Title: Forever Would Be Just Long Enough 
Author: Nyotava (nyotava@yahoo.com) 
Series: NEW TOS 
Pairing: K/U 
Rating: [NC-17] 
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. I receive no profits from 
this. It is just for fun. 
Archiving: Please ask. 
Feedback: Constructive Criticism desired. 
Beta: Special thanks to IDIC for her feedback and encouragement. 
Mistakes & weirdness are all mine. 
Summary: Uhura is in San Francisco giving a series of lectures at 
the Academy. While there, she meets up with Kirk, a newly-promoted 
admiral, and they discover that their feelings for each other are 
not entirely professional. 
 
 
Lieutenant Commander Nyota Uhura peered across the street from under 
her umbrella. The street lamps made the road twinkle like the stars 
through the mist. Closing the umbrella she could see that there was 
a new, old-fashioned navy awning highlighting the sub-street entry 
of Zanzibar Blue. "Blue," as the regulars called it, was an 
intimate restaurant and bar, frequented mainly by Starfleet members 
with a penchant for jazz, blues and eclectic cuisine with a New 
Orleans flair. 
 
Uhura made this place her second home while at the Academy. She 
could not have asked for a more ideal place to spend her occasional 
nights away from campus. It was only a few blocks from school, the 
food was delicious, and the club featured live jazz or blues every 
night. In addition, she had become friendly with the owner, 
Reginald Harris, a good-looking music aficionado who began running 
the restaurant for his family straight out of college. 
 
Uhura always found him attractive but despite his efforts, she 
repeatedly turned him down, telling him that with school she didn't 
have time for dating, but in reality, she just feared anything that 
might jeopardize the love she had for her favorite night spot. Over 
time, he came to accept the limits of their friendship and 
appreciate it as much as she did. However, good food and friends 
were sufficient to make her enjoy "Blue," but what kept her 
returning, was the music--the one thing that recharged her batteries 
after a long week of classes and studying. 
 
As she stood watching patrons come and go, she reminisced about all 
the good times she had there. She missed them terribly. 
 
"Nyota? Is that you? Ya know, they really shouldn't let people 
like you wander around. You're confusing the traffic, the light's 
been green for some time now," a voice called to her, snapping her 
out of her reverie. 
 
"Reggie! How are you, honey?" She reached out to embrace the tall 
mahogany man with a brilliant, nearly perfect smile. 
 
"You are too gorgeous! Let me look at you." He held her hands and 
pulled away, scanning her figure appreciatively. "Ah, no cute 
little red uniform, I see. So they do let you wear your civvies 
sometimes." 
 
"Sometimes." She flashed an almost equally stunning smile at him. 
 
Her hair was newly styled into a bob, and shone with the mist of the 
night, and the skirt she wore showed off her legs. 
 
"Mm mm mm. Marry me?" 
 
"Reggie, with charm like that, you should be married several times 
by now!" She giggled and gave him a pat with her clutch. 
 
He tilted his head back and laughed. 
 
"Come on, let's go inside," he said excitedly, pulling her across 
the street, down the stairs and into the club. 
 
They walked in to the sounds of animated chatter and the gentle 
rhythm and bass of a trio on stage. 
 
"How's everything going? Any problems I need to know about?" he 
asked his maître d'. 
 
"No sir, everything is running fairly smoothly for a weekend." 
 
"Great, because I plan on spending most of the evening with this 
lovely little lady right here." He kissed Uhura's hand. 
 
The maître d' took their coats while Reggie took Uhura's hand and 
led her over to a booth in the back of the restaurant. 
 
"Nyota, tell me, what are you back for? Shore leave? A mission? I 
know--you just miss me, that's it, isn't it?" He guided her to take 
a seat, then slid in across from her. "First," he said, speaking to 
a waitperson, "she'll have a Pinot Grigio," and glanced over at her 
for confirmation, "and for me, the usual. You hungry?" She 
nodded. "Okay, Exeter, bring us a plate of Bourbon Shrimp to start 
off with." 
 
Not missing a beat, she answered, "How did you guess? You always 
know me so well. No, I'm here doing a series of lectures at the 
Academy. I'd tell you what they're about, but then I'd have to kill 
you. Nothing exciting to most, but to be honest, I'm thrilled. I'd 
always hoped to teach one day, I just never thought I would get a 
chance so soon." Since assigned, she had tried to maintain an 
impression of nonchalance about the project, so it was exciting just 
to finally share her enthusiasm with someone. 
 
"That's terrific, darlin'." He smiled sincerely and gave her hand a 
friendly rub. "So are you still on the Enterprise?" 
 
Uhura smiled when a platter of succulent Terran shrimp appeared on 
their table. Taking one, she marveled to herself how much she 
missed real, non-synthesized food. 
 
"No, unfortunately, it's going through a refit right now, so I took 
an assignment on another ship," she said pensively. 
 
"What about that captain that you'd go on about? Are you still with 
him?" 
 
"With him? No, oh no. Who? Captain Kirk?" she asked, looking over 
at him as if not sure whom he meant, all the while fearing she 
swallowed a shrimp completely whole. "No, he was promoted to 
Admiral and is working here, in San Francisco." She paused a 
moment, thinking. "I don't know how he's going to bear being on the 
desk fleet. It would be nice to see him while I'm here, so I sent 
him a note letting him know that I was going to be in town." 
 
"I knew it. There it is--that dreamy look in your eye whenever you 
mention his name. I was always jealous as hell of that guy. You'd 
just go on and on about him like I was chopped liver." 
 
"Reggie! Chopped liver? Don't be silly!" She smoothed the napkin on 
her lap. "You're a filet mignon, I assure you." She giggled and took 
a sip of her wine in an attempt to play off the embarrassment she 
felt at being caught. 
 
"Yeah, sure I am. Well, you know the 'Fleet guys come in here all 
the time. Admiral Nogura comes here for lunch quite a bit and 
sometimes brings his staff with him. What does this guy look like?" 
With a smirk, he added, "If I see him, you want me to give him a 
message for you?" 
 
"Reggie, stop pouting. He's my captain. Well, he was my captain. 
That's it." She told herself that the lust she occasionally felt for 
him was irrelevant at the moment. 
 
"Fine, enough about Captain Planet. Sorry, Admiral Planet. Let's 
talk about me now. No, seriously, I know how you are about 
Starfleet so I'm really glad you've gotten this opportunity. When 
is the lecture?" 
 
"The first one is tomorrow." 
 
"Well, then," he said leaning in, "how about tonight, you do your 
old friend a favor?" 
 
"No, I can't. I'm sorry." She shook her head. 
 
"You don't even know what I'm going to ask you," he said with 
exaggerated offense. 
 
"It's the same thing you've been asking me since I've known you. 
I've told you, I've never performed in front of an audience before. 
A real audience." 
 
"What, pray tell, is a 'real audience?'" 
 
"You know what I mean, strangers. I sing for myself and for my 
friends." 
 
"How can you sleep at night knowing how you deprive others of your 
talents?" he queried with an air of false drama. "I promise, you'd 
make some new friends quick if you sang here for me. Come on, just 
think of it: your first lecture and your first solo debut all in the 
same trip." 
 
"Why do you do this to me? I know that I'm a ham sometimes, but 
here? This place is like Carnegie Hall to me, an icon." 
 
"That's why you have to do it. One song is all I ask. Encores are 
optional," he added with a grin. 
 
She sighed and began clapping for the set. 
 
"I'll think about it, okay? Tonight I just want to relax and enjoy 
myself." 
 
*** 
 
When Uhura arrived back at her apartment, she was tired, a little 
tipsy, but happy to be home, if only for a few days. She looked 
around the living room curiously. She was always unnerved by how 
different her apartment appeared whenever she returned home for a 
visit. Her roommates seemed to change the décor whenever they 
returned for vacation or a mission. It was familiar, yet not. 
 
Letting out a tired sigh, she decided that she would take a bath and 
then review her notes for the morning's lecture. It was so good to 
see Reggie again, she thought as she sank into the warm, relaxing 
water. Lying there in the suds, she allowed her mind to wander. 
 
//But it would be even better to see Captain Kirk once again.// 
 
She was bemused by how easily Kirk had pushed Reggie out of her 
mind. Yet, it would be a welcome experience to be able to spend 
time with him without having to worry so much about regulations and 
chain of command issues. Always dreaming of breaking down some of 
the barriers she put up between them, this would perhaps be her 
first opportunity to see him, truly see him, warts and all, and not 
with the eyes of one of his crew, and for him to do the same with 
her. 
 
She ran her sponge over her knee as she imagined him in the new 
Admiral's uniform. Uhura closed her eyes at the thought of seeing 
the contours of each of his muscles through the clingy new fabric. 
 
//Hopefully I'll get to see for myself soon enough. My goodness. 
Okay, enough fantasizing, time for work.// 
 
With that last thought she reached over to get her padd at the side 
of the tub and began scanning through her notes. 
 
Finishing up, she had a thought. 
 
//But he's gone from my life; I won't be working under him again. // 
 
"Perhaps all the better," she said aloud and rose from the water and 
got out of the tub. Wrapping herself in her robe she went into the 
den and took a seat at her console to check for any communiqués, 
scanning the list for something from Kirk. There was a reminder of 
protocol for wearing the new uniform. Another reminder about the 
new uniform requirements. A survey on the new women's uniform. 
There it was--a note from him. She opened and read it. 
 
"Lt. Commander Uhura, Regarding your message, Admiral Kirk would be 
pleased to meet with you at the close of your lecture at 1600 hrs. 
Please contact me at this office if you are unable to meet this 
appointment. Respectfully, Lt. Sulak. CC: Admiral James T. Kirk. 
 
Uhura sat back in the chair, crestfallen. She had hoped that he 
would be looking forward to seeing her, as she was him, not 
grudgingly agreeing to it, just like any other required but 
undesired appointment, as she took the message to mean. 
 
//So now that he's an Admiral, he has to pencil me in, does he?// 
 
She knew that it was commonplace for higher ups to have their 
messages checked for them when they were unavailable, but this? She 
had never received such a dry, distant response before, and being a 
communications officer, she encountered many. She clicked off the 
screen so roughly that she broke a nail. 
 
She cursed to herself in Swahili and tried to think clearly. The 
camaraderie, admiration and even love she felt for him ran strong 
and deep. Filing her broken nail, she continued to dwell on the 
embarrassment, confusion and hurt the note flared in her. 
 
Would he have responded so callously if it were McCoy or Spock who 
had contacted him? Certainly not. Not that she was as close to him 
as they were, but she had believed, and he had allowed her to 
believe, that she was more than just his communications officer. 
They had been through so much together in those five years: life, 
death and everything in between. Captain Kirk was her family, just 
as Sulu and Chekov were. Wasn't he? 
 
This note, in effect proved to her that his agreeing to see her was 
simply a courtesy, him doing his duty to meet with a former 
crewman. Could she have misinterpreted their friendship? 
 
//I guess there was no friendship to speak of. I was just a member 
of his crew. Nothing more.// 
 
The message had done away with all the relaxation she received from 
the bath. She was now agitated and disheartened. Getting up and 
going to her bedroom, she decided that in the morning, she would 
call and cancel. Since she was required to give a final briefing to 
the admiralty when the rest returned from their diplomatic mission, 
she saw little point in subjecting herself to the awkwardness of 
meeting him individually under such indifferent and unappealing 
circumstances. 
 
*** 
 
Admiral James Kirk walked into his office suite when his aide 
stepped in after him. 
 
"Good morning, Sulak," Kirk said to the young Vulcan man. 
 
"Good morning, sir. I have just returned from the conference room 
and your morning staff meeting has been postponed until 1400." 
 
"Good. We just had a preview of it yesterday and I've had about 
enough discussion of these new uniforms. A word of advice: don't 
ever become the most junior Admiral," he said gruffly while walking 
into his office. "Uniform Task Force, my backside," he muttered 
under his breath as he seated himself at his desk. 
 
//I can't wait to see what my next 'mission' is.// 
 
"Well, that leaves me a few hours until my next appointment." He 
thought of Uhura. "Sulak, do me a favor and see when Commander 
Uhura's first lecture is." 
 
"Yes, sir." 
 
Kirk sat down at his desk, turned on his console and began checking 
his messages. There were forty and thirty-six had something to do 
with the new uniforms. Then he noticed that one was a reply from 
Sulak to Uhura's message to him. He opened it and upon reading it, 
ran his hand slowly down his face. 
 
"Sulak, when you have a moment, would you come here, please?" 
 
Sulak stood and walked into his office. 
 
"Sir, her lecture begins in 16.7 minutes. And you required me for 
something else?" 
 
"Yes, Sulak. I know I asked you to reply to my messages because 
I've been very busy lately. Maybe I didn't make it clear, but 
Commander Uhura is a friend of mine. I didn't mean for her to 
receive a sterile, standard Starfleet message." He sighed, 
imagining Uhura's reaction to the cursory note. "Just for future 
reference, when I can't answer my mail and I ask you to do so for 
me, my friends should receive a more…personable response. " 
 
"Yes sir, but is she not a subordinate?" 
 
"Yes, technically, she is… but you can't spend five years on a ship 
with people and not become close to them." 
 
Sulak raised his eyebrow. 
 
"I could." 
 
Kirk frowned and tapped his finger on the desk. 
 
"But you do understand what I'm trying to say, don't you?" 
 
"No… but I will follow your instructions." 
 
Kirk sighed and smiled patiently, fondly remembering what it was 
like to work with Spock. Sulak was like a much younger version. 
 
"Good, thank you, Sulak. Now I'd better be going if I want to make 
it to that lecture on time." 
 
"But sir, won't you and all the admiralty be attending once Admiral 
Nogura returns Friday from the admissions ceremony?" 
 
"Yes, we will, but this series of lectures is more nuts and bolts 
than the one we're slated to receive, since it's really geared for 
the communications upperclassmen and instructors. I'd ask you to 
join me but I know you'll be busy as usual. It should prove to be 
fascinating." 
 
Sulak's eyebrow rose at "nuts and bolts," and simply 
replied, "Indeed." 
 
*** 
 
Kirk arrived at the lecture hall and greeted some instructors who 
appeared very surprised to see him. He walked to the front row and 
glanced down and smiled at a cadet sitting on the aisle seat. 
 
Before Kirk could say anything, the cadet spoke up. 
 
"Sir, please take my seat," the young man nervously said with an 
eager smile. 
 
"Thank you, Cadet," Kirk replied as he sat down and smiled to 
himself at the perks of being an admiral. 
 
A moment later, the Dean of the Communications Department stepped up 
to the stage and took her place at the podium. Following her brief 
but very friendly introduction, Uhura walked down the side aisle, up 
to the stage and turned on her wireless microphone. After the 
polite applause stopped, Uhura spoke. 
 
"Thank you so much for that warm welcome, Commander Agleen." She 
shined her winning smile. "As you know, I'm here to give a week- 
long lecture on Romulan Communications Countermeasures. After 
spending three months on the Hood patrolling the Neutral Zone, the 
Communications Department and I have encountered the Romulan's use 
of new and destructive jamming techniques." She began to pace 
slowly, incorporating a slide-show effect on the panel above and 
behind her. 
 
Kirk watched her and was enchanted with her new hairstyle, deciding 
that it took nearly ten years off her, not that she needed it. 
 
//Oh, and there's that walk of hers. Like a dancer's. // 
 
He smiled and marveled at how she seemed to glide instead of walk 
with a bob like most people do. He ran his fingers through his hair 
as he admired the curves the new uniform highlighted on her. The 
one good thing about them, he mused. 
 
"As a result, we have developed protocols that are essential to 
future operations and contact on or near the Neutral Zone. Today's 
lecture will be an overview, but the following days we will be 
covering specific scenarios and countermeasures." 
 
She spotted him and paused for a split second after catching his 
eye. He smiled warmly and crossed his leg. 
 
//What is he doing here?// 
 
She raised an eyebrow, then looked away, trying not to laugh at the 
terrified look on the cadet's face who sat next to him. 
 
