AN: So… I read an awesome Bones fic earlier today and had a terribly wonderful idea. I'm running off very little sleep, chocolate and tea. Any who, enjoy, maybe the action will get moving… I dunno. I can't promise anything. I just do as I'm told…
Spock was quite relieved when he heard approaching footsteps, thirty minutes after Chris left. He looked up and his relief fled. It was Chris, but she looked… worse for wear. There was no bounce to her step, no smile on her lips or in her eyes, and in fact it looked like she'd been crying… her cheeks were flushed a light green… and her lower lips had a dark green line down it.
His blood ran cold for half an instant then raging hot. She had a split lip! She locked her eyes with his and shook her head, obviously sensing his anger… he quickly controlled the emotion, feeling it boil just under the surface of his control, it did not affect his decisions but he felt it…. Oh did he feel it.
"Chrissy!" Jim said, startled. Spock noticed everyone stopped and looked up. Jim strode to Chris and touched her lip. "What the hell happened?!"
"I fell." Chris lied smoothly. No one believed her, there was no dirt on her clothing for one, but no one could prove otherwise.
"On to whose fist?" McCoy asked darkly and Spock had to agree.
"It was an open palm, not a fist. Fists leave bruises." Chris said, brushing off Jim and walking to the crates. "Lets get this unloaded."
An hour later the crates were unloaded to everyone's obvious relief. Spock was not suffering from the heat but he knew the others were. His human companions were covered in sweat, their clothing very damp, and their cheeks flushed. He glanced at Chris.
She looked as fine as he felt, she had the thinnest sheen of sweat, from exertion, not heat, but no flush. In fact she looked… happier. It was obvious others noticed her state because McCoy glared at her.
"I hate you." He told her and Spock tensed. Why would the Doctor, her friend, hate her? "Hobgoblin." He mocked at her.
Chris just laughed. "I love you too Bones. You're just jealous I handle the heat better than you."
"I'm plotting your demise." The doctor growled. Chris just rolled her eyes.
Spock heard the sound of foot falls and looked away from the conversation toward the west, where the sound was coming from. He saw three people approach, an older female Vulcan and two young girls. Each carried a tray laden with objects. He tensed as they approached.
One of the younger girls approached him, offering him the tray. On it, he realized with a start, were cups of cool water. He took one with a soft word of thanks.
"Me'Me," he heard Chris say in a distant, cold voice. He tensed and turned, taking an involuntary step forward.
"Caris," the old female said in fluid, fast Vulcan, "I have been illogical since the day of your mother's birth. I was wrong to be afraid then, wrong to shun your mother, and wrong to treat you as I have."
Chris lifted a brow in an exact replica of his distant, unkind, mildly curious expression.
"I apologize." The woman said. "Forgive me, please. And do not shun your Mother's half sibling's children."
He saw Chris waver, her eyes flickering from acceptance and forgiveness to pain and hurt. "You slapped me." She accused. "I came, at your request, and you called me Devil child, slapped me for 'daring to step foot on this planet', and bid me to leave and never return."
He was startled and horrified to see tears in the eyes of both women. "You look so much like her, the daughter I shunned and have missed for so long. And she looked exactly like him. The man I… I loved."
He watched as Chris closed her mis-matched eyes and tears fell down her cheeks. "I can't forgive you, just like that. I can't forget a lifetime of hurt." The old Vulcan sighed, her head dropping. "But…" Spock's heart stopped for a moment and the woman's head snapped up, her eyes frantic and hopeful. "I can try."
One of the children walked up to her, offering her a drink. "I am S'tarn." The girl said.
Chris dropped to her knee, accepting the drink. "I'm Chris. We're cousins."
The girl, no older than five, reached out her hand and touched Chris' eyebrows, tracing the very human features. "You don't look very Vulcan." She said.
Chris actually laughed, which made the girl look shocked. "I'm not very Vulcan, but a little." She turned her head to show off her ear.
The girl touched Chris' ear like she thought it was fake, as soon as she realized it was real she pulled her hand back. "I apologize." She said.
Chris smiled. "It's okay. It just tickles."
The girl tapped Chris' smile. "You bleed green."
Chris could feel the shock, the amazement, the… joy, of the girl in front of her. But also the deep, dark, horrible sadness and anger. She'd bottled it up, kept her hurt close to her heart, and Chris knew it would just keep growing. She wanted to hug the child, but wasn't sure if she dared. Instead she smiled and took a sip of the cool drink… water with mint leaves.
"Thank you for the drink, S'tarn." She said, standing, disengaging.
"Come for dinner," Me'Me said, the slight inflection making it a question, not a command. "You may bring your friend, Spock, if you wish."
