Author's Notes: In Chapter 29, Spock meets the jilted woman of his aborted blind date, while at a fitness center. Several surprises are in store for Uhura as she delivers her conference speech.

1:13 PM, Fitness Center, Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center

Her eyes had stayed on the tall Vulcan ever since he arrived at the Fitness Center over an hour ago. Although covered by jogging pants and t-shirt, there was enough visual evidence of a finely toned, muscular body to peak her interest. After completing a regimen of strength building exercises, she watched how he then moved to a treadmill to run. She found a place on a treadmill beside him and set her usual program.

From time to time, she turned her head slightly to get his attention, but the Vulcan seemed oblivious to anything outside of his own personal space. Her eyes then looked to program settings noting he was already at capacity speed for the machine. She wondered, How long can he keep that up?

One hour later drenched in sweat, she gratefully sighed when the Vulcan's program finally went to the cool down mode. Although she had only ran at a quarter of the pace as the Vulcan, she could not remember a time when she had pushed herself so hard.

Determined to get his attention as his program was coming to an end, she picked up the towel she brought to the machine and acted as though it slipped out of her hand and unto the floor between them.

When she saw his head turn slightly to see the fallen object, she finally felt her efforts had finally paid off. However, the Vulcan then pressed the self-cleaning button on his machine and headed to the water dispenser without performing the expected chivalrous gesture.

For a few moments, she stared down at her towel before picking it up and placing it around her neck. She then headed toward the Vulcan who was downing cup after cup of water. She admitted to herself, Damn . . . this is a hard fish to catch.

She told him, "Hey, do you mind if I can get a cup?"

The Vulcan turned to her and then stepped back to allow her access. As she reached for a cup and filled it with water, she remarked, "You're a great exercise partner. Trying to keep up with you really pushed me to my limit." She took a drink, before playfully telling him, "However, I can't give you such a good grade for your skills as a gentleman."

"I was not aware my behavior was being assessed." He replied.

She smiled, pleased she finally received a response. "Well, I was curious what I was missing. You are Spock, aren't you?"

The Vulcan turned his eyes toward her to look fully upon the woman with her strawberry blonde hair gathered in a ponytail.

"Dr. Amber Fields." Spock recalled her name.

"Now that is impressive." She commented. "You actually remembered the name of a woman who you refused to meet on a blind date. I would have thought such useless information would have been jettisoned from your memory."

"When I was first apprised of your name, my friend – Captain Pike – told me you edited one of the foremost journals in the field of computer science. However, having no knowledge of such a person under the name of Amber Fields, I performed a bit of research to verify your identity."

"And, what did you find?" She asked.

"Dr. Amber Fields does indeed serve as Senior Editor of the highly acclaimed Intergalactic Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems. However, she does so under the pseudonym of Dr. Sonia Tvardovsky."

"Yes. I started to use that name soon after I first started publishing, when I realized no one was taking seriously anything published under the name of Amber Fields." She laughed. "Unfortunately, my birth name sounded more like a porn star than a competent scientist."

"Yet, you chose not to change your name permanently."

"My friends know me as Amber." She replied. "And, I've grown to like being able to segment my personal life from my professional endeavors."

Spock poured himself another cup of water and downed it quickly.

"So, I'm curious why you didn't say anything." She commented. "You obviously recognized me and did not say a word until I approached you."

"Simple recognition did not warrant the initiation of a dialogue between the two of us."

She then admitted boldly, "I've been checking you out, since the time you first entered the fitness center."

"That was obvious." He said nonchalantly as he poured himself another cup of water.

"Wait a minute. You knew I had you in my sights and you ignored me." She then asked coyly, "So, what's wrong with me?"

Spock remarked, "I have worked closely with Terrans for 13 years, 3 months and 17 days. In all that time, I have yet to meet a human female who wanted an honest assessment of her attributes."

"I suppose you're right about that. I have this feeling you're not one to hold back the truth as you see it." She laughed, again. "So, let me try to get at it in a different way. Why was I dumped before you even had a chance to meet me?"

"I had no interest in making your acquaintance." He told her tersely.

"Ouch!" She feigned indignation. "I guess I should have seen that one coming. But tell me this - my friend Lydia said you had decided not even to make the trip to Europe. Yet, I look up from my workout routine and saw you come in. From the photos she sent to me, I was sure it had to be you."

