“Mate or die?” Bette shook her head.  “What do you mean?”   Her heart stopped at the idea of losing her First Officer.  While they had minimal contact as children she loved her second parents, Spock and Lady Rhaina as much as her own.  She would never be able to face any of them with Christina’s death. 

“I am in pon’ Farr Captain.”

Pon Farr Bette searched her memory.  Spock Christina’s father had almost killed her own when in its grips.  Vulcan’s were required to mate or die every seven years.  She remembered when reviewing Kennard’s medical records that she had just passed through her first Pon Farr and would not enter this state again until a year after they concluded their first five year mission.

Christina watched with fascination as the Captain absorbed this information and processed it.  The play of emotion across her face one she would not have been so attentive to if her life was not hanging in the balance.

“Your records indicate that you will not enter this state for six years.  I don’t understand.” 

“Pon Farr does occur biologically every seven years Captain unless the mating bond is challenged and broken.  While it is rare for the bond to be broken in an unattached female such as myself when we touched earlier…”  Christina stuttered to a stop.

Bette’s eyes widened.  She too had felt the passion that surged when the two of them had joined fingers earlier.  It was part of why she was so receptive to the Princess’ flirtation earlier.  It took the edge off the need Christina had fired within her. 

Bette knew that if she were not Captain of the Enterprise she would have accepted the Princesses offer to consummate their pseudo relationship earlier.  She knew in her heart she would have been consummating her relationship with the woman beside her if that had been possible.

“Captain beam me to the Enterprise and have me placed in the Brigg until my death.  No locks on my quarters will hold me.  I will do what I must.  I will no longer be in control of my body shortly.” Christina pleaded.

“Stop” Bette commanded.  “You will not die.  You will mate with me now.”

“Captain” Christina choked out.  “You have no idea what you are saying.  The danger is multiplied because you have broken my bond.”

“All the more reason I should take care of what I broke” Bette moved closer. 

Christina placed a restraining hand on her chest.  It was her last ditch effort and they both knew it. 

“Captain, I am flame.  I will not be able to stop until I am inside you and you in me.”

“Understood Commander, let’s get started.”