A/N- In my last Chapter I kept spelling Su-Ling's name as Su-Lin, I don't know if it is because I can't type and the "g" disappeared or if I forgot the poor characters proper name. I really like her too  Regardless I will correct this and repost that chapter. I also have a chapter that introduces Su-Ling more officially earlier in the story but haven't decided if it is really important enough to put up. Sorry this chapter has taken so long to get to you but these characters began to stump me. My love for Spock hindered me writing the plot as I had thought it out when I started this. A very big Thank you to all who have been reviewing, it is appreciated greatly and I have tried to return the favor. Happy reading!

Chapter 8

Journey

M'ara walked with Su-Ling helping their patients trudge along the rocky and cold terrain. The land, as far as she could see, was barren no plants or animals of any kind were visible. There was only a white haze of mist and the devastatingly cold wind. There was no snow on the ground but by looks of the clouds and the temperature that was rapidly dropping it would not be long before a snow storm hit. They needed to find shelter before that happened.

"M'ara, if we don't find shelter soon, we are going to lose some of our patients we've been fighting to keep alive to exposure." Su-Ling said holding on to wounded female engineer who was still weak from her injuries.

"I am aware of this, I will see what I can ascertain from The Captain," M'ara said with difficulty because of her chattering teeth and trying to control her shivering. Vulcan's may have control over their biology but the cold was still highly affected the desert species. M'ara walked with a quicker pace until she was walking side by side with Serin.

M'ara looked at Serin and realized that it was not only the patients she had to worry about. His serious, thin lips were pale and chapped, and his whole body was nearly trembling uncontrollably. The cold was affecting his nearly full Vulcan physiology worse than it was hers.

"Captain, the injured cannot take more of this, and quite frankly neither can you or I."

Serin looked thoughtful for a moment, considering her words. M'ara could no longer read his thoughts so the mind meld was truly gone. M'ara was startled to find that she was a little sad about that. It was good to be able to see the real Serin and not the stone closed off figure she had known since they were children.

"The scan I ran showed that there is a mining cavern, only a mile away from our current location, we shall rest there for tonight." Serin said, his was voice weak under his body's violent shivers.

M'ara nodded and went back to inform Su-Ling, and took the injured cadet from her, giving a much needed break to her friend.

After several moments the snow storm that had threatened them all during the day had finally let free its fury. Visibility was almost as low as the plummeted temperatures. M'ara and Su-Ling held on to each other's hand so that they wouldn't get separated. Because of the storm what should have been an hour and a half maximum trip, had now gone on for three hours. Serin was on the verge of collapse and M'ara soon to follow him.

"It…should…be…just up…that… ledge," Serin barely managed to say pointing shakily at the carved stone elevated walkway in front of them.

"So let me get this straight, we are supposed to walk up a mountain?" Su-Ling said throwing her hands up, tired and exasperated.

"That is precisely what we are going to do Su-Ling and quickly if we are to survive," M'ara said, not wanting to stop, she could already feel her limbs becoming heavy and a strong desire to sleep setting in. They were sure signs of hypothermia.

"Well at least we have stairs, damn snow…" Su-Ling grumbled, if M'ara were not in danger of freezing to death she may have found it amusing. A couple of the security crew had taken the weak crew members from them, and both M'ara and Su-Ling was grateful.

The climb up the mountain even with the stairs was slow and tedious for the exhausted and inexperienced crew. M'ara had to feel her way with her hands as best as she could to keep herself from losing her footing. Inch by inch, the incline got worse and her already tired legs burned with the exertion. Her Vulcan lungs kept plenty of air flowing during the climb, which is the only positive to this situation.

M'ara's ears picked up a loud cracking sound, but had no time to react once she realized that a boulder was crashing from the mountain in her direction. M'ara felt her self being propelled forward with great force by Pair of large masculine hands. The boulder whooshed passed, missing her by inches. M'ara landed on the stone floor of the stair case with Serin on top of her. His deep onyx eyes portrayed a mixture of fear, and relief.

"Are you alright?" he asked his breathing labored from the exertion and the cold. Their faces were so close M'ara could feel and smell his sweet breath. His soft and wavy honey colored hair brushed her cheek as he turned his head towards her face. Her heart raced as she felt his skin, her body reacted to the fact that an aesthetically pleasing man's body was entangled with her own. It would have been the most natural thing in the world to reach out to embrace his fingers in the Vulcan kiss. Serin's gaze did nothing to help her sudden and disturbingly lustful thoughts from surfacing. She never thought that she would ever find Serin attractive, but she could not ignore the obvious affect he had on her right now.

His actions had stunned her. Serin had saved her life, and even asked about her welfare with sincere caring. M'ara realized that she could be making too much of his actions, surly he would have done the same for any of the crew? Perhaps he had not changed his feelings toward her at all.

Calm your human reactions; it is not Vulcan to think this way, M'ara thought to her self trying to gain control. M'ara knew she had to answer his question before too much time elapsed and she embarrassed herself.

