AN: Quick updates, yes? I think I'll answer my reviews at the top of the page and do a second Authors note at the end of the chapter to wrap things up.
Joanna (Guest): I had something like that planned out already, and I included it in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.
patrixis: I know! I feel so bad for putting him through that, but it is necessary for a storyline. Le sigh. By the way, you were my first reviewer, favorite(r?) and follower! Special hugs for you!
The Sorceress's Apprentice: Thank you, darling. I really appreciate your support. (:
Enjoy Chapter Two!
[Update, 12-27-23: I realized I had the first line missing from the story. Oops. Well, I fixed it.]
"I bet you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today."
"Captain, your statement is quite illogical considering the fact that we all know why we are here."
"Geez, Spock. Way to ruin it."
"Can you hurry this up, Jim? I do have a life outside of my work, you know. I'd like to get back to it."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, did phase one part A go according to plan?"
"Affirmative, Captain. Ensign Aaron Michaels was very compliant."
"Good. Bones, is phase two ready?"
"Yeah. Damnit man, I'm not an idiot. Of course it's ready."
"Go drink some whiskey or something."
"What're you trying to say?"
"…Nothing?"
"You're damn right."
"Jim!"
"Right, yeah, sorry. Off topic."
"No, I mean I have an update."
"What?"
"Sulu sent me a PADD, and he says phase one B went perfectly. He's good and jealous now. And possibly a little hurt."
"Excellent."
"I do not understand, Nyota. Why is it a good thing for Lieutenant Chekov to be jealous?"
"Because it shows that he really cares for Vienna. Plus it sets up the rest of our plan."
"I am still not sure if I understand, but I can question you later."
"Alright then. Now that Spock has proved once and for all that he still understands nothing about the human race, let's focus on phase two. Now…"
Pavel gulped. "A date?" He asked nervously. This was not part of his plan. He didn't anticipate somebody else asking her first. Perhaps Hikaru was right, and he shouldn't have waited.
Vienna nodded. "Yeah. I'm not sure if I'm going, but he seems nice enough of a guy." She cringed internally. She didn't really want to go on a date with Aaron, and knew for a fact that Aaron didn't want to go on a date with her, but Nyota had told her that the best way to see if a guy likes you is to make him jealous. Vienna didn't like the sound of that at all, but it's not like she's ever been on a date before. She was always too busy studying at the Academy to go out, plus she was (and still is) underage.
"It's worth a shot." Hikaru shrugged from Pavel's couch. "He seems like a decent guy. Besides, he knows that you're friends with pretty much all of his bosses, and that we'll kill him if he tries anything." Vienna made a face, as if considering the idea.
"Maybe. I'd like to get to know him before I date him, you know?" She said, indifferent.
You already know me! You wouldn't need to worry about that with me! Pavel's mind screamed. The fact that she was considering dating this person she barely even knew didn't exactly make Pavel happy. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
"I think," Pavel said slowly, "That I need some rest. I'm more tired than I thought I was. Can we have the match tomorrow?" He didn't want to deal with Vienna right now. Hikaru practically lived in Pavel's room, so he couldn't exactly kick him out, but he would rather he left as well.
Pavel met Vienna's eyes by accident. She looked hurt. He hated that look in her eyes. Normally, he would be the one cheering her up right now, but he figured she would probably go to Nyota and talk to her. "Uh, sure, Pav. I'll… I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Karu." She frowned one last time at Pavel and gave a wave to Hikaru and left the room.
Hikaru let out a low whistle. "Wow. I'm sorry, Pasha."
"It isn't your fault. You were right, I shouldn't have waited. I think I will go to sleep now, though. Goodnight." Pavel said, shrugging one shoulder, dismissing his friend. Hikaru smirked behind his friend's back. Of course he didn't like seeing the young man in pain, but he knew that in just a few days, he'll be happier than he ever was before, if/when the plan goes perfectly. With that thought, Hikaru finally got off Pavel's couch and into his own room.
"Computer, lights at fifteen percent." The lights dimmed in Pavel's room as he lay down on his bed. He had thought he considered every possible action of Vienna's, but going out with another guy had never even crossed his mind. He sighed and turned over to face his wall, pulling his favorite blanket his mother had knitted him in Russia over his face and closed his eyes. Sleep was probably the best thing for him right now.
Vienna sat down on her bed and sent out a distress call to Nyota via PADD. To; Lieutenant Nyota Uhura: Hey, Ny. I think your plan worked. Please help.
Vienna sighed, staring at her wall blankly. She hadn't anticipated Pavel to get so hurt. Her experience with guys was nonexistent, so it wasn't like she knew this would happen. She wanted to date Pavel, not Aaron Michaels. He was nice enough to offer her help in Nyota's plan of making Pav jealous, but he didn't really want to date her. That fact relieved her a little bit. Now she wouldn't have to tell whichever poor sap Nyota had pressured into dating her that she wasn't interested.
A few more moments of staring at nothing in particular later, Nyota sauntered into Vienna's room and plopped herself on her bed. "Sorry, honey. Jim wanted to talk with the senior officers for a while."
Vienna glanced at the gorgeous African American woman. "Why weren't Pavel and Hikaru there, then?"
Nyota shrugged, giving nothing away. "Ask the captain that, not me. Anyway. So the plan worked?" She asked excitedly.
Vienna just looked miserable. "Yes," she moaned, "And now he's upset!" The younger girl buried her face in her fluffy white pillow, laying face down across her bed. Nyota rubbed her back soothingly.
"It's okay, sweetie. I promise, once you tell him the truth, you'll be dating in no time." Nyota replied, giving Vienna an encouraging smile she couldn't see.
"Nht uiy qu y wuf pu jy qu pid u vuh jurs vace?" The girl asked, muffled by her pillow.
"I speak a lot of different languages, but I've never heard of that one." The older woman joked.
Vienna lifted her face up and looked up at her friend. "I said: Why do I have to lie to him in the first place?"
Crap, thought Nyota. This girl's really got it bad. "Because, honey. Guys are very simple creatures, and their brain doesn't know when they want someone until that person slaps them in the face with it."
"But Pav is my best friend! He doesn't like me!" the girl protested. "Besides, what is there to like?" She added in a lower tone, hoping Nyota wouldn't hear it.
She was wrong. Nyota's gentle eyes turned icy, like they did when she was around the Captain. "What did you just say?" She ground out. Vienna knew better to respond. "You are a beautiful young woman. Not to mention you're extremely friendly, kind, funny, you kick ass at fighting, you're an amazing runner, and you're also the smartest person I know. Who wouldn't like you?"
Vienna pouted. "But Pavel doesn't like me like… that. Besides, I don't even know if I like him like that!" Nyota sighed. She loved Vienna, she really did, but sometimes this kid drove her crazy when she said things like that.
"Vienna Audra King. Who's the one who's an expert on love here?"
Vienna frowned. "You are."
"That's right. So can you trust me on this?"
The blonde sighed. "Yeah, I'll trust you.
Nyota nodded once. Jim would be pleased to hear how Vienna was coming along. They were that much closer now to getting the Chekov and Vienna together. "I gotta go, sweetie. Spock wants to take me to dinner. Call me if you need me."
Vienna shook her head. "I won't interrupt you two. Bye, Nyota."
Uhura smiled warmly at her younger friend and stood up to leave. When her hand was on the door, Vienna stopped her. "Hey, Ny?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"How did you know that you and Spock loved each other?"
"Oh, I knew from the very beginning. Spock, however, took some convincing."
"Oh. Ny?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, honey. I'll see you tomorrow."
AN: Well? What did y'all think? Reviews are much appreciated and bring me extreme happiness.