Forwarded by the ASC-VSO 
Posted: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 13:42:52 -0500  
In: alt.startrek.creative 
From: "Rolletti"  
 

Their Inner Voice

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Title: Their Inner Voice
Author: rolletti
Series: TOS
&  McC
& Sulu
& Chek
Pairing: S/U, Kirk oy  ov
Rating: PG
Disclaimer:No Paramount, I get no money for this my precious.
The Characters are not ours my precious.Paramount is tricksy.
Feedback: rolletti@rolletti.com   VISIT: www.rolletti.com

The Enterprise and her crew were long over due for shore leave. (as usual)
They were deployed to a Federation member planet to deliver some medical
supplies. Nothing serious or urgent, but since the Enterprise was in the
area.

The captain, along with some of his senior officers, was relaxing in Rec.
room C. Doctor McCoy was having another discussion with Spock about
emotions, love in particular, while Uhura, lying by the pool listened with
interest. Chekov walked past, noticing how beautiful Uhura looked in her new
low cut yellow bathing suit.

Chekov walked quickly to the diving board and did a very impressive head
dive, but not before he noticed Uhura looking at him. Did he see something
in her eyes or was it wishful thinking? As he came to the surface, she was
in McCoy and Spock's conversation.

"Dr., I do not understand how the human race can put so much thought, energy
and time into this emotion called "love". To have two people simultaneously
become enamored with each other seems improbable."

"Yet Spock it happens all the time. The fact that the human race exists
today is proof. I uh believe your existence is a prime example."

McCoy was rewarded with a melodic laugh from Uhura. Only those who were
close to Spock could read the expression on his face. Kirk tried to keep a
neutral expression, but in the end he surrendered to a chuckle ending with a
wide grin.

McCoy said, "Spock, your mother is human. Surly she didn't marry your father
simply because it was logical, she fell in love with him. Now, I know
Vulcans don't express their emotions, but the key word here is "express". I
just bet if we could get past all that control, we would see that the
Ambassador of Vulcan fell in love with a beautiful human female. What would
be the logic in marrying *her* in particular?"

"My mother is Dr. A.M Grayson, a scholar in linguistics and inventor of the
Universal Translator. Logically she would be an honorable asset to my
father, given his position. Of course he saw her as a "logical" bond mate."

Every one said in unison, "Bond mate?"

"Yes, my grandparents did not wish to bond my father or his siblings to
anyone as children and left the decision for them to logically choose for
themselves. To be bonded, McCoy, is to be mentally linked to your mate.
Remember?"

"You Vulcan's take the fun out of everything," said McCoy with a scowl.

****************

Walking back to the bridge Kirk noticed Spock deep in thought, no doubt
thinking over the conversation he had with McCoy. Well, more like a debate.

//Maybe I can help him to understand what Mc Coy was trying to say. Without
the sarcasm.//

"Spock,"

"Yes captain?"

"I would like to ask a personal question. Do you mind?"

"Jim, we have seen each others dark sides, sides we dare not show others.
What personal question do you have for me that you do not already know?"

Relaxed through the bonds of brotherhood, Kirk smiled at his Vulcan friend
as they walked into the turbo lift. The two stood looking at each other,
saying what words would not allow them to say.

"My question is this. Did you notice that Uhura was wearing a new bathing
suit today?"

Shocked, Spock drew his brows together and placed his hands behind his back.
So Kirk couldn't see the minute loss of sudden control, he turned to look
straight ahead avoiding his eyes.

"I see no need for you to be insulting."

"I was not insulting you Spock, besides I thought you couldn't be insulted,"
Kirk said looking at his friend mischievously.

Spock faced Kirk with an indignant brow, accepting the bait laid before him.

"I didn't say I was. I said, I saw no *need* for *you* to be insulting.
Vulcans are well aware of their surroundings. I not only noticed the
lieutenant wearing her new suit, I was with her when she purchased it."

If Spock were human, he would have laughed to see his friend rendered
speechless. It wasn't very often he had the opportunity to 'get one over'
his human friends. He often found himself at the receiving end of their
sometime relentless jesting.

// Touché, as earth's French would say Jim.//

There stood Kirk open mouthed, looking astonished at his friend. When he
found his voice he couldn't help the overpowering need to tease Spock,
again. With a tilt to his head and a sparkle in his eye, a sly crooked smile
etched its way across his face.

"Why Mr. Spock, I didn't know you were in the habit of escorting the
lieutenant on her shopping sprees! I don't believe I've ever seen this side
of you before. Forgive me of my earlier comment, I meant no offense."

" There is no need of forgiveness where no offense is taken. Also, I am not
in the *habit*as you say, of escorting lieutenant Uhura while she visits
many establishments of commerce. She was accompanying me to help choose a
birthday present for my mother. As a human female, I needed her
perspicacious elucidation."

Kirk looked at his friend with drawn eyebrows trying to figure out what he
was saying. //Spock could be hard work sometime. //

"You wanted her opinion."

"I believe I just said that Jim. What I don't understand is this. How did
shopping for a birthday present for my mother, turned into shopping for a
new bathing suit for Uhura?"

"Spock my friend, earth men have been trying to answer that question for
centuries. It's quite alarming, I know."

"Later I was disturbed to see how easily I was influenced. We were looking
at a pair of earrings when the lieutenant became very animated about a
swimsuit she saw across the boutique. Before I realized what happened, we
had visited five different establishments, lunched and took in a movie vid.
She insisted we visit a pet shop we passed, only because she saw a two-inch
Gainer from Andoria. She wanted to purchase the pet that, she deemed looked
like ... me. I.e., the ears."

Kirk tried really hard to suppress the laughter that was threatening to
bubble up within him. He noticed how the tips of Spock's ears turned a deep
forest green when he said, "me." Kirk could just imagine Spock, being the
perfect gentleman that he was, carrying packages upon packages using his
ears to guide him because of the blocked view.

"Then what happened?"

"I told her not to purchase the creature, but she was very insistent on
buying that animal. I must admit I became torn after... looking at her
pleading eyes. (clears raspy throat, standing a little taller) I used logic
to dictate the situation and told her to obey me at once and I left the
store. After all, I am her superior officer am I not? We finally visited the
last boutique in the Universal Mall. It was last because she found what she
called the 'perfect' swimwear."

Tears were streaming down Kirks face as he held the stitch in his side from
uncontrolled laughter. // I wonder if he looked just like that when he gave
the order? A trapped animal. //

Wiping his eyes Kirk asked, " Did you ever find a birthday present?

Not only the tips of Spock's ears turned green, the blush also creped up his
face from his neck. He avoided Kirks eyes once more.

"Yes we did. Unfortunately, because of the many packages, the wrong thing
was shipped to Vulcan."

"What was shipped?"

Spock swallowed hard when he thought about the gift his mother was going to
receive, and no doubt she will show his father.

"Uhura saw one of the holograph places where you put your head in a hole and
your picture is taken with the body of another. She begged me to take one
with her. After what happened at the pet store I did not want to, as you
say, rain on her parade, so I relented."

Kirk was afraid to ask, but did anyway.

"What was image?"

Hesitatingly Spock said, "I... was a very oily, buffed muscle man, wearing a
tiny leopard print bathing suit and bow tie, holding her up in the air with
one hand...on the beach."

Kirk reached out to stop the turbo lift. They were getting to close to the
bridge and he knew he couldn't walk because of the uncontrolled laughter.

