Hi and welcome to the third book of the Further series. In order to understand everything, I recomment reading "Threshold of Space" and "Passing Boundaries" first.
Enjoy!
Going back to work was almost impossible for her after what she had just been told. She couldn't explain it. How could Spock and she have conceived a child? She had gotten a ten year contraceptive shot that would still be potent for more than three months, until November. But that question was almost nothing in contrast to her nervousness to tell her husband. So a part of her hoped the day would never end but finally it was 1730 hours and she could go. Instead of returning to the quarters she shared with Spock, she occupied one of the offices on deck 5 to work on some reports that were due in a week. Her mind, however, wasn't fully focused on the task and far too often strayed to the being that was growing inside her. After a while she also realized that at some point she must have placed a hand on her stomach and started smiling. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and the very person she was trying to avoid entered.
"Spock" she said "What brings you here?"
"You have not returned to our quarters yet"
"I was trying to finish something" she said "Sorry, I should have let you know"
"Has something happened that saddens you? You seem upset, k'diwa"
"It's nothing" she said
"Is this about the seedling you are carrying within you?"
"I uh… How did you get that idea?" he pointed at her body and she realized that her hand still was on her stomach "Oh" he stepped closer
"Carissa, if it unsettles you that much I will talk to doctor McCoy about having it removed tomorrow instead of waiting to examine it more."
"What?" she almost choked on her spit "N-no"
"This is what is bothering you about it. You do not wish for it to be removed" for a moment he was silent and she gulped.
"No that's not it, Spock… I-I…" her voice broke and then her husband started telling her how dangerous the plant was for her body and that she couldn't keep it because it would eventually kill her and there was no way to prevent it. Finally, she had had enough of his lecture, got up and pressed a hand to his mouth to shut him up "Spock listen, I didn't get pregnant on that planet, okay?"
"That is not possible, Carissa, even the males were impregnated"
"Because it found a place to nest, yes"
"Carissa, a contraceptive shot is not able to prevent it, as I have told Junior Lieutenant Jenkins earlier today" she sighed
"You know how such a ten year shot works, right? It kind of makes up a substance in the uterus that just cripple a man's semen when they come in so that they can't do anything. There are other versions but they only work for shorter periods of time. Like one has the option to just prevent an ovulation, and there's one that tricks your body into believing you are pregnant. But that only works for three months"
"Exactly"
"I know you think that the plant didn't give a shit about these hormones that destroy semen and whatever and would have just implanted itself into my uterus if it could have…" she took a deep breath "But it couldn't because, well… the lining of the womb was already occupied" she looked at him but apparently he hadn't caught on yet.
"How can it be occupied?" she let out a giggle
"Sometimes you can be a little daft for a Vulcan" she pecked his lips "I was trying to explain it biologically for you but apparently you need to hear it plainly spoken. I'm pregnant" she took his hand and intertwined their fingers "We-we're gonna have a baby" there was no reaction from his side what really made her nervous. After ten seconds she placed her hand on his cheek "Spock? Say something. Please. You're making me nervous. A-are you mad? Disappointed?" he still remained silent "Spock please" she whimpered, feeling tears in her eyes. Ever so slowly, he placed a hand at the side of her face and before she knew it, she was flooded with emotions that weren't hers. Confusion. Worry. Joy. Pride. Surprise. Nervousness. Bliss. Excitement. Happiness. He took his hand away and looked at her, his lips twitching upwards for the fraction of a second.
"Does that answer your question?"
"Mhm" she mumbled and leaned her head against his chest "But why didn't you say something in the beginning?"
"I was trying to find out how it has happened and control my emotions"
"Oh I've been wondering that as well…" she started rambling about how she had gotten her contraceptive shot ten years ago and he took hold of her shoulders
"Carissa, are you certain that it has been a contraceptive shot for all humanoids and not solely humans?"
