The BLTS Archive- The Opening Door
#4: Static Electricity
by Isla (islaofhope@aol.com

---

Disclaimer:  Star Trek and its characters all belong to Paramount,
Viacom, and Rick Berman.  I'm just borrowing the characters for a
while. This is fan fiction.  I won't make any money from it.  In fact,
it's getting in the way of my gainful employment...

Thanks to T'Aaneli and Hafital who took time out from their own
writing to ensure that the vision I had inside came out. They also
told me where I missed the mark.  And I mostly listened. 

Okay to archive, but please contact me before archiving anywhere
except  ASCEM.  Please send feedback.  And I even take negative
feedback; criticism just gets my creative juices flowing.

---

I was at my desk, going through a pile of reports that had been
waiting for me when I returned from shore leave.  The trouble with
shore leave was coming back to all the work that was waiting.  It
almost wasn't worth it.  Almost.  I picked up a report, and touched
the image of the electronic signature: Commander Spock.

I closed my eyes for a moment, summoning up a picture of him.  The two
weeks that we had spent together seemed like a dream, but my tanned
skin from long hours on the beach and the bruises from his too-strong
embrace told me it had really happened.  I smiled to myself,
remembering his touch, the taste of his mouth; my eyes widened when my
door chimed.  "Come."

I felt myself blushing when he walked in.  It was a pretty good trick:
conjuring him up just by thinking of him.

"Captain, am I disturbing you?"

We hadn't been alone in the two days since we returned to the ship,
but right now there was too much work to do, and he was here on ship's
business.  I kept my smile professional.  "No, Mr. Spock, I'm glad to
take a break from this pile of reports."

Spock nodded and glanced down at the padd in his hand.  "Very good,
sir.  Mr. Scott wished me to discuss with you the results of the
efficiency testing we completed 2.4 hours ago."

I put out my hand to accept the padd from my first officer.  When our
fingertips brushed against each other, I felt a jolt. Static
electricity?  No, I knew it was something else, and I settled back
with a smile that was rapidly turning into something that wasn't so
professional.  I pretended to study the padd.  "Spock, it seems like
days since I've seen you."

He still stood, my desk between us.  "Captain, you saw me only four
hours ago at a meeting of the department heads."

I risked glancing up at him; his expression was serious, but there was
a  slight twinkle in his eyes.  "That's not exactly what I meant."

He didn't move from where he was standing.  "I, too, miss your touch. 
However, my commanding officer has many tasks that he wishes me to
complete in the next 24 hours.  I am afraid that I cannot spare any
time to satisfy my personal desires."

I smiled, thinking of his 'personal desires.'  "Your commanding
officer?  He sounds pretty demanding.  A real hard ass?"

He lifted an eyebrow.  "He is very demanding.  In every way. As to the
firmness of his buttocks, if memory serves..."

I was blushing again.  Although I was enjoying the banter, if we
continued, I wouldn't be able to keep myself from putting my arms
around him.  I put up a hand to stop him from continuing.  "I don't
think that's what you came to see me about."

He nodded, accepting my gentle rebuff, and launched into a technical
explanation of the test results documented on the padd in my hands.
After a few questions, I said, "Looks good, Mr. Spock.  You and Mr.
Scott can check that off your list and move on."

"Very good, Captain.  If there's nothing else - "  He waited..

"Yes, there is something else."  I massaged the tension that seemed to
be gathering in the back of my neck.  We hadn't found a moment to make
a  graceful transition from being lovers on shore leave to being an
overworked captain and his equally busy first officer, and I was
messing up our first chance alone since we'd come back.

"I can't believe that I'm not better at this."  I stood up, but didn't
move to come around the desk.  "I know that we're both going to be
busy for the next couple of days, but I'd like to have something to
look forward to.  Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?  Here,
in my quarters?"  But I was thinking, will you make love to me
tomorrow night?  Here, in my bed?

His eyes fastened on mine, and with a slight smile, he said, "I will
be  pleased to join you for dinner, Jim."

---

I visited Sickbay that afternoon.  Other than the department head's
meeting, it was my first encounter with McCoy since Jim and I had
returned from shore leave.

"Well, Spock, I have to thank you."

"Thank me, Doctor?"

