Title: A Door Once Opened [Part 1] Series: Star Trek TOS

Type: Fanfiction Pairing: Spock/Christine Rating: 12

Summary: After the Platonious mission, Spock finds it necessary to compensate Christine for his actions while he was under duress. A mind-meld while she is suffering must be the easiest solution... but a door once opened can move in either direction...

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Star Trek characters or anything from the universe of Star Trek. I am just taking the characters and playing with them a while – promising to restore them whole and unblemished! Thanks to Gene Roddenberry for creating these toys for me to enjoy. Please don't take any of my playing as having any bearing on the actual franchise. Enjoy.

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"Mr Spock."

Though the words were a greeting, Christine Chapels eyes remained downcast as she passed the Vulcan in the corridor. And if her commander slowed his pace or turned toward her, she had not noticed.

He watched her scurry away, as quickly as grace allowed, and silently considered the change in the Chief Nurse. It had been noted that there was a distinct difference in her behavior toward him, as this incident had once again proved. A month ago Christine Chapel would have happily slowed to exchange pleasantries with him before the shift.

But that was before mission to Platonius and the humiliating performance forced upon them by the Platonians.

For so long I have wanted to be close to you. She had admitted, in shame, as their audience laughed and cheered for Spock to hold her closer. Now all I want to do is crawl away and die! He had failed her. He had indeed held her closer.

Spock had tried to be strong for her. Mentally block the control the Platonians had over him… but he was unable to. And as illogical as it may seem, a part of him hadn't wanted to be in control.

Once safely aboard Enterprise, the Captain, Uhura, Christine and he were examined and given clean bills of physical health.

"There is no need for concern Nurse." He had tried to reassure her, "Neither of us were in control of our faculties."

He noticed her pale and shrink away and realized he hadn't helped ease her discomfort. It was entirely possible he had increased it.

"I hope this will not affect our working relationship."

A small smile had curved her lips, but their eyes had not met. And throughout the following de-briefing, it appeared that Christine was ignoring him.

"Spock."

The Vulcan startled, inwardly, and turned to his Captain.

"Have you been listening?" The golden-haired man folded his arms with a mild amusement and turned to watch the Chief Nurse disappear down the corridor.

"I apologize, Sir. I was… distracted."

"Distracted?" A knowing smile spread over Jims lips, "Yes… you could say that."

"Please continue."

With a friendly tap on the arm, Jim beckoned him onward to the turbo-lift. "As I was saying," the Captain began, "Since the Enterprise is on a diplomatic mission of such importance, the only thing to do would be to send a shuttle party to assess the situation at the outpost."

"I concur." Spock agreed, stepping into the lift.

They were greeted by Uhura, who was heading for her duty shift.

"Lieutenant." Spock nodded.

"Uhura," Kirk began, turning to the young woman, "I want you to monitor the situation at -"

Spock fell out of the conversation once more, noting the ease with which the two officers addressed one-another. The Captain leaned in as he asked Uhura to contact the science out-post on Doenesha iii and draw up a roster of officers on duty for Spocks shuttle party.

The Lieutenant smiled fondly, eyes glittering as she committed her orders to memory. There was no dismissive or defensive body-language between the pair. Curious, as they had both been forced to act out a similar encounter as he had with Christine during their time on Platonious.

There was none of this ease between he and Chris- Nurse Chapel.

He was aware of the other two officers looking at him. Kirk seemed concerned. "Distracted again, Mr Spock." He moved closer and lowered the volume of his voice. "Perhaps you should report to sickbay."

Spock glanced at him, but all he could detect was a mild concern. "That is not necessary, Captain."

Kirk gave him another lingering look, then exited to the bridge.