Kirk paced in his living room into the night. He couldn't stop thinking about the afternoon he had spent with Lena. Everything had been going so well until she looked at the time. What did "I win" mean anyways? He was tempted to hail her - you were supposed to do that after you slept with a girl, right, be reassuring? But he had the strangest feeling she didn't need any reassurance. Though he was quite perturbed by her promptly sending him back the way she did, he couldn't shake the manic energy that thought of her gave him. He had never been so utterly blown away by anyone.

He picked up his bottle of Three Wood scotch, which Scotty had introduced him to, and realized he'd drank a third of it. This would not do. He needed to talk to someone. Bones would have been his first choice for something like this, but he was on Ya-Mo. He glanced at the clock - 00:00 - he wondered what Spock was up to.

Spock and Uhura had just settled down from a particularly satisfying bout of sex. She was cuddled up against him in bed, as he went calmly over his notes from the day spent on Ya-Mo for his log. He doubted the Captain would be able to contribute anything relevant. He could feel his girlfriend's exhaustion. She hadn't really slept since contact with the Virosas had been made; he had forced himself to be gentle with her tonight, though it had been difficult. The Winged Daughter's pheromones were exceptionally powerful, and though Princess Lena had directed most of hers towards the Captain, his superior Vulcan senses had detected them, rousing his emotions. He looked down at Nyota, who was dozing off, hair in a messy bun, and curly from her shower - she was so beautiful.

She must have sensed his gaze, because she opened her eyes and yawned. "I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep" she said. She got up to move. This was their routine. They would make love, cuddle for a while, then she would return to her quarters. He had told her on multiple occasions that he would be happy to come to her, but she had refused. His were significantly larger, and, as Captains and First Officers often used their quarters for official purposes, it would look less suspicious for her to be leaving his than the other way around. However, after what they had been through in the last 36 hours, he found himself not wanting her to go. Jim's voice rang in his head "They KNOW, Spock".

"Stay". Spock said, pulling her back into bed.

She looked at him strangely, "I thought we… "

"I know. But…it has recently come to my attention that we have not been completely successful in our discretion. Additionally, you are exhausted and returning to your quarters would reset your sleep cycle, making the journey detrimental to your personal health…And, I want you to stay."

Uhura smiled. Spock very rarely expressed his feelings verbally. Their relationship had an interesting dynamic like that. She never truly knew what he was thinking and feeling until their minds joined - then she knew everything he refused to put into words. The events of the day had shaken him, confused him, and left him feeling quite exposed. He had never once said that he loved her, to her or anyone else. At first it bothered her, but after having access to his mind and feelings for so many years she knew he did, so it stopped mattering. But it was still nice to hear. She could also tell that he wanted to discuss it with her, and perhaps something else - she could sense some apprehension in his mood, but she knew better than to press him. Whatever he wanted to say, he would do so when he had grappled with his emotions himself. She could wait.

"OK", she said, kissing his cheek and getting out of bed. She went over to his draw and grabbed a pair of his boxers and a t-shirt - she threw him a pair of pajama bottoms as well. They settled back into bed, Spock still reading, and Uhura falling back to sleep, when there was a knock at the door, followed by Kirk's voice.

"Hey, Spock, are you awake?"

He really has no boundaries, Uhura thought. She looked at Spock and said, "He did help us out today."

"By breaking Virosa law."

"It worked, though".

Conceding her point, Spock got up and let the Captain in. He was wide awake, fully energetic, and slightly tipsy - Spock noticed the bottle of Three Wood in his hand.

"I need to talk to you - Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you had company!" Kirk looked at Uhura who was sitting up in Spock's bed seemingly amused.

"It's fine, Jim, I was just too tired to go back - actually, if you're planning on finishing that bottle can you pour me a glass before you leave?"

Spock turned her curiously. "What? I want a night-cap", she said.

Jim obliged her and waited for Spock to get dressed outside his door.

They went back to back to Jim's quarters and he poured out a generous measure of scotch for each of them. Spock rarely drank, but could appreciate the complex flavor. Jim downed his in a gulp. It was going to be long night. Spock wondered abstractly if all First Officers had to deal with this.

"Spock, I'm freaking out, I - I don't even know what happened today!"

