-1OMG! You all are so wonderful! Thank you so much for all the
wonderful kind words. In honor of the wonderfully handsome MACO at
the con yesterday, I give you more. Once again into the abyss.
Thanks again my lovely betas.

The next morning Spock awoke early. He found himself once again
wandering to Christine's door. He listened carefully outside her
door but could not hear any sign of the doctor. Momentarily
disappointed, he proceeded downstairs. His sharp Vulcan hearing soon
heard music coming from the kitchen. He decided to see who else was
awake and was soon confronted with quite a morning vision: Christine
Chapel in extremely short shorts.

She was moving around the kitchen dancing to the beat of the music
and cooking. Spock could not help but once again note how extremely
long and shapely her legs were. Not that Spock would admit it, but
several times during their original mission he had definitely
noticed those legs. When he had first met her in the transporter
room he had only really noticed how tall she was. He realized his
notice of her legs and other attributes had not come until Jim Kirk
had drawn them to his attention.

UPFUPFUPFUPFUPFUPFUPF

Spock entered the recreation room with Dr. McCoy and Captain Kirk.
He was still not sure how he felt about the doctor joining on their
evening chess match. Jim had insisted that McCoy needed the company.
Ms. Carter's death had affected the doctor strongly and Kirk was
worried for his friend. While his own relationship with the Doctor
was very new, he could tell that despite the man's outer gruffness
that the doctor was indeed an honorable man. The three were just
about to settle in for a game when the door opened and Lt. Uhura's
voice came through.
"And this is about the only place we really have to relax aboard"
the communications officer was saying.

"It's not much, which is why I'm never here" Janice Rand responded
with a laugh.

"I would have thought there would creature comforts on a
Constitution-class" Nurse Chapel pondered.

"Well there use to be, but with the hostilities with the Klingons
and God knows what else we'll find out here, more ships space has
been regulated for weapons and engine power" Uhura responded.

"Which I'm sure that your chief engineer has no problems with"
Chapel said with a laugh.

"You sound like you know Scotty alright!" Rand exclaimed.

"Come on I'll show you the pool table" Uhura continued "Scotty says
your pretty good."

"Better at dom-jot, but I can play if I have, too" Chapel responded
as the women went to the far side of the room.

"Did I just hear a woman say she played dom-jot?" said Kirk looking
up.

"Indeed, I believe that was said" Spock answered.

"Really, I may have to check this one out" Kirk said.

"Leave my new nurse alone" McCoy stated.

"A nurse, huh? Wow, that is some set of legs!" Kirk exclaimed,
looking at the back of the nurse lining up her break.

McCoy let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Down boy, she's engaged. Christine is on the mission to find her
fiancée as a matter of fact" McCoy said.

"Christine?" Kirk asked.

"Christine Chapel is the ensign's name. She joined us at Starbase 12
to going in our trip to Exo III. I believe that is where he was last
sighted" Spock informed the captain.

"Christine Chapel, huh? She's engaged is she?" Kirk said watching
the woman thoughtfully.

"Off limits, Jim. That's what that translates too. Anyways I think
she's too classy for ya" McCoy admonished.

Jims head swung around to quickly to face the doctor.

"What's that suppose to mean, Bones?"

"Perhaps the doctor is merely suggesting that the nurse seems to be
a very intelligent person" Spock said knowingly.

"And?" Jim said icily.

"I think Spock's already discovered your type, Jim" Bones quipped.

"That not true. I have dated some very intelligent, classy' women,
Bones. I remind you who I was with when I met you" Jim responded
huffily.

"And she also dumped you, if I remember correctly" Bones answered.

"Well that maybe true, but you can't argue with that" Jim said,
nodding his head back around to the nurse, "Engaged? Seriously?"

"She signed up for Starfleet duty to find him. I would call that
serious, however misguided" Spock answered.

"Hum, maybe. I guess we'll just have to take good care of her until
then."

"Indeed. On that point, Doctor, I was going to ask what duties you
had planned for her. I assume you are familiar with her background."

