Second Opinions
Spock was worried, there was no other word for it. He was concerned about Nyota and her emotional outbursts. It was not the first time she had lost control since their joining. It was not normal, it was like nothing he'd dealt with before.
He needed to know what is wrong with his wife so he can fix it and protect her from it. To that end, he needed to Speak to the doctor immediately. He found McCoy in the ship's labs with his head buried in his data scanner.
"Dr. McCoy, could I speak with you a moment?"
"Of course, Mr. Spock. I was expecting you eventually."
"Is there anything you can tell me about my wife's condition?"
McCoy sighed. "No. Nothing new to add to what I've already said. I've run ever human test I can think of and a few Vulcan tests we have too. However, though Uhura may have this Katra of yours she doesn't have Vulcan DNA or Vulcan physiology so those tests are useless. I cannot explain why she got the fever or why she is so emotionally unstable."
Spock crossed his arms over his chest in thought.
"I have no explanation for it either doctor. As you know Pon Farr is a taboo subject even in Vulcan society. I do not know very much about it besides what I learned from my own father. Vulcans are not prone to gossip as humans are so there was very little to learn from my peers such as they were. I do not know if this is normal or abnormal."
"I understand Spock. And I want you to know I am doing everything I can do to figure this out. For the time being, until we can get to Vulcan, try to keep her calm and comfortable. This could be a side effect of the fever, or it could be stress induced. As you know we prescribed rest and rehabilitation for Uhura when she went to Argelius but we see how well that worked out. I heard you two got into a few scrapes?" McCoy teased.
Spock ignored that dig about Argelius. "Doctor, as you know on Vulcan to rest is to cease activities and conserve energy. Argelius is hardly the place I would send someone for relaxation."
"Spock, maybe Vulcans can't relax there but we humans like to have fun. Fun makes us feel relaxed and refreshed. Too much rest of your kind is sometimes just as bad as too little."
"Yes, you did seem to prefer the shore leave planet where you all ran around living out your fantasies."
"It was rough going at first but once you know the rules it was excellent R&R. You should have joined in. I'm sure even Vulcans have fantasies, don't you? Or is that too illogical?"
"Doctor whether Vulcans have fantasies or not is indeed illogical and unimportant to the matter at hand. My wife is my primary concern. She is ill and I want to know why and what we can do to cure her. Or are you suggesting that I run around having 'fun' with my wife as a treatment?"
"You're right Spock. I'm sorry, but I'm running out of ideas. If the illness isn't biological then it must be psychological. And the only clue we have is your Katra and your bond. I don't know what it is or how it works or how it may be affecting Uhura. The only thing I know is what she told me when I examined her on Vulcan. She said you infected her with your Katra, your soul. But even if that were true that means she has had this Katra for years. Why would it only affect her now?"
"I do not know Doctor. There are no documented cases of our situation. The closest I can find is the instance T'Pau told me about with Captain Archer and Suraks Katra."
"Yeah, I never believed that legend either. Oh, I heard rumors about it in medical school but it was never proven either way. Our professors thought it was nonsense. There were a lot of rumors about Vulcans going around at the time, and now I wonder what is true and what is false. Truth has proven much stranger than fiction. You Vulcans keep your cards so close to your vest but secrets have a way of coming out. You can't keep this Pon Farr a secret forever especially if more Vulcans decide to join Starfleet."
"I do not care about other Vulcans right now Doctor. I am only concerned with my wife. I don't care if everyone knows about Pon Farr." Spock said becoming agitated.
McCoy looked concerned. "Okay, Spock I didn't mean to, um, to... I didn't mean anything by it. I was just thinking aloud. I want answers just as much as you do. Believe me, I care about Uhura too. She's not just another patient, she's my friend's wife."
"I understand Doctor. I am sorry for my lapse." Spock said.
"Spock, we've been so busy looking for something in Uhura's blood that I didn't' think to check yours. Are you feeling alright? Perhaps I should run some tests on you and make sure this Pon Far business is long gone. Maybe she is picking up something from you?"
"I am willing to try anything doctor even your potions."
"Okay then. I'll send word to sickbay to run some bloodwork. I the meantime, try to get some rest and relax. You and Uhura are the athletic types. It couldn't hurt to keep her busy with physical exertion." McCoy suggested with a smile.
"I'll take it under advisement Doctor."
"Good. Right now, all I can do is keep looking and wait until I can talk to the healers on your planet for answers. I've even put out a call to Dr. M'benga but I can't reach him either, he is at some conference on Vulcan, that is all I can gather."
"Understood. Keep me posted, please." Spock said and turned to depart.
"Will do," McCoy said with a twinge of worry in his voice. Spock made his way to the lab door when McCoy called out to him.
"Spock, don't lose faith, we'll figure this out."
"Thank you, Doctor."
/*-/*-/
"Come in," Kirk called out in answer to the door chime of his cabin. He had been sitting at his desk trying to work out a way to get Uhura and Spock to Vulcan without further delay. But now they had to deal with the fallout of the incident on the planet surface. The government was demanding Uhura be charged with use of excessive force. Of course, Kirk had made demands of his own that that loser Rogers be charged with assault. It was a diplomatic mess.
