AN: While the last couple of Chapters and this chapter will have a lot to do with Minerva, I promise I'm not just focusing on her. I'm ripping off the opening of this chapter from an episode of Deep Space Nine.
Chapter Six: Squares
"I can't help it, every time I close my eyes, I see you. I am completely devoted to you, there's no one else, no replacement for you!"
Uhura smiled sadly at Chekov. They were sitting together in the Quasar restaurant, where a lot of crew members went for lunch. Chekov had convinced her to eat with him. They were done with her meals and he was now holding her hands in his.
"What about Lieutenant Tannith from Engineering? Or Ensign Walter from Maintenance? Or Yeoman Coriander from Tactical?" Uhura asked, "You seemed to be quite enjoying their company."
The Ensign shook his head. "Just pathetic attempts to get you out of my head. They're nothing compared to you."
Uhura sighed. "Pavel, I do love you, as a friend, and I value that relationship. I'm sorry, it just wouldn't work!"
Chekov looked away in disappointment. "Maybe someday, you'll understand."
"I'm sorry, Pav, I really am."
She really was too. She had gone on a couple of dates with the young Ensign, and the whole time she couldn't get over how much the young man reminded her of babysitting her little brother. He was just so… young.
She threw away her tray and left the restaurant. Almost immediately, she bumped into Jim Kirk.
"Ah, Lieutenant, just who I wanted to see! Enjoy your lunch?"
Uhura smiled. "Up until I had to break Chekov's heart, yes."
The two of them started walking toward the Transporter room.
"How is our young Navigator?"
"Young. What did you want to see me about?"
"I read the message you decoded from Star Fleet Command," Jim said, "I am fully willing and ready to do as they ask. I was hoping you'd come with me down to the Imagination Planet to inform Colonel Minerva. She's taking her Shore Leave right now."
"I'd be glad to," Uhura answered.
"Also, have you seen Spock? As you know, this concerns him as well."
"No, I haven't seen him for a few hours."
"Oh well, he'll turn up eventually."
Kirk and Uhura boarded the transporter platforms and stood still as they were teleported onto the surface of the planet.
Jim sighed at the beauty of it. The sight of this planet brought back several rather interesting memories. Beating up Finnegan, seeing the Tiger, Bones being brought back from the dead. Thank God for when the Caretaker showed up. Ever since then, The Enterprise had been taking shore leave on this planet whenever they could. Off in the distance was a small group of Lieutenants. Jim went up to them.
"Excuse me, have any of you seen Colonel Minerva?" He asked them.
One of them, a female Engineering Lieutenant, nodded. "She's at the waterfall and lake about two miles northwest of here. At least, that's where we last saw her."
"Thank you, Lieutenant—er,"
"Brownmiller, Captain," the young woman replied. "Susan Brownmiller."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Brownmiller."
Jim and Uhura went on in the direction that the Lieutenant had given them. Along the way they passed other Officers and crewmen from the Penthesilea. Jim enjoyed having Uhura on his arm as he passed them, it really made him feel like a man.
When they came upon the lake, the two of them stopped short in shock.
The waterfall was a large, but gentle one, with several stone ledges surrounding the lake. The water was absolutely beautiful, a rainbow appearing along the waterfall. Sitting on one of the stone ledges in front of the waterfall was Colonel Minerva, dressed in a green bikini and a silvery transparent gauze poncho, sitting perfectly still. Sitting on another stone ledge several yards across from her was Mr. Spock, his hair wet, dressed in a blue pair of swim trunks, drawing the Colonel with some pastel crayons.
Neither Uhura nor Kirk could believe their eyes. First of all, what was Spock doing on Shore Leave? Second of all, why was he spending it drawing Minerva? Since when did he draw and for that matter, since when did he swim?
