Oh god, please be nice, this is my first-ever Trek story, and since this whole fandom is a bit overwhelming to me my confidence level is shot. I was reluctant to even post this story at all. So, all begging aside, should I continue?

One:
The Wrong Side

"Jim, come on, I don't need your help."

"Apparently you do, because you just turned off the screen."

"I j—what am I even doing down here?! I belong at the communications station!"

Jim Kirk laughed and crossed his arms. "Lieutenant Phiora, you've been pining for that comm. station for as long as you've been on the Enterprise. I figured you needed to stretch out your legs a little."

"With all due respect, Captain," the young woman said wryly, throwing him a dirty look, "I'll stretch out my leg to kick you in the face if you don't leave me alone."

Captain Kirk laughed again. "Alright, shift's starting. Back to your station, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir," Phiora said, smiling.

Literally a second later, the turbolift doors slid open to reveal a man dressed in science blues, his hands clasped behind his back and an unwavering expression on his face. He bowed his head curtly at the young Lieutenant about to board the lift, then the captain. "Captain," he said, striding over to the science station.

Kirk and Phiora exchanged a look before the doors closed. "Well, Spock," Kirk said cheerily; a stark contrast to the First Officer's demeanor. "Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"That would be illogical, taking into consideration the fact that there is no 'wrong side' of any one person's bed." He raised a sharp eyebrow. "And also considering how many beds you've seen, one has to conjecture at the naïveté of your query, Sir."

Kirk held up his hands defensively. "Geez, Spock, alright, you're cranky this morning. I understand. No need to bite my head off."

As Ensign Chekov and Helmsman Sulu arrived, Spock took a moment to consider his attitude from all possible angles. "I apologize, Captain. I merely awoke to find I had missed an opportunity to partake in meditation."

Kirk nodded in understanding, but under his breath he murmured, "And that is bullshit."

He watched his First Officer closely. The Vulcan may have only been, in fact, half-Vulcan, but the human side to him could not under any circumstances completely hide any emotion he felt. Right now he was angry and hurt.

The captain discreetly approached Spock as the bridge gradually filled with crewmembers. "Spock," he murmured, unceremoniously looking around. "Do you need to take some time off? I could arrange that for you...."

"I assure you that I am in perfect rational order, Captain," the science officer said, not looking up from his station. "There is no reason psychologically or physically for me to take any time off, therefore—"

"She put the kibosh on it, didn't she?"

To Kirk's amusement Spock understood the archaic word. A few moments went by, and then Spock finally looked up at his captain. "Incorrect. I did."

Kirk wasn't surprised about this, but he was surprised that his science officer was hurt and angry because of this. He made to ask about it but was stopped because the woman they were talking about had just walked through the doors.

"Captain," Lieutenant Uhura said just as briskly as Spock and, after throwing a brief glance at the two men, sat down at the communications station.

"Lieutenant," Kirk said resignedly. He shook his head, a weary grin plastered on his face, and retreated to his chair. He was going to have to talk to Spock later.

Later, to Kirk's elation, did come. An entire hour later the First Officer withdrew to the turbolift and, seeing this, Kirk excitedly jumped in just as the doors were about to close.

"Mr. Spock," Kirk started, but Spock cut him off.

"Sir, with all due respect, I truly wish not to discuss the matter with you." Seeing the brief flash of hurt darting across the captain's face, he added, "With anyone."

Jim pursed his lips and hit the STOP button. Spock closed his eyes.

"Okay, Spock," the commanding officer said, crossing his arms. "Don't make me do this the hard way."

After a silent second, Spock—his eyes still shut—clasped his hands behind his back. "I do not believe—"

"Computer, lock turbolift."

"Turbolift...locked. Please use access code to unlock."

Spock opened his eyes, confused.

Jim grinned. "Brand-spanking-new. Scotty installed it this morning. It's voice activated as well." He leaned against the wall. "This is a busy ship, Spock, so if I were you, I'd get talking."

"I don't understand why you do not merely order me to inform you. It is well within your authority to do so, Captain."

"Come on, that's not right," Kirk said, shaking his head. "That wouldn't be fair, would it? I mean...I consider you a friend. That's really the only reason I'm asking; because you're a friend and I'm allowed to be concerned. It has nothing to do with rank or capabilities."

Spock nodded quietly, unsure he understood why Jim was willing to trap them both in an elevator until he talked yet unwilling to order him to speak. He didn't want to dwell on the matter.

"I ended the relationship because I found I did not want her."

The coldness of that sentence actually startled Kirk. "You threw her away?"

"Incorrect. I did not want her."

The repetition gave the captain pause. He narrowed his eyes, rubbing his bottom lip with his index finger absently. "Oh, okay...." He hesitated. "Okay, are you telling me you didn't want her...or you couldn't want her?"

Spock's eyebrows jolted into his hairline. "Sir, I guarantee you—" He stopped himself short and a swift expression of nausea rushed across his face. Kirk tried very, very hard not to grin, because he instantly knew Spock was about to defend his...competence. Perhaps the Vulcan was more human than anyone imagined. "The reason was because I could not want what she wanted."

Kirk grew serious. "Personal choice or you just...had no choice?"

Spock knew that his captain could tell the conversation was quickly ending, so he simply answered with, "I had a definite choice."

Kirk watched his friend for a moment, then nodded. "Computer, unlock turbolift; access code one-delta-nine-four-two."

"Turbolift...unlocked. Standing by for destination."