He launched into his story about flying with her, how she had taken him into the water, how he had saved her from drowning. He drank two more glasses of scotch and was quite drunk when he got to the part about what had happened in the room - treating Spock to more details than he needed. His rapid speech suddenly slowed when he got to the part when her alarm had gone off.

"Spock - she - I don't even know, she hit me with those damn pheromones, and I . . . lost it."

"Lost it?"

"It! You know! It was over in like 5 minutes." It was a testament to the scotch that Jim was able to say it out loud.

"Five minutes is considered average by human stand-"

"OK fine it was one minute!" Jim snapped with a scowl. "I just couldn't control it - her pheromones..."

"Were quite powerful. I experienced their effect myself, though I am sure I was not hit with such a significant concentration."

"Wait, are you saying that when you and Uhura . . . the same thing happened to you?"

"Human stamina is never favorably compared with that of Vulcans, Jim."

Jim took another swig of scotch, "Are you making fun of me?"

Spock took refined sip of his own, "Of course not, Captain", he said unable to hide a trace of a smirk.

"Well - this is a problem!" Jim said in frustration, "She's…amazing…and I want to hook up with her again? But, even according to you I blew it, and it's not like I can contact her and-"

"Jim - if I may, before you invest any more emotional energy in this female, you should speak with Brok. He shed some light on the peculiar circumstances this afternoon, and I suspect can explain why the Princess's mood changed so rapidly."

"Huh? What does Brok have to do with this?"

"Jim - you were the subject of a bet."

A thoroughly amused Brok was summoned to the Captain's quarters in the middle of the night. He had suspected this would happen. After helping himself to a generous pour of their strange, yet tasty alcohol, he explained to the emotionally volatile man in front of him how he had been brought into Princess Lena's long standing bet with Princess Suria. They were best friends, and had come to Ya-Mo together with a hidden agenda - to establish more contacts outside their own solar system. Gift presentation was normally something done with Virosa males, but, after Suria had an affair with an outsider, Lena decided to remove that clause. Since then they had been keeping score - who could be the first to mate with a new species. "First" was key because gifting ensured that one of them would definitely get someone. Suria had been livid - she had assumed she would "win" humans because Lena had rejected her gift, and the Enterprise had not landed yet - she had not counted on Lena brazenly extending the Privilege of Kavari - which gave a male the privilege of mating once with the Winged Daughter. It had been highly entertaining!

"I was a bet?" Kirk Jim asked, incredulous. He didn't think people did that in real life. He couldn't decide if he was angry or impressed.

"Yes, Captain", Brok said with a laugh. "Lena actually almost lost too - she lost track of time, and Suria rushed the tour. That's why she used her pheromones to hurry you along."

"Wait, who told you about that."

"I . . ", Brok hesitated, but the scotch was burning so pleasantly, all they drank on Ya-Mo was wine, "I share a special friendship with the Princess - she told me she had to almost kill you to get you to finish!" He hiccoughed, "And then!...and then she couldn't even accept Suria's invitation to share Dr. McCoy, because she says she injured herself on you!"

So she had done it on purpose! Kirk thought in triumph. He shot a look at Spock feeling vindicated.

But wait… Kirk had comprehended that last part of his statement. "What do you mean by 'injured'? And invited to what?"

Brok grinned, "Lena and Suria are . . . fluid I guess would be the right word? They prefer males as sexual partners, but they are often not opposed to sharing with each other, sometimes they don't even need the male. Most Winged Daughters experience a similar disposition."

Brok went on to explain how Winged Daughters were highly sexual creatures, and how, because of them, females both winged and non, were encouraged to take significant latitude before betrothal-monogamy before betrothal wasn't practiced at all. Once they became pregnant with their first child, however, that all changed. Pregnancy released hormone in them which made the pheromones of all other potential mates, save for the father of their child, intolerable; this condition remained for the entirety of their lives. As such, ending mating was strictly forbidden, and, if a male strayed from his mate, she would have the right to kill him - as she would never again be able to enjoy sexual activity. This was compounded with the Winged Daughters. To have a Winged Daughter in one's womb caused an even more powerful release of the hormone, and since most Winged Daughters were born of Winged Daughters, their caste was encouraged even more strongly to enjoy as many partners as they pleased - male or female. Brok hiccoughed again, "I suspected Spock was attached to Uhura, but I had just planned on presenting both. But no one would confirm or deny that she was, in fact, his mate."

