Okay, so bit of a problem, Len meets Spock,in the film he Say's he doesn't know who he is. There will be an explanation coming up.

Anyone seen the menagerie, from the first season of the original series?

Just to warn you it's another potentially upsetting chapter.

Spock burst through the doors of the medical wing. He looked around the large square reception with the offices bordering it, the ward was through double doors to the right. The receptionist stood up and shouted at him as he headed in that direction, he was aware of her racing from behind the desk in an attempt to stop him. McCoy came through the doors just as he reached them, he put his arms out to stop him.

"Hey calm down!"

" Cadet Uhura, where is she?"

" She's here, she's fine. We're running the blood right now but we've tried her on an antidote that would work on most of them , if it works she should start showing signs of recovery within the next ten minutes or so."

" Take me to her."

" I'm not sure if"

"Take me to her! That is an order!"

Doctor McCoy raised his eyebrows looked at the floor, shock his head and then led Spock down the long ward to the far end. As they approached Spock could see Nyota lying still, covered in insulating blankets. He stepped pasted McCoy and rushed to her side. He did not register there being a chair next to her but he found himself sitting on one. His hand unconsciously taking hers. He took in her face and froze at the sight of tears running down her cheeks.

" She is crying." He said looking at the doctor.

" No, we put drops in her eyes to avoid infection, she hasn't been able to blink in god knows how long."

" Thirty- Seven minutes."

" She's going to be okay. She may look delicate but she's tough."

" I am fully aware of her determination, perseverance and inner strength." Spock snapped.

" Hey, I was just trying to be reassuring."

Spock looked up at the doctor, he wished to tell him that he did not need reassurance but he remembered the look on the doctors face when he had seen it was Nyota who was injured. There were others who cared for Nyota.

" How do you know her?"

" We have lunch every now and again. My idiot friend kept hitting on her so one day I sat down to apologize to her for his behavior and we got talking."

" I understand."

" You're a bit more than her teacher aren't you?" The doctor said pointedly.

" Yes." Spock looked down at Nyota's hand in his own, there was no thrill now, no electricity just worry and a vague jumble of emotions from her, she was struggling against the paralysis, fighting to get her body to respond. But he could also sense that she was listening to them, taking comfort in his presence and the faith he had in her. "She is my friend."

Nyota's eyes flickered, Spock leaned forwards watching her carefully, the doctor took several steps closer. She blinked. Spock felt drowned by his relief, as if there could be no way to control it, no other emotion potent enough to disarm it.

" Nyota."

"Take it easy Uhura it'll take a while." McCoy said softly placing his hand on her shoulder, then turning to Spock.

" Keep her quiet for now, and I'll keep the guards off your backs for as long as possible. I'm going to check her bloods, just in case."

" I will." Spock said, he watched Nyota blink twice more as the doctor walked away from them, leaving them alone. When he felt her hand move against his he impulsively took it up to his mouth and grazed it with his lips.

" Well done Nyota, take it easy. Try moving your legs."

He waited a moment then saw a twitch under the blankets, he felt his lips twitch up in a small smile of relief. Nyota's mouth opened but she didn't make a sound. Spock looked around, becoming aware of his surroundings for the first time since he had arrived in the ward. Across on the opposite side of the room there was a replicator set into the wall. Spock got up and walked over, he typed in the code for cold water and waited for the hatch to lift so he could take the cup to her. As he sat back down he hesitated. Spock did not know how to take care of somebody who was ill. Vulcans were not often ill, when they were it was considered a matter of privacy. His mother had always had the best doctors when ill. His Father had always kept him away from her. Tenderly as possible he slide his arm around Nyota's back. He lifted her slightly.

" Can you swallow?"

Nyota nodded slowly, her slight wince caused a dull ache in the vicinity of Spock's heart. He lifted the cup up to Nyota's open lips, then tipped it ever so slightly, Nyota swallowed. After a few sips she shook her head. Spock gently lowered her back to the pillows and placed the cup on the floor under his chair.

