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Star date 3372.7. The Enterprise is en route to Altaire VI to attend an inauguration ceremony for the new planetary president as a representative of the Federation. As we join the story, Dr McCoy seeks to confer with Captain Kirk regarding the condition of his first officer. "He's becoming increasingly restive. If he were not a Vulcan, I'd almost say nervous. And for another thing he's avoiding food... he hasn't eaten 
at all in three days.", reports the doctor. Kirk replies, "Well, that just sounds like Spock in one of his contemplative phases.", and begins to move off.
Nurse Chapel approaches Spock's quarters (which by coincidence they are all standing by) with a bowl of Vulcan soup. She is hesitant to approach when she sees McCoy and the Captain, but the doctor encourages her to go ahead. She goes into Spock's quarters.
Out flies the soup and tray, Nurse Chapel hurrying out after. Inside we hear the angry voice of Spock telling her to leave him alone. Kirk approaches to see what the trouble is. The Vulcan turns to him and asks for a leave on his home planet which is only 2.8 light days away. The Captain asks Spock what this is all about, but the first officer only replies, rather abruptly, "I have made my request, Captain! All I require from you is that you answer it, yes or no!" and disappears back into his quarters. All watching are stunned by his manner.
Captain Kirk calls on Spock in his quarters to find out why he is asking for leave. Spock is quite argumentative and insists that he has enough leave time accumulated and demands to go to Vulcan. Kirk asks him if there is a problem -- sickness in the family. Spock tells him 'no', he just needs a leave of absence. Kirk then informs him that since they are heading for Altaire VI and the shore facilities are adequate there, he may have his leave at that planet. "What's wrong?", inquires Jim quietly. "I need -- rest. I'm asking you to accept that answer.", replies Spock in a more reasonable tone. Kirk, seeing his first officer and friend is indeed stressed, signals the helm to alter course for Vulcan and increase speed to warp 4.
Now a complication. A signal on the Star Fleet channel. The inauguration ceremony on Altaire VI has been moved up seven solar days. Kirk is to change his flight plan to accommodate. Chekov, at the helm, informs the Captain that they must increase speed to warp 6 and head directly there -- there is no time for a stop off at Vulcan. Captain Kirk tells Spock, who was standing nearby and has heard the order, that he is sorry but that's a sailor's fortune. Kirk will see that he gets his leave on Vulcan after the ceremony. Spock says little.
Back in his cabin, Kirk has been considering. He calls the bridge, navigation, and asks Chekov how long it would take if the Enterprise were to increase speed to maximum and divert to Vulcan just long enough to drop of Mr Spock. Chekov replies that he does not understand, they are already heading for Vulcan, as Mr Spock ordered. Kirk heads for the bridge to find Mr Spock.
Summoning Spock to him, he asks why the first officer has changed course to Vulcan, over-riding his authority. Spock answers that he does not remember doing so, but accepts the captain's word that this is the case. He does not know why, nor remembers doing it. He next asks the captain to lock him away, he does not wish to be seen. Kirk orders him to report to sick bay for a complete examination. McCoy is waiting for him.
McCoy enters Kirk's quarters hurriedly, "Jim, you've got to get Spock to Vulcan." "Bones, I will, I will. As soon as this mission is com -", answers the Captain, rising. "No!" insists McCoy, cutting him off, "Now! Right away! If you don't get him Vulcan within a week, eight days at the outside, he'll die!. He'll die, Jim."
Kirk wants to know why, but the doctor doesn't know. There is a growing chemical imbalance in Spock's body, but only Spock knows the answer to the question 'why', and he won't talk about it.
The Captain heads for Spock's quarters where we see the first officer looking at the photo of a young Vulcan girl. As Kirk enters, he quickly turns off the viewing screen. "You've been called the best First Officer in the fleet. That's an enormous asset to me. If I have to lose that first officer, I want to know why.", Kirk states to Spock. Mr Spock, after some persuasion, then talks to his captain of the Vulcan Pon'far, the blood fever of mating, which strips away their veneer of civilization and causes their basic instincts to surface.
After hearing Spock out, Jim goes to McCoy's office and has Uhura contact Star Fleet. The captain asks permission to divert to Vulcan, but refuses to answer why. Star Fleet informs Kirk that the mission to Altaire VI is of the upmost importance as the region is just recovering from an interplanetary war. The inauguration will stabilize the area. The Federation's presence will show support and strength to the area which will send ripples as far as the Klingon Empire. Kirk's request is refused.
"Well, that's that." states McCoy. "No, it not.", replies Jim. "You can't go off to Vulcan against Star Fleet orders. You'll be busted ....", argues McCoy. "I can't let Spock die, can I, Bones? And he will if we go to Altaire. I owe him my life a dozen times over, isn't that worth a career? He's my friend." Kirk orders a course change to Vulcan with speed increased to warp 8.
Later arriving at the planet Vulcan, Spock is preparing to beam down to the surface. Spock asks Jim, "..would you beam down to the planet surface and stand with me. There is a brief ceremony." Kirk inquires, "Is it permitted?" "It is my right.", answers Spock "By tradition the male is accompanied by his closest friends." "Thank you, Mr Spock.", returns Kirk. "I also request that McCoy accompany me." "I shall be honored, sir.", beams McCoy.
