The Facts

When Nyota awoke the next morning from a restless night's sleep, there was no confusion, or sadness, everything just was. Nothing could be changed now. She was exactly where she had been for the past month. It was all real and tangible now. She went to the lavatory and freshened up, and when she returned she sat on her bed and took down her hair and undid the rows of braids. Looking at herself in the mirror, she could see the physical effects of her time in captivity; her long wavy tresses were dry and brittle, her eyes were dark, and she looked tired, thin, and pale. She returned to her bed and sank under the covers.

When the entrance code was entered, Nyota did not move. It was probably her daily meal and though she hoped Kutav would leave her more pages to read, she did not want to look at him, or anyone else for that matter. There was the sound of the doors sliding open, the tray being sat on the desk and Kutav's hasty retreat. As the doors closed she felt a presence still in the room; a guard? she wondered trying to remain still as she caught the sound of heavy boots moving across the floor.

"Will you not eat the meal I have had sent to you, Nyota?"

She sat up and pushed her sheets aside, and her eyes traveled up his tall, slender frame as he stood directly in front of her. Her eyes came to rest on his face, calm and stoic as he looked down at her.

"I am not hungry," she managed to whisper, feeling a sudden rage begin to take over as the memories of what he had done flooded her mind. Why was he here anyway? Nyota forced her anger aside as she stood, fist clinched at her sides.

"You…hypnotized me?" she hissed peering up into his dark magnetic glare, feeling that undeniable draw that she had succumbed to the night before.

"It was more of a suggestion, than hypnosis," he corrected turning from her and walking over to the desk. Nyota stood on the other side of the bed watching him as he pried the lid off her dish and inspected its contents. "I thought it would make it easier for you… you were quite panicked though you at least attempted to comply," he explained still examining the runny white substance in the bowl.

Nyota felt a rush of mortification as she realized what had happened. "You invaded my mind?" The words came out as a chocked sob as she sat back on the bed unable to look at him. It was somehow worse than the physical assault.

"You must learn to accept things as they happen. Lamenting your losses will do nothing for you. Eat, dress in your uniform, and join me in my office."

Nyota stared after him as he strode out the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Just like that, she was ordered to forget about what had happened, to accept it and move on. She looked out the open door to where he sat at his desk with several PADDs arranged before him. She was intrigued. Maybe she would be given something to read - she had earned that much. She swallowed a few spoonfuls of creamed rice and ate some of the cubed fruit before quickly dressing in the bright red uniform. She examined herself in it again and again threw the gold sash aside; it looked more like a uniform without that silly piece of fabric.

She walked over to the chair across from his desk; there was a long silence as he entered something into his computer. Nyota waited, restlessly fiddling with a tangle in her hair. She watched as his fingers glided over the touch pad with a graceful efficiency. His nails were clean, neatly trimmed, and had an odd sheen to them. She found herself staring and had not noticed that he was no longer occupied by the computer. When he cleared his throat and her eyes darted up to his slightly amused expression, she felt herself grow warm with embarrassment under his glare.

A PADD was placed in front of her and she shrugged off her discomfort. She quickly skimmed over the short paragraphs he watched her. Confused, she reread the report twice over before sitting up and giving Spock a questioning glance. "What does it mean?" she read the last phrase aloud: "permanent displacement?" She stared up at him wide eyed, waiting for a response. She knew what the phrase meant, of course, but it could not possibly be right. If she had come aboard this ship from an alternate universe, surely she could be sent back the same way she came.

Spock was uncomfortable to say the least. He knew she would likely cry, or have some other type of emotional outburst. Besides it was pointless to tell her what she already knew - her disbelief did not make it any less true. "Nyota…" His voice came out rougher, harsher than he had intended. He paused and began again. "Nyota You will be staying here. There is no way for us to return you. The error occurred from your dimension; we have no way of transporting you back to the exact dimension that you came from. If it is any consolation, I had no intention of returning you even if it were possible."