She tensed, not sure if it was a good idea, but one look at S'tarn and her sister, at the curiosity in their dark eyes, was enough to kill her discomfort. "Sure. I'll come, I'll ask Spock…"
"I would be delighted." Said the soft, deep voice of her friend from behind her. She about leapt out of her skin. "Perhaps we could invite my Father and the Ambassador who was with him earlier, make it a family dinner."
And then Chris realized that her Me'Me thought she and Spock were lovers… and Spock was letting the image continue. She shot him a look but he simply looked back at her as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
But her Me'Me was nodding, surprisingly excited. "Yes, yes. The Ambassadors are most welcome."
"We shall be available after our shift." Spock said.
"So we could come around a little after nineteen hundred hours. Is that alright?" She asked.
Me'Me was nodding and the girls felt excited to Chris. "I shall see you both then. Please, enjoy the refreshments and accept our gratitude for helping us." She shooed the girls and the three of them walked away.
Once she was sure they were out of earshot she turned on Spock and growled at him in Vulcan. "What the HELL! Spock, she thinks we're dating!"
"I am aware." He said calmly.
She felt her cheeks flushing emerald in her anger. "Spock I swear, if you don't explain to me right now you will NEVER be able to have kids."
He gave her a steady look. "Your grandmother has reunited with you. If she were to attempt to do so she could try and find a mate for you. As she is aware of my status and my Father's status, she will consider me a very logical mate for you and as such will not try to find you another. By Vulcan law you are still a minor until you are 25, if she choses a mate for you then you will have no rights to refuse her."
She stared at him, eyes wide. "But… but Spock… that's LYING."
"I am aware." He answered.
"You don't lie… Vulcan's don't lie."
"We do if we deem it a logical endevor. It is only logical to make her assume you are currently spoken for by a man who is up to her approval. We shall leave soon and then it will not matter."
"Okay, STOP yabbering on in Vulcan and speak GOD DAMNED ENGLISH!" Bones yelled, looking deeply annoyed.
"Also," Spock added in Vulcan, to Bones' annoyance. "It will aide me as it shall make my Father assume we are 'dating' and as such he shall not attempt to find me a new mate."
Chris sighed and looked up and realized the two security officers, Bones, and Jim were staring at her and Spock and were all varying from curious to deeply annoyed and very curious. "My Me'Me just apologized, I said I forgive her, she asked me to dinner and Spock is pretending to be my boyfriend." She summarized.
Jim burst out laughed and Bones just blinked a few times before muttering and taking a sip from his flask. Chris shot forward, stole said flash and drained it while Bones protested.
She glared at her older friend. "YOU'RE not the one pretending to be dating Spock." She snapped.
That stopped him mid-rant and he thought it over before nodding. "You're right, help yourself, you're gonna need it." She could feel Spock's relief that she, apparently, agreed to his slightly hair brained scheme.
Spock was not quite sure his plan was a good one. He had seen, and recognized, the considering look in Chris' grandmother's eyes. He had reacted to protect her without any logical thought, to his chagrin. Once he had, however, established himself as her significant other he realized how useful such an assumption could potentially be for himself as well.
He doubted his father would force another mate upon him, and he was old enough to ignore his Father's wishes, but He could not say the same for Chris. She was younger than him by seven years and as she was not yet 25 she was still a minor by Vulcan law.
His plan, while possibly flawed, was one his Mother would have deeply approved of so he stuck to it. As he had noticed in a good many things. There was no logical (and valid) reason to go through with the plan. But there was no logical reason why he should not go through with the plan.
1855 hours rolled around and found Chris in her room, still wearing her uniform, glaring at the clothing literally strewn around the room. She wanted to cry. What to wear, what to wear… She had no traditional Vulcan robes, she didn't feel like wearing her uniform, or her really casual clothes… Something about a 'family' dinner with your 'boyfriend' and his 'family' made her think casual would be inadvisable.
She stripped off her red outer shirt and tossed it into her hamper. God what was Spock thinking? What was she thinking? What was ANYONE thinking?! A knock at the door made her jump out of her skin.
"Come in." she yelped, assuming it was either Jim or Bones, come to mock her some more. She didn't bother turning toward the door as it hissed open.
"You are not yet dressed." Came Spock's dry, deep voice.
Chris yelped a second time and spun around. "Spock! God you gave me such a scare."
"You said I could come in." He stated, his dark eyes taking in her state of dress and the room around her. A single brow rose.
"I know, I know. It looks like a tropical storm came through here. I… I can't figure out what to wear." She admitted. She looked him over. He was wearing traditional Vulcan robes, black (no surprise there) and very thin cotton to allow for air flow in the heat. She had to admit, they looked good on him.
"Do you wish for my advice?" He asked softly, his eyes slightly unsure.
