"Only one game tonight, Spock?" Kirk asked surprised as his Vulcan first officer rose from his chair. It wasn't that there was a problem with calling it an early night, but it was unusual. Two to three games was their norm, but it appeared tonight that Kirk would get a chance to sink his teeth into that new history book he'd snared on their last shore leave.

"Regrettably so, Jim. As Humans do not experience the telepathic marital bond shared by Vulcans, it would be difficult to explain what I'm experiencing right now; however I feel I must look in on my wife."

Kirk's eyebrows knitted together in concern and he started setting the chess board back up for the next players. "Is everything alright, Spock?"

"I hope so, Jim."

A puzzled expression played over Spock's features for the briefest of moments as he searched for a way to explain the bond in a way that Kirk could wrap his mind around. He realized he didn't owe his friend an explanation, but helping Kirk to understand might ease communication in future conversations. Perhaps he'd meditate on it and an effective way of clarifying the experience would come to him.

"If you'll excuse me, captain," Spock inclined his head toward his captain and best friend and exited the rec deck, moving quickly in the direction of his quarters. Crewman passing by in the corridors acknowledged him as they went about their business, but Spock barely noticed them. It was becoming more and more difficult to ignore the sudden turbulence in his marital bond.

Sadara was in no way the picture of the model Vulcan woman. She had never spent the time and effort that he had into learning and practicing the mental disciplines, but he had become accustomed to the lack of total calm. Despite the marital bond not being the still waters that he'd anticipated with a Vulcan woman, Sadara's presence with him always was still a mostly pleasant experience. She had a lively, energetic personality with a good sense of humor. Interestingly, the bond had made it easier for him to understand his Human comrades because Sadara was able to clarify things for him. However, she had never felt this emotional and chaotic through their bond before. Her emotions normally felt more like the ebbs and flows of gentle waves rather than these increasingly heavy ones angrily pounding the beach.

The merciful quiet and sanctuary of his dimly lit quarters embraced him like the long lost comforting arms of his mother gone before her time. Lowering himself into the chair at his computer, he programmed up a connection to his father's home on New Vulcan. Perhaps his father had noticed something unusual about Sadara that might help Spock prepare for a conversation with his wife.

When his father's visage appeared on the monitor a few moments later, Spock nearly breathed an audible sigh of relief.

"Greetings, my son," Sarek said, his tone serious and deep with concern. "Your communication comes at a most fortuitous time. I was about to contact you myself. Your wife requires your presence at home."

Spock drew in a deep breath. "Our bond has been… turbulent for the last several hours. I had anticipated that it would be a brief experience, but her mental and emotional state continues to deteriorate. Father… do you know what is wrong with her?"

Sarek's dark brown eyes closed as if he was loathed to say it. "Spock… Sadara contracted the… Pon Farr this morning when she attempted to stop a male in Plak Tow from taking another woman out of the building with him."

A surge of emotions welled up in Spock, but he worked valiantly to keep them from showing in his expression. His father would not approve of such outward displays of emotion. His eyes must have betrayed his concern for his wife and stepson though because Sarek's expression softened with compassion instead of the stern criticism that Spock had expected.

"The boy has been taken to his grandmother's until this has passed. For one who has not spent much time mastering the mental disciplines, Sadara is enduring this well, but her time grows short. You must return home at once, Spock."

"I will make the necessary arrangements now, father, and I will contact you when I know precisely when I will arrive."

Sarek nodded. "I will wait to hear from you then."

W^^^W^^^W

Kirk sat up with a muffled groan as the door chime sounded. Tossing his datapadd onto his bed, he pushed himself to a standing position and made a beeline for the door. Rarely did anyone bother him in his quarters after duty so it must be important and his mind shifted to ship's business.

"Come!"

The door hissed open to admit Spock who looked rather grim, for Spock anyway. Dread settled in Kirk's belly like a dead weight. Spock had mentioned contacting home and here he was at Kirk's quarters off duty. Something must be really wrong on the homefront.

"Whatever it is, you got it," he said simply.

Spock's eyebrows hit his bangs. "But I have not yet made my request, captain."

"Alright then, let's have it."

Spock shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't sure if he should explain the Pon Farr to his friend now or wait until it was his own Time. While Kirk wasn't demanding an explanation this time that would surely have to come when it was Spock's turn and his sudden, unpleasant behavior would be noticed. It was logical to take this opportunity to prepare his captain for this unpleasant aspect of Vulcan nature.

"I require emergency leave for at least the next seven days, possibly longer if necessary. Through physical contact, Sadara inadvertently telepathically contracted a condition that normally only Vulcan males experience. Without my assistance it is likely to be fatal."

Kirk's expression changed from one of concern to confusion. "Of course, take whatever leave you need, but what can you do for her, Spock. You're not a doctor. Or is it something that can be fixed with a mind meld or something?"

Spock took a few steps, his gaze not meeting his captain's. Not this time; the situation was too personal though there would have come a time when Kirk would have had to be told anyway.

"Not even a doctor can help her through this," Spock almost whispered, shaking his head. "Vulcan males typically experience it every seven years of our adult lives though occasionally others can accidentally contract it through physical contact."

"What is it exactly," Kirk asked, obviously still confused. Spock was obviously uncomfortable talking about it and that made Kirk concerned about his friend. Whatever it was, Kirk wanted to help.

"If you're too uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about it, Spock…"

"Interesting you should mention those sensations, Jim, because that's exactly what Vulcans experience in the rare instances when we must discuss this… subject. However, it is necessary to discuss it here because there will come a time when I must… endure this condition and require leave for it as well."

"Very well, continue." Kirk said, still giving Spock his undivided attention.

"We call it the Pon Farr or Time of Mating. It is a biological force that compels the male to return home every seven years to mate or die. He can only resist it or endure it for so long before the urge to mate drives him to madness. In the Plak Tow or Blood Fever, Vulcans have fought and killed to win their mates."

Kirk's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. He would never have guessed Vulcans would have to deal with anything like this. It sounded like the most hellish of tortures.

"But in this case, Sadara…"

Spock nodded. "contracted it from a Vulcan male in Pon Farr when she attempted to stop him from taking another woman in his madness. As her mate, I am the only one that can help her, Jim. She'd endure it for perhaps a week before it kills her if I don't return home to her."

"And when it's your time?"

"I will go home to her, naturally."

"I'll instruct the bridge to set course for Vulcan. And thank you for trusting me with that information. I know it was uncomfortable for you and I promise I won't say anything to anyone." Kirk said solemnly.

Spock nodded gratefully, a slight sigh of relief escaping him. "If you'll excuse me, Jim. I wish to meditate and get some sleep."

"Can't say I blame you," Kirk chuckled. "Good night, Spock."

"Goodnight, captain."