Enterprise's time around the beautiful planet was short lived. We had our fair share being on the surface. Everyone seemed relax and happy. The only thing we hope is this five year mission would be an easy one. We would have to deal with simple diplomatic missions and no fighting. Of course, no diplomatic meeting would be a easy one. There would be some difficult ones. I, for one, would hope the Enterprise wouldn't deal with a lot of those.

Beep.

I tore from my P.A.D.D. and reached over my bed to the intercom. I pressed the button, "Sara."

"Aye, lassie. I'm headin' to deck 8. I'd like some company as I know it's your day off. Please, keep me company?"

I powered down my P.A.D.D. I pressed the button to reply, "As long as you have sticky toffee pudding, I'll be there."

"O' Course, lass. Ye know I always have it when ye join me."

A smile graced my lips. I hopped off of my bed to get into a suitable attire. I pulled out a floor length dress of tawny color. It was given to me by my mother when I was become of age. I braided my hair then moved the braid to sit on the crown of my head. With one last check around my quarters, I left for deck 8. It's been a while since Scotty and I had a meal together.

"Jim, let's grab a bite to eat."

Jim hummed at the doctor's words.

"Jim. Come on, I am sure you're hungry. Don't make me hog tie ya and drag you there."

Jim moved his fingers off of his lips and tore his attention away from the bridge's screen to his ship's doctor. Jim raised an eyebrow and the corner of his lips twitched upward, "Are you threating me doctor with a... A hogtie?"

Bones' lips went into a firm line. The famous one eye brow raise appeared on the doctor's face. Bones let out a gruff huff, "Doctor's orders. Come on, let's go."

Jim held up his hands in a joking matter, "Alright, don't have to pull that out so I could move faster."

The captain followed his chief of medical to what looked to be deck 8.

I had my chin resting on the palm of my hand. Scotty was taking his sweet time. I thought when he said he would be heading down to deck 8 that he would actually be on his way from engineering. The door opened then quickly closed. I let out a groan, "Scotty, if I'd known you'd take forever I would of continued with my report."

A tap at the door made me turn around. A voice called out to a person on the other side, "Bones, what are you doing? Why did you lock the door?"

Bones' voice carried through, "Sorry, captain. This is doctor's orders. Have fun."

Footsteps disappeared as they walked away. I stood up from my seat, "Captain."

Jim finally took in his surroundings when he heard the one voice. Immediately, he felt his heart leaped. He started, "Ah, T'Saraphina. I didn't see you."

I moved towards the door. The captain was still standing by the door. I placed my hand on the door feeling the cool metal. I turned to the key pad and entered my access control code, "You say the good doctor locked the door. I am sure-."

The sound of no access reached their ears. My angled brows furrowed, "That's strange. My access override code should release the locks."

I pressed a few times my code again, "I was supposed to meet Mr. Scott here for a meal."

Jim studied the Vulcan hybrid beside him. It finally clicked for him. Jim shook his head, "I think my chief engineer has removed yours and more likely my access override codes. Just so we would be locked in a room together to have dinner."

Jim watched as the hybrid slowed her movements in entering her passcode. I rubbed my forehead mumbling, "I wouldn't put it past him. Of course he did."

Jim gestured to the table by the window, "Well since we aren't able to leave until the two schemers deem us ready to leave, we might as well enjoy dinner."

I pulled away from the key pad looking where his hand was gesturing. I pursed my lips, "Well as long as sticky toffee pudding can be made like I was promised, we shouldn't have any difficulties."

Jim's lips went into a curve upwards, "Difficulties? Is my presence really that horrible?"

I looked at the captain seeing he was still dressed in his regulated Star Fleet captain uniform. I took a moment to answer, "I... I do not see or feel your presence as horrible."

The two of us sat at a table by the window. Stars flittered by. It looked beautiful. Jim's lips went into a slanted smile, "Spock once said Vulcans do not lie. I hope that would extend to you."

My eyes flitted towards him. I bit inside my cheek. I leaned forward, "I am Vulcan am I not? I am also human. Despite my mother's heritage running through my veins, I cannot lie."

I pushed myself off of my seat heading to the food replicators. His voice gave me a jolt when it appeared behind me, "You're not like the others. It's refreshing and a nice mix of things."

I pressed a button, "A sticky toffee pudding and a warm cup of Vulcan tea."

Jim moved to my side and pressed a button of the second food replicator, "Two salads."

