2258 – October 4th 2000 Hours

Chris glanced at Jim and Liv as they sat side-by-side, heads bowed together, voices low. She was a little worried as to what they were planning. Over the few weeks she'd learned the hard way that those two working together meant a prank was in store for someone.

But Liv looked up and smiled at Chris, motioning her over. Chris gave Spock an apologetic look as he sipped on his tea. "I'll be right back, Liv and Jim want me for something." Spock simply nodded and Chris darted off. "What's up?" She asked as she slid into the seat beside Liv.

The blonde grinned a most playful grin. "Halloween is coming up." She said, "If a certain Captain made a ship wide order for everyone to attend a Halloween party in one of the cargo holds, would you support said order and be sure a certain Vulcan First Officer attended… in costume?"

Chris shot Jim a half horrified, half excited look. "You're really considering this?"

Jim nodded. "Scotty and Galia are in, they're handling the decorations, Livie said she'd take the music, all I have to do is make the order to attend and take all the credit."

Chris snickered. She had a feeling that was a common thing with the Kirk twins. Jim was a genius but Livie had the particularly conniving mind that produced the best pranks and schemes, but Jim always took the credit… or the blame, depending on how you looked at it. "Heck yea." She said, feeling excited already. "How about you say they have to check in with me and log their costumes so we don't have duplicates?"

Livie squealed and threw her arms around Chris in a hug. "How did I live without you? You are a genius! I could kiss you, but you're blonde, and no offense to us blondes, but I don't do blondes."

Chris just laughed and hugged Liv back. 'Is this what it feels like to have a big sister?' She wondered absently as Liv released her and argued with her twin over the musical selection for the evening.

2258 – October 5th 0900 Hours

Chris watched as Jim set up a ship-wide announcement. "Attention Enterprise crew. As the thirty-first of this month is Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, I am going to throw us all a party. Said party shall be held in Cargo Hold Alpha, and all crewmen must attend. However to be nice, only the senior officers must stay the whole time. All personnel must be in costume and to prevent overlap please give crewwoman Pike your costume plans to reserve the right to them. That is all, thank you. Kirk out."

Jim grinned around the bridge to look his senior officer's in the face. "So, who's excited?"

2000 Hours

Chris all but ran to Jim's quarters and pounded on the door, looking frantically about. "Goddamn it Jim, open the bloody door before I find Spock and we break it down!" She snapped, pounding harder.

The door wooshed open and Chris nearly fell atop a half-naked, dripping wet Jim wearing nothing but a towel. With a yelp Chris leapt back. Jim just laughed. "What's so important Chris?" He asked, motioning for her to enter his quarters.

Chris did so slowly, unsure if she should dare given her Captain's and friend's state of dress. "The crew are livid and they're taking it out on me." She about cried, sinking into a chair. "If I have to deal with one more pissed off person who yells at me because they don't want to find a costume I am going to go postal."

Jim snickered, apparently familiar with the colloquialism, "So what would you have me do?"

Chris threw up her hands. "I dunno, but please, PLEASE, make it stop."

Jim sighed and frowned. "Fine, fine. Tell those who out right refuse to find a costume that if they don't want to be very festive then they may wear formal clothes and a mask. However as a compromise they have to stay for the whole party, no showing up and running." He grinned. "That should get them in the Halloween spirit."

Chris bounded to her feet and hugged Jim, ignoring, for the moment, that he was in nothing but a towel and still damp. "You are a wonderful, sweet man. I could kiss you, but since Uhura would chase me with meat tongs…" Jim cackled and Chris released him. "G'nite, O' Captain, My Captain!" She left him with a definite bounce in her step.

2258 – October 25th 1900 Hours

Spock twitched and looked sharply at Chris. "You are mistaken. I shall wear formal dress and a mask." He informed her, watching as her bright eyes dimmed slightly.

"Please Spock?" Chris begged, moving her queen to threaten his King yet again. Her illogical tactic-less tactics were quite effective. "I NEED you."

He would have huffed in mild annoyance, if he were human. "And why is it that you 'need' me?" He asked her, moving his rook to take her queen.

She moved her knight to take the rook and threaten his King. "I want to be an Earth characterature, a 'Southern Belle' from the U.S.A.'s history. And no good Southern Belle would be out without an escort."

