Sorry for the delay of the chapter but I was so sick the past days and I just couldn't bring myself to even start my computer. Anyways, enjoy Chapter 15
Her head felt like a mess. And it was throbbing, as was the rest of her body. It took her some moments to remember what had happened before she passed out and then let out a gasp. She shot up, making her feel dizzy.
"Woah, easy there" she felt a hand on her upper arm and winced. She blinked her eyes open and was almost surprised to find Leonard beside her instead of Spock. Then she realized that she was in Med Bay.
"What… happened? How'd I get here?" she mumbled, pressing a hand against her forehead. She heard the buzzing of his medical tricorder "Spock?" she asked
"He's at work at work, I suppose…. Do you remember everything that happened?"
"I'm not too sure… I know that we've been…"
"Okay no, no don't tell me, I don't want to know. Just answer me one question. Truthfully"
"Okay"
"Was everything that has happened consensual?"
"Yes" she said "it was"
"Good" he seemed relieved
"But what happened after I passed out?"
"Well… I only know that I wanted go to bed when your boyfriend called me, almost panicking and told me to come to his quarters because there was an emergency… I found him pacing in his room, only wearing trousers and then I saw you on the bed. He seemed too appalled to tell me anything useful and only assured me that he didn't want that and that he was sorry…"
"So that's why you thought it might have been… non-consensual?"
"Yeah. Well I quickly checked up on you and saw that you were quite alright but told him it was better to bring you to Med Bay. So he wrapped the blanket around you and carried you here, then brought your clothes and disappeared, ordering me to let him know when you woke up"
"Oh. But you didn't work overtime for me?"
"Not really. Checked up on you when we got here again, then instructed the shift leader to call me if you woke up and then went to bed. But I started work about an hour ago"
"What's the time?"
"Twenty past nine. Morning"
"I-I'm too late for work"
"No. I've excused you" he grinned and air quoted "due to 'overfatigue, headache and pain in the limbs'" she frowned
"You made that up"
"Would you have preferred if I had been truthful and wrote that you were literally fucked senseless by a Vulcan?" he grinned and she had to do the same.
"It actually was the mind-meld that was too much" she then mumbled.
"Ah that doesn't sound cool enough. But I think I should be truthful in the report I'll deliver to Spock… I just don't know what I should call the reason for your sickness. Sex accident? Sex game gone wrong?" she chuckled
"What if you described 'fucked senseless' a bit more… formal. Like losing consciousness during coition?"
"Ah I'll come up with something nice" she gave a nod "Well anyway… you seem okay. You're free to leave if you want"
"Don't you have to let Spock know that I'm awake?"
"Hmm well… maybe it's better if you stay for that, yes…." he contacted the bridge and told them that he had a message for Spock. "I want him to know that I'm contacting him because he asked me to and that what he is waiting for has happened" of course there was the Captain, asking what they were talking about.
"Have you found a cure against his problem?"
"What problem?" Sulu asked
"Ah you know what, we discuss this later" Jim decided and ended the transmission.
"I somehow what to know how this discussion goes" she mumbled to herself with a smile
"Sorry, I can't let you do that. You're officially on sick leave" he said, raising his forefinger.
"But I don't even feel too bad" she protested
"Yes but I suppose your head needs some time to heal. Besides, I doubt you could walk two steps straight" she frowned and got ready to leave the bed and realized what he meant. The burning ache in her middle was back and she bit her teeth together before she made a first step "You look like someone who shit their pants"
"Well in contrast to you I was, as you so nicely said, fucked senseless by…"
"Okay, okay I get it. Just try not to fall. Don't want to add broken bones to the list of injuries. And let's not forget that your boyfriend would kill me if anything happened to you" she rolled her eyes.
"Good I'm heading off then" she looked at the medical dress she was wearing "Oh my clothes are still…"
"No they aren't" Leonard said and left only to return with her bundle of clothes some seconds later "your boyfriend brought them here as well"
"Oh" she smiled and made a mental note to thank him later on. As quickly as possible she got changed into her clothes of yesterday and then she bid the doctor goodbye and left for her quarters. After she reached the end of the corridor, she had gotten used to the burning in her middle but it still wasn't pleasant. In her quarters she collapsed onto her bed and let out a sigh. After a while she picked herself up with a groan and got ready to take a shower, now that everyone was at work. She also used the time she spent in the bathroom to examine her body carefully. Her upper body was littered with hickeys in all sizes in a color spectrum from dusky pink to deep red. There also were two bite marks and two hand shaped imprint one on her left breast, the other on her thigh. A part of her wondered how Spock was looking but she had a feeling that he didn't even have one single hickey. She sighed traced her fingers over the bite mark on her neck, already searching for a way to cover it in the following days.
