Oppressive heat, sticky humid air, the taste of rain, the earthy smell of dirt and vegetation, buzzing insects with uncountable wings, small reptile-like creatures with the ability to turn invisible, and most recently the appearance of a red signal. All these things belonged to the planet only known as Zatour IV which was the fourth planet in the Zatour system, way out in the Gamma quadrant.

Discovery had made use of the spore drive to travel this far out, who knew what they would do if anything happened to Stamets of the transport system. Michael shuddered at the concept and eradicated it as unhelpful, such thoughts were not logical and stemmed from fear of being lost.

Michael glanced round the planet again and marvelled how much the space reminded her of a rainforest back on Earth, not that she'd ever been of course but she'd seen holo-vids of the environment. Even though the atmosphere was hot and sticky the heat was not unwelcome; it reminded her of Vulcan and she found slipping back into the weather easy. As did Spock and surprisingly Captain Pike.

He had smiled at the pair of them when Spock mentioned the temperature and that it might not be comfortable to human's, Michael excluded as she had grown up on Vulcan under oppressive conditions. Pike surprisingly had chuckled and clapped Spock on the shoulder saying that this was nothing compared to peak summer in Mojave out on the ranch, he'd grown up in a heat much drier than this. Michael knew Earth temperature's couldn't compare to Vulcan but the Captain did have a point when he explained that not only did he handle the heat as a boy: he exercised in it. Riding horses and running all day long in the blazing sun.

Michael felt a surprising warmth swell in her chest as she watched the Captain reminisce on the past, the way his eyes sparkled when he described the freedom of riding. She could even imagine a blue-eyed boy, face covered in grime and dirt most likely, with a wide grin plastered to his face as he rode Tango faster and faster, laughing when the wind whipped his hair. It was clear he loved his home dearly and he was sharing precious memories with his friends; Michael would cherish them with all she had. She had already memorised the way his face lit up and his hands danced as he told a story of the past, she committed the deep rumble of laughter and the easy going lightness to his features that had been missing for far too long.

Coming away from the ship, away from the problems aboard and pressures of command had done all three of them the world of good. Down here they were only amongst each other's company; they were comfortable together and Michael relished the feeling. This was what she loved about Starfleet, moments like this when she felt part of a family.

Of course there was a reason for their little excursion, a red signal. Just like the others it had disappeared but interestingly only when they had beamed down planet side, not when they reached the planet like it had all those other times. The curious change in behaviour meant the Captain wanted to see what was so special about this signal with his own eyes, he had immediately chosen Michael and Spock to accompany him after seeing the planet's atmosphere difficulties.

The trio had beamed down not long after; arriving in the middle of a dense thicket and surrounded on all sides by no end of native wildlife. This had been the exact location of the signal but sadly the source had disappeared as soon as they stepped foot on the planet, earning a disappointed pout from Pike, a raised eyebrow from Spock and a weary sigh from Michael. They had thought this one would be different, that they would finally be able to analyse a red signal up close, they had been wrong.

"All I wanted was one damn red thing." Pike moaned miserably staring at the point where it should be like he was accusing the air of hiding it's secrets.

Michael cracked a smile and pulled out her tricorder, followed shortly by Spock who began to scan the air round them for any remnants of anything. After a few seconds they both glanced at one another and came to the same conclusion, whatever had been here was now completely gone.

Michael decided to break the bad news. "Sorry Captain but your red thing is gone."

Pike glared at her use of the word your. He soon brushed off the disappointment and glanced round the planet and sighed. "Well we might as well take a look round whilst we're down here."

Michael hid her smile and nodded in agreement. "Yes. That signal led us here for a reason."

Spock latched onto Michael's assumption. "You assume the signal's have purpose."

"You assume they don't?" Michael retorted automatically falling back into the familiar sibling dance.

Spock brushed aside the question. "We don't have enough information about their creation, intent or purpose."

"No, but we do know that every signal in the past has led to some significant event." Without really thinking her legs had carried her closer to Spock, they were now only a few inches apart. "I believe the same is true here."

Spock tilted his head curiously and took in her resolute expression. "Perhaps."

Michael had forgotten how infuriating her brother could be; they were both as stubborn as each other and that rarely ended well. They studied each other silently for some time until Michael became aware of Pike's scrutiny. He was looking between the two of them; a small smile spreading across his face like he was enjoying their banter.

Pike chuckled then led the way out of the thicket. "Come on kids." He called over his shoulder.

The trio didn't have to walk far to come across some signs of an ancient civilisation. They studied ruins and scanned strange stone statues; the carvings fascinated both Spock and Michael. On Discovery there hadn't been any information about the inhabitants of this world, it had never been studied before by the Federation. Even the sphere data was surprisingly mute on the point. So they had to gather what information they could the old fashioned way, like explorers did. Michael mused that Spock and Pike must feel right at home with this, this is what the Enterprise did on it's 5 year mission.

