A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters in this story so far. I hope you like it too (and if you do then feel free to leave a review!).

The Dance

Vulcan Science Academy, New Shi'Kahr, 2280.126, 0007 hours. The three weary girls trudged through the door with their heels in hand, looking dazed and slightly disheveled in their best evening wear. Even Casey was quiet and had a far-off look in her eye.

Poleia sank down on the edge of her bed. "That was a most interesting evening."

T'Alora stood before the bureau pulling pins out of her hair, glancing at her roommate's reflection in the glass. "Agreed."

Two weeks earlier… "So the faculty have finally taken our opinions into consideration and agreed to let the Student Diversity Council host an event before the end of term to help students release some stress before finals," Casey excitedly announced the moment everyone finished eating. Max, Poleia, T'Alora, Magras, T'Mera and Woral all looked at her expectantly as to what that event might be. Finally Max prodded her on.

"And…?"

"And we've decided to host a dance!" she squealed with delight.

The only other person who looked pleased by this prospect was Magras. "Great!" he exclaimed, downing the last of his fruit drink. "Maybe then I'll get laid."

"You get laid plenty," his roommate quipped. "I see you with a different girl two or three times a week."

Magras let out a melancholy sigh. "I know," he replied, "My numbers are abysmal."

Max groaned and rolled his eyes. "Orions."

Off to the side T'Mera quietly conferred with Poleia, the older girl nodding her head. "I too am perplexed," she agreed.

Casey leaned in. "What is it you guys don't understand?"

Woral chimed in. "We are unfamiliar with the concept of a dance."

"Seriously?" Magras leapt up from the table before anyone else could respond. "Oh man, dancing is just…it's…I mean…" as he struggled to find the right words a curvy, red-headed, upper class student walked by bearing an empty tray. Catching her by the wrist he spun his unsuspecting partner around before catching and dipping her low to the floor. She stared up at him breathlessly and all Magras had to do was wink and flash his usual charming grin before pulling her back up to her feet. Grinding against her backside the two began writhing in time to a song only they could hear.

"Dancing is fully-clothed public intercourse?"

"Kind of," Max said with a shrug.

"No!" Casey and T'Alora cried in unison. Being slightly more composed then her roommate T'Alora answered more fully, "Dancing utilizes movement set to music in a physical form of creative expression and a dance is an event to display these techniques in a public forum. Magras' style of dancing…" here she looked up in time to see him whisper in the girl's ear before leading her giggling toward the exit, "is much more suggestive then others."

Woral turned to T'Mera as an unspoken communication passed between the young couple. Suddenly she asked, "Are there specific types of dances that we will be required to learn in order to participate?"

"No," Casey replied. "You don't need to learn anything; it's not another test you have to pass! The dance is supposed to be fun, just a chance to blow off some steam. We want to try and incorporate music from all the different cultures represented here on campus and don't expect everyone to know the dances to all of them; that would be impossible!"

Knowing that that answer would be insufficient for their needs T'Alora quietly added, "There are, however, tutorial vids available for download should you still find yourself in need of instruction."

Woral and T'Mera nodded there thanks then rose to depart, likely anxious to study and practice for their first dance. This left Max, Poleia and T'Alora with Casey at the once crowded table. The blond shot them all very pointed looks. "We're going to need some extra help getting the decorations and music together…"

"I'll help!" Max cried.

Poleia looked as if she would rather do anything but participate until T'Alora kicked her under the table. Suppressing a sigh she replied, "We will also assist you in-between our studies."

"Great!"

Vulcan Science Academy, New Shi'Kahr, 2280.125, 1850 hours. "Are you guys almost ready? The dance is going to start soon!"

From beyond the bathroom doors the girls shared a knowing look over Casey's whine. "We cannot hold her off indefinitely," Poleia replied as she smoothed down the front of her dress.

"Agreed." T'Alora checked her make-up a final time before exiting the bathroom with Poleia on her heels. Casey pounced before they had fully entered the bedroom.

"You look amazing!" she cried, circling them. "I love your robes! Are they new? I've never seen them before."

"They are the formal robes of our clan," T'Alora swiftly replied, "And until now we have not had occasion to wear them."

"Well then we need to start having more occasions for you to do so. Poleia that shade of sage green is just perfect on you! And T you should wear more purple like that, it suits you."