"The doctor even asked me if I wanted the just human or other one. And I wanted the anti-alien too… and as I said, it should still be in use for three months. Do you think that something changed it? Maybe a chemical or something?" he was silent then started listing factors that could have influenced the efficacy of the shot, when she suddenly remembered something "Oh wait… I think I've found the missing bit… I wanted the shot that is effective for different humanoids, yes. But then the doctor said it would take about a week or so until they had it and then it's not effective for a month and I calculated then it would be too late because I wanted my first time to be on Finn's birthday and it was a month away… so I chose the human one solely. Respectively Finn was at the place with me and said I should get the other one so that it will be efficient early enough…" she let out a groan and tore her hair "You know I thought 'How high's the possibility I'll get a non-human partner within the next ten years?' before I actually agreed" she snorted "Well seems like I did anyway. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have forgotten that. Or at least asked myself if it actually was one against all humanoids earlier" she leant her head against his chest "God, I'm stupid. I'm sure you hate me now" he placed two fingers under her chin and gently lifted her face
"That is not correct. The time of your pregnancy is not favorable but I am certain that everything will be alright"
"But…." she swallowed "Do you even want a child or not?"
"I have never considered the possibility in the past years. However, I have thought that eventually I should have one, as duty to my people"
"So basically you wanted kids but not right now?"
"Yes" she breathed out in relief
"But what about now… I mean…" she fell silent "okay, I don't know what I even wanted to ask. Just tell me you are 100% certain you are okay with this. A baby will change much"
"I am aware of the changes but I am willing to make them. As for your first question, I cannot say yet to what percentage I am satisfied with the turn of events but it has happened and cannot be changed" she let out a huff
"Sometimes when you say "it can't be changed', I don't know if you're okay with it or not. I mean you might be okay but I don't know if you're happy or unhappy"
"Carissa" he cupped her face "As you have felt yourself, my emotions regarding the matter are on the positive side. This has not changed" she smiled
"Sooo" she said, running a finger over his chest "when do you think we should let the others know?" he raised an eyebrow
"When it becomes relevant, I suppose"
"Can you promise me one thing? Please don't tell Jim alone. I want to be there too and see his reaction"
"Of course" he said.
"Do you want to be there when I tell the other biologists?"
"The decision is yours to make"
"I'm fine either way. But I guess I'll wait a couple of weeks anyway"
"I understand. If you let me know sufficiently early I will be there"
"That's good" she gave a nod and pecked his lips.
"Would you like me to leave so that you can finish your work?" she grimaced
"Well actually I only stayed here because I wanted to stall this talk… I was afraid you could be mad at me and well…"
"Carissa, reproduction is what most beings strive for and could be described as one of the main purpose in life. Feeling angered at your mate for conceiving a child is highly illogical"
"Nice to know. But what about the fact I was too stupid to remember I had a contraceptive shot that's only efficient for humans?"
"In case you can remember, I have never even inquired if you use contraception at all" she developed the thought further
"Meaning that if you absolutely hadn't wanted a child you would have seen to it that we can't conceive one or so? Even if that is forbidden for Vulcans?"
"Correct" she sighed in relief.
"Well… then shall we? Or do you want to mediate a little first?" he declined, saying he'd do that before he went to bed.
"We could go and eat dinner if you want"
"Yes. Give me a minute" she pecked his lips and went back to the desk to save the report and switched off the PADD. "I'll just bring this back to the lab"
-oO0Oo-
It took both her and Spock a couple of days until the news had fully sunken in and to even discuss what they wanted to do before and after the baby was born, if it was good for her to continue the mission. She had also decided that she wanted Leonard to be the doctor who accompanied her through the pregnancy and to her surprise he promised her to get more information about Vulcan pregnancies and Vulcans in general to help her. Because he, Spock and Carissa knew that it wouldn't be a bed of roses for her. Of course it made her nervous but she knew she was in the best hands and that neither of them would let anything happen to her. Spock had also informed her that their baby would be the first quarter Vulcan that had ever been conceived and so they would need to figure a lot out. He also mentioned that it could be that their child wouldn't survive the next two years because he was the first Half Vulcan to reach maturity. She insisted they made a list with all the Vulcan/Human hybrids that had ever been conceived and try to find out what has caused the baby's death. They quickly discovered that if the mother was Vulcan, the baby had died even before halftime of the pregnancy whereas only 2 of the 5 hybrids that grew within humans weren't even born. Two other babies had died within the first three months of their lives. And then there was Spock. Carissa spent most of her free time staring at the table and tried to figure out what had been done different in his case but they were lacking a lot of details. After three days she had no choice but to forget about it because it would have driven her insane otherwise. Besides, she had other problems at the moment, namely her morning sickness that made her spend clutching the toilet bowl at least half an hour. A couple of days she even got an evening sickness that confined her to the bathroom for ten minutes.
