Sexy Beast (20/20)

Closing the Circle, part II

“Captain Spock,” Trisha’s voice seemed to boom through the conn.  “We will arrive in four hours and forty-two minutes.”

“Affirmative, Commander Baker,” he said. 

Spock stood up and went over to her.  “Lt. Uhura, if you could accompany me.  Commander Moreau, you have the bridge.”

Marlena nodded.  “Aye, Captain.”

Uhura looked up at him.  As usual, his expression was stoic.  He held out his hand and she took it.  He escorted her off the bridge.  In the turbolift, he started kissing her fingers.

She let him.  “Where are we going, Spock?  We won’t get there until about four hours from now.”

“I want to take this time and be with you and our baby before you leave,” he said, sucking the tips of her fingers.  “If you find that acceptable.”

She bit her lip.  “I do.”  Thoughts flew through her mind, worries, contradictions, choices…everything was different now; everything.   But she couldn’t say anything else.  There was really nothing to say.

He tucked her hand into his arm and escorted her to their quarters.  Once there, he secured the doors and instructed Marlena that he did not wish to be disturbed short of a red alert.  Marlena acknowledged.

*

She let him remove her clothing and she removed his.  It was right to be with him, to have this time together.  She hoped that nothing would disturb them.  She was glad that the baby wasn’t causing any sickness or discomfort, as she wanted this as much as he did.

“For once, I want you to see what I see,” he said.  “Come and stand in front of the mirror.”

Uhura stood in front of the mirror, rubbing her belly.  What would Captain Kirk say when she beamed into the transporter room—or somewhere on the ship—carrying five months’ worth of Mirrorverse baby?  What would Spock say?  The other ladies?

Did she really care?

Would she even beam aboard the ship?

Spock came up behind her and started moving his hands in large circles over her stomach.  Uhura allowed him that for a few moments, but then turned around to look at him.  She put her hands to Spock’s face and began kissing him, his forehead, eyebrows, the bridge of his nose, his eyelids, cheeks, chin, and lips.  The blood within him heated as the kiss deepened.  His arms came around her as he wondered if he would ever cease to want Uhura after she was gone. 

Probably not.

Consequences, consequences.

He turned so that they were parallel to their mirror images.  She moved her kisses to his neck as he rubbed her back and buttocks.

“You are lovelier now than you were when you first got here,” he murmured.  “You are so beautiful pregnant, Nyota.  I shall miss looking at you.”

“Don’t speak,” she said, looking at him.  “Don’t talk.”

“Do not leave me, Nyota,” he said, cupping her face and impaling her with his eyes.  “Forgive me.  Stay with me.  Do not take my child away.”

“Spock,” she moaned.  “Please.  Just kiss me.”  That was easier than responding to his words, as each was an acid-tipped knife.

He claimed her mouth and then moved to her cheeks and ear.  She slid her arms around his neck and arched so that he could access hers.  He began at her neck, then down over her shoulders and arms, then her hands and her fingers, kissing each one, his dark eyes resolutely on her.  She was lost in the midnight recesses of his penetrating obsidian gaze, feeling that time moved on for everyone else except for her and her baby’s father.  She could feel nothing but Spock’s vibrating heartbeat.  His warm, large hands went over her breasts, her nipples perking as he touched them, flicked them and kissed them.  Then his ministrations continued; over her belly and around her navel and then those magnificent, skilled hands went lower.  Uhura felt as if every single nerve ending she had was at attention and the fire that pooled in her belly was spreading upward.

They were outside of space, outside of time, on the outer edges of the observable universe, in their own little erotic bubble.  Uhura would treasure this time spent in the adulation and appreciation of her husband.  It was what it was.  She had to face the truth.  She did care deeply for Spock in spite of his abduction and she was so very conflicted about it all; the woman she’d become under his attentions, the fusing of her dual nature, her ability to express herself and know herself sexually, identification with women like her…all of who she was was because of him.  She was a real woman now; not some female with puerile wishes and candy dreams suspended between the waking world and the dream world.  Because of Spock’s heinous act, she was more alive now than she had ever been in her universe. She was able to feel, to live, to know herself and what she wanted.  Because of Spock, she was going to be a mother.  Because of Spock, she now had a deep intimate connection to someone and something, but was it enough to forgive him for his act?

Uhura was so conflicted.

“Turn,” he murmured.  “I want you to see how you look when I make you come.  You need to know this.”

She sighed, then obeyed and murmured in sheer delight when he massaged her back and shoulders, dropping kisses along her spine.  He cupped each globe of her ass, kissing and nipping at the warm, soft flesh.  Then he licked between them.  Uhura hissed and clenched her fingers at his brazenness, feeling a mixture of shock and delight at the feel of his nose between her cheeks, gliding over her anus.  Sweet baby gherkins, but the man was skilled.  She spared a moment to silently thank the slave girls of Bellatrix IX for teaching Spock how to be a fantastic lover.  Uhura had no one to compare him to, but was certain nonetheless.  Trisha’s, Marlena’s and Sheila’s descriptions of their exes’ sexual abilities paled in comparison to Spock’s, and the men had all spent a lot of time on Bellatrix IX.  Apparently, Spock was the only one who paid attention.

His fingers found her, curled into her and pulsed.  He was content to have that, as the sight of her nearing orgasm was enough for his own.  He rose to his feet, keeping his hand there, supporting her as she rode his fingers, bracing himself against the mirror.

She couldn’t help but look at herself.  The woman in the mirror whose mouth was open, eyes flashing in desire, breath coming in wheezy spurts and dripping all over Spock’s hand was not the woman who accidentally beamed aboard six months ago.  She was not the woman her old crewmates knew.  Her time in the Mirrorverse had forever changed her.  The baby under her heart was merely tangible proof.

Her cries escaped her; his name and a long low moan.  Uhura’s knees trembled as she came down but she could not stand on her own.  Spock licked his fingers and then put them to her lips.  Wordlessly, she sucked them, staring at the pair of them.  It was...almost…as if was meant to be and should have been. 

Sheila had asked her if she knew then what she knew now and could have chosen, would she have chosen to stay?  Uhura couldn’t answer that.  Part of her wanted to stay and part of her wanted to go.

After a moment, they were just standing in front of the mirror.  Spock’s face was in her neck and his hands wandered over her belly.  He was murmuring things, transmitting thoughts; his emotional conveyance was so potent that tears sprang to her eyes and she had to ask herself what in the hell she was doing.

“Love our child,” he said.  “Do not let it think ill of me, Nyota, in spite of what I did.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” she said.

“You have pleased me,” he said.  “As much as a Vulcan can be pleased.  For that, I am grateful.”

Uhura didn’t respond, but nodded. She had found happiness here, especially as of late.  But there was the need, the desire to go home.  She could return to her universe with Spock’s child; she could love it and raise it.  And she wouldn’t explain a damn thing to anybody.  Fuck what they thought.  They would NEVER get within touching distance of the truth.

Her mind was at war with her heart.  ‘You can do that here!  You have everything here; you don’t have what you thought you did there…what are you doing, Nyota?  What are you doing?  You can kill yourself and the baby if you try to go home!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING???’

Uhura wasn’t sure if she could feel anything for another man again.  She already knew that Spock threw her thermostat completely out of whack and she didn’t know if she could manage even tepid feelings for another.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to.

They moved to the bed and lay down together.  Spock put his cheek against her belly and closed his eyes.  He had no more words.  There was nothing more to be said.  He made his plea and she would either stay or go.  He had no right to keep her here if she didn’t want to remain.  He did not voice his concerns about the danger of her transporting through an ion storm five months pregnant or the likelihood of her ending up in a bulkhead or in out in space, dead.  His baby, dead.  Uhura already knew those things.  And if she thought that such a fate was preferable to remaining here as his wife, then there was nothing he could do about it. 

Consequences, consequences.

*

Spock escorted her to the transporter room.  When they entered, Sheila, Marlena and Trisha were there.  Trisha manned the console and her eyes were red.  Marlena was somber.  Sheila stood next to K’avir and there were angry tears in her eyes.

“Captain,” she said.  “If you don’t mind, I want a word with your wife.”

“I do not mind,” Spock said.  He released Uhura’s hand and kissed her fingers.  Sheila stomped over to her and led her off to a corner.  Marlena and Trisha followed.

“Nyota, what the fuck are you doing?”  Sheila asked.  “Are you actually going to do this?”

“Are you crazy?”  Trisha said.  “Do you know the chances of this actually working?  There’s a 99.998% chance that you’re going to kill yourself and the baby if you go through with this!”

“Nyota, is it worth it?”  Marlena asked.  “Is it so bad that you would risk the baby to go back home?”

Uhura wiped her face.  “Don’t do this.  Don’t do this to me.  I’m upset enough!”

“Why?”  Sheila raged.  “Why are you upset if you want to go home?  We know why you’re upset; it’s because you know this is wrong!”

“This is your home, Nyota!”  Trisha said.  “We don’t mean to gang up on you, but this is foolishness!  I won’t do it.  I won’t be a party to your death.  I won’t help you kill your baby.  I won’t touch that transporter when it’s time.  Don’t ask me to do it because I won’t!”

“Neither will I,” Sheila said.  “Marlena won’t do it either.  You’d better hope Spock does it.”

