Carnival

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Chapter Two

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Smiles and Chocolate

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The grand tour of Pacifica's Carnival was intriguing, to say the least. The noise was still there, like a broken music box and several hundred times louder to Spock's sensitive ears. The sense of claustrophobia was another malady of this tour, for the sheer amount of people present baffled the three Starfleet Officers as they forced their way through the crowds. Eyes of every shape and color peered at them curiously while they passed; some even had the nerve to scan them with strange devices before Kirk confiscated them for "violation of personal rights".

"…Captain, need I remind you that General Order 34, states : Starfleet captains will honor, respect, and display extreme tolerance for species-based customs and practices in-so-far as the safety of the vessel is not threatened by such practices. I will point out that those tourists were Tellarites… and merely scanning us for anomalies as is their custom, for they have been suspicious of changelings as of late."

"Spock, I know that you know… that I know... standard regulation. You don't have to quote it for me. I just don't like being scanned by anything in the hands of someone I don't know. Besides, it's something you can tinker with." With a grin he threw the small devices over his shoulder.

Spock snatched them out of the air and frowned at them. "I do not tinker Captain, perhaps you have me confused with Mr. Scott."

Kirk chuckled and followed after Vienna who was leading the way; she seemed to be able to duck and weave through any obstacle without even ruffling her gauzy skirts. Kirk matched her graceful maneuvers to keep pace and flirt simultaneously. The feat was impressive by most human wooing customs – not that Spock was interested in such things... normally.

T'Lai preferred to walk next to McCoy in order to take advantage of the spaces he made in his wake. More tourist shoving ensued with the occasional colorful phrase thrown in. If Spock didn't know any better, he'd think the doctor enjoyed this. In between these occurrences, a choppy conversation was taking place. The topic made the Vulcan slow fractionally to better overhear. It seemed like an ample oppurtunity to accumulate as much data on this strange planet as possible.

"So you live here under tons of water… in this epileptic nightmare?" McCoy's tone was incredulous, as one would suspect. T'Lai was a Vulcan, and yet she willingly surrounded herself by all the traits a Vulcan would despise. Compared to Spock, who could only stand being here for a few hours, she seemed like a Goddess of self-torture. The money she was making must be worth it - though, Vulcans didn't seem like the time to be swayed by cash. There was exceptions to every race however. "You must be paid in planets!"

T'Lai laughed, "Closer to moons I would imagine… but yes, a lot."

McCoy thought that if angels could laugh it would sound just like that – free and feathery in the way it rolled out of her throat.

Spock froze in horror at this expression of glee, while McCoy continued to stare in bewilderment. The Vulcan woman glanced at both of their faces and stifled herself. "Come now, you must realize that there is no way I could follow Vulcan Traditions and live such a life style?" Her eyes flashed rapidly from the doctor to Spock, then to the doctor again.

Spock answered with silence and a sudden increase in pace so that he was midway between the two couples. The coldness of the gesture surprised McCoy and he frowned at his friend. Was he really that miserable down here? T'Lai raised an eyebrow and moved closer to McCoy so that she could speak in a quieter tone, "The Science Officer doesn't seem to enjoy my presence at all, or am I reading him incorrectly?" she inquired, motioning with her dark eyes to the blue-clad figure with his back to them.

"He just… he-" At first the words seemed like they would come quickly, but then they abandoned him the moment he opened his mouth. The doctor sighed in frustration. Describing Spock was more difficult then it should have been. He decided to keep it simple. "Spock's a pain in the ass. He hates the idea of wasting time here when he could be off nattering about quantum physics with the engineer… or poking at things in the lab." His blue eyes flitted to T'Lai's face. She was absorbing everything he was saying. It struck him as rather odd, for usually people just ignored the crotchety old man. "He's only here because both the Captain and I think he needs to get his head out of a science magazine and into real life."

The woman nodded slowly and seemed to stare into space. "And he complied despite knowing he would be uncomfortable in such a setting. How fascinating…" The Vulcan touched her fingertips to her lips absently. McCoy found himself staring at them. "Maybe we have it backwards and Vienna should be the one…" Her sentence trailed off into nothingness when she noticed McCoy looking at her intently. She smiled sweetly, snapping him out of his reverie, "Perhaps we should hurry. The Captain and Vienna are going to lose us in the crowd soon."

McCoy agreed, though still a little dazed. He wondered if he needed to take a psycho-stimulant to focus on anything but the pretty ladies that were currently playing host. He was getting as bad as Kirk - and at his age that was embarrassing.

After a while, they all stopped outside of what looked to be an old Terran saloon. Bones laughed at the swinging doors and rustic architecture. "Why, this is straight out of the history books! Look Jim, I think they even have a spittoon." He wandered over with his Bacilli Scanner and whistled at what it found. Soon he turned around and spotted the collection of distilled liquids through the window. The doctor rubbed his hands together before pointing a thumb at it and making eye contact with Kirk. It seemed the doctor had found his haunt for the afternoon.

The captain linked arms with Vienna in a bold move that earned him a blush. "Well, since you're our lovely guide, why don't you show us around the place?"

