Vivian woke to a knock at her door. Sleepily, she rubbed her eyes and sat up. She hadn't returned to the room until well after midnight. As she donned her dressing kimono and opened the door, she found a collection of endemic flowers wrapped in a crystal vase with a bow. There was no note, but she was confident she knew where they came from. She was also certain this gesture meant she wouldn't see her sa-kugalsu until the time of the ceremony.
Again, Dr. Vida would spend the day with Amanda- this time venturing to a day spa of sorts for the kinds of pampering any bride would expect. These activities included a rose water bath, a hair conditioning treatment, a facial, manicures, pedicures, and massages. The relaxation did help her to forget the purpose behind it all, temporarily reducing the anxiety that had been building in the pit of her stomach. While it wasn't as though she was some blushing bride in white, she had never attempted to procreate. She was unsure of which unsettled her more- becoming a mother quickly or disappointing her new husband and family if she didn't.
During their treatments, Amanda asked her daughter in law about her son's life on the ship. Vivian relayed stories of their late night strolls on outer decks, competitive 3D chess habit, and dinners with the other officers. The story about delivering another Ambassador's baby amused her most. While they sat with clay on their faces, and finally had a moment alone, Amanda struck up a more serious conversation.
"Vivian...dear, may I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"Human woman to human woman?"
"...Human woman to HALF human woman."
"I've been watching you all day. Every time anyone mentions my son, whether you realize it or not, you light up. See, you and Spock are alike in that way. It's not as though you don't emote at all...its just subtle...You love him, don't you?"
Vivian furrowed her brow, considering the woman's words. "I..." She thought of the time they spent together, how she'd felt, and how she longed to be with him again. Her body raised in temperature and her pulse increased with the beginnings of the plak tow, in sync with him. "I do."
"Well that's wonderful!" Amanda clapped with excitement, "And nothing to be ashamed of at all! But, don't worry...I won't tell anyone..." Her eyes began to well up.
"Are you alright?"
"I just...when we first paired Spock with T'pring, I worried that a Vulcan woman would never truly understand him...You see, he feels considerably more deeply than he's willing to display or admit even...and then when that didn't work, while part of me was relieved, I was worried again-worried that he'd be lonely. And then I thought- maybe he'll meet a woman in Starfleet. But again, I knew that a human or a Andorian or anyone else wouldn't understand him...Now here you are, human and Vulcan, just like him, wandering between two worlds just like him and you care for him and he cares for you."
"Pardon?"
"You didn't know?"
"Know what?"
"The way he looks at you, the way he listens SO intently when you speak...Vivian darling...Spock's in love with you."
A similar conversation was had much later in the day, after the women returned from the spa.
"You look handsome." Amanda remarked at her son, standing at the top of his staircase.
Spock nodded in acknowledgement.
"You know...I remember when you were just a little thing...We had to go to a wedding for a Saurian Ambassador. You got your first dress robes, and my were you uncomfortable," She chuckled as she approached her son to fidget with his hair. "You wiggled and squirmed. It was pitiful...But now look at you..." She smiled, teary eyed, and embraced him.
He returned the embrace.
When she broke away, she wiped her eyes. "Spock, there's something I wanted to talk with you about."
"Yes mother?"
"Your father is an excellent example of a great many things...but I'm unsure if he prepared you sufficiently to have a human-or partly human- wife. See, women, especially human women are more prone to emotion. They want more affection."
"I am aware of this."
"Spock, I've gotten to know Vivian in the past few days and she's such a sweet girl. She's got a good heart, and, well, she cares for you...Since her family isn't...active, I'm here to protect her too. So...I know this is a Vulcan Koon-ut, but if you don't intend to love her the way a human man loves his wife, I beg you not to go through with this arrangement. You've got more in common than you know, and I think if you opened up to her, you would be surprised at how she can understand you...Now I'm not asking you to be touchy-feely in front of anyone else, or anything like that, but I am asking you not block her out. I truly feel that the two of you have a unique opportunity to build something...incredible. Not everyone gets that opportunity...You're lucky to have found each other."
