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1C13:11, Chapter 9, SoS 7:6-9
Title: 1C13:11 — SoS7:6-9
Characters: Spock, Amanda, Uhura, multiple OCs
A/N: How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!
Warning: Starts off very K, but eventually flirts with M.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Star Trek, any Star Trek characters or any Star Trek concepts and I still don’t get paid for writing about any of those.
( Read Ru2:13 )
( Read Prv22:6 )
( Read Prv4:1-15 )
( Read Col3:21 )
( Read Prv13:5-7 )
( Read SoS8:8 )
( Read Prv27:6 )
( Read Col3:14)
Ignoring a sensation that was equal parts trepidation and anticipation, Spock opened Nyota’s most recent message. Avoiding her was more difficult than he had anticipated.
More than five days of the eight days he’d spent on Earth since his return had been taken up by Starfleet business which kept him from communicating with anyone other than his examiners — physical, mental/emotional and legal — yet eluding Nyota’s persistent attempts to meet with him was a challenge.
His first instincts, upon being excused from further interrogation at Headquarters, were to access the cadet’s schedule and then wait at an appropriately secluded point along a route she would take from one class to another. The “surprise meeting” would please her, he’d determined. Humans enjoyed surprises that were pleasant in nature.
But when an unfamiliar figure with an unmistakable graceful stride had emerged from Engineering Building G, he’d abandoned his careful plans.
Although he was far enough away to strain even a Vulcan’s acute vision, he’d had no doubt about what he was seeing. The three male cadets following in Nyota’s wake, calling out to her in cajoling voices even after she’d turned and rejected their offers to accompany her out for the evening, were sufficient indication of that he was right.
“Maybe next time, guys,” she’d yelled across the green separating the Martinet Linguistics Building from Engineering Building G, “I’m waiting for important news about a good friend.”
Spock left his place in the shadows near the entrance to the building while her head was still turned.He’d ignored her attempts to contact him since then. Messages one and two, hastily scribbled on a PADD and transmitted to his electronic address, had inquired about his condition, asked when he excepted to leave Medical and requested a response as soon as he was capable of giving one.
The third and fourth attempts had been delivered via communicator and allowed Spock to observe an agitation in her tone that had been missing the day before.
This message — the fifth message in fewer than half as many days — was considerably harder to dismiss.
“This is unfair, Spock! I know you received my notes and calls. Is something wrong? Are you okay?” she asked. “You can tell me. You know that. Stop shutting me out.”
The video communication left him in no doubt that she was concerned about his well-being… and distressed over his continued silence.
“They released you from Medical, so I know you weren’t gravely injured,” she went on, her voice — and her invitingly full lower lip — trembling in spite of the knowledge she claimed. “But I’m still… I’m still worried.
“Why haven’t you come to see me? Why won’t you let me see you? I don’t even know where you’re quartered…” Her voice trailed off, and she swiped at her eyes with a quivering left hand.
She inhaled deeply. He could clearly see the expansion of her chest.
“I mean it, Spock! Contact me.” Although for an instant her face was contorted with anger, that did not diminish the irrefutable visual evidence.
His eyes had not deceived him three days ago: Nyota was beautiful. And other men found her desirable.
He was ill-equipped to effectively manage this change in circumstance.
Confirmation had brought with it comprehension of what his grandparents had been hinting at — in that frustratingly oblique way of humans — during their final conversation before disaster had struck the Marja Sklodowska.
______
“Will you pass a request on to Grandmother?” Spock asked his grandfather. Although the officer usually reserved each month’s fifteen minute allotment of video communication for contacting his mother, he’d deemed this conversation sufficiently important to alter that habit.
Absalom looked beyond the comm screen at the sound of a swinging door and said, “Why don’t you ask her yourself? It’s for you, Ruthie.”
Ruth Grayson usually spent more time in her studio, closed off from outside communication, than she in the rest of the farmhouse. Though her presence in her husband’s office was unexpected, Spock was pleased that he would not need his grandfather to act as an intermediary.
His grandmother expressed her delight more exuberantly.
“Spock!” she cried out as she moved around the desk to face the comm. “I’m so happy to see you!” She sat in the chair Grandfather had not quite vacated. “Now, what can this old lady do for her handsome grandson?”
“I need a betrothal gift, Grandmother,” he explained. “I believe jewelry is usually considered appropriate.”
“I didn’t think you’d been in touch with some of the women Amanda found.” Absalom Grayson, sitting on the chair’s arm with an arm around his wife, frowned in confusion. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait until you actually see a few of them? What if the one you choose doesn’t like your gift?” Using her elbow, Grandmother struck Grandfather in his abdominal area.
“Don’t be so dense, dummy!” she said, her affectionate tone no doubt intended to turn the invective into an endearment. “This is for our little Ennie.”
From the look Grandfather bestowed on her, Spock deduced that her effort was successful. Humans, he thought, wondering if he should expect similar abuse from his own future mate.
“Grandmother is correct; the gift is intended for Nyota,” Spock put in, hoping to avoid any further unseemly displays (there were some behaviors a grandson should not be forced to witness). “And I would prefer that Mother not know about it yet. She might be… unintentionally indiscreet.”
“See?” Grandmother’s teeth gleamed as she grinned at Grandfather in triumph. Her smile turned…loving? proud? when she turned to Spock. “I knew you’d do the right thing.”
Grandfather’s brow furrowed, indicating further confusion. “Indiscreet?” he asked as if Grandmother had not spoken. “Who do you think Amanda’s gonna tell that Nyota hasn’t already told?”
“Nyota is not yet aware of my decision,” Spock told him. “She was, in fact, never made aware that there was a decision to be made. I saw no reason to inform her when she was one choice among many. Now that she is to be my mate, I intend to tell her when she graduates from the Academy.”
He looked at his grandmother. “Will two years be sufficient time for you to design and craft something that she will find pleasing?”
“No worries, handsome,” Grandmother assured him. “I’ve already got something ready. I’ve been waiting for this day. She’s going to love it!”
Spock arched an eyebrow. “I was not aware you and Nyota had become so closely acquainted.”
“Of course we’re close, Spock!” Grandmother exclaimed. “She’s been coming her every summer for the last six years. And a couple of weekends, too, now that she’s in San Francisco. Unlike some people, she doesn’t visiting an old artist in her studio.”
Spock opened his mouth to deny her insinuation that he did not enjoy her company, but before he could speak, Grandfather bent, placing his lips against her ear.
“Ruthie, maybe you— ” he said in a low voice. He broke off and looked up, his cheeks coloring as if he suddenly recalled his grandson’s Vulcan hearing.
Although Absalom did not continue his thought, Spock sensed his disapproval. He spoke again only after a silence that lasted long enough to leave even Spock uncomfortable.
“Son, I know your mother told you about her concerns,” Grandfather stated. “I’m going to be blunt here, Spock. Human women need love— ”
“Nyota’s needs will not go unmet,” Spock broke in, hoping Absalom would not ask him to elaborate.
“See?” Grandmother said, jabbing Grandfather a second time.
Spock nodded to her in gratitude, but her husband appeared to be undeterred.
“Still, son, I’m not sure it’s wise for you to wait until she graduates,” Absalom cautioned. “What if she says ‘no’? You won’t have much time…”
“I do not believe she will refuse me.”
Grandfather’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing into the expression Spock recognized as a prelude to a lecture. While he’d never been on the receiving end of one of Absalom Grayson’s “dressing downs,” Spock had had ample opportunity to observe his cousins getting chastised.
“When was the last time you actually saw Nyota?”
“Abi!” This time, Grandmother’s elbow impacted with Grandfather’s side just as her smile turned into a glare. For a moment, Spock was reminded of Nyota.
“We were together a month before I reported to the Marja Sklodowska,” he told them, but his mind was focused on a small girl, stamping her foot and demanding kisses. Now that she had reached her majority, there was no reason not to grant her wish…
“Isn’t it odd that she never established visual contact in all that time?” Grandfather’s voice interrupted his reverie, and Spock returned his focus to the comm screen. “She’s a communications major. She has to know how. And, well, even if she didn’t, you do, don’t you?”
“Cadets have limited access to full subspace channels. It would have been far more logical for her to utilize her allotted time to contact Mother — who, as a human, required visual confirmation of her well-being. As I did not need that, it would not make sense for her to contact me in that way.”
Grandmother’s mouth fell open in a surprise. “You haven’t seen her since you left?” she asked. After exactly two point five seconds had passed, she stood, patted Grandfather’s shoulder and addressed Spock again. “I’ve had something that will be perfect for Ennie just waiting for you to say the word. I’ll send you holos and you can tell me what you think. Meanwhile, I think you and your grandpa need to talk.”.
Her husband shook his head as she left the room, but the frown was replaced with a small smile Spock wasn’t able to decipher. It was almost… secretive.
Sliding back into his chair, Absalom rested his forearms on his desk and silently studied Spock.
“I know you believe that some of the ways we humans make our decisions are illogical,” he eventually said, the smile still evident even as he adopted a serious tone of voice, “but I’d like you to consider a little advice from your old grandpa. There’s a saying ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ You might not be familiar with the saying—”
“I am familiar with expression and with its intended meaning,” Spock assured him. “Indeed, I am inclined to believe that if more humans followed that tenet, there would be fewer conflicts. In regards to Nyota, however, I remain convinced that this is the correct decision. She has showed no sign that her regard for me has lessened during our separation, and she has formed no new significant attachments.”
______
Spock closed Nyota’s fifth message and quickly entered a code into the comm.
“Grandfather,” Spock said as soon as Absalom’s face appeared, “I find that I am once again in need of your assistance.”
Absalom’s flash of concern was subdued after only a moment’s effort, but not before his grandson had taken note of it. “What can I do for you, son?”
