Author's Note: T'Lau unexpectedly finds Uhura at the Medical Treatment Facility. Spock and Uhura acknowledge the pain of hiding their relationship.

Your comments are always welcome.

At 7:05 PM in the Medical Treatment Facility, Uhura sat next to Gaila, who was gingerly holding one of her hands. With her face contorted in pain, the Orion asked, "How much longer do you think it's going to be?"

"5-10 minutes. At least, that's what the receptionist said."

"I don't know why I have to wait that long. Can't they see this is an emergency?"

"Gaila, it really does not look that bad. The skin is not even broken."

"But it hurts." She whined.

"You know, I really don't understand you." Uhura commented. "During close combat exercises, I've seen you give and take some pretty hard blows with some of them knocking you off your feet. Yet, you've always been able to get up and ready yourself for more action without showing even a wince of pain."

"This is not the same thing." Gaila complained. "Do you see how two of my fingernails are chipped?"

"Well, next time when you try to close a drawer, try to remember to take your fingers out of the way."

"Look, Uhura!" Gaila gasped. "I think it's swelling up! I really need to see someone right away!"

"Cadet Gaila." A nurse called. "Examination Room 3."

Thank God, Uhura sighed as Gaila quickly got up and headed into the room.

Seeing a water station, Uhura rose out of her seat to obtain a cup. The incident with Gaila had taken her away from her review for her comprehensive exams, but the break ironically had served to refresh her, despite being subjected to Gaila's whining. The day had gone well beginning with her first session as instructor of the Introduction to Xenosyntax course. Although she experienced a few butterflies at the start, she soon gained more confidence as she engaged the students with the topic. By the end of the 90-minute class, she proudly sensed she had laid the groundwork to establishing a rapport with the first year Cadets, while building appreciation for her method of instruction.

After class, Uhura came out of her classroom with her bag over her shoulder and found James Kirk waiting for her outside the door.

"Hey, Shirley." He called to her. "Let's go to lunch."

"Can't make it, today." She said as she walked past him. "Our Bible Study Club is meeting at noon." Kirk followed her. "And, you know there's no way my name could be Shirley."

"What about Consuela? . . . Yolanda?. . . Padma?" He guessed.

"It's still tired, James."

"What's tired?"

"You guessing my name."

"Then, put me out of my misery and just let me know what it is." He told her as they headed out the building and started across the quad.

"You can heal your own self by just giving up."

"Admit defeat and not claim my prize?"

Uhura stopped and turned on her heels to get Kirk's eye. "What prize?"

"You promised me a kiss if I guessed it."

"A kiss?" She said warily.

"Yeah, and it's got to be a real kiss . . . not a friend or a relative kiss. The tongue is optional."

"You know I never said anything about a prize and it certainly would not have been a kiss."

"Hold on Penelope, I remember it quite well. You said it last year at 4:13 PM, Thursday, August 18."

Uhura raised an eyebrow. "August 18?"

"Yeah, August 18."

"Well, that's funny because as I recall that was during the time the two of us were serving on two different StarShips for our summer training program. As Cadets, we weren't even allowed to send or receive messages until we returned to home base at the end of the month. So, how could I have possibly said anything to you about a prize for something as ridiculous as guessing my name?"

"Then, it was on December 2. Ah, yes . . . I remember it well. It was 5:35 AM and I was waking up in your bed when you said, "Darling – '"

"James T. Kirk . . . " She interrupted. "You are full of shit."

Kirk affected a shocked little girl's voice. "Why Tamiko! Your language is obscene! I'm going to tell the teacher."

There were times when the child in Kirk sought a playmate who would come down to his level. Dr. Leonard McCoy enjoyed discarding his façade of respectability to play with his boy, Jim. In contrast, Kirk found Uhura more hesitant about joining in his fun. However, happily he found, once she cast her chips, she was all in.

Like a kid preparing for a schoolyard fight, Uhura dropped her bag to the side. Then, she walked up to Kirk and pushed her hands roughly against his shoulders. Her opponent then returned the push, making her stumble back a couple of steps. After regaining her balance, Uhura came back at him by more forcibly throwing her weight behind her push. Although he had braced himself, the East African successfully was able to knock him back several feet.

