Unfinished Business

Chapter 59 : Diplomatic Harmony

March 2280

This was almost certainly the last major undertaking before the change of command on the Enterprise. It was fitting that it be something so cloaked in pomp and circumstance, such a diplomatic coup, the first time that the people of this planet had entertained representatives of the Federation. The whole planet was celebrating. There would be a huge ball tonight, and the members of the senior staff would all be there in full dress uniform, representing both StarFleet and the Federation.

Scotty, of course, was wearing his kilt. He looked dashing and romantic, and was surrounded by a crowd of locals, eager to learn about this strange clothing.

Kirk stood at one end of the room, with the head of the planetary government, discussing the terms of the treaty that they would sign the next day. He held a glass in his hand, but only drank from it sparingly. Bones had warned him to be very careful. The liquor here had something in it that could be harmful in large amounts. Bones himself was not far away, discussing the medical team that would soon be here, to instruct the locals in methods of preventing the major childhood diseases.

And so Spock and Nyota found themselves the only ones who were free when the music began to play. And were motioned out onto the dance floor to open the ball. With carefully concealed reluctance, he led her out, pulling her against his body in the proper position for the national dance, which they had studied carefully on the ship before beaming down. The music began, and he swept her around the room, feet moving in the complicated pattern, his face turned always to hers. Through the link between them, he kept them coordinated, so that they turned always in the same direction, stepped always in unison. And when the music ended, there was thunderous applause, and a rush of people eager to complement them, before the music started again and they were allowed to leave the dance floor and retreat toward where the captain stood.

"You did good. Glad it wasn't me out there with my two left feet. How did you manage to learn that whole thing so fast?"

"We did study it before leaving the ship. They provided us with graphic images."

"Yes, but, that dance is way complicated and long to boot." He shook his head. "And very important to them, as well. I think you just cemented the treaty."

Spock glanced at him, slightly shocked. "Do you mean to say that they would not have signed the treaty if we had not danced well?"

"I think that's just what I meant. They REALLY take this thing seriously. And they were very impressed."

Nyota was equally surprised, wondering aloud how a whole planet could base the decision about joining the Federation on the ability of two StarFleet officers to dance a local dance. Spock found he had no answer for her, except to restate that it was extremely fortunate that they had practiced before hand. Nyota just smiled at him, remembering how she had coerced him into practicing. His ears turned slightly green, and Kirk looked at them, wondering what was going through their minds.