Uhura blushed and looked away. Spock retained his poise and spoke with delicacy. “It should not be necessary to concern ourselves with what occurred after the primordial contact. Re-creating the state of affairs before that point is all we should require.”

Shastri tensed, then spoke carefully. “But even that… it’s not like that first kiss came out of nowhere. We were already close, comfortable, physically affectionate. We gave each other shoulder rubs when we got tense or tired. We had an easy rapport, teasing and joking. We knew each other so well… there was a shorthand between us. We hardly had to finish a sentence before the other knew what we wanted. Sometimes just a glance was enough.

“Now…” Shastri’s eyes focused on Uhura for a moment, then turned away. “No offense, Captain, but I’m not sure you can understand how hard it is for humans to get over a broken heart.”

Spock looked back evenly. “I am more familiar with the human response to loss and grief than you imagine, Mister Shastri. I am aware of the personal difficulty of what we ask—not only for you, but for Commander Uhura, whom I consider a friend as well as a colleague. Yet the current situation—”

Uhura touched Spock’s arm briefly to halt him, offering a grateful smile. She then stepped closer to Shastri. “Rajendra… this will be hard for both of us. But you were Starfleet once. You were willing to set aside personal needs and face hardships for the greater good.”

“I walked away from that a long time ago.”

“Because of your principles. Your belief in what’s right.

“That’s why I stayed on the Enterprise after I lost my memory. I was offered a medical discharge so I could focus on my recovery… but even without my memory, I felt a need to serve. To make a difference for others, help them as my colleagues on the Enterprise helped me when I was lost and empty. That’s what draws us all to Starfleet: the need to make a difference in people’s lives.” Her voice grew wistful. “No matter what we have to sacrifice along the way.”

Shastri held her gaze for longer than he had since beaming aboard. Uhura realized that he really did have beautiful, soulful eyes.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “Okay. I’m sorry, I guess this is just as hard for both of us. I’ll… I’ll help any way I can.”

She took his hand in hers. “Thank you, Jen.” He jerked as if he’d received a static shock, but allowed the contact.

It only lasted a moment before he tugged his hand away and retreated, moving off toward Scott. “Okay, first off, there was a holo-table in the middle of the room. The Argelians love their sensory displays. It was circular. And the lighting was softer, more indirect…”

Uhura sighed. It was a start.

Chapter Seventeen

Starfleet Headquarters

Major Missions Room