Christine sighed heavily, hoping that it would help the tension slip away. They were finally headed home. 4 years 11 months and dozen or so days and she had stayed with Enterprise the whole tour. It was a bittersweet ending for all.

She stood for a long time checking her balance and making certain she felt completely centered. Yesterday she had attempted the same routine fresh from a 14-hour shift and had dove too aggressively into it. She had been very sore this morning.

"Computer, play audio recording Chapel 3."

A moment later the first haunting notes drifted down from the gymnasium's sound system. An advantage to working out so early in the morning was that she had the vast space to herself. She'd found that 0300 was perfect. The late shift was on duty and the day shift was still asleep. She didn't worry about anyone seeing her and questioning her about the music or the dance.

After 6 months her interest had grown as her skill improved. Vulcans didn't do anything that they didn't do well. Dancing was no exception. It was a wonderful art form, a stress relieving and meditative activity that she had grown to adore.

In the beginning she had struggled with the silent, almost mathematical rhythm. That was quickly remedied when she incorporated Vulcan music in the routine. It was unorthodox, Vulcans didn't use music for meditation, but it was effective. Now she could finally move on to the more advanced skills.

She turned in time with the music, focusing her attention inward counting her breaths.

This routine was called the Flame. It was intended as a toning exercise as well as a teaching tool for primary school children about the ancient creation myth of Vulcan. For older practitioners, the vid had explained, it was used symbolically as a meditative tool for learning control of passionate emotions.

Christine enjoyed it because it was a challenging set that built on the skills she had already learned.

First position, Stillness. Then the Spark, transition to Stone then back to Spark. Hold the Air-stance for 14 heartbeats she reminded herself. Then she stretched out wide as the horizon, the Sky. She breathed deeply here, it was one of her favorite positions and the music, while not canon, slowed here and she always rested the full 3 measures.

She rose up slowly, the Fire of the sun on the horizon. Her mind filled with the red light of the sun. She came to her feet standing tall as the Tree of Wisdom that sprung up from the Sands of Time.

Slow calming Water - a full forward bend until she rested her hands on the floor beside her feet. Her feet rose up slowly, the Mountain pose. Spark, her left leg bent slowly until her pointed toe met her knee.

Today she would attempt the advanced posture for the first time as part of the routine.

She breathed in slowly, deeply, allowing the blood to flow to her face. Then slowly she bent her arms. Amazed at herself she felt her hair begin to touch the mat as she approached a full press. For a moment she wasn't certain she could finish, her arms were beginning to tremble from the effort.

Finally the music rose up. She could hear the approaching crescendo. She drew in a breath, imagined a red stone planet filled with the power of pure energy arching through the dark sky in great dancing Sparks. The drums seemed to pound in time with her own heartbeat as it throbbed in her ears.

With a final powerful inhalation she imagined the eruption of T'Kuht and she exhaled hard forcing her arms to push her up. Her legs seemed to find their own way as she landed neatly in the Tree pose - fully erect, hands at her sides once again. She smiled to herself and slowly opened her eyes, proudly regarding her form in the long mirrored wall.

She had done it!

She was still breathing very heavily, but she noted calmly that her position was correct as the last notes of the tune faded.

A figure near the door of the gym caught her eye. He stood stock still, his expression emotionless as always.

It was Spock.

Damn it all to hell!

Of all people to come wandering in on her. She knew he would recognize the routine or at the very least the music. She'd probably violated some Vulcan taboo by combining the two.

Her already red face flushed crimson. She grabbed her towel from the floor near her feet and beat a hasty retreat, wishing she could control her feet as well now as she had a few moments ago.

As she exited the room, not meeting his glance she was sure she heard him say, "Fascinating."

Why couldn't this infernal mission be over? God, how she had gotten tired of all of the condescending stares and rumors from the crew. To say nothing of Spock treating her like some lovesick time bomb.

One day at a time she had managed to get through this last year. She was certain that the hullabaloo had finally died out. Now he had to walk in on her.

A Vulcan would certainly never forget but she had managed to lay low long enough he may have been able to forgive her the indiscretion of PSI2000. That is if Vulcans even did such things as forgive. But after being caught in the act of a very Vulcan dance form she was pretty sure she had unwittingly sealed her fate of being forever remembered as obsessed with him.

Oh hell, it probably was just as well.

She had received the final word from Starfleet Medical this morning, her school credits had been updated and the final determination had come in. She only needed a year's worth of classes and she'd be certified a doctor. Although she had tested out of more than enough course work, Starfleet policy said she had to attend a minimum of a year in order to qualify. They did agree to waive her internship however based on her work as a practitioner.

In a few more days it would be over and she wouldn't have to worry about Spock anymore.