Restless

Spock sat on the edge of his bed, a bed he had come to share with Cora despite the intimacy it brought up between them. They had done nothing more than truly sleep in the bed at the same time, often he would wake with Cora curled beside him or with his arms around her, and it was...oddly nice for his human half, it welcomed the closeness of waking in such a manner. His Vulcan half had taken longer to get used to that fact but, in remembering she was his mate, had begun to grow familiar with the sensation of waking up beside her. It was only logical that she stay with him after they had begun the mating, he did not want her sharing a room with anyone, despite her roommate being a girl as well, he did not want her in a room with anyone but him, he wanted her beside him where he could...protect her.

He had brought her back to their room, making true to his promise to McCoy to take care of his mate. He'd held her for a short time, knowing it would warm her quicker. When she had stopped shaking he had suggested she take a warm shower to completely warm her core temperature up to a normal standard as he waited. He had remarked that he...wished to speak with her, afterwards. While he knew many women, humans mostly, could and would take his words in a negative way, as though he were going to sever the ties that bound them together, Cora had taken what he said to be what he said, that there was something he wished to discuss with her. They talked, a lot, they had over the course of her time at the Academy, more so on the ship, but she could tell that what he had to say was serious, yet he wished for her to be well first, before he began.

So he had wandered through the room as she went to do as suggested, connecting to the Starfleet databases and filing his report as First Commander for the logs as he was sure Kirk was doing as well as captain. He kept it simple and brief, detailing what had happened on Nibiru. It was according to regulations that, should a potential breach of the prime directive be found, that the incident be reported. And a starship rising from the ocean before a people as unevolved as the Nibiruans was one such breach. It was his responsibility as well, it was his fault it had happened, and it was his duty to make sure the report and the rules were followed in this manner at least.

He looked up when he heard the door to the small bathroom open, being First Commander had its privileges, such as a private bath. Her hair was damp and down and she was fully clothed, well, clothed in her night clothes at least. Empathics were…a modest people, both in personality and sense of self and also in dress and presentation to others. They didn't believe in showing off their bodies to anyone but their paired partner, but she knew that they weren't ready for that sort of relationship yet. She was wearing a baggy though long sleeved and length shirt that went to her mid thighs, with equally as flowing pants, quite the opposite of her uniform, only her hands head and dainty feet visible to him.

He…knew there was another reason for her and her people covering themselves so much, despite the natural warmth of her planet which would make wearing less fabric logical. Well, originally, in the few pieces of artwork that survived from her planet's past, the Empathics used to follow a similar style of dress as the Ancients of Earth, such as the Romans or the Greeks, yet their homes and cities were built more in a medieval sense but with vast expanses of land and fields of flowers and trees…once. Long ago. The Mas'heirs had destroyed most of that.

The reason though, the reason the Empathics covered themselves more was…the scarring. He knew, he had had discussions with McCoy about it as he was now Cora's mate and entitled to know her medical issues, that she had terrible scarring on her back and minor scarring on the back of her arms and legs from the Mas'heirs treatment. He had spent so long building up her confidence in herself, in having her not see herself as a slave or inferior or lesser than another person that…he'd inadvertently made her rather ashamed and embarrassed by the scars she bore. To her it was a symbol of her slavery, a symbol of the past she couldn't escape from, a reminder of how weak she had been.

To him they were symbols of her strength, her resilience, her endurance, to bear them, to know the pain that caused them, and to push through it. But that didn't mean that if he ever encountered one of the Mas'heirs, especially the one that had owned her, that he wouldn't kill them for harming her.

He stiffened at that, at that thought, at that…anger that had burst through him a moment ago. The thought of killing…it was…not something a Vulcan took lightly. It was not something they reacted with, anger and the desire to harm. They controlled themselves and their anger but…just then…he truly had felt the need and the want to murder the Mas'heir that had done that to Cora strike him.

And that was…alarming, he had never had an emotion as powerful as that hit him with such little warning before.

"You wished to speak with me?" she asked, drawing his attention back to her.

He blinked, having gotten lost in thought, "Yes," he nodded, gesturing beside him. He watched as she smiled at that, moving to sit beside him.

