Chapter 18 – Green

Bria laughed as Sarah presented her with a blindfold, but she quickly agreed, excited for whatever surprise she had in store for her. Thankfully she had long since gotten contacts, even before the Greek planet incident, so she was able to put it securely around her eyes. Grinning, she felt Sarah's hands on her shoulders to guide her, and they entered the turbo lift. Either she figured it out or Kirk showed her how, because she didn't hear a verbal command, just beeping.

Eventually they arrived on the floor they needed, and she was once again led down the hallway, "This is so exciting! I hope Spock's going to be there! So much has happened since we got here, sis…it's nice to have some fun!"

"Yeah, tell me about it," Sarah giggled as she maneuvered her around others in the hall before coming up to the destination. Oooooh! This was going to be so great! Sulu had worked extremely hard on this, and Sarah had even helped out where she could. Practically bouncing, Sarah opened the doors and gave her sis a bit of a shove inside while tugging off the blind fold.

"SURPRISE!"

Sulu, Bones, Raiden, Ayano, Eri, and Kirk were all there, even Uhura, Chekov and Scotty, who cheered and blew confetti and other party favors, causing color to explode in front of Bria's eyes. "Oh my god, you guys!" She gasped, her hands over her mouth. The rich scent of flowers of many types reached her nose and she breathed it in deeply before looking around, "It's beautiful in here!" The lights were bright luminescent one and it felt like the warm sun on her skin. Considering it was her birthday, she chose to forgo her uniform in favor of a red dress that clung to her upper body and then flowed out around her, making it easy to move. It was the perfect dance dress, too.

"The new lassie baked you a cake and we all 'ad a hand in decoratin' it," Scotty told her.

"Zat would be why itz a bit...uh..." Chekov rubbed the back of his neck.

"Colorful?" Bria laughed, looking at it. It was covered in milk chocolate brown icing, and there were what appeared to be plastic autumn leaves, and then all sorts of colorful designs in blue, yellow, purple, red, orange, green, and even black and white, "I love it!" It was the definition of an autumn cake.

Sarah grinned widely and proudly, "I told you guys! Bria is an Autumn girl! Not a Summer girl. I know my sister. Sorry there aren't any candles, it's against regulations to have an open flame outside of a lab, and it wouldn't be good for the planets in here either. So!" The brunette hurried over to Kirk and took the small makeshift device from him, she almost skipped back. "I made these! Electronic candles that will blow out just like real candles!" She placed the device on the center where most of the plastic leafs were so it wouldn't get much frosting on it, and turned it on. "There!"

"Well aren't you tech savvy," the birthday girl giggled, her eyes dancing as she watched the fake candles come to life, "You all are so amazing!"

Sulu smiled, "Sarah had informed me that you were upset over that there was no greenhouse, and after thinking about it, I realized it would be beneficial to a lot of people if there was one. Getting approval and taking a spare room, I turned it into this. I'm glad you like it."

"Blow out the candles!" Jim waved his arms impatiently like a little kid, "That cake looks so delicious!" Ever since dinner with Eri's cooking that first night, he couldn't get enough of it.

Snickering, Bria leaned over, "It's amazing, all of it. Thank you so much," she closed her eyes, wishing that Spock was okay. If he really wasn't feeling well, she wouldn't hold it against him for not being here. He hoped he liked his gespar yesterday...taking a deep breath, her head moved back and forth so she would get all the candles as she blew them out.

The doors opened once more as the Vulcan entered with a large box in his hands. He raised a brow at the cake and the fake candles. "Humans have strange customs." Spock stated, gaining the attention of the room. Not that he cared for the others as he only had his attention on one woman. Making his way to her, he offered her the box. "As it is, however...I believe it is customary to present one with a gift...Forgive me, this is the reason why I am late. The delivery vessel arrived three point five minutes later than I had planned.

