Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. I've been getting a bit of writer's block lately. Took me a lot longer to write this one but thanks to you guys for waiting! Thanks to you guys who left reviews. It's nice to get feedback about the chapter and it's great encouragement.

Also to Lorna Roxen: No, she's only dating Bones right now but Spock's in love with her. We'll see how that works out for all of them ;)

Anyways, please read and review!

2258 – June 8 2200 hours

Audrey dropped her body on the bed and couldn't help but giggle. Touching her lips, she blushed profusely. His soft lips, the slight taste of whiskey and the stubble against her own face filled her mind. She admitted to herself that she had been attracted to Leo ever since she had met him. I mean who wouldn't? He was tall dark and handsome plus intelligent. How many times do men like that cross your path?

Leo had been there for her through thick and thin. He waited for her until she was ready and she couldn't ask for more. But this didn't stop her from thinking about her secret. Who she really was. Would Leo stay with her as he had till now?

Shaking her head, she told herself that he would. That she just needed to trust him and she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Nevertheless, the fear lay hidden underneath her control spreading in her mind without her knowledge. Turning her thoughts to Jim and Spock, Audrey felt gratitude towards them. The fear of her rejection was so strong in her that it almost made her immobile. The fear of being found disgusting and yet neither felt that. They both embraced her and accepted her for who she was. She felt strong love for the both of them as friends.

But for some reason, in her state of euphoria, Spock Prime's words came to mind. Ever since that night, she had fantasized about what her life would be like if… it were her and Spock. If they were, as they were in Spock Prime's universe, bondmates. It would be… weird, she decided mentally reprimanding herself. She just wanted to enjoy the moment and think of how she felt in Leo's arms.

2258 – June 9th 1000 hours

"I knew it! I totally called it! Come on Sulu. Fork over that cash." Jim had a goofy grin on his face as he slapped Sulu on the back. Grumbling a little bit Sulu gave him the cash.

Audrey tilted her head slightly. "You guys bet on something?"

"No duh! We bet on that!" Jim pointed to their hands. Leo and Audrey had walked into the cafeteria holding hands loosely. Neither was afraid to show their affection but Audrey did look slightly embarrassed.

Her cheeks burning bright red, Audrey growled. "Shut up, Jim! God you're embarrassing."

"It's just because he's jealous that you're taking away Bones from him." Sulu mused. Audrey laughed at Jim's mock horror expression.

"As far as I'm concerned, the view is now much better from here than it was better." Leo said drinking his coffee. Jim let his jaw drop.

"You're kidding me, Bones! I know you loved seeing my handsome face every day!"

"Handsome, my ass." Leo mumbled. The table laughed at the exchange between the two.

It was then that Jim spotted Spock and Uhura.

Waving them over, he yelled. "Over here!" Slowly the two carried their trays over to the table. Spock next to Jim, across from Audrey and Leo while Nyota sat next to Audrey. "Guess what you two! We have a couple of lovebirds beside yourselves making their nest in the Enterprise!"

Spock was curious as to who the captain was talking about. He seemed to be excited beyond belief. However before he could ask, Nyota beat him to the punch. She had a mischievous glint in her eye as she glanced as Audrey. "Don't tell me… you two finally hooked up?"

At Audrey's blush, Nyota couldn't help but squeal. "OH MY GOD! You did! FINALLY." Jim wiggled his eyebrows.

"Was it that obvious?" Audrey asked exasperatedly. "You've got to be kidding me!"

At Audrey's words, Spock felt his heart stop and a cold feeling wash over him. His eyes could not bear to look at her any longer. Every word that she spoke confirming her attachment to another male painfully burned right through him. She was still the most beautiful creature in the universe to Spock but now the most painful to him as well.

"Good god Jim! Did you go around gossiping like an old woman with everyone?" Leo crossed his arms.

"Don't look at me!" Jim looked flabbergasted.

"Oh calm down you two. Everybody knew just by looking at you two. It was painfully obvious that even Spock knew." Nyota responded rolling her eyes.

Spock would have raised his eyebrows at Nyota's remark if he was not so distracted. Instead he found himself unable to respond as Audrey looked meekly at him. Even the way she blushed, the way she parted her lips made him ache.

"Even the damned green blooded hobgoblin knew? Goddamnit." Leo shook his head but took Audrey's hand in between his and held it. Softly Audrey smiled at him.

Jim grinned foolishly. "Awww Bones you're happy aren't you? Look at how tame the good doctor is!"

Sulu shook his head. "You're just asking for a beating Captain."

