Disclaimer: I Don't Own. I Don't Profit.
Special Thanks to Beta Notes from the Classroom. Check out her latest Spock/Uhura story "The Betrayal"
Note, in my universe Spock/Uhura became a couple while Spock was still a Lieutenant…and despite the beginning, this is NOT a Spock / Uhura baby fic.
Chapter 1
Somewhere, Nyota's cadet uniform was strewn across the floor, fabric intermingled with Spock's instructor uniform. The light of early afternoon slanted through cracks in the blinds. They were breathing rough breaths in time.
Nyota lay on her back, legs around Spock's waist, eyes half closed, her fingers pressed into the mattress on either side of her head by his hands. She could feel passion, love, and a delightful sense of being sated pass between the two of them where their fingers met. Their bodies were slick and slipping easily together. There was no rush and it was a beautiful thing.
She moaned, and Spock licked her neck. And then something new and strange passed through his fingers. Something akin to what he felt when he made a scientific discovery.
Stilling his hips, eyes boring into hers, he said in a hoarse voice, "Nyota, someday we will do this and make a baby."
The empathic connection between them was flooded with innocent wonder...and Nyota threw back her head and laughed aloud in pure happiness. Not that she wanted a baby now, but it was just something...something you'd only say to someone you wanted to keep forever. And she wanted to be kept by Spock forever, and to keep him, and yes, yes, she did want to have his baby - in ten or fifteen years.
And suddenly there was a rush, a frenzy, Spock's hips were again pushing hard against her own and a wave of what Nyota thought of as "Vulcan love" flooded through her. Spock's teeth were on her clavicle and they both went over the edge.
A few minutes later when Nyota's breathing had returned to normal, she turned to Spock. His head was on her shoulder, one hand pressed to her own, the arm of the other draped possessively over her chest.
"Lieutenant," she teased, "should I ask if you're 'safe'?"
Embarrassment fired through her fingers just before he pulled his hand quickly away. Pressing his face into the pillow above her shoulder he said, "You know I am. Even if I was not, your birth control method is 99.7% effective."
Tilting her head, she dropped the subject. It wasn't immediately important...and the idea of getting pregnant at that moment actually filled her with dread.
Babies never came up during sex again.
In time she came to realize he did want children – in an abstract sort of way. But he had had an unhappy childhood, and his relationships with both his parents had been difficult for different reasons.
When Spock thought too hard on the subject of children, it absolutely terrified him.
x x x x
Lieutenant Commander Nyota Uhura sat in the conference ready room with Spock, Captain James T. Kirk, Dr. Leonard McCoy, Sulu and Scotty.
The conference table was new. The last one had been blackened by a power conduit that had fallen and singed its surface during a particularly hairy and scary moment during their five-year mission.
That mission was over. Right now Starfleet had other tasks in mind for the Enterprise.
Not everyone was pleased.
"So, let me get this straight," said Jim, "after boldly going where no one has gone before, we come back to Federation space and are rewarded for our efforts with the monumental task of entertaining some civilian science fair winners?"
"They are the winners of the Starfleet Civilian Applied Sciences Contest, to be precise," said Spock. "I imagine a tour of the Federation flagship seemed a fitting reward."
The Captain snorted.
"Beats having photon torpedoes fired at us," said McCoy.
"Says you," said Sulu.
"They're giving us a break," said Uhura, tapping her PADD. "Look, the results are just in."
Picking up a PADD, the Captain said, "And the winner is..."
"Doctor Tev'rak Khio'ri Keval, formerly of the Vulcan Science Academy and..." Spock's brow furrowed, "Jimmie Nowak."
"Oh," said Nyota, scanning the project. "They managed to create a hand-held device capable of sending subspace signals by piggy backing on the naturally occurring subspace signals generated by planets."
"For less than a millisecond," said Jim.
"It is impressive, nonetheless," said Spock, raising an eyebrow. "The potential is..."
