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Title: An Understanding Author: Cherpring (October 2003) Pairing: MU Spock/Chapel/Kirk Rating: NC-17 for graphic sexual and borderline non-consensual sexual content Summary: How it may have been in the Mirror Universe Disclaimer: The Star Trek characters are property of Paramount Studios, Inc. No infringement of any existing copyright is intended or any profit realized or expected. ------------------------------------------ Lieutenant Christine Chapel came awake slowly, drifting pleasantly for a time in that dream state between total oblivion and consciousness. Gradually she became aware of the warmth along her back, buttocks, and thighs and a long masculine arm draped limply over her waist. Without opening her eyes she smiled, remembering the earlier events of the evening. It had been such a...surprise, for want of a better description. She would not have thought him capable of such consideration, such tenderness in his passion. Before tonight she'd never really given much credence to the rumors and had dismissed them as hearsay and unsubstantiated. Yet, still there was doubt. But now...now she knew the truth, at least a part of it and it didn't frighten her. No, it didn't frighten her at all. Slowly, Chapel opened her eyes. Lying on her side, she stared past the partition separating the sleeping alcove from the rest of his quarters. It was dark, but she could just make out the remnants of their meal and a half-full bottle of Altairan wine on the table next to their empty glasses. Yes, quite a surprise. He had pursued her with such a single-minded determination that it had threatened to cloud her own judgement, to lead her down a path she dare not take. But she wasn't sorry for tonight. How could she be? She had wanted this, had planned it in her mind a hundred times. It was just that his reaction to her had been so...unexpected. She took a deep breath and let it out in a quiet sigh, stretching carefully so as not to awaken her bed partner. But it was too late. The arm around her waist tightened and pulled her closer. Warm lips accompanied by even warmer breath found the spot between her shoulder blades a moment later. They worked slowly across one shoulder and up to her neck where they lingered for a time, pressing against the soft, white column of her throat. She felt his teeth graze the tender flesh, nipping lightly here and there, then moving away to clasp her earlobe. He sucked on it, drawing it into his mouth and caressed it with quick flicks of his tongue reminiscent of other, more intense pleasures he had given her earlier. She moaned and twisted back slightly tilting her head and those warm lips found their way on to hers, moving softly, teasingly. When his tongue snaked out she opened her mouth obligingly, inviting him in. The extraordinary heat of that tongue and the coppery, alien flavor of him excited her profoundly: so unlike any man she'd ever known. Biologically, the differences were only minor in the larger scheme of things, but they were enough on this level of intimacy to make her heart race within her chest and her limbs tremble with the wanting. He deepened the kiss and slid his hand up to cup one breast. Kneading it against his palm, he then brushed his thumb roughly across her quickly hardening nipple and his mouth seemed to suddenly devour her. A white-hot flame of need jolted through her and she gasped, sucking his breath into her lungs. She wondered distractedly if it was her need or his that ached so sweetly in that deepest part of herself. It didn't matter. Nothing really mattered as long as he kept doing what he was doing. He broke the kiss and returned to the round curve of her ear where he traced it with his tongue, then nuzzled into her hair. He worked his other arm up underneath her and reached around to grasp her other breast. With a long, low sigh he pulled her against his chest, mashing her breasts beneath his palms almost painfully. But even the pain was exquisite as her arousal rose up within her with incredible speed and made her breath catch in her throat. This, too, was different. Chapel had never experienced the kind of passion this man could coax from her with so little effort. Part of it, she knew, was the Altairan wine they had had with dinner. It was known to contain certain chemical properties that produced an aphrodisiac effect in a few humanoid species, Humans and Vulcans among them. But the effects were usually mild and easily controlled, and the wine would have long ago metabolized out of her system. No, this passion was something entirely different. And it scared her a little. The bed moved slightly as he shifted his weight behind her and pushed his hips forward. The impossible heat of his erection nudged into the cleft of her buttocks as he ground into her, creating a delicious friction. He repeated this act several times, eliciting a soft, pleading cry from her. "Spock, please..." Chapel arched her back sharply and pushed into him. She heard him inhale deeply, then his whisper coming in a low, husky rush of air against her ear. "Lovely." Spock's right hand abandoned her breast and trailed an agonizingly slow caress down the firm expanse of white skin, past ribs, belly, and finally to the juncture between her thighs. He explored for a moment, then pushed one long, tapered finger past the folds of her sex and entered her with ease. She whimpered, torn between impaling herself upon that finger and the hard column of flesh pressed into her buttocks. He sucked in another breath, then murmured with just a trace of wonderment in his voice. "You are so wet here." He moved the finger in and out of her, then joined it with a second. "Yes, so wet...so ready for me." The deep, rough rumble of his baritone latched onto her auditory nerve and seemed to sing down her spine. Chapel moaned, unable to contain the instinctive urge to move, to writhe against the welcome intrusion inside her. Spock allowed it for a few moments, then pulled his fingers out, coated with the silken evidence of her arousal and his own fluids from earlier in the night. He moved his hand slightly higher and began stroking her in a precise, deliberate rhythm, his fingertips finding the hard nub unerringly. "Does this please you, Christine?" "Yes!" she hissed between her teeth and raised her leg invitingly, again pushing back against him. "You please me, Christine. Very much." She groaned as his hand suddenly ceased its ministrations and moved to grasp her thigh just above her knee, holding her open. He adjusted his position then she felt the ridged head of his engorged penis slide past her anus, straining toward her slick entrance. She arched her back deeply, presenting herself, and reached down to guide him. He gasped at her touch and for an instant there was a small measure of delightful pain as her tender flesh stretched taut to accommodate him. Then, with a quick thrust of his hips, Spock was suddenly inside, his long, thick member buried not quite all the way but filling her completely. They both shuddered as her thigh came to rest on top of his and his arm tightened across her pelvis to hold her hard and still for a long moment as the pleasure of this initial penetration settled over them. "Christine..." His lips trailed down to her neck again and her head fell back to give him easy access. "Beautiful Christine..." His teeth grazed the flesh, then suddenly bit down. "Oh, God..." Spock was moving, thrusting into her in a steady ancient rhythm, the feel of him gliding in and out blanking her mind to all else, even the pain of his teeth still clasped at her neck. Chapel's eyes fluttered closed as she moaned and began moving her hips against his, matching him stroke for stroke. Her hand went to her sex, her fingers sliding down the slick path to circle around as much of the hard shaft as she could as he moved. Spock groaned loud and deep, his teeth releasing her as he began pumping into her with more speed and ferocity. Small grunts escaped his lips with his efforts and Chapel's own breath came in quiet, inarticulate cries as she lost herself to the intense pleasure coursing through her body. As he thrust, he brought his hand back to her and batted her hand out of the way then his fingers were manipulating her once again. It was too much. Almost instantly she was teetering on the edge of exquisite release. "Yes, Spock! Please..." Alone! Spock had abruptly withdrawn from her, leaving her aching and empty and she cried out in protest. Panting and confused, she rolled onto her back and looked up to find Spock settling back on his heels at the foot of the bed. His hands gripped his muscular thighs and his erection jutted up predominantly between them---slick in the faint light---every thick vein etched sharply on the surface. Her gaze traveled higher and she saw he was flushed, his lips parted as he breathed heavily, his expression dark and intent. His gaze swept over her and she shivered in arousal and anticipation. Against the blood red draperies of his sleeping alcove and in the near dark, he looked for all the universe like the devil incarnate. The image caused her to suck in her breath as a thrill passed through her. She raised her knees slightly and spread her thighs wider, exposing herself to his eyes as she reached to touch herself. Her voice was a low, sultry whisper. "Come back to me, Spock." Spock watched her fingers disappear between the dark pink folds of her labia, wet and glistening in the flickering light cast by the ancient firepot. With her other hand she cupped one breast, then pinched and rolled the nipple between her thumb and forefinger. He reached reflexively for his penis and began stroking himself lightly. For several long moments he watched her pleasure herself as he did the same, his eyes fixed on her