"You wish for me to be you're escort?" He asked, moving his King, both curious and pleased that she would desire his company for the night.

Chris smiled her particularly beautiful, sweet smile at him. He knew, immediately, that he would give in. Because there was no logical reason to deny her request, and he could not bring himself to shatter her hopes. "Of course I do. I trust you. And you're the only one who doesn't already have a costume planned." She moved her rook to threaten his King. "Check."

As he eyed the board, searching for a way out of the Check he asked. "What would you have me wear?" He moved his final knight to protect his King. He knew he wouldn't win, but he could continue to fight… to enjoy the game a bit longer.

"Those jeans and the black button down we bought on leave, leather chaps, leather boots, and a cowboy hat." Chris chuckled, taking the knight. "Check and mate."

Spock tipped over his King. She won more often, he noticed. Either she was getting better, or he was getting worse. As the later was quite impossible, the former was likely. Chris was highly intelligent and had a learning curve nearly as impressive as his own. "I do not have the later three items." He said simply.

Chris grinned. "Not a problem, I've got a friend on the next SpaceStation, Vedelk. I placed a call to him last week. He'll have what we need when we reach them next week."

Spock nodded slightly. "I shall escort you, if you so desire."

Chris smiled as bright as the Earth's Sun. "I do so desire." She said smoothly, leaning across the table to close her hand on his, letting him feel the wash of gratitude. "You're my hero, again."

She released his hand and began setting up the board for a second game. As she did Spock allowed himself the momentary pleasure that her sincere words made him feel. His Chris wanted him to escort her. His Chris trusted him. His Chris considered him her hero. She might not be HIS persay, but she was as close as he could get, and for the time being it was enough.

2258 – October 31tst 2000 Hours

Chris didn't know what to expect when she stepped into the Cargo hold, but what she found was most certainly NOT it. Galia and Scotty had out done themselves. The large, slightly cold, metal box had been converted into a slightly spooky haunted grove. Real feeling trees and shrubs hid the walls; climbing vines covered the posts and climbed up the table legs. A smoke machine covered the floor with a thin layer of fog that moved with each step, and lights set into the floor and ceiling cast a misty, haunted sort of glow.

She was the first to arrive, Spock had been held up be the complaints of a fellow Science officer and had bid her to dress and go ahead, which only made the entire thing more creepy and beautiful… She spun in a slow circle, laughing to herself.

"Chris." Said a familiar voice. Chris spun around to smile at Spock but her smile died on her lips.

"Where's your costume Spock?" She asked, half accused. She'd gone through quite a lot of trouble for the damned costume for him to simply show up in his bloody uniform.

A single brow lifted but it did so slowly, jerkily, as if it were not a normal motion for the man. Chris frowned and looked closer. This Spock was shorter than her Spock… His shoulders less tense… And, now she looked for it, a single eyebrow was slightly crooked.

The not-Spock laughed. "Whaddya think Chrissy?" Asked Bones' drawl. The Not-Spock grinned a crooked, very Bones-esque grin.

Chris hugged her friend tightly. "Bones, that is amazing. You had me so fooled!" His arms lingered slightly on her, as if he missed the contact. Which given his solitary life he probably did.

He finally let her pull back and gave her a once over. "You look stunning. Right out of a dream I once had as a boy."

Chris laughed and twirled in her gigantic hooped skirt, curtsying just a little. "Why thank you, my good sir." She said as demurely as possible, putting on her best Texan Twang.

"Hello Chris." Drawled Jim. Chris was spun into his arms and out again. "You look amazing."

Chris glanced up at Jim but realized she didn't have to look up as much as she usually did. It looked like Jim, it sounded like Jim, it even moved like Jim. But the Jim in front of her was in uniform and two inches too short to be Jim. But those blue eyes were a dead giveaway. "Livie?" She asked, laughing.

Livie, dressed as Jim, bowed. "It was my height, wasn't it?" She sighed, still using Jim's voice. "Damned platform boots only go so high."

"And yer might break an ankle, and then where would you be?" Bones growled.

The Livie-Jim pushed the Bones-Spock. "Bite me you cantankerous Bastard." She snapped back good naturedly.

