Just a few things to add before moving to a reception that may be more interesting than they expect...

16 - Preparations


After dropping her packages in her own quarters, Nyota went to find Spock. When she entered his quarters, he was lying on his bed in a deep meditative state. His heart rate and breathing were so slow that he seemed nearly in a state of suspended animation. This trance had alarmed her the first few times she'd seen it, but she knew how completely relaxed he would be when he awoke from it. Now she enjoyed how utterly peaceful he looked - no need for Vulcan control when you are practically unconscious - and that his mouth feel naturally into small smile.

She leaned over him and placed a hand on his chest, feeling the slight and very slow rise and fall. She knew his patterns so well by now. He would return from the trance a few minutes to have time to eat and prepare for the reception. Sure enough, she felt his breathing slowly begin to increase. She leaned closer, deciding to indulge in what he would undoubtedly consider an irrational fantasy. But she had always liked the sort of rewritten fairy tales where it's the princess who awakens the enchanted prince with a kiss.

Just before his eyes were about to open, she kissed him. He startled slightly, but reoriented himself quickly, responding to her kiss.

He rolled onto his side and raised an eyebrow at her. "A most unique way to rouse from deep mediation."

"But a pleasant one?"

The slight smile from his resting state was still on his lips. "Unquestionably."

"You're fully with us now?"

"I was 'fully with you' approximately point three-six seconds following your kiss." he said, running his fingers along her cheek.

"Good. Because I don't want you to miss a nanosecond of this one." She took his face in both hands and kissed him more deeply. A moment into that kiss, one arm reached around her and flipped her onto the bed beside him. Her gasp of surprise broke the kiss, and she smiled up at him. Markedly improved response time, Commander, she thought, I am definitely kissing you out of that mediation in the future.

He was studying her expression now, as though reviewing a well-known translation. "Am I correct that there was some intention to that kiss beyond just pleasure?"

"Consider it a thank you for sharing Selina with me."

"Then I assume the 'female bonding ritual' was successful?"

"Very much so." She grinned and ran a finger along one pointed ear. "I hope your ears weren't burning too much."

His brows drew together slightly. "Do humans really experience such a sensation when others speak of them? The Doctor also seemed to believe I should be experiencing heat in my ears during your outing."

"It sounds like the Doctor told Selina the truth about attempting to gather data," she laughed. "But it's just an expression. If human ears burned, I imagine a few of your classmates' ears would be pretty hot by now. Like 'poor Allen' - did you really try to play matchmaker?"

He shrugged, but there was a stubborn look on his face. "I still believe it might have been successful had I thought to warn him that she was a telepath. Though I would not risk her wrath by repeating the experiment, they appeared to be a logical match. Not only were they compatible intellectually, but he had expressed an emotional interest in her and I had sensed a certain...tenderness...in her when she thought of him."

"Put that way, I might have tried to fix them up too," she said pressing her forehead against his. "Although, if they had become a couple, who would have bullied you into going to that Halloween party ...Elrond?"

A long-suffering look usually reserved for McCoy passed briefly over his face. "I am certain she would have found a way to force me into it, even if she had found an acceptable Aragorn to accompany her Arwen." He seemed to consider something for a moment. "In fact, Allen had an unaccountable interest in Tolkien-esque role playing games. Perhaps I should be grateful that my attempt at pairing them failed. In that instance, the two together might have been worse than her alone."

"You know, I always liked the elves in those novels...I don't suppose you still have that costume?" she teased.

An eyebrow shot up. "No. But if I did not have to prepare for the reception tonight, perhaps something could be fabricated."

Now her brows rose, until she noticed the playful look in his eyes. "You just wait till we get back from that reception!"

"We?"

"Selina seemed a bit steamed that Adm. Pike hadn't included me. She was going to straighten something out with him and told me that I should plan to be there."

Spock rather reluctantly rose from the bed and straightened the edge of his shirt. "In that case, it is probable that I will soon be receiving a transmission from Adm. Pike."

