A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the lovely reviews they made my day. This chapter didn't end quite the way I thought it would, but I am much happier with the way this one turned out. Reviews are always appreciated, and I answer as many as I can, especially when you have a good point or ask a question. They give me something more to work off of than just my own mind. And to disclaim: If you saw it on the screen, I don't own it, mores the pity.

Gaila wasn't an idiot. Sure, people thought she was on board the Enterprise just because she was Jim's "friend with benefits" at the Academy, but it wasn't true. Well, it was true that she and Jim had some pretty good times together back in those days. She could count on one hand the number of men that the Academy who'd liked her for herself, not her pheromones, and Jim was one of them. She was one of the few who didn't care that he was George Kirk's kid. They were both scarred people who understood each other.

But that wasn't the reason she'd been assigned to the Enterprise once she finished rehab. She was just as smart as any of the other engineers on the ship. Hell, she was smarter than most of them. SHE certainly never ended up in Sickbay for grabbing something hot, or not using gloves when dealing with chemicals that could eat paint.

Gaila wasn't stupid by any means. So when she saw her cousin (really distant, like their grandmothers were cousins distant, so why did the old woman always bring them up in conversation?) Rea being led to the transporter room in tears, just before they left for Deep Space Six, she knew something was wrong, and she had to find out what. You know, since it involved obscure relatives and all. A quick hack of the computers and she found out that the prisoner they were transporting was Judith Peele, a name she didn't recognize. Nor could she connect it to Rea. Not that she knew much about her cousin, other than the fact that she was three quarters human.

Still not coming up with anything meant it was time to call the old woman. That conversation proved most enlightening, and maddening. Gaila found herself struggling with not going down to the brig and strangling the woman. Who knew how many people she'd slipped Nightshade, who didn't remember the events. The human could very well be a serial rapist, and she was dragging Rea, and by extension all Orions, with her.

That knowledge, coupled with Nyota's tear filled confession the same night led Gaila to some horrible suspicions about who Judith Peele had drugged. Really, who else could it be? Under normal circumstances, Spock would not have bonded with someone he wasn't in a relationship with, and he wouldn't have started a relationship with anyone else while seeing Nyota. It was really the only explanation for behavior so unlike Spock.

The only thing she couldn't figure out was who the other party was. She spent the four day journey to the station and the two days in orbit trying to puzzle it out. She didn't see Spock spending an inordinate amount of time with anyone new; he barely spent time with anyone lately. She hardly saw him at all, especially since he was now avoiding Nyota when off duty. He was playing hide and seek almost as well as Dr. McCoy.

Now there was a thought. The doctor and Spock. It was a thought that would give any healthy, hormonal woman some very vivid fantasies. But Gaila tried to dismiss it. She didn't know about Spock, but she couldn't see the doctor as a participant in any of those—activities. He wouldn't even join her and Jim for a ménage a trios that time he walked in on them, and Jim was his best friend. She didn't think he was into guys. Still, she couldn't discount the possibility. That could very well be why both of them were making themselves scarce.

Her suspicions were all but confirmed the morning the prisoner was transferred off the ship. She'd gone to Sickbay for her pheromone suppressant, and McCoy wasn't there to give her the hypo. Neither was M'Benga. When she left Sickbay and asked the computer to locate Dr. McCoy, he wasn't on the ship. He had to be on the station. Also gone were Spock, two security guards, and the captain. M'Benga and the security team were on duty by the time Spock was drugged, which left either McCoy or Jim. She was reasonably certain it wasn't Jim; he wouldn't exactly be discreet about something like that.

No, Gaila wasn't an idiot, and as far as she was concerned, McCoy had to be Spock's bond mate. She just wondered why they were keeping it secret. It's not as if it was against regulations. She would ask Nyota. After all, there was a big difference between telling someone something, and validating their own guess. Nyota would tell her if she was right, if only to warn her not to say anything to anyone.

Gaila waited, impatiently, for her shift to end. Nyota was getting off as well, and they were meeting in the mess for dinner. Finally, finally she could log out of her terminal.

"Gaila!"

She bit back a sigh when she was called by Scotty. She liked the Scotsman, he was great fun and ran a lovely still, but today she was on a mission.

"Scotty. You heading to the mess?"

"Nah, rec room 3. Settin' up for movie night. And yerself?"

"Dinner with Nyota."

"Ach, that's good. The lass has been lookin' down lately. Cheer her up, won't ye?"

