Hi! I'm hoping this idea hasn't been done to death. I'm not sure how far I'll take it but I hope it'll be a fun ride for all! As always, I own only my OC and not Star Trek. I'm just borrowing it for a little fun. This story will have dark undertones and a lot of uncomfortable situations. As most "writers" I live and breathe for reviews and criticism be it harsh or pleasant. Thanks!

Tishbing

Chapter One

Ensign Charlotte Jones could feel the ache in her lower back. It felt like she had been bent over forever. Her bright blonde hair had begun to fall out of it's bun and was tickling her face. She was slowly running the dermal regenerator over a young crewman's back. It was taking so long due to how deep the cut went. She felt so bad for him. He'd fallen down a ladder in engineering catching his back on the way down. The cut was huge. It gave her sympathy pains.

Finally, after an hour she was able to turn off the machine. She stretched her back feeling the satisfying pops. Taking one last look at Lieutenant Cutler sleeping she walked over to Dr. McCoy.

"Sir? I've closed Eric Cutler's wound. It just needs your sign off."

She smiled at Dr. McCoy. He was a downright grump but she enjoyed working with him. He grumbled something about clumsy engineers and quickly walked over to check her work.

"Looks great. If you wouldn't mind handing me that hypo of ampicillin I'd appreciate it. He'll just need to stay tonight to make sure no infection sets in and he should be fine."

She handed him the hypospray and waited while he injected their patient.

"Is there anything else you need Dr. McCoy?" She meekly asked.

"Um..." He looked up at her but then saw the clock above her head.

"Why didn't you say anything? It's 3 hours past the end of your shift?"

He almost looked angry. He just shook his head.

"Go on or I'll be brought up on charges from overworking the nurses." Rolling her eyes she started to make her way out but quickly stopped and turned around.

"Sir? Isn't your shift supposed to be done at the same time as mine?"

"I'm the CMO. My shift never ends. Sometimes I think this lot wouldn't make it past dinner if I took a day off." He mumbled.

"Maybe not even lunch! Goodnight Doctor."

She left before he could reply and ran over to the replicator typing up dinner for the doctor and left it on his desk before leaving for the night. She just hoped he'd get to it before it got cold. Grilled catfish, dirty rice and steamed vegetables with spiced peaches. Even she was tempted to eat it but she quickly left. She swore he'd die of starvation if she and Christine didn't regularly feed him. The fact that he mother hens after everyone else but forgets himself is ridiculous! She knew if he caught her he'd rant about not being an infant and that he could do it himself. Giggling she quickly left to see if anyone was left in the mess hall.

Little did she know she was being watched.

Thankfully, she ran into Christine who had also not eaten and they sat together munching on dinner. Chris, a pasta dish and Charlotte a large spicy chicken Caesar salad.

"Poor Eric. He's such a sweet guy. Thanks for taking it for me."

Charlotte shrugged.

"No problem. I don't mind but next time would you feed Leonard. I swear he's lost weight. And he's cranky. I like my men a little calmer." She emphasized her point with her fork, smiling.

"Ok, but enough about work. I wanted to show you the pictures of my cousin's baby!"

She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Chris had been talking non-stop about it for weeks. It wasn't that she didn't want kids or like them, she just wasn't interested in them for a while. She watched feigning interest and cooing at the appropriate times looking at pink blob after pink blob. It was cute but thank god it took after Chris's cousin. That woman's husband was ugly with a capital U! She really guessed love was blind.

"So Chris, any idea about you settling down? You know, having kids?"

Chris pushed her hair behind her ears a and frowned.

"I'd like to. You know I'm engaged to Roger but I haven't seen him in a while now. I think it'd be a bit much though. I am trying to become a doctor and babies just aren't in the cards for me."

"I get that." She nodded smiling. At least she hadn't lost her friend. For some reason almost anytime she saw one baby someone somehow always got pregnant. It was like it was something in the water. Chris wasn't done talking. Jones was still working on her salad.

"What about you?"

"I dunno. Maybe if it was with the right guy or the right time." She shrugged noncommittally.

"Well, I'd better get to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

Charlotte absently waved as her friend bounced off. Chris always had so much energy. She could feel the day catching up to her and she put her head in her hands closing her eyes.

"Do you require assistance Ensign?"

Charlotte's head snapped up so fast she was surprised she didn't get whiplash. Commander Spock was watching her with his head tilted as if in concern.

"No sir. I'm fine. How are you." She slapped on her accommodating but leave me alone smile but it didn't seem to work. He must have taken it as a cue to join her for he slid into the seat recently vacated by Chapel.

