There's a party goin' on right here

A celebration to last throughout the years

So bring your good times and your laughter too

We gonna celebrate your party with you

~Celebration by Kool & the Gang~

I Could Have Danced All Night

They held the reception on the last full night aboard the Enterprise before she docked for repairs at the Vulcan spaceport. Once again, the Enterprise crew would be guests of the Vulcans for extended shore leave and everyone was abuzz with anticipation. Some people looked forward to the visit because they enjoyed themselves the last time, while others dreaded the stay because of the extreme heat and lack of entertainment options. It was nothing like Argelius or Wrigley's Pleasure Planet. These were Vulcans, after all.

At the door to the ship's largest rec room, Uhura straightened her freshly recovered dress uniform one last time and patted her elaborate hairstyle into place. Tonight was her big debut as Spock's wife in front of the entire crew and she wanted it to be one the crew would never forget. They performed the bonding ceremony on Vulcan for Spock's family, but tonight was for hers.

"Are ye ready, lass?" Mr. Scott asked her. Uhura had asked him at the last minute to escort her into the reception. Sulu would have been her first choice since he had known about her marriage to Spock and their difficulties almost from the very beginning. However, she felt bad that Scotty had been one of the last to know about her marriage to Spock. Especially since Scotty was one of the first people she'd met the first day she came aboard the Enterprise all those years ago. He had been a good friend to her ever since. So she had chosen Scotty to "give her away" during the reception.

"I'm always ready for a little adventure, Scotty. You know me."

"Aye. I thought I did," he said sadly.

"Aww, Scotty, I'm so sorry. Please don't be angry with me. There are reasons why I couldn't tell you about... well, about everything. Spock and I... I don't know what to say. It's complicated."

"I'm for believing marriage shouldn'a be complicated. Not if two people love each other. You just say the word and I will whisk you away from this..." He pointed his thumb back at the door and the room full of shipmates waiting for them. "Complication."

"Scotty, Spock and I are already married. This is just a reception for our friends to celebrate our bonding."

"Marriages can be undone, lass."

Uhura shook her head with sadness for Scotty. "Not this marriage. Vulcans take their bonds very seriously and so do I. Besides, I kinda like him," she confessed.

"But do ye love him, lass?" Scotty asked gently.

Uhura drew in a deep breath and looked at Scotty with all the compassion she had. She was no longer denying it, not even to herself, but she knew Scotty had a soft spot in his heart for her. She hated hurting him, but the truth was the truth. "I do," she admitted. "More than anything."

Scotty gave her a sad smile. "Alright then. I suppose that's all I really need to know."

Uhura quirked her brow at him. "Uh-huh. What were you going to do if I said no?"

"I would have swept you up in my arms and saved you. Somehow."

Uhura wrapped her arms around Scotty in a firm bear hug and gave him a great big kiss on his cheek. "I believe you would save me. Somehow," she said and then wiped lipstick from his face. "You've always been my hero."

"But nothing more?" he asked.

"Scotty, we've been friends from the moment I stepped foot on this ship. I trust you with my life. You literally died protecting me from NOMAD and I couldn't love you any more for that. But I've never been in love with you. I hope you understand that?"

"But you're in love with Mr. Spock?" Scotty asked.

"Trust me, it came as a surprise to me too. I tried to fight it, to deny it, but here we are anyway. You're a great guy, and any woman would be lucky to have you for a husband."

"Just not you," he said accepting the truth.

"Just not me," she agreed. "You remember when I came aboard? I wasn't even looking for romance, let alone marriage? Love just sneaks up on you though. Wait and see, someone will grab a hold of your heart and you'll know they are the one. Besides, I don't think I'm your type, Scotty. I think you like a softer kind of woman. I think I'd chew you up and spit you out."

"I do not believe it. I know of no one kinder or more gentle than you."

Uhura took his hands in hers and squeezed, appreciating the strength and gentleness of his touch. Scotty was a good man, a kind man, and a hopeless romantic. He was rather naïve when it came to women, though. "Thank you, Scotty. But I still don't think you could handle all of me. Ask Sulu about how I am. I'm sure he'll tell you all the drama I put Spock through. You dodged a phaser blast, my friend."

"I'd take a phaser for you any day, lass," Scotty assured her.

"I know you would. But let's hope it never comes to that, hmm?" Uhura said, trying to lighten the mood. "Now, let's get this over with before Charlene comes looking for us. She's been a holy terror for the past few days."

"Aye, you'd think she was the one getting hitched. She's been a regular 'bridezilla' as the old saying goes."