As if that wasn't enough, her appetite disappeared and anything she ate upset her stomach greatly. Needless to say that the doctor and the Vulcan were worried about that, especially when she started to lose weight and was constantly tired. On the third day Spock had had enough. He told her that if they couldn't find anything she could eat within the next 24 hours he would talk to Leonard about an abortion
"No" she shouted, pressing a hand to her stomach as if to protect the unborn "You can't do that"
"Carissa, of what use is it if you die? Then the embryo will perish as well"
"But I'm not gonna die! We'll find something. You might not feel bad about this at all but I care about our child, Spock" she crossed her arms "I'll be on my old quarters" she said before storming away. To her surprise, Leonard was the one who came to see her
"Spock's told me what he's planning to do if you can't eat anything"
"And you're surely against it"
"Hate to admit it but he's got a point. It would be logical. You cannot die because of the baby, okay?"
"You too?"
"Carissa look" he took a seat beside her after a sigh "If you can't keep anything you eat within you you'll die, you know that. All I can do is extend the period of time before we give up"
"But this shouldn't be. We found out that in three out of five cases both mother and baby survived the pregnancy"
"Yes. But we're talking about another hybrid here, a quarter Vulcan. Maybe they're different. Or not even meant to be"
"But I can't just kill it" she sniffed running her hand over her shirt
"Come on, we'll try to find you something to eat. There has to be something that baby won't spit out right again" she couldn't help but chuckle and got up, following him to the nearest rec room "What would you like? Chicken soup? Vegetables?"
"Well I'd really love to have some chocolate pudding but I guess you won't let me have it" she sighed "Chicken soup. Or no just a vegetable soup"
"The golden mean. Sounds good" he chuckled and got her a bowl which he sat her down at a table and then got himself a steak with potatoes.
"That's mean" she said, pointing at his food
"Make sure you get used to food again and you might have some" she rolled her eyes and carefully sipped the soup from her spoon. "You know what you could try?"
"Hm?"
"Belly rubs. Maybe if your digestion works better you won't vomit it all out again. Helped me when I was 'pregnant' with the seedling" he said, referring to the plant that had impregnated him on a planet a bit more than two weeks ago and which was the reason that Carissa's pregnancy was discovered so early.
"I've tried that before but thanks. It can't hurt to do it again"
"Have you tried Vulcan food?"
"Of course I did…"
"Sounds like it was of no use"
"Of course not or else I wouldn't be here" she sighed and put her spoon away when she felt sick again.
"Full up?"
"Sick" she said, pressing a hand over her stomach.
"And when that happened in the past days you just stopped eating?"
"Yes"
"Why don't you try to eat just a little more?"
"I don't know…"
"Do it" she sighed and took another three spoons before she knew it definitely hadn't helped and she stormed out of the room, pressing a hand to her mouth and ran to the closest bathroom she knew and vomited into the sink.
"Well Leo, your idea didn't help" she muttered and cleaned her mouth before she went back to the rec room and sat down in her chair
"And?"
"What do you think I did? The soup's in the sink now"
"Damn it" he ate a few more bites "Tell me, your evening sickness, did it always come after you had dinner? Or sometimes before?"
"It's really different. Usually it happens at around 1800"
"So you already had it today?"
"Nah"
"Then try and eat something after it's over"
"I've tried that too. And I just throw it up too"
"Can you make me a list with the food you have tried out so far? Or maybe we can also work with vitamin shots and stuff like that until we've found a solution"
"Yeah" she let out a yawn "We try that tomorrow" she sat there until her friend had finished eating and then returned to her shared quarters. Spock wasn't there and she didn't know if she was glad or not. She got changed into her pajama and sat down on the bed to wait until her evening sickness was over that she could go to bed. Her husband returned only moments before she had to rush to his bathroom, so that she didn't even had a chance to talk to him or apologize for their fight. The door of the bathroom opened and he came in, sitting down beside her and wrapping an arm around her "I'm sorry" she choked out "not for that" she pointed at the toilet "But for my reaction earlier"
"You do not need to apologize. I can understand why you have reacted the way you did. Believe me, losing the embryo is not what I wish for but it is better than losing both of you" he said quietly.
