Wow…thank you all for your reviews! I really don't even have the words to thank you all properly, so I hope this chapter goes in some way to show my thanks for me!

Rated M. I own nothing, and I am not debating on whether to name this verse so others may take it and play around with it. *ponders*

OoOoOo

James had begun to think that the Vulcans were pulling one over on everyone until she realized, much to her chagrin, that they were absolutely serious. She could not warp her mind around the fact that Vulcans took everything, everything, at face value. She peered up at the Vulcan who had thoroughly dismissed a rather simple request with aloofness she thought a cat would have been proud of. She opened her mouth to ask if the Vulcan was serious, but she found that she feared to know the answer. Instead she settled for looking at the male as if he were insane only to turn on her heel and march out of the Engineering bay as fast as her pride had allowed.

'Between Romulans and Vulcans it will be a miracle if I make it back to the USS Enterprise with my sanity intact, ' she shook her head in stark disbelief as she walked not exactly briskly, but not at a slow pace either to the turbo-lift. She entered the contraption before recalling that she still did not understand any of the symbols. This included the floor she had been on originally where the Medical bay was located. Her lips pursed in thought, and she wiggled a finger to hover over the buttons while she looked for a symbol that might look familiar.

A strange symbol that looked like a hybrid of an 'R', and the number '27', caught her attention. "Hm… that looks good enough." She muttered to herself. Jim looked around to see that what she had come to dub as the 'oh shit' lights were still flashing. She also noted that the recording in some Vulcan voice kept playing, stating words, she also could not understand. Jim decided firmly that she would study the Vulcan language, or at least the basics, when Lt. Uhura had awoken. 'Not too much,' Jim assured herself gently, 'Just enough to not accidently insult someone's mother, and know what the hell button I am pushing.'

The turbo-lift lurched to a halt and Jim peered around quickly. She noted a few of the security personnel where walking down the hall. "Well, it's not this floor," She stated aloud, which caused the pair of Vulcans to look directly at her. She tilted her head and waved at them before pressing another random button. Jim felt a small rush of satisfaction at what she assumed was Vulcan surprise; they had blinked so she counted that as a victory. 'It totally counts,' she thought with amusement.

The next level was deserted except for the heavy damage that had obviously been caused by the Warbird. She cranked her neck around. "Anyone alive out there?" She called out curiously, hoping no one answered because she wasn't sure where a communicator was or how to work one without assistance. She waited a few heartbeats but the silence continued with the exception of a few crackling wires. Jim shrugged and pressed another button.

After four more floors and once interesting attempt to ask for directions later, James was about ready to wait for security to come find her. She had heard the complaints from her stomach some time ago, but she had been unable to locate the damn medical bay, and she wondered idly where in the name of hell they had tucked it away in this backwards alien ship. She also knew that she was not a nice person when she was hungry. Also, she felt she had a very valid point that the Vulcan vessel was 'illogically' crafted to the point where she felt like a mouse in a maze. She brought her hand up to rub her suddenly throbbing temples. 'I think I need off of this turbo-lift,' she thought judiciously and ambled down the hallway.

She spotted a lone Vulcan walking swiftly ahead of her. "Excuse me!" She called out and watched as the male turned and looked at her. They stared at each other for a moment before the Vulcan recovered.

"Was there something you required?" He asked in the same monotone that Jim had come to expect from every Vulcan. She knew Uhura would have a field day with all the possible data she would gleam once she was awake.

"Yes, actually," Jim smiled sweetly at the Vulcan who appeared unaffected. She relaxed her stance in the presence of another person who looked uninjured.," Could you tell me where the Medical bay is located."

"Deck 9," the male replied and turned to leave.

Jim blinked at his retreating form.

She thought that calling humans the rude species seemed a might misplaced at the moment. "Um…wait!" She called out again.

The Vulcan turned and stared at her once more. "You required further assistance?"

Jim felt her aggravation rise at the cool manner in which she was treated. "What deck are we currently on?"

"Deck 7." Jim could tell the Vulcan had grown slightly impatient for the lines around his eyes were tightened and she knew he wanted out of her presence quickly by the way in which he had attempted to depart already.

