Ti[m]es That Bond
By Ma Anders
Author's Note: This story (which has taken YEARS to write and still isn't quite accomplished… *sigh…) explains the Spock-Uhura story starting well before my canon as laid down in "Adaption", my alternate mythology from my original muse: K. Elizabeth's story "Opposite of Logic".
Uhura enters the Academy at 15 Earth years old. Spock turns 21 her freshman year.
In this story, I hope readers will find their own understanding behind Uhura's unprecedented bond to Spock and its basis: the roots from which her psionic disruptive evolution stems.
In simple terms — it's amazing how love changes us. With a little help from a magic spell…
Shout out to my beta SpockLikesCats. The Coast Guard makes 'em tough...
Enjoy! Please send me comments; they help me grow as a writer. Comments and criticisms are always welcome, especially if followed by virtual chocolate.
Telepathic commuications can be determined by context. They are italicized.
All non-original characters belong to their respective owners.
No portion of this material may be reproduced, transmitted, used or modified in any manner on any media without the author's and/or owners' express written permission. Portions copyrighted.
Preamble
Grayson Family Farm — Grayson Family Reunion
"Nyota! Oh, you are very pregnant, aren't you! Let's get you off your feet!"
S'chn T'gai Nyota Uhura's joy at being back at Spock's "home" propelled her into Lizzy Grayson's arms faster than she thought her fatigue — or her belly — would allow. Releasing Spock's grandmother, Nyota toddled through the doorway and into the family reunion.
Over the next 9 weeks, Spock and his cousins would "catch up", Grayson would meet his Earth family and Nyota and Spock would finally add their story to the Grayson family archive.
This lovely visit came courtesy of Jim Kirk and his inability to leave the Enterprise in Mr. Scott's capable — and protective — hands.
Starship Enterprise about a month or so earlier...
During a routine test of experimental upgrades sent by Starfleet, Jim got the great idea to boost the engine's power curve by boosting the yield beyond the test specs.
Normally Scotty would have repeatedly stunned his captain unconscious with a phaser before he breached Engineering (well before "Captain Interference" approached the actual engines). But Scotty, suited for a space walk, stood (magnetically attached) on the Enterprise's hull performing the delicate external modifications necessary for the Starfleet R&D upgrade.
Kirk had almost 14 hours of unsupervised playtime with Scotty's warp core…
Upon his return to the inside of the Enterprise (and after a brief respite for scotch and sleep), the Chief Engineer began the tests and the Enterprise accelerated to warp 14.8. There were several problems with this:
1. The Starfleet mods should only have boosted the yield to warp 9.8 sustained.
2. There were only a handful of ways to get that high on the power curve and the ship could not withstand any of them for more than minutes. The Enterprise began shaking-&-baking apart while Scotty frantically dashed through corridors and climbed into jeffries tubes to fix the problem.
3. Only a handful of technical minds had the knowledge — or the balls — to screw with Scotty's engines. Only one was reckless enough to actually try it.
Jim. Bloody. Kirk.
Despite Scotty's desire to flambé his captain to crispy, appetizer-sized bits, he did not report why a complete warp system retrofit would be necessary. Starfleet R&D assumed that the theoretical result and the actual result differed (as often happens in the real world), requiring repairs to the ship.
Scotty did not correct their faulty conclusion.
The devious Scot, instead, added rare and expensive items to his ever lengthening list of blackmail payments Captain James T. Kirk would make (in reparation for a multitude of transgressions) — indefinitely.
Thus the Enterprise, once Scotty found the unauthorized changes and had them yanked out, once again stumbled into Starbase Alpha for extensive retrofits.
Uhura would have to thank Kirk for their unplanned return to Earth…
Grayson Family Farm — Family Reunion
The reunion proved loud and lively by the time Spock's family arrived. The Graysons eagerly sought introductions to the newest S'chn T'gai, Grayson. Six months into her second eleven month pregnancy, Nyota's choices were visit now or wait years for their mission to end. Or hope that Kirk would break something important on the Enterprise.
Again…
To get them maximum visiting time, McCoy put her on medical leave to see the xeno-obstetricians at Starfleet Medical in San Francisco, referencing her status as a Vulcan diplomatic dependent. That guaranteed priority medical attention and time to visit a place McCoy knew was important to the family's health.
