Leonard was lounging on his bed, staring at the wall, when the door chimed. He looked at the display that Spock had Scotty set up to see who was standing outside the door. It was a compromise that had been reached in regards to the security guard argument. He could see Jim standing outside. His movements appeared to be impatient. Leonard guessed that Nyota had been talking to him. She had appeared to be in a rush to share after their discussion, and Leonard had assumed that it wouldn't be long after she spoke to Jim before he showed up. He expected Spock to be even quicker, just less sure of how the Vulcan would react.
"Come on in, Jim," Leonard said to the door, which slid open before he had finished talking.
Jim strolled over and sat on the edge of the bed, close to Leonard, and just took in his presence for a while before speaking. If Leonard had to guess, he figured that Jim wasn't sure where to start or what he could ask. Nyota did say she would emphasize the limitations that a bargain with the Abrbonians could bring. Plus, Jim had read the reports from Mn'ha.
"I just had the most interesting conversation with our Communications Officer," Jim informed Leonard once he finally decided to talk. I'm guessing you know what that conversation was all about."
"I could hazard a guess," Leonard drawled, trying to decide whether or not his friend appeared angry. He had, after all, entered into an unsanctioned agreement with an alien race. The face Jim was showing at the moment was very neutral.
"Got to say, I was very surprised by what she was telling me," Jim continued, as though Leonard hadn't spoken. "People who are dead not being dead any longer, memories being altered and other fun stuff. The kind of thing a Captain doesn't really want to hear."
"I can imagine it's scary to find out you aren't remembering history correctly. Probably not something you were actually expecting to have to deal with," Leonard admitted.
"Can't say I blame you, though, for taking the offer," Jim said. "It's hard to resist giving someone another chance with someone they cared about. The loss of a parent before her time is a difficult one."
"So, not overly angry at me, then?" Leonard asked.
"No," Jim said with a smile. "I mean, that is a serious gesture you made there, even if he doesn't actually remember it. Have to be someone important to you just to put up with the craziness of being out of sync with everyone else, not to mention having that special someone just out of your reach."
"You have no idea," Leonard admitted.
"I guess you can't tell us about real events that happened, can you?" Jim asked. "I wouldn't mind having a few confusing things straightened out, but Nyota said you were only allowed to confirm what the agreement was and not really able to discuss details."
"As far as I know," Leonard confessed. "I don't think I'll risk finding out."
"Yeah, please don't," Jim said. "I still haven't quite recovered from you just dropping in front of us after you received that threat on your personal comm."
"Hey, I was the one with the concussion," Leonard reminded him. "And the one who was threatened."
Jim nodded and swiftly returned to the original subject of their conversation. "Not that it took a lot to work it out once Nyota told her tale," Jim said quietly, studying his hands as he spoke. "But I can hazard a guess as to who the other parent is now."
"And I'll tell you what I told Nyota," Leonard replied before Jim had a chance to vocalize his guess. "I cannot, in good conscience, tell you as I haven't told him."
"Understandable," Jim said with a bob of his head.
Before he could comment further, the door chimed once again. Standing, Jim glanced at the screen to see who was dropping by. Smirking, he said, "Well, speak of the devil."
"I'm telling Spock you called him the devil," Leonard threatened as he opened the door for the Vulcan. "He will not be amused."
"He never is," Jim sighed as he walked towards the door. He stopped and gave Spock a slap on the shoulder as he was leaving. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about and don't need a third party hanging around, getting in the way."
Spock turned and watched the Captain leave before settling down in a chair near Leonard's bed. He sat there for several moments, his fingers steepled in front of him as he stared intently at the doctor lying on his bed. The intensity of the stare focused on him had Leonard fidgeting. He finally broke down and said, "Yes?"
"I have not asked you a question," Spock replied.
"I know you haven't actually asked," Leonard snapped, "but we both know what question is likely on your mind."
"I have many questions on my mind," Spock stated. "Most, I believe, cannot be asked as you will not be able to answer them. However, you are correct in thinking that there is a question that is dominating my thoughts. I do not believe it is the one you are answering. The one you are answering is one I do not need to ask, as it is the logical conclusion based on what Nyota has shared."
"Fine, then," Leonard said. Clearly, Spock had no doubts that he was the father of the child. "What is the question that is dominating your thoughts?"
Spock prefaced his question with a summary of his interpretation of events. "It is the same question that I have asked before, and, at the time, you refused to answer. However, based on new information, I believe that refusal was a result of needing to conceal information regarding the Abrbonians and the awkwardness of the revelations that would occur at the birth of the child."
"Seriously?" Leonard asked, having no problem predicting where those thoughts were going. "Your question is about us getting together?"
"I wished to pursue a romantic relationship with you when I believed you were carrying the child of another," Spock said. "Why would learning the child is mine and that we were, in fact, involved before, negatively impact my pursuit, particularly as the reason I have no recollection of these events is solely due to your entering an agreement that saved my mother? This fact is not likely to make me think less of you."
"Still, I'd think you'd want to know why," Leonard sputtered.
"If your motive was to be rid of me then you would not have allowed a friendship to develop," Spock stated matter-of-factly. "The most logical conclusion is that the Abrbonian twins approached you, their proposal appealed to your emotions and gave you a chance to do what you thought would make me happiest. Your motive is more likely that you, in fact, care a great deal for me and a resumption of our romantic relationship is the next logical step."
"Hm... Sounds logical, I guess," Leonard agreed as he leaned forward, "but your reasoning might work a little better if you were here sitting on the bed with me instead of in that chair."
Spock quirked an eyebrow. "You haven't answered my question."
Leonard leaned back against the headboard. "Dammit, Spock, get the hell over here."
Looking a little put upon, Spock stood up and moved over to the edge of the bed. Leonard patted the mattress next to his hip, indicating where he wanted the Vulcan to sit, and grabbed his wrist the moment Spock sat down. Taking Spock's hand, Leonard placed it on his stomach and took a deep breath.
"This is your daughter," he stated. "I know you know that logically, but I don't think the reality of the situation has sunk through your thick skull yet."
Spock flashed the other man a look of disapproval regarding that comment, but did not retaliate. Instead, he spread his fingers across Leonard's abdomen with a thoughtful look on his face. Leonard took that as a sign that he was right. The two sat quietly for a while before Spock broke the silence. "I did not approach you regarding a relationship because the child is mine," he clarified. Spock did not look up at Leonard as he spoke.
"Given that this is the second time you've asked," Leonard murmured as he absently rubbed his fingers along Spock's wrist, "I kind of got that that is not the case. You had no idea the first time, now, did you?"
Spock dragged his eyes up to take in the man in front of him. "You intend to answer in the affirmative, correct?"
Leonard gave a chuckle. "Yes, I am answering in the affirmative."
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