XxX

"After ye, m'lady." Scottie mockingly bowed as he opened the door. The restaurant looked like a casual hangout, nothing to fancy, with a bar on the far wall. People were dressed in all sorts of cloths, trying to attract the opposite sex.

The adjacent wall of glass looked out over the harbor and the busy boardwalk as the full moon watched over from above.

"Oi! McCoy! What 're ye doing 'ere?" I turned to see Scottie clapping the doctor on the shoulder.

"You invited me." Bones rolled his eyes at the Scot while I chuckled.

"Hullo Bones." I smiled as I took the seat across from him.

"Hermione." Bones smiled back, "Do you want a soda?" I nodded and let him order it for me.

Scottie's mouth made an O, "Oi! Right! Well, now that that's solved! A Scotch for the Scot please!" He called over to the bar chuckling.

I began to nervously tap my foot while they talked, wondering where Spock and Jim could be. My eyes stayed glued to the front door, waiting for them to walk in.

What could they have been talking about? Spock had said she – maybe it had to do with the woman from the hospital? Maybe Spock really did have feelings for her and he felt Jim was encroaching in on his territory?

My heart sunk a little. Spock did like the woman from the hospital.

I had to remind myself that this wasn't my time, these weren't the people that were supposed to be in my life, and I had no right to be jealous over any of my new friends getting along well with someone who obviously hated me.

The only reason the elder Spock had brought me here was to save the mysterious figure and help Spock and Jim. My mission was complete and I felt fixed, I'd learned I needed my emotions and that heartbreak would eventually ease up. So why was I still here?

Harry needed me in 1997. A war was going on. I had already let him down by ignoring his warnings and leaving with the older Spock. I needed to go back and right my wrongs done to my best friend.

I needed to help him survive this war; he deserved to live a full, happy life. I couldn't deprive him of that.

I frowned; he deserved a better friend than me. One who would listen to him and be there to always have his back.

"So, Hermione, how did you get aboard the starship?" Bones asked out of the blue. I froze, caught off guard. My thoughts instantly shifted from finding a way home to a plausible story.

Everyone had been so busy with Nero, no one had bothered to ask me any questions about where I'd come from.

Story first, way back home second, I thought to myself as I tried to make one up.

"I…um…" I rubbed my forehead and chewed nervously on my lip.

"You might want to come up with something better than 'um' before tomorrow." Bones teased as he threw back the rest of his drink.

Could I use time-travel as an excuse? They had just fought an enemy from the future, would they believe me if I said someone else from the future had taken me from the past to help save someone in their present?

I started mulling over ideas as they chattered.

"Well, the Enterprise gets a re-christening next Thursday. Engineering 'as been working nonstop to get 'er back to ship shape." Scottie said, breaking me from my thoughts once more, "We should be up and ready to leave in a week!"

"What?" I gasped, snapping my head towards him, "You're—you're leaving?" This was just too many things to think about in one sitting.

Scottie nodded, shooting down a small shot.

"Aye. It's a good thing the Enterprise didn't 'ave much damage except for exterior. Space waits for no one." Scottie cocked his head, holding up a third drink, "Jim is itching to go back out. I can't wait to see 'ow 'e handles Spock as 'is First Commander." Scottie slurred.

Bones huffed, "Yeah, I can't wait to see how I'm going to handle a year in space with that green-blooded hobgoblin." Scottie burst out laughing.

It felt like the walls were pushing in and there was nowhere to escape. I could feel my lungs constricting as the air grew thick around me.

I abruptly stood, "W-will you…you excuse me?" I didn't wait for a response. I took off towards the door, tears blurring my vision.

"Aye, she's had a long week. Let 'er be for a bit." Scottie explained, holding Bones back.

The wind wiped around me as I burst outside. I made sure to stay close to the shadows, avoiding any eyes that strayed my way. The sun began to set; violent reds and pinks scratched at the sky like my raw emotions did at my heart.

