Chapter Eight – Of Friends and Enemies

Uhura sat silently in her favorite nook right by a large window looking out into the stars. She had found this during the observation mission after pulling a long shift to cover for the other translator on the bridge. She needed a moment to sit down and this place offered a serenity that the mocha beauty loved. It was out of the way too, so not many of the crew passed by this point. Just...a small quiet spot she needed, and was relieve to find out that it was one of the few places untouched during the battle with Khan and the Admiral.

Right now, she had to have a place to think. Spock...he meant so much to her. She loved him so much. Uhura had thought that she had learned everything about the Vulcan. All his little ticks and shadows of emotions. But...when Bria showed up...she /saw/ the change. He was not...focused on anything anymore, even when it was just the two of them. Not that for the lack of trying apparently. Spock would apologize constantly when she caught him thinking to himself. Nyota knew she had lost him...but strangely enough the more the realized this the more...she just knew that this was a good thing.

Spock wasn't someone that could be figured out not matter how predictable he maybe at times. She had been so desperate to keep him by her side that she missed everything. Bria had somehow saw that. She had seen passed the Vulcan to the real Spock that Nyota had longed to see, to meet. Bria saw Spock...and Uhura was being selfish by clinging to him so hard as to hold him back from true happiness...

Uhura shook her head with a sigh, "Nyota...you are a real piece of work..."

"This is an unexpected surprise," a soft voice said. When Uhura looked up Bria quickly threw up her hands, "I don't want to fight. I honestly never expected to run into you since you've been actively avoiding me. I know Spock told you I wanted to apologize, because he promised he would and he's the type to keep promises. If you don't want to hear me out, I'll go back the way I came and you can continue to hate me."

Nyota bowed her head, nodding slightly with a sharp sigh, "I don't hate you, Bria...go ahead and sit down." She gestured to the place next to her. She deserved to be approached like the bitch she had acted like on the day they met. Bria seemed like a nice girl too, so it was unfair to act that way towards her even if she felt that she was provoked.

Bria was surprised by this, and instead of taking the seat beside her since the consol nooks weren't that big, and there weren't a lot of people on this level, she went ahead and sat across from her, "We got off on a really bad start. I am really, really sorry for what I did to you. We provoked each other, but I admit I took it too far by knocking you out. I could've done it a ton of other ways but I didn't. Can we try again? Talk about it civily like grown women instead of stressed out girls? Because I know you were worried about the ship, and hearing about Spock in sick-bay...and I was thrown into an entirely new world."

"Bria, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things about you." Nyota sighed, "So...yes, let's start over. I was...actually I was just thinking about this. You seem like a really great woman, I just...I'm just going to get this out of the way...Spock is distracted by you. That is a big thing because he is always focused."

"...What?" she stared at the chocolate skinned woman, "Come again? Why is he distracted by me? You're his girlfriend...I never intended to take him from you," she frowned.

"He spends every minute he can around you. He won't take time away from working or the time he spends with me, but I know that he will seek you out. He will zone out in thought, and he never does that. I can see it in his eyes, Bria...and he told me." Uhura, watched the woman carefully. "Spock isn't one to keep things from me when it concerns our relationship. He told me about the halo-deck thing. How you helped him with grieving over his mother. I've been waiting all this time for him to come to me about it, but you...you just drew it out of him."

"Spock would never go to anybody if he was upset," Bria frowned, "I know because I do the same thing. Instead of admitting I'm upset or seeking out comfort I just bottle it up or go off somewhere so I don't bother anyone else. I grieved for my boyfriend Max, but I've yet to let him go. Spock...hadn't done either." She sighed, "If it's hurting your relationship, I can try and avoid him for you. I never meant to break anybody apart." The thought of avoiding Spock upset her, but she shook her head. She was a stranger to their world, only been there for a week or so, and she didn't have the right to take Spock from her.

"No, don't do that Bria." Uhura stated firmly, shaking her head. "I love Spock, but I know I am not the person for him. He needs someone who can draw out those emotions, remind him that he's not all Vulcan like he tends to act like. Spock and I have never been...right for another, never quite understanding each other. I think that we...have been drifting apart long before you came along. Besides, Bria, you have his attention."

"What...are you trying to say, exactly? Are you...letting me have him or something?" the brunette furrowed her brows, "I don't want to take this the wrong way. What made you suddenly change your mind about me, anyway?"

"Spock did," Uhura smiled a bit, "He defended you, but at the same time assured me that his relations were 'strictly professional', but I /do/ know him enough to see that he wanted it to be different. Spock has a great heart, Bria. A guy like that doesn't do that, and he sure doesn't defend just anyone. /Especially/, ones that had knocked out his girlfriend." Taking a deep breath, the mocha woman closed her eyes. She didn't want to say this...but she couldn't be selfish and keep an obvious match from another. Besides...she still could find her Mr. Perfect somewhere else. "What I'm trying to say, Bria, is that if you want to be with Spock...I won't stop you. I'll talk with him, and have him understand that. He won't want try anything with you until then because he is loyal and not one to try to be with someone when he's already with someone else."

