Hey, guys!

Disclaimer: It totally sucks that I don't own Star Trek, but I don't. I only own Niburan, its inhabitants, its language, its plantlife, O'Turan, crewmembers from USS Republic and USS Shenandoah, and other random crap I've mentioned in the past chapters. My interpretation of how they bond is exactly that - my interpretation, so I cannot guarantee you it is right.

This will be the final chapter!! Thank you all so much for your support. The first chapter to my new multichaptered fic is already up - it is called Africa Calling. Also, if you are Heroes fans (Yay, Zachary...) I am starting up my Memories series again, so you can definitely check that out if you want, although I will probably be updating my Trek fics more often for now.

I may also consider writing a sequel to this or a oneshot, at least, of the trial. Tell me your thoughts. :)

Thank you all so much again, and be sure to check out my new fic!

I returned to my quarters from dropping of Abria at sickbay. She was so happy to see Leonard, I decided to let them be for the next hour. We would be beaming down to Niburan with the child soon, anyway, and I wanted to be sure she was checked out before she returned home.

The automated doors opened before me and I walked in, immediately walking to my dresser. I sighed, pulling my scrunchie out of my hair tiredly. A white hand on my shoulder caused me to jump.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, turning to him hastily. "Geez, you just scared the crap out of me," I said with a breathy laugh, sinking against my dresser with relief.

He was silent, and I reached up to rub the back of my fingers against his cheek. "What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I heard something unsettling when you were dreaming last night and the night prior."

I froze, my gaze dropping guiltily to the floor. "What did you hear?" I asked him softly.

He covered my hand with his and the memories came pouring into me. My breath staggered.

"I don't want you to take it the wrong way..."

"You are afraid."

"Yes," I told him, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Is this why I felt worry and doubt in you yesterday at lunch?"

He nodded and I bowed my head. "I'm sorry," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes. I didn't know how to start. "I - " I stuttered, sitting on the bed beside him. I sighed, placing my hand over his and allowing our foreheads to touch. All of the indecision, fear, and love I had been feeling the past two days were open to his observation and scrutiny.

He stood up suddenly, his shoulder jostling my head with the action.

"I must be excused," he told me point blank and I stood up after him.

"What, why?" I demanded, my throat starting to choke. I grabbed after him, my hand falling around his wrist. He turned back to me and his eyes were wet.

"I have become discomposed."

I didn't release him and he took a staggering breath.

"I have always been aware of the possibilities, Nyota, and wold not have bonded with you if the cons outweighed the pros," he told me, his fingers flexing, "I would much rather have you for only 80-odd years than for no time at all."

Once finished he closed his eyes, his fingers intertwining around mine once more.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, "I don't deserve you."

"I often find myself thinking the very same thing," he admitted to me softly and I pulled him into a tight embrace, my arms flying around his neck and bowing his face to mine.

"I suppose I'm rather selfish, though. I keep you anyway," I whispered before his lips pressed to mine. Our minds melded once more and I knew then that I never wanted that feeling of togetherness to ever go away.

- - -

We walked into the sickbay side by side, our shoulders touching, refusing to relinquish the bond we shared. I heard the girl's shrieks of laughter before I could see her.

"Hey, here comes the beauty and the beast," Leonard remarked smartly from over Abria's tiny body, "We were just finishing up."

"Lenno was tickling me!" She shouted and I smiled, knowing that McCoy would never admit that he would miss the girl once she was gone.

"You were right about the sensitivity to her skin, but I intend to give her a salt to bathe with that will thicken her skin. It should work," he told me and I nodded.

"Good work, Doctor," Spock said and he rolled his eyes.

"Not that I need your approval," he said with a snort, setting the girl on the ground, "Now if you will excuse me, I have to assist our other princess." He rolled his eyes again and headed for the room that Jim was in. I laughed.

"Thanks, Leonard," I called after him, taking the girl's hand in mine.

"Ready to go home?" I asked her and she nodded excitedly as we exited the sickbay and headed toward the transporter room.

Waiting for us was the Chief and Lieutenant Wilkins, already on the transporter pad.

"Ready to go home?" the Chief asked the young girl.

"Yes, sir!" she said with a smile, following me up onto the transporter, happy to be returning home.

- - -

I turned to see Jim wheeled into the bridge by McCoy. He may have been in a chair that could be easily steered by him with merely the flick of his wrist, but he would never give up the chance for somebody to wait on him. He would only need to be incapacitated for a while, but that recovery time will probably lengthen if he kept disobeying the Doctor's orders.

"Everything settled down there?" he asked, his question directed at Spock and me.

"Yes, sir. You will be debriefed as soon as you feel up to it."

The Chief concluded that a Star Ship would be sent back to planet Niburan in a few years once the hatred of humans dies down. He entrusted the Joremur with the task of prosecuting the kidnappers in however he sees fit, seeing as the Federation had no say in Niburan's government if they were not part of it, and could always set up a video feed between the Enterprise and the trial if witnesses were needed.

I felt Spock's fingers brush against the back of my neck and I smiled, placing my earpiece into my ear, the cold metal familiar. "The USS Republic and Shenandoah are leaving orbit now, Captain," I told him, and we watched them enter warp from our large screen.

"Alrighty, then. Mr Sulu, you are free to leave Niburan's orbit."

"With pleasure, Sir."

"So," he said, turning to us all cheerfully, "Who wants to sign my cast?"

Thank you all so much for your support. You can check out my new Star Trek fic "Africa Calling", first chapter now up.