Genetics

Chapter 1

"Oh," Uhura said turning in her chair to face her Captain.

"What is it Uhura?" Kirk said.

"Captain, we've got direct orders from Star Fleet. We have to rendezvous with the Star Ship Explorer as soon as possible," Uhura responded.

"Why?" Kirk asked.

"They didn't say."

"That's odd..." Kirk said, almost to himself.

It was odd. He hadn't done anything wrong. At least not in a while. Why wouldn't they at least let him know in advanced what was happening? A question Kirk would have to find out at the rendezvous point. Kirk licked his lips and was slightly worried. Of course he couldn't show it. A captain needs to be strong in front of their crew. So he turned to his helmsman.

"Mr. Sulu," he said, "You know what to do."

And with that they took off into deep space, soon to find out what awaited them.

~~~

With three hours left until the two ships were to meet at the rendezvous point, Kirk decided he needed a short break. Only ten minutes, he thought, that's all I get.

"I'll be back in ten," he announced before he left.

Kirk walked as fast as he could to his quarters. He didn't know what it was, but he was more panicked than usual. In fact, he was hardly ever panicked, and when he was he knew how to keep it under control. But this felt almost out of control.

Once Kirk had arrived at his quarters, he sat on his bed. He took deep breaths and closed his eyes. Taking deep breaths was supposed to help. It wasn't. Why wasn't it working?

"Five minutes," Kirk whispered to himself, which made things worse.

Kirk sighed and ran his hand threw his golden blond hair.

"Calm down," he ordered himself.

To make matters worse, Kirk had to hear that god awful sound that plays when someone's at the door. Some one must have followed him. Who could it be now? Kirk got off his bed and went over to open the door.

"Spock?" Kirk said.

"Are you all right, Captain?" his first officer said in that monotonous way he always spoke.

"Yeah, I'm fine. No offence, but, what are you doing here?"

"I apologize if I am inconveniencing you, but one would assume, based upon the question I have asked-"

"That you're checking on me. Spock, I'm fine."

The Vulcan raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine," he repeated, this time less convincing, "Who sent you, anyway?"

"No one. I was the only one to take notice to you're growing discomfort as we came closer to the rendezvous point. As first officer, it is my duty to be sure that this ship's captain is in the appropriate mental state-"

"I'm fine," Kirk repeated a third time, "Let's just get back to the bridge."

"Yes, captain," Spock said.

Kirk left his quarters, and started down the hall with Spock following closely afterwards.

"So, Spock," Kirk said once they were on the turbo lift.

"Yes?" Spock said.

"Did you come down here just to see if I was too mentally unstable to run a ship, or did you come down here because you care?" Kirk asked with a mischievous smile.

Spock just raised his eye brow and gave no answer. Kirk didn't quite know why, but for some reason he enjoyed messing with Spock. Spock was never fond of talking about his feelings, in fact he hated it. So naturally, Kirk had to talk about feelings. About being illogical. It was just too much fun not to. And for the moment, it took his mind off of the panic.

"C'mon Spock. Admit you care," Kirk said playfully, "I already know you do anyway."

"Then why must I admit it?" he asked, much to Kirk's surprise.

Usually Spock would sigh silently, or raise an eyebrow, or even say something about how the topic had no necessary relevance to what they were doing. Spock did everything he could to avoid talking about his feelings, so what he said was very unusual. And Kirk didn't have a logical answer.

The turbo lift doors opened suddenly, and they were on the bridge.

Quickly Kirk said, "I don't know, Spock. Ask Uhura. I guess sometimes we humans just like to here you say the words," and then the two took there places on the bridge.