Author's Note: Chapters 32 and 33 dramatize the events leading up to Spock experiencing the full effects of the pon farr (Chapter 34). In Chapter 32, Uhura learns about the Blood Fever and makes a decision concerning her relationship with Kirk.

Subheadings are used liberally throughout the next two chapters to assist the reader in determining when there is a change in place or time. The subheadings also serve in a way as a Brechtian device to allow the reader an opportunity to pause for a moment of reflection before going on to the next section. (OK – admittedly, it sounds a little pretentious, but you can easily disregard that exercise if you wish).

The scene between Kirk and Uhura borrows lyrics from the song, "Fool of Me" by Me'Shell NdegéOcello, to express the Iowan's angst. The song was originally suggested to me by avid Fanfiction reader mvw,as a fitting commentary of the aftermath of Uhura and Spock's breakup. However, the author finds it also useful for the purposes of the current chapter.

As always, your comments are appreciated.

The Right Thing

Another tear . . .

Another tear slid down Uhura's face, as she sat alone at a table in a local bar . . .

Raising her drink up to her lips, the East African took a sip . . .

But the cold beverage did little to relieve her distraught soul as she kept hearing him say . . .

"You made a fool of me . . . Tell me why . . ."

"Canadian rye whiskey." Uhura suddenly heard the order coming from a familiar voice. She turned her head slightly in its direction to confirm his identity.

Leonard "Bones" McCoy.

"What's the lady drinking, Gabby?" McCoy asked the waitress as he sat down in a seat next to Uhura.

"Cranberry and seltzer water." She replied.

McCoy frowned. "Cranberry and seltzer water? Can you get her a real drink?"

"Since Uhura's into cranberry tonight, what about a cosmopolitan?" The waitress suggested.

Bones cringed, but still said, "All right. And, keep them coming."

"No, Leonard." The East African told him in a voice wracked with pain. "It won't do me any good."

"Who's the doctor here?"

"But – "

"You might as well give up now, Uhura. It is my professional opinion that you could use some good old fashion numbing medicine." He replied as he picked up a napkin. "And hold still, while I dry that pretty little face of yours."

"I don't feel so pretty, right now."

"Turn your face toward me, darling."

The East African reluctantly obeyed, allowing him to gently dab the napkin against her cheeks. When their drinks arrived, McCoy took away Uhura's former glass and replaced it with the cosmopolitan.

"Your drink is still too fruity for my tastes." He commented as he then picked up his own glass of rye. "But it'll still have the desired effect."

Uhura picked up her glass and took a drink to appease the attentive doctor.

"There you go." Bones remarked. "Keep nursing that and you'll feel better in no time."

"I doubt that."

"You did the right thing, Uhura."

"Kirk, certainly doesn't think so."

"How could he? I've never seen him ever get as serious with anyone as he did with you."

"James told you what happened?"

"Kind of. I got a call from your friend, Jordan."

"I told Jordan what I had to do and asked him to be nearby. I didn't want James to get in trouble over this."

"Well after leaving you here, our boy didn't get too far before he tried to pick a fight with some frat boys. Apparently, Jim wasn't too far gone because there was only three of them."

Bones' attempt to interject levity into the conversation fell flat as Uhura showed no response.

McCoy continued. "Apparently, Jordan was able to intervene before it got too far out of hand. When Jordan called to say what went down, I told him to take Jim back to the Academy and let him work off some of those feelings at the gym. I told him I would come and look after you."

"You didn't have to." She said as she took another drink, now glad to finally feel the initial effects of the alcohol. "I can take care of myself."

"I was thinking about tomorrow and what's ahead for you. You didn't tell Jordan about that, did you?"

"No. He only knows that I was going to break up with Kirk. Hard for me to think about tomorrow right now."

McCoy twirled the contents of his glass, before downing it. He then disclosed, "I have to admit at the beginning I was rooting for you and Jim to make it. I thought you'd be good for him."

"Well, obviously . . . that did not turn out to be the case."

"It'll take time, but you'll be back to being friends, again."

Silence.

"You did the right thing, Uhura."