She curled her left leg onto the bed, turning to face him, her hands in her lap as he remained sitting, staring straight ahead, his back straight. She frowned, tiling her head as he remained quiet, "For wishing to speak, you are oddly silent."

"Yes I…" he paused, "I am…trying to place the words."

She smiled, "You do not have to say anything Spock," she tried to reassure him, reaching out to place a hand on his as they rested on his knees.

She was a bit startled when he turned his hand over and took her hand in his, watching him closely as he laced their fingers together as he simply…held her hand.

"I believe I do," he began, "I…frightened you. While I was in the volcano."

"Yes," she nodded.

"That was not my intention," he continued, not looking at her but continuing to hold her hand in his as she watched the side of his face, the emotions playing across it.

"I know it was not."

"And…I am sure you feel…anger, towards me, for refusing rescue," he added, starting to struggle with the words now, with trying to put his emotions into the spoken word.

"Not exactly…"

"But you must understand," he spoke, as though not hearing her, "It was against the prime directive and the mission, the Fleet's mission in space is more important than one life," he closed his eyes at that, "Though it is not more important than yours…I…"

"Spock," Cora stepped off the bed, moving to kneel before him, seeing him refusing to look at her.

She knew that, despite being an Empathic, there were times, few though they were, where Spock felt the need to vocalize his emotions. Often it was when he felt he had done something that offended or hurt her and he wanted to not just have her sense his sorrow and regret but know he TRULY felt that way, because he said it out loud. He knew he did not speak of his emotions much, and that when he did it made it more meaningful, especially to Cora. The fact that he could bring himself to even allow his emotions to be felt by her was more than enough for her, but Spock was always trying to be as considerate to her as she was to him in understanding his hesitancy with touch.

She squeezed his hand, but he didn't look at her. She let out a small laugh before reaching up, gently placing her free hand on the side of his face, stroking his cheek a moment before guiding his head down to look at her, "I believe the request for me to look at you goes both ways," she reminded him, feeling her heart skip a beat when she saw his lip quirk in the side.

"Logically, yes," he nodded, though…he didn't understand why he was so…determined not to look at her. She was…enchanting, to observe, interesting to watch the emotions play out across her face for everyone to see. And now…the way she was gazing at him, so softly and fondly…it was not how he expected her to be looking at him after what he had done.

Cora smiled, feeling his confusion, "I DID say you did not have to speak," she reminded him, her thumb gently tracing his cheek, "Spock…" she shook her head, "I could feel you," she whispered, "The moment you fell into the volcano, I…felt it," and she had, she had felt as though she'd fallen and taken a tumble yet she had still been running at the time, "Every moment, even when I was back on the Enterprise, I DID feel you still. It appears my bond with you is growing stronger every day," she had to smile softly at that, it was…nice to know that.

Spock lifted his hand to hers on his face, curling his fingers around it, lowering it but not letting go as he stared at her, feeling almost…shocked and alarmed at that knowledge, "You…did?"

She nodded, "I did," she took a breath, "I felt everything you did Spock, every single emotion, even…the ones you tried to hide in the end."

Spock looked down at that, he…hadn't been aware that Cora's range had increased regarding him, to the point where she had been able to feel him in the volcano despite being on the starship, "Many apologies…" he murmured, mimicking her typical form of apology.

She moved higher onto her knees, inching closer to him, "You have no need to apologize," she told him, "Or to say anything you do not wish to say," she squeezed his hands, "I already know."

She did too. She had felt it, every emotion while he'd been in there. His determination to save the planet and the natives, his…fear at realizing there was no way to escape the volcano even if it lasted for only a moment before he pushed it away. She had felt his…acceptance, had felt his guilt at the fact that to remain there would mean she might die as well. They truly did not know what would happen to her if Spock died, the empathetic bond she had with him couldn't be reciprocated the way an Empathic male could, they didn't know if it was that reciprocation and the fact that such a bond went both ways that made it dangerous for Empathic females to lose their med before they had children to sustain them. They didn't want to know if his death would also mean her death. Because they didn't want him to die either.

But she had felt it, the…hope. His hope that she would live on, that she would continue to be with the Fleet, to go on and live and bring peace to the Universe, that the crew would protect her and care for her with him gone. She had even felt his…reluctant acceptance that, if he should die, then, perhaps, if she did as well, they would still be together.

