Jealousy Moves About
Spock awoke before the sun came up, as usual. Nyota was asleep, with her hair braided into two long braids and her face buried in her pillow. He snuggled closely to her and kissed her shoulder. She moaned his name and turned to face him. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "I want another child."
"We certainly can work on that, Nyota." He said, pushing closer to her, to kiss her on the lips.
She shook her head and said, "Not right now, we can't. I have to get up and get the ones ready that we already have. Styik is still taking extra lessons, since he missed all of that time during his kahs'wan, and because Tirza wants him to be finished by the time she has to go into the caves to have her child. Plus, Navid will be here, early this morning and I promised to meet him at the Embassy for breakfast, before I go to work." She kissed Spock on the forehead and leaped out of bed.
Spock stared at her as she began to gather her clothing. She went into the lavatory and started the shower. Moments later, she peeked out, not wearing a thing and suggested, "But, I may need help washing my back." Spock tilted his head, slightly, then arose from the bed.
When he walked into the lavatory, she was pinning her two braids up, so that they would not get wet, he knew. She had no intention of washing her hair this shower. Sometimes, she skipped washing her hair, and when she did, she desired for it not to get wet, insisting that water would negatively affect the texture of her hair. Spock made a mental note not to wet her hair, if he could help it. She stepped into the shower as he undressed. When he finished, he stepped into the shower, as well.
Nyota pushed several buttons on the shower. She loved this shower, because it had dials for perfumed oils, the shower head switched to different levels of pressure for massages, and it also played music. Nyota had insisted that Spock bring the entire shower system with them and connect it when they returned to the ship. A song began to play, and oils began to splash onto Nyota. She faced Spock and gathered him into her arms to kiss him. Her body was slippery to his touch, but tender. She nibbled on his ear and said, "I lied about needing my back washed. I just want you in here with me, and inside of me."
"I presumed as much, Nyota." Spock answered, and set her against the shower wall, with her legs spread around him. She moaned as he entered her and she squeezed him tightly. Spock looked her directly in the eyes as he thrust inside of her. She looked back at him, most passionately. She wished that this could last forever, but she knew that he would make certain that he drove her to pleasure quickly, as he would not wish to be responsible for her being late to any appointments.
As Nyota unbraided her hair and teased it a bit to make the locks fall down in wavy curls, Spock studied her. "Why is Navid coming to New Vulcan?"
Nyota smirked, slightly as she rubbed some natural oil cream in the palm of her hand to rub into her hair for sheen.
She answered, "He has some business here. You know how the Efrosians are always dealing with Vulcans on New Vulcan, for something or another."
He answered, "I also know that Navid did not become nearly as interested in Efrosian-Vulcan dealings until after you became stationed on the planet." She colored her lips a glossy plum color and shook her head, in disbelief, but did not respond. Spock was still studying her. "You appear to be making yourself more presentable than usual."
"I generally try to make myself presentable, Spock." She said. She turned around, walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek, "And no matter how presentable I make myself to go out into the world, I belong to you." She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him, "I have to get moving." She rushed into the nursery to get the baby ready.
Spock entered the nursery and said, "I will handle him, Nyota. You are already running late."
"Oh, thank you, Love. Make sure Styik gets to Tirza promptly, too. Vulrak is in New Hope, organizing that Innovative Inventions Convention thing, so Arev is escorting me to and from my appointments, today." She gave him another kiss on the cheek, grabbed her bag and left the bedroom.
Spock looked at Sytar, still sleeping and smiled, slightly. There was no need to wake him. He looked so peaceful, and Spock did not need to go into the Embassy until much later.
Sarek asked Spock, "Has Styik completed his learning bowl exercises for the day?"
"He has. He is currently on a meditative journey. Since his kahs'wan, he is no longer in need of me as his pihlora, and has taken to meditation more frequently than before. He has not used his emotional modulator since then, either." Spock said, holding Sytar on his arm, as he did.
"You sound proud." Sarek said.
Spock tried not to sound too defensive as he said, "Did I, Father? I assure you it was not my intention..."
"I did not mean it to be insulting, Spock." Sarek said, with a slightly amused look. "It is difficult for a Vulcan not to be proud when his son does well, and even more difficult not to sound proud when he is." Spock nodded his head, slightly, in agreement. Sytar smiled and touched Spock's cheek. Sarek added, "A short increment of time will pass before this one proves to make that task even more difficult than Styik does." Spock looked at Sytar, who actually nodded his little head at Spock. Sarek tilted his own head at the child and asked, "When is Sytar going to be given his first haircut?" Sytar touched his own soft, curly afro upon hearing this question.
