NU2U: "Blood Ties", 19/26 (TOS/AU, S/Ch, Sa, Am, Vulcan OCs, K, Mc; h/c, anx [PG13])
Gamin
pregnant wife Christine back to Vulcan to be presented at a clan
gathering, where both run afoul of certain ultra-conservative clan-
members. This part: Spock, Christine, et al, watch the recording of
their shipboard wedding, then get ready for T'Syrith's surgery, and
Christine gets her first view of the babies in their artificial womb.
(Note: for a more detailed account of their shipboard
wedding and reception, see "Something to Remember" at the website
listed at the bottom.)
Disclaimers: Part 1A.
******
Next, Kirk helped Spock and Christine assemble all the gifts in one
spot in preparation for beam-up, and the rest of the time was spent by
Spock and Amanda in cleaning and packing his and Christine's clothes.
It was afternoon, sometime after lunch, by the time they had finished
and Spock was able to rejoin Christine on the sofa.
He found her much as he had left her, except that T'Syrith had resumed
her usual spot in Christine's lap; T'Seva and T'Saya were still at her
side and T'Merit hovered nearby. Kirk had just come to join her when
Spock arrived and sat down next to Christine. "Did you get all the
baby clothes packed?" she asked.
"Most of them. Mother was kind enough to give us an extra bag for the
rest," Spock asserted.
"I wish I could've helped. I felt so useless just sitting here while
you
all ran around and got everything ready," Christine admitted
regretfully.
Spock shook his head in negation. "It is more important right now
that you do not exert yourself unnecessarily," he admonished her, then
changed the subject. "Did you enjoy your 'baby shower'?"
"It was lovely," Christine assured him sincerely. "But I'm really
surprised that any of your clan wanted to take part in it."
"Perhaps they would not have if you had not been through such
difficulty. As it was, they wanted to be sure that your last memories
of this gathering were...worth remembering," Spock returned quietly.
"Besides, we were curious about the custom," T'Merit added.
"Now that you've seen it in practice, what's your opinion?" Kirk asked
her curiously.
"In this instance, all that matters is that it was pleasant for
Christine," T'Merit replied carefully. "The children seemed to enjoy
it, of course, but I do not think this 'baby shower' would have the
same effect on a *Vulcan* mother-to-be."
"So you couldn't imagine anyone else in this clan having a baby
shower," Kirk concluded.
"Since Amanda is not likely to give birth again and we have no other
Human females among us, I should say not," T'Merit remarked dryly,
cocking an eyebrow significantly at Spock and Christine. "At
least.not for another seven years."
"Please, T'Merit--don't even *think* it, not now," Christine
admonished emphatically. "It'll *take* seven years for me to get over
T'Jaim and T'Krystyn's birth."
Kirk laughed softly, and even Spock folded his arms across his chest
and managed a slight smile as he observed Christine. "What I was
actually asking was if you could see any *Vulcan* in this clan having
a baby shower," Kirk reiterated, making a largely ineffectual attempt
to stifle his own laughter as he remembered where he was-on Vulcan, in
public.
"In a word, Captain, no," T'Merit returned simply.
Kirk gave an elaborate shrug. "Oh, well--I had to ask," he sighed, in
a tone of surrender but with a humorous expression in his eyes.
"And you really should know by now that even if you ask a Vulcan an
illogical question, you will receive a logical answer," Spock pointed
out lightly, the same glint of humor behind his dark eyes.
Kirk just grinned at him; T'Merit, although puzzled, knew they must be
sharing some private joke of the type that Humans might share in
friendship--and she silently approved of anyone who was so close to
Spock and so willing to show it.
"Spock, let's watch the tape of our wedding," Christine suggested
suddenly.
Spock hesitated; he wanted to view the tape, also, but he had serious
reservations about viewing it now, with the possibility that other
members of his clan might well be watching along with him. His eyes
met Christine's, and he responded to the pleading expression he saw
there by reaching out cautiously to her mind. //I do not think that
would be advisable at this time.//
Christine immediately sensed Spock's uncertainty and showed him the
pain she felt in response. //Are you ashamed of our wedding?// her
mind asked.
Spock hastened to reassure her, gently drawing her into a tentative
mental embrace and showing her a little of his emotions regarding
their shipboard wedding. //I am not ashamed, Christine...but the
ceremony was very...elaborate and emotional. I do not think my
relatives would understand.//
Christine examined his emotions cautiously but thoroughly and could
find none that contradicted his claim--and she realized abruptly that
thoughts of what his clan might do or say (or think) in response were
the true source of his discomfort. //I *want* them to see it,// her
mind told him emphatically. //If I'd thought you didn't feel the same
way, I would never have suggested it.//
Spock felt her remaining disappointment and was at a loss as to how to
respond to it. //I remind you that I was in pon farr at the time.//
//Which did *not* keep you from enjoying the wedding,// Christine's
mind countered.
