Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newsswing.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!newsfeed.cwix.com!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!peer01.cox.net!cox.net!newsread.com!newsstand.newsread.com!POSTED.monger.newsread.com!not-for-mail Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated Approved: ascem@earthlink.net Organization: Better Living Thru TrekSmut Sender: ascem@earthlink.net Message-ID: From: "nyotava" MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list ASCEML@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEML-owner@yahoogroups.com Subject: NEW TOS A Pledge 5/5 [R] (K/U) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Lines: 602 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 23:55:12 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: monger.newsread.com 1104278112 209.198.142.218 (Tue, 28 Dec 2004 18:55:12 EST) NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 18:55:12 EST Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:86434 X-Received-Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 15:55:22 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Title: A Pledge Properly Sealed Author: Nyotava (nyotava @ yahoo.com)=20 Series: TOS Part: NEW 5/5 Rating: [R] Codes: K/U Summary: After Platonius, Kirk and Uhura address some awkardness=20 Archive: ASC and UFF. All others, please ask.=20 Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek. I receive no profits from=20 this. It is just for fun. Beta: A very special thanks to IDIC for her thoughtful beta and=20 inspiration in the form of "Plato's Reprise" and "Realizations=20 Resolved," as well as for permitting me to borrow elements from both=20 stories. Errors due to my last-minute changes. Author's note: This is my very first story and I welcome all manner=20 of feedback and criticisms except flames.=20 ********** "They did the mash, they did the monster mash!" the sound system on=20 the Rec Deck sang.=20 Uhura was checking hors d'oeuvres while Christine oversaw the apple=20 cider preparation. The human model skeleton that Christine had=20 borrowed was prominently displayed dressed in a medical tunic,=20 complete with a welcome sign and featuring a medikit in one bony=20 hand and a hypospray in the other.=20 "I hope Dr. McCoy thinks it's funny," Uhura called out to Christine. "Oh he will. He'll love it, and so will the Captain! We'll have to=20 be sure to get holos of the two of them posing with our version=20 of 'Bones.'" "Definitely," Uhura agreed with a laugh while she tried to imagine=20 what the captain would be coming as.=20 A few hours later, when she had completed all that she could think=20 of, she stood in the middle of the main room and gave it a once- over.=20 "Christine, when you have a sec, would you help me see if we've=20 missed anything?" Uhura held up her padd and checked off a list while Christine called=20 them off visually. When they were done, Uhura held the padd at her=20 side and beamed.=20 "Looks like we've done everything, Ny," Christine declared with a=20 satisfied sigh.=20 "All right then. Looks like it's showtime! Let's lock up and get=20 ready. Did you remind Hikaru and Pavel to open the doors for us=20 early so we can make a... fashionable entrance?" "All arranged. They know what to do. They'll also be in charge of=20 holos." "Beautiful. Thanks so much, Chris. I couldn't have done this without=20 you!" She said and gave Christine a hug. "You're welcome. It was a lot of fun. Now come on, let's get=20 ourselves ready!" ********** Kirk, Spock and McCoy had agreed to meet in Kirk's cabin before=20 going to the party. Spock was the first to arrive, wearing a black=20 ceremonial robe.=20 "Very nice, Spock. See? It is possible to do something fun and human=20 while maintaining your dignity," Kirk teased.=20 Spock's response was a patient sigh.=20 McCoy arrived next and both Spock and Kirk were impressed by his=20 costume. He walked into Kirk's quarters with a stovepipe hat and=20 black suit.=20 "Honest Abe!" Kirk shouted when he saw him. "Indeed." Spock raised an eyebrow when he saw McCoy in his=20 costume. "I never would have expected you to emulate a man of such=20 distinction." McCoy opened his mouth to retort, but Kirk stopped him. "Don't start. The night has just begun." "Where's your costume, Jim?" McCoy asked, adjusting his tie in the=20 mirror.