~So, the 'science' for Amanda's survival is not science at all, but please, just go with it and if offends you, make up something that makes you feel better…'kay?
~Sarek may seem OOC in this chapter, but remember, his wife has risen from the dead, so a little emotion seems appropriate…right?
Kirk landed the shuttle on the landing pad and stood up, stretching. "So, Scott, m'man. What say we rescue old man Spock and get your little furry friend?"
"Ah, yes, Keesner will be a wee bit cross…but the little bugger'll live." He chuckled. "And I know he'll love the Enterprise, so many places to hide."
The two men entered the main building and made their way down the long hall. "I'm thinkin' the wee fella and your Spock are in the living quarters. No sandwiches to speak of, but some food stores. It's only been a few days, so I'm sure they're just fine."
Kirk gave the Scotsman a nod and followed him. Once they reached the main rooms, Kirk called out. "Hey, Spock? You still here?"
"Jim?" The older man stepped out from the main living area.
"Hey, we got your distress call and…" His voice faltered as he saw a small woman follow Spock.
"You must be James Kirk. My son has spoken of you." There was an amused twinkle in her brown eyes.
"Ms. Grayson, right? They all thought, we all thought…well, we believed you died on Vulcan." Jim's voice was soft. "Is Spock's cousin here?"
"No, I don't think Gregory made it. But somehow I ended up here." She sadly explained. "My…son," she motioned up to the elder Vulcan, "he theorized that when I was transported off Vulcan, because of the electromagnetic displacement from the mechanism used to form the black hole, I was lost in the buffer and then piggybacked on his residual signature from when he was transported here from the Romulan ship. We share DNA…" She stopped, a sheepish look on her face. "I apologize, I tend to ramble when I'm upset."
"I'm so sorry, I…" Jim looked over at the elder Spock for some guidance. Amada reached out and touched his arm.
"No, no, I'm avoiding, I've not been able to feel Sarek and I...my son and husband, the children…" She faltered, not sure she was ready for his response.
"They all made it." He assured her. Jim noticed she released the breath she was holding.
"We should return to the Enterprise, I am sure my younger counterpart and his father should be informed of…Amanda's survival." The older Vulcan stated.
"There's always excitement in regards to this starship and its crew. I'm gonna love bein' on board." Scotty smiled and looked over at Spock. "Your theory is fascinatin', I'm sure I could extrapolate on it. Let's download all the energy signatures and see how this happened." He rubbed his hands together as Keenser rubbed his head on the Scot's leg. "Oh, off with ya, ya little bugger."
The little creature whimpered and Scotty rolled his eyes. "Oh, alright then, help me get everything together and we'll be off." He turned and Keenser trailed after him.
"Jim, I would prefer if you and Mr. Scott would keep my presence unknown for the time being." Spock Prime stated. Amanda turned to him.
"Spock, why? We have to deal with this, it's not as if you're suddenly going back to you timeline." She reasoned.
"This is true, however I believe Spock will need time to adjust. I would be an added distraction." He nodded at Kirk. "Is he well?"
"Spock? Captain Spock? Yeah, he's just fine." Kirk sniped.
"Ah, go easy on the man. He lost his homeworld, he thinks he lost his mum. And on top of all that, he's runnin' the ship. And doin' a fine job I might add." Scott chastised the younger man as he returned with his belongings.
"Yeah, yeah." He looked at Spock. "So much for my captaincy."
"We shall discuss this at a later time. Amanda should be reunited with her husband and son." Spock smiled down at his mother, who in turn took his hand and smiled back.
Nyota sighed and ran her hand over her sister's back as she lay on the cot. "Nia? Sweetheart?" She whispered. "You have to at least drink the protein supplement the doctor left for you."
Sitting up, Nia turned to look at her sister. "I can't, Ny. I just can't."
"I know, Nia. But this will make you feel better. You haven't eaten in two days. Jake needs you." She begged. Her sister's head snapped up and her eyes opened wide. What the hell was wrong with her, she thought, I'm a mother. I have a son, a responsibility. He's all I have left of Greg.
"Jake! Where's Jacob?" Nia swung her legs from the bed. Nyota laid her hand on her to stay her.
"He's with Sarek and T'Pau, so are Sam and Sara. It helps them, I think, to have the children close." Ny explained.
"I need my baby, Ny. Please take me to him." Nia stood up and went into the small bathroom. "Ny?" She stood in the doorway. "I can't take it all in. So much death, so much pain. I miss him so much. It hurts."
Nyota went to Nia. "Oh, baby, I know, all we can do is try to go on, Nia. We have kids, they need us." Nyota handed her sister a clean Star Fleet shirt.