When they had scanned the planet they hadn't found any distinguishable life signs, or signs of any advanced civilisation. To be more precise they hadn't found signs of any civilisation of any kind, well an active one at least. The ruins they had stumbled upon did indicate that at some point there was intelligent life, or at least sentient life on the planet. Other than small abandoned structures the planet was deserted, there was nothing to indicate current intelligent life and there were predictably no answers to hails on any channel. So the question remained why had the red signal appeared here? What was Zatour hiding?

Even though they were supposedly alone down here all three of them remained cautious and on alert, all they had to go on were their senses and what their equipment was telling them. Michael had already catalogued more than a dozen indigenous species, thankfully nothing violent or big enough to cause any concern; she and Spock had been carefully scanning each new phenomena just to make sure it wouldn't react badly to their biology.

It was strange watching Spock in his element, strange but not unpleasant. She studied her brother and felt a smile tug at her lips, thankful that she had gotten this opportunity to see Spock at work and dare she say happy. He had his nose almost pressed against his tricorder, calculating possibilities and glancing round the new planet with child-like wonder. Michael mused she was getting a glimpse into Spock's day to day life. Enterprise literally did this for a living, exploring where no other's had been before.

Michael glanced over at the Captain who was watching Spock fondly too, a relaxed smile spreading across his face as he watched his science officer get embedded within the mystery of the planet. It must be good for the Captain to see Spock back to this after all the pressure he had been under recently, she knew how worried Pike had become about his officer.

That was the kind of Captain he was though; he worried about everyone under his command and noticed the slightest change in any of them. She and the Captain had had many long evening discussions about Spock especially when he had first arrived aboard Discovery; when he had been lost within himself and struggling daily with intense emotions.

Michael had been a little dubious at first that Pike had chosen her and Spock for this away mission, but seeing this moment now made it all make sense. The Captain and Michael knew Spock better than anyone and this was a good indicator to see how he was coping, away from the pressures of the ship and an unfamiliar crew. Being here amongst all of this was where Spock felt most alive, where he could truly be himself.

Pike caught her watching and smiled softly at her, the usual stress lines that marked his face had been replaced by something lighter. He indicated for her to look at something, mirth dancing in his gaze.

Michael followed his eyes and noticed that Spock was kneeling down beside a boulder, reaching out curiously to touch something. Intrigued, Michael quietly padded closer to get a better look. She almost stumbled back the way she came, her head tilting to the side in wonder as she watched what Spock was doing.

The only way she could really describe the phenomena was fireflies. Specks of luminescent light of all different colours swirled in the air around Spock's hand, reacting to his touch like he was a magnet. The lights folded around his hands, through his fingers and continuously morphed into new patterns. It reminded Michael of a conductor the way Spock made the specks move around his limb.

Michael had rarely seen such emotion on her brother's face. His jaw was slack, his usually tense shoulders were relaxed and still, his breathing had deepened dramatically. Michael could read the minute signs all over Spock's body, he was in awe. Seeing this precious moment was heart-warming to say the least.

She hadn't thought her brother could still be capable of this after the pain she had caused him in their childhood. Michael felt herself welling up at the memory so she brutally knocked it aside. That was the past and this was now. In this moment Spock was as curious and full of wonder as he had been as a child, the stress and burdens had fallen away so he could simply live in the moment.

Spock snapped out of the spell abruptly aware that he had company. He schooled his expression hastily, although a happy gleam remained in his eyes. Spock glanced over his shoulder to Pike who slipped in next to his officer easily. Michael marvelled at how comfortable they were round one another; she was beginning to think she was witnessing what Spock experienced on Enterprise. Shamefully she felt a pang of jealousy at seeing how closer her brother and the Captain were.

"What you got Spock?" Pike watched the phenomena with the same child-like astonishment that Spock did, the explorer in him taking over.

Spock spun his hand through the air and they all marvelled as the specks of light danced with him, making intricate patterns and swirling round each other like dancers. "I'm unsure Captain, but they seem to respond to me."

Spock dropped his hand out of the light and the specks fell motionless, then dropped slowly to hover above the boulder. He tapped some more commands on his data pad. "According to our equipment they don't exist."

Michael watched Pike's curious gaze and smiled at the image the pair made knelt together in the dirt, fascinated by the unknown.

"Huh." Pike reached out gently with his own hand, and Michael noticed Spock snap to the movement. The Captain touched the light just like Spock had but frowned when nothing happened. He carefully moved his hand around the phenomena but still the lights remained where they were.

Michael could have laughed at the way the Captain pouted in disappointment, like a child denied a treat. "I think I broke it." He huffed.

The comment did it for Michael, she chuckled softly and Spock's eyes danced with humour. The Vulcan reached out a hand and tilted his head curiously when the lights responded to him just as before; he shared a look with Pike and indicated for the Captain to try again.

Pike did but still nothing, the lights would only move around Spock's hand. Curiosity had now deeply embedded itself in Michael's mind, there was nothing like an unanswered question. She and Spock came up with the same idea at the same time.

