InsaneJournal

Who: Spock and Uhura
What: Filling Uhura in on Spock's Master Plans
When: A couple of days ago
Where: A big fancy romantic candlelit dinner The Mess Hall
Warnings: Well, there's a Vulcan showing emotions?
Status: Closed: Complete




Given his recent discussion with the Captain over their forthcoming mission, Spock was eager to hear what Uhura thought about limiting the activity of the travelers at the Fornax casinos and perhaps on board as well. So over dinner he filled her in on his thoughts, concluding with the necessity of taking away unlimited drinks because a working currency would, for most of the travelers, add to a sense of normalcy and might serve to slow the depletion of certain resources upon the ship.

Of course, the First Officer could have survived without the Deck Five Lounge entirely, but since that seemed likely to remain he figured it was time to properly address the issue of supply and an increasing demand.

The look on Nyota's face told him that either she was not following his logic though he was certain he'd explained it properly, or that she disagreed, or that he had amused her in some way, and if so, it escaped him as to how.

On the one hand, Uhura saw his point. Some of the travelers were...voracious drinkers. And some were rather intense eaters and snackers. Add to that the fact that the travelers who worked aboard the ship were being paid, all while their resources were limited, and he did make sense.

She hated when he made sense.

“You know Kirk is going to make you be the one to tell them,” she pointed out finally, shaking her head. She was, admittedly, a little amused. Spock had put so much thought into it. And he actually seemed genuinely pleased about having a course of action. Even her affection for some of the new travelers couldn't take away how much she wanted to see him happy.

"I have no doubt," Spock agreed. "Fortunately, I care little about how the travelers feel about me and instead intend to focus my energy on making this model sustainable, no matter how illogical it may be or how ill-suited the Enterprise remains as a home for displaced individuals."

Spock was a fan of logic, after all, and if there was one thing that defied all logic it was the arrival of travelers. He'd even have been more interested in studying them if they were contained somewhere else, outside of the Enterprise.

"I've also considered that we need to take a census and consolidate the information gathered at the medical bay as well by the liaison office at intake. I inquired about a central database and was startled to find that what we have is rather incomplete."

She smiled, then, offering him a little shrug as she finished her meal. “Leave it to you to stack up the number of friends you have. Do you have a model planned out? Some sort of credit they can use? Not all of them have marketable skills.” Though perhaps this scenario would encourage more of them to get jobs on board. Unlike Spock, Uhura did actually feel badly for those new arrivals on board. She'd chosen this life; they hadn't.

That last sentence threw her, though. “Wait. What sort of information do we not have?” All Enterprise crew had dealt with extensive medical testing before being assigned to the mission. It seemed only logical - there was that word again - that their new arrivals would as well.

"We already have the system in place where each traveler receives credits to spend during shore leave. We would simply need to expand that system to the travelers aboard the Enterprise." The solution was simple in theory. The implementation, on the other hand, would undoubtedly be met with resistance.

Raising a brow, Spock addressed her last question. "What we have collected is generally voluntary admissions, given upon arrival when the subject… traveler is generally confused and under some degree of stress. If the traveler withholds information, we have no way of knowing it. We do not know their medical histories, their abilities, or even their age other than to ask and take what they say as truth."

He paused. "Fortunately technology, combined with Dr. McCoy's resourcefulness has allowed us to fill in the medical histories, often to better degrees than the travelers were previously aware of, if the traveler submits to the tests and scans. Not all have. So you can see then how labeling our databases as incomplete is actually rather generous."

It sounded reasonable. A simple budget for those not working, a slightly larger one for those who were. It honestly didn't seem like a bad idea. She knew there would be complaints. But she also knew Spock wouldn't do anything that didn't put the good of the ship first. That did include its passengers, strictly speaking.

“I suppose it makes sense,” she finally agreed, nodding. So long as they were all treated with fairness and no one was left wanting. It wouldn't do them any good to have people unable to make ends meet. “It might be nice, having a proper economy on board.”

Her eyes narrowed a bit, studying him further. He'd put a great deal of thought into this. “Isn't that more for McCoy and his team to figure out?” His team which included at least half a dozen of the new arrivals. Each with their own particular issues they might want hidden. Okay. So once again, Spock was right. That was going to get old.

Spock watched, allowing himself to be slightly amused as Nyota reasoned out the need for both an economy and census and came to the conclusion that he was correct, judging by the annoyed expression left on her face when she was done. Not real annoyance, merely the sort she tended to reserve for him.

It was one of the many reasons he found himself attracted to her.

"Are you aware that when I am in your presence, I do not resent that I am only half-Vulcan?" he asked her, the logical conclusion to his train of thought even if he had not spoken those thoughts aloud.

But seeing as she hadn't been privy to those thoughts, the sentence seemed to come from out of nowhere. Her eyebrows went up, studying him for the moment. “That's a bit of a change in subject,” she pointed out, shifting so her chin could rest in her hand while she looked him over.

