Author's Note: Chapter 26 initially takes place at a bar/dance club called Schmaltz. There, Uhura accepts a challenge from a fellow Cadet, despite not feeling her best after eating a disagreeable Vulcan food item. Both Sevat and Spock think their services will be needed to assist the stricken East African, but they find they are mistaken. Later, concerns resurface from an unexpected source about Spock's betrothed, T'Pring.
As always, your comments are appreciated.
With her coat over her arm, Uhura waded through the high-energy crowd at Schmaltz trying her best not to focus on her queasy stomach. She finally spotted her roommate's bright red hair amidst the bodies gyrating to the beat of the loud pulsating music. When she moved toward Gaila, she recognized her other Academy girlfriends amongst the group – Damitra Clark, Mina Schreiner, Theresa Binkowski, Ping Lu and Bianca Negron. However, there was tall, blonde one in the group who she did not immediately recognize from the woman's backside. The mystery girl wore a short blue skirt and maize top, exposing rather muscular arms and legs. Oddly, masculine athletic shoes and crew socks adorned her feet.
OMG, Uhura finally realized, It's Kirk!
"It's about time!" Gaila shouted as she grabbed Uhura coat and threw it over the heads of dancers and into the waiting arms of a fellow Cadet at a nearby table. "Uhura, give me your purse!" The Orion demanded.
"I think I should hold on to it."
"Lydia is watching our things! Come on. Let me have it!"
Before Uhura had time to refuse, again, she felt her purse strap come off her shoulder and soon saw her bag flying across dance floor to Lydia.
"Kirk!" Uhura scolded the dancing man. "I didn't ask you to do that!"
"You're welcome!" He answered her as he continued to move in time with the techno rhythms.
"I thought this was supposed to be Girl's Night Out." Uhura asked, still standing motionless amongst the gyrating bodies.
Kirk tossed back the tresses of his wig and replied, "I'm getting in touch with my feminine side."
Uhura rolled her eyes, but Kirk rolled his eyes back at her and continued his dance without missing a beat.
"Hey, Uhura!" Damitra called to her. Then, just as Uhura turned toward her, the Jamaican turned her butt to the East African and shook it rapidly as she lowered herself down until she nearly touched the floor. When she came back up sashaying from side to side, Damitra looked over her shoulder with a smug look. "I know you can't beat that."
No sooner had Uhura's eyebrow arched up in disbelief, her body started moving to the rhythm. "Oh, no you didn't." The East African snapped. "Have you already forgotten what happened the last time you challenged me when we took shore leave together last summer at Starbase 17?"
"You got the best of me, then. But it's not going to be that way, tonight!"
"Come on, Uhura!" Gaila shouted as the group gathered around. "I know you can take her."
"I don't know." Bianca remarked. "I doubt if anyone in Schmaltz could even match Damitra. That girl really knows how to burn up the floor."
Damitra turned her butt up in the air and rotated it fast and hard, attracting onlookers from outside of their group. Uhura noticed Kirk staring lustfully at the Jamaicans's performance. When she caught his eye, he admitted, "What can I say, Uhura, the girl has skills?"
"Do you really call that dancing?" The East African protested. "It just looks like rump shaking to me."
Damitra laughed. "Then, stop your talking woman and show me what you got!"
Uhura could feel a slight rumbling in her stomach, but she was not about to decline the dare. The African felt her cultural honor was at stake. After all, she believed, Jamaicans are the children of our people. It is not, yet, time for the student to surpass the master.
As the East African brought her hands up and slowly twirled her arms seductively about her, she opened up space for her performance as spectators intuitively stepped back. She then began to quicken her movement, stepping about the space while moving her head from side to side in time with the music. She stopped to place her hands on her hips and shook her butt to mock Damitra's display. She then let her body fall almost to the floor, before she let it rise lightly to an upright, but angular pose. A series of turns followed, each with a greater degree of difficulty while matching up with the hard beat of the music. Just as she heard the song near the end of its last refrain she tossed her hands up above her head to finish her performance with a flourish, when . . .
"Oh nooooooooooooo!" The crowd cried out in unison as the remnants of Uhura's Kreila and tea flew up out of her mouth and onto the floor.
Sevat stood watching Uhura from one of the upper tiers of the club overlooking the dance floor. He convinced himself he was only interested in her well-being as it related to the mission. He knew Spock still cared for this human, and it would be difficult for him to fully gain T'Lau confidence if the imposter believed this to be true. Therefore, he needed to keep an eye on her to make sure Spock and Uhura did not reconcile.
