Author's Note: Chapter 2 is finally finished and posted for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for your patience, alerts, reviews, favorites, and votes in my poll. They've all helped tremendously! If you want to help some more, keep doing what you've been doing! I love to hear from people, like just one review can make me happy all day. Enjoy!

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The door to his quarters swished open, and Spock stepped gratefully into the heavier gravity. Maybe if he kept his matter together more firmly, his mind would not be whirling with everything that had happened. He, Spock, a Vulcan, had just performed a sexual act. He had performed a sexual act with a human. Spock's logical mind tried to override the swirling... something, but his attempts at reason and order were futile.

Suddenly, his arm shot out and a chess board that had been a gift from his mother hit the floor. The pieces scattered with a satisfying clatter. Spock felt something – two somethings bubbling up inside him. He had experienced them both before, a long time ago when he was just a child. Knowing what was happening made Spock clamp down on the somethings, he dared not name them, and try to ignore them.

He stalked over to the large cushion he used to meditate. His limbs automatically assumed their positions, and his eyes snapped shut. Taking a deep, measured breath in through his nose, letting it slowly out. After four more breaths and consciously relaxing his tense muscles, Spock felt a state of semi-order descend on his mind.

He let his consciousness drift, trying to drop away from himself in his meditation. He counted his breaths and the beat of his heart and was soothed. This was what his mind craved; this order and peace, with no Captain James T. Kirk to fluster him and seduce him.

Was that really what had happened? Had Kirk seduced him?

The very definition of seduce was to lead astray, as from duty. Spock had been neglecting his duty and honor as an officer when he had... relations with another commissioned Star Fleet officer. Kirk had lured him in to intercourse. He had been tempted, drawn away, and enticed. But had he been attracted?

No, surely not. He was a Vulcan, not some silly human who was subject to every whim of their capricious emotions. He was not.

A sudden shrill whistle from his communicator told him it was oh six hundred. Spock unfolded himself from his cushion to began his morning ablutions.

\/\/\

At 0655, Commander Spock strode confidently onto the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise. He was greeted by the duty officer and signed all the appropriate forms and logs. Then he took his seat and began his shift. A moment later, Captain Kirk walked out of the turbolift.

The captain looked well considering he had consumed more alcoholic beverages last night in too short a time for his body to metabolize them. He still looked slightly hungover, but Dr. McCoy's hangover remedy must have been very effective for Captain Kirk to even be standing on the bridge.

Spock schooled his face to be impassive as he passed all the numerous logs, forms, reports, and other miscellany that required the captain's attention at the beginning of any shift. To his credit, Captain Kirk gave no sign of anything being out of the ordinary. He calmly did his duty and seemed content to let bygones be bygones in the harsh light of the bridge. Spock felt something suspicious rise up in his chest.

He saw Lieutenant Uhura raise a hand to her ear, her habitual response to any incoming communications or signals, and turned slightly to watch her. The ship was deep in settled Federation space, and Spock knew that, barring a distress call from another vessel, the incoming message was likely to be orders from Star Fleet Command. Kirk must have caught his movement in his peripheral vision and swung to face Lt. Uhura too.

A moment later, Uhura said, "Sir, Star Fleet Command orders you, your first officer, and your command staff to be present at a holo-conference at oh seven thirty hours, Star Date 2258.49."

"Acknowledged, lieutenant," Kirk said quickly. Spock noticed the captain's face had lit up and that he suddenly seemed much less hungover.

That last statement was illogical, but he reasoned that humans also had some notion of mind over matter. Sometimes the best medicine was a distraction. Speaking of distractions, Kirk was speaking to him.

"... Make sure Bones gets the message, Uhura. Spock, come with me."

Dutifully, Spock stood and followed Captain Kirk into the turbolift, standing silently as Kirk gave the computer their destination. The conference rooms were not far away, but Spock noticed a certain amount of discomfort during the ride from Captain Kirk. A logical explanation for his discomfort would be claustrophobia, but if that were the case, James Kirk would not have been a field officer.

The corridors leading to the conference room were nearly devoid of personnel. With the shift change, most everyone would be on their way to or from their quarters. Recreational classes were scheduled to leave a two hour break around shift changes, and meetings were given a similar, but smaller break. The new orders must be very urgent or important for Star Fleet to send them at this time.

Kirk led the way to the largest room, which was reserved for command personnel. They were the first to arrive and so had the room all to themselves. Spock took a seat near the head of the table. The captain remained standing. Spock tried to meditate, his mind still unsettled, but Captain Kirk's pacing made it difficult.

"Sir."

Kirk whirled to face him. "Yes, Mr. Spock?"

Taken aback, Spock hesitated and reconsidered what he wanted to say. His mind supplied many logical and pointless possibilities. For some reason beyond all logic, he decided to say, "I hope you have recovered from last night."

"Ah, last night." Kirk slumped against the bulkhead and rubbed a hand across his eyes. "I'm fine. Bones works wonders with that hangover cure of his."

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Kirk asked, "Are you all right?"

"I am perfectly well, sir. My Vulcan metabolism allows me to consume more alcohol than I did last night and remain relatively unaffected by it."

