Dr. McCoy was sitting in his quarters when he remembered that he was supposed to meet with Spock in Medical Bay. He contacted Spock on his com badge to postpone the repairs. Spock was willing to dismiss the doctor's oversight which surprised McCoy. Spock usually made comments that sparked his irritation and this was a model opportunity for chastisement. McCoy figured that Nurse Chapel had gotten a hold of him. He recalled the conversation that he had with her earlier.

Chapel was assisting McCoy in the administration of a vaccination. She was logging her nurse's notes into her PADD while the doctor spoke with his patient. He had asked Chapel a question and when he didn't receive an answer, turned to look at his nurse.

"Is there a problem, Nurse?" he inquired.

She was preoccupied with something at present. She didn't seem to be reading from her PADD, just holding it in her hands and staring blankly at it.

He tried again, "Nurse Chapel."

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at McCoy.

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about tonight," she said quietly.

"Ah…Who are you going with?"

"Well, Dr. McCoy, that's just it….I don't have a date," she said slightly embarrassed.

"Nonsense. Why don't you ask Spock?"

He smiled widely after saying this. He knew that she had a crush on Spock. She had gone on and on about him enough in the past few years to McCoy and the other nurses. She had asked McCoy questions about him from time to time as if he would know any more than she did about the stubborn Vulcan. He decided that she just needed a little encouragement.

Since finding out about his involvement with Uhura, the doctor had started to encourage Chapel to approach him. He didn't approve of the officers' relationship. He felt that romantic relationships among bridge personnel were inappropriate and the likelihood of such a thing interfering with work was too great to be ignored. Truth be told, he didn't feel that Spock was right for Uhura; and he didn't want to have to play relationship counselor should one of them become heartbroken.

Chapel began to blush at the mention of Spock. She knew that everyone in her department was aware of her admiration of him. She hadn't really done a great job in concealing it. She had been thinking about making a move on Spock since the start of the rumors of his breakup with Uhura. She knew that her chances of a love relationship were next to zero as he would soon be leaving for New Vulcan, but a sexual relationship could definitely form. ….If she just had the opportunity.

Spock sat centering his mind before attempting to enter into meditation. He had already slowed his breathing and was now evoking images of Nyota. He knew that he would have to do this first before attending the night's festivities. He would not be able to conduct himself in a true Vulcan manner if he did not confront the problems of his heart.

He imagined Nyota with Jess at the party together. He wanted his mind to become familiar with this picture. He wanted to deal with the emotions that would result. He needed to deal with them here and now—not out there in public where he could be observed. He was able to manage the emotions that resulted from this image. He was feeling more confident. Spock next produced an image of them dancing and laughing together. This, too, was manageable. But when he had gotten to the scenarios of Nyota and Jess kissing in an embrace, he stirred. Inside, his heart began to beat faster and his slow breathing was now quickening with each second.

He did not wish to upset himself, but knew that it was necessary. In the past, he was always unable to move beyond this point. He would end his meditation here. Tonight, however, the possibility of seeing this very scene unfold was more likely and he needed to be able to handle it. He pressed on.

Nyota once again nodded her appreciation for her God given form in her full-length mirror. She picked out a dress that she didn't have a chance to wear yet. It was a dress that belonged to her former roommate, Gaila. Nyota had agreed to wear the dress at Gaila's insistence to an Academy sponsored gala that was planned near graduation. Nero had put a stop to everything, however, and now Nyota would never be able to return the dress to her beloved friend.

Nyota fought back tears that stung in her eyes as she donned the garment. The memory of her old roommate and best friend had made her nostalgic and she took a long moment to grieve for her.

At 1900 hours, Paul arrived. When he saw her, his jaw dropped. He made no attempt to hide his reaction to her. She smiled at him and grabbed his arm, hooking hers around it. She led him toward the lift. He didn't speak until the lift was nearing their destination.

"I can't believe this…is all for me," he spoke softly.

Nyota smiled, replying, "You're the guest of honor, Commander."

He turned toward her then, suddenly serious.

