Chapter Fifteen
When You Wish Upon A Star
Control…
"Yes sir, the question is, 'Do you swim?'
Spock looked down at his boots and then slowly raised his eyes to meet Nyota's,
"The activity is unknown on my home world. Water is such a precious commodity that its use in any way that is non-productive, to the benefit of many, is unheard of. So, for most Vulcans there is an aversion to anything that could be termed a 'water sport'. However, the activity was forced upon me when I enlisted in Star Fleet. So, although it is not something that I would willingly engage in, I am proficient in the mechanics of that activity."
Nyota tilted her head, almost Vulcan-like and said,
"So you do swim?"
"Nyota, I do believe that was the gist of my answer to your question."
"Do you own a bathing suit?"
"Star Fleet issued such a garment with my initial supplies. I am still in possession of that item."
"Spock the garment is four years old. Your body has, I am sure, filled out since that time."
As Spock looked down he had to agree with that statement.
"Spock, you should purchase another one."
"For what purpose? "
"To go swimming at the beach, of course."
"To enter waters, that are home to innumerable fish and sea creature where they eat, procreate and eliminate waste and thus have such waters touch my skin, and enter my body through its many openings has no appeal to me."
"Spock, you are an absolute scientist."
"Indeed."
Smiling she said,
"Well then, would you agree to accompany me to the beach, and watch our belongings while I enjoy the water?"
"Your facial expression indicates that the activity will bring you pleasure, so I will accompany you, and observe."
Spock shouldered his bag and took Nyota's in his hand and they walked toward the sounds that enticed
her.
As they walked she talked merrily about her home in USA, built on the shores of a lake whose waters were warm and clear. She and her family members regularly swam in those waters, considering them therapeutic.
`0`0`0`0`0`
The scientist had come to observe, and observe he did.
First, although he was walking on sand, the feel was not like Vulcan. The different was Vulcan's sand was dusty but this sand still had contact with water-on his home world, this was not the case. Because of the dryness of Vulcan's sands the planet's surface experienced sandstorms. This natural phenomena had contributed to certain aspects of Vulcan life, e.g. the location and architecture of buildings and cities.
He wondered at these differences as he saw distributed among these sands startling evidence of the water's sea life-various shells, aquatic vegetation and even a piece of driftwood. Spock even observed what he had heard described as a hermit crab, scurrying toward open water.
He followed Nyota to a spot and she reached for her bag and withdrew a very large beach towel and another square of fabric. She spread it out and indicated he could be seated. Crouching he continued to observe his surroundings. There were not many persons at this location…and then he observed Nyota unbuttoning her jeans and distinctly heard the sounds of a zipper…
"I was planning on coming to the beach today so I am prepared."
Her tiny hands tugged at the bottom of her top and brought it over her head and then she lowered her jeans and gracefully stepped out of them, and then folded her clothes neatly.
She said to a stunned Spock,
"It wouldn't hurt to walk in the water."
He was unwilling or unable to reply.
The image was indelibly fixed in his mind. Nyota was wearing a skin baring white two piece bathing suit. It revealed her perfectly toned body, the beautiful mocha color of her skin stood in stark contrast to the fabric that covered only the essentials. And if that was not enough of a overload for Spock, she reached up and released her hair and it cascaded about her shoulders and down her back.
Spock, the male with perfect control answered as he placed his bag on his lap,
"I will remain here with our possession and observe."
He was about to place himself into a light meditative mental state to deal with the human feelings that were almost a source of embarrassment for him. He could remain aware of his surroundings and still allow deep concentration to address the issues at hand. He would have to speak to his mother about this experience upon his return home. But just before he entered Wh'ltri the simplest meditative state he observed Nyota run into the oncoming waves and he envied the waters that now caressed her.
He felt her approach and ordered himself into full consciousness just as a human male moved closer to Nyota. He was a large muscular specimen. She turned in his direction and engaged what could best be described as her automatic smile, her general greeting to all who came into her line of sight. Apparently, that was enough encouragement for the stranger. He spoke in a flat guttural voice,
"Are you a model, an actress or something?"
A human male would have recognize the statement as 'a pick-up line.'
Not fully realizing that her smile must have encouraged this person, Nyota attempted to ignore the male but he then came closer to her.
"Perhaps you don't speak my language."
Then speaking a bit more loud and enunciating each syllable he continued,
"I just said you are the most gorgeous female on the beach and I was wondering if you and I…"
Graceful as a cat Spock was on his feet.
"The young lady does not wish a verbal interchange with you."
Looking at Spock's deceptive appearance the stranger said,
"And she prefers one with you?"
The male raised his palms to push Spock aside - and immediately collapsed in front of them both.
Spock bent down and starting collecting everything that had been laid out on the fabric.
"Nyota, I believe this area is unsafe for your continued presence. Please clothe yourself and we shall leave."
She looked questioningly at the body lying in the sand and asked,
"What happened to him?"
"He has been temporarily neutralized. He will awaken with what you Terrans might call a headache."
Nyota quickly dried off, slipped on her clothes and asked with wonder in her eyes,
"What did you do to him."
"It is a discipline from Kheile'a the school of V'shan a study of humanoid pressure points. Its administration can temporarily immobilized without any permanent damage-it is part of a Vulcan defensive martial art.
Nyota's mouth created a circle and she whispered, "Oh!"
Spock placed his hand at the small of her back. He had already strengthened his shields and he guided her away from the awkward scene.
"I think I could have taken him down, you know." was how she started their conversation. I am quite adapt at Dambre/Kahawa a martial art from my country."
"Whether that is a fact or not, we will never know." was Spock's reply.
Nyota lowered her head and said,
"Thank you V1, you are my hero."
Perhaps her words reached his inner core for at that point, as illogical as it might seem, that statement made him pleased to have been so admired by her.
When they reached her dormitory steps she asked,
"How many more sessions will we have?
"You are not the only person who will be interviewed. After I have compiled all the information gathered and I notice an area in any interview that needs clarification, that person will be recalled."
"Alright, I'll see you in class. Thank you," she repeated.
When she reached the door she turned and waved to him. It was what he now expected to see, a visual testimony as to her safety.
As usual, though not under usual circumstances, Spock prepared himself for meditation, after which he would contact his mother. As he sat, the view of Nyota at the beach flashed up into his mind and he almost groaned. Deep meditation was what was required.
It took ten hours before the asenoi before his mind released him. He felt refreshed, quite a bit more settled than he had been when entering that state, and filled with a resolution. He would elicit assistance from his mother. Since she was not aware of recent developments in Nyota's career choice, he would explain the part those very pertinent questions had played in that decision. Though free of personal blame, he must admit that he was greatly relieved by her decision.
He remembered his mother's use of the word 'torment' when she described how contact with Nyota might affect him, and she was correct. On the beach when he viewed her, every fiber of his being was affected. He could not afford such a reaction again. He knew why this had happened-his attachment to her bordered on a light bonding. Instead of his Vulcan mind responding to her, which had been the case initially-it was now his human heart that did so. This was a problem that only his mother could address and advise him on. He was determined not to view these experiences as failures but as discoveries.