29.11.09

In the Spirit of Detente K/U [PG]

Image courtesy of Paramount and Trekcore
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. I only own my fantasies

Summary: A thought regarding Kirk's two year retirement before
the events in TWOK. Uhura's POV.

~~~

This man is a stranger to you--
Two years removed, a familiar face lost by the lack of a goodbye
A Cold War of neither's choosing
Just wounded quarry seeking ground
You wonder if the lack of intent should make the blood less red

His world--his ship--claimed by the Admiralty
His duty--his life--forfeited to the ambitions of another
But with their passing, perhaps a Phoenix is reborn

He stands before you now
The epitome of strength and confidence
Yet, you see the cracks in his foundation
The idea of age scars his brow
Loves both old and recent, muting the amber of his eyes

Still, you look past the imperfections
Once again seeing the ideals beneath
His gaze calls you forward
No words needed to seek your oath

Of its own accord, your body takes its station
Feeling at home with him
A family borne of inspiration--
Of trust in such a man.

~ID'ic

23.11.09

Burlap M, S/U, K/U (implied) [ PG]

Image courtesy of Paramount, Nichelle Nichols and the Interweb
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. I only own my fantasies.


Summary: A sequel of a sort, to "Tokens" and something to honor our dear, sweet De on his 86th birthday.


A stately woman made her way through the throng of little legs, gently guiding them out of her path as she made her way to the old man sitting in the biggest chair in the living room. She leaned down and spoke into his ear, as much for the sake of him hearing her over the din of the party as discretion. A grayed brow rose in quiet curiosity and he put out a hand for the woman to help him from the deep cushions.

At a loud harrumph from him, the pile of youngsters stopped as one and moved out of his way. A forgiving grin replaced his fake scowl as he carefully made his way into the quietness of the study. He sat down gently--this chair was far harder than the pleasant one in the parlor--and switched on the comm panel.

"McCoy here," he said grumpily, unsure who was on the other end of the communication; Joanna would only tell him he had a call. He thought it had better be something good to interrupt his birthday party-

"Hello, Leonard. Happy Birthday!" A beaming face gushed at him from the panel.

"Well, I guess it's better than the alternative. Hi Nyota, how are you, my dear?" McCoy asked the image staring back at him, assessing the beauty that only seemed to deepen as she aged. It wasn't fair that she remained so youthful and he looked like a piece of burlap...

"I'm wonderful, Doctor, and I see your humor still keeps you company." She teased back, always one to play the game with him.

"Something has to keep me entertained. Right now I've got a gaggle of great-grandkids in the other room trying to one-up each other. I'm too old for all that energy." He groused more than necessary because he had a reputation to uphold.

"Ahhh, I see, no fountain of youth for your birthday again this year?" Nyota laughed sympathetically, easily seeing through the charade of McCoy being irritated by his family. She knew he loved spending time with Joanna and her kids and their children, though he would be loathe to admit it.

"Nope, got a boatload of socks and cologne, though. At least my feet will be warm and I'll smell better." He smirked in that impish way of his that melted Ny's heart.

She smiled and looked off camera, her eyes warming to something out of range. "That's better. You know, my greatest present was given to me on my birthday..."

"So, how is the overgrown elf?" McCoy asked baitingly.

"I am present and remarkably well, Leonard," the tall Vulcan answered for himself as he stepped behind Nyota, resting his hands on her shoulders in a subtly possessive manner.

"Well Hell, I don't doubt it. You're a damn Vulcan ain't ya and you have the company of the most gorgeous woman I've ever known," McCoy tossed back in envy, only too aware of how these two had gotten together those many years ago, although far more recently that it could have been.

"Affirmative, on both points, Doctor." Spock spoke solemnly but McCoy saw the twinkle in his eyes--a twinkle he would never have shared in the past. No, back then, those tiny sparks of emotion were only shared with Jim.

Jim, the man they had all loved--still loved. Ny's allusion to her 'best present' caused McCoy's memory to race down that path from long ago--to the memory of Jim's last birthday present to Ny, a parting love letter of a sort. Jim had asked Spock to deliver it upon his death, a last duty to his best friend. A gift that had brought Spock and Ny together after so many years of silent friendship. McCoy didn't begin to know what all Jim told her in the letter, he'd never asked and neither of them had ever said. He only knew that Jim had opened their eyes to a possibility between them.

