Kirk tried to lighten his voice and realized he was holding his breath. He let it out slowly, hoping Spock hadn't noticed. "What will you do after the bonding?"
Spock blinked. He thought for a second to allow Kirk the erroneous conclusion. It would certainly ease the exit.
As Chief Medical Officer, I thought I'd seen it all. But after the past few days, I've had a change of mind.
Jim Kirk is not only the captain of this ship, he's one of my best friends. We always look forward to shore leave, especially the first night when we can have a couple of drinks, kick back a little.
James Kirk glanced at his first officer and swallowed the comment he had been about to make. Instead, he flashed a rueful smile at the Suari Councilor and pointed out that Federation protection did not require that Suar contribute troops to a possible war necessarily.
Kirk's smile might have been directed to the Suari, but his attention was focussed, as always, on Spock.
The Vulcan's face broke out into a big, beautiful smile, momentarily stunning the captain.
Kirk stared dumbly. You know, he's quite a handsome man. And he's looking right at me, almos as if . . . .
" . . . was very interesting, wouldn't you say, Dr. McCoy?" James Kirk was commenting as he materialized onto the transporter pad.
"Indeed," remarked the doctor, sneaking a look across the chamber at the ship's first officer.
Refusing to rise to the bait with a rejoinder, Spock merely raised a brown, not turning to look at either man.
No, no, no. Get up and get out of here now. Before he wakes up.
He didn't move. And he knew he wouldn't move. He knew he would sit here forever, for all eternity, staring at the curve of Spock's shoulder, the soft, shiny black hair, the elegant pointed ears, the shadows of Spock's spine that disappeared under the sheet.
"My friends . . . . " Kirk's words were cut off abruptly.
"They're all dead. No one could have survived that explosion." Feeling the tug on his shoulder, Kirk let himself be pulled to his feet.
"Ship's log, stardate 2757.6. First Officer Spock recording. It has been brought to my attention that no log entry has been made in the past 49.7 standard hours. A summary of the ship's activities . . . has been prepared as an addendum to this entry."
1990