Minerva spotted her two crewmates before Spock did. She wasn't surprised by the shock on both their faces. She was rather shocked herself. She had agreed to let Spock accompany her on Shore Leave for their first date and told him how Arsinoe had wanted her to draw pictures of the planets they visited while she was away. She had mentioned how stressed she was about it, because she could not draw worth a damn, and Spock had offered to draw for her. When they had come across the lake, she had tried to steer them away. The water had looked so tantalizing but she didn't think Spock would be up for swimming. He asked her what she was doing and when she told him, he agreed to go swimming. A little while later, Spock had suggested that Arsinoe might like a picture of her mother and had her pose. Minerva in a million years never expected a Vulcan to do such a thing. She hadn't been sure if she had been dreaming or if maybe he was just trying very hard, but she enjoyed it.
Despite the fact that she knew she wasn't supposed to move, she waved over at the Captain and Lieutenant. "Jim! Nyota! Hey!"
Spock looked around at the Officers and though Jim couldn't be sure, it looked like a green blush was appearing on his cheeks. Jim and Uhura approached them and Spock looked over at the Colonel.
"I think I have enough to finish this back on the ship, Minerva," He said. He then looked at Jim and Uhura. "Captain, Lieutenant, what is it you need?"
Jim decided to wait until Minerva had come over to their ledge. "Just a second, what are you doing down here? You never take shore leave!"
Spock straightened his posture. "I had a reason to."
"What, Minerva?" Kirk smiled. "Spock, are you two on a date?"
Spock grunted. "In a manner of speaking, yes, we are. I am drawing pictures for Arsinoe, but the primary reason I am with the Colonel is for her company."
Minerva climbed up onto their ledge and looked at Spock's work. "Not bad, I think she'll like that." She turned to the Captain. "What's going on, Captain?"
"The Federation Government has sent us a note responding to what happened with Lemieu and the Gorrillians. They are very pleased about what has happened and are citing all involved with a special commendation, even you."
Minerva grinned. "That's great."
"They have contacted the Scyran government and the Gorrillian government about the meeting and have confirmed the time and place. Countless women have been reunited with their families and Lemieu was tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty-five years in a rehabilitation camp. They wanted the Penthesilea to be the ones who escort the Ambassadors from Scyran and the Federation to take them to the assigned meeting place, Babel. But that's not all."
"Oh?" Minerva asked.
"No, along with the Ambassadors, both governments want you, Mr. Spock and myself to participate in the negotiations and keep up the façade of you two being married. The Ambassadors for the Federation have already been picked. Your father, Spock, and Ambassador Greta Showalter from Earth. We are to pick them up on Vulcan in two weeks, then proceed to Proscyra."
"Who are representing my people?" Minerva asked.
"Your mother and the Parliament insist on keeping that a secret until we arrive at your home," replied Jim. "We will have to cut our shore leave short and leave in nine days. You are expected during these negotiations to act as Princess, Minerva, and Spock, when you meet with the Gorrillians, you will be doing so as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Consort Spock of Vulcan and Scyra, husband of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Minerva Hippolyta and father of Her Highness Princess Arsinoe Hippolyta. You will have to play that part until the negotiations are complete. Your parents are already aware of this."
Spock nodded. "Very well, Captain."
"Captain," Minerva asked. "Will my daughter be returned to me once we get to Pyroscyra?"
"I believe so, yes." Kirk replied. "And she knows she's supposed to pretend Spock is her father."
"Alright then," answered Minerva. Her face lighting up at this news. "Sounds like a good plan."
Eight Days Later:
Minerva and Spock were walking through the woods, Minerva's head against Spock's shoulder. For the last several days, the two of them had been spending a great deal of time together. Eating together, talking, playing music and exercising together. All throughout it, Minerva kept wondering how come she had not looked at Spock before.
Well, actually, she sort of new. She never bothered looking at him because she always assumed he was an asexual, emotionless Officer. But over the last few days, she realized how attracted she was to him. Rather than being completely emotionless, Spock actually had a great deal of passion lurking beneath his Vulcan exterior. It seemed to only come out when he was playing music, drawing something, or on a very rare occasion, when he was alone with her and would give her a kiss or even just stare at her silently, his eyes intense and frankly, smoldering.
