The two of them stared at each other while they tried to disentangle their minds. Spock's was displeased with the parting and Marie's mind seemed almost sad to see the distance forming again.

Chekov swatted at Spock's hand trying to get it away from Marie. Spock grabbed the back of his uniform shirt and stood, lifting Pavel off Marie. While the two were lost in each other, McCoy and Scotty had circled around the table. Pavel squeaked as he was lifted into the air. Scotty tried to pull him away from Spock and McCoy went to Marie who was look up at Spock dreamily.

Bones grabbed her wrist and moved his hand across her face, looking for damage. A low grumble emanated from Spock. McCoy looked up and returned Spock's glare.

"Doctor. I am finding it difficult to restrain myself at the moment. If you continue to touch her I will be emotionally compromised."

"Listen here you goddamn pointy-eared hobgoblin." Bones said releasing Marie and standing up. "If you think you can ju—"

"Spock."

Spock dropped Chekov into Scotty's arms and walked over to her slowly. "Yes?"

"I think we should leave. We need to talk." Marie's eyes bore into him. The confusion and lust that rested in her gaze tugged cords within him.

"Let us go." He reached over and took her hand, pulling her up. The table watched the two silently leave.

"Holy shit." Bones breathed. Kirk came over stood next to him.

"I think Spock won this round, Bones."

They stood in Spock's cabin, looking at each other in silence. Spock could not decide how to initiate this conversation. He could not think clearly. The images of him and Marie together, were clouding his judgment. She walked towards him and held her hand up.

He moved his hand to meet hers and their touch set a wave of her emotions over him.

"I am glad you find my affection favorable." He sincerely hoped she did not notice the green flush on his ears and cheeks.

She smiled brightly at him. "We should probably talk about this possessive thing." He looked at her quizzically.

"You are not bothered by the bond?"

"I took a class on Vulcan history and culture. If you truly feel I am you T'hy'la then you must be mine. Soul-mates are not one-sided." Her eyes emanated gentle acceptance. Spock found himself comparing that look to the way his mother used looked at his father.

"I believe we should court in the human way first. It may be startling to our counter parts if we were to bond over night." He said softly bringing his hand up to trace the lines of her collarbone.

"And how do you think humans court?" She asked leaning into the touch. Spock tried to formulate a response but was too distracted by her fluttering eyelids and the way her mouth parted when she began to fall into his touch.

"I…understand that…perhaps…" he decided that any further conversation should be discontinued for the moment as her lip met his. He leaned down so she would not have to stand on her tiptoes to achieve pressure.

He pulled back and folded her hand so only her index and middle finger were extended. He closed his hand the same way and brought their fingers together. Marie watched the actions intently. The contact sent a wave of feeling up her arm.

"That…is how Vulcans kiss." Spock said in a low voice.

Marie kissed him in the human way again, swiping her tongue over his lower lip. Each kiss was quick and Spock found himself wishing he could stop her and take a long kiss from her.

He picked her up and put her on the small regulation bed, behind the divider screen. Her short dress had ridden up and he looked at her creamy thighs. She shivered when he rested his hand on one. The picture of her sitting so vulnerably in his bed was better than any of his imagined scenarios. He brought his knees to the edge of the bedframe and leaned over her. She laid down so he could get on the bed above her.

"You are very beautiful. Your mind is truly beautiful as well." He said as he fluttered kisses on her neck.

"I think you are cute too, Spock." Her hands came to ruffle his hair. A shiver racked his body at the sensation. This was precisely the reason he did not let people touch his hair. It was very sensitive. Jim had tried to straighten it a few weeks ago and Spock had struggled to keep face.

He huffed into the crook of her neck, nuzzling there. "I am a First Officer of a Star fleet vessel. I hardly think I could be categorized cute." He breathed her scent in. Lemony from the soap she used and earthy.

Marie didn't bother to respond because she was too busy playing with his ears. He let out a harsh groan as she lightly pinched the point of one.

"Marie. If we do not intend to fulfill bond tonight it would be best if you would cease that action." He ground out the sentence trying to restrain himself. Spikes of pleasure shot down his spine and curled in his stomach.

"Does 'that action' bother you, Commander?" She said breathily into his ear. A wave of heat slammed into his gut from her words.

"Quite the opposite." He said biting into the crock of her neck, effectively marking her. The moan he caused only encouraged him. His strong fingers ripped down the front of her dress. Marie gave a small squeak in embarrassment and surprise.

"Oh… I see." She moaned when his fingers began running lightly over her breasts. He moved down and tore away her underwear and knelt to take off her boots.

"I would like to restate…you are quite beautiful." Spock said drawing back and taking in her now naked body.

Marie used her hands to cover her breasts. She turned her head to the side as if trying to hide from his gaze. "It hardly seems fair I am the only one naked here." Spock nodded and stripped his shirt off. Marie's science based observation side idly wondered if all Vulcan males were so muscular. His hands reached down to the waistband of his pants but paused before he undid them.

"Would you like to bond tonight?" Spock said searching her eyes. He tried and failed to keep his gaze from wandering over her.

"…what does it entail?" She asked trying not to squirm under his scrutiny.

"For Vulcans, sex binds two people into a marriage like bond. I will be able to hear your emotions in my mind and sense your presence when we are near to each other." He looked away slightly and flushed green. Marie smiled. He was blushing. Even if he was a First Officer, he was definitely cute. "I also should inform you that if we bond now, the mating would cause me to become…more primitive. To ensure the bond will form correctly, I will keep you close. If we should bond we will not leave this cabin for 4 to 5 days...because I will probably not allow it." He finished and almost sounded ashamed.

Marie sat up and took his hand, not caring about her nudity. "Spock," she said softly, "maybe not tonight. We will be in orbit in the next solar system in two days and we will both be needed." His eyes met hers with understanding and sadness. "But when the time comes, I would like to mate with you."

Spock held his two fingers out and Marie returned the kiss. "Would you like to sleep here tonight? I do not think I'd like to let you go."

She simply pulled the blanket over herself and tugged Spock's hand. He crawled in to bed and covered her with his body. He buried his face into her hair and felt as though he was already bonded with her. His bare chest on her back allowed their thoughts and feelings to pour freely between the two. They fell into a warm sleep, assisted by each other's thoughts.