=20 "Just a second. I'm wearing most of it already. I was going to ask=20 you to help me with the finishing touch, but figured you were busy,"=20 he said, with humor in his voice. He was already dressed in slim=20 black slacks and an ornate white shirt. He walked into the sleeping=20 area, put on a cape, a hat and an elongated false proboscis and=20 returned to the main room. "Cyrano deBergerac, if I am not mistaken?" Spock queried Kirk. Kirk poked himself on the tip of his nose and McCoy laughed. Spock looked confused. "That's an... _expression of sorts, Spock," McCoy said with a=20 laugh. "It means, 'Right on the nose,' or 'you're right.'"=20 "I see." McCoy sighed.=20 "Come on, Jim. I refuse to let him keep me from enjoying myself=20 tonight. By the way, have you heard anything about what Christine=20 and Uhura have planned?" "Not a thing," Kirk admitted. "Me neither. Christine was tight-lipped all week." "Well, let's go find out, shall we?" Kirk made a dramatic bow,=20 ushering the men out of his quarters.=20 ********** The three headed to the Rec Deck when they heard whistles and a=20 great deal of applause. McCoy and Kirk looked at each other and=20 quickened their step down the corridor. Spock followed. There was a=20 large group of people lining the bulkheads leading into the main rec=20 room.=20 "What is all this?" Kirk asked, to no one in particular. The people in the hallway heard the Captain's voice and quieted down=20 and stepped aside. Kirk managed his way to the door to see what all=20 the fuss was about.=20 A young man spoke up nervously.=20 "We think Lt. Uhura is about to perform, sir." The room was dark, save for a spotlight on a small stage where a=20 microphone and stool stood. A smile crept across Kirk's face. He=20 turned back to his friends and waved them in. The enormous room was=20 packed, standing room only. Near the stage there were several tables=20 and chairs set up, cabaret-style.=20 Kirk stepped into the room and when others realized that the person=20 entering was the Captain, they broke up to allow him, Spock and=20 McCoy through the mass of excited people. McCoy shouted to=20 him, "These folks were here first. What're you gonna do? Just tell=20 them to get out of our way?" "No, those people up there," he said with a point towards the=20 stage. "We're taking their seats. Captain's privilege," he shouted=20 back to him.=20 The three politely took the seats of three ensigns sitting to the=20 right of the stage.=20 A fishnet-clad calf appeared in the spotlight followed by a=20 similarly clad thigh. Kirk exhaled loudly. McCoy looked over at him=20 inquisitively, then realized he was missing the show and immediately=20 turned back to the stage with an excited grin. Spock merely looked=20 uncomfortable and distinctly warm in his robe.=20 The first notes of a swing-style jazz tune keyed up. After the thigh=20 appeared and planted itself on the stool, a long piece of vinyl=20 material along with another leg and the person within it followed.=20 The gown had a skin-tight bodice with a lace-up feature and gathered=20 bust. The decolletage and neck were highlighted with tiny=20 luminescent sparkles. Uhura's face finally appeared to a host of=20 shouts and whistles. She wore dramatic, black eye make-up and blood- red lipstick along with a jet black bone-straight hairpiece that=20 hung well past her shoulders in a glamorous fall.=20 The crowd roared with more whistles and applause. Kirk had to admit=20 that their enthusiasm was contagious while he tried to ignore the=20 awareness he thought he felt in his slacks. He laughed delightedly=20 and had to hold back from applauding too vigorously and whistling=20 with his fingers between his teeth. He was glad when McCoy did so=20 for him.=20 The applause quieted when they heard her voice begin to sing. She=20 reached her hands up to her head in a seductive pose while singing=20 into the microphone.=20 "Those fingers in my hair..." She raised a finger and poised it in a=20 seductive curl towards her lips, then continued. "That sly come=20 hither stare... that strips my conscience bare... it's witchcraft." Her voice was sultrier than he had ever heard it--in public. It was=20 husky and dripped with a quality that was just so familiar. He=20 crossed his legs stiffly. McCoy looked over at him with a smile.=20 Kirk didn't notice him.=20 She continued, in a coo that made him want her terribly. He imagined=20 untying her bustier, slowly, watching it loosen, and her breasts=20 falling free of its hold.=20 "...And I've got no defense for it... The heat is too intense for=20 it...What good would common sense for it do?" She got up from her stool and began to croon, seemingly just to him.=20 He swallowed, hoping it was only his imagination.=20 "'Cause it's witchcraft..." she continued. Kirk wished he had not=20 sat so close. Perhaps he could have handled it better had he known=20 he could escape more easily.