Chapter 14 – Stealing Away
She woke slowly and opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed across the bedroom floor, clothes littered the floor and wrinkled sheets cocooned her body.
Jamie once mused that it would be boring, like a medical exam, tedious and methodical. It hadn't been like that. Spock was gentle and sensitive, yet passionate and fervent. The peace that it left her with was welcome and she was certain that it would last.
Spock entered the room, tray in hand. "I believe you should eat before returning to the Academy."
"What's the time?"
"It is 0653 hours. If you eat and dress quickly, I can drive you back and you will have time to get ready before classes begin."
He laid the tray on her lap and kissed her softly. He pressed his forehead to hers and smiled gently. A sudden thought struck her.
"Hey, Spock, where do we stand?"
He moved back. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, are we all good? Where does our relationship stand?"
Spock tilted his head. "Zia, our relationship is stronger than ever. Look at the horrors we have persevered through together."
Her stomach fluttered. "Does this mean we're together, no matter what?"
He laced his fingers through hers. 'Yes, it does.'
o.O.o
Zia ran through the Academy corridors in a clean uniform and satchel slung over her shoulder. She really shouldn't have spent so long eating her breakfast, but she enjoyed Spock's company more than she would admit.
She burst into her calculus class only a few minutes late, but Professor Hahn didn't seem to care. So, she took her usual seat, pulled out her PADD, and caugh up on the notes for class. It was then that she realised how behind on her work she was.
The rest of the day passed in a daze. She sat in class, took notes, and completed as much of yesterday's homework as she could between classes. Eventually, though, she finished her anthropology class and lugged to her room to study. There was no way she was going to sleep for more than a few hours as there was so much to do. Tara was already inside working.
"Hey," her roommate said, "you didn't come back last night. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Zia grinned. She sat at her desk and opened a new document on her PADD. "I spent the night with Spock and we sorted everything out. We're going to fight this together."
Tara smiled and glanced back down at her work. "Ugh, I've got so much to do, and I have a date tonight!"
"Good luck with that," Zia nodded. Tara stared at her book for a long moment, then slammed her hands on the desk
"Screw it I'm getting ready now."
Zia chuckled as her roommate rummaged through the wardrobe. It felt so good to smile and laugh!
"Okay, what do you think?"
Tara twirled in a flowy yellow dress that accentuated her dark skin and hair. Zia nodded her assent. "It looks amazing."
Her roommate brushed her hair and completed her outfit with sandals and a cream handbag. Once ready, she took a couple of photos and hauled ass for her date. Zia turned back to her work, but the door opened again.
"Oh, Zia honey!"
Her eyes snapped up and found her parents. They ran forward, dodged past all the furniture, and threw their arms around her. She hugged them back, confused, and spotted two Vulcans standing at the doorway. Spock and Sarek.
"Young Mister Spock told us what happened," Patty said, "and we had to come and see you. Why didn't you tell us?"
"I didn't want you to worry," she mumbled.
"Of course, we would worry! We're your parents!" They finally let go and Spock and Sarek came into the room and stood with their hands clasped behind their backs.
Giana smoothed down her daughter's hair. "Spock has said that he's taking us all out to a barbecue that his friends are holding at one of the parks."
Zia raised her eyebrow. "This is the first I've heard of it."
The ghost of a smile appeared on Spock's face. "Mister Scott, we are ready to beam."
o.O.o
Music blared, people danced, and the crew of the Enterprise was having a jolly old time. Sulu and five other crewmembers manned the barbecue, cooking fresh meat to serve on bread. Zia wasn't sure if it was real or not, but accepted Spock's hand as he led her to the dance floor.
Sarek stood as awkwardly as a Vulcan could beside Patty and Giana. They watched their children dance.
Patty leant towards Sarek. "You know, we're going to be in-laws one day. We both know that our kids are perfect for each other."
"Spock is an outcast among humans and Vulcans. It is logical that he chooses a strong mate who is suitable genetically."
Giana held out her hand. "My name is Giana, and this is Patty. We're Zia's adopted parents."
