Warning: Not exactly angst, but not fluffy either. A little bit OOC. Will probably be a threeshot.
Spock knew what was going on before Nyota did, but he wasn't going to say it. As she ran off the bridge during her shift to throw up in the replicator, he helped her wipe her face but said nothing.
"Just a touch of stomach flu," she told Kirk, gesturing that he shouldn't worry.
But she seemed to be gaining weight rather quickly considering she'd had stomach flu for a week now.
It was a few days later, when she fainted on the bridge that Captain Kirk sent her to see Dr. McCoy.
Spock slipped into the turbolift with her without asking permission. Kirk either didn't notice or didn't want to say anything.
When they got to sickbay, the doctor lay her down on a table and told her what Spock already knew. That she was pregnant.
She looked shocked. Stunned. She put her hand on her belly, as if just beginning to comprehend that there might be something in there. She looked at Spock for an indication of what he thought, but his face was blank.
Dr. McCoy gave her some pills to swallow, and pulled Spock aside.
"Am I to understand that this wasn't planned?" he asked quietly, so that Nyota couldn't hear.
Spock nodded uncomfortably and McCoy looked up and exhaled loudly. Then, he gave Spock a disappointed, almost accusatory look. Spock knew what he was thinking. That he had expected that someone like Spock would be more responsible.
Walking back into the middle of the room, and slipping into his unemotional, informative medical tone stated loudly,
"I must inform you that naturally conceived children of interspecies couples have a high risk of genetic defects."
He looked at Nyota, as if he expected her to gasp or cry or something, but instead, she just nodded impassively. Spock had seen her act like this before. He thought she might be overwhelmed.
"I would recommend that you undergo further testing to determine the viability of the fetus," the doctor continued.
"Can we do it now?" Nyota asked, suddenly looking anxious. Dr. McCoy shook his head.
"You'll have to see a specialist. I know a few on Earth, but I'll have to see if I can get in touch with one nearby. I'll let you know."
He helped Nyota off the examination table,
"You two are relieved of duty for the day. I'll tell Captain Kirk."
"Why?" Spock asked.
"Because you need to talk," the doctor spat, ushering them out.
*****
"How do you feel?" Nyota asked as soon as they were in the turbolift.
"I do not know," he replied, a bit dishonestly. The truth was, he hadn't thought about it because he felt it was unlikely the child would be healthy enough to make it to birth.
"How about you?" he asked in turn.
"I don't know either," she said, suddenly grabbing on to him, "I mean I always thought we'd have kids at some point, but not now ..."
Tears began to roll down her face. Spock could tell she was afraid.
"There is nothing to be afraid of," he said gently, "I am sure you have the strength to handle whatever events unfold."
"That makes me feel worse!" she snapped, and she almost laughed. She paused a bit, and then asked,
"What are we going to do?"
She rolled her head in despair.
"We will wait until we hear from Dr. McCoy," Spock stated, "Unless you are sure you want to ..."
"Look under 'A' in the ..."
He nodded.
"What do you think?" she asked.
" As a Vulcan, I have to admit I have ethical problems, but ..."
"But what?" she asked.
"I have to take your preference into account as well ..."
Nyota sighed.
"Let's find out whether this kid has any genetic defects before we make any rash decisions," she said finally, starting the turbolift in motion.
*****
It was three weeks before they returned to Earth. The errand that the Enterprise had to run was so contrived that Spock was sure that the doctor had talked to Captain Kirk.
As they beamed down, ostensibly for 'vacation', Spock began to worry. He wondered what they would actually do if there was something wrong with the baby. He wondered if his deep respect for life would extend to a baby with no head or organs on the outside of its body. He could tell Nyota was worried too. She kept looking around nervously.
The specialist was a kind, elderly man named Dr. Gonzales. He called Nyota 'sweetheart' as he helped her up onto the examination table. He spent over an hour examining her, taking sample and analysing them with the computer. Finally, he led the two into the consultation room.
"You two are extremely fortunate," he said quickly, sensing their nervousness, "There is no reason your baby won't live a long and healthy life."
Nyota grinned when he said this, and Spock felt himself relax slightly. The doctor turned stern.
"Now I want to impart on you that you were very, very lucky. Less than five percent of couples I see in your situation have healthy children. I don't want to bring out the slide deck of horrors, but I want you know that naturally conceiving children in your situation is a very, very bad idea."
"It was a mistake," Nyota said quietly and a bit apologetically.
"Well, I am sure you are aware that there are many effective methods of birth control available, including a number that Vulcan clerics have deemed morally acceptable."
He looked at Spock as he said this. Nyota looked at the ground. Neither wanted to say the truth. That they simply had been too embarrassed to talk about it.
"Anyhow," the doctor continued, standing "I will let Doctor McCoy know the good news."
The pair got up.
"Do you know whether it's a boy or a girl?" Noyta asked suddenly.
"A boy," the doctor said with a grin.
"And if you decide he is in need of siblings, make sure you see me before you get pregnant," he added, waving them off.
*****
"You look worried," Nyota commented as they walked away from the office.
"I am apprehensive," he admitted. This was an outcome he had not considered. He wondered if he would be a good father. He wondered if his father had been a good father.
"So am I," she said, "But I am starting to warm up to the idea. I mean it'll be a lot of responsibility, but babies are really sweet and there's never really a good time to be a parent."
Spock took her hand.