//But I *was* being affected by it, nonetheless. They will see
that.//
//Maybe not. I didn't.//
//You saw me through your own emotions toward me, m'chejan; I could
hardly have been other than what you had wished for and dreamed of on
that day.//
Christine saw behind this his awareness that any "wishes" and "dreams"
*his clan* had ever had for him had been abandoned when he joined
Starfleet-and the lingering regret spawned by this knowledge. She had
no chance to try to console him however, for Spock--appearing to give
in--suddenly began to withdraw from her mind.
When they were both again aware of their surroundings, Spock stood up
slowly and went to Kirk, taking him far aside. Kirk, having watched
Spock and Christine, known they were in mental contact with each
other, and known from their expressions as they disengaged that
something was amiss, immediately took the opportunity to express his
concern. "What is it, Spock? What's
wrong?"
"I do not wish to disappoint Christine, but I am somewhat...
apprehensive...about showing the wedding where my relatives can see
it," Spock explained hesitantly, deliberately lowering his voice.
"Have you viewed the tape?" he asked then.
"Yes," Kirk admitted warily. "Why? Are you afraid it might be too
'emotional' for them?"
"If I appear to be obviously under the influence of pon farr, I would
prefer them not to see it," Spock elaborated carefully. "Besides
...they would undoubtedly deduce that it was the pon farr's effects
that caused me to decide to have a Terran wedding." He looked
searchingly at Kirk. "Does it show very much?"
"Not really. Just in the close-ups...something in your eyes," Kirk
assured him, trying to console his friend. "Spock, don't you think
all that matters is that *you and Christine* know the truth--that the
pon farr didn't have anything to do with that decision?"
"Perhaps that was what Christine was trying to say when our minds
touched just now," Spock reflected faintly.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" Kirk wanted to know.
By way of an answer, Spock turned and went back to the sofa, sitting
down beside Christine and wordlessly taking the computer tape from
her. Then he made an announcement, barely loud enough for everyone in
the parlor to hear him: "For anyone who may be interested, I am about
to play a recording of our wedding on the Enterprise."
As people began to appear seemingly out of nowhere, Christine regarded
Spock uncertainly. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.
Spock raised an eyebrow at her, his expression unreadable. "If I were
not, I would not do it," he returned neutrally.
In moments, they were surrounded by a group of very curious Vulcans;
Setek, Savir, T'Shelya, Storn, T'Myryn, T'Merit and all the children
joined Amanda and Spock's two Human friends in crowding around the
table viewer at Spock's end of the sofa as he inserted the tape into
the computer terminal slot below the viewer. They watched in silence
as the images on the screen told the story of Spock and Christine's
shipboard wedding, accompanied by Christine's narration and commentary
for T'Syrith's benefit--the chapel decorated in t'lerya flowers, white
roses and blue ribbons, the parts played by various Enterprise
crewmembers in the ceremony, Sarek's late arrival, Christine looking
so radiant in Amanda's gown, Spock in his silver and gray ceremonial
robes, the music, the words and the emotions.
The final scenes were not of the wedding itself but opening scenes of
the reception afterwards in the Officers' Lounge, chosen by Kirk with
obvious care--Spock was pleased to note that the recording ended
before the humiliating scenes of his terrible argument with Sarek.
When it was all over and Spock retrieved the tape, several of the
Vulcans wanted to know why Sarek had made no move to stop the wedding
when the moment came in the ceremony to "speak now or forever hold his
peace" about objections to Spock and Christine's union.
Sarek had remained nearby, talking with Seron, T'Lian and the others
who had not watched the wedding tape, and he came quickly to join the
group in front of the viewer. "I saw little point in objecting.
Spock had already made his choice, and by then, he had made it clear
that neither I nor anyone else would have been able to change his
mind--even if he and Christine had not already been bonded," he
explained quietly. "Objecting would only have
ruined a wedding ceremony which was apparently pleasant for Spock and
important to Christine. I do find it interesting, however, that the
opportunity was provided."
"In other words, not objecting was the logical thing to do," Amanda
quipped dryly.
Sarek ignored her, addressing Kirk. "What, exactly, would have
happened if I *had* objected, Captain?" he asked.
Kirk hesitated, having to think about it because he personally had
never had to deal with that situation. "It very seldom happens. I
think the way it works is, if the objection seems legitimate to
whoever is officiating, the wedding is stopped and can't resume until
the matter is resolved between the couple and the objector," he opined
finally.
"So someone *outside* the wedding party can actually object and stop
the wedding?" T'Merit questioned, intrigued.
