TITLE: Rain Wine

CHAPTER: 1

LOCATION: Captain Kirk's quarters, USS Enterprise

AN: I found this story in a box of hand written story ideas dated 1995. The legal paper was brittle and dry and some of the text had been printed on dot matrix paper. So I've pieced it all together and tried hard not to change it too much from the overly romantic thirty-something (me!) who wrote this during a very different time in her life. I'm not as witty as some of you about writing dialogue between Kirk and Spock. I hope you enjoy the story.

"Blast it, Spock listen to me!"

"Captain, I fail to discern any use for this topic of conversation. If you will excuse me, sir. I have duties to attend to." Spock turned on his heel and headed for the door.

In the steely tones of command, Kirk said, "Commander."

The door opened and Spock stopped on the threshold. He watched two crew members walked by, arm in arm. They were laughing at a shared joke. Until one of them noticed Mr Spock. The laughter stopped and they hurried down the corridor.

Why do humans make it seem so easy? He pushed the question away, dismissing it as illogical. Humans were frivolous and indiscriminate with their emotions. With an impatience he would have denied, Spock turned around to face his Captain. The door whispered closed behind him.

"Captain, you and I have linked minds in the past."

Kirk nodded, surprised by Spock's abrupt tone. But he waited while Spock chooses his words.

"If I'm not mistaken, you have found our encounters pleasant?"

Kirk nodded in agreement. He had been trying for the past thirty minutes to get Spock to talk about something that had occurred while they'd been on leave. Now that Spock seemed ready to talk about it, Kirk felt a little unprepared.

The incident had occurred on Homeworld, a planet know for its hospitality and relaxing atmosphere. The entire crew had been granted two weeks leave. Except, of course, Mr. Spock, who chose to stay on the ship. It wasn't until their last weekend that Kirk managed to drag an unwilling Spock down for dinner at one of the planet's nicest restaurants. After they'd been seated by the hostess, Spock raised an eyebrow at their surroundings.

"Captain, this is not necessary."

"Spock. This is my new favorite restaurant and I wanted to share it with you. Besides, you need a little luxury, you live like a monk." Kirk glanced up from his menu to catch Spock's reaction. He was rewarded by the disappearance of both Vulcan eyebrows in the dark hair. Kirk returned his attention to his menu. Gotcha!

"Captain, he said, placing his menu precisely along the edge of the table. I do not live like a monk."

"Okay, like a computer," Captain Kirk said with a grin.

"I suppose your smile signifies that you are, instead of insulting me, making a joke?"

"Exactly! See, now you're joking with me and I take that as a sign you're relaxing."

"Captain, I am not joking. I do not live like a monk nor am I a computer. And, if you do not cease this weak attempt at baiting me into relaxing, as you call it, I will remind you of what happened the last time you insulted me and my family. I believe you referred to my mother as a computer."

Kirk put down his own menu down and grinned in delight at this first officer. Spock returned the warmth with a smile in his eyes.

"I give. I don't think my jaw could take another one of your right hooks."

"Right hook?"

"Yeah you know... Look, can't we just enjoy a meal without this battle of wits. McCoy isn't even here."

"Agreed...Jim."

Kirk reached for the wine list.

"Let's see what they have to offer."

Kirk studied the list and Spock studied his surroundings. From their booth in the back of the restaurant he could view the entire area. He scanned the room, observing the various groups of beings engaged in conversation, eating and relaxing. Gradually, Spock became aware of being observed in return. Shifting his gaze to the table by the door. Spock found himself watched by a pair of inquisitive eyes. The eyes were framed by a heart shaped face surrounded by soft brown curls. Two questions came to Spock's mind, what color are her eyes and how long is her hair. Disturbed by his illogical thought processes, Spock quickly diverted his attention back to the table, only to find Kirk watching him.

"Who are you looking at Spock?" teased, turning to look in the direction of Spock's gaze.

"Don't turn around."

"Come on Spock, now I am intrigued."

"It is nothing. Have you chosen a wine, Captain?"

Kirk gave him a skeptical look, but decided to let him off the hook for the moment. "How about a crisp Chardonnay to go with that Vegetarian Chef Salad you'll be having?"

