Gardens in the Rain, chapter 3

Kirk strode briskly through the corridors on his way to briefing room three. He had been disappointed this morning to learn that Spock, Uhura, and Lenox hadn't made any progress toward solving their puzzle, but he hadn't been surprised, for they didn't have much to work with in the way of clues. However, the summons he had just received from Uhura sounded very hopeful. Maybe they'd had a breakthrough.

He met Captain Ames outside the door, and they entered the room together. Not wasting any time, Kirk nodded at Uhura and Lenox, then came around the table to stand behind Spock.

"Report."

Spock swiveled the computer screen so that Kirk could see it.

"Until approximately twenty-three minutes ago," he said, "we had concentrated our efforts on searching for a pattern among the recorded incursions. We took into consideration flight paths, destinations, timing, the size of the ships, and a number of other factors."

He glanced up at Kirk, who nodded.

Spock continued. "What we did not consider, however, was the relationship between any single incursion and its 'neighboring' incursions. By neighboring, I do not mean flights with geographic proximity, but rather temporal. We have taken each flight singly and plotted it against all other flights, and this is what we found. Computer, show vessel activity for overlapping three-day periods, incrementing by one day for each display."

Kirk frowned as he watched a series of charts march past. "I'm afraid I don't see anything."

Uhura perched on the edge of the table next to him. "Wait, Admiral."

Looking closer, Kirk was silent. Finally, he said, "There." He pointed at the screen. "And there it is again."

Spock nodded. "Exactly."

Moving closer, Ames said, "There is what again? Commander Uhura?"

She slid off the table. "Computer. Freeze image."

The computer paused. On the screen was a starchart overlaid with the diagram representing all Klingon activity during that three-day period.

Leaning over Spock's shoulder, she tapped the lower portion of the display. "We all know that there has been a great deal of activity in the area of Nistras Three."

Ames smiled. "Oh, yes. On this display alone, I see that the buggers came all the way to the edge of the neutral zone on a direct line for our dilithium mines."

"And of course when they did that, we focused all our attention there," added Lenox.

Uhura nodded. "Correct. But watch what happens up here..." she gestured up and to the left, "...every time we show three or more Klingon ships near Nistras Three. Computer, resume."

The small symbols faded in and out as the overlapping three-day periods continued across the screen. Ames watched in silence for a few moments.

"Now I see it. Every time they sent a group of ships toward Nistras Three, they sent one ship toward Epsilon Triana almost immediately afterward. They were distracting us."

"Yes." Sinking into a chair, Kirk rubbed his chin. "But why? What could be on Epsilon Triana that they'd want?"

"We do not know that there is anything on Epsilon Triana," said Spock. "That is a relatively unremarkable portion of space, and it has therefore remained largely unmapped. It is possible that the Klingon interest only appears to be directed at Epsilon Triana. It is also possible that this is yet another decoy."

Ames sat down next to Kirk. "We're headed that way, but we're too far away to scan."

"When will we be close enough to scan?" asked Kirk.

"At this speed, we won't be able to use long-range sensors until the day after tomorrow," replied Lenox. "The area is seeded with surveillance buoys, but they're programmed to detect ship movements. They won't help us much on this."

Spock folded his hands on the table. "I intend to review those surveillance logs in greater detail, but I suspect that Commander Lenox is correct when he states that they will tell us nothing new."

"We don't dare alter speed," said Uhura. "The Klingons would know that we've discovered something."

Spock nodded. "Agreed. I recommend that we maintain current speed. My estimate is that we can begin long-range scanning in two days at approximately 0930 hours. In the meantime, we should study whatever data is currently at our disposal."

Ames nodded at this statement, so Kirk stood and walked toward the door. "That's what we'll do, then. Keep me posted."

Already facing the computer again, Spock said, "Yes, sir."

Kirk and Ames left the conference room and headed for their respective bridges.

...

Waiting patiently until the Lexington's transporter room formed around him, Spock stepped down and halted in front of Nyota.

"Greetings, Commander," he said formally.

"Welcome to the Lexington, Commander."

"Thank you." He nodded at the transporter technician, then followed her out of the room. "Was your evening meal satisfactory?"

