Hello to all, I know it's been a long time but I've been quite busy. It took me one month to write the first book TAG and three months to re-write it as The Games We Play. Right now, it is being proofed and we are hopeful that publication is around the corner.
This was a gift to one of my biggest supporters. I promised her I would send a chapter of the story Hide and Seek by the first of the year and here we are. Remember, I do not own … I love…. I also don't own the songs that are mentioned throughout the story. … I just sing them. "big smile"
Let's recap:
Spock and Nyota Uhura met as teens at a space and science camp. They dated and had all kinds of crazy adventures until they were pulled away by, you guessed it, their parents. Years later they would reconnect at Starfleet Academy and use the memories of camp to seal their love against old lovers (nurse Chapel), new threats (Klingons) and hidden desires (James T. Kirk)
When we last left our couple, Spock had been ordered on a secret mission to meet with Admiral Philips and assigned to find a Kllingon spy who was active at Starfleet academy. Nyota Uhura was recuperating from what appeared to be an attempted barbiturate poisoning that could have gone tragically wrong. With the help of her best friend Gaila, her fiancé Spock and Kirk, the man who secretly desires her, she will make it to the Enterprise, but not without some hard learned lessons along the way.
Now, let us continue…
******Intro******
Chancellor Sturka stood at the window of the High Command looking skyward. "Is he off?" turning roughly towards Council Member Lorak.
"Yes," Lorak growled in response. "He should be arriving on the planet Earth in two Sol days."
"Good, very good. Gorkon was the right Klingon for the job." Turning with authority he sits in the tallest chair, "The surgeon did a fine job. He looked so weak, so frail, so human." Spitting out the words his lips pulled up with distain written all over them.
"I believe he will find whom he seeks!" Lorak stood behind Chancellor Sturka his hand on his blade
"I hope he finds the traitor that hides amongst the humans before it is too late." Sturka roared, "Come, there is much work to be done."
[][][]
Love the one you're with – Crosby, Stills and Nash
It was early the next morning when Kirk woke up next to Gaila. It took him a while to remember where he was. It was a bittersweet setting at best. He had always wanted to take someone he loved to such a fancy place but somehow this wasn't even close to what he had envisioned.
He loved Gaila as a friend and lover but his heart, for whatever reason, belonged to Uhura. He knew all too well that Uhura's heart belonged to someone that could not possibly love her as much as he did. If he did, how could he just up and leave her? Why isn't he working hard to try and find out who tried to hurt her? Didn't he know how special she is, how valuable she is, how loved she is? All of these thoughts ran thru Kirk's mind as he watched Gaila's lovely green shoulder move up and down.
If Uhura was here I would kiss her right here, he thought and he leaned in and kissed Gaila's shoulder. Then a twinge of guilt unsettled him. How could he sleep with one woman, while thinking about the other? He had been doing that a lot lately.
Watching Gaila reluctantly lift her head, "What time is it?" she whispered her voice raspy
Cadet Kirk looked around until he found the wall clock. It has been so long sense he saw a civilian one that it took him a little bit longer to process the true time. "7:00 in the morning," he answered in kind.
"Too early," she mumbled "but, we need to go. They like their privacy." She said, kicking herself for the slip-up then changing the subject as quickly as she could. "Plus, I want you to talk to someone for me. Something Uhura said to me earlier bothered me." Removing the covers as she spoke and slowly stood and stretched in her peek a boo nightgown.
Kirk sat up quickly, "Do I smell bacon!" leaping out of the bed and leaving the room without so much as a goodbye.
"Me too," called Gaila right on his heels after grabbing her barely there robe.
Uhura was busy setting the table with the breakfast she had made for them, "Good morning lovebirds!" she sang as she placed the eggs, bacon, toast and jelly on the table. "Eat up" and then notice that Kirk was wearing only his underwear.
Shaking her head, "I thought we could eat breakfast and then get dressed and go for a walk or something together? I think I am strong enough for a quick shopping spree," she said with a smile.
"Sounds great!" said Gaila as she loaded up her plate, "But, Kirk can't come," handing him more eggs and removing some of the slabs of bacon from his plate.
