~~I OWN NOTHING~~

They did not arrive at their lodgings until late; it had taken longer for Nyota to prepare than Spock had anticipated. Of course she had to pack her makeup, sleep wear, face cream, and several small containers that seemed to serve no real propose or relation to their trip. When they had finally arrived it was dark, their room was small, but as Spock had put it, it was "Sufficient lodging for the intended purpose." There was one large curtained window that took up one wall of the room, a decent replicator, a sonic shower in the bathroom, a small table with two chairs and a large bed decorated with numerous green and white pillows. "It is small, but comfortable" Nyota commented, as she put away her belongings. Spock crossed to the window, "it is small, however I thought you might enjoy the view," Spock said pulling aside the curtain. Nyota peered out the large window. Below she could see a large lake that ran between the mountain ranges, the full moon reflected in the flowing water, it was dark but Nyota could make out large florescent white flowers that lined the lake. "It is beautiful Spock" She exclaimed happily. "This is Yosemite Lake; "Spock explained, "It was formed over two hundred years ago when the snow from the mountains melted and flooded the valley. Those flowers; Zantedeschia aethiopica sprung up about twenty years ago, they are native to Africa, however it is believed that their pods had been frozen in the ice here since the Pangaeian age and have only now began to germinate."

Nyota blinked at him, "You are going to make an awesome science officer"

Spock tilted his head slightly, considering her comment "thank you" he replied closing the curtain.

Nyota showered and changed into an oversized tee shirt while Spock meditated at the far end of the room. Nyota tiptoed about the room trying to ignore Spock, meditation was a personal matter. Spock had said he only needed an hour but it seemed to go by so very slowly for Nyota. She brushed her hair, rubbed cream on her face and hands, prepared clothing for the next day, all within a relatively short period of time. Nyota lay on the bed staring up at the ceiling, contemplating her half Vulcan boyfriend, who she was trying in vain not to look at. As she stole a quick glance at him sitting cross-legged in the small space between the wall and the table she wondered how long this could last. Spock was content, he was comfortable with her, and he was beginning to talk more about himself, his family, the Vulcan behaviors that few knew about.

Nyota tried to see herself with him; could they ever be a real couple? It felt premature to question it but she could not help but wonder if he could be what her parents called "marriage material." Etana had not told their parents about him, what would be the point of bringing up her boyfriend if it was not going to go anywhere? Nyota's parents were traditional, old fashioned, they did not approve of dating if there was no possibility of marriage in the end. Then there was something that had been nagging her since she had arrived, just how far where things going to go over the next three days? She allowed herself to indulge in the idea of him, stripped of his stoic, unemotional, control… allowing himself to do things that they both knew that he wanted to do. Just as she was beginning to fantasize about this prospect his voice startled her out of her fantasy.

"Nyota?" her eyes fluttered open to see him standing by the table, watching her.

"Spock…I must have… dozed off." She mumbled sitting up.

"You must be hungry." Spock said as he bent over the replicator, checking its settings.

"I was starting to get hungry." She replied. As Nyota began to clear the table of her cosmetics she could not help but admire his tall lean figure, as he bent over the machine. He wore black cotton drawstring pants and a fitted black undershirt. His physique was slender, yet powerfully built, she recalled the few occasions that they had attended the gym together; his Vulcan strength was quite impressive.

That night they ate dinner in their room, the small table was uncomfortable and their knees bumped beneath the table. The stew was watery and the bread was hard and tasteless, still Nyota found it impossible to complain. Nyota fell asleep an hour after eating, Spock watched her as she sleep, her hair splayed across both their pillows. For a moment he resisted the urge, she had protested before and he considered this, however his curiosity got the best of him once more. He touched her fingertips with his, she was quite content, she was dreaming. He regarded her in such a vulnerable state and decided not to press further into her thoughts. He would have to be so bold when she was more responsive, she stirred as he allowed the link to linger a little longer before withdrawing his hand and climbing into bed beside her. For several hours he did not sleep, his listened to her breath, he took in her scent, for a moment he considered the fragility of human life. She wanted to serve on the Enterprise; it was the same starship he was to serve on. Missions could be dangerous, her presence may complicate matters, distract him, he would protect her, he knew he would, in spite of himself he had developed a strong attachment to her that he could not express.

When Nyota awoke Spock was in the restroom, probably taking a shower she thought as she spotted his black shirt and pants folded neatly on top of his duffel bag. Rubbing her eyes Nyota looked about the room; it was still early, there was a dim light filtering into the room through the large window. Nyota rolled over and considered stealing a few more minutes of sleep when she heard the sound that had awakened her the first time. A faint beeping noise came from Spock's bag, Nyota thought it was an alarm; she stumbled over to his bag and fished out the small devise. She looked at the screen "Amanda?" She read aloud.

