DISCLAIMER: The Star Trek characters are the property of Paramount Studios, Inc and Viacom. The story contents are the creation and property of Djinn and are copyright (c) 2002 by Djinn. This story is Rated PG-13.

A Matter of Life and Death

by Djinn

Sovar waited patiently as Spock signed the invoices that the Starbase Six quartermaster had transmitted. "This is the last one, sir," he said, handing over the padd.

Spock read it quickly. "If the Starfleet proctors had arrived on time we would not need to arrange for a shuttle to bring Commander Kettering back to Vulcan."

"Yes, sir," Sovar agreed, trying not to react to Spock's only partially concealed annoyance.

"Testing an untried recruit is reasonable, but I see no logic in these recertifications. For an experienced officer, performance and the evaluation of a superior officer should be sufficient."

"I'm sure Lieutenant Commander Kettering will perform admirably." Sovar knew the captain had been helping the chief engineer prepare.

Spock handed him the padd. "And you may tell Commander Farrell that her request for leave has been approved."

"As well as Lieutenant Ritsuko's?" Sovar prompted. It was not like Spock to miss details.

Spock nodded distractedly. "Yes, hers too. They can share Commander Kettering's shuttle to Vulcan."

"Very well, sir." Sovar turned to go.

"We will be taking on a passenger before we leave Starbase Six, Mr. Sovar."

Sovar looked over at Spock quizzically. He had seen nothing in the correspondence about this. "Sir?"

Spock sighed, seemingly irritated at the question, and Sovar wondered again at the slight break in control. The captain usually strove to be more Vulcan than most full Vulcans, especially in front of Sovar. "I'm sorry, sir. I don't mean to pry if it is a private matter."

"It is a private matter." Spock leaned back in his chair. "But there is no reason not to tell you that it is the Priestess T'Clev who will be going back to Vulcan with us. She will need quarters arranged."

It was unusual for a priestess to be so far from home. Only those from the temple of T'Lyar traveled routinely and they had one role... He looked up at Spock, suddenly understanding why his captain had seemed a bit more emotional of late. "Sir, I beg pardon. If there is anything I can do?"

Spock shook his head. "There is no need. We will be on Vulcan before this becomes an issue."

And if not, Sovar silently finished for him, T'Clev will be here already. He could not fault Spock's planning. "I will see to her quarters, Captain."

"Thank you. She will be arriving in a few hours."

"And our next mission?"

"As yet undetermined. We have a few refits scheduled at Vulcan. I've authorized shore leave for the crew."

Sovar raised an eyebrow. "I've heard it said by other species that shore leave on Vulcan is less than desirable."

Spock seemed amused. "It does lack the basic entertainments." He dismissed the thought. "They will have to find some other way to amuse themselves then." His expression darkened. "Some have no problem with that."

Sovar looked down. This was another lapse due to the burning. They would become more frequent. He would ignore them as was the custom.

"You are dismissed, Mr. Sovar."

Sovar left the bridge and returned to his own office on deck eight. He arranged for quarters in the currently unused VIP section, thinking that the priestess might appreciate some privacy. He supposed a life spent in the intimate fires of Pon Farr might cause one to yearn for more isolated space.

A few hours later, he received a hail. "The Priestess T'Clev requests permission to board, Mr. Sovar," the transporter officer relayed.

"I will be there immediately," Sovar replied as he hurried down to the transporter room. He nodded to the lieutenant on duty and the transporter shimmered. The woman that appeared bowed gracefully. Returning the gesture, he said, "I am Mr. Sovar, Captain Spock's assistant. He asked me to meet you." Sovar suddenly wondered if the priestess would take the captain's absence as an insult.

But she seemed unaffected as she stepped off the platform. "Most kind of you to meet me, Mr. Sovar. I am tired from my journey. It would be agreeable to see my quarters."

"Of course, this way."

Once they were in the corridor, he turned to her. "You have traveled far from our home."

"It is the nature of my work." Neither of them sought to elaborate on that point. "You too travel far from Vulcan's sands. Those of us with the need to wander are ever the mystery to our brothers and sisters that prefer to remain staunchly where they are."

"Indeed. I have traveled most of my career. First with Ambassador Sarek and now with his son."

She nodded thoughtfully. "I have heard much of this Spock. What is he like?"

Sovar considered. "He is an impressive diplomat. And an intriguing man. I give him my respect and loyalty with no reservation."

She nodded. "High praise from one who worked with Sarek."

"He is very different than his father," Sovar said. Except for his strange attraction to human women, he mentally amended.

As if reading his mind, T'Clev asked, "He has no one close to him?"

Sovar did not know how to answer so he remained silent.

"Mr. Sovar?"

