Santa fic: All the World is Changed
Title: All the World is Changed
Author: sesh_khem
Characters/Pairings: Spock/Uhura
Rating: PG
Warnings: Fluff Alert!
Summary: For a genius, she could be pretty slow...
A/N: Happy New Year, incir! Love Santa ;-D (oh, not beta'd...sorry for any typos)
Wants:
S/U speaking multiple languages
Spock being possessive
interactions with another Enterprise crew member (Kirk, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov, Bones or other minor characters, take your pick. And it could be before or after they all serve together)
Don't Want:
a story set on the new Vulcan colony
baby fic
too much violence (a little is fine)
___________________________________________________________________________
Nyota Uhura was getting angry. She stood and walked away from the sofa on which the object of her ire sat.
“SoH mIghtaHghach puqloD vo' targh*,” She growled.
“Insulting me in Klingon will not improve your Deltan,” Spock said in that language. “Again.”
She glared at him a moment, then recited the traditional Deltan greeting, “I praise the winds by which you swim.”
“No. Remember the emphasis falls on the…”
“Yes, yes…” She hit her forehead with her palm, frustrated. “The second syllable…”
“Again.”
“I praise the winds by which you sail.”
“Correct.”
She sighed in relief, but her former professor was unrelenting.
“What are the four basic tenants of the Deltan god of Peace?”
“Simplicity, community, harmony, and…and…wait, don’t tell me…” She screwed up her face. “Equality!”
“Correct, he said, and switched to Standard. “You are fatigued. I believe you are sufficiently prepared for the exam tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” she said, stifling a yawn. “Thanks for drilling me tonight, Spock. I’m sure you had more interesting things to do with your evening.”
“On the contrary. I had nothing planned.”
She smiled. “Well, I still appreciate your taking the time.” She gathered her things and stood to leave, but Spock appeared to want to say something more.
“Something wrong?” she asked.
He regarded her for a moment. “No. Have a restful evening.”
“You too.” She headed out the door, but remembered something and peeked back in. “Don’t forget…You are coming to the holiday concert and to the party after. And not in uniform!”
He had forgotten. Or rather he’d tried to. “I will be there,” he said with an all-but-imperceptible sigh.
“Put on something sexy. You never know who you might meet!”
“Nyota, why do you persist in attempting to ‘set me up’ when I have made it clear that I am not currently interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone?”
She sighed, put down her bag, and walked up to him, just shy of invading his personal space.
“I ‘persist’ because you’re my best friend. And apart from playing chess with Captain Pike, and occasional meals with me, you never get out. I want you to meet people and have fun.”
“You know perfectly well that, as a Vulcan, I do not require ‘fun.’”
“Oh blah, blah, blah. Spare me the Vulcan asceticism,” she said with a smile. “Look, you were there for me when I split up with Casey; I want to be here for you, helping you expand your social horizons.”
He raised an incredulous eyebrow.
“Look,” she continued, “I don’t have anyone in mind to introduce to you…”
“I am relieved.”
“Yes, after last time, I learned my lesson.”
“She…giggled,” he said, barely suppressing a shudder.
“I know.”
“The entire evening.”
“I know, I know! I thought that since she was the second most stoic professor I had that you two might get along.”
“You were wrong.”
She playfully punched him in the arm. “As you continually remind me. Now, as I was saying…I’m not going to introduce you to anyone, but there are some beautiful and intelligent women in the various music groups. Just…I don’t know…have a look around.”
“You make it sound as though it were a shopping expedition,” he said with distaste.
“In a way it is. Okay, I’m outta here.” She picked up her bag and headed for the door. “Wear the grey sweater. It shows off your pecs.”
“Goodnight.”
She laughed her way down the hall.
He walked to his desk and sat, thinking about the beautiful and intelligent woman who just left his quarters. His best friend. The woman with whom he’d fallen in love.
He opened a drawer, and pulled out a small box. He opened it, looking at its contents briefly before putting it away and chiding himself for the absence of logic in looking at an object he’d seen only 73 minutes ago.
