*Nyota*

She was stiff and sore when she awoke - and hungry - but she was also comfortable and wonderfully warm. She could feel Spock resting against her and his delicious Vulcan body temperature was superior to any heating device she'd ever encountered. Nyota sighed and burrowed her face against him as her legs unlocked and stretched out beneath her.

Her muscles twinged in protest - she felt as if she'd run a marathon the day before. Some of her contentment drained away at the discomfort and the rest soon followed as she recalled the disturbing events of the previous afternoon. Spock was pulled slightly apart from her within their bond, the mental equivalent of standing a few steps back from her where usually they were tightly embracing. He was awake and more upset than she'd ever felt from him. Admittedly they had not been bonded long, but she'd known him well enough to know he was not one to get worked up. He was Vulcan.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and shifted so that her face was looking up towards his. His face was a perfect mask of calm. It disturbed her far more than the turmoil she sensed within him. She didn't want to have to deal with Vulcan denial on top of whatever mess it was they were already in. Ignoring it for now, she turned away and pressed a light kiss against his chest before sitting up and swinging her legs off the side of bed.

Her head ached slightly from dehydration and she was terribly thirsty. Her teeth also felt horridly furry and she needed to pee. Nyota wandered into Spock's ensuite and took care of her needs. She looked like a complete wreck in the bathroom mirror. Spock only had a comb, no hairbrush, but she used it to straighten her hair as best as she could. Bites were visible peaking from the neckline of the shirt she was wearing and bruises marred her arms and legs, concentrated at her wrists and hips where Spock had held her. She spent a moment inspecting the bruises on her left wrist. It was particularly stiff and sore

Perhaps it was strained as well?

Try as she might she could not recall when it had happened. Or when most of her injuries had occurred.

No that wasn't right, she remembered Spock pining her to the bed, undoubtedly that was when her wrist had been hurt, but she recalled no pain from the incident, no moment when she'd thought 'that will leave a bruise in the morning'. All her memories of the previous afternoon were of lust, desperation and need, not pain or fear. She hadn't felt that he was being too rough with her at the time, when clearly he had been. She'd been focused upon him, upon quenching that insatiable need he'd inspired within her.

She had not been herself. Her thoughts had been crazed, delusional.

The realisation scared her far more than her injuries. What had happened? Had some Vulcan telepathic… thing gone horribly wrong? Had Spock unwittingly brainwashed her for a few hours? She calmed herself. She would wait for him to explain before she freaked out. Once she had all the facts, she could freak out at her leisure.

When she returned to the bedroom a few minutes later, feeling much more awake, Spock had not moved. She'd half expected to find him pacing or staring out of the window, wallowing in the Vulcan equivalent of angst, or whatever it was she was feeling from him. The stilted atmosphere between them was horrible.

Stubbornly she ignored his standoffish air and returned to the bed, resuming her previous position half wrapped around him. She could feel his mix of pleasure, surprise and guilt at her actions. It was unnerving for Spock to be feeling such a tumult of emotions all at once. Usually she felt only one emotion from him at a time, and very strongly. It seemed Vulcans were just as certain in their feelings as they were in everything else. He was a confusing human-like mess at the moment. He was also purposely not looking at her. Incredible.

Nyota sighed. Obviously he needed to get whatever he knew about what had happened the day before off his chest. A part of her wanted to brush it under the table, ignore it, was afraid that what he would tell her would ruin what was between them, but she needed to know just as badly. 'Okay Spock. I'm awake. Explain to me what happened.'

She didn't try and catch his gaze, instead resting her forehead against the side of his chest and closed her eyes. He held her against him, but very loosely.

His voice was detached when he spoke and his words were as well thought out as any he'd given in a lecture. 'Whilst Vulcans have a similar physiology to humans, the reproduction cycles of our two races are quite distinct. This is one of the reasons that betrothals are arranged between Vulcan children. The male of my species suffers from a fever which we call pon'farr every seven years. During this fever we lose our reason and logic, and desire only to mate or kill. If neither occurs the male will lose his grip on sanity and eventually die. Traditionally when a Vulcan enters his first pon'farr he will return to his bonded one and their marriage will be formalised and consummated.'

Whatever Nyota had been expecting, it was not for Spock to reveal that Vulcans apparently went into heat. But it fit with what she'd sensed in him the day before, the wildness of his thoughts and it also explained why such an advanced culture still practised the seemingly antiquated practise of betrothal between children.

'I should have informed you of this. I had not thought it necessary since it was thought my human blood had freed me of this particular need. I ignored the signs of my blood fever yesterday for this reason. I estimated the probability of my entering my time to be less than 7% and incorrectly assumed my lack of emotional control with regards to you was merely a product of my desire for you, my human blood, our bond and our enforced abstinence.'

