Matters of the Heart (Part 8)
Title: Matters of the Heart (Part 8)
Author: Luvntrek
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just the story
A/N: Duty calls!
McCoy rushed towards the conference room not sure what excuse he was going to give Jim. Damn that woman! He smiled to himself even as he thought it. He had never met a woman like Aura before. He should be mad at her for putting him in this position, but anger was not what he felt towards her. Even now he wanted to kiss those lips of hers. He was almost ten minutes late and he hoped that Jim wouldn't chastise him in front of everyone.
He entered the room holding his breath and was surprised to see no one there except Scotty.
"Where's everyone, Scotty?" he asked breathing a sigh of relief.
"I don't know, doctor. I've been here thirty minutes. It's not like the Captain or Mr. Spock to be late."
Just then the door opened and Kirk entered. Both men could tell that he was in a foul mood and McCoy was glad that he made it in there before Jim.
"Gentlemen" he said "I will keep this brief, since I am late to my own meeting."
Just then Spock and Uhura entered. Kirk gave them a disapproving glare and continued.
"We will be arriving at Terrin at 1400. We will receive further instructions at our 1100 briefing with Starfleet and the Ambassador. I cannot stress the importance of this mission enough. The Terrin people are very open to becoming a part of the Federation. They are, however, behind us in technology and will have to be bought up to speed.
"How far behind are they Captain" Scotty asked
"The best I understand it is they are about where we were in the twentieth century. So you can see, we have our work cut out for us. Computers are new to them and some segments of their society don't even know what a computer is. However, they are humanoids and are very intellegent and Starfleet does not see any problem bringing them up to speed. Uhura, you and Scotty will be working with them on this issue. Spock, you will work with Dr. Nichols on the mining project. Bones you will work with their medical team. They are still dealing with a lot of diseases that have long been eradicated on earth."
He looked at all of them around the table. "Scotty, you are dismissed. I need you to go and check on things for our 1100 meeting."
"Aye, Captain." Scotty said rising.
Kirk waited until he left the room and looked at the three remaining.
"Look, I don't want to have to repeat myself to any of you. You know what you have to do. I expect updates from each of you on a daily basis. I have had to privilege of viewing the assignments that the Ambassador has set up with the Terrin people and each of you are in different areas of the compound and your quarters will also be in the area you are assigned.
Perhaps this time apart from each other will give you all some time to reflect."
He then looked at Bones "And the Medical Team is nowhere near the team of Botanists. You all need to concentrate on the task at hand. Are there any questions?"
No one responded. "Good" Kirk said. "Let's go!"
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McCoy was glad that he was the first to give an update to Starfleet on their plans to treat the small pox outbreak on Terrin. He had already communicated with the physicians there and they were ready for him to arrive with the proper vaccines. He was having a hard time concentrating since Aura had arrived at the meeting.
She did not look at him, her hair pulled back in a tight bun with her reading glasses on. She looked very professional and he found himself watching her lips as she talked about her communication with Terrin and her plans to increase their food supply. Those lips that were so full and sensuous, those lips that had just hours ago had him begging for mercy...God! he had to get his mind back on the meeting! What the hell was wrong with him? He was a doctor not a oversexed teenager!
He glanced over at Jim who was scowling at him. God! Did Jim know what he was thinking about? Of course he did, Jim thought of little else! He felt the heat on his face and looked down at his PADD and began to make some more notes. He knew that it wasn't just the sex. It was more than the sex. She was so different, so giving. No woman had ever made him feel like all she wanted was him, and that it pleased her to please him. She took great pleasure in coaxing him out of his comfort zone by doing things to him and with him, that gave him pleasure which he didn't know was possible. God, that had just been one night! What else did she have in store for him?
Kirk glanced over at Bones and was immediately irritated. Bones never could hide his feelings and he saw the way he was looking at Aura. Damn! He looked at Aura giving her presentation. She was cool as a cucumber, unlike Bones who was all but drooling. OK, he knew he was exaggerating things a bit, and he should be happy for both Bones and Aura, but he was not. He didn't see how this thing would work out. They would be on Terrin by his calculations no more than a couple of months. What then? He then glanced over at Uhura and then to Spock. What was going on with them? How was Nichols and Spock going to work together? Knowing Spock and his logic, their partnering was one team that would most likely succeed.
Aura finished her presentation to Starfleet and then Nichols began to talk about the mining project. Nyota glanced around the table. Her eyes fell on Leonard who she noticed had been watching Dr. Vanderleigh. The way that he was looking at Dr. Vanderleigh let her know that Kirk was right about something going on between them. Well, good for them. At least someone was having some fun, and Leonard deserved to be happy. She looked over at Spock who was watching Nathaniel Nichols give his presentation. She wondered how they were going to get along. Would Spock question Nathaniel about their past relationship? She hoped not. Perhaps the Captain was right. Time away from each other may be a help. They certainly had enough on their plates to keep their minds occupied. She made up in her mind though that she would make one final attempt to reason with Spock before they departed on their separate assignments. She was determined to open up that vulcan's closed mind!
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Nyota left the meeting with a new determination. She talked briefly to Scotty and then headed for her quarters. She would shower and change and then she would go to Spock and try to reason with him before they had to go on their respective assignments.
Spock waited for the room to empty as it appeared that the Captain was not leaving immediately. Kirk glanced at him and nodded indicating for him to stay. Dr. McCoy got up to leave and Kirk reached across the table and grabbed his arm. "Not so fast, Bones." he said
"I'd like a word with you and Spock."
"Do either of you foresee any problems with giving the crew shore leave?" he asked looking at Bones.
"Not really, Jim." he said, "However, if it would make you more comfortable, I will double check all of the crew's inoculations before they depart just to make sure."
"Good." Jim said. "Everyone seems to be happy. Starfleet is happy, the ambassador is happy, then why am I so apprehensive."
"Perhaps Captain" Spock said looking at him "You are concerned about us. I can assure you that I am sure the doctor and I will perform our duties as required and you have nothing to worry about."
"Why thank you, Spock" Bones said looking surprised. "Is that your 'logic' that brought you to that conclusion?"
Spock raised an eyebrow. "Yes, doctor, as well as the fact that the Captain has already stated that we will not be in the vicinity of those that are causing us distractions. Meditation does help me, however, being the overly emotional human that you are, I think that the removal of the object of your affections would be the only remedy for your situation."
Bones turned red. "Why you greenblooded jackass! Maybe if you allowed yourself to experience a genuine feeling your bed wouldn't be so cold and lonely at night!"
Kirk held up his hand. "Gentlemen, that's enough. Take comfort in the fact that after tonight all three of us will be in the same position. We will all be sleeping alone for a while. On that note,I think I need a drink!"
"Amen to that!" Bones said heading towards the door.