“No,” Marlena said.  “You’re being selfish, Nyota.  I mean, I can understand why you were so upset; your choice to be here was taken away from you.  But is your need for revenge so great that you’d do something so stupid?  Because this is stupid.”

“Spock’s playing it cool,” Sheila said, “because he understands he’s the reason for all of this.  Do you love him at all, Nyota?  Even a little bit?  He’s the father of your child; do you feel anything at all for him?  If you leave him and take his baby, he will be devastated.  He won’t show it, but we will all know.  What reason would he have to continue being captain if the motivation for the rebellion is gone?  What’s going to happen to us if he decides he doesn’t care anymore?”

Uhura felt a faint tremor in her stomach.  “Of course I care for him, Sheila.  I do.  He is my baby’s father, but he kidnapped me!  He took me away from the life I had; the life I knew!  What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t have to tell you because you know.  You know what you should do!”

“I’ll say it,” Trisha snapped.  “Forgive him.  Absolve him of it.  It’s all right to forgive.”

“What life?”  Marlena asked.  “According to what you told us, your life was…all right.  You were content to be where you were, doing what you were doing.”

“You also said the man you cared for didn’t return your affection,” Sheila said.  She was kind enough not to mention Spock’s name, but Trisha and Marlena glared at her.

“Really?”

“Why?”

“Now isn’t the time to get into it,” Uhura said, looking around.  Spock was speaking to K’avir.

“Well, when’s a good time?”  Trisha snapped.  “I mean, you’re leaving in ten minutes or so, so why not get into it now?”

“Nyota!”  Marlena said.  “What are you going back to?  You’re never going to find what you have here.  You won’t.  I mean, yes it was under foul circumstances how you got here, but does that matter in the long run if you’re happy?”

Sheila jumped in.  “And don’t tell us you aren’t happy!  You’ve been singing for the past two months!  People don’t sing when they’re miserable.  Spock treats you like a fucking goddess!  And you’re going back to a man who could give a shit about you?  Make me understand, Nyota.  Make me understand and then you can leave.”

Uhura put up her hand.  “I’m sorry.  I know you don’t understand it, but I have to do this!  I have to.  I—” Her stomach fluttered and she put a hand over it, trying to calm the baby.  Did the baby need calming or was she trying to convince herself that she wasn’t being stubborn.

“Fine,” Trisha snapped, cutting her off.  “Good luck.”  She turned and walked out of the transporter room.

Marlena looked at her.  “I wish you’d reconsider.  I mean, you’re our friend!  Doesn’t that count for something?”

“Yes, Marlena.  It does.  I don’t mean to hurt anyone, but this was never my home!  I should have the final decision over my life and what I should and should not do!  He had no right to take me, no matter how happy I may be!  I can’t make you understand that!”

“Is where you’re going home?  Is it really?  Is it?”

“You don’t understand,” Uhura said.  “You guys were here; you were used to things as they were…”

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Sheila said.  “But didn’t Trisha and I tell you that we were taken from our original locations?  Taken.  Not asked or given a choice.  What happened to you happened to us.  And you know what?  I wouldn’t go back.  Lenny was a total shit, but I’m not the woman I was before he took me.  I wouldn’t go back to that place or that life.  You changed things for us, Nyota.  Spock’s love for you changed everything.  Everything.  How selfish can you be?”

“Selfish enough to want to endanger your baby,” Marlena said.  “You’re right; the choice is yours.  I won’t try to stop you if you want to do this.  Take care of yourself.  If you survive.”

Marlena turned and left. 

Sheila stared at her friend, tears running down her cheeks.  “Nothing we say matters?  Nothing?”

“Sheila, you know I love all of you.  I do.  I do; you guys saved me in more ways than you can ever know.  But part of me wants to go back home.”

“This is your home, Nyota.  Here you have a husband who will move the galaxy for you and a starship full of women willing to defend you and help you raise your child.  Tell me that you’ll have that back in your universe.  Convince me that will happen and I won’t say another word about this.”

“You know I can’t do that, Sheila.”

“Then don’t be stupid.  Don’t go.”

“Sheila, please.  Please.”

“Nyota,” Spock said.  “It’s time.”

*

Marlena and Trisha returned.  Both had been crying; Uhura could tell from their faces.  It made her heart ache to know that she was so loved and would be missed by such phenomenal women.  Sheila stood in front of K’avir, arms folded, angry tears in her eyes.

“Good bye, Marlena.  Bye, Trisha.  Bye, Sheila.  I do love you and will never forget you.  I’m sorry it has to be like this, but I thank you for your friendship.  I would never have survived without it.”

“Yes you would,” Marlena said.

“I will NEVER forgive you for this, you bitch,” Sheila hissed.  “Never!”

“I’m sorry,” she said.  “I’m sorry, Sheila.”

“Just go,” Trisha said.  “Go on.”

Spock walked over to Uhura and took her hands.  He stared at her for a very long moment and kissed her fingers and palms, pressing them against his face and beard.

“Nyota,” he murmured.  He pulled her to him for a hug and a kiss on the lips.  Then he knelt and put his hand on her stomach.  He did not speak but she could feel it.

“Spock,” she gasped, putting her hands over his.  She felt another twitter, a flutter, a tremor…was the baby acknowledging its father?  Was the baby sending her a message, a signal?

He stood up and kissed her forehead.  “Live long and prosper, Nyota.  Take care of our child.”

She held his hand and met his eyes, trying to be brave.  “Goodbye, Spock.  I’ll do my best.”

He held her hand and escorted her up the transporter steps.  She turned around to look at the Mirrorverse transporter room one last time.  She closed her eyes, expecting the memory that drove her to be firmly lodged in her mind.  But it wasn’t.  Instead, she was flooded with many other memories and she closed her eyes tight.

Spock stepped away, moving back towards the console.  “Commander Baker, please engage the transporter.”

“I’m sorry, Captain,” Trisha said.  “You’re going to have to relieve me of duty or throw me in the brig for insubordination because I won’t kill your baby.  I won’t do it and I don’t care what you have to say.  I’m not touching that machine.”

Spock looked at Sheila and Marlena.  “Don’t even ask me, sir.”  Sheila said.  “You can throw me in the brig right along with Trisha.”

“Me too, Captain.  I can’t do this.  I can’t even watch.”  Marlena turned around.

Trisha turned away and put her arm around Marlena.  Sheila turned towards K’avir and pressed against him.  He put an arm around her.

Spock didn’t argue.  Instead, he went over to the transporter console and put one hand on the dial and the other hand on the three switches.  “We have a minute left,” he said, looking at her.  “Please love my baby, Nyota.”

Uhura nodded.  Her heart was screaming and she couldn’t stop her tears.  She held her stomach, trying to ignore the fluttering and the twitching.

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  ARE YOU INSANE?  DO YOU HATE HIM THAT MUCH?  DO YOU HATE THIS BABY THAT YOU CARRY?  DO YOU HATE HIM AND HATE IT ENOUGH TO KILL IT?  NYOTA UHURA, WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  THIS IS NOT YOU!!!  DO NOT DO THIS!!!’

‘I’m going home.  I’m going home… I’m going home.  I’m going home… I’m going home.  I’m going home…’

The baby was moving.  Was it possible that she could feel it so early?  Something was happening to her baby.  She could feel it stirring inside of her.  Was it trying to tell her something?

Spock sighed.  “Energize.” He started to turn the dial and moved to push the switches.

Uhura swallowed and choked out, “Wait…”

fin

  

Sexy Beast (19/20)

Closing the Circle, part I

Uhura woke up early to morning sickness and fled to the toilet.  Sheila told her that she had been blessed thus far with a fairly easy pregnancy, except for the stab wound because she didn’t suffer regularly from morning sickness or nausea at any time of the day.

She bent over the toilet, puking her guts out, barely getting her hair out of the way.  She wasn’t used to her hair being so long and due to the events of the past three months, never thought about getting it cut.  Part of that was due to the fact that the ship didn’t employ a stylist, which explained why most of the women on the ISS-E had long hair.  She wondered—in between heaves—if Spock would get one for the ship.  The women would love him for it.

She rose from the toilet, rocking back on her knees.  Her head hurt and she didn’t even want to move.  They were supposed to arrive at Starbase 238.2 within a few hours and she didn’t think she would be able to make it.  Her stomach was churning and—

Uhura bent back over the toilet, vomiting again.  Tears were in her eyes, for this bout of sickness was the worst she’d experienced so far.  She closed her eyes and groaned.

Then she felt his arms coming around her, lifting her, carrying her.  He put her back in bed and sat beside her, still in his sleep attire.  He had a warm washcloth and was wiping her face.

“Sp—”

“Do not speak,” he said.  He handed her some water to rinse her mouth and the wastebasket for her to spit.  She sipped a little more water just to rid her mouth of the acrid taste and fell back down on the bed.

“Nyota,” he said, stroking her forehead.  “Our baby disagrees with you this morning.  I shall not bring you breakfast, as I am sure you could not stomach it at this time.”

“Nooo,” she moaned, turning her face into the pillow.  The thought of food made her sick. He rubbed her back.

