A/N: Okay. I promise those who are waiting for some action that it will occur very, very soon. I just need to write some more Spock and Vivian mush and then we'll get down to the actual 'plot' of the whole story. I am thinking of actually allowing this story to be only a certain length and then making a sequel, just because I don't want this story to be 100 chapters long, which it has the potential of turning into. But before I do, I'd like to hear your input first before I make an executive decision. There will be plenty of drama and suspene in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy! As always, reviews are really appreciated!

Previously...

I couldn't stop the affectionate smile from pulling my lips apart. "Oh, Spock." I spoke. "It it illogical to express thanks for what is the truth."

Spock glanced back at me and, to my surprise, his eyes seemed to crinkle slightly as his lips turned up. "Indeed." he murmured. He straightened, clearing his throat again. I hid my smile. "I shall see you this evening." he spoke, voice solid and composed. "I shall endeavor to ask the Captain for a change of clothes so you are more comfortable at dinner."

I smiled widely this time. "Sounds like a plan, Spock." I told him, turning back around.

I reentered my quarters, feeling like my heart might float right out of my chest.

Chapter Fourteen

As promised, Spock informed Captain Kirk of my need for new, proper clothes, and in a matter of half an hour, said new clothes came. I unfolded them carefully on my bed, observing them. It seemed the Captain had been kind enough to send for more than one pair of clothes. There was what appeared to be a standard, off duty shirt with some slacks, an on duty pair (when I would actually be doing something useful aboard the Enterprise, I had no clue), and what appeared to be a pair of pajamas. They were smooth and silky, but black like the regulation slacks.

I sighed, content with the clothes, until a spotted a spot of green underneath the blankets. I raised an eyebrow. I pulled the blankets over and gasped as I saw an elegant, emerald dress, just lying there, on my bed. "How did...what?" I was very confused as I held the dress, running my fingers across the soft, thin fabric. To my immediate chagrin, I realized it was slightly see through. I flushed. "Thank you, Captain Kirk." I growled. I just knew he was expecting me to wear this to the dinner, which was in approximately an hour. And it wasn't like my new uniform would be appropriate or anything.

And then a thought occurred to me. Where on earth could the Captain have gotten a dress like this? It seemed highly unlikely that he would got this far just to...and then it hit me. I glanced at the dress again, looking it over. The texture was unlike any fabric I'd ever felt before. Or that I knew of. There was a possibility that this was a new type of fabric for the 24th century, but that, too, was highly unlikely. And even if the Captain had sent it, surely he would have just put in with the uniform and pajamas.

There was only one explanation.

Spock.

I had no choice but to put the dress on. The unbelievably soft fabric fell around my body with relative ease and came to an almost perfect end just below my knees. I admired the dress in the mirror, astonished that it fit me so well, despite what I felt was my thin, awkward appearance. My legs seemed way too long and my arms too lengthy. Yet, the dress seemed to make all of that seem insignificant. I sighed in amused disbelief.

I had no idea how to put up my hair, so I just settled for brushing it until it fell smooth and flat, with slight curls at the very tips on my shoulders. I walked around my room for a bit, still feeling awkward, until I spotted a necklace sitting on my dresser. Again, I was incredulous. I picked it up. The chain was small but seemed fairly tough, like it would not break easily, and inside of a silver casing was a green gemstone of some sort. I smiled widely, shaking my head. What would be next? Green boots?

I put the necklace on, liking that it fit just right around my neck - not too tight or loose.

"How does Spock know these things?" I wondered aloud to myself. If this had been anyone else, I would have felt quite disturbed. But this was Spock, apparently a TV character - so that made it less disturbing how? I shook my head again, determined not to think about that until later.

There was a soft knock at my door and even though I knew it would be Spock, I still started slightly, feeling my stomach squeeze tightly. After a moment, I called for him to come in.

Spock walked in, hands clasped behind his back. I watched him raise his eyebrows, as if surprised by my appearance, and I struggled not to roll my eyes. Spock opened his mouth to say something, probably ask how I acquired the clothing, when I beat him to it.

"There is no point, Spock." I told him, smiling. "I know you got the dress. I would like to know how and why."

Spock frowned slightly. "I did no such thing."

I still smiled. "Yes...you did. I know that the Captain did not send down the dress, as it was buried underneath my blankets. And I've never seen it until now. So..."

