Many, many thanks to my beta TheWindowView. She certainly knows how to keep me writing. And thanks to all who read this. I noticed I didn't get as many reviews for the last couple chapters. Were they not as good, or was there not enough 'Spockness'? If so, please feel free to critique.
Anyways, please read and enjoy!
"Good morning, Commander." Nia said with as bright of a smile as she could manage.
Commander Spock paused in the doorways of her lab, not expecting her to hear his arrival. He also wasn't expecting to be able to see right through the expression on her face.
"Good morning, Dr. Sargent." He stepped inside the lab and glanced at the data tablets set out on the table in front of her. She had three.
Nia saw where he was looking, and her face fell. "I'm having some trouble with my experiments." She admitted. "Nothing serious." Just a major headache from repeating most of yesterday's work. Shaking her head, she looked back up at him. "Was there something you needed, Commander?"
"The captain briefed the bridge on the situation of Palad. I am here to offer assistance."
She stared at him. "What?"
"I said, I am –"
She cut him off. "No, I heard you. I'm just not sure I understand you, Commander. Assistance in what way?"
He simply stated "As is needed."
Alright then. Nia sighed, and scratched the side of her head absently. "Well, I made a mistake during yesterday's experiments and as a result need to retest most of them. The captain and I worked through some yesterday, but not all of them." She waved her hand at one of the PADDs in front of her. "This is the data from yesterday's first trials and I separated the second trials onto another PADD." She pointed to the middle PADD then finally lightly laid her fingers on the final PADD. "This one has all of last night's and today's data. Even though it's my third attempt, for these purposes it is the first trial for some of these experiments. I'll worry about repeatability later today when I run a second trial." She sighed again. "Running the experiments again is where I need the help the most, at this point."
He nodded and lifted the first PADD. She had marked which experiments she had run a second trial on and which she had repeated the first trial for. Noting which experiment she was working on, he began to help her set up in silence.
"Is Crewman Michaels not on duty?"
His sudden question startled her as they had been working in silence for a few minutes. "Oh, she's on duty. She's running a couple of the experiments in Jenkins' lab, with her equipment. The equipment can't be moved into here and there isn't a need for two of us over there, so we decided to split up."
He accepted her answer with "A logical decision."
Nia almost snorted. She'd left out the part where Michaels insisted on doing those experiments on her own and using Jenkins for help if needed. It was her way of making up for the previous day's tensions, by taking on that work herself. Nia couldn't deny that it was a huge help.
And the commander's presence was going to be an even greater help. She'd fleshed out the experiments fully, again, to prevent any additional mistakes, but the Vulcan might catch something she'd missed.
"I am sorry I need help with this." She pursed her lips as soon as the words escaped. Surely, he wouldn't understand what she was saying. Not even a human would.
"Why do you apologize? The ship does not solely consist of individuals, but of teams working towards a goal. To need help is not a shortcoming." He told her.
This time she did snort. "Yes, well I'm afraid my performance yesterday was not fitting for someone working for Starfleet. I've wasted time and resources to rectify a mistake that should not have been made in the first place, had I been following procedure." She very carefully set down the supplies in her hands. "I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and cloud my judgment. Not a typical occurrence for me, I assure you, sir. And so, I apologize." She finally looked at him, to see him staring at her. On a human it would be mild surprise. For a Vulcan, she concluded that it was likely more than mild surprise.
"Your apology, while not entirely necessary, is accepted," he paused, the slowly added "on the condition that you accept my apology." He watched her face for her change in expression, all the while still setting up the experiment.
It was her turned to be surprised. "Your apology? Whatever for?" Then the bulb lit in her head. "Oh, for the whole 'Matt' thing? Really, sir, it wasn't –"
"I overheard part of a conversation and made an assumption based on what I heard." He looked away. "Instead of confirming the information, I illogically passed the information on to other crewmembers." He seemed to take a breath before launching into further explanation. "While the authority of the captain is to be respected, there was no reason to impart the information in a public setting with both Dr. McCoy and Lieutenant Commander Scott present. Doing so enabled others to overhear and for the information to spread." He looked back at her. "For that I must apologize."
So that's how that woman found out, Nia thought as she recalled the woman that had stopped her in the hall. Another thought occurred to her, and Nia decided to step out on a limb.
"Commander, do you have a scheduled meal time?"
