Chapter Eight: Aftermath

Jim sauntered into the ambassador's office. "Knock knock," he called out.

Ambassador Burnham glanced over her shoulder, hand paused in the act of putting a PADD into an already full box. She gestured with her free hand for him to come in. Jim threw himself down in the chair in front of her desk. "So I had a security team come down just to make sure the Logic Extremists didn't try anything. But they seem to have scattered."

Burnham nodded. "Good. They're not going to be happy that another human has married into the Vulcan race. I hope they'll recognize T'Pau's decision, but... I don't give them the benefit of any doubt."

Jim could see the anger on her face. "What did the Logic Extremists try to do to you?"

Burnham looked down. "Not me. Spock. I was just caught in the crossfire. It seems like they were just about to accept him, but marrying Nyota is just going to rile them up again." She stood what she was doing and turned to face Jim. "Captain. I didn't get to tell you, with the fight to the death and all... It's really nice to finally meet you. Spock's always talking about you."

Jim frowned, furrowing his brow. He looked over the Ambassador, amazed to think about the fact that this woman had grown up with Spock. He supposed it made sense. Spock acted differently than any Vulcan he had ever met. It had to be from more than just his mother's influence. "You know, I find that funny because he's never mentioned you."

Burnham sat on the edge of her desk and crossed her arms. "In the years you've known him does he often talk about his personal life?"

Jim thought back on all of his conversations with Spock. Really, the only time anything about his personal life came to his attention was when it was something Uhura had mentioned. He nodded. "I guess you got me there."

Burnham nodded. "He probably hasn't mentioned Sybok either."

Jim's frown deepened. "Who's Sybok?"

"Exactly." She turned to go back to packing up her box.

Jim relaxed in the chair. He considered Spock one of his closest friends, but really... He knew very little about him. That was something he really had to correct. But it seemed he was getting closer to knowing his enigmatic first officer. He had gotten to meet his sister. And he supposed he could always ask Spock's wife for insights.

Wife. That was a real kick. Jim knew that Spock and Uhura would get there eventually. He didn't think it would be so dramatic, but... Really, it was about fucking time.

"So how long does this Pon Farr thing last?" Jim asked. "I am going to have to head to Altair VI eventually and I'd like my Science and Communications officers back up and running."

Burnham paused, thinking about it. "Well, normally it's supposed to be between four to six days. But they were both running hot already. Their attempts to-" She cleared her throat. "-Alleviate the situation before the bonding, plus the Kal-If-Fee, will have purged most of it. You can probably head out tomorrow, but I'd keep them off active duty for a few days. Otherwise they might need to run off the bridge to... Take care of matters. But it's unpredictable."

Jim pointed a finger at Burnham. "You know, I like knowing someone who will give me a straight answer about Vulcan stuff."

Burnham nodded. "Yeah. There's not really big on sharing. I was raised like one and I still don't know everything about them."

He looked over the Ambassador as she got another box and continued to clear off her desk. He was starting to get an idea as to what was happening. "So I got a strange communication from Starfleet. They said they apologized for any confusion in my orders. Said that a Federation Ambassador has admitted to abusing privilege and diverting the Enterprise for an unsanctioned mission. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Ambassador?"

Burnham smiled wryly, nodding her head. "You can call me Michael, Captain. I guess being an Ambassador was less logical for me than I thought."

"I thought you had it sorted."

"Not well enough."

Jim shook his head. "You didn't have to take the fall. We could've come up with something."

Burnham- Michael- sighed. "Captain, I put a phaser set to kill on the most powerful woman on New Vulcan. I was going to go down for that. I might as well also take the blame for bringing the Enterprise here too."

Yeah, that would've been hard to explain to anyone. "You're not being charged for it, are you?"

Michael shook her head. "T'Pau understands the logic of what I did. She didn't go into the details. So no more jail time for me. Not being court martialed either. But T'Pau did make it very clear to the Federation that I was unfit to serve as a diplomat."

Jim smirked. "You're not a diplomat. You're a mutineer. I can tell you which I'd rather be."

Michael let out a laugh, rolling her eyes. "I know which one you are. You mutinied against Spock when he was in command of the Enterprise. I got jail time and you got a command! You're just luckier!"