“It seems I have ‘counted my chickens’ too hastily.”
The smile spreading quickly across his grandfather’s face was reassuring.
“Well,” Abi told him, “there are still a few things you can do about that.”
“We need to talk.” Christopher Pike shouldered past Spock and into the lieutenant’s apartment quarters.
In the three minutes which had elapsed since Grandfather had bid him farewell Spock had neither formulated a plan of action, nor decided to contact Nyota without any plan at all; Christopher Pike’s unannounced arrival ensured he would not immediately be able to devote more time to the dilemma.
The captain led the way into Spock’s common room and took a seat at the small table near the entrance to the kitchenette. He motioned for Spock to sit across from him before revealing the purpose of his visit.
“They’re not ready to make an official announcement, but Command has completed the first part of their investigation.” The captain propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin on laced fingers. “You and Suarez are in the clear — you’re even likely to get bumped up a rank or two for what you did. That’s the good good news.”
“There is such a thing as bad good news?”
Pike’s lips twitched up. He leaned forward slightly. “Depends on who’s the one receiving the news. And I’ve got a feeling you won’t like what I’m about to tell you.” Leaning back again, he studied the half-Vulcan lieutenant. “You need to watch who catches you playing the hero, Spock. Prestige doesn’t come without a price.”
“Sir,” Spock began, “if you would speak plainly...”
“They want to keep you dirtside, Spock,” he said, his voice indicating there would be little if any room for negotiation. “I know you wanted another go at the Marja, but you’re not going to get it. Davidson want you on-hand to continue programming the Kobayashi Maru. A couple of department heads have expressed an interest having you teach. And I want you ready to be my first officer.”
“The decisions are final?”Pike’s posture lost a measure of rigidity, and his expression softened. That almost-smile flickered across his lips again.
“Nothing’s final except the fact that you won’t be getting back on your ship,” he promised. “And maybe Davidson’s test. You’ve got a little leeway in teaching assignments; like I said, a few departments have expressed interest — but the deans don’t necessarily remember that your Vulcan endurance probably would let you take on a larger course-load.
“And you can tell me ‘no.’ Though I’d rather you didn’t.”
Spock watched Pike as closely the captain observed him. Nothing in the man’s expression suggested a correct answer.”How long do I have to make a decision?”
“I want your answer sooner rather than later, but I’m willing to wait. You should start reviewing the other offers over the next few days.”
He held Spock’s gaze for another nine seconds. Then his demeanor changed. His shoulders stiffened again, becoming even more rigid than they had been earlier. A frown drew his brows together.
Spock lifted an inquiring brow.
“Now that that’s settled,” he said tightly, “there’s something else we need to talk about.”
Not at all enlightened, Spock kept his face impassive. Surely whatever else the captain thought needed to be addressed could not be as important as the decisions Spock was already facing.
“You’ve got a cadet problem and you need to deal with it,” Pike accused. “Sooner rather than later, Spock. A lot of people have big hopes for Nyota Uhura and she can’t afford to start fucking up because you can’t get your shit together. “
Christopher Pike shared a short history of exactly why upsetting Nyota had the potential to upset senior Academy faculty, and Spock realized how much more important this discussion might be.
Cadet Uhura, it seemed, was an exemplary student who didn’t try to flout Academy rules as several of her more peripheral associates had been known to do. Her assignments were always turned in on time and complete — more often, they were early and with extra-credit work attached — for even her most difficult classes. No one had ever found her outside her dorm after curfew, roaming the campus grounds or haunting the bars that dotted the streets surrounding Starfleet’s high walls like a multitude of satellites in the night sky.
When she did visit such establishments, her alcohol consumption remained well within the parameters United Earth law deemed allowable for humans in Starfleet who had “passed his or her sixteenth birthday, but have not yet reached his or her eighteenth birthday.”
“She’s only been involved in one questionable incident since she’s been here,” Pike went on, “and according to all accounts, even that wasn’t her fault.”
By the time she was sixteen, Spock learned, Nyota had become a recruiter’s poster girl and was, in fact, frequently invited to participate in recruiting tours. While on just such a trip less than two weeks before the commencement of her second year, she been the catalyst for a major brawl in an Iowan bar.
“For the past week, she’s been banging down Commander Bakari’s door, trying to find out what’s going on with you. He, in turn, has been haranguing me for information.
“I don’t know what going on between you and Cadet Uhura, but you need to handle it soon. She’s scheduled to leave for an internship on Ardana in three days and Bakari is afraid she might try to back out if this isn’t settled.”
Spock stared at the stern face of the man who had reached out to help him during his first year at the Academy. He owed Christopher Pike a debt of loyalty. He owed Nyota much more than that.
“I will speak with Cadet Uhura before she leaves,” he promised.
____________
Nyota’s arms were around him before he had a chance to speak.He’d told her she didn’t need to come, knowing she would ignore that. Reminding himself of her youth and likely lack of experience, he fought the hot rush of blood her touch inspired.
Their previous physical contact had not prepared him for what the feel of her face pressed into the space between his neck and shoulder did to him. He had not anticipated the experience of her body melting into his, while her arms clung to him in a fervent display of the emotions she hadn’t bothered to hide.
fear… overlaid with relief… touched by embarrassment
all colored by something stronger than the deep affection she’d offered so freely from the first day they’d met. Deeper now… matured… ingrained.
The knowledge flamed a possessive desire in him.He felt the embrace weaken as she prepared to move away and his arms snaked around her, maintaining the proximity that suddenly seemed as necessary as oxygen to his well-being.
Burying his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of mint-laced jasmine, he pulled her even closer and whispered, “Stay.”
Abruptly, the flood of emotion stopped, leaving behind it an oddly sterile emptiness. But she was real, her skin cool and soft beneath his hands. She was more than the characters on a screen or voice in the darkness she had become during his mission. For the moment, that was enough.
____________
Warm hands slid down her arms and reached back to cover both of hers, gently drawing them away from their places around his waist. Then Spock was maneuvering her so that she stood at his side. He entwined the fingers of his left hand with those of her right and led her over to the sofa.
He didn’t let go, even after they were seated.
“It seems that I have inadvertently honored our tradition.” His quiet voice held a hint of amusement as he pulled her to his side.
Sniffing, she forced her voice to remain steady. “Tradition?”
“Yes, Nyota ndogo.” He brushed a lone tear from her cheek. “I have inadvertently made you cry, and now must provide comfort.”
A few more tears escaped her eyes as she choked back a sob and stifled a chuckle at the same time. “Don’t call me that,” she whispered. “I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“Will you stop crying if I tell you the story of how two Starfleet lieutenants made emergency repairs to their ship using techniques developed, in part, with the aid of a Starfleet cadet who expanded the ideas of a Vulcan secondary-school student?”
Scrubbing the back of her hand across her eyes, Nyota lifted her head to smile a little.
“Will you tell me in Vulcan?” she asked.
Something like an answering smile curved his beautiful lips.
“I will,” he promised.
____________
Spock sat beside her, taking in the long sweep of hair tucked behind rounded ears to fall down her back. He preferred the braids or loose curls she had customarily worn throughout her childhood, but that did not prevent him from recognizing the benefits of the other changes time had wrought on his friend.
Resuming his previously platonic friendship with Nyota, he realized, would be impossible.His grandfather’s advice weighed heavily, but he could not ignore its logic; wooing her, it seemed, might be his only option.
“How did you know I had been released from the Medical Center?”
“I have a source. Why didn’t you come to see me right away?”
“The terms of my discharge from Medical did not include free movement around campus.”
She stiffed and turned to stare at him. Anger was clearly etched into the shaped of her narrowed eyes and thinned lips.
“Those bastards questioned you? After you and Diego saved the whole damned ship?”
“It is only standard procedure,” he told her.”It’s standard procedure to question you for five days?”
“I was released after seventy-eight hours. Only fifty-three of those were spent attending various debriefings.”
Her face lost all expression for a moment and he knew she was turning hours into days. he knew the instant her calculations were complete.
“Where have you been the last five days, Spock?” she growled.
“I had… other business to attend to.”
“This other business was more important than me?”
“No,” he answered honestly. “However, initially I thought it prudent to address certain issues prior to contacting you. I became aware of my error in judgment last night.”
“But waited ‘til this morning to contact me.”
“Yes.”
“What ‘other business’?” She placed a hand on his chest as he opened his mouth to respond. “Just the stuff you’re able to talk about.”
He gave her a short nod and summarized the first part of his discussion with Captain Pike.
“I believe you will be in my Interspecies Ethics class next term.”
She didn’t respond to that.
“I have also been assigned to teach a unit of Advanced Phonology,” he tried. “I will need an assistant.”
“Is that supposed to be a peace offering?”“Only if you accept.”
“I should wait to hear your next offer, but I need another assistantship before graduation,” she said as she slid closer again, laid her head on his shoulder and draped an arm around his waist. “I accept.”
Spock wrapped his own arm around her shoulders, keeping her in place. Neither spoke for the next five minutes and twenty-four seconds. They were content to sit together, holding each other.
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Nyota murmured, sleepily breaking the silence.
“Yes.”
“I won’t be back until the beginning of term.”
“I will be here when you return.”
“I’m still really angry with you, Spock.”
In spite of her declaration, she did not lift her head from his shoulder, so instead of answering, he continued to hold her close and stroke her hair.
Nyota at age three had been a somewhat trying, but certainly intriguing, addition to his ordered life. At nine she had proven herself to be an unexpected ally whose choices nonetheless baffled him at times. Nyota at seventeen was a problem that threatened to upset the balance of his entire world.