When he brought Uhura to the club that evening to join her friends, he could tell the Kreila she had eaten earlier was having ill effects as Spock had predicted. Sevat suggested she not proceed with her plans to spend time in such an atmosphere which he was sure would exacerbate her condition. However, like an illogical human, he surmised, she chose to disregard my better judgment.
After paying off the waiting SkyCab driver, Sevat entered Schmaltz and found his senses assaulted at all levels. The blaring, retro techno music offended his ears use to much more delicate sounds. He witnessed men in pants much too tight to be comfortable and women with skimpy outfits that left little to the imagination. He also saw several drunken couples kissing and groping each other openly with little regard for propriety. Indeed, only the sweltering heat provided any comfort for the Vulcan accustomed to the higher temperatures.
After finding a suitable perch, it proved easy to spot his charge amidst a motley group of women. He observed, Her friends seem to include a rather manish-lookng female and . . . an Orion. How unfortunate.
While Uhura's cocktail dress was a bit short for the Vulcan's tastes, he deemed it to be by far the most attractive attire of her party. He determined, Uhura's ensemble tastefully displays her finely, toned physique in a sophisticated manner. With her braids wound about each other atop her head in a bun, in a different context she would certainly convey a regal bearing.
When he saw a female similar in complexion to Uhura approach the East African swinging her hips violently, Sevat was not sure of the purpose of the woman's actions. Noting the region of her body invitingthe most attention, he initially reasoned the movements might be related to some sort of mating ritual performed in the presence of women. However, when Uhura answered the woman with her own movements, he realized some sort of challenge must have taken place.
While Sevat realized he lacked the expertise to adequately assess Uhura's efforts, he noticed a greater variety of spatial and bodily movements as her lithe figure danced across the floor. He reasoned, Judging from the expressions of awe and delight on the faces of the spectators, Uhura's performance seems to have won their favor. It is, indeed, most . . . fascinating.
Unlike the other onlookers, Sevat did not gasp upon the sight of the Cadet's regurgitation for she appeared somewhat nauseous when she left him at the door to the club. Yet, as he began to descend down to the dance floor to offer his assistance, the Vulcan soon realized his aid was not needed. Uhura's friends quickly encircled her and guided the East African off of the dance floor. Keeping his distance, Sevat watched as the Orion dressed Uhura in her coat before the blonde, muscular woman - with what seemed to be clothing tucked under her arm - whisked his student out of the club and into a SkyCab.
In Uhura's dorm room, Kirk's blond wig and female outfit lay on top of Gaila's bed. With covers pulled up to her chest, Uhura sat up in own her bed against two pillows, wearing an oversized nightshirt. Clad in jeans and a t-shirt, Kirk came out of the dorm bathroom bearing a glass of water.
"No more gargling, James." She protested. "I don't think I can deal with another glass of salt water."
"The purpose of the salt water was to freshen your mouth and soothe your throat." He answered. "What I have for you now is a glass of plain water for rehydration." He extended the glass to her.
"I really don't need it. Everything is out of me now that was causing me any problem. I'm a little tired, but I don't feel nauseous anymore."
"Drink all of it." He commanded in such an unwavering voice that she accepted the glass and drank the contents under his watchful eye.
Kirk took the glass back from her and set it on the nightstand, as he sat himself down on the side of her bed. A mischievous grin came across his face as he kidded, "So, just how many shots did you have with that Vulcan linguist professor?"
"James T. Kirk, I don't know how many times I told you that all I had was two cups of tea and a piece of a Kreila."
"Kreila? Is that the name of the Vulcan bread you were telling me about?"
"Vulcans say it's a biscuit, but it really wasn't like any Terran baked good I've ever had."
"And, so this guy orders this thing for you knowing that it was going to give you this kind of reaction? I ought to go find him and let him know how to handle my girl."
"James, I am over the age of 12, you know. I can deal with Professor Sevat, all by myself." She countered. "And, if you really have to know, I was warned about the Kriela's effect on humans before I even took a bite."
"So, you're telling me he deliberately ordered something he knew was going to make you sick. How does that make the situation any better? I thought Vulcans prided themselves their obedience to reason?"
Uhura did not want to disclose Spock as the table companion who cautioned her about the Kreila. As a result, part of her felt she was being dishonest with Kirk, but she was not yet ready to confess her prior relationship with the Vulcan. In fact, Uhura did not know if she could ever openly share that experience with anyone at the Academy. Even though the affair had ended, if the relationship somehow came public she could still be subject to disciplinary action while a Cadet.
