It's time for Nyota to turn her quarters into a home for Spock.

The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

~The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack~

Happy Homemaker

Uhura brought home some wonderful ingredients to make Spock's dinner along with Sulu's promised recipes that seven she couldn't ruin. As she cooked, she felt terrible about getting angry at Charlene earlier. She was not angry at her friend, she was angry at herself for keeping such an enormous secret not only from her own family, but from her own husband. Spock had literally shared his entire life with her. She knew his parents, she had been to his home; hell, she and Spock had shared each other's minds! And yet, since the beginning, she had been hiding everything she could from everyone she could. It wasn't fair to Spock that she tried to hide their relationship from the crew. It wasn't fair that her family knew nothing about him.

As Sulu said, she needed to talk to Spock like a mature adult. And that meant she had to apologize to Spock and beg for forgiveness when he returned to their cabin, though she knew the latter would not be necessary. That was one of the things she loved so much about Spock. He didn't hold a grudge or hold things against you. After all, 'that would be illogical'.

According to the duty roster, he should be making his rounds about now and then he'd be on his dinner break. That gave her a while to prepare their evening meal. She was by no means a talented chef. The tiny galley she had didn't afford the opportunity to create culinary masterpieces, but she thought the simple meal she prepared with Sulu's help came out rather nicely.

Salad, plomeek soup, and a quiche. Spock had simple tastes and so did she. She supposed she could contact Amanda and ask what his favorite foods were and get some family recipes. Amanda would love that, Nyota thought, the old busybody. Nyota had to admit she liked Amanda. If she weren't Nyota's mother-in-law, she would consider Amanda her friend.

That thought made Nyota frown with worry. She hoped her family liked Spock as much as his family seemed to like her. Well, she would soon find out because she had decided to come clean of everything. But first, she had to tell Spock and prepare him for the Uhura's. With the dinner done and being kept warm, she had time to spare. Normally, she would read or catch up on daily communication reports, but today she didn't feel like working. She was on leave and sort of on a honeymoon.

Odd that she was only just now dating the man that she was legally married to. They could have had so much fun dating before, well she would have had fun. Uhura sighed, she didn't care what anyone else thought. Spock was fun.

She looked around their cabin while she waited for her dinner date to arrive. There was always some chore that needed to be done and that is what she did. She felt like an old-fashioned homemaker, cooking and cleaning before the husband came home. It was so twentieth century.

Uhura walked around and scanned the objects in the room. Spock's belongings were scattered all around, but they hadn't had time to arrange them. Of course, she had been in Spock's cabin many times before their marriage, either for music lessons or help in learning Vulcan or for advice on her career. It occurred to her that she took going into his private space for granted in the past, considering how private Spock is. As was her way, she had just made herself at home in his quarters and never thought twice about it.

But even though Spock had moved into her quarters, he had not moved any of her belongings out of their place. He was thoughtful that way, but it meant his stuff was all over the place. His personal belongings were not what some would expect. His cabin had been neither spartan nor sterile. Spock had decorated his quarters with furnishings from both Vulcan and Earth, and those things blended pretty well with her own belongings. She wondered if the objects d'art scattered about the rooms were family heirlooms or if he was just a collector of odds and ends. It had to be the latter. Who in their logical mind would bring valuable family heirlooms on a ship that could be destroyed at any moment?

In a recessed corner of the room, there was a new bookshelf with volumes of books and tapes published in various languages, and some of them looked ancient. On the very bottom shelf, she spied books with brightly colored covers that looked almost new. She couldn't help but snoop and she got down on hands and knees to try reading the spines. There was one by Dr. Suese. "My, my, my," she said aloud. Spock had interesting tastes indeed. She took a book from the shelf and flipped through the crisp pages. The Cat in the Hat. It was one of her favorite stories too. Spock had many others by Dr. Seuss as well as books by Mark Twain, J.R.R Tolkien, A. A. Milne, Saint-Exupéry, and Jane Austen, to name but a few.

"Who are you, Spock?" Nyota asked aloud. A Vulcan reading Austen? Now her curiosity was stoked. When had he read these books? Why? Did he enjoy them? Did he think they were illogical? Did he treasure them? She put the books back and turned around the room, seeing things with fresh eyes. Spock was a complicated man. Something sticking out from under their bunk caught her eye next. She knelt down and looked under their bed and found a guitar case.

Of course, she knew he was a musician like herself, but she thought he only played the Vulcan harp and the piano. She was still on her hands and knees, snooping around under the bed with her bottom sticking up, when Spock finally arrived home. He didn't show any surprise to see Nyota on the floor, ass up except to raise his brow. "Ahem," Spock feigned clearing his throat to catch her attention.

"Uh oh, you caught me snooping through your stuff," she said, shimmying out from under the bed but not bothering to stand. Instead, she sat back on her butt with her legs crisscrossed.

"Aduna, this is your home. What is mine, is yours. I have nothing to hide."

"You say that now, but wait until I find your secret porn stash," she joked. "I've never known a guy who didn't have one."

"You will find that I have no such collection of materials," Spock assured her.

"We'll see Mister. I snooped some other interesting collections, though."

