A/N: Just a little warning that a little bit of Spock and Nyota goodness is ahead, for anyone who was craving it. :-D I have a few more chapters coming up within the next few days, so feel free to R&R. Thanks!
Zuri smiled as Nyota sauntered in, her hands tapping a nervous rhythm as she paced.
"I would like to see--,"
"Your mate?," Zuri grinned and Nyota looked away, not quite knowing how to feel.
Zuri cocked her head to the side. "You don't have to feel guilty about it, Nyota."
"He's not my mate."
Zuri humphed and strode to an ornate chair, and sat down. She grabbed a juicy piece of fruit and placed it delicately in her mouth. She chewed slowly as if considering.
"I'm not angry with you for falling in love."
"I'm not in love, I'm merely concerned--,"
Zuri snorted prettily. "Well, I hear tell you called out his name repeatedly while Madrigal was treating your wounds. If you do not love him, you care a great deal for him."
Nyota looked around. Her face felt flushed and heated and Zuri sighed.
"Nyota. It's okay. I haven't thought about Ari in years."
"I wasn't--," Nyota began and Zuri cut her off with a look.
"I've fallen in love more than once over this long time. Ari has his place in my heart but—I know why you did it, and now that I am a leader, I can't say I blame you. You deserve some measure of happiness."
"It doesn't matter. He doesn't want me anyway."
Zuri's eyes widened. "Doesn't want you? Why wouldn't he want you? You must be sick in the head. I'll have Madrigal look you over."
"It's true Zuri. You don't know all the things I've done. How could he accept me?"
"If he doesn't, then he's a fool," Zuri proclaimed and she stood. She walked gracefully over to the window, which overlooked a beautiful garden. She glanced outside and then turned to Nyota.
"We often do what we have to in order to survive. It is the way of the universe. You are strong, intelligent, resourceful and resilient. Any man that does not want you is either a fool or far below your standards."
"But I've killed people, I've tortured hundreds, maimed--," Nyota cried out in a rush and Zuri shushed her with a hug, and then pulled away.
"I know your heart, kipepeo. You are a good woman. But you must first believe it for yourself."
Zuri pressed a kiss against Nyota's forehead.
"Your mate is in the room down the hall," Zuri informed her, "He is meditating or sitting still, contemplating the dust motes or some equally boring activity. By all means, interrupt him and make him crack a smile. He is the most stoic Vulcan I have ever met."
Nyota gave her sister a wistful smile and went in search of Spock.
As Zuri had predicted, Spock was indeed meditating. He was sitting motionless on the soft rug, facing a huge paneled window, his eyes were closed and his breathing was even. She knew he heard her come in. His heart began beating a bit faster and his scent became tangy, spicy and drew her like a moth to a flame.
Nyota breathed him in, her steps tentative and unsure as she traipsed into the room, as wary as a timid doe.
"Spock," she called out and he took in a deep breath. He unfolded his long legs, stood and turned to face her.
"Nyota," he replied, his voice seemed monotonous and unvaried, but Nyota detected a note of relief. "You are well."
Nyota nodded and smiled slightly. Spock came close to her and ran his finger lightly down her cheek, making her shiver.
"I am well."
He slipped his knuckles softly across her face and Nyota sighed with pleasure. He touched his forehead to hers, his mind reaching out to her consciousness, calling upon their bond and activating intense and incredible heat.
Nyota moaned as his lips swept across her full ones. He kissed her softly and she reciprocated by pulling him in deeper. She began falling into him, her emotions washing over and through her, cresting likes waves pushing against a sea.
He pulled away and she mewled with disappointment.
He grabbed her hand and led her to a bedroom area. Her heart hammered with fear and desire as he gingerly undressed her, his hands sliding across her body in feather light touches, igniting flames of passionate lust as they began to kiss and stroke one another.
Spock traced his tongue across the delicate shell of her ear and she groaned as pleasure shot through her. He continued a path down the side of her neck and nuzzled her breasts. He teased and tormented her dusky peaks until she whimpered, her body sang with joy and his warm, graceful hands slid up and down the smoothness of her backside, kneading and massaging until she captured his lips once more in a kiss.
She became breath. She became touch. She knew nothing more except the heat of his tongue against her own and the slick feel of his sweat against her skin. He pushed her back gently onto the bed, all while her hands explored his muscular chest and back, her teeth gently nipping the tips of his ears. He let out a ragged moaned and slid in between her toned thighs. \
There was a moment of hushed excitement as his eyes bored into hers. His gaze held hers, promising her pleasure and electric feelings of touch and sensation. As he slid inside her, his promise was fulfilled as she bucked against him, her center enveloped in shocking and exhilarating feeling as he rocked in and out of her. She moaned and clung to him, her legs wrapping around his back as he continued to thrust hard and deep, his length plunging into her tight, wet, softness, forcing her to pleasurably stretch and accommodate him.
Her breath caught in her throat as her body wound up with heated tension. She writhed beneath him, whimpering and mewling, and Spock's groans of pleasure began to mingle with her own. They moved in perfect concert, toned bodies slick with sweat and desperate heat, pleasure rushing across skin, lips touching, breaths pressing together, and hands seeking, moving, exploring and tongues tasting.
They were moving towards a crest, climbing a mountain of inexorable sensation. Nyota marveled at the depth of feeling cycling within her, swirling and rising, aching and wanting. Then there was the moment of explosion, of pleasure so great and intense there was suspension of all things outside of their bodies, the long seconds of desire and feeling culminating in complete and utter release.
Spock reached out and touched the familiar place upon her face, and her mind was swept into his. Emotions assailed her, memories moved within her and she was rocketed through a journey that ended with her looking at her own face through his eyes.
He respected her. There was boundless admiration for her courage and intelligence that he reserved for only a few individuals within the universe. His desire for her seemed limitless. He was enchanted by her dark and dusky features, wide and beautiful smile and soft, gentle touch. He felt that he had never known anyone as fascinating as she. She was a study in resilience and beauty, of poise and grace. Nyota felt his emotions roiling against the surface of his mind. His feelings for her were not logical; they were mired in deep emotion. Nyota reached out tentatively with her mind, seeking the trails of feeling within him. There lay within him a vast pool of something….something great and connected to what he felt for her….
She was then gently untangled from his mind. With a start, Nyota opened her eyes, surprised that she was now looking into Spock's gaze instead of her own. She swallowed a groan of frustration. She was so close…so close to finding that feeling she was sure Spock housed for her.
"Let us rest Ashal'veh," he told her and tucked the comforter around them. "Tomorrow will be—tedious."
He gently kissed her temple and folded himself around her. Nyota sighed with pleasure as his warmth wrapped about her. Her mind spun with questions that only he could answer. But for now—she would enjoy lying in his arms and feeling his breath as it fanned against her skin.
She tried to fight the feeling of fatigue that overcame her, but then found herself falling into a deep, though troubled sleep.