"He is unbonded. But surely you know that."

"Your answer will help me to prepare, Sovar." She switched to the personal address easily.

"If there is anyone on board in whom the captain has an interest, they are not in a position to help him."

T'Clev did not respond until they reached her quarters. As Sovar palmed the door open, she said in a low voice, "This is a complication. But one I will deal with. Thank you for your candor."

"Of course."

"If I need discreet assistance in this matter, may I call upon you?"

"Yes."

She nodded and let the door close behind her.

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

Realizing she was going to be late for her own staff meeting if she didn't hurry, Christine saved the report she was working on and turned to Kavall to ask, "You ready?"

The science officer nodded. "Whenever you are."

Christine headed for her office, saying, "Let's use the rear lift. It's closer to medical." They waited for the turbolift to arrive, moving back when the doors opened and Sovar and a Vulcan female that Christine had never seen before got out. Christine wondered who the woman was. Judging from the flowing robes she wore, she didn't look like a new member of the crew.

"Commander. Lieutenant," Sovar said as he led the woman off without introductions.

"Who was that?" Kavall asked when the doors closed.

Christine shook her head.

"She was really beautiful."

Christine had thought the same thing. "Sure, if you like the graceful gorgeous look."

Kavall laughed. "Friend of the captain's?"

"I don't know." Her friend's innocent question hung in the air. Who was the stranger?

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

Spock looked up as Sovar led in the Priestess T'Clev. She was a classic Vulcan beauty--glossy black hair, patrician features, and a lush figure. He felt completely unmoved. A sense of relief flooded him. The Pon Farr could not be that close if he felt no desire for this graceful creature.

Sovar excused himself and left them alone. Spock offered her a beverage but she declined.

"I would like to see the ship."

He nodded. "I thought we might take the midday meal together. Perhaps a tour before we dine?"

"That would be pleasant." Even her voice was lovely.

"I am grateful that our schedules were able to coincide in this manner."

She seemed slightly amused by his avoidance of the true issue. "I make it my business to be sure my schedule is able to accommodate such coincidences."

"Of course." He looked down.

"Does my profession embarrass you?"

He looked up quickly. "On the contrary, you are an honorable practitioner of an ancient art." He could feel a small smile turning up his lips. "It is my condition that embarrasses me."

"It is a fact of Vulcan nature, Captain Spock. Not one to shout from the rooftops, perhaps, but also not one to hide from in shame." She leaned forward and in a confidential whisper said, "I believe it is no longer a secret from outworlders either."

He nodded, appreciating her veiled humor. "My reaction is not logical. But then what Vulcan male is logical at this time?"

"Indeed."

He stood. "Shall we take that tour?"

She rose and followed him out. He took her first to the diplomatic reception areas, then to some of the recreational facilities and the marine area. He did not realize he was avoiding one area until she said, "Your ship has a dual mission, does it not?"

"It does."

"Then show me the medical section. Or is there a reason to avoid it?"

There was something in her voice that made him turn to look at her. Her expression was bland. "Of course not. This way."

He showed T'Clev the wards and laboratory areas. He was leading her to sickbay when the door to the meeting room opened and Christine backed out, still deep in conversation with Moorehouse and Carpenter. Not knowing he was there, she turned and nearly bumped into him. Looking up in embarrassed amusement, she said, "Sorry, Spock. I'm still working on that 'First, do no harm' principle."

T'Clev made a small gesture of appreciation at the quip and Christine turned toward her. As she did, her arm brushed against him and Spock felt his body react to the touch. He felt flushed and hot, and a sudden rush of lust overcame him. He looked at T'Clev and realized with a start that she was watching him with complete comprehension. Christine, fortunately, seemed unaware of the turmoil she was causing inside him.

She moved away from him, her attention focused on T'Clev. "We haven't met. I'm Commander Christine Chapel, first officer and chief medical officer."

"A pleasure. I am the Priestess T'Clev. Captain Spock was kind enough to offer me a means of transportation home."

"A fortunate coincidence that we were at Starbase Six the same time you were." Christine sounded faintly suspicious.

"Yes, it was."

"I was giving T'Clev a tour. We are going to lunch now."

"You could join us," T'Clev interjected and Spock silently urged his first officer to decline.

She did just that. "I'm afraid I can't. Perhaps another time?"

T'Clev nodded graciously. "Of course." She watched Christine walk off then turned to Spock. "Lunch then?"

He led her to the mess hall, which was relatively deserted at this late hour, and offered a few meal suggestions that he'd programmed into the replicator's databanks. "I'll have whatever you're having," she answered as she walked away from him to a secluded table. When he joined her with the food, she said with just a hint of censure, "You did not mention her, Spock. This will make things more difficult."