Having her hold onto the box, Spock lifted the lid. Inside were two small kittens; one pure black female and the other a calico male. He had requested both males, but as it were, the order was messed up thereby giving a male and female. The Vulcan mentally noted that he would need to discuss fixing one or both of the cats with Bria later to insure that the numbers remain the same. "I took the liberty of naming them, if that is acceptable. Your calico is named Hota, after your previous cat, and the black feline is Zerin, which is a Vulcan name meaning Onyx dream. I was granted approval for them by the Federation this morning...are they acceptable?" He looked to his beloved's face, unsure if she would be pleased with his offer of affection.

Bria's squeal was high pitched and several people in the room had to cover their ears. It was like she instantly turned seven instead of 27, shoving the box back into Spock's arms so she could reach into it, snatching up Hota, "AREN'T YOU SO ADORABLE?!" She had cried for weeks when her baby boy died, unable to withstand the world as it was. Sarah must've told him about it, because she hadn't mentioned it. The little boy mewed and she held him close to her face, rubbing her cheek against his, "YOU'RE SO SOFT AND FUZZY!"

Uhura couldn't help the giggles that erupted, "I do believe that qualifies as acceptable, Spock."

"Well we know where her priorities lie," Ayano was amused as well.

A smile tugged on the Vulcan's lips at the sight of his beloved's pure happiness at the sight of the kittens. Besides his pleasure in seeing her delight, he had a need to make her happy, to present her with a gift most acceptable to her for this day she seemed to celebrate. Reaching in, Spock gently pulled out the other kitten before setting the box down. She was quite light which frightened the Vulcan as he could easily harm her. Turning to Sarah who stood by him- notably with Kirk standing closer possibly due to protectiveness or simply to see better -and handed her the kitten just in case. Spock looked back to his Bria with affection in his eyes, "I saw your Hota when I aided you in transferring your information from your computer to your PADD. You seemed quite…saddened upon seeing him, so I decided to...ease that pain."

"Well look at that," Bones chuckled, "He has a heart under all that computer hardware after all."

Sarah giggled as she moved to Bria's side, "Can I say, I am jealous! They cute and fluffy!"

"Yeah they are!" Raiden smirked, his tail flicking, "Good to know that you're a cat person and not a dog lover."

Bria swallowed thickly and Hota curled up in her arm against her chest, "Thank you, Spock, so much." She watched as Zerin wiggle from Sarah's grip and crawl onto her shoulder, then get in a crouch, wiggling that tiny fuzzy butt before jumping, landing on Spock's shoulder. Since he usually wore a turtle neck under his uniform shirt, he didn't flinch when her claws dug in in order to keep from falling. She easily used her back claws as well to get comfortable, and she nudged his face with her forehead, rubbing her body against his cheek before she perched sitting up, "Looks like you have a new friend."

Kirk burst out laughing at this, "Oh god, Spock! That was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time!"

Scotty snickered as well, "She reminds me of you, Mr. Spock, sittin' proper on your shoulder. She's even got your black hair."

"To make connections between myself and the cat can only go on the evolutionary level, Mr. Scott." Spock reminded as he reached up and gently stroked the kitten, still unsure about his handling of her in his state. However, this turned out to be rather pleasing as she began to purr delightfully. "She is to be Bria's, yet she seemed to prefer me, fascinating."

"Well," Bria beamed at her man, "They're /ours/, as we are each other's. It's called sharing," she poked him playfully, then reached up, her hand brushing his as she joined in the petting, and then she turned back to the rest of the room, "Okay! Cake! This day is turning out to be amazing, everybody. I'm having so much fun!"

Ayano leaned closer to Bones, "She does seem to be less pale now, but I think it's because of Spock. He was especially pale yesterday, but he has more color in him now. It's...really interesting. It's like their energy drained while apart, but she's even more hyper, and he's a lot calmer now they're together."

"You're right," The doctor nodded, his arm pulling her closer since this was off duty and he could do what he pleased. "Maybe it has to do with whatever is going on with Spock. He is really only fixed on her, and just...acknowledging everyone else. It's like he's drawn to her." He watched as Eri volunteered to help cut the cake, dealing out slices, though Spock declined the offered one. Bones nodded his thanks as he took his and Ayano hers. "We'll need to keep an eye on both if that's the case."

