Chapter Three, "The Next Morning"
Tuvok
Someone's light breathing near me promptly procured my attention, and an uncanny shuddered rocked through my body.
"Where was I?" I apprehensively thought.
First, I detected that I was lying on a luxuriously comfortable and large mattress with someone next to me instead of a twin bed on Voyager by myself. Second, I was in the nude except for my Starfleet-issued boxers. My head excruciatingly ached, but I attempted to analyze the situation.
Rolling on my side, I viewed the human woman, Aurora, from last night, at whom's school I materialized. Her shapely back, partially uncovered by a rose-colored satin sheet, faced me as she slept on her side. A medium brown mane of wavy hair flowed down past her shoulders as I recalled its softness on my fingertips last night. When I gazed at the attractive female, I felt my heart irrationally skip a beat. Each hair on my body was electrified, and I felt my heated blood rush to my sex. This human female stirred feelings up that I hadn't sensed in years.
"Curious, my time of Pon Farr isn't for another four-point two months," I thought as I attempted to transform my thoughts to halt my stimulation. However, I felt aroused by the various stimuli around me., especially Aurora.
The sheet felt like velvet against my skin and gave me a new and delightful sensation. Consequently, I rubbed the material between my index finger and my thumb on my right hand again. My lips lifted on the right side of my mouth, forming an involuntary smirk.
"Stop," I commanded myself, and then I purposely separated my thoughts from my emotions through meditation.
With the pain gnawing at my head, my thoughts were a jumble, and sorting them out seemed impossible. I nevertheless shut my eyes again to stop the stimuli around me, and I attempted to meditate. Regrettably, my hormones and the pain in my head seemed to rage like a fire. I also detected the illogical senses of both satisfaction and bliss. Desire ran rampant through my body again.
"Is there something here that's causing these reactions? I feel like my ancestors before Surak," I pondered.
Accordingly, I persisted in meditating until I had regained control of my mind and body. A potent force pulled me toward Aurora, and I wished I could stay in bed with her for fifteen- point-three seconds. Pushing myself, I struggled to my feet as I slid out of bed with the combination of suffering and disorientation. I stood in a dark room as I stretched my arms out. My next logical step would be to search for a hypospray to rid myself of the pain, as I recalled the prior evening.
"What year is it," I remember asking Aurora in her empty classroom. Her pretty face twisted in annoyance while she folded her arms across her maroon sweater as she caustically answered, "2021."
Mouth ajar, I stared at the tightness in her sweater that covered her breasts. Then I remembered caressing her there later in the evening and the pleasure that we both derived from my actions., Consequently, I felt my face flush green in heat.
"2021?" I repeated to myself in the present. "Could it be?"
Next, my thoughts returned to last night when we arrived at her living quarters. Aurora's driving of a car was troubling, but it might have been because I had never been in one. My stomach was unsettled as she seemed to speed over the posted limit and stop abruptly at traffic lights.
"Tuvok, make yourself comfortable. I'm going to take a shower and change my clothing. It's been a long day," Aurora announced when we entered the apartment. She dropped her red purse and backpack on the kitchen table, walking towards her bathroom.
After a moment, she warily stated, "Promise me you won't steal."
"I am not a thief; I am an officer," I defensively countered, proud of my position, and I felt my chest puff out a little as I spoke.
Nevertheless, Aurora rolled her eyes upward and waved her hand dismissively before striding to another room. The door slammed shut, and I heard loud-sounding music coming from there.
"Fascinating turn of events," I said as I strode along, observing her kitchen.
"How am I going to get home?" I thought.
A sizable beige sofa with large pillows sat on the left wall of the living room and a screen to the right adjacent to the doorway. There were also bookshelves containing pictures of Aurora with family members and friends. Moreover, there was something called Funko pop toys for each Ghostbuster.
"Tuvok to Janeway," I remarked, touching the communication device on my chest with my index finger.
Meanwhile, I strolled around the living space, analyzing the surroundings. After two more attempts to reach the ship, I observed a small gray animal with blue eyes blinking at me from the sofa. It was a feline, and its high voice meowed a "hello" as I approached it.
"Why can't I reach Voyager," I wondered out loud.
As I further inspected Aurora's living room, the little cat cried for attention until I finally sat down and placed my hand on its tiny head. I rhythmically scratched its chin with my index finger as I attempted to make sense of my situation. Subsequently, I found an electricity bill dated December 31, 2020. There was also a Reader's Digest for January opened to a crossword puzzle further on the sofa.
Aurora came out wearing black leggings and a long burnt orange sleeve shirt with a print that stated "The University of Texas". She grinned and joined me on the sofa. Aurora's appearance, though simple, was quite visually appealing. Once again, my body felt
"Are you ok with watching Netflix and ordering a pizza? I'd rather stay here tonight," she shyly inquired.
My expression must have baffled her because Aurora took it as I wanted to go somewhere. She stood up and told me to wait about fifteen more minutes.
"No, Aurora, stay, please. You mistook my silence for disapproval, and my thoughts were on…you…look pretty," I stammered, reaching out for her hand to stop her.
Again the human female smiled at me then sat next to me but didn't let go of my hand. I felt slight happiness at her actions.
"Oww!" I yelped, a new form of agony occurring in my head.
Back in my reality, I had run into something. My forehead hit a solid wood door because I had been too preoccupied with recalling the events of last night.
"Why didn't the door open when I approached it?" I wondered, and I observed that the light did not automatically come on either. I found a light switch and flipped it on to reveal a small bathroom decorated in a dark green color with a toilet, shower, and sink.
Slowly, I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face. I wiped it off my face with a green towel and began to search through her cabinets for a hypo. All I found was a hairbrush, tweezers, various smelling cosmetics, something called a tampon, lotion, and other random items that weren't medicine-related. Bringing my fists down on the counter, I let out my anger before exiting the room.
My fortune changed when I found two orange prescription medicine bottles and a small white bottle labeled "Alleve" in the kitchen. I picked up the bottle, found the ingredients, and discovered a pain reliever.
"Take with water," I read and put the bottle down after removing two blue pills. I retrieved a water bottle from a white refrigerator.
Putting the pills on my tongue, I opened it and then took a long sip of water. Swallowing, I felt them flow down my throat, then thirstily drank the rest of the water. I felt dizzy and unbalanced as a result and needed to lay down. My inner ear must have been damaged.
Stumbling, I went back into the room where Aurora slept and fell on the bed next to her. My eyes quickly fastened on her as she exhibited a fit, taut body and a tiny waist that was also desirable for men of many species. I yearned to possess her sexually, but Aurora's rapid movement broke me out of my reverie.
As she scooted back towards me, I stretched my hand out to touch the small of her back for something familiar in this almost impossible and dire situation. Aurora's touch felt warm, brought me comfort, and I fell asleep.
Will Tuvok be able to communicate with Voyager?
Find out in the next chapter.