//I can't breathe, I can't breathe. After all the dangers I've lived
through, I'm going to die laughing.//

Spock with a furrowed brow did not see the humor. He tried to find the
answer to this confusing, perplexed observation of manipulation.

Sobering, Kirk wiped his eyes and looked at his helpless Vulcan friend.
Shaking his head at the thought of Spock, helpless, like many others
throughout time, completed the sobering process.

"Frightening. I don't know how they do it Spock, I just don't know."

Man and Vulcan stood there quiet troubled. To each came the question; do
some human females possess powers similar to the Kahn-ut-tu women on the
planet where Kirks friend Tyree live? Or on a smaller scale, can they
control men like the Elasian women from Elas. Shaking him self free from the
unnerving thought, Kirk started the turbo lift again.

"So what did you think?"

"What did I think about what Jim?"

"Well, you said you noticed the lieutenant wearing her new suit. What did
you think when you *saw* her wearing it?"

"Strange," said Spock teasingly to his friend. "That was the very question
she asked when she privately modeled it for me."

Just then the doors opened to the bridge, and once again Kirk was rendered
speechless.

**************

From his command chair Kirk looked at every station on the bridge assessing
each of his senior officers. He was content with not having to save the
universe, again, at the moment. Even the Enterprise needed a little break
every now and then.

//Ah yes, all secure from General Quarters. Everything and everyone is
operating as it and they should be. Spock gathering data, face washed in
blue light looking even more alien, Uhura, ahhh Uhura, (he smiled) no one
can handle her job of hailing frequencies, modifications, encoding,
decoding, broadcasting light years away *and* look that good while she's
doing it. MMM those le.//

Spock cleared his throat and Kirk turned to look at him.

//Yep, there goes that eyebrow disappearing under that perfect hairline
again.//

Kirk whispered knowing the Vulcan could hear him loud and clear, "I can at
least look."

//There goes the other eyebrow.//

Kirk, wanting to escape Spock's scrutiny, turned and directed his attention
at Chekov. He noticed he was anxious, realizing he was uneasy about
something.

"ETA Mr. Chekov!"

There was a reply with a thick Russian accent on the tail of the captain's
question.

"Ten hours sair."

Kirk casually walked over to the navigator and whispered, "Chekov, is
everything alright? You seem a bit. edgy."

"Oh no sair, I'm fine." He glanced at Uhura. "Really. I'm fine."

Kirk looked him in the eyes and whispered as he leaned closer, "If you want
to talk later just let me know."

Chekov relaxed a little and after a brief pause said, "Thank you Keptin."

Kirk smiled, patting him on the back and returned to his command chair and
whispered, "Yes, all is secure."

Spock spun around after a warning suddenly lit his board and shouted,

"Jim," sending a chill down Kirk's back. Suddenly the bridge was washed in
red with the sounds of "RED ALERT." The bridge was instantly charged,
teaming with crewmembers ready to face the unknown.

There, in the middle of the bridge from top to bottom was a gap, like an
opened door.

"Spock, explain."

Holding his tri-corder, Spock analyzed the gape in the middle of the bridge.

"Captain, it appears to be an opening, a hole if you will. It's dark, wide.
and it seems someone or something is coming through it!"

Kirk tells Uhura to send for security and go to yellow alert.

"McCoy here, what's going on up there? Jim? Jim? Spock?"

What they saw astonished them all. Six humanoids entered, standing eight
feet tall. They had bright purple eyes, large feet, with three toes on each
extremity. Large iridescent wings, like Terra's Lacewing insect, graced
their backs, dark pink smooth skin, hairless and naked. You couldn't tell
male from female, you sensed it. Each stepped through the gap onto the
bridge.

Cautiously Kirk took a step forward and addressed the strange beings.

"Welcome. My name is James T. Kirk, I'm captain of this star ship."

Each humanoid smiled, walked up and held the hands of crewmembers Chekov,
Sulu, Uhura, Kirk and Spock. At this time Dr. McCoy came onto the bridge
with his medical bag, agitated and confused because his calls were not
answered.

"Jim what's going.on," he paused standing beside Kirk. An alien smiled at
him and took hold of his hand.

//Greetings//

The chosen crew heard this but didn't see the aliens communicate with their
mouths. When the captain was about to respond, the beings and the
six-mentioned crew were gone.

"Where did they go?" shouted Scotty.

The gaping door in the middle of the bridge was closed and gone too. There
was no way to follow.

Scotty instantly assumed command of the Enterprise and shouted out orders
left and right.

" Hold position. Get Kevin Riley up here and someone to cover all the senior
officers stations."

"Aye, aye Mr. Scott."

The Enterprise was held in position of the officers' disappearance. Scotty
sat in the command chair stunned at what just happened.

He turned to Uhura's replacement and said, "Well lad, you better contact
Star Fleet."

Captains Log supplemental: Star Date 2333.7

"Lieutenant Commander Scott, in temporary command. The Enterprise is now
holding position because of the disappearance of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock,
Lt. Uhura, Lt. Sulu, Ensign Chekov and Dr. McCoy. Aliens we've never
encountered before visited us on the bridge. They never said anything, just
smiled, and they looked beautiful almost enchanting. I have a ship wide
search commencing but nothing has turned up as yet. We are forced to stay
here until the captain and crew are returned. if they'll be returned."



Confused at his sudden surrounding McCoy asked a question everyone wanted to
know.

//Where are we?//

Did he use his mouth or did he think it? They were still holding hands with
the new strange beings.

With anger flaring Kirk said through clenched teeth, or so he thought.

"Where is my ship?" Everyone covered theirs ears.

//Ah not so loud captain, you must think softly, calmly. Existence here is
quite different from where you and your colleagues are from.//

Visibly restraining himself Kirk looked at Spock then to the one holding his
hand.

//And where is here?//

//Here, Captain, is what you would call the twenty-fifth dimension.//

//Who are you and why have you brought us here?//

//We are called the Seiriafs. I am Kel, leader of this experiment. My kind
is of a curious nature and our curiosity led us to you, your kind, your
dimension.//

Kirk and Spock glanced at each other.

Spock asked, //Experiment?//

//Yes, yes,// the Seiriafs answered looking very excited as their wings
fluttered causing a light breeze.

//We constructed this three- dimension environment for you to exist in. As
you can see, we have provided everything for you needs and comfort. Rest and
we will return to commence.//

The Seiriafs disappeared leaving the Enterprise crew alone with each other
and curious about their new situation.

"Well, I'll take teleporting any day over that blasted transporter."

"Well doctor, this gives us some time to assess our situation. Spock,
speculation? Is there a door.somewhere?"

"Speculation? No, I can give you the facts captain. My readings do not show
an exit or any other means to leave. This room and its contents are
three-dimensional. It would seem their inquisitiveness has helped them to
construct a precise place for us in their dimension."

"Yes, but are we in the twenty-fifth dimension?"

"It may be quite possible Captain. On old earth there were two scientists,
Theodore Kaluza and Oskar Klien. Back in the early 1900s, they believed
there was a link between general relativity and electromagnetic force. Klien
believed in what he called a curled-up dimension, evading detection within
the extended dimension. String theorists have found this theory helpful to
prove that extra dimensions exist."

Sulu entered the conversation saying, " Yeah, I've heard of String theory
and Super String theory Mr. Spock."

"Yes."

Spock looked mildly irritated with the interruption and continued.

"It forms a quantum theory describing all the forces of nature,
electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear and gravity. I must admit it
does challenge our view of space and time."

