Chapter Eighteen
When Spock at last awoke, he felt the obvious absence of heat that he was accustomed to feeling after spending the night with Zuria. This surprised him slightly, as she had never left him alone in bed before. However, upon glancing at her pillow, he saw that his PADD was on. He picked it up, reading it. Zuria had returned to her shared sleeping quarters so as not to raise suspicion when she left his room. Spock's lips curved slightly downward in a frown; she had done the logical thing. This was an instance where he wished that she had defied logic; he had been looking forward to the moments that they would have shared upon waking. What she had done, though, had been in both of their best interest.
Taking a moment to stretch his muscles, Spock stood from his bed, picking his uniform up from the floor and dressing himself in it, smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt before picking up his PADD and exiting his room, making his way to the main deck.
The sight he was met with upon arriving made him wish that he was still in bed, even if not with his mate. The crew members sat at their stations, several of them consuming a beverage or food item. Others glanced at their PADDs, while others feigned attentiveness. Jim sat lazily in the captain's chair, his legs slung over an arm. In one hand he held a piece of paper that he seemed to be reading, and in the other he held a half-eaten candy bar.
"Spock," He greeted, not lifting his eyes from the paper.
"Good morning, Jim." Spock returned, approaching the captain's chair. "May I importune you for any news regarding our Klingon friends?"
"You may," Jim started, taking a bite from his candy bar. "But I won't have anything to tell you."
"There has been nothing done on either side in the hours that have passed?" Spock questioned.
"Nope. Nada." Jim answered. He shifted his gaze from the paper to Spock, changing the subject. "Did you ever know that your aide is really difficult to get along with when she's tired?"
Spock's eyebrows furrowed. He obviously couldn't find any basis for Jim's statement, as he'd gotten along very well with her regardless of the occasion, but he doubted that Jim had said that without a purpose.
"I mean, I usually think she's cool, but man. I thought that she was going to kill me." The captain continued. Spock's eyebrows unfurrowed, and he moved slowly back to the door.
"Forgive me, Jim, but I feel the need to venture to the mess hall in order to consume breakfast." He apologized, receiving a consenting wave from his friend. He exited the main deck, moving across the ship to the sickbay.
Zuria sat on a metal stool, her eyes scanning over the charts of a patient. Spock approached her carefully, not wanting any of the surrounding doctors or nurses to suspect anything.
"Good morning, Zuria." He greeted casually. Her gaze immediately shifted to him. She glanced him over, giving him a small, troubled looking smile.
"Morning, Spock." She replied. "Is there something that you need?" She inquired. He knew that she shared his desire to be physically close at that moment, but it was impossible for them to make any sort of contact that was not platonic.
"Yes. I would like to discuss the essays with you." He lied easily. She nodded, standing from her chair.
"Follow me, please." She said, moving to a secluded, empty area in the sickbay. Once he was sure that they were completely alone, he brought his mouth carefully to hers, holding her chin. She responded eagerly, her lips parting as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She was, however, despite her reaction, the first to pull away. "I don't want anyone else to see us here." She whispered, her lips brushing against his ear as she spoke. He nodded in return.
"I accept your reasoning. It is only logical for us to refrain from such physical contact at the present moment." He agreed, placing a soft kiss on her cheek before pulling away.
"Why did you really come here, Spock?" She asked, smoothing out her uniform. He looked to the ground once before replying.
"Jim Kirk said several things this morning that led me to believe that you are emotionally unwell. Is there any truth to his words?" He questioned, his heart nearly stopping. She wasn't having second thoughts about bonding with him, was she?
Zuria's eyes narrowed seconds later. "If he's referring to the fact that he accosted me this morning when I was leaving your room, then yes. He's absolutely right; I'm not particularly happy with Jim at the moment." She answered. Spock sensed unease within her, allowing her to heave a frustrated sigh before speaking again.
"And what did Jim do when he accosted you? Did he make any manner of lewd remarks?" He inquired. He watched his mate as she bit her lip, clearly deciding what to say.
