A/N: I've decided to give them a nice little break, so the next few chapters will be relatively calm ;)

Chapter 14: Enticement

Nyota looked discretely over at Spock. He was standing, bent over at the science station. She admired the view of his lean body for a moment, until he looked over at her. She smirked and turned back to her console.

This was their last shift on the bridge until they returned from New Vulcan. They would be getting off at the same time, in an hour. Then Nyota wanted to start packing, even though they weren't expected to drop out of warp until 0800 hours the next day. She wanted to fit in one last session with Remaja, and it would take up her evening.

It had, thankfully, been an uneventful day. She had not received or intercepted a single transmission in almost eight hours. There was no one in this stretch of space but them.

"Tedium is far more preferable to danger." Spock commented. Nyota bit back a smile. They had kept their minds open to one another continuously ever since their return from Kathosia five days before. They hadn't kept the link open for such a long amount of time before, and sometimes Nyota forgot that he could hear her thoughts. It did have its advantages, though...

"And please refrain from erotic thoughts." he added. "It is distracting."

Nyota bit her lip harder to contain her laughter. Well, boredom did make one's mind wander...

She focused on listening to the silence of space. Other than the occasional crackle of natural subspace chatter, there was nothing. When she was a cadet at the academy, she had imagined life aboard a starship to be exciting- but other than her experiences with away missions, the days usually passed uneventfully. And from what Spock had told her, Kirk had decided to restrict her from any future away missions (although, Spock himself may have had something to do with that decision), unless there were no sentient beings on the planet. And if there were no sentient beings, she would be useless. Which meant that she would only get off the ship for shore leaves- and only then when the planet was uninhabited. She was both relieved and disappointed by this. Communications officers rarely got to visit planets, anyway...now she wouldn't get to at all.

She was now frowning slightly as she stared at the screen before her. It seemed she would be stuck at her station for five whole years...and everyone else on the bridge would get the chance to get away. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, even Chekov and Sulu. All because of two men who had wanted her...the native chieftain, and the Koshaak.

Did she regret the fact that Spock had killed him? She knew he didn't...not really. He was ashamed that his control had slipped, and that McCoy and the captain had seen...but for the actual murder, he harbored no guilt. Nyota had always been firmly against violence before...but the Koshaak had had every intention of making her believe that she loved him. He had wanted to take her from Spock, to take her as his against her will. She would have died. It had been logical for Spock to eliminate the threat...even if the danger was already over when he did it.

The captain had already submitted the official report for Kathosia, disclosing the Koshaak's death during their struggle to escape. As far as Starfleet Command knew, the Koshaak had poisoned Nyota and tried to prevent them from leaving. Spock was safe from any legal action against him- Kirk had made sure of that, for which Nyota would be eternally grateful.

She didn't blame Spock or the captain for not wanting her part of any more away teams. Two incidents in the space of two months was just too much. She really was glad that she didn't remember anything that had happened on Kathosia...hadn't she been through enough already, on Scorpius? Away missions were dangerous for women. Males on other planets had different views on women than humans did. They saw them as possessions that they must acquire- this would not be true for all of them, but it would still be wise to practice caution in the future.

She was looking forward to being on New Vulcan, even if it did mean being surrounded by cold, logical Vulcans. She wanted to be able to spend time with her new husband, unhindered by the dangers that living on a starship presented. And she knew Spock was looking forward to it, too.

Nyota concentrated on the frequencies, until she saw Spock stand out of the corner of her eye. She glanced at the time...exactly 1800 hours. She took out her earpiece and picked up the PADD that held her closing report- not that there was really anything to report. She approached the command chair, where Spock stood before the captain.

"Requesting dismissal, sir." Nyota said, holding out the PADD for him to sign.

"I'm going to miss you two on the bridge." Kirk said as he took it from her and initialed it.

"We will only be absent for fourteen days, Captain." Spock replied. "I am sure that, in that amount of time, the work I have done here to instill logic in my colleagues will not be entirely undone."

Nyota and Kirk both grinned at that.

"I'll be in the transporter room to see you two off tomorrow." Kirk said, handing the PADD back. "Both of you are dismissed."

They entered the turbolift together, not speaking until the doors slid shut.

"I have contacted my father to inform him of our imminent arrival." Spock said, keeping his eyes focused on the doors before him.

"Where will we be staying? I'm sure the Vulcans haven't been able to completely rebuild their homes in three months."

"They have built temporary homes. We will stay in my father's for the first week. After that, we will retire to a cave together for the second week. It will be readied for us in advance, and will contain all we may need."

"Our own little honeymoon cave." Nyota said, smiling dreamily. "With no one around to hear us for miles...for a whole week. Are you sure you're ready for that, Commander?"