"We'll take periodic breaks and have a question and answer segment 
before each. I want you to know that I remember what it was like to 
sit where you are now, so I'll do my best to get through everything 
and do so on time--that is, only if you laugh at my jokes," she said 
with an easy grin and paused for the laughter. 
 
"Any questions?" She asked the group and then glanced over at 
Kirk. "No? Then let's get started." 
 
*** 
 
At the end of the first question and answer session, she dismissed 
the group and the entire front row left from the opposite side to 
avoid Kirk. Uhura noticed and smiled. She stepped down from the 
stage and he was there, looking up, to take her hand as she stepped 
to the last one. He took both her hands and smiled affectionately 
at her for a moment. 
 
"Terrific job, Uhura." 
 
"Admiral Kirk, it's nice to see you." There was a hint of distance 
and confusion in her voice and a perplexed look on her face. "Thank 
you. I had no idea you would be here." 
 
"Neither did I, frankly. " He took her aside near the stage and 
spoke quietly. 
 
"First, let me apologize. My aide is new, and like another Vulcan 
we know, has… some difficulty with interpersonal issues. I really 
am sorry. I hate to imagine what you were thinking of me. I know 
how I would have felt if I received a message like that from one of 
my friends." 
 
Uhura closed her eyes for just a second and let out a small sigh of 
relief. She was so glad that it was just a misunderstanding, she 
wanted to reach out and hug him. 
 
"Thank you, Admiral. I'm just so happy that you're here." She beamed. 
 
"Thank you, so am I." He looked down at her, smiling, genuinely 
glad to be near her again. 
 
"I'm sorry, sir, but the break will be over in just a few minutes, 
but I'll see you at 1600?" 
 
"But that would mean that my time is my own," he said with an 
apologetic grin. "Sorry, Uhura, not exactly. My morning meeting 
with Admiral Komack was rescheduled for this afternoon, so I won't 
be able to see you after all. I thought I'd tell you in person 
instead of… leaving it up to Sulak." He chuckled ruefully. 
 
"Oh… well… I understand." She continued, trying to assure them 
both, as well as hide her disappointment. "I'll be in town for a 
week, we'll find some time, I'm sure. Maybe after work we could 
have a drink or something. Do you know Zanzibar Blue? Their sets 
begin at 2000 hrs. Whenever I'm in town, it's my second home." 
 
"Yes, I do. The Old Man takes me there for lunch once in a while, 
though I've never been there for the entertainment." 
 
She glanced over his shoulder and saw that almost the entire 
assembly had returned from the break and was patiently waiting and 
watching them. 
 
"Oh my, I'd better get started." 
 
"Yes, I suppose you should." He glanced back quickly and laughed 
quietly. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out. You know how to 
find me." 
 
"Yes, I do. Good-bye, Admiral Kirk." 
 
"Good-bye, Commander," he said with a wink. 
 
Uhura turned and stepped up to the stage. 
 
"Well, at least I know now that you're punctual," she said to the 
crowd after turning on her mike. 
 
Kirk left the auditorium just as the quiet laughter subsided and she 
began lecturing again. 
 
 
 
End of Part 1

"Okay, I'll do one song, Reggie," Uhura said to him when she spotted 
him near the entrance of the club. 
 
"That's fantastic!" Reggie grabbed her hand and took her to the 
small dressing room behind the stage. 
 
"I knew you'd do it. Do you need me to get the band ready?" 
 
"Oh you did, did you?" She smirked. "Just tell them it's 'Blue 
Moon' in A flat. Now, let me get ready." 
 
"Sure thing, darlin'. You've got 10 minutes. By the way, you look 
fantastic." He kissed her on the cheek and left. 
 
Uhura sat at the dressing table and looked into the mirror as she 
dabbed her face with powder, diminishing a tiny shine on her nose. 
Looking at her reflection once again, she thought she would try a 
little drama and added some highlights to her eyes and brows. She 
ran a comb through her hair and smoothed out her bangs. She lifted 
her chin and turned her head slightly and her earrings, that looked 
like two miniature shooting stars, swung and shone in the light. 
 
Standing up, she walked over to the full-length mirror and stood in 
Terran ballet's third position to check her figure. Leaning down, 
she adjusted her stockings and garters, an old-fashioned contraption 
she wore whenever she felt like being extra-sexy. This was her 
first night out in a long time and her first night back at Blue in 
almost two years; she wanted to look especially good. Snapping the 
back strap of her high-heeled sandals and smoothing her stockings 
all the way up her legs, she insured that the black seam remained in 
alignment. 
 
She wore an iridescent black strapless, knee-length cocktail dress 
that turned shades of silver when she moved. Checking her 
chronometer, she noticed that she had only a moment left before 
going on. The butterflies were loose and she took a deep breath to 
calm them. 
 
The music began and Uhura's heart skipped a few beats. 
 
//No introduction? Reggie only introduced amateurs. I hope he's 
not trying to pass me off as the evening's talent!// 
 
She stepped out onto the stage and was thankful that Reggie 
preferred a subtler lighting of his performers, with blue accents, 
which complemented the easy and soothing atmosphere of the small 
club. The applause was warm and she was put a little more at ease 
by it. 
 
Uhura stepped up to the microphone and glanced at it, and was happy 
to see that Reggie had adjusted it to her height. Waiting until the 
band had come back to the measure the song began on, she smiled 
appreciatively at the crowd. 
 
"Blue Moon… You saw me standing alone.…" she began singing to the 
slow, sultry, brass-heavy tune. 
 
Kirk had just gotten down to the bottom step when a young Andorian 
woman came up to him and tried to take his dripping jacket and 
umbrella away. 
 
"Whew, it's still raining pretty hard out there," he said to no one 
in particular as she helped him pull his arms out of the sleeves. 
He looked up and saw the man he believed to be the owner of the club 
smile and walk over to him. 
 
"So it's still coming down, eh? I'm lucky to have so many loyal 
patrons come out on a night like this. Glad to see you back," he 
said taking Kirk's hand. "Reggie Harris." 
 
"Jim Kirk," he replied politely, and took a glimpse around the bar, 
then up to the stage. 
 
A look of irked recognition flashed on Reggie's face which he 
attempted to make up for with a civil smile. 
 
"I've enjoyed some…" Kirk began but when he glanced up and 
recognized the performer, he stopped and simply stared at her, 
allowing a slow smile to creep onto his face. For a beat, he seemed 
to forget that he was talking to someone. 
 
"… wonderful lunches here." He faced back to Reggie. 
 
"Great. Glad you could make it. How many will be with you tonight?" 
 
Kirk unintentionally looked back to the stage. 
 
"I'm not certain, but let's say two." He wondered if Uhura would be 
sitting with him, considering they did not officially plan to meet 
tonight. 
 
"Two it is," Reggie replied somewhat curtly. "Please, enjoy your 
meal," he added and waived over a young man. "Krendo, will you 
please seat this gentleman?" Krendo began walking between tables 
with Kirk in tow and all the while, Kirk watched her, not wanting to 
miss a moment. 
 
Uhura sang and scanned the crowd, hoping to see Reggie, someone she 
could focus on to calm her nerves a little more. She saw a 
Starfleet uniform and felt her heart leap, but it was no one she 
knew. She closed her eyes and continued to sing. 
 
"Without a dream in my heart… Without a love of my own." 
 
She opened her eyes and searched for him again and saw someone 
walking to a table. She followed his form; it was Kirk and he was 
watching her! He almost bumped into someone's chair and she smiled, 
trying her best not to lose the mood of the song. 
 
He followed Krendo to a small booth in the rear of the restaurant. 
 
//Any closer and I'd be in the kitchen.// 
 
He thought, but quickly acknowledged that the restaurant was full, 
save the one table. 
 
Uhura saw Kirk's perturbed look and smiled while she sang. Her 
voice was suddenly smoother than glass and evoked more sultriness 
than before. This had just become much less painful. 
 
"And then there suddenly appeared before me… the only one my arms 
will ever hold… I heard somebody whisper, please adore me…." she sang 
and stretched out her arms toward the audience fluidly, then slid 
her hands down her sides until they reached her hips. 
 
Uhura could feel a tugging in a familiar place as she watched him as 
he watched her. She now had close-up vision because it was as if he 
were sitting directly in front of her and there was not another soul 
in the room. She seemed to be gaining strength from his presence, 
like some symbiosis that was allowing her to continue. Her eyes did 
not leave his face; he was saving her. 
 
Her insides seemed to grow warmer and warmer as if his expressive 
hazel eyes were heat sources. Feeling a trickle of perspiration 
roll down her chest and into her bodice, her mind began to wander. 
Unexpectedly, the music stopped, and she began to hear appreciative 
applause. Kirk looked pleased and was clapping enthusiastically. 
Glowing, she took a tiny bow, and after a moment, glanced up and 
noticed that he had left his seat. 
 
"Ladies and gentlemen, that was Nyota Uhura, a dear friend of mine. 
Thank you, Nyota," she heard a miked voice say and saw that it was 
Reggie approaching the stage with a long-stemmed rose in his hand. 
She smiled, taking it and left the stage with him while the band 
began playing again. 
 
"Nyota, that was fantastic, darlin'. You've got to come do that 
again tomorrow night." 
 
"I don't know, Reggie. It was fun, but I don't really think I have 
the nerves for it." 
 
"Are you kidding? You're a natural!" He noticed the heady look on 
her face. "Well, I'll give you a minute to yourself. Beautiful 
job." He smiled and touched her on the shoulders, then left her 
alone. 
 
Uhura sat at the dressing table and took a deep breath. She 
powdered her nose again and smoothed out her bangs. Pulling a 
tendril behind her ear, she reached for her clutch and her rose and 
left the tiny room. 
 
Walking out to the tables, she received a room full of friendly 
smiles and a compliment here and there. She reached Kirk's booth 
and stopped. He slid to the edge and then stood directly in front 
of her. He wore black slacks, a button-down shirt and an old-style 
blazer. Uhura rarely saw him in civilian clothes and found the 
change very appealing. 
 
"Uhura," he said quietly, reaching for her hand and pausing as if at 
a loss for words. 
 
"Admiral Kirk, I'm so glad you could make it." She took it and gave 
it a squeeze. 
 
They were standing close enough that he could smell her perfume and 
he noticed that it was new to him. 
 
"So am I. That was great, Uhura. Have a seat?" He moved aside so 
that she could slide in. She was immediately put at ease by his 
informality. 
 
"I'd love to, sir." She slid into the small, horseshoe-shaped booth 
and bumped into something on the seat. "What's this?" 
 
"Oh wait, close your eyes," he said to her softly. 
 
"Yes, sir." She wondered what he was about to do. 
 
"Just a second, excuse me," he quietly said, almost into her ear, 
leaning across her and picking up something beside her. 
 
She could smell his cologne and his shoulder just barely brushed the 
front of her dress, surprising and exciting its contents. 
 
He pulled back and held out a jumbled bouquet of flowers in front of 
her. 
 
"Okay, open your eyes." 
 
"Admiral Kirk!" she exclaimed when she saw them. "How did you…." 
 
"Ah, but I see you already have a fan," he said, noticing the rose 
in her hand. A tiny frown left his face when he again noticed how 
flattered she was. 
 
"I requisitioned them," he said slyly, looking at her still-shocked 
face and remembering how he had acquired them only a few moments 
before. He had gone up to the bartender, turning on the charm, and 
basically told her that he just had to have the flowers that were 
displayed on her counter. Expensive, he thought, handing the woman 
the several credits in his pocket before she could respond, but 
worth it, he now mused, seeing Uhura's charmed _expression. 
 
"You sounded wonderful, Uhura. I'm so glad that I got the chance to 
see you." 
 
"Thank you, sir, but you must have heard me sing before." 
 
"No, I haven't," he said thoughtfully. "The only person I've ever 
heard sing on the Enterprise is Riley. I still shudder every time I 
hear that damned 'Kathleen' song." She laughed for a minute and 
then Kirk continued with a grin, enjoying the sound of her 
uninhibited amusement. 
 
"No, this is the first time I've been able to really hear and 
appreciate you because I didn't have to worry about being captain 
too. When I said earlier that my time wasn't my own, I meant it. 
Even on the Enterprise, I was always doing ten things at once. 
Taking a moment to appreciate one of my crewmen's talents was a 
luxury I seldom allowed myself," he said the last wistfully and 
glanced at his water glass. The music stopped and they took a few 
seconds to applaud. 
 
"I can understand, sir." She suddenly felt sympathy for the 
consummate command professional. "But we never felt that way. We 
always felt that you were there for us. Your men look up to you and 
appreciate your attention. I say that from experience." She glanced 
down at her lap, feeling a shade embarrassed for her last remark. 
 
"Thank you, but come on, Uhura, I'm sure that I was every bit the 
ogre that I tried my best not to be," he said with a tilt of his 
head. 
 
"Cap… I mean, Admiral, not at all. You could have easily been 
dreadful to us but you weren't. And I never heard or read a 
negative thing about you." Her _expression was serious. 
 
"Thank you, Uhura. That's very kind of you to tell me…." 
 
"Excuse me, would you care to order now?" the waitperson interrupted 
them. 
 
Kirk looked over at Uhura. 
 
"Do you know what you'd like? You didn't get a chance to look at 
the menu." 
 
"I'm ready if you are, sir. I'll just have the jambalaya and a 
glass of red wine." She handed the menu to the man. 
 
"I'll have the crawfish etouffe and a beer." 
 
The waitperson left and Uhura found herself still watching Kirk 
intently. 
 
//Would I be sitting here right now if I didn't think the world of 
you? How can you be so brilliant, yet be so clueless? // 
 
She began to feel frustrated at all the feelings she had rushing at 
her: annoyance, awkwardness, attraction. 
 
"But Uhura, I want to hear about you. How have you been doing since 
the last mission? How do you like working with Captain Conrad?" 
 
"On or off the record?" she asked with a weak chuckle. "The best I 
can say sir, is, well, he's not you." She wanted to tell him that 
Conrad was nothing compared to him, that he was a weak, pathetic 
imitation, and she missed Kirk terribly. 
 
"Well, that's good, isn't it? I mean, for me?" He chuckled. 
 
"Yes, but not so good for the rest of us. It's just not the same. 
I have to admit that I've been missing you…our little group, quite a 
bit." 
 
//I've just been missing you. // 
 
"I've missed you too. On top of that, I'm still trying to get 
my 'land legs' so to speak. How do people stand being grounded like 
this?" He hoped that the bitterness he truly felt remained in 
hiding. 
 
"I guess when one's been in space as long as you have, it leaves its 
mark. They should have a support group for guys like you." 
 
"They do, it's called the Admiral's Lounge," he said with a sardonic 
laugh. "War story central. But I've still got dues to pay. I have 
a two-story maximum." 
 
She laughed genuinely and it released something within her. She was 
relieved; she did not want anymore errant emotions to bother her. 
It felt good to just relax and talk to the man she had known and 
respected for the last seven years. No pressure. No worries. She 
exhaled long and it felt good. 
 
"Am I boring you, Commander?" he asked with a glint in his eye. 
 
"No, not at all sir! I just feel… wonderful. It's nice to just be 
able to relax around you." 
 
"Well relax away. And we're off duty and you don't work under me 
anymore. Call me Jim," he said with a smile. 
 
The waitperson brought their drinks before she could reply and the 
music began again. 
 
"Jim," she whispered to herself. 
 
//No longer in his chain of command.// 
 
Uhura sipped her wine and peered over the glass at Kirk, who took a 
drink of his beer and glanced back over at her with a smile, then at 
the band. He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on, 
she decided. And she wanted him. 
 
Kirk caught her watching him and gave her a 'come here' finger. 
 
Uhura leaned over toward him and he leaned in. 
 
"If I somehow forgot to tell you…you look incredible tonight." 
 
Uhura felt a quiver run through her as she felt his breath hot on 
her shoulder. She smiled and quietly said, "Thank you, sir." 
 
He saw her say it more than he heard her. 
 
She thought her heart was beating so loudly that he could hear it 
instead. 
 
