AN: There is a swear in this chapter and some blunt references to sex.


*Nyota*

Nyota was in a good mood. She'd spent her Friday completing her first assessment item for what would be her last semester. It had been a simulation scenario for her tactics class, and she was confident she had received a good grade.

Her bond to Spock had stretched as he left San Francisco to visit the shipyards with Captain Pike and the sensation had been odd and uncomfortable. Nyota wondered what it would feel like if she and Spock were in different parts of the galaxy. It was bound to happen eventually with them both being in Starfleet. The tactics simulation had proven a good distraction from her slight unease. It was 17:58 hours before she felt that Spock was on his way back to the Academy. She had not had a chance to talk to him more than fleetingly in private in almost an entire week. It had definitely been long enough in her opinion and it was difficult restraining herself from making plans to seek him out when he got back to San Francisco.

She spent the next half an hour going over some notes, all the while trying to ignore the sensation of Spock getting closer and closer to her. Eventually she gave up. She shoved her notes and her PADDs into her bag and headed out the door.

Gaila was out for the evening, dinner with her current beau, Kirk of all people, and Nyota knew she probably wouldn't be back that night.

Even though the corridor was empty Nyota made a show of chiming Spock's door, as if he was inside, mostly for the benefit of the security recordings, before subtly triggering the mechanism. It was programmed to allow her entry. As expected, Spock's quarters were empty. Nyota made herself comfortable on his couch and continued reviewing her notes. She found it much easier to concentrate knowing that she'd soon see him. Twenty minutes later she sensed him approaching along the corridor. She reached for him along the bond, informing him wordlessly that she was waiting for him. To her surprise she felt him respond with anxiety. Then she heard voices from the hallway. Spock wasn't alone.

She quickly grabbed her bag and PADDs and ran into his bedroom, shutting the door behind herself. She reached again to Spock and tried to communicate that she was hidden to him. She didn't really know what she was doing and only hoped her message got across. She felt his relief, and then heard the door in the living area trigger.

'God Spock, I didn't think it was possible, but this is even more depressing then your quarters on the Nelson. '

Nyota identified the voice as belonging to Captain Pike.

'It would be pointless to attempt to personalise this space since I will soon be departing the Academy again.' Spock replied.

'I suppose that makes sense.' There was a pause. 'This is still damn depressing though. Even a picture of that dust bowl you were born on would be an improvement.'

'If you prefer we could use your chess set. I am sure your quarters are more attractively decorated than my own. Are your collection of horga'hn statuettes on display?'

Nyota was forced to swallow a snort at her husband's dry reference to Risian fertility idols.

'Why do you ask? Hoping I'll part with one or two for you to take home to Mrs Spock?' The Captain was clearly familiar enough with Spock to realise when he was being 'humorous' as he put it.

'You appear to be quite fixated on 'Mrs Spock' this evening captain.' Nyota could tell from their bond that Spock had made air quotation with his fingers and was pleased with himself (even though he hadn't really used them correctly). She was more concerned with the casual manner with which Captain Pike was apparently referring to her. The fact that there was a 'Mrs Spock' was certainly not meant to be common knowledge around Starfleet. She felt Spock send her calm. Whatever Pike knew it didn't appear to worry her husband, so she supposed she would just have to wait. Perhaps it was a joke between them. For all she knew 'Mrs. Spock' was a pet name for his… hoverbike or something.

'Well I must admit I am intrigued at the thought of my first officer, and supposed friend, having a wife and never bothering to tell me.'

Apparently it wasn't a joke. Nyota could feel Spock attempting to think of a way to answer Pike without lying or revealing who his wife actually was. 'Vulcan bonds are quite dissimilar to human marriages Chris.'

Hearing Spock casually call Captain Pike 'Chris' sounded odd.

'Well do share Spock!' There was a pause. 'Well, that is to say, I am curious but if you'd really rather not talk about it I'll stop teasing you Spock.'

'It is acceptable enough to speak of, though I had no wish to have such a discussion in front of Lieutenant Vanka or the supervisors.' Spock was still attempting to think of a decent explanation. Nyota could tell he was more or less stalling for time.

She heard the Captain order himself a whiskey from the replicator in Spock's living quarters and then movement as he settled himself on the couch. She held back a sigh. Great. Now she was stuck for god knows how long while Captain Pike drank whiskey and interrogated Spock. She looked at the window speculatively. She didn't doubt she could get out that way, but Spock's quarters were on the fifth floor sadly.

