Okay, quick question for my lovely and more informed readers, in another story I've been using the spelling SPOKH when Spock is on Vulcan as that's how the Vulcan's pronounce it and SPOCK when he's on Earth because that's how the Humans say it and I've been asked to change this as everybody thinks it's a typo and I'm spelling the name of my main character wrong. So, here's the question, am I right that it's actually pronounced Spokh in the native tongue or have I got that completely wrong?

So, two months in one chapter, bit of a rush but I'm always in a rush to get to the next exciting bit. Nyota and Spock are happy and content at this point in their relationship and when has that ever made for interesting reading?

Rated M for Semi- illicit sexual situations (Again).

Monday 28th September

" Good morning class."

He looked out at all the tired and unenthusiastic faces of cadets who at 9am on a Monday morning would much prefer to be in bed than in class. Except one of them was smiling, more than that it was a secret little smile, one that said 'I've got a secret, a marvellous secret, that I only share with you' and with that little smile he didn't want to be stood in a roomful of cadets who would barely listen to a word he was about to say, with that smile he wanted to be far away. Just him and her far away where they could be alone together and share their thoughts with one another and spend moments in lingering glances and lingering caresses.

Good morning Kipenzi

Good morning Ashayam

"Let us think philosophically for a moment . Does the prime objective apply to a none humanoid species with no discernable language? Are they completely without rights? Food for humanoids. What about the other end of the scale, Vulcan's have some telepathic ability but there maybe other species that seemingly have not developed language that communicate fully with-in their species with telepathy. Is it right that we use the development of language to judge how evolved a species is and assign rights due to that level of development? Orangatangs can be taught and in turn teach sign language so Humanoid gives them more respect than they do to butterflies. Or is it that once an animal has learn to use language it can express it's emotions and opinions, ask for the rights it is due and fight for them if necessary."

Wednesday 30th September

The bar was crowded and almost too noisy to stand, Spock knew that his friend was in some kind of emotional dilemma when he had first suggested the busy student bar. It was the place Chris went when he wanted to put on his cool captain hanging with the kid's persona, another words when he wanted to drink and make humorous remarks and forget about whichever responsibility or personal crisis was on his mind.

After almost an hour of standing at the bar drinking and watching Pike tell stories of past missions Spock reluctantly tapped him on the shoulder and asked if they sit down for a moment, hinting out as he did so the effects of the nearby speakers on Pikes (human) long term hearing. They had got their drinks, ginger ale for Spock beer and shooters for Pike, and sat in the quietest corner they could find and observed what Spock perceived as almost total chaos and Chris saw as 'a good time.'

" How was your weekend?"

" Enjoyable."

" Enjoyable?"

" Yes."

" I've heard you say productive peaceful but never enjoyable."

" It was not productive nor peaceful." Spock said thinking about the sand storm.

Chris looked down at his drink for a long moment and then glanced at Spock for a second as if summing him up.

" April is leaving the academy, she doesn't want to teach."

" April is your current partner?"

" No, that's kind of the point, she was my partner, she's not anymore. I should have known it didn't work the first time and pilots are always flighty."

" I acknowledge your emotional distress."

Chris looked up at him.

" Yeah." He downed the rest of his drink.

" I'm going to get another one."

Spock nodded; he knew his friend was upset, he knew he was not the right person to help with that emotional distress. He only knew that he himself would feel emotional distress if his partner left him but the moment that thought came into his mind he pushed it away, he did not want to consider it.

He sat observing the behaviour of those around him as he waited for Chris to return. When he had first arrived at the academy he had been somewhat disgusted and after having been exposed to such situations he felt the need to meditate for long periods to cleanse his psyche of the chaos. Later when he had begun socialising with Chris he had learnt to observe the students behaviour, as he would make observations on the social behaviours of a newly discovered species. Now, four years on, he felt he had learnt all there was to learn, in fact at times he had felt he had learned too much.

