A/N: This chapter is rated M for dark sexual themes. It's also a little OOC for T'Alora but I'm trying to set stuff up for later. Either way consider yourselves warned.

Attack

Vulcan Science Academy, New Shi'Kahr, 2279.311, 2030 hours. The attacks had been occurring with greater frequency over the last three and a half weeks despite the increase in security patrols. Four human female students and one human female staff member had been overpowered and sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant while on grounds.

It was worrisome for all the women on campus.

Professors and administrators alike continually cautioned everyone to travel around grounds in pairs and try to remain indoors during the evening hours. Poleia and T'Alora both made sure to stress to Casey that she heed these warnings.

That evening Poleia, who never addressed T'Alora unless absolutely necessary, called her on her personal comm. She returned immediately to their room and when she entered she saw Poleia sitting on Casey's bed rubbing circle's into the other girl's back. Casey was facing the wall, curled up in the fetal position and crying profusely.

"I returned from the shower and found her in this attitude," Poleia explained. "I was uncertain of who else to contact."

"Understood." Settling down in Poleia's vacated seat she took over comforting Casey, going so far as to curl up behind her so that she could share her warmth and provide additional support. She waited until her friend managed to calm down before asking after the cause of her distress. Casey rolled over, eyes and cheeks still slick. "I…I was almost…and…if they hadn't…then he would've…" Her crying took up again in earnest.

As she examined her friend she began to notice the purple bruise forming near her temple. T'Alora's blood ran cold at the knowledge that there was a sentient being out there who would intentionally hurt someone so loving and kind. Behind her she heard Poleia cease her pacing and gasp.

"I know you warned me," Casey explained again, "But I was…alone in the labs. It was…still early. I thought…I thought…" She gulped for air and T'Alora urged her to sit upright while dispatching Poleia to fetch some water. Once she had drained a full glass Casey continued. "He had his hands…all over me!…I couldn't tell…what species…he was just…so strong…and if they hadn't come…around the corner…when they did…" She looked up at her with glassy eyes. "I ran. I couldn't…I couldn't…"

"It is alright now. You are safe." Meanwhile Poleia moved toward the comm unit, presumably to call the authorities. "Stop." She momentarily removed herself from Casey's grip and moved to stand on the opposite side of the room for a private conference. Speaking low she said, "The authorities have been unable to capture this man. I have a plan that will increase the odds of his arrest tonight by 71.93%."

Her roommate examined her skeptically but said nothing.

Ransacking the back of her closet she had never been more grateful to her mother for insisting she purchase a few articles of Terran clothing in addition to her usual robes. Suitably dressed in jeans, sneakers and a long-sleeved navy top, she turned to her roommates for their approval while finger-combing her hair loose from it's long braid to help hide her ears.

"No T, you can't!" Casey cried. "He…"

"I will not allow him another opportunity to hurt you or any other woman on this campus. His aborted attack on you this evening suggests that he is likely to strike again this same night. It is my plan to encounter him and stop him before he does."

The room was silent save for Casey's dejected whimpering as she sat back down on the side of the bed.

"Your logic is sound," Poleia coolly replied, "But I too concede with Casey. You may still be overpowered by the attacker."

"I have been trained in our people's defensive arts since the age of three. I will be able to subdue him."

Poleia stared at her another moment before moving toward Casey's closet. After rummaging around she emerged with a black knit cap and affixed it to T'Alora's head, pulling it down low to cover her brow. "Your appearance now properly mimics that of a human both in back as well as in front."

T'Alora made her way toward the door and Casey once more jumped up to try and stop her. "T, I'm serious, don't do this! I'll be fine and the campus security will…" her words were cut short as she slumped unceremoniously to the ground.

"Why did you do that?" T'Alora asked.

Poleia blinked at her. "She will be unconscious for approximately 5.4 hours and will be unaffected by our removal from the room."

"What do you mean 'our' removal from the room?"

She stepped closer, meeting her level gaze head on. "I will not allow you to attempt this plan alone. I intend to accompany you."

One eyebrow rose. "A Vulcan escorting a human will not draw the attacker out."

"No, it will not," she answered coolly, "Which is why I will be following you at a discrete distance should you require assistance. I have successfully done this for each of my siblings during their kahs-wan without their knowledge."

T'Alora narrowed her eyes distrustfully. Poleia had repeatedly rebuffed their attempts to engage with her since the beginning of the semester; it remained to be seen why she was being so helpful now. "I still do not understand why you are so eager and willing to assist me in this task."

"I have misjudged you both and seek to rectify the situation beginning now. Also, I do not wish to see Casey further hurt by this monster."

"In that we are in agreement." Together they picked up their unconscious roommate and settled her under the covers of her bed. "Let us depart."

Vulcan Science Academy, New Shi'Kahr, 2279.312, 0018 hours. In the last 4.58 hours no fewer then nine different males of various species had approached her with offers to safely escort her home. She refused each one despite repeated appeals and maintained her meandering trail around campus, eyes and ears open for an attack or for Poleia's presence. She detected neither.

Passing the rock garden she noted how pleasing it was and resolved to make an effort to spend more time there when a sudden rush of footsteps was heard coming up behind her. She continued walking as if unaware until the last second when she crouched down, using the man's own momentum to flip him end over end until he landed flat on his back with the wind knocked out of his lungs.

His cloak fell away to reveal a very ugly and angry Romulan.

"Threi*!" he snarled, spitting out blood as he swiftly jumped back to his feet. Swiping at her he connected with the side of her head, causing T'Alora to see stars. He moved again and this time she was prepared, easily dodging the blow while solidly connecting with his kidney. T'Alora prepared to strike again when he abruptly caught and held her by the wrist while simultaneously ripping off her hat. She could feel how driven he was, propelled solely by blood and lust. She saw the faces of her colleagues as he replayed snatches of the assaults in his mind, including his earlier grab for Casey.

Rage bubbled up ever higher from the pit of her stomach.

He pulled her in until their faces were mere millimeters away from each other and she could smell the ale on his breath. Her heart thrumming in horror T'Alora watched as he studied the curve of her ear and the angle of her brow, made apparent once her hat was knocked off. "Vulcan threi," he repeated, voice dripping with disdain. He cupped her breast roughly with his free hand, eliciting a gasp. T'Alora twisted away but his grip on her wrist remained firm. He laughed in the face of her spirit and leaned in to whisper into her ear. "I shall enjoy breaking you…"

It was highly unusual for a Vulcan to 'black out'; however, that is exactly what she experienced. T'Alora did not recall knocking her assailant clean off his feet nor straddling his chest and pummeling him until his face resembled raw cow meat, her hands dripping with a mixture of crimson and emerald blood. She only vaguely remembered strong hands foisting her off the Romulan as she kicked and cursed at his supine form.

Later she recalled that it was Poleia who brought her back to herself, sitting her down atop a nearby boulder and slapping her once across the face to temper her hysteria. As T'Alora panted hard and worked to reign in her emotions the other girl sat down beside her and placed a sympathetic hand on her knee. T'Alora looked down at the touch and then over to the walkway where the Romulan was being arrested. "It is finished," Poleia uttered conclusively.

Her eyes gleamed menacingly and she smiled a small smile. She was fully aware of the her attacker's past and what he had intended to do in the future and she did not regret a single moment of her loss of control.

* threi = Romulan, b**ch