"Had enough, yet?" She gloated.

Kirk walked toward her with a devilish grin. "Are you ready?"

"Come on with it. Give it all you've . . . " Uhura never got the last word out as the force of his push sent her flying back. She remained upright, but fell back against two unexpected victims of their sport.

"Cadets Uhura and Kirk." Captain Pike's commanding voice was too distinctive and compelling to go unrecognized. Like Kirk, the East African stood at attention and did not dare look toward Pike or Spock, his silent companion.

"Yes, sir." Uhura and Kirk responded.

"Has the Academy now begun to admit eight-year olds into service?"

"No, sir." They both replied.

Pike's tone suddenly became low, but his words were quite clear. "Then I suggest remember who and where you are."

"Yes, sir." The Cadets answered.

Uhura could feel Spock's eyes on her as he stood not more than four feet away. Although he did not speak, she could tell he most certainly did not approve.

"One other thing." Pike added, his voice relaxing just a bit. "Kirk, I wanted to congratulate you on winning the Archer Prize for Leadership Studies. As you know, it is not awarded every year, but only when the committee believes there is a worthy recipient."

Pike placed his hand on Kirk's shoulder. "You should be proud of earning this opportunity. Good work, Kirk."

"Thank you, sir," Kirk replied brightly.

Uhura caught a glimpse of the two officers as they walked away. When she saw Spock had left without any attempt to glance back at her, Uhura picked up her bag from the ground and turned her attention to Kirk.

"Oh, Kirk . . . the Archer Prize!" She embraced him warmly. "I think that's wonderful."

Kirk flashed his boyish grin.

"You'll get to spend the summer on Atalia IV. You'll be studying with some of the best minds in the Federation."

"Oh, it's not really so much."

"All right, you can stop with the false modesty. It's not very convincing coming from you." They began walking, again.

"I guess I can't fool you." Besides McCoy, Kirk felt no one knew him as well as Uhura.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to tell you at lunch. But, if you come with me now, I'll tell you all about it."

"I told you where I have to go."

"Skip it."

"It's the first meeting of the semester."

"If it's the first, then there will be others."

"Why don't you come with me and then we'll go to lunch after the meeting is over around on o'clock."

"I've got a better idea. Why don't I meet you after you and the others had a chance to read your fables."

"They're not fables." She retorted curtly.

"Whatever." He says flippantly.

"Listen, Kirk." She turned to him, stopping Kirk in his tracks. "I'm not going to have you denigrate my religion. Come with me or not, but you need to curb your tongue."

The moment Uhura saw a devilish expression overtake Kirk's face, the subtext of his reply was clear. In his seductive tone, he told her, "I love it when you get all hot and bothered."

"You need to save that kind of talk for some pathetic and lonely girl who'd fall for a lame line like that." She began to walk again with Kirk trailing behind.

"You don't happen to have the communicator code for one of those girls."

"Oh, no, brother . . . you'll have to find your victims all by yourself."

Now outside the Student Activities Center, Kirk asked Uhura, "So, are we meeting at one or not?"

Suddenly, she remembered, "Kirk, don't you have an afternoon seminar course that starts at 1?"

"Yeah, but I can skip it. It's just the first class."

"You can't skip it, Kirk. I'm not going to let you put the Archer Prize in jeopardy."

"They wouldn't take it away."

"Well, I'm not going to let you take that chance. Don't you know I care about you."

Kirk knew her words rang true and he was part of the circle of friends she carried within her heart. As with all her friends, she loved him unconditionally; a love that offered him warm comfort and gently calmed his restless soul. Although Uhura had never given him any indication of wanting to become romantically involved with him, Kirk held out hope she would one day acquiesce.

Looking longingly in her eyes, Kirk took her hands into his and then mocked the spirit of her words, "Yes, mother. Whatever you say."

Uhura did not laugh at his inapt humor. She knew making a sincere expression of his feelings was difficult for this young man who had been scarred by the loss of a father he could only read about and a stepfather who did not know compassion. It was during these times that her heart ached for Kirk, but she did not pity him. Uhura could see what he had yet to discover . . . the unique and special man that is James Tiberius Kirk.

