Disclaimer: I have no ownership. I have no starship. I don't even have a relationship.
A/N: I've recently broken my knuckle on my right hand. Which, unfortunately, is my dominant hand. So my blood stream is currently humming with Panadol and Nurofen. So any errors or grammatical mistakes are completely my own.
Reviews are like exam results; some make you laugh, others make you cry, but they all make the next exam better. Please, review and tell me what you think.
Origins: The Journey Begins
Chapter 16: One Big Baby
STARDATE: 2231.201 (Wed, July 20th, 2231) [11 months, 22 days Pregnant]
Sarek was off planet… again. Being a Vulcan Ambassador across the galaxy took a lot of time out of Sarek's personal life. It was a constantly demanding occupation. He was currently on Delta Vega; a barren, ice land filled with dangerous unclassified species.
He was with a selection of Star Fleet officers. He was assisting the team with the construction of a new station. Something to do with supplies and technology, so that passing starships would be able to locate the small Federation building and refill on much-needed supplies. Although the Federation building was tiny, they hoped to expand on it in the future, turning it into a full functioning Starbase.
It was no place to bring his young family. So Amanda was left in the care of S'Reiyah and her mate, Zahntu.
It was nearing lunch time on the planet Vulcan so Zahntu was at the mansion, in the kitchen preparing food. While S'Reiyah was guarding Amanda and young master Sybok as they walked through the city of ShiKahr.
They were on their way home after spending the morning searching for a toy for her unborn child. Sybok suggested that they search for a stuffed toy as it would allow the mind of his unborn brother to create many different imaginary settings while he played with the toy.
Amanda had smiled, knowing that Sybok secretly wanted a plush toy. She waddled down the wide footpath of the street but did not find any place that sold fluffed and stuffed toys.
She even had ventured into the old carpentry place and asked the owner if he sold any toys. When he asked her to be more specific she said 'cuddly toys.' The shop owner's eyebrow rose into his hairline. As a Vulcan, living on Vulcan, 'cuddly' was a word that was not commonly used or heard.
Amanda sighed a very flustered sigh before farewelling the owner and exiting the shop.
"He doesn't even know what 'cuddly' is." She said as she joined S'Reiyah who was waiting for her outside with Sybok staring at his hands and mumbling to himself.
"Sybok, are you ok?" Amanda asked as she noticed her elder son looking intently at his own hands.
"I… Vulcans are touch telepath's, are they not?" He asked, his young voice laced with concern.
"Indeed, they are," S'Reiyah responded to master Sybok's query.
"May I…?" He approached S'Reiyah with his small hands extended out in front of his face. The silent question was understood by all. Something wasn't quite right.
"You may." S'Reiyah bowed on one knee. Her height now matching the young Vulcan approaching her. Sybok gently rested his hands on S'Reiyah's cheeks.
His hands were not hot. Not as hot as a Vulcan's hand should be. He closed his eyes and spoke low in his native tongue.
S'Reiyah felt a small spark; Sybok's mind softly entering her own. She gently accepted its presence. She could feel Sybok's relief. The emotion was strong. Much stronger than any emotion she has felt before. Suddenly, Sybok's meld began to flicker throughout her mind. She could feel him trying to gain control over his emotions, over his mind, but it was too overwhelming.
The meld vanished before Sybok had intended to remove it. He opened his eyes in shock then closed them tightly once more. He tried to initiate the meld once more. Nothing happened.
"I am disabled." He said meekly. He turned away from the ladies. He did not want them to see him cry. "I have lost the ability to mind meld. I bring dishonour to my house."
"Sybby, look at me," Amanda spoke calmly. She had approached him from behind. Her large belly only inches away from his head. Sybok obediently turned to face her.
"You are a unique young Vulcan." She began. Sybok fought the urge to huff at her and turn away, but he remained where he was.
"You have been affected mentally from when your true mother was attacked by Zephlons. You know this. We have talked many times before." She said as she ran her fingers through his ruffled, dark hair. He flinched, causing her to withdraw her hand.
