AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc belong to someone else. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. I'll be using the feedback from reviews to refine and tweak the remaining chapters. Thank you to those who have already reviewed.

Chapter 2

There were 18 hours until they arrived. Uhura searched Starfleet's database for more information about the Theytans. There was very little, and what she found was out of date. She called Kirk, McCoy and Spock into a meeting room for a briefing. A democratic society, those voted into government were given the title 'Elder'. These people were based in a building known as the 'Elder Tower'. Kirk had asked informative questions; Spock even raised an eyebrow at one particularly astute observation. For all his bravado and light touch observation of regulations, Kirk was smart. Top of his class smart. It was however overshadowed by his playboy reputation. 'This', he had once said to her during a candid moment, 'is what people expect from me'. She let the memory pass, before asking if everything was clear.

Back in her quarters, Uhura was restless, sat in her comfy green chair with her legs tucked up beneath her. She had not spent any personal time with Spock over the past two weeks. Playfully utilising her bond to him, she remembered the time she and Spock gave into their passion, and nearly had sex in his office at the Academy. She had locked the door and pulled him towards her so that she was forced to sit on the table, and he stood between her legs. His tongue gently caressed hers. Her groaning betrayed her need for him, as his hand moved further up her dress and deliberately rubbed across the outside of her underwear. She heard a rumbling from deep within his chest. He had thrust his hips towards her, and made them both gasp. At that moment he regained his senses and pulled back, 'It would not be appropriate to continue such sexual activity in public'. Flushed, he had adjusted himself and just like that had returned to being Spock, totally unaffected by their activity a few seconds beforehand. That should get his attention, she thought to herself.

The sound of someone at her door drew her attention. She grabbed her satin dressing grown and slipped it on as she padded towards her door. She took a deep breath, smoothed back her hair and called 'enter'. As the door hissed opened, Kirk was looking at his PADD and spoke without looking up, 'Sorry to disturb you, I wanted to clarify something about Theytan customs with you'. He twisted his gaze upwards, and saw the silky red dressing gown hugging her curves in all the right places. A blush crept across his cheeks; normally a witty innuendo would follow. Just then he gathered his wits, and coughed to snap himself to attention. He was about to say something, but his comms link went off. He looked down to tap it, 'Captain, a subspace message from Starfleet in your ready room'. He stepped back, apologised for bothering her, and made his way to the waiting message. Uhura watched him leave. As he walked away, he saw Spock speed by. He all but ignored Kirk, and grunted out a clipped 'Captain'. Kirk, slowed, stopped, and turned to watch where Spock was going. He observed Spock stop in front of Uhura's door. She appeared, and pushed herself into his arms. Spock welcomed the gesture, grabbed her face and kissed her passionately. They then stepped back into her quarters. Kirk was once again alone in the corridor.

As the Enterprise arrived in orbit 18 hours later, Chekov reported that the Theytans had still not responded to his hails. All four made their way to the transporter room. McCoy noticed a tension in the air. Unable to put his finger on it, he put it down to nerves. He watched Kirk giving each person a quick check, and nod for preparedness, he then ordered the ensign on duty to 'energise'. As they materialised on the surface of Theytan, Spock noted the climate and topography was similar to Earth's. The team were on high alert, ever vigilant for any danger posed to them. Spock prodded his bond to Uhura, after last night's coupling he needed to be sure she was ok. He was aware his absence over the past few weeks had been playing on her mind. She missed him, and he missed her but they both understood duty came first when they were on the ship. Uhura turned to him, and gave a quick nod as if to say 'I'm fine'. 'Captain', Spock began, 'We should head straight to the main square. The Elder Tower is based there'. Kirk gave a small nod in agreement. He was lost in his thoughts. Unable to explain his reaction to Uhura, he'd spent nearly 1hr in the shower on the coldest temperature he could stand, trying to blast away the image of her red satin dressing gown.

Back to the mission at hand, it had been suggested to beam directly into the square. However scans indicated magnetic interference, possibly a shield, would make using the transporter impossible. The Captain suggested beaming 1000m south of the main square, just outside the interference. It would give the Theytans a chance to monitor their approach, and see the away team meant no harm. On their way to the main square, there were a few Theytans around, and those that witnessed their approach just stared with quiet inquisitiveness. McCoy and Spock took tricorder readings on the people and their surroundings. Uhura studied the Theytan interactions, 18 hours was not enough time to study a culture and there was so much they didn't know. The Captain was sure their presence was known by now. 'Uhura, I want you behind me. McCoy and Spock flank her, everyone, eyes on everything'. Walking together in a diamond formation, their weapons were still in their holsters, but he was not taking any chances. 'Spock, do you sense anything?' he asked, 'Nothing untoward, the inhabitants seem unbothered by our appearance', came the reply.