Her attempt to choke back fresh tears ended in futility as she asked as the incident replayed in her mind, "Then, why does it hurt so bad?"

Fool of Me

"Why now, Uhura?" Kirk demanded. "Why do you want to break up with me now just a couple of days before we were supposed to spend the semester break together? Were you so freaked out about having sex that you decided to end it?"

"No, James. That's not it at all."

"Then, tell me."

"I realized I couldn't go on living a lie."

"Living a lie? Who is he, Uhura?"

"It doesn't matter." She told him. "It's not going to make a difference in what I must do here. It's over, James. You have to understand that."

"Does he really want you, Uhura?" He asked her, "Does he really want you with the pain that I do?" He reached over to her, but she quickly moved herself back out of his grasp.

"Don't touch me, Kirk. It will only make it worse."

"Can't touch you, Uhura? I can't touch you . . . any more? How is that possible? Can't touch you? . . . No time? . . . No friendship? . . . No love?"

"James, I do care about you. But, I don't love you the way you love me."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I can't give you what you want from me. I can't give you what you need."

"Don't stop now, Uhura." He said with biting sarcasm. "Tell me . . . what is this thing you can't give me?"

"My fidelity."

"So, you've given it up to someone else, Uhura?" He accused her.

"It's not about sex, Kirk."

"Then, how did I lose you?" His tortured voice demanded.

The East African knew it would hurt him, but she could no longer withhold the truth. "Kirk, you did not lose me, because I was never yours to lose."

Vulcan Ways

On the previous day, Uhura sat in Dr. Greeley's office waiting anxiously for her academic advisor to return with the results of her committee's deliberation of her dissertation proposal. To calm her anxiety, she tried to focus her attention on Greeley's desk. However, there was not much to look at, as it only held her computer and several data disks. There was not even a digital photo holder to give any sort of glimpse of a life beyond that at the Academy.

Uhura sighed as Greeley finally walked into the office. She picked up her iTablet ready to take notes.

"Good afternoon." Greeley greeted her. "I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, Uhura. After the Dissertation Committee Meeting, Professor Tighe talked with me about a matter regarding one of your peers. And, you know how she can sometimes prattle on and on about issues that don't really matter."

"If you say so, ma'am."

"You know how she is. Just the other day, Professor Tighe carried on a lengthy discussion about the color of our department's name on our web site banner. She contended we should replace the current gold color with blue or green, since those hues are traditionally associated with the language disciplines. I tried to explain to her that . . . "

"Dr. Greely, I am sorry to interrupt you." Uhura interjected. "However, I was wondering if the committee made a decision, yet."

"A decision?"

Uhura did all she could not to roll her eyes. "Dr. Greeley, you were just meeting with the Dissertation Committee to accept or reject my proposal. What was the result?"

"The committee accepted it, of course. Was there any doubt?"

"I try not to take anything for granted, Dr. Greeley. Even though I believed I had devised an acceptable thesis, I did not want to presume you or the other committee members would also deem it worthy of study."

"Not only is it acceptable, such scholarship has the promise of making a great contribution to our field."

"Thank you, Dr. Greeley." Uhura beamed.

"Of course, I did wonder why you had not relied on my assistance more when drafting the proposal. After all, I am your advisor.

"You definitely were essential in assisting me with the initial formulation of the thesis."

"It is clear the significance of the proposal has progressed well beyond those preliminary stages. I must admit you seem to have done quite well on your own."

"Dr. Greeley, it would not be accurate to say the thesis is solely the result of my own efforts. After this groundwork was laid with your counsel, Mr. Sevat helped to deepen and refine the proposal."

"Mr. Sevat? I had no idea you were consulting him on this issue."

Uhura could hear more than just surprise in Greeley's tone, as she also seemed to voice a hint of jealousy. The East African replied, "It was not planned. The subject of the thesis came up during one of our language sessions. I noted some differences in the speech of someone who claimed to be from the same region as two other persons. The following week Mr. Sevat asked me to elaborate on other variations I had observed. In exchange, he volunteered to help me with the proposal."

"Undoubtedly, his assistance took time away from your Romulan studies."

"No, ma'am. Mr. Sevat generously accommodated me with extra time for our Romulan studies when necessary."