There was a clinking noise that Nyota thought was Pike setting up Spock's 3D chess set. Nyota bit her lip and sighed softly. 3D chess could take hours.

'Well they aren't here now Spock.'

She restrained the urge to press an ear to the door. Despite her desire to be elsewhere, she was curious about what Spock was going to say. He was going to have to be pretty inventive not to lie, and creativity was not one of his strengths.

'Vulcans are usually betrothed for many years before an actual marriage ceremony takes place.' Nyota raised an eyebrow sceptically. She had no idea where Spock was going with his explanation. They certainly hadn't been 'betrothed for many years'. 'My wife and I only recently completed our marriage bond. This is why you have not heard me speak of it.'

Well, it was boring enough to sound believable, and both statements were technically true. In a manner of speaking.

'Oh.' Pike sounded almost disappointed. Maybe he had been hoping for a more exciting story. 'Well congratulations Spock. I hope I get to meet this tall, dark-haired, 'exceedingly aesthetically attractive' wife of yours.'

'I am certain that you will meet her prior to the launch of the Enterprise.' Nyota rolled her eyes. Yes he certainly would. Had already in fact, if passing her around campus counted. She wondered what Pike's reaction was actually going to be when Spock did introduce her in a few months' time. Surprise, no doubt, she just hoped he wouldn't hold anything against Spock for not being completely forth right with him.

'Good to hear! What was her name again? I'll need to start practising if I want to get it right.'

Spock hesitated and Nyota felt that it was because he knew she was listening. 'S'chn T'gai Ny'ota'

She felt herself blush like a school girl at hearing her named as a member of Spock's house. It was very different hearing him say it rather than T'Sul. She had an urge to start practising it as a signature. The subtle emphasise he'd placed on her name made it sound Vulcan instead of Swahili. She let herself softly mouth it back to herself as she made her way to Spock's bed and lay down.

She had no desire to spend the next few hours listening in on Spock and Captain Pike playing chess. She was immensely glad that she'd bought her notes with her. Quietly she arranged her PADDs on the bed and started reading. She did her best to block out the distracting conversation she could hear form the living area.

She was able to persevere for an hour and half before she grew well and truly frustrated. She found herself recalling the last time she'd been in Spock's bed. The previous Tuesday afternoon she'd stopped by for a few hours and they'd spent the duration of her visit there. She'd been daydreaming about that visit for some time before she felt Spock's agitation through the bond. She smiled to herself. She hadn't actively been trying to torment him. Pulling out her notes again she attempted to behave. She had been re-reading the same page of text on the Bajoran occupation for ten minutes, over and over without absorbing a single word, when she had an idea.

Fishing around her bag she pulled out her comm unit and adjusted the pick-up sensitivity. She then quietly made her way to Spock's bathroom, as far as possible from the Captain as she could get, and recorded a short message in High Vulcan. It was unlikely that Pike was fluent in standard Vulcan, but she didn't want to take the risk. She routed the message off one of the civilian subspace relays near Mars so it would look like it came from outside the solar system. It took several minutes for the message to make its way to Mars and back via the slow civilian relays and Spock could tell she was planning something. Pike, meanwhile, was regaling Spock with a story about skiing of all things when Spock's comm console chimed with an incoming message.

'Is it important Spock?'

She heard Spock stand and walk to the main console in the living area and then his voice. 'I am not expecting any communication. Computer, identify incoming message.'

/message routing code 87V-113 sender identified as: / There was a fractional pause as the computer's voice was replaced with her own. / 'S'chn T'gai Ny'ota'/ Her accent was dead on if she did say so herself.

Nyota prayed Spock would be sly enough to use it as an excuse to curtail the Captain's visit. The actual message itself just said that it was very lonely in his bedroom.

'Oh! Your wife Spock!' The Captain sounded honestly delighted. It appeared her prayers wouldn't be necessary. 'I'll take my leave. We can finish the game tomorrow evening maybe?' She could hear Pike standing to leave, the clink of a whiskey glass being placed on Spock's coffee table.

'That would be most enjoyable Chris.'

'Pass on my well wishes to the lovely lady. Goodnight Spock.'

A moment later the door opened and closed.

Nyota didn't move, just in case. A few seconds later Spock appeared in the doorway. 'Precisely what are you doing in my quarters cadet?' He was holding a few PADDs which he placed on the bedside table.

