Chapter Forty
This Is The Vulcan Heart, This Is The Vulcan Soul
When You Wish Upon A Star
It was an amazing celestial phenomenon. The sun set low on the horizon and the moon was shimmering in the sky. It was 'last light'. Nyota took a deep sigh and straightened her shoulders. Somewhere she had read the statement, 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.' She stiffened her back just as a slight tap was heard.
"Please enter."
T'Paal entered and Nyota stood up, and took her first step toward the rest of her life..
Draped on T'Paal's arm was a cowl. All married Vulcan females covered their heads in public. It would be placed on her head by Spock immediately after the bonding. T'Paal would hand it to the bridegroom.
The older woman touched Nyota's face with the back of her hand and said, "Nashgad sanok-shataya. T'Paal isha sanoi ko-mekh: (Today (is) pleasant conclusion. I also (am) pleased mother)
She placed her hand at the small of Nyota's back and guided her out of her door.
With their disappearance from T'Pau's rooms, the Vulcan maintenance crew went into action. Of course, everything was done orderly. Things removed were folded for storage, as per T'Pau's orders, nothing was going to be thrown away. The strong backs moved the furniture with ease. The verbal description given the crew, were visualized and copied in the placement of the realities. Efficiency ruled. The supervisor of this project sent to all his workers, 'The task is completed. The Honorable T'Pau will be pleased.' Yes it was, in record time-forty seven Terran minute increments.
The slim sliver of the sun shown through the window of the large ballroom at the Embassy. Those of the staff not engaged in activities involved with the bonding were present. Chancellor Barnett and some of the Academy Board, along with the head of public relation's.
Captain Pike had decided against being present with Benjamin and Sarek, but he was present as an observer It seemed right that it was a family affair. He did not wish to throw caution to the wind and flaunt his relationship with Spock in front of the powers that be. Also present was President Lmmurr, his secretary and their public relations agent. Vulcan security circulated and retrieved all holo-vid equipment as per T'Pau's instruction. This event would not be reduced to a media circus. A press release along with accompanying holo pics would come through the Embassy with the approval of T'Pau. It would explain the unique circumstances of this bounding and the application of the Prime Directive in the case of this couple. There could be no protest based on that explanation. All information and pictures would be deemed as, 'For Your Eyes Only' until it received her approval for release.
Spock, Sarek and Benjamin entered the room from the door on the right, resplendent in their formal robes. There was no music only the Kusek (bells shaken to signal the need for attention). The audience turned to see Nyota at the entrance with T'Paal by her side.
Sarek felt his son's body stiffen and heard the intake of his breath. So he also took in the scene, his daughter was wondrously beautiful and Sarek saw Benjamin had bowed his head and let out a sigh. T'Pau was seated on her ornate chair at the center of the platform and once Nyota reached the platform she rose from her seat. T'Paal stood to the side.
Deciding to conduct the ceremony in Standard had been a monumental decision for her. But, in view of what was involved, she would utter the words so that they could be understood by the visiting dignitaries. She raised her hands and then gestured for Spock and Nyota to stand before her.
She then intoned:
What you will now see has come
down from ancient times. Even before
The Awakening.
This is The Vulcan Heart,
This is The Vulcan Soul
Addressing Spock she said,
"You, the male before me, identify yourself."
Spock's baritone response was,
"I am Spock, son of Sarek, son of Skon of the house of Surek"
Continuing she said,
"And what is your purpose here this day."
Spock answered,
"To claim what is mine, my K'hat'n'diawa,my beloved, promised to me many years ago and to be bonded to her."
T'Pau nodded. She then addressed Nyota,
"Female, identify yourself?"
Nyota responded,
"I present myself to you Honorable Mother as Nyota Uhura,
Daughter of Benjamin and M'muba Uhura of the
Wakafunzi Clan, Bantu People of USA, Terra
"And what is your purpose here?"
To be bound to my K'hat'n'diawa, Spock of Vulcan, to become solely his, heart, soul and body"
You mutually agree to this bonding that joins you two for life?
Both answer simultaneously,
"We do."