And the reality was staring back at him from the viewscreen, the beautiful woman looking up lovingly at the Vulcan who tenderly brushed his knuckles against her neck. McCoy hid a grin at the open affection between them, somehow embarrassed by their display although he had preached to Spock about expressing his emotions for years. It made him happy and sad at the same time. Happy that they were happy, but sad that Jim had never allowed himself to openly accept that same love from Nyota, the woman who had quietly devoted most of her life to him.

McCoy pushed those ghosts away and gave his two friends a broad smile, it was his birthday and he was determined to be happy--crabby, but happy. "Don't rub it in, you walking database. Give it another twenty years and you'll be feeling aches and pains too."

"No doubt, Doctor, but I have the utmost confidence your beads and rattles will produce a sufficient remedy," Spock remarked with his own patented raised brow of disdain.

Before McCoy could fire off a retort, Uhura interceded, knowing the battle that was to come. "Okay, you two, play nice. Len, we're on our way to the opera but we just had to call and wish you a happy birthday. You know we *both* love you very, very much." The last was said with a quick upwards glance, a warning to keep quiet if McCoy had ever seen one.

"Thank you, Nyota, it has been a happy one and I love you *both* too. Now, go listen to that hog-killin' and have a great time. McCoy out."

The shocked look on Spock's face at McCoy's admission of love was the best birthday present he would ever get. Who knew those brows could actually disappear under his bangs?

~ID'ic

15.11.09

Longings, Not My Reality S/Ch [PG]

Image courtesy of Paramount and Trekcore
Disclaimer: The characters are Paramount's, their actions are mine.


Summary: Recognition of obssession.

Pressures dropping and a small sigh escapes my lips. How long have you lain there, unconscious and unresponsive after McCoy patched you up as best he could?

I cradle your hand, knowing you are aware of my touch but unable to retreat from me as you lie in your healing trance.

It shames me to know I can't resist being here at your side--knowing that you desire nothing from me--but still I hold vigil.

I know you will rouse soon, needing someone to slap you back to consciousness. I'll leave before then, because your reality can't be mine.

~ID'ic

Longings, Defenseless S/U [G]

Image courtesy of Paramount
Disclaimer: The characters are Paramount's, their actions are mine.


Summary: Why does Uhura succeed where others fail?


You smile and I find myself defenseless; your casual flirts and touches somehow bypass my protections from such familiarities.

How do you slip past my guard? Is it that I sense no demands from you? That you treat me as any of the others and somehow I succumb to that simple acceptance?

The others…they want so much…expect so much in return…but you don't. You flit into my world like a butterfly seeking nectar. You visit me with promise, but seem just as happy to carry my pollen to another if you should find me lacking in sweetness.

~ID'ic

Longings, Waiting for Recognition Su/R, K [G]

Image courtesy of the Interweb....
Disclaimer: The characters are Paramount's, their actions are mine.


Summary: When patience overcomes and happy endings happen.


You smile so sweetly as you stand at the altar waiting for her. Gone is the tight smile that always possessed you when she was aboard--with him.

Now, at her request, he escorts her down the aisle, giving the bride away. The symbolism lost to no one who knew the way things had been.

Today your smile is warm and all for her. She beams at you, finally seeing no one but the same man who's always waited.

And the Admiral smiles at you both, softly kissing the bride to be and stepping aside in more ways than one.

~ID'ic

Longings, Throwaway Child Sa, S [G]


Image courtesy of Paramount and Trekcore
Disclaimer: The characters are Paramount's, their actions are mine.

Summary: Spock's thoughts on his birth and family obligations.


I am your son, a throwaway child--an appeasement for a Human wife, perhaps also an accommodation to your work.

What need of a second when all titles pass to the first? I did not matter until Sybok refused his duty. Then you tried to remake me, create the perfect son from clay deemed too impure.

One already razed from the Family tomes allowed no quarter in the expectations cast upon me. My choice of destiny, a chasm too wide for you, and my bride.

I never denied my obligation to the clan, only the path you bade me walk.

~ID'ic

8.11.09

Trilogies S/U, K/U, K/U/S [R]

Image courtesy of Paramount and Trekcore
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. I only own my fantasies.


Summary: A sequel to "The Future is Worth Living" and "What Could Have Been". NOT a part of my Realizations series.

Vulcan dictionary:
kaiidth: philosophical expression, what is, is
kazhuksu: colleague
ne ki'ne: shield partner, the person a warrior could trust most in the heat of battle; a trusted friend and skilled warrior
t'hy'la: friend-lover- lifelong companion, blood brother/sister; soulmate; soul-brother/ sister

innamorati: Italian for young lovers.