She had noticed, recently, in the last few days he had been a bit more…possessive of her. He didn't like leaving her alone, or with other men, his attention during tasks tended to veer towards her at times and remain there longer than normal. She wasn't sure what it was because he didn't feel…different…to her. He had always found her interesting, had always wanted to protect her from others, though she doubted the crew would hurt her. It was normal for him, at least to her, but just…taking a bit longer.

She felt his guilt after he had thought that, that they would be together even if he died, because he DIDN'T want her to die. He had hoped that, in cutting off his emotions, in accepting what was happening and clearing his mind and heart…that it would help her not feel him die, that it would help dim their connection so that she wouldn't hurt so badly when it happened.

For one so clever, Spock could be remarkably dim about things like that.

His eyes shot up to hers, "Did you just call me…stupid?" he asked her, blinking.

She let out a bit of a laugh, realizing that, by holding his hand she was inadvertently making his own telepathic bond to her stronger, he'd heard her thoughts apparently, "I believe the word was dim."

"Cora."

She squeezed his hands, "You are, and will always be, the most brilliant man I have ever met," she told him, "But while your logic is unparalleled and I shall always concede to it," she added, "Your heart…" she lifted a hand, trying to let go of his hand but he wouldn't let go of hers first, so she simply placed her hand on his abdomen, where a human's liver would have been, feeling his heart beating as his hand squeezed hers, still holding it, "Should listen to me, I think."

He nodded, understanding her words, that he should just trust his emotions around her, trust that she would pick up on them and not force him to speak them. It was how their relationship worked after all, it was why, he thought, his Vulcan side had come to appreciate her and her abilities, she…understood him, all of him.

"I understand why you did it," she whispered, looking into his eyes, feeling his thumb start to stroke over the back of her hand absently as it rested on his heart, "I am not angry with you. To be quite honest…I am…rather more relieved that you are still here."

And she was. It…didn't matter what had happened before or what could have happened, because it DIDN'T happen. Spock was there, before her, alive and well, and he was ok. And that was all that mattered. She understood why he did it, he'd gone into the volcano in the first place for her, to try and keep the destruction of the planet and the people from harming her. He had refused to give up because failing to set off that device would mean failing her. And, in the end, his refusal for help was…to keep his own hopes down from being rescued. He didn't want to vainly hope, to allow himself to feel anything, because if it didn't work then he would be open to the pain and fear of it all and that was NOT what he wanted her to feel as his last moments.

She had felt it, just before the transporter had reached him, how he had calmed and relaxed and she knew the exact feeling it was…it was how he felt around her.

His last thoughts had been of her.

The entire mission, from the start to the end, had been about her, in his mind. How could she fault him for that? She understood what the crew didn't, she understood what he was doing and why and what he felt during it. That was a private thing, that was not something she could share with them. It was something that had to be dealt with between her and Spock.

"I would appreciate it though," she continued, "If you…not fall into a volcano again."

He felt himself…smile, truly smile this time and not just quirk his lips, "I shall try if you do not jump into an ocean again."

She laughed, knowing that when he'd heard her need for medical attention he'd been frightened, felt his anger at Kirk when he'd found out they'd jumped into the ocean when she couldn't swim. For as scared as she had been while he'd been in the volcano, he had been as alarmed and concerned for her after learning about her own escapades, seeing her chilled and her lips turning blue and shaking and…unable to have stopped it.

It was…odd, how differently their fears had related to each other, her afraid of him in a blistering hot volcano, and him afraid for her swimming in the rather frigidly cold (in her opinion) waters.

She opened her mouth to agree…when a yawn overtook her. Spock merely stood, his hand still in hers, and turned to the bed, pulling down the cover and sliding in, allowing her to slide in beside him. Cora blushed, as she always did whenever they settled for bed, despite having done so every night for quite some time. She just…never thought this would happen, with Spock or anyone, or that she could share a bed and not be expected to start breeding. It was…nice, comforting, and it made her feel so warm and secure, being in his arms, she…she didn't have nightmares anymore.

