The Gift of Celebration
Chapter 10
"Blest, who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years, slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day."
Alexander Pope
Jim woke up slowly from his nap; he heard Bones' soft snoring and then a snort and a hmmm as McCoy woke up too. He sat up and looked out the window. The Vulcan sun was high and hot. Time to get up, shower, grab some lunch and take Peter to visit Ma. First though, he needed to speak with Admiral Nogura.
"Bones, I going to comm the Admiral. Do you want to shower first?"
McCoy yawned hugely. "Yeah, I'll take a quick shower. I'll be done by the time you finish talking to Nogura; we'll check on Peter after you're done."
Jim looked around and wondered where he'd put his communicator and finally found it tossed on the floor. He flipped it open and put in Admiral Nogura's personal comm code. The Admiral answered instantly.
"Captain, how is your mother?"
"She's much better, Admiral. Dr. McCoy thinks she can leave the hospital tomorrow morning. We're going back to see her after lunch. Dr. McCoy had the hospital assign a security guard to her; he's stationed right at her door. No one goes in except the doctors, the nurse assigned to her, and us. Thanks to Vulcan eidetic memory he knows exactly who can go in; no one's getting in there who shouldn't.
"Very happy to hear it, Captain. I think the world of your mother. It's unconscionable that something like this happened to her." His voice was tight with anger. "Please give her my regards when you see her this afternoon," he added.
"Thank you, Sir, I will."
"Now, what can you tell me about what happened and where we are with this? Spock filled me in on the facts, but I want your perspective."
"Well, Sir, the Vulcan authorities have been informed by Sarek, and they're investigating. Sarek and I don't think they'll find much. Sarek decided he wants to question Mr. Roberts, the owner of the restaurant himself, about the waiter who brought the poisoned cookies to Ma. Sarek says Mr. Roberts was horrified about what happened and wants to coöperate and get to the bottom of this. I have Lt. Uhura here and have assigned her the task of finding any scuttlebutt about the Anti Terran faction. She has a lot of contacts all over the sector and someone might know or might have heard something. Admiral, I want to interview Sarek's administrative assistant also." He told Nogura about what S'ten had done to Peter and the hostile reaction to Jim's arrival. "Something's not right about him. Vulcans just don't react like that. When Sarek comes home I'm going to ask him to contact S'ten and ask him to come here and I'll question him."
"Good idea, Captain. I trust your judgment and gut instincts. Is your nephew all right?"
"Yes Sir, he's fine. We've down played the incident and he's pretty much forgotten about it. I also spoke with Commander Bradford dirt side and he's offered his help. He has access to all the SIS data bases and he's looking for Intel now. He is willing to hop on a ship and come here to help."
"Good idea," said Nogura. "I'll take care of that, Jim; he'll get there as soon as I can arrange a fast ship to get him to Vulcan. He's certainly proved his worth to us a couple of other times."1
Nogura's unusual lapse into informality told Jim how perturbed he was about developments. "How are the celebration plan coming along?"
"Pretty well, I think, Admiral. I believe Lady Amanda has finalized most of the plans. I think she and T'Lane are finishing with the invitations today."
"Good. This celebration is a lot more important than you'd think, Captain. All the VIPs in the sector will be present making nice with Vulcan high ups and with each other, and as you know in politics, the appearance of solidarity is everything." The Admiral's voice was dry. "Anything else?"
"No Sir, I think that's it. If Sarek has anything of interest I'll comm you again."
"All right, Captain, keep me posted and good luck."
"Yes I will, thank you, Sir. Kirk out."
Bones came back to the bedroom after his shower and Jim filled him in. "I'm mighty glad Gavin is comin'. That young man is an asset where ever he goes. Your mama will be real glad to see him too."
"Yeah and Gavin will be happy to see her too. Those two have gotten really close."
They went into the living room and found Peter on the floor playing with Cleo and Sorrel. Amanda was with him reading out loud from one of the children's library books and Spock was on his padd reading. Amanda looked up as they came in.
"Did you have a good nap? You both look better. T'Lar said lunch will be ready in a few minutes."
"The nap felt great, Amanda. Bones snored a lot, but I tuned him out," ginned Jim.
"Why you! I'll have you know that you don't sleep like a quiet southern lady, you snore too!" McCoy glowered at Jim.
Peter giggled at their sparring and sidled up to Jim. "What time are we going to see Noni? I miss her, Uncle Jim."
"I know you do; so do I, Squirt." He smiled down at the child. "We're going right after lunch. Did you finish all your school work? You know Noni doesn't want you to get behind and she might ask you."
