Just before they are to head back to Earth after the fal-tor-pan, Spock detects that he has a bond with Jim. Still having gaps in his memory, he attempts to analyze the nature of the bond. Spock concludes that he and Jim are bondmates, and says as much in front of Starfleet brass. Jim is shocked, but goes along with it out of fear that Starfleet would declare Spock unfit for duty. After telling Spock the truth, they agree to continue letting Starfleet believe that their bond is romantic in nature, while both privately wish that it was.

Crew morale is low during the holidays. People are keeping secrets from Jim, which he HATES. Then strange things keep happening to him and Spock. When they figure out their crew is trying to match make between them, Bones makes a very interesting suggestion to get them to stop: pretend that it worked.