=20 He was still lamenting his location when he saw someone walk up to=20 the stage wearing a Musketeer-like costume. The person walked right=20 up and handed her a rose. It was Sulu! Kirk felt a twinge of=20 jealousy at the reality that he could not express his affection for=20 her in the same manner.=20 She smiled seductively at Sulu and Kirk swore, right at him and=20 continued. Then she gently ran the length of the rose between her=20 teeth. "...And although I know it's strictly taboo... " She stepped down from the stage and began heading in Kirk's=20 direction. "When you arouse the need in me..."=20 Kirk began to sweat. //She can't be coming over here to me.// "...My heart says 'yes indeed' in me..."=20 She was now at their table and twisting her hips to the swanky beat.=20 Kirk smiled at the attention their table was receiving and the minor=20 spotlight he received, yet inside he was about to burst. He smiled=20 and laughed, no one was the wiser. "Proceed with what you're leadin' me to..."=20 She walked past him and with a gentle twirl of his hair, ruffled it=20 a bit, encouraging a great deal of whistles, and to his chagrin, one=20 brave, "All right, Captain!" Kirk watched as she played with McCoy's ears and touched his back=20 and shoulders while continuing to sing.=20 She then stopped in her tracks when she pretended to notice Spock=20 suddenly, who was sitting in the middle. The crowd's whistles grew=20 before she did anything at all. Spock wore his trademark rec-room=20 non-smile that delighted everyone in attendance.=20 "... But one I wouldn't switch..."=20 She sauntered over behind Spock and put her arm around his shoulders=20 slinkily.=20 "'Cause there's no nicer witch than you!"=20 She ended the song with a peck on the top of his head.=20 The crowd went wild and was on its feet in seconds.=20 She stood up straight and quickly stepped back up to the stage with=20 a gorgeous smile and gracious curtsey. Chekov came over and=20 presented her with a dozen roses. She looked stunned and genuinely=20 touched when she received them, giving him a peck on the cheek.=20 Sulu went up to the stage with her and grabbed the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen," he paused waiting for the amusement to die=20 down. "Everything you see in this room tonight was thanks to the=20 hard work of everyone's favorite Communications Officer, Lieutenant=20 Nyota Uhura." The applause continued and she curtsied again, giving Sulu a kiss on=20 the cheek, looking almost embarrassed at all the attention.=20 He handed her the microphone back and applauded. "Thank you. You're all so sweet. Thank you Sulu and Chekov for help=20 with decorating and just being wonderful. And a special thanks goes=20 to Mr. Spock, also on my decorating committee." Uhura had to wait=20 for the laughter to die down. "But please, may I have a very special=20 round of applause for my partner in crime, and general sounding=20 board, Marilyn Monroe over there, also known as Nurse Christine=20 Chapel." There was more applause and a dramatic curtsey by the pink-gowned=20 medical officer. McCoy gave a hearty whistle in her direction and=20 Chekov handed her a bouquet of roses.=20 "But this little soiree would never would have materialized if it=20 weren't for the encouragement and, I must admit, a direct order,=20 issued by our dear, Cyrano de Bergerac, also know as Captain Kirk." She motioned for him to stand, but all he would offer was a polite=20 and understated bend upwards from his chair. A warm round of applause followed along with giggles and general=20 merriment. "Sir?" Uhura looked at him expectantly. The spotlight shone on him. Kirk looked at her, with amused curiosity on his face.=20 "What do you need from me now, Lieutenant?"=20 Again laughter and a few hoots came from on-lookers. "For you to do the honors, sir!"=20 Uhura gave him "come here" fingers. He stood with a sigh and walked=20 over to the stage. "Warp One." Everyone laughed, the music started, and people began dancing,=20 eating and drinking.=20 ********** Uhura stood in the doorway of the refreshment area. Dancing and=20 amused conversations were everywhere. She could not have been more=20 pleased with the results; everyone appeared to be enjoying=20 themselves.=20 Christine walked over to her. "Your dare is acceptable although you could've ruffled his hair=20 more, but your party is a hit, Ny." "Thanks to you," she smiled at her seeing Kirk out of the corner of=20 her eye. "Speak of the devil. Here comes Cyrano to come sweep you off your=20 feet," Christine whispered. "And look who's in tow, Abe and the=20 Vulcan ascetic." "Ladies, you two look outstanding," Kirk said with a charming smile,=20 taking Christine's hand first, then Uhura's and giving them tiny=20 kisses, then he turned and faced Uhura. "Lieutenant Uhura," he said with an alluring gaze.