"Thanks." Nia took the shirt from her sister. "Can we go now?"
"Of course, but let's get something to eat first. Please, Nia?" Nyota cajoled.
"For you, I'll try." She gave her sister a small smile.
Nyota entered her and Spock's living quarters. It was cramped with the addition of three cots, two for the children and one for Sarek, but she didn't mind. She had her family and that was all she cared about. And now they had their Amanda. She was on duty when the call came in. Kirk was bringing two survivors and one of them was Amanda Grayson. Nyota couldn't believe her ears and called Sulu to her station to confirm the message from the rescue shuttle. With a smile, he nodded in the affirmative.
"Baby?" Nyota interrupted his mediation. He turned towards her, a disapproving look on his face. It quickly changed as he saw her face and felt her emotions. Happiness, amazement, gratitude…he could not place them all.
He stood and went to her. "Nyota? What has happened?"
"A miracle." She wrapped her arms around his waist and lay her head on his chest. "A miracle, my love."
Sarek was in the mess with his grandchildren, Nia and Jacob when Nyota and Spock almost ran into the room. He set T'Sara on the seat next to him and Sam went to his sister and took her hand, both sensing something was about to happen.
"What has occurred, kanu?" He had been shielding his emotions since he had lost his wife and his home world. The pain, the emptiness, the desolation…the sympathy, it was too much for him to process.
"Do you not feel her, Sa-mekh?" Spock took his father by his shoulders. Sarek looked from Spock to Nyota. "Open yourself, Sa-mekh, feel."
Sarek allowed his shields to drop and his heart was filled. This was not possible, he saw her die. There was no logic in this, there was…but it was her… 'My darling, I've missed you, I've tried to reach you. Thank god you are well. I love you and I'm coming to you. Taluhk nash-veh k'dular.'
"Spock, sa-fu?" His eyes held confusion and hope at the same time.
"I do not know how, Sa-mekh. Only that it is." He answered.
Nia stood and went to her sister. "Ny? What happened?"
"I don't know how, but somehow Amada was transported to Delta Vega." She smiled.
"Greg?" Nia's voice rose. "Nyota, is Greg with her?"
"No, Nia, I'm so sorry, sweetheart." Nyota was so excited about Amanda she didn't consider how her sister would react. Nia gave her sister a sad smile and sat down again.
"She was rescued from Delta Vega. Her shuttle will be here momentarily. Come, Sa-mekh, let us meet her." Spock blinked several times to control his emotions.
"Yes, meet her." Sarek looked over at Nyota. "The children…"
"Go, Sa-mekh. We'll see her later." She smiled, fighting the temptation to embrace the older man. Spock turned to her and took in his arms.
"I love you, Nyota." He whispered into her ear.
"And I you, adun. Now, go." Nyota released her husband and went to her children.
Sarek stood motionless beside his son as the shuttle entered the docking bay. Spock could sense his father's anxiousness and had to tap down his own emotions. My mother is alive. My mother is alive. Those four words kept replaying in his head. My mother is alive. His face wanted to brake out in a grin. He wanted to laugh out loud. He wanted to embrace his father. But he would not, he could not.
Spock felt the warm presence of Nyota enter the periphery of his mind. Felt her love, her acceptance. Felt her amusement. It's alright, adun, you should be filled with joy. She is alive, she who loved you first, she who accepted you unconditionally. She is alive. Your mother is alive Spock nodded at his wife's words and waited.
The shuttle door opened up and Scotty was the first one out, he held his hand out to aid the Lady Amanda down the ramp. She lifted her eyes and gazed at the two most important men in her life. With a huge smile upon her face she went to Sarek and Spock, holding her hands out to them. Spock was unable to stop himself as he took her into his arms, pulling her close, blinking several times to fight the tears that threatened to fall.
"Mother, I…I have never been so…gratified..." His voice faltered as Amanda pulled back and laid one hand upon his face.
"My sweet son, I am most gratified that you are alive and well and are here to greet me." She leaned up, kissed him and whispered in his ears. "And that our babies are fine, as well." Amanda then turned to her husband. "Sarek?"
His breath caught in his throat as he gazed at his wife beautiful face. "Wife…I…" Sarek shook his head and took her hand in his, pulling her to him. Looking down at her, he whispered, "I never thought to see you again, I thought my soul was gone. Amanda…" He gently took her into his arms as he held her close taking in her scent. "Wife."
Spock was surprise at his father's actions, but then thought of his revelation…I married your mother because I loved her. And he still did, more than anything it would appear. He stepped back as Jim Kirk and Scott's small assistant exited from the shuttle. "Is there no one else?"
