Chapter 21: Confession

Nyota sat before the communications console in her quarters, and stared at the blank screen for almost five minutes. She was gathering all the courage she had for the call she must make.

She had promised Spock she would do this. And so she would. But she couldn't do it with the link open- she didn't want him to hear the conversation. She closed it, and then leaned forward to turn on the console.

They had been back a week, now. Life aboard the Enterprise had resumed. She had delayed this moment as long as possible- but it couldn't wait any longer. Spock was right...her parents had a right to know, no matter how much they would disapprove, and no matter how much it would hurt her.

"Computer, call Earth- Nairobi, Kenya- recipients Omarr and Aminah Uhura."

There was a delay. Nyota glanced at the time- it would be mid-morning in Nairobi. She hoped they were home, because she wasn't sure if she could work up the nerve to do this again.

"Nyota?" came a woman's surprised voice.

"Mama." Nyota said, forcing a smile onto her face. "How's baba?"

"He's fine. He's here." Aminah said, and she looked over at someone off-screen. A few seconds later, her father had joined her mother.

"We didn't expect a call from you." Omarr said, his voice concerned. "Is everything alright?"

"Have you changed your mind about Starfleet? Are you coming home?" Aminah asked hopefully.

"Yes, everything is alright, no I haven't changed my mind about Starfleet, and no- I'm not coming home." Nyota replied all in one breath. Aminah sighed in disappointment, but then she looked sharply up at her daughter.

"You're not pregnant, are you?" she asked sternly. Nyota struggled desperately not to roll her eyes.

"No, I'm not." Nyota said.

"Then what's wrong?" Omarr asked, leaning closer to the screen.

"Nothing's wrong...in fact, everything's perfect." Nyota said.

"Then why are you calling out of nowhere like this? There has to be some reason." Aminah said, crossing her arms over her chest and frowning.

"You're right, I did call for a reason." Nyota said slowly. She sighed and bit her lip. Here goes nothing..."I'm married." she said bluntly.

They both stared at her wordlessly, as if hoping she would suddenly say that it was all a joke. Her serious expression did not waver.

"Married?" Omarr repeated, brows drawing together. "For how long- and more importantly- to whom?"

"Well, we've been officially married for two weeks." Nyota replied.

"Officially? What does that mean?" Aminah asked.

"And as for whom..." Nyota ignored her mother's question. "I'm married to a man named S'chn T'gai Spock."

There was a deep silence. Comprehension slowly dawned on them.

"A non-Terran?" Omarr asked slowly. Aminah's eyes were wide as she stared at Nyota.

"A Vulcan." Nyota confirmed. The silence stretched on.

"You married a Vulcan...you married an emotionless, walking computer?" Aminah asked. "You married him just to spite us, didn't you?"

"No!" Nyota said, angry that they thought she would do such a thing. "I married him because I love him! You had nothing to do with it. I didn't tell you for obvious reasons."

"How did he trick you into it?" Omarr asked. "Nyota- you may think you love him- but he can't love you back! What are you thinking? There are plenty of decent, hard-working Terrans you could settle down with. Men who don't risk their lives in Starfleet, have a steady job-"

"I don't want any Terran, no matter their occupation or location." Nyota said fiercely. "And Spock didn't trick me into anything. He does love me."

"Oh, God, he's done something to her! Used one of those mind tricks or something!" Aminah hissed at her husband.

"How can you trust him, Nyota?" Omarr asked. "Vulcans have those telepathic abilities- I know I can't trust anyone who can mess with your mind."

"And they're stronger than humans! Who's to say he won't hurt you- even accidentally?" Aminah put in. This made Nyota think of Pon Farr- but she shoved that thought away, just as she had before.

"And what about any children you might have? They'll be teased constantly!" Omarr said. Nyota's hands were balled into fists by this time, her nails cutting half-moons into her palms. She was trying her best to remain in control of her anger.

"Nyota, honey, are you sure you can't just get a divorce? It's for your own safety, you know-" Aminah started.

