Disclaimer: I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees. Everything I know about psychiatry I learned from the show, Frasier. So please don't tell me this ain't how therapy goes, it's fanfiction :p This is purely for entertainment.

Something to talk about

Uhura reported to the counselor's office as 'requested' by Dr. McCoy. She still didn't want to do this but he had threatened to report her to the captain and so she had no choice, again. To her surprise, she was greeted by a familiar face, Dr. Helen Noel.

"Helen! Dr. Noel? I didn't know you were the new ship's counselor?"

"Yes, I'm surprised about it myself. I thought I'd be drummed right off the Enterprise after that incident on the Tantalus Colony."

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, if it wasn't for me Captain Kirk wouldn't have been in that device and nearly killed."

"Are you sure? The Captain would have gotten himself into some kind of trouble regardless of who accompanied him. You know they say the T. in James T. Kirk stands for trouble. And you should know the Captain is not the kind of person to hold a grudge. We've all done something stupid on this mission. Even me, I was a part of the group that sabotaged the ship when everyone was infected by those spores on Omicron Ceti III."

"I suppose I can thank his forgiving nature and Dr. McCoy for championing the cause of a ship's counselor."

"Well regardless of how it all happened, congratulations on your new position. You deserve it."

"Thank you, Lieutenant, that means a lot coming from you. I've always admired you and all the bridge officers who get to hobnob with the big boys up there, going on the big missions, saving the day."

"It's not as glamorous as people make it out to be. Your own away mission should tell you something of how it goes. Seems we're always on the front line for more danger rather than adventure."

"I can imagine. My one brush with danger was enough for me. I thought I'd never live it down. For weeks afterward, I thought people were discussing it behind my back, how I almost got the Captain killed, how I trusted that mad doctor over my own captain, etc."

"They probably were. You know there are no secrets on a ship like this. Sooner or later everyone knows everything about you whether you like it or not," Uhura said bitterly.

"And how does that make you feel?"

"Oh, are we starting already?"

"Starting? This is just a friendly informal chat."

"In a psychiatrists office at Dr. McCoy's request?"

" only asked if I could speak to you. He didn't tell me anything else, not the nature of the talk or why. If you don't feel comfortable talking to me, there are other counselors here at your disposal. I suppose he thought since we know each other that you might prefer speaking to me."

"Helen, I have no issue talking to you, I just don't know what good talking about it will do."

"Well, why don't you just talk about 'it' and I'll listen. Sometimes that's all you need to get your own ideas flowing and sort out your own feelings."

"That's just it, I don't want to think and I don't want to feel, at least not right now. I am just exhausted, too much has happened in too short a time for me to deal with it logically."

"Logically you say? Is this about Mr. Spock?"

Uhura sighed. "OF course, you know something about it from the gossip mill no doubt."

"Well 'logically' is his favorite word and the two of you are known to be very good friends. And you did just punch him in the face... But I'd like to hear it from you if you'd like to tell me about it."

"I don't want to talk about Mr. Spock. I am sick of talking about and thinking about Mr. Spock."

"Well then let's talk about something you do like. I know you love music, yet I haven't seen you at any of the talent nights nor have you been in the rec room playing your lute."

"The ka'athyra", Uhura said automatically.

"Yes that", Helen said. "So what's been going on?

"I can't think about music right now, it reminds me of..."

"Of?" Helen asked

"The ka'athyra reminds me of Spock, he gave me one," Uhura said with frustration. "I can't visit my friends in engineering because Spock may be there too. He's on the bridge more hours of the day than humanly possible. I can't relay a message without hearing gossip about me and Spock, I can't breathe the air on this ship because it is recycled Spock air. I can't sleep without Spock in my dreams. He's everywhere I go, he's constantly in my mind!"

"Hm, that's interesting, so Mr. Spock is always on your mind?"

"He's not always ON my mind he's IN my mind!"

"What do you mean he's in your mind? Do you mean like telepathy? I know the Commander has some telepathic ability as all Vulcans do, he extracted the information from Dr. Van Gelder that saved the Captian but-"

"Spock doesn't just have 'some' ability, he is a very strong telepath."

