DISCLAIMER: The Star Trek characters are the property of Paramount Studios, Inc. The story contents are the creation and property of J. M. Lane and is copyright (c) 1999 by J. M. Lane. This story is Rated PG-13.

LOVE IN STAR FLIGHT

JM Lane

New Arrivals

"Captain, the new biochemist and Security man have just beamed aboard."

"About time!" James T. Kirk, captain of the starship Enterprise, looked up from signing an engineering report upon hearing the crisp voice of his communications chief. He rose from his command chair and headed for the turbolift after handing the signed report back to the pretty yeoman patiently standing by. "Uhura, have Dr. McCoy meet me in the transporter room. Spock, mind the store."

"Yes, sir," came the automatic reply from both.

Uhura came on the intercom while Kirk was in the turbolift. "Sir, Dr. McCoy is not on board at present. You granted him two weeks' leave to visit his daughter."

"Who *is* available, then?"

"Drs. Chapel and M'Benga."

"Then have Dr. Chapel report to the transporter room on the double!"

"Right away, sir."

Upon arrival, Kirk was greeted by William Clarke, the new transporter chief, upon his arrival. Clarke had been one of Kyle's assistants and had idolized his superior, striving to be as much like him as possible. The young Terran had diligently worked his way up through the ranks and recently been promoted to Kyle's old job.

The Captain held out his hand in greeting to the two men stepping off the platform. "Welcome aboard. I'm Captain James T. Kirk." Kirk's outstretched hand was firmly gripped and vigorously shaken by the tall, well-built man nearest him.

"Thank you, Captain. I'm Dana Courtney, biochemist from Argelius II."

"I'm sure you'll prove a welcome addition, Dr. Courtney."

At this point, Dr. Christine Chapel rushed in. "I'm sorry I'm late, Captain."

"As long as you're here. I want you to meet a new crewmember, Dr. Dana Courtney. He's a biochemist from Argelius II. You two should have a lot in common." Kirk then turned to greet and shake the hand of the other new arrival, a half-Spaniard security man by the name of Lt. John Fleetwood.

"I'm sure we'll get along very well," Chapel replied stiffly -- until her eyes met Courtney's. The attractive Argelian held her hand longer than necessary after their initial greeting, finally raising it to his lips and kissing it.

"Are all your female crewmembers this beautiful, Captain?"

Christine blushed with pleasure at the unexpected compliment.

"Dr. Courtney!" Kirk called, obviously annoyed.

Courtney raised his head. "I'm sorry, Captain. You were saying?"

"You and Security Officer Fleetwood are to report to sickbay with Dr. Chapel for the prerequisite physical before assuming your duties."

Christine beckoned to the new arrivals after recovering her wits. "Follow me, please."

"Dr. Chapel, have them report to me on the bridge following their physicals," Kirk said.

"Of course, sir."

* * *

Christine found both men to be as healthy as the proverbial horse. "So you're from Argelius, Dr. Courtney?" she asked conversationally.

"I was born there ... and call me Dana. My people are lovers of peace -- not to mention lovers, period." He gave her a sly wink.

"Obviously," the female doctor observed.

"You're the loveliest woman I've seen in a long time. I want you to go out with me."

"I'm flattered, Dr. Courtney, but am on-shift until 2100 this evening."

"Then when would be convenient to see you?"

"How does tomorrow at 1300 sound? It's my day off."

"Fine. Until then, my dear." Courtney departed with a smile and nod as he departed for the bridge, then his station in Life Sciences.

"Is there something else I can do for you, Lt. Fleetwood?" Christine turned to the Terran Security man standing close by; an unmistakable gleam danced in his brown eyes.

"Yes. When may *I* see you?"

"My goodness, but you two are fast workers! Perhaps tomorrow at 1900 for dinner?"

"I'll be there with bells on. See you then." Fleetwood smiled and waved as he, too, departed for the bridge and his station there.

Little did anyone realize (least of all Christine Chapel) just how that seemingly innocent beginning would blossom into a full-blown soap opera!

* * *

Christine unexpectedly encountered Spock as she headed for the G Deck Rec Room and her dinner with Lt. Fleetwood.

The Vulcan raised a curious eyebrow at her attire. "Where are you going, Dr. Chapel?"

"I have a date, Mr. Spock -- and according to my wrist chronometer, I'm late already, so if you'll excuse me..." Christine moved restlessly, her voice impatient.

"Of course." Spock looked after her rapidly diminishing figure with his right eyebrow raised and bewilderment written all over his usually impassive face. It was the first time he had ever seen Dr. Chapel out of uniform, and the second 'date' she had had today, if memory served him correctly.

He had noticed her having lunch with the Argelian biochemist as he waited for his own to be served; now she was on her way to dinner with the Terran security man. For some inexplicable reason, her abrupt termination of their short conversation and the idea of her spending time with either Courtney or Fleetwood disturbed Spock greatly, but he would have denied any such emotion as jealousy. He forced the absurd, illogical notion from his mind and continued on to the bridge.

* * *

McCoy returned the following morning, checking in with Kirk before going down to sickbay. The Chief Surgeon leaned on the railing near the command chair after greeting his captain and long-time friend.

"Hello, Bones. Have a good time with Jo?"

"The best, as always. Hated to leave. Which reminds me -- she said to give her love to her 'Uncle Jim'."

McCoy used Kirk's intercom to call sickbay, intending to ask Christine what all had happened while he was away.

"I'm sorry, Dr. McCoy, but Dr. Chapel hasn't reported in yet." He recognized the voice as that of Leeanne Parker, one of the junior nurses.

"Thank you, Nurse Parker. I'll be down in a little while. McCoy out." He gave the Captain a strange look. "That's very odd, Jim. She's usually there before I am."

"Judging from your reaction, Bones, you haven't heard the latest."

"The latest what?" McCoy frowned.

"We have two new crewmembers."

"So what have they got to do with Christine not being at work on time?"

"Everything. She's been dating them -- a lot. One's a biochemist, the other a security guard. They both went for her in a big way. She's hardly had time to eat or sleep, much less work, since they arrived. Not that there's been much work lately."

McCoy's ears perked up. "Very interesting. Who first noted this?"

Kirk hesitated, knowing what the doctor's reaction would be upon learning the identity of the informant. "It was Spock, I think."

"Oh, really? That's even *more* interesting." McCoy gave Spock a wicked grin, which the Vulcan wisely ignored. The Captain was sure that Bones was hatching yet another plot to bait the First Officer about his female troubles, but the Chief Surgeon said not a word -- at least not to Spock himself.

"I can just imagine what our old friend thinks about *that*. It's a cinch he'd never admit this, but it's probably bugging him just as much *not* having Chris after him as it did having her after him. Not to mention how refreshing it must be for her to actually have some male attention for a change."

Kirk considered ordering the Doctor not to badger Spock, but dismissed it was unnecessary ... a decision he later regretted.

* * *

"I intend to speak with Dr. Courtney and Lt. Fleetwood. They have been monopolizing entirely too much of Dr. Chapel's valuable time," Spock observed as the three men headed for dinner in the Officers' Mess on C Deck that evening.

That was the opportunity McCoy had been waiting for. Kirk wondered why Spock had deliberately left himself wide open like that. It was almost as though the Science Officer actually *wanted* a confrontation with the outspoken Chief Surgeon -- and McCoy didn't disappoint him. He took full advantage of the Vulcan's apparent gaffe, pouncing on Spock like a hungry cat on a mouse.

"Why is that, Spock? Does it actually *bother* you that Chris has found other men to occupy her time? I thought that's what you wanted." The Chief Surgeon's lips parted in another wicked grin. "Hey, *I* know what's wrong with you! You miss the attention. *That's* it, isn't it, Spock?"

Outer space would have been warmer than the tone of the First Officer's reply. "My feelings in the matter are none of your concern."

"You mean you're actually admitting to having feelings?"

"Hardly, Doctor. I was merely pointing out that Dr. Chapel's services are urgently needed in sickbay and her two suitors take too much of her attention away from her work."

"Away from *you*, you mean. There hasn't been so much as a hangnail all week."

If looks could kill, the one Spock shot at McCoy would have been lethal. The Captain could scarcely contain his laughter, often concealing a chuckle behind a feigned cough or yawn. The doctor resumed his diatribe after the trio had reached the mess hall and obtained trays of food, seating themselves at a vacant table.

"You know, Jim, if I didn't know better, I'd swear, that our logical, unemotional Vulcan friend has actually been bitten by the old green-eyed monster. And any time that green-blooded computer shows emotion is a time to celebrate. Who knows, someday he may actually decide to come down from Olympus and join the Human race," the doctor proclaimed with fiendish delight.

"*Really*, Doctor."

Kirk shot McCoy a warning look. After all, even Spock had his breaking point. The Chief Surgeon reluctantly subsided for a time.

"All kidding aside, Jim -- I'm glad Chris's taste in men has finally improved. At least Courtney and Fleetwood pay her some attention ... which unfortunately is more than our Vulcan friend here is *capable* of."

Had Spock been anyone else, Kirk was sure that blows would have been exchanged as well as sharp words and frigid stares. McCoy could try even a Vulcan's patience, as Spock steadfastly maintained despite the strong bond of friendship between the three of them.

"Another thing I don't understand is why Spock hasn't taken her out of circulation long before now. Just what is the man *waiting* for, anyway? My God, the lady has everything any man could ever want -- even a Vulcan. Brains, mental compatibility, looks ... who could be a more -- pardon the expression, Spock -- a more 'logical' choice?"

Spock sat stony-faced and silent.

"I'm sure Spock has his reasons, Bones ... and they're *his* business. If it's meant to happen, it will -- on its own. *Not* because we demand it."

McCoy went on as though Kirk hadn't spoken. "And he doesn't give one tinker's damn about her, so why should it matter to him *how* much time she spends with Courtney and Fleetwood as long as she's not bothering him? Now all of a sudden he's concerned about how she spends her time. She's a grown woman; I say that's *her* business. I also think it's great that Chris has her mind on someone besides Spock. What did she ever see in that pointy-eared encyclopedia, anyway?"

Kirk knew he should have stopped Bones' harangue a long time ago, but the doctor was enjoying himself (and Spock's growing discomfort) immensely. *I'm afraid I enjoyed it, too,* he reluctantly admitted to himself.

McCoy's barbs stung deeply; it was all Spock could do not to lash out physically at his antagonist. Giving in to that impulse would not have changed the truth of anything the doctor said, but at the same time, the Vulcan knew that there would be no accounting for his actions if McCoy wasn't stopped soon.

"If you are *quite* finished, Doctor, I will take my leave now. Excuse me, Jim. I find I am no longer hungry. If you have need of me, I will be in my quarters."

Spock stalked out after disposing of his scarcely touched meal tray. The doctor's tirades invariably made him lose his appetite. McCoy stared after the departing Vulcan, then put his fork down and stretched lazily. "I never thought anything could get under that thick Vulcan hide -- but it's time *something* did. Why, did you know that just an hour ago Uhura had to repeat herself three times before getting Spock's attention ... and even then, he snapped at her for disturbing him? All she'd been trying to do was tell him that the computer tapes he'd ordered several months ago had finally arrived. She said she'd never seen him so preoccupied -- so it would seem that even our self-righteous Vulcan friend has his share of weaknesses, just like us ordinary mortals." The Chief Surgeon dug into his food with renewed gusto.

Kirk took a couple bites of food and a swallow of coffee before sighing deeply and giving McCoy a hard look. "That's enough, Bones. You've *had* your fun; now ease up on him or you answer to me."

The doctor sighed in disappointment. "If you say so, Jim, but I haven't enjoyed myself so much in I don't know *how* long!"

"I was enjoying it myself for a while. You're the only one who can get Spock to blow that celebrated Vulcan cool, even occasionally ... and even he needs to blow off steam once in a while. But after a certain point it goes beyond fun, and I want no more of it. *No more.* Do you understand me?"

"Jim--"

"*Do you understand me*?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now we'd better get some sleep, Bones. 0600 comes mighty early."

"Don't I *know* it! Good night, Jim. See you tomorrow."

"Good night, Bones. Sleep well."

* * *

At 1400 the next afternoon, Spock headed for Life Sciences to speak to Dr. Courtney about Dr. Chapel and the inordinate amount of time the pair spent together. Had someone mentioned it, he would have denied it, but he had been experiencing all the symptoms of an unaccustomed emotion akin to jealousy. Totally illogical, but undeniable -- at least to himself.

Spock confronted Courtney moments after arriving; the two men argued quietly but fiercely. The Vulcan sensed that even the peace-loving Argelian could only be tried so far and on that assumption took no unnecessary chances, although he was confident of victory should their confrontation turn ugly.

"Mr. Spock, I am Argelian by birth, though one of my parents was Human, as your mother is. In my case, it was my father, but I favor my mother in overall temperament. I *do* have something of a temper, but rarely display it since I seldom have sufficient reason.

"Argelians are a peaceful people, even more so than Vulcans -- and we *show* our emotions! I am refraining from violence because of my upbringing, and for Christine's sake, but if you force me..."

