Nyota kept her free time busy with mundane things. She thought of Spock often. The worst times for her were when she would see him. And she did see him every day, albeit for brief moments. The days at work were tolerable as a result of this. At work, she was focused and had the benefit of Cmdr. Jess's company and the company of the other men on the bridge. Jess made certain that she didn't have idle time to linger on whatever was causing her to be so sullen.

She didn't know what she would do without Sulu and Chekov. They made this time bearable with their outrages banter and silly jokes. She found herself smiling more often during her work shifts now. Spock was mostly off bridge as Jess assumed more of his responsibilities.

The night, however, was a completely different story. Nyota did nothing but cry and feel sorry for herself as she struggled to come out of this depression. She had known Spock for a long time now. She met him as a freshman at the Academy and maintained constant contact with him since. She couldn't imagine him being gone. But then again, she couldn't imagine him remaining here either.

His presence, alone would torment her. That, coupled with the fact that he did not want her, was too much to bear. Sleep would not allow respite as she dreamed of him often on the nights that sleep did come—and always after a night of heavy crying.

On the bridge, Sulu was joking with Chekov. Each man possessed many skills and interest outside of Starfleet, including a shared love and extensive knowledge of popular music that spanned hundreds of years. They often enjoyed quizzing one another on various songs and artists- each one trying to outdo the other. They had also taken to speaking to one another in song lyrics. One would fit in the lyrics of a song that fit the context of their conversation and the other would continue the conversation with lyrics from the same song. It was terribly amusing…at first. The bridge was often filled with this sort of dialogue especially when things were slow and boredom had long settled in.

Uhura took her mess break at the same time Cmdr Jess did and they often spent it together in the Mess Hall. They talked often on a variety of subjects and Nyota was grateful for the temporary distraction that was his company. After several days of shared meals during their shifts, they began to run into each other in the Mess Hall in the evenings as well. Though this was not planned, she was always happy to see him. Pretty soon, it was apparent by all that he had a thing for her. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her and he wasn't really that interested in being discrete about it either. Many of the crew figured that he probably didn't know about Spock or else he'd be more circumspect in his admiration for the lieutenant. He was lucky, too, that Spock was often elsewhere when he was together with Uhura. That was, until today.

Spock was entering the Mess Hall with Scott when he saw Uhura and Jess at a nearby table. He attempted to appear unaware, but he couldn't resist glancing in their direction from time to time. He procured his meal and followed Scott to a table. He winced inwardly when he saw where the Chief Engineer was setting down his tray. It was only two tables away from Uhura's table and in her line of sight. He considered turning around and exiting as he had done numerous times in the past, but thought better of it as it was, decidedly too late and she had seen him. With great reluctance, Spock settled down across from Scotty who seemed oblivious to his poor choice of seating assignment. He began to talk engines.

Uhura almost dropped her fork when she looked up and noticed Spock behind Scotty. He was lying his tray down on the table that was only a few feet right in front of her. Her stomach started to flutter inside and she felt her palms getting moist. She was nervous. Her posture stiffened and her speech became more formal as she responded to Jess in conversation. If he was puzzled by the change in the lieutenant's behavior, he did not show it. He simply continued on as if all was well. She was glad about this. Just then, Sulu and Chekov came bounding down the aisle chattering and laughing jovially. They paused briefly and looked around before deciding to join Nyota and Jess at their table. They had not noticed Spock and Scotty nearby. Not yet.

They settled into their chairs and prepped the food on their trays. Soon, Cmdr. Jess excused himself to retrieve dessert. Before departing, he asked the officers at his table if he could bring anything back for them. When they declined, he turned and headed for the dessert bar.

All three watched as Spock rose from his table and followed Cmdr. Jess to the front of the large room. Nyota suddenly felt very warm. Uncertain of what she should do, she started to consume her lunch with gusto.

Ahead, Spock and Jess were talking off to the side where they would not be heard or interrupted. No one could tell the nature of the conversation as their backs were partially turned toward the seating area of the room.

Sulu leaned in close to Uhura. Without taking his eyes off of Spock and Jess, he spoke:

"Jess is a friend. Yeah, I know he's been a good friend of mine. But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define. Jess has got himself a girl and I want to make her mine."

Uhura paused in mid chew and closed her eyes in annoyance. Without cracking so much as a smile, Chekov added:

"…And she's watching him with those eyes." His accent was destroying the song and she was glad that he wasn't singing it. He darted his glances back and forth between Uhura and the two men engaged in serious conversation. He continued his butchery of the late Rick Springfield song.

"…And she's loving him with that body—I just know it." He shook his head slowly from side to side in mock disbelief.

Sulu threw his hands up in the air in mock exasperation. "Yeah, and he's holding her in his arms late, late at night"

Uhura sighed heavily and not in mock irritation. She was annoyed.