He watched her and marveled at how modest she appeared at the 
compliment. 
 
//She must know how beautiful she is, how down-right sexy she is.// 
 
He gazed at her throat and at the choker she wore and wondered how 
he had never noticed before how smooth her skin looked, now 
appearing to shimmer just the tiniest bit. 
 
"Thank you," she said to the server and moved aside for her food to 
be placed in front of her. 
 
"This looks delicious." He placed his napkin in his lap and began 
eating, relieved that he could now concentrate on his food and not 
her luscious skin. 
 
"Have you ever had their jambalaya?" She placed her napkin in her 
lap. 
 
"No, I haven't. Good, is it?" 
 
"Excellent. Would you like some?" 
 
"If it's that good, I'd love some." 
 
Uhura began putting some food on her fork and lifted it as if she 
were going to simply place the fork into his mouth, but then placed 
it on a small plate and handed it over to him. She blushed and 
smiled at him weakly for her impropriety. Sometimes manners and 
correctness irritated her to no end. 
 
//The other way would have been much more efficient…and much more 
fun.// 
 
She frowned slightly. 
 
With an impish grin at the thought of what she was about to do, he 
tasted it, leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. 
 
//Was she just about to lean over and hand-feed me? Not that I'd 
mind, really, but….// 
 
"That's delicious." 
 
"Another round?" their server came over and asked them. 
 
"Yes, please." Kirk took another sip of his drink. 
 
"Good, isn't it?" she asked, rather pleased with herself and then 
quickly embarrassed. 
 
//I was about to publicly feed my captain. My admiral. Whatever. // 
 
He sat up and continued eating. Kirk suddenly wished that they 
were alone so they need not worry so much about propriety. 
 
//We're friends. We've been friends for over five years. Would 
there really be any harm if she fed me some of her dinner? We're 
not in uniform, who would know?// 
 
It amazed him at times how simple, innocuous acts could seem so 
intimate, so erotic, especially when he noticed how delicious she 
looked herself. 
 
"You know, my etouffe is outstanding. Would you like some?" 
 
"I'd love some," she said in a voice that came out slightly husky 
when she did not intend it to be. She quietly cleared her throat. 
 
//What is going on with me tonight? I've spent countless hours 
working side-by-side with that man. Why am I so….// 
 
Kirk placed two forkfuls of food on a small plate and passed it over 
to her. 
 
She took a bite of it and Kirk watched intently as she closed her 
eyes and swallowed. 
 
//She looks… like she really likes it.// 
 
Kirk swallowed uncomfortably. 
 
She opened her eyes and smiled at him, suddenly back to normal. 
 
"Uhura, are you all right?" 
 
"Mm. Yes, Jim, I'm fine. I was just having a moment." 
 
"A 'moment?'" He continued to watch her, his eyes growing darker. 
 
She glanced at their surroundings. 
 
"Yes, everything is just so lovely tonight. The music, the food. 
Haven't you ever had one of those moments when for that tiny bit of 
time, everything just… clicked?" 
 
"Yes… I believe I have but…." 
 
//…it looks much better on you…. // 
 
She blushed and looked at her lap, smoothing a lock of hair between 
her fingers. Kirk wondered if she could read his thoughts. 
 
"Oh, I'm just having a really good time and you're a large part of 
that." 
 
//You're all of it, Jim.// 
 
"I am? Well, thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Uhura." 
 
"Nyota." 
 
"Nyota." 
 
*** 
 
Time slipped away with each set and finally, it was quieter and the 
musicians began leaving the stage. Only a few dinner tables were 
still occupied, while the remaining patrons were talking and 
laughing noisily at the bar. 
 
"That was the best chocolate cheesecake I've ever tasted." Kirk 
leaned back in the seat. 
 
"I told you it was good. Although I must admit that it's not quite 
as good as mine." Uhura had ordered the dessert but the waitperson 
had brought two spoons so they shared it. 
 
"I didn't know you cooked, Nyota." 
 
"When I'm home, I guess I'm not too bad in the kitchen." She 
chuckled modestly. 
 
"That sounds like quite a treat." He sighed quietly. "Well, I 
guess we'd better get out of here. They look like they might close 
up the place on us." 
 
"Yes," she agreed and looked at her chronometer. "I didn't realize 
the time." She tried not to let the disappointment show on her 
face. She was well caught-up on her notes for the lecture and had 
no desire to go home to her empty apartment. 
 
"Me neither." Having paid the check long ago, Kirk gestured for 
them to leave. Uhura picked up her flowers and clutch and slid out 
of the booth heading for the door. Kirk walked up behind her and 
his hand gently brushed her back and an unexpected tingle 
accompanied by warmth spread throughout her. 
 
"There you are," she said when she saw Reggie, glad for the 
distraction. "Thank you for a wonderful time and for giving me my 
first big break!" 
 
He walked toward her and gave her a big hug and a quick kiss on the 
lips. Kirk felt a tug at his chest and a curious irritation grew in 
him. He stepped aside. 
 
"Thank you for singing, darlin'. You were fabulous." 
 
"Thanks, Reggie. Have you met Admiral Kirk?" 
 
"Yes, we did meet earlier." He had one arm around her and glanced 
curiously at the bouquet she held in her hand. "I hope you had a 
good time," he said, addressing Kirk. 
 
"Oh yes," Kirk replied, disliking the man and not having any 
legitimate reason for it. "We did enjoy ourselves." He wondered if 
he overemphasized the word, "we." 
 
"Good," Reggie replied abruptly and turned back to Uhura. 
 
"You'll be back to see me, won't you? Maybe even a song or two?" 
 
"I'll be back but I can't promise anything yet. I'll see how I 
feel." She patted his hand. 
 
"All right, I'll take what I can get. You in any form is good 
enough for me." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and let go of 
her as the maitre d came up and handed them their coats. Kirk took 
hers from her and helped her into it as Reggie looked on. 
 
Kirk led her away and followed her up the stairs and outside into 
the chilly, misty night. 
 
"Thank you for the lovely dinner, sir," she said as they reached the 
street. "Next time, I insist, it's on me." 
 
"It was my pleasure, Nyota. Would you like me to get us a cab?" 
 
"No, no, I'm just up the street. I'll walk." 
 
"All right. I'll walk you home." 
 
"You don't have to, I know you have a long, busy day tomorrow," she 
said, knowing deep down that he would not let her walk home alone. 
 
"No longer than any other day," he said, switching places with her 
so he could be curbside. 
 
//Such a gentleman. What a lucky woman someone would be to have 
him.// 
 
She thought of all the dates she had been on when she was taken to 
an explosion-ridden vid, or when the guy only talked about himself 
the entire night. This was the best date she had ever been on. 
 
//Hold it, girl! This is NOT a date!// It quickly became a mantra to 
her. //This is not a date. This is not a date. This is not a 
date.// 
 
"A credit for your thoughts?" 
 
//This is not a date.// 
 
"Oh nothing," she said sheepishly. "Just thinking about how much I 
enjoyed myself tonight." 
 
"I'm really glad to hear that. I did too. It's not every day that 
I close down a restaurant because I lost track of time." 
 
She laughed quietly. Unexpectedly, there was a bright light in the 
sky and a crack of thunder. They turned and looked at each other. 
 
"We left our umbrellas at the restaurant. How much further is it to 
your apartment from here?" Kirk asked just as the rain began to fall 
in heavy drops. 
 
"Just a couple blocks," she replied, now regretting the form-over- 
function jacket she decided to wear in the peculiar weather they had 
been having. 
 
"You want to make a run for it?" 
 
"I suppose I'm game. I missed my workout today." 
 
Kirk gave her a wink and they took off at a soft run. When they 
reached her brownstone, they were wet and laughing. They stood 
under the doorway while Uhura fished out her old-style keys. 
 
"Come in for a nightcap, sir." 
 
"Is that an order?" 
 
She poked him in the arm with her keys and opened the door. Once 
inside, she helped him remove the rain-slicked coat and hers as 
well, and hung them on the rack in the foyer. 
 
"Please, make yourself at home. I'll go get us some towels." 
 
"I love what you've done with your apartment. It looks different 
since the get-together you had at the end of the mission," he said 
to her as he stood in the middle of the living room, glancing 
around. 
 
"It's different to me each time I come home. It seems that I have 
some frustrated decorators as roommates," she said, returning and 
handing him a large, puffy black towel. 
 
He took it and thanked her, wiping his face with it. She stood in 
front of him drying her hair with hers. 
 
"Ouch!" She bent down to remove her strappy sandals, casually using 
his arm to steady her. "These have got to come off." 
 
"Well," he began, watching as her form bent to remove the offending 
footwear, "what they may lack in comfort they make up for in… 
appearance." 
 
When she finished, she stood up and looked into his eyes. 
 
"Thank you, Jim." She pulled a wet tendril behind her ear and gazed 
back at him. "I'm glad that my feet aren't aching in vain," she 
said with a nervous chuckle. 
 
He broke their gaze. 
 
"Not at all, Nyota. Frankly, speaking on behalf of every sighted 
man in the restaurant tonight, your efforts are… most appreciated." 
He glanced down at her figure then back into her eyes. 
 
"Thank you." She tried not to look as stunned and touched as she 
felt. 
 
"As some say, one doesn't thank logic, or in this case, fact," he 
said with a twinkle in his eye and taking a deep breath. "I was 
never able to tell you before, but you are a stunning woman, Nyota." 
 
//Whoa, he's good. // 
 
Uhura felt herself becoming damper in certain areas. 
 
"Well, since I shouldn't thank you, consider me speechless." She 
stroked his arm that she was still holding on to and sighed. "Well, 
I don't know about you, but I've just learned the hard way that my 
jacket was not meant for all-weather use. I'm soaked." She looked 
down at herself. "I hope you don't mind, but I should really get 
out of these wet clothes. I'll just be a minute." 
 
She turned and walked away from him and up the staircase, slowly, 
carrying her sandals loosely by her fingers. He stood and watched 
her for a moment. She was almost halfway to the top when he moved 
closer so that he still had a view of her. She stopped a little 
further on and lifted her hem, as if checking on her stocking, 
revealing part of her garter. 
 
//Why did she have to do that?// 
 
"And let me guess--and into a dry martini, right? Did you want wine 
or something else?" he asked with an edgy chuckle as he walked over 
to the bar in the living room. 
 
She laughed. 
 
"Wine, please. And I think there's some brandy in there too, though 
I'm not sure if it's Saurian or not." 
 
He heard her bedroom door shut behind her. 
 
"All right," he said more to himself than as a response to her. He 
took a deep breath and began pouring their drinks. He placed hers 
on the cocktail table and walked over to the window with his, 
peering through the curtain. The rain was still coming down. 
 
//What am I doing here? Are we both trying to seduce one another? I 
know she's technically not in my chain of command anymore, but… I've 
got to put a stop to this before we ruin a perfectly good 
friendship.// 
 
He took a quick swig of his brandy. 
 
//What should I put on??// 
 
She looked through her closet searching for something that would be 
sexy, but not too sexy, comfortable, but not too comfortable. 
 
//Why do all of my clothes say, 'come hither?' But that's exactly 
what I want him to do.// 
 
She finally decided on a cream-colored caftan with flowing sleeves 
but a slim shape made of a thin, pearlescent silk. 
 
//I'm almost done with my drink. When she comes out, I'll just make 
my apologies and go.// 
 
He saw her reflection in the window and turned around. He exhaled 
loudly when he saw her in the flesh. 
 
//Easier said than done, my friend.// 
 
"Now it's my turn to be speechless." He took in her outline 
admiringly. 
 
She smiled shyly and sat down on the overstuffed loveseat and 
reached for her wine glass, taking a sip. 
 
"Please, sit down, relax." 
 
//You too, girl. You can do this. You're only trying to seduce 
your former Captain. Admiral.// 
 
He walked over and sat down beside her, holding his glass in both 
hands. 
 
"I really enjoyed your singing, tonight. I only wish I had heard 
more of it. Do you plan on another performance?" 
 
"Only if you're there." She smiled warmly at him. "I was so nervous… 
until I saw you in the audience. But looking at you, I felt right 
at home… " She quickly added, "…as if I were back in the rec room on 
the Enterprise." 
 
"I wish I could have seen you then too. I heard quite a bit about 
your impromptu concerts. I'm sorry I never got the chance to see 
them for myself." 
 
"If you had, then tonight… wouldn't seem nearly as special." She 
lightly touched his hand. 
 
"You're right." He stroked her hair, then stopped himself. 
 
"Nyota," he said and licked his lips, "I have to be honest with 
you; all night… I've been trying to deal with… feelings that I 
thought I had suppressed since the day I first met you. I shouldn't 
be thinking like this." 
 
His touch had produced chills that chased up her spine, emitting a 
tiny shiver from her. Her nipples responded and poked through the 
thin fabric of her gown. 
 
"Sir, I'm no longer in your immediate chain of command." 
 
He stroked her chin, then took her hand and kissed it. As he 
exhaled slowly, he looked back into her eyes. 
 
//She's no longer in your immediate chain of command.// 
 
"I've had a wonderful time tonight, but it's getting late. I don't 
want to go…but I think I should." 
 
She looked down, dolefully, then back up at him. 
 
"I think I want you to stay." 
 
He looked at her for a moment, gathering his best senses. Taking 
her by the hand, he slowly got up and went to the foyer. He took 
his coat, opened the door and looked out at the drizzling rain. He 
turned back to her and lifted her chin. 
 
"Look at me. Nyota, I want to… more than anything, but… if I stay, 
and you regret it, I lose you altogether and… I can't stand the 
thought of that. We have to be sure about this." He glanced 
outside for a second, then back into her eyes. 
 
"But…." Her voice cracked. 
 
He smiled sweetly at her, leaned down and said softly, "One day, 
when we're sure… I might take… a rain check." He then moved back 
enough to just barely kiss her on the lips. As he pulled away, he 
winked, let go of her hand and slipped on his coat. 
 
"Good night, Nyota," he said as he descended the stairs and 
disappeared into the rainy night. 
 
 
 
End of Part 2 
 
 
 
 
Kirk walked into his office gruffly, secretly daring anyone to give 
him any bad news. He slept poorly last night and knew his 
frustration would not abate tonight. He wondered why Sulak was not 
yet in, then decided that he could manage just a little while 
without his assistant, upon whom he decided he was becoming too 
dependent. 
 
He scanned through the latest memorandums and policy changes that he 
had neglected for the past few days and thought of Uhura. What was 
he going to do with her? Last night he had discovered thoughts for 
her he had sworn he had dispelled. Every member of his crew was 
safe from him as soon as they asked permission to come aboard; yet, 
he had encountered many women since then that he had previously 
worked with, and they had not elicited such an immediate and intense 
response in him. To him this reeked of something different and he 
told himself that he had neither the time nor the inclination to 
concern himself with it. 
 
But she was his friend. He cared for her and valued their 
friendship. He did not want to reject and hurt her nor did he want 
to lead her on. He enjoyed his time with her last night; he could 
not just blow her off, forget it ever happened. But what were his 
options? Something could have happened last night but it didn't, 
and it was a good thing. Or was it? His inability to sleep told 
him otherwise. What did she want from him? That was what he needed 
to find out, soon. 
 
Sulak walked into his office carrying a hanger with a covering over 
it that appeared to be dry cleaning. 
 
"Good morning, sir. Your tuxedo, for tomorrow night's gala." Sulak 
hung the item in his closet. "Do you require anything of me, sir?" 
 
Kirk leaned on his desk and rubbed his eyes. 
 
"That's right, it is tomorrow, isn't it? Dammit." 
 
Sulak frowned. 
 
"If you will recall, this appointment has been in your scheduler for 
over a month." Sulak referred to everything in Kirk's scheduler, 
even a party, as an appointment. 
 
"Maybe that's why I forgot about it," Kirk snapped. 
 
He sighed and thanked the stars that he no longer had a female 
yeoman futzing about him. It was much easier to be himself with a 
Vulcan male, but he still needed to be civil. 
 
