Okay, another chapter broken in half but only as it was getting to be over 10,000 words long. So here's cold nights on Vulcan part one, Part two will be up by Tuesday as it's almost finished already so not a long wait this time.
Nyota was in the queue for breakfast as Spock collected his porridge and copper supplements from the replicator. She seemed to be talking to a thin blond boy, Spock decided that this must be Cadet Chekov as his lack of muscular definition, size and unfortunately greasy skin pointed to a human a few years younger than the eighteen year olds of the academy. Spock approached the two of them pausing for a moment when he realized that Nyota was teaching the fifteen year old Russian boy.
"Keeptin."
" Captain." She corrected, pronouncing the word slowly and precisely.
"Keeptain."
" Not quite. Cap."
"Keep."
"Cap."
"Kep."
"C." Nyota sounded out the phoneme as she picked up her breakfast tray and selected a cereal and fruit salad.
"C."
" Good Pavlov. Now a."
"E." The boy picked out a bacon sandwich and they turned to walk towards Spock though neither had noticed him standing in their path.
"A." Nyota repeated.
" E."
"Morning Cadets." Spock said when they were a few feet away.
Nyota looked up and smiled, the young Boy stared at him his eyes wondering from the commanders uniform to his face and to his ears.
"Cadet Uhura I trust you will be ready to leave for our trip at 14:30?"
" Yes Commander."
Spock nodded satisfied he would be alone with her within a few hours. He walked away to sit at a table, Nyota and cadet Chekov sat a few tables away still in hearing distance. Spock found himself listening to their conversation his ears picking out the familiar tones of Nyota's voice over the general noise of the mess hall.
" He is wulcan no?"
"Vulcan."
" Yes, Wulcan. It is in ve ears."
" Vulcan, it is in the ears."
" That is what I say."
" What I said."
" But I say it first."
14:43
Spock had met Nyota at the edge of the academy grounds. They walked together through the streets and took a public transport to the very outskirts of the city where new shuttles were developed and tested. They were kept away from the academy and the students in case of joy riders or on very rare occasions explosions. As they approached the single hanger Spock heard the drilling and clanging of the shuttle hulls being put together. Spock spotted the V51, it had been moved out of the hanger onto a take off pad fifty yards away. It was different from the shuttles currently in use, more streamlined, it had a more slopped pointed front, larger thrusters and was 3.4 feet longer due to the bigger engine. Spock felt the smallest tingle of excitement at the prospect of flying the new model knowing it was the only one of it's kind and only flown by a few others.
" Is that the new shuttle?" Nyota asked.
" The V51, yes."
" It does look different doesn't it?"
" Would you like me to explain the updates to you?"
" Perhaps later, it's a long journey."
A tall man in a mechanics uniform was walking towards them, he wiped a hand across his forehead, in the other he held a PADD.
" Commander Spock?"
" Yes, would you like my identification number?"
" No, just your signature on a final release form then she's all yours."
" Very well." Spock took the PADD carefully read the release form then signed his name at the bottom with the electronic pen. The mechanic smiled at him as he handed the PADD back.
" You've read the Manuel?"
" Yes." Spock confirmed.
" So, once you have the data send it on to us and we'll compare it with our records to know that everything is in order."
" I understand."
" So you're spending the weekend at home?" The mechanics eyes darted across his shoulder at Nyota, a small quizzical expression crossed his face. Spock ignored it, if he acted in any way as if Nyota's presence was unusual then the mechanic was more likely to remember the incident.
" That is correct." Spock answered taking home to mean Vulcan.
" You are lucky to get to spend the entire weekend with this girl." The mechanic said pointing over his shoulder to the shuttle. Spock knew the man was referring to the shuttle but he thought himself very lucky to be spending the entire weekend alone in a deserted place with Nyota as company. If he ever stopped to think about it, to take in the past year and their slowly getting to know each other, the misunderstandings, the way he'd tried to distance himself from her and of course the trauma that she had faced he marvelled at the fact that he could now call her his.
" Luck has nothing to do with it ensign. I am the most qualified to handle her on this expedition."
Spock held Nyota's hand as she climbed up into the shuttle. He could feel her excitement and was glad that he would spend the rest of the weekend tasting that excitement and joy, it pleased him to think he had a hand in making her so happy.
The ship's insides were smaller than an average shuttle due to the larger engine. There were three seats to the front, the control panel was much the same as those in a normal shuttle a few minute differences. The console with the atmosphere measurer and the planet scanner looked almost completely different, many of the components were the same but the settings and the icons on the screens were different. He had read the manual so he knew precisely what everything was and how everything worked but he still looked forwards to the time when he could push those buttons. The back of the shuttle contained one cot, a small replicator, several storage compartments and a 2-foot by 2-foot decontamination shower. The front and back of the shuttle could be closed off from one another by a thin movable partition.
