The ship is infected with a strange intoxication that causes the crew to reveal their inner selves.

The Enterprise was not orbiting planet Psi 2000 to study its impending implosion and disintegration. No, they were there to strip whatever resources were left on the surface that they could salvage as well as collect the personal possessions of the scientists who died there. That was the primary mission of the Enterprise, to explore the galaxy looking for worlds to conquer in the Empire's name and the acquisition of wealth and power for the ship's crew and the Emperor.

So when Mr. Spock and Lieutenant Tormolen beamed down to the planet's surface, they found horrific scenes of people in various stages of undress, engaging in orgies and murder. Just as in another parallel universe, the scientists died while going about their everyday lives but in this universe, those everyday things consisted of violent acts of debauchery.

Spock had seen it all before so he went in search of the record tapes made by the head of the facility before he was killed. He also took possession of the man's personal belongings including a stash of Saurian brandy and various valuable gems and samples. Once the inspection of the lab was complete Spock and his assistant beamed back aboard the Enterprise and reported their findings to the Captain and .

McCoy for his part didn't seem too interested in the medical condition of the dead scientists. He was more interested in the brandy Spock brought back with him and so he left the post-mortem duties to his staff and locked himself in his office for the remainder of the mission.

Christine, in her new position of doctor following the strange disappearance of Dr. M'Benga, took over the medical exams of Spock and Tormolen. She found no evidence of contamination or irregularities and so released them back to active duty.

"Miss Chapel, I see you are settling into your position as a doctor?" Spock remarked once Lieutenant Tormolen departed.

"Yes. I cannot thank you enough for your assistance in this matter. I hope it was not too much trouble?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Spock nodded his head. "Indeed. Your thanks are unnecessary. Dr. M'Benga's interest in Vulcan biology was unusual and I am grateful that you made me aware of it. Rest assured he has been dealt with appropriately."

Christine bowed her head graciously. "I am glad to be of service. And you may rest assured that I am in your debt and at your service." She smiled at him sweetly.

"No doubt," Spock said. When he left the sickbay with his guard following close behind him Christine let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. It was always dangerous doing business with the Vulcan but it was a calculated risk she had been willing to take. It worked out in her favor; this time. M'Benga had vanished without a trace after Spock learned of his research into Vulcan physiology. But if it was that easy for Spock to get rid of M'Benga...

Christine shivered. She'd made her bed now all she had to do was lay in it.

/*/*/

Uhura was manning her communications station when the trouble began in the lower decks.

Reports of fights breaking out in the rec rooms and dining halls. So far it hadn't reached the command deck and Dr. Chapel, with the help of McCoy for a change, was busy trying to contain the unknown infection and find an antidote.

But the trouble was not contained for long. Riley arrived at his post in a bad mood and started to talk in a loud voice about how they should all take up arms against the Captain and commandeer the ship for themselves. Uhura couldn't believe that Kevin had the nerve to plot against Kirk so openly. He must be out of his mind!

She knew he lost it when he approached her, "Uhura baby when are you going to listen to me? You're too good to be in communications. You should be a commander by now. I'll bump off Kirk and you take out Spock. What do you say?"

"I say you're either drunk or insane, neither excuse will save you."

Riley laughed. "Drunk? Me? I'm immune to alcohol sweetheart. I'm an Irish King and if you play your cards right you can be my Nubian princess. What do you say?" Riley leaned over her chair and Uhura deftly lifted her foot and kicked him in the gut pushing him away.

"I say fuck off!"

Before he could recover his balance he was caught by Sulu and restrained.

"Hey, now my friend. That's no way to treat a fair maiden. Besides, she's mine." Sulu grinned.

"I am neither!" Uhura said to him. "Now return to your post." She ordered. Unfortunately, Uhura dared to turn her back on them for just a moment in order to put in a call for the Captain or Spock to report to the bridge. But a moment was all it took for Sulu to pounce on her.

Uhura knew self-defense just as every crewmember did and she preferred to attack her would-be assailants or victims right between the ribs with the stiletto she kept tucked away in her boot, but Sulu left her little room to maneuver. He was fast and he was strong, and before she knew what was happening she found herself with her back pressed against the communication console. She raised her thigh trying to reach for her blade but her arms were pinned to her sides in Sulu's iron grip.

He grabbed her chin, "Now, now m'lady, you don't want to deny what we have any longer. Don't you think it's time to stop playing the blushing virgin?"

"We don't have anything Sulu, now let me go!" she struggled against him.

"Oh no! Now that I've got you I'll never let go." He slid his hands down to her breast and squeezed.

Uhura struggled fiercely to release herself from Sulu's grasp while Riley managed to hop on the lift and escape the bridge as all hell broke loose in his wake.

"Shit!" she never thought it would go down like this on the bridge of the fucking Enterprise. She had always been safe here, at least when Spock and the captain were in command. But right now everyone had lost their minds and she was on her own. She wasn't completely helpless though. While chaos ensued all around her she managed to free one arm enough to press every key she could reach on her console and scream for assistance. Surely everyone on the entire ship was not infected yet and someone would hear her plea.

Sulu managed to rip the top of her uniform open and expose her breasts and she fought against him even more. Luckily he had to loosen his grip on her shoulders to continue his assault on her breast and she was limber enough that she just managed to finally reach her blade. She couldn't stick him in his back as she wanted to, but she did manage to slash him up across the face. An explosion of blood splashed her and spilled down on her own face blinding her sight. She dare not scream in order to keep the blood from entering her mouth and infecting her as well.