"Unnecessary. I merely request that you refrain from spending so much time with Dr. Chapel. You are interfering with her work."

"Indeed?" Courtney's voice was icy. "Well, just let me tell *you* something, you arrogant, self-righteous Vulcan. *No one* tells me how to spend my off-duty hours or who to spend them with, especially you! Until the lady herself tells me I'm interfering with her work, I intend to see her when *and* as often as I please. She told me of her ill-fated infatuation with you. Most unfortunate ... so I intend to do everything in my power to make her happy.

"All you've ever done is break her heart, poor girl -- but she doesn't blame you. She blames herself for being foolish enough to fall in love with one of your kind. It is truly admirable how professionally she's conducted herself where you're concerned. It couldn't have been easy for her. She's an extraordinary woman; I doubt many men would have as much strength. But you add insult to injury by not only ignoring all that Chris has done for you, *endured* because of you, but she herself like she doesn't exist. You may not have feelings, but the least you should do is remember that she *does* ... and that there *are* men who will love her, even if you never do!"

Spock gave the Argelian a frigid glare. "Dr. Courtney, you are on the edge of insubordination. I am your superior officer."

"The only thing superior about you at the moment is your ego, Vulcan," came the equally frigid reply. "And this has nothing to do with rank. It's a purely emotional thing. Your exclusive claim on Christine's affections has been threatened, and you can't stand that."

By the look on the other man's face, Courtney knew he had struck a nerve, and had no intention of relinquishing his advantage. After all, it wasn't every day that one had a proudly logical Vulcan at their mercy. "So you *do* have feelings after all. I was beginning to wonder."

The Argelian drove the verbal knife ever deeper with each statement. "I would also bet a month's pay that no one's ever had the courage to stand up to you before ... so it's high time someone did. You've needed to be put in your place for a long time. Knocked off your high horse, so to speak. For Heaven's sake, if you care for Christine, let her know! The way you act, one would think it was a crime to care for someone."

"I do not need you to tell me how to conduct my personal relationships," Spock snapped.

"No? Your track record suggests otherwise." Courtney smiled knowingly. "Go ahead, try to deny it."

Spock found that he *couldn't* deny the charge ... not and remain truthful to himself. Be that as it may, he had no intention of admitting it to anyone -- least of all to the one who stood smirking before him as though he had all the knowledge of the universe at his command.

"I suggest you play your word games elsewhere, Doctor. I am a Vulcan; they will have no effect on me whatsoever." The First Officer's voice fairly dripped with contempt.

"You never give up, do you? You cling to your logical philosophy as stubbornly and tightly as a child clings to its other. Not even the love of a wonderful woman like Christine can make a dent in that steel wall you've erected around your heart. Is a life of logic and loneliness preferable to the life of love and happiness Chris could give you if you'd only let her in?"

Spock remained cold and silent; finally Courtney sighed in defeat. "Yes, I can see that it is. For that reason, I pity you, Spock -- because you don't know what you're missing ... and worst of all, you don't care. But the one I feel most sorry for is Chris, because she's fighting a losing battle trying to get through to you." Courtney shook his head sadly. "That's the biggest tragedy of all. You're all she ever thinks or talks about."

The Argelian's eyes were large and sad. "I know you don't -- can't -- understand, but I love her. I love her so much that I'll take whatever leavings she is willing to give me and be content. Unfortunately love is incomprehensible to such a logical being as yourself."

Spock was touched by the other man's poignant confession, but dared not show it. "Most commendable, Doctor. Miss Chapel needs someone to care for her as such a woman deserves."

Courtney bowed his head. "Thank you."

"However, I need not account for my own conduct where she is concerned. Miss Chapel was aware of the futility of her situation, but persisted in her illogical fantasies."

"What did you expect? That's the way she is when she's in love! She deserves a medal for putting up with you, much less loving you. I'll never know what she ever saw in you to love ... and who are you to say even one word in her behalf after the way you've treated her?

"I've shown her more love and attention in the last two weeks than you have in all the years you've known her!" the Argelian continued, looking at the Vulcan with poorly disguised revulsion. "Christine is a warm, beautiful, loving woman. Far too good for the likes of you! You don't even have such a thing as courtship in your culture -- just a mating season every seven years, like an animal!"

Spock's voice dripped ice. "My personal life is none of your affair, Doctor."

"Then I will thank you to butt out of *our* business, Vulcan. Just leave me -- *and* Chris -- alone! If I didn't know better, I'd almost swear that you were actually jealous, but jealousy implies emotion ... and Heaven forbid such a *logical* being lower himself to the level of an illogical Human! Now if you would be so kind as to remove yourself from these premises and let me get back to work, I will bid you good day."

The doors to the Biochemistry Lab closed in Spock's face after the biochemist's abrupt departure into the adjoining room. The Vulcan forced back a wave of anger that strangely enough was *not* directed at Courtney, but himself. He couldn't believe what he had just done -- confronted another man over a woman!

Nor could he credit the notion that he would ever consider any man a rival for Christine Chapel's affections. It was as though a force stronger than himself controlled him, making him warn other men away from her because he wanted her himself. *Preposterous,* he dismissed ... but at the same time, the almost inconceivable idea that he *was* doing it (for that very reason) nagged at him until he admitted it, if only to himself. But it would never do to be as obvious as the two Human males. It would have to be done logically and discreetly.

* * *

But surprisingly enough, Spock's best efforts to win Christine were ignored. She remained cool and distant toward him, preferring the company of the two Human men. Spock had never actively gone after a woman in his life, and his failure to make headway with her bothered him more than he was willing to admit.

The Vulcan steadfastly denied (publicly, at least) that her conduct was having any effect on him whatsoever -- but his private turmoil told an entirely different story. Christine never seemed to have time for anything but her work and the two Human males. For Vulcan's sake, why was she doing this to him? Surely she realized how much he wanted to spend time with her!

Spock caught himself up short, horrified at the turn his thoughts were taking. Why did it matter to him *what* she did, *who* she saw? He should thank Courtney and Fleetwood for getting her off his back ... but instead, he felt like putting his fist through a bulkhead at the mere thought of her with either one of them.

* * *

"Come," McCoy said to the knock on his door, surprised to see Kirk step in. "Jim! What a pleasant surprise. Is there something I can do for you?"

"I need to talk to you, Bones." The Captain looked and sounded troubled.

"What about?"

"You've got to help Spock."

"How can I? He never listens to me ... just the original know-it- all."

"Not this time." Kirk made himself comfortable at McCoy's desk. "Bones, you may not believe this. In fact, you may laugh at the very idea. I can hardly believe it myself, but I'm convinced that--"

"--Spock has actually fallen in love," the doctor finished Kirk's train of thought.

The latter raised an eyebrow at the Chief Surgeon's serious expression and even more serious tone of voice. "You're not laughing." His voice was laced with disbelief.

"No, Jim, I'm not. Spock thinks he's hiding it, but take it from one who knows. It's written all over him. I even caught him looking at Christine in sickbay recently. He-- Well, suffice it to say that I've never seen such love in any man's eyes or on any man's face as I saw on Spock's in that brief, unguarded moment."

"But Miss Chapel doesn't seem to want anything to do with Spock any more. Instead, she spends her time either working or with Courtney and Fleetwood. I can't figure her out. Bones, she's driving him crazy, and I have no idea how to help him ... or even if I *can*."

Leonard McCoy gave his friend and superior a wry grin. "Ironic how the tables have been turned, I think. First Chris spends years eating her heart out over Spock, and he wants nothing to do with her. Now it's the other way around. Poetic justice, if you ask me. Maybe now he has some idea of what he's put *her* through all these years. Serves him right to fall in love with the very one he's always ignored and pushed away."

"Are you *quite* finished?" Kirk bit out. "That's *beside* the point. He needs help!"

"Jim, I don't think that either Spock or Chris would appreciate any interference from us right now, however well-meaning. This is a private matter which they need to work out between themselves. My professional opinion is that we stay out of it."

"So what am *I* supposed to do? I need Spock at full capacity. In his present condition, he's not worth a hill of beans to me. I can't afford a lovesick First Officer. He *must* be brought back to himself ... and fast!"

McCoy sighed. "Unfortunately, Christine's the only one who can do that."

"She'd damn well better do it soon. Enough is enough!"

The doctor sighed dubiously. "Well, I'll talk to her and see what I can find out, even though it's against my better judgment -- but can't make any promises. It may be that she really *doesn't* love Spock any more. We must consider that possibility."

"Bones, sometimes you're about as helpful as nothing," Kirk retorted bitterly. "For God's sake, can't you see how *serious* this is? If Spock doesn't snap out of it soon, it could mean his career ... and that would destroy him. I don't want to lose him because of an unhappy love affair. He's far too valuable."

* * *

In sickbay the following morning, McCoy asked his female colleague point-blank why she was seeing so much of Courtney and Fleetwood.

"Why shouldn't I? After all, a girl can't sit home every night, you know."

"They're both in love with you, you know."

Christine sighed. "I know, and I *like* them a lot -- but that's it."

"Spock?"

She nodded sadly. "Who else? I try to keep myself busy with them so I don't think so much of him, but it doesn't work. Nothing does. At best, they're poor substitutes for him, but what else can I do when the man I *do* love wants nothing to do with me? That's not exactly a boost to a lady's ego, you know."

McCoy nodded sympathetically as Christine's blue eyes became deep pools of sadness and frustrated love.

"Sometimes I wish I were a Vulcan woman. Maybe then Spock would notice me."

"His father didn't marry a Vulcan woman."

"Sarek is the exception, not the rule. That doesn't mean Spock would ever marry a Human woman."

"We don't know that for sure -- just as you obviously haven't heard the latest rumor going around."

"What rumor?"

"That Spock and Courtney had a very nasty argument ... over *you*!"

"You're kidding!" Christine couldn't believe her ears.

"No ... and that's not all. Uhura told me when she came in for her physical on your last day off that she'd tried to tell Spock that the computer tapes he'd ordered some months ago had finally arrived. She called him three times before she got his attention -- and even then, he nearly took her head off. Tell me, how often does Spock get *that* preoccupied? In addition, Jim told me that all this started around the time you started dating Courtney and Fleetwood. And get this: he even thinks that Spock has actually ... *fallen in love* with you!"

"Ridiculous. Spock hardly knows I'm alive."

"But I've never seen him act like this before -- not in all the years I've known him."

Christine frowned thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, Spock *has* been behaving better toward me ... asking how I feel, what I'm doing, things like that -- but love never occurred to me. If, indeed, that's what it is. What do you think?"

"I don't want to get your hopes up, Chris, but it's looking more and more like the Captain is right."

"Are you telling me that I've actually *gotten through* to him after all this time?"

"Certainly looks that way."

"I hope so. That would be wonderful. He's all I've ever wanted, you know."

McCoy nodded and smiled. "You're the one-man type ... and it's about time *somebody* hogtied that stubborn Vulcan. Marriage is just what he needs to make him more Human."

"Then I should go for it?"

"Why not? You've got nothing to lose. Knowing Spock, it won't be easy, but love never is."

"It'll be a picnic after all I've been through."

"Then I suggest you contact Spock and start things rolling."

Christine smiled and winked. "Count on it. From what you've said, he's ripe for the picking ... and that with a little effort, I'll have Spock right where I want him: around my little finger, among other things."

McCoy returned the smile and wink. "Best of luck, Chris."

A moment later the sickbay intercom beeped; Uhura summoned the Chief Surgeon to the bridge. "Gotta go. See you later. Be sure to keep me informed on how you're doing with you-know-who."

Christine smiled and nodded; with a wave, McCoy was gone. The female doctor turned back to her own work with a light heart. With any luck, she would finally have the man she had loved so many long, lonely years!

* * *

While en route to the bridge, McCoy couldn't help a broad grin at the thought of how interesting life was going to be from now on. From the start, he had suspected that Chris had decided to reverse tactics and ignore Spock instead of chasing him, see if that would bring him to her.

It sure as hell couldn't have been easy for her, the Doctor was convinced of that -- but if Chris's happiness at his news was any indication, her ordeal (*and* Spock's) would soon be history, and the happiness they would share together well worth the wait. Reverse psychology was the only thing she hadn't tried ... and it had worked. (Oh lord, had it *ever*!) McCoy only wished that he could be there to see the look on Spock's face once he learned the truth behind Christine's atypical behavior.

A month later, on stardate 8426.2, the Enterprise came within scanning range of a previously unknown and uncharted planet in the ElNath star system, located in the constellation of Taurus. Spock's scanners indicated that the planet was a typical class M, one of six in the system but only the second class M discovered there.

The science officer was amazed to detect no Humanoid life, since ElNath was similar to Earth's sun Sol in many respects. In that case, the planet would be an ideal candidate for colonization -- provided initial investigations turned up nothing harmful. He became so engrossed in scanning that he didn't hear the Captain call him.

"Spock!"

Kirk sounded annoyed, obviously having repeated himself several times. The Vulcan started in surprise when Jim's voice finally registered. He turned his head toward his Captain and friend, facial expression as bland as a baby's.

"Yes, Captain?"

"We're beaming down a landing party to the planet's surface. I assume you want to accompany us."