Spock frowned even more, quirking a confused eyebrow. "I assure you, I, also, have never seen that dress before, although it looks quite...aesthetically pleasing on you."

I blushed, secretly pleased. "I don't understand." I told the Vulcan. "I am pretty sure that no one would enter your quarters without permission from you."

An awkward, tense silence filled the room for a few minutes. Spock's jaw seemed to clench. He turned around and stalked out of the room. I followed.

"Computer." Spock said as he entered his quarters. "Have there been any unauthorized visits to my quarters since the time of 0900?"

An automated voice replied, "Yes. There was an unauthorized visit at approximately 0915."

Just after I left. I realized.

Spock was silent for a moment. "Replay video recordings from 0915 until 0930." he commanded.

"Unable to access video recordings. Video recordings have been deleted."

Spock's eyes flashed at that. "Replay audio recordings from 0915 to 0930."

"Unable to access audio recordings. Audio recordings have been deleted."

This would have been funny if I hadn't felt so disturbed about a complete stranger leaving a dress and necklace in my room, by breaking into Spock's quarters.

"Computer." Spock said in a tight voice. "Please identify who it was that was granted unauthorized access to my quarters." The automated voice went quiet for a few moments, before answering.

"Unable to identify the subject."

For the first time, I heard Spock sigh. His body posture was extremely tense. "I must report this to the Captain at dinner." he said quietly, eyes dark and angry.

I bit my lip nervously.

Spock glanced at me. "I shall investigate this further at a later time." His expression cleared and he straightened his back. I marveled for a moment at how quickly he could redirect himself - one minute, he is brooding and irritated and the next he's going all 'tall, impenetrable Vulcan'.

"If I may escort you to dinner, Miss Vaughn?" he asked.

"Well, you know the ship better than me, Mister Spock, so go right ahead." I said lightly as I followed him out of his quarters. This will definitely be a dinner to remember. I thought with a grin.

The walk to the senior officer's dining space was relatively short. However, it felt like an eternity, mostly because as Spock escorted me to dinner, I could feel his eyes on me almost the entire time. It was unnerving, more so now because of the fact that some unidentified stranger had gotten the clothes for me and not Spock. However, I was also flattered by Spock's attention. I refused to turn my head and look at Spock at all on the way there, but could not stop the flush that was surfacing on my face.

The senior officer's dining space was spacious - well, spacious enough to allow the prominent senior officers to eat and discuss things happening aboard the Enterprise. As Spock and I walked into the dining hall at precisely 1600 hours, I noticed that most of the other senior officers were already there. Spock noticed this too, for his raised a surprised eyebrow.

There was Montgomery Scott sitting at the far right of the long, extended table for the senior officers, talking animatedly to Hikaru Sulu. No doubt still excited by the success of his trans-warp beaming. I thought with a small smile. Across from them was Pavel Chekov, smiling nervously and looking around. I smiled a little more. Only seventeen and he's already a brilliant navigator.

Next to Chekov was Doctor McCoy, who had immediately spotted Spock and I and was now scowling in our direction. My smile turned teasing and I stuck my tongue out at him. McCoy rolled his eyes and glared at me, although I was sure it was in good humor.

Captain Kirk was seated next to McCoy and as soon as he noticed McCoy's glaring he saw us and smiled widely, waving us over. "Spock, over here!" There was one more seat next to him. I could not help but feel slightly disappointed that I would not be able to sit next to Spock. I mentally slapped myself. What are you thinking? I thought furiously to myself.

Spock and I walked over to the dining table, where he sat next to the Captain and I sat across from him. I glanced over at the empty chair next to me, wondering who would be sitting there.

"Vivian," Kirk exclaimed, eyes shining. "I didn't expect you to show up to a senior officer's dinner."

I blushed, but Spock answered for me. "I invited her, Captain." he explained. "She had been swimming in the pool for 6.8 hours and therefore missed lunch and I decided it would be logical-"

"Spock, it's fine." Kirk said with a grin. "I'm sure none of us mind."

Everyone was finally settling down and I smiled nervously, unsure of what to expect.

"Although, I think someone's missing." Kirk said with a frown. "Where's Uhura?"

I froze, blinking once. Twice. So that was who was going to sit in the chair. Uhura probably had some kind of hissy fit and gotten her name added to the dinner. Wonderful. My eyes shot up and met with Spock's, who seemed to acknowledge my discomfort. "She was not on the list?" Spock inquired, feigning innocence.