"I know it's better to… you know… remove the baby than letting me die. But I don't know if I could live with myself if I did. It feels like murder" she sobbed and another wave of nausea hit her with which something more came up. "I-I hate vomiting. Always did. And yet here I am now, throwing up almost four times a day" she muttered "God I hate this" she leaned her head against the bowl of the toilet and let out a sigh. Spock's hand started caressing her hair and he waited until she felt better, then helped her up.
"I have cooked you a plomeek soup in case you have not eaten yet" she grimaced
"I've already eaten and vomited dinner, which basically means I haven't eaten anything. I'll try it" she squeezed his arm "And please don't think I'm offending your kitchen skills if I'm in the bathroom only ten minutes later" oddly, however, she did feel a little sick as she started eating but not like she was about to vomit. In fact, she even managed to eat the whole soup (with two short breaks though) but then her stomach had settled. She was sitting on the bed and only waiting for the nausea to kick in again, ready to head to the bathroom but the expected sickness didn't come. Even after it was 2000 hours she still felt alright and got up to hug Spock "I think it worked" she whispered into the crook of his neck "How did you do that?" he raised an eyebrow
"I have solely cooked the soup"
"With fresh ingredients?"
"Yes…"
"That must be it" she mumbled "Baby doesn't like the replicated food" he lifted her head and gently kissed her before he let go of her and contacted the doctor
"What is it now, Cass?"
"It is I, Spock"
"Oh. What do you want?"
"I am positive that I have found a solution for Carissa's problem"
"Really?"
"Affirmative" he explained what he had done and Leo gasped
"There must be a mistake. I'm sure that she would be vomiting even harder if it was something you have cooked"
"Doctor McCoy, I do not know what you are referring to"
"Forget it. You're even too dumb to be insulted" he muttered "But that's a good point with fresh ingredients. Keep going with that in the next few days and then I'll tell the Captain we have to get a lot more fresh food from the next planet or wherever we are"
-oO0Oo-
Their idea turned out be correct. As soon as Carissa only ate food that didn't come from the replicator, she could keep it in. Leonard was super happy with the development and Spock added that maybe they could try to slowly accustom the baby to replicated food in a couple of weeks. The only one who didn't seem too pleased about the whole matter was the Captain. But he still had no idea of the pregnancy and so Carissa found herself being called to the bridge with the request to explain him 'why the fucking heck Bones had ordered a good ton of vegetables for her in Spock's name' She chuckled to herself and headed towards the bridge.
"Hey" she said, instantly moving over to Spock who lifted his hand to squeeze hers quickly before he focused on work again.
"Oh hey Carrie" Jim said when he noticed her, nodding at her "It's not like I'm gonna decline the order but I do wonder what this is all about. Have you joined the vegetarians? Or do you want to make your plant a cannibal? Or get revenge on her by eating her friends"
"No" she said and glanced to Spock who, after he threw a look at her, got up and held his first two fingers against hers
"Okay, guys, I know that this probably is something Vulcan but please tell me this is not some obscenity you're performing there. After all he's on duty" the Captain said, pointing at their hands
"Oh no" Carissa said, looking at Spock "It's almost the same as holding hands. A tiny bit more intimate… maybe like a cuddle?"
"Ah. That's cute. As long as it's not something like making out…" he said and Carissa grinned, slowly moving her fingers against Spock, which actually was making out
"No, pressing fingers against each other is not that" she said, fully aware of the amused look Spock was giving her
"Good. I think it's cute how his hand just subconsciously wanders into yours whenever you're together"
"Oh believe me," Carissa said "Vulcans basically never to things 'subconsciously'. It's always intended"
"You're trying to tell me that Mr 'I don't like being touched' Spock likes to hold your hand or better said give you Vulcan cuddles?"
"That is correct" Spock answered himself
"Damn, you old romantic" he chuckled "Anyway, Carrie, please, reveal the secret about your vegetables"
"You know, the thing is" she started, glancing to Spock "Spock and I… we're pregnant"
"To use the plural form in this case is neither correct nor logical seeing that I have merely been involved in the conception and you are…"
"Woah" Jim said, raising his hand "I didn't want to know it that exactly. Thanks, for the mental cinema" he took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking back up "You're pregnant?"
