As Spock headed for his evening chess game with the captain, he barely felt the deck beneath his feet. Illogically, the journey seemed longer than usual. Every crewmember he encountered stared at him, then broke into excited whispers and titters of laughter after he passed. Really, he never would understand this human predilection for speculating on the personal lives of others. He took comfort from the fact that Jim would never believe such an absurd story. In fact, Jim might be the very person to help him get to the bottom of this. However in the captain's quarters, fresh trouble awaited.

McCoy was there and immediately began giving Spock a hard time. "Here's Lover Boy now!" he bellowed. "Okay Spock, details. How'd you manage it?"

"Belay that, Bones," Kirk chided his chief medical officer. He turned to Spock. "Look here, I don't mean to pry into your personal affairs, but it's my duty as captain to say this. I hear that you are involved with Lt. Uhura, and I'm very happy for you."

"Jim, that is…" Spock stammered, but Kirk cut him off.

"I know, I know. You don't want to discuss it. But Spock, could you two try to be a little less public? You are the first officer after all, and as you've seen it's very easy to get the gossip mill stirred up." Kirk smiled at his friend. "Frankly, Spock, I'm a bit surprised at having to lecture *you* of all people about being discreet."

"Jim, there is nothing to be discreet about. I am not 'involved' with Lt. Uhura. This is all a very big misunderstanding."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised" McCoy muttered. Kirk shut him up with a glare.

"What kind of misunderstanding?"

Spock related the incident about Uhura and the storage closet. "I am attempting to ascertain how the rumor started in the first place. Mr. Riley denies mentioning it to anyone, and he seemed sincere. I also clarified the matter myself by relating the correct account to 11 people."

Kirk and McCoy started laughing. "Spock, my friend. It seems that you started all this yourself," Kirk said.

"Me? How?"

"Have you ever heard of the children's game Broken Telephone?" Spock shook his head. "One person whispers a sentence to the next player. Each player in turn then whispers what he or she believes they heard to the next. The last player announces the statement to the entire group, and it is usually wildly different from what was uttered by the first."

"So you mean that I..." Spock looked sheepish.

McCoy nodded and chuckled. "Don't look so crushed Spock. There are worse things to be accused of than having an affair with Uhura. Speaking of which, what does she think about all this?"

"She has been working beta shift and I have not had the chance to talk to her. She is very likely distressed. At the very least I owe her an apology."

"I'm sure she's fine," the captain said. "She'll understand that you meant no harm, and this story will eventually play itself out. Before long the grapevine will be buzzing about something new."

Spock nodded glumly. He was not looking forward to telling her of his role in spreading the story. Nonetheless he vowed to put aside time to speak to her the following day. As it happened she beat him to the punch, catching him on the way to his quarters.

"Mr. Spock, may I have a word with you please?"

"Certainly Lieutenant." He led her to an unoccupied conference room, grateful that she didn't appear to be upset.

"Mr. Spock, the crew seems to be under the impression that you and I are a couple. Do you know where they could have gotten that idea?"

"Evidently I am the source of that particular rumor."

Her eyes widened "You Mr. Spock? But…"

"Please allow me to finish, Lieutenant. Last week when Mr. Riley saw us in the storage closet together he made a joke about us kissing. I was afraid that he would spread the story and wished to protect you from becoming the topic of gossip, so I decided to set the record straight before he had the chance. The captain has since informed me that this was the incorrect course of action. Instead of suppressing a rumor I inadvertently fueled one. If I have caused you any distress I am deeply sorry."

Uhura stared at him for a moment, and then began to laugh. "Oh Mr. Spock. You have a lot to learn about human nature."

"So it would seem. I take it from your laughter that you are not angry, Ms. Uhura?"

"Please, call me Nyota. And no I am not angry. I'm flattered that you went to so much trouble to protect my feelings. It was very sweet of you." She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"I figured I might as well since we've been accused anyway," she said in response to his startled look.

"Indeed, Nyota." Then Spock shocked her by pulling her close and kissing her more firmly. "I *did* want to kiss you that day in the storage closet. As you said, we have been accused anyway, so kissing you now is only logical." He favored her with one of his almost smiles. Now it was her turn to look startled.

Leonard McCoy, who had entered the room to retrieve the PADD he left after an earlier meeting, quickly backed out before they noticed him. He snickered. Scotty and M'Benga each owed him 25 credits. A 'misunderstanding,' huh? Spock could say what he wanted, but McCoy had seen them with his own eyes. He snickered again…he couldn't wait to tell Jim about this!

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