"No, I mean….you. You..are….breathtaking"

"Yes, I am," she said jokingly. He couldn't help but smile.

When they arrived at the banquet hall, they were accosted by several of the crew members. Many of them shook Jess's hand, officially welcoming him to the Enterprise. Amid all the activity, Nyota gestured to him letting him know that she would be at the bar getting their drinks. Some of the more decorated officers had arrived from the nearby Starbase via shuttle to attend. They began to engage him in conversation.

At the bar, Nyota waited patiently for the bartender to prepare her order. She was talking with another female officer when she saw Spock and Chapel enter the hall together. There was no question that they were a couple tonight as Chapel had her arm wrapped around Spock's as he escorted her in. Nyota couldn't believe what she was seeing and had to do a double take.

Christine (Chapel) was dressed in a long evening gown. It was simple, but elegant. The soft blue hue of the fabric suited her as it accentuated her blond hair which was styled in an updo. Nyota had to give her credit for her color selection. It worked on her. Her shoes, on the other hand, were a different story. She had worn tall heels, which made her already tall and lanky body tower slightly over Spock. Nyota thought that this fashion faux pas made her look more masculine than feminine. But, she didn't want to dwell anymore on her.

Spock was incredibly handsome. He was always so handsome to her, but tonight he was drop dead gorgeous. He wore his formal officer's uniform. It was black and decorated in the braided cords that represented his accomplishments in Starfleet. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of him. Realizing that she was staring at them now, she whipped around and grabbed her drinks on the counter in front of her.

When she reached Jess, he was listening to an Admiral giving advice on how to advance quickly in Starfleet. He was listening intently, but she knew that he wasn't the least bit interested. She paused to observe him longer. She noted how he possessed the ability to put people at ease. He was able to make anyone he was speaking with feel like they were important and that their opinion mattered. She thought that he would make a great politician someday. She decided to rescue him and interrupted by handing him a glass full of a dark liqueur.

"Excuse, me Admiral. I believe that the Captain will be making his announcements soon." She smiled at the admiral as she took Jess's arm.

As they walked toward the front of the room, Jess whispered a thank you into her ear.

The Captain was standing at a podium on a staged area near the front. He was busy with another officer and they were both looking over the items on a PADD and engaged in a discussion. The crowd began to slowly assemble toward them.

Her last visual check revealed Spock and Christine standing together on the far opposite end of the room. She was saying something to Jess when she looked up and saw Christine just a few feet away from her coming toward her. She was pulling Spock behind her –by the hand!

Nyota was shocked. In the past, she wouldn't dare hold Spock's hand like that in public. She couldn't believe that he was allowing her to do such a thing. She wasn't sure how to feel about this. A part of her was shocked and a larger part of her was jealous. The idea that Chapel was able to get this privilege that was never once extended to her was galling.

Nyota needed another drink.

Nyota spied a waitress that was working the room and held up her hand to summon her. She handed the waitress an empty glass in exchange for a full one and turned to stand closer to her date. She noticed that he barely touched his drink. She quickly downed the one she was holding and held her empty hand out to take the glass in his hand. While she waited for the waitress to retrieve her glasses, she drank his too.

Nyota didn't know how an hour had passed so quickly. She tried to remember the Captain's speech, but couldn't at the moment. She was sitting at a table with Chekov and Sulu laughing hysterically at some very stupid thing that they said. She didn't have any more to drink that night. She was already loose now and she felt fantastic. She felt as if she didn't have a worry in the world. She definitely had her wits about her, but felt more relaxed now.

The second half of the evening consisted of music, dancing, and mingling. Spock looked more than ready to go and Christine kept up the Vulcan's girlfriend act. Nyota didn't give a damn about them. At least, she didn't appear to give a damn about them. She knew that Spock had been eyeing her all night and that was enough to allay her worries about Christine. She knew that he was probably doing Chapel a favor by being her date. She, on the other hand, was determined to let Nyota know that he was hers tonight.

Whatever.

As the evening progressed, Nyota stepped out of the banquet hall and into the corridor. It was empty as everyone was inside having a good time and drinking or already drunk. She sat down to catch a little break. Jess came out to see her.