"I am Sarek, Spock's father."
Patty tilted his head. "Is his mother human?"
Sarek blinked. "Yes, however she is dead. I do believe he will be pleased with the presence of another mother-figure." He glanced down at Giana's still-outstretched hand, and instead of shaking it, he offered the ta'al, the traditional Vulcan salute.
Zia and Spock danced gracefully, long enough to be socially acceptable. When they quitted the dance floor, Kirk met them with drinks.
"Well, I see the happy couple is happy again," he shouted above the music.
"Yeah," Zia grinned. She surprised everyone by throwing her arms around him, "Captain, thank you for everything. It means more to me than I can say."
"Hey, no biggie." He handed the drinks to Spock and patted her back. "Like hell I'd let either of you die."
Zia pulled back and smiled at him before taking a drink from Spock. The three of them took deep droughts and Kirk smacked his lips and darted off for more. Then Zia and Spock drifted amongst the crew, chatted with Uhura, debated with Scotty, bantered with Chekov and conversed with Sulu. It was easy to forget all the hardships they'd been through, and even easier to have such a great time when surrounded by friends. Eventually McCoy made an appearance, completely off his face and singing about beautiful women. Now that made everyone grin. Predictably, Yeto was the one who brought him under control and gave him water.
"If you will excuse me, there is something I must attend to." Spock slipped away and was lost in the moving crowd. Uhura appeared next to Zia.
"You're a lucky girl," the human murmured between sips of wine.
"I am. I know it's hard for you, but I really hope we can be good friends." Zia glanced down at Uhura, since she was taller by a head.
Uhura grinned. "We already are."
Giana and Patty joined them. "Who is this?" Giana asked. "You're beautiful!"
"Oh, thank you. I'm Lieutenant Uhura of the U.S.S. Enterprise, I'm a friend of Zia's."
"That's excellent!" Giana laughed. "Zia didn't have any friends before she came to the Academy. It's great that there are such nice people there."
Uhura chuckled. "It'll be great to have another female around the ship. In my opinion, it's entirely too male-dominated. Zia's smart enough that she'll knock all the science officers down on their asses."
Patty laughed. "That's my girl!"
o.O.o
They walked back to her room, hands locked. Giana, Patty and Sarek were staying at a hotel on the harbour, and the party broke up not long ago. Scotty got to work beaming everyone to their respective locations and they now strolled through a corridor in the Academy.
"You do not feel smothered, I hope," Spock said.
"Hell no," she grinned. "Thank you for calling my parents. I really did need to see them."
They reached her room and heard voices inside. Curious, Zia pressed her ear against the door.
"I hope that helped," Blair was saying.
"It did, thank you. I didn't know you were this good at math."
"I kind of have to be for engineering."
It was quiet for a moment. "I had a great time. Thank you for taking me out." Footsteps sounded, and a kissing noise. "You're going to have to get better at that."
"Hey, it's not as if I've had any practice!"
Tara's voice became sultry. "Would you like me to help you with that?"
"Sure," he replied, his voice betrayed by nervousness. "I, uh, better go get some sleep." He kissed her again and his footsteps approached the door. It opened, and he stared at Zia and Spock, who stared back at him. His cheeks darkened, and he hurried away. Zia shook her head and turned to Spock.
"Thank you," she murmured. He stepped close and held up two fingers. Smiling, she pressed her fingers against him in ozh'esta, the Vulcan equivalent of a public kiss. Two cadets walked past, gaping as they saw Zia and Spock together, and they whispered as they rushed away. Zia didn't care. For the first time ever, she didn't care.
They gently parted fingertips and Spock gazed at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "I shall see you tomorrow," he breathed.
'I'll think of you constantly until then.'
'Of that I will do the same.'
They Vulcan-saluted each other and Zia retreated into her room. Her entire body felt like jelly. Tara lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling, but she turned her head to glance at her roommate.
"We kissed," Tara sighed. "He's a terrible kisser."
"You better teach him the tricks then," Zia nodded, "because he's this close to falling in love with you." She grinned as she knew that feeling all too well.