"I suppose I'm the one who wasn't reasonable." Uhura admitted to Kirk. "Professor Sevat should not be limited to ordering foods which are also compatible to the human digestive system. I'm the one who should have used better judgment in what I chose to eat."
Kirk teased, "Then your behavior doesn't sound like someone much over the age of 12 to me."
"Well, I better be." She smiled, as she reached up and ran a hand through Kirk's tousled blonde hair. "Or, you'll face charges for corrupting a minor."
"Well, if that is the case, I probably should do something to warrant the infraction." The Iowan brought his hands around to her back to support her as he bent his head down to press his lips against hers. He then used his warm tongue to partially open her mouth for a deeper, yet still gentle kiss.
Kirk lifted his head up and looked dreamily into her eyes. "Uhura." He called to her.
"Yes, James." She answered softly.
"You taste like you've just eaten a jar full of salty peanuts."
Kirk laughed heartily even as he felt the full brunt of Uhura's pillow strike him hard across his face. As he rose from her bed, he mildly tossed the pillow back at her.
"You should probably get some sleep. We're to report for the weekend's military exercises at 5 in the morning."
"It's nearly midnight so I know Gaila will be back soon." Uhura noted. "But, somehow I've got this feeling you're not on your way back to your dorm room, yet."
"You wouldn't want me to ruin my reputation by getting in before 2 on a Friday night, would you?"
"James, we've only got one more year left as Cadets after this one. You need to be more careful about the impression you're giving if you want to obtain a command position one day."
"Listen, Uhura, I'm the top prospect of our class to be on track to receive a commission for a Captain's chair someday soon."
"Someday soon? It sounds to me like its time for a reality check." Uhura remarked. "Let me remind you that you have yet to spend more than four months at a time on a Starship. If you finally manage to graduate, it will be years before you can work your way up through the ranks to become a Lieutenant Commander and possibly, First Officer. Then, if you are as good as you say you are, perhaps, you will be lucky enough to earn the Captain's appointment before you're too old to enjoy it."
"Bravo!" He exclaimed, as he applauded. "Captain Pike would have been proud at the way you parroted his lecture. However, his words were targeted to the average recruit, not to me."
Kirk caught her disapproving eye.
"Then, just how should I describe you?" Uhura replied. "Cocky seems to be too inadequate to convey such an overgrown ego."
The Iowan retrieved his wig from Gaila's bed and made a jump shot with it to land in the recycling bin without hitting its sides. "I wouldn't call it an overgrown ego." He commented as he reached for his female skirt and top and balled them up. "In fact, my ego is the perfect size for my ambition." Kirk said as he turned adroitly on one foot and then forcibly slammed the clothing into the container to join the wig.
"Too bad your reputation doesn't complement your own perception of yourself."
"My critics will come to know who I am once the right opportunity comes my way."
"You can't build your reputation on what you're going to do, James."1 Uhura advised.
Kirk stood for a moment, reflecting on her comment. At the Academy, he could count on one hand the people who challenged his thinking – Captain Pike, Leonard McCoy, and Uhura. And with "Bones" away on a medical mission, it made him even more appreciative of the East African's unvarnished counsel.
"I better let you get your sleep." Kirk told her as he grabbed his jacket from a chair and headed towards the door.
Uhura understood she did not need to ask him if he would heed her advice. In a few hours at the staging area for their military training, his eyes would tell her everything she needed to know.
"Sleep well." She called after him with a playful tone.
As the door opened, he turned back to her with an impish smile as he answered, "Good night, Mildred."
Spock stood beneath the hot water of the shower and scrubbed himself hard with the loofah. As he scoured his body, his mind wandered back to Schmaltz where he last saw her . . .
My Nyota . . .
Came out of the club . . .
My Nyota . . .
Did not look well . . .
The Kreila obviously had afflicted her as I had predicted . . .
My Nyota . . .
Came out of the club . . .
Leaning heavily on him . . .
James T. Kirk . . .
Dressed in some ridiculous costume quite inappropriate for a Starfleet Cadet . . .
It was he who helped her into a SkyCab and then took off with her while a group of her Academy peers looked on . . .
Did Kirk escort her to her residence hall?
Did he take her to her room?
Is he still with her?
Providing her care . . .
Comfort . . .
