The BLTS Archive - Past Acquaintances
by the grene kni3t (egtankersley@gmail.com)

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Published: 01-14-08  Complete - id:4012730

Disclaimer: Paramount owns /Star Trek/.

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The crew of the starship /Enterprise/ was busy with the usual hustle
and bustle of transporting some of Starfleet's most important
personnel to the conference on Beta Cygni 3, but its captain and first
officer still found time to report personally to the transporter room
to welcome each new guest on board. In this instance, her chief
medical officer had tagged along -- partially because everyone was in
such good health that he had little else to do, but chiefly in order
to tease Captain Kirk about one of those honored guests.

"That Commander Nelson is really something, eh, Jim?"

Kirk gave McCoy one of his best innocent looks. "One of Starfleet's
finest," he said carefully. "An expert on Klingon philosophy, leader
of twelve key anthropological expeditions . . . "

"And conqueror of the affections of one James T. Kirk," the doctor
finished. "I saw the way you looked at her at dinner last night."

"You . . . noticed?"

"Jim, I would have to have been blind and deaf not to notice."

"Indeed, Captain," Spock interposed. "The Commander's presence did
appear to have a readily discernible effect on your physiological and
psychological processes."

"/Et tu/, Spock?" Kirk laughed. "It must have been worse than I
thought! But I couldn't help it. It's been years, and Nicole --
Commander Nelson -- has become quite a woman. But seeing her last
night . . . it was like I was seventeen again, trying to work up the
courage to ask her to the Starfleet Academy prom." He gave a sheepish
grin.

McCoy grinned back. "I know the feeling." He turned to bait the first
officer. "Don't you, Spock?"

"Doctor, I did not attend more than the minimum required number of
social functions at the Academy, let alone attempt to induce a female
to accompany me."

"You know what I mean," McCoy persisted as they entered the
transporter room. "Don't you think the appearance of a beautiful woman
from the past can be . . . disturbing?"

"It is illogical that one should be disturbed by the appearance of a
past acquaintance," Spock replied, raising an eyebrow, "particularly
if the period of acquaintance was considered pleasant."

Kirk chuckled heartily. "He's got us there, Bones."

"Captain Robbins is ready to beam aboard, sir," said Lieutenant Kyle
from the controls.

"Energize."

The space above the transporter pad began to shimmer, and Kirk and
McCoy were surprised to see the form resolve into a tall, dark-haired
woman. She wore the nonstandard female trouser uniform, but it seemed
to flatter rather than hide what was obviously a good figure. Her
posture was straight and proud, and her face bore a serious expression
that softened into a prim smile as she turned to the officers.

"Mister Spock," she said. "Long time, no see."

There were two seconds of silence before Spock seemed to come to his
senses. "Number One," he acknowledged, then hastily corrected himself.
"Captain Robbins."

"You two . . . know each other?" Kirk and McCoy were both suppressing
grins. McCoy in particular was slyly observing the Vulcan. He decided
that it could have been his imagination if Spock suddenly looked
greener than usual, but the unusual hesitation in his voice was
distinct.

"Comman -- " Spock stopped, cleared his throat, and corrected himself
again "/Captain /Robbins was the first officer of the /Enterprise/
under Captain Pike for four years, ten months, and eleven days."

"Ah." Kirk, still grinning, stepped forward to save his friend. "An
old friend of the /Enterprise/. I hope you'll be pleased with how
we've treated her. Can I show you to your quarters, Captain Robbins?"

"Thank you, Captain." Robbins smiled at Spock again as she stepped off
the transporter pad and joined Kirk in the hallway. Spock's eyes
followed her quick, professional step across the room and out the door
until it had closed behind her.

McCoy allowed his grin to spread and leaned confidentially towards the
first officer. "What was that you were saying earlier, Mr. Spock?"

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The End