I love you reviewers! It means a great deal to me that you take the time to let me know what you think! I spend a few hours (sometimes more) on each chapter and your comments make me feel as if it was all time well spent! Sorry this took so long. I had a bit of a tough time keeping Spock in character.

Trust me, at one point prior to this, he sounded like Sherlock Holmes… and yes, it was odd. XD

Rated M, I own Nothing, and LET'S GET SOME BONES TIME!

OoOoOo

Spock was by all extents and purposes, displeased by the sight that greeted him. It was only logical to be displeased when upon going to inquire of James' health, that she was nearly in the arms of another man. Though his exceptional control over his emotions filtered out the physical reaction to seeing James so close to such an inferior male as Dr. McCoy, it had not stopped the tidal wave of jealousy that crashed through his brain. Outwardly he showed not so much as a modicum of the torrent of negative impressions of said male, nor the corresponding urge to eviscerate his competition.

Spock did not take well to competition. It was understandable due in no small part to the evolution of his species. His dark eyes sliced a murderous trail along the vital points of Dr. McCoy's body with keen interest. Some sign of his malcontent must have been visible, and for that he would meditate in depth at a later time. He made a mental note to meditate precisely 7.459 minutes longer than usual to regulate the surplus of stress hormone circulating throughout his system.

James cleared her throat softly, and he could see the delicate muscles work under her skin.

"Greetings," she offered lamely with a wan smile, "Captain Spock."

Spock raised a single eyebrow at her rather subdued manner.

"Chief Engineer Kirk," he replied with a courteous nod.

He watched her sapphire eyes dart around the room, as if looking upon him was the last item on her agenda. Spock found her behavior out of the norm, and a note of worry crept in along with the symphony of jealousy that hummed in the back of his thoughts like a comforting melody.

"I trust you have recuperated to satisfaction?"

A small grin painted her lips, and Spock observed with a sense of smug male pride, that James looked at him for the first time since her retrieval.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Thanks are illogical," he had already reminded her of this on numerous occasions. Truly the human mind must be of sub-optimal capacity to forget so readily. Spock felt more determined that he and James were a good match, for he could compensate for her shortcomings.

It was only logical after all.

"Yeah, that never gets old," James stated in a cavalier manner, "Anyway… I heard we are in Vulcan space."

Spock tilted his head in acknowledgement. "Indeed."

James shifted away from the terran doctor, and Spock felt his ire subside somewhat. Not entirely, but he was highly skilled at keeping his emotions in check. Vulcans were an amazing people, and that was fact, not an opinion. Her blue eyes were gazing at him in a manner that lacked a proper definition, and that, left him unsatisfied. His mind required a category to place the soft look of her eyes in. He opened his mouth to request the name of such a look in the Terran language; however he was not able to vocalize his thoughts in time to avoid interruption.

Her smile caused his Katra to swirl in the base of his heart.

"So are we going to get right along with the…," her gaze had dropped to the side and then shot back to him, "Koot-soon-ill-leek?"

Spock's face betrayed nothing of the slight amusement that burned behind his eyes. He made yet another mental note to speak with his intended about her pronunciations of his language. Spock analyzed her inability to adapt to languages in a strictly clinical manner. 'Perhaps she, as a human, lacks the proper anatomy for reverberating the vowels and consonants?'

Outwardly, he arched a brow at her unsubtle breaching of the rules of privacy. He amended his previous thought after .021 seconds however, as James had volunteered the intimate information. Spock would have to intervene if she went too far into the details as if was not proper to spout out one's partaking in the ancient ritual. And yet, he was also rather pleased that she had openly declared her intent to bind herself to him in front of the inferior Terran male.

He also noted that T'Starla was unnaturally still in front of the pair of humans. His dark gazed watched hungrily as James rose toward him. He saw that her hair was in disarray, and it gave her a rather endearing quality that caused a change in his hormone levels immediately. There was something that was rather… compelling about his intended. Spock once more felt secure in the knowledge that James was meant to belong to him.

"Indeed," he commented tonelessly while his focus narrowed in on the man called 'Bones' that was still too close to James for it to be an acceptable distance, "Koon-ut-so-lik has been arranged."

Vulcans did not lie. Spock had taken the time to contact his Father and inform him of the need for a new marital arrangement. In turn, his father Sarek had contacted the head of the clan, his grandmother T'Pau. T'Pau, though most likely displeased at what seemed illogical to her, had contacted the head of T'Pring's clan. Spock was perhaps, just the tiniest bit, impatient at being forced to wait until the other clan could arrange for the ceremony on their sacred clan grounds.

It was after all a divorce in human terms. The dissolution of his bond to T'Pring would take place on her family's ancient lands as a show of good faith. It was more of a symbolic gesture now that Spock would no longer be part of her clan through a union of minds.

He was inclined to believe that his mother, the honorable Lady Amanda, was not opposed to his decision. Though, Spock, had not been given adequate time to explain that James was not a male, his mother had still been supportive. It was one of the few traits that had been admired despite her humanity among his people. For this Spock was relieved.

