There is an abundance of love in this chapter.

So much, so young, I've faced on my own

Walls I built up became my home

I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us

Sweet love, so pure

~Bound to You by Christina Aguilera~

AN: This is the song that started this whole journey. I played this song constantly back in 2015. One night I fell asleep listening to it, had a dream about Spock and Uhura in a cave, woke up and quickly jotted down what I remembered and the rest is history. After four years, dozens of side stories, and hundreds of thousands of words later, this journey is almost finished. Maybe.

Love and Happiness?

Apparently, Spock couldn't keep a secret. And Uhura knew damn well Christine couldn't keep one either, so it was only a matter of time before the news of her pregnancy was all over Starfleet. Therefore Uhura gathered her best friends together to tell them her big news all at once before they found out second hand.

Charlene, Sulu, and Chekov all sat around the small dining table in Uhura's quarters and waited for her to make her "big announcement". She had invited them all individually but they all gathered at the appointment time and questioned each other about what they knew.

They chatted and exchanged laughs and gossiped, tasting the exotic Vulcan food Spock had prepared for the occasion to make up for his faux pas. Finally, after everyone had oohed and aahed over Spock's handiwork, Nyota decided it was time to talk.

"Ok, everybody. I'm sure you're wondering why I gathered you all here today?"

"Yep!" Chekov piped up first.

"Ok, so I guess I should break the news like ripping off a bandage."

Uhura took a deep breath and then leaned in to say in a low voice, "What I'm about to tell you today cannot leave this room. Do you understand?"

"Yes, of course. You know we have your back. Now what is it?" Charlene asked.

"Alright," Uhura said with a dramatic pause. "I'm going to have a baby."

"I knew it!" Charlene jumped up and cheered. Then she and Sulu slapped hands in a high five. "You owe me a gourmet meal," she said to him.

"I always pay my debts," Sulu assured her.

Uhura stared at them in awe. "What is happening? How did you two already know?"

"Girl! How did you not know? You've been sick for weeks. You've been acting weird even for you and you've been banging Spock non-stop," Charlene said in her usual charming manner.

"But Dr. McCoy didn't know. Dr. M'Benga didn't know. This pregnancy defied the best medicine of the federation!"

Sulu said, "that's what happens when you rely on machines instead of common human sense. Your symptoms started right after you returned from Vulcan. It was obvious to a blind man."

"I didn't know," Chekov said. "But it is only natural for the people in love to have a child together." He added in a dreamy voice.

"First comes love, then comes marriage, then here comes Nyota with a baby carriage," Charlene and Sulu sang together, grinning like idiots.

"When do you expect the joyful event?" Chekov asked.

"I have no idea. This baby is not quite human." Uhura patted her flat belly. "I cannot believe you all knew I was pregnant already," she pouted. She had really wanted to surprise her friends and she the shocked looks on their faces. Spoilsports. "And if you all knew, why the heck didn't you tell me?" she demanded.

"I told you to ask Dr. McCoy for a thorough examination. I thought surely he couldn't miss something so obvious. But I guess he can only do so much." Charlene shrugged.

"I thought surely you and Spock had enough brainpower between the two of you to figure it out for yourselves. I started doubting it myself. Now I owe Charlene dinner. My bad." Sulu said.

"I had no idea," Chekov said.

"Well, I guess the other thing I was going to say doesn't really matter." They knocked the wind out of Uhura's sails, but she was still glad to tell her friends and have them gathered around her.

"What else did you have to say? Are you having twins or something?" Sulu asked excitedly.

"No! Bite your tongue. I WAS going to tell you all that Spock and I have worked everything out and we really do love each other, but never mind."

Charlene just grinned. "Ny, honey. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say 'DUH!'"

"What? What do you mean, duh? You all ruined my big secret!" Uhura said.

"What secret? You've been in love with that man since day one and he's obviously crazy for you. It was all inevitable," Sulu said. He started eating the pita chips and dip that Spock had laid out for them.

"What? No, I have not. Day one?!" Uhura pshawed in outraged dignity.

"Yes, day one Ny. Since you stepped foot on this ship, you've been sprung," Charlene chimed in. "You hang on Spock's every word like its gospel. You think he can commit no wrong. 'Spock says they are going to upgrade the ship's communication array' and 'Spock says I should study engineering'," Charlene mimicked Uhura.

