Aaaaaaaand Another chapter for whoever reads this.
Scythe walked back into Spock's room and smiled at him.
"Good morning Spock." He inclined his head and continued working. She sat across from him and frowned. "Isn't it your day off?"
"It is."
"Then why are you working?"
"Is there something else I should be doing?" Scythe thought for a moment before smiling slightly.
"I want to try something."
"What?"
"You have to close your eyes." He glanced at her curiously before closing his eyes. Scythe's eyes widened and she leaned over the desk. She watched him for a moment before leaning further in and very carefully kissing him. His eyes flew open and she pulled away, not looking at him. There was a pause before she looked up.
"Spock…" He didn't let her finish by pulling her back for a more proper kiss. They pulled apart a moment later and Scythe stared at him. Spock paused before speaking.
"… It would be relevant to tell you that I am interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you." Scythe laughed.
"Good to know. I should probably tell you that I'm interested as well then."
"That is… good to know." She smiled and kissed him again, being pulled across the table in the process. They finally pulled apart and Scythe grinned before hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her in return with a small smile. "Doctor McCoy will be upset."
"Bones is always upset. I'll tell him after your next physical." He nodded.
"That would be wise." She leaned back to look at him, pulling on his shoulders.
"Again. Kiss me again." He obliged instantly.
Scythe crept into sickbay after meeting with security the next day and grinned at Bones. He glared at her and pointed to a bed which she grudgingly sat upon.
"What were you doing yesterday? You never came back and I'm pretty sure you didn't leave that hobgoblin's room."
"Enjoying my day off. Isn't that what you always tell me to do?"
"Enjoying it how?"
"I studied. I practiced Vulcan, tried learning chess, and read the equivalent of 'ships for dummies' on a padd." Bones frowned and glared at her.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"The things that are unnecessary. Like… I ate something for lunch." He grumbled and handed her a padd.
"Fine. Go schedule physicals for me."
"I am on duty you know."
"Then why are hanging around here?"
"I like you?" He glared at her again and she ducked out the door, waving the padd at him.
"I'll do this for you. Because you're so pleasant today."
She grinned and wove her way through the ship to find everyone on the list. She grinned at the last two names and slowly made her way up to the bridge. She tapped Jim on his shoulder and held out the padd with a grin when he turned around.
"Set up a physical. Bones has me running his errands again." Jim groaned and took the padd from her.
"Probably because arguing with you normally ends me up in sickbay anyway." She laughed as he handed it back. She glanced at it and went over to Spock with a smile.
"Your turn Spock." He took the padd and looked over it to find an earlier time. He finally signed it and handed it back. Scythe glanced at the time and smiled before heading out. She tossed the padd to Bones once she got there and headed back to the gym, having wasted her entire shift running errands.
A few days later and Scythe walked with Spock to sickbay for his physical. She was really careful to stay a pace away from him just in case Bones saw them. They stopped outside of sickbay and Scythe stopped him from going inside. She glanced around the empty hallway before pulling him down for a kiss, keeping her senses on high alert. She slowly pulled away when she heard movement heading towards the door. She smiled at him and let him go inside before sighing and settling against the wall to wait.
An hour later and the door open. Scythe perked up before suddenly ducking her head when Bones glared at her. She slowly inched past him and smiled nervously at Spock. She turned in time to see Bones fold his arms across his chest.
"He said you had something to tell me. And since you're nervous I'm assuming it's not good."
"That's not true! It's wonderful!" He looked at her suspiciously and she smiled. "I wanted to tell you first. I'm dating someone…. Spock." She jumped over to intercept Bones path to Spock and held his arms to keep him there, grimacing with the effort.
"I'll kill him!"
"No you won't." She turned her head slightly to glance at Spock. "You should leave."
"I do not believe I should leave you in these circumstances."
"Please Spock… I can't keep holding him. I want to talk with him." She gasped as he broke away and lunged at Spock, only to have Scythe jump on his back. Effectively diverting him she glared at Spock. "Go!" He hesitated before nodding once and exiting. Bones threw her off a second later and punched her.
"Why?! Why him?! Why did you stop me?!" She rubbed her cheek and slowly went to sit on a bed.
