Disclaimer: This belongs to Paramount
******
"So you'll never tell me your name?"
"Nope."
"Come on, Uhura." Kirk leaned back against the bar and took a sip of his bourbon. "You mean to tell me that you never tell anybody your name?"
Uhura sipped her Tellerite ale. "People know my name. Those people happen to not be you."
Kirk blew out a breath of air. "You are a hard nut to crack, you know that?"
Uhura eyebrows went up and she took another drink. She gave a swift glance to Spock. He seemed okay. Was looking out the window. Didn't look upset.
Since when do Vulcans show anything, Nyota? Uhura thought to herself.
"Okay, tell me why I'm sooo unworthy of knowing your first name?"
Uhura took another sip. "You want the truth?"
Kirk hesitated and then finished off the rest of his bourbon. "Yeah. Sure."
Uhura put her drink on the bar, stood tall, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"You're not serious. You think everything is a joke. All of this is a game to you that you think you can bullshit your way out of. You don't respect Starfleet. You don't respect our instructors. You don't respect the women you sleep with and then disregard. And worse of all you don't respect yourself."
Nyota was surprised to see a quick flash of hurt in his eyes before it was replaced with his usual bravado. Kirk put his glass down and leaned his body against the bar, his upper body close to her. He moved into her body space and then put his lips close to her ear as if to tell her a secret.
"Gee, Uhura. I thought you were going to tell me something really bad."
The sarcasm in his voice made her smile despite herself. Kirk leaned back and observed her.
"I like how honest you are Uhura. It's a rare quality. Some guy will be very lucky to have you."
A waiter approached them both with a bottle of wine. "Monsieur Kirk?"
Kirk broke eye contact with Uhura. "Yeah, that's me."
"This wine was purchased for you from one of our guests with this note."
Kirk jerked his head back. "Hmm. Give it to me."
Nyota leaned over to check out the wine. Chateau Picard?
"Hello Jim. I'm sorry that I couldn't make it tonight as there was a transport malfunction. I have ordered this wine in order of apologies. Enjoy your night."
Kirk sighed and shook his head. "That's a first."
"Girl has some sense."
"Ouch. Isn't being rejected twice enough, Uhura?"
"Probably not enough to pay back the girl karma machine."
Kirk laughed and shook his head. "You sure…?"
Uhura finished off her drink.
"Guess not." Kirk straighten his jacket and looked at the wine in his hand. "I guess it'll be you, me, and some lubricant tonight."
"Guh." Uhura twisted up her face in disgust and Kirk let out a small laugh. He gave her a curt bow.
"Enjoyed talking to you. I mean that."
"Right."
"And make sure you give that guy who is meeting you as hard of a time as you gave me."
"Right."
Kirk leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"See ya around."
Nyota watched as Kirk made his way out of the restaurant and shook her head. He was leaving with the same swagger he walked in with. Some people will never learn.
*****
"Spock, I'm so sorry. Are you mad?"
"I am not perturbed, Nyota."
Nyota gave a huge smile and picked up her menu.
"Your friend…"
"Not my friend."
"Your associate left early."
"Yeah, his date stood him up. Claimed transporter trouble."
"That is unfortunate."
There was something in his voice that suggested amusement. Nyota looked up from her menu to see a small upturn on the side of his mouth and a sparkle in his eyes.
"You gave him that wine?"
"I thought it was prudent."
Nyota's laugh was so loud the entire restaurant heard it.
****
"I think I drunk too much Tellerite ale."
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"No. I actually kind of feel sorry for James T. Kirk."
Spock quirked up his right eyebrow.
"It's not like that Spock. I just….I can't imagine going through life the way he's going through it. No focus. No direction."
"Kirk is an adult…older than you I believe."
Uhura took a sip of her water. "Yes."
"Then his choices are his own."
Uhura nodded her head in agreement and took a bite of her lamb. They stayed in a comfortable silence enjoying the sights from their table and being around one another.
"I have a quandary."
Nyota glanced at him. "What's the problem?"
"I…I do not know how to ask you this. It would be a partial violation of one of the rules we agreed to for our dating relationship."
"Okay?" Nyota took a sip of water.
"I was…was curious to know if you would like me to engage in the act cunnilingus with you?"
Nyota then promptly spit it out.
"Nyota, are you well? Do I need to…."
"I….fine Spock. I'm fine." Nyota coughed. "Just a little shocked."
"Is not cunnilingus something that partners on Earth share?"
Nyota looked around, hoping that no one heard him or noticed her moment with her water. Spock. Cunnilingus. This was not what she thought they would be talking about on this date.
"Spock…what is bringing this on?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…why would you want to do that? You've never expressed interest in doing that at all."
"Are you uninterested?"
"No…I'm not saying that I just…it's kinda….sudden."
"Do you believe because of my Vulcan heritage that I will be unable to perform the act?"
"Baby, after what happened between us on Gorian V I don't doubt you can do anything you put your mind to."
This did not cheer him up and in fact seemed to darken his mood.
"Spock. What is wrong? What's the matter?"
"I have ordered a hotel room for us. If you would like to engage in this sexual activity with me then we can after our dining."
"Is this about Kirk?"
"No." Spock then proceeded to eat his vegetables without commentary. It was the first time that Nyota ever suspected he was lying to her.