The sun had set, and Margaret set out a few ceramic Halloween pumpkins, lighting the candles within and placing them in the living room windows to greet the neighborhood trick-or-treaters who would visit later. Allen, Spock, Nyota, Commander Ming Nguyen, and David Swenson watched her as they snacked on plates of small vegetarian sandwiches (except for the separate plate of salami sandwiches that Allen insisted upon), brownies, various Halloween-themed cookies and tarts that Janelle had sent home with them, and fruit with their tea.
Nguyen had joined the rest at the Markham-Grayson house to debrief Spock and Nyota after he himself had followed up with the press at the hospital, providing background details about the two younger officers and their appearance. He had been surprised when Margaret, always a genial host, invited him to remain for a snack before he beamed to San Francisco to accompany his own kids on their trick-or-treat outing. San Francisco was a couple time zones away, so he had time. Besides, he could not resist the opportunity to spend time with the commander's human family and satisfy his curiosity.
In this setting Nguyen's charges were more relaxed, having changed out of their uniforms and into civilian wear. The fatigue he had suspected in them evident as they took places close to one other on the sofa. Uhura shocked Nguyen when she leaned back into the commander's shoulder and closed her eyes. Even more shocking, the commander let her, ignoring everyone else. Neither of them seemed to care that Nguyen was there. Perhaps that was a sign that they had, in fact, decided to trust him.
Or, maybe it was that they were worn out, physically and emotionally. Allen and Swenson had pulled Nguyen aside earlier and debriefed him on Group #17's room visits, describing the positive interactions, the many hugs that Uhura gave and a couple that Spock endured graciously, Spock's unexpected juggling skills, and several heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments that stood out. The story of Marni Valdez's final moments made the biggest impression, and Nguyen looked at the Vulcan through new eyes. The dichotomy between Spock's strict emotional control and his demonstrated compassion was intriguing. The complex commander would prove to be an interesting client with unique opportunities and challenges. Nguyen found himself looking forward to them.
Uhura's breathing deepened, and Nguyen was certain she would be asleep within seconds. His attentions focused on her, Spock reached for a plate with an open-face hummus-tomato-alfalfa sprout sandwich on it.
"Nyota," he shook her gently, "please eat."
"Hmm, I'm too tired to eat," she said lazily, keeping her eyes closed. "I need a nap."
"Even so, you have not consumed anything since lunch."
"I'm OK. I've gone without food before."
"You do not need to do so at this time."
She remained silent, getting closer to dozing off. Spock, determined to get his way, took a new tack.
"Nyota…"
"Hmm?"
"Must I review the detrimental effects of low blood sugar and protein levels?"
She breathed out in a dramatic sigh. "You're going to lecture me until I take a bite, aren't you?" she teased.
"I would rather not. However, your cooperation in this matter is desired," he stated authoritatively.
Allen laughed. "C'mon, Nyota! It's been a long day, and I don't know if I can take technical nagging right now."
Nyota chuckled quietly, sitting up slowly. "You know, I don't think that I can, either." She turned her head groggily to look at Spock, and their eyes met. "OK, fine!" she said, lifting the sandwich from the plate and taking an exaggerated bite, all the while locking her eyes with his. Her challenging expression warned him that he would pay for his stubbornness somehow.
Spock pointedly handed her the plate, then picked up his own plate from the coffee table. He properly separated a section of a peanut butter sandwich with his fork, speared it, brought it to his mouth, and chewed in his most dignified manner.
Swenson smiled, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. "Whew, I'm glad that's settled! I thought there was going to be a fight."
"Yeah," Allen agreed. "A real knock-down, drag-out!"
"Sh-sh-sh, be quiet, you two!" Margaret huffed through her own smile.
Nguyen shook his head at their interplay and found himself liking this family, including the cold, stiff, pain-in-the-butt commander, who had turned out to be none of these things at all and was proving that Nguyen's decision to pair him with the young lieutenant for future appearances was a good move. She really did bring him out in a way no one else did, and had demonstrated that she could do so discreetly in public without revealing the nature of their real relationship.