as his respiration came faster, harsher. Then a small smile touched his lips and his dark eyes found hers. "I had not expected such a temptress." He released himself and lowered onto all fours to crawl slowly up the bed between her thighs. When he was hovering over her he bent his lips to hers, but didn't allow his body to make contact. "But however sweet your charms," he whispered against her lips, "I have no wish for this to end so quickly." Chapel wound her arms around his neck, urging him back down onto her, but he resisted. She needed him inside her again. "Spock, Please, I want---" He silenced her with a kiss, his lips moving over hers languidly, soft, dry, hot on her cool mouth. He reached around his neck and found her hand with his and pulled it to his chest, nestling her palm against the crisp, dark hair there. He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes. "Touch me," he commanded quietly. Chapel gave him a teasing smile. "Are you sure? We wouldn't want this to end too quickly." But there was no humor in his eyes now. Balancing on one arm, he pressed his hand over hers and guided it downward to his engorged cock. "Touch me," he repeated, the deep timbre of his voice rougher than before, more insistent. Chapel complied, unable to tear her gaze from his. She curled her fingers around his cock and squeezed hard, then loosened her grip and stroked him lightly up the shaft to the head and back down again. She did this several times, watching his face, seeing the stern set of his mouth relax slightly and become softer. After a moment she slid her hand lower and cupped the pendulous sac just below the base of his penis, hefting the weight of his testicles gently in her hand. Spock sighed and closed his eyes, holding himself very still. Chapel noted his scrotum was quite heavy and cooler than the rest of him as she gently caressed him, feeling his testicles move within the sac, a strange sensation in the palm of her hand. After a moment she released him and experimentally stretched her fingers to touch that short, sensitive line of flesh between his scrotum and anus. Spock shuddered as the barest tips of her fingernails scratched and massaged the area lightly. Chapel saw his face contort in a grimace of pleasure. "Do you like my touch, Spock?" "Yes," he answered in a harsh whisper. Chapel smiled as she massaged him very lightly for a moment, then moved to the tight ring of muscle beyond. She pressed against it and Spock groaned. Chapel pulled his head down and kissed him hard then quickly moved her mouth to press her lips to his ear. �You like that, too, don't you?" she whispered silkily. Spock didn't answer and she pressed harder, just barely pushing one fingertip inside him. It elicited another deep groan. "Don�t you?" "Yes!" Chapel smiled and traced the curve of his ear with her tongue, pausing to swirl it over the tip, then back down again. "Would you like me to continue?" She pressed her finger in deeper and felt his muscles clench against the invasion, then he took a deep breath and his body slightly relaxed. "Yes." His answer was quieter, but his respiration had quickened, become more ragged against her throat. He pulled his head up to look at her. His expression, usually devoid of any overt emotion, was now openly hungry, intense with his passion. His lips parted as she pushed her finger in then pulled out, then in again in rapid succession. She did this several times as she took his penis in her other hand and began stroking him. He became incredibly hard, his breath now panting. His eyes never left hers as he licked his lips. "Make me come, Christine." Chapel gave him a small, breathy laugh. She pushed in deeper, found and pressed the small nodule of the sensitive gland inside. Spock grunted and his cock twitched in her hand. "Oh, I'll make you come all right, lover. But not before I make you burn like your Vulcan suns. Then..." her smile widened and became almost wicked, �Then it's my turn." Chapel kissed him, plunging her tongue into the hot recesses of his mouth hungrily. Still kissing him, she slowly removed her hands from his genitals and brought them up to his shoulders. She pushed on them, forcing him back. Groaning loudly in protest, Spock reached for her hands, but she evaded him. Never once taking her mouth from his, she rose up, urging him up on his knees as she knelt with him. She molded her body to his, wrapping her arms around his waist to hug his back. She held him tightly, reveling in the feel of his erection trapped between them and the play of his smooth skin over muscle beneath her hands. Spock grasped her head in his hands, tangling his fingers in the silken strands of her hair. His mouth bore down on hers in a rough hot kiss, his tongue searching and finding hers as his hands held her head immobile. Chapel knew her lips would be swollen and tender later, but she didn't care. She was suddenly on fire for this man and would do anything to bring him pleasure. Their kisses became wild and open mouthed. She captured his tongue and sucked on it hard, then began to glide her lips back and forth over the slick surface mimicking another, more carnal act. Spock broke the kiss and pulled back to stare at her, then his eyes fixed on her lush and slightly swollen mouth. He slid one hand from her head and traced her lips lightly with the tip of his fingers. "Such a beautiful mouth...cool and soft." His gaze met hers again and the volume and timbre of his voice dropped lower. "Take me into your mouth, Christine. Let me know that sweet coolness around me." Chapel stared at him a moment longer then smiled very slowly. She leaned forward and just barely touched her lips to his. "If it is what you desire, Spock." "It is." Chapel kissed him lightly then let her lips travel down to his throat. Spock again took her head in both hands and she allowed him to guide her lower to his chest. There, she found one hard, male nipple and brought her lips around it, just lightly touching it with her tongue, then moved to the other and did the same. More gentle pressure from Spock and she moved lower, letting her lips and tongue leave a cool, wet trail on his skin. Her hands slid up the inside of his thighs, but she was careful not to touch his genitals...not yet. She came upon his umbilicus and she darted her tongue into the soft depression. Spock moaned as his abdominal muscles jumped and quivered. His hands tightened, pulling on her hair almost painfully, and he was once again urging her down. His erection stood hard and proud between his thighs and Chapel took a moment to inhale deeply, taking in his scent through mouth and nose. It was so powerfully male it almost took her breath away and she felt a new rush of wetness between her legs. And, suddenly, she could wait no longer. She curled her fingers around the base of his cock and guided the head to her open and eager mouth. She didn't attempt to tease or prolong, but pulled him in with a powerful suction. Spock groaned and with her free hand she fondled his scrotum a moment, then withdrew. She touched herself, coating her fingers with the wetness there, and immediately returned to slide one finger to his anus. She pushed inside as she had done earlier, seeking and finding the sensitive gland beneath the smooth wall of tissue, and massaged gently. Spock's head snapped back and his eyes squeezed shut, oblivious he had spoken in the harsh, glottal language of his home world. His hands tightened to fists around the long, golden tresses that filled them and he bucked his hips forward with a low, guttural growl. Taken off guard by the intensity of his reaction, Chapel almost gagged as Spock shoved his cock in deep and pushed against the back of her throat. For an instant she couldn't breathe and felt a flutter of panic, then she managed to pull back slightly and take a deep breath through her nose. Tears stung her eyes as Spock's hands gripped her hair so tightly he threatened to tear it from the root. She gave a muffled cry, and immediately Spock's grip loosened. But he did not release her. Instead, he pulled back a little and became still, allowing her to recover. Chapel took several deep breaths, and after a few moments, slowly began to caress the large, spongy head with her tongue. She swirled it over the prominent ridges and again applied suction, much more gently this time, as she started moving her head back and forth, letting his cock glide easily between her lips and teeth. Spock groaned and again said something in Vulcan she didn't understand, and began rocking his pelvis in the rhythm she established. His hands never left her head, but instead of pulling on her hair, he now caressed her scalp with his fingers as he helped guide her movements. Chapel felt her arousal quickly returning, then soaring higher as the sounds of Spock's small grunts and moans of satisfaction filled the quiet room and added to the ache between her thighs. A deep, burning tingle began to build and swiftly coursed through her, culminating between the wet folds of her vagina. Without warning, there was a small clench and jump within her and she experience a quick, intense orgasm that left her sex throbbing in it's wake. She moaned around the hot maleness in her mouth and suddenly wanted to devour Spock whole. She worked her finger back and forth, fucking his ass, caressing his prostate each time she slid past it and increased the speed and suction of her mouth. She was almost frantic for the taste of him now, wanting... needing to feel the hot liquid of his release against the back of her throat. After a few moments of zealous effort, Spock's penis became incredibly hard and she knew his release was imminent. He was groaning almost continuously now above her, an occasional word in Vulcan hissing through his teeth as he, too, picked up the pace. She wanted to look up and see his face, but was loath to release him even just a little to accomplish that act. Instead she worked him harder against the roof of her mouth, and with her hand added a pumping motion, encircling that part of his penis she couldn't fully accommodate with her mouth. A long, low growl issued from Spock's throat and he thrust deep, then tensed and shuddered. Within seconds he erupted in orgasm, his ejaculate hot and thick and tasting faintly of copper mixed with salt. It pumped out of him in small geysers with each involuntary tensing of his cock and Chapel hummed her pleasure around him and swallowed greedily. Finally, when he had no more to give and began to soften, she released him. His partially deflated member slipped from her lips and sagged. Even the sight of him starting to go limp in the aftermath of his orgasm aroused her and she bent forward and placed a tender, light kiss on the head of his penis. Spock sighed deeply and grasped her upper arms, pulling her up the length of his body into an embrace. His strong arms held her tightly as he kissed her, his mouth gentle now as he sought out his own taste within the soft sweetness of hers. "I see you've become better acquainted with our new Head Nurse, Commander Spock. 