Disclaimer: I own nothing; the characters herein remain the property of their respective owners.

WARNING: there will be Rated M material, but I promise, there is plot!

A/N: Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement! Here's the last chapter. (Can you spot the other fandoms? :-D)

A Star to Guide Me

With only two weeks until the start of fall term, Nyota started her hastily-arranged new assistantship the morning after they returned from Paris. Her days and many late evenings were spent in the linguistics lab with another professor.

Spock was busy preparing his lectures for the coming term, as well as working with Captain Pike reviewing applications for department heads aboard the Enterprise. They had hardly any time to spend together, and what little time they had alone was usually spent working in his quarters.

The campus was slowly filling with new recruits, returning students, and faculty. Spock walked across the campus and realized that the quiet of summer would soon be replaced by the non-stop activity of the new academic year. The privacy required for a discreet relationship would be severely curtailed.

He stopped on the path back to his quarters. Something must be done. He pulled out his communicator and made a call.

That evening, he opened his door to a yawning Nyota. "Spock, if I'm this tired before term even begins, I'm going to be a basket case by the autumn break!"

He lifted her carrybag from her shoulder and guided her to his dining room table. "The pre-term rush will soon be over," he said. "Your schedule will settle into a more feasible routine."

"You're right, I know. But right now it feels like I'm running a 10K on nothing but fumes." She yawned again as he set their dinner on the table.

"I wonder," he said as they began their meal, "Would you care to join me on a short excursion next weekend?"

"Next weekend? Term starts on Monday…"

"Yes. And this will be our last opportunity to spend a significant amount of time together before Autumn Break."

"Spock, I'd love to, but I just don't think I can finish all the translations Professor Hanso has for me on top of all the lab-prep…"

"What if I assisted you?"

"But you have your own work…"

"…most of which is complete."

She looked at him, and sensing he needed the break as much as she did, she smiled. "Where are we going?"

"It is to be a surprise. But you should pack for warm weather. And you are not to bring anything school or work related. Is that enough information to prepare?"

She picked up her glass of wine and raised it a toast. "You're on." He nodded at her acceptance, but she wasn't finished. "Do I get a hint?"

"I have already given you all the information you require. Consider it an assignment in packing for unknown conditions."

"No, I refuse to think of it as work. It's a romantic weekend getaway with my boyfriend."

His eyes shot up.

"What?" she asked with a sly smile. "You don't like the term?"

"It is inaccurate. I am no boy, and I would hope that I am more than just a 'friend' to you."

"You know very well that you are, silly." She put her fork down and rose to walk to the other side of the small table and sat in his lap and kissed him. "But there is no word in Vulcan for 'dating.'"

"True, but I am following more human courtship practices."

"So…what? I'm supposed to call you 'the guy who's courting me?'"

He kissed her. "You may call me anything you wish. I have never been anyone's 'boyfriend.'"

"Until now."

"Indeed, until now." His mouth sought hers, and their kiss lasted until she softly moaned and began squirming in his lap. He pulled back and lifted her from his lap in spite of her protestations.

"Spock," she said as he stood then bent to kiss her once more, "I'm not made of fine porcelain. I want this."

"As do I," he said, drawing her close. "But not under our various deadlines and obvious fatigue. We both have much work to do before we report for duty in the morning."

She sighed. "Sad but true. Let's clean up and get to work."

"Agreed."

The rest of the week brought even less rest and found them on conflicting schedules. On the two evenings they were able to share dinner, Nyota was fast asleep on his couch before he'd even set the table.

Friday arrived at last and, with Spock's assistance, Nyota found a short-cut to reprogram the lab computers and finished ahead of schedule. She successfully obtained early leave from Professor Hanso.

She ran to her quarters, showered, packed, excitedly adding a bright yellow surprise for Spock before zipping up her pack and leaving the dorm.

For discretion's sake, they met at the public transporter station a few blocks away from campus. Spock had almost two years' worth of transporter credits and he couldn't think of a better way to start using them.

She saw his tall frame in the crowd near their departure pad and forced herself not to run. He met her with his almost-smile and dancing eyes. It was all she could do to keep herself from throwing her arms around him.

"Are you ready?" he asked as she neared.

"Are you kidding?" she asked, practically bouncing. "Let's get out of here!"

