AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc belong to someone else. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters.

Chapter 2

How it all began…

'So, what are returning to?' Scotty questioned Uhura. They were on their way back from the Debrovnitch Conference, having spent 3 days away from the ship. She had been a guest speaker about Cryptology and Xenolinguistics, and he had attended the unofficial function 'Hunt for Admiral Archer's beagle'. It was now lore that whomever could find and return the Admiral's beagle would be recognised high up the ranks of Starfleet. Scientists from far across the galaxy attended the event having heard of the damn beagle and the never ending quest to find it.

In the shuttle, Uhura slouched in the co-pilot seat flicking through emails on her PADD. Accessing their work schedule for the next few days, 'Ok, I'm participating in the Ranyari intervention. You my dear, are due to refit the warp coils and...' She tapped the screen repeatedly to see if there was anything else '...seem to have nothing else to do - slacker!' She said it in jest, he just grinned inanely. She thought back over the conference, a standing ovation, invitations to present back at the academy. Smug satisfaction rolled over her – take that Professor Houston! He was a renowned cryptologist and language specialist in attendance, who looked down on her because of her age, gender and race. She was also sure there was also some hate for Kirk thrown in there too for good measure. She gleefully recalled the image of his face, when the delegates bypassed him to speak to her. This was no time for humility, it was time to celebrate! Once she was back in her hotel room, she had immediately contacted Kirk '-I knew you could do it baby', but she could hear he was busy. For the last two weeks he had shadowed the facilities team. He argued it was his duty to know every square inch of the ship and how his departments worked. On his last day with that team he was throwing them a slap up dinner to show his appreciation for putting up with his inquisitiveness. 'Go, go celebrate with your office wife…' he shooed her away over the comm. So after a heavy drinking session with Scotty aka 'office wife', they were now on their way back to the Enterprise. Uhura let out a huge yawn, she was hung over and didn't know how Scotty was still functioning. The whiskey, tequila and vodka concoction buzzed around her veins.

'So...Ranyari...Ranyari...why does that sound familiar?' Scotty had a puzzled look on his face, unless it involved some aspect of engineering, he paid little attention.

Uhura considered the implication of the intervention taking place - informal discussions must not be going well. 'Planet Ranyari is ruled by two royal tribes. For 270 years they have battled over the rights to the main sources of energy. Apparently sharing is not a concept either is familiar with... there has been intermittent civil unrest on the planet over anything and everything. For the last 15 years there has been peace, but over the last few months tensions have begun to rise again - something about one tribes dwindling power source.' She stopped letting him digest the information, taking the opportunity to approach the replicator for a sip, she paced ''anyway...The Enterprise was specifically requested to lead the mediations. When I left, talks seemed to be heading in the right direction. The intervention begins the more formal discussions'. Scotty attempted to look interested. Uhura not fooled, smiled at him 'Scotty, you asked. I told you'. She perched on the edge of the bunk at the back of the shuttle, 'I really need to sleep. Wake me when we're home', burying her face into the pillow, thoughts of the intervention the last thing on her mind.

Earlier that day in his ready room, Kirk wondered resignedly towards his desk as he puffed out his cheeks in despair. Normally, Uhura would be there to assist as Chief Communications Officer, but she was not back from her conference. Instead he had Communication Officer Getta, who was nowhere near as experienced, had been little help and was incredibly annoying. A little taller than Kirk, his brunette his hair was an explosion of curls. The only remarkable thing about him were his amber eyes and nasally voice. Jim contemplated which Admiral was Getta's relative or close family friend - Starfleet material he was not. However, he had been 'advised' to involve Getta in the intervention, so here he was...for now...a mental note made to have Getta reassigned elsewhere unless he proved his worth. They now discussed the earlier vicious slanging match between the Ranyari tribes. Unable to make either side see reason, growing increasingly frustrated and nursing a migraine Kirk requested a break for everyone to calm down. Now time to continue the verbal brawl, the comms screen flickered to life. Getta took a hesitant deep breath 'here goes round two…', Kirk put on his game face and waited as the image on screen split into two, showing the faces of the two warring leaders.

Citizen Kenzii spoke up, an imposing gentleman his gentle voice was at odd with his brutal appearance. Representing the Zozahni, he softly spoke picking up from the earlier conversation '…logic dictates that the Kitari give up 50% of their reactors in exchange for access to our mineral fields…'

Citizen Monan, snickered at what he considered to be a ridiculous suggestion, 'of course, would you like our women too. Maybe the clothes off our backs!' he jeered. The two heads vigorously pointing at one another, neither willing to concede. Kirk sighed and held up his hands for order, oblivious to his call for attention the Ranyari continue to argue amongst themselves.

Suddenly a loud sharp whistle, Kirk lowered his fingers from his mouth. Aghast that two grown men would let their pride lead to a war, 'Look, clearly we are not getting anywhere. I think it best we resume our discussions in a few days. You both should seriously consider what you actually need rather than what you want. Kirk out'. Abruptly ending the meeting and the screen went blank. Getta jumping out of his seat, ready to challenge the decision 'Captain, was that wise...?' Kirk ruefully smiled at his subordinate, dismissing him.

