Chapter 6

Arrival at Alpha 1 was a relief for Captain Kirk as he put the final touches on the paperwork required for the transfer of the Brondus V artifacts as well as the Trelorman ambassadorial envoy. The Brondus V artifacts had already been beamed over to the science lab and the debriefing session was arranged for 1400 hours. Ambassador Guun and his people were taking their time to leave the ship, but the sooner the better for Kirk. After days of formal dinners and tedious rituals, he was more than glad to be rid of them.

Yeoman Rand entered his ready room with a clipboard, presenting it to him for a series of approvals for routines to be run while they were near Alpha 1. He took the clipboard and went through them swiftly. The Yeoman stood by dutifully, waiting for him to be finished. The door chirped, and Kirk absentmindedly called for them to enter, still reading over the last of the orders before he signed them. He expected to see one of his crew, so was surprised to look up and see Tria enter instead.

He handed the clipboard back to the Yeoman, thanking her. Ms. Rand took it and walked briskly past Tria and out the door, but not without giving the other woman a sideways glance. Kirk stood behind his desk, motioning Tria in. "Ms. Meyers," he said, "what can I do for you? I hope there wasn't any problems transporting those artifacts over to the science lab."

Tria stepped closer and Kirk waved her into one of the chairs opposite his desk. They both sat as Tria said, "That's not what I came to ask you about, Captain." Kirk looked intrigued. "I wanted to talk about something a little less … official. Do you mind if I speak candidly?"

Kirk smiled. "Of course."

"I've been thinking about this for a few days and I didn't think there was a better way than to just ask you. I'm afraid I don't want to leave your ship just yet."

"Oh?" His smile turned to a mischievous grin.

She put up a hand for him to stop. "Please," she laughed. "Captain, I didn't come here to be patronized."

He tried to look more serious, "I didn't mean any offense, Ms. Meyers."

"Why don't you just call me Tria, sir. Ms. Meyers is what my schoolmates called my mother."

Kirk laughed. "In that case, since this is unofficial business, you can call me Jim." He folded his hands on the desk, leaning back. "What about your work the the Brondus alien society."

"The further reports my colleagues have been sending us from Brondus V tell me they don't require me to return there. I could if I wanted to, but, as I'm here, I think it would be obvious that I don't. Anything new they find that needs translating can be sent to me over subspace, so it's not necessary for me to return to the system unless a new site is discovered. Then I might consider it."

"So instead of returning to Brondus V, you want to stay on my ship."

"Yes."

Kirk looked a little more serious. "Well, typically civilians are not stationed aboard star ships unless there is good reason."

"That had occurred to me," she said quickly. "I was hoping I could be of use to you in your travels. After all, exploration is the name of the game here, isn't it? I would love the chance to study alien cultures and perhaps my background in cultural anthropology and language can benefit contact with them."

He considered that a moment. Kirk knew the possibility for her to stay was there, but he knew exploration and cultural study wasn't what was drawing her to the Enterprise. "Speaking candidly," he said, hoping that using her own words wouldn't make him seem too forward; "Does Spock know you're here?"

She clasped her hands in her lap, looking down at them shyly. She smiled, sighed, and looked back at him. "No. I had a feeling that the idea might be difficult for him. Vulcan pride is … difficult to predict. Especially when it comes to personal matters."

He nodded appreciatively. "I think I know that all too well. I'm just concerned about what his thoughts on the matter would be. I mean, I know you and he are … um …"

"I think Vulcans would call it courting," she offered. "Though I wouldn't know for sure," she gave him a wry smile.

"Well whatever you want to call it, I've never seen Spock take interest in any woman without some alien drug or cosmic effect influencing him." Something occurred to him. He grinned and joked, "You're not hypnotizing my first officer, are you, Tria?"

She laughed. "If I were I would have made him come talk to you and spare me the embarrassment."

Still amused with himself, but trying to get to the point, he continued. "I guess what I'm getting at is; are you sure he will be okay with it? I think I can wrangle you a spot on board, at least for a little while. I'd be glad to have you, regardless of your motives. But if Spock ..."

