The Tirok Maneuver

VI

It had been decided that the morning after next, the Enterprise would be close enough to the black hole to send out a shuttle pod.

One day left until Spock was gone.

Of course Spock carried on like normal, much to Mac'hla's fascination and frustration.

How the hell could he, a man about to die, be so calm? It was in any living being's nature to try to preserve their life, but here he was, just accepting his demise.

With trembling hands, Mac'hla attempted to care for their plants. Their hands had not stopped shaking since the day before, when the details of when and how Spock would be dying were revealed.

It certainly didn't help that the ship had begun to vibrate like a plane in turbulence. Another troublesome malfunction.

Her door swished open, and in strode the very subject of their pain.

"Lieutenant, there was a miscalculation in your data from this morning." Spock said, gently placing down a PADD in front of her.

Pushing aside their grief, they examined the data, "Where?"

"Here," he said, pointing to an equation, "The square root of 1444 is not 36."

"Sir, it is a 38, not a 36." she said, "Forgive me for my unintelligible writing."

Spock squinted at the writing before raising an eyebrow, "So it is. Thank you for the clarification, Lieutenant."

Spock turned to leave, but before he could reach the door, Mac'hla said. "You know what I am going to say, do you not?"

Spock did not turn to face her, "Indeed, I do."

"Then I suppose I need not add anything else, do I?" they whispered shakily.

"Lieutenant, this is my decision. Your emotion will not change it." Spock said calmly.

Mac'hla stood from her chair, "It is not emotion about your choice. It is, indeed, the logical decision. It is the illogical pain of losing you that is causing me distress"

"It is my duty to Starfleet. I will not change my mind." he said, turning to face her.

"I am not trying to change your mind, Spock." they said, trying to hide the shakiness in their voice, "I am trying to tell you that I will miss you."

Spock crossed his arms behind him. "That is illogical, Lieutenant."

"Perhaps it is, Mr. Spock. But it does not change the fact that I am frightened to say goodbye."

Spock's gaze softened, "It isn't goodbye yet, Lieutenant."

Mac'hla inhaled deeply, "I know, sir."

They were both silent for a moment before Spock spoke up, offering an uncharacteristic invite.

"Come to my quarters this evening, Lieutenant. We will talk."

Mac'hla nodded, "I will be there, sir."

Spock nodded silently and left without another word.

Mac'hla stared at the door, wishing Spock would just walk back in.

But he was gone, just as surely as he would be tomorrow morning.