She Was There (1/?) PG-13
Title: She Was There (1/?)
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Nyota Uhura, James Kirk (Spock, McCoy)
Disclaimer: Characters and canon belong to Paramount, Roddenberry, Abrams and many others, but not me. All rights reserved. No copyright infringement intended. No profit is made by the author.
Summary: She felt his hand grope for hers as they awaited the conclusion of the tribunal. Twisting her hand, she pressed her palm to his, threading their fingers together as the verdict of a life sentence at a maximum security penal settlement was read
Three-quarters of the way through a quiet duty shift, Nyota Uhura was making steady progress reviewing her staff’s weekly reports when the familiar high-pitched whistle of the ship’s intercom interrupted her. She glanced at her board and noted the captain’s identification number displayed on the screen.
“Kirk to bridge.” The captain’s deep voice sounded in her earpiece.
“Go ahead, Captain.”
“Uhura, I need your assistance on a project. Please arrange for your relief to report to your station an hour early and then stop by so that we can discuss it.”
“Aye, sir,” she responded crisply. “I’ll be there shortly.”
“Good. Kirk out.”
Uhura spun in her seat to find Spock turned toward her from his perch in the command chair, a questioning look on his face. The captain had left the bridge halfway through his shift the previous day and earlier this morning had notified his First Officer that he would again be working from his quarters.
Spock rose and moved to her side.
“The captain’s behavior has been most illogical in recent days,” he commented in a low tone.
Uhura couldn’t help but smile.
“By your standards, the captain’s behavior could often be considered ‘most illogical’.”
Spock absorbed her amused jab with a raised brow. “You make an excellent point, Lieutenant.”
Bracing a hand against the edge of her console, he leaned closer.
“And yet, I stand by my convictions. Did the captain consult with you before he transferred Riley from communications back to engineering?”
She shook her head.
“Abruptly leaving his post midway through a shift yesterday. Failing to report for duty today.” Spock continued to tick off their captain’s puzzling actions of the last few days.
Uhura responded to the concern reflected in the Vulcan’s eyes with a shrug and a tiny shake of her head.
I guess we’ll know soon enough, she thought.
*****
An hour later, Uhura strode through the gleaming corridors of the ship toward the captain’s quarters. She signaled her arrival and the door hissed open immediately. Stepping inside, she found the captain seated at the small desk in one corner furiously scribbling notes by hand onto his datapad.
“Reporting as ordered, Captain.”
Kirk looked up from his work.
“Thanks for coming. Have a seat.” He waved a hand vaguely toward the lone chair facing his desk.
Uhura lifted a gold command tunic from the seat and he sighed, reaching across the desk to take it from her.
“Sorry about that.” He slung the shirt over the back of his chair. “Give me a minute to finish this thought.” He picked up the stylus again.
While Kirk concentrated on his work, Uhura took a moment to study him closely. His hair was mussed, the thick strands standing straight up as if he had been shoving his fingers through it repeatedly. The normally vivid blue of his eyes was dulled, the whites bloodshot and rimmed with red and the usually healthy glow of his skin was pallid and tinged with grey. The long sleeves of his black undershirt were pushed up to his elbows and the wrinkled fabric of his clothing seemed to indicate that he was still wearing yesterday’s uniform.
Though his overall disheveled appearance set off silent alarm bells in her head, she schooled her features into an impassive mask and waited patiently for him to finish his task.
At last he set aside the stylus in his hand and focused his attention on her.
“How can I help you, sir?” she asked.
Kirk leaned back in his chair and let out a tired sigh.
“I…” He hesitated, lifted a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “I have reason to believe that one of our passengers is not who he claims to be.”
Uhura thought immediately of the troupe of actors being ferried by the Enterprise and a look of surprise flashed over her face. A wave of excitement had rippled through the crew with the arrival of the Karidian Company aboard ship. Rumors of a performance by way of a thank you to the crew had been bandied about but in the days the actors had been aboard, there had been little in the way of interaction between them and the crew. Though the troupe had been comfortably housed in guest and empty crew quarters, there had been no planned social events between them and the Enterprise’s crew.
Looking now at the taut expression on Kirk’s face, Uhura realized that the captain’s odd behavior had begun shortly after the arrival of their passengers.