"I understand," Bria said softly, "I don't know…what to say. Thank you? I know he'll be happy we're getting along at least…" She felt awkward now, "You're a good person, Uhura. Let's…start from the beginning." She smiled and held her hand out, "Hi, my name's Brianna Knight, but call me Bria. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Uhura smiled and chuckled as she held out her hand, "I'm Nyota Uhura, You can call me either if you want. I'm used to it. It is a pleasure to meet you too...I do want to be friends, Bria, so don't worry about this. Love is a funny thing. So you don't have to feel awkward around me. I've had enough boyfriends to understand that that are plenty of fish in the sea."

X

After finding out what the little rat was, Carol made her way to the location. The training room was empty, thankfully, due to it being so late. Sarah was throwing knives at the targets set up, and she sneered as one hit the third ring out, "Do you /really/ expect to be any good at that?" she was satisfied when the next throw, the butt of the knife hit the wood instead.

Startled, Sarah whipped around with her hands wrapped around the handle of her knife. She hated being snuck up on ever since that close call with that guy Bria saved her from. When she saw it was Carol, it didn't comfort her at all. "I only just learning. I think I do pretty good for a beginner." the way that the blonde was talking to her made her uneasy and increasing her heartbeat as it always did when she /had/ to confront someone. Obviously that woman wasn't here for polite conversations.

"I don't see how Kirk could want /you/ over me," Carol sauntered over, "You don't know anything about this day and age. You're primitive, and you may have saved the ship, but I don't understand how, if you've never experienced any of this before."

"I couldn't tell you either. It just...happened." Sarah stated, her cheeks flushing. "A-and I don't know what your talking about with Jim. He's just a friend." So this was why Carol was here, to try to scare her off in order to get to Kirk. Well...she was intimidated, but she stood her ground...even if it was shaky.

"Jim's never acted like this towards anybody. He's going out of his way to make you and Bria comfortable and happy. He /never/ takes a day off for /anybody/. Spock has to schedule one for him. He hasn't shown interest in a woman for over a year. Then you show up and he's all over you!" Carol growled, "I've been trying to get his attention this whole time and it took you absolutely nothing!"

Sarah's jaw locked in place and her eyes narrowed dangerously. She had had customers, when she worked as a cashier at a gas station, yell at her plenty of times that her mind had a special mood that it went into. It was...like she had all the confidence in the world and the gut to stand up to the person. This only usually lasted a couple of minutes, however. "Look, I don't know who you think you are, and I don't know what you're trying to do by confronting me like this when I have no control over another person. I just know that Jim is a good guy, and he obviously has reasons for not wanting to be with you. I don't know what about me he apparently likes, alright. So confronting me is useless."

"You should just give up," Carol sneered at her, "We're coming across a planet soon, and we're going to make contact with it. You should stay behind. You're not worth Jim's time."

"That maybe so," Sarah said, raising her chin, "But then again, you're not worth his time either." Turning around, Sarah's right eye stung slightly as she threw the knife as hard as she could at one of the training dummies. It lodged itself dead center on the dummy's head with a satisfying /thunk/. "Well, my practice is finished. Have a /good/ day, /Carol/. I just hope you learn a /little/ more /class/ when you try confronting me again. Because /sugar/" the brunette used her Texas accent to change sugar into suga, the southern bell style, as she turned once more to leave with proud strides to the door, "you have /no/ clue who you are dealing with."

Once she passed through the doors, and they slid shut, Sarah immediately darted for the nearest bathroom. When she double checked to make sure that no one was in the bathroom, she all but broke down. She wasn't a confront-er. Sarah would rather just hide in a corner than stand up to someone, but Carol pushed all the wrong buttons. No matter what, Sarah wasn't one to give up. It was as much of a fault as it was a good thing. Carol confronting her just...fueled her now. Sarah pulled herself together, and set out to find Kirk. She had something she needed to ask before her confidence fled her.

X

On the empty bridge, the Captain looked out at the stars. Black...mysterious and unknown, with millions of white dots. Hope...hope of new life, new adventires. He wanted someone to be a part of these thew oportunities with him. He thought he was going to be alone. but Sarah...he had thought of her as his the other day. Was it...too soon? Would he scare her off or put her in denial? There was every posibility he would be friendzoned, too. Should he just...leave her be? Let her come to him? Jim groaned and rubbed his face just as he heard the turbo lift, "I thought I had the place to myself," he muttered.

"I can leave if you want," Sarah said gently, not wanting to disturb his peace and quiet. She understood how precious just being alone was, especially for a Captain like Kirk. "I don't want to interrupt any of your thoughts. I was just...well it can wait. Um, I-I'll just go."

"Sarah?!" Jim looked behind his chair, his eyes wide, and he held his hand out, "Wait, wait, don't leave." He jumped up and was across the deck in no-time with his long legs, "You're always welcome to stay. I enjoy your company. Are you alright? Your eyes are puffy..."