"Well it would seem the Seiriafs have the knowledge of, shall we say,
walking through the doors of dimensions. I wish we could find out the basics
of this place. Like what is their atmosphere like, do they have a sun or
moon? If so, how many? Are colors and sounds the same as in our dimension?"

"It would be an interesting discovery to report back to Star Fleet Captain."

"Dimensions within dimensions!" exclaimed Chekov.

"'Penetrating so many secrets. We cease to believe in the unknowable. But
there it sits nevertheless, calmly licking its chops.'"

"H.L. Meweken Mr. Spock, I believe he was from my home town in Russia," said
Chekov looking thoughtful.

Kirk looked at Uhura who seemed to be deep in thought. Her opinion mattered
just as much to him as Spock's. She always gave her view from a different
angle.

"Uhura, what do you think?"

"Well, they don't seem to be hostile Captain, they wouldn't be concerned for
our welfare if they were. This room and its contents help prove that theory.
There is fruit, drink, tables, chairs and beds with all the comforts. I
believe we can take that into consideration during the experiments. I would
like to think they would not harm us, but we shouldn't be ignorant to the
fact that the word experiment could render us helpless and no one in Star
Fleet knows where we are."

"I have a feeling they could have destroyed the whole ship if they wanted
to, but like the lieutenant said, we are still alive and they have supplied
us with the basics." said McCoy.

Sulu, as an advising senior officer, decided to share his thoughts on the
subject.

"Assuming the ship is still there, I would have to agree with Uhura and the
Dr. The question is this. What are they going to do with us after they are
through? Will they return us or will they leave us here to exist within
these walls, continuing to provide are basic needs?"

"Well, it seems our questions won't be answered until the Seiriafs come
back. I suggest we get some rest like they said. Dr. here's a nice comfy bed
for you."

McCoy rolled his eyes.

"Uhura,"

Spock gave his captain a certain look, with a raised brow, remembering what
occurred earlier on the bridge.

"Uhura, you get the spot between Spock and Chekov. Sulu there and I'll take
first watch."

Kirk saw Uhura's quick glance from Spock to Chekov. He couldn't put his
finger on the meaning of that look so he dismissed it.

"Hmm, I must be more tired than I thought."

Spock left to stand beside Kirk noticing the strain on his face and the
tightening of his jaws while he paced across the room.

"Captain, I'll take first watch if you desire rest."

"No Spock, I can't rest now. To many question going through my head."

"WHERE IS SHE," shouted Chekov.

Kirk and Spock ran to where Chekov was standing wide-eyed.

"What happened Chekov?"

"Sair, we said goodnight to each other, then I turned around to pull down my
blanket, when I looked back she was gone."

"Aye," said Sulu. "I saw her disappear with my own eyes."

"YOU COSSACS, where is she? I demand that you return her unharmed. NOW."

Everyone stood still, waiting to see if Chekov's outburst would work.

Nothing.

McCoy walked behind Chekov silently, then suddenly everyone heard the sound
of the hypo spray being administered.

Chekov looked as if he were betrayed and slumped into Sulu's arms.

"Well," said McCoy as everyone looked at him.

"That protruding vein in his neck was going to burst if I hadn't done
something. I think maybe this new place is affecting him Jim. We've never
seen Chekov act this way. Albeit he has a temper, but that was a bit much,
even for him."

Kirk looked at the young Ensign with concern etching his face. He addressed
himself to Sulu who also looked worried at his close friend.

"Lay him down Sulu."

As Sulu laid him down on his assigned bed, he wondered how this would all
end.

Dr. McCoy continued to examine Chekov while Spock sat at a table to adjust
his tri-corder. If he could calibrate it to trace Uhura's life signature,
they may be able to follow.

"Spock, why are you tinkering with that thing? In case you haven't noticed,
they took Uhura!"

"I'm well aware of the situation doctor."

"Well don't you care?"

"That's enough Bones," said Kirk.

"Jim!"

"I said that is enough. We are all worried about the Lieutenant. I don't
believe they will harm her considering our treatment so far." //Hopefully//

"I agree captain," said Spock with one eyebrow raised looking at McCoy.

"I could not find the lieutenants life signature after I adjusted my
tri-corder. Ergo, we must wait for the Seiriafs next move."

Kirk sighed and said, "Let's try this again. Get some rest everyone, I have
first watch."

***************

Uhura found herself standing in a white, square, empty room, surrounded by
the same six Seiriafs who teleported her and the other Enterprise crew. She
was a little frightened, but tried to remain calm recalling her academy
training.

//They are so beautiful//

//Thank you.//

//Ah, so you're not just touch telepaths!//

//No, we are not. This is how we communicate.//

//Where are my friends? It is important that we stay together.//

Some small Seiriafs appeared and stood behind those who were already there.
They looked alike in every way except their color, which was a purplish hue.
They were shy, but offered their greetings.

//Some of the children wanted to meet you. They've never met a being like
you before and we promised them an audience.//

//Oh ok, ah, hello children.//

The Seiriaf children greeted her respectfully, slightly bowing their heads.
She was asked her name and she offered the information along with it's
meaning. They were very impressed by her and became captivated by her
thought patterns. One of the children walked behind her and touched her
back.

//Where are your lavor? Are they under the covering you are wearing on your
body?//

//I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean, oh, you mean wings. We humans
do not have wings. Our bodies do not require them.//

//How strange and you are so small.//

As Uhura let the children observe her, she directed herself to the one
called Kel.

//What now Kel? I would really like to go back to the others.//

//Yes, you would. We sense that in you and the others.//

//Yes, yes very strong emotions concerning her.//

//What you would call a great desire.// said one of the children changing
colors to a soft blue.

Uhura became a bit perturbed at the beings discussing her as if she wasn't
there.

//What of the others?//

//They fear for you. They are afraid for you and want you back.//

//They are not complete without her, they function as a group and yet
individually.//

//Uhura, will you die if we do not return you? Or will they?//

Uhura was becoming uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was
going. She was beginning to wonder if her first assessment of these beings
was wrong.

//No, do you wish us to die?//

//No, no, she mustn't!//

The children became agitated with this last statement by their elders and
began changing to a reddish complexion.

Uhura became fascinated witnessing the transformation of skin coloring the
children took on. She wished she had a tri-corder with her at that moment
for Dr. McCoy to view later.

//We are learning a lot from you humans from the third-dimension. Except
from the one called Spock, he shields his mind from us. He is not human, he
is different.//

//Mr. Spock is only part human, his father is Vulcan. There are other races
that live in the third-dimension, not just us humans.//

//Tell us about Vulcan.//

//Well, I can tell you what I know. Its parent star is 40 Eridani A and 40
Eridani B. The location is in Alpha -27:16:11, a class M planet...//

//No Lieutenant, tell us about Vulcan not its location.//

//Vulcan has no moon, just a sister planet, K'tut. It's a desert planet;
water is scarce, very scarce. Oxygen is low because there is very little
vegetation. When I say low, I mean compared to earth. Earthers must be
injected with a Tri-Ox compound until they are acclimated with Vulcan. It's
a very beautiful planet. Outside the city walls, the desert is beautiful
with its array of colors. It's extremely hot and very cold at night. The
Vulcans themselves are logical, artistic and devoted to the Federation.//

//Uhura, there is one who has very strong emotions since we have separated
you, stronger than the others.//

//Yes?//

The Seiriafs looked at each other as if they were communicating, but Uhura
couldn't hear anything.

