Chapter Nine: Five Days

DAY ONE

After Leonard has given them a full work-up and healed what he could, Spock and Nyota were relieved of duty until further notice. Spock didn't care for it. He wanted to get back to his normal routine as soon as possible.

Still, there was a logic in giving them some more leave. Nyota was exhausted and still recovering from both the Pon Farr and the Kal-If-Fee. Spock wasn't sure he wasn't able to go back to work, but he would defer to his Captain and the CMO.

The first order of business was to tidy their quarters. While Nyota showered, he stripped the bedding and put it in the laundry. Thankfully, the air circulators had gotten rid of most of the smell of repeated couplings.

Things were generally cleaned by the time Nyota emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was still slightly damp and she was wearing the workout shirt he'd had from his brief time as a Lieutenant on the Discovery. It hung down to her knees and enveloped her frame, but Nyota loved it and had laid claim to it as a nightshirt not long into their sexual relationship. Spock felt a certain amount of territorial pride she would want to wear his clothing to bed.

Spock crossed the room to pick her up in his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. "You need to sleep, K'wida."

Nyota yawned and snuggled into the bed. "Are you going to sleep too?"

Spock shook his head. "I do not require as much sleep as you do. I would like to meditate."

Still, seeing her tired body laying on the bed, he couldn't resist slipping in behind her and wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Cuddlebug," she murmured sleepily.

Spock remained wrapped around her until her breathing deepened and she turned her face into the pillow. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before slipping out of bed and donned his meditation robes.

He knelt down and closed his eyes. He went over the events of the past few days. Nyota's mind could not handle the neurochemical imbalance of Pon Farr. Most of her memories of the event would be dimmed. Spock did not have that same luxury. He would have to purge himself of the memories and emotions. If not for himself, then to avoid Nyota seeing them through their bond. It was only when he was deep in the Plak Tow he had no recollection. Unfortunate, as his bonding ceremony with Nyota was the only memory he truly wanted to retain.

He would rid himself of the couplings with Nyota. He usually enjoyed thinking about physical encounters with her, but the ones associated with Pon Farr were not pleasant for either him or her. He held onto the knowledge that T'Pring had joined the Logic Extremists. That was something that could cause difficulties in the future.

He didn't know how long he was in his meditations. It must have been a few hours. But he was pulled easily out of it by one word:

"Spock?"

He opened his eyes and looked at Nyota. She was sitting up in bed, her hair rumpled from her long sleep. She looked a lot better rested, but her mouth was curved down in a frown. "I wanted to kill her."

Spock immediately rose and gathered Nyota into his arms. He pressed his cheek to the top of her head. The disquiet in Nyota was plainly evident. "But you did not."

"I still wanted to," Nyota murmured. She snuggled closer to him. "She was going to take you away from me and I...I wanted her dead."

"I wanted her dead too." Spock gently stroked Nyota's hair. "I was aroused when you were fighting her. And when the battle was over, I tried to strangle her. It was the Blood Fever. We were stripped of all rational thought. The only imperative that remained within us was to be bonded to each other."

Nyota looked up at Spock, her soft brown eyes still glistening with tears. Spock cupped her cheek. "Vulcans often act as if humans are savages. But our veneer of logical tranquility is tenuous. When it is ripped away... It reveals something primal. As terrible as anything a Klingon could do. But you... You, Nyota... When you lost your reason, you still showed T'Pring mercy. That was so very human of you. No Vulcan would have done so. And that is one of the reasons why I chose you for my mate."

Finally, Nyota smiled. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Spock's lips. "I interrupted your meditations."

"It is fine," Spock replied. "I feel sufficiently renewed. I believe I would prefer to do another activity to restore my sense of peace."

"What's that?"

Spock's arms tightened around her. "I am performing it."

"Cuddlebug."

Spock closed his eyes and let out a relaxed breath. "I request you never use that term around Jim or Leonard. It is unlikely they would- To use a human phrase- let me hear the end of it."

Nyota hugged Spock close. "But I can use it when we're alone?"

"Then it is acceptable." The corner of his mouth curved up. "Especially if it allows me the opportunity to hold you."

DAY TWO

Jim had just stepped out of the turbolift, about to head to his quarters. He found himself smiling when he saw Spock walking down the corridor. He hadn't seen Spock since his and Uhura's return. Burnham was doing a good job of filling in for his Chief Science Officer and Sulu made a good XO, but there was no replacing Spock. "Spock! Hey Spock!"

Jim ran to catch up to him. Spock glanced over his shoulder. "Jim. Is there a problem?"

