Disclaimer: The rights to Star Trek belong to Gene Roddenberry, and NuTrek belongs to J.J. Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzman.

A/N: Sorry this is late! What with the Vegas convention last week (I got my picture with Shatner and Nimoy!) and the beginning of the semester on Monday, I've been pretty busy. My sister is leaving the country for four months so I have been spending time with her – the dear was helping me with my outline for this story yesterday. I've been working on a new K/S vid which is almost done. Also, plot bunnies and internet ADD never help things.

A/N2: A huge thank you to T'Pinto for betaing in this chapter! Love ya, girl.

So here's the new chapter – a lot of little things happen. It's beginning to get complicated!

.~.

Ch. 6: Red Alert

Kirk had escorted Saavik to school that morning, as usual. When he arrived on the bridge, he realized that he was a few minutes late for Alpha shift. Damn. I should probably apologize. But the captain never got the chance. He had barely taken his seat when the Enterprise made a sudden lurch.

"Red Alert!" Kirk called out, and the klaxons began to blare. The ship pitched and rolled as Sulu wrestled for control of the vessel. Crew members flew left and right as they were bounced around like dolls. After a harrowing thirty seconds, the shaking abruptly stopped.

"Everyone alright?" He called out. A chorus of 'yes captains' answered him from various places on the bridge. Jim trusted that his crew was telling the truth, and moved on to assess the situation.

"Spock, can you explain what just happened?" Kirk asked, his voice sounding much calmer than he was actually feeling.

"It appears that we were caught in a rift in space." His mate didn't have a hair out of place, although the captain was positive his was a mess. How does he do that?

"Okayyyy." The captain just shrugged, not sure what to make of that. But they'd been in stranger situations before. "Are we still in danger?"

"I do not believe so – our readings are stable," Spock reported.

"Cancel Red Alert," Kirk ordered. He spun around in his chair to face his communications officer. "Uhura, what's our status?"

"Minor damage to decks five and ten, sir."

"That's better than I expected." He hit the com button on his chair. "Bones, what's your medical report?"

"I'm fine. I've got several unlucky engineers with broken bones and lacerations, but nothing serious, Jim."

"Good," Kirk sighed with relief. "Keep me informed." He switched com frequencies.

"Scotty, what's going on in Engineering?"

"The dilithium chamber has become contaminated, sir."

"How?"

"We're trying to determine that now."

"So that means warp drive is out."

" 'Fraid so, Jim," his Chief Engineer apologized.

"Can we still use impulse power?"

"Yessir."

"Estimated time of repairs?" Kirk crossed his fingers.

"It could take weeks." Damn.

"Fine, just let me know when that time frame becomes more precise."

"Will do."

"Thanks, Scotty. I know you're doing your best." Jim tried to sound encouraging, but was afraid he just came off sounding anxious.

"I'll have her up and running as soon as I can. Scott out."

"Sulu, one half impulse for now," Jim ordered.

"Aye, sir."

"Uhura…"

"Contacting Janus now, Captain," she interrupted. "Their First Contact is just going to have to wait awhile longer while we make repairs."

By now, the bridge crew had managed to dust themselves off and return to their stations. Kirk could tell that a few had had the wind knocked out of them, and appreciated them not complaining when there was work to be done. Starfleet really ought to install some crash webbing on the bridge. He had the same thought after every time his officers were thrown from their seats, but always forgot to bring it up to Pike.

"Thanks everyone for not panicking," Kirk congratulated them.

"Ve could newer do zat," Chekov insisted. "It vould not be proper behawior for the crew of ze Enterprise."

"Still, that rift in space came outta nowhere. It's not on any of the charts. Even I was startled when the ship started lurching."

"I was not startled," Spock piped up from the science station, setting off a round of nervous chuckles.

/Boy, your sense of humor has come a long way since we first met./ Jim congratulated his mate. Spock often played off the fact that he was Vulcan, and therefore had no emotions to speak of. The crew knew otherwise by now, of course, but it was still entertaining to pretend.

