Traversing through the corridor, and metres away from the Medbay, the Lieutenant almost walks into the path of her Captain. Kirk had not been summoned or brought this way for any reason, other than his own will. He had, on this early morning, chosen to pay his own visit to the ward. None from the medical staff had called him upon his First Officer's awakening, so he is presently unaware of that fact. A fact that he will soon encounter.

Uhura, with still the same elevated mood, greets her Captain with a smile. Eager to begin her tasks, she does not stop for lengthy conversing, yet her demeanour is friendly all the same.

"Morning, Lieutenant,", greets the Captain.

"Captain."

Her smile, accompanied by a courteous nod, continues as she darts past him. Only a few steps away from him, he takes a final chance to speak, his tone still modest.

"See you on the bridge."

She responds with a wave of a hand, soon disappearing around a corner. And, to this, he makes a grin, and a small chuckle. Because he knows full well of her dedication to her work.

And soon, he steps through the doors of the Medbay.

Upon entering the sterile space, he meets the figure of Doctor M'Benga, who has just finished with tending to a patient. Having sighted the Communications Officer's visit the moments before, he had opted to give her the space to be with a loved one. Of that, she would be grateful.

There is, as far as the Captain can discern, apparently no sight of this department's commanding officer. It seems that, possibly due to reports filed in his office or an insistence from his colleague to get some hard-earned sleep, that McCoy is presently not within this part of the ship. That is, as far as Kirk can tell, anyway.

Whatever the case may be, the Captain is assured that the Medbay is in very good hands.

And now, M'Benga approaches his Captain, and begins to speak once he draws near.

"They truly are a remarkable people...", he utters. "Incredibly resilient, but not completely invulnerable. None more so than him."

It is clear, with a gleam in his eye, that the medico has a deep respect and admiration for the Vulcan people. This sentiment was not merely brought about by M'Benga's study in their medicine and physiology, but also the time spent amongst them. A resilient and proud people, yes, but full of culture and ancient knowledge. And it is at this sentiment, that the Captain makes a sanguine expression upon his face. Such a stark contrast to the sentiments displayed by the prisoner; and a very welcome one at that.

"I'm just glad he's finally going to be okay."

Kirk's words come from the relief and assurance that his First Officer is at last on a steady path to healing. He had, whilst uttering his response, not averted his gaze from the form on the bed. The friend who, even at a distance, appears much better than before. Albeit, a tad fatigued.

Soon, M'Benga speaks again, oblivious to his Captain's internal musings.

"I realize you might be keen to get your First Officer back, but he'll be out for a while I'm afraid. There's still a lot of healing to do, and maybe more surgery to his heart. While he's recovering well, I've still put him on permanent bedrest, here in the Medbay, then eventually his quarters. Then, when he's fit enough, light duties. It may be sometime before he returns to full active duty."

"He can have all the time he needs,", replies the Captain. "After everything, he deserves it. Possibly more than anyone."

At the Captain's glance toward him, the medico makes his response with a nod. And then, Kirk begins to make his departure from him, with a shake of the doctor's hand.

"Thanks, M'Benga."

Now, the Captain makes his way toward his First Officer, who of course straightens himself for his commanding officer. Out of respect.

"At ease, Spock...it's just me."

"Of course...I must apologise; I may have been neglecting my duties for sometime–"

"I'm going to give you one order:", there is a jovial tone in Kirk's words, "stay here. Don't do anything. Don't even think about work. Until the doctor tells you otherwise. The bridge will still be there."

"Yes, Captain. Thank you."

As the Captain makes his farewell with a grin, the Vulcan replies with a simple nod, in his usual collected manner. Yet, as Kirk can detect, there lies something beneath that stoic shell: an understanding. A brotherhood.

And whilst he turns, that grin remains.

The bridge, and all those duties, will wait. As long as it may be for Spock to return, the ship will wait.

Soon, the Captain approaches the bridge, where he will once again meet the Communications Officer.

ooo

Seated at her station once more, the Lieutenant's face makes an odd form. Borne out of confusion, her face crinkles even more as she stares at the screen. There is a message here, sent sometime during the night-time hours, yet with specific instructions: to be viewed by only herself...and her Captain.

Reading through the text before her eyes, she can discern that the message originates from the same individual as the day before. The same individual who had responded to her message all those hours ago.

Why had they waited so long to give further instructions? Why such a delay, when she had given sufficient information via appropriate channels? Perhaps, a new light has been shed, one that she had not become aware of. Or maybe there had been a sudden — yet delayed — change of plans for the investigation.

Whatever the reasoning, she is duly required to inform the Captain.

Just moments after placing himself into his chair, his ears pick up a quiet summons from the Communications station. Rising again, he promptly makes his way over. Upon Uhura's gesturing, he reads the message that had been kept open for him. And now, his own face makes a shape not too dissimilar to hers.

"You're kidding me...", Kirk murmurs.

He almost reads the text a second time, to be sure that there is no mistake. Of course, there is none.

In short, the message that now befuddles both officers contains a new set of instructions regarding their investigation. There are now additional orders to be adhered to: the prisoner is to be questioned no more. Neither the Captain nor any other officer are to interrogate Spock's attacker, until he is taken to a nearby starbase. It is there, that an investigative team will question him. Afterwards, as per the prior message, he will stand trial. And that, as they say, is that.

Kirk still had his own questions — as, no doubt, would Uhura — for the assailant, yet orders are orders.

"Tell them we acknowledge."

His order had been given with a lengthy breath, a sigh of frustration. With him placed beside her, Uhura can sense that frustration. In fact, she feels it also. Bureaucrats often have a tendency to alter their stance on certain decisions, and this fact has been true for a millennia. Even in an organization such as Starfleet. It is indeed very frustrating, but an unfortunate reality.

Veiling her own annoyance, the Lieutenant heeds her Captain's order with a level tone.

"Yes, Captain."

And yet, as her commanding officer returns to his chair, a small sigh escapes her, and an inkling of her annoyance breaks through. With swift movements of her fingers, the reply is sent. It is done.

Within the two officers, there is a shared hope that such delayed instructions won't happen again.