"Oh, um, thanks," She stated at least meaning it for the moment. She winced for she knew what was coming next with the certainty of a slow motion crash.

"Thanks are ill-"He started and Jim felt a rush of disbelief that every Vulcan seemed to state the phrase at the slightest provocation. 'Are these like a Vulcan's first words?' She mused in her thoughts.

"Illogical. Yes, how remiss of me to have forgotten that," her sarcasm dripped from her words like rain from a dense cloud.

"Indeed." The slight head nod did nothing to placate the suddenly furious blonde. Jim was of the opinion that she was never going to look forward to meeting another Vulcan if she could just get back to the damn medical bay. Who needed Romulans when you had Vulcans like there?

Jim turned about face back to the turbo-lift and shook her head in a mocking manner "Thanks are illogical," She mimicked under breath as she marched back into the tiny confines.

She left her fingers trail down the buttons and counted from the very top down to the ninth button. She pushed it with some misgivings for she did not know if their turbo-lift sequences were the same as the Federation ships. As her fingertip lifted she noticed that the lights stopped flashing. Jim breathed a sigh of relief at finally being able to escape Maelrok.

The ride was short for the two floors difference, and Jim looked straight forward to see an irate Bones surrounded by two Vulcan security officers.

"Jim!" He shouted as soon as he caught a glimpse of the familiar bright stock of hair.

She grinned at him winningly in return. "Hi there Bones!"

"Where have you been?"

"I got lost," she replied honestly. She knew nothing short of the truth would placate Bones when he was on an I-care-about-your-welfare kick.

"You got lost?" He asked dumbfounded for a moment before Jim knew his 'righteous' anger returned.

"Uh… yeah… I can't read Vulcan. You know that," Jim stated as if it were the most obvious thing, because really that did answer everything.

"Of all the hair-brained schemes you have ever pulled, Jim, this has to be one of the worst," the southern-gentleman snapped out in frustration.

"Oh stop exaggerating. That time on Rigel VI was way worse than this. And I should get extra points for coming back with all my clothes this time," she pointed out and not for the first time in their acquaintance. Jim reflected that Starfleet uniforms where astoundingly easy to rip and tear. Honestly, she had not even been in that large of a physical altercation and the blasted thing just ripped from her neck to her waist. She had been unable to look Captain Scott in the eyes for three days afterward.

Bones shook his head in exasperation. "Jim I swear to God one of these days I'm going to-"

"Take me in your arms and have your wicked way with me?" She flirted while waggling her brows suggestively. Bones had the decency to flush to his shirt collar at the images James knew he must be thinking of. She pressed the issue farther because ruffling the feathers of one Dr. McCoy was the highlight of her day. "Have I ever told you what amazing hands you have….Doctor?" She nearly purred at him.

She watched as Bones backed up a step or two. The discreet cough stopped her from teasing him further when she turned to see the slightly amused face of her Captain staring back at her.

"As much fun as it is to see ya givin' the Doctor a heart attack, I thin' you should come help tend yur fellow crewmembers." Jim felt shame blush hotly on her cheeks and she thought for a moment that she and Bones must look like quite the pair.

"Aye Captain," Jim mumbled sheepishly.

She walked further into the medical bay where the others were starting to rouse She smiled at the vast difference in their complexions and knew that Bones was most likely responsible for their quickened recovery; because Bones had always been just that amazing

"This isn't over Jim. When we have a moment you and I are talking about this," Bones growled lowly in a warning before studiously ignoring her.

Or, he would have until she gripped the edge of Uhura's bed, and provoked him once more in an excited tone. "In your room?" She winked at him coyly. "Without clothes? You know I do my best talking without clothes," she mewled lowly and spread her hands slowly on the edge of the bed and leaned closer to Bones.

"You want your yearly physical exam that badly do you? I can accommodate that. I think you are due for your vaccinations if I recall correctly," he shot back with a poker-face Jim was envious of.

"Ugh. Way to kill the mood Bones." Jim swatted at him playfully but did not miss the smirk that graced his features. She knew she was forgiven for the time being. She gave them three hours before they were at each other's throats again.

