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A/N: I realize a chapter was mistakenly uploaded last time and thus I had a repeat. Sorry everyone! My computer was having some issues. Anyway, thanks for all the support! :-)
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Christine squealed excitedly when she spied Nyota. Nyota gave her a broad smile as they slipped inside Christine's quarters. Once inside, she grasped Nyota in a warm hug.
"Oh my Lord, have I missed you!," she told her as she led Nyota to the couch.
"I've missed you too!," she replied, "How are things?"
Christine smirked as they sat. "Well, there have lots of changes around here, but you know that," she began and Nyota nodded.
"Is there something in particular you'd like to know?," she teased and Nyota gave her a phony sigh of exasperation,
"I heard from a little bird you were helping the doctor to get to know his "feminine side," Nyota raised a brow and Christine laughed, confirming her suspicions.
"Chris!," she gasped, "You and McCoy? Wow. I never saw that coming,"
"He's really sweet, once you get to know him," Christine told her, "I know he comes off as kind of—well--,"
"Prickly?," Nyota supplied and Christine chuckled.
"Well, I guess you could say that. He definitely has his moments,"
Christine glanced knowingly at Nyota, "So would this 'little bird' be our own Mr. Spock?"
Nyota sighed. "Yes. The one and only."
"Well it seems he broke things off for good with Jim that's for sure," Christine added, her face turning red with anger, "The nerve of those two! If I weren't afraid of being court-martialed I would have wiped the floor with the both of them!"
Nyota smiled weakly, "I know you would have Chris. But, I'm okay with it."
"Are you sure? You were in real bad shape, Ny," she told her, "It's got to be hard being on the ship with the both of them."
"Yeah it is," she told her, "But, I am moving on with my life and that's what matters."
"So, you're a captain now," Christine grinned, "How did it happen? How does it feel?"
"Well, I was originally serving on the Explorer, and I was doing the same thing as I did here. But, I just--had this feeling that I could be so much more than was. I mean I can't complain, I did become a lieutenant at a very young age but--,"
"You wanted something else," Christine interjected and Nyota nodded.
"Well yeah. I wanted to challenge myself. That whole experience with Spock and Kirk," she shook her head sadly, "It taught me to support myself, to take chances and take charge. So when the Endeavor was commissioned I went for it."
"It wasn't easy convincing Starfleet that I was captain grade material I'll tell you that. I ended up on board as Lieutenant Commander. That was until we landed on a hostile planet in hostile territory," Nyota shuddered, "So many people were killed, including the Captain and commander. They took us all prisoner, but I managed to lead out the survivors and get us out of there,"
"Oh Ny," Christine commented and squeezed Nyota's hand in reassurance, "I heard about that! That was you?! I had no idea you had been captured!"
"It was pretty bad. I saw things that—that even now sometimes keep me up at night. But I realized then that this is what I was meant to do. So when Starfleet conditionally offered me the position as Captain I accepted."
"So, this is what, just a trial basis?," Christine asked.
"Pretty much, but after what happened with the ship recently they've extended the conditional period indefinitely."
Nyota sighed and Christine shrugged, "Hey, you've got the title and that's all that matters. Trial period or no. I bet Kirk was thrilled about that one."
"Why would he care? I'm out of his hair and he's free to pursue Spock as much as he wants," Nyota told her.
"Nyota, I know everything about everyone on this ship. After all, every person on board has to see me at some point. I hear it all. And it's a thorn on Kirk's side that you're a captain too."
"But why?," Nyota asked.
"Well think about it. Nyota, you remind of him of what he wants so much to be right now. You're cool, calm and collected, you have the maturity befitting of a captain. People respect you and admire you and in Kirk's mind, you're the reason that Spock dumped him."
"Are you saying he wants to be me?," Nyota gasped.
"Not be you. But it's nothing less than good old-fashioned jealousy. You make him feel like—he's less than you somehow. At least that's how I interpret it."
"I can't believe he and I used to be friends," Nyota remarked, "How did we end up like this?"
Christine shrugged, "Things change, people change. Sometimes for the worse."
"Yes," Nyota agreed, "Sometimes they do."
"So," Christine began, "A little birdie told me, that they saw you having lunch with Spock."
Nyota groaned. "It wasn't even like that. He asked to sit down and I let him. End of story. There's nothing to tell."
"Nothing," Christine pushed, "Really?"
"Nope. I know he wants me back, but I can't even fathom that right now. I mean, he really hurt me and I can't—I can't even--,"
"You know, as much as I can't stand the guy, I want you to be happy, if he is what you want then…,"
Nyota laughed, "Chris! I didn't say I wanted him back, I just—I don't know. I just need some time I guess."
Chris rolled her eyes. "There are billions of very handsome, very eligible men in the galaxy. You should get back out there."
Nyota gave Chris a playful shove. "No way!"
"Seriously Nyota, when was the last time you had a date?"
"Well—It was when--,"
"Don't you dare say anything having to do with Spock! I mean, a date with someone besides Spock."
Nyota grimaced. "Well, I haven't had an actual date with anyone--,"
"That settles it, you are going to go out with another guy, and you are going to like it."
"No," Nyota moaned, "I couldn't. I --,"
"Nyota, I'm not saying you have to marry the guy, jeez, you act as if someone is proposing on one knee already!"
"I don't know Chris, Spock hurt me pretty badly….," Nyota began.
"All the more reason to find someone new. My grandma always said that the best way to get over a man was to get under a new one!"
Nyota gasped. "Your grandmother is 97 and the most conservative woman I have ever known. She said that?!"
"Well yeah, she wasn't always a prude. Grandma had her share of lovers. Who do you think taught me the fine art of flirtation? I haven't always been this charismatic."
"Chris, it just seems so soon," Nyota told her.
"Nyota Uhura. I am ordering you as one of my very best friends, to get a new dress when we dock at Delta 7, and go on a double date with me tonight."
"Um," Nyota gulped. "I really have to concentrate on my ship--,"
"Honey," Christine told her, "The ship isn't going anywhere. It may take at least a week or two to finish repairs, and from your quick thinking, I don't think whoever attacked you will be catching up with you anytime soon. So relax, have some fun."
Nyota thought a moment before replying. "Okay," she relented, "Who do you have in mind?"
Christine broke out in a broad smile her mind already working out the details.
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A/N: I know this chapter may seem a bit off, but at this point I wanted Nyota to consider other options.