He cocked his head to the side in consideration, "If that is the case...I still intend to go through with the koon-ut."
Amanda smiled, "I knew you cared for her."
"These...feelings are...new and foreign."
"Aw, dear...just listen to your heart."
"I fail to see how the cardiac organ is relevant to this discussion."
As the sun began its descent, guests began arriving in the circular arena. There were no seats here. The table present the day before was gone. Now, in the center sat a rug with two pillows. A short distance in front of it, sat a metal firepit, and a short distance behind the rug sat a tall gong. The columns surrounding the space sported twinkling silver fabric wrapped around them in a spiral. The guests stood between the columns, although a few important Vulcan dignitaries stood closer to the center.
"This doesn't look much like a wedding to me." McCoy remarked, fidgeting with his dress uniform, "More like a weenie roast."
"Their ways are different than ours, Bones, you know that." Kirk made his way to say hello to some of the dignitaries before the ceremony began.
The men went quiet and returned to their standing position when they say Ambassador Sarek and Amanda enter from their side, in dark formal robes. On the other side, another man and woman entered.
"Those must be Dr. Vida's parents."
"Mother and stepfather," McCoy corrected. He'd spent more time with the bride than had the Captain.
"Her dad's the human? Where's he?"
"I don't think they let him be here."
"Shame...I guess they could have an Earth wedding he could see that."
"Each planet attaches their own meaning...I don't know if either of them want a human wedding, Jim."
Shaken bells and drums signaled the beginning of the ceremony. A series of armored guards carried in a small throne on which T'Pau rode in. She was placed next to the gong. Her guards stayed nearby, holding purple sashes and large weapons.
The fire lit, seemingly out of nowhere.
The bells ceased in favor of the drums as the groom entered. His robes were a dark, silver color. Metallic threads woven throughout caught the fading light. His eyes were focused, and, for once, his chest visibly moved with each breath, suggesting a level of agitation or excitement. He didn't acknowledge anyone until he reached T'Pau, at which point he saluted and knelt to bow before her. The leader reached forward, touching Spock's temple. Her eyes closed for a moment, and then she nodded with approval. Spock moved to the gong and picked up the jade hammer to strike.
Vivian stood behind armored guards in the curved tunnel on the opposite side of the arena, trying to even her breath. She wore a delicate, lavender material clasped in a halter behind her neck. It came down in two pieces, one to cover each breast, then rejoined just about her navel. The skirt came out loosely over her hips and into an A shape, rippling over itself with a long train. Her hair had been style in long waves, with either side pulled away from her face to reveal her ears, with more volume at the top. Her jewelry included large, dangling earrings glittering with crystals, a single stoned necklace, an arm band, and an anklet. A silver circlet sat around her head. A thin chain belt crossed her waist, defining it with an X and sitting atop her hips A matching, sheer cape hung from her shoulders and flowed along with the train. Her makeup glittered, more purple added to accent her blue, Vulcan lids. The wings of her eyeliner followed the shape of her brows. For a human, it would have been an artistic look, but as a Vulcan, it was an enhancement of natural features. On her lips was a pink tinted, natural gloss.
The formality was foreign. The ceremony was intimidating. The expectations weighed heavily on her. She gnawed the inside of her cheek anxiously. She wished she had a bouquet or something to hold to keep her hands busy. What am I supposed to do with my hands? Looking down at herself, she wondered if the thinness of the fabric was too revealing in the light. She wondered if she would be able to see her mother from her position. She hoped she would be able to see her friends from the Enterprise, even if there were only two of them.
She knew that on the other side of the arena there would be a man...who confused her infinitely. He seemed intrigued by her, but limited their time together. He seemed attracted to her, but hesitated to touch her. The first time he had touched her, he'd scared her with his roughness and produced injuries, albeit minor. Last night when he'd touched her, he was gentle, and considerate. She didn't know what to expect from him now. While she admired his intellect, respected his work, was attracted to his form, and enjoyed his company, she didn't exactly know him. All too soon though, they would be thrust into one another's mind. She wasn't sure if she would like what she found there, or if he would like what he found, but at that point it would be too late.