"Yes, but as I say, it's hardly ever done. Tends to just cause a lot
of
anger and hurt feelings all around," Kirk reiterated.
As T'Merit considered this, Setek spoke up, turning to face Sarek. "I
must admit that Christine looked quite attractive in that white lace-
and-pearl gown--and you, also, looked very well, Spock," he added, his
eyes moving to the younger Vulcan's face. "Were you not...being
affected by pon farr at that time?"
"Yes," Spock admitted coolly, though inside, he was suddenly filled
with hope and certainty that Kirk and Christine had been right and no
pon farr symptoms were visible on the wedding tape.
"Remarkable. The ceremonial robes fit you well--you did not seem
noticeably underweight. And your mental state appears normal, aside
from emotions that seem appropriate for the occasion."
Spock lowered his eyes, as usual, uncomfortable discussing the pon
farr. "I had not been long without food. As for my state of mind,
most of the credit for that must go to Christine and Captain Kirk," he
revealed, almost inaudibly. "He, too, was here with me on Vulcan
throughout the worst of the madness...if I wanted his company, he
provided it willingly, irrespective of my mental state," Spock
reflected, keeping his voice carefully controlled in order to insure
that the true depth of his affection, respect and gratitude
toward Kirk remained hidden. However, those emotions leapt from his
eyes as he spoke, and Setek deduced that he was either unaware of this
or unable to prevent it, or both.
Setek looked at Kirk with new respect as T'Merit asked the Human
another question. "I noticed there were white flowers mixed in with
the t'lerya. Are they Terran?"
"Yes--they're called 'roses'. White's traditional at weddings, but
they also come in red, yellow, orange, and a few different shades of
pink," Kirk elaborated.
"Hmm. They are most attractive," T'Merit commented.
"I noticed there were flowers everywhere," T'Shelya observed.
"What is their significance in the ceremony?"
It was Christine who answered, this time. "They symbolize life--the
beginning of a new life."
"And why must everything be white?" T'Shelya asked then.
"White is supposed to symbolize newness, innocence and purity--which
is why women marrying for the second or third time don't generally
wear it," Christine explained.
"I must agree with Sarek that the wedding seems unnecessarily
elaborate...but I believe I understand the symbolic meaning for
Spock," Savir remarked evenly. "Vulcan and Terran ceremonies, Vulcan
and Terran flowers."
"...And Spock a combination of those two worlds," Sarek finished,
anticipating him. "That is, after all, what the philosophy of IDIC is
all about. Sometimes I lose sight of that aspect of Spock...but
perhaps prolonged exposure to some of those among us who do not follow
that philosophy has brought it back into focus for me and reaffirmed
its importance."
Spock looked up finally, encouraged by the direction the conversation
seemed to be taking. "I myself have been rather confused on that
subject in the past--for so much of my life, I wished only to be
Vulcan and ignore my Human half completely," he pointed out, careful
not to reveal anything that might lead to questions that would require
him to discuss V'ger. "Once I realized
that both parts of me were of equal value, it seemed only...logical...
to me that my wedding should reflect this knowledge."
Sarek raised an eyebrow at him, but decided not to inquire further.
Then the group began to break up as Spock's relatives went off to
discuss the idiosyncrasies of Terran shipboard weddings among
themselves.
That left Spock and Christine alone with Kirk, McCoy, T'Merit, and
T'Syrith, who insisted on staying near Christine. Christine regarded
Spock anxiously as he handed the tape back to her. "Was that as hard
as you thought it would be?"
"No," Spock admitted slowly. "Fortunately, those who would have
disapproved the most were no longer here." He lowered his voice
noticeably. "I.would have preferred, however, not to have discussed
the pon farr to the extent that Setek seemed to want to."
"At least, now you know it didn't show and you have nothing to be
embarrassed about," Christine pointed out reassuringly.
"Agreed," Spock returned.
Just then, Sarek approached their little group, speaking to McCoy.
"T'Merit has told us about the operation, and I mentioned it when I
last spoke to Satik," he revealed cautiously. "He expressed an
interest in observing, in view of its potential for the advancement of
Vulcan medicine. I told him I could not permit such a thing until I
discussed it with you."
"I don't know, Sarek--under other circumstances, I wouldn't object,
but with the Enterprise having to keep a schedule and me being forced
to perform the operation tonight, we're a little rushed," McCoy
reminded him doubtfully. "After all, T'Merit didn't decide for sure
that she wanted it until this morning. Can Satik fit it into his
schedule on such short notice?"
"I will ask. I am certain he will wish to *make* the time, if it is
at all
possible," Sarek opined, turning and starting toward the door.
T'Merit glanced out a nearby window and saw that the sun was beginning
to set. "It is getting late, Doctor," she noted. "Is it not nearly
time for us to go to the Enterprise?"