“I am almost certain that a DNA analysis will prove that I am correct,” Kirk continued. “But I need cause… I need some kind of immutable evidence to present to Command. I need some kind of proof before I move forward to request a DNA test. And that’s where you come in, Lieutenant.
“Of course, Captain. How can I help?”
“I’ve run a voice comparison study already. The computer’s analysis indicates with a nearly 100% certainty that this man is who I believe him to be. But before I move forward… before I make this kind of accusation against anyone, I need your expertise.”
He leaned forward, urgency communicated to her in the taut lines of his face and shoulders.
“I need your ear, Nyota,” he pleaded. “I trust your experience, your opinion, over any computer program.”
Uhura felt her pulse leap at the naked sincerity of his words.
“If you tell me that I’m crazy, that I’m imagining things, then I’ll… I’ll…” He laid a hand over his eyes for a moment, battling for control. Composed again, he lifted his gaze to hers.
“If you tell me I’m wrong, I’ll let it go.”
“Of course, Captain,” she murmured. “Whatever you need.”
His chin jerked in a terse nod of thanks.
“I’ve sent the files for comparison to your personal account.” He inhaled, then blew the air back out in a long, steadying stream.
“This is to be your number one priority,” he told her. “If you need someone to cover your next shift -”
“I’ll get started on it right away,” she promised. “I have time tonight.”
“If you have other plans…” he began in a half-hearted attempt not to be overbearing.
She smiled gently.
“This is clearly important to you, Captain. So it’s important to me. I had no plans that can’t wait.”
“Thanks.” Appreciation shone in his eyes. “Report back to me as soon as you are comfortable that you’ve reached a clear conclusion.”
His gaze sharpened, boring with laser-like intensity into her own.
“I don’t care what time it is. Day or night,” he said emphatically. “The files have been password protected.” He rattled off the code.
He settled back into his chair with a tired smile.
“Thanks, Uhura.”
Realizing that she had been effectively dismissed, she rose to her feet and turned to leave. As she reached the door, she glanced back. His weariness was evident in the slumping of his shoulders, one hand raised to the back of his neck, fingers kneading the knots of tension gathered there.
She hesitated, leaned against the door, hands folded behind her back, fingertips pressed into the cool surface of the door.
“Permission to speak freely, sir?”
Kirk raised his head and waved a permissive hand through the air.
“Of course.”
“I found you equal parts annoying and amusing when we first met,” she told him bluntly and he blinked, startled by the personal turn the conversation had taken.
“Oookay,” he responded cautiously. “And now?”
“I’ve seen you at your most vulnerable.”
She paused, thinking of the long days she and the others had spent at his bedside, willing him to awaken from the two week coma after he had all but given up his life for them in that warp core. She remembered reading to him when his eyesight had been too weak to focus on the words, nagging him through months of physical therapy, berating him to eat; her sassy brand of humor encouraging him when his spirits were low and he thought he would never make it all the way back.
“Yes,” he agreed gravely. “You have.”
“And you have seen me at mine,” she said as she remembered that period of time when she and Spock had come to the realization that long term they were likely more suited as the best of friends rather than lifelong mates. She had been surprised to find Kirk’s shoulder a place of comfort and peace. He had been a friendly ear; a steady confidante - by turns an amusing and bolstering presence in her life.
“I have.”
“So, I think that qualifies us as friends.”
He nodded solemnly. “I count you among my best, Nyota.”
“Good.” Her head bobbed emphatically. “Because as your friend, Jim, I have to tell you that you look like hell.”
A startled laugh escaped him at her candid assessment and she graced him with a fond smile in response.
“So when I’ve finished this assignment, I’m coming back here to give you my report and then you and I are going to talk about why this is so personal for you.”
Kirk swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat and she saw expressions of fear and relief flash over his face.
“When was the last time you slept, Jim?” she asked pointedly.
“I don’t know,” he rasped hoarsely.
“While you’re waiting to hear from me, clean up, eat something. Try to get some sleep,” she urged.
He cleared his throat, touched by her concern.
“You better get going,” he said gruffly.
“Aye, Captain.” She gave him a pert smile and, ponytail flying as she whirled about, hurried out.