"Of course not!" Jim gave Spock a light tap on the arm. "Everything's great. We're on course to Altair VI. We won't have lost that much time. We'll just have missed the boring parts. Surprised to see you up and about."

Spock arched a brow. "I am perfectly fine, Jim. Doctor McCoy approved me for duty again and I would be on the bridge now if you did not insist that Lieutenant Uhura and I take several more days of rest."

Jim laughed. "You know she's your wife... Right? You don't have to call her 'Lieutenant Uhura'."

Spock continued to look puzzled. "I have always referred to her as Lieutenant Uhura to you. I do not see how our change in marital status should alter that."

"So what are you doing out of your quarters?" Jim asked. "I ordered you on rest."

Spock held up a small box. "I had something to retrieve from Doctor Park."

"Ben?" Jim questioned. "Are you two working on something?"

Spock held out a small package. "Commander Sulu told me that- in his free time- his husband created decorative items out of mineral samples that are ill suited for study. As it is Vulcan tradition to present one's mate with a gift after the Pon Farr has completed, I requested he create something for Lieutenant Uhura."

Jim grinned and gave Spock a shot in the arm. "Spock, you old smoothie. What did you get her?"

Spock opened up the small box, revealing a pair of earrings similar to the amulet Uhura wore. Jim frowned. "These ones aren't tracking devices too, are they?"

Spock's ears turned slightly green. "I thought we were at an accord to never mention that, lest the Lieutenant discover that fact."

Jim nodded. "Okay, okay... I get it. I'm scared of her too."

Spock closed the box quickly. "Vokaya was incredibly rare, even before the destruction of Vulcan. These are made of opal. However, that they match my previous gift of jewelry will be seen as thoughtful by Lieutenant Uhura."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Okay seriously, Spock... Do you ever mess up and call her 'Lieutenant Uhura' while you two are alone?"

Spock was quiet for a long moment. "...Yes."

"She doesn't call you Commander, does she?" Jim narrowed his gaze. "...You don't want her to call you Commander, do you? Oh my God, she does, doesn't she?" He waved his hands. "Don't tell me!... But really, does she?"

Spock merely raised an eyebrow. He gestured into the quarters. "Would you care to come in and say hello to Li- Nyota? I'm sure she would like to see you."

Jim wrinkled his nose, thinking about the last time he'd been in Spock and Uhura's room. "I wouldn't want to impose on you two..."

"It is no imposition. It was an invitation." Spock opened the door to his quarters.

Uhura was sitting on the couch, her legs stretched out. She was dressed in a Starfleet Academy shirt that was several sizes too large for her small frame and her feet were bare. She looked to be going over some data. "Honey, you should look at this."

'Honey? ' Jim mouthed as he moved into the room.

Uhura hadn't yet noticed him. "Carol Marcus has just posted a paper on..."

Spock leaned over the back of the couch and tilted Uhura's chin up, giving her an upside down peck on the lips. "K'diwa, the Captain has stopped by."

Uhura looked to the side and smiled. "Captain, hi. Are you going to put us back on duty?"

"How'd it take you two so long to get married, you're perfect for each other," Despite Jim muttering the comment, both his companions heard it and shot him a look. It was hard to mutter around a communications officer and a Vulcan. Still, Spock gestured for Jim to sit down in the chair opposite the couch. He did so. "You know, everyone else on this ship would be glad to have a week off, especially when the first half of that week was spent... Doing what you were doing. Just relax. We're not doing anything special until we get to Altair VI."

Spock lifted Uhura's feet and sat down on the couch, placing her bare feet into his lap. Jim frowned when he saw that. It just seemed so... Odd for Spock to do something like that.

"Is Hannity doing alright covering for me?" Uhura asked. "I know you've got a lot of communications coming in from the president..."

Jim was barely listening to Uhura. Rather, he was watching Spock's hands. Spock was gently rubbing Uhura's ankles and feet. He was working his thumb into the arch of her foot.

Spock was giving Uhura a foot massage.

"Captain?" Uhura frowned deeply. "So Hannity is doing alright?"

"What's going on here?" Jim asked, pointing to them.

Spock and Uhura both look at each other confused. "Lieutenant Uhura was simply asking you about Ensign Hannity's abilities to fill in for her. I was about to inquire the same about Michael."

Jim blinked. "They're both doing great. I mean, no replacements for the two of you, but..."

Spock's hand was stroking Uhura's calf. Uhura had reached up and was stroking Spock's ear, which he leaned into.

Jim stood up. "I should probably leave."

He got up and headed towards the door. Spock was fast behind him. "Jim, I am unsure why you are so uncomfortable."