"Damn right he is." Leo growled.

"Now now Bones." Jim said trying to calm him down a bit. "We have to talk about more important matters anyways. This Friday all of us will meet in front of the Academy and go on vacation!"

"Where are we even going?" Audrey asked rolling her eyes at him and his flippant attitude.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out!"

"Isn't it obvious? He's probably going to get us stranded on some island or planet and get us drunk." Nyota chipped in enjoying the look that Jim was giving her.

"Well… I'm just saying but I'm a terrific drinking buddy. First drink's on me…. Ensign." Jim winked.

"Sorry Captain but I don't think you can afford it." Nyota smiled despite herself. They seemed to be playing a flirting game with each other. All the while, Audrey watched the two wondering how Spock felt watching their exchange.

Watching the two, Spock felt a little bit of freedom in a hopeless situation. If he were to let Nyota go, which he decided to, it seems that she would be able to carry on without him. While she would be missed and she would most likely miss him due to their emotional attachment and time, he hoped that she would find more happiness in a man like the Captain. One of the most straining issues in their relationship was that he could not convey and express such emotion such as the Captain in public. Even in private, he was unable to make her laugh and feel as light as she did with the Captain.

However, this was a fleeting thought as the air seemed to only constrict him. Abruptly he excused himself and left the time to maintain some control. Watching his retreating back, Nyota felt confusion, concern, and slight embarrassment. He must have left due to her conversation with the Captain. Why else would he look so troubled? But she realized that she had no heart to run after him. It would be a lie to say that she didn't enjoy the Captain's attention. It would be a lie to tell him that she didn't want to be there. That realization made her feet feel like lead stopping her from following.

"Is Spock okay? He seems off today." Audrey asked in concern. "He hasn't said a single word." Nyota's face got troubled and she didn't respond. Concerned Jim reached out to touch her hand and asked her if she was okay.

"I'm fine Captain. If you'll excuse me." Nyota got up as well and walked away without looking back once. The people left at the table looked at each other in confusion.

"What the hell just happened?" Leo growled.

2258 – June 16th 1300 hours

Friday came much quicker than Audrey felt like it was supposed to. All of them had gotten on the shuttle that Jim rented out that would take us to a nice M class planet that Jim had reserved a house on for them to share. The ride was comfortable. Audrey spent most of her time with Leo while Nyota spent it, strangely enough, with Jim and Spock, Sulu, Scotty, and Chekov talked amongst themselves.

Upon reaching the house, which was located on a water planet, Audrey gasped in astonishment. "It's beautiful." The house was large and white and the only one on this part of the coast. It was surrounded by beautiful exotic trees and white sand with crystal clear turquoise blue water lapping.

"Sure is, dear heart." Leo wrapped his arm around her waist. Audrey smiled and looked into his grey cloudy eyes. Tiptoeing she pecked him on the lips.

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"It's my favorite endearment. Dear heart."

"That and 'beautiful' are the only way I can truthfully portray you." His eyes glittered with adoration.

Audrey breathed out, "God you're perfect." Pulling on the collar of his shirt, she pulled him down enough to kiss him passionately on the lips. Losing herself in him, she let her passion for him overtake her. All she could think about was the way his lips moved against hers, his musky cologne, and the way his strong hands held her.

Pulling back, she smiled and Leo held her. Just as he was about to speak however, Scotty's voice could be heard. "Oi! Lovebirds! Captain's a callin'!" Annoyed that they were interrupted, Leo barked back an answer and led Audrey to the house where everybody was waiting.

2258 – June 18th 1200 hours

The vacation was going better than Audrey thought it would. Jim had this thought out better than she expected but then again as his professor, she was always surprised by his sheer will power to accomplish what he wanted to. Increasingly, she noticed the strained relationship between Jim, Nyota, and Spock. Spock was becoming more and more distant to the other two. She had tried to talk to Nyota who changed the topic quickly. There was more going on than what they were letting on it seemed.

Jim had another event planned for the day. They would go to the beach and play a couple of games while having some drinks. After packing all they needed, the group set off for the beach. All of them were wearing comfortable clothes and the appropriate swimwear which basically meant that Nyota and Audrey showed off their hot bodies as did Jim and Sulu confidently while the others grumbled endlessly about it.

"Damn I'm hot…. And in more ways than one." Jim wiggled his eyebrows as he put his bare arms around Audrey and Nyota's shoulders. He was sporting just a pair of light blue swim trunks.