"Of course I am, Spock" McCoy said, "She waaay over-qualified for
regular nurse duty. I thinking of asking her to take the head-nurse
spot. Inez is transferring to the Medical next rotation. Boyce asked
her to come."

"Indeed, Doctor. I was going to request that she be assigned to the
science labs as well" Spock responded.
"She must have some background to have caught your attention, Spock"
Jim smiled a small smile.
"Yes, she has a doctorate in Bioresearch. An asset to any lab."

"That's all, huh? So it's actually Dr. Chapel, then" Jim said.
"Technically, but according to Starfleet protocol, her proper
address is Nurse" Spock corrected.

"Then I guess I'll just have to go say Hi, Nurse'" Jim said as he
jumped up and went towards the women.

Spock raised an eyebrow towards the doctor.

"What can I say? Jim's gonna make sure she's good and married first"
McCoy said, shaking his head.

"Indeed" Spock responded but in truth he was interestedly watching
the captain.

"You know we should do something about your hair, Christine" Rand
was saying.

"You think? I thought it fit regulations" Chapel responded.

Spock could indeed see nothing wrong with the simple French twist
the nurse's long hair was in.

"It's regulation alright. I just don't think it has any flair" Rand
commented.

"Not all of us are that concerned about our looks, Jan" Uhura said,
sinking the 10 ball.

"I don't know. I think it's nice that Yeoman Rand takes such pride
in her appearance" Jim said coming up behind the women.

"Oh, Captain, I didn't mean anything-" Uhura started sweetly.

"I know you didn't Lieutenant. So, how about introducing me to our
new officer, ladies" Kirk said smiling at the group.

For a second Spock thought he saw something flicker through the
nurse's face. Then she quickly righted herself and smoothed her
uniform.

"Ensign Christine Chapel, medical division" she said extending her
hand, "And you must be Captain Kirk."

Spock saw a peculiar smile cross Jim's face. He thought to himself
that he hadn't seen that particular look since Gary Mitchell's
demise almost six months previously.

"Captain James T. Kirk" he said seeming to stress the T. He shook
the woman's hand and held on to it.

"A pleasure. I hope I can be an asset to your crew" Chapel said, her
bright smile fixed firm.

"I'm sure you will, Nurse" Jim said his smile twitching.

"Well there the lassie in the flesh!" said Mr. Scott bounding into
the room.

"Scotty!" Chapel cried and ran to the engineer. The large engineer
grabbed the nurse into a massive hug.

"Blue?" Scott asked.

"Shh" Chapel said quietly, "I'm using my background."

"A damn shame, you'd of looked lovely in red, lass."

"Just hush and rack em, engineer. You owe me a game of nine ball."
Spock found his passive interest suddenly turn more active.

"What's going on?" McCoy said noticing Spock's attention shift away
from their chess game.

"They are playing nine-ball" Spock said turning towards the group.

"You know about nine-ball?" McCoy asked incredulously.

"Indeed, it was most popular at the academy."

"Do you know how to play?"

"I am versed in the game" Spock responded evenly.

"Good enough" McCoy said jumping up

"Mr. Spock's got next!" he yelled out.

Chapel gave an unlady-like snort.

"A Vulcan playing pool? Now I have seen everything" she said
laughing.

"You believe I am not capable?" Spock said raising an eyebrow as he
rose from the chair.

"I would never say that, but actions do speak louder than words"
Chapel bantered back.

"Perhaps you would play your game so I can face my challenger" Spock
responded.

Chapel looked at the balls Scott had racked and cracked her
knuckles. Spock couldn't help but flinch at the noise. She then took
the cue and lined up her shot. Spock watched as she stretched her
long frame over the cue. Spock couldn't help but notice Kirk's
admiring eyes tracing down her legs. Spock looked at what the
captain was staring at. He did indeed note that her legs were very
well proportioned. She had quite of bit muscle, too. Chapel then
moved suddenly, the cue cracking loudly. Spock watched as the balls
flew apart. First the one ball dropped then right behind it, the
nine ball. Spock's eyebrow flew up incredulously.