"I must interject that it is highly unprofessional to provide an examination in one's personal quarters with a member of the opposite gender," the Vulcan medical officer, who Jim still could not remember the name of, and maybe it had to do with a root not a fruit; stated with all due seriousness. However, a look a dark curiosity overtook the lines in her mouth and for a moment, just a single moment, Jim would have sworn the Vulcan was baiting them. "I wish further understanding. What medical benefit do you gain from being alone with her in your quarters during a physical examination? Is this a human custom that I was not made aware of?" The stoic Vulcan pressed tonelessly.

"Wh-, no, no… we were… damn you Jim," Bones hissed out.

Jim blinked at her before trying to hide her snarky laughter behind a few well-placed coughs. Bones threw her a look that promised retribution. She felt the sudden need to stand closer to the towering Vulcans with the phasers.

OoOoOo

Captain Spock surveyed the reports of heavy damaged on deck 11 through 13 and even heavier damage on decks 3&4. His mind was not fully on the task however; as he replayed through his eidetic memory the shock he had felt coursing through him at the announcement of operating at 150%. It was inconceivable that one lone terran female had somehow managed to alter the warp core so significantly in such a short period. Spock had called down once more to the Engineering bay for clarification, from the second in command, who had told him in no uncertain terms that James was responsible for the alterations.

It was the truth, but the process by which she had accomplished such an astonishing modification with only a few Federation tools seemed so improbable that Spock felt his thoughts begin to work out a way in which it could have been accomplished. Once they had evaded the Romluan Warbird successfully, he had pulled up the security footage of the engineering room. His puzzlement at the equation only grew as he noted that she did not once stop to ask where to go or how to access certain points of the warp core. Her movements had appeared natural, and unhindered by fear or hesitation. She had, quite simply, dove into the hazardous situation as if his ship had been her own. Internally he compartmentalized the numerous emotions that rushed across his thoughts at the footage he watched. The odd weight of respect, admiration, surprise, and lastly want wove tightly around his control until Spock forced them back without mercy.

He had come to the conclusion that something about this human differed greatly from all of her companions. 'Perhaps, it would be logical to deduce that whatever this unusual attraction is, was what pulled the Romulan Sub-commander to act so irrationally.' He queried of himself, the answer remained unknown for the time being. However, more research would need to be conducted for a satisfactory answer to be achieved.

However, her brash nature, and rather…vulgar tendencies did incline Spock to believe that she was very much the average human. He had already sent out a deep space communication to any nearby Federation ships. However, there had been no response as of yet and Spock concluded that his new passengers would be present for a prolonged period of time until arrangements could be made to see them safely back to their species.

Now, however, his time would be best served in overseeing the repairs of his ship and debriefing the humans that had regained or retained consciousness. Spock noted that enough of his first commitment had been satisfactorily completed to allow for precisely 20.145 minutes speaking with the terrans on the subject of living on the Vessel with his crew. Furthermore, he had several questions to pose to the Chief Engineer Kirk. Which included a detailed explanation of what exactly she had altered in his warp core; Science demanded that he find the answers.

He handed control of the bridge to his first officer and walked briskly toward the turbo-lift. His eyes noticed that there was a smudge of lubrication on a few of the buttons. He raised an eyebrow in silent question of how coolant from the fusion coils had ended up in the turbo-lift. He formulated how he would approach the female terran that had seemingly turned the concepts of Vulcan space travel on its ear. Spock would never admit to anyone other than the deepest parts of his mind that she made him …curious. She appeared for all intents and purposes to be an enigma, and Spock had a small weakness for figuring out nearly impossible puzzles.

It was illogical that she was so… illogical. A paradox that teased his brain flirtatiously as his superior intellect sought to provided constants when there were none to be had. He could mentally feel a nearly tangible energy force from the female. However, he had yet to speculate as to why its existence mattered.

The doors to the turbo-lift moved with a pressurized whoosh of air and Spock, the proud Vulcan Captain, stepped out seeming to control the very air around him. He nodded briefly to his security team who parted wordlessly to allow his passage into the Medical bay. His dark gaze immediately landed on James who was bickering with that same male from before. Spock felt the tightening in his chest expand again and he exercised his iron-clad will to push the strange sensation at bay.