Spock sighed and answered, "His mother seems to be in control of that decision, and as of now, has decided that perhaps we will allow his hair to continue to grow. She enjoys being able to comb it into what she calls a "puff"." Sarek stared at Spock with no expression on his face, but Spock still found himself explaining, "I have been trying not to challenge her illogical ideas, as long as they are not detrimental. Certainly, it would make sense for our son to have his hair cut, but it will not endanger anyone if it is not cut." Sarek continued to stare at Spock. It made Spock uncomfortable, and he changed the subject to that of New Vulcan politics.
As they continued to talk, Styik suddenly broke into Spock's consciousness, alarmed and quite unsettled. Father! He called out to him. Spock tilted his head and announced, "Something is wrong with Styik." Both he and Sarek rushed towards the mansion, and went into Styik's room. Styik wore a nervous face as he stared at his monitor. Spock and Sarek approached the computer and saw a face that they would never have expected to see on an incoming transmission... Sybok. He was laying back, and appeared to be unconscious. There was green blood flowing from his head. There was a Nyota clone seated near him, holding a crying Suzak on her lap. Suzak held her tightly, with his face buried in her neck.
The Nyota clone said, "This transmission is for the prototype, Nyota. I hope that it finds you in time. The planet that we have been on has gone into civil war. I do not know if we will survive, here, as Sybok has been attacked. The other twelve are here, but not with us. I wish to surrender to you, myself and Sybok, as well as the child. I have sent the coordinates of where we currently are to you. I hope that you can get to us, in time. Suzak is very afraid, and I wish for nothing to happen to him. Generally, I await Sybok's orders, but he is currently..." She glanced at Sybok, then looked back to the screen and finished, "currently, unavailable." Suzak sobbed as he clung even tighter to her and something exploded outside of where they were. The boy cried out, and she ended the transmission.
Spock looked at Sarek, who simply whispered, "Sybok."
Styik turned in his seat and asked, "Are you going to get them, Father?"
"It is not my responsibility to do so. I am going to alert Starfleet Command and send them a copy of this transmission and said coordinates, and leave this in their authority." Spock answered evenly.
Styik said, "What if that takes too long? Suzak could be killed." The child's voice was even, but Spock could sense his worry.
Spock placed a hand on him and said, "Please, do not allow yourself to worry, Styik. I will take every logical step necessary to ensure that your cousin is rescued."
Styik reached for Sytar and said, "Leave him with me, and you hurry. Get Suzak out of that place."
As Sarek and Spock made their way to the transport to go to the Embassy, Spock asked Sarek, "Do you believe the transmission to be authentic?"
"Sybok has been known to utilize the crafts of deception for personal gain." Sarek answered, "It would be logical of us not to attempt to make any assumptions that the transmission is authentic, nor fabricated. What we can be sure of is the fact that whatever the case, we now know the location of your half brother, and we can now give that information to the appropriate agents for obtaining him."
As they rode in the transport, Sarek studied Spock. "You seem concerned, Spock."
Spock admitted, "Sybok assisted Nyota and I in our escape from the prison on Torvon III."
"Unless my memory is failing me, Sybok also assisted you in being taken captive into the prison." Sarek pointed out, bluntly.
"Are you suggesting that I should resent him?" Spock asked, genuinely curious.
Sarek replied, "Resentment is illogical. I am merely stating facts, in order to help you to realize that sympathy is also illogical. What is logical is the exact plan which you shared with Styik."
"The Federation does not get involved in civil wars. If the area is too hostile, they will send no one in to obtain the fugitive." Spock said.
Sarek studied Spock for a moment, and although there was no expression on his face, Sarek presumed and announced, "You are concerned about the child."
"I am very concerned about my nephew." Spock confessed.
"I am concerned, as well. However, we must not allow our concern interfere with our logic. If Suzak is to be brought out of the situation, there are appropriate agents to do so."
Styik was lead to believe that Sarek did not raise Sybok. Sybok deceived Styik when he was his child, and Spock was likely to believe that he would do the same to Suzak. Styik had been quite surprised to learn that Sybok's mother was a Vulcan princess, and withdrew to her palace after Sybok's birth. He did not even believe Spock when he informed him that when the princess died, Sarek and Amanda took Sybok in and raised him. He asked Spock if he had been old enough to actually remember this, or if it was something which Sarek had told him. Spock had in fact been old enough to remember, and shared the memories that he had of Sybok with Styik. It made Styik hate Sybok even more. Sybok had lied to him, and Styik hated being lied to. Spock hated the thought of Sybok lying to Suzak in such a way that he may harbor ill feelings towards him or anyone else in the family.