Vienna nodded as T'Lai chimed in with, "This is a favorite place for humanoids with a metabolism capable of breaking down ethanol. We thought you might like to investigate."

"And investigate we shall. C'mon Bones, let's start with the bar." They entered the saloon, ready for some fun.

There were a lot of dead things hanging from the walls and ceilings. Animal pelts and skulls that probably hadn't been considered alive in centuries. Spock tried not to look at them, but nothing in that room worked with preferences. Everything was dirty; there was straw on the floor, stains on the tables, straggling beards on the males and gaudy make-up on the females. There were a few exceptions, such as one or two aliens that were obviously from off world.

Bones grabbed Spock by the arm and practically dragged him to the bar. "C'mere, you stand out like a sore thumb just standing there with your mouth open. There's something I always wanted to try."

"My mouth was not open." He set a hand on the bar, and then retracted it quickly as he realized it was now covered in sticky beer. There was a puddle of it sitting on the counter as if it belonged there. Spock added it to his mental list of things he disliked about this particular bar. It was getting very long. "Why do you believe me a necessary addition in this escapade of yours, doctor?" Spock said curtly, practically glaring at McCoy.

McCoy ignored the Vulcan for the moment and flagged down the bartender. "Double shot of brandy and Brown Tangqa' for my friend here."

"No, nothing for me. Besides, if your aim is to intoxicate, I will point out... yet again, that alcohol has no effect on me."

"You think I don't know that? I'm a doctor damn it!"

"I am not thirsty and I do not think this establishment is entirely sanitary." Spock lowered his voice slightly as to not attract the attention of the burly bartender. It was the tendencies of some cultures to over react to such statements, and Spock did not want to try and be diplomatic at a time like this. His hand was covered in beer.

Bones rolled his eyes and forced the Commander onto a wooden barstool. "Relax. We're on Shore leave. You're not supposed to worry about details." T'Lai sat down daintily next to Spock as if cued, and gave him one of her small smiles. "You should listen to your doctor. You're wound tighter then your Captain around Vienna's finger."

Spock looked over to see Jim and Vienna at table with three others. They were playing poker despite having entered only five point nine minutes ago. As anticipated, Jim blended in well with this oddball crowd, and was currently smirking over his cards while asking his compatriots if they ever heard of the 'Corbomite Maneuver.' He was holding Vienna's attention by explaining the whole thing in detail. Then again, perhaps it was Vienna holding Jim's attention by capturing him with her 'baby blues'. She batted those long lashes of hers in a manner that was almost hypnotic. Spock didn't know what to feel. "I think that his infatuation may be a component to my appearing 'tightly wound'. Based on experience, nothing good comes out of Jim involving himself with a woman."

At this Doctor McCoy leaned over, his brandy in his hand, and whispered, "Correction, as his doctor I can say nothing good comes out of him involving himself with strange women. Without my help half the galaxy would be overrun with all kinds of-"

"Spare me the details doctor." Spock interrupted quickly. He mentally cringed and attempted to change the subject before it came up again. It wasn't difficult as a fancy glass was laid in front of him with a cocoa drizzle he could smell before seeing. He stared at the cocktail as though it insulted him. "Doctor. There is chocolate in this beverage."

T'Lai's lips widened, "Brilliant Doctor McCoy."

"It's just what the doctor ordered." He pushed it towards the Vulcan, before making eye contact with T'Lai. "So what I read is true then? Chocolate has an intoxicating effect on Vulcan physiology that mimics the consumption of alcohol…?"

"Not entirely. It has the same effect as it does on humans, but when when applied to Vulcan physiology the effect is amplified many times over. It produces a feeling a euphoria, since several neurotransmitters flood the synapses responsible for pleasure and well being. This of course eleviates all stress and leaves a Vulcan feeling considerably 'happy'"

"Spock... happy?" The way Bones' eyes lit up made the Vulcan stand from his bar stool and head to the door. Both T'Lai and Doctor McCoy made to follow, but Spock held up his hand and stopped them in mid stride. "I am afraid I have had enough Shore Leave for the day Doctor. It is getting late and I would like to make a report on the Theme Park to review tonight with the Captain. I will then catalog and file it in the database before we beam down the rest of the crew."

Jim's ears perked up at the sound of Spock trying to be assertive. He looked from the retreating officer to Bones, then back to his pointy-eared sidekick. "Leaving Spock? I was thinking that we could send the Gamma group down tonight, just to get the excitement up for tomorrow you know? They're the night crew anyway, and Pacifica never closes."

There was still something unsettling about this place that made Spock hesitate in his reply. Zira had made him nervous… as did their two guides. He felt as though he were missing a large piece of a puzzle, and that this piece was very important to seeing this place as a whole. He looked to T'Lai who was innocently looking back at him before McCoy patted him on the shoulder, snapping him back into focus.

"How about you go organize the Gamma group, Spock? You can do your report, and then fetch us later. Jim and I will stay here and loosen up a bit, after all, that's what we came here for." His voice was coaxing now, and almost apologetic. It made Spock feel more at ease; they weren't forcing him to stay.

He nodded and dismissed himself politely from the group. His stride was more confident now that it was leading him towards the serenity of the Enterprise; but before he could make it outside, T'Lai grabbed his arm and clutched it to her chest. They were half-way out the swinging doors. Half-way to freedom.

He raised an eyebrow. The relief he felt at making it out of this nightmare vanished the instant she touched him.

"Wait! Please. I was wondering if you could reciprocate our hospitality and give me a tour of your starship. I know it is a sudden request, but I don't wish you to leave quite yet. I haven't seen a Vulcan in six point twelve years." The Vulcan woman's eyes flitted to the Captain, who had Vienna practically sitting in his lap. "Is it… allowed?"

"Of course! Spock hasn't chatted with a Vulcan in a far while either, and he constantly harps on about humans being frustrating."

"I never used 'frustrating' in that context Captain…"

Jim interrupted, the smile on his face just getting bigger and bigger, "Keep an eye on her will you?" Spock had the sinking suspicion that his Captain thought that he was doing him favor. The man had the audacity to wink at him and Spock knew he lost the battle. T'Lai was going to be stuck with him for the next few hours, so there was no logic in moping about it now.

"As you wish Captain." It was hard to keep the displeasure from his voice. His ward bowed to him and tilted her head to suggest that they commence this new adventure post-haste. Spock complied and led the woman outside to a semi-clear portion of space; behind him he could hear McCoy and Jim laughing. The tips of his ears turned pale green and with what Vulcan dignity he had left, he addressed T'Lai sternly.

"It is not our norm to take on guests that are neither in need of assistance or nor authorized by Starfleet Command; however, since the Captain deems you an exception, I will explain some rules and regulations that you must abide by at all times." He pulled out his communicator as he spoke and set the frequency to the appropriate level before looking at T'Lai to make sure she was listening. She was smiling like a china doll and nodding occasionally.

Spock continued and motioned to an alleyway that would serve as appropriate cover for their beam out. "You must not touch any of the control panels, intercoms, weapons or essential mechanisms. You will follow every order given to you, even if you do not like it. You will remain in my sight at all times, and you will ask permission to perform any action that isn't walking, talking or cellular respiration. Do you understand?"

T'Lai patted her elaborate up-do as to make sure not a hair was out of place. "I wonder how the Captain would function without you there to play the rulebook Mr. Spock." There was humor in her eyes that Spock only saw once before in a Vulcan. That was decades ago...

"I do not play T'Lai. I am serious. Do you understand?"

"More then you imagine…" She practically grumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I agree to your terms." Though obviously not with pleasure since her tone was laced with some attitude. "Please, continue."

Spock pressed the main button on his communicator and raised it to his face. "Mr. Scott, do you read me?"

After a moment of odd silence, the interference from the gallons of water between the Science Officer and the ship made some strange static merge with the voice of the Scottish engineer. "-oud sir, b- zzz –ot very clea-"

"Two to beam aboard Mr. Scott. I repeat for clarification, two to beam aboard. I have sent you the co-ordinates. I am standing by." Spock waited until Scotty managed to procure a clear reading before standing stiffly with is arms behind his back. T'Lai copied him for fear of doing something that would jeopardize her arrival on the Enterprise.

When the dazzling lights seemed to rip her atoms apart, she gasped. In the space of time it took her to do so, she found herself standing on the transporter pad facing three uniformed men with surprised expressions on their faces.

Mr. Scott's brow furrowed, but his eyes twinkled. "Bringin' a lady home to meet the folks, eh Mr. Spock? Didn't think yeh had it in yeh."

"Had what in me, Mr. Scott?"

The awkward silence made Scotty clear his throat. "Nothing Commander, just trying a little humor." The Engineer looked to Lieutenant Kyle who shrugged and attempted to hide the smile slowly spreading across his face.

Author's Note:

Thank you all for the reviews! Short and sweet at they were, they made me scramble to open MS Word and get my fingers to the keyboard. Nothing like coming home from a long day of work to find a new review cheering me on. -hint hint, nudge nudge-

This chapter is a little on the boring side, but I needed to establish a sense of normality that I can ruin later once all the bad things start happening. It's kind of light hearted now, and the characters a little pushed to their extremes. They'll get more reigned in. Spock's still bugging me a little. He LOATHES being at this Carnival. It's only his Vulcan nature that's dumbing it down as a bit of an irritant rather then the last place he wants to be. God, the loud noises alone would do it for him... but the laughing and screaming and mindlessness of it all has to be a Vulcan hell.

Also, I seldom write for McCoy... so tell me if I'm completely off track. He's a special kind of cynical I don't think I quite mastered yet.

Oh! And what gave me the idea for an underwater Carnival? There was a fair in town, and as I was waiting in line for the Zipper I was getting a headache from all the screaming and carnival tunes. Theme Parks are so noisy! I thought that it would be the wosrt place for a Vulcan to end up... and voila! Idea! In the planning stages I was trying to find a Federation planet that would be a good host for a Theme park when I stumbled on Pacifica and thought "Hey... underwater Carnival would be nifty... be kinda horrific too since they'd be so deep no one could hear them scream... MUHAHAHAHA!"