"Of course."

"Then let's get cracking. Sulu, you have the con." Kirk punched the intercom for sickbay while he and Spock headed for the transporter room in the turbolift. "Bones, report to the transporter room on the double. We're beaming down."

Christine Chapel's apologetic voice came over the intercom. "Sir, Dr. McCoy is in surgery. That young Rigellian who was so badly hurt in the Adhara II uprising we were sent to stop. He cannot be spared for landing party duty at the moment."

"What about you?"

"Sure, I'm free. Dr. M'Benga is assisting in surgery, and Nurse Parker can cover for me at the nursing station."

"Then grab your gear and report to the transporter room. You're beaming down with us."

Spock allowed himself a smile at the knowledge that Dr. Chapel would be accompanying them to the planet. It would give him an opportunity to be with her, away from the ship and his two rivals. She would be unable to avoid him or run away -- and perhaps, just perhaps, he would be able to make his own moves with a reasonable chance of success.

Christine sighed deeply as she packed her medikit. It was short notice, but after so many years in Starfleet (and on the Enterprise) she had learned to be ready at a moment's notice. In the transporter room, the landing party was outfitted with standard equipment: phasers, tricorders and communicators. Scott beamed them down onto a grassy bluff. After fully materializing, the party set off, eventually coming to a steep downward incline. The trio prepared to peer over the edge to check for a way down, but an accidental misstep by Christine on smooth rocks near the top proved their undoing.

Each instinctively grabbed for the nearest person in a vain attempt to maintain their balance, soon finding themselves rolling down the steep hill, out of control. It was over almost as soon as it started, and no one was hurt ... simply had the wind knocked out of them and the equipment scattered.

Spock picked himself up from the mound of dirt where he had landed, brushing it off his jacket and uniform, retrieving his tricorder, phaser and communicator from the dirt. "Miss Chapel? Captain? Are you both all right?"

Christine lifted her head from the patch of grass where she had stopped and which stained her face, hands and uniform. She checked herself, satisfied that she was in one piece. "I believe so, Mr. Spock."

"I'm all right, Spock." Kirk was sitting up in a profusion of flowering plants, conscious and seemingly unhurt. Spock recognized the plant as arbutus, found on Earth and many other class M planets they had visited. He also recalled that the plant in question secreted an oily substance to which Jim was severely allergic. Seconds later Kirk suffered a reaction, fighting to breathe as his lips and cheeks turned deathly pale. Spock caught and held his friend when his knees buckled as he tried to stand up.

"Miss Chapel, find your medikit and come quickly. The Captain is hardly breathing."

Christine located her medikit lying on a patch of grass about a foot from where she had stopped, grabbing the small brown case and running to where a semi-conscious Kirk leaned heavily on Spock, depending on his Vulcan friend's strong arms for support. She searched for the counteragent effective on most known allergies, but couldn't find it.

"Is something wrong, Miss Chapel?" the science officer asked.

"I have no counteragent. The best I can do is give him some tri-ox to help him breathe, then have some counteragent beamed down." Christine found the hypo of tri-ox and hastily injected Kirk, leaving Spock to make him comfortable while she reached for her communicator and flipped it open. "Landing party to Enterprise."

"Scott here," came the answer. "What's wrong, lass?"

"The Captain has been in contact with a substance to which he is severely allergic, and I have no counteragent with me. I would appreciate it if you would ask Dr. McCoy to have some beamed down to me as soon as he's free."

"Aye, lass. Stand by."

"Standing by." She flipped the communicator open again when it beeped a few minutes later, surprised to hear McCoy's voice instead of Scotty's. After learning that the Chief Surgeon had completed the surgery on the young Rigellian and left M'Benga to close for him, then keep an eye on him until he stabilized, she asked what was going on.

"Something's haywire with the transporter circuits, Chris. A short-circuit of some kind, I think Scotty said. He told me you needed the counteragent; I'm in the transporter room with it right now, but can't beam it down to you unless he can get the short-circuit repaired."

"Leonard, the Captain *needs* that counteragent. Tri-ox is a stopgap at best."

"I know, but you'll have to make do if Scotty can't get the transporter fixed. Just a minute. Please stand by." Every second seemed an eternity; at last McCoy came back. "I'm afraid it's bad, Chris. Scotty says that the main transporter circuits are 'shot all t' bloody hell,' quoting him. It's going to take at least three days before he and his crew can have them repaired. Damn fool contraption. I never *did* trust it!"

Chapel fought to keep disappointment and fear out of her voice. "What about the Captain?"

"All I can tell you is to find some water quickly, get as much of that stuff off him as you can, then give him another shot of tri-ox and keep a sharp eye on him for the next 24 hours. Keep me posted on how he's doing, and I'll keep you informed as to how things are going up here."

"Thanks." Christine tried to sound cheerful.

"I've got to go now, Chris. Good luck. McCoy out."

* * *

Spock took the news that they were on their own for the next three days with his usual Vulcan calm. "We had best locate water quickly. Captain, can you stand or walk?" The Vulcan frowned with concern at his Human friend.

"It's hard ... to breathe, but I'll ... try." But two steps later, the Captain passed out. Spock's arms caught him as he fell.

"Miss Chapel, it is up to you to carry the equipment since I must carry the Captain." She picked up the equipment and they set off. Spock carried Kirk as easily as though he were a child. They walked almost a kilometer before Christine used Spock's tricorder to locate a fresh-water pond.

Upon arrival, she dipped a soft cloth from a supply in her jacket pocket into the cool, clear water. She wrung it out, then thoroughly washed the Captain's exposed skin surface, giving Kirk another injection of tri-ox as he lay with his head pillowed on a rock and Spock's folded jacket.

Kirk's color began to return and his breathing improved, but Christine kept an eagle eye on his vital signs, taking frequent tricorder readings. Another half-kilometer walk brought them to a cave large enough to accommodate the three of them and protect them from the worst of the elements. Spock's jacket was laid out for the Captain to lie on; Spock carefully placed him on it. Christine's was folded up as a pillow after emptying it of all medical paraphernalia; Kirk's own covered him.

The Captain slept fitfully, alternately chilled and feverish -- almost delirious -- as Spock and Chapel kept a silent vigil at his side. The Vulcan managed to fashion containers from three large gourds, filling each with fresh pond water. The doctor dipped a fresh cloth into her own and wiped Kirk's perspiring face, repeating the action every few minutes. The pair were too engrossed in keeping their captain alive to notice the passage of time.

Christine checked her wrist chrono at 1800; they had been in the cave for twelve hours. Spock insisted on staying nearby, even though his body language and her tricorder readings indicated weariness, the combination of physical and emotional exertion having seriously drained him.

"Mr. Spock, you won't be able to help the Captain if you make yourself ill. Please get some rest; you've more than earned it. I'll take good care of him. Don't worry."

Spock raised an eyebrow at the emotional reference, but gave in to the logic of her words, making himself as comfortable as possible on the floor and wall nearest where the Captain lay. "You will notify me of any change?"

"Of course."

"Very well. Good night, Miss Chapel."

"Good night, Mr. Spock."

Despite his weariness, Spock found himself unable to sleep, so he removed his boots and assumed a lotus position, a favorite one for meditation.

Christine stood up and stretched to get the kinks out of her back, taking a secret delight in watching the sculptured Vulcan face in the glow of the heated stones around Kirk.

The Vulcan analyzed their present situation in the privacy of his thoughts. In many ways, it was reminiscent of the time spent in the frozen cave on Sarpeidon five thousand years ago with Zarabeth, who had helped him care for Dr. McCoy as Miss Chapel was caring for Jim now. In spite of the similarities between the two women, however, he had loved Zarabeth and *made* love to her. As a result, she had given birth to a son, but both had been dead for centuries and it was illogical to grieve overlong since no amount of grief could bring them back to life. It was best to remember them as one had known them.

As for Christine Chapel, at the time all she had been was a good friend -- and that was it, even though Spock was all too aware that she was in love with him. He had always told her (and himself) that friends were all they could ever be, but of late was seeing the beautiful Terran doctor in a whole new light. It seemed to have taken the two crewmen who loved her to get him to admit his own long-denied feelings.

Spock still recalled the overture he had made to her in the throes of his first *pon farr*. Christine had misunderstood his actions and rejected him. He regretted having been unable to make his intentions clear to her, but what he *had* done was the furthest he could go without offending his Vulcan sensibilities.

His Human half, on the other hand, had almost literally screamed at him to take the lovely woman who loved him and make her his own, both physically and mentally. But Spock had never forced his attentions on a woman, so if Miss Chapel no longer wanted him (and from all indications, that was a distinct possibility), he would not pressure her.

* * *

Spock awoke while it was still dark, surprised to find that he had indeed fallen asleep. The cave had turned bitterly cold, even with the heated rocks, and he shivered. "Miss Chapel? Doctor?"

"I'm here, Spock," Christine answered after a deep yawn. "The Captain is resting comfortably since his fever broke two hours ago. He is breathing well now, so barring any unforeseen complications, he won't need the counteragent."

"He is doing that well?"

"He should be fine by tomorrow."

"I am pleased to hear that. Now I think *you* should rest." His tone brooked no argument, so Christine stifled her protest and huddled on the wall and floor nearest the largest of the heated stones, attempting to sleep. It wasn't easy, but she finally did, feeling cold but rested upon awakening.

Christine stayed with the convalescing Kirk while Spock went in search of food. She knew they needed nourishment, but was concerned for his safety on a strange planet alone, even though neither of them had detected anything dangerous. One could never tell what might happen on an unknown, uncharted planet, no matter how Earth-like it seemed, which was why usually only the most experienced people were chosen for landing party duty during a reconnaissance mission.

Spock returned four hours later (an eternity to the almost frantic Christine), laden with several types of berries and other native fruits, several mushroom-like fungal growths and something resembling lettuce. He reported seeing no animal life except native songbirds, and being a vegetarian, the idea of killing them and eating their flesh turned his stomach. Neither the Captain nor Miss Chapel felt as he did, but they would only be here a short time, so they could safely subsist on the fruits, vegetables and water.

* * *

Kirk awoke in the mid-afternoon of the second day. "Spock? Miss Chapel?" he called out. He felt like he'd slept forever -- and with a lead weight on his chest, it had been so difficult to breathe ... but he felt fine now. Spock turned from where he was standing guard at the cave entrance at the sound of the Captain's voice, hands clasped behind his back and the latter ramrod-straight -- a characteristic pose.

"I am here, Captain. How do you feel?"

"Fine, now. Where's our lady doctor?"

"Miss Chapel is bathing in the pond at the moment. She should return shortly."

"I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat? And have you tried to contact the ship?"

"I found fruits, berries, fungal growths ... and what seems to be lettuce."

"No animal life-forms?"

"Only native songbirds."

As Kirk ate, Spock explained what had happened to the ship which had stranded them here. "There was a shorting-out of the main transporter circuits. Mr. Scott and his crew are doing their best to repair them, but he has warned that it will take at least three solar days to accomplish the job. Therefore, it is most logical that we make ourselves as comfortable as possible until he contacts us."

"How long ago did the shorting-out take place?"

"Yesterday morning at ten-hundred hours."

"Any communications since then?"

"Just Miss Chapel updating Dr. McCoy on your condition early this morning."

"What the hell *happened* to me, anyway?"

"You suffered an allergic reaction to the secretion of a native plant."

"In that case, I'll be glad when we can beam back to the ship, even as beautiful as this planet is."

Spock heartily concurred. After Kirk ate and drank, he made an effort to stand, gaining his feet with Spock's help. His legs were weak and wobbly at first, but got stronger the longer he was on them. Within half an hour, the Captain was walking around like nothing had ever been wrong with him.

The two men took a leisurely walk in the nearby woods, Spock pointing out where he had found their food and the birds -- all the while taking care to remain in at least partial visual contact with the cave in the event Miss Chapel returned.

Christine returned twenty minutes after the men did, nodding and smiling at them as she stashed her things in a nearby corner. "I never realized how much I missed bathing in water. I hope I didn't worry you too much by being gone so long. I had a swim after my bath."

Spock frowned at her. "Most illogical, Miss Chapel. You should never swim alone."

"Your concern is appreciated, Mr. Spock, but I can take care of myself. I know my limits."

The Vulcan looked properly nonplused for a moment, then raised a quizzical eyebrow at her. "Are you hungry?"

"Ravenous. Swimming always gives me a big appetite." She ate and drank after making sure Spock and Kirk had eaten. After the meal, the First Officer stood up to stretch his sleek body, then sat down again.

"It will be necessary to obtain more food and water if Mr. Scott and his crew have not repaired the shorted-out circuits within 24 hours."

It was nearly 2400 when they went to bed. Since Kirk was well again, he and Spock talked into the wee hours about the latter's adventures on the planet so far. Christine fell asleep to the sound of their voices.

* * *

Now that the Captain had no more need for the extra coats, Spock and Christine put them on again, as the night-time temperatures dipped close to freezing, even with the heated rocks. Spock's sensitive hearing caught the sound of her chattering teeth and he left Kirk's side after sitting in the darkness for close to an hour vainly trying to keep warm.