He stood and prepared to meditate, but the doorbell rang. Had she forgotten something?
“Enter.”
“Hi, Spock,” Christopher Pike, his friend and commanding officer walked in. “Up for a game?”
“Certainly.” They walked to the always-ready chess set and began the game in silence.
“So,” Pike began. “How are things with…you know.”
“If you are referring to Nyota, ‘things’ are…not progressing.”
“Ah.” Pike said sympathetically. “Will you see her before the break?”
“Yes. I will attend the holiday concert and celebration with her.”
“That’s good!”
Spock shook his head. “She hopes I will meet someone while there.”
“I see. What did you say?”
“I told her I am not currently interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone.”
Pike laughed. “I thought Vulcans didn’t lie?”
“I did not lie. I am not interested in just ‘anyone.’”
“Spock, m’boy, you’ve got it bad. It’s time to let me help you with this.”
“No. I believe I have found an appropriate solution.”
“Which is…?”
“I am not prepared to discuss it at this time.”
Pike knew better than to push Spock when he was in a mood. They talked about the progress of the new ship, the Enterprise, but otherwise finished their game in silence. Pike shook his head as he lost, again.
“Well,” he said as he rose to leave, “Take care, Spock. Good luck with that…thing.”
***
Spock arrived at Nyota’s room 15 minutes early, wearing his grey sweater. Her roommate answered the door.
“Well, don’t you look positively edible!” the Orion said as she let him in the room. “Ny!” she shouted, “Your date’s here!”
“Ack!” came Nyota’s reply from the bathroom. “Spock, I’m not ready!”
“I am early,” he said through the door, “Please do not rush on my account.”
“All right you two, have fun!” Gaila shouted as she left the room.
Spock walked to Nyota’s bed where he saw her half-packed suitcase for her trip home over the winter break. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the box, and slipped it under some clothes in the suitcase. He sat on the bed.
“Close your eyes, Spock I’m coming out.”
He complied. “They are closed.”
He heard her bare feet as they slapped against the floor. It suddenly occurred to him that she was naked, right there, in his presence. He felt heat rise to his face.
He heard a drawer being opened, rifled through, and closed. He heard cloth against skin, the snap of elastic. She was putting on her underthings. The heat intensified and moved lower.
She started humming and he heard the closet door open, the rustling of fabric.
“Okay, I’m decent. You can open your eyes.”
“You are always decent, Nyota. You were merely unclothed.”
“Oh, ha, ha, Mr. Literal.” She went to her dresser and opened the top drawer. She pulled out a small package and tossed it to him.
“Merry Christmas, Spock!”
“I thought we agreed not to exchange gifts this year.”
“I know, but when I saw it I had to get it for you. Open it.” She moved back to her dresser and closed the drawer. He realized she had hidden his gift amongst her underwear. His heart rate increased and he set to opening the gift while she applied her makeup.
He unwrapped the gift with painstaking care.
“Will you just rip it already?”
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and continued to unwrap the gift carefully.
It was a small black ceramic bowl with two satchels of incense. He identified the scents as myrrh and sandalwood.
“Your old incense bowl is getting awfully cruddy,” she said. “The myrrh is said to assist in mediation, and the sandalwood helps erase the fears that keep us from experiencing the fullness of life.”
“Nyota-” he began.
“It’s just what it said on the package,” she said in her defense. “Well, at least they smell good.”
“Thank you, it is a thoughtful and useful gift.”
She smiled. “You’re welcomed. C’mon. Let’s go.”
***
The holiday concert was acceptable. Spock noted Uhura’s solo in the madrigal group was as near perfect as human singing could ever be. He was relieved that no one he knew sat near him as he kept his focus on her all evening.
As the applause at the conclusion of the concert subsided, he stood with resignation; he must now put in an appearance at the party. He heard the loud music before he’d even neared the door. As he made his way through the crowd, he heard Nyota’s laughter and set off in her direction.