" Spokh.." Her voice was quiet and croaky. "Thank you."

Wordlessly Spock placed his hand on the covers next to Nyotas, his two fingers out stretched. Nyota's eyes flicked down and then with no change of expression she moved her arm in slow deliberate movements and touched her fingers to his. There was a feeling of trust, familiarity, gratefulness pushed towards him in a silent communication. He was surprised at how easily Nyota seemed to connect with him, how as a Human she seemed to adapt to him being in her mind and open to her feelings.

" Thank you Nyota."

He concentrated on the idea of support and comfort and sent it down the link too her. He watched eyes fill with tears and run silently down her cheeks, Spock's chest tightened. He had always been uncomfortable with tears, he had seen them from his mother growing up and in a few students since he had been at the academy. Tears usually made him want to turn away as he instructed the student how better to control their emotions or say their reaction was illogical. But tonight Nyota's tears seemed perfectly logical to him, he knew It was a small release of some of the negative emotions. And he did not want to run, in fact he felt even more as if he did not wish to leave her. He raised a finger to her cheek and wiped one of the salty drops from Nyota's cheek. Unconsciously leaning in closer to her.

McCoy coughed. Spock looked up he had not been aware that the doctor had been standing there. Spock could tell from the doctor's expression that he had seen their tender moment, it was a look of judgment and disapproval. He met Spock's eyes for a moment and then stepped forwards a fake smile coming to his face as he entered Nyota's eye-line.

" How are we doing?"

Nyota placed her hands firmly on the bed, she pushed herself up, Spock leaned forwards ready to help if she required it but he knew that she needed to do something on her own. She sat up, pulled herself back along the bed and leaned against the wall. Her breathing was a little uneven and her heartbeat had increased but she ha managed it and Spock felt a moment of pride.

" Hi Len." She said.

" Good to see you looking better darling." McCoy said cheerfully. Spock did not like another man using terms of endearment with Nyota. He doubted she was as darling to this McCoy as she was to him. Besides he was so much older than her. Spock was only six years older, this man was at least ten years older than that. Spock watched him carefully as he ran his tricorder over Nyota.

" Everything's looking good, relax for a few minutes then I'll come and show you some gentle exercise that will help get your muscles up and running again. I'll warn you it'll be a little painful at first."

Nyota nodded.

" Commander, a word."

Spock squeezed Nyota's hand and followed McCoy down the hallway and out of ear shot, Spock was aware of Nyota watching them. McCoy stopped, he seemed to look Spock over.

" Doctor, whatever suspicions you may have.."

" What you and Uhura are doing is none of my business." He looked around uncomfortably. "Besides, you seem to care for her and she needs that right now. Give me your hand."

Spock lifted his bloody hand up holding it out, when the Doctor went to take it he moved away slightly. For his defense McCoy didn't take offense or ask what his problem was as many human doctors did. McCoy reached to his belt, a feature of all doctors uniforms they were equipped with tricorder, basic hyposrays and a tissue regenerator. McCoy took the tissue regenerator pressed a few buttons and concentrated it an inch over the cuts across Spock's knuckles. There was a warm itching feeling in Spock's hand as his skin cells started replicating them self 4300 times faster than they naturally would.

" I knew Vulcan's had green blood but I've never actually seen it before, it's a much darker color than I expected."

" I am glad my slight injury has served to educate you."

" No need for the sarcasm, I'm trying to treat you."

" I was not being sarcastic, I do not see the point in sarcasm so I have not endeavored to learn it."

Doctor McCoy stared at him for a moment.

" Look, I came and interrupted your tender moment for a reason. All sorts of people are starting to arrive in the reception and I can't hold them off for much longer. They want to talk to you and Uhura. Uhura won't be up too any long conversations for a while so I'm going to have to throw you at them so they don't go after her. Sorry but I can't protect you any longer."