Kirk looked at Spock, "You blew it, dude."

"I am perfectly satisfied with the outcome of today, Jim" Spock lied.

"Sure."

"Brok, how do you even know all this?" Kirk asked the Virosa.

Brok grinned, "As I said, the Princesses and I are…close friends…"

"Together or apart?" Kirk asked.

"Hic - what?"

"Did you fuck them together or apart?"

Brok blushed, "Both" he confirmed, "but not for some time now. I am to be betrothed to a non-winged female- a scientist - I love her. Lena, Suria and I are now just good friends."

"What do you mean by, injured?" he pressed.

"Are you being quite serious, Jim?" Spock said in annoyance. Kirk's face was wide eyed and innocent.

"Somehow I don't think you need me to elaborate, Captain" Brok said with a smile.

Lena woke early the next day, Veelia was in bed with her. The poor girl had been too nervous to do anything with her gift but discuss physics with him last night. She had hailed Lena panicking - the boy had been understanding - he told her that he was perfectly happy to spend time with her, and didn't want to make her uncomfortable. Veelia was so beautiful, and so bright! She was of a lower rank though - first generation. Many of the other Winged Daughter's bullied her, mostly, Lena suspected, because they were jealous of her beauty and intelligence. That had ended when Lena took her on as her personal protégée, and Veelia had idolized her as half second mother, half older sister ever since. She wanted Veelia to begin having sex, before she was mated and stuck with the same male for the rest of her life, but the girl was terrified. Additionally, Lena didn't trust any male who had been with one of the Daughters who used to bully her - at least not for her first time. Veelia stretched and yawned in her slumber, her golden hair tumbling across Lena's bed.

Lena couldn't sleep. She was no longer sore - how had she lost track of time? - but she was addicted to the log the Captain - Jim - had sent her. Initially she only wanted it for new surveillance on the Zezians, whom he noted his female officers disliked, but reading was…captivating. Jim was clearly more intelligent that he let on - she was even beginning to suspect he figured out how to find her by himself. He wrote eloquently descriptive passages about thing that interested him, while glazing over details where he was clearly bored. He seemed to be very protective of his crew as well. She had thrown out a casual compliment about his life being amazing to get him to send over his log, but, the more she read, the more she felt herself long for his experiences. Of course she would never have the opportunity; she was a Winged Daughter, a Princess, and soon, very soon, to be Queen. Her mother had taught her from a young age that her life did not belong to her, that she had been afforded the privilege to serve her people, and that she must rise to the occasion. Lena disagreed with many aspects of her culture, but she understood and respected that. She was also comforted by knowing she would have the ability to implement the beginnings of social changes, even if she would never see the results. Yet, what weighed heaviest on her mind was the Zezians. She knew war was coming, and that it might mean the end of one of their peoples. She did not know when exactly this would occur, but she could sense their political climate growing aggressive. They had elected a new Vaa, who had a sinister obsession with the Virosa and their Winged Daughters.

Throwing her long hair over her shoulder she gazed up at the morning sky. She could see the outline of Jim's giant ship. How wonderful would her life would have been if she were Starship Captain, instead of a Princess on the verge of war.

"What are you thinking about?" Suria had slipped into her room, and was standing behind her.

"The Zezians. As always."

"Do you think they will attack soon?"

"I don't know - I hate sitting here and waiting."

"Lena, we have done everything we can. Ya-Mo is impenetrable, and they need to get passed us before they enter the system. Veelia will manage to crack warp 7 soon, and then we will have ships that are not only more powerful, but faster. They will come, but we will be able to stop them."

"How can you be so sure?" Lena asked, "And what if we fail - what if we all fail?"

"Then the Virosa will be no more. But I don't intend to fail."

Lena smiled. She did not know what she would have done without Suria. When they met ten years ago, Lena had been quite reluctant to take her place among the rulers of the colonies. She wished to go on adventures with Brok. Suria taught her how to rule and showed her that ruling could be an adventure too. They would never leave their solar system, and Lena would never be at peace with that, but she could make her society better - she owed it to her people.

"Where did you get the new intelligence on the Zezians anyways?" Suria asked.