“I do not think you should accompany me down to Starbase 238.2 when we arrive in four hours and twenty-five minutes.  I would prefer that you rest.  If you are able to do so, you can join me this evening.  I would like for you to select the clothing you wish to wear during your pregnancy.  I will bring you a few items to wear for now, but your belly is growing and I must accommodate you.”  He ran his hand over her stomach, taking a moment to connect with the tiny life inside her.  It did not matter if she bore him a son or daughter; all he wanted was a healthy child.  Vulcan and human DNA were incompatible most times and made conception tricky without genetic engineering.  But this little being came into existence without the assistance of science, survived a brutal attack on its mother and continued to live.  Its heart was indeed as strong as his or as hers.

He even knew when they created their child.  Once her pregnancy was confirmed, Spock did the requisite math and realized she conceived the night he tied them together with his sash.  He spoke of fusion when she asked him about it (and he knew that she found it erotic) but the fact that they had actually fused was fascinating.  He could never look at his sash again without thinking about that night and its symbolism.

“Spock, I want to go but I just can’t…”

“I am aware of that, Nyota.  I must take Commanders Baker and Moreau and Dr. Stephens with me to complete specific tasks.  But Dr. Stephens will return to check on you.  I will return as soon as I can.”

She nodded.

“But right now,” he murmured, kissing her forehead, “I shall stay with you.  Commander Baker has the bridge and I am not needed until we reach base.”

“How are she and Marlena coming along with their training?”

“They are Vulcan-like in their adaptation and assimilation of bridge protocols and command procedures.  I am impressed with their exponential growth in ship operations.  But I have learned not to underestimate the heart of a determined woman.  I have realized that every woman on this ship is dedicated to you and our baby.”  He continued to rub her stomach.

She nodded.  “I know.  You’d better not piss them off, Spock.  Or you’ll disappear.”  She motioned her head over by the artwork that hid the Tantalus field.  “Don’t think that Sheila, Trisha or Marlena isn’t capable of captaining this ship.”

“I do not,” he said.  “I know that with a crew of women like the ones on board the ISS-E, we will be formidable indeed.  K’avir and Turock are instructing them in hand-to-hand combat and Shavik, now that he is healed, is also teaching combat strategies and tactics.  I would like for my ship’s crew to be fully armed, as we will be challenged by other starships once the Empire realizes that we are no longer subject to its whim.”

She put her hand over his, slipping her fingers between his own.  His hand felt so good on her stomach.  “They love it that you’re letting them learn how to fight.  I love it too.”

“It is illogical for them not to be able to defend themselves.  I have already instructed the armory chief to produce a phaser for every woman on board this ship as well as a better knife.  They will have the option of carrying specialized equipment for times of probable danger.  I am positive that ship captains and base commanders will underestimate my crew and find themselves a victim of a phaser blast or a knife to the throat.  I know that you abhor killing, Nyota, but the women understand that it will be necessary if we are to be successful.”

“I understand, Spock.  I agree with you.  Otherwise, this entire endeavor is moot.”  She knew that it wasn’t going to be sweet sailing for the new captain and his crew.  There would be repercussions.  “It’s best that everyone understands that.”

“I am pleased.  Your approval is very important to me.”

She closed her eyes.  Her stomach was calming down.

“I am, of course, planning to replace lost members of the crew with as many Vulcans as are available.  I have already sent messages to interested parties.  As the first Vulcan to command an Imperial starship, I know without a doubt that I will have their loyalty.”

Uhura smiled to herself.  She was aware that a lot of the women found their Vulcan instructors sexy.  Sheila, for one, told her that she was determined to find out if K’avir was as hard and as strong as he looked.

“I don’t think I could make him my bitch,” she had said, “but I’ll definitely make him my stud.”

“What are you smiling about?”

“Oh, nothing.  Just wondering what it would be like to have that many Vulcans on one starship.”

He raised an eyebrow.  “You are thinking about Dr. Stephens and my personal guard.  Fascinating.”

“You may as well know, Spock,” Uhura said, closing her eyes. “A lot of the women on this ship—the ones who still like men—think that Vulcan men are really, really sexy.”

“Does that include present company?”

“You know that I’ve been attracted to you from the beginning, Spock.  Don’t be silly.  I’m just saying that you should not be surprised if things should naturally take place as things tend to when you have a bunch of sexually frustrated women and Vulcans in the vicinity.  Not that it will affect their duties, but things will happen.”

Spock took her hand and kissed it.  “Vulcan men are very resistant to the attentions of human females.  Until they find themselves in the presence of one who is easily able to break them down.  It rarely happens, my love.  Rarely.  We are disciplined beings.”

“Not if Sheila can help it.  She was with Dr. McCoy for years and he suffered from erectile dysfunction.  You think a Vulcan can resist a beautiful, intelligent, sexually frustrated woman?  K’avir won’t know what hit him.”

“Touché, my love,” he murmured.

*

The scheduled visit to Starbase 238.2 started with an incident, but word spread quickly.  Spock beamed down with Marlena, Sheila, Trisha, K’avir and one other security guard.  The ladies were strapped with their new weapons: six-inch long tanto point carbon steel blades and new phasers.  Sheila had a Harpy and a pair of brass knuckles stuck in her cleavage.  Trisha had a four-inch retractable trailing point blade affixed to the inside of her skirt.  Marlena had another phaser tucked into her boot.

The moment they beamed into the transporter room, the base commander and his second officer saluted Spock.  He saluted back and indicated that the ladies should do the same.  The second officer, a brute named Jonas, reminded the ladies too much of Rex.  Spock and K’avir fell into step with the base commander and they followed him out.  Not even ten seconds outside of the transporter room, Jonas swatted Marlena on the ass hard enough to make her stumble and fall.

The security guard didn’t have a chance to react.  Trisha grabbed Jonas’ swinging arm and flung him into the wall.  Sheila kneed Jonas in the balls and both women had their knives out before he could speak.  Spock and the base commander turned to look.  K’avir helped Marlena to her feet and watched his protégés with as much interest as a Vulcan guard could muster.

Trisha pressed the tip of her knife into Jonas’ throat, drawing a bead of blood.  “Give me a reason, asshole!”

“Please,” Sheila said.  She tapped her blade against Jonas’ swelling balls.  “I will slice and dice and wear these little motherfuckers like a pair of earrings, you shithead.”

“Touch her again,” Trisha said.  “Touch any of us and you’ll be the first one to get fucked up.  I’ll skewer you like a tomato.  Sheila here is anxious to break in her brass knuckles.”

 

If K’avir could have smiled, he would have.

Spock raised an eyebrow and looked at the base commander.  The commander had a shocked expression on his face.

“I should warn you, Commander Heller,” Spock said, his tone even and cold.  “You should caution your operatives as well as the other individuals on this base that my crew members are not what they appear to be.”

“I see that,” Commander Heller said, halfway aroused by the sight.  Jonas fell to his knees, holding his nuts.  Sheila kicked him in the back of the head for good measure, knocking him out cold.  Marlena spit on him and stomped her boot heel into his buttock.  Then the ladies caught up with their captain.

Spock looked at Commander Heller.  “Do not fuck with my officers, Commander.  They did not kill Second Officer Jonas because they need a survivor to spread the word.  I cannot promise you that they will not kill any other who tries to attack.  Including you.”

Commander Heller looked at Spock and then at the ladies.  “Welcome, officers! Welcome to Starbase 238.2!”

*

Sheila returned a little later to check on Uhura and relayed the story.  Uhura found it hilarious and couldn’t stop laughing.

“It felt so good to knee that bastard in the balls,” Sheila said.  “He’s just like Rex; may his soul burn in hell.  We’ve got to work on Marlena’s sense of awareness, but Trish was on point and slammed that prick into the wall, just like K’avir showed us. Spock didn’t bat an eye.  He told us to do do whatever we had to do and he would take care of the rest.”

“Do you think you’ll get attacked again?  Or any of the other ladies once they start beaming down for shore leave?”

“Probably.  The men are stupid and think we’re all just a bunch of timid pretty faces.  But if we kill enough of them, they’ll get the message.  I’m kinda hoping that someone tries to attack me just so I can use this baby,” Sheila said, fingering her brand-new tanto blade.  “Or the Harpy stuck between my tits.”

“I love it!” Uhura said.  Then she looked at Sheila’s outfit.  “I see you got your new uniform.”

Sheila preened and turned.  Her uniform was a feminine version of Spock’s: a blue cropped jacket with gold emblems, form-fitting black pants and thigh-high leather boots.  She wore a holster on each thigh.  “We also chose a dress, similar to our old one, except it’s a one-piece and covers the midriff.  And it comes with a short jacket.  One is a black coverall with shoulder emblems and the sash, and my ass looks amazing in it, and the other is a modified version of this one, to be used as a dress uniform.  Spock’s paying for all of it.”

“He is?”

Sheila nodded.  “He’s got plenty of money and he prefers to use it to take care of us rather than go through the bullshit of Starfleet authorization and paperwork and have it take months for us to get our clothes.  And you know those cheap Imperial fuckers would only let us choose one uni.  Spock said that was unacceptable.  Then Marlena told him we needed a beautician.  He looked confused, but then she told him that she would take care of it.”

“We do,” Uhura said, fingering her hair.  “If he wants to keep his crew happy, he’d better get one.”

Sheila smiled.  “You feeling well enough to join him on base this afternoon?”

“I’m okay now,” Uhura said.  She fell asleep after Spock left and woke up a little while ago.  She felt a whole lot better.