/And whose fault it that?/ Spock turned to look at Jim, his eyebrows lifted in a knowing look.

/I blame Bones./

.~.

Just as Mr. Scott had predicted, it took several weeks to repair the warp drive and surrounding systems that had gotten fried. For Saavik, school continued as usual. Her days were full of learning new things, playing with friends, and exploring the ship. Her favorite thing to do was to hang out with Kirk when he had free time. Spock was a different story. She could not relate to the Vulcan, who continued to regard her as a teacher regards a pupil.

But other than the occasional spirited debate between Spock and Saavik, nothing out of the ordinary happened in Kirk's life for the next few days. There were no breaks in routine, no formal reprimands to be issued, and no surprise orders from Starfleet; it was awesome.

The fourth morning after the warp drive went off-line, things began to get interesting. The captain was in the middle of a workout when he received a com.

"McCoy to Kirk."

Setting the treadmill on pause, Kirk reached for his communicator.

"What's up, Bones?" He asked, trying not to sound too out of breath.

"Jim, there's somethin' you need to see about Kira's brain scan."

Immediately, Jim was alarmed.

"Is she sick?"

"No, she's perfectly healthy - you just have to see for yourself." The doctor's voice sounded odd, so Jim relented, promising,

"I'll be right there."

Still in his sweats, Jim reported to Sickbay. An anxious McCoy brought him into his office, and shut the door.

"Now here's Kira's scan." The doctor pulled up a picture of the girl's brain on the computer. "There's a faint sign of growth on the frontal lobe – I almost missed it."

"So?" Uncomprehending, the captain looked the picture, and then back at his friend. "I have no idea what this means."

"The only other human that I've ever seen this in before was you." Jim's eyes grew large.

"Wait a second… You mean?"

"Yeah," Bones said grimly. "It's small, but it's there." He pulled up another medical file on the computer. "Now, here are Clopek's scans. As a telepath, it's only natural that his psi abilities would register. This bit here shows the same frequency as the growth on Kira's scan."

"Holy shit, Clopek's parents are gonna be pissed," Kirk breathed. "An accidental bonding is not unheard of, but in kids? And on a human girl, too. Let me get Spock down here to verify your findings before we inform the parents. It's not that I don't believe you, I just want a second opinion."

"Any excuse for you to ogle your elf," sighed Bones. As usual, Kirk ignored him. Instead, he concentrated on the bond.

/Spock, I know you're busy in the labs, but can you come down to Sickbay?/

/On my way./

It wasn't long before the Vulcan appeared in McCoy's office.

"You are quite correct in your diagnosis, doctor," Spock said, his expression grave. "While I doubt the girl knows of the connection, Clopek certainly does. I cannot understand why he did not inform a Vulcan elder earlier."

Kirk went out on a limb.

"Probably 'cause he's afraid they'll make him break the bond."

"Ah." Spock sheepishly conceded. "We should speak with his parents as soon as possible so that a decision can be made."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the hobgoblin," said a reluctant Bones. "The only living human/Vulcan bonded pair that we have on record is yours. If his parents have any questions, I can't answer them but perhaps you can."

"I'll have Yeoman Rand add the appointment to my schedule right away," Kirk promised.

.~.

Meanwhile, in the 'small group' classroom

Uhura was having troubles of her own as she listened to Saavik and Norvek perform their conversation in Standard. Why couldn't they have conversed as flawlessly as Clopek and Kira? It was obvious that those two had been practicing out of class. However, this pair kept stopping and starting, as Norvek refused to go on without correcting Saavik if she used any sort of human slang she'd picked up.

"Okay, stop!" Uhura had had enough of this; it was getting painful to listen to. "Saavik, Norvek – did you two practice your conversation?"

"Yeah right," the girl scoffed. "Like he'd actually spend time practicing with me."