//We will investigate this at a later time. We would like to know what do
you do to distract yourself.//

//Distract?//

//I believe you call it entertain?//

//Well, I like to sing.//

One of the children asked, //sing? What is sing?//

//I use my voice to make music.//

Uhura demonstrated a beautiful song that spoke to the Seiriafs heart. They
became tranquil, serene. They stood there expressionless, heavy eyes and
swaying with languid moving wings.

Instantly there was a foul odor, breaking the hypnotic mood, the children
became very frightened.

//What is this?//

It was a pale Seiriaf with dark yellow eyes and smelling of rotting flesh.
It appeared next to a startled Uhura. She could barely keep her stomach from
projecting the bile within it.

//Siv, what are you doing here? This does not concern you.// said Kel.

//What a-r-e you?//

Siv loomed over Uhura, grabbing her by the arm as he spoke into her face.
The odor was unbearable but she did not flinch. She looked him in the eye
and mustered all her strength, confronting the insufferable Seiriaf with
authority in her stance.

//I am a female of the human race, who are you?"

Siv, accepting the challenge, lifted his long right arm and bore down hard
to strike her. Instantly she was gone and he stood there looking bewildered.
He turned on Kel frothing at the mouth with rage.

//Where have you taken her? Where did you get her Kel?//

Suddenly Siv was left alone in the white empty room, with no one to witness
his erratic behavior.

***************

Spock walked quietly around the dimly lit room while on watch duty. There
were no doors or windows to watch, so he depended on his sensitive ears and
his telepathic abilities to alert him to anyone's presence.

"Spock!"

He spun around at the light whisper and caught Uhura as she fainted.

She saw it; she saw it as the darkness claimed her. Before he could manage
control, she saw concern and relief.

Spock gave her a quick physical examination then lifted Uhura with ease. He
walked across the room to Dr. McCoy's assigned bed and woke him up.

"What is it Spock?"

"It's the lieutenant doctor, she's back, but unconscious."

"Well lay her down here Spock, don't just stand there,"

Everyone was up and alert because of McCoy's raised craggy voice. Relieved,
Chekov ran to where Uhura was lying calling her name. It's what he didn't
say that caught everyone's attention, everyone except Spock.

"Get a hold of yourself boy while I examine her."

Doctor McCoy ran a medi scanner across her body from head to toe to get the
best result he could. No one knew what kind of experiment the Seiriafs
referred to and he was concerned that they would perform them on Uhura
without him to counteract what ever they contrived.

"How is she Bones?" said Kirk as he looked over the doctor's shoulder.

As usual when McCoy is stressed, his deep southern drawl makes an
appearance.

"Well if you and Chekov will give me some elbow room!! Hmm, seems to be
suffering from shock. Physically she seems fine. Uhura, Uhura."

She opened her eyes slowly to find five pair of eyes standing over her, as
she felt the effects from a hypo spray.

***************

Scotty received a message from Star Fleet to proceed with the medical
supplies to their destination and on to Star Base 12 if the Captain and said
crew were not back in three days.

"Repeat Star Fleet, repeat. We are experiencing an Ionic storm and did not
receive your last message."

"You hear me Enter."

The replacement communication officer ended the call as he stared at Mr.
Scott with a twinkle in his eye.

"Sir we seemed to have lost our connections with Admiral Komack."

Scotty smiled, "Good job lad."

"I have learned from the best in the fleet sir."

"Well, that will buy us some time."

He played back the security tapes over and over again looking for a clue,
any clue. He came up with nothing every time, just like the ship wide
search. He called security chief Hawkins to increase security on every deck.

"I don't want anymore disappearances aboard this here ship. Don't forget to
check the cargo bay and hanger deck. I even want you to check the turbo
shafts. Report anything unusual directly to me immediately."

"Aye, aye sir."

"Scott out. Three days, plus a little more," he said to no one in
particular. "I wonder how they are do' in."

***************

Kirk eyed Uhura, concerned there was a possibility they may have damaged her
mentally. He leaned over to help her sit up when he found there was another
eager volunteer beside him.

Chekov gave her an ostentatiously fierce, hug.

"I'm so glad you're back."

"I'm glad to be back," she said with a smile and gave an account as to what
happened to her during her absence.

"Here, let me take a look at that arm."

"Could it be they are trying to identify with us by experiencing our
emotions?" asked Sulu

" I would like to help them experience some pain." expressed Chekov with
clenched fists.

"Stand down Chekov."

"Aye aye sir."

"I'm just as upset at having Uhura taken from us, but we have to remember
first and foremost; we are Star Fleet officers, new life has sought us out.
We are the first to represent the Federation in this dimensional world, and
harming them will not accomplish anything."

"I'm beginning to wonder if this really is a twenty-fifth dimension sir. We
haven't seen any proof; just this room and the room where they took me."

At this moment the six Seiriafs appeared without the children.

//Greetings//

Everyone turned startled in their direction.

Chekov started yelling at them in Russian and Uhura put a hand on his
shoulder.

"Pavel, remember what the Captain said."

He quieted, the muscles in his jaw still working and his fist were still
clenched.

//We will not take her away. You are complete again. You five seem to need
her, you need each other.//

//Is this a twenty-fifth dimensional world?// asked Spock.

//We will ask the questions Mr. Spock. We cannot read deeper into your mind.
Why do you not permit it?//

//Where I come from, reading another being's mind without permission is a
violation of their privacy.//

//Do you give us permission Mr. Spock?//

//Only direct communication, no deeper.//

//You, the one called Chekov. You have very strong emotions that you are
experiencing, but you will not act upon it. Why?//

//It is best that I do not.//

//Does your species not know how to communicate this way?//

//I don't understand your question?//

//Separating Uhura was our first experiment, to see the reaction of all here
and hers.//

//And your conclusion?// asked Spock.

//We separated the female from the males. You males became aggressive and
violent in thought, possessive and domineering. One of you in particular.//

Everyone knew it was unquestionably Chekov, aware of his quick temper. His
face turned very red as all eyes fell on him.

//Uhura became cautious but strong. In thought she was sound but showed
signs of insecurity without the protection of you males. One thought
dominates her 'Love, Focus, Love equals Loneliness.' This is a mystery to us
because the thought was there before the separation and we do not know what
it means. Though this demanding thought consumes her, she displayed
controlled unyielding strength. Here it is the opposite, females dominate.
There is not a desire for protection from the males.//

//What of your second experiment?// Kirk asked reluctantly.

//Observe Captain.//

Chekov and Uhura were instantly seized and forced to face one another.
Physically bound by the Seiriafs mental powers, they looked into each
other's eyes. Chekov's eyes grew wide; he felt the intrusion into his mind,
everyone heard his thoughts, deep thoughts that he sometimes chose to hide
from even himself.

"No, no, arghh," struggling against the intrusion Chekov said, "My name is
Pavel Adreievich Chekov. My serial number is 656-582713. My Rank, Ensign."

It was inevitable that Chekov would be defeated, regardless of his attempt
to quiet his thoughts. What the Seiriafs made know to all shamed him,
especially in front of Uhura.

//How do I tell Uhura I love her? She's graceful, elegant and alluring;
she's seductive and doesn't realize how it affects me. How do I tell this
beauty that I want to hold her in my arms and have leave to kiss her? I need
to own her, possess her like a rare jewel. How can I have this wise
beautiful creature.//

//Pavel, I'm happy to hear you say that.//

With great surprise he said, //Really?// then with anger, //Well I didn't
say it. It was forced out of me. But, that.is.how I feel.//

Tev, fourth of the sixth said, //But there is more. I see it, visions,
visions to go with the sentiment. It shows his feelings.//

//Shows? There is an action that accompanies this?//

//NO, that is enough! You've had your sick twisted fun, now send us back
home, back to our ship,// said Kirk.

