Battle Born

Chapter Fourteen

I see the whole world in your eyes

It's like I've known you all my life

We just feel so right

So I pour my heart into your hands

It's like you really understand

You love the way I am

-Rachel Platten/Sally Setmann

Chapter Fourteen

T'Sai stood nearly as tall as Spock. Lean and regal in bearing T'Sai could have been carved out of ice as far as Scotty was concerned. Her dark eyes swept over him dismissively. Fortunately, both Spock and Captain Kirk stepped forward raising their hands in the traditional greeting. Seemingly reluctant T'Sai replied in a surprisingly girlish voice. "Peace and long life."

Scotty's mouth almost dropped open. Privately he wondered how old the thin Vulcan healer was. An almost fatherly instinct came up inside of him. Poor lass trying to act so grown up. Poor little one looks half starved.

"Commander Spock can escort you to your quarters." Jim said pleasantly. He had become fairly good at bull shitting and reading people. He fought the worrying feeling curling in the pit of his stomach. T'Sai might sound like a young girl but, he was worried that she was a hardliner that would come down on the Vulcan side of things. Or, try to prove that she was up to the job she held and Bones would still end up losing his Vulcan daughter.

"That won't be necessary," T'Sai said. "I am here to give an appraisal of the bond of the Vulcan child Savanna. The sooner I see the child the better." She said stuffily. They could all hear the unspoken Then I will return to the T'Ny. Which strangely almost sounded like a child saying, I want to go home.

Spock almost arched an eyebrow. "T'Sai, you do not wear the traditional robes of a healer." His dark eyes swept over the simple long sleeve gray blouse she wore over black leggings. A red Vulcan sand colored travel bag hung over one thin shoulder. The Vulcan script on her desert red shoulder bag resembled a script that he'd seen as a boy on a small temple near the far end of the Forge. If memory served him correctly the translation of the obscure script declared the young Vulcan woman a third level novice. A shocking fact that meant the number of healers were drastically low on New Vulcan.

Then again the Temple of Aravik (Desert Wind Well) owed much of its existence to the generosity of his family's clan. And most importantly to Sarek. His parents Sarek and Amanda had generously supported the small Temple for as long as Spock could remember. A worried frown tugged at Spock's lips. Could it be that Sarek had sent a young priestess who owed him so that he could gain custody of Savanna? Or, could it be that his father was trying to protect a child priestess who followed the unbelievable Temple rule of chastity? She looked barely old enough to be matched to a survivor as wife and mate.

Tilting her head slightly T'Sai seemed to sigh. Stress and weariness seemed to leak around her dark eyes. T'Sai seemed unaware that she suddenly appeared more like an exhausted teenage than an accomplished healer. "I was a priestess healer working with children until the destruction of Vulcan. With the limited number of healers alive and available anyone with healing knowledge especially with children has been pressed into service."

"The T'Ny is scheduled to pickup several Vulcan scientists from Star Base Fourteen." Jim said. He could see that T'Sai was nearing exhaustion. The thought that the girl/woman might be more incline to leave Savanna with Bones if she had a chance to rest and get some good food occurred to him. "I am afraid that they have already departed. I did invited Captain Aver when he returns to a dinner aboard the Enterprise. We will travel in tangent for three days. He agreed especially since by then several Vulcan plants we have in the hydroponic gardens will be ready to be harvested. He will be taking seedlings and plants to new Vulcan."

T'Sai seemed to sag even more. She had wanted very much to immediately return to the T'Ny and return to her new home. As the only priestess left of her order she'd managed to create a simple holy space in the building that was her home. It had become her sanctuary as demand had increased on her services. It served also a refuge from the men who suddenly wanted to court her.

"Perhaps it would be prudent to check out your accommodations." Spock said almost kindly. Being with Nyota was definitely rubbing off on him. She'd be angry if he treated this young woman unkindly. "You might refresh yourself. I am aware that most of the temples priestesses practice having a late afternoon tea."