"Yep, I'm all done, Mr. Spock helped me with Math, and now I understand the problems. Mr. Spock explains real well, Uncle Jim."
"I helped very little, Jim. Peter grasped the concepts almost immediately."
"T'Lar came in to announce that lunch was ready and they went into the dining room. She had placed fresh fruit salad, chick pea sandwiches, and some delicious corn chowder on top on the buffet table so they could help themselves. There was lemonade and cold mint tea on the table; everyone ate hungrily. T'Lane came in from the office to join them and sat next to Peter who grinned up at her. She patted the small hand on the table.
"Jim, what do you think, will it be too much for your mother if we all go see her? T'Lane and I would love to visit if you and Dr. McCoy feel she's up to it."
"Bones? What do you think?"
"I think it'll be fine…Winona will enjoy it and it'll do her good. We won't stay long. I'll arrange for her dismissal for tomorrow morning while we're there."
"Sounds like a plan," said Jim. "Everybody almost ready to go?"
T'Lane volunteered to pilot the shuttle. The hospital loomed large under them as they landed. As they entered the hospital, McCoy said, "I'll catch up with you in Winona's room. I wanna' talk to the Vulcan healers about that poison. Maybe it's traceable, or Betazed keeps track or somthin'. Worth a shot."
The security guard at Winona's door stopped them before going in, and he scanned his padd and closely inspected each person before letting them in the door. Winona was sitting up in a chair by the window, the Vulcan nurse in close attendance sitting in a chair by her. They both looked up as Peter came flying through the door.
"Peter, darling!" Winona opened her arms and he threw himself at her and gave her a tight hug.
"Noni, are you feeling better?" His hazel eyes were anxious as he looked at her.
"I'm just fine, sweetheart. I'm going home tomorrow. Dr. Bones said so. Isn't that great?" She looked at the group coming through the door, T'Lane, Amanda, Spock and Jim. She smiled her heart stopping smile at them and stood up.
"Ma, Ma, be careful," Jim came over to her and grabbed her hands as he stood anxiously by her. She hugged him hard and then the others in turn, including Spock and T'Lane.
"I'm fine, dear, stop worrying about me." And Winona did look fine. Her hazel eyes shone, clear and alert, her color was good, and her smile radiant. She looked over to the Vulcan nurse and said, "T'anet, let me introduce you to my family and friends. This is my son, Jim, my grandson, Peter, Ambassador Sarek's wife, Lady Amanda, Spock, her son and our dear friend, and T'Lane, the Ambassador's administrative assistant and our good friend. This is my nurse, T'anet. She's taken very good care of me, spoiled me really, and I'm going to miss her after I leave here."
The Vulcan nurse gave her a serene look, and said. "I will leave you now, Winona. You will have time for a long visit with your family and friends before your dinner hour. I will bring some extra chairs."
"Thank you T'anet."
"I am gratified to see you looking so well, Dr. Kirk," said Spock. "We were most concerned for your well-being."
Amanda cast him an impatient look at the vast understatement. "Truth be told, Winona, we were worried sick about you, and I can't tell you how happy I am that you're fine. We were very frightened by what happened to you."
"I too, Winona, agree with Amanda," said T'Lane."
Jim stepped behind his mother, resting his hands gently on her shoulders. She brought up one hand and laid it over his in reassurance. He reached down and lightly kissed the dark hair. "Bones is making arrangements for your release in the morning, Ma. I'll come pick you up." Then seeing Peter's face, he said, "Peter and I will pick you up, right, Squirt?"
"Yes!" Peter grinned. He loved to go anywhere with Jim and especially fly with him in a shuttle.
T'anet came in carrying three chairs and the security guard followed with two more and everyone settled in for a long visit. By mutual agreement discussion of the poisoning events were deferred while Peter was present and they talked about the celebration, Amanda's garden, the farm in Iowa, the Wildlife and Plant Sanctuary, Cleo and Sorrel and their antics, and Peter's progress in Math and chess.
McCoy came in and sat on the bed, looking with satisfaction at his patient. "Lookin' good Winona. Everything's all set. I've written your dismissal orders and you'll be out of here by 10 a.m. I'm mighty pleased at how well you're doing." Mindful of Peter's presence, he added. "That food poisoning is completely out of your system. I checked all your blood results and they're all good."
"Thank you, Bones. You've been wonderful to me. Words can't express my thanks and appreciation for your care." Winona looked fondly at him and watched as McCoy blushed in embarrassment.
