Through the Eyes of a Child
Styik glanced at his parents for the third time in a matter of simple minutes. The two of them were going about the quarters, doing different things, preparing clothes, handing each other certain articles and placing things in certain places, but he saw the longing glances that they kept trying to avoid. He noticed the brushing of their fingertips, more frequently than he knew were by accident. He decided to enter into the lavatory for a moment. He carried his portable computer with him and determined a short amount of time that he would allow them. Upon emerging from the bathroom, he saw them rushing out of each other's embrace and what he knew to be them stealing kisses while he was out of the room. The child sighed and announced, "I am going to see if Mr. Scott has anything that he would like for me to assist him with today. I will let you know, in advance before I return."
As he left the room, he avoided the look on Nyota's face, as he realized that she was most likely blushing, as she seemed to do at any point in time that he decided to allow them some solitude. She had once asked Spock if he thought that Styik knew what they were wanting to do when he left the room in that way. When Spock confirmed that the boy definitely did, and had known about the certain subject long before she ever met him, she became extremely embarrassed about it.
The fact of the matter was that the first few years of Styik's life were spent in the presence of far more passionate beings than Spock and Nyota. He learned about sex almost as early as his cognitive skills came into formation. He learned about it in a high regard. It was to be shared between two beings who cared greatly for each other and wanted to make each other happy. He understood that much. He had some uncertainties about it at first, and asked a plethora of questions to his then father, Sybok about the issue. Sybok gave him one of the most detailed and complex answers that he had ever heard, for anything, but at the end of the talk, he completely understood.
It was between two adult beings, who loved each other as it related to romantic love, not in a family setting, save for husband and wife, and it was a sacred union to be cherished and perfected. He would understand some day about it. Styik understood it all too well when he carried his mother's katra within him for three years. When she had urges that she needed to suppress, and had to meditate, using his body, of course. Those were painful longings that he never wanted to ever have to experience, but realized that some day, he most likely would. He could empathize to a certain degree with his current parents, as they had no real restrictions on their sexual interactions before they took him in. He realized that sometimes, they needed each other, and at those times, he allowed them their space. I hope that it never happens. I hope that I NEVER feel that way towards anyone. He thought to himself as he made his way out of the quarters.
Upon leaving the room, he saw the nurse, Christine Chapel, whom he did not particularly like, as when she was around Nyota, he could sense tension between them. He did not like anyone who would bring discomfort upon his mother. Nurse Chapel called out to him, "Oh, Styik, hi!" He nodded curtly, but tried to continue on his way. He noticed that she seemed to be going towards his parents' room and he quickly rushed over to cut her off.
"Hello, Nurse. Is there something that you require of my guardians, at the moment?" He asked.
She smiled at him, slightly unnerved by his urgency to intercept her from the doorway, and answered, "I wanted to check on your mother. She missed her last appointment and I wanted to make sure that everything was well with her." Styik also knew that she wanted to see his guardian, Spock, as he had generally been the nurse's main point of interest during Nyota's appointments with Dr. McCoy.
The child answered bluntly, "I believe that they are on the verge of sexual intercourse. It may be an awkward inconvenience to you to make your presence felt at the moment. I will be sure to relay your concern to my mother."
He forced himself not to laugh as Nurse Chapel's face became the brightest shade of red he had observed since being around the humans so frequently. Humans became quite embarrassed when such issues arose in the presence of children. She nodded her head and said in a low voice, "Well, um... I hope that they have a nice morning." She quickly turned and practically ran away.
Once she was out of hearing range, Styik laughed to himself, a low, but audible laugh. Generally, his laugh was silent, as he programmed himself to tone his volume down when he was on New Vulcan, but every now and then, when the situation was extremely humorous to him, like on today, he would allow himself an open laugh.
Styik headed down the hallway, bouncing slightly as he walked. No one was around, so he did not mind doing his "happy walk". Unnerving the nurse had spontaneously put him in a wonderful mood. He wondered if he should feel guilty about it, but rationalized that the woman was his enemy, and needed to be discarded. She did not actively, but did secretly desire to threaten the conditions of his family life, so yes, she was qualified for classification in enmity.
Styik had no sympathy for enemies. He credited it to the Romulan within him, although his Romulan father was what he would describe as his worse enemy. He had never gotten the chance to know him, or even identify him for that matter, but whoever he was, and wherever he was, Styik would always hate him... he frowned at this line of thinking, then shook the thoughts from his head. This would be a good morning, he did not want to think about his sordid past. He allowed a smile to come across his face and put even more bounce into his walk.
