Stardate 1789.3: The Enterprise approaches the Vulcan system to investigate artifacts left behind on the moon Kerkhov by an ancient civilization, the Kerkhovians. Spock is going to meet with T'Pring and his future parents-in-law for an engagement ritual called V'Shal. Nurse Chapel, who has applied for a fellowship in archaeological medicine sponsored by the Vulcan Science Academy, grasps the opportunity and accompanies Spock on his mission to the moon Kerkhov. But as they approach the ruins, the shuttle gets dragged into a spatial phenomenon. Spock wakes up on the Enterprise and is all human! The Kerkhovians saved his life but omitted his Vulcan DNA. Uhura can contact them but they consider the case closed. Spock initially enjoys his new emotions, but the V'Shal approaches and M'Benga and Chapel have not yet found a way to revert his condition. Spock's mother Amanda and his crewmates help him to act like a Vulcan. Wearing ear prosthetics, he encounters T'Pring and her parents and does his best to suppress his emotions. As their attempts to restore the Vulcan DNA are not successful and only 24 hours are left before Spock's transformation becomes permanent, Chapel persuades Ortegas and Uhura to travel to the anomaly again. Chapel says she wants to help Spock because he is her friend, but only when she confesses she has feelings for him, she can convince the Kerkhovians to devise a cure. They also reveal that Spock shifted the shields to her side of the shuttle in order to protect her. Equipped with a serum, Chapel enters the room right in time before Spock is to perform a mind meld with his mother. T'Pring's mother T'Pril is content with the outcome of the ritual and says she is impressed that Spock could perform it despite his handicap. Spock angrily takes off his prosthetics, revealing that his ears still look human. T'Pring is disappointed that Spock did not entrust her with his secret. They decide to take a break in their relationship. Chapel's fellowship application gets turned down, but she is not sad because considers her recent field experience much more valuable than what the Vulcans could offer her. As she comes to Spock's quarters, the two don't hold back their feelings any longer and share a passionate kiss...

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