Chapter Twenty nine

When You Wish Upon A Star

Tell Me…

The classes with T'Lou went along so well. She was a brilliant student and within two three weeks was conversant in Standard. Nyota had downloaded a special program on her personal com unit and given her access to her rooms. The child was now very comfortable with her. Her greetings were now accompanied by a low head bow, and a hello. Nyota informed her that when they were in private honorific titles or gestures were not necessary and if she felt comfortable she could address her as Nyota. There was an enthusiastic nod.

"Tell me T'Lou, have you ever been outside the Embassy's walls."

"No."

"Would you be comfortable taking such a trip?"

"I would like that."

"This weekend we will go away on Friday and return on Sunday. We will visit a friend of mine."

"Thank you."

"Please pack enough inner and outer garments to cover the time you will spend away from home. I will inform T'Paal of our plans. Lady Amanda has given permission for me to oversee such trips. I will pick you up." Noticing the puzzled look on her charge's face, she continues, "Let me correct that statement, I shall come to get you after my classes on Friday."

Nyota would inform Professor Robinson about the additional guest. She had already been informed that if she ever wanted to bring a someone, it was permissible.

Professor Robinson had agreed to take Nyota to the Embassy to pick up T'Lou. The young child was waiting at the door in a typical youngster's pose, with her face almost pressed into the glass awaiting her first adventure. When Nyota exited the vehicle, she came quickly from the door and rushed to her side. T'Paal observed from the door, nodded and left her vigil at the door.

"T'Lou this is Professor Robinson, MY teacher; Professor, this is my student. Almost simultaneously they said, "Mene sakfhet ur'seveh" (Live long and prosper) and then looked at each other in agreement.

'Now that's a fine first meeting,' was Nyota's thought.

As they rode along, although there was no change in her face T'Lou's body language spoke volumns-her eyes would fix and then follow things that she found of interest. She was amazed at the changes in the scenery. From bustling city, to country, to seaside to house. As they pulled into the driveway she almost bounced out of the car and she looked about in wonder at the houses around her, the sounds of the sea, the call of the gulls and if it had been possible, she would have smiled.

Upon entering the house the child's eye's widened and she immediately went to the mantle. She touched the urn and addressing the urn said, "Tell me,"….then she replied, "Your son, So'non greets you.."

The look on the professor's face is a cross between shock, pain and joy.

How was it possible that his essence was not lost. It was a known fact that at conception, contained in the white light was the life force and the katra. As the fetus developed and on a basic level the katra developed with emotions fully expressed. After birth, control of emotions was learned, and life's experiences were added to the individual's katra. If it was contained it would not drift off to join with the cosmos. Water, heat, ice, none of these elements could destroy it. The only way it would perish would be if it was set free from confinement, for it was not immortal. The first confinement could be an individual's body, the final one could be a chosen container. The great Surek's katra had known many Keepers during its hundreds of years of existence.

There had never been a Vulcan in Professor Robinson's home, no one to identify the presence in the urn. No one to communicate with her infant son. Irma sat on her couch and allowed a release through tears. T'Lou did not understand so Nyota said to her,

"You are the first to communicate with her son who she thought was lost to her. She will love you forever."

Irma went to the mantle and took down her son's remains and asked, "Are you able to communicate something to him?"

"Yes, I am."

"Tell him I…love him and will bring him home to Vulcan to rest beside his father."

T'Lou reaches for the urn but Irma holds it tight, with that T'Lou touches the adult's meld points and makes her the conduit, part of the communication and then touches the urn. Nyota could see her friend's face, she was at peace for the first time in years.

Nyota questioned T'Lou, "Who instructed you in the ways of Vulcan?"

"My parents taught both of us and we could spend time in silent conversation. I do miss that part of my past. I fully understand that they were sent away because of their desire for independence from the Vulcan Way, but they were really good parents. Maybe one day we will be together again."

This wish would come true under the most horrific of circumstances, many years later-when all Vulcans, from every part of the galaxy would have to unite for survival.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

T'Lou was very helpful setting up the tables for the professor's Saturday guests. She was introduced as Nyota student and was welcomed properly by all-none attempted to touch her.

She carried trays to the cadets who distractedly reached their hands into bowls, or onto platters. The idea of eating with one's hands was repulsive to all Vulcans, but she was determined that she would be accepting of her host's way of life.