"Yes" she said, beaming and before she knew it, everyone was getting towards them to congratulate them, what didn't seem to please her husband too much. But Jim only sat in his chair and looked like he had just seen a ghost.
"Captain?" Spock asked
"I'm only trying to figure out what has happened… or rather how this happened"
"I am certain you have been told how a baby is conceived?"
"God yes and don't you even dare trying to explain it" slowly he got up and pulled Carissa into a bone crushing hug "Congrats" he said then patted Spock's arm "But what's this got to do with your vegetables?" Carissa explained that this was the only thing you could eat "That bad?"
"Mhm" she agreed, placing a hand on her stomach
"Well then I'll happily get you everything you need. If you ever have a concern, don't hesitate to let me know"
"Thanks"
"Oh you can thank me by making me godfather"
"Since you are neither the father nor a god, I do not see a logical reason for us to do so" Jim started laughing and explained what a godfather was "Then I suppose it would be more logical to name doctor McCoy the godfather since he has and will be doing more for both my wife and our baby in the course of the pregnancy"
"Ouch" Sulu said and grinned "I still remember how Ben and I tried to find a godmother for our daughter"
"Right I forgot you have a child too" Carissa said.
"That's okay. If you ever need something… advice or so, I'm here"
"Thanks" she said
"Okay let me get this straight" Jim said, crossing his arms "Bones knew you're pregnant and I didn't? Why?" he turned to Spock and told him it was mean, whereupon the Vulcan replied that it just hadn't been relevant to mention it "But that's what friends do. Speaking of friends… I gotta have a conversation with Bones about friendship…" Spock raised an eyebrow and Carissa chuckled, knowing it probably had to do with her pregnancy and the fact that Leonard hadn't said anything.
"Well uh… do you still need me or can I go back to work?"
"Work? You're working?"
"I do not see a reason why she should not" Spock defended her and Jim glanced at him
"Good alright. But as First Officer and her husband it's your job to make sure she gets her maternity leave early enough. I don't think carrying a baby Vulcan inside you is funny"
"Captain, I assure you that Lieutenant Wiley's and the embryo's health and welfare are one of my highest priorities"
"Good. Then off to work with you. All of you"
-oO0Oo-
The next people she told about her pregnancy were Nicole and Lucie. As she had imagined, they both were over thrilled and wanted to know the details and asked if they could be godmother. Carissa also knew that she should tell her parents but somehow she was pretty afraid of their reaction. She surely would be getting an endless lecture. Good thing she was married, so she could just claim it was planned. However, while she still was searching for a good way to tell her parents, she had to let the rest of the bio lab know, almost forcedly. She came back from lunch and saw how everyone was sitting at Jarell's table, watching something on a PADD
"What's going on?" she said
"My brother has just sent me photos of his wedding"
"Oh, that must be nice for him. I hope he has a great day"
"I'm sure he has"
"I didn't even know you had a brother"
"Yeah" most others agreed and suddenly Carissa realized that they actually didn't know a lot about each other. So she quickly made a decision
"Okay, listen. Everyone take your chairs and we'll sit down in a circle"
"Why?"
"I think we really should get to know each other a little bit"
"Oh that sounds good" Sarah said and dragged her chair to the middle of the room and the others followed her.
"What shall we do?"
"How about a kind of game? Like someone says 'I have a brother' and everyone who has a brother too has to stand up"
"Sounds fair" Paul said with a nod.
"Good. Or do you have other ideas?" they were silent and so Carissa decided that was what they should do. "And maybe the person who has said the thing should give a fact about it. Like the name of the brother or the age or something"
"Perfect" Yvonne said
"Who will start?"
"Why don't we just start with the brothers? Anyone who has a brother get up. And my brother is called Richard and he's 37" William suggested and four of them got up.