Sarah giggled at how her big sister was still cooing over the kittens while her Vulcan stayed practically attached to her side. She moved, he moved. It was like he was her shadow, though he did his best not to make contact with her here. Public display must be against Vulcan ways. Bumping her boyfriend, Sarah reached out and wiped some icing off of his face. "You're worst than a two year old, Jim."

Jim just grinned and he swooped down, taking her icing covered finger in his mouth, his eyes smoldering as he looked at her. His tongue swirled around the digit, making sure that was all of it before letting her go, "I assure you, it's totally worth it."

Sarah's eyes were wide, her heart rate shot through the roof, and her jaw dropped. The most evident reaction, however, was the tomato-worse-than-a-freaking-firetruck blush that covered her face all the way to her ears. He just...that /look/...oh gosh... She swallowed as she reclaimed her finger, "That was not fair..." Biting her lip, Sarah debated on continuing with the comment. After all the time spent with her sister and Max, she had grown used to sexual jokes and such...but this was Jim... Oh to hell with it. "That's /my/ job."

Uhura snickered, "Look out, Jim. You're starting to rub off on her."

"Oh God," Bones grumbled, "Next thing we know we'll have mini-Jims running around."

Spock had moved Zerin to Bria's hands after a while as he wanted her to be acquainted with her mistress, not solely him. He was deeply pleased with himself for having given his beloved something she adored. Even though their time overall had been short together, he had found the perfect gift for her that pleased her. That was his goal, his life mission to please her with tokens of his affections. If not because of his biological need to tend to her, the mere fact of what he, if she so accepted him, would do to her in the end, "Your happiness is most pleasing, ashaya."

Zerin perched on her shoulder, while Hota just curled in the crook of her elbow that held her plate of cake - a corner, with the most icing, her favorite - and Bria turned her head, bumping foreheads with Zerin in affection, remembering all the little things cats did that very few understood. Then she proceeded to scarf down her cake, leaning against her boyfriend's chest, "I was worried about you...I'm glad you're doing better," she murmured, entertained by the others in the room, but she was detached, only Spock and her new babies in her world right now.

Spock kept his arms firmly around Bria as he pressed his nose into her hair to breathe in her scent. He loved the way she smelled...it always soothed him. "...It is not a topic for here, Bria...perhaps later." His voice sounded distant as if he were drifting asleep, yet his body remained tensed. His chest rumbled lowly with a 'purr' as his thumbs rubbed against her body. "It is a personal matter, and as it would only concern you...I do not wish the others to hear." Her body was so fragile...He could damage her so easily if he were not careful...

Jim's ears tinted red as well, his blush lighter than hers, "Of course it is," he chuckled, and took another bite of his cake. He shifted and wanted to hide his face, but he just /had/ to always comb his hair back, didn't he? He had just wanted to play with her a bit, but that comment...he cleared his throat, "I wouldn't dream of depriving you of your /job/, Sarah," he teased.

Bria hummed in response to his purr and leaned further back into him, her head tilting back a bit so she brushed her cheek with his, "Spock...you're being a bit overprotective again," she told him. He wouldn't do anything here, but he was just so damn /tense/. His aura was all over the place, just barely keeping calm, and she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and focused hers to catch the wisps that were escaping his grasp, putting a containing layer around it. Those who were not spiritual would never understand what she was doing.

Snickering proudly, Sarah smirked as she pointed at the Captain, "Ha ha ha. I caught you by surprise with that one. See, I can take whatever you dish out and deal it out just as well." She nudged him and leaned up on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. "I may be shy, dearest Jim, but I am not as innocent as I seem." It was...embarrassing to say this in front of the others, but...she felt she could be herself around them like she could with Bria and Max.