~~~

Vulcans do not argue. Instead they bludgeon one to death with logic and deductive reasoning. In either case, Nyota knew her only recourse was to flee to her quarters--to gain some distance--to hide from Spock's too perceptive questioning regarding her feelings for the Captain. Inches from her doorway, a strong hand planted firmly against the over-heated chest made her point more strongly than words could.

The near black eyes raked over her before hooding themselves like a poised cobra. "We will continue this discussion later, Nyota."

Uhura kept her gaze steady, throwing more than bluff into her silent rebuttal of 'but not now'. She stared him down, glaring hard until Spock walked away, a curt nod his final acknowledgement they would revisit this conversation.

'What conversation? ' She thought wildly to herself as she slipped into the safety of her quarters. Spock challenged her feelings for the Captain hardly before the lab doors closed on Kirk's retreating form. Her mind reeling from their discovery, weeks of quiet liaisons blown away by one painfully innocent visit to Spock's personal lab--how could she answer? In seconds, Kirk's guileless face, for once unarmored by his command persona, showed emotions that tore into her chest like a jagged blade. Shock at who he saw entwined against the workbench, embarrassment at intruding on something obviously not meant to be shared, hurt that it was not him she turned to, anger that is was not him she wanted. The humor and camaraderie died in his eyes, replaced by such coldness Nyota still shivered from his stare.

How, in those few seconds, did Spock sense her guilt and regret when she hardly recognized it herself? After their one instance of intimacy in the arboretum, when a shared kiss seemed more of a lifeline than a romantic interlude, Nyota thought perhaps something deeper would develop between her and the Captain. But although she still occasionally felt his gaze caress her during the quietness of a shift, he never approached her, never allowed her to see the vulnerability and tenderness of that kiss again.

And then Spock came forth, subtly changing the tone of their music lessons to an appreciation of a new sort. Her mind and body were overwhelmed by the intensity of his interest. The feel of his lips, the whisper of his mind as it encircled and enslaved hers, the passion his body ripped from her core; it was now all at risk because she could not explain the feelings Kirk's look evoked.

Her feelings: panic, embarrassment layered with longing and regret, how did Nyota explain those last two to herself--much less Spock? But Spock was touching her at that instant, seeing and sensing her primal thoughts--without filter--without reason to govern them. He felt her flare of desire for the Captain and her embarrassment at being caught in Spock's embrace. Reading her thoughts from less than true psi points, did he understand the nuances wrapped within such base instinct? That the embarrassment was for being caught breaking regs, not in whose company she was found? Yet harder to explain to Spock or herself, the deep-seated attraction she felt for Kirk when his gaze had locked with hers--before the anger--before the shutdown--a nanosecond of longing only the human heart could capture.

"Our discovery has unsettled you," was Spock's initial remark--a tentative foray into the depths of Uhura's bedlam of emotions. At her continued silence he pushed harder. "Nyota, you cannot hide your attraction to Jim from me. I felt it as you did--it is real."

She saw the question in his eyes: 'do you want him instead of me?' It went unasked but she was afraid continued silence would be construed as an answer. "Spock, what you felt was shock and surprise at being caught--by the Captain no less. Of course I'm upset--we could both be reprimanded for breaking regulations. "

Recognizing Nyota's response as one of delay, Spock decided to allow it for the moment. "I have never known the Captain to particularly enforce the fraternization regulations- -except with himself. However, I will inquire if we are to be brought up on charges."

Not liking the idea of where that conversation would take Spock with Kirk, Uhura back-peddled, "I'd just leave it alone Spock, as you said, the Captain will probably let it drop."

Internally, Spock sighed; he was not proficient in non-linear problem solving and decided to abandon the attempt. "As much as Humans claim to embrace their emotions, they frequently choose to ignore those that make them uncomfortable. Nyota, your attraction disquiets you but it must be examined and addressed if we are to continue our current relationship. "

"Spock, it doesn't matter, you just said so yourself, the Captain does not fraternize-- " Nyota felt as if she was standing on the surface of Sol; her lungs scorched as she tried to breathe.

"--Which explains why he has not pursued his own attraction toward you." Spock realized Nyota's agitation did not allow her to make a cohesive argument. He would be patient.

"What? His attraction toward me?" Desperate for an escape route, Uhura used the change in point of view to move toward the door.

"Nyota, I am Vulcan, and although we choose to govern our emotions, we do possess them. As a male, I recognize another male's interest in one I consider mine. Jealousy is an emotion Vulcan's eschew--but I feel it tonight." The confession was bitter in Spock's mouth. He doubted the chasteness between his lover and his best friend.

"It's unbecoming." She skewered him while beating a tactical retreat out of his lab.

They reached an impasse outside her quarters, Uhura would not invite him in and Spock would not continue such a private discussion in the openness of the corridor. She watched him stalk off, regretting her verbal censure when he had only sought reassurance from her. Why had she withheld it?

~~~

The hour was late but Spock knew Kirk would not be asleep. He had spent the time since walking away from Nyota in deep meditation, seeking an answer to their dilemma. An idea had come to him, one far from optimal, but still a potential solution to the fracture between them. Now, all that remained was convincing the others.