Spock led the way to the transporter pad and when technician called them forward, Spock handed him the data chip with the coordinates. Soon they felt the tingle of the transporter beam.

They materialized on a path bordered by tall hedges covered with wildflowers.

"Oh, Spock!" she breathed. "This is lovely! Where are we?"

"Vermont. Come, the cabin is this way."

They headed up the path and rounded a corner and there stood a small, rustic building. It had a run-down look about it, and Nyota worried about the condition of the interior. Spock unlocked the wooden door with a metal key. He let Nyota enter first and he followed with his pack and their supplies. He heard her gasp in surprise at the interior.

"Spock! This is amazing! How'd you find this place?"

He decided against naming the owner and said instead it was the country home of a good friend, "who offered it for our use whenever we need to get off campus for some privacy."

"Ahha! It's Captain Pike's place, isn't it!" She laughed. "I know he'd love the woodsy location and the lumberjack look of the place. But when he's indoors, he wants every modern convenience possible."

"You have correctly identified our benefactor. Now, do you wish to unpack and rest, or perhaps to swim in the lake before dinner?"

"Swim? Lake? Where?"

"If you look through the kitchen window you will see it."

She stood on her toes and leaned over the kitchen sink to peer through the window.

"Oh, Spock this is gorgeous! And it's got a sandy beach! I can lay out with a book and then go cool off in the water. Perfect!" He accepted her kisses happily.

"I am pleased you approve. There is the bedroom," he pointed. "You may change into your swimming attire while I put our supplies away."

As she got dressed, Spock put several items in the refrigeration unit. He then packed a light dinner and gathered towels and a large blanket.

Soon she returned, wearing a stunning yellow one-piece that revealed more than it hid.

"Nyota, you…your attire…"

"You approve?"

He cleared his throat. "Very much." He took a step forward and drew her into his arms. After a languorous kiss she pulled away and ran for the door, laughing. "Come on! I want to swim!"

He took a calming breath, gathered the food and towels, and followed her to the water's edge.

She was already in the water by the time he reached the shore. He spread the blanket, placed the towels and thermal container on it, and began removing his outer clothes, unaware of Nyota's admiring gaze. His swim trunks got caught in his trousers as he pulled them down, and she got a lovely view of the curve of his buttocks before he readjusted matters. She sighed as he turned to join her in the water.

They swam to the center of the small lake, where Spock took her in his arms and kissed her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he tread the water just enough to keep them afloat.

"Spock, this is wonderful," she said between kisses. "I'm so glad we came here."

"As am I," he said, leaning in so their foreheads touched. "The sun is setting. She we watch it from the shore?"

She nodded and they swam back to the beach. She opened the thermal bag and began setting out their supper. They nibbled on the fruit and cheese and sipped the cold white wine. He then moved to sit behind her, his legs on either side and arms around her waist, and they watched the sun dip behind the mountains. He felt her sigh as the last sliver of the bright disk slipped away.

He began kissing her neck and she leaned into him. He felt her shiver as he softly ran his hands down her arms. She turned to kiss him, but her shoulder caught him in the chest. He lost his balance and they fell, Nyota laughing as she climbed on top of him, pinning his arms as she straddled him. Her laughter quieted as she saw the heat in his eyes in the dying light. She bent to take his mouth in a kiss and he strained upwards to meet her.

He rose and rolled over, pinning her now, kissing, nipping exposed flesh. His hands moved over her breasts, her nipples hardened under her still-damp bathing suit. She was writhing beneath him now, her breath coming in soft moans.

He stood, lifting her effortlessly as she gasped her surprise at finding herself in his arms. In a few long-legged strides, they were in the cabin, and a few steps more found them in the bedroom where he gently laid her on the bed. Then he was above her, kissing her face and neck.

He moved the strap of her bathing suit and kissed each shoulder as he began slowly removing the yellow garment. He took her breasts in his hands and mouth before lifting her hips to pull the suit down her legs then threw it off into a heap in the corner of the room. He knelt before her, gazing at her in admiration. Then he was above her again, moving slowly lower, feeling her anticipation with each kiss he planted on her stomach, hip, inner thigh. He parted her legs and inhaled. She shuddered as his hands and mouth explored her. Her hands moved through his hair, caressed and pulled at his ears.