Styik entered the mess hall. He would have himself breakfast before reporting to Mr. Scott. To his pleasure, Mr. Scott was in the mess hall seated with Chekov, Sulu and Janice. He collected food for himself, then invited himself to their table, where he sat without greeting any of them. Chekov cleared his throat at the boy and Styik immediately burst into laughter. They all stared at him blankly. He collected himself and announced, "I apologize, but I was having difficulty figuring out a way to share with you a funny story. The story involves a recent exchange between myself and the nurse, Christine Chapel."
Chekov asked, "What did you say?" His older brother figure already wore an amused look across his face, knowing that Styik could sometimes end an entire conversation with his comments. Styik replayed the situation and the exact words used for in the conversation for those seated at the table.
Only Chekov and Scotty seemed to find it as funny as he did. Sulu seemed uncomfortable with the subject and Janice, he knew would not receive it well. Janice said, as though she were talking to a human child, "Styik, sweetie, it is not funny to make people feel uncomfortable that way. Not to mention, you told her and us about something that your parents would not want us to know about."
Scotty automatically defended, "Well, considering that she's got herself a bun in the oven, and it's not the first time, I doubt that there's anyone on board who doesn't know about what they do in their spare time."
Janice threw him a glare that reminded Styik of Nyota's. She said firmly to Scotty, "That is not the point, Mr. Scott. It isn't something that ought to be discussed. Lt. Uhura is a very classy woman. It would hurt her feelings to know that this was being discussed, and in the mess hall, of all places."
Chekov nodded his head and said, "She is right, she is right. Lt. Uhura would not be pleased that her personal matters were discussed in this way... but she would be wholeheartedly entertained about the exchange with Nurse Chapel!" They began to laugh again, this time Sulu allowed himself to partake in the humor. Janice took a deep breath and stood up to leave the table.
Scotty waved a hand at her and said, "She expects everyone to behave with the manners of the good doctor. Doesn't seem to know that he participates in certain conversations of his own."
Styik corrected, "She realizes it, Mr. Scott. One of the main reasons that a person would react in such a way to such a conversation is from insecurity of facing a similar experience... she thinks that if my mother is discussed in such a way when not present, that she herself may be discussed in such a way when she is not around. My mother is such a versatile woman that I often forget how... feminine the others on the ship are. Surely, Mother is feminine, but mostly on the outside, as Pavel would state it."
One of the characteristics that Styik and Nyota shared was their ability to fit in perfectly with a group of men. So often, both of them found themselves seated right in the middle of a conversation that the men around them would not dare have if Janice Rand or Nurse Chapel, or any of the other women aboard the ship were present, or any other child. Uhura often did not know whether to feel honored or insulted by it, so she elected honored, and went with the flow. Styik did the same, unless Spock was present, then he behaved in a more dignified way, unless of course Chekov or Scotty prompted him into immature behavior.
Styik's interactions with Chekov and Scotty were miles apart from his behavior when around Spock and his two closest friends, Dr. McCoy and Captain Kirk. Of course, Kirk would try to get him to relax around him, knowing that he did so around Chekov and Scotty, but Styik had a difficult time opening up to Kirk. He credited it to a small portion of jealousy. Styik did hold some jealousy towards Spock's friends, as he felt that Spock was closer to them than he. The child sought out friends that his father was not so close to. Chekov was his first friend on the crew, and regarded him as a brother. Scotty, Styik only recently became extremely fond of, entertained by his romantic fascinations that never went anywhere and his arsenal of alcoholic liquid that caused him to become even more funny than usual. He was not particularly close with Sulu, but he had no problems with him. He considered him Chekov's friend, and not his own, but they got along.
Moments after the men and the child had been seated and talking, Nurse Chapel entered the mess hall, which caused Chekov and Styik to begin laughing immediately. Scotty lowered his face, a bit, careful not to make eye contact with her as she passed the table. Sulu, with a terribly embarrassed expression greeted her, "Good morning, Nurse." She forced a polite smile and headed for one of the lines. Scotty stood up and said, "I'm getting to work. This lad's a bad influence."
All of them arose from the table and left the hall, Styik followed Scotty. "Well, where are ya going, Lad?" The engineer asked.