T'Sai gave a small nod. "It has been a while since I was able to indulge in late afternoon tea." She admitted. The thought was bittersweet. None of her sister priestesses had made it off of Vulcan. Priestesses from other Temples that had survived seemed to look down on her for following her Order's unheard of rule of chastity. Any temple priestess refusing to assist any male Vulcan through Pon Farr was looked at as being illogical and almost traitorous since the destruction of Vulcan.

"Great," Jim smiled. "T'Sai, you can freshen up and Commander Spock can escort you to the officer's mess for tea. I'm sure his wife Nyota and my wife Carol would love to have tea with us. The quartermaster can supply you with clothing and any toiletries you need."

T'Sai inclined her head in acceptance. It was the only way to keep from suddenly crying at the apparent kindness of the human captain. "I understand that you have water showers." She said that sounded thick with emotion. Memories of bathing in the underground pools and falls near the temple flashed through her mind. It would be a luxury to bath with water again.

"We do." Jim grinned. It was like discovering that there was actually a swimming cat to learn that this Vulcan healer wanted a water shower.

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Meanwhile Nyota sent a message to the McCoy quarters. "The Janus is lining up to dock."

Leonard looked up from reading a book to Hannah. Jo's bag was by the door of their new quarters. She came out of her shared bedroom pulling a second suitcase. That both the Vulcan ship and the ship had arrived within hours of each other had put some stress on Leonard.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the T'Ny had some sort of problem with it's docking hatch. The Vulcan captain had requested that the Enterprise beam the healer over. Jim being Jim wasn't going to let the T'Ny leave with a possible problem. Not on his watch would he let an endangered species risk possible death. He'd sent over a repair crew. Several hours of repairs including an upgrade to the food replicator and some fresh food had helped the Vulcans see the 'logic' in it all. And transporting the healer over took last place on the agenda. So, when the night cycle on both ships happened to coincide, it was agreed to wait until morning.

By morning the Vulcan captain noticing the excellent work done by Scotty and his crew had mentioned that their engine's efficiency had dropped .005%.

Now with the T'Ny "Purring like a happy fat sassy cat." Scotty reluctantly let Captain Kirk know he'd done all he could.

Meanwhile Leonard had been able to get his family settled back in their new quarters.

"Dad, I can stay you know." Jo paused seemingly ready to pull her suitcases back into the bedroom. True, being back on his medication her father seemed to be getting back to his old comfortably semi grumpy self.

Smiling Leonard said, "Jo, your job in life isn't to help me raise your stepbrother and sisters. It's to grow up to be the best person you can be."

"Are you sure, dad?" Jo wrinkled her face in worry. Dyla had seemed to be the strong one in the family she wasn't sure if her father and Thass would be able to make it without Dyla. And though she didn't want to admit it, Jo did have the same 'strength' that her mother did.

"Jo, the Mars Colony nursing school was eager to offer you full scholarship to their premed program. Nurses are in high demand. And pediatric nurses more so." Leonard put the vintage book down. "Darling, I'm so proud of you I could burst."

Hannah sitting next to Leonard on the love seat looked alarmed. "You're not going to burst are you, daddy?"

"No, Sweetie. I'm just so proud and happy." He stood up. Jo rushed over to give him a hug. Leonard hugged her tight committing the feelings to memory.

"I'll send you a message every week, daddy." Jo blinked back tears.

"I'm so proud of you, baby girl." Leonard kissed the top of her head. He pulled away from her embrace. "Now let's get you on the Janus. And don't forget to message your mother once a week too."

Jo rolled her eyes. "She'd got to get over being upset I'm not going out for Miss Teen Universe." Jo sighed.

"Wait," Thass uncovered a small metal dragon on her work table. She carefully moved aside the metal dragon she'd been making for Hannah. "I made this for you, Jo." Thass held out a finished metal dragon.

