Nyota was in the observatory. She loved to be here in her down time, setting coordinates of galaxies and star systems she had read about and studied into the machines and laying back in the big chair to just gaze at them. The colours were hypnotic, the way some shined so brightly and others seemed dull like glowing fireflies. She found it the most soothing way to calm her mind and help her forget the stresses of the day.

To think that none of these stars even existed anymore. If she were to get on a ship and warp to the exact coordinates, she would find mere remnants of the system that she now gazed at. Time and space was awe inspiring, and if she ever lost her appreciation for the magnitude of it all, she knew thats when her life would no longer be worth it.

"You have developed a keen past time, Lieutenant." A voice distracted her from her gazing.

She drew her eyes away from the view to find Spock had entered the observatory. He stood looking up at her in plain uniform. She smiled at him.

"I have. I'm so in love with it all." She said, taking one last glance before hopping down from the pedestal to greet him. They were alone in here, she put her arms around his neck.

"You know you can call me by my name when we're not working." She smiled and he relaxed, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I know, Nyota…"

Nyota awoke with a start, too hot and upset by the dream she had just witnessed. Spock was there, she touched him, it felt real, she remembered exactly the star system which she gazed at. Rubbing her face she sat up and looked to Khan who slept soundly beside her.

Suddenly she felt hollow, almost guilty.

She got out of bed and left Khan's room, returning to her own quarters. She wanted desperately to have a shower, but with no power on the ship, there were no electrics to run it. Instead she filled the sink with whatever hot water was left and washed her skin.

She tied her hair back, splashing her face with the warm water. A flash of her evening spent with Khan jolted through her, the pleasure, the incredible pleasure of him. She leaned her hands on the sink and exhaled. Making eye contact with herself in the mirror, she felt hollow again.

What was she doing? She had not done anything wrong. The truth was Spock was gone, it's not like she just cheated on him, and the sex was completely consensual. She wanted Khan, she could not deny it. Something about him and the magnitude he exudes, and she was fragile right now, she'd been through so much, any comfort to remind her she was human, anything to make this hell stop existing for even just a minute.

But somehow she still felt wrong. She was not over Spock, she was not healed from this horrible ordeal, she had acted on impulse, they both had. Khan was a comfort, he was a draw and she admitted that she needed him right now, she just could not figure out whether this was the situation talking, or if indeed she was developing feelings for this mysterious man who rescued her.

"Nyota, are you alright?"

Khan's voice flowed in from the door, breaking her chain of thoughts. She looked over to him, drying her face with a towel and dropping it by the sink.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said, eyes drifting to the floor, back up to the mirror, anywhere that was not gazing at the way he stood half-naked in the door frame, looking distractingly beautiful.

Khan stepped into the room, approaching her. "You do not look fine." He studied her, "You can talk to me."

She had to look at him now, he stood close to her, soft gaze open and non-judgemental.

"I just… we shouldn't have…" She gestured her hands to the other room.

"Are you regretting sleeping with me?" He asked.

"No," She said immediately, she did not regret it, she would not wish to go back and undo it, "I don't regret it, it was… it was amazing," She put quickly, Khan smiled, she got to the point, "It's just I was in a relationship with someone, an officer who got killed on the Enlightenment. I sat with his body on that bridge for so long and I just feel…"

She struggled to try to explain, but Khan hushed her.

"It's okay, I understand." He said calmly. "I am not going to pressure you or hound you. I certainly do not regret last night, and would happily repeat the experience with you, but only if it is something you are sure you want to do." He paused, taking her in a moment, "I think you are a phenomenal woman, Nyota, and I will hold our relationship dear, whatever the extent of it. I will respect whatever time you need to figure things out."

Nyota was momentarily speechless. She had not expected the response she received. She was not sure what she expected, maybe anger or jealousy, but she quickly dismissed the notion as she knew, deep down, Khan was not like that. He would not treat other peoples troubles with such a superficial outlook, his responses to her were always far from narcissistic.

She gently touched his cheek.

"Thank you for being so understanding."

"It's my pleasure." He said. "I shall leave you to get some more rest." He turned for the door.

"Wait." She stopped him, feeling somewhat fragile. "I don't want to be alone." She said, "I don't know to what extent, but I… I need you right now."

Khan regarded her, held a hand out to her and she took it. Even if she did not fully understand what she felt herself, he did. He knew the kind of pain of loss, of guilt, the 'why me'. To need the comfort of another but to be so scared to complicate things that you paralyse yourself in chains of self-depreciation because its easier than dragging someone else into your mess. He knew what she had been through, and wanted to be there for her, knowing too well how difficult it is to suffer alone.

He led Nyota to her bed and she crawled in, leaving space after her for him to lay beside her. He pulled the covers up around them. Nyota tucked herself up next to him, seeking comfort, and he obligingly took her into his arms. Her eyes were closed in seconds, still exhausted from it all.

xxxx

Nyota awoke still enveloped in the comfort of Khan's arms. He was warm and his skin was soft, the colour of porcelain. At first glance he looked almost scary; tall with angular features, strong build and an unyielding expression, but there was a depth to him that she would never have believed existed if she had not met him the way she did, if she had not found out who he was, and what he stood for, before seeing him.

She gently ran her fingers down his chest as he slept, watching her fingertips glide over his skin. What would this man be like to love…?

"Good morning." He rumbled, distracting her from her thoughts.

"Morning." She returned, a tired smile gracing her features.

Khan turned his head, looking up out of the window.

"It's getting bright out, we cannot stay here much longer." He looked to her again. "Ready to brave Kronos?"

Nyota took a deep breath. She had never set foot on the Klingon home world before. Why would she have? If a member of Starfleet even so much as sneezed near the vicinity of Klingon space territory they would be hunted down by Klingon patrol birds.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She sat up, stretching. Khan got out of bed.

"We can dress in plain clothing, cover ourselves as best we can. We survived overnight undetected so we will have a pretty good head start."

Up and dressed, Khan and Nyota were cloaked and kitted head to toe. Both wore hooded coats, boots, and weapon holsters over basic Starfleet uniform that they had covered the emblems with using scarves and extra layers. Kronos was not exactly warm, so the padding would be appreciated once they got out there scavenging for a craft.

"All set?" Khan stood by the door of the Opulence. Nyota slid a sheathed knife into her boot, buckling it at the ankle before straightening herself out and taking a breath.

"Lets do this."