Spock

Christine,

I placed my consciousness in you because I knew that Hennoch would never search there. Everyone would assume that you were too insignificant to me and overlook you, but they were incorrect. Privately, Sargon intuitively sensed your consequence to me early on and suggested that I deposit my consciousness there with haste.

Also, I knew that you would not betray the Captain or me regardless of the spell you were under by Hennoch. However, I didn't expect the immediate closeness that I felt to you.

Our consciousness melded into one, and it horrified me to see how divergently our minds work. Mine seemed to be ordered based on logic while yours gravitate around your emotions. That is not to say that you do not understand rational things because your brain regularly operates that way in your occupation. Nonetheless, your feelings were made clear to me like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum for a parent's choice to ignore their request.

Furthermore, I was appalled to find that your feelings for me hadn't changed, although I hadn't given you additional encouragement. Your fondness for me reminded me of my fiery home planet of Vulcan, like a never-ending flame, and it wasn't at all unpleasant.

However, I also felt your extreme sadness flooding over me like water bursting a dam at what you perceive as your unrequited love for me. Another analogy I would use was a knife creating a deep wound in one's skin, causing it to bleed. I felt it acutely, I assure you.

I wonder if you found my hidden thoughts about you, the desire and tenderness.

Christine

While Spock secured his consciousness with mine, I imagined us walking along the shore of the Pacific Ocean in the month of May while barefoot, having a conversation.

"Why on God's green earth are you here, Spock," I incredulously questioned.

"Hello Christine, I must conceal my consciousness while Hennoch uses my body. I don't trust him fully," the first officer elucidated quietly.

"Oh," I responded in shock. Spock observed that I wasn't wearing shoes or the designated Starfleet uniform with an arch of an eyebrow, and he gave me a quick once over glance at my white cotton knee-length dress. It was off-the-shoulder and laid slightly crooked. A light green blush covered his cheeks for a moment as our eyes met for a long beat.

Pleased that Spock noticed my physical appearance, I slightly simpered and lowered my head downwards to avoid his gaze. As if he was in a trance, he suddenly shook his head and regained his composure by inquisitively asking, "Why are we here, Christine?"

"Oh, the beach is one of my favorite places on earth. I feel free here," I confided, smiling brightly as the wind blew through my long blonde hair as I had it down, causing me to giggle because it tickled against my bare back. My feet were sans shoes, and the sand felt a little grainy but gentle on them. It felt perfect.

"Free?"

"Yes, free," I repeated with a grin.

"I don't understand. Would you care to explain," Spock asked, puzzled.

"Hmmm, I don't feel bound to anything," I answered, peering at him to see if it made sense. It did not.

"Plus, I like the way the sand feels in between my toes," I added, happily, "you should try it."

Spock, still dressed in his regulation Starfleet uniform, seemed mystified.

"I fail to understand why sand would feel good between one's toes," he stated, with a hint of a smirk on his lips.

"Try it," I bravely urged, tugging on his arm to persuade him.

"No, thank you," he politely declined.

"You are in my consciousness; you have to do it," I challenged.

"That is highly illogical logic, Christine," Spock replied, almost frowning, then declared when I gave him a playful pouty look, "very well."

Gradually he removed his boots and socks. His feet were like his skin pale white with green undertones, and I could tell he was uncomfortable because he was trembling. Since his long pants were down to his large narrow feet, I offered to roll them up for him. Reluctantly, Spock concurred. As I did so, I noticed his hairy legs were lean like the rest of his body.

"Let's go for a walk," I proposed, seizing his arm and dragging him closer to where the tide brought the water on the shore. I was thrilled to show him the beach and the ocean.

We were standing close together side by side as the refreshing water washed over our respective feet. Spock shivered a little from the chill in the water and the high coastal winds, and I forgot that Vulcans were used to a much hotter climate than humans.

"That's…cool," he admitted looking down at his feet, but he didn't move away. The wind blew vehemently, causing a chill in the air. He seemed interested in the whole idea of the beach.

"Why did you pick me to harbor your consciousness," I asked finally after a couple of minutes. Spock had shut his eyes as the surf ran over his feet again and again before answering,

"I know that you would not betray the Captain or me."

"Mmm," I remarked, frustratedly as that was a typical non-committal answer. I wiggled my toes in the sand as I began to sink as the tide began to pull it away, and the feeling made me laugh. I attempted to convince Spock to do the same.

"I believe I would enjoy it more if I watch you," he confessed, point-blank his eyes meeting mine.

A rare compliment, and I grinned. Spock's cheeks flushed again.

"Spock, am I seeing the human side of you?"

Instead of responding, he cleared his throat and questioned,

"Do you wish to take a walk?"

Nodding, I stepped away from him, allowing the water to come to my ankles, and I playfully kicked the water. I thought of my older brother and me playing games at the beach in the summers. Spock joined me by my side, and we strolled along the shore in comfortable silence.

"You are in a most relaxed state on the beach," Spock reported, analyzing me as we strolled. That black eyebrow was perched up in a question, and his hands clasped behind his back.

"Thank you," I replied, "it's one of my happy places."

He did not understand my use of the term "happy places" and inquired for clarification.

"It's a place that makes you feel happy no matter the circumstances," I answered, craning my neck at him, " do you have something like that?"

"As a Vulcan, I am not familiar with the concept of happiness," he confessed.

"Hmmm," I frowned as we padded along with the sand, "When you were growing up, was there a place that you liked to go to?"

The handsome Vulcan pondered the question and answered slowly, "there was a tree at my parents' house that I was quite fond of climbing as a youth."

Smiling at Spock, I asked him to describe the tree as I knew it would be different from the ones on earth. He explained it in concise terms as I kicked the water to splash him a bit. Spock flinched when it hit his pants in shock, and I giggled.

"Tell me the fascination that humans have with the ocean," he inquired, peering into my face inquisitively.

"Well…I can't speak for everybody, but," I started, " I like the peaceful sound of the waves rolling into the sand. My grandparents had a house on the beach in Southern California when my brother and I grew up, and we spent our summers there. Whenever I was upset or angry, I would walk along the beach or make a sandcastle or go swimming."

"A sandcastle," Spock inquired, with a slight smile.

"Yes," I grinned while responding, " I wish I had a bucket because we would make one now."

"Perhaps another time," he suggested.

Agreeing, I joyfully swung my arms wildly back and forth like a little girl, and accidentally, our arms touched as we walked, producing a shock on my skin. Spock, usually expressionless, widened his eyes afterward and rubbed his arm.

"Fascinating," he muttered, and I simpered a little as a result. Silence ensued as we ambled aimlessly, but it wasn't awkward.

The sky changed into soft pinks, oranges, and yellows amidst the clouds as the sunset.

"Would you look at that," I breathed, in amazement, reveling in its beauty.

"The sun should set in fifteen minutes, twenty-two seconds," Spock reported as I gaped at the sky's radiance for a few minutes.

"Don't you think it's breathtaking," I questioned the Vulcan, wondering if he could recognize it.

"Yes."

"So, you can recognize beauty," I quizzed him.

"Obviously," he wryly replied, and I chuckled at his sarcasm as I loved his humor.

"What are some beautiful things to you," I asked.

"Christine, you are attempting to 'fish for a compliment' as you humans say..."

"No- I -"

"You misunderstand," he stopped me with a raise of his hand, "I merely meant that you didn't need to ask if I thought you were beautiful. Since I first met you, I thought you were an exquisite beauty, but it isn't in my nature to say so."

We stopped walking, observing the darkening sky with brilliantly shining stars above us. Spock moved to the right to me, a bit closer, as he pointed out the various constellations. I felt pleased by his attention.

"I have to go soon," he whispered down to my left ear.

"I wish it wasn't so," I muttered, feeling lightheaded at his proximity. Silently, I placed my head on his broad shoulder. I wasn't sure if Spock would recoil from my action, but he didn't.

"Me either, Christine," he replied, and I felt his long arm loosely around my shoulder. It felt warm as together we viewed the stars fade into the darkness until it was gone along with his consciousness vanishing from my own.

Shortly back on the Enterprise.

"I see you are back to your old self," I gently scolded Spock after he rejected my assistance in Sickbay after the operation where his consciousness returned to his own body.

However, I knew that we shared something marvelous. Behind Spock, I let a slight smirk creep up on my lips and I felt like he raised an eyebrow as a response to my comment. To me, that verified that he enjoyed our moment together too.