Jim jumped to his feet, grinning. "Which is why I like you, Michael. So do you regret it?"

"My mutiny?" Michael questioned.

Jiim shook his head and looked around. "Giving up this cushy job."

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Michael replied quickly. She picked up a photo and showed it to Jim. It was of two kids. Imagine that. Spock was a kid once. "My brother's life was in danger. I'd do anything to keep him safe. Besides, like you said... I'm not a diplomat."

"What are you going to do now?" Jim walked towards Michael. He leaned against the edge of her desk and she mirrored the action.

"No idea," Michael sighed.

"What about the Discovery?" Jim questioned.

Michael shrugged. "I'd love to, but they've been under deep cover for years now. I don't know where they are. Ever since the end of the Skirmishes, their work has been classified. Besides, after what I did..."

"You weren't acting as a Starfleet officer," Jim pointed out. "You were working for the Federation. Different things. Besides, you said you weren't court-martialed. Which means..."

He hopped up, standing in front of Michael. "As Captain of the USS Enterprise, I invoke the reserve activation clause. I can reinstate a discharged officer- or in this case, one who was on extended sabbatical as an Ambassador- in the case of an emergency."

Michael arched a brow. "And just what emergency is this?"

Jim smirked. He grasped Michael by the shoulders. "One where I want to snap you up before someone else does. I know your work. And I want it to work for me."

Michael laughed, shaking her head. "You already have the best science officer in Starfleet."

Jim shrugged. "Call me selfish. Most people do. I want both of the best science officers in Starfleet. And you said you'd do anything to keep Spock safe. What better way than to serve on the same ship as him?"

Michael looked away, but Jim could tell she was thinking about it. Slowly, a smile dominated her face. "I won't wear the miniskirt."

Jim nodded. "A pity, but your choice. Come on, Burnham! You know I do a terrible job of keeping Spock out of trouble. I need some help."

"That is tempting." Michael licked her lips in thought. "I suppose there are some other benefits."

Jim shifted a bit closer to Michael, smiling flirtatiously. "Such as?"

There was a devious glint in Michael's eyes. "What can you tell me about Doctor McCoy?"

Jim blinked. He blinked again. Any potentially wounded pride gave way to the image of that particular situation and how his CMO and XO would react. He let out a guffaw. "Oh, you have to take the job now."

Nyota moaned softly, snuggling into the pillow by her head. The hum that had been in her body for days had finally receded. She was able to properly rest. She didn't know how long she had been asleep. She knew she had slept very soundly.

She felt the brush of lips against her neck. "Good morning, wife."

She hummed softly at the feel of her breath against her skin. "Good morning, husband."

She could feel him. He wasn't melding with her, but she could feel him clearly in her mind. Oh, it felt so good. It felt like a puzzle piece she'd been searching for her entire life was finally put into place.

"I know you did not wish to be touched after our Pon Farr experience." Spock glided his hand over her hip. "But would you permit me to... Cuddle with you?"

"Cuddling is a whole different thing." Nyota rolled Spock onto his back. She curled into his side, resting his head on his bare chest. She idly played with his chest hair. "Is this what you wanted?"

Spock pressed his nose to her hair. "Yes, this is most agreeable."

Nyota glanced up at Spock. "I can't really remember most of it. Just bits and pieces. It's like I was there, but I wasn't."

Spock nodded. "That is to be expected. Your brainwaves were fluctuating so much, your memories will have been affected. I assure you, it is for the best. You do not wish to remember most of it."

Nyota's eyes went wide. She sat up suddenly. "The Captain!" She put a hand to her mouth. "Kirk saw us..."

Spock nodded and sat up. "...Having sex, yes. Do not dwell on what happened. Neither of us were in a proper state of mind. It would be best to try and forget everything that happened."

"Everything?" Nyota repeated.

Spock cupped her cheek. "Well, do not forget that I am your husband. I am partial to that."

Nyota smiled at him as he slid his hand down her back and tried to urge her back to him. Nyota willingly let him guide her back to her place leaning against his chest. "Has anyone ever told you that you are a cuddlebug?"

He stroked her hair gently. "As you are the only person I have cuddled with, I believe you are singularly qualified to make that statement."