"This is exactly why I didn't tell you." Nyota said in an ice-cold voice. "You hate and fear what you don't understand. You don't try to understand. I knew all along you wouldn't approve. Ever since I was a little girl, you went on about how non-Terrans aren't to be trusted. I'm amazed that I've turned out differently than you- that I can be unprejudiced. I'm grateful for that.

"I could- and would- have gone the rest of my life without ever telling you about Spock, because I knew you'd never accept him. But it was Spock- the Vulcan who you believe to be so untrustworthy- who insisted that I tell you. He thought you had a right to know- and he's right. You do have a right to know. But you don't have the right to tell me that I'm wrong for the decisions I have made. I am an adult and fully capable of handling my own life." Nyota said, eyes flashing, jaw clenched.

"Nyota, are you sure-?" Omarr began.

"Yes, I am sure! Have you not been listening? There will be no divorce, and no apologies for who my husband is. The only thing I'm sorry for is that you two are too bigoted to see that I'm happy being married to a Vulcan. If you really cared about me, that should be all that matters to you. And then you'd love and accept him as much as I do.

"If you are only going to try to split us up, then don't call me. Don't attempt any contact in any form. I don't need your poisonous attitudes spreading discord in my marriage. I have done what I set out to do- I informed you about my marriage, and you responded exactly as I knew you would. All I want to say to you now is- live long and prosper." With that, she reached forward and severed the connection.

_______________________________________________________________

She was still agitated. She paced the room, fists clenching and unclenching, trying to master her emotions.

She had known they would think she had made a big mistake. She had known that they would try to talk her out of it. So why was she so upset?

She felt Spock accessing the link. She felt his surprise when he found the turmoil she was in.

"I will be there in 3.4 minutes, ashayam." he said. Nyota felt relieved...Spock was coming to comfort her. She felt his concern for her.

He arrived at her door and came in- she had set the system to allow him entry, because he pretty much lived in her quarters now. He only went to his for meditation.

"What is it?" he asked immediately, crossing the room to place his hands on her arms, rubbing the bare skin soothingly.

"I told them." Nyota said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "My parents."

"You were aware of their opinions about Vulcans. You knew how they would react. That should have prevented you from reacting so emotionally. I do not understand- why are you upset when you knew what to expect?"

The exact same question she had just been asking herself.

"Spock, please don't use logic in this situation." Nyota said. "None of it is logical. My parents have no logical reason to dislike you, but they do already. I guess I'm upset because I want them to welcome you into the family, like Sarek did for me."

She slid her arms around him and laid her forehead against his sternum. He rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I do not require the acceptance of your family." he said.

"I don't either." Nyota said firmly. "But it would have been nice if they had surprised me by saying it was okay, as long as I'm happy."

"And are you happy?" he asked.

"Isn't it illogical to ask a question you already know the answer to?" Nyota asked with a chuckle. She pulled away to look up at him. "I'm happy with you. Almost insanely happy, actually. But there are other things in my life I'm not happy about. My parents, for one thing- my relationship with them has been strained ever since I joined Starfleet. They've made it clear that I'm a disappointment to them. At first, it hurt a lot. That's why I hardly ever talk about them. I've wanted their approval for years. Now I realize that I don't give a damn if what I want to do meets their expectations or not. This is my life- and if I want to marry a green-blooded, pointy-eared logical Vulcan, then that's my choice. I'm not going to let them stop me."

He rose an eyebrow, and she smiled, tracing the arch of it with one finger.

"I mean that in the most loving way possible." she added. "I happen to find your ears to be sexy. I don't mind the green blood- and the logic I'm dealing with."

She reached up to touch both pointed ears, tracing the curves. He leaned into her touch.

"I know you were not insulting me." he said. "But it is thirty minutes past 1700."

"Oh!" Nyota said, dropping her hands and turning to her closet. "We'd better get ready. The captain said to be in the chapel at 1800."

Today was the Terran wedding- and afterward, there would be a reception in the rec room. Nyota had no idea who had been invited to the wedding or the reception- Kirk had been in charge of most of the plans. That made her nervous...

"Now, it's a tradition that the groom isn't allowed to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony, so you have to leave." Nyota said. "Your dress uniform is in your quarters, anyway."

"Why can I not see you in the dress?"

"Supposedly, seeing the bride in her wedding dress brings bad luck." Nyota said with a shrug. "I'm not superstitious, but just go with it, okay?"

Spock now rose both eyebrows, but he turned to leave. Once he was gone, she forced herself not to think about her parents as she changed into the dress that had arrived the day before- it was white silk, not full length, ending just below the knee, with spaghetti straps. It was simple, and she hadn't seen any need to buy something she would never wear again- especially since she was technically already married, anyway.

Once she was dressed she pulled on a pair of white high heels, and curled her hair into thick ringlets, leaving it down. She knew Spock preferred it when her hair was down around her shoulders.

She was ready. She turned and left her quarters, heading for the chapel.

_________________________________________________________________

The rec room was loud. People pressed in around them, shouting congratulations as they drank liquor provided by Dr. McCoy and Scotty. Laughter and chatter filled the air.

Nyota had almost been furious when she saw how many people the captain had invited to what was supposed to be a small, private ceremony. The chapel had been full to bursting with people she barely knew- or didn't even know at all. Kirk had claimed that they needed as many guests as possible to properly celebrate their union. And that was the main point- to have a big party with heavy drinking. She hadn't wanted her Terran wedding turned into an excuse for partying.

But when she saw the massive pile of wedding presents sitting on a table, she began to change her mind. This might be interesting.

"Guests of honor sit here!" Kirk said, gesturing toward two chairs in the center of the room, right next to the table. Nyota and Spock sat down, looking around them. There was another table nearby, covered in food and beverages, and also a cake.

"I see no logical reason for this." Spock said to her.

"Neither do I- but maybe we got some good gifts?" she said, looking at the table. It looked like almost everyone on the ship had gotten them something- even the people who couldn't be there because of duties.

"You look...exquisite in that dress." Spock told her. She smiled.

"You don't look too bad yourself, in that dress uniform." she said. Her eyes roamed over the pale blue uniform jacket. She could imagine taking it off of him later.

"All right, now it's time for the presents!" Kirk said, standing on a chair to get everyone's attention. The room fell almost silent. "Mine first, since I married them."

"Technically, Jim, as we were already married, you did not." Spock pointed out.

"Just bear with me, Spock." Kirk said, hopping down off the chair and taking a wrapped package off the pile and handing it to him. "Open it."

Spock was much too slow in opening it. He unfolded the ends of the wrapping paper gently, determined not to rip it. Nyota sighed and reached over, seizing one end and tearing it.

"No need to preserve it- like certain other things that have been shredded by you." Nyota said under her breath. Spock did not reply, but she felt his amusement.

Spock finished tearing off the paper, and revealed...a copy of Tantric Sex. The room roared with laughter at that. Spock's eyebrows shot up.

"Just for the record." Nyota said, looking Kirk dead in the eye as he laughed. "We don't need this."

The room now erupted in whistles and more laughter. Nyota was smirking as she took the book from Spock's hands and set it on the table.

"That was unnecessary." Spock said, but he wasn't angry- he was amused, just like she was.

"I didn't want to leave them in any doubt about how good you are in bed." Nyota said. "Would you prefer that they think you're lacking in that department?"

"I prefer that they not know anything at all." Spock replied. As he said this, Nyota thought back to the cave...to making love on the pallet, on the boulder, in the hot spring bath...against the wall...

"You know, if we ever have to move to New Vulcan, I want to see if we can take up permanent residence in that cave. Or at least buy it for private use." Nyota said dreamily. "Fond memories there, you know."

More presents were handed to them. They seemed to get a mixture of everything...alcohol (from McCoy, of course, who told them that they would have to share it, because it was the last of his best brandy- although they wouldn't have drinken it anyway), a set of silverware, some truly ugly decorations that she assumed were foisted off onto them from someone who had gotten them as gifts, too...and Janice Rand had gotten her lingerie.

Her eyebrows rose higher and higher as she pulled out a red thong, garter belt, sheer knee-high stockings, and a red corset. The whole room exploded this time. Janice was winking at her.

