“How many of those have you had?” Nyota asked Spock as she pointed to his peppermint mocha martini.

“This is my first today.”

She picked up her mule. “How many have you had since you’ve been coming to this place?”

“Six counting today.”

“Spock!” She laughed behind her hand. “I can’t say I’m thrilled with your choice, but you should just ask him.”

“I’ve been hoping to work up the courage.” Spock took a sip of the martini. “What is your objection?”

“I wouldn’t call it an objection exactly. I just wish it was someone other than Kirk.”

“You do not like him?”

Nyota shrugged. “Just a bit full of himself. And I’m pretty sure he feels the same about me.”

“I am afraid it might be pointless.”

“Why?”

“He seems rather close to Leonard McCoy.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think they’re involved. I think McCoy is strictly hetero. Shh. Here comes Kirk. Now’s your chance.”

Spock’s eyes widened. “With you here?”

She smirked. “Just wait.”

Kirk sauntered over to them. “Need any refills?”

Nyota set her mule down. “I’m off to the ladies room. If you wouldn’t mind checking with me when I return?”

“Okay.” Kirk’s gaze followed her and then he looked back at Spock. “What about you, cutie? Another one?”

Spock did not miss Kirk calling him ‘cutie’. That had to mean something.

“I do not require another martini at present. However, I would like to make an inquiry.”

Kirk looked puzzled. “Yeah. Okay? What?”

“I would like to inquire as to whether—”

Kirk’s hip beeped.

“Shoot. Hang on.” His hand shimmied down the tight red shorts and fished out a small communicator. “Damn it. I really need to take this. Sorry.”

He took a few steps away from Spock and flipped it open.

“Mom? What’s up?”

The one good thing that came of the interruption, Spock thought as he took another sip of his drink, was that Kirk had turned his back to Spock, giving Spock a perfect look at the bottom straining the sequined shorts.

He sighed and took a larger swallow of the martini, his brain beginning to feel quite fuzzy.