All Shook Up is the sequel to Aftershock.
One of the first things Nyota did after Charlene left, was to pack her things. She was moving. If there was no space at Warwick Hall, she was going to rent a studio. Nyota had her savings, it was enough for two years, but she would have to live in her old neighborhood, which was far from the campus, but she wasn't about to be stalked by Spock. He seemed to have a lot of connections.
Nyota sighed. It was a rude awakening. She had a glamourized vision of life in Starfleet. As she reflected on the turn of events since the accident, nothing was coincidental. Nyota opened her PAdd and looked up the names of the other folks she had met. Janice was the daughter of the commandant and was obviously smitten with Spock. Charlene was Spock's pawn and one of his victims. The only person who didn't seem to be under Spock's influence was Sulu.
Nyota looked up Sulu's contact information. She knew he lived in Warwick Hall, but the room wasn't listed. That was the place to check first. If that didn't work out, she was going to check the apartment hunting site. Nyota needed someplace safe for the night. Spock was pretty clever and very strong, according to the Federation guidebook to species.
Nyota walked across the room and pulled the black portfolio out of one of the packed boxes. She stuffed a set of pajamas and a toothbrush into her backpack, and she headed out.
Charlene was shaken when she left Nyota's place. Nyopta had rejected Spock's advance. Charlene never heard of anyone doing such a thing. Spock had been through most of the attractive women of the academy. All had taken leave, and only a few remained on campus. Janice left the academy, but she lived with her father and tried to reconnect with Spock despite what he had done to her. Charlene had signed an NDA, but Nyota had figured out everything in a matter of days.
As she pulled up in front of Boma's house, Charlene looked in the mirror and nodded. She had been used by Spock. She had been used by her own father. She was done. It was time for her to assert herself. She rang the chime. Boma opened the door and walked away. Charlene stood there. He hadn't even invited her in. He just assumed she would walk in behind him.
Charlene placed her foot on the threshold and froze. He turned and looked at her.
"Are you coming or not?" he said.
Charlene shook her head, "Not," she turned and walked away.
He was at her side, and he pulled her arm.
"Where are you going?" he asked, quickly forgetting that he had been angry about the night before. He hated the fact that Spock used Charlene the way he did.
"I just need some space. I have been used enough," she said.
"Wait, you are not comparing me to that Vulcan, are you?" he asked.
"No, no one is as bad a Spock, but what we have is not right either." She said as she headed back to her hover car.
"Wait, Charlene…,' his tone had completely shifted. "I love you."
Charlene scoffed, "You don't know how long I have waited to hear that."
He smiled.
"But, I really need some space to figure things out. If you do love me, you will do that for me." She said.
Boma nodded. "I will." He reached down and kissed her hand. She touched his cheek and turned away. Nyota was right. It was time for Charlene to do better.
888
Monday morning, Nyota went right back to see Yeoman Lawton. She was surprised to hear that the units that had been available a few days prior were suddenly gone.
"I am sorry," Lawton sighed. "You will have to keep your unit in Providence."
Nyota looked over the shoulder of the yeoman, and she saw a vase
"I think I will continue to stay with my mentor until I find a suitable space. "
"Well, it is very expensive in Saualito." The yeoman said.
"I am aware. If I can't find a place, I can always return to Kenya and marry my cousin." Nyota said with a cheeky grin. Nyota went to the restroom. When she came out, she saw a vase that looked just like the one on Charlene's desk. She had noticed the symbols before but now saw they were Vulcan insignia.
Lawton dialing the comm console. She walked over and placed her hand on top of Yeoman Lawton's hand.
"I am sure you know that all of our communication is confidential, right?" Nyota asked.
Yeaoman Lawton pulled her hand away from the console and nodded. She was intimidated and caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, she had Spock pulling strings. On the other hand, the ensign had saved the commandant's life. She couldn't cross her. Yeoman Lawton looked over her shoulder at the vase. It was a gift from Sareck. It was sent after she got out of the hospital. She took the vase and walked down the hall to the recycler. She placed it inside, pressed the button, and washed her hands.