"This week has been a little unusual. I guess it just slipped my 
mind. It's not you, Sulak. " 
 
Sulak simply blinked, as if to say, "I should think not." 
 
"Thanks for picking up my tux. That'll be all." 
 
"As you wish," Sulak said, the door closing behind him. 
 
The Historical Preservation Society would be having their annual 
fund-raising gala and as a member of the steering committee, he was 
obligated to attend their benefits. When he first arrived in San 
Francisco, the society was the one thing he looked forward to in 
taking a ground assignment. Being a celebrated Starfleet officer, 
the society was just as eager to have him as a member as he was to 
join. 
 
He had purchased the tickets long ago but had stopped seeing the 
woman he had originally asked to attend with him. They had only 
gone on a few dates but the final one was not particularly 
pleasant. He had not spoken to her since and he assumed she did not 
expect to still be attending, although he had seen stranger things. 
 
As much as he would prefer to attend these types of events alone, he 
had long ago been told by the Old Man to always bring a date to high- 
profile functions--and a good-looking one. Otherwise, he told him, 
it would just look "pitiful." He had, however, planned to go to 
this one alone and quietly leave early. 
 
Uhura. He decided that even if she did not go with him, he would at 
least ask her. After all, they did enjoy each other's company. It 
would make the night go by smoother and he would leave a better 
impression since he would not try to excuse himself early and… 
 
"Sir, you have a briefing with Admiral Komack to attend in 9.7 
minutes." 
 
"Thank you, Sulak." 
 
He began a message to her. 
 
"Nyota--Thank you again for a lovely time last night. That brings 
me to a favor I'd like to ask you; I know that it's very short 
notice, but would you be willing to escort me to a fundraising gala 
for the Historical Preservation Society tomorrow night? Things you 
will want to consider before responding: it will be several hours 
with many stuffy old men, myself included, it's black-tie, and I'm a 
horrible dancer. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration. 
Jim." 
 
Uhura's morning came and went quickly, as the students and faculty 
asked many pertinent and interesting questions before each break. 
She was delighted with their enthusiasm and it made the day seem to 
fly by. She was glad because she just wanted to get home and 
unwind. Having slept horribly the night before, she simply could 
not get him out of her mind. The most lascivious fantasies invaded 
her imagination and she thought she might never wind down. She kept 
asking herself why he left. Was he not attracted to her? Did she 
misread his signals all night? 
 
//'I think I want you to stay.' Hmph. I might as well have 
said, 'Captain, I'm frightened.'// 
 
She dismissed everyone for the lunch hour and noticed that on her 
personal communicator there was a message from Kirk. She opened, 
read it and smiled to herself, trying not to laugh out loud at 
Kirk's attempt at being humble. She began a message in reply. 
 
"Dear Admiral Kirk, I would be delighted to accompany you. Please 
forward me the particulars and I shall be awaiting your arrival with 
bells on. Nyota." 
 
Uhura was perfectly giddy the rest of the afternoon. She had 
intended on going to Blue that night but instead decided that she 
would spend the entire evening picking out or maybe even purchasing 
a gown for the gala. She felt like Prince Charming has just asked 
her to the ball. 
 
When her final lecture was completed, she took a brisk walk back to 
her apartment and spent the rest of the night trying on gowns that 
had found their way to the back of her closet, sealed to prevent 
damage. She scoffed at how old some of them were, some still with 
tags on them. She tried on each one but none was perfect enough for 
her. She even tried items in her roommates' closets. It was time, 
she decided, to do some major shopping. With that thought and her 
credits, she headed out to her favorite shopping district to begin 
her mission. 
 
*** 
 
Uhura's lectures the following day went fairly smoothly and quickly, 
much to her appreciation. Afraid that her mind was not really on 
the lecture, she had made a determined effort to stay focused. 
Relieved when it was finally over, she received a reply from Kirk 
informing her that he would be by to pick her up that evening at 
2000 hrs. She quickly assured herself that she would have plenty of 
time to receive a manicure and pedicure, and just enough left over 
to bathe, do her hair and make-up. 
 
She walked into her apartment and went straight to her bathroom to 
begin preparing for the gala, all the while, doing a mental 
countdown to his arrival. 
 
*** 
 
It was 1952 when Kirk rang her doorbell. 
 
"Come in. I'll be right down," he heard her say. 
 
Kirk cautiously stepped inside and looked around, standing in his 
newly cleaned tux. He was freshly scrubbed and shaved and his hair 
was just trimmed. Hearing a footstep, he looked up to the top of 
the staircase and there she was. Kirk was stunned. He had never 
seen someone look so flawlessly dressed and coiffed. All he could 
do was stand there with his hand in his pocket and his mouth the 
tiniest bit agape. 
 
"Hello, Jim." Uhura slowly descended the staircase, wearing a floor- 
length off-the-shoulder red gown. 
 
"Nyota." His voice deep, he slightly dragged out the second 
syllable. 
 
Uhura continued walking down the staircase as Kirk continued to 
stare. He noticed that as she took each step, there were two knee- 
length slits on either side of the skirt, revealing curvaceous 
calves and high-heeled red shoes. He was mesmerized. 
 
She neared the bottom but remained on the last step and pointed a 
gloved hand toward the foyer rack and purred, "My wrap is over 
there." 
 
Still slightly dazed, he walked over to retrieve it and gently 
placed it around her bare shoulders. She wore a wide crystal choker 
and matching drop earrings that seemed to sparkle like the stars 
themselves. Her hair was piled up on top of her head in a loosely- 
arranged up-do. It looked glossy and soft, yet Kirk imagined that 
she must have used anti-grav particles to keep it fashioned so. He 
briefly fantasized about touching it, even caressing it, and 
promised himself that he would find a way to do so before the night 
was over. 
 
Kirk took her hand and helped her to the final step. 
 
"Nyota, I told you that you looked incredible the other night. I'm 
not sure if I can think of a more fitting word to describe you …at 
the moment." 
 
//He's at a loss for words. Not bad.// 
 
"Thank you, sir." 
 
"In the meantime, our carriage awaits." 
 
*** 
 
Held at the city's opera house, the gala was an elaborate affair 
with VIPs from all walks of life attending. Being on the Historical 
Society's committee afforded Kirk many close ties with city 
officials. He introduced her to the mayor, a senator and what she 
thought must have been a half-dozen councilpersons. Each male 
person Kirk introduced her to seemed quite pleased, even eager to 
meet her and Kirk had to politely whisk her away from several 
attendees attempting to monopolize her time. 
 
Before they arrived, he had begun to tell her, as a sort of 
disclaimer before they went in, that he knew many people there and 
that there might be times when they would be talking about boring 
topics; but then he realized who he was with and immediately 
appreciated what an ideal person he had chosen to accompany him. 
Uhura could handle herself anywhere and with anyone. 
 
Kirk had proudly walked in with her on his arm and some people had 
actually stopped talking when they entered the room, she looked so 
dazzling. He was taken aback by some people's reaction and found 
himself not particularly enjoying it when she was not by his side. 
 
Several times, Kirk had gotten separated from her but always kept 
her in his field of vision. He would catch her attention and she 
would smile to let him know that she was doing fine. Whenever she 
looked like she needed a break, he was always there with a way to 
get her away from some old man who was boring her to tears. 
 
//What an amazing woman. // 
 
At one point, he had lost her and quickly made his way around to 
search for her. Finally he discovered her on the dance floor with 
one of the committee chairmen. She made eye contact with him from 
across the room and smiled over the man's shoulder at Kirk's 
determined and irritated look. 
 
He walked up behind the man and tapped him firmly on the shoulder. 
Uhura pretended to be surprised. 
 
"Excuse me, may I cut in, please?" He managed to appear charming 
despite his annoyance. 
 
"Certainly," the man replied politely, but it was clear he was 
miffed at the intrusion. 
 
Kirk took her in his arms and held her closely, then slowly loosened 
his grasp. 
 
"I don't know if I want to be here anymore." 
 
"Oh no? Why is that? I'm having a marvelous time," she said with a 
mock air of regality. 
 
"Because I'm finding that I don't believe that I like to share 
you." He gently caressed her lower back. For a moment she lifted 
her chin slightly and closed her eyes, responding to his touch. 
 
"Oh? Is that so?" she replied, teasingly, tiptoeing her fingers 
along the top of his back. 
 
"Yes it is." He leaned into her closer and whispered into her 
ear, "Breathtaking." 
 
"What?" She pulled back to look at him. 
 
He leaned in and she could feel his warmth against her neck. 
 
"That is what you are, Nyota: Breathtaking." 
 
Uhura felt her throat tense and she closed her eyes tightly, 
focusing on his hands on her body and the scent of him. The music 
swelled and she just gripped his shoulder, never wanting him to 
release her. She was sorry when she heard the song end and he 
reluctantly let go of her. She smiled at him sweetly in an attempt 
to hide her disappointment. 
 
Turning away from him, she saw a couple enter the room through a set 
of old-style French doors. 
 
"Where are they coming from?" 
 
"It looks like the balcony." 
 
"Oh let's go out and see," she said enthusiastically, and took his 
hand and walked towards it. Kirk opened the doors and they stepped 
out onto a large balcony occupied by a few couples. Uhura walked to 
the railing and leaned against it. 
 
"What a gorgeous night." 
 
She surveyed the view. The lights of the city and the Bay Bridge 
flickered in the night sky. 
 
"It's so beautiful. I forget sometimes." 
 
Kirk walked up and stood behind her, also appreciating the view. 
She could feel the warmth of his chest against her bare back, which 
contrasted with the bay breeze, causing her to shudder slightly. 
 
"Are you cold, Nyota?" 
 
"A little chilly, but it feels nice." 
 
Kirk watched her as he slid his hands down her arms and wrapped his 
around her, his hands stopping to rest gently on her waist. 
 
"Is that better?" He spoke near her ear, his lips brushing it as he 
took in the scent of her hair. 
 
"Mm. Much." His touch had betrayed her, sending another shiver 
throughout her. Hoping he had not noticed, she placed her hands on 
his, gave them both a tiny squeeze and leaned her head back against 
his shoulder. 
 
"Are you having a good time, Nyota?" 
 
"Yes, but.…" 
 
"Hey, how about we make our apologies and get out of here. It's 
beginning to wind down anyway. What do you say?" 
 
"Sure, but where do you want to go?" 
 
"Just leave it to me. You like seafood, don't you?" 
 
"I love it." 
 
"Great. I know just the place." He turned her around and smiled at 
her with a glint in his eye. 
 
*** 
 
When the flitter stopped, Uhura looked out the window and was 
startled when she saw a man in a cowboy hat and boots leave the 
establishment, teetering slightly while his friend steadied him. 
 
"Here we are," Kirk said with an enthusiastic smile and exited the 
flitter, helping Uhura out. The sounds of muffled country music 
emanated from the old-style brick building. Beside the entrance was 
a wooden totem pole. Uhura looked up at the swinging wooden sign 
that read, "Acme Oyster House." 
 
"But aren't we a little overdressed, sir?" 
 
"Nah, they'll never even notice. It's a real 'come as you are' 
kinda place." He winked at her. "If you're uncomfortable about 
that, we can go somewhere else, but they've got the best seafood in 
town. It's a little casual, but that's what makes it fun." 
 
She looked into his eager face and smiled uneasily. 
 
"As long as you think it's safe, sir." She smiled and pulled her 
wrap closer around her as if it would protect her from what she 
would face inside. 
 
"Of course it is. Would I ever put you in harm's way?" 
 
"No, not unless some space anomaly or alien species were involved." 
 
She laughed while he just smirked at her, took her hand and pulled 
her toward the door. 
 
"Rub the totem, it's good luck." 
 
Uhura did as she was told but made a face as she wondered how many 
other people had done the exact same thing. 
 
He led her inside the dim but lively restaurant and bar. The place 
was about half-full and the walls had old-fashioned pictures on them 
and some autographed holos of vid stars. The floor was covered in 
sawdust and Uhura wrinkled her nose as she wondered how much was 
getting into her shoes. 
 
She blinked hard when she heard a long, slow whistle from the other 
side of the room and several others follow. 
 
//Oh my gosh, where has he taken me?// 
 
"How are you doing, Jack? I'll have a beer," Kirk said to the 
bartender as he sat on a stool. He pulled her over to the one 
beside him and hit it, watching her as she gingerly slid onto 
it. "Wine?" 
 
"Yes… if they have it." She eyed the tattooed bartender 
skeptically. 
 
"One white wine and a dozen cherrystones." 
 
Uhura looked at him with a raised eyebrow. 
 
"So cherrystones are a type of oyster?" 
 
"Actually, they're a type of clam, served on the half-shell." 
 
"Oh." The hint of a sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth. "May 
I see a menu?" 
 
"Come on, Nyota. You like raw clams and oysters, don't you?" 
 
"No, honestly, I've never tried them." 
 
Kirk grinned mischievously. 
 
"For everything, there is a first time." 
 
She put her hand up in defense. 
 
"Oh no. I've lived a perfectly happy, not to mention, healthy life 
without ever having one. I think I'll continue that streak if you 
don't mind." 
 
"I'm surprised at you, Nyota. Where's your sense of adventure? 
You're not afraid, are you?" Kirk wondered if she would take the 
bait. 
 
Uhura took a sip of her wine and stared at the slimy-looking shell 
creatures she saw appear on a platter of ice. 
 
"Make that a dozen oysters, too, Jack." The man behind the counter 
pointed at him with a nod. 
 
"A dozen? I can't eat a dozen. I don't think I can even eat one!" 
 
"Don't worry, what you don't eat, I will. Now take off those 
gloves and I'll show you how to eat an oyster." He winked at 
her. "You trust me, don't you?" He smiled at her coyly. 
 
"Of course I trust you, Jim, but…." She began sliding off her gloves 
looking at the platter of clams dubiously. She looked as if she 
were about to touch a live wire from her communications board. 
 
"No buts, Commander." There was a trace of authority in his voice. 
 
//Hook, line and sinker.// 
 
A platter of oysters appeared with a clatter in front of them. 
 
"First take one of those lemon wedges over there and squeeze some 
juice onto them. There, good. Do you like cocktail sauce?" 
 
She nodded as she watched him demonstrate everything he was 
instructing her to do. 
 
"Good. Now put a little on one of them. Since you're new at this, 
I'll let you use a fork." 
 
He chuckled and she wondered why, then realized when she saw a man 
on the other side of the bar slurp an oyster right from the shell. 
She grimaced. 
 
"And take off that thing. It'll only get in the way." He took her 
wrap from around her shoulders and hung it up on a rack on the wall. 
 
When he returned to her, he was rubbing his hands together 
fiendishly. 
 
"Now hold the shell with one hand, then pick it up with your fork 
with the other, then put it in your mouth. Don't simply swallow 
it. People say to do that, but if you're not careful, you can 
choke." 
 
He put one into his mouth and closed his eyes, exhaled slowly, 
chewed, then swallowed. 
 
"Mm. Mm. Delicious. Now it's your turn." 
 
He hopped off his stool and stood beside her, watching her closely. 
 
"See, I'm right here." He rubbed her back reassuringly. "I can 
hold your hand if you'd like." 
 
"Very funny, smarty-pants. But they taste peculiar, don't they?" 
She eyed him suspiciously. 
 
"Yes, they taste a little unusual. I admit that it's an acquired 
taste, but I have a feeling you'd like them. They're similar to 
Montarian snails. Come on, Nyota, it's now or never." 
 
Uhura poked an oyster with her fork skittishly, lifted it up from 
the shell and then closed her eyes tightly. 
 
Kirk watched her intently, his eyes opened a little wider. Jack 
stopped his conversation when he saw what she was about to do, and 
the rest of the patrons at the bar stopped talking to watch her 
reaction too. 
 
She put the oyster in her mouth, then opened her eyes and looked at 
Kirk. She slowly chewed, a curious _expression on her face, then 
swallowed and made a small shrug. 
 
Kirk started to clap, then Jack and some of the patrons at the bar 
applauded while some only cheered drunkenly. 
 