"I did not anticipate this reaction to her."

T'Clev raised an eyebrow. "Come now. That type of reaction would only be unanticipated if you were in the final stages of the burning. This early, only the presence of one that has been previously desired can accelerate the process in the manner her touch just did."

"You do not know what I was feeling."

"I am a priestess of T'Lyar. There is not much I do not know about the burning...or what you are feeling. You do realize, don't you, that if you were to be in her company for any extended period, you would bring on the Pon Farr in full force?"

He had not realized that. "I do not plan to be in her company."

"That is wise then. But may I ask why not?"

Spock looked down. "She has chosen another."

"Ah." T'Clev put down her fork. "She does not know how you feel?"

"At this point, she does not believe I am capable of feeling." He made a wry face, then regretted it.

"I'm used to the lapses, Spock. Don't worry that you will offend me."

"You have seen it all."

She nodded. "Many times over." She took a sip of the tea Spock had ordered for her. "Do you wish to speak of this?"

"Not really."

"Do you need to speak of this?"

He couldn't stop the small grin. "You are perceptive."

"It is my duty to be perceptive. She believes you to be indifferent to her?"

"When we first worked together, I was, and there were many years that we did not meet. Then we were brought together for this mission, and I gained a new appreciation for her."

"But you did not tell her this?"

"She knew. But recently a...friend died, and when the commander wanted to help me, I shut her out. And continued to shut her out. So now, when I find I have an overwhelming desire to be with her, it is too late because she has moved on."

T'Clev considered what he had said. "But in the past she was not unmoved by you?"

"In the past, she loved me. It was I who was unmoved by her." He turned back to his food. "It is immaterial. She and I are friends now, nothing more."

T'Clev accepted that he wanted to end the conversation. "As you say." They finished their meal in silence.

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

Christine was sure that Spock was avoiding her. He spent no time with her on the bridge, seeming to prefer to stay in his ready room. She wondered if he was still irritated with her for going around him with the Pesadii. But he hadn't mentioned that since he had dressed her down for it.

She got up, saying absently, "Kimble, you have the conn," and walked up to Spock's ready room waiting for his instruction to enter. When she walked in, he looked up and several emotions she couldn't identify seemed to cross his face.

"Commander, I was just leaving for a meeting with--"

She didn't let him finish, "Have I offended you, Spock?"

He was on his feet and already moving for the rear door. "Of course not, Commander. I have had much to do."

She moved to intercept him, reaching out a hand to stop him. He flinched back.

"This isn't about the Pesadii, is it?"

"Why would it be?" He tried to move around her but she was blocking the door. "Christine, please move aside. I am late." His voice was controlled, but she had the sense that he was tenser than she'd ever seen him.

Although once she'd seen him even more tense. On the Enterprise when he had been going through... Startled, she looked up at him. The presence of the priestess suddenly made perfect sense. "The burning," she whispered.

"Let me pass."

She reached out to him again and as he took a quick step back again his expression became angry. "First, do no harm, Christine. Especially when you are in no position to help."

She dropped her hand, cut by his words. But she knew he was right. What did she think she was doing? With a mumbled, "I'm sorry," she turned and went back to the bridge.

She tried not to think about it for the rest of her shift and failed miserably. When she met Kerr in the marine lounge, he took one look at her face and asked, "What's wrong?"

She started guiltily. "Oh, just a personnel problem."

"Can I help?" he asked.

She shook her head. He moved a little closer, not so close that they looked unprofessional but close enough to affect her. "Can I distract you?"

"Would you?"

"You bet. Drink up, Chapel, and let's get the hell out of here."

She did as he said and they headed to his quarters. As the doors closed behind them, he pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. "One ticket to distraction coming right up, ma'am."

She grinned and pushed him toward the bedroom. Spock's condition is not my concern, she told herself firmly. This is my choice.

And her choice proceeded to distract her until they both dropped into an exhausted sleep.

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

T'Clev was restless, as she often was in the preliminary phase. There was little for her to do except prepare for what would come, and she had done that all afternoon. She slipped her elaborate outer robes over the simpler under robe she wore during meditation and left her quarters.

She found the lift immediately but was unsure where she wanted to go. While she deliberated, the doors opened again on her floor and a human male stepped in.

"Are you going to pick a floor, my dear, or is it your wish to stand in a motionless lift?" His smile took away any sting that might have been in the words.

"You pick," she finally said. She had done the same thing at lunch, she realized. When had she become so incapable of determining what she wanted?

"Deck three," he ordered. "I'm going to Three-Forward. It's one of our lounges. Some of the crew have formed a jazz band. I'm going to listen, would you like to come with me?"

She considered that. Would she like to? She assessed him, trying to determine his motive.