//Fun? We will learn about the word fun another time. We must see the result
of this vision to complete the experiment. Do you think he needs
assistance?//

//No!// said Chekov with hatred towards them.

//I'm sorry Uhura, please forgive me.//

Uhura didn't know what to expect, but told herself not to be afraid. She
knew Chekov wouldn't hurt her so she relaxed as he slowly reached out and
pulled her closer to him. She did not resist. He kissed her softly, then
deeply, drinking her in, loosing control as he quenched his three-year
thirst.

She threw her arms around him to show he was forgiven.

//Captain, what is it they are doing?//

//He is kissing her, expressing his affection.//

//Is the affection a good one or a bad one?//

Kirk looked at the Seiriaf with his arms crossed and raised a brow of his
own. Turning to look at the couple he tried to explain. His anger quickly
dissipated as it was replaced with a blushing face.

Chekov forgot his thoughts could be heard and said some things that made
even McCoy blush. Then they only heard his thoughts in Russian, but had a
pretty good idea of what he was saying.

//Enough. Ensign Chekov you may stop now.//

With a certain command to his voice Kirk said, "Mr. Chekov," and the kissing
stopped much to Chekov's sorrow, but they continued to hold hands without
the help of the Seiriafs.

Kel, Tev and the other Seiriafs held hands, closed their eyes and fluttered
their wings. Spock fell to his knees, with wild wide eyes, grabbed his head
and shouted in pure agony.

"Nooo,"

//We must learn of you.//

//You can't do this.//

McCoy was deeply concern as he, Kirk and Uhura ran to Spock, not knowing
what to expect.

//He's a Vulcan. You can't rip his control from him! // shouted Uhura.
//Stop it, you could kill him!!!//

//No, he will noy die, he is half Vulcan. We want to know about the Vulcan
side of him and why they choose to suppress their emotions.//

//Ahhh//

The Seiriafs said as they broke through Spock's mental shield.

//He could be very violent, possessor of great strength, powerful.//

//He suffers the same as Chekov, but differently. Does everyone in the
third-dimension hide the emotion "affection" from each other?// asked Kel.

//Captain, Mr. Spock loves you like a brother and you him. You would give
your lives for the other, yet you cannot function properly without each
other. You complete one another. Dr. McCoy is included in this brotherhood.
There is a strong unbreakable bond between the three of you.//

Kel stood there looking at the three suffering together and decided to
continue.

//Yet this affection called love has different meaning. Spock also loves his
mother and knows she longs to hear it, but he has not told her so.//

//Everyone loves their parent Tev. And only those of us who have been
together for a long time know how these three feel about each other. It
shows in their action, we don't need you to expose it for us.// Uhura said
venomously.

Without warning, Spock and Uhura found themselves together just as Chekov
and Uhura were previously. Kirk gave an eye signal to the others and they
all tried to subdue the Seiriafs, but they couldn't move. They stood there
rigid, helpless. Kirk and McCoy watched their faithful friend, a puppet in
the Seiriafs hands, unable to help him. What horrible act will they force
Spock and Uhura to perform? Only one thing came to their minds. The Seiriafs
noticed the agony Kirk and McCoy experienced as they observed their closer
than a brother friend.

//Tell her what you have concealed all this time Mr. Spock// said one of the
experimenters.

Spock and Uhura were forced to look at each other. What he kept to himself
since the day he met her was revealed. They all heard it. His very thought
was heard throughout the room, shocking his shipmates.

// I, //

He said swallowing hard against the struggle, his face uncontrolled,
contorted. With labored breathing and furrowed brows, Spock revealed the
shocking, staggering and unimaginable revelation.

// Love her. //

Gasps of disbelief came from his shipmates... especially Uhura.

Everyone couldn't believe what was just revealed by Spock. Their very
logical, unemotional Vulcan, who believed love was an illogical emotion...
was in love? How can this be after all the heated discussions on the topic
by he and Dr. McCoy?

Kirk and McCoy voiced simultaneously, after coming to the same conclusion
about this unprecedented situation.

// You're forcing him to say that. //

//We assure you gentlemen the thought is unmitigated by him. This kind of
love also shows expression, a passion, and an action like Chekov. Show us
Mr. Spock. //

Spock hesitated while watching Uhura, then wrapped his arms around her tiny
waist, pulling her closer.

//Uhura, will you forgive me as well? //

She smiled her seductive, captivating smile and reached up to place her hand
on the back of his neck. She continued with running her fingers up through
his hair on the back of his head, and pulled him gently down towards her
soft waiting lips.

Spock weakened at that smile and allowed her to guide him.

//No.//

Spock, unmasked clenched teeth fought against the Seiriafs hold and Uhura's
guiding hands.

//I can't. I wont. You don't know what it would mean if I kissed her. //

//Spock. // said Uhura softly.

He looked into her beautifully shaped Nubian eyes.

//No Nyota, you don't understand. //

With mild surprise at the use of her first name, Uhura smiled.

//Yes, yes I do Spock. For years I have studied and comprehended
*everything* about Vulcan and Vulcanians. I was able to hack and gain access
information that the average person wouldn't be able too. It was very, shall
I say enlightening? I am willing to abide by the consequences of our
actions. I... welcome it. //

It was Spock's turn to be shocked. He didn't know she also felt this way.
Then he immediately surrendered without the help of the Uhura or the
Seiriafs. Kissing her, he satisfied the yearning, the desire and the
longing. For the first time, Spock knew what it was like to be free. He
kissed her without reservation, or persuasion. Unhesitating, she kissed him
back, then they melded into one. Easing gently into her surprisingly
well-ordered thoughts, the Vulcan looked into every corner of her mind until
he found what he was looking for.HER, her very essence. Sealing each mind
into the other's, they soared higher and higher until each thought, each
memory became one. Both experienced the joy and love the other felt all
these years, held in check by Vulcan decorum. Liberated, Spock immersed
himself, penetrating deeply into Uhura's mind till they and they alone
existed in the universe with one heartbeat.

Locked into each other's mind where not even the Seiriafs could reach, they
talked and revealed much, enjoying each other.

// No Uhura, too much. //

Spock then fainted as Uhura fell to her knees. The Seiriafs disappeared from
sight releasing the men. McCoy and Kirk rushed to Spock, as Chekov and Sulu
helped Uhura.

Spock came to and found a frantic McCoy asking, "Are you alright Spock?"

Perturbed, Spock looked at the intolerable physician and merely gave him a
short reply.

"Dr., I assure you I am quiet well. I have simply experienced Nyota's raw
intense emotions all at once."

Clearly offended, McCoy answered his friend, sometime enemy, with his own
pert remark.

"Well you scared the begeebers out of me and everyone here, that's all."

Although Kirk welcomed the familiar family banter, he knew he needed to put
an end to it.

"Bones be quiet. Spock, you look shaken, can you stand?"

"Yes, Jim."

They helped him up anyway. Spock straitened the shirt of his uniform and
searched for Uhura. The room was small, so he didn't have to look for long.
Making eye contact with her, Spock quickly crossed the room to the trembling
woman.

"Are you well?"

"Yes," Uhura answered shyly leaving his eyes for a second, remembering the
magnificent intimate experience.

Kirk cleared his throat while pursing his lips and approached his friend
with a hint of embarrassment, all the while rubbing his hands together.