" I shall walk doctor, I believe you will injure you back if you try to throw me. As for protecting me, I am a star fleet officer and I can face my responsibilities. I will just tell cadet Uhura that I will be close by. Tell me doctor has there been further information on Williams?"

" He's been moved here and is being prepared for surgery. He's stable now. Don't worry commander, you've not killed anybody."

" I was not worried. I merely needed to know what position I am in when I talk to the head of security."

" He's here already, as is Sinclair and captain Pike."

" Captain Pike is here?" Spock said curious as to how his friend had known what was happening and why he had come to the medical wing. He suspected It may be to stand up for him if he needed it, or for what humans call emotional support, Spock had never felt the need to have the presence of another in difficult situations.

" The man knows everything that happens in the academy." McCoy said obviously thinking an explanation was required.

" I doubt that is true, though he is often well informed on matters that do not necessarily concern him."

Spock turned away from the doctor and walked back towards Nyota. She seemed to be moving more easily now. He sat for a moment, and reached for her hand once more.

" Nyota, will you be alright if I leave you for a while? I will be in the building."

Nyota nodded, she did not answer and she looked concerned but she had much to be concerned about, the night still held a lot of stress. Spock reluctantly got up and walked back down the ward, passing McCoy as he went. He felt a small amount of apprehension at what he was about to face but took a few deep breaths and centered himself, he would at least present a calm and logical face to the security officers. As he walked into the reception the receptionist looked up and pointed to one of the rooms off to the side. Spock nodded and entered the room, it was like all earth waiting rooms, the walls were a light green and the chairs looked uncomfortable. As he walked in a security guard, head of security and Sinclair stared to look at him. Chris was the only one sitting , he looked up but did not speak, there was a gravity and seriousness to him that Spock had seen in the few missions that they had been on together.

" I believe you have some question for me." Spock said to the room in general.

" First of all Spock, how is Cadet Uhura?" Sinclair asked.

Spock knew that the concern was not for her person but for the damage that the extent of her injury's would cause to the academy's plans to eliminate the lower age limit.

" She is recovering from the paralysis drug Williams injected her with. The rest of her injuries are relatively minor, but I believe she is suffering from the emotional effects of the trauma."

" And you Spock?" Chris asked him.

" I was not greatly injured, I had minor cuts to my hand and I have taken a kick to below my knee cap that is bruising and swelling.'

Christopher nodded, Spock knew he would not ask after his emotional state in front of people. It was the head of securities turn to start.

" Cadet Williams has suffered a cracked skull , brain hemorrhaging and swelling which has led to oxygen starvation in certain areas, the effects of which are not yet known."

Spock nodded at the information, he had been aware that Williams had injuries were grave. He felt he could not think about the moment when he had stared at the man and deliberated on whether to give him the chance to live, he did not think he would ever be sure of the decision he had made.

" I am assuming you were the one who caused these injuries. How do you justify this?"

" Williams attacked me, from the ferociousness of his attack I determined he meant to kill me. I believe that had succeed he would also take Cadet Uhura's life. I acted out of defense for myself and the cadet."

" William's injuries are bad."

" I believed Cadet Uhura to be in immediate medical attention. I took the first opportunity neutralize Williams, his injuries were caused when he charged at me and I moved out of the way and slammed him into the wall, I did not factor I his own forwards momentum which added to the severity of his injuries."

It was a lie, Spock had been angry, his blood had been boiling he had put every piece of his considerable strength into the attack. He had wanted to destroy the man. Spock had only told a few lies in is lifetime, most of the time they were unnecessary and caused further problems. This time they would keep him from facing trial.

" You did not mean to cause such severe injuries?"

Spock told his second lie.

" No. I must admit to not having factored in the forwards momentum that made the injuries more severe. Given the circumstances isn't that excusable?"

There was a moment of silence in the room, everybody looked grimly, after forty-five seconds the head of security answered.

" Honestly commander, under the circumstances pretty much any action would be excusable. That will be all from you tonight, I'll need your official statement tomorrow. We will be talking to Cadet Uhura now whilst her memory is still fresh." The head of security left followed by the guard.