"Michael would you-" Spock halted mid question as he saw she was already crouching down to try for herself.

They all watched carefully as Michael reached out a hand; she had to admit she was a little disappointed when nothing happened but not at all surprised. She had a working theory why Spock was special and she was sure he did too.

Pike glanced at Spock suspiciously. "Care to share your magical powers with the rest of the class Spock?" He had a bemused smile firmly in place and his eyes were swimming with mirth.

Spock glanced at the Captain and his eyebrow rose signalling so many emotions for those who knew him well. "Vulcan's are not magical Captain."

Michael snorted. "I believe the phenomena are reacting differently to us because of our different biologies."

Pike glanced from the lights to Spock a thoughtful expression on his face. "What could be so different between us that would cause this?"

Michael jumped in. "I surmise it's probably the blood."

Spock looked at her and Michael thought she caught a flicker of pride before it disappeared behind the Vulcan mask. "I agree."

"Blood?" Pike asked, clearly confused.

"Vulcan's have copper based blood, whereas a human's blood is based on iron. The lights seem to react to my hand like an element would so that is the most likely solution." Spock answered.

Pike grinned wolfishly. "And here I thought you were playing a trick on me."

Spock got to his feet shaking his head. "I would never do such a thing Captain." He dead panned, like butter wouldn't melt.

The Captain got to his feet too and shook his head laughing, not believing a word of it. "Of course not Spock."

Michael observed the pair's familiar interaction and felt another pang of wanting. Ever since Christopher Pike had taken command of Discovery he had shown the whole crew what it was like to have a Captain that believed in morals, that showcased what it was like to be good and demonstrated everything Starfleet should be.

Burnham was not looking forward to the day when he left not only because he was a great Captain, but because he was a good man. And she had fallen for him.

She shook the perilous thought away as soon as it entered her mind, well aware that Spock was close by and he could never be allowed to find out the truth. Her brother was a touch telepath just like most Vulcan's. Any dangerous thoughts about her darkest secrets should be kept locked down in the deepest recess' of her mind, far away from where anyone could notice or god forbid hear them.

It wasn't like she had chosen to fall head over heels in love with the Captain. She couldn't even pinpoint how or when it happened, nor when she truly became aware of her feelings. All Michael knew was it was becoming difficult to even be around him, she had to sensor her thoughts and her reactions. When he smiled at her she felt her insides flutter madly, when he teased and joked she fell apart into a crumpled mess.

She only hoped it wasn't obvious to anyone else, and most importantly the Captain himself. They had started to spend more and more time together on the lead up to finding Spock, and even more once her brother was aboard. Every time he invited her to his quarters to fill in reports or simply to talk she would get unbelievably nervous, terrified that she would do or say something inappropriate.

Conversations that started as strictly work or about the best ways to get through to Spock quickly derailed, it wasn't long before they were sharing stories of service, of their childhoods. Michael would spend hours with Chris, drinking, playing games, talking.

My god the man was a first class story teller. She would get so riveted by his stories of Enterprise and their missions; he would literally have her on the edge of her seat and would tease out the resolution each time. He would laugh at her expression when she cottoned on that he was deliberately drawing things out, giggling together like school children when they shared funny aspects of Spock's personality.

The first time his hand had brushed hers she remembered having to hold back the shiver it caused; the heated desire such a simple touch brought on. Thankfully Pike remained oblivious so they were still comfortable around one another; Michael didn't want to ruin their friendship with her awkwardness.

During these talks Michael found out more about her brother from Pike than she ever had from growing up with him, from the sounds of it they had grown very close and Michael was beginning to see why. It was strange she almost felt like she had fallen into one of Chris' stories, the three of them being here exploring, Spock's attitude and his ease with being around and joking with his Captain.

Spock didn't tease often and never with anyone lightly.

"Michael?"

She snapped out of her daze like she had been doused in cold water and spun to the voice, his voice.

Pike and Spock were halfway out of the clearing with identical concerned expressions on their face's. Michael felt herself flush and realised she had completely gone off the deep end, it wasn't the first time this had happened when she got lost in thoughts of her Captain and she doubted it would be her last.

She straightened and walked over to the pair, plastering a strained smile to her face. "Sorry Sir, ready to go."

Pike studied her carefully for a few moments and Michael had to fight down the flare of heat that spread through her when his eyes flicked up and down her body. He didn't look entirely convinced but nodded once, met her eyes again and turned to walk away, a curious expression flashing across his face for a second.

Michael made to follow but noticed Spock was still staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face. Michael wanted to break apart that expression and work out what Spock was thinking but he simply caught her eye, held her stare for a second then turned to walk away too.

Michael blinked a few times and resisted the urge to crumple to the ground; she had a nasty suspicion Spock had just seen everything she had been fighting to keep hidden. She glanced up at the sky and muttered. "Why me?"

A/N - So like I said a little different, this story is almost entirely told from Michael's POV until the last chapter. Hope you enjoyed :)