"I have a sister. Her name is Gabriela and she's 19" Ben said and six people got up
"I have no siblings" Yvonne said and also Carissa got up with the all those who hadn't gotten up "Well I suppose I can add that I almost had had a younger brother but my Mum had a miscarriage"
"Oh no, I'm sorry" next Jarell said that his parents had thrown him out when he applied at Starfleet Academy. Luckily, no one else got up and Jarell told them the reason why his parents were against Starfleet. Then it was Paul's turn
"I'm happily married" Carissa and Endrin got up "And uh… I think I'll just tell you that I was an alcoholic before I was accepted at Starfleet Academy"
"I… well don't really have such a special thing to say but I've got a girlfriend" Gino said and Quentin and William got up "And I'm planning to ask her to marry me when we're back from the mission"
"I have a boyfriend" Verralaa said and no one else got up "And I don't think I can add anything to this but I'd like to add that I had a girlfriend before I came together with him… I'm bisexual, which is rather rare for Orions" now Carissa had to say her thing and she took a deep breath
"There's something I should tell you all… I'm with child"
"What?" Sarah squeaked and all the others stared at her in disbelief
"Aren't you the youngest of us?" Ben asked
"Could be" she said with a shrug
"And you're married and pregnant?"
"Yeah…"
"Was it planned?" Gino asked and she shook her head
"No"
"Okay, I don't care what you wanted to tell us… you have to let us know who the father is" Yvonne said
"That's what I've wanted to be my extra information… though it's not exactly news to everyone" she smiled "I married only a couple of weeks ago, in March"
"Wait, so you're married to someone on the ship?"
"Who?" William asked
"I bet it's the CMO" Ben said
"Why does everyone always assume it's him?"
"Because you seem pretty close. Or you and the Captain" Yvonne said, then paling "No, don't tell me you're Miss Kirk?"
"No, no way"
"Okay will you ever tell us who your husband is or not?" Verralaa asked. The brunette smiled and licked her lips slowly, enjoying their excitement
"My husband… is Spock" she said, looking at them and wasn't disappointed when she saw the shock on their faces
"Spock as in the ever grumpy, Mr perfect logic Commander pointy?" William asked
"No. Spock as in Commander Spock" she corrected "he's done nothing wrong so don't be mean to him"
"As if he'd care. Vulcans don't feel. And that's why I don't think it's a good idea if he's with you… he can't even love you"
"Excuse me but he can" Quentin said to her surprise "I've been at their wedding and seen them on the bridge once"
"It's true. They are a very cute couple" Sarah said
"You knew?" Yvonne asked
"I would have told everyone but I was afraid of your reactions…" she said
"For a good reason, Carissa, he is a bloody Vulcan. Do you actually think he is good for you?" William asked
"I'd be dead without him" she replied, truthfully. After all he had saved her life several times and the timeline in which he had died as a child was another proof
"But how could you get pregnant?"
"I thought you're a biologist" Carissa retorted "Or would you like me to tell you about the flowers and bees?"
"Stop fighting, please. She's happy so accept that. She just told us she's pregnant and we all were happy for her right? The fact who the father is shouldn't change that" Sarah said and Carissa nodded.
"Exactly" Endrin said "And I have to admit that I actually hate pets. No matter if it are dogs, cats, rabbits, fish or whatever. Animals only belong on the plate. Or analyzed in a lab"
-oO0Oo-
As if it had been fate, Spock dropped by at the lab before they could leave with the information that they were looking for one or two biologists to accompany them to a planet that was about to appear in front of them. She gave a nod and turned to her subordinates
"You hear that? Who wants to go onto a planet to watch its nightlife and the sunset?" but as it seemed, her colleagues were more occupied with staring at them both as if they expected them to make out right in front of them. Obviously Spock had noticed that as well and he raised an eyebrow "Hellooo? Anyone home?" Carissa asked waving her hand
"I'll go" Paul instantly offered and shortly after Yvonne asked if she could go too.
"Of course. Perfect" she turned to Spock "There you got your biologists, Sir"
"Thank you, Lieutenant" then he told the two to come with them so that they could be instructed. Before he left, however, Carissa grabbed his sleeve.
"I told them about us and the baby, by the way" she muttered under her breath "Just in case they mention something…"
"I understand" he gave a nod and she let go of him and Yvonne and Paul left the lab after him
"Sooo" Verralaa started "is it always like this between the two of you?"
"Of course not"
"How can you even distinguish between work and free time with him? I mean what if you want to do something… private and he wants to discuss something about work?"
