Again a chapter much later than I thought, there will be one day when I actually get something up at the time I plan to get it up. Seeing as I have now finished uni and moved just over three hundred miles and unpacked I now have no excuses not to update regularly.

The ring.

Wednesday 2nd week of March

" You're angry." Chris said staring across the table at Spock. It was over their usual Wednesday night drink and for once Chris had chosen somewhere away from the usual student haunts. It was neat and tidy and even though there were many occupants it was still quiet and not boisterous, all of which were things Spock approved of.

Spock starred over his glass of ginger beer at Chris. Anger was illogical, it served no purpose. Cadet Kirk had merely .. arose something in him that he had not felt since he was a child, that feeling he used to get when the other Vulcan children used to tease him. He remembered how that had ended, but he was more in control of his emotions now than he was as a child. Irritation, that was what he was feeling, irritation and frustration which he supposed could be mistaken for anger. Of course he felt it was better to be frustrated and irritated than angry, but they were still illogical feelings. He had been having a lot more of those illogical feelings lately. Perhaps it was time to try a more advanced and effective type of meditation.

" I am not angry." He answered quietly.

" Sure you're not." Chris said goading him.

" Christopher, I am not angry. I will admit to negative ..emotions towards the cadet. Given his conduct he does not belong in Star Fleet."

Chris slammed his glass down on the table hard enough for it to make a clunking noise.

" I will admit the boys got himself into trouble this time.. and several times in the past but when I recruited him it was because I saw something in him. Something that Star Fleet is currently lacking." Chris was now leaning forwards slightly his voice slightly strained with what Spock took to be annoyance. He rarely annoyed Chris. " And I still see that in him, in fact it probably led to the trouble he's in now. He's father had it too"

" From what I have heard of George Kirk and what I have learnt of James Kirk I do not see how they have anything in common."

" George Kirk is a hero, do you know why he is a hero?"

" He took the mostly logical action to save the highest number of lives."

" He sacrificed himself for the people he loved. He did what any good man would do. But he also sacrificed himself for his crew, he knew that the course of action he took would kill him but he did it anyway. He thought outside the box and refused to give in even to a vastly superior and unknown ship. Jim Kirk has that same quality, the ability to think outside the box and to never give up, and hopefully he will use those attributes in a command position to the advantage of his crew and the federation."

" So far he has used those so called attributes to cheat. And he will face the consequences of his actions. I doubt given the current situation that he will make it to a command position at any time in the near future."

" It would be a waste.."

" He has chosen to waste his own talents, it is not my doing, however much your tone seems to suggest that I am the cause of this I am not. The cadet has excellent grades and is more than competent in many areas but he has a discipline problem and makes poor choices, those are the qualities that make him an unsuitable command candidate."

Chris downed the rest of his whisky and stood up.

" Well I see I won't be able to change your mind. Goodnight Spock."

He turned on his heel and left Spock sitting at the table alone.

Thursday

Spock was collecting the last of the evidence he needed to present to the academy board when the com rung. He checked his watch, he had three minutes to answer the com otherwise he would be late. He switched on the screen to show the familiar face of his mother. She smiled fondly at him as always.

" Hello mother."

" Hello son."

" Mother, is this an emergency?"

" No, just ringing my son."

" May I ring you back? I am required at an academy board meeting."

Her smile flickered slightly.

" Okay, I love you son."

" Goodbye mother."

Spock turned off the screen put the notes in his over shoulder bag and set off across the campus to the board room in the oldest building of the academy.

The five members of the board sat looking gravely at the PADD's he had placed in front of them. He had been in the board room for exactly twenty-three minutes, because Gaila had confessed all he had to do was present a print out of his original programming and Kirk's programming, then a recording of what had happened when the programming had kicked in. Spock had presented the evidence to the board and they had now been sat staring down at the PADD's in silence for sixty four seconds.

" Well commander Spock, this is a very serious matter. I will set an academy hearing for Monday. Can I ask commander Spock, in your opinion what punishment would you find suitable for cadet Kirk?" Admiral Barret asked him.

" Academic suspension." Spock said without missing a beat.