A particular cadet had caught his eye. The young man was perhaps a few inches shorter than he was, a lightly heaver Build with blue eyes blond hair and features that would likely be considered attractive to humans. The young man appeared to be talking to a young woman who was sat at a table with another female companion. The mans body language suggested he was flirting, the woman's however suggested she was not open to his attentions, the fact that she rolled her eyes and moved her chair further away from him was a pretty clear sign. The young man moved away but a minute later when the young woman got up and headed to the bar the man went and sat on the now empty chair and started chatting up the woman's companion.

Chris returned to the table holding a double whiskey.

" What are you looking at so intently?"

" That cadet, I have seen him on two other occasions the first was when I was meeting Nyota at the shuttle bay, he was harassing her. The second you were present, at Nyota's birthday when he again harassed Nyota and spilt our drinks. "

Chris turned to look in the direction that Spock was indicating, Spock was not sure why but Chris gave a little smile when he saw the man Spock was talking about.

" It seems that yet again he is acting in a way not befitting a star fleet cadet." Spock continued.

" That is James Kirk."

" The name is somewhat familiar." Spock said as he watched the first female the Kirk character had been flirting with return to the table to find him sat in her seat and pursuing her rather genial looking friend. Needless to say, she didn't look happy about it.

" The son of George Kirk, first officer and for a short time captain of the USS Kelvin."

" He is the son of the man whose admittedly brave actions saved a Crew of 800?"

" The apple hasn't fallen as far from the tree as it seems." Spock noticed the hint of pride in the older mans expression as he turned once more to glance behind him at James Kirk. " I recruited him myself, he's getting there."

At that moment Kirk apparently said something the young woman found offensive because she slapped him firmly around the face.

" If the there you are referring to is the brig or a sexual harassment suite I would agree with you."

" Spock." Chris said his voice full of mock delight. " You've finally developed a sense of humour. I think I may have Miss Uhura to thank for that."

" It's logical when seeking a Human mate to display such characteristics that Human Females find attractive in their mates. Apparently humour is one of those characteristics. "

" I spoke to soon."

First week of October

Spock felt content, Spock liked contentment. Contentment was a sort of happy peacefulness. He was stretched out on his sofa; he leaned against the arm of the chair with Nyota pressed against him. Her head rested on his shoulder, she was gently fondling his fingers, he could tell she shared his contentment but he also could also feel tiredness in her.

" Have you been experiencing nightmares?"

She sighed and leaned her head back to look up at him.

" Once in the last week, why?"

" You are tired I wondered if it was due to the nightmares."

" No. " She looked back down and wrapped her fingers round his holding his hand. " I spent last night doing research for an essay because it's due Monday and it's been rumoured that there will be a skills trip this weekend. I don't want to be called up in the first group and have to get an extension."

" You don't want to ruin that perfect record."

He could tell she was smiling without looking at her as there was a flare of sudden happiness coming through their link that he had grown to associate with that wide open grin.

" You're teasing me again."

" The strange Earth celebration where people dress as something they are not is coming up again soon."

"Halloween?"

" Yes Halloween, will you dress as an angel again?"

" No, There's a cadet party with a loose other planets clothing theme. Galia wanted to coordinate our costumes again this year but her ideas range from wearing Ferengi clothes."

" Ferengi Woman do not wear clothes just a variety of jewellery."

" I know."

" To the robes of the Malcius."

" So, the options she provided range from nakedness to sheer gowns."

" Yes."

" I do not like that idea."

" Nor do I, so I thought I might just wear my Vulcan robes. But, as it's lightly themed I thought I'd like to go as Marie Antoinette."

" If I recall correctly she was the Earth Queen from France who was beheaded during a revolution."

"Yes. I did a history project on her once in school. "

" Why do you wish to pretend to be her?"

" It'll be fun."

" Being beheaded is fun?"

" When she was young she was known for flamboyant clothing, wearing something outrageous with lots of fabric and ribbons and a wig would be fun."

" I like the idea of lots of fabric when you are at a public event."

" Will you be dressing up this year Spock?"

" I may consider it for the purposes of scientific inquiry and to gain a better understanding of this Earth custom."