Enraged, Sulu backhanded her across the face and then he knocked the blade from her hand. Uhura's head was violently slammed to the side making her see stars. She had failed. He was still too strong to overcome and sensing victory he released an evil laugh.

Uhura braced for another blow but it didn't happen. The weight on top of her went limp and heavily pressed her down into the console.

She heard Spock say, "Take D'Artange here to the sickbay!" and the weight was lifted from her.

And then her chest was covered, and she found herself pressed into a powerful embrace. She could not hold back the sob that escaped her when she realized it was Spock who held her.

"Are you injured?" Spock's strong steady voice asked.

Uhura couldn't answer, she was in shock. She always thought she could protect herself but Sulu had nearly...

"It is over," Spock said. "He is gone. Now, where are you injured?"

Does my pride and dignity count? she thought to herself.

"No," Spock answered aloud and squeezed her arms. This caused Uhura to open her eyes and look up into his face. Did he just read her mind?

Spock wiped Uhura's face clean with the hem of the cloth he had wrapped around her. Uhura realized it was his own blue uniform shirt. Had he ripped it off just for her?

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Spock whispered to her once he had cleaned her face of Sulu's blood.

Uhura couldn't believe her ears. Apparently, Spock was not unaffected by the illness sweeping through the ship. He had lost his inhibitions as well. Everyone on the ship was either inclined to fucking or fighting and it surprised her to see which way Spock's subconscious leaned.

Suddenly Uhura wanted Spock like she never had before. Of course, she'd been infected by Sulu's blood too. But she didn't care, all that mattered was that she was in Spock's arms and he was telling her things she had always wanted to hear.

She tilted her head up to kiss him but before she could, Spock pulled her into the turbo lift accompanied by two of his guards. While the guards stood at attention in front of the doors Spock crowded her into the back corner. "Turn please," he said and made her face the back wall. Then he unwrapped the shirt from her chest and helped her to wear it properly by pulling it over her head. It was weird to be wearing Spock's science blue uniform that was tight across the chest but otherwise too big for her.

"Thank you," she whispered when she was properly covered and able to face him again.

"Your thanks are unnecessary. I was doing my duty."

"I don't know what would have happened if you didn't arrive when you did. Your duty saved my ass."

"I regret that I did not arrive sooner, however, I am pleased that you were able to fend him off as you did."

"Just barely. What are we gonna do now, Mr. Spock?"

"I am going to escort you to your quarters and then help the captain in regaining control of the ship. Please stay in your quarters until then."

"I can't do that. I have to return to the bridge and man my station-"

"You need to do as I say, Lieutenant. That is an order."

"You have your duty Commander and I have mine," Uhura said.

"Your duty is to obey me."

"Spock I'm an officer too, be logical-"

"No! I can't..." he struggled to speak. "This infection... I cannot control it and worry... Please?" he asked her.

"All I want to do is please you. You know I do." Uhura said and she touched his cheek. Before Spock could reply the turbo lift doors opened.

Spock straightened his back and barked a command to his guard.

"Take her to her quarters and see that she stays there," he ordered Mr. Stenn.

Stenn grabbed Uhura in a vicelike grip pinning her arms to her sides.

"Spock! You bastard!" she yelled at him while she uselessly struggled to free herself.

"Indeed, an unfortunate consequence of my parentage. I will attend to you when I am done."

"Don't fucking bother!" she yelled.

"Mr. Stenn, you know your duty to me. Keep her safe," he said and then he walked off with his remaining guard and the lift doors closed behind them.

"That cold-blooded bastard!" Uhura was furious. She was trapped in her quarters and she prowled around the room like a caged animal. Outside her door stood the equally cold-blooded Mr. Stenn. No amount of bribing or coercion could convince him to let her go about her business. She didn't take commands from some personal guard of a Vulcan bastard!

Mr. Spock thought he had the upper hand? He didn't know anything about Nyota Uhura. Sure she was momentarily stunned by Sulu's attack but he said it himself, she managed to stave him off long enough. Sulu had gotten the drop on her by lucky chance. She was not foolish enough to let something like that happen again. Not today!

She had a job to do. Captain Kirk and Spock would need someone to coordinate their movements from a central location. That was her job. She could secure the bridge and lock the lift so no one unauthorized could access it and do her job. But first, she had to get out of this room!

But Stenn was just as stubborn as you would expect a Vulcan to be. Spock bade her stay put, so Stenn made sure she stayed put.

"Like hell I will" She went to her closet and her secret stash of weapons. She started to rip Spock's shirt off but then she stopped. Despite her anger she still wanted Spock and his shirt against her skin felt good. The shirt still carried his subtle scent. It smelled crisp and clean with a tad bit of masculine musk. She didn't want to take it off. She was almost certain he didn't just put this shirt on her cavalierly. It meant something for her to wear his clothing and she wanted everyone to see who she belonged to.

He was going to be displeased with her but she would deal with that later. First, she had to escape this room. So that meant she had to go through Stenn. She could take Stenn out but she didn't want to hurt him, he was only following Spock's orders. And having him as an ally would be better than trying to reach the bridge alone.

She sighed. She wondered if her little pills would work on a Vulcan?