"I believe the question should be...are you?" Spock asked, arching an eyebrow, the corners of his lips tugging up in a 'non-smile'. He accompanied this challenge with a stream of very erotic images that made Nyota suddenly feel very warm. His impertinence surprised her so much that when the doors opened and he left the lift, she was immobile for at least ten seconds. Then she hurried out of the lift to catch up with him.

As they walked side by side down the corridor, Nyota noticed several crew members watching them, whispering. Spock stared straight ahead, but she knew that he was aware of the eyes upon them. He had told her about the nurses in sickbay who had seen his displays of affection, and they both had known that those nurses would gossip...but the results still made them uncomfortable. Stares followed them everywhere they went- especially when they were together- and rumors circulated. Some of which were the truth...such as the rumor that they were married. But some were just downright ridiculous- such as the one that they met up in turbolifts for 'quickies'. As if Spock would ever consent to that...

It didn't help any that Spock walked with her all the way to her quarters, and followed her inside- with at least six people watching. As the door slid closed, Nyota was sure that even now they were rushing to tell their friends what they had just seen.

"I really can't wait to get to New Vulcan." Nyota said with a sigh as she crossed to her closet and retrieved her duffel bag. "How many changes of clothes do you think I'll need?"

"You will be supplied with Vulcan clothing upon our arrival. And I do not believe you will need any clothing at all in the cave...you will only need something to wear back to the Enterprise."

Nyota looked over her shoulder at him with a mischievous smile. "No clothes at all in the cave?"

"I could even go so far as to say that I prohibit them." he said. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his face as expressionless as ever. His apparent calm, combined with his words, made her warm all over. She knew that he felt it, and when she turned back to the closet he came up behind her, placing his hands on her waist. He began to press hot, slow kisses on the side of her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she enjoyed his attentions for a few seconds before turning to face him. His eyes were smoldering as she looked up into them. It took all of her self-control to say what she said next.

"Not right now, k'diwa. I still have to go see Remaja."

"It cannot wait?" he asked, his voice low, his eyes still boring into hers. She licked her lips slowly, and took a deep breath. He was now sending her more images...

"Two can play at that game," she thought. He slowly rose an eyebrow.

"What game?" he asked. Nyota stood on her tiptoes, kissing him, sucking gently on his bottom lip before stepping back. They were no longer touching, and she felt his puzzlement.

"We're not getting intimate right now...or even tonight." This was payback for his teasing her on the lift. Now both eyebrows rose.

"You do realize that we will hardly be alone on New Vulcan until we are escorted to the cave?" he asked. Nyota smirked.

"Yes." she replied. "We should wait until then."

The fire was gone from his eyes, and he was now looking at her, calculating.

"You are sure that you possess such patience?"

"I think the correct question here is...do you?" Nyota asked, still smirking. He tilted his head.

"I am Vulcan." was his only reply.

"A Vulcan with human needs." she corrected him, and walked past him, making sure to brush against him as she made her way to the duffel bag.

"You are purposefully enticing me...yet you refuse to allow either of us to give in. This behavior is illogical, Nyota."

"Maybe...but it should make the next week very interesting...and when we're finally in the cave..." she grinned at him over her shoulder, making sure to bend over the duffel bag enough for her skirt to ride up, revealing the red briefs that she wore under her uniform for a modicum of modesty. "Like you said, we're not going to be alone very much on New Vulcan, anyway. Think of tonight as practice."

She knew he was still watching her, and she felt his disbelief at her proposal. He really did think she was being illogical.

"I understand your reasoning for practice. But I do not understand why you are...teasing me." he said. She smiled to herself as she added a change of clothes to the bag and began to pack other things she may need.

"Because teasing will make us appreciate it all the more when we're finally together again." Nyota said. "Like I said, it will make things more interesting."

"I do not see how tempting me will make the situation 'interesting'." Spock replied dryly. "If we cannot give in to the temptation."

"Exactly." Nyota said, beaming as she turned around to face him. "The situation is beyond our control, which means we can't give in. Which, in effect, means we can tease each other as much as we like. Humans call it 'heightened anticipation'."

Spock looked at her, contemplating.

"If you are allowed to tempt me, it is logical to assume that it goes both ways." he said slowly. She nodded.

"You're starting to get it."

He was quiet again. Then, suddenly, he came toward her, gathering her up into his arms, kissing her as passionately as he ever had. She gasped in surprise against his lips, but closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. His touch was everywhere...his warmth encompassing her...maybe they wouldn't bother with temptation after all...

Just as abruptly as he had kissed her, he pulled away, leaving her wide-eyed and breathless.

"Then...as you said...two can play at that game." he said in a low voice. Then he turned and left, the doors swishing closed behind him. She stared disbelievingly after him.

"You're so going to pay for that!" she thought after him. He did not reply, but she felt his amusement. Yes, this next week was going to be very interesting...

