Sunday
It was Sunday. Spock had found the terran concept of Sundays most refreshing once he had adjusted to the idea of an "off" day. He had long developed the habit of spending the entire day meditating at his favorite spot. On Vulcan, meditation was part of life and every student was expected to spend the pre-requisite hours meditating in addition to scientific studies daily. At first, Spock had found his schedule on Earth most unfavorable for this.
Though he slept much less than the average human and spent those hours meditating, he still needed more hours, especially considering the environment he lived in. So he relished Sundays where he could spend the entire day in deep meditation undisturbed.
Spock had started partaking in morning meals with his human companions every day except Sundays since that first day he had appeared in cafeteria. He timed his arrivals such that Dr. McCoy was always leaving and Spock got to spend a few minutes alone with his object of concern. Those few minutes had come to mean more than the sunrise to Spock. He was not at peace until he could ascertain for himself that the young man with the smile that could cure darkness was well and alive and functioning. That smile had been missing conspicuously since the incident.
Dr. McCoy was a passionate human. Spock would not, on his own, approach such a volatile human being. However, beneath the explosive displays of emotion, the doctor cared deeply about Cadet Kirk. This was sufficient reason for Spock. The doctor had sought him out on one of the rare mornings Cadet Kirk missed breakfast complaining of a headache. They discussed their concerns over the health of their mutual breakfast companion and agreed to keep each other abreast of any developments. By an unspoken pact each made sure to meet Cadet Kirk at least once every day and let the other know. On days the Doctor had an early morning surgery, Spock would do his duty and send a comm message with his customary words " Dr. McCoy, Breakfast was without incident. Cadet Kirk remains as he was." The doctor always had follow up questions like "What did he eat?" or " Did he finish his breakfast?" or " Did he crack any jokes?". Spock indulged the doctor because though in other circumstances such questions would simply be frivolous the current situation made Spock deeply anxious about every minor human behavior the Cadet displayed. Spock was still learning about Cadet Kirk and he was far from being an expert yet. So, in interest of thoroughness, he entertained and considered everything Dr. McCoy said as contributions to his knowledge base. Spock reminded himself the Doctor was also a trained psychologist.
On Sundays like today the Doctor would return the favor and let Spock know that Kirk was well.
Spock packed his robe, mat and a bottle of water and set out for his meditation retreat in the dark hours of the early morning. By the time dawn broke over the city of San Francisco, Spock had already reached the top of the hill, and changed into his robe. He was waiting for the message from Dr. McCoy without which he could not proceed to meditate when his comm chirped. A new message from the Doctor said: "Mr. Spock, I will be gone all day today due to family business. I will not see Jim for breakfast. Take care of him, will ya?" Spock checked his internal clock as well as the external one. It was too late for him to go back and catch the Cadet at cafeteria. He would visit the Cadet later today evening he decided. He replied "Noted, Doctor" and switched off his comm.
Spock spread his mat on his usual rock which jutted out of the cliff facing the vast open water front and sat down with crossed legs and hands lightly clasped on his lap. As he concentrated on his breath his mind slowly quieted.
Concerns about Kirk's past few days' behavior whirled around in his mind as he slipped deeper into his mind. He examined the new thoughts and emotions and one by one his mind went over them, classified, sorted, and processed. He acknowledged his own highly emotional reaction to this particular human and that too was classified, labeled, and processed.
He had found out using his instructor privileges about the attack on the human named Alexai Ivanov and his subsequent departure. The report was however classified and Spock could not find out any details. The few times Spock had brought up the topic during their breakfast, the human's bright eyes had clouded and misery had twisted his expression. So Spock had stopped. But Spock was at a loss. He was deeply uncomfortable that the attack had taken place in such close proximity to the Cadet's quarters and that he had no idea if this was a one-time act or if the human was in any danger. He realized that he had no claim over the youngster and his access to the person of James T. Kirk rested entirely on the charity of the said human.
There was no denial, no dishonesty inside his mind. Everything was taken as it was. Vulcans didn't run away from emotions as many believed. They simply processed them differently and understood the fleeting and volatile nature of them. Emotions did not rule Vulcans because that caused needless stress, discomfort and ultimately unproductivity in life. He embraced Surak's teachings but his time on Earth was teaching him what emotions really meant.
He had always felt strong emotions towards his Mother. And equally strong unpleasant emotions for his Father. Sarek was something of an enigma to Spock. He had married a human female yet he showed no inclination towards understanding the human half of his own child. And now he had disavowed Spock. They had not spoken for years. It was not that Spock "missed" anything, not in the way humans missed their parents or home. However, he did find himself thinking of them from time to time. Specially Amanda. Amanda with all her gentle unconditional affection for a son and a husband who could not express that very same sentiment back to her.
Clarity, wisdom and peace descended upon him as the sun rose and sunlight reflected back from his soft thick black hair.
Notes:
I would love to hear your thoughts if anyone is actually reading this :)