"I don't know when I've seen Jim look happier.  I have to admit that I
had my doubts about sending him off on shore leave with a Vulcan whose
idea of a good time is reading the latest scientific journal, but it
looks like it was just what he needed."

"There is no need to thank me, Doctor.  I also had a very pleasurable
shore leave."  I looked down at the data padd in my hand. "I am here
to assess your department's readiness to leave Starbase 17."

He waved his hand at me.  "No need to worry about us, Spock.  I told
you that I'd finish what I needed to before I went on shore leave.
We're ready."  He leaned forward in his chair.  "I want details."

"Details?"

"About your shore leave with Jim."

I could think of no details that I was willing to share with him.  "I
believe you had lunch with him the day we returned."

"Yes, but he wasn't talking."

"Are you suggesting that I should talk to you about something the
captain prefers not to discuss with you?"  In truth, I wondered at
Jim's reticence; he and McCoy were very close friends.  Although we
had not yet discussed what we were going to tell McCoy about our
changed relationship, I had expected Jim to tell McCoy some innocent
details to avoid further questions.

"Hell, Spock, I'm not asking you to betray any confidences.  I'm just
wondering what you did for two weeks - besides building sandcastles -
"

I decided it was best to tell McCoy some details rather than awakening
his suspicions by being mysterious.  "Has the captain ever showed you
how to turn cartwheels?"

McCoy had apparently been rocking forward on his chair; he rocked back
with an audible thump.  "He taught you how to turn cartwheels?"

"It was a most interesting exercise.  He also assisted me in improving
my swimming ability.  In addition, we played chess and engaged in
stimulating conversation."

"Did he meet anyone?"

The question was unexpected.  I dropped my eyes to my padd again. "No,
Doctor.  We were rather antisocial.  We found each other's company
sufficient; we spent only one evening at a local restaurant.  Why do
you ask?"

"Because he's exhibiting the classic symptoms of 'being in love.'"

I found that I was having a little trouble breathing.  I rejected my
impulse to run out of Sickbay; it would be wiser to allow McCoy to
talk.  "Indeed, Doctor?  Do you mean classic symptoms for humans?  Or
for the captain?"

"For Jim.  Maybe I am wrong, but he's so damn happy!  And, at the same
time, he's calm.  Content.  I guess that's not really typical for Jim.
I guess he's usually happy, but he's nervous, unsure.  Well, you've
seen him 'fall in love' before. It happens often enough."

"Perhaps he is merely happy to be back on his ship after a relaxing
shore leave."  I discovered that I did not like McCoy talking about
how frequently Jim 'fell in love.'  "I would think that you would
enjoy his happiness rather than questioning its source. Have I not
heard you say, 'When the captain isn't happy, no one around him is
happy'?"

McCoy grinned.  "Very true, Spock.  So much for pumping you for
information.  I should've known I wouldn't get anywhere with you."

"You must know that I will not disclose anything to you until the
captain is ready to discuss it."  From McCoy's change in expression, I
realized that I'd made a tactical error.  I had revealed that there
was 'something' that the captain wasn't ready to discuss.

McCoy crossed his arms and looked at me speculatively.  "You know,
that's not entirely true.  You and I have gone behind his back a time
or two if we thought he needed us to rescue him from himself.  He
doesn't like it, but he knows it's for his own good."

I turned to leave.  "This is not one of those times.  Good day,
Doctor."  I am a fool.  After all of our verbal fencing matches, I was
disconcerted at how quickly I had fallen into McCoy's trap.  I would
be forced to broach the topic at dinner tomorrow night; I hoped it
would not spoil Jim's appetite.

---

I stepped out of the sonics, missing the water shower from our beach
house, and walked back into my sleeping area to get dressed.  I
scanned through my almost non-existent selection of casual clothes.  I
had already rejected my uniform.  Tonight, I didn't want to dress like
a starship captain having dinner with his first officer.

I rejected the shorts and shirt that I had lived in for the last two
weeks as being too casual.   In the back of my closet, I found a dark
green top and matching pants.  Where did this outfit come from?  I
decided that the color suited me, so I pulled it on, and moved out to
my work area.

I'd arranged to have dinner brought to my quarters by my yeoman.
She'd  brought a tablecloth, too, but even with that I was having
trouble  transforming my work area.  The candles lit and the lights
turned down low improved the atmosphere, but it could hardly live up
to the patio of our beach house at sunset.  Well, it would have to do.
Five minutes; Spock would be punctual - not early, not late.

