"Doctor Chapel," he said, his stiff aristocratic bearing and precisely measured speech she felt certain had been affected to intimidate her. "Although the placement of the organ in question may differ from your own, I can assure you it is present and in perfect working order. Additionally, as a physician you should be aware that my body temperature is in fact several degrees warmer than your own.

"As for the aspersions you would cast upon status of my parent's marriage at the time of my birth, it is a well-documented matter of Federation record that they were formally bonded in the Vulcan tradition and married in a Terran ceremony as well."

Christine Chapel sprang from her desk chair, a restive lioness ready to defend her territory against this interloper. Spock responded swiftly and purposefully, placing himself to block her path to the doorway. He crossed his arms over his chest, mirroring her defiant stance.

"Just sign the damn transfer request and get the hell out of my office!" Christine shouted as she thrust the padd at him.

"I do not appreciate your tone, Lieutenant." He returned, ignoring the proffered padd. "I understand that you are upset, but I will not allow this sort of insubordinate behavior."

"Upset?" She dropped the padd on the desk and turned away from him. "Upset? Oh I'm light years beyond upset. I'm angry and I'm hurt, and sad, and disappointed, and my heart is broken in a million pieces. Not that any of my… human 'feelings' mean anything to you!"

She turned back to face him "I've got to get off of this ship. I'll never have any sort of a life if I stay here. Can't you see that?"

"You are being illogical, Doctor."

"Arghhhhh! Logic! Do you have any idea how sick to death I am of you and your logic?" Unable to contain her frustration Christine seized the padd and threw it down on the desk. "Take your damn Vulcan logic and get out of my office!"

"Your tone-"

"If you don't like my tone, Commander then get the hell out of my office!"

"We need to settle this, Christine."

"There is nothing for us to settle, and don't you ever call me Christine."

"It is your name."

"Not to you… you son of a-"

"Lieutenant, your tone-"

"Fuck you! Oh wait, I already did didn't I? That's how I got into this damn mess in the first place. You want to put me on report for my tone, buddy? Go right ahead, but when you write it up don't forget to include the part where you've been screwing a junior officer in your chain of command for the past five weeks. I wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall when ol' Jimbo reads that."

Spock sighed, leaning back against the wall. "There is no need for crude language. I have no intention of placing you on report, Chris…Lieutenant. I am aware…I am aware that my actions have caused you a certain degree of… distress. I do not know how to ameliorate that. What do you wish for me to do?"

"Have you heard a single word I've said? Sign! The! Transfer!"

"It is not as simple as you would make it appear. I am the First Officer of this vessel, as such I must consider the best interests of the ship before any other concerns."