"It is not my fault," she bit out furiously. Spock noted that her heart rate had increased by 15.679% as she glared down the man called 'Bones'.

"If you hadn't of gotten all lovey-dovey with the Romulan we wouldn't be here," he shot back while his hands fisted at his sides uselessly.

Spock paused briefly to consider the words 'lovey-dovey'. They held no connotation he could think of in standard. It was yet another item that needed clarification from the terrans. Spock filed the thought away for the moment.

"What was I supposed to do?" James hissed waspishly and Spock could tell that her words were defensive. "Let him freeze to death?"

"Yes! Damn it all woman. Yes! You were supposed to let him freeze to death," the man called 'Bones' replied, and slapped a well-used tricorder down on the table next to him. Spock noted the other humans had gathered toward the center of the room to attempt to placate the two upset beings.

"Jim, you know he doesn't mean that." Spock saw a darker terran female as she interrupted with a calm demeanor. "Do you Dr. McCoy?"

"I most certainly do," the man growled at the females, and Spock felt a rise of primitive urge to go over there, and forcibly remove the male from his threatening stance.

"Well!" Spock watched James's face morph into indignation and wounded pride. "The next time I am forcibly captured, and thrown in with Romulans in sub-degree weather, I will make sure I stay on my side of the enclosure." She bit out frostily, and the terran male flushed a dull red while the other female attempted to pull James away.

"That course of action would be inadvisable as you would likely perish from exposure to the foreign elements," Spock stated in a form of announcement to his arrival. The humans turned so quickly toward him that one unknown male groaned as his neck popped. Spock felt his lips twitch when James greeted him with a warm smile.

"Finally!" She stated archly. "Someone with some sense."

Spock inclined his head to her slowly. If he was not mistaken, and he rarely ever was, that was what humans termed a 'compliment'. Though such things lacked any form of use, Spock could not stop the ripple of satisfaction such meaningless words caused. He noticed that her smile became much wider at his polite overture. It was a pleasing experience all in all.

"Don't drag the hobgoblin into this," Bones quipped and Spock noticed that James' eyes narrow by 13 degrees in his direction.

"I am not familiar with that terminology. I request clarification," Spock stated tonelessly and he noticed that T'Starla glanced in his direction.

"It is a Terran creature of fiction, usually considered of a malicious nature and used to frightened Terran children into higher levels of obedience. I believe similarities include the hue of our blood and pointed ears." The Vulcan female stated and Spock inclined his head.

"I have been enlightened," he responded and turned toward the humans to see James elbow the outspoken male soundly in the ribs. A gasp of pain erupted from his mouth and he gripped his side. Spock ignored him. "I have already attempted to broadcast to any nearby Federation Vessels. However, at this time there is no response and therefore I am unable to provide you with a reasonable time at which you shall be recovered by the Federation." Spock stated taking time to look at each of them in turn.

"That's alright Captain," James replied and grinned at him. Her blonde hair was in disarray and falling down in uneven amounts. "We appreciate all you have done for us. Myself especially."

He nodded once more. "Your appreciation is-"

"Illogical?" She asked with half a grin at the assumed next word.

"Noted," he corrected firmly and Jim looked shocked for a moment before an eyebrow rose in distinction.

"Indeed?" Jim asked with the half-grin still in place.

"Affirmative."

"Well I dinnae know why tha' Romulan was so insistan' on having Miss Kirk here, but you have my deepest gratitude tha' she is safe with us still. I apologize for any inconvenience yue suffered on our behalf." Spock looked quietly at the Captain of the former USS Hemingway with slightly more tolerance for human mannerisms.

Even though they still failed to adhere to logic...

James smothered a chuckle and Spock blinked at her quiet whisper, deducing that she was unaware that Vulcans had far more superior hearing than humans. "Thanks are illogical Captain." She shared a conspiratorial glance with the Captain who appeared to being having a mild facial twitch.

