Interludes: How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You?

Christine Chapel smoothed the skirt of the embarrassing uniform that she had to wear.  Why Starfleet had gone from the workable pants and tunics they had issued when she first came aboard to these nuisances she didn’t know.  Probably some Admiral with an eye for the ladies came up with it.  They were supposed to be cooler and more comfortable, but the stockings were skin tight and itched and the skirt was hard to get undone in “emergency” situations.  Now, she was sweating from the mere idea of appearing before the ship’s first officer.  It was only two weeks since they had been through the fiasco at Psi 2000, and she knew she was still trying to get the color to drain from her face.  Why, why did she have to pick him of all people to rub up against like a cat in heat?  Never mind, she thought, if she didn’t get a move on she wouldn’t have to worry about Psi 2000 because she’d be reprimanded for being late.  

 Lieutenant Commander Spock reviewed his list of promotion candidates.  The next one gave him pause.  The incident between them two weeks ago was unfortunate but not completely disastrous.  He had been chased before.  However, he had been able to leave them where they stood now he was stuck on the same ship.  He could consider transferring her. However her records indicated that she was an excellent, dedicated scientist and the Enterprise needed more like her.  At precisely 1130 his door chime sounded and as it whisked open, she stepped forward.  Allowing a moment to regard her features, he noted they were cool, professional, and completely business like.  Nodding toward the chair across from the desk, he stated,” Sit please.”
Christine breathed deeply and sat down hoping he wouldn’t see the way she was sweating down her back.  The room temperature had been set at ship’s norm 74, and she was thankful.  Sitting stiffly in the chair, she waited for the Vulcan to look up at her from his review file.  He started with a question she didn’t expect, “How are you?”
“Uh, fine, just fine and you?” she answered lamely.
“Adequate.  According to your records you hold a doctorate in bioresearch and biomedicine.  Why are you on board as a nurse?” he asked and his eyes seemed to bore through her like an auger.
Christine cleared her throat quietly.  Apparently the captain hadn’t told him her plight nor had he heard it through scuttlebutt.  She began,” I am on board as a nurse because I wanted to get into deep space, and at the time this was the only opening.  I am qualified as a nurse Mr. Spock.”
He shook his head, “I do not doubt your qualifications.  However, you are...wasted in sickbay in the capacity that you now hold.  Do you not wish a more satisfying posting?”
Christine smiled a little.  At least he wasn’t grilling her about Psi 2000.  “I like where I am quite fine.  I really don’t plan on being aboard that long.  Well, I didn’t plan on making it a career here.”
Spock gave her his best non-plussed why do I ask look and leaned forward to emphasize his question, “Then why are you here?”
“I really...”she didn’t want to explain but knew she’d have to in order to get out of the cabin, “My fiance disappeared four years ago.  I have been trying to find him ever since.  It finally came to the point that I had to come out personally.  The only ship going my direction was the Enterprise.  The only posting I was remotely qualified for was as nurse so I took the required courses, volunteered for duty and well...my sister pulled a few strings so that I could come aboard.”
Spock did not ask who her sister was.  Instead, “Your fiance is that important to you?”  It was a silly question, of course he was.  
Barely controlled tears brimmed her lashes.  “He’s more important than anything right now.  I am certain you have heard of him, Dr. Roger Korby.” 
Spock raised one eyebrow.  Yes indeed, he was a famous man.  He was a candidate for the Nobel Prize at one time losing out to S’tak of Vulcan.  This woman became more and more impressive.  Then a thought came to him, “But two weeks ago...”
Christine bristled and stopped him, “Please, Mr. Spock, I regret whatever occurred.  It was not me.  Actually, I think it was that you just happened to walk in the door first.  I am sorry.”
Spock was at a loss for a moment.  This was a first for him.  All the other dealings with women had been so emotional and abhorrent.  Now she was apologizing for her lack of scruples when it was not her fault.  “You were not able to control your state of mind any more than I was.  The incident is forgotten.”
She smiled with relief, “Thank you.”
“However, although you do not seem interested in a position outside your duties in sickbay, I must concur with Dr. McCoy.  He has recommended you be promoted to head nurse and chief surgical nurse.  Is this acceptable to you?”
Christine nodded.  It was indeed an honor to be promoted to such a position when she’d only been on board for six months.  Even though she hadn’t wanted advancement, it was nice.  “That is acceptable.”
“Those positions will free your time from the mundane tasks in sickbay.  You will be allotted more research time.  In this way perhaps you can continue with your work,” he explained secretly wanting to appoint her as a chief assistant in the chemistry labs.  Her work, what he had reviewed of it, was far better than he could have managed.  No wonder a brilliant mind like Korby had chosen her.  
“If there are no questions, I believe you are free to leave.”
The tall blonde shook her head, “No, no questions.  Thank you Mr. Spock.”
He did not answer her illogical statement with his usual tart reply.  Instead he chose and Earth phrase, “Don’t mention it.”
She smiled broadly, “I won’t.”
With that she left and began to feel at one with the crew for the first time she’d come aboard.