Author's Chapter Notes:
Okay, don't tell me. I know I'm a horrible person. I'm going to stop saying when I will update from now on as it will probably be sporadic as hell.
Anyways, as I explained to a reviewer today, I am moving! So while my muse is finally here I haven't had a chance to get things down. However, I finished packing early just so I could type this all out for you and here it is! I also fixed it so the paragraphs aren't all squished together. It should be fine now.
I'd like to mention a TRIGGER WARNING here. There is a mention of attempted rape in this chapter, but there are no descriptions and nothing really happens so just be aware of that. Enjoy!
Jim stepped in time with the captain to his right, thoroughly enjoying his conversation. He had so many questions about the ship, it really was beautiful. The stoic captain was very technical and unanimated in his tour but Jim did not mind in the least. Very rarely did he have the chance for space travel and even less a proper tour, especially of a ship this big. He wondered if he were the captain of this ship, what places he could go, what new people he might discover…Then of course, that's what had gotten him into this whole bonding mess in the first place.
The captain led him into a large, empty hallway sort of area, with thick windows made of aluminum silicate to view the stars zipping past. He explained that this was called the Observation Deck and Jim marveled at the view. Of course he had seen stars before, but never quite like this. Turning to his companion, he made an accidental brushing of hands and soon noticed the man looked a little green but was still rattling off statistics without missing a beat so he naturally thought nothing of it. The Vulcan's droning was comfortable background noise as the glimmering light show performed in front of him. He let his thoughts wander.
He knew, flying by these stars, he was getting farther, impossibly farther from the place he called home. His heart wrenched painfully as he remembered his family, his friends, and his life. All of it was to be gone in just a few short days and there was nothing to do but watch helplessly as the stars got left behind. Suddenly they seemed less beautiful, or maybe it was a different kind of beauty. He didn't have long to ponder this thought further as a large crash came from his right.
When he spun around to investigate the cause of said clamor, his eyes went wide to see a metal door crumpled on the ground and Spock breathing heavily in the doorway. He wasn't there long though, almost instantaneously Jim found his fiancé by his side and taking a possessive hold of his arm. He opened his mouth to protest, but one look at his face showed it probably wouldn't end well for him.
Spock was in the smaller Vulcan's personal space, nostrils flared and malice in his voice as he growled out words of warning, "Vesht dungi na'shikhau vu-tor potau ir s'sa-kugalsu t'nash-veh, Ang'jzmin Sherlan.*" Sherlan looked for a few moments like he was ready to fight but Jim could see cogs turning in his head that it would not be a good idea, and so he turned to make his exit through the undamaged door opposite the one Spock had just obliterated.
Spock shouted something after him that Jim couldn't really make out as he was now pressed into Spock's chest being rocked slowly and whispered words in that foreign tongue, he guessed they were more for Spock's benefit than his own. To be very honest with himself, Jim was getting a little uncomfortable, and after that scene he was more interested in answers than cuddling. His hands pushed against the offending chest but to no avail, he tried again and felt the beginnings of a growl underneath his face. Jim sighed, "Spock, you're crushing my face. I'm gonna suffocate." He muffled into the fabric of Spock's casual robes, to which Spock promptly let go but kept close, eyes darting around to be sure Sherlan had not returned after all.
"Hey, hellooo," Jim nagged, waving his hand in front of his face, "What in the flying fuck was that? I do believe you just bitched out your ship's captain for no perceivable reason and then proceeded to get all touchy-feely with me. I don't know about you but I didn't find that particularly romantic enough for us to start cuddling out of the blue. I was just starting to like you too I don't see why-"
Spock sighed, looking only slightly cross, "You talk too much James. Please allow me to escort you back to quarters. This incident does not need to be spoken of again. I ask that you stay away from the Captain from now on."
Jim interjected as Spock was mid-stride towards the broken door, "Wait just a god damn minute! You really expect to kick in the door, scare off my only company and then tell me to hole up in my room without explanation? Hasn't anyone told you the key to a successful relationship is communication? I need some legitimate responses here." Spock seemed to ponder this for a moment and finally gave in.