Spock was puzzled by Kirk's small smile and snort. His posture telegraphed discomfort and amusement, an odd combination that only a human could pull off. Kirk's discomfort only increased as he said, "That wasn't exactly what I meant, Spock. I was more concerned with...other things."

Spock allowed himself a raised eyebrow of surprise and consideration; Kirk was referring to his indiscretion. "I see no reason for concern."

"Spock, don't you...If you don't want to talk about it, I understand. I won't breathe a word of it." Kirk looked at him earnestly, eyes bright. "It's just...with what you've gone through recently, you might do something you regret. As captain, it's my duty to ensure the well-being of my crew, emotionally and physically."

"I am quite well, sir," Spock said. "I was in full control of myself last night and regret nothing."

"All right if you're sure," Kirk said quickly. "I won't mention it again. Star Fleet frowns on its officers being compromised by personal affairs."

Spock nodded his agreement. Then they both turned as Dr. McCoy entered the conference room, belligerently grumbling something about Star Fleet not letting him do the job they ordered him to do. Lt. Commander Scott bounced his cheerful way into the room just behind Dr. McCoy and greeted them all loudly. Lieutenants Uhura and Sulu appeared next, along with the captain's newly appointed yeoman. Spock was unsurprised to see that Yeoman Rand was young, blond, and no doubt a beautiful woman by human standards. The command staff assumed their seats and rampant speculation as to the subject of the holo-conference began.

"We're probably going t'be put on a standard patrol," Scott said, his accent a thick burr.

Lt. Sulu disagreed. "Don't you think they'd have something more important for us to do? We're the heroes that saved Earth!"

"Aw, heck no, Mr. Sulu," McCoy drawled, sprawling in his chair. "We're still new and wet behind the ears. We just got lucky, and we'll have to prove ourselves to Star Fleet before they give us anything interesting."

Any further discussion was cut short by the holo-screen springing to life. The picture was slightly warped and out of focus. Lt. Uhura leaned forward and adjusted the controls. The lieutenant on the screen slowly came into focus.

"Captain Kirk?"

"Present, Lieutenant," Kirk acknowledged, sitting straighter.

"Please have your communications officer verify and secure the connection before Rear Admiral Yaeger gives you your orders," she said briskly.

Kirk nodded to Uhura, and she quickly did as requested. After she pulled back, Kirk sat forward, resting his clasped hands on the table, and said, "Connection verified and secured, lieutenant. This is Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise, serial number SC937-0176CEC, security code A19-56."

"Thank you, sir," the lieutenant said pleasantly. "Connecting you to the admiral now."

The screen went blank for a moment then an older man appeared. He was obviously seated at a desk, looking over a file. His face was craggy and lined. Once blond hair was slowly fading to silver and receding. Piercing blue eyes looked straight through the holo-screen.

Spock noticed that Captain Kirk suppressed a gulp before speaking. "Admiral Yaeger, sir. Good morning."

Yaeger nodded. "Captain Kirk, it's a pleasure. How's your new command?"

"Fine, sir." Kirk relaxed slightly. "The repairs are complete, and everything is in working order. We're ready for whatever the galaxy can throw at us, sir."

"Good, good," Yaeger said, nodding. "I'm glad to hear that because Star Fleet has assigned you a very special mission, Kirk."

"And what is that, admiral?" Spock thought the phrase "pricking his ears" described Captain Kirk very well at that moment, even though most humans were not actually capable of the muscle control needed to move that part of their body.

"The Enterprise will be receiving orders to attempt the first extra-galactic exploration, Kirk. You lucky sun of a gun." Yaeger's eyes twinkled with humor, pride, and just a touch of envy. "Star Fleet has decided it's time to explore outside of our own galaxy. The Enterprise was built with just such a long term mission in mind, so she's been given the assignment."

"Thank you, sir," Kirk replied, sounding slightly shocked but pleased.

Yaeger leaned forward and did something out of range of the holo-screens lens then sat back. "Your formal orders are being sent now. All the details are in there. You have a series of supply and personnel drops to complete as you make your way to the designated probe point. A word of advice, my boy."

Kirk glanced back at the screen. He'd been watching for the orders to come through, but now the admiral had all of his attention again. He nodded shortly and said, "Yes, admiral?"

"I know the Enterprise is your first command, Kirk, and this is a very important mission. Lots of eyes will be on you. Watch yourself, and don't make any rash decisions. Keep your cool, do your best, and this will be just one of many missions to come," Yaeger said gruffly. Spock considered his advice to be sound and logical.

Kirk agreed, nodding some more and saying, "Thank you very much, admiral. I appreciate the advice."

"Very well, Captain Kirk. Your orders have arrived, and we're just wasting Star Fleet resources now. Good luck, Kirk, and God speed." With that, Yaeger severed the connection from his end.

Kirk was left stuttering a belated farewell to a blank screen. Everyone sat in stunned silence for a long minute, no doubt processing the news. Then Kirk leapt to his feet.

"Did you hear that?" He crowed. "We're going to the edge of known space! Outside our galaxy!"

Spock thought the outburst was unbecoming a commanding officer and an illogical display of enthusiasm, but he kept that opinion to himself as he joined in the review and discussion of the new orders.