A gong rang out once, and then the shaking of the bells resumed.
Vivian inhaled sharply and swallowed hard, standing up straighter. The guards in front of her moved, nudging her forward. With a long, slow exhale, she fluffed out her skirt one more time before moving forward. You can do this...This is Spock...You want this...
The bride emerged from the tunnel, to a largely stoic crowd. The two human men smiled.
"That's a hell of a dress." Kirk mumbled through the clenched teeth of his grin.
"I'm so used to her science officer uniform...I forgot she was a lady...and a beautiful one at that." McCoy whispered in response.
"Spock's a lucky guy, that's for sure."
The groom stood close to the officiant, and sized up his bride. Although he didn't smile, his eyes suggested satisfaction. He nodded to acknowledge her.
The bride took her place close to the officiant, struggling to meet the groom's eyes and suppress a nervous smile. Her face began to flush as she bowed to their leader, who touched her face.
T'Pau raised her eyebrow in intrigue, then nodded and addressed the crowd, "What ye are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning and without change. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. This is our way." Her voice boomed.
"Kalifar!" She shouted, pointing at the gong.
The couple moved in that direction, seemingly stiff and unwilling to look at each other. The groom took up the hammer again. The bride's eyes darted back and forth between him and the gong. She could reach out and claim kalifee, attempting for an out. Last chance. If she did, she still might have him anyway, only then having to also manage the consequences of having attempted to reject him. If she did, and he lost, she would be stuck with someone else...and her Captain would condemn her for having his first officer killed. Spock looked to her and cocked his head to the side, as if he'd read her mind and followed her logical process. He moved the hammer slowly, as if seeking approval. When she nodded, he struck the jade. There was a collective sigh of relief.
The couple moved back to the rug and were nearly encircled by diplomats. They knelt on the pillows provided in sync, now facing each other. An assistant adjusted the robe and dress train.
"Spock," T'Pau began, "Dost thee accept this commitment of the adun-a according to our laws and customs?"
He was silent, but gave a firm nod. His eyes were piercing, causing his bride to shift. She felt as though he was staring through her. Her mind returned to her dress again, then to the realization he would be in her mind soon, and then the realization that he would be in other places soon too.
"Vivian, are you prepared to become the property of the adun?"
She had always loathed the wording of the koon-ut. "I am prepared." Her voice came out much softer than usual. Sitting so close, she felt her heartbeat speed up to match his. Without trying, their breathing fell into sync too.
T'Pau gave a slow nod, "Proceed."
Spock extended his arm, two fingers up, toward his bride, beckoning her eyes off the ground and back up to his.
Vivian, tensing her arm to limit its shaking, returned the gesture. When their fingers touched, both were rattled with a shiver that ran up the spine.
She felt as through she'd been pulled through a wormhole at first. She blinked but her vision was no longer her own. The Vulcan science academy, with young boys- she felt a pain-rejection. In the reflection of the water from the tears onto the ground, she saw the face of a young Vulcan boy. There was a sehlat, who was warm and snuggled against her leg. Amanda embraced her, but she was younger. Sarek had a rare flare of anger at the sight of the Starfleet logo. The academy came in and out of focus. A Vulcan woman appeared- a hesitant match- more rejection, but thankfully so. A blonde woman appeared with plants, and a feeling close to love but incomplete. She saw Kirk and McCoy, then aliens and natives and robots. There was amusement and relief, grief, physical pain, a new sense of belonging. Then she saw herself looking up in admiration and felt something warm-something she'd already felt- love. He loves me. Blinking hard, her eyes stung, as her vision centered back on the rug on the group.
