A/N: Gosh the reader traffic has picked up since I posted the last two chapters, please read and review if you have something to say. Whatever it may be. Also, what do you think about men with accents? Spock is so good with linguistic nuance that he doesn't have an accent, but I personally think that an accent is kryptonite. As we have progressed to the ninth chapter I think it's fair to add that I will get a little more M rated soon, but don't fret I promise to try and keep a decent plot line going throughout. But I like this new guy. Love triangles are fun. I'm also playing in my head with a few new characters to add to the mix, possibly some OCs. I'm floundering a little there so please let me know if you like. Read and enjoy!
OUTSIDE THE MAZES
Bursting out of the final chamber into the light Nyota squinted and doubled over hands on her knees, trying to recover from her efforts. When she could open her eyes and see better, she spotted the young Vulcan man a few meters away on a high rock holding his hand above his eyes, hand on a hip, scanning the horizon. That was when Nyota realized they were not at the original entrance of the site. In fact, there seemed to be nothing for kilometers that was visible. Filling with anger and frustration at the situation, tears started to well up and spill over onto her face. Blinded by the stream, Nyota unhooked herself and walked over to the blurry figure of the Vulcan and jabbed her finger hard into his back shouting," Where the hell are we!"
As if he had not felt her prodding the Vulcan continued to scan about, answering her in an almost irritated tone, "We are near the only place on this half of the planet where a doctor might understand and be able to treat your charge's condition. Please be certain that if he had met any other rescue his death would be complete in a few hours. Now help me to look for a large blue rock in the distance or check the pulse of your charge, he needs treatment quickly."
At this Nyota swallowed her tears and wiped them away, noticing a slight throb of her finger as her anger abated and vision cleared. Nyota had not been one to over react often and was wary of conceding that she had in these circumstances. Exhausted from the release of her emotions so suddenly, Nyota walked over to Spock and gingerly ran her hand over the side of his face, wincing at the sparkle of static where her hand made contact. Placing two of her fingers where she had found a pulse last time, Nyota's features grew grim, if it was possible, the pulse was even more erratic and light than before. Nyota was reminded of a humming bird flitting from flower to flower. She gently adjusted the coverlet so that it protected at least part of Spock's face from the direct sunlight, and ran her hand one last time over his cheek, catching the corner of his lips with her finger. It seemed like an eternity ago that they had lunch and she had felt a tingle at his sudden show of intimacy. Standing from her crouch, Nyota went to the other side of the outcropping and began to look out along the terrain for a blue rock, determined to save Spock and find shelter before it grew dark and cold.
AT THE HOME OF AMBASSADOR SAREK
Sarek's entrance into the home with their guests found Amanda in loose clothes and a creased face sitting at a chair against the kitchen island. Staring off into the distance in deep concentration, Amanda startled at the newcomers, eyes opening and closing several times before recognition came. She had been in the bedroom when the sudden image of Spock wandering the desert came to her. Amanda had been in quiet contemplation and following a strange thirst walked into the kitchen. Once she had her drink, she had sat trying to place the image in her memory, searching for any indication of where the image had come from, almost certain that it had not originated from her own experiences of thoughts. Amanda was worried for Spock as she had been when he was a boy, angry at a world that rejected him when he had only offered peace. Spock had run off into the desert more times than she could count, not always coming back unscathed. She looked up into the eyes of her husband and he grew concerned at the fear plain in her eyes. He felt it from their bond, something was amiss. Gently flashing his concern to Amanda, Sarek offered his guests refreshments and they declined seeing the state of their hostess. Adilah and her husband retreated to their room, stating their need to change was greater than any need to consume the fruits offered.
Once the Uhuras had gone up to their rooms Sarek took his wife's hands in his and shared in the flashing image, recognizing Spock's attire from the morning and realizing then that he was in probable danger of loosing a second son. Sarek motioned to a waiting attendant and contacted his oldest friend. Spock was trapped internally, there was no telling where he was or what had happened to the young Uhura. He must do many things and quickly if he was to recover either of them. He dispatched members of his personal guard with the itinerary of Spock and Nyota and got a report from the attendant Amanda had sent out earlier that made solid their suspicions. Spock had been seen entering the mazes 6.23 hours ago with Nyota, according to plan the two should have enjoyed a performance and dined by now but had missed both appointments. A search party was organized with the help of influence from Sarek and the Uhuras who had joined him once he had confirmed his suspicions with the attendant. Sarek rubbed his wife's hands, mentally projecting his support.
His old friend arrived within minutes of being called, standing before all that were gathered an impressive sight. Vulcans as a species were larger than humans, but this particular friend was lauded for his physical prowess and proficiency in all the Vulcan arts of war. His hair was worn long, small strands twisted and braided with a colorful thread that gave an appearance of readiness for war and possibly an edge of fierce madness juxtaposed against carefully coiffed Vulcan society. Easily standing at seven and a half feet, the man seemed impossibly in control of his muscles as he moved through the entryway to the waiting crowd of worried parents with impossible grace. Sarek gave the Vulcan greeting and introduced all to Skan, war adviser to the Vulcan High council and leader of the planet's myriad military classes.