"Oh puh-lease." Audrey shoved Jim away while rolling her eyes. They had just reached the beach and set up the towels and umbrellas. Taking off her thin and airy white button up, Audrey proceeded to take off her denim shorts. Underneath she wore a light pink bikini that showed quite a bit of skin. It revealed her curvy body and ample breasts. Her copperish brown hair tumbled down her back in large waves.

Wolf-whistling Jim moved his hands in the shape of an hourglass. Smacking Jim on the back of the head, Leo growled. "Have some decency!" He was blushing at seeing Audrey in such few clothes but he himself was wearing nothing but a pair of light grey swim trunks. His body was toned with a little bit of hair adorning his chest. At the sight of how deliciously sexy Leo looked, Audrey's eyes darkened with lust. She just couldn't help but love his broad shoulders.

This did not go unnoticed by a certain Vulcan. He still wore a button up and had dark blue swim trunks on. The color suited Spock and Audrey always thought that it would be a little weird to see him in anything other than blue, grey, or black. He pained every time he saw Audrey together with the Doctor and yet he found that he could never look away from her.

Nyota followed Audrey's suit and also began to take off the other layers to reveal her equally gorgeous body. She wore a gold bikini that matched perfectly with her smooth chocolate skin. Long legs and a beautiful figure that Audrey couldn't help but admire. "Now if you're going to wolf whistle Jim, that's who you should be whistling at."

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Jim said with a curious look in his eye but then Spock caught his eye. "Spock! What are you doing with that shirt still on?"

"Excuse me, sir? I was unaware that the required dress code included the lack of a shirt."

"I told you to call me Jim, Spock and yes. Don't be the odd man out and take off that shirt! It's not like you've got anything to hide." Jim teased.

Spock merely raised an eyebrow in response. Slowly, he took off his shirt to reveal a pale but taut and muscular body. He was in better shape than Jim or Leo was but that was probably because he was more disciplined with his exercise regimen than either of those two. Even without flexing, Spock's muscles were clearly visible and appealing to the eye.

"Well, looks like someone needs to work out." Audrey said teasingly as she tapped Jim on the stomach. "Betcha regret asking him to take off his shirt now don't ya. Might wanna lay off on the beer."

"You would be wise to listen to Audrey's advice, Captain." Spock said calmly but they knew he was teasing.

Jim was about to retort when Chekov walked over to the group in his bright yellow trunks and smiled. "Keptin, I've brought da bottles as you have asked." There were four bottles of sunscreen and a couple of bottles of booze in his arms.

"Thank you Chekov!"

Scotty took a bottle from the young Russian and took a glance at the label. "Sunscreen? Ah donna like the feelin' of this."

"Oh Scotty cheer up! It's just a little game!" Jim said as he slapped the back of the Scotsman in red swim trunks. "Let's just do a simple game huh? How about we basically play a game of… drink or dare and all the dares have something to do with this sunscreen we have here?"

Audrey slapped the back of Jim's head. "This is what I taught you at the Academy?" Everyone started laughing as Audrey continued to punish the poor captain.

"Ow! Ow! Awww, come on prof!" Jim clutched the back of his head and tried to defend himself from Audrey's flying kicks and punches. Even Spock couldn't help but let his mouth twitch at amusement. It was at these moments that he felt more at ease than usual.

Uhura laughed at their antics. "Audrey you should know by now that Jim will always be an idiot. Let's just humor him." Grumbling Audrey let Jim off the hook and sat down at the table.

"While the captain may not believe in no-win situations for himself that means that we're always in a no-win situation when we don't want to do what he wants." Sulu remarked as he sat down.

"Aptly put, Mr. Sulu. It seems that the captain still has yet to learn that lesson." Spock added.

Everyone laughed as they watched Jim gape like a fish. "Damn, you just got smacked down by Sulu and Spock, Jim!" Bones smacked Jim. Laughing Audrey laid her hand on Spock's bare arm who sat next to her. She watched as his usually stoic face held little traces of mirth and amusement. It made her smile even more.

Spinning the bottle, Jim's bottle landed on Leo. "Drink or dare?"

"Are you kidding? It's too early in the game to do a dare. Pour me a drink." Jim shrugged and poured him a shot of some amber liquid. Quickly, he gulped down the shot and felt the burn. "What the crap is that? It burns like hell!"

Jim simply winked. "You should ask Chekov."

"It is a type of Russian alcohol, sir. One of ze strongest if I may so myself." Chekov was proud. "It is one of my favorite drinks!"

"You can drink this stuff? God! It tastes like motor oil!" Leo looked horrified.