"Indeed? And what did you 'snoop'?"

"I was just being curious. You have some interesting books. And I found this." She pulled out the guitar. "I didn't know you played."

"Not very often now. I picked it up at the academy." He took the case and removed a beautiful classical guitar, which he strummed after tuning it for a moment. He sat in the chair and played a lovely classical guitar tune.

Watching Spock's fingers swiftly and efficiently strum the strings was hypnotic. Uhura who, of course, loved all things music, closed her eyes and swayed in harmony with the tune. Music was the reason they were married today. Spock's playing of the harp had compelled her to ask him for lessons, sparking a fast friendship between them.

When Spock finished the song, Uhura was still in a mellow state, eyes closed, head back, comfortably sitting on the floor at his feet. It was times like this when she thought she would follow Spock to the edge of the universe. Spock started playing a new song, and this time he sang along.

"The first time, ever I saw your face..." his voice rang out, and Uhura's eyes shot open. She had never heard Spock sing before. His voice was pure perfection. He had a deep timbre that vibrated her insides. And as she listened to the words, she was astonished. The lyrics sounded like a love poem. Where had he learned it? Who was this man sitting here singing love songs to her with a deep, sexy voice that made her feel like she was sinking into a warm puddle of goo? Overcome with emotion, she didn't even notice the tears rolling down her cheeks or the way her hands trembled.

When the last notes of the guitar faded away, Uhura sat still at Spock's feet and tried to compose herself. She heard him put the guitar back into its case and slide it back beneath the bunk. And then he was there in front of her, looking down into her tear-stained face.

Spock looked calm, but his heart was pounding as he helped Nyota up to stand beside him just as he'd done countless times over the years on the bridge. He hoped she understood the sentiment behind the words of the song, that from the moment he had met her, the course of his life had been altered before he even knew what was happening. His desire for her had not happened suddenly because of some mating fever. It had built up gradually until it had reached its zenith.

This moment had been a long time coming, when he could stand face to face with the woman he was desperately in love with and where he had just confessed and exposed his all emotions to her with his song. They were married, bonded in every way possible. She wore his ring. She was his wife. His entire life was right here in his arms.

Spock gently wiped the tears from her face with the pad of his thumbs as he held her face with his palms. Uhura looked up into his dark eyes with something akin to awe. Spock wondered if she felt as he did? Did she want him as desperately as he wanted her? Did she understand the lyrics of the song he sang were only for her?

Nyota put up no resistance as he lowered his face to hers and pressed their lips together. She opened herself to him like the petals of a flower opens to the warmth of the sun. She wrapped her arms tight around his neck as he lifted her off her feet and she wrapped her legs around him as he ambled them back to the bunk behind him.

Spock had waited a very long time to have his woman in his arms and in his bed and he never regretted any part of the journey it took them to get here. Every time he and Nyota made love, it was like a celebration after a well-fought battle. He did not believe in deities, but right now he would pray to all of them in gratitude for his wife and ask that they make this moment last forever.

As it was, he sat back on his bunk and brought Nyota down on top of him, her thighs straddling his hips. Her lips always tasted just as he imagined in his fevered fantasies. As they struggled to peel off their clothing, Spock touched and explored her body that was at once soft and pliant and yet strong and warm. Nyota Uhura was the only woman in the universe to Spock, and he was going to cherish her until the day he died and even beyond that.

Before Spock could remove his shirt, a buzzer went off in the next room. He became aware of their surroundings and smelled food cooking from the other room. Uhura slid from the bed, rearranged her dress, and ran to the kitchen.

"That was close!" she called out as she removed something from the small oven.

"Yes, it was," Spock agreed. He straightened his clothing and followed Uhura into the dining area.

"I hope you're hungry," she said while she busily arranged things on their dining table and took things from the replicator.

"Yes, I am very hungry." Spock was not hungry for food but for his wife. However, he sensed this meal was important to her and so he allowed her to serve him.

"Good. While we eat there is something I need to discuss with you."

"Nyota, there is something I need to discuss with you, too. It's about Christine." He jumped in his seat when Uhura slammed the bowl of salad down a little too hard.

"Aduna, is there something wrong?" He asked, his voice filled with concern. Maybe he should not tell her?

Uhura sat down at the table with Spock. "No. Yes. Spock, I've tried to be happy today and just enjoy our honeymoon but..."

"Honeymoon?" he questioned.

"Yeah, it's usually the period of time after you get married when you spend time together exclusively."

"I know what it is, but we are well past the time for a honeymoon, aren't we?" he asked.

"Technically, we have never had a honeymoon. The time we spent on Vulcan doesn't count. And though our trip to Argelius felt like one, it wasn't a honeymoon either. We weren't really together until I had my Pon Farr."

"I see. So this is something you would want, this honeymoon?"

"Sure, everybody wants a honeymoon. Its tradition. But that's not what I want to talk about. I did say we needed to talk about our lives together before you gave me your ring," she reminded him.

"Your ring," Spock corrected her.

Uhura looked down at her hand and smiled. "Our ring then. It's a symbol of us."