I raised an eyebrow, "Two?"

I pulled out my choices turning to the captain. He still had that slanted smile gracing his lips. He pulled out the two plates, "Yeah. One for you and one for me. I'm not going to have you just eat sticky toffee pudding. I think I need to talk with Mr. Scott of letting you eat desserts mostly."

The two of us headed to the table we once were. He slid one of the salad plates in front of my seat. I placed the pudding and tea on each side of the salad. I glanced at his plate of leafy greens, "You didn't have to eat a salad in front of me."

Jim shrugged, "I was feeling for a salad. I can have a salad if I want to."

I nodded, "That is true. You can have a salad if you're feeling like it. I'm sorry for assuming."

The two of us began eating. Jim patted his lips with a napkin, "I've been wanting to tell you when I saw you that you look beautiful."

I felt my ears and cheeks burn. I looked down into my salad moving a few leaves around on my plate, "I do not think of such thing, captain."

Jim's lips went into a firm line, "It is the truth, T'Saraphina. I, from my view and I'm sure others as well, see you as a beautiful young woman."

He leaned forward bringing his voice down to hush tones, "Listen, I am sure we can go back and forth on this. However you cannot tell me what I can or cannot see as beautiful. Everyone has a different view and I see you, a Vulcan Human hybrid woman, a beautiful woman."

My eyes flitted from my plate to him. His blue eyes held a strong will. Nothing could waver them. Heat continued to rise which would be visible to anyone near by. Jim's eyes very briefly glanced at the very prominent blush. I cleared my throat, "T-thank you, captain."

Jim sighed shaking his head, "It's Jim. Or James. Please at least whenever we are alone."

I felt my mouth go dry. My heart bounced against the bottom of my rib cage. I could feel my emotions start to become overwhelming. The beats of my heart have increased. My face is flushed. I could feel warmth spread from the bottom of my belly going outward. I shifted in my seat. Jim reached over placing both of his hands above my hand. I didn't pull away from his grip. I didn't want to. The feeling of his rough hands felt nice along my skin. His voice was quiet, "May I?"

Giving a curt nod, I bit the inside of my cheek. He took my hand into his two. They softly cupped around my hand. I felt my heart quicken when I saw two of his fingers lightly graze their finger pads across the same two types of fingers of my hand. I could not deny the electrifying signals from his fingers touching my own. He was starting to fall back.

Words softly fumbled out of my lips, "Please, James... Don't stop."

He tried wet his mouth but it felt dry. He gently laced his fingers with mine. He then released my fingers, "I'm not going to take an advantage of you when it's not overwhelming. I'm sorry for overwhelming you."

I bit my bottom lip. I lightly traced my fingers against his, "I gave permission, did I not? You're not taking an advantage of me. Emotions can be overwhelming but it always been overwhelming. I... I never came across these type of emotions."

Jim raised his brows, "What emotions?"

I gently hooked two of my fingers around his as I leaned forward. His two fingers slowly hooked around my own giving it a little squeeze. My lips touched his. It was just like I remember. Soft and plush lips. His free hand moved to my cheek. The tips of his finger tips tangled themselves in my hair. His index finger brushed itself against the tip of my ear. His hooked fingers unhooked themselves and started to pull away but didn't loose contact. It forced my two fingers to loosen themselves. That gave Jim the invitation to gently run his two fingers against my own. I pulled away from him feeling my breath becoming labored, "James..."

His hand still cupped my cheek. He rubbed his thumb against the apple of my cheek. He breathed out, "Sorry for going a bit too far."

He cleared his throat pulling away completely. He picked up his fork, "Let's... Let's go back to dinner."

I rubbed my forehead as the want to explain the emotions to him increased greatly, "I will not tell you a lie as I could not nor would I bend the truth. I... have to say I feel like a school aged child when it comes to your presence. My heart..."

I placed a hand where the erratic beating is placed. His eyes caught the movement. I continued, "My heart beats erratically as if I took the Star Fleet physical test whenever I am in your vicinity. I am not sure how to act myself around you. I thought after my Pon Farr I would forget about our one-time sexual relations. My body betrayed me in multiple accounts. My mind as well."

Jim waited till he knew I was done speaking. I took a sip of my tea in hopes it would calm me down. Jim decided now was his time to talk, "I think it's my turn to speak up. I mentioned to you before I would like the two of us to be something more right before you were assigned to the U.S.S. Vengeance. I know humans have the ability to lie but I would never lie to you."