"Jim," she stopped him short. "I know what you're getting at. If you are worried about my wellbeing, you needn't. If you're concerned about what he might say, then ask him. However he told me yesterday that he wished Alpha 1 was on the other side of the quadrant, just so that it would take that much longer to get here."

Kirk looked doubtful. "He said that."

"Yes," she said firmly. "Though I would hope you have the courtesy not to repeat that. I doubt he would look kindly on my sharing private conversations with his Captain; even if you are his friend."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Now she looked doubtful. "I promise," he added. She nodded, believing him now. She seemed to be waiting for some sort of answer, as she didn't say anything else right away. "I'll give it some consideration. I have to clear it with the fleet commander, but I doubt it will be a problem." He paused, not sure how to voice the equivocal feeling he still had about Spock.

She must have known what he was thinking, somehow. "If you're still worried about him, then ask him. I'll talk to him the next time I see him, but I doubt that it won't be until after the briefing."

"Vulcan pride aside, why didn't you ask him before you came to me?"

Tria smiled softly. "I think that he would have wanted to make the arrangements for me, see to it I had a place on the ship, that everything was in order... you know. But I didn't want him to. I wanted to do it myself."

He smirked. "Maybe you have a little of that Vulcan pride yourself."

She chuckled. "You might think that, but no. I think that this particular brand of ego is discernibly human. Spock wouldn't understand that, but you would."

"I think I know exactly what you mean."

"I'm glad." She stood up to leave. "Thank you, Jim. I appreciate your help. If all goes well, I'll be honored to have the chance to stay aboard."

"I'm sure we'll be lucky to have you."

Tria smiled, nodded respectfully, and left the Captain's ready room; hoping for the best.

***

Kirk entered the transporter room to find his first officer waiting for him. The Vulcan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting for his arrival before beaming over to Alpha 1. "Captain," he said, "the Trelormans were most unhappy you were not here to see them off."

Kirk smirked. "I'm sure they were," he said. Kirk had been lucky enough to get a hold of Rear Admiral Ross just before Ambassador Guun was scheduled to beam over to Alpha 1. Official Starfleet business had turned out to be a good excuse to avoid the Ambassador, though officially, he would never admit it. He turned to the ensign at the transporter console. "We all set?"

"Ready sir," the young man said.

Kirk motioned for Spock to lead the way. They took their positions on the pads and were transferred to Alpha 1's transporter room. Spock led them out of the room, "The briefing will take place in Science Lab 3," he said as they walked. They passed a group of officers coming off the turbolift at the end of the hall and took their place in the little room. Spock tapped the console commanding, "Deck two." The lift took off.

"Spock," he said suddenly, "did you talk to Tria before you sent the Trelormans on their way?"

"I did not, Captain. Was there a problem with the artifacts after they were transferred?"

"No." Kirk silently cursed. He'd hoped to avoid having to be the one to drop the proverbial hammer. "She came to talk to me before she beamed over to see the last of the artifacts brought over. She asked if she could get permission to stay on board the Enterprise after we left Alpha 1."

For what little he could read, Spock was surprised. One eyebrow raised typically, but it was the minuscule jaw drop that made Kirk wonder if Tria wasn't playing with fire. "I was not aware she was interested in staying aboard the Enterprise." His tone was carefully flat, making it even more difficult to gage his reaction.

"She said something about wanting to arrange it herself. I think she thought that if she asked you about it, you would have tried to do it for her."

The lift stopped, doors opening. Stepping out Spock said, "It is logical that I would be able to help make such a thing possible as I am a Starfleet officer."

They stood in front of the lift, the doors closing behind them. "Regardless, I spoke with Admiral Ross. The word is given. Six weeks permission for civilian guest consultant pertaining to Federation-Alien studies." Spock was silent. Kirk could almost see the cogs moving in his head. "I'm telling you because I don't think she'll want to take it if you don't want her to."

"Jim," he said, "you should not presume to play matchmaker."

