Osmosis – Chapter 18: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters & do not profit from depictions of them.
Warnings this chapter: Emo!Spock. He means well.
Lieutenant Charlene Masters perched on the edge of her chair, one hand nervously twisting the hem of her colorful civilian dress. Her friendship with Nyota meant that she'd attended social occasions where Commander Spock was present. Off duty, Spock could actually be...nice. However, conversation at a Starfleet reception was a world away from crisis intervention involving an earnest young Vulcan carpenter.
"Please relax, Miss Masters. You are in safe and discreet company."
As though Spock had given her an order, Charlene froze, her eyes widening. Nyota reached out and gave Charlene's hand a comforting squeeze, and she became visibly less tense.
"Miss Masters, am I correct in assuming that you have had limited interactions with Vulcans before Starfleet?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Please call me Spock. The nature of this private conversation does not require formalities."
"Uh...Spock. No, I had little exposure to Vulcans but my parents raised me to treat alien – I'm sorry, I mean non-human people – with respect. When our Vulcan guests arrived aboard the Enterprise, people were always polite to them, but not really interacting with them or sitting by them in the common areas. That bothered me. I've been in situations where people wouldn't sit next to me." Charlene exchanged a look with Nyota, who nodded.
"Yes, so have I," Nyota said.
"Indeed. As have I. As have we." Spock exchanged his own look of understanding with Nyota. Surprised, Charlene saw a fleeting sadness on Spock's face, quickly replaced by a look she couldn't easily describe – affection, mixed in with determination and something unnameable but intense as Nyota gazed back at him.
Charlene looked away, feeling instrusive. "Maybe I should have asked Nyota about any gender issues. Is it wrong to speak to unpartnered Vulcan men?" Charlene asked.
"Not precisely, Miss Masters. Your good intentions are admirable and in accordance with Starfleet values. However, unbonded Vulcans with limited social experience may misunderstand some human behaviors, and vice versa."
Charlene said, " Mr. Spock, Stelen never gave me any sign that he was, uh, interested."
"If I may correct you, perhaps he did not give you any human signs of his interest."
"No disrespect, but how on Earth would I know if a Vulcan man were interested?"
"Such signs, on Earth or elsewhere," Spock said dryly, "may include the following: lengthy conversations with you alone; extensive inquiries about personal interests, health, and family situation; among lighter-skinned Vulcans, visible flushing of green in the face and ears; and displays of possessiveness common to many humanoid men. An immature or reckless Vulcan man may also attempt to touch your hands or extend his fingers towards yours as a means of initiating more intimate physical contact."
Spock sensed Nyota's mild amusement across their mental bond as she remembered seeing Spock display every one of those signs himself.
No, Tal-kam, I exhibited as much self-control as possible while you were my student.
Yes, I know, and I liked watching you try to hold back.
Nyota felt a rush of sympathy for Charlene as the pretty engineer groaned and covered her face with her hands.
"Stelen said he plans to build a house on New Vulcan with a carpenter's shop attached. He also told me he teaches himself about Earth languages and cultures...I thought he was interested in learning new things... Stelen asked me lots of questions about my life, but I thought it was just curiosity."
"At the risk of seeming intrusive, Miss Masters, may I ask if you want to become 'involved' with Stelendos?"
"How can I?" Charlene looked at the floor, then at Spock. "I'm already involved, and I have a Starfleet contract to honor!"
"Indeed." Spock noticed that Charlene had not answered his question.
Nyota, is this evasion some sort of human feminine trait?
Maybe she's uncomfortable. Don't push it. Really, Spock, a man might not answer that question either!
Taking note of Nyota's mild annoyance, Spock returned his attention to Charlene.
"Stelendos is an apprentice and he also must honor his own contract. However, beings – human and otherwise – sometimes stubbornly fail to see situations clearly, even when they stand in the middle of them. If you did wish to bond with Stelendos, I would attempt to offer useful advice. However, your comments seem to indicate that bonding is not your choice."
Charlene shook her head. "Maybe if I weren't already with – I don't know, I do care for him, but...the time is wrong. Anyway, he's young – maybe not in years but in his thinking. Spock, how do I handle this without offending him?"
"I have observed you interacting with Enterprise crew in a polite and respectful manner. You have established a friendship with Stelendos. I believe that you already have the appropriate social skills. Speak honestly, and be diplomatic."
"Just try to be as kind as you usually are, Charlene," Nyota said reassuringly. "Nothing's going to make it easy."