"Lucky shot" Chapel said, spinning the cue around in her hand.

"Indeed. I believe I have my opponent" Spock responded.

"Would you like to break?" Christine asked innocently.

"I believe the expression is ladies first'" Spock taunted.

By now they had drawn a crowd. Spock saw the recently transferred
helmsman, Sulu, wonder over, interested.

"That was quite a shot. Physics were perfect, but I don't think she
can do it again" the young lieutenant said.

"You think?" Jim asked.
"It requires a lot of strength and precision to that. Duplicating it
might be too much to ask" Sulu said to his captain.

"I still think she'll beat him" Jim responded.

"Mr. Spock, I doubt it. I think he's got her in the physics. I'm
sure that a Vulcan mind would know exactly how to line up the shots."

"Maybe in straight pool or eight ball, but nine is an emotional
game. I'm not sure our first officer would be able to recognize that
element. I'll bet you she still wins, even if she cant repeat" Jim
challenged.

"You would bet against me, Captain" Spock said turning on his friend.

"Logic is not always the solution, Mr. Spock" Jim said
teasingly, "You would think our chess matches have proved that."

"Well, if you don't take the bet, I will" McCoy said, "No offense,
Nurse, but I think the walking computers got ya."

"There is no offense were none is taken, Doctor" Chapel responded as
if on automatic.

Spock held his face so the shock of hearing the Vulcan phrase did
not register upon it. Fascinating, he thought. Spock turned to watch
his opponent more closely. Chapel once again moved to stretch over
the cue. She pulled back and stuck the balls hard. Sulu had been
correct, she did not repeat; however the one ball fell neatly into
the pocket. He watched as she went around the table to go for the
two. As Chapel moved to take her shot on the blue ball, Spock was
suddenly once again struck with how blue her eyes were. As deep as
the color of the ocean of Raal. Spock found himself struck with a
moment of home sickness. His father had once said the same about his
mother's eyes, he recalled almost wistfully. Chapel's eyes suddenly
flew up to his own. She faltered in her shot, banking the ball in
the wrong direction. Their eyes remained locked as Spock suddenly
felt a particularly electric sensation fill him.

"Shit!" Jim's expression jolted him out of the hypnotizing gaze.

"Aw, crap" Chapel said as she straighten up, "At least I left you
with a hard shot."

Spock looked back at the nurse to find her moving away from the
table and into a hug from Scott.

"Hey lass, no one's perfect. I doubt even our Mr. Spock could make
that shot" the engineer commiserated.

The two ball was indeed trapped behind the nine. The cue ball sat in
front of it. If Spock struck the nine first it would be a violation
of the rules.

"Indeed, Mr. Scott. A most challenging lay" Spock said.

Then bringing up many a nights from his youth at the academy, Spock
lined up his shot. He struck the ball firmly. It hopped over the
nine, banked the rail the struck the two which hit the nine.

"You missed" McCoy called as the two went away from the pockets.

"No he didn't" said Chapel from the far end.

She put her index finger down on the table as the nine slowly made
its way into the pocket next to her finger.

"I think I've been hustled" Chapel said laughing.

"There was no hustle', as you say. I did say I was familiar with
the game" Spock responded.

"And the fire to go with it. Nice game, Mr. Spock" Chapel winked at
him.

Spock's eyebrow went up sharply.

"I believe that there's more to you than meets the eye, but if
you'll excuse me, I have a long day tomorrow. There's a CMO on the
ship I have to prove my worth to" she said gesturing towards the
doctor. She then kissed Scott on the cheek and tossed off a casual
salute to the Captain. Spock was about to remind her about the
improperness of saluting on a Starship when Jim saluted her back.

"Goodnight, Nurse" Jim said smiling that odd smile again.
"Goodnight, Captain" Chapel said winking.

When she had passed through the door, Jim Kirk turned back to his
two friends.

"Oh yea, this is going to be interesting" Jim said, positively
beaming.

"Oh, boy" McCoy grumbled.

"Indeed" Spock said.

the aucat