The potential was amazing. Nyota blinked. Generating subspace signals that passed through time allowed for real-time communication between the stars - and utilized a tremendous amount of power. To go from a hand-held device to subspace required large expensive central signal stations; these were usually the first targets during attacks.
Spock had discovered naturally-occurring subspace noise generated by planets and other solar phenomena. Nyota had worked with him to decode these signals since her time in the Academy. It was a subject that fascinated them both; something they "toyed" around with in their free time. Spock was convinced there were underlying patterns in the subspace noise that indicated a response to the external environment. Nyota was convinced that there was actual language - Spock teased her for "romanticizing" the science, but it was good-natured. Her "romanticizing" had led them to important discoveries before.
Tapping her PADD a few more times she smiled, "Spock, our research is cited as reference!"
"Indeed," said Spock. "Most gratifying." Nyota felt a warmth bubbling in her abdomen - his and hers. It was good to know their work was generating new ideas.
Scotty chuckled. "The lad Jimmie is only 10! Says here Dr. Keval is one of his legal guardians...but look, they've included official permission from his mum, Ms. Magda Nowak."
Grinning, Sulu said, "Gee, Mr. Spock, since the kid's project is in your line of research, I bet you'll be giving that tour. Heh."
Nyota felt Spock tense. He raised an eyebrow in irritation. His unease interacting with children was well-known around the ship. This wasn't the first time he'd taken heat for it. No one believed Nyota when she said they would have children…one day.
"I knew a Magda once," said Jim. "Not the brightest crystal in the warp coil...but cute. Nowak..."
Everyone at the table ignored the comment. Barring an unfortunate "Pon Farr marriage," a human with a Vulcan, especially a Vulcan from the VSA, was unlikely to be anything less than brilliant. And the fact that Dr. Keval was the boy's legal guardian seemed to indicate the union hadn't been that sort of incident - such bondings were usually ended by the humans involved.
Nyota scrolled through the PADD. No indication of the mother's occupation was given. It looked like she wouldn't be coming on the tour either. Nyota frowned a little. It would have been nice to chat with her. Still…she focused a thought to Spock, It will be interesting to meet a Vulcan father and his human son.
Nyota felt Spock's stomach drop. A thought flickered through the bond. Would it be like reliving his own uncomfortable relationship with his father?
She looked over at him. Hey, they seem to be doing well –
Academic achievement was never an issue for me either, Spock responded.
"Interesting name, Magda Nowak," said McCoy. "Says Jimmy's 100% human...wonder what ethnicity..."
Nyota was about to answer; Jim beat her to it. Scowling at his PADD he said, "It's Polish."
x x x x
Nyota stood by the transporter pad as the Enterprise hovered over Altos-5 at 07:00 local time.
Spock was also there, after some protestation that Nyota could easily handle the tour alone since they'd done the relevant research together. He'd only relented when McCoy said he was behaving like "an illogical baby."
Despite his initial groaning about the assignment, Jim was there, too. He didn't look happy, though. Nyota tilted her head. Jim's forehead had a slight sheen to it, and his coloring was off. He looked ill.
"Are you alright, Captain? You appear somewhat pale," said Spock, picking up on her concern.
Raising an eyebrow Nyota said, "Spock and I can give the tour ourselves. Their project was in our line of expertise and -"
"I'm fine," said Jim in a tone that cut off any future discussion of the matter.
Shrugging, Nyota turned to a PADD she'd loaded with pictures she thought Jimmie might find interesting.
The trip to Altos-5 had been uneventful; the only real communication with Starfleet had been an order from the Admiral to "try and make the tour interesting for a ten year old." This had caused some consternation among the crew. The few parents on board were all divorced and had scarcely more experience with children than the childless members of the crew.
The Captain suggested that after the ship tour they take a brief spin around the Altos-5 solar system at maximum warp. It was actually one of the best ideas any of the crew had when it came to making the tour "interesting" for young Jimmie...McCoy was convinced a holoshow of disgusting alien diseases would also be appealing.