"Yeah. But she means well. Charlene's been through all the drama with me and Spock since I got back from Vulcan. Sometimes I think I'm doing this more for her than for myself or Spock. We've already had our wedding and reception on Vulcan and we've had a honeymoon too. We're an old married couple now."

"There is nothing old about you." He looked at her wearing the snug-fitting dress uniform with a garland of wildflowers in her hair. "You look fresh as a rose that blooms in May."

"Well, I feel like the thorns are sticking me in my unmentionables." She did a little wiggle to adjust the snug uniform and Scotty threw back his head in laughter. She would always be the sassiest lass he knew.

"Alright, lass. Let's not keep that husband of yours waiting any longer." He hooked her arm with his own and ushered her into the rec room.

Once they entered and crossed the threshold, someone played the traditional wedding march music and Uhura got her first look at the rec room that had been off-limits to everyone for the past two days. Somehow, Charlene and her minions had transformed the room into a ballroom. Fairy Lights were strung from the ceiling, twinkling delicately. The walls were lined with vases of flowers of all varieties, courtesy of Sulu's garden. The room smelled like springtime itself. Everyone in attendance looked sharp dressed in their fancy uniforms. Spock stood in the center of the room with Bones looking as stoic as usual, but there was an intense gleam in his eye when she and Scotty entered.

Oh my god! Uhura thought as she caught her breath. Everything and everyone looked stunning. She was getting married to Spock in front of all her friends! She claimed this was just a reception, and that she was an old married lady, but now that Uhura saw Spock waiting for her in his fine uniform adorned with his medals and IDIC medallion, she felt like a proper bride. She couldn't help it when her eyes teared up and she started to breathe nervously.

Scotty patiently waited for her to take another step forward, but she couldn't move. Spock was waiting for her. Her friends were looking on with anticipation and joy. Scotty was looking at her askance. And she couldn't bring herself to take one more step. Her heart felt as if it would explode in her chest and as they stood paused just inside the door, people began to chatter in confused whispers.

Scotty bent down to whisper softly in her ear, "Is this the word?"

She shook her head, and the whispers grew more excited.

'What the hell Nyota!' she thought. 'You're blowing this! Now is not the time to panic! What must Spock be thinking? He probably thinks you're rejecting him!'

She shook her head vigorously to tell Spock that no, she was not rejecting him as Scotty tried to pull her back the way they came in. She was just stuck in her own head, as usual.

Spock instantly understood her dilemma and walked toward them, staring at her the entire time and Uhura felt something nudge the edge of her mind.

Calm. Safe. Strong. Over and over he sent these simple thoughts to her and somehow she felt rather than heard it all in her mind.

Slowly the muscles in her chest loosened and she was able to take in a deep calming breath and then another and another. Spock stood in front of her and she pulled away from Scotty and reached for him. As usual, he extended his two fingers to her and Uhura joined her fingers with his. This felt safe. This felt right.

Eyes never leaving Uhura's Spock said, "Thank you, Mr. Scott, for the safe delivery of my wife."

Scotty looked from Spock to Uhura who was now calm and looking at Spock as if he'd just hung the moon and stars for her. He bowed out gracefully, stepping away from the couple.

"What's happening?" someone whispered rather loudly.

"They are saying their vows. I think," Sulu whispered.

"But they are not saying anything."

"To us," Sulu said. "They are not saying anything to us, but Spock and Uhura share some kind of mental bond."

"Oh. Um... Huh?"

"Will you hush Chekov? Pay attention."

"Why? They're not saying anything," Chekov grumbled.

Finally, Spock said, "Nyota, my wife. Parted from me and never parted. Never and always touching and touched. We meet at the appointed place."

Uhura got a thrill hearing those sacred words spoken in Spock's native tongue, which she was starting to understand. "Spock, my husband. Parted from me and never parted. Never and always touching and touched. I await thee." Uhura said in her own native tongue, now smiling ear to ear. Not many of the crew understood Golic or Swahili but they all understood love, and the way Spock and Uhura looked at one another showed nothing but.

McCoy cleared his throat and everyone turned towards him where he stood on a raised dais with Captain Kirk on one side and Charlene on the other.

"Shall we?" Spock asked and then he escorted Uhura the rest of the way towards the center of the room to the stage.

McCoy could barely contain his joy. The smile on his face nearly hurt his cheeks. Today he presided as Master of Ceremony for his two friends' wedding reception. It had been quite the journey from the day he tended to Uhura on Vulcan while threatening Spock for his boorish behavior. He thought their friendship had been on shaky ground back then and now he could see their love was as solid as a rock.