"My plans were altered."

"Work or play?" She asked in vain, as the Vulcan continued his hydration routine with no response to her question.

She continued, "Unlike you, I didn't have the luxury of altering my plans. I had already made travel and lodging arrangements that would have cost me dearly if I had canceled them. Of course, Lydia offered me the chance to hang out with her and your friend, Chris Pike, but you know there is nothing more pathetic than a third wheel."

"Surely, a woman like you can find a way to occupy her time in a cosmopolitan city like Paris." Spock told her. "The time here should be viewed more as a welcome opportunity, than an unrealized sexual tryst."

"Who said anything about sex?" She asked only to be answered by Spock crushing his cup in one hand and throwing it into the trash receptacle.

"Hey!" She called to him as he began to walk away. "Were you really going to leave and not even say good-bye?"

The Vulcan turned back, "What is the basis for the requirement of such a formality between us?"

"It's just plain good manners. You don't carry on a conversation with someone and then just leave without saying a word." She teased, "Haven't you learned anything at all from the time you've been among humans?"

Spock turned back and looked curiously at the woman, before remarking, "Good-bye."

A smile came over her face as Amber watched the Vulcan walk out the door. She thought, He's certainly a cut above the guys Lydia usually gets for me. I think this won't be the last we see of each other, Mr. Spock.

1:58 PM, Conference Room

When Spock arrived at the conference room where Uhura was scheduled to speak, the space was nearly filled to capacity. He disliked the idea of having so few options to choose a seat, but he had been detained longer than expected by the conversation he had with Amber. Then, after showering and changing clothes, he found himself with little time remaining before the session was to begin.

Spock scanned across the crow and looked toward the front of the room, which held a raised platform. There, he saw Uhura dressed in a blue suit with a thin Kente scarf draped over her neck. She sat next to a man, who Spock assumed served as the moderator for the session. He noted her eyes were lowered as if in silent meditation or prayer. He then saw Habibah four rows from the front with two other women seemingly close to her age. He surmised they must be the Precious Ones Uhura had spoken of. Finally, Spock spotted a vacant seat next to Sevat in the last row and did not hesitate to fill it. Yet, his fellow Vulcan appeared not to be surprised by his presence.

In a voice so low only Spock could hear him, Sevat commented coolly, "So, you finally chose to attend the session with little time to spare."

"Did she inform you of my arrival in Paris?" Spock asked.

He replied, "I know you too well to believe you would have remained in San Francisco. I knew it was only a matter of time before you would make your appearance."

Spock told him, "If you are as conversant with me as you say, then you already know what is required of you."

"Perhaps, you should provide me with a bit of a hint." Sevat retorted.

"You are in possession of an Academy-issued communicator belonging to Nyota." Spock charged. "It will go well with you if you choose not to deny this fact."

"Your veiled threats are unnecessary." Sevat coolly replied. "I only wanted to save her from distractions before delivering her presentation. I would have given it to her if she had only asked me for her. Does that answer satisfy you?"

"I will be satisfied when the device is placed in my hands."

Sevat asked, "Come now, Spock. Do you not trust me to return it to her personally?"

"Please, Sevat, I am in little mood for any of your inane questions."

Sevat studied Spock for a few moments, before commenting, "I must confess I am somewhat amazed by your show of restraint. I initially thought I might be your first order of business upon your arrival to the city."

"Before I reached my destination, I was already assured of her safety." Spock remarked. "And although my blood still boiled hot at the thought of your nefarious intentions, the sweet nectar that flowed from our reunion proved to temper those ancient emotions."

Spock knew he had hit his mark when out of the corner of his eye he could see Sevat press his lips together tightly, as if to stifle an uncharacteristically vociferous response. When able, Sevat parted his lips enough to draw in cool air to lessen his ire.

Just as the moderator rose from his seat and moved to the acrylic podium to begin his introduction, Amber entered the room dressed in a teal knit dress with a draped V-neckline. After scanning the room for a seat, she smiled upon seeing Spock in the back row. However, it did not take her long to realize the Vulcan's gaze was elsewhere. When someone in the audience signaled her to identify an empty seat, she quickly made her way to fill it.

Sevat bent his head slightly toward Spock. "Have you not noticed Nyota's attire?"