"Yes, you have my gratitude," M'ara said.

Serin did not reply he seemed to search M'ara's face with his eyes for a moment. What he was looking for she did not know. After a few seconds Serin released him self from their entanglement and then helped M'ara get back on her feet.

"The Cavern is very close, keep hold of the wall, and be careful," Serin told the group as a whole, not looking at M'ara. M'ara once again took Su-Ling's hand as they traveled the last remaining distance. Serin was right, another ten minutes later an opening of a large caver was in front of them.

Once inside M'ara could see that it was not just a cavern but lodgings, carved out of the side of the mountain. There were chairs carved out of what looked like earth's limestone along with a table. There were slabs with furs covering them for beds. M'ara suddenly felt uneasy and quickly looked around as she realized that this was someone's home and they were trespassers. Serin's thoughts must have been the same because he had the security team on alert.

"The weather is dreadful outside, if you wish to not be cast out into it again I suggest you lower your weapons in my home," The owner of the voice, a chubby old man with pure white hair walked from the shadows into the clearing. He was hearing a long white fur coat and boots that matched. M'ara raised and eyebrow, he would completely blend in the snow. Serin motioned for the security team to lower their weapons.

"We are Star Fleet Cadets, our ship crash landed here. Unfortunately were caught in the storm and needed a place to get warm," Serin informed the old man his voice stronger now that the cold wind was not sapping all his warmth. The old man let out a sigh of annoyance and looked at the group with contemplation. M'ara was almost amused at the pathetic sight they must all be.

"My name is Falkon, You may stay here until the storm passes, come on follow me you have wounded who need to rest and be fed," The old man said his face brightening.

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M'ara looked around the path that was lit by torches. The walls were beautiful with red, blue and green stones shining in the fire light that lead the way to the warm spring that Falkon had spoke of. When all of the injured were cared for and were sleeping the old man had suggested the visit to the spring to them. It was a logical suggestion; her body did need a source of strong heat to regain her normal body temperature.

The spring was a round stone bowl shaped structure, steam radiated from crystal blue water within it. M'ara nearly gasped when she saw that Serin had beat her here and had already removed his clothes. M'ara watched as he walked into the spring, naked. His bodies shivers slowly Ceased as he went deeper into the water. She could not help but let her eyes wonder in curiosity. Her cheeks flushed a light green with embarrassment, as far as she could judge without ever having seen another naked man before, Serin was above average in the back and front view she had of his body. M'ara suddenly felt that she had overstepped his privacy and turned to leave.

"I thought you came here to get warm, do not let my presence keep you from it," Serin said his eyes closed as he enjoyed the heat.

M'ara knew that now he knew she was here, there was little point in not using the spring herself. M'ara undressed from her uniform and walked into the water. The heat filled her immediately, her body relaxed as she sat down as far away from Serin as was possible. The spring was not that big however.

M'ara noticed that Serin's eyes drifted to her direction with the same curiosity that she had displayed earlier. Something changed in his eyes, something more primal appeared but only for a moment. He only lingered a little while longer and then got out of the water and dressed. M'ara feeling quite exposed now did the same.

"You are beautiful, as humans would say," Serin said sitting on the nearest rock. Serin's words hit her strongly; he had never complimented her before. Why is he telling her this now?

"You never use to think so," M'ara said her voice calm but his harsh treatment of her over the years was burning within wanting release.

"I have not been fair to you in the past," Serin said almost as if it was to himself.

"Why Serin?" was all M'ara could manage to ask.

After a long pause Serin unexpectedly answered.

"You and my father made me feel, lose my Vulcan training. Sarek wanted me to be the prefect Vulcan my father was not. I thought I owed it to my father to please Sarek. That is the only thing my father ever really wanted. I distanced myself from both of you, in order to do that."

Serin's confession hung in the air as they both sat in silence for awhile. M'ara knew that she had not given him much of a chance either. Spock was always whom she came to speak with, not him. Serin had lead a very lonely life and for a very human reason, love. He loved his father. She realized that he also cared for her in a way as well. An emotion she cold not yet recognize had begun to form. "Am I starting to care for him?" M'ara thought. It was possible but too soon to know for sure, despite all that had happened between them of late. Saving each others lives had a strong affect on them both but only time would tell if a true friendship could evolve. The honesty that was now between them displayed hope, M'ara felt comforted by that.

"Let us remember the Vulcan philosophy, that what was, was and what is, is," M'ara said, as close of an 'I forgive you' as she could manage and not sound too human.

Serin nodded in agreement his eyes gentle, recognizing what M'ara meant.

"We should get back, you are weary and tomorrow will be difficult," Serin said as he stood up. M'ara who was still standing nodded and they both went back through the tunnels that lead to the main cavern in silence.

M'ara heard a lot of rustling noises from the room ahead, and unidentifiable voices.

Serin quickly grabbed M'ara's arm to stop her from entering the large stone room.

"The Romulan's are here," Serin said leading her back into the shadows without letting go of her arm.