She spent her day on the bed, wrapped up in a blanket and watching movies on her PADD until she received a message on her work PADD. Although she wasn't on duty, she picked it up and had a look. Spock wanted to know how she was doing. A look at the time told her that his shift was over so she decided to get up and pay him a visit in his office, where he most likely still was working. After she knocked, he told her to come in and seemed surprised to see her. Much to her surprise he switched off his PADD and put it away.
"How are you?" she asked "What's the Pon Farr doing?"
"It has ended the moment I have reached my climax. The more important question is how you are feeling" she chuckled and plopped down in the chair, then winced.
"My mind feels… fuzzy and it feels like there's a fire between my thighs"
"My apologies" he said
"It's okay it's nothing. I mean… it's not like nothing happened but it's not that bad"
"Carissa, you were unconscious because of what I did"
"No. It was the mind meld. Too much at once. The rest was fine"
"It should not have happened"
"We can't have known. I'm fine, okay?" she leant over the table and placed a hand on his arm.
"I must have hurt you"
"It's not that bad" he got up and turned away from her
"Yet that does not change the fact that I have hurt you"
"Yes. But you apologized and I said I forgive you. So consider it done. The pain will fade"
"I promise that I will never ask this of you again until the next time I undergo Pon…"
"No" she said determined and got up to stand beside him "Skill comes with practice" he looked at her
"How can you be willing to experience this again?"
"Okay, Spock" she said "Let's assume we go through with your plan… then we'd only have sex again when you get your next Pon Farr… how do you think that would end? The same. But if we do it again and again when you're not experiencing Pon Farr… you might also be able to control yourself when it happens again. It's only logical" she squeezed his arm "how can it be that you, as a Vulcan, has not seen this?"
"I am not able to regard the whole issue with logic yet. There were too many emotions included" she gave a nod
"Then take your time but I'm sure that you'll come to the conclusion that chastity will not solve the problem" she gave his arm a last squeeze then let go of him. He asked if she at least could enjoy it. "Yes. But I have to admit that I liked it more at the beginning… But somehow it's not as bad as I have imagined it. Despite the fact that my body's still aching" she grimaced and for the first time he actually looked at her, slowly tracing his fingers over the bite mark on her neck
"I apologize"
"It doesn't hurt" she assured him.
"What about the hematomas?" his hand travelled down to the hickey that was only halfway covered by the collar of her shirt.
"Well these aren't real bruises. Sure, they look the same because they're caused the same way but they don't hurt. I promise. They really don't hurt if you touch them. I just need to find a way to cover them and everything's perfect" he gave her a 'are you sure?' look and she giggled "I'm really fine"
"Please know that I did not do it on purpose"
"Of course. I think I've even found an explanation why it happened. I mean why you did it" she almost ushered him back to his chair and tool a seat in his lap.
"What reason are you talking about?"
"Biology" she said "I have learned that some animals or even humanoid species have an urge or… tendency to mark their partners. And considering how you behaved when someone else touched me in the past days I'm pretty sure that Vulcans too like to mark their mates"
"That sounds logical" he admitted that he had never thought about it that way
"Well technically sex is all about biology and chemistry. It's just science actually" he raised an eyebrow
"Seeing that I am the Enterprise's Chief Science Officer I believe I truly should deal with it more" now it was her turn to raise her eyebrows
"Wow, I thought you were against dirty talk"
"Are you certain it was?"
"It definitely goes into the right direction" she giggled and pecked his lips. Then she leaned her head against his chest and he placed his hand in her hair, gently stroking it "Do you think things will go back to normal for us?"
"As soon as you can forgive me what I did"
"Oh Spock" she groaned "If you mention that again, I will bloody hurt you so that we're even. Is that clear? And don't you even dare to say that you would deserve it! Or-or that it would be logical if I am mad at you or something like that!"
