A/N: Wow, can't believe this is the last chapter! To see what the necklace looks like follow the link in my profile. Big Thanks to Lucida Lownes for all her help!
Chapter 10: Forever
My father was most helpful in the matter of Christine. I have already started preparing the recommendations he gave me. All I have left to do is invite Christine. I head for my computer to send her a message but decide against it. Sarek said terran woman respond better to actual person to person contact as opposed to electronic contact. I decide to head towards sickbay to find her. Unfortunately only doctor McCoy was in sickbay at the time.
"You sure have been asking about Chris a lot Spock, anything you wanna tell me?" McCoy's accent seems to get thicker every time he teases me.
"I assure you Doctor; my personal affairs are none of your concern. I merely want to ask Nurse Chapel's opinion on a private matter. It is a purely professional inquiry." It was not a lie, merely misdirection.
"Very well Spock, Chris is in the gym. She almost always is working out at two o'clock."
"Thank you Doctor. I shall be on my way." I turn to leave but I am restrained by McCoy.
"Wait a minute Spock."
"What is it Doctor?" I really need to be moving on, I have a lot planned.
"You be nice to Christine, treat her right."
"I assure you Doctor I would never intentionally hurt Nurse Chapel." I turn and leave sickbay for the gym. As I reach the gym I note that I am feeling a sense of anxiety, I really need to meditate and focus on my control. Christine is in the corner working on weights, I had no idea how strong she was. She is currently lifting two fifty pound weights.
"Spock?" apparently she noticed my staring. I secure my blank face and continue into the room.
"Hello Christine." I must say, she looks quite stunning. She is currently wearing a work out fit that is a pale blue. It brings out her eyes, and curves, brilliantly. Her curls are pulled back in a simple and graceful ponytail. Her lean body is damp from water and it actually gives her the appearance of glowing.
"I'll be done with the gym in just a moment."
"I did not come to exercise. I came to talk to you."
"Really? What did you want?"
"I wanted to ask what your plans for this evening are." This is actually harder than I thought. She seems to have the ability to muddle my thoughts. Simple actions and thoughts become quite difficult around her.
"Umm, I don't have any, why?"
"Would you care to join me in my quarters for dinner?"
"Are you serious? Len didn't put you up to it did he?"
"Why would I do what Doctor McCoy suggests? He has nothing to do with my request."
"Well, in that case, I would love to! What time?"
"1800 hours."
"Alright, see you there." I turn and leave, feeling oddly light. Perhaps I shall be able to meditate for a while before she arrives.
~~ooOoo~~
Christine will arrive in five minutes. I have set the table, lowered the lights, and set Beethoven's moonlight sonata playing in the background. Christine told me during our imprisonment on Rika 12 that it was her favorite piece of his. I am wearing black slacks, and a loose tan shirt. For dinner we are having vegetable soup and for desert peach cobbler, her favorite meal. I suddenly hear the familiar buzz from my door- she is here. I open the door and have to fight to maintain my composure. I have never seen her look so stunning. She is wearing a silver dress; it has a low v-neck with long sleeves that end in points, brilliantly enhancing her thin arms and admirable bodice. The skirt is long and slender, with a slit up the right side that stops mid thigh. Her hair is down and her soft curls are hanging loosely around her thin shoulders.
"Come in."
"Thank you." I am slightly underdressed for her; however since we are in my quarters it should not matter. I show her to her seat and serve her the soup. I then take my seat and we begin to eat. About twenty minutes into our meal she asked me a question.
"How did you know the Moonlight Sonata was my favorite piece?" The time has come to tell her the truth.
"Christine, two days ago I had a most unusual experience. Do you remember the Talosian's? "
"Of course, you nearly were killed because of them."
"That is not entirely accurate, however at the moment that does not matter. Two days ago I discovered that a week of my life never actually occurred."
"What?"
"I will have to start at the beginning, and I must request that you save your questions for the end. We received a distress call from Rika 12, the Hulinas had been attacked and lost there supplies. They also had a disease running rampant and were in need of both Doctor McCoy and your medical talents. We beamed down to the surface and split into two groups, the Captain and Doctor McCoy, and you and I. We were headed for a group of Hulinas when you were attacked; I fended off the beast and carried you to a cave. you had several broken bones and abrasions- and no supplies to fix them. I took care of you for several days and you began to regain your health. I was then attacked by the same beast and also became injured. You kindly nursed me back to health. We then ran out of food and decided we had to regroup with the Captain and Doctor. You were well enough to walk with some assistance and I was nearly cured. However despite our attempts we could not get any nearer to our destination. We discovered we had been imprisoned on the planet by the Talosian's. They had intended on repaying me for my assistance in bringing Captain Pike to them. They had been watching me for months and noted that both of us were attracted to each other, they believed they could bring us together. However once we discovered their presence their ruse would no longer work. So they returned us to the ship, leaving my memory of the events intact, but oddly not yours." Well, there it was, if I had not experienced it I would not have believed it. The whole event sounds highly illogical.
"You mean you lived a whole week that never actually happened?"
"Well, it did happen, I am not sure how, but I assure you we were together for a week."
"Spock, is that why you invited me over? to see if I remembered the event?" She sounded sad as she asked the question.
"No Christine, it is not."
"Then why?"
"Apparently I have failed to make my intentions clear. I invited you over because it is my wish to court you." Christine took a sharp intake of breath, and paled. I must have misread her attraction; perhaps she no longer likes me.
"Oh, Spock." she is crying, have I offended her that much?
"I am sorry if I have offended you Christine, if you wish we will never speak of this night again." What an unbearable thought.
"Spock! Are you kidding?! Of course you haven't offended me! I'm not crying because I'm sad, these are tears of joy!" Before I could fully comprehend what she said she had risen and was coming torwards me. I rose from my seat and took her hands in mine.
"So you will not mind my courting you?"
"Of course not Spock, nothing would make me happier!" I then gave the only logical response, I kissed her. I could have stayed in that moment forever, but of course it had to end. We enjoyed the rest of our meal and then talked till late in the night. Before Christine left I handed her a gift.
"What is it?"
"Why not open it and see?"
"Okay." she unwrapped the box, it contained my families necklace. It has intricate combination of flattened and round wire-work, with a single gem in the center.
"This necklace had been handed down in my family for the pass eight hundred years. It is given by the male Vulcan to the woman he wishes to court as a promise of faithfulness. I would be honored if you would wear it."
"Spock, the honor will be mine. Thank you so much." She allowed me to put the necklace on her and then gave me a kiss. As I sit in my bed tonight I find myself finally able to meditate. With Christine by my side I feel ready to face the future, what ever it may hold.
