Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Gene Roddenberry. NuTrek belongs to JJ and Paramount.

A/N: Thanks for everyone who is reviewing, favoriting, and following! This shit gets real fast, so you've been warned.

Target Acquired

Chapter Four – First Meeting

.~.

Mercy Hospital

Three hours later

Cadet Kirk was waiting for Dr. McCoy and Sulu to arrive with Spock in tow. He wondered what was taking them so long. Surely the transfer had been approved by now?

The private hospital room where he was waiting was really nothing special – a queen-size bed with several monitors attached. He hoped that it would be secret enough for what was about to take place between him and Spock. The walls were soundproof, but who knew if there was a secret security camera strategically placed that belonged to the hospital?

Kirk's imagination was starting to run away with him while he was waiting. He was finally going to have sex with Spock, but the Vulcan would probably be out of it for most, if not all of their physical joining. And then there was this meld business. Would he go out of his mind with lust too, thanks to the transfer of emotion in the meld? That would really suck because he wanted one of them to know what was going on, for safety's sake. Then there was the matter of food, water, going to the bathroom, and of course, lubricant. Kirk really had no idea how long Spock's 'problem' would take to be resolved. What if it took a whole week? What if Spock really did kill him by accident? What if Spock hated him afterwards?

Just when Kirk thought he couldn't take it anymore, McCoy commed him to let him know that he and Sulu had arrived with their patient. Five minutes later, his two friends entered the private room with a visibly-sweating Spock. As McCoy and Sulu lay the Vulcan on the bed, Kirk was once again struck by Spock's natural beauty. He swallowed hard as the Vulcan's eyes met his.

"James Kirk," Spock said hoarsely. He shivered as he watched the beautiful human approach him. Already he was lost in the depths of Kirk's blue eyes. The blood-fever must almost be upon him.

"Yeah, it's me," said Kirk, smiling wryly at the Vulcan while his heart was beating a thousand miles an hour. But his thoughts mainly rested on helping Spock. He didn't dare touch the Vulcan without his permission. "You're gonna be okay, Spock. I promise."

Spock looked away. "I do not wish to harm you. Are you informed as to my condition?"

"Sort of," Kirk said truthfully. "I know that you have to mate or you will die. I know that you have to have mental contact as well, in the form of a mind meld. That's about it."

"It is called pon farr – the time of mating," Spock said softly. "It is Vulcan's best kept secret."

"I won't tell anyone," Kirk soothed. "Can you tell me a little more about your condition?" He wanted to keep the Vulcan talking as much as he could, to build a little more trust between them while McCoy and Sulu remained.

"Yes," said Spock. "You see, normally I would return to my home planet to be given a suitable mate, but I waited too long. By the time I arrived, I would be dead."

"I'm sorry," Kirk said quickly. "I know I'm not your first choice, but-"

"I did not say that," Spock said, steeling his fingers.

"What do you mean?" Kirk asked, daring to hope against all hope.

"We already have a strong connection," Spock admitted. "I have felt it, as I am sure you have. I was afraid of exploring that connection, as I could not afford to have any outside distractions. You see, as a member of the House of Surak, I must procreate with a female Vulcan."

"He means he's Vulcan royalty," Sulu cut in.

"No way," Kirk breathed. "You're a Vulcan prince along with being super smart and attractive? Does this mean you can't mate with commoners like me? Fuck, I gotta sit down." Cadet Kirk sat in one of the hard chairs next to the bed and rubbed his temples. This was not good, not good at all. As if he needed things to be more complicated than they already were!

"I am technically not royalty," Spock said primly. "That is a human construct, but our class system on Vulcan does translate to that of human royalty. We are not encouraged to 'mate with commoners' but in this case I will make an exception."

"He's royalty all right," McCoy groaned. "At least that explains some of your snobby attitude."

Spock growled softly at that, and Kirk glared at McCoy. McCoy wisely kept his mouth shut after that.

"Just tell me what you need, Spock, and I'll do it," Kirk coaxed.

Spock shook with need. "I will need food, water, and medical supplies for both of us. There is an adjoining bathroom, and when I am out of my mind, I will need you to help me use it. Also, I will need you to play submissive for most of the duration of the mating cycle." The Vulcan turned bright green when he realized what he'd said aloud. A faint blush appeared on Kirk's cheeks as well.

"Could we get some privacy?" Kirk pleaded, in case Spock was about to give out anymore awkward information.

"We'll take care of the food and water," said Sulu. He motioned for McCoy to follow him. "C'mon. They need to be left alone."

"Please be careful, Jim," McCoy intoned. "Especially with the amount of mental contact you have with him. The human brain can only take so much."

Spock growled again.

Dr. McCoy and Sulu took that as their cue to leave.

"Spock, I'm sorry to ask, but this has happened before with a human and Vulcan, right? Your mom got through this with your dad, more than likely several times. Was there any damage to her mind during their first joining?" Kirk asked.

"Very little," Spock answered truthfully. "Vulcan mind healers were able to treat her after the blood fever had abated. However, my father had initiated a full marriage bond with her. But what you should know is that the bond could not have been made without my mother's consent."

"I see," said Kirk, lost in thought.

Spock shook again, and looked away. "I do not have much time before my logic deserts me. What are your feelings about a marriage bond between us?"

"Wouldn't your dad be against it?"

"Yes. But if we did bond, he would not have the power to undo what has been done."

"Well, it's a little sudden to be getting engaged," Kirk joked.

"I may not survive without the bond," Spock's voice wavered.

"Do you want to bond with me?"

"Very much," said Spock.

"Just because it would save your life?"

"Negative. I wish I had more time to get to know you. That was my fault. I… care deeply for you, Jim."

"You do?" Kirk was incredulous.

Spock nodded, looking miserable. Why hadn't he courted Jim first? Then he wouldn't be in this awkward situation.

"Oh, you do," Kirk realized, after gazing at Spock some more. "Okay. Then yes, I will bond with you."

Spock blinked. "You are not doing so out of any obligation?"

"No. And once I set my mind to do something, I always follow through."

"If you wish to undo the bond afterwards, if you wish to have other partners besides me, I would have difficulty with that but I would eventually recover," said a dejected Spock.

"I would never do that to you!" Kirk sounded horrified.

"Your reputation…" Spock trailed off.

Kirk rolled his eyes. "Is mostly exaggerated. I do know how to please women and men in bed, but I had to study a lot to get through four years of course work in three. I've been in relationships before with guys. I can commit."

"I see," said Spock, visibly relaxing. "Very well, then. Please touch me, Jim."

"Does this mean we're done talking?" Kirk thought so, but he wanted to be sure.

"Yes," Spock breathed. "Please, t'hy'la."

"What does that word mean?" Kirk asked, even though he could guess.

"It means you are my everything. It means we belong to each other. It means you are the other half of my soul."

"God, Spock I've been waiting for this for so long," Kirk admitted.

"You do not have to wait any longer. Give me your hand."

Kirk did, and their palms kissed.

End Chapter 4

A/N: Questions, comments, suggestions? Let me know! Sexy times after this! It will be my first K/S fic rated higher than M! I will not be posting more on fanfiction dot net since many younger readers often frequent the site. If you wish to read more you may find me on AO3 or the ksarchive.