Chapter 9: Waiting and speculating

Scotty grinned, when he saw Sulu at dinner time in the mess hall. He went with his tray to the Lieutenant's table and sat down.

"You already lost, mate." Cheerfully the chief engineer started eating.

Sulu shrugged. "But you didn't win yet. Maybe we lose both. 24 hours are over, but who says they're making their decision before the 48 hours are up?"

Scotty was about to answer when Uhura joined them. "Something odd's going on", she said and sat down with her dinner.

Scotty and Sulu gave her curious looks.

"Warren from beta shift told me that Captain Kirk requested a com connection to her mother on Starbase 11 last evening. And today she talked to Admiral Pike on Earth. Both times on secure channels."

"But secure channels aren't that uncommon when talking to an admiral, are they?" Scotty replied. "Maybe something about our next mission."

Uhura raised an eyebrow. "And Winona Kirk? The captain doesn't com her mother very often. It can only be because of the Carah marriage."

"Maybe", Sulu said. "But do you really think she would ask her mother or the admiral for advice?"

Scotty laughed. "Perhaps she's just telling the good news?"

Uhura gave the men a provocative glance. "Or the bad news? What if she hasn't said anything to us because they'll get a divorce?"

The three of them exchanged some glances, then said at the same time "Nahhhhh".

"Are you talking about the keptin and the doctor?" Pavel Chekov said, suddenly standing next to them and sitting down.

"Yes", Uhura confirmed.

Chekov smiled knowingly.

"What's up with the Mona Lisa smile, Pavel?" Uhura wondered.

"What do you know that we don't know?" Sulu added.

"Well", the ensign started, "I am not sure... but I think Keptin Kirk had a hickey on her neck this morning. There was something dark at her collar."

Uhura, Sulu and Scotty stared at him for a few moments.

Then Scotty was the first to smirk. "Well, well, well, how interesting."

"But you're not sure, Pavel?" Uhura asked, while Sulu also smirked.

Chekov shook his head. "I only saw it briefly. After lunch it was gone. I did not dare to ask her."

Uhura sighed discouraged.

Scotty showed the exact opposite reaction and grinned. "Ha! I saw her going to Medbay."

"Okay, I think it's enough now", Uhura said. "Why don't we just ask them first thing tomorrow?"

"No!" Sulu and Scotty protested.

Uhura sighed. "Why?"

"Because of our bet", Scotty explained. "Oh and you still need to put me on the list to receive the white alerts, Sulu."

The helmsman nodded.

"What bet?" Chekov replied confused.

Uhura just rolled her eyes and leaned back. She started playing with her engagement ring and thinking of her own wedding for which she and Spock hadn't set a date yet.

"Sulu and I made a bet about how long it would take them to decide to stay married. He said 24 hours, I said 48. He already lost."

Sulu snorted.

"Ah, I see," Chekov said. "But how can you know if he has lost, Mr. Scott? Or how could both of you know who has won at all? You bet on them deciding - not announcing their decision... Right?"

The two men stared at him and Uhura broke into laughter.

"Uhm..." Scotty just managed.

"Damn..." Sulu said with a sigh.

"He's right. They could already have made their decision and we just don't know about it", Uhura pointed out, although it wasn't really necessary.

"Shall we call it off? "Sulu asked Scotty.

"No way. We just have to find out after they tell us their decision."

Uhura sighed. "Can't be long now. They must know that the whole ships buzzing like crazy. We are not alone - everyone is waiting."

They continued eating.

"By the way", Chekov began after a few moments of silence. "I think they didn't have dinner in the mess hall last night. No one has seen them. And I do not see them now."

Uhura, Sulu and Scotty stared at him again.

And this time Uhura was the first to speak. "Oh, they are so staying married. Let's talk wedding presents."

Sulu and Scotty grinned again. Chekov smiled.