"Okay, but as a Vulcan, he should not be able to make mental contact with you without physical contact and especially not without your consent. Vulcans are touch telepathic and they have strict rules about privacy."

"Spock is not your average Vulcan. Besides this is not your average meld. We're bonded."

"Bonded?"

"Yes, and I couldn't explain it to you even if I understood it myself." Uhura huffed a defeated sigh, "A few weeks ago Spock and I were sort of married." she said resting her head in her hands.

"Sort of married?" Helen asked astonished. How do you get sort of married?

"Yes, married but also more than a marriage. It goes deeper than that. On Vulcan marriage involves a psychic bond connecting two minds. But in our case, our minds are not just joined in marriage, they are kind of mixed up and intertwined. I would say it is unbelievable but on this ship you get to see some pretty unbelievable things every day so this ranks on the spectrum at 'now that I know it, I guess it's feasible'. I mean he's had his whole brain removed so I guess having a small piece of his Katra in me shouldn't be a big deal, but you know what? It is a big deal to me."

Helen was flabbergasted. Uhura and Spock married and bonded telepathically? What!?

"Well, I suppose congratulations are in order?"

"Well, you suppose incorrectly."

"Oh, okay I'm sorry."

"No, Helen don't be sorry, I'm just being salty. I suppose marriages are happy announcements when everyone involves has agreed upon it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I guess I can't say I didn't agree, I sorta volunteered. It doesn't matter. I'm married. Yay me!"

"You don't sound happy."

"No?"

"No, in fact, you sound bitter."

"I guess I don't know how to feel about it. I didn't plan on getting married anytime soon."

"Then why did you do it?"

"I didn't really have a choice."

"Oh, I thought you said you volunteered."

"I did. In fact, I insisted" she laughed bitterly. "I guess I had a choice I just didn't like it. I'm not angry at Spock, he didn't have a choice either. I'm angry at the situation. I'm angry at the disruption in my life and my plans. I just wanted some time to think things over and figure out my next move but the ships gossip mill has my business on blast! I feel like I'm standing in quicksand and the more I try to work my way out the deeper I get sucked in."

"Let us help you. Let us pull you out of that hole you're in. Dr. McCoy and I prescribe a vacation. Everybody needs a little time all for themselves away from this ship and you deserve it. A leave from the ship and all the drama, danger, and unbelievable things that you see on a day to day basis, you need that so you can be just Nyota. Take some time to not think and just be you."

"Can you prescribe all that?" Uhura teased.

"I can prescribe the leave, what you do with the time is up to you. Just relax, come back with a clearer head without all of us breathing down on you. I'll forward the recommendation to Dr. McCoy and he'll make sure it happens."

"Thank you, Helen."

"No thanks are needed, this is what I'm here for."

"IN that case, since this is strictly business, please don't tell anyone about me and Spock. I'm not ready to have everyone know we're married. The captain and Doctor McCoy know and also Christine Chapel and whoever she's gabbed to, but I'm not ready for that fallout just yet. Everyone is already linking Spock and me together."

"I understand and don't worry this is all under doctor-patient confidentiality. Nothing said here leaves this room."

"Thanks"

Uhura left Helen's office and Helen sat for a moment to complete her notes. Then she went to her 'medicine' cabinet and took out a small bottle of bourbon. It was a gift from Doctor McCoy. He said she'd need it and boy he didn't lie.

Commander Spock and Lieutenant Uhura Married! And bonded physically somehow? Holy cow! Helen had been friendly with Uhura in the past and she'd never known the woman to be anything but sweet and supportive. But lately, rumor had it that Uhura was being mean and grumpy and everyone was betting that Mr. Spock was the reason. Of course, everyone thought he'd broken her heart. Little did they know...

"I suppose marriage to a Vulcan will have that effect on you." Helen thought.

"Welp, better her than me," she said as she took a sip of bourbon and wished Uhura all the best.