"I think that one's more for Mr. Spock." she said. At this, everyone laughed harder. Spock, of course, did not react outwardly.

"Interesting." Spock thought as he looked at the undergarments in Nyota's hands. Nyota laughed now, too. Red happened to be the color Spock appreciated the most on her. Janice didn't know it, but she had struck gold.

Nyota put the items back in the gift bag they had come in and set it on the table. Once the last of the presents were opened, it was time for the food. Nyota was more than glad to get the attention off of them, at least for a little while.

"That was an unusual experience." Spock said as he sat beside her with his plate. "Must we keep the hideous objects, such as the ceramic rooster?"

Nyota laughed. "No. Those are the kinds of presents that people give to others only because they didn't like them, themselves."

"Then why would someone give it to them?"

"Because they didn't like it either. Whoever bought it had really tacky taste in decoration." Nyota turned to looked at him. "But not all the gifts were bad."

"No, they were not. The lingerie, for example..." Spock trailed off, lips quirking upwards. She didn't reply to that, but turned back to her plate.

She looked around her as she ate. Everyone was talking loudly, laughing and drinking. Having a good time. She was glad that they had decided to have a Terran wedding as well. She could even forgive Kirk for inviting all those people- the reception was a success, and she was enjoying herself immensely.

She looked down at her left hand, where she now wore both Amanda's engagement ring, and the platinum wedding band Spock had placed on it two hours earlier. He had flat-out refused to wear one himself, because Vulcans did not wear rings. She had tried to convince him- but then remembered what he had said almost two months before. There were two cultures in this marriage, and it was inevitable that they not see eye-to-eye on cultural observances. They would have to make compromises. So she wore the ring, and he did not. They didn't really need physical evidence of their marriage, anyway.

It was strange, because they were married as soon as Spock established the bond- yet it hadn't felt official until the ceremony on New Vulcan. She recalled how she had felt as she walked toward him across the sand. She had actually felt like a bride, walking toward her future. Nervous but also giddy with excitement. And she had felt the same way earlier, walking down the aisle toward him in the chapel, all eyes on her.

Maybe ceremonies were more important than she had originally thought. They made it seem more real, less like a dream.

She looked to her right, at her adun. He was watching her, listening to her thoughts.

"You've made me the happiest woman ever, Spock." she thought at him, tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you for that."

"You are welcome...although I should point out that there are three billion Earth women. The odds are high that at least one is happier, or at least as happy as you are. To say that you are the happiest woman is-"

"An illogical assumption?" she guessed, and smiled. "Shut up, Spock." she said out loud.

He pressed his lips together slightly, and she felt his disapproval at her interruption. She glanced around her- everyone was half-drunk or worse, and seemed to have completely forgotten what they were celebrating.

"I don't think anyone will notice if we leave now." she commented. Spock tilted his head, his disapproval disappearing.

"You are ready to leave already?" he asked. Nyota stood.

"I was ready to leave almost as soon as we arrived. I just had to wait for the alcohol to kick in." she said. Spock stood with her. And before they left the rec area- Nyota saw Spock grab the gift bag containing the lingerie.

A/N: Okay, hate to break it to you, but the next chapter will be the last chapter of Essential. But don't worry! There will be a sequel coming out soon. I just want to concentrate for a short while on my new project. I've been wanting to write a Sarek/Amanda origins story for awhile now, so I'm going to do that. I think I will just write shorter chapters for that one, and work on the sequel to this at the same time. If I do that, my updates probably won't be as frequent as they have been.

Anyway...the Sarek/Amanda story. I hope some of you will read it ;) It will go into detail about the things mentioned, and will at first concentrate on how they met and got together. Then it will move on to show other moments of their life. Which means you'll see baby!Spock. And you'll get the juicy details of the 'story' Spock mentioned in the last chapter about the two marriage proposals...amongst other things. And yes, I'm shamelessly promoting it already, LOL. I'm also thinking about doing a one-shot for the lingerie scene, because it's not going to be in the next chapter.

I will have more information on the titles for both the Sarek/Amanda story and the sequel when I update tomorrow.