He seemed to understand her look. "And how remiss am I? Commander Stephen Penhallon, chief of protocol in the diplomatic section." She noticed he did not hold out his hand and her opinion of him rose.

"I like jazz," she said in what she knew was a tentative voice.

He smiled, ignoring her moment of awkwardness. "Excellent, then that's settled." The doors opened and he walked out, "This way, my dear."

She realized she had not introduced herself. "I am the Priestess T'Clev."

"Pleasure." He gestured for her to precede him into the large lounge. She was intrigued with the large viewscreens and he noticed her appreciation of the view. "I imagine once people see what we have here, this type of lounge will become standard Starfleet issue."

"It is breathtaking."

"And yet most of the crew no longer see it. I find it sad that most people allow beauty to become something they take for granted."

She gave him a stern look.

"What? You are allergic to flattery?" His grin was unrepentant.

"Not allergic. Immune."

"Ah. Pity." He led her to a table. "May I get you a drink?'

She almost told him to get her whatever he was going to have, but she forced herself to pick something. "I like red wine."

"Red wine it is."

She watched him walk away. How long had it been since she had interacted with a man that wasn't in some stage of Pon Farr? she wondered. And how long since one had commented on her beauty?

The band finished tuning up just as Penhallon brought their drinks back. She sipped at the wine and allowed herself to relax. As the music washed over her, she determined that yes, she did, in fact, like jazz.

"They're quite good," Penhallon observed as the band took a short break.

"Amateurs bring an enthusiasm to the activity that professionals often lack." She realized he was looking at her quizzically. "I have said something you find strange?"

"No. I was just wondering if that was the voice of experience?"

She was taken aback and found herself in the unusual position of not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry, that was unpardonably rude of me." He leaned forward. "You see I'm one of those amateurs you speak of. Being intensely interested in anything having to do with the sensual arts, I have undertaken a study of the habits of different cultures. The temple of T'Lyar would certainly not escape my notice. Nor would one of its priestesses."

"I don't recall saying I was from that particular temple?"

He pointed to her ring. "To be good at protocol, one must be observant."

"I see." She sipped her drink and tried to think of how to move him off this subject.

He laughed softly. "Don't worry, dear priestess. I won't pry as to why you're here. It's none of my business."

She realized he was serious. "You are an interesting man."

"Tell that to the first officer," he quipped. Looking toward the entrance, he laughed. "Speak of the devil."

T'Clev followed his gaze and saw that Commander Chapel and a human male had joined another couple at a table. Judging by the proximity and the frequent glances, T'Clev decided this must be the commander's lover. "I have met the commander. Who are the others?"

"Chief Science Officer Lieutenant Nevara Kavall and the head of our biomed laboratories Doctor Leon Redmoon. The man that is so obviously with the commander is Colonel Randall Kerr, our head of security and special forces. He's very tough. Also a remarkably nice guy." Penhallon leaned in. "But enough about them. Let's talk about us."

"There is no us." She raised a single eyebrow, causing him to laugh.

"Not yet, anyway," he said with a wink as the music started up again.

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

The bridge seemed unusually tense, and Kavall was trying to pinpoint the epicenter of that tension. Much as she had trouble believing it, Captain Spock seemed to be the source. He appeared...distracted. And uncharacteristically on edge.

The lift opened again and Christine stepped out, smiling at Kavall before going straight to her office. Spock glanced in the commander's direction as her door closed, then turned back to the viewscreen.

Kavall busied herself with some diagnostics of the aft sensor array. Something was degrading the resolution on the starboard component and it had been driving her crazy for days now. She had made a few corrections but nothing seemed to improve the performance.

"Have you tried tuning the resonance capacitor?"

She looked up to see Spock leaning over her. "I hadn't considered that it might be the signal recognition." She adjusted some settings and checked the array.

"Not perfect," he noted.

"No, sir. But much closer." She grinned at him, was shocked to see a hint of open amusement color his face for a moment before a more typically stoic expression took over. "Thank you, sir."

"I too sat at this post once," he said and his tone was clearly nostalgic. "On the Enterprise."

"That must have been exciting." She fully expected him to admonish her that Vulcans do not feel excitement.

Instead he said only, "It was."

He straightened abruptly and began to pace around the bridge. Kavall could not remember ever having seen him do that. Normally when he appeared somewhat restless, he would retire to his ready room. Pacing was reserved for Commander Chapel, who made no bones about getting bored from sitting too long.

The lift doors opened and Colonel Kerr stepped out. Spock turned and studied him and his posture became even tenser. "Colonel," he said tonelessly.

"Captain," Kerr answered, not appearing to notice anything amiss. He turned and rang the chime to Christine's office, then disappeared inside.

