A/N: Thanks to everyone for their comments! :-) I always welcome criticism. For all those who were wondering, it's been about nine or ten months from the time she has been transferred to the present point in the story. As usual I own nothing. Please R&R!

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"Nyota," Christine sing-songed, "I'm not getting any younger out here."

"I'm hurrying," Nyota called out, "I'm just a little nervous, I've gained a bit of weight and I have huge scar--,"

"Nyota if you don't get your beautiful butt out here," Christine chided, "We're gonna be late and if you're sitting there thinking that any man won't be knocked out by your beauty then you're in deeper crap than I thought."

"Christine," Nyota yelled back, "This dress is too revealing!"

"No it's not!," Christine shouted, "It's just fine. That damn man screwed up your head so much you can't see straight that's what."

"I can't!" Nyota told her, her voice catching.

"Nyota," Christine told her gently through the bathroom door, "It's okay. You'll be fine. Now just come out."

There was silence on the other side then tentative footsteps as Nyota crossed the floor and slowly opened the door.

Christine's breath caught in her throat. Nyota looked absolutely stunning. Her long dark hair hung in wild abandon down her back and curled enticingly about her face. Her large almond shaped eyes were accentuated perfectly by her makeup and her lips were full, lush and glossy. Her skin was dewy and flawless and the dress…..

Christine looked Nyota over and gasped. "Oh my Lord, that man is gonna have a heart attack," she drawled.

The dress was made of bright yellow Bajoran silk, its color contrasting beautifully with Nyota's cinnamon skin and its plunging neckline showed off her generous décolletage to perfection. The wispy dress clung to her curves and gently outlined the muscles of her trim legs as she moved. Gleaming Cardassian bracelets adorned her delicate wrists and Christine could smell her Maharan desert flower perfume as it lightly scented her skin.

"What?" Nyota asked nervously as she tugged lightly on the dress, "Do I look horrible? You know what, I'm going to go change--,"

"Don't you dare!," Christine exclaimed, "You will do no such thing! Now. Len and I have reservations at this really nice restaurant on the base and we will not be a minute late."

"Now slip on those shoes and let's go," Christine demanded.

Nyota stared hard at the delicately adorned stiletto heels. "I won't be able to walk in these! At least not comfortably,"

Christine rolled her eyes, "Sweetheart, they're not supposed to be comfortable. They're supposed to make your legs look they go all the way to heaven. And that's the point. Nothing says "come hither" more than a nice pair of stilettos. Besides you danced for years and did ballroom. A woman never forgets how to walk in heels."

Nyota hesitantly slipped on the heels, grabbed her purse and followed Christine reluctantly out the door.

"What if he doesn't like me Chris?" Nyota asked.

Christine gave Nyota a once over and smiled, "Nyota, you're smart, you're capable and you've got a kick ass pair of legs. That man won't know what hit him. Now let's get moving."

Nyota nodded and reluctantly followed.

***

He was gorgeous. Mouthwatering, deliciously, beautifully gorgeous. Nyota blinked a few times and swallowed nervously.

"Christine," she whispered as the made their way to the maitre d', "That can't be him, he's--,"

"Gorgeous as all get out? I've got great taste, I know. His grandmother was Talexian."

"Oh," Nyota murmured. Talexians were considered to be the most beautiful species of humanoid the Federation had ever encountered. They were all wonderfully symmetrical, with most having smooth, sandy colored skin. The men in particular, including her soon-to-be date, sported incredibly chiseled jawlines, deeply set, cat-like crystalline green eyes and long muscular limbs. Of course, he was only part Talexian, but he was still the most perfect specimen of man Nyota had ever seen.

Nyota gulped. "Christine I'm gonna get you for this," Nyota murmured as they drew close to the table where he sat, his body elegantly laid out upon the chair.

"No you won't. You'll be thanking me first."

As they sauntered close to the table the man stood and bowed, "I am Dimitri E'Lon," he told Nyota. She shivered involuntarily as his smooth voice caressed her ears and she caught the tell-tale signs of a slight Talexian accent.