.


Upon returning to her room, Selina placed a transmission to Adm. Pike. She was greeted by the face of his personal secretary, who informed her that the Admiral was in a meeting and would not be available for another hour and a half.

"Would you like to leave a message?"

"The matter is not urgent, but I would prefer to discuss it with him directly. I will call back in two hours time."

One of her own creative formulations of invective in Vulcan ran through her head. Now she would have to talk to Kirk to ensure Nyota had leave to be at the reception and time to prepare. She placed the call.

Kirk's grinning face appeared on her screen. "Hello, Selina. What can I do for my first officer's non-sister?"

She looked back at him pleasantly. "Greetings, Capt. Kirk. I have a request to make of you. I would like Lt. Uhura to be included among the officers attending tonight's reception."

"I didn't know you were coordinating that," he said, leaning forward. "Are you going to be there?"

"I am assistant to Ambassador Pak, so yes, I am coordinating and I will be present."

"I don't suppose you need a date for the evening?" he asked. "I mean, if Spock is bringing someone, I'd hate to have to go stag."

"It is not my intention for them to attend as a couple, although it would undoubtedly add considerable interest to an otherwise dull affair." She allowed him a small smile.

"So...that's a 'no' to making it a date?" He was nothing if not persistent.

"That is also my intention," she said, not unkindly. "I am afraid my function at the reception would be severely hampered by the presence of an escort."

"Can I at least get a shot at improving my score at the bar later?" A sly grin spread across his face.

Only a lifetime of control limited her response to raised eyebrows. She imagined a variety of creative ways to kill her Vulcan 'brother', which allowed her to actually smile at Kirk. "Perhaps another time. It is likely to be a late evening."

Kirk had brightened visibly at not receiving a clear rejection. "Well, I suppose I could have Uhura join us. In fact, I suggested her to Adm. Pike, but he didn't seem to want to send too many of us."

"If you are uncomfortable taking responsibility for including her, I will contact Adm. Pike and have him transmit orders later," she said sweetly.

She was rewarded by seeing Kirk ruffle. He answered smoothly, though. "No, of course not. I can issue the orders myself. You let him know later, if you think he should be informed."

"Thank you, Captain," she nodded politely. "I will see you tonight. Selina out."

The things she did for her team and their mission.

Well, he probably wouldn't have given up anyway. She sighed. She almost missed being able to allow the assumption of a relationship with Spock to avoid such nonsense. But now she had enough trouble defusing the lingering effects of those assumptions. If only David had not decided to be a hero...

She shook herself out of it. She had no time for regrets. She must settle down to mediate and safely distance herself from emotional reactions that could be detrimental to the mission. Sometimes Spock seemed to think that she wore her Vulcan training like a cloak that she could wrap tightly or discard as she chose, and it both puzzled and worried him. But of course, it was not that easy (not that she would ever willingly let him know it).

Later, in a state of near perfect impassivity, she placed a call to Adm. Pike.

.


Christopher Pike looked up from his paperwork into the blue sky outside his office, imagining the stars that lay just beyond it. Today especially he wished he were on the Enterprise, or at least Starbase 23. He had never had an officer he trusted more than Spock, but his friend was, in his opinion, perhaps the least able person in the galaxy to deal with a situation like having a current lover and an old flame on the same starbase. When his console beeped and his secretary told him the sender ID, he couldn't help but reflect on the old saying: 'think of the devil...'

"Put her through." he ordered.

"Greetings, Admiral Pike. I have request for you." Her face was passive, but as beautiful as he remembered. If Spock hadn't said that she was 'important' to him...

"Hello, Ms. Chandri," he replied. "What can I do for you?"

"While shopping this morning, I made the acquaintance of a most interesting member of the Enterprise crew and would like to request that the officer be assigned to the reception this evening."

"I see." He had a sinking feeling about this. "And what is the officer's name?"

