A/N: Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Glad to hear you're enjoying it. I'm kicking up the pace now, as I don't wont Spock & Uhura to go on sexually frustrated forever Again thanks for reading and reviews are appreciated!

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"Computer, locate Nyota Uhura."

Spock had just returned from a vigorous run. His skin flushed a pale green and he could feel his pulse slowing at a steady rate. He felt healthy and focused.

"Uhura, Nyota is in her quarters." The computerized voice chimed back with just the answer he'd been looking for. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Spock understood the relief he felt when the computer announced Nyota's arrival back in San Francisco. He had always been a child of two worlds. He knew his illogical thoughts of Nyota and his longing to see her were Human emotions, gifted to him by his selfless mother. But his desire to have her, to possess her—that was a product of his Vulcan nature, a pure inheritance from his father.

By now, he knew himself better than he had as a young man, as a young Officer. He knew what he needed—and he needed Nyota. She could bring him the balance he craved.

And he would see her tonight.

*********

"Yeah, he was good-looking, no slouch in bed…but he was no Jim Kirk," Gaila laughed.

She'd been catching Nyota up on exactly how she'd spent her break in bed with the tall, sexy Orion. Who apparently still didn't hold a candle to the sexual prowess of the legendary and oversexed Jim Kirk.

"So you'll still try to get Kirk into bed tonight, huh?" Nyota laughed.

What a silly thing to do, ask a question when you already had the answer.

Gaila arched an eyebrow at her best friend. "Ny, who do you think I am? Of course I am going to get him back into bed tonight," She stared at her reflection dreamily in the mirror. "After all, I owe it to myself. And so as long as we're on the subject of hot men…when will Doctor Hardbody show up to sweep you off your feet?"

Nyota's stomach churned. She was nervous about seeing Bones tonight. "He said he'd be here at 8. That way, we'll get there after the Gala starts. I guess he wants to be fashionably late." Silently she wondered when Spock would be there. Would he have a date?

"I like that, " Gaila murmured, still looking at herself in the mirror. "A man who likes to make an entrance."

*********

Spock smoothed down the edges of his clothes. They felt foreign to him, but he did find his appearance agreeable. The only thing that mattered was that Nyota felt the same.

He walked down the stairs of the entrance and into the ballroom that was dedicated to the Gala tonight. It was obvious that tonight's event had taken a great deal of planning. There were bars at each end of the massive room—the entire space was filled with a varied selection of the finest Terran flowers. The lights, he estimated, were at 40 percent. A quartet of musicians played soothing string music, something he was fond of. The atmosphere was sensual.

The room was full of Starfleet's finest, already letting loose for a night of decadence. The men looked more refined outside of their uniforms, the women much more attractive. He paused to scan the room. No Nyota.

"Mister Spock," he felt a hand come down on his back, and turned to see Captain Pike. Spock raised an eyebrow at his friend, who already had a brandy in his hand. He guessed it was not the first of the night.

"Where did you get this getup? I gotta say, it looks good on you!" Pike laughed, turned to give the young, attractive bartender a wink. "Amanda, another brandy for me…and bring one for my Vulcan friend."

"You know that alcohol has no effect on me," Spock protested. But Pike would not hear it.

"Just sip it. It tastes good even if you won't feel the buzz. It's a party, Spock. Have a godforsaken drink. Lighten up, for pete's sake!"

This was not the first time Spock had heard this particular speech from Pike—so he obliged, taking the snifter into his hands and analyzing the warm scent. He was right, the scent was most agreeable.

"Captain, have you been spending your time here tonight drinking and harassing this barmaid?" There was a note of humor in Spock's voice. Pike didn't miss it.

"Harassment for one is flirting for another. I, for one, think she likes me," Pike grinned. "Besides, where's the lady you've had your eye on for so long?"

Spock turned from their vantage point at the bar to scan the room. "I do not believe she has arrived yet, Captain."

Pike snorted. "Yeah, well, you know women. Takes them a good while to get ready."

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Nyota was decked out, and she knew it. Her hair hung long and loose—styled shiny and smooth. Her skin sparkled and she'd accented her long legs with a pair of decidedly sexy black heels. She was wearing the black cocktail dress that fit her body so well, and she was now certain that the hem that hit her legs mid-thigh looked even better when she slipped those shoes on.