"I didn't do much," he muttered. "You can thank that great Iowa constitution of yours and the knowledge of the Vulcan healers. You're absolutely 100 percent recovered."
Bones heard Jim draw a deep breath of relief. He glanced over at him and grinned. "Your baby boy was mighty worried about you, Winona." He sobered. "We all were. Not somethin' I ever want to go through again. I still want you to take it easy for a couple of more days and rest in the afternoon, and that's an order from both your doctor and the Vulcan healers."
"I'll see to it, Bones, don't worry," said Jim. "I know this mother of mine well."
"Yes, we'll all make sure she rests, Leonard," said Amanda. "T'Lane and I will keep a close eye on her, won't we T'Lane?"
"Indeed we will."
"People, I'm still here," said Winona laughing at them.
"Visitin' hours are about over," said McCoy. "Get a good night's sleep and we'll see you at the house tomorrow." He went to the door and called in the nurse. "We're leavin' now, T'anet. Be sure she eats a good dinner and gets to bed early."
"I will, Dr. McCoy."
Winona hugged and kissed everyone and T'anet helped her back to her bed. Jim lingered a moment after everyone had left the room. He tucked the blanket in close around her and put his hand on her cheek. "Sleep well, Ma. I love you."
"I will, sweetheart. I know this was very hard on you and Peter, but I'm fine now, son. Please stop worrying about me and get a good night's sleep. I love you."
Jim drew a deep breath. His mother was right. She was fine. He felt his stiff neck and tense shoulders relax as he bent and kissed her good night. "See you in the morning."
He walked out and the security guard took his place by the door. Jim nodded to him and he nodded back. A glance of complete understanding passed between them.
Back in the shuttle he settled in his seat thinking deeply. Sarek would be home soon. He hoped Mr. Roberts had something useful to tell him. He decided to comm Gavin and find out when he would be arriving and they would sit down and strategize. The Star Fleet officers would do what they did best. Work with each other and divide the tasks for the investigation. He wondered if Uhura had had any luck yet in getting information from her many contacts across the sector. Communication officers heard things no one else ever did, and often heard them first. Any rumor, news, illegal activity, Admiralty screw ups, promotions, deaths, etc., they always heard it first. This evening he would ask Sarek to contact S'ten and have him come to the house tomorrow. Jim was doubtful the Vulcan would tell them anything, but it was worth a shot and he was interested in S'ten's reaction to being questioned. He settled back in the shuttle seat; he felt comfortable in his skin again, his command instincts were working again, his thinking was clear and focused and he could begin to see a bit of daylight as he thought of strategies and ways and means.
The almost death of his mother had fractured his thinking processes for a time; it was not something that had ever happened to him before. Command choices and decisions came to him as natural as breathing. The death of his father, his brother, his sister-in-law, of Edith Keeler, of Gary, the hostage situation in San Francisco, the almost death of Spock….all of these events had been horribly painful and in some ways shattering. Yet none of them had hampered his command ability or had paralyzed his thinking like this attempt on his mother's life. The possible death of his mother was not something he had ever allowed himself to contemplate, not even after his father's death. Now, for the first time in his life, her attempted murder had brought home to him Winona's vulnerability and mortality. The picture he'd always carried of his mother since childhood, her unflagging energy, her humor, her clear invincibility, her courage, vitality and strength, had undergone a 360 degree turn and Jim didn't much like it. He sighed and chastised himself. Grow up James, he thought, your mother is human just like all the rest of us, you have to accept the fact that she won't be around forever no matter how much you hate that thought. He looked at Peter content and happy after seeing his grandmother. We'll just have to make sure she'll be around for many many more years, Peter needs her and so do I.
T'Lane put an end to his introspection by landing the shuttle and they went in the house. Sarek was waiting for them in the living room. He stood as they entered and looked inquiringly at Jim.
"How is your mother, James?"
"She's leaving the hospital tomorrow morning. Bones has given her a clean bill of health. Peter and I will go get her in the morning."
"Excellent news. I am very gratified to hear she has recovered." He looked at Peter and then significantly at Jim.
"Hey Squirt, why don't you look through the library shelves and pick out a book you'd like to read. Some of these books were Mr. Spock's so I bet you'll find something you'd like. We adults are going to have a meeting in Lady Amanda's office. It won't take long. Oh and don't forget to feed Sorrel and check his litter box."
"All right, Uncle Jim."