Styik said, "I was serious when I told Nurse Chapel about what my parents are doing with their morning. I can not return to the room. I believe that you are stuck with me for the moment. Hopefully, my bad influence does not rub off on you." He smiled, slightly at the look of worry on Scotty's face.
Scotty had made the comment that Styik was a bad influence, but he knew, and so did everyone else, that himself and Chekov were a great portion of the reason that Styik found himself so amused with such behavior. "Encouraging it," Lt. Uhura called it the last time she had waddled herself into the engineering room to give Scotty a piece of her mind about how he dealt with her son's behavior. Scotty sighed and continued on with the boy towards the engineering room.
When Spock arrived on the bridge, Sulu and Chekov threw each other amused looks. Chekov made an observation, "Commander Spock, you appear to be in good spirits this morning." Spock lifted an eyebrow at the comment, and stared at Chekov for a while before reporting to the science station without response.
Kirk looked from Chekov to Spock, then went over to Chekov and leaned onto the helm. He asked, "What do you know that I don't?"
Chekov shrugged his shoulders and snickered, "I was just observing Mr. Spock's beaming demeanor." Kirk shrugged his shoulders, turned to look at Spock and nodded. He assumed that Spock must have gotten laid this morning, for Chekov's comment. Chekov would know before anyone else would. While many of the women on the ship had themselves girl talk, Lt. Uhura kept her version of girl talk very limited, and by limited, only between herself and Ensign Chekov.
The truth was, Uhura talked to Chekov about her relationship with Spock more frequently than she did anyone else. Chekov was currently her best friend. Since she had lost Gaila, Janice had become quite close to her, but since being aboard the ship with both Janice and Christine, seeing as how Janice and Christine were friends first and friends longer, Nyota had allowed herself to drift away from Janice some, as to not have too many close interactions with Christine. She had began talking to Chekov regularly when she first became pregnant, the first time.
He had found her crying, by herself and was startled about it, as no one had ever seen her cry and thought that she had somehow inherited from her husband the ability not to.
"You remember when we first met at the academy, I had that friend? The Orion, the green girl, Gaila?" She had asked him. He nodded, of course he remembered, how could her forget? She continued on to say, "She drove me crazy so many times, but I always thought that if by chance I did end up married to someone and I did have a family that she would be like a godmother to my children, to at least one of them. Now, I am pregnant, and I don't have any women that I am close enough to to even consider as a godmother."
Chekov stated, "Well, you could have your children have only godfathers. A godfather one and a godfather two, separate but equal. You could choose one of the men whom you are close to as one, and Commander Spock could choose the other. There have been times where a bride has had a man of honor instead of a maid or matron... this would operate in the same way." She smiled at him and nodded, "Thank you, Pavel." It was the first time that she had ever called him by his first name, and the two of them had been extremely close since then.
Styik returned to the room when he knew that Spock's shift on the bridge was beginning. Nyota's clothing was laid out for her own shift, and she was in the lavatory, in the shower. Styik seated himself at the table and found himself incredibly bored. He had learned so much from the computer systems that there was not much more for him to research. He suddenly wished that he could have gone to school on New Vulcan, to learn in the learning bowls that both fathers that he had ever known had learned in. The learning would not take away from who he was... both Sybok and Spock had become exactly whom they desired to be. His life was becoming far too dull. He needed some entertainment. He wondered if he could go to the bridge. Perhaps whatever mission the ship was currently on could provide some entertainment for him.
The child went to the bridge and asked Kirk if he minded if he stayed there for a while. "I am becoming quite restless and there is no new information in the computer system for me to learn about, yet."
Kirk said, "I don't mind, but you know that you gotta ask your dad." Styik flinched at the word "dad", he really hated it, for whatever reason, and every time he heard it, it made him break his facade and make an irritated face. "Sorry," Kirk said, "Of course I meant your father, guardian, whatever word doesn't make your face do that." Kirk laughed to himself. Styik stood next to Kirk's chair with his hands behind his back. Kirk stared at him for a while, then assumed that his godchild was not going to ask for Spock's permission at all. Kirk would let it slide this time, and if Spock said something, Kirk would quickly intervene to let him know that this was not a problem.
The ship was going through an area that they called star desert. They were on their way to deliver some supplies to a planet and had to cross this particular void to do so. Styik sighed, thinking that this probably would not be much fun at all. Nyota stepped onto the bridge and immediately asked Spock, "What is Styik doing here?"