"I guess we can't make it, today." The East African told him. "Another time, OK?" With the tender squeeze of her hands, she left Kirk without waiting for his reply.

Smart ass! The Iowan cursed himself as he watched her move away from him. Why do you always have to be such a f**king smart ass?

At the Medical Treatment Facility, the cool water felt refreshing as it moved down Uhura throat. She wondered if Gaila had actually done more damage to her fingers than she originally thought. Maybe I should go in and check on her.

Uhura disposed of her cup and started toward Gaila's examination room when she suddenly heard someone call her name.

"Nyota?"

Uhura turned back and called upon all of her willpower not to betray her shock upon seeing the speaker. "Ms. T'Lau."

"You are Spock's former assistant, aren't you?"

"Yes, but . . . why did you call me, 'Nyota'?"

"Is that not your given name?"

"Yes. However, the name is not general knowledge among those at the Academy and you are not a member of the faculty or administration."

"You must have shared this knowledge with Mr. Spock, didn't you?"

"Mr. Spock, told you my name?"

"How else would I have known?"

"But why?" She questioned, this time unable to conceal her discontent.

"Mr. Spock and I have known each other for quite some time. If for some reason you meant to keep your name shrouded in mystery, perhaps, you should be more discriminating with whom you prefer to share such privacies."

Uhura looked at this woman with a hard angular face and her sandy brown hair swept back into a ponytail. Her body was, indeed, shapely with breasts that appeared full and firm even beneath the conservative cut of her Vulcan attire. However, Uhura suddenly remembered to whom she was talking.

The bitch, Uhura said to herself.

Another woman may have upset her or placed doubt in her mind. However, Uhura did not trust T'Lau and was not going to let herself be sucked into the quagmire of her stinging slights. Uhura decided she would definitely discuss the matter further with Spock, but she only had one remaining issue with T'Lau.

"Ms. T'Lau." She said in an unwavering tone. "No matter how you learned my name, I would appreciate it if you would refer to me as Cadet Uhura or simply, Uhura."

"As you wish." The Vulcan replied as she picked up a cup to obtain a cup of water.

"Am I interrupting something here?"

Uhura felt relief as she heard a familiar voice.

"Dr. McCoy." She said to him. "I didn't know you were on duty."

"When am I not on duty?"

"Did you have a chance to check on Gaila's hand?"

"It took me longer to convince her to let me touch her hand than for me to make my diagnosis. She's just suffering from several bruised fingers. The nurse is wrapping them up for tonight and I've given her a prescription for the pain."

"I'm just glad to hear it's not any worse."

"Tomorrow, make sure she moves her fingers or they'll start to stiffen."

"Will do. I better see how she is." Uhura moved toward Gaila's room, while McCoy approached T'Lau who was drinking from her cup.

"Ms. T'Lau." McCoy addressed her. "A word with you."

"Is there a problem, doctor? I believed I was free to go after providing the DNA sample."

"Nurse Janevski informed me you insisted on taking the sample yourself."

"That is not our procedure at this Facility. If we were not understaffed I would have remained to have acquired the sample myself after taking your medical history,"

"Dr. McCoy, I fail to understand the import of this conversation. Did you not obtain the specimen and information you were seeking?"

McCoy looked at her with a circumspect eye. "It appears so."

"Then, there is no reason to detain me any longer. Good evening, Dr. McCoy." She told him as she tossed her empty cup into the recycle bin.

"Ms. T'Lau." He nodded slightly as she walked away. When McCoy saw she was out of sight, he opened the recycle bin and removed the three cups found inside.

We'll see if I actually did obtain the specimen I was seeking. McCoy said to himself before being called by a nurse seeking his assistance.

Spock checked his chronometer. 10:31 PM . . . Did Nyota not receive my message? Meet me by the bench to the west of your housing unit at 10:30 PM.

Spock stood in the darkness watching the doors of her dorm. Earlier that evening, McCoy had called and told him T'Lau had self-administered the collection of the DNA sample.

Spock asked, "Does this circumstance effect the experimental procedure in any way?"

"Not that I can tell."

"Then your concern appears to be negligible."

"Sounds like you and T'Lau are reading from the same script."

"If you are trying to tell me something doctor, I would appreciate if you would be a little less cryptic with your meaning."