Allen reached for the controller to turn up the holovid device's volume as the strains of a musical introduction announced the beginning of the evening news program. "There were enough reporters at the hospital. Think they'll cover our story?" he asked.
"They usually do," said Swenson, "about 15 seconds' worth." He turned to Nguyen, who had gone back to monitoring his PADD for the latest news reports. "Anything yet, Commander?"
"So far, from a Starfleet perspective, it's all positive," Nguyen reported.
Terra Today anchor Rik van der Kamp began his reports on the events of the day, trading off with co-anchor Vanessa Varaneesi. Between stories, they traded a few serious comments, but mostly happy, sing-song banter during the lighter features. Ten minutes into the broadcast, a Halloween graphic appeared next to the duo, with Varaneesi conversationally leading in…
"Today, as many of you know, is Halloween, celebrated in many regions of our world. Rik, I understand that you volunteered at one very special celebration today, and you met some very interesting people."
"Yes, Vanessa, I did. In the heart of North America, I met many young witches, ghosts, and goblins at the Mayo Clinic Children's Hospital annual patient Halloween party, and along the way, I had an unexpected honor…"
The screen faded to scenes from the party in the auditorium with about 100 kids, about a third in wheelchairs, the rest on their own feet, some with monitoring devices on them. Several parents accompanied their children as they, too, appeared to be enjoying the party. Wandering through the shots, approximately 40 medical personnel supervised while a half-dozen costumed volunteers handed out favors. Van der Kamp's voice-over began.
"Kids don't stop being kids just because they're in the hospital. So, for over the past 250 years, the staff of the Mayo Clinic Children's Hospital has hosted a Halloween party for patients, their parents, and their siblings so they don't miss trick-or-treat. The event includes games, entertainment, and visits with some of our world's biggest celebrities…This year, that included a rare personal appearance by Federation heroes Commander Spock and Lieutenant Nyota Uhura."
In the shot were Spock and Nyota demonstrating the Vulcan salute to a group of children, flanked by Allen, Swenson, and Janelle.
The story continued, painting a nice picture of the pair plus all the other celebrities who made the event possible. Nguyen was pleased with the result. "Mr. Personality" had, indeed, returned, adopting his father's diplomatic demeanor as he played the part of a high-ranking ambassador's son. The man was a pro when he wanted to be, circulating among the party-goers and posing with Mayo VIPs and administrators for countless holopics. Uhura had played her part as well, acting as Spock's cultural interpreter as the pair interacted with the crowd.
Many patients and their parents interviewed at the party had been thrilled about discovering the family connections that the Vulcan hero had with the hospital and lifestyle diva Janelle Devereaux. Spock left the impression of a dutiful son honoring his mother's and extended family's volunteerism at the hospital. When van der Kamp asked why he was there, Spock had replied: "One should honor family and tradition, should one not?" Nguyen knew that the quote would resonate with many viewers.
He also knew that Command would want to capitalize on the couple's popularity and Nguyen's challenge would be to keep a few publicity-hungry admirals from abusing it. He resolved to protect his young officers from that.
He also resolved to pay more attention to office scuttlebutt about Starfleet romances from now on.
The three-minute news story was coming to an end as a parent, surrounded by his family, told van der Kamp: "You have to have hope, even when it's hopeless. If Commander Spock had given up in the battle against Nero, we wouldn't be here. The odds were against him, but he won. He will inspire my son to never give up as he fights Bheren's disease. We thank the Mayo for this wonderful party and for the chance to meet him and Lieutenant Uhura. It's been a real honor."
Terra Today anchors Rik van der Kamp and Vanessa Varaneesi returned to the screen.
"Sounds like you had a wonderful time," said Varaneesi. "And who would have guessed that Janelle Devereaux and Commander Spock were cousins?"