~~~

The chime to Kirk's quarters claimed an interest he was determined to ignore. He knew who was on the other side of the door and was not ready to have the inevitable conversation. The door opened anyway.

"Using your override code is not meant for personal use, Mister Spock." His voice was flat, no energy left to expend in anger, all of that fleeing when he saw Uhura in Spock's arms. His mind was still in shock from finding them together. The bitter pill of regret still sat heavily in his gut.

"If it were personal, Captain, I would have used the connector between our lavatories." Spock corrected him as a matter of course. "No, my consideration for the well being of the command staff is of official and prime importance."

Eying Spock skeptically, Kirk dismissed his comment. "I hardly think the bridge crew will crash and burn because I caught you and Uhura in a clinch." He would keep this about them, superficial.

"It is not the behavior of the others that concerns me, Jim. It is yours and Nyota's I wish to discuss--"

"And I don't wish to discuss it, so unless you're submitting yourself to me for reprimand, I'm not talking." It was not his intent to bring up the regs, Kirk could care less who slept with who so long as his ship ran smoothly, but he did not want to go down this path.

Spock stiffened his posture, broadcasting his resolve to be heard. "If that is necessary in order to continue our discussion then so be it, however, it has not been your practice to involve yourself in shipboard liaisons. I am curious as to why you would do so now."

"I'm *not* involving myself, Spock. In fact, I'm trying hard to avoid any conversation about it at all. I'll be happy to look the other way if you walk away--now." His eyes flicked to the door, silently inviting Spock to leave. This was not superficial; Kirk's whole body tensed at Spock's stubbornness to talk about a tryst he'd rather not have seen.

"Jim, because of the authority over their lives, only the captain and XO are formally restricted from crew involvement. Why has the situation never arisen with you? As a Human, you are subject to loneliness even more than myself." The change in tactics put Kirk on guard--the topic shifting to his behavior rather than Spock's setting off all kinds of alarms.

"My personal life is my own business, Mister Spock; we were discussing your break with the regs, not mine." The rebuff was meant to shut down Spock's inquest but the Vulcan waited patiently for Kirk to answer the question.

Recognizing the ploy and hating himself for responding, Kirk continued. "I govern what goes on aboard the Enterprise. Relationships and their tolerance are at my discretion. But, as captain, I have a different set of eyes on me--ones far less tolerant of liaisons--ones far more likely to transfer perceived distractions off the ship. I won't risk my command, or the careers of others, on something I can't have."

"Yet only a lapse in my timing made you aware of Nyota and me. How much more difficult for the Admiralty to notice what happens light years away?" He left the question hanging, quietly noting the visibility of the pulse point at Kirk's right temple.

The argument had been made before but Kirk knew the risk was all too real. "But accidents do happen, Spock. Lapses in timing and judgment occur. The crew have eyes and a duty to report what they see, if not now, then later, when they leave ship. A bad review can easily result in some sort of retribution. "

"Such claims can be made regardless of facts--and unless the accuser has incontrovertible evidence--they are largely ignored." This discussion was as circuitous as his earlier one with Nyota; but Spock was counting on Jim's impatience to give him his opening.

"Unless the eyes watching you belong to Admiral Heihachiro Nogura--my patron saint and personal inquisitor all rolled into one. Why does any of this matter, Spock? The issue at hand is not my involvement with anyone, but yours and Uhura's." True to his nature, Kirk pushed up from his chair to stalk across the room, pacing like a caged animal.