What Spock knew about expressive love he learned here, in Seattle, at the farm belonging to his grandparents. Amanda Grayson grew up here. She'd been courted here by many, but only two serious contenders; she married her Vulcan suitor. Spock's mother returned here whenever the stress of an inter-species marriage, or their struggles with infertility, overwhelmed her. Almost every holiday and vacation was spent here to reconnect and she brought Spock here often once their conception miracle happened. On a slight rise in a beautiful grassy knoll near the front porch, Amanda's memorial sat. The slender tree arched gracefully over the simple plaque informing mourners of her life dates. The site commemorated a life of accomplishment, purpose, hope and humor; her remains weren't there, though — they joined the universe where Vulcan once existed.
Spock spent youthful summers here with his cousins. Spread out youngest to oldest, across 6 years, Spock held the baby position of the older group — Robbie Grayson, Greg Grayson, Chris Grayson (Spock's personal favorite) and the eldest, Teddy Grayson (Spock's perpetual rival for Alpha male amongst the cousins).
Heads turned and smiles broadened when Nyota preceded her family into the home where the human side of Spock grew up.
"Oh my gosh, Ny! You're HUGE! Can you still hug me?" Chris yelled as he charged out of the kitchen towards her.
Though she really did love all his cousins (even Teddy), Nyota had been closest to Chris from the beginning. That preference strengthened when Chris got an Uhura of his own — Nyota's older sister, N'jera — who came into the living room carrying their 6-month-old son.
"I don't want to see you two! Where's my nephew? Oh, sweetie, you are so perfect! Come to Auntie Nyota! C'mon 'Jera, share!" Nyota whined as she had in their childhood.
"No, dada kidogot [No, little sister]. Not until I get my hands on Grayson. If Spock ever puts him down."
"Give me a hug and let's get you off your feet." Big Rob Grayson — Spock's grandfather — interrupted, moving Teddy (and Teddy's big feet) from the couch to make space.
Wrapping as much of herself around Big Rob as her shape would allow, Nyota gave him a grateful smile and plopped backwards onto the couch.
Spohkh, you can put him down. He'll be fine here, hababuu [sweetheart].
I am aware of that. I held him so he could see our family. I reasoned that staring at kneecaps would frustrate him and he might choose to use his formidable telekinetic skills to levitate his way through the crowd, inviting your displeasure. He is half Uhura; Uhuras do not tolerate frustration well.
Among the Graysons again, Spock's wry smile and humor erupted whole cloth. She'd have to ask Nana Lizzy for more stories of just how mischievous her husband could be.
You're right, ashayam. Let me have him.
Spock handed their son directly to his adun'a [wife] to prevent any attempts to fly through the room.
"Grayson, this is your Auntie N'jera."
Grayson looked up through long lashes and slowly smiled, recognizing his mother's features in his aunt's face. Sliding off his mother's small lap to stand, he hugged his aunt's legs and greeted her.
"Habari Shangazi N'yera. Mimi upendo.[Hello Auntie N'yera. I love you]." Grayson spoke in perfect ki'Swahili.
And that was that.
" 'Yota, this is Benjamin Akiba Christopher. We call him Ben."
Babies were swapped and meeting began.
Baby Ben's multiracial heritage resulted in beautiful hazel grey eyes, long lashes, a mop of curly brown hair with tons of blonde highlights and a cute Uhura nose. Ben's lips formed a Cupid's bow, reminding Nyota of N'jera and the only other person she'd ever seen with those lips — Jim Kirk.
Like her own son, Ben had the Grayson's easy-going manner, enjoying the noisy big people holding and hugging him. The baby fascinated Grayson. Telepathic like his parents, Grayson read Ben's baby thoughts easily, giggling with his cousin.
"So, Chris..." Nyota drawled nonchalantly, "…should it bother me that my nephew came six months after your wedding?"
The assembled group, hearing Nyota, howled with bawdy laughter.
As always, Teddy — the instigator — threw the first jab.
"Told you Nyota would figure out you were ruining her big sister before you put that ring on her finger."