Jim leaned in close to Spock. "You're very... Handsy. With Uhura."

Spock's eyebrow rose. "You have witnessed my sharing of affection with Lieutenant Uhura. You have actually borne witness to much more salacious activities within the past week when we were lacking faculties."

Jim cringed at the memory. "Didn't need that brought up, Spock. And to be honest... This is kind of weirder. It's, like... Romantic."

"It is so odd that I should enjoy touching my wife?"

"Yes," Jim stressed. "Because you're you. And I've known you for six years and in all that time I think I've only seen you touch Uhura like once a year and it's always after some disaster happens. Or before one happens and you think one of you is going to die."

Spock put his hands behind his back. "Usually when the three of us are together, we are on duty. It would be inappropriate to show physical affection with the Lieutenant. But as we are forbidden from duty right now, I see nothing improper with engaging in socially acceptable physical proximity."

"It's just weird, Spock." Jim shrugged his shoulder. "I mean, it's not bad... I'm glad you guys are happy. It's just... Thinking about you and Uhura doing any romantic is like thinking about my mom doing it."

Spock lifted an eyebrow. "And in this scenario which one of us would be your mother?"

"I'm sorry I brought it up." Jim waved a hand. "I'm glad you're getting more comfortable being affectionate with Uhura. She definitely deserves it. It's just going to take some getting used to. I'll let you guys get back to whatever you do behind closed doors. Have a good night."

Just as Jim was stepping out the door, Spock leaned out. "Captain, I do regret to inform you that as she bore two children, your mother engaged in the act of copulation at least twice with a high statistical probability of far more."

He disappeared through the closing door. Jim scowled. Just for that, when Uhura came back to work, he was giving Spock another day of leave.

DAY THREE

Nyota set down her stylus and rubbed her temples. She had finished the last of the reports. It felt good to be working again, even if the Captain was still insistent that she and Spock not start their active duty until the next day. Well, she could start her active duty. Spock was inexplicably not scheduled until the day after.

When she rose from the desk and looked to the living area, she saw Spock setting down a bowl of popcorn. She cocked her head in question. "What are you doing?"

Spock stood up. "I calculated you would be finished by 1900. I thought you would enjoy our evening's activity to be viewing a movie."

Nyota couldn't help but giggle. She knew Spock found such leisurely activities to be an illogical waste of time, but he'd been taking such care to appeal to her during the medical leave. "You really don't have to do that."

Spock reached out a hand to Nyota, stroking her fingers with his. "You have endured a great deal of hardship in regards to my heritage. I wish to provide you with comfort utilizing yours."

Nyota allowed Spock to pull her to him. She fisted her hands in the hem of his Discovery workout shirt. "That's my shirt," she pouted.

Spock leaned in and kissed her. "It belonged to me first."

Nyota hummed against his lips. "Bride of Chaotica?"

Spock huffed out a breath. "If we must watch one of those movies, I would greatly prefer Proton and Chaotica."

"The remake?" Nyota scowled, wrinkling her nose. "How can you prefer the remake to the original?"

"There was a marked improvement upon the visual effects and acting in the fifty years between the two productions," Spock replied. He pulled her to the couch and laid down. Nyota arranged herself so he was spooning her. Spock hummed in contentment as he curled around her. "You have also seen Bride of Chaotica at least twenty-five times."

When Nyota pouted, Spock nodded. "Fine. Bride of Chaotica."

Nyota started the movie and it appeared on their view screen. She picked up the bowl of popcorn Spock had provided and nibbled on a few pieces. She knew how terrible the movie was, but it was so much fun to watch. Bad movies were one of her favourite ways to relax.

She felt Spock's nose nuzzling against her neck. She then felt soft kisses, leading up to a gentle tug on her earlobe with his teeth. She sighed. "Cuddlebug... Are you even watching?"

"I am gaining adequate enjoyment from the experience." Spock slipped a hand under her shirt, palming the skin of her stomach. "If I am to understand the ritual of viewing a movie with a partner, often the movie is not viewed in lieu of physical affection."

"Is that why you did this?" Nyota laughed softly. She picked up some more popcorn. "Well, I'd like to watch and eat my popcorn. You did go through all of the trouble of synthesizing it for me."

Spock put his chin on Nyota's shoulder. "I have never had popcorn. I desire to try."

"Oh." Nyota looked down at the bowl. That seemed like an odd request from him. Spock often chastised her for eating nutritionally deficient food. "I suppose we have a spoon somewhere around here."

"That seems illogical. Popcorn is made to be eaten with fingers."