"That would be my mother"

Nyota jumped at the sound of Spock's voice behind her, "sorry I thought…" Nyota paused as she turned around to face him, for the first time since they had began their relationship Spock stood before her wearing only his pants, he had been in the middle of getting dressed. Nyota silently handed him the hand comm. She stared at him for a moment while he spoke briefly to his mother before she left for the restroom to freshen up and put on her makeup. When Nyota returned from the restroom she was wearing her underwear. "It's not nice to tease" she smiled as she glided past Spock who arched an eyebrow as his gaze followed her across the room. "Fascinating."

They skipped breakfast and spent the morning strolling through the surrounding meadows and hanging gardens, Spock stopped periodically to collect seedling samples. As Spock stopped to examine a peculiar looking fungus growing on a rock near a waterfall Nyota ran ahead of him, the large cascade that ran into the Yosemite Lake seemed to fall from the sky. Spock glanced over at her as she stood examining the fall her long hair billowing as the rush or water crashed down. Spock retrieved the small holo-camera from his jacket pocket, Nyota turned and smiled at him just as he captured the image. He had brought the camera along to take holos of interesting foliage but found Nyota to be a more interesting subject. He took holos of her by the lake, smelling flowers, and posing at the top of a granite dome. A light rain began to fall and though Nyota did not seem to mind Spock could feel his temperature began to drop, he warmed himself, not wanting to interrupt Nyota who seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. At last they went back to their room for lunch and to change out of their wet clothes.

Spock watched as Nyota stood in her underwear brushing the tangles from her hair, He always watched her, he was beginning to feel as if her were on the outside looking at her through a glass. Spock thought that this was illogical; he did not bring her here to watch her, to admire her from afar. She had said herself that he had been too embarrassed to treat her in the manner that she required. Emboldened Spock approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, breathing her scent in deep. Nyota spun around in his arms, pleased yet startled by his direct approach, he gently kissed her cool lips. He kissed her deeper his hands holding her waist, her skin began to warm beneath his touch. "Spock…" she breathed against his lips. He did not respond, he continued to kiss her hungrily, for a moment Nyota felt as if she were going to collapse. She broke away from his hold and motioned him over to the bed; Spock followed her obediently, unthinking, they were both acting on impulse.

She removed his tee-shirt, she kissed his chest, his stomach, as she fiddled with the clasp on his pants as he lay in the center of the bed on his back he was sure she could hear his heart pounding, he closed his eyes. This was not something they had discussed, he had purposefully avoided to subject, he now regretted this, there were things she was unaware of. They were not bonded, it would not be appropriate, he told himself though he still did nothing to prevent what was happening. He suppressed his natural reaction as he now lay in nothing but his underwear. "Spock…" she whispered his name again as she lay beside him, gliding her fingers across his chest. He opened his eyes and glared directly at her, he sensed her desire as well as his own. He took in the sight of her smooth brown skin and recalled the dreams he had had of her over the past week, just like this. His control faltered a moment too long. His eyes riveted to hers her rolled onto her. For a moment he was unsure of how to proceed, he needed to be able to feel her; he could not bring himself to ask permission. He grabbed her hand and linked his fingers with hers as he pressed against the thin fabric of her underwear.

Nyota felt his weight on top of her, as he touched his fingers to hers she began to feel as if she were suffocating. She felt his passion, faintly at first, the longer he held the link the stronger his passion became. His lips crushed hers in rough frantic kisses; his other hand was gripping her waist bruising her delicate skin. She felt the intensity of his desire; it caused her to writhe and shudder beneath him as he tugged at the elastic band of the thin fabric that separated them. Nyota froze, as she anticipated what would follow as soon as he was able to remove her underwear. She was excited, but apprehensive as she remember how much stronger he was than her; it had never occurred to her that he could easily overpower her. As he continued to press against her she did not protest, she urged him further rising to meet his hips with hers. Suddenly he stopped he dropped the link and gazed down at her, his eyes were wide and dark, he had felt the small pang of fear that had just bolted through her, unsure of what to do he attempted an apology "I am sorry…" he heard himself say as he glanced at the small purple bruise that was beginning to form where he had held her. He had succumbed to his violent territorial passion, almost completely. Nyota smiled up at him "Do not be sorry…" she began as he moved off of her; he looked away from her, ashamed. For a moment they did not say anything or even look at each other, Nyota decided to break the uncomfortable silence. Placing her cool hand on his cheek she turned his attention to her. She place bother her hands in his, she knew that her words would not suffice for him but felt the need to speak them for her sake, "do not be ashamed Spock, ashayam, I love you.

A/N: So close…poor Spock. PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE.