"You mean to tell me that you hyped Spock up on hormones and then had consensual relations? And I'm supposed to believe that these injuries are acceptable because Vulcans are rough?" Dr. McCoy walked back through Dr. Vida's story.
"Yes, that is what occurred. While I mean no offense, I did not anticipate a human would understand. I will not be participating in an exam or any collection of 'evidence' for a 'crime' that did not occur." Vivian tore the paper from the exam table and discarded it, pulling out fresh. "Furthermore, you should anticipate seeing similar abrasions on my person in the future."
"Why's that?"
"Because, the time of the blood fever approaches. Again, I do not expect you to understand, but as Commander Spock's mate, I-"
"Hold on just a Mississippi minute-"
"I don't understand-"
"It means slow down. You're Spock's 'mate' now?"
"Yes-"
"How'd that happen?"
"While nothing is finalized, we came to a verbal agreement, seeing as we were both single and his Pon Farr approaches. Ambassador Sarek recommended that we could be suitable partners for one another."
"Spock's dad set you up?" He crossed his arms.
"I suppose."
"So now you're married?"
"No, the closest human equivalent would be betrothal."
"I don't see a ring."
"That's a human cultural norm, doctor." She raised her eyebrow, "Though, I am unsure of which traditions we will assume from either side of our heritage. I would very much like to cohabitate in the near future."
"Ha! Good luck with that. Kirk's not too fond of letting unmarried couples live together on his ship-"
"Ah, he prefers his crewmembers engage in intercourse and then return to their own quarters? Illogical. I would anticipate he would be more forward thinking given his own propensity for sexual escapades."
McCoy laughed, "I'm beginning to like you." Their back and forth was reminiscent of Spock and McCoy's banter, but more pleasant. He hesitated for a moment, "You people can't lie, can you?...Well if your story is true, you'd better go find the Captain to set the record straight before your fiancee gets court martialed."
She nodded at him respectfully before excusing herself towards the door, noting that she would undoubtedly be sore tomorrow.
"Oh, hey Vida,"
"Hm?"
"Uh, congratulations I guess."
Kirk entered his first officer's quarters. "Commander, you understand that you'll have to provide a formal statement."
"Yes, Captain." Spock stood at attention.
"Alright, well, before that happens, I want the whole story and I want it now. What the hell happened in there?!" His voice raised and he wiped the sweat from around his mouth. Although it would only be Spock facing formal consequences, Kirk did not want to have to address rumors of female crew members being unsafe on his ship. "This is beyond out of character. I struggle to believe the evidence I saw for myself."
"Dr. Vida and I have been making an intentional effort to spend more time together after hours."
"So something's going on between the two of you?"
"Yes, there was. Captain, you know as well as I do, my time for Pon Farr is approaching rapidly. Dr. Vida also found herself outside of a union. We recently made an agreement, verbal and informal of course, that we were going to pursue a mutually beneficial partnership. This evening, she invited me to her lab to discuss her work. I found myself questioning her methods. Her formulas were designed for a full blooded Vulcan. I merely wanted to know if her serum worked on someone of partial Vulcan blood."
"This is the thing she was talking about in the presentation? A drug?"
"Precisely, to induce the blood fever outside of its predetermined cycle-"
"Isn't that dangerous? I remember all too well the fight we had last time."
"Yes, Captain, it can be dangerous, however she assured me she had an anecdote, which she did."
"Then why didn't she use it?"
Spock hesitated for a moment, "That's where my memory becomes unclear, Jim. I believe my initial lack of symptoms made her believe her serum was ineffective. She left the room briefly, but when she came back...my head swam...I was sweating...my heart felt as though it may explode..." He stared at the wall and grimaced, "I believe when she attempted to use the anecdote, I knocked it out of her hand somehow...I cut her clothing...The next thing I can recall, I had forced her onto the table-"
"That's enough. The drug...you weren't yourself..."
