A/N All disclaimers apply.
Chapter Nineteen
When You Wish Upon A Star
Like A Daughter…
On Friday night Amanda called Nyota to let her know what time she would be picked up. Nyota shyly asked,
"What do you suggest I wear?"
"Don't worry my dear, I have brought you the perfect attire. It will be brought to you early in the morning."
When the package was delivered and Nyota opened it up she was speechless. The robe was perfect. Even the sandals fit perfectly. She attempted to style her hair to compliment the robe but was unsuccessful. She just let it flow over her shoulders. She would explain to Amanda that she had made an attempt.
At exactly 0900 hours a smartly dressed Vulcan pilot knocked and advised Nyota that the transport was awaiting her and escorted her to the craft. When Lady Amanda saw her, her assessment was Nyota was intoxicatingly beautiful. She felt extremely sorry for Spock. Amanda was certain his shields would be shaken.
Once inside the two woman embraced.
"Amanda, your gift is so very beautiful. I attempted to style my hair but was unsuccessful."
"The garment has been made more beautiful by you being in it, my dear.
Eyeing her friend perceptively she said,
"Nyota, I have a proposition for you. How would you like to become a published author?
"Me?"
Smiling she said, "I am Spock's mother and I know his reply would be, 'Since I am sure that my vocabulary is accurate. I believe that is what I asked."
Laughing Nyota said, "You know him so well."
"Believe me, to know his father, is to know him. Sarek and I have been married thirty five years, yes dear, I know them both-very well."
"Now, back to the question. I am about to write a book on the study of Xenolinquistics. I wish you to write it from a student's point of view. Are you in agreement?"
"Amanda, I would be happy to. Thank you for the opportunity."
Amanda patted her hand, "I look forward to working with you. I think we should work through the Embassy's contact number. That will be local for you. So before we part I will give you directions for either face to face contact, or transferring large amount of data."
Amanda now had set up one part of her strategy. The next part would be the biggest hurdle, Star Fleet Academy.
When they arrived at the University they were escorted to the auditorium. The three of them were taken back stage and awaited Amanda's introduction.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Graduating Glass, University Board, Instructors, Professors and Interns. Welcome to this years commencement exercises. Various other speakers who had a few words to speak came before Amanda. At last the introduction came,
"In any institution of higher learning, the jewel in its history are graduates who had made their mark on the world or worlds. Seattle University is such a place. Among our alumna is one who has made her mark not only on Terra but on many worlds in the Federation. Allow me to present to you, Lady Amanda Grayson. There was polite applause.
Amanda stood before the student body and recalled her days at this institution of higher learning. It seemed like forever ago. She observed all the fresh young eager faces. Many of them without solid direction. So
she encouraged those so inclined to make themselves available to the Federation. To those who would take up the mantle as a Xenolinquist she gave very pointed advise,
"If you decide to take up this study, be prepared to work your entire life. The study of language in our time and space is ongoing, constantly changing, ever new. Every humanoid or any other creature that has been discovered so far has possessed the ability to communicate by some form of language. Since star ships are being built 'that will go where no man has gone before,' be assured, these explorers will discover new languages, new people. The job of a Xenolinquist is to study not only the vocalization or communication of thoughts, but the silent methods used to do so that is inherent to all intelligence beings. Think carefully how much of your life you wish to invest in study and then make a choice."
I also wish to correct a common misunderstanding about the Vulcan people. Be assured that they have deep feeling. After centuries of study they have chosen to keep their passions masked by the face of logic. After living with them these many years I have determined that it takes superhuman initiative and focus to control what is ranging within them. They have had to adopt an almost pacifistic facade and this is credit to their noble race.
When questioned about her greatest achievement, she simply said,
"My Son."
"Would you ever accept a tenure to teach on Terra?
"Perhaps a summer course, but my place is really either on Vulcan or anywhere at my husband's side.
Smiling she said,
"I have sacrificed enough to Terra, you all already have my son."
.
"What do you remember most about your time at school?"
"I recall how horrible the food was."
With that statement there is a round of applause and a lone voice said,
"Good riddance to that!"
After several more questions Amanda raised her hands as an indication for there to be silence. I will now introduce two young people I have brought with me. At that she beckoned Spock and Nyota, who were back stage to come forward. Spock, who had chosen to wear his Vulcan robes and Nyota dressed in her's came forward. They make such a stunning pair, that a mummer is heard in the audience. Amanda states,
"The unmistakably male one is my son, Spockh. The other, an unmistakable female is Nyota Uhura of USA, who is going to co-author a book with me."
On the stage one of the introduced parties eyes widen at that announcement.
.
"Look out for Ms Uhura, she will be a force to be reckoned with."
Her final words were,
"Some people like to say at times like this, 'This is the first day of the rest of your life.' But that is a wrong estimation. When you entered Seattle University you started building for the rest of your life with your first class. So, instead I say, Today Is Independence Day. From this date forward all your decisions should be yours, independent of the demands of others, made by your own free will and based on what you have learned here and what you have to offer. Students, believe in yourselves, work hard and succeed.