Spock sat down at the pilot's chair; he typed the coordinates for Vulcan into the computer so that he could use the autopilot if he wished. He switched on the engines and began running checks as Nyota took the equipment he had brought with him and stored it in the back.
" You may rest or study if you wish Nyota."
" Can I sit with you for take off?"
Spock nodded and she sat in the chair beside him, hands in her lap as he completed the pre-flight checks. He turned on the thrusters, turned them slightly and lifted the shuttle carefully off the ground then took the handle and as Chris would say 'punched it'. They were out of earth atmosphere within 1.02 minutes, Spock made a note of the turbulence they hit as they exited the atmosphere, and the slight shudder of the shuttle could and should be corrected. Once out of atmosphere Spock turned the autopilot on and going to kneel by Nyota pointed out to her what all the various instruments were. She was as ever a patient and avid student, he sat her in the pilots chair and leaned over her to access the engine controls, half concentrating on the buttons half on the scent and the warmth coming of the skin of her neck.
" We have now increased to warp four." He whispered giving into his desire for a moment to press his lips to the warm soft curve of her neck. He heard the sharp intake of her breath.
"Warp four is the top speed of most shuttles isn't it?"
" Indeed. Increasing to warp five."
He kissed the sweetness of her neck one more time and then put his nose to her skin and inhaled deeply, she must have showered before coming out as that soft and sharp soapy raspberry scent was still strong under the mask of the floral perfume she wore, he had to admit he was starting to like it.
"I'll see how she handles before going to warp six, it may set us back half an hour but as this is a new engine caution is logical."
Nyota turned in her seat to look at him.
" Indeed." She said in a teasing tone raising a solitary eyebrow. Her hands reached around and rested on his cheek encouraging him to come to her, he leaned forwards and kissed her passionately.
" You're starting to adopt some of the human inaccuracies you always point out into your own speech." She said pulling away.
" Is that so?" Spock asked curiously, he knew that he had stopped speaking as formally as when he first arrived at the academy.
" You just called the shuttle a she." Nyota said. Spock thought about it, he had.
"Fascinating. It maybe an unconscious adaptation to fit into the environment of the academy."
She smiled and kissed him again. Spock reached over, he pressed a few buttons.
" Autopilot on." The feminine voice of the computer announced. He moved around to sit before her, he pulled her off the chair onto his lap wrapping his fingers around hers and placing gentle kisses on her cheeks and down her neck.
19:23
Spock heard Nyota moving in the back of the shuttle and the partition was pulled back.
" How are your readings coming?" Spock asked. He turned around. He had thought that he was used to the sight of Nyota and could no longer be stunned by the sight of her, apparently he had thought wrong. Nyota had changed into the long flowing traditional Vulcan robes. He had chosen her a set in turquoise and had chosen a cut that was preferable to young females. There was a tight fitting top garment and lose fitting trousers underneath. Over the top was a flowing transparent top dress. He wondered of he had got the size wrong; the tank top like garment was exceedingly tight. The colour suited her beautifully and the way the material seemed to hide her form yet show it at the same time was extremely enticing.
" I'm finished for now." Nyota answered, the computerised voice spoke at the same time.
" Now in orbit of Vulcan."
Spock took a deep breath and tore his unwilling eyes away from Nyota to press a few buttons to start up the data collection sequence he had been programming.
" It seems you finished at a fortuitous time. I am signalling border control for permission to enter Vulcan space. You will have a good view from this distance of Vulcan and it's sister planet in the distance." He pulled the handle steadily back. " Dropping out of warp. View screen on." Spock said.
The screen flickered from grey to black for a moment and then the familiar form of Vulcan appeared, the bright oranges and deep reds small areas of water and mountain ranges that appeared as small lines of the surface. Spock felt his stomach twist and he felt slightly sick. He realized how much he had missed his home now that he saw it. He heard Nyota gasp and turned to see her wide eyes and lips slightly parted.
" Spock, it's beautiful."
" As a child whenever I would be returning from earth with my parents after conferences or treaty signings I always felt a slight awe at this sight."
She smiled down at him. " Welcome home Spock."