He pleasured her slowly, finding an exquisite rhythm, and soon her hips shook and she keened as her orgasm took away all rational thought.

He rose and positioned himself above her. Her hands guided him and her face registered her pleasure as he slowly filled her and his languorous strokes reignited her desire. He touched her face at the meld points.

"May I…? A mental link…" He looked into her eyes and, at her nod of comprehension and consent, he initiated the meld. His thrusts quickened and they shared every sense, every moment of pleasure. Soon the overwhelming sensations took them both; their combined climax rolling in waves through their bodies, her nails in his back, his teeth at her shoulder.

He rolled to the side and gathered her in his arms as they lay gasping.

"That was the most amazing...I've never felt like that before," she declared, tears in her eyes as she savored the tingling sensations throughout her body and mind.

"Nor have I." He seemed surprised.

"You mean…you've never done the mind thing with anyone before?"

"No, never a true meld," he looked into her eyes, "and there will be no other."

She looked up at him, and clung to him tighter. His fingers grazed her face and he showed her what he could not say.

"Me too, Spock. I love you, too," she whispered, and slowly fell asleep in his arms.

She woke with a start, disoriented, but the pleasant ache between her legs reminded her that, no, she wasn't late for anything; it was the Saturday morning after the best Friday night of her life.

She reached behind her, but found she was alone in the bed.

"Nyota," Spock's voice came from a corner of the still dark room.

"Mmm. Morning. What time is it?"

"05:23." He rose from his meditation pad and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you well?"

"I haven't slept this well in ages," she said as she stretched, then reached for him. "I love sleeping next to you."

He crawled in the bed and drew her to him. "I found my sleep enhanced by your proximity as well."

She sighed in his arms and seemed to settle back in to sleep, but he pulled away and got out of bed. "Come. I have something to show you."

She grumbled. "But I'm so comfortable!"

"It will not take long. I am certain you will be pleased, and you may sleep after."

She rose reluctantly, rifled through her pack for a long t-shirt and followed him out of the cabin. He stood behind her and pointed to a spot in the sky.

"Do you see that?" he asked.

She yawned. "What am I looking for?"

"That," he said. "The object that is moving."

"Ah, yes. What is it?"

"That is the Enterprise."

"Oh Spock," she breathed, "I want that ship so badly."

"I have it on good authority that your name has been submitted for consideration for a position there."

She turned around. "Ohmagod, Spock, are you serious? How? Who recommended me?"

"Your grades automatically put you on the short list; your work with the translator has placed you at the top of that list, well ahead of any competitors." Nyota was wide awake now, practically jumping up and down.

Spock continued. "There is, of course, the normal review process, but I have good reason to believe that the First Officer will include you in the final staffing recommendations for the communications department."

"Ohmagod! Really? Ohmagod!" She took a deep breath. "Wow. Well, what's next? What do I do to impress this guy?"

"There is nothing to do but maintain your grades. I assure you, he is sufficiently impressed."

"Who is it? Should I send a letter of interest? Stop by his office?"

His lips curved ever so slightly. "You should indeed visit his office. As often as possible. After hours preferably, perhaps wearing your yellow swimming suit under your uniform…" He wrapped his arms around her. She pulled back, staring at him, confused and slightly worried.

"You're kidding, right? Wait…No…You don't mean…are you telling me…You? You're going to be the first officer of the Enterprise?"

"I am," he said, trying not to look quite so pleased.

"Uhng!" she punched him in the arm.

"Wha—?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" He saw her smile and was confused. "All this time I've been mooning over that ship. And all the while—"

"Nyota, I was unable to reveal that information until now. You must understand that I very much wished to tell you."

She chuckled into his chest as she wrapped her arms around him. "I know that, silly. It's just…wow. Of all the crazy, random…wow." She took his face in her hands and kissed him long and hard.

"So, Commander, what do you suggest we do now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I believe you indicated the desire to sleep."

She kissed him again. "Oh, I have every intention of going back to bed, but believe me, mister; neither of us is getting any sleep." She playfully shoved him toward the door, and he happily complied with her demands, again and again, until they fell asleep, a tangle of limbs, sated and content, as the sun rose over the Vermont mountains.

~fin~

That's it for now. Already started a sequel, but won't post until it is mostly complete, no promises on when that will see the light!

Thanks again for the support and encouragement!