Chapter 14
Summary: Boma reluctantly has to leave Uhura alone, Matt Henry met a new love interest, and Charlene likes someone.
All a shore, that's going a shore
It is the maddest dash to the transporter room, and shuttle bay in the Enterprise history. These are the golden moments of relaxation and a breath of fresh air from the ship. Starbase 12 is not only a military installation but also it has variety recreation of hotels, resorts and extensive shopping in multi-cultural preferences. Sulu, Chekov were able to meet up with Matt Henry, and they enjoyed their time at one of the wild clubs on the station.
Mr. Spock was able to beam down unaware to the captain, McCoy, and his future wife. He strolls along the shops until he arrives at the destination that he agreed with Masters. Spock was early, which is his norm and wait patiently for her. Many people were wandering around of different species of people, and Spock felt at ease that he would blend in. His internal clock estimate that Masters was forty seconds late, his jaws tighten because he has issues with punctuality. However, he had to remember that he is dealing with humans and they are so unpredictable. Finally, Masters appears around the corner in a slow trot, indicating that she was late for their rendezvous. She was dressed in casual clothes, a simple top, and pants, while Spock was in his uniform. She stops in front of Spock:
"I'm sorry Mr. Spock for the delay" as she catches her breath. "It was hard breaking away from Nyota, and she wanted me to hang with her until our other scheduled departure."
Spock placed his arms behind his back and nodded his head in agreement. "I see that Ms. Uhura was delaying our appointment, most unfortunate, shall we continue to the merchant Ms. Masters."
"Sure" as they turn to walk towards the store. "Mr. Spock? Do you have an idea what you want to purchase?"
"Affirmative, I have investigated rare minerals throughout the quadrant and estimated the closest in value that is acceptable."
"WOW!" This is going to be quite interesting, then why do you need me?"
Spock stops and turns towards Masters, "Ms. Uhura is a human female, and has a unique taste in objects and my intentions to provide her with the highest quality token to represent her Terran cultural ritual." Spock turns away he was lost for words, it the most he ever said about Nyota to anyone.
"Plus I am aware of your close association with Ms. Uhura, it would wise to ask the assistant of you."
"Sorry Mr. Spock, I didn't mean to put you on the spot, I got the idea of what you mean." Masters realize that Mr. Spock just declared love on Nyota unwittingly, and she smiled to herself that Nyota got a keeper, he will never leave her.
"yes, I require your services to guide me through the ritual of engagement selection."
They reached the merchant that Spock located and they entered the shop and was greeted by an elderly Fernegi.
"Greetings friends, how can I provide for you?"
"I come to inquire of a finger ring that has substantial amount of minerals," asked Spock.
"Awe, you have come to the right place, I have many qualities and quantities for your selection. Please allow me to present my highest qualities" the fernegi turns and enters behind a covered counter. He lifted several trays and placed them on the counter, and he raises the covers to reveal a large selection of rings filled with different array of colors. Spock and Masters approach the counter and view the collection.
"These are beautiful" as Masters inspects them in a long glance.
"Yes, I represent the highest quality of gems and minerals in this quadrant, I will find one that is just for you Miss."
While they were talking Spock was inspecting them with his eagle eyes, he can instantly detect those that are glass versus mineral. Spock clears his throat to gain the jeweler's attention.
"Let me explain; I requested a finger ring that has a substantial amount of minerals."
The jewelers look at Spock and start to chuckle. "My apology, seeing that you are a Vulcan, you have a good eye for quality."
Masters stares at Spock in amazement and realizes you can't fool a Vulcan. The jeweler again bends down and pulls out another tray of rings. Right away Spock and Masters see the difference. They both inspect together until Masters find one that would represent Nyota.
"Mr. Spock, how about this one?" He steps closer to her, being careful not to touch her. She points to a ring that stood out from the rest. What Spock saw made one of his eyebrows rises, the ring had a large blood green gem surrounded by smaller green and white ones.
"Awe, I see you have a taste for the (Sea of Green) ring.* This is one of our rarest, and finest ring. I assume the Miss would enjoy this."
Neither one answered because now it's bargaining time. Master kept quiet while Spock picked up the ring for a better inspection. He raises it to the light for the reflection, and his eyes inspected as his hands moved the ring around in different position to see more light refraction. However, most of all, it represented green the color of his blood and the white to represent Terra. He took off his tricorder and scanned it, it registers the size of the gems, where it was mined, and manufactured. After he read all the information from his tricorder, he turned to Masters and nodded.
