Nyota allowed her mind wander over the multitude of languages in her vicinity and repressed the urge to smile widely. She was in her element, listening in on whispered conversations spoken in tongues from planets light-years away from here and each other.
It was glorious music.
She turned slowly and caught a glimpse of a blue sleeve, and as the Andorian ambassador stepped toward his aide her view of Spock became completely unobstructed. Nyota's inscrutable expression fell away to reveal fondness before it morphed into inquisitiveness, a silent question in her eyes. He stared at her a moment, but she could read no explanation in his own.
He had not been by her side when she had woken this morning, or any other morning since the talks had begun; normally he would say goodbye before he left to do whatever vital duty required his personal attention. She sighed, realizing that the most she had seen him or would see him for the duration would likely be at arms length, across the room. She would have to plan stolen moments.
Nyota watched as Kirk stepped forward with what looked like a refreshment of some sort. The day's talks were not scheduled to begin for another forty-five minutes and various first meal offerings had been set up on the tables against the wall, served in the traditional manner of each culture. She watched with amusement as the captain chomped happily at a piece of bacon, mostly for the look of veiled disgust it earned him from Spock.
"What?" she heard Kirk ask, too innocently. "I didn't know they had pigs in space. I'm pleasantly surprised."
"No doubt, Captain," Spock replied, eyes on his PADD, "it is an import."
"Well, that makes it even more special then." Kirk crunched into another bite. "Eager to please, aren't they?" And he studied the strip of bacon like it was a clue, looking half-serious.
Spock looked up, seeming to consider it himself, and at that moment, both his gaze and Nyota's traveled to the door, where the Romulan commander was now entering, flanked by an unfamiliar aide.
"Indeed," Spock said warily, as they all watched them move to pick over the food selection.
Kirk grinned and leaned into Spock's shoulder a bit. "She make you nervous, Spock?"
Nyota glared at him teasingly and Jim just turned his grin briefly on her.
"Hardly, Captain."
Kirk sat back in his seat. "So, it's just me, then."
Nyota was unsure if that meant the commander made Jim nervous or if Jim was implying that he made Spock nervous. She imagined both were true. She watched curiously, but Spock did not immediately respond.
"You do not make me nervous," Spock eventually said, "as 'nervous' is an emotional reaction."
"Oh, you have 'em. Like when your left eyebrow twitches when I take your queen." Kirk's tone tumbled into a self-satisfied purr. "We both know you're surprised time and again."
"Quite the contrary, I have learned not to underestimate you, and thus our game has become satisfying on another level." Spock had stopped reading and was pinning Kirk with a level gaze. It was a look Nyota had often received in his classes at the Academy.
"Oh? I-"
"Lieutenant, may I speak with you, please?" Ambassador Gull stepped in front of her, almost invading her space and causing her to glance down, away from Kirk and Spock. "I have an issue with yesterday's translated transcript."
Nyota opened her mouth but shut it quickly, forcing a smile. "Ambassador, it would be my pleasure. Exactly what has given you issue?"
"Many things. You see here." He lifted his PADD for her to peruse and pointed. "Does this word have different connotations in Standard that I am unaware of? Because if so, I do not believe my delegation can concede-"
"Ambassador," she heard, and Ambassador Spock stepped up behind the diminutive man. "We are adjusting the order of today's introductions, and I would appreciate your input."
She shot him an infinitely grateful expression as he raised an eyebrow and led the arguing Tellerite away.
The brief stillness of the vicinity led her eye to an abrupt gesticulation, and back to Kirk. He had finished his bacon and the tips of his fingers were resting on the golden braid at the wrist of Spock's dress blues.
She looked again to Ambassador Spock, who looked back at her with the almost probing gaze she had grown used to from him. Why was he making a habit of looking at her like he was trying to figure her out? If anything, she should be looking at him that way. Nyota heard Kirk laugh and turned to find Spock, his almost-smile in place in reaction to Kirk's amusement.
"Lieutenant, may we have a word?"
Nyota turned and smiled. "Absolutely."
It was time to work, not to muse.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," Jim watched Ambassador April lean forward in his chair to place his hands on the table, "we come to a rather... delicate matter."
Jim knew what was coming next, as did all the Federation delegations. It had been a matter of some debate during meetings on-board the Enterprise before their arrival, both in terms of whether the stipulation would be made, and if so, who would be the one to present it. Sitting here now, watching it unfold, he was suddenly glad that Ambassador Spock had more or less insisted it not be the Vulcans. The more he thought about it, the wiser that decision seemed.
"Make no mistake, the Federation realizes that the war criminal Nero and his ship were not acting at the behest of the Empire, and were, in the end, not even affiliated with it." The ambassador took a deep breath and Jim suddenly felt sorry for him. "But in the same way a parent must take responsibility for their child, there is the small matter of... reparations."
Jim looked to the Romulan commander, still sitting back like she owned the room, watching April across the table. "Reparations," she echoed, tonelessly.
"It is no secret that Vulcan society is attempting to rebuild, that the damages are irreparable-"
"If they are irreparable, Ambassador, I cannot claim to understand the validity of 'reparations'."
