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 5

Twirling a stylus between his fingers Kirk waited for Getta and Uhura to arrive. His door chimed alerting him to their presence, 'come' he called placing the stylus down. 'Take a seat' gesturing authoritatively to empty seats around the meeting table. 'Let's get down to business. Commander, are you fully briefed?' he passively stared at Uhura. She nodded in return. 'Ok, Officer Getta break it down...'

As Getta spoke, Kirk half-heartedly listened, dropping in the occasional 'uh huh' and 'hmm' to punctuate the discussion. Instead furtive glances at Uhura; her lean neck, high cheekbones, silky smooth complexion. The obvious physical attributes that any sane man would find attractive, and he did, but it wasn't just the looks it was so much more. She was the whole package; she was his equal, she saw through the bullshit and posturing. She was there when his insecurities threatened to cripple him, the voice of reason counseling him during times of need. In private, the one to shout him down when he was clearly wrong, and she took great pleasure doing that. But how she loved him, the passion so raw, uncompromising and all consuming. Alone she would love him until he was spent and all there could be was her, times like that he never wanted to let her go. Never let her leave him, so that all she could ever need was him - emotionally and physically one. His senses hummed an ache rippling throughout.

'So Nyota, does that make sense?' Kirk caught Uhura's grimace, even though she had settled several seats away from him. Directly opposite the captain, Getta grinning inanely as if sharing an inside joke with her.

'Yes', she hissed sternly 'It does Officer Getta' emphasising formality.

Irrationally Kirk's first instinct was to punch Getta, defend his woman from the scourge of idiots who believed they had the right to address her so intimately. He had no right, and it galled him that Getta had crossed that line so easily. Standing up, he drew Getta's attention by purposely moving away. Eyes now on Kirk his rapt attention returned. Summarising Getta's report to confirm his own understanding, Kirk spoke as he walked towards his desk.

'Today, the Zozahni representatives led by Citizen Kenzii will arrive at 1800hrs, the Kitari clan represented by Citizen Monan will arrive at 2000hrs. Both contingents are staying at locations purposely chosen for their ease of security. We don't anticipate any trouble, but best to be prepared'. He looked at the two waiting for their agreement before continuing. 'We will arrive earlier, transporting down from 1400hrs. Tomorrow the Prime Minister has organised a welcome brunch for us and the various intervention participants. Following that we retire until 1630hrs, and then we begin the discussions. Looking at Dr Shanay's notes, she recommends we let the talks form organically. No strong-arm tactics from us to rush an agreement - it takes as long as it takes. While this is happening Dr McCoy and co will be inoculating the inhabitants at one of the local clinics and then disperse across the regions. Commander Spock and his team will be exploring the local cave system'. Following their nods of agreement, 'oh, and we remain formal at all times in their presence Officer Getta.' Breaking into a smile to hide his irritation, 'Officer Getta, can you make a start checking that everything is as we need it. Yeoman Rand has the details. I believe she is in transporter room 4...dismissed'.

Kirk gestured to the door inviting his subordinate to leave. Getta nervously swallowed, aware he had upset his superior but unsure why. Slowly standing up, 'as you wish Captain' the smile not quite reaching his eyes as he made his way out of the room.

'Yes, Captain?' Uhura enquired awaiting whatever order he intended to give. The intensity of his focus unnerving. She was well aware of his earlier surveillance, his hooded gaze causing the familiar throb of desire to pool within her.

'At ease' he quietly muttered.

Uhura stood up and found herself by the nearest window. The room felt too hot, and he was everywhere. She placed her hands on the surround, resting her forehead against the pane. Its coolness temporarily alleviating the inferno burning within her. She closed her eyes, uncertain she wanted to hear what he was going to say.

'Computer seal doors until otherwise notified', he commanding before deliberately approaching her, hands in his pocket. 'So you and Getta...' buying some time to organise the thoughts swirling around his head.

She couldn't help smiling in response. 'You been speaking to Bones?' Spinning around to face him, her smile fading.

Haltingly he reached out to pull her back to him, every fibre in his being screaming out to close the distance between them. Expecting her to yield, she steadfastly refused and stubbornly held her ground. He had a lot of explaining to do, months of uncertainty and practically living with a stranger had hurt deeply. He could see it in her eyes,in the way she remained apart him. I'm so sorry, but he could not voice it, not yet, not until he told her the reason why. He would have to be the one who came to her. Moving closer he dropped his head onto her shoulder, inhaling her familiar scent. He liked that it mingled with his; anyone close enough to smell her, could smell him.

'Jim, I need to know...' hesitantly breaking out of his embrace and sliding past him. She craved space, around him like this she couldn't think clearly. Apart from the other morning, there had been no real intimacy in weeks. It wasn't just sex, it was other things as well, being distant whenever they spoke during the day, silences in their quarters, secret calls - if their had been one, there had to be others.

He closed the distance between them in a split second, hands all over her he planting needy kisses wherever he could, holding her tight. A low rumbling from within, he found himself grinding against her. Wanting to mark her as his.

'Jim! No!' forcefully shoving him away dampening his lust induced fervour. They were not going to use sex to fix whatever the problem was, not this time. He looked crazed as she held out her palm shaking her head 'No! Not until you tell me what's going on'.

He backed away from her until his thighs hit the meeting table, eyes locked with hers. He was not himself; from her tone he could tell she was anxious. Aghast, it was not his intention to scare her. 'I don't know...' lowering his voice 'I love you so much...this isn't how it's meant to be'. Pulling his hands up to his face he groaned 'I need you...'

Uhura frowned, he loved her, she loved him, nothing he said made sense. Throwing her hands up in frustration 'I don't understand!' now shouting 'you shut me out, then you tell me you love me...what am I meant to think?' Sniffing she roughly wiped away her tears 'I'm so confused. I feel so alone' she faltered.

Before he could comfort her, Sulu's voice sounded over the internal comms system 'Captain, you're needed on the bridge'.

Torn, Kirk looked over begging her to understand why he had to go, but she refused to meet his gaze. Sadly he responded, 'I'm on my way...' reluctantly making his way to the bridge. As he passed, he held her face making her to look at him, imploring her to recognise he never intended the situation to escalate as badly as it had. Tenderly kissing her he feared she would reject him once again, instead she automatically held on to him, fists balling up his tunic. Gently breaking away, with one last glance he left her alone in his ready room.

AN: Sorry, shorter than the other chapters have been, but felt it ended best here.