'Head' being the operative word here." At the sound of the unfamiliar male voice, Chapel's entire body tensed and she broke away from Spock's kiss with a startled gasp. Her head snapped around and she saw a figure outlined in the doorway between the main living area and the sleeping alcove. He was leaning against the partition, arms crossed over his chest. In the partial darkness, she couldn't identify him. How long had he been there, watching? If Spock had seen or heard him, he gave no indication. And this alarmed her almost as much as the other's presence. Even caught up in the throes of passion, a Vulcan would have noticed. The man laughed at his own bad joke. "Holding out on me, Commander?" Chapel turned to look at Spock, who was staring at the intruder with an impassive, almost blank expression. He kept his arms around her, partially covering their nudity, but there was no fear, no outrage or indignation at this intrusion into a very private moment. It was almost as if the Vulcan had half expected it, was resigned to it. "That was not my intention," he answered at last, his voice even, conversational. "Merely a temporary oversight." The man pushed away from the partition with a shrug. His hands went to the sash at the waist of his uniform and began to untie it. "In that case, you won't mind sharing her with me tonight, will you?" His voice was soft, but there was an undercurrent of a challenge in his tone...and command. As he spoke, he dropped the sash, then released the seam of his sleeveless tunic and shrugged out of it. "After all, it is my right." He moved toward the bed and let the tunic fall to the deck. "And I always exercise my rights, Spock. You, of all people, should know that by now." The man paused as he came to stand by the edge of the bed. He reached out and grasped Chapel's chin in a firm grip as he commanded, "Computer, lights. One quarter illumination." Chapel stiffened at his touch, grateful for Spock's arms still around her, yet fairly certain now they would offer her little comfort. "Let's get a closer look at what we have here." The lights came up obediently to a soft glow and, although Chapel already strongly suspected, she now recognized clearly the legendary man she had seen a hundred times in holovid images. This was Captain James T. Kirk, Commander of the Emperor's flagship and the most powerful captain in the 'Fleet. In her very short time on the Enterprise she had not yet had an opportunity to meet him. He was shorter than she'd imagined, but powerfully built. The pectoral muscles of his hairless chest were sculpted in graceful relief, and although compact in stature, there was not an ounce of excessive flesh on him. Chapel swallowed hard. He was legendary for many reasons, his sexual appetites among them. Kirk jerked Chapel's chin one way, then another as he studied her features, his hazel eyes missing nothing as he gazed briefly into hers, then swept over what could be seen of her slender body. "Incredible eyes...and a nice, full mouth. Talented, as well, if your reaction is any indication,� Kirk smiled. �You did well to rescue this one from McCoy's attentions, Spock. It would have been such a waste to let her fall into the hands of that drunken bastard. Besides, I dislike the way he uses drugs to get what he wants from a woman. I can't abide addicts." He dropped his hand and his smile became feral. "I much prefer a partner who is aware of what is going on, whose fire is genuine." "Indeed, Captain," Spock replied dryly. "As for McCoy, you have only to command it at any time and I will gladly snap his neck." Kirk laughed quietly and shook his head. "I understand how you must hate him, Spock, I really do. If he had taken from me what he took from you, I would have gutted him on the spot. But I still need McCoy. He has his uses. Make no mistake, when that usefulness comes to an end, then you have my permission to take him apart...with your bare hands if you wish. Not before." Chapel held completely still, stunned by the seemingly casual conversation taking place between the two officers as if she weren't even there. Apprehension tightened in the pit of her stomach and she fought down the impulse to tear herself away from Spock and run. She had been prepared for several possible scenarios, but this wasn't one of them. What had happened to the considerate, passionate lover she had known just minutes before? She had thought it was genuine. Now, the rumors came back to haunt her. "Spock?" She turned her gaze on the Vulcan. He suddenly seemed completely alien to her, no trace of Humanity in him at all. Spock's eyes met hers, their depths revealing nothing. Finally, he sighed. "He is the Captain, Christine. What is mine is also his. I cannot deny him that. In time you will come to understand." "I thought...I felt..." Chapel stammered. Spock brought two fingers to her lips to silence her. "You will not be harmed, I assure you. You need only�cooperate." He cocked his head and raised one brow to look at her curiously. "You are an intelligent woman. You must have anticipated what would be expected of you when you transferred to a combat vessel," he said reasonably. "No woman goes unclaimed for long. As I have no woman at present, I am claiming you for myself." He paused and slid his fingers to her cheek and caressed it lightly. "You must realize it could be worse. Much worse. I could have left you to fend for yourself in Sickbay, to deal with the attentions of McCoy. He would break you inside a month, then pass you around to M'Benga and others, anyone who could do him a favor. Do you want that?" Chapel couldn't answer, but shook her head. She knew Spock was probably right. In the short time she had had to deal with the CMO of this vessel she had come to know first hand the doctor's streak of cruelty and sadism. McCoy had nearly managed to rape her on just her second day on duty. Fortunately, a red alert and ensuing battle had saved her that humiliation. Afterwards she had been much more cautious around him, making sure they were never in a secluded area and never alone. And when Spock began to show her attention, she more than welcomed it, had hoped for it. Spock could protect her in a way no one else could. Save one man: Kirk. Chapel blinked, realizing Spock was speaking again and her mind raced to catch up with what he was saying. "When I first saw you when you beamed onboard, I knew I could not allow McCoy to have you." Spock's eyes moved from her to Kirk. "Nor any other man, for that matter." The Captain merely smiled coolly, maintaining his silence. Suddenly, Spock leaned in and kissed her roughly, as if to assert his ownership of her. After a long moment he pulled back and his eyes went to Kirk once more and held his gaze. Something unspoken was exchanged between the two men in that moment and, finally, Kirk nodded almost imperceptibly. Spock said nothing, but seemed to relax somewhat and looked at Chapel again. Chapel shuddered, feeling the will and intensity behind the dark, obsidian depths of his gaze. "The Captain is correct. Your beauty will eventually destroy you without the right protection. I am offering that protection to you now, Christine. In exchange, I require certain duties from you. If you continue to please me, as you have done so admirably tonight, I will keep you. As the First Officer's Woman you will enjoy many privileges that would not otherwise be offered." Spock paused, his expression changing subtly, becoming harder, more resolute. "However, I must caution you...if you challenge my authority, or displease me in any way, I will not hesitate to leave you to the mercies of the crew...and McCoy would be the least of your concerns," Spock promised ominously. "This is a battle-hardened, frontline starship, Christine. Not a Terran hospital or research facility. You will find none of the niceties you may be accustomed to here, or on any other ship in the 'Fleet. Do you understand?" Chapel swallowed, attempting to wet a throat gone suddenly dry as hard reality clashed with what she knew now were her naive expectations of this mission. "Yes," she answered quietly. "I understand." Spock's features relaxed and a small smile touched his lips. It looked incongruous on his dark, bearded features and she suddenly wanted it to be gone from his face. "Good. It gratifies me to see I was not mistaken about your character and intelligence. You have made the most logical choice." Spock reached up with both hands and combed his fingers through her long, thick hair, pulling it over her shoulders to partially cover