"Norvek, this assignment is just as important to your grade as any you complete on your own. You can't just disregard it," said Uhura, rubbing her temples as she was getting a headache.

"I did not disregard it." The boy's air of superiority was starting to bug the communications officer, and she'd once gone out with Spock. This boy seemed like he had more to prove than the rest of the Vulcans combined. "I wrote a suitable conversation for my partner and I to perform, and I memorized my part accordingly. The problem occurred was when she decided to rewrite her part and fill it with colloquialisms."

Saavik smiled sweetly at her partner.

"I was just trying to make the conversation sound more realistic. Humans don't actually talk like the way you wrote it out."

"At least I used correct grammar," Norvek countered.

From their seats, Clopek and Kira watched this exchange in fascination, amused by the way Saavik wasn't allowing Norvek to intimidate her.

"Enough," Uhura interjected. "I'm giving you both an incomplete for this assignment until you can learn how to work together and have a conversation without stopping."

"But I can't work with him!" Saavik protested, her dark eyes pleading with her instructor. "He hates me!"

"Perhaps I could receive a detention instead?" Norvek suggested.

"No!" Uhura glared at the boy. "Out of the question."

"You'd rather have detention than work with me?" Saavik looked hurt, then furious. "Whatever happened to IDIC, and the spirit of cooperation?" Then she just had an awful thought. "If this is because I'm half Romulan, I'll kick your-"

"I was not aware of your Romulan ancestry," Norvek interrupted, sounding genuinely surprised. "I was under the impression that your Vulcan control had been eroded after spending so much time with humans."

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but your impression was incorrect." Saavik's voice was frosty.

"I see." Norvek looked thoughtful. "That explains much of your behavior."

"Please have a seat, you two," Uhura said with a sigh. She figured this would be the best truce that they'd have for a while, so she decided to take advantage of the moment when the pair weren't at each other's throats. "Let's move on to our next lesson in translating the Standard text of Romeo and Juliet…"

Although she enjoyed her teaching duties, it was moments like those which made her long to be back on the bridge.

.~.

Later, just after Alpha Shift

Spock took the turbolift all the way down to one of the lowest levels, where the pool was located. For some reason, his bondmate had booked the pool for them before lunch. The Vulcan wondered what his sly husband was up to. He knew of Spock's distaste for water, yet he invited him anyway to join him for a swim. It was most illogical.

"Jim, I do not understand why you have asked me to accompany you to the ship's natatorium," Spock complained aloud, once he'd entered the facility. He stripped down to his swimming suit, neatly placing his uniform and boots in a locker. "As you know, Vulcans are not adept swimmers due to..."

He trailed off when he turned the corner and found himself with a spectacular view of his mate. A dripping wet Kirk sporting an extremely tight, red speedo was an unfamiliar sight and Spock found that the request to go swimming was not illogical after all.

"You were saying?" Jim smirked at him.

"You attire is… unexpected," Spock commented, his voice not quite as steady as usual. Jim was pleased to know his nearly naked body still affected his bondmate.

"Unexpected?" Kirk pouted. "I wear this old-fashioned swim garment for you and that's all you can say?"

/You know very well that I find you enticing./ Spock's thoughts prodded him through the bond.

"Captain, we are in a public setting."

"Actually I booked the pool just for us during this hour," Kirk corrected him.

"Why?"

"I thought we could use a little spontaneity in our relationship."

Spock raised an eyebrow.

"A human concept, no doubt. I do not believe it is logical for-"

Kirk interrupted him.

"Or I could just change and we could eat in the officer's mess, like usual."

"No, that will not be necessary," Spock said quickly, much to Kirk's amusement. "After all, you did go to the trouble of reserving the pool for us that –"

"…it is only logical to use it." Kirk finished. They gazed at each other, their thoughts in perfect sync as the familiar tingle of the bond pulsed between them. Spock found himself beginning to relax, beginning to shed his 'officer persona'. It was then that he had a very naughty idea.

