."

Ross' face grows crimson red. Bones falls back into place behind Jim. Ross quickly stutter over an excuse before running off. McCoy smiles proudly at his little joke. Jim has to fight back his grin. "Really Bones? You know you've just ignited a new batch of rumors, don't you?"

McCoy tilts his head forward, leaning over Kirk's shoulder. "Is it really my fault when you laid the powder from the keg so perfectly?"

"It was a bit wordy." Spock points out as he waves over a waiter with an empty tray.

Bones rolls his eyes. "Everyone's a critic." Jim and McCoy set their empty cups on the tray.

"I think we nearly got him to blush that time." Kirk examines Spock's face closesly. There was little change in the man's stoic expression. From the beginning to the end of the conversation his lips has barely pursed tigheter together. A faint trace of colors might have filled out within his cheeks. If it had, then it wasn't clear enough for Jim to point it out currently with confidence.

"I think you may be right." Bones insists, willing to press the matter.

Spock leans his head forward allowing Jim a closer look. "You did not." Bones excitedly clasps his hands on the back of Kirk's shoulders. They absolutely had.

Now that it was clear they needed nothing else the waiter walks away with a quicken pace.

There were few individuals who wouldn't feel somewhat intimidated by the Enterprise's command staff. Some of which who were now standing with Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott a few feet away from the captain, first officer, and CMO. Having moved away from the buffet table shortly after the doctor himself, Scotty now finds himself amongst friends.

He was comfortable enough to openly complain. "I hate it when they mention that damned thing," Scotty mutters bitterly as the waiter walks by.

"They have plenty of other stories to share." Chekov agrees.

"I think they enjoy seeing each other's reactions." Uhura chimes in. "It's a game."

Sulu sets his own empty glass on the waiter's tray, alongside the two others. "What kind of game would that be?"

"A game of wills." She explains with a smirk. Uhura leans her head back as she readjusts Scotty's partially rolled up sleeve. "They want to see who'll break first."

Chekov stands on his toes, looking over his shoulder back towards the trio. "It looks like Spock is losing this time."

Scotty offers Uhura a quiet thank you. She steps away looking proud of her quick fix. "Last time it was the doctor."

"I think the captain is the only one who always wins at this game." Sulu expertly points out as he folds his hands behind his back.

Staring into his class, Scott fights back an eye roll. "Aye, because there's nothing that embarrasses that man." He's seen him in several states. The closest Kirk ever came to being embarrassed was when Spock had replied with a rather scathing insult on the bridge one day. His face fell into a mighty pout. It looked much more like heartbreak than embarrassment.

"I don't know about that." Uhura smiles. "Did you see how red his face was when he returned from Vulcan that one time?"

Scotty leans his head closer to Uhura. His eyes wide, and eyebrows raised as he recalls, "McCoy was in a tizzy that day."

"They've never shared any stories from that visit." Uhura rests his chin on the back of her hand. "I'm willing to bet Jim would lose then."

Chekov's head turns away, following a tray of cheese and crackers. He briskly plucks two. "You should give McCoy the cheat." He passes one of the crackers to Sulu. "Let him win for once." Synchronous mmmms, rise up from the pair.

Uhura almost looks put upon by the suggestion. She crosses her arms and gives Chekov a stern look. "Cheating gets them nowhere." While Chekov takes a step back, Uhura looks back across the room. An easy grin spreads across her face. "Besides it's more fun to watch this way."

"The way they're going, we'll all be watching forever." Scotty mutters, before grabbing another glass. Uhura laughs. Chekov crosses his arms behind his back. Sulu rests an arm over his shoulders. They'll figure it out eventually. Surely, they have to.

Thank you Bev, from the Trek Triumvirate discord for the "Three Men and a Probe" line.