her breasts. Chapel's generous, rose hued nipples peeked out through the fine tresses in deep contrast to the spun gold. A pulse of arousal coursed through him and he felt his cock give an anticipatory twitch. Chapel's coloring had been the first thing that attracted Spock to her, almost from the first moment she had materialized on the transporter platform. He had always had a weakness for the blonde beauty of certain human females, so unlike the dark, ebony haired women of his own race. Vulcan females held none of the fascination for him that these pale creatures did. No doubt a weakness he inherited from his father, he thought sardonically. And Chapel was tall and slender as well, with generous breasts and hips, accentuating her narrow waistline. It was a combination he found physically very attractive and irresistibly erotic. Although he had admittedly enjoyed the dark beauty of Marlena in the past when the Captain had insisted on his participation in their sex games, she did not excite him the way this cool blonde beauty did. Spock suppressed a sigh. He was loath to share Chapel with Kirk so soon. It went against the very core of his Vulcan nature. Vulcan males did not share their females. And there was still so much to learn about Chapel, so much he wanted to intimately explore for the first time alone. Not only her well-formed body, but also her mind, which he had yet to even touch. He had scanned her records, of course, discovered she was intelligent and well educated, and came from a prominent Terran family. A second cousin was a highly placed member of the Royal Court, and she had once been betrothed to the renowned Doctor Roger Korby before he was reported lost. The fact that she found him, a non-Terran and only half human, acceptable as a lover added to his attraction to her. Not only would he enjoy the pleasure of her body, she would enhance his status among the crew and, more importantly, among the 'Fleet itself. But Kirk waited, and he couldn't ignore the desires of his captain. Kirk was the type of man who took what he wanted and Spock had no wish to antagonize him, for Chapel's sake as well as his own. He had experienced the human's wrath on a few occasions in the past, had himself been raped by Kirk two years earlier when he had resisted his sexual overtures shortly after Pike's death. It was a trauma he would prefer to protect Chapel from, even if it meant participating in her seduction. Much had happened since then and the two men had reached...an understanding. In spite of everything, they were well matched, both on the bridge and in the privacy of quarters. They watched each other's back, protected each other from enemies, on the ship and without. Each held a grudging respect and admiration for the other�s intellect and abilities resulting in a cohesiveness of command that made the Enterprise the most formidable and feared warship in the 'Fleet. Spock glanced at Kirk now and knew it would be illogical---and dangerous---to procrastinate against the inevitable. Kirk was anxious to have Chapel---he could see it in the taut lines of his body, in the human's eyes as he looked at her. Spock's unspoken challenge earlier had been meant only to let Kirk know he did not consider Chapel just another crew woman to be broken in, but one he intended to keep as his own, as his Woman, and thus he would demand a measure of respect for her. Kirk's tacit acknowledgement had been a relief. But Spock knew he would help Kirk seduce Chapel if need be, would enjoy it in spite of his misgivings. These thoughts processed through Spock's mind in a matter of seconds. He brushed his thumbs across Chapel's nipples and studied the expression in her almost startling blue eyes. They were wary but calm as they watched his face. Good. She appeared to accept what was about to happen, although her earlier passion had decidedly cooled. No matter. He and Kirk would bring it back to the fore very shortly. He turned to the captain. "Captain, I present Lieutenant Christine Chapel, our newly assigned Head Nurse...and First Officer's Woman." Kirk said nothing as he reached down and pulled off his boots. The thud as each hit the deck caused Chapel to jump involuntarily and he smiled. He knew Spock would come around. He always did. That powerful, alien mind was nothing if not logical. But there had been a moment---brief though it was--- when he had thought the Vulcan might actually challenge him over this woman. Spock's behavior both amused and unsettled him. He would have to use some restraint where Chapel was concerned. He could see that. But the woman wasn't the real issue here. Power was the issue. His power over Spock. And Kirk couldn't allow the smallest threat to that power. He would take Spock's new Woman, as he took all women who came aboard his ship, and he would enjoy doing it. Kirk's gaze raked over Chapel. Not to his tastes, exactly, but she was quite attractive. Her performance earlier as he stood silently in the shadows and watched her go down on Spock had excited him immensely and brought his cock to rock hardness. It was all he could do to just stand there and watch as Spock writhed and thrust into her eager mouth, calling out to his ancestors in his harsh, glottal tongue. Spock had known he was there, of course, and perhaps this added to the Vulcan's excitement. But he had seldom seen Spock react like that and the sight of that raw, animalistic passion stirred something deep within him. Kirk now wanted this woman; wanted to feel her lips around him, wanted to pound himself into her until he covered her in his come. Just the memory of what he had seen brought his excitement roaring back to him. Kirk reached to open the seal on the front of his pants and peeled them off, followed quickly by his skivvies and socks. He was naked as he approached the bed, his erection standing out stiff in front of him. He grasped it and stroked himself lightly. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," he said huskily. He reached out with his free hand, caught her chin once again and pulled her face towards his. So, this was how it was to be, Chapel thought in resignation. She had worked hard for her station in life, to be aboard this ship, and there was no room for the luxury of hurt feelings. As Spock had said, the Enterprise was a ship of the line, not a Terran hospital or research facility. Things were very different here--- very different. This assignment had been her choice and she would make the most of it. She had to. Chapel looked into the hazel eyes of her commanding officer as Kirk's face moved closer to hers. "Captain," she whispered softly. Kirk smiled and slipped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her to him. Chapel didn't resist as his mouth came down on hers and his tongue darted between her lips and slid inside. Kirk immediately recognized the taste of Spock's come mingled with her own sweet flavor and another jolt of intense arousal swept through him. This was going to be good, very good. He would take his time. Chapel was surprised and relieved by the gentleness of Kirk's kiss. She hadn't expected that. His lips moved leisurely over hers and his tongue probed within her mouth as if he were savoring the taste of her, like a favorite food or drink. She felt Spock ease away as Kirk's hands grasped her shoulders and pulled her around to face him fully. She still knelt on the bed with Kirk standing next to it, giving him the advantage of height in that position. His hands slipped from her shoulders to her back and he pulled her tight against his chest as he deepened the kiss. In spite of the circumstances, Chapel felt herself begin to respond. Her breasts flattened against Kirk's smooth chest, slightly moist with perspiration from the higher heat of Spock's cabin, and when he shifted, the movement caused friction across her nipples as he slid his hands down her back to cup her buttocks. He held her firmly and ground his pelvis forward, his erection hard and insistent where it pressed against the cleft of her sex. Working his hips slowly, he massaged her clit with the column of his cock and Chapel sighed into his mouth, a quick, unexpected surge of heat coursing through her. Kirk continued to stroke himself against her for a moment, then released his tight hold and pulled back slightly, breaking the kiss. He grasped her breasts firmly and began to knead them against his palms, brushing the pads of his thumbs across her nipples as Spock had done earlier. His lips were still wet from their kiss and slightly parted as his breath came faster. Chapel realized, for the first time perhaps, that Kirk was an attractive man--- almost too attractive. His eyes stared into hers, their pupils large and dark with arousal, then shifted to gaze over her shoulder. Chapel knew he was looking at Spock. She could feel the heat of the Vulcan's presence directly behind her now as the bed shifted with his weight and he moved closer. Her pulse quickened as that alien heat preceded his body and warmed her spine. She swallowed reflexively and tried to slow the beat of her heart. She had had numerous lovers---some none too gentle--- and had few inhibitions. But this�this was beyond her experience. She shivered in anticipation. It was immediately evident Spock had recovered from their earlier bout of passion as the end of his hardened penis tapped against her buttocks as he edged closer. He gently gathered her hair in his large hands, then pulled it back and to one side. When at last he pressed his body fully against her and his mouth came down on the apex of her shoulder and neck, her lips opened in a quiet sigh. She swayed backwards, welcoming his heat and the feel of his feverish lips upon her skin. He slid his hands along her sides then around to the top of her hips and rested them there on the