Uhura blushed, smiled and dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then 
laughed at her uncertainty about it. She gave him a little push. 
 
"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" He hopped back onto his 
stool. "Besides, it's also considered an aphrodisiac." He picked 
up a clam and slid it into his mouth, took a swig of his beer, then 
winked at her. 
 
//Then I really shouldn't be eating them. Oh, he looks so good 
eating those….// 
 
She took a sip of her wine and peered over at him. 
 
"See, and I thought you trusted me." 
 
"I do, sir. With my life, not my taste buds." She laughed, and 
found it funnier than she thought she would have normally. 
Unaccustomed to champagne, the effects of the several glasses she 
had at the party were beginning to materialize. She noticed that 
she began to feel especially good. 
 
//I hope these oysters aren't kicking in.// 
 
She giggled. Watching him surreptitiously, she admired his broad 
shoulders, deciding that his cropped tuxedo jacket made them appear 
even larger. She found herself staring at him. 
 
"Something funny, Nyota?" 
 
"Oh it's nothing. Just thinking about other times when I really had 
to trust you, but with my life." 
 
She leaned onto the bar and ate another oyster. 
 
"Oh? Any one in particular come to mind?" Kirk gave her a look as he 
swigged his beer. 
 
"When we were in that alternate universe and I had to brave the 
bridge alone. You told me to go ahead and you'd be right there." 
 
"Was I?" 
 
"Yes, eventually." She looked at him and smiled dreamily, then sat 
up straighter as a slight shiver went through her. 
 
"But it was no fun when I had to distract their Sulu for you guys. 
That was a terrifying place. I get chills just thinking of that 
evil version of him. It took me weeks to get used to being around 
him after that." 
 
"It was a disturbing place. I'm glad we never had any other run-ins 
with them, although I must admit, that uniform you wore…" he began 
and looked at her out of the corner of his eye,"…you…well, their 
female uniform…had a few things going for it. I just wonder how my 
alter ego got any work done. It must've been rather distracting." 
 
"Sir?" She tried to sound shocked but was actually amused and 
giddily flattered. 
 
"You sound surprised. You were off limits to me, Nyota," he said 
with a long-suffering sigh, "but I wasn't blind." 
 
Uhura, blushing, pulled and twirled a tendril of her hair between 
her fingers and took a sip of wine. 
 
//Neither am I. My, he's fine.// 
 
Uhura gave him a sideways look and smiled slyly. 
 
"We had some distractions of our own with you in that vest you wore." 
 
Kirk smiled bashfully and swigged his beer, the hint of a blush 
appearing on his cheeks. 
 
Letting him off the hook, Uhura said, "I'm glad I trusted you with 
the oysters. They're good." 
 
He turned and looked at her, leaned in and placed a hand on hers. 
 
"I'm just glad you trusted me, period." Kirk felt very thankful to 
know her and to have had the privilege to work with such a 
professional, remarkable woman. 
 
Uhura felt her heart miss a beat and she began to feel very warm. 
 
"Here, try one of these cherrystones, since you've gotten the hang 
of oysters." He put his fork in one of the clams on the platter. 
 
"I don't know, sir, I don't think I should press my luck." 
 
"I promise that you'll like it. You'll just have to have faith in 
me again." 
 
"Now don't take advantage of my trust." She gave him a dubious look 
accompanied by a grin. 
 
He let go of the fork, turned and looked at her sincerely. 
 
"Never." He placed his hand on hers lightly. 
 
Uhura thought she would fall off the stool, she was so struck with 
the seriousness of his _expression. He almost looked hurt, and she 
instantly regretted the off-the-cuff remark. 
 
"I trust you, Jim. I always have and I always will." She covered 
his hand with hers, hoping to heal the tiny but painful wound she 
had left in him. 
 
He smiled sadly and looked at their hands, then back into her eyes. 
 
"I'm ready when you are, sir." Uhura closed her eyes and opened her 
mouth, hoping to return their conversation to a lighter note. 
 
He looked at her, unnerved by how sensuous the unexpected gesture 
was. He gathered the clam onto his fork, then placed it in her 
mouth and waited for her reaction. 
 
"Mm. I think I like those better than the oysters. They're more 
flavorful, they have a tang to them." She opened her eyes and 
marveled at how aroused she was becoming. "Feed me another. I think 
things taste better when you feed them to me." 
 
He concentrated on gathering another clam onto his fork, taking in 
the erotic nature of what she had just told him. Deciding to take 
the high road, he paused for a moment before replying. 
 
"I'm really glad you're enjoying these, Nyota. I wasn't sure that 
you'd take to them so quickly." 
 
He gazed at her open mouth for a moment and took a deep breath. 
Suddenly wanting to touch her, he ran his thumb across her bottom 
lip. His touch made her lips tingle, sending a wave of pleasure 
down to her core. 
 
"Yes, they do have a tang about them." He appreciated her 
assessment of the food and suddenly wanted to feed her the rest of 
them. He was particularly enjoying this intimate act that they both 
denied themselves the other night. His mind wandered and he 
imagined blindfolding her and feeding her other things: knaini, 
fruit dipped in chocolate, whipped cream. He felt his slacks grow 
tighter. He immediately changed the subject and for the next hour 
the two were lost in a flurry of conversation and laughter. 
 
*** 
 
Kirk's sides hurt from laughing and Uhura was dabbing tears from her 
eyes. 
 
Uhura stopped laughing when she heard a slow song she liked come 
on. 
 
"Dance with me, Jim." 
 
"I'll take that as a direct order," he said furtively, sliding off 
the stool and taking her hand. 
 
He walked out onto the small dance floor and used his foot to clear 
a sawdust-free area for them to dance. He pulled her hands to his 
chest and wrapped his arms around her waist as she ran hers up and 
around to his neck. 
 
"You know, this place isn't so bad." She smiled and looked at the 
restaurant over his shoulder. 
 
"Thank you, I think." He grinned at her. "This is one of my 
favorite places. I'm glad you came, though I know it was a 
sacrifice, being overdressed and all." 
 
"You are such a smarty pants! Now that you mention it, I don't even 
mind that anymore. Everyone here seems so friendly. I thought we'd 
get a lot of nasty looks." 
 
"No, not here. It's a very welcoming and laid-back place. I once 
saw a couple here in a wedding gown and tux." 
 
"Wow, then I don't feel weird at all. I feel… really good, 
actually." 
 
"Good. So do I." He placed his hands at her lower back and gently 
moved them down and around to rest on the swells of her hips. 
 
She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, breathing 
softly into his neck. He moved one hand to caress her bare back 
and up to the back of her neck. He fingered some loose hairs 
gently, delighting in their softness and in the promise that he made 
to himself. 
 
"Your hair is beautiful, Nyota." 
 
"Thank you," she sighed. "It feels so good being in your arms, 
Jim." She could have stayed like that forever, but then an 
unpleasant thought occurred to her: this would all be over soon. 
 
She put her hands on his chest, concentrating on them, trying to 
reign in what she was feeling. 
 
"Jim," she said and looked into his eyes, "take me home." 
 
 
 
End of Part 3

Uhura walked into her apartment and he followed her in and shut the 
door. She slid off her wrap and Kirk hung it up for her. 
 
"Is there something wrong, Nyota? You hardly said a word in the 
cab." 
 
She turned to face him, a confusion of emotions tugging at her: 
frustration, fear, sadness, desire. 
 
"Yes, there is. I'm going to have to leave here in a couple days." 
She looked at him sadly. 
 
"I know, and I'll be sorry to see you go… but we can make the best 
of the time we have now." 
 
She walked up to him trailing her hands up his chest and around his 
neck. 
 
"I want you to make tonight last forever." She tugged on his 
bowtie, causing it to fall loose. 
 
//Forever would be just long enough….// 
 
Kirk swallowed, looked down at her and exhaled raggedly, taking her 
hand in his. 
 
"Don't you want me?" Her eyes explored his face. 
 
"Nyota," he said roughly and took her by the arms, "I've wanted to 
make love to you all night. The night before. Maybe for the past 
six years, but…." He searched her eyes trying to find some sign 
that she understood. 
 
Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back. 
 
"Then show me." 
 
All the frustrated passion he had felt that night, and many nights 
before, was unleashed with those three words. He kissed her so long 
that she gasped and nearly crumpled under the force of it. She 
opened her eyes slowly, her lids heavy. 
 
His eyes were dark and just seeing the unchecked desire in them made 
her want him even more. 
 
"Nyota… if you have any doubts about this… you have to tell me… 
now," he nearly growled into her ear. 
 
He grazed his teeth across her collarbone and nipped at the point 
where her neck and shoulder met. 
 
She had no doubts and she wanted to do all she could to show him 
that. Suddenly, she put her hand against his chest, pushing him 
back slightly. Kirk blinked and watched her curiously. She slowly 
turned around and he smiled to himself as he realized what it was 
that she wanted. He unzipped her gown and followed it with his 
tongue just a little further, to the small of her back. 
 
He lingered there, caressing her, then slowly stood up and let her 
step away from him, allowing the dress to drop to the floor. She 
could scarcely stand. 
 
Kirk felt the slickness of the black strapless bustier she wore and 
panties which were held together by ribbons on the sides. She 
leaned herself against him, her wetness against his staggering 
erection. 
 
"Does this feel like I have any doubts?" she whispered, placing one 
of his fingers against her damp panties. 
 
Kirk exhaled loudly. Closing his eyes he slipped his finger under 
the fabric and gently caressed her tenderness until she was in 
ecstasy. She whimpered and thought sure she would fall, her legs 
weak and trembling. He held her up, reminding her of how safe she 
was in his arms. 
 
"Mm…" he whispered deeply and licked his fingers. Never taking his 
eyes from hers, he scooped her up, effortlessly into his arms and 
carried her up the stairs. He was aware of her size but still 
surprised at how light and delicate she was. 
 
Uhura's breath was uneven and she could not believe that she was 
being taken up to her bed by the man she had deemed the most 
beautiful she had ever seen. Gazing at his golden skin and hair 
made her desire stronger than she thought possible, and she 
momentarily feared that she might never achieve such passion for 
anyone again. 
 
Kissing her, he entered her bedroom, leaned onto the bed and flung 
her softly onto it. The look on his face was undeniable and Uhura 
wanted to remember it forever. His eyes shone with mischief while 
his visage was calm and alluring. 
 
She leaned back on her elbows in the bed and watched him closely as 
he removed his jacket and placed it on the back of a chair. She 
watched, clutching the sheets and bedspread. He slipped his tie off 
and dropped it to the floor. Unbuttoning his shirt, he reached his 
hand out to her and she took it, taking over in his undressing. 
 
Uhura kneeled in front of him and unbuttoned the remainder of his 
shirt, pulling it sharply out of his slacks before undoing his 
cummerbund and removing it and dropping it to the floor. Slipping 
her hands under his suspenders, she slid them off his shoulders. 
She then pushed his sleeves down, slowly, appreciating his taut, 
well-defined muscles and grazing her fingernails down his strong 
arms. Finally, she smiled at him as she removed the shirt entirely 
and tossed it aside. She gazed at his bare chest and ran her 
fingernails gently around it, admiring the exquisiteness of the 
contours of his golden skin. She followed her fingertips with a 
sprinkling of kisses. 
 
Peering up at him from beneath a lock of hair, Uhura took hold of 
his waist and opened his trousers, reaching inside to liberate him 
from their confines. Reaching behind him, she slipped her hands 
beneath the fabric and pushed the layers from his hips until they 
fell to the floor. 
 
Uhura watched his erection and moaned softly as she noticed a trail 
of hair that began under his navel leading down to it. Her tongue 
darted out and she followed the path towards her goal, then took him 
in her hands, giving him a seductive look and wetting her lips. 
Slowly slipping his length into her mouth, she circled it with her 
tongue, then began to move it slowly in, then out. 
 
Kirk gasped at first contact, softly stroking her hair, emitting a 
low groan. Taking her head in his hands, he pulled her up to him 
and nipped at her lower lip, then enveloped her mouth with his, 
completely taking her in his arms. His tongue sought out hers and 
she was taken with a yearning that ached deeply from a place rarely 
touched. 
 
Breaking the kiss, he caught her eyes and held them as he tenderly 
fingered the lace from her bustier and the tops of her thigh-high 
stockings. He smiled at her playfully then pulled loose the ribbons 
at the sides of her panties, causing them to fall to the bed. 
 
"I just love the things you wear for me." 
 
Pulling the lace that held together her bustier, he freed her 
breasts into the loving care of his hands and mouth. 
 
"God, you're beautiful," he whispered into her cleavage as she 
writhed in response to his attentions, his lips and hands finding 
their way to every tender, sensitive area on her body. 
 
Uhura ran her fingers through his hair and moaned as he lapped and 
teased her rock-hard nipples with his tongue. Wrapping her arms 
around his neck, she pulled him back onto the bed with her. He 
reached down and squeezed her backside, then began to knead her 
thighs, pushing them open as he teased her entrance, triggering a 
series of whimpers and cries from her. As he slipped slowly inside 
her tightness, she let out a loud hiss and clutched his back 
roughly, digging her nails into him. 
 
She wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him further inside 
until she was full of him. At the pressure of his meeting her at 
her core, she peaked once again. 
 
He rocked gently inside of her as her hips reciprocated each of his 
movements. When he saw she was about to climax, he intertwined his 
fingers in hers and lifted her hands just above her shoulders, 
staring directly into her eyes. At the sounds of her cries, with a 
devilish grin, he bucked even harder, plunging slowly deeper with 
each stroke, sending her over the edge again. 
 
Just when he believed she could take no more, he finally increased 
his speed and succumbed, his sounds and shudders bringing her to 
satisfaction one last time. 
 
*** 
 
Uhura woke to the smell of coffee and immediately looked over to the 
chronometer. It was 0628. She sighed with relief, remembering that 
she had not set her alarm and afraid that her internal clock would 
betray her. Looking around her bedroom she saw the debris of what 
she remembered to be three rounds of the most incredible lovemaking 
she had ever recalled. She leaned back with a smile and remembered 
some of it, then sat up and retrieved her robe, putting it on and 
heading downstairs. 
 
She walked into the kitchen as Kirk, in boxer briefs, was sliding a 
piece of French toast off of a pan and onto a plate. There were two 
plates of French toast on the counter and a pot of coffee in the 
maker. 
 
"Good morning." He looked up at her with a cheerful smile. 
 
"Good morning," she replied and walked to him, kissing him deeply 
while he held out the pan as not to burn her. "You didn't have to 
make breakfast. Why didn't you just use the replicators?" 
 
"I would've let you cook, but you were… a little tired I think." He 
cocked his head to the side. "Are you trying to tell me that you're 
afraid of my cooking, Commander?" 
 
"No, of course not." She giggled, catching sight of some slightly 
burnt ones that had not yet made it to the recycler. 
 
"You.…" He put down the pan and spatula, grabbing her and setting 
her down on the counter. "Thanks a lot, Uhura. Look at this--real 
French toast made from replicated eggs and bread. It's the only 
breakfast I know how to make and I haven't done so, literally in 
years. A little appreciation would be nice." 
 
"Well, in that case, I feel privileged." She smiled and wrapped her 
legs around him. 
 
Kirk cut her a piece and fed it to her. 
 
"Mm, delicious!" 
 
Kirk folded his arms, appearing very pleased with himself. 
 
Uhura gazed up at him and suddenly felt thrilled to be experiencing 
this moment of intimacy with this beautiful man. She wanted to take 
full advantage of it. 
 
"How about we finish the rest in bed?" She wrapped her arms around 
his neck and began kissing his ear. 
 
He closed his eyes and groaned. 
 
"I'll never forgive myself for this, but… I probably shouldn't. 
I've got to get ready to go. The Old Man and his cronies will be 
back today and I've got some loose ends that need tying up." 
 
"I understand." She was not giving up so easily. 
 
She hopped down and picked up her plate and took a sip of his 
coffee. 
 
