Shore Leave

"Sweet, sweet ground how I've missed thee."

"Don't be so melodramatic Bones. Space isn't as bad as you make it out to be."

"Just because you get itchy feet five minutes after we touch solid ground -"

They had been on Earth for exactly ten seconds before McCoy and Jamie returned to what Spock was coming to understand as the teasing, winding each other up part of their friendship and failed to comprehend the need for. McCoy and Jamie had been like this ever since he had nearly kissed her. Ever since he had come close to telling her all about the bond. If only they had been given a little longer.

Spock drowned out the arguing voices of McCoy and Jamie. He could be on the ship researching rather than having to deal with this. The crew members were chatting away to each other in hushed tones about their shore leave plans. Plans he did not make, for there was only one person he would make them with. Unfortunately, Jamie would be taking her leave away from them separately. Time away from him. The time he could have to inform her properly of their bond.

"Gather around everyone. This is your ten-day shore leave briefing and I will only be giving it once." Jamie announced to the crew.

The crew of Enterprise fell into silence. Gathering all around her.

"First off, Bones you are strictly forbidden to scare off any of the recruits! I mean it if I hear from Admiral Shanthi upon my return again - one word - if I hear one word that you've so much as even spooked the recruits we'll be having more than just words!"

This comment made several members of the crew chuckle or snort.

"Now for the rest of you. Unless you're married or in a committed relationship try not to add to the population, having said that: no one is allowed to subtract from the population, and don't get yourself thrown in jail. I will not bail you out. If you do happen to land up in jail establish dominance quickly. Have fun. I think that's everything." Jamie said thoughtfully, "I'm off now. See you all in ten days. You're all dismissed." Jamie starts to head off but quickly turns around, "Sorry one more thing." She throws something toward him, which Spock catches with ease, "Tag your it Spock." She proceeds to walk away without further word.

"What makes Jamie think I'd participate in a game played by young humans - "

"Check your hand, Spock!"

The object in his hands is Jamie's comm badge.

"She's put you in charge of shore leave, Spock!" McCoy explains exasperatedly.

"Then why not just say so? And why would she leave me in charge now, whilst we're on shore leave? Surely nothing needs my urgent attention - "

McCoy laughed patting him on the shoulder. "Scotty is still on the ship Spock. She's trusting you to make sure he doesn't do anything to blow it up."

Spock thought that Jamie would be like the rest of his human colleagues choosing to interact with comrades or their families. He was not sure why Jamie had chosen to take her shore leave away from the base of Starfleet. As for himself apart from when Mr Scott was trying and failing to make improvements to the Enterprise's engine Spock had spent his time in the library or within his accommodation catching up with various research.

He is in the middle of such research when his PADD buzzes. Expecting to hear from Mr. Scott once more Spock answers. The words on the tip of his tongue falter however when the face of Admiral Pike appears who is looking rather confused.

"Admiral? How is it I can help?"

"I could have sworn I asked to be put through to Jamie," Pike said.

"We're on shore leave Admiral. Jamie left three days ago."

"She's away from the base?"

"Yes."

"That is not usual for her unless - wait - now it makes sense. She put you in charge. That's why I got put through to you. I asked for the Captain."

"Yes, I am currently acting Captain. Even if her method of making me so was unorthodox. Do you require assistance, Admiral?"

Pike chuckled. "You know, Spock, sometimes I forget how efficient you are. It's almost like having Jamie here but without the...flair. However, it's nothing urgent, Spock. Just wanted her to meet with someone."

"A recommendation for the Enterprise? I could read their file -"

"Jamie doesn't just read files, Spock. She interacts and accesses -"

"Yes, the captain told me as such. However, this was not the case for me-"

"Yes, it was."

"I'm sorry Admiral, you'll have to forgive me I was led to believe that you assigned me to the Enterprise as First Officer."

Pike laughed. "Didn't need to Spock. You passed her character judgment test. Asked me to assign you on her crew the very day of your presentation."

Spock recalled them talking at the back of the room together. He had not realised that was when Pike and Jamie had discussed him. Spock thought about their interaction during which they had bumped into each other. He could not think of how he passed her character judgment by anything he had said in that short encounter.

"I see. Shall I inform the Captain you have a recommendation for her to look over upon her arrival?"

"What? No, it's not a recommendation for the Enterprise. I haven't met them myself and I would never recommend them without doing so. I just get a feeling from what the other Admirals have told me - there's something I can't quite put my finger on." Pike explained.

"And you wanted Jamie's take?"

"Yes. I was hoping to catch her - but never mind she's enjoying herself for once."

"I'm confused by that statement. Why would the Captain not enjoy shore leave before?"

"No one truly knows Jamie until they see what she's like on shore leave. Few have had that privilege since she became Captain Spock." Pike said. "I can count the number of people in fact on one hand."

Jamie was spending her shore leave away from her crew so that she could relax properly. Away from her crew's eyes so that they would not see her any differently.