[audio - locked]talentd_tongueMarch 27 2011, 02:02:31 UTC
Have you made any progress with your project?
[She really wishes she could ask something more specific, or offer something useful, but she'll take what information she's been given and run with it. She's used to chipping away until he's ready to share.]
[Uhura looks up when she hears his voice, and her smile is much more obvious, especially since there is no one around to see it but him.]
You're right on time. I came down early.
[She closes down the computer and stands, putting it in a bag slung over her shoulder. She's not moving too quickly, because the longer she takes, the longer she gets to just look at him. His colour is better, and he doesn't look as tired as he did the last time she saw him. He looks like someone is taking care of him. She wishes he would let her do it, but she's just grateful that it's getting done.]
Do you want to go out, or find something to eat here?
[The question has him glancing back up the stairs briefly, before just shaking his head. Staying at the mansion increases the likelihood of having to deal with one of their "crewmates". And that's something he definitely isn't the mood for.]
Unless you have any objections, there are a number of more suitable establishments within the city.
[She wants to do what makes him comfortable. She's tried to imagine what this must be like for him. A human body with human limitations and human faults. She also wonders if this will decrease his opinion of her, now that he has firsthand experience of exactly what it means to be as human as she is.
But that's something to worry about later, on her own. For the moment, she joins him near the door. Feather light, her fingers ghost across the skin on the back of his hand for just a moment before they're gone. A slight intrusion into his personal space before they open the door and go back to keeping their public distance.]
You look much better today. How do they feel?
[She keeps her voice carefully controlled and professional. It's getting easier and easier every day. Soon she will be back to normal - every bit the product of Starfleet. Only her eyes give her away, but hopefully he's used to that by now.]
No different. I have been examined by Doctor McCoy, who has informed me that they will take another month to heal.
[Though he already knows that, once he changes back, that month wont seem anywhere near as long. Until then though, he has that helpful supply of painkillers to keep them from being too much of an issue.]
[She eats practically anything, but given Spock's usual attitude toward food, she's not sure if he's ever noticed that, even though they've known each other for years. Right now simple means cheap, because he has limited funds and she's living her life on a loan.
She folds a jacket over the top of her bag, in case it gets colder tonight, and now she's ready to go.]
I saw a diner about a block away.
[It's a question more than a suggestion. She wants to know if that works for him without seeming like she's worried. She's sure the last thing he wants is to feel like she believes he needs special treatment.]
[While he's taken the time to map out the area, a diner is the last thing he would have paid attention to. It isn't a place he'd personally choose to visit. But as Uhura had suggested it, he wont say no now. That question was made for a reason.]
[Uhura walks down the front steps and looks down the street toward the neon sign. When Spock joins her, she starts walking, matching his pace.
She doesn't say anything for about half the block, but there is something she's been wondering, and if she phrases it correctly, maybe he won't read too much into it.]
Are you uncomfortable letting me see you like this? Or are you just too busy to risk letting me be a distraction?
[Carefully blank tone. Curious, but not overly emotional, conversational, and the tiniest bit indifferent. It's her 'professional' way of speaking.]
Do you believe I would be here if I had an issue with it?
[While part of the reason he's there has to do with a sense of duty, it would've been easy enough to ask one of the others to spend time with her in his place. But that isn't an option he would ever consider taking. Not with her.]
[Ordinarily? No. But this is not an ordinary situation for them.
Uhura considers her reply carefully. She doesn't want to push him away, but she does want to push enough for something real.]
I believe you would have been here sooner if it didn't bother you at all.
[She's not entirely sure what she's looking for. Hearing that he's out of his depth won't make her feel any better. Just thinking it might be true worries her.]
As I have informed you, I have been attempting to find a way for us to return to the ship. As well as that, I required a check up by Doctor McCoy. It wasn't possible to come here sooner.
[Though he knows she isn't just referring to today, it's the same reason as every other day. Mostly. His work has become his focal point solely because it's one area of his life that he currently has control over.]
[He's avoiding it. Or she's fairly certain he's avoiding it. Difficult to tell, even for her and even after all this time.]
Busy, then. I understand.
[And she does. Or she thinks she does. She understands as much as she's able to. What he's doing is important. Far more important than she is. It's logical to give it all his attention. They reach the restaurant, but Uhura stops before they go in and looks at him. Really looks at him.]
Spock. Please tell me you're letting someone be there for you.
[Someone more qualified to help. Someone who can handle the things that she obviously can not. She's not even comfortable with herself in this place yet. She's not a logical choice for anyone else to depend on. But hopefully there's someone who's qualified to help him get through this, because she hates the thought of him trying to do it alone.]
There is somebody present where I have been staying. And I have access to both Doctor McCoy's should it be required. There is not reason to concern yourself.
[And it's as simple as that to him. Between the two doctors, the House, and everybody inbetween, he knows he isn't alone. Even when he wants to be.]
[Spock just follows in after her silently, letting the waitress direct them toward a table. He doesn't pay too much attention to the people around them, despite his issues with coming in to contact with those he knows while in his current state. Right now, he's trying to prove to Uhura that he's dealing with it all.]