"Thanks for the breakfast," she said coolly, taking the plate with 
her. As she walked up the stairs, he watched her pull the sash of 
her robe, letting it fall open, offering him a perfect profile view 
of her nude form. 
 
She eyed him knowingly and he chased her up the stairs. She 
shrieked and ran, dropping the plate on the floor. When he caught 
her, she screeched excitedly and they made love once again, this 
time against the wall of the shower. "Multi-tasking," she later 
thought of it. 
 
*** 
 
Uhura finished the last of her briefings and wondered how Kirk's day 
was going. She was disturbed to find that she had missed him and 
was even more troubled by the fact that she had found herself giving 
her briefing and wishing that he were there listening to her, there 
waiting for her when she was done. She was privately embarrassed 
for being disappointed when he was not there at the close of her 
session. Immediately after, she checked her messages and saw that 
he left her one indicating that he would be working late. Angry at 
feeling hurt, she scolded herself. 
 
//This has got to stop. But whether I like it or not, it will stop… 
Tomorrow. // 
 
She left the auditorium and decided to go to the produce market; 
there was a meal she wanted to prepare. When she arrived home, she 
packed a duffel and put the groceries and a bottle of wine into a 
satchel. 
 
Kirk walked into his apartment, tired and frustrated. He had tapped 
his reserves by trying to stay attentive at each and every dog-and- 
pony show meeting and the boredom that went along with them. He was 
angry with himself for not having had an opportunity to get in touch 
with Uhura again. He decided he would try now, hoping that she had 
not already given up on him for the night. He needed to see her 
again. 
 
"Uhura here." 
 
"Hello…" he said slowly and deeply as an idea popped into his 
head. "…Commander Uhura. This is Admiral Kirk." 
 
Uhura felt a quiver in her chest. She liked the game it sounded 
like he wanted to play. She was more than happy to play along. 
 
"Hello, sir." She felt herself becoming very warm. 
 
"Commander," he began in his most authoritative voice, "I would 
appreciate it if you would see me this evening, in my quarters. 
There's a matter I'd like to discuss with you." 
 
"Of course, sir. I'll be there shortly," she said with false 
formality, trying not to give away how aroused she was. 
 
"Oh, and by the way, Commander, the new uniform code has not been 
officially mandated." 
 
"Yes, sir. Thank you. Uhura out." 
 
Uhura clicked off the communicator and changed into her red velour 
tunic, nearly breathless. 
 
*** 
 
Kirk answered the door in his gold tunic and whispered, "If we're 
going to do this, we should do it right." She smiled, silently 
agreeing that their former uniform was far superior to the new one. 
 
"Please, come in, Commander." 
 
She nodded and stepped into his apartment, placed the two bags on 
the floor and followed him into his study. He stopped when he 
reached his desk and leaned against it and folded his arms. Walking 
into the room, she followed official reporting procedure which she 
had not been required to do for years, but thought it added a nice 
touch. When finished, she stood at attention. 
 
He smiled, enjoying this much more than he expected to. He took in 
her form and imagined that they were in his quarters on the 
Enterprise. He found that his imagination had increased his arousal 
exponentially. 
 
"At ease, Commander." He leaned up and began to pace around her 
slowly, taking in every curve of her body. "This is essentially… a 
friendly meeting." He watched her and noticed she was breathing 
shallowly. 
 
//She's enjoying this too.// 
 
He tapped his lips. 
 
"Commander, as you know, there's been much talk about the new 
uniform code. As a part of the special task force, I would like to 
know, from a woman's point of view, what you think of the new 
women's uniform, as opposed to the old one, the one you're wearing 
now. I have already heard from the men. I am interested in your 
opinion." He folded his arms, attempting to appear stern. 
 
//A direct approach. I like it.// 
 
She tried not to smile. With such a playful topic, it was going to 
be difficult for her to stay in character, she mused. 
 
"A simple pros and cons list, sir?" 
 
"That should be sufficient." He walked back and sat at his desk. 
 
"First, this uniform is soft and velvety, mine, especially so. 
Would you like to feel it?" 
 
"Yes, I would. Come here." 
 
Uhura felt her knees waver at the command-style tone, but did as she 
was told. 
 
"Yes, I see." He licked his lips and looked at her darkly, 
fingering the hem, his finger just barely brushing the crevice where 
her thigh and cheek met. 
 
She walked back to where she had been standing, deliberately 
sashaying her hips a bit more than usual. He tapped his fingers on 
his leg as he watched them. 
 
"It feels so good against my skin," she continued. "It's also nice 
and thick… so if I choose not to, I don't have to wear my issued 
undergarments. Generally, I can go without, experiencing little… 
difficulty." 
 
Kirk crossed his legs as he zeroed in on her nipples. They hardened 
under his scrutiny. 
 
"I have to disagree with you, Commander. It appears…" he said 
standing up and walking over to her, "...that you are having some 
difficulty in hiding the fact that you aren't wearing Starfleet 
issued undergarments now." 
 
He made a clicking sound and pointed his finger. 
 
"You know, of course, that is against regulations." Saying the 
last, he brushed the backs of his fingers against her left breast, 
then traced his finger around her Starfleet insignia, looking at it 
closely. 
 
Uhura's legs began to tremble, desire maddening her, and being on 
the verge of assaulting him, wondered how long he would continue the 
torturous game. 
 
"But never mind that. I will save your… reprimand for another 
time. Show me how easy it is to remove this uniform." 
 
"Frankly, sir, it's not very easy to do. Would you help me?" She 
made an effort to appear bashful. 
 
"No, Commander. I'd like to see you do it yourself. But first, 
tell me what I want to hear." 
 
Uhura looked at him curiously, then smiled, took a deep breath and 
said in the most seductive voice she could produce, "Hailing 
frequencies are… open, Captain." 
 
"Admiral, Sweetheart." With a wink, he walked over to her, lifted 
her chin and kissed her, running his hand up her thigh. 
 
"Sorry I had to cut the game short…" he said huskily into her ear as 
his hands seemed to touch her everywhere it was possible. 
 
"That's okay, sir, I was about to do so myself." 
 
"Good, I'm glad we're in agreement," he said breathlessly. 
 
He bent down and began removing her clothes until she was bare- 
bottomed. He stood up, took her by the chin, pulling her mouth open 
and slipping his tongue inside. 
 
She thought she would fall, the kiss had so swept her away. 
 
He broke the kiss and watched her eyes, piercingly. 
 
"Go sit on my desk," he ordered, releasing her and pointing. 
 
She walked over to the desk and sat her bare bottom on it, certain 
she was dripping all over it. The surface of it was cold and only 
proved to arouse her more. 
 
He walked over and nudged her legs apart with his hip and told her 
firmly, to lie back. Uhura did so and saw the lights go out as his 
lips and tongue found their way into her softness. 
 
*** 
 
"I think you've just indulged me in the most taboo thing I've ever 
done, Nyota." Kirk spoke with his face against his pillow. 
 
"You're not serious, sir." She was lying naked on his back and 
trailing her long fingernails up and down it. 
 
"I am very serious," he said and turned back toward her for 
emphasis, then faced the bed again. "I have never done anything 
like that with anyone before now." 
 
Uhura was stunned, but privately thrilled to have been the first to 
share this type of intimacy with him. 
 
"It never came up, so to speak, but thank you, that was quite… 
stimulating. I had no idea I harbored such improper… and …intensely 
erotic ideas about you." He tapped his chin. "Now, if only we had 
a communications board here. Mmm." 
 
She laughed and bit him on the shoulder. 
 
"No, if only we had a captain's chair here…." she purred into his 
ear. 
 
"Oh really? I see you've harbored a few inappropriate thoughts of 
your own." 
 
"I'm not telling." 
 
Kirk turned over onto his back, putting his arm behind his head and 
smiling at her coyly. 
 
"Suppose it were an order?" He grinned deviously. 
 
"That game is over, Admiral." She poked him in the nose. Sighing, 
she folded her hands on his chest and leaned her chin on them. "We 
have something more pressing to deal with; I go back to the ship day 
after tomorrow." 
 
Kirk sighed. 
 
"I know… I know... I know…." he said exasperatedly as he glanced at 
the ceiling. 
 
"Sorry to bore you with the details of what's going on, sir." Her 
voice was unintentionally sharp. She had never spoken to him like 
that before. 
 
Kirk's eyes narrowed at her tone and he captured her chin. 
 
"I'm not bored or exasperated with you, Nyota. I'm frustrated with 
the situation. We've had three amazing nights and soon we have to 
go back to business as usual." He frowned and a bitterness crept 
into his voice. "I'm not thrilled with the prospect." 
 
"And I suppose I am? I've got to give a lecture to you and the rest 
of the Admirals tomorrow and have to treat you like I didn't just 
make love to you." 
 
"And I have to treat you the same, like it hasn't been the most 
erotically-charged four days I've ever had." 
 
She sighed heavily and traced circles around his nipples. 
 
"Well, I suppose it's the price we have to pay, knowing that it 
won't last." 
 
"I suppose you're right." He looked at her seriously and then 
smiled. "But I'm not ready to say good-bye to you just yet. Come 
on, all this fooling around has made me hungry. Didn't you come 
over here to make me dinner?" He ran his fingers through her hair 
and trailed them across her chin. "Hmmm. Have you ever cooked in 
the nude?" 
 
 
End of part 4

Uhura opened her eyes and glanced at the chronometer. It read 0326. 
She sighed and closed them again, wondering why she was awake and 
willing herself to return to sleep. Kirk lay beside her in the bed, 
on his stomach, his arms up under his pillow. A rebellious tendril 
of hair hung over onto it, threatening to tickle his nose. Despite 
how tired she was, she had to stifle a giggle. 
 
They had stayed up late talking and laughing until past 0200 and 
she was exhausted. She had made him a meal of Kelvin fish, 
artichokes, mushrooms, and an Andorian fruit tart for dessert. He 
could not seem to get enough food, nor her, and she was delighted. 
She relished the closeness they shared, now seemingly forgetting 
their previous connection, their ranks shed, along with their 
clothes. She cherished what they were experiencing, but wondered 
how hard it would be to return to their former selves. 
 
//Very.// 
 
She slowly slipped out of the bed and borrowed a robe, wrapping it 
around herself. She went into the kitchen and prepared a cup of 
tea. Sipping it carefully, she walked into the living room, a 
veritable gallery of historic artifacts, taking it all in. 
 
There was a shelf containing volumes dating back to the late 1800s. 
She noticed an old sextant, compass, and globe. She admired a 
marble uni-leveled chess set, model sea-faring ships, muskets and 
armored chest plate with helmet. She passed her hand in front of 
the armored plate and closed her eyes, envisioning his own bronze, 
sculpted chest that she had come to know so closely. A knight's 
shining armor. She found it appropriate. His home was unmistakably 
his. Although the items were on display for anyone to see, she felt 
as if she were seeing more there than others did, and it made her 
feel wonderful. 
 
In Kirk she saw a strong yet tender man with an almost impenetrable 
veneer, a combination of severity and military perfection, which hid 
a boyish charm and fiery passion. He was a man of great 
intelligence, humor, allure, and beauty. She was nearly in awe. 
 
She finished her tea and went back to the bedroom quietly. She 
removed the robe, slipped back into bed and watched him a few 
moments as he slept, just barely teasing the wisp of his hair that 
was falling into his eyes. 
 
They opened slowly and a tiny smile appeared on his face as he 
noticed her watching him. 
 
"What are you doing up?" He was groggy and it was just above a 
whisper. 
 
"Nothing. Just thinking about how amazing you are." She sighed and 
twirled the errant lock between her fingers. 
 
He reached out and pulled her to him. 
 
"Oh? Tell me more." 
 
She chuckled quietly and gave him a quick kiss. 
 
In a gentle motion, he pulled her onto him and she settled in with 
her head on his chest. He stroked her hair softly and she closed 
her eyes, falling asleep to the beating of his heart. 
 
*** 
 
Uhura stood in front of the mirror in Kirk's bedroom and put on some 
lipstick. This was going to be a rough day. She had to meet with 
the brass but also prepare to say good-bye and so long to the best 
lover she had ever had. It had been everything she imagined it 
could possibly be and more. He was romantic, he was sexy, he was 
what passionate dreams were made of. 
 
//I could easily find myself in love with him. // 
 
And he was standing behind her. 
 
She turned to face him and smoothed out her newly-issued uniform 
tunic. 
 
"I can't think of anyone I'd rather see in Starfleet pajamas than 
you, Nyota." He slid his arms around her waist. 
 
"Very funny. They look awful." 
 
"Yes and no. Yes, they're a bit silly looking. No, because 
they…." He ran his hands down her hips. "… fit nicely and you look 
great in them, and in everything else you put on." He kissed her. 
 
"Will you stop? I'm going to have a hard enough time not 
envisioning you taking me right there on the conference table 
today. Don't make it any harder on me." She was half-angry, half- 
teasing. 
 
"Yes ma'am." 
 
"I have to get going. I have to stop off at my apartment first and 
besides, I don't know what people would think if they saw us 
arriving at work together." 
 
"I suppose that wouldn't be very discreet, would it?" He grinned 
playfully. 
 
"Especially with you wearing my lipstick." She giggled and wiped his 
mouth. 
 
*** 
 
The briefing went by quickly and Uhura was able to maintain her 
concentration as she scanned the group, avoiding Kirk's eyes. When 
it was over and they had finished asking their questions, Admiral 
Nogura came up to her with Kirk in tow. 
 
"Commander, excellent work. We don't know what we'd do without you 
and your people up there patrolling the Neutral zone. I know it 
often seems like a thankless task, but you've used every dull moment 
to our advantage. Because of your hard work, Romulans are now less 
of a threat." 
 
"Thank you very much, Admiral." 
 
"So tell me, what's it like not having this guy telling you what to 
do anymore?" He gave Kirk a rough pat on the arm. 
 
"Oh, Admiral Kirk? It just isn't the same without him." She tried 
to hide the pain veiled in the reply. 
 
"Very good, Commander. You've earned those credits I promised 
you," Kirk said with a charming smile. 
 
Nogura laughed loudly. 
 
"I suppose you two have some catching up to do. Again, Commander, 
good job." Nogura walked away leaving them alone. 
 
"Yes, Admiral. I believe that we do have some catching up to do. 
So, are you coming over tonight?" She whispered the question. 
 
"I think something like that can be arranged, Commander." Much to 
his surprise, Kirk had to admit that he enjoyed the secret 
exchange. 
 
Uhura smiled as she was approached by another admiral. Kirk 
remained at her side, there to comment on how much he enjoyed 
working with her and how she was the best Communications Officer in 
the Fleet. Two other admirals lingered to speak to them for several 
minutes. Finally, the room was empty, save each other. 
 
Uhura seemed preoccupied with her padd and several data wafers, 
making room for everything in her briefcase. She dropped one on the 
floor and Kirk bent down to pick it up for her, admiring her form as 
he came up. 
 
"So what do you want to do tonight, Nyota?" He handed her the 
wafer, then leaned against the conference table and folded his arms. 
 
"Besides make love until the sun comes up? I guess dinner's always 
nice." She took it, never looking up, instead packing and 
rearranging the contents of her bag. 
 
Excited by her quick and blunt response, Kirk rubbed his chin 
thoughtfully. 
 
"Excellent suggestion, Commander." 
 
"But let's have dinner at Blue. I promised I'd say good-bye to 
Reggie before I left." 
 
Kirk tensed at the mention of his rival's name, then smiled. 
 
"All right, Blue it is, but dessert's…at my apartment." 
 
"Yes, sir." She stood up straight and grinned at him, placing the 
strap of her bag on her shoulder. "I'll meet you at the restaurant 
at 1900, Admiral." 
 
"Yes, ma'am." 
 
She left him alone in the conference room contemplating what he 
would serve for dessert. 
 
*** 
 
"It's your last night in town, darlin.' You just have to sing for 
me one last time." 
 
Uhura looked over at the man across from her at the small table near 
the stage. She sipped her wine, peering over the glass at him 
hesitantly. 
 
"Reggie, you're incorrigible, did you know that?" 
 