Relieved by the sight of this formidable man, all involved relaxed perceptibly, glad to have such an ally. Sarek drew his friend in, thanking him for taking so little time in spite of his schedule. Skan was debriefed quickly and took a small retainer of Vulcan soldiers, who by their dress were scouts, and readied to set out for the missing pair. All were surprised to see the head of the military ready to be involved so directly. Though Skan was clearly well conditioned and still had not reached his prime, his desire to be in the search party on the ground moved Amanda to tears. She thanked Skan with blurry eyes. Skan brushed the comment aside good naturedly, looking at Amanda and promising to return with her son and his charge. Skan had been a friend to Sarek since they were both boys and watched his son grow. Enjoying no children of his own due to a tragic accident, Skan had taken a liking to young Spock, treating him as he would his own son whenever they met. Although kept busy by the matters of the planet's security, Skan took pleasure in hearing of Spock's exploits. Secretly Skan applauded the desert treks Spock took, thinking back to his own childhood. Yes, Skan took this favor seriously. If anything should happen to the only child living that Skan could say he cared for, someone would find blame. His fellow warriors felt the thrill of the chase grow with the predatory gleam in their leaders eyes. It had been a long time since they had exercised their abilities in the field.
After Skan set out with his soldiers, Sarek ushered everyone into the informal sitting room for a much needed cup of cooling liquid. Almost immediately they began to make extra inquiries about the topography of the area, all known entrances and exits, and set reminders for sunset. If Vulcan was hot during the day, it grew freezing like Earth's deserts during the night. Spock was a resourceful person, but incapacitated in the tunnels with the young Uhura, Sarek was uncertain of the outcome.
INSIDE SPOCK'S MIND
Spock kept the meditation pose as he went over his thoughts, trying to control the surging tide of emotions around his cave. Spock let himself relax into the meditation deeper and deeper until he was processing a stream of recent memories. He came upon one that caused a great peal of thunder to sound nearby. It was Nyota as he had looked upon her after they bumped into each other that very morning. Now Spock began to tease apart the emotions, determined to prevent them from joining the roiling waves of his released feelings. Was it more than admiration then that he felt for this young woman? Spock kept coming back to the sight of her eyes, her mouth, the curve of brown skin illuminated by the golden pendant resting against her chest. Howling wind began to chafe against the stone and Spock reminded himself that analyzing the memories, not reliving them, was his purpose. Still, Spock recognized among the emotions a surprising lust that he had experienced rarely before that. His own intended was cold and calculating, keeping him so frigid by the disgust obvious in their bond that he rarely approached the depth of desire he now understood was clearly among the unidentified elements of his early analysis. Nyota was a rare Vulcan rain, pouring down in a deluge, practically drowning him, slicking his skin and leaving him shaking with a thousand drops of sensation over his body. As a boy Spock feared and loved the rain, its dangerous exotic nature calling to him. Once Spock had nearly drowned in a sudden downpour. He was alive with the fright of it all, supremely aware of the fragile nature of life after the incident. Somewhere another call of thunder came and the sound of millions of rain drops. Still far in the distance, Spock could only hope his inability to keep Nyota from his mind would not finish what nature had failed to all those years ago.
Spock hunkered down, ceaselessly evading the outcropping of thoughts of Nyota, laughing, smiling, thoughtful, expressive, beautiful, tempting, and possibly the last images Spock would ever see. One could have a less desirable end Spock thought with a rueful smile. He failed to keep her soft skin from his mind for shorter and shorter increments. Then in one sad moment Spock began to recall those he would leave behind. Faces of his mother, father, Earth cousins, and Skan in turn appeared before him. It would be difficult to leave this life he remembered. Spock gained resolve and redoubled his efforts at meditation, using his loved ones and a small twinkle of love to keep himself centered. It would do him no good if he could never express his sentiments to Nyota in person. No good at all.
NIGHT IN THE FOOTHILLS
Chattering teeth could not generate enough vibration to warm Nyota's body, neither could the long trek she and the Young Vulcan she had come to know as Saziz were making with Spock in tow. Spock was wrapped thickly in the comforter that had earlier been his protector from the heat and would be perfectly warm. Nyota on the other hand was making due with a leather jacket that was insufficient for the sudden drop in temperature. Angrier than before at her walking companion, Nyota had a permanent scowl lining her features and her hands jammed into the pockets. Saziz on the other hand was doing fine in the weather, having given Nyota his own jacket, but maintaining a steady body temperature by virtue of a regulatory system equipped for the hot days and cold nights of Vulcan. Saziz was practically skipping with delight as they neared their destination, pointing out the edge of the encampment to Nyota. Wondering at the placement of the camp, Nyota couldn't help but let a chill that was completely removed from the temperature run up her spine. If she screamed out here, no one would come to her rescue this time.
a/n: Please review and tell me how you are doing with the new things I have thrown in the mix. Thriller, love story, gentle erotica? I'm not sure what's going on here.
