~A few of you have felt that Nyota wasn't behaving as strong and capable as she should be. However, this Nyota isn't a lieutenant yet, she's just a student and she's just coming to realize how drastically her life has changed. As a bit of time passes, I think you'll find her the woman she was destined to become.

~Thanks for your patience. We made the move – across the frickin' country – and are starting to settle in. I'll be able to do some writing and hopefully finish this fic before too long. I have about 4 other fics in the fire but I don't want to publish any until I've finished this one.

~And finally, thanks to all who've read and reviewed, you are my muse! ;-) And now, onto the story…finally

~okay, so this chapter isn't beta'd, so if you find mistakes, they are all mine. But I was anxious to update!

Translations:

~sham'amii: a domesticated animal; it yields milk and other dairy products; has long silky wool which is famous; does not require grain feed but can subsist quite well on the native browse

~vralt: an animal similar to a mountain goat

Eden…the second day

Spock had spent the morning going over all the recordings and findings from their predecessors. The planet would have made a sustainable colony. It was verdant place, plant and animal life was abundant. The oceans and lakes were teeming with life as were the plains and mountains. Hank Saunders and his team had years, decades to study and catalog all the variables of this planet, this place they called Eden.

He looked out the window of the Lodge House and saw what was once paddocks that, according to the reports, housed an animal similar to a Terran cow or more like a Vulcan sham'amii,as it had a long coat that was used to weave fabric. It also held a vralt, a mountain goat type of animal. The colonist used both of them for milk, cheese and yarn to weave fabric. Spock would have assumed that the Terrans would have used them for meat as well, but further reading told him that they had become pescatarians, fishing for food from nearby lakes and oceans.

"Spock? I'm ready to go if you are." Nyota had tied her hair back and put her uniform pants back on. She had left the tee shirt on as the weather was quite warm.

"Yes, it should take us less time as we know the terrain." He grabbed the back pack that held provisions and water.

"Do you want me to get another back pack so we can split the load?"

"No, there is not that much to carry." He led the way out of the compound. "I have been going over Dr. Saunders notes and there is a plentitude of resources for our use. The colonist domesticated a cow-like and a goat-like animal for their milk and hair. Once we have settled, we will repair the paddocks and retrieve a few of each. He also mentioned that there is a lake and ocean we can fish for a sustainable protein source. They situated their habitat to be in close proximity to each for convenience and safety."

"Thank goodness." She looked up at him. "But you don't eat fish, do you?"

"I am a vegetarian but I still need protein to maintain optimal health. There is no other option for me as of yet. The colonists ate only vegetables, diary and fish products. I can easily do the same." He responded to her query.

"Great. I don't eat meat products either. So this will work out great." She smiled. After her melt down, Nyota decided she would keep a positive attitude. If she pretended things were going to be fine she decided she just might believe it.

Intrepid…

"Our people have been gone for over two days now, gentlemen, and I don't see us any closer to solving our problem or getting them out of this…this predicament." Christopher Pike was not in a good mood. In the two days since he'd lost Spock and Cadet Uhura they had seen no real progress in retrieving them and according to the readings they really couldn't be further than 50 kilometers away. Granted, they had been sucked into some anomaly, but the scientists should be able to find a way in and out. And he was due to speak with the Cadet's parents for an update. "Just tell me I can relate some positive news to Uhura's parents."

"Sir, all we can do is keep trying. We've sent in more probes and the Vulcan physicists are still working on this endlessly. I don't think they've slept since they've arrived." Commander Jenks replied.

"Okay, so have my people slept? 'Cause if they have, I'll be more than a little disappointed."

"Captain Pike." Sarek interceded. "We can exist on little or no sleep for weeks, if need be. Terrans cannot and it would be detrimental to our work if your crewmen were not at their optimum."

"I apologize, Ambassador. I just didn't think it would take days to bring our people back." The captain ran his hand over his face.

"This is an unquantified occurrence. We are, to use a Terran idiom, flying blind." The Ambassador's voice was a monotone as ever, but Chris couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face.

"Well, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have a Vulcan flying blind. Now, don't get me wrong, I know my crew are capable, but I have faith that with all of us working we'll have our people home before long."

"Faith, Captain, is an illogical emotion. However, as my wife has informed me, if I do not bring our son back to her she will be looking for a new husband. I will bring my son home." He nodded and left the conference room.

Six months later, Eden time…

Spock surveyed the land before him. Surveyed their work. He had plowed up a plot of land and had fertilized it with the excrement of the 'shamis', as Nyota had named the bovine-like creatures. They had planted seedlings that had been preserved by their predecessors, with the hope that they were still viable and waited for the outcome. Nyota had carefully monitored their growth in the hot house until they were large enough to be planted outdoors. He had to admit to just a bit of pride at the rows of tomatoes, corn, artichokes, beans and cucumbers along with a variety of melons that were now flourishing.

"Spock?" Nytoa came to him holding a basket to begin her harvest for their evening meal. "Are you alright?"

"Naturally. Why would I not be?"

"Well, you generally don't stare at the crops for…" She thought for a moment. "Thirty minutes."

"Twenty-one minutes and 7 seconds." He responded. "And I must acknowledge the fact that I was admiring our hard work."

She smiled. "I know, we did really good. Let me bring in some veggies and we can make our way to the lake and get the rest of our dinner."

He watched her walk through the rows of produce and found himself also admiring her. There was never any doubt of her intelligence, but her fortitude, her strength, it amazed him daily.