Nyota tilted her head when one of the Vulcans in the transmissions room called her name and said, "You have a transmission being forwarded to you from the electronic address listed as your son's."
She stared at the Vulcan for a moment, then said, "I will open it in my office."
"Yes, Lieutenant." The Vulcan woman said.
Nyota walked into her adjacent office and opened the transmission. She felt her heart sink as she watched it. Seeing Suzak, in his condition. She quickly flipped open her communicator and said, "Spock," in a low voice.
He replied, "Lt. Uhura, I am on my way to the Embassy, right now, along with my father. I presume that you have received word of the transmission sent to Styik."
"He forwarded it to me. Please, keep me in the loop, Commander."
"I shall do so, Lieutenant." He replied.
When the screen came on, Spock was staring at Captain Kirk and the bridge crew of the Enterprise. They were being sent to the mysterious planet on which the Nyota clone had sent the coordinates to, to retrieve Sybok, any clones that they would find, and the child, Suzak. Knowing that it would be Kirk who was sent on this particular mission gave Spock an at ease mind. he knew that if anyone would take extra care in finding Suzak, it would be Captain James T. Kirk.
Kirk smiled politely at Spock when he saw the Vulcan standing before his own screen, with his hands clasp together behind his back. Kirk promised, "Mr. Spock, it is a pleasure to see you again, alive and in good health. I hope that our current exchange is one that will be followed very soon with another extremely pleasant exchange."
"It is my hope that the starship has a successful mission." Spock stated.
Kirk informed him, very shortly, a landing party will be beaming down to the surface of the planet which you gave us the coordinates for. It appears to be a very hostile environment, so Starfleet Command has given us an interval of fours hours in which to attempt to bring in the fugitive in question and any of the clones of Lt, Uhura. I have shown the image of the toddler that you sent me to all of the security personnel, and they will all be on the look out for him."
"Thank you, Captain."
"When we find the kid, I am going to see to it that he gets back to you and your family, before we go anywhere else, okay?"
"That would be against protocol." Spock reminded Kirk.
"Not my protocol." Kirk answered with a grin, and ended the transmission.
At the appropriate time, Nyota rushed into Spock's office and asked, "Has there been any word back from the Enterprise yet?" She still had her ear piece in, and was still officially supposed to be working, but she had taken a break and left one of the others in charge in her absence. Spock was staring at the screen. When he did not answer, she knew that the answer was no. She sighed and walked over to him and looked at the screen, too.
When she came to stand next to him, Spock said, "It has been four hours, fourteen minutes and twenty seven seconds. The Enterprise's mission is officially over, by the orders of Starfleet Command."
"The captain will stay until he finds what he is looking for, even if it takes him six hours, and I am sure that he will find some way to charm his way out of trouble." Spock turned to look at her, and she saw the refutation die in his throat when he saw her. The sunlight was in the room in such a way that she appeared to be glowing in it and her smile was radiant and promising. He did not know what the promise was, but he was inclined to believe in it. She leaned closer to him and they kissed. He needed her to be close to him. He had began to worry about the others, in that hostile environment. He had begun to worry about Suzak and even about Sybok...
"I will never get used to seeing that," they heard Kirk's voice interrupt their time. Spock and Nyota both quickly restored their own calm.
Spock placed his hands behind his back and said, "You are precisely sixteen minutes and forty two point..."
"We were making an entrance, Mr. Spock." Kirk cut Spock off.
Nyota now said, "I take it that you would not leave the planet without our nephew, Captain?"
"Hello to you too, Lt. Uhura." Kirk said, with a smile. She smiled, but she was so anxious that she thought that she would pass out if he did not quickly answer the question in the back of her mind.
Kirk smirked at her and said, "We had an extremely successful, yet eventful mission. Our top priority is getting Sybok and the six clones that we were able to find on the planet back into Federation authority, then, we will see what steps are needed in order to get the child back to you."
"My father will handle all of those arrangements, Captain." Spock said.
Kirk nodded and said, "Very well, Mr. Spock." He rubbed his neck a bit and said, "Those clones are fighters."
"What will they do with them?" Nyota asked.