"Umm, I can't?," he questioned absentmindedly, stubbornly placing the bacon back with a triumphant look about him before turning to sit on the floor of the living room. "Where is the remote?" he asked, "TV on." he ordered smiling as he watched it come to life.
"You can't," Gaila said, "because you have someplace to go." Taking her plate over and setting it next to the man who, at this moment resembled a ten year old boy in his underwear watching TV in his mother's living room.
"Sorry Uhura, can't go shopping with you. Apparently I have someplace I have to go." he replied, producing the most over-acted pouty face both women had ever seen from him.
Uhura laughed as she made her way over to the couch to sit and eat with her friends replied, "That's okay, I'll invite you next time." She threw the covers over her legs and sat her plate down as she watched Galia hand Kirk a glass of milk and a paper towel before snuggling up next to him. "What are we watching this fine morning, Kirk?"
"Sports channel," he mumbled, his mouth full, not turning around from the melee of prerecorded Ultimate Universe match.
"He is such a child!" Uhura teased looking as Gaila laugh in agreement
Kirk bellowed before shoving the fluffy eggs in his mouth, "That's man-child to be more accurate, "he said, winking at Gaila and turning back to the sports program.
After breakfast, while Uhura was in the shower, Gaila turned to Kirk as they stripped the bed. "I need you to get a job." She said
Kirk interrupted before she could continue, "Get a job! I don't need a job! Why?! You trying to tell me something woman!" his face worried and questioning
Gaila laughed, "Don't be stupid, I'm not pregnant!" and watched as Kirk's color returned to his face.
"No, I need you to get a job in the food service department or somehow get close enough to infiltrate who processes the orders. I want to know who delivers food to the officers' quarters. "she said, as she walked over to the clothes hamper and threw them in. Before she turned to continue the conversation she pushed the button for them to be taken away for cleaning.
"Well, I can't get a job there. My schedule is booked!" he said "but, I was going out with this crazy girl that works as a higher up cadet in the foods department," he said and then noticed that it was Gaila's turn to lose a little green in her skin. "What's up?" he asked. She had never been jealous of any girl before. She had even recommended girls she thought would be fun for him.
"Uhm, nothing," she lied, breathing deeply as she composed herself. "You say you were going out with her? Was it serious?" she paused, "I mean, could you start over and visit her more often but only until you found out who delivered food to the officers?" her eyes looking at the ground.
Kirk noticed that her mood did not change, "Gaila?" he questioned then moved nearer to her, lifting her chin so that her eyes were looking into his. "What's up? Why do you need to know this so badly?"
Gaila couldn't tell him the real reason because it might expose Spock and Uhura so she came as close as she dared. "Uhura said sometimes she eats in the cafeteria with me but sometime she eats in the officers unit with her friend. I can't tell you more, so please don't ask. Can you see this girl or not!?" she asked quickly removing her head from his hand and turning it so she wouldn't have to look him in the eyes.
"Yes, I think I can but she is a real nutter. You know, one of those 'I hate the aliens!' and 'Earth for Humans' people," he said, still puzzled by Gaila's reaction and then stopped and said, "You know, it's only sexual. She's fine and all but it's you I care about." He held his breath, waiting for a reaction.
"Really?" Gaila sang, her smile said it all. Her eyes bright again, she hugged him, "Let's keep it that way, okay?" she pleaded, Shocked herself at the brazen way she confessed her love for the Earthman.
Kirk smiled and held her. He could not lie to Gaila so he chose to say nothing. She was not the only girl he cared about, the other belonged to someone else, an officer, no less. That would explain all the secrets and why he never saw her with anyone. "Let's get dressed. I can do that for you."
[][][]
If – Janet Jackson
Walking into the Starfleet Academy registration desk, Gorkon, who as long as he was on campus would be named Ivan Gorkon, resented being sent here to locate a spy, but it would be a means to an end. If he did as he was commanded, he could end up with his own ship. Hell, his own fleet. he thought as he looked at the weak human female who was checking him in.