I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly to release my tension.  Today
had been a long day - the latest in a series of very long days.

When the door chimed promptly at 1930, I was standing nervously beside
the divider between my work and sleep areas.  "Come."   I touched the
control to unlock the door, and my first officer walked in.  I was
rooted to the spot, staring at Spock's uniform.

His eyes swept over me. "Jim, I am sorry that I have not changed out
of  uniform.  I had some unexpected delays, and I did not want to be
late for my appointment with you.  If you would be more comfortable, I
will go and change now.  I will return in five minutes."

I was being ridiculous.  Spock was still Spock with or without the
uniform.  "No, you're fine."  I stepped forward and put my arms around
his neck.  His arms encircled my waist, and he pulled me close.  "In
fact, you're better than fine.  I'm more than willing to take off your
uniform." I smiled into his dark eyes.  "Are you hungry?"

"Extremely."  His mouth came down on mine.  Maybe it was the heat of
his body that made me dizzy.  I found myself pressed up against the
screen divider with his hands under my shirt, caressing my back and my
chest.

"Spock?"  My mouth was against his neck.  "The unexpected delay?
Anything that I should know about?"

"Duty?  Is it always duty with you, my Lasha."  He took my chin in his
hand and tipped it up to kiss my mouth again.  "All is well, Captain.
We will be undisturbed." 

It was much later before we ate, sprawled on my bed, sharing the
now-cold dinner.  The place settings were still on the desk, and we
ate off the serving dishes, feeding each other with our fingers.
"This is the most delicious dinner that I've ever had.  And the most
romantic."

"Perhaps it is because you were very hungry." Spock's eyes were lit
with an answering smile.  He was completely relaxed, stretched out
next to me. "However, I find your comment regarding romance peculiar.
Did you not say that romance was not necessary between us?"

"I was wrong."  I brought his hand to my mouth, and kissed the pulse
point on his wrist.  "Do you know when I first realized that I was in
love with you?"

"Affirmative."   He removed the last serving dish from the bed, pulled
me into his arms, and began to place kisses on my neck and collarbone.

"Don't you think it's an unfair advantage that you're a touch
telepath, and you know what I'm thinking?  Sometimes before I do."

He rested his cheek on my chest, and caressed my side.  "No, you are
generally able to shield your thoughts.  And I would never read your
mind against your will.  That night, you opened yourself up to me."

I stroked one hand through Spock's silky hair.  "Yes, I remember."

About six months ago, we had spent an evening playing game after game
of  chess.  I hadn't wanted the evening to end.

---

We were arguing.  About what?  I couldn't remember, but I've always
valued the fact that he was willing to disagree with me - as long as
he didn't do it publicly in connection with a command decision.

He looked very serious as he argued his point, but I was laughing.
"You must be the most stubborn man that I know."

"We are both stubborn, Jim.  It is fortunate that we also respect each
other. Otherwise, we would not be able to tolerate each other."

"You're right.  Remember how much we disliked each other at first?"

"It is not accurate to say that I 'disliked' my new captain. However -
"  He paused and seemed to be thinking about how we had 'butted heads'
at first.  "I was mistaken about you."

"And I about you."  I impulsively reached across the desk to put hand
my over his.  The shock of the sudden physical contact left us both
breathless.  His hand closed tightly around mine, and our eyes locked
together.

---

Jim's fingers caressed my scalp, and I settled myself more firmly
against him.  "Spock, if you knew I was in love with you, why didn't
you say anything?  You knew what I was feeling, but I didn't know how
you felt."

"You were not ready.  If you recall, you threw me out shortly
afterwards."

"I didn't throw you out."

"You pleaded a headache and hinted that I should leave."

"Last time I had a headache, you rubbed my temples, and it went away."

"Yes, but that is not what you wanted that night."

"I was an idiot."

"No, you were afraid of what your feelings might lead you to do."

"And it took almost dying to realize that I had to follow my feelings
- "

My arms tightened around him, remembering how empty I had felt when I
believed that he was dead.  "T'hy'la, you are far too precious to me. 
Promise me that you will be more careful - that you will not risk your
life unnecessarily."