"Yes, Jim, indeed, unless we invite you to join us."

~~~

"Excuse me?" He could not have heard that right.

"Yes, Jim, you did hear me correctly. I am asking if you would consider an involvement with Nyota, knowing I will not step aside." It was taking a large amount of will to present the concept so calmly but it was the only logical option. He wanted Nyota; Nyota also wanted Jim; Jim wanted Nyota. He would add Jim to the parameters of their relationship. With Nyota as the fulcrum of their unique scale, all sides would remain in balance.

"Spock, I know you don't mean it this way, but you're dangerously close to 'pimping out' your companion. I don't think Uhura would appreciate it very much either." Kirk had to process the idea as a Vulcan's very bad attempt at humor, any other consideration was ludicrous. His temples now beat in stereo.

Arching an elegant brow, Spock recalculated his response. "Ah, Jim, I do perceive the concept. However, this is where emotion clouds the logic of the situation."

"What situation is that?" His mouth was asking questions but Jim knew his brain had given up. His vision became pinpoint, seeing Spock only in a field of black.

"I desire Nyota and, although she desires me as well, she also desires you--" Spock was concerned, Jim was usually more adept at deductive reasoning.

"And you know this--how?" There went the mouth again.

"I was touching her when you entered the lab. My shields were down; her thoughts became known to me." It was a simple, but painful confession. Vulcans had many rules regarding melds between unbonded partners and Spock was breaking several.

Oh, it just kept getting better and better--not only was Spock suddenly into sharing mates, he was into sharing secrets. Taking a quick breath, Kirk thought to share a bit of wisdom he had learned over the years. "Another thing human females don't like, Spock: you knowing their mind and sharing it with others; no good ever comes of it."

"Jim, for my proposal to work, we must have honesty between us. Nyota is more logical than most Terran females. I do not foresee this to be a problem." Spock's concern grew; he did not expect Jim's protective instincts to flare in this discussion. Nyota was not the disadvantaged member in their relationship to Spock's way of thinking.

"But you've not discussed this with her yet...?" Kirk thought warp core breaches would look like Fourth of July sparklers in comparison to her blowout.

"No, she is having difficulty assimilating her feelings for you in the context of her involvement with me. I have anticipated, by factoring in her cultural mores, that the idea of a concurrent relationship will not present itself to her." Spock realized he was bordering on speculation, something he worked diligently to avoid, but dealing with humans often required it.

"Or me, Spock. What do your cultural mores have to say about a ménage a trois?" Yep, that pretty much sounded like what Spock was offering to him. Oh, wouldn't Nogura have his head, both of them, on a platter if he heard about this?!

"No Jim, a strict definition of ménage a trois is an open living and sexual relationship. We cannot afford to be open about our relationship nor do I see living together as a viable situation while aboard ship. However, regardless of term, Vulcan history is replete with such deep sharing between t'hy'la. Life in the desert was always a struggle. To lose a bond brother for the lack of a mate was unconscionable. "

Spock thought Jim understood his explanation of the concept of t'hy'la after the debacle of his betrothal to T'Pring. He was the brother Vulcan society would allow, a ne ki'ne of the first order that Spock never doubted. His mercurial nature inspired Spock, gave him hope that one day he would find a similar balance within his own nature. Jim unabashedly exhibited emotion yet succeeded in spite of, or more heretical to Vulcan thinking, because of it. To Spock he was a paradox; rationally governing his emotions or giving them free rein, whatever was required to achieve his goal. He was a kazhuksu worthy of great sacrifice.

"Spock, Humans tend to mate more than once every seven years--" Why did this sound like Sex Ed 101? Kirk's vision was now both pinpoint and surreal, a dream excruciatingly detailed.

"As I have observed from your behavior, Jim." Kirk's desire for sex appeared more on the matter of days rather than years. For his own part, Spock felt the same way. The seven year mating cycle was just that, a time to procreate rather than a time for pleasurable sexual intimacy. Humans were prone to miss the distinction and Vulcans were not inclined to correct their assumption.

"--the chances of friction between us would rise dramatically. " Kirk finished with an exasperated frown. He was in no mood for pot shots about his sexual behavior from Spock.

"That would certainly be the case if we vied for her attentions separately; conversely, if we choose to concurrently share her affection the odds diminish considerably. " He had explained this point already; Jim was being uncharacteristicall y dense.

"The odds diminish considerably? --Spock, I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you." Kirk had thought it to himself a thousand times during this conversation, might as well confess it out loud now. His mind was in anarchy, even talking was a struggle. All thought of Nyota as a flesh and blood woman was pushed far, far away, chaos forbidding the processing of Spock's idea as anything other than abstract theory.

"What is the issue, Jim? Have I misjudged your attraction to Nyota? Does the idea of a polyamorous relationship overwhelm your moral code of conduct? Your actions during past shore leaves had led me to a different conclusion. Only because I consider you t'hy'la can I contemplate the idea myself. For us all to 'win' I am willing to share. I am not willing to terminate my relationship with Nyota in your favor." His last remark was accompanied by a ram-like dip of his head--truce or challenge implicit in the posturing.

"There was a reason Grandpa wanted me to be a farmer...." Kirk muttered to himself. The muscle in his right cheek was now ticcing in time to the pulse throbbing at his temple. A hazy veil of gray replaced his pinpoint vision.

"Jim, I do not understand how the wish of your ancestor has any bearing on our discussion." Kirk's logic was seriously compromised. His complexion was alternately flush or pale; perhaps he had taxed Jim's emotional reserves past a safe tolerance.

"And *that* is the problem, Spock, you *don't* understand. I can't continue this conversation tonight; if you want to carry on then Uhura will have to explain it to you." He felt bad for throwing this walking nightmare to Uhura but he had little doubt Spock would go there anyway. Maybe she could get it through to him. All *he* wanted to do right now was crawl under the covers and disappear, but he doubted his body's symphony of tics and throbs would allow an escape into sleep.