Spock's brows furrowed in confusion at the...more control he seemed to have. His body relaxed, allowing hers to mold with his own into a most pleasing posture. Nudging her head gently, he tilted her head where he could hover over her main artery pulse line. The Vulcan's body told him to bite, to mark, but now that he had control, he simply rubbed his nose against it. "I am not being overprotective...you are fragile compared to a Vulcan. I merely made a mental observation, ashaya." The other's laughs irritated him slightly as it pulled attention from Bria or the kittens.

"I'm impressed," Jim snickered and he reached his free hand around her waist, hugging her to him briefly, before he returned to his cake, "I'm glad you're getting more comfortable to dish it out with the rest of us, Sarah," he beamed at her before taking a large bite.

"Oh, Spock," Bria sighed and she shivered a little feeling his nose brush one of the sweet spots on her neck, "I think our spar sessions have proved I'm not as fragile as you may believe. Ah well," it was useless to argue, it was all the same thing with them going in circles, so she just shrugged lightly, and felt Zerin shift to accommodate the movement. She would completely tilt her head if it wasn't for the fact her shoulders were small, and she would shove the kitten off. "Would you like to leave, ashaya?" She asked and straightened herself and attempted to finish her cake.

"Our session proved that you are able to match my normal frame of mind. It is this mindset that will prove otherwise..." Spock murmured as he shifted the two of them apart enough so that when she was ready, Bria could move easily without him holding her down. "I will follow you." Truer words could not be said for the Vulcan. He would follow her to the ends of the worlds they explore and farther. His life focused around her, especially at this time.

Setting the plate down, she reached out and took his hand. While they connected mentally with skin-to-skin contact anywhere, the connection was strongest when they held hands. She looked at her sister and winked, then nodded her respect to Mr. Sulu, before she led her boyfriend out of the room. "Do you trust me?" she asked him as she told the turbo-lift to go to the deck his room was on.

"That is a most illogical question," Spock stated, admittedly hurt by that statement. He had been cautious, but he never stopped trusting his beloved. In his arms he held the kittens who of which he taken when Bria started to move. Had he thought of it, the Vulcan likely would have left them with the others, but then again...he did not want to be disturbed later during his time with Bria. This…this could likely be one of the last times she spent with him willingly after his Time. It was a dark thought...but a foreseeable possibility. "I trust you with my life, Bria."

"Have you wondered how I stayed sane over the years? With all the turmoil and drama and bad things going on around me?" She felt his hurt and immediately stood closer to him, sending soothing feelings. They exited the turbo lift and walked down the hall together, "I want to help you. I don't even know if it'll work, but I want to try. Please? You meditate, so you'll understand spirituality, right?" they got to his door, and she waited for him to open it.

Spock raised a brow, "As spirituality can be applied in various ways with different meanings, I will need more of a definition before I am able to render my answer. It would illogical to assume, and Vulcans do not assume." Using his personal code, the male opened the door for his lady. He had to use this code setting to avoid others trying to pry into his personal matters more than Kirk had. Spock knelt and allowed the two kittens to explore the room while he and his Bria did what she wished.

"Well...have you heard of the chakras?" she asked, peeling off her shoes and sighing in relief. He eyed her as her dress moved and she smirked at him, but didn't do or say anything about it like she wanted to. Had he been...normal, she would've run her hands over herself teasingly. As it were... "Could you sit on the bed? Preferably in the middle so I can sit in front of you, with your legs crossed." Heh, his way of speaking was rubbing off on her, "You're right, a person or culture's definition of spiritual is different depending on who you're talking to. I mainly deal with chakras."

"If I am correct, it is an Indian term. It refers to each of the centers of spiritual power in the human body, usually considered to be seven in number. These points being Sahasrara, the chakra of pure consciousness; Ajna, the third eye chakra; Vishuddha, the chakra relating to communication and growth; Anahata, the chakra relating to one's immune system; Manipura, the chakra relating to one's digestion though it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually, all matters of growth; Swadhisthana, the chakra relating to one's reproduction; and Muladhara, is the chakra related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality." Spock had no trouble rambling all of this off as he climbed onto his bed and shifted into the position she asked for. "Am I incorrect, ashaya?"