bones that jutted slightly. Just as he did, Kirk moved down and took one nipple into his mouth. Chapel gasped, then moaned softly, unable to suppress it as Kirk's tongue swirled over her quickly hardening flesh, then sucked on it, pulling it fully into his mouth. Spock trailed his lips to her ear, his hot breath stirring the fine hairs there in a mild tickling sensation. He pressed a kiss against the curve of her ear. "Yes, lean back against me, Christine," he commanded quietly. Chapel did as he asked and closed her eyes. Her head fell back to rest on his shoulder and she willed herself to relax. Spock reached up then to trace two fingers across her brow and down her temple, repeating the gesture soothingly over and over again. Years of discipline took control of her mind and Chapel reached deep within herself to release that last vestige of fear that threatened to swallow her whole. No physical harm would come to her. Spock had said as much and she believed him, could feel it in his touch. He would guide her through this, protect her from any excesses or injury. Somehow, she knew this with absolute certainty and trust. Resignation at last settled in and calmness replaced the fear. And with the calmness came something else...a slow, deep burning between her thighs. Spock removed his fingers from Chapel's brow, surprised and pleased with what the quick, superficial meld had yielded to him. He had done it primarily to calm her fear, to arouse her sexually and ease the way for Kirk, and thus ultimately for her. But he had glimpsed a strong mind---trained and well ordered--- and this delighted and excited him almost as much as her body. Chapel had not needed him to find calm. She had found it within herself before he could even touch that part of her. His last Woman, although in some respects more physically beautiful than Christine, had been a vain and insipid creature, totally involved in her own petty ambitions. After his initial exploration, any forays into her mind had been brief, and then only to stimulate her into a sexual heat in order to enhance her performance and as a consequence, his own pleasure. There were times when she exhausted his patience and he would lose control and strike her. In hindsight, it was small wonder she had fallen prey to McCoy's inducements and political maneuverings. In the end it had left her dead, a burned out junkie with a hypospray clutched in her hand. That would not happen with this woman. He already knew Chapel was different: strong, resilient, perhaps in some ways his equal. This woman could prove to be a true match for him, someone to share in his accomplishments and soften the brutality of his existence. In the brief meld he also sensed her trust in him and something else, something he could not quite identify. It was too intertwined in her feelings of sexual desire for him and the excitement that his touch aroused in her without the need of mental manipulation. And, suddenly, Spock knew he would kill any man who tried to take her from him. Any man. He would allow Kirk the occasional possession of her body as the need dictated, but not her mind, her 'soul'. That right he would reserve only for himself. Spock cradled Chapel against him and watched as Kirk moved his mouth from one breast to the other, his lips and tongue teasing and pulling on the dark pink flesh of her nipple. As he did, Kirk slipped one hand down her body, his fingers grazing Spock's as they slid past to reach further down, between Chapel's thighs and the soft outer lips of her sex. As was the custom among Terran females of Christine�s class and heritage they were smooth and free of all but a thin center line of dark gold hair. Kirk pulled on them, stroking them, avoiding the hard nub of flesh nestled between. Chapel moaned and thrust her pelvis forward slightly. Spock felt a stab of jealousy and possessiveness, but also a lightening jolt of sexual excitement. His cock stiffened with her reaction and he pushed his hips into her, forcing his cock between the soft cleft of her buttocks. Kirk felt it and raised his head from Chapel's breasts to stare into the Vulcan's eyes. The expression on Kirk's face was intense, almost angry as he breathed heavily through his mouth. Then his lips pulled into a soft smile. "Hold her, Spock." At Kirk's words, Chapel tensed against him. Spock knew what Kirk wanted. He had played this game with him before with Marlena, with others. He said nothing, merely nodded slightly and placed his lips close to Chapel's ear. "Calm," he whispered to her. "No harm will come to you." Spock's quiet reassurance soothed Chapel and dispelled the momentary surge of panic she'd felt at Kirk's command. But the fear also heightened her senses, and as Spock slid his hands from her hips to the inside of her thighs, she felt herself shudder as he pressed them there, opening her more fully. Kirk lowered his head once again to her breasts and his fingers resumed their manipulation. She sighed and closed her eyes, caught up in the delicious feeling of growing sexual arousal beginning to hum along her nerve endings. After a moment, Kirk trailed his lips down her body, pausing to push his tongue into her navel. As he did, he slipped two fingers along her slick passage and pushed them inside. Chapel gasped and opened her eyes and found him kneeling beside the bed in front of her. Some instinct made her reach out and comb her fingers through the silken hair in an almost tender caress. Kirk looked up briefly and grinned, and in that moment, she was caught by the boyish charm of this man, the mischievous glint in the luminous hazel eyes, and could almost forget who and what he was. Kirk broke eye contact with her and dipped his head to kiss the firm, smooth flesh of her belly. He began working his fingers in and out of her, his thumb massaging the hard nub of her clit with each stroke. Chapel's fingers closed reflexively in his hair and she held him there, trembling. Without warning, Spock suddenly leaned back onto his heels and pulled her back with him. His strong hands forced her thighs even farther apart as he pulled her up higher against him, positioning her atop his muscular thighs so that she was straddling his hips. The action released his cock to slide past her buttocks to push hot and insistent against her opening. She felt it throb against her sensitive portal just as Kirk removed his fingers to grasp Spock�s penis and guide it into her, then lowered his mouth. It happened quickly and Chapel cried out in surprise then went rigid with the intensity of sensations crashing down on her. Spock quickly thrust again, burying himself more completely as Kirk's tongue began to work and push against her. Her eyes lost focus and she heard herself whimper, then softly cry out with each successive thrust from behind, each stroke of that marvelous tongue. She abandoned herself to the wave upon wave of exquisite pleasure and began to rock her hips in rhythm against the dual assault to her senses. Behind her, Spock groaned loudly as Kirk reached one hand to fondle his balls, his tongue momentarily abandoning the female flesh to caress the working shaft thrusting before him, before returning hungrily to the soft folds above. The Vulcan abruptly picked up his pace, pounding into her, then pulling back until the ridges of his shaft just touched the inner lips of her sex, before he pumped into her again. Kirk's mouth stayed stubbornly in place, his fingers pulling her open even further as he sucked hard to pull her clit fully into his mouth and thrust his tongue against it repeatedly, savagely. It was too much. Chapel felt herself shatter into a thousand pieces as orgasm ripped through her. She heard a scream in the distance...realized it was her. Her inner muscles clenched and released spasmodically, rippling along the steel hardness buried within and she cried out again. Another joined her voice; a deep, rumbling groan as Spock tensed and held her so tightly she couldn't breathe. Suddenly, Kirk was standing in front of her, gripping his throbbing erection in one hand. "Now, Spock," he commanded breathlessly. "I will have her now." Spock did not hesitate. He pulled out of her immediately then quickly flipped her around, pushing her down onto the bed so that she was on all fours, her backside facing Kirk. She felt herself reeling, her cunt still quivering with climax as Spock's hand went to the back of her head and his fist closed around her hair almost painfully. He shoved his cock into her face and she instinctively opened her mouth to accommodate him. She tasted her own tangy flavor on him and hummed deep in her throat as Kirk's hands gripped her hips and he positioned himself behind her. She felt him poised for a split second, then he plunged into her hard, knocking the breath from her lungs. A second orgasm rippled through her, then a third and a fourth in quick succession. Kirk groaned and began to pound into her, his fingers digging into the flesh of her hips as he anchored her to him. Suddenly, Chapel was almost frantic with sexual heat. She arched her back deeply, presenting herself more fully to the incredible friction of Kirk's thrusts, and grasped Spock's swollen cock in her hand. She began pumping him as she reigned kisses on the head, then snaked her tongue out to swirl around it several times, before sucking him back into her mouth. Spock grunted and briefly closed his eyes against the intensity of the sensations Chapel's hand and silken mouth pulled from him. He was already close, very close, yet he held back, wishing to savor the intense excitement of being poised just on the threshold of ejaculation for as long as possible. When he opened his eyes again, he watched as Kirk pulled her buttocks apart and worked his cock into her in quick, deep, mechanical strokes. The captain watched, too, oblivious to anything else around him as his distended shaft disappeared into Chapel's dark pink flesh, only to reappear a split second later, glistening wet, then repeat the action again and again. The sight enflamed both men and pushed Spock closer to the edge. His face twisted in a grimace as he reached to control, to hold back. His gaze went automatically to Kirk's face and he saw his own raw passion reflected there as perspiration gathered on Kirk's chest to trickle down to his groin. As if he sensed his eyes on him, Kirk looked up, started to smile... "Fuck!" Kirk suddenly hissed. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut as he gave one tremendous plunge, burying himself to his balls in the flesh surrounding him. He tensed, shuddered, then with rabbit quick thrusts pumped his come into the now willing receptacle of Chapel's cunt. Chapel moaned around the hard shaft in her mouth, then suddenly released Spock as she threw her head back, crying out at the incredible feel of Kirk's cock rapidly tensing and releasing, the warm, thick liquid of his semen flooding in to her. Lost in an insatiable sexual frenzy, she didn't even notice as Spock pulled back from her. Spock was panting now in his efforts to restrain...to wait, his own body starting to sheen very lightly with sweat. He saw Chapel reach one hand between her thighs and begin to stimulate herself--- head back, lips parted and eyes closed, her face flushed with sexual excitement and framed wildly by her fine, gold hair---and he growled in frustration. Would it never end? He grasped his penis and applied pressure just below the head and watched as a shudder passed through Chapel. He knew she had climaxed yet again and he tightened his grip on his erection, an irrational anger starting to build within him. Kirk groaned as her muscles clutched around him, almost in agony this time. He gave one last, half-hearted thrust, then pulled out of her, his half erect penis softening rapidly as he took a few stumbling steps back and sank into a chair against the bulkhead. Now! Spock thought triumphantly. Before Chapel could react, he grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her farther up in the bed, then pushed her down into her back. He roughly forced open her thighs with his knees as he quickly positioned himself between them. Kirk's semen trickled out of her and the sight incensed him. "S'Dach!" he spat out through clenched teeth. Spock dragged her hips closer, tilting them back as he shoved her legs up and farther apart, exposing her completely. Chapel gasped and her eyes locked with his. They went wide for a brief second, then softened as she smiled at him. She touched herself. "I am yours, Spock," she said softly. "Fuck me." It was as if something chained deep within him suddenly snapped free. Spock growled long and low and plunged into her, sheathing himself in her slick passage until he could go no further. He covered her body with his and felt her wrap her long legs around the small of his back and her arms around his neck as she welcomed him into her embrace. She began to move her hips beneath him and placed her lips close to his ear. "I am yours," Chapel repeated in a whisper, and suddenly realized she meant it. An unexpected tenderness welled up inside her and she held him to her fiercely and kissed his temple. "Take me...possess me. Let me give you this pleasure." At her words Spock moaned and began to move within her in hard, deep calculated thrusts. Her emotions washed over him through the contact of their skin and he groped for the meld points on her face and along her temple. He felt her tense, then gasp as she struggled against him, attempting to shield her mind. His mouth closed over hers and he plunged his tongue inside, even as his mind at last grasped her consciousness. He would make her his---truly his---and no other man would ever know this part of her, this sweet alien tenderness so singular in his emotionally barren life. He reached deeper. Instantly Chapel was unbearably aroused again. She writhed beneath Spock, her mind locked with his in a green haze of heat and lust. This was not just sex, this was possession. She felt a moment of panic, but it was overcome quickly by the need to grind herself against him, to sate the desire that rapidly filled her veins with fire. Spock broke the kiss and buried his head against her shoulder. He groaned and she felt him begin to swell, becoming as hard and unyielding as steel, signaling his imminent release. "Yes, Spock!" she whispered fiercely. "Oh God, please..." Her words trailed off as she lost all coherent thought, caught up completely now in the insistent pounding between her thighs. Unaware, she dug her fingers into his back, her nails piercing through his skin and drawing small pinpricks of dark green blood to the surface. Spock battered into her, abandoning his hold on her meld points as his arms slid underneath and clutched her tightly to him. It was not necessary now. He had her mind firmly held captive, his own a mass of fever and lust as he gave himself over to the instincts of his ancestors. He turned his head and bit into her shoulder as the pressure in his groin began to build in an agony of sweet fire...and still he pounded into her, was unable to do anything else. His breath became ragged, expulsed in deep, animal grunts past his clenched teeth to mingle with the cries of the woman beneath him. More pressure...his mind reeled and grasped for hers. Free fall! An explosion of green mingled with red burst into his mind and his entire body jerked. Spock's hoarse shout as his climax ripped through him drowned out Chapel's more feeble cries as he took her with him over the precipice into an abyss of fire. She clung to him, felt his hot seed flood deep inside her as his cock tensed again and again, felt her muscles clenching hard around him in her own release. Abruptly, Spock pulled out of her and pushed himself trembling to his knees. Hovering over her, he balanced his weight on one arm, then grasped his cock with his free hand and guided it over her belly. Still tensing in ejaculation, hot semen spurted from the end of his penis and splashed down onto her cool skin in shocking contrast. She jumped, then writhed beneath him as one hand went to the thick warm puddle just below her navel. She started to trace her fingers through it, but Spock released his cock and batted her hand aside. "No!" he almost shouted. Still panting, he sat back on his heels and let his gaze sweep over her. Chapel froze...dazed, confused and unsure. Her eyes met Spock's dark, intense stare, and just for a second she felt him stir in her mind. He regarded her for a tense moment through half-lidded eyes, then slowly leaned forward and slid his hands up the inside of her thighs to her belly. There, he ran his hands through his semen and smeared it over her pale, cool skin in a precise and deliberate pattern. He worked his hands over her hips, up to her ribs, then to her breasts as he massaged them, spreading a thin coat of the sticky fluid everywhere he touched. His hands left her breasts and slid higher, to her shoulders and neck, pausing briefly to trace the marks his teeth had made there, and finally to her lips as he cradled her head in his large hands and brushed the pads of his thumbs across them. He bent to taste himself on those lips and kissed her gently. When he pulled back, his eyes locked with hers and she could see the look of triumph and contentment there. "Mine," he whispered. Chapel continued to stare into his dark gaze, mesmerized by what she saw there. And she knew. She raised a hand and tenderly caressed his cheek. "Yours," she agreed quietly. Spock kissed her again, but it was not with the hot, intense passion of earlier, but rather a gentle, soft kiss of promise and commitment. His hand went to her meld points again and she immediately felt his presence in her mind. It still unnerved her, but felt right somehow. //Sleep, Christine. I will watch over you. // And suddenly, Chapel could no longer keep her eyes open as a velvet darkness started to close over her. She sighed contentedly, allowing herself the pleasure of this moment, and turned to her side. There would be time enough to contemplate the events of this night and deal with the possible repercussions. The last thing she felt before sleep claimed her was the sheet floating down as Spock covered her. * * * An indeterminable time later, Chapel became aware of a sound. It was low at first, a quiet rumbling that pulled at her consciousness. Then the sound became more distinct and she realized it was voices---male voices---talking in low, soft tones. How long had she been asleep? Not long, she guessed as she immediately identified the voices of being that of the captain and Spock. She carefully opened her eyes and looked in their direction, but didn't move. She could see them clearly. The two men were sitting at the table where she and Spock had dined much earlier and were sharing a drink: a somewhat incongruous sight, she mused. The table had been cleared and a chess set sat between them. Kirk was now fully dressed and Spock wore a long black robe of Vulcan design. The mood between them seemed casual on the surface, almost companionable, if such a term could be ascribed to any two officers of such high rank aboard an Empire warship. It appeared the game had been going on for some time as only a few pieces were left on the three levels. Spock picked up a black queen and set it down one level higher. "Checkmate in two moves." His voice was completely devoid of any inflection: A statement of fact. Kirk laughed quietly and studied the board a moment. "Careful, Spock. You don't want to put your queen in jeopardy." The Vulcan canted an eyebrow. "Meaning, Captain?" "Meaning precisely