Spock's brow knitted before he spoke, his expression unreadable.
"Nyota, in Chris' defense, the situation does bear another consideration."
"What's that, adun?"
"N'jera might have been ruining Chris before he could formally ask for her hand in marriage."
Two beats of silence accompanied shock on the faces of every adult in the room. Then raucous Grayson family laughter broke out, flushing N'jera's and Chris' cheeks equally. By silent agreement neither explained the truth.
Greg — the humorous cousin — came to the young couple's defense.
"I remember flying to a wedding in Africa where that little boy right there " Greg accused, pointing at Grayson "— was being passed from relative to relative before any vows were made. Want to explain that?"
"As you know, we were bonded mates at that time," Spock replied by way of an explanation.
Robbie — the human archive — turned the heat up on Spock just like the old days when they were kids.
"Uh-uh, Spock! Don't bring up that bond crap. How do we know you're telling the truth about that 'bond'? Greg's right. Chris took a beautiful Uhura out for a test drive — just like you did. You showed him the way, Cuz! Fess up!"
Spock's ears turned dark green and the family shrieked with laughter at his self-consciousness before he prepared a reply.
"That is the purpose of bonding, buying the 'car' — if I understand your analogy — before you drive it. An approach I am sure Chris used as well. As I am Vulcan, I cannot lie about my own experiences. You will have to determine whether Chris or N'jera can lie about theirs," — and he placed a droll Mona Lisa smile on his face.
Because of their "test drive" we have a new nephew. We will have another in 5.12 months
Uhura's head spun around at Spock's revelation, her eyes narrowing as she studied her sister.
"N'jera?…" Nyota asked with suspicion encasing the word.
N'jera shrugged and feigned ignorance of Nyota's meaning but failed under the power of that stare.
"I give up!" the elder sister chuckled sheepishly. "You and I are due around the same time. Spock told you, right?"
Astonishment and congratulations moved through the room towards the young couple.
"Indeed. Would like to know the gender?" Spock asked.
Chris' unbelieving look mirrored his wife's.
"You can tell? Without touching her!?" Chris spluttered. "Without medical equipment!?"
"I can 'touch' her — if that would increase your confidence in my disclosure — but you might assault me afterward for that intimacy. My wife would injure me and sever our bond as the Uhura clan policy is one Uhura woman per suitor," Spock deadpanned.
The Grayson clan hurt themselves laughing at Spock-the-Comedian.
"We'll wait. And don't send any baby clothes until I tell you we know!" N'jera aimed at her Nyota.
In deference to the pregnant sisters, Lizzy served dinner buffet style to get plates to them as quickly as possible. N'jera joined her sister on the couch where every male present doted on them.
In the soft sunlight of a midsummer evening, Teddy and Robbie set up the vidcams and seated themselves in oversized, padded Adirondack chairs around the front yard's fire pit. Sunlight would warm them until 10 p.m. at this time of year. They had four hours.
When the audible click sounded, Lizzy spoke.
"This is a Grayson family tradition. We capture our stories to tell to our children and their children on into the future. This tells them who they are and let's them know we love them even if we haven't met them yet."
Lizzy's infectious grin leveled itself at the pregnant Uhura sisters, both planted firmly in their husbands' laps. N'jera held a sleeping Ben on her shoulder while Grayson dozed in his great-grandfather's arms. Grayson informed his parents telepathically that, while he loved all his newly met family, Uncle Chris and Auntie N'jera were his favorites (Grayson expressed confusion as to why his uncle was also his first cousin once removed; Spock promised to explain later).
"Every couple here has completed their vids of how they met their spouses... Except one."
On cue, every adult couple turned to stare at Spock and Nyota.
After moments spent staring, Spock sighed. Loudly. The assemblage took no pity on him.
"Cough it up, 'cuz," Chris poked. "I got my Uhura after a mighty chase. How'd you get yours?"
The silence lasted longer than the group expected but Lizzy understood; her daughter Amanda had these private mental confabs with her telepathic spouse as well.
When Spock dropped his head in capitulation, she knew Nyota had convinced him of the importance of this family tradition.
"Actually, it started in Africa..." Nyota began.