“Good.  I brought you your new standard-size uniforms, but also some additional ones in larger sizes.  And I got you a pair of low-heeled boots.  He wants you to pick out whatever else you need from the base stores.”

Uhura nodded.  “That’s a relief.  I’ve been wearing nothing but his robe and the biggest T-shirt I have, which really isn’t that big.  I can’t even get my other boots on.”

“Well, he said he’ll come to get you if you felt like it.  So I’ll leave you alone to get dressed.” 

Sheila stood up, looked at herself in Uhura’s mirror, and then smacked her butt.  “Yeah, I do look good.  My ass hasn’t looked this round since I was eighteen.  You remember the body you had when you were eighteen?”

Uhura nodded, laughing.  “All the time.”

“See you later, Nyota,” she said and left the room.

*

She was in the shower when Spock came to get her.  He stood in the doorway, watching her bathe.  It was very stimulating.  He was a voyeur and he watched her as much as he could.  He didn’t know if she was aware of that particular quirk, but it didn’t matter.

Her eyes were closed as she rubbed her swollen breasts and thickening middle.  Spock took a slow, deep breath, anticipating the time when she really began to show.  Everything about her now was so intoxicating and so desirable that he found it difficult to stay away from her even though he had duties to perform.  Something about her pregnancy—and perhaps it was yet another throwback to his ancestry—made him crazy.  He knew that the bigger she got, the more he would want her.  He kept it to himself, kept it close to the vest as he did with everything else and would let her know when he had  to have it.  He wanted to have her like that and as many times as she would let him.

If she was still here when she began to show.

He would not think about that.  They had time, for there was no ion storm within scope of the long-range sensors.  They had time and she agreed to let him love her for as long that time was.

Uhura turned off the water.  Spock grabbed her towels and waited for her to step out of the shower.

“Spock,” she said as he wrapped them around her.  “When did you get here?”

“Thirteen minutes and forty-two seconds ago.”

“I didn’t hear you.”

“You were distracted,” he said, bending down on one knee to kiss her wet stomach.

“Stop that, you’ll get wet,” she said. 

“I do not care,” he replied.  “I am not bothered by it, as my child is far more important than my appearance.”

Uhura smiled to herself but didn’t argue.  So she stroked his hair, deciding she would brush it for him when they got out of the bathroom.

He ran a hand between her legs.  “Are you up to this tonight?”

“Yes,” she said.  “It’s time and it’s starting to annoy me now that you brought it up.  Honestly, I hate doing it because getting the angles right is difficult.”

“I would take that responsibility from you,” he murmured, kissing her navel again.  Then he frowned at her scar.  Even though Sulu was dead, he would hate him forever for injuring Uhura and jeopardizing the baby.

She was calm.  “You can have it.”  She had no fear that he would hurt her.

Spock rose to his feet and kissed her lips.  “You are well enough to join me on base?”

She nodded, pressing her head against his chest.  “Yes, and I’m starving.  What do they have to eat?”

“You would do better to take your meal on board the ship, Nyota,” he said.  “I daresay that you will find it much more pleasing than the fare on base.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she said.  “Please get something for me and the baby while I get dressed.”

When he returned, she was comfortably dressed in one of her new black coveralls. Uhura was exceedingly thrilled to be in actual clothes that weren’t tight.  Her hair was secured with combs and she was excited that there would soon be a beautician on board to cut it back into its normal style.

Spock brought her a thick, hearty Vulcan soup, bread rolls, a green salad and her favorite blend of Vulcan tea.  He was amused to watch her devour the repast in a decidedly un-ladylike way.  She and the baby must have been starving after missing breakfast.  He found it stimulating.

He watched her eat.  In his hands, he held a box.  It was the same box he had tried to give her months ago when she first came on board the ship.  It was the same box he kept secured in a red wrapping inside his redwood chest.  He knew she wondered what it was, but she never asked him about it.

“What’s that?” she asked, biting into a fat red tomato.

“It’s for you,” he said.  “I wanted you to have it months ago, but circumstances kept me from giving it to you.  But finish your meal.  This can wait.”

She took a drink of tea and wiped her mouth.  “What is it?”

“Do you remember what we agreed to last night?”

“I do, Spock.  Of course.”

He stood up and went over to her.  He broke the wrapping on the box and she gasped.  “I’ve seen this in your redwood chest, but I didn’t want to ask you about it.”

Spock gave it to her.  “You may open it.”

Inside the box was a smaller box.  Curious and gleeful, Uhura opened it.  It was a gold ring with a blood-red ruby so large she would have to do finger curls just to hold it up.

“I wanted to give it to you after you got here,” he said.  “When you agreed to align with me.  So that all would know that you were mine.”

Uhura stared stupidly at the ring.  Marlena told her a long time ago that he bought her a gift but she didn’t believe her.

“Since you’ve agreed to be my wife for the time that we have left, would you wear it?  You may take it with you when you leave,” he said.  His voice remained even, as if his heart had nothing to do with this.

“I couldn’t take it with me, Spock!  You could…you could give it to another woman, one who—”

“No,” he said, firmly. “There will never be another for me.  I accept the consequences of my actions.  It is yours to do what you will.”

She stared at him.  He looked as if he weren’t bothered by any of this, but she knew him as well as he knew her, and she knew that he was right.  Marlena also told her on that long-ago day that Spock was a one-woman man. 

He practically handed her his heart.  Uhura closed her eyes and slipped the ruby on her ring finger.  “All right,” she said.  She looked at it.  It looked great on her hand, but it would take getting used to.

“It’s heavy,” she said.  “But it’s gorgeous.”

“I am glad you approve.”  Spock knelt before her and caressed her face.  She met his gaze and covered his hand with her newly-ringed one.  He leaned forward and kissed her while rubbing her belly with his other hand.  Uhura returned his kiss.  For all intents and purposes, and for however long, she was a married woman.  She was now his wife.

*

They were late returning to Starbase 238.2.  Shortly after she put the ring on, Spock carried her to bed and they made love.  Sheila was going to be mad, but Uhura didn’t care.  She was going to get as much of Spock’s body, mind and soul as she could before she left.  She cared for him and she wanted him.  Part of her wished she could take him with her, but that was impossible.  He was needed here.

He got her out of her coveralls so fast that she could have blinked and missed it.  He buried his face between her legs and devoured her.  It seemed that now while she was pregnant, she climaxed quickly.  She told him that she wanted to taste him and he let her.  He put her in the sixty-nine and they pleasured each other.  She wanted to ride him but he said he did not think it was wise, especially after Sheila warned her.  So she told him to have her from behind, to lay her on the bed and take her.  He didn’t want to; didn’t want to put that much weight on her stomach, but she was so horny and she wanted him so much that he could not resist her.  He pushed pillows underneath her belly and hips and carefully mounted her in such a way that the pressure was on his knees.

“Hold me down like you did before,” she commanded and he obeyed.  Sometimes he wondered if he was really a true dominant, as he submitted to her as easily as she did to him.  He did not mind.

Uhura closed her eyes as her fingers locked with his.  It was so good, so intense and she knew he could feel everything when he was so deep inside of her, absolutely everything.  She bit her lip and moaned his name, feeling his kisses and breath on her neck, shoulder and ear.  He timed it so that they could come together or at least within seconds of each other and it was supernova-like in its magnitude and luminosity.

*

Sheila knew it the moment Uhura beamed down on Spock’s arm, sporting her new red one-piece uniform, one that hid her pregnancy.  The chief medical officer smiled at the vision of them; they looked so regal together.  And also satisfied, which meant that they had sex again.  Sheila shook her head, smiling to herself. Then she noticed Uhura’s ring.  Stunned, she decided not to mention it; to let her friend tell her whatever whenever she was ready.

Trisha and Marlena stood with her, as well as Turock, K’avir and two more security specialists.  They didn’t salute Spock, as he didn’t require nor want it.

“Are you feeling better, Nyota?”  Marlena asked.

“We’re all right,” she said, running a hand over her stomach.  She looked at Spock, who kissed her fingers and helped her down the steps.

“Where is Commander Heller?” Spock asked. 

“He should be here momentarily, sir.” Trisha said.

Spock eyed his officers.  “Have there been any more incidents?”

Marlena nodded, trying not to smile.  “Yes, Captain.”

Uhura looked at Spock.  He looked at her, sensing her panic, and turned back to his officers.  “What happened?”

“Don’t worry, Captain,” Trisha said.  “As you can see, we’re still here and in one piece.  Apparently, Second Officer Jonas did not serve as the warning we intended for him to be.  And Commander Heller did not take note of your caveat.”

Uhura couldn’t help it.  “What happened, Trisha?”

“The men here were under the impression that we’re the rule instead of the exception.  They tried to take something that didn’t belong to them and lost their limbs or lives as a result.”  Trisha nodded smugly.

“They know now, sir.” Sheila said.  Uhura saw that she wore her brass knuckles.

“How many?”  Spock asked.

“Six, sir.  Excuse me, seven.” Marlena said.  She had her wits about her now.  She shot her attacker and then went back for Jonas when he failed to warn the others.

Commander Heller entered the transporter room.  “Captain Spock, I must protest this barbaric behavior of your…officers!  They’ve killed seven members of my staff!”

“Excuse me, Commander,” Spock said.  “But I warned you as soon as we beamed down that my officers were not as they appeared to be.  And I also warned you that they are trained to kill.  It would seem that you did not heed my advice, therefore I shall not apologize.”

