Grudges
by Satin Ragdoll
Jamie didn't have anything to do while Spock talked to one of his students, so she saw the woman first. She was standing ram-rod stiff, staring at them. It was clearly an attitude of aggression.
Once she saw Spock was finished, Jamie got his attention as quickly as she could. The woman was coming their way.
She got right in his face before she stopped. Jamie could see that she was clearly Romulan. She was dressed as Poltax had been, and by her demeanor she was very agitated.
Maintaining eye-contact with the newcomer, Spock said, "Jamie, I would appreciate it if at the present time you would go get ice cream."
Jamie sighed. She knew a polite, Vulcan brush off when she heard it. She muttered under her breath at a volume she was sure Spock would hear, "Du sa'akh nash-veh." It basically meant, "You owe me."
oOo
Spock waited. He had an idea what the young woman wanted. Her face was familiar. It was not the same, of course, but there was remarkable similarity. It had been many, many years ago, but he still remembered.
The woman's mouth tightened. "You have an idea who I am, do you not? Your expression says you do, and I have been told I resemble my mother, highly. You do remember her, don't you? I would consider it an insult if you didn't."
Spock nodded, "I do indeed remember her. I have always regretted that I had to hurt her, although it was in the line of duty. She was a fine woman."
The young woman's mouth twisted into a sneer, "A fine woman! Do you know what they called her, Mr. Spock? What you did earned her the nickname 'Lhhei lagga'! It means, 'Madame flower.' It indicates a woman who let her instincts overwhelm her common sense. You made a mockery of her! She had to work a very long time to get rid of it!"
Spock lowered his eyes, "Ni' droi'ik nar-tor." It was a Vulcan apology, asking for forgiveness.
Her jaw tightened, "Forgiven. Just understand me, Mr. Spock. I intend to be a Commander, myself, one day. That is difficult for a woman. If we ever meet in those circumstances, I suggest you leave quickly, as I am not inclined to parley or to give mercy."
Spock nodded.
She tilted her head, "There is one more thing. My cousin Poltax told me he met your 'niece', Jamie. You keep her away from him! I do not want any of my family associating with any relations of Leonard McCoy!"
oOo
Spock was taken aback. "I do not understand your antipathy regarding McCoy, young woman."
She practically growled, "My name is Aidoann!" Aidoann took a deep breath and tried to regain control. "Romulans didn't start out so harsh. After we established ourselves on Romulus, there was a plague. It wiped out a large portion of the population. The doctors worked tirelessly to find a cure, and many of them died in the process. Because of this, doctors are held in the highest regard. For a doctor to engage in treachery and deceit is unthinkable! For us, what McCoy did didn't make him a fvai (dog), it made him a kllhe (worm)!"
Spock raised a brow. He had no idea McCoy was so disparaged. "It is not ssue'jn (understandable) that you blame Jamie for what her grandfather did."
Aidoann smiled. "You mean it's not olozhikaik (logical)."
Spock blinked. "Your Vulcan is excellent. And you are correct, it is not logical."
She sighed. "Perhaps. But, I am protective of Poltax. If she hurts him, my rage will be epic."
Spock lowered his eyes again, "I will be certain to let her know. However, she is very young. Perhaps we should insist that they remain apart."
Aidoann laughed, "Insisting anything with young people is likely to have the opposite effect, Mr. Spock. Besides, it might not even be neccessary. Right now he's terrified. We use Dr. McCoy as a threat against uncooperative children."
Both of Spock's brows rose, "Indeed!" He wondered at McCoy's reaction at the knowledge that he had become a Romulan bogeyman. It was sure to be...fascinating.
Fin.