I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. March is upon us with high winds and tornado watches. However, I choose to think instead of daffodils and robins, and do my springtime happy dance.

Dancing

"Our attempts at procreation have finally been successful."

Sirin sat down on the bed next to his wife, gently touching her face and placing his fingers on her psi points. He showed her a tiny red and yellow ball of swirling energy.

"This is our daughter."

Sirin only dared touch this new consciousness for a moment, any longer would risk damage. It was enough for Rachel. She stood and drew her husband into an embrace, then she started to hum.

"Dance with me, Sirin!"

He happily complied. A few moments later they were joined by Jason, who was scooped up and sandwiched between his parents. He giggled.

"I like happy dance, Mama!"

Five graduating command track cadets were among the first to take the new and improved Kobayashi Maru test. None were able to defeat the simulation, of course. Each of the five reacted somewhat differently. There would be plenty of interesting data to study.

All were brave and calm during the exercise, however two dissolved into tears upon leaving the test chamber. Another nearly left the Academy with just over two months left until his graduation.

Spock was most fascinated by the post-test reaction of a cadet named Ryan O'Malley. The young man had done very well. If it had been possible to beat the no-win scenario with just one's wits, O'Malley might have succeeded. When the simulation ended, he caught his breath and exited tall and proud. He shook hands with his ''shipmates."

"Come along, lads. We're still alive. Let's go to my dad's pub and celebrate with a round of beers and some dancing!"

As with the two previous pregnancies, Rachel and Sirin decided to keep things quiet until she was showing. They only shared the news with Esther and Rachel's boss, Dr. McKenzie. He reduced Rachel's working hours a bit and ordered her to have daily monitoring for copper poisoning.

McKenzie was still recovering from his back surgery, but was now managing to come to the clinic for a few hours a day. He could deliver his lectures, so Rachel was relieved of that responsibility. Dr. Bob Ames was still stuck with McKenzie's duties as physician for the soccer team. Despite his protests to the contrary, Ames actually seemed to enjoy attending the practices, games, and post-game celebrations at O'Malley's. One of O'Malley's sons, Ryan, was a fullback.

The Academy soccer team was enjoying a surprisingly successful season, with five wins and only one loss so far. There were still two weeks until the big game with arch rival Stanford. O'Malley was planning a huge end of term party, a joint celebration honoring the team and Ryan's graduation. There would be food, beer, music, and dancing. It would be the bash of the season.

Dr. Peng loved parties and any excuse to throw them. His Xenolinguistics Department often held mixers, which both staff and students were expected to attend. Peng would play selections from his collection of bawdy songs from various cultures, as well as wacky dance music.

Spock tried to find another officer who had a duty watch scheduled but wanted to attend the party instead. However, nobody wanted to trade with him. Spock would have to endure the Hokey-Pokey, Rigellian Ox Stomp, and the Chicken Dance. He would also have to suffer through a dance or two with Dr. Peng's mother, Nai-nai (Grandma) Peng. He had been one of her favorites during his own Academy days.

Cendrehu was so excited that he could hardly control himself. He actually considered flying to the Academy clinic, but he would have had to shed his clothes in order to do so. These silly Terrans were very concerned over public nudity. Besides, if he flew, he would be unable to carry the large bouquet and special spinach and strawberry salad he had prepared for Nordu.

The guard on duty recognized him and scanned his diplomatic ID badge. The flowers, and the food container he bore. They all passed inspection and Cendrehu was granted admittance to the facility. He nodded his thanks and rushed to the Triage Station. Nordu was sitting at the desk, waiting for him.

"I have wonderful news. The realtor has located us a perfect dwelling, one with a humidifying chamber that will be perfect for our eggs. Your mother will be here in three weeks. I believe that we should marry then."

"Cendrehu, three weeks does not give us much time to plan a wedding. Certain arrangements must be made for the comfort of our Human guests."

"Perhaps your friends would be willing to help with this."

Nordu and Cendrehu had no idea that there was so much involved in planning a wedding. The first thing they needed was permission to marry from Dr. McKenzie, Nordu's commanding officer. They needed a site for the ceremony itself, a secluded one in the open air where they could take their first flight together as mates.

Next they would need a place for the reception, one that would hold over two hundred guests. Nurse Elsie suggested the Academy ballroom, which happened to be available on the date in question. A small Leethrian restaurant had recently opened in Berkeley. They would be able to cater a simple meal.

Rachel recalled that one of the Academy cooks had served with her aboard the Marie Curie. The man dreamed of opening his own bakery, specializing in wedding cakes. What was his name? Hamed Mofasu! She would contact him and see if he was interested.

The biggest hurdle would be wedding attire. Traditionally, Leethrians did not wear clothing. Melba suggested special spandex suits with wing openings. The bride and groom would be able to fly and still be covered up.

After switching the comm signal over to the big screen in the family room, Sirin sat down on the sofa next to Rachel. Lewis had called from Planeras III and wanted to see everyone, including the dog and the parrot.

