(Setting: McCoy's quarters, Spock and McCoy are preparing for the mission)

Spock: Leonard, I do not believe I like the fact that you were stationed here for months at a time.

McCoy: (Looking up at Spock) Worried, Spock?

Spock: Indeed.

McCoy: It was a long time ago, Spock. I'm fine, and if it makes you feel any better, you'll be here to protect me this time.

Spock: (Sitting down next to McCoy on the bed) That does little to ease my worries, Leonard.

McCoy: (Taking Spock's hand in his) Everything's going to be fine, Spock. They may seem a bit different, but they're good people. Nothing's going to happen. Trust me.

Spock: I do, Leonard. (Stroking McCoy's fingers with his own) Come now, the Captain expects us in the transporter room.

(Setting: The cave where a sleeping Eleen lays and Kirk is outside, keeping watch. McCoy sits on a rock, Spock against a wall.)

McCoy: Spock, listen to me, will you?

Spock: (fiddling with a communicator, ignoring McCoy) I am busy at the moment, Doctor.

McCoy: I don't care how damned busy you are. Stop and listen for a minute!

Spock: (Looks at McCoy) What is it, Doctor?

McCoy: Spock, please. I dont' want you to be mad. She was just touching my hand, that's all.

Spock: That is all, Doctor? Merely touching hands? You of all humans are aware that one cannot "just touch hands."

McCoy: Spock, I'm sorry, I do mean that. But I want you to know something else, too, humans, and most other cultures of the galaxy, save Vulcans, don't find casual touching so abhorrent. Just think about that.

Spock: (Thinking for a long moment) You are aware, Leonard, that you will be sleeping alone for the next three nights?

McCoy: (sighing) Yeah, I know. 

(Setting: Outside the cave, Kirk and Spock are making bows) 

Kirk: (testing his bow) Everything all right with you and Bones?

Spock: Whatever do you mean, Captain? Dr. McCoy and I are fine. He is helping Eleen with her labor. 

Kirk: (looking incredulous) I know that, Spock. I mean outside of the mission.

Spock: (looking away from Kirk) We are fine, Captain. 

Kirk: Are you sure, Spock? You've been acting a little odd since we escaped.

Spock: I am fine. Dr. McCoy has merely been concentrating on his patient. 

Kirk: You sound jealous, Spock.

Spock: (raising his eyebrow) Never.

(Setting: The Mess Hall, Spock, Kirk, and McCoy sit at a table, talking)

Kirk: Bones, explain this once more. Why did Eleen say it was "our" child to you? 

Spock: (Fixing McCoy with a piercing gaze) Yes, Doctor, do explain.

McCoy: (sighing and leaning back) We were in the cave, and I was trying to make her want it. She'd been explaining that kids belong to the men, and I was getting a little agitated.

Spock: (Interjected) A little agitated, Doctor? 

McCoy: All right, I was pretty upset. While I was trying to make her admit it was hers, she got the idea in her head I was taking claim to it. I couldn't get her to stop saying that, afterwards. It's not like it's actually mine, or I even want it. (Looking at Spock) Catch my drift?

Kirk: Well, let's just hope she doesn't expect you to keep him. That could be a messy political situation. And I don't know about the two of you, but I've had enough of Capella IV to last a lifetime. 

Spock: Agreed, Captain. And we will be leaving orbit within the hour.

Kirk: Thank goodness for small miracles Spock. Right now, I have to check in with engineering. I'll see you both on the bridge later. (He rises and leaves) 

Spock: There is nothing else to the story, Doctor?

McCoy: (Looking into Spock's eyes) No, Spock. I mean it; that's all that happened. 

Spock: (Slowly nodding) I believe you, Leonard.

McCoy: Are you mad? 

Spock: I am...not very pleased.

McCoy: I did say I was sorry. And I meant it. And if you want, I'll leave you alone for the next two days. 

Spock: (Contemplating for a moment before speaking) That will not be necessary. I realize it was all a misunderstanding, and that you regret what occurred. I also know that you will not do this (Reaching out to stroke McCoy's hand) again, with anybody else.

McCoy: (Closing his eyes) I won't, Spock. I promise. I want nothing more to do with Leonard James Akaar or his mother.