In spite of his earlier decision to follow his grandfather’s advice and the promises he’d made to Captain Pike, the two months Nyota spent on Ardana dulled the urgency of his mission.
Then he became privy to what so many of his colleagues had been saying about her for more than a year.
Starfleet Command took almost the entire length of Nyota’s internship to decide that without the combined actions of Lieutenants Suarez and Spock, the Marja Sklodowska would not have been able to flee the energy expulsion. Without the benefit of the of the new communications system the two had developed with the (minimal) assistance of a second-year cadet, they would not have been able to contact Starfleet to request further assistance once they’d broken free of the danger zone.Diego Suarez and Spock were formally promoted two grades to the rank of commander in a small ceremony at the beginning of the new term. Nyota Uhura received another commendation in recognition of her own small role.
During the large reception following the ceremony, Spock gained first-hand knowledge of just how others admired the woman he intended to make his own.
For a great deal of her Starfleet career, she had been called “an instructor’s dream.”
Not long after she returned to campus following the February/March break towards the end of her first year, many of those for whom she had previously been nothing more than the epitome of everything a cadet should be noticed a change in the young woman and began to alter the metaphor.
Descriptions of Nyota Uhura were changed dramatically with the injection of the deceptively simple adjective “wet” into a previously innocuous phrase.
Spock watched males and females of various species reach out to touch his Nyota and— And he reminded himself that he had not yet begun his courtship. He would correct the oversight. Soon.
She moved through the crowded hall, offering an engaging smile for the many people — officers and cadets, alike — who interrupted her forward progression along the way. But she never stopped moving towards her goal.
“Congratulations, Commander Spock,” she said, beaming as she finally reached him.
“Thank you, Cadet,” he responded in a tone far more formal than hers had been.
Her smile didn’t falter, and the discreet brush of her fingers against his wrist was evidence that she had not taken offense by his less than relaxed manner.
“I’ll see you later… Spocky,” she whispered. And she spun around and walked away.
Several sets of eyes tracked Nyota’s departure until her lithe form disappeared back into the teeming mass of cadets and officers.
Before the night was over, he had convinced himself that it was only logical — now that he and Nyota were residing not only on the same planet, but on the same continent, city and campus — to expand the role of protector that he had adopted when she had started her “adventures.” He need not wait until a more formal attachment had been formed.
That his own opinion of her physical appeal was not notably different than that of those from whom he intended to protect her was something he chose to ignore.
____________
Wooing Nyota — an activity he began to pursue with all of the diligence and precision with which he performed his other duties — was made easier by virtue of the amount of time they were required to spend together in an official capacity. It became a simple enough thing to extend that time to include pursuits that had little if anything to do with Academy business.
Over the months of the first and second terms of her third year, grading papers in his office culminated in dinners shared either at one of the numerous restaurants near campus or in his faculty apartment. Heated class discussions were settled on “field trips” to events held by various embassies; the son of an ambassador and the daughter a highly-respected former member of the Diplomatic Corps made their way to the middle ranks of several invitation lists.The only area where Spock might have considered his courtship to be lacking was in telling Nyota she was being wooed.
But regular moments of offhand intimacy — she quickly adopted a habit of standing next to his office chair, a hand on his shoulder, while they reviewed lesson plans, and often stood behind him, her arms around his waist while he prepared their meals, always preceded by the warning “I’m about to hug you, Commander” — convinced him that withholding his ultimate goal in no way hampered his efforts, he never considered the matter urgent enough to merit immediate action.
Spock made a concerted effort to maintain a close watch on Cadet Uhura’s other social activities while remaining unobtrusive. If anyone else noticed that the Vulcan officer was seen out and about more often than had been his wont before his assignment to the Marja Sklodowska, a great deal of time had passed before anyone mentioned it to him.
Nyota never appeared the least bit surprised to find him sitting with Diego Suarez or Christopher Pike in whatever bar or restaurant she happened to frequent of an evening. She didn’t seem to mind that he was “babysitting” and their friendship did not suffer.
Nyota stood, hands on hips, in the center of her uncle’s apartment. It wasn’t the first time she had spent the four-week winter break there, but it was the first time she’d spent it with anyone who wasn’t Uncle Tabansi.
“Come with us. I won’t have any fun if you’re not there,” she insisted.
“I have no wish to impose upon your friends’ celebration.” Spock didn’t move from his place near the sofa.
“You’re my friend, too. This isn’t just about term break; this is also my birthday party!”
“I have already promised to join you and your parents in celebrating tomorrow — on your true birth date,” he reminded her. “There is no need for my presence tonight. And I doubt your friends wish to engage in recreational activities with an instructor who is considerably older than they are.”
“You’re twenty-six, not sixty. Besides, Axin will be there and he’s even older than you are,” she pointed out. “And, it’s break, Spock. You stopped being ‘an instructor’ around 1900 last night. It’s not like you haven’t been showing up wherever I am all year. No one’s going to care if you’re actually with us this time.”“That is even more reason for me to remain here.”
Nyota huffed out a breath of frustration. “Damn it, Spock! I misspoke, okay? I’ll care is you don’t come.”
She stared him with wide, pleading eyes until she sensed he was about to give in.”Very well,” he said.
Breaking into a wide grin, she threw her arms around him and squeezed hard.
“Great!” She drew back to examine him, still smiling. “Wear the dark blue shirt and the grey trousers. You look utterly irresistible in those.”
____________
“I see a great deal has changed between you and your Vulcan.” Axin Loures’s voice filled Nyota’s mind, cutting through the pulsating beat of the music as easily as her own thoughts.
Though deliberate telepathic speech was normally beyond the ability of her gift, the affinity she’d developed her former tutor made answering aloud unnecessary. “Of course! I’m not a five-year-old with a raging case of hero-worship.” She laughed at the skeptical glance the Betazoid gave her.
“He isn’t happy to see you with me, Nyota ndogo. If I haven’t missed my guess, jealousy won’t let him tear his eyes away from you… and what you’re doing.”
“Don’t be silly, Axin,” she replied, turning her back to him and sidling close enough to feel the heat of his skin. “He’s probably just making sure you don’t have your wicked way with another one of his ‘baby sisters.’ The whole family still wants to know what happened with you and Upenda.”
Deftly leaning back in the same instant she did, Axin said, “The whole family should either mind their own business, or worry more about what’s going on with you and your jealous Vulcan.”
____________
Hungrily, he followed her body’s movements. Angrily, he watched while her partner formed a counterpoint to her every action. The two dipped and swayed, never touching, but coming close enough to heat Spock’s blood.
Undoubtedly, she would describe it as “only dancing”; to his eyes, it appeared to be the first elements of a public mating ritual.
Finally, the music ended and before he could stop himself, Spock was between Nyota and her Betazoid dancing partner, bending close to her ear. He knew his control had slipped beyond anything he had maintained since childhood, but as disappointing as the knowledge was, the thought of his woman in another man’s arms was worse.
“This is not behavior becoming of my future mate, Ensign,” he said, forcing a neutrality he was far from feeling into his voice.
Smiling, she accepted his words as the jest he had hoped she would perceive.
“Forgive me, sa-kugalsu,” she teased, laughing lightly, “I was not aware you would disapprove.”
His stomach clenched at the title, even though he was aware she did not use it seriously. He forced the sensation away and inclined his head, displaying a feigned nonchalance he was certain would have failed to fool her had she not consumed so many alcoholic beverages.
“No Vulcan with such an appealing ko-kugalsu would approve.”
Her smile faltered, and he realized she suspected his words were not entirely teasing. She opened her mouth to respond, but closed it again when he touched her elbow.
“It is late and you have consumed your legal limit of alcohol units,” he said quickly. “You require rest if you are to complete the repairs to Lieutenant Commander Wakufunzi’s environmental controls before your parents arrive.”
“It’s only 0130,” she pointed out, but in such a subdued tone, he knew she was not truly protesting, “and besides, my limit went up at midnight. I’m eighteen now. There’s no nee— ”
He knew from her expression that his displeasure shone in his human eyes. Without success, he tried to suppress it. Her eyes darted to the Betazoid standing at her side. Spock could not be certain, but he suspected the man had just communicated with her telepathically.
“It’s just Axin, Spock,” she whispered. “He has no interest in any woman who isn’t my sister.”
He looked at the still-smiling Axin Loures, forcing himself to quell the desire to strike in Nyota’s former tutor in his black eyes. The Betazoid knew, Spock realized. And he had likely already told Nyota.
“Upenda Uhura is like a sister to me,” he told the man, his voice Vulcan-flat. He hoped Loures would take it as a threat.
“And no doubt you hope she will one day be more than like a sister,” quipped the Betazoid.He stared at Loures, unable to deny the truth. Turning to Nyota, Spock repeated, “It is late. I will escort you to your uncle’s home.”
With a last glance at her former mentor — and apparently Upenda’s current lover, in spite of what family gossip had to say — she nodded her acquiescence. “Okay. Let’s go.”
When her fingers brushed against his, he took her hand, doubting any of the drunken crowd would notice in the darkness. She did not say anything more as he led her towards the door.
____________
The doors to Uncle Tabansi’s apartment slid open and Nyota crossed the sitting room to connect her communicator to the main comm unit. She turned to find Spock watching her, his face devoid of all expression.
______
“Go to bed, Nyota.” He watched the hopeful smile twist into an irritated frown as she stalked back over to him.
“The big brother routine is getting old,” she told him, her low voice a warning. “I don’t need you watching over my shoulder all the time! If you’re not ready to treat me like an adult, maybe we need to stop spending so much time together.”
Spock said nothing because he didn’t know what to say. Her growing anger was visible in the set of her jaw and the stiffening of her shoulders. Her pain was written in dark eyes that implored him to give something he didn’t understand. He tilted his head; his eyes scanned her face and posture, searching for a clue to tell him what she needed.