As they reach the bridge the Enterprise is being given permission to enter orbit around the planet by Vulcan Space Central. Asking if Commander Spock is present, Space Central requests they activate the main viewing screen. A beautiful woman's image appears and speaks with Spock. Asked by Uhura who this might be, he answers, "She is T'Pring, my wife."
Beaming to the surface, they find themselves in an area which Spock states is his ancestral home. Their place of Koon-ut-Kali-fee, the place of marriage or challenge.
Spock sounds a gong and states that the wedding party approaches. Kirk is puzzled, "Marriage party? You said T'Pring was your wife." "By our parents arrangement a ceremony while we were but seven years of age. Less than a marriage, but more than a betrothal.", answers Spock.
As the party approaches, Kirk is astounded. T'Pau is in attendance. Spock's family must truly be important. T'Pau is the only person to have turned down a seat in a Federation Council.
T'Pau asks Spock why he has brought outsiders to the ceremony. He replies that they are not outsiders, but his friends. Turning to the two Earthmen, Tu'pal tells them that what they are about to see comes down unchanged from the ages, then turns and calls for the marriage ceremony.
Spock advances once again to the gong and prepares to strike it, but is stopped by T'Pring. She calls for a challenge, the Kali-fee.
Spock drops the striker and goes to the side of the arena, deep in the blood fever. Kirk asks T'Pau what is going on. He is informed that T'Pring has chosen the challenge. She will now choose her champion who must fight Spock for possession of her.
Well, sports fans, you guessed right. T'Pring chooses Kirk. Sta'an objects, as he is the one who is supposed to be her champion, but is told to stand quiet, she has chosen. T'Pau councils Kirk. Since he is not of Vulcan, he may choose to turn down the challenge with honor intact should he wish to. In that case T'Pring will choose another.
Spock approaches T'Pau and pleads for her intervention. Kirk doesn't understand, he says. Spock begs not to be made to fight his friend. She is amazed that he can speak in his condition, but says that Kirk was selected lawfully -- it is his choice now.
Kirk surveys the others and notes Sta'an. McCoy does not think that Spock, in his present condition can beat Sta'an but does not want Jim to fight him either. Kirk does not want to back down in front of T'Pau, the very essence of Vulcan. Thinking perhaps he can knock Spock out without really hurting him or if he, Kirk, gets in any trouble, he'll quit. Honor is satisfied and Spock wins the girl. The Captain accepts the challenge -- only to find out it is a contest to the death! The fight is on!
The combat is vicious, both are armed with the Lir'pa, an edged weapon on one end and a bludgeon on the other. As the fight continues, both Lir'pa are damaged. T'Pau calls a rest-break and permits McCoy to give Kirk a shot which the doctor claims will compensate for the thin air and hot temperature of the planet.
When combat is resumed, both are given the An'woon, a device which looks like a bola. Kirk and Spock tumble in the dust, but Spock is the stronger and soon strangles his captain with the An'woon. It appears the Captain is dead.
McCoy runs to the fallen Kirk and announces him dead. Spock, now free of the blood fever and in command of the Enterprise bids the doctor to transport to the ship. He will follow shortly. "Instruct Mr Chekov to plot a course for the nearest Star Base where I must surrender myself to the authorities."
Spock approaches T'Pring, who is now his, and asks her why the challenge and why she chose the captain. She informs him that she wanted Sta'an, Sta'an wanted her. If Kirk were the victor he would not want her and she would have Sta'an. If Spock were the victor, he would not want her because she had dared the challenge, and again, she would have Sta'an. But if he did not free her, it would be the same. For Spock would be gone with the Enterprise. She would have his name, his property, and Sta'an would still be there.
"Logical, flawlessly logical.", states Spock. Turning to his rival Spock says, "Sta'an. She is yours. After a time you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
Spock prepares to beam to the ship, and bids farewell to T'Pau. "Live long and prosper, Spock.", she says. Shaking his head Spock answers, "I shall do neither. I have killed my captain -- and my friend."
Aboard the ship he finds McCoy in sick bay and informs him that he will be resigning his commission immediately. he would appreciate the doctor making the final arrangements. McCoy seems light-hearted and keeps trying to interrupt Spock. "Doctor, please. Let me finish. There can be no excuse for the crime of which I'm guilty. I intend to offer no defense. Further more I shall order Mr Scott to take immediate command of this vessel."
"Don't you think you'd better check with me first?", asks a familiar voice. Turning, Spock's composure slips. "Captain! Jim!", exclaims Spock, obviously pleased to see him alive. Regaining his normal facade, he continues, "I am pleased to see you, captain. You seem uninjured. I am at something of a loss to understand it however." Kirk explains that McCoy slipped him a neural-paralyzer on the planet surface, which simulated death.
Uhura buzzes sick bay for Captain Kirk. It is a message from Star Fleet. T'Pau's request for diversion of the Enterprise to Vulcan is granted. Kirk is off the hook for dis-obeying orders (Star Fleet never knew).
"There's just one thing, Mr Spock", says McCoy, "you can't tell me that when you first saw Jim alive that you were on the verge of giving us an emotional scene that would have brought the house down." "Merely my quite logical relief that Star Fleet had not lost a highly proficient captain.", returns Spock. "Yes, Mr Spock, I understand.", says Kirk, turning to leave. "Thank you Captain." McCoy replies, "Of course, Mr Spock, your reaction was quite logical." "Thank you doctor." "In a pig's eye!", says McCoy.
