You Are The Reason Why I Smile

      “You want me to teach you what?!” The doctor was taken aback by this sudden turn of events. He may have treated many weird cases on this five year mission but this may take the cake. Never in a million years would he expect this question or even think this action was possible. He actually had to brace himself against his desk so he would not fall over.

      “I think you heard my request quite clearly doctor.” The Vulcan could not even look the doctor in the eye. McCoy could have sworn he saw a tint of green on Spock’s ears. No matter how much he tried to hide his embarrassment Bones could see right past his wall even if that wall is indeed very thin at the moment.

      “Damn right I heard your request but I can not tell if you are serious or someone put you up to this. Wait did Kirk put you up to this? I have been suspecting something after that last hypo I gave him as a joke but I never expected this.” Bones could not believe Spock would ask that question on his own will yet again.

     “Doctor I am very serious. I do not understand why you think I would as you put it joke about this. I value my relationship with the captain and I am sure that learning how to do this would bring him great joy.” Spock was still a little bit distant with Bones.

      “Yah well you could also make him rupture something.”

      “I do not see why…….”

      “Never mind Spock it is just a phrase people say. You do not have to understand it.” Bones ran his hand through his hair. Thinking about what to say next, McCoy looked at Spock for a long time. Spock was shifting slightly trying to stay poised and not let on that even he could be nervous. This thing he was asked to teach is something that is rather hard and all around awkward. McCoy knew Spock’s intentions were true and that he was not put up to this as a joke. How can a Vulcan even joke? McCoy sat down in his chair contemplating the best way to go about this. He finally spoke after moments of looking at his desk and changing his glance up at Spock. “Fine, I’ll teach you how to smile for Jim.”

    Spock perked up a little. “Thank you Doctor McCoy.”

    “Just as a warning it is going to be really difficult given many things.”

    “I appreciate the fact you are willing to try.”

    “This should be very interesting to say the least.” McCoy mumbled under his breath. He thought about where to start. The act of smiling is just hard to explain to someone who has never smiled nor grew up around people who smiled minus his mother. “Ok Spock why do people smile?”

    “People smile because they are conveying “happiness”. It is their way to show others how they feel about certain events or gestures.” Spock said this rather bluntly and McCoy knew he could not grasp the full meaning of the question.

   “That is a general meaning to the question, but there is a little more you are missing.”

    “I do not understand how…”

    “Spock listen. We smile because we like what is happening around us like having fun and we use it to show attraction. It can cause  mutual happiness between others. A smile can be a window to the soul,,”

  “I thought you said eyes were the windows….”

   “I know, I know. Forget that for now and focus on what I am trying to say. A smile can tell a lot about how someone is feeling. They can fake a smile if they do not want to talk or make you not worry about them.” Spock quickly thought of Jim a few days ago when he let off a downish vibe but he was smiling and that confused Spock. How can you smile and not be happy? “When one smiles it can be the most beautiful thing in the world. Their eyes light up and they can be the most beautiful person you will ever see.” Spock understood this very well. When Kirk smiles Spock can only stare in awe. Those vibrant blue eyes reflect like clear and still water. The air feels lighter and the sound of his laugh just made Spock feel at ease. He could die peacefully with that image in his mind. The Vulcan knew that he was defenseless once Kirk flashed that brilliant smile. The thought only made Spock feel light and airy and he felt his heart skip the smallest of beats.