"I'll do my best."

"A good e'en to ye then."

"You too."

The chief engineer continued on his way, but Gaila was struck with a thought. Nyota needed cheering up, and rebound sex. Scotty needed to spend his free time on something other than the Enterprise. And he obviously paid attention to Nyota. He seemed to be the only other person who noticed she wasn't herself lately.

"Hey, Scotty!"

"Aye, lass?"

"What movie is on tonight?"

"Oh, a real gem. A holovid of an old 20th century comedy. Spaceballs!"

"Spaceballs? Isn't that the Mel Brooks spoof of space movies?"

"Ye know who Mel Brooks is, lass?"

"I did attend Starfleet Academy, which is still on Earth. Of course I know Mel Brooks!"

Scotty looked at the Orion with a new respect. Most of the aliens he knew in school weren't interested in old Terran classic movies.

"Well, movie starts in an hour. Come if you want, you and Nyota are both welcome."

"We'll be there."

She flashed him a smile and bounce off. Now she had a second mission for the night.

"There you are!"

Gaila was late to the mess after running into Scotty, and found Nyota already seated. Gaila quickly made her way through the replicator line, and joined her friend.

"Yeah, sorry. I ran into Scotty on the way. I told him we were coming to movie night, so eat up, it starts in an hour."

"Gaila, I'm not going to movie night. I have stuff—"

"You're going if I have to drag you there by your hair. You've spent this whole week moping. I haven't seen you do anything social since the poker game."

Come to think of it, that was the last time she saw McCoy as well.

"I just haven't felt like it, okay?"

"Not okay. Spock bonding with someone else sucks. It really, truly sucks, but you knew it was coming, even if you didn't expect it this soon. But you are never going to move on with someone of your own unless you get out and spend time with people!"

"I don't want to move on, Gaila. Not right now."

"Too bad. I will not let you end up like old Cousin Trena, who became a virtual recluse and spends all her time with her plants. I 'm not having it. You're going to movie night, and you're going to have fun if it kills you!"

Nyota had to laugh at that, and Gaila smiled. She would get her friend back to normal. Maybe with a little help from a certain human. There was no reason for Nyota to be alone when Spock was moving on.

They ate in silence for several minutes before Gaila decided to bring up her suspicions.

"It's McCoy, isn't it? Spock's new bond mate? It's our CMO."

Nyota looked horrified, and she almost lost her grip on her fork.

"I won't say anything to anyone, I promise."

"How did you know that?" Nyota all but hissed at the other woman. Gaila just shrugged.

"It wasn't that hard to figure out, since I already knew Spock had bonded. A limited group of people went to the court martial for Peele. There were only so many possibilities. I just don't get all the secrecy."

"It's—it's complicated. They just don't want it known. You have to swear you won't say anything."

"I swear. You know, regardless of what people say, I can keep a confidence."

Gaila knew Nyota was hurting, but honestly, it was starting to get insulting, that Nyota seemed to expect her to just go running off and spread the latest ship's gossip.

"I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't say anything. It's just—this is really important, and I can't tell you why. It just has to stay quiet, for right now."

"I get it. Now hurry up, we still have to get changed. I'm not wearing this ridiculous short skirt the entire night."

With that, Gaila picked up both her tray and Nyota's and dumped everything in the trash, then grabbed her friend and dragged her out of the mess. She dragged Nyota all the way back to her quarters. She knew Nyota would show up in jeans and a t-shirt if left to her own devices. Jeans were fine, but she couldn't be too casual. T-shirts were out.

"Gaila, I can pick out my own clothes."

Gaila just gave her friend a look that said she was clearly mistaken about that, and started rummaging through her drawers. Luckily, they wore the same size clothes. Gaila pulled out a brilliant blue wrap around tank and tossed it to the dark skinned woman. It would look stunning on her.

"Wear that, and your black jeans. Oh, and heels. You have ten minutes to get changed before I'm coming in there, so go."

She pushed Nyota out the door, and went through her closet until she found what she was looking for—her favorite rose colored sundress. She hadn't had much reason to wear it on the Enterprise, and was glad for the excuse. Cute, and so incredibly comfortable. Perfect for movie night, all she needed was a blanket in case she got chilled. Precisely ten minutes later she was knocking on Nyota's door, and dragging her friend to Rec Room 3.