Spock straightened next to Nyota as the transporter pad began to flicker to life. Looking up, Nyota saw two figures emerge on the pads-one tall, stiff, and recognizably Vulcan even before transport was complete. The other was shorter, and as it shimmered into view the elongated legs and short torso reminded Nyota of nothing more than a rag doll she'd had as a child.
Oddly, the two figures were holding hands. Nyota felt rather than saw Spock tilt his head. That wasn't normal transporter protocol.
Nyota didn't have time to think about it. Dr. Keval and Jimmie were suddenly solid and in the flesh in front of her. Dr. Keval wore formal human attire. Other than that he was typically Vulcan: dark haired, black eyed, staring straight ahead. His face was severe and inscrutable.
Jimmie wore somewhat formal attire. A long sleeved shirt, khaki pants, and...she looked down. Sneakers. His hair was a mop of unruly straw gold; underneath his bangs a dermakit bandage gleamed dully in the light. Nyota could see a blue bruise underneath it. The boy's eyes were a frighteningly clear blue...so blue she wondered if it made the bruise appear more colored than it actually was. The boy was looking at Dr. Keval with a look of fear or...contrition? Keval briefly looked down at where their hands were joined. Nyota noticed that Jimmie's small hand looked pinched and red. Quickly releasing the boy's hand, Keval put his hands behind his back.
Jim stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise." Looking between Jimmie and Keval, he clenched his jaw and then smiled. "Welcome aboard," he said, holding out his hand.
Hopping down the stairs of the transporter, Jimmie grabbed Jim's hand without looking at it. He looked at Nyota and Spock instead. "You're Commander Spock and Lieutenant Commander Uhura! Sa-mekh made me read all your papers on subspace signals after I came up with my idea...but all I sort of understood were the abstracts and the conclusions."
Spock tilted his head at the word sa-mekh...it was father in Vulcan, and a word of endearment.
Pulling his hand away from the Captain, Jimmie continued, "They weren't very accessible for kids."
Spock blinked. Just the sort of unpredictable comment that made him uncomfortable.
Smiling, Nyota held out her hand and said, "Obviously an oversight." Jimmie stepped forward and took her hand.
"Nah, it wasn't supposed to be for me," Jimmie said, vigorously pumping Nyota's hand while nodding at Spock and grinning. "Are we going to see your subspace signal array now?"
"Actually," said Jim, "we were going to start the tour in the med bay."
Jimmie scowled a bit.
Clearing his throat, Jim said, "Doctor McCoy has prepared a holoshow of alien diseases -"
"Cool!" shouted Jimmie, letting go of Nyota's hand, dashing to the door and stopping just centimeters in front of it. The door whooshed open and he lunged headlong into the hallway. Turning, the boy smiled and said, "I know which way it is! I memorized the whole ship!"
He looked down the hallway and took a step as though he were about to make a break for it, but Keval called out in a voice so stern it would have made a drill instructor proud. "Wait, sa-fu!" he said, using the Vulcan word for son.
Jimmie did not move from the spot. But he hopped madly up and down as though bouncing on an invisible string.
Jim grinned and jogged towards the child. "Don't worry, I got this."
Nyota and Spock looked at each other and blinked as they headed towards the door. The link was blank with slight shock. For a prodigy, Jimmie seemed a bit hyperactive.
Keval stepped up beside them. "Normally, he has two hours of swim practice in the morning before school. It has enabled us to keep him from being medicated for his...energy. But this morning we were unable to go. You may find him a bit..." He took a deep breath, "wired."
Spock raised an eyebrow. He was intrigued by Keval's normal remedy for Jimmie's hyperactivity, but knowing he was going to be dealing with a 'wired' ten year old did not make him feel particularly better about playing tour guide.
Nyota smiled at Keval as they stepped down the hallway. "Well, he and the Captain are well matched. Maybe they'll wear each other out."
Keval dropped his head.
x x x x
When they entered the med bay, McCoy took one look at Jimmie's bruise and whistled. "So, Sport, how did you get that shiner?"
