I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. Now that I am freed from the pressure of writing the disclaimer, I proudly present the chapter!
Pride And Pressure III
As he left the small, private room, Spock replayed the conversation he had just had with Nyota in his head. He had agreed to her terms concerning the sample to be given to the colony's sperm bank. However, Spock was uncomfortable with that decision. He loved Nyota beyond measure and would do anything to avoid causing her pain. But to not know about children who shared his DNA? To the Vulcan way of thinking, this was abandonment. Family and heritage were important, more so than individuality. Even children conceived outside of a permanent bond were to be acknowledged.
He had given his word to Nyota and he would keep it.
However, Spock was not the only one having second thoughts on the matter.
His bondmate sat on the narrow bed of the clinic's exam room, shaking her head.
"Oh, Nyota Uhura, what did you just do? You just forced your husband to do something he really did not want to do because of your own insecurities. All those years spent studying Vulcan culture, then you disrespect and him, after all the adjustments he's made for you. Bad plan, girl!"
She reached out to him, sensing his distress. However, he had closed his thoughts to her.
Spock requested the necessary container from Thorgal's assistant and returned to the private room where Nyota was waiting.
"Spock, your shields are up. We need to talk. I think I asked too much of you. I was being selfish, threatened by the idea of some other woman carrying your baby. I'm sorry. Of course you would need to know if you had a child. And you would never keep secrets from me."
Spock held her close.
"There is no need for you to fear. There is no room in my heart for another, and no, I would not be able to withhold knowledge of a child from you. I will tell Thorgal that I will not participate unless the Elders require it."
"No, love. Let's give him his sample. You need to do this for your people, and I need to learn to live with certain facts. I am married to an honorable and logical Vulcan. I can't ask him to be any less than what he is."
"I am also a very fortunate Vulcan, to have such a wife."
Bones lay on his bed in his room at the Inn, thinking about T'Ameela and all that she had meant to him. The attraction was way beyond physical, though the physical was pretty wonderful. T'Ameela was beautiful to behold and the most attentive lover he had ever known.
However, when Vulcans entered into relationships, they intended for them to last until one of the people involved died. They formed permanent bonds, each person having an awareness of the other's consciousness all the time. This was the thing that scared Bones to death, having someone else in his head, even if it was the person he loved. He had not even melded with T'Ameela, merely allowing her feelings to touch him, but not exchanging thoughts. If he couldn't even bring himself to meld, there was really no hope of forming a bond. It was time to let her go.
Bones couldn't even make himself hate Vorel. He had the makings of a fine healer, kind, with a gentle and non-judgmental manner about him. It was also clear that he was fond of T'Ameela, though he had made no overtures. Vorel was unlikely to do so until Bones was out of the picture.
T'Ameela had agreed to meet him for dinner. It would be their last one together. He was going to say goodbye.
La Keisha was surprised when "Cupcake" told her that he didn't want to spend his last night planet-side with the orphans.
"It's time for all of us to move on and form new relationships. Why don't you and I get all dressed up and have dinner in that restaurant next to the farmer's market? I think it's time we got to know each other better."
La Keisha was all smiles.
"That's an excellent idea."
When they had collected the specimen and given it to Thorgal's assistant, Spock and Nyota were instructed to return to the old healer's office. He bid them be seated while another assistant served them tea.
"We must discuss the matter of notifications, should your sample be used. I assume that you wish be be notified if a child is conceived."
Spock nodded.
"Yes, that is so."
"Do you wish to have perspective recipients know your identity or do you prefer to remain anonymous?"
"I prefer to be identified as the donor. There are many who would not wish to bear my child because of my Human heritage."
Spock relaxed a bit when he said this. Perhaps Nyota would never have to be concerned about the issue after all.
Thorgal sat for a moment, absorbing this statement. This young one still saw himself as a pariah. Did he truly not realize that there were many Vulcans who admired him? Who knew that they owed him their very lives?
"Actually, Spock, there are two requests for your genetic contribution should it ever become available. You have the right to know of all such requests, and to refuse any that you deem unsuitable. Shall I pull the files for you?"
Spock looked at Nyota, uncertain of how to proceed next. She nodded to him
Dr. Jack Wyatt poured his friends each a cup of peppermint tea and then settled down to read the file. Leonard McCoy had been very thorough with both the examination and his recommendations. Little Torel needed corrective surgery on those ribs, as they prevented him from fully expanding his lungs. This in turn hampered his physical development.
"Yeah, I can do this, no sweat. So, Sirin, when are you and Rachel gonna go get the kid?"
"We leave the day after tomorrow. Jason will be on winter break from school."
"Oh, you're taking the whole family?"
"Esther and the kids were never forgive us if we went to New Vulcan without them."
"Well, be careful. Remember the fun Lewis and I had when we took the whole gang!"
Rachel laughed.
"I hope we won't meet any Romulans outside of Nebula Galactic!"
