Title: A Roll of the Dice

Author: Wildcat

Series: TOS

Rating: T for mature situations

Codes: S/U

Summary: Upon returning to the Enterprise after a scientific conference, Spock discovers that everything is not as it seems.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and company. I have just borrowed them for a while, and I will not profit from any of this.

Although this story is part of my Spock/Uhura universe, it is intended to stand alone. If you wish to place it in the timeline, however, it takes place between In Single Words and The Real Thing.

Thanks go to Jungle Kitty for so generously allowing me to use a character that belongs to her. Also, this story was inspired by an episode of TNG. I'll let you TNG fans figure out which one.

This story won 1st place for "Best S/U" in the 1999 ASC Awards. It also won 3rd place for "Best TOS Multipart" and 3rd place for "Best Spock/Female" in the 1999 Golden O Awards.

Feedback is desired.

A Roll of the Dice, chapter 1

Seated comfortably in a shuttlecraft, Spock ran his hands across the controls in preparation for docking. He had spoken with Nyota to inform her of his progress ten point two minutes ago, and according to his calculations, he would be back on board in a mere three point eight minutes. Indeed, he should be able to see the Enterprise with his naked eye at any time now.

He could not help but experience a sense of anticipation. While the scientific conference had been most enlightening, ten days of lectures and panel discussions had been sufficient. He was ready to return. And after speaking with Nyota, he knew that she was also ready for him to return. Although her demeanor had been entirely professional when he checked in earlier, he had detected an eagerness in her voice that belied her calm manner. In their two years of marriage, this was only the third time they had been apart for a significant length of time, and he knew that she was excited to have him back.

The Enterprise filled his viewscreen now, and when he looked closely, he could see the smaller ship that cruised alongside. The Etrian envoy had not been expected until tomorrow, but when he had spoken with Nyota, she had informed him of the Etrians' early arrival. He had looked forward to meeting the Etrians since he first learned of their existence. They had appeared from nowhere and requested an interview with the Federation, and although they refused to identify their origin, it was clear that their technology was far superior to anything known to the Federation. Before he had left, he and Nyota had speculated at great length as to what technological marvels the Etrians might possess, but he and she had no data upon which to base their speculations—the Etrians had insisted that their own version of the Prime Directive prohibited them from revealing any of their secrets, and they firmly refused to allow anyone access to their ship.

He toggled a switch, intending to request permission to land, but before he could speak, he noticed a subtle distortion in the stars. He reached quickly for his navigational controls, but he was upon the disturbance before he could react. The shuttle appeared to spin around him, and he leaned against the console, closing his eyes as he fought against a sudden wave of nausea.

Just as abruptly as it had begun, the dizzying sensation passed. Although he was still somewhat disoriented, he turned back to the controls and scanned for the anomaly. Nothing. He frowned and changed his settings, but he knew that he would be no more successful with this attempt than before. The anomaly was not only gone but also appeared to have never existed in the first place. It had not even been detected by the automatic sensors. He believed that he had seen something, but perhaps his vision had been altered by his physical condition rather than vice versa.

He sighed. He would have no choice but to visit sickbay before proceeding to the bridge.

"Enterprise, I am on final approach and request permission to land," he said.

Nyota's voice rang from the speaker. "Permission granted. Welcome back, Mr. Spock. We'll see you on the bridge shortly."

He considered telling her that he planned to stop at sickbay on his way to the bridge, but he decided against it. No need to alarm her now. If Dr. McCoy found that he was in fact ill, he could inform her at that time.

"Thank you, Commander. Spock out."

The doors parted before him, and he brought the shuttle in for a smooth landing.

...

Spock continued to puzzle over his unusual experience as he waited for the lift to open onto the bridge. Dr. McCoy had pronounced him well, suggesting that he might simply be fatigued due to the long trip. While he did not feel particularly tired, he had no better explanation for what had happened. He would ensure that he rested well tonight.

