You smiled wide as you raised your glass in celebration of your captain's birthday. Friends and crewmen alike stood shoulder to shoulder as the festivities began which consisted of drinking, standing around, and talking.

You watched with reserved indignation as Spock and Nyota spoke. You don't mean to be the protective type but you would just hate to see all the progress you made with the Vulcan relationship wise get blown away with her perfect eyelashes. You noticed Bones look at them for a moment but then pretended to act like nothing happened once Spock looked at him. The doctor then made eye contact with you, giving you a knowing look before making quick work of the distance between you, as if he was eager to talk about something.

To your astonishment, when you signed up as a nurse to the man, you didn't take him for the gossiping type. Oh how you were wrong. It was invented by him. So when he happened upon you and Spock in a deep conversation, on accident, he pulled you aside later wanting to know everything. After who knows how many times you begged, Bones promised not to say a word. Thus seeing him with an eager expression made complete sense, though you still roll your eyes.

"Before you say a thing: no, I have not spoken to him since he attempted to save me. And yes, I am a bit bitter about the whole "Vulcan tracking device" thing." You took a sip of your tart drink, looking sideways at Bones. "Though not as bitter as I thought I would be. I'm just-"

"Worried he'll go back to her. I read that from a mile away." He snorted as he took another drink, his cheeky grin making you a bit unsettled.

"Since you know so much, why don't you tell me what you are obviously hiding from me?"

Bones downed the rest of his class, setting it on a table behind him, leaning against it with his arm. "That's for me to know and you to find out, sister."

You rolled your eyes again. Bones has been practically a Brother to you since you joined. But when it comes to moments like this, you just wished he was your brother and not your senior officer, that way you could get your answer in a more sibling like manner.

"Fine, keep your secrets. I just don't want to-" You stopped when you unwillingly watched Uhura kiss Spock on the cheek.

Your own cheeks burned and you clenched your fist, positive you drew blood. Had Bones not rested his hand on your shoulder, you would have made a fool of yourself.

"Cool the jets, spit fire, she's just thanking him." His soft tone did nothing for your raging heart.

"Yeah. I'll keep telling myself that."

Bones folded his arms. "Ok. Out with it. Why are you acting like someone pissed in your drink?"

You snorted, putting down said drink on the table, turning away from Spock and Uhura. "Spock has been keeping secrets from me. And I have a feeling you know what they are. Just before we went on this last mission he refused to talk about Ambassador Spock or the whole thing with Uhura. I thought we were close enough for that much at least." You pinched the bridge of your nose. "Not that I was hoping I was the reason they broke up, just that I wanted to make sure that his sudden turn of attention towards me was not just to get over her." You let out a sigh. "We are friends. We established that. But I guess I had read him wrong."

Bones looked behind you as if making sure no one was paying attention. "Alright, I'll admit. I know a thing or two going on in his illogical head of his. Just don't beat yourself up over from something you may have misread from an emotionless Vulcan. The poor guy has so much going on right now I'm surprised he hasn't punched Jim yet." He laughed to himself as you turned around to find Spock talking with Scotty, Uhura nowhere to be seen. "He scared me with the whole "follow in my old self's footsteps" thing."

You rounded on the doctor, your eyes going wide. "Say what now?"

Bones quickly straightened, unfolding his arms in surrender. But before he could say anything, Spock's smooth voice drifted up from behind you, causing you to experience whiplash as you turned on him.

At one look at his face you lost it. His groomed hair, his pointed eyebrows, his deep eyes, his perfect everything made your heart thump. So much was going on in your mind you couldn't hold it in any longer. You sniffed a couple of times, looking between Bones and Spock before you quietly uttered a lame excuse to be excused. You felt a hand gently grasp your arm but your pulled away, urgently wanting to get out of such a public view for your emotional breakdown.

You made it outside to a secluded garden of sorts. With teary eyes, you stumbled over to a stone bench. You sat down with as much grace as a toddler, clutching to the sides of the bench as your shoulders bounced with each sob that racked your body. You're not one to just openly cry about every little thing that went wrong. But the moment you laid eyes on that point-eared idiot you were a goner. You know, deep down, that he has no intention of being difficult, but that doesn't make his actions any less painful.

You let out one last cry as you wiped your tears and fixed your clothing. He has been on and off with Uhura so it's no surprise he was talking to her like that. But the way he had been talking to you before the mission, all kind and borderline flirtatious, you couldn't help but get your hopes up. You knew how he thought and worked because of all the times you talked to him and helped him with his relationship with Uhura. And because of that you slowly fell in love with him. Karma can be a butt sometimes.

