More computer trouble, will I ever get a reliable computer? I'm going to finish Building Good Human/Vulcan relations next week and then I will have more time to concentrate on Chains, and on Cautionary Love which I am also close to finishing.

"Star." Spock repeated.

The girl, star looked at him somewhat confused and then gave a short nod.

"Star.." Spock thought carefully about what he wanted to say.

"How did you get here? You are not K'pilian."

She shook her head slightly. Spock waited for her to tell him how it was she had come to be on K'pilo but she remained silent. After two minutes of silence Spock concluded that she was unwilling to tell him how it was she had come to be a slave. Perhaps the memories pained her or perhaps she was not willing to trust him yet. Why would she? Spock asked himself. She had been taken from where ever she belonged and forced to be a slave. Chained and beaten and had all freedom taken away. She had learnt not to trust anybody.

"I understand you do not wish to tell me yet. Perhaps you can tell me what you understand of your enslavement here?"

"What is there to understand? I am a slave. I am to do as I am told. I follow the rules or I am beaten. I try to escape I shall be killed. I am told I am now yours and if I wish to live I shall have to please you."

"Yet you tried to stab me."

Star's cheeks darkened, a physical reaction that fascinated him for reasons he could figure. He silently chastised himself, he wanted to know how the girl had survived her enslavement in the form that she had. How it was that she had her identity and freedom taken from her and had been abused and made to walk around naked in front of people for their pleasure and yet she was still willing to fight. She had not lost that. It fascinated him. Spock took a deep breath and tried again.

"What species are you?"

Star seemed to consider whether there was any harm in answering.

"Are you from the Lata system, or are you Terran?"

Star gazed at him for a moment longer before answering.

"I am Terran."

"My mother is Terran."

Star's mouth dropped open and she looked at him in surprise.

"Have you been to Earth?" She asked then bit her lower lip and looked away as if she hadn't meant to ask the question but her desire to find something to connect her back to her planet was so strong that she could not contain herself.

"It is okay to ask. Yes, I have been to Earth on a number of occasions. You were born on the planet?"

Star nodded.

"And you came to K'pilo."

Star's muscles tensed again.

"I suppose these questions are not of much importance at this moment. But, for my own curiosity. What age are you, Earth Standard? This you could answer me at least I could probably find the answer from asking the master of the slaves."

"Seventeen." Star answered slowly.

"And how long have you been a slave?"

"Three years."

Spock gave a short nod.

"And you do not understand the legality of your enslavement?"

"No."

"You have been given to me. Yet you are not aware of if that is permanent or limited to the length of my stay on this planet?"

'No."

"Well, I will find the answer to that question myself."

"I.. I uh.."

Star looked nervous.

"I would think the latter."

"I will admit it seems that way to me as well."

Spock stood up the expression on Star's face told him he was not likely to get her to open up to him any further. AT least he could think of her by a name now and not as the girl or the slave. He also knew that she was his age and that she had been enslaved for the last three years and had lived for at least some time on her home planet Earth. The way that she had entirely focused on him when he had mentioned Earth told him that she missed it. He knew because he had seen that expression on his mother face at times. The look of longing for a place so much that it hurt. Though he knew it Spock didn't really understand it, he had never truly felt at home anywhere so how would he know the feeling of longing for a place. He knew what it was to want something though. That one he really knew.

He knew that Star was in pain. He wanted to end that pain in someway. He promised himself that he would get her back to Earth no matter what and no matter how long it took. If only he knew some way to comfort her now, to help her reconnect to earth and remember her previous life. But how to do that? His mother was Terran, perhaps she had some classic Terran books. Then he remembered the little board he had packed in his suitcase just in case his father would find time during their journey to spend some time with him. Perhaps it was familiar to her and would act as a distraction for her.

"I have a terran strategy game. It is called chess, do you play?"

A brief shadow of a smile crossed over Star's face.

"Yes."

"Will you play a game with me?"

Star looked at him as if it was a question designed to trick gave the slight incline of her head that Spock was starting to see as her signature.

"I shall set it up." Spock said. He was looking forwards to having a normal interaction with the girl. Plus he had never played chess against anybody but his father and his computer. To have a new opponent was …pleasing. He found his folding board (he could not travel with his three dimensional board) and the small plain wooden book in which he kept the pieces. He cleared some of the food table to set the board up pouring them both glasses of the reddish fruit juice and passing Star a piece of fruit. He had the feeling that she would still not eat without his permission despite the darkish circles around her eyes and white marks on her fingernails spoke of vitamin differences and slight laid out the board and placed all the pieces on the board and set two chairs slightly apart from each other at the side of the table. When Star sat their knees almost brushed together.