The door slid open and he saw Nyota seated at her console, sipping coffee and immersed in her work. She did not notice him, but he knew that he could not pass without some sort of acknowledgment. Scanning the bridge to ensure that no one was watching, he discreetly brushed his fingers against her cheek and bent to murmur in her ear without breaking stride.

"Greetings, Nyota. I have missed you."

Choking on her coffee, she exclaimed, "Mr. Spock!"

He had continued to his station, expecting to turn and meet her gaze, but when he looked back at the bridge, he found that all eyes were on him. Everyone, without exception, was staring at him with a stunned expression.

Kirk finally broke the silence, "Uh, welcome back, Mr. Spock."

Spock looked from Kirk to Nyota, who was wiping coffee from her chin, then back at Kirk again. "Thank you, Captain."

Kirk's eyes darted briefly toward Nyota, who shook her head and shrugged. "Is everything all right, Mr. Spock?" he asked.

"Of course, Captain. Why would it not be?"

"Well, that wasn't exactly a standard greeting—"

Spock was relieved when a beep interrupted Kirk's next words. Nyota threw him one last wide-eyed look and turned to her board.

"Enterprise. Commander Uhura here."

She listened to the message, and then faced Kirk. "Captain, it's the commander of the Etrian ship. He and his team are ready to come aboard."

"Tell him welcome, Commander, and that we'll meet him in the transporter room."

"Aye, sir."

After she exchanged a few more words with the Etrian captain, Kirk stood. "Mr. Spock, Commander Uhura, with me."

Moving toward the lift, Spock noticed that Nyota was still watching him warily. He raised an eyebrow in amusement—evidently, he had startled her. He motioned for her to precede him into the lift, and Kirk followed behind him.

"Deck eight." Kirk shook his head. "Would you two mind telling me what was going on back there?"

Spock sighed, unable to suppress a slight sense of embarrassment. "I had intended for that to remain private. Of course, I am very aware that the bridge is not the place for such a gesture, although I had assumed that no one would witness it. I will be more discreet in the future."

"In the future?" Nyota said. "With all due respect, Mr. Spock, I think you should keep your hands to yourself."

"I understand that I startled you, but do you not find that a rather excessive reaction? I had actually anticipated that you would be pleased if I did not simply walk past without speaking."

She snorted. "A simple 'hello' would have done just fine."

"Lift, stop," Kirk said firmly. He looked from one of them to the other in bewilderment. "What the hell is going on here, Spock? That's not like you, making an advance toward a crewmember."

Spock held out his hands, equally bewildered. "I would hardly equate greeting my wife with making an advance on a crewmember."

"Your what?" exclaimed Nyota.

Kirk studied Spock for a long moment. "Spock, I think that we need to go see Dr. McCoy."

A tiny chill creeping up his spine, Spock tried to keep his voice even. "I am fine, Captain."

Nyota edged away from him. "Mr. Spock, you and I have always been fairly good friends, but I am not your wife."

He looked into her eyes, searching for the warmth he had come to take for granted. Their bond glowed comfortingly in the back of his mind, so he knew beyond a doubt that she was his wife. When he looked at her, however, all he found was concern, and... fear. Nyota, the woman with whom he shared his life, was afraid of him.

"We became involved shortly after Mr. Sulu's wedding," he said cautiously, "when Saavik fell ill and you came to Dantria."

"Sulu never married, Spock," said Kirk.

Spock dropped his eyes, and as he did so, he saw that the ring finger on her left hand was bare. He swallowed, took a deep breath, and said, "There is only one explanation. Something has happened in the past to change the present."

Kirk's expression was guarded as he considered it. "Like the time at the Guardian of Forever when we learned that you had died as a child? You actually went back and rescued yourself. It's possible, I guess."

"I think that it is likely, Captain."

Uhura frowned. "I remember what happened at the Guardian of Forever. We were the only ones who knew that the current reality was false."

"Correct. On my return from the conference, I became dizzy and disoriented after encountering an anomaly in space. It is my belief that at that moment something happened in the past to change reality."

Uhura softened. "Does this mean that in another reality, you and I are really married?"