"Spock can do plenty wrong! He nearly drove me crazy. And I do not hang on his every word and I do not sound like that!" Uhura protested even though she knew it was all true, but she'd be damned if she ever admitted it.

"You took any chance you could to be in his company. You were always taking 'lessons' with him," Chekov said boldly, making air quotes around lessons. He didn't like to say anything, but it was very obvious his friend and mentor were in love.

"We have a lot in common. And I hang out with all of you guys too," Uhura said, trying to defend the indefensible.

"You look up to him like he's some damn Superman," Charlene said.

"Because he's a brilliant officer and scientist. He has saved this ship single handedly, might I add, hundreds of times."

"Mmm-hmm," Sulu said, sipping his tea. "So does the captain, but you don't mention that nearly as much as you mention Spock. 'Spock saved Captain Pike, Spock saved Captain Kirk, Spock saved the Horta... Spock saved the Universe...Spock likes tribbles... Spock saved me...,' and don't get me started on that evil mirror universe Spock," he said.

"Oh no!" the others said, grumbling together at the mention of 'evil Spock'. Uhura wouldn't shut up about him for weeks after that incident happened.

"You're exaggerating. You're all making me sound like some lovesick idiot."

Charlene spit out her tea and laughed. "Bingo!"

She wasn't that bad, was she? Uhura wondered.

"Gurl, give it up. You put up a good fight, but it's over now. The entire ship knows you're in love with Spock and he's obviously in love with you or else he wouldn't have put up with your bullshit. Hell, all of Starfleet knows. Your testimony at his court-martial is the stuff of legend. And before that, you two put on a show at Starbase 6 remember?"

Uhura frowned. "What are you talking about?"

They all looked at each other again. "You don't know? After your run-in with Komack, Spock swooped in like Superman and swept you off your feet, carried you throughout the base like a damsel?"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. But how does everybody else know about it?"

"You forgot?! Well, it was all over the subspace channels. Posts all about the Vulcan officer carrying off his woman, looking like an avenging angel," Sulu said.

"What? Nobody told me that!"

"You two are so far up each other's ass you don't even know what's going on around you. It's been all over the Starfleet channels since it happened. Even before the trial you were the 'it couple'," Charlene said.

"Yes, I heard you and the commander caused a riot up on Argelius," Chekov chimed in.

"You heard about that? We didn't even get caught!" Uhura had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Did everybody in the Milky Way know her business?

"Oh Ny," Charlene gave her a pitying look. "Everybody knows you two put on a show for the locals on Argelius. We didn't see the vids but-"

"What vids?!" Uhura cut in.

"Somebody took vids, but it was confiscated. Still, I heard rumors y'all made the Argelians look like amateurs." Charlene raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Yes. I have heard this too," Chekov chimed in.

"Oh my god. I knew there were rumors. I knew people were talking about us, but I had no idea all that stuff was out there with vids!? You guys are supposed to be my friends and have my back, yet you never said a word?"

"You were already under so much stress. I guess we didn't want to upset you," Sulu said.

"I made sure to shut that gossip down when I heard it in engineering," Charlene said. "You two needed your space. But since y'all are all booed up and in love...there it all is."

"'Duh' indeed," Nyota said, sitting down humbly.

"What made you finally accept it?" Sulu asked her.

"You all kept insisting, but it was Chris who made me realize," Uhura said.

"Christine Chapel?" Masters was surprised to hear that name.

"Yes. She apologized and we've made up somewhat. She just laid out some truths that I finally had to accept."

"I would have loved to be a fly on that wall when she laid out those truths if it made you confess undying love for Spock."

"It was just a reality check. I realized Spock and I have always had something between us, even when I couldn't put a name to it. And I've been an asshole about it, especially to Chris."

"Ye-ow!" Chekov started to talk when somebody kicked his shin under the table.

"You guys stop abusing poor Chekov," Uhura scooted close to him, throwing her arm over his shoulder and scuffed up his shaggy hair. "He's just telling the truth like a good friend ought to."

"Charlene looked on and shook her head. Ny, stop leading on "poor Chekov." You've already got a man."

"I'm not doing that," she said and looked at Chekov, who was blushing.

"Oh my goodness. I'm sorry Pavel. You know I'm just teasing, right? You're like a little brother to me."

"Oh, gee zanks," he said.

"I didn't mean to lead you on-" She patted his burning cheek.