Poleia nodded her thanks while admiring Casey's dress. She wore a light, white shawl over a bubble gum pink dress that ended just above her knees; wholly inappropriate attire for a Vulcan but very modest and appropriate for a human. "You too look aesthetically pleasing this evening."

"Thanks! I wore this to my high school graduation—I'm lucky I even remembered to pack it with me 'cause I don't think I would've found anything here small enough to fit! Well, shall we go?" Before either could answer she palmed the door pad and stepped into the hall. Steeling themselves as if to do battle the two Vulcan women followed after her at a more sedate pace.

They entered the quadrangle five minutes later from the east side to find it transformed. Syllerian fire lights floated along the perimeter and yellow Terran paper streamers were twisted and hung around the cement pillars of the surrounding buildings. A raised dais had been brought in and several students were seen hovering over it setting up the music equipment while on the southern end of the courtyard stood a refreshment stand.

"It would appear that everything is in place," Poleia observed.

"Yes," Casey replied as she wrung her hands together nervously, "Let's just hope more people show up."

1940 hours. They quickly learned that Casey need not have worried about attendance. Those Vulcans who were curious about the event were prompt in their arrival while many others from the school trickled in in a steady stream within the first half hour. The dance had so far drawn quite a crowd and although the music had a good beat there were few brave enough to step out onto the floor and dance; most preferred to keep along the edges and form small groups for conversation.

Suddenly Max sidled up to the group with a cup of orange punch in hand. "This reminds me of middle school: girls staring at boys, boys staring at girls, everybody just standing around staring at each other. It's depressing." He took a sip and looked across the dance floor, a couple there catching his eye. "And what's up with Woral and T'Mera? They look like they're about to face a firing squad for stealing state secrets or something." When no one made any reply he sighed and set his empty cup down on the table before going still, struck as he was by an idea. Grabbing Casey by the wrist despite her squeak of protest he dragged her up with him to the music platform.

"Finally!" Magras declared good naturedly. "It's about time! If he didn't put the moves on her tonight then I would've just to knock some sense into him!"

T'Alora's eyebrow rose at her friend's strange statement. "I do not follow your meaning."

Magras gestured to the two who were now making their way to the middle of the dance floor. "He's carried a torch for her since practically day one! I've been telling him to go for it but he always—Gah! What's the name for that blasted Terran animal he always compares himself to? The one on two legs with a beak like a wallunka…"

"Chicken," she informed him.

"Yes, that's it, chicken! He always chickens out!" Nudging her in the shoulder he added, "I began to fear for the state of his manhood, if you know my meaning. He hasn't gotten—"

"We know your meaning," Poleia interjected.

Before T'Alora could inquire as to the depth of Max's interest in her friend a piece of music with a much livelier beat came on, attracting everyone's attention. T'Alora recognized it as Terran in origin and likely from the early twentieth century Jazz era that her Uncle Leonard was so fond of. Max took a deep breath and smiled while Casey looked around at the crowd in a mounting panic.

"Just follow my lead!" Max snapped his fingers then spun her about so her skirt fanned out around her. Poor Casey did not even have a chance to catch her breath as he led her in a lively dance involving all manner of acrobatic tricks. He flipped her over his arm, swung her around and set her on the ground before pulling her out from between his legs.

Yet soon they were not the only pair catching everyone's eye out on the dance floor.

As unobtrusively as possible Woral and T'Mera took up dancing in the corner and matched Max and Casey step for step, even going so far as to incorporate a few moves of their own. All the Vulcans silently gawked while everyone else began to hoot and holler in encouragement, a few of them feeling so emboldened as to try and join (albeit with less success) until the song ended.

Both couples exited the dance floor amidst much applause and while T'Mera and Woral shunned such praise Casey stormed off to try and get away from her partner. T'Alora and Poleia quickly caught up with her to help ease her distress. "I can't believe he did that to me!" she sobbed. "I was terrified and he just kept flipping me over—I thought I was going to be sick!"

Behind them they heard Max trying to reach them only to be stopped by Magras. "Man, I didn't even know you could move like that! That was awesome! Where did you learn and do you think you could teach me?"

"My grandmother ran a dance school, and maybe some other time. Casey! Casey, I'm sorry, I thought you'd like it!"

She wheeled about on him looking ready to strike while Poleia and T'Alora took up her flank. "You didn't give a damn about what I would or wouldn't like, you were just trying to show off!" She tried to walk away when he reached for her wrist again. "DON'T you touch me!" Casey stalked off to the other side of the quad.

