A green light blinked in the dark room notifying there is a message. To be specific, it is orders to report in. A sound echoed in the room coming from the P.A.D.D. A light groan left my lips as the beeping didn't stop. I pulled myself up in the bed looking over at the now lit P.A.D.D. I reached over swiping my index over the screen. My eyes widened at the content displayed on the screen. Immediately I jumped out of bed and headed to my closet to grab my grey uniform. It didn't take long to get ready and out the door. The last time I'll be in the apartment for a while. Another beep came from my P.A.D.D. I glanced down at the tucked device underneath my arm. I mumbled, "Not now, Spock. I'm coming."

I hastily walked to the shuttle that were to take the senior officers to the location. Spock's voice brought everyone's attention to me, "Ah, T'Saraphina you are late."

I pulled on my grey uniform jacket to fix it. I opened and closed my mouth thinking of an explanation. Jim noticed before looking at Spock. He patted him on his shoulder, "Spock she is fine. We are all here to head up."

Spock tilted his head to his captain before narrowing his eyes at him. Spock spoke, "Very well. Let's head inside the shuttle."

Each one of the senior officers trickled inside the shuttle. The only people who weren't in the shuttle yet were Spock, Jim and I. Jim looked at Spock gesturing for him to go in first. Spock looked over at me before ducking in. Jim flashed a smile at me as he did the same with me. I nodded as I passed, "Captain."

Jim watched me walk by him and he replied, "T'Saraphina."

I ducked inside the shuttle and sat next to Scotty. Scotty leaned over whispering, "Ye look like a mess, lass."

I watched the captain sit next to my brother while I blew at my bangs. I took off my grey cap and started to braid my hair. I answered back, "I had a long night. Too long."

Scotty's lips went into a firm line as he knew I wouldn't tell him much if I didn't already. Scotty moved to tap my knee which I moved my leg away from him to avoid contact. Scotty retracted his hand slowly. He cleared his throat to say what he wanted to say to go along with the motion, "Too bad we are gonna miss the tournament."

I sighed sadly, "We finally finished him and he can't fight."

I twisted my braid into a bun and pinned it up. Scotty smiled big, "Well we got till we get home, hopefully!"

The shuttle lifted from the ground to start its trek. I looked out of the window seeing the landmarks of Star Fleet Academy and headquarters getting smaller by the minute. I whispered, "Hopefully."

It took thirty minutes and fifty seconds to get to the space dock. It should've taken the craft twenty five minutes based on trajectory of the shuttle from Earth to Earth Space Dock. The doors opened releasing the senior crew into the space dock. I stopped while the others went ahead. I looked around to find a shuttle craft engineer. My eyes landed on a male in his mechanic outfit. I cleared my throat to gain his attention. "Whadda ya want?"

Jim made sure all of his officers were heading inside the Enterprise till he noticed one person was missing. His lips went into a firm line. He called out to his first officer, "Spock."

If he mentioned his sister isn't among them, Spock would send a search party. Spock stopped turning to his captain with a raised eyebrow. Jim gestured with his thumb back to the shuttle, "I forgot something on the shuttle. I'll be back on the bridge soon."

Spock studied his captain before he suspiciously nodded, "Very well, captain. I'll see you on the bridge."

Jim headed back to the shuttle as well as looking down each hall way. Back at the shuttle, I answered the man, "You are a shuttle craft engineer by the looks of your uniform. I came to inform you this shuttle 1569 is delayed in its power. It took us thirty minutes and fifty seconds when it should've taken us twenty five minutes to get to the space dock."

The man narrowed his eyes as he stood up straight. It made him taller than myself including my heeled boots. Jim let out a relieved sigh when he saw I was still by the shuttle. He walked to the two of us, "T'Saraphina there you are. I was worried when I couldn't find you."

I turned towards my captain, "Captain, I am merely telling this lieutenant of this shuttle craft's delay."

Jim questioned, "Delay? What delay? We got here just fine."

The man pointed to me, "She is sayin' that this craft is delayed by five minutes and 30 seconds-."

I interrupted him to correct him, "It was fifty seconds. The craft should've taken twenty five minutes to get to this dock whereas it actually took it thirty minutes and fifty seconds. You should check the timing belt or the transmission. Those could be the two problems that led to this."

Jim raised his eyebrows at the thought process. Jim ignored the grumbling of the man as he spoke to me, "T'Saraphina we must be getting to the Enterprise."

He saw my lips quirk upward into a smile when he mentioned the Enterprise. I nodded in agreement. Jim waited till I started walking to the entrance of the connector to the Enterprise. He walked beside me speaking low, "I didn't tell Spock what happened last night."

I quickly glanced up at my captain. His eyes and mine met. I spoke, "He should and would not know. I know my brother more than I do myself and he would find them."

Jim reached out and grabbed my hand stopping me. I looked down at our hands. I could feel the warmth coming from his hand. Last night changed everything between him and I. My reaction towards Scotty wasn't from Serock. No, I was able to get over it and be comfortable again till last night.