Her shoulders sagged and she shook her head. Anger and frustration drained away and she gave him a rueful smile. Guarded relief instantly flooded his senses.
“I know it’s just one of the ways you show you care,” she whispered, stepping closer. “But I’m all grown up now.”
Involuntarily, his eyes flickered over her. She was unmistakably ‘all grown up.’
“I am aware of that.” His voice sounded ragged to his own ears.
“Are you?” She moved closer still. Her breath, still sweet in spite of the alcohol units she had consumed, brushed over his face.
“If you do not go to bed, Nyota,” he murmured as she halted, her lips six millimeters from his, “unlike others, I may bite back.”
____________
Spock swallowed a roar as her cool smooth body pressed more firmly into his. As he breathed in, the scent of peppermint, spearmint blended with jasmine and the natural fragrance of her skin taunted his already tormented senses. Her erect nipples brushed the hair on his chest and she cried out, rubbing her cheek along his neck. Her teeth scraped his exposed clavicle and nascent longing bloomed into a conflagration of burning desire.
“Nyota,” he bit out, the name at once an admonition and a plea. It was wrong to allow her these liberties; denying her would be a far more egregious crime.
But she didn’t hear the warning in his voice — or if she did, she did not care to heed it. The abrasion of her coarse pubic hair against his engorged lok stoked the fires of his arousal, threatening to break his control.
She pressed her lips to his throat, kissing and nipping, then…her tongue, hotter even than his fevered skin, laved the spot she had so recently bitten.
“Grmph!” he growled, unable to hold back this time. His hands, of their own volition, found her naked hips and dragged her closer. Flesh burned against flesh and still, it wasn’t enough. He flipped them over, covering her body with his own, and buried his face in her hair. Her enticing aroma filled his nose. “Nyota,” he said again, softer this time — begging; there was no space in his mind for caution.
She lifted her slender arms and threaded delicately-formed, cold fingers through his hair and Spock stiffened. His hands tightened around her cotton-covered hips. He heard her camisole rasping against his t-shirt as they breathed in unison. The mingled scents of jasmine, spearmint and Nyota still teased his olfactory organ.
Horrified at what he had been dreaming, he opened his eyes and reality reasserted itself.
Nyota. In bed with him. In his arms. Fully clothed, but still pressed beneath him nearly as intimately as he had imagined.
“Nyota,” he said a third time, certain that the name had finally been spoken aloud.
She opened her eyes, blinking several times before settling on a half-lidded gaze that looked far too much like the after-effects of satiated desire.
“Spock,” she murmured. His eyes fell to her mouth. Her full lips curved up and, in the process, proved to him that she was capable of tempting him beyond measure even while they were both fully awake.
He found himself licking his own lips and expending a great deal of mental energy attempting to suppress his continued reaction to her proximity. She shifted beneath him, and he regained another measure of brain function. His denser body was capable of crushing hers. Glancing up to meet her eyes again, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.
“Forgive me,” he whispered.
Her expression changed — eyes widening, lips no longer forming an inverted arch. She didn’t release her grip on his hair.
“Why?” she asked.
____________
Spock’s hands left her hips and gently disentangled her fingers from his hair. He lowered her hands to his shoulders, but did not release them. His dark gaze did not release hers.
“Why?” she repeated. “What have you done wrong?”
He didn’t answer for a long time. His warm hands still cover hers, his thumbs tracing lazy circles over the fleshy parts of her palms. She wondered if he realized what he was doing.
“I am considerably heavier than you,” he eventually whispered. “You could have been injured.”
Not at all fooled by his excuse, but not wishing to argue, Nyota decided to humor him.
“But you did not,” she pointed out. “Besides, I liked feeling you on top of me. It felt wonderful. You liked it, too. You like having me on top of you nearly as much.”
He didn’t stop her from freeing her hands and dragging them down to the hem of his back shirt. He didn’t interfere as she pushed it up his muscled torso, and even helpfully lifted himself so that she could peel the whole thing off.
Nyota lost the garment somewhere in the bedclothes and, reaching for his hands, lay on his chest again. Smiling, she pressed herself more firmly against the evidence of his pleasure.
She wasn’t prepared when he growled again and flipped her over, pinning her hands above her head.
He stared down at her with such dark intensity, such longing, she wanted to growl herself.
“See?” she murmured instead. “This feels good. This is good.”
“It is too soon,” he bit out. “I was not... this is not the time, Nyota.”
“Too soon for what?” she asked, utterly confused. “Tell me what you’re talking about.”
A high-pitched Beep!, quickly followed by a startled “Oh!” saved Spock from answering.
____________
Amanda watched slender brown arms snake around her son’s naked back, and was already reaching for the disconnect button when a beaming face peeked over his shoulder.”Lady Amanda!” Nyota squealed, delight lighting her voice and smile. “I’m so happy to see you!”
Spock partially disentangled himself from the girl and rummaged under the heavy blankets with one hand. He produced a bunched up piece of black fabric, telling Nyota to “Put this on” before turning over to face his mother, simultaneously blocking her view of his companion.
“Mother,” he said. “I was not expecting to hear from you today.”
“That’s because I called to speak with the birthday girl,” Amanda pointed out, her eyes instinctively glancing over his shoulder, although Spock had positioned himself carefully enough to keep Nyota out of sight of the comm screen.”She is more appropriately deemed the ‘birthday woman,’“ he corrected, lifting an eyebrow.
Amanda knew better than to upset a Vulcan’s sense of propriety, but she couldn’t help herself. She laughed. Hard. In the background, she could hear Nyota laughing with her.
“Well, I should hope so,” Amanda said once she caught her breath.
The young woman, now wearing a too-big black shirt, slipped her arms around Spock waist and propped her head on his shoulder again.
She winked at Nyota, whose brown cheeks took on a deep flush. Spock rolled his eyes, rolled over Nyota and out of her now-black-clad arms, then rolled out of the bed.
____________
“My son doesn’t usually embarrass easily,” Amanda remarked with a teasing grin once he’d left the room, saying something about fixing the environmental controls.
She’d been pleased to note he was wearing sleep pants and socks as he left the room. There were some things a mother just didn’t need to see.
Nyota grinned back at her.”It was cold,” she explained. “I, um, forgot to fix Uncle Tabansi’s environmental controls yesterday.”
“Who needs a heater when you’ve got a Vulcan handy?” Amanda quipped, and Nyota flushed anew. Chuckling softly at the blush, Amanda when on. “I’m really sorry to have called so early, ko-fu. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and tell you how proud I am of you.”
“Thank you, ko-mekh,” Nyota whispered, her voice full of emotion.
But Amanda couldn’t resist getting in another dig. “Just look at you, Ennie — you’re a woman now and so beautiful!”First, Nyota blanched, then the blush returned full-force. Then she sputtered for several moments before finally getting out, “W-well, uh, not ye— ”
“I meant,” Amanda interrupted (there are some things a mother just didn’t need to know) “that you’ve passed the final hurdle of the Federation’s Byzantine laws regarding legal majority for humans.”
“Oh! Oh, well, yes. I have. For those of us lucky enough to be in Starfl— ”
“I know, ko-fu,” Amanda interrupted again with another chuckle. “And I hope you’re enjoying your birthday, so far.”A slow smile crept over Nyota’s lovely face.
“This has been the best one ever, ko-mekh,” she whispered dreamily.
“I’ll just bet it has!”At the younger woman’s third searing blush, Amanda decided to relent, and then the two women talked about family and Nyota’s plans for the break and birthday-presents-to-come (Spock had all of the Grayson and S’chn T’gai gifts squirreled away somewhere) and about inconsequential things until the embarrassment of the morning faded, leaving only the warmth of familial affection.
____________
Nyota was feeling excited and happy by the time she closed the connection with Lady Amanda — ko-mekh — and noticed that Spock had been gone for quite some time. Excited, happy and… restless.
Anticipatory.
This truly was turning out to be the best birthday ever and she could barely wait to see what came next.
____________
M’Umbha Uhura quietly stepped into the sitting room of her younger brother’s San Francisco apartment three hours before her scheduled arrival. Nyota had probably spent the night dancing and was most likely still sleeping, she and her husband had agreed. But Spock was sure to be awake to greet them. Still, they didn’t want to disturb—
“I’m freezing!” she heard her daughter call out, “Either come back to bed and warm me up, or bring me some clothes so I can help you!”
A glance at her husband told her Benjamin had heard, as well.
“Your uncle left rather detailed notes,” Spock called back from the opposite end of the apartment. “I am perfectly capable of following them and completing without assistance the repairs you promised. You may continue to indulge in indolence in honor of your birthday.”
“That’s not fair!” came Nyota’s voice. “I was going to get to them. I just — got diverted.”
“Fortunately for both of us, my attention is not so easily broken. I am nearly finished.”
“You know what? You’d better come back to bed anyway, Buster! We still need to talk about last night.”
“No. We do not have time to continue our… discussion this morning.”
Spock’s refusal was firm, and apparently Nyota thought it was finite, because just then, three things happened in rapid succession:
Nyota bolted out of Spock’s bedroom, dressed in a black long-sleeved t-shirt that fell to her knees, yelling, “We’d have plenty of time if your concentration were really so impervious to distraction.”Warmth began slicing through the icy air hanging about the apartment.Spock emerged from the utility room, wearing only black sleep pants and thick grey socks and retorting, “I was not the one who could not remain her own bed.”
____________
The two young people noticed the new arrivals around the same time.
Benjamin glanced from Nyota’s wide eyes and open mouth to Spock’s carefully composed countenance, restraining his own features so as not to further embarrass the couple.
M’Umbha, shoulders shaking, leaned down to smother her laughter against his shoulder.
