(Setting: McCoy's quarters. Kirk is at the door)

McCoy: Come 

Kirk: (Holding up two dress uniforms) Get ready, Bones.

McCoy: (Taking the blue one) You've got to be kidding me, Jim. Not again! I'm sick of this damn uniform. 

Kirk: I know, Bones, I know. But you might as well get dressed now, rather than later. You need to be down there.

McCoy: (Taking off his tunic) How come you're getting dressed in here, Jim? Scotty kick you out? 

Kirk: (Beginning to change as well) Not really, he's just working on the engines, and he's not going to be at the welcoming, just you, Spock, and me. Speaking of which, (Looking around) where is he?

McCoy: In his quarters, meditating. He said he needed to find his center before the Vulcan delegates arrived. Frankly, Jim, I think he's feeling a little intimidated by the full blooded ones coming aboard. 

Kirk: (Pausing) Makes sense. I'm giving him time to beam down and drop in with his parents.

McCoy: I think he'd like that, Jim. 

(Setting: The turbo lift, Spock and McCoy are on their way to their respective quarters.)

McCoy: (In disbelief) Your parents! You never told me, Spock, why? 

Spock: Ambassador Sarek and I have not been on speaking terms for 18 standard years, Leonard. There was no reason to tell you.

McCoy: It shocked me, Spock. I mean, this means he knows absolutely nothing of your adult life! (Sighing) 18 years? You've grown up, Spock. Face him. Show him what you're made of. 

Spock: (Raising an eyebrow) What I am made of, Leonard?

McCoy: You know what I mean. Show him how great you are. He can't deny that. (The turbo lift doors open) I'll see you at the reception, Spock. And whatever you do, don't let him get to you. (He gets off) 

(Setting: Engineering, Scotty is working at a consol, Kirk comes up behind him)

Kirk: Scotty! 

Scotty: (Mildly surprised) Jimmy, what brings you to this neck of the woods? (Smiling while only half paying attention)

Kirk: Just wanted to see you, and ask a little advice. 

Scotty: If it's mine to give, it's yours; you know that.

Kirk: Something odd happened with the Vulcan delegation. The Ambassador was exceedingly rude to Spock, ignored him, and refused to have him as a tour guide. 

Scotty: (Sarcastically) I'm sure Mr. Spock was happy about that.

Kirk: He looked a little hurt, and Bones had that look he gets where he'll kill anybody who dares hurt him, anyway, that's not all. It turns out the Ambassador is his father. 

Scotty: (Turning around in confusion) Are you sure about that, Jimmy?

Kirk: Yeah, I'm pretty mad at him for not telling me, but it looks like he didn't tell Bones either. And I don't know what to do. I want them to get along, but it doesn't look like that'll happen. 

Scotty: (Putting a hand on Kirk's shoulder) It'll work out somehow, Jimmy. If I know Len, he's figuring out a way to take care of it. Leave the Vulcans to them; you just take care of your ship, okay? (Giving a concerned glance)

Kirk: (Closing his eyes for a moment) All right, Scotty. I'll see you tonight. Keep these engines in tiptop condition. 

Scotty: Aye, Captain.

(Kirk leaves engineering, and Scotty turns back to his work) 

(Setting: Ambassador Sarek and Amanda's guest quarters, after the reception)

Amanda: Sarek, please try to get along with him. He's your son. 

Sarek: My wife, you know my stance on this.

Amanda: You speak of him as though he were just another debate. 

Sarek: He is, a recurring one between you and I.

Amanda: He shouldn't be. He's an adult; we're visiting him. You could at least show him the respect you show the rest of the officers. 

Sarek: As you wish, my wife.

(Setting: Sickbay, McCoy is preparing for surgery and Amanda is talking to him) 

McCoy: I can guarantee you, Mrs. Sarek that I'm going to do my hardest to pull your husband and your son through.

Amanda: I thank you, Doctor. I know this isn't something expected...but I couldn't bear to lost either of them. 

McCoy: (Nodding seriously) I know what you mean, Mrs. Sarek. Losing a loved one isn't easy. I keep telling Spock not to take risks like this, but he never listens. I don't know why I put up with him.

Amanda: What was that Doctor?

McCoy: (Smiling) Nothing at all. I'll go get the sterilization field up.

(Setting: Sickbay, Sarek looks as though he is asleep in the biobed next to Spock's, and McCoy and Spock are talking.) 

McCoy: Do you have any idea how much grief you give me?

Spock: (Pushing himself up on his arm to better look at McCoy) You know it is not my intention. 

McCoy: (Nodding, a slight smile on his lips) Yeah, I know, but that doesn't make it much better.

Spock: You are aware that I could attempt to "make it better" if you would release me from sickbay, Leonard? 

McCoy: Not a chance in Hell, Spock. We'll see how you are in the morning, and then we'll discuss terms of leaving.

Spock: (Nodding) That is agreeable, Leonard.  

McCoy: (Smiling and leaning over to kiss Spock's forehead) I'll see you in the morning, try to sleep.

Spock: (Nodding again and lowering himself onto his back) Goodnight, Leonard. 

(Setting: Sarek and Amanda's guest quarters, Sarek has been released)

Sarek: My wife, whilst I was in sickbay, I bore witness to a very strange occurrence between our son and Dr. McCoy. 

Amanda: (Smiling) It took me a while to puzzle it out, but I realized too, Sarek.

Sarek: (Raising his eyebrow) What have you to say about it?