Sighing, Charlene closed her eyes for a moment. Nyota wondered what Charlene would ask if Spock were not present. Intimate questions? What is it like with a Vulcan? Maybe not. The engineer's practical nature hid a romantic side. Charlene's questions would more likely involve solving the puzzle of caring for a seemingly emotionless man. Nyota wasn't sure that Charlene even knew about Pon Farr. Good, because she wasn't prepared to offer any advice on that topic. Even a close friend might be shocked to learn that the efficient, hard-working Lieutenant Uhura had enjoyed thinking about little more than sex and food for several long, delicious days.
Spock watched Charlene, a bit concerned. He did not know her well enough to determine the probable pattern of her emotional response to unusual stresses. He hoped that she would not cry.
"Charlene?" he said cautiously.
Charlene sat up straight and looked at him. "Thank you, Spock. I just need quiet time to think, and then I'll go talk to Stelen. Nyota, thank you too. I appreciate your help."
Relieved that no tears were shed, Spock offered support. "I recommend that you allow myself and Donstelralth to follow at a distance. If he refuses to accept your decision peacefully, we will intervene. A reasonable Vulcan man does not force his attentions upon another. Stelendos will likely cease his pursuit once he understands the serious nature of your preexisting relationship."
"I, uh…it's not actually serious, but…" Charlene felt her face grow hot and looked away. She didn't know how to describe her raw, new feelings, and she didn't dare admit that those feelings were for both Scotty and Stelen. She tried to look calm. "Mr. Spock, I will attempt to discourage any illusions Stelen has about this situation."
Nyota hugged Charlene as she and Spock prepared to leave. "Contact me if I can help, or just listen."
Once they were outdoors, Nyota addressed Spock quietly in Vulcan.
"Thank you, Tal-kam (dear one). I appreciate your wisdom and kindness."
"You are welcome, Nyota. Adun'a, I would like to hear your analysis of my discussion with Charlene."
Nyota cocked an eyebrow at him. "Now? I thought we had a date."
"Affirmative. We will meet in a private location within two hours, as planned; please follow the encrypted directions I sent to your communicator earlier today. Now I will speak to Stelendos and Donstelralth and if needed mediate Charlene's discussion with Stelendos. Afterward I will meditate, then come to you. Please provide your analysis after our private meeting."
His fingertips brushed hers; Nyota felt a quick flare of sensual heat.
"Ah...I see. It's been too long, Big Man. I'll be ready."
…
Chief Engineer Scott's Beach Cabin
Gasping for breath, Scotty awakened from the sleep he'd hoped would restore him after a sleepless night of combat and confrontation. It was early afternoon; in a few hours he would meet up with Charlene. She'd appeared in his dreams before, alluring and distant. Now she was his in real life, or so he'd thought.
Scotty knew that he hadn't dreamed the images of her walking away from the transporter pad on New Vulcan. He knew the difference between dreams, delusions, and the Sight. It was the Sight that told him Charlene Masters would, on some year and day he could only place in the future, step off the transporter pad at the New Vulcan Parliamentary Building with a traveling bag in her hand. Scotty recognized the place immediately – it was exactly where he'd beamed down for his own visit to New Vulcan.
He was not on the transporter pad beside Charlene in the vision.
"This will not do, lad," he said to himself, speaking aloud in the dimly lit bedroom, darkened by old-fashioned cloth window shades. "If I can see a bit o' the future, maybe I can change it."
…
Donstelralth's beach cabin
Although well into early adulthood, Stelen actually stomped his foot in frustration as he crossed his muscular arms. "Opisdu (Lord) Spock and Osavensu (Honored Teacher) Donstelralth, you do not understand. I do not want to wait! New Vulcan has too many unbonded men like me. I will not be another 'bare branch'. I want Charlene now."
Spock heard Donstelralth sigh deeply beside him. During his years in business, the older Vulcan had provided vocational and educational guidance to many young Vulcans, as well as advice for those struggling with various aspects of personal life. He had heard and seen much. Only this morning, Donstelralth had scolded the other Vulcan apprentice, Serranstivlen, for leaving the diplomatic welcoming party to enjoy the embraces of the Orion Starfleet officer, Gaila. Now the weariness in Donstelralth's expression hinted that Stelen was an even more stubborn case.
Spock was grateful for Donstelralth's presence, as he himself might have lost patience with the emotional young man. Spock's memories of his own illogical, passionate, and entirely too emotional pursuit of Nyota prevented him from judging the younger Vulcan harshly. No being was perfect.