"I have no idea. But, they will be turned over to Starfleet Command. There are others still out there, somewhere. We only got six of the alleged thirteen that were there, and of course our good old buddy, Sybok."
"How is he?" Nyota asked.
"Unconscious, and I have every intention of keeping him that way, the entire trip." Kirk answered. "Mr. Spock, get back to me on the particulars of getting the child back home safely. Kirk, out."
When Sarek entered the mansion with Suzak walking next to him, Styik quickly rushed to the child and picked him up from the floor. Suzak hugged him tightly. Styik smiled and asked, "Do you want to see your cousin? Both of you have grown in size since the last time you saw each other." He carried Suzak to the couch, where Sytar was seated and began to speak with both of them.
Spock, Nyota, Ambassador Spock, and Tirza all made their way to Sarek.
"Does he seem to be alright?" Nyota asked. She knew that the others were concerned, too, but also that she would be the only one not Vulcan enough to show it.
"He seems to be well, Daughter." Sarek answered. She let out a sigh of relief, then Sarek added, "He does seem to have become rather attached to his father, however. He has asked for him, many times, and Sybok is here, on the planet."
Now, Nyota gasped, and the other Vulcans stared at Sarek. Sarek explained, "The elders decided that Sybok is too dangerous, and too powerful to leave in the hands of anyone other than Vulcan authorities. He is being held in the chamber, where he will stay for the remainder of his Federation sentence."
Nyota asked, "Weren't his previous actions punishable by death?"
"The Federation has not considered his actions punishable by death, as he has not technically been the direct cause of any deaths." Sarek answered.
"But, he controlled the minds of others, who in turn killed, and..."
Spock interrupted her argument to remind her, "My father did not carry out the sentencing, Nyota. He is merely sharing with us Sybok's fate."
She sighed and said, "I know. I guess that I am just trying to understand the logic in this sentencing."
"Perhaps there is none." Spock replied. He looked at his father and the two of them began to walk together, towards the patio. Ambassador Spock followed. Tirza and Nyota stood, watching them go. Tirza turned around and walked back into the living room, where she sat down in one of the chairs and resumed creating new questions for Styik's lesson plans.
Nyota watched Styik make Sytar laugh and make Suzak smile, in spite of himself, only for a moment, before joining the Vulcan males on the patio. They became silent when she walked outside. She laughed at this, and said, "Do not stop speaking, on account of me. After all, Spock and I are married, we're connected as one, so anything that can be said to him..." She allowed the statement to finish itself.
Spock was the one to announce, "We are discussing whether or not Sybok should be allowed visitations from Suzak." She stared at him, dumbly, for a moment, then shook her head and made a confused face. She assumed that she had clearly misheard the words. Certainly, three logical Vulcans were not actually considering what he had just said they were considering.
"You were discussing whether or not you will allow a psychotic, sadistic Vulcan with finely tuned mental powers the opportunity to visit with a child whom he has already traumatized?" She asked.
"Yes, we are." Spock stated.
"Why?" She asked, not even the least bit concerned of her tone.
"Suzak has a bond with Sybok. They are father and son, and to keep them apart may hurt the child, mentally." Sarek stated. He also included, "While Sybok is under the watch of the elders, his mental capabilities will not be sufficient in doing anything that could harm Suzak, nor will he be able to escape." She frowned, but knew that ultimately, she had nothing to do with the decision. Ultimately, it would be Sarek's decision, and he seemed to have already decided. "Daughter, there may be hope for Sybok. The elders may be able to help him find his way back to logic, or at least away from the Vulcan he has become, and in that event, is it not logical for him to be allowed to see his own son?" Sarek asked.
"I guess, if there is no harm that can be done, and you are sure of this?"
"If Sybok attempts to try anything rash, he will immediately be mentally punished, by far more powerful elders." Spock said. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "Well, then..." She shrugged her shoulders again and went back inside.
"I am not certain exactly what that meant, but I believe that she was making an attempt to let us know that she supports the decision." Spock said to the two elders on the patio.
Nyota gathered Suzak onto her lap when she sat on the couch and he laid against her chest and whispered, "Missed you." She smiled and held him tightly. Suzak said softly, "Sing," and Nyota did so.
Sytar frowned at them and tried to squeeze his way in between the two of them, but Styik stopped him and touched his fingertips. "Let him, Sytar. He needs it, right now, okay?"