The first days, the first weeks actually had been the most difficult. He had to constantly remind her that only hours had past on the Intrepid. And she would acknowledge the truth in this, but he would still find her hiding behind one of the houses in tears. And he would comfort her the best he knew how. The more this happened, the more comfortable he became with her. And the more comfortable she became with him. She never repeated the first nights' incident and he found that he would not have minded it so much. After a few weeks, the tears were fewer, but their relationship became closer, personal.

She was an appealing woman. Beautiful, without a doubt, but she was warm, kind, humorous. And he could not imagine being here without her.

"You're doing it again." She came to stand before him with a grin upon her face. "And I don't blame you, the crops look great. Shall we put these in the kitchen and go for a swim?"

"This sounds…agreeable." He nodded and followed her.

Nyota sighed as she gathered her swimming things and a towel. She was finding it more difficult to keep her hands off of Spock. She longed to fall into his arms, to have him comfort her as he did those first weeks they were here. But she knew he worried about her and she didn't want him thinking her a weak, needy girl. She wanted him to see how strong she was. As strong and as reliant as any Vulcan woman. She wanted him to want her as an equal, not a simpering, needy female.

Well, they'd only been here six months. She had time, it would appear. Opening the door from her room, she saw the object of her affections standing in the kitchen, packing up a few snacks, the bucket for their fish at his feet. She stood still and really looked at him.

His hair was long, it hadn't been cut since their arrival and he wore it back in a long braid. His hair grew so fast, a Vulcan trait he had told her, and he decided not to bother with cutting it so often. So, he had long, gorgeous hair. 'My ancestors wore it as such and I find it convenient.' And it was. After he washed it, he'd just tie it back. She loved it. All the manual labor had taken his normally slim, toned body and bulked it up. His arms, while not bulging, were firm with muscle that flexed with movement. His always flat stomach rippled with the built up abdominals, a six-pack as the male cadets would refer to it. She felt her desire flair and quickly tapped it down. She wanted, needed, his affection. His touch. But he was Vulcan and as such she would never disrespect him by throwing herself at him. Especially not after her displays of weakness after they first crashed.

"Ready?" She smiled at him. He nodded and picked up their supplies.

He felt her the moment she came through her door, expecting her to make herself known. Instead, she studied him. He could ascertain her eyes taking him in. And then her scent changed, it intensified with desire as her heartbeat increased. As did his. It was then she spoke. And it was then he knew he would have her soon. He desired her, needed her. And he would have her.

Perhaps it was their situation. Perhaps he would be taking advantage of said situation. Or perhaps Nyota Uhura was destined to be his. He fought the small smile fighting to erupt at the corner of his mouth and followed her out the door.

They sat on a blanket after their swim and light lunch. They had cast the net to catch dinner and Nyota was dozing. Spock looked down at her head in his lap and came to a decision.

"Nyota?" She opened her eyes and sat up. "I must speak with you on a matter of a personal nature."

She sat up, nodded and waited.

"You recall that Dr. Saunders mentioned the Vulcan's time. Their…pon-farr."

Again she nodded. She had broached the subject with him a few weeks after they first arrived, but he shook his head and told her he would speak to her on the matter at a later date. She nodded and never brought it up again, although her curiosity was constantly straining.

"It is a time, a thing that we do not speak of. Even amongst ourselves." He looked at a point over her shoulder. "We are a species of intense emotions, so much so that we must maintain control over them or risk being taken over by them. You know our history and you know why we now follow the teaching of Surak. Unfortunately, during pon-farr, this is impossible."

She touched his arm, encouraging him to continue. She already had an idea of what he was going to say and she needed him to know, to feel that she was alright with it. He looked directly into her eyes and she smiled. So he continued, relief in his voice.

"Pon-farr is our mating time. We must mate or die. It is possible to meditate through this time. However…Nyota, I am already entrenched in you. I already desire you and if, when this time comes upon me…"

"Spock, you don't have to worry. I'm here for you. I've always been…I'll always be here for you." She leaned over and took his face in her hands. "Know me, Spock. See me." It was then that she kissed him and he was overwhelmed with her feelings. Love, desire, contentment, acceptance. "I see you."

"Nyota." His voice choked as he allowed his body to lay back with her on top of him. He intensified their kiss as he rolled them over so he was now on top of her. She broke their kiss and smiled up at him.

"Goddess, Spock. I've waited for this forever. Well, since the first time I saw you." She kissed him again.

"Wait, Nyota. You do not yet realize the complexities of this. If we mate, the feelings I have for you, I will bond with you."

"Okay, I can think of worse things." She chuckled.

"A bond is for life, Nyota. Once we leave here, we will be bonded, married."

"I'd have it no other way. I'm already yours, Spock."

He laid his forehead on hers and she felt his emotions, his desire for her flow through. It was so much, so intense, she gasped. "Spock."

She kissed him deeply, winding her legs around his waist, feeling his arousal, feeding off it as she pushed her core into him. Spock shook his head and pulled away from her.

"You must think this through, Nyota. We have been here alone for over six months. You must be clear in your head, in your heart that you do not feel this just because of our circumstance." He stood up. "I shall bring in the nets and we will go home."

Nyota almost growled with frustration but understood his point. She would have to let him know in no uncertain terms just how much she wanted him. And just how long she had wanted him. Loved him, she knew that now. She just had to convince him of this fact.