"Well Spock, I'm sorry we all had to witness such an (clears throat)
intimate moment the Seiriafs forced you into, but as you can see, the simple
act of kissing, isn't so bad."

"The Seiriafs did not forced me into the kiss Jim. I went into it on my
own."

Spock clasped his hands behind his back, raised his brow at Kirk and McCoy,
and made an announcement.

"Captain...Jim, I have another shocking revelation to declare."

"Spock, after what the Seiriafs forced you to reveal, I don't believe
anything could be as shocking."

"Lieutenant Nyota Uhura and I are now bonded, married."

****************

// Is it possible that they can be so complicated a species? // said Von,
who has kept silent and has only observed.

//They are very disturbing beings, maybe we should send them back. How
profoundly strong their emotions are. //

//It is different and appealing all the same. //

//Yes, but do we dare unleash these findings on our own society regardless?
I vote no. I do not believe this will be in our best interest. //

//We must remember the agreement and the arrangement we made with the other.
//

****************

"Married!"

Every one stood stunned by Spock's proclamation as he extended two fingers
towards Uhura. His eyes showed what he would not allow them to show in the
past. Love for her.

"My wife attend."

Uhura rose letting his eyes and deep hypnotic voice draw her towards him.
They were both surprised to find that they could mentally communicate once
they touched. After all, Uhura was not telepathic. It would seem that their
marriage bond would serve them both sufficiently.

Spock continued speaking to Kirk without removing his eyes off Uhura.

"When we 'kissed', we allowed our minds to meld and bond as one. We now
share consciouses. Such intimate behavior is done to complete a marriage."

"Well, uh, I don't know what to say Spock."

The newlyweds turned toward their captain and Spock volunteered a
suggestion.

"I believe the correct term is, congratulations."

McCoy was still stunned and couldn't believe all he was seeing. Spock,
holding Uhura's fingers like his father held his mother's?

"But Spock, I thought you had to have your grandmother T'pau, to officiate
over your wedding. What is she going to say when she finds out about this?"

Sulu's adage, like father like son' was not appreciated by McCoy.

"Ah sorry Doc."

"We're his best friends, she'll likely hold us responsible considering what
happened the last time he tried to get married." McCoy said dryly.

"Bones, he's a grown Vulcan, he tried it the traditional way so now he's
free to marry whom ever he wants."

"But Jim, comparing him to Vulcan physiology he just barley left his teens.
If he stayed on Vulcan, he would just be leaving home, coming of age. I just
don't want T'pau holding us, grown men, responsible since they made the
choice for him before. Tell them Spock!"

"Yes, although I am considerably older than Nyota, on Vulcan I would be
considered to have just come of age. Therefore I am free to marry of my own
choosing."

Spock looked down at his small wife, sending waves of love through their
bond to wash over mind. Without taking his eyes off hers he made another
comment.

"I am quiet pleased with my choice."

"Choice? Didn't look like you had a choice to me!"

"Bones get a hold of yourself," said Kirk.

"I could have temporarily made myself unconscious. I was about to initiate
the act, when Nyota made it clear she felt the same way about me."

Uhura wondered if McCoy didn't approve of her and Spocks marriage. After
all, it was he who pushed Spock the most to show his emotions. McCoy held
her face in his hands and assured her he did not begrudge their marriage. He
was really happy for them and could not think of anyone who deserves it
more. He just wanted to make sure their bases were covered once they went
back home. He pointed out that he was not on T'pau list of favorite beings,
considering how he tricked her into thinking Kirk was dead.

"McCoy, having T'pau officiate over my wedding is just a traditional ritual.
It will be performed when and if we ever get to Vulcan."

"Hmm. Do I have to be there?"

Kirk, Spock and Uhura said simultaneously, "Yes."

While the three friends talked, Uhura walked over to Chekov and sat down
beside him, he had been very quiet after Spock revealed his marriage to her.

"Uhura, what just happened? Did you or did you not return my kiss?"

"Actually no Pavel, but I was impressed. Over the years, well it's
complicated, kind of a long story."

"At the moment we seem to have time. I feel you at least owe me an
explanation."

Uhura tried to explain without offending her friend. Chekov has been there
for her through good and bad times and many shore leaves. He always allowed
himself to be her victim when it came to trying new foods from different
worlds. She didn't want their friendship to end because of an insensitive
remark.

"When I first came aboard the Enterprise, I, like many women, became
infatuated with Spock. He's alien, tall, attractive, mysterious, First
Officer of a star ship, and he has this great powerful strength he keeps in
check."

"Yeah, who can compete with that!" said Chekov, choked with emotion.

"After looking at the competition, I was apprehensive about pursuing him,
seeing how he was not easily impressed. I gave up. I figured I could never
have him so why try, like poor Christine. You know we all pitied her these
past years, living with false hope. She'll probably hate me if we ever get
back. I'm the first one who gave up, now I'm the one who has him.

"Well a year later you signed on. After I learned more about you, I started
having feelings for you. I fell in love with your stories, your jokes, and
your "it's a Russian Inwention." She smiled at him. "I didn't think you were
interested in me so I didn't try to charm you.much. Besides, I felt you
deserved someone closer to your age than me."

"Ahh, but you did charm me Uhura. I was drawn by that underestimated power
you possess."

Uhura wasn't sure how to go about this next admission. She loved Chekov, as
a friend, and didn't want to hurt him. Will he accept what she had to say
next?

"Chekov, I never truly released Spock from my heart. Deep down I loved him,
regardless of being unreachable. At first it was infatuation, but later it
became something more. My love for him has been inconclusive without him
returning it.

"Ah, that is the thought the Seiriafs were curious about; 'Love, Focus,
Love, Equal Loneliness."

"Yes, that's it. I fell in love with him but knew I had to focus while on
the bridge, on my job. Working close to him every day drew him nearer to my
heart, loving him in silence, leaving me lonely."

"You know, right before the Seiriafs came, I was trying to get up the
courage to ask you out on a official date."

"Chekov, my dear friend, I would have said no. It would not have been fair
to you, being second in my heart."

Chekov looked around the room, then his eyes rested on Uhura. He spoke to
her using a soft whisper.

"I hate this place. Back on the ship I would have at least had hope to live
with. I wish I could give you one last kiss, but I'm afraid Spock would
break my neck."

Smiling Uhura said, "I'm most positive he would. Chekov, promise me this
won't change our friendship. Please.

******************

"Agh, what's that smell?" Sulu asked

Uhura recognized it, grabbed Chekov's hand and tried to run towards Spock to
warn them all. Suddenly, Siv appeared smelling and growling, looking
surprised.

//Ah there are more of you. Well I've come for this one. //

He grabbed Uhura and they both disappeared from sight.

"Not again! The Seiriafs said they wouldn't take her," said Chekov.

"The question is who was that, and what does he want with my wife."

Not even Kirk had ever heard Spock use that deadly tone of voice. He looked
dangerous, giving them all a glimpse into Vulcans past. His aggressive
stance clearly sent a shiver up the four men's spines.

Spock thoroughly examined the walls, of what they now consider their cell,
inch by inch. No one disturbed him, no one dared to. They were afraid of
this unconventional, non-amicable Vulcan, not recognizing their friend.

McCoy leaned over and whispered to Kirk once he thought Spock was out of
hearing range.

"Jim, we are going to have trouble if Spock gets a hold of that guy."

"Why do you say that Bones?"