Third week of October.

Spock was sat in his usual place in the library, a quiet out of the way corner in the advanced astrophysics section. He was rarely disturbed there, as it seemed very few students reached the level where they could understand the 'advanced' astrophysics. So far he had been sat their two and a half hours and only seen one student wondering around the shelves, the young Russian boy Chekov. Spock finished reading the obscure article he had found packed away in paper form and returned it its place. He took the three electronic books (that looked rather like PADDS but were a lot simpler) that he wished to read at his apartment, stored them in his ever presence satchel and headed towards the desk. It was around the earth history section he stopped; he had become aware of something familiar resting just on the edge of his senses. It took him a moment to realize that he could smell very faintly the familiar mixed flora and raspberry scent of Nyota. He looked around and saw Nyota sat at one of the little tables that the library had dotted around in various sections. He hesitated at going over, he had not seen her outside of lectures in three days, they had gotten into a new routein this year of having dinner on Thursday nights and going to lunch on Saturday, though their lunches on Saturdays tended to last well into the night as neither of them wanted to part from the other. Today was Tuesday. Even though he wanted to see her, or moreover hear her voice as he saw her three times a week in lectures she seemed emerged in her work. One of his biggest qualms about being in a relationship with a cadet had been that their relationship might have a negative affect on her work. He only slept four hours a night so he had a lot more time to fulfil his duties and responsibilities than she did.

Nyota looked up almost as if she could sense her eyes on him, which he reminded himself she might indeed be able to given the strengthening of their bond. She gave a small welcoming smile at seeing him and taking that as an invitation he walked over to her. He was about to ask her how she had been and if her week had held any interesting events when three cadets came out from behind the shelves and sat at the table next to her.

Follow my lead Kipenzi.

She smiled and he quirked his eyebrow in response not entirely sure of her meaning but willing to go along with what ever she said at that particular time.

" That sounds very interesting Commander, I've always wondered if their was variation in the ferengi language in different areas of the planet."

" Due to their having been very little contact between the federation and the ferengi very little is known about their languages."

But there is a good book on the matter.

" But there is a good book on the matter."

" Oh, I don't suppose you could show me where that is."

" Of course Cadet, follow me." Spock said realizing that their little charade had been to have an excuse to move to a less populated part of the library where they could talk a little more freely.

Spock instinctively walked through the stacks to the rare language section, it was unoccupied 89% of the time and it was after all where they had said they were followed him two steps behind in a way that reminded him of how the women walked behind their husbands on Vulcan, he found the gesture somewhat moving. He stopped at the small area that was dedicated to obscure languages, it was as he had expected completely empty, and also completely hidden except for a small camera on the roof that would only be able to pick up their upper torsos. He stood and browsed the shelves, Nyota stood next to him, she meet his eyes and smiled and then in a small movement reached out and touched his hand. Spock felt himself stiffen momentarily as he concentrated his hear and made sure there really wasn't anybody breathing apart from them in the nearby area. Relaxing he allowed himself to feel Nyota's presence as she ran her fingers lightly over his in that familiar and intimate gesture. There was something slightly different about touching her in a public place, he knew it was risky; he knew that he may get distracted and not hear somebody approaching and yet he found it almost impossible not to enjoy the experience. He wondered when it would be when they could admit to their relationship in public and then reprimanded himself knowing that it would not be for another year and eight months, when she graduated and was no longer his student.

How have you been since we last talked Nyota?

Well Kipenzi, the modules are slightly more strenuous than last year but they are also more diverse.

There is a lot more to know about being a communications officer than xenolinguistics.

I've always known that, but the reality is different from the theory.

Indeed, that is often the case when we make assumptions. You know you can always come to me for assistance if there is something you don't understand.

I know, but I'm managing at the moment. Thank you for the offer.

She sent a blast of appreciation down the link between them and Spock inadvertently shivered at the strength of emotion, she had a tendency towards heavy-handedness when she wished to 'send' him emotions. Most of the time it wasn't even necessary as he could sense them anyway but she seemed to use it as a mode of communication. He raised his eyebrow at her and she gave a lopsided grin.