"Jim - The Captain - sent me his log."

"Why would he do that?"

"Ummmmm."

"Were you guys in contact, like Kale said"

"Yes", Lena answered, truthfully. Suria wouldn't say anything. "He must have seen the transition I sent to Brok in the middle of the night and hailed me. I was actually impressed that he managed to figure it out."

"I figured- it that why you extended the privilege to him? Because he wanted it in exchange for the log?"

"Actually . . . No - I don't even think he knew that was an option." Lena said. "He just gave it to me. He didn't even seem to think about it. He reached out to negotiate the swap that Laveen had ignored. After I saw the list I was actually going to hail him anyways…"

"To get Ensign Chekov for Veelia."

"Yes. Jim, the Captain, I mean, was so defensive over Spock and Lt. Uhura -it was kind of sweet. He must really care for them. Anyways, he seemed so excited that I had agreed to the swap - even gave me an extra for you-"

"Thanks, by the way!"

"Don't mention it - I just figured I would ask him for the log too. Sure beats the hell of hacking into their system for it."

"You must have left quite an impression on him."

"Well", Lena began, "Can I tell you a secret? You can't tell anyone . . . or scold me."

"I'm not sure if I like where this is going . . . "

"I might have turned on my hail screen - to seal the deal. And…I was interested in what he looked like."

"Lena! You - "

"No scolding!"

"That was…" Looking at Lena's face, Suria changed track, "He is good looking- and very magnanimous, I admit. Which reminds me - how did winning the bet go?" Her face soured.

"I almost lost!" Lena said. "I sort of lost track of time. He was…very…"

Suria smirked "Go on."

Lena told her about flying together, how he had not feared the sky at all, how he had taken it in stride when she dropped him in a pool. When she got to the part about him kissing her Suria gasped.

"He initiated?"

"Yes! He was very, forward. I mean, I think I liked it. It was crazy because I was so worried about drowning I wasn't even using my pheromones. But, I don't know, that's weird right. Did that Doctor initiated anything?"

"He was content to do anything I asked."

"Anyways, he was sort of taking his time . . . which was great, he is clearly a skilled lover, but then the clock went off and I sort of . . . blasted him with my pheromones to finish him off? Then I put him to sleep so he would shut up. I really had every intention of waking him back up and enjoying him again, but then Veelia hailed in a panic, and I just sent him home. Then I remembered I had forgotten his uniform."

"Lena! Are you KIDDING!? You sent him home, sleeping AND naked after rendering him incapacitated? What is WRONG with you?!"

"Yeah . . . now that you put it that way, I can see your point." She shrugged, "I don't know, I was thinking more about Veelia, I guess - plus, I sort of wanted to get back to reading the log book. It's incredible!"

Suria sighed and shook her head. Lena could be quite thoughtless sometimes. Her friend and co-ruler possessed a brash confidence that often lead her astray. She had been doing things like this less and less since she had finally accepted that she would be in charge of the Virosa one day - growing more disciplined in her studies and seeking frivolity with less frequency, but the cocky, mischievous, somewhat zany girl was still in there. This was exactly the sort of thing Lena would do. The poor Captain, Suria hoped this did not sour the diplomatic meeting she had arranged for that morning.

The Enterprise landed smoothly on the surface of Ya-Mo. Kirk had finally gotten some rest, but, after the dull haze of scotch wore off an unsettling truth started to sink in - he had not successfully seduced Lena - she had been more concerned with her precious bet. Kirk wouldn't have minded, except for that, for whatever reason, it had felt real to him - that she actually liked him. It didn't help that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. A guilty realization occurred when he remembered that he had made Carol like him several months ago. Maybe that's why she was so angry.

Kirk entered the Palace with a small group - Spock, Uhura, Sulu, Scotty, and Dr. Marcus. A non-winged female led them into a large meeting room where Princesses Lena and Suria, Daughter Kale, Veelia and two other Winged Daughters were waiting for them.

Lena spoke, the eloquent ruler once more, "Welcome Captain Kirk. I am very pleased to be able to begin our meetings today. We are fascinated by your peaceful mission, and are excited to exchange ideas with your culture."

