Broken Shackles 23

Spock calmly and logically made it through the graduation rites, but her thoughts kept straying to the man she viewed as her ashayam. She knew he was sitting somewhere in the audience with her family, in fact she'd spotted him briefly, looking far differently than she remembered, but no less handsome. Dear Surak, how gorgeous he was! Her heart was definitely beating more rapidly now and she dragged her attention back to the admiral currently addressing them.

At last, documents and honors in hand, she was free to find her Jim.

His eyes lit up as she approached and she could hardly manage to give the proper polite greetings to her parents before gazing into Jim's bright blues.

"Jim. You got a hair cut."

"Sure did, Spock," he grinned. "What do you think?"

"Most pleasing," she murmured. "It reveals your finely shaped jaw and ears and makes your eyes even more noticeable."

She found herself wanting to trace his face with her fingers and blushed at her audacious thoughts.

Neither of them noticed Amanda and Bones subtly luring the others away from them and heading off Pike and Gaila who were making a beeline for Jim.

"Why thank you, Spock. I'm flattered," Jim said, red creeping up his neck. "You know I think you were fabulous today: Graduating at the head of your class with record breaking grades. Very impressive. Make those xenophobic jerks who gave you crap look really dumb."

"It was very satisfying," she admitted. "How illogical it is for beings to resent someone simply for having a higher IQ than their own," she commented, allowing Jim to lead her away from the crowds to a more private location.

"It's one of the annoying things about us," Jim admitted. "We can be very spiteful and jealous. But when it comes to you, Spock, I like your superior brains. In fact, I'm pretty much smitten with everything about you."

Spock blushed a bit at Jim's candor, but before she could reply, he continued on.

"I, uh, wanted to ask you...um..." Jim was having difficulty speaking and his face was red. He tried again, taking a deep breath and composing himself. "

"The thing is, I love you, Spock and I'd like to know if...if you'd want to marry me-or bond with me, as they say. I'm aware of how seriously Vulcans take this and believe me, I'm not asking this lightly."

He pulled a box out of his pocket and Spock was dazzled by a beautiful, Vulcan style ring set with a blue gemstone native to the planet.

"Jim!" She breathed, looking back up at him in wonder. Jim was smiling nervously at her, with what Terrans described as "puppy dog eyes."

Spock hastened to end the suspense.

"Yes, Jim," she told him, lifting one hand and placing it on his mostly smooth cheek. "I will bond with and marry you. She felt a burst of his relief and joy before he pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you, Spock," Jim murmured. "I now this isn't the most romantic proposal, but I'll get better in that area."

"Do not worry, Jim. You made your point very clearly."

Jim lifted the ring out of its box and held it out to her. As he slid it on her finger she gasped a bit at the delightful sensation sparked by his fingers touching hers. His grin grew wider.

"It is beautiful, Jim," she said, admiring the intricate metalwork that encased the stone.

"Thanks. Your mom pointed the way to a Vulcan jeweler and gave me some tips. They make some gorgeous stuff."

"They do indeed. It is a high art among our people."

Without preamble, she took two fingertips and pressed them against Jim's.

"Oh, wow! That was a kiss, right?" He flushed and she nodded and smiled at the reaction.

"Careful, Spock," he teased, "you're going to get me all worked up in public."

"I will try to control myself. It would be counterproductive to our peaceful familial interactions. I do believe they are growing impatient."

Spock indicated the inquiring stares aimed at them from a distance and Jim rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I guess we'd better tell them. But I have every intention of stealing you away later so we can have some nice private time away from private eyes," he promised.

They sedately returned to the mob waiting for them and were soon engulfed in the joy of their loved ones.

Gaila hugged enthusiastically, Amanda shed tears of joy, Pike looked extremely proud as he wished them well, and Bones shook his head, faux mournfully.

"Well, Jim, I wish you the best, since you're so determined to enter into matrimony. You're a braver man than I am. Once bitten, twice shy."

"Leonard, you big bluffer. That wasn't what you said last night." A lovely African woman walked up beside Bones and threaded her arm through his, smiling up at the blush spreading across his face.

"Greetings, Nyota," Spock told her friend and fellow graduate. "I see you have been informed of our engagement."

"Yes, Spock," the newcomer beamed. I need to get a view of that ring." Spock willingly held out her hand.

"Oh, that's gorgeous. Vulcan-made, I assume?"

"Indeed. But It is most imperative that I introduce you to my future iadun/i. Nyota, this is James Kirk. Jim, this is my friend, Nyota Uhura. She is a very gifted linguist and future communications officer."

Jim and Nyota shook hands, per Terran custom. Spock tried not to cringe. She reminded herself it was just their way and it wouldn't affect Jim. She'd told Uhura a little of Jim's history because her friend naturally asked if he was related to George and how he was even alive.

"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Uhura, Jim said," with a proud grin. "I see you're good friends with Bones, too. Now I now why he's been so eerily cheerful the last few weeks."

He elbowed his friend.

"You've been keeping secrets from me, Bones. Not fair."

Leonard looked sheepish. "Yeah, it's a recent development, so don't get all riled up. Didn't want to steal your thunder."

Spock was quite pleased at this interesting news. Nyota did not date frequently and had very high standards for the males she did go out with. The fact that Jim's good friend and admitted cynic had managed to pass the test was promising and surprising.

"Do you know when you'll be bonded?" Nyota asked.

"No," Jim replied, "but that's probably what we'll be discussing over dinner. With our schedules, it'll have to be either really soon, or held off for a year."

"Ah. Trying to please both families, too. That'll be tricky."

"Not really," Jim shrugged. "I don't have any family left to worry about and Spock's parents are pretty chill about everything. I'll just go by their advice and we'll do it proper Vulcan style."

"That I've got to see."

"You will most certainly be invited, Nyota. It is, after all customary for the bride to have an attendant."

Nyota gaped. "Did you just ask me to be your bridesmaid?"

"I believe I did." Spock smiled at her friends.

"Well, lets go to dinner then!" Jim declared. "Chris here droned on quite a long time, and I'm feeling a little rumble in my tummy."

"Infant," Bones growled teasingly.

"Let's get the kid some food," Pike said good-naturedly. "We can figure out plans while we're at it."

"An excellent suggestion," Sarek said. "Spock, will you show us to your favorite culinary establishment?"

"Certainly, father," Spock replied and took Jim's arm, as she'd seen Nyota do with Leonard's.

"Shall we go, iashayam?"/i

She asked.

"Of course, gorgeous," he answered with a very happy expression that few people ever got to see. Spock was thankful she could count herself one of them.