"Commander Spock," Vivian put down her spoon and stood at attention.

Spock was almost startled, not having expected to see anyone else in the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning, "Dr. Vida." He acknowledged her, but wasn't sure of how to engage further. This was the only time they'd crossed paths in almost two months, which suggested to him she was taking special care to avoid him.

"I didn't take you for the midnight snack type."

"I typically am not, but my unexplained hunger pangs are interrupting my sleep." He opened the refrigerator and rifled around. The smell of what she was eating made its way to his nose. "Peanut butter?"

She stopped mid crunch, "Cereal WITH peanut butter."

His eyebrow raised, "DRY cereal with CRUNCHY peanut butter. I am unsettled by this combination."

"I'm lactose intolerant, so no milk."

"There are several alternatives here such as oat or soy-"

"Not the same," She shook her head and picked up her bowl to take to the sink. "Why are you in uniform?"

"Because I'm outside of my quarters. Why are you NOT in uniform?"

Vivian crossed her arms over her pink, satin dressing gown, "The statistical likelihood of encountering another person at this hour-"

"You did not account for the confounder that is-"

"You. You're correct, my math missed that variable...Nevertheless, I should return to my-"

"I am sorry I assaulted Dr. McCoy."

"What?"

"I am apologizing for the violent display in the transporter room."

"I appreciate that."

"While I was aware of the human lover, I was unaware he was...a friend...Additionally when the landing party was rescued...you smelled like him. It is not logical, I understand, but I experienced a primal and territorial response."

"I understand...Given that I am no longer seeing him...and we...are what we are, you should apologize TO him for the sake of preserving your friendship. He struck first, but you did produce the more severe injuries. Also, his stubbornness will not allow him to make the first move, whereas you are mentally more evolved. It is likely he misses your companionship-"

"I will consider it...I do miss noting his consistently flawed reasoning." Spock almost smirked as he poured a bowl of cereal. "Have you spoken to him? I believe he deserves to know more regarding our arrangement and it would be best coming from you."

She raised an eyebrow, "I will consider it." Her human side wanted to be mad, lash out, cause a scene. Her Vulcan side understood that her situation was unchanged and misdirecting her anger of her situation to Spock would be irrational. In addition, being near him caused an unconscious stir; she WANTED to be near him, speak with him, touch him even. "You're not displeased with me?"

"No, I believe you behaved rationally given your circumstances." He scooped a spoonful of peanut butter into the bowl then took a hesitant bite. "I am pleasantly surprised...the salty and sweet-"

"SEE!" She lit up briefly. Her smile almost prompted one from him, but she quickly restrained herself. "Apologies-"

"Not necessary...if timed correctly, your emotional outbursts can be...amusing, endearing even."

She nodded, "If I may...perhaps I have missed your companionship."

"The sentiment is shared."

The next morning, the Enterprise orbited a new colony and sent crew members to the trading post for economic analysis. Some crew members even managed to talk their way into a brief shore leave.

"Dr. McCoy,"

McCoy looked up from his patient- an engineer with a burnt finger. An unexpected colleague stood in the doorway.

"I'm going to fill my bag with some supplies and head down. Captain Kirk sent for me."

Surprised by her presence, he nodded, "Yeah, sure, grab what you need." As he bandaged the finger he hesitated, "Wait a minute, V- er- Dr. Vida, why'd he ask for you?"

"He said there had been a recent 'bust' of slave traders and some female victims were in need of care. Given my specialty-"

"Yeah yeah, got it." He handed the patient a tube of burn cream and sent him on his way as Vivian packed up some equipment. "Hey...uh...if there's unsavory things happening on the trading post, are you gonna be safe going down there by yourself?"

"I will not be alone; I will be beaming down to Kirk," She headed out, but lingered near the door for a moment, "But...I appreciate your concern." Seeing they were alone in the space, she took the opportunity to clear the air. "While the scene in the transporter room was unnecessary on all counts, I do understand it is quite commonplace for males to war over eligible females...In addition...I owe you an apology...for involving you in a complicated situation. Shutting you out entirely and refusing to discuss the matter further was a childish self-preservation technique on my part."

Leonard's eyebrows raised in surprised as he crossed his arms and leaned against a bed. "Huh...Never thought I'd hear that...but thanks, I guess...I've just got one question- if you're willing to talk now- who were you seeing first?"

"Leo, I was never nor am I currently seeing Spock."

"He said you slept together."

