Nyota woke up and stretched. They were on their way to Star Base 12 as Jim had arranged. Today was the last day before their three day planned vacation. Tonight was the night!
She smiled. Today was the 180th day.

She showered and dressed quickly. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She wondered if Jim was on the bridge. She hoped that the day would pass quickly. Today was the beginning of a new life for both of them.

She arrived and immediately went to work trying not to glance over at him and catch his eye. The sooner this day would be over, the better and she decided to attempt to concentrate on the task at hand. Jim smiled at her after he caught her glancing his way and then he returned to his conversation with Spock. She knew that he was as anxious as she was.

She hoped that the day would be an uneventful one.

Jim sat on the bridge and wondered what he was going to do. Khan was demanding that he turn the bridge over to him. He would never do that.
He looked over at the crew that was on the bridge. He could see the fear and apprehension in their eyes. They were depending on him. He was the captain and he had let them down.

He had gotten them out of tight jams before, and he searched his mind for some gap in Kahn's plan, but he had been thorough! He had to think of something!

Life support systems had been cut off and the oxygen was rapidly depleting. He glanced over at his crew, including his beloved Nyota who lay on the floor. How could this happen? Khan had outsmarted him and he could see no way out. As he recorded in his log, he thought of what the night was supposed to be, their new beginning and now they were on the verge of losing everything. His head was swimming and he felt himself sliding from the captain's chair to the floor.

Nyota looked at the madman Khan as he was trying to convince her and the rest of the crew to come over to his side in his quest to take over the Enterprise. No one budged. No one took him up on his offer. Khan was sadly mistaken. There were no traitors on the Enterprise except Marla. They knew that even though Khan had studied the manuals, he and his henchmen could not navigate the Enterprise on their own. Khan would receive no help from them!

He demanded that Nyota turn the video screen on. She sat in her chair defiant! Where was Jim? She would not help him if it meant giving up her life!

Fear gripped her as she was yanked from her seat and thrown in front of the controls. She would not help them! She glanced over to McCoy who gave her a slight grin of support.

Her mind was racing. What had they done to the captain? Her head flew back as Khan's henchman smacked her hard making her head spin. She glared at him. He would have to do better than that to get her to cooperate!

Marla jumped up to protect Nyota from further abuse. How could she be such a traitor! The viewing screen came on and she gasped. Khan coolly stated that Jim would not die if they came over to his side. Nyota knew he was lying. He could not be trusted! She and the others watched helplessly as the captain struggled in the confines of the chamber. He would not have long before he would die if something wasn't done.

The viewing screen went off and Khan stated coldly that the captain was dead. She felt sick. She could think of no way that Jim could have escaped from the chamber. Her head fell forward on the console unable to believe that he was gone.

Tears filled her eyes. For the last six months she had loved him. She thought about how happy she was that today had finally arrived and now she was filled with pain. Her beloved had been murdered. On the day that was supposed to be her happiest, it was her worst.

Marla, that coward, asked Khan if she could be excused! She hated her. How could she betray all of them? Jim's blood was on her hands! Khan announced that Spock would be the next to die.

She looked at the rest of the crew in the room. They sat there unmoved it appeared by the events. She knew, however, that they too were grieving over the loss of the captain and Spock. She guessed that they all were about to die and were preparing themselves for the worst.

Suddenly gas began to fill the room and fights broke out. She escaped into the corridor coughing. She was shocked to see Jim come running down towards her. He was alive! She was stunned.

He did not look at her as he rushed pass. He was now being the captain and regaining control of his ship. She was just glad that he was alive.

The court marshal for Khan was swift. The decision had been made. She left the meeting when the recording was finished and sent a transmission of the hearing to Starfleet Command. She was supposed to be on her vacation. They were supposed to be together. Nothing had gone as they had planned. She breathed a sigh of relief, however. She was just glad that they were alive and had another chance.

She still had not talked to Jim. He was totally preoccupied with the situation at hand and she did not want to distract him. She went about her duty and ended up working a double shift. She didn't care. She was alive. He was alive. There was always tomorrow. She saw Jim rushing around the ship, barking orders. She knew that he held himself responsible for what happened. She tried to concentrate on the task at hand noticing that he hardly looked her way. She understood. He was still trying to grapple with the situation.

Nyota retired to her quarters exhausted. They were on their way to Ceti Alpha V where Kahn, Marla and the rest were to be deported. She would be glad when they arrived and the nightmare would come to an end. She noticed that Jim was noticeably on edge and she was sure that he too wanted this to be over. She climbed into the bed. She knew that she would be sleeping alone tonight. They would be arriving at Ceti Alpha V in the morning.