"Mine!" Sytar said, reaching towards Nyota. Styik grabbed him, firmly and said, "Stop," in a stern voice. Sytar did stop and simply frowned at Styik. "Share with him. You share with me." Sytar touched Styik's fingertips to show him two pictures: One of Spock, Nyota, Styik and himself, and another of Suzak, Sybok, and Ravalan.
Styik took a deep breath and showed an image of his own – one of himself, Sybok and his mother, Taavik. He told him mentally, "I am only your brother because they took me in. You share with me... Suzak is your own blood, surely you can share with him."
Now, Sytar tightly hugged Styik and said, "Mine." Suzak got down from Nyota's lap and began to walk out of the common room. Nyota asked, "Where are you going, Suzak?"
He paused and looked at her, then answered, "Sleep."
He continued out of the room, and she got up to follow him, but Styik handed her the baby and said, "I will look after him." Sytar began to kick, a little and Nyota started at his behavior.
"Sytar, what is wrong with you?"
"Takes after father." Styik answered as he followed the toddler towards the room that he used to share with Ravalan.
Nyota tilted her head, completely confused, then she asked, "What is your brother talking about?" She knew that Sytar would not show her an image. He only did so when Styik was there, between them, but he did allow her to feel an emotion, she was shocked, and a bit afraid, as she knew it all too well from connecting with Spock... the baby was jealous.
She carried him out to his father and said, "Spock, I do not know how to tell you this..."
He tilted his head, and asked, "May I?" as he reached for her face. She nodded. Spock connected with her face in the traditional manner as Sarek and Ambassador Spock watched curiously, then he withdrew his hand. He looked at Sytar and reached for him. Sytar went to his father, hesitantly. "I shall exchange with him." Spock said. Nyota knew that she looked completely confused. Sytar was eleven months old, what could Spock say to him? She went back inside and watched as Spock took a seat with Sytar on his lap. Ambassador Spock and Sarek followed her into the mansion.
Sarek went on his way, heading for his own private quarters, while Ambassador Spock paused at Nyota and leaned in to ask her, "What is wrong with Sytar?"
"He is jealous of Suzak." Nyota said, embarrassed to even have to admit it out loud.
Ambassador Spock smiled, slightly and said, "Well, Spock certainly is the best candidate for helping him deal with the issue of jealousy." Nyota glanced over her shoulder at Tirza and noticed that Tirza was glancing up, sporadically at the two of them.
Nyota joked, "When he's done with him, maybe he could have a talk with her." Now, Tirza stared at her. She looked at Tirza, then turned to face Ambassador Spock and lowered her head, "She heard me, didn't she?"
"I am sure that she did." He replied.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I would apologize to her, but it might insult her further. I was only joking. She should know that she has nothing to be jealous about." She ventured another look at Tirza and noticed that she was now looking towards her computer, again, but she wore a slightly amused expression.
Ambassador Spock looked at Tirza, now and smiled, slightly. He said, "She needs reminders, from time to time. Tirza, perhaps we should retire to our quarters." he said it in the same tone of voice in which he had been speaking and Tirza arose, with her computer, confirming for Nyota that the Vulcan woman could hear her just fine from her position.
Tirza walked over to the two of them, and looked at Nyota, "Good night, Lady Nyota." She said. Nyota gave her an awkward smile and Ambassador Spock and Tirza headed up the stairs, next to each other.
It felt extremely late to Nyota when she headed down the hallway to search for Spock. She was wrapped up in a bathrobe, wearing slippers and had a bandana around her head. She found him, still out on the patio with the baby and she went outside, "Spock, it is incredibly late, what are you doing out here?"
"Spending time with our son." He replied. She looked at Sytar. The boy was sound asleep.
She looked exhausted and a bit annoyed as she observed, "He is sleeping, Spock."
"I am aware." Spock replied. "He is also, dreaming, Nyota."
"What about?"
"About how important he is, not only to you and I, not only to his brother, but to this family and to the crew of the ship that he is about to live on. It seemed necessary. He will learn of how pleased everyone was when he was born, of his Grandfather's intentions of giving him most of what is his, someday, and he will realize that he is loved, no matter who else is in our lives."
She gave him a somewhat sympathetic smile and informed him, "You have hardly managed to get that one through your head, but you think that he will?"
"Children are more susceptible than adults, even with Vulcans."
She laughed, lightly, reached for his hand and said, "Come to bed."
"He is coming with us." Spock said.
She smiled brightly now, and pulled him along, back into the mansion, and they held hands, all the way back into the bedroom, where Sytar did lay, right in between both of them. They both rested with a hand upon his body, and as Spock said, the boy did dream.