It was quiet on the bridge. The new communications officer sat silently at the console and Spock was aware of the irritating way he tapped the controls, how inefficiently he decoded messages and how much he wasn't Nyota.
Everyone had expected her transfer to transform the bridge into the place it once was, but there seemed a hole that only Nyota could fill. Spock pushed those thoughts aside. It was illogical. Nyota's absence neither helped nor hindered the performance of everyone on the bridge, he told himself.
He looked up and saw Jim watching him for a moment before turning away. Their relationship had been uncomfortable the first few weeks after Nyota's transfer. It had now settled into cool professionalism occasionally punctuated by a meaningful look from Jim or an errant touch on the hand. Spock found that though this suited him, he missed the closeness they once shared and though it was illogical, wished for the days before they were lovers, when they had once been friends.
The crew could sense the change in their relationship and everyone assumed it was just an adjustment to Nyota's departure. After Nyota was transferred, Spock Prime had informed Jim that he would settle on New Vulcan and possibly complete the Kolinahr. Spock tried not to let feelings of sadness bubble to the surface of his consciousness. The elder Vulcan had assumed full responsibility for Nyota's departure and could not bring himself to listen to reason. He had spoken calmly of how his desire to manipulate others had brought so much pain to a woman he had respected so much in another universe. Though Jim had vigorously pleaded against it, Spock Prime had defended his decision. Jim refused to watch as the Vulcan was beamed onto the surface, and instead spent the remainder of the day sequestered in his quarters.
Jim refused to give Spock any information as to where Nyota had been stationed, citing it as "classified." Spock had tried several times to contact her family in Africa, only to have encountered hostile resistance and a stern lecture on "loyalty," and "propriety." He had listened patiently, a small part of him feeling as if it were a sort of penance for what he had done to Nyota.
Suddenly the bridge sprang into action.
"Sir," Spock heard as reports from engineering poured in, "We are being hailed from the USS Endeavor. They have been attacked, there has been damage to multiple areas of the ship and they have to evacuate."
"On screen Lieutenant," Kirk told him.
"This is Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise."
"Hello, Captain. This is Captain Nyota Uhura," her voice relaying strength and no fear even as the bridge threatened to give way, "My ship has been severely damaged. The attackers are of a race we have never encountered. Permission to board with all survivors."
Jim stared hard for a moment before nodding his assent. "Permission granted."
Spock fought as shock and elation rushed to the surface of his mind.
Kirk motioned for Spock to follow as he made his way to the transporter room. "Gee, that was fast."
"To what are you referring captain?" Spock asked.
"She had been stationed on another ship as a communications officer. Same position, better pay. She's a captain now. Wow."
"She does not seem to be injured," Spock told him, feeling intense relief.
"Well yeah. Of course she wouldn't be injured, she's the captain," he told him, bitterness lacing each word.
Spock was confused by Kirk's behavior. He did not seem relieved that Nyota was not hurt and that most of the crew of her ship had managed to escape unscathed.
He seemed most concerned by Uhura's change in rank. Interesting.
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