"Dearly beloved," he began. "I have been asked to perform the most fulfilling act of my Starfleet career, officiating the union of my two friends in the bonds of matrimony. We are gathered here today with you, Mr. Spock, and you, Lieutenant Uhura in the sight of your fellows, and in accordance with our laws and our many customs and beliefs, so that you may decree and declare your commitment to one another."

"However, from the looks of things, you two have once again jumped the gun and said your peace before I could do my duty," he grumbled good-heartedly, and the crowd laughed at McCoy's complaint.

"I'm sorry Doctor," Uhura said, blushing up a storm. "I just got a little overwhelmed. It's not every day a girl gets married again, you know?"

"No. But for you two it's almost every other day, isn't it?" McCoy quipped.

"True Doctor, but after the wedding, I believe it is customary to have the honeymoon, which is worthy of an encore," Spock's declaration was followed by loud catcalls and applause from the crew.

"Alright, alright everyone," McCoy said trying to quiet the crowd. To Spock, he said, "How about you let your lovely wife have her say now?"

Uhura smiled and turned to address the crowd of party-goers. "Hello everyone, and thank you for gathering here with us today. As I am sure you all know by now, Spock and I have been married for several weeks, but we only shared that information with a few of our closest friends and family members until recently. The reasons why we did not make a public announcement sooner are private." She looked around the room with a stern expression, daring anyone to say otherwise, and then she continued. "But I would like to thank everyone for accepting our union so graciously once made public and for all the lovely well wishes and gifts you've bestowed upon us." Uhura started to tear up again thinking of all the love and support the crew had shown them. They really were a family.

"From the bottom of my heart," she continued, "I thank you for joining us today to celebrate our bond in marriage. And to our hosts, Lieutenant Masters and Captain Kirk, thank you for arranging this beautiful reception and for being our unwavering friends during a very turbulent time. Spock and I are forever in your debt." Uhura concluded and wiped her eyes with a hankie passed to her from Charlene.

"And now," McCoy said. "If it is not against any Vulcan rule or tradition, how about a kiss for the bride?"

Captain Kirk playfully stepped forward and said, "Well, Alright!" before Charlene dragged him back.

The crowd exploded in cheers and whistles when Uhura tiptoed forward to place a chaste kiss on Spock's cheek, but at the last moment, Spock captured her lips with his own in a very illogical display of affection.

"Ladies and gentlemen," McCoy announced loudly and proudly to the cheering crowd, "Our newest Mister and Misses!"

After that, things happened in a blur for Uhura. What looked like real champagne procured by Captain Kirk was poured into fancy flutes, toasts were made by their friends, and the real party began.

The Enterprise was home to some of the finest musicians in the galaxy among her crew, and tonight, some of them formed a band and played hits from almost every era in human history. Spock and Uhura danced with one another for several songs until Charlene finally broke them apart to claim Spock for a dance while Jim danced with Uhura.

The Captain looked into Uhura's happy, smiling face and he thought back to the terrible day when she had been pressured into marrying Spock. He could admit it now. Back then, his sole priority had been saving his best friend's life rather than the well-being of his communications officer. But he cared about Uhura too, and he was glad that there was no harm done as a result of their coerced marriage. In fact, she had never looked happier than she did right now.

Kirk led Uhura into a twirl, admiring her outfit. "You look magnificent tonight, Lieutenant. I see marriage agrees with you," he said with a roguish grin.

Uhura blushed at the captain's compliment. "Thank you, Captain. It does have its perks." She grinned, thinking of all the ways Spock made her happy.

"Oh, such as?"

The captain should know better than to ask her that. "Sleeping with Spock every night, of course," she teased.

It was Kirk's turn to blush as he remembered that horrible scene of Uhura and Spock on his view screen. No amount of Romulan ale had been enough to blot that memory from his mind. "Lieutenant, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Did what, Captain?" she batted her lashes innocently.

"You know what," he insisted.

"I absolutely plead the fifth."

"The fifth what? That hasn't been a legal term for over two hundred years."

"Captain, if you are referring to what I think you are, then I have to tell you that I didn't do anything on purpose. My finger just slipped."

Kirk was almost afraid to ask, but he did it anyway. "Slipped on what?"

"Ask Charlene. It's all her fault," Uhura laughed.

The mention of Charlene put Kirk on high alert. "Lieutenant Masters? Why would she know anything about it?"

"She knows all about it. We tell each other everything." Uhura gave Kirk a knowing look. "Actually, Charlene knows a lot of things. She's very wise. I think she has an old soul. You listen to her and you can't go wrong."