“Captain, I must protest!”

“Your protest has been noted and logged.  Now I shall order the shore leave of my off-duty personnel.  I will inform you once more, Commander Heller.  The crew of the ISS Enterprise is not to be underestimated.  That would be a grave miscalculation on your part.”  He looked at Sheila and Trisha and inclined his head.

Trisha whipped out her tanto blade and held it under Heller’s nose.  Sheila held up her knuckled fist. 

“Your base crew, once one hundred and ten strong, is now down to one hundred and three.  There are 256 pissed-off women on board our ship, Commander.” Trisha said.  “And they are armed and ready to fight.”

Commander Heller’s eyes widened, almost to the size of eggs.  “Two hundred and fifty-six?” Captain Spock captained a crew of 256 women?

“That’s just the women,” Sheila snarled, waving her fist back and forth.  “We’ve got a hundred men at our beck and call.  So if you’re feeling froggy, Commander, then go ahead and leap if this is a game you want to play.”

Marlena pulled out her phaser and aimed it at the cowering man.  “I don’t think he does, Dr. Stephens.”

“Then,” Trisha said, tapping her knife against Heller’s nose, “you will tell your crew to back the hell off.”

Commander Heller looked at Spock.  “Captain…Captain…I demand that you control your women!”

“They are not my women, Commander.  They are my officers and I do not control them,” Spock said.  “I merely make suggestions.  You did not listen to me, so you would be wise to heed what they tell you this time.  I do not wish to leave Starbase 238.2 decimated.”  He knew if the ladies were provoked, they would wreak havoc.  They were itching to demonstrate and implement their new combat skills.  K’avir taught them well.

Sheila popped her knuckles.  “We will annihilate this place. Sir.” Her voice was thick with sarcasm.

“All right, all right!”  Commander Heller said.  “I’ll do it!  Captain, just tell them to stand down!”

“Ladies,” Spock said.

*

The visit to the starbase was interesting.  After Commander Heller realized that Spock’s mostly-female crew were not only serious about killing his team but also anxious to do so, he immediately got on the speaker and demanded that they be left alone or face deadly consequences.  He reminded them of the seven men who lost their lives and cautioned against retribution.

Of course there was, but the agitators did not survive it.  They, like most men, underestimated the women.  And the women didn’t fuck around with them.

The crew of the ISS-E, both male and female, was able to have a pleasant shore leave experience that day.  Uhura had no doubt that the rest of their time at the base would be agreeable.  Several women who also worked at the base asked Spock if they could transfer to the ISS-E, to work for him.  He told them to submit their paperwork to Starfleet and informed them what positions he required.  He also found six Vulcans who were willing to transfer to his ship.  He expected that the transfers would go through quickly and by the time the ship was scheduled to depart, he would have thirteen new crew members, bringing it to a total of 373. Marlena told him that a crew of four hundred would be sufficient.

They would remain at Starbase 238.2 for at least four weeks.  The ship needed maintenance and supplies, reports had to be completed and many, many other tasks awaited the captain.  He would be quite busy for the next month or so, but Uhura was at his side, helping him as much as she could.  It was fascinating to experience the levels of responsibility of a ship’s captain from his standpoint, for Spock told her everything.  Uhura sometimes took the captaincy for granted, but she wouldn’t any longer.  Absolute power was just that.

<center>*    *          *</center>

Six weeks later, the ISS-E, was on a routine border patrol.  It was a time of education for the ship’s crew.  Spock had time to think things out, to plan his next series of moves, depending on what the Empire ordered him to do.  He also had time to plan another series of moves if another starship should plan to attack.  It was a game of chess and so it was wise to be prepared.  He knew that word had spread about his mutiny and his crew of ferocious females and that it would be a matter of time before something happened.

His crew continued their training.  He wanted them to be as deadly as they could be, to be as close to Vulcan in their hand-to-hand combat.  He conducted red- and yellow-alert drills and delegated authority to his command staff, security chiefs and department heads.  They learned codes, techniques, strategies and methods.  He felt confident that when the time came, they would be ready.

Lt. Commander Trisha Baker ran Engineering better than the late Commander Scott.  Dr. Sheila Stephens’ medical personnel were as proficient as a team of Vulcan doctors.  Commander Marlena Moreau, head of the department chairs, kept Spock updated on everything.  If Uhura chose to leave, Marlena would become his official first officer.  Spock also had a new navigator and helmsman, both women.  Security was run by K’avir, and consisted of Vulcans and some of the toughest men and women on the ship, as K’avir didn’t want any timid hearts on his staff.  Their motto was, “When in doubt, shoot.”

Spock ran a tight, efficient starship and he would have it no other way.

But time was peaceful now.  She was back on duty, manning the communications console and running the department.  Uhura was a few weeks into her second trimester and she was rounding out in a very alluring manner.  She now wore her hair in the style she had when she beamed aboard.  He didn’t care, for she was beautiful no matter what.  He made sure that, unless his presence on the bridge was absolutely necessary, that they spent their evenings together.  Whenever she felt comfortable, they had their special playtime and with each experience, grew closer. 

Uhura was more confident in herself, in her ability to communicate her needs and test her boundaries.  She would send him messages whenever she craved his dominion.  She would ignore insignificant commands, snatch her hand away from his, make sassy comments and roll her eyes, slap his face and pull her knife on him.  Whenever she pushed, he pushed back and she reveled in the freedom of submitting to him.  She tingled at the memory of him standing before her, holding the silk whip the first time she pulled her knife. Or of wearing her collar while kneeling before him and pleasuring him with her hands and mouth.  Or of hanging from the bed hook blindfolded, waiting for him to do something....The experiences were varied and satisfying and she often reported to duty with the serenest expressions on her face.

He told her about some of his experiences on Bellatrix IX, which fascinated her.

And then there was the converse; him letting her take control.  He did it so effortlessly and let her test her boundaries in that direction.  He was overindulgent, catering to her every whim.  She got so used to being spoiled that she soon forgot what it was like not to be.  She indulged him, pandering to his little quirks and fetishes, finding his kinks kinky.  The first time she let him shave her was one of the most bizarre yet erotic experiences she had ever had.  He was so cautious, deliberate and tender in his actions that it was a struggle for her not to climax while he was trimming.  He massaged her neatened pubis and finger-fucked her until she did climax.  After that, she let him do it regularly, as his efforts were far better than her own.

The other items he had in his redwood chest couldn’t be used until after she gave birth.

And then there were the nights when they laid in bed and talked.  She no longer asked him about updates regarding her going home, as she knew that he knew Trisha gave her regular reports.  Sometimes she was uncomfortable and he kept pillows to support her back and knees.  He would kneel over her and caress her belly, murmuring Vulcan endearments to their child.  He would lightly suck at her nipples, as he knew she liked it, or sometimes stimulate her with his beard, as he knew she loved it.  They made love.  She found different positions for them to try, eager to know what they felt like.  She was easily aroused and became even more sensitive as the baby grew.  She hardly pushed him away, as her tolerance increased along with her desire. 

When Uhura asked Sheila why she was so horny so often, her friend laughed and said, “Because your hormones are out of control and you’ve got a telepath for a husband.  He’s not a man who thinks he’ll hurt the baby if he makes love to you.  He knows that the baby feels whatever you feel, and so he strives to make you feel good.  Considering that you’ve started singing again, I would wager that it is true.  Lucky bitch.”

Sheila was so blunt and honest that Uhura couldn’t help but value her opinions and judgment.  But then Uhura was quick to remind Sheila that she, too, sometimes walked around with a stupid grin on her face.

*

Uhura was five months pregnant when Trisha sent word to the bridge that an ion storm was starting on a planet four astronomical units away from the ISS-E, current location.  Her eyes widened and she turned to look at her husband.  He did not look at her, but ordered the navigator to plot the fastest course at warp 8 and put it into the computer.  At that rate of speed, they could arrive at the planet well before the storm dissipated.  Trisha had had the formulas in the transporter computer for months, so it was simply a matter of adjusting for the storm’s intensity.  The ion storm was the only variable they could manipulate, as the other two variables were out of their control. Spock was determined.  He was going to try and send her back home.  But Uhura was no longer sure she wanted to go.

tbc…

Sexy Beast (18/20)

Exploration

WARNING:  Mild D/s activity.  If you are not into this, then kindly skip over the middle section of this chapter.

There was a lot to think about.  En route to Starbase 238.2, Uhura spent her time recuperating by sketching, reading and journaling.  She took saucer walks every day, reveling in the freedom of being able to walk without security.  She met many women on her walks around the ship.  Spock worked 12-14 hour shifts on the bridge, training Trisha and Marlena in bridge protocols.  Sheila visited every few hours to check on the baby, and so far all was well.

Whenever Sheila stopped by, she brought one or two ladies who were eager to meet Uhura.  They expressed their gratitude for her role in the rebellion and the opportunity to actually advance and potentially have families.  When Uhura expressed her doubt that such a thing could happen, they told her that it was only a matter of time before the women on board other starships got wind of what happened on the ISS-E and stage their own uprising.

“Once we reach Starbase 238.2 and word gets out that Spock has assumed the captaincy and promoted all women to the command crew, chief positions and department heads, that will be all it takes.  Every woman will rise up and do the same.  We were fortunate to plan our attacks at a time when the ISS-E was in the process of taking over a society, so maybe they’ll be as crafty in their plans.”

