A/N Please check out Linstock's art work entitled 'Pirates' which is an inspiration for part of this chapter. You can find that work at DeviantArt (dot com) Thank you to all who read and enjoy.
In addition, thanks to M'Celeste for her continued assistance.
Botsey
The Ambassador's Son
Chapter Eleven
Contentment
For a certainty, it was now time for him to address his needs. This was a very un-Vulcan thought. As a people singular needs are few, a mate during Pon Far being the primary one. But now his need was singular and simple-Nyota Uhura, the captain of this star ship. The desire for companionship was not unique for either a Vulcan or a Terran. It was a matter of natural progression. For Spock it now superseded any other essential, past or present. At that point in time he had to determine the state of her heart.
His carefully laid out plan was simple. During her convalescence and once she recovered he would make himself available to her, and in adition he woul request her presence on New Vulcan to meet his father and grandmother.
It remained to be seen, the degree of disappointment that his grandmother would experience once he revealed his carefully laid out plan. But, if determination could be the barometer, Nyota would become his bondmate.
By her bed almost constantly, they conversed, she laughed, he nodded, he read to her, then they analyzed the writings. She had requested Vulcan poetry. Since the choice was left to him, from memory he recited certain ancient text, whose themes were unheard of in the context of modern day Vulcan society. Her comments were non-verbal, a steady gaze into his eyes.
On the third day, just two days before their arrival at Vulcan, he invited her again,
"You will now receive your second invitation to my home. Nyota Uhura, Captain of the star ship Unity, I request your presence at my home. His deeper thoughts were, 'and in my life…'
Her response was logical.
"Personally, I would very much like to accept your invitation, but, my position as captain will require that I receive approval from Star Fleet. I will advise you of their orders as soon as they are received."
Spock made himself content with that reply and then he offered his arm as a support so she could take some more steps since the healing of her fractures. She was still dressed in a sick bay issued gown and she requested the bath robe that was hanging on the wall. He held it for her and resisted the desire to bend his lips to her exposed neck. He set his shields on maximum strength.
She inched her way off the bed and he bent to place slippers on her feet. As he did that he looked up to see a distant look on her face.
He inquired,
"Are you in pain?"
"No, no, it is just that no one has done that for me since my mother, when I was but a child. I I guess it is some sort of melancholy triggered by a recent brush with death."
With her statement, Spock took a cue to make this declaration,
"Nyota, remember. I am here to be of service to you in any way I can."
To assist her to arise from the bed he wrapped his arm about her waist and lifted her to a standing position. What he felt was a well-toned body incased in soft flesh and he had to put away the vision that that contact conjured up. She closed her eyes briefly as her weight was distributed onto her legs.
"Do you have pain, Nyota?"
"Just a bit, I cannot determine if it is from non-use or from the original injury."
Spoke said,
"Allow me to grant you comfort."
She nodded.
"Please."
With that he briefly touched Nyota's face. She sighed and broadcasted her emotions which bled into that brief touch. Unexpectedly, Spock had all the information he needed to pursue her…In addition, he absorbed her pain.
"Just to let you know, you are better than a hypospray for pain.
Spock nodded an acknowledgement and then inquired,
"Is there a particular destination you would prefer?"
"Yes, the holodeck."
Once they reached the location Spock inquired,
"What destination do you wish?"
"Somewhere I am not the captain."
With that she coded a location and the door open.
The smell of the sea assailed them. The sky was bright, the wind strong. They are on the deck of an ancient wooden sailing vessel. A pirate's vessel to be exact. Nyota is now dressed in a plethora of clothing. Apparently she was wearing just about everything she owned, at least three skirts, three blouses, several scarves around her waist and shoulders. There was a scabbard at her waist housing a bejeweled handled dagger. On her other hip was a sword. She was beautiful…and appeared to be without any fear.
Spock wondered, 'How much of this illusion mirrored the real Nyota? That mind set would be necessary for her to embark on a life with him, in either of his roles-as a Vulcan/Hybrid or Terran/Hybrid. How much would she be willing to sacrifice? For him there was no bars or limits to what he would be ready to give up.
Spock looked down to take in his costume. What would be the equivalent to a poet's shirt, dark trousers tucked into high topped boots a dagger in his belt and sword at his side. As the machine continued working various members of the crew made their appearance. As each image passed him they would acknowledge him with a nod and the greeting,
"Captain."
Spock had read several Terran books on this period, one of which was Robert Lois Stevenson's, "Treasure Island." He was able to identify the workings of the ship, the loccation of the ship board compass and other instruments housed on the bridge.
With a raised eyebrow he made a statement to tne 'real' Nyota,
"In this visit you certainly have removed yourself from the captaincy."