"Sybok." She said sternly, gaining his attention instantly. "You are not like every other Vulcan on this planet. You are much more. You have created your own style. You have chosen not to cut your hair, not because you are 'disabled', but because you now have an understanding of what it feels like to really want something."
"Vulcan's do not want," Sybok replied stoically. He was just as stubborn as his father.
"Exactly my point!" Amanda pointed out.
Both Sybok and S'Reiyah arch a brow at her unusual outburst.
"Yes; you are a Vulcan. No; you're not like the others. But that is an advantage, not a disadvantage. You have desires. Not many Vulcans have desires. Do not stifle what comes to you naturally."
"But sa-mekh (father) does not want me to be this way. He wants me to be like everyone else on this planet… He wants me to be Vulcan… and every day I am becoming less Vulcan…" He began to cry, tears running down his cheeks. His 12-year-old frame shaking as he struggled to find his breath between his sobs.
"I don't believe sa-mekh will take to this nicely, once he knows what has transpired today." His voice was soft.
Amanda looked at S'Reiyah and waved her hand to indicate that she should give the two of them some space. S'Reiyah hesitated before Amanda commanded her to find a shop that sold toys. S'Reiyah nodded her head once then left the two to talk. Amanda came to Sybok's side and he allowed her to guide him to a nearby seat.
She struggled to place herself on the set but once she was down she gathered Sybok into her embrace. "I am going to tell you what your sa-mekh told me the day of our bonding."
Amanda now had Sybok's undivided attention. "Just after the bonding was completed your sa-mekh told me that I was the most logical decision he has ever made thus far in his life."
Sybok looked up at Amanda with confusion, yet he was also intrigued by his father's words. "I do not comprehend, Mother Amanda." He honestly said.
"At first, I felt as if your father was just checking another thing off of his list. 'Make Amanda my wife – Tick.' But then after analysing his true meaning I came to the realisation that his words were full of endearment."
"How so?"
"He knew that you wouldn't recover from the Zephlon attack. He has always known that you will lose your logic and behave differently from the other Vulcans."
"He bonded with you so that you could teach me how to control my emotions," Sybok stated more to himself as he realised just how much he meant to his father. He chose to bond to Amanda, not only because he loved her, but because he loved him too.
"That's right. You see, your sa-mekh is only trying to help you control your emotions. But he is teaching you the Vulcan methods of control. But you are not like the other Vulcans."
Sybok still looked a tad confused. "Why is it that I need a human to teach me how to control my emotions?"
"Because the features that a Vulcan has that helps them to control themselves are things like mind melding, deep meditation, healing trances and telepathy. These abilities in you that are starting to..." She couldn't find the right word.
"Fade." He answered for her.
"That's right. I am here for you, Sybok. I will help you control your emotions and your sa-mekh will continue to teach you the ways of the Vulcan. You are a child of both worlds. And when this child is born, he will need your experience to help him through what you're going through now."
"My brother needs me?" Sybok's voice was full of hope.
"He will learn more from you than he will from me."
Sybok thought about Mother Amanda's words before enveloping her into a strong Vulcan hug. "Thank you, Mother Amanda."
"You are most welcome. Now let's go see if S'Reiyah has had any luck finding any toys."
23 minutes had passed and Amanda was still struggling to get herself up off the seat. Even with Sybok pulling at her hands, or pushing her from behind, she still had no hope. Her frame was too large for her to get up. She was stuck.
"That's ok. We can just wait for S'Reiyah to return."
Another nine minutes passed and Sybok spotted a Vulcan woman coming down the sidewalk. Help at last. However, the Vulcan woman was not S'Reiyah. Amanda squinted her eyes and realised who this woman was.
"Lady." The Vulcan woman said evenly. Even though her voice was stoic, Amanda could see the coldness in her voice. The Vulcan woman stood tall. She was one of the tallest Vulcan women she has ever seen.
She was also pregnant. She was only a couple months behind Amanda and her belly seemed smaller than Amanda's. However, since this Vulcan woman found out she was carrying a girl she has been in contact with Sarek and even T'Pau.
