Title: The Secret Gate

Author: Wildcat

Series: TOS

Rating: T

Codes: Saavik, S/U

Summary: While on vacation in Greece with Spock and Uhura, Saavik, now twenty-four, meets a boy who isn't quite as stupid as all the others.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and company. I have just borrowed them for a while, and I will not profit from any of this.

This story is a part of my continuing Spock/Uhura universe. It takes place between Time is the Fire and In Single Words. While it does not rely heavily on events from the previous stories, you might find it useful to have already met the Santos family from What the West Wind Saw.

This story won 3rd place for "Best S/U" in the 1999 ASC Awards.

Feedback is desired.

The Secret Gate, chapter 1

Squinting into the sun, Saavik leaned on the railing of the ferry and inhaled. The air was so sharp and fresh that it almost hurt to breathe deeply, but she relished the sensation nevertheless. The spray from the sea flecked her face with moisture, and she could feel her hair becoming heavy with the briny dampness. It had been almost a year since she had set foot on a planet other than Vulcan, and although she would not want to live anywhere else at this time in her life, there was nothing on Vulcan to compare with this. She felt as light as the gulls that swooped over the water, as free, as abandoned.

She turned to her companion and shouted to be heard over the churning of the water. "You are correct, Elizabeth. Although the trip from Athens would have been much faster by shuttle, this is an excellent way to begin our vacation."

"You bet!" Elizabeth grinned as she pushed a tendril of hair away from her face. "When Mother booked this trip, the travel agent told her not to even consider flying in to Sifnos. He said that if you were going to do that, you might as well stay on the Greek mainland."

"It is unfortunate that your parents were unable to accompany you. Were they greatly disappointed when they learned of their scheduling conflict?"

"Yes, but I wasn't." Elizabeth ducked her head sheepishly. "I mean, I'm sorry that they missed out, but you and I can have fun now without having to worry about staying out too late or anything like that. I swear, you'd think I was still a child! Mother can't accept that I'm twenty-three years old and living on my own. No matter how hard she tries, she can't help but keep tabs on where I am and what I'm doing. Besides, I'm really looking forward to spending two weeks with you, Spock, and Nyota. I haven't seen them for ages! How are they doing?"

"They are very content. They should have married many years ago, for it obviously agrees with both of them."

"Tell me about the wedding."

Saavik almost smiled. Of all people, Elizabeth knew how badly she had longed for that wedding. Spock had placed her with Elizabeth's family for three years, calling on his childhood friend Margaret to raise his young ward with her own two daughters. Those had been good years, and Saavik considered herself fortunate to have known such a stable family life and to have been able to count Elizabeth as almost a sister. Hoping as only a child can hope, however, she would have traded everything for the chance to be with Spock and Nyota on the Enterprise. Of course, she had always understood that such an arrangement was impossible, but that had never deterred her.

"It was very nice." Saavik nodded with satisfaction. "Dignified yet touching, it was perfect for the two of them and the life they lead. As you know, they were married on the Enterprise."

"Yes, I know. Mother was sorely unhappy that she wasn't invited. She said that it was criminal he'd finally get married after all this time and not even tell her until after it was over."

"Spock knew that she would be displeased. He stated that Margaret would continue to remind him of the omission for at least the next fifty years. He and Nyota wished to keep it small, however. They did not even tell their families."

"Oh, Mother understands that. She just can't pass up an opportunity to give him grief. Anyway, go on. Tell me about the wedding."

"Nyota was very pretty. She and Spock both wore their uniforms, and Captain Kirk officiated. He was also the Best Man. Dr. McCoy, Mr. Scott, Mr. Sulu, and Mr. Chekov also attended. And of course, I was there." Saavik couldn't help but smirk slightly. "I was the Maid of Honor."

"Did Nyota carry flowers?"

"Yes. She had three roses tied together with a ribbon."

Elizabeth leaned close and nudged Saavik in the ribs. "So, I suppose that you were the only female there to catch the bouquet?"

Saavik looked suspiciously at her friend. "How did you know that Nyota tossed the flowers to me?"