"Is that a fact? She did tell me you were her best friend on this ship and warned me to let you and Spock alone or else."

Uhura nodded. "I'm not surprised. She has been my best friend and champion lately and I'd do the same for her. We all need somebody to call a friend when the odds are stacked against us. I'm glad Spock has you and Dr. McCoy."

"You both have us. And I'm glad Spock has you," Kirk said sincerely. "He's a very lucky man."

"Luck had nothing to do with it. It was destiny. Some things are simply meant to be, and no one and nothing can stand in its way," Uhura said with a confident voice. "You know, Spock and I... we were together long before he took me to Vulcan?"

"You were? I had no idea."

"Hmm-hmm. Neither did we. We were both too stubborn to admit it to ourselves. But the Pon Farr has a way of making you grab what you want unapologetically, as it were."

"I see. And you really are alright with everything that's happened to you? And what will happen?" Kirk asked. He really did care about her well-being.

"My only regret is that it didn't happen sooner. But as Leonard says, to everything there is a season. This is Spock's and my season now."

"Then I'm glad for you. But just promise me you won't let your fingers slip anymore in front of me."

"I make no promises I cannot keep. But I'll try."

"I suppose that is all I can ask. And that you live long and prosper."

"Thank you, captain." Uhura threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely, kissing his cheek. Kirk, for his part, swept her up in his arms and swung her around the dance floor before setting her gently on her feet again.

"Wow! I Always wondered what it was like to be held in these big strong arms of yours," she teased him.

"Well, don't let Spock hear that. Your husband and Lieutenant Masters are staring daggers at me right now."

Uhura giggled when she saw the looks on Charlene's and Spock's faces. "They're just being jealous of our fun, but Spock already knows better."

"What does Spock already know?"

"Everything. That's why he's Spock."

"Well, I better deliver you to him, anyway."

As he should have done months ago, Captain Kirk escorted a willing Uhura over to Spock, delivering her over to his safe care.

Spock and Charlene were dancing with each other when they saw Captain Kirk lift Uhura in his arms and swing her around the dance floor enthusiastically.

Spock observed the display and tried to contain the apprehension he felt seeing Jim recklessly maneuvering his pregnant wife. Charlene shook her head ruefully as she watched the spectacle. "Just look at him. He'll never change. Big kid."

Spock turned away from the dancing pair once they settled down and looked down at Charlene. There was something in the way she looked at the captain lately that made him suspicious. He looked over at the captain and his wife again.

"I imagine Nyota instigated that display," Spock said.

"I imagine she did too, but he didn't have to go along with it," Charlene smiled. "I suppose he just can't help himself."

"You seem to know a great deal about the captain."

"I'm surprised you don't already know," Charlene said, finally pulling her eyes away from the captain.

"What is it I do not already know?"

"Jim and I go way back. We used to date back at Starfleet academy."

"Why did you suppose I would know that?"

"Jim's your best friend and Nyota is your wife." Charlene shrugged her shoulders as if that explained it all.

"Lieutenant, though I have some psi abilities, I assure you I cannot casually read minds."

"You don't have to read minds. He's your best friend, so I assumed he may have mentioned it. And Nyota can't keep a secret at the best of times. It stands to reason she told you about it."

"I only know that you had an encounter with the captain a few nights ago, which I investigated and found no impropriety."

Charlene ignored the reference to that night. Captain Kirk was pretending not to remember anything and so would she. "Well, it doesn't matter. It was a long time ago and we've both moved on."

"Have you indeed?" Spock wondered, but he didn't get to pursue his thoughts further because Captain Kirk and Nyota were standing beside them.

"Mr. Spock, here is your lovely bride," Kirk said and then he turned to face Charlene. "Lieutenant. May I have this dance?"

Spock felt Charlene's body go rigid before it relaxed. She let go of his embrace and reluctantly accepted Jim's hand.

"Curious," he said aloud as he watched the couple twirl away.

"What's curious?" Uhura asked.

"The captain and Lieutenant Masters."

"Oh, yes. Very curious indeed," Uhura agreed with a knowing grin as she tugged Spock away toward a group of well-wishers. And he thought no more of his friends' relationships and instead focused on his own.

Just two more chapters and then this story is finished. I'm so sad. I love these characters so much and don't want to let them go just yet, but all good things must come to an end, eventually. I have written some additional chapters for a sequel where everyone actually lives happily ever afterish, but I make no promises about when it will be posted. Keep following me to find it I guess...