~~~

"You what?!" Spock's hand deftly intercepted the upraised palm aimed for his face.

"There is no need for violence, Nyota; I am quite capable of understanding a verbal reprimand." Spock's cheeks flushed green at the open anger Nyota displayed toward him.

"You think? Because it sure doesn't sound like you understand anything to my way of thinking." Nyota had not been this angry in a long time. The sense of betrayal wounded her deeply.

"Jim told me you might have such a reaction. I told him I thought you would see the logic of my solution." The indignation in Nyota's voice made it plain he had miscalculated.

"The solution--the solution, Spock?!" It was all she could do to keep her hands to herself. "I'm not chattel to be shared at your discretion. Who *I* choose to be involved with and how is *my* choice--you got *that* Mister!?" She had never felt so humiliated in all her life. The idea of going to the bridge next shift was mortifying. How could he have thought a threesome was a good idea? How could he have discussed it with Kirk?

"Understood, Nyota, but your desire for Jim was clearly evident, as was his desire for you. You are allowing your emotions of shame and guilt to color your judgment. There is no reason for either emotion. Kaiidth --what is, is. While I would prefer you to feel differently, I accept them for what they are. In light of the emotions at play, I considered my solution a win-win for each of us." Emotions were capricious and volatile, better kept under the control of reason. Spock was discovering that a relationship with a Human female required much more than logic. Did Sarek find it thus?

"Spock, if you live long enough," the patience in Uhura's voice was manifest, "you will find that Humans often desire what they can't have--often for that very reason. The idea of being involved with the Captain is romantic because it's a fantasy of power and taboo. His desire for me is much the same--I'm crew--I'm forbidden. I'm sometimes under his nose for twelve to fourteen hours a day; he's bound to have daydreams."

"You are telling me the attraction between you is not based in reality but fantasy?" The concept argued with what he had felt in Nyota's mind. That was real, but was its source a fallacy?

"Yes, Spock, it's the idea of the man rather than the man himself." Nyota made sure Spock was not touching her at the moment. Too tired to contemplate the truth of her words, it was for the best in either case.

~~~

Spock recounted Nyota's explanation of their attraction during breakfast, studying Kirk's face for any sign of denial but the Captain kept his face heavily guarded even as he agreed to Nyota's assessment of their relationship. Spock strongly suspected he missed something during their interaction but was at a loss as to what it might be.

The day watch was uneventful if one did not consider giving and taking orders without eye contact to be unusual. Sulu and Chekov were oblivious to the awkwardness between Uhura and Kirk but for once Spock was not. Uhura gave report from just behind the Conn instead of her usual place in front and slightly to the Captain's left. If Kirk took issue with her change in reporting station, Spock could not detect it.

~~~

One shift became twenty and Spock observed the awkwardness between Jim and Nyota evolve into a sort of reticence, as if neither knew how to get past the incident in the lab or Spock's subsequent offer. It was subtle, still apparently only visible to Spock amongst the Bridge crew, but McCoy's aside to him after a routine briefing only validated his concern. The doctor was trained and extremely astute in Human interactions.

"Has anything happened between Jim and Uhura, Spock?" At Spock's raised brow and continued silence, McCoy elaborated, assuming Spock required more detail. "They're awfully skittish around each other--like the leftovers of a lover's quarrel--when neither knows how to say 'I'm sorry'."

"As the Lieutenant and Captain are not lovers, Doctor, your analogy is lacking. I have detected no loss in efficiency from either party and I would recommend that you not pursue this topic with the Captain." He remained as bland as ever but Spock noted a 2.64 percent increase in his own heart rate.

"Yes, Spock, if that is your way of warning me off, I get it. I understand he'd hardly take kindly to me asking if he'd had a lover's spat with a crewmember. Just keep an eye out for me and let me know if it doesn't resolve itself in a day or two. Something is definitely going on between them but I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill." Uhura was the one female crewmember Kirk would loosen up with occasionally- -maybe not while on duty--but sometimes on the rec deck or in the mess hall he would let the real Jim Kirk surface in her company. They walked a fine line between professionalism and caring and McCoy worried such a line crossed would be extremely costly.

"Rest assured, Doctor, I will 'keep an eye out' as you say. However, I am confident that any emotional aberration in their social interactions will resolve itself soon." Choosing to mock the doctor usually had the desired effect of distracting him from the point.

"Be careful, Spock. It almost sounded like you said they would kiss and make up--" For once not willing to take the bait, McCoy merely arched his own brow and walked away.