Master was amazed again how the Vulcan was so detailed. Spock was pleased his heart leaped when he saw the green ring, he knew Nyota would be pleased with the selection, and his heart pulled with the excitement of presenting the ring to her.
"This ring is acceptable, and we will now discuss the credits."
"3,000 credits for this fine ring" Master flinched and covered her mouth at a price. She stepped back and let Mr. Spock do his work.
"unacceptable"
"But the Miss is quite pleased with the ring sure you won't deny her this?"
"Regardless if she is here or not, it's not acceptable." as Spock gave Masters his tricorder, placed his hands behind his back and gave his Vulcan glare at the jeweler.
"OK, 2,700 credits."
"I have investigated the quality and manufacturer of this ring, may I also state you are dealing with a Vulcan, Vulcan are also known to state the facts on merchandise. I suggest you make another offer."
The jeweler grumbles underneath his breath, and he made another offer. " 2,500 credits no less!"
"May I suggest 1,574 credits."
"What? Are you trying to cheat me?"
"not the contrary, based on the information that I have, this ring and the gems installed, if I'm not mistaken is mined in a restricted location, and I am offering you its market value."
The jeweler's mouth drops open and reluctantly accepts the offer. "How about 1,600 credits and I give you the matching earrings?" He bent down underneath the counter and pulled out another tray, and a set of earrings were presented. Spock again inspects them and shows them to Masters who steps up into the conversation.
"Oh wow, they are beautiful" she picks them up, and they are precisely what Nyota would wear. The were hoop earrings filled with green and white diamonds, and they compliment the ring as a set.
"Then we have an agreement," Spock said to the jewelers. "Please package them for departure."
"No problem, may I say I wish you were working with me, you are a hard bargainer, and I enjoyed it very much" he gave Spock and Masters a toothy smile and went to get the boxes. When the jeweler returned, he had the ring on the display tray for Spock's inspection, which he did and he was pleased with the results of his shopping. Then the jeweler packaged the items. Spock spoke again:
"For future reference, I will suggest that you will continue in legal purchase of merchandise for your establishment. Offer high-quality versus lower quality items, in return, and I will guide interested parties to your establishment. I have contacts not only with other Vulcan, as well as Starfleet personnel and high federation officials, would this interest you?"
The jeweler's eyes widened with pleasure and future credit profits. "Yes, yes, I could do that. Then you would make me exclusive?"
"Precisely, only if you honor my agreement."
"Of course! Starting today," the jeweler turned towards Masters and picked up one of his earring tray.
"Please Miss, pick one as a compliment of this establishment."
Master gasped with excitement and looked at Mr. Spock for approval, and he nods yes. She looks on the tray and found aqua blue marine studs that attracted her.
"I like this pair."
"An excellent selection and I will also gift wrap them."
When they walked out the jewelry store Spock was content with his purchase and Masters was happy from the benefit of it. She couldn't believe how Mr. Spock finagled the jeweler without raising his voice or anything, she never seen anything like it. She turns to him as they were walking in the shopping district.
"Mr. Spock, I personally want to thank you for these" as she held up the box. "They are beautiful."
"It is I should be thanking you for your "EYE" on this selection for Ms. Uhura's engagement ring." As he held his boxes. "I find them quite appealing."
"I know for a fact Mr. Spock, and she'll be quite pleased because that is her taste."
"Ms. Masters, without your input of the engagement ring, I would've found it difficult with the selection."
"How are the wedding plans going, Nyota says that you are doing everything?"
"Quite true, the captain, Dr. McCoy, Mr. Sulu, and Mr. Scott are all contributing on this wedding endeavor."
"Mr. Scott?"
"Yes, he was requested to walk Ms. Uhura down the aisle."
Charlene was in shock over the whole event, and happy for her friend. "Wow! When are you planning to give her the ring?"
"I have planned an opportunity within the next forty-eight hours depending on the departure of the Enterprise."
"Sounds like a plan. Is there anything else, Mr. Spock?"
"Yes, there is something else that I require of you, Ms. Uhura and you will also be shopping if I'm correct?"
"Yes sir"
Spock reaches into his pocket and pulls out a credit chip and extends it towards Masters.
"It would honor me if you assist Ms. Uhura on any purchases that she finds desirable."
Masters' mouth falls open again. "But Mr. Spock!"
He holds up one of his hands to stop her. "It is part of the Terran wedding ritual, I trust your judgment, and credit is not an issue." Masters takes the credit chip and stares at him.