Jimmie proudly rubbed his forehead. "I built a bicycle, with my friend, in his basement. You know, based on pictures from 20th century Earth. Then we built ramps. Mine was the highest! And I jumped the farthest! And I landed it...mostly."
Beside her Keval said, "Next time, there will be helmets."
Jimmie turned to Keval and held up his hand. Keval reached over and gave Jimmie what could only be described as a high five.
Spock blinked. They are communicating, Nyota. In an unorthodox way...
Laughing, Jimmie said, "Sa-mekh says I'm accident prone."
Nyota noticed Jim glancing over at McCoy.
Just then a voice came over the intercom. "Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Commander Uhura, Admiral Keating wishes to speak to you. Please report to the ready room in fifteen minutes for subspace connection."
Jim scowled.
Sighing, Nyota handed her PADD to Spock. "Here are schematics I thought Jimmie would find interesting." She winked at the boy. "Although if he's already memorized the whole ship..."
Bobbing his head Jimmie said, "If it's got conduits and stuff, I want to see that. That stuff isn't on public record."
"It does have schematics and stuff," Nyota said with a smile in his direction. She wasn't completely hopeless when it came to ten year olds.
As Spock took the PADD, his fingers slipped briefly against her own and she felt the accompanying pleasurable feeling of electricity. It was a discreet, affectionate gesture they used in public.
"Hey! You are bonded!" shouted Jimmy. "Sa-mekh, their fingers touched."
The smile fell from Nyota's face. Half the time she knew McCoy and Jim didn't even notice those little touches. She felt Spock trying to keep from going green at being caught being affectionate on duty.
No use denying it. "You're very observant," she said.
"Nah," said Jimmy, "I've just got ADD and my attention flies around like a phaser in a magnetically sealed chamber." Putting both hands in the air, he pointed his fingers around the room and said, "Phew...phew...phew...phew...Some of the teachers at my school want me on drugs because my brain..."
"Jimmy," said Keval in the same stern tones he'd used in the transporter room. "It was your idea to piggy back on natural signals." He held up his hand in the high five position. Jimmie looked at it for a moment, then smacked his hand to the Vulcan's. "Yeah," the boy said looking down and seeming to settle for a moment.
Nyota smiled and reached to Spock through the bond. Awww…His sa-mekh isn't letting Jimmie talk himself down.
Spock blinked. I believe you are right.
Nyota felt an emotion from her bond-mate that caught her off guard. Envy.
"Bones," said Jim, "why don't you show Jimmie the new DNA scanner you use on aliens before you give the holoshow."
"Jim..." McCoy said in a low voice.
"I want to see it!" said Jimmie.
McCoy looked at the boy, and then at Keval and Spock. "Alright," he said, "follow me."
Leaving the med bay, Nyota noticed Jim scowling again. She didn't blame him. Briefings with Admiral Keating tended to be quite dull.
x x x x
The briefing with the Admiral was not only dull. It was infuriating. He insisted on hearing from Jim's and Nyota's mouths everything they'd clearly outlined in their report on the Ontarians, a new warp-going species the Enterprise had discovered during their five year mission.
Rolling his eyes, Jim said, "Did they really need for us to retell how to handle silverware when one does not have a prehensile tail?"
Uhura sighed but said nothing.
"So," said Jim. "How are our boys doing?"
"Our boys?" said Nyota.
"You know, Spock and..." he waved his hand in the air, "Jimmie."
Nyota grinned. "Oh, Spock finds Keval's methods for managing Jimmie's…exuberance…to be quite fascinating. I think he's picked up some ideas for managing you."
"Very funny," said Jim. "Where are they now?"
He could have easily have asked the computer, but Nyota didn't mind stretching out through the bond. Through Spock's eyes she saw Jimmie sitting on Keval's shoulders. They were in engineering and Keval was giving Jimmie a better view of a warp coil flow regulator.
Feeling her in his mind, Spock thought, My father never did that for me after age seven...it would have been considered undignified.
It does seem like a rather good use of Vulcan strength, thought Nyota. And a good way to keep Jimmie securely in one place.