"Just drop it Ny, you're embarrassing him," Charlene reached across the table and patted Pavel's hand.

Sulu looked astonished as Chekov managed to get the two females to fawn all over him.

"Ahem... let me know when you two are done groping Pavel."

"Uh-Oh Ny, Hikaru is jealous. Let's grope him too." Charlene slid around the table to Sulu's side.

"Normally I wouldn't object to a good grope, but Mr. Spock might break my neck, so no thanks."

Chekov suddenly pulled away from Uhura. "Um, I like my neck just as it is." He slid his chair closer to Sulu.

"Don't be silly. Spock is not interested in breaking your necks." She got up and stood behind the two guys. "Maybe a little neck pinching though." She teased them both by pinching their necks playfully while Charlene laughed at the spectacle. They hadn't all been this happy and together in ages, and it felt good to just let loose and laugh.

"Well, now that you've declared undying love and are expecting, let's plan the baby shower!" Sulu said.

"There will be no baby showers on this ship! Nobody knows except you three, Dr. McCoy, Dr. M'Benga, and Christine. Keep it that way," Uhura warned them again.

"Hey! You told Christine before you told us?" Sulu looked insulted.

"I didn't mean to tell her. When she came over to apologize, I got sick and she figured it out. And then Spock with his 'Vulcans never lie' self told his parents. It was only fair that I tell you guys too."

"Girl, too many people already know. If Chris can figure it out, how long before the rest of the crew does too?" Charlene asked.

"I don't know and I don't care about the rest of the crew. Spock and I need our privacy. So keep your traps shut!" She commanded, but there was no heat behind her words.

Charlene was unfazed by Uhura's threats. "Aw look at Mrs. Uhura getting feisty." She looked at her happy pregnant friend. "You've got that glow, you know that?" she asked Uhura.

Uhura smiled, and the glow nearly blinded them all. "Yeah, I know. But I can't help it. I'm just so happy!" She stood up and did a little happy dance.

Charlene jumped up from her seat and hugged her girl. "Oh my god! I can't believe this is happening. I love you so much Ny," she said, holding her friend and dancing around with her.

Not to be outdone by the girls, Sulu got up and joined in on the action, hugging them both and bouncing with them. "I love you too," he kissed Uhura's forehead and the three of them bounced and rocked back and forth together.

Chekov sat awkwardly watching them for a moment, and then he caved. "Ah, Vhat the hell!" He got up to join the group hug.

That was how Spock found his wife and her friends when he entered his quarters.

"Spock!" Charlene said by way of greeting when she saw him. "Get over here and get some of this love."

Spock looked as if he wanted to back out the way he came in, but he caught the look in Uhura's eyes. She looked happier than he'd ever seen her, so he swallowed his objections and told himself he was in control of his emotions as he slowly and stiffly walked over to the group.

"C'mon, we won't bite," Charlene said as encouragement. Spock thought that was ironic because he certainly did, and Nyota bore the marks to prove it. But he acquiesced and allowed himself to be accosted. They sandwiched him in between Charlene and Nyota, which he found acceptable.

"Now isn't this nice?" Charlene said to the huddled group. And then she turned to look directly at Spock. "Since you're now in the inner circle, I just want to remind you that if you hurt Ny, we'll hurt you."

"Is that so?" Spock asked her.

"Yes," Charlene nodded.

"Yes," Sulu said when Spock turned to look over at him.

He then looked over at Chekov, who looked as uncomfortable as Spock felt. Spock saw the swift motion of a foot striking Chekov's shin and he shouted, "Yes!" while angrily staring at Charlene.

"Well then, I had better behave myself," Spock said seriously.

The huddled group nodded in agreement but showed no signs of breaking up. "And how long do we stand like this?" he asked.

"Until it stops feeling good," Sulu murmured.

"Well then," Spock tried to pull away, but someone pinched him and he froze in shock. Sandwiched between Lieutenant Masters and Nyota, he didn't know which one committed the act since each one of them was certainly capable of doing it, but he suspected it was his Charlene.

"I am in control of my emotions," he thought over and over as he endured the 'Love' of Nyota's inner circle. While he repeated the litany, it occurred to Spock that he had never been part of a group of friends like this before. Even in the Starfleet Academy, among other humans, he had never been part of a clique, crew, or gang. Jim and Bones were his closest friends, but their friendship was nothing like this. They never used emotional words like "love" and they did not hug one another ad nauseam. Their friendship was actually more on a par with what he'd expect from other Vulcans.

