Summary: Uhura has a cold. Fluff, with the potential for a plot maybe. Probably not.
Disclaimers: I am not a doctor, although this was written while I was sick, so I can vouch for the symptoms. Also, I do not own Star Trek (sigh).
Despite all of the advances modern medicine had made, there was still no cure for the common cold. Uhura decided she would send a long memo to Starfleet Medical alerting them to this tragic state of affairs. They'd cured cancer, they could regrow organs, and by now, most life-threatening conditions had been solved. Surely they could devote a little time to the human rhinovirus. With a small moan, she sank back against her pillows. Pounding head, itchy swollen eyes, body aches, clogged nose… this was going to be such fun.
She'd woken up with an intense headache, and went to sickbay just before Alpha shift in search of some relief. Instead, one of McCoy's underlings gave her an antihistamine, and sternly confined her to quarters until further notice.
In some ways she was relieved- a translator with a migraine and plugged ears is a liability on the bridge. The pile of paperwork waiting for her tomorrow would be horrendous, but at least she wouldn't mishear something and start a war. And later, if the fog surrounding her head cleared, she could do some work from bed. Sighing, she turned off her comm unit, dimmed the lights, and prepared to wallow in her sick day.
Worry is a human emotion, and therefore Spock did not experience a slight twist in his stomach when Lt. A'dyr sat in Nyota's place. It was logical to assume Nyota was incapacitated, and therefore he did not question her absence.
After a quick glance in Spock's direction, however, Captain Kirk did. "Lieutenant, where's Uhura?"
A'dyr wrinkled his nose in the manner his species used to indicate sympathy. "Sssickbay hasss put her on leave, Captain."
Now Kirk frowned. "Nothing too serious, I hope?"
A'dyr ducked his head apologetically. "I wasss not told to expect a long absssence, but I do not know the nature of her illnesssss."
Worry is a human emotion. Vulcans do not worry. Lieutenant A'dyr was a competent officer; the bridge would function acceptably without Uhura's presence. Spock turned to his work.
The captain had smiled and said something welcoming to A'dyr before proceeding over to the science station. "All systems operating at standard, captain," Spock reported.
Kirk ignored the statement and addressed his first officer's non-expression. "I'm sure she's fine."
"That is a logical assumption. Dr. McCoy would have alerted you if her condition was life-threatening."
Kirk closed his eyes and prayed for strength. "If it was bad, he would tell you too, Spock. A, um, next-of-kin thing. So she's probably fine."
"Lieutenant Uhura and I are not related, and therefore your conclusion that I would be involved with the next of-"
Kirk held up a hand to stem the tide. "Look, when the lunch breaks start, you can go early. I'm not hungry today. Take as long as you need. Alright?"
Spock's fingers stilled on his console. "Thank you, captain" he said quietly.
More to come. Reviews appreciated!