Her long hair was always tied back into a cone shape. Amanda always thought she looked like someone had just stuck a black witches hat on the back of her head. Amanda seethed anger. She despised this woman. Actually, to be more accurate; this woman loathed her.
"T'Rissa." Amanda's voice was sarcastically happy.
"I see that your human body cannot support the weight of your growing child accompanied by the weight of your own body," T'Rissa spoke. Amanda heard it come out as a hiss.
"My body is not Vulcan, I understand this. However, you must think it wonderful that I could conceive and give life to a Vulcan child." Amanda calmly said. She was not going to teach Sybok how to bitch fight with a Vulcan.
"Half-Vulcan" T'Rissa emphasised.
"My unborn son is a descendant of Surak himself. So half-Vulcan or not, he will one day rule over you. I'm not trying sound cynical, I am merely stating fact." Amanda responded with ease. Her voice perfectly hiding her anger.
If T'Rissa was shocked by Amanda's statement she didn't show it. Bloody Vulcan's.
"You know that the Vulcan colony is ruled by a matriarch. Having a son does not mean he will rule. It will be his bondmate. His female." T'Rissa said as she slowly rubbed her bulging tummy.
Amanda wanted to punch her in the face. She wanted to tear her ears off. She wanted to rip off her eyebrows. However, after years of being the Ambassador's wife all Amanda needed to do was walk away.
If only it were that easy.
She was stuck on the seat and if she made an attempt to get up, T'Rissa would gloat over her more. So she remained seated and waited for T'Rissa to move on. But she didn't.
Instead, T'Rissa motioned for Sybok to move. "It is considered disrespectful not to give up one's seat to another who needs it more." She spoke evenly to the young Vulcan.
Sybok looked to Amanda then to T'Rissa. He obliged to the Vulcan woman's wishes and gave her his seat. Once she was seated, Sybok ran off in the direction of his guardian.
"Pathetic excuse for a Vulcan." Amanda heard T'Rissa's whispered words. She chose to ignore them.
"I have read that humans are only pregnant for nine months." T'Rissa began as she looked down at Amanda's large belly.
"It must be… hard for you to carry your child for an extra four months. Vulcans, however, are pregnant for 13 months. We Vulcans are built for endurance." Her remarks were becoming sharper.
"Being Vulcan allows me to pinpoint the birth of my child to the exact minute," T'Rissa continued, "I am stronger than any human woman, which is an advantage when it comes to the birth. I can also stifle the pain my body will endure. I will be able to feed my child from my breast and not from a bottle. My child will be Vulcan. Full Vulcan. Not shunned by her peers or considered weak by the elders. That is why the elders have recommended my child to be bonded to yours." T'Rissa was beaming on the inside, even though her face was placid. Her face was void of emotion but the meaning of her words were heavy with passion.
Amanda scowled, letting her disappointment cross her facial features. T'Rissa leant back into the seat, enjoying the discomfort she was causing in the human. Realising that Amanda wasn't going to say anything, T'Rissa continued, "Your humanness must effect your mental ability. Do you not remember that day? The elders said that the heir of Surak, your son, will need a strong female bondmate to… accommodate for what your son is… Half-Vulcan."
Amanda had not forgotten that day. In fact, it was burned into her mind. Her son, bonded, to this Vulcan's daughter. It was not written in stone but T'Rissa's daughter was on the top of the list, and it would seem she would remain there.
STARDATE: 2230.349 (Wed, Dec 15th, 2230) [4 months, 17 days Pregnant]
...Precisely 7 months, and 5 days ago (exactly 31 weeks ago)…
Sarek and Amanda had been summoned the Council of Elders. Amanda was exactly 20 weeks pregnant and the Council were well aware of the importance of this child.
Sarek had helped his wife up the steep mountain and extended his two fingers to her as they ventured together into the cave where the Council held their meeting.
"S'chn T'gai Sarek and S'chn T'gai Amanda Grayson, we welcome you." The matriarch of Vulcan society acknowledged her son and his bondmate.