Now Kirk raised his eyebrows. "Who's presuming?" He pointed at the Vulcan. "Look, she came to me. I don't have a problem with it," he said pointedly. "What I'm saying is, if you do, there's no point. Even if this is a good opportunity for her line of work, she wouldn't have considered working with Starfleet if it weren't for you. So stop being so damn stubborn and give me a yes or no. Or give her a yes or no. I don't care, but I'm damn well not trying to play matchmaker for a Vulcan. Logic doesn't mesh too well with romance." His choice of words didn't seem to set well with Spock, but he didn't care. Discussing subjects such as this were always like pulling teeth with him, best friend, or not. He turned heel and started down the hall, taking a left at the fork.

"Captain," Spock called.

Kirk turned around. He was getting what passed for an amused look. "That way." Kirk rolled his eyes, turned heel, and went down the other hall.

***

Following her briefing, the staff of Alpha 1 filed out of the room, save for a few key personnel who came to ask Tria a few additional questions. Kirk was talking to the station's commander and the two also wandered out of the room, talking shop. Spock stayed behind, watching Tria talk to the Starfleet scientists. She smiled and laughed as their questions turned into storytelling. When she caught sight of him still standing in the lab, she excused herself, and crossed to him. She looked at him and easily read his face, though to anyone else it was just as devoid of emotion as ever. "Kirk talked to you," she said. It was not a question.

His eyes flickered to the science staff. "He did. Come," he moved toward the door and she followed, matching his stride. Outside, staff were still gathered, talking. Having studied the station's blueprints before their arrival, he knew of a rec room not for from their location. He led them in that direction, silent.

When they entered the room, he was relieved to see it was empty. As the door shut behind them he turned, ready to speak. She beat him to the punch; "You didn't honestly expect me to go back to Brondus and let you leave me there."

"I assumed you knew there were other options. I have a great deal of accumulated leave time. I would be able to use that to see you when possible."

"How often," she demanded. "Every few months? Quarterly? No, I couldn't stand that."

"There are only 209 days left in the Enterprise's five-year mission," he reasoned. "Granted it is not extended, significant leave time is granted before the next assignment."

"Why are you even telling me this," she asked. He could tell she was starting to get irritated.

"I am merely pointing out the other logical options for maintaining our involvement."

"Spock," she complained.

"Tria, life on a starship is hard; and dangerous. I did not consider this an option because I did not think that it was something you would want. You have a tendency toward the academic, not adventure."

She stepped close to him, cautiously taking his hand. "I have a tendency toward embracing the things that make me happy." She sighed. "Whatever might be hard about it, I would do it to stay with you, even if it was just for a little while longer. A few days just wasn't enough."

He pursed his lips. "Permission has been granted, but only for six weeks."

"It's a start." She squeezed his hand. "I'll only stay if you want me to."

His face softened. "I do want you to stay. I am only concerned about your motives. You should not do this only on my account."

She smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'll find plenty to do, trust me. For each civilization you've discovered, there is a study to be done; even if it's just from reports and records. I might even ask Uhura if she wants to tinker with the universal translator with me."

His eyes smiled, but his face remained stoic. He touched her cheek lightly, dropping his hand quickly as the door opened. Tria let go of his hand casually and said, "How about a game of chess tonight?" The staffers that walked in looked confused as they passed them, but continued on with their conversations. Spock watched them carefully, but Tria was already on her way out the door. "Spock?"

He pivoted to face her, following. "I thought you didn't know how to play."

She grinned. "You can teach me. Then, I can baffle you with my lack of skill and logic."

"I remind you, Tria, I play with humans quite often. Illogical strategies are not foreign to me."

"Well, if that's true, then I might have to find some other way to break your concentration." She shot him a sensual look, lasting just long enough for him to catch her meaning before dropping it entirely. Spock trailed behind, trying not to let the images it called up to him distract him until they were back on the Enterprise, alone.

-----------------------------

~fin~

Thanks for reading! I plan to continue, but this is where I wanted to end this story arc. I'm hoping to do these in episodic stories, like the series. The next story will be called The Sirens of Thayra ... I hope you all enjoyed this so far and thanks for reading! ~ramfish