"Pretty soon, now," McCoy confirmed, glancing over at Christine.
"If you'd like to prep T'Syrith, I think I can dig up a chair
somewhere so you won't have to stand up."
Christine nodded. "I think I'd better."
"Are you sure you're up to it?"
"I'm fine, Doctor."
"I'd better go up ahead of you, then, and make sure everything's
ready," McCoy decided, then he, too, turned and moved off.
T'Syrith reached up to touch Christine's face. //What does "prep"
mean?//
//It means getting you ready for surgery,// Christine's mind responded
readily.
//How?//
//Well, for instance, we have to shave your hair off.//
T'Syrith responded to this with apprehension. //Will it grow back?//
//Sure, it will. In the meantime, we can give you a hairpiece to wear
until your own hair grows back.// Christine did her best to make her
mental presence seem comforting.
//Would it look like my real hair?//
//Yes, it would.//
//All right, I am ready now. Remember that you promised to be with me
during the operation.//
//I'll remember, T'Syrith.//
******
In another hour, McCoy, Spock and Christine had beamed up with
T'Syrith and T'Merit, Kirk following with Satik as soon as it was
ascertained that the Vulcan physician was indeed willing to make time
to observe the surgery. By that time, T'Syrith was prepared and McCoy
himself was getting ready.
After Christine was finished with T'Syrith, McCoy and Spock took her
to get her first view of her new daughters. McCoy led them into a
large, specially-equipped room which was lit normally only at one end,
in front of the door, then they passed into the more dimly-lit area;
there, McCoy called their attention to the artificial womb, a large,
clear, bubble-shaped container with wires and tubes connecting it to
diagnostic monitors, food dispensers, and other things designed to
maintain the womb's internal environment in a condition that
duplicated the real thing as closely as possible.
As Spock carried her closer, Christine saw that the womb's bubble was
double-layered, with the interior layer soft and flexible--like a
balloon--allowing the babies to move around as they would have within
Christine. The babies themselves could be seen inside the bubble with
surprising clarity, considering the relative darkness, curled around
each other and facing opposite directions. While Christine watched
them, fascinated, McCoy checked with the nurse who had been monitoring
their condition. "How're they doing, Connie?" he asked.
Constance Rollings had assumed Christine's old position as Head Nurse
when Christine became a doctor and was now in charge of Sickbay on the
rare occasions when both McCoy and Christine were away or unavailable
for their regular duties. She was a friend of Christine's and had
been the obvious choice to supervise the care of Christine's babies
during their confinement to the artificial womb.
"Both the babies and the interior environment are stable," she
reported.
"Good. Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity in there--it has
to remain constant," McCoy reminded her worriedly.
"I know, Doctor."
"And the food tube--"
"I check the womb and the babies at least once each hour, and I have
another nurse monitoring them the rest of the time," Rollings assured
him. "Don't worry. They can't wiggle a finger without somebody
knowing about it."
Spock carried Christine close enough to touch the womb's outer wall as
she continued to studied the babies. " Which is which?" she asked.
"They both have ID bands now, but if you will observe..." With one
hand, Spock managed to point up to the wrist of the baby facing away
from them, which still wore Spock's baby bracelet. "...there is the
baby bracelet that Mother gave T'Krystyn. T'Jaim appears to be upside-
down."
Something about this amused Christine, and she laughed softly as she
examined the babies more closely. She could just make out their
Vulcan features--the points on their tiny ears and the faint
suggestions of eyebrows that seemed to slant off at a decidedly non-
Human angle.
"It's T'Jaim who's been the most active," Rollings supplied. "She
kicks outward, then T'Krystyn moves and pushes her into a different
position." Even Spock cracked a smile in response to that.
"That sounds normal enough," Christine noted, her eyes still on the
babies. "They don't appear deformed at all. But surely that drug I
was given had *some* effect on them."
"Maybe not. I t's likely that it induced labor before the babies had
been exposed long enough to be affected," McCoy opined softly.
"I'll ask Satik about that possibility, but in the mean time, don't
look a gift horse in the mouth." He looked over at Rollings. "We'd
better get to the operating room--T'Syrith ought to be there by now.
Ready to assist?"
Rollings nodded, calling across the room to another nurse. "Harris!"
The younger nurse hurried over to join them. "Yes, Nurse Rollings?"
"You're in charge here for the next few hours, while I'm in surgery.
Keep your eyes on the babies and the interior environment--and report
any change immediately," Rollings told her.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"All right, let's go," McCoy urged.
END PART 19
My ST:TOS Fan-Fiction can be found here:
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http://spocktreks.bravehost.com
(Kirk & Spock Friendship, Spock/Christine
and pre-TOS Spock fan-fic, plus Art, Poetry,
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