Author's Note: Hi, everyone. My mom and sister and everyone else who was epically sick the last I updated this are finally back in the saddle and my writer's block has mercifully let up for the moment. Now that I put Spock's family in, it's time for Nyota's, which will last for at least two chapters. Her brothers will arrive in this one and her mom in the next. I've been looking forward to writing this.
Smexy countdown: 2 months. After the family, I'll get into (pun very much intended) the consummation plot. I've got a really good idea.
Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"
"How in the world are supposed to find Stargirl in all this mayhem?"
"Easy. Look for a mob of slobbering men."
Jamal Uhura chuckled at his twin's usual dry humor and continued moving through shuttle terminal, taking in the beauty of San Francisco. Although he would always have deep love for Nairobi and Kenya, it was nice to feel a cool breeze and to feel a softer heat from the sun on his skin. Plus, he had been itching to see for himself the vaunted Starfleet Academy that had taken their sister away so far away from home.
Jamal was an OB-GYN in Nairobi and had never had much love for Starfleet. Now, he wasn't one of the radical, "let's blow every Starfleet base to Christmas" types but he just didn't understand the appeal. Many of the things they did could be accomplished by a less militant organization and then there was the whole "explore new worlds and seek out unique civilizations" bit. Exploration he could get. It was always good to expand one's mind and range of experiences. The unique civilizations he disagreed with. They wouldn't remain unique for long. Eventually, they would be brought under the blue and white banner, another cog within a well oiled machine.
But, his little Stargirl wanted to be a BAMF Starfleet officer so he supported her wholeheartedly, even encouraging her to go after getting her letter. Nyota deserved to follow her dreams to the fullest, even if he disagreed with her benefactor's methods…
…which was how Michael felt as well.
At 26 years old, he was an accomplished sculptor, his work displayed all over the World and the Federation. Like Jamal, he had no love for Starfleet. In fact, he saw Starfleet as a necessary evil. Yes, they provided military might and security to many innocent races but it came at the cost of conformity: conformity to Starfleet ideals and technology and culture, stifling creativity and causing history to be forgotten or even rewritten to serve the purpose of membership. The very idea made him feel ill.
But Nyota's happiness was much more important than his personal opinions. If she wanted to be a Starfleet officer, then he and Jamal would back her wholeheartedly, encouraging her every step of the way.
It was what family did.
//////////////
She was standing on a balcony above, scanning the massive crowd like a hawk for her brothers. When they had told her they were coming to visit with Mama soon after, she had been ecstatic…and more than a little scared. Once she told them about Spock, they would certainly want to meet him. What if they didn't like him? It was a distinct possibility.
After her near violation, any boy that she liked was put through the wringer, the gauntlet, and the warp core. It was her own fault. She couldn't help but tell her family everything about what was going on with her, which would make things even harder. She and Spock had gotten together in November. It was March now. That's 4 (forbidden) months of relationship that none of them knew about...that was forbidden. Oh, this was such a mess in the making! She winced as images of an inevitable confrontation filled her mind...
I believe the correct term for your condition is "screwed", k'diwa, a familiar soft tenor sounded within her head, sounding amused but concerned all at once.
She bit back a guffaw and "replied". So are you, Spock. As soon they figure out you're my boyfriend and my instructor, they're going to kill you…and me too.
Unlikely. You are their sister and their daughter and wish for you to be happy. Once they realize that our relationship is a positive, healthy part of your life, they will accept it. It is only logical.
You, of all people, should know that Uhuras are not logical when it comes to matters such as these.
…This is true. Perhaps we should flee from these scurvy k-nig-hts.
She giggled at the Monty Python reference and gently blocked the bond. She needed to focus on the task at hand now, which was getting her quietly chatting brothers' attention. Climbing carefully up onto the railing (her blue skirt was longer than she was used to…damned cadet uniforms!), she let loose a throaty wolf howl, causing the entire terminal to fall silent in shock. She had an impressive set of lungs for her slender frame. Both men jumped and when saw her, howled back and charged up the stairs, dropping their bags in favor of nearly breaking her in two in a hug.
The crowd resumed, some with scolding looks in their direction but others with fond smiles at the display of family, and Nyota felt tears prick her eyes as they called her Stargirl. Damn she had missed them so much!
"Where's your uniform, Stargirl? I was expecting to be picked up by a dignified cadet, not the madwoman we grew up with." Jamal asked with a shit eating grin.
She blushed as Michael said, "They're not clean because she forgot to do her laundry…again."
Well, she had things to do! She had a paper due in her Trill IV class and a test in her Flight class. And she had been with Spock all weekend, debating about Surak's effect on Vulcan society and making out between scenes of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Coupled with the May Street Fair that was on the committee for and all her other classes, and laundry was just not a priority! Besides, she could just steal Spock's clothes if she got desperate…
"Bite me, Mike. When's Mama coming?"
"End of the week. Who's the guy?" he asked like he was asking about the weather.
"Pardon?" she asked in a small voice, trying and failing to play dumb.
One thing she hadn't missed about them was the way they read her like a PADD.
"You heard him, Stargirl. Who's the guy that's got you all glowy?" Jamal insisted with a gesture towards a nearby mirror.
Checking, she saw that she did indeed look radiant. The snow white of her sweater and her skirt only seemed to emphasize it. As did the dreamy contentment in her eyes. Huh. No wonder everyone knew she had a boyfriend…
"Before I tell you, you both have to promise me that you won't get mad…or tell Mama. I'll do it myself." she stalled.
Jamal looked absolutely ill and begged, "Stargirl, please tell me you're not doing an admiral."
"Or doing it with anyone." Michael tacked on.
"No, it's not an admiral and yes, I'm still a virgin…for now. His name is Commander Spock."