[The fact that he's trying for her sake makes her feel both guilty and relieved at the same time. She orders a fruit salad and a grilled cheese sandwich, both things that it's pretty hard to screw up, and just watches him for a long time. They can't talk about the elephant in the room, but that doesn't mean it's going to go away.]
I finally met Admiral Kirk face to face.
[Something that's not to do with either of them or what's going on, but is still part of real life. Of course it has to be Kirk. She hasn't exactly been around to meet anyone else.]
[She really wishes she could ask something more specific, or offer something useful, but she'll take what information she's been given and run with it. She's used to chipping away until he's ready to share.]
Reply
You're right on time. I came down early.
[She closes down the computer and stands, putting it in a bag slung over her shoulder. She's not moving too quickly, because the longer she takes, the longer she gets to just look at him. His colour is better, and he doesn't look as tired as he did the last time she saw him. He looks like someone is taking care of him. She wishes he would let her do it, but she's just grateful that it's getting done.]
Do you want to go out, or find something to eat here?
Reply
Unless you have any objections, there are a number of more suitable establishments within the city.
Reply
[She wants to do what makes him comfortable. She's tried to imagine what this must be like for him. A human body with human limitations and human faults. She also wonders if this will decrease his opinion of her, now that he has firsthand experience of exactly what it means to be as human as she is.
But that's something to worry about later, on her own. For the moment, she joins him near the door. Feather light, her fingers ghost across the skin on the back of his hand for just a moment before they're gone. A slight intrusion into his personal space before they open the door and go back to keeping their public distance.]
You look much better today. How do they feel?
[She keeps her voice carefully controlled and professional. It's getting easier and easier every day. Soon she will be back to normal - every bit the product of Starfleet. Only her eyes give her away, but hopefully he's used to that by now.]
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[Though he already knows that, once he changes back, that month wont seem anywhere near as long. Until then though, he has that helpful supply of painkillers to keep them from being too much of an issue.]
What would you prefer?
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[She eats practically anything, but given Spock's usual attitude toward food, she's not sure if he's ever noticed that, even though they've known each other for years. Right now simple means cheap, because he has limited funds and she's living her life on a loan.
She folds a jacket over the top of her bag, in case it gets colder tonight, and now she's ready to go.]
I saw a diner about a block away.
[It's a question more than a suggestion. She wants to know if that works for him without seeming like she's worried. She's sure the last thing he wants is to feel like she believes he needs special treatment.]
Reply
[While he's taken the time to map out the area, a diner is the last thing he would have paid attention to. It isn't a place he'd personally choose to visit. But as Uhura had suggested it, he wont say no now. That question was made for a reason.]
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She doesn't say anything for about half the block, but there is something she's been wondering, and if she phrases it correctly, maybe he won't read too much into it.]
Are you uncomfortable letting me see you like this? Or are you just too busy to risk letting me be a distraction?
[Carefully blank tone. Curious, but not overly emotional, conversational, and the tiniest bit indifferent. It's her 'professional' way of speaking.]
Reply
[While part of the reason he's there has to do with a sense of duty, it would've been easy enough to ask one of the others to spend time with her in his place. But that isn't an option he would ever consider taking. Not with her.]
Reply
Uhura considers her reply carefully. She doesn't want to push him away, but she does want to push enough for something real.]
I believe you would have been here sooner if it didn't bother you at all.
[She's not entirely sure what she's looking for. Hearing that he's out of his depth won't make her feel any better. Just thinking it might be true worries her.]
Reply
As I have informed you, I have been attempting to find a way for us to return to the ship. As well as that, I required a check up by Doctor McCoy. It wasn't possible to come here sooner.
[Though he knows she isn't just referring to today, it's the same reason as every other day. Mostly. His work has become his focal point solely because it's one area of his life that he currently has control over.]
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Busy, then. I understand.
[And she does. Or she thinks she does. She understands as much as she's able to. What he's doing is important. Far more important than she is. It's logical to give it all his attention. They reach the restaurant, but Uhura stops before they go in and looks at him. Really looks at him.]
Spock. Please tell me you're letting someone be there for you.
[Someone more qualified to help. Someone who can handle the things that she obviously can not. She's not even comfortable with herself in this place yet. She's not a logical choice for anyone else to depend on. But hopefully there's someone who's qualified to help him get through this, because she hates the thought of him trying to do it alone.]
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[And it's as simple as that to him. Between the two doctors, the House, and everybody inbetween, he knows he isn't alone. Even when he wants to be.]
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All right. Then I won't worry.
[Easier said than done, but he doesn't need this from her right now. Life is obviously difficult enough, even if he doesn't want to show it.
Uhura opens the door and walks through it, holding it for Spock and smiling. She's fine. He's fine. They're fine. Everything is fine.]
Come on. I forgot to eat lunch.
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I finally met Admiral Kirk face to face.
[Something that's not to do with either of them or what's going on, but is still part of real life. Of course it has to be Kirk. She hasn't exactly been around to meet anyone else.]
Reply
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