"Thank you, Thass," Jo took the offered dragon. It tilted its head up to look at her. Its tiny wings spread as it purred.

Worf holding on to Thass' pant leg pulled himself up on his feet. Since Dyla had died he refused to be more than a few feet from Thass. Savanna sitting on the floor on the other side of Thass was busy moving colored blocks into different patterns.

"The dragon has been set to imprint on you." Thass said. She'd wanted to give her step daughter a warrior's gift. The tiny dragon had been quick and easy to make. Toy making had been looked down on among Klingons but here the doctor had said she couldn't work with anything bigger than a toy. Toys were valued among humans

"Way cool!" Jo came over and gave Thass a hug. The little dragon chirped as it climbed up on Jo's shoulder.

Leonard smiled. Creating the small dragons had helped Thass' restlessness. She'd been released from Sickbay with strict orders not to exert herself. He sighed. Thass wasn't as maternal as Dyla had been. He pushed the thought out of his mind. It hurt to think of losing Dyla. There were several certified nurse assistants aboard now. He'd simply have to keep one assigned to his family.

A chime at the door announced CNA Wendy. The petite blond smiled when the door opened. "I'm here to help with Worf and Savanna."

Thass eyed her critically. This young woman was what humans called cute and bubbly. No. This one wouldn't due.

"Daddy, can I walk with you to say good bye to Jo?" Hannah looked up at Leonard.

Good. Thought Thass. This way there would be no witnesses as she made certain the human knew that Leonard was HER mate.

Savanna looked over at Thass. Her tiny face wrinkled. Worf emitted a small growl.

Wendy had a bad feeling. "You won't be long will you, Dr. McCoy? I have a mandatory class to attend today." She was trying hard not to tremble. A hard warning beat seemed to originate in her heart.

Leonard frowned slightly. Technically, he was off duty. He had planned on swinging by Sickbay and picking up some paperwork. "No," he said slowly. He'd arrange another CNA as soon as he got back. Obviously, this slip of a girl wasn't the right one to help with his family.

Jo had to bite back a laugh. She's spotted the jealous look on Thass' face. Well, her father was going to have an interesting life married to a jealous Klingon.

"Come on, Daddy," Hannah tugged on Leonard's arm. "Jo will miss her ride."

"You'd better send me a drawing once a week, munchkin." Jo smiled at her step sister.

"Okay, girls. Let's go." Leonard turned to Thass. "I'll be back shorty."

As the door hissed shut Wendy was having a hard time breathing. She wondered if she'd have time to scream for help.

%%%%

The reason for the Janus' request to dock became apparent when a Vulcan woman carrying a diplomatic pouch exited the Janus. Security Officer Hendorff called Captain Kirk. "You have a diplomatic pouch from New Vulcan. There's also a private communication pouch for Commander Spock."

Heading towards the bridge Jim sighed. He called Hendorff back. "Acknowledged. I'll be there momentarily." He knew that the Janus was on a tight schedule. The need for nurses had always far surpassed the actually number of nurses. The recent sudden upsurge of interest by young people, both male and female, had nursing schools rushing to scoop up the very best potential students.

The Janus was not only picking up Jo but, eight other additional students before heading to the school on Mars. A total of fifty students for the early nursing program was enough to make the captain of the Janus nervous. Orion pirates were among his worries. A newly commissioned Mars Colony protector ship, the Barchan, was due to arrive to safely escort the Janus and two other ships back to Earth's solar system. He had to reach the appointed rondevu spot at the right time.

The turbo lift deposited Jim near the docking area. Leonard, Jo, and Hannah were coming out of a turbo lift further down the corridor. Jim smiled.

Leonard spotted the stern faced Vulcan woman as she approached Jim. He sucked in a worried breath. If this was the healer then maybe he should run with Savanna and the rest of his family.

Aki handed over the diplomatic pouch to Captain Kirk.

Giving Jo a hug Leonard kissed her on the top of her head. "Do your best, Jo."