Laughing Audrey said, "Leo, I think you're getting old. You're being out drunk by a seventeen year old!"

"Seventeen and a half, ma'am!" Chekov corrected. Grumbling, Leo spun the bottle. It landed on Sulu.

"Don't even ask. Like you said, it's too early for a dare."

"A man after my own heart. Mr. Sulu, remind me to drink with you more often."

"Hey! I thought I was your drinking buddy!" Jim protested.

"Captain-" Spock began.

"I told you to call me Jim when we're off duty Spock." Jim said while pouring another drink. He shoved the shot glass in front of Spock. "Ya gotta drink one for breaking the rules!"

Spock gave Jim a look that could be only described to be a look of total exasperation. If looks could talk, Spock's would have said, "Are you really that moronic?"

"Jim. I was going to merely point out that the good doctor must be weary of 'cleaning up your messes' as humans say. The situations that you often find yourself in seem to be irritating at the least. Although it is curious as to why the doctor continues to associate himself with you. It seems his own intelligence is as questionable as yours." Spock replied dryly as he quickly downed the shot. He reasoned that it was a rule of the game and he would have been ordered by the captain to drink it if he hadn't.

Audrey and Sulu began to laugh hard. Leo and Jim were stunned. "Oh my god!" Audrey wiped the tear from her eye. "You're on a roll Spock!"

"Wait did Spock just… make a joke?" Jim asked in awe.

"Vulcans do not joke, Captain. I simply stated the obvious." Spock replied but it was obvious that he did not mean it.

"Lad, what is this stuff? Ahm sure it's strong because it's got our first officer all out of whack!" Scotty laughed pouring himself a drink and taking a swig of it just for the fun of it. "GAH!" Scotty almost spit out the stuff the moment it entered his mouth.

"You asked me vhen I vould be drinking a 'real drink' sir. This is a real Russian drink."

Nyota laughed along with the others but she honestly was surprised. Even when they were together, he did not joke and he did not laugh like he did now. Spock did not laugh in the usual way but they could tell by his relaxed stance, the dancing lights in his eyes, and the slight twitch of the corner of his lips. But she didn't blame him. Ever since she had met Jim, things had been changing. To all the others, she put on a happy appearance and only lately had she begun to show anything else. Even when she was with Spock, she wasn't happy either. There weren't smiles and genuine laughter coming from her like they once did. Sure, she did love Spock. But now she was growing tired and she wanted someone who would laugh with her.

Someone like Jim.

They continued to play this game and everybody had a few drinks of the ridiculously strong drink. Until the bottle finally pointed at Sulu. After taking his 4th shot, Jim made it a rule to have to choose dare from that point on out. At this point, most of them were a little tipsy and couldn't find the strength to object. Spinning the bottle, Sulu found that his landed on Leo. "Wait I have to… uh… dare him to do something with sunscreen?" Sulu scratched his head as he thought of a dare. Audrey started giggling and offered her suggestion.

"Hikaru, dare him to give Scotty a sunscreen massage!"

"Dammit Audrey! I ain't givin' no Scot a sunscreen massage!" Leo jumped up but was stopped by Jim.

"Do it Sulu!" Winking Jim held Leo down.

"Sorry Doctor, but I think I'll have to dare you to do it." But Sulu didn't look sorry in the least. Giggling Audrey pressed a bottle of sunscreen in Leo's hands.

"No goddamn way am I doing that dare!"

"Captain! No decent Scotsman would allow themselves ta be massaged by a… another man!" Scotty sputtered.

"Well you don't have to do it alone ya know. Bones ya got the bottle!" Jim said laughing.

"Damn right I got the bottle. Just you wait Jim. Just you wait." Leo growled but slightly calmed down as Audrey laid her head on his shoulder and entwined their arms. Even though it was really her fault that he was in this ridiculous situation, he couldn't stay mad at her for long. Instead he decided to blame Mr. Sulu and Jim. It was ALWAYS Jim's fault.

Spinning the bottle, he willed it to land on Jim but like always it landed on someone else. Landing on Nyota, she only had one word to say. "Shit."

At this, everybody laughed. Even Spock raised an eyebrow. Nyota blushed under everybody's gaze. "What? Give a girl a break!"

"Amen!" Audrey joined in. Moving away from Leo, she took another shot in agreement. As Leo, Jim and the others joined in on what to dare Nyota to do, Audrey stood. "Leo, I'll be back. Off to powder my nose." She winked at the doctor and kissed him on the cheek. Standing up to follow her, Spock made his leave as well.