_________________________________________________________

She was still flustered when she sat down to begin her session with Remaja. Ten minutes in, she was forced to close the link for the first time in five days, because Spock was relentlessly sending her a flow of thoughts and images that made her clear her throat and shift in her seat uncomfortably. She hadn't expected him to be this good at the temptation game. She had a feeling he was trying to teach her a lesson...and he was doing it very well.

Once the link was closed, she was able to focus- she was even able to forget about the game she had so foolishly just started.

Nyota flipped through the pictures on her PADD, easing into their usual routine. She really did enjoy these times with Remaja. It was now almost two months into their work...in another two months, she would be turned over to someone else. That was the only part about going to New Vulcan that she didn't like...it was taking two weeks out of her work that could be detrimental. Besides that, she knew the woman got lonely. Nyota was the only person to visit her regularly, and every time she walked through the door, Remaja visibly brightened.

She had already asked Janice Rand and Nurse Chapel to visit her every so often while she was away, and to make sure that Remaja had plenty of holo-vids to keep her busy. But she knew that Remaja wouldn't be pleased about her shore leave. Nyota hadn't told her yet.

Nyota flipped to a picture of a cloud, and Remaja said the name in her language. Nyota stated the correct term in Standard- which Remaja repeated. It was a cycle that they were both accustomed to. Nyota flipped to the next picture- this time, it was of a dark-skinned little girl holding a flower. It was actually a picture of one of Nyota's cousins. Remaja stared at it for a long time, and Nyota was surprised when she saw tears in her eyes.

"Remaja?" she asked, touching her arm gently. The woman looked at her, a tear escaping to fall slowly down one chocolate-colored cheek.

"She look like my Tyani." she said, looking back at the picture. "Can I have it?"

"Tyani? Is that a name?" Nyota asked, intrigued.

"Yes. Name." Remaja said. Her English had improved dramatically in just two months- both from her sessions with Nyota, and from watching holo-vids almost constantly. "My daughter." she added.

Nyota stared at Remaja, speechless. She rarely told Nyota anything about herself- and now she had found out that the woman across from her had a daughter.

"You have a daughter?" Nyota asked softly.

"Dead." Remaja now said. "Three year-cycles."

The room was silent for a full minute. Remaja was staring at the PADD again. Nyota watched her, biting her lip, her own eyes filling with tears. She couldn't fully understand Remaja's pain, since she didn't have any children, but she could certainly imagine it. She could imagine what it would be like to lose her and Spock's child...they hadn't even discussed children yet, and she knew they wouldn't have any for at least several years, but the idea of losing a child...

"I will get a copy of it for you." Nyota said gently. She didn't inquire further into the matter. She was purposefully holding off on any talk between them about anything personal...she was saving that for when they could actually have a conversation in fluent Standard. Which, she knew, wouldn't be too long now. She was almost afraid to learn anything more about what had happened on Scorpius.

"Thank you, Nyota-friend." Remaja said quietly, and brushed her tears away. "Ya-tu. Child. Now next."

They continued, the mood definitely more somber than it had been before. And when their session was over, Nyota knew she was about to make it worse. She stood slowly, putting the PADD away in its carrying case.

"Remaja, I will be gone for two weeks- fourteen days." Nyota said slowly. Remaja's eyes snapped onto her.

"Why? Where you go?" she asked, and Nyota winced at the desperation in her tone. She thought about how to phrase this.

"Do you know what 'wedding' means?" she asked. Remaja nodded vigorously.

"Husband. Wife." she said. "You are being wedded?"

"Well...yes." she decided to keep it simple. No need to explain about the eloping thing. "Spock and I..." she trailed off. Did Remaja even know who Spock was?

"Spock? Ears?" she said, pointing at her ears and frowning as she gestured to show pointed ears. Nyota almost laughed.

"Yes. That's Spock." she said.

"He's mean." she said. Nyota blinked.

"Spock's not mean." she replied.

"Never smiles." she said. "Not good couple."

Nyota bit her lip. She sensed that Remaja was somehow jealous. "Spock is a good man." she said. "I love him."

Remaja studied her for a moment. "Fine. Marry Ears. But stay."

"I can't." Nyota said, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry, Remaja...but I can't. I've already asked Nurse Chapel and Janice to come by..."

"I will be alone." Remaja now looked wounded. Nyota heaved a deep sigh.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Remaja folded her arms, yellow eyes lowered to the table. She looked sad. Nyota reached over to place her hand over hers.

"When I come back, I'll be here even more than before. I promise." Nyota said. Remaja met her eyes again, and nodded.

"Fine. Goodbye, Nyota." Nyota noticed that she left off the 'friend' part, and she sighed.

"Bye, Remaja." she said, and left.

