Continuity mistake: When Elaan visits engineering, the close-up shots of Scotty show a security guard wearing a black utility belt standing in the background. But the man is missing in all the full shots. (00:13:15)
Continuity mistake: As Kirk wipes a tear from Elaan's face, both cheeks are wet. A second later, both cheeks are dry.
Answer: Kirk was getting his physical and Dr. McCoy probably turned off communications, because if he hadn't, Kirk would have left and headed straight for the bridge, leaving McCoy irritated.