"I wasn't trying to show off to anyone," he meekly replied to her trailing form. "I just wanted to impress you."

Magras came up behind him and clasped a commiserating hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps a bold first move wasn't the right approach," he said with a shrug. "Sorry."

Max sat down along the low wall and hung his head in his hands and groaned. "This is just like middle school…"

2022 hours. "Good evening, T'Alora."

She turned at the sound of his voice and nodded. "Good evening, Osu Telnor. What brings you to this section of campus this evening?"

His eyes flickered over to the middle of the quadrangle. "The dance, of course. I have never had occasion to witness one first hand." T'Alora did not tell him that she had, several times, while on-board the Enterprise or that those events were much more raucous then the one before them. "Have you visited the dance floor yet?"

She nodded. Nearly everyone in attendance was curious about the affair and the many Vulcans present were quick to realize the physical benefits such an activity presented. It would be illogical of her not to partake.

"Are you here unescorted this evening, T'Alora?"

"I am."

"Then perhaps you would indulge my curiosity and permit me the opportunity to escort you out onto the floor for a dance? I am most intrigued by the eclectic array of music being performed as well as the movements that are accompanying them."

It took all she had to suppress a full-blown smile. Telnor was a scientist and a gentleman. "You honor me with your request."

He proved to be a capable dancer as well.

2138 hours. The young woman's voice conveyed her annoyance well across the entire quadrangle—which was especially surprising once T'Alora determined it was T'Mera doing the speaking.

"I do not wish to depart!"

Woral stopped short, swaying a little on his feet but keeping his eyes locked on his ko-kugalsu*. As far as she knew the pair had been the talk of the evening with their newly acquired dance skills and no problems had arisen between them until after their visit to the refreshment table.

"You are ill and are not thinking clearly. It would be best to return to the dormitory…"

"I said I do not wish to depart!" Turning her back on him T'Mera made it four steps away before also stopping short. Her face quickly went green and she put a hand to her mouth before running to the nearest trash receptacle.

Casey and T'Alora both made their way over to help hold back her hair. "T'Mera, honey, what happened?"

Woral walked slowly and stood shakily beside the container looking green as well. "I believe it is something she ingested," he announced, "For I am feeling the ill effects of it as well." He looked to be on the verge of passing out and so T'Alora made him sit down and put his head between his knees.

When she had dispelled the contents of her stomach T'Mera slowly lifted her head up from the trash bin. "I was thirsty and drank the white savas-masu*. It had a different taste from the drink of my home yet it was still quite pleasing. I had four cups."

Seeing that both of them were beginning to improve (even if only marginally) T'Alora went over to investigate. She ladled out a small sip of the drink and sniffed it. No sooner had it reached her nostrils then she discovered the root cause of their affliction and she quickly removed the bowl from the table.

"This beverage has been infused with melted white chocolate. Given T'Mera's small stature, her genetic intolerance and the amount she has consumed it's alcoholic properties have made themselves manifest very quickly." Addressing Woral, who was now back on his feet looking ready for a fight, she added, "She should visit a Healer and acquire a hangover hypo to be administered along with plenty of water and rest. Follow these instructions and she should be well by morning."

Woral nodded, his protective instincts taking control, and gingerly scooped T'Mera into his arms. "Your assistance is much appreciated," he said before turning and leaving.

When they were gone T'Alora proceeded to dump the remnants of the spiked punch into the trash receptacle, causing Casey to sigh. "I feel bad that T'Mera got sick but all I can think of is what a waste of perfectly good chocolate."

2216 hours. T'Alora closed her eyes and allowed her body to sway to the beat. 'Dalfud' as sung by Nicorina Sarcosa was one of her absolute favorite pieces of music. As she danced she was unaware of the large man moving in behind her.

"It should be illegal to move like that," the stranger whispered in her ear. Setting his hands firmly on her hips he added, "Why don't you come back with me to my place and show me how it's done?"

Disgusted at the very lewd idea she elbowed her 'partner' hard in the ribs before spinning around ready to clock him in the jaw; only recognition stilled her hand. "Magras?"

"T'Alora?" he wheezed, holding his rib. "What in the name of the Mother Priestess…I didn't know it was you, I swear!"

"How could you not know it was me? And where have you been all evening? I have not seen you for 2.3 hours."