"Jim, how high do you believe the platform can go?" The Vulcan pointed at the remote-controlled diving board.

"You know, I'm not really sure," his captain mused, turning to glance at it. "Maybe as high as mmmph!"

The captain entered the water with an undignified splash.

"Spock, you sneaky Vulcan," Jim roared after he surfaced, shaking the water out of his hair. "That's cheating! Why the hell did you do that?"

"I was trying to be spontaneous." His husband's eyes gleamed with mirth. "Is that not the reason behind our purpose here?"

"Don't make me climb out and get you," Jim threatened. "I'll push you in the deep end and then you'll see how you like it. You'd sink to the bottom like a rock."

"Ah, but then you would have to come to my rescue," Spock said solemnly. "Said act would please me very much indeed."

Kirk's mouth dropped open.

"Did you just suggest that we role-play in the pool of all places?" An incredulous Kirk gaped at his k'diwa.

Spock's eyebrow twitched.

"Negative. I was simply stating the facts of how that theoretical scenario would play out."

"Yeah right." The captain continued to tread water. "I'm afraid I've been a bad influence on you, Mr. Spock."

"That is true, Captain," the Vulcan purred, approaching the side of the pool. "I am about to engage in water activities that do not include bathing. I am afraid my Vulcan sensibilities have completely deserted me."

"What sort of activities did you have in mind, Commander?" Kirk said, his voice dipping an octave lover.

"Perhaps you could start with giving me a piggy back ride across to the other side?"

"A piggy back ride?" Kirk snorted, trying to hide his disappointment. He'd had something a little more… exciting in mind. "What am I, a pool transit system? Besides, wouldn't that be a little one-sided?"

Not if I gave you one next." Kirk bit his tongue to keep from groaning. Taking his favorite position behind his Vulcan, while being ferried by the warm, rippling svelte body sounded so good.

"I'm in," Kirk croaked.

"Excellent. But perhaps we could up the stakes a little," Spock suggested.

"Whaddya mean?"

"When I am swimming with you on my back, you have to stay completely still, and when I am on your back, vice versa."

"What? C'mon, Spock, that's just evil," Jim whined. "Besides, what purpose would that serve? I should be able to grind against you as much as I damn well please."

"The delay of gratification has great rewards," Spock said mysteriously. Kirk bit his lip in anticipation.

"Did I ever tell you how sexy your logic is?"

"Many times, t'hy'la. I too find your unpredictability to be rather stimulating."

/Will you just get in already?/ Kirk mentally poked him.

/You have the patience of a …/

/You're right. I do, especially when you're wearing that./ Kirk was referring to the Vulcan's form-fitting black body suit, which allowed him to enjoy swimming in a water temperature set to accommodate humans.

Without warning, Spock gracefully swan-dived into the water, surfacing beside his beloved.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" Kirk said, capturing the Vulcan's dry lips with his. It was a sentiment Spock had heard many times before, one he would never tire of.

"Only because you are an extension of myself," Spock deflected.

Kirk felt a lump grow in his throat at his mate's sincerity. Someday he would convince Spock of his aesthetic appeal.

"Are you ready for you ride?" Spock asked innocently. Kirk's answer was to climb upon his t'hy'la's back, preparing for the rough ride his mate would most certainly inflict upon him. What a brilliant idea it had been to reserve the pool! The captain's last full coherent thought was, if this is how Spock would act, we have to do this more often.

.~.

An hour after his playful interlude with Jim, it was time for Spock to teach Vulcan Studies. The commander had spent plenty of time the previous night designing the history lesson, which was about one of his personal favorite subjects. All four of his pupils were waiting for him by the time he arrived in the classroom.

"Today we will be studying the life and times of pre-Surakian warriors," Spock announced as he hooked up his computer for his presentation.

