Still don't own 'em, still no money!

Pop Stars

After the impromptu concert in Sarek and T'Sela's front yard, the family decided to retire for the night. The women, in particular were exhausted. Nyota liked to have Spock in the bed with her when she fell asleep. Vulcans did not require as much sleep as humans, however. Spock would usually rouse after a few hours, do some quiet work, and rejoin his wife before she woke.

This night was no different. He dressed himself and slipped out of the guest room. Spock was not surprised to find Sarek sitting in the family room, reading the outdated and erroneous Ferengi astrophysics text Nyota had purchased at a flea market during their recent travels. She had known Sarek would be amused by this, even if he did not roll on the floor and laugh.

"My son, have you read this? Apparently the Ferengi believe themselves to be the center of the universe."

"Yes, Nyota and I have both read it. It is most entertaining. She was quite certain you would enjoy it."

"The pregnancy seems to be going well. I trust there are no complications."

"There have been a few minor issues, mostly "morning" sickness, which of course lasted all day. Dr. McCoy has been most helpful, and medical science has come a long way in thirty years.

Sarek remembered Amanda's unsuccessful pregnancies. When she had been expecting Spock, she was ill much of the time, spending the last two months in bed. He hoped life would be kinder to his children.

"My son, your harp is in need of repair. It is obviously well used. I suspect it is difficult to maintain it properly on a starship. Let us mend it while you are visiting. I have several completed ones in the wood shop. You must choose a new one for yourself. Also, I could use your assistance with the stringing and tuning, as you have inherited your mother's perfect pitch."

"I am honored by your gift, Father, and I would be pleased to assist you."

"Excellent. We can begin after breakfast. I believe T'Sela and Nyota have plans to go shopping."

"Yes. Father, do infants really require so much equipment? If Nyota shops much more, there will be no room in our quarters for the child."

"Obviously you do not remember the numerous bags of "baby stuff" your mother insisted that we haul around on missions. The time we traveled on the Cochrane, I forgot your "booster seat" so you sat on a box for the duration of the voyage. Amanda never let me live it down. Spock, it is best to defer to your wife in these matters, to maintain domestic tranquility."

"I will take that under advisement, Father."

***********************

After breakfast, the two expectant mothers headed out for a day of shopping. Retail was alive and well on New Vulcan. Sarek and Spock went to the wood shop located in the rear of the property. They removed the strings and tuning pegs from Spock's harp and stripped the finish off the wood. While Sarek repaired several small cracks, his son set to stringing the five completed harps that were sitting in the corner. It was time consuming and tedious. After Spock had strung three of them, he decided to begin the tuning process.

With a tuning fork, he found the pitch for the lowest string, and then tuned each subsequent one progressively higher. That task completed, he tested it by playing a well-known melody that used all the strings. Spock would stop periodically and make a few adjustments until he was satisfied. He moved onto the other two instruments, repeating the process.

When he had finished the third, he spoke.

"Father, this is a very fine harp. I would like to choose it for my own, if that is acceptable. The tone is superior and it fits my hands quite well."

"I am pleased that you like it, my son. That is high praise coming from such a musician."

"It was you who taught me to play."

"You have far exceeded my teaching."

"Ahem, If I may..."

The mutual admiration was interrupted by Tuvin, Sarek's elderly neighbor. He was standing in the doorway of the wood shop.

"Tuvin, we did not hear you. Welcome, what brings you out in the heat of the day?"

"I have a mission, Sarek. All the neighbors have entrusted me with a request they wish to make of Spock and Nyota."

Spock was momentarily stunned, but recovered quickly. "What is it they request, Tuvin?"

"Actually our request in two-fold. First, we would like you and your bond-mate to honor us with your singing at the community gathering in the park the day after tomorrow. Second, if you are agreeable to this, there are those who would like to make recordings of the performance. Your songs of last evening have touched many. All who heard you have told of it to many others, who in turn would like to hear your gifts for themselves."

"Your requests honor both Nyota and myself. However, I can not speak for my wife on this matter."

"Can not speak for me on what matter, my husband?" Nyota and T'Sela had returned from their shopping. Nyota carried a tray of glasses of cool water, and served Tuvin first. He bowed his head in gratitude, and then repeat his requests.

"If my husband is agreeable, I would like to accept this honored invitation."

Spock nodded. "I would make one request, however. There needs to be some type of shade provided for Nyota, as she is with child and unaccustomed to the heat."

"A canopy and portable cooling fan shall be provided for her. That is the very least we can do. All of ours thanks to both of you." Parting greetings were exchanged, and Tuvin went back to his own home.

"It is well that we went shopping, my daughter. Your new dress and sandals will be most becoming."

New dress and sandals? Their closet on the ship was quite full already. Spock raised an eyebrow, then glanced at his father, who wisely said nothing.