She blinked at him like he spoke a foreign language, "...I could never remember or name the proper titles, but yes, you're correct," Bria laughed shaking her head. She had removed her shoes and made her way to him, "I only remembered what they govern and that was enough for me." She got on the bed and sat on her heels. The kittens followed her, their claws sinking into the sheets as they chased each other, "I would meditate and always pictured them by their colors. Then I'd combine the colors and they'd turn white, and by the end of it I would be at peace. I did it often enough fully that I had a quick version, to focus, so I wouldn't panic."

Spock nodded, "Vulcans have similar methods. I am curious as to why you inquiring of this." Her sitting position also caused him some curiosity. She was acting most...unusually cryptic. What did she have planned that would require understanding of spiritualism?

Taking a deep breath, she reached out and put her hand over his eyes, and she felt his lashes brush against her palm as he closed them, "Could you start meditating for me, ashaya?" she asked softly, stroking his cheek, before pulling back.

Although hesitant, Spock slipped into his meditating stance. At first concentrating was difficult as his body remained wild with his Bria still so near to him. However, after some time, he successfully managed to do as she requested, oblivious to whatever she would do to him.

Starting at the top of his head, her hand hovered just above that silly, cute bowl cut. White. Crown. The one that connected them all. It was logic, practical sense, and it was absolutely no surprise to her than this would be his strongest of all the chakras. It required no attending to, so she moved down over his face. This was the imagination, purple. Well...this wasn't any problem, either. He used this part of his brain often to come up with solutions. Next...throat, blue breath...

The Vulcan male took in a deep, relaxing breath in response to the sensations that coxed him to do so. Had he not been in meditation, Spock would have found his own reactions to be fascinating.

Good. Good. She smiled, glad it was working. It wasn't really until this point where she knew if she had an effect. Now she moved down to his heart. Green, love, adoration...she smiled, thinking how his blood was green as well. She felt how /strong/ this was, drawing her in...but...wait, it wasn't...in his chest? She blinked and moved her hand over to...his side. Well, he was an /alien/ so...alright, yeah. His aura and chakra pulsed as she was near this one, and her red beating heart in her chest responded with its own thump.

There came a feeling of...connection unlike the link that he and Bria shared. It was more...corresponding than a straight forward link. Even in his meditative state, Spock could sense another beating that moved in time with his own pulse. By whatever means Bria preformed this, the Vulcan would not question now that he was subjected to them.

Moving along...his stomach. He hadn't eaten...it was weak and blocked here. She frowned, but didn't want to disturb him by saying anything. Shaking her head she rotated her hand in a soothing clockwise to get it started again. When she heard a rumbling, she knew she had fixed it, and grinned, giggling ever so softly.

Spock's face contorted slightly as he became suddenly in need of nourishment. He had not felt hunger in the past three days, yet in moments he was in need. It made little sense to him. Typically, Vulcans could go lengths of time without eating as their bodies function differently from humans. This was also typical of a male going through his Time. Knowing that, he knew she was somehow responsible for his body demanding food.

Okay...now it was dangerous territory. She swallowed thickly and her hand moved to hover over his belt buckle. Orange. Flame, heat, reproduction, sex...Her body heat spiked and her breathing increased. This wasn't what she was here to do. /This/ was what was causing him to be so tense and full of worry. It was spinning fast, out of control, she needed to slow it down. Taking deep breaths she tried to calm her racing heart. Slowly, carefully, she rotated her hand at a steady pace, attempting to slow it down without making it worse. Control. He needed it, and she wanted to help him gain it back.

Spock's breath hitched as his body fought the action. His biology simply would not do as whatever she was trying to accomplish. The more she pushed, the more the feeling grew until Spock reached out and took a hold of her hand. "...Ashaya...this is not something that can be controlled...I merely contain it until...it passes," he breathed, having to swallow back the spike of need. He knew what caused what emotion in his mind; therefore his calm came by his own doing. "I thank you, but I am afraid this must simply be endured. All Vulcan men go through this. I will be...fine."