19:51
Spock closed his eyes as he stepped out onto the compact desert sand. He had an overwhelming sense of being at home. The air was stiflingly hot and after so long on earth it took him a moment to adjust to the higher gravity. It made him feel heavier and he was glad for the thin robes he had changed into. He turned around to watch Nyota as she started down the steps. She paused and looked around taking in the endless sand with the mountains on the horizon and scraggily bushes dotted every few meters. He reached up for her hand and helped her down the steps.
" Welcome to Vulcan. It may take you some time to get used to the increased gravity."
" And the heat." She said with a smile.
Spock nodded although it was hard to quantify heat, simply put Vulcan was hotter than Africa.
" We have water and food for two days, that being the case what would you say our first priority is?"
" Are there predators?"
" There are wild Sehlat in this area."
" Okay, I would say one of us should find something that burns for a fire and the other should put up the tent."
" That would be a good course of action. As some of the plants in this area are poisonous I shall collect firewood."
Nyota nodded, Spock watched as she climbed back into the shuttle to collect the tent. Spock began digging out a fire pit, looking up occasionally to watch Nyota as she read the instructions to the pop up tent. The compact five-inch by six-inch package would open up into a full two men tent if she pulled the little tag. He took the little knife he had put into the folds of his robes and started out to cut down some of the scraggily bushes. As he cut the smaller branches to reach the thick stem he heard a little pop and turned to see Nyota stood looking down at the tent. He gave her an approving little nod, but was surprised to see her blush in return.
" You could have told me all I needed to do was pull the string." She shouted over the couple of meters that separated them.
" Figuring thing's out for yourself is a more effective learning method than being told. " She shot him a rather annoyed look. " You will need to secure it with the lines in case of high winds and we will need the fur lined sleeping bags as the temperature drops to below freezing at night."
He thought he could hear some angry muttering as he continued to collect wood but was too far away to make out the words. Five minutes later Spock was piling up the branches of one bush and looking for another, he looked over at the sun laying low on the horizon and worked out they had another 64 minutes before the sun set and another half an hour after that before the temperature dropped to a level where hypothermia could set in. He looked at Nyota as she struggled to hammer the pins into the baked ground to secure the tent. A gleam of sweat was visible on her skin and her breath seemed a little laboured. He went over to her; she didn't look up until he stroked the hand that was holding the hammer. Her wide amber eyes looked up at him.
" Go rest in the shade for five minutes."
" You wouldn't be going easy on me for some reason would you Spock?"
" I do not know to what you are referring cadet." He replied earning a smile thrown over her shoulder at him as she went to sit for a moment in the tent. Spock made light work of the tent pegs, he remembered how as a child he had always been weak in comparison to other Vulcan's, then going to Earth he had been stronger than others and he had trained hard to maintain his strength in the low gravity. He stopped himself from thinking; it seemed even without other Vulcan's around returning to this planet made him feel inadequate. He felt a hand rest on his shoulder he had Not heard Nyota approaching.
" You look slightly worried."
" I am not worried. I was thinking."
" What about?"
" How weak I am considered here."
" I feel weak here to, that's just the thin atmosphere though, isn't it?"
" Indeed." He brushed his fingers over hers, she did not see him as weak, she never looked down at him or ever made him feel like half a Vulcan, half a human, half a man.
" I am going to collect more branches. Would you like me to teach you which are poisonous, which are edible and which burn most effectively?"
"They all look the same."
"There are eight different bushes in view Nyota, though all share common traits they can be differentiated once you know how."
" Show me then."
As Spock cut away at branches Nyota knelt beside him, her leg sometimes brushing up against his as she reached out to feel the waxy texture of a leaf or to hold a thorny branch away as he cut at a stem. She listened to him as he described the differences between the bushes and how each one was specially adapted to survive the harsh environment. He told her of how he had cut his hands on one of the bushes when he was eight and had sucked the poison out but that night he had ran a fever and discovered that unlike full Vulcan's he had the ability to vomit. Nyota had laughed when he had said it had not been a pleasant discovery to make and ran her fingers over the slight green faded scar the poisonous thorn had left on his palm.
They had built the fire then taken a break to sip water and eat protein bars as they watched the sunset.
" Thank you for sharing this with me Spock."
" As you said, it is not exactly a romantic weekend."
She stared out to the horizon, the last of the orange light falling across her face.
" It's just romantic enough."
Spock reached for his phaser, hidden like his knife on a belt below his garments. He took the safety off and shot a quick burst setting fire to the wood they had piled up in the pit. Spock stared at it crackling and smoking and then settling down into a steady blaze after ninety seconds.
" Isn't it still a little too hot for that?" Nyota asked puzzled.
" Now that the suns have set the temperature will drop rapidly and the wild sehlat will start to come out."