Spock was more familiar with the mind-melded process, but still experienced what felt like a lurch through time. Vulcan disappeared in the distance causing pain- his eyes felt sore from tears. A human man tucked him into bed, but he was small and wore a much too large shirt to sleep in. A school- there were girls who moved to braid his hair, but found oddly shaped ears and cruelly laughed instead- rejection. There were horses, antique firearms, and pies. He sang on a stage at a holiday concert. A return to Vulcan, the science Academy, a medical program- a sense of proving oneself- pride. There were cadavers, the smell of formaldehyde. A return to Earth, more studies- watching one's friends start families and move on and move away. Joy- indescribable joy, catching squirming, screaming new life forms. A late start and brief stint with Starfleet before a move to research-fulfillment. He saw in the reflection of the bright ballroom in the dark space sky a body in a red dress that was not his own- his own appeared behind it and looked down coldly. He felt curiosity. His body thumped backwards onto an exam table, his heart thumping with a primal fear as a man forced his way atop. He saw his own face there. He stared at his own ceiling and felt pleasure, and a sense of belonging. Belonging. There was something else, warm in his gut. There was excitement, compassion, attraction...and attachment...She loves me. His world swirled again before his eyes fell on the rug sitting in the red clay.
They stared at each other for a moment, wide eyed and unmoving. Their eyebrows raised in sync like a reflection in a mirror, suspicious, still reading one another. Both wondered how much the other had learned and were now aware of each other's wonderings. Their fingers fell apart.
"The tel is complete!" T'Pau announced, provoking claps from the crowd.
Spock stood. Vivian, still somewhat in shock, was pulled to her feet and turned to face the people. They both saluted and bowed, receiving more applause before Spock held out two fingers again. She matched them, and was led by him away from the arena.
Sarek stepped forward, "Guests, your presence is appreciated. I would like to invite you all to our home, to feast with the families and celebrate the new shif."
They moved through the tunnel and up a series of stairs that served as a short-cut back to the estate, while the crowd moved en masse up the regular path.
Vivian's head still swam, and she could've sworn the man in front of her spoke, but he sounded like he was underwater. She found herself standing near the home, on the edge of the cliff, with little recollection of how she arrived there.
Spock stopped to admire the twilight that moved over the horizon. "Vivian," He turned to admire his bride, but she didn't respond. "Vivian?" He noticed she looked dazed, "Vivian, are you alright?" His brow furrowed.
"Huh?" She shook her head, forcing her vision to clear and her hearing to return to normal. "Sorry...I...I've mind melded briefly before...patients to remove their pain...but never that far in...Never that much information." She blinked hard. As her fog cleared, she began considering the things she'd seen, she felt a tightness in her chest. "Spock...I...you had a tough go of it..."
"We have more in common than I had previously realized." His face contorted with genuine concern as he stepped towards her, "While I am relieved to find someone who understands what its like to not belong in either of your two worlds...I am simultaneously pained by the thought of you having experienced it." He brushed her hair back from her face, and attempted to read her emotions.
She moved in to him, wrapping her arms around his lean waist. In her mind she saw the small boy who hurt and who needed to be embraced and accepted. In a natural movement, he squeezed her to him, tightly, burying his face in her hair. It wasn't forced, or faked, or robotic in any way. She pulled back some to stare up at him, a small smile emerging. He got lost in her doe eyes and lost his control. His lips turned upwards.
"My...you are...STRIKINGLY beautiful..."
Her grin grew as she blushed and looked down.
Inhibitions gone, he continued, "...And...oh..." He kissed her temple, "I think I love you."
Immediately realizing what he said, his mind returned to clarity and his face turned to panic. He almost knocked her over as he moved away.
Her eyes bugged, but then her smile came back brighter than before. "Spock?" She laughed and closed their distance. "I know...I knew it when our minds joined-"
"What I should have said was-"
"I think I love you too." She interjected, then froze in anticipation, half expecting another movement of him away from her, "I haven't felt anything like this-"
Her speech was cut short by two hands cupping her face. He kissed her, with more fervor than either of them had ever experienced. Once the distance between them closed, his arms enveloped her, pressing her into him as if he could force them to merge into one form. Their collision nearly knocked her off her feet, but she found herself secure and melting in his arms- her whole body warming to his touch.