A/N: A little sequel to the previous story. Because while Jim does respect Pike do you really think he was going to break up Spock and Uhura?

Jim didn't have an office, having only been made a Captain three weeks ago and only being a cadet before that he hadn't been issued one at any point. Spock did have one, as an Instructor, and although Jim would have really preferred to not do this on 'Spock's turf' it was better than booking one of the meeting rooms or having the discussion in public. So he put on his big boy pants (Bones' words) and requested a time in Spock's diary, early in the morning, including Uhura on the request.

Spock had simply returned a prompt and nondescript acceptance. Uhura had accepted but accompanied it with a note that just read 'This better be work related.'

He had arranged to meet them at 8am, before the academy proper would be up and running. Despite the early hour they were both already sitting in the office when he arrived. It was a little disconcerting, if Jim was honest with himself. He had knocked, because rank or not this was Spock's office, and when he'd entered he'd been greeted by two identical expressionless faces looking up at him. Spock was in his seat behind his desk, while Uhura was sitting primly in one of two chairs set up in front of it. Neither spoke, just stared at him. Jim, who had originally wondered who their relationship worked, was starting to understand that maybe they were better paired then he thought.

'Spock, Uhura, thanks for meeting me,' he started, settling himself into the only remaining chair. Not exactly a power position, but then he was the one who wanted to keep this friendly, so it was for the better really. 'I wanted to discuss you both working on the Enterprise.'

Spock cocked his head slightly to the side but Uhura was the one who spoke. 'I've already accepted my appointment Kir-Captain.' She stumbled over his title but she used it, which Jim counted as a win.

'And I have not, Captain. Is this an attempt to sway my decision? I assure you it will be made soon but I have not yet worked through all the parameters.' Spock used his title like Jim had had it his whole life even though, arguably, the Vulcan should resent it more than most.

'No, Spock – I do really want you on board but I'm not here to whoo you.' Uhura couldn't contain a short laugh at that mental image while Spock simply raised one eyebrow a fraction. 'No,' Jim continued, 'I'm here to discuss the situation created by you both working aboard the Enterprise. Together.'

Uhura stopped smiling and Jim caught the glance she threw Spock. For his part the Vulcan, if possible, straightened even more in his chair, hands clasped on the desk in front of him. 'You are referring, I assume, to the regulations prohibiting senior officers and subordinates from engaging in relationships of an intimate nature while serving aboard the same Starfleet vessel?'

Jim had to blink a few times to process that. But then he nodded. 'Yes,' he confirmed, 'That is what I'm referring to. I know not that many people know about you two, but I do, and I can't unknow it, so now we're here.' He spread his hands a little to encompass the three of them.

Uhura's eyes were locked on the floor. 'If Spock takes up First Officer we have to end our relationship. If he doesn't we have to be apart for months, maybe years at a time. Sophie's choice.'

'I am unfamiliar with that reference, Nyota,' Spock said, surprising Jim with the use of her first name in front of him, 'But I would infer it means nether choice is satisfactory to you?'

'Well of course not, Spock – is either satisfactory for you?!' Uhura's voice was strained and Jim cut in quickly, not wanting to be the cause of a fight.

'Yeah, they both suck – but I'm not asking you to end your relationship.' Silence from both of them. Jim sighed a little. Pike would kill him if he knew this was the first thing Jim was doing with his new authority. But he had trusted his instincts with everything on the Narada, and they were all alive because of it, so he was going to trust his instincts here too. 'Look,' he leaned forward a little in his chair, 'I don't care what you two do in your private time onboard.' Uhura glared a little at him. 'What I do care about,' he continued, 'Is how you perform your tasks while on duty. There's not many people I would trust to keep it professional, but you two are certainly on that list. What I came here to say is that Pike knows about your relationship, so you're going to have to fake a break-up of some kind. When we get on the Enterprise – yes Spock, if we all get on,' Spock had made an attempt to interrupt, 'Then I want assurances that it will never, at any point, be an issue with your duties. No favouritism, no fighting, nothing. While you're on duty your relationship doesn't exist. If you can both agree to that then you won't hear any objections from me.'

'Sir,' Spock sounded almost, almost, curious, 'That is completely against regulations. You have only just been assigned your commission and will be under considerable scrutiny from your own superiors. What you are suggesting could be used to remove you from command. I do not understand why you would even suggest such a thing?'

Jim could have laughed. As it was he had to smile. 'I appreciate the concern, Spock, but so long as you two keep it in your quarters how exactly do you think Brass will find out? I'm suggesting it because I trust you to make good on this, and not get me fired. I get why the regulations are there but in this case they're wrong – so I'm working around them.'

'Cheating?' Was that eyebrow raise a Vulcan smile? Jim had to stop his mouth dropping open. He would have made a smart comment back but he was stopped by Uhura, who stood from her chair, tugged Jim up into a standing position and hugged him.

'Thank you,' she spoke softly, 'Thank you from both of us.'

'Ah, sure, yeah,' Jim floundered a little as she released him, smoothed down her uniform and sat back down, 'Yeah, you're welcome, I mean.' He was still standing and now he didn't really have anything else to say. 'Well,' he started, edging towards the door, 'That was basically it, to be honest. And I'm sure we all have other things to do, so-' Neither of them stopped him. They did both stand as he exited, Uhura smiling and Spock impassive. 'Yeah,' Jim said one final time before he let the door close behind him.