A/N – Thank you to danalexkayarimad, spockawocka5678, spectravel, Nyotarules and nicnac for the reviews. Thanks to partyof4, Black-Dirge, Nyotarules and CMW2 for adding to your faves.

The Sen story will be revisited in later chapters. Don't you love suspense? Seriously though, the support is appreciated because this is my first Trek fanfic. If you like Harry Potter, please see my others.

Chapter 3 – The Twelve Days of Courtship

One year after the destruction of Vulcan, the Starfleet had assessed its resources while the Vulcans' assessed theirs. Because of Nero and other recent conflicts, the fleet lost a total of thirty-one ships leaving it weakened. With construction of new ships as a priority, they estimated ten more years before they could establish the might they once had. Of the two other major players, the Klingons also lost a substantial portion of their fleet leaving them vulnerable. However, the Romulan Star Empire remained unscathed and incommunicado despite all diplomatic overtures. Fear spread that smaller less powerful factions like the Cardassians, Gorn, Talarians, Tholians and the Tzenkethi would seize the opportunity to defeat a weakened fleet. .

On the other hand, the Vulcans had managed to evacuate nearly eleven thousand of its citizens during Nero's attack. Due to their space faring scientific research vessels, nearly forty-thousand would join their brethren on New Vulcan. Lead by their respective scientific communities and with humans at the forefront, the Andorians and Tellarites assisted in the rebuilding of the Vulcan culture. Much of Vulcans' prejudice against the human race diminished when the Terran volunteers outnumbered the other races combined by five to one.

One year after the establishment of New Vulcan, at the insistence of Captain Kirk and his Nyota, Spock spent two weeks with his father. Kirk cited regulations about diplomatic relations taking precedence over standard patrol missions which the Enterprise flew currently. Conversely, Nyota cited more personal reasons. "Spock your father needs you. Both of you lost Amanda and an entire planet. Maybe he seemed fine just afterwards but the task at hand kept you and him from grieving at that time." Defeating Nero for the survival of Earth and probably many other planets kept their minds occupied after the destruction of Vulcan and the initial rebuilding and assessing even longer. Survival always came first. Now that things had settled down, Spock found himself thinking about the loss more and more.

When he arrived on New Vulcan in the Eridani system, he found the planet closely resembled old Vulcan but a tiny fraction larger. The dry arid hot planet with sand in various hues of red had one sun and three moons with slightly larger water masses. In the temporary shelters which resembled semi-solid tents which had many of the conveniences of modern homes, his father lived alone near where the historical archives were being rebuilt. Upon his arrival, he found his father looked thinner than normal. Surreptitiously, Spock performed a tricorder reading to find his father hadn't been eating regular meals. Since he couldn't order his father to eat because of his elder status, Spock found a clever way to force him to eat. Every day he had one of the chefs from Earth prepare new Terran dishes for them to test. The chef wanted to open a restaurant on New Vulcan to accommodate the Vulcan residents and human volunteers and needed insight as to Vulcan tastes.

Over meals, Sarek would reminisce about the past giving Spock new insights about his parents' relationship. During their last meal together, his father commented on something which surprised Spock. "When you enter into a relationship with a human female, you must make certain concessions for the bond to be strong. Some bonds are stronger than others. The stronger bonds are forged when one finds a most agreeable mate like the one I had with your mother or the one I'm sure you will have with Nyota."

"I haven't approached Nyota on the matter of bonding."

"When it is time, you should."

For Nyota Uhura, that year zoomed by at warp speed. Several weeks after his return from New Vulcan, unexpectedly, Spock rushed back to Earth to help resolve some problems with a new computer system to be installed on the some of the science vessels. While he hid most of his emotions, he seemed unusually aggravated by it. Gazing a hologram of him, she reflected on their relationship.

During her first year as a cadet, she heard of Spock unlike most students who didn't get him as their instructor until their final years due to the advanced classes he taught. In her freshman year, he tutored her in Vulcan or rather fine tuned the language she learned from tapes as well as Romulan. At the time, he had already graduated with enough courses to become an instructor and had toured aboard a starship for two years. Though he was thirty in earth years, by Vulcan standards they were the same age. Early on during her language courses, she developed the worst crush on him that she ever experienced. At some point, she knew it was love but she feared saying anything to him. From the campus gossip, Spock had a few discreet affairs with a few human female scientists who threw themselves at the handsome Vulcan.