"Aye, of course." The older male whispered back and Spock stood stoically in front of the gaggle of humans that spoke like little children in his presence.

"It would seem that Sub-commander Maelrok wished to possess your crewmember due to the fact that she appears to be able to manipulate warp drives in a highly satisfactory way." The Vulcan captain supplied readily and garnered no satisfaction from the looks of obvious bemusement that the humans wore. James, however, seemed undeterred by the summary.

"Um…aye?" The captain broached tentatively.

Spock watched James lean in to the Captain once more. Her whisper had been as loud to his ears as if she had stated it plainly. "I think he means my recent project to tunnel more of the warp core's potential through the use of electro-plasma to use as a conduit for a power transfer grid. I have already had a chance to test one of my theories on this ship and it holds." There was excitement seeping through her voice and it became a bit high in pitch while she had spoken.

"Oh," the Captain stated eloquently. Spock marveled at their use on singly syllable sounds to convey a wide range of information. He had heard 'oh' many times before with his mother though the meanings behind such a simple word usually differed greatly. The terran captain turned to Spock with a measured look. "I see. Aye, that is true. Kirk here is amongst the best and brightest that the Federation has to offer." Spock noted that James was nearly beaming in pride. "Don' know what we would do withou' her, but what you're sayin' is that the Romulan Sub-commander is willing to go to incredible lengths just to get ahold of her?" The man asked bemusedly while tired eyes peered up at him through a mask of duty.

"Affirmative. That is indeed what I was referencing." Spock stated blandly and the humans looked up at him with some surprise.

"Vulcan hearing is much sharper than ours," the darker terran female stated softly, "I am certain he was able to hear you whispering."

James turned to face her with a look of incredulity. "You could have said something earlier," she whispered and then winced. Spock felt his lips twitch in amusement once more. To him she was rather…fascinating.

The other female gave a slight shrug. "I did not think about it in time," she offered.

James turned back toward Spock with a sheepish look. "Well, even though apologies are 'illogical' you still have mine; because we intended no insult." She glanced to her Captain who nodded softly for her to continue. Spock noted that she accepted the guidance. "Furthermore, that single fact is that if Maelrok is able to get a hold of me, based off of my current research and potential, the Romulans will no longer be falling behind on space drives." Sapphire eyes clashed with dark brown. "I don't know if you are aware of this but while Humans and Vulcans have been studying Matter/Antimatter reaction cores; the Romulans have not this has lead them to a steep decline in tactical advantage. Our technology respectively has surpassed theirs and they, as a militaristic society, do not appreciate it." She took a moment to bite her lip and Spock found it oddly distracting.

"This is pure speculation mind you-," She looked pointedly at him and he raised a brown in acknowledgement, "-but it is possible that if they are able to update their warp drives they will have no need for the upcoming alliance with the Klingons; Which would mean that their cloaking devices, combined with the schematics for my idea of a plasma power grid, would allow the Romulan race to become a nearly unstoppable force." She made a dismissive gesture. "But that is like a million to one scenario. So really he is just an overzealous Romulan with a huge crush. Most likely….probably….I think. Don't quote me on that."

"Please elaborate on the term 'crush'," Spock stoically articulated gracefully, "It is my observation that Maelrok does not intend you physical harm outside of procreation."

He could have been mistaken but Spock saw her jaw slacken for a moment. "Are you serious?" She asked her eyebrows quirking and her mouth fell slightly open.

He stared back at her. "I do not understand your inquiry."

"You- wha-How?" James asked in pure stupefaction.

"The terran word 'crush' can be taken to mean, aside from its literal translation, that he is infatuated with the chief engineer," the darker terran female supplied earnestly.

"I see." Spock truly did not understand why humans had so many euphemisms and hyperboles when stating something in pure terms would have made far more sense. However, his eidetic memory still recalled that James was potentially the creator of technology that would be yet another twenty to thirty years down the time line. A thought struck him as he wondered how it was that the Romulan had come to know of her potential. "How was it that Maelrok came into possession of the knowledge of your abilities?"

"My reputation precedes me," she answered dryly. Spock was unsure if this was a form of human witticism or not.