He made his way over to where she huddled close to the largest heated stone, trying to make her short coat cover her. Her cheek was cold to the touch. Having come from a desert planet like Vulcan, Spock was even more sensitive to the cold than she -- but was still warmer than Human body temperature, even when he felt cold to himself.

"You are cold, Miss Chapel. I heard your teeth chattering."

"N-not really, Mr. Spock. You needn't concern yourself with m-me."

"But I am. The heated stones are obviously insufficient to keep us warm; it will therefore be necessary to share body heat in order to survive the night."

Christine's heart pounded double, and she was hard-pressed to answer in a normal voice. "T-that isn't necessary. I'll be f-fine."

"Miss Chapel, please do not argue with me. It is illogical for either of us to be cold if sharing body heat can keep us warm and alive."

"W-well, if you insist -- "

"I do."

"V-very well, then."

He sat down beside her, gradually moving closer to draw her into his arms. She felt the rapid beat of his heart as he held her. This was the last thing she'd expected, but certainly wasn't complaining. Spock's arms felt so warm, strong and *right* around her! Christine was so content that she nearly fell asleep; he gently prodded her just as she was about to nod off.

"Miss Chapel?"

"Yes?"

"You may put your arms around me. I assure you it is all right."

She hesitantly slid her arms around her companion's slender waist beneath his jacket; he held her the same way. How could she actually be in Spock's arms at long last? This *had* to be a dream! Even if it was only to preserve body heat, what mattered was that he was doing it.

After this, she was determined to have him belong to her -- not just for a couple of days, but all time. For the present, however, she was content to snuggle close in his arms. Sleep claimed her within moments, her head cradled on Spock's shoulder. His breath felt warm and sweet on her temple and hair, his lips gently brushing the latter when he thought she was asleep.

* * *

The sun lit up the cave's interior when Christine awoke the following morning. The warm comfort of Spock's presence had gone; she sat up and looked around, finding him quietly conversing with the Captain across the room. She smiled upon noting that Spock had placed his jacket over her legs to keep them warm after he was gone. He was so thoughtful, so caring -- even if he was unwilling to admit it or express it openly.

Spock turned his head in her direction upon hearing her yawn and stretch. "Are you all right, Miss Chapel? Did you sleep well?"

She had never slept so well in her life! "Yes, thank you."

"I must go out for more food and water. If you would care to accompany me, we could bring back twice as much." Christine accepted readily, scarcely able to fathom that Spock had actually asked her to join him. "The Captain said he would bathe in the pond, but not swim alone. He should be back before we return."

The Vulcan had risen at dawn and availed himself of the facilities of the pond to bathe thoroughly, returning before either Jim or Christine realized he had gone so they wouldn't worry. The pair returned some hours later, well-laden with fruit, vegetables and water. All enjoyed a fine feast, retiring as soon as it was dark. It had again turned freezing, so Christine suspected that Spock would once again want to share body heat to keep warm.

As she expected, he came to her again that night. They went into each other's arms as though they'd done it all their lives. For the most part, he was as proper as ever ... but when she awakened in the middle of the night, she felt a warm, heavy weight on her breast: Spock's sleek, dark head. One hand rested on his bent left knee, his right arm bent over *her* right knee, his right hand warm where it touched her.

The top of his head was within reach; dare she kiss it as she so yearned to do? Her fingers stroked it, then her lips brushed the top of his head before she could stop herself. Spock stirred slightly after the kiss; she was sure he would give her hell for taking such liberties with his person ... but instead, he merely lifted his head and asked, "Miss Chapel, why did you kiss me?"

"I felt like it. I didn't mean to bother you."

"I never said it bothered me. I was merely asking a question." So Christine was understandably startled when Spock moved to gather her into his arms, feeling his embrace gently tighten and her face lifted to his even though she couldn't see it. "Miss Chapel -- Christine ... whenever you have been close to me, I have ... experienced a -- very strange feeling. Strange because I have not felt it outside of my Mating Time. I am not currently *in* the Mating Time, so the feeling is most unusual ... though not unpleasant. In fact, I have -- found myself wanting to ... make love to you."

Christine couldn't believe her ears. This couldn't be real! Her face went crimson even as his startling confession rendered her speechless.

"Christine?" Spock recalled that he had seldom called her by her first name; it felt unbelievably good doing it again.

"Yes?" she forced out.

"Would you be -- willing for us to ... share physical love together? Give one another an opportunity to be simply man and woman, not Vulcan or Human, or Starfleet officers?" She wanted it (and him) so much that she could taste it, but had to be careful what she said and how she said it. "If you do not wish it, you have but to say the word. I will leave and never mention it to you again."

"Again?" Christine's eyes widened incredulously.

"Surely you remember. It was on the occasion of my first Time of Mating."

"Sorry, but I can't."

"I told you it was illogical for us to protest against our natures. You said you did not understand, that you had only come to tell me that we had changed course for Vulcan and would be there in a few days."

She was dumfounded and said as much. "But that's what I thought you wanted."

"It was, partially ... but I also wanted *you*. And you rejected me."

"How did I reject you?" The very thought was preposterous.

"Do you not *know*? How obvious did I have to be?"

"You mean you were trying to -- ?"

"'Make a pass' is the colloquial term."

"But how could I have known? A Vulcan doesn't make advances to me every day. I'm sorry if you felt rejected, then or now. I had no idea ... how could I? But I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you; that has never changed -- and it never will. I only dated Courtney and Fleetwood because I thought I could never have *you* ... so yes, I would like very much for us to make love. That is, if you still want me."

"Very much." Like a magnet being attracted to metal, Spock bent his head and their lips met.

Christine prayed that this incredible rapture would last forever. She had never been as happy in her life as she was right now! The couple reluctantly parted in order to move behind the high out-cropping of rock at the rear of the cave for privacy, spreading out one coat for a makeshift bed. They sat down on it and embraced once again. "You have no idea how much -- or how long -- I've wanted to do this," she whispered.

In due time, the clothing was removed, beginning with the uniform jackets. Once he sensed that she was ready, Spock lowered Christine to the makeshift bed and positioned himself accordingly. Their coming together was everything she had ever imagined it would be. After several tenderly passionate hours together, the tired but sated lovers fell into a deep sleep in each other's arms.

* * *

Spock awoke to the Captain's voice urgently summoning him, still holding Christine close to him. Her head rested on his bare chest; she was sound asleep. He allowed himself a smile as he recalled how he had buried his face in her silky hair and it had smelled of honeysuckle -- just as her equally silky skin had had a musky-rose scent.

He moved to kiss the top of her head, once again inhaling the scent of honeysuckle after nuzzling her neck, taking in the intoxicating fragrance still lingering there. He even found himself wanting her again, but had to forego that pleasure because Kirk's voice was insistent. Spock was loathe to move or wake the woman in his arms, but finally had to.

"Christine, wake up. We must dress. The Captain is calling and must not discover us like this."

The urgency in her lover's voice galvanized Christine into action and they dressed hastily, Spock going out to meet Kirk first. "Where in God's name have you been, Spock?" he demanded. Christine listened from her hiding place behind the rocks, her face flaming at the scenario she envisioned as she finished dressing. What if the Captain had called for beam-up without telling them? What if she and Spock had been beamed up still entwined as they had been a mere half-hour ago?

They would not only have been the talk of the Enterprise, but the entire inhabited Galaxy -- and neither would ever have lived it down or been able to look anyone in the face again! Thank Heaven that embarrassing scenario did *not* take place ... but another did.

"Scotty just called and said he could beam us up whenever we gave the signal."

The Vulcan could not meet his friend's eyes, and Kirk was sure he detected a green flush on Spock's face and the tips of his elegant ears. Spock was acting *most* peculiar, almost guilty -- and speaking of peculiar, where was Miss Chapel? Could they actually have...?

Kirk shook his head. *No. They couldn't. *Spock* couldn't! It's not the right time for him.* The Captain could scarcely fathom it, but was convinced when Christine finally appeared, looking rumpled, disheveled, and with a guilty flush on her cheeks equaling Spock's own. How could they have done it?

"Ready to beam up, you two?" He forced a smile.

"Yes, sir," the pair answered as one.

"Scotty, three to beam up," Kirk said into his communicator. *I can just hazard to guess what *else* they've done as one!* the Captain thought as they began to dematerialize. *My God, I didn't think it possible -- but it obviously is. I have all the proof I need just by looking at them!*

Kirk hoped Spock would eventually confide in him, but knew how private a person his Vulcan friend was. If Spock didn't want to talk, nothing short of a direct order would loosen his tongue. Miss Chapel wasn't the talkative type, either. If anyone came close to knowing her, Uhura did.

Scott welcomed them back once everyone had materialized. "Welcome back, Captain. Sure's good t' ha' ye all back again. We ha' th' very divil of a time repairin' th' shorted-out transporter circuits. P'r bairns. Blown t' smithereens, they were!"

"Just as long as they're all right now, Scotty."

"Aye, that they are. Shouldna give ye any more trouble."

"Everything else all right?"

"Jus' fine, Captain."

The Scotsman watched in amazement, then happiness, as Spock and Christine stepped off the platform and exchanged smiles. The engineer's eyes widened when he saw the look in the couple's eyes.

*Th' Lord only knows wha' 'appened t' Mr. Spock an' Dr. Chapel while they were on th' planet, but what'er 'twas, they certainly 'ave a diff'rent attitude toward each other now. A' least Mr. Spock does. Ah wonder if we'll e'er know jus' what 'appened b'tween 'em t' change things so drastically. One thing's f'r certain, though. Chris Chapel, p'r lass, 'as always been dotty about Mr. Spock. 'Twould seem that he now feels th' same about her ... and ah hope 'e does, because th' p'r lad 'as badly needed a lass t' love him an' end his terrible loneliness.*

Scott flashed a knowing smile in Christine's direction, one which she returned after an initial look of surprise, as the small group left the Transporter Room together.

* * *

Two full days passed before Spock could bring himself to confide in Kirk. He tried going over his tricorder readings, which he had put on tape, running them through his library computer -- but could not concentrate on them. The feelings he had experienced with Christine, as well as visions of his time with her, plagued him with renewed vigor. He had accomplished what he had set out to do as far as she was concerned, and he was pleased about that, but this ... Spock finally stood up and steeled himself to walk to the command chair.

"Captain?"

"Yes, Spock?"

"I must speak privately with you."

Sulu and Uhura turned their heads upon hearing the tremor in the First Officer's voice. He noted this, lowering it so that only Kirk could hear. The Captain followed suit.

"Concerning what happened on the planet?"

Spock nodded, unable to bring himself to speak.

Kirk again saw an emerald flush invading his Vulcan friend's face and ears. "Well, things are kind of slow at the moment, so why not? Your quarters or mine?"

"Mine." The reply was barely above a whisper.

"Mr. Sulu, you have the con until Mr. Spock and I return."

"Aye, sir."

Sulu and Uhura had turned back to their consoles in disappointment when the two senior officers had lowered their voices. The strange look on Spock's face and the Captain's expressionless face were most peculiar in view of the kind of people they were. The helmsman had wanted to tell Kirk about the times he had caught Spock wearing that same look, but thought better of it -- especially here on the bridge.

He suspected that Spock's request for a private discussion had something to do with what was rumored to have taken place between the science officer and Dr. Chapel while the landing party was temporarily stranded on ElNath VI. It seemed unfathomable that something could have happened, but it was the only possible explanation for the Vulcan's recent atypical behavior.

Sulu also knew how unusual it was for Spock to let any emotion show on his face where it might be seen by others, yet it had happened. The Vulcan had immediately straightened his face into its normal calm, serene expression, raising an inquisitive eyebrow upon noticing the helmsman looking at him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Anything wrong, sir?"

"Of course not," Spock denied ... as Sulu expected. "Why do you ask?"

"You've been looking -- well, uh -- kind of faraway and dreamy."

"Vulcans never look 'faraway' or 'dreamy'." The reply was icy. "Now get back to work."

"Aye, sir."

Sulu knew better than to argue with Spock, for anyone who did usually came out of the encounter suitably humbled. Dr. McCoy was the only one who had dared to cross verbal swords with the redoubtable Vulcan, and much to the crew's shock (and Spock's displeasure) the doctor occasionally came out on top.

* * *

After reaching E Deck, the two men headed for Spock's quarters, which adjoined Kirk's own. "All right, Spock, what's so important?" the Captain asked as soon as the doors closed behind them.

"Jim, something -- *happened* on ElNath VI."

"I'd gathered that from the look on your face the last morning we were there ... but what exactly was it that 'happened'?" As if he didn't know!

"It -- concerns Dr. Chapel." The Vulcan looked thoroughly embarrassed when he lifted his head.

"What happened between you?"

Spock momentarily turned his back to gather courage, then turned around. "I believe you would call it 'making love'."

"But I didn't think you *could*, Spock ... at least not outside of pon farr."

"Neither did I -- but apparently I was mistaken."

Kirk bent his head and rubbed his neck, then lifted his head to give his Vulcan friend a smile. "This comes as something of a surprise, but I couldn't be happier for you. How was it?"