“I just don’t want any more women to be put in jeopardy,” Uhura said.

One of the ladies, a social scientist named Liz, said, “We’ve been in jeopardy since we started serving on board these starships.  Things were okay when we were planet-side and then we get out into space and things got worse.  The captains have absolute power and they do what they want.  Kirk was no different.  He let the men run wild and pretty soon, we were too scared to protest.  But there comes a point when you get tired and you have to fight back.  When we heard about you and your sweet little baby, that was our call to action.  It’s like we were waiting for a reason to rebel.  I’m so glad you’re here, Nyota.  Life is good now.”

Uhura had learned that Kirk was responsible for many women having to abort their babies or miscarry. 

The other lady, a cartographer named Mari, grinned.  “You know we’re getting Vulcan-style combat training now!”

“I heard,” Uhura said, recalling her own lessons.  “Who’s teaching you?”

“That hot Vulcan stud named K’avir, I think.  But three other Vulcans are also instructing us.  The captain wants us to be skilled in our hand-to-hand combat.  Even though we’re now safe on board this ship, whenever we go other places, we need to be able to defend ourselves.  There will be a whole lot of people who won’t like what we did, and so we need to be prepared.  I love the knife work. I’m actually learning how to use my knife as opposed to it completing my uniform.”

Liz smiled.  “And we’re getting a choice of new uniforms when we get to base.  I hear we can get pants if we want.  That’ll be a relief.”

“The captain has been more than considerate with our requests,” Mari said.  “He listens to everything we have to say and actually considers it.  I never knew that Captain Spock was such a fair man.  I mean, he practically ignored us before.”

Liz hugged Uhura.  “Thank you so much!  Can I touch the baby?”

“Yes,” Uhura said.

Liz put her hand on Uhura’s belly.  “Hi, little one!  Just wanted to stop by and thank you and your mom!  Now, we’re going to leave you two to rest.”

Liz and Mari left.  Sheila smiled and ran a tricorder over Uhura’s belly.  “So far, so good.  How’s your appetite?”

“Good.  I’m eating all the time now.  When will we arrive at the base again?”

“A day or two.  You’ll be able to beam down if you want.”

“I thought Trisha said that a pregnant woman shouldn’t beam anywhere.”

“No, she said that you shouldn’t under the conditions that brought you here.  You can do a regular transport.  You know Spock has her and a team of engineers working on the problem as well.”

“He does?”  She hadn’t known.  But they didn’t speak of it when he returned to their suite.  Their evenings were spent in exploration.

“Yes.  If you really want to leave us, then he’s going to find a way.  Though I hope you change your mind.”

“Sheila…” Uhura shook her head.

“I know,” she replied.  “I know.  You were taken against your will and he was wrong for that.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think it is possible for you to forgive him for it, Nyota?  I mean, only you can know for sure.  I’m not trying to influence you in that area, but I do want you to stay with us.  Spock really, really loves you.  I even suspect that he kidnapped you because he saw something in you that he desperately needed.  He’s devoted to you.  He’s very sexy and I get the impression that underneath his stoic exterior he is a very romantic and passionate man.  That’s not something he could indulge in before, and maybe it was stagnating him not to have balance.  Maybe that was why he was so ambivalent about things.  Everyone needs an outlet, even our captain.  Still waters run deep, as they say.”

Uhura could not dispute a single word Sheila said.  “He told me early on that he felt like I could give him stability.  He also told me that I was his one extravagance.  He does indulge me,” she said, thinking about the past few nights.  “I can have whatever I want and most times, I don’t have to ask.  He knows.  He knows me so well.”

Sheila eyed her curiously.  “He’s a telepath.”

Uhura rubbed her belly.  “I’m well aware of that.”  Was she ever.

A long moment passed.  Then Sheila looked at her tricorder.

“The baby is doing fine.  Now, and I bet that what I’m about to say is moot, but you shouldn’t have sex for at least another week.  At least.”

Uhura blushed, thinking about the night she was released from sickbay and two nights ago.

Sheila shook her head.  “You didn’t!”

“Well…”

She shook her head.  “Nyota, you’re still healing.  Once is fine, but please don’t make it a daily habit like before.  Yes, we know that you two were boning almost every day because you always had that ‘I’ve been fucked and fucked well’ expression on whenever we saw you.  I admit to being jealous as hell, but I’ll get that fine ass K’avir to take care of the problem.  But you don’t need to be sleeping with your husband every night.  Not right now.”

“It was only once,” Uhura said.  “We couldn’t help it…”  She blushed hard at the memory, for it was a very good recent memory.

Sheila nodded.  “Well the tricorder says all is well, and I’m not about to tell grown folks what and what not to do.  Just be careful.”

“Believe me,” Uhura said, “Spock won’t do anything that might even harm a hair on the baby’s head, if it had hair.”

“Good. Before I go, can I ask you something?  You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Go ahead.”

“What kind of life did you lead before you got here?”

Uhura sighed, adjusting in the bed.  “A fairly quiet one.  I worked a lot, double shifts usually.  I had a few acquaintances, no one I was exceptionally close to.  I read a lot in my down time and sang in the lounge whenever the mood struck.  I was…content.”

“You can sing?”

“I like to sing.”

“Well, can you hit a note or two for me?”

Uhura blushed and cleared her throat.  She thought for a second and started singing an old 20th century Earth tune, ‘At Last’ by Etta James and lost herself in the song.  When she finished, Sheila clapped.  Sheila didn’t ask why Uhura chose that particular song, as she was sure that Uhura would say it was a random choice. 

“Girl, you can blow!  You never told us that you could sing.  But then again, this wasn’t the place for it.”

“Yes,” Uhura said.

“Did you have a boyfriend?  Someone you loved?”

Uhura closed her eyes.  Sheila was her friend and there was no point in keeping the secret.  She knew Sheila wouldn’t tell.  “I had a crush on my universe’s Mr. Spock.”

“Get out!  Did he return your affection?”

Uhura rubbed her belly.  “No.”

“He didn’t?  Why not?”  Sheila found that hard to believe.

“I don’t think he had a clue that I liked him, but it wasn’t like I put it out there for him to see it.  He’s very professional and…and…”  It was embarrassing to remember now how that Spock practically ignored her.  She felt foolish, but one couldn’t help who they were attracted to.

Sheila looked at her.  “Not that I’m trying to down you or judge, because I can’t.  But I might infer from what you said that you didn’t really have much of a life back there and the man that you loved didn’t know you existed outside of your duty.  It’s not like that now, Nyota.  Quite the opposite, in fact.”

“I know,” she said.  It was something that she thought about a lot in her quiet time.  It was the subject of many journal entries.

Sheila continued.  “Here, you have a chance at career advancement, true girlfriends, and a baby on the way.  And a man that adores you, and if I read you right, gives you the kind of sex you need and want.  That’s not something you find every day.  Especially the sex part.  I know sex isn’t a foundation for a relationship, but one can’t exist without it.  In harmony, that is.”

“I’m aware of that, Sheila.  Believe me; I think about it a lot.  It’s just that I didn’t have a choice about any of it.”

“If you could choose, if you had had a choice knowing what you do now, would you choose this life?  The way it is now?”

“Sheila, I don’t know.”

“Well, I’m not going to bug you about it.  I know you got a lot on your plate.  But I have to tell you, you look absolutely beautiful. Your hair is fabulous.  You look so good.  Not that you were ugly, but…”

Uhura laughed.  “Get out of here, girl.”

“I’ll check on you tomorrow.  Are you going to feel like going down to the base when we arrive?”

“Maybe.  I’m not as tired as I used to be and I can get around so much better than before.  Besides, I’d like to see for myself everything that’s going on.  But before I can do any of that, I’m going to need some new uniforms.  I can’t wear hardly anything now other than Spock’s robe and my sweats.”

“He’ll take care of that,” Sheila said.  “Good.  I’ll see you later.”  And she was gone.

*

Uhura got up to move around.  She could no longer wear her uniform.  Spock told her that he would get her some maternity wear once they arrived at Starbase 238.2.  When she was in her quarters, she wore Spock’s dark red robe, as it was far more comfortable than her own.  She stood and looked in the mirror as she nibbled on baby carrots.  It seemed as if she was hungry all the time, but it was okay because Spock kept healthy snacks for her to eat.

She opened the robe and stared into the mirror.  She was nearly seven weeks.  Her breasts were larger and they hurt all the time now.  But she liked the hurt and enjoyed the dull throb in her nipples.  She was learning that she liked that sort of thing.  Spock was helping her explore her sexuality.  She was learning her limits, slowly but surely.  A few days ago, she told him over lunch that she wanted to begin their dom/sub relationship.  He told her that they could wait until after the baby was born, but she insisted.  She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes.

“I don’t want you to do this if you’re not ready, Nyota.  You are six weeks and four days into your pregnancy.  I would not risk anything that might make you uncomfortable.”

“I want to do this and you told me that there were mild forms we could engage in.  I want this.  I want to know this side of me.  I’m curious about my limits and all the stuff I found in your redwood chest.  I want to know if I have quirks like yours.”

He stared at her, his face impassive.  “Are you positive, my love?”

“Yes.”

