By the time the Enterprise and the Vulcan ship, Uzhau, arrived at Earth Spacedock a week before Spock and Uhura were scheduled to marry, the majority of the crew was eager to get vacation plans underway. They had three months (minus a week or so for a skeleton crew remaining on board to aid in the hand-off to the dock crew) off ship and they meant to enjoy it as much as they could.
After a quick stop to drop off luggage at their hotel, Kirk rounded up McCoy, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov and among them, they managed to drag Spock off to enjoy the bright lights of New York City.
It took quite a bit longer before an enthusiastic Janice Rand, a somewhat reluctant Christine Chapel and a coterie of female crew members spilled out of the hotel lifts with Nyota Uhura in tow.
There'd been a brief scuffle over what was appropriate attire for a night out in New York in November.
"You all can wear wool sweaters and corduroy pants if you want," Nyota told Chapel and Sarah McElroy, one of the red-shirted security officers. "I guarantee that whatever comfort you get out of heat preservation will be more than lost in cool points. This is my hen night, women! My sister won't be taking us to dive bars and pizza joints."
Another argument followed when Gaila insisted that Nyota don a silver tiara and white veil for the night.
"No way, Gaila," she protested. "That is so twenty-first century, and most women – the smart ones, anyway – thought it was corny back then, too. I'm not ruining this outfit or this 'do wearing a sheet over my head."
Gaila ended all arguments by the simple expedient of threatening not to take pheromone suppressors for the evening.
Nyota promptly traded the satin green blouse and black wide-legged trousers she'd intended to wear for a knee-length white silk sheath with spaghetti straps.
"If I get frostbite and can't dance at my own damned wedding, I hope you'll remember this was your idea," she grumbled at her friend and she changed from black patent-leather stilettos to white calf-skin go-go boots.
Gorgeously turned out in their hottest civilian clothes, they were seven – soon to be eight – women on a mission.
"I should have warned you guys," Nyota told them as they lounged in the lobby, waiting for the last of their party. "My sister can be a little, uh, forceful. She's used to being the oldest and telling everyone what to do. But she's really a lot of fun as long as you either play along or ignore it completely."
Teena Hart grimaced in sympathy.
"I know just what you mean," the security officer said. "My big sis is the same way. Whenever I'm dirt-side she just kind of takes over. I not saying I don't always have a fun – I do. Geena really knows her way around a good time. But I'm always left feeling kind of like I have whiplash, you know?"
Nyota laughed and clapped her hands together.
"That's exactly what I'm talking about!" She grinned at the others. "Now, I'm giving you fair warning: hanging out with might sister might give you whiplash. I am take no responsibility for any deleterious effect spending time in her company might have on your inhibitions, senses of propriety or ability to make rational decisions. Party with the Uhura sisters at your own risk!"
The women met her announcement with hoots and cheers, drawing the eyes of other guests as much for their noise as for their looks and attire.
Not one of them noticed they'd gained an audience or even considered calming down. The night was still young, and they didn't intend to see their beds until it was over.
A/N: Meant to have this out before Chapter 11 of Compass. Reason for the delay will be explained in Chapter 5.
Usual disclaimer: I don't own anyone but the redshirts and Upenda. Everyone (and everything) else belongs Paramount.