“Why don’t you tell him?”

Spock shook his head. “It isn’t as easy as that. Not with the captain.”

“Tell me what?”

“Were you eavesdropping, Captain?” Nyota asked, angrily. She crossed her arms in front of her, all aggression.

Spock and Nyota were near the waterway on Yorktown having what they both thought was a private conversation.

Jim’s eyes narrowed. “Actually, no. I was looking for you, Lieutenant. Commodore Paris needs your communication expertise and I approved your assistance at the command center.”

Nyota instantly lowered her arms, glanced at Spock, and then said, “Yes, Captain. I’ll go right away.”

After she departed, Jim stepped up to where Spock stood by the waterway.

“Something you wanted to tell me?”

Spock was surprised that Jim wouldn’t look at him.

“Is something wrong, Captain?”

“Are you going to tell me you’re leaving after all?”

That did give Spock pause.

“You knew about that? Doctor McCoy?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I am not leaving.”

Jim nodded. “Then what? You and Uhura finally getting married or uh…bonded?”

“No.” Spock paused. “In fact, we are no longer romantically involved.”

Jim did look at him then and he was clearly quite surprised by this information, which made Spock hesitate even more.  

“I thought after Altamid…” Jim shook his head.

“We briefly discussed the possibilities,” Spock admitted. “But the same issues we’d had that led to my choice to depart existed. Given that we remain close friends. It is…still a work in progress though.”

“I imagine.” Jim pursed his lips. “What is it then?”

“I do not wish to place undo burden—”

“Spock. What is it?”

He took a long breath and then let it out. “I have developed romantic feelings toward you.”

Jim turned away from the waterway to fully face Spock.

“Does that mean you have the hots for me?”

Spock blinked. “I…”

Jim grinned. “Don’t worry. I have the hots for you too.”