“You do realize that this begins with you; that I will respond to what you do and what you want.”

“What will you respond to?”

“Your behavior and whatever it is that I sense from you, because I am aware that you cannot always voice what you desire.  You know that I am aroused by impertinence.  However, I will ensure that you are very comfortable and that your body does not undergo undue stress.  I would not risk our baby.”

“I know that.”  She stared at him.  “I trust you.”

She met him at the door later that evening, fresh from a shower.  He greeted her with a kiss and then knelt to kiss her belly.  He always spent a few seconds caressing her stomach.  She would stand and let him, allowing her mind to run free.  Afterwards, they usually took a shower together and she thought about how he would bathe her, covering every inch of her with thick lather and rinse her with the detachable shower head.  And how he would lay her on the bed and massage her with warm body oil and then brush out her hair.  It was a superb experience.

But he stood up and put one hand to her throat.  She inhaled sharply, as it was completely unexpected.  He stared into her eyes and she put her hands around his wrists.  He squeezed.

She looked at him and she trusted him.  Her throat constricted and he squeezed a little harder.  She gripped his wrist tighter, closing her eyes and enjoying the rush of adrenalin.  It was crazy, but she liked it.  She liked it.  She wanted more.

He compressed a little harder.

Her breath began to whistle and she closed her eyes.  She saw dots and felt butterflies in her stomach.  She moved her hands from his wrist.

Another moment. 

It was such a delicious sensation, but she couldn’t go any further. Not now.  She had the baby to think about.

“Fusion,” she whispered and he let her go.  The air rushed into her lungs and she grabbed his hands.

“What did you feel?”

“I started worrying about the baby,” she said.  She coughed and caught her breath

“You could have withstood a little more pressure before it affected our child.  I am aware of how far I need to go.”

“I know,” she said.  “I just want to do this, I’m anxious and I’m curious.”  She knew then that she liked the sensation of being choked and would let him know that she was willing to wear the collar in their private time.

He massaged her throat and she closed her eyes again. 

“We have as much time as you will allow,” he said.  “We will arrive at Starbase 238.2 in twenty-seven hours, fifty-six minutes and thirteen seconds.  I do not know how long we will remain because the ship needs servicing and there are many administrative items to attend to.  Also, the ladies get to select new and appropriate uniforms.  And you are welcome to join me if you are up to it.  I would like for you to know everything there is about the ISS-E in case you should decide to stay with me and become my first officer.”

She stared at him.  He continued massaging her neck and throat.  “I am giving shore leave to all off-duty personnel, so there will be a regular skeleton rotation manning the ISS-E.  We will be undisturbed in the evenings and we can explore this as much as you desire.  You know that I will give you anything you ask for.”

“I want this,” she said.  “I am tired of reading about it, journaling about it and sketching it.  I want to experience some of it before I get too big.  I want to know how far I can go; where my boundaries are with myself and with you.”

“We will explore them, then.” he said.

*

The next night, she was at his feet again, sitting on four goosedown pillows.  Her hands were cuffed behind her back and she was blindfolded.  She could feel his legs on either side of her and he was extraordinarily still.  The blindfold allowed her other senses to take over.  She could hear his breathing and she could smell him.  She could feel it when his leg muscles clenched and whenever he brought something to her lips, the taste was wonderful and overwhelming.  He was feeding her various decadent foods and juices, cleansing her palate each time with water.  She took the food from his fingers and sucked them when he ordered her to.  It made her hot.

She was unaware of how much time she spent at his feet, as her mind wandered to pleasant places and things and she was not uncomfortable.  However, her calm was broken by the need to urinate and she called the word.  He released her, helped her up and escorted her to the bathroom.  When she came out, he picked her up and carried her to the bed.  She asked for the blindfold again.  Spock warmed body oil and massaged her neck, shoulders, arms and hands until he knew she was completely relaxed and fell asleep to his ministrations.

The night after that, he came up behind her after dinner while she was brushing her hair and blindfolded her once more.  He tied her wrists together with his sash and carried her to the bed.  She found herself cushioned on her goosedown pillows and he raised her arms and affixed her bound wrists to the hook above the bed.  It was high enough that she could feel the pull in her shoulders and upper arms.  She moaned when he did it and her stomach fluttered with excitement.  He tied a scarf around her mouth.  She could have pushed the gag out with her tongue, but didn’t want to.  She trembled with excitement and felt herself getting wet.

He spread her legs.  She was in her pretty panties and T-shirt, but it would not be long before she would be unable to wear them.  Her stomach was curving and her breasts were full and tender.  Even though he knew they were constantly sore, she let him suck as hard as he wanted.  He knew she liked the pain and it brought both of them great pleasure.

She sat there, feeling exposed for the longest time, anticipating what he would do.  She heard him moving about, opening what sounded like the redwood chest.  When he finally did it, she became so overwhelmed with passion that she climaxed.  It was quick and unexpected. It was as if her body were beyond her control; all his, his to do what he wanted.

“Do not do that again,” he said.

It was so surreal, so dreamlike.  He pushed her panties to one side.  She heard a rattle and then felt his hand—ice cold!—at her sex, stroking.  The other was at her breast and it felt like he was fondling her nipple with an ice cube.  She gasped and bucked, but he continued to trace her hardened nipple and labia until she couldn’t help but squirm.  It was so cold, but so erotic!

“Do not come again,” he whispered.

She took a deep breath, clenched her pelvic muscles and curled her toes into the bed.  Her arms began to hurt.  He moved one of the pillows to increase the tension.  Then she felt something very soft and very warm.

“Um,” she moaned.  She could not describe how it felt, nor would she have been able to tell him it was what she wanted, that she liked it, and that she would come to crave it.  He just knew what would feel good to her and it felt so good…

Then she felt nothing and heard nothing.  She hung there for what felt like hours but couldn’t have been longer than fifteen minutes.

“Do not move or speak,” he said.  He did it again; a quick pop on the inside of her thigh.  Not with his hand.

“Oh!” she gasped through the gag.

“I said do not speak,” he said.

Another pop on the other leg and she moaned again.  She couldn’t help it.

“Do not make another sound,” he said.

The next pop was on the other thigh, near the place where the first pop was.  She arched up off the bed in spite of herself.

“Mmmnh,” she groaned, twitching.  She knew she was going to get disciplined for disobeying and the anticipation of what he might do nearly sent her over the edge.  She felt his hands at the back of her head, tightening the gag. 

“I will turn you over and use this on your ass if you make another sound,” he said.  His voice had that rippled cadence that always managed to make her turn into liquid fire.

Behind the blindfold, she squeezed her eyes shut.  A pulse rippled through her body and she curled her toes into the bed again.  Uhura wanted to bite her lip but could not.  She was totally helpless and she loved it.  She felt the cold again over the hot places on her thighs; ice, ice cold and she exhaled and felt goosebumps all over.  Then the ice moved over her clit once more and she climaxed again.  She could not help it.

Then nothing.  She felt Spock’s weight on the bed, heard him breathing.  She heard a sound that she was familiar with but could not place.  What was he going to do?  Was he going to turn her over and use whatever that was on her ass?  She knew he got it out of the redwood chest and tried to remember which object it would have been.

It had to be the short-handled silk whip.  She remembered staring at it, fingering the soft tassels.  She knew what it was used for, but this was the first time she experienced it.

He removed the gag and she felt the pillow back underneath her, relieving the stress on her shoulders. Then she felt his fingers at her waist and heard a familiar rip as her panties tore.  He pushed her thighs together, trapping himself and it was then that she realized he was naked.  Slowly, slowly, he entered her and kissed her lips to stifle her groan.  He knew how far to take it, knew it intimately when he slipped within her, slick with the oil and her natural lubricants.

“G—g—g…!” she tried to say but words eluded her.

Spock reached up and locked his fingers with hers.  She squeezed back.  He pressed his beard against her cheek, his breathing deep and even. He fucked her like that, slowly, slowly and she felt every inch of him, his hardness, his searing heat as he moved inside of her.  He felt so good, so hard, so…right, especially after what she just experienced.  She thought he would turn her over and spank her with the whip, but this…this was so much better and she knew it wouldn’t hurt the baby.

Uhura felt him at her lips and returned his kiss, moving on instinct as she could not touch him.  She gripped him with her thighs and pressed her body as close as she could without straining her neck and shoulders.  He maintained control, moving achingly slow, drawing out her pleasure.  She heard his growl and he teased her with his beard. He panted her name and told her that he wanted her just like this.  That she was so beautiful and so desirable when she was this way; she was irresistible.

“Spock,” she moaned.  “Spock, please…please…”  She didn’t even know what she was asking for.

He claimed her mouth again and his beard scraped against her cheek.  He took her tongue, sucked it, and then nibbled it.  She could no longer hold it or control it.  Her supersensitive body thrummed from within at the feel of him fucking her like that, hanging from a bed hook blindfolded.  In her mind’s eye, she saw the two of them fused together, as if his sash was once again tied around them both.  The image of that made her climax once more and this time he joined her.

The next night, she was too tired to do anything but sleep.  That was one of the days when she suffered from nausea and a headache and she wanted to sleep all day.  Spock cared for her and slept with her in his arms.

*

Uhura stared at herself for a very long time.  Her body was changing, but it was now catching up with her mind, her spirit and her heart.  Sheila’s voice was in her head and she could not help but think about what her friend said.  She was too logical a woman not to examine the situation from all sides.