"It's nothing, Spock." McCoy did not want to reveal his suspicions about the DNA sample until he had proof. Until then, he would not divulge his retrieval of the disposed drinking cups from which he harvested remnants of saliva to compare their DNA strands with the specimen T'Lau provided.

"When do you believe you can build your model and begin running tests?" The Vulcan asked.

"As you know, half our medical staff including lab technicians were called up to go to Alpha Colony V to deal with an outbreak of the Quazulu VIII virus. We are so short-staffed, lab equipment can only be used to process high priority cases. As a result, our experiment will be delayed 2-3 weeks."

"As long as you have the specimen you need from T'Lau, I can wait."

"Yes, I have them." McCoy replied.

"Them, Doctor?" Spock questioned.

"Oh, did I use the word, them?" McCoy feigned surprise.

Spock knew the doctor was withholding information, but he trusted McCoy would disclose it at the appropriate time. "Is there anything else, Doctor?"

"Are you planning on seeing Uhura, soon?"

Spock preferred not to reveal plans for meeting Uhura to make it less likely for discovery. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm just trying to tip you off that when I came out into the lobby to confront T'Lau about the DNA sample, she was talking with Uhura."

"Ms. Uhura was at the Medical Treatment Facility? Was she injured or taken ill?"

"Calm yourself, Romeo. Uhura's fine. She brought her roommate in for treatment. I'm not sure what T'Lau and Uhura were talking about, but take my advice. The next time you see our girl, you should bring up the subject before she gets a chance to."

"Thank you, Dr. McCoy." He commented drily. "However, I believe I know best how to handle Ms. Uhura."

"You know best to handle Uhura? Are we talking about the same little spitfire?"

"The next time she and I meet, I will have the right words to soothe any perceived cause for concern on her part."

"Oh, really." McCoy remarked sarcastically. "I'd pay good money to see that."

10:41 PM. Nyota is more than 11 minutes late for our rendezvous. Did T'Lau say something to upset her enough so that she chose not to . . .

And then . . . he saw her . . .

Dressed in slacks and a blue jean jacket over a t-shirt, Uhura stood in front of her dormitory and looked to the west. A smile came over her face when she saw the unmistakable tall figure standing by a bench.

Spock watched as Uhura walked toward him. He was pleased to see her seemingly contented face, considering her earlier meeting with T'Lau. Uhura stopped a few feet away from him. Although the area was lit only by ambient light, both knew they could not demonstrate any obvious signs of affection.

"You are late." Spock told her.

"Good to see you, too." Uhura quipped.

"Is there an explanation for your tardiness?"

"Sit down." Uhura told him sternly.

"Nyota . . ."

"Spock, sit your butt down."

Dumbfounded by the command, the Vulcan obeyed her. The East African remained standing before him with her eyes scanning him as if a prelude to an inquisition.

"Nyota, will you not join me in a seated position."

"Not until I get some answers."

"When you departed the housing unit your disposition appeared so much more good-natured than at present."

"I was genuinely glad to see you, but then you chose to greet me by calling attention to the time of my arrival."

"It was a fact."

"A fact that did not need to be stated. I was well aware of the time, but my roommate needed my assistance getting dressed for bed since she hurt her hand earlier today. She asked my help right when I was prepared to leave out the door. I wouldn't have been much of a friend to refuse her, would I?"

"Under the circumstances, your explanation is understandable. You can be assured there is no remnant of resentment on my part for keeping me waiting. Now, since that issue is settled, you may join me on this seating unit."

"Spock, you act as if I needed your approval for my actions, but that is not the case." She replied without hesitation. "I was simply letting you know what happened. And, I'll be the one to decide whether I will eventually sit by you or return to my dorm depending on your response to my questions."

Spock now realized why McCoy had appeared doubtful of his ability to handle the East African who seemed so firm in her resolve.

"Are you ready, Spock?"

"Proceed."

"Why didn't you tell me T'Lau was in San Francisco?"

"She is a project manager for several critical components of the StarShip Enterprise which is in its final phase of construction at the Starfleet Space Docks. She must monitor the progress of her company's part of the project from Starfleet Operations Command based here in the city."