"You are correct, Mother T'Sela. Everything I own is getting rather tight. At least I will not embarrass Spock out in public."

"Nyota, you are still smaller than I. Perhaps you can wear some of what no longer fits me. Now, what shall we do with your hair?".....

Father and son exchanged amused looks and returned to their work. Both were gratified that the women got along so well together.

****************

After a delicious dinner, Spock decided that he and Nyota needed to practice their songs. He would be playing the new harp Sarek had given him, so he wanted to get used to it. They retreated to the back patio and began. Sarek and T'Sela settled into chairs and relaxed. Their children were in excellent voice tonight.

Soon even Nyota began to sense that they were not alone. It seemed that all of New Shi'Kahr was enjoying the music as well. All the patios in hearing range were filled with people listening.

The next day, Sarek and Spock worked in the wood shop again. Sarek applied several coats of stain and sealer to Spock's old harp. Spock strung and tuned the two remaining completed ones.

Nyota and T'Sela occupied themselves with determining which of T'Sela's outgrown "maternity" clothes would fit Nyota. On board ship, Nyota had been wearing Spock's yoga pants off duty. However, these were nearly bursting at the seams. The two women found about five outfits that would work. Then they experimented with hair styles and gave themselves manicures and each other pedicures, as reaching their own feet was becoming difficult. The time was passed so pleasantly that the men were nearly forgotten. When T'Sela realized that time had gotten away from them, she rushed to the kitchen, only to find Spock and Sarek already preparing a lunch of cold salads.

"I have been remiss in my duties, husband." She lowered her head.

"It is not so. You have been seeing to the comfort of our daughter. That is how it should be. If your nails are dry, let us eat."

Nyota could not help herself. She burst out laughing. T'Sela's face wore the faintest of smiles.

"Mother, I believe my wife is corrupting you." T'Sela still had a smile. Spock had just called her mother. She would do everything in her power to live up to that honor.

*******************

After lunch, Spock and Nyota settled on their "program" for the next day. They would sing nine songs, seven of which were pre-Surak, and two that were more modern. Nyota was a seasoned performer, and had starred in many musical productions while at Starfleet Academy. Spock usually only played for small audiences. He seldom sang for anyone but Nyota. He knew others found his voice pleasant, and this had caused him some discomfort in the past. Pike made him sing in a barbershop quartet for a talent show. Kirk was a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, who staged a ship's production of HMS Pinafore, giving Spock a prominent role. Nyota had roped him into an Enterprise song parody contest. His very effective vegetarian send-up of Cheeseburger In Paradise had taken first prize, a one-hundred credit voucher for the commissary.

This "performance" would be different. It had been requested by Vulcans, many of whom were still not at ease with his dual heritage. They were trusting him and Nyota to sing the ancient songs of their people. Spock was both proud and a little apprehensive. Nyota sensed this through their bond.

"It will be fine. We will be fine!"

*********************

T'Sela prepared them a light breakfast, then they readied themselves.

Nyota was stunning in a new ankle-length dress of pale yellow. T'Sela helped her arrange her hair in a most becoming up-do. Spock was most handsome in robes borrowed from his father. He gathered his harp and playlist, and the family made their way to the park.

Tuvin was as good as his word. In the middle of the park stood a canopy. Underneath it were a cooling fan, music stand, and several chairs. There were also microphones and speakers, as well as several recording devices.

Spock and Nyota got themselves comfortable and then did several sound checks for the technicians. Their audience had begun to arrive, each person bringing their own seat. The crowd was estimated at over six-hundred people, more than the entire crew of the Enterprise.

They began in the Vulcan manner, without any introduction. It was not necessary. Everyone knew who they were and why they had come. Spock and Nyota sang a first set of five songs, and then took a short break, so Nyota could cool off under the fan (which made too much noise to sing over.)

They sang the second set of four songs. There was no applause. That was not the Vulcan way.

However, there were also no snide or left-handed compliments, only sincere praise and thanks. No one had said "Your performance was adequate for a human." Spock had not realized that he was expecting this or that he had subconsciously prepared himself for insults and rejection. He had observed one of his childhood tormentors in the crowd, but the young man had not approached him.

After the community meal, the family went home. Nyota had made a joking comment to Sarek.

"Your son is more popular than Elvis." Amanda had enjoyed Elvis, so Sarek understood what she was talking about.

"Actually, he once thought himself to be Mick Jagger."

Nyota stared at him, wide-eyed. "What?"

Sarek told Nyota about the time he came home from work early, only to discover Amanda and Spock's little secret. They listened to hard rock while Sarek was away. He had found his fifteen-month-old son in the family room, dancing and singing I Can't Get No Satisfaction. When Sarek confronted his wife, she had said "Oh lighten up, Sarek. It's not like he's going to grow up to be a pop star!"

Just this once Amanda might have been wrong.