"We did not SLEEP together. We engaged in intercourse ONCE as a result of a lab experiment gone wrong. I was working with Vulcan hormones-"

"I get the picture." The idea of Spock on top of her raised his blood pressure.

"And I didn't know you were interested in anything more serious until we were on Talos IV, at which point I told you about my arrangement."

"How did that even happen, V? You've said before you weren't set up as a kid."

She sighed, "When Spock mind melded with me to save my life, an unintentional bond was formed. Neither of us had a say in the matter. When I returned to New Vulcan to debrief the high council on the incident at the Pike Memorial Research Station, they surprised me with questions. They doubted my commitment to my cause of helping rebuild the population- given I have no offspring. They wanted me to return to find a mate and start a family, but I wished to proceed with Starfleet. For this reason, Spock...offered himself. He told them of our bond. Attempting to...undo the connection and find another partner would be logistically difficult. This allows me to continue my work...at least for now. Spock was also in need of a mate, with his Pon Farr approaching in less than a year. It is a symbiotic relationship, but...not a romantic relationship."

He listened for a moment, then groaned and rubbed his temples. "I hate that you're...stuck in all that."

"Even if I wasn't...Leonard I've had time to think about...US and the logical conclusion was an end of some kind. It could've been now, or when this mission ends and we have different plans for where to go next. Put your feelings aside and consider that for a moment, logically."

Gritting his teeth, he nodded, "I hear you Viv...but that doesn't change how I feel about you-"

"I know...I am still managing my feelings for you as well...I think we will both move on in time...But I do enjoy your companionship and, if it isn't too strange, would like to continue to have you in my life in a platonic role."

"It'd be weirder if we didn't..." He mustered half a smile, "But hey, don't expect me to come to any weird Vulcan wedding. There's probably no booze or bridesmaids or-"

She cut him off with a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Leo."

"Yeah don't mention it."

On the planet's surface, Vivian was pleased to find a bustling port, something that looked like the Asian continent on Earth but centuries in the past. There were rugs and spices for sale, street vendors selling food. She followed Kirk to a tent another crew member had discovered. Supposedly, inside there was a group of women who'd somehow escaped a human trafficking ring, and refused to let the Captain in.

"Hi there...my name's Dr. Vida, but you can call me Vivian. Is it alright if I come in for a moment? I'd like to help you, if you'll allow it."

The flap parted slightly. The Captain moved on to see what else he could find out about the suspicious goings-on at the port.

While the doctor was disturbed by her patients' injuries, she kept an even and friendly tone with them. They were various ages, but all human. They were tense, understandably wary of the stranger, and limited their speech. One seemed to be a leader of sorts, Magda. She suggested Vivian follow them to their "other hiding place". Dr. Vida's intuition spoke against it. She mentioned interest in joining them at this other location, when her Captain returned. The other women went ahead, leaving Vivian and Magda.

Her tone was considerate and cool. "Magda...I understand it must be difficult to discuss...but if you are willing to provide some information about your kidnapper, it might help us bring him to justice."

Magda hesitated, seemingly anxious. When she finally opened her mouth to speak, screams rang out from the port.

"What's happening?" Vivian jumped to her feet and moved to grab her bag to rush to the scene.

The other woman didn't move at first. When Vida opened the tent flap, she heard the click of firearm.

"I can't let you leave." She stood, a shaky hand gripping a revolver. Her eyes were panicked, like a trapped animal. "You've been so kind...I'm so sorry..."

"Magda, what are you doing?" Vivian kept her voice calm despite her confusion and growing concern for her own safety.

"I'm sorry...I really am...I don't want to hurt you, but you have to come with me. It's Mudd. He said if I could capture a crew member of the Enterprise, to use as a bargaining chip to get his ship back- he'd let me go."

She nodded and raised her hands, "Why me?"

"It wasn't supposed to be you...it was supposed to be another doctor- Mack something."

"Why not the Captain?"

"Mudd says your Captain is too honorable...he would give up himself too quickly and the ship would leave without his ship...He thought if we got a friend of the Captain's, he would be more willing to negotiate."

"Logical." She followed her new captor out the back of the tent and through an alley.

"Incoming broadcast," Uhura informed as she fielded crisis messages and alerts from the crew on the surface. A group of hooded individuals opened fire on the trading post, with a mixture of phasers and antique firearms. Several crew members had been injured, and there was at least one expected casualty. It happened to occur shortly after Kirk returned to the Enterprise to recruit a few additional crew members.

"On screen."

