The Other Woman, chapter 2
Finally picking up her padd, Uhura keyed it to display her book as she curled up on the sofa. She never did get to do this yesterday. After her call from Sulu and her subsequent call to Saavik, she'd ended up just taking her shower and going on to bed. She didn't quite know how to handle this news about Spock. She really was happy for him, but she couldn't help but feel a little unsettled. Someone new in his life, some stranger... She really wished she knew more about this other woman.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she frowned at herself for thinking it. 'Other woman,' indeed. She, Uhura, hadn't been involved with Spock for ages! This new woman was the only woman, and that's the way it should be. She picked up her padd, still annoyed at herself, and resolved to turn her mind to other matters.
Just as she managed to become involved in the story, her computer signaled an incoming call. She set the padd to the side and went to her desk, and quickly checked the communication status at the corner of the screen to see that it was a pre-recorded message.
"Computer, play message."
The screen brightened to show Scotty's ruddy face.
"Hello, lass! Sorry that I haven't sent a message in a while, but you know how it is. Always something needing my attention on board the Enterprise or at the Academy. As a matter of fact, I'm going to have to keep this short because I'm due in class in just a few minutes, but I have a wee bit of news that I knew ye'd want to hear.
"Ye won't believe it, but Mr. Spock has a lady friend! And a fine lady she is, too. I met her two nights ago at Dr. McCoy's house, and we had the longest discussion on warp mechanics. She teaches archaeology at the University of Mexico, but she really missed her calling. She should have been an engineer! She has an instinctive grasp of the subject. She was very interested in the Enterprise, and I promised to show her around the engine room someday. She seemed to be just the right type of woman for him. I swear, I caught myself checking her ears to make sure she was not Vulcan, herself."
He glanced down at his chrono. "Time to go. That's all I wanted to tell ye anyway. I know how much ye love to be kept informed, and I didn't want you to be left out of this! I promise I'll send a longer message soon. Scotty out."
Uhura returned to the sofa and picked up her padd. Scotty certainly seemed enthusiastic about this woman, but of course it didn't take much to turn Scotty's head. She keyed her novel back up and started reading again.
...
She was on the bridge when she received the call five days later from Christine Chapel. Because her duty shift had officially ended, she turned operations over to her relief and quickly walked to her quarters.
She sat down at her desk and transferred the call. "All right, Chris. I can talk now. So tell me how you've been! I tried to look you up the last time I was on Earth, and they told me that you've been on deep-space assignment."
"It's just temporary. I'm filling in for the CMO at Deep Space Four while he's gone. It's fun to be away from Starfleet Medical, although I imagine I'll be ready to go back by the time he returns."
"When will that be?"
"Another seven months." Christine leaned closer to the screen. "That's enough about that, though. I just heard something amazing, and I can't wait another moment to tell you."
Certain that she knew what this was about, Uhura nevertheless obliged by asking, "What is it?"
"Pavel called, and you won't believe what he said! You know that he's seeing this woman who works at HQ, don't you? Well, he was on Earth visiting her, and they went out to eat at a fancy restaurant on the Bay. Evidently it's very popular with Starfleet personnel. Anyway, he saw several people he knew, including... get this. Spock! And he was with a date. A date! Some incredibly gorgeous woman. Pavel went on and on about her until I thought I'd be ill. He said that she looked like, and I quote, 'a vid star or a high-fashion model.'"
Uhura frowned. "You know, this isn't the first I've heard about her. Hikaru met her, but he said she was skinny and kind of plain."
Chapel snorted. "Not according to Pavel. He said that she's a knockout. Tall and blonde, brainy, a perfect figure, the works."
"Maybe it's just in the eye of the beholder. Besides, I've heard that she's very cool and aloof, and not much on personality."
"Now that you mention it, he said that she didn't smile once. If you ask me, she sounds snooty, like someone who knows perfectly well just how beautiful she is. How could Spock fall for someone like that?"
Uhura couldn't help but smile. "Poor Spock. Now that Pavel knows about this, everyone else in the universe will, too."
"Isn't it the truth? He couldn't wait to tell me about it." Chapel shifted uncomfortably. "And I'm sure it wasn't because of any, uh, well, history I might have with Spock or anything. I don't think he ever knew about that. Not even Pavel would be that tactless."
Uhura raised a sardonic eyebrow. Christine didn't know how close to home these words actually hit. "I'm sure you're right, Chris. Someone would have to be pretty tactless to relish repeating information like this if they knew that the other person had a 'history' involved."