"How do you know I will chose that particular selection?"

"Because when I ordered it yesterday. I thought of you and I think you will love it."

"Love it?"

"You know what I mean."

"Well, I doubt your use of the word love. Humans claim to love other people. But I doubt one could express those emotions toward a salad."

"Are you trying to start something?"

"I was merely attempting to provide a valid definition to an ambiguous term."

"Well, if you don't mind I think you should leave that particular word alone. You have a way of reducing it to its bare molecules. Sort of takes the romance right out of it."

"Romance, another ambiguous term."

"Look, Spock." At that moment their waitress stopped at their table and placed a full glass of amber liquid in front of the Vulcan. Kirk glanced up at the waiter and Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Who sent this over?"

"The lady in the black dress at the table by the door. And, she asked me to give this to you sir." he explained, handing a folded napkin to Mr. Spock.

"Are you gentlemen ready to order?"

While Spock studied the note Kirk ordered salad for both of them and the bottle of Chardonnay. After the waiter left Kirk turned his attention back to Spock.

"Well, Spock? Is someone trying to pick up my first officer?"

Spock fingers closed over the napkin. He gazed with wide eyes at the bottle in front of him.

"Spock, she's probably watching for your reaction and you look as if someone just dumped an order of Klingon blood worms on your plate."

That broke Spock's trance and he looked up at Kirk. "This is Vulcan Rain Wine. Rain washes over the fruit and collected in wooden tubs."

"I thought it never rained on Vulcan?"

"Occasionally, on the equatorial planes."

"I take it this is not the cheap stuff?"

"That is correct, Captain," said Spock, with a nod.

"I'd say someone is trying to make an impression on you. Come on, can't I take just a quick peek?" Kirk began shifting his seat.

"No."

Kirk laughed aloud. "At least acknowledge her Spock, remember your manners."

"But Captain, I do not want..."

"If Amanda were here she would have kicked you by now."

"She would never..."

"Just look over there and raise your glass of wine to her."

Reluctantly, Spock raised his eyes to the young woman across the room. His dark look was arrested by those same curious eyes. Her full lips were suppressing a smile. Spock raised the glass and nodded gravely in her direction. The lady nodded back and raised her glass.

Something was familiar about her. She was not a crew mate and yet he knew with certainty he'd seen her before. He took a sip of wine, but his attention was diverted by the sound of sound of Kirk chuckling. Spock repressed an eyebrow but shot Kirk his best Vulcan glare.

"Is something amusing you, Captain?"

"Now don't start that Captain stuff again. "Oh, good. Here's our food."

The two men turned their attention to their food. For a moment the girl was forgotten as Kirk tasted the wine and the Sommelière poured them each a glass.

"A toast, Mr. Spock."

Spock dutifully picked up his glass of Chardonnay.

"I just wanted to say thanks, Spock." Unexpected emotion suddenly stopped Kirk from continuing. He hadn't meant this to be an emotional moment. As he sat there with his first officer he realized how much the Vulcan meant to him and just how much he owed him. Setting his glass down as he looked at Spock.

"Words are unnecessary, Jim. Do not concern yourself with thanking or repaying me in some way. I don't need or require those words from you because I am aware of their existence."

"How can you know Spock? Most of the time I worry I take you for granted."

Spock shook his head. "I am aware of your feelings toward me through your occasional touch, your body language, your protectiveness of me."

"But, I thought you kept your mental shields up all the time?"

A brief, fleeting demonstration of affection, crossed Spock's face. "Not when you are I are alone, Jim. I find it cumbersome and unnecessary to armor myself against your thoughts."

"Then allow me to revise the toast."

"As you wish, Jim."

"To friends."

"Agreed."

They turned their attention back to their meal, enjoying the food in companionable silence. Kirk was pleased that he had corralled Spock into coming down here.

Spock's words had been like a special gift to Kirk and in the routine of ship life he might never have heard them. Then his attention was caught by the sight of someone standing next to their table. Black high heels, black stockings, a silky black dress which floated around slender shapely legs in a series of scarf points. Kirk's gaze traveled upward and he found himself face to face with a pair of bright blue eyes, gazing at him with ironic humor.

"Have I changed that much, Captain Kirk?"