" I'm going to need to talk to you tomorrow Spock, for now I'm going to need you to contact Uhura's parents. I'll send them a written note but I think this kind of news should come from somebody they know." Sinclair said also heading out the door leaving Spock alone in the room with Christopher, he stood up.

" To be trapped in one's own body, unable to move, the ideas terrifying. Thank the heavens that they were able to undo it, it would have been a fate wrose than death."

Spock did not speak, he had sensed Nyota's fear, experienced a shadow of it himself, It had been truly horrific.

" Spock?"

" I must check on her."

" Spock, how did you know she was in danger?"

Spock did not want too answer the question as he did not fully understand all of which had happened tonight. How he had known where to find Nyota, how he had experienced that strange suffocating feeling of Williams hands over her mouth, how the bond between them had grown to such a strength where it was easy to enter her mind and communicate with her telepathically. But Christopher had asked him an unavoidable direct question.

" She called too me telepathically."

" How Is that even possible, I thought only mated couples could do that."

" It is more complicated than that, the bond between us is strong but I am not sure of it's nature. I have only ever experienced a betrothal bond and that was never strong. I must be with her, I said I would not leave her." Spock turned to leave.

" Spock! You're not going to tell her your feelings for her are you?"

" It would not be right to expect her to take in that information whilst her emotions are turbulent. It could lead her to seek a relationship out of gratitude or the need for security not because she actually shares my feelings or considers me a suitable partner."

" I understand Spock, I just thought I would ask, you have the look of a desperate man. I'll call Nyota's parents, they know me and you've got enough to deal with."

" Thank You Christopher."

Spock went back to join Nyota, as he walked back he saw that she was with the security guards. The doctor was fetching them chairs.

" Commander?" The officers looked puzzled as Spock approached.

" I was aiming to check on the cadet." Spock explained. Nyota was sat up, she was concentrating hard on the bedsheets and not looking at any of the people who were starting to sit around her, she had her arms crossed across her body as if trying to protect herself. Spock wanted to reach out to her but couldn't given the present company.

" No Offense Commander, but we'll be talking to Cadet Uhura in a moment, we're just waiting for Doctor . Perhaps you could go find a friend to sit with her."

" Cadet Uhura, would you like me to fetch your roommate?"

Nyota looked up at him, her eyes wide.

" Can't you stay?"

" If you wish." Spock sat on his previous seat.

" Actually commander I can't allow that, your presence could alter the way miss Uhura answers our questions."

Spock stared at the head of security, he felt his anger rising.

" I overall that." Doctor Ohakim had entered unnoticed. She turned to look at the second security guard.

" You can leave." She said the voice of authority. She turned to Nyota then sat at the end of the bed.

" Miss Uhura, I've book you in for six support sessions."

" I don't want them."

" It's the rules I'm afraid. Commander you're free to have them if you wish."

" Vulcan's do not have psychotherapy."

" Okay." She looked at the PADD in her hands. "Nyota, may I call you Nyota?"

" I suppose so."

" I see you refused a rape kit, are you sure about that?"

Spock watched Nyota fidget slightly, but she didn't look up.

"Yes."

" Okay, well you can change your mind later if you decide to. I'm afraid your dress is ruined, where we're you going tonight?"

" Out." Nyota's eyes flickered up to Spock, Doctor Ohakim noticed and Spock watched as she made a note of it using her PADD and an electronic pen.

" I'm starting with the easy questions here Nyota, where were you going?"

" I don't know. It was with somebody from my class."

" We're you going to meet him? Is that what you were doing outside?"

" No, well... I was meant to meet him but I had a late library book so I was rushing to the library too give it back before nine-thirty."

" Is that when you were meant to go out with him?"

" Yes."

" Are you going to tell me his name?"

"No."

" Okay, you don't have to, not right now anyway. Tell me what happened as you were walking to the library."

" I was in the freedom gardens, and I felt as if somebody were watching me. I stopped and turned round and then I felt a hand on my mouth."