When he saw her across the room, he stopped, suddenly tense. She was seated on a high stool at the bar, flanked by two cadets. Two male cadets.
The older of the two, a brunette, had his back to the bar, surveying the crowd. But the blond one-Spock’s hands clenched into fists of their own accord-the blond one was leaning in close to Nyota, leering.
“C’mon, Uhura,” the blond was saying, “How long has it been, huh? Two and a half years?”
“Ooo! Farmboy can count! I’m impressed!” Nyota took a sip of her drink.
“Don’t be,” the brunette scowled.
“Hey, I thought you were supposed to be backing me up here,” the blond said.
“You thought wrong,” his friend replied.
“Will you give it a rest, Kirk?” Nyota pleaded. “I’m waiting for a friend. Just go away.”
“Well, your friend is late, so why don’t I keep you company ‘til he gets here?”
She scowled.
“Or, you could tell me your name, and I’ll go. Promise.”
“I believe Cadet Uhura asked you to leave, Cadet,” Spock said as he reached the bar. The men stood at attention.
“Commander,” they said in unison.
Kirk tried to explain, “I was just-”
Spock took a step forward. “You were just what, Cadet?”
“Leaving, sir” said the brunette. “We were just leaving, right, Jim?”
The one called Jim swallowed. “Uh, yeah. That’s right. See ya, Uhura. Commander.” The men quickly vanished into the crowd.
Nyota was laughing. “Thanks, Spock. Jim Kirk needs a little ego deflation.”
“Has this man been pursuing you?”
“Me and everything else in a skirt,” she laughed. “He’s harmless. Persistent, but harmless.”
He looked in the direction the men had gone. While she had displayed no interest in the cadet, the man had an ease of manner that Spock lacked. He suddenly wondered what other attributes, human attributes, Nyota must want from a partner.
“Earth to Spock! Hello?”
“Yes, Nyota. My thoughts were elsewhere.”
“So I gathered. Seriously, don’t worry about Kirk. He’s a pest, that’s all. Here,” she said, handing him a glass. “I ordered your iced tea.”
“Thank you,” he took the glass, thankful for the change of subject. “Your performance tonight was quite admirable.”
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely happy. An “admirable” from Spock was a rare compliment.
“Ny!” Someone called. Two young women approached them. Spock recognized them as singers from Nyota’s choir.
“Hey you two!” she said.
“Nyota, that solo was amazing!” said the petite redhead.
“Seriously!” agreed her grey skinned friend.
Nyota smiled. “Thanks you guys! Oh, where are my manners?!” Spock steeled himself for the inevitable introductions.
“Commander Spock, this is Lieutenant Sarah Wheeler, of engineering.” The redhead grinned. Spock noticed that she appeared to have too many teeth.
“…and this is Cadet d’Nal, who’s studying xenobiology.” Spock tried not to focus on the grey woman’s double cranium.
Spock nodded to them both. “A pleasure to meet you,” he recited.
Nyota and her friends were quickly engaged in an animated discussion. While she occasionally tried to bring him into the conversation, the crowd and the noise were becoming overwhelming.
“Excuse me, Nyota. I must take my leave of you.”
She nodded, understanding. “It is a bit of a crowd.” She said goodbye to her friends and turned to Spock. “Come on, I’ll walk out with you.”
“I’m sorry,” she said when they reached the building entrance. “I’m always dragging you everywhere, and you always put up with it, even if it makes you miserable.” She smiled sadly.
“I am not miserable. I found the music pleasing.”
“Well, thanks for supporting me, and for at least showing up for the party.”
“I will always support you,” he said quietly.
“I know that. And I you.” She threw her arms around him. “Merry Christmas, Spock. See you in a couple of weeks.”
He returned her embrace, and surreptitiously inhaled the scent of her hair, her neck. “I look forward to your return,” he said softly.
“I’ll miss you, too,” she said as she gave him a final squeeze.
She released him and waved before heading back to the party. He quickly made his way home, eager to settle the emotions roiling within.
---------------------------------
* You evil son of a targ!
