~Thanks to Atana 71 for her time and effort in helping with this fic, her suggestions and insights are priceless!

~ pid-trensu: high master

Eden…the morning after…

Nyota rolled over and found the place where Spock had slept empty. She sat up and looked around, noticing a cup of tea on the bedside table. She smiled and took a sip and grabbed the large shirt she used as a robe before getting up to find her mate. She was, for all intents and purposes, married and found the prospect exciting, scary, wonderful. And as she was married to S'chn T'gai Spock, she was now S'chn T'gai Nyota Uhura. She took a deep breath and attempted to regulate her rapid heartbeat.

"Spock?" Nyota called out.

"I am in the spare room, Nyota." She followed his voice and found him knelling on the floor.

"What are you doing?" She looked at the cylinder in front of him. It was the one he had carried in the day before.

"I am attempting to create a device to send a message out to the Intrepid. It came to me when I awoke yesterday. According to Dr. Saunders' log, his group theorized a negative ionic pulse may disrupt the flux temporarily. I will construct a lattice work of negative ion emitters on the outer surface of this container after which I will insert a message regarding the flux and our condition. I will then attempt to construct a delivery system that will propel the device outwards. I theorize that once it reaches the stratosphere, it should be pulled out through the same path we took to get in. It will take time however as I must endeavor to compile the needed components from supplies on hand." He spoke as he worked and Nyota marveled at his abilities. He was a genius, her genius. And it was hot.

"Nyota? Did you require my assistance?" He finally looked up.

"Oh, no." She felt herself blush. "I…I was just wondering where you were…I woke up and…"

Spock mouth slightly lifted at the corners as he looked up at her. "I wanted to let you sleep, you appeared to be exhausted."

"Appearances certainly weren't deceiving. You wore me out." She smiled as she went to him and place her hands on his shoulders as she bent down to kiss him. "Mmm, you smell good."

Spock closed his eyes and pulled her close to him, nuzzling his face between her breasts. "As do you."

"We sweated like crazy, we should be dying for a shower. Not getting off on our scent."

"Getting off?" His brows drew together in confusion.

"Getting off, to find a situation or idea sexually stimulating. In other words, I want to push you down on the ground, straddle you and ride you to tomorrow." She moaned.

Spock growled and pulled Nyota to the floor. "I find everything in regards to you stimulating and I would not object to you…riding me to tomorrow."

A year later, Eden time…

It had taken time, too much time as far as Spock was concerned, but the package they planned to send out was finally finished. The delivery system they had created was primitive at best, but he and Nyota attached the cylinder to the propulsion unit and he rechecked the connections. They had hiked to the highest point they could find and constructed the launching base, a frame of sorts to support the container while it was ignited. Nyota had suggested building a rocket type system, recalling early rocket launches akin to pre-space flight in the mid 20th century. Spock felt if they could get the cylinder high enough, it should theoretically, be pulled out the same way they were pulled in.

The rocket was powered by propulsion fluid as opposed to electronics, so Spock theorized that it would make it out. There was of course a margin of error, but they worked tirelessly anyway. Spock and Nyota had made several trial runs and once the 'rocket' had gone further than any other attempts, they decided the best chance they had of getting their information to make it out was trekking to higher ground.

Spock handed Nyota the remote detonator. "Since this was your idea, it seems appropriate that you should launch our message."

She chuckled and took the box from him. "Okay, well, here goes nothing. But if it blows up on the launching pad, don't blame me."

She peeked up from behind the large rock they had positioned themselves and hit the button. The rockets lit and the cylinder lifted off from the holding framework Spock had built. Up it went, and higher still. It broke through the aurora and they continued to follow it until they lost sight of it.

"Okay then, guess only time will tell." Nyota felt a small chill run through her body. Spock placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.

"If we are successful and return to our universe nothing between us will change, Nyota." He assured her.

"How can you be sure, Spock? We've been here almost two years, but to them it's been days. They won't get it. They won't get us." She sighed.

He chuckled, something he seemed to do more and more the longer he was with her. "It does not matter what they 'get.' We are mated, Nyota. Bonded. If we do return I will break the tenuous bond I have with T'Pring, although I am not sure it will be necessary as I have not felt her presence since I left Vulcan. Once that is resolved, you and I will formally bond on Vulcan." He kissed her nose and moved to begin clearing the launching pad they had constructed.

