What This Girl Wants

Chapter 1

Decisions, Decisions…

Nurse Chappel was standing at a cross road in her life. She had just completed a five year mission on Starfleet's flag ship the Enterprise. She was anxious to set down roots somewhere. With her profession and credentials she could get a job anywhere. But that was just the problem-she didn't want to go just anywhere; to a strange, new city, new people, weather patterns… So the more she thought about it, San Francisco felt right to her. She knew the city, and her friend Nyota had settled there. Nyota was pregnant, she could look forward to a semi-family life in that surrounding.

Christine didn't have to answer to anyone, she was an orphan, raised in a foundling and then a group home. When orphaned at five years of age she eventually discovered that infertility was almost non-existent, and boys had the priority when it came to adoption. So, her hope was that one day she too would have a family of her own and a man to love. At one time in feminine history that was what every girl wanted. But in this time and place, maybe she was the exception, but she held on to that dream. She thought of how fortunate Nyota was-she married a Vulcan, to Christine, a life couldn't get more perfect than that.

She recalls how her parents, both biochemist, had entertained many Vulcans in their home in Louisiana and since then she always held a fascination with anything Vulcan. After much effort she now spoke the language with a great deal of proficiency. Nyota was trying to persuade her to settle in the city on the bay, which by the way had a large Vulcan population. Even their Embassy was here. Who knows what might happen.

Christine was now thirty-two years old. Still very attractive with short blond hair, an athletic body and a warm smile. In her early life she had never developed the quality of trust. Perhaps the setting surrounding her formative years contributed to that lack. Just a few persons elicited the degree of confidence that elevated them to the standing of 'friend'. Nyota and Spock were two such people.

She had not as yet submitted a Request for Separation to Starfleet headquarters, so she was wondering if just an extended leave would help her come to a solid decision. Being quartered at Starfleet visitor's dorms was adequate, although it lacked any warmth or personal touches that individualized her own space on the Enterprise.

Well, no use allowing this day to be wasted with idle dreams, she promised Nyota she would come by to see her. Perhaps she could get some input, after all they shared some common experiences. But first, she should have it crystal clear in her own mind what were her aspirations.

Chapter 2

What The Other Girl Has…

By ten fifteen hours she was dressed and waiting for transportation on the outskirts of Starfleet's campus. As she walked she called to mind the many experiences that had transpired here…being friends with Nyota and Gaila. The excitement of feeling loved and appreciated. During her formative years her real friends had been books, books and more books. As a bumper against all-pervasive loneliness, she set task before herself, goals, aspirations and dreams. But in retrospect, once reached, there was still that void, that emptiness. Upon close examination, she realized that she wanted what just about everyone wants, to be valued and loved. There was a degree of that in true friendships, but these didn't address all the emotional needs that kept surfacing. In a good way she envied Nyota, and in her heart of hearts, she wished upon herself such a life.

Her reverie was interrupted by the transport's arrival. She entered and punched in her destination on the keypad and she settled herself into a vacant seat and pulled out a book, one of her favorites, Bronte's 'Jane Eyre.' She could not even calculate how many times she had read it. Her first read was a download. She later saved her credits so she could get a real book, one that she could touch the pages, while contemplating a favorite passage or turn down page corners making the copy uniquely her own. The compelling factor causing her to keep returning to this story, was there a degree of similarity in the turn of that heroine and her life. But in that fiction Jane finally did get what she wanted, but it was not without struggle and heartache, Oh, 'c'est la vie'-such is life, she thought to herself. She estimated that she had a good forty-five minutes to ride, she closed her book and took in the scenery.

The signal chime rang and the stilted voice of the computer called out her destination. She walked to the front and interfaced with the vehicle, downloading any walking instructions. After she exited, she read, 'two city blocks straight ahead, third house on right.' She slowly began her walk and observed with a smile a dandelion's puffy seedlings growing by the street curb. More than five years had past since she had witnessed such a sight. It called for action reminiscent of childhood. She plucked it and blew on the wispy growth and watched as the wind caught it's hope for reproduction and then scattered them in every direction. It was amazing how years in space could change a person's conception of the term, 'the simple things in life.'

There was a bounce in her step as she traversed these blocks. The houses were all beautiful, but not ostentatious. Each one could have been shown in a magazine like Galactic Homes and Gardens. The lawns were perfectly manicured, but there were touches of hominess everywhere, children's bikes, wagons and toys piled or parked in adjacent alleyways leading to backyards where swings and slides explained the excited voices of children. It was a heart tugging sight for a person who had never had such as a child.