"Oh we've figured an easy system for that. When we first meet after work we greet each other. And if I have nothing about work to discuss I'll just call him by his name and if there's nothing about work from his side he uses my name too. However, if one of us still has to discuss something that concerns work we use the formalities" she gave a shrug "Doesn't mean we're always following protocol when discussing something then. I can happen that we're closer that is normal for just colleagues"
"Closer as in?"
"Distance" she said
"Oh"
"And what about when you're in bed… you know? Is it 'Sir' too or maybe 'Ma'am?"
"Hell no" she said after she realized what Jarell meant "Besides it's none of your concern. Now back to work, the shift isn't over yet"
"The questioning neither"
-oO0Oo-
Somehow Carissa was surprised when Spock didn't come to bed at all in that night and the next morning she couldn't help but drop by on the bridge to see if he was okay. It relieved her when she saw him sitting on his chair and then left to go to work herself.
On that same evening, her parents called and she knew that she probably needed to tell them about the baby now. Spock was there too so she told him to come to be there as well.
"You're what?" her mother cried after she blurted out the news "How did that happen?"
"Well how do you think it did?"
"But he's Vulcan!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just look at them. They don't like they'd ever… you know touch anything of the other gender"
"If that was the case Vulcans had died out centuries ago if not earlier" she corrected.
"You could have been more careful. What about the contraceptive shot you got?"
"Well… turned out it was one that's only effective for humans"
"But he is half human"
"Half being the operative word" she sighed and heard her father from the background, asking what was going on
"Oh Henry, come here and listen what our daughter has to tell us" there was a long sigh followed by footsteps and then her father appeared on the screen as well
"What is it, darling? And hello to the both of you too."
"Hi Dad… "
"You're gonna be granddad" her mother interrupted
"What?" it took him a while, then he smiled "Really? That's wonderful, little one. Though we'll probably have a new little one. How far along are you?"
"You support her?"
"Of course. She's old enough to know what she wants and she's married. We too were her age at that time"
"But… she's our daughter"
"And she is in space. She is an adult and we need to respect that"
"But I want grandkids that I can play with. Not such that try to calculate Pi and never laugh"
"Well maybe they'll raise the baby the human way?"
"What if not? What if she goes to Vulcan and becomes like them?"
"Muuum" Carissa moaned "We're still here and hear you. You called to talk to me and not to gossip about me with Dad"
"But that news you gave us… how could I not? Carissa, you have to come home"
"What? No"
"It's too dangerous out there! What if the ship crashes? Or if you get abducted by aliens?"
"But Rachel, if that happened she'd be lost even without the baby"
"That's what I'm saying, Henry she should have never gone out there. Space is dangerous we don't know what kind of dangers are lurking out there"
"That's our job to find out. Besides, what do you think? That the Captain just says 'Okay, short journey back to Earth'? Mum, we're God knows how many lightyears away from Earth, just turning around out here isn't a good idea"
"682.376" Spock said
"What?" Rachel asked
"Lightyears we're away from Earth probably" her husband gave a nod
"That's not possible! You only started two years ago. You can't be six hundred years away"
"Lightyears, Mum. Warp is quicker than lightyears. It's like you say that you're 5 walking hours away but you took the car and arrived there in less than half an hour"
"Then it can't take you too long to come back home anyway"
"Mum…" she groaned "I'll be back in three years"
"And then your child already is three years old"
"Two and a couple of months" she corrected with a sigh.
"Carissa that's still old"
"So what? It's only your grandchild"
"And it probably is the only one we'll ever get"
"If you want a baby so badly then adopt or make one" she said with a groan
"What does his father say?"
"What?"
"His father" she pointed at Spock
"Why don't you ask Spock yourself?"
"What does your father say to all of this?"
"I have not told him about this yet"
"Why?"
"God Mum, that's not important"
"But that shows that he has no good relationship to his father. What if he's the same with your baby?"
"Mrs Wiley, I assure you that I do not wish to be like my father in the slightest when our child is born"
"That's something" her father said
"No, Henry, we don't know what his father is like. Maybe he was a good father and he wants to be a not so good father"
"Who would want to be a bad father?"
"Exactly. So please, calm down and let's forget this and tell me something about your week
"My week has been fine. As always. Isabella came over for a coffee on Tuesday"
"There you go" Carissa muttered with a glance at Spock and pecked his cheek.