"Why do you call my attention to her apparel?" Spock asked. "It is indeed quite appropriate for her task."

"Then, you approve?"

"I recognize the scarf as a gift she received from her grandmother at the start of her third year at the Academy." He remarked. "Although I must admit my eyes have never before seen the suit, she apparently chose well. The blue color complements the rich brown tones of her skin."

At the end of the introduction, applause sounded as Uhura rose up from her chair and headed to the rostrum.

Sevat asked, "Have your eyes weakened after such prolonged exposure to the Terran climate? Do you not see the intricate detail hand stitched unto the fabric? Or, the fine buttons that tastefully adorn the jacket?"

Spock now focused his eyes more intently Uhura's clothing.

Sevat continued, "Notice how the cut of the fabric tapers along the sides of her body to her waist . . . And how snuggly she fits into the skirt which accents her physical assets quite well. Do you not agree?"

"Careful, Sevat." Spock warned. "Do not further test me with your all too familiar tongue."

Sevat added without hesitation, "You will be pleased to know the cloth is a refined hand, woven fabric of 100% pure virgin worsted wool. Its ultralight weight is suitable for year-round wear."

Spock commented, "Your remarks betray a fluency with this garment which appears to go beyond mere observation."

"Such an important occasion with nothing in her wardrobe to complement its import." Sevat responded. "When offered apparel to meet this need, it was only logical she accept it."

"Accept it?" Spock questioned, as he in vain attempted to cool his mounting anger. "Are you telling me the clothes upon her back are not her own?"

"This is true." Sevat retorted coolly. "However, I implore you not to be too harsh with her, Spock. You must admit she strikes quite an attractive pose in attire so meticulously chosen by my hand."

There was a pause . . .

An awkward, unnatural pause occurring mid-sentence within Uhura's presentation as she watched Spock leave the room . . .

She looked to the Precious Ones who appeared perplexed by the sudden halt to her speech . . .

She then changed her focus to the empty seat Spock had occupied . . .

And, then there was Sevat . . .

His eyes sternly fixed upon her . . .

He then nodded his head toward her as if giving her permission to continue . . .

Grasping onto the sides of the lectern, Uhura told herself, Come on, girl . . . you don't know why he had to go . . . Spock may have been called away due t a Starfleet issue or a problem at one of the Academy labs.

She then found it within herself to bring forth a smile as she uttered one word, "Oops!" After the laughter died down across the large room, she continued. "Most of you, here, understood the meaning of this common expression as an admittance of a blunder or error. In more informal circumstances, it can even suffice as a crude apology."

Uhura stepped from behind the podium and took a couple of steps toward the audience. She continued, "However, think how confusing such an utterance would be if you were not familiar with this Terran idiom. In this case, commercial Universal translators would be of little use in decoding the meaning. It is, indeed, this performance gap inherent in Universal translators which is at the crux of my presentation to you this afternoon."

2:17 PM

For once, the cool fall air was welcome against the Spock's face as he headed out the hotel toward the Metro. He could not think of a better time to take advantage of his standing invitation to visit the antimatter laboratory of Dr. Serge Marini at the Sorbonne's Université Pierre et Marie Curie.

He needed to get away . . .

He needed to place space and time between them . . .

He needed to try to dull . . .

Thoughts of her . . .

His Nyota . . .

Dressed by another man . . .

Yes, the cool air was welcome, but it did little to temper the Vulcan's indignation.

How could she . . .

He wondered . . .

How could she betray me this way?

3:43 PM, Conference Room

The Precious Ones talked among themselves and Sevat waited patiently, as Uhura spoke to the last of the audience members who sought to speak with her after her speech. A smirk came across the Vulcan's face as he overheard the woman in the teal dress offer Uhura a publishing opportunity.

"Me . . . publish an article in the Intergalactic Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems?" Uhura questioned. "But, I'm not in the field of computer science."

The woman told her, "We are constantly looking for interdisciplinary topics to broaden our reach. Your presentation today certainly would be of interest to our usual readers, as well as, those in the communications field."

"I'm flattered, but I know there is a difference between the substance one provides for a talk and a scholarly journal article." Uhura remarked. "I would not want to disappoint."

"There's no need to be modest, Ms. Uhura." The woman advised her. "I would not have made the offer if I did not believe you capable of turning out a first-rate article with four to six months lead time."