"You may move first." Spock said.

There was no hesitation in Star's movements as she picked up a knight and moved it up over a pawn and to the left. Spock took this as sign that she was at least sure of the rules. After another twenty minutes of silent play he conceded that she was a fine component. She was not as practiced and as logical as his father and it was not as easy to guess her movements as it was with the computer. Her movements at time seemed to have no logic what so ever and then later it would become clear that it was a well thought out trap and he would loose a piece. She seemed to be able to judge how he would act. It was fifty-two minutes before Spock had check mated her king.

"A pleasing game Miss Star, you are a competent opponent."

The corner of her lips tweaked up ever so slightly.

"Would you care for another drink sir?" She asked standing and reaching for the jug.

Her sudden willingness to serve him took Spock by surprise.

"Yes, I shall. But Star, my name is Spock and you do not have to call me sir or to serve me you are my equal and should always act as such."

Star looked away from him and poured him a glass of the liquid.

"I am fully aware that I have to prove my trustworthiness to you. And I intend to do just that." Spock said as he moved the chess pieces back to there original places.

"Will you play another game?"

Star answered by taking hold of a pawn and moving it two space forwards.

Spock knew that his time would be better spent in study or even in being out in the gardens completing his sketches of the plant and insect live but to play another game of chess with Star whilst his mother and father were occupied seemed to be a content way of spending a morning.

They had barely moved a few pieces before there was a knock at the door. Star moved quickly getting up from the chair where she sat and falling down by the bed where she had been chained. She hid her face against her arms again.

It pained Spock to see Star acting in this way again.

"Do not be afraid." He said softly as eh walked towards the door. He opened it to find his mother. She gave a short false smile when she saw him.

"Mother, come in." Spock said stepping aside.

She walked past him her quick eyes taking in his room. They drifted past the chess board widening slightly at the two chairs set out and then drifted past to rest upon Star. She walked around the bed to be able to see her more fully.

"Well, that dress looks beautiful on you dear."

Nyota's eyes glanced upwards. It was fear and years of training that made her stand and curtsy.

"Thank you Madam."

"Star, this is my mother the Lady Amanda. Mother I trust you remember star?"

"Star?' Umm.. Spock may I talk to you alone."

"Yes. Excuse me please Miss Star, I thank you for the game, I would like to continue later if that is okay with you?"

Nyota gave a wide eyed nod.

"Thank you, I suggest that you stay in the room whilst I am gone. Please eat if you wish."

Spock left Sat and closed the door quietly behind him.

"Perhaps it is best to converse in the privacy of your room." Spock suggested.

His mother nodded and opened the door to their guest room for him. Spock walked in and stood arms folded behind his back just inside the door. Amanda walked past him and sat on the bed.

"You have discovered more information on Star's condition?" Spock said to start of the necessary conversation.

Amanda took a deep breath and fixed a determined stare at Spock. Spock knew this look, he had seen it many times in his life.

"She is yours to take off planet."

Spock was lightly surprised at the choice of words his mother choose, he would never expect her to refer to another person as belonging to him. Though she was good at fitting into new societies, this may just be an example of that.

"That is good, we can return her to her home world."

"Well.. yes, mmm there is one thing though, she is yours to keep but technically until you leave both leave the house of Lord Pur then she is still ultimately under his control. Just as if you were to return here she would again become under his control for the duration of your stay."

"So she is not safe as of yet?"

Spock did not like this idea. For a moment he thought that she would be safe, that he would be able to take her away from this watery planet and give her back her freedom.

"No."

"Did you learn anything else of use?"

His mother seemed to hesitate. Spock knew that she was questioning the importance of a certain piece of information. Or rather she was considering whether Spock should know what she knew. At times she kept things from him considering him to young or thinking that she was protecting him from emotional harm.

"Mother? Please, I am aware the trade agreements are of the up most importance but I would also like to do my best to return Star to Earth."

"She's Terran?" She looked shocked by this information.

"Yes."

Amanda sighed and shook her head.

"How did she end up here? Poor girl."

"Will you tell me all that you have learnt?"

"Just which type of slave she is."

Amanda scratched her arm nervously.