Kavall worked hard to hide her smile. She and Leon had begun spending time with Christine and Kerr during their off hours. Kavall was pleased that her mentor had finally found someone she could be happy with. And she loved the way Kerr treated her friend. But their relationship was kept to off hours. The only reason he would come up here during the shift was for business.

She looked over at Spock and realized he was staring at Commander Chapel's door, a strange expression on his face. Even more confused, she looked away and saw that Saldusta was watching Spock too. When he finally turned away and resumed pacing, Saldusta looked over and mouthed to Kavall, "What's with him?"

Kavall gave a tiny shrug. Even Myrax was watching the captain, her normally serene expression replaced with curiosity. Saldusta started to mouth something else then her face got the distant look that meant she was getting an incoming signal through the earpiece. "Sir," she called to Spock. "We're being hailed."

He turned and raised an eyebrow. "By whom?"

"A Mr. Dallish. Of Hamash Korelli."

Kavall pulled up the profile of the planet. "A small colony planet, sir. A harsh environment but rich in bentarium, which is currently listed on the Federation's strategic mineral list and is useful for--"

"I am aware of the importance of bentarium, Lieutenant."

She blushed. "Yes, sir. Sorry."

He turned away. "On screen, Lieutenant Saldusta."

An extremely wizened man filled the front viewscreen. "Sorry to disturb you, Ambassador. I'm Roaz Dallish."

"How can I help you, Mr. Dallish?" Spock sounded slightly impatient.

"I know this is a bit out of the ordinary, sir. But we heard the Carter would be nearby and I had to take the chance."

"The chance for what?"

Kavall heard the door open behind her. She glanced back to see Christine and Kerr walk out to listen.

"To ask for your help."

"Do you have a diplomatic issue, Mr. Dallish? Because I have no recollection of any difficulty on your planet."

"No, sir. We're a small mining colony. We export bentarium mainly. It's lucrative. But it's also dangerous. This planet is unstable and getting more so with our operations. We have lost too many people to cave-ins and landslides. We know the Federation has the technology to help us stabilize the geology and we've asked several times but our requests are sitting somewhere, probably buried in red tape at the Federation Department of Minerals."

"I'm sure that is frustrating for you, sir, but I don't see how we can help."

"The Federation needs our bentarium, sir. But unless we can make it less lethal to mine, we'll have to stop producing it. If you could just come down and take a look, I'm sure you'd see the merit of our request. And a nudge from someone of your reputation would go a long way in our search for relief."

Spock seemed to consider. "You wish to show me one of these mines."

"Yes, sir. If you'd like to beam down for a quick tour, I will have my aide meet you at one of our safer mines."

Spock surprised Kavall by nodding suddenly. "I believe fresh air would be beneficial. I will be down shortly." He turned and nodded to Saldusta, who cut the connection. Looking over at Christine, he said briskly, "You have the conn, Commander Chapel."

Kavall was even more surprised to hear her friend say, "I believe it would be short-sighted to go without a medical expert."

Spock turned to look at his first officer. "I am not convinced that a medical presence is necessary."

She didn't back down. "I am."

They stared at each other for several seconds, Christine's expression grimly determined, Spock's unusually annoyed. He looked away first. "Fine. Come if you wish. But as I remember you don't like caves."

Kavall frowned when the commander winced. Christine had told her of the icy caverns on Exo III, where she had found what was left of Roger Korby, the man she'd thought she'd lost forever. Kavall knew Spock had known her then too. She was shocked that he would say something that seemed calculated only to hurt.

"I'll manage," her friend said evenly.

Kerr was watching them with a frown. Spock turned to him and said, "You'll want to come too, Colonel. It might be a trap, after all." The captain raised an eyebrow at Christine. "A security escort might be a good idea."

Her expression darkened but she didn't argue with the captain's bizarre suggestion. Kavall commiserated with Kerr, who only looked more confused. "If you really think it's necessary, then I'm in."

"Fine." Spock looked over at Kavall. "You have the conn, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir," she answered, trying desperately to keep her voice steady.

Christine shot her a weak grin before following Spock and Kerr out. Kavall moved to the captain's chair and sat down gingerly. Please, she prayed, don't let anything go wrong while I'm in charge. And don't let anything be wrong between Christine and the captain either, she added.

----------**--------------------

The president's aide met them just outside a large cave. There were some largish boulders scattered near the entrance. Kerr didn't like the look of them.

"I thought this was a safe area?"

The young woman smiled tightly. "Safer. Not safe."

"There's sort of a difference," Christine said, eying the cave a bit nervously.