"Captain you wished to see me?" Spock said.
"Yes come in Spock, sit down."
Spock pulled up a chair opposite Jim's desk and waited.
"Spock. I just got word from the planet surface they are requesting that I reprimand Uhura for use of excessive force. And though I do not agree with it, I need to get you and Uhura to Vulcan and I can't do that if I'm stuck fighting with the government below."
"I understand Captain."
"I'm sorry Spock, this will have to go on her record, at least until Bones can give me an official medical reason why it shouldn't."
"I understand," Spock said quietly. Kirk didn't like the way Spock was behaving. He was being unusually quiet and contemplative. When Spock got quiet, mutiny and mayhem were sure to follow.
"Spock, do not go off half-cocked and do something you'll regret later. Uhura is fine. Doctor McCoy is working overtime to find out whatever it is that is bothering her, and I'm working to get you all to Vulcan so the healers there can weigh in with their expertise. It will be fine."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Spock talk to me. I am your friend. Please, tell me what's bothering you?"
"This is all my fault, Jim. Dr. McCoy believes it is a psychological condition. I am almost certainly the cause of all of this grief for Uhura."
"What grief? What are you talking about? Besides the incident today she's looked pretty content, in fact, I would say she's been downright bubbly with all the teasing and pranks she's been pulling lately."
"The fact remains that I have caused her grievous injury by forcefully taking her to Vulcan and bonding with her."
"Oh, Spock lets forget about that, shall we? Hasn't she forgiven you for that?"
"I do not know. She seems...fine with our relationship. I thought she was happy."
"And I tell you Spock when I see you two together I can't help but see two happy people. A happy couple. And that brings me to what I want to discuss. You and Uhura asked to keep your relationship a secret from the crew but is that really necessary now? I know some of your friends know and Nurse Chapel knows. It's only a matter of time before more people figure it out that you two are married, especially when you two aren't exactly being discreet."
"What do you mean Jim?"
"What I mean is, perhaps if people knew you two were married, that is, if you put it out there that Uhura is a married woman, men will have little reason to approach her the way that Rogers fellow did today. I don't mean to blame you and Uhura for this. Unfortunately, some men will be men no matter what. But-"
"You think we should make an announcement to the crew?" Spock questioned.
"I don't know what you should do. I've never been married." Kirk said and Spock flinched imperceptively.
"But I think perhaps telling more of your friends and not keeping it a secret would be beneficial to you both. I talked to Bones and he thinks Uhura could just be under stress. Women are strange creatures, perhaps not having an official title could cause her stress. You have to know there are quite a few rumors going around about the two of you, and Sulu too for that matter. It could spare all of you some grief if word got out. If just a few of your friends know and are allowed to maybe tell a few of their friends..." Kirk left the rest unsaid.
"I understand Captain, you imply that the Enterprises crew's proclivities for gossip would take care of itself?"
"Well in so many words, yes. You don't have to rush to make an announcement it's just a thought. If you and Uhura intend to make this thing permanent then it is inevitable, isn't it?"
Spock thought the Captains words were dubious. If they intend to make it permanent? "Captain, Lieutenant Uhura and I have reconciled our differences and we have every intention of our marriage being a permanent one. Vulcans mate for life."
"Is that so? Well, that's good to know Spock. Like I said you two look happy enough. I always thought you and the Lieutenant would make an excellent pair if you got over your, uh, differences. I mean you had a rocky start and you're not out of the woods yet with this Komack business but... If Uhura's on board then I'm on board with it too 100 percent. You have my support."
"I did not doubt your support, Jim," Spock said. That is, until now, he thought. "You've given me much to think about."
"Good," Kirk said patting Spock on the shoulder. "And Spock I want you to know I'm doing everything in my power to get you two to Vulcan. Once I square away business down on the surface we'll be on our way, barring any other incidents."
"Nyota will be pleased to hear it," Spock said and he left with more questions than he had answers.
/*-/*-/
After his meetings with Bones and Jim, Spock went to the science labs with his mind in turmoil. He had always naturally assumed his two closest friends would be supportive of his relationship with Nyota but now he found he had reason to question that support. Apparently, Dr. McCoy believed Spock's Katra or the marital bond was causing the symptoms Nyota was suffering from and Jim had doubts about the longevity of his marriage because of its 'rocky start'.
Spock understood the obstacles that both he and Nyota had to overcome to get to the place of reconciliation and their current state of harmony. He didn't want to believe that anything could separate them ever again. Nyota had said she couldn't live without him and he knew he could not live without her. Every day that passed their bond grew stronger and deeper.
Spock was finally beginning to understand the depth of the devotion shared between his parents. He had often questioned his mother's continued love and support for his father who was often cold and unapproachable. He had wondered why his mother tolerated Sarek and his indifference. He had vowed never to treat his own wife thusly whether she be Vulcan or Human and fortunately his wife was very Human and very much deserving of such devotion.
Therefore, Spock could not afford to allow anyone to come between Nyota and himself. Not Jim, not Bones, not Komack, not nurse Chapel, not anyone. He had to make it very clear that Nyota belonged to him permanently. Forever. Until death. That was the Vulcan way.