Chapter two.
"You must be out of your Vulcan mind!" bellowed McCoy, "You're trapped goodness knows how far underground, almost no food or water, Klingons bombing the blazes out of us and you think this is a good time to get married! Jim," McCoy appeals to Kirk, "I could certify him insane here and now!"
A quiet voice spoke up calmly, "It may be the only chances we have," said Uhura looked hard at McCoy, "and if I die I want to die as his wife."
Spock turned and looked down at the beautiful, dust covered dishevelled women at his side and McCoy would swear he managed to smile without moving a single facial muscle.
"Look," said Kirk, "I don't think I can."
"Under Star Fleet regulation 500.9.8 a Star Ship captain can legally perform weddings that are recognised by the federation provided there are two responsible witnesses," stated Spock.
"Or in this case one responsible witness and the doctor," muttered Uhura.
"Nice," snapped McCoy.
"Well you started it..." Uhura stared glaring at McCoy.
Kirk stood and held up his hands, "Please please," he said, "let's play nice children." Then seriously he looked at Spock and Uhura and asked, "Is this really what you want? I mean if it wasn't for the 1000 ton of rock and Klingons would you still want to be married?"
"Captain," said Spock in his calm and soothing voice, "the lieutenant and I would have married as soon whatever the circumstances. Understandably we were waiting until our families could be present and appropriate cultural ceremonies could be observed. Now ,as we may not get that chance, we thought it opportune to act."
"It is so weird hearing you talk about 'we'," muttered McCoy. Everyone ignored him.
The low booming started again to the east, and moving slowly closer.
McCoy grabbed Kirk's arm and dragged him to one side.
"You are not seriously considering this Jim?"
"They are adults and seem to know what they want, it seems cruel to say no," replied Kirk.
"What if it is just the situation and the pressure. Its been a tough 3 days. They might regret this later," snapped McCoy, "You have a responsibility."
"Yes I do," said Kirk softly, "this is not a spur of the moment relationship, the decision to marry now maybe, but not the relationship. You heard Spock they were going to marry soon anyway and Vulcans can not lie, poor bastards. Anyway I really don't have anything better to do just now." He smiled crookedly
"But you don't want to do this Jim," urged McCoy.
"No, no I don't, but thats between us," he looked hard at his friend, "She wants Spock," said Kirk looking at Uhura who was deep in close conversation with Spock standing so close their bodies almost touched. Kirk sighed, "She has always only wanted Spock," he thought.
McCoy looked at Kirk frowning then at Spock and Uhura and then back at Kirk, his eyes showing his concern for his Captain and friend.
"Oh, for Pete's sake get on with it, "said McCoy with a weary sigh, "Although it could be the shortest marriage in history."
Kirk and McCoy returned to the group.
"Will the marriage be, you know binding?" Kirk asked Spock.
"If you are wondering if this is some sort of sham and an attempt at psudo –wedding that will not be binding, for what ever bizarre reason," snapped Uhura, "Spock ,"her voice softened when she said his name, "knows the regulation better than anyone and if he says it is binding, it is." She glared at Kirk.
"Ok ,ok," said Kirk placating.
"I assure you Captain that the wedding will be completely legal and binding provided the correct paperwork is completed when we return to the Enterprise," stated Spock.
"If we return," muttered McCoy earning himself another glare from Uhura and eliciting another sob from Hartley.
"Paperwork, who would have thought that a Captain had to do so much paperwork," muttered Kirk at the same time his face tragic.
Then Kirk straightened up and seemed to gather himself. A deep shuddering shock wave they all felt in their bones ran through the rock walls as a three quick blasts hammered into the earth. Hartley squeaked and hugged McCoy in a tight terrified embrace causing the doctor to yelp and then look down at the trembling young woman clinging to him as if she were a form of malignant growth, then his face softened and he tentatively and awkwardly patted her back and said, "There there."
"Captain," said Uhura pleadingly, "we may not have much time."
"Ok ok," said Kirk, "but I don't know the words by heart."
"Wing it," said Uhura.
TBC...