A/N: OMG, have you guys been running around like chickens with no heads?! Have no fear, the Spartan is here! And I've brought a new chapter just for you guys. You've all been wonderful, and don't worry, this isn't the end. I do not own ST or STID, but I do own Aureya.
This is it, the apocalypse…
Aureya materialized onboard and once she was sure she was fully onboard, she dropped to her knees, coughing and wincing at the pain in her throat. She felt several hands helping her up, but she pushed away when they tried to get her on a stretcher.
"Aureya, come on, I've got to get you to medbay to get you taken care of." McCoy's soft southern drawl was a welcome sound when compared to Khan's cold, hard voice. "If you don't come willingly, I'll have to knock you out and bring you back that way." He threatened. She smirked as she stood on her own two feet, trying to step around him.
"My, you do have a way with the ladies." In a more serious tone. "I need to get to the bridge and make sure shields are up and the new weapon settings are working." He shook his head, letting her pass.
"Fine, but I'm coming with you. Can't have you over working yourself." They practically ran to the bridge, and she set to work, her fingers flying over the commands on the engineering console and her eyes dancing with equations and calculations. Even Spock was impressed with the speed at which she was working. Soon, shields were almost to 100% and the new weapon systems were online. Khan had yet to raise his own shields and Aureya proceeded to hack into his computer, dropping the oxygen level dangerously low in his bridge and sealing his doors. She disabled his weapons more permanently and set to draining his power.
"Lieutenant, may I ask what you are doing now?" Spock has moved over to her console, as had Chekov and Kirk, wanting to see what she was working so hard on. Ignoring him, she turned to the tactical officer.
"I'm sending coordinates now, aim and fire with 75% phaser power, you should disable his weapons." She sent the coordinates and watched as the Enterprise fired. There was an explosion on the larger ship. She smirked and continued to type away. "Lieutenant Uhura, hail Khan." Uhura nodded, prepping it and doing as she asked. Using the hack, she put it up on the screen for everyone. Khan looked shocked and a bit out of it. She continued to type as he started to try and kick her out of his computer. Kirk stepped forward.
"Surrender, Khan, or we'll destroy your ship and everyone on it." Kirk was referring to the fact that Khan believed he had his own people on board. Aureya knew better; she had scanned and not found the cryotubes. She knew they were still on the ship and so did Kirk. Khan seemed to consider what he said, before nodding. Aureya put in the necessary power to beam him into the brig and nodded to the captain when it was done. She cut the communication and backed out of the enemy ship's computer, finally relaxing against her seat. She closed her eyes, listening as McCoy scanned her with a tricorder.
"Alright, Leo, you can take me away now." She stood slowly, heading for the lift. He nodded, leading her. They arrived at the medbay and she lay on the bed while he scanned her and repaired the damage to her throat. They both stayed quiet through the interaction, very aware of Nurse Chapel practically staring at them. He nodded to her when she was done and she sat up. "Thanks, doc." She hopped off the bed and headed for the door. She knew he wanted to speak, but she also knew he wouldn't say anything with Chapel breathing down his neck. She headed to her room, changing into baggy sweats and a tank top, heading to the holodeck.
She took a deep breath, her eyes closed as she concentrated on her movements and the calm cool air around her. She hadn't done her tai chi in a while, and she could feel it as she worked. She was in a particularly complicated kata when she heard the door open. She ignored it and continued on, intent on finishing the one. There was no sound for a few minutes, and she forgot she even had a visitor as she moved her body around so that she fluidly came up on one leg. A throat was cleared nearby and she swung down quickly, planting both feet, and grabbing an arm, twisting it up behind them. She had just enough presence of mind not to hurt the person, which she was grateful for as she opened her eyes. She had managed to trap McCoy.
"Aureya, I love hugs as much as the next guy, but I don't think this is what people normally have in mind." He joked. She released him, a small embarrassed smile on her face. He chuckled, turning to face her. "I suppose I should have announced myself." He blushed. "Guess I got caught up watching. What were you doing?"
"Tai chi. It helps the bodies flexibility, strength, and control." She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry for attacking you, Leo." He waved her off. They sat together in the clearing while she explained tai chi to him. He seemed genuinely interested. They chatted mindlessly for a bit longer before McCoy started to show some nerves.
"Aureya, I was wondering…" he hesitated and she chuckled at his flustered expression. "Well, I was wonderin' if maybe you'd like to have dinner with me tomorrow? I'll take you out to a restaurant and everything." He sounded so hopeful, and she did think he was cute when he was like this. She nodded.