When all the guest had left, Irma called to T'Lou, "I will show you your room." She gathered up her bag and followed her host up the stairs. Opposite Nyota's room, the door was opened and T'Lou looked at the most aseptically pleasing room she had ever viewed.

"This was my parent's house, I grew up here and this was my room, now it is yours. Everything that you need is here and I will call you for breakfast. May you have a productive rest. And…thank you."

After she had closed that door she knocked on Nyota's.

"Come on in."

Irma came into the room and Nyota gestured for her to sit in the large chair, while she sat on the bed. Professor…"

"No, no more of that formal stuff here, Irma will do just fine."

"Well…Irma, I did not know that was going to happen, but I am glad it did. I know you will keep your word to your son, but when will you leave?"

Nyota was biting her lip-she had noticed a tone of finality when she spoke those words to her son's katra. You will really go, but for how long."

"Nyota, I don't have that many days left. Perhaps when my contract runs out, it will be time. I will seek a way to keep T'Lou with me, if it means I have to stay on Vulcan, I will do so. She has healed my heart and I will take care of her until I die."

"Why do we have to be so morbid. Irma, you are still in your prime, please at this point, don't desert life, you have someone who will need you for many years ahead."

So it was, that Nyota told Amanda, who told Sarek, who TOLD the high council and the papers were drawn for Irma to be assigned the guardianship of T'Lou. Both of them were extremely happy, but just one of them smiled.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

(We will now eavesdrop on some more messages that pass between Spock and Nyota. We are not privy to all their correspondence, after all they deserve some privacy)

Space to Terra

Star Date 2278

Page one of one

Beloved:

'My chess student, has made significant advancement. Of course, he is still unable to best me, but he continues to challenge and prove superior to all the other players. Amazingly, he has remained, to use the Terran expression, humble.

At the end of the month we will be traveling to Star Base Nine for repairs and supplies. I have been told that it is noted for its galactic shopping mall. There is a special section of housing assigned to only Vulcans. It must be at the quiet part of the base allowing us our periods of meditation. Captain Pike knows the base's captain personally, it is only logical that he stay with him. A skeleton crew will stay aboard the ship and I was anticipating staying and taking up the command position. The captain, however, has insisted that I leave the ship and its duties behind and join him and the relieved crew members on the Star Base.

You will not receive a message from me during the time I am not aboard the ship. Please be assured that I will do everything possible to return safely to you.

Your Spockh

Terra to Space

Star Date 2278

One of One

Beloved:

My response to your message's final sentiments-You better!

Now I must tell you of a most unusual situation. I am teaching a young Vulcan girl Standard. She is an apt student and I have been brought her to Irma's house when she allowed the cadets to visit. The two of them have formed the most extraordinary bond. I think it is a case of mutual need. Perhaps either the young girl will be allowed to stay here, outside the bounds of the Embassy or perhaps the professor could be allowed a permanent place on Vulcan. Either way, I would hope they can remain together. There is more involved, but I am not at liberty to reveal it, it is too deeply personal.

My new friends's name is T'Lou and she now has access to my beautiful room. She is the best roomie. She never brings in overnight guest as is the case another person with like designation.

By the way, Amanda has revealed Sarek's role in how I secured my ring. Those Vulcan transports can take care of big or little deliveries as can be seen by what I saw methodically unloaded yesterday.

How long will you stay at Deep Space Nine? I hear that it is a beautiful place. When you allowed yourself to rest, think of me as if I were right there with you, at your side, walking the corridors, window shopping, enjoying a meal. I will be thinking of you in your changed environs.

I am yours forever,

Nyota

Another person privy to Spock's movement is Amanda who immediately begins to formulate a plan that involved her son and Nyota. She sighed and had to admit she was not just going to let the 'chips fall where they may', she would maneuver them a bit. Then she made plans for Nyota's transport, to Star Base Nine aboard a Vulcan transport. If all went as planned she would be there to welcome Spock. Amanda knew that there was a private suite with a private entrance alongside the Vulcan residences for Sarek use. She could always blame her actions on the fact that she was a hopeless romantic. Her son was honorable, he would do what was right, but they would have those stolen moments. But she would send T'Paal anyway, to stop tongues from wagging. They would have twenty-four hours together, just a mere taste of honey.