"Observing. The captain has admitted him to do so." She sighed and nodded. If it was alright with Spock, she guessed that it must have been okay. Spock never made foolish decisions... difficult decisions for others to comprehend, at times, but always logical ones. She started on some of her records while Spock approached the captain's chair. Dr. McCoy and Styik were gathered around the chair and they attracted her attention as they talked about the space desert and mirages.
Spock commented, "The definition of a desert is a waterless barren wasteland. I fail to understand your romantic nostalgia of such a place."
Dr. McCoy commented, "It doesn't surprise me, Mr. Spock. I can't imagine a mirage ever disturbing those mathematically perfect brainwaves of yours."
"Thank you, Doctor." Spock responded. She smiled. Spock often thanked McCoy for statements that McCoy did not intend to be compliments. She wanted to tell them that they would be fully surprised as to the things which truly could disturb his brain patterns, she had certainly done a fine job of doing so this morning, if she said so herself.
Spock walked over to the tactical area, where Nyota was surprised to see another officer seated, rather than Chekov, because she could have sworn that he was working the same shift with her today. Upon glancing at her PADD, she saw that he had left her a message, he had shown up for his shift, then another officer asked him to switch shifts with him, so he would see her later. She frowned, but sat down and observed her husband working. She loved to watch Spock around the bridge, so at home, so efficient in everything that he did, and now Styik was there to see it for himself. She knew that Styik would be proud. Styik never mentioned being proud of Spock, but she knew that he was.
As Spock leaned over the tactical station, he observed some type of odd spatial displacement, then went over to his own station as the tactical officer, DeSalle, was giving a report of what was on his screen. Styik felt his attention alert. Could this be a moment of action? Of fun? A planet appeared on the screen and now DeSalle was describing the readings of this planet, which had not previously shown up on his radar. Yes, Styik concluded, yes this seemed as though it would lead to interesting events.
Kirk ordered the science station to update computer records on the planet and Uhura to notify the discovery on subspace radio. Her response was, "Strong interference on subspace, Captain. The planet must be a natural radio source." The captain decided to get out of the range of the planet and told Sulu to travel 40 degrees starboard, but when Sulu moved to follow the order, he stood up for a moment, then vanished right before the captain's eyes. Kirk called out, "Mr. Sulu!" The call alerted Uhura's attention to the scene. She turned to see the captain rush over to where Sulu had been, and he disappeared as well. She jumped in her seat and rushed over to collect an all too amused Styik from near the area.
DeSalle said, "Mr. Spock, they're gone!"
Spock turned from his science station and called out a command, "Emergency, pull reverse power!" Nyota held Styik in her arms as both of them took note of the alarmed tone of voice that Spock had given the order. She wanted to send him back to their room, but was afraid that if something snatched him off of the ship, she would not know until it was possibly too late.
After four hours of diligent work, there still was no sign of the two crew members. There were no signs of life on the planet and the functions of the ship were normal. The planet did not seem fit for anyone to safely venture, according to the geological expert, Jaeger. Dr. McCoy and DeSalle were eager to attempt to go to the surface to see if they could find the missing men, but Spock reminded them that such a decision would be his to make and it may not be wise of them to do so, as the planet seemed so dangerous.
"Commander, look!" Uhura called out excitedly from her console. When he turned towards her he saw calligraphic writing on her screen which read: "Greetings and Felicitations". Spock walked over to her chair and placed his hands on the back of it. Styik was standing on her right side, looking back and forth from the screen to Spock as Spock told her to send a reply message identifying the ship and requesting identification for whomever was communicating with the ship. Then the words appeared on the screen, and Spock read them as they did, "Hip, hip, hoorah"... and I believe it is pronounced, "Tally ho." Spock returned to the captain's seat, at this point willing to entertain any theories, any at all. One thing was obvious – there was life down there.
A search party was formed of Dr. McCoy, Officer DeSalle and Officer Jaeger. Spock escorted the men to the transporter room as Uhura reported, "There are no more messages from down below, but I've located the source of the original call." She sent the coordinates to Scotty so that he could transport the landing party to the area, and they were transported down. The team lost communications to the ship down below. There was something blocking the beacon, but the men happened to stumble across a castle, which they went into...
Styik stood by Spock, interested in his guardian's thoughts about the situation at hand. This would not be the first time that Captain Kirk was missing, or away from the ship, but each time presented a new possibility – a new chance for him not to safely return. It was not something Spock cared to discuss, but Styik believed that such a scenario would hurt Spock inside. The ship orbited the planet fourteen times with still no sign of the missing, however, they were able to find a small area of the planet where the sensors indicated that life could exist. Spock gave Scotty instructions to beam all alive lifeforms from the area, just in case the captain and the others were there.