He found the question odd and incongruous with the conversation, but answered her anyways. "Neither the captain, nor I do. He prefers to have his meals with the majority of the bridge crew."
"And Dr. McCoy and Scotty, of course." She bit the inside of her cheek then asked "Do you prefer to eat with the crew?"
He realized where she was going with her line of questioning. "My preference is not based on the crew's presence."
She said what he left out "If I were in an established relationship with another crewmember, it would be considered poor form by many to continue eating lunch with me."
Finally, the next test was prepared and the two allowed the reaction to run without interference. Spock continued standing, placing his hands behind his back, while Nia leaned against the counter and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Apology accepted, Commander." His head dipped, again in acceptance of her answer, and Nia watched his face for any change of expression.
Nothing stood out, though his eyebrows may have relaxed some. She did notice that his shoulders seemed tense, or held tighter than they had been other times she had seen him. Nia couldn't help, but wonder why.
While the reaction continued, Nia looked at the male in front of her. Really looked. As Michaels questions from a few days before drifted through her head, Nia let herself like what she was looking at.
"Is there something about my appearance that justifies your scrutiny?" Spock noticed her steady gaze on his person, and the small smirk that had formed. While certain Paladian customs escaped him, this was one commonly seen amongst humans of opposite genders.
The look was fairly innocent, in comparison to some he'd witnessed, but that didn't stop her from blushing faintly after he'd spoken and 'caught' her looking.
"Commander, I assume you know of the other rumors circulating the ship? The ones of us?" She asked.
"You are meaning the rumors that we are in a relationship." He stated.
"Yes. How much do you want those rumors to stop?" Nia asked. She held her breath, hoping he read between the lines of her question.
In response, he unclasped his hands and stepped around the corner of the table so that he was no longer across from her, but almost beside her.
He answered her in a way only he could. "It would be illogical to allow rumors to dictate a change in our previous actions."
Nia grinned. "So you will sit with me at the midday meal?"
He paused before answering and her face fell. Thoughts of every possible scenario began entering her mind. First and foremost was the fact that he didn't want her.
"I believe there are two situations that should be brought to your attention, as is customary for humans in this situation."
She straightened up at his words and took a step closer to him.
"This situation?"
"You are proposing a relationship of romantic intentions, are you not?"
"I am." Her heart beat a little harder as she lifted a hand and waved it in a 'continue' gesture. "Please. What do I need to know?"
"You may not be aware, but it is customary for Vulcan children to have their mates chosen for them at a young age."
Oh you've got to be kidding me, Nia thought. He's engaged. He's engaged and he's been eating lunch with me. That... That... She tried to keep the growing humiliation and anger at bay as she gestured again for him to continue.
"My chosen mate did not make it off Vulcan." While there was no love lost between Spock and T'Pring, her loss still pained him. It was still one more piece of home destroyed.
Nia felt awful. Here she'd been thinking rather rude things of him, when he was merely someone who went through something terrible. "I'm so sorry." She told him and sincerely felt.
"She had intended to oppose the marriage."
"Well, as a human would say, it still sucks." They were both quiet for a little while, an almost respectful silence for the dead. "You said there were two situations I should know of?" She finally asked, ready to change the subject.
He nodded. "You should also know that Lieutenant Uhura and myself were involved in a brief relationship."
She froze. That caught her by surprise and whatever expression had been on her face before was still there as she stared at him. Say something! She told herself and caught a reflection of herself out of the corner of her eye. I look like the fish Papio caught on my ninth summer solstice. Preserved and ready to be hung on a wall.
She opened her mouth. "Oh." She cleared her throat. "Um. When?" Nia berated herself for asking. She did not want to know details.
Spock obviously hadn't picked up on this when he continued. What he said wasn't as bad as she was expecting though. "During what is known as the 'Narada incident'. I was quite… emotional and mistook the utmost respect and admiration for one of my top students for a greater affection."
"Oh." She said, again.
"You are upset." He clasped his hands behind his back again. "I was uncertain of Paladian customs and decided following human customs may be acceptable as your husband was human."
"No, no!" She rushed to reassure him. "I'm not upset, I'm just surprised. And I'm glad you told me."
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Clearly he didn't believe her.
"Uhura and I are friends. Not very close friends, but enough that it would have been a bad idea to let her tell me." Nia shook her head as she thought of that. It would have been a very bad idea.