"I have never heard of you."

She looked taken a back. "Alright, maybe not here," she amended quickly, "Or at all, really. Ugh. Look, I was being glib. The real reason that he knows is because during the three days that we were…together-" Spock did not find that a satisfactory term. "We spoke in depth to pass the time. Not about my theories," she hurriedly stated, "But about other things, hypothetical situations, unusual encounters, and 101 ways to use baking soda; that sort of thing." Spock's logical mind stalled and attempted to list precisely 101 uses for the compound of Sodium bicarbonate. However, as James continued to speak he had only been able to list off 44 uses. "At some point, during the conversation, I let it slip that I was a chief engineer and things went downhill from there." She trailed off lightly.

"If what you have stated is possible, and my recent findings give such hypothesis validity, then you must not be surrendered to the Romulan forces," Spock concluded tonelessly.

A look of pure relief swept her features and James gave a soft round of laughter. Her eyes danced merrily up at his dark ones. "You have to be the most amazing Vulcan…ever!" She stated and Spock thought the statement beyond what could be termed as absurd. "It is a pleasure to be on board Captain Spock."

She started forward before Spock could fully comprehend what her goal had been. Her hand shot out and clasped tightly around the opposite hand on his body. For a moment Spock stood speechless before her. There was a strange sort of tingling where her flesh touched his and the wave of pleasure that washed over him caused him to blink out of surprise. He could feel the emotions that simmered beneath her skin. They swirled around his tightly controlled emotions and dared them to break the barrier. He stood absolutely mute as she pumped their combined hands three times.

It was not a simple hand touch. Spock was keenly aware that he was being kissed in front of all those present and part of him was insulted at the public display. However, it was not just any particular Vulcan kiss. The way in which James' hand captured his and gripped firmly was an 'I want to make you forget your own name.' kiss. Normally, those were given after a partner had been gone for a period of time and always in the privacy of one's living quarters.

"Kirk!" the darker female terran gasped in mortification and Spock saw confusion on James' face.

Her hand was still clasping tightly to his and Spock could only stare at it as the warm buzzing continued along his thoughts. He noted absent mindedly that his crew members had looked away or were hiding discreet blushes at the intimate display. The sensation of her thoughts raced along his and the impression of worry over took the sweet sensation of happiness from before. The weight of doubt replaced the smattering of lust that pulsated from her slightly cooler skin.

"What?" The sapphire eyes which had seemed suddenly three shades brighter, whipped over to where the other female was standing.

Spock stood rigidly as he felt the pooling of his blood flood his cheeks. He knew they would be a darker shade of green and even his ears would not be spared form the natural response that wove through his system. His Katra danced wildly as it seemed to latch on to something in her warmth and swirl around it. She appeared like a beacon that called to him out of sensation. Something in his thoughts clamped tightly down on the rapid firing of her emotions as they passed like quicksilver through his own mental barriers.

"Let go of him this instant," The other terran female scolded heavily, and Spock felt his hand drop when James released it as if burned.

"What?" James asked wildly. "I didn't hurt him. Did i?" The tone was defensive and worried with uncertainty nipping at its heels.

"I am…uninjured," Spock stated the barest hints of breathiness in his voice as he fought for control. A wide set of brown eyes accompanied his statement.

"Please forgive Kirk, she doesn't know Vulcan culture." James blinked at him in surprise before turning to the female and Spock felt a perverse sort of pleasure flood through him at her vaguely confused expression.

"Nyota what-?"

"Jim" Brown eyes stared harshly into blue ones. "You just more or less made out with the Vulcan Captain in front of everyone."

A blush covered her cheeks and she turned to glare at the other female. "Why do you wait until after I do something to correct me? If you did it before I make a fool of myself, I would greatly appreciate it." James looked at him quickly and he could see the shock evident on her face. Then he watched as it slowly turned into a flirtatious grin that had Spock's thoughts recalling that strange buzzing of warmth. She tilted her head to the side.

"So was it good?" She asked impishly with a wink as a few voices chastised her the moment the words had left her mouth.

Spock was unsure whether or not answering was an appropriate response.