Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed - [Bridge] - [Uhura, Kirk]

[behnd_blueyes]

Returning to alpha shift, Kirk noted a few things. Chekov wasn't there. Uhura was a little on edge. And she and Rand both had a subtle, probably unnoticed-by-them shift towards each other, the way a dog and master attune themselves to each others' presence without knowing it

Comments

[spkng_in_tngues]

They were progressing, were on course for another planet, another mission, making their way back to Earth. But it wasn't entirely smooth. Uhura had banished Chekov to gamma shift for the time being, until she could find out more about what had happened on the planet.

"Kirk. Did you enjoy your first away mission?"

Not his first away mission but his first under her command, his first since whatever the hell Pike had starved him.

[behnd_blueyes]

Kirk shrugged. "What do you want from her?"

[spkng_in_tngues]

"Just information."

For now. Uhura needed to know more before she could plan - if Pike had shown her nothing else it was the importance of information. Information about situations, about people, about the way things were done.

[behnd_blueyes]

Information. But he wasn't allied with Uhura anymore--she was his commanding officer. She could have him in the brig again at a moment's notice. He wasn't afraid. But there was a balance, he knew that.

"And I get... Andrea?"

[spkng_in_tngues]

Uhura couldn't help the sharp and jerky shake of her head.

"She's not property."

At least not yet. Once she was delivered to the Empress... that was an entirely different matter. And Uhura wasn't thinking about it.

"Think of it as your good deed for the duration, Kirk. I get the information I need and she stays out of the brig."

[behnd_blueyes]

Kirk nearly rolled his eyes. Not to keep, obviously. For use. Now they narrowed.

"What makes you think threatening her will move me?"

Kirk was not known for his good deeds. Nor could he afford to be perceived that way.

[spkng_in_tngues]

"Is McCoy the only ally you think you need anymore, Kirk?"

She was going to have to talk to the doctor again.

"I'm not your enemy. And Andrea has... potential to be quite important."

[behnd_blueyes]

It wasn't that--wasn't McCoy. No one did anything out of altruism, without finding the angle. What was Uhura offering?

A link between herself and McCoy.

"I agree," he said. "Which is why I convinced her to come with us. Korby wasn't going to be nearly as cooperative."

[spkng_in_tngues]

She hadn't disliked Kirk, even as she hadn't trusted him. For all the expedient reasons she'd allied herself to him before, there were better reasons now, not all of them grounded in defensive manuevering. Kirk was smart.

"That's why you're still on Alpha shift."

She was sleeping alone, with Chekov on Gamma. A small price to pay. She'd managed to avoid him, let him stew.

[behnd_blueyes]

"I see," said Kirk, letting that mean whatever she wanted it to. "He's young yet. With experience, he just may improve."

[spkng_in_tngues]

She startled, but only a little.

"You mean Chekov?" She waved her hand, dismissing it. It wasn't about Chekov's improvement. The Russian was, she suspected, smarter than all of them. Definitely smarter than Pike had been.

[behnd_blueyes]

So it was about his punishment. Uhura didn't seem concerned, anyway. Maybe she had other plans. How did Rand figure in?

"Yes, Chekov," he said. "He doesn't like me very much."

Kirk didn't seem displeased by that fact.

[spkng_in_tngues]

"He thinks you're arrogant."

Uhura's smile was fond.

Kirk was arrogant.

[behnd_blueyes]

"I am arrogant," Kirk smiled. "It's part of my charm. It's less so on the boy, but maybe that will change, too."

Kirk didn't corner that market. But Chekov just came off as superior.

[spkng_in_tngues]

Chekov was superior. Maybe she'd invite him to come back to bed tonight.

Uhura sighed. Kirk had responded well to honesty - or something like it - in the past.

"I'm not your enemy, Kirk. I don't want to be. I need to know more about Andrea. You can help me with that."

[behnd_blueyes]

There was no real reason for them to be enemies--but Kirk doubted Uhura had friends.

"You know me, Uhura. Enemies aren't my style." He smiled. "I can help."