"Well, having Spock on board made me realize I should look more into Vulcan.
Not just their physiology, but also their customs and mannerisms. One thing
I came across was this, no male is to touch the wife of another Vulcan. Not
a friendly hug, nothing. The husband has every right to kill the other male.
It's the one emotional act that cannot be controlled by them."

Kirk went pale, "Did you hear that Chekov?"

"Loud and clear sair."

They all turned to look at Spock, who had his ear pressed against the wall
listening intently. He stood back and kicked a hole into the wall with one
foot, which made everyone jump. After making a small gape, he turned and
looked at them with an eerie expression.

"Come, this way. Through our bond I know she's alive and I can find her. If
this is another experiment, it has gone too far."

Spock exited through the hole as the others followed two paces behind.

Chekov couldn't believe what he just witnessed as he followed Spock,
squinting at the sudden sunlight.

"It looks as if Uhura was right. This is a three dimensional world."

They observed the building they were held in and noticed that it was just
one big square construction. It looked out of place compared to the other
beautiful magnificent buildings.

"Why would they fabricate all of this? Who are these beings?" asked Kirk.

Their surroundings were unusual. The dirt was blue, and what looked like
trees were pink. Interestingly the leaves and branches swayed gracefully
without the wind. The sky was lilac in color, along with the streams. The
buildings were tall, broad and moving slowly every five minutes forming
different shapes.

"Mr. Spock," said Sulu as he ran to catch him. "If you give me your
tri-corder I will start recording," he swallowed hard and said, "sir."

Spock gave it to him without slowing his steps. Sulu ran back to Kirk
without hesitation, scanning the area.

"I hope we can have time to explore this planet later. What I would give to
take some plant and soil samples of this place. Results coming in now
Captain. Class M planet, similar to earth, atmosphere 78% nitrogen, 22%
oxygen. Look at that!"

Sulu observed while recording a fifteen foot red bird like creature with
horns eating yellowish grass. It saw them and made a sound like small chimes
blowing in a soft, faint breeze. Spock walked right passed it.

There were lots of Seiriafs around going about their daily lives, but when
they saw these strange small beings, they stopped what they were doing,
stared and fluttered their iridescent wings.

Dr McCoy said with caution, "I hope the natives are friendly. What's with
that guy who took Uhura? He smelled bad and looked bad. I hope there isn't
some strange virus going around on this world. I'm sure we would react to it
a whole lot worse than that abductor."

Looking at Sulu he said, "Remember Sulu when you were infected with that Psi
3000? You tried to kill us on the bridge with that sword! I had the lab on
the Enterprise to help me find the answer for the cure. Hmm, times like
these I wish I had a Tribble."

Sulu gave McCoy a questionable look. McCoy responded by saying, "Well, you
never know, the Seiriafs may react to them like the Klingons. Those things
should be Starfleet issued for defense in my book," he mumbled.

****************

//Why are you here? //

//I don't know. //

Uhura replied to Siv using her thoughts, clenching her teeth beside. Despite
her show of valor, he threw her to the ground.

//There is a reason and I think you know. //

Siv picked Uhura up and struck her, snapping her head back. She did not cry
out. She refused to show fear to this insufferable smelly being.

****************

Spock sensed her pain and tried to comfort her through the bond they shared
together. Waves and waves of comfort he sent to his suffering brave wife.

*****************

//They're trying to get rid of me, Kel and the others. They're jealous, I
know, I know. I came so close to the discovery of the twenty- fifth
dimension. It was me who discovered the curvature world sheet; dimension of
space. Time defines that. There is so much, the scale invariance, conformal
invariance and fluctuations in the gravitational field. //

Siv looked at her trying to get her to understand. Then he screamed as he
stood over her drooling on himself.

// There is more, but they tried to take credit for my idea for their own.
They treat me like I'm the insane one. //

He slapped her again making her stagger. Uhura crouched to counter attack,
but she was held in place by his mental powers. He walked closer to her,
showing six rows of unsightly teeth. He crouched in front of her to examine
her features.

//You are small. Smaller than those I took you from. //

Uhura felt faint, gagging on the oppressive stench. He leaned in closer,
stuck out his long six - inch tongue and licked her face very slowly,
savoring the experience.

***************

Unexpectedly Spock started running. No one has ever seen him move so fast.

"Spock!"

Shouted Kirk as he and the others tried to keep up.

"Something is wrong Jim," said McCoy. "Heaven help that Seiriaf who took
Uhura. We won't have time to reason with him. All of us combined couldn't
hold Spock back now."

******************

With his nails digging into her skin, Siv picked Uhura up and brought her to
his eye level. He was intrigued with this human female. He knew she was sick
from the smell of him, everyone was. He commented on how salty she tasted
and how sweet her scent was. Uhura was repulsed to have this disgusting
Seiriaf nuzzle her neck and lick every place he examined. He pulled her
closer to him responding to the heat her body emanated. The female Seiriaf's
body possessed the heat that stimulated the males. Unfortunately for Uhura,
that heat was erotic to Siv.

Without warning Spock burst through the wall of the building containing his
wife. With lightening speed, he ran toward Siv, giving him no time to
disappear. Spock's hands stretched out towards Siv's neck, standing only one
foot away. He held Spock in place just as he had Uhura. Struggling against
Siv's mental clutches, Spock was almost at his target, muscles tight and
tendons protruding. //Almost...there... //

At that moment the six original Seiriafs appeared. They made Siv disappear,
therefore releasing Spock to catch Uhura before she hit the ground.

//We apologize for what Siv has done. He has been removed to a place that
will better accommodate him. A hospital, as you would call it. He was a
great scientist such as us at one time, but he's the result of a doomed
experiment, his doing of course. //

Spock loosened his hold on Uhura because he caught her with the strength
that was meant for Siv. There, Spock embraced his wife for the first time.
He was amazed how she melded perfectly against him, a perfect fit. He
extended his two fingers and she accepted them with hers. Through their bond
they were able to speak to each other without having to broadcast their
conversation.

// My wife, are you well? // / Spock, how did you find me? / // Beloved,
through our bond I was able to locate you. // / Yes, I did feel as if you
were with me the whole time. / //I was aduna. //

Kirk was relieved to see that Spock had found Uhura, making the group whole
again. He was also glad to see the six Seiriafs coming to their rescue, but
it was anger he expressed to them who made their lives miserable the past
couple of days.

//Why did you deceive us into thinking you existed in the twenty-fifth
dimension? It's obviously not. //

//Captain, we know of Terra and the Federation as a whole. Although we are
beyond you, we considered joining this Federation of Planets. We could bring
so much knowledge to you, but our hypothesis differs from our study of you.
We do not believe you would be able to accept female domination in your
government. You are untrue to yourselves by keeping things hidden for years,
therefore being untrue to others. We dare not expose our society to this. We
believe life should be gratifying, pleasing and undisguised. Freedom is in
truth Captain, as your Mr. Spock has come to realize. //

Everyone looked at the First Officer and his new bride in an intimate
embrace.for Vulcans. They were immersed in each other, oblivious to those
around them.

//And yet, one is suffering, hurt, tormented. //

All eyes moved to Chekov, whose attention was still on the happy couple.

//We assume your universal leaders function this way as well and it amazes
us that the Federation exists at all. Because of that existence, we feel
there is hope for the Federation community. But for now your kind will
contaminate our world if we allow you to become a part of us. In another
five hundred years we six will investigate again. //

McCoy turned to Kel in surprise and asked, //How old do you beings live?//

//2000 of your earth years.//

//Captain, our experiments have shown us what we wanted to know. We will
remain anonymous and send you and your crew back to where you belong.//

Instantly the six-crew members were back aboard the Enterprise.

