Nyota has strict orders to keep Spock calm and relaxed and she takes her orders very seriously.

When the rain is blowing in your face

And the whole world is on your case

I could offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love

Make You Feel My Love

Song by Bob Dylan

/*/*/*/

Uhura accompanied Spock back to their quarters from the sickbay just as he had done a few days earlier with her. There was no reason for him to remain there and neither of them wanted the crew to know that Spock was ill or the cause of the emotional outbursts that were happening to everyone.

"Dr. McCoy says you are officially off duty until further notice and you are to get plenty of R&R," She told Spock as they entered his cabin.

"I am aware," Spock said. He stood just inside the door looking around the cabin as if he were a visitor. He looked a little lost and that broke Uhura's heart. She took him by the hand and led him into their bedroom.

And when did I start thinking of Spock's cabin my quarters and our bedroom, she wondered?

"Come on," she said as guided him to the bed. "Sit down and have a rest."

"I am not in need of rest."

"Dr. McCoy disagrees and I am inclined to agree with him. You've been so busy trying to find a cure for me and this entire time you were the one who was ill. I feel terrible that you were worried for me and all the while you were suffering."

"I did not suffer and you did nothing wrong."

"Neither did you. I know you feel... that is to say... I know you were not pleased to learn that this virus is causing the strange outbursts of the crew. But Spock, it's not your fault ok? It's the virus's fault. You've been through this before."

Spock was silent so Uhura sat down on the bed beside him and took his hand in hers.

"Spock, do you feel alright?"

"The disease produces no physical symptoms only empathic ones," he said by way of answering.

"That is not what I asked you. How do you feel?" She pressed.

Spock hesitated for a moment and then answered, "I am well."

"Are you feeling any emotions?"

"I am in control of my emotions," he said a bit tightly.

Uhura sighed. Why was it that when a male was ill, no matter the species it seemed, they wouldn't admit it?

"Spock, we need to talk."

He looked over at her thoughtfully. "Yes, Nyota?"

"Don't look so worried, it's nothing bad." She patted his hand.

"I am not worried."

"Spock, I'm not a telepath and I cannot read your mind but I can read you. I know you're worried and I don't think any less of you for it. It's normal. I'd be worried if you weren't taking this seriously. But what I want to say is that I'm in this with you. We'll get through this together. Luckily, I'm off duty too so we can spend the trip to Vulcan together doing whatever you like. I think we could both use a break from outside distractions."

"I suppose." He said but didn't offer anything more.

"Spock, if your projected emotions are the cause of all these incidents, then what were you so angry about earlier?" Nyota was genuinely perplexed by that question. She knew what caused the first incident, she had seduced Spock and that projected his arousal all over the ship. But this last incident happened when they were both sleeping. Why was he so angry in his sleep?

Again he hesitated to answer but Nyota deserved the truth. If he was the cause of her illness then she needed to know so she could protect herself somehow. "Nyota, I do not know why I was angry but I suspect it has something to do with the dream I had."

"Dream? What dream?"

"The dreams I've had lately have centered on my counterpart from the parallel mirror dimension in which you were trapped."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What were the dreams about?"

Spock was ashamed of his counterparts' behavior which was illogical and violent. Nevertheless, he needed to tell his wife what he knew.

"In the dream, my counterpart suspects that his wife, you, have betrayed him with another man and he takes action to remedy the situation."

"Oh," Uhura said squeezing his hand tight. "And is this the nightmare you woke from the other night?"

"Yes, part of it. My counterpart was convinced you were unfaithful even though you swore otherwise. He initiated a mind-meld with you and he forcefully entered your mind."

"Oh. Spock, I don't know what to say. But that wasn't you and it wasn't me. It was a dream. I know you would never do that to me. And you are not that man from the other dimension. Everyone there was cruel and violent, even me. You cannot think that you are anything like that Spock except superficially."

"Jim said he thought I was very much like that Spock."

"No. He just meant that the other Spock was similar to you in regards to your integrity, which the other Spock also had. You're nothing like him otherwise."

"But I believe you were attracted to him, were you not?"

"Well, he does look just like you," She grinned.

"Not quite, I believe you said he wore a beard?"

"True, he did. A sexy goatee, I'll admit that. But I work around handsome men all day and only one has caught my attention so far."

"Really, who?" he said without thinking.

"You, silly! You're the most handsome man I've ever met."