"I cannot help but notice that your formulation had made it sound like you are angered by something"
"I am not angry… more annoyed that you can't just accept that I've forgiven you and stop blaming yourself" she sighed and traced a finger over his chest. "Instead you could tell me how you liked it. Apart from the fact that you feel guilty from hurting me"
"A part of me was pleasantly surprised. The act was… fascinating" she let out a giggle
"I almost thought you'd say that. And next time we'll make it even better, kay?" she pecked his lips and then pulled away "Now… I'll leave you to your business again… I bet you have a lot to catch up on"
"It is nothing that I could do after you have left" he said and she stared at him in surprise "It would be illogical to send you away after what has happened between us yesterday"
"In other words… you want me to stay?" she grimaced and he agreed, making her smile. "Well then…" she snuggled closer to him and her smile broadened when he placed a hand at the base of her neck. For a while they sat in silence then she had to ask something "About the mind-meld…"
"I am listening"
"It feels like I've seen every single moment of your life…"
"No, I believe it rather were some key memories"
"So you've seen that too? Or did you see my memories?"
"The latter"
"Oh"
"Does that bother you?"
"No… it's more like… unbelievable. You've seen everything I've seen and I've seen everything you saw… though I probably forgot most of it" she looked at him "What do you think will happen if we do it again?"
"It would be too dangerous for you to be in another mind-meld today. Your mind needs time to recover"
"Well you're probably right. Just what do you think would happen? We'd see all those memories again? Or others?"
"I cannot say" he added that he hadn't even known that they'd be able to see each other's memories.
"And the mating bond?" she asked
"It is initiated as well" he said
"So this means now we're mated…. Less than married but more than betrothed?"
"Indeed" she smiled and pecked his lips
"Speaking of this… we could now plan our wedding. I've had another idea… if you want, we can also get married on New Vulcan" he raised an eyebrow
"Seeing that I am only half Vulcan and you are human I believe that a human wedding would be more logical"
"I-if you say so. But only if that is what you want" he took her hand
"I solely wish to get married with you. The ceremony itself does not matter that much to me" she smiled
"Technically it doesn't matter to me either… it's the outcome that counts. But a part is relieved because I have no idea what a Vulcan wedding is like. For humans it's pretty easy. Someone's talking something about the bride or the groom, then he asks them if they want to be wed they say yes and sign the documents, we kiss and it's done"
"Is inquiring them if they are willing to get married not a redundant question?"
"Probably" she giggled "But it's tradition. Centuries ago they got married in churches where the priest was sometimes talking for hours. The more modern weddings only last for about half an hour and it's mostly modest and simple… anyway, does that mean you agree that we get married on the ship?"
"Yes"
Perfect. We could get married on a Saturday evening, after work. Then everyone should have time and most won't need to go to work the next day. If Jim's okay with that, though"
"I suppose we can ask him" she nodded
"Now?"
"If you wish" she thought for a moment then nodded
"Yes, then we can start plan the whole thing… and I still need to tell my parents…" she got up and waited until he had done the same before she took his hand and intertwined their fingers as they walked to the Captain's office
"Come in" he said and seemed surprised to see them "What brings you here?" when Carissa looked at Spock she saw that his cheeks were slightly green when he reported that his Pon Farr was over "Congrats you two" Jim sand and grinned "And, Carrie? How was it? How was he?"
"I uh… none of your concern" she said and crossed her arms
"Are you sore?"
"Ask me one more question and you'll be sore" luckily Spock added that everything around sex was a very, very private matter to Vulcans and that he should never ask either of them about it again.
"Sorry, I didn't know that. Anyway, there's gotta be something you two have or else you wouldn't be here, right? Or was it just to tell me that the Pon Farr is over?"
"No" Spock said and for the first time he seemed truly at a loss for words
"So you want to go to New Vulcan anyway?" Carissa declined and noticed she didn't know what to say either "Ah come on, just tell me"
"As you might remember it has been you who advised me to ask Carissa if she was willing to become my wife"
"Yes?"
"Well I said yes and now we've decided to pull it through"
"Huh? But I thought you were married the second you… you know did it. At least for Vulcans"
"No. That's not a marriage. It's taking a mate if I got that correctly. It is just somewhat similar to a marriage but not the same. Not as strong"
"Sooo you want to go to Earth to get married? Or an outpost or something like that?"
"Actually" Carissa said, glancing at Spock "we thought you could lead the ceremony. On the ship" for a moment Jim was silent then he grinned
"Sure. Anytime. Go on, have a seat and we'll discuss the details. Finally that damn subject about civil weddings proves to be useful"
- oO0Oo -
After the date was set to Saturday in a week, they wanted to invite the guests. Carissa had by now decided that Tomita would be her maid of honor and was searching for a way to tell her.