As she crossed the street and stepped up on the curb of Nyota's block, she noticed a door open and two men exited a house. Upon closer examination she determined that they were both Vulcan, she could see their distinctive ears, but neither one was Spock. One Vulcan, oddly enough, was wearing a bright red shirt and a hair style completely different from any Vulcan she had ever seen. Maybe, Vulcans from different parts of their planet looked different, she did not know. Because of what she just witnessed, she was certain that that must be Nyota's house. She picked up her pace and smiled in anticipation of her friend's embrace. She walked up the path leading to the front door but before she could ring the bell, the door flew open and a person screamed her name. They both embraced, laughing, and even shedding a few, 'I'm so glad to see you tears'.

Christine looked at her friend, the face was the same, but the body was HUGE. "Oh dear Nyota, it has just been two months. What happen? What am I saying, I'm a nurse, I know what happened. Let me get you to a chair or something," was Chrstine's reaction.

Nyota batted her hand and smiled, "I have become extremely proficient in waddling. I can do it forward and at times backward. I also have found that hard seats are better than soft ones. In addition, dear friend, I have the finest live-in male nurse in the universe, Spock. His cousin Sirin and a new acquaintance just left here. They went over to the Academy to find Spock. He visits there when he gets a message from a new challenger-3D chess, you know. Believe me, he will be back within an hour. Those opponents have no idea who they are dealing with," she says with a giggle.

Nyota motions for Christine to follow her. She leads her out through the sliding doors onto the patio. "Spock is helping his cousin** in his yard and then they will work on ours. But there is always a breeze here and we have shelter from the sun," was Nyota's explanation for their alfresco lunch. Everything was already set up. There is a lovely salad, iced tea, and fruit on the round café table. They had just seated themselves when Spock appears at the patio door. He makes a graceful entrance and nods his head in recognition.

"It is truly a pleasure to have you here in our home, Nurse Chappel," he states.

Christine looks at him, "Old habits die hard, Spock, but we are no longer bound by our old formality, please call me Christine," she says smiling.

He again nods and turns his attention to Nyota who says smiling, "Beg your pardon, Christine, my nurse has to take some tests," Spock puts his forehead on hers and discreetly places his splayed hand on her abdomen. After a minute, he nods, and leaves the two friends to their task of eating and conversing. Both activities of no interest to him at the moment.

Nyota had disposable eating ware and after these were discarded Nyota places an ottoman under her feet and sits back to relax.

Christine says, "Ny you look more beautiful than ever. I expect that everything is going well."

"The only complaint is what I shared with you before, fatigue and now a little clumsy. Who would ever think that not being able to see your own feet could present such problems," Nyota exclaimed. But you are witness to the care Spock gives me. He and I have bonded with the boys. They are aware of Spock's presence even before he connects to their consciousness. I can't even imagine what surprises they will provide for us."

Christine holds Nyota's left hand with her right and says, "Ny, they cannot help but be extraordinary, look at their parents."

After several hours, Christine checks the time and mentions, "I don't know the transport's schedule. I think I better head home."

Nyota says, "If it is alright with you, Spock and I will take you home."

Christine doesn't wish to impose, but she is convinced by a stoic Vulcan and a very pregnant, emotionally charged human female that their suggestion is really for the best. Especially so, since Spock has promised to stop and get ice cream sundaes for both of them.

While sitting in the family room, Nyota breeches a subject that she has thought over quite deeply in the months since she and Spock have been settled.

Pouring out her heart, she starts, "I'm selfish Christine, and I don't want to be a meddler, but I don't want you to leave San Francisco. Why don't you apply for a position at the Academy? It will give you a place to stay, and when you are not here with me, you are still around familiar surroundings. Listen, I know how hard it is to come to a place and know absolutely nothing about the real life in that location. Remember, my parents were in the diplomatic corp. Please make the attempt Christine. We even have extra bedrooms if you wanted to live off campus. Spock and I have talked this over, so why don't you think it over. You don't have to go somewhere else and suffer culture shock."

"Oh Ny, you are really a wonderful friend, the sister I never had. That idea has crossed my mind. Tomorrow I will check out the job availability list and enter an application and resume for any position I feel qualified to fill. But look, thanks for the offer but I think not having to commute is a great balancing feature if I work there. But Ny, you know a 'sometimes bed' is a great consolation prize," she said with a smile.