"One; I like him, a lot. Two; you're a doctor and shouldn't be attacking him. Three; it's my choice who I date! I initiated it anyway!" Bones shook his head.
"Scythe, he's not good for you. I'll stop being so mean to him if you don't date him, ok?" She gaped at him before shaking her head sadly.
"It's not about you. Shouldn't I be able to be with someone I like? Isn't that what you told me?"
"Scythe…"
"Please don't make me fight you Reaper. I wouldn't be able to win either way." Her head fell and she brushed by him to leave. He grabbed her shoulder.
"I won't fight you, but I can't agree with it."
"You attacked him."
"… And you held me back. I'll control myself." He paused to sigh. "I won't attack him anymore, but you have to promise me you'll be careful. And no sex." She shook her head and smiled slightly.
"If I do decide to have sex with him, I'll make sure to let you know… in detail." He glared and raised a hand to smack her. She slapped it with a smile. "I'm not a kid anymore. Later Bones." He sighed after she left.
"I know that… You're 200 years too old for that."
Scythe stood outside Spock's door for a while and went over the conversation with Bones. She rubbed her sore cheek again and sighed.
"He hits too hard." She mumbled and opened the door. Spock was next to her in an instant with a hand to her cheek.
"He hit you?"
"Yeah, but I deserved it."
"You did not."
"For jumping on him. It wasn't fair."
"You were preventing him from doing me harm. He should not have hit you." He traced the fading bruise lightly. Scythe grabbed his hand with a frown.
"It'll heal Spock. Don't worry about it so much." He leaned in and kissed it before she turned her head to fully kiss him. He pulled away with a raised brow and she smiled. "I like kissing you." Spock nodded and leaned back in.
"It is enjoyable with you." She wrapped her arms around him and he straightened, effectively picking her up. She clung onto him and kissed him again as he carried her to the bed so he wouldn't have to keep holding her. She smirked and pulled him with her when he tried to set her down so they both went toppling onto the bed. Scythe just laughed at his expression and cuddled next to him.
"Don't worry about Bones. He's still upset from 200 hundred years ago."
"Why?"
"Because I lied my way into the military. When he found out I had to fight with him for a while to stop him from telling on me and getting me kicked out."
"Why did you lie?" She sighed.
"Because… I wanted to join but was too young. You're supposed to be at least 18 to join."
"How old were you?"
"I had just turned 16. I finished basic training quickly and then they had me train with him. Close to the end of that is when he figured out my actual age."
"You were a child."
"Yeah, well… That's probably why he treats me like one. I was barely 17 when we went to Olduvai…" She grew quiet at the memory and closed her eyes. Spock didn't move for a few minutes before slowly getting up. Scythe watched him leave in confusion before shrugging and heading down to the gym.
Bones glared as soon as Spock walked into sickbay.
"What do you want now?"
"I wish to know more about Scythe's life 200 years ago."
"Why don't you ask her?"
"She spoke of it a small amount and quieted at the end. I do not wish to upset her further."
"It's none of your business. Just stop dating her."
"I will not." Bones just glared at him again.
"Get out."
"Why did you not inform your superiors of her age?" Bones glanced at him and sighed.
"I couldn't. She fought me for it and proved that she was both mature enough and skilled enough to stay there. And she had nowhere else to go." Spock nodded.
"Am I right to assume that you do not wish to speak to me further?"
"Yeah, now leave. You're just lucky I promised her I wouldn't attack you." Spock decided not to comment and went back to his room. He suddenly had some history to study.
By the time Scythe got back to the room Spock had finished reading and was meditating. Scythe watched him for a minute with a smile before going to shower and change. She came back out a bit later and sat on the bed; completely content to watch him. An hour later and he opened his eyes and turned to look at her. She smiled as he stood.
"I have been researching your time."
"Why?"
"To understand more of you." She stopped smiling and tilted her head.
"What do you mean? I thought you knew about me all ready."
"Of how you had lived and the laws then." She shrugged.
"History won't tell you much about my life. I was pretty unnoticed until I joined the military."
"If your age had been-"
"What? Is that why you looked up the laws? Does it bother you that much?" He paused at the reaction and sat next to her. She scooted away to face him fully.