Nyota let herself absorb his words. She wasn't sure what she felt exactly. There was relief that what had happened had a clear explanation, but his clinical words didn't really do justice to the enormity of what had passed between them.

'Nyota, I do not expect nor deserve your understanding in this… I have hurt you, used you cruelly.' Spock's voice was still as calm as if he was discussing Andorian syntax to a lecture hall full of students, but Nyota felt his darker emotions intensifying through their bond. The self-loathing he felt was staggering. She impulsively caught his hand in her own, pressing their fingers together so he could feel her lack of anger. Undoubtedly her confusion was plain to him, but she wasn't angry.

'I am relieved that there is an explanation for what happened between us… but I am not Vulcan Spock. Why was I likewise affected? I felt... mad… utterly insane. I could not think, could not string one coherent thought together beyond my desire for you. I don't even remember you hurting me. There's no pain in my memories, it's as if I was drugged.' She raised a hand to a sore spot on her scalp as another memory floated to the surface of her mind.

'You pulled out some of my hair at one point. I recall that I was… pleased,' she swallowed nervously, '…aroused by that. And I don't like pain Spock, I certainly don't like that sort of thing in the bedroom. Why would I react in such a way?' She paused for a moment before continuing. 'And… And I wanted to hurt you, or not hurt you exactly, but my need for you was violent. I was not myself. It's that which truly frightens me.' As her words tapered off she raised her head to regard him. He met her gaze evenly, but his feelings remained anything but 'even'.

'During the marriage ceremony of my people an elder initiates a mind meld between the male in plak'tow – the advanced stage of pon'farr, and his betrothed. The fever is then shared between the couple. I was not aware that the fever could be transferred to a human, but we are bonded, and I am part human, so clearly it is possible.'

'If all Vulcans go through this, surely you'd know how it affected humans due to your mother?' Nyota asked.

'Unfortunately that is not the case. It is considered extremely rude to mention pon'farr. It is not something we discuss even amongst ourselves. It is explained to us during schooling, but otherwise it is not spoken of.'

Nyota held back a sigh at cursed Vulcan pride. 'Okay, so you basically go crazy once every seven years and we need to have extremely energetic sex for a few hours to get it out of your system otherwise you might kill someone or die?' It sounded insane, but she'd learnt about far weirder alien rituals. She made an effort to be understanding. It wasn't Spock's fault he was Vulcan and his species had some weird biological quirks.

Spock blinked. Nyota could feel his surprise at her succinct and accepting summarisation. 'That is correct… although…'

He trailed off in a very un-Vulcan fashion.

'although?' Nyota prompted.

'Usually plak'tow lasts much longer than a few hours. I theorise my human dna has caused this lessening of the effect. This is favourable. I caused you many injuries over the course of a few hours. I do not wish to think of your state after two or three days of similar activity.'

Nyota felt her eyes threatening to pop out of her head. 'Two or three days?! Two or three days in a… a…' She tried to think of an appropriate term for what he had described, 'crazy sex-fever?!' She paused again. 'I'm never going to able to look at a Vulcan the same again.' It was actually kinda funny. The cool and detached Vulcans went into heat like cats.

Spock's grip on her tightened ever so slightly. 'Your reaction confuses me Nyota. Logic dictates you should be angry at me for causing you physical harm and keeping such information from you. Instead you seem accepting and even… amused?'

She paused, carefully judging her true feelings on the matter. 'I am upset that you didn't tell me. I hate the idea of losing control of myself like that. But I know you did not keep this from me maliciously. You honestly didn't think it was something we needed to worry about for a long time.' She tilted her head as she pressed her mind closer to his, reading his thoughts. 'You were distracted by our situation here at the Academy… And my teasing you yesterday made it hard for you to notice the difference between your usual reactions to me.' She delved a little deeper. 'Wow. You really find it distracting when I do that don't you?' She allowed herself a teasing smirk as she realised how much she affected him.

His continuing surprise and confusion seeped from their bond and along their entwined fingers. That she was teasing him during such a serious conversation was strange to him.

Nyota shifted closer, pushing her body against his in a hug and continued more seriously. 'I am not angry you. I do not hate you. You should have told me, but I forgive you. There were extenuating circumstances.' she said, letting him feel her conviction.

Quite unexpectedly he kissed her. Tremulously. It was a kiss he had not given her before. A new kiss. He had kissed her in lust, and in softer affection, but this was something else. It was a thankful kiss. She felt how he loved her, how precious she was to him, but most of all, how undeserving he felt he was of her, how beautiful and perfect she was. Tears pricked behind her eyes. A part of her had always felt that as a Vulcan Spock held himself apart from her, above her as a mere human, but she could feel now that it was just the opposite. He did not feel worthy of her.