"We went to pick up two survivors and that's what we did, Captain." Kirk answered. He looked over at Sarek and Amanda and chuckled. "Man oh man, I guess Terran women just have some major mojo over Vulcans, right?"
"My father is gratified that his bondmate is alive. I believe any species would react similarly." He turned to Scotty. "Do you know how my mother's signature was able to survive during her transport from Vulcan?"
"Not yet, sir. But I think we'll be able to figure it out, have a few theories. I downloaded all the pertinent information and I plan on workin' on it when time allows. And since we seem to be on a slow boat to Earth, I believe I may have the time." Scotty answered with a grin. "I can't wait."
Spock nodded. "Thank you, Mister Scott." He turned and began to walk out of the bay as Scott and Keesner followed him, he stopped and looked back at Jim. "Mister Kirk?"
"Oh, right away, sir. I just need to get something out of the shuttle, I'll be right along." He nodded.
"Fine." Spock allowed his eyes to linger on his parents for a few seconds before resuming his exit.
Kirk went back into the shuttle and sat next to the elder Spock. "So, not ready to meet your younger self, huh?"
"I am not sure he is ready to meet me. Nor am I sure Sarek is ready…" Amanda popped her head in the door.
"Spock? I think you should come out and meet my Sarek." She smiled. Kirk sighed. This woman was so lovely. What was it about stunning Terran woman and Vulcans? He shook his head and stood.
"Lady Amanda. Sorry, I'll leave you and your…family alone." He smiled.
"Mister Kirk, according to my son, you are family. Or at least you were in his time. I suppose we'll see what happens in ours. However, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I would desire some privacy with Sarek and Spock. There is much to discuss, I believe." Amanda graced him with a beatific smile before she turned and left the shuttle.
Jim sighed. "Guess that's my cue. I'll see you later, I suppose."
"No supposition necessary." He stood and followed the younger man out.
Len McCoy sat with his young friend. Jim was stewing, Len could feel it. Hell, he could smell it. Jim had given him some wild story about a Vulcan from the past…or was it the future, Len shrugged…this Vulcan had told the cadet that he was to be captain of the Enterprise and Spock would be his first officer. They would become life long friends and have too many adventures to mention. He wanted to get the boy to medical and run a few scans, after all he had the snot kicked out of him on Nero's ship. But Kirk refused. And now he was grumbling that he should still be in charge.
"Boy, I know you and Spock save Earth, but you should be thanking Buddha you aren't being held accountable for your shenanigans back at the Academy." The southern doctor remarked.
"Whatever, Bones. You just don't get it. And you know what I don't get?" The younger man looked over at the table where Uhura was sitting with her two kids. Spock's kids. "How the hell did that green-blooded bastard get her? And not just get her, get her knocked up with those two kids?"
"Jim, let it lie. Just…just let it lie." McCoy couldn't help but smile as T'Sara walked up to him and laid her small hand on his knee.
"Doctor." She smiled. "How are you? Daddy said you were on board, I'm so happy you weren't hurt." Sara motioned for him to move closer, so of course he complied. "Or dead. So many people are dead." She whispered in his ear.
"Oh, sweetheart." McCoy lifted the small girl onto his lap. "I'm sure your daddy will tell you, death is a part of life."
"I know, but he also thinks I'm too young to know that fact. And I think he's right. But Grandma is alive, did you know? And I'm very happy." She smiled up at Bones before looking over at James T. Kirk. "You're the one who made my daddy mad, aren't you?"
"There was a reason, I…uh…" He looked over at McCoy. "Help a guy out here."
"T'Sara, he did what he thought was best at the time." The doctor told the small girl.
"Oh, I know. And so does Daddy. But Mommy, I don't think she likes him too much." She shrugged. "But she likes you." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "And so do I."
"Well, thank you very much, little lady. You just made my day." The country doctor laughed.
"I should get back. We're going to see Grandma in a few minutes. Mommy promised." She giggled.
"Okay, but you come back and visit." McCoy smiled at the small girl.
"Of course. We're on the same ship for awhile." She laid her hand on Jim's knee. "And don't worry, Mommy will get over it."
"Wow, she's something, huh?' Jim smiled as the girl skipped back to her mother.
"Indeed she is. And so is her brother. Spock and Nyota, they're a great family, Jim." McCoy told the younger man.
"Yeah, like I said, he has it all. Gorgeous, sexy wife, cute kids, great parents…" He shrugged and wondered for a moment what his life was like in that other universe. The one where his dad lived and his mother loved him. Jim shook his head to clear those random thoughts.