that, Commander. Chapel is a nice piece of ass, but she's also a luxury you may not be able to afford." "I do not understand the implication of that statement." Though still level, the tone of Spock's voice had changed. There was a hint of warning in it. "I can well 'afford' her, as you say. Our tenure together aboard the Enterprise has been most profitable... for both of us, Captain. I foresee no financial hardship." "I'm not talking about credits." Kirk started to make a move, then thought better of it and let the rook stay where it was. He studied the three levels of the board, then his eyes went back to Spock. "I'm talking about emotional investment, Spock. I've never seen you... react quite that way with a woman before. Oh, I've seen you practically fuck a woman to death," Kirk laughed. "Like that time on Vulcan. Considering the circumstances, that bitch was lucky to have survived at all. Had she been human, I doubt she would have. But you can't afford your feelings for this woman to make you vulnerable. Other men will see it as a weakness, something to be used against you...to hold you hostage." Kirk finally made a move, blocking Spock's queen with a white knight. Spock immediately countered the move, taking the white knight and setting it aside. "Check." He leaned back in his chair and propped his elbows on the armrests, intertwining his long fingers in a loose grasp. "I am a Vulcan, Captain. I do not have 'emotional investments'. I do, however, have certain biological needs which I have found are best resolved by simply satisfying them. They become less distracting that way." "You could have had almost any woman on this ship," Kirk interjected. "There was no need to wait until a suitable candidate came along after Arianna's death. You should have just taken one." "Indeed, I think not. The female population currently onboard the Enterprise is precisely seven point two-five percent of the entire crew. Not a very impressive number." "It's well within the average, Spock. What's your point?" "My point is, with such a low female to male ration, choice is limited at best. And there is not a single woman who has gone unclaimed by one senior officer or another. Granted, I could have simply 'taken' one of them from a more junior officer, as you suggest, but such a maneuver would have resulted in jealousy and anger... and I do not wish to create more enemies than already exist. It would be most illogical to incur the wrath of another officer simply to satisfy a primitive biological need which is easily controlled." Kirk grinned at him. "There are plenty of crewmen who would have been more than willing to help you out. I see the way some of them look at you on the bridge, in the gym. What does it matter how you get your rocks off, as long as you do?" Spock stared calmly at Kirk, knew he was being baited. He was well aware of the captain's bisexual nature, had been an unwilling partner to it in the past and would no doubt be again as the mood struck Kirk. For Kirk, sex was sex. It mattered little how he satisfied his voracious appetites. McCoy had once made the crude observation Kirk would happily fuck anything with a warm, tight hole. Inwardly, Spock had to agree. Kirk had certainly fucked him with unbridled abandon, had even managed to arouse him to the point where Spock had begged him for release. Sexually, the captain was totally indiscriminate, nor was he particularly discreet. Marlena didn�t seem to care as long as his dalliances didn�t threaten her position as Captain�s Woman. Indeed, it was his personal experience she was as eager as Kirk to take part in his sexual games. In this way they were well suited and the Vulcan even sensed a peculiar affection of sorts between the two of them. However, Kirk also used sex as a means to intimidate, sublimate, to exert his power: Especially to exert his power. Although having been a victim, Spock could see a certain amount of logic in that form of reasoning. It got results. Yet Kirk took a particularly perverse pleasure in doing it, and this aspect of his captain's personality he could not understand. "You know my preference," Spock finally answered. "You are hopelessly, mundanely heterosexual, Spock," Kirk sighed. "How boring. I had hoped to expand your horizons, teach you the ability to appreciate pleasure wherever you may find it. I think I may have been marginally successful, but you still need a little work," Kirk grinned as he eyed Spock with a meaningful gaze. He tossed back the last of his drink and returned his attention to studying the chessboard. He was silent a moment, then turned his attention back to his second in command. "But I digress. You're valuable to me, Spock. We have the perfect arrangement here and I don't want to see it jeopardized over the sake of a woman. All I'm saying is...watch how you conduct yourself. Don't leave yourself open to personal attack through Chapel. No amount of pussy is worth it, not even one as sweet as that. Check." Spock looked to where Kirk had moved his white king. His queen was now in grave danger, as well as his king. The unexpected play baffled him a moment. At times, it was easy to forget Kirk's keen intelligence, deceptively hidden behind the crude, often-brutal exterior. It was a mistake more than one enemy regretted with their last dying breath. The Vulcan calculated his next move. He knew it would be his last. "Be that as it may, Captain, I will defend what is mine. I will not tolerate a repeat of what happened with Arianna and McCoy. I will kill any man who attempts to take this woman from me...and will exact a Vulcan's revenge on anyone who would physically harm her." This threat, spoken so matter-of-factly, chilled even Kirk. There was much he had forced on Spock in the past few years, by the sheer power of his will and position, yet this was a side of the Vulcan he had never seen before. This fierce possessiveness. He looked into Spock's dark gaze and saw the incredible. Spock was not bluffing. He shifted uneasily in his seat. "She means that much to you? This woman you hardly know?" he asked in disbelief. Spock's gaze didn't flinch. "It is a Vulcan matter. I do not expect you to understand, merely accept it as fact." Kirk felt his surprise turning to anger. "If you think you can sit there and dictate to me, Mister, then you can---" "No, Captain," Spock interrupted calmly. "That would be pointless. However, not even you may harm or take her from me. I will brook no such tolerance." Kirk clamped down on his anger and gave a small, uncomfortable laugh. "You see? You reveal your weakness already, Spock." "Perhaps. However, every man has his weaknesses. Even you." Spock made his final move. The black king stood in front of his queen. "Checkmate." Kirk stared at the Vulcan, trying to fathom what could have happened to motivate this change in his first officer. He had been here, had sat and watched Spock fuck Chapel until she was practically screaming, yet something had happened between them he had obviously missed. Spock said it was a Vulcan matter. Kirk had no choice but to believe him. Everyone knew how enigmatic Vulcans could be. And he couldn't deny he needed Spock. It would be short-minded in the extreme to allow a woman to upset the delicate balance...the understanding...he had worked so diligently to establish with the Vulcan after Pike's death. And Spock had proven to be loyal to him, had been instrumental in his successful captaincy of the Enterprise. More important, Kirk knew Spock had no aspirations to take his place: A lone rarity in the 'Fleet. Kirk shifted his gaze to the chessboard. He was trapped. He could move neither his rook nor his king. With that last move, Spock had beaten him. The symbolism of the placement of the pieces didn't escape his notice either. Kirk made a decision. Slowly, he reached out and tipped over the white king in acknowledgement of Spock's victory. In life, as in chess, it was sometimes wiser to move on to the next battle. "Touch�, Mister Spock." * * * Chapel had lain quietly through the entire exchange and listened to the two men, her mind racing, heart pounding. What would Spock do if he found out? Hearing his voice as he threatened Kirk had made her skin prickle, even in the warmth of this cabin. Would her training be enough? Even now she could feel him in her mind somewhere--- a quiet, unobtrusive presence---and she almost gave in to the need to seek him out. It was so comforting in an odd, inexplicable way. Suddenly, Stennin's words came back to her... "If he chooses to meld or bond with you, then you will have to be ever vigilant of your thoughts, sa'ha'ran. This may prove difficult at times, especially during sessions of mating." "What do I do if that happens?" The old Vulcan healer regarded her silently for a moment, then looked away at something in the distance. "Then you must immerse yourself in the physical desires and pleasures of the mating. Let them fill your mind and hold nothing back from him. Do not give him cause to examine too carefully. If you are lacking in passion or enthusiasm, he will delve deeper into your mind and will perhaps discover what you do not wish him to know. If such a thing happens, then the shields I have taught you may not be enough. It is known Spock is a most gifted touch telepath. And even I cannot prepare you for what may happen if he discovers the truth." At the time, Stennin's words had chilled her to the bone. Now, she wondered if her shields had been enough. She had known Spock would breach the more superficial ones, but couldn't know if he had sensed others during his passion. He had given no sign. Suddenly, Chapel was feeling way in over her head. Nothing could have prepared her for the reality of the true nature of life here on this ship. She had been so damned naive! She suppressed a shiver and closed her