"She is an untouched, which basically means a virgin, they are highly prized as gifts as they are rare, seeing as a lot of the slave girls are abused by other slaves and their owners."

Spock felt a wave of disgust at the images that this information brought to Spock's mind. Star must have been in danger from every male in the house from the moment that she had arrived. He respected her even more for her sheer ability to survive in such an environment.

"I can understand why she has not been, she is quiet fierce."

Amanda stared at him for a long moment, Spock wondered if she had heard the hint of admiration in his voice.

"That's why she was given to you… for you to experiment with."

"To confirm, you mean that she was given to me with the expectation that I would wish to start sexual experimentation and intercourse with her?"

"Yes."

Spock was more disgusted than he had ever been in his life. The girl was beautiful, very beautiful. But to force her against her will, to carry out those unknown violent actions against her… Spock thought if it were possible for him to vomit he may have done so. He would never bruise that beautiful skin, he would never try to take that gleam of life and spirit from her eyes. In fact he thought he would do everything in his powers to protect it.

"That is why she is afraid of me." He said when he noticed his mother was watching him expectantly.

"Girls don't play chess with boys they are afraid of."

"Is there something else mother?"

"Nothing much. The master of the slaves asked me if she had pleased you, which was a bit disgusting but I simply said I did not know. He said something about checking so he may come talk to you."

"Lying is not easy but sometimes necessary."

"It's easier for a Human."

Spock nodded in acknowledgment.

"I am going to return to Star."

He noticed his mother small smile but chose to ignore it.

The moment he opened the door Star jumped up from her seat, she had a guilty look on her face and a roll in her hand.

"Sit back down and finish eating." Spock said.

Star's face relaxed the instant she saw it was him, she sat back down and took another bite of the roll.

"Shall we finish our game of chess?"

Star nodded and quickly moved her knight to take his queen. How had he missed that one?

They ate as they played, Spock had never in his life eaten as he did something else. He always stopped whatever he was doing to eat but it pleased him to see Star eating as much as she pleased as she stared intently at the board. Spock won of course, but Star did manage to take quiet a few of his important pieces. Spock thanked her for the game and packed up the chess set.

"I am going to walk around the grounds? Will you accompany me?"

Star froze her muscles tensing.

"You have the right to refuse."

Star stared at him as if trying to figure out whether he was being truthful.

"No thank you." Star whispered.

"Very well, I shall se you soon."

Spock left the room and walked down the long hallway. He could see through the windows that it was a sunny day, possibly warm enough for him to feel comfortable. He walked out into the large gardens and took the pathway opposite to the one he had walked down the previous day. Turning a corner he saw a familiar figure walking down the same path not so far away. Spock hurried his steps slightly and caught up with him.

"Father."

"Spock."

"How are the trade agreements going?"

"Lord Pur refuses to take these trade agreements seriously, H e believes it is all a game."

"Lord Pur does not seem to hold life in high esteem."

"Where were you heading?"

"I was walking for the exercise ."

"May I accompany you?"

"Yes."

Spock was pleased to have the time to talk with his father, it had been five weeks since they had found time to talk openly with each other.

"How is the slave girl?"

"She is well, I have discovered that she can speak, she is terran and her name is star."

Sarek's brow furrowed slightly.

"A Terran called Star?" There was a slightly trace of confusion in his voice.

"Father? Does that mean something to you?"

"No, not really, something seems to strike me about that name, a piece of information just out of my reach."

"It is always a curious sensation is it not?"

"Indeed. Lord Pur insists upon you and your mother dinning with him tomorrow morning."

"I shall. Father, Mother discovered that the girl is mine, that is in the customs of the planet, and I am expected to take her with me when I leave. Is it possible to return her to Earth?"

Sarek took a few slow steps as he thought over the question.

"It is possible, I cannot at this moment predict how long it may take. There are already ships in broad orbit of the planet ready to take on board the algae and transport it to Vulcan. We too shall have to return directly to Vulcan so that I may be debriefed. Then if I do not get immediate orders we shall concentrate upon your young Star."

"Thank you father."

"All life forms are of importance Spock, it is merely that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. We must take care of the masses affected by the plague before Star but we shall do our best for her. I wish to meditate now."

"Yes father, thank you for your time. I am oddly tired. Star is an impressive chess opponent."

Spock walked slowly on his way back to his room. Though he tried to take in all the flora and minibeasts of the area his mind kept wondering. He tended to have very good concentration levels he wondered if he should be concerned about this sudden change.