( continued)
Author: sesh_khem
Characters/Pairings: Spock/Uhura
Rating: PG
Warnings: Fluff Alert!
Summary: For a genius, she could be pretty slow...
A/N: Happy New Year, incir! Love Santa ;-D (oh, not beta'd...sorry for any typos)
Wants:
S/U speaking multiple languages
Spock being possessive
interactions with another Enterprise crew member (Kirk, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov, Bones or other minor characters, take your pick. And it could be before or after they all serve together)
Don't Want:
a story set on the new Vulcan colony
baby fic
too much violence (a little is fine)
___________________________________________________________________________
Nyota Uhura was getting angry. She stood and walked away from the sofa on which the object of her ire sat.
“SoH mIghtaHghach puqloD vo' targh*,” She growled.
“Insulting me in Klingon will not improve your Deltan,” Spock said in that language. “Again.”
She glared at him a moment, then recited the traditional Deltan greeting, “I praise the winds by which you swim.”
“No. Remember the emphasis falls on the…”
“Yes, yes…” She hit her forehead with her palm, frustrated. “The second syllable…”
“Again.”
“I praise the winds by which you sail.”
“Correct.”
She sighed in relief, but her former professor was unrelenting.
“What are the four basic tenants of the Deltan god of Peace?”
“Simplicity, community, harmony, and…and…wait, don’t tell me…” She screwed up her face. “Equality!”
“Correct, he said, and switched to Standard. “You are fatigued. I believe you are sufficiently prepared for the exam tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” she said, stifling a yawn. “Thanks for drilling me tonight, Spock. I’m sure you had more interesting things to do with your evening.”
“On the contrary. I had nothing planned.”
She smiled. “Well, I still appreciate your taking the time.” She gathered her things and stood to leave, but Spock appeared to want to say something more.
“Something wrong?” she asked.
He regarded her for a moment. “No. Have a restful evening.”
“You too.” She headed out the door, but remembered something and peeked back in. “Don’t forget…You are coming to the holiday concert and to the party after. And not in uniform!”
He had forgotten. Or rather he’d tried to. “I will be there,” he said with an all-but-imperceptible sigh.
“Put on something sexy. You never know who you might meet!”
“Nyota, why do you persist in attempting to ‘set me up’ when I have made it clear that I am not currently interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone?”
She sighed, put down her bag, and walked up to him, just shy of invading his personal space.
“I ‘persist’ because you’re my best friend. And apart from playing chess with Captain Pike, and occasional meals with me, you never get out. I want you to meet people and have fun.”
“You know perfectly well that, as a Vulcan, I do not require ‘fun.’”
“Oh blah, blah, blah. Spare me the Vulcan asceticism,” she said with a smile. “Look, you were there for me when I split up with Casey; I want to be here for you, helping you expand your social horizons.”
He raised an incredulous eyebrow.
“Look,” she continued, “I don’t have anyone in mind to introduce to you…”
“I am relieved.”
“Yes, after last time, I learned my lesson.”
“She…giggled,” he said, barely suppressing a shudder.
“I know.”
“The entire evening.”
“I know, I know! I thought that since she was the second most stoic professor I had that you two might get along.”
“You were wrong.”
She playfully punched him in the arm. “As you continually remind me. Now, as I was saying…I’m not going to introduce you to anyone, but there are some beautiful and intelligent women in the various music groups. Just…I don’t know…have a look around.”
“You make it sound as though it were a shopping expedition,” he said with distaste.
“In a way it is. Okay, I’m outta here.” She picked up her bag and headed for the door. “Wear the grey sweater. It shows off your pecs.”
“Goodnight.”
She laughed her way down the hall.
He walked to his desk and sat, thinking about the beautiful and intelligent woman who just left his quarters. His best friend. The woman with whom he’d fallen in love.
He opened a drawer, and pulled out a small box. He opened it, looking at its contents briefly before putting it away and chiding himself for the absence of logic in looking at an object he’d seen only 73 minutes ago.