"Now you know how we feel," the aide said as she led the way inside. It was deserted. "We've abandoned operations in here for now. We mined all the bentarium that was easily extracted. But this site and many others like it are still rich with the mineral. Once we are more sure of the stability, we can begin blasting deeper."

She handed them portable lights and led them down several tunnels. It was easy to see that a great deal of material had been removed from the rock.

"This is one of our smallest mines," she said as pulled out a tricorder and scanned the area, then handed it to Spock.

His eyebrow lifted severely. "There is this much bentarium still here?"

She nodded. "And that's just one mine. But we can't get at it without risking lives. And we don't want to do that when we know there is help out there."

Spock took the tricorder and walked back into the main cavern and into another tunnel. "This is remarkable," he said softly.

"Then I can tell Roaz that you will help us?"

Spock nodded.

Kerr glanced over at Christine and saw her eye the entrance of the tunnel. "You want out?" he asked softly.

"That'd be nice." She smiled at him and he grinned back.

A sudden rumbling from the main cavern wiped the smiles off both their faces. The aide yelled, "Run!" and fled for the entrance. It took them a moment to realize what was happening and to run, so she had a good lead when the first rocks began to fall. Kerr felt something grab his uniform. He realized it was Spock as both he and Christine jerked to a halt, their momentum nearly pulling Spock off his feet as just a few feet away the rocks fell in a deadly crush. The aide was buried, and so was the entrance.

Kerr tried to hail the ship. There was no answer.

"Bentarium in this quantity will interfere with normal transmissions. To communicate with us, the ship will have to enhance the signal," Spock explained.

"Do they know that?" Christine asked softly.

"It will require experimentation. There is no protocol for it."

"In other words, nobody's ever done it before?" Kerr asked.

Spock gave him an odd look. "I believe that is what I said, Colonel." He turned to Christine. "I guess we will find out just how good your protégé is."

"I guess so."

Kerr frowned. "Meanwhile we are stuck here with no food, no water, and limited air."

Spock scanned the space. "You are correct that we are without food. There is fresh water in small amounts in the third tunnel."

"And the air?" Christine asked.

Spock pointed up. A small amount of light could be seen at the top of the cavern. "Fresh air is available in sufficient amounts."

"But there's no other way out? One of these tunnels doesn't conveniently have an exit?"

Spock turned to look at her. His expression was surprisingly gentle. "There is no way out, Commander." He walked over to the pile of rocks. "Except the way we came in. I suggest we start moving them."

Kerr nodded. "With all due respect, sir. Is that necessary if the Carter is going to find us anyway? Some of these are the size of boulders. There's no way we can move them unassisted. And we have no idea how far out the slide goes. Shouldn't we just wait?"

Spock handed Christine the tricorder. "Tell me, Doctor. Do you think we should just wait?"

She scanned him, then raised her eyes to meet his gaze. Slowly shaking her head, she said, "We need to get out of here."

Kerr moved toward her. "I know you don't like being in here, but there's no reason."

"There is every reason, Colonel," Spock snapped.

Kerr had never heard the captain use that tone. He looked at Christine. "Something you want to tell me?"

"Want? No. Need to tell you. Yes." She looked over at Spock. "I think you better tell him."

Spock closed his eyes briefly as if in defeat. Then with an audible sigh, asked, "How much do you know of Vulcan physiology, Colonel?"

"Not much."

"But you have heard things?" Christine prompted.

Kerr frowned. "Well, yeah."

"Does the figure seven years mean anything to you?" Spock walked deliberately to the rocks and began to move the nearest ones.

Kerr stared at him, then realization seemed to dawn. "Oh. Now?"

"No. But soon."

"Very soon," Christine corrected.

"So that's why T'Clev is here...but she's not here. She's on the Carter." Kerr turned to look at Christine. "She's on the Carter, but you're here." He began to wrestle the stones out of the pile. "We really need to get out of here."

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

Spock put the rock he was carrying down and stared at his hands, which had begun to tremble again. No matter how he tried he could not stop thinking about Christine and how close she was standing to him--even though she was across the room at this particular instant.

He heard Kerr's voice as if from a great distance whisper, "He's not okay, is he?"

Christine didn't answer. So Spock replied for her, "Most astute, Colonel."

"How long before you umm..."

"Not long." Spock turned and began to walk toward the closest tunnel. "I must meditate. You will not disturb me."

Christine moved toward him. "Spock--"

He whirled on her and cut off whatever she had been going to say. "You must not involve yourself, Christine." He almost reached out to touch her, wanted to touch her. At the last moment he jerked his hand back. "You must stay away."

"But you'll die."

"I am past the fire of youth. I may be able to buy time with meditation. As the Colonel has noted, the Carter will find a way to get us out eventually. And then T'Clev will be able to help me." Unsure that she was going to cooperate, Spock looked at Kerr. "You must keep Christine away from me."