"Hi family! You guys are a sight for sore eyes. Jason, you are really getting to be a big boy!"

"Yes, big boy. I use potty and sleep in big bed, no crib!"

"Good job! I just called to see your shining faces and thank you for the care packages! Please keep them coming! Esther, your cookies are fantastic."

"You're most welcome. Is there anything the Healers Without Borders team needs?"

"We're well-stocked with food and medical supplies. We need kids' clothes and new toys. We'd also like to install playground equipment on the hospital and orphanage grounds, some nice sturdy stuff that would work for kids with a variety of physical challenges. Maybe Menace could hold a benefit to fund it."

Sirin's eyes lit up at this.

"That is an excellent idea, Lewis. I will discuss it with the band."

Nyota and Gaila hurried back to their dorm after their last class. They changed into jeans and casual tops, then freshened up their hair and makeup. Their department head, Dr. Peng, was sponsoring a mixer. There would be free food, drink, and music.

Gaila quickly re-read the notice in the Plan-of-the-Day or POD, checking the time and place.

"Casual attire encouraged. Attendance is mandatory for all Xenolinguistics staff and students! I can't imagine anyone wanting to miss a party, can you, Nyota?"

"No, I certainly can't!"

Spock was still in his office, reviewing cadet assignments when he received a call from Sirin.

"Cousin, can you drop by tonight for a band meeting? Menace has been asked to raise funds to benefit the orphans on Planeras III."

"Unfortunately I am otherwise engaged, Sirin. Tomorrow afternoon would better suit my schedule. I must attend a department mixer tonight. In fact, I must cut our communication short, as I am expected there momentarily."

"Very well, Cousin. I will see you then and inform you as to the bands' decision."

Spock ended the call just as Paolo entered the office, dressed in jeans and a flashy, red synthetic silk shirt.

"C'mon, boss. We don't want to miss the party!"

Spock nearly sighed at this. He would really like to do just that.

Safely back at her home in Shi'Kahr, T'Lonna meditated upon the day's events. Her son Sasak had informed his parents of his bondmate's pregnancy with a female child. Daughter T'Kara had participated in both a dance recital and a ka'thyra competion. She had taken first place.

Amanda had forwarded her several articles on Terran slang used by Standard speakers. One of these articles held an attachment labeled "Twinkle Toes." When T'Lonna opened it, she discovered it to be a video clip of Jason and his daycare class doing a little dance to a song entitled "Father Abraham." It was most endearing.

Spock was the only person to attend the mixer in uniform rather than casual attire. Dr. Peng considered scolding him but that would probably embarrass the young Vulcan too much. Nai-nai Peng was doing a fine job of that.

Nai-nai had already consumed her third cup of rice wine and was feeling no pain despite the fact that she was over a hundred years old. She did tai chi and yoga every day and was still quite spry, standing as straight and tall as her petite frame would allow.

"Oh, there's my cute little Vulcan boyfriend. You look so handsome in your uniform, honey. Come dance with me."

Spock had no choice. He had been taught to respect his elders. Also, Nai-nai was the mother of his host and supervisor. He suffered through the Chicken Dance, Risan Cha-Cha, and the Electric Slide. Nai-nai finally grew tired and wanted to sit down. After a few more cups of wine, she fell sound asleep.

Spock hoped to make his escape, but Dr. Wong also asked him to dance. She was Dr. Peng's wife and a physics instructor. They did a Texas two-step, followed by the Rigellian Ox Stomp. When Dr. Wong had had enough, Spock found himself pulled into a group dance with Paolo and some of his students. The Bajoran Water Dance was challenging, but no physical contact was involved. It also afforded Spock an opportunity to study the graceful Cadet Uhura in motion.

Nyota and Gaila stayed out until it was almost curfew time, picking up an order of O'Malley's potato skins before heading back to their dorm. They flopped down on Gaila's bed to eat them.

Gaila kicked her shoes off and giggled.

"By all the gods, I have never seen anyone so uptight in my life. "Lt. Hotstuff" even goes to social events in uniform."

"Be nice, Gaila. He's a Vulcan and accustomed to formality."

"Yeah, well, I'm an Orion and accustomed to frequent mating. I've made certain concessions in order to dwell among Humans. I think Lt. Spock needs to relax a little."

"You're probably right. However, he's not a bad dancer."

As Nyota drifted off to sleep that night, she thought of Lt. Spock. She imagined what it would be like to be held in his arms as they danced close together.

"Casual attire next time, son. We want the cadets to relax and feel like they're part of our little family, not on duty. Relationships are forged at the Academy that will last the rest of their careers, perhaps even for the rest of their lives."

"Yes, Dr. Peng. I will comply."

Spock excused himself and retired for the evening. Back in his quarters, he changed to sweats and settled down to meditate. Finding it difficult to center himself, he stood and performed some of the elementary moves of sof'el'itju, or the Dance of Combat, a Vulcan martial art. Some of the motions reminded him of the Bajoran Water Dance, which in turn reminded him of Cadet Uhura. Why were his thoughts always returning to this lovely young female?