"Spock, where are you going?" Jim called.

"I believe that Audrey may need help getting to the restroom. It seems to be that she may have drunk excessively and as the good doctor is busy, I will escort her to and back." Spock replied clasping his hands behind his back as per usual. Leo merely grunted and waved him off too busy thinking of a suitable dare while Jim merely smiled and waved.

Using his long stride and legs to his advantage, Spock quickly reached Audrey as she turned the corner around the building. He caught her as she stumbled a little bit and when she raised her head to look up at who had saved her from falling, he found himself captivated by the dancing gold light in her brown eyes. Spock laid a hand on the small of Audrey's back and pulled her close. As he did, he realized exactly how smooth and silky her skin was the and delightfully watched as she let a shiver run down her spine in reaction to his touch. It was pathetic, he knew, but it was all he could have. All he would ever have.

"Spock," she breathed out. "Looks like I'm a little tipsy." Audrey giggled.

"Yes, it seems you are." Spock was acutely aware of how much skin was touching and he was awash with emotions that weren't his own. He found himself in the sea that was her mind and was at peace like he hadn't been since the last time they've touched.

"You have such nice muscles. I'm almost jealous of whoever your bondmate is." She giggled as she stroked his chest and biceps. "They're nicer than Leo's!"

Spock was suddenly filled with pride and couldn't help but flex a little bit. "It is only a result of my exercise regimen and strict diet. One that I believe the good doctor does not follow." His mind was filled with laughter.

"Ya got that right." Slowly Audrey extracted herself from the embrace and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for saving me."

"You are welcome, Audrey." Spock immediately missed the physical contact and the presence of her mind. He felt… alone all of a sudden. She smiled and bounced off to use the restroom.

"Where have ya been?" Jim whined. "They're being mean to me!"

"We decided to let her draw an embarrassing picture in sunscreen on Jim's back! So that when he sunburns it'll be there for all to see." Leo laughed.

"Oh that's pure evil!" Audrey smirked. "Ya got a picture in mind?"

"Don't worry, I've got it covered." Nyota winked mischievously. She then spun the bottle and nobody expected who it would land on next. It landed on Jim.

Groaning, Jim said, "Aw man! Are ya serious? You've got to be kidding me."

"We'll keep it simple this time. You give me a sunscreen back massage." Nyota said smirking.

"That's like adding salt to injury! You get to mess with my back and I give you a massage?"

"It's what you get for starting a game like this!" Nyota and Leo said at the same time.

"Fine." Jim said taking the bottle and spinning it. "Yes! Spock… hmmm… what to do with you." Jim tapped his chin as he contemplated it. "Well, since you haven't really don't anything except listen to me, I'm just gonna take this opportunity to mess with Bones… or more specifically his girl."

"What?!" Bones glared at Jim.

"Hey I was going to have him give you a nice back massage with sunscreen," Leo's face morphed into one of horror, "but I thought that that was too disturbing."

"Ya got that right. That's just inhuman." Leo muttered. Spock simply raised an eyebrow.

"So… I'll just make him give Audrey a back massage. It'll bother you, but you'll live." Leo just glared at him. "Audrey, you good with that?"

She shrugged. "Who am I to say no to a good back massage? It's free!" Leo glared at her.

"Doctor, it is illogical to glare at Audrey. Or me for that matter. It is, after all, Jim's fault."

"Damn logic, Spock! You've got your paws all over my girl! What man would like that?" He growled.

"Paw, doctor? If you remember anything about Vulcan physiology, you would know that we do not have paws."

Just as Leo was about to retort with a scathing remark, Audrey butted in. "Come on, Leo. It's just Spock. No need to get all riled up."

"You're just soaking this up aren't you?" He said sarcastically. Audrey smiled but Spock could tell that the remark was unsettling to Audrey. She was a little annoyed by his bitter jab and how it dampened the mood. It wasn't the first time he's said something like this but the first time he's said it in public.

"Lighten up, Bones! It's just a massage! I mean Spock isn't that bothered that Nyota's touching my back. Anyways, it's like you've always said. A little suffering is good for the soul." Jim said trying to lighten up the mood. It was Leo's catchphrase. Almost as common as his "Dammit Jim!"

Leo grumbled, "I've never said that." Everyone laughed and the mood seemed to lighten a bit. After this though, everyone decided to stop playing the game. It seemed to be a little dangerous to continue playing especially since it was Audrey's turn and would no doubt upset Leo even more. That just sucked the fun out of it.