I'm SORRY for the huge hiatus, I'm in Australia right now and I've been super fucking busy with work for the past few months. I will update more frequently from now on, probably expect two or three more chapters in this little fic. Read, review, suggest improvement! It makes me oh so happy.

Lieutenant Nyota Uhura is not a blind woman. She prides herself on her excellent analytical skills in terms of sentient beings' interactions: this was her job as communications officer. She knows and understands. This is why she breaks up with Spock.

They hadn't spent much time together recently: Spock spent nearly every moment in the medical bay and Uhura had taken the brunt of the paperwork related to the incident while the captain and first officer were both incapacitated by Kirk's recovery. She doesn't resent either of them; on the contrary she wept with relief (in private of course) when she was informed by Scotty of Jim's miraculous comeback. She can't imagine an Enterprise without Kirk by now, even if he is pig-headed and brash most of the time.

After hours of repair reports and mission debriefs with surviving crew members, Uhura eats dinner alone in one of the apartments provided for crewmembers for the next year. Her hair comes down from the tight, professional ponytail. She sits on the luxurious mattress, pulls her knees into her chest, and mourns for her relationship, because she knows and understands.

She knows it is cowardly to break up with someone without being face to face, but she consoles her wounded pride by reasoning that she has no other reliable way of reaching Spock. The Vulcan hasn't been seen outside of the medical bay and she doesn't feel like having this discussion in front of Kirk, unconscious or not. Therefore, she tugs her PADD across the bed and opens a private communication link, typing quickly and efficiently for a minute or two before closing her eyes and pressing the send button without hesitation. Communication is her specialty.

The PADD blinks during a chess game, preventing Spock from definitively crushing Kirk's bold offensive strategy. He excuses himself ("I warn you that I will notice, Jim, if you have cheated while I'm occupied") and takes the PADD to the other side of the room, where a chair leans next to a bio-bed covered in mission reports and other pieces of information regarding the recent events. All this would be moved the next morning to his personal quarters, as it was Jim's last required night in the medical center. He assumes the message from Uhura must relate to the work she's been doing on completing all the relevant paperwork of the incident and what was decided about the fate of Khan and his crew. He sits at the makeshift table, eyes flicking up to Kirk as the captain fidgets and twirls around the castle he'd managed to snag from Spock's arsenal, before refocusing on the PADD.

Communication sent 19:47 by: Nyota Uhura

Subject: no subject

Don't worry Spock, the paperwork is under control. I'll send the technician's report on the status of the core tomorrow. This message is to let you know that I've decided to take some time to focus on myself. After the events of late I feel that our relationship cannot continue in the same way, so I am using this opportunity to end it. I understand this may come as a shock, but do not think this action is born of any malice toward you. There is an apt Earth expression: 'I need space.' Everyone was affected by the loss of the captain and I firmly believe you and I should take time to act as friends to each other and to the rest of the crew. This is what all of us need right now: the support a friend. Kirk needs your support particularly as he recovers, so let him win a game of chess every once in a while.

We'll speak again soon, be well.

Nyota

Spock blinked slowly at the screen after reading, tilting his head and allowing the slightest frown to pull down the corners of his mouth. Nyota's explanation was logical, but he knew from previous experience over the past few months that a relationship was not supposed to be based on logic. Nyota had told him as much several times. He didn't know exactly what to think at this point, nor what to feel. Strangely, the suggestion of returning to a platonic friendship with the lieutenant did not create as much unease as he would have expected. Truthfully, he'd been far too concerned with the captain's recovery to ponder his connection to Nyota in detail.

Spock returned quietly to the bio-bed on the other side of the room, wordlessly removing the extra bishop Kirk tried to sneak onto his side of the board as he settled back on the opposite of the board. The blond man didn't even try to look sheepish about cheating as he spoke up.

"What was the communique about Spock? Took you a bit longer than usual." Kirk idly shifted around on the bed, only stopping short to look up wide-eyed at Spock when he replied.

"Lieutenant Uhura has conveyed her wish to return to a platonic friendship for the time being." Spock seemed to say this as casually as was possible for a Vulcan as he moved a chess piece into position on the board. Kirk didn't say anything for a minute, brow furrowed as he tried not to blurt out anything that might upset his first officer.

"Damn, Spock. I'm sorry. Are you okay with that?" Spock's gaze lifted to lock with Kirk's.

"I am, as my mother would say, just fine. I did not expect this development, but I am not adversely affected by her decision if this is what she wishes."

Both men were silent for a minute before Kirk's face morphed into a smirk and his eyes lit up. "I know the perfect remedy for this, Spock!" He swung his legs around, jostling the chess board, and jumped to the floor, wavering for just a second before he stood up and stretched. "We're gonna go get you a drink! Trust me, a break up drink is a must for anyone, even a Vulcan!"

"Captain, that idea is highly illogical considering you are supposed to remain in the medical bay for one more evening before Doctor McCoy releases you. Furthermore, you are not in any condition to-" Spock was caught in the shoulder abruptly with one of the bed's pillows.

"C'mon Spock, I've been feeling just peachy since Day 2 of my imprisonment here and you and I could both use a drink. My treat! Now if I could just figure out how to find some clothing…" Kirk started rifling through cabinets and drawers in the corner of the medical bay, not even caring that his medical robe was slinking slowly down and revealing an increasing stretch of lower back as he shifted around. Spock couldn't find the words to let him know.

"Captain… Captain. Jim." Kirk's face swung around to look at Spock at this. "If I acquiesce to accompany you for a drink this evening, will you in turn agree to return to the medical bay in the morning for Doctor McCoy's final checkup before you relocate?"

Kirk beamed. "Yeah Spock, anything you say! Hey, can we stop by your room first? You need to change into something less stuffy and I'll just borrow from your extra clothing!"

Spock's eyebrow twitched just slightly. This could not be a good idea.