“I happen to love that you're half-Vulcan. For one, it means you can't not want me around simply for being human.” It also meant half-Vulcan, half-humans could exist. Which was definitely a subject for another time, specifically when the memory of his longing to further the Vulcan population wasn't quite so fresh in her mind.

"You will not hesitate to tell me if you believe that I am wrong," Spock said. "When you know that I am right as I was just now, it sometimes annoys you and I find that endearing," he explained further. "Your idiosyncrasies make you uniquely attractive."

Spock considered her for a moment, as even he was aware that his last attempt at a compliment may have come up short although he meant it with pure intent. "I have fought to suppress the human aspect of my nature for my entire life except when I am with you. Then I am grateful that I can feel emotions, and I do not wish to hide from them."

Most girls longed to be called beautiful by their men. Not her. The fact that he was attracted to her willingness to challenge him wasn't a surprise. It had been a part of what had made her such a strong student in his classes. The fact that he didn't mind that she hated when he was right, however, was bordering on downright adorable.

“You're unique,” Uhura reminded him, reaching across the table to take one of his hands in hers. “And there's nothing wrong with that. Feeling… It's important. One thing the Vulcan race could stand to embrace. I think it gives humanity the edge it needs in a universe with much smarter and stronger species.” Though she found each and every species entirely fascinating in their own ways. It simply meant she'd had to find ways the human race could still matter. And she thought maybe she had.

"You are strong," Spock replied. She had meant physical strength, but he was obviously referring to the strength of her character, which had surpassed every test she had faced.

"I am quite fortunate, am I not?" he asked, looking at Nyota. She was a wonder to him, and he was reminded more often now than ever, with all the different travelers aboard, that she could have easily chosen someone else. And yet…

Her face, almost always ready for a challenge, settled into something softer. When she was around him, she tended to look more fond than anything else. He could be a little rough around the edges, and she knew that. It didn't change her feelings. It didn't change the way she loved how he could rile up Kirk and then tease him only a moment later, or how she loved how gentle he could be when it came to the things that mattered to him.

Like her, and instances like the one right then. He didn't do the over the top flirting that drove her insane when other men did it. He was subtle. One truly had to listen to the way he spoke to hear it. And she did love listening to him. “Are you?” she asked, a playful edge to her tone. “And here I thought I was the lucky one.”

"Statistically speaking," Spock said with a hint of a smile, "I am far more fortunate than you." He probably could have backed that up with numbers and facts, but instead he left it there, content to know he was right whether or not Nyota agreed with him.

“Oh, well who am I to argue with statistics?” Her voice was teasing, but not mocking. Her hand played idly with the fingers of his, her grin turning flirtatious. “But feel free to keep telling me how great I am. I won't argue.”

Though she might disagree. Her ego had taken a bit of a hit recently. And sleeping was difficult. But she was desperately trying to remain upbeat and cheerful. Not just for Spock, though he was one of the reasons she was eager to seem fine. Her job was too important to her to let setbacks get to her. Or so she thought, anyway.

"I have to return to the bridge," Spock said, sounding almost apologetic. "But what are you doing later in the evening?" They were back together, yes, but they had spent enough time away that Spock still hadn't fallen back into the routine that they had had previously.

She really did miss that familiarity. But soon. It would happen, she was certain of it. At least, she was trying to be certain. There might be that insecure part of her for a while to come. But Uhura smiled reassuringly at him just the same. “Well I was going to go take advantage of those free drinks in the lounge before I can't anymore since someone had to go use his powers for evil,” she teased. “But I'm open to suggestions.”

"I don't see any reason to charge the crew," Spock replied seriously. "Nor do I believe that you can state that I would be using my powers for…"

He stopped himself. She was teasing him, judging by her expression. Raising a brow, he said, "I could seek you out in the lounge if that is where you will be and then decide then?"

There was just something about getting a rise out of him that made her nearly smug. It maybe made up for the fact that he'd been right about things she didn't want him to be right about twice that day. “I'm only joking with you, I don't go to the lounge all that often. But you could meet me there if it suits.” In fact, it might be interesting, having him there among the passengers. He didn't do that nearly enough, to be fair.

"Where would I find you, then?" Spock asked, determined to avoid the lounge if he could.

Shaking her head, Uhura couldn't help but laugh. His insistence on not going anywhere near the lounge was actually hilarious. And kind of adorable. “And why is it I have to plan all of our dates, hmm?”

Getting to her feet, she leaned down for a quick kiss. “Observation Deck. Meet me after your shift?” It had been filled with travelers, more often than not lately, but he'd get over that. It still seemed like the most romantic place on board to her.

Spock returned the kiss and then nodded. "I'll meet you there," he agreed, unable to keep himself from pointing out, "I did arrange for dinner."

But it would be nice to spend the evening with Nyota, without having to worry about getting back to work. They could keep slowly working their way back to normal.