An image of Jimmie nearly knocking over a delicate glass micro environment in the science lab flashed through her mind. Keval had caught his hand just in time.
Jimmie is perhaps...a difficult child. But Dr. Keval seems to handle him well, Spock said.
A mentor? said Nyota.
She felt Spock blink at the suggestion.
"Well?" said Jim.
"Engineering," said Nyota, doing her best to keep a stupid grin from her face. It was nice…a relief actually, to feel Spock not tense and uncomfortable around a child.
"We'll stop by med bay first," said Jim.
x x x x
When they got to engineering, Jimmie was still perched on Keval's shoulders. He was talking excitedly to Scotty. Did the warp coil power the photon torpedoes and life support? How long could the backup generators last?
It occurred to Nyota that the tour was really supposed to be for Jimmie and Keval, but it would be nearly impossible for Keval to get a question in edgewise. The Vulcan didn't seem to mind. As Jimmie bounced on his shoulders, Keval's expression did not vary or change.
"We're back!" said Jim.
Turning his head, Jimmie said, "Oh, hi." And then he turned back to Scotty, "Are there really only five back up generators on the ship, or are there top secret generators hidden somewhere? You know...that I'm not supposed to know about because then the Klingons would know it too and it would destroy a potential strategic advantage?"
Scotty blinked. "Well, lad..."
"If he told you that he'd have to kill you," said Jim.
"Ha!" said Jimmie smiling at the Captain.
"Hey, where's the best place to see the matter anti-matter reaction?" said Jimmie, turning back to Scotty.
"Well, lad..." said Scotty.
"It's actually from above, in the air conduit," said Jim.
Scotty, nodded, "Aye, that's true."
Jimmy's eyes got wide. "Can I see it? Can I see it?"
"Sure," said Jim with a grin. "It's kinda tight up there though, and can only hold so much weight. Maybe just you, me, and Scotty?"
"Sa-mekh," said Jimmy, "can I go? Can I go?"
Keval reached his arms around and put the boy on the ground in a fluid motion. Jimmie turned and bounced. "Can I?"
Keval looked at the Captain and Scotty.
"It will be educational," said Jim, eyes narrowing slightly. People thought Jim had no tact. Nyota had realized long ago that wasn't true. The brash exterior was only half real. Jim Kirk knew how to play the inclinations of all the major species of the galaxy.
Keval looked down at Jimmy. "You will behave." It was not a question.
"Oh, yeah. Thank you, Sa-mekh, thank you."
Holding up his hand in the invitation to the high five, Jimmie grinned.
Keval gently smacked the boy's hand.
"Come on," said Jim. "Let's go."
Jimmie spun on his heels and jogged over to where Jim and Scotty were heading to the entrance to the air conduit. As the boy approached, Jim tried to lay a hand on his shoulder. Jimmie cowered back from the hand like a small animal that was about to be struck, and then raced ahead to Scotty.
The Captain looked back at Keval. The Vulcan just watched the boy as he disappeared into the conduit.
Nyota was suddenly glad he was alone. She wanted to get to know this Vulcan who was managing a 'difficult' human child with such grace. Maybe he could teach Spock and her something. "Perhaps you would join my bond-mate and me for tea?" she asked.
Keval looked at Nyota and Spock and back to the conduit. "Yes," he said, "that would be acceptable."
x x x x
In their quarters, Spock poured tea into Keval's cup, Nyota's, and then his own. He knew Nyota's motives for inviting Keval here, and they made him nervous, but his movements were smooth and fluid.
Keval tilted his head. "This is gahv-kur mor from New Vulcan," he said.
"Yes," said Spock.
"It is difficult to get on Altos-5," said the Vulcan.
Nyota was so used to being around Spock, she sometimes forgot how stern and emotionless full Vulcans could seem, at least externally. Keval's words sounded short, almost rude. They were in direct opposition to his actions, the high fives for his human sa-fu, and the shoulder rides.
Sipping her tea, she said, "You seem to get along well with your adopted son."
Keval looked from Spock to her. "You are thinking about having children of your own."
