Consoling Christine

Uhura has arranged several disasterous dates for Christine Chapel. Now she tries to fix her up with the doctor. But Dr. McCoy loves Uhura and Christine loves Spock. What will happen on this date? This was inspired by The Fanfiction DoubleDate by PeekabooFang. I love the idea of a Bones /Uhura pairing.

Prologue Aboard the Enterprise

"Doctor, By order of Starfleet Regulation Six Nineteen I hereby relinquish my command on the grounds that I have been emotionally compromised. Please note the date and time in the ship's log."

Commander Spock after almost choking the life out of one James T. Kirk had just resigned his command. His shoulders slumping and his head bowed the commander headed for the turbolift. Uhura walked to the turbolift doors. Spock turned his head towards her and gave her a look of overwhelming grief before the turbolift doors closed behind him.

Standing next to Doctor McCoy, Nurse Christine Chapel had watched the scenes unfolding before her. She had come to the bridge with Ambassador Sarek, Spock's father. Both she and the ambassador had wanted Doctor McCoy to sign an order guaranteeing medical supplies for the surviviors of Vulcan. Christine and the Ambassador had made up the list. Both had remained on the bridge and had watched the drama of the past events.

Christine had wanted to beat the crap out of Kirk. She vowed to get even with him later. How could anybody speak to Commander Spock the way he had ? And after Spock had lost his planet and his mother? Christine had lost both of her parents in a Klingon attack on a pleasure planet a year ago. Her parents had gone on a much needed vacation and she had gone to the planet to meet them. After the planet had been attacked by Klingon warbirds, Christine had managed to get on a star ship with a few of the survivors. She had helped treat many of the wounded. Her parents had been rescued but they had died on board the ship. She had watched them die unable to save them. So she knew what Commander Spock was going through.

And why didn't Uhura go after him? She was his girlfriend. Christine knew that for a fact. She had seen them kissing when they left the turbolift after the Battle of Vulcan. Christine felt bad because she was infatuated with Spock and Uhura was her best friend. Spock was her friend too. She had worked with him in the Science lab because in addition to her nurse's training she had a master's in biochemistry. She also helped him run the chess club for Starfleet cadets.

She had to leave. " Dr. McCoy. I am heading for Sickbay." She managed to get the next turbolift. She left the medical supply list with one of the other nurses and directions to start preparing them. In Sickbay she spoke to the computer console. "Computer, locate Commander Spock."

"Commander Spock is in the transporter room," the computer voice replied.

Christine walked down the corridor to the transporter room. When she stepped inside her heart broke.

Spock was standing on the transporter platform next to the spot where is mother was to have materialized. She had been one of the medical officers present when Spock and the Vulcan elders had beamed aboard. His eyes were filled with anguish and his face was haunted just as they were on that day. For a moment she stared at him. Then he sensed her presence. He turned around and faced her.

"Nurse Chapel," Commander Spock asked, " did I not make it clear that I was to be left alone after I

relinquished command?" His voice quavered as he spoke belying his underlying emotional conflict.

"Yes, you did sir. But I was concerned for your well-being as a medical officer and as your friend." she replied taking refuge in her professional demeanor. She walked closer and stepped onto the platform facing him directly.

"As you can see, Nurse, I am quite well. Now honor my wishes for seclusion and leave." he commanded.

"I am afraid I cannot do that Commander. You should not be left alone in this state. It would not be logical. Please let me help. I know what it is like to lose a parent."

"Nurse Chapel I am very angry right now. I cannot let anyone see me this way. Please leave before I hurt you. I almost killed Mr. Kirk. I need to meditate in order to gain control."

"I am not afraid of your anger, Commander. And I wanted to stick Kirk with a hypo for what he said to you. I know you loved your mother very much. I loved my parents too. And when they died it opened a gaping wound. Only now the wound is beginning to close. So I know what it is to deal with that type of grief." She closed the steps between them and put her arms around him.

Spock's first instinct was to push her away but he was overcome by his grief and her gentle words. He put his arms around her waist and buried his head into her left shoulder. He cried silent tears while she stroked his back. After a few minutes he straightened up and stepped away from her. He wiped the tears from his eyes.

All at once his face resumed its normally poker expression. "Thank you, Nurse Chapel," he said cooly. "I believe you have helped me. Please do not tell anyone including Lieutenant Uhura about what happened here. I cannot let anyone know of my emotional instability. I believe you call that doctor-patient confidentiality, do you not?"

"Of course, commander. You have my word on that and you should not be afraid to express emotion. It is a part of you. Will you be all right now? If you need to talk about this you know where to find me sir."

"I will be all right nurse and if I need to talk to you I will let you know. I will see you in the science lab later. I may need your expertise then. Now please I need to get back to my meditations."

"All right I will leave you now, sir."Christine saluted Commander Spock and left the transporter room. Before she got to the corridor, she saw Ambassador Sarek standing in the doorway.

"Thank you for helping my son, Nurse. I will take over from here." Sarek told her.

"It is my job but I am honored, Ambassador. I grieve with thee. Please let me know how I can assist your people in any way. Now I must get back to Sickbay." She left Commander Spock with his father knowing the two would sort things out.

An hour later Commander Spock returned to the bridge. Then beamed aboard the Narada with Captain James T. Kirk.