Private Communication; Triple-Encrypt.
Eyes Only: Captain James T. Kirk, StarFleet Medical, Stanford Branch, NorthAm Province, Earth
Retinal Verification Required to Initiate Playback.

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Jim... t'hy'la na'khere, tche akha'shtinaye.

My cool oasis, in the heart of the Fire. My bondmate, my self, my own... I have not the words to tell you, my One, how much you mean to me. Before our Bonding, I would have said that my life was fulfilling; that I found much satisfaction in my duty and my research, in our chess games, and the simple fact of your presence. But in truth I was merely existing, t'hy'la. With you, in you, I am *alive*. I am so much more aware, now, than I was before our Bonding.

I cherish thee, Jim. The touch of your thoughts in mine is the first thing I feel when I awake; it is the last thing I know, as sleep steals forth to claim me. With you I have my place to stand, my shelter from the storm. Even while you slept in the regen tank, I was with you. You sent me your dreams, and I dreamed them for you.

I knew it, when you awakened. I, too, felt the tenderness of soft new skin; knew the sweet taste of air, after days of water'd dreams. The way gravity felt on your bones, the first time you stood once more on unburned feet.

You are a sorcerer, James Kirk. You have bewitched me, with your laughing hazel eyes.

Hazel -- it is your name for their colour. But no one word can describe that shade; now green, now gold, now a richly honeyed brown... Your eyes are like Earth's seas, that are never the same hue twice. They devour my soul, and I let it go, willingly. I belong to you, as you to me. I would not have it any other way.

I hunger for the touch of your skin against mine in the night, for the quicksilver lightning that is your essence in the meld, twining within and around me till I cannot say where you end, and I begin. I find myself reaching out, as if, were I to stretch but a little further, you would be there, cool and refreshing, in my arms. At times, I cannot sleep, for wanting you, t'hy'la. We have never been so long apart, since we were Bonded.

I await thee, my One. I wish to feel your hands and lips upon my all too willing flesh. When I am inside you, I am always surprised at your warmth, for you feel so cool when it is you who is within me.

I have not your skill with words, my mate. But know this -- my hands yearn for the touch of your skin. I hunger for the taste of you, for the feel of your skin, for the weight of you in my arms at night.

I have taken you at your word, t'hy'la. The day that you arrive here, Mr. Scott will assume command. StarFleet has already approved a week's leave, for us both. I intend for us to spend it exactly as you said, for that is my wish also. I have been too long without you; I am eager for your touch, your scent, your thoughts so bright, so warm, in mine.

I will start at your feet, and learn your flesh anew, every part of it. I will hold you and warm you, even as I savour your coolness. I will take you in my mouth and make you beg for more. I am a starving man, my One, and you are my banquet, the bounty on which I shall feast. I am the desert, and you are the rain. I shall drink you deep, and you will bring me back to life. I shall join with you in the heart of the Fire, and it will burn us up to ash and gone, only to be reborn to burn again.

It will be a long week, Jim, until your return. But I will be there with you, in your mind. When you sleep, my thoughts will touch you. When you dream, I shall dream with you. And when at last you do arrive, then will I, too, be whole once more.

Thee are *mine*, t'hy'la, as I am yours. Only take care, on the journey home, and all will be well. Do thou rest well, for I do not think either of us will rest, once you arrive. Already I can taste you, hear your voice cry out, feel your hands upon me. Parted from me and never parted; never and always, touching and touched -- I await thee, Bright One. At'chinaye, okhosh'ten o'yao, t'hy'la'na.