Spock looked up when Captain finally returned to the bridge and sat on his chair. Jim looked at his busy First Officer wondering how he was going to break the news to the crew. Because he sure as hell wasn't doing it . . .
Half an hour later, they all made their way to the canteen. Jim and Bones saw Ensign Carrington walking opposite to them and eyed Spock. Spock nodded at Isobel when she met his eyes and saw the ensigns walking behind throw him a look before going back to their chatter. They both reached the entrance at the same time and Spock stepped into the canteen alongside Isobel. The chatter suddenly simmered down at their entrance, the rest of the canteen looking up to see the seemingly strange sight before going back to normal. Jim and Bones looked at the unfazed couple? as they walked behind them, even the group of ensigns had stopped chatting to look at the sight in front of them.
Isobel walked to the serving area followed by Spock as she took the tray. As always, Isobel went for traditional English lunch and two bowls of salad while Spock observed with satisfaction, helping himself to Vulcan dishes and a bowl of salad. Isobel felt Spock observe her and a thought crossed her mind. Lately she had been wishing to be wrong. It was a very unfamiliar and disturbing feeling . . .
Isobel looked at Spock who was leading them to a table in last of the row. Jim and Bones watched with horror (kidding! Stunned more like it) as they saw Spock leading the ensign to their table. Isobel glanced at the Captain and Dr McCoy, who were still in the line before looking back at Spock.
Spock sat down in his usual place and gestured her to sit opposite to him. Ah well. Isobel sat down and started eating very much aware of the whole canteen staring at them now. Spock looked up momentarily, feeling bit uneasiness coming from Isobel, very much aware of the pin drop silence in the canteen.
Uhura stepped in bemused at the silence in canteen and looked around. Following everyone's eyes, Uhura stared wide-eyed at the sight that met her. Jim and Bones walked up to her and stood beside her; Uhura registered their presence a minute later.
"Captain . ."
"Not a clue."
A second later, "Can we sit with you?"
"Sure Captain."
Bones and Jim marched towards Uhura's table and sat down. Jim looked around and back at Spock and the ensign.
"Ahem."
Every eye zoomed on him and Jim silently signalled them to go on with their business. Some embarrassed, all went back to their food though the whole canteen was talking about First Officer and an ensign from engineering.
"So this is his big announcement?" Whispered Bones in Jim's ears, frowning.
"Got them talking, didn't it?" Jim whispered back.
Uhura came back with her lunch tray.
"Ok, what's going on here?"
Jim and Bones looked up to Uhura, who stared at them, sitting.
Jim nudged Bones' leg before he could even think of saying anything.
"Told you, not at clue." Said Jim trying to act bemused though he didn't needed to, he was yet to surface from his shock.
Uhura narrowed eyes at both of them, trying to intimidate an answer but when they didn't budge, she sighed in defeat and confusion before leaning forward.
"Is this something to do with the meeting Spock attended in the morning with Admiral?" asked Uhura conspiringly.
"Must be." Said Jim.
Nyota looked at Spock and the ensign, eating unfazed. She mentally snorted at their indifference, Spock and she had broke up after the last year's incident with Khan. She couldn't take his indifference much though herself not known for being emotional but Spock's control just . . . drove her up the wall.
"Are they dating?" asked Nyota turning back to them.
Bones choked on his food and coughed violently. Jim glared at Bones hiding it with a frown and handed him water. Nyota too frowned suspiciously at him while Bones drank water.
"It was strange enough when you guys dated, it doesn't get any better!" said Bones grumpily, trying to cover up his slip up.
Nyota rolled eyes and started eating. Jim poked hard and Bones glared back though not quite convincingly.
Isobel felt the whole canteen go back to their business and relaxed a bit, feeling Spock do the same. Though she wasn't squealing happily about the bond, Isobel was fascinated and intrigued by it and started noting down the new developments. Though some part of her was unnerved at the possible implications in regard to her privacy.
Isobel glanced around and saw Captain and Dr McCoy sitting with Lit. Uhura. Chewing slowly, Isobel picked up her PADD and started reading her science journal.
Through out the shift, the whole control room was discreetly glancing at Spock. They were all very intrigued by the sight in the canteen earlier and were dying to know what was going on and the mysterious meeting that Commander Spock had attended only made them even more curious.
Spock quickly walked out of the control room as the shift ended, going straight to his room and locking it behind him. Walking to his desk he sat down looking at his computer before switching it on and typed a link.
Few minutes later screen showed Ambassador Sarek looking at his son with curiosity and happiness.
"Spock, what a pleasant surprise." Said Sarek, seemingly smiling.
"Sa-mekh." Spock gave a slight nod.
(AN: Sa-mekh - Father)
"Is there something in particular you want to talk about, sa-fu?" said Sarek delicately, trying not to seem unwelcoming.
(AN: sa-fu - son)
"Yes, sa-mekh. As you know it is the year of my first Pon Farr. . " Spock trailed of blushed faintly, feeling awkward.
"Ah yes. Are you well, sa-fu?" asked Sarek, frowning faintly with concern. "You did not come to New Vulcan."