He stood and prepared to meditate, but the doorbell rang. Had she forgotten something?
“Enter.”
“Hi, Spock,” Christopher Pike, his friend and commanding officer walked in. “Up for a game?”
“Certainly.” They walked to the always-ready chess set and began the game in silence.
“So,” Pike began. “How are things with…you know.”
“If you are referring to Nyota, ‘things’ are…not progressing.”
“Ah.” Pike said sympathetically. “Will you see her before the break?”
“Yes. I will attend the holiday concert and celebration with her.”
“That’s good!”
Spock shook his head. “She hopes I will meet someone while there.”
“I see. What did you say?”
“I told her I am not currently interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone.”
Pike laughed. “I thought Vulcans didn’t lie?”
“I did not lie. I am not interested in just ‘anyone.’”
“Spock, m’boy, you’ve got it bad. It’s time to let me help you with this.”
“No. I believe I have found an appropriate solution.”
“Which is…?”
“I am not prepared to discuss it at this time.”
Pike knew better than to push Spock when he was in a mood. They talked about the progress of the new ship, the Enterprise, but otherwise finished their game in silence. Pike shook his head as he lost, again.
“Well,” he said as he rose to leave, “Take care, Spock. Good luck with that…thing.”
***
Spock arrived at Nyota’s room 15 minutes early, wearing his grey sweater. Her roommate answered the door.
“Well, don’t you look positively edible!” the Orion said as she let him in the room. “Ny!” she shouted, “Your date’s here!”
“Ack!” came Nyota’s reply from the bathroom. “Spock, I’m not ready!”
“I am early,” he said through the door, “Please do not rush on my account.”
“All right you two, have fun!” Gaila shouted as she left the room.
Spock walked to Nyota’s bed where he saw her half-packed suitcase for her trip home over the winter break. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the box, and slipped it under some clothes in the suitcase. He sat on the bed.
“Close your eyes, Spock I’m coming out.”
He complied. “They are closed.”
He heard her bare feet as they slapped against the floor. It suddenly occurred to him that she was naked, right there, in his presence. He felt heat rise to his face.
He heard a drawer being opened, rifled through, and closed. He heard cloth against skin, the snap of elastic. She was putting on her underthings. The heat intensified and moved lower.
She started humming and he heard the closet door open, the rustling of fabric.
“Okay, I’m decent. You can open your eyes.”
“You are always decent, Nyota. You were merely unclothed.”
“Oh, ha, ha, Mr. Literal.” She went to her dresser and opened the top drawer. She pulled out a small package and tossed it to him.
“Merry Christmas, Spock!”
“I thought we agreed not to exchange gifts this year.”
“I know, but when I saw it I had to get it for you. Open it.” She moved back to her dresser and closed the drawer. He realized she had hidden his gift amongst her underwear. His heart rate increased and he set to opening the gift while she applied her makeup.
He unwrapped the gift with painstaking care.
“Will you just rip it already?”
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and continued to unwrap the gift carefully.
It was a small black ceramic bowl with two satchels of incense. He identified the scents as myrrh and sandalwood.
“Your old incense bowl is getting awfully cruddy,” she said. “The myrrh is said to assist in mediation, and the sandalwood helps erase the fears that keep us from experiencing the fullness of life.”
“Nyota-” he began.
“It’s just what it said on the package,” she said in her defense. “Well, at least they smell good.”
“Thank you, it is a thoughtful and useful gift.”
She smiled. “You’re welcomed. C’mon. Let’s go.”
***
The holiday concert was acceptable. Spock noted Uhura’s solo in the madrigal group was as near perfect as human singing could ever be. He was relieved that no one he knew sat near him as he kept his focus on her all evening.
As the applause at the conclusion of the concert subsided, he stood with resignation; he must now put in an appearance at the party. He heard the loud music before he’d even neared the door. As he made his way through the crowd, he heard Nyota’s laughter and set off in her direction.