"You seem nervous" her friend said
"Well…" she looked down "I uh… we're friends, right?"
"Of course. What's wrong"
"Nothing. Actually I wanted to ask if you'd like… to be my maid of honor"
"Maid of… wait what? You're getting married? When? To whom? Why didn't I know about this before?"
"It has been… spontaneous I guess. It's on Saturday in a week"
"And who's the groom? He's working on the Enterprise, right? Bio Lab?"
"Nope. But Science Division"
"The CMO?"
"Leo? No. I can only tell you that he's gonna be the best man"
"Oh don't tell me you're marrying the Captain!"
"And who'd lead the ceremony then?"
"Ah you're getting married on the ship…" she sighed "Just tell me who he is"
"Ah but I'd love to see you guessing a little more…"
"Okay so he's probably best friends with the doctor and works in the Science department too but not the bio lab. Sick Bay?"
"Nah"
"What's his rank? Ensign? Or Lieutenant too?"
"Let me just say he's the only one with this rank on the ship"
"But we already excluded the Captain" she grinned
"What rank is below a Captain?"
"Commander but…." she fell silent "Carissa, are you truly betrothed to the First Officer?"
"Yup" she said and smiled
"Wha… but how? How did you get together? And when? Besides, I don't think he's friends with McCoy. Don't you hear him complaining about the Commander all the time?"
"It's more like teasing. They do respect each other. And Spock considers him as a friend" she grinned "Maybe that's what annoys Leonard so much" Tomita shrugged "Anyways you wanted to know how we got together…" she told her almost everything about their relationship and her friend listened in awe.
"Wow. But you can consider one part of your preparations for the wedding done"
"Which one?"
"Getting a maid of honor" she got up and hugged Carissa "I'm doing it"
"Great. Just know that it won't be a huge party… there will probably only be about twenty guests"
"Oh alright. Is this your wish or his?"
"We both don't have that many friends… better said, mine are mostly on Earth or other ships"
"But I'm here" she pouted, making her giggle "And what about decorations? Will there even be something?"
"Maybe some flowers from the arboretum… or some simple garlands or something. But definitely not too much"
"And your dress?" she asked leaning her chin onto her hand
"I don't know… I'll probably just put on one of those I took with me. It's not exactly a wedding dress but it's fine"
"Do you think the Commander will wear his uniform?"
"Most likely" she giggled "Though I'm trying to make him see sense and put on something else" Tomita nodded
"Do that"
- oO0Oo -
Much to her surprise Spock asked her if she truly was okay with sparse decoration and she agreed, telling him that she truly didn't care what the room looked like and that all that counted was him. Even if she had had certain wishes when she still was a child
"And that was when I imagined that I'd be marrying a prince, mind you" she said with a chuckle. Spock only raised an eyebrow making her grin "My parents basically had the same reaction" suddenly she went quiet "Fuck… they don't even know yet"
"You did not inform them about our plans yet?"
"No. I mean I usually call them once a week… and I planned to do it tomorrow… and tell them" she sighed "What about your father? Did you tell him yet?"
"No I did not"
"Oh" she didn't know if she should ask if he planned to do so or not "I suppose he'll react more sedate than mine… if you tell him"
"I will but I am not sure how to do so"
"Yeah… to be honest I don't know how I'm gonna break it to them either. And then I can explain everything a thousand times and they'll think I'm pregnant or God knows what. And then they want to know if I want to marry a… well 'computerized alien'" despite everything she chuckled "Two weeks ago Mum tried to set me up with a guy I know from primary school. She said just in case I wouldn't find you interesting anymore" she let out a snort. "Oh and they definitely will want to talk to you as well…" she tore her hair "God that's gonna be interesting" she moaned
"Am I right to assume that the last part was sarcastic?"
"Well… it definitely will be interesting… but not in a way I'll like" she said, running a hand through her hair "Do you want to put up with Mum and Dad or shall I just tell them you've got no time?" he agreed to be there, what didn't really surprise her.