Nyota shifted slightly next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. It was comfortable to have her against him.
" The fire will keep them away, won't it?"
" Yes, they fear the fire."
" It is kind of a shame; I would like to see one. Is there any other life forms were likely to see?"
" There is a desert bird, a scavenger like the vultures on earth, you may see them circling, in the sky they are a deep red but when on the ground eating they blend with the sand and become almost invisible." Spock shuddered slightly and knew that the change in temperature was already occurring.
" Nyota did you bring the night robes from the shuttle?"
" No I don't think so." She answered sleepily.
" Excuse me." Spock said gently pushing her away from him. He walked the two meters away from the camp fire to where the shuttle was parked and pressed the pad to open the door, he climbed the stairs and checked the storage bay finding the thick grey woollen robes that he had had made to the same style as Nyota's day ones. They were lined in red silk with layers of cotton in-between that and the wool, they were not standard issue but they were similar to those worn at night on Vulcan just with material common on Earth, he thought that they would serve them well but he had packed a small heater in case they didn't. Although he was sure it would be a lot more comfortable to sleep in the shuttle it would void the purpose of the trip, he would only resort to using the heater or moving Nyota into the shuttle if hypothermia seemed likely or if there was a sandstorm.
The sky was just starting to darken as he exited the shuttle with the new bundle of clothes. Nyota had moved closer to the fire, her arms wrapped round her. She was starting to feel the cold just as he was, soon the air would become icy, their breath would steam in front of their faces and any bare skin would feel as if it were being pricked by tiny needles, home sweet home.
22:02
Spock hesitated he could hear Nyota's teeth chattering together and when he had turned to look at her in the shadowy light caused by the fire outside the tent he could see her visibly tremberling. Finally it was more than he could bear.
"Nyota I hope you don't take this the wrong way but perhaps you should take your clothes off and join me in my sleeping bag?"
She turned and looked over at him, her lips pursed tightly to stop her teeth from chattering.
" You mean to conserve body heat?" She asked her voice breaking with the cold.
" Yes. You do not have to, but my higher body temperature will keep you warm."
She reached down and tried to grip the zipper of the sleeping bag, he watched as her numb fingers missed the zip. Spock's hands made quick work of his own zipper and he rolled himself out of the sleeping bag and gently took Nyota's hands in his. He lifted them up to his mouth and gently blew hot air on them then rubbed his hands up and down hers. Finally he took her icy fingertips and gently sucked each into his mouth. Nyota's eyes never left his.
" Are your fingers less numb now?" Spock asked. Nyota swallowed it took her several seconds to answer.
"Yes."
Spock unzipped the bag Nyota struggled to her feet. She stood a foot away from him, Spock considered turning around giving her some privacy but after watching Nyota's violent trembling he doubted she would be able to remove her garments before her body temperature dropped further. He stepped towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Nyota, may I.."
She nodded quickly. His hands reached down to her waist undoing the knotted belt there. He separated the thick woollen robes revealing her flat stomach and tops of her plump breasts plunging into a bright red bra, the feathery lace half concealing half revealing that secret flesh. His hands ran over her shoulders again brushing the garment off of her and onto the floor. A small part of him itched to pick it up and fold it but he couldn't stand Nyota's trembling, knowing that Nyota was uncomfortable was in some strange way worse than his own discomfort. His eyes followed his hands down to her waist brushing momentarily the firmness of her stomach muscles and coming to the waistband of the trousers, he removed them quickly and with only the slightest heating of the top of his ears.
" Get into my sleeping bag Nyota, I will join you momentarily."
Spock turned his back to her, his ears picking up the rustling of material as she climbed into the fur-lined bag. Spock removed his clothes quickly flinching as the cold air hit him. He hesitated as he was about to turn round, Nyota had seen him this exposed before, his swimming trunks were almost as revealing as his current underclothes. But they had not been together then, nothing more than a teacher and student meeting at the academy pool, admittedly they had at that time become a little bit too relaxed in each others presence but they had not been paired then, not linked romantically or telepathically. He took a deep breath and silently muttered a Vulcan meditation mantra, the familiar word had there desired effect in calming him.
"Spock, it's cold." Nyota voice was timid and a little uneven as her body shook.