"Holy hell!" Said Jim from the door. "Who is that?" Chris turned and blushed a dark emerald at what she saw. Okay, fine, she blushed because she liked what she saw. But hey, she was only Human… mostly. Jim, the real Jim, strode in wearing nothing but a caramel colored leather panel skirt that reached his knees, gladiator sandals, and a sword strap across his chest. Even she had to admit… Jim's toned, slightly golden, absolutely perfect six-pack abs, his well defined pecs, and his strong arms made her very jealous of Uhura for a moment.

"I'm Jim Kirk," Livie-Jim said, leveling a glare at her twin. "Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Who the hell are you?"

Jim looked shocked and annoyed. "I'm Jim Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise!" He snapped.

Chris had a feeling it would have gone on and on and on so she stepped in. "Jim," Both Jims looked at her. "Who has your eyes, and knows you well enough to mimic the way you walk, talk, and flirt?"

The real Jim grinned. "Livie, that is INSPIRED! Let see how many people we can mess with tonight!" And then his eyes flicked to the Bones-Spock. "Man, Spock. I told you to dress up!"

Before Jim could bitch at Bones further the real Spock walked in the door. His chocolate eyes first found Chris, where they warmed slightly, and then swept the room, focusing unerrously on Bones-Spock. As he eyed the Bones-Spock Chris eyed HER Spock.

The black cowboy hat had slight holes to allow his ear tips to peak through but still looked very sharp, casting a shadow across his chiseled face. The jeans, the dark blue boot cut, clung to his fantastic ass and thighs, dropping down his long, long legs to meet the black leather cowboy boots. Half covering the denim was a pair of black leather chaps that hung just so off his slim waist and hugged his thighs. Paired with the button down shirt, black, with the top few buttons undone, showing off the slightest bit of chest hair… Chris half wanted to drag her tall friend from the room and have her wicked, wicked way with him… He looked positively good enough to eat.

"Fascinating…" He said slowly, forcing her attention to the pair of Spocks. "Doctor McCoy, I presume." He said simply.

The Bones-Spock scowled a very Bones scowl. "Yea, yea. Ruin my fun." He glared at Spock. "You want me to change, yer green-blooded hobgoblin?"

Spock didn't even twitch, probably sensing the lack of malice in the words. "Indeed no." Spock said, surprising everyone. "The effort you put forth is admiral and the effect is only ruined by four small factors. I applaud your creativity, Doctor." He turned to walk to Chris but spared Livie a passing glance. "And Ms. Kirk, Indeed the only flaw is your height, very well done."

It had been difficult not to appreciate Chris' costume but the curiosity of the Doctor's and Kirk's costumes had given him something to occupy his mind. However as Spock walked toward his friend he allowed himself to appreciate her.

She had curled her blonde locks since he had last seen her and half pinned them up, creating a glittering cascade of white gold down her neck and across her shoulders. Said pale golden shoulders were exposed to his eyes by the wide neck of her pale pink dress. Finishing the look was his mother's pendant nestled in the hollow of her throat.

Chris saw his examination and twirled slowly for him. Her skirt did not flare as it was held out by a something underneath the pale pink skirt, adorned with pale yellow lace. But his eyes were drawn to the small expanse of her scarred back that was exposed glittered in a particularly urethral manner. Were he a less logical man, prone to religious imaginings, he would have classified her as a heavenly creature.

She offered him her pale hand covered in a matching pale pink glove. Having done the necessary reading on the character he played Spock took it gently and she curtsied. "You look good." She complimented as she stood. "I love the hat."

Spock accepted the compliment though he did not share the sentiment. It was not uncomfortable but he felt a bit out of place in it. "Hey, Spock!" Jim said loudly, clapping him on the back with more force than necessary. Spock lifted a questioning brow at his friend and captain. "You look really human in those jeans. Just like at the party last month." He did an odd motioning of his eyebrows paired with a teasing grin. "Bare feet and jeans… so very human."

Spock would have replied to the quip but a soft voice interrupted him. "Jim, be nice, or you won't be getting any tonight." Uhura quipped, walking into the room. Spock found he approved of her state of dress. She slid her arm around Jim's and smiled up at him through her wooden African mask. "I think you look dashing Spock."

Chris laughed as she twirled around the dance floor with Uhura, leaving the men to talk. "That dress is beautiful. I'm so jealous." She confided in her friend, eyeing the pale beige dress. She particularly liked the golden at the hemline, lancing up as if slowly creeping up the dress.