"I was merely stating the possible consequences for lying about your age as you did. It was extremely dangerous. Doctor McCoy was… kind to not report you." She was silent for a moment before sighing.
"You talked to Bones too, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"… Why didn't you just ask me?"
"I did not wish to upset you."
"And going behind my back wasn't going to upset me?" He paused again.
"I had not considered that. Earlier you had gotten upset talking of your past; I merely wished to avoid a similar situation." Her brow furrowed and he pulled her close to hold her. "My apologies for upsetting you. I will be sure to speak with you first from now on." She sighed again before smiling lightly up at him.
"All right. I can't stay too mad for long, especially with you, anyway."
"That is fortunate." She grinned.
"It's because you're an amazing kisser." He raised a brow before kissing her slowly, lacing their fingers together. His other hand went up to cradle her face and she jolted at the sudden odd feeling in her mind. He instantly pulled away completely and she stared at him, confounded.
"My apologies. I did not mean to do that."
"What? What did you do? What was that?"
"… I invaded your mind. Vulcans have the ability to mind meld. It is the joining of my mind to another. It is a very… intimate thing to do and should not be taken lightly."
"… So it would be a bad thing to do with me? Is there something about this that I'm not getting?"
"If done at certain times or with someone that I have a strong connection to it could possibly result in a mental bond. I can prevent one, but it can be difficult." She tilted her head.
"And that's a bad thing?" He glanced at her, puzzled.
"It would be inappropriate. A fully formed bond can be similar to a marriage for Vulcans. And initiating a meld on someone without permission or adequate reason is a crime." She was quiet for a moment before smiling lightly.
"Well… since you can mind meld without ending with a bond… did you want to try it with me?" Spock watched her for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"No… I said it was possible, not that I was strong enough to prevent it like that."
"But you're very strong." He glanced away from her.
"Not with you. Unfortunately, I would not wish to prevent a bond enough. I am 89.98 percent certain that one would form if I melded with you." Scythe paused for a while before smiling happily.
"You love me?"
"… That would be an accurate way to describe it." She grabbed his hand and kissed the palm before moving and kissing each finger, making his eyes widen as he shivered slightly.
"I love you too… There's still a 10.02 percent chance you'd be able to stop a bond if it bothers you so much."
"I… I must correct my earlier calculation…" He closed his eyes as she kissed along his hand again. "Instead of 89.98 percent it would be a 99 percent chance of forming a bond with you." She pulled away to look at him.
"What exactly is a bond? How does it link your mind?" He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"I would be able to know of your emotions and you would feel mine. We would be able to speak with each other on occasion and if you were hurt I would be able to feel it if the bond was not blocked. You would feel any pain I had as well."
"I'd… I'd feel your emotions?"
"Yes."
"… I wouldn't be able to hide anything from you, would I?"
"You could. I can show you how to block your mind from a bond. However, during a meld it would be extremely difficult. It would be unlikely; however it is possible." She frowned and sat away from him.
"Guess there won't be a meld then." Spock's head tilted slightly.
"You are hiding something from me?"
"… I just don't really want you to know everything. My past for example…"
"I know you were a soldier." She sighed.
"… I've done some bad things Spock."
"Such as?" She stood up and faced away from him.
"Such as killing. I don't want you to know that. Who it was, how I did it… if there were other options…" She quieted and hung her head, wrapping her arms around herself. Spock went over to her only to have her pull away with a shake of her head. "I need to see Bones." She walked out slowly and headed to sickbay, never even looking up. Bones started to glare when she walked in but his look turned concerned at her expression.
"Scythe? What's wrong? Did something happen?" He put a hand on her shoulder and she shook her head.
"I'm a horrible person… After everything I've done…"
"Whoa, hold it. How are you a horrible person? You haven't done anything wrong."
"Yes I have! I always have! Every since I was a child… And then the military…" She crouched down with her head in her hands and Bones knelt next her quietly.
"That was a long time ago Scythe. And in the military you were following orders."
"… I wasn't talking about the orders. It's when I wasn't under orders that worries me."
"It was still a long time ago." She shook her head.
"It was still me. I can't even apologies to those that didn't die because they're dead now. I… I'm not good enough."
"What are you talking about? Good enough for what?"
