I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. If I ever did, I would plan a huge party and invite all of you.

Party Planning

Spock had passed a restless night, unable to completely clear Cadet Uhura from his thoughts. He left his quarters early Saturday morning, deciding that fresh air and exercise were his best course of action. After a twelve-kilometer run, he showered and then rode his motorcycle to Sirin's home. Tariq's battered ground car was in the driveway. Spock let himself into the house through the garage.

Rachel, Esther, and Jason had gone to Temple, but Esther had left a peanut butter coffeecake, one of Spock's favorites. Sirin served him a generous piece, along with a cup of tea.

"Good morning, Cousin. Tariq and I were just discussing the plans for the benefit concert. We intend to hold it in the large conference hall at San Francisco General on Saturday, October 27th. This is the weekend before Halloween. I have been informed that there are many Halloween-themed Terran songs which have been recorded over the past three centuries. Spock, I would like you to research these."

Spock nodded. He had heard some of these during his time at the Academy and at gatherings aboard Discovery. However, he was not entirely certain that performing "The Monster Mash" in public would be consistent with his Vulcan dignity.

Tariq was glad to delegate that task, as he was busy planning a birthday party for Jasmine. Her birthday was also the day of the concert.

"Oh, what about wardrobe? Halloween colors are orange and black. We should wear masks or makeup to set the mood."

Spock nearly breathed a sigh of relief. Such a disguise would save him the embarrassment of students recognizing him.

Rabbi Goldie had spoken on the importance of charitable works and helping the poor, something both Rachel and Esther were always glad to do. After the service, the two ladies hurried off to collect Jason from the nursery. As they rounded the corner into the Temple's Educational Wing, Rabbi Goldie's husband Daniel and their daughter Rabbi Roberta were lying in wait for them.

"Ah, just the ladies I was hoping to see!" Daniel steered them over to a wall and out of the way of oncoming traffic.

"I need some help planning the Halloween party for the Temple Daycare Center. We always do some sort of fund raising project, but Roberta and I are fresh out of ideas."

Esther thought for a moment. The Drevin kids!

"I may know just the thing. Our family friends Jack and Lewis are on a medical mission on Planeras III with Healers Without Borders. They said the relocated survivors from Drevin Prime are in need of new toys and kids' clothing. We could ask the daycare parents for donations."

Daniel broke out into a broad grin.

"That's an excellent idea. Perhaps you could contact them for a list of exactly what is needed."

Cendrehu's realtor had found the couple a spacious, four-bedroom condo close to Embassy Row. The third floor consisted almost entirely of a greenhouse, where temperature and humidity could be adjusted to levels optimal for the incubation of Leethrian eggs. A typical clutch averaged twenty eggs, of which three quarters usually survived. Nordu's mother, Queen Iliathu, would be bringing one of Nordu's younger siblings to assist the young couple with childcare. Sister Yadeku would be living with the family for some time to come.

When Nordu informed her coworkers of these events, all were somewhat shocked, especially Nurse Melba.

"You're not even married yet! How do you know you'll need a nursemaid for your babies?"

"Leethrians can produce eggs at will. It is a cultural expectation that I will have some ready and awaiting Cendrehu's...fertilization. Our families would be most disappointed if no offspring were produced."

"Wow!" exclaimed Melba. "So we've got to plan a wedding, bridal shower, and then a baby shower all in short order!"

"Don't forget the packing and moving party" laughed Rachel. "Nordu's got eighty years worth of space souvenirs to box up and take to her new home."

Spock spent many hours researching Halloween music during the next few days. Most of what he found was simply morbid rather than humorous, though he had some doubt in his own ability to judge what Humans would find amusing. He remembered Dr. Peng's fondness for the holiday and the interesting songs the man liked to play at his parties. Perhaps his department head would have a few suggestions. Dr. Peng was usually in his office on Wednesday afternoon, so Spock decided to pay him a call in person.

Spock found the esteemed Xenolinguistics scholar sitting at his desk, wearing headphones and rocking back and forth in time to the music. After a moment's embarrassment, Dr. Peng recovered his dignity and motioned for Spock to take a seat.

"What can I do for you, son? I hope you're not having issues with your Beginning Vulcan class again."

"No, sir. I need your assistance in another area."

Spock paused for a moment, wondering how best to introduce the topic of Menace without completely revealing his own level of participation in the band's activities.

"My cousin's band is holding a benefit concert for the Drevin Prime survivors the Saturday before Halloween. He has asked me to research appropriate songs. I recall that you have an extensive collection of music for every Terran holiday."

Peng chuckled at this.

"Indeed I do. What's the name of your cousin's band, Spock?"

"They call themselves Menace."

"Oh, the famous Bay Area cover band. I have all their albums. Well, the Drevin Prime kids are certainly a worthy cause. The Xenolinguistics Department Halloween party is that same day, but I guess I can excuse you this once."

Peng activated his terminal, bringing up a long playlist.

"You should start off with 20th century artists such as Dave Seville, Napoleon XIV, and a disc jockey named Dr. Demento..."

With only two weeks to go until the Temple Daycare Halloween Party, Rachel realized that Jason did not yet have a costume. She turned on the household computer terminal and located the Nebula Galactic online catalog, then called her little son.

"Jason, come sit with Mama."

He hurried over and climbed up on her lap.

"What you doing, Mama?"

"We need to find you a costume for the party."

Jason looked at her questioningly.

"Okay, a costume is a special outfit for dressing up and pretending to be someone or something else. Look, here's a pirate, a cowboy, a bear..."

"Dog, Mama! I want to be a dog! Dog like Matt!"

Rachel groaned. She should have known. Nebula Galactic did not have a Bernese Mountain Dog costume, but they did have St. Bernards. Close enough.

The Starfleet Academy vs. Stanford University soccer game was an exciting one. Starfleet Academy won the game in the last seconds, with a goal scored by third-year cadet, Sean Finnegan. Fullback Ryan O'Malley had received a minor injury to his knee early on, so he had been replaced by a first-year named James T. Kirk.

However, the celebration at O'Malley's was still a joyful one. The cake and potato skins were on the house, as was the beer for the team. The local sports experts and odds makers had favored Stanford, so many had bet heavily against Starfleet Academy. Christopher Pike and Bob Ames had wagered big in her favor and therefore won fairly hefty sums.

O'Malley smiled as he totaled up his own winnings. He and Mrs. O'Malley would finally get to take that summer vacation on Risa that they had been planning for ages.

Spock had found Dr. Peng to be an almost limitless source of useful information. He had left the professor's office with a list of thirty-eight songs that Menace would likely be able to perform well. Dr. Peng even volunteered to collect new toys at both the Xenolinguistics party and his own party to assist the band in their cause.

Now he need only find himself an orange and black outfit and an appropriate mask. He would need to pay a visit to Jasmine's Vintage Clothing Shop.

Sirin's week had been full of emergency surgeries, meetings, and patient exams. The president of the SF General Foundation Board reminded him of the Orthopedic Department's upcoming 350th anniversary in March. A celebration must be planned. He would need input from his employees.

Evenings were full of band rehearsals, as songs from Spock's list were played and then accepted or rejected. Finally they had decided on four sets of five songs each.

Rachel was glad to have Jason's costume taken care of. She would dress herself as a vampire, a costume she could use for all the scheduled Halloween events. A trip to Jasmine's shop produced two synthetic silk shirts for Sirin. She bought him an orange one for the concert and a black one for the Temple Daycare party.

The weekend before Halloween would be a busy one. The Daycare party was scheduled for Friday morning and Nordu's bridal shower would be held at the Academy clinic on Friday. Nordu and Cendrehu's wedding for Sunday afternoon. Rachel wondered how she would manage it all, especially since she had begun to experience morning sickness.

Nyota and Gaila met in the Academy Dining Hall over dinner. Dr. Peng, Lt. Spock, and Lt. Commander Olmes had all piled on the course work all week, hardly giving them a free moment.

"Gaila, we've got to come up with costumes for this party. I don't know about you, but my budget is already tightly stretched. What are we going to do?"

"Don't worry, I given this some thought. Tomorrow is Saturday, so there are no classes. There's a vintage clothing store off of Union Square, Jasmine's, I think. We'll catch the public transport and get down there early. We're bound to find something interesting, maybe even sexy."

Jasmine's Vintage Clothing Shop was just loaded with possibilities. Gaila had already found herself about twelve outfits to try on, while Nyota was being a bit more selective. She debated between two full length peasant dresses, thinking they would make good gypsy costumes. Deciding to take them over to the mirror to determine which color was best, Nyota backed right into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention..."

As she turned, she stopped her apology in mid-sentence. She had bumped into Lt. Spock.

"Good morning, Cadet Uhura."

A/N:

Sorry this is late. I'm a little under the weather.