"I will, daddy." Jo smiled. She bent down and gave Hannah a hug. "Take care of daddy and the rest of the family, munchkin."

"Okay." Hannah held on tight to Jo for several minutes. Finally she let go. "Don't forget us." She whispered.

"I won't." Jo dragged her suitcases passed Captain Kirk and a Vulcan woman. Hendorff gave her a nod and a smile.

"I can not give Commander Spock's personal communication pouch to you, Captain Kirk." Aki said firmly. Ambassador Sarek had trusted her for years for a reason.

Leonard heard enough of the exchange to know that this wasn't the healer. Just as he turned to leave he almost collided with Spock. "Mr. Spock." Leonard said apologetically. "I've just been seeing Jo off."

"Mr. Spock," Jim looked a little irritated. "You have a personal message pouch."

"Dr. McCoy, please return to your quarters." Nurse Chapel's voice came over the intercom.

Leonard frowned as he turned to hurry back to the turbo lift.

"Mamma Thass doesn't like the new babysitter." Hannah said as she ran to keep up with Leonard. Stopping Leonard looked at Hannah. "She's jealous?"

Hannah sighed. "Jo said that sometimes you're clueless."

By the time that they reached their quarters Leonard was worried.

An emergency medical team was by the door. CNA Wendy was breathing into an oxygen mask. Thass was still seated where Leonard had left her. "The young woman collapsed minutes after you left. I called Sickbay." She frowned at the young woman. "Why did they send us one who was ill?"

Savanna had pulled herself to her feet holding onto Thass' pant leg. Worf was seat on the floor watching everything with interest.

Christine sighed and looked up at Leonard. "Panic attack." An orderly helped Wendy to her feet. "Let's get you back to Sickbay." She nodded to the orderly who helped Wendy onto the stretcher. Once they were gone she said to Leonard. "The CNA program gave us girls who'd just graduated. Most have never been away from home. With the demand for certified nurses assistants so high we were luck to get these."

"Well, don't let her quit." Leonard said. "Ease her into things that will build up her confidence."

Smiling Christine answered. "My thoughts exactly." She patted Leonard on the arm. Whispering she added. "I think your wife scared her."

%%%%%

Leonard knew that the invitation to 'afternoon tea' was an order. He had mixed feelings as he pushed Thass' wheelchair to the officer's mess. Savanna was safely tucked into a baby sling across his muscular chest. Hannah skipped at his side. Worf happily sat in Thass' lap.

Crew walking passed them offered nodes and smiles at the family. A few did offer condolences. He was relieved to get to the officers mess.

"Look who has a pretty new dress," Jim smiled at Hannah.

"Jo made it for me before she left." Hannah smiled up at Jim.

"It is pretty." Carol said. She smiled as she sat down next awkwardly down next to Jim.

Leonard eyed her baby bump. It had gotten considerably bigger. "That's getting to be a big boy." He said with a slight frown.

"And girl." Carol sighed. "I'm having twins." Jim grinned proudly.

Stewards brought over high chairs for Savanna and Worf. "We might need some nannies on the Enterprise." Leonard said. "And if they take after Jim we'd better double baby proof the Enterprise."

"Bones, you wound me. My children won't be any problems," Jim said.

"Uh huh," Leonard took his seat with Savanna and Worf between him and Thass. Hannah sat on the other side of Thass.

"Thank you for accompanying me." A young girlish voice said. "I have never been on a ship this large."

"It would be easy to get lost." Nyota said.

Leonard looked up to see Spock and Nyota with a young Vulcan girl dressed in a knee length blue belted blouse over dark leggings. He leaned towards Jim whispering. "That child is going to evaluate us?"

"I'm not a child," T'Sai said. "I'm eighteen." Gracefully she sat down next to Carol facing Leonard. She held her chin up high.

"The doctor means," Jim jumped in. This wasn't going the way he wanted it to go.

"You look young," Carol finished for him. "I think everyone was expecting a mind healer to be an old wrinkled up person." She smiled.