Nyota paused, she shook her head. The tears started to roll down her cheeks again, Spock's hand unconsciously reached out, he stopped himself before he touched her. Doctor Ohakim just sat and waited patiently for Nyota to start talking again.

" I felt the hypospray on my neck and then I went limp, he let me fall."

" Can you confirm who it was that injected you with the hyposprey and when you first become aware of who it was?"

" It was Cadet Williams, I saw him as I fell, it was dark but he talked to me so I knew it was him."

" What did he say?"

" He said 'Hello again Uhura, will you be my valentine?"

" And then?"

" He grabbed my wrists and he dragged me along the floor, it seemed like he was dragging me for ages."

" What did you see?" Doctor Ohakim asked, Spock knew she was only trying to get as much information for her file as possible by structuring the interview but Spock found himself getting angry at her still. So much anger, it was difficult to control.

" Just him. I saw the sky, I must have done." Nyota sounded confused.

"That's normal, you were scared so you focused on him. Did he say anything more to you."

" No."

" Then what happened?"

" He pulled me into some kind of building."

" What did it look like? what did you see?"

" It was darker." She shook her head. " It had a concrete ceiling I think. I heard him opening the door, there were no beeps so it didn't have a touch pad."

Spock could hear the slight croaky quality growing in her voice, he glanced down and saw that the cup of water was still under his chair he reached down and picked it up and handed it too Nyota, she looked up and took it from him, took a few sips and handed it back to him. He kept hold of it.

" What happened when you were in the building?" Okahim, started her questions again.

Nyota raised her hands to her face, she started sobbing. Spock reached out and put his hand on her shoulder wanting to comfort her.

" Doctor Okahim, is it possible for the Cadet to have a break from these questions."

" I know this seems harsh commander but it's honestly better to get this over with now so Nyota can start the recovery process. It'll be so much more difficult for her if this is drawn out." Okahim's voice was soft. Spock didn't answer, he kept his hand resting on Nyota's shoulder for the three minutes twelve seconds that it took her to stop crying. She looked up at him, her eyes still wet, the skin below them swollen.

" I'm sorry." She muttered.

" For what?"

" Being so emotional."

" It is understandable."

" It makes you uncomfortable."

" I do not mind the discomfort in this case." Spock said. Doctor Okahim had been quiet during their exchange her eyes watching them carefully.

" Miss Uhura, are you ready to continue? What happened when you were in the building?"

" He took my dress off."

" How?"

" He had a knife, he cut it into pieces. He put the blade up to my skin, I thought he was going to cut me. " She took a deep breath. "He turned me over and her did something to my back."

" What did he do to your back?"

" He cured the cuts, there was a buzzing and it felt like a tissue regenerator does."

" Why did he do that do you think?"

" He said it was to make the message clearer."

" What d he mean by that?"

" As he cut my dress off he told me what he was going to do too me."

" What exactly did he say?"

" He said we were going to have some fun,and then he'd kill me and carve a message into my back with his knife."

" Did he say what the message was?"

Nyota looked at Spock then she looked down and shook her head.

" I can tell that you're lying to Nyota, though I don't know why."

" He was going to write ' Too Mr Spock from Williams."

Spock felt his chest tighten his heart thudded painfully, he suddenly felt his head spun, his eyes blurred. He needed fresh air, he had only ever vomited once but his stomach clenched in the same way It had at that time.

" Commander Spock are you alright?" He heard Ohakim's voice but his mind was fuzzy he couldn't answer. He stood up, he walked his legs feeling weak. He could see blood dripping down Nyota's back, ghastly carved letters on smooth soft brown skin. Amber eyes covered with a pale milky film staring accusingly at him. The pain from his chest made him double over, he was staggering forwards not knowing where he was going. He burst through the door of the reception. There were footsteps following him. Smears of blood on those beutifully shped theighs. He felt his injured knee give way, he hit the floor hard, pain shooting through his leg. He imagined the link severed, the prensence of her in his mind gone forever. He couldn't draw breath , the pain in his chest became blinding. Then he felt strong arms wrap around him, a musty smell and fabric pressed against his face.