"Very well. I suppose you will have to know at some point. We must speak privately though, someone will be by to investigate quite soon and I don't wish to be interrupted. Come with me please." He said, resuming his direction for the door.
Jim followed him out, stepping over the ruined door with a sense of doom, 'Ugh if that's what he can do to a door, I don't want to know what he can do to a person…' he thought. At the very least he was getting somewhere with this guy.
-o-
Back in their quarters, Spock sat down in one of the chairs in the corner of the room. He indicated the matching seat and Jim sat down.
Spock cleared his throat and organized his thoughts before speaking, "James, I am not entirely sure how to explain this but I will start from the beginning. I did as I said and attended to the labs, all went according to plan and I was able to leave early for our designated meeting time. I waited for quite some time but it appeared you were not going to arrive any time soon. I must confess as I searched for you my anxiety increased significantly. Eventually I heard you and the Captain speaking on the other side of the door to the Observation deck." He paused for a moment seemingly deciding whether to continue or not, "The door was locked, James. Not even my override would break through. Then I smelled…him." Spock took a deep breath, obviously troubled, and Jim didn't know whether or not to offer some support. He decided it best to keep quiet for the moment and allow him to continue.
"There is a condition among my people; we do not speak of it among ourselves, much less other species we have interacted with. However this shall, one day, affect you directly, and it seems it already has. It is called Pon Farr, the most serious of stages being the plak tow. It is the mating drive of the male Vulcan, and if left…untreated, it causes madness and eventually, death." Spock looked into Jim's eyes for the first part of his speech, tearing his eyes from the floor, "Captain Sherlan is beginning to enter the plak tow, he was pursuing you as a mate." The room was silent, and Jim stared at Spock in disbelief, "In short James, I'm afraid if I had not interjected sooner, he would have raped you. I could sense his hormones, even from the other side of the door. I, of course, I could not allow that to happen so I entered the room by force to intervene. I am…I am so sorry. He will be confined I assure you, we will not let him near you."
As Jim took time to process what he was just told, Spock gave him a worried glance, it was most definitely not the greatest start to the trip. As Jim thought, he had realized that the Sherlan had stood unusually close to him, closer than Spock ever dared to before today, panic rose in his throat, what if that happened again on Vulcan? Was he some sort of exotic decadence to these people? His mind was brought back to his would be attacker, and he immediately felt a twinge of pity. Finally, Jim spoke, "He…He will die before we reach your planet?" He said, shuddering breaths forming words he didn't want to believe.
"…Most likely, James. He may survive in time for him to be united with a female, but it is improbable. It is a most unfortunate way to die, however our medical personnel will do what they can to keep him from pain." James closed his eyes against the sound of Spock's voice, squeezing out tears. Of course, he didn't know the man well, for god sakes, apparently he wanted to sexually assault him, but he was sick, and being sick was never a place one wanted to be. He steeled himself against the pain,
"He'll make it. I know he will. He'll survive until we arrive at Vulcan." Spock smiled only slightly, such optimism, it was to be admired.
"Spock. I-I'd like to talk about what…about what happened after he left." James didn't specify, he knew Spock understood what he was talking about, and it showed plainly on his face in the form of a green flush and averted eyes.
"Ah, yes. That was primarily instinct James. When I sensed my status as your mate was jeopardized, I attempted to…force you not to leave and establish myself as your rightful and proper…spouse." His voice trailed off weakly at the end. It was not a complete lie, and he supposed it would do for now…
"Primarily instinct? What else then?" Perhaps not.
Spock let out a small huff of air, not quite a sigh, "James, it would be pointless if I said I do not feel attracted to you," There, he said it, "I was merely taking an opportunity to act on my attraction."
Jim blinked owlishly for a few moments then smiled halfway, "Let's eat shall we? Why don't you order up room service?"
Chapter End Notes:
There it is. Next update will be whenever. I really enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you liked it too.
*Vesht dungi na'shikhau vu-tor potau ir s'sa-kugalsu t'nash-veh, Ang'jzmin Sherlan= I would advise you keep distance from my intended, captain Sherlan. (Horribly strung together by me using the Vulcan Language Dictionary EDIT: Thank you very much Zelfh'am T'ama for correcting my Vulcan phrasing, it's much appreciated.)
