Chapter Seven

The Ghost of Him

Olivia sat on her bed, listlessly twisting a strand of hair between her thumb. First officer Spock had kissed her. Really kissed her. Even now, hours later, she could still feel the ghost of his lips and the way his hand had cradled her neck. She checked her PADD to see when her next shift began, afraid to be late.

"Lieutenant Olivia Fasura, you are needed on the bridge," came a voice over the comm.

The lieutenant stood and brushed herself off, heading out of her quarters and down the hall. Olivia was quite confused as to why they needed her on the bridge. Her next shift didn't start for three hours, forty-six minutes, and fifty-three seconds. When she finally found her way to her destination, Captain Kirk stood before her, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Fasura, we have a problem," Kirk began.

"Yes, Captain?" Olivia clasped her hands in front of her.

"Spock is sick. We need your...help. I'll brief you on the way," he replied quickly.

"But, sir, I do not understand," said Olivia as she entered the turbolift with her captain. "Commander Spock's health was exceptional the last time that we spoke."

Kirk grimaced. "That's what we don't understand. He finished his shift, went back to his quarters, and everything was fine. But then..."

"Then?"

"He started acting strangely. He's going to die without your, uh...your help."

"Do you know what is wrong with him?" asked Olivia.

The turbolift stopped abruptly, and they made their way out into the hall.

"See for yourself," Jim said, gesturing to Spock's quarters.

Olivia held her breath as he tapped the entry code. The door slid open. When she stepped into the room, the door slid closed once again. It was very dark inside the male Vulcan's large quarters. There was a large bed against the far wall, a desk against another, and a wooden dresser. As Olivia looked around, she spotted the shape of a man lying on the bed.

"Please," rasped the shape. "Please, leave me."

"Spock," Olivia gasped. She drew closer. "What is happening to you?"

"The captain should not have let you near me. I do not wish to hurt you."

"He said...he said that you were going to die, Spock. What is happening to you?" she repeated.

"Plak tow," Spock murmured. "Blood fever."

Suddenly, Olivia understood. Spock was experiencing pon farr, an extremely dangerous condition for male Vulcans, and Jim Kirk had just told her to cure it. They would have to mate in order for Spock to live.

"The captain wants me to help you."

Spock rose from the bed, his anger boiling. "He had no right to ask such a thing of you!"

As he stepped forward, Olivia stumbled back.

"S-Spock!" she stammered. Her frightened tone forced the commander to compose himself.

He straightened, turning toward her. "Do you wish to help me?"

"I would rather not see you die, Spock."

The Vulcan nodded. "After you have completed your next shift, and after I have consulted Doctor McCoy, I will meet you in my quarters."

Lieutenant Fasura agreed and hastily made her way out the door. Kirk stood there, eyes wide, as she slumped against the wall. He reached out and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry, Livvy. You shouldn't have to do this."

Olivia couldn't concentrate when it was time for her shift. Her hands shook as she tried to complete her duties, and she was ten shades paler than normal. What had she just agreed to?

Kirk, seeing Olivia's frazzled state, gave her the rest of the day off. She wandered the corridors of the ship restlessly until she came to Spock's quarters. She placed her hand on the cold metal of the door to steady herself. Breathing erratically, Olivia typed in the entry code. The lieutenant stumbled inside.

Spock had gone to the sickbay, she assumed, as she looked around the empty room. It was dark and freezing. Olivia made her way to his bed and lay down. She curled into a ball, clutching the sheets for what little comfort they could give her. The frightened woman let out a sob.

It seemed like hours before Spock arrived. Olivia heard the door whoosh open, and he made his way in slowly.

"Olivia," he breathed.

She sat up. "Commander Spock."

In that moment, he noticed her wet cheeks, her trembling form.

"I apologize," he whispered, finding his way over to her. He placed a finger on her temple. "I apologize that you must experience this."

Just like that, Spock was inside of her mind. He was flooded with all of her memories, almost overwhelming him. He saw all of her fears, her loves, her dreams. In turn, Spock gave her his. When the male Vulcan pulled his hand away, Olivia gasped with the new sensations.

"You seem very human," observed Spock quietly. His dark, lustful eyes searched hers.

"I am only one thirds Vulcan."

"And you are mine," he growled lowly.

I'm so, so sorry for flaking out on you for months on end. I hope you accept this extra long Olivia/Spock chapter as an apology. Much love to you guys.