Go to Chapter 10
Characters: Spock, Amanda, Uhura, multiple OCs
A/N: How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!
Warning: Starts off very K, but eventually flirts with M.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Star Trek, any Star Trek characters or any Star Trek concepts and I still don’t get paid for writing about any of those.
( Read Ru2:13 )
( Read Prv22:6 )
( Read Prv4:1-15 )
( Read Col3:21 )
( Read Prv13:5-7 )
( Read SoS8:8 )
( Read Prv27:6 )
( Read Col3:14)
Ignoring a sensation that was equal parts trepidation and anticipation, Spock opened Nyota’s most recent message. Avoiding her was more difficult than he had anticipated.
More than five days of the eight days he’d spent on Earth since his return had been taken up by Starfleet business which kept him from communicating with anyone other than his examiners — physical, mental/emotional and legal — yet eluding Nyota’s persistent attempts to meet with him was a challenge.
His first instincts, upon being excused from further interrogation at Headquarters, were to access the cadet’s schedule and then wait at an appropriately secluded point along a route she would take from one class to another. The “surprise meeting” would please her, he’d determined. Humans enjoyed surprises that were pleasant in nature.
But when an unfamiliar figure with an unmistakable graceful stride had emerged from Engineering Building G, he’d abandoned his careful plans.
Although he was far enough away to strain even a Vulcan’s acute vision, he’d had no doubt about what he was seeing. The three male cadets following in Nyota’s wake, calling out to her in cajoling voices even after she’d turned and rejected their offers to accompany her out for the evening, were sufficient indication of that he was right.
“Maybe next time, guys,” she’d yelled across the green separating the Martinet Linguistics Building from Engineering Building G, “I’m waiting for important news about a good friend.”
Spock left his place in the shadows near the entrance to the building while her head was still turned.He’d ignored her attempts to contact him since then. Messages one and two, hastily scribbled on a PADD and transmitted to his electronic address, had inquired about his condition, asked when he excepted to leave Medical and requested a response as soon as he was capable of giving one.
The third and fourth attempts had been delivered via communicator and allowed Spock to observe an agitation in her tone that had been missing the day before.
This message — the fifth message in fewer than half as many days — was considerably harder to dismiss.
“This is unfair, Spock! I know you received my notes and calls. Is something wrong? Are you okay?” she asked. “You can tell me. You know that. Stop shutting me out.”
The video communication left him in no doubt that she was concerned about his well-being… and distressed over his continued silence.
“They released you from Medical, so I know you weren’t gravely injured,” she went on, her voice — and her invitingly full lower lip — trembling in spite of the knowledge she claimed. “But I’m still… I’m still worried.
“Why haven’t you come to see me? Why won’t you let me see you? I don’t even know where you’re quartered…” Her voice trailed off, and she swiped at her eyes with a quivering left hand.
She inhaled deeply. He could clearly see the expansion of her chest.
“I mean it, Spock! Contact me.” Although for an instant her face was contorted with anger, that did not diminish the irrefutable visual evidence.
His eyes had not deceived him three days ago: Nyota was beautiful. And other men found her desirable.
He was ill-equipped to effectively manage this change in circumstance.
Confirmation had brought with it comprehension of what his grandparents had been hinting at — in that frustratingly oblique way of humans — during their final conversation before disaster had struck the Marja Sklodowska.
______
“Will you pass a request on to Grandmother?” Spock asked his grandfather. Although the officer usually reserved each month’s fifteen minute allotment of video communication for contacting his mother, he’d deemed this conversation sufficiently important to alter that habit.
Absalom looked beyond the comm screen at the sound of a swinging door and said, “Why don’t you ask her yourself? It’s for you, Ruthie.”
Ruth Grayson usually spent more time in her studio, closed off from outside communication, than she in the rest of the farmhouse. Though her presence in her husband’s office was unexpected, Spock was pleased that he would not need his grandfather to act as an intermediary.
His grandmother expressed her delight more exuberantly.
“Spock!” she cried out as she moved around the desk to face the comm. “I’m so happy to see you!” She sat in the chair Grandfather had not quite vacated. “Now, what can this old lady do for her handsome grandson?”
“I need a betrothal gift, Grandmother,” he explained. “I believe jewelry is usually considered appropriate.”
“I didn’t think you’d been in touch with some of the women Amanda found.” Absalom Grayson, sitting on the chair’s arm with an arm around his wife, frowned in confusion. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait until you actually see a few of them? What if the one you choose doesn’t like your gift?” Using her elbow, Grandmother struck Grandfather in his abdominal area.
“Don’t be so dense, dummy!” she said, her affectionate tone no doubt intended to turn the invective into an endearment. “This is for our little Ennie.”
From the look Grandfather bestowed on her, Spock deduced that her effort was successful. Humans, he thought, wondering if he should expect similar abuse from his own future mate.
“Grandmother is correct; the gift is intended for Nyota,” Spock put in, hoping to avoid any further unseemly displays (there were some behaviors a grandson should not be forced to witness). “And I would prefer that Mother not know about it yet. She might be… unintentionally indiscreet.”
“See?” Grandmother’s teeth gleamed as she grinned at Grandfather in triumph. Her smile turned…loving? proud? when she turned to Spock. “I knew you’d do the right thing.”
Grandfather’s brow furrowed, indicating further confusion. “Indiscreet?” he asked as if Grandmother had not spoken. “Who do you think Amanda’s gonna tell that Nyota hasn’t already told?”
“Nyota is not yet aware of my decision,” Spock told him. “She was, in fact, never made aware that there was a decision to be made. I saw no reason to inform her when she was one choice among many. Now that she is to be my mate, I intend to tell her when she graduates from the Academy.”
He looked at his grandmother. “Will two years be sufficient time for you to design and craft something that she will find pleasing?”
“No worries, handsome,” Grandmother assured him. “I’ve already got something ready. I’ve been waiting for this day. She’s going to love it!”
Spock arched an eyebrow. “I was not aware you and Nyota had become so closely acquainted.”
“Of course we’re close, Spock!” Grandmother exclaimed. “She’s been coming her every summer for the last six years. And a couple of weekends, too, now that she’s in San Francisco. Unlike some people, she doesn’t visiting an old artist in her studio.”
Spock opened his mouth to deny her insinuation that he did not enjoy her company, but before he could speak, Grandfather bent, placing his lips against her ear.
“Ruthie, maybe you— ” he said in a low voice. He broke off and looked up, his cheeks coloring as if he suddenly recalled his grandson’s Vulcan hearing.
Although Absalom did not continue his thought, Spock sensed his disapproval. He spoke again only after a silence that lasted long enough to leave even Spock uncomfortable.
“Son, I know your mother told you about her concerns,” Grandfather stated. “I’m going to be blunt here, Spock. Human women need love— ”
“Nyota’s needs will not go unmet,” Spock broke in, hoping Absalom would not ask him to elaborate.
“See?” Grandmother said, jabbing Grandfather a second time.
Spock nodded to her in gratitude, but her husband appeared to be undeterred.
“Still, son, I’m not sure it’s wise for you to wait until she graduates,” Absalom cautioned. “What if she says ‘no’? You won’t have much time…”
“I do not believe she will refuse me.”
Grandfather’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing into the expression Spock recognized as a prelude to a lecture. While he’d never been on the receiving end of one of Absalom Grayson’s “dressing downs,” Spock had had ample opportunity to observe his cousins getting chastised.
“When was the last time you actually saw Nyota?”
“Abi!” This time, Grandmother’s elbow impacted with Grandfather’s side just as her smile turned into a glare. For a moment, Spock was reminded of Nyota.
“We were together a month before I reported to the Marja Sklodowska,” he told them, but his mind was focused on a small girl, stamping her foot and demanding kisses. Now that she had reached her majority, there was no reason not to grant her wish…
“Isn’t it odd that she never established visual contact in all that time?” Grandfather’s voice interrupted his reverie, and Spock returned his focus to the comm screen. “She’s a communications major. She has to know how. And, well, even if she didn’t, you do, don’t you?”
“Cadets have limited access to full subspace channels. It would have been far more logical for her to utilize her allotted time to contact Mother — who, as a human, required visual confirmation of her well-being. As I did not need that, it would not make sense for her to contact me in that way.”
Grandmother’s mouth fell open in a surprise. “You haven’t seen her since you left?” she asked. After exactly two point five seconds had passed, she stood, patted Grandfather’s shoulder and addressed Spock again. “I’ve had something that will be perfect for Ennie just waiting for you to say the word. I’ll send you holos and you can tell me what you think. Meanwhile, I think you and your grandpa need to talk.”.
Her husband shook his head as she left the room, but the frown was replaced with a small smile Spock wasn’t able to decipher. It was almost… secretive.
Sliding back into his chair, Absalom rested his forearms on his desk and silently studied Spock.
“I know you believe that some of the ways we humans make our decisions are illogical,” he eventually said, the smile still evident even as he adopted a serious tone of voice, “but I’d like you to consider a little advice from your old grandpa. There’s a saying ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ You might not be familiar with the saying—”
“I am familiar with expression and with its intended meaning,” Spock assured him. “Indeed, I am inclined to believe that if more humans followed that tenet, there would be fewer conflicts. In regards to Nyota, however, I remain convinced that this is the correct decision. She has showed no sign that her regard for me has lessened during our separation, and she has formed no new significant attachments.”
______
Spock closed Nyota’s fifth message and quickly entered a code into the comm.
“Grandfather,” Spock said as soon as Absalom’s face appeared, “I find that I am once again in need of your assistance.”
Absalom’s flash of concern was subdued after only a moment’s effort, but not before his grandson had taken note of it. “What can I do for you, son?”