Spock's misgivings disappeared, she who was precious to him was uncomfortable and it was his duty to keep her content and comfortable. He turned, noting the slight blush from Nyota. He kneeled beside the sleeping bag, brushing Nyota's fingers to send her his calming influence through their link. He pulled the material open and as gracefully as possible shuffled into the bag. Knowing the sleeping bag was not intended for two people Spock pushed himself close to Nyota his arms wrapping around her waist. He was pleased when she responded by pushing herself closer up to him, wrapping her legs one over one between his and moulding that beautiful smooth stomach he had only glimpsed for an instant to his. He twitched slightly as her icy fingers rested on his chest and her cold nose nuzzled his neck as she came to rest her head lightly on his shoulder.
"You're so warm." She sighed happily.
"I wish I could say the same Nyota but unfortunately it is like bedding with an icicle." Spock tried to keep his tone light to let her know he was trying to joke; he liked having her against him, to feel so much of her. So much smooth soft skin and the movement of her body in it's natural rhythms the heartbeat and the inhale and exhale that moved her chest against his, feeling through their bond her appreciation and sleepy contentment and most of all knowing at she was as glad to be with him as he was to be with her.
She gave a little giggle that made his heart skip a beat. He tightened his grip on her waist and turned to lie on his back taking her with him, she lied half on top of him so that his body was acting as a cushion for her. He reached down and zipped up the bag so that it held them tightly together.
"If it weren't so cold I think I would enjoy this. "
" Sleep well Nyota."
" Goodnight Spokh."
He was looking at himself, yet somehow it was not himself, he did not think he was quite as tall, did not think his eyes were quite as big or his shoulders quite as wide but despite the minute difference he was clearly facing himself. He, both of Himself were in one of the academies lecture halls and he was asking himself out and he was ecstatic to be going on a date with the other him. Then he was in a student apartment in one of the tiny bathrooms, he knew from the various objects that it was Nyota's apartment. Looking across at him was Nyota herself reflected in the mirror carefully applying a red lipstick. He bent his head around the door and saw Galia sat on the bed rolling a pair of stockings up her leg.
" Do you think this is too much?" He heard Nyota's voice calling. Galia turned to look at Him, she was smirking.
" Depends."
"Depends on what?" He heard Nyota's voice again.
" If you're still denying that you fancy the pant's of Mr. Vulcan then it's too much, if you've accepted you want to shag his brains out then it's just about right."
"Lia! Do you always have to be so crude?"
" So, you're not denying it then."
" No I'm not denying it." The disembodied voice gave a short laugh.
He was in a rush, he had forgotten all about the book, he wanted to get to Spock's at the right time, knew he despised lateness but if he handed the library book back late Mrs. Huddlie would be annoyed at him and she was already annoyed at him for requesting books from the stacks. He took a short cut through the freedom gardens knowing that there was usually couples there not wanting to be disturbed or security trainees getting drunk but he hoped because it was valentines and wasn't all that late there wouldn't be anyone there tonight. Relief, the garden is empty no losers going to harass him, but he had the oddest feeling, as if he was being watched, he thought he heard something. He slowed down, stopped. A hand came out of nowhere, closed around his mouth, he panicked scared, couldn't think, attack, run. Spokh!
He awoke panting he started as if to sit up but felt a heavy weight against him, it was dark, truly dark and cold, something was surrounding him. He chastised himself for his panic and made himself take in his surroundings more clearly and as his newly awoken mind came awake he knew he was back on Vulcan and he was holding Nyota and their telepathic link had remained open whilst they slept, made powerful by their skin to skin contact and he had experienced Nyota's dream. He also knew in that moment that Nyota had woken at the same time as he had and was struggling against him having not yet realized herself where she was.
" Nyota." His hand reached up to stroke through her hair.
"Nyota you are safe, I am here."
" Spock?" Her voice was shaky and as he moved his fingers down her cheek he felt a cold sheen of sweat there.
" Yes, you were dreaming Nyota. The events of your dream happened a number of months ago; you do not have to fear them now. You are on Vulcan, you are safe with me."
He felt her body relax against him, her head came to rest back against his chest the silky strands of her hair ticker ling his skin. He rubbed his hands soothingly up and down her bare back for a few minutes sensing as she became calmer that she was somehow embarrassed.
" Are you affected by these dreams often Nyota?"
Her muscles tensed, he waited patiently for he reply.
" No so often anymore."
Spock nodded he knew she did not wish to be questioned further and he wouldn't tonight. He placed a kiss to her forehead and was a little surprised when she tilted her head up and kissed him deeply. As her tongue played against his she worked her arm out from the restraining sleeping bag to reach up and work her finger through his hair as she often did.
I just want to forget.
To forget is not to heal Nyota.
She pulled away from him with a sigh.
" No, I know."
" It'll come in time."
She gave a sad smile.
" Time just isn't going fast enough."
As always reviews are smiled upon.