"Shooting in the dark, Mr. Spock?" Scotty asked.
"Or stand and do nothing, Mr. Scott." Spock replied.
Styik nodded his head once and offered, "It certainly is better to do something than to do nothing." Scott looked at the boy. If Spock had any problem with Styik speaking out of turn, he made no mention of it.
When Spock and Scotty headed for the transporter room, Styik attempted to go with them, but Spock placed his hands on the child's shoulders and said, "Stay near your mother." Styik obeyed him and the two men went to the transporter room to welcome back the crew members, if they were there.
Upon returning, the captain ordered that they immediately warp out of the area, on warp 8 and the personnel rushed to the bridge. While on the bridge, preparing to warp, Uhura asked Dr. McCoy, "What was it, Doctor, what was down there?" Styik listened quite attentively, as this whole situation became more and more appealing to him. But, Dr. McCoy could not explain and dismissed the question. Janice was on the bridge to assist the captain and suddenly she pointed and said, "Captain, look!"
When the members of the crew and Styik looked in the direction of Janice's attention, they saw a brunette man dressed like an aristocrat of 900 light years their past. The sight entertained Styik so much that he blurted out laughter at the man. Who the hell was this creature? And why was he dressed like that? How did he get on the ship? Uhura snatched Styik into her arms and covered his mouth from laughing, in case the being was hostile and had no respect for children in his hostility.
The captain referred to the visitor as Trelane and questioned him about his appearance. Trelane informed Kirk that he was not upset with him, but with Spock, for taking his guests away. "Which is he?" The man questioned.
Now, Styik stopped smiling as Spock answered, "I am Spock."
Trelane looked Spock over once and said, "Not quite human, is he?"
Spock stood up from his chair and boldly announced, "My father is from the planet Vulcan."
Trelane smiled and asked, "And are they a predatory race?"
"Not usually," Spock answered in what sounded to Uhura like a defiant tone, "But there have been some exceptions." Styik, suddenly in fear for a separation from Spock broke free from Nyota's hold and rushed over to him. The child stood up beside Spock and glared at this Trelane creature. Uhura wanted to move to gather him back, but it was too late now, of course, the man would notice that this child has similar genes as Spock and would automatically assume that Styik was Spock's child, especially given the boy's reaction.
Trelane said to Kirk, "You will see to Spock's punishment."
Kirk replied, "On the contrary, I commend his actions."
Trelane stated, "But I don't like him."
Styik stated, "A sentiment that I am certain that all of us can attest to as it relates to you."
Trelane laughed and said, "What a charming child you have, Mr. Spock. And just as likable, I see." Styik stepped forward, as though going to attack Trelane, but Spock placed his hand on the child's shoulder to keep him near. Styik now felt bad. He had hoped for some action today. He had hoped to have something happen that was not completely boring. What he did not want was some obviously powerful creature having it out with Spock.
Kirk walked over to Trelane and ordered him, "Get off my ship!" Trelane let them know, that on the contrary, they were all coming with him.
The next thing that the crew knew, they were all in an elegantly designed ballroom decorated as oddly as Trelane himself, with a dinner table, all set with several spots for all of them. Trelane wanted his guests to partake in the feast and have merry talk with him of various subjects. Everyone looked at him, confused. Captain Kirk gestured to McCoy that it was okay for him to be seated with Sulu and DeSalle. Uhura was seated at a harpsichord, with Janice standing next to her and Spock stood with his hands behind his back, Styik next to him, in like form. Trelane noticed the women and said to Kirk, "You have been derelict in your duties, as you have not introduced me to this charming contingent."
Kirk sighed and stated, "This is General Trelane," very blandly. Trelane corrected, "Retired, but you ladies may refer to me as the lonely Squire of Gothos."
Kirk continued, "Lt Uhura, of communications."
Trelane proclaimed, "Ah, a Nubian prize," which made Spock stir a bit, but he had no intention of revealing both his son and his wife to this disgusting creature. Trelane kissed Uhura's hand and kept it in his hold as he went on to say, "Taken on one of your raids of conquest, no doubt, Captain."
"No doubt." Kirk said flatly. Now, Styik, unable to help himself, rushed over to her and removed her hand from the squire.