“It seems I have ‘counted my chickens’ too hastily.”
The smile spreading quickly across his grandfather’s face was reassuring.
“Well,” Abi told him, “there are still a few things you can do about that.”
“We need to talk.” Christopher Pike shouldered past Spock and into the lieutenant’s apartment quarters.
In the three minutes which had elapsed since Grandfather had bid him farewell Spock had neither formulated a plan of action, nor decided to contact Nyota without any plan at all; Christopher Pike’s unannounced arrival ensured he would not immediately be able to devote more time to the dilemma.
The captain led the way into Spock’s common room and took a seat at the small table near the entrance to the kitchenette. He motioned for Spock to sit across from him before revealing the purpose of his visit.
“They’re not ready to make an official announcement, but Command has completed the first part of their investigation.” The captain propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin on laced fingers. “You and Suarez are in the clear — you’re even likely to get bumped up a rank or two for what you did. That’s the good good news.”
“There is such a thing as bad good news?”
Pike’s lips twitched up. He leaned forward slightly. “Depends on who’s the one receiving the news. And I’ve got a feeling you won’t like what I’m about to tell you.” Leaning back again, he studied the half-Vulcan lieutenant. “You need to watch who catches you playing the hero, Spock. Prestige doesn’t come without a price.”
“Sir,” Spock began, “if you would speak plainly...”
“They want to keep you dirtside, Spock,” he said, his voice indicating there would be little if any room for negotiation. “I know you wanted another go at the Marja, but you’re not going to get it. Davidson want you on-hand to continue programming the Kobayashi Maru. A couple of department heads have expressed an interest having you teach. And I want you ready to be my first officer.”
“The decisions are final?”Pike’s posture lost a measure of rigidity, and his expression softened. That almost-smile flickered across his lips again.
“Nothing’s final except the fact that you won’t be getting back on your ship,” he promised. “And maybe Davidson’s test. You’ve got a little leeway in teaching assignments; like I said, a few departments have expressed interest — but the deans don’t necessarily remember that your Vulcan endurance probably would let you take on a larger course-load.
“And you can tell me ‘no.’ Though I’d rather you didn’t.”
Spock watched Pike as closely the captain observed him. Nothing in the man’s expression suggested a correct answer.”How long do I have to make a decision?”
“I want your answer sooner rather than later, but I’m willing to wait. You should start reviewing the other offers over the next few days.”
He held Spock’s gaze for another nine seconds. Then his demeanor changed. His shoulders stiffened again, becoming even more rigid than they had been earlier. A frown drew his brows together.
Spock lifted an inquiring brow.
“Now that that’s settled,” he said tightly, “there’s something else we need to talk about.”
Not at all enlightened, Spock kept his face impassive. Surely whatever else the captain thought needed to be addressed could not be as important as the decisions Spock was already facing.
“You’ve got a cadet problem and you need to deal with it,” Pike accused. “Sooner rather than later, Spock. A lot of people have big hopes for Nyota Uhura and she can’t afford to start fucking up because you can’t get your shit together. “
Christopher Pike shared a short history of exactly why upsetting Nyota had the potential to upset senior Academy faculty, and Spock realized how much more important this discussion might be.
Cadet Uhura, it seemed, was an exemplary student who didn’t try to flout Academy rules as several of her more peripheral associates had been known to do. Her assignments were always turned in on time and complete — more often, they were early and with extra-credit work attached — for even her most difficult classes. No one had ever found her outside her dorm after curfew, roaming the campus grounds or haunting the bars that dotted the streets surrounding Starfleet’s high walls like a multitude of satellites in the night sky.
When she did visit such establishments, her alcohol consumption remained well within the parameters United Earth law deemed allowable for humans in Starfleet who had “passed his or her sixteenth birthday, but have not yet reached his or her eighteenth birthday.”
“She’s only been involved in one questionable incident since she’s been here,” Pike went on, “and according to all accounts, even that wasn’t her fault.”
By the time she was sixteen, Spock learned, Nyota had become a recruiter’s poster girl and was, in fact, frequently invited to participate in recruiting tours. While on just such a trip less than two weeks before the commencement of her second year, she been the catalyst for a major brawl in an Iowan bar.
“For the past week, she’s been banging down Commander Bakari’s door, trying to find out what’s going on with you. He, in turn, has been haranguing me for information.
“I don’t know what going on between you and Cadet Uhura, but you need to handle it soon. She’s scheduled to leave for an internship on Ardana in three days and Bakari is afraid she might try to back out if this isn’t settled.”
Spock stared at the stern face of the man who had reached out to help him during his first year at the Academy. He owed Christopher Pike a debt of loyalty. He owed Nyota much more than that.
“I will speak with Cadet Uhura before she leaves,” he promised.
____________
Nyota’s arms were around him before he had a chance to speak.He’d told her she didn’t need to come, knowing she would ignore that. Reminding himself of her youth and likely lack of experience, he fought the hot rush of blood her touch inspired.
Their previous physical contact had not prepared him for what the feel of her face pressed into the space between his neck and shoulder did to him. He had not anticipated the experience of her body melting into his, while her arms clung to him in a fervent display of the emotions she hadn’t bothered to hide.
fear… overlaid with relief… touched by embarrassment
all colored by something stronger than the deep affection she’d offered so freely from the first day they’d met. Deeper now… matured… ingrained.
The knowledge flamed a possessive desire in him.He felt the embrace weaken as she prepared to move away and his arms snaked around her, maintaining the proximity that suddenly seemed as necessary as oxygen to his well-being.
Burying his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of mint-laced jasmine, he pulled her even closer and whispered, “Stay.”
Abruptly, the flood of emotion stopped, leaving behind it an oddly sterile emptiness. But she was real, her skin cool and soft beneath his hands. She was more than the characters on a screen or voice in the darkness she had become during his mission. For the moment, that was enough.
____________
Warm hands slid down her arms and reached back to cover both of hers, gently drawing them away from their places around his waist. Then Spock was maneuvering her so that she stood at his side. He entwined the fingers of his left hand with those of her right and led her over to the sofa.
He didn’t let go, even after they were seated.
“It seems that I have inadvertently honored our tradition.” His quiet voice held a hint of amusement as he pulled her to his side.
Sniffing, she forced her voice to remain steady. “Tradition?”
“Yes, Nyota ndogo.” He brushed a lone tear from her cheek. “I have inadvertently made you cry, and now must provide comfort.”
A few more tears escaped her eyes as she choked back a sob and stifled a chuckle at the same time. “Don’t call me that,” she whispered. “I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“Will you stop crying if I tell you the story of how two Starfleet lieutenants made emergency repairs to their ship using techniques developed, in part, with the aid of a Starfleet cadet who expanded the ideas of a Vulcan secondary-school student?”
Scrubbing the back of her hand across her eyes, Nyota lifted her head to smile a little.
“Will you tell me in Vulcan?” she asked.
Something like an answering smile curved his beautiful lips.
“I will,” he promised.
____________
Spock sat beside her, taking in the long sweep of hair tucked behind rounded ears to fall down her back. He preferred the braids or loose curls she had customarily worn throughout her childhood, but that did not prevent him from recognizing the benefits of the other changes time had wrought on his friend.
Resuming his previously platonic friendship with Nyota, he realized, would be impossible.His grandfather’s advice weighed heavily, but he could not ignore its logic; wooing her, it seemed, might be his only option.
“How did you know I had been released from the Medical Center?”
“I have a source. Why didn’t you come to see me right away?”
“The terms of my discharge from Medical did not include free movement around campus.”
She stiffed and turned to stare at him. Anger was clearly etched into the shaped of her narrowed eyes and thinned lips.
“Those bastards questioned you? After you and Diego saved the whole damned ship?”
“It is only standard procedure,” he told her.”It’s standard procedure to question you for five days?”
“I was released after seventy-eight hours. Only fifty-three of those were spent attending various debriefings.”
Her face lost all expression for a moment and he knew she was turning hours into days. he knew the instant her calculations were complete.
“Where have you been the last five days, Spock?” she growled.
“I had… other business to attend to.”
“This other business was more important than me?”
“No,” he answered honestly. “However, initially I thought it prudent to address certain issues prior to contacting you. I became aware of my error in judgment last night.”
“But waited ‘til this morning to contact me.”
“Yes.”
“What ‘other business’?” She placed a hand on his chest as he opened his mouth to respond. “Just the stuff you’re able to talk about.”
He gave her a short nod and summarized the first part of his discussion with Captain Pike.
“I believe you will be in my Interspecies Ethics class next term.”
She didn’t respond to that.
“I have also been assigned to teach a unit of Advanced Phonology,” he tried. “I will need an assistant.”
“Is that supposed to be a peace offering?”“Only if you accept.”
“I should wait to hear your next offer, but I need another assistantship before graduation,” she said as she slid closer again, laid her head on his shoulder and draped an arm around his waist. “I accept.”
Spock wrapped his own arm around her shoulders, keeping her in place. Neither spoke for the next five minutes and twenty-four seconds. They were content to sit together, holding each other.
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Nyota murmured, sleepily breaking the silence.
“Yes.”
“I won’t be back until the beginning of term.”
“I will be here when you return.”
“I’m still really angry with you, Spock.”
In spite of her declaration, she did not lift her head from his shoulder, so instead of answering, he continued to hold her close and stroke her hair.
Nyota at age three had been a somewhat trying, but certainly intriguing, addition to his ordered life. At nine she had proven herself to be an unexpected ally whose choices nonetheless baffled him at times. Nyota at seventeen was a problem that threatened to upset the balance of his entire world.
In spite of his earlier decision to follow his grandfather’s advice and the promises he’d made to Captain Pike, the two months Nyota spent on Ardana dulled the urgency of his mission.
