Dear Readers:

I have had a comment from a guest that states Sonan and Nyota lack 'chemistry and interaction with crew members. To clarify, I do not believe I have named this ship, or its captain. Since that is the case, I do not want to have to introduce this new crew in this story. As I have explained in earlier chapters, Sonan is a full Vulcan, he is very sure of himself, competent, not at conflict, but has attempted to accept certain Terran ideas, customs, etc. He does this to make himself more acceptable to Uhura. There has been little 'romance' because Nyota has held him at arms-length…trying to dissuade him, with little success. So the one area that Sonan is really 'so like Spock' is their species' identity.

So Like Spock

Chapter Eleven

Nyota had a fitful night. She tossed and turned, sighed and moaned and could not bring herself to believe what the next day would bring…marriage and bonding to Sonan. She started trembling and she could not identify the emotion that was causing such an upheaval. She knew she loved him. Also, she was, to a degree aware of what lay ahead, so she asked herself,

'What was bothering her?'

She knew what intimacy with a Vulcan entailed, or did she? Now she was going to be dealing with a mature male Vulcan. Her earlier experience could be best described as two virgins attempting to find themselves, neither one of them quite sure. Certainly that was not going to be the case with Sonan. In his society, he was considered a mature male, not one just barely out of adolescence. Could she possibly live up to Sonan's expectations? Should she have waited? Could he have waited or as he said were his struggles becoming physically painful pto him? Since she had already admitted she loved him, could she allow him to suffer?

Then Nyota attempted to settle herself by remembering what Sonan had said, 'I cherish you,' one of the most powerful statements of attachment that a Vulcan could utter. She was certain with all the time that had passed when she was figuratively 'running away', he had studied her. She did not doubt him, but she did doubt herself. She concluded that she wanted this, she wanted to be with him, to join with him physically and mentally. With that final realization, she sighed, wiped her eyes, turned over and finally went to sleep.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Meanwhile, Sonan had settled onto his meditation mat after enjoying a cup of theris-masu (herbal tea). He closed his eyes and saw Nyota in his mind's eye. He had no doubts, he was fully aware of his physical needs, but much more than that, he wanted to touch her mind, her marvelous, creative mind. He slowly caused calm to permeate his entire being, breathed deeply and entered tvi-sochya (inner peace arrived through meditation) for he must lift himself above any unrestrained carnal nature so as to be able to join with Nyota without doing her bodily harm. After all, she was human and a tiny female at that.

Once he came up from the depths of his calming efforts he rose and examined his sleeping quarters for he would quite literally, eventually bring her to his bed in his living space, but already he had made the necessary plans for them to have four days off the ship and he would take her to Risa by shuttle craft after the ceremony.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Sonan was seated in his captain's ready room. The conversation between himself and the Captain would prove to be quite an unusual one.

"Captain I understand that you are qualified to perform marriage ceremonies for members of your ship's crew?"

"That is correct, Mr. Sonan."

"I wish to engage your services to perform such a ceremony."

"When would you require my assistance?"

"As soon as my intended awakes and gets prepared."

"This is quite unexpected?"

"For me also, Sir. I have been pursuing her for five months, twenty-nine days, twenty-three hours and forty-five seconds. She has been the greatest challenge of my entire life."

With a slight upturn of his lips and a raised eyebrow Sonan continued,

"The Lieutenant was quite immune to my 'Vulcan charms."

"I can only assume that you are referring to Lieutenant Uhura."

"Were my actions that obvious?"

"Yes, you two appeared to be 'joined at the hip."

"Ahh, like conjoined twins."

"Exactly."

"You both are due for leave. Have you planned where you would like to take your bride?"

"Risa."

"Wonderful choice. I remember taking my wife there for a vacation. It is a beautiful setting with many places to visit and activities to enjoy."

"Captain, I cannot imagine that my interest will go in that direction."

The captain's face reddened and Sonan heard him whisper,

"What was I thinking…"

Sonan enlarged his request…

"Sir, may I have use of a shuttle craft?"

"Mr. Sonan, I was not aware that you were also a pilot."

"My application for posting on this ship indicated that I am certified and licensed to pilot six different types of Federation, Vulcan and Star Fleet crafts, one of which is a shuttle craft of the design housed in our shuttle bay."

"Of course Mr. Sonan, permission granted. Please, do you have any persons in mind to serve as witnesses at your ceremony?"

"Witnesses?"

"Yes, this is a legal requirement. If you have no one in mind, I will have two of the crew come in to serve in that capacity."

"Sir that would be very much appreciated. I will leave you now to go to Lieutenant Uhura."

After Sonan left the Captain sat down heavily in his chair, scratched his head and started to laugh,

"Well, I'll be…he finally won her over. He worked at it long enough."

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Sonan made his way to Nyota's cabin and lightly tapped on the door.

"Just one minute."

He waited. It was more than one minute that passed but he was not going to rush her in her efforts this particular morning.

Finally, Nyota came to the door, apparently after finishing her morning rituals. Her hair was wet and her scent was of soap and lotions.

Sonan stood in the doorway and asked,

"Should I leave you and return later?

Then added,

"I have already spoken to the captain about our plans and he advised me that he will provide witnesses for the ceremony."

"Sonan, please stay, I will be ready shortly. Would you like to make yourself a cup of tea?"

"Will you join me?"

"Yes, yes I think that would be a fine idea."

He was almost ready to state that the term 'fine' was a non-specific generalization, but he did not.

"Once we have finished our tea, I will advise the Captain of our imminent arrival."

Nyota returned to the living space dressed in her uniform and they sat on the couch and drank their tea. Sonan noticed that her hand shook. He immediately removed the cup from her hand and knelt at her feet.

"Are you having doubts Nyota?"

"No doubt about you Sonan, doubts about me and my ability to please you, to be a good wife and bondmate. Remember, I have someone I have to measure up to."

His response referred to the cause of her once broken heart,

"Nyota, I do also."

Kissing both of her palms he simply said,

"I will become what you need, what you want, what you desire. Never will I think about you pleasing me, but of me pleasing you. I stand in awe of you and my being able to breathe the same air as you, to touch your mind and your flesh, for even the shortest time and with the lightest touch would bring me satisfaction and comfort. Above and beyond those things, when we join physically you will be my teacher and I will follow your lead for you have known a Vulcan's male's body but I have never known a Terran female. I know what an excellent teacher you are so I beseech you, instruct me on how to make your body sing to and for me."

As he finished Sonan watched the tears coming from her eyes and asked,

"Nyota, I am confused, now why the tears?"

"I guess you could call them 'Thank You' tears."

"'Thank You' tears?"

"Yes, Thank You, Happy, Grateful, tears all because you are willing to have me as your wife and bondmate. Th'i-oxalra (it is appreciated)."

Sonan's lips turned upward and his brow lifted as he kissed Nyota's forehead and said,

"My thoughts exactly, but of course without any tears."

He notified the Captain and he took her hand in his as they walked toward the Captain's office.