You sniffed, looking out across the small garden, closing your eyes as a soft breeze stroked your face. Spock quietly stood a few paces behind you, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched you with growing admiration. He did not want to alert you of his presence yet so you could calm down. Plus he wasn't sure what he would say.

Spock has always seen you as a strong and wonderfully kind person. He would never tell you, but he is quite positive you are the reason he is no longer with Nyota. Since the day you sat down with him in one of the observation rooms to talk about his rocky relationship he knew he wanted to grow closer to you. He just didn't know it would take so long and cause you so much emotional stress. Human emotions are hard enough as it is without having to worry about women emotions and their effects from relationships.

You let out a breath as you fully composed yourself. Spock watched your back as he quietly stepped forward. But he stopped, seeing your body suddenly go still. You breathed slowly as you strained to hear the footsteps you were sure you just heard. You then relaxed when it stays quiet but the footsteps resumed and you decided to make the first move.

You turn on your stalker, bringing your hands up in defense, your face hard with concentration. But upon seen the Vulcan before you, your face hardened even more. Spock's brows rose but he didn't flinch. You brought your hand down, hitting his chest a bit.

You looked down at the ground as you open and clenched your hands. "Do you need something?"

Spock looked at you, his heart aching at your evident discomfort. Taking a small step closer, he brought his hands up, one resting on your waist the other paced over your clenched fist. He leaned his head down and you could feel his breath on your cheek.

"Hit me."

You blink. Turning to look up only slightly, your look at him in question. "What?"

Spock made eye contact with you as he took both your hands in his. "Hit me. Strike me until you feel content again."

You couldn't help but snort but it turned into an other sob. Your shoulders shook and tears fell. So you took him up on his idea. You hit him on his chest, halfheartedly at first. You then hit him again, and again and again, your hitting steadily getting harder to match your sobs. Soon your fists let go and you just ended up lightly smacking him as you leaned your head against his chest. You then felt his arms wrap around you as he held you to him, rubbing your back hesitantly.

"Forgive me." Spock whispered.

You sniffed as you leaned into him, holding onto his shirt. You shook your head against him. "No, Spock. I'm overreacting. I just-" You look up at him, allowing him to softly wipe your tears, but before you finish your sentence you found it hard to talk.

Spock brought his hands up to your face, cradling it as he brought his lips down on yours, gently, almost teasingly. But without hesitation, you rose up on your tiptoes and eagerly welcomed his kiss. You could have sworn you heard the Vulcan growl with your enthusiasm, much less feel it in his chest as he held you to him. After a few moments, Spock pulled way, resting his forehead on yours.

"Your reaction was expected, though I did not intend to offend you. I was merely cautious in knowing if you wanted to farther our relationship. But after taking with Nyota-"

You let out a small laugh, kissing his jaw as you then hugged him.

Spock continued, "She advised me that you would welcomely accept my advances. As you have already demonstrated." He kissed the top of your head lightly. "But my recent negligence of your feelings deserved me your physical outrage."

You laughed into his chest, breathing in his scent. "What are we doing?" You whispered into his shirt, taking fist fills of it as you anxiously waited to know about his sudden change in attention.

Spock pulled back enough to look at you, stroking your hair back. "From what I understand, you have captured my attention physically, mentally and emotionally. And I wish," his voice lowered and he kissed your nose lightly, "and I wish to not be parted from you."

You closed your eyes and smiled wide. "Really? What about Ambassador Spock? Nyota?"

"Nyota and I are in a platonic relationship as of a fortnight ago. The news of Ambassador Spock was sudden and I had intentions of taking his place. Yet I found myself lacking the drive to go through with it, not wanting to lose you. Therefore I-"

You reached up and kissed up, over and over. "You can shut up now." Spock didn't complain, running his hands through your hair as you smiled into the kiss that was steadily growing more needy.

Bones only had to glance outside for a moment to know that you were not coming back anytime soon. Nyota came over and stood next to him, taking a sip of her drink.

"How long did you know?" The doctor asked her.

She chuckled to herself. "The moment he came back from his first "meeting" with her all dazed looking and he called me by her name on accident."

Bones laughed and Nyota shrugged. "He's happier than I have ever seen him and that's all that matters."

Hey guys! Sorry I have been MIA for a few days, been fighting a bad infection. But I'm doing better now! Keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you want anything in particular! Ya'll know what to do!