[Butterflies and Hurricanes Verse - New Beginnings]

[nyota_uhura24]

So much had happened in the past few weeks that participating in an ordinary training mission felt a little surreal. Of course, Nyota had graduated recently enough that being on the instructor's side of the exercise felt new, but she was more than comfortable with the leadership role. Just as if nothing had really changed John would be there at

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[captoftardis]

"Oh, Hello!" He was sitting in the communication room, reading through the transmissions being filtered through to the bridge. Everything they saw, he would see it too, if not more. They tried to weed out the minor stuff so the bridge would have what they needed. That kiss? Definitely unexpected but very pleasant and welcomed.

It hadn't been long since they've gotten back together. Their parting was... not good on any terms. They both had grown increasingly paranoid of being caught, and he started to worry of losing his job and reputation which reflected in their time together. He was distancing himself from her as much as he tried to deny it. Also, he was starting to feel pressure from his family, despite them still being in Scotland, but they didn't know Nyota was his student, and he couldn't put that drama on her. The break up was nasty and just a week before the Narada events took place, which didn't make things any better.

When she left him in his empty flat, it was the first time he had cried in years. When he thought that the Enterprise was lost (he read the transmissions and reports day and night for evidence), he felt like he was going mental. And when she returned, he had to tell her, after all those months apart, he couldn't stand the idea of being with anyone else.

Everything felt like the beginning again, although now that she had graduated, he was less concerned about the relationship being known. It had infact been well hidden while she was a student and no one had found out (other than a couple close friends of his that weren't in Star Fleet).

"Sleep alright?" He smiled as his gaze followed her before he paused the transmissions on his screen.

[nyota_uhura24]

"Just fine," she replied gently, running a hand through his hair. Even if they weren't being as secretive now as they were before, as soon as the students showed up they'd have to act professional. She wanted to enjoy this stolen moment as much as she could. The need to claim every moment as if it might be her last had mostly worn off now that some time had passed since the Narada, but that didn't stop her from feeling exceedingly lucky that she got to have these moments with him. Especially since the future was always uncertain.

"You must've been up at the crack of dawn to beat me here. I hope you got some sleep," she added, and though she was mostly joking there was a soft touch of concern in her voice. Maybe she was still a little on edge and wanted to make absolutely sure that he was all right. Her eyes flickered quickly to the screen, work already on her mind, but then she looked back at John and stole one more kiss before moving back slightly. The students would no doubt be showing up any minute.

At least the issue of him being her teacher was no longer one of the challenges their relationship faced, but that doesn't mean there weren't others ahead - their families, the nature of Starfleet, lingering problems from when they were apart. Still, she couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

[captoftardis]

"I slept... a little." He smiled at her, leaning into her touch. "You know I don't like being on ships. First few nights are the worst." One would think complete darkness would allow him to sleep very well, but the foreign bed, the hums of the engine, it unsettled him initially.

"Oh, here." He hands her his PADD, which gave another recount of the communication used during the Narada incident. "You and Commander Spock are mentioned in this analysis. Thought you might like to read. A really good analysis of the situation from a communication frame of mind."

She didn't talk much about what happened during her time on the Enterprise and all that had happened, and he never pressured her to. John knew well enough when she'd talk about it, she'd talk about it.

[nyota_uhura24]

It wasn't all that unusual to have trouble sleeping on ships - Nyota didn't find it all that easy herself - but she still worried about his sleeping habits. "I guess I'll just have to make sure you sleep tonight," she teased gently, a small hint of mischief in her eyes as she took the PADD from him.

It was a small comfort that her gaze was on the report and not on him when he mentioned Spock. She knew she had every right to be involved with someone else after they broke up, and she and Spock were only involved very briefly, but she still felt guilty. It hadn't been her intention to hide anything from him, but the Narada incident was so emotionally charged that she didn't really feel ready to talk about any of it yet.

Glancing over the report and nodding a little to herself, she said as dispassionately as she could, "Some of this might be instructive for cadets. In fact, it's helpful for me to review these situations with a calmer mind... Can you think of anything I could've done differently?" It wasn't a question she particularly wanted to hear the answer to, but she felt the need to ask it anyway.

[captoftardis]

He shyly rubs his eyelid at her question and leans back in his chair, "I don't know what anyone could've done differently." He wasn't there, didn't know what occurred on the bridge other than the few stories being said of Kirk and some of his reckless orders.

"I think..." He sits up straight, "You did exactly what I would expect you to and as long as you tried to keep your head clear of emotions, your training will kick in." He smiled t her, giving her hand a squeeze, as the door snapped open and students filed in and his instructor mode kicked in as he pulled his hand back, pointing to his watch.

"How many times do I have to explain, if you're on time, you're late. Always be early!" He sighed and stood up, clearing the area for everyone to file into their respective seats.

[nyota_uhura24]

Although it was the answer she expected - she'd gone over the details of communication operations during the crisis a thousand times in her head and with simulators - it was still a relief to hear it from him. He was her lover, but also her teacher.

She gave him a small albeit slightly sad smile. "I did my best," she admitted quietly. He was the only one who got to see her uncertain side, her softer side, and the moment the students began filing in she released his hand and straightened her posture. The Narada crisis had cracked her composure at times, and it was very important to her that she never again lose it on duty.

Taking her own seat, she flipped on her computer screen and adjusted her earpiece, allowing her to monitor what all the students were doing. "All stations, report."

The students each began reporting from their respective stations - some more confidently than others.

[captoftardis]

The worst part about being the senior faculty member for these missions was the fact that he was still faculty even outside his typical setting. The cadets were ranging from all sorts of skill level, some were quite advanced and he didn't have worry at all, some needed minimal help which he passed to Nyota, and he kept himself busy with the ones struggling. It was even to the point he wondered why they remained in the communication program and was seriously considering mailing their advisers to reconsider their designations.

Finally their shift ended, which pushed him into a meeting or two before he could finally go back to his room. He sent a message to Nyota, At some point, I'm suppose to eat, aren't I? There isn't enough time in the day. I'm knackered.