So BIG note: This is a NEW chapter four, but if you've been following along, this is technically 'chapter five'. However, none of the previous chapters have changed, including what was 'chapter four' but is now chapter three, I just decided to combine chapter 1 and 2 so that the flow would be better and reorganized the chapters that followed. So you don't have to go back and read anything (unless you want to) but THIS is new.

In addition, I would just like to say that I cannot express just how grateful I am to everyone who has given me feedback on this story or favorited/followed it. I was so nervous about joining this fandom but you guys make it all worthwhile! And of course, thanks as per her due to my beta, Icelinaoc.

I don't own it, I just play with worlds.


Ch 4: Wish I Were Here

Captain's Log, Stardate 2266.77: We remain in orbit of Planet M-526. And, it appears we have an unexpected addition to our crew.

Nyota Uhura was utterly restless. They wouldn't let her do anything.

No complaints here. She's as feisty as the Uhura I know so well.

Bones had told her she needed to rest and recover. Supposedly, she had hit the deck pretty hard when she arrived, already unconscious as she came onto the transporter pad. The others had already cleared, unsure of what had happened to their own Uhura. No one had been there to stop her fall. They made her sound like some sort of delicate damsel.

She had tried to protest that she felt fine, that she was perfectly capable, but the scan Bones took of her brain damned her to her bed. Her readings were all over the place, indicative of serious head trauma. She had her own theories about that, based on what Spock had told her about their bond, but she kept that to herself. Either way, strenuous activity was totally 'out of the question'.

So she had offered some alternatives to 'strenuous activity'.

She had offered to help man the communications station in her counterpart's absence. She even generously said that she would perform the assistant's role.

Bones told her Kirk was worried that the system would be too different, and that her injuries might be worsened by the stress of the bridge. Even though nothing exciting had happened (or would likely happen) since her arrival.

She had offered (via Bones, as no one else seemed to want to interact with her) to help Scotty and Spock with the calculations needed to begin her return trip. She even offered to just crunch the numbers while they did all the difficult analysis.

Bones told that they 'had precious prior experience' and that her assistance be unnecessary and likely a hindrance. Bones had told her the second part was a direct quote from Spock. She certainly didn't want to deal with him when he was in one of those moods.

She had offered to help serve the Enterprise in any sort of capacity that was necessary and simple.

"I'll sweep the floors, Bones, just let me do something!"

But at every suggestion, she was told that she was too young, too inexperienced, too weak. And she had thought being a woman on her Enterprise was difficult. She didn't know how this Uhura could stand it.

"C'mon, Bones, at least let me help you out. I took several anatomy and first aid courses and the academy, and-"

"Dammit, Uhura, I'm a doctor, not a babysitter! You are not doing any work while you are on this ship and that is final! The sooner the hobgoblin figures out what to do with you, the better."

And that had been the end of the conversation.

…But he hadn't specifically told her she couldn't leave sickbay.

And so she found herself wandering the ship, familiarizing herself with all that was familiar and yet unfamiliar. It appeared that most things were in the same place. She found the mess easy enough, an observation deck she especially enjoyed, even the botany labs. Some rooms she didn't remember, or seemed to be out of place.

Everywhere she went, people stared at her. No one spoke, but knowing how gossip traveled on her Enterprise, she was sure that they all knew just who she was and where she had come from. She just hoped none of them thought her out of place and squealed on her to Bones. She didn't want to cross him in this or any universe.

She tried to get away from the constant barrage of stares, working herself deeper and deeper into the strange halls. She almost felt as if she was being drawn somewhere, although she couldn't tell why or where in particular. Her quarters, perhaps? But she was on the wrong level. Finally, she wandered into what seemed, in the semi-darkness, another empty workroom, and she felt as if she had reached her destination. It was quite strange. It didn't look particular familiar, and had almost a sterile feel to it. It almost reminded her of-

"Why are you in my meditation space?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Spock. That would explain the strange draw. She hadn't even realized she had been looking for someone rather than somewhere. She turned, intending to say something lame about being lost, but found herself immediately rendered speechless.

He was so…handsome. But so utterly different. She had become used to being able to constantly read the emotion carefully covered yet easily visible to her on Spock's face. But this man had no such weakness. He appeared to be of stone. And other things were not quite right. He was too knowing, too gruff, too strong. The man she had imagined her Spock would become one day, not the man she awoke to each morning. Surreal in his difference.

And definitely waiting for her response. Looking…curious?

"I…I was looking for…you. I think."