The bar was busy as usual with its Star Fleet and civilian patrons. My chin was nestled on my palm while I stared at the bar's rows of alcohol. The bottles seemed to catch my eye as they glisten against the bar's lighting. I lifted my snifter glass bringing it eye level. The amber liquid made the lights twinkle with a rustic flare. My curls hid my pointed ears from other patrons disguising the fact I am a Vulcan. My bangs are in need of a cut as they are dusting over my eyebrows. Ignoring the men who sat on each side of me, I continued to drink my Vulcan brandy. It was a surprise the bar had some left considering my home world is in fact gone. The man on my left spoke loudly to the man on the other side of me, "Hey Jeff, you know I could get us two beers and a strawberry daquiri from the lady right here."

The man called Jeff answered enthusiastically, "Yeah man, that would be great for the little lady."

I let out a sigh grabbing my brandy before hopping off the bar stool. The unknown man grabbed my arm tightly, "Woah there I was gonna get you a drink."

I turned to him raising my brandy glass to him, "No thank you, I already got one. Now release me."

Jeff piped up, "Release you? We are just trying to be friendly towards you by buying a drink."

I pulled my arm from his grasp. Luckily my strength is slightly better than a human's. He grabbed with his other hand to my other arm pulling me towards him. I stumbled spilling some of my brandy onto myself. My jaw clenched. Instead of the man behind me it feels like Serock took his place. A familiar voice called out, "Hey what are you doing with her?"

I opened my eyes seeing the very blue eyes of my captain. The man behind me breathed by my ear, "We were just talking. Now if you don't mind, beat it."

Jim met my eyes and he could see the panic hidden beneath them. Jim placed his beer on the table near him. Jim spoke to the man behind me, "Now I don't want to cause any trouble but I very much like it if you let her go. She is uncomfortable."

His friend, Jeff stood up from his bar stool sizing Jim up. Jeff gestured to me, "She looks fine. Go back to whatever you were doing. This is a private talk."

I tried getting out of the man's grip but he tightened his grip. My jaw still clenched. Jim ignored the two and asked me, "Are you okay, T'Saraphina?"

I gritted out, "As you would say peachy. I'm peachy."

The man growled in my ear, "You know this guy?"

I tried once more to get my arm out of his grasp as I answered, "Yes, I do. He... He is my brother's friend."

Jim raised his eyebrows. Jim spoke to me, "T'Saraphina, duck."

As I ducked, Jim's fist connected with the man's jaw. He immediately released me stumbling back. I stumbled slightly knocking into Jeff. Jeff called out to his friend, "Ricky!"

I started to feel the guy's hands start to go around me but I ducked out of his grasp. My free hand reached around and pinched him between his neck and shoulder. Immediately Jeff slumped to the ground. Ricky wiped his mouth. I noticed blood started to pool in his mouth. Jim grabbed his shirt pulling him closer, "If a lady walks away, it means she doesn't want to deal with you. If a lady is uncomfortable, don't make her uncomfortable in the first place."

I knocked back the rest of my brandy placing the glass on the bar top. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jim giving Ricky one last punch before letting him slump to the floor. I looked around the bar seeing others were minding their business. I am sure they saw the situation from start to finish. Jim glanced over at me, "You okay?"

I swallowed a lump before nodding. He gestured with a head tilt to the door, "Let's head out."

I agreed by following him outside. I breathed out a shaky breath, "Thank you captain."

Jim corrected me, "Jim. It's Jim. I couldn't stand there and watch you get harassed."

I rubbed my arm looking down the street. I spoke sternly, "Spock will not know what happened tonight. He will murder the two."

Jim breathed through his nose with his jaw clenched. He didn't say anything for a few moments. I looked over at him seeing him running a hand through his sandy hair. He answered my unspoken inquiry, "I was close to killing them myself. They shouldn't have done that to you."

I moved my hair behind my ear, showing the proud point to any on-lookers. I gave a light bow of my head, "I thank you captain."

Jim looked at my outfit seeing it is drenched with the brandy. He pointed with his thumb behind him, "I live a few blocks down. I can offer you fresh clothes and a shower if need to be."

I licked my lips from their sudden dryness. I opened and closed my mouth before coming up with a logical excuse, "I... Thank you captain but I prefer to go to my apartment. I do believe it is out of line for my captain to offer his home and clothes to one of his crew mates. I must be going I am meeting Mr. Scott tomorrow."

Jim held up his hands in defense, "I didn't mean for you to sleep over. I just didn't want you to be stuck in your wet clothes any longer."

The lighting of the street didn't show the green tint dusting on my cheeks and nose. Despite my eyes being sharp, I couldn't see the very light pink hue on my captain's face. I came up with a response, "I... I must go."

I started to turn my heel before Jim called out with his hand reached out, "Wait!"

I turned seeing him slowly retracting his hand from my space. Jim rubbed his neck while looking towards the bar, "At least let me walk you home so those guys don't try and follow you."

I glanced at the bar before nodding. "Alright, thank you."

I gave one last parting nod to Jim before heading down to engineering. In preparation for departure, I should help Scotty in ensuring a smooth ride for the U.S.S. Enterprise.