Chapter Twenty seven
When You Wish Upon A Star
The Dip, Please
That evening Nyota had a fitful sleep. She got up and paced the floor a few times, moaned, returned to bed, covered her head with her blanket, walked again. She knew she had to have that one question answered. She could not imagine Spock in a deceptive role. Once she left this house she would immediately go to the Embassy and contact Amanda.
The cadets started straggling into the professor's home around noon, lunchtime to be specific. The games would not start until 1500 hours. They piled onto the furniture, sat on pillows, dragged in kitchen chairs and laid on the floor. Nyota had put out the dips and chips, a large fruit salad, iced tea and bottled water.
The large screen halo vid screen had been turned on so that the game previews could be viewed. The professor made no secret about her favorite team. No Terran team had made the playoffs so she could not be considered 'traitorous' for yelling the loudest for Mars' Target Ball team. It was a exciting game, you could not take your eyes off the screen, for if you did you would miss a major play. The final score was-147, +17-Mars-whose staring player was a six armed Tousin. Gaila had arrived escorted by three cadets and left with seven. Nyota rolled her eyes heavenward as Gaila said as she left,
"You guys want to come to my place?"
Yes, for a certainty, her first priority when she returned home would be to change her linen, clean the bathroom and throw out her tooth brush.
Her instructor bid farewell to each group as they left and with the departure of the last guest she collapsed on her sofa. Nyota starting clearing up the disposable goods still not thrown away. She swept the floors and put out the garbage.
Once she had finished her hostess addressed her, "Dearie, I could not have done this without you, my 'hostess with the mostess.' Perhaps you would not mind rescuing me on the next sit-in with snacks. By the way, we still have a lot to talk about. But we have a new day tomorrow. It is almost 1930 hours, I think we should turn in."
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Nyota awoke to the smell of fresh coffee. She drifted down the steps floating on its aroma. Once she entered the kitchen a cup was handed to her. The blend was new to her, the beverage was quite smooth.
"Professor, what is the name of this coffee?"
"You like it?"
Reaching into her cupboard she took out a new bag and handed it to Nyota.
"Accept this as my gift to you for all your help. Like I said, this time, I know I could not have done this without you. You know, old A. G. E. is not for sissies and it appears that that specter is gaining on me."
"Ma'am, I wish to speak freely."
The professor nodded.
"You have not slowed down, for how long? When was the last time you took a vacation? You probably can't remember. Think, how long have you been running, so hard from what you have lost instead of confronting it and healing your hurt? Vulcans might have viewed your love as illegal, unlawful, despicable but I am certain So'nan did not view it that way. Knowing Vulcans as you do, you best believe he searched for you. You do not know exactly what he would have done if he knew you carried his son. Do not continue to denigrate yourself. Let today be the first day of the rest of your life."
Nyota, biting her lip, continued, "Professor, we have a lot in common, we are both driven, focused, and lovers of all things Vulcan."
With that statement she touched her professor's arm, "I can clean, cook, shop all sorts of things. It will help me because I won't be pinning, for my K'diwa, if I am busy."
From that day forward Professor Robinson considered this special student to be her special friend.
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The next day after classes Nyota walked the short distance to the Embassy, entered her office, swiped her card, entered Amanda's code and waited. She heard the distinct sounds of a connect and Amanda's face appeared on the screen.
"Hello, Nyota dear, I am glad to see you."
Nyota's head was bowed, then she looked up and Amanda noticed the worried look on her face.
"What is wrong, Nyota?"
"I have a very important personal question to ask you about Spock. …Ahh, was Spock bonded to a female when he was seven. Professor Robinson told me that it is a traditional rite of passage for Vulcans. I cannot see Spock deceiving me in any way, or withholding information of that nature."
Nyota held out the gold chain and displayed her ring, "I do not know if you knew he gave this to me before he left and asked me to wait for him. Of course, my answer was 'yes'. But what am I to do if he is bonded to someone else?"
"Calm yourself Dear Nyota. This seven year bonding was not experienced by Spock. As a matter of fact, there was a terrible rift in my relationship with my husband due to this tradition. I insisted that my son could and should be allowed to pick his own mate. It would only be in that way that his human side could be explored. I would not have allowed any deception to be visited upon you my dear and my son would not have given you that ring, if he was bonded, he is much too honorable. Do not even think on this subject again. As a matter of fact, Sarek had secured the ring for Spock after our son had designed the setting himself. It was brought to Terra via regular Vulcan transport."
Nyota's smile returned.
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Once she returned to her dorm room she checked her work before submitting them. She was confident that her submissions would received outstanding grades, she wanted to raise her averages. Right after her last class she would visit the gym and work off some of the chips and dips from the week-end. She had worn her bathing suit and the pool was her first stop. For a few minutes she dangled her feet in the water, and then entered the water. The warm fluid caressed her body as she glided forward. Then it hit her, a cramp in her left leg. She was already aware that she was the only one in the pool room. She felt her self sinking and she screamed, 'Help me'. Then within a few seconds she heard a splash and saw a body moving through the water toward her and then strong arms secured her in the rescue hold and brought her to the edge of the pool, and placed her hands on the bar. The person then shook his head to remove the water from his hair. She then recognized her 'savior'-James T. Kirk, the rude, forward, licentious male that so irritated Spock.
She ran her hand down her hair to remove the water and sputtered, "Thank you."
Locking his ice blue eyes on her he said, "If you are really grateful, you'll let me take you to dinner."
"I cannot believe you have lowered yourself to perpetuate blackmail. You know I would not dare endanger myself twice-first in the water and then alone with you-you know, your reputation proceeds you."
"The source of those stories could be questioned."
The bond sparkled and burst forth, 'You have been rescued and conveyed appreciation to the person who has removed you from danger. I recognize the male involved. K'diwa, please only use the Embassy pool in the future. Someone will always be present to insure your safety.'
Kirk was still looking intently at her and he said,
"God, you are beautiful!"
Nyota shook her head, lifted herself out of the pool, grabbed her towel and walked toward the showers. Kirk ran in front of her and back pedaled,
"So, your answer is 'No'.
"Irrevocably."
"You know, I'll keep trying."
"And I'll keep saying No!"
"We'll see about that. See you around, my Venus. "
Rolling her eyes and breathing a sigh Nyota headed for the shower with Kirk still back pedaling to observe her regal passing.