"Well, if it isn't James Tiberius Kirk. Good to see you again ol' chap." A plump man twirled his mustache.

"Mudd." Kirk spat, "Am I to assume you're responsible for the attack at the trade post?"

"Oh, you know me so well...See ol' buddy, that ship that was meant to take me to the penal colony had a little accident. Now, here we are. Given my freedom, I would like my ship back- a ship I happen to know still sits in the belly of your precious Enterprise."

"You're not getting the ship, Mudd. You'll have to settle for another arrest."

"I was afraid you'd say that...I suppose your crew will have to pay the price for your inflexibility."

"I don't appreciate being threatened." Kirk cut the transmission. "Uhura, please alert all on the ground personnel to initiate evacuation measures. Alert Scotty in the transporter room. Sulu, get the Galileo and head down to grab as many as possible."

McCoy burst onto the bridge, "What the hell happened down there?! I'm getting reports of an attack-"

"Yeah Bones, prep sick bay to receive the injured-"

"They need me down there Jim!"

"We can't risk another physician beaming down-"

"Another?" Spock's eyebrow raised.

Sweat formed on McCoy's already red forehead, "Spock- Vivian's down there!"

If possible, Spock lost color, "Rescue operations are underway. You must be aware doctor: we have protocol-"

"Oh yeah? You remember MUDD, Spock? Do you have any idea what's gonna happen if he finds her before we do?!"

The women moved through alleys and into an underground tunnel. There was a high-speed elevator, meant for mining, that plunged them significantly closer to the planet's core. They exited into a green, rock tunnel and made several additional turns before entering a larger chamber.

"Master," Magda called out, marching with a gun pressed to her captive's back, "I brought you something."

Vivian was shoved forward.

A heavy-set man sat in a makeshift throne playing with his pirate's earring. His eyes lit up when he saw his new prize, like a sadistic child preparing to rip the head off a new doll. "My my, what have we here?" He stood to approach her and made a circle, taking her in from top to bottom. "You're a GEM my dear. I've never seen a Vulcan woman with such a figure."

She raised an eyebrow but didn't speak or flinch.

"Her name's Dr. Vivian Vida- she's a physician and science officer aboard the Enterprise."

"Vivian- my what a lovely name. I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance. My name is Harcourt Fenton Mudd, but you can call me...well...that depends on what your dear Captain says, love." As he spoke, he moved his hands around her form, removing her communicator from her possession.

"He's down here?" While her face remained unchanged, she recognized the name from stories her friends told and the ship's records.

"Heaven's no dear, he's all nice and snug, safe aboard his ship. But I'm willing to bet my left nut that he'll be willing to negotiate for your safety."

"And what do you hope to receive in return?"

The portly villain laughed, "My ship, of course. You see I had a little run in with your vessel a few years back. Your Captain sent me to a penal colony and confiscated my vessel...and that just won't do."

"How do you know whether they still hold your ship?"

"I've heard rumors they put the poor girl to use for little side missions here and there- disgusting really. You see darling, I've been wronged. And I AM sorry you had to get tangled up in my mess." He made a kissy face as he returned to his seat. "Join me, won't you?"

She didn't move.

He grinned with sadistic delight, withdrew his side arm, and fired into the wall behind her. "How about now?"

"Oh Captain Kirk, I'm back to bargain with you..." The sing-songy voice came over the intercom systems again.

Kirk grew tired of the antics, "And what do you have that you think I would want? I'm not interested in your women, Mudd."

"Ah, yes, I know that...but perhaps you're interested in," The camera angle moved to show a new figure beside him, "YOUR women."

"Vivian," Dr. McCoy jumped to his feet, "Dammit! No!"

He leaned in and took an obnoxious sniff of her. When she remained stoic, he drug his tongue up the length of her face. "Tasty morsel."

Spock's nostrils flared.

"See Kirk, I WAS just going to ask for my ship but NOW that I have some extra leverage..."

"What do you want?"

"Your surrender. You've wounded my pride you see...so now I must wound SOMETHING," He stroked Vivian's face again, "Could be her...could be you...up to you of course...Then again, she would go for a pretty penny on the market. A Vulcan is exotic in these parts..."

"Captain, a word?" Spock turned his back to the camera and muted their mic. McCoy joined the two in a pseudo-huddle. "Dr. Vida does not wish to be rescued."

"The hell do you mean she doesn't wanna be rescued?!" McCoy's temper boiled over.

