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[Opens the door to her quarters.] Spock?

[ He straightens, distinctly tense. It takes a few moments before he begins. When he does, his voice is quiet. ]

Nyota.

If it is not an intrusion, I-- [ He stops. Wholly unusual for Spock to rethink himself. And it takes a few more moments even then. ]

I wish to discuss something personal. To obtain a respected opinion.

It could never be an intrusion.

[She offered him a soft smile before stepping aside, gesturing for him to enter.]

What's on your mind, Commander?

[ A brief nod, eyes unmet, and he steps through the threshhold, turning abruptly on heel after a few long steps. ]

I am reconsidering the wisdom of my decision to rejoin the Enterprise.

[She pulled her robe tighter around herself, frowning slightly as she watched the Vulcan. After a moment she moved to sit down on the bed.]

I see... Can I ask what it is that's giving you doubts about your decision?

[ He watches her, indirectly, but returns to gazing over the whole of the room as he answers, as though quietly addressing a larger audience, hands folded behind his back for effect. Spock is purposely maintaining an unncessary decorum of formality in an absurdly informal situation. Because it is a difficult topic. Because difficulties, for him, are a slippery slope. ]

I received a communication of a personal nature from the Vulcan consulate.

Requesting... [ The depth of the pause is a vague implication. They did not request, they implored. Vulcans are not given to senses of urgency. It feeds to the concern Spock already shares for the Vulcan refugee situation. ] That I apply for leave. To return to the remainder of the Vulcan people and assist in restoring our culture's stability.

They implied a similar request before I boarded this ship to join the Enterprise's current missions. I had chosen to overlook it. [ With that, he turns again, at some angle, take a few steps, then another ways, an unbalanced pacing. Then he looks at Uhura directly. But says nothing. ]

I was under the impression that had been seen to.

[He had never told her the details, and she had never asked. Truth was she would have understood if he had stayed behind. But he hadn't. He was here, and it had been selfish of her to ever be glad of it. Especially now that she was watching him suffer from indecision.]

You want to go. [She didn't intend it as a question. Not when she knew the answer.]

If you want my objective opinion then you should go. The Enterprise would be losing a strong second officer, and Kirk would be losing the best advisor he could ask for. He needs you. The ship needs you. Your people obviously need you more.

If you want my personal opinion, I will give it.

[ Without much of a pause, ]

I wish for your personal opinion, Nyota. [ The use of her first name is distinctive, purposeful. Years on Earth, and he stilly lacks wholly the means to express himself in the appropriate channels. ]

I don't want you to go. [She pressed her lips together before meeting his gaze again.] I know I'm selfish, but being on this ship with you, even if we can't always be open, even if we can't always be together. It's better than losing you completely.

If you go, how would I know you'd come back? Having said that, I wouldn't be able to stand by and watch you stay here when I knew what you wanted was to follow your people. Help them rebuild.

[She offered him the smallest of smiles.] I never said my personal opinion would make sense.

[He stays still, listening.]

I cannot discern-- [There is a unmeasured strain, and he stops. And doesn't continue. As though absorbed into his own thought process.]

[Uhura stayed right where she was, not moving or speaking up when he fell silent. She had always respected his need to take his time to think through something before voicing his thoughts again.

And she didn't doubt that she had just well and truly thrown a spanner in the works. But he had wanted her personal opinion, so she gave it.]

Excuse me, may I ask what you are doing outside this door?

[ Oh, well this is painfully awkward at a stressful moment. He considers stepping away, but stands his ground. ]

Attending to business of a personal matter.

Personal? I see. It is my duty to know what you are doing at this hour, sir. I am Chief of Security aboard this ship.

I am not familiar with you. Nor has any Klingon, to my knowledge, been enrolled in Starfleet.

I am Chief Security Officer Lieutenant Commander Worf aboard the Enterprise. This is where we are, are we not?