" We will take your opinion into account. You are dismissed."

" Thank you for your time."

That evening

Spock was cooking when he heard the door to his apartment swish open.

"Spock." Nyota's familiar and loved voice called.

He placed the knife he was using to cut vegetables down and crossed the kitchen to peak out of the door just as Nyota tried to walk through it ending in the both of them having to stop themselves rather quickly to avoid walking head first into each other. They managed to stop with their bodies almost touching and the closeness immediately made Spock feel out of breath. He looked down at her feeling himself tumbling into warm amber eyes, he pulled his glare away only to find it settling again on her slightly parted moist pink lips. He swallowed, Nyota smiled and then he felt a wealth of sensations tingling up his arm, he glanced down already knowing that she had touched her fingertips lightly to the back of his hand. She leaned forwards, closing the space between them and pushing her body into his so he could feel the soft curves of her breasts against his chest, and the flatness of her stomach against his. He allowed his eyes to shut wanting to lose himself entirely in what he knew must follow. He felt her cool breath tickle against his awaiting lips allowing him to part them slightly a spilt second before she pressed her lips to his. The kiss started gentler but thoroughly, soft pressure and little nibbles. Spock felt his control start to waver, he wanted more but he also wanted to just surrender himself entirely to her, allow her to take the lead and follow her whims. Seemingly sensing his need for more Nyota pushed herself more firmly against him and brushed her tongue against his bottom lip requesting entrance, Spock replied enthusiastically.

Kipenzi.

Her voice in his mind was full of desire, like a deep throated moan that reverberated around his mind sending a thrill of pleasure right to his groin.

I love you so much Kipenzi.

This time it was like the sweetest soothing whisper. Their kiss slowed and she pulled away for a moment. Spock opened his eyes to find her full of desire and panting for breath. His fingers reached for her face without him really thinking about it, she was just to beautiful for him not to touch. He ran a finger down the smooth skin of her cheek.

" My Nyota." He whispered reverently. Nyota smiled widely, that beautiful uninhibited smile she seemed to save just for him. She reached down and took his hand gently tugging him towards the bedroom.

Some time later

Nyota had her head resting directly above his heart, he had never told her but he adored it when she did that because her long silky hair draped downwards to tickle across his hips. He felt sated and drowsy as his fingers drew ancient Vulcan symbols across the bare skin of her upper arm which she had stretched across his chest. Their bond was always more powerful after love making and through it he could feel her sleepy contentment. There was a loud rude grumble and Spock looked down surprised at the interruption to their quiet moment. Nyota buried her face in his stomach.

"Sorry." She groaned.

Spock found something rather unusual happening, he was making a noise, he couldn't help it, the moment was just... humorous. He was chuckling, he had heard Chris do it enough times to recognize it. He found himself copying Nyota by burying his head in the pillow. When he had managed to get control of himself he looked up again to find Nyota smiling widely at him.

" I assume from the noise your stomach just made that you are hungry."

" I assume from the noise you just made that you're amused."

Spock tried to fight the corners of his lips from twitching up but lost.

Nyota wiggled up his body and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

" I've never heard you laugh before, it's beautiful."

Spock smiled down at her.

" Vulcans do not laugh."

" I am glad that you do though."

" It has been a long time since I was relaxed enough in anybodies presence to laugh."

She kissed him again quickly.

" How long?" She asked wrapping her legs over his.

" I estimate twenty-three years."

" You havn't laughed since you were two?"

" I do not recall having done so."

Nyota rested her head against his chest again.

" Spock." She mutter after forty-two seconds.

" Yes."

" Please don't leave it another twenty-three years before you laugh again."

" I do have you to amuse me now."

She playfully swatted him on his arm, the moment was again interrupted by her stomach rumbling. Spock smiled widely and sat up forcing Nyota to move off him.

" Shall we continue this conversation in the kitchen?"

Nyota nodded enthusiastically. Spock pulled on his discarded trousers as she pulled her dressing gown out of the cupboard and wrapped it around herself,.

They headed to the kitchen together, Spock stood in front of the replicator.

" What would you like?"