"Is this about the shieldmates who fought to protect their clans from invaders?" An excited Saavik asked. In her haste, she forgot to raise her hand.

"You are correct," said her teacher. "However, I would appreciate it next time if you would wait to be called on," Spock gently reprimanded her.

"Sorry." She blushed, and looked down at her PADD. Norvek glanced at her, and though his outward demeanor never changed, Saavik swore that he was secretly laughing at her. So she glared back.

"Now, as I was saying," Spock continued, "the ancients lived a most barbaric lifestyle by modern Vulcan standards. They existed on emotion alone, as slaves to their animal passions. They did not suppress their feelings as we do now." Norvek raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"Begging your pardon, sir, but Vulcans cannot always suppress their baser passions," the boy said dully.

"That is essentially correct," a cautious Spock admitted, hoping the boy wasn't referring to what he thought he might be.

"So it is true that all Vulcans will eventually fall victim to p-"

"I believe you have said enough on that subject," Spock firmly interrupted. The boy's dark eyes flashed with bitter disappointment.

"I see my mother was correct. No one will talk about it. Excuse me, sir." Norvek calmly rose from his seat and exited the room, the picture of Vulcan control. But Saavik noticed that his hands had been shaking at his sides, just like her hands would tremble before she had a tantrum. Interesting.

"Mr. Spock, to what was he referring?" Clopek wondered.

"It is of no consequence," their teacher replied, but he had turned a pale green. Whatever it was, Saavik just had to know! It had to be something really good if Spock refused to speak about it. Perhaps if she approached him about it later, after class, he might elaborate. And if not, she could always ask Jim.

.~.

That evening, Jim spent some time working on his Vulcan program in the holodeck as he knew his bondmate was meditating at that time. Having already put the finishing touches on his adun's childhood home, he made some progress on adjusting the day vs. night controls. Kirk had a feeling that Spock would want to go for a 'walk in the desert' and Jim would prefer to do so under night conditions. Also, he added a new component to the ancient Vulcan warrior ceremonial temple. Spock often spoke of wishing he could've visited the place with his mate, and now Kirk could make that fantasy come true.

When he finally returned to their quarters, a mildly-annoyed Spock was waiting for him.

"What's wrong?" Kirk asked, coming up behind his bondmate, who was sitting at his desk. He lightly massaged his Vulcan's shoulders.

"I was unable to reach my highest form of meditation," the Vulcan confessed. "But it is of little consequence."

"Maybe, but this is the third time this week that you've been having trouble." Kirk gave him a knowing look. "Wanna talk about it?" If anything, Spock's sour expression became more pronounced.

"Norvek brought up a reference to Pon Farr during my Vulcan Studies class."

"Damn." Kirk groaned. "That would've been embarrassing even for me – no telling how it was for you."

"Indeed, and the incident is far from being over."

"Let me guess – Saavik's trying to get you to tell her more about it."

"Most perceptive of you," the Vulcan said dryly. "She is not yet of age to learn of such things, therefore I have only feigned ignorance to her pleas. But that will not work forever."

Kirk rolled his eyes.

"Would you like me to take this one?"

"Would you?" Spock's gratitude flowed through the bond.

"Sure. This time." The blonde gave his husband a stern look. "Next time it happens, you get to explain how all the Vulcan mumbo-jumbo works."

His t'hy'la lifted an eyebrow.

"When she is old enough."

"Spock."

"Very well. I shall inform her when it becomes necessary."

"Oh, brother," Kirk sighed as he left their quarters and crossed over into Saavik's via their shared bathroom.

Scotty had done a number on the girl's quarters – the once plain room now reminded Kirk of a mini-shrine to Vulcan. Fiery walls, sand colored carpet, and not to mention the temperature difference added to the effect, along with a few drawings Saavik had made herself. One in particular made him smile – she'd drawn the IDIC symbol and hung it over her bed. The diversity symbol was perfect for Saavik, who was trying so hard to fit in to her new environment.

