AN: SOOO sorry for the delay. That whole real life thing caught up to me, and I also went away for the weekend with some friends for a good time (and a bit too much tequila). But I am back! AND I have big plans! This chapter is angsty and sad, with not too much smut...BUT please be patient cause next chapter is all about the honeymoon and it's going to be wild and kinky. So enjoy, review, and be kind.

"This is your Captain. We have a message from Starfleet to be on red alert. A ship that had placed a distress call to Starfleet has lost all communication. It is believed to have been attacked by Klingons. I need my crew to the bridge. Everyone else be ready to man your battle stations at a moments notice. Kirk out."

Uhura and Spock ran to the bridge, nearly crashing into Sulu. The three of them entered the bridge to find things tense. Uhura took over at the communications board, Sulu took his place next to Chekov, and Spock went straight to stand by his captain.

"Captain, what is the situation here?"

Kirk avoided Spock's eyes, choosing to stare straight ahead. "A ship placed a distress call to Starfleet a few hours ago, asking for help, saying they were being pursued by a Klingon ship. Then the feed was lost. Starfleet fears the Klingon's attacked and destroyed the ship."

"Who placed the distress call?" Spock asked.

Kirk turned to Uhura. "Uhura, any more instructions from Starfleet?"

Uhura shook her head and continued to monitor the feed.

"Captain," Spock reached a hand out to Kirk. "Who placed the call?"

Kirk looked for the first time that he truly regretted his role as Captain. He hated being the bearer of bad news, especially to a friend.

"Spock…it was a ship of Vulcans…"

The whole bridge crew turned around to watch Spock's reaction. His face remained passive but Uhura alone knew he was breaking inside. Kirk clapped a hand on his shoulder, but Uhura was distracted by the communications board.

"Captain," she called, getting his attention as she held the earpiece to her ear. "Message from Starfleet."

She listened while the whole crew watched her intently. Her face fell as she heard the transmission.

"Captain…Starfleet found the wreckage of the ship…it was attacked and destroyed. They believe the Klingons have left the area, and are lowering the alert. However, they want all ships in the fleet to be prepared to take action, should Starfleet give the order."

Kirk nodded and everyone turned back to their jobs, although there was a clear sense of solemnity in the room now. Spock turned on his heel and left the room. Uhura glanced at Kirk, who gave a subtle but distinct jerk of the head that clearly meant, "Go after him."

Uhura rushed after him, catching him in the elevator. She flashed back to her first time on the Enterprise, when she found herself in a similar situation: Spock in pain, and her helpless to do anything for him. But things were different now. She would help him, she just didn't know how.

"Spock, wait!"

He held the door for her. She entered but didn't touch him yet.

"Where are you headed?" She asked him softly.

"I must contact my father. I want to know who was on that ship." He paused, face remaining passive. "This is bad for my people…another loss…" He shook his head.

Before Uhura could react, the doors opened. He started to step out, then stopped and turned around.

"Uhura…I will be in my quarters later."

She nodded her understanding as the doors shut.

She entered his room later that night. He was sitting in his chair, back straight. He looked up when she entered.

"Hi," she said softly, unsure of what he needed. His eyes turned back to the wall. Uhura stepped up close to him, but didn't say anything. She waited patiently and nervously for some signal from him of what he needed.

A full minute went by, and he still hadn't moved or said anything. Uhura was just about to turn around and leave him alone, when his arm reached out, pulling her close. His arms were wrapped around her waist and his head was buried in her chest. She ran her fingers through his hair and held him. She let him get himself under control.

After several minutes he pulled himself back.

"I apologize for my lack of self control. I hope you do not think any less of your commanding officer because of this incident."

Uhura sighed. "Spock, how many times do I have to tell you? When it's you and I, titles don't matter. Except for one: don't forget I am soon to be your wife and you my husband."

"I am aware Uhura…but showing my weakness is not something that comes easy to me. It never will."

"Why don't you tell me how you are feeling about today's developments?"

Spock shook his head. "Words in your language…or any language, for that matter, could not begin to describe the travesty to my people."

"Then show emotion another way, physically. Just come and lie with me in the bed. We don't have to talk, but while your thoughts are going through your head, I want you to feel how much I love you. Let me express the emotion you can't."

Spock didn't really seem to care what Uhura did or said, so she gently led him to his bed. She sat up slightly with her back propped on pillows, and encouraged him to lay with his head in her lap. He complied, and she ran her fingers through his hair as he sat in silences.

Uhura dozed off after half an hour or so, but then she heard her name whispered softly, and it woke her up.

"Uhura?"

Uhura smiled down at Spock. He looked slightly more at peace, and a little less focused on his professional demeanor.

"I love you," he told her, "because you truly understand me, and you do not judge me for who I am and the way I act."

"I love you too, and always will, for exactly who you are."

Spock moved up her body, kissing her slowly. She kissed him back, but jumped a little in surprise when she felt his hand on her breast.

"Spock? Now?"

"Uhura…I am not good at expressing my emotions or feelings with words. Let me use my actions. You asked me before what I needed. And what I need now is to feel your love."

He removed both of their clothes, and pressed their bodies together completely naked. With their bodies pressed together this way, they could feel each others heartbeats and breathing.

Spock used his hands to roam her body so slowly and intently it was almost like he was learning every inch of her body. She let him do whatever he wanted; this night was all about him and his needs.

"Uhura…I would like to do something, if you are willing. I would like to let you inside my thoughts."

Uhura nodded nervously. She had heard of the Vulcan Mind Meld, but had never experienced it. It worried her, but she knew Spock would never place her in harm, so she placed her trust in him.

He brushed her hair back from her forehead, and then pressed his fingers to her face.

Uhura felt a complete rush of images and emotions. Spock let her feel every stab of pain and fear and heartbreak from the loss of his planet, his mother, and even more of his people today. Every feeling he had never expressed to her was now made available to her. She could see that when he lost control on the bridge that one day and choked Kirk, it may have been his fathers voice that stopped him, but it was her that he was thinking of. It was overwhelming to say the least, but she had never felt closer.

When he broke the meld, Uhura burst into tears. All the emotion he couldn't express, she was feeling. He stroked her hair and held her, and let her take on the emotional burden. When she had exhausted herself, he kissed her passionately, letting his hands roam her body again.

He clearly was desperate for this expression of love, and so she let him ease her on top of him. She was sitting on top of him, feeling every inch. She moved her hands across his chest, pinching his nipples slightly, watching him react. He put his hands to her waist, moving her slowly up and down. She varied the pace, both slow and quick, bringing him closer to the edge.

"Stop," he grunted, stilling her hips. "I want us to share our orgasm."

Uhura complied and stopped moving. Spock reached over to her and massaged one breast with one hand, and her clit with the other. He worked faster and faster, watching her face as he brought her closer and closer. Her orgasm hit her quickly, coming in waves, causing her body to clench around him. The simple pressure on his manhood and the look on her face was enough to make him come, and they finished at the same time.

Instead of just rolling over and falling asleep, Spock rolled Uhura off him, hopped off the bed, and picked her up. He carried her into the bathroom, placing her on the sink while he ran a hot bath. They got into the water, holding each other.

"Spock? Let's get married soon. I'm don't want to wait, I want to be your wife."

Spock kissed her head. "I want more than that. I want you to be the mother of my child..."

DUN DUN DUN