**

She was beautiful. He had nearly forgotten how the silky wild fall of her dark hair looked against her flawless skin. He took in her long beautiful legs, at the lean line of her graceful neck and the luscious fullness of her lips.

He approached and stopped before her, hands clasped behind his back.

"Nurse Chapel," he nodded, "Doctor."

He paused as he looked at Nyota. "Nyota."

She nodded back and an uncomfortable silence engulfed them.

"May I speak with you a moment?," he finally spoke.

Christine glared and Leonard graced Spock with an even darker stare than usual.

"Its okay guys, I'll catch up with you," she told them and they walked off with Len muttering, "Damn elfin looking bastard…."

They walked in silence for a moment before he spoke, "I see that you were on a—date?"

"Yes," Nyota replied, "As a matter of fact I was."

Spock said nothing for a moment and then remarked, "I am happy for you."

Nyota snorted. "Truly?"

"Yes," he told her.

"What are you doing here anyway?," Nyota inquired, a steely edge in her voice.

"I was having dinner with Captain Pike and a few colleagues from the Academy. I saw you at the restaurant but you were—otherwise engaged."

Nyota said nothing and instead looked into the distance.

"I assume the Talexian hybrid was your companion?," he probed.

"His name is Dimitri," she snapped.

"Of course. I did not mean to offend,"

Nyota rolled her eyes. "Spock, what do you want?"

He stopped and faced her, "I—find that your absence--," he paused before continuing, "Saddens me."

Nyota stared agape. "Are you saying that you miss me?"

"I believe," Spock uttered, "That I do."

Nyota spun angrily and faced him, her mouth set into a firm line of anger. "You have no right! No right at all to miss me. You didn't care Spock! Where were you when I needed you? When I was calling out to you? Hurting?! You didn't give a shit."

"That is not true Nyota," he told her gently, "I cared deeply."

Nyota laughed bitterly, "Well if that's deep affection I think I'd rather have you hate me."

Spock flinched. "I could never hate you Nyota."

"Well you certainly didn't love me. At least not enough to stay."

"Nyota, that is certainly not the case, in fact I still--,"

"Don't say it!" Nyota warned, "Don't you dare tell me this now!"

Tears pricked her eyes and she took in a shaky breath. "Why do you have to mess up everything? Why Spock?"

Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. "I was having a good time. I met a really nice guy and then you showed up. McCoy was right. You do know how to ruin a good day."

"Nyota," Spock begged, "Please listen--,"

Nyota was already stalking angrily away. He watched as she hurriedly met up with McCoy and Nurse Chapel. They shot him what he determined to be several angry looks before heading back toward the base.

Spock stood still as intense sadness washed over him. He had never felt so—alone. He stood for awhile, letting emotions move through him in a tangled mass: fear, love, nostalgia and—hope. She still loved him. He was over 69.5% sure that her display was because she still held deep affection for him. His emotions swirled then coalesced into one distinct feeling—determination.

*******