"No." Kirk replied, still frowning. However, when he caught eyes with me, there seemed to be something twinkling in them. "She came to me all upset. She said she'd been taken off the list and someone added on." His face was definitely amused now, as a smirk was touching his lips. He glanced back at Spock, who was sitting very stiffly in his chair, expression unreadable.

Again, this would have been funny if I hadn't felt so damn awkward.

"Know anything about this, Spock?" Kirk said, voice dripping with amusement.

Spock opened his mouth to reply, and then closed it. His lips thinned. "I did not take her off the dinner list, Captain, if that is what you are assuming." He glared.

Before Kirk could respond, the door to the dining hall opened and Uhura stepped in, wearing an elegant, sparkling black dress that came up to the middle of her thighs and highlighted her...cleavage. I glanced away from the woman, flushing angrily.

"Uhura!" Kirk called out to her. "I was afraid you were not going to come."

Uhura rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "Of course I was coming, Captain. Why wouldn't I?"

I glanced cautiously around the table and was exasperated to find all the men gaping at her in amazement. I glanced at my own green dress and, for a moment, felt a flash of insecurity and irrational envy.

"Well, I'm glad our two pretty ladies could show up for the evening." Kirk said, glancing quickly at me, seeming to understand my discomfort. I flashed him a small smile, all the while feeling guilty about feeling envy for Uhura. Why should I care if all the guys are drooling over her? I thought. After all, she got pretty jealous and nasty with Spock. I'm sure glad I'm not like that.

Uhura glanced over at me, her smile turning frosty. "Vivian," she said with mocking sweetness. "I'm so glad you could join us."

I decided to just be nice. I really didn't want to get into an argument with her tonight. As she sat down next to me, I smiled at her and said, "As am I."

She acknowledged that statement with a cool stare. "It is always a pleasure to meet new people." she said softly, eyeing me dangerously. "Even if I happen not to know them very well at all."

Okay. I could see where this was going. My eyes flickered around the table and noticed that all the men were drinking this up like this was Jersey Shore or something.

"Yes, it is." I said to her, still playing the nice card. "I hope to make acquaintances with more people on the Enterprise. I enjoy meeting new people."

Uhura smiled coldly. "Oh, yes...I'm sure you know all about meeting new people."

My smile vanished. "I beg your pardon?" I asked her, eyes flashing.

"Tell me, Vivian," she continued in her icy voice. "What experiences have you had with...meeting new people? Have they been...enthralling? Do you meet new people because you think they might fancy you?"

I glared at her. "Uhura," I said calmly, although my eyes were no doubt giving me away. "As a communications officer, I think you would be the better judge at that. Nevertheless, might I remind you that also, as a communications officer, you should know all about decorum and respectability. I assure you that, if you were to take an exam on that right now, you would fail miserably."

There a couple of chokes at the table. Uhura's eyes flashed around, quickly silencing them. She was smoldering with rage. "Look at you!" she sneered, "Thinking you know all about decorum when in reality, you're a hypocrite, dressing up like a consort in order to please those around you."

I raised an eyebrow. "I must point out to you, Lieutenant, that I am not the one flashing my breasts around like they are apples ripe enough to be picked. I am also not showing my panties to officers because I think they might like to see half of my cunt."

There was a collective intake of breath from the men. Uhura flushed horribly.

"I didn't realize you were one to assume." she hissed.

"I am not." I stated stonily. "But I am one to judge those who consistently slander me with lies that have nothing to do with my personality or character. Either you get to know better, Nyota fucking Uhura, or you stop this nonsense and allow us to enjoy our dinner."

We stared each other down, each glaring at the other with vicious hatred. It was Uhura who backed down, as she stiffly got up from her chair and walked briskly out of the room, her back straight with rage. The door swished open and close.

I let out a breath, sinking into my chair. Kirk was staring at me in astonishment. The other men were too. My face heated up and I looked away from them. Only to see Spock trying to catch my eye, both his eyebrows raised. I blushed harder and glanced down at my empty plate. "Is our dinner ready yet?"

A/N: HA! I hope you guys enjoyed that. I dont know if Uhura was OOC or not, but I don't care. I really, really enjoyed writing that scene. The dinner scene will be continued into the next chapter. And then some action will occur; I guarantee it! Please review; I want to know what you thought of this confrontation. It won't be the last!