"If Ms. Uhura finds items that are agreeable, purchase them discreetly if possible, and I will return to retrieve those items."
Masters for the first time in their whole friendship with Nyota was jealous, no man has ever done such a thing, and Mr. Spock's character of a man was overwhelming. Terran males should take lessons from him.
"You got it Mr. Spock, and I will look out for her as well."
"Have a good day Ms. Masters, I shall return to the ship."
"Thank you again, Mr. Spock."
They both went in different directions and disappeared into the crowd. As Masters was walking away, an idea came to her to solve one of Uhura's problem in selecting the wedding bands for them.
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About 6 hours later, it is now Charlene, and Nyota turn to shop. Charlene waited for Nyota in the transporter room. Nyota was surprised that she was there before her.
"Hey! You're here early?"
"Um, I had nothing to do," she said slyly, she has to remember to act normal and play it off the best she can.
They both beam down together. "This place is busy with people, and I hope we can find a dress for the wedding. Have you been on Starbase 12 before Char?"
"Yes, I have!" Charlene didn't lie, Nyota thought that they were on different ships before the Enterprise.
"Well, that's good I won't have to worry about getting lost. I want to look for our wedding bands, do you know a place?"
"I know several shops that sale jewelry, let me show you the way." Charlene couldn't have planned it better. She now knows a reparable person for their rings, and she has first-hand experience. Charlene smile to herself how everything was coming together when she took Nyota to the same shop that with Spock earlier, the merchant was surprised. He helped them select a set of matching wedding bands that compliment her engagement ring. The merchant had pre-selected the rings when Masters returned, and he gave them a reasonable price.
"Oh, Char these wedding bands are beautiful, just what I wanted. I hope Spock doesn't mind wearing his."
"It's a good thing I remember something about this station."
"Well, these rings almost wiped me out on credits, I don't think I can afford anything else."
We can always window shop, no harm in that!"
Uhura put her small box in her pouch bag and grabbed onto Charlene's arm with a big huge smile on her face.
"Let's go, and I'm the happiest woman on this station" Uhura didn't care if she spends all her credits. She has Spock, worth any amount of credits. Uhura hopes he likes the wedding bands and she also wanted to get him something personal.
They wandered through several stores, the things that Nyota picked up and liked, she would glance at it and put it down. Whatever the item was that Nyota wanted, Charlene would purchase it on the side and have merchant hold them. Uhura was able to find some old books about science, another ansoi pot for meditation, scents and she spent most of her credits in a tea shop and selected blends that Spock would like. During their shopping, Nyota even found music sheets that would compliment their Ka'athyra's. She wanted them as part of her wedding gifts for him. In between they searched for a wedding dress, which was painstaking, nothing was her style for a wedding. Charlene would find something but the wedding dress was either not Nyota's taste or too expensive. Nyota was sad about the dress shopping, and she didn't want to get married in her uniform or one of her cocktail dresses.
"whew, we have been shopping for hours" signed Charlene "Let's get a drink or something."
"Sure, why not, my dress is not here." signs Nyota carrying her shopping bags. "There's a Tapas bar over there, maybe we can relax there before we head back to the ship." they walked through the crowds to the little bar.
Sitting inside the Tapas bar is Jim and Leonard trying to enjoy their shore leave. People are mingling around and enjoying their meal or at the bar drinking.
"So, how do you like this Ale Jim?"
"It's all right, kind of flat."
"Well, this is what the doctor ordered, so drink up Jim!" they both lift their glasses and drink.
"Bones, how's the evaluation on Boma going?
"We are still completing the preliminaries, and I give you a full report when we are back on duty! So, relax and drink up!" giving Kirk a stern look. McCoy has the complete report on the man, and it's not the place or time to reveal anything. Boma is just like any other man on the ship that has a crush on Uhura. Except he went overboard instead of keeping it as a typical crush.
McCoy observes two women come in and recognize, and he watches them approach the bar and order their drinks.
"Whatcha looking at Bones?"
"Two lovely ladies at the bar,"
"really?" kirk turns around to see and also recognize them.
The bartender asked the ladies what they want to drink and they made their selection. Two men approached them trying to pick them up, and they started a conversation.
"Hello, beautiful ladies and how can we entertain you?"
Nyota turns away from them, and Charlene engages them.
"You can entertain us by leaving US alone."
"So not the friendly type huh?"