" Hmm, something cheesy."

" Macaroni cheese?"

" Um.."

" Or cheesy potatoes, cheesy leeks, fish with cheese sauce?"

" Cheesy potatoes with..vegetables and mixed beans."

Spock typed in the various codes for what she had asked, having to quickly look up the codes for mixed beans that was in the small handbook that was kept in a draw underneath the replicator's slots. He ordered two and watched as behind the opaque grey guard the shadow of a tray with a steaming square dish and two small round bowls materialized. When the replicator buzzed he slid open the guard and placed the slightly warm tray on the table in front of Nyota. He shut the guard again and waited for his meal to appear. When it was ready he sat down across from her and started eating.

" Nyota." He asked. " How Is Gaila?"

She glanced up at him.

" She got a warning, a note added to her record and a hundred hours junk yard service. "

" An original idea for a punishment."

" It was Hatair's idea."

" That is what I expected. She should be satisfied with that outcome, it could have been very different."

" I think she's just glad that she wasn't suspended from the academy."

They stopped talking until he'd finished eating. He took Nyota's plate and placed them back into the replicator pressing the dis-integrator button.

" I hear you have an early final in April."

" Yes."

" How's the preparation going?"

Nyota sighed.

" At the moment the work seems unending."

" It will end, in two months one day and twenty-two hours you will have completed the last of the academy exams."

" I know. I wonder if I'll be relieved or sad." Her tone was sad. He walked up behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder hoping she'd see it as the act of support that he meant it to be. He didn't know what to say so he changed the topic.

" You will have a longer summer this year. I am aware that you will want to spend time with your family but perhaps during the middle of the summer period you would like to travel. You may be away from earth for a while, if there anything you wish to see or do on earth then we can do it together this summer."

He felt her excitement brimming up but she kept it contained.

" That's a brilliant idea,I'd like to go to Asia, we could visit the Leshan giant Buddha. And I'd like to see Vesuvius or the ruins of Atlantis. "

" I can organize that."

She smiled and stood up.

" Do you want to watch a film?"

" If you wish."

He followed her into the front room where he sat down, Nyota walked around for a moment putting a movie disk in. She settled down next to him leaning her body into his.

" I'm so tired." She muttered. Spock kissed her forehead as the film came on, it was some kind of romance, Spock tried to concentrate on it but could not find it interesting in any way. He lazily stroked his fingers through Nyota's hair. He was about to ask her if she'd like to visit Vulcan again in the summer but stopped himself realizing that her breathing had slowed. He looked down and saw that her features had softened and relaxed into sleep. He felt a kick in his stomach as his heart missed a beat. He stood up slowly so as not to wake her and slid his arms under her knees and around her back lifting her with ease. He carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed, he didn't put the covers on her because he knew the room was warmer than she preferred and he did not want her to overheat. He sat on the edge of the bed watching her sleep for a few minutes enjoying the stillness of her mind. His own mind had rarely been calm within the last few weeks so he found himself wanting to sink into Nyota's calming relaxed mind. As to do that without her permission was an invasion of privacy and generally considered very impolite even between bondmates he decided to take some time to meditate before bed. He felt a ping of regret as he left Nyota asleep on his, their bed and went into his meditation room.

Friday morning

Spock was finding himself come back out of his mind gently coming back to consciousness. He was first aware of the smell of the slow burning Vulcan salts, the spices and tangyness familiar to him since his youth. He came to rather quickly when he heard the door jitter slightly as it opened. He opened his eyes to see Nyota stood rather uncomfortably in the doorway. She had still not become comfortable coming into his mediation space and Spock had to wonder if she ever would.

" Sorry." She said quietly turning as if to leave.

" Nyota, I thought you were sleeping."

" It's morning. I was just wondering where you were, have you been meditating all night?"

Spock was not shocked that he had in fact been meditating all night. He felt a calmness and togetherness that he rarely experienced without a full six hours mediation.

" Yes." He answered unfolding his slightly aching legs.

Nyota gave a short nod.

" Are you okay?" She asked after a moment.