"That surprised everyone, Vanessa," van der Kamp said. "But you could see a family resemblance and connection between Devereaux and Spock there. And I guess that's what today was all about: making connections with people. It was a great way to spend Halloween."
"Awww, that was nice," Varaneesi cooed. "And speaking of nice…," she began, transitioning into the next story.
Margaret signed. "That was nice. You all would have made Amanda proud. I even think Dad would be proud."
"Your father, proud of something?" Allen asked.
"He was dedicated to that place and his patients, and you know it!" Margaret stated, shaking her head. "I should start volunteering there again. At the very least, I'd see more of Janelle, Amy, and the rest of the family."
Swenson stood up. "Speaking of the 'rest of the family,' I should get going. My wife won't be too happy if she has to handle all the trick-or-treaters herself."
Nguyen stood up as well. "I should as well. My kids will be waiting. Dr. Markham, Ms. Grayson, I appreciate the hospitality…"
By this time, everyone else was standing to see the two guests to the door.
Margaret reached to shake Nguyen's hand. "Thank you so much for all your help. I don't know what we all would have done without you!"
"All in a day's work, I'm happy to have helped," said Nguyen. He turned to Spock and Nyota. "Now, I gave you the beam-out codes for when you leave tomorrow, correct?"
"You have," Spock replied.
"You're not leaving by shuttle?" Allen asked.
"No, they cannot," said Nguyen. "Because of heightened interest in the commander and lieutenant, Command has authorized the use of transporters for their immediate transportation needs. It's a security precaution."
Transporters, being high-energy and expensive options, were rarely used by civilians and never more than necessary by Starfleet personnel, which was why Spock and Nyota had traveled to Rochester via shuttle in the first place.
"A precaution, like all those security guards outside?" Allen canted his head toward the door.
Though Spock was technically Starfleet, Nguyen used Spock's status as an ambassador's family member to implement diplomatic laws that restricted unauthorized holography of him in private settings. Outside the home, in place of the Rochester law enforcement officers, Starfleet security personnel stationed themselves at various vantage points, a couple of them dressed in Halloween cowboy costumes to blend in with the neighborhood's activity, others hidden strategically.
"They're keeping the press off the front lawn, aren't they, Allen?" Margaret quipped.
"No need for concern; they won't scare away your trick-or-treaters. They've been instructed to keep a low profile," said Nguyen. "Now, if either of you need a skimmer," he told Spock and Nyota, "you have authorization to call one up from Riverside. They'll have one to you in 15 minutes. In fact, for your protection, we insist on it. Security will escort you anywhere you need to go. Understood?"
"Understood," Spock acknowledged. It was a logical precaution. Starfleet skimmers were outfitted with security features that others did not have. He was not pleased that he and Nyota would require an escort, however.
"Good. Enjoy the rest of your leave. Mr. Swenson, it's also been a pleasure," he said, shaking hands with the family's old friend.
"It has been quite an experience," Swenson grinned. "Good luck, Commander."
Nguyen nodded and walked out the door, closing it behind him. After some consultation with the security guards, he beamed back to San Franciso, satisfied with the day's outcome.
In the meantime, Swenson exchanged hugs with Margaret, Allen, and Nyota. He nodded to Spock. "Now, we're going to keep in touch, Young Man?"
"We shall," Spock said. It was strange for him to agree to further contact with someone he had known for just a few days. Swenson, though, had proven himself as a friend, advocate, and guide. Spock trusted him. Amanda had chosen well.
"And you, Young Lady?"
Nyota giggled. "I'd love to!" She ran forward and hugged him again. "You have been our knight in shining armor," she half-joked, then became more serious as she hugged him tighter. "How can we ever thank you enough?"
Swenson blushed. He was going to miss these two. "Just take care of yourselves out there, all right?" he answered, trying not to tear up. Before his eyes betrayed him, he broke the hug, smiled at the younger people again, and opened the front door. "Godspeed to you," he said as he took his leave, nodding to Margaret and Allen, and walked out, closing the door quietly behind him.
