Chapter Text
“I mean, really, Spock, there’s no sense leaving Vulcan without giving everyone a little shore leave. It’s not every day we swing by a Federation planet.”
“Very well, Captain. I will inform the crew of your decision.”
-/\-
Nyota pursed her lips at the cafe menu. She couldn’t seem to make up her mind; she knew plomeek broth was good, but she wanted to try something new.
“If I might make a suggestion, they just received a shipment of gespar this morning. I do not believe that your planet has the like in taste or texture. In addition, the spice tea here is exquisite.”
Nyota turned. “Thank you, I--oh dear.” She could feel her cheeks darken at the sight of the woman next to her. She took it all in at once: her sharp features, almost harsh with a confidence that would normally seem out of place in a Vulcan, yet somehow fit this woman’s face perfectly. Her golden skin and ebony hair (an updo which, quite frankly, would make Janice Rand jealous) seemed almost to glow, and Nyota found herself quite breathless.
The woman tilted her head. “Is something the matter? I did not mean to intrude.” She nodded and started to step away.
Nyota blinked rapidly, then grabbed the woman’s hand. “No! Wait, I’m sorry. Sometimes my emotions get the better of me. Please, stay. Have a drink with me.”
The woman gave a small smile and a nod, returning to her place by Nyota’s side in the line. “I do not know if you are aware, but the touching of hands is considered quite intimate by most Vulcans.”
Nyota let go immediately. “I am so sorry; I completely forgot. How terribly inappropriate of me. I do apologize.”
Another smile graced the woman’s lips. “It is quite all right. You were understandably overwhelmed.”
Nyota blushed again, then met the woman’s eyes. “It’s not every day one meets such a beautiful woman. My name is Uhura, by the way. Nyota Uhura.”
The woman nodded, and if Nyota had been asked she would have sworn the expression on her face was something akin to appreciative appraisal. “I am T’Pring, former wife of Lieutenant Commander Spock. The two of you serve on the same ship, yes?”
Nyota indicated that yes, they did, and then placed her order with the person behind the counter. Her food was provided promptly, and she gestured for T’Pring to join her at the corner table. She took the mug of tea in her hands and sipped. It was warm and tasted of cinnamon, nutmeg, and something she couldn’t quite place. She closed her eyes and hummed.
“Humans always take such pleasure in their food. It is a most intriguing experience to observe.”
Nyota laughed. “Not always. Sometimes,” here she leaned in, conspiratorially, “we dislike it so much our faces contort into entirely new shapes!” T’Pring did not laugh at this, though she did briefly cover her mouth, hiding what Nyota suspected was a rather telling smile.
“I’m afraid I don’t know much about the circumstances of your divorce. Mr. Spock was rather silent on the subject.”
“It was a private matter.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” Nyota took a bite of the gespar and found herself moaning at the taste. “My, but this is delightful.”
T’Pring’s nostrils flared, and though the reaction passed rather quickly, it did not go unnoticed.
“Are you quite all right, dear?”
“I believe I am still being affected by yesterday’s events. I apologize.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Though T’Pring’s expression did not change, her eyes took on a rather hungry glint. “It is difficult...Perhaps if I could show you? It would not do to discuss such things openly in such a place.”
“Of course.”
T’Pring extended the first two fingers on her right hand and reached towards Nyota. She touched her lightly on the back of her hand, drawing small clockwise circles on her skin.
You are of course familiar with touch telepathy, in theory of not in practice. It was not a question. Nyota breathed deeply.
What do you know of the circumstances surrounding your arrival at Vulcan? Ah, it seems he is not as private as I first thought. Then you know, at least in part, what was happening to his body. Something similar is happening to mine.
Nyota swallowed. The next thoughts were fragmented, words like contract and arrangement flowing one over another until she understood.
While I could have mated with Spock, and could yet mate with Stonn, I find I greatly prefer the company of other women. T’Pring took her hand away and sipped her tea, her face betraying none of what had she had communicated.
Nyota clutched her mug tightly. It was still steaming, just a little, and she took a deep gulp to steady herself. She closed her eyes, nodded, and looked up.
“You know,” she said, leaning forward again, “We aren’t scheduled to leave until the day after tomorrow. Perhaps there is some way I might...assist you. Call it...an exploration of interspecies cooperation.” Her eyes flashed.
T’Pring quirked her eyebrows. “Perhaps there is.”