Uhura smiled. "Thank you. To be honest Jim bought it for me." Chris stared at her, dumbfounded. Uhura nodded, laughing. "Yea, that's what I thought. Then I remembered he has a twin with great taste and probably had help and just took the credit."

Chris nodded. "Yea, that sounds like Livie. She doesn't seem to like the limelight." She and Uhura glanced at the twins, Livie, dressed as Captain James T. Kirk, and Jimus the Mighty Emperor of Rome argued for a moment before the Captain snagged the Roman man's arm and hauled him onto the dance floor.

Uhura snickered. "That is such a funny sight." They watched for a second before Uhura asked. "Oh my gosh, is Jim dancing the girl's part?"

Chris watched for a moment before laughing. "He IS!" She shot Uhura a look. "Maybe it's because he's in a skirt…" A couple in bright colors twirled past the two women and Chris sucked in a breath. "Good Lord, is that Pavel and Lily?"

"I think so…" Uhura said softly, watching the beautiful pair.

"She looks so CUTE!" Chris sighed. Lily spun, her yellow gown catching the light. "And check out Chekov, he looks like a real prince!" The long white billowy sleeves hid the fact his arms weren't as well defined as they would be. The dark plum colored doublet made his chest look a little broader, and the long breeches and boots made his legs seem a little longer. The small crown nestled in his curls made her smile. "Which historic pair do you think they are?" She asked.

They had stopped dancing to watch their friends when Spock appeared on Chris' side nearly silently, making her jump slightly. "They are, if my guess is correct, the little known of Prince of Russia Dimitri Romanov and his bride, the princess of the United Kingdom Alene of Marlborough."

Chris stared at her always surprising friend. "How the hell did you guess that?"

A single brow lifted. "I do not guess, Chris." He informed her. "It was a logical deduction based upon the period of their clothing, Earth's 1880's in Europe, and their own heritages. They were a couple who were ordered not to wed and defied their families, and logic, to wed. They were disowned and removed from most history books."

Chris laughed. "I'd ask how the hell you know that but it doesn't matter." She took his hands in her gloved ones, palm to palm, in a way that would have been in appropriate save for her gloves. "Dance with me."

Spock knew how to dance, Chris had been teaching him since May. However he was still, inexplicably, nervous beneath his Vulcan control. The music was swift and haunting but just right for the Viennese Waltz. He gently took pulled her onto the dance floor and collected her into his arms. His left hand held hers, enjoying the slide of the warm silk glove against his skin, and his right arm wound around her, his hand splayed across her left shoulder. Her left arm laid along his, her hand splayed across his bicep, leaving him feeling almost too warm, which was not a common problem for Vulcans.

Chris had taught him well, he knew, so there was little hesitation in him as he tool the first step. Chris reacted immediately to him, picking up his lead and going with him. The dance was pure turns and change steps but it was beautiful and graceful and with his sense of balance it was easy.

After a moment he noticed Lily and Chekov join them, following the steps he set. His eyes focused back on Chris. She smiled up at him and he did not feel as if everyone were staring. Instead it felt as if no one else existed. Until the dance ended and they were met with applause. He felt the tips of his ears burn and was quite glad of his hat to hide the evidence of his embarrassment.

Chris, however, did not seem to be bothered by the attention at all. She grasped his hand and curtsied. He took the cue and bowed slightly. He allowed Chris to guide him to the side of the dance floor and to a table. She was smiling.

"That was fantastic Spock." She said slightly breathlessly and he noted the slight flush across her cheeks. "You're a wonderful dancer."

"I had a very capable teacher and a gifted partner." He retorted, watching as she smiled brighter. It was odd how his human half was proud at having been the cause of the smile as he knew, logically, that many things made his Chris smile.

Chris smiled as a handsome pirate grasped her hand and glanced at Spock. "Arg Matey. I be stealen yer wench for a tahm." Spock didn't have a chance to argue before the Pirate pulled her back onto the dance floor. "You look fabulous Chris." Said a familiar voice.

She glanced up into the handsome face and tried to see who it was under the beginnings of a beard, the eye patch, and the make up. "Blake?" She asked.