At first, Minerva didn't like how stingy he was with affection. It wasn't what she was used to. On Scyra, everyone hugged and kissed each other all the time and lovers were constantly in each other's arms, saying lovely things to one another. But Spock was Vulcan and therefore, not very into touching or trading affectionate words. But soon Minerva found she liked it, it was different and it also made those rare moments seem all the more special.
She also found they connected on a level they hadn't expected: they both had parents who strongly disapproved of what they were doing. Spock's father didn't approve of Star Fleet and Minerva's mother didn't want her daughter leaving home and going into space. He also listened to her and told her deeply personal things, which she knew, what with him being Vulcan, meant he felt very special about her. It was touching.
Spock, meanwhile, was somehow feeling both scared and at ease. He had never felt so safe as he did when he was alone with her, but at the same time was afraid he'd ruin everything due to his lack of romantic experience. She was as sweet and enchanting as he believed she was. He couldn't believe all that they had in common or how interesting she was. The girl knew how to tell a story.
But Spock also felt very guilty because at times, when they were alone, he couldn't stop thinking about getting her into bed. He wanted put his face between her bare breasts and suck each one, stroke every inch of her body, taste what was between her legs, see her pretty little mouth wrap around his cock, hear her moan as he thrust into her, rip her clothes off with his teeth. Aside from being very illogical and un-Vulcan, it was also very disrespectful to her. They had only been seeing each other for a few days and already he was letting himself indulge in his fantasies. Sure, he had had dirty thoughts about her before they started dating, but he had always quieted them. Now he actually let himself dream up the whole scenario while stroking his dick in the privacy of his quarters. He felt bad about it.
He could even now feel the heat of having her so close to him. He kept trying to think of things like Scotty in a speedo, dead animals, his father's disapproving voice and calculating the Fibonacci sequence to try and keep himself from getting an erection, but as hard as he tried, thoughts about how hot it would be to find a bed and fuck her in the middle of these woods kept flashing in his mind.
"Hey, what's that?" Minerva said, pointing.
Spock looked and saw, to his horror, that his thoughts had manifested themselves. Right up ahead was a four-poster bed with red draperies. Minerva looked at him.
"I didn't imagine it," she replied, "So I'm guessing you did?"
Spock was terrified. Now she knew. "I apologize, Minerva, I should have been more careful about my thoughts. I would never try to pressure you to do anything."
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Minerva assured him, "Everyone has thoughts like that. I'm not offended."
His obvious awkwardness and attempts to hide his emotions were absolutely adorable to Minerva. It also kind of turned her on.
"Well, I mean, you've told me you love me," Minerva said, "And I know you can't lie. Are you ready to make the two of us almost official?"
Spock nodded. It sounded like she was considering it, and he would be willing to do anything to have her willingly got to bed with him."
"Alright then, Spock, we're almost lovers," she said, smiling. She started walking up ahead of him and started taking off her clothes, first her shoes, then her pants. She looked over at Spock as she started taking off her shirt. "Well? You coming?"
Spock hurriedly went after her, taking off his shirt. Minerva took off her shirt and then crawled onto the bed in her black bra and panties with the lace trim. She turned to face him and was on all fours. "I'm waiting."
Spock climbed onto the bed, pulled off his boots and started for his pants, but she got there first, unbuttoning them and pulling them down around his hips. He kicked them off, revealing his blue boxers, and threw his pants on the ground. Minerva lay back, her upper torso slightly raised by the pillows, a majestic smile on her face.
Spock immediately was seized all at once by the intense fire he had not been able to satisfy, only extinguish years before when he believed he was about to finally marry and mate with T'Pring. Ever since then he had felt rather unsatisfied, but quite under control. Now, suddenly, the passion he had felt for T'Pring returned and redirected itself at the green-winged temptress lying before him. The look on her face was challenging, like she was saying, "Let's see what you can do."