"Not the way you are talking to them" sneered McCoy. Both Uhura and Charlene turn to see McCoy approaching them. They were surprised and relieved that he was there. McCoy addressed both women in his southern drawl.
"Ladies, will you join my friend and I for a friendly drink?" as he bows at the waist.
"Why of course" the women turn, and McCoy takes each women's hand and lead them to the table where Kirk is. When both women walked away, they each turn and glare at the other men who tried to pick them up. They sit at the table and start to giggle, Uhura thanks first.
Thank you, McCoy, love the accent."
"Yes, such a southern gentleman you are" chimed Charlene, Kirk chuckles too.
"I know you ladies didn't need rescuing, but McCoy was trying to avoid an argument with your new friends," added Kirk.
"Do you two hang-out all the time?" as McCoy continues drinking his ale and eyeing the two previous males at the bar.
"yes, we do since the academy days.
Kirk is also glaring at the two men as well:" That's good because I don't want Spock beaming down here and taking out those two guys."
"Captain, I am quite capable of taking care of myself" as Uhura slowly sipping her drink. McCoy chimed in on her statement.
"Now that's for sure, the way you took down the warrior woman, what a site to see!"
"What warrior woman?" asked Charlene, and turns to look at her friend.
"Oh, she didn't tell you how she beat down this tall looking warrior over Spock's ears?" McCoy starts to chuckle and turns to Uhura.
Uhura slumps in her seat, and Kirk starts to laugh. "Yes, Uhura was in a marriage ritual where she had to fight for Spock, or he had to marry the purplish woman."
Charlene stares at her best friend in disbelief, "You didn't tell me that?"
Yep! The next thing we know they are engaged" as McCoy chuckles about the whole event from the planet.
Well, it happened so fast, plus I haven't seen you since our schedule change." All three of them are laughing at Uhura and her mating ritual with Spock.
Charlene inquired about Spock's progress on Nyota's wedding.
"Now this is a first for me, Mr. Spock is handling the whole wedding? How is that working out?"
Kirk looks at McCoy and starts to answer: " well, Ladies you are looking at the first probably the only male in this century making his wedding arrangement."
"Jim, I never would have thought to say this? He turns at looks at Uhura," The Vulcan is in love?" giving her his winning smile. "Spock has us running around doing all kinds of chores."
"Uhura believe me when I tell you, he wants to marry you?"
Tears start to form in her eyes but refuse to let them pour "Thank you, captain and doctor, that means a lot to me."
"Could you give us a hint to any details doctor?" Charlene leans in giving the eye to both men.
"Nope, not even wild horse could drag it out, Masters."
Uhura sits up and asks a different question: Captain, I want to thank you personally for handling Boma for me, I didn't realize he was that bad, and I was always professional with him."
"Don't worry about it, we can't control people's actions, as long no one was physically hurt."
"So, Ladies how was the shopping?" McCoy was changing a touchy subject.
"Well, we accomplished a lot except for my wedding dress, most of the dresses here didn't cater to my style."
"Well, on top of that, she really couldn't afford their prices, the majority of them are top of the line designers," added Charlene
"Yes, I don't want to get married in my uniform gentleman, so I guess I wear one of my cocktail dresses."
Kirk sat back for a moment and thought of all the outfits he had to wear on missions. "Ms. Uhura, I give you permission to ask the quartermaster to find something for you. They have an array of different cultural costumes. Maybe they can help you?"
Uhura and Charlene looked at each other as a brainstorm hit them. "Thanks, captain, that sounds like a great idea."
"I think the person in charge of that dept is Eve Brody, she's good, and she'll keep it private."
"Oh yes, that will be great, thank you, captain."
"Well, ladies you can call us both doctors we are just solving issues with a smile. Let's have a toast to Uhura and Spock," says McCoy, he is happy for Spock, he remembers the Vulcan battle all to well. They all raise their glasses until they cling together and they all said
"Cheers."
"Come on Nyota, our leave is almost over, and we don't want to report late."
yeah, now that we have an idea for our dresses, I want to meet Eve, thank you both"
"Take care ladies" as Kirk and McCoy raise their glasses as they leave.
"Spock that lucky bastard."
Spock returns the space station to retrieve the purchases by Masters, and the merchants had them wrapped and ready. Spock took mental note of Uhura's selections from clothing to objects. When he completed his mission, he had the merchandise transported back to the ship.
A/N: Thanks for the feedback my faithful favorites, please continue to leave comments.
I happen to look at the those rings from the Harry Winston collection, they are exclusive*