Logical Concerns about Morale

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Star Trek (the 2009!movie verse) Cambion AU
Summary: Spock and Nyota are concerned...
Word Count: 707
Rating: Teen (it's not explicit, but they're in bed together)

           When they’d first gotten the orders to shuttle a Vulcan Ambassador around to some of the newer members of the Federation, Nyota had been concerned that the announcement would adversely affect Spock.  While he and his father had parted on a brittle truce, she’s worried that it’s hurting him, hurting his relationship with his father, and an all-business trip would not force them to have the conversations she still urges him to have.
           However, he’s preoccupied enough when they make love that he, somehow, doesn’t notice.  He’s thoughtful enough he isn’t even distracted by all the skin touching after they finish.
           “What’s wrong?” she asks, hoping, dreading the answer, but all he does is raise an eyebrow even as the happiness and confusion shines in his eyes.
           “Are all humans this philosophical?” he queries, and, well, that’s not what she’d been expecting at all.
           “I think, at least on the Enterprise, it’s the very nature of being in space and being exposed to so many different viewpoints,” she responds after a moment to collect her thoughts.
           He…well, in a human it might be a hum, but from a Vulcan it sounds a little more like a purr in response.
           Spock rests for a little while, absent-mindedly tracing circles on her hands, before speaking again.  “I find I require more assistance understanding the mind of our Captain.  It is illogical that more knowledge regarding his past and frame of mind should make it harder to comprehend him.”
           Nyota blinks.  “You were thinking about Kirk when you were with me?”
           She watches, delighted, as his skin turns green before pulling him closer to kiss.  “I’m teasing you,” she informs him matter-of-factly, not allowing him to spend too long embarrassed.  “It’s actually quite common for humans to think about many different things during sex, and I’m proud you’re starting to grow into your friendship with him.”  She gives him a beat of space to let the green fade, and the smile slips a little from her face as well.  “He’s hurting.  I honestly thought the party would help—and it did, for a bit, but lately…”  She’s been making a mental catalogue; all she has to do is retrieve it.  “Lately he’s been preoccupied.  He looks…sad, lonely, when he thinks no one’s watching, and when people are he smiles and is as charming as ever, but it feels fake.”
           Spock nods shortly.  “His response times have not suffered.  In fact, he is probably more efficient than ever, but…”  He more carefully intertwines their hands, allowing her to serve as an anchor.  “He has annoyed me very little over the past 170.245 hours.  Before, I would have said that this would make an objective improvement, but I find my earlier assumptions may have to be revised.”
           She nods.  “His spark is gone.”  At the questioning eyebrow, she elaborates, “…His personality, his joy in life.”
           “It has affected the morale of the bridge crew—not to an appreciable extent, by human standards, and it has not spread to the rest of the ship, but it cannot be allowed to continue,” Spock agrees reluctantly.  “I have on multiple occasions endeavored to address the source, but the Captain—Jim—was most uncooperative.”
           “At least that’s still in character,” Nyota snorts, feeling a trace of amusement slip over their bond before she yawns.
           “Computer, location of Captain James Tiberius Kirk,” Spock speaks quietly.
           “Location of Captain Kirk is classified,” the computer responds promptly, and he raises an eyebrow in its direction.
           “Unless there’s some sort of actual mutiny going on, he did that himself.  He wouldn’t have done that if he was on duty, because it’d be vital you be able to contact him if he was.  If he was off-duty and in his quarters, the same might apply.  He doesn’t want to be found,” Uhura concludes, and Spock reaches up to kiss her breathless.
           “Computer, time,” she states efficiently, forcing herself out of the comfortable warmth of blankets and boyfriend.
           “It is 3.457 hours into the Gamma Shift,” Spock says, slightly louder than the computer’s answer (and with more decimal points), and she shakes her head and smiles.
           “Let me get on some pants and then I’ll go find our wayward Captain,” she promises.