She had had them so much at the Academy, especially with the Cadets' treatment of her at times, it would remind her of the smaller things the Mas'heirs would do to her and her people, and she would have a nightmare of it. Wake up screaming, much to the annoyance of her roommate, and just…leave, just wander the halls of the Academy, trying to get her mind off it. She had been…afraid, that she would have nightmares while with Spock, that she would disturb his sleep but…she hadn't. She hadn't had a single one yet. And that was a blessing.

She smiled though as she turned on her side, hesitantly resting her head on Spock's shoulder. She was never…quite sure how comfortable he would be with her snuggling up to him. It was such a…non-Vulcan thing to do, snuggle, but…as she felt his one arm wind around her, his elbow bending so his hand was on her hair, gently running his fingers through it…it wasn't that hard to remember he was half human too as she drifted off to sleep.

~8~

Spock laid on his back, staring at the ceiling of his room, of his and Cora's room, just…blinking. He had tried to fall asleep, but hadn't been able to manage it as easily as Cora had. He didn't know what it was, it was like…his mind just could not slow down. He felt like he needed to get up and do something, go somewhere, expend some energy…energy he was sure he shouldn't have had given all he'd endured only hours ago. A glance at the time told him it had actually been about 8 hours ago, an entire night it would appear, not that it was easily distinguishable with the lack of sun out the windows. But the ship ran on a set time, in shifts, day shifts and night shifts to try and keep some sense of time with the Academy.

He knew, after 8 hours of lying there that he should have been able to fall asleep by now. Cora was beside him, she was safe, his mind should have been at peace. He should have been exhausted, even by the standards of his people, but he felt oddly…energetic. It was like there were…stores of energy, of electricity, running through him at the moment. It was making his mind race, his body shift, his heart beat quickly…and made sleep impossible.

He felt…restless.

And…to be quite honest…having Cora beside him was making him even more so. Slowly, throughout the course of the 'night,' he had found himself…thinking about her, about how close she was to him, curled up beside him. She was so close he could feel her warmth seeping into him, tingles spreading through his body and not stopping. He knew it wasn't her using her abilities in her sleep, she had to be awake and aware in order to utilize them. He had gotten tingles off her before, he…always did, whenever she touched him, wherever she touched him, he always felt warm afterwards and during. He could feel her heart beating beside him, feel her breath on his neck, chilling him, his arm moving with the rise and fall of her shoulders. She was a small girl, so her laying on him in such a way wasn't uncomfortable…

And THAT was what was surprising him and making his mind race.

He DIDN'T feel uncomfortable, in fact, he felt quite the opposite. What's more…his Vulcan half wasn't unsettled. Usually he would fall asleep soon after Cora, drifting off and waking up, not aware of how much time had passed with her beside him, his Vulcan half not having time to make him aware that he was touching her longer than he did while he was awake. But this? This time he had been awake the entire time, this time his Vulcan half should have been urging him to shift just a bit away, to not go for so many hours with her so near and touching him in such a way.

What startled him…was that his Vulcan half was urging him to pull her even closer.

That was…alarming to realize, to realize that the side of him that tended to shy away from touch was actually encouraging him to touch Cora, to let himself be touched, to let himself lie there with her. His human half always wanted to touch Cora, to have some sort of physical connection to her, the half of him his mother often brought out in him with her small gestures and touches and hugs, it had made him more open to the notion of touch…but not like this. For his Vulcan half to start feeling the same…

It was…odd, it didn't make sense to him. Just a week ago his Vulcan half was the same as ever, slowly accepting Cora as his mate, slowly getting used to her touching him and him touching her. And now…for it to…want…her to be so close. It was a worrying concept yet…

He couldn't bring himself to truly care.

It was like, the longer he laid there beside her, the more comfortable he was with being so close, the more he wanted to continue to lie there, with her in his arms. The longer he laid there, his gaze slowly drifting from the ceiling to her, watching her sleep peacefully beside him, seeing the soft smile on her face, knowing he was making her happy with just his mere presence…the more he felt content. He could feel her warmth, he could smell her scent, like a soft floral fragrance with the minutest hint of what he thought could be termed cinnamon, and he could feel his own heart starting to pick up the longer he gazed at her.