"Hmm." Spock made the neutral sound without further response.

"So that dream or the thought of me betraying your mirror twin made you angry?"

"I do not recall being angry, only that I had an unusual dream where I caused you harm. Perhaps I was angry at myself."

"It wasn't me, it was the other Uhura. And besides, it was just a dream so no Nyota's were harmed during the making of that nightmare," she reassured him, and then she stood up. "Spock, take off your clothes."

"Why?"

"I'm going to help you relax."

"Nyota, I don't think I will be able to 'relax' at the moment. I am sorry."

"Really Mister? I just want to give you a massage to help you sleep. Why did you think I wanted you naked?"

Spock knew Nyota was teasing him now and he felt a little better about the situation.

"I thought you might want to engage in sexual intercourse," he answered bluntly.

"Oh, did you?" She laughed.

"Yes."

"And you don't think you would be able to 'relax'?"

"No, I don't."

"Why not, Spock?"

"I think we... that is... I should remain calm and not let myself become over-stimulated until I have the antidote to the virus. It is a logical precaution."

"Oh pooh! We've had sex since that last incident, several times in fact, and there were no unusual reports of amorous crewmen running around. So I think we are good on that front."

"Be that as it may, I do not feel it is wise."

"Well, we'll deal with that when we come to it. For now, take off your clothes and lie down. I going to make you feel so good you'll forget all about that silly ol' virus and whatever else is bothering you."

Spock complied, removing his clothing and then laying face down on the bed.

Uhura fetched a bottle of her favorite body lotion from her night table and then climbed on the bed to perch herself atop Spock straddling his thighs.

She poured some cream into her hands and rubbed them together to warm it up first, though she doubted Spock would be bothered by cold cream hitting his skin. She massaged the cream into his back, her slick hands gliding over the taut muscles and smoothing out the tension she felt beneath his pale skin with its olive hue.

"Spock do you ever tan?"

"What do you mean?"

"Does your skin get darker when exposed to excessive sunlight?"

"Yes. Under certain conditions. The Earth's sun has little effect on me but prolonged exposure to Vulcan's sun will cause damage. I am rather sensitive to Eridani's radiation. I favor my mother in that regard," Spock said thoughtfully.

"You mean you are prone to sunburn?"

"Yes. I have to take some minimal precautions when in the Vulcan sun, but my skin can also tan."

"Mmm-hmm. You have beautiful skin but you are a bit pale. I bet the ship's sunlamps are not calibrated for you, are they? When we get home, I'm going to make sure you get plenty of healthy sunlight." Uhura said and she kissed his shoulder.

It surprised Spock to hear Nyota refer to Vulcan as home and it produced a warm feeling in his chest.

"Thank you, Aduna."

"For what?" She resumed her massage.

"For staying here with me. For caring for me. For everything."

"Of course I'm staying with you and taking care of you. Where else would I be when my husband is sick?" She bent down again and pressed her chest to his back and her cheek against his. "What kind of wife do you think I am anyway?"

"I think you are the best kind, Aduna. You are mine," Spock said.

"Thank you too, for being the best kind of husband."

"Am I?"

"Mmm-hmm," She hummed. Nyota didn't bother to lift herself from being draped out over Spock's back but she sighed into his ear, "Mine.'

Nyota wasn't heavy but the feel of her dress fabric against his bare skin combined with her body heat was causing a bit of discomfort for Spock.

"Nyota?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you quite comfortable?"

"Mmm-hmm, are you?"

"Not quite."

"Oh? How do you feel then?"

Spock didn't answer. Instead, he asked her, "How do you feel?"

"You tell me." She rubbed herself against his back. "How do I feel?" She whispered and then nibbled his ear.

"Nyota..."

"Spock..."

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Is it working?"

"Nyota you know we must not..."

"Why must we not? You need to relax, don't you? I'm trying to relax you."

"You are supposed to be massaging me."

"I am going to massage you, so turn over," She commanded as she rolled off his back and started to undress.

"You are supposed to massage my back, why should I turn over?" he asked but he complied with her command.

"I massaged your back already, now I'm going to finish the rest of you."

Spock's breathing hitched as he watched Nyota slowly disrobed and toss her dress aside.

"Relax Mpenzi, let me take good care of you." Nyota crawled towards him slowly and take good care of him she did.

Sweetheart = Mpenzi