Uhura smiled. "Then, of course, I will accept your offer. Thank you so much, Dr. Tvardovsky."

"Did you bring your iTablet?" The journal editor asked. "I wanted to provide you with my contact information and the site for the article submission requirements."

"Yes, I have it with me." Uhura answered. "I left it in my bag by my chair."

The two women moved unto the platform. As they did, Uhura briefly looked back across the almost empty room to see if Spock had returned. Keeping her disappointment to herself, she retrieved her iTablet and listened to Dr. Tvardovsky's instructions.

While Yasmin and Shaniqua continued to engage each other in conversation, Habibah moved to the side of Sevat and commented, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

He retorted, "If you are attempting to ask in your own feeble way if I am satisfied with Ms. Uhura's performance, you would be correct in that observation."

"That is not what I am saying at all and you know it." She replied. "You're standing here looking at her as if you were some kind of Svengali."

"Svengali?" He answered drolly. "Surely, my efforts with my mentee have warranted a more agreeable appellation than that."

"What happened to Spock?" She asked.

"Am I his keeper?" He questioned. "Or, do you simply expect all Vulcans on Terra to instinctively know each other's whereabouts?"

"When he arrived close to the beginning of the session, I thought I saw him sit next to you." She noted. "Yet, at the end of Nyota's presentation, he was nowhere to be found."

"Did your keen powers of observation become inoperative when Spock hastily left the room?" Sevat told her. "He was, indeed, the cause of her momentary lapse in the early stage of her exposition."

"Spock left at that time?" She asked. "But, how could he when he knows this meant so much to her?"

"Of course, it might be an issue with his breeding." Sevat replied with a note of sarcasm. "However, I suppose he believed he had more important matters to attend to."

"But to leave so abruptly, he should have known it might effect her performance." She shook her head. "Whatever was going on with him, she didn't need the drama."

"Although the interruption caused Ms. Uhura to go off-script for a few moments, she was able to regain her composure without compromising her delivery and substance of her presentation." He remarked. "In hindsight, it was probably best he not be in the audience so she could keep her mind focused on the task at hand. Wouldn't you agree?"

Habibah gave Sevat the look, before replying, "You really don't have a chance. You know that, don't you?"

He remarked, "Perhaps, if you would be more direct with stating the context of your statement, I would be able to provide a more effective comment."

"You're trying to get next to Nyota, but that is not going to happen."

"Habibah, I am certainly capable of walking over to Ms. Uhura to position myself next to her."

The East African rolled her eyes, before saying, "You want to get into Nyota's pants."

Just as he began to open his mouth, she quickly added, "And, don't you dare act like you don't understand my meaning, Sevat."

Sevat studied Habibah not sure if he had actually been so transparent or if Uhura had raised the issue with her friend. He chose not to encourage further conversation on the matter . . . at least, not with Habibah.

"How does it feel to have such few matters of personal import that one must occupy one's time with imaginings more suitable to those of a teenage human girl?" The Vulcan advised, "I suggest if you have such time to spare you should apply it to more productive pursuits, like reading a book, attending a symphony, or visiting a museum."

"All right, Sevat. You can continue to try to dodge the subject if you want to." She replied. "But I think you better know something so, perhaps, you too can focus your attention on more productive pursuits. There's only one man who can come between Nyota and Spock . . . and that man is not you."

Sevat offered Habibah only an indifferent facial expression in reaction to her comment. To the Vulcan, what Uhura's friends thought did not matter. After all, he reasoned, by week's end Nyota will be flying back to the Academy with me away from their direct influence.

The Vulcan observed Dr. Tvardovsky finally shake Uhura's hand and head out the door. Once out of sight, the Precious Ones all feigned reverence to their friend and bowed down to her repeatedly.

"Stop . . . stop . . . stop!" Uhura laughed.

"You had it going on, sister!" Shaniqua exclaimed. "Way to go."

"Nyota, there really are a lot of practical applications that could be made based on your analysis." Yasmin remarked. "It could end up leading to a product that could make you rich several times over."

"I can't comment on its commercial viability." Habibah told her. "But you certainly kept my interest and I doubt I understood half of what you were talking about."

The women laughed together.

"OK, that's enough." Uhura said, as she stepped off the platform. "If my head swells any larger I won't be able to leave the room."