"The virtue of generosity is quite uncharacteristic for a Vulcan. It bodes well for the importance of your topic for him to be so intrigued by it."

Uhura did not dare share any other activities she had with Sevat. It was well enough her advisor just thought the Vulcan only had an academic interest in her work.

"Dr. Greeley, I am interested in the specific comments you and the committee members offered during your deliberations." Uhura said, setting the point of her stylus on her iTablet screen. "If my proposed methodology can be improved in any way, I would like to make those adjustments before beginning my research."

"There's no need for you to take notes, now. Uhura." Greeley remarked. "I recorded our session for you, so you could listen to it at you leisure. Of all the committee members comments, I believe you'll find Professor Aleksashkin's recommendations to be most intriguing."

"In that case, I'll be quite anxious to listen to what he had to say." Uhura said as she accepted the data crystal from Greeley and then placed it and the iTablet in her bag. "After listening to the proceedings, I'll be sure to discuss them with you at our next session after the semester break." Uhura rose from her chair and began to leave the office, but was halted by her advisor's voice.

"Cadet Uhura."

"Yes, ma'am." Uhura said as she turned back to Dr. Greeley.

"Is this the day you're meeting Mr. Sevat for you Romulan lessons?"

"Yes, it's one of the days. I'm on my way to take the SkyBus there, right now. I know he will be pleased to learn of the results of the Dissertation Committee's deliberations."

"Be careful not to share too much information with Mr. Sevat. You should guard against the possible appropriation of your intellectual property."

Uhura smiled. "Dr. Greeley, I'm really not worried about that. Although I have not known him very long, I could hardly believe Mr. Sevat capable of that kind of something like that."

"They are especially well versed in hiding their true intentions. You should remember that."

"His true intentions? Why do you think there is some sort of ulterior motive behind his assistance?"

"It is simply not in their nature to be forthcoming about themselves."

"Not in their nature?" Uhura stated with indignation. "Dr. Greeley, your comment comes quite close to sounding like bigotry."

"I had the rare opportunity to study among them on their home world for three years. Yet, there is not one who I could call a friend."

"With all due respect, Dr. Greeley, I have been one of your students ever since I was a mere plebe. Yet, in all that time I have not noticed any close relationships you have made with any of your colleagues. And, at the social functions where faculty and staff usually bring their spouse or a friend, you usually come alone."

"That is not at all relevant, Cadet Uhura. You do not know them the way I do. You have taken only one course with Mr. Spock and served as his Course Assistant for a short period. Mr. Sevat has acted as your tutor for barely three months. That hardly makes you an expert."

"Dr. Greeley, you seem to allege there is something innately within Vulcans which makes them incapable of forging close relationships. Perhaps, the fault is actually within you." Uhura knew her bold statement would not sit well with her advisor, but she did not feel she could ignore the professor's biased comments.

"Cadet Uhura, I will overlook that remark since you are still young and impressionable. You show such great promise. I just want you to use a little caution with dealing with them."

"Dr. Greeley, this would be laughable if your words did not seem so tainted with intolerance. While my experience with Vulcans may be far less than yours when measured in time, I do not share your seeming distrust. Like humans, each Vulcan is an individual who one should be judged on his or her own merits."

The East African's forthright assertion took Dr. Greeley aback, but she soon found her tongue. "It's not enough just to learn their language. You must become informed on the way they think, their lives and Vulcan culture."

Uhura smiled to herself. Little did her advisor know the extent to which she had come to know Spock, as well as, the Vulcan cultural lessons she enjoyed with Sevat. The Cadet felt she could at least agree with Dr. Greeley on this point. She reasoned, Perhaps, then this conversation could come to an end and I can be on my way.

"Yes, Dr. Greeley. You are quite correct about the need to learn about Vulcan traditions and customs to truly appreciate their race." Uhura remarked.

"That includes such matters as their philosophy, educational system, cuisine, lifestyles, history, arts and literature, as well as, their mating habits. Although, I must admit, the latter category is much more difficult for an outsider to learn about. Even after all the time I spent on Vulcan, the only aspect of their conjugal rites I could learn about was their system of arranged marriages."

