Chocolate and the Art of Zen Negotiations
By Ma Anders
Author's Note: All non-original characters belong to their respective owners.
Author's Note: This story provides insight on Spock's efforts to nurture his relationship with Uhura under the stress of Vulcan resettlement. This pre-quel pre-dates the story "Opposite of Logic" by Kristen Elizabeth, a universe that inspired me and an author to whom I remain indebted.
After getting well into the final chapters I realized that while the universe fit, the OoL canon had served its purpose. This story begins the divergence from a nurturing and inspiring place for my fledgling efforts. I am grateful for Ms. Elizabeth's work and for a chance to grow from her fertile literary soil. Thanks to Obsessive66 for pointing out my need to launch. Faced with the choice of replotting and rewriting to OoL canon or branching out, I have conciously chosen the latter.
This is the first of a POV cycle describing the settlement of the Vulcan remnant. Comments and reviews greatly appreciated.
If you *really* like it, tell J J Abrams. I need the money.
Combat and Other Relationship Issues
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious"
- Sun Tzu
The bridge crew on the U.S.. Enterprise prepared for the shift change.
"Status, all positions" Uhura requested. She waited:
"Helm! Ready."
"Navigation! Ready"
The final station took longer than it shoud have. What is he doing? she thought impatiently.
Spock? Report! She knew he'd heard her telepathic command.
"Science station ready; first officer reporting"
That was more like it.
"All stations ready. Shift relieved." and with that she removed her ear transceiver and left the bridge. The turbo-lift could not move fast enough for her today. She had 30 minutes to shower, change clothes and get dinner on the table before Spock arrived . Today, the lift was taking forever.
She bolted through the lift doors at a jog, nearly colliding with the maintenance bot. Uhura hoped no one had seen her miscalculation in the corridor leading to her quarters - she'd been a little too aggressive in starting to undress.
The comm unit in her quarters interrupted her progress towards dinner.
"Uhhh! What now?" A master of multitasking, she hopped over to the unit while inserting her earring and zipping her boot then punched the button.
"Uhura!" Irritation laced her identification. Spock hates it when dinner is late.
"Lieutenant Uhura," the automated message started "You are scheduled for Basic Unarmed Combat training at 18:30. Please acknowledge receipt of this message". That was in 10 minutes.
Only two officers on this ship could schedule her for combat training.
"Computer, who signed the training orders?" She ripped her blouse changing into her sweats.
"Commander Spock"
Only one officer on this ship would schedule her for combat training and break their dinner date.
She hit the acknowledgment button so hard it left a bruise. Tonight's dinner, like Uhura, would be cold.
"Spock! Why am I here!?"
Her anger did not surprise Spock.
The ensign assembling the course obstacles shot a worried look at Spock. Uhura hadn't used his rank when addressing him. This was personal. Completing the last installation steps in record time, he sent a hasty "Commander" in Spock's direction, saluted and escaped.
Spock tapped on his PADD methodically, knowing full well a confrontation was imminent. When he finished, he turned to acknowledge her. The wait for his answer did not improve her attitude.
"Lieutenant. Thank you for being punctual." he said evenly.
"Punctual? Spock, I left the bridge 30. minutes. ago. You. Were. There. Why am I here? And why did you schedule dinner with me if you had all this - " she panned her arm to take in the training room "- planned?"
"Lieutenant, I scheduled this training to enhance your value to the away teams. As for dinner - " he paused to get the language just right. He knew he would be spending several nights alone either way. "- it was the most logical way to ensure you would be... available."
Her eyes flared. Despite the situation, the feisty heat coming off of her stimulated him - although he resigned himself to the reality that it would be a while before he could do what he was thinking, given her present state of mind. Hours. Days, even.
"Shall we begin, Lieutenant?" Spock hoped his professional manner would at least allow them to complete today's exercises. Her eyes scanned the room; incredulous, she confronted him again.
"Am I your only student!?" Uh-oh. He'd learned the word from her during their Academy days. A miscalculation.
"This training has been designed specifically for your unique development needs" More diplomatic language. It had absolutely no impact on her attitude; it did motivate her to close the distance between them very quickly.
When he'd analyzed how this encounter might go, Spock calculated a 74.9% chance that she would "get in his space". With no change in expression, he calmly waited - never taking his eyes from hers.
"Are you saying that I'm not valuable now, Mr. Spock?" As predicted, she tried to occupy the space he stood in. As planned, he executed a Dim Mak offensive takedown, slamming her into the floor padding hard enough to knock the wind out of her. As hard, he estimated, as would any Klingon or Romulan they might encounter.
Wheezing, forcibly emptied of air, she flipped herself over but remained on her hands and knees longer than he'd expected. Spock did not allow himself to worry about her or to help her regain her feet despite his overriding desire to do both. She would resent the former and reject the latter.
Gasping, her head came up, "What did that prove, Spock?". He was surprised by her tears - had he hurt her?
"It proves, Lieutenant, that this training will benefit you. Have you recovered sufficiently to begin?"
Dropping her head as she climbed to her feet again, she gave a mirthless laugh.
"Yes, Mr. Spock. This time I'm ready."
Spock sighed mentally at his impending bachelorhood *sigh... it could be weeks...
Damn, right! he heard as she started the workout.