"One can only hope, Doctor." The Vulcan confessed to the now-empty room.

~~~

Uhura found herself standing outside the Captain's quarters, her patience in shreds at the continued stalemate between them, much like her relationship with Spock. She could no longer stand the expectant looks Spock gave her, as if he waited for her to *do* something; the question of want and desire still lingering on their periphery, like a cut that refused to heal. She was shy of his touch, uneasy at the thought of his mind entering hers, probing and analyzing her jumble of conflicting emotions. What used to be erotic and sensual now made her feel violated.

Her hand hesitated over the door chime, her resolve wilting at what could be the outcome of this conversation. Nyota was under no confusion that any sort of re-approachment would be coming from Kirk. Willfulness was not one of his best attributes but one he possessed in abundance. She remembered the hurt and anger in his eyes. No apologies would make the anger go away, leaving only the hurt to work with. It was unintentionally inflicted but Nyota knew she must be the one to bandage the injury, to attend to it so they all could heal.

A firm "come" acknowledged her request for audience and Nyota stepped smartly into Kirk's quarters. She could not afford to appear weak or timid but cocky would get her sat down on her ass too.

"Yes, Lieutenant, how may I help you?" Kirk remained sitting at his desk, his tone cool and professional, just like he spoke to her on the Bridge.

"I need to discuss something with you, sir; permission to speak freely?" She kept her shoulders squared and her eyes fixed straight ahead, not daring to assume he would tolerate anything but midshipman spit and polish. She felt his eyes on her, studying and assessing for agonizing seconds before responding.

"Granted, Lieutenant, what is on your mind?" Nyota thought he had forgotten her name, only using her title since that night.

"I want to discuss what happened the other night in Mister Spock's lab, sir, and the resultant conversation he had with you. It has caused an estrangement between us--one I want to rectify." Even though she was granted permission to speak freely, Uhura kept her tone and manner within decorum.

"I'm sure everything will resolve itself in due time, Lieutenant." Kirk kept his own decorum intact, his brief remarks giving Nyota little to work with.

"How long is 'due time,' sir?" Changing tactics by softening her voice and her posture, Uhura gave in but not up.

"I don't know, Lieutenant. I've never been in this situation before." His eyes remained wary, recognizing her change in behavior as strategic.

"Walking in on something, sir--or just one involving me?" Strategy be damned, Nyota pushed hard. She could either wind up looking like the vainest fool ever or finally get to the real issue between them.

Kirk's eyes tightened in a minute flinch, his chin rising in recognition of her 'all in' attitude. "You and Spock surprised me. I like to think I know what's going on around here. It's unnerving to discover that I don't." He still hedged his bet, but at least he did not embarrass her.

"Is that all, sir?" She was not willing to leave it like this between them, a chaste dance between innamorati.

A soft, sheepish smile flashed briefly across his face. "If I admit to being envious, can we call it a draw?" Still the captain, he stood, attempting to bring their conversation to a close on a more conciliatory note.

Nyota stepped toward him instead of the door, ramping up the energy between them. The smile left Kirk's face, replaced by an intense, hungry look. This was the man she sought; the man who waited to be invited before pillaging the maiden. "No one wins with that hand, sir." She stood inches away from him, her face turned upward in her own challenge.

"Then I guess we need to deal a new hand...." His lips only brushed hers, teasing yet waiting to see if she would respond in kind. A million reasons to stop screamed in his brain--for once he lost himself in the solitude of deafness.

Nyota raised herself on tiptoe, looping her arms around his neck, pulling him down into a deeper kiss. "Don't you hate logic?" She laughed throatily against his mouth. His arms encircled her, holding her tightly against his body.

"I don't know; it seems like it could be a great time saver." He grinned in between kisses, moving down to nuzzle the base of her throat.

"You know, Spock will be insufferably smug about this." Running her hands under Kirk's shirt and across his bare chest did not seem at odds with their conversation about her other lover. 'Her *other* lover--how strange that sounded to her; she had never been involved with two men at the same time.

"Spock is frequently insufferably smug, but when he's right it's worth tolerating." Kirk's hands were sliding up the back of Nyota's thighs, stopping to cup the firm mounds at their top.

"He's not willing to give me up, or I him. Are you okay with that?" She pulled her head back from the possession of his lips, needing to make herself understood before all thought left them.

"Are you?" Nyota found herself wedged between the bulkhead and Jim's substantial erection, his eyes locked with hers, feral and shining like polished amber.

"I don't know; I think so." Her fingers were struggling with the opening of his pants. Coherent thought was past her now.

"You don't think he'll be mad we went ahead without him?" Nyota's uniform shorts and panties were being pushed down her legs. His thumb stroked her sex possessively.

"I'll tell him I was shy." She whispered in his ear as she freed herself from the clothes pooled around her ankles and wrapped her legs around Jim's waist.

"Oh, he'll totally believe that." Replacing his hand with something more in need, Jim pushed into Nyota's moist heat, nearly losing it as she clamped down on his seeking shaft.

"Shut up and fu--mmmm." Her words were swallowed by an ardent kiss.