Kerr nodded, his expression troubled.

"You must stay away too, Colonel. You must consider me extremely dangerous at this point. I will try to block the fact that the two of you are here." He looked at Christine. "That she is here. I will not be able to do that if you approach me. Do you understand what I am saying?"

"I do, sir."

Christine opened her mouth and Spock spoke, more harshly than he intended. "Say nothing, Commander. For your own sake, say absolutely nothing."

She stood in front of him, mouth open and eyes confused. Spock felt an overwhelming need to touch her, to feel her skin under his hands. Stop it! he ordered himself, this is counterproductive. He pointed at the phaser Kerr wore at his hip. "If I come back out here, it will be for her. I strongly suggest you stop me. Use maximum stun. Anything less will probably not subdue me before I get to you."

Kerr frowned but nodded firmly. "Yes, sir."

With a last glance at Christine, Spock turned and quickly walked into the tunnel.

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

Kavall sat in the command chair trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt. Because she answered to both medical and diplomatic, she was frequently off the bridge. As a result, she did not tend to be left in command as often as the others.

"Pssst," she heard from behind her. She turned to see Saldusta grinning. "The chair has a back, Nevara. You can use it."

She made a face at her friend and forced herself to sit back. Just as she was getting comfortable, Saldusta announced, "There's another hail from the planet."

Kavall stood nervously. "On screen."

Dallish appeared. He wasted no time on preliminaries. "There's been a rockslide at the mine. The entrance is blocked."

"The captain and the others?"

"Their condition is unknown. Bentarium blocks our sensors and our communications. If they're in there, we're going to have to dig them out."

Kavall thought furiously. "Can we help?"

"No, it's just a matter of waiting to see if they are ok."

"If?" Saldusta whispered behind her.

Kavall nodded. "Understood. Please keep us informed of your progress."

The screen went blank and she stood for a moment then walked around the command chairs toward her station. "Saldusta, notify sickbay of what's happened. Tell them to have a team on standby." She slid into her chair. "There has to be a way to get past that bentarium," she mused as she began to modify the sensors.

Hours later, she had made a tiny bit of progress. Looking up from her station, she realized that she had been so immersed that she had lost track of time. It was almost shift change. She looked over at Saldusta, who was watching her with interest.

"Are you getting anywhere?" the communications officer asked.

"I think so."

Saldusta nodded, "Good. I notified beta shift to stand down. We're here with you until this is over."

The others nodded agreement.

Spock's office door suddenly opened, startling Kavall until she realized it was Sovar who stood at the door. "Where is the captain?" he asked.

She brought him up to speed and was surprised at the level of open concern the Vulcan showed. She tried to reassure him, "We can't assume they're injured or worse until we know for sure. I think I may be getting somewhere with these modifications."

"Have you informed sickbay?"

"Yes. Doctor Carpenter is standing by with a team."

"A team." He headed for the door. "I'll be in sickbay. Let me know as soon as you can get through."

"Will do," she said as she turned back to her station.

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

Christine stared at the tunnel that Spock had disappeared into. Kerr's voice in her ear made her jump.

"How long before he comes out?"

She shrugged. "He may not come out. He may stay in there."

"And then what?"

She turned away, began moving more rocks.

"Christine?"

She didn't answer. A moment later, she felt a hand on her arm gently pulling her around.

"Christine?"

"He'll die."

"Without you, he'll die?"

"It's not me. T'Clev would do. Any woman would. Hell, in a pinch, you might do, Randall." She turned away.

He didn't say anything for a long time as they continued to push the rocks out of the way. Finally he sat down, and looked at her intently. "We're not making any progress."

"So we keep working at it." She wiped sweat off her cheek with the back of her hand. "We keep going until we do make progress. Or until the ship discovers how to get us out."

"What if they don't figure that out in time?"

She looked at him but didn't say anything.

"I mean it. What then?"

She turned on him and asked angrily, "What do you want me to say, Randall?"

He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against him. "I want you to tell me what you're thinking...what you're feeling."

She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. "I'm not thinking anything except that I don't like caves. I'm not feeling anything except worry for our captain. Now, let me go."

He didn't release her. "I've been asking myself if you could do it. If you could stand by and let him die. And I'm also asking myself if I could let you do that."

"You heard him. He wants me to stay away from him." Feeling Kerr's grip loosen, Christine pulled away from him and sat down a few feet away.

"I heard what he said. But I also have a good idea what he meant. If he didn't want _you_ he wouldn't have been so concerned with my keeping you safe from him."

"That's bull. You don't know what it's like for a Vulcan."

"And you do?"

She turned and glared at him. "I don't. I have never been with him. How many times do I have to say that before you believe it?"