Spock reached out and took her hand in his to admire the ring he had placed there. It did indeed make him feel settled to know she was wearing a symbol of their relationship for everyone to see. The reason he gave Nyota the ring was to signal to others that she was bonded and not available. But the incident with Christine made him realize he too could benefit from an overt symbol of his commitment to Nyota.

Sarek did not wear a wedding ring. It was not the Vulcan way. But Spock was not exactly following Vulcan traditions with regard to his own marriage. He had no illusions that a wedding band would miraculously repel women from him or men from Nyota, but logically he understood why Humans wore them. Much to his surprise, Spock realized he wanted to wear Nyota's ring too. But how did he go about it? Did he buy one for himself? Did he simply ask her to procure one for him? Why was this even a problem? It should be easy to ask his wife for a ring, shouldn't it?

Nyota squeezed his hand. "Spock?"

"Yes, Aduna?"

"A quatloon for your thoughts."

"I beg your pardon?"

"What are you thinking about so intensely?"

"I was thinking that perhaps I should wear a ring as well." Now that he had asked, it was actually quite easy to say.

Uhura smiled brightly. "Really? You want to wear a wedding ring?"

"Yes. Is that acceptable?" He was still unsure.

"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Sarek does not wear a wedding ring," he explained.

Uhura waved that away. "Sarek is an old fuddy duddy. And most importantly, Sarek is not you. If you want a ring, then a ring you shall have." She leaned over the table and kissed him. "I can't wait to take you shopping. And I'm going to take Charlene's advice this time. I'm going to buy you a rock as big as your head. Well, at least as big as I can afford. Let everybody know who you belong to!"

Spock experienced a moment of distress. He had seen Nyota's taste in jewelry and had not planned on wearing an extravagant ring with "rocks". He just wanted a simple band as he's seen other humans wear.

"Nyota-" he started, but Uhura laughed out loud.

"You should see the look on your face!" She looked pleased with herself.

"You were teasing me?"

"Yes, silly. I know something gaudy would never suit you. We'll go shopping together and choose something you approve of. How does that sound?"

"That would be agreeable," he said, releasing the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Then that's settled." She kissed him again before she dished out the food. "So you wanted to tell me something?"

"I do. I had a visit from Nurse Chapel today."

"Oh, did you? What did she want?" Uhura asked with a neutral voice. She was trying her best to remain calm.

"Me," Spock answered honestly.

Uhura stopped what she was doing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nyota, I would like to show you what happened. Would it be acceptable for me to meld with you?"

Uhura looked into Spock's eyes, looking for any hint of what he was thinking or feeling, but she just saw determination. No matter what it was, whatever Christine had said, she would not get mad, she promised herself. Christine was not her problem and she would not allow her to ruin her damn honeymoon!

"Okay, if you think it best," she finally answered. She really was trying to be such a good wife.

"I do. I want no secrets between us, and this is the most efficient way I can convey what transpired."

Uhura nodded, signaling her approval, though inside her emotions were simmering.

Spock took her hand and led her from the dining table to the sofa. He made sure she was seated comfortably and then he touched her psi points. He took a deep, calming breath and began.

He slipped into her mind easily. Uhura hardly had a chance to prepare before she felt his presence. He hadn't said a word, but she knew he was there. She felt warm and safe, like someone was holding her in their arms. She felt calm. Spock was in her mind.

"Show me, Spock," she said and soon she was in Spock's lab leaning over a scanner studying samples when someone touched his back. Before she could control it, she felt the anger. Hers or Spock's she didn't know, but when she turned to see Christine smiling at him the anger was under tight control again.

She saw what Spock saw, heard what he heard, and knew what he thought. When it was over, Spock withdrew from her mind and she was left feeling cold and alone.

"Nyota, are you alright?"

She looked at Spock with a blank expression. "Well, that was fucked up."

Spock didn't know how to respond to that. He assumed she would have an emotional response, but this was not what he expected.

"Why is it that every time we're happy, somebody has to come along and ruin it?"

"Nothing is ruined. I think Christine finally accepts our marriage."

"Is that why you want a ring, because of Christine?"

"I want to wear a ring because of you, Aduna. Because it is traditional for Humans to wear a symbol showing their marital status. And I want there to be no doubt that I am yours."

He must have said the right thing because Uhura launched herself into his lap and flung her arms around him. "You are mine," she said in his ear before she nibbled his earlobe. "And I refuse to share."

Spock was very pleased with the turn of events. Nyota was not angry at him or troubled by Christine. And anytime he had his wife in his arms was a win. "Aduna, we should eat now."

She pinned him down, looking feral. "I'm not hungry."

"But the food will get cold."

"I'm cold," she shivered and rubbed herself all over him. "Warm me up first and then I'll feed you." She kissed him all over his neck and then rubbed her head cheeks on his chest as if scenting him. It was such a Vulcan thing to do, and it never failed to turn Spock on and ignite something primal in him. His wife was scent-marking her turf, and he relished it.

"I can't wait to put my ring on you. I can't wait to tell everybody."

"Tell everybody what?" Spock asked breathlessly.

"I want everybody to know that I'm yours, and you're mine."

"Yes, I am yours," Spock said. He never had his dinner, but they abated his hunger all the same.