The Pirate broke into an infectious grin. "Aye Lassy. Its Blake The Terrible!" Blake the Terrible could dance decently well, Chris thought, as he moved them around the room in a foxtrot. "Ah thought yer could use ah dance with ah man who yer aint lustin for."

Chris, in her shock, missed a step and trod on Blake's boot. He hissed in pain but didn't lose his step in the dance. "How do you know?" She asked in a hushed voice, leaning close to the gay man.

"Honey, I'm not blind." He said teasingly. "You've got it bad for our First Officer, and everyone but said First Officer knows it." He held her a little tighter and smiled. "Expect to be asked to dance a lot." He quipped. "Because Livie has it in her head that if all the single men dance with you Spock might get jealous."

Chris snorted and opened her mouth to make a crude, disbelieving comment when a hand landed on Blake's shoulder. "Can Ah cut in, Laddy?" Scotty asked, pulling her from Blake's grasp before said man had a chance to argue.

Chris laughed. "Livie got to you too?" She asked the man, looking him over and trying to discern what he was. Ripped and ragged black slacks smudged with dirt and fake blood, a short-sleeved white button down half open to show a white wife beater, both stained with fake blood, and a red tie tied about his head like a bandana. His face was smudged with fake dirt and blood.

"Indeed lassy," he quipped. "What do ya tink of mah costume?"

Chris snickered. "I like it. Who are you?"

He looked mock offended. "Ahm ah bloody brilliant actor from the 21st century as his character, 'Shawn'. From the movie "Shawn of the Dead"!"

Chris nodded, giving the impression she understood and cared. "A horror film?"

Scotty shook his head. "Nah lassy! A comedy!" For a while they were quiet, enjoying dancing with each other. Scotty couldn't dance well but he made up for it with enthusiam. Chris was watching him when she saw his eyes flick to the door and widen. "That there lassy is quite ah woman." He said, smiling slightly.

Chris followed his eyes and smiled. "Galia?" She asked, half teasing. "Yea, she's amazing. And she's dressed as Elphaba from the 21st century Musical 'Wicked'." The black dress looked good, especially with her dyed chocolate-colored hair. She saw the longing in Scotty's eyes and pushed him in her direction. "Go, ask her to dance. You've done your duty."

"Aye, thank ya Lassy. Yer a good sort." Scotty kissed her cheek and left to go to Galia's side. Chris snickered and returned to Spock, who offered her a drink.

She took it and smiled. "You are wonderful."

Spock watched as Sulu danced with his Chris. The Japanese pilot showed off his heritage by dressing as a Samurai. He had noticed that many of the crew who did wear costumes showed off their own heritage or, as with Chris and himself, dressed as classic characters from throughout Earth history. Most of the non-Human species did not dress in costume, as he had planned, instead wearing formal attire from their own culture and a mask of some sort.

Sulu spin Chris, pulling her into his chest and dipping her low. Spock curled his hands into fists to control himself before deliberately flattening them on the table. He did not like how the Japanese man treated Chris. While the flirtation of Jim and Bones was clearly part of a mutual game, the mild flirtation Sulu treated Chris to was not.

He stood and walked to the dance floor, intent on retaking what was his. Chris looked at him from over Sulu's shoulder as he tapped the man's back. Black eyes widened as Sulu caught sight of him. "May I cut in?" Spock asked, offering Chris his hand.

He was infinitely pleased to see Chris' smile brighten and feel her warm hand clasp his. "You don't mind, do you Sulu?" She asked the Asian man, slipping from his arms before he could even speak.

"Not at all." Sulu said, nodding to Chris. "Thank you for the Dance, Chris."

Spock pulled Chris into his arms a little too firmly, her chest brushed his as they fell into step but neither of them moved apart. There was space between then, unlike many other pairs, but he could feel the heat of her against his chest. While it was highly improper for a Vulcan to be so close to anyone unless it was his mate and he was in the throes of Pon Farr (and in the privacy of their quarters). As she was not his mate, and he was not in Pon Farr, it was inappropriate. However, he told himself logically, he was half human, Chris was his friend, and they were just dancing…

AN: So, do you love it? Do you hate it? Is he too human? Next up, a little bit of action and exploration! Two more chapters to go!!!

Also, if you wanna see the outfits I have websites for pictures of most of 'em. Just ask in the review and I'll send you the url with next chapters preview!!!