Love . . .
Spock's mind then wandered back to the House of Diarmuid, where he went after seeing Uhura leave with Kirk. At 11:15 PM, he could see the teahouse was still full with patrons as the Irish Manager came up to him.
"Hey, Boss. I didn't think you were coming back. The staff and I have it under control."
"Is the band on break?"
"Yeah, they have another ten minutes before starting their final set. So, you see there's no reason you should stay around here."
"Diarmuid, is there a reason why you do not want me to remain?"
"She's still here." Diarmuid told him, nodding his head in the direction of T'Lau sitting at a table for two across the room. "I tried to tell her I doubted you'd be coming back, but she gave me a smart ass answer about her credits being as good as anyone else's in the place. So, she says she would stay as long as she pleased."
"T'Lau is quite a determined woman." Spock commented.
"Well, tonight she's acting like a wad of gum on the bottom of your shoe that's hard to get rid of." Diarmuid quipped. "But, if you want me to, I can find a way to get her out of here. If you had tipped me off that you would return, she would have already been out on the street."
"It's all right." Spock told him as he removed his jacket and handed it to Diarmuid. "I'll deal with her."
"Yeah, I suppose it's too late, now." Diarmuid remarked, while looking out of the corner of his eye. "That bitch's sensor array looks like it has already honed in on you."
T'Lau's eyes were on him as Spock made his way across to her table. As he took a seat, she poured tea into two cups.
"Your arrival was well-timed. The tea has reached its peak."
Spock picked up his cup to sip and consider its contents. "A Vulcan tea . . . bitter . . . with a vinegary aftertaste."
"Is it to your liking, Spock?"
"You have prepared it well, T'Lau."
T'Lau nodded slightly in appreciation of his comment as she refreshed his cup. "I trust it is a welcome change from the sweet brews we endured earlier for the sake of that human."
"Ah, yes. I must say you were unusually accommodating this evening."
"Thank you, Spock." She replied, not realizing he did not mean it as a compliment.
Spock then observed, "You seemed quite confident I would return with the tea service set for two."
"Before you left, you said your meeting would be brief. I estimated the time it would take for you to attend to your business and then return to the teahouse before the hour came for you to go to your living quarters to seek rest."
"Did my actual arrival fall within the parameters of your estimate?"
"I am guilty of a miscalculation by five minutes, 24 seconds. When you did not arrive within the bounds of my approximation, I reasoned you were not returning after all. So not to waste my tea order, I added the leaves to the pot to enjoy the brew alone." T'Lau caught Spock eye as she said, "I am pleased that unhappy end did not come to fruition."
Spock broke the look between them by taking another sip of tea. As he did, he began to feel warmer than usual. He reasoned, With seating at capacity, the number of bodies in the teahouse must have raised the temperature above normal levels. Yet, as he looked about the room, the humans nor T'Lau seemed discomfited seemed discomfited by the abnormal heat he experienced.
"I am assuming your meeting this evening involved a human." T'Lau remarked.
"We are on the Terran home world. I would say changes are good that I would most likely be involved in a meeting with a human."
"Did it accomplish its purpose?" T'Lau asked.
Spock learned long ago that even when dealing with espionage, it was best to keep as close to the truth as possible. "Yes. It was primarily a briefing session."
T'Lau moved her ring finger suggestively around the rim of her cup as she spoke. "Were you the informer or the informed?"
"I initiated the briefing."
"Then that explains why you had time to return to the teahouse. Before addressing the business at hand, humans feel the need to waste time by engaging in small talk." Spock suddenly felt her hand on his thigh. "How appropriate is that term for such insignificant prattle."
Spock was well aware of the placement of T'Lau's hand on his thigh and how she was slowly moving it further up his leg toward his crotch. He realized, too, he was doing nothing to stop her as it seemed to complement his sudden sexual arousal.
Feeling the need to take another drink of tea, Spock wrapped his hand about his teacup once again, but then suddenly realized T'Lau had yet to taste her own brew.
"Have you made the tea only for my enjoyment, T'Lau?"
"I know it is a waste, but after drinking tea all evening I must admit I have reached my saturation point."
"Well, in that case. I'll be clearing your table." Diarmuid said as he seemed to appear out of nowhere with a tray.
T'Lau attempted to remove her hand discreetly from Spock's thigh.
"So, T'Lau if you're through playing with Spock under the table, why don't you hand over your credit card?" He demanded, rather than asked as Diarmuid began to load his tray.
