Live long and prosper, chapter 12
Spock wiped the blood as well as the tears flowing down his cheeks, with his sleeve.
"Forgive me, Father." Spock said in a shameful voice, head down. His small body was shaking. A mild wind was rising again in the corner of the classroom, making fly a few pages.
"There is nothing to forgive, my son. You are not at fault. Those twisters seem to be the manifestation of yours emotions. In your state, you are not able to control them. This is perfectly understandable. I'm not here to blame you but to help, my son. Together, we will master those emotions and we will bring some order to this room …"
"Some pages of those books have disappeared. The ink has faded, Father. I'm no longer able to read them…And I'm too small to reach those books … on the highest shelves." Spock explained while swaying slightly on his feet, his two hands behind his back.
"Am I not here for that?" Sarek said softly while taking Spock in his arms again. "If these books represent all your knowledge, then, I can teach you the missing parts again…A blank page can be rewritten, Spock."
"But this will take time…" Spock sighed.
"Time is what we have in abundance, in your state." Sarek replied while lifting his son, letting him sit up on his shoulders.
The ambassador came near one wall and began to clean the highest shelf with one hand, removing the dust on the oldest books. His head was tilted to one side, in order to read the titles. Most of them were hand-written in the oldest language of Vulcan although many included a subtitle in English. Sarek raised an eyebrow and smiled at this discovery. His hand suddenly stopped on one book: The meditation, step-by-step. He nodded, satisfied with his choice. He took the book from the shelf and returned to the middle of the room. Spock left Sarek's shoulders to sit at his desk, eager to start to work with his father.
"Chapter 1: Postures and breathing." Sarek announced, leaning over the little desk, behind his son. Then, he put one hand on Spock's small shoulder while he was turning the first pages with his other hand.
Through this contact, Sarek let his own emotions flowed freely as well as his unconditional support and encouragements.
For the first time in many years, Spock felt acceptance, peace and confidence.
oOOOo
Even in this way and under those circumstances, Amanda was happy to see her husband and son communicating.
Of course, she wanted to join them through the telepathic bond but she knew that she had to wait.
Amanda had smiled at the last words of Leonard McCoy. She wanted to tell him how he was wrong, how the mind-meld was a useful technique of healing on Vulcan. Lots of mental illnesses were gone thanks to that. Indeed, the best healers on Vulcan were also the best telepaths.
Some years ago, Sarek told her that Spock himself had a great telepathic ability. Spock was, according to T'Pau, more talented than any other child of his generation. Then, Amanda started to dream that one day his son would be a doctor!
"How long it will last?" Leonard asked suddenly.
Amanda did not respond. She could not tell if Leonard had asked her this question in particular or not.
"Bones, it has begun three minutes ago!" Jim reminded him, he was embarrassed and annoyed by the doctor's behavior.
"Three minutes and thirty-two seconds, Captain!" Sarek said suddenly while removing his fingers from his son's face in a caress. In his arms, Spock was deep asleep.
Sarek was visibly exhausted. The mind-meld had drained all his energy. What had appeared to be a long conversation between Sarek and Spock had actually lasted three minutes only. Sarek seated next to Amanda, giving Spock to Dr. McCoy. Then, Sarek concentrated and began to raise his mental shields, recovering from an intense emotional experience.
"Doctor McCoy, Captain Kirk, I know that you want some explanations of what has just happened and the current psychological state of Spock. I will be honest with you. I can't do it for now. I'm tired and I need to rest and meditate in my quarters right now." Only after a short break, he added: "Doctor McCoy, I can only assert that the mind-meld has been beneficial for Spock as he succeeded to reach the fourth stage of sleep or deep sleep if you prefer. Doctor, I would be glad that you take care of our son tonight…First of all, could you change his diaper? This will be also beneficial for his sleep."
Standing up, Sarek began to fall forward. Amanda and Jim quickly grabbed him by the arms.
"I'm fine, Amanda, It is only a slight dizziness…this will pass."
Amanda smiled at her stubborn husband who was already straight on his feet, looking for the exit. She greeted Jim after the latter released Sarek. After a last glance at his son still asleep against doctor McCoy, she left the room in her husband's arm.
oOOOo
Jim and Leonard walked back to sickbay in silence, keeping their eyes on Spock.
Once in his office, Leonard laid Spock on the changing table and started to remove the pajamas and the diaper. While cleaning Spock's bottom minutely and with dexterity, he realized that he hadn't prepare new clothes for the night.
"Jim," He whispered, "can you give me another pair of pajamas, please? They are in that closet, just behind you." Leonard was glad to not be alone with Spock. Indeed, Jim has not run away. Despite he had been traumatized by his first experience with a dirty diaper, Jim has stayed with Leonard, knowing that the doctor was going to do the entire job this time! Jim nodded. Without making a sound, he turned toward the first closet he found and opened it! Jim retained suddenly his breath when an avalanche of stuffed animals and rattles fell on him. Leonard refrained from laughing. Looking at Spock, the latter had not moved one inch.
"I'm sorry, Jim! The pajamas are in this one, on the second shelf…" Leonard explained in a low voice.
Jim winced and turned toward the second closet of the room. This time, he opened the door with infinite caution. He took a pair of pajamas randomly and handed it to the doctor, without a word.
Leonard smiled and began to dress Spock, slowly, holding his breath, afraid that he would wake up.
Next, Leonard put Spock in his crib and studied the Vulcan baby.
His breathing is slow and steady…Sarek is right. He is deeply asleep…
"Our little angel is probably dreaming of computers…" He said.
"Has he already seen all the soft toys offered by the crew?" Jim asked.
"Yes. I have shown him." Leonard smiled. "However, as soon as he regained his memory, I put all the plush toys and gifts he has received, mainly from our female colleagues, in that closet …I even told him that later he can open a toy store…Of course, he didn't laugh…"
"I'm sure that he has appreciated their gifts." Jim said while following McCoy in the next room.
"Did you see that I have kept the mobile of Scotty above his crib?"
"Yes, I did."
"It is useful. The sphere lights up when Spock calls!" Leonard explained.
"And …What are we doing now?"
"We're going to sleep, hoping that Spock will sleep until tomorrow morning!" Leonard said while joining his hands and raising his eyes for a silent prayer.
To be continued…
