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Chapter 2 – Not a Chance

Once the performance was over, Kirk and his men waited for the crowd to dissipate and found Amanda at the bar, discussing ticket prices with a Cardassian who looked to be the Cabaret's owner. Spock reflected on the picture: an alien Cabaret. How completely absurd.

Kirk didn't wait for the conversation to come to a close. "How's it going, little bit?"

Amanda's head turned quickly to look at her brother, who stood about five feet away from her barstool. A range of emotions passed over her face, from surprised to happy to curious and, when she finally noticed his company, disdain.

She couldn't fathom what her brother was doing here, let alone dressed in Starfleet fatigues. And bringing a Vulcan along with him!? How dare he!? When he knew how she felt about them.

"Jimmy, what are you doing here?" She turned to her companion a second later and mumbled, "Gilka", which Spock recognized as Cardassian for "It is finished." At her tone, the Cardassian shuffled his papers into a pile and scuttered away. She turned back to Kirk and raised her eyebrows.

"Why, I've come to rescue you from the dank depths of this hellhole, of course."

To Spock's surprise, Amanda rolled her eyes. "How did you find me?"

Now it was Kirk's turn to be sarcastic, "You're the only human female who runs an alien cabaret on an outlaw planet. How couldn't I find you?" When Amanda didn't say anything, he continued. "Mom's been worried."

"Mom's always worried."

"Seriously."

"I write her."

"One sentence with no return address doesn't count as writing."

"I don't have much to say."

"I bet you could think of something other than, 'It's beautiful out in space.'"

"Maybe I can't."

Sulu looked from one face to another, then back at Spock, who was staring intently at Amanda. This conversation felt private, but Kirk had told them not to leave his side. And they knew better than to abandon a Starfleet captain on Tatooine.

Spock was concentrating on Amanda. He was curious about her. What kind of human chose to spend her life with aliens? Even those on Starfleet were only comfortable with the situation because humans were in the majority. She was here, on this awful, combative planet, all on her own. What would possess a human, one of a species that is always so tentative, to do this to herself?

Somewhere in the distance, there was a loud buzzing noise.

"Alright well if you're not going to go away, you have to come with me. We shouldn't be out past one."

"Amanda, I'm a Starfleet captain now." Kirk told her haughtily, implying who would dare mess with him knowing his rank.

"Exactly."

Amanda crossed the room to a coat rack where she put on a motorcycle jacket and wrapped a scarf around her hair. "Come on."

She led the way through the rapidly emptying streets to a small hovel on the outskirts of the city. She ushered them all inside before following and removing her scarf and coat. The first thing that the men noticed was her giant dog. Amanda kept a Doberman from Earth as a pet and a reminder of the planet. Sulu seemed frightened of the animal and backed away, and Spock was wary but also curious. Kirk knew of the pet and didn't seem bothered by him.

"That's Dante. He won't bite." She told them as they attempted to maneuver around the easily four foot tall dog.

The house or, room, as it would be more accurately described, was very cramped. Amanda gestured for them to make themselves comfortable and Spock stood in the corner by the stove, while Sulu sat at a tiny table about an inch from Spock's hip. Kirk reclined on her bed.

Amanda disappeared into another room that could only have been the bathroom. They heard the sound of water running and Amanda emerged moments later, clad in an ivory tunic and brown pants with ivory knee-high boots.

"Brother, are you going to introduce me to your friends?"

Kirk looked confused before realizing that he had never properly explained who his companions were. "Yes, of course. Amanda this is Lieutenant Sulu, my helmsman, and Commander Spock, my first officer. Spock, Sulu, this is my sister Amanda."

"Pleasure to meet both of you. Welcome to my home." Amanda was bustling around the tiny kitchen area, and Spock moved aside to allow her access to the stove. She put some crackers and spread on a plate and offered it up to them. "Sorry, I wasn't prepared for company." Sulu took the plate appreciatively, but Spock restrained himself. Spock couldn't take his eyes off of her, but he got the impression that his stare made her uneasy. He tried to lighten it a bit.

"Now Jim, to what pleasure to I owe this unexpected visit?"

"I have a job for you."

"Nope."

"You haven't even heard what it is yet." Kirk protested.

"I know. But I already know that it has something to do with Starfleet and I say no."

"I would simply like to employ you. As a consultant."

"I know that that's not it. You're planning to keep me there." She was offering drinks now. "I'm glad you like the spread. I made it myself."

She was speaking to Sulu, but her comment was surprising and unexpected. Sulu hadn't made any indication that he felt one way or another about the spread. He had only eaten two or three crackers.

"You're changing the subject."

"There is no subject to change." Amanda insisted, "My answer is no."

"That is not your answer."

"Oh?"

"I'll tell mom where you are."

Spock was quite sure he had never seen a woman look so cross in his life.

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