Both men's eyes widened in horror and Nyota could feel the beginnings of a migraine coming on…
"As in the Son of Ambassador Sarek Spock?! As in your Xenolinguistics Professor Spock?! Nyota, have you lost your mind?!" Jamal hissed. "And why haven't you said anything about this to us?!"
"It's a secret! The regulations say we can't be together while I'm his student but there's nothing saying that I can't be with him as his aide! Look, I know it sounds absolutely scandalous and slutty but it's not like that! We are in a committed relationship and he loves me! Spock is the man that I love and I want to be his wife and bear him children! He is it for me and you two brainiacs and Mama are going to have to accept him or you don't accept me!" she replied just as quietly but with double the heat.
Both men looked devastated at the threat but she had no intention of taking back anything she just said. As painful as it would be, if there was a choice between her family and Spock, she would choose Spock. He was her mate, her ashayam, and she would remain by his side until the end of her life and even beyond. Nothing would cause her to compromise that.
"You…you really love this guy, don't you?", Michael asked after a moment, sounding less like the deadpan starving artist and the Mike from their childhood, vulnerable and sad.
Nyota smiled sadly and nodded.
"Yeah. I really do. That's why I want you all to meet him. He's not like other guys. He's a kind, brilliant man and I'm sure that you two will grow to love him as much as I do. Well, not as much as I do because then I'd have to kill you both for trying to get with my man."
A little flower of hope blossomed in her chest as both of them laughed and willingly followed her out of the terminal.
Perhaps, this wouldn't be a complete disaster, after all.
//////////////
I control my emotions. They do not control…
Disgusted, Spock shook his head and actually let some of the anxiety he was feeling show. It was all in his eyes and the slightly greenish tinge to his complexion. Anyone who did not know him well would merely assume that he was cold from the Bay breeze (which he was) and not precariously close to vomiting.
Nyota's brothers were here and soon, her mother would join them. They would know of their relationship and pass judgment upon it…and him. He had stopped taking into account the opinions of others long ago, a way of preserving his mental health. If he hadn't, then Vulcan or not, his mind would've broken under all the prejudice and outright hatred he had dealt with on Vulcan and on Earth. Usually, critical judgments upon his character were deemed meaningless but this was different. He was meeting the family of his true mate, not the one that had been thrust upon him in the name of The Vulcan Way.
T'Pring's parents and kinsmen had despised him due to his human blood, just like their daughter but instead of hurting him, it had been liberating. Usually parents were the one that pushed children to remain with their bondmates for life but to know that the only people desiring the union were his father and T'Pau was relieving. The dissolution of the bond had been like being freed from shackles.
The dissolution of his bond would Nyota would be absolutely devastating. He needed her like he needed air. He loved her more than words in any language could express. Her presence in his life and mind had brought warmth and order to his chaotic human inclinations. She made it acceptable to embrace his humanity and to express himself fully.
If her family despised him, then the risk of Nyota dissolving their bond was very high. She said that she would not and he believed her with all his figurative heart but his literal mind could not help cast shadows of doom upon their relationship if this did not go well.
Then, I will simply do my utmost to make it go well. Failure is not an option.
"Commander?"
He turned and saw her with two men behind her. Both of them had her facial structure but they were his height and had the build of seasoned fighters. Also, their hair was not straight like hers. They were in what was called dreadlocks. Both them were clothed entirely in black, reminding him of his instructor's uniform. It was a small comfort.
"Good afternoon, Cadet. Who are your companions?"
Since they were in public, they used formal titles and posture, in case of prying eyes and ears. It was a necessary act but one that Spock would be glad to shed in less than 8 weeks.
"This is Dr. Jamal Uhura and Michael Uhura. They're my twin older brothers. Boys, this is Commander Spock, my instructor and a dear friend of mine. Why don't you all talk while I go up to look at the bridge? It's always so pretty at sunset."
Just be yourself, honey and they'll like you. Don't worry. I'll be right nearby in case you need rescuing., her gentle voice urged within his mind, providing comfort and peace as always.
Thank you, Nyota.
His eyes followed her as she moved upstairs to the observation deck, her smile almost as radiant as the fading sunbeams around her…
"So, you're Stargirl's boyfriend. I always figured she'd settle down with an intellectual type. I never thought she'd go for a Vulcan, though…" Michael started.
"Neither did I.", Spock admitted. "But your sister has a very open minded attitude towards everything, including romance. When she expressed an interest in me, I was surprised. Pleased but still surprised."
"Why? Is she not good enough for you?" Jamal asked with an edge.
Spock surmised that he was the eldest of the Uhura children and the most protective of Nyota. He would be the one to "win over", as his mother said.
Never had he been more grateful to be the son of a diplomat.
"Quite the opposite, actually. Nyota is an exceptionally brilliant woman and a warm person. I do not understand why she wants me out of all the others she could have but I will not complain. Nor will I hurt her."
"Did she tell you about…?" Michael trailed off, obviously referring to her attack.
"Yes, she did. My perception of her has not been negatively affected. She is still my k'diwa."
"K'diwa?" Jamal asked with less hostility and more curiosity, curiosity his sister consistently showed.
"It is a Vulcan endearment, derived from the word k'hat'n'dlawa, which translates into 'one who is half of my heart and soul'. Nyota is my k'diwa khio'ri, my beloved star."
He could feel Nyota's love and joy enter his mind after that confession and both of her brothers visibly softened. A quiet sigh of relief escaped Spock as Jamal smiled his sister's smile at him and said, "That's all I need to hear." before slapping him on the back.
Why did human males insist on doing that? There were better, less painful ways of showing acceptance and solidarity.
It's a human thing, sweetheart and that means that they like you. Now, you just need to face my mother.
His anxiety returned tenfold.