She nodded. "God, PLEASE! I know nearly nothing about Vulcan culture except that robes are usually a good thing and well… obviously I don't have any."
His eyes smiled. "Did you bring the dress you wore when we went to see 'Phantom of the Opera' last summer?"
She thought for a moment, impressed he remembered when she did not… "Our first Broadway play…" she thought for a moment longer. "Oh! The black and white one, with the yellow ribbon under the bodice?" He nodded. "Yea, I'm pretty sure it's here somewhere…" She started digging among the nicer dresses.
"It would be ill advised to wear the 'high heels' however." He commented.
Chris snickered. "Aww, didn't you like what they did to my center of gravity? I thought they looked sexy."
Had she looked up she would have noticed the very deep green blush on the tips of his ears. "I make no comment on the matter. I still believe they are illogical. And for tonight they are doubly so. We shall be walking over broken ground."
She found the dress and grinned, when she stood Spock looked as composed as ever. "It's okay, I've got some really cute little black and yellow flats around here too…" She smiled brightly. "I still think this is insane, by the way."
"I disagree." He answered.
She rolled her eyes. "Logical, possibly, crazy, defiantly. Now shoo, unless you want to see me strip." And change her underwear… the dress was PERFECT to pair with her new bra. His lips pursed slightly.
"I shall meet you at the Transporter room then?" He asked.
She nodded. "That would be great. I'll be ready to leave in… ten minutes."
"I shall see you there." He said, offering her a slight smile and leaving her to change.
As she pulled off her uniform she wondered about her choice of clothes. Not the dress… but the bra. It would show slightly above the dress, giving everyone a teasing glance at the lace… Was she choosing that particular bra for a reason… If she was being honest with herself… yes.
The bra might, if she was lucky, catch the attention of a certain Vulcan. Who just happened to be pretending to be her boyfriend… She cursed her damned luck. The entire situation, were it not utterly fake, would have been… wonderful… She clasped the bra and stamped out the feelings.
"No," she muttered to herself. "No, No. Bad Chris. Spock is a friend. He has shown no desire for you and it is entirely likely that the course of history in THIS universe has made it so he doesn't feel the same.
Spock looked up when Chris walked into the transporter room, pulled from the dark snarl of thoughts and emotions that had wrapped him in their tendrils. The heels comment had not been a good idea, it had only brought back the memory of her, which he studied with new appreciation.
The memory paled in comparison to reality, however. Chris stepped onto the transported platform next to him wearing the black and white dress from over a year before. But there were slight differences. Her hair, which had originally hidden her ears, was free and gently waved from her earlier braid, exposing her pointed, alien ears. She wore black and yellow shoes that looked to Spock like ballet slippers, and she wore jewelry, which she usually did not.
He wondered if her ear piercing had hurt more than they would had she not been part Vulcan, as he admitted the totally illogical, but attractive, silver hoops that dangled from them. Her eyes looked brighter, her lips slightly plumper… and she smelled like some exotic fruit. He wondered if that was different or if he had simply never allowed himself to notice before…
She obviously noticed his evaluation and spun in a small circle, letting him appreciate the view from behind as well. She smiled. "Well? Appropriate? Logical?" she asked, obviously teasing.
"Appropriate, yes." He admitted, though it exposed more skin than most Vulcan would dare (their skin was too sensitive, any touch, accidental or deliberate, was enough to threaten their emotional and impulse control. "Logical, no."
She frowned. "What did I do wrong? Should I change?"
His lips twitched in amusement. "Jewelry is illogical." He stated. "Particularly earrings."
She rolled her eyes. "Is that all?" she scoffed. "Never mind then." She glanced at the Ensign. "Beam us down sweety. We'll call up when we need a pick up." They were beamed down.
Chris headed, immediately, in the correct direction and Spock fell into step beside her. "Might I ask you a personal query?"
She laughed. "Sure Spock, anything."
"Are you displeased with my deceit?" She looked confused for half a moment. "Your comment to the Doctor. Was it in jest, as I thought, or was I incorrect? Are you displeased with me?" He had been… disquieted since hearing the statement, unsure if she meant her words. He had noticed a habit of humans, and Chris, to express their annoyance by saying things they did not entirely mean.
Her eyes widened and her hand immediately clasped his. The back of his hand warmed at the contact and buzzed, his mind slipping to brush hers as if it were entirely natural. It both unnerved and pleased him. "Spock…" she said softly. "No. I don't mind. I was just… annoyed that the decision was made without consulting me. Since, you know, she is MY crazy grandma."
"I doubt she is crazy." He said, his lips wanting to twitch in amusement.
Chris snorted. "Oh, trust me. Loonier than a looney toon."
He could not help the questioning brow that drifted toward his hairline. "Looney Toon?"