" Sorry."

" Perhaps I should teach you a little more delicacy in our communications, you have a tendency to shout."

" I'm sorry." She definitely frowned this time.

" You are not at fault, this is not natural to you and you have received no instructions."

He gave her hand a little squeeze.

I do not mind much, it is pleasant to converse in this way and I can block some of the.. noise out of my mind. I will give you some instruction on Saturday, if you are willing?

I am willing Kipenzi, I was not aware I was mentally shouting.

When she thought that to him her 'mental voice' had been a lot quieter, he knew that she would learn quickly now that she was aware of the problem.

I am keeping you from your work.

She gave a little sigh and dropped his hand.

" Yes."

" I will see you for lunch on Thursday?"

" Yes, It's just.." She shrugged as if she wouldn't continue.

" Tell me Ashayam."

" It's just that Saturdays to Thursdays feels like a long time to go without your company."

He felt the sudden impulse to kiss her but repressed it knowing that the camera would catch that particular action.

" I have also found this, we shall organise a time to see each other in between."

She looked up at him and smiled.

" Yes. I'd like that."

" As would I."

She touched her fingers to his again briefly and then turned to leave.

" Nyota."

She turned back to look at him. Spock picked a electronic book off the shelf in front of him and held it out to her, she took it and looked at the name plate for a moment before giving a little laugh that delighted him.

" There's actually a book on ferengi dialects."

" It's mainly speculative."

She smiled and he watched as she walked away feeling the separation from her sharply even though that now not so little sparkle of her was in his mind. He stood for a moment and then continued back to the kiosks to withdraw the electronic books.

Forth week of October.

Spock had filled out the electronic permission form to borrow items from the stores , most people would simply replicate new clothes but as it was not his uniform he could not gain permission to do so. Instead he could get permission to borrow a spare. He went to the large storage rooms just north of the fitness centre, it took him seven minutes to find the correct uniform. He found his size picked it up and looked at the shirt. He did not think the red would suit him as well as his usual blue.

October 31st

Spock straightened his costume for the forth time in the night. He felt slightly uncomfortable; pretending to be somebody he was not was not fun. He felt slightly confused as to why everybody else seemed to be acting in that jovial and frivolous way that he had learnt indicated fun. He wondered if he was missing something essential in the whole experience, he was here with Chris, a friend as were most people, he was dressed as something he was not, as were most people, he was drinking alcohol, admittedly it did not affect him but still it was early in the night and people were not drunk. Yet he was still not having 'fun', he knew he was not incapable. Swimming with Nyota all those months ago that was 'fun'.

Talking about Nyota, Spock and Chris had come to the wormhole; the student bar just outside campus knowing the Nyota would be there. Spock wanted to show her that he was willing to do things that she found 'fun' to an extent even if he found it illogical. He wanted to explore his humanity a little more; he wanted to please her, as long as it didn't mean giving too much of himself away. Besides, he didn't think that anything could be a illogical as this celebration seemed so if he emerged himself in the event he might be able better understand it.

He and Chris were both at the bar when there was a disturbance near the door. It seemed several young man had got up at the same point Spock looked up across the crowd trying to see the cause of the disturbance. He noted that most females in the area seemed very annoyed about everything and all the males were looking towards the door. A small clearing came in the crowd and Spock saw the cause of the disturbance, at first he thought that under the clear light blue loose fitting gown Galia was naked, but it seemed that he undergarments were exactly the same colour as he skin.

" Ah, is that Cadet Galia?"

" Yes." Spock noticed Nyota pushing her way through the crowd of young males an annoyed expression on her face. She was wearing a very strange gown; it had large sleeves but left her shoulders bare it was tight to her waist and then flared out into a large heavy looking skirt. It was light pink, with a baby blue strip going from the corset down the skirt with little pink ribbons spaced down that strip. There were also blue bows on the sleeves and she wore a white wig and intricate make-up. He held his hand up slightly in a dignified manner.