Then he became privy to what so many of his colleagues had been saying about her for more than a year.
Starfleet Command took almost the entire length of Nyota’s internship to decide that without the combined actions of Lieutenants Suarez and Spock, the Marja Sklodowska would not have been able to flee the energy expulsion. Without the benefit of the of the new communications system the two had developed with the (minimal) assistance of a second-year cadet, they would not have been able to contact Starfleet to request further assistance once they’d broken free of the danger zone.Diego Suarez and Spock were formally promoted two grades to the rank of commander in a small ceremony at the beginning of the new term. Nyota Uhura received another commendation in recognition of her own small role.
During the large reception following the ceremony, Spock gained first-hand knowledge of just how others admired the woman he intended to make his own.
For a great deal of her Starfleet career, she had been called “an instructor’s dream.”
Not long after she returned to campus following the February/March break towards the end of her first year, many of those for whom she had previously been nothing more than the epitome of everything a cadet should be noticed a change in the young woman and began to alter the metaphor.
Descriptions of Nyota Uhura were changed dramatically with the injection of the deceptively simple adjective “wet” into a previously innocuous phrase.
Spock watched males and females of various species reach out to touch his Nyota and— And he reminded himself that he had not yet begun his courtship. He would correct the oversight. Soon.
She moved through the crowded hall, offering an engaging smile for the many people — officers and cadets, alike — who interrupted her forward progression along the way. But she never stopped moving towards her goal.
“Congratulations, Commander Spock,” she said, beaming as she finally reached him.
“Thank you, Cadet,” he responded in a tone far more formal than hers had been.
Her smile didn’t falter, and the discreet brush of her fingers against his wrist was evidence that she had not taken offense by his less than relaxed manner.
“I’ll see you later… Spocky,” she whispered. And she spun around and walked away.
Several sets of eyes tracked Nyota’s departure until her lithe form disappeared back into the teeming mass of cadets and officers.
Before the night was over, he had convinced himself that it was only logical — now that he and Nyota were residing not only on the same planet, but on the same continent, city and campus — to expand the role of protector that he had adopted when she had started her “adventures.” He need not wait until a more formal attachment had been formed.
That his own opinion of her physical appeal was not notably different than that of those from whom he intended to protect her was something he chose to ignore.
____________
Wooing Nyota — an activity he began to pursue with all of the diligence and precision with which he performed his other duties — was made easier by virtue of the amount of time they were required to spend together in an official capacity. It became a simple enough thing to extend that time to include pursuits that had little if anything to do with Academy business.
Over the months of the first and second terms of her third year, grading papers in his office culminated in dinners shared either at one of the numerous restaurants near campus or in his faculty apartment. Heated class discussions were settled on “field trips” to events held by various embassies; the son of an ambassador and the daughter a highly-respected former member of the Diplomatic Corps made their way to the middle ranks of several invitation lists.The only area where Spock might have considered his courtship to be lacking was in telling Nyota she was being wooed.
But regular moments of offhand intimacy — she quickly adopted a habit of standing next to his office chair, a hand on his shoulder, while they reviewed lesson plans, and often stood behind him, her arms around his waist while he prepared their meals, always preceded by the warning “I’m about to hug you, Commander” — convinced him that withholding his ultimate goal in no way hampered his efforts, he never considered the matter urgent enough to merit immediate action.
Spock made a concerted effort to maintain a close watch on Cadet Uhura’s other social activities while remaining unobtrusive. If anyone else noticed that the Vulcan officer was seen out and about more often than had been his wont before his assignment to the Marja Sklodowska, a great deal of time had passed before anyone mentioned it to him.
Nyota never appeared the least bit surprised to find him sitting with Diego Suarez or Christopher Pike in whatever bar or restaurant she happened to frequent of an evening. She didn’t seem to mind that he was “babysitting” and their friendship did not suffer.
Nyota stood, hands on hips, in the center of her uncle’s apartment. It wasn’t the first time she had spent the four-week winter break there, but it was the first time she’d spent it with anyone who wasn’t Uncle Tabansi.
“Come with us. I won’t have any fun if you’re not there,” she insisted.
“I have no wish to impose upon your friends’ celebration.” Spock didn’t move from his place near the sofa.
“You’re my friend, too. This isn’t just about term break; this is also my birthday party!”
“I have already promised to join you and your parents in celebrating tomorrow — on your true birth date,” he reminded her. “There is no need for my presence tonight. And I doubt your friends wish to engage in recreational activities with an instructor who is considerably older than they are.”
“You’re twenty-six, not sixty. Besides, Axin will be there and he’s even older than you are,” she pointed out. “And, it’s break, Spock. You stopped being ‘an instructor’ around 1900 last night. It’s not like you haven’t been showing up wherever I am all year. No one’s going to care if you’re actually with us this time.”“That is even more reason for me to remain here.”
Nyota huffed out a breath of frustration. “Damn it, Spock! I misspoke, okay? I’ll care is you don’t come.”
She stared him with wide, pleading eyes until she sensed he was about to give in.”Very well,” he said.
Breaking into a wide grin, she threw her arms around him and squeezed hard.
“Great!” She drew back to examine him, still smiling. “Wear the dark blue shirt and the grey trousers. You look utterly irresistible in those.”
____________
“I see a great deal has changed between you and your Vulcan.” Axin Loures’s voice filled Nyota’s mind, cutting through the pulsating beat of the music as easily as her own thoughts.
Though deliberate telepathic speech was normally beyond the ability of her gift, the affinity she’d developed her former tutor made answering aloud unnecessary. “Of course! I’m not a five-year-old with a raging case of hero-worship.” She laughed at the skeptical glance the Betazoid gave her.
“He isn’t happy to see you with me, Nyota ndogo. If I haven’t missed my guess, jealousy won’t let him tear his eyes away from you… and what you’re doing.”
“Don’t be silly, Axin,” she replied, turning her back to him and sidling close enough to feel the heat of his skin. “He’s probably just making sure you don’t have your wicked way with another one of his ‘baby sisters.’ The whole family still wants to know what happened with you and Upenda.”
Deftly leaning back in the same instant she did, Axin said, “The whole family should either mind their own business, or worry more about what’s going on with you and your jealous Vulcan.”
____________
Hungrily, he followed her body’s movements. Angrily, he watched while her partner formed a counterpoint to her every action. The two dipped and swayed, never touching, but coming close enough to heat Spock’s blood.
Undoubtedly, she would describe it as “only dancing”; to his eyes, it appeared to be the first elements of a public mating ritual.
Finally, the music ended and before he could stop himself, Spock was between Nyota and her Betazoid dancing partner, bending close to her ear. He knew his control had slipped beyond anything he had maintained since childhood, but as disappointing as the knowledge was, the thought of his woman in another man’s arms was worse.
“This is not behavior becoming of my future mate, Ensign,” he said, forcing a neutrality he was far from feeling into his voice.
Smiling, she accepted his words as the jest he had hoped she would perceive.
“Forgive me, sa-kugalsu,” she teased, laughing lightly, “I was not aware you would disapprove.”
His stomach clenched at the title, even though he was aware she did not use it seriously. He forced the sensation away and inclined his head, displaying a feigned nonchalance he was certain would have failed to fool her had she not consumed so many alcoholic beverages.
“No Vulcan with such an appealing ko-kugalsu would approve.”
Her smile faltered, and he realized she suspected his words were not entirely teasing. She opened her mouth to respond, but closed it again when he touched her elbow.
“It is late and you have consumed your legal limit of alcohol units,” he said quickly. “You require rest if you are to complete the repairs to Lieutenant Commander Wakufunzi’s environmental controls before your parents arrive.”
“It’s only 0130,” she pointed out, but in such a subdued tone, he knew she was not truly protesting, “and besides, my limit went up at midnight. I’m eighteen now. There’s no nee— ”
He knew from her expression that his displeasure shone in his human eyes. Without success, he tried to suppress it. Her eyes darted to the Betazoid standing at her side. Spock could not be certain, but he suspected the man had just communicated with her telepathically.
“It’s just Axin, Spock,” she whispered. “He has no interest in any woman who isn’t my sister.”
He looked at the still-smiling Axin Loures, forcing himself to quell the desire to strike in Nyota’s former tutor in his black eyes. The Betazoid knew, Spock realized. And he had likely already told Nyota.
“Upenda Uhura is like a sister to me,” he told the man, his voice Vulcan-flat. He hoped Loures would take it as a threat.
“And no doubt you hope she will one day be more than like a sister,” quipped the Betazoid.He stared at Loures, unable to deny the truth. Turning to Nyota, Spock repeated, “It is late. I will escort you to your uncle’s home.”
With a last glance at her former mentor — and apparently Upenda’s current lover, in spite of what family gossip had to say — she nodded her acquiescence. “Okay. Let’s go.”
When her fingers brushed against his, he took her hand, doubting any of the drunken crowd would notice in the darkness. She did not say anything more as he led her towards the door.
____________
The doors to Uncle Tabansi’s apartment slid open and Nyota crossed the sitting room to connect her communicator to the main comm unit. She turned to find Spock watching her, his face devoid of all expression.
______
“Go to bed, Nyota.” He watched the hopeful smile twist into an irritated frown as she stalked back over to him.
“The big brother routine is getting old,” she told him, her low voice a warning. “I don’t need you watching over my shoulder all the time! If you’re not ready to treat me like an adult, maybe we need to stop spending so much time together.”
Spock said nothing because he didn’t know what to say. Her growing anger was visible in the set of her jaw and the stiffening of her shoulders. Her pain was written in dark eyes that implored him to give something he didn’t understand. He tilted his head; his eyes scanned her face and posture, searching for a clue to tell him what she needed.