They continued anyway with the next part of the song, which was obviously the refrain. They didn't speak it, however, but sang it together instead. It sounded horrible. "You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl…I wish that I had Jessie's girl...Where can I find a woman like that…."

Sulu was about to move into the next line of the song when he felt something very hard strike him in the shin. He withdrew his leg and let out a yelp. Uhura grabbed him by the shirt as discreetly as she could and whispered.

"I will cut you in your sleep."

Ahead, Spock and Jess heard the commotion at the table. It sounded like someone was singing and badly. They hadn't paid it much attention, but they did turn in time to see Uhura saying something to Sulu. It looked like he was hunched down low like she might have been showing him something on the floor beneath the table.

They continued their conversation.

Later, before the end of their shifts, Jess asked Nyota if she wanted to attend the first social function on the ship with him tonight. It was a welcoming party for him. He had made sure to preface his question with the fact that he wanted nothing more than a friendly, lovely lady on his arm and that he was in no way interested in anything more. He sounded convincing and Nyota didn't see the harm in it. In fact, this would be the perfect distraction to her usual evening routine of crying and pining. She thought about Spock and decided that the likelihood of him being there was small as he was usually able to find a great excuse to get out of things like this and he didn't enjoy these types of social gatherings, anyway. She agreed and he told her that he would swing by to pick her up at 1900 hours.

At the same exact time, on the same exact ship, a similar discussion was taking place in the Captain's Ready Room. Well, sort of….

Spock was standing with his arms behind his back and listening to the Captain as he informed him of the social event that was being held later on that evening. It was mandatory and each officer on the bridge must have a good time. Spock thought that the latter was a bit ridiculous and knew that he would do no such thing.

"C'mon Spock. It won't be that bad. You know how these things go. Just show up for like thirty minutes until I'm done with the speeches and you can go. Simple as that." Kirk walked toward the exit, and paused before moving through the door.

"Oh, yeah and make sure that you bring a date. It'll do you some good, anyway." And with that he was out the door.

Spock stood thinking about the evening to come. He was certain that Nyota would be in attendance as it would be mandatory for her to be there. He wondered if she would be alone. He surmised that the likelihood of her coming alone was slim- more like none. Someone would definitely ask her…and he was fairly certain who.

Spock had some final details to tend to in Medical Bay before being dismissed from duty. He stood in the corridor waiting for the lift when Nurse Chapel came by to stand next to him. She smiled at him in greeting.

"Greetings, Nurse Chapel" said Spock nodding at her.

"Good evening, Mr. Spock."

A moment passed before she continued. "Heading toward your quarters?"

The lift stopped and they stepped in.

"No, Nurse. I am needed in Medical Bay to recalibrate some of Dr. McCoy's instruments that arrived from Starbase 11."

"Oh, it is a pleasant coincidence that I am on my way there as well. I have some sick patients that I need to check up on. We can ride together."

She was too happy with this fortunate happenstance. She was smitten with the Vulcan since she first met him at the Academy where she was a student interning with the experienced Dr. McCoy. She had one date with Spock long ago. She considered it a date, although Spock may think differently. He was chosen to speak on a scientific topic regarding medical advances on Vulcan at a symposium years ago and had needed an assistant to accompany him. It was not a romantic gesture on Spock's part; and as a matter of fact, he didn't even have anything to do with it. She was assigned to him for the purpose of assisting him in his talks by one of the top researchers working at the Academy under a teaching capacity. That did not, however, stop her from viewing him as a potential suitor. She was always patient with Spock in the past, and saw her second opportunity at romance unfolding in front of her now.

While they rode to Medical, she worked up the nerve to ask him.

"Mr. Spock, I was wondering if you had a date to accompany you to Cmdr. Jess's welcoming party this evening."

Spock stiffened as he prepared himself mentally for what she was alluding to next.

"No. I do not. I will not be staying long, and therefore do not see the reason for one."

"Well, Mr. Spock- you are aware that it is the first social event aboard the Enterprise, are you not?"

"Yes, Nurse, I have been informed. It does not change my intentions for the evening, however."

Chapel looked down at her feet.

"That's a shame as I have heard that it will be quite entertaining. Also all of the lovely ladies will be in attendance. I believe Rand, Kelsey, and…Uhura will be there…..with their dates, of course."

Spock craned his neck slightly and shifted his stance at the mention of Uhura. The lift doors were opening now and she moved to step out. Spock followed behind her.

"What's also a shame is that you and I will probably be the only two without dates this evening. How odd that would look, don't you agree, Commander?"

She looked at him now, a smile forming across her face. She saw that he was in contemplative thought and her chances of victory were increasing by the second.

"Nurse Chapel, Perhaps you would like to accompany me this evening? I cannot promise that I will be in attendance for the duration of the event, but I will remain for a sufficient amount of time for you to be entertained adequately."

That was the best that she was going to get. With a nod and another smile, she gladly accepted. Once in Sick Bay, they decided on a meeting time and parted ways.

Dr. McCoy was nowhere to be found.