Trelane smiled at the boy, then looked from him to Spock, to Uhura and observed, "So that is your father, and this is your mother. Well, you should be delighted to have one of them. Your mother – she has the melting eyes of the Queen of Sheba, same lovely coloring." Styik held his mother's hand and pressed his lips together, looking at the creature in front of him with resentment. Nyota pulled her hand away, as she felt some of Styik's hostility pass into her.
Trelane then turned towards Janice and compared her beauty to Helen of Troy. When Nyota looked at Spock, she saw him sigh in bemusement at the squire. Trelane moved in towards Janice for a kiss. She froze in place and Dr. McCoy stood up from the table, but Kirk managed to pull Trelane away from the woman before the action occurred.
Spock remained standing in the same spot that he had been in since they arrived as Kirk walked Trelane over and said, "And you have already met our science officer, Mr. Spock."Trelane placed his hands on his hips as asked him if he realized that he brought him to the event because of the captain."Affirmative." Spock replied. Nyota looked at Styik, who did not hide his own smirk at his father's reply.
Trelane became a bit indignant and stated, "I don't know if I like your tone. It's most challenging. Are you challenging me?"
Spock answered, "I object to you. I object to intellect without discipline. I object to power without constructive purpose." Nyota found both herself and Styik smirking now, as they glanced at each other and back at Spock.
The squire began to entertain himself by dancing with Janice while he made Uhura play the harpsichord. Styik found himself outraged by this man's usage of his mother, and went to stand with his father, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Mr. Sulu, as they seemed to be discussing a way out of the odd situation. Their focus fell upon a mirror nearby Trelane, which he seemed not to get far away from. It was worth the attention, apparently. After convening, Kirk came up with an idea to bother Trelane.
He interrupted the dance between Janice and Trelane by suggesting, very loudly that Trelane was an immature being. He accosted Trelane, pulled Janice away from him, as though in a jealous rage, which entertained Trelane, then he pulled the glove which Trelane had made appear on her with her outfit off of her hand and he slapped Trelane across the face with it.
Trelane was greatly entertained by the prospect of being involved in human duel. He presented a pair of ancient guns, then called first shot. Captain Kirk said, "We shoot at the same time." Trelane wanted to motivate Kirk to agree to his terms, so he pointed the gun at Spock. Styik grabbed Spock's arm, and Spock shifted slightly, to be certain that Styik was completely behind him, in case Trelane did fire the weapon. Nyota had clenched Dr. McCoy's arm at Trelane's actions. Kirk agreed to Trelane's terms, despite the fact that Spock appeared to be about to challenge the decision.
Trelane fired first, shooting his weapon into the air as he did, and Kirk fired second, shooting the nearby mirror that he and Spock discussed earlier. Lights began to flash on and off in the castle and the mirror shattered with a smoking machine behind it, causing the scenery a disturbance. Uhura rushed to Spock and took his hand as he shook his head at the sight and said aloud, "A machine." Styik laughed joyously at Trelane as he stared at the mirror, mumbling to himself about the treachery of the human race. It had turned out to be fun, after all.
Trelane told them to leave and threatened to kill them all, especially Kirk. The crew beamed back aboard the ship and commenced to warp away. As they attempted to, the planet Gothos began to chase them and repeatedly get in their way for a collision course. Styik was still amongst the crew on the bridge when Kirk decided to transport to the surface of the planet. Kirk left the bridge telling Spock that if he did not receive communication from him within the hour to leave the vicinity at once, and he exited the bridge.
Styik folded his arms and realized that tears were falling down his face, but he felt too bad to try to start conditioning himself to stop crying. He had been mean to Jim. He had not given Jim the chance to be his friend that he knew Jim was attempting, because of jealousy, and now it was very possible that they were going to lose the captain of the ship. Guardian Spock was possibly going to lose his best friend. Styik did not want Spock to lose anyone else. Spock noticed Styik's tears and kneeled in front of him, "You have no reason to cry, Styik. Whatever fate awaits us, we will do all that we can to ensure your safety."
Styik answered, bitterly, "I'm not worried about my safety. I'm angry. I am upset that Jim could be killed in a childish game. Is that what I am like when I am playing games with people? Like this stupid squire?"
"Never, Styik. Although lives are not intended for play, when we find ourselves in the center of anyone else's game, the best thing that we can do is try to figure the game out and follow a logical course of action to defeat it."