"Good morning to you." She beamed even at this early hour. "Welcome to Starfleet Academy, Cadet Ivan Gorkon." she chirped pronouncing the last name perfectly.
Gorkon said nothing. He looked angrily at the human. He didn't like the way she smelled of wild flowers. He didn't like the ways she smiled, she had too many teeth and was too chipper. Before he left this god forsaken planet, he would need to come back and kill this human. Just to save the universe from her happiness.
The happy woman continued, albeit somewhat more subdued after looking at the reaction to the new cadet, "You are assigned a room in the sports complex building since it says here - you play football and soccer with an emphasis in Sports medicine." She smiled, throwing a flirty smirk at him then continued dryly when she received no positive response.
"Here is your access code and room assignment. You will need to see your advisor to complete your registration process although most of it looks like has been taken care of." She said puzzled, "You must really know some powerful people to have all that taken care of for you."
"Yes, very." Gokon said, snatching the papers and Padd out of her hand. "Which way?!" he said with as much distain as his new human vocal cords would allow.
"Five block up!" she replied harshly, "Have a wonderful day," she said, Insincerely as she watched him turn his back to her and march out of the office.
Once outside he breathed deeply to get the lingering odor of the perfume the women was wearing out of his nose. He like the scent of his Klingon females, raw and uncovered, he thought, Damn, I hate this planet!
Taking a few steps before finding a bench to sit upon, he turned on the Padd to view the map of the Academy to quickly learn his way around the campus. Once memorized, he stood and headed for his room. The Sports Dorm was directly across the street from the infirmary, which was next to the medical dorms, he repeated over and over in his head. One must always study their surrounding if they are to be successful in navigating them. he thought walking through the campus, carrying his things, when he hit something or someone knocking them to the ground.
"Hey, watch where you are going!" yelled the woman in white Starfleet jogging attire as she sat there waiting to be helped up.
Gorkon stood silently looking at the female rolling over and then crouched like a Zlalet Tiger about to strike. She would almost look like a Klingon, if she wasn't so … so.. human. he thought to himself.
"Are you human?" she screamed, her words taking him by surprise
Gorkon's eyes grew thin, his hand moving towards the blade hidden in his back pocket.
"Are you human?" she yelled again adding, "A human man would at least have the decency to try to help me up!"
Gorkon removed his hand from his blade and put it out for the woman to take. "I'm sorry," the words were foreign and did not taste good traveling past his tongue.
The angry woman began to slap away at his hand, "Oh, move your cotton pickin hands away from me!" she scowled as she watched others stop and stare. "Darn it, my new outfit!" looking at the grass stains. "You owe me a new outfit!" pointing at him after she had righted herself.
Gorkon, for the first time after arriving on this sanitized world felt somewhat at home. "If you wish for me to purchase you another outfit, I'll need to know your name." he said roughly, "Or should I just asked the others around us who the most warrior like woman is?" his worlds dripping with implications.
Not picking up the hints of desire the woman continued moving closer to him, pointing her long well manicured nails at him. "I'll send you the bill. What's your name?! And don't you dare give me a fake one, mister," she said to him roughly.
"Ivan, Ivan Gorkon" he said, bored again. "You can look me up. You have wasted enough of my time. Move silly woman." he angrily replied as he brushed roughly against her.
"Silly woman? Silly Woman?!?" she hissed, running in front of him to block his way. "Do you know who you are talking too? I am the lead medical nurse here on campus. You pissed off the wrong person, buddy!" ( Chapel has arrived)
Grabbing her roughly by the upper arm he dragged her to a nearby step and planted her roughly down. "If I had time to play with you, I would do so gladly. However, now is not the time," he growled. "Now, is not the time." he said slowly, smelling her pheromones and watching for his words to be clear in the fragile human female's mind. Growling and then correcting his error, he turned swiftly and was gone.
A female cadet rushed over, "I saw what happed and tried to get over here in time to help you. Do you need help Christine?" the concerned woman asked pulling out her communicator to call campus security.
