ANNULMENT 

Captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise eyed his crew with no small sense of trepidation. Worf had grievous news, and while Picard could usually surmise what his crew would do in any given situation, he had no idea how they were going to react to this particular piece of information.

"I'm afraid, " Captain Picard said to the expectant faces seated at the long conference table, "there has been an accident."

Commander Riker frowned, "I thought this was something about Worf," he replied, "he looks fine to me, though I admit, a little more dour than usual." He flashed Worf a friendly smile, but the Klingon looked away, as if ashamed.

"This is a matter of my honor," Worf said with sad finality, "and it is not something that I wish to ever hear leave the confines of this room, is that understood?"

Taken aback by the gravity in Worf's tone, the group shrugged in agreement. Taking this as his cue, Picard, tapping his fingers on the table in a nervous gesture, began to explain, "It seems that our Security Officer Worf..."

"No," Worf interrupted, "I shall tell them myself."

The senior staff waited impatiently, each wondering just what it was that Worf was now confessing to. A blight upon his honor and by an accident at that, just what was going on?

"I have accidentally," Worf explained, in his deep growling voice, "mated with Ambassador Spock."

The ready room was suddenly explosive with shocked grunts and a couple of expletives. Dr. Pulaski dropped her glass of Betazoid Charma fruit juice onto her lap. Riker suddenly had a coughing fit to mask his gagging, Geordi was busy shaking his head trying to figure out if he had heard correctly, Counselor Troi was suddenly having some very scary mental images of Spock and Worf together and Captain Picard looked decidedly more pale than his usually stark white complexion.

"Eww," Data replied.

All eyes riveted onto him at this quip.

"It seemed to be an appropriate response," Data shrugged.

"Indeed," Dr. Pulaski replied.

"Worf," Counselor Troi responded, her eyes closed in concentration against the mental images, "can you explain to us, if you can, how this...mating...took place 'accidentally'?"

"Of course," Worf growled. "It was a couple of days ago, when Ambassador Spock came aboard during our stopover on Vulcan..."

"I thought he felt a little 'chipper' this morning," Counselor Troi mused aloud.

Worf glared at her. "I would appreciate not being interrupted," Worf boomed.

"Of course, sorry Worf," Troi cleared her throat, "please, continue."

Bristled by this intrusion, Worf related his confession.

"At the time of his visit, I was in the holodeck running a Klingon exercise program. As you may be aware, the exercises are especially grueling to a non-Klingon, and are designed to promote the natural aggressive tendencies of my race. I was well into level twelve..."

"I got to level thirteen yesterday," Riker said to him. Worf glowered at him, and Riker shrank back into his seat.

"I warned you, no interruptions!" Worf stood up, ready to tear the room to pieces.

Captain Picard stood up, "Calm down, Worf! In case you have forgotten, we are here to help you, remember?"

Worf pushed down his ire, keeping its embers low. "The exercise had progressed to a glorious battle, I was already feeling a certain elation when Ambassador Spock walked into the holodeck. He was intrigued by my battle program, so I suggested we start again, at a lower level. He would have none of it, he wished to fight on the same par as I. His sincerity moved me, so I allowed him to join with me in the battle. It was a grave mistake."

Worf shook his head, his familiar anger creeping into his being, "I was not aware that Ambassador Spock had begun his Pon Farr cycle and this is why he wished to continue with the more aggressive programs. By the time we had reached level fifteen..."

"Fifteen," Riker whispered to himself, feeling a tad jealous. Worf gave him a darkly warning stare.

"Let us just say the combination of my aggressive tendencies and Ambassador's Spock's medical condition did not allow for us to act as we would in normal circumstances."

"If I may interject," Dr. Pulaski dared, giving Worf a questioning look. The Klingon nodded to her, thankful that she had asked permission before interrupting. "I believe that there is a medical reason that this happened. Ambassador Spock was no doubt sending out some powerful pheromones, and that coupled with the natural endorphins released in Klingons during intense battle, well, it was very much a natural, biological response. Which brings me to this question, how is this affecting your honor?"

Worf sighed, feeling a great personal defeat. "When a Klingon male mates he utters The Vow to seal his bond with his partner. Due to the effects of what Dr. Pulaski has described, I accidentally spoke it."

Riker rubbed his brow with a weary hand, "Are you saying you _married_ Spock?"

"Yes," Worf replied, a little stunned at the admission himself, "I believe I did."

"Well, what's the problem?" Troi shrugged. "Just get a divorce."

"It is not that simple," Worf growled angrily. "For a Klingon to divorce, one of the pair must have acted dishonorably." He puffed up with pride, "And I, for one, am not a dishonorable Klingon."

Riker shook his head, "Come on Worf, I'm sure that there's a way out of this."

"There is," Worf replied, "but it involves the participation of Ambassador Spock."

Riker didn't like the way that Worf was looking at him.

"In what way?" He asked, guardedly.

"If Ambassador Spock was to act dishonorably," Worf explained, "perhaps by bedding my closest friend. I would then have cause to annul my vow."

"I really don't like the way you're looking at me right now, Worf," Riker replied, some genuine fear lining his voice.

"I'll sleep with Spock," Dr. Pulaski volunteered, "I can see a certain sex appeal."

"What a relief," Riker sighed.

Worf considered this. "Yes, that would be a sufficient cause of action. I agree to it."

"Hold on," Counselor Troi replied, "aren't I a closer friend to you than Dr. Pulaski? Don't you think that it would serve your honor more if I slept with him?"

Given his conflicting feelings for Counselor Troi, Worf wasn't sure if her volunteering was a suitable option.

"What, you don't think I can seduce him?" Dr. Pulaski interjected hotly, "I'll have you know I don't spend every night alone on this ship."

"Well, neither do I," Counselor Troi replied cattily. Riker gave her a glare lined with jealousy.

"Oh, and just who _has_ been keeping you company, Deanna?"

"Will, that is none of your business..."

"Oh, for God's sake," Captain Picard replied angrily "I'LL sleep with Spock!" He stood up from his chair and straightened out his uniform, "Dismissed."

"But sir," Riker replied, confused.

"I'll have to have my quarters suitably prepared," Picard replied with finality. "Computer, locate engineer Miles O'Brien."

<engineer Miles O'Brien is in Ambassador Spock's quarters>

Captain Picard frowned. "Computer, place an open hail on Ambassador Spock's comm link."

The ready room was suddenly filled with the moaning and heavy panting of two lust powered men. One of the lovers was letting out sighing moans in what sounded like an Irish accent.

"Eww," Data replied.

"An appropriate response," Worf said to him.

Captain Picard let out a long, happy, sigh of relief. His relationships with Klingons were complicated enough without sleeping with their exes.

"Well, Commander Worf, " he replied, "I guess you got your divorce."

END