Before he had even realized he'd done it, his free hand had drifted over, to her cheek, gently starting to stroke it, his head leaning towards her as he saw her starting to blink awake slowly. He leaned in more, his lips just barely brushing against hers…

When the doors to their room slid open with a jolt, making them jerk away and sit up quickly…

Only to see Kirk standing in the doorway, one hand over his eyes, "I'm not looking!" he shouted, "But you two need to STOP what you're doing, ok?" they were silent, staring at him, "Ok," he nodded, before dropping his fingers so he could peek at them through the crack. He grinned widely, dropping his hand when he saw them not doing anything like that, "You two need to get ready, now," he told them.

"Has something happened Captain Kirk?" Cora frowned, speaking before Spock…whose eyes seemed to have narrowed at Kirk, could comment on the captain's less than polite entrance into their private quarters.

Kirk beamed, "We've been called to Starfleet Headquarters."

"And this is a...good thing?" Cora looked between him and Spock, not quite sure if it was. In her experience, the only time one was called to face an authority it was due to something bad happening. Such as Kirk's trial for tampering with the Kobayashi Maru simulation or when the former Captain Pike had been called to speak with Nero. There were times...with the Mas'heirs as well, they only ever called in an Empathic alone to brief them on a task the would need completed or to berate and punish them for the failure of a task. Being called to anywhere never seemed to work out well for those being called.

But Kirk seemed to disagree, "A VERY good thing," he laughed, oh he had a guess why they were being called.

Pike had been the one to contact him, telling him that he, Spock, and Cora were to report to his office in Headquarters. the last time he'd dealt with Pike he'd been given the Enterprise. He could only imagine what he'd be given next, maybe they'd be allowed to participate in the 5-year expedition that he'd applied the Enterprise for!

"Forgive me Captain," Spock spoke, seeming to have gotten control of his narrowed gaze, returning his expression to its normal impassive one, "You said 'we' have been called? Cora as well?"

Kirk nodded, "I need both of you to suit up, we're to meet Pike in his office in 2 hours."

And with that, he pointed at them, before turning to walk out, the door sliding shut behind him. Cora couldn't help but frown at that...if SHE was being called, she feared it would not be for as good a reason as Kirk seemed to think it was. She bit her lip...something Spock immediately noticed.

"What is it?" he asked her, his gaze on her lips and...despite his best efforts...he couldn't seem to remove them from them.

Cora didn't seem to notice as she kept her gaze on the door, "I do not believe this is a 'very good thing,'" she remarked, turning her head to him, his eyes shooting to hers at the motion, seeing the worry in them.

"Nor do I," he agreed.

And not just because of the meeting they were expected to attend but...his actions just now. His glare at Kirk, his attempt to kiss her before, touching her face without meaning to, and right before...how he had just...stared at her lips. This was...not him.

This was not him at all.

And he couldn't help but feel that...something was wrong, something was very wrong.

A/N: I'm very excited for when Spock realizes exactly what's wrong with him ;) But I hope you enjoyed the little moment between them with the volcano and everything. I can say that just because THEY resolved what happened, doesn't mean the crew has ;) I can also say that the Pon Farr might build up slowly but there will be very key events that will trigger an...accelleration of it ;) We'll be seeing a Spock that's struggling quite a bit with quite a lot ;)

Some notes on reviews...

We'll see a bit of Scotty to come ;) I think his little friend is Keenser :)

Thanks! Lol, they never specify things like that lol :) I've edited a little reference to the time in the next chapter :)

Yup a Kirk/OC ;) There's a cover of it up on my tumblr on my 'Upcoming Stories' page if you're interested :) My tumblr is linked on my profile :)

I'm glad you're enjoying the story :) I think Cora's more relieved that he's ok, she could feel him in the volcano and, I think, sensing how much of his thoughts and actions were for her made her more happy he was ok and made her understand (unlike Uhura) the reasons he did what he did were because he cared :_

I probably won't do 2 chapters in a day for movie-stories, because they're so short, only about 10-12 chapters per story. Technically I am doing 2 chapters a day though, one for this story and one for my Doctor Who story The Nightmare Begins ;) That's all I can really manage at the moment with school and work, 2 chapters total :)

I...LOVED writing Cora and Khan exactly because of her abilities ^-^ I'm so sad it'll take us a few more chapters to get to him though :( I'm still planning the OUAT story yup, it'll probably be up some time after my Merlin and 4th Doctor Who series though :) I'm happy you're liking the story so far :)