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Nyota Uhura, James Kirk (Spock, McCoy)
Disclaimer: Characters and canon belong to Paramount, Roddenberry, Abrams and many others, but not me. All rights reserved. No copyright infringement intended. No profit is made by the author.
Summary: She felt his hand grope for hers as they awaited the conclusion of the tribunal. Twisting her hand, she pressed her palm to his, threading their fingers together as the verdict of a life sentence at a maximum security penal settlement was read
Three-quarters of the way through a quiet duty shift, Nyota Uhura was making steady progress reviewing her staff’s weekly reports when the familiar high-pitched whistle of the ship’s intercom interrupted her. She glanced at her board and noted the captain’s identification number displayed on the screen.
“Kirk to bridge.” The captain’s deep voice sounded in her earpiece.
“Go ahead, Captain.”
“Uhura, I need your assistance on a project. Please arrange for your relief to report to your station an hour early and then stop by so that we can discuss it.”
“Aye, sir,” she responded crisply. “I’ll be there shortly.”
“Good. Kirk out.”
Uhura spun in her seat to find Spock turned toward her from his perch in the command chair, a questioning look on his face. The captain had left the bridge halfway through his shift the previous day and earlier this morning had notified his First Officer that he would again be working from his quarters.
Spock rose and moved to her side.
“The captain’s behavior has been most illogical in recent days,” he commented in a low tone.
Uhura couldn’t help but smile.
“By your standards, the captain’s behavior could often be considered ‘most illogical’.”
Spock absorbed her amused jab with a raised brow. “You make an excellent point, Lieutenant.”
Bracing a hand against the edge of her console, he leaned closer.
“And yet, I stand by my convictions. Did the captain consult with you before he transferred Riley from communications back to engineering?”
She shook her head.
“Abruptly leaving his post midway through a shift yesterday. Failing to report for duty today.” Spock continued to tick off their captain’s puzzling actions of the last few days.
Uhura responded to the concern reflected in the Vulcan’s eyes with a shrug and a tiny shake of her head.
I guess we’ll know soon enough, she thought.
*****
An hour later, Uhura strode through the gleaming corridors of the ship toward the captain’s quarters. She signaled her arrival and the door hissed open immediately. Stepping inside, she found the captain seated at the small desk in one corner furiously scribbling notes by hand onto his datapad.
“Reporting as ordered, Captain.”
Kirk looked up from his work.
“Thanks for coming. Have a seat.” He waved a hand vaguely toward the lone chair facing his desk.
Uhura lifted a gold command tunic from the seat and he sighed, reaching across the desk to take it from her.
“Sorry about that.” He slung the shirt over the back of his chair. “Give me a minute to finish this thought.” He picked up the stylus again.
While Kirk concentrated on his work, Uhura took a moment to study him closely. His hair was mussed, the thick strands standing straight up as if he had been shoving his fingers through it repeatedly. The normally vivid blue of his eyes was dulled, the whites bloodshot and rimmed with red and the usually healthy glow of his skin was pallid and tinged with grey. The long sleeves of his black undershirt were pushed up to his elbows and the wrinkled fabric of his clothing seemed to indicate that he was still wearing yesterday’s uniform.
Though his overall disheveled appearance set off silent alarm bells in her head, she schooled her features into an impassive mask and waited patiently for him to finish his task.
At last he set aside the stylus in his hand and focused his attention on her.
“How can I help you, sir?” she asked.
Kirk leaned back in his chair and let out a tired sigh.
“I…” He hesitated, lifted a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “I have reason to believe that one of our passengers is not who he claims to be.”
Uhura thought immediately of the troupe of actors being ferried by the Enterprise and a look of surprise flashed over her face. A wave of excitement had rippled through the crew with the arrival of the Karidian Company aboard ship. Rumors of a performance by way of a thank you to the crew had been bandied about but in the days the actors had been aboard, there had been little in the way of interaction between them and the crew. Though the troupe had been comfortably housed in guest and empty crew quarters, there had been no planned social events between them and the Enterprise’s crew.
Looking now at the taut expression on Kirk’s face, Uhura realized that the captain’s odd behavior had begun shortly after the arrival of their passengers.