In her second year, she heard that Spock would be spending Christmas alone so she dropped in with a small present for him: a disk with all the various forms of music since she learned he had an interest in music. Knocking on the door, she thought she heard laughter. "Merry Christmas Professor Spock, I brought you a present." Normally, she only saw him in an instructor's uniform but now he wore a Vulcan looking robe. Various Vulcan trinkets decorated the rather sparse campus apartment.

"Thank you Cadet Uhura. Please come in." She took a seat inside the unusually warm apartment. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please." On the vid screen, she saw that he watched a rather low brow comedy show. A box of open chocolates sat on the table before her. "So this is the laughter I heard."

"Yes, I am attempted to comprehend humor. So far I find the routines merely proving that human behavior is stupid." He placed a tray with cups of tea and condiments in front of her.

"That's because you're watching the lowest form of humor."

"What do you suggest?"

"I'll have to think about it. Are you alright?"

"Indeed I am cadet. I find this chocolate most delightful." Over the course of their conversation, the more chocolate he ate the more relaxed he became.

A light snow fell outside so they went to look at it. Several holiday revelers joined them from the apartment complex. A couple male cadets tried to hold mistletoe above her head. She gave them an obligatory but light kiss. Within moments, she and Spock returned to his apartment. "I'm sorry about that but kissing under mistletoe is a tradition. I'm not sure why they're so insistent."

"Really Cadet, I can think of sixty-two reasons why you are mentally more appealing than most human females and thirty reasons why you are more physically desirable as well."

In the most nerdish way possible, Spock paid her the biggest compliment she ever received. At that moment, she completely forgot their student/teacher relationship and kissed him. The teacher/student relationship took on new meaning on the couch, the wall next to the bedroom and lastly the bed several times over. Bless the inebriating effects of chocolate on Vulcans.

Now aboard the Enterprise, the first day of Spock's departure, Nyota found a box of DeLafee chocolates. When she opened the box, she found chocolate pralines covered in edible gold flakes. Since chocolate got Vulcans drunk, she put them aside for his return. On the second day, when her shift ended, she found a dozen red roses in a crystal vase in front of her door. Surely Spock had sent them. Maybe he had made arrangements with the botany department before he left. On the third day, she didn't see anything in front of her door. However, inside she found an envelope with a poem

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

***** She Walks In Beauty like the night by Lord Byron

On the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh days, she found a teddy-bear, a pearl necklace, copper earrings and a small but colorful fern. On the eighth day, Spock sent a subspace message that he would be returning the following day but said nothing more. That evening she opened her gift to find a silky ivory lace peignoir. The following evening with an hour until Spock's arrival, she found Captain Kirk kneeling in front of her door with a small wicker basket. "Stay there," he whispered. "No, I said stay."

"Captain, may I help you?"

Kirk's bright blue eyes widened in astonishment. "No, everything's fine."

Over his shoulder, she saw a little calico kitten in the basket. "Oh no captain I'm not interested in you. While I appreciate your attentions, you must take back your gifts. I love Spock." She heard a teeny meow. "I will keep the kitten though." How did he know she wanted a cat?

"Uhura, it's not….here," he muttered holding up the basket. The adorable long haired multi colored but hyper kitten leapt from the basket to her waist and proceeding to climb towards her chest. "Sorry, here let me." Clumsily, he tried to unlatch the kitten.

"Pardon my interruption," a deep rich annoyed voice commanded from behind. "Respectfully Captain, if you'll remove your hands. Starfleet regulations are clear on this matter. More importantly, Vulcan customs regarding these matters are much more severe."

Kirk rubbed his neck from when Spock nearly choked him to death with one hand during the incident with Nero: Lesson learned – Never anger a Vulcan or even a half-Vulcan. "Fine, this was all your idea." Kirk walked away fuming. "I don't know how we ever became best friends."

Nyota removed the kitten from her chest and held her. "Spock it's not what it looks like. I…I….I wasn't expecting you so soon."

"And neither was Captain Kirk. That much is obvious," he stated flatly.

"Can you come back in an hour? I have a surprise for you." She quickly kissed him and darted into her quarters.

Spock sighed as he walked away. Though he tried to understand humor and once more attempted it, he failed yet again. Nyota became a nervous Nelly while the captain looked scared to death at his failed sarcasm attempt.

