Chapter Sixteen

The meeting on the main deck had hardly lasted more than ten minutes. Tentative decisions had been made, although little had been discussed; Jim Kirk was more than capable of working out a plan sans assistance from others, but he generally felt that the input of others counted for something.

When Zuria returned to the sickbay, she found Bones sitting in his chair once more, this time reading. He had clearly had little trouble with his stitches, as was expected.

"Wow." Zuria commented, pointing to the book. "Othello. What prompted you to read that?"

"Oh, nothing. It was the only thing I could find around here." He replied, closing the book and setting it down. "What happened at the meeting?"

Zuria shook her head. "Nothing. Commander Spock said that he was sick, so Jim basically decided to come up with something on his own." She informed him. Bones rolled his eyes.

"I have no idea what goes on inside the head of the Vulcan bastard." He said. Zuria hit him playfully in the arm.

"He's not a bastard, Bones." She told him.

"Oh, right. You're his aide. I forgot that. Must make it a bit easier to understand him, huh?" He inquired, standing from his seat and moving to the sickbay's mini-fridge, pulling an apple out of it.

"Mostly, yes; but I have no idea why he lashed out at Cadet Dexius." She admitted, her words slightly truthful. She knew that Spock had been angry at the cadet for looking at her with the longing that he had, but she was surprised that he had reacted in such a manner. Under normal circumstances, she was sure that Spock would have found Cadet Dexius' interest in her amusing, as there was no way that it would ever be reciprocated. Zuria was sure that there was a perfectly logical reason that Spock had behaved so illogically; otherwise he would not have done it.

Bones raised an eyebrow at her words.

"Are you being serious right now?" He questioned. "I've only seen Spock get mad once in his life, and he had a damn good reason for it then."

"I'm being entirely serious. He just…" She trailed off, watching Bones as he bit into his apple. She gave a sigh. "I don't know. What do you think?"

"Like hell if I know." Bones answered, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. His eyes moved across the row of patients in front of them. "It's getting late." He commented.

"Am I on call tonight?" She asked, stretching her arms out.

"No. I think we'll be ok without you for tonight, Zuria. Go get some rest; you'll look like hell in a few hours if you don't." He teased, dismissing her. She gave a laugh.

"Thanks, Bones. See you in the morning." She said, gathering her things.

"See you then." Bones returned, moving in the opposite direction. She passed quickly through the halls of the Enterprise, stopping when she reached her sleeping quarters. She placed her hand on the scanner, allowing the door to open. The room had little in it but two bunk beds and a closet. She shared the room with three other women, including Pallania. None of them were there at the moment, thankfully.

Zuria collapsed on her bed, not caring that her boots were still on. What was it that could possibly have made Spock behave the way that he had? The flaring temper, the irrational jealousy, the hint of green in his skin…

Standing from her bed, Zuria dug through her bag, pulling out her brush and running it through her hair several times before setting it down and exiting the room.

Spock had been sitting in meditation for several hours now, and none of it had assisted him any way in ridding himself of the pon farr. His mind saw fit to continually bring images of Zuria up behind his closed eyes. A wave of lust and heat would rush through his body each time a new image appeared, and Spock feared that he was too far gone for meditation to work.

A knock on the door put an end to his fantasies, causing him to open his eyes.

"Computer, grant access." He commanded, having no desire to move from his spot at the time. The door slid open, revealing a particularly attractive medical intern. "Zuria." Spock spoke her name carefully, attempting not to show his struggle.

"Spock," She returned, stepping forward. "What happened today? What's wrong?"

Inhaling, Spock stood, straightening his uniform. "I am merely feeling unwell." He responded.

"We both know that's a lie." She said, walking forward. "You lashed out at a cadet for looking at me; something that you wouldn't usually do."

Spock made no response, simply moving to his bed and sitting down, steepling his fingers. Zuria knelt before him, taking his sweaty hands in hers.

"You're burning up." She gasped. "And you look green."

"It is nothing, Zuria. I will be fine." He lied, pressing a kiss against her forehead. She stilled in that instant, frozen into a figure of both lust and concern in his eyes.

"God," She breathed, her eyes meeting his. "This is pon farr, isn't it?" She inquired.

Spock sighed, nodding slowly. "Yes, it is." He admitted.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She questioned.

"Because the woman that a Vulcan man mates with when undergoing pon farr must become his bonded mate within six months of ending the fever." He explained. They both remained quiet for several moments.

Zuria, at last, stood from her place on the floor. She took several steps forward before taking her place next to him on his bed. Spock was about to question, but her mouth pressed against his, and he was unable to say anything. His tongue eagerly slipped past her lips, meeting hers. This kiss was not slow and sensual as most of their kisses were; it was heated and fierce, driven by Spock's biological need to have Zuria. His arms were around her seconds later, pressing her body against his as he lowered her to the bed beneath him. He pulled away from the kiss, his lips moving to her neck. She shuddered in response, arching against him. He could feel her move beneath him as she kicked her boots off, allowing them to fall to the floor.

Drawing his lips away from her, his hands tugged at the bottom of her uniform, pulling it over her head with her assistance. She then aided him in removing his uniform as well, lifting his shirt off of him while he worked to remove his pants. Their clothes formed a pile on the floor, forgotten almost instantly as Spock pressed a kiss to the curve of Zuria's breast, his fingers trailing along the apex of her thigh.

"Spock," She breathed, her hands on either side of his face.

"What is it, Zuria?" He asked, ceasing his actions momentarily.

"This is my decision." She whispered into his ear. Spock almost died from relief and happiness. If he did this now, the pon farr would end, and within six months, he would be eternally bonded to Zuria.

"Are you sure that this is what you want?" He questioned, his mouth hovering above hers.

"Yes." Was her response. Spock's lips crashed down on hers, his heart pounding hard against his chest. I love you, I love you.

"I love you, Spock."

"I love you too, Zuria." He responded.

Their remaining clothes joined those already on the floor, leaving them exposed to each other once again. When their bodies finally connected, Spock felt the pain, the fever of the pon farr melting away. As they moved together, Spock knew that he had not found just a perfect mate in Zuria.

He had found a savior.

Hey guys!

Yay for a quick update! I felt the need to crank out another chapter, and so I did. I hope that it was a satisfactory one.

Only four more chapters left after this. It's a bit sad, really. I'm beginning to get very attatched to these two. Oh well. As I mentioned last chapter, I've already got my next writing assignments planned out, so I won't be sad for long.

The next chapter should be up within the next few days. Reviews and messages are, as always, welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks,

Harley