"Spock," She began. "Jim knows."
Spock felt his heart sink. "What?"
"When he confronted me, he talked to me about… us. He said that he'd figured it out already." She explained. He swallowed hard.
"Was it my behavior yesterday that alerted him of our love?" He asked. Zuria nodded.
"Partially; though he said that he'd suspected for a while." She clarified.
"And was he vulgar to you when he spoke?"
"Unsurprisingly, yes."
Spock could feel the heat of anger flare within his abdomen. Jim should've spoken to him instead of accosting Zuria.
"I apologize for my friend's behavior, Zuria." He said, taking her hands in his, placing a kiss on her left hand."
"It's fine," She started. "As long as he doesn't tell anybody."
"It is most certainly not fine; his actions were entirely inappropriate. I believe that I should speak with him on the matter." He told her, effectively pardoning himself.
"I certainly won't stop you, if you feel the need to." She informed him. Her hands pressed against his cheeks as she brought her mouth to his, kissing him slowly. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him. She removed a hand from his face, placing it over his, tempting it to move lower on her back. Pulling away from the kiss, she grinned.
"We can continue this later." She promised, licking her lips.
"I will send you a transmission when I have finished speaking with him." He assured her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face before leaving the sickbay.
Spock rarely felt even the slightest bit of anger; only something significant could upset him. As far as he was concerned, Jim had provided significant enough a reason for him to be angered.
"Spock," Jim greeted as the Vulcan entered the main deck. "Glad that you're back."
"Could we converse privately, Jim?" He asked, ignoring his friend's greeting. "There is something that I wish to discuss with you."
"Sure thing." He agreed, following Spock to a largely unoccupied area on the main deck. He folded his arms over his chest. "So… what exactly is it that we're talking about?"
"I would first like to inform you that I am greatly displeased with your childish mannerisms; angered, even." He began, tempting Jim to raise an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about?" He questioned.
"Zuria informed me of your encounter earlier this morning." Spock told him.
"Oh, that." Jim acknowledged, chuckling.
"I have been made aware that you know of our relationship. I am not angered by this, but I am unhappy that you accosted Zuria in order to speak with her about the subject, one which you should have discussed with me, had you the desire to gain any information." He said, his voice low.
"Calm down, Spock." Jim told him, patting him on the shoulder. "I was just teasing her a little. Normally she can handle it."
"I do not need to tell you that she was quite far from amused when I spoke with her, and believe you would be wise to believe me when I say that there is nothing that I dislike more than for my mate to be displeased." Spock informed him honestly.
Jim was quiet for several moments.
"Wow." He started, mussing his hair with his hand. "You really love her, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Spock answered. "More so than I knew was possible."
"If she… mated with you to stop the pon farr, does that mean that you guys are basically engaged?" Jim questioned.
"It does." He replied simply, watching as a grin took over the captain's lips.
"So, when's the wedding? I'm guessing that I'll end up being the best man, right?" Jim inquired, his grin growing.
"I will answer no more of your questions at this time, Jim." Spock said.
His words, however, were startlingly met with the sound of an explosion. The entire ship shuddered in protest of it as Spock and Jim moved quickly back to the captain's chair.
"Captain, should we fire back?" A cadet called out. Jim was about to answer when he was met with the sight of a missile hitting the Klingon ship. Two other Star Fleet ships had joined the Enterprise, outnumbering the Klingons.
"No," Spock began, speaking primarily to Jim. "I suggest that we hail our war-loving and take this opportunity to propose to them the option of negotiating."
"What he said. Do it." Jim ordered the cadets, who were quick to act on his words. Within several moments, the visage of the Klingon leader could be seen by all on the main deck.
"Good morning." Jim greeted. "I'm Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise. As you can see, you've been outnumbered by Star Fleet ships. As it stands now, you have two options: agree to set up a time for negotiations on Chandra V, or get blown to smithereens. I personally would find the first option a little more pleasant, but it's your choice."
The Klingon grumbled something unintelligible before nodding his head. "I accept your proposition to negotiate."
