A/N: Omg. Ok, so I labored on this for a little bit. There were portions of it that I simply wasn't satisfied with-which might have had something to do with the fact that I started this chapter at 2 something yesterday morning. I hope it comes together well. Constructive criticism encouraged. I do not own Star Trek licenses.

Chapter 2: Nothing of Note

A contented sigh would prick the quiet of the softly illuminated room. Cool cotton sheets in an exquisitely high thread count draped her relaxed form, stimulating her warm skin as the smooth folds soothed it. Synthetics had been the ideal material for most fabric products for what was centuries now; their longevity was substantial, they were easy to fabricate and care for and their ability to be repurposed was without question. Still, that didn't mean she had to like or live with them. Well ahead of the date the Enterprise was due to disembark on their extended deep space mission, Nyota Uhura had made it her business to see that she had organic cotton sheets enough to last five years. She would not be suffering plastic on her skin night after night if she didn't have to.

And despite Spock's unabashed support for synthetic fiber bedding, she didn't hear him complaining when he shared those homespun threads with her. Not that Spock could be accused of complaining in any capacity—and if he did it was so deeply buried amid telling silence and arching brows, even she did not notice.

He was awake still. He was always awake, or at least he was never observed to fall asleep before she did. She knew he meditated regularly, but could that have been the only time he settled his impressive whirring mind? When he was as relaxed as she was right now, did he think of anything? And if so, what? She certainly knew what she was thinking…she was thinking about what he might have been thinking about, or not thinking about. The idle train of thought brought a wisp of a smile to her face. He would probably muse, had he been privy to her thoughts at that moment, that her line of thinking-while not irrational-was lacking in necessity. And he might have been right—provided had he been privy to those thoughts. And he wasn't. But that was the fun of it, thinking idle thoughts and wondering at unnecessary things. Nyota snuggled more closely into Spock's side as she let a finger trace lightly over his chest, swirling a bit over his sternum before finally resting there. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing of note."

It was a simple reply, whispered back in the dark in the same way it had been whispered to him. She moved one leg atop of his and rubbed her toes against the top of his foot, enjoying the smooth coolness of the skin there. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

Silence returned, but with Spock's hand lightly bending on the curve of Nyota's shoulder, rubbing affectionately. She sighed again. Her eyelids were heavy. Soon she'd depart for the comforts of slumber, not to know if Spock would join her. He would sleep of course…it was the logical thing to do given that tomorrow could bring anything. 'Nothing of note' he had told her. Rather that, it was nothing that was pertinent to her at that particular hour. She was tired and fell asleep quickly. When the slowed rhythm of Nyota's breathing became apparent, Spock would cant his head and place a chaste kiss on his lover's brow. He did not wish to inform her at the time that his thoughts had turned to his father and mother's relationship. As he recalled, the basis of their courtship had been very utilitarian in nature. Spock certainly couldn't deny the parallels between his and Nyota's involvement and that of his parents, and it was certainly his desire for their relationship to maintain those parallels. In his mind the five year mission would assist in precipitating such an outcome. That so, it seemed only logical that the proposition of marriage be posted for Nyota's consideration. They had been a pair for some time now and to that effect, the concept did not seem rushed. It was at this point merely a matter of timing. Drawing these conclusions and allowing himself his own half smile, Spock would finally drift to sleep.

There was a certain level of excitement that galloped through James Kirk's veins upon hearing of a previously uncharted M class planet. Of course they knew there were planets in the host star system and it was only postulated that there might have been a planet existing in the resident star's habitable zone. Now that his vessel was specifically traveling to said star system, the theory now stood to be fact. The update to his P.A.D.D. had come shortly after pulling himself from bed in preparation for the quality hours of his shift. The turbo lift hummed with a pleasant familiarity as the doors slid open revealing a bright and blinking bridge. "Keptain on ze bridge!" Chekov announced as James stepped further into the head of his beloved ship. "Good morning everyone!" The golden blonde would pip cheerfully. "As I'm sure everyone is aware," he began as he took a seat in the glossy black chair heralding his command, "we are in route to the Alpha Onias star system. It is to our knowledge that the second planet from the Alpha Onias star is in fact an M class planet. We are due to arrive there momentarily and in such will enter a stable orbit. Upon arrival we will be scanning the surface for signs of life and other interesting things Starfleet would love to learn about and maybe," James ventured, glancing over his shoulder to Spock's station and the Vulcan himself, "collect ourselves a few safe samples."

In short order, Hikaru Sulu was employing long-range sensor arrays in hopes of finding signs of intelligent life. So far there was none to speak of—which could have been good or bad considering James Kirk's proclivity of turning seemingly benign situations into tremulous ones just by being present. "As near as I can tell Captain, the planet is uninhabited," the young Japanese man dutifully informed as the Enterprise entered orbit. "Fantastic, perhaps we can go down and get some fresh air," Kirk grinned as he opened a small channel down to med-bay and a particularly endearing storm cloud known as Leonard McCoy. "Mornin' Bones, we've just arrived at Alpha Onias II and are planning on making a house call. I'd like you to join me if you don't mind."

"Yeah," the gravelly voice would respond back through the chair's speaker. "Hafta keep you from blowin' up like a toad for steppin' on a patch of Irellian plate grass."

"Outstanding Bones, I know you'll have my back with plenty of hypos on hand. Meet in transporter room three in twenty minutes."

"I'll be there with jingle bells on." The man sounded less than enthused.

"Mister Spock," Jim called out as he stood from his chair and made his way to the turbo lift. "You too. Bring a tricorder and your sense of adventure; also, get a couple of redshirts together as well. Might as well make a party of it!" With a flurry of dancing brows and that patented Kirk grin, the Enterprise captain would disappear behind the turbo lift doors, leaving Spock to glance back at Uhura. "I am not entirely sure the Captain does not fully intend to initiate an impromptu celebration at some point on the surface of Alpha Onias II," the Vulcan mused aloud drawing an amused smile from the brown-skinned woman. "Well, provided there isn't any alcohol, I think he should be fine."

"One could only hope."

He felt like a vampire. The light of the day seemed like an enemy to him, something to run from, to evade. Of course, what choice did he have? Be found out and returned to stasis? That was always a distinct possibility, but it was doubtful that his self-awakening would be nearly as easy if he was forced to do it again. If nothing else, the inferior ones were fairly resourceful. As he sat in his pilfered quarters, he watched the news feed flash across the monitor, what he read there amusing to him. A rash of thefts had been plaguing the area. Some plundered venues were large and worth note, while other burglarized places seemed barely worth mentioning. A shinobi of old he had been, or so he liked to compare himself as he was indeed responsible for making those headlines. Pat, pat, pat, a thief in the night, and sometimes in the plain day, such as that particular day. Looking over in the corner, there was a growing stack of ill-gotten gains just waiting for him to assemble them into the object best suited for his personal endeavor. Oh how Starfleet had erred in awaking him, which barely said anything for his conscription and subsequent exploitation. There was nothing more offensive than the fact that they simply not finish the job of ending him. It mattered not. It was their fault and before his lifetime was over, he would be sure to make 'them' pay again and again until Khan Noonien Singh saw fit to discontinue their punishment. A light smile adorned his face. They really were making it much too easy for him. More than once had he wondered if they even realized he was missing. He wagered they hadn't even bothered to look. And that was all fine and well. All he needed to do was continue keeping a low profile and no one would be the wiser when he finally set in motion plans to vanquish his enemies once and for all. A goal to be accomplished as he pulled off his best vanishing act yet.

A/N: It was obviously longer than the first one. Still trying to get a feel for the pace. Thanks for reading!