"It's an Earth tradition. You know what it means, don't you?"

Saavik shook her head.

"It means that you'll be next."

Saavik waited for Elizabeth to elaborate, but finally asked, "Next?"

"Next to get married."

Saavik raised both eyebrows. "I hardly think that accepting three flowers positions me for future matrimony."

"You never know," Elizabeth said enigmatically. "My roommate back at school said pretty much the same thing, but she caught a bouquet and was married before the year was out." Suddenly, she turned and gestured toward the water. "Oh, look! Land! We'll be in Platis Gialos before you know it."

Saavik scowled at Elizabeth's romantic superstitions, but she couldn't maintain her disapproval as she listened to her friend's carefree laughter. She turned her face back into the wind. They were on their way to the beach, and she could already see it up ahead! In two days Spock and Nyota would join them, and they would have almost an entire two weeks together. This would surely be a vacation to remember.

...

The next morning, Saavik wrapped her arms around her knees and watched the waves roll in to the shore. Elizabeth was stretched out next to her with her eyes closed, and Saavik couldn't understand how anyone could come to the beach only to close her eyes to the wondrous sights all around. Small children frolicked in the waves, mimicking the tiny birds that ran out after the retreating water then scampered back up the beach when threatened. Old people sat under their umbrellas, content to leave all strenuous activity to the younger generations. Curvaceous young women and buffed young men strutted along the waterline, clearly displaying their attributes for anyone who might be interested. All in all, it was a fascinating sight.

She looked over at Elizabeth, impatient with her friend's inactivity.

"Elizabeth, are you asleep?"

"No, just enjoying the sun."

"I do not understand how you can tolerate cooking yourself like this. Would you not prefer to go out in the water?"

"Maybe in a little bit, when I get hot." Elizabeth propped herself up on her mat. "I sure am glad that you agreed to come back here today. I know that you're eager to see some of the sights, but I came to Greece for the beach."

"Actually, I am in agreement with you. Perhaps we can explore the island this afternoon. For now, I am content to stay on the beach."

Elizabeth smiled and brushed a few grains of sand off her mat, then suddenly leaned close and whispered, "Saavik! Look at those boys!"

"Where-"

"No! Don't look!"

Exhaling sharply, Saavik turned toward Elizabeth. "Do you wish for me to look or not?"

"Wait a minute... Now. Pretend that you're looking at the water. Do you see them? Those two boys, coming this way."

"I see them. What about them?"

"They're so good-looking."

Shrugging slightly, Saavik said, "I suppose that they are physically attractive. They appear to have nothing better to do than walk on the beach, however. This is the third time—"

"What?" Elizabeth lowered her sunglasses, and Saavik could see that her eyes were wide. "You mean that this isn't the first time they've walked past?"

"That is correct."

"Have they looked up here at us?"

"Yes, but—"

"Quick, Saavik. Come with me."

Before Saavik had a chance to react, Elizabeth grabbed her wrist and towed her across the sand.

Pleased that her friend was finally sufficiently hot to venture into the water, Saavik said, "You should leave your hat on the beach. You will lose it if you go out in the water while wearing it."

"We're not going out in the water," Elizabeth said smugly. "We're just going to stand in the shallow waves and look pretty."

"Elizabeth." Saavik frowned and crossed her arms across her chest. "While I am willing to stand in the shallow waves with you, I must draw the line at 'looking pretty.'"

"Sorry, dearie. There's not much you can do about that. Oh, wait... They're almost here. Talk to me."

Resigning herself to the fact that Elizabeth was determined to draw the attention of those two stupid boys, Saavik sighed and said, "Very well. Which sights do you wish to see first?"

"You mean beside those boys?" Elizabeth giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. I think that I'd like to go to the valley. I've heard so much about the olive trees that line the hills, and Mother said that the wineries give tours sometimes. Oh! Excuse me."

Saavik could not resist rolling her eyes when Elizabeth deliberately stepped back right into the path of one of the boys, but she recovered in time to feign the appropriate degree of surprise when she turned to find them standing right behind her.

Clutching the boy's arms, Elizabeth gasped, "I'm so sorry!"

"No, no. It was my fault. I was careless. Perhaps I was distracted." He spoke with a rich Greek accent, and Saavik noticed that the whiteness of his teeth contrasted sharply with his dark, tanned skin.

Without missing a beat, Elizabeth said, "Oh yes. There's always a lot to see on the beach."

"That is very true." The boy's grin grew even wider. "My name is Theo Papindopolaus. My father and I run Papindopolaus Bakery, in the center of town. Perhaps you have seen it."

Saavik narrowed her eyes as Theo spoke. She recognized the other boy, but she could not quite place him.

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, we just arrived yesterday. We haven't seen much of anything yet."

"I understand." Theo motioned toward the blond, bronzed, and slightly taller young man next to him. "This is Bryce Brooks. He is an old friend of mine, here for a visit just like you."

Ah. Of course. Bryce Brooks. Saavik pressed her lips together disapprovingly.

"It's nice to meet you, both of you. I'm Elizabeth Santos."

Elizabeth turned toward Saavik. Prompted by her cue, Saavik added, "I am Saavik."

"Saavik," said Bryce. "That's an interesting name. So, what do you think about the island?"

Since he was clearly addressing her, Saavik grudgingly said, "I cannot speak yet about the island as a whole, but the harbor, the beach, and our lodging are acceptable."

Elizabeth smiled charmingly. "Well, it was very nice to meet both of you. We need to be going now. Maybe we'll run into you again before we leave."

"I hope so."

Bryce's smile was no less charming than Elizabeth's as he started walking again, and Saavik found herself unnerved by the directness of his gaze. An instant later, she realized that Elizabeth was already moving back toward their mats, so she hurried to catch up.

Leaning close, she said, "I do not understand. You plotted a means of meeting them, but you terminated the conversation before anything came of it. And where must we go?"

Elizabeth glanced discreetly at Theo and Bryce, and when she had assured herself that they were still walking steadily in the opposite direction, she smiled with satisfaction. "Oh, nowhere in particular, but we can't make this too easy for them. Don't worry. We'll see them again."

"I am not worried. I do not care if we see them again or not. As a matter of fact, I would prefer—"

"Oh, but I could tell by watching Bryce that he would like very much to see you again." Elizabeth bit the corner of her lip appraisingly as she watched the two boys stroll away. "And I think that Theo liked me."

Saavik opened her mouth to retort, but decided to leave the words unsaid. Elizabeth was so clearly enjoying this. There was no reason to spoil it for her. At any rate, Theo seemed to be a perfectly agreeable person. Perhaps he simply did not know how to choose his friends.

Elizabeth turned back to Saavik. "Well, I suppose that we need to find something else to do for an hour or so. Feel like some lunch?"

"That would be satisfactory."

"Let's go. I'll explain what 'play hard to get' means while we eat."

They gathered their belongings and trudged up toward the road. Just as they slipped between the buildings, Elizabeth stopped and looked back in the direction of the beach. Following her gaze, Saavik saw that Theo and Bryce were still just barely visible, their well-muscled backs and brightly-covered swimsuits making them easy to spot among the throngs of people.

Saavik shook her head. "Elizabeth, I have heard humans tell one another to 'put their eyes back in their head,' but I did not understand the meaning of the phrase until this moment. Come along before you begin drooling."

Elizabeth laughed. "Mark my words. This vacation just got a lot better."

Saavik raised a skeptical eyebrow, but did not speak.

...

Back on her mat again after lunch, Saavik noticed that the beach was even more crowded than before.

"Elizabeth, it is not too late for us to change our plans. There are so many people here! Perhaps this would be a good time to explore the town. It appears to be most scenic. We can return to the beach later in the afternoon."

"Saavik, please." Elizabeth looked beseechingly at her friend. "We'll see the town tonight, I promise."

"I intend to hold you to that promise."

"Of course! But if we aren't here when Theo and Bryce come back, they might lose interest."

"Please explain to me again the concept of 'playing hard to get.'"

"Okay, okay." Elizabeth laughed at her own foolishness. "So maybe we don't want to be that hard to get."