"Oh, I suppose. I would have rather eaten with you on the Enterprise, but Captain Ames wouldn't let me off the hook. And I can understand why he wanted me to stay here. I've hardly talked to him for two days. Would you like to see the ship?"

"Yes, very much."

"All right. Do you want the grand tour, or just the abbreviated one?"

"Perhaps we could view selected areas tonight and reserve the rest for later."

"That sounds good. I know exactly where I want to take you. Let's go for a walk in the arboretum."

"That would be agreeable."

Nyota touched him lightly on the arm as they strolled through the corridor. "I had hoped that you might be able to meet some of my friends, but tonight is poker night, and they're all occupied."

Feigning surprise, he said, "You are missing poker on my behalf? I am honored."

"It is a huge sacrifice." They stepped into the lift. "You know, last night you got to plan what would happen once we were alone. I think that tonight it should be my turn."

"That would be an equitable arrangement."

"Let's see..." A sly smile played across her lips. "After our walk in the arboretum, we go up to the observation deck. Except for us, it's empty, and you kiss me. Right there."

"That is rather bold of me."

"Oh, yes. It's not a discreet little kiss, either. You pull me into your arms and kiss me like you really mean it. Pretty soon, we're both hot and bothered, so we decide that it's time to go to my quarters. Once there, I lower the lights and ask for music."

"Debussy, perhaps?"

"Debussy would be very nice. Have you decided that you like his music, after all?"

He hesitated. "I know that you like it."

She frowned at him before continuing. "I tell the computer to play Debussy's orchestral works, and I ask if you would like something light to eat."

The lift stopped, and they began walking again. "Do I agree?"

"Yes, you do, so I open a bottle of chilled Chablis and take two perfect Anjou pears from stasis. I fill two glasses with wine and we gently tap them together before drinking, then I turn away to cut the pears. You're standing very close behind me, and even though I pretend to be interested in the pears, all I can think about is you. I cut one of the slices in half and ask if you want to sample it."

"I am certain that I say yes."

"You do, so I turn around and feed it to you. You tell me that it's delicious and insist that I taste it, too, and your arm brushes my breast as you reach for the other half of the slice. The pear is very ripe, and the juice drips as you put it into my mouth. I grasp your hand and slowly lick the sticky syrup from your fingers, careful to find every sweet drop." She drew out the last three words, pitching her voice to a low, sultry level.

Her steps slowed, and Spock noticed that they had reached the arboretum. Stopping just short of the sensors that would open the door, he asked, "Am I to assume that you have two perfect Anjou pears in your quarters?"

"Mmm hmm."

"What happens after we sample them?"

"Now it's your turn to wonder. Suffice it to say that we don't finish eating the pears until later, much later, when we're thoroughly sated and lounging naked in my bed."

"Ah. I see." He swallowed. "Most interesting."

"Isn't it, though?" She held his eyes for a moment, then said, "Come on, let's see the arboretum."

When they walked through the door, Spock stopped almost immediately and raised both eyebrows. He had visited many arboretums on many ships, but never had he seen anything like this. Looking from a cluster of generously blooming Deltan eloya trees to a clump of soft, green ferns, he murmured, "Impressive."

"This arboretum is the pride of the ship. I try to come down here as often as I can. Sometimes I walk, sometimes I sit, and sometimes I just smell the flowers, but no matter how hectic my day is, I always find calm in this place. Come over here."

Grasping his hand, she towed him behind her. He heard a nearby rustling and knew they were not alone, but the foliage was thick enough that no one could see them, so he tolerated her enthusiasm. She pulled him along a winding path that was obviously designed to give the illusion of distance, and as they passed a fragrant bush, a large yellow butterfly fluttered drunkenly from the purple blossoms. Soon, she halted in front of a rose bush.

"These are my roses," she said, glowing with pride. "I couldn't believe that there wasn't a single rose in the entire arboretum, and when I pointed that out to the chief botanist, he planted one. Oh, technically it's not mine—I don't even take care of it—but I claim it."

He stepped closer and touched a delicate cream-colored petal, tracing the blush of pink that tinged the edge. "What variety is this?"