"Of course, there is one remedy to that." Habibah quipped. "Just ask the Vulcan for his opinion. I'm sure he'll bring you back down to Earth."

"Well, I must admit I am curious." Uhura commented and then turned to him and said, "So, Sevat, go to it. I really would like to know your assessment of my performance."

Sevat turned his eyes to the young woman and without hesitancy declared, "I believe you – Ms. Uhura - have represented me quite well."

A howl sounded loudly from Yasmin and Shaniqua, before remarking almost simultaneously, "Can you beat that? . . . He actually complimented Nyota in terms of himself . . . If I had not heard it myself, I wouldn't have believed it . . . I can't decide if it is pure arrogance or unadulterated ego."

Not taking his eyes off of Uhura, he answered the women, "I was asked to assess the lady's performance. What higher praise can be given than to cover her with a cloak woven from a mentor's pride in his student's exemplary work?"

Taken aback by the Vulcan's comments, Uhura unconsciously brought her hand up and touched the fabric of her jacket slightly above her right breast.

He . . .

Took this gesture as a intimate sign . . .

Only to be read by the two of them . . .

Looking upon her face . . .

He told himself . . .

She knows . . .

Nyota knows . . .

This is love . . .

But she . . .

Now felt strangely uncomfortable within the confines of the suit . . .

Telling herself . . .

How could I not have realized . . .

What these clothes embodied . . .

A possession . . .

Sevat thinks of me as his possession . . .

And, if Spock learned Sevat purchased the suit . . .

No wonder he left the room so quickly . . .

Seeing me like this . . .

Wrapped in Sevat's garments . . .

Could only have been seen by Spock as an affront to his masculinity.

"Bulls**t!" Cried out Habibah - the only one of the Precious Ones who could find no humor in Sevat's comments.

"Habibah, that is uncalled for." Uhura reprimanded her childhood friend.

She answered, "Nyota, I don't care if he is your supervisor, you need to tell him that's bulls**t! You shouldn't let him get away with making statements like that."

"My sister, this matter runs deeper than you know." Uhura answered soberly, before turning back to Sevat who had yet to take his eyes off of her. "Even I must confess my ignorance until now of my complicity in this affair."

"What affair?" Yasmin asked. "Did I miss something?"

"Yasmin, I don't think she means affair as in romantic relationship." Shaniqua commented. "Isn't that right, Nyota?"

Uhura failure to reply immediately gave both Shaniqua and Yasmin an answer they did not expect.

"Where have you been?" Habibah told the other Precious Ones. "I can't believe you two have been so clueless."

"They have not been the only ones." Uhura retorted. "However, this is not the time or the place to address this issue and all of those involved are not present."

"Nyota . . . "

"Habibah, I have spoken." Uhura told her friend firmly. "Believe me when I say, I know what I must do."

Confident in his place in Uhura's heart, Sevat remarked, "I remember from last night's conversation the four of you had planned to take dinner together after Ms. Uhura's presentation. I shall leave you to that activity."

"I hope Nyota's dinner plans can include two more." A familiar voice called out from the entrance of the room.

Sevat turned to see the source of the comment; a sophisticated-looking middle-aged human male with a dark brown complexion, accompanied by a woman seemingly of the same ethnicity.

The unexpected visitor continued, "We unfortunately arrived too late to witness her lecture, but I trust Hazina Yangu Kidogo1will extend her cloak of forgiveness to these travelers at the mercy of commercial flight carriers who do not value timeliness as you and I."

The Vulcan turned back to Uhura and saw the first of her tears gather in her eyes.

"Baba."2 She gasped. "You have returned."

"Come my child." He said with outstretched arms. "And, remind the one who has missed you so dearly what it is like to hold you close to him once more."

She did not keep him waiting . . .

As her legs carried her quickly to him . . .

And there . . .

She wept quietly as he held her . . .

As if no one else mattered . . .

As the others observed the sight, Habibah commented in a voice only Sevat and the Precious Ones could hear – "Damn . . . as if this mess wasn't f**ked up enough, he had to show up."

Author's Note: In Chapter 30, Spock learns a few life lessons from a senior colleague. Later, the Vulcan returns to Uhura's suite in hopes of an amorous reconciliation.

Your comments are always welcome.

1 A Swahili "pet name" for Uhura, which translates as My Little Treasure.

2 The Swahili word for father.