"Exactly."
Uhura tried to ignore a niggling feeling of guilt over the fact that she had never told Christine about her relationship with Spock. She probably should have been honest with her friend, but it would have just been too awkward. Anyway, it didn't matter anymore.
"Well, I for one think this is good," she said. "If she makes him happy, I'm happy."
"I suppose that's the right attitude." Chapel shook her head. "I'd better go. Give me a call sometime! I don't get to talk to you often enough."
"I'll do that, Christine. It was good hearing from you."
"Same here. Hope to see you soon! Chapel out."
Uhura sat in her seat for a moment, then keyed up some paperwork she'd been meaning to finish all day.
...
"Greetings, Nyota. I just received my midterm grades, and I think you will be very pleased. I received top marks in every subject but one. Unfortunately, my interspecies diplomacy teacher said that my performance in our mock debate brought my grade down, but she assured me that I can raise it by the end of the term if I exert myself."
Uhura smiled as she watched Saavik's bright face and tried to imagine what that mock debate must have been like.
Saavik continued. "Tomorrow in my self-defense class, we are going to wear antigrav suits. The instructor has not yet given us any instructions on how to defend ourselves while weightless, and she made us all promise not to ask anyone or do any research. She wishes to see how creative we can be. I think that it will be a most enlightening experience.
"I have been quite busy recently. Last weekend, I went to Helen's museum. She has artifacts from every known Mexican culture, including an offshoot of the Olmecs that is not represented in a museum anyplace else in the universe. She said that she will take me on a dig if I bring up the grade in my diplomacy class. Since I have no doubt that I shall be able to do so, I have encouraged her to allow me to begin making my plans."
She scowled, evidently just remembering that she wasn't supposed to like Helen. "Of course, I know that she is only maneuvering to be my friend, but I have always wanted to go on an archaeological dig, and she will be involved with her students. I shall work closely with Spock, and perhaps she will leave me alone.
"I must study now. I will speak with you soon. Saavik out."
Uhura shook her head. An archaeological dig? Poor Saavik—although she obviously really wanted to do this, she also wanted to resist the allure of Helen's glamorous occupation. It was too bad that Uhura hadn't ever been able to get Saavik interested in her own occupation, but evidently archaeology was much more interesting than communications.
She looked up at a signal from her door. "Come."
Her friend Carolyn walked into the room. "Hi, Nyota!"
"Hi, Carolyn. How are things down in sickbay?"
"Pretty quiet. As a matter of fact, I already finished all my paperwork for the day and left Nurse Aaron in charge." Carolyn wandered toward the desk and sat across from Uhura. "Do you have any plans for tonight? Anton's trying to get a group to go to the officer's lounge for drinks. Are you interested?"
"I suppose." Uhura put her elbows on the desk and chewed on the end of her stylus.
"Okay, out with it."
Widening her eyes innocently, she asked, "Out with what?"
"Whatever it is that's on your mind. I can see that something's bugging you. If you really don't want to talk about it, I'll respect that, but you know I'm always willing to listen."
Uhura looked back at the blank screen. "Yes, something is bothering me. It shouldn't, but it does. Even though my break-up with Spock was really tough, you know that I'm sure I did the right thing. We tried our best but just couldn't make it work. Now I hear that he's finally seeing somebody new."
"Really? I'll bet that hurts a bit."
"Nah." She waved the stylus dismissively. "I admit that it's a little hard to get used to the idea, but I'm not hurting. It's about time he found someone new. I'm just not sure if she's a good choice for him. I mean, from what I hear, she's beautiful, smart, and interesting."
"You were all those things. Still are."
"Thanks, Carolyn, but something I was not was Vulcan."
"Maybe it only makes sense that he'd find another Vulcan."
"But you see, he hasn't. That's the problem. She's human, but from everything I've heard, she acts every bit as Vulcan as he does. Maybe even more so. I'm worried about him! He doesn't need someone who will encourage his natural tendency to close himself away. He needs someone relaxed, someone who knows how to have fun, someone who will draw him out."
Carolyn leaned back in her seat. "Or maybe he needs someone compatible with his personality."
"Maybe," she said skeptically. "He's a big boy, though. He can take care of himself. I really shouldn't worry about him."
"I was wondering how soon you'd figure that out."
"So when did Anton want to meet us?"
"Right now, as a matter of fact. Let's go."
...
