Returning to chambers of the Royal Consort the now crew of eight looked to Porter for direction. 

“Williams.”

“Maam.”

“Tie into the Enterprise computers and research this upcoming challenge.  Ms. Kennard has already archived the data from the Allegra computers.  Dr. Piaseki get me the short version of Antarian biology.  I need to know what I am dealing with if there is a direct physical challenge involved.  Fairbanks review the flight plan to Antares and review previous homebound voyages to see the most vulnerable areas should we have to escort the Princess.   Let’s meet in an hour and a half in Piaseki and Williams’s suite.  Kennard with me.”

The second the door closed Bette closed on Christina.  “Tell me is pon’ Faar contagious?”

“Of course not Captain.” Christina replied offended.  “I would never subject you or anyone else to an infectious agent.”

Bette smiled recognizing the insulted tone of Kennard’s voice though she knew her First Officer would insist that to be insulted would a human emotion that she did not experience.

“I’ve never had this reaction to a woman before.” Bette tried to explain.  Seeing the raised eyebrow of disbelief she stumbled on.  “Let me rephrase, I’ve never needed a woman’s touch the way I need yours.  These past six now seven and a half hours have been excruciating.  All I want to do is mate with you.”

“I see” Christina said in a voice strained with emotion.  “Captain you must not speak of this.”  Her eyes burned with desire belying her words. 

Bette touched her and they both gasped as they clung to one another in the grips of passion so hot Bette understood Christina’s assertion that she was flame.  Words were out of the question as bodies were bared and fevered kisses and possessive hands and teeth sought and brought them to shuddering release. 

The Vulcan/Romulan normal body temperature was higher than a human so Bette felt the loss of Christina’s heat the minute she rose to get them water to quench their parched throats.  She almost groaned at the momentary loss until she remembered Christina’s admonition that she not speak of this…connection between them.