" Yes." Spock said standing up. " It is a different meditation technique to that which I usually use, I withdrew deeper into my mind than I normally do. I felt it necessary as I have been experiencing more negative emotions than I usually experience." He felt no discomfort admitting the existence of his emotions to her, after all he was sure she could sense most of them.

Nyota took a slow step into the room and approached him placing a sweet kiss on his cheek.

" It will all be over soon." She said.

Sunday

Spock walked through the stalls of the large department store that was at the centre of San Francisco. It was the same store that he had attained Nyota's earrings and it was here that he delivered the two stones he had purchased and a drawing to have made up by their jewellery maker who after several interweb searches he had discovered was the best in the city and open to making individual requested pieces. Today he was here to pick up his engagement ring.

He took the elevator up to the correct floor and headed to the jewellery section. The man on the desk remembered him.

" Ah Mr. Spock. Your piece is finished. It's in the back, I'll just be a moment."

Spock nodded. He examined the other rings in the glass case below the counter as waited. All the rings contained in it were engagement rings. Some he could admit to being aesthetically pleasing but none of them were correct for Nyota, eighty-seven percent of them contained only a diamond the others diamonds and various other jewels. One caught his eyes, it contained a diamond and two small rubies that were on either side of the diamond. It was probably the closest thing he would have found to what he wanted if he had not decided to have the ring designed himself. The assistant came out, he placed a small black box on the glass top and slowly opened it. The ring inside was more than aesthetically pleasing it was beautiful. The Vulcan sun stone shone as if it had a tiny light set in it's centre, much brighter and perfect a red than any ruby. It was cut into the shape of a tear drop with the point narrowed to fit perfectly around the diamond as if the dark light was protecting the more delicate white light, hugging it close. The band was a pure gold with a delicate filigree swirling around the stones holding them firmly in place.

" Is it how you wanted it?" The assistant asked.

" Yes." Spock answered simply.

Spock looked down at the ring for the fifth time since getting back to his apartment. It really was exactly as he had wanted it, the delicate golden webbing that intertwined the Earth diamond and the Vulcan sun stone together was a perfect representation of their telepathic bond, delicate and fine but strong, permanent and shining. He could imagine perfectly the moment of proposal, staring up at Nyota's face from bended knee. He imagined her to look slightly surprised, after all, in his culture they were already married. But it was important that they were also considered married in her culture as well. It was important for her to know that he would never leave her again. He reluctantly closed the lid of the little box. He dropped it into the little black velvet and placed it into the top draw of his bedside cabinet. Everything was planned, the restaurant, the pavilion on the water with the live band they could dance to. The old fashioned white car he would drive up to the bridge to see the stars reflected on the river and wait so that just when the sun inched it's way over the horizon and everything was bathed in golden light... what happened if she said no? Why was he even considering that he knew she wouldn't say no. They were already connected so she couldn't say no. Now all that was left to do was to ask Nyota to come with him. What if she said no to that? Could he rearrange it all for another night? He was sure he could.

Spock went into his front room and pressed down on the little button on the coffee table that made the com system rise up out of it's hidden compartment. He felt his fingers trembling as he typed in Nyota's number. He took a deep breath as the unit connected and he waited for it to be answered. H could not understand why he felt this tension. It was a very good thing that after two and a half years of being in a relationship with Nyota he still felt so deeply. He had no reason for nervousness. Even if she did refuse they would still be connected. But he did have some excitement at the idea of saying to the world she is mine and I am hers and it shall be that way for the rest of our lives. As long as they both knew that it was fine but if everybody else knew, well that was just a plus. And he expected that she would be happy and making her happy was satisfying. The thought of making her happy was exciting.

The screen lighted up and Spock began to smile, which stopped the instant he saw Gaila on the screen.

" Hello Gaila. Is Nyota in?"

" She's out. I don't know when she'll be back."

Spock nodded, he would send her a written message and call again later just to be sure he got the message to her before the day was out.

" Very well. Are you well?" He asked out of politeness.

" Yeah, thank you for your advice with.. you know.. the Kirk matter."