"Good. We'll contact the leaders of Chandra V and set up a time for later today." Jim said. His words were met by a guttural agreement from the Klingon before he disappeared, leaving a clear view of the other ships again.
"Lieutenant Uhura," Jim started, turning to the linguist. "Establish contact with Chandra V."
"Yes, sir." She accepted, setting about her task. Jim then turned to his friend.
"Spock, send a transmission to Bones. I want him at the peace conference." He instructed. Spock nodded, taking his PADD and moving to the same area of the main deck where he had spoken to Jim. He sent his transmission request, waiting until Doctor McCoy's face appeared on the screen.
"Greetings, doctor." Spock began. The man that he saw looked tired and a good deal troubled.
"Yeah, hi." Bones returned, breathing heavily.
"Jim would like me to inform you that he requests your presence on the main deck. He would like you to attend the peace conference that will be held shortly." Spock told him.
"I don't think I'm going to be able to do that." Bones said, shaking his head.
"And what would be your reason for such a course of action?" He inquired.
"The missile. It hit us." Bones informed him.
"Doctor McCoy, I am sure that there are plenty of other doctors that are capable of-"
"My intern, your aide: Zuria. She got hurt in the explosion."
Spock blinked once at hearing this. His heart began to palpitate more rapidly, and he swallowed hard.
"Hey, Spock." Jim called, drawing his attention away from the PADD. "What's going on? We should be leaving soon for the conference."
"Doctor McCoy has just informed me that Zuria is unwell." Spock said. Jim inhaled before nodding.
"Spock," He started, speaking quietly so as not to let Bones hear him. "I'll let you stay on the ship and captain it while I'm gone, but I need Bones."
Spock said nothing to this, simply inclining his head in a manner of acceptance, even thanks.
"Tell him that Uhura will be there."
"Jim would like me to tell you as well that Zuria will be well cared for, and that Lieutenant Uhura will be present at the conference." Spock informed him, tempting Bones to roll his eyes.
"That bastard." He hissed, referencing Jim.
"If you would like, I will personally attend to Zuria. I have a significant amount of medical knowledge to permit my watching over her." Spock added in his own interest. Finally, Bones gave a sigh, nodding.
"Alright, I'll go." He agreed. "I'll be there in five minutes."
Bones held true to his word. Within five minutes, he appeared on the main deck, drawing a smile from Lieutenant Uhura, Spock observed.
"Ok, great. Are we ready to go?" Jim asked, glancing at the two. Both of them nodded. "Great. Let's get out of here."
Jim and Lieutenant Uhura turned and began to walk. Bones, however, took several steps in Spock's direction.
"If anything happens to her," He began, threat clear in his voice. "I swear to God I'll-"
"Doctor McCoy," Spock interrupted. "I will do everything within my ability to care for her. I want nothing less than to lose… my aide." He informed him, forcing himself not to speak the word "mate". Bones looked over him carefully before nodding once.
"Alright. Now get down to sickbay." He ordered, turning from the inwardly concerned Vulcan and joining the other two.
Inhaling deeply, Spock shook his head once before exiting the main deck. Whatever was happening at the moment, he could not help but feel that Zuria was infinitely more important.
Hey, guys!
Wow. Ok. Sorry. I didn't mean for this chapter to take so long to be up. I had to take a closer look at what I wanted to happen in this story before I finished it. At least it was a long chapter, though. Hopefully that makes up for it a little.
Ah, another thing. I've been getting quite a few pm's regarding my plans for writing Sylaire fiction. Rather than individually answering each pm, I decided to put the information here. So, let me just say this: after completing this story, I'll be writing a collection of Sylaire songfics. Obviously, the mood will vary based on the song, but the one thing that's not changing is that each one of the one-shots will be rated M. As you could probably guess, that means that there will be some violence and plenty of sexual themes. Haha, I guess I just figured I could try writing something a little more... risque.
So, that's about it. Two more chapters. I'm hoping I can get the next one up by the middle of this week.
Thanks,
Harley