Spock should have seen it coming, the Captain had been a little better since he took command, but he still liked to flirt with women not in his chain of command. The shuttle trip was painful, with the discussion about his adventures in Starfleet only serving to boost his ego. It was after they had collected Doctor McCoy from a final visit to his daughter and were on the way back to the ship in space dock that it happened.
"So, on Earth we have this tradition before marriages called the bachelor party or hen night, where the people getting married go a little bit wild before settling down. Is there something like that on Vulcan? Even if you're not getting married we could throw a bit of a celebration. But I suppose that's not a very logical way of doing things?" Kirk was smiling suggestively, and she was smiling back, her emotions barely more subtle in their depiction than the humans.
"Vulcans have been known to go a little… primal before their weddings." That was one way to describe it, and far more information than most would share. "But do you honestly think you'd be able to handle me going a 'bit wild'?" She raised her eyebrow, a gesture of disbelief but the tone was more teasing. Her eyes slid over him earning surprise from the others and only serving to encourage the Captain. Spock struggled to not say something, gripping the seat.
"I've never been accused of shying away from a challenge." Of course if anything the hint of danger drew Kirk like a moth to a flame… "If anything I'm only where I am today because I'm stubborn enough to beat the odds where others would walk away." He winked, the shuttle was setting down in the bay. Spock just had to hold on a little longer and then he could get to the privacy of his quarters.
"Then it is a shame for you that this is a matter of choice rather than chance. Luck, a dashing smile, and a reputation as a hero should help you find plenty of people to help you feel better however." Spock let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding at her response, then chided himself for having the feeling in the first place. "But if you're looking for an excuse for some form of celebration, I am partial to karaoke." She hopped out of the shuttle as soon as the doors opened, Spock close behind her with her bag.
"Oh I like her, are you sure she's a Vulcan?" McCoy commented gaining an irritated glance from Kirk. It was Uhura who noticed the marks in the seat from Spock's fingers… "Do you reckon she's more into country or pop for the singing? Or some strange Vulcan songs?"
"I think we might have bigger issues than her taste in music and whether Jim can keep his trousers on. I think something's wrong with Spock, he's been behaving strangely all day and now this." Uhura interrupted the conversation, gesturing to the dents in the metal.
Spock set the bag down and turned to leave quickly, so quickly that he almost bumped into T'Leiarel in the doorway. He stepped back to let her into the room, but she didn't move for a moment, seemingly lost in consideration, then she sighed heavily.
"Sit down and have some tea." It was not what he had expected her to say. He was about to refuse when she continued. "I assume it would be unwise to be around the rest of the crew right now and at least this way you can blame being hospitable to a guest for why you're not on the bridge." She moved past him taking a moment to locate the food synthesiser and ordering the tea. She sat, setting one cup on the table and taking a deep breath as she smelled the other before taking a sip, she repeated her concentration seemingly fully on the beverage. The smell of it began to permeate the room, floral and sweet. After several long moments Spock was still stood near the door way, conflicting thoughts leading to him simply watching.
"I am told it starts with dreams." She spoke almost to the room, casually, hoping that it would not send him hurrying away. The time was a topic so taboo that it was whispered about between women in corners not spoken aloud, but secrecy was what allowed their culture to fester, tradition masking what was in truth archaic. "That when the time nears the subconscious minds reach to one another across the bond in sleep and they dream of their bondmate. I think that might be based on suggestibility and the dreams coming because people expect them to. I dreamed recently, but only after I was told of Savel's time, and it was not of him. If there ever was a bond between us he broke it before I left Vulcan." It had hurt at the time, and then she had been glad, and now, now it was being held against her all over again. There was no point in mentioning who she had dreamed about, scruffy with his split lip and rebellious eyes. It was merely her brain's way to deal with the stress and the pressure after all.
Spock slowly walked over to take a seat, still saying nothing. She could see the tension, for now he was still in control, but there was irritation, with himself and with the world, and logic was already beginning to fray. He lifted the tea, raising an eyebrow as he tasted it. "Violet, quite a soothing flower in a variety of forms. At least I have often thought so. I have appreciated it quite often over the last few days." With the barrage of messages she had gone though three pots a day, but when you couldn't suppress your emotions you had to find other ways to help deal with them.
"I have had dreams." She waited patiently for him to be ready to continue, but just as he took breath to do so the comm sounded.
"Spock, when you're finished up settling in our guest can you come by sickbay?" It was McCoy, inconvenient on the timing, just as Spock had been on the verge of possibly discussing his situation, which could only help him in dealing with it…