Heartbeats
Chapter 2
It was an evening after discussing their life aboard The Enterprise, that Nyota recalled a humorous experience on one of their poker nights that had involved the 'good doctor' McCoy who had on a number of occasions mentioned that although Spock was a non-participate in the card game his presence was allowed only because of his permanent 'poker face'.
In was on one of these said evenings McCoy had mentioned he had helped deliver a number of newborn Gorns. The entire account was repeated during their poker nights. At these times McCoy, while enjoying liquid refreshment, gave repetitious reminders of McCoy's experience with said pregnant Gorn. As Nyota remembered, the first rendition of the story revealed he had deliver eighteen offspring. As this evening progressed, the number of newborns continued to grow with each refilling of his shot glass. Spock's comment was,
"Doctor, if you continue with the story I believe that you and you alone will be responsible for the over population of the Gorn home world."
Whether the doctor heard Spock she was not quite sure for when she turned back to observe him, his chin was resting on his elbow supported palm and he had fallen fast asleep.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
On this particular night Spock's recollection was an experience singular to his life—the day his Nyota almost died. They were beamed back from the hostile planet he was carrying her limp, blood covered body. Dr. McCoy had a hover stretcher waiting and was shouting orders and then looked up at Spock and said,
"Spock, I have to touch her to save her."
Spock nodded his consent and almost zombie-like followed behind Nyota's conveyance. He was frantic, but internalized it. What he needed was to touch her so that he could continue monitoring her life signs. Almost reading Spock's mind McCoy shouted,
"Man come here and give me some sort of reading I have to know where all this blood is coming from."
Placing his hands on the melding points, robot-like he spoke the information his touch conveyed. To hurry the process McCoy shouted,
"Three to beam out direct to emergency sick bay."
The familiar tingle engulfed him and as he materialized nurse Chapel's face was the first he saw and she told him to come with her. He followed her breathing heavily. From the engagement on the planet his eyes were barely opened, he had difficulty breathing but his mental faculties were clear and he knew that a Vulcan Healing Trance should be implemented as soon as Nyota came out of surgery. He took a deep breath and said,
"Nurse Chapel, I am fully aware of your expertise in Xenomedicine so I feel free in informing you so you could advise the doctor of my determined effect to place my wife in a Vulcan Healing trance once surgery has stopped the flow of blood."
Chapel nodded. In his mind he still could remember with great accuracy his wife's irregular heartbeat while they were joined. He knew he was fully capable of adjusting any irregularities when he joined with her, bring her and keep her in the Vulcan healing state. He was pleased that his diagnosis of her condition indicated that her reproductive organs had not been damaged for it had been his greatest desire to see the spark of life grow within her as soon as possible after their discharge from active duty.
His realization of a truth that was never voiced by a Vulcan even though some had acted on it. Despite the "Needs Edict, he was fully aware that he needed his Nyota for his entire world had opened up as his attachment to Nyota grew. When he had heard that some Vulcans had chosen self-murder when they lost their familiar bond, it became apparent to him that these males determined that their continued existence without their K'diwa was worse than death. So it was that he determined his path if his Nyota was to leave him in death. Once he had safely placed Nyota in the trance and she was stablized he would go to their quarters and compose letters to his father and children who would respect his reasoning.
He thought of how unfortunate a person who had lost the use of all his five senses would be to be sat down at a buffet table groaning under the weight of the prepared foods and be unable to enjoy one mouthful. That would be his existence without she who is his wife. Of course, a person who might lose his sight and hearing could still function and lead a life of satisfaction because he still had use of his sense of smell, touch and taste. These would supply the person with tactile contact with the world around him. He had read the story about Helen Keller who did just that. His Nyota was his translator his landscape artist, his composer and had brought beauty to his existence, not only in her person but bestowed on him a richness, colors, depth, height, width and fulfillment no study had ever provided. There was no replacement for her. He had started out the teacher and then became her student.
Despite Nurse Chapel's attempt to have him sit down he stood immoveable by the door he knew that the doctor would come through. The door opened and McCoy uncharacteristically clasped his shoulder,
"Spock, we stopped the bleeding, removed foreign matter from her wounds, stitched her up, she has not as yet gained consciousness. I know what you want to do—the Vulcan trance…"
"Vulcan Healing Trance."
"It is risky Spock, if she…if she should…"
"Doctor, I am fully aware of the risk and am more than willing to risk any consequence. Excuse me, I wish to attend to my wife.
He took a few steps and then he turned and said,
"Thank you Dr. McCoy."
Nyota had taught him that humans respond to expressions of appreciation.
McCoy displayed an almost Vulcan nod of acknowledgement and then said,
"I will let Jim know. I am certain that he will come down, may I let him in?"
"Doctor, I will require a minimum of five minutes to join with my wife, after that the captain is most welcome in our presence. I shall not leave her side."
McCoy responded,
"I figured as much. Should I get you something to eat?"
"I do not desire sustenance."
McCoy simply nodded.
Within minutes Spock had heard voices outside the door and then the captain tapped lightly on the door before entering, and inquiring,
"Spock how is she doing?"
"She is presently in a healing trance and is responding to its curative powers. Her body is responding… doing what I anticipated. I will revive her in twenty-eight hours, seventeen minutes, four seconds."
The captain with a worried look on his face asked,
"Wasn't that risky Spock? If she had…died, you would have gone with her."
"Captain, Star Fleet has any number of qualified members to serve as first officers and communication officers. Lieutenant Uhura is my only wife, and bondmate. In that capacity, there will never be any substitute for her. Captain, I cannot exist apart from her."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Although their two experiences were diametrically opposed to one another, they were never reviewed with bitterness or regret but with wonder, because each experience contributed to what they had become as individuals and to one another.