=20 McCoy looked as if he were about to burst at the seams to be the=20 first to speak, but allowed the Captain his prerogative. "Yes, Captain, Cyrano. Mr. Spock and Mr. President, I'm so glad you=20 all could make it. Sir, I hope I didn't embarrass you too much up=20 there." "You didn't embarrass him at all, Uhura! I just have to tell you,=20 you both look *fantastic*!" McCoy took their hands with a flourish,=20 as if to display their beauty.=20 Kirk pretended to look annoyed at the interruption and gave McCoy a=20 mock-exasperated look. So did Spock. "Indeed. This festivity has been quite successful, Lieutenant. And=20 you both look... striking." Spock said the last with a raise of his=20 eyebrow.=20 Uhura and Christine were both certain that the most he would say=20 was "agreeable" and were nearly thrilled with the improvement. The=20 other men appeared to notice the compliment as well and looked at=20 each other.=20 "Thank you so much, Mr. Spock," the two women said delightedly,=20 almost in unison, then laughed. "Ladies, you do look wonderful, and no, Lieutenant, you didn't=20 embarrass me. This is a superb party. I couldn't have expected=20 better, and thank you, Nurse Chapel," Kirk said to Christine.=20 "No thanks needed, sir. Working with Ny, here, is a pleasure, as you=20 probably know better than I," she said with a smile. "I'll see you=20 around later, Sweetie. Gentlemen," she said, excusing herself to=20 talk to some friends across the room.=20 McCoy gave Uhura a big kiss on the cheek and excused himself to go=20 with her. Spock just stood there looking at Kirk and Uhura for a=20 moment, sensing he did not belong.=20 "I too will excuse myself. Captain, Lieutenant." He walked away=20 solemnly. "Captain," she said quietly, "has he... picked up on anything=20 recently?" "No, I don't think so. If so, he's been very good at keeping it to=20 himself. I have been forced to stop playing chess with him, though.=20 He beat me horribly that first night back, and you know I don't like=20 to lose."=20 She laughed. "Oh, this is my favorite song! Captain, Cyrano, please dance with=20 me." "Nyota, I couldn't," he said quietly. "Of course you couldn't," she replied sadly. He leaned into her ear.=20 "Perhaps another time." He paused glancing down at her sparkling=20 skin and shiny black gown. "I've been admiring your costume all=20 evening. What a lovely witch you make." "This old thing?" She laughed. "Thank you sir." She smiled warmly,=20 genuinely elated by his appreciation. He thought her laugh was the thing he found most endearing about=20 her. He just loved to watch her laugh and decided that he wanted to=20 experience more of it. Then he suddenly felt as if everyone was=20 watching them.=20 "Well, Lieutenant, excellent job. You never cease to amaze me." "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, sir. Thank you for being here. It=20 meant so much. To everyone." He smiled and took her hand, gave it a squeeze and walked away. ********** The music had long since been turned off. The food and drinks had=20 been cleaned up. The decorations and tables would be removed in the=20 morning. Christine had said her goodnights and walked off with one=20 of the newer nurses, who proudly volunteered to escort her back to=20 her cabin.=20 Uhura left the party area and went to a nearby observation room. She=20 had been hugged and kissed countless times all evening. She=20 appreciated the attention normally, but tonight it had worn thin=20 quickly. She realized that she was desperate to hear those adoring=20 words from one person in particular, but for now, she was content to=20 look through the observation room window and appreciate the beauty=20 and majesty of space--and the loneliness of it. Staring into that=20 blackness, Uhura was cold, frightened, and terribly alone. She=20 leaned over and rested her arms on the railing, looking down at the=20 sparkles remaining on her skin. "You know, you should be in your cabin by now. You do have to be on=20 the bridge in a few hours." She sat up, startled, and saw in the window's reflection the=20 familiar shape of James Kirk. She smiled, embarrassed for some=20 reason, and adjusted her bodice. She squinted in the darkness and=20 finally saw the large proboscis of the Captain's costume and giggled. "Are you amused by something, Lieutenant?" "It's your nose, sir. I love it, but it just looks so... well,=20 unlike your own." "I beg your pardon," he said in a grand, foppish fashion, ruffling=20 his cape and imitating Cyrano. "Milady, 'My nose is Gargantuan!... A=20 great nose is the banner of a great man, a generous heart, a=20 towering spirit, an expansive soul --" he paused to look pointedly=20 at her with a winning smile. "'such as I unmistakably am...'" Uhura covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too hard at the comic=20 reading but she had been drinking some of McCoy's "planter's punch,"=20 he had made just for her, which she was unaccustomed to.