"Arranged marriages?" Uhura repeated, as if she did not immediately understand the term.

"Yes. Usually, the subjects are still children when the pact is made by their parents."

"Why would a society which upholds reason to such a high esteem adopt a practice which limits individual freedom?"

"I understand it has something to do with their biology. Yet, surprisingly, there is scarcely anything written on the subject. Or, at least, there is not much they are willing to share with outsiders."

"How widespread is this custom?"

"The practice was adopted throughout their world." Greeley told Uhura. "It's been that way for hundreds of years."

It Is Called The Pon Farr

Uhura sat at a table in Sevat's office conversing in Romulan with the professor.

"That will be all for today, Nyota." Sevat abruptly told her.

Uhura glanced at her chronometer. "But Sevat, I've only been in your office for about 10 minutes."

"11 minutes, 42 seconds."

"The point is, unless you have something else you need to do we have nearly 50 minutes still left for our session."

"What point is it to continue when you obviously appear distracted with another matter?"

"Was my pronunciation not up to your standards? Since I last met with you, I spent quite a bit of time trying to perfect the diphthong as you instructed. Is it still inadequate?"

"It is not your pronunciation, but your tonal quality which this morning sounds flat and monotonous. A Romulan would never speak in this manner."

"I apologize, Sevat. I suppose I am somewhat unfocused."

"I recall you told me you would soon learn the results of your dissertation committee's consideration of your proposal. Since I advised you on this matter, I would find it difficult to believe it was rejected."

"Oh, yes. I neglected to tell you. Dr. Greeley informed me of the decision earlier this morning. The proposal was accepted."

"I would have assumed the human reaction to such news would be quite the opposite of the detached expression you appeared to convey."

"Of course, I am pleased with their decision. And, I am especially grateful for your counsel with developing the thesis statement and methodology. But, I must admit there is another matter that has taken my attention. It's a comment Dr. Greeley made about Vulcan culture that I had not previously heard."

"Vulcan culture was not a topic on our lesson plan, today. However, since at present you are making little progress with Romulan instruction, I suppose we could indulge a change in subject for this hour. What possible insight did Dr. Greeley attempt to provide you about Vulcan traditions?"

Uhura could tell from his tone Sevat appeared poised to dispute whatever Dr. Greeley had told her. In fact, she was counting on him doing so. He had never tried to hide his disdain for her Academy advisor, even in Dr. Greeley's presence. The East African was sure that added to the tension evident between the two professors.

"Dr. Greeley told me all Vulcans engage in the practice of arranged marriages. She said the agreements are made between the two families when the intended bride and groom are, but youths."

Surprisingly to Uhura, Sevat suddenly appeared hesitant to answer.

In an attempt to prompt a response, the East African remarked. "I must admit her claim seemed a little far-fetched to me. I was hoping you could let me know how close she really was to the truth."

Uncharacteristically, Sevat seemed uncomfortable and rose up from the table. He answered her only after he had walked over to his window to focus his gaze away from her.

"Outsiders rarely are apprised of these matters. Our mating customs are considered to be quite private in our society."

Uhura stood up from her seat and approached Sevat from behind the Vulcan. "I don't mean to infringe upon a matter of confidence. However, since she made this assertion, I was just . . . curious about it."

"It's quite complicated. Outsiders would probably find it difficult to find the logic in this custom."

"Since I've began my studies with you, I have attempted to be as open minded as possible about the Romulan and Vulcan ways of life. As an . . . outsider . . . it will be more difficult for me to fully understand these cultures, if those most knowledgeable in a particular subject chose to conceal that information from me. I ask, is that logical?"

No response.

Uhura decided to make one last attempt. "Sevat. Are you married? Was your marriage the product of an agreement made by your parents?"

"I am not presently married. Three years ago, I divorced the one chosen for me."

"Divorced? I am sorry to hear that."

Sevat turned back to her. "You need not express regret. Neither my former wife nor I feel any remorse with our parting. For most in our society, the unions prove most satisfactory. However, as with most circumstances, there are exceptions. "

"Then, you marriage was arranged."