"Leaving Jim with that creature if he doesn't make contact in an hour, is that our logical course of action, Father?" Styik asked, locking eyes with Spock, trying to gage whether or not his guardian was truly alright with the decision that he may soon have to make, to leave his friend behind.
Spock merely answered, "It is the order which the captain himself gave, and one that we must follow. But, as I have come to know Jim in the past few years, I must say that he is resourceful enough that he just may come out of this childish game perfectly unharmed."
Styik wiped his tears away, cleared his throat, straightened his face and said, "I appreciate your words, Guardian Spock." He bowed slightly and went to stand near Nyota's console. She had strapped herself into the chair and locked it into place. She had been watching Spock with him and offered the boy a hug, but he resisted it, stating, "I am too emotionally bothered at the moment." She nodded her head and looked back to her station.
About an hour later, when Styik heard Kirk's voice say, "Captain to Enterprise," The boy excitedly ran off of the bridge to the transporter room. Spock glanced at Nyota, with a partial smirk as he acknowledged the Captain's contact. When Kirk beamed back onto the ship, Styik said softly, and calmly, "It is good to have you back on board, Captain. You must tell me exactly what happened when you returned to the surface of Gothos."
Styik loved hearing the story from Kirk of how he outsmarted Trelane from putting him to death, after a ridiculous mock trial. Trelane was going to hang him, but Kirk had convinced him that there would be no fun in it, which caused Trelane to set up a hunt. He told him that while they were playing the game that Trelane needed to let the ship go. Trelane had taken the bait. Trelane found Kirk and accosted him with a sword. Then the hunt was on. Oh, how Styik would have loved to see the look on that Trelane's face when he got in trouble with his parents! As advanced and powerful as the being was, in whatever life form he belonged to, he was simply a child! The higher beings had appeared to Kirk in forms of light and scolded Trelane in front of Kirk, then made him come inside and they apologized to Kirk for their child's actions.
The news thrilled Styik to tears of laughter. His favorite part of the story was imagining the look on Trelane's face when Kirk slapped him with his hand across both cheeks. He wished to meld with Kirk just to be able to see it for himself, but Spock had outlawed any unnecessary melding when Styik was first adopted. He finished his conversation with Kirk in a hug, then informed Spock, who was standing near the captain's chair listening to the replay of events with Styik, "I am going to retire to our chamber. I believe that I wish to begin a dissertation on the emotional instability of children, throughout all forms of life, with all forms of energy and power. I fear that I do not have sufficient information, but that will only prove for a greater challenge." He bowed slightly, went to hug Nyota and left the bridge.
Spock glanced at the exchange between his wife and son, then turned back to Kirk and asked, "How would you classify the Trelane, for the records - pure mentality, a force of intellect, embodied energy, super being - he must be classified."
"God of war, Mr. Spock." Kirk answered.
"I hardly find that fitting, captain."
Kirk shrugged and said, "Then a small boy, and a naughty one at that."
"It would make a strange entry in the library banks." Spock commented.
"Then he was a strange small boy. Sort of reminded me of a boy that we know..."
Spock gave the Captain a look of warning. If he was about to compare Styik to Trelane, there would be an immediate problem between them. "Or not?" Kirk said.
Spock nodded his head and said, "Definitely not."
Nyota got up from her chair as Lt. Hawkins took over the console. He asked, "Worked a long shift today, didn't you?"
"Longer than what Dr. McCoy wants me to be working at this point. We had such a delicate situation out here... Well, now it's over. I think that I'll go rest my feet and..." She looked down at her feet, lifting one of them up to see it beyond her belly. "Goodness, look at how swollen they are!" She said.
Lt Hawkins called out, "Commander Spock!"
Spock quickly came over to the station and asked, "Is there a problem Lieutenant?"
Uhura showed him her feet and said, "I can't believe how swollen they are. They don't hurt."
"You must report to medical bay, at once. You should be checked promptly after each mission. I will accompany you." Spock left the bridge with Uhura and saw her to Dr. McCoy, quickly.
Nyota glared at Dr. McCoy. She was trying not to. He was her friend, and she loved him dearly, but she was so angry with him that she could not force her face to do anything but glare at him. "Stop looking at me like that, Lt. Uhura. It is not going to change my mind. I am having you removed from your duties until after this child has been successfully brought into existence. Your blood pressure gets worse after every mission. The child will not be able to handle you continuing to face the situations that arise on the bridge."