=20 "Yes, sir," was all she could manage. Kirk casually removed the=20 elongated proboscis. She took a sip of her drink.=20 "What are you doing here, sir? I saw you leave with Mr. Spock and=20 Dr. McCoy hours ago." "I did. We talked and had a few drinks. They called it a night but I=20 still felt restless and thought I'd take a walk." "In your costume?" "It's not every day one is free to impersonate one of history's=20 great romantic heroes." "True. So why are you here?" "Let's just say I saw the light on and thought I'd come see who was=20 here." "Good answer, considering there are virtually no lights on." "Indeed. Perhaps we should put some on just in case," he said with a=20 wink. "Good idea. Computer, lights, one-eighth power. How about some music=20 too?" "I won't be here long. I just wanted to tell you... how much I=20 enjoyed the party... and your performance." "Thank you, sir." She made a tiny curtsey. "Computer, Chet Baker,=20 vocal recordings." "Very nice singer. I was never familiar with his work... until=20 unbeknownst to me, you gave me a music appreciation lesson. Speaking=20 of appreciation, your costume is... incredible," he said, admiring=20 her outline. "Thank you, sir. Oh, I love this song. Would you dance with me now?" "I probably shouldn't, not here. Perhaps in my cabin one night." Uhura felt a chill run up her spine. She took a quick sip of her=20 drink, then eyed the glass skeptically. She did not exactly know why=20 he was here, but she definitely did not expect an invitation. If=20 anything, she expected a tapering off of sorts.=20 "I've been admiring yours too, but with the definitely spiked cider=20 and the Doctor's special punch, I think I'm hearing things." "You're not hearing things, Nyota." He stopped and smiled to=20 himself. "I'm not sure, but you may be inspiring the romance=20 intrinsic to this costume. My Roxanne." He took the glass from her=20 hand and set it down. "I'm glad I found you because I... needed to=20 be alone with you, tonight... if only for a few minutes." "Yes?... Yes," she said quietly, not caring that her eyes showed all=20 the love she felt. "Nyota," he said quietly with his hand on her chin and then followed=20 a kiss behind it. "I believe a transfer is in order." She pulled back and looked up at him, her eyes large and animated. "Do you mean what I...?" "I do. But I don't want you to make any sacrifices for me. Actually,=20 another assignment might do wonders for your career, but I want what=20 you want, what's best for you." He squeezed her hand. "Take some=20 time to think about it. I can't make any promises... but I..." She=20 cut him off. "I love working with you, sir, but much more than that, I love...=20 loving you," she said with a tear escaping her eye. "I need to kiss you tonight," he said, between kisses on her=20 hand. "I suppose 'we' began with a kiss, so to speak. You see,=20 Cyrano had something to say about kissing." "He did? What did he say about kissing," she asked dazed, not quite=20 believing what was happening and relishing the feel of his lips on=20 her skin.=20 "'... What is a kiss specifically?'" he quoted, while kissing each=20 of her fingertips.=20 "'A pledge properly sealed..." He kissed her fingertip. "...A promise seasoned to taste=85"=20 He kissed her palm, then just barely licked it. "...A vow stamped with the immediacy of a lip..." He touched her mouth. "...The pulse rising from the heart to utter its name on a lover's=20 lip... 'forever'". Kirk lifted her chin and tenderly brushed his lips on her face. She=20 wrapped her arms around him as his lips followed her jaw line and=20 down her neck.=20 "But what will it mean if you kiss me now?" Uhura asked, barely=20 above a whisper. "A pledge will be properly sealed." "A pledge to what?" Her eyes searched his tenderly. "To continue loving you, but... as you deserve to be loved." He kissed her gently on the mouth, which marked for Uhura the=20 beginning of their forever. FIN ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ASCEM messages are copied to a mailing list. Most recent messages can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML. NewMessage: