I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. 'Tis a sad tale but true, and there is no point in dressing up the facts.

Dressed Up Part III

Rachel pulled her pillow over her head. Someone was pounding on the bedroom door. The clock read 6:47 am, no way was it time to get up! It was Sunday morning, her day to sleep in a bit. Sirin had gone to the hospital to check on a patient who had suffered some post-op complications. He would likely be home within the hour.

"Wake up, Mama. I'm hungry!"

Reluctantly, Rachel stood but was soon overcome by a wave of nausea that sent her running to the bathroom. In between bouts of the dry heaves, she tried to talk to Jason, who was still waiting outside the bedroom door.

"Please hurry, Mama. Hungry!"

"Oh, Sweetie, Mama has an upset tummy. Go see if Nana or Uncle Spock are awake and can give you breakfast."

"Okay, Mama."

Rachel heard the sound of little feet running down the hall and up the stairs. Jason was headed to Spock's room, a good choice as he slept little and rose early. As another round of heaves started, Rachel hoped they would soon be over. She had to get dressed up for Nordu's wedding that afternoon.

"You have torn a ligament, Mr. Wong. You were supposed to be recuperating at home after your knee surgery. Now we'll have to wait for the swelling to go down before deciding if further procedures are necessary. I also would have preferred that you not wait 36 hours to seek medical attention. "

Wong grimaced as Sirin massaged a soothing balm into the painful area and then dressed it with a supportive bandage.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Sirin. I didn't think it would hurt to go to my sister and brother-in-law's Halloween party. I had forgotten just how rowdy Peng's gatherings can become. I tripped over the dog, who was trying to find a place to hide. My wife took me home and we applied ice to the injury, hoping that would resolve the issue, but it didn't. I guess I was just too embarrassed to admit to my own clumsiness."

"I do not believe that any permanent damage has been done. I will prescribe some pain medication for you."

Spock helped Jason up onto his booster seat before giving the child his breakfast of oatmeal, bananas, and orange juice.

"I'm 'cited, 'Pog. Mama said that we are going to the beach for a wedding. Will we wear bathing suits?"

"No, Jason, for we will not be swimming. We will dress in our best clothes in honor of the occasion."

"Okay, I will wear my dog costume!"

"Jason, such things are not generally worn to weddings. Your parents will select something appropriate for you."

"But my dog costume is best!"

"You must discuss the matter with you father and mother."

Spock was quite relieved when Sirin walked through the kitchen door.

"Why, Daddy? Why can't I wear my dog costume to the wedding?"

Rachel was thankful that her blue dress had some stretch to it and that the gathered waist helped camouflage her tummy. Soon she would need to break out the maternity clothes and uniforms, which meant revealing the pregnancy to friends and co-workers. She and Sirin had decided to wait as long as possible to do this, just in case they suffered another disappointment.

She styled her hair into a neat French twist and added the jeweled hairbroach T'Lonna had sent her. Esther was looking lovely in a pink silk suit, though she put the matching pumps in her tote in favor of sneakers to be worn in the sand. Sirin's gray jacket hung on a chair while he wrestled a reluctant Jason into blue slacks and a sweater. When the little guy was finally dressed, Rachel took over and tried to smooth out his unruly, wavy hair. She had nearly finished when Spock descended the stairs, prim and proper in his Starfleet Class A uniform and polished boots.

Coats and cameras were collected and then the family headed off to North Baker Beach.

North Baker Beach was located just to the north of the Presidio, much of which had been annexed by the government to accommodate Starfleet Command, Starfleet Academy, and several embassies belonging to Federation member worlds. The beach was quiet and relatively secluded, a good thing as it was also "clothing optional." However, both Starfleet Security and guards from the Leethrian Embassy would be gently steering all but invited guests further down the shore. The updrafts that rose from the ocean made it the perfect place to hold a Leethrian joining ceremony.

Nordu and Cendrehu had selected eighteen friends and family members to stand in a circle around them and Ambassador Misielthu, Cendrehu's mother. Rachel, Nurse Melba, and Dr. McKenzie were among the chosen. When all the guests had arrived, Ambassador Misielthu clapped her hands, the signal for the circle to be formed.

Ambassador Misielthu stood in the center, dressed in a bright caftan with wing slits, similar to the garments the other Leethrian attendees were wearing. She motioned for Nordu and Cendrehu to stand on either side of her and then grasped the hand of each.

Starting with Nordu's mother, Queen Iliathu, those in the circle each gave a wedding blessing to the couple, wishing them health, happiness, and many children. Rachel wished them love.

Once the blessing had been completed, the telepathic Leethrians all extended their wings and began a song that was both heard and felt by all.

Cendrehu and Nordu,

Become as one,

Sing the Song of Ages,

Dance the Ancient Life giving dance,

Fly the Flight of Celebration.

As they repeated it several times over, the wings took on bright, rainbow hues.

"Look, 'Pog! Mathra!" whispered Jason, for they did indeed resemble butterflies.

Sirin hushed the child, hoping no one was offended.

At last, the bridal couple extended their own wings and Ambassador Misielthu joined their hands together. They ran along the beach until they caught an updraft and took to the sky. Once aloft, they flew in a pattern nearly as old as the Leethrian race itself, soaring, circling and swooping as the song continued below. After several minutes, they gently touched down in the midst of the circle as husband and wife.

"Let the celebration continue with a feast!" commanded Ambassador Misielthu.

Over two hundred guests made their way to the Academy Ballroom.

The Leethrian cuisine was interesting, consisting primarily of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables seasoned with herbs or sweetened with honey. Jason was quite fond of the orange spinach and the "fluff" fruits, which tasted like cantaloupe and practically melted in his mouth.

The Leethrians, however, were fascinated by Jason, the youngest child in attendance. He was so very different from their own offspring. Queen Iliathu could no longer contain her curiosity about him, so she wandered over to the table where he and his family were sitting.

"Rachel, may I join you?"

"Certainly, your Majesty, I mean Iliathu. This is my husband, S'chn T'gai Sirin and his cousin, S'chn T'gai Spock. This squirming little bundle of noise is my son Jason."

"He is actually quite charming, a most beautiful child. If it is not too much of an imposition, I would like to ask a few questions about the process by which Human children are born and nurtured to adulthood. I understand that it is very different than that which Leethrians undergo."

"Alright, I guess that would be okay. There are certain aspects of reproduction that we don't generally discuss in front of small children."

"Ah, well I believe that the "fertilization" step is the same for both species, so we might skip over that part. Is it true that you carry your offspring inside your body for months, feeding them through a specialized organ? And that you carry only one child at a time?"

"Yes, a typical Human pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks, with one fetus being the norm. However, multiples do occur, usually twins or triplets. Sometimes there are more babies, but those pregnancies are high-risk."

"I have been told that Human mothers produce milk in their own bodies to nourish their young after birth. Leethrian hatchlings feed themselves on vegetation. They do not leave the nesting area until they have undergone several cycles of growth and shedding of the exoskeleton."

"Yes, we do breastfeed our babies and they grow slowly, with the skin stretching to accommodate the changing body. Jason is not quite two years old."

Rachel dug around in her purse for her holoalbum, then showed Iliathu the image of Sirin holding his newborn son. Jason was currently sitting on his father's lap.

"As you can see, he has changed a lot."

"How long does it take to raise a child to adulthood?"

"In this culture, we consider them fully grown at eighteen. Other Human cultures have different ideas on the subject. However, parents never stop worrying about their kids."

"It is the same for Leethrians. Nordu is nearly a thousand years old, yet I worry every time she goes out in space. Now, I have another question, one for your mate and his cousin. What is the significance of the "S'chn T'gai" portion of your names?"

Sirin handed Jason back to Rachel.

"S'chn T'gai is the name of our clan."

"This means that anyone with such a designation would be a relative, perhaps even an ancestor?"

Sirin nodded in agreement.

"That is true."

"I once visited your world and met one of your ancestors, a young child named S'chn T'gai Selith."

Sirin and Spock looked at one another in amazement. It could not be! Spock broke the silence.

"Your Majesty, would you be willing to reveal the circumstances of that encounter?"

"Certainly. Our old home world, Zerithu was no longer a hospitable place. The war waged by two other races had decimated our people, so I and Vendiatu, (who later became my mate), were sent by Queen Ainona to find a new planet to colonize."

"I stopped to charge my batteries and for food and water on Vulcan, near the edge of a large desert. I heard a noise and found that a wild beast was about to devour a small, injured child. I rescued him, of course. I did not know the level of Vulcan civilization or whether they knew of other worlds, so when Selith thought I was a Rushan, or air spirit, I allowed him to believe it was so. I swore him to secrecy, making him promise to tell no one of my existence for twenty years. In return for saving his life, he shared a melody with me that he had composed himself. I have shared it with my children and we have named it S'chn T'gai Selith's Lullaby. I have often wondered what became of him."

"He had a long and honorable life, your Majesty" said Spock. "He became a famous musician and poet, adding lyrics to the melodies he wrote. Our clan has passed one down in particular over the centuries. It is called The Song Of The Rushan."

"I would enjoy hearing that sometime."

"I will arrange for that to happen before your return to Ainona."

While their family and guests were celebrating, Cendrehu and Nordu slipped away back to the beach. The sun had set and darkness was falling. They shed their special "flight suits" and began the Flight of Flights anew, this time consummating their union.

When the family returned home, Sirin placed a subspace call to Planeras III. It was only mid morning there, but Jack already seemed exhausted. It was obvious that he had little personal time, not even a chance to do laundry. He was dressed in one of Lewis' sweatshirts, a faded brown thing at least two sizes too large for him.

"Hey, buddy! What's up?"

Sirin picked Jason up and sat him on his lap, so that he could see and talk to "Uncle" Jack.

"We had big concert and got lots of toys for you! I wore a dog costume like Matt!"

"Cool! Sirin, I take it that Menace was a big success."

"Yes, you will be receiving over 1,000 new toys. We have raised more than enough money to buy three complete sets of playground equipment and have them shipped to Planeras III."

"Outstanding! I can't wait to tell Lewis!"

Rachel downloaded the last of the images into her terminal and then shipped them off to Amanda. It was early morning in Shi'Kahr, so Amanda would be checking her messages any moment now. Rachel sent two separate files, one with pictures of Spock in his "tiger" outfit, the other with shots of Sirin and Jason in costume and in their wedding finery. Spock's mother was sure to find a way to pass these on to T'Lonna.

Amanda roared with laughter at the sight of her son in his costume, singing The Monster Mash and My Zombie Lover. She decided not to share these with Sarek. However, she would be forwarding certain other images to her sister-in-law.

T'Lonna helped T'Kara dress and then arranged the girl's hair for yet another dance recital. This one would be held at the Cultural Institute. Once they were both ready, a servant chauffeured them to their destination.

T'Lonna took a seat near the front of the auditorium and checked her comm unit. A message from Stryel indicated that he was running late, as he had been called to a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Health. Perhaps she would have time to scan the file Amanda had sent her, Quaint Terran Holiday Traditions. T'Lonna was not disappointed to see her son and grandson in costume. It was quite pleasant to hear Sirin singing, even if the songs were most illogical. Most precious, however, was the image of Jason sitting on Sirin's lap, both dressed in their finest. T'Lonna continued to gaze upon them until the recital started.

Stryel was a fool who would never know what he was missing.

A/N:

To read the full story of Iliathu's trip to Vulcan, read my fic The Song Of The Rushan.

Please read the note on my profile page!