"We have been requested to speak with the Council on important matters," Sarek stated simply. Even though he is a valued member of the Council he was invited to attend this meeting as the subject of matter. Along with his bondmate.
Sarek had never been on 'the floor' before; the place where Vulcan's stand when they are being addressed by the council. He was always sitting behind his podium, high above the floor, looking down at the subjects.
He and his wife were not alone on the floor, though. There was another couple already standing there. Both Vulcan, and both very tall and very proud. Sarek immediately recognised P'Rin. The male Vulcan. He was one of few that scolded Sarek for bonding himself to an illogical human.
"What is this all about?" Amanda asked the Council. She was used to being treated as the Ambassador's wife. However, this day she will be treated like every other Vulcan that has taken 'the floor'.
"You will speak when spoken to." An elderly Vulcan male called from his position behind the centre podium. Amanda dropped her head to hide her embarrassment.
"It has come to the Council's attention that young master S'chn T'gai Sybok is not in good health. We have discussed this with Sarek and Amanda that his mind is not healthy. Thus, leaving him incapable of sub-ruling over the colony." The elderly Vulcan spoke slowly.
"This child that you carry is healthy. Although, having human DNA in his biology he is the only other heir of Surak. He will do." The elderly man was starting to piss off both Amanda and Sarek. The elderly man took his seat and an old Vulcan woman stepped forward, taking her place at her podium. She looked down at the two couple before speaking.
"Vulcan is a society run by a matriarch. Honoured mother T'Pau is our current matriarch. She was the bondmate of Skon, and the mother of Sarek. Although, she is our honoured mother she must be removed from the Council temporarily as to remain true to our code of conduct."
"I accept," Sarek said simply. It was logical.
The woman sat in her seat once again and the elderly man stood to his feet. "With this child being half-Vulcan we, the Council, have decided to do what is best for the child. We have chosen the most logical choice for your son's bondmate." The elderly Vulcan indicated to the other couple.
The Vulcan woman didn't look pregnant. Then again she was Vulcan, and Vulcan women don't really begin to look pregnant until after their eighth month of pregnancy. T'Rissa was only ten weeks.
Amanda had been told not to speak unless spoken to, but she had an inquiry. So she did the only thing she could think of. She raised her hand. The elderly Vulcan looked at her then raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"Why is it that you raise your hand?" He asked.
"I thought Vulcans were bonded at the age of seven," Amanda stated.
"That is true, however, with your case, we have made an exception. Your son will need someone strong in mind, body and soul to balance him. The child that T'Rissa carries is the closest match we have found. Your child will still be bonded at the age of seven, however, for the child's safety, all arrangements are being taken care of prior to the actual bonding ceremony."
…Present Time…
Amanda smiled. T'Rissa had completely misinterpreted the Council's words. T'Rissa thought the Council was belittling Amanda's unborn son. She thought the reason why her daughter had been chosen to be bonded to Amanda's son was because of how weak he would be. She thought Amanda's son needed someone stronger to 'balance' them as they ascended into the Vulcan hierarchy.
T'Rissa was very wrong.
Only very few people knew about Amanda's unborn son, and how powerful he was. Sarek and Amanda did not want this information leaking into the Vulcan community. They asked T'Pau for assistance in keeping the child's ability strictly confidential.
The only people who knew of the child's ability were Sarek, Amanda, T'Pau, S'Reiyah, D'Torres and the Council of Elders.
When the elderly Vulcan spoke of bonding Amanda's child to a strong, healthy Vulcan, he merely emphasised the fact that he needs a mate who will match his ability and not be overwhelmed or overtaken by his strength.
Amanda was pulled from the memory as she saw her guardian standing in front of her, Sybok by her side.
Amanda smiled broadly at T'Rissa before motioning to S'Reiyah to help her up off the seat. Amanda turned to the pregnant Vulcan on the seat.
"Wait until my child is born, then you will understand the real reason why the Council chose you. Until then… Live long and prosper."