The eyebrow lowered and he said "I see."
Nia wasn't so sure he did, but had heard somewhere Vulcans didn't lie.
The reaction had run its course by then and the two completed the remainder of the test. When the data was sufficiently documented, they began the set up for the next experiment.
"So, Commander. Let me ask again. Will you continue to sit with me at the midday meal?"
His answer was not what she hoped for.
At the evening meal, Chekov and Sulu joked a bit more than usual and Nia found herself grateful. During a lull in the conversation, Chekov even offered her a moment if she wished to talk about the situation with the settlers.
Nia was touched and had felt the smarting of tears, but seeing how uncomfortable the two males were, she only shook her head. She held back the chuckle she felt when the two relaxed in relief and continued cutting up.
Michaels, having seen her reaction, briefly touched her back and shared an odd look with Uhura.
It wasn't until after the meal that Nia figured out what it was for.
"Come on." Michaels said as she grabbed one of the Paladians arms.
Nia stared at her as the younger woman started to pull on her arm. "Where to?" She asked, grudgingly allowing her feet to move.
Looping an arm through Nia's remaining free arm, Uhura grinned at the now trapped woman. "We decided it was time for a 'Girl's Night'. We're meeting in your quarters."
Looking between the two women, Nia could see she had no choice in the matter. Nor did she want one. She'd missed out on the last few Girl's Nights on Earth and was glad to have the distraction.
She tugged her arm out of Michaels grasp, leaving the crewman frowning until Nia looped her arm through hers and began leading the way to her quarters. Both Uhura and Michaels were grinning and Nia felt a smile starting to spread on her own face.
"So who all are we meeting? And, are we going to have goodies? No Girl's Night is complete without them." Nia said, looking between the two women as they walked.
Michaels chuckled as Uhura answered her. "Lieutenant Jenkins and Nurse Chapel are joining us, and they are bringing the goodies. Someone let slip you have a fondness for marshmallows." Nia smirked. That had undoubtedly been Christine. "Fortunately we can replicate those." Uhura finished saying.
They arrived at Nia's quarters to find the others already waiting, and with no small amount of laughter the five women entered the living space. The night had begun.
At some point, pedicures were mentioned and the needed supplies drug out.
Nia had refused to remove her footwear and instead opted for a manicure.
Uhura shrugged. "I can't give myself a proper manicure without breaching Starfleet grooming regulations, but I can do whatever I want to my toes. Thank goodness for closed toe footwear."
Nia wholeheartedly agreed with her, but didn't say as much.
As it turned out, the other three women were in the same situation as Uhura. Christine, perhaps, had the worst of it.
"You ladies are only limited to keep in line with your uniform." She told them before displaying her shorter and polish free nails. "I have to keep my nails short and smooth for safety reasons."
Jenkins shuddered. "Sorry. I just imagined Dr. McCoy's reaction if you ever decided to go against that procedure."
Michaels snorted. "I don't know how you work with man. He's so mean!"
The nurse went to speak, but Nia's scoff cut her off. "Oh please, Emily." They'd agreed on first names only. "He's not that bad. Sure, he's got a terrible bedside manner, but he's a surgeon! What else can you expect?"
Uhura nodded in agreement, but Jenkins didn't like that. "You know, I think Emily and I are the only sane ones here."
"And why do you say that, Sarah?" Christine asked, eyes slightly narrowed.
"Not only do we have a healthy fear of McCoy, but we also are the only ones without delusions of the emotional capacity of Vulcans."
Nia stilled with a glass part way to her lips and risked a glance at both Christine and Uhura. Both were looking at her and Nia felt herself flush. She was not saying a word.
"So," Michaels broke the awkward silence. "What colors of nail polish have you got in that bag, Nyota?"
A/N I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I enjoyed writing it!
I will say that I am not entirely sure how the whole meals thing works in Starfleet, so I made a complete guess. I know the shifts work as four hours on and eight off, but I don't how it works otherwise. If I am wrong and it takes away from the story, please let me know via PM or review and i will do what I can to fix it. :)
Thank you, thank you to forestreject, and QHJumper for reviewing. Also, thank you to everyone who has added this story to their alerts and/or favorites. I'm glad you all like it enough to keep track of it! Hopefully the next chapter won't take too long to write.