[science lab - probing for contact: Tina and mSpock]
After he'd recovered enough to leave his quarters, Tina let Spock lead the way to the lab. Partly because she wasn't sure which one he'd been using, partly because she wanted him to set his own pace without feeling like he needed to ask her to slow down, and partly because she was a little distracted by the message she'd accidentally read addressed to him from Christopher.
Despite what he might have assumed, she'd known that Christopher cared deeply for Spock. It was less obvious than Spock's plain devotion to his mate, but the affection was there to be seen. What she'd doubted was that proud, stoic Christopher was capable of showing it to Spock, whose emotional growth was so stunted that Tina worried that without direct declarations, all he was picking up from Christopher was anger, frustration, disappointment - not love.
But "my heart lies with you and you alone, and I desire no less than the best for you. Always, and forever" was pretty unequivocal. And though she was still furious with Christopher on her own behalf, still thought he was hurting Spock by pressuring him - however unintentionally - to abandon his first real friendship, she couldn't help but warm to a man who could write those words.
But her own feelings weren't the issue. "What can I do to help?" she asked, as she followed Spock into the lab.
Despite what he might have assumed, she'd known that Christopher cared deeply for Spock. It was less obvious than Spock's plain devotion to his mate, but the affection was there to be seen. What she'd doubted was that proud, stoic Christopher was capable of showing it to Spock, whose emotional growth was so stunted that Tina worried that without direct declarations, all he was picking up from Christopher was anger, frustration, disappointment - not love.
But "my heart lies with you and you alone, and I desire no less than the best for you. Always, and forever" was pretty unequivocal. And though she was still furious with Christopher on her own behalf, still thought he was hurting Spock by pressuring him - however unintentionally - to abandon his first real friendship, she couldn't help but warm to a man who could write those words.
But her own feelings weren't the issue. "What can I do to help?" she asked, as she followed Spock into the lab.