The room was already fairly full when they arrived. Word of which movie they were showing must have spread like wildfire. The crowd was usually much smaller for movie night. Gaila saw Scotty sitting with Chekov, and pushed her way through the group already ensconced on the couches and chairs, some already camped out on the floor. She smiled when she saw that Scotty and Chekov were actually sitting on bean bag chairs.

"Oh, good, ye made it. Movie's about to start. D'ye want popcorn or anythin'?"

Before they could accept or refuse, Chekov was out of his chair, faster than anyone Gaila had ever seen get out of a bean bag. He returned a minute later with two more chairs, and Keenser followed with a giant bowl of popcorn and tray of drinks.

"Have a seat then so I can start the movie. The natives are getting' restless."

Gaila practically pushed Nyota into the chair Chekov had placed beside Scotty, smiling to herself. That had been ridiculously easy. As the movie started playing, Gaila sank into her own chair, and made room for Keenser to join her before draping her blanket over her legs, making a mental note to ask Scotty how he got these. She absolutely loved them.

Leonard woke, feeling much more rested than he had before. He hadn't slept so well in two weeks. And no nightmares. It felt wonderful.

The good feeling lasted all of two seconds before he remembered what had happened. James Kirk, his supposed best friend. What kind of friend kept someone on board against their will, even revoking their authorization to leave? Some fucking friend. If Kirk dared show his face Leonard would hypo him with something he was severely allergic to. He wasn't going to forgive him for this.

"He was afraid of losing you, Leonard."

Leonard's eyes flew open and he sat straight up at the sound of Spock in his room. When the hell did that happen?

"I felt you retreat into yourself. You must not do that again."

Leonard looked around wildly until he realized Spock was sitting in a chair, not two feet from the bed.

"Get out."

"No. We must talk, and you MUST listen to me."

Leonard looked away, only then noticing the faint smell of incense. He saw the burner and meditation mat stowed neatly in a corner of the room.

"How long have you been here?"

"I remained with you while you slept. You have been asleep for fourteen hours."

"Well, I don't want you hear. Get out."

Spock visibly winced, and straightened in the chair, but made mo move to leave.

"What part of that did you not understand? Get out!"

"Once we are finished, I will leave and not return unless invited."

"We're finished, so leave."

"I have left you alone long enough, Leonard. IT is time you listened."

Spock was watching Leonard with an intensity that told him he was getting out of the discussion. Leonard pushed aside the blankets and swung his legs around so that his feet rested on the floor. It was then that he registered the fact that someone had changed his clothes. He hoped it wasn't Spock, but had the feeling he wasn't that lucky.

"Fine. What do you want to say?"

Spock resisted the urge to look away. His mate was angry, and had reason to be, but it was time they settled this. He would prefer it if Leonard was not so hostile to him, but he would not let that stop him.

"This cannot continue, Leonard. What happened is regrettable. Knowing how opposed to all of this you are, I wish for your sake that it had not happened, but it did. I was drugged into Pon Farr. I bonded us without your consent. I raped you. I would not blame you if you hate me. Be that as it may, the bond is indissoluble. It does not matter that you do not want it, it exists, and cannot be broken."

Leonard opened his mouth to speak, but a look from Spock silenced him.

"I can understand your reluctance, after what I saw in your mind," he ignored the angry flush that stole over Leonard's cheeks as he continued, "but it does no good to pretend otherwise."

"You don't understand a damn thing! And saying we're bonded doesn't make it true!"

"You will listen!"

Spock took note of the involuntary flinch at his raised voice, and softened his tone.

"Leonard, you are my mate. My spouse by Vulcan law and recognized by Starfleet. I will give whatever is in my power to ease your adjustment to this, but breaking our bond is beyond anyone's ability, ashayam."

"I don't believe that."

"Furthermore, denying this bond is growing increasingly dangerous," Spock continued, ignoring Leonard's statement. "My restraint is not infinite. You have been warned of this, repeatedly, but I do not think you are taking his seriously. Are you truly willing to endanger the crew, the captain, whom I could hurt because I might see them as a threat?"

"I don't give a damn about James T. Kirk! After what he did I say hurt him!"

"You do not mean that, Leonard. He acted out of concern, and fear that you would leave him. I do not say his actions were right, but you know how much he depends on you. Surely you understand that?"

Leonard didn't want to understand. He didn't' want anything except to be left alone.

"Damn it, what do you want from me?"

"I want only for you to stop fighting what cannot be changed."

"I can't!"