- oO0Oo -
What did surprise her, however, was that her parents didn't seem aghast at all. Of course, they didn't want to believe her at first then had the suspicion they were about to become grandparents but after Spock explained everything (leaving out everything that had to do with Pon Farr – what would have definitely given them the rest) they seemed to accept it and were happy for them. Apart from the fact that they couldn't be present at the wedding but Carissa promised they could watch the ceremony during a transmission. She also made sure that she'd call Nicole, Lucie and her friend from High School as well once the ceremony was over and the feast started. At that time, Spock would also make contact to his father so that he could be a part of the party as well.
In the end she couldn't resist but to invite Quentin to the party as well. After all she had let it slip that she was nervous because of the wedding when he said he had noticed about her odd behavior. Spock didn't seem to mind and said it had actually surprised him that she didn't want to invite that many people because he believed that humans wanted to celebrate their wedding with as many guests as possible. She had to admit, had they been on earth she would have invited a lot more people. And a part of her truly wished she would be on earth because she felt bad that her parents couldn't be there and that her Dad couldn't accompany her into the room as he had always promised he would.
But all of her sorrows were nothing compared to the actual day of the wedding. She felt like she couldn't focus on work at all and was glad when it finally was 1730 hours so that she could officially leave the lab and get ready for the ceremony. Tomita had promised to come and help her with the hair although she didn't want to do too much and finally agreed to pin a part of the hair back and let her friend put up some light make-up. After about half an hour she was finished and looked at the mirror
"You like it?"
"Looks a lot better than when I'd have done it" she chuckled before muttering a thank-you.
"I've got to thank… you invited me to the wedding"
"Of course. You're like my best friend on the ship" Tomita laughed
"Hope I am. Anyways… we've still got like 45 minutes until the wedding starts… is there something you want to do?" Carissa cracked her knuckles
"Something distracting" she muttered
"A game?"
"Dunno"
"I know just the thing. You got play cards, right?"
- oO0Oo -
Since her father couldn't be there personally, Carissa called her parents before she entered the room where the ceremony would take place and Tomita held the PADD so that in a way her parents still were with her. When they entered the room, Carissa couldn't help but gasp slightly. There weren't only a couple of flowers on the tables and at the front but also a few petals on the floor where Leonard and his two friends stood. She didn't doubt one second that this had been Spock's doing after she had admitted that as a child, she had imagined that the floor would be covered in rose petals at her wedding. A smile appeared on her face and although she had found the imagination silly lately, she couldn't deny that she liked the way it looked now. When she walked across the room, her smile got broader and when they arrived, Uhura stepped closer and took the PADD from Tomita so that her parents could watch from a better angle. Spock looked at her and gave a court nod whereupon she offered him a smile in return and took his hand. Jim looked around as if to see if everyone was here and when he seemed satisfied, he started the ceremony.
"Being a Captain brings many privileges. But I suppose there is one that can be considered as especially wonderful. The right to wed two people. This is the reason we have gathered here today; to unite you, Carissa Wiley, and you, Spock in the bonds of matrimony. I honestly had never believed that Vulcans are able to feel. But the moment I saw him together with Carissa for the first time I knew that I had been wrong. Because despite all of our differences, love is what we share. And the one that connects the two of you is one of a kind that I could never quite understand. At times, everything just seemed… illogical. On the other hand, it is as if the two of you just belong together and as if you have known each other forever and not just five years and eight months" from behind her, Carissa heard the hushed voice of her mother. Apparently she was trying to tell her father to stop messing with the volume regulation or he'd switch it off completely in the end. "However, now you two have decided to spend the rest of your lives together. Is there anything either of you would like to say?" a little to her surprise Spock spoke up.
"Carissa?"
"Yes?" she said and took his other hand as well, turning to him rather than facing the Captain.
"I could not help but notice that you have not been very intent on letting many people know about our relationship. While I cannot say that I somehow prefer it that way, I still wonder whether one of the reasons you did not inform them is because you were have had enough of the endless questions that concern the relationship. I am certain that you have been asked if I even was able to love you. Although you already know I want you and everyone else in this room to hear it. Carissa, I do love you. More than I would have deemed it possible. For this reason I shall try not to repress this feeling anymore because you deserve a husband that loves you" a shiver ran down her back when she smiled and had to bite back tears.
"Thank you" she whispered and turned to Jim "Can I say something too?"
