Author's Note: Sorry for such a long delay! There has been so much going on the past few weeks. Thanks again for your comments, I know I am not strictly to the Trek cannon but I am enjoying myself in my own little Trek universe. The next few chapters should be a little more action packed
The Enterprise slide into the space dock and Jim could feel the clamps locking the giant ship into place. The crew had welcomed the three-week shore leave and Jim had to agree it was going to be nice to relax. However, the Klingon attack two days ago made him anxious to get going as soon as possible. The quicker he could run them down the better. He had made a thorough report to Starship Command about the attack and the matter was being dealt on the highest level. USS Endeavor had been assigned to patrol and check the last coordinates where the Klingon war bird had been spotted.
Jim and Spock had not mentioned to Emma about the threats the Klingon's had made. They thought it best until they could make more sense out of it. The secret to immortality? Jim was eager to ask her about it, and in time he would, as her English was getting better. Spock had learned mermaids lived a very long time similar to Vulcans. But were they immortal? Emma still looked and acted like a young girl, in some type of arrested development. It was hard to say exactly how old she was. If Spock's mind-meld was correct, and she really was born back in the 1800 she would be a few hundred years old! Even older than Ambassador Sarek or T'pau who was one of the most distinguished and oldest Vulcans. Amanda had taken the "young" girl under her tutorship and was doing a wonderful job. Jim could see a change already.
"Captain all the maintenance should be done in three weeks or less." Scotty noted over the link. Jim was sitting in his captain quarters finishing up before being transported back down to Earth.
"Do you think you can have her ready in two?"
"Captain! You flatter me. You know I am not going to let no fool work on my girl without my supervision. I will oversee the maintenance work myself."
"I know you would have it no other way Scotty." Jim smiled. Where would he be without his trusted engineer? The door chimed and opened to his first officer.
"Spock! I trust you will be accompanying your parents back to Earth?"
"That is unless you need me to stay on board with the ship." Spock responded.
Jim had to smile.
"Are you parents already wearing you thin Spock?"
"Peculiar expression Captain. You are asking if my parent's presence is starting to irritate me. Which I have to remind you is a human emotion. They are not wearing my thinly… or in any other manner for that matter"
Spock gave Jim a slight smile. Jim had to laugh; Spock had a keen sense of humor when he wanted to show it.
"That bad huh?"
"My father's presence can be… challenging."
"Well unfortunately we are all being relieved from our duties for a few days. Myself included. So it looks like we both will be forced to undertake our more domestic duties and spend time with our families. I know my mother have been calling almost non-stop to find out when I will arrive."
"I've heard. She invited the doctor and myself to your sister's birthday party."
"That woman will stop at nothing to get me back to Iowa. Yeah, it is in four days. They are thrilled I will actually be on planet for once."
The two exited out of the quarters and headed to the transporter pad. When they arrived Amanda, Sarek and Emma were waiting for them. Emma smiled at the two men when they came in.
"Captain Jim have you heard the wonderful news?" Emma shouted with a big smile on her face. The name always made Jim smile since she was the only one to call him Captain Jim. Maybe once they were off the ship she could start to call him just Jim.
"I have NOT heard the good news, please do tell me!"
"Ms. Amanda and Ambassador Sarek have invited me to stay with them while in San Francisco!"
Jim quickly glanced over at Spock. The Vulcan was good at repressing his emotions but Jim could see his eyes widening. Spock's shore leave was suddenly looking pretty good.
"That is excellent news. That is very generous." He responded.
"I hope you will come to visit Captain Jim?"
"I would love that. I will be in Iowa for a few days but I promise to come and see you as soon as I get back into town."
"I would like that very much." Emma smiled and gave Jim a hug. They stepped into the transporter pad entered the shuttle back to Earth.
Emma stepped outside for the first time in a long time. Longer than she could remember. The air in San Francisco was chilly and she had been issued some heavier clothes onboard. She didn't have much of a wardrobe but Amanda has promised they would change that once on planet. Clouds laid over the city with light rain hitting her. She loved the water and welcomed it. She opened her mouth and let a few raindrops fall into her mouth. She had received a few curious looks from the others, and had quickly stopped. She could barely wait to see the ocean again. She could almost taste the salt water in her mouth, and the currents pulling her. She craved it with ever fiber of her being. Land was very different from what she remembered it being like. But she also had not walked on land in a very long time. She had stayed away from humans the best she could in the years she had spent with her sisters.