"Am I so terrible that you would prefer death? You do realize that what you did yesterday very nearly killed you? Why would you do such a thing?"

"Because I can't be someone's damn wife!"

Leonard surprised Spock by springing out of bed and pacing. He thought of trying for the door, but knew it would be a futile effort. Spock would be on him before he could even get it open, and he didn't want the Vulcan's hands on him.

"I don't like men, Spock! I never have. And I can't be married to one! I've been married before, you know. I know what being married means, and I can't do it!"

"You fear intimacy with another man."

It was a logical reaction, if Leonard's previous experience with males was rape. It might take time to show him that a sexual relationship did not have to cause such pain.

"You're not listening! I don't like men! It has nothing to do with being afraid! The thought of sex with another man, to me, is as unappealing as sex with that damn tentacled thing that took a shine to Jim on Omicron Gamma!"

Spock successfully suppressed the urge to shudder. He remembered the mission to Omicron Gamma, and Jim's near rape by a tentacled creature that wanted the pretty human for a new pet. Spock failed to understand how even members of the same species found each other aesthetically pleasing. The mucal coating on the tentacles alone was repulsive, not to mention it's single eye situated below was passed for an aural canal.

And this was how Leonard felt, not about Spock specifically, but about all males? Fascinating. No human males of Spock's acquaintance had ever professed to such revulsion to their own gender. Even those who only pursued women still found men appealing, as did he. To find that his mate opposed even the idea so strongly—this would not be easy. Simple fear could be overcome with time and patience, but complete distaste? Where did it come from, this being so close-minded with regards to his sexuality? Most humans were so very liberal with theirs.

"It does not matter, Leonard. The bond does not—"

"It doesn't matter?"

Leonard whirled on Spock, fury now replacing the previously held near panic. Spock realized that perhaps he had made a poor word choice. What had the woman said on the station, about why Leonard was so angry? Oh yes, Starfleet had said his opinion did not matter. Spock had observed that Leonard often had difficulty restraining himself when he believed he was being ignored. That would almost certainly extend to his personal life.

"Allow me to rephrase. It is irrelevant to the bond. A mating bond is based on mental compatibility, not personal sexual preference."

"And you don't care that you're bonded to a man when you were with Nyota Uhura? Or are you going to tell me that your bi now?"

"That would be the closest Standard term, yes."

"Since when? All of your partners have been women!"

Spock simply raised an eyebrow at that, the most expression he'd allowed himself since Leonard woke.

"I am curious how you know that, Leonard."

Leonard snorted at that.

"I'm CMO, genius. Sexual history is a part of your records, so we can test for and treat all possibilities. STD's from some species can present themselves years after the sexual congress has taken place. That's why your physical requires listing every species and gender of your former partners."

"Of course. I can understand how that would be valuable information to have on file."

Leonard almost smiled at that, and Spock noted that his pacing was slowing. He appeared to be calming down from his outburst.

"The point is that your Vulcan bondmate was a female. Apart from T'Pring during Pon Farr, there was one other partner before Nyota, and she was also female. How can you suddenly be okay with this when you obviously prefer women?"

It was a point that had been bugging Leonard. Unless the Vulcan lied about his sexual history (and if he had, he was a dead man. Leonard wasn't joking about the STD"s) his very few partners had all been women. Vulcan logic aside, how could he be so accepting of now being tied to a man? Why wasn't he doing everything he could to find a way out of this, instead of trying to convince Leonard they were married? If the damned Vulcan applied his intellect to dissolving this bond, they would both be free. Spock couldn't actually want him, so why?

"I prefer women, Leonard, but I am equally responsive to males. Due to a part of Vulcan biology that predates Surak all males are able to form mating bonds to other males. It doubles our chances of surviving Pon Farr."

"Fine, you can bond with men. But you mean to tell me that you're okay with this? That you suddenly care nothing for Nyota?"

"Of course I care for her, ashayam. She has been, and I am optimistic that she will continue to be, a valued friend. But she is not my mate. I would not dishonor you by pursuing her now."

"Uh-uh. This ain't my fault."

That remark surprised Spock. Leonard thought Spock blamed him for the end of his relationship with Nyota? Why would he think that? Truly, the doctor had a most illogical thought process.

"I do not blame you, Leonard. It is my fault, if it is anyone's."

"You didn't drug yourself."

"No, but if I had terminated out relationship months ago, as I should have, this would not now be an issue."

