T'Lou's requested trio arrived promptly at her call and met her in sickbay where the elder Vulcan waited until they had all gathered in the Doctor's office before she answered any of their questions.

"Don't keep us in suspense T'Lou. What's wrong with Spock?" Jim asked worriedly.

The captain was visibly twitchy with worry at the thought of his love being unwell. Ever since he'd woken up that morning he'd been uneasy and this message only verified his suspicion

Their bond was also closed too tightly for Jim to really gauge Spock's state of well being and that worried him beyond believe.

Spock didn't usually close it at all.

T'Lou watched him pace for a moment longer before she placed her hand on his shoulder and met his gaze.

Understanding flashed between them and Jim sat down with a sigh.

"What's going on T'Lou? Why can't I feel him?"

The other two in the room gave him weird looks, but T'Lou just nodded her head.

"I suspected as much. He's most likely starting to feel the pain about now."

"Pain?" Jim asked anxiously.

T'Lou nodded in affirmation.

"Spock has most likely close off your parental bond in order to shield you from it. Without it you would be a great amount of discomfort by now."

Everyone else in the room tensed at her matter of factual tone and waited with baited breath for her to explain what was going on.

T'Lou didn't sugar coat it.

"Spock's entering his first Pon Farr."

Neither Uhura nor Jim knew the term, but Bones swore loudly in response.

"I should have known." He muttered angrily to himself.

Jim didn't have it in him to be patient when it came to Spock being in trouble on a normal day and this day was far worse than normal.

"What the hell is Pan Farr?" He questioned fretfully, directing his question at either of them.

"T'Lou should probably explain it. I only know the basics." Bones said with a shrug.

T'Lou nodded.

"Pon Farr is the Vulcan mating drive. Every seven years a mature Vulcan male will experience it. Their control will become erratic, their emotions unstable, and their temperature will rise dramatically. The first stages are manageable, but they are followed quickly by rage, possessiveness and dangerously unstable behavior. His desire to claim a mate will become all consuming and without one the fever will consume him and he will perish."

Both Jim and Uhura flinched at her emotionless voice as she described the fate of the man they both loved.

"What can be done for him T'Lou? There has to be a cure!"

T'Lou nodded slowly and eyed them both carefully.

"There is, but it is dangerous."

Jim scowled and clutched his fists in frustration.

"I don't care if it's dangerous. Tell us what we can do and we'll do it!"

Uhura nodded along to his words eagerly and practically vibrated with determination.

Again T'Lou eyed them both before nodding.

"Very well. There are only two ways in which Pon Farr may be survived. The inflicted can try meditation in order to try and suppress the fever, but this method is very rarely successful and often results in a lingering and excruciatingly painful death. I have instructed Spock to meditate for now, but even full Vulcans have little hope for this method and Spock doesn't have the metal discipline needed to even hope of surviving the week. He will need a mate. The sooner the better."

Jim tensed just as the words sunk in for Uhura and she grinned at him almost gloatingly.

"As Spock's fiancé I will be happy to save him in his time of need and allow him to take me as a mate. We were inevitably going to bond before his accident anyway."

T'Lou expression didn't change, but Jim had the distinct feeling she was choosing her words carefully.

"You are right child. As Spock's pre-chosen it is your duty see him thought this difficult time. But you must be aware that the Spock you knew and the Spock going though Pon Farr are two very different people. Your Spock might have accepted you without question, but this Spock holds no fondness for you. Had he wanted you as his mate he would not have lashed out at you this morning, he would have sought to please you and gain your favor. Should you go to him now and he perceives you as a threat, he could very well injure or kill you. It is your right to try, but I do not believe it is in either of your best interests."

Uhura looked furious at having her claim to Spock challenged and her next words came out in a condescending hiss.

"Than whom do you suggest we send T'Lou? You?"

Her words were clearly mocking and spiteful, but T'Lou's expression didn't change.

"I would not survive an encounter with Spock in this state and I am not his chosen. If there is anyone on this ship who has the greatest chance of seeing Spock though this it would be your captain."

All eyes turned to Jim and his surprised expression.

"Me?" Jim asked incredulously.

Uhura vibrated with anger enough that Jim had a passing thought of suggesting Bones sedate her.

"Him?! He has no right to lay a hand on Spock! He's mine!"