"Humans." Saavik shook her head in mock disgust. "Your rituals are incomprehensible to me sometimes."

"Oh, but that's what makes us so fascinating... Uh, hello!"

Saavik looked up to see that Theo and Bryce stood before them.

Theo smiled. "So. We meet again."

Smiling back up at him, Elizabeth said, "It's good to see you. Would you like to join us for a little while?"

Theo sat down beside Elizabeth. "We'd be delighted."

Motioning toward the sand beside Saavik, Bryce asked, "Is this spot taken?"

"Obviously it is not."

"Good."

Beside her, Elizabeth immediately lapsed into a stream of easy banter with Theo, but Saavik could only sit, stiff and self-conscious, with no idea of what to say and no desire to say it.

Finally, Bryce said, "Tell me, Saavik. Where do you live?"

"Vulcan."

"I went to Vulcan once. I didn't have time to see much, but what I saw, I liked. Have you lived there all your life?"

"No."

Bryce paused as if waiting for her to continue, but she had answered his question and did not have anything else to add. After a moment, he said, "So, what do you do?"

"I am Starfleet's liaison to Vulcan Space Central."

"Really? That's great! I'm in Starfleet, too. I'm stationed on Starbase Four."

He paused again, clearly expecting her to share his enthusiasm about their mutual involvement in Starfleet. When she did not respond, he shifted uneasily and adopted a different approach.

"I generally don't meet too many Vulcans on vacation at the beach," he said. "Why did you pick Greece?"

"I did not. Elizabeth's parents did."

Clearly relieved to have elicited more than a one-word answer from her, he asked, "Oh, so you're here with her family?"

"No."

Before Bryce could continue his interrogation, Saavik's attention was caught by a movement to her left.

Brushing the sand off her posterior, Elizabeth stood. "Theo asked me if I'd like to go for a walk on the beach. Do you two mind?"

Saavik looked up quickly, trying to indicate that she would prefer that Elizabeth stayed, but Elizabeth was watching Theo and did not see her.

"Of course not," said Bryce. "Have fun."

Although his voice sounded light, Saavik glanced over at his face and thought she detected a plea in his eyes that she knew was surely reflected in her own. Elizabeth and Theo had already started toward the beach, however, and before she knew it, she and Bryce were left alone.

They sat in silence until Bryce said, "All right, Saavik. I give up. It's very clear that you don't like me, but I can't fathom why. Would you care to enlighten me?"

Saavik hesitated as she watched a tiny insect land on her mat then dart away again. "I remember you from the Academy."

"Really? We knew each other at the Academy? I'm really sorry, but I don't remember you."

"I did not expect that you would. No doubt, however, you remember Cheryl Kenney."

"Ah." He closed his eyes briefly. "I think I'm beginning to understand. She and I didn't part on the best of terms, and I'm sure she didn't have very many nice things to say about me. I take it that you knew her?"

"Yes. She and I lived on the same floor in the freshman dormitory."

He shook his head. "I always felt so bad about that. As a graduating senior, I knew better than to get involved with a plebe, but she was just so bright and lively. When I realized that things wouldn't work out between us, I tried to explain, but she was too hurt and angry. She wouldn't listen."

She studied him for any sign of guile, but he appeared sincere. "That is not the story she told us."

He shrugged. "Like I said, she was hurt and angry. She wanted to hurt me back. Did she tell you that I was vain and self-centered, and that I, ah, took advantage of her? That I had a different girl every night of the week?"

Slightly taken aback, Saavik said, "Yes, actually, although her words were much more crude. She said that you—"

"I know what she said. It got back to me. All I can say in my defense is that she was trying to make me look bad. Do I really seem like that rotten of a guy to you?"

She regarded him for a long moment. "I am still forming my opinion."

He held her eyes, then finally laughed and shook his head. "Okay. Good enough. You know, I'm tired of sitting here. What do you say we go for a walk on the beach, too?"

Saavik stood, pleased to do anything other than continue this conversation. "I will walk with you."

"Great!"

Together, they headed toward the water.

End chapter 1