He broke their kiss and murmured against her lips. 'I am unworthy of you Nyota, k'hat'n'dlawa.' (Nyota, half of my heart/soul)

She felt the truth of his words, the true depth of his love for her. She blinked silent tears from her eyes as words she had no control over spilt from her. 'Spock my love my love my love…' He kissed her again. At some point her fingers had taken up their favoured position, buried in his hair, but she now ran them over his face in wonder. She loved him so much – her heart was full of him. Her fingers instinctively pressed into his psi points and although she could not initiate a mind meld since she was not Vulcan, she felt their bond deepen with the connection. He pulled her into him, embracing her through their bond even as their bodies curled around each other.

It was perfect.

The trip to the medical centre was, in contrast, excruciating.

She tried to get some supplies from a nurse so she could heal the more prominently placed bites and bruises privately, but the woman had insisted on scanning her, and when she saw the read out refused her treatment if she didn't see a doctor.

Nyota was sitting on a biobed with her arms crossed and a pissed off expression on her face when a doctor entered the small consultation room. He was fairly young for a doctor and looked vaguely familiar as a cadet in the same cohort as her.

'Good Morning Cadet Uhura, I'm Doctor McCoy.' He was looking over a PADD, most likely of her scanner readings. 'I understand you're after some minor first aid for abrasions and contusions?'

'That's correct doctor.' she replied, trying not to take her mood out on the innocent man.

'Your scan indicates a bit more than a few bruises from a tumble cadet.' He shot her a concerned look. 'According to Starfleet regulations I'm required to ask you to explain how you received such injuries.'

Nyota sighed. 'I know what you're thinking and I can assure you that your assumption is totally off the mark.'

'Just the same cadet, I'd like to be certain. Starfleet takes assault seriously, and even if you don't want to report anything, I can provide you with a referral to counselling and other support services.' The doctor sounded awkward, but genuinely concerned.

'I was not assaulted Doctor.'

'Cadet… your readings look like you went a few rounds with a Klingon. An… amorous Klingon. I'm going to need a more thorough explanation, or I will have to refer you to compulsory counselling.'

Nyota lay back on the biobed. 'Fine. You may monitor my bio readings. I'll answer questions sufficient to assure you I'm telling the truth.' Although not as accurate as truth serum, using heart rate, respiration and other such measurements was still a valid way of verifying the truth and something Starfleet medical personnel were trained in.

The Doctor, McCoy, regarded her silently for a moment. 'Very well cadet.' He stepped closer to regard the biobed display and cleared his throat. 'What's your full name?' he asked by way as a control question.

'Nyota Chausiku Uhura.' she replied.

He nodded, seemingly satisfied with her readings. 'Alrighty, how old are you?'

'23'

'How were you injured?' he asked, carefully regarding the display.

'Vigorous sex.' she responded blandly.

His eyes snapped down to hers. Nyota met them evenly.

McCoy raised an eyebrow then looked back to the display. 'Consensual sex cadet?'

'Very much so Doctor.'

The doctor looked her over sceptically. 'Two cracked ribs from consensual sex cadet?'

'Yes.'

He looked back the biobed display. 'Well I'll be.' He glanced at her surprise. 'I'm content with your explanation cadet, though I might suggest you and loverboy exercise a little restraint in future.' He frowned. 'Far be it from me to judge darlin', but a man that really cared for you would be a lot more gentle with you.'

Nyota raised a brow but refrained from making further comment. He clearly meant well, excruciating as the conversation was.

'Now, if you'll please remove your uniform I'll see to your injuries and we can both go our separate merry ways and forget this entire conversation.'

That sounded pretty good to Nyota.

She hopped off the biobed and did as requested, stripping until she stood in her bra, panties and boots. The doctor refrained from making further comment, simply indicated she should sit on the edge of the bed and pulled out his dermal regenerator. He adjusted the instrument then began running it over the assorted bites and scratches she bore.

Nyota stared at the wall opposite and did her best to ignore his presence. She could feel him restraining the urge to speak as he continued. He sighed when he healed the nasty bite on the back of her neck. He was frowning openly by the time she stood so he could reach the bruises on her hips and thighs.

'Cadet…'

'Doctor. There is no need. I'm not an idiot, whilst my injuries were sustained consensually, it was most certainly a one off situation.'

He seemed reassured slightly. If he was a half decent physician he would have noticed that the bite marks on her weren't human. He was probably thinking she'd gotten really drunk and taken an alien to bed. Maybe more than one. A few Orions perhaps. Vulcans weren't the only humanoid race with different teeth to humans. She was confident the truth would never occur to him - he'd never suspect Commander Spock.

What was that saying? It was always the quiet ones?

Well that certainly applied to Vulcans. Apparently. She wondered how the hell they'd managed to keep their crazy sex-fever a secret from the federation for so long.

He finished and lingered as she dressed. 'Cadet, are you certain you do not want me to refer you to counselling?'

'Yes Doctor.'

'Well alright cadet.' He shook his head, clearly conflicted, as he left the room.