"I am well. I have noticed that you have been late leaving your shift by increasing amounts for the past 12 days. Is sickbay understaffed?"

Nosey much?

"No. I tend to lose track of time when I'm working. I enjoy my job."

"An alarm would alleviate that difficulty. I often find that I require the use of one when I am working in the labs."

She nodded politely. Moving to stand she started to say good night.

"If it is agreeable, perhaps we can continue this conversation tomorrow. Possibly over your morning meal?"

"Sure." She quickly excused herself and got halfway down the corridor before she realized what she had done.

"Oh shit."

The next morning she remembered Spock's request and found that she couldn't cancel. She tried contacting the bridge, his quarters and the science labs. He just wasn't there so she quickly pulled her hair back in a pony tail finishing her morning grooming and walked to the mess hall PADD in hand hoping that Spock had forgotten. He hadn't. He was sat in the same spot from last night. Nodding in acknowledgement she grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down.

"Morning."

"Good Morning Miss Jones."

She really didn't know what to say. She didn't really work with Spock nor did they hang out. It was, to put it nicely...awkward. She sipped her coffee and smiled waiting.

"I have noticed that you have been studying to attain a nurse practitioner license. Are you finding the classes stimulating."

He was watching her with interest. It was kind of sweet.

"Oh yes. I'm still more than a year off but it is definitely interesting. Currently I'm writing an article about immunology and how it can differ between species."

"I believe there is a lab aspect required in your studies?"

She sipped her coffee and nodded an affirmative.

"Yeah but the labs are so overbooked I've not been able to get in. I'm on the wait list."

"I am booked for this evening in the lab. You may share with me if you like?"

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. She could feel her excitement building. She'd only need two hours to study and record her microscopic images of the cells and structures in the immune systems. She'd been storing her samples in stasis for months and she'd finally finish.

"That'd be amazing! I've been waiting for months! Thank you!"

"Thanks are illogical. I only require the use of one of the lab stations. There are two and it would be wasteful if it was not used."

"Of course, sir."

She was beaming.

"Miss Jones, I request when we are not on duty for you to address me as Spock. I believe that it may assist in alleviating any discomfort you may have in my presence. The Captain often makes a request of using his first name while not on duty. While it has taken a while for me to acquiesce I have noted that he seems to relax quicker."

She thought about it for a minute. She didn't feel very comfortable with his "request" and she had only seen his girlfriend, the captain and Dr. McCoy do the name thing. Even the other senior staff members used his title. It's possible that they did and she just didn't see it. After all, she was usually in sickbay and she was not a senior staff member. She started frowning as she still couldn't help but think it was a little weird.

"Commander, while I thank you for this opportunity I don't feel comfortable addressing you as such. What would Uhura say?"

"I do not believe she would say anything."

She nodded, a feeling of unease starting to fill her. Spock was watching her.

"I have to get going. My shift starts soon."

She moved to get up but was stopped when Spock stood too.

"I will walk with you. I look forward to working with you tonight. I will meet you outside of sickbay at 1700 hours."

She nodded acquiescence and allowed him to fall in step with her. His hands behind his back as he walked smoothly beside her. She felt awkward as she struggled to keep up with his long strides easily out matching her short ones. She huffed as she was trying to keep up. He must have noticed her distress because he slowed down.

"I have been reading your research on fertility drugs to assist in repopulating the Vulcan race. I see that Dr. McCoy and you have nearly finished your study of increasing the male's sperm count."

"Yeah. We're hoping that previously thought sterile males will be able to produce progeny. I'm only helping with the research into the new drug. We've pretty much completed all the computerized tests and then we'll be able to send the results to New Vulcan and then they'll be able to test the practical applications of the drug. It was hard to modify it but worth it."

"Indeed."

"I want to help them. I can't even imagine not being able to have a child on top of everything else. We're going to start work on a similar project to increase egg count in females. Hoping for multiples during pregnancy. We have many of these drugs for humans but it's never been requested for Vulcans until recently."

"I did not realize humans had required assistance in this aspect."

She frowned and had to tilt her head to look at him.

"Some women find it difficult to produce viable eggs or struggle with ovulation. I'm thankful I probably won't have that problem."

He looked at her intently and she couldn't help but squirm under the intense scrutiny.

"May I inquire as to why?"

"We're here."

She was glad she had arrived at sickbay. It was perfect timing. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous in the Commander's presence. She also didn't want to create a awkward situation with Spock's girlfriend. She quickly typed up a message asking her if she was free for lunch. She was pleased to see a message back saying she'd meet her in the mess hall at noon. She was glad that she'd be able to talk to her. She didn't want the rumor mill to speculate.