Uhura had just finished brushing her teeth when her computer signaled an incoming call two weeks later. She grabbed her robe and sat down at her desk.
"Computer. Accept transmission."
The screen brightened to show the warm, smiling face of Uhura's sister. Uhura smiled back in delight.
"Milele! What a surprise!"
"Hi, Nyota. Since I missed you on your last trip to Earth, I thought I'd call and see how you're doing."
"Oh, I'm fine. Everything is going very well. Did you get my message about my trip to Earth next month?"
"Yes, I did, and I'm really excited! It seems awfully soon after your last trip, though."
Uhura rolled her eyes. "I know. But the instructor they lined up to teach that seminar is getting married, so I said I'd fill in."
"Well, I know it's a pain to have to make that trip again, but I'm glad for my sake that you are. As a matter of fact, I've already asked for some time off while you're here, so if you'll just let me know what day you'll be free, we can get together."
"That would be wonderful. Let me take a look at my schedule. Hang on." Uhura called up her schedule and scanned it quickly. "How about the second Friday in May?"
"That would be good. Any chance I can talk you into staying the weekend with us? There's a lot going on in London that time of year."
"Are you sure it wouldn't be an imposition?"
"Not at all! We'd love to have you."
"Well, I can't promise anything, but maybe if I work hard to prepare my materials before I leave, I'll be able to take more than one day."
"Terrific!" Milele chewed on her lip for a moment. "Uh, there was something else I wanted to tell you. Yusufu and I went to the symphony in Edinburgh last night and saw someone you know."
"Really? Who?"
"Spock. And he wasn't alone! He—"
Uhura covered her face with her hands. "Not this again! I know, I know. He was with a stunning blonde archaeologist by the name of Helen."
"Oh." Milele sat back, deflated. "You know more about her than I do. We just saw them from a distance."
Leaning her elbows wearily on the desktop, Uhura said, "Sorry to spoil your big news, but evidently this has been the number one topic on the Starfleet grapevine recently. I still want you to tell me all about it, though."
"There's not much to tell. They were sitting right in the middle near the stage. Since we were up in the balcony, we could see them clearly. At first, I didn't even know they were together. They didn't interact a whole lot, just the occasional comment or nod that you might see between any two people who happened to find themselves seated next to each other. It wasn't until afterward when I started down to say hello that I figured it out."
"Did you see them leaving together?"
"No, actually they walked up to one of the violin players. She'd stopped by the side of the stage to talk to a couple of children, and Spock and his friend—Helen, you say?—approached her, so I changed my mind about talking to him. I asked some friends of ours who live in Edinburgh if they knew her, and they said that they'd seen her picture on a brochure for the Edinburgh Museum. Evidently she was in town for some sort of exhibit there."
"That makes sense. She runs the museum at the University of Mexico."
"Oh. That's all I have to report."
"Okay. Thanks for the info. If you run into them again, talk to her! I'd like to have a truthful, unbiased opinion."
"Are you sure? They'd know for certain that I was going to run home and call you."
"Yes, I'm sure. I'd like for Spock to understand that I know about her. That way, it won't be so awkward when I see him next time."
"All right. If you say so. I guess I'd better go. I'll see you soon."
"I'm looking forward to it, Milele!"
"Bye."
Uhura watched as Milele leaned forward to terminate the call. Spock and his new lady friend certainly seemed to be enjoying each other. Parties, restaurants, museums, the symphony—Uhura shouldn't worry about him at all. He and Helen really seemed to have a lot in common.
...
"Greetings, Nyota. I want to tell you about the fascinating dig we visited. Helen took me to a promising spot and showed me how to use the tools. She is an excellent teacher, and before the day was over, I even found a tiny shard of pottery. She was quite impressed. Evidently, the majority of archaeology students devote a great deal of time to their study before they actually find anything.
"That is all I wanted to tell you, and I must study now. Call me when you come to Earth next Wednesday! Unfortunately, I do not have time to go anywhere, but I would like very much to have lunch with you again. I will speak with you soon. Saavik out."
The screen darkened, and Uhura smiled. It looked like Helen had finally won over her toughest critic. Well, that was good. It smarted just a little that Saavik could find time for Helen but not for her, but it was better for everyone involved if Saavik got along with Helen. And really, Uhura couldn't blame Saavik for finding the time to go away on an archaeological dig. How exciting!
Maybe when they had lunch together next week, Uhura could come up with something exciting, herself, that would tempt Saavik away from her studies and her new friend. Just for a little while.
End chapter 2