"I do not remember her fighting me...but I do remember...she screamed..." Kirk flinched in disgust. "I believe I'm becoming acquainted with the emotion remorse. I am disturbed by the idea of having harmed Vivian. I had found myself experiencing a sort of attachment to her, a fondness. That, of course, is irrelevant now. She likely fears me and I will soon be incarcerated."
A few moments later, Kirk returned to the bridge. Spock couldn't lie, which meant he had attacked Dr. Vida, but he was under the influence of a foreign substance. Starfleet regulation did not excuse assault by reason of intoxication from recreational drugs or alcohol. He didn't know if he could make a solid argument for something different. McCoy, however, had the idea that the 'victim' had no intention of pressing charges.
Spock was surprised to hear another knock on his door so quickly following Kirk's departure; perhaps he had forgotten something. "Vivian?"
Dr. Vida look both ways before stepping in the doorway, "I hope you don't mind my stopping by."
Perplexed, Spock took several large steps backwards, putting distance between himself and the woman. He was unable to meet her eyes, "Vivian...drugs or not, my actions were inexcusable and I am infinitely-"
"You have no reason to apologize."
His eyebrow shot into his hairline, "Pardon?"
Half a smile crossed her lips, "Permission to speak freely?...Spock..." She closed the distance between them.
His face twisted when he saw, again, up-close, the marks he'd left on her.
"I knew what the 'risk' was before I injected you-"
"You were not thinking clearly. You were referring to a human sense of judgement impacted by the wounded pride of the potential for a failed experiment."
"And what then, was I thinking about the night you visited my quarters? When I disrobed for you?"
"You were demonstrating your fertility potential-"
"I wanted you to touch me then. And I hoped you would touch me there in the lab." She looked down, "So perhaps I should apologize to you."
"Are you suggesting you had the intention of...seducing me?" The end of his mouth twitched up slightly, "No apology necessary."
"And I hope that you know I have no intention of legal action. It's a misunderstanding, really. I explained it all to Dr. McCoy. I can clear it up with the Captain too." Her tone was that of a pleading, human woman, seeking his approval.
"That would be appreciated." His stance relaxed slightly. "I assume that means they now know of our..."
"Relationship?" She suggested.
He nodded, "That seems to be a sufficient descriptor. Are you suggesting you intend on continuing to pursue this...relationship?"
"Yes...if that's alright..." She blinked up at him with big, doe eyes. Again, he nodded. "If I may..." Her face turned downward again as it flushed, "In the clinic...I was...impressed..." His eyebrow raised. "You're a talented lover, you know."
Spock, caught off-guard swallowed audibly. "Your complement is appreciated...as was your...performance." He cleared his throat, "This may be an inappropriate time, but I must acknowledge you are a significantly attractive female- for both species."
Her blush only worsened, "Not so bad yourself..." She was close enough for him to smell the perfume again. He felt her breath as she spoke. "I must admit, however...I am disappointed in one regard-"
"Which is?"
"That's not exactly what I imagined our first time would be like."
He found himself both intrigued and flattered, "What did you previously consider?"
"Well...I suppose I knew there would be some...aggression on your end, given the upcoming Pon Farr. I...I didn't expect this would happen before then...I thought we might be at your home on Vulcan...I don't know why but I pictured a body of water, like a pool maybe, and some columns. And, maybe after the initial plak tow, after everything calmed down, well...we could try again- not another attempt at breeding like animals, no...Making love, like humans do..."
"You're quite the romantic, doctor." He wouldn't admit how fascinated he was by that idea. He hadn't experienced intimacy since before his encounter with Nomad, allowing him to open himself to emotion. He thought he might even be experiencing some emotion at that moment. "Vivian?"
"Yes?" Her name in his voice sent a chill down her spine.
"Perhaps it is a lingering effect of your serum but...I find myself drawn to you still...May I kiss you?"
She nodded, and tilted her face up to his. They were awkward at first, like school children. They bumped noses, preventing an exchange. He finally managed to peck her, resulting in nervous pseudo-smiles from both of them. Then they met eyes, and the nervousness faded away. This time, they found no trouble finding one another's lips. His arms enraptured her, and she melted into him. It felt as though electricity sparked between the two.