“I am almost certain that a DNA analysis will prove that I am correct,” Kirk continued. “But I need cause… I need some kind of immutable evidence to present to Command. I need some kind of proof before I move forward to request a DNA test. And that’s where you come in, Lieutenant.
“Of course, Captain. How can I help?”
“I’ve run a voice comparison study already. The computer’s analysis indicates with a nearly 100% certainty that this man is who I believe him to be. But before I move forward… before I make this kind of accusation against anyone, I need your expertise.”
He leaned forward, urgency communicated to her in the taut lines of his face and shoulders.
“I need your ear, Nyota,” he pleaded. “I trust your experience, your opinion, over any computer program.”
Uhura felt her pulse leap at the naked sincerity of his words.
“If you tell me that I’m crazy, that I’m imagining things, then I’ll… I’ll…” He laid a hand over his eyes for a moment, battling for control. Composed again, he lifted his gaze to hers.
“If you tell me I’m wrong, I’ll let it go.”
“Of course, Captain,” she murmured. “Whatever you need.”
His chin jerked in a terse nod of thanks.
“I’ve sent the files for comparison to your personal account.” He inhaled, then blew the air back out in a long, steadying stream.
“This is to be your number one priority,” he told her. “If you need someone to cover your next shift -”
“I’ll get started on it right away,” she promised. “I have time tonight.”
“If you have other plans…” he began in a half-hearted attempt not to be overbearing.
She smiled gently.
“This is clearly important to you, Captain. So it’s important to me. I had no plans that can’t wait.”
“Thanks.” Appreciation shone in his eyes. “Report back to me as soon as you are comfortable that you’ve reached a clear conclusion.”
His gaze sharpened, boring with laser-like intensity into her own.
“I don’t care what time it is. Day or night,” he said emphatically. “The files have been password protected.” He rattled off the code.
He settled back into his chair with a tired smile.
“Thanks, Uhura.”
Realizing that she had been effectively dismissed, she rose to her feet and turned to leave. As she reached the door, she glanced back. His weariness was evident in the slumping of his shoulders, one hand raised to the back of his neck, fingers kneading the knots of tension gathered there.
She hesitated, leaned against the door, hands folded behind her back, fingertips pressed into the cool surface of the door.
“Permission to speak freely, sir?”
Kirk raised his head and waved a permissive hand through the air.
“Of course.”
“I found you equal parts annoying and amusing when we first met,” she told him bluntly and he blinked, startled by the personal turn the conversation had taken.
“Oookay,” he responded cautiously. “And now?”
“I’ve seen you at your most vulnerable.”
She paused, thinking of the long days she and the others had spent at his bedside, willing him to awaken from the two week coma after he had all but given up his life for them in that warp core. She remembered reading to him when his eyesight had been too weak to focus on the words, nagging him through months of physical therapy, berating him to eat; her sassy brand of humor encouraging him when his spirits were low and he thought he would never make it all the way back.
“Yes,” he agreed gravely. “You have.”
“And you have seen me at mine,” she said as she remembered that period of time when she and Spock had come to the realization that long term they were likely more suited as the best of friends rather than lifelong mates. She had been surprised to find Kirk’s shoulder a place of comfort and peace. He had been a friendly ear; a steady confidante - by turns an amusing and bolstering presence in her life.
“I have.”
“So, I think that qualifies us as friends.”
He nodded solemnly. “I count you among my best, Nyota.”
“Good.” Her head bobbed emphatically. “Because as your friend, Jim, I have to tell you that you look like hell.”
A startled laugh escaped him at her candid assessment and she graced him with a fond smile in response.
“So when I’ve finished this assignment, I’m coming back here to give you my report and then you and I are going to talk about why this is so personal for you.”
Kirk swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat and she saw expressions of fear and relief flash over his face.
“When was the last time you slept, Jim?” she asked pointedly.
“I don’t know,” he rasped hoarsely.
“While you’re waiting to hear from me, clean up, eat something. Try to get some sleep,” she urged.
He cleared his throat, touched by her concern.
“You better get going,” he said gruffly.
“Aye, Captain.” She gave him a pert smile and, ponytail flying as she whirled about, hurried out.