Nyota looked up from her position sprawled across the bed on her stomach. 'Precisely sir? Well, I was going over my notes for interspecies ethics actually. But you and the Captain were so noisy I was finding it quite impossible to concentrate and I fear my thoughts may have drifted into other subjects, still relevant to my studies of course.'

Spock came to stand beside her. 'Indeed. Relevant to your studies in what way cadet?'

Nyota smirked, 'Well, whilst not part of the syllabus I assure you they were still very much related to the topic at hand.'

Spock picked up a PADD off the bedspread. 'I am uncertain how what you were contemplating in such detail could in any estimation be related to the Cardassian occupation of Bajor.'

She shrugged slightly. 'Perhaps not to the specific topics covered in this week's lecture sir, but I assure you my contemplations were exceedingly relevant to the main aspirations of the field of Interspecies Ethics, namely Interspecies harmony and diplomacy.'

Spock raised an eyebrow. 'I do not follow cadet. I think you will have to provide me with a demonstration.'

Nyota smiled. 'Very well Commander.'


*Spock*

Spock realised something was wrong an hour later, when he climaxed into his panting wife for a third time and found himself still unsatisfied. Nyota was above him, her hands braced against his shoulders. Her breath came in pants and he could feel her lazy satisfaction and love through their bond. She smiled at him and leant down to kiss him gently. Spock was distracted, trying to assimilate all the information available to understand what was occurring.

He could feel his thoughts becoming more difficult to control. He had felt similar 31.2 days earlier when Nyota had been teasing him during his Phonology lecture. He pulled his lips from hers ignoring her huff of displeasure. 'Nyota.'

She stilled against him, sensing his unease. 'Spock? What's wrong?'

Wordlessly Spock pressed his fingertips to hers - he would not risk melding with her- so she could sense the disruption within him. He felt her shock and understanding. Her eyes widened. 'Again? How is that possible?' She shifted against him so that she rested more beside than on top of him and could meet his gaze easily. Spock had to forcefully ignored the urge to flip her on her back and have her again.

'I did not realise it was possible. I have one theory however.' He pulled her closer, turning on his side so he could face her. He leant forward and pressed his face against her, inhaling deeply. Even though his actions confused her, she tilted her head back to give him room to explore the skin of her chest and neck. He could smell her shampoo, her perfume and the salt of her skin. The grip he held on her hip increased slightly. Her skin felt slightly warmer than normal, but there was something else as well. The scent that he identified as her base natural scent was much stronger than usual.

'You smell different.' He breathed her in again and felt his arousal deepen. He slid his hand slowly up along then back down her side. She twisted slightly under his caress. The curve of her was enticingly female. He let his hand settle once more on the flare of her hip, massaging her temptingly soft flesh. He licked her skin beneath her collarbone and felt her shiver against him. The deep, possessive sinkhole of feelings he held in check for her was threatening to overwhelm his control. He resisted the urge to bite her, mark her.

'Spock?'

He hummed a vague reply and breathed deeply, his mouth pressed against her. She smelt so good. Her scent was concentrated, blooming, ripe. He remembered smelling her from across the lecture hall the month before, her desire seeming to magnifying her scent. He wondered idly if this was what an Orion female smelt like to a human male. He could feel her pleasure and desire through their fingertips, fanning his own desire - tempting him to put logic and reason aside - but he also felt her anxiety. Her fear. It was enough for him to regain momentary control of his roiling emotions. Abruptly he pulled himself out of her arms and stood. It was one of the most difficult things he had ever done. He did not look at her, he knew if he did he would simply get back into bed with her. 'Nyota you must leave.'

She sat up, pulling the sheets around herself. 'Spock what's happening?'

'I am uncertain as to the specifics, but I believe you are ovulating and this is somehow affecting me.'

He felt her confusion through the bond, along with embarrassment at his blunt reference to a biological function which humans did not usually discuss. 'I am? How can you even tell? I can't.'

Spock tried to calm his thoughts. He clenched his jaw muscles and counted his breaths. 'I will explain this to you in full at a later time Nyota. Please. You must leave.' He closed his eyes and focussed on a breathing exercise while his wife hurriedly dressed and gathered her belongings. Feeling her nearby, smelling her, knowing her warm body was so near and remaining still was torturous.

'Should I contact medical? Perhaps they could sedate you?' He sensed her fear. He realised that a large portion of it was fear for him. She did not wish to leave him alone, even when he was a danger to her. Illogical human compassion.