The thing his mind seemed to settle on was Star. He admired the girl and after spending the day with her he found her to be very good company. The fact that she didn't talk much didn't bother him, Spock himself did not talk much and he was sure in time... but would they have time? Spock wanted to spend more time with her but it would be selfish not to try to immediately return her to earth. Beauty is just beauty, it is admirable (and Spock did admire it) but it has no other purpose than to be admired. Spock may find Star beautiful but that did not mean anything. The fact that at times over the afternoon he had meet her eyes and his heartbeat had increased by thirty-three percent was curious but nothing to be too worried about. He would not betray the girls trust and it would be against his nature to take advantage of her position. So why did he imagine pressing his lips to that skin? Was this his twin natures pulling at him once again?

He passed a group of slaves working to clear a patch of land for planting. Spock stopped to look at them. In their plain brown tunics their skin was darkened by hours out in the sun and their limbs were marred with thin white scars the evidence of a hard life. One of the men seemed to notice him stood there and quickly fell to his knees in a bow, the others noticing quickly did the same. Spock continued walking. It seemed so unfair that some people lived in palaces and ate rich food and could do as they pleased when others had to work hard for their comfort and gain for themselves only a small amount of plain food and a room shared with six others. Yet if they did not work hard they were whipped and chained and broken. It would have to change. But as he knew, they could not interfere in none federation worlds. He had to pick his battles, and for now it seemed like he could only save Star. Perhaps a time could come when he could help the other slaves, or perhaps Star would be able to help, once she was free perhaps her story would inspire others to do what they could to fight for freedom on K'pilo.

Once he reached his door he took a moment to clear his mind then knocked to alert Star to his presence. He did not want her to be startled by his arrival.

"It is Spock." He announced before opening the door. He looked around the room to find it exactly as he had left it. Except for the fact that Star was not sat only the highly decorated chair by the table but back to her spot on the floor where the chains were. When she looked up at him he could tell that she was tired and had possibly been napping. When she moved to stand up Spock waved a hand at her.

"You do not have to rise. If you are tired you can sleep on the bed."

Star glanced at the bed.

"Go ahead." Spock said as he walked to the table and picked up one of the sweet fruits. He offered Star one and she shook her head as she moved onto the bed and sat up staring wearily at him. Knowing the route of her nervousness Spock sat on the other side of the room from her.

"Do you wish to sleep?"

Star shook her head slowly, Spock translated this to mean that she was tired but not ready to sleep yet.

"Do you wish to converse?"

She frowned.

"A one sided conversation then, I could tell you of my last trip to Earth?"

Star smiled. Actually smiled, and it was wonderful. Her eyes lit up with a little sparkle and her lips spread wide showing dazzling white teeth. Spock felt his heart jump in response.

He started to talk of his last trip to Earth, of San Francisco, the ship yards in Ohio and how he had marveled at the wide blue sea. Star listened to him without her eyes leaving his face once. This made Spock want to talk more, he wanted to keep her attention fully on him. He started to tell her of when he and his mother visited Paris, how it was her favorite place and how Spock had enjoyed the architecture. Spock talked longer than he had ever talked to a person of the same age on Vulcan. He talked freely describing things of interest and beauty without fear that to have these thoughts made him less of a Vulcan.

Star listened completely absorbed, at times smiling a beautiful wide smile, that again fascinated him, how had that smile survives three years of servitude? Sometimes her eyes filled with tears but none were ever shed. She asked one question in the entire time.

"Have you ever been to Africa?"

"No. But I wish to. I have heard that it is similar in some ways to the surface of Vulcan but unlike Vulcan teems with life. I would like very much to see the creatures that thrive in such hot dry places. ' She smiled and it was almost as if he could sense what she was thinking, they themselves were the creatures that thrived in hot dry places.

"I believe I have run out of Earth antidotes to tell. I wish to read."

Usually Spock would meditate at around this time of day but he felt as if talking to Star had had the same effects.

"I have a book with many diagrams. Would you like to look at it?"

Star nodded. Spock gave her the book from his bag turning it to the pages of diagrams. Spock found his own book and sat at his table to begin studying. After fifteen minutes he looked over at Star, he was shocked to see that she had turned away from the diagramed pages and her eyes were intently following a page of script. She was reading Vulcan.

So how's this going? Fulfilling your Spock/Nyota desires? It gets a lot darker in the next chapter.