Spock was about to say that she was welcome but should remember to be cautious from now on and to always keep in mind the lesson that she had learnt when he heard a noise coming from on screen, it sounded like the electronic door. Gaila turned to look off screen to her left.

" Oh that's Nyota, Ny it's lover boy."

Spock frowned slightly. Gaila disappeared from the screen and Nyota walked into he shot. She looked tired.

" Nyota, you are showing signs of tiredness."

" I am tired. I was studying for the finals. I know there's still eight weeks to the bulk of them start but I want to be prepared."

" I wouldn't expect any less from you and the extra preparation is likely to serve you well."

" I hope so."

" I called to ask you on a date. The day after tomorrow the academy will have ruled on what actions to take against cadet Kirk. I believe you are also free, you do tend to come to our apartment on Thursday nights."

Nyota smiled.

" Yes. I'm free. So when you say date I guess you mean going out?"

" Yes I have picked a restaurant, please choose an outfit you would be comfortable dancing in."

" We're going to dance?" Nyota said excitedly, Spock allowed himself a moment to take in the little shine in her eyes that always came when she smiled. They had only danced together once and Spock knew that the moment had meant a lot to Nyota.

" Yes." Spock said with a small quirk of his lips.

" It sounds great Spock, I can't wait."

" I am glad, I shall allow you to rest now. Take care Ashaya."

" Goodnight kipenzi."

Monday

Spock took his seat in the main hall five minutes in advance of the stated start time. E-mails had gone out requesting the presence of all the third year students in the hall. With the exams coming up they were planing on giving a strong message to any cadet planing on taking the easy way out. Not that cheating on an academy exam was all that much easier. He noted Nyota's presence when she walked into the room she walked close to Gaila and sat next to her. He watched the rest of the student file in, the room quieted significantly when the five members of the academic board filed in, Barret taking the middle seat.

Spock watched as the meeting was called into session and Kirk was called to the front. He would have been forewarned by E-mail but he still seemed to visibly blanch. Everything was going exactly as Spock had expected it to go until Cadet Kirk said something.

" I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly."

Spock had known that this was a possibility and had prepared for it but he hadn't actually expected Kirk to call him. Spock stood and tugged down the stiff formal uniform he wore, they were badly designed and it had a habit of working it's way upwards as he sat.

" This is commander Spock, he is one of our most distinguished graduates. He has programmed the Kobayashi Maru exam for the last four years." Barret introduced him

Kirk's head swivelled and met Spock's eyes for a brief second.

Spock walked slowly down the stairs and stood behind a podium exactly seven feet away from Kirk's.

" Cadet Kirk you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code. Therefore changing the conditions of the test." Spock said, leaving Gaila out of it as Nyota had wished, seeing as she had confessed and accepted her punishment there was no point reason to embarrass her further.

" Your point being?" Kirk said with what Spock was starting to realize was his permanent cockiness.

" In academic vernacular you cheated."

"Let me ask you something I think we all know the answer to. The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? You programmed it to be unwinable."

" Your argument precludes the possibility of a non-win scenario."

" I don't believe in no win scenarios."

" Then not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principal."

"Please, enlighten me?"

Kirk's voice revealed some stress and even though Spock kept his hands firmly folded behind his back and did not raise his voice above it's normal tone he still felt some irritation at Kirk.

" You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, the captain cannot cheat death."

" I of all people?"

" Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, assumed command of his vessel before being killed in action did he not?

Spock! Nyota's voice sounded shocked in his mind, he felt the small feeling of disapproval filter through to him.

Do not distract me.

He blocked the link off from her.

" I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test."

Spock said, now having trouble keeping the anger out of his voice. It was anger, he felt it rising like a tide and he didn't know why Kirk was making him so angry but he couldn't seem to suppress it.

" Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test."

" Enlighten me again."

" The purpose is to experience fear, fear in the face of certain accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and ones crew. This is a quality expected in every star fleet captain." Before Kirk could answer they were both distracted by a messenger entering the room and approaching Admiral Barret.

" Excuse me sir." A notice was handed to Barret.

Jim looked over at Spock as Barret read the note, Spock raised his eyebrow.

" We've received a distress call from Vulcan."