It was then Spock remembered months prior when she had explained about the relationships Scyrans had with their lovers.
"We have to connect with them mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually. We form a bond and then test to see if we satisfy and work for each other sexually. Once the first sexual encounter is done, they decide. If they are satisfied, they are lovers, if not, they never try again and just remain friends. No one is allowed to go unsatisfied."
With that memory, Spock realized that she actually was saying, "Let's see what you can do." This wasn't just sex, this was a trial. She wasn't sure he could satisfy her.
That just inflamed his desire more. He wasn't just going to satisfy her, he was going to drive her mad. He ripped off his boxers and then stared at her with the same challenge.
Minerva, meanwhile, was feeling excited. The encounter so far had been very arousing. Spock definitely had sensual energy bursting from him. She was both excited and concerned about doing this with an alien. Excited to try new things, but concerned it wouldn't work. Usually, when she was about to mate for the first time with a potential lover, she took he or she to one of their quarters for the first mating. This time was different. Minerva was the type who got extra turned on when there was a danger of being caught. She wasn't obsessed with it or required it to have mind-blowing sex, but at times it was absolutely incredible. To lessen her concerns and heighten her arousal, she purposely had them begin in the middle of these woods. She really, really hoped Spock would prove himself, and felt he probably would, but she had been wrong before. But if his cock was anything to go by, then she wasn't.
Spock saw the challenge and doubt in her eyes, feeling she was taunting him, Spock lost control. He pounced on her, kissing her ferociously before lowering his head, taking the middle of her bra between his teeth and ripping it off. He spit it out off to the side and then attacked her breasts with his mouth and hands, not even trying to be gentle. The animal inside him made a satisfied purr as he heard her moan. He then lowered his head again and started licking her through her panties, tasting the wetness through the cloth. She started bucking her hips and Spock then held her down by her hips. He took part of her panties in his teeth and then pulled them down her legs and off them. Spock then started kissing her legs from toe to thigh before practically devouring her clit. He sucked and licked with intensity until finally she let out a heavy gasp and his mouth was flooded with her cum. He came back up and kissed her, having her taste herself. Then, suddenly and ferociously, grabbed her, flipped her onto her stomach.
"Get on all fours," he gasped. She complied.
He didn't bother to ease in gently, just thrust in and started fucking her as hard as he could. She started groaning and willing him to go harder and faster, which he happily complied with. He held out as long as he could, promising himself only to go once she had cum twice more. He held out as long as he could, finally bursting along with her second orgasm so the floods of cum from each met each other. Spock pulled out of her and then collapsed right next to her. Minerva turned over and looked at him, smirking.
"So that's why you Vulcans hold back so much of the time," she said, grinning. "Saving everything up for a crazy fuck."
Spock was a little annoyed. He had hoped that after what he had just done to her that she would be too exhausted to utter a coherent sentence. Minerva spotted this immediately. She had dealt with it before.
"Honey, did you actually think you were going to fuck me stupid?" She asked. "Only another Scyran woman would be capable of that. Don't feel bad, it was still fantastic. You definitely proved yourself."
"You mean, I satisfied you?" Spock replied.
"I came three times. It was hardly a let-down." She started stroking his chest. "Trust me, this is one of the best nights I've had since I left Scyra."
"If you don't mind me asking, how did I compare to the Captain?" Spock asked, his ego hurting a little.
"Jim? Oh, you were much better. He fell asleep almost immediately after we were through." She didn't sound the least bit offended or uncomfortable with the question.
It was then that Spock realized something. "We didn't use protection!"
"Protection? Against what?" Minerva asked.
"Sexually Transmitted diseases and pregnancy!"
Minerva laughed. "Spock, I can't get pregnant unless I am in a consciously-entered receptive state, and Scyrans have vaccines for every STD. I can't give or contract anything I don't want to."
Spock's mind settled. He had been worried that letting that animal inside him loose had cost him greatly.