As much as she tried, she could not sleep. Her mind kept replaying the events of the day. How close they had come to death kept her preoccupied. She thought about Jim and how she almost lost him, how he ad almost lost his ship. She got up. There was no use lying in bed wide awake even though she was tired. She would return to the bridge and make herself useful by offering to relieve Saunders for her breaks.

Jim was not on the bridge and she was not surprised. Spock, however, was at his station and looked inquiringly at her.

"Lieutenant" he said "It was my understanding that you were off duty for the next three days."

"I know, Spock" she said "I can't sleep. I told Lieutenant Saunders that I would relieve her for her breaks."

"If you are looking for the captain-"

"I am not looking for the captain, Spock" she said interrupting him "I am just trying to make myself useful."

Spock studied her for a moment. "Very well."

Saunders returned from her break and Nyota went to the observation deck which was deserted. She was not ready to return to her empty quarters.
She stared out in space thinking about all that had happened. She guessed that Jim most likely had gone to his quarters for a brief rest period. She did not want to disturb him. She was sure that the time in the decompression chamber must have taken a toll on him and felt that he needed his rest.

She didn't know how long she sat there and she didn't realize that she had dozed off until an arm shook her gently. She opened her eyes and Jim was looking at her.

"Nyota, I've been looking all over for you. Spock told me that you left the bridge and when I didn't find you at your quarters, I began searching the entire ship for you."

Seeing those hazel eyes full of love and concern overwhelmed her and she started crying. He pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly. She wept uncontrollably, not wanting to let him go.

"Baby, its alright." he said kissing her. 'It's almost over."

"Jim, I though you were dead! Khan-"

"I'm right here. I'm fine, see" he said wiping her face. He smiled. "I guess we're now one day overdue for our vacation. I didn't think anything would be able to keep me from you, but I guess I was wrong. Why don't you go go lie down in your quarters? You're off duty. I have one more task to perform. We are approaching Ceti Alpha V and once Khan and the rest are dropped off, I will come to you."

"Alright Jim" she said.

She got up and walked with him. She didn't have much to say. She was exhausted. She decided that she would take a shower and wait for him. She walked in her quarters and turned to him, giving him a salute. He smiled. "I'll be back before you know it." he said

She put on her bath robe and stretched out on the bed after the relaxing shower. She would relax for a bit and wait for Jim.

When Jim came to her quarters, he found her fast asleep. This was not how their first full day of lovemaking was supposed to turn out. He knew that she was tired and had to admit to himself that he was too.

He stood over the bed and admired her. The robe had come open revealing her perfect breasts as she lay on her side. His eyes traveled down to her navel and then to the thickness of the hair between her thighs. She didn't shave. He liked that. Desire filled him but he looked away. In due time, he said to himself.

He sat down and took off his boots and lay down beside her. She did not stir and he was glad to let her rest. He too, was tired after all that had happened. He closed his eyes and felt sleep overtaking him.

***************

Nyota awoke to Jim's deep breathing, almost to the point of snoring. She was happy, he came to her. The room was dark and she nestled close to him. She could tell that he was fully dressed except for his boots. She sat up on the side of the bed and he woke up immediately.

"Lights twenty five percent" he said.

She looked at him in the dimness of the room.

"You look tired and you're dressed. Why didn't you just undress and get under the covers?" she asked.

"I didn't think I'd go to sleep so quickly." he said smiling "I haven't showered in a couple of days and I don't smell too nice. I didn't want to stink up your bed."

She leaned down taking in his sweaty scent.

"Smells like a man to me" she teased "I think I'd like my sheets smelling like a man."

He pulled her to him. "Well alright. But I'd prefer to shower. If you don't mind, I'll use yours." He kissed her and sat up.

"Help yourself." she said smiling.

She watched as he undressed. Soon he stood before her in all his naked glory. A rush of heat consumed Nyota and she jumped up from the bed.

He headed towards the bathroom but she cut him off. "Not yet."

He looked at her curiously. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want you to shower yet. I want you to shower later." she said running her hands over him.

He looked surprised. "I'd smell better and feel better-"

She buried her face in his chest. "I like the way you smell, all sweaty and sexy. It's not a bad thing. Her fingers traveled over his jawline and moved to his neck.

His arms came around her. "I wish you were a little sweaty too, then" he said his voice low "then we'd be even."

"Oh, I am captain." she said pushing him back towards the bed. "I've been asleep in this thick, hot robe for hours." She let it drop to the floor.

"This is not how I planned things." he protested. "I had silk sheets and
flowers and-"

"It doesn't matter." she said as he sat on the bed. "All I want is you."

She positioned herself between his legs and kicked the robe aside. She looked down at this man so had come to love so much, this man that she almost lost. "I love you, James Tiberius Kirk, every sweaty, sexy inch of you."

He smiled at her. "I love you too, so very much."

He touched her face which had a bruise from her being hit. Anger and guilt filled him. He thought of what could have happened to her, to all of them.

