| Spock continued to read the data that came through and noted the precise moment that T'Loki should have come on duty. 'She is never late. Perhaps I left her too soon--' The turbolift doors open and the younger vulcan stood in her blue science uniform, calm and composed. Kirk turned his chair to face her. "Ah, Ensign T'Loki, are you feeling better?" he said, flashing a smile. The future science officer raised an eyebrow, a near mirror of her teacher. "Quite. I aplogize for being late," she said evenly, holding her tricorder in front of her. "But you weren't late." Continuing to read the sensors, Spock hid his smile. 'She was late by 4.33 seconds,' he thought. 'Of course a vulcan would know the difference.' "Captain, I was late by 4.33 seconds," T'Loki said, still holding her same reserved posture. The captain of the Enterprise couldn't hold back a smile. "Since it's your first offense, I won't throw you in the brig," he chuckled. "That is...quite kind of you," she said, tilting her head and walking over to the science station and over to Spock. "These are the readings from the inner planets that I have studied and catologed. I trust that you have the ones from the three outer gas giants." Spock took the tricorder from her and hooked it into the main computer, knowing her calculations would be right but he checked them anyway. "Thank you. And that I have. You may call them up on the moniter above you," he said, burying his face in the numbers that streamed passed. The two of them worked side by side for the remainder of the shift in pure logical harmony, Spock explaining to her how this system was the oldest known one that they had found, T'Loki entering their findings into the computer. The entire bridge was oblivious to the unspoken pact the two had made, using their logical minds as a sheild to hide what had happend only a few short hours ago. 'In a few minutes, our shift will end. And then what?' Spock considered, half concentrating on an equation. 'I will simply explain to her what happened, why I did what I did and then--' "Commander." "Yes?" Spock looked up at T'Loki, who regaurded him with a quizzled gaze. "You did not take into the acount of the gravitational pull of the star that passed by here 2.9 billion years ago," she pointed out and Spock nodded, knowing he was deep in thought and missed adding the data. "Indeed. Thank you, Ensign." "McCoy to Kirk," the captain's chair beeped and Kirk hit a button. "Kirk here. What's up, Bones?" "Can you tell Spock and the Ensign to come down to sickbay as soon as they get off duty?" "Sure thing, Kirk out." T'Loki arched another eyebrow and folded her hands. "Dr. McCoy needs assurance that I am in good health?" Kirk shrugged and smiled at Spock. "You know how over protective Bones is. You two head on down and no buts even if your shift doesn't end for X point X minutes. Don't looke the gift horse in the mouth," he said, waving them off the bridge. The two cleaned their station before stepping into the turbo lift and heading towards sickbay. "T'Loki," Spock said softly and she looked up at him although it wasn't far to look. "Yes?" "Would you care to have me come by and meditate with you after we finish here? I find that there are some things that we need to discuss." "Of course, Spock," T'Loki answered and stepped off the turbolift in step with her teacher. "I find that there are points were Dr. McCoy is a bit over worried about the crew." Spock nodded slightly. "It is in his nature to do so. That and the unrestrictive passion he has for medicine." "Wouldn't that be illogical?" T'Loki asked and Spock suprised her by giving her a small smile. "I've learned that the Doctor is far from logical and it's...fascinating." The two walked into the door to sick bay and Dr. McCoy smiled. "Well if it isn't my two favorite vulcans," he beamed and walked over to moniter. "Have a seat, I'll tell ya what I want in a minute." "Thank you, Doctor. And of course, unless the crew roster is mistaken, we are the only two vulcans," T'Loki pointed out evenly and Spock nodded, taking a seat next to her. "Spock she's starting to take after you," McCoy muttered, straighting up. "Doctor, I do not see that as so horrible," the vulcan said, his face remaining cool. Dr. McCoy snorted before waving the tricorder wand over them in turn. "You might not," he said, looking at the readings. "But I do. I think that both of you are normal...well normal for people who's hearts are where their livers are supposed to be. " T'Loki hid a smile but Spock could see the come back in her eyes before she even made it. "And of course, that is the most logical place for it to be," she said, sliding off the dianogstic bed. "Thank you, Dr. McCoy." The doctor was about four seconds from a come back of his own before he smiled. "Eh, can't stay mad at such a great lady now can I?" McCoy laughed and looked at Spock. The older vulcan was a rock and meerly arched an eyebrow. "Indeed." "Well now, go on," the cantakerous physician hearded them out of sickbay into the hallway. "I'm sure you have to examine something, shoo!" The Ensign blinked as the door shut behind them before begining to walk down the hall. "If there is one person that is the most complex aboard the Enterprise, it must be Dr. McCoy," she reasoned outloud and Spock nodded slowly. "Yes, he does have an...interesting view of things," he said before boarding the turbolift. "But it is in his nature." "Are there times when we should not deny our nature?" T'Loki mused softly, eyes trained on the door in a steel gaze. Spock considered for a moment before answering. "I have found that while logic is the root of harmony there are times where we let our animalistic nature take hold of us." "And that is a bad thing?" "Only if one views it as such." The turbolift stopped and Spock walked out into the hallway with T'Loki following him. "Quite," she answered and opened the doors to her quaters and calling on the lights. The door hissed shut behind them and the two were left alone in mock twilight. Next |