Uhura rushed toward him like a viper ready to strike and Jim was ready for just as violent a reaction.

Instead she stopped less than an inch from his face and glared directly into his eyes.

"I bet you had something to do with this Kirk." She whispered menacingly.

"You've been lusting after Spock since day one and now you think you can have him when he's most vulnerable? I won't allow it! I'd rather risk his death than hand him over to you without a fight!"

In the blink of an eye Jim went from surprised to pissed.

"You selfish bitch! How can you be so self-centered as to put your pride before his life?! Let alone accuse me of somehow causing him this pain! I would give my life for him in a heartbeat and never regret it! All that has kept me from trying to make him mine was the fact that he loved you, even though you don't deserve it! He's never wanted me and the one time he needs me you throw a hissy fit?!"

Jim was so enraged that Uhura backed away without him having to lift a finger.

Jim looked angry, pained and all together ready to burst into tears.

"You have no idea what it's like to look into the eyes of your T'hy'la, your soulmate, everyday and know they don't want you. To know they would never choose you….

I have never acted on my feelings Uhura. He's yours and he will always be yours."

Jim took a deep breath to calm his nerves and refused to allow Uhura to look away from him. His voice was on the edge of pleading.

"But would it be so hard to let me have him now? The only chance I'll ever get? You have a lifetime to look foreword to. Grant me this. One time to remember even if he won't. For the sake of his life."

Uhura's gaze held no compassion or remorse for Jim's suffering.

"I don't care what you think you are to him. I will never give you the chance to take him from me."

With a sharp spin of her heel and whip of her hair Uhura was out of Sickbay and no doubt rushing to Spock and Jim's corridors.

Jim had to fight ever single instinct inside him that told him to stop her, to pull her back by her annoyingly long hair and keep her away from his love, but Bones's and T'Lou's expressions kept him where he stood.

All the energy that had come with his rage had left with it and all he had left was an overwhelming feeling of dread and pain.

He'd just confess to a stranger and his best friend that he was in love with Spock. That he knew without reason or doubt that he was Spock's T'hy'la. He knew it as clearly as he knew the sun brought warmth. But to speak it out loud brought it into a whole new light. In saying it out loud he had put it past the point of denial and suppression.

His heart ached with the knowledge that Spock, his Spock, would be given the opportunity to have Uhura again and may very well choose her. Again.

No matter how much he loved Spock, no matter how right they were for each other, compared to Uhura he knew he could never compete.

She was beautiful, talented and able to give Spock the approval of his Clan and children. How could he ever compete with that?

Bones lead him over to a biobed and sat along side him with an arm slung around his shoulder.

"Oh Jimmy. You don't deserve this."

Jim leaned warily into his side and tried not to focus on the feeling of his own tears running down his face.

T'Lou had said nothing during this whole encounter and only reacted now to come to Jim's side and kneel before him.

Her elderly face was so blank and yet so kind.

She understood. As one who had loved and lost she knew what it was to lose what was held most dear to her.

She reached out her wrinkled hands and held his face so gently within her grasp.

"James, I grieve with you the loss of this opportunity. But please know that what you say is true. You and Spock are T'hy'la, as a part of each other as body and soul. I do not know the reason that the Spock you knew would choose another, but you must see that the Spock who burns, burns for you. Uhura does not understand this and I doubt she ever will. She is blinded by her own selfishness and insecurity to see that she's hurting him."

Jim smiled at her gently for her kindness and the warmth of her touch.

"You're too kind T'Lou." He muttered quietly.

T'Lou shook her head and patted his cheek.

"I speak only the truth and before the hour is up I have no doubt that it will be you in Spock's arms. You already reside in his heart."

Jim didn't know what to say and before he had a chance to think anything up a red alert sounded over the intercom.

"Medical emergency ! Doctor McCoy to deck four immediately! There's been some kind of accident outside of Commander Spock's quarters and Lieutenant Uhura's been injured!"

Jim and Bones jumped up at the same moment and rushed out the door as quick as they could. Only T"lou stayed where she was and didn't rush to see what had happened.

She already knew what they would find.

If I study anymore I might explode. Math is going to kill me tomorrow. So in the event of my untimely demise I wanted to give one more update before I crash and burn. Hope you all like it. Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.

Wish me luck.

Yours truly,

Jessica499499