"My own youth was not an easy time, Stelendos," Donstelralth said. "Sometimes my self-control failed me. This happened when I experienced strong emotional reactions to certain people with whom I shared friendship. I even allowed aesthetic, physical attraction to affect my judgment. As an older, as yet unbonded Vulcan I manage my emotions more carefully. Someday you too will understand this. You are not ready to bond now."
"I am not too young!" Stelen retorted. "It is more than physical desire. Already I know much of emotions."
"You do not consider the emotions of the human who already courts Miss Masters," Donstelralth said.
Stelen frowned. "I have watched human stories in holos and read translations of human books. They court one another for mere days, then cast each other aside on a whim. Many seek bondmates for years, 'dating' repeatedly and being rejected Why should all of the inhabited galaxies be filled with such loneliness? My intentions are good. Vulcan ways are better; she will learn. I will be a good bondmate to Charlene."
"You have not even completed your apprenticeship in my shop!" the older Vulcan snapped.
"Osavensu Donstelralth, I will complete it! Never have I failed to keep a promise to you. I will work!"
"What of her own work? Charlene Masters is a highly skilled engineer accustomed to life aboard a starship. What is she to do while you are gone for hours?" Donstelralth countered. "Who will offer her company while you are off-planet, assisting me with the purchase of materials?"
Spock broke in. "I mean no disrespect for our own people, Stelen, but you know that many, if not most Vulcans avoid friendships with humans. My own mother experienced social rejection, as has my own bondmate. You will have observed that the majority of human women value friendship and support from other women. Despite her fluency in Vulcan language and dialects, and her efforts to interact peacefully with those she met on New Vulcan, my Nyota knows only one Vulcan woman she can call a close friend. Do you wish such a life for Charlene Masters?"
"Spock, my friends will accept her," Stelen said, so upset that he forgot to use the formal honorific.
"Indeed? Please understand that I do not intend to speak cruelly to you," Spock said. "I draw upon my own experience. I protect my bondmate as any Vulcan should. However, I cannot control the negative social behaviors which persist on New Vulcan."
Stelen said, "Vulcan life is changing. It is no longer unusual to see human guest workers and other alien visitors in most Vulcan settlements."
" Donstelralth told me that you and Serranstivlen patronize businesses serving offworld clientele and interact with humans, but your behavior is unusual for Vulcans. Starfleet gives me privilege in that I am able to live and travel with Nyota in environments where both of us are accepted socially – or at least tolerated."
Stelen appeared shocked by Spock's plain speaking. "Do you not simply ignore the cruelty? That is what I do when humans stare at me. Why are you and Lady Uhura are affected by the actions of those who shun you? Both of you are confident and strong beings."
"Observers may believe so. In truth, it affects both of us in ways not easily perceived by others. It does not corrode our bond because we strive to protect it and ourselves. Stelendos, degrees of social acceptance vary. Do you truly think that I would be accepted on New Vulcan as well as I am if my Vulcan father were a bricklayer instead of a diplomat, and my human mother had not been an academic?" Spock awaited a response from Stelen.
"Perhaps not," Stelen admitted. "Wealthy Vulcans find bondmates more easily and quickly than those like me."
Donstelralth spoke. "Even resilient beings find bias and cruelty stressful. Positive, or at least benign, daily social interactions are important to humans."
"This matter must be settled between the two of you, but listen carefully to what Charlene says," Spock concluded. "I do ask that for her sake, you will think about how going to New Vulcan will affect her life. Would you leave New Vulcan to be her bondmate? If you truly want her you must protect and support her."
Donstelralth asked, "Stelendos, have you actually asked Charlene Masters to bond with you yet?"
His face flushed with green, Stelen mumbled, "No, I...the Standard word is 'hinted'. I told her of my work and my plans to build a house with a shop and garden. Also, I told her that New Vulcan is safer than Starfleet life. No, I did not directly ask her to be my mate. I had to tell her that I thought she should be with me, and she was surprised." He sighed heavily. "Do human women always fail to understand subtle communication?"
Both Vulcans looked expectantly at Spock.
"It is best that I avoid answering that question. Vulcan logic does not apply to all situations."
Next chapter: Charlene talks to Stelen. Spock assists Nyota with an illogical, whimsical fantasy. The story draws to a close...
The long delay between chapters resulted from real life work & personal responsibilities...all those still reading, I thank you kindly.