"At least I can say I tried," Bria sighed, but she...understood, to an extent. She smiled, and moved the hand he had grabbed to lace with his. It had been a really intense feeling, far beyond her capabilities. "I'm sorry if I strained you," she leaned forward until she could wrap her other arm around his back and place her head on his shoulder. If his Sacred Chakra was a mess then so would be his Root...red, instinct, willpower...and she squeezed their linked hands in reassurance. All she had wanted to do was help, but there were some things that she couldn't do.

Holding her close to him in a firm hold to be rubbed by her arm, "There is no need to apologize, Bria...this is simply something that cannot be controlled..." Spock played with some of the bunched fabric of her dress, ideas flashed of what he wanted to with that dress. He rumbled possessively as he caught the spike in her hormones. "Although you have given me the strength I needed to not rip your clothes off..." he murmured before he could stop himself. His face contorted slightly at his own words, "Forgive me, Bria...I did not mean to make such an inappropriate comment."

The comment made her swallow thickly and shudder, and she pulled away to look him in the eye, "Don't apologize...I rather enjoy hearing things like that. /Dirty talk/ as it's called by us humans," she smirked, "Do you have any idea how much I want you to do that? But I know you can't. You /won't/, for whatever reason that may be. I know we've changed course for New Vulcan, and I have a sneaking suspicion you have something planned. You do and you don't want to act upon those urges you have. Am I wrong? I'm asking, yes, but I won't pressure you to tell me, and play the 'I'm your girlfriend, you should tell me' card - figure of speech, meaning I'm not going to guilt you, Spock. Tell me what you feel comfortable sharing, I hate being left in the dark, but if you wish not to say anything about the matter, then tell me." Fuck her rambling…she closed her mouth to shut up before she made it worse.

Spock's shoulders slumped as he saw the worry in her eyes. Would she feel the same after his Time? He wanted to keep silent about this, as he feared she would reject him...Yet he could not keep such a cruel secret from her. "Bria...I am aware that in your human raising, one would ask this differently and would have a ring...but I wish to ask you if you will be my mate." He reached out and cupped her cheek, gently rubbing his thumb over her cheek. If she said no...it would be finished. She did not understand what he was truly asking...

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened, and she felt like she had no air in her lungs, but couldn't bring herself to /breathe/. Was he...more or less proposing to her? After little over a month knowing other, a week as a couple...it was...so fast...but she wanted it. This time period was different. Everything was different. Did she really have to conform to what she grew up on? After hating that world and its way of thinking /all/ her life? Would it be okay to say yes and go with her heart or would it be rushing? She felt like she did after their first kiss in front of her room. So uncertain...but the hope, fear, need, and love she saw in Spock's eyes wore away her own worries. He needed her, in way more ways than just one. He wasn't breathing either, hanging on her response.

Damn it...what was it that she had read last night? For the life of her she hoped she said it right, "Ah, taluhk nash-veh k'dular..." Yes, I cherish thee. Please let that be right, please...if she fucked up she would hate herself.

Wordlessly, Spock captured her lips in a passionate kiss. He could not stop the flow of happiness, love, affection, relief...he hoped that he did not harm her mind, though the likelihood was extremely low as the link was only a slight connection. Had they been Bonded...Spock's body shuddered at the thought of having his mind connected with his Bria's. Soon, he they would be Bonded now that she accepted him as her Mate.

"Taluhk nash-veh k'dular," he whispered upon pulling away. "You...are learning Vulcan." It amused him that she mispronounced the phrase. It was endearing. He would have to instruct her after...if she still could look at him.

"Slowly...right now only the things that matter are sticking in my head," Bria blushed, hearing the correct way to say it on his lips. It rolled off his tongue beautifully...she was a little jealous, but all in good time, she supposed, "I'm trying...for you." She smiled adoringly, cupping his face in her hands, "This has been a wonderful birthday, ashaya. Thank you. I hope things go well on New Vulcan, for whatever you're planning."