April sighed. "Let's not, shall we?" he said. "The founding members have been offering as much aide as they can, but more is needed."
"You concede we had no knowledge nor recourse of Nero and his crew-" the commander began.
"All parties have already agreed not to probe the validity of that claim," April responded.
"Yet you will ask us for supplies."
"Yes, that is the gist of this request."
"It's illogical. Almost... extortion."
"It's not extortion when you're asked to give of your own volition."
"The Federation rarely asks of one's own volition." The commander bristled visibly. "You speak in riddles and circles."
"You would know, since almost everything said in rebuttal at this table has been circular logic." Robert slammed his hand on the table and Jim jumped minutely. "Let's continue to pretend - even hope - the other side is stupid, and we'll be here for months, am I right? As I'm sure your government wants something to come from these talks, and we want something as well, figure out what you're willing to give, and we'll figure out what we're willing to overlook, and let's see if we don't meet in the middle?"
Jim had thought April had been about to quite uncharacteristically lose his head. Even out of the corner of his eye, he could see the way Ambassador Spock was tensed, ready to step in, and when he had noticed that, he found the same tension not only in his own Spock, but in himself. He forced himself to relax and set a hand on Spock's forearm.
It was only when a distinct smirk began creeping over the commander's features that he felt Spock ease.
"Commendable, Ambassador," she said, "saying what you mean. It will certainly make this go a lot more quickly if we all agree to forgo a great deal of diplomacy." She inclined her head, almost like a Vulcan, Jim thought. "While remaining courteous, of course."
He could almost hear April's teeth grinding. "Of course."
"Let us talk plainly, then." And she leaned forward in her chair, clearly putting herself on a more even keel with the ambassador. "We were not involved. As you claim you require our volition, I can tell you now, we refuse. You will be hard-pressed to convince any Romulan otherwise."
"And I can tell you now, Commander, refusing this point can make dealing with the Federation incredibly difficult."
"Is that a threat?"
"No one present would make threats, Madam." Jim watched the elder Spock lean into the table as well and raised his eyebrows at the younger like he was the one he was impressed with. "I believe the Federation and this delegation would merely be concerned that your refusal, particularly under the blanket statement of 'any Romulan', might stem from prejudice rather than logic."
"If we are to descend into discussing our races' long held hostility, Ambassador," she said, "I believe we will indeed be here for months. Years. You will simply have to have faith in our reasoning skills."
"Then maybe," Ambassador Shras said, "We should all part for our midday meal? Courtesies are better remembered and observed with full stomachs."
Kirk hid his smile behind his steepled fingers, and was thankful that the Federation had not sent only Humans and Vulcans.
"Agreed, Ambassador." The commander rose, along with her delegation, and she swept out of the room gracefully.
"Someone sure knows how to make an exit," he muttered to his right, into Spock's ear. He watched it twitch in fascination, and hadn't realized his name had been called until he was no longer staring at an ear, but into very dark brown eyes. "I'm sorry, what?" he almost squeaked.
"I asked if you were experiencing some form of ill effect from the heat," Spock repeated slowly.
Jim blinked and shook his head. "No, it's better today than yesterday, thanks," he said, and moved back into his chair. He shook his head and rose, thankful for the break amidst the quiet drone of multiple languages and chair scraping against floor.
"Then I do believe I will take a brief walk outside, to center myself."
"Yeah, I don't like feeling like I'm on the sidelines either. I want to do something, or at least be the one talking. Too much is riding on this," Jim said wistfully.
Spock looked at him again. "Agreed," was all he could find to say. Sometimes it still surprised him, reminded him of how Human he truly was, when James Kirk voiced an opinion or concern that echoed one of his own.
His long strides carried him out of the room, and into a subtly cultivated courtyard. The beige sky above was cloudless, and there was barely a breeze to stir up the leaves of the foliage.
"Commander Spock. How did I know you would seek out one of the most tranquil sites afforded here?"
He turned. "Commander Charvanek. Quite a display of verbal acuity."
She smiled as she came to a stop almost too close for comfort. "I will take every compliment you give, because I know you do not give them often, nor freely."
Spock tilted his head. "No, I do not. Compliments are illogical. I speak the truth."
"Yet you called my name beautiful." Her eyes sparkled the way Jim's often did and Spock realized he must be being teased in some fashion.
"I stated an opinion."
"And if I happen to be flattered by your opinion," She took a step still closer and Spock took one backward as politely as he could, "well, neither of us can help that, can we?"
"I would agree," he said. "So long as you understand it was not the intent."
"Of course not." And she looked down like she was noting the space between them now. "Your race does not make a habit of catering to emotions."
The feel of the moment had changed entirely, and though he was grateful for the distance she was affording him, he could not escape the discomfort that accompanied it.
And then as suddenly as it had gone, her playful expression was back.
"How does your captain stand you?"
Spock felt his eyebrow soar, certain now that there was something inappropriate about this whole encounter, perhaps with all his encounters with her. Her baiting was quite similar to Jim's, but it was entirely unwarranted, and somehow fundamentally different for that. And given her illogical, seeming fascination with his captain, it was odd that she appeared to be interested in seeking himself out.