They were leaving. He was leaving. A sob chocked my throat.

I need to get back home, I thought as I slid to the ground. Pulling my knees up, I rested my head atop them.

I needed to stop being so selfish; I needed to focus on Harry and let Spock live out his own life. I needed to find a way home. I don't belong here…

Then why do I feel like I do?

I kept messing up everyone life; Ron's, Harry's, Spock's. Why was I so selfish? Why was I growing so attached to the people of this time? Why couldn't the older Spock just show up and whisk me away, back to my time? I could take the heartbreak Ron had given me, but I couldn't take the same abuse from him.

Ron didn't love me; I knew that. But the pain that Spock didn't either…the thought startled me.

Was I starting to fall—I quickly shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It was impossible; I hadn't known him for more than a week. Love took a lot longer to grown than 72 hours.

"I do not love Spock. I'm not even sure I like him very much – I'm just...appreciative…of all he has done for me." I reasoned with myself. "Besides, he is in love with Uhura – the young, slender, smart, beauty." I grew more depressed as I thought about all of her attributes.

Then why did he defend me to her? A nagging though persisted.

I rested my head on my knees, "He was just being logical; the peace maker."

My stomach turned as I thought about all he had done for me; checking in on me while I was sick, letting me stay with him and his parents, helping me find cloths to change into.

He was always making sure I was taken care of. The more time I spent with him, the more attached I was getting.

I suppressed the dangerous thought as I stood up and started to pace, hurrying to wipe my tears.

"I need to get back. I need to get back and help Harry." I said to get my thoughts back on track. If I had a Time Turner that would get me home, but I didn't. Maybe if I could get to Diagon…but I didn't know how to get to London let alone if Diagon still existed. Maybe Scottie could help; being a wizard and an engineer he had to know how—

"Hermione?" A familiar voice asked.

My head snapped towards the person. My eyes narrowed as emotions poured over me; pain, loss, betrayal.

"What?" I quipped, crossing my arms defensively.

Spock pulled back as if I had struck him, "We are about to order dinner if you would like to come in and eat with us." Fuel was added to my anger; he hadn't even bothered to notice I was upset. He didn't care.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving in a week?" I snapped, storming up to him. He was a good head taller than me but my wrath made up for the height difference.

"You have your council hearing tomorrow; I assumed that should take precedence to the news of my departure." Spock explained, his calm character unwilling to yield to my tantrum.

"You assumed wrong." I huffed and stormed back towards the restaurant mumbling to myself. I heard Spock's footsteps behind me. I dropped the door, hoping it would hit him and knock those stupid points off his ears.

"You alright, 'Ermione?" Scottie asked, throwing a shot back as I fell into my seat.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I smiled as I reached for the menu, trying to hide my puffy eyes.

I could see Scottie look to Bones for an explanation. The Doctor just shook his head. I sighed; thankful they didn't press me for answers.

"Stay away from the Star Dust Noodles. Trust me." Bones said, speaking from experience. He grimaced at the memory as he leaned back and rubbed his stomach.

I nodded and continued to look down the list. I hadn't noticed Jim till he called for a second drink. A vengeful thought came to mind.

Spock pulled out the chair next to mine and took his seat, looking at me like I was a specimen. I shifted uncomfortably and kept my eyes on the menu.

"What can I get for ya?" A cleavage-bearing waitress walked up, chew gum like a cow. The men acted like men, clearly interested. And the Vulcan acted like a Vulcan, oblivious. Once we had ordered, the conversation picked up right where it had left of.

"Did I offend you?" Spock asked after a while. Bones darted his eyes to us but kept to Scottie and Jim's conversation.

"No. Of course not." I snipped, leaning further away from him. Spock opened his mouth to reply but stopped as the waitress brought out our food.

Once everyone was settled, Spock leaned over to me again. I tried not to react as he set his hand next to mine, "Hermione, if I could just—"

I pulled my hand away and made a hasty decision, "Jim, did you have any plans tonight?"