When he saw her across the room, he stopped, suddenly tense. She was seated on a high stool at the bar, flanked by two cadets. Two male cadets.
The older of the two, a brunette, had his back to the bar, surveying the crowd. But the blond one-Spock’s hands clenched into fists of their own accord-the blond one was leaning in close to Nyota, leering.
“C’mon, Uhura,” the blond was saying, “How long has it been, huh? Two and a half years?”
“Ooo! Farmboy can count! I’m impressed!” Nyota took a sip of her drink.
“Don’t be,” the brunette scowled.
“Hey, I thought you were supposed to be backing me up here,” the blond said.
“You thought wrong,” his friend replied.
“Will you give it a rest, Kirk?” Nyota pleaded. “I’m waiting for a friend. Just go away.”
“Well, your friend is late, so why don’t I keep you company ‘til he gets here?”
She scowled.
“Or, you could tell me your name, and I’ll go. Promise.”
“I believe Cadet Uhura asked you to leave, Cadet,” Spock said as he reached the bar. The men stood at attention.
“Commander,” they said in unison.
Kirk tried to explain, “I was just-”
Spock took a step forward. “You were just what, Cadet?”
“Leaving, sir” said the brunette. “We were just leaving, right, Jim?”
The one called Jim swallowed. “Uh, yeah. That’s right. See ya, Uhura. Commander.” The men quickly vanished into the crowd.
Nyota was laughing. “Thanks, Spock. Jim Kirk needs a little ego deflation.”
“Has this man been pursuing you?”
“Me and everything else in a skirt,” she laughed. “He’s harmless. Persistent, but harmless.”
He looked in the direction the men had gone. While she had displayed no interest in the cadet, the man had an ease of manner that Spock lacked. He suddenly wondered what other attributes, human attributes, Nyota must want from a partner.
“Earth to Spock! Hello?”
“Yes, Nyota. My thoughts were elsewhere.”
“So I gathered. Seriously, don’t worry about Kirk. He’s a pest, that’s all. Here,” she said, handing him a glass. “I ordered your iced tea.”
“Thank you,” he took the glass, thankful for the change of subject. “Your performance tonight was quite admirable.”
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely happy. An “admirable” from Spock was a rare compliment.
“Ny!” Someone called. Two young women approached them. Spock recognized them as singers from Nyota’s choir.
“Hey you two!” she said.
“Nyota, that solo was amazing!” said the petite redhead.
“Seriously!” agreed her grey skinned friend.
Nyota smiled. “Thanks you guys! Oh, where are my manners?!” Spock steeled himself for the inevitable introductions.
“Commander Spock, this is Lieutenant Sarah Wheeler, of engineering.” The redhead grinned. Spock noticed that she appeared to have too many teeth.
“…and this is Cadet d’Nal, who’s studying xenobiology.” Spock tried not to focus on the grey woman’s double cranium.
Spock nodded to them both. “A pleasure to meet you,” he recited.
Nyota and her friends were quickly engaged in an animated discussion. While she occasionally tried to bring him into the conversation, the crowd and the noise were becoming overwhelming.
“Excuse me, Nyota. I must take my leave of you.”
She nodded, understanding. “It is a bit of a crowd.” She said goodbye to her friends and turned to Spock. “Come on, I’ll walk out with you.”
“I’m sorry,” she said when they reached the building entrance. “I’m always dragging you everywhere, and you always put up with it, even if it makes you miserable.” She smiled sadly.
“I am not miserable. I found the music pleasing.”
“Well, thanks for supporting me, and for at least showing up for the party.”
“I will always support you,” he said quietly.
“I know that. And I you.” She threw her arms around him. “Merry Christmas, Spock. See you in a couple of weeks.”
He returned her embrace, and surreptitiously inhaled the scent of her hair, her neck. “I look forward to your return,” he said softly.
“I’ll miss you, too,” she said as she gave him a final squeeze.
She released him and waved before heading back to the party. He quickly made his way home, eager to settle the emotions roiling within.
---------------------------------
* You evil son of a targ!
( continued)