Spock raised an astonished eyebrow, but replied, "According to Miss Chapel, 'wonderful'."

"What did *you* think?"

"I -- found it ... most enjoyable."

"This is quite a step for you. Any plans to bond with her?"

"I -- was considering it." The First Officer's eyes pleaded for help. "Jim, this is new ... totally unbelievable to me. I did not think myself capable of such feelings for a woman. They are most illogical, but I cannot deny them. That would be even *more* illogical."

"Spock, are you saying that you're -- *in love* with her?"

"I believe that is the correct term, yes."

"Well, congratulations. I'm sure you'll be very happy together." Even so, Kirk wasn't surprised to see not happiness but stark fear on his friend's face.

"Jim, you must help me. This is a most distressing development. What am I to do about it?"

"I'm afraid there isn't much you *can* do. Usually it's already too late by the time you realize it ... so I suggest you relax and enjoy it. From personal experience, I can tell you that falling in love -- *real* love, that is -- can be, and often is, frightening and unnerving. Particularly your vulnerability where she is concerned; when she's all you can think about and all you want to do is be with her. For these reasons, being in love with someone can take a lot of getting used to ... but eventually you wonder how you could ever have lived without it."

Spock found himself smiling slightly at the thought. "Indeed -- though it still seems incredible that it could happen to such as I."

"It happens to everyone sooner or later ... and Spock, love is *seldom* logical." Kirk could scarcely fathom all he had heard but at the same time, couldn't have been more thrilled that his beloved friend's terrible loneliness was at last at an end. "Well, now that that's settled, shall we get back to the bridge? I'm sure Sulu's beginning to wonder about us."

"Most definitely, Captain."

"Then let's go, Mr. Spock." The two stepped out of the latter's quarters, the masks of commander and First Officer firmly in place. Sulu vacated the command chair upon seeing the two senior officers return to the bridge. "Any problems here, Mr. Sulu?"

"All quiet, sir."

"Good. Return to your post."

Spock resumed his science station, now able to immerse himself in the information his tricorder readings gave him about ElNath VI. Kirk stole a quick look at Uhura; the Bantu looked up from writing a communications report and smiled at him. Kirk smiled back, wondering if Miss Chapel had confided in her yet. He would have to ask eventually, but for now it was back to work.

* * *

The ship was well into the Sagittarius Arm, the most densely populated sector of the Galaxy, before Christine could bring herself to confide in Uhura. The latter's slender brown fingers with their beautifully groomed nails gently stroked the taut strings, occasionally adjusting the tone dials of the Vulcan lyrette Spock had given her at the end of the first five-year mission.

It was one of Uhura's most prized possessions; she cared for it as lovingly as she would a child. Spock seldom gave gifts, especially ones such as this -- so anyone receiving a gift from him felt singled out, honored. Uhura was no exception. She hummed "Beyond Antares", a popular love ballad, stopping whenher buzzer sounded.

"Come." She was pleasantly surprised to see Christine step in. About time! "Chris! What a pleasant surprise. Come in and make yourself at home. I was just practicing on my lyrette. It always relaxes me after a tough day."

Christine's frosted brown hair was rumpled, as was her clothing; her face was flushed and anxious. "Ny, can I talk to you? I've got to tell someone before I burst!"

"Of course. What's on your mind?"

Chapel sat down on her friend's bed, hands demurely folded in her lap.

Uhura couldn't help but notice their nervous trembling. "From the looks of you, it must be important."

"That's putting it mildly," the other woman sighed. "I'm sure you know about my beaming down to the surface of that new class M planet in the ElNath system."

"Yes. What about it?"

"Something happened down there."

"That's nothing new. What's your problem?"

"Nyota, you don't understand. *Mr. Spock* was also in the landing party!"

At the mention of the Vulcan's name, Uhura recalled the shipboard gossip she had heard about him and Chris's two new suitors. She was also aware of the feelings Spock allegedly harbored for Christine, not to mention the argument he had had with one of his rivals. Lastly, she recalled the rumor currently making its rounds through the ship: that Chris and Spock had shared a 'night of love', for lack of a better term, while temporarily stranded on the planet. However, knowing the two involved as she did, Uhura hadn't believed the rumor ... at first.

"I'm sure you've heard the rumor concerning what happened between us down there."

"I have ... but from what little I know of Mr. Spock's background, it seems unlikely that anything could have happened."

"Not any more."

Uhura's brown eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She set her lyrette aside and moved forward to sit on the edge of her chair after turning it to face her friend, taking the other woman's hands in her own and gently squeezing them. "Do you mean to tell me--?"

"Yes." Christine blushed in spite of herself.

Nyota hugged her friend. "Congratulations! How did you do it?"

"I really don't know if it was any of my doing, though I *do* remember the first night planetside as being very cold, despite the rocks we heated with the phasers. The Captain was asleep; Spock came to me and asked if I was cold. He said he'd heard my teeth chattering."

"What did you tell him?"

"That I was fine, and he didn't have to be concerned about me ... but he knew better. He even offered to stay with me so we could share body heat, since the rocks didn't seem to be enough to keep us warm."

"I can just imagine how *that* made you feel!"

"I said that wasn't necessary." Christine sighed deeply. "He would have none of my stalling tactics. He said not to argue, that it was illogical for either of us to be cold if sharing body heat could help keep us warm and alive. You know how he's even more sensitive to cold than I am, so I gave in."

"As he knew you would."

"Yes; I could never refuse him anything. I was almost asleep when he nudged me and said to put my arms around him, assuring me it was all right."

"Nothing like having permission." Uhura smiled knowingly.

"That's for sure. It was wonderful to be in his arms at last, even if it *was* only to share body heat."

"Ummhmm," the other woman murmured skeptically. "Sounds more like our Mr. Spock is still trying to find a logical reason to do an emotional thing."

"It doesn't matter what his reasons may have been. What mattered was that I was in his arms -- and that he was in mine. The next thing I remember is my head on his shoulder and his breath on my temple. It was lovely to feel him kiss it and the top of my head. His lips are like warm silk ... but naturally this was when he thought I was asleep."

"What about the next night?"

"We went to bed after eating, as soon as it got dark. As before, Spock came to me after the Captain was asleep. We went into each other's arms as if we'd done it all our lives. For the first part of the night, he was as proper as ever, then I woke a few hours later to find his head on my breast. I wanted to stroke and kiss it in the worst way -- "

"Did you?"

"Before I could stop myself. I was sure he'd wake up and give me hell for it."

"*Did* he wake up?"

"Yes ... but only to ask why I'd done it. I said I'd felt like it and hoped it hadn't bothered him." Christine yawned and stretched, making herself comfortable on Uhura's bed. It was covered with a tiger-print bedspread, similar to the print in the long dress the latter wore. Her bare feet were tucked under her as she sat in the contoured chair near the bed.

"Go on."

"He said it hadn't bothered him, that he'd simply asked a question. The next thing I knew, he had moved to take me in his arms and pull me close to him. He claimed I was making him feel something he'd never felt outside of his Mating Time, as he called it. He said he wasn't experiencing that, so the feelings were unusual -- but not unpleasant. And get *this*: he even said he found himself wanting to *make love* to me! I think I blushed all over when he said *that*.

"Then he actually called me by my first name. He rarely does that without my prompting him. He asked if I would be willing for us to make love, have the opportunity to be simply man and woman, not Vulcan and Human. I wanted it ... oh God, how I wanted it! -- but had to be careful what I said and how I said it. I was silent for so long that he finally said, 'If you don't want to make love, say the word and I'll leave. I don't feel like being rejected again.'"

"Again?" Uhura was incredulous.

"He claimed he'd asked the first time during his first *pon farr*. Nyota, I had no idea he was trying to make a pass at me! How could I? I was dumfounded and told him as much. After all, I thought all he wanted was to go to Vulcan ... and had only come to tell him that we were on our way there despite Starfleet orders to go to Altair Six. He said he *had* wanted to go to Vulcan, but had also wanted *me* ... and I'd rejected him. I asked how that was possible, because I would never knowingly do such a thing. He said, 'Do you not know? How much more obvious did I have to be?'

"I managed to convince him that I would never have rejected him had I known that's what he was doing -- and that I still wanted him. Always had, always would ... and that I would like very much for us to make love -- if he still wanted me, that is. 'Very much,' he answered ... then kissed me. And I mean really *kissed* me. Oh, Ny, it was heavenly! I had no idea that any man's lips could taste so sweet -- and the pleasure was so exquisite that it was almost pain. In that moment, I knew that all my waiting and loving from afar had been worth it!"

Christine smiled. "It still seems like a beautiful dream. I can't tell you how he made me feel when we were no longer two but *one*! It's hard to believe it really happened, that I could be so happy. I always knew we'd be fantastic together, given the chance ... and I was right!"

Uhura stood up and stretched, then situated herself in her chair again. "I had no idea Spock had it *in* him."

"He's every bit as passionate as a Human male -- not to mention far more tender and loving. He may not do it often, but when he does ... *Wow!*. With him, quality is better than quantity -- though I naturally intend to find a way to get more of that wonderful loving more often. It's the kind every woman dreams of, but doesn't think she'll ever find."

Uhura smiled and shifted in her chair. "Anything else?"

"We woke up still in each other's arms, covered only by my coat. We were lying on his. It was so natural to feelhis body close to mine ... then we heard the Captain calling. I was so content that I didn't want to get up, but Spock said we had to so we wouldn't be found as we were.

"We dressed quickly; Spock went out first. The Captain asked where we'd been, that Mr. Scott had called and said he could beam us up any time. I was sure that Spock was blushing as much as I was! I wish I could have seen the look on his face and the tips of his ears ... not to mention the look on the *Captain's* face -- but all he said was, 'Are you ready to beam up?' after I came out. Then he called Mr. Scott and we all beamed up."

"Has the Captain said anything to either of you since?"

"I heard that Spock asked him if they could speak privately. Knowing the kind of friends those two are, I think I can guess fairly accurately what they discussed."

"What else, if anything?"

"Spock and I smiled at each other when we got off the transporter platform. Heaven only knows what Mr. Scott was thinking! I was sure that what happened was written all over my face -- but he didn't say anything, simply smiled at me as we headed for the doors of the transporter room."

"He must have been happy for you. After all, it's not exactly a secret how you feel about Spock. Naturally we'd be glad to see you finally get him."

At that moment, Uhura's intercom beeped; it was McCoy. "Uhura, if Chris is there, put her on. I need to talk to her."

"This is Christine. What do you need, Leonard?"

"You, to keep an eye on that young Rigellian I operated on so I can get some sleep. I haven't slept for two days."

"Of course. I'll be right there."

"Thanks. McCoy out."

Christine sighed after closing the intercom. "Well, duty calls, Nyota -- but thank you for letting me bend your ear. I feel a lot better now."

"What are friends for?" The women embraced at Uhura's door.

"I hope I didn't bore you."

"Far from it! I enjoyed every minute. It was 'fascinating,' as our favorite Vulcan would say. Which reminds me -- congrats again. God bless you both ... and keep me informed."

Christine smiled, nodded and left. Uhura smiled after her, then turned to look at her chronometer, amazed to see that it read 0100. *I'd better get to bed. I'll never wake up in time otherwise!* She fell asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.

* * *

The only other thing Christine did while covering for McCoy (aside from checking the young Rigellian's vital signs periodically to make sure he remained stable and administering his prescribed medication) was enter all the current data on their patient's condition into his computer file. She yawned and stretched in her chair.

*God, I'm bored. It seems that treating patients consists mostly of giving them medication and waiting!*

McCoy arrived at ten-hundred hours, clean, well-groomed and thoroughly rested. "Mornin', Chris. I'd almost forgotten how good a bed felt ... or how it felt to sleep through the night -- but now I'm ready to lick the world. Or should I say the galaxy?"

"Would you settle for keeping sickbay running smoothly?"

The Chief Surgeon grinned wryly. "M'Benga went on R&R, I take it."

Christine nodded. "It's been months since he's had any. I believe he went to Vulcan to brush up on their latest medical techniques."

"Aaagh! The man's taste in vacation spots!" McCoy exclaimed in mock horror.

"Come on, Leonard, it's not *that* bad."

"How would you know? You've never been there."

"I've never beamed down, at any rate ... and besides, a lot of good things come from Vulcan."

"Oh, yeah? Name one. And Spock doesn't count."

She frowned at him but continued. "Their music, for one. Their artwork, too ... and then there's Amanda--"

McCoy had to concede that last item. Spock's Human mother was a lovely woman, so it made him wonder how she could ever have married Sarek or had a son like Spock. "All right, you win. Good things *do* come from Vulcan ... but it'll never replace Wrigley's Pleasure Planet."

"I don't think they'd want to if they could." Christine sighed in exasperation. "Don't you want to hear how your patient's doing?"

"Of course. How is he?"

"Stable. I renewed his dressings and gave him his last medication an hour ago."

"Good." McCoy's eyes widened again upon seeing the chrono reading. "Oh my God, you mean it's 1100 already? Why didn't you tell me? I never meant to keep you all night."

