Title: Poetry and Promises remix
Author: Linstock
Code: Spock/Uhura
Rating: NC-17
Type: Remix.
Au: The original; story Poetry and Promises was written by elaine451 . Part one is may own addition to the story and the actual remix of Poetry and promises starts in Part 2.
Many thanks also to my beta readers Alana71 and The Night Was Moist
Disclaimer: I own nothing (doubly so in this case) and no disrespect is intended to anyone. I receive nothing but the pleasure of writing.
Part 2
Chapter2
Chapter2
The door of Spock's quarters slid open and Captain Pike stood there looking at him quizzically. Spock stiffened and automatically looked for the differences that reassured him that the person belonged to this new reality. He checked that Pike did not have a scar on his neck and that he wore a wedding ring. Spock relaxed a little.
Christopher Pike laughed and said, "Spock you are as jumpy as a cat on hot coals. You need to unwind." Pike had then had invited Spock to accompany him to a local establishment, a club frequented by officers as well as cadets. Spock had refused, expressing gratitude, naturally, but stating he would be out of place.
"Oh, come on, man! You simply cannot spend all your evenings cooped up in that office or your apartment grading assignments and reviewing research findings." He slapped Spock on the shoulder, ignoring the Vulcan's obvious discomfort.
"I'll be picking you up at 2100 hours. And you better not be wearing your Star Fleet uniform. Dress casual. That's an order!" Pike laughed at the expression on the younger man's face.
"Relax, Spock. It'll be fun." He rethought the enticement. "Well, at the very least, It'll be…educational." Chris Pike laughed again as he left Spock to get prepared.
Spock shook his head. He showered and then entered the bedroom to 'dress casual', per his superior officer's order. "Casual," he repeated in his mind. He had never in his life dressed casually. From as young as he could remember his attire was chosen by others, either uniforms or ritual dress. He had never even considered this lack of personal freedom before. He reviewed the contents of the wardrobe and then researched current Earth fashion briefly on the computer. Spock finally settled on a pair of black jeans, a button down collared shirt and a blazer. The lean bearded informally dressed man who looked back at Spock from the mirror was disconcertingly unfamiliar. Spock felt exposed, even naked. He tucked the agoniser he had constructed into his pocket. Its presence always seemed to comfort him.
Spock had just pulled on the jacket as his door chimed alerting him to the presence of Captain Pike.
"Sir." Spock opened the door and allowed Pike in.
"Spock, you really gotta start calling me Chris, or in my totally illogical human way I'm going to be insulted," he chided.
"Yes, sir. Is this attire suitable for this evening?" At Pike's nod Spock placed the id badge and credit disc in his pocket and followed him out the door.
Pike gave Spock a quick once over as Spock locked the door, "I have a feeling you'll be beating the ladies off with a stick." He chuckled at the Vulcan's raised eyebrow. "I promise you'll find this evening to be quite enlightening. Consider it a study in human reaction if you have too." Pike cast a sideways glance at his young friend.
Spock simply replied, "I will inform you at the evening's end if I have been enlightened."
Chris Pike laughed heartily at his former student's words and led the way to the hover transport.
This wasn't exactly the type of evening Christopher Pike enjoyed. He preferred a good, well worn bar, with a liberal bartender and music that one could get enjoyably drunk with. But he had to admit, he was quite pleased with himself. He'd finally gotten his young colleague to agree to an evening out, even if he had to resort to pulling rank. He was concerned about Spock. Ever since the accident the man had been jumpy, distracted and somehow… different. There had been changes that he could not put his finger on and Pike was worried about his protégé. He no longer appeared to relish teaching instead choosing to concentrate on research and technical development. Goodness knew Spock had never been outgoing, but now he was as closed as an oyster. At times it almost seemed like Spock was slowly changing into someone else.
Pike had begun to wonder if he was partly responsible for the Vulcan's increased reclusiveness. About six months ago Pike had taken steps to intervene in Spock's life. He knew the Vulcan would not thank him for it and Pike had been careful to ensure Spock would never find out. Pike could not claim that he acted without ulterior motives. Spock was the best potential first officer he'd ever seen, and he'd be damned if he let him screw up his career over a fling with a cadet, even a fine one like Cadet Uhura. Pike had read the weather signs and discretely arranged for the smart and pretty young women to be presented with an opportunity that was too good to refuse. She had transferred on study exchange to the International Language Institute in Paris and by all reports she had excelled there. Now she was back and due to recommence study at the Academy.
Last week the captain had overheard Spock's young ex-assistant and her roommate discussing this evening together. During the conversation the Orion lass had exclaimed, "No! As your friend and roommate I will not let you waste one more Friday night mooning over your Vulcan professor. We are young and single and we are going out to mingle and that is that!"
From the conversation that followed Pike had learned several things. Firstly, he had been correct in his original suspicions concerning the state of play between the cadet and Spock. Secondly after her transfer Spock had ceased all contact with her. Pike realised that Spock's accident had happened soon after her transfer so the lack of contact was, perhaps, understandable. He wondered briefly if the cadet even knew Spock had been injured. What really surprised Pike was that Spock had not made any move to contact the cadet since her return. Cadet Uhura was no longer Spock's student and had not been for long enough for a relationship to be respectable, so why the hesitation? Finally it was clear that Cadet Uhura, althought confused and hurt by Spock's behaviour, still felt strongly about the Vulcan.
Although he still felt his original actions were justified it occurred to Pike his earlier interference may have contributed to Spock current isolation. Maybe Spock really needed some female company, someone who had been a kindred soul and to whom he could talk, if nothing else. Pike decided he was prepared to assist both parties. He was also quite sure Spock would be more than accommodating once he saw the logic in it.
TBC…