"Dr. Vida is a rational individual who recognizes the risk her rescue would impose on our crew. She does not wish to impose such risk, as the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

"Does this even BOTHER you? Cold blooded bastard! That's V, Spock. We can't just throw her to the wolves like that."

"Dr. McCoy I recognize the situation is not optimal, however-"

"So today's it Jim? The day the Enterprise starts leaving people behind?!"

"If the Captain accepts the proposal, he will undoubtedly be walking into an ambush."

"That's it," Kirk's eyes darted back and forth as he formulated his plan. "We're going to tell him no. We're going to call up our ground team, move to break orbit, and beam down at the last second. We'll neutralize Mudd and his men, find Dr. Vida, then call the ship back into range."

"I'll go with you."

"Thanks Bones. Spock, you're coming too."

"Who will Captain the ship?
"Scotty." Kirk sat back in his chair and resumed the audio. "No deal Mudd. Can't risk anybody else. We'll be bringing up our men and moving on."

"Pity," Mudd sighed and shook his head, "Well...I guess I'll be taking measurements and contacting buyers. Good day." The screen went black. Mudd turned angrily to his prize, "You're hardly a Starship, doll...I have half a mind to take your eyes, or your fingernails," He stood, "Or anything else to prove my point." He reared back to hit her but brought his hand back down when she didn't react. "Magda!"

The woman brought a measuring scanner.

"We could make a final stand...Give them one more chance to save you, dear...But I would need you to cry- cause a scene...and I don't think you're capable. Care to share? Anything that could change our dear old Captain's mind?" He stroked her chin. "Tell me, do you belong to someone? On that ship? Is there some man who would rush to your rescue?"

"Mudd," Magda started as she moved the scanner down the female.

"What now?"

"Something's off- the readings. It's giving me a waist measurement and then random decimals of something else."

Vivian's eyebrow raised. "If I could see the device, it is possible I could repair it."

Mudd shrugged and motioned for it.

She took the meter and glanced over the numbers. "I do believe readings are incorrect. This is an increased measurement in comparison to the commission of my uniform just months ago and..." She swallowed hard and froze. Her brain rushed through several sets of mental math that resulted in a sudden feeling of nausea.

"And what?" When she didn't answer, he drew a pistol and aimed at her head. "AND WHAT?" He demanded, louder.

Her pulse speed up. "And...the decimals could indicate...the presence of a...much smaller being-such as an intestinal parasite." The human side took over, allowing her to lie in an act of self preservation. It all made sense: her breasts were sore, her clothes were tight, she was tired, she was eating strange things. When she considered it, she noted that she also should've experienced another cycle at this point, which she hadn't. Her mind first went to Leo, their romps on Talos IV, what he would say, how he would react- if she survived long enough for him to know. But then, in a way, she would've betrayed her Vulcan cause. It could even interfere with her arrangement to Spock. Spock. She remembered their tryst in the lab. Both had occurred in the same week. A lump formed in her throat, as she realized she was unsure. She worried of the timing. She wondered of the "mother of the new world" phrase and if or how it could relate.

Mudd raised an eyebrow for a moment before a heinous grin exploded across his face. "A much smaller being...you say?...So you DO belong to someone." He chuckled with a patronizing tone. "Sweet, sweet girl- you didn't know, did you? Aw what a shame...You know...I bet its hard enough for Kirk to refuse to help a woman...a woman AND a baby?" He clapped excitedly, "I know how he is with women- tell me it's his!"

Vivian didn't answer, but was drug back in front of the camera anyway.

"Enterprise? Oh Enterprise..." Mudd sang.

"We're receiving another transmission," Uhura announced, sweat on her brow. She was scared for her friend, and pitied her situation as another female.

Spock raised an eyebrow at the unexpected communication attempt.

McCoy grit his teeth and grossed his arms.

Kirk nodded to put them on screen.

"Hello Enterprise! I have some DELIGHTFUL news!"

"Mudd, we're on our way out-"

"I IMPLORE you to consider!" He acted as if he was dabbing his eyes. "I understand one person isn't enough to you savages...but what about two?"

"Did he find someone else?" McCoy grumbled.

"All crew members are accounted for." Spock noted as he scrolled on a screen.

Mudd grabbed the woman's face and pointed it at the camera as he put the pistol into her back. "Go on...tell them."

Her eyes darted back and forth. McCoy stood on Kirk's right and Spock on his left. She cleared her throat, "It would appear," The voice that came out was shaky and quiet. The pressure of the metal on her back increased.

"They can't hear you dear."

"I'm pregnant."