"That's only part of my charm." He flashed his beautiful 
smile. "How 'bout it?" 
 
"I'll have to…" She stopped when she saw Kirk walking toward their 
table. "…see." She took him in. He wore a fitted mock turtle- 
neck, sport jacket, and dark jeans. She thought him "casually 
stylish," which she found extremely sexy. 
 
Reggie immediately sat up straighter and eyed him levelly, willing 
his lip not to curl upwards. 
 
"Admiral Kirk, it's good to see you." 
 
//Liar.// 
 
"Glad to be here again." Kirk smiled toward him, then glanced down 
at Uhura, smiling intimately. "I hope I'm not interrupting 
anything…." He glanced back toward Reggie. 
 
//Now I'm the liar.// 
 
"No, as a matter of fact, I need to get back to work. It looks like 
a busy night tonight." He slid out the chair, got up and gestured 
for Kirk to take his seat. He stepped over to Uhura and squeezed 
her hand. "I'll chat with you a little more later, darlin'." He 
gave her a quick kiss. 
 
Uhura turned back to look at Kirk who seemed preoccupied with his 
napkin and a piece of bread. 
 
"Something wrong?" 
 
"Nothing, now." He leaned in, wanting to greet her with a gentle 
kiss but quickly remembered that this restaurant was a 'Fleet 
favorite and he had no desire to be the topic of the latest 
grapevine news. It would not do for a junior admiral and his 
recently former communications officer to be an item. No one would 
ever believe that it was a newly-formed relationship. He pulled 
back and took a sip of water. She too, pulled back slightly. They 
had discussed how their relationship would be perceived by Starfleet 
gossipers and had agreed to keep it fairly platonic when they were 
in public. 
 
"You were upset? Why?" 
 
"No, not really. I'm just glad I'm here with you now." He smiled 
at her sweetly. 
 
Uhura resisted the urge to say, "awww" and instead squeezed his knee 
and smiled. There was a glimmer in his eye that made her tingle 
inside. 
 
He leaned into her and said, "How is that you seem to get prettier 
every time I see you?" 
 
She remembered not to say thank you and simply took a sip of her 
water, looking over the glass at him shyly. 
 
A moment later, a waiter came over to their table. 
 
"Hello, would you like a drink to start off with, sir?" 
 
"I'm not sure, we may be ready to order, unless you have already…." 
 
"No, I haven't but I think I know what I want. I'll have a dozen 
oysters on the half-shell and the cajun shrimp. And another pinot 
grigio." 
 
Kirk's eyebrow rose and he gave her an impressed look. She smiled 
back at him with a look of satisfaction. 
 
"Well, I think I'll also have a dozen oysters to start off, but with 
the blackened catfish…and a Saurian brandy." 
 
The man took their menus and left the table. 
 
"You didn't order those just for my sake, did you?" Kirk tilted his 
head. 
 
"No, I actually like them, but," she said, her voice dropping, "I 
will say that I hope yours… have the desired effect on you." 
 
Kirk leaned toward her, intertwining his hand in hers under the 
table, and looking deep into her eyes. 
 
"I don't need oysters. All you seem to have to do is walk into the 
room." 
 
Unprepared for the tenderness in his voice and _expression, she was 
temporarily lost in a hazel-eyed dream. 
 
Kirk pulled back and released her hand as he saw the waiter return 
with their drinks and oysters. The interruption finally broke her 
gaze. 
 
"As much as I hate to agree with him, you should sing tonight. I'd 
like to hear you." 
 
She smiled demurely. 
 
"How did you know…." 
 
"I'm only guessing that he asked you." 
 
"Well… I'm thinking about it," she said coyly. 
 
"Is there anything I can do to convince you?" 
 
"Oh, I believe there are plenty of things you could do." Uhura held 
her glass to her bottom lip, slowly sliding it across it. 
 
Kirk even surprised himself when he felt his face flush slightly. 
He was thankful when Uhura saved him by holding up a fork with an 
oyster on it, to his lips. It was her turn to flush when she 
recalled their agreement. He winked when he saw her hesitation. 
She smiled and fed him the shellfish, holding her hand under his 
mouth subtly to catch any drops. 
 
He closed his mouth and eyes simultaneously, then licked his lips 
like a cat. She could hardly prevent a tiny giggle from escaping 
her. 
 
"Mmmm mm. Good stuff." He added quietly, "Thank you, I liked that." 
 
"I did too," she murmured, slowly being drawn back into the power of 
his eyes. 
 
Kirk chewed thoughtfully and looked at her, his mind instantly on 
dessert. 
 
"Jim," she sighed, "I don't know how much longer I can keep up our 
agreement." 
 
He sighed and smiled at her with an _expression of mock defeat. 
 
"I don't either. Frankly, I don't think we're fooling anyone 
anyway. Besides, I don't recognize anyone here and most only come 
for lunch." He felt that he had convinced her as well as himself in 
the process. 
 
"Good. Then come here." 
 
Kirk's eyes narrowed mischievously at her command, and he leaned 
into her. He whispered into her ear, "I just love it when you tell 
me what to do," and emitted a tiny groan. 
 
She marveled at how he had regained control so quickly. His breath 
hot on her ear made her shiver, but she found her courage and kissed 
him gently on the lips, just as she had intended. 
 
"I liked that even better." 
 
They finished the last of their oysters and were presented with 
their entrées almost immediately. 
 
They ate, listened to the band, talked and laughed, deliberately 
avoiding the mention of the following day or her departure. 
 
*** 
 
Kirk sat back and looked at her, and tapped his stomach. 
 
"I'll have to go to the gym a couple more times this week. I'm 
stuffed." 
 
"Yes, I am too. Excuse me just a moment, would you?" She touched 
him on the thigh and got up from the table with her purse. 
 
"Of course." 
 
She headed for the bar and was glad when she spotted Reggie. 
 
He caught her out of the corner of his eye and stopped talking to 
the people he was with. He excused himself and came out from behind 
the bar to meet her. 
 
"Hey, darlin'. How was your meal?" 
 
"Delicious, as always." 
 
"So talk to me, come have a seat. I'll introduce you to some 
friends of mine." 
 
"Oh, I can't now, I just wanted to tell you that I think I'm ready 
to sing." She was unconsciously wringing her hands. 
 
"Beautiful. Let's go get you ready." 
 
He took her hand and led her to the small room behind the stage. 
 
"Ya know, I'm really glad you're going to do this. You know how 
much I love to hear you. Almost as much as the audience does." 
 
She smiled politely but feared there was more he wanted to say. 
 
He sighed and looked at her defeatedly. 
 
"You two are together now, aren't you?" 
 
"I'm going back to my ship and he's staying here. I wouldn't call 
that together." She was unaware of how glum and irritated she 
sounded. "Reggie, can we please talk about this later? I'm going 
to lose my nerve any second now." 
 
"Sure." He knew there would be nothing else said on the topic. He 
pressed a button and a few moments later the band finished their 
song and waited. "Do you have your music?" 
 
She handed him a data wafer. 
 
He placed it in the computer and Uhura heard the first few notes of 
a song being played. 
 
A heavy saxophone intro led her out onto the stage as Reggie 
watched, eventually going back to the bar so he had a better view. 
 
Uhura's butterflies were loose, just like the last time, but one 
difference was that she would be leaving Kirk tomorrow and not 
knowing if, where or when she would see him again. 
 
A slow, appreciative smile materialized on Kirk's face when he saw 
her step out onto the stage. He was only partially expecting her to 
sing and was excited by the surprise. He noticed that on her way to 
the microphone, she once again appeared to glide instead of walk. 
 
The soft blue lights washed over her in a sparkling haze, a lighting 
technique Kirk quickly appreciated. The lights intensified her 
already exotic features and they caught him off guard. They also 
enhanced her already voluptuous figure in a dress he seemed to truly 
appreciate fully for the first time that night. It was a form- 
fitting satin dress with a low decolletage. 
 
Her skin shimmered, her hair shone, but her eyes captivated him. 
Her lids glistened and her lashes were as lush as a Metronian larena 
blossom. In those few moments he realized that her eyes had come to 
rule him. For the first time in a very long time, a lesser-ranking 
person had the upper hand, and Kirk was unsure how he felt about 
it. What was happening? 
 
She began to sing a slow, somewhat somber-sounding piece, a 
standard, but a very fitting one. 
 
"For all we know…We may never meet again…." 
 
Kirk was touched to be the subject of her song, but less so that it 
was such a poignant topic. 
 
"Before you go… Make this moment sweet again…." 
 
She closed her eyes and continued, imagining what it would feel like 
to say good-bye to him. 
 
//Keep it together, girl. Keep your bearings. You can't cry out 
here in front of everyone.// 
 
She did not want to open them again. They welled as she willed the 
tears not to fall. Causing her so much pain, she was beginning to 
regret her choice of music. She felt a lump form in her chest and 
move to her throat. Momentarily fearing it would hinder her voice, 
she sent up a silent prayer to her vocal Muse and thanked her when 
her voice soared out to the audience, yet returned to her carrying 
only part of the pain. 
 
"We won't say goodnight…Until the last minute…." 
 
Every night she had spent with him flooded back to her in vivid, 
evocative snapshots of affection, delight, ecstasy. A chill went 
through her as she opened her eyes again and saw the tenderness so 
evident on his face. 
 
"I'll hold out my hand… And my heart will be in it…." 
 
Once again, she had mesmerized him; he could not take his eyes off 
her. Her song was speaking volumes to him and he began to feel 
melancholy. He was moved by the genuine feeling she expressed and 
it hurt him that she was pained. He wanted to take it away, rescue 
her from it. He smiled to himself knowing that had she known, she 
would have told him that it was only his need to be the White Knight 
that caused it. Somehow, this time, he had his doubts. 
 
"So love me… love me tonight…." 
 
Kirk was mystified. He did not know what was happening and the 
situation had reached an area he did not anticipate. He felt 
something but had disregarded it. She was without a doubt having 
that same feeling, whatever it was. What had he done to her? 
 
"Tomorrow may never come… For all we know.…" 
 
Reggie watched from the bar, repeatedly wiping a spotless glass 
throughout the song, his muscles flexing in the close-fitting shirt 
he wore. 
 
Uhura finally looked at Kirk again, and he was looking at her so 
tenderly, she thought sure she would break down any moment. She was 
relieved when she heard encouraging applause and then the first few 
notes of her final piece. Her mood immediately improved, she would 
enjoy singing this one. Swaying to the exotic beat and to the 
smooth, sensual sound of the sax, Uhura commanded the entire room. 
 
Kirk lowered his eyes as he watched her body move. Her hips seemed 
to call to him. 
 
"Your love is king… crown you in my heart…." 
 
Kirk's eyes drank in her form. He had never looked at her so 
intensely before, he did not even blink. She held his eyes. He now 
knew she was singing to him and him only, and he desperately wanted 
to walk up to the stage and pull her into his arms. 
 
"Your love is king… You're the ruler of my heart…." 
 
Reggie's jaw was tight, as were his hands as he placed a glass onto 
the bar with unnecessary force. 
 
"Hey Reggie, you look madder than a wet hornet. Old girlfriend?" 
 
"I'm just great, and no," he nearly spat. 
 
"Your kisses ring…round and round and round my head…." 
 
She sang as if Kirk were the only person in the room. Their eyes 
were locked, just like when they made love, and Uhura was afraid 
that everyone could see her arousal. To her, music and lovemaking 
were side by side, and right now she could envision herself 
climaxing in his arms. 
 
"Touching the very part of me… It's making my soul sing.…" 
 
Some sounds behind him quickly reminded him that not only was this 
not a private performance, but the club was a regular for Starfleet 
members, including the Admiralty. 
 
//Shape up, mister.// 
 
"Tearing the very heart of me… I'm crying out for more…." 
 
He fiddled with his collar and sat up straighter in his chair, 
crossing his legs uncomfortably. 
 
Uhura smiled at his adjustments and continued to sing, only to him. 
 
"I'm coming up… I'm coming…You're making me dance… inside…." 
 
//Damn her, she knows exactly what she's doing. She is in serious 
trouble.// 
 
Kirk cursed the devil, for only he would be cruel enough to furnish 
him with the image of taking her over his knee as punishment for 
this public torture. He hoped a sip of brandy would help him win 
back his famous poker face. It didn't. He had never truly envied 
Vulcan stoicism until now. 
 
Though an occasional mind-reader, he was no telepath, yet that did 
not prevent him from attempting to mind-link with Uhura and demand 
that she cease her song of solitary seduction. Thankfully for them 
both, the song ended and the applause was enthusiastic. 
 
She beamed, thanked the audience, exited the stage and sat down in 
the small room. She checked herself in the mirror and was pleased 
that her makeup was still perfect. She was energized, and seeing 
him look at her with such desire, in front of everyone, had made her 
more aroused than she had ever been in polite company. 
 
//I'm think I'm ready for dessert now.// 
 
She walked back out to the table to smiles and a few compliments. 
She sat down at their table and Kirk was sipping the dregs of his 
brandy. Uhura sipped at her wine. 
 
"That was terrific, Nyota." He spoke with a certainty that years of 
being a starship captain had perfected, though it was clear it was 
all he was willing to say at the moment. "Why don't you say your 
goodbyes to Reggie. I'll take care of the check." 
 
"Alright." Uhura noticed that his face looked slightly flushed and 
smiled to herself, knowing she was the cause of it. She got up and 
headed for the bar. She spotted Reggie behind it and he just 
stopped talking and stared at her. He came from behind it and took 
her hands. 
 
"I suppose this is goodbye, huh?" 
 
"Yes, it looks that way. Thank you for everything, Reggie. By 
letting me sing, you've made a lifelong dream of mine come true." 
 
"You know it was my pleasure, darlin'. So when do you think you'll 
be back this way again? If you let me know in advance, I can book 
you as the night's talent!" 
 
"Now don't push it!" She laughed and gave him a teasingly 
reproachful look. 
 
Reggie glanced up and saw Kirk heading in their direction. His 
smiled dimmed. 
 
Uhura opened her eyes wider, then rolled them slightly. 
 
"I think I left my purse on my chair." Feeling Kirk touch her 
waist, she turned to him and said, "Would you get my jacket for me 
and I'll be right back." 
 
"Sure, hon--" Kirk stopped himself as she walked away from the two 
men. He started to flush and Reggie frowned slightly. 
 
"Thanks for the great time, Reggie." Kirk held out his hand. "I'll 
be sure to be back and bring Admiral Nogura with me one night. I 
think he'd enjoy the evening entertainment too." The maitre d 
handed Kirk their jackets. 
 
"Great, glad you could make it." He took his hand and leaned in 
toward him. "Listen, Admiral Kirk," he said his name with just 
enough contempt for Kirk to catch, though he continued sadly. "I'm 
not sure how well you know that little lady, but I've known her 
since she was just a cadet, and I know just how terrific she is. 
She's got the face and heart of an angel, so don't ever forget what 
a treasure you've got there." 
 
Kirk hardly knew whether to be touched or offended. 
 
He recognized the _expression on Reggie's face. Kirk had seldom felt 
it himself but had seen it in others--it was defeat. 
 
//I don't like to lose.// 
 
Kirk began, not entirely certain what he would say in response. 
 
"Reggie, I've known that woman almost as long as you have. We've 
gone through life and death together and she is as dear to me as she 
is to you, probably more so. I'd lay down my life for hers in the 
beat of a heart. I know exactly how special she is." 
 
Kirk was touched by the man's candor and his obvious love for 
Uhura. Anyone who loved her as much as he did was all right in his 
book. 
 
//Love? No, that's not what I meant.// 
 
Kirk's confusion was interrupted by a final caveat from Reggie. 
 
"Don't ever hurt her…" he began, then tried to smile, its execution 
coming off more like a leer, "…because I know where you work." 
 
Uhura appeared from the ladies room and looked at the two men 
curiously. She walked toward them, wondering to herself whether she 
should have left them alone or not. She saw the tenseness from a 
moment ago, but now they looked like longtime acquaintances, if not 
necessarily friends. She was relieved. No fisticuffs. She walked 
over and stood near Kirk and he helped her into her jacket, leaving 
his hand on her back. 
 
