Spock found himself turning away from the girl, and it seemed that his head was not only lagging behind his body, but turning a full-quarter more, before drifting back. He measured his steps carefully, dark eyes scanning the crowd for his friend.
Jim Kirk had finally turned his attention back to Stephanie, who was now as chipper as ever. He was just about to ask her about another drink when Spock drifted over, and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"I believe I require assistance." Was all he said, muttered close to Kirk's ear. He then began pulling a bewildered Kirk out of the bar. Jim tried his best to screw his face up into an expression of helpless apology, but he was inwardly relieved. Stephanie Chan was now shooting murderous eyes at the back of Spock's head.
Once outside the bar, Spock led the pair to a somewhat secluded corner. Kirk gave him a nudge and a grateful smile.
"Hey, thanks for that. Now I know why I waited two and a half years to buy her a drink. Gut feelings, am I right?"
"Please clarify." Spock said, staring at the ground, head still swirling.
"I give you credit for leaving that Knight girl in the middle of a dance to rescue your commanding officer from a bad situation." Kirk said. "I knew I picked you as my second-in-command for a reason."
"You misunderstand." Spock replied. "My intent was not to 'rescue' you, it was, as I have previously stated, a request to render assistance."
"You feeling ok?" Kirk asked suddenly. "You look a little green… more than usual."
"I believe I am drunk." He replied simply, squeezing his eyes closed. "Why you humans regard this as such a desirable state, I cannot fathom."
"I thought Vulcans couldn't get drunk." Kirk replied, skeptically.
"We cannot. I believe I experienced some form of… transfer… from Cadet Knight."
"Fascinating." Jim replied dryly.
"Now is not the time for your typical banter. Please." Spock again found himself leaning on Kirk's shoulder. "I would not refuse assistance in the direction of the dormitories."
"Come on. I'll take you home." Kirk swung Spock's arm over his shoulders, and began wandering off in the direction of Campus.
Arietta was left in the middle of the dance floor, shaken, sober, and confused. Stephanie Chan, after watching Kirk's helpless expression fade through the crowd, rounded on Arietta, stomping up to her, brandishing an empty beer glass.
"That's great, Arietta. Just great. He was just about to buy me another drink. I don't know what you did to Commander Spock, but…"
"Excuse me? What *I* did?" Arietta asked incredulously.
"Yes, you. I've only spent every Saturday night in this bar since midterms giving Jim Kirk the eye, and the night he finally decides to go for it, you have to go and ruin it. And you probably offended Spock too. EVERYONE knows you don't touch a Vulcan." Stephanie sputtered.
Arietta began weaving through the crowd, trying to find a quiet corner. She wasn't sure she could deal with this. Stephanie followed her, punctuating her henpecking with periodic flailing.
"Listen." Arietta leaned up against the wall, "I don't know what you think I was doing, but I can guarantee you I wasn't doing anything except getting mowed over by that guy over there who's STILL dancing through people like they aren't even there. If it wasn't for Commander Spock, I'd have been trampled on the dance floor."
Without another word, she began sweeping her things up into her arms. She nodded curtly at Stephanie, and bid an apologetic goodbye to T'Lin, who was lost in conversation with the other Vulcans.
"Arietta Knight, I will not forgive you for this." Stephanie huffed.
"That's fine. You don't have to. In three days, I'll be aboard the Enterprise, and if I never see you again, it will be too soon." Arietta found herself seething as she burst out of the bar into the cool evening air.