"No sa-mekh, we did not touch down on New Vulcan." Said Spock becoming serious.
"This is indeed the matter I want to discuss with you, I have found my bond mate." Said Spock finally, looking at his father closely.
"Indeed?" said Sarek, not knowing how to react or, feel about the news.
"It was accidental. I found her to be perfectly compatible with me and have already formed the empathic bond with her." Said Spock.
Sarek raised a brow in surprise.
"And she is with child."
This time shock and surprise visibly showed on Sarek's face, for a Vulcan that is. Spock was stunned at his father's open display of emotions.
"You sired a child?" asked Sarek in disbelieve yet feeling joy.
Spock nodded, "We found out yesterday. She is one month, two weeks and five days along, currently. Not only are we mentally compatible, she is genetically a perfect match."
"A grandchild." Said Sarek amazed, not actually seeing the screen.
Spock had never seen his father this expressive with his emotions. He wondered if the destruction of Vulcan and death of his mother had affected his father more severely than he had suspected.
"I would like to meet my ko-fu svi' to-gav." Said Sarek eagerly looking back at his son.
(AN: ko-fu svi' to-gav - daughter in law)
"I think you will, soon, on your own." Said Spock now feeling a bit nervous.
Sarek raised a brow at his son and Spock told him about the meeting with Admiral.
"Indeed. Then you must expect our visit along with T'Pring." Said Sarek gravely before smiling faintly.
Spock eyes would have widened if not for his impeccable self control but Sarek sensed his son's surprise and his smile widened.
"We realised our self imposed restrictions constrain us from mourning for our loses properly, that we had isolated ourselves in the quest of attaining imperturbability." Said Saker with a sad smile.
"Your mother taught me this. She would have been happy to hear this news, Spock." Added Sarek.
Spock felt the pang of loss as he mourned with his father. Sarek looked at his son, feeling guilty and devastated for not being a good father but his felt hopeful at the news of his grandchild. He was getting a second chance and Sarek was looking forward to it.
"Take care son. And congratulations." Said Sarek with a warm smile and a Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper."
"Live long and prosper." Repeated Spock with his own salute.
The whole crew looked at their Captain for explanation for the day's events and Jim cursed Spock. So much for not announcing.
Seeing their Captain still mum, Uhura asked the question.
"What is going on, Captain?"
"Sorry guys but this is Spock's private business." Said Jim mentally congratulating himself for getting out the mucky situation.
Jim saw the crew deflate and felt a bit smug. Smiling, he made his way to the canteen.
Isobel frowned mentally seeing Captain and Dr McCoy without Spock. Ever since the lunch, the whole engineering deck has been staring at her not as discreetly as they thought they were being and while she didn't mind torturing them with curiosity, she wouldn't have minded the Vulcan's presence either. Before her brain even entertained the idea of texting Spock, the Vulcan appeared around the bend. Isobel stepped aside at the entrance, waiting for him.
"I apologise for being late." Said Spock as soon as he neared her.
Isobel simply nodded and they walked in together, once again feeling the curious eyes. Isobel and Spock mentally sighed and faintly feeling the other do the same, looked at the other through the peripheral sight, shocked and quickly looked forward.
Sitting down, they started eating their dinner.
"I have informed my father." Said Spock after few minutes.
Isobel nodded and swallowed.
"What did he say?" asked Isobel.
"He said to expect their visit. Though probably after the Starfleet contacts my father." Said Spock looking at Isobel who nodded at him.
"It won't be much long. Would you fiancée be accompanying them too?" asked Isobel.
Spock nodded, "He said to expect her too." He looked as Isobel nodded at him and went back to eating, showing no reaction or emotion as usual.
Except her initial reaction at coming to know about the bond, Isobel hadn't reacted at all and she didn't even broach about it during their discussion either. Spock was feeling apprehensive with Isobel's lack of any response. Not knowing Isobel's standing in their . . . relationship, most importantly on the bond was perplexing.
The whole canteen held their breath and watched the conversation with a look of wonderment. Jim looked on at the conversation feeling confounded and out of reality as if he had stepped into make believe world, not even an alternative reality. Never even in his widest dreams and drunken stupor had he even imagined the possibility of Spock talking with someone casually.
Leonard was pretty much convinced that he was drugged and hallucinating, even then not believing it. Is Spock having a conversation? Like SMALL TALK!? The universe just stopped making sense. Maybe his brain was melting.
Nyota didn't know what to feel as she watched Spock talking with the ensign (whose name she was yet to find out! God, I am so out of loop here.) Spock hadn't ever talked with her in public, ever sat with her in the canteen and let's not even talk about small talk. It made her wonder where she had gone wrong. Nyota averted her eyes from the painful scene and looked at her table mates. Captain and Doctor were panicking, almost hysterical.
"Captain, Dr McCoy!" Nyota shook their hands and sighed in relief when they both turned to her looking like fish out of water and a minute later started eating.
Isobel and Spock were far too much busy in their thoughts to fully study the reaction they had evoked once again.