She looked over at him. Gave a slight wave and worked her way through the crowd, it took her quite a while.

" Commander, Captain. I don't think I thought my costume out well. Captain Ahab?"

She asked Pike. Who was dressed as an eighteenth century captain with an eye patch.
He nodded.

" I do not see where the problem lies, your dress seems quite accurate, except the synthetic materials of course."

" I can barely walk in the skirt Spock." She looked down at his shirt. " Um.. What are you wearing?"

" It is a star trek mechanics uniform." He said, thinking that the red star fleet shirt was quite an obvious costume.

" Right."

" You said the point of this celebration was to dress as something that I am not, I am a science officer, not a mechanic therefore I am dressed as something that I am not. Have I not met the of the requirements of the celebration?"

" Can I give you some advice?" Chris said. " Give him this one."

Spock raised his eyebrow.

" What have I missed?"

Nyota smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder.

" Nothing Spock, don't worry about it. You look great."

" Thank you Cadet Uhura. I have yet to discover what is fun about wearing clothes that do not belong to you."

She smiled.'

" That's alright commander."

" I know it's not your thing. "

No, but I wanted to understand. I sensed you were unhappy when you first came in.

Last year I had a lot of fun with Galia but this year, I don't know she just wants to flirt and I don't want to get caught up in her game.

She finally caught the bar keepers eye.

" Two beers."

Spock looked across the room at Galia who was now sat on top a table talking to five rather entranced looking men who were hanging on her every word.

It is her nature.

I know, I don't blame her for what she is and I know that if I ask her to go home she'll come with me in a second. I'm getting a headache, am I still shouting?

No, the link is not strong enough for prolonged conversation without skin-to-skin contact.

And I can't touch you.

He could sense her slight sadness.

" Just so you too know, staring adoringly at each other for five minute is not exactly keeping it under wraps." Chris said quietly placing a hand on both their shoulders.

" We were conversing."

" Yes, but as nobody else can see that it looks plain old weird."

" I guess I can't hang around here too long without it seeming weird either. " Nyota said with a sigh. Spock casually brushed his fingers along hers hoping nobody would notice or if they did that they wouldn't know it's meanings. She gave him a small smile and turned to Chris.

" Captain Pike, thank you for the part you had to play in my little trip last month."

" Your welcome Miss Uhura."

Nyota took her two beers and walked back to Galia.

" Chris, may I ask you opinion on a personal matter?" Spock asked watching him.

" Spock, if this is about your love life then I got to say given my current situation I might not be the best person to ask."

" I always respect your opinions Chris."

He gave an outtake of breath, more a huff than a sigh.

" Ask away Spock."

" My.. Partner" Spock chose his words carefully in case anybody was listening. "Is happy when with me in private but because we are not making our relationship open on the occasions I see her in public she becomes saddened. I believe it is possible that this could cause rifts. Have you ever been in this kind of situation?"

" I'm a starship captain Spock, almost of my relationships have had to have been quiet, perhaps not as quiet as yours, but yeah, it can cause rifts but I think those rifts only matter if there's other under lying problems. Besides, it doesn't always have to be that way with you two, I mean it's still a while but in a little under two years.."

" You think it will not separate us?"

Chris took a long drink; he did not look at Spock when he answered.

" I think she loves you. And I also think you're one lucky pointy eared.." He looked at Spock and seemed to sense his slight annoyance.

" Science officer dressed as a mechanic." Chris finished.

Twenty minutes later Nyota came back over.

Galia wants to go clubbing and I want to keep an eye on Galia as I don't like the guy she's with.

Spock nodded.

Will you walk me home so I can change into my Vulcan robes?
Of course.

Spock turned to Chris.

" I am going to walk Miss Uhura back to her apartment, I should only be twenty minutes."

" Judging by the how fast this bar is filling that'll be how long it takes to order another drink."

Spock looked around at the bar, its occupancy had risen by twenty percent in thirty minutes.

" For once I think your estimate maybe accurate."

Chris gave a shrug and went back to nursing his drink.