" Spock, Spock what's wrong?"

It was Chris's voice.

" It was my fault, I tried to protect her. All I want is to protect her but It was me who put her in danger."

" Spock remember where you are." The voice was only a whisper.

" I couldn't protect her."

" DOCTOR!" The voice had grown to a shout.

" I should have killed him" Sock felt a sharp pain in his neck and then everything went black.

Spock blinked, he was lying flat on his back, he ceiling was not his ceiling. He went to sit up but felt a hand on his shoulder pushing him back downwards.

" Take it easy Spock." It was Chris voice. Spock looked up at his friends concerned look.

" How long have I been unconscious?"

" Less than ten minutes."

" The doctor said you were having some kind of an anxiety attack, but he's written it down as the results of the adrenaline rush from earlier in the evening."

" How is Nyota?"

" She's very upset, she's refusing talk anymore. She needs you Spock."

" I failed her Christopher. I know that Williams is mentally unstable,but the fact remains that if I had never shown a preference for Nyota then Williams would not have attacked her tonight."

" Spock, it's not your fault. And she needs you now. She really needs you, she doesn't blame you she just wants you with her."

Spock sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

" Yes, you are correct. I will go too her."

Spock stood up, his head still felt strangely heavy and his leg hurt. He was at the opposite side of the ward to Nyota. Doctor Okahim was still sat at the end of the bed. Nyota was curled in on herself, her face covered with her arms.

" I'm sorry commander Spock but I do not think you should be here any longer." Okahim said standing up.

Nyota's amber eyes peeked out from above her arm.

" Spokh, I'm sorry."
" No Nyota, I am sorry if it weren't for me William's would never have attacked you."

" Don't say that." Her voice broke. " Please stay with me Spokh, he's here now. I know he is. He's upstairs in the operating theater, when they're finished they'll bring him down here. I can't handle it, I can't see him again."

" Commander I must insist you leave."

" You shouldn't have too."

" You'll stay?"

" I will be here Nyota but you must talk to Okahim, you must tell her what happened."

" Commander." The head of security took a step forwards.

" I am leaving."

Spock could hear Nyota as he walked back to his hospital bed.

" Williams turned me back on to my back, he said I was beautiful and he was going to enjoy this, he touched me, he put his fingers inside me, and then Spock came."

Spock waited patiently on the bed, McCoy brought him food and threatened to make him stay the night if he didn't eat it. Chris had sat silently with him until Spock had noticed him yawning and told him to leave. At 2: 13 February 15th Spock watched the head of security and Okahim walk passed his bed. They had finished interviewing Nyota. He knew she must be exhausted but he wished to check on her one more time before she slept. Doctor McCoy was sat in the chair he had occupied earlier in the night, he was talking quietly in a soft tone to Nyota. As Spock approached he stood up and indicated to Spock to follow him, they talked when out of Nyota's hearing.

" I want to give her a sleep aid or a tranquilizer but she's refusing treatment, she's freaking out. Williams operation is over and he's about to be brought down here, he'll be tranquilized and under the watch of a security guard the entire time but she's terrified. She's trying to discharge herself."

" She should not have to see him."

" I agree, I can't let her discharge herself, not in this state but I can discharge her into the care of somebody else."

" Who did you have in mind?"

" You."

" Of course, what must I do?"

" I'll fetch you a form to sign, you'll have to keep and eye on her breathing throughout the night. If she'll allow me I'll give her a slow acting sedative so she should sleep when she reaches your place."

" I will talk to her." The doctor nodded. Spock sat next to Nyota, she looked up at him.

"Spock, I can't stay here."

" I know, you don't have to. You can come stay with me for as long as you need."

" I can?"

" Of course Nyota. You are exhausted. Will you let the doctor give you a slow acting sedative? It will not work till you get to my apartment."