Christine grabbed the communicator and closed the handset before the woman could make the call. "No, I'm fine – he was just playing, that's all. You know how men are." she said lovingly "It's a game, you see." Smiling broadly she continued, "It was my fault really. I egged him on to continue the play. I would hate to see him in trouble because of me." As she stood and rubbed her arm as if he had stroked it, instead of bruised it under the large, thick jogging suit.
"Uhm, Well okay if you say so." The woman looked unsure of how any woman could speak so lovingly about a man that just assaulted her.
Christine knocked the dirt off of her backside and laughed, "Are you heading for breakfast? If you give me a minute I'll go change out of these dirty clothes and go with you." she replied, changing the subject.
Shrugging her shoulders the woman said, "Sure. I'll meet you back here in twenty minutes, is that enough time?"
"That would be perfect." Christine said, chipper as the morning birds. "See, ya in a bit." Then turned to run swiftly in the direction that Ivan had gone.
She passed by the sports dorm and ran up the stairs to the nurses' quarters. Waving the door open, she walked to the couch and slapped Riley soundly on the backside. "Rise and shine my boy. Time to get up and get out," she said as she began to take off her soiled jogging outfit.
Riley sat up quickly, his head now hurting and his face as red as his hair from the rush of blood being awakened so violently. "What?!?" he stuttered, holding his head.
"You can go now!" she said, standing in her bra and panties, "You were right, It was very mean and cruel what we did to Uhura but nothing that I couldn't correct. So I did and you're free." she said heading to the sonic shower.
"But," Riley said, not fully understanding how he was free. "Free from what? You, prosecution, what?" he said becoming angrier as he began to understand. "You're breaking up with me? You're dismissing me?! After all I've done for you, Christine?!"
"Oh Riley, grow up! You didn't do anything you didn't want to!" she spat as she pulled her hair up in a bun. "Listen, we need to stay away from each other. If anyone asks, you don't even know me and I don't know you. Let's just call it for what it was, a failure." She walked over to him and passed him his coat.
"But," he screamed "you said," his voice shaking and his fist began to close.
Chapel moved right next to him, her hands on her hips. "What are you going to do about it?!?" smirking at him, "I dare you."
Riley uncurled his fist, "I would never hurt you. You know that." he said gently, and then noticed the bruises in the form of a hand print on her upper arm.
Following his stare to the marks she sighed lovingly, touching each fingerprint as if it was a delicate rose petal. Then she looked at Riley with total disrespect in her eyes, "Yes, I know." She mumbled her words dry and flat. "Please be gone by the time I get out of the shower."
[][][]
The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
Spock was up, dressed and waited for the flight that would take him back to her. He needed to see her face and make sure she was okay. After finding out that the Federation knew of his and Nyota's location had made him uneasy.
Who was this Admiral Philips and why would he utilize my services, of all people? Spock thought to himself before turning his attention to a somewhat more pressing matter. A small human male child was leaning on his federation gray covered thigh, eating something sweet and sticky. His nose full of what looked like dried mucous that he liberally wiped with his sleeve without reservation and placed it back on Spock dry-cleaned uniform.
"Whose child is this?" Spock cried out dryly waiting for a response
"Are you a Vulcan?" the little one asked
"Yes and where is the party responsible for you?" Spock answered dryly as he watched whatever the child was eating rapidly deposit itself on his dress grays.
The four year old, not wanting to be rude, offered the Vulcan some candy after taking a few more licks and then began to struggle to sit squarely in the man's lap.
Spock looked around announcing once again, "Whose child is this? Can anyone give me assistance with this child?" and watched as people looked on, some even laughing at the position the Vulcan had found himself in but no one came forward.
The child, once satisfied that it was safely nestled onto Spock's lap began to clap to a song that was playing over the loud speaker. One that Spock had heard before.
Spock, unable to remove the child as he didn't want to hurt it, sat listening to the words as it took him back to a time when he was younger, about the age of this young boy.
[][][]
"Spock?" The voice, which he knew would continue to call him if he didn't answer, came traveling on sound waves into his bedroom. He had been studying for his entrance exams into preschool. They were in less than two weeks, his father had informed him. His mother had made him an old parchment earth calendar where you were required to tear off a ring a day until the last ring was left.