I could feel Spock tense next to me; I smiled. I had guessed, correctly, that Jim liked to play the field and knew Spock, being my guardian, would be uncomfortable with his charge being left alone with the Captain.

Jim stopped with his glass on his lips. Scottie chocked on his drink and Bones' eyes moved between Spock and Jim, ready to break up a fight if one started up.

"N-no." Jim set his glass down, rubbing his neck. He debated something in his head before turning to me with playful eyes, "What did you have in mind?"

I shrugged, "I haven't gotten to see any sights yet so anything works."

"Would you like to go after dinner?" Jim smiled, leaning on the table. He looked like he had won a great prize, "I have a few places in mind…"

"Geesh." Bones rubbed his forehead, shaking his head at Jim.

"I'd like to go back and freshen up first, if you don't mind." I smiled as I ate, refusing to meet Spock's burning eyes.

"Not at all." Jim smirked, digging into his own dinner. I felt a bit guilty for wanting to get back at Spock, but another part of me said he shouldn't assume he had control over me. The only problem was the smaller, guilty feeling which was starting to take over and quench my want for revenge.

I played with my food while the others vacuumed theirs down. Spock seemed to be frozen in time, his eyes locked on me and his food left untouched.

"Can I get you boys anything else?" The waitress asked once we had finished. Scottie looked up, probably wanting to say yes, as Bones reached for the check to divvy it up.

"Pick you up at 8?" Jim asked as he pulled his coat on.

I nodded, "Y-yeah. That sounds great." I could see Spock's fist tighten on his knee under the table.

Spock stood abruptly and bid good evening to everyone before turning to me. I bit on my lower lip and started towards the door, knowing I had made a big mistake.

"You are not going out with Jim tonight." Spock said once we were down the street. His tone was finalizing, "You have your meeting tomorrow; you need to be well rested."

"You are not my father." I snapped, annoyed by his presumptuous attitude, "Besides, don't you have a mission to plan for?" I knew it was childish, what I was doing, maybe even a bit bipolar.

I wasn't any better than Ron and Lavender by playing with people's emotions, but I just couldn't keep my mouth shut.

Spock instantly stopped and stepped in front of me, blocking any chance I had for escape, "Is that why you insisted on going out with Jim tonight?" His eyes narrowed and his brow grew hard, "To retaliate for my not telling you about the Enterprises next mission?"

I refused to look at him as I seethed. Spock took hold of my chin and forced me to look at him, "Jim treats women like they are nothing but something to copulate with. I refuse to let you be another prize that he takes to bed and leaves heartbroken after he has gotten what he wants." Every few works his grip seemed to tighten, I grimaced, "You will stay away from him."

The tears budded in my eyes as my chin ached, "You're hurting me." Instantly he dropped his hand and stepped back.

His face relaxed and self-control took over, "I apologize. I did not mean to hurt you." His dark eyes were sincere and regret was building within them.

I nodded as I stepped away from him. A lump had already started to form on my chin, there would be a bruise there tomorrow.

"Hermione I…" Spock stepped forward and stopped. I could feel his breath whispering across my face as he tried to say what he wanted to.

I looked up to him, trying to fight back the tears and loosing, "I want to go home." Without a second thought, I threw myself into his arms and sobbed into his chest, "I'm s-sorry…I…I w-won't g-go out…" I hiccupped, holding fast to his uniform.

It took a minute for Spock to react, but eventually he did. Gently, he wrapped his arms around my back. He brought his hand up and slowly smoothed my hair down as he let his head rest atop mine. I could feel his chest rise and fall as he tried to calm me.

"We will find a way to get you back home." Spock stated. I nodded, the tears refusing to stop.

If only he knew that home to me was quickly becoming the room across the hall from his.

The thought terrified me and I could only cling faster to him as I gave into my too human emotions.

XxX