"I don't ever want to lose you. You are my woman and I want to be the one to protect you. I am sorry about this." he said.

She smiled. " We made it, Jim. I almost lost you, we almost lost each other, but we made it."

She dropped to her knees taking him in her mouth. His scent invaded her senses and her arousal increased. She didn't want to go too far with this, she wanted to feel him inside her. She had waited a long time for this day.

She felt him grab her and pull her up to him. "I can't wait any longer. I want you now." he declared kissing her.

He flipped her over on the bed and positioned himself between her legs entering her with one easy stroke.

"Oh god, oh baby this feels so good!" he exclaimed as he easily possessed her. He had waited a long time for this. His need for her consumed him.

"Yes, talk to me, Jim" she said.

Jim knew that he was being selfish in a way. He need for her though was overtaking him and he felt himself losing all control. He told her again that he loved her and that he needed her. He told her how good she felt to him.

She encouraged him to take all she had, all he wanted and needed and he complied, his strokes became harder and quicker. He knew the end was coming soon..too soon for six months had been a long time for him, but he couldn't help himself. He heard himself cry out her name, all the frustration, anxiety, from all that had happened as well as his love for her came out of him along with his orgasm.

He lay beside her a minute and then looked away. "I'm sorry...I guess I wasn't a very good lover to start off with." he said softly.

She grabbed is face. "You are a very good lover. You have been loving me for the last six months and it has been great."

"But I got carried away. I know you didn't-"

She kissed him cutting him off. "We have all the time in the world. I just wanted to give myself to you, to actually feel you inside of me. That was what I wanted and you gave that to me."

"I'm going to shower now, " he said "with your permission, of course."

She laughed. "I probably could use one myself."

"Oh no you don't. You stay right here."

He got up and went into the bathroom and showered. The shower refreshed and energized him. When he came out, he was surprised how quickly he was aroused again.

He walked over to her and sat on the bed. She had put her robe back on and was watching him.

He opened the robe, his eyes traveling over her. He buried his head between her thighs inhaling deeply. It embarrassed her a little knowing that she was sweaty herself. She pressed her thighs together.

"I have waited six months for this." he whispered. "Now open up, that's an order!"

He grabbed her by the hips, hovering over her on the bed. He placed his knee between her legs attempting to separate them.

"Jim let me freshen up-"

"No." he said gruffly spreading her legs. He enhaled again starting at her navel and working down slowly. She was very wet, a mixture of her arousal and their previous lovemaking. He knew that she was slightly apprehensive about her scent from their lovemaking. He smiled as he realized that she still had a lot to learn about him. He flattened his tongue giving her a lick long and slow. Her scent mixed with their previous lovemaking session intoxicated him and he felt his own arousal increase as his erection throbbed. She began moaning under his searching tongue and her moans amplified his desire for her. She was so wet and so ready, but he wanted this to be good for her. He easily slipped his fingers in her still licking her clit while his fingers were seeking the sensitive spot to drive her over the edge. He found it and her body bucked upward and her orgasm clenched around his fingers. He removed them slipping them in between her cheeks finding the opening there, continuing his long licks.

"God Jim" was all she could say. She could hardly think as his fingers probed her.

"Is this virgin territory?" he asked probing the tight opening.

"Yes" she gasped. God but it felt good, his licking was driving her crazy as well as his finger. She felt another orgasm approaching. It started around his probing finger and spread, her center ached for attention as the orgasm took control. She was surprised at what she was experiencing, her center ached with the need of him even as she was recovering from the orgasm his probing fingers had brought on.

"Please Jim, fuck me, please!" she gasped, her voice begging.

He chuckled in triumph and turned her over on her stomach. He grabbed her from the waist and brought her to her knees. His throbbing member easily slipped into her as she gasped with pleasure.

His strokes were fast and hard and she loved it and told him so. Her encouragement sent him into a frenzy of fast strokes and he threw back his head as he felt the end coming. His fingers dug into her hips as he felt his body stiffen and his release seemed to go on forever. Never before had he felt like this, so whole and complete. He felt as if they were truly one in mind as well as body.

He fell on the bed. "Damn Ny! That was awesome." he said breathing hard grinning at her in total satisfaction.

"You were awesome" she said kissing him.

He pulled her to him and she wiped the sweat from his face. He looked like a little boy who had just won first prize.

"I love you." he said and she knew that it was more than just words.

"Love you too." she said. "Now go to sleep. You know you want to."

He snickered. "Isn't that a no no?"

"You deserve it." she said turning her back to him.

He pulled her close and she listened to the sound of his breathing which deepened within just a few moments.

They had made it. The six month courtship had been successful and challenging and she looked forward to many more challenges that she knew would be a part of their mission aboard the Starship Enterprise.