This is a brief a little one shot that follows on from Three illogical things.
18 Ways.
Spock lay awake and thought about Nyota. He missed her in ways he would never have thought possible. His Nyota, who has told him she loved him in 18 languages. He has never said the words to her.
Nyota has told him "I love you", many times, he treasures every one. She said she has made telling him that she loves him a special language project. She has said the words to him; in 18 languages, in 18 distinctive and unique ways. She said that she would tell him she loved him in the language of every sentient species in the known universe. Then she might start on every Earth language and every Romulan language… add infinitum. Nyota said there were never enough words to explain fully how she loved him. They have discussed the nuances in meaning and the difference between races and world views and how each word captures an aspect of love but not its whole. And still he had never actually said the words to her.
*
There is no personal communication with the world where Nyota is now stationed. She has been seconded to a task force and is leading her own language team studying a new language. She is working with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists. It is a major project with teams on three monthly rotations. The planet is very isolated and the only communication links are used for data transfer and official communication. There is to be minimal impact on the local population so very little technology has been allowed on the planet.
Spock has read through every official report. It is fascinating and even in the official and technical communication he can hear her "voice". He known the small touches that she adds that are for him… "It is only logical to conclude" and "Fascinating"... He can imagine as she wrote the words her lips would twitch into an almost-smile.
*
A the end of the second month there is a very brief and poor quality video message enclosed with the latest report. Like the report it available to anyone interested and several of the crew watch the message on the large bridge com screen. Spock sits at his usual station.
"Hi everyone on the Enterprise. Everyone here gets to send a short message out this month. So hi, I miss you guys." said the slightly blurry image of Nyota waving jerkily, her smile was radiant. Spock felt a tightening in his chest. She looked thinner and drawn and there was dressing on her forehead. Spock wondered what had happened, was she eating adequately and getting enough rest? He frowned with concern.
"I'm having such an amazing time. It is all fascinating, the language, the culture, the people; just everything. Mind you I do look forward to hot showers and a comfortable warm bed. " She gave her dazzling smile. She wriggled slightly in her seat and said, "There is now something I can say in 19 languages, I'll let you guess what it means." She rolled her eyes. Then Nyota said a word that is partly clicks and whistling ending with a soft rolling "ool" sound. Did Spock imagine it or was she looking over toward his station as she spoke?
"I advise you to be very careful saying that here, you could find your life changed in unexpected ways because they take it very very seriously," She winks. "I'm sending the official report now." Her image falters and disappears. The transmission stops.
*
Spock lay awake and thought about Nyota. He missed her in ways he would never have thought possible. His Nyota, who has told him she loved him in 19 languages. He has never said the words to her. When she returned that would change.