Spock kidnapped her, plain and simple.  Everything that happened after that was a direct result of his sabotage.  And if it was possible that she was experiencing a form of Stockholm’s Syndrome, then it was for the best that she go back home.  But there were things that she had to consider.

Could she forgive him for taking her?  That was his only transgression; keeping her from beaming back to her world.  Keeping her because something inside of him desperately wanted what only she could give him; something that her counterpart lacked.  He told her that she had a heart; that she had the capacity to feel and could bring balance to his life.  That he had been ambivalent about his role in the Empire and position on the ISS-E,  but because of her had now taken charge to change things from within.  He said she was the catalyst for a lot of things, and it was echoed in the voices of the now-free women on board this ship.

Could she forgive him for his selfish action even though it led to the very thing Captain Kirk insisted that Spock do?  Was his act a worthy trade, a rational justification for bringing down the Empire?  Kirk believed in the one for the many, but did that make it all right?  Was her kidnapping worth the freedom of 260 women?  She did not know.

She was going to be a mother, and that was something she never thought would happen.  In seven months, she was going to deliver a child.  She was coming to realize that she was forming a connection with the baby.  She rubbed her belly a lot, humming unconsciously as she moved about her quarters and took her daily walks.  She was forever changed and proof of that grew inside of her.  She was not a selfish woman, but if she had the chance to go back home, she was taking her baby with her.  She knew that Spock wanted the baby and that if she left, it would devastate him.  That was a way to repay him for taking her away; to take his child away.

Uhura wondered if she were able to return to her universe what her life would be like.  What would her world think?  What would Captain Kirk think of her returning to the USS-E two months’ pregnant with the other Spock’s baby?  Would they get within shouting distance of the truth?  Could she look at that Mr. Spock without thinking of her Spock? For Sheila was right; this Spock was hers, all hers.  It really didn’t matter if she couldn’t look at that Spock, for she had their child to remind her of her Spock.  Forever.

She also had her true self, her newfound sensuality, her real womanhood; not the partial fantasy she constructed from the mythos of her youth and romance novels.  Her life, her career on board the USS-E was as sedate as that universe’s Mr. Spock.  She wasn’t thrilled, but content.  Advancement wasn’t something she gave much thought to; she merely worked as hard as she could and left the rest up to fate and Captain Kirk.  She knew that something in her life was lacking, but she always thought it was merely the presence of a good man; never mind that she pushed all those good men away for reasons then unknown to her.

And then there was the mere fact that her Spock knew her so intimately, her needs, her desires, and her fetishes.  Knew how far to go and in what direction to go.  Knew her in such a way that she had to wonder if another man could ever know her like that or even if she would allow it.  Sex was no foundation for a relationship, but there was far more than sex between her and her baby’s father.  She didn’t love him, but he loved her and according to her friends, thought of her as his wife.  He had not mentioned it to her and she decided to ask him about it when he returned for the night.

What was it about her universe’s Spock that initially attracted her?  Was it the unconscious assurance that he would never return her affections?  Was it because it was safe to want a man who didn’t want you and therefore he couldn’t hurt you, but you could have your fantasies about him nonetheless?  Was he anything at all like her Spock?  Was he as passionate and sexually intense as the father of her child?  Was he able to reveal himself like her Spock revealed himself to her?  Was it even remotely possible that he had the ability to love as her Spock did?

Would she ever be able to reset her internal thermostat and return to her staid, lackluster life in her universe? Obviously, the Mirrorverse wasn’t just opposite; it was turned upside-down and inside-out and everything was amplified.

She didn’t know how to answer those questions.

*

When Spock returned to their quarters, she was curled up in her chair.  Her hair covered her face.  He removed his jacket and went over to her.  He knelt before her and brushed her hair out of her face.  She was so beautiful, even more so now that she was with child.

“Nyota?”

If she was asleep, he would put her in the bed.  She wore nothing but his robe and he reminded himself that his first task once they arrived at Starbase 238.2 was to get her some appropriate attire.

“Spock,” she murmured.  “When did you get in?”

“Just now,” he said.  “Come; let me put you to bed.”

“I’m not sleepy,” she yawned.

“I fear that I may have demanded too much of you the night before last,” he said.

“No,” she murmured.  “You didn’t do anything I didn’t want.  Besides, I want to talk to you.”  She yawned again.

“You have eaten your dinner?”  He had been busy and was not able to join her.

“Yes.  Marlena brought me some of that chicken-fried steak and potatoes…it’s so good.”

“Good,” he said.  “Come, you must get your sleep.”

He picked her up and carried her to bed.  “Do you want to sleep in my robe?”

“I can’t wear my nightgown anymore,” she said.  “It’s too tight across the breasts and my sweats are too warm.”

“You may wear whatever appeals to you, my love.  I must go and cleanse myself and then I shall join you and we can talk.  If you are asleep, I shall not wake you.”

“No,” she said.  “I want to talk to you.  I’ll stay awake.”

“Very well.”  He went into the bathroom.  A little while later, he emerged in his black pajama bottoms and found her fast asleep.  He dimmed the lights and got in bed beside her.

She stirred against him, warming immediately when he got in bed with her.  “Spock?”

“Yes?”

“I want you…I want you to indulge that…quirk you have; the one you mentioned the other night when I returned from sickbay.”

“You will let me shave you?”

“Yes,” she said.  After a lot of thought and finding the topic addressed in one of Spock’s books, she decided that it would be kinky and safe for the baby.  Besides, she wouldn’t have to do it and that would be a relief.  Getting the angles right was a daunting task at times.

“Fine,” he said.  “I will do it tomorrow night if you are feeling up to it.”

They lay there in the silence.  She pushed closer to him, sighing.  “I heard that you now refer to me as your wife.”  She did not face him, but eased against his body.

“I do.”

“Why?”

“You would be if it were up to me.  But I told you that everything you wanted after you aligned with me was your choice and that includes becoming my wife.  I did not mention it because I know you want to go home and I am trying to accommodate you.”

She let that hang in the air for several moments.  He continued.  “I have no wish to be with another, even if you leave me.  In my mind and my heart, you are my wife, my woman, mine, and were it my choice, no other man would have you.  I am possessive when it concerns you and my child.  I admit that.”

“You know that I don’t feel the same way, Spock.  How could you so freely give your heart to me knowing that?”

“It was lost from the beginning,” he said.  “When we were in the turbolift that first time, I knew that I wanted you, that you were the one I’ve been waiting for.”

She didn’t ask him how he knew that.  Her emotions were so volatile at that time that she knew he could sense them.

He put his arms around her.  “I will accept the consequences of my action in taking you, but I do not regret our time together.  You have given me the capacity to feel; you are my heart.  You are all that I ever wanted and never thought I would find in this universe.  What man would blame me for seizing the opportunity?  But I never apologized to you, Nyota, and it is time that I did.”

She sighed. “Spock…”

He pulled her close and inhaled the scent of her hair.  “I am sorry that I violated your freedom of choice when I disrupted the transporter beam.  I apologize for abducting you.  I never intended for any harm to come to you, as it was always my greatest desire to protect you and to love you.  I have never asked for your forgiveness, but I ask for it now.”

 “Actually, you did.  Twice.”

“When was that?”  So much had happened that he did not recall it.  That she remembered surprised him and he was not a man prone to being surprised by anything.  She remembered.

“You asked me to forgive you shortly after you told me that Captain Kirk wanted to sleep with me.  You also asked me to do it when you brought me dinner the second night I was here.”

“Ah,” he said, remembering.  “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me, Nyota?  I am not asking because I want you to stay.  I am asking because I want you to look at me and our child without bitterness and dismay over a choice that was not yours.  I do not wish for you to hate me even if you decide to leave me.”

“Spock,” she said again. “I don’t hate you.”

“But you won’t forgive me,” he said. “Please do.”

A very long moment passed.  To his credit, he remained perfectly calm and still, holding her with his face in her hair.  She wasn’t ready to deal with that.  So she changed the subject.  “Have you figured out a way to send me home, Spock?  I must know.”

“There are three variables that I cannot account for,” he said without missing a beat.  “I cannot re-create the ion storm.  So I have Commander Baker’s assistants periodically checking the long-range sensors to see if any are taking place within an acceptable distance.  I cannot calculate with any certainty above 29.2% that your Enterprise will be in the precise location for the beam-across to take place and put you somewhere safely on board the ship.  I also cannot calculate with any certainty that your counterpart will be in an acceptable range.  The chance of these simultaneous events occurring is .000012 percent.  But I am trying, Nyota.  I will do my best to do what you have asked me to, but I cannot promise that it will happen quickly.”

She caressed his arms.  “Thank you, Spock.  All I want is the chance to go home.”

He kissed the back of her head.  “Then would you be my wife for the duration of however much time it takes?  Would you allow me to be a father to my child?  Would you let me love you during this time?”  He did not ask if she would, or even could, love him.  He would take whatever she gave him and he would never love another.

She ran her hands over his arms again.  It was a reasonable request.  He did not ask for her love, only to love her and their baby for as much time as they had left.  He was already doing it and she knew he wouldn’t stop even if she said no.  She admitted that it felt good to have his devotion, to have something she might not ever have in this magnitude again.

“Okay,” she said.

tbc…