Entering the main square, buildings varying height and shapes appeared in front of them. Some towered up towards the sky, and disappeared into the clouds. Theytans scurried around partaking in their daily business, colourfully dressed, being social and friendly with one another. All four stopped suddenly. Uhura was the first to ask 'Did you just hear that?' she looked around, not sure what she expected to see. 'Yes' Kirk and McCoy responded in unison. Spock just nodded in the affirmative. They had all heard a voice in their mind, welcoming them to Theytan. Increasing the walking pace, Kirk said 'let's find the Elder Tower'. He sincerely hoped the mental invasion was a once off, and made a mental note to find out how and why they were able to access his teams' minds. Whilst the prime directive taught Federation members to respect other cultures, he was not enjoying this cultural exchange. McCoy voiced what they were all thinking 'Who was that? And how do we tell them we are on our way?' He then sarcastically added, 'It would have been easier to respond to our hails'. The beginnings of a headache encroached behind his eyes, and he absentmindedly rubbed his temples. Kirk let Spock take the lead; the lack of intel bothered him. 'Please don't be concerned Captain, we mean your team no harm', a soothing female voice directly acknowledged his concern. 'I certainly hope that's true', he responded out loudly. Having not heard the voice, the other three members of the team turned to him. He saw Uhura giving him a puzzling look. 'Is everything okay Uhura?' 'Captain', she asked curiously, 'who were you speaking to?' Just then she sensed 'intrigue' from him. 'You're intrigued by something'. McCoy halted, 'How do you know that Lieutenant? You're not telepathic'. Spock knew she was correct, he had sensed a flash of interest from the Captain. Kirk looked pensive. McCoy having not heard what Kirk had thought, sure as hell did not want to start anytime soon. He had learnt a long time ago to trust his gut, and it was telling him to run screaming for the hills. 'How long until we get to the Elder Tower? He pointedly asked the Vulcan. 'I estimate 10 minutes...' distracted Spock looked upwards as if in deep thought 'I have been corrected, it will be 7 minutes'. His time keeping was normally so accurate.

They arrived at an ornate looking building covered gold and silver. It dwarfed everything surrounding it, clearly, this was the Elder Tower. Totally focused on the building, hands shielding their eyes from the glare of the sun, nobody noticed when an elderly man paced up behind them. 'Welcome to Theytan', said a kindly, yet authoritative, voice. All four spun around. How had they not heard his approach? Uhura thought to herself. Just as she had looked at Kirk earlier on, he was now doing the same to her. He nodded in agreement, and she understood he had sensed her surprise. He thought it odd they were not being as observant as they normally would be. The man introduced himself, 'I am Findius. I am Prime Scientist to the Theytan government. Forgive me, I took the liberty of reading your minds. You need our help'. Just as Kirk was about to introduce the away team, Findius put up his hand to halt him speaking 'Captain, I know who you all are and where you come from. I also know the Federation seeks a cure for an illness affecting your enemy so you might avert a war'. Findius scanned over them with his watery green eyes, 'Please come and meet the Elders, we are keen to proceed with discussions.' He stretched out his arm in a welcoming manner towards the Elder Tower, and walked them to a doorway.

After a short lift ride they exited into a grand hall, right at the top of the building. There were no visible windows, yet the room seemed to be bathed in natural sunlight. Just then a voice from the Enterprise broke the silence. 'Enterprise to Dr McCoy. Ensign Mallard has gone into early labour with the twins, they are presenting as breech'. McCoy turned to the others and Findius, 'Duty calls, I am afraid'. Secretly he was relieved to be leaving. 'Please excuse me while I see off my colleague', and before Findius could reply, Kirk walked McCoy away from the group. 'You know something is off right? McCoy nodded, then lowered his voice to a whisper, 'Jim, I strongly recommend you do what you need to and skedaddle'. Kirk knew something was amiss when McCoy referred to him as Jim. McCoy was then escorted back to the lift by a guard Findius had called over. Watching until McCoy was out of sight, Kirk returned the Findius, rubbed his hands together and uttered the line 'take me to your leader'. He could feel Uhura's eyes on him. He looked towards her, sure enough she was rolling her eyes at him. This brought a wry smile to his face.