Masters is seeking answers from McCoy when she FINALLY has a run-in with the Captain.

Masters Seeking Answers

"Hello Doctor," Charlene said to McCoy as she slid into a seat next to him "Captain," she said, acknowledging Jim who was seated on the other side of McCoy.

"Well, good evening Lieutenant Masters. Can I buy you a drink?" McCoy asked.

"Of course you can, Doctor. By the way, how's our mutual friend?" She asked.

"Who's that?" he asked as he signaled the bartender to serve Charlene.

"Mrs. Uhura, Spock's wife?" She said archly.

"I haven't seen hide nor hair of her since Spock's little stunt in the rec room. Why don't you ask her yourself?"

"I'm asking you, you're her Doctor. I told her to ask you for a complete physical a few days ago."

"Oh, you sent her to me, did you?" McCoy asked with a bemused grin. "Well lieutenant, you know I can't tell you the outcome of my patients' checkups even if you refer them. You'll have to ask her yourself."

Charlene shrugged. "Okay, I already know what you'll find, anyway."

"Oh, you do? Are you a doctor now?" Bones asked.

"No. Just a woman who's been through it all." She gave the captain a dirty look before she downed her drink in one shot and hissed at the afterburn. "Mmm, that hit the spot." She patted McCoy's cheek playfully and said, "I'll be seeing you," before she sashayed away.

McCoy tracked her every movement while she walked over to a table where Sulu and Chekov were already seated, then he turned back to the Captain.

"What was that all about, Bones?" Kirk asked, looking in the same direction.

"Jim, I have no idea. You know more about women than I ever will. She gave you a nasty look there at the end though. What'd you do to Masters?"

Kirk looked wounded. "I didn't do anything. We hardly see one another. She's usually below decks in engineering with Scotty and the crew."

"You sure you didn't get her hopes up and break her heart or something?"

Jim laughed bitterly. "Hardly. In fact, she broke mine."

"Oh, do tell?" McCoy asked eagerly.

"It was a long time ago, Bones. Before the Enterprise. We dated briefly back in our academy days." Kirk said, and he continued to sip his drink.

"Ah yes, once again we meet one of your old flames who looks like a dime. What is it you have that attracts all the finest females in the galaxy?"

"You mean what do I have that repels them? I'm sitting here spending my evenings with you, not some fine female."

"That's because you insist on repelling them. You could have anyone on this ship and yet you insist on being alone. It's not healthy."

"I find women to be more hazardous to the health than a battle with a Gorn."

"You just haven't met the right woman," McCoy assured him. Though to be fair, Jim had met a lot more women than the average man.

"I've met plenty of them, Bones. You know that. But what about you, have you met the right one?"

"I thought so. A few times, in fact. But even if the relationship doesn't work out it's still fun while it lasts."

"Sure, but it hurts like hell when it's over."

"True. Still, if I hadn't married my wife, I wouldn't have Johanna. If I hadn't married Natira, I would be dead. Marriage isn't all bad."

"I'll take your word for it. Are you and Natira still a thing?"

"I won't know until she gets to where she's going. But honestly, I don't see how we can make it work. She's the leader of her people. I'm a ship's doctor. We'll see," McCoy said.

"But you were willing to give up Starfleet for her once."

"Yeah, when I thought I was dying. She was my last gasp, literally. Now... I don't know Jim, I still want to see what's out there."

"I get it Bones. That wanderlust over-rules out any other kind."

"Lust is lust. One kind isn't any better or worse than the other. What I felt for my wife and Natira was love. But sometimes love just isn't enough to keep a marriage going."

"If love isn't enough, then what is?"

"I don't know. I've yet to keep a marriage going. I just know love isn't it. But there are happy couples who make it work. I hope Spock and Uhura are one of them."

"Yeah, sure," Kirk said, but he didn't sound too sure.

"Why are you so negative about them lately? Before you were all gung ho for them."

"I was not all 'gung ho'. I was supportive."

"Well, what's changed?" McCoy wanted to know.

"Everything's changed. Spock's given Uhura a ring, they're living together openly. It's official."

"It was official the moment Spock brought Uhura back out of that cave on Vulcan. Or at least it was according to Vulcan laws and customs, which we respect."

"I know. But I just didn't think things would change this much. I guess I am just being foolish. Spock is happy, that's what counts."

"What about Uhura's happiness? Doesn't she count?"

"Of course, that goes without saying, Bones."

"Does it Jim?"

"What are you getting at now?" Jim asked defensively.

"I don't know. Yet. When I figure you out, I'll let you know." McCoy ordered another drink and stared into the glass, quietly contemplating everything that had happened in the past few months. The longer he thought, the more he frowned.

Jim noticed the change in mood and said, "Bones, maybe you've had enough of that brandy, hmm? Why don't you call it a night?"

"No, I'm fine. But I am wondering about Lieutenant Masters. She thinks something is going on with Uhura too. The quicker we get her to Vulcan, the happier I'll be."

"You still think it has something to do with Spock's Katra?"

"I think I'm missing something, and I don't like to miss. I'm going back to the labs. See ya later." He finished his drink, leaving the captain alone again.

Kirk swiveled around in his seat and scanned the crowd. It was a great idea to convert one of the rec rooms into a restaurant/bar where a bit of alcohol could be consumed along with some non reconstituted food. People enjoyed their off time dining with friends, drinking, dancing, laughing in the restaurant-style rec room and ship morale was at an all-time high.

The Enterprise was in perfect working condition. Everyone was safe and accounted for, and they were once again on course for Vulcan. The captain should be content, but he wasn't. He was not dancing and laughing and having drinks with friends. He was sitting alone and apart and drinking expensive brandy with no one to share it with. Meanwhile, Spock, his best friend, was spending his evenings with a beautiful wife now.

Someone took the seat Bones had vacated, but Kirk didn't bother to look up from his glass. He was suddenly not in the mood for company.

"You look like you just lost your best friend."

Kirk recognized the voice and smiled. "Maybe I did." He turned in his seat to look at Charlene Masters. "Are you here to take his place?"

"He's married, not dead. You ought to be happy for him." Charlene pointed out.

"Who says I'm not?" Kirk asked.

"You don't look happy." She told him.

"Well, looks can be deceiving. Like that look you gave me earlier. Bones thought I'd upset you somehow."

"I didn't give you anything earlier." Charlene denied it, but she was giving him a look right now.

"Okay. I'll take your word for it." He turned back to his drink.

"That's right." She said, still frowning at him. "My word is my bond."

"Your bond? I don't need your bond Lieutenant."

"Then what do you want, James T. Kirk?"

"What do I want?" He asked and shook his head. "I don't know. Or maybe I want things I can't have. I want things to be the way they were six months ago when everything made sense. I guess I can't have what I want, though. Can I?" Kirk's expression bore a bitter scowl, but when he noticed Charlene frowning at him, he gave her a crooked grin.

"But I'll settle for a simple hello from an old friend. Or maybe a friendly smile." He slurred his words slightly.

Charlene reached for his glass and slid it over to herself. "I think you should go to bed. Sleep it off." Kirk watched closely as she drank his brandy and then licked her lips.

Kirk laughed at her audacity. "What do you want, Lieutenant Masters?" He leaned in closer to her.

Charlene touched his cheek fondly and sighed. "I don't want for things I can't have. I've been just fine by all by myself and you will be too. There's no going back for Nyota and Spock and there's no going back for us." Charlene stood and patted Kirk on the shoulder. "Go to bed Jim, before you do something you'll regret." She left the captain sitting with an empty glass and wondering what just happened.