He turned away from her.

She sighed heavily. "I'm sorry. This is just so hard." She got up and walked over to him. Putting a hand on his back, she whispered. "The thought of him dying..."

He turned and pulled her to him. His lips on hers were fierce as he kissed her quickly. Then he pushed her away. "Go. Now. Before I change my mind."

"What?"

"He's my captain, and I respect him. Hell, I like him. I can't let him die. And this is the one way to make sure he doesn't. So go. You have to."

She stared at him.

He kissed her again. "I love you. I don't want you to do this. But you have to. We both know that you do."

"But the rescue?"

"It's been hours, Christine. How long does he have? Are you willing to wait?"

A noise at the far side of the cave startled them. Spock stood staring at them. Kerr pulled out his phaser but didn't fire.

"Christine." Spock's voice was gravelly and harsh. "I burn for you."

She could feel her heart racing as she stared at him. Behind her Kerr said, "Go."

She turned to look at him. "I love you. You know that? I'll come back to you."

He nodded but his eyes told her a different story. Handing her one of the lights, he said, "Go. Before I realize what an idiot I am."

"Christine," Spock said with more urgency as he took a step toward them.

With a last look and a strangled, "I love you," to Kerr she hurried to Spock. He met her half way and caught her up in a fierce embrace. She gasped at how tightly he was holding her.

"Christine," she heard Kerr say.

"Don't. I'm all right." She pushed Spock back toward the tunnel. "I'm here. Shhh."

He let her move him and she felt his hands begin to move over her body. "Christine. I burned for you but you did not come."

"I know," she whispered as they moved deeper into the tunnel. Once they were well out of sight--and hopefully hearing--of Kerr, she managed to get Spock to release her long enough to set the light down. Then he was back, touching her, his body pressed close to hers.

I could be anyone, she reminded herself. This isn't about me. It's about saving him. That's all.

She believed it as he removed his clothing. She believed it when he kissed her ferociously, when his hands touched her in places he'd never touched her before. She believed it when he pushed her to the ground. But when he melded with her and she heard his triumphant *Beloved* in her mind even as his body joined with hers, she could no longer lie to herself. This was about the two of them. Spock and Christine. The way she'd always wanted.

*Spock,* she thought, unsure if he could hear her. Unsure if she even cared. She had dreamed of this moment for so long.

*My Christine,* he sent back, his tone both satisfied and demanding. As he began to move within her with savage purpose, she felt his mind overwhelm hers. *Beloved,* he sent again, even as she lost all sense of who she was or why it even mattered. All that existed was this passion...and the two of them.

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

Kerr tried not to think about how many hours had passed since Christine had disappeared down the tunnel he was staring at. He tried not to listen for the faint sounds that every so often carried down the corridor. He tried not to imagine what they were doing.

He failed at all three.

This is ridiculous, he berated himself. He stood up and began to move rocks. He worked hard and fast and tried to exhaust himself to the point where he could no longer think, no longer imagine. Hours later he was sitting in front of the large pile of rocks that he had moved, and looking at the still larger one that remained. He really was getting nowhere.

He thought he heard footsteps behind him and turned, saying, "Christine..."

There was no one there. "Damn," he whispered, looking again toward the tunnel entrance. "Damn, damn, damn--"

"Sovar to landing party," his communicator sounded from across the room.

He rushed to retrieve it. "Kerr here."

"Colonel. You are...safe?" Sovar sounded overly tentative.

Kerr realized that Spock's aide knew exactly what was going on. Was he the only one that hadn't had a clue? "Is this channel secure?"

"No." There was a long silence. Then Sovar came on again. "We are beaming down."

The communicator went dead. A few minutes later, a familiar sparkle filled the chamber. Sovar, T'Clev, and Doctor Carpenter appeared.

T'Clev looked around the chamber. "Captain Spock?"

Kerr nodded toward the tunnel and said, "He and the Commander are pretty much indisposed."

T'Clev gave him a sympathetic look. "This is unfortunate." She shared a look with Sovar. "But not unanticipated."

"And damned hard to explain," Carpenter complained as she headed toward the tunnel. Sovar made a motion to stop her and she scowled at him. "If someone had told me what was going on, we might not be having this conversation now."

"The commander knew," Sovar said firmly. "She is CMO. If she did not see fit to inform you, I'm afraid it was not my place to do so."

Carpenter glared at him, and T'Clev said smoothly. "If this had gone as planned, there would have been no reason for your involvement. The commander would have been in a position to play a medical role if necessary. She was never intended to be a direct participant."

Carpenter nodded. "Fine. We had this argument the first time you told me. I'm just annoyed as hell." She pulled out her tricorder.