"Because you were too busy indulging in your favorite pastime -- running down Spock, Vulcan and all they stand for. Besides, you needed the rest and I didn't have anything better to do."

"Just as *you* never miss a chance to defend them," the Chief Surgeon threw back. "But let's get off that depressing subject and on to bigger and better things. Were you planning to shower and grab a bite after you leave?"

"Sounds like a good idea. I *do* need to freshen up after being here all night -- but need to talk to you first."

"About you and Spock, I presume."

The female doctor's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"It's hard to miss ... especially considering the way you two acted after beaming up. Scotty says you smiled at each other and wore looks of pure love."

"I had no idea we were that transparent -- and besides, I see nothing wrong with that." Christine's voice was icy.

"There's nothing wrong with that. Don't misunderstand me. I couldn't be happier that you and Spock have finally gotten together. It just seems so unusual ... or should I say out of character? ... for Spock to have sexual desire for a woman outside of his Mating Time, as the rumors claim. Surely you're aware of how the Vulcan mating cycle works."

"Of course, but what's that got to do with what happened?"

"Spock isn't supposed to feel strong sexual desire or be able to perform in that capacity unless he's in the mating cycle, which won't occur again for at least another year."

"Well, he obviously *did* have the desire -- *and* the ability to perform. Most satisfactorily too, I might add."

"Then something's changed. Maybe Spock's Human half is in control more often now that he's getting older. Either that or something on the planet affected him."

"Meaning that *I* didn't." Christine's tone could have frozen the very air.

"Good lord, you're touchy today! I merely mean that something ... either in the fruit, vegetables, air, water or songs of the birds ... could have gotten to him, made him want to make love to you."

"I don't believe that. Neither of us detected anything with our tricorders."

"Some things are virtually undetectable, and even tricorders aren't foolproof." McCoy furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "Oh yes, I just remembered. When Spock and I were trapped in Sarpeidon's Ice Age, we met a pretty blonde named Zarabeth, also a prisoner there. As I recall, she reminded me a lot of you -- and we stayed in a cave there, too.

"I was very ill; too much exposure to the elements or something. Spock and Zarabeth cared for me, as you and he took care of the Captain. Then something happened to Spock ... he reverted back to the ways of his Vulcan ancestors. He even ate meat! Not long afterward, he ended up making love to her, just as you claim he made love to you. Seems he performs best in caves," McCoy joked.

"For heaven's sake, get to the point!" Christine snapped.

"She had a child -- a son. *Spock's* son. You met him, remember?"

A spasm of pain tightened Christine's lips at the realization that Leonard was right. The resemblance had been so obvious. How could she have missed it?

McCoy was instantly sorry for his thoughtless remark. "Sorry, Chris. I forgot what a sensitive subject that is for you."

"That's all right this time ... but you forgot something. As I recall, you said that Spock had acted as though he hadn't cared about Zarabeth at all -- and that you couldn't believe even he could act so callous. That hasn't happened in this case."

"Are you sure? Have you two spent any time together since returning to the ship?" McCoy read his colleague's answer in her face. "So ... he hasn't seen you since."

Christine reluctantly shook her head, even though she was convinced that they *would* be together again -- soon!

"That pretty well proves my theory, then."

"No, it doesn't. Not by a long shot!"

"Chris, believe it or not, I'm your friend. I don't mean to sound callous; I'm simply trying to be honest ... as I think you want me to be -- and still break it to you as gently as I can. Whatever affected Spock must have temporarily allowed him to release his emotions and indulge in a romantic interlude, like the spores on Omicron Three. You just happened to be there at the right time -- but it was a temporary thing. It's over now.

"Whatever he said when the two of you were planetside was most likely said under the influence of something. In other words, artificially induced. And when something ... love, for example -- is artificially induced, it rarely lasts. It must occur naturally; otherwise it's gone as quickly as it came. You may not enjoy hearing that, but it's a possibility you have to consider."

"Translated, I'm not capable of attracting Spock without outside help. Thanks a *lot*, Leonard. You're really a *great* boost to this lady's ego. Besides, Spock didn't lie. He never lies."

"Under normal circumstances, no. But these aren't normal circumstances. Treasure your time with him, Chris. Keep it as a beautiful memory, as well you should ... but don't kid yourself by indulging in the mistaken fantasy that it will happen again. No amount of wishful thinking is going to make it happen again."

"Whatever happened to 'Chris, I think Spock's in love with you'?" came the bitter retort. "I'll say one thing for you, Leonard. You really know how to spoil a good thing."

"Come on, Chris. Don't you think I wanted things to work out for you as much as you did? I'm only trying to be realistic. Spock just isn't made that way. Normally, he would never allow himself such an illogical thing as romance, much less a sexual relationship while in the throes of that romance."

"Believe what you like. My instincts tell me otherwise."

"You're grasping at straws."

"I don't care."

"Okay, have it your way ... but don't say I didn't warn you. He's hurt you so much; I don't want to see you hurt any more. You're a warm, wonderful, loving woman. You deserve a man who can love you as you deserve to be loved. Spock can't."

"That's *your* opinion," she retorted. "And besides, I'm a big girl. I love Spock, no matter what -- and why encourage me if you thought his feelings for me artificially induced?"

"I guess it was because I'm also a romantic at heart and wanted to believe it *was* really possible for Spock to love you as you wanted him to."

"Leonard, when one truly loves, she doesn't give up just because of a few setbacks. I couldn't give up, even if I wanted to. My love won't let me."

"Well, if you're that determined to have him -- "

"I am."

McCoy sighed. "Then all I can say is that I wish you luck. You're gonna need it. A miracle or two wouldn't hurt, either. Oh yes, I just thought of something else. Did you take your birth control injection this month?"

"No, I'm afraid I forgot it this time around. Why?" Christine hadn't really considered the consequences of an unplanned sexual encounter. Not that she'd mind having Spock's child, mind you, in the event that she *was* pregnant -- but it was the wrong way to get him to marry her.

"And wouldn't it take more than one night for me to become pregnant, especially with a Vulcan? If I remember correctly, a couple has to be bonded for conception to take place. Spock and I never got around to that."

"It only took one night for Zarabeth ... and remember, Spock is just *half* Vulcan. That often makes him the exception to the rule. Even if his Human half is submerged most of the time, it *is* still there."

"Now that I think about it, I really wasn't too concerned about the possible repercussions. I was too carried away, too happy."

"Then you'd better let me give you the standard pregnancy test. It won't take long, and if it's positive, then you can--"

Christine's eyes blazed. "Then I can *what*? Trap Spock into marriage? *Forget it.* As I said, I'm a big girl. I can handle even an unplanned pregnancy ... and I would sooner give up an arm or leg before I would ever give up Spock's child, something I've yearned for ever since I first fell in love with him!"

"I hope you also realize that if you *are* pregnant and Spock finds out, he'll feel obligated to marry you because he doesn't want another illegitimate child. You know what happens to a Vulcan who has an illegitimate child. Do you want that to happen to Spock because of your stubbornness?"

If nothing else Leonard said sunk in, that did. No, she couldn't bear the thought of Spock being ostracized from Vulcan in the event that she was carrying his child -- and they were not married. No amount of stubborn independence was worth that.

"Of course I don't. I couldn't live with knowing I put him through that kind of heartache again."

"Well, I'd better see to our patient now ... and you be sure to come in at 1300 tomorrow for your pregnancy test. At least that way you'd be sure -- then you could figure out what you want to do next."

"I'll be here. Thanks, Leonard." She hugged McCoy.

"For what?" He returned her impulsive embrace, but came out of it understandably flustered.

"For being my friend ... and for just being you."

McCoy had been about to say something else when the intercom interrupted. It was Spock -- calling for Christine! "Dr. Chapel, are you there? This is Spock."

"Yes, Spock. What can I do for you?"

"Would you come to my quarters in 15.25 minutes? I must speak privately with you."

"Of course, Spock."

"Then I will be expecting you. Spock out." The intercom shut off; Christine gave McCoy a triumphant smile.

"You were saying, Leonard?"

"Well, I'll be damned."

"I'd better go change. See you later." Chapel rushed out, leaving a stunned, bewildered McCoy in her wake.

*Well! You could knock me over with a feather. That's the *last* thing I expected. Maybe Chris was right after all!*

* * *

Courtney and Fleetwood caught up with Christine in an E Deck corridor after she had changed and was on her way to Spock's quarters.

"Chris, you've been avoiding us lately. Why? Is it something we've done?"

"Oh no, Dana, of course not. It's me."

"What's happened?"

For some unexplainable reason, Chapel found that she couldn't meet their eyes.

"Does it have anything to do with Spock?" Fleetwood asked.

She nodded; their reactions were predictable.

Fleetwood sighed. "Figures. We lose out to a green-blooded, pointy-eared, logic-spouting alien."

"What happened between Spock and myself makes it impossible for me to continue seeing either of you," Christine explained.

"You mean you and he really--?"

"Yes."

"Incredible. I didn't think he was capable of it," Courtney observed.

"If anyone could get him to do it, Chris could," Fleetwood declared.

Chapel smiled at them both. She liked them both so much! Why couldn't she have loved one of them instead of being so insanely in love with a half-breed Vulcan of whom she wasn't at all sure where his feelings for her were concerned?

"I won't pretend that this is easy for me to say, Chris, but it looks like the best man won. If Spock is what you want, I won't stand in your way. I only hope he treats you right, gives you the love you deserve."

"If he doesn't, I'll break his head in!" Fleetwood warned.

Christine smiled and patted his cheek. "Now, John, you know you don't mean that."

"No, I don't mean that," Fleetwood found himself saying, though he really did. "I just want you to be happy."

"I hope we can still be friends."

"Count on it ... but you're one tough act to follow, lady. It's not going to be easy to find someone even half the woman *you* are."

"I have no doubt that two very lucky girls will snap you two up in no time!"

"Only if they're like you," Dana proclaimed.

"I've got to go now. Spock is waiting for me."

Christine left two happy but sad former suitors in her wake as she hurried down the corridor. The two men looked at each other and shrugged. "Did you hear how casually she said that?" Dana gave his friend a penetrating look. "Spock must be one hell of a guy to win Chris's love. I only hope he realizes what a gem he's getting."

Fleetwood nodded before heading for the transporter room and landing party duty after bidding Dana goodbye at the latter's post in Life Sciences.

* * *

Now that both friends had confided in them, Kirk and Uhura knew they had to have a long, private discussion. After the Vulcan became engrossed in his work, the Captain quietly rose from his chair, making his way up to Uhura.

"Seen Christine yet?"

"Two nights ago," Uhura whispered back.

"Could we talk somewhere after shift change?" Kirk asked.

"How about your quarters?" Uhura suggested.

"As long as we lock the door and close down the intercom. I don't want to be disturbed."

Uhura nodded in agreement and turned back to her console; the Captain returned to his chair. When it came time for shift change, Kirk stood up and headed for the turbolift where Uhura was already waiting. "Spock, Uhura and I will be in conference in my quarters if we're needed."

"Acknowledged." The First Officer raised a curious eyebrow at their simultaneous departure, but otherwise thought no more of it ... even though he well knew that Christine and Uhura shared almost as close a friendship as himself and the Captain. The communications chief would therefore be the one the female Terran doctor would confide in regarding personal, intimate matters.

* * *

Only by sheer luck did Kirk and Uhura manage to enter his quarters without being spotted. They made themselves comfortable in the two chairs at his desk after obtaining drinks and snacks from the auto-chef. The Captain told his side first. "If it were anyone else, I'd say it was a simple matter of two crew people falling in love and think no more of it -- but nothing is simple where Spock is concerned. This just isn't *like* him!"

Uhura recalled when she'd been in sickbay dressing following a checkup and overheard McCoy telling Chris that something on the planet must have affected Spock, making him act as he did. "That's possible, I suppose," Kirk agreed. "It happened like that on Sarpeidon. But what about his actions *before* being stranded planetside?"

Uhura shrugged. "It's hard to say. Maybe it's like you thought. After all, Spock *does* have emotions, though he would prefer to deny it. Of course, his Vulcan half would make it more difficult, but he *would* still be capable of falling in love."

"And Bones said that Christine told him it had happened naturally, that there were no artificial stimulants involved. She has a tendency toward wishful thinking, especially where Spock's concerned ... but she's also scrupulously honest. She wouldn't say that unless she truly believed it or knew for a fact that it was true."

"Just as I've always believed that if one didn't already feel a certain way to begin with, it would be really tough ... if not impossible -- to manufacture it," Uhura observed. "If one feels a certain way and is just concealing it, certain things ... like the spores on Omicron Three -- would only bring true feelings out into the open."

"In other words, you're saying that Spock had feelings for Miss Chapel all along, but it took Courtney and Fleetwood's feelings for her to bring them out into the open."

Uhura nodded.

"Then no matter how unlikely *we* may think it, it's entirely possible that Spock really loves Christine ... in his own way, of course," the Captain said with a grin.

"Not only possible, but virtually certain. I wish you could have seen and heard Chris two nights ago. She was all but walking on air. I've never seen her so radiant. She just glowed, she was so happy."