The terran antagonist chose an inopportune time to make use of his vocal chords.

"The what now?"

James waved him off with a laugh that caused Spock's heart to beat faster by exactly 16 beats per minute. For a Vulcan, however, that was only a small increase.

"Don't worry about it Bones," James stated charmingly with wide and luminescent eyes, "Captain Spock and I have an arrangement."

Spock nodded once in silent agreement to her statement.

"Arrangement?" The terran's tone was suspicious and his light eyes narrowed on Spock's face harshly.

"Do you need clarification on the word?"

Spock new his tone was impeccable. The welling malice he felt rising at the male's open disregard for the proposed bond between him and James caused a savage rush of anger to pulse behind the shields of his control.

Bones gave him a sour look, and Spock stared him down once more. His dark eyes bore into the smaller male with a vengeance only known to the boundless tenacity of a Vulcan. Perhaps it was his irrational human side, but a sense of smugness gleamed in Spock's fathomless eyes.

The terran male muttered something so inaudible that even his sensitive hearing could not pick it up. However, logically, given Bones' high opinion of his species; Spock doubted that it was a positive observation of his character.

However, if given the chance to present his findings, Spock could and would have delivered a concise account of the other man's shortcomings. This was only logical for it would show James what a better mate Spock would be in comparison to the only other male that could prove to be a threat to his claim. He had dealt with the minor… infatuation… that his second engineer had carried for his intended.

"When do you think we will be planet side?"

Spock moved his attention back to she-who-would-be- his-wife, and felt his eyes soften at her slightly concerned gaze.

"Actually, I had come with the intention to retrieve you," Spock stated neutrally, "As we are already docked on Vulcan."

He watched her eyes light up with more beauty than the sun setting on the desert sands. Her whole continence changed at his words, and she gifted him with a full blown smile.

"Great," she stated joyously, "I can't wait to stretch my legs."

Spock arched a brow at her and cocked his head to the side.

"You may stretch prior to our departure. I will wait," he said imperiously and folded his hands behind his back.

James laughed, and shook her head, sending loose strands flying in all directions.

"Human saying," she commented quickly.

"Ah," he volunteered noncommittally. His attention had returned to checking after her well-being, as was to be his sole responsibility after the ritual was completed.

They stared at one another for a few moments. Until an angry, and decidedly human, noise erupted from the terran at James' side.

"Well thank you for the status report, Captain, but I think I need to check Jim and make sure she is fit to leave your fine craft."

Spock did not take the implied insult lightly.

"That will be unnecessary," he stated as he leveled a cool stare at the other male, "T'Starla has declared her physically sound for normal function. Your report would only be redundant, and therefore a waste of time. And, given your noted lack of haste at performing the most common of duties assigned to one of your station, I find it in Chief Engineer Kirk's best interest to decline your… superfluous proposal."

He refused to admit that it was satisfaction that hummed along the passages of his mind, when the other male grew mottled in fury. After all gloating was highly illogical. Spock prided himself on the use of logic as had his ancestors.

James tilted her head at him in contemplation, her face torn between respect for Spock and indignation for which she considered a friend. Though, he, himself did not understand her choice and felt it to be circumspect as best, he respected the choices of his betrothed. Spock was saddened to place her in such a position, but it was imperative that the other male understand his place. This, by every law in the known galaxies… was not next to James. Spock knew with his whole being, his entire Katra, that the one that belonged by her side through any peril was himself.

"James attend," he commanded softly.

He watched her turn to 'Bones' with a slight smile.

"You worry too much," she stated softly, "I'll be fine."

"Not with the green blood you won't"

She patted the other male's shoulder and Spock checked the urge to tackle the male to the ground in punishment. It was savage and unbidden, his desire to claim James in order to leave no question to who she belonged to. Spock forced his mental shields to strengthen in order to control the rage that boiled under his skin like roaring water.

James seemed to glide to his side. Her appearance was battle-worn, and Spock vowed to see her properly attended to in the comfort of his ancestral home. It would be his honor to serve her, and to introduce her to his family. Spock knew, with the certainty of 99.879%, that his family would embrace his betrothed as surely as any naturally born daughter of their clan.

He gestured James toward the door, and spared a commanding look toward T'Starla.

"Please see to the comfort of our guests."

And with that, he departed, with James in tow.

OoOoOo

Dr. McCoy was not a happy man. He had been forcibly confined by the hobgoblins from hell, in what was undoubtedly some form of Vulcan torture device. His southern manners were dissipating rapidly as he scowled at yet another impassive green face. He knew that being human gave him a physiological disadvantage against the denser bodies of those that 'guarded' them.