Nyota tilted her head. When Vulcans decided to get to the point, they got to the point.
Well, she wasn't going to be shy. "Yes."
"And you are curious about raising a hybrid child? One who will be more human than Vulcan, in a mixed species household?" He looked at Spock.
Spock tilted his head in discomfort. "If this line of inquiry is too personal, we understand."
Keval looked at his tea. "What is necessary should not be too personal. Parenting is a learned skill, and interspecies parenting presents challenges, but opportunities as well."
He took a sip of his tea. Nyota felt a mix of curiosity and disappointment from Spock. The conversation was too personal for him…and yet, he did find the word 'opportunities' intriguing.
Keval looked up at them. "There are conventions and retreats now, for mixed families. As of last month there are three with hybrid children. You might be better served by talking to parents there – a sample size of one is hardly optimal."
Looking back at his tea, he said, "And my experiences with Jimmy are perhaps somewhat unique. He has faced several challenges."
"Still, we would appreciate your input," said Nyota. "It is difficult for us to get time off for such events." And convincing Spock to go to one would be quite a trick.
Sipping his tea, Keval was quiet a few moments. "Very well. Perhaps you have specific inquiries?"
Before Nyota could say anything Spock said, "How did you come upon solutions to handle the boy's unique...challenges?"
Putting his cup down, Keval said, "By reading extensively on human child psychology and then trial and error."
"He wasn't kidding about ADD, was he?" said Nyota. "His...energy...and lack of focus must be...difficult for a Vulcan." Or a half-Vulcan.
Lifting his cup again, Keval took another sip. "Most days it is manageable. Physically, usually he is more restrained. But in general, yes, his thought process is different than what one experiences with a Vulcan child - or at least it is more extreme. I do try to appreciate the variety his wandering inspirations bring to my life. He did come up for the idea for our hand-held subspace device. I merely facilitated.
"Of course, his memory is not Vulcan." Looking at Spock he said, "But mnemonic devices, and relating facts to him in multiple ways, for instance by studying a concept in a book, then incorporating it into a hands-on project, is helpful. And his curiosity is as great as a Vulcan child's."
He looked down at his cup. "And other emotions...are the same."
"He is getting good grades in school," said Nyota. It was part of Jimmy's file sent by Starfleet. "Despite his ADD."
"And he appears he integrates well with Humans," said Spock. Nyota looked at him, for the second time pleasantly surprised by his interest.
"Yes," said Keval. He tilted his head. "The ADD is not so much a handicap. I do believe it is responsible for some of his more creative thinking...He has faced other challenges I believe affect him more severely."
Nyota and Spock did not ask. Keval wasn't his biological father. There could be a great deal of trauma there.
Keval tilted his head. "The thing to remember, when dealing with any child, is that what produces the best outcomes, no matter how unorthodox, is logical. For instance, the high fives I am sure you noticed. They facilitate emotional connection that is impossible with him because we do not have the Vulcan-Vulcan parental bond. And it does not embarrass him in front of his friends."
Sipping her tea, Nyota said through the bond, It's Super Logical Vulcan Dad!
"Indeed," said Spock in response to Keval and her.
"How long have you been his guardian?" asked Nyota.
"5 years now," said Keval.
After the fall of Vulcan, thought Spock. Nyota felt her stomach constrict. 'Curiosity and other emotions were the same.' Did he speak from experience with a Vulcan child? One who had been lost?
"I would have enjoyed meeting your bond-mate," said Nyota to change the subject. "It's always nice to talk to another human in a relationship with a Vulcan. Is she in the sciences too?"
Keval stared at her, cup poised in mid-air.
From over the ship's intercom the Captain's voice sounded, "Spock, Uhura, bring Doctor Keval to sick bay immediately."
Putting his cup down so fast tea splashed onto the table, Dr. Keval was at the door to their quarters before Nyota or Spock were out of their chairs.
A/N:
You can read more about Keval, Magda and Jimmie in "How the Mighty Have Fallen" in the Chapters Titled "The Seven Year Debt".
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