'I do not believe this is true pon'farr Nyota. It will pass. I will contact you when it is safe to do so.'

She hesitated in the darkened room for a few moments. 'Very well Spock.' He stayed absolutely still until he heard the door to his quarters slide shut behind him. Moving quickly he gathered up his sheets and bedding and tossed them in the recycler then opened the windows in an attempt to clear out the lingering scent of her. He then had a thorough shower to rid his body of the same. He felt marginally more in control. This reinforced his suspicion.

He spent a futile hour in front of his asenoi, attempting to meditate. Across the Academy campus he could feel Nyota 1032 meters away from him. Her presence pulled at him. The meditative exercises he attempted enabled him to resist the urge to go to her, but they certainly bought him no calm.

In desperation he donned his riding gear and headed for the garage beneath the faculty accommodation building. He encountered two other teaching staff in the halls and was able to nod to them in acknowledgement despite his desire to yell at them instead. He was exceedingly conscious that he was moving away from his wife not towards her. He rode faster and more recklessly than was his custom. Out of habit he took the route to the Riverside Shipyard but kept going long after the Enterprise had vanished over the horizon behind him. He rode until his mind felt somewhat calmed and rational once more.

The sun had risen before he felt in control enough to turn his hoverbike around. By the time he returned to the Academy it was 14:38 hours. He was tired but no longer fighting the urge to break down Nyota's dorm door and fuck her into her mattress. Although clearly he was not entirely himself since he was utilising terran profanity in his thoughts.

Nyota's worry permeated their bond. Spock took a moment to send her reassurance that he was unharmed. His quarters still smelt of her, but only faintly due to the windows being open all night. He was relieved when the scent did not trigger any particularly violent reaction.

He drank a glass of spice tea and meditated for an hour. He then showered again. When he felt more or less like himself again, collected and in control of his emotions, he seated himself in front of his comm console. It took several minutes to route a direct subspace line to Vulcan along the subspace relays between the Sol and 40 Eridani A systems and from there to his mother's personal communicator frequency. She answered within 37 seconds of him making the connection however. It was early morning on Vulcan. She was still dressed in the robe she used as a dressing gown as she broke her fast. Her face lit up with an extremely human smile as she took him in.

'Spock! How lovely to see you!'

'Mother, you are looking well.' She was. Despite nearing middle age his mother remained in remarkable physical condition.

'As are you, I am pleased to see you looking like yourself again.' When last Spock had last spoken to her he had been still recovering from his injury aboard the Nelson. '… And gratified that you have avoided exploding warp cores for several months now.'

'Indeed. You may rest assured I will certainly not be seeking any out in the future mother.'

She smiled again, but it was a teasing smile. 'So, you have finally decided to tell me have you?'

Spock raised an eyebrow in query. 'I am uncertain of your meaning mother.'

'Your father didn't notice of course, he tries so hard not to feel you, but I did. When will you bring her?' His mother looked positively giddy.

Spock tried to follow her words. 'I remain at a lost as to your meaning mother.'

Amanda Grayson broke into a full smile. 'You have bonded. I have felt her within you, beside you.'

Spock was unable to keep the shock off his face, Vulcan or no. 'How could you know this mother?'

'You are my son Spock, I always feel you. I noticed something many months past. Some change within you. Then I thought I sensed another when you were so badly injured. Sarek did not, but I was almost certain.' Her smile had faded as she spoke of his brush with death. 'Then two months past, on your return to Earth, I felt your joy.' She closed her eyes, smiling softly. Spock felt their bond grow between them as she reached out and touched him across 15 lightyears of vacuum. 'When I reach to you, I feel her beside you,' Her eyes opened. ' t'du adun'a(your wife).'

Spock was at a loss. He recalled the healer T'Sul's words regarding the strength of his bond with his human mother, clearly she had not been exaggerating. 'It is as you say mother. I have bonded.'

His mother looked like she might cry. He hoped this was not the case. 'Oh Spock! I'm so happy! When can I meet her? What's her name? What does she look like?'

Spock answered her inquiries in order. 'I am pleased you are happy for me mother. I am uncertain when you can meet her. Her name is Nyota Uhura and she is,' he paused for a moment and instead of saying 'aesthetically attractive.' found himself saying '... very beautiful.'

His mother's smile widened even further. 'I am sure she is also very brilliant to have caught your attention my son. What does she do?'