She was sitting alone on a bench when he approached her. She gave him a tired smile.

"Want to be alone?" he asked gesturing at the bench.

Nyota patted the empty space beside her and said, "No. It's okay. Sit"

There was a moment of silence as they both stared down the cool corridor. It was dimly lit and lined with several plants of varying heights. The ceiling was peppered with tiny specks of light that were supposed to give the illusion of a starry night.

He shook his head. "Well, it's not quite like a romantic stroll in the moonlight, but ….I guess it's more the company that matters."

Nyota didn't say anything. She just smiled at his comment.

He turned to her and was, once again, suddenly serious.

"Nyota. Thank you for being my friend."

She turned to look at him. She furrowed her brow in confusion, not really knowing what to make of his statement.

"I know that you are going through a tough time right now. I want to tell you the truth. I always want to be honest with you." He was looking into her eyes.

"Spock told me that it wasn't a good idea to get romantically involved with …."

"Wait. Spock told you-?" Nyota couldn't keep the anger out of her voice.

"I'm not an idiot." He said softly as he grabbed her hand giving it a squeeze.

He continued. "—But this isn't about Spock"

Oh, but it is, she thought.

"I lied when I said that I wasn't interested in anything more…..but…wait…." He could see her starting to interject, but cut her off to finish his confession.

"I want you. I think you know. I know that you won't go there with me because you're still getting over Spock."

She sighed heavily now. She didn't want to do this and she wished that he hadn't sprung this on her tonight. He was right about her knowing how he felt about her, but she wasn't ready to confront this yet. She was dealing with other issues right now. She closed her eyes.

"I used you. I used you so many times to help me." Her admission made her want to cry. She was feeling emotional now and couldn't understand why. She looked directly at him.

He put his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her toward him and whispered close to her lips.

"I know. I don't want you to stop. I don't care if you can't love me. I don't care if you pine for another…..I don't care if my heart gets broken….Just let me… be near you. I'll take that."

He moved the last few millimeters to kiss her on the lips. At the last moment, Nyota turned her head causing him to miss her completely. He surged forward and after realizing what she had done, froze in place to mentally recover from the rejection. She reached her arms up and hugged him like a long lost friend. She buried her face in his shoulder and he lightly kissed her temple.

She didn't know how long they had stayed like this. She didn't care. She didn't care who saw them or what everyone would be gossiping about in the morning. She had needed this touch for a long time. She missed it. In the back of her mind, she realized that she was using him…again.

When the end of the evening came, she thanked him. They did not kiss or touch. They said their goodbyes and parted .

In her room, Nyota sat on her bed sorting out the events of the night. She was still dressed in her gown. She removed her high heels and placed them in her closet. She was so tired. She thanked God that tomorrow was a day off. She would spend it in bed recovering.

Spock saw Nyota leave the hall alone. He wondered how it would seem if he followed suit, to ensure that she was okay. He noticed that she had a few drinks this evening and perhaps she needed assistance. He would only be doing the responsible thing by asking. He moved toward the exit, when Chapel came charging toward him. He stopped abruptly as she spoke loudly at him.

More than a little embarrassed, he complied with her wish to meet some old friend of hers who is visiting for the evening. For the second time today she grabbed his hand and tugged him in the opposite direction that he was initially traveling. He stopped short of the table where her friend was waiting and yanked her by the arm. As discreetly as possible, he dislodged her hand from his.

He began to speak to her when she said, "Oh…right. I know, I know. No hand holding. Sorry Spock. I keep forgetting that you're not human."

"Indeed," was all he could say.

He was more than annoyed with this female tonight. He wanted to leave hours ago, but she found ways to occupy herself that made that impossible. He wanted nothing more than to check on Nyota. He wanted to see her very much. After speaking with Spock, Chapel got the hint and knew not to push it with him. She left him alone to talk with her friend. Spock headed toward the exit opposite the room. It was not the same exit that Nyota had used, but two short corridors would take him directly to the hall in front of the main entrance where he was certain she was waiting.