"The name of this rose is 'Peace,' and it's been around for hundreds of years. It's a tea rose."

"I know that this is a tea rose."

"Now, just how do you know about tea roses?"

"My mother grows roses. Rather, I should say that she attempts to grow roses. While she has finally found some hardy strains that can survive on Vulcan, her success is qualified. It is a constant challenge."

"I'm sure that's true."

"Years ago, she repeatedly attempted to introduce roses to her garden on Vulcan, but the fierce sun burned them. Although I was very young, I remember her determination. Each time her plants died, she planted more and increased their water. Finally, her roses lived, but the Vulcan plants died, drowned."

"Oh. That's almost sad." Nyota looked back down at the roses. "Did she ever find the balance she needed?"

"Eventually. She experimented until she found the most tolerant Terran and Vulcan plants. In addition, she planted very carefully, grouping by the amount of moisture required. Her garden grows. It does not thrive, but it survives."

"I guess there's something to be said for survival."

"Yes."

She looked at the roses again, then turned toward him. "Now, would you like to see the observation lounge?"

...

"Nyota." Spock placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "Nyota."

She rolled over without opening her eyes. "Mmmm... What is it?"

"It is 0500 hours, and I must return to the Enterprise. Do not rouse yourself. I merely wished to tell you that I was leaving."

Expecting her to acknowledge his statement and go back to sleep, he was surprised when she scooted closer and pressed her body against his.

She licked her lips and murmured, "Stay, just for a minute."

"Very well." He placed his head back on the pillow.

She ran her hand across his chest. "I was having the most incredibly erotic dream."

"Indeed?"

"I was back on the Enterprise," she said sleepily. "It was a long time ago. I was young, but I was wearing the current uniform. You know, the jacket and the longer skirt."

He nodded, and she continued.

"I was by myself in a briefing room, working. I guess that it was the same one we've been practically living in over the last two days. Anyway, I was standing near the computer with my back to the door. I heard the door open, but for some reason I didn't turn around. Someone walked up behind me and stopped. I still didn't turn around. The next thing I knew, I felt hands running slowly up the outsides of my legs. It was incredible. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed it, letting the person bend me over the computer and push my skirt up to my waist."

"And you did not know who was with you? Is that not rather promiscuous?"

"Spock, it was a dream! In my dream, it was right. That doesn't mean I'd really do something like that."

"I see. What happened next?"

"You woke me up."

"You appear rather disappointed."

"I am, but that's okay. You see, I know exactly who it was. It was you, the you of our original mission together. And I know what we were going to do, too."

"Nyota, I would never do something like that."

"I know. But I guess that our sexy conversations the past two days triggered it. And..." She snuggled closer, and he could tell that she was embarrassed.

"And?"

"And it's a whole lot like something else, a fantasy I have. With you. In a conference room. I would love to have sex on a conference room table."

He could not hide his amusement. "That would be not only highly improper, but quite uncomfortable."

She smiled and slid her hand around his back. "We wouldn't both be on the table. Just me. I could sit on the edge and you could stand between my legs. That wouldn't be uncomfortable at all."

"The table is too low. It would be awkward."

"No, it's not. That table is high. Don't you remember? We had to put it in there for Lieutenant Mtechz. He couldn't get all four legs under the regular tables."

"I do remember, but it is still not high enough." He reached around his back and removed her hand. "At any rate, it does not matter, because we are not going to have sexual relations in a conference room."

She laughed. "I know."

"It is time for me to leave." He brushed his fingers across her cheek, then climbed out of bed.

Rolling over to watch him dress, she said, "So do you think we'll be able to learn anything new today?"

"Truthfully? No. I intend to review surveillance logs until we are in range of Epsilon Triana, and once we begin scanning, I do not expect us to find anything immediately. The Klingons are too clever to give themselves away so easily."

He looked over to see that her eyelids had begun to droop. Fastening his jacket, he sat on the edge of the bed. "Go back to sleep. I will see you at 0800."

"All right." She pulled his head down so that she could kiss him. "See you then."

He quietly rose and left her quarters.

End chapter 3