"Jim, Jim, Jim!" Saavik happily ran toward him and he swung her into the air before pulling her in for a hug.

"How's my girl?" He crowed, sitting her down on her bed.

"I'm good." Then she glanced at him, her eyes flashing in suspicion.

"Did Mr. Spock send you?"

"What, a dad can't go visit his daughter before bed without secret motivations?" Jim's innocent act didn't work one bit on the Vulcan/Romulan hybrid.

"Why can't he just speak with me himself? Doesn't he trust me?" Saavik's tone was bitter. Jim took a seat next to her on her bed.

"I know it's difficult, sweetheart," Kirk consoled her as she crawled into his lap. "Spock means well, he's just very… traditional. And part of Vulcan tradition is that certain subjects aren't discussed until you're older. Unfortunately, that's one of them."

"Then why does Norvek know?" She pouted.

"I don't know," was Kirk's honest answer. At Spock's suggestion, he intended to look into that. "But I do know that it's not something you need to worry about at your age." His tone was final, so Saavik didn't protest, as much as she wanted to. She would just have to find out her answer using other resources available to her.

"Jim, I do not understand how someone as nice as you could have fallen in love with Mr. Spock." Instead of being offended, the captain laughed.

"You sound like Dr. McCoy." He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. "No, Spock's just as nice as me deep down; he just doesn't always show it. Trust me, I couldn't have asked for a better bondmate."

"But-"

"Go to sleep. I love you." Kirk kissed her brow, and slipped out the door before she could say any more.

.~.

The following morning, Kirk decided to get started on his 'to do' list. He'd put off more than a few calls and reports to have his little interlude with Spock in the pool, but it had been more than worth it.

"Wow, Captain, I didn't expect to be promoted so quickly!" One of the former engineering ensigns enthused.

"According to Scotty, your actions during the incident yesterday warranted it." Kirk held out his hand and the young redhead heartily shook it.

"I can't wait to tell my friends!" She exclaimed, then blushed when she realized she'd spoken her thought out loud. "Err, may I be excused, sir?"

"Of course." Kirk gave her a warm smile, and gently touched her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I happen to know a thing or two about receiving a promotion when I was around your age."

"Yes sir." Amused, Kirk watched her go.

"Yeoman, what's next on the list?"

"Meeting with the parents of Clopek and Dr. McCoy concerning the Vulcan child bonding issue."

"Right."

On cue, Spock entered the conference room.

"Glad you could get away from the labs for a bit," said Kirk, relieved that his mate could join them. "I'm sure Sortak and T'Mat will appreciate having a non-biased Vulcan perspective."

"My diplomatic training may be needed as well," Spock admitted, as Yeoman Rand took her leave of them. "It is unclear how the parents will react to the news - Dr. McCoy does not have the best record working with Vulcans." Kirk snorted at that.

It wasn't long before the threesome arrived.

"Captain, the doctor tells us he has some medical news concerning Clopek," said the father. "I do hope he has not been intruding."

"It's no problem. But you're probably wondering why Spock and I are to be present at such a meeting," said Kirk. The parents nodded.

McCoy jumped in.

"The reason why the captain and Spock are here is because they will be able to relate to your situation. You see, Clopek has bonded himself to the human girl, Kira."

"Does the girl know?" T'Mat asked. Her mate had turned pale, and she seemed to speak for them both.

"We do not believe so," said Spock.

"We think that since Clopek lost his betrothed in the plague, his mind automatically sought another," Kirk added. "Kira's mind just happened to be compatible with his. I doubt he did it intentionally."

"This is a most grievous act to be committed upon someone unknowingly," Sortak remarked, having recovered his ability to speak. "We must have the bond dissolved as soon as possible; with or without our son's permission."

End Ch. 6

A/N: Points for those who got the 'red speedo' reference. Haha.