~~~

"Don't you ever knock?" Kirk's flippancy was an effort to conceal the uncomfortable moment between waking to find Spock standing over them and what the Vulcan might do at finding them together in bed.

"I trust you and Nyota enjoyed yourselves." If the arched brow was any indication, Kirk thought he might live to see another day.

"Sorry we didn't wait for you Spock, but we didn't think you'd mind our first time just being between us." He hoped his grin looked more apologetic than the one Nyota sported.

"No, Jim, but the second and third time were beginning to test my tolerance." Damn! Regardless of his many denials, Jim always suspected Spock could hear everything that happened in his quarters.

"Oh, Spock, come here and let me make it up to you." Nyota stretched out her arms, encouraging him to join them in bed.

"My God, woman, you are insatiable." It was only half in jest, Kirk knew he was still exhausted.

"Jim, you have no idea how true your words are." The tilt of his head suggested he was joking, but the long suffering look made Jim pause.

"Sssshhhh, it's two against one, I would think my appetite would work in you gentlemen's favor." She gave them both an affronted look.

"Well, she's right about that, Spock." He grinned up at Spock, now seeing the plus side.

"And I'm right that we need a bigger bed." She noticed Spock had moved to her side of the bed but stopped before making himself a crowded third.

"Then, in the mean time, the floor must suffice." Both she and Jim yelped as the mattress was unceremoniously pulled off the bed and dropped onto the floor. A jumble of arms, legs and pillows seemed inviting. "Move over, Jim, I believe Nyota wished to offer me an apology."

Jim grinned; they were definitely going to need to beef up the soundproofing.

~ID'ic

1.11.09

A Gift Amongst Friends S/U, M [G]

Image by ID'ic

Disclaimer: I earn no riches from Trek other than my fantasies.
Summary: Another submission for the TOSHET Valentine's Day Challenge


"Sometimes that man can be so insufferable," Ny muttered between clenched teeth as she walked back into the room where McCoy waited.

"I would walk a thousand miles to hear you say that again," McCoy chortled at Uhura's fit of pique. His visit with Ny had been interrupted by Spock's call home--a call she had been impatiently waiting for since yesterday. "I'd pay real money too," he finished as she rolled her eyes at him as he easily slipped back into his Vulcan-baiting persona.

"I take it he's not coming home anytime soon?" McCoy asked, stepping up and placing a consoling kiss on the top of Ny's head as she threw herself on the settee in disgust. He really was sorry to see her so dejected at being alone while Spock mediated another dispute off planet.

"No, and he knew I wanted to spend this Valentine's Day together--it's our first since we've married!" she added with a dose of drama; sometimes it felt good to have a good snit.

"Well, Darlin' no reason you can't go to him if he won't come to you. Damn fool Vulcan for not appreciating what he's got?" the elder surgeon offered as a solution for a lonely friend and her obstinate ambassador.

"Len, that's a great idea! I mean, Valentines *is* an Earth custom but there's no reason we can't celebrate it on Coridan just as easily," Ny smiled at him and his heart ached that he had no one to miss him like she did Spock.

Covering up his moment of melancholy, McCoy pulled a beribboned and bowed container from his travel bag, a present for Ny, brought back from one of his latest missions. "Now don't go getting caught in customs with these down on Coridan. I don't wanna' have to explain how you got them, much less me," he grumbled sheepishly as he gave Ny the container.

"Oh, Len! How *did* you get these? They're not allowed off-planet--I mean--Deltan chocolate covered love nuts! Ohhhh, thank you! Spock is definitely in trouble now," Ny purred in mischievous delight as she hugged McCoy for such a decadent and seductive gift. McCoy grinned back just as evilly, knowing he had kept a jar for himself. The Vulcan may have won the heart of this woman, but he was not ready to abdicate the whole female gender to him just yet.


~ID'ic

Moonlight and Chocolates Su/R [G]

Image by Id'ic

Disclaimer: I earn no riches from Trek other than my fantasies.
Summary: A drabble submission for the TOSHET Valentine's Day Challenge Requirements include a kiss, an exotic edible treat to eat, and a quote that says, "I would walk a thousand miles to hear you say that again."


"I've been so stupid--chasing a fantasy when I have someone so much better standing in front of me," Janice whispered as she leaned in and kissed Sulu's enticing lips, their shimmer from the "moonlight" in the arboretum making her bold.

"I would walk a thousand miles to hear you say that again," he sighed in sated bliss, almost afraid to open his eyes and discover she was just his own fantasy come to haunt him.

"How about we go back to my place and I show you just how much you mean to me? I have some Deltan chocolates…"