Well it looks like a few people twisted my arm…well my muse did as well…so you get more of Nahla and Simeon…some of their back story…and I will also introduce another OC and re-introduce one originally welcomed in Run…I envision this a three shot…so maybe one more chapter after this…
Chapter 2
Ten Years Earlier…
"Uncle Spock have you seen Simeon?"
Spock reclined in his chair, taking in the little girl before him. She was the spitting image of her mother. Jet black hair, silky and straight, braided into two perfect French braids adorned by ribbon in her favorite color of yellow. The skin tone was lighter but held remnants of the same caramel coloring that made her mother so beautiful. The eyes were the identical almond shape and deep pools of a warm brown, just a shade or two lighter than the doctor's wife.
"I am sorry Nahla; I have not seen Simeon in the past forty – five seconds." Spock responded while pointing discreetly to the opening under his desk.
"Hogwash." Nahla yelled before diving under Spock's chair in search of Simeon hidden under the desk.
Yes Nahla was a miniature version of Nyota, however that attitude was all Doctor McCoy and the man found he was quaking with laughter as the two children wrestled and giggled under his desk. His shins would surely have bruises from the whirling limbs of Nahla and Simeon. He hated to end their delight but it was necessary. The day would end and the doctor would come to retrieve Nahla from her lesson once he had finished at the medical campus.
"Come Simeon, Lady Nahla, we have a lesson to review."
Spock jointly schooled the children due to their learning aptitude. Simeon was two years older than Nahla but she possessed almost equal mental capacity as the young boy. The local educators quickly grew frustrated with the two and in his off time, Spock had volunteered to serve as tutor to both children. Simeon flourished with another child in the equation. Aiko and Ivan, Hikaru and Pavel's children would soon join in the lessons. Hikaru and Nyota had teased Spock that he should open his own academy. It was not a displeasing notion.
The clock chimed and shortly after, McCoy's soft footsteps could be heard in the hallway. He entered Spock's office without a knock; their comfort level with one another had grown in recent years, into a sort of friendship. The man smiled in response to the sight of Simeon and Nahla reading quietly in Vulcan on the chaise under the bay window.
When the little girl saw her father she rushed from where she was sitting and leapt into the man's arms. She showered him with kisses, laughing, pulling, and pinching his face.
"Can I stay daddy, just a little longer?"
"Not today darling, David has a game." Doctor McCoy looked at Spock, engaging in an unspoken conversation before reaching some sort of agreement, "Maybe Simeon can come with us?"
"Can I father?"
Simeon's eyes tugged on the strings of Spock's heart. "You may."
Hand in hand, Simeon and Nahla walked out behind McCoy. Spock recognized the signs and hoped his son's path would be much smoother than his own. He had been older and wiser in some aspects; thankfully Simeon possessed less fear and a greater willingness to explore the human emotions that were part of his physiology.
Two years later…
"Promise that you will remember me."
Nahla looked up from her bowl of strawberry ice cream, "Where are you going?" Her eyes were full of compassion. Those eyes would be what he would miss most.
"I will be returning to the Vulcan colony with my sa'mekh'al, Sarek and Ambassador Spock." Nahla watched the Adam's apple in her friends throat bob as he swallowed, "I will be bonded to my future mate. Sarek believes that it is important for the diplomatic future of our family."
"You're leaving." The clink of the spoon against the bowl made Simeon jump. "I thought it was customary for the initial bonding to take place earlier, around seven, you're twelve."
Simeon studied her face for signs of distress. There were none, "You are correct. However, this is a matter of diplomacy, and as the only available son."
"Bullshit. Save your Vulcan mumbo jumbo for someone who doesn't know you. This is not what you want."
There were no tears, only redness in her cheeks, and flaring nostrils that reminded him of Doctor McCoy when they broke one of his ancient bottles of bourbon.
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"That soon?"
Simeon could hear the crack in Nahla's voice; she was on the verge of tears; finally an emotional response. One would have thought she was the Vulcan.
"I will leave you now." His shoulders slumped as he stood from the blanket on the hillside behind the McCoy's home.
"No, just stay. Please." Her request was not for that day and the knife twisting in his chest at the thought of leaving his best friend was unbearable. Logically the decision he made to follow the direction given by his elders made perfect sense. Emotionally what he was losing was greater than anything that would be gained on New Vulcan.
"Remember me." Simeon's fingers were splayed and head for Nula's temple and cheek. "Remember."
Nahla shuddered when Simeon's fingers connected with her skin. This was unlike the brief flashes she had received from previous encounters. They had both learned about the seriousness of full melds. Spock had cautioned them one day when he found Simeon curiously making a move for Nahla's face, but today's connection was imperative.
She caught his hand before contact could be made. "Tell me."
"I will leave a piece of myself behind when I step on that transport tomorrow. You are a most excellent companion. There is no one in the bordering quadrants that could ever compare. You are my t'hy'la, no that word is not strong enough. You are my k'hat'n'dlawa, half of my heart and soul."
Simeon returned home after his short speech. He expected that his friend would not present to say farewell the following day. As always Nahla surprised him. Standing serenely between his mother and father, hands fixed in the ideal Vulcan salute.
What Simeon did not see was his father Spock to carry the small crying girl home in his arms. Nor did he hear the curses of his surrogate godfather as he stomped through his home waving his fists against an imaginary assailant that he referred to as a mini hobgoblin.
Present…
"I cried for two weeks."
Simeon fell in step with Nahla. They walked along the streets and watched as the shops closed for the day. The following day was Christmas Eve, and the decorations lining the streets were beautiful. Yellow lights formed into snow flakes and candy canes.
"During the proposal my mate could sense you. When the time came she refused to complete the ceremony. I stayed, completed my education. I have returned with the intention of entering Starfleet."
"How is your father?"
"He is well." Simeon clasped his hands behind his back, keeping Nahla in his peripheral view.
"Your mother?" There was a look of indignation slowly creeping into her features.
"Exemplary." He was quickly becoming unsettled by the course of this conversation.
"Your sister Amanda?"
Simeon sighed deeply before responding, "On New Vulcan, preparing for her marriage ceremony. Come Nahla, do you really possess such deep concern for my family?"
"Yes, I do, Simeon."
And there it was the very human emotion of regret. If he had not left, would his relationship with Nahla changed? Would she be his official bond mate now, instead of practically a stranger? There was something he should be saying, years around people who suppressed their emotions left him out of practice. Right now he wanted to scream, grab her, shake her, and admit to her that the only reason he was back; spending one more nanosecond away from her, those eyes, was simply illogical.
They had walked in a circle and now found themselves standing directly in front of her hover craft, "Welcome back."
There was too much finality in her words.
"Can we meet and maybe talk some more." Simeon spoke the words to her back. He found it hard to talk and look into her eyes at the same time.
"Come by in the morning, mama would leave to see you, and daddy, well he'll have a few things to say."
"Have a pleasant evening Nahla."
"Same to you Simeon."