Spock walked in front of Nyota, the students cleared their way for him and soon they were outside in the cool clear night heading back to academy grounds. The walk from the bar to the student block was only seven minutes that probably the main reason it was so popular.

" Captain Pike seems a little down tonight." Nyota commented as they walked side-by-side passing various costumed cadets.

" It is a private matter."

Nyota nodded.

" So I hope you will be discrete."

She gave a small laugh.

" He has separated from his partner."

" Oh, I see. She was a pilot, yes?"

" Correct."

" Why did they spilt."

" Apparently she is flighty. Nyota, do you wish our relationship was more public?"

She looked down.

" Well yes, of course, only because then I could just come up to you and talk to you whenever I like and we could eat lunch together in the mess hall everyday. But I know it's not possible, and it's not that big a deal. The only person that I would really talk to it about anyways would be Galia and my father, and well Galia knows and I think my father would understand."

" Galia knows about our relationship?"

" Yeah, I didn't tell her. She just guessed. I think I used to joke about you being the hot professor."

Spock was a little pleased by this.

" And when I stopped mentioning you altogether.."

" She figured out it was because we were together and had to keep it a secret."

" Yes, and something to do with us pouring heap loads of pheromones into the air every time we see each other."

Spock nodded, Orion's could pick up on pheromones so naturally she would be able to tell.

" She has been attending my advanced programming classes."

" I know, she always manages to surprise me too."

" Indeed." Spock said thinking of a few months previous when he had walked in on her with her latest partner.

They paused outside her apartment.

" I will wait here while you change."

" Thank you commander."

When she came out in the Vulcan robes he had replicated for her when they had visited Vulcan he walked her back to the bar, there they separated as Nyota managed to pull Galia away from the group of young men so they could head to the club. Spock went to find Chris and repressed a sigh as he saw him with three shoot glasses lined up in front of him, it looked like he would need Spock's assistance to walk home again that night.

First week of November

It was Tuesday and they had found a time when they were both free. Spock gave advanced computer programming seminars between 19:00 and 20:00 so they meet at his apartment at 20:15 Nyota had asked for a chess match, he had only taught her the basics the week previous but practice was the best way to learn. The first match had lasted a surprising twenty minutes Nyota picked things up quickly. There second was lasting quite a bit longer.

" What are you doing over the thanks giving break?" Spock asked, he'd wanted to bring it up with Nyota for some time now. " We could go to the vine again, perhaps do some hiking or go to one of those new holovids showing in the shopping centre? " He offered.

Nyota looked down, she moved a pawn and took his queen, Spock wondered how he had left himself open to the attack, and he was distracted and had under estimated her.

" I'm going home Spock. Just for four days."

Spock nodded.

" I'm sorry."

" There is no need to apologize Ashayam, I meant if you were not visiting home. "

He took her pawn but it was no repayment for his queen.

" Tell me what you plan to do at home."

" My brothers family is coming to stay."

" You will see your niece?"

She smiled a little.

" Yes, I'll go Christmas shopping with my mother and sister in law and philosophizes with my father."

Spock twitched his lips in the smallest of smiles at the idea of Nyota being so ... domestic.

" Spock?"

" Yes."

" When's your birthday?"

" In the Earth calendar it is the 29th of November."

" The day after Thanks Giving, why didn't you tell me?"

" Why did you want to know?"

" So I could get you a birthday present."

" You do not have to do that."

" I know, but I want to." She took his hand. " I'm sorry I won't be here for your birthday."

" Vulcan's do not celebrate the anniversaries of their Births very often. We celebrate at a century and at the second if we live that long."

" Still."

Monday, third week of November

He lit candles, he had learnt that this was part of the none scientific atmosphere that Nyota liked. He also put on some light Ontarian flute music. He set up a range of different entertainments for the evening, trying to judge by past experiences what she would like to do. He set his chess boar

Up on the coffee table, they had only played a few games but she seemed to have picked up the rules and was starting to strategize. He had borrowed a range of holovids from the library in case she wished to watch one and he had purposely left the door to his meditation room open, he wanted to show her artifacts from Vulcan, wanted her to know that he trusted her in his personal space.