'Nyota is a Xenolinguistics and Communications specialist. She is currently fluent in 82% of the languages spoken with the Federation. Her skill is quite unparalleled in this field.'

'82%? That is impressive. Does she teach at the Academy? Or did you meet her whilst serving aboard a ship?'

'Negative. Nyota is currently completing her final semester of study at the Academy.' He paused, uncertain how his mother would respond. 'She was my teaching aide for two years prior to my time aboard the Nelson.'

His mother raised an eyebrow in what Spock thought was disapproval. 'A student?' She lapsed into silence for a period of 5 seconds before shaking her head and laughing shortly. 'A student Spock!' She sighed at him but still smiled. 'Nothing is ever simple where you are involved.'

'I fail to see how you find the situation amusing mother, it has been the cause of considerable consternation.' He was relieved she didn't appear to disapprove however.

'She is the reason you suddenly accepted a fleet posting?' His mother surmised.

'Affirmative.'

'And she is the reason you are not… that you did not succumb to your injuries?' His mother's smile vanished as she mentioned his injury again.

'Indeed. It was most curious. According to the healer T'Sul we had bonded in a manner not dissimilar to that of a betrothal and through that connection Nyota was able to regulate my metabolic functions when I could not.' He stopped himself from explaining in more detail, even though it had been a fascinating experience, since he assumed his mother would not wish to be reminded of the severity of his injury.

'Nyota.' She repeated the name thoughtfully. 'Swahili? So she is human?' His mother the linguist identified his wife's race easily.

Spock nodded. 'Yes. Her family are from Nairobi, though it is my understanding she was in fact born on Andoria.' At his mother's curious expression he elaborated. 'Her mother, Tamu Uhura, is a diplomat and her father Commander Zuberi Uhura is a member of Starfleet. Both were stationed there.'

'She sounds a well suited match for you Spock, however I must admit I'm surprised. I had thought if you married it would be to a Vulcan woman. You are so very like your father.' his mother said.

'Who if you recall married a human.' Spock pointed out.

She rolled her eyes and smiled. 'How silly of me, I had quite forgotten.' She frowned slightly. 'Your father, he will be difficult.'

'I am aware.'

'He has been particularly… logical of late.' His mother had a habit of using the term in a manner that implied the exact opposite of the word itself. He gathered from her statement that his parents had been disagreeing more than usual.

Suddenly her eyes widened. 'She is human! Oh! Is that why you have called? I did not think!' She sounded quite alarmed.

Her behaviour was exceedingly erratically. 'Mother again, I do not know what you are speaking of.'

His mother calmed herself, pursing her lips and using a tone of voice usually reserved for voicing displeasure at him. 'I know you will not wish to speak of this, but you will need to ensure she is on appropriate birth control.'

'Mother.'

She raised her hand. 'No, no, I'm not going to lecture you on that, I am referring to the effect her human reproductive cycle will have upon you now you are bonded.'

Spock blinked. 'Yes. I wished to ask you a question with regards to that.'

His mother nodded sagely. 'The answer is yes. Every month. Something to do with hormones and pheromones. The cycle of a Vulcan woman is very different – they only exhibit such indicators when a male shares the blood fever with them.' Her explanation fit more or less with what he had theorised. 'However there are several types of birth control that will incidentally prevent it from occurring without the need to discuss the issue in depth with a physician.' She grimaced. 'It certainly makes for an awkward consultation.'

Spock was glad that he wouldn't have to go into detail - that his mother had been astute enough to explain without him needing to. 'That is… reassuring.'

His mother smiled teasingly. 'Yes I imagine it is.' She paused, her eyes bright with mirth. 'You are much quicker than your father. It took him four months to figure it out.' She smirked. 'Not that I complained over much.'

Spock tried very hard not to expand on that statement in his mind. 'Mother. I have no wish to discuss your… marriage in such detail.'

She laughed gleefully. 'Then perhaps we could discuss yours my son?'


*Nyota*

Nyota had gathered up her PADD's in the dark and left Spock alone. She knew it was the best course of action, if she was somehow triggering his pon'farr, she needed to get away from him for both their sakes. Still, it hurt to leave him alone when he was clearly suffering.

Later on she felt their bond stretch as he left the city. She restrained the urge to call and see where he was going, knowing he needed space. When she felt his return after lunch the next day it was with a supreme sense of relief. He felt much calmer through their bond and reached to her reassuringly, but as per his instructions she made no attempt to see him. She had no wish to inflict madness upon him with her proximity.