Nyota's friendships were much more intimate. They shared a bond, not unlike those shared by family or clan members on Vulcan. Humans were psi null, but he realized they could still make strong emotional bonds all the same.

For so long he'd felt so alone, isolated from both Humans and Vulcans, but now he was experiencing the "love" and acceptance of a peer group. And as illogical as it was, it FELT good. He cautiously dropped his mental shields just a bit. Just enough to allow a friendship bond to form with the people who loved his wife and therefore accepted him.

*/*/*

When the 'gang' finally left, much to Spock's relief, he and Uhura prepared and ate their dinner while they discussed the day as was becoming their habit.

"Your friends are taking the news well," Spock observed.

"Our friends," she corrected him, "And yes, they are thrilled for us."

"Our friends," he repeated. He still was in awe of the recent development.

"And they are okay with everything because they already knew," Uhura continued.

"Did they?"

"Yeah, apparently they knew a while ago. Charlene said I was acting crazier than usual and Sulu said he thought the two of us should have had enough sense to figure it out by now."

Spock grumbled but didn't comment.

"I suppose nobody is more ecstatic than Amanda, though. She already sent me copies of her diaries along with a long letter about how wonderful and perfect I am. Luckily we're still not able to use subspace communications for long conversations or I'm sure I'd be on the viewer with her right now." She gave Spock a stern look.

Spock didn't respond. He was still reeling from the emotional experience of forming new bonds with friends. Uhura sensed he was processing, so she stood and started clearing the table.

"Charlene and Sulu said they always figured this would happen."

"Indeed?" Spock joined her in cleaning up.

"Yes, they ruined my big surprise. Even Pavel. He said it was only natural for two people in love to have a baby." She looked to see how Spock would react to that.

Spock still said nothing, he just cleaned and put everything away which gave Uhura the courage to continue.

"Spock. I wasn't going to say anything. I vowed I wouldn't say it because you couldn't, and I understand you can't say it, but I can. So now I'm just being stupid if I don't say it. Do you know what I'm saying?" Uhura said.

"No. What are you saying?" Spock asked.

"Spock," she stopped him from cleaning and forced him to look at her.

"Maybe this isn't the right time, but it's as good a time as any. Every time I've tried to tell you something happens, and it goes wrong."

"What is it Nyota?" she finally had his full attention.

Uhura grabbed him around the neck in a fierce hug. "Spock, I've been so afraid," she said. "I was afraid you couldn't love me when I love you so much. I think I've loved you from the first moment I stepped on the Enterprise and saw this tall sexy Vulcan greeting everyone. You had me at hello," she confessed with a trembling voice. "Nakupenda."

Spock was not prepared for her confession. He just stood there holding his pregnant wife, who felt so good and right in his arms. His wife loved him.

"You don't have to say anything. I understand. I just wanted you to know and we'll never speak of it again." She tried to pull away, but Spock wouldn't let her go.

Spock had no words, or rather he did, but he didn't know how to say them. He had come so far from the man he used to be a few short months ago. He once felt shame for feeling friendship towards Jim, and now he was in a relationship with a woman whose friends hugged him and pinched him and threatened him bodily harm if he hurt her. But he would never hurt her, not willingly, not ever. He'd rather die than see her harmed or let himself cause her any harm.

Spock knew his mother loved him and he accepted that as her human nature, the basic instinct of a mother protecting her offspring. But Nyota said she loved him and he didn't understand why or how. He didn't know how to be loved by her, so he just stood there and held on to her, the one solid thing in his life.

"Nyota, I... I can't... I don't know how to..." He fumbled for the right thing to say.

"It's okay. I've got you. I've got you and I love you, and you don't have to say a word," she promised.

Spock wanted to say it. He knew he needed to say it. He could feel it building up within him for a long time, but he still didn't know how to give voice to the emotion he felt for his wife. Somehow, he would learn. For her. Though the words of his father's people seemed inadequate to the moment, for now they would have to do.

"K'diwa" he whispered. "Taluhk nash-veh k'dular." For now, it was enough.

Swahili

Nakupenda = I love you

Vulcan

K'diwa– Beloved

Taluhk nash-veh k'dular = I cherish thee