A car had been assigned to pick them up and drive them to the ambassador's house. Emma could not stop looking at the tall skyscrapers and all the masses of people walking around. There must at least be a few thousands; she had lost count long time ago. The view made her feel more self-conscious and shy. Amanda gave her a reassuring smile, and took her hand.
"Feels good to be home?"
Emma nodded. But home was far from what she remembered. It was just as alien as the starship she had been living on. The ambassador's mansion was in a green part of town. It featured a wonderful view of the city sitting on one of its many surrounding hills. The house had a beautiful garden that Amanda had personally planted when they had bought the house. The garden was a small mirror of the one she had on Vulcan, but featured different plants. It was complete with a small fountain and a Japanese rock garden. Spock was quick to help with the bags and carried them into the house. The rain had gotten heavier and it was now pouring. Everyone hurried into the house except Emma who was running her hands through the small fountain and walking through the garden.
"I get the feeling she misses the water. Maybe I will take her to the beach tomorrow." Amanda noted, thinking out loud.
"Yes, I think that would please her very much my wife." Sarek answered. Amanda was already halfway to the linen cabinet fetching a towel, knowing Emma would probably be drenched by the time she came in. The gesture made her think back on the few holidays she had taken Spock back to Earth when he was a child. He had loved the water as well. Slowly Emma joined them and stood soaking wet by the front door. Her clothes stuck to her body outlining her figure.
"You will catch a cold if you keep this up." Amanda said sternly. She couldn't help but to mother her. She dried Emma's hair and wrapped the towel around her shoulders. Emma nodded hanging her head in shame. Amanda had to smile and shock her head. They headed upstairs to get her changed.
As Emma was finding new dry clothes to wear, there was a knock on the bedroom door. She hurried and opened it and to her joy Spock was standing there. She had not had a chance to put on a new shirt, and she could tell Spock was surprised since she was only in a bra and pants. She was starting to learn his settle hints of emotion, even if he hid them pretty well.
"My apologies…I did not mean to interrupt." Was all Spock could say and he was about to turn and walk away.
"Spock! Are you heading back to your apartment already? Won't you join us for dinner?" Asked Amanda as she handed Emma a new shirt. Spock's eye tried to find a point in the room so he wasn't staring at Emma getting dressed.
"I had not planned on…"
"Please stay." Emma begged.
"I have to return to Starfleet, I came to say good night." Spock answered.
"Ms Amanda is taking me to the ocean tomorrow. Would you like to join us?"
"I will consider it."
Spock was quick to leave, and took his good byes. The car was waiting outside ready to take him downtown to Starfleet headquarters. He watches his parents home disappear in the distance. The past few days had allowed him little sleep, even by Vulcan standards. He was having a difficult time meditating and putting his mind to rest. His interactions with Emma had been limited after the first few days, but he could still not get her out of his mind. He was wondering if this is what Jim meant about having a female get "under his skin". It was troubling, since he could not solve this problem logically. He still could feel her body curl up to him and her soft hair tickling his skin. He remembered every detail of her body. He could recall her memories with accuracy, and how she felt like an outsider, like him. She was the last one of her kind. He could feel how alone she felt.
She was far from any other female he had encountered. Although, he didn't have that many to compare to. After T'Pring had broken off the betrothal, Jim had done his best to drag Spock out to almost every social engagement in the San Francisco area. Jim and McCoy had tried to drag him out a few times to a bar to "flirt" and perform the other degrading human seduction rituals like dancing. But similar to the females on Vulcan, he felt the women in the bar view him as a curiosity. Emma was different. The night that Emma had curled up next to him had been etched into him memory. He wanted more. He hadn't considered taking a mate before, but now… Being in Starfleet and having a family seemed illogical to him. Families of commanders were allowed to be onboard, but most moved from base to base. Life on a starship was dangerous. Also as a Vulcan, he was incapable of love… or so he believed. Or was he? He saw the bond his parents had, but such a match was rare. He braced himself for another sleepless night as he got out of the car and walked up to his apartment.
