Nyota had said her goodbyes, her eyes teary, her breath caught in her throat. She would miss her friends. Perhaps she would see them soon, if her ship were in the vicinity she could rendezvous with the Enterprise. Dimitri had already gone, meeting up with his team to make last minute preparations before coming aboard the Endeavor. Everyone had come to see her before she left, even Kirk had come to her, giving her an awkward handshake and then a stiff hug.
"I'm glad that you're—you know, not dead," he told her, blushing furiously.
She looked at him hard, trying to feel the hatred she had nursed for so long, but she could only feel—pity. He was incredibly flawed. She only hoped he would grow from his experiences and become the man he was meant to be. She had surprised him by smiling and saying, "I'm glad too. I hope you have a nice life Kirk."
He smiled back and then an ensign had tapped him on his shoulder. When Nyota saw the look of lust, amazement and affection Kirk was giving the young Andorian, she could only smile and hope this latest entanglement would not be one mired in hurt and pain and that Kirk would know the joy of truly loving someone.
She had made her way back to her quarters, not expecting to see Spock Prime standing at her door. She bid him welcome, and he came in, his eyes betraying deep emotion.
"Nyota," he told her his lips quirking up, "It appears that we are always saying goodbye."
She nodded, "I suppose so,"
He said nothing for a moment and then said, "No words are adequate in describing my sincere and utmost apologies, Nyota. You may lay the blame for everything which has occurred at my feet."
She looked at him a moment her eyes narrowing. "It is your fault. All of it," she told him angrily, "You have intervened in the lives of three people! You have done nothing but scheme and connive and for what?! Just to recreate some life you used to have?!," she told him sternly.
"Nyota, I--," he began, his voice wavering.
"No. Let me finish," she interjected, "I hope this has taught you well. I was so angry. So hurt. I let it eat at me, day after day, tearing me down, wearing me out until I was only a shadow of what I used to be."
A tear journeyed from his eye and down to his craggy cheek and he did not brush it away.
"But--," she paused, "I grew from that. It made me strong. Perhaps if you hadn't interfered, I would still be in an unfulfilling relationship, in an unfulfilling career position, never knowing where the possibilities lay. For that, I am grateful," she told him.
He looked at her, shock racing across his face before he composed himself.
"That doesn't ever excuse what you did, and I hope you live with your actions for the rest of your life, knowing the hurt you've caused. But I'm no longer bitter, I'm no longer as angry."
He reached out to her and momentarily grabbed her hand and she allowed this.
"I never realized how strong I was until now. I thought I was supposed to be the support structure for everyone else. But I know now that I am my own woman. This is my story Spock'h," she told him and gently removed her hand from his, "And I will be the one to tell it. Not you, not Spock and not anyone else."
"Do you--," Elder Spock began, his voice soft with fear, "Do you forgive me?"
She shook her head and he took in a breath, "No. Not right now. But everyday, I forgive you a little. I think that in time, I will."
He nodded, pleased at even this little concession.
He stood for a moment, taking in Nyota, noting that the woman who stood before him was so different from the one he had known over a year ago. This woman was strong though embattled, scarred but not broken, and unafraid of creating her own way.
This woman was not the Nyota of his old universe, but for that, he was glad.
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A/N: Special thanks to everyone who read, commented and came along with me on this adventure. I am so, so honored and happy! Also thanks to smithsbabe65 for helping me to dish out "the business"! LOL. ;-) I may do an epilogue or even a set of stories dealing with what happens after so there may be more to come!