Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own nor have had any input in this series that started a cultural movement. I'm just a huge fan that got inspiration from another artist.

The days that were to come were uneventful except for the few away missions she went on. It seemed as if the away missions were getting crazier as they found themselves encountering things never before seen. McCoy had even gone on a mission where they supposedly met the Greek God Apollo. Serena was getting more information that helped her experiments and one particular race had even helped her devise a completely different way to advance culture growth to produce more specific results. Spock was finding it all intriguing as well and Serena heard about the crew's growing interests in joking with the Vulcan. Serena found herself in close contact with Spock more and more. She wasn't sure if she was doing it or if Spock was getting used to the close proximity. Either way her brain didn't cease the annoying short circuiting it loved to do.

Overall Serena was finding life transitioning smoothly as it seemed the whole crew of the Enterprise was finding its stride halfway through their second year. Something else seemed to be happening on board the ship, crewmen were starting to pair up and get married including her best friend Tiffany. Tiffany had come to Serena's quarters as giddy as the day they first boarded the Enterprise. Serena couldn't help but smile as she thought about her friend's utter happiness. Tiffany was different from Serena and even Dalera asked how Serena could be friends with someone who was so energetic and almost preppy. Serena explained Tiffany to Dalera. "I'll admit that she was a little annoying to me at first but she was persistent. Despite my attempts to shake her off my trail we kept meeting and she kept talking to me. Over the years I've known her she's the only friend I've ever known to consistently stay in contact with me and always supports me. She's one of the few people I can honestly say knows exactly who I am even if I'm not sure at the time."

The days suddenly became busy. Tiffany required more and more of Serena's attention as she prepared for her wedding. Serena didn't know how Tiffany could be so crazy about every detail; there was only so much you could do on a starship for a wedding. There were times Serena was sitting through very dull conversations on how to arrange the room they were booking for the wedding. The room itself was not all that big but the one impressive factor it had was a full wall that had a view of the space they were sailing through.

Things were normal but the ship was on alert, they had entered a space that had missing patrols being reported. Tiffany had worried that this would interrupt her schedule for her wedding but in the end Kirk approved the time and all was going as planned for the bride to be. Serena walked the corridors of the Enterprise with her dress uniform on. The dress uniform was similar to her normal attire except the skirt was a little longer and there was gold piping along the collar and sleeves. Serena turned and entered the science lab where she knew Spock was.

"Last minute check-ups?" Serena asked as she crossed her arms and leaned on the doorframe. Spock had been bent over a microscope but looked up when the doors opened. "Indeed, it is unlikely the ensign will let us leave early. I thought it prudent to prepare in case I could not return." Serena rolled her eyes at that. "Like we're not going to come back here even if we're let out early in the morning." Serena stated with a smile. Spock stood and seemed to think about this for a moment. "Very true Lieutenant. I will put away my work and we can go to the ceremony." Serena smiled as she simply watched the tall Vulcan move through the lab. He had such a graceful gate as he moved. Something about Vulcan anatomy seemed to make all Vulcans seem almost graceful. "Human's must look like stumbling drunks." Serena mused to herself as Spock moved to her side. "Shall we proceed?" "I think we should, don't want the bride to get all pissy because we're not two hours early." Serena teased.

They were in fact early, Serena didn't think many people would actually be there yet but they went to the designated room. Spock paused for a moment in the corridor as they walked and Serena stopped a few feet ahead of him looking back. "What is it Spock?" Serena asked. Her smile faltered some as she watched his stiff posture, he seemed to be concentrating on something but he then shook his head. "I thought I heard something, forgive my hesitation." Spock finally concluded as his long strides quickly caught up to her. Serena watched Spock curiously as they continued but she didn't press for answers. They were almost at the door and her attention rearranged itself to what she was going to greet.

As the door swished open Serena's smile widened as she saw her friend standing in the middle of the room in her own dress uniform. Serena was just about to take a step in the room when the ship suddenly jolted to the side. Serena immediately lost her balance but Spock's arm had wrapped around her in a steel like grip and had kept her up. Her eyes found her friend who was collapsed on the floor but looking up at something. Serena's eyes followed her friend's gaze and then widened as a crack appeared on the giant glass-like window. Her mind blanketed as her body tried to run its way into the room to drag her friend out but she found that she was being dragged backwards instead. Everything paused for a split second as her friend looked back at her, their eyes meeting. And then time caught up.

The window shattered as light illuminated the room and suddenly Tiffany was gone, just gone. It was then that Serena realized she couldn't breathe; everything was being sucked out of the hull breach. They were only still there because Spock's Vulcan strength was hanging on to the wall, bending the metal like it was foil. His strength was impossible but even it failed and they slipped. The doors closed with a snap just in time for Spock and Serena to slam into them instead of shooting out the gaping hole. Serena barely registered the hit but when her eyes opened she realized Spock had wrapped her up in his arms, absorbing the blow himself. They were collapsed at the foot of the door when the red alert sounded.

Spock was up looking around while Serena was still on the ground, her hands on the door. "No." she thought as her mind played Tiffany's last moments over and over again. "No, no, no!" The last came out audible as she stood up and her hand reached for the door's controls. Spock caught her hand before she could do anything stupid. "Serena." Spock said his voice was almost calm in the chaos. "No!" Serena nearly shouted again this time hitting the door with her fist, the door cold against her hand. "She can't be gone; she has to still be in there!" Before she could hit the door again Spock caught her other hand and move both of her fists to his chest before releasing them to cup her face with both of his hands. "Serena, the ship is under attack. We have to get out of here. We have to move." Spock said a twinge of urgency in his voice. Serena looked into his eyes, her fear and anguish plainly playing over her features. She closed her eyes and bent her head down before nodding.

That was all Spock needed. He took off, his fast gait making her have to trot after him. He never let go of her hand and as the ship continued to jerk and roll under their feet his arm snaked around her waist. How the Vulcan was able to keep his balance, and her own for that matter, was beyond her. Serena was just acting out of drilled instinct now, the red blinking lights fueling the adrenaline now rushing through her. In no time they were in Sickbay. Serena's eyes immediately went to the patients that were already showing up in Sickbay, McCoy running between all of them. Her medical instincts were to join him but Spock pulled her to the side and cupped her face again making her look him in the eye. "You will be alright here?" Serena wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement but she nodded. She felt the warmth of his hands on her skin and then her skin seemed to tingle as a rush of emotion bleed through her mind but one statement was clear. "I will not lose you Serena." Serena closed her eyes and leaned her forehead on his as her hands came up and rested on either side of his face. "I will be here." She mentally responded. Spock leaned into her for only a moment before releasing her and moving out of the room. Serena watched him go, he would be needed at the bridge and she was needed here. Serena then turned and rolled up her sleeves as she delved into the madness that was the Sickbay during an attack.

Author's note: Noooo not the red shirt! That's the wrong type of red shirt! She was tactical not security! Lol jk So yeah…the inner trekkie in me is bitch slapping me for chipping the paint of the Enterprise as well as shooting me with a shotgun for the multiple hull breaches lol. Hope you guys are enjoying it.