"You don't own me."  He sat up suddenly, jerking himself away from me.

The thought came unbidden to my mind: he could be so very beautiful
when he was angry.  "No, I do not 'own' you.  However, you must
understand that I wish to 'own' you."  I put out a hand, and I was
relieved when he grasped it and raised it to his mouth.  "The nature
of the bond - "

"Spock, I love you.  My life is more precious to me because you're in
it.  But I can't promise that I'll change.  I know that I sometimes
risk my life, but I only do it when it's necessary.  If you can't
accept that - "  He closed his eyes, and I felt him tremble slightly.
"Maybe we should call this off right now.  I don't want to hurt you."

I brushed my lips against his, identifying his next shiver as one of
pleasure.  I pulled him back into my arms.  "No, I was wrong to try to
extract such a promise from you.  You have always accepted me as I am. 
Apparently, I am still struggling with total acceptance.  I cannot
promise that I will always be happy with what you do, but I will not
stand in your way."

"I'm not sure about that promise, Spock. You have stood in my way
before- even thrown yourself bodily in my path a time or two."  We
were silent a moment.  He yawned and closed his eyes; I savored the
feeling of contentment, the relief of relaxing after several stressful
days.

"Perhaps I should go.  You need to sleep."  I started to sit up.

"No, stay.  I sleep better with you beside me."  His eyes were still
closed.

I lifted myself on one elbow to better evaluate his reaction to my
words.  "Are you certain? We never discussed how we were going to
conduct ourselves when we returned to the ship."

He opened his eyes, but did not move from his relaxed position.  "I'm
not ashamed of being in love with you, but I've always been a private
person.  It's nobody's business who I'm sleeping with.  My preference
is to be discreet, but not to be secretive.  What about you?  What
ground rules would you prefer to set?"

"Ground rules?  On occasion, you tend to express yourself in terms
more  appropriate to athletic competition."  I was pleased when he
smiled.  "I do not object to discretion.  I wondered whether you would
prefer to be so discreet that we confined our physical relationship to
shore leave."

"Considering how far apart our shore leaves have been, I don't think I
could handle that.  No, as long as we confine our physical
relationship to our quarters, I don't see a problem."

I was silent for a moment. "There may already be a problem."

"Why, Spock?"  He appeared too relaxed to feel concern.

"Dr. McCoy cornered me in his office to ask about our shore leave.  He
wanted to know the reason for your happiness.  He said that you
exhibited classic signs of 'being in love.'"

His smile widened as he turned his head to look at me.  "There you go. 
Unsolicited outside testimony that I'm in love with you."

I did not resist my impulse to run my fingers through his hair.  "I do
not require outside testimony."

"No, you don't, do you?"  He rolled from his back onto his side, so
that we lay breastbone to breastbone.  "Well, we agreed that we were
going to tell Bones.  We just didn't talk about when or what we were
going to tell him.  So what does he suspect?"

"He believes that you met someone on shore leave."

He looked at me with a faint smile and ran his finger from the tip of
my ear, down the side of my face, to my chin.  "I love looking at you.
I love touching you."  Then, his face serious, he said, "McCoy thought
that it was someone else?  It didn't occur to him that it might be
you?"

"No.  Perhaps the fact that he knows that your leanings have always
been  towards blonde, curvaceous humans - "

His smile dimmed somewhat.  "I deserved that.  I can't deny that I've
had my head turned a time or two.  But you've spoiled me for anyone
else."

I fervently hoped that was so, but I chose not to comment on that.
"About the Doctor?"

"You know, I was planning to tell him soon - I thought about the two
of us having dinner with him tomorrow.  Do you want to be there when I
tell him?"

"I am interested in his reaction."

"So am I.  But since he's been quizzing you for information, I'd like
to keep him guessing for awhile. "

I raised an eyebrow at that.  "If you prefer.  How do you recommend
that I deflect his questions?"

"Tell him whatever you feel like telling him. And if he's smart enough
to ask the right questions, he'll get the right answers."

"You prefer to make a game of it?"

"You know how much I like to play."  His smile was suddenly
mischievous.

"Perhaps you would be willing to demonstrate -"  I pushed him back
against his pillow, and moved my body to cover his.

He laughed in pure delight before he pulled my head down for a kiss.

---

The End