"I know. I already told you. I understand." She said, in a frustrated tone.
"But you keep looking at me like that!" He fussed, and pointed at her face. Now, her eyes widened, but were still full of fury. "Look, Uhura, I am not going to pretend that I don't love you. I do love you, and I love any child that you are going to have. Out of all the people on this ship and the people in my career that I have attended to, I can honestly say that you are one of the ones that I consider a dear friend. I won't give you medical advice for anything other than your benefit."
"I know!" She snapped. She folded her arms. "I just wasn't prepared to be taken off of duty yet. I thought that I had at least another month. I don't know what I am going to do with my time or my life without work."
Dr. McCoy offered her some options, "Make preparations for the baby. Enjoy time with your adopted son... be there for your stonewall husband when he comes home from a seemingly endless day on the bridge, catch up on some reading, write some articles in your field of study.. whatever you do, you are not allowed to set foot on that bridge." Spock had been standing next to the bed with her hand in his. Dr. McCoy shook his head and muttered, "It would take a Vulcan to be with a woman like that..."
"Excuse you, Doctor?" Uhura asked.
"Just making note that any other man paired up with such a force of nature might crack under the pressure." Dr. McCoy said.
Spock helped Nyota back to their room. When they entered, Styik was at the table typing vigorously onto the keyboard of his personal computer and asking another computer questions. He glanced at them and said, "Mother, I am sure that you do not mind that I have borrowed your computer for my studies." She did not respond and Styik looked up at her. "Is she alright?"
"She will be, Styik. But, she is going to need assistance from you. She will no longer be working until the baby is born, and Dr. McCoy has ordered her to stay in her bed for three days. She will need you to assist her with any needs while I am unavailable."
"I am capable of doing so, Father." Styik only used the word when what he was saying was of the utmost importance to him. Generally, he called Spock "Guardian", but this vow called for the usage of the stronger word. Spock led Nyota into the bathroom and Styik assumed that he would help her to prepare for her rest. After quite some time, they emerged from the room. Nyota was cleaned and changed into a long, shimmery green nightgown. She seemed to be in a better condition than she had been in when they entered. Styik frowned at the realization that they had been sexual with each other in the other room. He did not understand why so frequently, but at least she looked better than she did when they arrived.
Spock placed Nyota on the bed and she laid down. He tried to console her with words, "It will not be long, Nyota. And think of what we will gain."
"I know, and I am." She reached out for him and he glanced at Styik, whose face was buried in his computer. Spock gave his wife a kiss on the lips, brushed his fingers across hers and headed back to the bridge.
As soon as he left the room, Styik looked at his mother and asked, "Do you want to call Pavel over? We can watch one of the humorous flicks in his collection."
She shook her head and said, "No. I'm just going to get some rest. Make sure that you conduct your hour of emotional modulation before you resign for the night."
"I conducted it before you arrived, Mother." Styik told her.
"OK, then. Good night, my child." She said in a sleepy voice.
"Good night, Mother." He replied. She shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Styik stood up and went over to her, after a while. She had gone to sleep troubled. He knew that she had. He placed his hand on her temple and said, "Sweet dreams."
Nyota saw herself sitting on a balcony. The place seemed so familiar, and she realized that it was New Vulcan. She stood up and watched the children, her children, constructing something with their father, Grandfather and Ambassador Spock. They were all contributing to this building this thing, and she realized that it was being built for her. They were building a swing set. She smiled at this, as none of them were familiar with a swing set, therefore there was no other reason for them to be building one, but for her. Styik looked up at her and folded his arms. She smiled and waved at him. Then, the others looked up at her. Styik was in his teenage form, the other boy was a small child and there was also a girl, who was but a toddler. Ambassador Spock was holding her in his arms and manually waved her hand at Nyota. Nyota jumped up from the chair and ran down to the surface with them. When she did, her little girl immediately reached for her and she took her. Everyone else began to hug her as well. She smiled as she was greeted with hugs and kisses by her Vulcan family... then, Sybok flashed in her mind...
Nyota jumped up from her sleep and looked at Spock. She did not know how long she had been asleep, but Spock was asleep next to her. Spock had programmed himself to begin sleeping with his eyes closed, so that she could tell when he was sleep and when he was not. She reached out for him and he awoke.
"Is everything alright, Nyota?" He whispered.
She snuggled closely against him and said, "Yes. With you here with me, everything is alright." She closed her eyes and allowed herself to go back to sleep.