Chris sighed. "Spock, you and I are going to spend HOURS working on your Earth cultural understanding."
"I thought I was doing quite well, Chris." He admitted, annoyed to realize he was not as proficient as he had believed.
"Oh, nonono, you're great with humans in general. But… How can you not know the Looney Toons? It's like… a crime against nature. And I intend to rectify it, tomorrow night." She said vehemently. "We'll start there and work our way up to other vid files… like old movies! 21st century Science Fiction is hysterical."
They reached the house and Chris knocked absently, still focused on him. Spock was … pleased… that she seemed much less worried than she had before. He hoped it was because she found his presence as soothing as he, sometimes, found hers. The door opened and he was greeted by his older self.
"Chris, Spock, please come in." The older Vulcan said, stepping back. Spock had to bite back a flash of extreme dislike, particularly when those eyes, so like his own, dropped to their joined hands. Chris noticed his gaze and dropped Spock's hand like it were painful. He immediately missed the buzz of her mind against his.
"Hello my friend." Chris greeted the old Vulcan with a smile. Spock most certainly did NOT like her greeting him in such a way.
"This way, both of you." The older Spock said, letting his hand slid down Chris' bare arm in a Vulcan caress.
His entire body tensed and he became… jealous… again. He stepped forward and settled his hand on Chris' back, placing his body between the two. He did not glare, did not scowl, did not even acknowledge that he had seen the caress, but he was not about to let it happen again. For the evening Chris was HIS.
Dinner was not nearly as tense as Chris had imagined. She sat between Spock and her young cousin, S'tarn, opposite the three elder Vulcans. Sarek was polite, obviously there was a reason he was an Ambassador because he was quite the politician. Speaking with him was… surprisingly easy. The Older Spock was quite talkative also, which helped. He entreated that Chris tell them of how she met Spock, which amused everyone.
But she did notice that Her Spock was… tense. He was quieter than usual and often had odd surges of dislike when he looked at the Older Spock or when the man spoke. Normally she knew touch was… less than accepted among Vulcans but because she was the barbarous mix-breed she figured it would be odd if she wasn't touching Spock.
Instead of make him more tense, every time her hand brushed his as she reached for something, or when her shoulder bumped his, or her knee caressed his, he seemed to relax. So as she told, rather flamboyantly, of the karaoke night the month before, she settled her hand on Spock's arm.
"Well Spock couldn't think of anything he particularly wanted to sing." She said, smiling, "But I remembered he had his lute on board, so I sent him for that and we did a little duet, he played while I sang." Her fingers tightened slightly on his arm before releasing. "He is an amazing musician, you most defiantly did something right by him, Sarek."
She saw the amusement in everyone's eyes, the affection. It was odd how spending so much time with Spock let her read Vulcans better, when Spock was considered so human by Vulcan standards…
"Would you play for us?" S'tarn's sister, T'Lak, asked. "Before we go to bed?"
Chris smiled and looked into Spock's face. "What do you say Spock? A lullaby for my cousins?"
"I know of no Vulcan lullabies." He said, his brow raised slightly.
She rolled her eyes. "So we'll use a human one. You know, just like before." She saw when his eyes widened very slightly and he realized she was inviting him back into her mind, at least a little.
"If I might borrow a lute, then I do not see why it would be a problem." He admitted.
"You may borrow mine, Spock." Sarek said, standing. "Accompany me home so we may fetch it."
"Of course." Spock said smoothly. As he stood Chris felt the very slight caress of his fingers up her back. When they stroked along her bare shoulder and tangled lightly with her hair she felt the sharp thrill of electricity as his mind brushed hers and her back bloomed in heat.
Chris tried not to let her expression change but she saw the knowing look in the older Spock's eyes and the suspicion in her Me'Me's. As soon as the men left her Me'Me stood. "I shall tend the dishes while we wait. Girls, ready yourselves for bed." She nodded at the older Spock and Chris felt like she was being set up… "You do not disagree to entertaining our guest for a moment, do you?" She asked but it seemed like a token request because she was already slipping away.
Chris rounded on the Older Spock as soon as she could no longer hear the girls. "She is a terrible actress." She accused. "You set her up to do that, to get me alone."
AN: I am so SORRY it took me so darn long. I'm hours later than usual. I usually get stuck around halfway in the afternoons after I post, I sleep on it and wake up with more than enough to finish and start the next chapter… this morning that didn't happen. I'm SORRY! Anyway, Vulcan bonding to come, and the pirates, and 21st birthday parties! (Chris is 21 in September and it's August now!!!)
I love you all, thanks so much for your reviews!!! It totally makes my day! And hey, lets see if we can get over 1000 visitors to this story by the end of the month, only 280 to go! Tell your friends!!!