"Captain!"

Shouted a surprised Scotty. Everyone on the bridge joined the six who
disappeared and welcomed them home.

"What happened? Where did you go?"

Kirk sighed and smiled while looking at the bridge.

"Scotty, we have had a very unpleasant couple of days."

McCoy added in with a smirk, "Yeah, except Spock and Uhura. Do they even
know we're back?"

Surprised, Scotty stared at the bizarre and inconceivable scene. He quickly
returned his attention back to Kirk realizing what he had said.

"Couple of days? You've only been gone thirty-minutes.

"Why am I not surprised!" said Chekov disgustedly.

***************

After debriefing and rest, McCoy found himself in a familiar place, Kirk's
quarters. He sat down and filled two glasses with Romulan Ale. After handing
one to his friend, he sat back feeling content with his familiar
surroundings.

"Well Jim, looks like you have that honored duty again."

"What's that Bones?"

Shock was the expression McCoy wore with wide baby blue eyes.

"Your kidding right? Your best friend, your first officer is married. Jim,
he hasn't had a Federation marriage! Seeing as we're on this ship, you get
to perform the ceremony. Just think, Spock is the first and only
Vulcan/Human being, the son of Vulcan's senior Ambassador, grandson of
Vulcan's leader, the great-great- great- and so on grandson of Surak and
other prestigious Vulcans that go back two-thousand years, and son of Dr.
Amanda M. Grayson. He's a leading scientist, plus years of published work to
read and the best First Officer in the Fleet. Do you know how many people
and other beings will want to attend this wedding?"

Just then the door chime sounded.

"Enter, ahh here is the prince now."

"Beg your pardon Captain?"

"Just a little joke Spock, come, have a seat."

"Thank you Captain."

McCoy smiled at Spock, informing him of the conversation before he came in.

"We were just talking about your wedding Spock."

"Yes, that is precisely why I came. It has come to my attention that a
Federation marriage is in order. I would like one soon as possible.
Preferably tomorrow."

All it took was a glace at Spock for Kirk to understand the request of his
friend.

"What?" asked a shocked McCoy. "What about your parents and Uhura's? Surely
they will want to be present."

"Our parents will be present at the ceremony on Vulcan and Uhura and I are
in agreement. We do not want to wait longer than we have to."

"Spock do you have any idea who would want to attend to this wedding? All
kinds of dignitaries and maybe the president of the Federation himself!!
This is going to be the wedding of the century considering who you are."

"That, Doctor, is decisively what we want to avoid. It is a wedding, not a
circus."

"Blast it Spock, if you feel that way, why not get married right now? Do I
still get to be the best man?"

Spock looked at McCoy with mild irritation.

"Naturally Doctor. And to answer your first outburst, we can't marry now
because my wife and her friends are "preparing" for the wedding."

Looking a bit perturbed, Spock focused his attention on Kirk, who found it
enjoyable to find himself between his two quarrelsome best friends.

"I don't understand it Jim. To have a need for frills and more frills at a
wedding is illogical. In my room, as I speak, are fifteen giggling females.
Lace, silks, flowers and tulle has covered everything except the ceiling. I
believe the ship's stores are depleted of these items and we'll have to
restock when we stop for layover."

McCoy laughed that his friend was in a state of utter confusion //It's good
for him.// He slapped the arm of his chair and offered Spock some advice,
rather dramatic in speech.

"Get use to it Spock, oh buddy oh pal. You're married to a bonafide,
full-blooded, passionate human female. She is going to change your life and
I must admit, I'm going to rather enjoy it."

Spock leaned over to look McCoy straight in the eyes and with one eyebrow
raised he said with a slight smile,

"So am I."

Spock left the room leaving McCoy with his mouth a gaped and speechless.

***************

After Spock left the shocked McCoy, he headed straight for Chekov's
quarters.

"May I come in?"

"Yes, please do Mr. Spock."

"Mr. Chekov, I've come to ask you to stand with Dr. McCoy as my best man. I
hope you do not find this to be in poor taste considering the
circumstances."

This was the second time within a ten-minute time frame, that Spock shocked
someone. After a brief pause Chekov gave his answer.

"Yes Mr. Spock, I would be honored."

With a nod Spock turned to leave.

"Spock?"

Turning to face Chekov, Spock wondered if he had changed his mind. After
all, it would be difficult to stand as best man and watch the woman you love
marry someone else. Instead he was shocked and pleased at what Chekov had to
say.

"If anything fatal ever happens to you, I'm willing to watch over her for
you. If you don't mind."

Spock stood erect, his face emotionless with his hands held behind his back,
eyeing Chekov.

"Mr. Chekov, if anything fatal ever happens to me, I'm expecting you to take
my place."

Chekov held his hand up in the ta'al symbol.

"Live long and prosper Mr. Spock."

"Peace and long life Mr. Chekov."

Spock left the room to find she, who is his wife.

*********************

Spock found Uhura alone on the observation deck. It was quiet, and beautiful
with stars in the background, a perfect setting for young lovers.

"Nyota, my mother gave me the oddest gift before I left my home to join
Starfleet. It is something she brought from the planet earth when she
married my father. She told me I would know what to do with it someday."

"What was it?"

"A piece of coal. My mother was correct, I knew just what to do with it."

He opened a small dark blue velvet box and in it sat a beautiful multi-facet
three-karat diamond engagement ring.

Uhura gasped as he presented the beautiful creation he made just for her.

"I took it to engineering to process, cut and polished it. My mother is a
very wise woman."

Spock placed the ring onto her finger, noticing how beautiful her hands made
it look. Uhura admired her ring that reflected the starlight then looked
into Spocks alluring brown eyes.

"I will treasure this ring as long as I live my husband."

She held back the tears that threatened to fall. She wasn't sure how Spock
would react to them. One did escape and he gently brushed it away with a
long slender finger as he caressed her face.

"Aduna, why do you cry?"

"I'm sorry, I know you must find my tears illogical, but they are tears of
immense joy, reflecting the love I have for you."

"Aduna, I will never say 'love' between two beings is illogical again."

He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Spock
relished the coolness of her body along with her salty taste. Uhura was
experiencing pure bliss in his arms. With his heat enveloping her, she could
smell the desert from the home world he will someday take her to.

"My husband, I have a song I wrote for you years ago. I would like to
present it to you as a wedding gift."

The first time I saw your face

I knew I'd never love again.

I knew we were meant to be,

When your eyes spoke to me.

Is it logical?

The first time I saw your face

I knew I'd never love again.

This love designed from afar,

Destined to be nourished among the stars.

Is it logical?

Is it logical?

Please say...

Yes.



Uhura was rewarded with the most passionate kiss she ever received, and
rejoiced with the knowledge of Spock's answer.


Sitting in a dark corner of the observation deck, sat Christine Chapel,
tears flowing at the sight of husband and wife.

"So, it's true, it's true."

************************

Meanwhile, back on the mysterious planet, Kel was taking his payment from a
certain Vulcan. Walking back to his shuttle the Vulcan turned and said,
"Peace and long life Kel."

Kel responded with, "Live long and prosper."

The shuttle rose and disappeared into the lilac sky.

"What was that all about my husband?"

"I have secured our sons future Amanda. He can now see what I have seen for
the past four years. Now it's time to go home. We have a wedding ceremony to
attend."

END

for more visit www.rolletti.com




--
Stephen Ratliff
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