The Odd Guest

Her eyes had a wild, glazed look that made him wonder if she were ill. She also had an unfortunate inclination to salivate in his presence.

"I must confess, I do not understand why you wish to record my activities for one day. There are many other officers aboard who would oblige your request." Silently he wished that she would decide to ask someone else. She was exhausting to watch, always moving and talking at rapid speeds.

"It has to be you! I couldn't get a hold of Captain Kirk. See, there's this story that I'm writing as a graduation gift for Farfalla. She's just gotten two degrees from an excellent university."

"An admirable accomplishment. What does she do that I would be of interest to her?"

"She runs an online archive, the AAK/SA," Bunny said, looking more than slightly nervous. Perhaps she always perspired so.

"What is this archive for?" Spock asked, watching her. He (most illogically) half-expected her to go bounding across the room, straight through the bulkhead.

"Ummm... it's... well, it promotes tolerance!" She mumbled so quickly that he nearly didn't understand her. Her eyes looked at everything in his quarters, with the exception of the Vulcan himself. She really didn't want to go into any more detail than that; she didn't know how he'd take it. "You're all for that, right?"

"Yes, of course. IDIC is always a worthy ideal to share," Spock said patiently. More patient than Buddha, that was Spock.

"Great! So you'll do it, then?" She babbled on hurriedly, without pausing to hear his reply. "Farfalla's gonna love this! So what are you planning on doing today?"

"I shall spend the next eight hours studying soil samples from our most recent away team expedition and examining new star charts. At the end of my shift, I will have dinner in the officer's mess hall, and then retire to my quarters to read a new science journal from the Starfleet Science Academy." She stared at him, eyes unblinking and salivating more than usual. Boredom has that effect.

"What?" She sputtered after a moment's recovery. "You're not going to play chess with Captain Kirk? Eat dinner with him? Have him put Scotty in charge so the two of you can spend the day locked in here, making passionate love?"

Spock looked at her, raising an incredulous eyebrow.

"Your questions are intrusive and illogical in the extreme. You obviously know very little of Vulcan culture and Starfleet regulations. The Captain and I play chess only on Tuesdays, and today is Wednesday. Neither of us receives leave until our next stop at a starbase. Commander Scott is the chief engineer, and as such, he spends the majority of his shift in the engine room. Lastly, Starfleet regulations prohibit fraternization between officers of differing ranks, especially between the captain and first officer." He seemed... well, as irritated as a Vulcan can be under normal circumstances.

"So there's nothing going on with you and Captain Kirk?" Bunny asked, with a deep sigh of disappointment.

"No. I have, of course, the highest regard for the captain and his command abilities."

"But nothing else? There's not a single bit of truth in the rumor that you and Captain Kirk are an item?"

"No. You may wish to speak with someone else. Perhaps Lieutenant Uhura would be willing to grant your request."

"Hmmm... " She tapped a finger thoughtfully on her lips. The sight was most unsettling. "Well, I was wondering about that thing between her and Scotty... " She was up and out the door, still talking to herself. Spock locked the door behind her with great haste, an emotional display he would forgive himself due to the circumstances. He had no desire to meet up with her again.

Jim stuck his head out of the bathroom, looking around.

"Is she gone?"

"Yes, Captain. She will not return." Spock sympathized with the relief in Jim's expression, and felt a pang of compassion for Nyota. He would apologize later for pushing that Bunny-creature in her direction.

"I presume that our unwelcome visitor is what you humans call 'paparazzi'?"

"Yup," Jim said, a towel about his waist, vigorously drying his damp hair. "You've got to give her some credit, though. She got closer to finding us out for sure than any of the others."

"You are correct. However, I prefer to keep my personal life private. Starfleet Command would not at all approve of the situation if they knew."

"Spock, I'm willing to bet the entire galaxy knows. The whole fleet does, I'm certain. We're among the Command's worst kept secrets."

"Indeed." The prospect was not pleasing. Still, looking at the man's well-muscled form, and that bright gleam of humor in his eyes, Spock knew he loved Jim no less. Even though their noteriety could, upon occasion, put a strain on their relationship.

"Hey, Spock, what do you say we give Scotty command for the day and do a little scientific exploration of our own?" Jim had a wicked grin and a seductive light in his eyes. He kissed the tip of one ear for emphasis.

Spock stepped back and looked at him. The corners of his mouth curved ever so-slightly in what was, for him, a smile.

"An appealing suggestion, Captain."