"Lt. Nyota Uhura. She is both a gifted xenolinguist and quite lovely in way that will charm the Trubese. I am surprised that you did not assign her already."

The lovely face on the other side of the console was nearly inscrutable, but he got the impression she was watching his reaction carefully. In the dozen or so times he had interacted with her, he had learned two things. One: she would quite literally place herself between Spock and an armed assailant (or, more accurately, the two would collide trying to protect each other). Two: she was not a woman to be crossed if it could be at all avoided. He fervently hoped that neither Spock nor Uhura had crossed her.

He tried to brush it off with a joke. "Captain Kirk did suggest her, but I thought torturing three officers with a diplomatic reception was enough."

"Indeed? You know the importance of obtaining access to both worlds' pergeum supplies. It would be highly illogical to deprive the Federation team of an asset to the mission simply because it would inconvenience already idled crewmembers." Her eyebrows rose in a way that reminded him too much of his Vulcan friend's. "Are you aware of something about this officer that would make her unsuitable?"

There it was. He couldn't read her like he could Spock, but there was a definite challenge in her eyes. Well, if he could beat Spock at poker, he could call her bluff too.

"No, of course not. I'll issue the orders if you think she would be an asset."

"Thank you, sir. Not only do I believe she will favorably impress our guests, but I believe Cmdr. Spock will be more at ease with her there." The image staring back at him from the view screen looked extremely smug.

"You knew."

"For quite some time," she acknowledged, lifting an eyebrow. "And even had I not, do you seriously think any of us would jeopardize a mission over emotional considerations?"

Ah. That little charade was because he had crossed her. Considering that he had inadvertently questioned her professionalism, he had probably gotten off lightly.

"Forgive me, Ms. Chandri. I certainly think no such thing. Just figured everything was tense enough with the negotiations already."

She inclined her head just enough to indicate acceptance of his apology. "Thank you Admiral, but your concern is unwarranted. I believe that we have explained before that Spock and I are cousins. Our relationship is familial in nature."

R-i-i-ight. He was relieved for Spock's sake, but he was not going to pretend they'd pulled the wool over his eyes. "Forgive me for being skeptical, but the devotion I've seen between you two is little rare among 8th cousins, 3 times removed."

"I see." Her lips tightened in thin line. He could almost hear her mentally damning Vulcan honesty. "Nevertheless, we are no more than old friends and it is quite illogical for you to continue to believe otherwise."

Illogical? He really should just let this go, but somehow he couldn't. She was staring levelly at him and he stared right back. "Excuse me, but I've seen you two try to take disruptor fire for each other, which logically suggests something a bit closer than 'just friends'."

Both eyebrows shot up. "And I happen to know that Spock has taken actual weapons fire for you and on more than one occasion. Contrary to your opinion, I am not the least bit interested in his libido, but I had never before imagined that the two of you might have been lovers."

Just for a moment he felt his jaw literally drop. Check and mate. Spock had once warned him that she was capable of using logic even more ruthlessly than a Vulcan. Now he briefly wondered if an encounter with her featured in some diplomatic corps version of the Kobayashi Maru.

"Forgive me, ma'am. I concede your point." He bowed his head slightly. "I won't make the same mistake again. Pike out."

She had once explained that part of her value in the diplomatic corps was that she looked like a decoration, and so no one expected her to be tough, let alone ruthless. He took some small comfort in imagining that the Aolians and Trubese were not going to know what hit them.


AN: Apologies to all lovers of K/S slash, but when the obvious answer to Pike's suspicion hit me, I had to include it. I've suggested similar before to people who imagine there must be something suspicious about a male and a female going out for friendly drinks together.

Yes, I am convinced that both RPG and Tolkien will still be popular, esp. among us geeks, well into the 23rd century. In fact, I think Spock would have been familiar with LoTR as an example of classic earth literature.

And, yes, Kirk is setting up for another run at this Kobayashi Maru.