"Oh...I-I'm fine. Just...well it was nothing, I handled stuff like I always have before. No worries." the brunette bowed her head slightly. Gosh she must look like crap. Why didn't she try to fix herself up before running up here? Even that confidence she had was draining out. "I just...I-I was just wanting to ask something is all. It's probably just a stupid question. A-are you sure you're not busy? It really can wait if you are."

"No, I'm not busy at all," Jim assured and he reached out, gently taking her hand and led her to his Captain's chair, letting her sit down in it. It swallowed her and he cracked a smile, amused, "What's on your mind, Sarah? You can talk to me, and ask me anything."

Sarah blushed as she adjusted herself in the /huge/ chair. It was comfortable, and it was...empowering. This was were every decision for the whole ship was made. This was where people looked to for everything. Kirk...he was a strong man to handle all of this. Trying to 'tap into' this empowerment, Sarah took a deep breath. "Do you like me?" the words seemed to just explode from her mouth like a hot coal. This was...a good thing because she wasn't holding it back, but she still flushed hard at how desperate it sounded. "I-I meant that...do you like me...more than a friend? Or am I jumping too soon into this? Because I-I don't want to make you uncomfortable o-or anything."

Jim stared at her a moment. Did she really just repeat what he'd been thinking this whole time? "I've...been wondering that, myself," he murmured softly, and he knelt down in front of her. "I haven't felt like this...ever. It's all been one night stands, nothing really...substantial. It's all been empty." He shook his head, "I don't want to feel empty anymore. You...make me smile. Like, /actually/ smile. I can't stop the grin that pops on my face when you're around. I don't love you...not yet, but I /want/ to. I want to get to know who you are, share my world with you, have a chance to relax and just...be me. I haven't ever been able to do that. I'm always trying to prove myself but...you smile at my goofy quirks that slip out from time to time, and I want to see you smile more. I want to be the one who makes you smile. That's what I've been in here thinking about."

It...wasn't the romantic start she had wanted with her dream guy telling her he didn't love her yet, but wanted to. But...it made sense. Loving someone was a serious thing, especially for a woman who had never been in a relationship before. To just throw that word around at the start...it would be lying. Lust came before love. Love took time. Lust was instant. Anyone could lust after another, but only a few truly love another. Kirk was unknowingly, or maybe he did know, putting a pillow on the ground for her in case things fell through. "Well...you know what they say; great minds think alike...I just...never been in a relationship before, and you're...just, heh, so much better than I would have ever thought of when it comes to a guy liking me. And with what Carol said-" Immediately her mouth snapped shut, and she mentally kicked herself for possibly starting something. "I-I mean...th-that came out wrong. What I /meant/ to say was with everything that has happened to me in the past, I just never thought that someone like you would ever even consider someone like me."

Carol...Jim's eyes flashed at her name and the face Sarah tried to cover it up. What had she done to hurt Sarah? Was that why she had been crying? He reached out and touched her cheek tenderly, "Will you accompany me to my room?" He held his other hand up, "I don't want to do anything. I just want to talk...tell you about me, and why...your worries are misplaced. I'm far from perfect myself, Sarah...and maybe if I tell you about my past, you'll understand. I don't want to stay here all night, though. I have more comfortable chairs in my room, and it's 10x more private."

"This won't...look inappropriate will it? I mean...I don't want anyone to think badly of you." Sarah blushed again, feeling tingles at his touch. If it wouldn't look so cheesy, she could have closed her eyes and concentrated on that oddly nice feeling. Instead, she just smiled as she tilted her head slightly into his hand so that it was pressed there a bit more. "I would like to learn more about you too. I could even tell you more about myself as well."

"I don't care if it'll look inappropriate, really," Jim shrugged and he stood up, helping her to her feet as well, "Will you...be my girlfriend, then? I've...never had a relationship, either. This is just as huge for me as it is for you. I don't want to rush you, though. We can just...be friends, until we're comfortable."

Sarah made a little face, "I'm...slow. I feel things out before I jump because I've found there aren't any nets in life to catch you...but I just...have a gut feeling that maybe this is different. I mean...if you are uncomfortable with the idea of being a boyfriend, then I can wait. I'll follow your lead, Jim."

"I'm just worried about running you off," Jim admitted blushing sheepishly, "I care for you, I really do. I'd be happy to be your boyfriend, Sarah." He leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead, "I'll be faithful to you, I promise. Though I'm a bit lacking in 'boyfriend etiquette' I'll try my best."

"That's alright with me," Sarah grinned bashfully, her face practically a tomato. "I'm not sure how a girlfriend actually works, so we'll both learn...but I do want to make something clear right now. I am not going to jump into bed with you, not for a while at least. If you are looking for that kind of a physical relationship, you're out of luck. I may be new to this world, but my morals still stand."

"I understand. We'll compromise at kissing and cuddling, when we're ready," Jim stuck his tongue out playfully, "Let's go." This...this was perfect. That grin was back and he felt...so light, almost as if the gravity had been turned off. Wrapping his arm around her like he'd been wanting to, he led her to the turbo-lift.