He was cutting up vegetables for the Vulcan dish he was preparing for their evening meal when the door buzzed. Spock answered it, Nyota was in one her favorite white jumper and a black skirt that came to slightly above her knee, and over the top she wore a long black coat. She had her hair down but pushed back with what she had told him was called an Alice band.

" Ashram." He stepped aside so she could enter, the moment the door was closed they stepped together Nyota raised on the balls of her feet slightly and kissed him gently. Spock wanted to pull her close and kiss her all night, every time he saw her in class, sat long legs crossed, smiling at him he wished he could go pick her up and carry her someplace they could be alone. He always managed to push those feelings aside and get on with his lecture without a moments hesitation but it was like all those moments of longing added up so that when he got her alone his apartment he had trouble keeping his hands away from her. As she pulled away Spock held her tighter, she gave in to him for another minute but then he let her go. He pressed his forehead to hers.

" Hello."

She gave a small laugh.

" Hello Kipenzi." She looked around. "Candles?"

" I was trying to create an atmosphere."

She looked up at him with bright eyes.

" Thank you."

He reached down and took her hand and led her too the kitchen. He indicated for her to sit at the small table.

" Wine?"

She nodded. He got the bottle he had purchased to drink with their meal and poured some into a glass for her he placed it down in front of her.

" Thanks Spock. Do you want some help?"

" No, It is almost prepared. Tell me of you day."

She took a sip of the wine.

" I beat my personal records at lap this morning, discovered I only got a B in the Com maintenance practical. And I managed to pour Chicken soup all over Len."

Spock opened the oven to check the small pastry like parcels that were filled with spices and a Vulcan leaf Vegetable. He would serve them with a creamy sauce and mixed earth vegetables.

" Why did you do that?"

" It was an accident. Jim Kirk distracted me."

" Jim Kirk? Is he still harassing you?'

" No, this time he was apologizing for being a jerk to me last week, but he did started me I tripped and my soup went over McCoy."

" I trust he was not hurt."

" No. He was fine, he just had to go change his uniform."

" Would you please set the table? Spock asked, the food was ready and he was about to dish it up.

Nyota stood up and moved around him and two minutes later they were sat down to eat. Nyota said his was the best K'Pau she had ever tasted, Spock asked her when she had sampled the dish before and she said it was the first time. They talked sporadically as they ate, Nyota wanted to know more about his experiences as a cadet so he told her of his infuriating roommate and of off planet survival training and his first zero gravity maintenance run. After eating, and washing up together, she washed he dried. They wordlessly went and sat on the sofa, and wordlessly fell into kissing

He knew she was only going for four days, he even thought that their bond was now strong enough that they would still be able to communicate telepathically. Still as she kissed him he felt the strong desire to hold her as closely as possible, to not let her go. He wanted to know she was safely in reach of him. Nyota shifted uncomfortably and he pulled away.

He shot her a questioning look expecting her to start talking again or to shift her position so that they could continue kissing. He hoped for the latter. Nyota stared at him, her eyes seemed fiery. She swung her legs over straddling him, her hands reached up to frame his face and her lips came down on his again. There was logic to their position, Nyota was directly in front of him, they both had a lot of freedom of movement and Spock was able to stroke his hands up and down Nyota's back. That was how he justified to himself allowing it; in actual fact he found the position extremely enticing. Nyota deepened the kiss her tongue hungrily exploring his mouth. His hands found her waist and he pulled her closer to him. All thought was heading out of the window but Spock did feel that although he was experiencing strong desire and was having trouble holding onto any thought other than 'oh', 'so good' and 'more' he was still in control of his actions. Nyota pulled away from him, panting from the length of the kiss. Spock placed small kisses and nips on her lips as he waited for her to regain her breath. She kissed him again, desperate, sensual, uninhibited kisses. When she pulled away again he swept her hair away and kissed down her long neck enjoying the soft sweet smelling skin and eliciting a gasping groan, it was the most beautiful sound. Her fingers reached for his and they shared a few finger stroking Vulcan kisses. He could feel her desire; it mixed and added to his own.

