Bros Before Bondmates
S'chn T'gai Uhura was precisely 8.3 minutes late for her assigned shift. It was the longest time that Spock had ever observed her being late. When she finally arrived he noted her taking her seat and when she looked his way he raised his brow in question.
Before he could say a word Captain Kirk said, "Lt. Uhura I've never known you to be this late before, care to explain?"
"I am sorry Captain," she laughed subconsciously and then looked pointedly at Spock.
"I had a rough start this morning, commander Spock practically wore me out last night on our date."
Now both of Spock's eyebrows were raised at her audacity.
"Spock? Our Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked in astonishment.
"Yes, Captain," she said innocently and turned back to her station.
Kirk turned to look at Spock along with all the other bridge crew.
Spock could see the smirk on Uhura's face but he remained stoic.
"Spock, I am surprised at you," Kirk exclaimed.
"Why is that Captain?" Spock asked.
"Well... er, well because... that doesn't sound like you."
"Should I not take my uh... the Lieutenant dancing?"
"Dancing?"
"Yes, Captain," Spock said simply.
"Oh, you two were dancing last night?" Kirk asked.
"I believe that is what I just said," Spock answered the Captain.
"Right, right, so you two were only..."
"Dancing," Spock said and then looked at Uhura for confirmation.
"Yes, Captain dancing, what did you think I meant?" Uhura asked innocently.
Kirk realized he was the victim of Uhura's teasing. She knew damn well what he thought she meant.
"Of course I thought you meant dancing or something like that," he said.
"Spock is an amazing dancer," Uhura said, "he has exquisite technique, strength, and stamina."
"Is that so?" Kirk said feeling a bit like a third wheel as Uhura and Spock looked at each other, Uhura grinning and Spock stoically trying not to.
"Yes, Sir. Of course, I shouldn't have expected anything less, he has perfect precision and technique and his rythym...mesmerizing!"
"Mesmerizing did you say?" Kirk asked while looking at Spock in disbelief.
"On the contrary," Spock chimed in, "It is you Lieutenant who is the gifted dancer. You displayed an abundance of grace, fluidity, and flexibility in your movements."
It was Uhura's turn to blush. "Thank you, Mr. Spock."
Kirk looked between the two of them with his mind blown. He wasn't positive that they were not talking about dancing, but he was damn sure they were thinking about something entirely different.
"Ahem, well all right you two, I think we've spent enough time on the topic of dancing. Lieutenant try not to be late again."
"Aye Captain," Uhura said turning around in her seat.
"And Mr. Spock," Kirk said in exhaustion.
"Yes, Captian?"
"Try not to uh, wear the Lieutenant out before her shift."
Spock gave one of his half smiles. "Aye captain."
/*-/*-/
"They what?!"
"Bones keep your voice down," Kirk said to Dr. McCoy
"Keep my voice down? Jim, you just can't waltz in here and tell me something like that and expect me to keep my voice down."
"Bones it was just a bit of ship's gossip I didn't expect to raise your blood pressure."
"Dancing!?" McCoy could not believe it.
"That's what they claimed." Kirk took a seat across from McCoy's desk.
"Spock dancing?" I need to visit the bridge more McCoy thought.
"Yes, Bones. Is that so hard to believe?" Kirk asked in exasperation.
"Yes Jim, Yes it is. How? why?"
"Uhura said it was a 'date'. I didn't ask anymore. I was a bit shook myself. I know I said I would give Spock and Uhura their Space but..."
"But what?"
"It was a bit strange hearing them talk about 'dancing' and the way they looked at each other..." Kirk shook his head.
"How did they look?" Bones asked.
"Like they weren't talking about dancing. I can't explain it, but I felt like a peeping tom; like I was intruding on something...intimate...private."
"Well," Bones said, "you were."
"What do you mean?"
"Just that Vulcan bond mates share a telepathic link."
"Yeah, I've heard, so what?"
"So I've noticed that you and Spock share some kind of bond as well." Bones explained.
"What?" Jum asked confused.
"Don't tell me you never noticed it, how Spock can finish your sentences and anticipate your actions?"
"Yes, but that's just because we work well together. He's a good first officer. The best in the fleet."
"You and I work well together and I don't know what goes on in that skull of yours half the time."
"Well, thanks."
"Jim, I'm serious, you and Spock share some kind of psychic bond, probably quite natural for a telepathic race with all those brain waves floating around."
"Maybe," Jim said. He had never thought of Spock as being especially telepathic. He had asked Spock on several occasions to use his talents but he never thought much of how he used them when not ordered to.
"No maybe about it. I imagine that you feel a little left out of whatever new bond Spock and Uhura have now."
"It sounds like you're saying I'm jealous of Uhura or something."
"Well, are you?" Bones asked searching Jim's face."
"No!" Kirk denied. "That's ridiculous."
"Mmm good. Because it will only get worse before it gets better. They're newlyweds after all. The same thing happened to me when I got married. I tuned out everyone except my wife. I kinda regret it now." McCoy said.
"Why is that Bones?"
"I tried so hard to make the marriage work that when it fell apart I didn't have anything or anyone to fall back on," McCoy said momentarily lost to his memories. "Jim, I know it feels kinda lonely now that Spock has someone else in his life but don't let that get in the way of your friendship or your bond. Give him and Uhura some space and some time, and remember he is still your best friend and the best first officer in the fleet."
"You're my best friend too, Bones. We still have each other" Jim joked.
"Aw, that's sweet Jim, what do we do now kiss?" Bones asked wickedly.
Jim gasped, "God no! Bones what is wrong with you?"
"Maybe we should dance then?" he said really laughing now.
"Bones I am gonna need more than pills for these headaches you and Spock are giving me."
"How about some Saurian brandy, doctors order?"
"Now your making sense."