Ragel-tor (closed)

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

The best place Spock could think of which would allow Lieutenant Uhura some measure of privacy and the ability to rest, was his own room.

Even on the Enterprise, his quarters had been spartan. Here, there was even less. But it was quiet, and private. It would serve.

"I have been here approximately one month," he explained simply. "I am still growing accustomed to the ship and her environs."

*Ragel-tor = a chance meeting; to be present at someone's arrival.

Comments

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

A month.

She blinked, feeling disconnected at best.

"It seems like this is a very large ship," Uhura said after a moment of contemplation as she stood just inside the door. "The humidity is strange, but bearable. I think. I prefer the air drier." The corners of her lips twitched and she wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry.

"We are," she said slowly, "so very far from home, Spock."

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

Spock continued to study her carefully, concerned, but waiting for her to decide how to proceed.

"Stacy is larger than any ship ever seen in our universe. Should you wish, the sensoriums can provide a facsimile of any climate you desire." He ought to know, he'd spent some time in there on a replica of Vulcan.

His brow was furrowed slightly. "I am sorry you have acquired this distressing knowledge."

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

Uhura swallowed hard and let out a measured breath, intent on remaining calm, though her thoughts were anything but. The Federation, their Universe, billions of races and people, all of them were gone. All those lives. Like Vulcan, gone in a moment of terror. Her eyes stung as she opened her mouth to say something that wouldn't come and her chin tilted upward as she just stared at him for the longest while.

"It," she said in a small voice, "wouldn't be very logical to remain in the dark, would it?" Her throat tightened and it was a moment before she found her voice again. "At least I know you are alive." Uhura lay her palm against his chest and attempted to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.

"We're alive," she murmured, her voice firm and insistent as if she was forcing herself to believe her own words.

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

His hands rested lightly at her sides. Any comfort he might attempt to give would be wholly inadequate to the situation, even if he had been human and more experienced in the giving of comfort. As it was, he could only be himself, and hope that would suffice.

"The gaining of knowledge is almost always the most logical course," he began, "but I admit to a desire to spare you this pain, despite the logical argument, and my relief at seeing you alive."

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

Uhura closed her eyes and leaned into him, taking what he gave and asking nothing more. Her fingers brushed the nape of his neck and she relaxed fractionally, letting his light touch ease some of the tension that held her taut. She knew what he meant, knew the undercurrent of his words.

Her lips brushed his collar.

"Thank you," she said, never more aware of what it might have been like if he hadn't been there. A month alone on an alien ship in the middle of a multiuniversal war. God. And after Vulcan, as well.

It wasn't something she could comprehend. Not for him. But it was horrifying.

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

There was much in him that was empty. The effective extinction of his entire species had left a gaping wound which would never heal. The presence of other Vulcans, of his father, mother, and nearly six billion others, was gone, never to return.

But she was present still, a reminder of what to live for, beyond even his logical reasoning. Spock knew that simply by being here, Nyota would aid him in regaining some form of peace. And he would attempt to aid her as well.

He touched her cheek, skin on skin, understanding her thoughts, feeling what she felt, and subtly, with his skill as a telepath, began to send her calm, soothing thoughts, intended to further aid her relaxation.

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

Uhura tilted into his touch carefully, not hesitantly, but carefully in the same manner one savors a moment that will never come again in the same manner. It didn't matter that there would be others, it was this one that was important, and the next and the next after that. She could never fill that void, the one she knew would always be there as raw as if it had just happened, but she was there in her own quiet way. Trying. Trying to somehow ease whatever harshness and pain she could.

She kept her mind open, as open as she could and let him soothe her because as much as she wanted to make some sort of difference to him, she needed whatever quietness, whatever strength he could lend her in this moment. For everything he gave, she gave back to him as much as she possibly could. And she knew he was there, with her, connected and her fingers slid against his hair gently.

Her thoughts slowed, the tautness in the lines of her body eased, and she could breathe. The relief was so sharp it was almost painful in release. Uhura murmured his name just under her breath as her lips grazed his jaw and held onto the moment for as long as it dared to linger.

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

It was always with a certain amount of hesitation that Spock showed any affection, no matter how welcome he knew it to be, but it was gratifying to know that his efforts were succeeding, to some extent.

Now he sought to turn her mind away from thoughts of death and destruction.

"You will be an asset to this crew, Nyota. And I have found many here to be welcoming."

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

"We are in a new place facing a new set of circumstances that will define and shape us," she said, her voice a murmur. "I can give nothing but my best." Her lips curved into a smile. "It's nice to know there are those among the crew who are welcoming. I met a rather unpleasant alien who wanted nothing more than to fight with someone, or so it seemed."

Even though she'd been irritated at the time, she couldn't help but be amused. It had been a very...Klingon moment.

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

Spock quirked an eyebrow at her slightly, and touched her hair. "I trust the alien is relatively unharmed?" He did not smile, or change his facial expression at all. He didn't need to.

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

"He walked away without a mark on him," Uhura said with laugh. "Lucky for him I didn't have a weapon or I just might have challenged his world view." She wouldn't have, not really, but that didn't mean she wasn't thinking about it all the same.

"That might have broken half a dozen regulations on First Contact protocols," she said dryly. "I was on very good behavior for someone in a highly compromised and decidedly vulnerable position."

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

He did not wish to imagine her in such a position. He was glad that the indignity had been brief.

"I have no doubt that, given the circumstances, you comported yourself as well as possible."

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

"There were absolutely no other viable options than to deal with it badly or simply deal with it," she said, her tone somewhere between amused and just not. "I chose the right option."

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

"Rarely do you choose wrong," Spock said simply. It was not a compliment, not intended to flatter. He barely understood the concept. It was simply the truth as he had observed over the period of their acquaintance.

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

"I weigh my options," she murmured. "And have a talent for sensing...bullshit." Her lips curved and then she really did laugh. It was a good, real, and bright one. God, was she ever good at sensing complete bullshit when it came to a variety of scenarios.

[nerve-pincher.livejournal.com]

Her laughter still often took him by surprise, and this was no exception. The pleasure he took in it was as illogical as the act itself, but Spock had learned that, while his feelings for Nyota were based on solid rationality, they were also quite visceral.

"I am certain your abilities will be effective even among the most alien of crew members."

[nothefarragut.livejournal.com]

"I am sure the situation we find ourselves in will allow me to test that theory to its fullest extent," she said, her tone light and amused. Especially the bullshit detector, she thought, reminiscing over the few people she'd met.