With that T'Pau raised her hands, palms down over their heads and ordered them to kneel.
T'Pau had bonded many couples before. For the most part before her elevation to Principle Member of the High Counsel. So, as she eyed the couple before she felt the equivalent of Vulcan pride to be the one to be instrumental in this case.
The actual creation of the bond was simple. T'Pau would draw both consciousnesses into her mind, join them and then release them into Spock and Nyota's minds. Spock's attention and eyes were on his beloved in anticipation of receipt of her into himself. Nyota's eyes were downcast.
T'Pau asked,
"Are thee prepared?"
Both voices said,
"Yes, Honored Mother"
They both closed their eyes. She placed her hands on top of their heads and breathed deeply.
"Your minds to my mind
Your thought to my thoughts
Touching, yet not touching
Apart, but never apart
Let the bonding begin"
With that statement both Spock and Nyota's heads bent forward and their chins rested on their chest. T'Pau eyes were closed then she placed her hands on each of their heads and said,
"It is accomplished."
Spock and Nyota's eyes opened their eyes and Spock assisted Nyota to her feet. T'Paal handed Spock the required cowl and he placed it upon his bondmate's head.
What followed was their first silent conversation.
Spock said, "I am here beloved. We will not be separated again as long as we live."
Nyota's response was, "Spock I hear you as clearly as the spoken word."
"I will train you so that you will become proficient in communing with me. This is the gift that is the earmark of the Vulcan bond.
T'Pau ordered them to turn and face the visiting guests and said,
"I present to you S'chn T'gai Spock and Nyota may they live long and prosper.
The first ones to come forward were the parents of the bride and groom. Spock had put up his shields to the maximum which allowed him to deal with the hand shakes and slaps on the back given to him by persons unaware of his sensitivities. These were very few. Nyota face was lined with tears and Spock had placed a protective arm around her waist.
Captain Pike finally made it to his friend, and said, "Spock, I am relieved."
Within one hour all had been accomplished and Spock and Nyota were prepared to leave the celebration. T'Paal led them down the aisle to the applause of the visitors who had been advised that a meal would be served.
Spock was getting ready to lead Nyota up to his rooms when T'Paal stopped them and gestured for them to follow her. Passing Nyota's office she led them to T'Pau's rooms and opened the door. Nyota's eyes widened in surprise at the room and then at Spock's as he lifted her into his arms to carry her across the threshold.
T'Paal said,
"This is part of gifts, from T'Pau, and both of your parents. These rooms now belong to you. Food is in the stasis unit. The library is closed for the next three days. I will lock the door from outside and place a cautionary sign on it. Find the love, joy, and beauty, of Valdena."
Both Spock and Nyota responded, "Peace and Long Life to you T'Paal."
To then she said, "Now I have both of these."
Spock went over to the bed and removed the two envelopes that were on his pillow. He brought them to her so they could open them together.
They saw the Star Fleet insignia on the envelope front. Nyota asked Spock to read it. He read and sent to Nyota, 'We are accepted as a married couple.'
The second envelope Nyota opened and smiled as she said out loud with a giggle, "Thanks to my parents, we are going to Rissa." Everyone knew that was the honeymoon capitol of the galaxy."
A/N The following chapter (41) has been extremely demanding of me. The challenge, how to write about intimacy, love, joining, without being graphic or smutty? It will be posted in two days, I am working to refine it. In the movie, "You've Got Mail" this process was called 'tweaking'.
If we remember, what the maiden represents, love, joy and beauty, this couple will definitely find all three of these things as they are drawn even closer together as we wind down.
One of our great authors, StarTrekFanWriter made a statement similar to, 'Now that the deed is done, many readers will lose interest.' But in reality, that would be a realistic ending to this story-there are so many well written stories of their days at the Academy, the destruction of Vulcan, time on the Enterprise…so contrary to the wishes of one of my loyal readers who said the story should continue until the release of the new move…:0), after their resettlement in their roles as instructor and student this story will end. But there is still a few more fics in my 'closet.' One of them I shall start posting tomorrow. It is another AU fic.
Thank you for reading.
Botsey