I hope he feels a note of regret when he sees me in this dress. Remorse, jealousy, I'll take whatever I can get.

Immediately, she frowned at herself despite her luminous reflection. How could she dress so pretty, and have such ugly thoughts?

Her contemplation was interrupted by the chime at her quarters. 8:09. It was Bones. She signaled the door to open, and there he stood.

Dr. Leonard McCoy cleaned up well, apparently. He had on a nice pair of slacks, and a dress shirt that completed his look. He held one solitary rose in his hands.

"Wow, Uhura, you look—great," he sighed, drinking in her appearance. She felt her cheeks flush at his appreciative stare. "Thanks, Bones, you don't look too bad yourself."

*********

Spock was on his third brandy, but that was no concern for him. Pike was the one quickly headed for disaster.

It was nearly 9 o'clock and he had not yet seen Nyota. Perhaps she had decided not to come to the Gala. The thought disheartened him. He turned back to the bar.

"Amanda, is it?" The barmaid smiled and nodded. "I would like you to make me a strong drink with a chocolate component. Is there anything in your repertoire that will suffice?"

She smiled. "I've got just the thing."

She set down the glass in front of him. It was murky with the color of the chocolate, poured over ice. Whatever it was, the smell was enticing. He took a sip. The flavor was just as satisfying as the scent.

"Well hello, handsome."

Spock turned. Nurse Chapel, of course. She'd picked a dress that was nearly as revealing as the bikini she'd worn the other night. Her breasts were shoved high and centered in some tortured piece of clothing. He suppressed a look of aggravation that threatened to punch through his mask of control.

"Nurse Chapel, good evening." He did not reward her with a smile, instead he turned to look at Pike—who had his eyes narrowed on Christine.

"Good evening. You look so nice tonight. I don't think I've ever seen you in Terran clothing. It's a refreshing change."

Her voice was loaded with suggestion and Spock deduced that she'd been enjoying a few alcoholic beverages of her own.

He would have to make do and make nice. After all, this was not the Starfleet pool. This was the Gala. He felt relief when Captain Pike spoke up.

"Nurse Chapel, what brings you here tonight?" Pike had a sly smile on his face. Christine's face twisted with confusion.

"The Starfleet Gala, of course." Her look was quizzical. Pike chuckled.

"No, Chapel, not here to the Gala, here to this to this bar." Pike was baiting her.

Spock cleared his throat with discomfort. Chapel wasn't confused any more, she was irritated.

"Just a stop by to say hello to a friend," She beamed a smile at Spock, who wasn't watching her at all. His eyes were fixed steady on the entrance to the ballroom.

There she was. Nyota walked into the ballroom with the grace of a ballerina.

She took his breath away.

She was wearing a slinky black dress that exposed one of her shoulders. It stopped just low enough under her thighs to be enticing without being too revealing. Her hair fell around her in a black halo. There was just enough of her skin exposed to make his heart rate increase by seven percent. He felt his internal temperature rise.

He was so engrossed in her that he didn't hear Christine's request. She repeated herself for good measure. "Commander, a dance?" Perhaps he could have answered her, but he'd just caught sight of a man at Nyota's side.

Dr. Leonard McCoy linked arms with Nyota, started to lead her down the stairs. When they reached the floor of the ballroom, he steered her through the crowd with a hand on the small of her back.

Spock ignored Christine, lifted the chocolate concoction in his hand to his mouth and drained it.

*********

She was trying to look for him without looking like she was trying to look for him. Bones gently helped her through the mass of people in the ballroom, drinks and plates of food in hand.

Then she glanced at the side bar and saw him. He took her breath away.

Spock was not wearing the Vulcan attire she'd gown accustomed to. Instead, he stood at the bar with Captain Pike, dressed in a suit. A sleek black suit that hugged every angle of his body. It must have been custom crafted for him; it was fitted to his exact dimensions. She felt her breath hitch when he caught her stare and returned it.

She'd never seen him look so handsome. She'd never been so nervous.

But she was walking, and Bones was driving with a hand at her back and she realized that they were walking straight towards the bar where Spock and the Captain now stood.

And now, she noticed, a rather scantily clad Nurse Chapel stood with them. She was nearly pressed up against Spock, spilling out of a dress that was clearly two sizes too small.

Bitch.

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