"Spock has not finished his cup." T'Lau replied, trying in vain not to allow him to raise her ire.
Spock withdrew his hand from his cup. "No, T'Lau. I, too, believe I have had enough tea for this evening." He looked to Diarmuid. "However you should consider T'Lau as my guest anytime she enters this establishment. The staff is to meet her needs as required with no expectation of remuneration. Is that understood?"
Diarmuid did not hide his surprise and, subsequent, displeasure on his face in reaction to Spock's unexpected pronouncement. "So, perhaps, I should now call for a cab to take her home. After all, no sense being in a teahouse if you're not going to drink any more of the brew."
"You may retrieve T'Lau's coat. Then, secure a cab so I can make sure she arrives safely to her apartment."
Diarmuid could see the smirk that appeared across T'Lau face, but he continued to address Spock as he picked up his full tray. "Good thing for you that you didn't dare ask for the use of my apartment. 'Cause you know what I would have said to that!"
"What did he mean by that comment?" T'Lau asked as Diarmuid walked away in a huff.
Spock turned to her and replied with an urgent, edgy tone. "Do you want to have sex with me or not?"
Spock turned off the water and slid the shower door back to retrieve a towel. However, he did not have to reach far for it as T'Lau stood dutifully before him with a plush towel in her hands. He took it from her and dried himself noting she had nothing on but a thin, satiny robe. It was left open as a stark reminder of the body he had earlier taken to her sheer delight.
"You know you do not need to go." She said as he began to put on his clothes. "My bed is of sufficient size to accommodate both of us."
"I cannot accept your invitation. I devoted so much time to my Starship Enterprise Oversight Committee duties, I am afraid I have neglected my own research projects and those of my students. I must take time to refresh my body to prepare for what I intend to be a most productive weekend."
"All the more reason why you should not waste another moment to take your rest. In the morning, I will ready a breakfast of gespar.2 Just yesterday, I was able to secure four fresh specimens from a shipment that arrived from a local grocer specializing in intergalactic produce."
"Come now, T'Lau. While I have already satisfied you most sufficiently, if I were to remain here you would hardly allow me pause to rest."
"Why not test that assumption?" She remarked unconvincingly, while staring hungrily at his groin.
"We must also not give the impression we are cohabitating, T'Lau." Spock advised as he handed T'Lau his towel and began to dress himself. "Starfleet command would not look kindly on such a relationship, while you are still under contract."
"Do you not tire of living under such rules? Is it not enough that you must live among humans? Must you also allow someone else tell you how to live your life?"
"For the most part, I have willingly accepted regulations that govern the way I live. I have not found my life wanting because of it. Professionally, I have garnered fulfillment and due recognition for my research activities. And, unlike my experience on my home world, I have those, here, who I consider my friends."
"Terrans?"
"Yes."
"And, you claim to find satisfaction with that sorry state of affairs. Spock, are you human or are you Vulcan?"3
"Do you dare ask that of me, T'Lau?" Spock sternly replied. "Despite all that I have endured from my own people, I have never forsaken them. Above all, I stayed true to the teachings of Surak and the ways of our ancestors. I am Vulcan." He stated resolutely. "I am Vulcan."
Spock felt T'Lau's eyes seemingly burrow into him. He could suddenly sense a breakthrough.
"I am Vulcan." T'Lau repeated. "You do not know how much it pleases me to hear you give voice to those words."
"Why was it ever in question?"
"You insinuated you had no friends on Vulcan. How could it not cause me to think you no longer considered yourself a patriot? Also, I would not be truthful if I did not confess I did not feel slighted by your comment. I thought at one time you thought of me as a trusted confidante. And, these past few weeks you have demonstrated a passion during our sexual activities that surpasses any of our times together under our previous agreement.4 Do I not, at east, earn one of coveted positions as one of your friends?"
Spock considered T'Lau disposition. Her tone of voice appeared more playful, than one who had been slighted.
"I must place you in a separate category, T'Lau. The title of friend, does not quite suit you."
T'Lau allowed her robe to slip off her shoulders and fall to the floor. The statuesque woman unabashedly stood before him with her ample breasts, taut abs, and firm buttocks now fully exposed.
"If you find it inappropriate to call me a friend, then tell me the name you would have for me which more aptly describes our relationship."
"I would be a fool to respond to that query with you presenting yourself without filter or shield. For it is not the truth you seek, but you instead prefer to hear that which you want to hear. It would indeed save us both time and effort, if you would just write the script so we would both know our proper lines."