"Laboriously, Commander," he finally said, and she laughed.
"Oh, he's not nearly as bad as he thinks he is."
Both turned to find Kirk not far from the entrance to the courtyard, an inexplicable smile on his face.
"Commander," he said, "fancy meeting you here."
The Romulan frowned briefly. "I am not sure I understand all of your words, but your tone is mocking, to say the least. I think I will take my leave, and check on my ship."
"Why don't you do that," Kirk responded blandly. Both men watched her go, and if Jim were being honest - and there was no reason why he couldn't be - he admired the curve of her spine in her uniform. He walked over to Spock with a grin. "She was flirting with you."
"Captain?" Spock raised an eyebrow as he regarded the man.
"She was interested in getting to know you in a sexual manner, Spock. She wanted to hump you to mutual pleasure." Jim cackled again, but cleared his throat when it seemed that Spock didn't get the joke. "Fine. But I'm gonna tell Uhura on you," he drawled, childishly.
Spock blinked. "I have done nothing which could be misconstrued as-"
"Spock, joke. Remember, we went over them before?" Jim exhaled loudly and turned around.
"Yes. A story with a humorous conclusion," Spock said. "Do you really believe she was interested in pursuing a sexual experience with me?"
Jim's heart began to beat wildly. "Why? Want to take her up on it?"
Spock turned to stare at him oddly. "She does not interest me," he said, and just when he looked like he was about to say something else, perhaps about Nyota, he shook his head and continued back into the room, where the smell of various foods wafted. Jim's stomach growled and that was what made him follow his first officer.
That was his reason and he would stick to it.
It had been a strange day. When he considered that, Spock was forced to conclude that visiting with his counterpart was likely to make it all the stranger, but Nyota had been planning to retire early this evening, and therefore, Spock saw no more convenient opportunity on the horizon.
He did not wish his counterpart to believe he was avoiding him. As Jim would say, he would never "hear the end of it."
Talk of the day's proceedings carried the conversation through dinner, and Spock had not planned to mention the commander's perhaps inappropriate behavior or any personal interaction with her. He had planned even less on the ambassador mentioning her.
"She is a remarkable woman," he said, and the tone was all that was strange about it, informative and not offhand.
Spock tried his best not to hesitate, but he was unsure he wished to ask the question. "Was she part of your unification work in your universe?" he finally asked, and the other gave a small smile.
"No," he said. "We did, however... associate. Our paths crossed more than once." His eyes darkened momentarily. "I owed her a great deal, in the end."
"For what?" Spock had asked before he could stop himself. He knew the moment he had that his counterpart would not tell him.
Sure enough, he shook his head and sipped at his tea. "For Jim's sake," he did say though. "It is complicated and irrelevant."
Spock stared at his own cup, thoughts of Jim only complicating things further. Surely the captain had only been looking to unnerve him earlier, but there was something very off-putting about the commander's interest. "She is... disarming," he said.
"Indeed. You have had cause to experience this?"
Had he been Human, Spock would have allowed himself to shrug. "She has approached me privately," he said.
"Fascinating."
Spock did not respond to that. The ambassador set his cup down.
"I had been under the impression," he told it, "that it was Lieutenant Uhura who held your regard." And here he looked up again, his eyes searching in a way that belied the controlled tone. "Is that not accurate?"
Spock nodded once. "She and I are in a romantic relationship."
His counterpart said nothing, but continued to sip at the rapidly cooling tea. "Is it a serious pursuit?"
"There is no pursuit. We are in a relationship."
The elder did not restrain his smile. "It was that talent for deflection which allowed me to report to Starfleet with a straight face many debriefings. However, it is not effective against myself, I am relieved to say. How would you characterize your relationship with Lieutenant Uhura?"
"This implies you mean to interrogate me."
"I would never do such a thing to myself; it would be illogical to force what I know will be answered eventually. This enthusiasm you detect is merely a byproduct of curiosity. You will forgive me."
It was a statement rather than a question, and Spock found he did not mind the assumption. "Nyota and I," he started, allowing the use of her first name to denote gravity, "are in a relationship that I am ninety-four point six two percent certain will result in our being bonded."
"Such a high number," the other murmured.
"I do not make a habit of engaging in hopeless pursuits."
The expression that came over the ambassador's face at that was an interesting one; the way his mother had often looked at him when Spock had asked her questions as a child that he now realized in hindsight had appeared foolish or amusing to an adult.
The ambassador's smile remained, but it disappeared behind his cup again. "What a pity," he said, before taking another drink, and Spock did not agree that it was nor understand why his counterpart should think that it was, but he did not see the merit in asking. "May I ask," And he set his cup down again, "what constitutes the other five point three eight percent?"
"I have calculated the known," Spock replied. "Compatibility, both our histories, circumstances regarding our work, among other things. Variables, of course, always exist."
His counterpart stared at him unflinchingly now, his cup still on the table, and the same expression still in place.
"Indeed," he said.