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 Title: Apology Accepted
 Author: Hypatia Kosh
 Series: TOS
 Codes: S/f (Kelinda), K/S
 Rating: G
 Summary: Kelinda the Kelvan (By Any Other Name) attempts to apologize
 to Spock, and discovers just why Vulcans don't believe in apologies.


 APOLOGY ACCEPTED

 "Kelinda," Spock said, cornering the Kelvan as she revived another
 Enterprise crewmember. "I have just spoken to your confederates about
 this matter and now I must tell you: it is crucial that we revive the
 crew of the Enterprise in such a way that panic and confusion do not
 result. The captain and I do not want any one of the crew to become
 casualties to the revivification process."

 "What do you suggest?"

 "Well, given that you were the one who wielded the componentizer, only
 you can identify who is an officer and who is a crewman. Key personnel
 in key areas need to be revived first, and the higher ranking officers
 before the lower ranking ones. When you have revived an officer in a
 supervisory position, he will then be responsible for looking after his
 subordinates when they are revived--answering their questions, ensuring
 they stay at their posts."

 "Ah. Then it is fortunate I have an excellent memory, even in this ...
 limited form."

 "If you require any assistance," Spock offered.

 "No, I believe we correctly identified the functions of all the
 personnel on this ship when we initially secured it."

 "Of course," Spock said, irritated at the reminder of how easily a
 handful of aliens had wrested control of the Enterprise. If it had not
 been for Captain Kirk . . .

 "Commander Spock?" Kelinda asked. She looked confused.

 Spock cautiously stepped closer. Clearly she needed some form of
 assistance, but he did not wish to risk brushing minds with her again.

 "I am still adjusting to this body, so please excuse my confusion, but
 your Captain Kirk indicated that it was sometimes necessary to
 apologize. . . . I believe that we are both victims of an unfortunate
 misunderstanding."

 Spock then noticed the revived crewman, Malan, attempting to move away
 from them down the hallway. "Crewman," Spock barked. Malan whipped
 around. "Take care not to damage the dodecahedrons. They are your
 fellow crew."

 "Oh. Yes, Sir, Mr. Spock."

 Spock returned his attention to Kelinda. "If you had discussed your
 needs with us at the outset, we would have provided you with the same
 options. This conflict was wasteful and unnecessary. Furthermore, you
 have killed a member of our crew."

 "I regret that," Kelinda said. "The damage caused was our
 responsibility. Therefore," she continued, quite logically, "there is a
 debt between us. May I offer you an apology?"

 Spock blinked. "Now that there is understanding between us, an apology
 to me is not necessary."

 "I insist," she said, and put the componentizer down. Unexpectedly, she
 reached for Spock with both arms and kissed him on the lips.

 Spock was paralyzed, not by the physical contact, but by the intense
 contact between their two minds, minds so different that for a few
 seconds his nervous system was overwhelmed. Then he convulsively jerked
 backwards, breaking contact.

 His mind was in a fog, and he could barely stand. There were spots in
 his vision and he felt as though his ears had popped. "Please . . ." he
 gasped, "do not do that again."

 "Have I harmed you?" Kelinda began to sound alarmed. Sensibly, she
 looked him over but did not touch him.

 "Our minds are too alien," Spock said. "Perhaps in time, when you have
 adjusted to this form and forgotten your previous one it will be
 possible for us to communicate in that way," Spock shook his head, "but
 not now."

 "Oh, then I have again wronged you and I cannot apologize!"

 "Vulcans consider apologies illogical. If you must apologize in that
 manner, please confine your regret to Humans."

 "I will not touch you again."

 "Good."

 Spock blinked and his vision was back. He felt a bit queasy but
 otherwise in good shape. "I am going to report to the captain. Please
 be careful of the crew."

 "I will be."

 Spock gingerly stepped through the corridors and took the turbolift to
 auxiliary control. He knew the captain would be there while Scott was
 on the bridge, the better to coordinate their retaking of the
 Enterprise.

 The captain was alone in auxiliary control. He had placed five white
 solids in a row on the desk surface beside him; presumably they were
 the five officers who had been assigned to auxiliary control when the
 Kelvans took over.

 "Captain!"

 "Spock, are you okay? You look a little pale."

 "I was in contact with one of the Kelvans again."

 "Mind brush?"

 "Precisely. It was . . . disturbing."

 "You did this on purpose?"

 "No! Kelinda stated that she wished to apologize. I told her it was
 unnecessary, and then she proceeded to grab me by the forearms and
 touched me with her lips. The contact was unexpected and I was unable
 to shield. I was able to explain to her why she should not do that
 again. I apologize if I am disoriented, Sir."

 "Spock . . . I'm the one who should apologize." Kirk stood up and
 walked up to Spock. "I'm the one who taught her how to kiss. I told her
 it was how my people apologized."

 Spock raised an eyebrow. "You told her this? To confuse her?"

 "Yes, but it wasn't entirely a lie. When two people love each other a
 great deal, sometimes kissing is a form of apology."

 "Ah. An exaggeration, then."

 "Right. I mean, I wouldn't go around kissing complete strangers, would
 you?"

 "Jim, I believe you have created a monster."

 Kirk smiled. "I suppose so. And I really am sorry about what happened
 to you just now. Law of unintended consequences, I suppose." Kirk put
 his hand on Spock's arm. "Are you sure you're alright? We're going to
 need you in the next few hours."

 "Yes, Sir. I believe I am functional." Spock took a quick breath and
 released it sharply.

 "Spock," Kirk said, coming very close, "I know you think apologies are
 illogical, but I really feel like I should . . . apologize . . . to
 you. Call it gut instinct." And he kissed Spock.

 This time Spock had been expecting it, but he didn't shield. He found
 the contact with his dear friend very soothing to his battered nerves.
 He closed his eyes and sank into the comfort of a familiar mind.

 "Mmm, you really like to kiss, don't you? Who knew?"

 Spock opened his eyes slowly and looked directly at Kirk. "Only with
 you, Jim."

 Kirk smiled a brilliant smile. Spock's stomach did a backflip, and not
 from queasiness this time.

 "Then we should apologize often," Kirk said.

 Spock swallowed. "I should explain. Just as contact with a Kelvan mind
 was detrimental to my mental condition, contact with you has a
 stabilizing effect. I thought you should know."

 "Then we've helped each other," Kirk said. "I've always wanted to know
 what you taste like."

 "Taste? Ah." Spock had not even consciously processed the sensory
 inputs of taste and smell during the kiss, since touch and mindtouch
 had dominated for him.

 "You taste better than Kelinda," Kirk said.

 "You also taste better than Kelinda," Spock replied.

 "Then you will kiss me again?"

 "As often as you like," Spock said, being rather bold. "Privately," he
 added, as the implications of that caught up to him.

 "Privately," Kirk promised. "Now, let's get our ship and our crew back
 in perfect running order, First Officer. This is my ship, and I'm never
 apologizing for that."


 The End.