Leonard resumed his pacing, and Spock could not prevent a sigh from escaping. This discussion was taking on a direction he had not intended, and Leonard was missing the point.

"You should have ended it months ago? But you didn't. You stayed with her because you care about her. Now suddenly you end it, because of me. I ain't a damn home wrecker! I won't be! So get off this Vulcan sense of duty or whatever you have stuck in your cranium and go back to her!"

Spock had trouble hearing Leonard when he started speaking, but the last few comments were yelled at him. Was Leonard genuinely telling him to be unfaithful? Did humans not expect fidelity of their spouses? What was that term Leonard used?

"I am not familiar with the term 'home wrecker'. What does it mean?"

Leonard stopped his pacing once again and glared, sure the Vulcan was just being a smartass.

"You were a damned linguistics professor! Don't tell me you don't know what it means!"

"But I do not. I gather that it is an insult?"

"It's exactly what it says. Someone who destroys a home, usually by engaging in sexual congress with a married person."

Ah. Spock thought he understood now. Leonard's marriage ended because his spouse was unfaithful. He did not wish to do to someone else what his wife had done to him. Spock could understand his being so upset over so personal an issue.

"If I was to resume relations with Nyota, would she not be the home wrecker?"

"We're not together! Why can't you get that through your thick head?"

"In any event, Lieutenant Uhura has too great a respect for herself to attempt to destroy a marriage, ashayam."

"Stop calling me that! What does it even mean?"

"It is a Vulcan term. It means 'beloved'."

"I'm not your beloved!"

"You are my mate."

"Stop saying that!"

When Spock reached for him, Leonard all but ran to the opposite end of the room. Spock rose to his feet, then slowly made his way over to the now shaking human.

"Asha—Leonard. Why are you so troubled over this?"

"How can you call me that? You don't want me!"

"Of course I want you. You are my mate. A beloved mate, as our bond is so deep."

"I don't—"

Spock cut him off. They were at last getting to what he wanted to say, and he would not leave until he knew he was heard. Leonard must understand.

"Among my people, a bond as deep as ours is a rarity. Even my parents were not so strongly bonded. A mate whose mind is so compatible is seen as a gift. Something of great value."

Leonard backed up as Spock approached, until he found himself back against the wall. Still, Spock drew closer, until he was nearly pressing the man into the wall, saying things the human couldn't believe. When Spock raised his hands, Leonard could not avoid them, and found himself on the receiving end of all the Vulcan's thoughts and emotions.

"Logic allows me to accept our situation. Instinct welcomes you as my mate. But this—it is because of this that I treasure you, Ashayam."

Leonard could feel that Spock was telling the truth: the warmth and affection for Uhura were still there, but the intense feeling from before had transferred from Nyota to Leonard. Leonard was Spock's mate, that emotion was reserved for Leonard. It was that simple to Spock. Leonard could also feel Spock's pain at his rejection.

The light brush of an index and middle finger against his own sent a stream of desire coursing through him. He was certain it belonged to Spock. The Vulcan really did want him. The brushing of fingers, equivalent to a kiss for the touch sensitive Vulcans, evolved into a caress of hands that Leonard was powerless to stop. He could feel Spock's growing arousal at the intimate contact and pulled away, breaking the connection.

"No!"

"Leonard—"

"I don't want this!"

Leonard ignored the need seeping into Spock's voice as he all but moaned his name. He tensed, ready to fight, if the Vulcan made another move toward him. He cursed the fact that his med kit was over by his bed. He knew there was a sedative in there that would knock the Vulcan out.

"That is not necessary, Leonard. I would not push for something you are not ready for. I will wait—"

"And when you get tired of waiting? What then?"

That Leonard fully believed he would take him unwillingly was a fact that was no less painful for being expected. Spock took a steadying breath and stepped back, giving Leonard more space. He would have to prove his willingness to let Leonard control this aspect of their relationship.

"I will not force you, ashayam. I will wait until you are willing."

"I'll never be willing. Not for that."

"Never is a very long time, Leonard. But know that I will no longer allow you to avoid me. Nor will I actively conceal our bond from the rest of the ship. You are my mate, and I will behave accordingly."

Spock made his way back across the room, and paused in the doorway.

"Our shift begins in three hours. I will meet you in the mess for dinner once Alpha shift is over."

Leonard waited until he was gone to slide down to the floor and sit, wondering how so innocuous a statement could sound so threatening.