Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.

March 31st, 2252 (Julia's POV)

As I stepped back from Spock, I felt a stab at guilt and pushing away from him like that. But...it was more than I could take right now. My skin was still tingling where he'd touched me - and I was trying not to shudder. It wasn't that I didn't love Spock or was afraid he'd hurt me...but skin on skin touch anywhere that was under my clothing sent me back to when I was with Devon.

The simple truth was, right now, I needed some time to myself. Running in with Devon a day ago had dug up all the bad memories I'd buried inside of me. All of my fears about being forced into something I didn't want to do.

"Julia," Spock said, interrupting my thoughts. I blinked and put on one of my "everything is fine" smiles.

"Yeah?" I asked, trying to act casual. To be safe, I also tried to keep my mind on happy things. Rabbits, kittens, things like that. I didn't want him to worry. Truth be told, I didn't want him to know about this fear of mine - I didn't want anyone to know about it.

"You do not seem well," He said, and I felt my smile falter for a minute. I tried to laugh off his comment, but it came out sounding like a strangled cough. Spock raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine," I insisted, Looking at the nearest clock. Thank goodness for small favors, I thought, deciding to use time as an excuse to procrastinate this conversation. "Spock - we're both going to be in big trouble if we miss the shuttle."

"You are changing the topic -"

"You are going to make us late."

Spock met my eyes, and I knew he could see through my fake smile. He knew something was wrong, he may not know what, but he knew it was something. I locked eyes with him, challenging him to confront me here and now, to break his perfect record at Starfleet. With a sigh, he closed his eyes breaking our eye contact.

"If there is something bothering you," He said, in a surprisingly calm voice, "I am always here for you."

"Good to know," I said, moving towards my duffel bag. I checked to make sure I had everything that I'd brought, and then zipped it up. I started to lift the bag up and over my shoulder, when a hand came and took it from my own. "Hey -"

"You are not well enough to carry a duffel bag." Spock stated, hoisting the bag on his shoulder. He did the same with his other bag, before giving me a look that said: 'Ready to go?'.

"It's my ankle that's hurt, not my hands," I grumbled, moving towards the door. I activated it and motioned for Spock to go out first. He motioned for me to go first, and rather than arguing with him on the matter, I went out first.

After he'd followed me out, I made my way towards the elevator. We waited side by side for it as it slowly made it's way over. Then, when the doors finally swished open, we both started in at the same time. Spock brushed my shoulder as he moved past me, and for a moment I was frozen in time. Pressed against a car door and being forced to take my dress off.

The spike of fear I felt made me freeze, and my heartbeat and breathing increased significantly. I couldn't move.

Suddenly, when the elevator doors began to beep, I broke out of my reverie. Shaking, everything came back to me. I wasn't in that car, I wasn't a teenager anymore - I was an adult. And a Starfleet Cadet to boot.

Blinking, I continued into the elevator, making sure there was some space between Spock and I as we rode down to the first floor. I could feel Spocks' eyes on me. I knew he was concerned, I knew that he cared and wanted to help - but I didn't want to burden him with this. My fear was my own, and I had to learn to master it on my own.

Sorry for such a short chapter, I felt this would be more impactful this way. I'm also sorry it took me so long to update - but rest assured I am going to work on it. Till next chapter!