Kissing the kitten a couple of times, Nyota found a self cleaning cat station already in her quarters. "You're staying. Everything else must be hidden." Everything that could go into the cupboards did. The roses neared the end of their life cycle so she scattered the petals on the floor and the bed. The kitten jumped at them as they fell to the ground. Luckily, during their last shore leave, she purchased plenty of romantic supplies. Out of habit, she rationed the surprises since sometimes shore leaves were delayed unexpectedly. Pink lace teddy – Spock hasn't seen this. Kukui oil – We haven't used this. Nyota spritzed the oil mixed with a dab of her perfume all over herself before she donned the teddy. Then she turned up the heat to a temperature Spock preferred.

Exactly one hour after their encounter her doorbell buzzed. The door swooshed open to the handsome angular features of Spock dressed in a simple grey turtleneck and jeans. As she looked into the depth of his dark eyes, she melted. Each time she saw him she had to resist the urge to lick the tips of those pointed ears of his.

"Nyota," he whispered. Softly, he brushed his lips against hers in a teasing kiss.

Pressing her hands beneath his sweater, she rolled it up until he finally yanked it off. Then she undid his trousers. "No boxers today," she commented.

"Thirteen percent less time to undress," he muttered.

"Spock, I love it when you talk geek to me." She pressed herself against him and kissed his chest.

"Hmmm, your scent and that oil…your skin is so soft…so delectable." As he unlaced her teddy, he nibbled from her neck to her chest. They maneuvered to the bed where he trailed his fingertips from her jaw line to her neck to her nipples.

Because of his telepathy, she felt a tinge of electricity at his touch. Then he yanked her panties off. Immediately, Nyota grabbed her pillow and bit the tip to cover her screams. Tingling electric sensations shook her in an orgasmic tide making her grip the sheets so hard that she ripped through them. Hot moisture drenched her. "Spock! Please!" He plunged into with hard thrusts. Over and over she climaxed until a tidal wave rocked her. She felt the pinnacle of a Vulcan's hidden but deep passion as all his mental shields dropped and assailed her. When he peaked, she felt that passion burst in her. Nibbling his ears, he shuddered in her and thrust more.

"Nyota!"

Later, he held her in bliss and soaked sheet. "I missed you."

"I can tell." Nyota rested her head on his perfectly defined torso. Oh that stamina! Once you've had Vulcan, there's no going back.

The next evening, Spock invited her to his quarters for an evening meal. Inside the room, done in mostly red hues to remind him of home, Nyota enjoyed some wine amongst the lit candles while Spock cooked broccoli casserole. Spock never cooked. "Nyota, there are some pictures on the living room table. That will be my home on New Vulcan. What do you think?"

She looked at the architectural vision of high arches and many rooms with vaulted windows. "It's beautiful Spock."

Later she sat at the candle lit table sipped some wine. The casserole he fixed was….edible.

Spock looked disappointed. "This is not as good as the mess hall."

"It's good for your first try." She sipped a little wine. "Spock, I don't want you to be upset but Captain Kirk has been flirting with me." They always agreed to complete honesty.

Spock's glassed shattered from his grip. "I told him you were off-limits. I entrusted him with delivering my courting gifts."

"What? Those were from you?"

"Of course, they were." He threw his napkin on his plate. "If you'll excuse me, I must speak with Captain Kirk."

"I thought they were from him. Since you were gone and I caught him…" She took his hand. "Spock, what's going on?" She looked him directly in the eyes. "Tell me, please."

"Since I was expectedly called to duty, I had to appoint someone to deliver the courting gifts in my stead. One gift per day was the optimum interval and increased my chances of success by twelve point five percent. Each gift increased the likelihood of your acceptance to my proposal. All the gifts and meal combined would have given me an eighty-seven point nine two percent of chance of success. Further as human etiquette dictates, weddings should take place six months after the proposal. With our current mission schedule, the proposal must take place this evening if it is to take place on New Vulcan or next week if the wedding is to occur on Earth."

"Spock are you asking me to …oh my God!" Tears of joy streamed from her eyes.

"However, the failure of the meal has decreased my chances of success by six point three."

"Spock, do you know how to make your chances of success one hundred percent?" She smiled when he raised an eyebrow. "Just ask."

Dropping to one knee, he removed a black velvet jewelry box. "Nyota will you marry me and bond with me?" He opened the box to reveal an ornate diamond and emerald eastern star ring on a white gold band.

Nyota knew about the Vulcan bonding ritual and always hoped he would ask her to enter into the lifetime unbreakable bond. "Yes and yes," she squealed. After he slid the ring on her finger, she showered him with kisses.

A/N – I hope you like the proposal. Please R&R.