"What should we do next?"
"Well, we could go back up to the ship and go to bed. Want to sleep in my quarters tonight with me?"
"Yes," Spock answered. "I would like that very much."
Once again, the four most senior officers of the Enterprise were waiting in the shuttle bay for Spock's parents, as well as the Ambassador from Earth. Spock's parents alighted from the shuttle first, followed by the grey-haired, pants-suit wearing Ambassador Showalter.
"Mother, Father," Spock said, giving them the Vulcan salute. "You of course remember Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy and of course, my co-commanding Officer and good friend, Colonel Minerva Hippolyta."
McCoy and Kirk looked at Spock in surprise, then looked straight at Minerva. Her lips were pursed rather tightly, but other than that she expressed no emotion.
"Ambassador Showalter," Kirk said after clearing his throat, "You are likewise welcome aboard the Penthesilea."
Greta Showalter looked around with interest. "This is a very impressive ship. I had the opportunity of reading the file on it before I left Earth." She smiled at Minerva. "I understand you were part of the team that helped build this ship. You should be very proud."
Minerva smiled back. "Thank you, we are, and proud to operate it alongside the excellent Officers of Star Fleet. We would not have been able to fly this ship without the Federation. I would be happy to give you a tour of the ship if you wish?"
"That would be lovely," agreed Showalter.
"Well then, Ambassador," Kirk said, "Why don't you go with Colonel Minerva, Ambassador and Mrs. Sarek, Dr. McCoy would be happy to show you to your quarters. Mr. Spock, if you would come with me, I have something to discuss with you."
"Of course Captain."
The group dispersed and Kirk lead Spock to a private conference room. He lock the door behind them and looked at Spock in bewilderment.
"Mr. Spock, I am not usually the type of man to pry into the personal lives of my Officers, but I do consider both you and the Colonel to be friends of mine and sometimes I worry that perhaps personal issues can get in the way of your professional work. I was under the impression that you and the Colonel had begun a personal, non-platonic relationship outside of work."
Spock stared back at his best friend quizzically. "The Colonel and I have been engaging in a personal relationship, that is true. I wasn't aware that you objected."
"I don't object, Spock, what you and Minerva do off-duty is your own business. I just wanted to confirm this as fact. Since you have confirmed it, I am very curious to know why you lied to your parents and told them that Colonel Minerva was your 'friend!"'
"Vulcans are incapable of lying, Captain. I did not lie, I consider Colonel Minerva to be a close friend."
"You were misleading them, Spock!" Jim replied angrily. He really, really didn't like what Spock did to Minerva back at the Shuttle bay. He lied to his parents and acted like he was ashamed of her. It was a low thing to do. "I seriously doubt that you consider the Colonel to be 'just a friend'!"
"Of course I do, Captain," Spock replied, "We're lovers."
Jim's eyes grew huge. "You slept with her and then lied about your relationship to your parents? Spock, are you a complete idiot? Why didn't you tell them about the two of you?"
"You expected me to tell my Vulcan father that we have been having sex?" Spock asked.
"No, but you could have told him that Colonel Minerva was your girlfriend!"
"But the Colonel isn't, she is over twenty-four hundred years old. How is it accurate to call her a 'girl'?"
"It's just an expression, Spock, it means you're romantically involved with her. Why did you lead your parents to believe that you were not romantically involved?"
"I didn't think my father would approve." Spock answered, "I was worried his disapproval might cause Minerva stress or unhappiness."
"She's going to be more stressed and unhappy that you're hiding things from your parents, Spock. Women dislike it a lot when men don't acknowledge their relationship to everybody. You really hurt her when you misled your parents like that. You made her think you're ashamed of her and the bond she formed with you. She did you a great honor making you her lover, and you treated it like it was something dirty. She probably knew how your father would feel, but she was willing to give herself to you anyways. And you rejected her. You seriously miscalculated with that one, Spock." Jim said.