Nyota's lips curved down in a frown. "But Vulcan's don't eat with their fingers."

Spock leaned in closer. "I have no plan to eat with my fingers." He opened his mouth, waiting.

Giggling, Nyota placed two pieces at Spock's lips. He took them in, licking at Nyota's fingers. He chewed, tilting his head. "Fascinating. It is overly salted and contains very little nutritional substance."

"So you don't like it?"

Spock curled closer. "More."

Nyota fed Spock a few more pieces. He seemed much more interested in exploring her fingers with his tongue than actually eating. He then sighed and reached into the bowl, picking up some popcorn.

Nyota squirmed beneath him. "Vulcans don't eat with their fingers," she repeated teasingly.

There was a gleam in Spock's eyes as he held up the popcorn to her mouth. "You remain correct." He groaned softly as Nyota ate from his hand, licking at his fingertips.

Nyota giggled again as she allowed Spock to pull her to him and kiss her. "We're missing the movie."

Spock's purr was a low grumble in his chest. "I did inform you I preferred the remake."

DAY FOUR

Spock sat quietly in his quarters, jaw set firmly. He heard the beep at the door. "Enter."

"Are you pouting?"

Spock turned to look at Michael. "Vulcans do not pout."

Michael moved through the quarters with relaxed ease. She began to set up the chess set. "I'm not so sure about that, brother. Come on, Nyota will be home in a few hours and you'll be back on the bridge tomorrow."

Spock rose and sat at the table, facing off against Michael, the chess set between them. "How are you acclimatizing to the Enterprise?"

"Good," Michael replied, making the opening move. "I mean, I haven't been on a starship in years. But this isn't the first time I've come back in after a break. And being on New Vulcan for years is a lot like being in prison... So no real change. But I think it'll start getting harder to get used to things soon."

Spock tilted his head in question. "And why is that?"

Michael smiled. "Tomorrow I have to start taking orders from you."

Spock considered his next move, narrowing his gaze. "And the rest of the crew is being welcoming to you?"

Now it was Michael's turn to tilt her head. "Do I detect subtextual innuendo, Spock?"

Spock moved his rook. "Leonard wanted to show you around the ship."

Michael countered with her knight. "Doctor McCoy wanted embarrassing stories about you."

"And what did you want?"

Michael smirked. "Clearly to get under your skin."

"Michael."

Michael shrugged. "I've been around Vulcans for the last few years. He is a nice change of pace."

"He also is not a surgically altered Klingon." Spock then saw Michael's face cut. He straightened up. "That was uncalled for. I apologize."

"You're not wrong," Michael sighed. "But the less we talk about Tyler, the better. I've only known Doctor McCoy for a few days. You're overreacting."

"Vulcans do not overreact."

"Yeah yeah... So do you like being married?"

"It is a most agreeable state." Spock moved his bishop. "Nyota said when you discovered we were dating you threatened her if she 'broke my heart'."

Michael nodded. "I did."

Spock tilted his head. "Will I be required to have a similar conversation with Leonard?"

"Just play the game, Spock."

DAY FIVE

Sulu kept his eyes to his station, ignoring Chekov repeatedly leaning over. "So ve say nozing?"

"Nothing," Sulu hissed. He glanced back at the Captain, sitting in his chair. "Not to Spock, not to Uhura and not to the Captain."

"It newwer happened?"

Sulu nodded.

The turbolift doors swooshed open and Spock stepped onto the bridge, Uhura at his side. The Captain gestured at them from his chair. "Mister Spock, good to have you back on the bridge. Glad you're over your Tarkalean flu."

"Thank you, Captain."

Mister Sulu glanced up from his. "Sir, you had Tarkalean Flu and you got married?"

"It was a very eventful week." Spock said quickly as he walked to his station.

"Glad you're both feeling better," Sulu said. "And congratulations."

Chekov leaned over to Sulu again. He glanced back to Spock and Uhura briefly. "But zey kem in here in zeir undervear during night shift and de komandir yelled 'de wery fires of Pon Farr make me hunger for you'..."

Sulu glared daggers at Chekov. "I know. I was there."

"And den he made us leawe so zey could go to de Keptin's chair and..."

Burnham walked over and leaned over the helm, she hissed very softly, "I told you what Pon Farr was so you two would stop talking about it. Now actually do it! That's an order."

Sulu frowned. "I outrank you."

Burnham stood up straight. "That's never stopped me before. Cut it out!"

Sulu glanced over his shoulder towards the science station. Spock had gone very still, his eyes widening as he stared at the Captain's chair. His ears were slowly turning a deep shade of emerald.