Emma stood looking over the rocky shore. It was early morning, and she had barely slept. The trip to the shore had been on her mind all night. Amanda had called for a shuttle at the first light of dawn. Emma dipped her feet in the freezing salt water. She looked back at Amanda and gave her a big smile. She looked towards the horizon and jumped right in. The cold water felt like knifes on her skin, but she adjusted quickly. If she had been with her sisters they would have moved to warmer water where hunting was better. The last thing Amanda could see was Emma's fins breaking the surface of the water. In an instance she was gone.
The current was strong and it pulled Emma straight out to sea. But it didn't bother her. Her water lungs kicked in and she swam through the San Francisco bay like a torpedo. She felt incredible and finally back where she belonged. She knew eventually she would have to turn back. She didn't want Ms. Amanda to get worried or have to wait too long. But right now... she was free. Emma followed the ocean floor passing lobsters, fish and a few sharks along the way until there was no trace of human life and the vast open ocean laid before her. She finally swam up to the surface and could see not coastline in sight. Looking down all she could see was the dark abyss. She knew she had to turn back.
Later in the evening, back at the house, Amanda opened the door and saw her son standing on the doorstep. He had come unannounced, but she was happy to see him.
"It is late Spock. Are you alright?"
"I am well mother."
"There is still some dinner left over if you are hungry."
"Thank you."
They walk through the hallway and into the kitchen.
"I am afraid you father is being kept late at the Embassy."
"It is fine. I came to inquire how your day was."
"It was beautiful. Emma is reading in the living room. I made her a fire, since the water was quite chilly today. I thought she might never come back. I saw her swim off on the shore. Did you know how fast she is? I waited for at least an hour, and then I saw her… she was beautiful. Was that how she looked when you first saw her?"
"Yes. Did anyone else see you?"
"Oh no, we were alone. It was far too early and chilly for anyone else to venture out. Even the seals were surprised to see us."
"Good. It is perhaps for her own protection that no one else outside of Starfleet knows about her abilities." Spock whispered. Amanda nodded.
"She is strong my son, and very clever. She is learning about her new world very quickly. She is already reading again on her own. But she needs protecting."
"I agree. At least until we know what and who is after her." Spock added. Amanda and Spock talked quietly in the kitchen while Spock finished a late dinner. Spock walked into the living room, as he was getting ready to leave. The fire was cracking and giving off a soft glow over the sofa. Emma had fallen asleep with a book lying across her chest. She was breathing softly, but her eyelids moving. Her mind busy in a dream. Spock kneeled down next to her, studying her face. She was most distracting to him. Amanda walked up behind him.
"I think the excitement of the day has worn her out. We should put her to bed."
"Allow me."
Spock carefully closes the book that Emma was reading, marks her place and places it on the table. He gently slides his arms around her. Her face falls right underneath his chin as he picks her up into his arms. She smells as sweet as the night she was in his room. Her skin was cool to his. Spock walks up the stairs to the guest bedroom. Amanda watches her son as his disappears up the stairs.
"Goodnight you two." She whispers under her breath.
The bedroom was dark but Spock's eyes adjust easily. Emma was still asleep in his arms as he places her softly on the bed. He brushes her hair out of her face and she moves slightly. She opens her eyes and look up at him. His eyes meet hers.
"Did you come to say good night?" she whispers. Spock holds her gaze.
"You feel asleep on the sofa…"
"I was hoping you would come and see me today."
"I came as soon as my duties would allow me."
"Stay with me. Please…" Emma closes her eyes again. Spock stood in the quietness, letting his race to what his logical decision would be. His feet felt glued to the floor, even though the logical thing to do would was to leave. Then he feels her hand on his. The past few sleepless nights seemed to finally catch up with him. Slowly he lies down next to her on the bed. Her body curls up to his just like their first night together. Spock's body finally relaxes and he falls fast asleep.