His eyes studied mine. We didn't break contact as he continued, "At first I thought I had a sexual attraction to you like those before you. I thought it would go away after your Pon Farr however the sexual attraction was actually a romantic attraction. I only have eyes for you and only can think of you. I wanted to be around you. I wanted to get to know you, your likes and dislikes. That's why I kept asking you for a meal. I'm sorry for being pushy when you were trying to heal. That was going over a boundary."

"As Bones would say we have been skirtin' around each other, " Jim spoke.

I swallowed, "What would you like to do?"

He held out his hand. I looked between his hand to his face. I slowly placed my hand in his. He gently wrapped his around mine. His voice was steady but quiet, "I'd like us to be more, if you're ready and willing."

I squeezed his hand. Continuing with keeping our voices quiet, I spoke, "I'd like to give this a try but I'd like for it to be on the quiet side."

Slowly I could see his lips curve upward and his teeth were shown. He pulled my hand up towards his lips. He gently placed a kiss on my hand, "Behind closed doors, that can be done."

I pulled away from his grip. Before taking a bite of my pudding, I continued, "No special treatment."

A smirk played on his lips, "What do you take me for?"

I took a few bites of my food. I swallowed, "Someone who would give special treatment."

Jim chuckled, "No special treatment."

Scotty swirled his scotch.

"You reenabled their access codes, Mr. Scott?"

Scotty nodded taking a sip, "Aye, doctor. They'll come to realize they could've leave the mess hall 10 minutes in."

Bones crossed his arms, "I just hope something would come out of this. Both are acting like two love sick teenagers. I don't want to hear his groaning and her stubbornness."

Scotty leaned forward, "So Sara was just being stubborn?"

Bones' lips went into a firm line. He sipped his whisky, "I shouldn't haven't said anything. Breaches the doctor and patient confidentiality."

Scotty leaned back into his seat with a sigh, "Actually that sounds like her. Didn't mean to try to have you break her trust."

Beep.

Scotty leaned back into his seat to press the button, "Scotty."

"Mr. Scott. I'd like you to meet me in engineering. I'd like to discuss your misuse of senior officer protocols. And for you ditching me at dinner."

Bones raised his eyebrows hiding his expression in his whisky. Scotty pressed the button again, "Uh, aye. I'll be there in five."

Scotty finished off his scotch, "Well I'm in trouble with her."

Bones' face looked amused, "Oh, you can hear it in her voice. Good thing I'm not in trouble with her."

Scotty rolled his eyes shaking his head.

I held the P.A.D.D. close to the panel running its diagnostics. The doors swooshed open with a voice ringing through the engineering room, "Now lass... Hear me out."

"Pass me the laser driver."

Scotty grabbed the requested item and placed it in my outstretched hand. Scotty tried again, "Lass, I only did what I thought would be best for you."

I continued the diagnostic with the panel after a few adjustments. I finally spoke after a few moments of silence, "You misused your position to lock the captain and I in the mess hall. I told the captain I would be able to talk with you about a suitable punishment."

Scotty furrowed his brows, "Punishment? Lass I'm chief engineer."

I stopped the scan turning to the scotsman. I placed the P.A.D.D. to my side, "I'm a senior officer just as much as you. I have the authority with the captain's and or first officer's blessing to relieve you of duty."

Scotty huffed, "Now you listen here, missy. I said I did it for the best for you. I'm yer best friend and I care about you. I want you to be happy."

I considered his words. I turned back to my task, "You're lucky I cherish you too much to relieve you of duty. Next time, don't ditch me at dinner."

The scotsman narrowed his eyes at the hybrid. He could see the smallest amusement. He wagged his finger at me, "Aye lass, you got me there."

I rolled my eyes. I turned back to him pointing a finger at him, "Don't ditch me again. I had to eat that sticky toffee pudding all by myself."

Scotty placed a hand to his chest as if he was wounded, "Ah you hurt me. You ate it all without me."

I wouldn't tell the scotsman that I actually shared it with the captain. Scotty asked, "You didn't share it with the captain?"

I bit inside my cheek to keep down the blush, "No."

Scotty shook his head, "Stubborn lass, you are."

This time I shook my head, "Anyways, get back to your off duty."

Scotty linked an arm around my own, "That goes for you as well, lass. It's your day off and you shouldn't be working."

I let out a sigh, "I did plan to work on a couple diagnostics today."

The scotsman let out a heavy sigh.