The crew materialized in the brightly lit transporter room. Once the shimmering light vanished, Kirk and Spock stepped off the raised platform.

"Mr. Scott," Kirk acknowledged as he walked out of the room.

"Good to have ya back Captain," Scotty said with a grin that quickly faded as soon as they walked by. "Aye...what is that awful smell?!"

Chekov still stood on the platform, slowly lowering the heavy artifact to the ground. He quickly stood, nodding and trying to hide that he was out of breath. "I will just leave it in here for them to grab later," He said with a satisfied smile.

Kirk and Spock continued down the wide hallway, making their way to the nearest turbolift and stepping inside.

"Captain, you are currently injured. I would highly recommend you go to the sickbay as soon as conveniently possible."

"Yeah, noted. Gotta clean up first. Don't think Bones would appreciate me coming in there like this," Kirk replied with a weak grin.

"I would recommend not delaying any more than absolutely necessary."

Kirk nodded, "Right. Again, noted."

The turbolift came to a stop and the doors slid open. Kirk headed to his quarters. He leaned against the wall for support as waved his hand over the small display. The door slid open, but he didn't go into the room quite yet.

"You know we did pretty good work back there," He told his first officer.

Spock gave a curt nod. "We secured the artifact without attracting any attention to Starfleet's involvement in the matter. The mission was executed perfectly."

Kirk grinned. "All thanks to you, Mr. Spock."

"I would not venture so far as to say that, considering moments before your arrival I was very close to being compromised."

Kirk shrugged. "Yeah, well I guess I did do most of the work."

Spock looked over his shoulder as Lieutenant Uhura made her way down the hall towards the two.

"Lieutenant," Kirk greeted as she approached.

"Captain," She smiled, her smile growing when she saw Spock. She was about to wrap her arms around him when she came to an abrupt halt. She held her hands over her nose.

"Oh god. What is that smell?" She asked.

Spock and Kirk exchanged a quick look before the captain slapped him on the shoulder and pushed away from the wall. "Mr. Spock here can explain everything to you," He said, walking into his room. The door slid shut behind him.

Spock's gaze dropped to the floor before coming back up to meet Uhura's brown eyes. "We were forced to take an unplanned route of escape."

Uhura laughed a little. "I'm glad you're back," She told him. "I was starting to miss you."

Spock nodded. "The feeling is likewise mutual."

"Real romantic, Spock!" Kirk said through the door.

Spock turned to the closed door, not having realized the Captain was listening to them.

Uhura felt herself wanting to wrap her arms around Spock and kiss him, but she made herself stand back. "You should take a shower," She told him.

"That is my intention. Nyota. If you could inform Mr. Sulu that once all of the cargo has been brought aboard, he is to set an immediate course for the next quadrant."

With a nod, Uhura clasped her hands behind her back. "Anything else, commander?"

Spock contemplated for a moment before answering. "That is all."

"Alright," She chuckled. "I'll see you in a bit," She said, turning and heading back down the hall. Spock watched her as she walked away, her long dark hair swinging back and forth with each step.