Jim peeked into Sarek's office and found Uhura still at work on the comm unit speaking with her contacts. She cast a questioning glance at him, and he shook his head at her. They could fill her in later.
In Amanda's office, Sarek sat at her desk and steepled his fingers before speaking. "Mr. Roberts was informative. He told me that the evening before the poisoning, he received a comm call from his usual waiter. The man said he was feeling very ill, something he ate apparently. Mr. Roberts says the waiter, whose name is Dickenson, is very reliable and conscientious and has never called in ill before so although he was concerned, he accepted the excuse as valid. Dickenson told him that one of his acquaintances had waiter experience and had offered to take over as a substitute for him the following day. The man showed up in the morning. Mr. Roberts asked him to help at lunch and kept an eye on him and as he did well, he told him to stay for high tea and dinner. Mr. Roberts gave me the employment information, but I have already checked and the name, address and contact information and all are fictitious. We will have to question Dickenson to find out more about this so called "acquaintance." He will return to work tomorrow." Sarek paused. "Mr. Roberts says that Dickenson is an honest and upright man. He came with them from England and has been with him since that time. I am sure that illness was no coincidence so I suggest that we interview Dickenson in person to find out more about what happened."
"I agree, Sarek. First thing tomorrow we'll talk to him. Also, I'd like to talk to S'ten again. Would it be possible for you to comm him this evening and ask him to come here tomorrow? Something is not right with that man, his behavior is off somehow."
"Yes, I will ask him to come in tomorrow afternoon. I will stay and sit in on your questioning. Perhaps something he says will be helpful."
"I spoke with Admiral Nogura this morning, Sarek. He agreed that having Commander Bradford here will be helpful. Gavin will be taking the first ship out that Nogura can find. That will give us more manpower, and Gavin has access to data bases and other agents that we otherwise wouldn't have."
"Jim, I suggest we contact Mr. Scott and have him check in with the current and previous shore leave crew to see if there have been any incidents or negative remarks targeted at Star Fleet. Since they are all in uniform, there might have been some manifestations of hostility toward one of more of the crew."
"Good idea, Spock, please take care of that. Bones, can you continue with your news net research?"
"Yeah, I will. I've barely scratched the surface yet. Nothing so far though."
Sarek got up. "If you will excuse me, I will comm S'ten and ask him to come here tomorrow."
Amanda got up too. "I'm going to check on dinner. T'Lane why don't you have dinner with us, and then go home. We've had a full day and most of the invitations are finished anyway. Tomorrow morning we'll go over some last-minute details for the celebration and we'll be free to welcome Winona when she gets here."
T'Lane nodded. "That will be acceptable."
Sarek came back. "S'ten will be here in the afternoon, James. That will give you time to pick up your mother and get her settled before he comes."
"That's great, thank you Sarek. I'll be ready."
After dinner, T'Lane wished everyone a good night and went home. The others went into the living room to relax before bed. Peter got his chess set and Spock set up a game for them. Amanda sat with a gardening book, Bones and Sarek were working on their padd's. Jim turned sad eyes to the empty chair where his mother had sat working on her needlework, was it only 24 hours ago? Spock glancing at him, decided they needed a distraction. He said, "Nyota, would you sing for us? I have my lyre here if you would like to use it."
"I'd love to, Mr. Spock. Would you like for me to choose the song?" she asked.
"That would be acceptable," said Spock, handing her his beautiful lyre.
"Yes, please, darlin', Bones said. "You know the prettiest songs I've ever heard anywhere."
She thought for a moment then said. "This is a beautiful song that I've always loved. It's from the late 20th century; the imagery is very powerful. I hope you like it." She strummed the lyre softly and her rich, velvety voice began,
Fields of Gold
"You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we walk in fields of gold
So she took her love for to gaze awhile upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love among the fields of barley?
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we lie in fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so upon the fields of barley.
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly and there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left we'll walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold
Many years have passed since those summer days among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky when we walked in fields of gold"2
Bones sighed. "Beautiful Nyota, just beautiful darlin'; you do the Enterprise proud with that voice. It always does my heart good to hear you sing."
Uhura smiled her thanks at the blue eyes looking affectionately at her, and continued strumming the lyre and humming softly. T'Khut's orange light came streaming through the window as the Watcher came up over the horizon and the long day came to an end.
1 See "Ring of Treason" and "A Riverside Christmas Mystery"
2 written by Sumner, Gordon / Bogdanovic, Dusan
For a beautiful rendition by Eva Cassidy of this song go to You Tube /3DWg7zNOyK8