"Yes." Willing her to accept what he said as truth, he held her eyes. "And I very much want that reality back. We must determine where our paths diverged and devise a plan to set the past back as it belongs."

A tentative smile on her lips, Uhura nodded. "I think that I would like being with you, Mr. Spock."

He felt his shoulders sag with relief. "We are very content with one another, Commander."

Kirk reached for the intercom. "Kirk to bridge. Please delay the Etrians. Convey my apologies. Inform them that something has come up, and that I'll contact them soon to reschedule our meeting. Kirk out." He thumbed off the intercom. "Let's return to the bridge and try to get to the bottom of this. I'm sorry, Spock, but I need some proof that your allegations are correct."

"That is a start. Thank you, Captain."

...

Spock entered the conference room, his mind on the fact that he had found no trace of the anomaly. Indeed, he had found nothing at all to prove his story, and eventually Kirk had been forced to proceed with the meeting. Kirk's first inclination had been to prohibit Spock from attending, but Spock had convinced him to reverse that decision. It was important that he learn all there was to learn about this reality, and at any rate, he did not want to miss this opportunity to meet the Etrians.

As he watched the Etrians find their seats, he realized that his next step would be to study the past. Clearly, Sulu's never having married was key. Either Susan Ling had never been born or something had happened to prevent her from marrying Sulu. Spock would begin his search by investigating her past. Satisfied with his line of reasoning, he glanced to his right where Uhura sat. She met his eyes shyly, and he knew that this meeting would not be over quickly enough to suit him.

Kirk opened the meeting. "Allow me to state on behalf of the Federation that we're very pleased you sought us out."

The Etrian captain smiled. "It is our pleasure, Captain Kirk. From what we have observed, your Federation is a benevolent body and your domain is prosperous and peaceful."

Spock studied the Etrians. Rather slight and unexceptional physically, they were remarkably similar in appearance to teenage humans. Despite their youthful appearance, however, they exuded a crisp, military confidence. Surprisingly, the only sign of their advanced technology was a device their captain wore on his temple.

Kirk said, "Thanks to the cooperation of the many beings who comprise the Federation, we do enjoy prosperity and peace. Would you like to hear about the member worlds of the Federation, Captain D'eban?"

"One moment, please." D'eban's eyes became unfocused as he tapped the device on his temple, and Spock deduced that it was used for telepathic communication. Fascinating...

Suddenly, dizziness washed over him, and he gripped the edge of the table, swaying slightly. As before, it passed immediately. He thought that he had managed to hide it from everyone, but as he concentrated on breathing deeply, Uhura leaned close and gently rested her fingers on the back of his hand.

"Are you all right?" she whispered.

He looked down at her hand on his, and his heart beat faster when he realized what he saw.

A wedding band.

He met her eyes quickly, searching for recognition of their bond. Yes. He saw the warmth and confidence that had been missing from the woman who sat next to him only moments before. He nodded, and she smiled worriedly before turning back to the meeting.

As he struggled to regain his composure, Spock realized that the Etrian captain was speaking.

"... my leader has instructed me that while he knows of the Federation's member races, he wishes to learn more about their propensities toward peace. Or strife, whichever the case may be."

Spock frowned, his sensation of relief abruptly tinged with alarm as he looked closer at the Etrians. These were very definitely not the same three men who had originally beamed over to the Enterprise. As a matter of fact, one of them was female now.

Kirk replied, "While there are a number of member worlds that espouse philosophies of non-violence—the Vulcans, for example—there are others who have had to work to earn their peaceful status, Captain Chesk. The Andorians are such a people..."

Spock attempted to analyze the situation while Kirk spoke. No one among the Enterprise crew had reacted to the change in the Etrians, so evidently whatever had happened to restore his own reality had also affected the Etrians. Could it be that both his and the Etrians' timelines were impacted by a common event? While such a concept seemed far-fetched, apparently it was true. He would have to ensure that he satisfied his curiosity about any commonality between their past and his own.

Folding his hands in front of him, he discreetly looked over at Nyota and experienced great pleasure in the knowledge that once again, he lived in the reality in which he belonged.

End chapter 1