"Yes. When I was seven years old, I was betrothed to her. The custom was adopted in our 4th century after most our people came to embrace the teachings of Surak."

"What is the relationship between Surak's teachings and this tradition? I would think over time such an ancient practice would be less attractive, not more."

"Before Surak, our passions to ruled us almost to the point of extinction. Engaged in endless tribal warfare, we spent our creative energies on more sophisticated weapons that would have eventually annihilated our race if it were not for Surak. With him, we were taught how to suppress our emotions and finally emerge from the darkness that had engulfed us. Instead of destroying each other, we sought endeavors that expanded our minds. It was only after we learned to master our emotions that we could investigate, explore, and invent. With this perspective, our civilization developed rapidly, becoming arguably the most advanced in our quadrant."

Of course, that depends on one's definition of what it means to be advanced. Uhura remarked to herself.

Sevat continued. "Still, the suppression of one's emotions had one major drawback, especially in regards to the Vulcan male population."

Sevat suddenly averted Uhura's eyes. Growing impatient, she urged him. "Yes, Sevat. Please continue with your explanation."

"There comes a time . . . usually at seven year intervals . . . when one's mind must enter a state of . . . emotional abandon."

"Emotional abandon? A psychological disorder."

"It is not a disorder." Sevat snapped.

"I am sorry, Sevat. I did not mean to offend."

"It is a condition which must occur to bring one's psychological and physiological states back in harmony. It is called the pon farr, but colloquially it is known as the blood fever."

"I don't understand. What connection does this have with arranged marriages?"

"The reason for the practice is to ensure the male has an available mate when the blood fever cannot be reconciled by any other means but sex or violence."

"Sex or violence? It would seem as they would hardly be remedies to the same problem."

"I can assure you . . . " His breath suddenly became uneven with the memory. "When you are in the throes of the pon farr . . . sex and violence appear indistinguishable."

Uhura asked, "The one effected by this condition cannot control his actions?"

While there was no verbal response from the Vulcan, Uhura could see the tension grip Sevat's body.

"It sounds extremely dangerous." She remarked.

"If the condition is not sufficiently resolved, it could lead to insanity or death."

His words gave her pause as she thought about seeing Spock 10 days ago at the clinic and later that evening outside her dorm.

"Sevat, what symptoms did you experience when you felt the blood fever coming on?"

"A rise in body temperature . . . irritability . . . tremors in one's extremities . . . those are the primary signs before the condition fully manifests itself."

Uhura nodded in recognition of the symptoms she had witnessed in Spock. She wondered, If it's been 10 days since I last saw him, what condition was he in right now?

"Excuse me, Sevat." She returned to the table to retrieve her iPad and place it in her bag. "I need to get back to the Academy."

"The name of Spock's betrothed is T'Pring." Sevat told her, pausing to let the disclosure take its effect. "She is strikingly beautiful, even by human standards. You should ask him to show you an image of her. I am sure he keeps several close at hand."

Uhura turned back to him. However, she did not have the look of desperation the Vulcan had expected.

Sevat continued. "With your sudden interest in our marriage practices, I thought this information would be of interest to you. After all, you were his Course Assistant for a period of time." He added, although also knowing of their romantic involvement.

Uhura answered him with an even tone. "When Dr. Greeley told me about the practice of arranged marriages, I realized right then Mr. Spock was not exempt from this custom. The upper classes are usually the last refuge for such traditions. They are less likely to challenge the status quo, because they have the most to lose from any significant change."

The Vulcan studied Uhura. Why did she not betray the look of someone who had just found out she was the "other woman"?

Sevat commented, "Well said, Nyota. Obviously, you paid close attention to lectures in your cultural sociology courses. However, does this information not have any other significance for you?"

Uhura did not fully understand his insinuation, but she was not going to wait there any longer to question him.

She had to find him . . .

She had to talk to Spock . . .

Sevat said nothing more to the East African as she voiced some parting words.

The Vulcan watched as she quickly strode out of his office and out of his sight. However, she was not out of his mind, as he whispered to himself . . .

"Fascinating."

Author's Note: Chapter 33 will be posted very soon.

Your comments are always appreciated.