Chapter 17 – A Different Point Of View
Giana and Patty Abbott strolled up the harbour of San Francisco and watched the water ripple with the slightly breeze. Well, Giana looked at the water and Patty was looked at the pretty dress that swirled around his wife's legs. Twenty years into their marriage and she was as timeless as ever.
"That was so satisfying," she sighed. "Don't you think?"
"Absolutely," he agreed. "The amount of them that said they didn't take part in it directly…"
"It's absurd! And we'll be giving the Caster's a good talking-to when we get back. They've gotten away with it for long enough." She laced her fingers through her husbands and they stopped and leant against the railing.
"At least she had Spock with her," Patty said softly. Giana sighed.
"I know she's a big girl, able to live her own life, but I just don't feel ready to give her up just yet."
"You won't be giving her up. A son's a son until he takes a wife, a daughter's a daughter all your life. She'll always be our daughter, but she's entitled to fall in love. Might I just say that she has good taste like her mother?"
Giana groaned. "You're right. I'm overreacting. And I'm well within my right! I never thought that raising a child would cause all this worry."
Patty slung his arm around her shoulders. "She's going to be fine. And at least now we'll have grandchildren."
"That's true." They stared at the sunset. "Let's just get this straight. We love our daughter. We like the future-husband and his father. We believe she's chosen wisely for a 'mate' and will give us little Vulcan grandchildren." She glanced at her husband. "Did I miss out on anything?"
"Just that we're going to let her live her own life now," he nodded.
"She's still our little girl."
"Now and forever."
o.O.o
Darkness reigned as Kirk sat in his office, going over the latest batch of applicants who wanted to serve aboard the Enterprise once it was repaired. He was bored. Most of the crew were out doing useful things and that left him stuck doing paperwork. Unfortunately, this was the sort of thing he had to do himself.
He'd worked through most of the pile alreadyand dismissed a large majority of applicants. He only wanted the best. They had to have a wide range of skills if they were to be useful, like science and biology, or medicine and xenolinguistics. Diversity was something he prided himself in, and he would deliver.
A certain file caught his eye and he frowned and opened it.
Grade Papers: Abbott, Zia
Interim Marks, First Year
Introduction to Physics – 100%
Introduction to Federation History – 95.4%
Cultural and Social Anthropology – 97.9%
Principles of Biology – 98.8%%
Finite Mathematics – 93.2%
Athletics Program – 92%
Overall Marks, First Year
Introduction to Physics – 99.8%
Introduction to Federation History – 94.1%
Cultural and Social Anthropology – 98.2%
Principles of Biology – 98.9%
Finite Mathematics – 94%
Athletics Program – 95%
"Wow." He scanned the page a second time to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. "She really is a genius. I guess that's what comes with being a Vulcan." He flipped over the page to her latest marks.
Grade Papers: Abbott, Zia
Interim Marks, Second Year
Microbiology – 91.2%
General Physics – 99.6%
Multidimensional Calculus – 90.8%
Peoples and Cultures of the Federation – 94%
History of Starfleet – 99.7%
Athletics Program – 92%
Kirk's eyes were just about ready to pop out of his head. How were grades like this even possible? He shook his head to clear it. She must do a lot of hard work and put in the hours, as well as having the good class attitude that counted for a quarter of the overall grade. These were the best marks he'd come across so far.
"But what do her professors say about her?" he muttered, flipping the page over yet again and reading the professors remarks from her interim report for this year.
General Physics, Professor Golden
Abbott, Zia
Zia is a highly-skilled and knowledgeable individual in the subject of physics. She displays an in-depth knowledge of all the subject material we have covered in class, as well as assist in the smooth running of class time. Her insight into deep-space study and the detection of anomalies and radio frequencies is to be commended; she is the most intelligent student in this class.
Elementary Temporal Physics, Professor Hahn
Abbott, Zia
Zia shows an amazing amount of intellect with physics-
He didn't need to read anymore. Spock's girlfriend was a genius and one of the strongest people he knew. She was truly remarkable, he had to admit that. Looking back, he felt like a bit of an idiot when he remembered attempting to pick her up, but now that was all in the past.
She was exactly the kind of person he wanted on the Enterprise, brilliant and able to hold her own. Kirk recalled how stressed Spock had been sometimes, as he was both First Officer and Chief Science Officer. Perhaps it would be wise to maybe give the Chief Science Officer an assistant… someone Spock would approve of. Kirk smiled. Yes, this would make his friend happy.
o.O.o
Honestly, it was difficult being the only female in the group. Uhura reflected on this as she terminated her call from Kirk. For over a year the group was her, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov, and in her opinion, it was entirely too male-dominated. Kirk had just told her that he intended to put Zia Abbott on Alpha Shift with the rest of them for the five-year mission, as well as promote her to Lieutenant and Junior Science Officer. If he'd told anyone else of his intentions, they'd think him mad.
But Uhura knew just how suited Zia was to the role. She was just as smart as Spock and she remained strong in the face of danger. Uhura remembered how scared Zia was when Vulcan was destroyed and there was none of that vulnerability left now.
Yes, Uhura had been jealous of Zia, even despising her at one stage, because of her relationship with Spock. It had been childlike, a thing of the past. Uhura and Spock would never share the same feelings that he held for Zia and that was final.
Uhura pulled away from her reminiscing. She dialled another number in her communicator. It was time to push all those regrets behind. "Hey Zia, would you like to go shopping tonight?"
"I'd love to!"
Uhura laughed. "Meet at the Academy gates at around five?"
"That sounds good. Although I'll warn you, it looks like it's going to rain tonight, so either bring an umbrella or dress carefully."
"I'll look out for that. See you then!"
Uhura hung up and glanced at the clock. She had thirty minutes. She changed into boots and a sensible coat and left her apartment. When she reached the gate, Zia was already there and they smiled at each other.
Yes, Uhura had once been jealous of the young Vulcan, but now there was no reason to be.
o.O.o
As usual when he returned to an empty house, Sarek hurt. He missed Amanda. He missed her with all his katra and would miss her always.
He stared around the empty room and made a beeline for his computer, where he logged onto video to call Spock. His son would answer. He always would.
The computer beeped, and Spock's face appeared on the screen. "Father are you ill?"
"No, Spock. I wished to speak with you."
"For what reason?"
"I am unsure."
"I do not see a logical reason to call."
He thought for a second. "While on Earth I spoke with Miss Abbott's parents. They expressed the belief that you will one day marry her."
"Yes, Father. I will marry her one day and continue your legacy." A fleeting smile crossed Spock's face. "She is much like Mother.
That sent pangs through Sarek's body, though he showed no emotion. "As a father it is my duty to give you my consent and wish you well in future endeavours."
"Thank you, Father, I am honoured by your acceptance."
Sarek glanced out the window. Orange light spilled onto the floors. "I bid you goodnight."
"Goodnight, Father."
He terminated the call and stared at the sunset. A shred of contentment broke through the heartbroken exterior. At least his son had found contentment, despite everything that had happened, and he couldn't have chosen a better mate.
Amanda would be proud.