Baby Book - Phase Three
Chapter Fifty-Six - Help for McCoy
Early January, 2275
The Enterprise was still in space, near the Potemkin, to transfer a passenger. McCoy was there, in the transporter bay, to greet her. When the shimmers subsided, a tall Vulcan woman stood there. McCoy advanced to her, bowing slightly. "Healer T'Nara, greetings. I am Leonard McCoy, at your service."
T'Nara stepped down off the elevated deck, and nodded to him. "I hope that I will be able to assist you with your problem. I do have experience in this area."
"If you will accompany me, I will first show you the quarters that have been assigned to you, and then take you to sick bay."
"And when will I see the patient?"
"In about an hour, if that meets your approval."
"Yes. Very good." She picked up her small bag and followed him.
Nyota stepped into sick bay, and there was Len, and by his side was the healer that had delivered all of the S'chn T'gai babies on New Vulcan. She breathed a sigh of relief. Not that Len hadn't done everything he could to make things easier for her, but this was his first case like this, and he really wasn't entirely sure what he was doing sometimes. She walked forward, and Len introduced her, and she gave the expected greetings in Vulcan, and saw the pleasure in T'Nara's eyes. And then they were whisking her into the private examining room and she was on the biobed while they talked over her head as though she wasn't even there.
T'Nara pointed out one thing after another on the monitors, and discussed them with Len. Nyota listened as closely as she could, but some of the medical jargon was just beyond her. She wished Spock was here to help her remember all of this. As though her thought had conjured him, he appeared in the doorway, slipping into the room and closing the door securely behind him. He came to stand near her shoulder, and reached down to take her hand in his, soothing her. When T'Nara looked up, she only nodded at him.
When the examination was complete, T'Nara came, and ran her hands softly over Nyota's belly, which was just beginning to swell. She closed her eyes, and concentrated, sliding her fingers down under the waistband of the loose pants Nyota wore until she had good skin contact. And then she began to speak, slowly, describing the status of the twin fetuses. And then she spoke of Nyota's condition. McCoy was holding a recorder near her, picking up everything she said and did.
Eventually, she stepped back and opened her eyes, looking just slightly shaky. McCoy hurried to slid a chair behind her, and she sat gratefully. She turned to look at Spock and Nyota. "I am glad to be of service to maat S'chn T'gai again. It is quite unusual to be able to assist in the care of a twin pregnancy. I have never done this before. The dual feel of the developing fetuses is very odd, but strangely compelling. I shall remember it always." She dipped her head slightly. And then she drew in a breath and continued. "The developing infants are strong and healthy. You need have no fears there. Commander Spock, it is time that you began to reach out to them. If you do not stimulate their minds now, they will grow towards each other overmuch. I did study on this before coming here."
Spock nodded, indicating understanding.
Now she turned her face wholly towards Nyota. "Lieutenant Commander Uhura, it will unfortunately be necessary for you to rest much during the coming months. There is continual danger of more copper leakage, with two fetuses. Dr McCoy is correct to scan you every day. I detect no major problems at this time, but you must drink more water to conserve the function of your kidneys."
Nyota nodded. Len spoke up then. "I keep meanin' to put one of those bottle dispensers on the bridge and always seem to forget it. I'll get it done today, darlin', don't you worry about it." She grinned at him, hoping that T'Nara understood his familiarity.
T'Nara waited until everyone quieted down again, and then continued. "I will stay and monitor the fetuses every day for a week, and then I must return to my other patients. I have several herbal remedies which I have brought with me to share with Dr McCoy, which I believe will relieve some of the symptoms which will occur later. These proved very efficacious in the management of problems with the other human women of the clan."
Spock thanked her, and squeezed Nyota's hand. It was a relief to hear that there were no added complications at this time, and that the fetuses were developing normally. He helped Nyota up off the biobed, and they took their leave, going down the corridor to pick up their children.
That evening, after Grayson and Amanda had finished their lessons, he had Nyota lay on the couch, and he sat on the floor beside her, with their children beside him. He laid one hand low on her belly, and felt the bright sparks of his sons' minds. Very carefully, he wound himself about them, making himself known. There was curiosity, awareness. He reached for Grayson's hand, and very, very cautiously led him into the meld. He felt Grayson's joy and awe at touching the budding awareness of his new brothers. Softly, he withdrew and dropped Grayson's hand, finding Amanda's waiting there for him. He drew her in more slowly, not so sure of her control, but she was so careful, so subdued, that he praised her when they had withdrawn.
Nyota looked down at her husband and children, sitting there, holding hands, faces aglow. A few happy tears trailed down her face. How could anything possibly go wrong when there was so much love?