"Spock, I knew you had accompanied T'Lau to her corporate office in Germany, but you neglected to tell me she had returned."

"It was not out of neglect. I recalled how knowledge of our sexual activities had previously upset you. I reasoned it would be best to spare your feelings by speaking of her as little as possible."

"Yet, you spoke of me to her."

"T'Lau is obviously aware you were my assistant, since she witnessed you perform in that capacity. I have not spoken to her about our personal relationship."

"Then why did she call me by my first name?"

Uhura's question caught Spock off-guard; however, his face did not betray his surprise.

"What were the circumstances of T'Lau's use of your given name?" He asked coolly.

"I was at the MTF waiting in the lobby for my roommate to receive treatment for her injury. While I was getting water, T'Lau called to me using the name, Nyota. I could not understand how she would have known that name, unless you told her. Do you deny doing so?"

"No." He said without hesitation. "However, I did not know she was aware you were the one who carried that name."

Uhura looked at him warily and crossed her arms. "How was that possible?"

"The last time I had sexual contact with T'Lau was over a year ago." For once, Spock thought Uhura would better listen to his narrative if he was not specific with the passage of time. "As you will recall, you and I had not, yet, declared our mutual interest in each other."

Uhura nodded. "Go on."

"During my encounter with T'Lau, I mistakenly voiced your name."

"Oh, Spock." Repulsed by the thought, Uhura turned her back to him and moved several steps away. Spock quickly came behind her with heated words.

"What is it that so disgusts you? The fact that my mind was so filled with thoughts of you that I could not help but speak your name?"

"You were having sex with another woman when you said it. Am I supposed to disregard that part of it and just be glad it was my name you called, not hers?"

"What do you want from me, Nyota? Should I learn to lie to spare your feelings? Is that the dubious foundation upon which you would like to build our relationship?"

The silence cut through him, as he waited for her answer.

Then she turned to face him with a voice barely above a whisper when she told Spock, "I must have the truth."

"Yes." He replied. "I expected nothing less from you."

Uhura looked to the Vulcan. Although the truth from his lips could be painful to hear, she knew their relationship could not be sustained on anything less.

"Nyota, do you posses any more questions?"

"Yes, a few more."

"May we now be seated together?"

His heart lightened when a hint of a smile could be seen in her eyes. "Yes, Spock."

Uhura joined the Vulcan on the bench as she commented. "So, as far as you know, T'Lau first heard my name over a year ago. Did you give her any other information about me?"

"I did not."

"When she met me as your assistant, she certainly did not call me by my first name at that time. Why would she now approach me and use that name so long after that incident?"

Spock suddenly remembered the gift he had purchased for Uhura that he had placed in his bedroom. He reasoned T'Lau's seeing the gift tag bearing Nyota's name must have triggered her recent interest in Uhura's identity. Since Spock had bought the gift as a surprise for the East African's completion of her exams, he did not want to spoil his plan by revealing this possible explanation for T'Lau's behavior.

Uhura continued. "Maybe, after all this time, T'Lau guessed the name had to belong to me and she was just testing her theory."

"That is a possibility." Spock replied.

"Yeah, that makes sense. So, that's telling me that even though you thought you ended that part of your relationship, that woman is still carrying a torch for you."

"Nyota, I have never asked her to transport an incendiary device for me."

Uhura gave him a you've got to be kidding me expression, before she added. "Spock, she still is into you . . . I mean, she's still attracted to you. You've been around her more than me. Surely, you've gotten some kind of sign this is the case."

"She has, indeed, provided several indications of such an interest."

"Then you have got to let her know you strictly have a business relationship now. You cannot give her the slightest inkling that door is even open by a hair. Women like that will always think they have a chance if you're not straightforward with them."

Spock had to admit Uhura's advice appeared sound. T'Lau's encounter with Nyota appeared more to be the actions of a jealous human than a Vulcan. Although they still needed to maintain a professional relationship, he would need to make sure there were no longer opportunities for the two of them to be alone.

"One other thing." Uhura added. "I couldn't figure out what T'Lau was doing at the MTF in the first place. She's a contractor, not a member of Starfleet. I didn't think private citizens could be treated there."