She had been warned of being stranded on harsh, empty planets, of being captured by ruthless warlords. There were many dangers one risked when joining Starfleet. She had always felt that her position as communications officer provided her some degree of safety. At any rate their missions were peaceful ones, and when hostility was met she was not usually involved. She repeated the phrase over to herself permanent…displacement; it just did not seem real. What did it mean to be stuck here? Did she even want to live if this was going to be her life? Nyota was brought from her reverie when the door chimed.

"Spock here," he answered, pushing the intercom button on the desk.

"Lieutenant Uhura, sir," the woman cooed through the speaker.

Spock's eyes darted to Nyota who sat motionless, still quite affected by what he had just told her. He checked the time; Uhura was an hour earlier than she normally was. "You are early, Lieutenant," he answered, shutting down his computer.

"Yes, and I am not here to have a conversation with you through the door," she replied in irritation. Spock placed his palm on the security scanner and the door slid open. Uhura sauntered into the room and came to stand beside Nyota's seat; the strong floral scent that clung to her skin saturated the room. "I hope you are not too busy," she murmured, untying the golden sash from around her waist.

Spock looked at the two women before him. Nyota - quietly sitting, her blank stare echoing her sadness, and it was bothersome. As he looked at her he felt the urge to somehow rid her of her desolation, if only to remove his own discomfort. Then there was Uhura; standing, exuding strength and sensuality. He watched her toy with the scarp of material, moving is suggestively through the ring made by her thumb and forefinger. He had the urge to tie her up with that sash and punish her for arriving unannounced.

"Uhura, wait for me in my room. I will be with you momentarily," he breathed hoarsely as he stacked the PADDs on his desk. He watched her slink over to the door and enter her code.

As she stepped into the room, she shot him a devious little smile. "Don't make me finish without you," she whispered entering the room. After the door slid shut Spock turned his attention back to Nyota.

She looked down at her hands, absently fighting with the hem of her skirt. She had not acknowledged Uhura or her exchange with Spock; it was as if she were not even there. Spock looked through the PADDs that he had had sent down from the communications lab. At least he could keep her occupied. He pushed a few of them over to her and she looked up; her large brown eyes filled with tears.

"Translate these. I suggest that you finish your breakfast. You seem to have lost quite a bit of weight. I will have a nutritional supplement sent to you with your next meal." He stood and dismissed her to her room; she gathered the PAADs and hurried away.

The following night Nyota lay awake late, restless and unable concentrate enough to translate the PADDs she had been given. When she heard the loud thud against her door, she sighed and rolled over. Not again, she thought throwing a pillow over her head. It was quite obvious that Uhura derived some sick pleasure from making sure Nyota knew exactly what they were doing.

Somehow it was different now, having to think of them together after what she had experienced. It had all been so pointless and illogical at best. He had not needed to control her; he had already demonstrated his powerful position and ability. It surely wasn't lust that had motivated him; he had that taken care of and she obviously liked being with him.

It did not matter why or even how she had found herself in such a predicament. What did matter was her next step; to continue this way, or to fight and lose, and at least be free in her certain demise. Nyota's train of thought was interrupted by another, louder thump against the door.

Nyota waited for the muffled shrieks and giggles that normally followed. There was silence. This was odd. She jumped at the sudden sound of something heavy smashing into the wall outside her room. Her dinner tray slid off the desk and fell to the floor, scattering the remains of her salad. Flinging the pillow aside she sat up quietly, slowly, listening. Putting one foot on the floor, she was sure she felt a subtle vibration that she had not felt before. She recalled then that she had not actually heard Uhura or Spock at all that evening. Cautiously making her way over to the door she pressed her ear against it and listened; nothing.

Nyota paced the room nervously, she knew something was wrong, the only time she had felt shocks like this was during a battle simulation back at the academy. She paused as the thought crossed her mind… they were under attack. Nyota grabbed a hold of one of the shelving units to steady herself just as the entire vessel seemed to tilt to one side.

The lights flickered and dimmed. Nyota held her breath; waiting. A shrill siren resounded through the room; the ship was on red alert and she was trapped.