Spock's eyes narrowed. "I… was not aware as to how that would affect her emotionally. Jim, you are more informed and experienced about these matters than I am. What would you suggest I do?"
"Apologize to her and your parents, come clean, and do whatever you can for the next few weeks to make her feel loved and wanted. She's already a princess, Spock, treat her like one."
"On Vulcan we carry our princesses in litters and debate with them."
Jim rolled his eyes. "No, I mean, be very, very sweet to her. Do things for her, compliment her, pay attention to her, make her feel appreciated."
"I see. Perhaps I should make her a list of her various excellent qualities as an officer." Spock mused.
"You kind of have the idea," Jim replied. "But instead, make a list of all of her beautiful features, or the things you like about her as a person or all the reasons she's special to you. Whatever you do, though, don't try to compensate by getting her a bunch of expensive gifts. Girls like her really hate that."
"Why?"
"Because it makes them feel like some sort of gold-digger or personal prostitute and they think it means that that's the way you see them. Just make sure she doesn't feel neglected."
"Is that how you interact with Uhura?" Spock asked him.
"Definitely. One of the biggest problems in most humanoid societies is a history of women not being appreciated and feeling neglected. Women kind of have a history of putting their lives on hold and putting up with all kinds of bullshit because they want more than anything to see us happy. That's why it's our job to make sure they feel like we notice, appreciate, and love them for us."
"I wasn't aware that they felt that way," replied Spock.
"Spock, would you ever want to give a man a blowjob?"
"Absolutely not."
"Do you think chicks want to do it anymore than we do?"
Spock thought about it. "Probably not, I suppose. Then why do they do it?"
"That's my point, right there." Jim said sagely. "Now get out of here and go find and apologize to your girlfriend."
"Yes, Captain."
Spock left the room and made for the holodecks, which was usually Minerva's first stop on a tour of the ship. When he arrived, she was fighting off holographic monsters with a holographic ax while Ambassador Showalter watched in amazement. Spock waited for her to finish, then clapped along with the Ambassador. Minerva noticed him. She excused herself from the Ambassador and then walked over to him.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him.
"I came to apologize about earlier," Spock answered, "I didn't want you to think I didn't appreciate you or that I was ashamed of you. I thought that if my father knew that he'd disapprove and it would cause you distress and I didn't want that to happen."
"Lying about our relationship causes me a great deal more distress, Spock. If you're not willing to be honest about what we have, how am I supposed to know you even want to be involved with me?"
"I never wanted you to think that, it was not my intention," answered Spock. "I didn't realize what I was doing. Jim explained to me and I realize what I did was unethical and illogical. I will gladly make sure my parents know that we are involved. I promise never to mislead anyone about it again. I promise you, I am quite the opposite of ashamed to be your lover. I promise to make sure you don't forget it. Just, please don't think that I'm ashamed of you or not committed. I am."
She sighed. "Alright. I guess I can give you a pass since you're new to this. You're forgiven, but I don't want any doubt in your parents' minds by the end of the day."
"Thank you." Spock pulled her into a deep kiss and then left.
Later that evening, Spock went to his parents' quarters. The door opened to reveal his father in his black suit, looking grave as usual.
"Spock, you are early," Sarek said. "It is unlike you."
"I was hoping mother and you would be ready so that we may go and fetch someone else to accompany us to the dinner."
Sarek's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"A person of great importance in a number of respects." Spock answered. "The arrangement requires us to be in pairs."
"I see." Sarek looked over his shoulder. "Wife? Are you ready?"
Amanda hurried over. "I am."
Spock led his parents back to the Senior Officers' Quarters wing and went up to Minerva's door and sounded the chime.
"I would have thought the Colonel would be partnered with the Captain," Sarek remarked.
Spock didn't respond he just listened for the foot steps approaching. Minerva opened the door and Spock's eye widened.
She was not in her dress uniform, but in a figure-hugging, low-cut red velvet dress. Her hair was out of her usual bun and down around her waist, the right side of her hair pulled back by a ruby comb and the left side of her hair falling in her face. Spock felt his blood start to heat up. Before he knew it, he had drawn her into a deep, passionate kiss.