"I wouldn't go as far as that in Spock's case, but he *did* say that he'd never felt this way about anyone before -- frankly hadn't believed it possible."

"Did he say he loved her?"

"Not in so many words, but didn't deny it when I asked if he did."

"Do you really think he does?"

Kirk took a generous bite of his chicken sandwich and an equally generous swig of coffee, then shrugged after swallowing. "Uhura, frankly I don't know *what* to think ... but Spock doesn't generally lie, so apparently it's true -- no matter *how* unbelievable it may seem to us."

"It's certainly going to take getting used to."

"For you and me both," Kirk declared. "But what counts is that our friends are happy. A good, passionate romance is just the thing for them -- especially Spock. He's loosened up considerably."

"So I've noticed." Uhura remembered her astonishment when the normally reticent Vulcan had actually *joked* with her on the Bridge -- when everyone else's backs were turned, of course.

The pair stood up and were preparing to leave when the supposedly closed-down intercom beeped. "Kirk here."

"Spock here, Captain. My apologies for disturbing you, but Admiral Cartwright of Starfleet Command wishes to speak with you regarding our next mission."

On my way. Kirk out." After the line was closed again, the Captain and Communications Chief departed his quarters, heading for the turbolift which would take them back to the Bridge.

"I wonder what Admiral Cartwright wants," Uhura remarked.

"I don't know," Kirk responded, "But it must be big for him to call personally."

Christine hurried to Spock's quarters after leaving Courtney and Fleetwood, but even in her almost indecent haste, she was five minutes late. She disliked being even *one* minute late, since that meant less time for her to spend with Spock. Her heart pounded and her face was flushed when he told her to come in, but she managed to sound normal.

"I'm sorry to be late, Spock. I was detained."

"As long as you came."

"You said you wanted to speak privately with me."

"Yes." He motioned her to sit down in the nearest chair, making sure she was comfortable before seating himself facing her. "As I am sure you are aware, it was very unusual for me to do what I did on the planet."

Christine smiled to herself. *I admit it was unusual, but it came at the perfect time for me. Whatever Spock may feel, *I'm* certainly not complaining!* "I realize that. There's no need to apologize, Spock."

"I am not apologizing. I never do anything without a logical reason." He frowned as she stood up, then smiled and gestured toward his sleeping alcove. "Shall we move over here?"

Christine's heart pounded even harder, making it difficult for her legs to carry her at a normal pace as the pair walked over and seated themselves on Spock's bed with its royal blue bedspread, a gift from his mother, which felt velvety beneath her inquisitive fingers. It was hard to think straight with him in such close proximity, not to mention the very romantic setting -- but she managed it after breathing deeply and mustering all her strength, both physical and mental.

"You mean that what happened there was ... well ... meant to be?"

"I would not put it in exactly those terms, but your meaning is essentially correct."

"What exactly do you have in mind?"

"It is time I married and fathered children. Since we have already shared physical intimacy, it is only logical that we also share mental -- or as you might express it -- *emotional* intimacy."

Christine's brows rose in astonishment. "Are you asking me to *bond* with you, Spock?"

His velvet eyes held a warmth she had rarely seen when he looked at her. "I believe that is what I said. As Dr. McCoy once said, you would be a most logical choice. I do not often agree with him, as you well know, but in this case it is the only logical course of action."

Christine laughed to herself. *If only Leonard could hear this. It would make his day!*

"When the time comes, would you prefer a Terran ceremony or would you like to go to Vulcan for the *koon-ut-kal-if-fee*?"

"What's that?"

"The Vulcan term for marriage -- or challenge, though I am assuming you have no wish to do so."

*No way!* Christine thought. "We can worry about that later."

Spock nodded thoughtfully and sighed deeply. "Still, I sense something about which you have been most concerned for some days. Something on which Dr. McCoy has warned you that you must come to a decision ... soon. Forgive my indelicacy, but I must know. Have you had your contraceptive injection this month?"

Christine wished she could lie, but was unable to do so to the warm brown eyes she loved. "No, I'm afraid not."

"I suspected as much. In that case, there is a strong possibility that you are carrying my child, since I have determined that I have 'Awakened' again. 'Awakening' occurs roughly a year before the Time of Mating; sexually mature male Vulcans are fertile up until roughly a month before *pon farr* occurs. Fortunately you will likely have given birth by then -- that is, in the event you are indeed pregnant. I will tell you how to deal with *pon farr* so that you will be prepared for it when it comes."

Christine blushed at his frankness, wishing she wasn't so transparent where he was concerned. "I'm sure it would take more than one night with you for me to become pregnant ... and if memory serves, isn't a couple supposed to be mind-linked, bonded, before conception can occur? We never got around to that, remember?"

"Ordinarily, bonding is necessary, but in my case is likely to prove otherwise ... and if I remember correctly, we -- shall I say -- *consummated* our relationship not once, but three times. So I ask you ... are you pregnant or not?"

"I can't tell you."

His upswept brows lifted, their expression almost suspicious.

"I can't tell you because I don't know for sure."

"When are you due to see Dr. McCoy for the pregnancy test?"

"Tomorrow at 1300."

"Good. Please be sure to inform me of the results so that we may plan accordingly." The couple then proceeded to touch fingers to one another's faces and perform the necessary bonding link. "I was told it took almost half an hour to establish a link with my former bond- mate. With you, I needed only ten minutes." They soon crossed the customary extended fingers and smiled at each other.

"I love you, Spock."

"And I cherish thee, Christine."

That statement thrilled Chapel right to the marrow of her bones, because it was something she had doubted she would ever hear from Spock's lips.

"Now all that is left to do is make arrangements for our event ual marriage ... my betrothed."

How wonderful and beautiful was the knowledge that Spock would at last belong to her!

* * *

Christine walked out of Sickbay at 1400 the following afternoon, scarcely able to fathom what McCoy had told her. She hadn't believed it possible, but it had happened. She was pregnant with Spock's child! How would she ever tell him? She was both happy and sad at the knowledge. Happy that she carried her beloved's child, but sad because she knew that he would surely feel obligated to marry her earlier than planned, despite their bonding -- a sign that he wanted her for his own, baby or no baby. Still, she wanted him to enter into marriage *willingly* instead of being made to feel as though he had been forced into it.

Chapel's former suitors met her in the corridor outside sickbay after the pregnancy test had been completed and the results made known. It had taken a lot out of her in more ways than one, so it was all she could do to smile and nod at them before heading to her quarters to sleep.

Courtney and Fleetwood looked strangely at each other after their former love had disappeared around the corner. "Chris didn't look well, did she?" Courtney remarked.

"Probably picked up a bug somewhere," Fleetwood speculated.

*If only that was all it was!* Dana thought sadly. He was only a biochemist, but knew all the signs. "Woody, that lady hasn't 'caught' anything. She's pregnant!"

Fleetwood's eyes became as round as saucers. "Dana, do you realize what you're saying?"

"I do."

"But you don't -- you *can't* -- believe the rumors about what happened between her and Spock on that planet!"

"I don't want to, but she has all the signs."

"Dana, you aren't an M.D. You could be wrong."

"All right, smart guy. Tell me why *you* think she's in sickbay on her day off."

But the security man couldn't come up with a plausible explanation. "Couldn't we ask Dr. McCoy?"

Dana scoffed. "Be realistic, Woody. Do you really think he'd tell *us*?"

"Do you think Spock will marry her if she *is* pregnant?"

"I don't know that much about Vulcans, so I couldn't say. We'll just have to wait and see what happens -- if anything."

* * *

Spock was waiting when Kirk and Uhura entered the Bridge. "Admiral Cartwright standing by on the Starfleet channel, Captain."

"Thank you, Mr. Spock. Uhura, put him through." Kirk sat back down in his recently vacated chair, giving his Vulcan friend a questioning look. "Any idea why he's calling, Spock?"

"I believe it may have something to do with our contact with the Romulans some months ago."

Kirk didn't get a chance to ask Spock what he meant before Cartwright's image appeared on the viewscreen. "Captain Kirk?"

"Kirk here, sir. This mission must be important for you to call us personally."

"Indeed it is, Captain. I'm sure you recall how two of your doctors isolated the 'Doomsday Bug' virus and gave it to the Romulans to see if they could come up with a cure."

The Captain's mind drew a blank for a second, then he remembered. "Yes, sir. Does this call mean that they have?"

"That's the latest word from the Romulan Ambassador." The Captain and a majority of the bridge crew suppressed a cheer upon hearing the welcome news. Spock allowed himself a smile.

"The Enterprise is to go to the boundary of the Neutral Zone and rendezvous with a Romulan medical ship. After establishing contact, all you need to do is have them beam the vaccine over to you. The Ambassador has promised there will be no hostilities between us for as long as it takes to make the transfer, but be ready just in case. The rendezvous will take place within one solar week; I believe that will be stardate 8443.09. Be sure to have one of your doctors on hand to receive the vaccine when it arrives aboard your ship."

"Will do, sir."

"Good luck, Captain. Cartwright out." Shouts of joy were heard all over the bridge the moment it was safe to do so. The loudest whoop came from one Leonard 'Bones' McCoy once Kirk opened the intercom for sickbay.

"*Ya-hooo!!*"

Spock gave the Captain an astonished look.

"That's fantastic, Jim ... the best news I've heard in ages!" the overjoyed doctor pronounced.

Spock frowned in disapproval. "Captain, it was most illogical for the Doctor to be so vociferous in his enthusiasm."

"I might have known you'd come out with something like that, Spock. You have a positive talent for it!" the Chief Surgeon groused.

"Talent for what, Doctor?"

"Oh, forget it."

"As you wish, Doctor."

"Though I would think that you'd be especially pleased, for now no one on Vulcan will have to endure the trial you went through."

"I am always pleased when lives can be spared, Doctor."

Christine was down in her quarters resting when the announcement came. Now there was one less disease for the Galaxy's medical minds to worry about. *News which could not have come at a more welcome time,* she thought as she placed a hand on her belly. It meant that she and Spock need never be concerned that their coming child would one day become another grim statistic of the dreadful malady which had nearly claimed Spock's life and destroyed his brilliant mind, making total retraining necessary.

After changing clothes, Christine called the bridge.

"Bridge. Uhura here."

"Nyota, this is Christine. I need to see you once you're off-shift. The Captain, too, if possible."

"Just a minute." Uhura motioned Kirk over to the communications station.

"Kirk here," the Captain said.

"I need to see you, Captain. It's very important."

"In that case, shouldn't Spock be there, too? He's busy, but--"

"Oh, no. Don't disturb him if he's busy. Just please come as soon as you're off-shift."

"We'll be there. Kirk out." The Captain looked questioningly at his communications chief. "I wonder what that was all about?"

Uhura smiled knowingly. "If I know her, it's about Spock."

It was unbelievably difficult for them to keep their minds on business until shift change and the time for their departure arrived. "F Deck," the Captain said as he joined Uhura in the 'lift at 1400.

Christine greeted them at the door. "I'm glad you could come."

"You sounded upset, Chris. What's wrong?"

Chapel pretended not to hear, just beckoned her visitors to sit down at the nearby table. "It must really be big," the other woman observed.

"You have no idea," Christine replied. "I just came from Dr. McCoy."

"And?" Kirk prompted.

"I'm pregnant." The visitors' faces registered shock. "Now you can see why I asked you to sit down." Christine made herself comfortable in the center of her bed, sitting cross-legged. "It was a surprise to me too, I assure you. I didn't think it was possible without the mental bond."

"Well, it obviously *is* possible," Uhura said.

Kirk recovered next. "Oh, my God. Does Spock know?"

"He suspects, but I said I wasn't sure."

"Do you intend to tell him that you *are* sure?"

Christine sighed. "I don't have any choice, Ny. He made me promise to tell him the results."

"Have the two of you bonded? Has he mentioned marriage?" Kirk wondered.

"Yes, we're bonded ... now. We discussed marriage yesterday."

"How will your pregnancy affect your plans?" This came from Uhura.

"We'll probably have to move the date up. Oh, yes. There was something else I wanted to ask."

"Name it," Kirk said.

"I haven't discussed it with Spock yet, but am sure he would approve if I asked the two of you to be godparents to our child."

"We'd be delighted," Kirk answered.

"Congratulations, Chris ... both on your upcoming marriage and the birth of your child." Uhura's large brown eyes were misty with tears as the two women shared a parting embrace. "I know your baby will be beautiful and brilliant with you and Spock for parents."

"Uhura, shouldn't we be leaving?" Kirk asked.

"Yes, Captain."

"Then let's be on our way. Would you like me to send the new Daddy down so you can tell him the good news in private?"

Christine gave Kirk a pained look, but nodded. "Yes, I would appreciate your sending Spock down as soon as he's free."

After she and the Captain departed, Uhura stared daggers at him. "Was that really necessary?"

"Was what really necessary?" Kirk was all hazel-eyed innocence.

"You know very well what," Uhura threw back.

"You mean what I said about Spock being a new father? What's wrong with that? It's true."

"That's beside the point. I don't think Spock would appreciate your juvenile humor -- and I can just guess what he'd have said if he'd heard you say it!"