Nyota pressed her head to his chest and closed her eyes. "You cuddled with your mother as she read you Alice in Wonderland. And you cuddled with Michael when you were lost in the woods together..."

Spock's breathing hitched. He wrapped his arms around her. "I never told you about either of those experiences."

He was not upset that she knew. In fact, he sounded amazed. He tilted her chin up. "Kiss me, K'diwa."

Nyota slid in close to him. Spock bowed his head and moaned softly as he kissed her. Nyota sighed into his mouth, feeling his tongue sweep against hers. She enjoyed the languid kiss, the feel of Spock's fingers combing through her hair.

When they pulled away, Nyota looked around the room. "Where are we, Spock?"

"The chamber of the union," Spock explained. "It is where a couple is supposed to spend their first Pon Farr. It is meant to stimulate the connection between the newly bonded. In human parlance you might call it the honeymoon suite."

Nyota wrinkled her nose. It was very beautiful, but after everything, she was rather tired of Vulcan mating rituals. "I think I want to go home."

"That is a very logical desire. One I share with you." Spock nodded. He lifted her up into his arms. He gave her a kiss. "Let us go home, Wife."

As soon as Spock and Nyota had rematerialized onto the transporter pad of the Enterprise, the sound of applause broke out. Spock looked over Jim, Leonard, Michael and Mister Scott as they continued to clap.

Spock adjusted his robes. He and Nyota's clothing were in no state to put back on. Thankfully, the Chamber of Union always had robes for that very common circumstance. "I am failing to understand why we are being greeted in such a manner."

"It's tradition to congratulate the happy couple," Leonard pointed out. "Or in this case, congratulate you and pity Uhura for being stuck with a pointy-eared, emotionless..."

"Watch it," Nyota warned. She wrapped an arm around Spock and hugged his waist, which he didn't mind at all despite the number of people there. In fact, he felt a sense of pride at Nyota wanting to show off their bond.

Leonard held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, I'm not going to cross you. Not after what I saw you do on New Vulcan."

Mister Scott gestured to Spock and Uhura. "Well, havin' not been invited ta the ceremony- which I'm not gonna hold against yeh at all- I'd like t'say congratulations to Mister and Missus... Spock, d'ya have even have a last name?"

"It is unpronounceable by humans," Spock replied.

"Most humans," Nyota pointed out. She smiled up at him and he suppressed his desire to lean down at kiss her. "I can say it."

Michael grinned. "Spock wouldn't shut up about it when you finally got it. 'Michael, Cadet Uhura's linguistic skills are unparalleled. That a human could get her tongue in the perfect position to...'" She arched a brow. "Of course, that tongue position was much preferable to the time I was staying with you and..."

Spock held up a hand to silence his sister. "Michael, I would suggest you cease sharing any embarrassing stories about my courtship with Nyota. I am sure you wish to have some ready for your speech."

"What speech?" Michael asked.

Spock eyed her new uniform. "Since you are now wearing an Enterprise uniform, I am assuming you were dismissed from your position as Ambassador, only to have Jim bring you onto the crew here. Which means you will be present for my wedding, at which it is customary for siblings to tell embarrassing stories about the groom, but I request you refrain from telling the one in which you discovered Nyota and I were in a relationship."

"Slow down!" Jim gave Spock a smack on the shoulder. "I thought you two were already married?"

"We are, Captain," Spock replied. "But as neither Lietenant Uhura nor myself have clear memories of the Vulcan ceremony and we are between us three-quarters human, it is logical to have a human ceremony as well."

Spock paused for a long moment, looking at Jim. He placed a hand on Jim's shoulder. "It would be our honour if you would officiate the ceremony, Captain."

Jim's expression softened. He nodded. "Of course, Spock. It would mean a lot if I could do that for you too."

They started to walk out of the transporter room. Leonard leaned over to Michael. "So do ya have a lot of embarrassing stories about Spock?"

"Mm." Michael nodded. "I have plenty of them."

Leonard smiled and held out an arm to Michael. "I could show you 'round the ship and you could tell me some of them."

Michael smiled back at him and took his arm. "I think I'd like that."

Spock arched a brow. He wasn't sure he liked any of that.