The Name Game

"Nyota!"

It was less the sound of her name and more the sound of her name from that voice that made her stop. Clenching her jaw, Uhura spun around, not caring that she was about to be late for lunch with her new friend, Christine.

He jogged up to her, startling a few birds hobbling across the campus path, and smiled – that annoying, smug, smack-worthy smile. "Hey, Nyota. Where are you off to?"

They way he kept saying her name…she knew he was doing it just to bug her. Just like half the things he did.

"None of your business, Jim."

"Can I join you, Nyota?"

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"You know what."

He crossed his arms, his smile growing more irritating by the second. "I have no idea what you mean…Nyota."

She stepped close to him, narrowing her eyes. "I'm warning you, Jim…"

"Don't you mean Captain? I mean, unless you want to go out tonight. Then I'll let you call me Jim all you want." He raised his eyebrows up and down, lowering his voice an octave. "And, believe me, you'll want."

Feeling heat pulsate through her body, Uhura thought of all the ways she could hurt him. Vaporize him and not leave a trace. Starfleet could replace him in a second.

He glanced over at gave a quick wave to a couple of female cadets who were pointing at him and whispering. "I find it amazing, Nyota," Kirk said, turning back to her, "that you would get to upset at me using your first name."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he held a finger to her lips. She swatted his hand away and he laughed.

He continued. "I mean, I did just save us all from that crazy Nero, Nyota. Not to mention all of the Federation. Oh, and that pointy eared boyfriend of yours." Kirk shrugged, leaning closer to her and he put his hands in his pockets. "I would think after all of that, I would at least have the right to call you by your first name…," here he paused and she knew he was enjoying this way to much. Finally, he whispered, "Nyota."

She wanted to slap him. She wanted to kick him. She wanted to curse him out in every language that she knew.

But, suddenly, she leaned back, smiling. "I wonder how many people know about the T."

His smile didn't falter but he did lean back as well. "Excuse me?"

"You know. The T. As in James T. Kirk."

Like someone poured ice water on him, the smile dropped from Jim's face. She smiled in triumph as he shook his head, forcing himself to smile. "Yeah right."

She raised her eyebrows. "You think I don't know?"

"I know you don't know."

She shrugged, turning. "Then I guess you won't care that I tell our entire new crew what our Captain really likes to be called." She started to walk away when Kirk ran in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.

"I don't believe you," he said, half pleading.

This time, she crossed her arms with a smug, self-satisfied smile. "It's Latin, you know. After a river."

His face paled.

Her smile grew. She took a step forward and he didn't move, though she saw his adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

"It was actually Julius Caesar's first name." She did a mock gasp, placing a finger to her chin. "Whose last name when he was born was Nero. What a small world."

"You wouldn't," he said.

She smiled sweetly. "Wanna bet?"

"There you are!" a voice rang out from behind Kirk, interrupting them. They both turned to see Christine Chapel walking toward them. She paused when she saw Jim, a nervous smile crossing her face. "C-Captain."

Nyota rolled her eyes, pushing past Kirk to her friend. "Please. It's not official yet." She turned back, winking at Jim. "Actually, I believe he doesn't want us to call him Captain at all. You see Jim—."

"It's fine, Uhura," he rushed, the former paleness of his features turning slightly pink.

Nyota linked her arm through Christina's. "See you tomorrow…Captain."