When they pulled away, she smirked and Spock realized that she had dressed that way so he couldn't break his promise to her if he wanted to. A small green blush came to his cheeks and he looked at his parents. His mother was grinning and his father looked grave.
"Spock, I take it that your relationship with the Colonel goes beyond what you alluded to earlier today."
"I know it is not logical, Father," Spock said. He paused and took a deep breath. "But I am in love with Minerva."
"I don't blame you," Amanda chuckled, "She's a vision. I don't remember you wearing some fancy clothes the first time we visited the ship, Minerva!"
"Well, I didn't really have much of a reason to wear anything like this," Minerva replied, fingering her dress. "But I thought, what the Hell, I'm supposed to act as Princess on this mission, might as well dress like one!"
"Sarek," Amanda said, "Don't they make the most handsome pair? I swear, I've never seen such a good-looking couple!"
"However attractive they may be, I do not know or care," Sarek replied, "What matters is that they make a convincing royal couple."
"Oh, they do that easy!" Amanda said. "Really, Darling, you should dress like this more often. You're an absolute stunner outside that green uniform! You look like you belong in some old Hollywood Movie!"
"Well, thank you." Minerva answered, blushing and not knowing what Amanda meant by 'Old Hollywood Movie', "Shall we go to the dinner? As I understand it, the two ambassadors from my home have already arrived."
Spock shot her a questioning look. Then where's Arsinoe? He asked her silently.
She gave him a look saying she didn't know.
"Well, it will be interesting to meet more of your people!" Amanda said.
The two couples made their way to the audience Hall, where a crowd of people were. Male Officers were in their dress uniforms, the women were in gowns. Minerva quickly scanned the room, trying to find the Scyran Ambassadors when someone came up behind her, grabbed her, and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.
Minerva's eyes widened in bewilderment until she realized who it was. Before she knew it, Spock had grabbed him and pulled him away by his collar.
"Spock! No!" Minerva said, regaining her composure. She looked at her assailant with absolute elation. "It's Calix! My lover!"
Spock looked at the man he was gripping. The man was about an inch taller than him, with wavy brown hair, brilliant violet eyes, a mole on his cheek and one of the handsomest faces Spock had ever seen. He was muscular and lean, his excellent figure accentuated by the violet silk shirt and black pants he was wearing. A gold badge was pinned to his left breast and a violet cape hung from his shoulders.
Amanda looked at Minerva with alarm. "I thought my son was your lover!"
"He is! They're both my lovers!" Minerva said. "My people don't practice monogamy."
Amanda's expression darkened. "You mean you have multiple people in your marriages?"
"No, we just don't have marriages. Calix was one of my male lovers that I had to leave at home." She embraced Calix lovingly.
"Male lovers?" Amanda said.
Spock looked at his mother with worry. "It's how they do things on Scyra, Mother." He turned to Calix and said in a somewhat clipped voice. "I apologize."
"That is quite alright, Commander," Calix said good-naturedly, "I shouldn't have done that, she with you tonight. I just hadn't seen her in so long I couldn't really help myself."
Calix gave Spock the Vulcan salute and said in Vulcan, "I come to serve."
"Your service honors us." Spock answered.
"And are these your parents?" Calix said with a smile. "Ambassador Sarek and Professor Grayson, it is a great honor to meet you. I am Ambassador Calix Philena of Pyroscyra and one of Minerva's lovers."
Amanda didn't look all too pleased to meet him. Sarek just looked at him quizzically. Calix maintained his friendly smile.
Minerva looked seriously at her lover. "Calix, I was told that when the Scyran Ambassadors would arrive that Arsinoe would be with you. Where is our daughter?"