She handed in her latest assignments to the records and assessment desk too distracted to go over them a final time as she usually did. She had finished both the week before and was certain they were polished, but still, normally she would have given them a once over just to reassure herself. This time she didn't bother, just handed over the PADDs.

She was eating a lacklustre meal consisting of bland curry and rice with Gaila in the cafeteria when she felt Spock approach. She turned in her seat and saw him across the busy food hall. He was not difficult to spot, he did not blend very well. For starters he was in grey when most were in red and he sort of… loomed. Spock was tall, but not unusually so. His posture and build just seemed to accentuate his height.

Nyota gave him a once over.

He looked exactly as he always did - uniform neatly pressed, hair perfectly straight and his face a picture of Vulcan calm. He turned and met her gaze evenly and she sensed his intent to join her.

'I take it Commander Hot Pants will be joining us Ny?' Gaila teased her from across the table.

'He speaks Yrevish you know. And he has very good hearing.'

The Orion shrugged nonchalantly. Over the last few months she seemed to have lost all sense of proprietary where Spock was concerned. She appeared to find teasing him and Nyota endlessly amusing. Nyota dealt with her roommate as best as she could, Gaila had kept quiet about her suspicions with regards to herself and Spock for two years after all. She supposed teasing was a small price to pay for an Orion's discretion. They were hardly renown for it.

Spock appeared at the empty seat beside her. 'Cadets.' he greeted them politely.

Gaila gave him a megawatt smile. 'Heeeeelllo Commander. Care to join us?'

Nyota groaned at Gaila's tone. She didn't need to look at Spock's face to know he'd raised an eyebrow in confusion.

'That would be satisfactory Cadet U'Aidat.'

The group of cadets sitting at the opposite end of the long table they were at had turned at Gaila's flirtatious greeting. Although they weren't friends, they were in her and Gaila's Subspace Engineering class and had just attended the same lecture. One of them sniggered. Nyota remembered him from her Phonology classes in second year. He was obviously familiar with Gaila's former campaign of flirting with Spock.

She glared at Gaila. Gaila smiled innocently.

Spock took the seat beside Nyota and opened a bottle of sash-savas juice. It was one of the few Vulcan food items available on the campus and Nyota had tried it out of curiosity. It was similar in taste to a mild grapefruit juice and a little too sour for her tastes. Spock's tray also held a very large serving of pasta. He could give her father a run for his money in terms of appetite.

While she watched he proceeded to empty half a dozen sachets of a spicy seasoning all over his meal. It was plain he found the food at the cafeteria quite bland. Having tasted yon-savas, which was apparently a popular condiment on his homeworld, Nyota could see why.

'If you're after something spicy you should try the Orion menu, Commander.' Gaila didn't know when to give it a rest. 'I'm sure I could find something to… satisfy you.' She gave Spock an over-the-top combined hair flick and eyelash bat.

The cadets next to them were watching her little show with great amusement. Nyota felt like throwing her drink at her roommate. She was not in the mood. At all.

'Whilst I appreciate your concern Cadet, the last time I accepted such hospitality from you, you drugged me.' Spock responded evenly as he twisted pasta around his fork. 'I find myself uncertain as to your motives and unable to accept your offer.'

Nyota snorted at Gaila's stricken expression of shock

One of the cadets listening loudly whispered 'Zing!' to one of his friends.

Gaila pouted and crossed her arms.

Nyota wasn't sure if it was because of their bond, but Spock seemed a little less oblivious than he used to be. She was pretty sure he knew exactly what Gaila had really been implying whereas such innuendo would have gone completely over his head back in second year.

With Gaila shocked into moody silence Nyota turned to Spock. 'I hope you are feeling better today sir? It's so unusual for you to be ill.' She worded her inquiry vaguely for the benefit of their audience.

'Indeed Cadet. I am completely recovered and have identified the cause of my… reaction. I am confident such a situation will not occur again.' Spock was terrible when it came to subterfuge and his wording was awkward, but Nyota got his meaning anyway and felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

'That's… good to hear. Sir.' She shifted in her seat slightly so that the side of her boot touched his beneath the table.

She wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him and kiss him and tell him how much she loved him and how relieved she was. It pained her that she was instead reduced to stilted conversation and an extremely tame variation on footsies.