Helping out the Tree Flock people required more of a couple of hours. However, the Enterprise crew was more than capable to transmit the required knowledge to the locals, and the locals were eager to acquire the knowledge to maintain their precious Trees. Surprisingly, no more assaults took place; no more aggressive remarks. No more tensions arose, despite the sudden request of the local authorities.

Now, they were travelling to meet up with the starship Agatha Christie on wrap speed five. Tom was not exactly sure what the situation was. According to the Security officer's code, there was an emergency transition request.

Momentarily, he thought to ask around and find out what was the situation. There was always a rumor or gossip going around the Enterprise. However, they still had at least 24 hours before arriving at their destination and he had in mind a few better ways to pass his time.

"Mr Johnson," he turned around to see Lt Opal walking towards him from across the corridor. She stopped awkwardly in front of him, not knowing how to go on. They had not really talked to each other since she accused him of failing his duties by allowing Li Ann's injury. "I… I want to applaud you on how you dealt with the attackers on the planet surface. Your fast thinking saved the Captain's life".

"Thank you, Lt Opal".

She nodded and they parted ways. A satisfied smile appeared on his face as he moved towards the common area.

#####

Jim was sitting on his Captain chair when Bones entered the bridge. "Why is there no moment we can have peace?"

"We are Starfleet officers, doing our duty", Jim looked up to him when he stood above him. "What brings you to the bridge, Bones?"

"Oh, this and that" the doctor leaned against the Captain's chair. "Actually, I am curious. Did we ever find out about those attackers on the planet? Where did they come from? Why did they attack? Working with the Tree Flock people for three days, they did not strike me as the type of society that harbors a lot of disagreement or secret vendettas".

"They attacked because Chief Phera told them to".

"Chief Phera?" Bones seemed surprised by this revelation. "But why?"

"I believe to manipulate through fear his peaceful but slow society. I do not believe he had any bad intentions towards us".

"Why did you not call him out for it?"

"We had and still have no concrete evidence about that fact. It was a suspicion till he basically told Spock while we talked with the night after the Council meeting". Bones seemed skeptical, so Jim narrated all the discussion that took place that night at the Chief's Tree Platform. "I could not really do anything at that point. However, before we left away from the planet, I made clear to Phera that I will repeat all my interpretation of the events to the UN during their application review. He understood what I meant but said nothing".

Bones frowned and thought for a while. "Do you think Thera was involved as well?"

"Who knows? I believe not, but I cannot be sure. Not that it matters now".

"Are the two of you done revising past events? If so, do you want to join me to the common room?" Spock was standing now on the other side of Jim's chair. "I promised a chess match to Mr Scott".

"I will join you," Bones answered. "I am curious to see how long you will last against Montgomery".

Spock raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. "I will try not to disappoint you, Dr McCoy. I will drag out the match for as long as I am able".

"Go on, I will join you later" Jim waved them away before their imminent word sparring could distract him further from his report.

######

Annagret plopped next to her and dropped a huge book in her lap. "This is what we have to read for next month".

Li Ann picked up the heavy tome and inspected it. She had a bad feeling about this, and she was not wrong. "Annagret, why do you keep picking those huge books for the book club? This is the fourth Vulcan Classic you proposed during the last week! Where do you get them from anyway?"

An impish smile appeared on her face. "The computer library!"

Li Ann rolled her eyes. "Seriously? It is not what I meant. But it matters not," Li Ann stopped her friend before she could utter another clever quip. "Let us see what Uhura has to say". Li Ann looked around for the co-founder of their book club. Her eyes swiped around the common area. She noticed a few of first officers playing chess; Dr McCoy just sitting next to them, enjoying himself way more than one would expect from a chess spectator. Behind them, a group of security officers were the source of jazz music that filled the room. Uhura was among them. "Found her!"

She got up, holding the heavy tome under her arm. She beelined for Uhura; she had to kill Annagret's foolish idea at the crib. She was so focused in saving herself from Vulcan military history that she did not notice someone being on her way and pumped right into them. Her book made a loud thump as it fell on the floor.

"Oh! I am so sorry," she bent to pick up the book only to see that Tom had been faster and had already picked it up for her. "Thank you".

Why did she have to blush when his fingers touched hers? Why did he have to have a devilish smile?

"No problem at all. I am always glad to help you".

"I know". I know? She mentally kicked herself. Over the last few days, they were both kept busy by their superior officers and they had no good excuse to spend much time in each other's company. Now, it felt as if she had forgotten how to talk to him.

"I know? I see you have not lost your eloquence with words" he laughed. "I did not mean to offend you! You have turned red…"

"I am pretty good with words. Usually". Li Ann answered rather defensively.

"I remember. You had a unique way to describe the wonders of nature ".

She smiled back to him, acknowledging his compliment. For a while they remained in awkward silence, both trying to find a way to say the thing they wanted to say. Sometimes, it is just better to get over with whatever you want to do.

"Should we grab lunch or dinner tomorrow? My shift starts soon…" the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. They were spoken in a low, fast voice, and as such, she was not sure she had been clear enough. "I mean…"

"Lunch should work. I can come and pick you up from your room?"

Li Ann felt light as they settled all the details.

######

Bones grumbled something under his breath that caused Spock to avert his eyes off the chest board. Scotty did not react; he was bend into defeating the Vulcan this time.

"Everything alright, doctor?" Spock followed Leonard's line of sight and noticed Dr. Chang talking with Mr Johnson. It had not escaped his attention that the two had come rather close during the mission. It would not have been the first time two crewmembers felt a higher connection while in danger. He had felt the same for Jim after all. "It is not so uncommon, you know, for humans to fall in love".

Bones did not pick up the bait. He was quite focused on his assessment of the newly budding relationship. "They are completely different!"

"You would be surprised how often two people who are completely different fit together like a glove to a hand". He turned his attention to the chest board again. "Done with your move, Mr Scott?"

Scott gave no answer, but Bones grabbed Spock by the arm and wagged a finger in front of his face. "Alright, six months! I give them six months! They will not last longer together!"

That was what the doctor had predicted about him and Jim as well, but thankfully he was wrong. Spock was sure he was wrong in this case as well.

THE END

AN: Hi all, this is the end of the story. It is the first story, fanfiction or otherwise, which I kept writing for so long. It is a bit over 30K words… It all started as a question we had with friends; what would a biologist do on board the Enterprise? The answer took longer than I had expected or planned. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you want you can leave a comment or send me a private message. Hope you are all well!