"Our daughter?" Amanda gasped. "You mean…"
Calix smiled. "Yes, seven years ago my beloved Minerva gave me the wonderful gift of our beautiful daughter, Arsinoe. I am her biological father." He looked at Minerva again. "The other Ambassador is Sybil, Arsinoe is in her quarters, they're both getting ready. They wanted to look they're best to see their mother again."
Minerva smiled, her eyes watering. "That's so sweet."
"Sybil?" Amanda asked. "Your other daughter?"
"Oh yes," Minerva said, "She's my eldest child."
"Is Ambassador Calix her father as well?" Amanda asked, shocked.
"Oh, no, Sybil's father was Cosmas Sybil, an old lover of mine who died in battle before he got to see her. I named her after him." Minerva explained.
"How many different men have you had children with, exactly?" Amanda demanded.
"Mother, please-" Spock asked.
"No, it's alright, Spock. Professor, I have seven children by four different men." Minerva said. "I know you probably find that very shocking, but where I come from it is very normal."
"I myself have ten children by seven women," Calix added.
Amanda did not seem comforted by this. "Spock, were you aware of this?"
"Yes, Mother, I know of all of Minerva's seven current other lovers as well as the three she had who are now dead. I know of all her children and who their fathers are."
"Spock!" She cried out, appalled. "Why on Earth would you get involved with a woman like that!"
"Like what, exactly?" Calix asked, suddenly sounding offended.
"Promiscuous!" Amanda replied angrily. "Sinful!"
"Mother, please!"
"Excuse me, but who do you think you are?"
The whole group of them turned around. Standing a yard away was a dark haired young-looking woman who looked a lot like Minerva in a blue dress carrying Little Arsinoe, who was dressed in green.
The woman walked over and she and Arsinoe gathered Minerva into a group hug and kiss.
"Hello, Mom, who the Hell is this woman calling you sinful?" The woman asked.
"Sybil, don't worry about it. She just doesn't understand-"
"No," Sybil replied angrily. "She insulted you and our family. There's no excuse for that."
Sybil looked fiercely at Amanda. "How dare you talk about my mother that way? You are talking about the Crown Princess of Scyra and a decorated Colonel in our military who has sacrificed more for her country and family than you can ever imagine, helped build this ship, and found a way to save your country's women from being kidnapped and enslaved. If it weren't for my mother, you wouldn't be here because this mission wouldn't be taking place and this ship would not exist. How could you possibly say that my mother is sinful?"
"She has all these lovers at once, children by several different men! It's disgusting!"
"Wife, please stop this now." Sarek said.
"Okay, you have really gone too far," Sybil said, her eyes flashing. "You just didn't insult my mother, you insulted our entire race. The Scyrans don't practice monogamy and marriage. All of us have multiple lovers because we're able to love multiple people at once. We don't understand why you Federation people withhold your ability to love from others and just share your life with one person, but we would never call that disgusting or sinful. We form deep, loving bonds with the people we join with and we hurt no one doing so. Who are you to say how we live is wrong? We obviously haven't suffered for it. How do you know that it isn't your way that's wrong? What give you the right to judge the way we live?"
"Because your mother is involved with my son!" Amanda said.
"So? Do either of them seem unhappy to you? It's none of your business! You should be ashamed of yourself for insulting a decent woman and an entire race of people!"
"Mother, please, she's right." Spock said. "It is not your place to judge the way Minerva or her fellow Scyrans live. Please apologize."
"It would be best if you did so, Wife." Sarek added.
"I'm not going to apologize for trying to protect my son. But obviously I'm not wanted around here." With that, Amanda took off.
"I'm very sorry about that, Ambassador." Minerva said to Sarek.
"No, it is I who should apologize," Sarek replied. "My wife was out of line. If my son is agreeable to your arrangement, then we have no right to interfere or judge. From my experience, you are a good, responsible, strong, and intelligent woman and I have no reason to disapprove of you."
"Thank you for being so understanding," replied Minerva.
"I have no reason to be otherwise. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Sarek left the group, barely making a sound. McCoy then showed up.
"Hey, what's going on?"