eyes. Chapel had taken this assignment for two reasons. One, she had been hand picked by the Royal Board of Internal Affairs to be placed on the Emperor's flagship as a spy and was not truly at liberty to decline. Kirk's power and popularity had grown phenomenally in the few short years he had captained the Enterprise, and this made the Emperor extremely nervous. She had been selected at her cousin's urging---a way to enhance his own status at Court, no doubt---and because of her scientific background. Although she had been reassured there would be no consequences if she chose not to participate, Chapel knew the real value of those reassurances and could not afford to chance the welfare of her family and future career should she refuse. As a spy, Chapel was to establish herself as the Woman of one of the senior Command officers---preferably as the Captain's, but if that were not possible, then as either First Officer Spock or Chief Engineer Scott's Woman. To that end, she had spent the better part of the last year in specialized training, having to abandon her research studies in the process. Her instructors at Court had left no scenario unexamined. She knew the background and weaknesses of each senior officer intimately. She was concurrently trained as a nurse during this time and when an opening presented itself, she was assigned to the Enterprise as a replacement for the previous Head Nurse killed in action. Not an usual occurrence, and therefore not suspect. Her second and most imperative reason for taking this assignment had been a personal one. They had promised her the Enterprise would receive orders for Exos III to search for the missing Doctor Roger Korby. The scientist was one of the few men Chapel had ever known who was truly a decent man. He was also brilliant and highly respected in his field. Roger had mentored her, sponsored her in a male dominated society where higher education of a female was considered a waste of resources by many. He asked little in return; a listener when he needed to bounce his ideas off another, someone to trust and confide in and, occasionally, a warm body to hold. She gave this to him willingly and, eventually, he had asked her to marry him. A deep affection had developed between them, even love in a world where caring had no real part in their more cynical times. But even the brutality of the Empire couldn�t totally extinguish that most basic of human emotions. Then came the discoveries on Exos III. Roger had been sent to investigate...and was lost. Shortly afterwards, the Tellerite Guerilla Wars broke out and the Imperial 'Fleet's resources had been stretched thin: Too thin to conduct a search for one scientist and his team, not matter how valuable Korby was to the Empire. But now...now she would be here to help find him. She owed him at least that much. The sound of the two men rising from the table brought Chapel back to reality and she willed her breathing to slow and her face to remain motionless as she continued to feign sleep. Kirk stretched and flexed his shoulders. He looked at Spock quizzically, then cocked his head to one side and gave him a small, wry grin. "It's been a pleasant and...enlightening evening, Spock. I take it I'll see you on the bridge at your usual time?" Spock inclined his head. "Of course, Captain." Kirk cast one last glance at the woman sleeping in the Vulcan's bed. He would like to have had her one more time before the night was over. He considered waking her, having her go down on him as he had imagined earlier, maybe have the Vulcan fuck him while she did, then shifted his gaze to Spock. Probably not a good idea, he realized. At least, not tonight. He still sensed in the Vulcan that aura of possessiveness. Best to let him have her to himself for a while until some of the ardor cooled. His grin faded. He didn�t like this new potential complication to his plans, but he would let things be�for now. There would be time enough later to instill in Spock once again who had the real power on this ship. As he had said, Chapel was a weakness Spock could ill afford. Perhaps he would find a use for that weakness. "I'll see you then," he nodded curtly, then left, his operatives falling into step behind him as soon as he was out the door, striding down the corridor. After they were gone, Salack came and stood in the doorway a moment, one brow raised as he studied his kinsman. "Any new orders, Commander?" Spock nodded and gestured for Salack to enter. The large bulky Vulcan took a step inside and the door hissed shut behind him. "I have a new woman, Salack," Spock began without preamble. "She is Lieutenant Christine Chapel. From this time forward, I hold you responsible for her safety." "Understood, Sai." His superior's announcement didn't surprise Salack. He had been expecting as much for several days. He had been with Spock in the transporter room when the human woman had first beamed onboard, had been aware of Spock's reaction to her, although only another Vulcan would have picked up on it. Salack had exchanged a quick look with Suvarn and knew his cousin had noticed as well. The only surprise was Spock had waited so many days to claim her. "Tomorrow morning Suvarn will accompany me to the bridge. You will stay here with the Lieutenant and see to it her belongings are brought to my quarters. She is not to report to Sickbay. I will speak with McCoy before I will allow her to return to duty. Understood?" "Yes, Commander." Spock nodded. "Very well. You are dismissed, Salack." Salack saluted and left to resume his post outside the door. Spock stood still for several moments after the door closed behind his operative, lost in thought. Salack and Sovarn�s loyalties could be counted on to protect Chapel without question, as was true of his few other Vulcan operatives. They were mostly Vulcan kinsmen he had brought up through the ranks with him and were honor and duty bound to do so. But of his human operatives, Spock could never be certain. He would have to be careful how he divided his personal security teams from here out. It ate at him to have to permit Chapel to return to her post in Sickbay, but not even he could bend the regulations that far. Before he did allow it, however, he would make sure McCoy knew the extent of his wrath should anything happen to her. McCoy had a daughter, was surprisingly sentimental where the young woman was concerned. He doubted the doctor would risk her fate to a Vulcan brothel should Spock be forced to seek revenge. Spock had allies in strategic places, and it was past time to convince McCoy of that fact. Joanna McCoy would not be safe from his operatives, even on Terra, if Leonard McCoy crossed him again. Spock sighed, mentally fatigued with the subterfuges and games he was forced to play in his day to day existence. The confrontation with Kirk had left him wary and tense. The Captain could not be trusted to simply let the matter lie...not completely. There was a real possibility he might have to kill Kirk one day. He turned and looked at the woman who might eventually be the catalyst of that event...and felt moved by the sight of her. He walked slowly into the sleeping alcove. "He is gone," Spock said quietly. "You need not pretend to sleep any longer. We are alone." Chapel tensed, then slowly turned to her back and looked up at the Vulcan. How had he known? She stared into Spock's intent gaze. "Do not look so shocked, T'Hyla," he continued. "During our last mating I established a mental bond with you. I thought you knew. I sensed immediately when you awoke." "I knew you had done...something," Chapel replied. "I can still feel you...here." She touched a hand to her temple. "Yes, that is as it should be." Spock reached up and began to unfasten the clasps on his robe. "Does it disturb you?" Chapel considered his question, averting her gaze so he couldn't see what was in her eyes. After a moment, she returned her gaze to his. "That depends. Can you read my mind?" Spock shook his head. "Only in a deep meld. Otherwise, I receive impressions, echoes of what you are feeling. Right now, I sense you are tired and somewhat frightened." He shrugged out of his robe and tossed it over the chair where Kirk had sat earlier watching as he took her, then returned his attention back to her. His eyes roamed the outline of her body beneath the satiny bed sheet before finding hers again. "You need not be frightened. Not of me," he added softly. Naked once again, he lifted the sheet and slid into the bed beside her. He gathered her to his chest, wrapping her within his arms in a close embrace. Chapel surrendered into his arms willingly, snuggling closer to his warmth against the chill of her own deception. Her relief was profound. Her shields had held. He didn't know. He must never know. Spock misinterpreted her relief and gently brushed the hair from her face. "You have pleased me, Christine. Perhaps more than you know. As long as you continue to do so, you have nothing to fear from me. I promise you this." Chapel looked up into the usually stern face of this man who held her fate in his hands. His expression was open, almost kind, and she felt...something...shift inside her, a familiar ache, a longing she had not known for some time. Love? Impossible! She loved another, or had thought she did. No, it couldn't be love. Spock smiled briefly, sensing the change in her. He bent his mouth to hers. "I am weary, T'hy�la," he whispered against her lips. "Comfort me." Chapel returned his kiss then pulled his head to her breasts and held it there, cushioning his cheek against her soft flesh as she rested her chin on the top of his head and tenderly combed her fingers through his hair. Her eyes strayed to the emblem on the door, a dagger through a world, her world. "Yes, Spock," she responded quietly. "I will comfort you." - end - |