Well, they weren't really guarding them and he actually wasn't being held in this damn hot box against his will. But, it sure as hell felt that way. Bones was also fit to be tied that Jim had been taken away with that damn uppity Captain. He didn't trust that guy as far as he could through him. Which, given the facts, was not far at all. Despite Uhura's reassurances that Vulcan's were peaceful, McCoy couldn't help but feel that they were tiger's in kitten clothing.

Damn impassive green-blooded bastards, the lot of them. Especially the infuriating Chief Medical Officer, T'Starla. The woman would not leave him be. She had to have her say in everything. Bones, who had never really met a Vulcan until their unfortunate stroke of luck… thanks again to Jim, disliked them instantly. It had nothing to do with being xenophobic. But, it had everything to do with them being as annoying as a wasp at a picnic.

Also, he would never admit to it out loud, but he was worried for Jim. That woman had a way of attracting more than her fair share of trouble. Bones just couldn't figure out how she did it. Sure, Jim was a looker; he would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to see it. However, that still didn't explain how she seemed to attract every person within five miles to her. McCoy was even among her list of adoring fans, but he valued her friendship far too keenly to ever let her in on that little fact.

"Oh stop it," Uhura hissed from his right.

Leonard spared her a withering glance.

"Don't know what you're talking about," he muttered grumpily.

"You look like you are getting one of your own hypos in the neck."

Damn that linguist and her ability to read 'body language', which oh by the way, was not actually a real language in his opinion.

"I just don't like that Vulcan Captain running off with Kirk," he stated sourly.

Uhura rolled her eyes at him, and slapped his arm for good measure. Bones refused to wince. The woman was stronger than she looked. A veritable amazon when she was pissed, or when she was losing at a game of poker.

"Jim will be fine," she reassured sincerely, "she is with Vulcans. Even she can't get into too much trouble with them."

Bones grunted his assent. Sure, they were supposedly 'passive' and even infuriatingly literal, but something just didn't sit right with him about the whole conversation from earlier. His thoughts buzzed around that strange word the pair had been hurling about.

"Uhura?"

"Yes?"

"What is a Koon-soot-lilly?"

She gave him a strange look, and Bones glowered at her. Uhura could get away with correcting Jim all day long, but McCoy was not a patient man. He liked the way he spoke just fine, to hell with the consequences or mispronunciations. Even he, though he teased Kirk to the contrary, also could not speak Vulcan. But he would rather rinse his mouth out with sterilizing fluid before he would admit that to her.

"I'm not sure what you mean," she stated with genuine confusion.

"That Vulcan," Bones made a gesture to where Jim and Spock had left, "said something about a Koon-soot-lilly."

Uhura blinked in bafflement, and she squinted at him in thought. Her fingers drummed on her thing and she looked around the room.

"Koot-soon-lilly," she puzzled the words over in contemplation, "Koot-soon-lilly."

Bones felt a sense of dread, similar to the day he married his ex-wife, when Nyota turned completely pale.

"Did-, do-, You mean Koon-ut-so-lik?"

He grew even more concerned by the near-screech her pitch had taken.

"Yeah," he responded eloquently, "that's it."

"Oh God," Uhura moaned and covered her face with her hands.

McCoy straightened in his chair, already on high alert by the linguist's obvious distress. "What is it?" He demanded in agitation. "Is Jim in danger?"

There were few things that caused the infamous Dr. Leonard McCoy to lose his calm, but Jim being in trouble was at the top of the list. So help him, if that Vulcan so much as touched a hair on her head, he was going to …

"Oh God, not again," Uhura lamented.

"Again?" Bones had not meant to snap at her, but if Kirk was going to get hurt, he didn't need to play nicely. "Damn it woman, make sense."

Uhura shot him a concerned look, and her body trembled slightly.

"Jim's going to be married to Captain Spock."

Bones swore. He leapt from his chair and said a few more words that should never be said in front of a lady like Uhura, and he would be ashamed of himself tomorrow. Right now, however, he had to find Jim and stop another impromptu wedding. He said a silent prayer of thanks that at least this time, it wasn't Klingons. Granted, he wasn't precisely supposed to know the story, but it was hard not to listen to Jim when she had been drinking.

"I knew it! I knew that green-blooded bastard was up to something."

"I just-, it doesn't make sense. Vulcans don't do this sort of thing. I mean, he hardly even knows Kirk," the linguist lamented in shock, "this seems far too sudden for a Vulcan."

"Vulcan or not, I'm gonna kill him if he so much as touches her," Bones hissed while grabbing Uhura by the hand.

"Where are we going?"

"To find Jim, and if we are lucky, strangle a Vulcan," he stated with dark humor.

He made it precisely five and one-half steps before he was stopped by the neutral face of his second least favorite person.

"I will require you to stay in here," T'Starla stated calmly.

"Over my dead body," Bones barked out in fury.

"Dead? Certainly not, it would be illogical to harm another without due reason," she arched a brow at him meaningfully, "however, bruised is not entirely out of the realm of possibility."

Uhura shifted behind him, and a small sharp laugh of hysteria escaped her.

"Not again."