Spock and Nyota looked over the first file. A female, same-sex couple who had been bondmates for over fifty years wanted to have a child. Spock knew them both. They had been music teachers in New Shi'Kahr before relocating to Julliard. One had been his piano instructor. They had requested Spock as sire because of his musical ability.
Nyota spoke first.
"Spock, we have to help them. It's actually an honor that they've asked for you."
"I agree, Nyota. Healer Thorgal, I give my consent to this fertilization procedure."
"Very well. I shall inform the couple of the good news. Please wait a moment while I retrieve the other file. Ah yes, here we are. This is a young couple of approximately your age. The husband suffered an injury during their rescue during the Genocide. They have been trying to have a child since then with no success. They requested Spock as a donor because he was the most intelligent and honorable person they had ever met."
Spock was a bit taken aback when he read the names, Telen and his bondmate T'Seva. This was the very same Telen who had taunted Spock as a child, the boy he had assaulted for his derogatory remarks about Amanda. Telen was also Elder Tovorek's son. Spock and Telen had recently made peace with each other. However, Spock was not certain he could carry his forgiveness this far.
"I do not know, Healer Thorgal. I must meditate before I can give you an answer."
"You must do as you see fit, Spock."
Spock spent several hours meditating, but found no answers. He simply did not know if he wanted to help Telen and T'Seva, not if he could trust them with his offspring. What would happen if Telen managed to sire a child himself later on? Would the first child be made to feel a second class citizen, as Spock had been?
Nyota had no answer for him either. Spock had once shown her the painful memories of Telen and two other boys who had made it their daily game to torment him.
When Sarek returned from his office in the late afternoon, Spock told him all that had transpired at the healer's office, except for Telen's name. However, Sarek was certain that he knew the man's identity.
"I understand your misgivings, my son. Some of my "donation" was requested by T'Pring's sister. In the end, I allowed it to be done. The past is the past. We must move forward. Perhaps it is best to take the request at face value. These potential parents consider you an honorable person from a noble clan. Also, we are a people that have always treasured our children, now more than ever before. I expect that a long anticipated child would be cherished."
"You are wise, Father. You have helped me make a decision. I will sire this child."
T'Mardis gave them a private table in the far corner of the dining room. The fact that they did not take their meal in Leonard's chamber was a matter for concern. They were sitting in silence as she served them the special of the day.
When T'Mardis had gone, T'Ameela spoke first.
"Have you meditated upon our situation, Leonard?"
"I've thought of little else for the past few days, T'Ameela."
"What was your conclusion?"
"I love you very much, but I'm just not able to commit to the mental bond."
Bones' pain was obvious by his tone of voice and the way he squirmed in his seat. However, T'Ameela was also in distress. Bones had never seen such a sad look in her eyes.
"Then there can be no permanent relationship between us."
"T'Ameela, is it possible that we can still be friends?"
"I would like that, Leonard."
They ate their dinner and engaged in a bit of small talk. Then T'Ameela excused herself to study.
Bones watched her go, knowing that he had done the right thing. However, that didn't make it any easier.
Selek and T'Mardis had not really been spying on the couple, but they had both suspected what would happen. Selek sat down at the table with Bones, bringing a bottle of Saurian brandy with him. T'Mardis fetched Jim and Scotty from the bar.
"Leonard has need of you."
Videla sat at her piano, working on her latest etude while T'Shen checked her messages at the terminal. There were many messages from her music theory students, some of whom had compositions due in a few days.
However, there was also a message from Healer Thorgal. When T'Shen read it, she was filled with joy, which Videla felt through their bond.
"What is it that pleases you so?"
"My favorite piano student has consented to fathering our child."
Videla suddenly filled with joy herself, as it had long ago been decided that she would carry the child should the request ever be granted.
La Keisha was an engineer and a Starfleet officer, but she was also a "girly" girl, the one all her friends turned to for fashion advice and beauty tips. Her mother owned one of the most famous day spas in San Francisco. Giotto knew this and was expecting her to look nice for their date. However, when she made her entrance into the restaurant, "nice" didn't begin to describe her appearance.
La Keisha wore a floor length dress of bright rose silk. Every centimeter of skin was covered from neck to toe, though the gown's cut accentuated all the positive aspects of her figure. She had done her hair in tiny braids, each tipped with a gold, heart-shaped bead. Even some of the Vulcan males were checking her out.
However, La Keisha's radiant smile was only for "Cupcake," and he knew it. He smiled back at her proudly.
After dinner, Spock sent a message to Healer Thorgal, informing him of his decision to allow his semen to be used by Telen and T'Seva. The rain had stopped, so he joined Nyota in the chaise for an brief cuddle under the stars, their last chance to do so before returning to the Enterprise in the morning. They had no more settled in when Spock's communicator beeped.
"Spock, it's Jim. I'm sorry to have to do this to you guys, but I'm recalling the crew and canceling all leaves effective immediately. We'll be heading to Starbase 7 to pick up diplomats and then on to Erdrusia. War is threatening to erupt between the Erdrusians and the Jorians. We'll also be taking Sarek with us."
TBC