Chapter Seventeen

When Zuria's eyes opened, it was to the relative darkness of Spock's sleeping quarters; fortunately for her, it had been decorated in the traditional Vulcan style, which she considered to be a much better sight upon waking up than that of the bunks in her shared room. Shifting slightly, she made an effort to stretch her muscles, as they had grown sore from the previous night's activities.

Turning her head to look behind her, Zuria's eyes fell on a still-sleeping Spock, his hands resting on her shoulder and the pillow on which she laid her head. She could feel his chest on her back as it moved with every deep breath he took. Zuria couldn't help but smile; it was the first time that she had ever seen Spock asleep, as he had always woken before her the previous times that they had made love. She twisted her head back, looking out into the room. It was a strange and exciting thing to know that her future had been changed by helping to cure Spock of the pon farr.

Within the next six months, Zuria would be bonded to Spock in the traditional Vulcan sense. At first she had questioned what if meant to be bonded to a Vulcan, but she knew that the bond was eternal, which suited her perfectly. A year ago, she would never have thought that she would be in any sort of relationship with a Vulcan, especially not Star Fleet's celebrated Commander Spock. But she had fallen in love with him in a way she never had before; if that wasn't hint enough that she was supposed to be with him forever, then she didn't know what was.

Yawning carefully, Zuria carefully pulled her body away from Spock's. It would most likely be best for her to return to the room that she shared with the other cadets before anyone else on the ship woke up; Spock's sleeping quarters were located very close to the main deck, making it very likely to run into someone while leaving the room. Having no desire to allow that to happen, Zuria stood from the bed, picking up her underclothes and putting them on before slipping her uniform on over her head. She then stepped into her boots, pulling her hair back into a ponytail afterwards.

Glancing about in the darkness, her eyes landed on Spock's PADD. She reached for it, opening a new document and writing a note to him before placing the device on her pillow. She bent down, placing a hand gently on his head. His skin was still flushed green, but the fever, while it was still present, had become much less virulent. She pressed her lips softly to his before making her way to the door and exiting the room.

The hallway was, thankfully, empty. Zuria exhaled in relief, remaining still until the door to Spock's quarters slid shut. She took several steps away, beginning to walk past the main deck in the direction of her room.

"Zuria?" A voice called out, posing her name as a question. That voice could only belong to one person. She silently cursed herself before turning around to meet the gaze of the person that had spoken.

"Good morning, Captain." She greeted. Her words were met with a smirk from the man in front of her.

"I thought I told you to call me Jim."

"You did."

"So why aren't you?"

"Sorry, Jim. It's… pretty early. I must not be thinking straight." She apologized. Jim Kirk was the last person that she had wanted to run into at that moment.

"You're right. It is pretty early." He agreed, folding his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall. "Which is why I have to wonder; what are you doing walking around?"

"I was on call." She lied easily. Jim gave a small chuckle.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Well, Zuria," He started, taking several steps forward. "I'm kind of wondering how you could've been on call when Bones specifically told me that you weren't."

"I…" She began, trailing off. She could feel her heart racing, urging her to say something, anything that would prevent discovery. "Was just clearing my head."

"Oh. Is that what you were doing in Spock's room at this time of night? Just clearing your head?"

Her eyes widened. How could she have been so careless? "What are you talking-"

"It's ok, Zuria." He told her, sounding slightly annoyed. "I already figured it out."

She made no reply, instead biting down on her lip.

"I've seen the way he looks at you; like you're the most wonderful thing in the universe. And then when he got pissed at that idiot, Dexius? That pretty much gave it away right there." He explained. "He's going through pon farr, isn't he?"

Zuria hesitated before answering. All this time, she and Spock had been incredibly careful so as not to be discovered, and now it seemed that all of their effort had been wasted.

"Will you just answer me?" Jim entreated, his irritation obviously growing.

"Yes." She said at last. "Yes, Spock is going through pon farr."

"And that's why you were in his room, right? Helping him clear his head." He observed, innuendo clear in his voice. Zuria flushed lightly, her eyes narrowing. She hadn't even talked to Pallania about her sex life, and here Jim was, forcing the information out of her and making childish jokes about it. She wanted nothing more than to hit him hard across the face. Had he not been the captain of the ship, she most likely would have. Instead, she answered bluntly.

"Yes."

"Well, that's good, then. I can't have my first officer dying on me." He commented. "I just didn't know that he had it in him."

"Trust me, Spock knows exactly what he's doing." She told him in a cold voice. As long as Jim knew, she may as well bite back at him. "It must be a Vulcan thing. I don't think you'd understand."

"Ouch." Jim laughed, a grin appearing on his face. "You just insulted me and the vast majority of Earth's male population. From how I see it, that's pretty offensive."

"If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it." She returned.

"Ok. Well, got any details you want to share? I haven't had sex in weeks." He confessed his grin widening.

"No, I don't." She replied, rolling her eyes to the ceiling.

"C'mon, I'm curious to know what the guy's secrets are; they really seem to be working on you." He said, prodding her for information.

"I'm not having this conversation with you, Jim."

"Is it because I just discovered the huge, rule-breaking secret that you two have been hiding for God knows how long?" He inquired.

"Partially, yes." She told him.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to tell anyone about your against regulation romance with your professor." He assured her.

"If you do, I swear to God-"

"Calm down, Zuria. I won't say anything."

"Thank you." She said, turning away.

"I'll see you later then." He called after her.

"Fine, later." She agreed, twisting back momentarily to wave. She then began walking towards her room, entering it as quietly as she could. The other girls were still sleeping. Pallania's hand dangled down from the top bed of the bunk that she shared with Zuria. Slipping past her friend's hand, she laid down on her bed, exhaling loudly. She would have to explain this to Spock eventually, if Jim didn't confront him about it first.

Whatever happened, Zuria felt as though she was prepared to deal with it. She was going to be with Spock forever; it had become a biological imperative, one that she had no desire to go against.

Hey guys!

Another chapter for you. The next few are in the process of being written, and are coming along quite swimmingly, I must say.

And so, the lovers were finally discovered (and I am also reminded briefly of Moulin Rouge, for some reason). It had to happen it some point, I suppose. And who better to discover them than our favorite sex-crazed captain? Nobody, as far as I'm concerned.

Anyways, I'd love to hear from you. Reviews are absolutely lovely, and messages are welcome as well.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Thanks,

Harley