“No. Spock, no. I admit that my…confession…was ill-advised. I’m really sorry I made you uncomfortable in any way. That’s not how I want to behave professionally as your captain and personally as your friend.” Jim tried a smile. It felt bad. “I’d like us to move past that and frankly pretend it never happened.”
“I see,” Spock said neutrally.
“But it did get me to thinking how I hadn’t been very fair to you about New Vulcan. And maybe, if you don’t want to leave entirely, we can consider a leave of absence for you.”
“A leave of absence.”
“For however long you need. I’d approve it.”