"Sure, Leo." She smiled. "That sounds like fun. What time?" He looked relieved and they set it up. "If you don't mind, I have to go back and shower and go to bed." They stood and walked out together. He walked her to her room, talking about simple things like music and food. As they stopped outside her door, both got sort of nervous. "Well, goodnight Leo. Guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, goodnight Aureya." She opened her door and stepped through. Once it was shut, she leaned against it, her head swirling as excitement built up in her chest. He actually asked her out on a date. She wanted to squeal, but she held back. Instead, she went right to bed, smiling even in her sleep. He sauntered back to his room, feeling happier than ever. It was a good night for both of them.
The next day, Aureya woke up late and caught the last shuttle to the surface. The entire crew had been given shore leave until the Enterprise was good as new. Landing at the Academy, she knew they would have quarters for her, but she would rather stay in a hotel off campus. After filing that info, she headed into the city. She found a pretty nice place to stay and got a suite, sending the location to Star Fleet command. They approved and she was in her room relaxing in no time. It was nice to have a real bed and some real food available. She quickly put her few belongings away before making the decision to go shopping for her date with McCoy later. Her heart thrilled as she left for the shopping district.
It only took her two hours, but she grabbed stuff for her date and a bit more as well. She had new workout clothes, a few new books to read, and a couple new pairs of shoes. Her chosen outfit for the night was an almost medieval looking top, with a flowy white shirt and a corset attachment for her stomach and waist; a pair of skinny pants in black, and a pair on flat black boots. She jumped into the shower as soon as she got home, taking her sweet time to make sure she was smelling good and was all clean. It took her all of ten minutes to get dressed, mainly due to the corset, and another 15 to figure out what to do with her hair. She coaxed it into waves and left it down to frame her face. She put on makeup in mainly neutral colors, wanting it to look somewhat natural. By the time she was finished, she had about 10 minutes before McCoy would pick her up. Sighing, she settled onto the couch with one of her new books and was soon immersed.
The sound of the door chime jolted her out of the fantasy story and she looked at the clock. He was right on time; she got up checking her hair and makeup before she answered the door. He stood there, in faded jeans and a dark button up; the top couple of buttons were undone and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He looked her over in surprise, and she worried he wouldn't like it. He smiled then, dashing her fears, and pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind him. It was a colorful assortment and it smelled wonderful.
"Come on in, Leo." She took the flowers he offered and stepped off to the side to let him in. He looked around, giving a low whistle. She put the flowers in a vase, filling it with water.
"If I'd known engineers got such nice rooms, I might've reconsidered my major." He smirked and she rolled her eyes. As he stepped toward her, he said in a softer tone. "You look beautiful, darlin'." She blushed, just bright enough for him to see. "Should we go?" She nodded, taking his arm as they left. They headed down the street, towards the city center, neither talking but no one feeling the need to.
"So, where are we going Leo?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. He chuckled and shook his head.
"That's a surprise. I'm just hoping you'll like it." They turned onto a side street and she couldn't help her excitement as she started to bounce a little. "Problem?" He asked jokingly.
"I'm just really excited, that's all. You're not the only one with a severe love of food, doll." She joked back. He blushed at the doll part and laughed.
"Well, I hope you like traditional southern cooking, 'cause that's what's on the menu tonight." Her eyes brightened, and he was happy that his choice was going over so well. They arrived at a small quiet restaurant. He opened the door for her and even hurried to pull out her chair. She chuckled.
"Trying to keep the idea of the southern gentleman alive, are we?" She joked. He laughed himself and she decided he looked much better as a happy man than as a gruff angry doctor. She couldn't help but laugh along. They enjoyed dinner and all too soon for either of them, he was walking her to her door. She hesitated outside of it, looking up at him shyly.
"Well, thank you for coming out." His voice was gruff, and he looked as shy as she felt. She gave a small smile.
"It was my pleasure, Leo." He practically glowed, happy he'd made her night fun. He leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to turn him down, but desperately hoping she wouldn't. She got a playful look in her eye, and placed her finger between their lips. "If you want a kiss, you'll have to take me out again." She joked, nervous that he wouldn't appreciate it. He chuckled, not yet pulling back.
"You can count on it, Aureya." His voice was low and combined with the drawl, it gave her goosebumps. She was suddenly quite breathless. "This definitely won't be a onetime fling, if I can help it." He kissed her cheek and pulled back, smirking as he turned to go. She fumbled her way into the suite and shut the door behind her, placing her hand lightly on her cheek where the kiss had been. She knew it wasn't going to be just once.
A/N: So, there's a nice long chapter for all you romantics out there. What did you think? Review please, and thank you so much for spending time on my little piece. Thinking of doing a sequel, any ideas for a plot? I have a romantic one in mind, but now I need an action-y plot. Help me out folks!