Kipenzi, I love you.

Nyota's finger separated from his as they kissed again, they reached down and fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. He got the impression of skin and warmth and closeness from her and he pulled away pulling the shirt over his head, he folded it quickly and set it on the cushion next to him, he took the moment of relative inactivity to measure his body's reaction, heartbeat increased by 21.4%, breathing 12% faster, various hormones obviously raised, arousal. Nyota's cool hands ran up his chest, She tilted her head to kiss him, slower more planned and deliberate. She nuzzled his neck then lightly nipped at the skin there.

".Ashayam"

Nyota leaned back, she stared at him intently as she took her top and swiftly as if scared to take her time pulled it over her head. Spock's eyes travelled over her tight stomach muscles, up over her ribs, the plump flesh that dipped down to the plain white bra. She allowed him time to look her over, it was the first time he had seen her in clear light and she was beautiful. Very beautiful. Then she kissed him again, moulding her body to hers. He felt his control starting to waver.

Nyota.

I know the rules Kipenzi, I'm just pushing them to the edge.

You're beautiful Nyota, more beautiful than any dream of beauty I have ever had.

He felt Nyota surge of delight at his word, almost as a reward she bucked her hips against his groin, Spock groaned at the sensation. She broke their kiss and gave him a rather wicked smile before repeating the movement, Spock found himself gasping and unable to form a complete thought.

Nyota's hands reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. Spock watched as her hands lingered over the straps at her shoulders. Her mouth was slightly open, he could sense a moment of nervousness and then she brushed the straps down her arms allowing the material to fall between their bodies. Spock took in that previously hidden secret flesh, the soft mounds the dark alveoli and raised little nipples. He looked down at the calves and thigh going up to her skirt that had raised a few inches, the flat stomach the long arms then her face, deep dark eyes plump lips. He placed his hands at the side of her face getting her to look directly at him.

" You are closer to perfect than should be possible."

Her eyes flickered downward modestly, he leaned forwards and kissed her lightly then leaned his forehead on her shoulder and held her close to him feeling those soft fleshy mounds pressed against his chest. He didn't know how long he held her like that but when he pulled away her breath was not nearly as panting as it had been before.

" May I?" He asked.

Nyota nodded. He kissed her softly and gently now as his hands ran between their Bodies taking in the newly revealed flesh stroking up from her waist to her breasts Lightly moving over them at first but with growing confidence to tease her with the gentlest of squeeze and run his thumbs over her nipples. He wrapped his hands round her waist and lifted her up briefly so he could kiss her breasts eliciting small gasps and shudders from Nyota then lowered her back down so he could kiss her mouth once more. He tried to be gentle and sweet with her but she was feverish, practically trembling as she kissed him deeply. He knew they would have to stop soon before things got completely out of hand. He would lay with her, hold her and put some music on until they had both calmed down, perhaps she would even ask to stay over and they could sleep side by side. But not yet, he wouldn't stop her yet. Her hips bucked into his once more and he placed his hands on them moving them in a steady deliberate pattern that increased his arousal and pleasure and from her moans and their bond he could tell she also enjoyed the friction, in a moment when her mind was very open to him he saw that she was aroused by the idea that their bodies were only separated by her underwear and the thin material of his strained trousers. He ran his hands up and down her back as they kissed and rocked together. Nyota pulled away gasping and panting, her face flushed and her eyes half closed, Spock kissed her neck again not wanting to be separated from her for a second, not yet, not quite yet. He heard the strange swishing sound but it took a moment for his brain to register it was the sound of his door opening. Startled he looked up just in time to see a familiar figure, stood a foot inside his doorway, gasp and turn around to face the wall.

"Mother?"

Yes, I love my surprise moments and my cliffhangers.

Kipenzi: Lover/ darling In Swahili

Ashayam: Beloved in Vulcan

Bold Italics are telepathic speech ( just a reminder)