Disclaimer: All rights to Star Trek and subsequent movies belong to Viacom, CBS and Paramount Pictures. I do not own the franchise or characters, only the plot line.

Chapter Ten

At 1000 hours sharp the talks commenced. Mostly the Ambassador's and High Advisor are doing the talking. The demands are not long, nor are they outrageous. They were willing to provided the needed Zenite at regular intervals and all they were required to do in turn is to provide assistance when needed. Jim couldn't figure out why the talks were necessary. He was beginning to wonder if it was pretty much a way for them to meet the heroes of the Federation. He shifted in his seat and looked at the chronometer, 1200 hours. They have been there for a lousy two hours and all they did was talk. What he wouldn't give for some action. In the bed would be nice but that wouldn't be for a while yet. He came back to awareness when a break for lunch was called. Finally! He walked over to the buffet that the servants were setting out and looked it over. Spock came and stood next to him.

"Are you tired?"

"Surprisingly no. But I am starving." He grabbed a plate and started loading it with fruits and vegetables. Spock took a plate as well and filled it with food. He felt Spock stiffen next to him and a wave of lust from the person that had just entered in the room. Droxine, Jim grinded his teeth together. Damn female did not seem to care that he was married to the object of her lust. She still tried to flirt with Spock and touch him. She had been repeatedly rebuffed and reminded to not touch his person but she would not listen. Sometimes he wondered if she was brain damaged. He sighed as she made a beeline for his mate. Here we go again.

"Mr. Spock. Would you like to dine with me?"

"I am sorry, Lady Droxine but I am eating with my husband."

She shot a dirty look quickly at Jim before turning back to Spock and putting a sweet smile on her lips. "But surely you don't need to constantly hover over him. We can dine on the terrace that overlooks the gardens. It is a lovely view."

"I must decline your offer, Lady Droxine. I will not be able to join you." Jim and Spock could feel the rage coming off her at his continued refusal. Jim had an uneasy feeling in his stomach all of a sudden.

"Well, if you are sure?"

"I am indeed."

"Then you know where to find me if you wish to join me." She curtsied and left their company without so much as looking at Jim.

"I have a very bad feeling about her."

"All will be well Jim."

"I hope you are right." They went over and sat down to eat.

At 0200 hours after lunch had finished, talks resumed. High Advisor Plasus stood up and started to talk. "We have one more demand that we wish to add."

"Yes, High Advisor and what would that be?" Selek asked him.

"We wish to have Commander Spock become a permanent resident and Ambassador between us and the Federation."

"What would this accomplish, High Advisor?" Omal asked him. He could feel something was not right with the request. He could see the High Advisor's daughter hovering in the background and knew that she was interested in Spock. "You understand that his Husband is a decorated Starship Captain and that he would move here as well?"

"We will only accept Commander Spock. We here do not recognize same gender unions and once he is here, the union would be considered dissolved."

Sarek and Selek raised their eyebrows at this statement. They could see the Captain getting upset over this and that Spock was stiff and unyielding in his chair. They knew that Spock could snap at anytime if he felt his mate was threatened. He may be a Vulcan but due to what was done to him, he reacted in a primitive fashion. "I am afraid that is one demand that we can not acquiescent to," Sarek said.

"If you wish for us to part with Zenite, then you must."

"You do not understand. When a Vulcan marries, he forms a mental bond that is unbreakable with his or her mate. There is no way for Spock to be here without his mate."

"We wish for him to be our go between with the Federation."

"We could provide you with another, but Spock will not be able to do so." They saw Plasus look quickly to his daughter. She stamped her foot in anger and left the room.

"Another will be fine."

"Then we will talk to the Federation Council and have one appointed for you."

"Thank you. Anything else?"

"No, I think we should stop for the day and continue tomorrow."

"Agreed." They all stood and bowed to each other. One by one they left for their own quarters. Spock helped his mate up and lead him to their room. Jim was shaking in rage and Spock needed to get him to their rooms before he let go.

(Please go to AO3 for full scene: /works/6220474/chapters/14251831)