Her shoulders sagged and she shook her head. Anger and frustration drained away and she gave him a rueful smile. Guarded relief instantly flooded his senses.
“I know it’s just one of the ways you show you care,” she whispered, stepping closer. “But I’m all grown up now.”
Involuntarily, his eyes flickered over her. She was unmistakably ‘all grown up.’
“I am aware of that.” His voice sounded ragged to his own ears.
“Are you?” She moved closer still. Her breath, still sweet in spite of the alcohol units she had consumed, brushed over his face.
“If you do not go to bed, Nyota,” he murmured as she halted, her lips six millimeters from his, “unlike others, I may bite back.”
____________
Spock swallowed a roar as her cool smooth body pressed more firmly into his. As he breathed in, the scent of peppermint, spearmint blended with jasmine and the natural fragrance of her skin taunted his already tormented senses. Her erect nipples brushed the hair on his chest and she cried out, rubbing her cheek along his neck. Her teeth scraped his exposed clavicle and nascent longing bloomed into a conflagration of burning desire.
“Nyota,” he bit out, the name at once an admonition and a plea. It was wrong to allow her these liberties; denying her would be a far more egregious crime.
But she didn’t hear the warning in his voice — or if she did, she did not care to heed it. The abrasion of her coarse pubic hair against his engorged lok stoked the fires of his arousal, threatening to break his control.
She pressed her lips to his throat, kissing and nipping, then…her tongue, hotter even than his fevered skin, laved the spot she had so recently bitten.
“Grmph!” he growled, unable to hold back this time. His hands, of their own volition, found her naked hips and dragged her closer. Flesh burned against flesh and still, it wasn’t enough. He flipped them over, covering her body with his own, and buried his face in her hair. Her enticing aroma filled his nose. “Nyota,” he said again, softer this time — begging; there was no space in his mind for caution.
She lifted her slender arms and threaded delicately-formed, cold fingers through his hair and Spock stiffened. His hands tightened around her cotton-covered hips. He heard her camisole rasping against his t-shirt as they breathed in unison. The mingled scents of jasmine, spearmint and Nyota still teased his olfactory organ.
Horrified at what he had been dreaming, he opened his eyes and reality reasserted itself.
Nyota. In bed with him. In his arms. Fully clothed, but still pressed beneath him nearly as intimately as he had imagined.
“Nyota,” he said a third time, certain that the name had finally been spoken aloud.
She opened her eyes, blinking several times before settling on a half-lidded gaze that looked far too much like the after-effects of satiated desire.
“Spock,” she murmured. His eyes fell to her mouth. Her full lips curved up and, in the process, proved to him that she was capable of tempting him beyond measure even while they were both fully awake.
He found himself licking his own lips and expending a great deal of mental energy attempting to suppress his continued reaction to her proximity. She shifted beneath him, and he regained another measure of brain function. His denser body was capable of crushing hers. Glancing up to meet her eyes again, he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.
“Forgive me,” he whispered.
Her expression changed — eyes widening, lips no longer forming an inverted arch. She didn’t release her grip on his hair.
“Why?” she asked.
____________
Spock’s hands left her hips and gently disentangled her fingers from his hair. He lowered her hands to his shoulders, but did not release them. His dark gaze did not release hers.
“Why?” she repeated. “What have you done wrong?”
He didn’t answer for a long time. His warm hands still cover hers, his thumbs tracing lazy circles over the fleshy parts of her palms. She wondered if he realized what he was doing.
“I am considerably heavier than you,” he eventually whispered. “You could have been injured.”
Not at all fooled by his excuse, but not wishing to argue, Nyota decided to humor him.
“But you did not,” she pointed out. “Besides, I liked feeling you on top of me. It felt wonderful. You liked it, too. You like having me on top of you nearly as much.”
He didn’t stop her from freeing her hands and dragging them down to the hem of his back shirt. He didn’t interfere as she pushed it up his muscled torso, and even helpfully lifted himself so that she could peel the whole thing off.
Nyota lost the garment somewhere in the bedclothes and, reaching for his hands, lay on his chest again. Smiling, she pressed herself more firmly against the evidence of his pleasure.
She wasn’t prepared when he growled again and flipped her over, pinning her hands above her head.
He stared down at her with such dark intensity, such longing, she wanted to growl herself.
“See?” she murmured instead. “This feels good. This is good.”
“It is too soon,” he bit out. “I was not... this is not the time, Nyota.”
“Too soon for what?” she asked, utterly confused. “Tell me what you’re talking about.”
A high-pitched Beep!, quickly followed by a startled “Oh!” saved Spock from answering.
____________
Amanda watched slender brown arms snake around her son’s naked back, and was already reaching for the disconnect button when a beaming face peeked over his shoulder.”Lady Amanda!” Nyota squealed, delight lighting her voice and smile. “I’m so happy to see you!”
Spock partially disentangled himself from the girl and rummaged under the heavy blankets with one hand. He produced a bunched up piece of black fabric, telling Nyota to “Put this on” before turning over to face his mother, simultaneously blocking her view of his companion.
“Mother,” he said. “I was not expecting to hear from you today.”
“That’s because I called to speak with the birthday girl,” Amanda pointed out, her eyes instinctively glancing over his shoulder, although Spock had positioned himself carefully enough to keep Nyota out of sight of the comm screen.”She is more appropriately deemed the ‘birthday woman,’“ he corrected, lifting an eyebrow.
Amanda knew better than to upset a Vulcan’s sense of propriety, but she couldn’t help herself. She laughed. Hard. In the background, she could hear Nyota laughing with her.
“Well, I should hope so,” Amanda said once she caught her breath.
The young woman, now wearing a too-big black shirt, slipped her arms around Spock waist and propped her head on his shoulder again.
She winked at Nyota, whose brown cheeks took on a deep flush. Spock rolled his eyes, rolled over Nyota and out of her now-black-clad arms, then rolled out of the bed.
____________
“My son doesn’t usually embarrass easily,” Amanda remarked with a teasing grin once he’d left the room, saying something about fixing the environmental controls.
She’d been pleased to note he was wearing sleep pants and socks as he left the room. There were some things a mother just didn’t need to see.
Nyota grinned back at her.”It was cold,” she explained. “I, um, forgot to fix Uncle Tabansi’s environmental controls yesterday.”
“Who needs a heater when you’ve got a Vulcan handy?” Amanda quipped, and Nyota flushed anew. Chuckling softly at the blush, Amanda when on. “I’m really sorry to have called so early, ko-fu. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and tell you how proud I am of you.”
“Thank you, ko-mekh,” Nyota whispered, her voice full of emotion.
But Amanda couldn’t resist getting in another dig. “Just look at you, Ennie — you’re a woman now and so beautiful!”First, Nyota blanched, then the blush returned full-force. Then she sputtered for several moments before finally getting out, “W-well, uh, not ye— ”
“I meant,” Amanda interrupted (there are some things a mother just didn’t need to know) “that you’ve passed the final hurdle of the Federation’s Byzantine laws regarding legal majority for humans.”
“Oh! Oh, well, yes. I have. For those of us lucky enough to be in Starfl— ”
“I know, ko-fu,” Amanda interrupted again with another chuckle. “And I hope you’re enjoying your birthday, so far.”A slow smile crept over Nyota’s lovely face.
“This has been the best one ever, ko-mekh,” she whispered dreamily.
“I’ll just bet it has!”At the younger woman’s third searing blush, Amanda decided to relent, and then the two women talked about family and Nyota’s plans for the break and birthday-presents-to-come (Spock had all of the Grayson and S’chn T’gai gifts squirreled away somewhere) and about inconsequential things until the embarrassment of the morning faded, leaving only the warmth of familial affection.
____________
Nyota was feeling excited and happy by the time she closed the connection with Lady Amanda — ko-mekh — and noticed that Spock had been gone for quite some time. Excited, happy and… restless.
Anticipatory.
This truly was turning out to be the best birthday ever and she could barely wait to see what came next.
____________
M’Umbha Uhura quietly stepped into the sitting room of her younger brother’s San Francisco apartment three hours before her scheduled arrival. Nyota had probably spent the night dancing and was most likely still sleeping, she and her husband had agreed. But Spock was sure to be awake to greet them. Still, they didn’t want to disturb—
“I’m freezing!” she heard her daughter call out, “Either come back to bed and warm me up, or bring me some clothes so I can help you!”
A glance at her husband told her Benjamin had heard, as well.
“Your uncle left rather detailed notes,” Spock called back from the opposite end of the apartment. “I am perfectly capable of following them and completing without assistance the repairs you promised. You may continue to indulge in indolence in honor of your birthday.”
“That’s not fair!” came Nyota’s voice. “I was going to get to them. I just — got diverted.”
“Fortunately for both of us, my attention is not so easily broken. I am nearly finished.”
“You know what? You’d better come back to bed anyway, Buster! We still need to talk about last night.”
“No. We do not have time to continue our… discussion this morning.”
Spock’s refusal was firm, and apparently Nyota thought it was finite, because just then, three things happened in rapid succession:
Nyota bolted out of Spock’s bedroom, dressed in a black long-sleeved t-shirt that fell to her knees, yelling, “We’d have plenty of time if your concentration were really so impervious to distraction.”Warmth began slicing through the icy air hanging about the apartment.Spock emerged from the utility room, wearing only black sleep pants and thick grey socks and retorting, “I was not the one who could not remain her own bed.”
____________
The two young people noticed the new arrivals around the same time.
Benjamin glanced from Nyota’s wide eyes and open mouth to Spock’s carefully composed countenance, restraining his own features so as not to further embarrass the couple.
M’Umbha, shoulders shaking, leaned down to smother her laughter against his shoulder.
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