"Anything… Spock…"
"Spock?! You think you're not good enough for that hobgoblin?!" He grabbed her and forced her to look at him. "Listen to me Scythe, there has never been anything you were not good enough for. And there never will be. Besides," He smiled, "he's not good enough for you. Especially if that question even crosses your mind." She sighed and smiled at him shakily.
"I still feel bad. Even you don't know everything, and… Spock told me about mind melds and everything. And about mental bonds. I wouldn't be able to hide it from him and I don't want him to see how I was. Everything I did…" She sighed again and looked away. "Did you want to know?"
"Not if you don't want to talk about it."
"I should. I… really want to try a meld with Spock. Even though he said it would most likely result in a bond."
"Hold up… Isn't a bond similar to marriage for Vulcans?"
"Yes. Why?" Bones was silent before getting up, anger practically radiating off him.
"I'll kill him." Scythe stared at him until he started to move.
"I killed children." Bones stopped and looked back at her.
"Why?"
"They were in the way. I should've just moved them, but I was in pursuit of someone… don't even remember who. I took the quickest and easiest route. It happened more often than I'd like to admit. Not just children either." He just stared at her for awhile before kneeling back down with a sigh.
"Scythe… We've both done things we're not proud of, but we can't let it stop us from living our lives. It was a long time ago and if you… want to meld with Spock or whatever you should. He's not going to hate you for your past if he loves you now." She blinked at him before smiling.
"Thanks Bones… You think he loves me that much?"
"Don't push it. I was just trying to cheer you up."
"Yeah, but you're not one to lie about it like that."
"I said if. Remember that part? Don't start thinking I'm okay with this situation 'cause I ain't." She got up and grinned at him.
"I know that. Because you love me, right?" He rolled his eyes and she laughed. "I'm gonna talk to Spock. See you later." She left and Bones groaned.
"I'm going to regret this. And he better damn well love her."
Scythe quietly snuck back into Spock's room and smiled when she saw him on the floor again. She snuck over to sit across from him and wait. When he opened his eyes nearly two hours later she was laying on the floor, sound asleep. He watched her for a moment before reaching over, his hand hovering over her face. He stayed like that for a moment before reached down and shaking her shoulder lightly. She slowly blinked up at him and smiled.
"Spock… Sorry, I fell asleep." He nodded once and moved so she could get up. She stretched and sat up. "About earlier Spock…"
"I can understand your reluctance to inform me of your life." She shook her head and jumped up, grabbing onto his shirt.
"That's not it. I… I'm willing to try. Meld with me Spock… Just don't hate me."
"It is not possible for me to hate you Scythe." She sighed and smiled lightly.
"Artemis." His head tilted and she smiled fully. "My name, it's Artemis."
"Artemis…" She laughed.
"I've always hated being called that, but when you say it… I like it."
"Then I shall endeavor to call you by it more often."
"Just be careful not to all the time… Scythe still does fit me better." He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"Then it will be for me alone." He paused to look at her. "Does Doctor McCoy not call you by your name?"
"No… He knows it and will on occasion, but he knows I don't like it." She smiled and kissed him gently. "You can meld with me if you want. I don't mind." She pulled away and sat on the bed. "It's up to you Spock."
"Scy-Artemis, I have previously informed you of the consequences that could result from melding with you."
"Why did you try to in the first place then?"
"I was not thinking of what should or should not be done. It was my fault."
"Do you love me?"
"… Yes."
"Enough to stay with me? Regardless of the terrible things I have done in the past?"
"Of course."
"… Do you want to? Do you want to be with me? Completely?"
"Artemis, I do not believe we-"
"Why not? It can't be because either of us are too young, or because it isn't allowed. As far as I know if we both consent it's fine." She paused for a minute before smiling. "I love you Spock… More than anything. More than I love the gym." Spock went over and kissed her at that, quickly finding the meld points and beginning it.
Scythe gasped and fell backwards a few hours later, staring up at him. Spock's eyes were wide as he watched her. She shivered and slowly calmed her breathing before sitting back up.
"That… was intense. I didn't expect it to be like that…" She glanced at him sadly. "Sorry… You probably regret being with me now, huh?" He kissed her suddenly, pushing her down in the process.
"I will never regret you." She paused before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him happily. They didn't leave the room for the rest of the night.