"I think she's pretty," Hannah pipped up.

Thass looked at T'Sai as she was introduced with interest. Thass' clan had been wiped out when she was a child. She'd been passed to another clan to be fostered. She knew a kindred orphaned soul when she spotted one. This one needed someone strong to protect her. And she'd be helpful with the children. This one would do.

Leonard apologized unaware that his household was about to add one more.

"I grieve with thee on thy loss," T'Sai said.

"Thank you," Leonard said. Next to him Savanna looked with interest at T'Sai.

Carol smiled at the trays of sandwiches along with scones being brought by the stewards. "I think that your children are awake and hungry," she told Jim.

T'Sai eyed the food with interest.

"The scones aren't very sweet," Carol said. "You have to add butter and put jelly on them." She paused. "Can you eat butter?"

"Butter is made from cow's milk." Spock said.

T'Sai nodded. "We had milk herds at the temple." She missed the small desert animals.

Studying T'Sai Leonard noted that she seemed underweight. "You look like you've missed a few meals." He said. Even Thass was frowning at T'Sai. She remembered being hungry as a child.

"I get very busy." T'Sai used a tong to put two small cucumber sandwiches on her plate. "Sometimes I don't get a chance to get to the food market." She carefully didn't add that sometimes she'd been barracked inside her home.

"The VIP suite has a food replicator in case you get hungry in the middle of the night," Jim said.

Savanna gurgled at T'Sai. "Your child seems well taken care of." She said politely.

"Dyla breast fed her," Thass said. "Now she eats food." She cut up a piece of banana into a small bowl for Savanna. "I will raise the children. Unless Leonard asks me to send them to his clan."

Jim paused mid chew. "What?"

Startled Leonard turned to Thass. "Do Klingons do that?"

Thass nodded. "Dyla was lucky with her Klingon mate. She'd loved him. Most Klingon women choose the best mate they can find who can protect them or give glory to their clans. Sometimes marriages are arranged. Children are sent to their father's clan as soon as they are weaned to prevent the wife's clan from murdering the husband."

"That sounds terrible," Nyota said. She place a protective hand over her baby bump. "I couldn't send my baby away."

Thass shrugged as she cut up a banana for Worf. "It is the Klingon way. Even though Dyla was a widow she was going to have to send Worf to his father's clan until she mated to Leonard. Dyla knew that Leonard being a human wouldn't send her child away."

"Well, she was right about that." Leonard said firmly. "I would never force a mother to give up her child."

"That's 'cause you're a good daddy." Hannah said.

Jim smiled. He gently squeezed Carol's hand under the table. She gave him a smile back.

Spock offered Nyota a simple two finger kiss under the table.

"Dyla was making a book about herbs," Leonard said thoughtfully.

Thass nodded. "She wanted Hannah to learn the skill of raising and using herbs." She didn't mention that poisoning would be included in the lessons. "If her mate had lived and they'd had a daughter after Worf she might have been allowed to keep the daughter to teach her the art of using herbs."

"Fascinating," Spock said.

T'Sai nodded. "But sad. Taking children away from a loving home is never good."

Leonard felt hope stir inside of him.

Half way though the small meal both Hannah and T'Sai were trying to conceal yawns. The human adults were all amused.

Spock and Nyota escorted T'Sai back to her quarters.

Jim signaled Leonard to wait. He took his aside. "Look, Bones. Sarek sent a private message. He wants us to keep T'Sai here. He's worried about her safety on New Vulcan. Maybe she can help Thass with your children."

"I don't know, Jim. Keeping the kid here is a good idea if things are too dangerous for her. But, Thass nearly scared a young CNA to death today." Leonard sighed. "My wife is the jealous type."

"Talk to her," Jim urged. "The Vulcan Council can't take Savanna away from you if you have a Vulcan nanny helping you."

Leonard nodded. "Okay. I'll try and persuade Thass."

TBC