Oh, great. Had she really just said that? This man, like no other, made her completely lose her brilliant linguistic talents. He stared down at her blankly.

"It appears your venture was successful. You are Miss Uhura, are you not?"

"Um…yes? Well, not…exactly. Not the Uhura you are familiar with."

Duh, he already knew that. She was speaking like a complete fool. His impassive features revealed nothing.

"I thought I had communicated quite clearly via Dr. McCoy that your services would be unnecessary during the duration of your stay."

"I…I know. He informed me that I would be nothing but a 'hindrance', as you said."

His head tilted ever so slightly. In guilt? In agreement? In curiosity? She could read nothing about this man.

"Then why have you sought out my present location? Surely, my presence is of no use to you. My work is all that should be required of me."

"I wanted to see you. I…um…I missed you."

She nearly winced. This was not at all how she had intended this conversation to go. In fact, she had not intended to be having this conversation at all. But, somehow, even in its awkwardness, speaking to this man was comforting. She hadn't even stopped to think about how desperately she had missed Spock until that moment.

"…That is an illogical sentiment. I have been onboard the Enterprise during the entire duration of your stay, and am currently in your presence. And we have never before made one another's acquaintance."

"No, I don't mean you, not really. I miss…the other you. But you remind me of him. You make me feel…more at home."

She had not even realized she felt this way until she spoke the words. However, now she was completely certain that she had, unconsciously, been seeking him out for this exact reason. She was lonely. And…somehow, illogically, he eased the ache she felt for her Spock.

"Ah, I see. A very human reaction, but logical. You find the physical similarities between myself and the Spock in your universe to be familiar and therefore bring a degree of sameness to your new and likely strange situation."

"Yes. There is more emotion behind it than that, but in a 'logical' way, that is true."

"Ah, an emotional connection is present as well. You and your Spock are…close? 'Friends', perhaps?"

"Yeah, something like that."

His left eyebrow quirked up in a gesture so familiar that it nearly made her gasp and left a resounding ache in her chest. He appeared as if he was going to say more, perhaps comment on the lack of clarity and ambiguousness of her speech. But before he could, Bones burst into the room looking for all of world like an angry mama bear.

"Uhura, just what part of 'you are not to go anywhere while you are in my care' did you not understand?"

She was caught after all. She hadn't seen Bones this angry in quite some time in her universe. It appeared that age did nothing to mellow the man. She smiled, which only appeared to make him angrier.

"Actually, Leonard, I don't recall you saying those words at any point during out last conversation. I believe you forbid me from working while I was 'under your care', but you said nothing about restricting my freedom of movement."

She felt rather smug at her witty response. Glancing at Spock, she noticed that the corner of his mouth was almost beginning to twitch slightly, a sure sign of amusement in her Spock. Perhaps the two weren't so different.

"Well, I'm saying it now. As your doctor, I command you to report to sickbay this instant, and for God's sake, stay there!"

She smiled sweetly as he silently fumed at her.

"Anything you say, Dr. Bones."

She turned from them both, ready to flounce past Bones in a final display of sass. Before she could, she was stopped by a most unlikely source.

"Miss Uhura, one more moment, if it pleases the good Doctor."

McCoy, eyes looking ready to bulge of out his head in anger, threw up his arms in defeat.

"Well since apparently no one listens to me in any case, it really doesn't matter what I say!"

Spock nodded, as if this was an acceptable answer. He turned to Uhura once more. She stared at him curiously, her interest piqued. What in the world could he have to say to her?

"Despite my earlier judgment on the matter, I believe that perhaps Mr. Scott and I could use some assistance with our work in returning you to your own timeline. That is, of course, if you feel in good health and capable of the work."

She was certain her smile was dazzling. She would say yes to any opportunity to get out of the dullness of sickbay, and, quite frankly, closer to anything that eased the constant ache in her head. Like Spock, for instance.

"I am most certainly up to the task, Mr. Spock. That is, if Bones is willing to release me?"

She was pretty sure he hissed in his anger.

"Fine, do what you want. But you best report to sickbay every few hours and check in. And it's on your pointy-eared head if she passes out and hurts herself worse than she already is!"

"I assure you, Dr. McCoy, I will take very good care of Miss Uhura."

She felt herself blushing. In any universe, it seemed, Spock certainly knew how to charm her.

Strong-willed enough to take on Bones, in any case. Braver than I am in that respect. And she brings an openness to Spock I have yet to see. Perhaps her difference will be a good influence on my crew, after all…


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