By now he had the good sense to take a large step back from her while his cheeks blushed purple. "Well, you know, there's a lot of people around and I've…well I've been busy…" Her infamous eyebrow rose into her hairline at his flimsy explanation. "With other girls," he mumbled under his breath.

Taking a good look at him now T'Alora noted the glazed over expression on his face and the fine sheen of sweat on his arms. "How many?" she inquired.

Magras' head dropped even lower. "Six."

"So then I was to become conquest number seven?"

"Well when you put it like that…" but the thought trailed off as he finally looked her in the eyes and recovered some of his previous bravado. "You still could be, if you wanted to. I hear Terrans consider the number seven to be quite a lucky number, pun intended, ha ha ha."

T'Alora stared at him for a further 28.4 seconds until her friend remembered himself. "I am certain that you do not fully mean the explicit offer you are attempting to make and that it would be best if we parted company so that you may inquire of other partners."

Without warning he grabbed her up in a bone-crushing hug. "Mother Priestess I hope there's more! This has been the best night of the entire school year! I hope they repeat this next year…they better or I might not come back! Ok, thanks T, no hard feelings, right?" She nodded, still trying to catch her breath as he set her back down on her feet. "But for what it's worth you did look incredibly sexy dancing like that. You should do it more often; it suits you!"

Completely astonished she opened her mouth to reply only to find empty space standing before her. As her mother was fond of saying, Magras was gone 'like a bolt out of the blue'.

2341 hours. Toward the end of the evening the dance began to wind down, as did the intensity of the music. Her feet sore from her new shoes T'Alora was content to sit and rest in the shadows along the sidelines and observe those around her. Poleia had spent the majority of the evening in debate with friends from her comparative religions course, an activity she found relaxing in her own strange way as it got her out of the library and interacting with other students. Glancing around she spied Casey standing a short ways away, alone and swaying to the music. Her friend had been quick to recover from her earlier fit of pique and had spent much of the night out on the dance floor (and away from Max) dancing with various groups.

She was about to move and join her when T'Alora noticed another Vulcan sidle up beside Casey and take her in his arms.

"Stalvek!" Casey looked about nervously and T'Alora rose to her feet to come to her aid, only to be stopped by what she heard next. "What are you doing here? I thought we agreed to keep things quiet so your father wouldn't find out! If he hears about you coming here and dancing with me he's going to know!"

"I understand the ramifications of my actions and I do not care; Sa-mekh may declare me V'tosh ka'tur* if he so chooses but I will no longer cow to his will. I have been observing you all evening and it was not agreeable to me to see you dancing with other men. You are mine and I am yours and we belong only to each other."

"Baby, I know…"

"If you would but allow me to declare koon-ut so'lik then these issues would no longer have any relevance…"

Casey scowled. "I already told you that I love you too but I'm not ready to go and get engaged or settle down and I won't be for awhile. I'm only nineteen and you're twenty-one; we have our whole lives ahead of us…"

Instead of hearing her out Stalvek cut her off mid-stream with a very public and very human kiss. "However, I have decided that I will wait as long as is necessary to make you my adun'a, even if it means my life."

She stared up at him in astonishment. "Your life? But why would…"

This time he spun her out toward the center of the dance floor and out of her range of hearing. It was clear to T'Alora that while Casey had her misgivings about a marriage to Stalvek none of her concerns stemmed from any knowledge of Pon Farr. If their relationship progressed in the logical manner and he did not apprise her of the biological imperative beforehand it would fall to her to warn Casey about the Fires. She would just have to keep an eye out on their budding secret romance for the foreseeable future.

2280.126, 0008 hours. "Tonight was perfect," Casey sighed dreamily as she sank down onto her bed.

"Your definition of perfection is flawed," Poleia responded, "As it connotes that the evening was beyond improvement. Indeed I found many areas of the dance that could be ameliorated should the event be held again in the future, as you have previously stated you are want to do. Also, I believe that the beginning of your evening was marred by Max's rather excessive emotional display."

Casey nodded along bleary eyes as she slipped out of her shoes and crawled under the covers. "It was, initially—but the end of the night more then made up for it. It's a night I'll never forget." She smiled in remembrance as her head hit the pillow. "Good night, girls."

T'Alora and Poleia shared a look as they went about their evening routine. They were unlikely to ever forget the events of the dance either.

* ko-kugalsu = Vulkhansu, fiancé

* savas-masu = Vulcan fruit juice

*V'tosh ka'tur = Vulkhansu, Vulcan without Logic