Character/Pairing: Uhura/Spock, Adam Braxton, others

Rating: K

Summary: Uhura and Spock find the rest of the original scouting party.

As a werewolf specimen, Braxton's coloring and build were similar to his human form. Supple, light brown fur with considerable amounts of grey shot through it and a wiry frame. She suddenly realized why his clothing was so baggy, probably to accommodate the change into the werewolf shape. She tried not to flinch in fear, but her heart rate shot up as she sat frozen and wide-eyed.

And suddenly Braxton returned to normal and slowly exhaled. 'I'm sorry Lieutenant. I should've given you warning. It just seemed easier to show you.' He had the grace to at least look embarrassed for the fright he gave her.

'It's okay, Mr. Braxton. But yes, some warning would have been nice.'

Spock's head popped out of the tunnel entrance at that moment and spotted them sitting nearby.

'Good morning, Adam. I see you have met Lt. Uhura.' He stepped out, bare-chested, with the blanket wrapped around his hips

Braxton's eyes widened, 'Spock, good morning. Yes, I've been showing Uhura some things to eat.' He looked back at Uhura, 'You're not a vegetarian though are you?' She shook her head no. 'Oh good. It'll be easier for you then.'

Uhura gave Spock a quick once over, 'Mr. Spock, I'd like to get cleaned up. Is that possible?' She could get used to Spock dressing like this forever.

Braxton interrupted before Spock could respond, 'Perhaps we could kill two birds with one stone? I'll take you to meet the others and you can clean up in the stream nearby. We can sit and get acquainted afterwards.' He looked very pleased at the idea.

Spock raised an eyebrow and nodded to Uhura, 'We shall accept your invitation, Adam. Thank you.'

They were thigh-deep in a rushing stream not a half hour later while Braxton went ahead to let his wife and colleagues know that they had visitors coming. She rejoiced as she splashed water on her face and arms. Spock's eyes traveled up her body and fixed at her breasts.

'Spock.' She turned away from him and said over her shoulder, 'Don't start something you can't finish.'

His brows rose innocently, but he didn't look away and she felt a smug appreciation tug the bond. Apparently, there was much to her back half that was aesthetically pleasing also. They stole small moments of pleasure as they shared Spock's blanket to quickly towel off and they dressed in record time.

Uhura was surprised when they reached the settlement. She wasn't quite sure what she was expecting, but from the existing records she had read, they were only supposed to be here for two years. Yet, here was a concrete building slightly larger than the outpost and an old, broken down four-wheeled vehicle next to it. There were two structures that were constructed from tree limbs and bark, closely resembling Iroquois longhouses. Somehow, despite the odds, they had managed to carve out an existence here.

Outside there was a loose gathering of people watching them approach. None were smiling and Uhura shot Spock an uneasy look. They were polite enough though as Braxton introduced them and Uhura smiled and shook everyone's hands. His wife and three sons were there along with another older woman and two men from the scouting party.

But whatever tension there was soon eased as they began peppering her with questions about Starfleet and their mission and what they could expect in the future from the Federation. Uhura only told them what she knew, that the Enterprise was expected to investigate fully into their disappearance, but now that they'd been found, they would report back to the Federation and it would be handled from there. She glanced around for Spock, but he had slipped away with Braxton into the building.

Braxton's wife was named Denita and she and the other woman, Katy, went into one of the longhouses to talk. The other men drifted along inside. She spent the next couple of hours visiting with them as they told her about their lives there and how they struggled to raise their children.

'Adam said there were grandchildren and also I noticed that one of the women and two of the other men from the original scouts aren't here. Where are they? Do they live near by?'

Denita and Katy glanced at each other before Denita responded, 'Vicky died some time ago. As for Brian and Jovan, they…..live separately from us. Our grandchildren and some of Katy and Vicky's children…many of them have chosen to live their lives differently from us. It's painful to talk about.'

'I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry. It must not have been easy living this life.' Uhura tried not to notice the uncomfortable glances that the sons were exchanging. 'You know, our ship's doctor is here at the original outpost. I think he'd like to take a look at everyone. Perhaps, you all could come by tomorrow?' She'd covered her unease with an extension of help that was eagerly received. She was saved from the slightly awkward situation by Braxton, who called for her outside the longhouse.

Spock was standing with him carrying a couple of very out-dated looking data pads. 'Lieutenant, we must depart. Adam, thank you for showing me your research and I shall return these as soon as I am able to.' They said their good-byes and were promised a return visit tomorrow with Dr. McCoy. They said nothing to each other until they reached Spock's burrow.

'Spock, is it me or are these folks really uncomfortable with the idea of Starfleet being around?'

'Considering that a few of them are Romulan collaborators, it is not surprising.'

Looks like that other shoe finally dropped Uhura thought, shaking her head.