"Of course" she gave a nod and turned back to the Vulcan
"Spock, I know that you've always been struggling and felt like the odd one out. You're half Vulcan and half human. And do you know what? That makes truly unique, especially to me. Let me tell you that I don't care what you are. You are who you are and you are Spock. What I am trying to say is that I love you the way you are and that you don't have to change anything for me. I am happy that we met and how things evolved between us that finally led to this moment… So please, don't just allow yourself to feel love because you want me to be happy. That wouldn't be right and to be honest it has not bothered me before because I knew you care about be nonetheless" he shook his head
"I made the decision to feel my love for you because I want to and I believe it would be illogical and wrong to not love my wife properly" behind him she heard Leonard snort with laughter and the Captain shot him a glare.
"If neither of you has something to say anymore I will proceed" they agreed and Jim nodded "Then I ask you, Carissa, do you take Spock to be your lawfully wedded husband and to love and honor him in good and bad times as long as the two of you live?"
"I do" she said, squeezing his hands and tried her best to smile
"Spock, do you take Carissa to be your lawfully wedded wife and to love and honor her in good and bad times as long as the two of you live?"
"Yes, I do" he answered, making her smile genuinely. And there also was a flash of something like a smile on his face. Next, they and the witnesses had to sign the documents.
"With the power vested in my by both Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Spock, you may kiss your bride" but the Vulcan did not do anything so Carissa leant closer, got onto her tiptoes and kissed him instead. After a while, his hands cupped her face and he kissed back. When she heard the applauding and cheers around her she smiled slightly. It was the first kiss they shared in public after all. They parted and she placed a hand on his cheek as well, looking into his eyes. "I now declare the party open" Jim said as he stepped beside the doctor and patted Spock's shoulder "Congrats there. Make sure to treat her properly" he said, making Spock raise an eyebrow
"Did I not just promise exactly this mere moments ago?"
"He's got a point though" Leonard said and raised his forefinger "But I warn you. You harm her in the slightest way and I'll make sure you die in a way that'll look like an accident" he patted the Vulcan's back and nodded at Carissa "You'll let me know if the goblin annoys you"
"I don't think he will" she mumbled and let Tomita hug and congratulate her. Then also the rest of the guests approached them to congratulate them. As it seemed Spock wasn't too happy with that, especially with the fact that Chekov hugged him. But finally everyone was done and the guests walked towards the buffet, talking to each other merrily. Carissa looked to Spock "Shall we?" he didn't say anything but extended two fingers to her. With a smile she pressed hers against his and followed the others. Jim handed his friend a knife and then Carissa saw the cake in the middle of the long table with different food, human and Vulcan, on it. Someone had written hers and Spock's name into a heart on top of the cake with blue frosting.
"You've got the honors" Jim said and Spock seemed confused. With a slight chuckle, Carissa placed her hand on the one that held the knife and explained him the tradition that at a human wedding the couple would cut the cake together.
"This custom seems rather illogical to me"
"We don't have to do it if you don't want to"
"I never said I do not want to do it… I merely think it would be logical to wait with the cake after everyone has eaten something else"
"What he's trying to say…" Jim said "Dig in" he pointed at the buffet and everyone scrambled to take a plate and started piling up food on them and took a glass. Spock muttered something that sounded a lot like 'primitive' and Carissa chuckled, waiting until the majority was done. Spock followed her and the next problem was to decide where they wanted to sit. There were three tables and one was occupied by the bridge crew plus Leonard and Scotty while Tomita, Syl, Quentin and Sarah sat at the table next to them.
"Well…" Carissa said not sure where they should sit but then had an idea. She told Sulu and Chekov, who sat at the end of the table to get up and also the people at the second table. Now the two navigators understood what she wanted, moved their chairs away and the scientists moved the table to the other and then pulled over the chairs as well before they sat down again.
"Ah and there Carrie has another great idea" Jim said with a chuckle, raising his glass. He kept it up until everyone was seated and the PADD with Carissa's parents was placed at the other end of the table so that they could watch "To our newly-weds" everyone mumbled something in return and raised their glasses as well, looking at them.
- oO0Oo -
Once they had eaten enough, they pushed the tables aside to have some space in the middle of the room. Carissa only hoped they wouldn't be expected to dance but Jim only wanted to hold a speech and stepped onto one of the chairs
"Great move" Leonard muttered "You're gonna fall off and break your fucking neck, mate" he muttered. So Jim stepped onto a table glaring at his medical officer almost triumphantly. Leonard only rolled his eyes and stood beside Carissa "I swear he's drunk already" he said shaking his head "You should have seen him yesterday when he tried to convince Spock to throw a bachelor party" she chuckled and could imagine that Spock said no right away. "And you know what he answered?"