I now close with the Vulcan greeting, Mene sakkhet ur-seveh (Live Long and Prosper) and its response Sochya eh dif (Peace and Long Life) for they both apply at this juncture of your life.
The applause was thunderous as Lady Amanda Grayson left the podium. The entire graduating class stood to express their appreciation for her encouragement and her addressing anecdotal information about Vulcan and its people. As Amanda left the stage, Spock gestured for Nyota to proceed him off stage and the three then stood together back stage.
The pilot was able to carry them safely to her old homestead. It was here that years ago there had been heated words. Physical contact had been sparse, but never discontinued. Amanda went alone first to the door, so as to not cause an embarrassing scene for her guests. When a nurse opened the door and asked who was calling, Amanda pushed past her and located her father in the old living room. His head was bowed.
"Daddy, its me, Amanda."
His voice, just a hair above a whisper, "Amanda, is it really you. I was just thinking about the time that you were on the roof and refused to come down. Come closer so I can see you."
Then she knelt down and kissed him, and both of them dissolved in tears.
The nurse came into the room and stated,
"I am here during the day and one of his children come and stay at night. Do you want to stay and see one of them?"
"Yes."
Then she addressed her father, "Daddy, Spock and a friend of mine are outside, may I bring them in?"
"That is fine Mandy, I would really want to see him."
Amanda went to the door and gestured for them to come in. Spock helped Nyota alight from the vessel and the pilot stated he would stay with the craft. After all, he was responsible for its safe return.
As Amanda walked toward the door her mind was flooded with remorse. Years had slipped by, her father was now OLD. Never would a week pass by that she would not call and speak to him, but to see him, so broken was a shock. Just then Spock and Nyota entered and Amanda took Nyota's hand and she walked toward the slouched figure before her and introduced him to her son.
"Daddy, here is Spock."
Spock nodded and tilted his head, "Grandfather, it is your grandson Spock who is before you."
Mr. Grayson looked up and smiled. "You are quite a handsome young man, but I know that a compliment is not acceptable to a Vulcan. Please excuse your old grandfather."
Spock answered, "There is no offense when none is taken."
Shifting his sights Ron Grayson saw Nyota and his smile widened, "Well, you have your compliment here. Your wife is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen."
Spock opened his mouth to make a denial but his mother shook her head and sent, "Let it be. It makes him happy."
Of course, her son found the thought pleasurable also. Nyota appeared regal in her Vulcan garb and he had a difficult time keeping his eyes off of her. His grandfather's estimation was indeed correct.
Amanda observed, she knew she would have to refine her strategy.
At six o'clock her brother Herb came through the door. He dropped his bag on the floor and said, "Mandy is that really you?"
There was another tearful reunion. Then Herb's eye found Spock. He said,
"Is that my Star Fleet nephew?"
He went over to Spock and looked at him and said,
"You have your mother's-my sister's eyes."
Spock response was,
"I have been told that on numerous occassions."
Looking over at Nyota he said,
"And who is this lovely person?"
Amanda, not wanting to have Nyota identified as Spock student said,
"This is Nyota Uhura of USA, she and I will be co-authoring a book."
Murmmering under his breathe he said to Amanda,
"She and Spock look good together. Maybe…"
"Herb, Spock is just nineteen and she is just seventeen, it is a bit too early, don't you think?"
"Yeh, you are right. Got to give them time."
Turning to Spock his uncle asked, "What are you studying?"
Spock rattled off his majors, minors, projects and goals.
Of course, some of the descriptions are way above Herb's head but he politely nodded and turned to Amanda and said,
"You and Sarek must be very proud of him."
Addressing Spock he asked,
"Did you say you are working on the Fleet's newest starship?"
"Yes Sir."
"Son, the best to you then."
That thought is echoed by Spock's grandfather,
"Yes, yes I wish you the best Spock."
Amanda is standing, her hands in the sleeves of her Vulcan robes her shoulders shaking with sobs. Where can one draw the line between joy and grief. In this instance it is difficult to do. She is overjoyed to see her father and almost certain that she will never see her father alive in the flesh again.
Amanda went and knelt again before him.
She stated, "Father, I will call you next week. She then kissed his sunken cheek. Herb bowed his head.
Spock approached and also knelt,
Grandfather, I am now living in San Francisco. I too shall call to speak to you.."
Nyota stood by observing the scene and stated,
"Mr Grayson, it was a pleasure to meet you and your son Herbert. I shall be anxious to hear about how you are fairing when I speak to Amanda."
As the sky craft lifted up to begin its flight, Nyota held Amanda's hand and hugged her tightly.
Amanda said,
"You are the daughter I never had. Thank you Nyota."
Her friend nodded and her son observed.