Nyota nodded but found that she couldn't speak. Christine bumped her and Nyota squeaked, "Uhura, nice to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Uhura, you are quite influential in the field of linguistics. Your accomplishments are quite impressive."

Nyota smiled. "Thank you Dimitri, I'm flattered, and--you may call me Nyota."

"Nyota, please," Dimitri told her and gave her a dazzling smile as he pulled out her chair, "Sit with me and I shall find out more about you."

Throughout dinner, Nyota found that Dimitri was a wonderful conversationalist and she was shocked at his vast amount of knowledge. He was head of a cryo-biogenic and neuromechanical research division that worked closely with Starfleet. He had spent most of his early life living in various countries and he knew a total of 63 Terran languages and 23 non-Terran ones. As they slipped in and out of different languages and dialects, they discussed various scientific theorems and Len and Christine could only smile and shake their heads.

"Um," Christine interrupted, "Nyota, I have to—powder my nose,"

"Oh," Nyota started hesitantly to her feet, "If you will excuse me Dimitri," Nyota told him.

As they made their way from the table, they could hear Len say "That's woman speak for let's go talk about the men in the bathroom."

Christine and Nyota chuckled and traipsed gaily to the ladies' room and as soon as they were inside Christine whispered conspiratorially, "So what do you think?"

Nyota smirked. "He's cute."

"Cute!," Christine exclaimed, "I'm sure if you look up gorgeous on a PADD that man's picture would come up and slap you in the face for thinking otherwise."

Nyota laughed. "Christine you really are too much."

"No really, Chris, he's fantastic," Nyota noted, "He's funny, smart, ambitious and he can wrap his tongue around the D'Reglian language like nothing I've ever heard--,"

"Honey, I bet he can wrap that tongue around some other things just as well, but continue,"

Nyota mock-glared at Christine and said, "Well, I wouldn't be adverse to a second date."

Christine squealed. "I knew it! Damn it! Pavel owes me twenty credits."

Nyota gasped. "You guys were taking bets on me?"

"Well, not bets really, just friendly wagers. Don't be mad. Besides, Pavel is the one who suggested Dimitri. We all met at a convention three years ago but I didn't even think to call him up until Pavel suggested it."

Nyota grinned. "What would I do without you guys?"

"I don't know, but you owe me a triple-dipped Alorian ice cream and popcorn when we get back," Christine quipped.

"Alright," Nyota agreed, "Just as long you include a really good twenty-first century Terran movie and you've got yourself a deal."

They quickly checked their makeup before leaving and resumed their evening.

After dinner, they strolled along the busy Deltan streets that were awash in the light of three pale moons. Nyota began to feel—content. Dimitri had been the consummate gentleman and his effervescent personality was a refreshing change from Spock's quiet brooding.

Soon, Nyota and Dimitri were walking some ways from Christine and Len. She sat beneath a flowering tree and Dimitri picked a blossom and placed it in her hair.

"It is beautiful," he told her in Turkish, "Rather like you."

Nyota grinned shyly and blushed slightly beneath the weight of his gaze.

On impulse she stood and faced him and felt herself drawing steadily closer to his full lips. His hands slid lightly across her arms and his tangy scent filled her nostrils.

Before she could make contact with his lush mouth, his communicator chirped and interrupted the pleasant silence.

"I am sorry, Nyota, I am needed back on my ship. But I will be traveling on the Enterprise for research, can I—can we—go out again?"

Nyota smiled and nodded, "Of course. You can get all the info. from Christine."

He kissed her hand, and the warmth of his lips sent pleasant chills down her spine.

They walked to where Len and Christine were and he bid them good night and headed back to his ship.

Christine whistled, "Dreamy, huh?"

McCoy humphed. "I guess if you go for the pretty boy type he's just dandy."

Christine kissed him on the cheek. "Don't be jealous. He's not my type. I like craggy doctors with chips on their shoulders."

Len graced her with a rare smile. "Well now, that sounds more like it."

Suddenly Len's face slid back into its usual grimace. "Damn green blooded goblin! Just knows how to ruin a good day."

Nyota turned and saw Spock quickly approaching.

**