McCoy came out of the holodeck only to stop when he saw Nyota and Spock, Nyota had her arms wrapped around the man's shoulder. McCoy raised his eyebrows in surprise to see them together. The doctor rationalized they were either hanging out or getting together. Which baffled him. Because Nyota was in tears after she broke up with Spock. She filled McCoy in at the bar on the Yorktown before the fateful call was made by Kirk to return to the Enterprise. She had regained her composure during the drink and appeared at peace. Unlike her, McCoy didn't cry before or after the break up.

"You two," Nyota slid her hands off the Vulcan's shoulder. "talk."

Nyota skated away on her silent black skates attached under her shoes--when did she get roller skates?

And wasn't that against regulations?

"You could have told me in the beginning regarding your fears," Spock spoke first.

McCoy sighed.

"It was a flin' back then," McCoy said. "I didn't think we'll come this far. And to ask the question."

"Doctor," Spock said. "I have been honored to serve with you as a friend, lover, and colleague. You would never destroy ruin a marriage," he placed one hand, carefully, on the human's shoulder. "our relationship has been rocky at best. . . You have not destroyed the foundation of it. The trust. The respect. And the friendship."

"I can't give ya kids," McCoy said.

"I have donated sperm to the effort of my species come back before our arrival to the Enterprise A," Spock said. "I want you and only you in this union."

"Spock, this is your first rodeo in marriage?" McCoy asked.'

"Yes," Spock said. A feeling sunk down within the Vulcan as he knew what the human was about to say so he held his hand up. "I am not asking, demanding, or I requesting. I understand the difficulty and turmoil you have when it comes to someone you respect and love dearly about your own issues effecting them," McCoy nodded. "I admit, it was ill timed. Your mother had just informed you that she was sick---"

"My mother is sick?" McCoy looked stunned as he had interrupted the Vulcan.

". . . Didn't you get the holovid?" Spock said.

"She doesn't like to worry me these days," McCoy said. "some weeks I hardly get a message from her. How typical of her. Now it makes sense why she gives ya a holovid over me," Spock let go of the human's shoulder. "if all ya want is to be in a legal relationship with me then ya can count me out."

"I will send the holovid to your comn terminal," Spock said. The Vulcan paused tilting his head, curiously. "did you tell your mother?"

"I didn't send her a message last week that we broke up," McCoy said. "So, she is not sick anymore?"

"The illness is difficult to get over," Spock said. "her doctors informed her it would take two weeks for it to be cured."

"Just what I need," McCoy said.

"Fa-tuk is a few hours away," Spock said. "do you require company?"

"Asides to tellin' Jim where I'm goin'," McCoy said.

"Indeed," Spock said, with a nod.

"Why would I need company?" McCoy asked.

"It would be logical to come with you to pretend that we are still engaged in a relationship for your mother's sake as she still believes we are in a relationship," Spock said. "It will be beneficial to her health and speedy recovery to see that her son is happy. And the holovid will explain her illness at full length. . ." Spock cleared his throat. "doctor, I come as a friend."

"Good," McCoy said, then walked away. The Vulcan was right.