Scythe yawned on her way to sickbay a week later for her physical. She stood outside the door for a while before groaning and entering. She glanced around before going to the office to find Bones. He glanced up at her when she entered and she grinned.
"Hey Bones. How've you been?"
"Perfectly fine other than the constant concern over you most likely doing something idiotic."
"I haven't done anything idiotic!"
"Did you meld with him?"
"Yes, but you knew I was going to."
"Did you bond?"
"No actually. He managed to prevent it." Bones nodded and stood up to face her.
"Did you have sex?" His face stayed serious and Scythe calmly looked back at him.
"No. Didn't make it that far. Don't worry, I did promise you details if and when it happens." She smirked and went back out. Bones smirked back once she sat on a bed.
"You know, aggravating me right before your physical wasn't the best idea." She shrugged.
"I'm sure I've dealt with worse. Besides, you would've gotten mad no matter what I said."
"Could've made it easier on yourself."
"I could be bonded and having sex too." He glared and started the physical, making sure to be as grueling as possible. When it was finished she almost glared at him before suddenly laughing.
"What could you possibly find so amusing?"
"The fact that you get so angry about me dating Spock and try to make me miserable while wanting me to be happy." She smiled wistfully. "And I know that no matter how upset I get or annoying the physicals are, Spock will make me feel better later." Bones sighed and clasped her shoulder.
"I give up. Do what you want with him, but if it ends badly I reserve the right to kick his ass and/or kill him."
"No killing."
"… Fine." He smiled at her. "I'm glad you're happy with him."
"So… does this mean you'll stop antagonizing us about it?" He rolled his eyes at her grin.
"Yeah, I'll be nice… ish" She laughed and hugged him.
"Coming from you, that's a miracle."
"Yeah, yeah, just don't get hurt or pregnant, ok?" She pulled away with a grin.
"I'll be careful, but either way you'll probably be the first to know." He shoved her.
"Get out of here."
"Hey! You didn't tell me if I'm healthy or not!"
"You're fine. Even at a healthy weight for once."
"Really? I am? I'm still at an acceptable weight?"
"Yeah, 109 pounds. Now I have work to do, so get out." She grinned and left to go start her shift, getting told on her way down that she was scheduled to go down to the next planet in a few days. Once she got to the gym finally John smiled and waved her over.
"Hey Scythe, I have a physical today so you're in charge of training and setting up the schedule for the next two weeks."
"Sure. I just had a physical so he probably isn't in the best mood. Good luck." He groaned and left as she laughed. She turned to the waiting group with a smile. "Guess we're doing things my way today." She waited for the collective groan to be finished before continuing. "First things first; five laps around the gym and no dawdling. This will help decide who's going to be doing what this week." No one moved and she raised a brow. "Well? Get started. Waiting around to be told to move could get you killed." They all glanced at each other before starting to move. She rolled her eyes and followed them, making sure to keep pace with them to watch for laziness. Once they finished she rubbed her temple and looked over them. "Okay… I know you can do better than that, but whatever. I'm not going to try and force you to improve if you don't want to. Just keep in mind that if you can't do your job, get injured, or get killed it's your fault for slacking off." She turned and went to sort out the schedule, waving a hand behind her. "Target practice until I get back."
Ten hours later found her ready to bang her head against a wall to see how long it would take to pass out. She swept her eyes over the remaining five security and sighed before going up to them without even trying to smile.
"Okay… Since John never decided to come back I'm going to have you decide who takes which shifts for the night. Have fun."
"Shouldn't you make sure we do it?"
"I think if you don't do it you're going to be on the receiving end of a phaser." She grinned dangerously and turned to leave with a final wave. She slowly made her way through the halls with a yawn, pausing outside of sickbay. She stood there for a minute debating whether or not to ask for something to wake her up before rolling her eyes and continuing back to Spock's room. She typed in the code twice before remembering he had told her to meet him for lunch because he was changing the code. She groaned and called him three times before going to Jim's room. He didn't answer either and she went back to sickbay. She frowned at the eerie quiet and crept over to the office. She peeked in before her eyes widened and she knelt down next to Bones. She shook him roughly and he groaned, opening his eyes blearily.
How cute! ^^ Uh-oh, why's it so quiet?