Smiling she said,
"You are captain now, Spockh.'
"And may I inquire, who are you.?"
"I am your first mate."
'Ahh," was Spock's reply, as he placed his hands behind his back.
From above the call was given,
"Ship on the horizon."
Spock moved to the railing and lifted his telescope. It was a French ship, a large three mast, with sixteen cannon slots.
His orders,
"Hoist the jolly roger, set the cannons, line up the planks, we will board her."
Spock manned the bridge and brought his ship along side the other. It was almost as if the French ship's crew were immobilized in some way. There was very little resistance. So, the battle was not long. He was first on the plank to board the ship, he engaged the captain and quickly disarmed him and handed him over to one of his crew. He then made his way to the bridge and steadied the ship. From his higher vantage point on the French ship Spock was able to observe his first mate in action. She was an expert with the sword. And indeed it was the case, she knew no fear.
After the captain's capture, the crew surrended. As usual, the captain would be set adrift in the largest available boat with supplies, water, compass, telescope and any crew members who would throw in their lot with him. Since most of the crew members were actually prisoners who had been forcibly enlisted, the crew of Spock's ship grew considerably. His first talk with the new members was simple,
"I am your new captain. Obey me, without question. The division of spoils is equitable, since the risks are equal. I claim no allegiance to any king or government. On this ship, this is my country and my crew are my subjects. Are there any questions?"
No one raised their hand-they remembered the first command of the ship, 'no questions'.
Spock looked around for Nyota and noticed a bright red stain on her sleeve. She did not complain but stood with the rest of the crew at attention. He approached and stood in front of her and said,
"With me,"
Spock entered his rooms, she followed.
"Let me see your wound."
"No, it is nothing."
He did not ask again but went to her and ripped the sleeve completely open. There on her perfect skin was a cut, long, but not too deep. He went and pulled a box out from under his bed and carried it to his first officer's side. He cleansed the wound as she set her teeth against outcry and he bandaged it carefully. He then bent down and kissed her shoulder. She trembled. He took both her palms and kissed them and said,
"I treasured thee."
Spock was sure the expression next made was by her, and was not from this conjured up fantasy, instead it was an expression of Nyota's real, beating heart,
She breathed heavily and looking him in his eyes she said, "Spockh, I have never listened to anything my heart said. I was driven by my mind. Our time together has caused a change. Your concern and care has touched my heart. Now it tells me that I am in love with you.
With that she said, "End program."
Now within the room that had broken down all walls for them, he took her in his arms and kissed her, the real Nyota, and that demonstration of affection was returned. He took her face in her hands so he could look into those eyes that spoke volumes to him. This was not the face of a wheepy eyed female. Even in this state she mirrored her strength. He then held her tightly and put his fingers on her face to meld with her and in the silence of their mental conversation he bared all.
They exited the HoloDeck and went to her quarters. There was privacy within those walls.
Spock did not hesitate for this was not the time for such lack of action. Immediately upon the closing of the doors he led her to her living room and escorted her to the couch. She sat down. Spock remained standing.
"Nyota, my entire life has been one of conflict-my Vulcan and Human halves were a constant source of inner conflict. I was raised in the strictest sense a Vulcan. Every bit of training, education, tradition I have experienced with the view to, if possible, smotheror eliminate my human traits. In my estimation, I had no need for them.
As I read the information posted about the USS Unity, I observed your picture and was amazed at your youth and accomplishments. Your life was so similar to mine. I noted your aesthetically pleasing features, but it was not until I saw your eyes, your beautiful feeling eyes in the transporter room that I desired to know the inner you.
You have caused me to discover the human me, the me with feelings, hopes, fears and desires. I never want to stop that exploration that you have inspired. It is my wish that you become my bondmate, the one who is half my heart, half my soul."
There was no hesitation. No doubt clouded Nyota's mind,
"Spock, I will bond with you and marry you. But I do not wish to resign my captaincy. Perhaps we will have to wait."
Spock's head tilted to the right as if processing the information he had just heard. He knelt before her and took both of her palms in his hands and tenderly kissed them.
"That is an option I do not seek to explore. Another path is truly logical and it must be examined, it will require a detour."
He seated himself next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder and they stayed in that position for some time.
Bending his head to kiss the top of her's he said, "I do not wish to leave you but, I must supervise the emptying out of our quarters."
As she rose from her seat he grabbed her by the waist and brought her to him,
"Nyota Uhura, daughter of Benjamin and M'muba Uhura I will protect you with my life, provide for you even with the absence of sustenance for myself, and meet your every need for you are half my heart and half my soul. With that came a lingering kiss and after a look into her eyes, Spock left to clear out his quarters.