His father felt it illogical when the child could read the Vulcan calendar but he said nothing more of it when he watched Spock tear off the first circled construction paper ring and lay it before him. "I have completed one full day of study father." The serious vocal tones of the young three year old stressed the importance of the strip to his parent.
"Most agreeable," his father replied, "Keep me informed of your progress." He said, nodding at the small child as he turned to watch him walk into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
"Spock?" again the voice of his mother called him a week after the first ring was pulled.
"Yes, mother." The three year old chimed dryly.
"You have been studying for a full week. Come, let us play a game." she said softly.
Spock was uncertain, "But mother my exam, I must be prepared." His young eyes watched his father emerge out of the kitchen, drying off a dish.
"Spock, one cannot study all the time. There is an old Earth saying, 'All work and no play makes … makes…. I can't remember who but someone a dull boy.'' she said.
"I fail to see the logic in playing a game when one should be studying, mother." The toddler said before looking up at his father's face.
"Spock," his father called, "Do as your mother asked, even if it is counterproductive." he said, nodding at his wife and returning to the kitchen.
Spock moved reluctantly across to other side of the game table and sat there. He had not fully mastered the art of hiding his true feelings and his body language spoke volumes. He sat slumped down, his hand on his head and his mouth cocked to one side.
"Your emotions are showing," his mother teased, as she watched him sit up straight and make his face become stoic like a proper Vulcan. "That's better." she smiled
Lady Amanda dealt out the Cards. Let's learn a new Earth game. This one is called Poker," she said and watched her husband lean his head out the kitchen door and then disappear back in. "Well, you won't play it with me anymore!" she yelled towards the kitchen
"It is a good game for Spock to learn. It is a child's game after all. A game of chance, deceit, and simple mathematics." He responded from the kitchen.
"Your father is just put off because he loses sometimes to me," she giggled reaching over and ticking the three-year olds tummy.
Spock smiled and then grew stoic again. "Let us began mother, so I may return to my studies," he reminded her.
"Yes, let's" she said, and began to tell him the basic rules.
Spock and his mother would play poker every evening until the day of his preschool exams. His mother would sing a ridiculous verse of some historic earth tune every time she would win. Young Spock would mimic his father's reaction to his mother's antics by shaking his head and walking away.
On the day of the test, Spock mother was not allowed to accompany her son. No mother was, only father could sign in their child. If the father was unable to attend then a male surrogate would take his place.
There were three levels to the exam. The first was simple, a computer exam to give the cognitive ability of the child, the second a skill of movement and artistic maturity exam, and lastly the interview. Between each section the preschoolers were allowed to go and converse with their parent for a few minutes.
The first test was not difficult at all for young Spock. His father could view the scores as soon as they were finished. Spock's intellectual and cognitive abilities were impressive, even to his father, although a proper Vulcan would never admit it out loud. Boasting is an emotional response.
Spock scored above average in the area of skill and movement. He and his father studied the Vulcan fighting arts but no one would declare him graceful enough to be placed in the fine arts program.
"There will be a thirty minute break after the children have been given snack. During that time the Fathers and their offspring will be asked to select an interviewer for the final exam." The Testing Coordinator announced dryly and walked away.
Spock sat in the small round table with six other Vulcan children. Each receiving a small amount of sweet crackers however, the distribution was uneven. Some had one cookie while others had multiples.
Spock had an abundant amount. Looking around at the other set of six tables he noticed the pattern right away. Some of the small children, having not yet learned to master their emotions began to make faces at their piles.
"May I assist in making the distribution more equal?" He asked.
The preschoolers nodded politely albeit some still seemed wary of this distribution method when the teachers had passed out the sweet cookies in the first place.
"Now, I will need all of you to hand me your cookies please. I will return them." He said as he watched his table and his table alone, hand over their sweet crackers. Mimicking his mothers dealing style he slid each child a cookie allowing them to catch them before they fell off the table. The children were taken aback at first but took great restraint to keep from laughing at the wonderful table game.
In short time, Spock had distributed the cookies and received nods from all that were seated at the table. Eating their cookies quickly they noticed the drinks were the same way. "Did anyone drink out of their cups yet?" the three year old asked.
