Let's Go Thataway!
Chapter Twenty-one - Questions and Answers
Enterprise
February 2266
Spock
It was fascinating watching the interplay between the couples at this year's Valentine's Day Dance. Remembering the conversations recently on poker night, and some other chance encounters, he wondered whether there might be some interesting developments later in the evening. Nyota couldn't figure out why he was watching the dance floor and the corners of the room so intently, and he wasn't letting anything out.
As usual, the lights were dim, the music was soft and romantic, and the refreshments were pink and sweet. With his Vulcan eyesight and hearing, he could locate all the couples that were In their particular circle of friends without much problem. And the ones in particular that he was interested in were actually very close at hand.
Nyota leaned against him. "What has you so absorbed? Something is going on and I want to know what it is." She stretched up and nibbled on his earlobe. "Come on, tell."
"I have nothing to tell. I am simply trying to discern whether all our friends are here yet."
"Like I believe that. What do you know that I don't? Something good, I'll bet." One hand roamed down his back and slid around his buttock, cupping him securely in her hand.
He turned his face down to hers, one eyebrow raised. "That is a very forward action to take in such a public place, Nyota."
"No one can see. It's dark and we're practically standing against the wall."
"Has Scotty been adding substances to the punch bowl again?"
She giggled at him. "I haven't even had any punch. Can't a girl feel up her husband if she feels like it?"
"Certainly. However, more privacy is required for the expected response." Their noses were practically touching now, and her other hand was clinging to his shirt front.
"Hey, hey! Too much! Get a room!" Jim swept over, his usual loud self. Nyota sighed and straightened up, moving slightly back from Spock, who managed to suppress his sigh of irritation.
"Well, you two, how's the party going?"
"About the same as every year. Dim lights, soft music, very romantic." Nyota grinned. "And for you? Any better this year than normal?"
Jim looked all around and then bent his head, his voice much lower. "I got to tell you, things are looking good!" He grinned widely, his blue eyes sparkling. "I'm making headway."
Nyota giggled. Right! It had taken him a year to get Cathy to attend a dance with him, and he thought that was headway! She had certainly taken the right approach to this guy.
Jim and Spock were talking about something having to do with schedules and other work stuff and she tuned them out, leaning slightly against Spock, with his hand resting on her hip, and looked out over the dance floor. And then the music stopped, and a tiny spotlight lit up one couple. What was going on?
Out on the dance floor, a very, very nervous doctor went down on one knee, taking the hand of the lovely young woman he had been dancing with in both of his. "Tamara Bainst, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You are such a wonderful person, so open and honest and warm and caring. The time we have spent together, getting to know one another, has been just wonderful. I can't seem to think of anything I would rather do all the rest of my life than look at you every day. I love you and want you to be my wife. Will you say yes?"
She looked at him in astonishment. This was certainly not what she had expected! But it was certainly what she wanted! "Oh, yes, Len, yes!"
And he bounded up off the floor and wrapped himself around her, sealing the deal with a very long, very deep kiss, to the delight of the watching crew. There was an immediate outbreak of laughter and applause, which had no effect of the two lovebirds for several minutes. When the kiss finally broke, Bones blinked and looked around, surprised to see everyone laughing and clapping. He grinned sheepishly and looked back down at the woman who had just promised to be his wife. "Won't ever be boring, I promise."
She laughed and patted his cheek. "Certainly hasn't been so far."
Nyota watched and smiled. Then she reached up and pinched Spock's ear. He jumped and looked down at her. "Why did you do that?"
"For not telling me this was going to happen."
"I assure you that I did not know this was going to happen."
"But you knew something was."
"I did not"
"You suspected."
"That is possible."
"See! I knew you were holding out on me!" But she giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Isn't it nice?"
"If it improves his disposition, it will be wonderful."
At that she burst out laughing and hugged him. "I don't think anything could do that permanently."
"You are almost certainly correct in your assumption."
And then she tugged him along to go and offer congratulations with all the others.
But off on the other side of the dance floor, a certain helmsman was not too happy. "He stole my thunder! Crap! Now I have to come up with another plan." And he walked off muttering.