_____________________________________________________

She was lonely when she went to bed. She hadn't spent a night without Spock in so long...and the session with Remaja had been stressful. So when she felt Spock's presence brush against hers, she accepted him into her mind, not caring what tortures awaited her.

"You are sad." he observed. "Do you require my presence?"

"Spock, I'm still not giving in." Nyota replied tiredly.

"I did not suggest that we engage in sexual acts." Spock pointed out "You are in need of comfort. I can restrain myself as long as you can. After all, will it not increase temptation to chastely spend the night beside each other?"

Nyota acknowledged that this was true.

"Fine. But the game is still on- and the teasing starts tomorrow." Nyota replied firmly. He did not reply, but five minutes later her door chimed. She let him in, and he silently followed her to the bed. They both laid on their sides, facing one another, touching only with their hands, which were clasped together between them. She told and showed him everything about Remaja.

"I don't think she's too happy with me right now. First I made her think about her daughter...now I'm abandoning her." Nyota finished.

"I sympathize. However...please do not allow her to call me 'Ears'."

Nyota laughed, and kissed his knuckles. "I just don't know what to do. I feel so sorry for her. I obviously can't bring her with us, and I know that Janice and Nurse Chapel won't be able to visit her as often as I do. She must be so lonely."

"Perhaps you should have asked more people to visit her, and organized a schedule." Spock replied. Nyota rolled her eyes, and even in the darkness of the room she knew Spock saw it.

"She isn't familiar with anyone else. And she's afraid of men...so I can't ask any of them, either. Who did you have in mind...the captain? I wouldn't trust him alone with a female of any species...or even some of the hermaphrodites."

"You are speaking disrespectfully about your superior officer." Spock said.

"So write me up, Commander." she said, smiling. He moved closer, kissing her cheek.

"We are off duty, and what happens in the privacy of our quarters is not on record." he said, kissing her again, now on the lips. Through the bond, she knew what he was thinking.

"Uh-uh." Nyota said, pulling away. "You're not going to get me all hot and bothered like you did earlier. Not right now, anyway."

"This is foolish, Nyota." Spock said, and she felt his exasperation.

"It's not. Trust me. You'll be grateful for it when we get to the caves." Nyota said. She closed her eyes. "We should be going to sleep. We have to be up early."

He gave what was the closest to a sigh that a Vulcan could give, and pulled away from her a little more. She understood- it was difficult to be this close to him. She considered, briefly, giving in for at least that night....but she couldn't let Spock win.

"Good night, Spock." she said.

"Good night, ashayam." Spock replied, and she could still feel his frustration. She smiled as she drifted into sleep.

___________________________________________________________

They arrived at the transporter room right on time. They would have been there earlier...but Nyota had stopped by at Remaja's quarters. She had been asleep, so Nyota left the picture she had copied and framed on her bedside table, to make sure that that was the first thing she saw upon awakening.

Kirk was already waiting for them.

"Stay out of trouble. Please." he said as they entered.

"We do not intentionally place ourselves in harm's way, Jim." Spock replied. Kirk looked surprised that Spock had remembered not to call him 'Captain'.

"We'll be perfectly safe on New Vulcan." Nyota added. "The most dangerous thing there are wild animals in the desert...but Spock has assured me that they won't come anywhere near the city."

"That's a relief...take care, okay? And uh..." Kirk grinned. "Have fun."

Spock rose his trademark eyebrow. "When we return, it would be appreciated if you officiate over a Terran ceremony." he said.

"So you're going to get two honeymoons?" Kirk asked, raising his own eyebrows suggestively. Actually, Nyota thought, it was three...they had had a brief one after the bonding, and they had two more to look forward to...

They stepped up onto the transporter pads.

"Energize." Spock said, and with a whirl of white transporter light, they were suddenly standing in front of a small building.

The first thing Nyota noticed was how stiflingly hot it was. The atmosphere was thinner than it was on Earth or on the Enterprise. She had to take several deep breaths to get the amount of oxygen she needed.

"You will adapt to the heat and atmosphere soon." Spock said, but she still felt his concern. She gave him a rather strained smile.

"I hope so." Nyota said, and they both looked up in time to see a tall figure walking toward them. Spock raised his hand in the Vulcan salute.

"Dif-tor heh smusma, Father." Spock said. Sarek returned the greeting. Then he turned to Nyota. "Father, this is Nyota Uhura." Spock said, his voice an octave lower, and she felt his affection for her.

"I am pleased to meet you at last." Sarek said. Nyota smiled.

"It's my pleasure, sir." she replied.

"Welcome to the city of Vafer-tor'es." Sarek said, gesturing around him. "The City of Regeneration."

A/N: Okay...I know I said I was giving them a break...but the whole 'game' thing just had to be added...at least there won't be any danger ;)