None of the children had, "That is ideal." Removing himself from the table he quickly made his way over to the counter were four empty large juice containers were left. Coming back to the table, he asked all the children to pour their juice back into the container.
He used mathematics to calculate the amount each student would receive if what was in the container was poured evenly. The hard part was the pouring. It was too heavy for any of them to pour directly.
Spock looked across the room and saw the examiners sitting in chairs taking notes. He did not want to be rude, but they needed help. So taking a volunteer with him, they asked each examiner for assistance until they found one willing to help. Spock gave detailed instructions on the amount each student was to receive. Other groups followed Spock's with the juice idea or had some similar plans for sharing.
After snack time was over, the fathers were allowed to come in. "The exam is over." The testing coordinator announced. "The results of the observation exams will be in your inbox by the time you arrive back in your residence. Thank you for coming, live long and prosper."
Amanda couldn't help the human emotion of joy and pride that flooded her heart. "Spock you did wonderfully. But, I am most proud of your accomplishment involving the interview process. It says, 'Spock showed a remarkable ability to calculate a formula for distribution of an edible using a divisor method. Albeit, somewhat more colorful than the examiners were comfortable with, it was effective. His skills at diplomacy are sound and his persistence to not give up in the face of adversity would make him a adequate and effective leader.' Oh, Spock – how wonderful" she beamed at the small child.
Spock's father walked over to his mother. "Spock, what do you need to say to she-who-is-my-wife?" he asked.
"Thank you mother, It was the poker game that gave me the initiative to solve the problems at hand." He said as he walked over to her, "The divisor was not quite accurate and I ended up with fewer cookies then everyone else but did not count them at the table. I simple ate mine and no one was the wiser. The Juice was a simple math problem but finding the right person to help us was a matter of knowing whom to ask. To be precise like the simple verse you keep singing , "when to run" so I wasted little time on those that refused to help.
Amanda's smile was a wide as all outside, "Silly earth song." She said, and began clapping and singing the verses she knew, "You got to know when to hold 'em…" continuing to sing as young Spock and his father walked away shaking their heads.
As the music over the loud speaker ended so did the memory of his mother and father on his homeworld. The child had successfully managed to cover the Vulcan with every kind of mess Spock could think of.
"Comet?" a woman called. "Comet St. Peter, you stop hiding from me!" the frantic woman screamed.
"Miss, is this your child?" the Vulcan said looking dryly at her.
"Thank the lord." She said running over to him and removing the sticky, snotty nose kid from his lap. "Oh, thank you sir." She said, "I hope he wasn't too much trouble. We taught him if he gets lost find a police man or a Vulcan and just wait. You're both the safest people on this planet." She said then turned chastising the youngster as they left.
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Nyota and Gaila had a wonderful day but it was a little bit too much for her so he had fallen asleep on the couch. It was just past 14:00 hours when Spock walked into the hotel covered in yuck. Kissing her quickly he made a bee line for the shower. Waking up to his affection, she wanted to hear all about his day but she knew he could not discuss it so she didn't ask.
Handing him some fresh clothes, she prepared a late lunch for the both of them to share. She told him about her day and the information they were trying to get regarding food service.
"Well," she said after cleaning up the lunch dishes she turns to him, "Let me leave you alone so you can plan for your classes tomorrow." she said, as she finished wiping down the countertop. "I'll go pack so we can check out tomorrow."
Spock moved to his overnight bag and pulled out a package. "My Nyota, My mother use to say that all work and no play makes somebody a dull boy." He said, walking her out the kitchen. "Let us be counterproductive." He said leading her to the small table.
"Sure" she said with a giggle "What do you want to play? Chess?" leaning on the table and grinning at the man she loved.
"I was thinking, "he said, removing a deck of cards. " Poker"
"Honey," she said smirking at him, "You forgot the chips?" watching him begin to deal.
Spock's perfect lips moved into that half smile Nyota loved to see, "The version we are playing does not require chips."
"Big Smile"
Happy New Year
Tondelayo