"Okay, I'm ready. Sorry I took so long." 
 
Kirk simply caressed her back in response. He then held out his 
hand to his new ally in a final gesture of amity. 
 
"Reggie, thanks again, and…" he leaned in and continued in a hushed 
tone, "trust me, you have nothing to worry about." 
 
Reggie smiled, took it and shook it earnestly with a nod. 
 
Kirk smiled and Uhura gave Reggie one last hug and a kiss on the 
cheek. Then Kirk led her to the doors and up the stairs into the 
crisp night air. 
 
"What was that all about?" Uhura queried. 
 
"Oh nothing, just guy talk." 
 
 
End of Part 5 
 
 

Kirk opened the door of his apartment and followed Uhura inside. He 
helped her slip off her jacket and hung it up. 
 
"Okay, so what's for dessert, Admiral?" 
 
He turned around slowly. 
 
"You." 
 
She faced him and he took her head in his hands and kissed her 
slowly, his tongue gently urging her to allow him entry. Their 
tongues swirled and caressed each other in a kiss that made Uhura 
helpless in her desire for him. 
 
He reached his arm around her waist to support her and gently eased 
her to the floor in front of the fireplace atop a flokati rug, which 
tickled her skin, creating another tactile sensation to make her 
giddy. He laid beside her on his left side and ran his fingers down 
the front of her dress. 
 
"Now, I'm going to make you pay for what you did to me on that 
stage tonight." 
 
She looked at the ceiling innocently. 
 
"Whatever do you mean, sir?" 
 
He grabbed her waist and tickled her until she shrieked, begging him 
to stop. 
 
With a wicked grin, he laid atop her and kissed her again, now more 
forcefully, taking the breath from her. She responded by running 
her nails through his hair and wrapping her calves around his. His 
hands kneaded her breasts and rolled her over so that she now lay 
atop him. Having easy access to it now, he unzipped the dress until 
the bodice fell forward against him. She slowly sat up and 
straddled him and he watched, eyes dark, as her breasts were 
revealed to him, one at a time, full and firm. 
 
He sat up and cupped them, suckling them tenderly, then more 
roughly, causing her to moan and arch her back. Breathing heavily, 
he reached between her legs and fingered her wetness, entering and 
re-entering her with a rhythm she found very familiar, one she 
desperately wanted to feel with something more substantial. 
 
"I told you, you were dessert." He removed his glistening fingers 
and slipped them into his mouth one by one, savoring the exotic 
taste of her, doing so only serving to make him ache for her more. 
He took her by the arms and laid her back onto the floor. 
 
Uhura reached up and pulled his shirt up over his head and tossed it 
aside, delighting in the movement of his golden muscles as they 
flexed and straightened to remove it. She ran her fingertips across 
and down his chest and ran them across the waistband of his slacks, 
as if he needed to be reminded to take them off. Kirk stood and 
removed his remaining clothes, in one smooth movement, releasing a 
fantastic erection and Uhura moaned at the sight of it. 
 
"Jim, I need you… now," she whispered huskily into his ear, and he 
was more than happy to oblige. He lifted the skirt of her dress and 
situated his hips between her thighs and entered her, slowly at 
first, causing waves of sensations to permeate her. 
 
When he had made his way to her depths, Uhura came to the edge of 
release. She was lost, her cries and whimpers driving him mad. She 
was trapped by his biceps--his arms were locked firmly underneath 
hers, his forearms supporting him. She cried out as his hands 
gripped her hair, his chest and torso tightly pressed against hers, 
creating a sheen of moisture between them. 
 
He gradually increased his rhythm, starting with a slow rock, 
kissing and tonguing her neck and ears, making her writhe under his 
touches. He felt so perfect inside of her, she wanted to cry. Her 
head began to swim, a telltale sign of another impending climax. 
 
When he watched her release, he had never thought she looked more 
beautiful and vowed never to forget it. He began a driving rhythm 
that caused her to tighten her legs around him, just to keep up with 
him. She bucked her hips in response, and he rolled them over again 
so she was straddling him. She rode him harder and faster until 
they both cried out in ecstasy. 
 
*** 
 
Kirk walked into the living room in silk loungers carrying two large 
cushions and a light comforter. He smiled as he saw her curled up 
on the rug, sleeping. He was amazed that she had made such a 
difference in his mood. She had taken away his painful loneliness 
along with the ennui of his job and at being desk-bound. No one in 
recent memory had affected him so quickly nor so completely. The 
smile left his face at the realization that she would be gone from 
him almost as soon as she came. 
 
He saw her eyes flutter then sat down beside her, wrapping her 
inside of the blanket and slipping a cushion under her head. 
 
She opened her eyes and for just a moment, thought she was 
dreaming. There was soft jazz playing in the background, the lights 
were dim, and she had just been made love to by an Adonis. 
 
"I thought you might be cold." 
 
She took his hand and held it against her cheek, thanking him 
quietly. He caressed her hair then stepped away to light the 
fireplace. 
 
He gestured toward it and said, "I know it's not that cold out, but… 
I wanted to see you by firelight." 
 
She smiled at him shyly, then glanced around the room. 
 
"Hmm… Something smells really good!" 
 
"It's the rest of dessert." He handed her a glass of wine from the 
cocktail table, upon which she saw two dishes with an assortment of 
fruits and cheeses on them. 
 
"Oh, so there really is a dessert?" 
 
"Well, it's mostly for me, but I'm willing to share." He sat down 
in front of her and fed her a piece of cheese. 
 
"Is that melted chocolate?" 
 
Uhura spotted a small fondue pot with two skewers in it, warming on 
the table. 
 
"Yes it is. If you're nice to me, I might let you have some." 
 
Uhura tilted her head curiously and smiled at him, imagining what he 
was up to. 
 
"How about a kiss?" She wanted to give him much more than that. 
 
"Well, that's a start… but what I really want…" he paused as if he 
was not sure if he would continue, "… is for you just to relax and… 
let me have my way with you." He grinned and ran his finger across 
her cheek. 
 
Her eyes widened and she smiled bashfully. 
 
"Aye, aye, Admiral. I'm all… yours." 
 
"Good." His voice was deep. 
 
He dipped a huge strawberry into the chocolate, then opened her 
covers and touched her breasts with it. As he bent down and licked 
it off, he placed the tip of the berry into her mouth. She took it 
between her lips, bit it, and let out a quiet "mm." 
 
When he sat up again, he looked at her amusingly. 
 
"You look so cozy, but you're going to have to come out of there." 
 
"I don't think you'll have to worry about me being cold anymore 
tonight, with or without the fire." She looked at him dreamily. 
 
He lifted her out of her blanket wrap and laid her gently on the rug 
in front of him and the fireplace. 
 
He fed her several pieces of rich, creamy cheeses, and she licked 
his fingers clean. He reached over and dipped fruits into chocolate 
and placed them on a small dish beside him. From it, he fed her the 
fruit slowly and intimately, occasionally lingering to lick off 
stray chocolate from her lips or sprinkle her face with fluttery 
kisses. When the fruit was nearly gone, he dipped a large manna- 
berry deeply into the chocolate and let it drizzle down the length 
of her body. 
 
Uhura sighed heavily on contact with the hot, sticky fluid, while 
Kirk proceeded to lap it up, lingering at her molten center. He 
seemed to like it there, for he remained until she had peaked so 
many times she had lost count. 
 
When he was certain that she was spent, he pulled her up and led her 
to the bubble bath that he had already drawn. Always in the mood 
for a bath, Uhura smiled and kissed him for his thoughtfulness. She 
sighed with pleasure as she sank into the fizzy depths. 
 
Kirk sat on the step beside the large tub and poured delicious- 
smelling bath lotion on a soft sponge and caressed her arms with it. 
 
"Oh, that smells wonderful." 
 
"The saleswoman said that you'd like it." 
 
Uhura smiled at the thought of him going shopping for bath soaps 
just for her. She was suddenly almost overwhelmed by his 
attentions. She touched the side of his face with a sudsy hand. 
 
"You're not going to join me?" 
 
"I wasn't planning to. This is all just for you." 
 
"Well, I want you in here with me… now." Her voice held a mock 
sternness. 
 
"Yes, ma'am." Kirk smiled, enjoying the tease. 
 
He removed his loungers and slipped into the water slowly, adjusting 
to the temperature. 
 
"This isn't too hot for you?" 
 
"No, it's perfect. Besides, I like it hot, remember?" She smiled 
devilishly. 
 
"That has worked well… for both of us." He gave her a wink. 
 
He slid over to her and she climbed onto his lap, with her back to 
him and her head resting on his shoulder. Uhura thought she was in 
heaven as he languidly bathed her and shampooed her hair. She closed 
her eyes and rested her arms on his thighs. She felt herself 
becoming very drowsy and wistful. She had difficulty determining 
whether it was the bath, the wine, or simply his presence relaxing 
her so. 
 
A tear escaped her eye as a persistent voice told her that the bliss 
she was experiencing would end tonight. She was glad that they were 
in water so he would not notice it. She might never experience him 
like this again, and the realization made her chest ache. 
 
"I should go to bed." She sounded slightly hoarse. She cleared her 
throat but it failed to remove the pained quality of her 
voice. "Thank you for the bath." 
 
He helped her to stand and get out of the tub, then wrapped her in 
one of his robes. Kissing her sweetly on the lips, he smiled at how 
small she looked in it. She would not look up at him, so he lifted 
her chin, noticing the wetness on her cheek and wiping it away with 
his thumb. He felt a tug deep within him. He opened his mouth to 
speak, but her despondent, tear-stained face prevented him from 
continuing. 
 
//How am I supposed to say goodbye to you, Nyota?// 
 
//I knew this wouldn't continue, couldn't continue. But why isn't 
that making it any easier? Oh, just snap out of it, Ny!// 
 
She wanted to shout at herself, at him, at the entire situation, but 
instead simply walked away from him and into his bedroom, one end of 
the robe's sash trailing behind her on the floor. 
 
Kirk watched her for a moment, then sat on the edge of the tub and 
ran his fingers through his hair. 
 
//You knew what you were getting yourself into. But that was before 
you knew how you really felt about her. How DO you feel about her? 
Get it together, man, it doesn't matter. She's going to be gone in 
a few hours and all this will soon be just a memory.// 
 
He finally stood and walked into the bedroom where he saw her curled 
up on his side of the bed, her robe substituting for covers. 
 
He carefully climbed into the bed and snuggled up behind her, 
wrapping his robe around them both. She nestled into the curve of 
his body and like that they slept. 
 
*** 
 
Uhura awoke to a hand caressing her hips and lips on her throat. 
When she opened her eyes, she realized that the daybreak sun was 
peeking in through a gap in the curtains. 
 
"Jim," she began, remembering her early shuttle to space dock, but 
his kiss took her protests away. He began to make love to her, 
tenderly and gingerly, as if she were the most delicate of items, 
and Uhura relished every moment of it. He kissed nearly every inch 
of her and to him, made each one his own. He loved her slowly, yet 
each caress still held an undeniable passion. When she climaxed, 
her eyes, open and locked with his, spilled several tears which he 
gently kissed away. 
 
*** 
 
When Uhura walked into the living room, she found Kirk in uniform, 
looking like the archetype admiral, fresh off the files of the 
Starfleet uniform regs manual. He stood unconsciously at parade 
rest, staring out the large window. 
 
"You know, I've missed my shuttle to the spaceport." She was 
thankful that she had at least thought to bring her duffel to his 
apartment the night before. She was afraid that something like this 
would happen. 
 
He turned to face her and pursed his lip. 
 
"That is a problem, isn't it? Well, let's just see what this 
scrambled egg on my sleeve can do." 
 
It had been years since she had heard the archaic slang for an 
admiral's stripes, but was not surprised to hear it from him. She 
smiled and watched him spring into action, again, reveling in his 
role as hero. He made two calls and with them had arranged for her 
to beam to space dock from his apartment. 
 
"Being head of the uniform task force made me forget that I'm 
actually an admiral." He continued incredulously, "So rank does 
have its privileges occasionally." 
 
"Thank you, sir." She was both amused by his comment, yet 
uncomfortable at the reminder that they were from different worlds. 
 
He wanted to correct her, tell her to call him Jim, but thought it 
pointless. The sooner they went back to their former roles, the 
better, for both of them. 
 
"I guess you'll be glad to get back to the ship. It must be 
unsettling to be ashore for so long." As soon as the words left his 
lips, he became slightly embarrassed at unintentionally revealing 
his own feelings of late rather than hers. 
 
Uhura had actually enjoyed the change of pace of the trip brought, 
but knew that it was time for her to get back to her life; yet, the 
thought of leaving him caused her physical pain. She told herself 
it was her imagination and smiled weakly. 
 
"Yes, it's about time I go back. If I stay any longer, I'll forget 
where I belong." 
 
//Right here, in your arms.// 
 
She chuckled uneasily. 
 
"Thank you for a wonderful visit, sir. You've made this trip a very 
special one for me." 
 
"You know it was my pleasure, Uhura. I'd love to do it again 
sometime." 
 
He wondered if Uhura was feeling as lost as he was, but the chirp of 
his communicator interrupted his thoughts. 
 
He smiled at her almost apologetically. She looked down and 
fingered the strap of her bag unconsciously. 
 
"Kirk here." 
 
"Admiral Kirk, Lt. Wu here. Preparing to beam up one Commander 
Uhura." 
 
Kirk looked at her questioningly. 
 
"Yes," her voice cracked, "I think I'm ready." 
 
"Stand by.…" Kirk's hand fell slowly as the sound of his command 
trailed away. 
 
Uhura had dropped her bag on the floor beside him and kissed him, 
nearly knocking him off balance. He pulled her to him and enveloped 
her in his arms, losing his grip on the communicator, letting it 
fall to the floor with a clank. 
 
Two lieutenants at space dock looked at one another curiously but 
stood by, as told. 
 
Uhura finally released him from the kiss while her hand lingering on 
his chest for a few moments, fingering the collar of his uniform. A 
tear present at the corner of her eye, she licked her lips and wiped 
the lipstick from his with a smile. She slowly picked up her bag, 
smoothed her tunic, and stood in the center of the room, preparing 
for beam-out. 
 
Kirk cleared his throat quietly and blinked, quickly trying to 
compose himself. He adjusted his uniform, blushed slightly and 
flashed her a comforting wink and a smile. He picked up the 
communicator and flipped it open once again. 
 
He took a deep breath and looked at her once again to be sure. She 
smiled back, at first tentatively, then reassuringly. 
 
"Kirk here, affirmative. One to beam up, these coordinates." 
 
Uhura smiled at him one last time and closed her eyes as the 
transporter beamed her away. 
 
Kirk held two fingers to his lips, then released them, as her image 
vanished from his eyes. He stared at the empty space she occupied 
only a moment ago. He closed his eyes and could still sense her 
perfume, a scent that he was convinced would take ages to get out of 
his memory. 
 
He wondered if she knew how much she had done to him in just a few 
short days. He wondered if it mattered. She would be on her way to 
her ship, glad to be going home. As much as he wanted her to stay, 
felt that he needed her to, he knew it was selfish. 
 
Despite these truths, he still felt empty. He wondered how it was 
possible for his apartment to feel lonelier than it had felt before 
she arrived. He looked at the hearth where they had made love, the 
table where they ate, laughed and talked. He wondered how long it 
would be before he no longer looked at his apartment and thought of 
her. 
 
Who would have thought that he would be grateful for the Uniform 
Task Force? Its tedium would be a welcome distraction, keeping his 
mind occupied and off Nyota Uhura and the five days which he would 
never forget. 
 
 
 
FIN 
 
Music: 
"Blue Moon" Lyrics and Music: Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers 
"For All We Know" Lyrics and Music: Sam M. Lewis/J. Fred Coots 
"Your Love Is King" Lyrics and Music: (Sade) Adu/Matthewman