Once he was alone, Kirk tapped his insignia and requested all senior command staff report to his ready room. In a separate missive he called for Yeoman Rand - she was responsible for organising the intervention. Now that he was sure more formal discussions were going to take place he needed everyone briefed. In the time it took him to consider his thoughts, the team had assembled. He refocused his attentions and advised that it would be a long meeting, and true to form several hours later, Rand was still confirming the schedule. Whilst she talked, Kirk circled the long meeting table where his officers sat. Though the Enterprise was no longer the newest or fastest in fleet, it was still held as the flagship and thus it had fallen on Kirk to manage the process. In less than two days he, Uhura, and Getta would mediate between the two warring factions on a neutral planet called 'Perpetous'. In exchange for hosting the event, the Prime Minister had asked for the Federation to send desperately needed vaccines for a small percentage of the inhabitants who held no natural immunity to the Earth equivalent of Small Pox. McCoy along with several other medically trained personnel were to work alongside the Perpetuan doctors inoculating the most vulnerable inhabitants. The process was expected to take a few weeks, medical staff from various Federation ships would volunteer up to a week on the planet completing the process. McCoy and his team would manage the effort first, and then pass on the baton to the relief team.

Whilst Rand was speaking, officers were sneaking glances at Spock. After spending three years on the USS Apollo he and his wife Nurse Christine Chapel had transferred back to the Enterprise. Earlier during the meeting Spock requested an opportunity to study the caves on the planet. Unique in composition, they held an unknown mineral that made scans impossible, even inside the cave network only specific frequencies would allow communication between those inside and those outside. Kirk was not oblivious to his distracted crew, the return of Spock had caused quite a stir. Walking from his quarters to the bridge one day, he had overheard two crew members gossiping as they were making repairs to a malfunctioning replicator terminal '-and he nearly killed Kirk...had to take 9 months off work to recover...'. So engrossed in their conversation, they failed to spot him standing behind them. Arms held behind his back, he saw no reason not to have a little fun at their expense. Putting on his most authoritative voice 'Don't you have anything better to do than spread malicious gossip about your Captain?' his steely gaze sweeping the crew members. To quote his friend McCoy, they had 'shit a brick', made grovelling apologies and scurried away.

Interrupting his memory, Chief Science Officer Mason questioned the purpose of the cave exploration. Spock's return had severely put her nose out of joint - she considered him a rival for her role. Unperturbed, Spock cast his black eyes at Mason, 'The analysis will provide insight into alternative cloaking strategies...'.

'Speleology', Kirk stated to nobody in particular 'is the study of caves and the cave environment...' Spock raised an eyebrow at the Captain's astute observation. 'Not just a pretty face Spock'. With everything finalised, Kirk dismissed the meeting and called for First Officer Sulu. Having spent nearly 24 hours awake, Kirk was exhausted and needed to rest. 'You have the bridge. Contact me if anything comes up', leaving for the night.

Scotty sipped peppermint tea, as he flicked through an engineering manual. His mother had sworn it was the best hangover cure, and to be fair the tea had never failed him. Uhura was still asleep, her breathing was steady and deep. Scotty looked back at his travel companion, over the past year or so they had grown to be really close friends. Ever since his brother had be diagnosed with bowel cancer, and found the usual run of treatment was not working. One day they were the only two on the observation deck and he had confided in Uhura about feeling helpless, and not being able to do anything from half way across the galaxy. She had listened and lent moral support when she could. Late one night whilst reading some ancient text, she came across a clan in the beta quadrant. They talked about the use of a particular flower to cure a disease similar to cancer. She had sprinted to engineering, 'OUT OF THE WAY!' she screamed, shoving Enterprise crew stupid enough to stand in her way. In her sleep shirt, she was oblivious to the stares of the engineering crew admiring her shapely legs. Intent on finding Scotty, she had yelled out 'where in god's name is Montgomery Scott!', wild eyed and completely out of breath she babbled incoherently to Scotty until he had caught the gist of her ramblings. It was a long shot, but by passing the information back to his doctors on Earth they had been able to synthesise a treatment and it seemed to be working - his brother had been in remission for 6 months.

He noted they had several hours travel time ahead of them, and a nap seemed as good an idea as any. With one last scan of the shuttle's instruments, confident that the beeps and hum were standard, and auto-pilot was functioning he stood up and stretched before settling down for a rest on the other empty bunk. As he drifted off to sleep, a thought popped into his head, they'd have to cut back on the nights out drinking and junk food, his uniform had been feeling a touch tight across his belly and he'd noticed Uhura had been looking a touch more voluptuous lately. He might be her friend, but he was still a man.

After docking with the Enterprise, Uhura slowly walked back to her and Kirk's quarters. It was 0500, still very early and he would be asleep. She bid the door to open quietly, peering inside the room she could see his sleeping form; as always he was edging closer to her side of the bed. Although he rarely woke once asleep, she still tiptoed through their room and into the bathroom. The lights automatically reacted to her presence, and reflected off the white counter top. Kirk's side was neatly organised, a place for everything. Hers on the other hand was a mess - 'organised chaos' she had told him. She rummaged for facial wipes to remove her make up. Peering closer to their mirror, she spotted what she thought was a wrinkle. 'Gah!' angrily throwing down the facial wipe, she began to undress. She sincerely hoped when they woke in the morning things might be better. For months now Kirk had been acting strangely towards her. Sometimes, cold and distant, other times caring like she man she knew. It hurt, and she was mentally tired. Tired of all the denials that anything was wrong, tired of adapting to whichever Kirk woke up, tired. Exiting the bathroom, she approached the bed with trepidation before climbing in.