Spock knew the reason for T'Lau's presence, but would not divulge it unless asked about it directly. He knew that was unlikely, so he only commented, "Perhaps, she wasn't there for treatment."

"That's true. And, I suppose it really isn't any of my business."

"Does that mean you have exhausted your questions?"

"Perhaps." she replied with a twinkle in her eye.

"Then, it is my turn to question you."

"Question me? What for?" She appeared surprise.

"I would like to know when do you plan to relinquish your boyfriend?"

"What boyfriend?"

"The young man you allowed to lay hands on you in the quad today for all to see."

"Are you talking about James Kirk? Come on, Spock, you know he is not my boyfriend and no one else thinks so either."

"I'm not so sure he understands that."

"He has never once tried to make a move on me and he has quite the reputation with women. He tried to get next to me when I first met him at a bar in Iowa, but he knows I'm not interested in him in that way."

"When you were with him, you behaved in a most undignified manner."

"You mean when we were being silly?" She laughed lightly. "I agree it was inappropriate for the quad, but in the right context I don't think there is anything wrong with it."

"When is it ever appropriate for one who has reached the age of maturity to act like a juvenile?"

"It's a release, Spock . . . a way to let go pent-up energies and stress."

"There are methods to address those conditions when they arise in a much more acceptable manner. If you desire, I could instruct you in these practices."

"Of course, I will be quite open-minded if you would like to demonstrate these techniques. However, I don't care how old I am, I never want to get to the point where having fun is not in the mix. And, sometimes that may involve being silly." She teased. "Is that something you think you can handle?"

"If I must." He replied drily.

Uhura laughed again. "So, Mr. Spock, is there anything else you need to bring to my attention."

"Yes, one other item. I saw the way you embraced Cadet Kirk once the Captain and I left your presence."

"I didn't think you were watching."

"I turned my head back in your direction when the Captain became occupied in a discussion with Ensign Morales. Do you think it permissible to throw your arms around another man as long as you think I am not looking?"

"Of course, not Spock. However, it was totally innocent. I was just congratulating him on the receipt of the Archer Prize. It is such an honor."

"I am well aware of the import of the fellowship."

"Did you ever receive it?"

Spock paused before admitting, "No, I did not."

"Oh, well." Uhura pretended surprise. "There must have been a number of great candidates that year. I'm sure it was a difficult decision to choose the recipient for the year you were eligible for it. Who in your class actually received the award?

A few moments passed before Spock finally answered. "I do not believe the Prize was awarded that year."

"Is that so?" She teased. "Undoubtedly, the standards must have been lowered since than to allow that boy to earn a recognition not offered to you or anyone else in your Cadet class."

"It does not matter to me how many awards he has won." The Vulcan commented drily. "I still do not like the idea of you being so familiar with him in public."

"Spock, don't you think you're being too sensitive about this matter?"

Before he responded, she could sense his hesitation before he spoke as if it were difficult to give voice to his feelings. He turned his head to look before him as if viewing the scene he described. "There on the quad for all to see . . . he could speak freely to you and I could not . . . he could touch you and I could not . . . he could feel you in his arms and I could not."

The Vulcan turned back to her, his eyes betraying his hurt. "Perhaps, I have shown a measure of sensitivity regarding the demonstrations of your affections toward Kirk. However, under the circumstances, I do not know how I could be so in love with you and feel otherwise."

Silence . . .

She could not find her voice . . .

Her throat so tight with emotion . . .

Her tongue unable to move . . .

Her mouth incapable of finding the right words . . .

To let him know . . .

Yes, Spock, it hurts me, too . . .

Not to be with you . . .

Not to be able to kiss you . . .

Touch you . . .

Hold you . . .

Oh, Baby . . .

Don't you know . . .

How my heart longs for you . . .

How I need you . . .

How I love you . . .

Yet . . .

These sentiments could not find their wings . . .

Not this night . . .

When emotions were so raw and exposed . . .

So . . .

Under a veil of semi-darkness . . .

All she could do was . . .

Place her hand in his . . .

And be with him . . .

And love him . . .

And pretend . . .

It was not a few minutes they had together . . .

But an eternity . . .

It had to be enough . . .

For now.

Author's Note: Your comments are always welcome.