Marcus was slightly taken aback. This was Lena. She was not what Marcus had expected. She was very pretty, of course, they all were, but she was certainly not the most beautiful woman in the room. The title belonged to the little blonde angel sitting in the corner taking notes. Even the other Princess, Suria, was more beautiful. Yet, the more Lena spoke, the more Marcus began to see her appeal. She commanded the attention of the room effortlessly, was clearly highly intelligent, and possessed a sort of casual yet authoritative demeanor. It was the same confidence Kirk possessed when he took control of a situation. It figured. She wondered if he realized he had become infatuated with himself.

Kirk sat quietly and did his best to ignore the weird fluttering in his stomach. Lena and Suria outlined their intricate web of alliances, and talked about their plans for the next few days to determine if the Virosa and the Federation were compatible as alliance members, or merely just non hostile entities. It was struck him as odd, though, that a race who claimed to be so peaceful and friendly, had such a large military compound, and were so intently seeking alliances. He also knew he shouldn't phrase it like that.

"L-Princess, Lena", his interrupted, "You certainly have built many alliances in the past five years. I'm sorry, but this greatly contradicts what we have heard about you from the Hamidians - we thought you were reclusive."

"You thought wrong", she corrected him pertly.

"Lena!" Princess Suria said, "Yes, Captain, you are correct. Lena and I have discussed this at length and realized that perhaps we are a bit too isolated. We are trying to change that now."

Lena and Kirk were locked in eye contact. She didn't like his implication. None of her alliances knew of the true reason for their conflict with the Zezians. She could tell he suspected them of preparing for something, but full disclosure would be unwise. He actually was smarter than he looked - no one else had managed to piece it together. He was also clever enough not to ask about it directly, but they would have to monitor all communications and logs on the Enterprise now. It finally dawned on her that he was probably also upset with her. Perhaps Suria had been right, maybe it had been a little rude to send him back the way she did. Maybe she would do something nice to make up for it. She typed a short message to Veelia, who looked at her and smiled.

The meetings dragged on. Lena was an exceptionally quick reader, and had read the entire Federation Manifesto that morning- which Suria and Kale were now taking them over it at length. Jim, she noticed, seemed a little bored too, allowing his First Officer to lead the discussions. Finally they came to an end.

There was to be three hour break after the meetings, then the tournament, followed by a great feast into the night. Lena was starting to grow tired of feasts, and she enjoyed a good tournament any day. 18 of the Winged Daughters in the compound would compete in a display of aerial hand to hand combat. Though no Winged Daughter had actually fought in a war in over 200 years, Lena believed it was essential that they should be in peak condition at all times. Tournaments provided excellent incentive.

The entire crew had been invited to the tournament - all 278 of them. Kirk was informed by Brok than Bones and Chekov would be released for the day as well, but would return to the Daughters at the end of the night. The tournament was to take place over a great plain. A wide circular arena hung suspended in the air. It was filled to capacity; it seemed the entire colony had come out for the tournament. Kirk had been invited to sit in the top box with the non-competing Winged Daughters, all of whom looked to be about 12 or 13, and where the competing Daughters would return to following their match. To Kirk's surprise, Bones and Chekov were there too.

"Bones!" Kirk greeted him.

"Jim! Oh good you're alive!"

Jim grimaced, "Barely- how are they treating you?"

"Jim-let me describe my day to you. I woke up and made love to a beautiful woman. Then I was brought a fruit smoothie in bed. Then I went out and lounged by a pool for a few hours - surrounded by gorgeous Winged Daughters. Then I had a snack, then I made love a beautiful woman again - who casually invited her friend to join in. Now I am going to watch some sports, get drunk at a feast, wake-up and repeat. I know we've only been out in space for a year, but this is my favorite planet -ever. We will never find a better one."

"She-she - invited someone to join, was it . . .nevermind?"

"Lena?" Bones asked curiously, "No, Vexel actually, Lena turned her down last night, then she and Veelia disappeared all afternoon." Bones smiled, "They didn't do anything last night." he said, motioning to Chekov, "I tried to give him a pep talk, but she's . . . a little flighty too. She called Lena fifteen minutes into it, around 20:15, and asked her to come back. What happened with you?"

Kirk said nothing, but his chest felt a little lighter, she hadn't completely discarded him after all- she had sent him home because she needed to go help Veelia.