"Oh, Spock. You can be so amusing." She remarked with her eyes full of delight.
"Thank you for letting me know." He retorted drily.
T'Lau stepped forward and reached up her hand to allow her fingers to fondle his ear. Unlike Uhura who at one time unknowingly performed this gesture, T'Lau knew this to be a highly intimate act. It was one of the few physical gestures of love allowed between a Vulcan mother and child. As an adult, the act was usually reserved for one's spouse.
T'Lau now spoke with a soft, but intense voice. "Call me your consort . . . lover . . . partner . . . your mate. Any of those words will do." She said, as she continued to arouse him with her touch.
"I cannot." Spock told her without hesitation, for he could not betray his love for Uhura even if it could not ever find consummation.
"T'Pring. Is it she that stands in the way of our happiness?" T'Lau squeezed the tip of his ear, causing him to emit a soft moan. However, unlike earlier in the evening, Spock did not feel physically compelled to act upon her sexual advances. He took hold of her wrist and pushed her away roughly. He then moved determinedly out of the bathroom toward the front entrance.
"Do not leave me, Spock." She called after him, while taking up her robe off the floor to cover herself. "I can help you."
"You want nothing more than to control me and I refuse to be a willing subject." He answered as he reached for the door touchpad.
"I know how you can end your betrothal to her."
T'Lau could see her words had halted his departure. He turned back to her, though with a doubtful tone.
He charged. "You made this claim before. Yet, no solution became apparent."
"If you will recall, you were the one who broke relations off with me before I had the opportunity to divulge my plan."
"What plan, T'Lau?"
T'Lau brightened with Spock's obvious interest. "It will take time to make sure all is in place to secure its successful execution."
"What does this scheme involve?"
"It would not be productive to reveal such details to you at this time. You will just need to trust me, Spock." She told him.
Spock studied the imposter. He certainly did not trust her, but he thought the plan might in some way be connected to the conspiracy involving the Starship Enterprise.
"I will not be left in the dark for long." He told her. "You must soon begin to share some of the components of your plan with me."
"Yes, Spock. Of course, I will." She responded. "Will you now spend the night with me?"
"You must not appear so needy." Spock answered. "It is not at all flattering."
"Yes, Spock."
"In addition, the justification I gave earlier for not staying with you tonight has not changed. Until the contract has been completed, the same conditions will also be present. And, you must realize, once the contract is completed, I will be serving my commission aboard the Enterprise for the next five years. The two of us will have little opportunity to be together."
"I believe in creating opportunity when little or none previously seemed to exist." She asserted.
Spock nodded, not in agreement but in recognition of the audacity it took to make such a claim with a secret devious intent.
"Good night, T'Lau." Spock told her as he exited her apartment, not slowing to hear her rejoinder as the door closed behind him.
In her bed, Uhura awakened still feeling a bit groggy. She turned her head toward the chronometer and groaned upon reading, "1:43 AM."
From the ambient light coming in through the half-lowered window shade, the East African could see her roommate asleep in the bed next to her. She told herself, Gaila is usually the one who has trouble falling asleep in the morning. Why am I having such a hard time tonight?
Uhura closed her eyes, but now found it too difficult to relax. Thinking the ambient light might be the culprit, she rose out of her bed to manually lower the blinds out of concern that a voice command might awaken the Orion. Standing by the window, she looked outside just as she began to pull down the shades.
"It can't be . . . " Uhura gasped as she spotted a figure standing in the shadows by one of the security lights outside the dorm. Yet, as the figure walked away, she could easily tell its identity by its height and shape.
Spock . . .
And, as Uhura climbed back into her bed, thoughts of him so filled her mind that she knew she would sleep no more that night.
Author's Note: In upcoming chapters, several weeks will have passed. Uhura finds out the meaning of the phrase, Tevul-tor Vi' Tu . Spock learns more details of T'Lau's scheme to end his betrothal to T'Pring, but also experiences more intense episodes affecting his psychophysical state.
Your comments are always appreciated.
1 From a quote first attributed to auto industrialist, Henry Ford.
2 According to the "Memory Beta" site, gespar is a Vulcan fruit eaten at breakfast.
3 Yes, I know it is a paraphrase of a line spoken by T'Pau in the TOS episode, Amok Time.
4 Well before Spock met Uhura, he had an agreement with T'Lau for consensual sex – supposedly - with no strings attached.