"All right already. I stand chastened," Kirk conceded. "But I'm warning you, Uhura. You're on the edge of insubordination. That sharp tongue of yours will cut your throat if you're not careful."

It was said quietly, but Uhura knew from long years of service with James Kirk that he was at his most dangerous when he was quiet. "Do you want me to tell him or will you?"

"I will, Uhura. You may go to your quarters."

The Bantu smiled and departed.

Kirk returned to the Bridge briefly, making his way to the science station and leaning down to speak quietly to his Vulcan friend.

"Yes, Captain?" Spock looked up from his library computer console.

"Miss Chapel wants to see you as soon as you're free. Something about an answer to the question you asked her yesterday."

The Vulcan frowned. "How do you know this?"

"She called up here asking to see Uhura and me. We would have told you, but you were busy and she said not to disturb you," Kirk explained upon seeing the frown deepen. "So if you aren't busy, I suggest you go see her and find out the answer to your question."

The science officer swung his chair around almost angrily. "I most certainly will." Spock suppressed a moment of illogical anger at emotional Humans as the 'lift doors closed behind him. He especially could not suppress exasperation at Christine's verbosity. For Vulcan's sake, was she telling everyone on the ship about them? Wasn't it enough that they were already the subjects of unsavory gossip and conjecture?

He dismissed the notion almost as soon as he thought about it. He was being as illogical as they, thinking such a thing. However emotional and illogical Christine was, she would never disclose intimate matters except to close, trusted friends like Jim, Uhura and McCoy.

After Spock stepped out of the turbolift on F Deck, he looked around to make sure it was safe to do so -- then walked up to the female doctor's door and rang the bell.

"Come in, Spock." Christine hadn't expected him so soon, but refrained from mentioning it. The door closed silently behind him. "I came from Dr. McCoy's office an hour and a half ago."

"And?"

"I'm pregnant."

He was silent for an awkwardly long time.

Christine waited on pins and needles for his answer. Despite their bonding, she had no idea what he was thinking and almost screamed in order to break the maddening silence. "Well, what do you think?"

He hesitated before answering. "I am -- pleased, of course, but we should keep the impending birth of our child secret until a more propitious time. I assume our closest friends already know."

Christine nodded. "I even asked the Captain and Nyota to be godparents." She explained the term; one Vulcan eyebrow raised approvingly.

"Most logical."

"How do you intend to inform your parents?"

"I will send Mother a stargram. I owe her one anyway. You had best contact *your* parents as well." Spock lifted his right hand and extended the customary fingers, curling them tightly around Christine's -- then turned for the door.

"Spock?" she called after him.

"Yes?"

"Could you ... hug and kiss me?"

"The time on the planet was not sufficient?"

"Not for me."

"Very well."

Spock took his betrothed into his arms and bent his dark head so their lips met. In spite of his initial resistance, Christine knew it was every bit as heavenly for him as it was for her. He simply wasn't used to the Human ways of showing affection -- but given time, she intended to see that he *got* used to them. The sooner the better!

She heard from her parents a week later. They were thrilled to learn of her pregnancy and upcoming marriage. Her mother's stargram said in part:

*It's not the way we expected you to marry and have a child, darling, but if it makes you happy, we're all for it. God bless you and Spock with all the happiness you deserve. I deeply regret that we will be unable to attend your wedding, but please send a holovid of it if possible ... and visit when you can, so we can meet Spock and see our new grandbaby.

Much love,

Mother*

* * *

The Vulcan went to his own quarters upon departing Christine's, shedding his clothing in preparation for a sonic shower upon stepping into his sleeping alcove. He dropped his used uniform into the recycler on the way to his bathroom. Upon completion of the shower, he donned his favorite robe and lit his flame-pot in the corner of the sleeping alcove.

Most people could not have functioned in the near-total darkness, but Spock could not only see but move toward the other side of the room with confidence due to his excellent night vision, the result of life on Vulcan, the moonless world of his birth. He removed his lyrette from its case and moved back across the room to sit cross-legged on his bed with the exotic instrument on his lap. Once he finished adjusting the strings and tone dials, he began to play, humming under his breath -- then began to sing softly.

Some of his own compositions first, then a song he had often heard Uhura sing. The sweet melody flowed through the air as his long, slender fingers stroked the strings in the manner they knew so well. In the midst of the song, Spock happened to think of the woman who lay sleeping just one deck below him ... the woman he loved and had bonded with, the one who carried his child and who would give birth to that child in the space of ten and a half months. He hoped they would be able to marry before then, but much depended on his mother's powers of persuasion.

He knew she would do her best for them, but if worst came to worst, they would have to wait the designated year before they could officially marry in the *koon-ut-kal-if-fee*. Vulcan law required that the male be within a week of his Mating Time at the most in order to be allowed to marry.

Spock was just under a year away from his next *pon farr* -- 11.42 months, to be exact. They would have a Federation civil ceremony, but the *koon-ut-kal-if-fee* was the official Vulcan wedding ceremony, and could not take place without the prospective husband being within a week of his Mating Time. There had been no exceptions to that rule, either -- at least none that he was aware of.

If the Vulcan Science Council refused permission, they would simply have to make the best of it. The child would have to remain a secret to all but those closest to them until such time as they were able to officially marry. It would be difficult, but he had endured far worse things. Neither particularly cared for the idea of waiting, but knew they might have to. Be that as it may, the ceremony which would bind them together in the eyes of all Vulcan was well worth waiting for ... and a year was a comparatively short time.

At 0430 Spock replaced the lyrette in its case, putting it back in its regular spot on the top shelf of his closet. He then moved to his desk and sat down, gathering his writing materials together after quietly telling the computer to turn on his desk light. He would give himself an hour to write, then transmit, the stargram to his mother -- then intended to meditate until it was time to dress and go on duty.

Spock shut down his intercom and even locked his door ... against Vulcan custom. It was vital that he be undisturbed and able to fully concentrate on what he wanted to say to his mother. He did not often have the time or opportunity to write her, but it was imperative that he do so now. He knew what he wanted to say to her, but found it difficult to begin writing.

Having the words in one's mind was one thing, but it was an entirely different matter to actually get them down in black and white. Spock would also have preferred to speak to his mother personally, but that was impossible at the moment. A stargram would have to suffice. His greeting was simply "Mother", since Vulcans did not use terms of endearment in their correspondence, even when addressing close relatives like parents or children.

**I regret having been unable to correspond with you earlier, but have had urgent personal business which has demanded my full attention and consequently has prevented me from corresponding with you. I believe you will understand my reasons for being so remiss in my duties toward you, since you have often found yourself in a similar situation.**

Spock went on to explain the "urgent personal business" and the events which had led up to it -- then hesitated. He was an intensely private person and disliked revealing personal, intimate things ... even to his mother, who knew him better than anyone except the Captain (and perhaps Christine and McCoy). He continued his detailed explanation, choosing the words which would best describe what had occurred.

**... The pregnancy came as quite a surprise to me, as you can well imagine, but in the end, I was very pleased since you have confided many times how much you long for grandchildren. You will undoubtedly be very happy to hear this and wish to inform my father, but please do not do so until we are married. I believe it logical for us to marry in order that the child not be what you would term a 'bastard.' You are aware of Vulcan custom concerning illegitimate children and the treatment of their parents. I do not wish to endure such an ordeal, as you can well imagine, so I am asking you to do everything you can in order that Christine and I may marry on Vulcan at the earliest possible time.

Lastly, I wish to stress that I am *not* marrying Christine simply because she is carrying my child. I have discovered that I care deeply for her -- more than I have ever cared for any woman. Since that discovery, I have bonded with her, and you will be interested to learn that it took only ten minutes for us to mind-link. As you know, the more attuned a couple is to one another, the shorter the time necessary for bonding.**

Spock's buzzer sounded as he finished writing the last word. He called out, "Just a moment," and turned back to the letter.

**You and Father will see us very soon. I am convinced that you will come to care for Christine as much as I do. I must close here, since there is someone at my door requesting admittance. I hope you and my father are well. Oh yes, Jim and Miss Uhura will attend us at our wedding. I am sure you will be happy to see them as they surely will be to see you. I must go. Farewell for now, Mother. *Wani-ra yana aisha* [I love you].

Your son,

Spock**

He placed the stargram in his desk drawer, intending to transmit it at the first opportunity. After signing his name with a graceful gesture, Spock closed the drawer and pressed a button on his computer console to unlock his door so his visitor could enter. To his surprise, Uhura stepped in, a computer tape in her hand. It had to be something important, since she rarely visited him in his quarters.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Spock, but new information has become available concerning El Nath VI. The President of ElNath II just contacted us and I taped everything he said because I was sure you would want to hear it."

"Indeed I would ... and no apology is necessary, Miss Uhura."

Her brow creased with concern. "Your door was locked and your intercom shut down. Is anything wrong? You don't usually do that."

"I merely wished privacy in order to attend to a personal matter which required my undivided attention."

The dark woman smiled and sighed with relief. "I was getting worried."

Spock favored her with one of his all-too-rare smiles. "Your concern is appreciated. Now I believe you said you had a tape for me?"

"Oh, yes." She handed it to him. "I believe you'll find it -- excuse the expression -- 'fascinating,' not to mention surprising." Spock inserted the tape into a slot on his personal computer and was about to depress the PLAYBACK button on the console when he saw that Uhura still stood beside him. His head lifted, eyes full of mixed concern and curiosity.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"Chris wanted to see you as soon as you're free. She asked me to tell you."

"I will contact her as soon as I can. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now I'd better get back to the bridge."

"Farewell."

The doors closed behind her with a soft swish; he again locked them to listen to the tape Uhura had brought him. He sat back in his chair after pressing the PLAYBACK button, taking a deep breath in order to clear his mind and absorb all the information on the tape. A few moments later a smooth, cultured voice began to speak in accented Standard:

**"To the captain and crew of the starship Enterprise, NCC-1701-A, from President Semaj Retrac of Planet ElNath II, stardate 8443.19 ... in response to your inquiry of stardate 8436.12 regarding the possibility of intelligent life on the sixth planet of this star system, which you named ElNath VI when you explored it recently and found it apparently uninhabited except for native birds.

"We must express our surprise at your not having discovered the planet much sooner, and inform you with equal surprise that there is indeed an advanced humanoid civilization on ElNath VI. There has been for many decades, if not centuries. We cannot be certain, since we ourselves only discovered it five of your earth years ago.

"The inhabitants have the ability to become invisible at will -- an unknown element in the rays of our sun combines with their physiology to give them the power. One exposure is enough to last for a solar year. The surface of the planet is relatively unspoiled since they live and work underground, only coming to the surface every so often for agricultural purposes.

"They seldom have reason to leave since the planet provides them with everything they need ... though they do have a fleet of spaceships maintained for their population of 12 million in case of necessity. They are a peaceful, benevolent people, but are prepared to defend themselves (quite adequately, I might add) in the event of armed conflict.

"They are also highly telepathic; in fact they do not speak, at least not in the conventional sense. Their method of communication is mental, not verbal. They are aware of other star systems and worlds besides their own and us, but have never ventured beyond this star system. In fact, they observed your landing party when you stayed on the planet not long ago.

"They were most intrigued with Mr. Spock's exotic appearance -- his upswept eyebrows, pointed ears and greenish-gold complexion. I am happy to report that they were pleased to see other life-forms similar to their own, though it is doubtful they will wish to join the Federation.

"Their main concern is that the planet not become too well known and its beauty spoiled. They prefer to simply be left alone to live their lives in peace, but will show hospitality toward or give assistance to any Federation ship or personnel should it become necessary.

"Please do not be concerned for their safety as far as capture by Klingons or Romulans is concerned, for they have a planetary cloaking deice which renders the planet undetectable to hostile alien ships' sensors. And in case you're wondering why you could not detect them with your sensors and tricorders, they also have the ability to render *themselves* undetectable unless they wish to make themselves known."**

Spock pressed the *pause* button on his console, scarcely able to credit all he had just heard. As a Vulcan, he didn't believe in anything he couldn't see, touch or hear -- but it would be illogical to deny the truth of what had been said ... and he sensed that everything ElNath II's President reported was true. He wondered what Jim had thought of it, planning to discuss it with him at length if possible.

It was indeed surprising that they had not come upon the planet much sooner, since they had been in its vicinity several times. Perhaps it was because they had had other concerns on those particular occasions ... such as the time Orion pirates had hijacked a shipment of the rare drug strobolin, which he had needed to recover from choriocytosis, a disease fatal to Vulcans because of their copper-based blood.

The Enterprise had tracked down the pirate ship, capturing the Orion captain after he had tried to kill Jim, himself and the crews of both ships with a concealed bomb. They had also forced the Orion to order his crew to surrender, not to destroy their ship or themselves under any circumstances. Deep down inside, Spock had been grateful for all the efforts on his behalf -- and had he believed in luck, he might have said that he was very lucky to be alive.

He reached out and pressed the *pause* button a second time to restart the tape.

**"That is all the information we have on ElNath VI at this time. If we learn more about it and its inhabitants, we will inform you. Retrac out."**

Spock turned off the tape, leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, looking at the chronomet