"I suppose it was a 'no'?"
"Not entirely. He instantly though of a bachelor degree and said that he didn't have one and that therefore is no need for a party. When Jim explained everything, he only said that he doesn't think it would be right to celebrate this…"
"Oi, Bones, shut up" the Captain shouted "I'm about to deliver the greatest speech someone's ever heard at a wedding" Carissa rolled her eyes. The doctor was right, he truly seemed a bit tipsy. She tried to remember how much he had drunken but was interrupted when Jim called her name "I hope you remember how we first met, right? The Kobayashi Maru… I wanted you to participate in my test so badly only to be annoyed by you when you finally were there. You were almost ruining my fun and trying to discourage me. And Spock this test also was the reason we two met and I hated you so much at first… I suppose I should have seen there already how similar the two of you are. But I still was the first person to learn about your relationship when we got you back from that bloody Romulan ship, Carrie. So it was a great honor for me to be the one to marry you two, two of my best friends. Be happy. At least you, Carissa and you Spock… I don't know just… be satisfied and fascinated with your wedding" he gave a nod, raised his glass and emptied it before he hopped down from the table to join Carissa, Leo and Spock "And? How'd you like it?"
"The end ruined it" Carissa said and chuckled
"Oh yeah? You go up there and hold a speech"
"It's not tradition that the wedded couple has to do that"
"But the best man should" Jim said, glancing at the doctor "You heard that, Bones?"
"I'm purposely ignoring you"
"That's an order" before Leonard could say something, Spock remarked that they were all off duty and that the Captain couldn't order something therefore
"Damn, the first time you actually say something I want to hear" Leonard sighed, patting Spock's shoulder. But Jim was already shouting around, asking if someone else wanted to hold a speech but no one said a thing.
"It's fine" Carissa said "We don't need speeches. We just want to enjoy the time with our friends, okay?" she checked the time "Speaking of friends… I should call Nicole, after all I promised. And I'll also want to show Lucie the party later on" she turned to the Vulcan "Do you want to call your father as well?"
"I do not think so"
"But it's your father" Jim said, almost shocked.
"We have agreed that it will be more logical to talk when we both have time and will not be distracted" Carissa knew Spock well enough to notice that there was something else he was holding back "However, I will be contacting Ambassador Spock later on"
"That's great" Carissa said, squeezing his arm with a smile. He placed a hand on hers and she pecked his cheek. "I guess I'll get my work PADD to contact Nicole now" Spock gave a nod and she left the room and went to her quarters
"Nice dress" she heard a man call "Going on a date?"
"You've got no idea" she said with a chuckle as she continued. She contacted Nicole already on the way back and told her about the ceremony
"Wow that sounds great. I wish I could have been there"
"Don't worry, you'll be there soon. My parents are also virtually here…"
"That's nice" she arrived at the rec room Jim had booked for tonight and entered. Carissa showed her friend around then placed the PADD on the table with the food, next to her parents so that she could watch better. A part of her felt bad to just deposit her but she also couldn't carry her around all the time. Later, she ended the call with Nicole and contacted Lucie instead to show her around a little as well. Although by now Sarah and Sulu had already left the party. Not much later, Syl carried the PADD with Carissa's parents to her
"It's already late… are you sure you don't want to end the party soon?"
"No, we don't need to go to work tomorrow. Or at least not Alpha shifts"
"Alpha?"
"That's the shift for bridge crew, doctors and engineers that goes from 0800 to 1600 hours" she explained "Then there's Beta and Gamma shift"
"But you work from 0900 to 1730, right?"
"Yeah. Because all the labs and other departments that aren't that important work only one shift, during that hours. Of course we sometimes need to work outside these hours in certain situations"
"Oh alright. But we'll go to bed now… after all we open the restaurant tomorrow"
"Oh sure. We'll talk another time. Bye Mum, Bye Dad"
"Carissa wait!"
"What?" she asked her mother
"About tonight. I know that the two of you will… you know. Just be careful because you have no idea what his species will be like" she rolled her eyes
"Yes Mum. It's not even said we will do it" she admitted. After all she and Spock had agreed not to force themselves into it again and just see what happened. Even if it would take them fifty tries, on different days until they finally were both ready.