"I already feel formally bonded to you." She shrugged as she helped him. Spock straightened and went to her.

"In essence, we are. But for it to be recognized, for you to be given the legal rights of my chosen mate, we must have the pid-trensu conduct the ceremony on Vulcan." He pulled her into his arms. "You are my adun'a, in my heart and in my soul, but I wish to see you in the ceremonial robes of my ancestors, I wish to take you to my familial home of D'H'riset and I wish for my mother and father to call you ko-fu. I wish to claim you as mine to the universe, Nyota."

Nyota sighed and smiled as she stood on tip toes to kiss him. "Oh, Spock, I couldn't love you more if I lived here with you a hundred years. Just you and me, I don't need the world."

"Well, we may still have that opportunity." He kissed the tip of her nose again before releasing her and returned to his task.

Nyota chuckled. They might be rescued, although she really didn't feel such a need anymore. But she wasn't as sure as Spock was that they would be accepted. By Star Fleet or by his people…or hers. Well, she thought, I'll have him to myself for at least six months if the pod makes it through. I'll worry about it then.

Intrepid, seven days into rescue…

"Sir, there's…something, coming out of the anomaly. It's very small, hardly a blip."

Pike stood up and stared at the view screen. "Well, put a tracking beam on it and pull it aboard."

"Shouldn't I transport…"

"No! We're not sure what it is and I don't want to disrupt anything. Do as I requested. I'll be with the ambassador." Pike quickly left the bridge and made his way to Sarek.

Sarek almost allowed a small smile to grace his face. His son truly was a genius. "Spock constructed a network on the outer shell of this device that releases negative ions." He opened the cylinder and retrieved a carefully wrapped chip. "And this is from Spock."

The scientists from Vulcan and the Intrepid went over all the information sent to them and decided the best course of action was to modify one of the shuttles with a force field composed of negative ions to pass through the anomaly. The only issue was to make sure it would be strong enough to make back through with Spock and the young cadet.

Sarek had been working relentlessly for almost three days when Amanda entered the science lab. She sighed and went to her husband.

"Sarek?" He turned to his wife, a small frown playing at his brow.

"Amanda. Is there a problem?" He turned back to his work station.

"Yes. You need to come with me. Now." Sarek took in a deep breath and turned back to his wife.

Calming himself before he spoke, he gave her his undivided attention. "Amanda, I am working…" She raised her hand.

"You have been working far to long. You need to eat. A shower. Some sleep, and if not sleep then a few minutes of meditation…" Sarek went to his wife and took her by her arm, leading her out of the lab.

"Amanda. I cannot stop what I am working on." He looked about and led her into a small conference room.

"Sarek, surely this can wait an hour, we've found him, he's safe. He'll be coming home soon…"

"You do not understand and this is my fault for not completely informing you of Spock's transmission." He motioned for his wife to sit and he sat across from her.

"What is it, Sarek? What did you not tell me?" Her face was filled with concern.

"There is a time differential, as we feared. Spock was able to discern from previous inhabitants the time flux between the world he is now on and the outside. Amanda, for everyday we attempt the rescue over three months will pass for them." He studied her face to see if she was sure of the implication.

"Oh my god, Sarek. Spock and Cadet Uhura have been on the planet for almost two years?" She was horrified.

"Yes, every minute that passes, hours pass for them. I have no time to waste, adun'a. I will rest, eat, once our son is returned." He took her hand in his.

"Yes, of course. Sarek, you should of told me." Her voice was hushed.

"I know, I apologize." He reached over and ran his fingers down the side of her face. "Only a few of us know this fact. It was strongly suggested by Star Fleet that we not share this news outright. They are concerned with public reaction in regards to Academy training missions going awry. They are concerned with…liability." He shook his head and Amanda could feel his disgust. "I will bring him back, Amanda."

"I know you will, adun. And do not concern yourself with the Academy's litigation fears, I believe our son as well as the cadet are aware of the dangers involved in space exploration." She nodded.

"Indeed, my dear, however it is not something they would wish to publicize to potential students or their families." He rose and made his way back to the lab.