The tournament was beginning. 16 of the participating daughters were put into four teams of four, and would fight to the last man, or woman in this case, standing. The arena began to move and hovering obstacles we emitted into the center. The first two teams entered the arena, one of them led by Veelia.

Kirk had been quite impressed by Lena's strength and flying ability the day before, but nothing prepared him for the epic fight that took place before him. They flew so fast he could barely see them, but so gracefully it seemed as though they moved in a blurred slow motion. As he watched Veelia effortlessly take down an opponent with a perfect display of swordsmanship, he began to understand why they were worshipped. Even Klingons could not flight like this.

The crowd cheered - Veelia's team had won their final match. She flew up to their box and sat down next to Chekov.

"We won!" she squeaked, "What did you think?"

Chekov looked at her half in fear, half in awe-he had just watched her dismantle six Daughters single handedly while performing aerial stunts that would leave even the most experienced pilot nauseous. He took the easy way out, "I am speechwess", he said.

"Hey, Veelia", Kirk cut in, "I thought this tournament had 18 participants? Where are-"

"Lena and Suria?" She asked brightly, "They will fight hand to hand in a few moments. They have the honor of going last."

"Hello Jim", he turned - Lena was flapping her enormous wings to stay airborne in front of him. She was wearing a bright blue, skin tight cat suit covered in heavy looking armor.

"Princess Lena", he said.

"Oh come now, I thought we had - ahem - agreed to call each other Lena and Jim. Are you mad at me?"

Why was she doing this to him? "Of course not, Lena. So, you're gonna fight Princess Suria?"

"Yes…You haven't said anything about my attire."

"Should I have?"

"Yes, I had it made for you. It matches your beautiful eye color; I thought you would like it." she said flippantly.

"I . . .I, thanks?"

He felt the smallest whispered of her pheromones in response, turning him on. She looked at him with a confident smile, "You are most welcome."

With that she flew off. Bones looked at him curiously but said nothing. Kirk felt elated- He was back in the game!

Lena and Suria landed on opposite podiums, sizing each other up. Suddenly Lena started to remove her armor. Beside him Veelia gasped, "Oh my! They are going to do this without armor."

"Isn't that dangerous?" Kirk asked her.

"Yes! But . . . well the armor is kind of a hindrance . . . they can move much better without it. . . This is going to be a real treat!"

Suria grinned and removed hers as well. She knew what Lena was doing -she wanted to show off for the Captain - that's probably why she was wearing that ridiculous blue suit. Still, Lena seldom liked anyone, or at least she seldom put any sort of effort in. Suria was happy to indulge her. She took off from her podium. She was happy to engage in an armor less fight with her friend, but under no circumstances was she going to let her win. Lena took off as well. Her wings were larger than Suria's but they often got in the way of her sword play. The each had three blades on them; two that were meant to be used simultaneously and one smaller one for emergencies.

They circled each other, each waiting for the other to strike. Suddenly Lena made to attack. Suria quickly moved into a defensive position, only to be hit out of nowhere by Lena. She had been feinting. Suria slammed into an obstacle and caught herself from a fall while Lena circled above. She was trying to avoid hand to hand combat. "No way", she whispered. Suria shot upwards vertically, and swung past Lena's defenses. Their swords danced.

From the stands the stadium watched with baited breath. Lena and Suria were the most experienced fighters on Ya-Mo. They also spared with each other almost daily. Their display was nothing short of spectacular. Twenty minutes into the fight they were both covered in sweat and dark purple blood, but neither was showing any signs of letting up. Kirk watched in fascination. If this was what a Winged Daughter could do, the Zezians had chosen the wrong people to aggravate. This is what these girls did for fun!

Suddenly they were locked together, tumbling out of the air, the ground grew closer and closer, and, all at once they stopped, and the stadium lit up.

"It is a tie!" Veelia said.

"What just happened?" Kirk asked.

"Lena had Suria in a death spiral, the move is brought to completion when she slams her to the ground, breaking her back. Suria, however, had gotten a knife to Lena's throat. Mutually assured destruction. They both had to surrender."

"They weren't actually going to kill each other, were they?"

"Of course not!" Veelia exclaimed. "They are best friends - they know when it's time to stop."

Kirk looked at Bones, who was still staring at Suria, "Damn", he said.