She looked down and nodded. Spock reached for her hand and took it in his own, it was the first contact between them in hours and even though he felt her emotional and physical exhaustion flood through the link, her fear her uncertainty, he still felt happy to be connected to her once more. McCoy returned and handed Spock a PADD and electronic form, Spock signed to have Nyota released into his care. A nurse approached them, she was dragging a curtain screen with her.

" Uhura, this is nurse Chapel, she's going to help you get dressed."

Spock nodded to the tall blond nurse who gave him and understanding smile as he stood up and walked a few feet away, his back turned, McCoy stood next to him waiting till the nurse came back round the curtain and told them she was ready. Nyota was dressed in star fleet issue work out clothes, sweatpants and an overly large gray jumper with the star fleet logo on it.

" Are you ready to leave Nyota?" He asked

" Yes." The doctor removed a hypospray from his belt he stood behind Nyota and pushed her hair away from her neck but as he put the hypo to her skin she flinched away. Her eye's wide and panicked. McCoy straightened up.

" I'm sorry Nyota, I'll go get see if we have anything in tablet form." He left.

Nyota buried her face in her hands, her body shook with silent sobs. Spock sat on the edge of the bed, he put his hand on Nyota's shoulder trying to think of some words of comfort but none came to him. Nyota collapsed against him, her head resting against his chest. Awkwardly Spock encircled her with his arms bringing her closer. He felt her tears seep through the thin cotton of his shirt. He closed his eyes and rested his head against her silken hair, he lost track of how long he sat with her rubbing his hands up and down her back till eventually the tears stopped flowing and her breathing evened. She stayed close to him until the doctor turned up again handing her a small pill and a glass of water. Nyota wordlessly swallowed it.

" Take care Nyota, I'll call in and check on you in the morning." McCoy said placing his hand on her shoulder for a second. Nyota nodded, she seemed to be beyond words. Spock helped her stand up and wrapped his arm around her waist as he helped her walk in slow unsteady steps out into the cold morning air. Nyota concentrated on the feet as Spock led her in a direction that would avoid the freedom gardens. After seven minute's Spock sensed that the pill the doctor had given her was starting to kick in. He picked her up holding her close to his chest, she seemed to tired to protest. He carried her to his apartment and sat her on the bed as he went into the kitchen and replicated her a chocolate bar knowing her preference for the food and knowing her sugar levels must be getting low. He took it back into the bedroom.

" Eat this, you require the sugar."

She took it from him and started to eat. Spock went to his wardrobe and got out his night clothes. He went to change in the bathroom, a strange smell hit his nose the moment the door opened. He looked down and saw the smashed glass on the floor from where he had dropped the bottle of fragrance earlier that evening. Luckily the glass had broken into large pieces and he could pick them up with his hands and dispose of them. Feeling weary he looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was spiked up from where he hand been lying on it, there was blood splattered on his dusty shirt, he carefully unbuttoned it, and took of his trousers. There was a bruise forming on his arm where he had blocked a hit from Williams and a large dark green patch spreading just below his kneecap, the swelling was bad and he knew it would not be able to walk without pain the next day. Turning from his own reflection he got dressed and headed back to the bedroom. Nyota had lied down and pulled the covers around herself her eye's were already closed but she was not yet sat on the bed next to her.

" Do you wish me to sleep on the couch?"

Nyota's hand reached up and her fingers trailed lazily down his bare arm.

" Will you hold me?"

There were reasons why he should not hold the cadet whilst she slept, but none of them seemed to matter much to him now. He got into the other side of the bed and moved close to her. She was lying on her side, facing away from him, he thought for a moment and then also laid on his side and reached his hand over her. He felt her fingers grasping his, she shuffled closer to him till her back pressed against his chest. Spock laid his head on the pillow, he was unused to such contact but he knew it comforted her. He felt a strange warmth, that was not to do with her body heat. It was comfortable, familiar. He watched over her until he knew she was asleep and then closed his eyes.