The four returned to their former places in the living room. Spock, still hungry, reached for the serving tongs and deposited a couple more sections of fruit on his plate. As Nyota resettled herself onto the sofa, Spock nonchalantly positioned the tongs over a brownie, making moves to pick it up.
Allen swore to himself that he saw a mischievous glint in his nephew's eye.
"Spock! What are you doing?" Nyota exclaimed the second she saw the tongs hovering over the chocolate treat.
The tongs descended onto a berry cheese tart next to the brownie instead. "I beg your pardon?" he asked innocently.
Nyota realized the joke was on her and rolled her eyes while Allen and Margaret broke out in laughter. She had to be tired if she fell for this gag. Spock also had to be tired if he had succumbed to the temptation to tease her with such a stupid prank in the first place.
Allen sat back, still amused, noting the difference between the stiff, formal officer who had arrived here and the more confident young person who sat before him now. He still had a Vulcan's innate formality, but Allen had learned to see the subtle clues hidden beneath Spock's surface and had observed a transformation in his nephew over the week. Allen suspected that he and Margaret had learned as much about Spock as Spock was learning about his mother's family and, to some degree, himself. It had turned out to be something that they all had needed as they grieved Amanda's death and tried to move on.
"Anyone want more tea?" Margaret asked. "This pot's empty."
"Yes, please," said Spock. "Let me assist you."
"Oh, that's not really necessary," said Margaret.
"Pffft!" Nyota blew in exasperation. "This is his not-so-unobvious way of getting away before he really incurs my wrath and fury."
Margaret laughed at the younger woman's spirit and took mock pity on her nephew. "Very well, Spock. You're saved for the moment."
"I do not understand," Spock stated, maintaining his façade of innocence while Nyota tried not to break out laughing as she glared at him.
"Understand or not, come with me, and we'll pick out different tea blend."
Spock picked up the tea tray and followed Margaret into the kitchen before Nyota and Allen could launch any wisecracks. Margaret refilled the pot and stuck it in the warmer to heat. She also refilled the sugar bowl, placing a familiarly crafted, small spoon into the granules. It caught Spock's notice, and he sat down to examine it more closely.
"Margaret, is this a Shu-ran'ai spoon?"
"I'm not sure of the variety. It's a baby spoon as far as I know. Your mother sent it to me as a gift for Norah after she was born. After Norah grew out of it, it became Alaina's. I always thought it was lovely, so I use it in the sugar bowl. Is it significant somehow?"
"It is not noteworthy other than the geometric patterning on the stem that was typical of Vulcan's Shu-ran'ai region." Spock reflected briefly on the place now gone with his homeworld's destruction, then covered his lapse by supplying more information as he continued his examination of the utensil, moving it between his thumb and first two fingers. "It is a common size for dispensing condiments."
"Well, it also turned out to be the perfect size for babies' mouths," Margaret recalled. "My, that was so long ago. It's amazing how fast 30 years can go by. I feel like I just had Norah yesterday. Alaina's now 28, and you're how old? Is it 26?"
"In Terran years, 26.873."
Margaret sat down at the table. "Ah, well, 26.873 years ago, your mother called me. I remember how excited she was…"
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
[26.873 years previously…]
Margaret Grayson had just tucked in her girls for their afternoon nap when she heard the family sequence of chimes from the comm station. Could it be? Had it happened? Scrambling to the study, she looked at the screen with unrepressed anticipation.
CommLink Requestor: Lady Amanda Grayson, ShiKahr, Vulcan
Margaret quickly punched the "accept" button, impatient for the connection to complete. Her words were out of her mouth almost before Amanda's joyful face appeared on the screen.
"Amanda!...Am I an aunt?"
Her sister, though used to controlling facial expressions, burst into a wide smile before she could help herself. "You are!" Lifting a small bundle into her arms, she tilted her baby's face toward the screen.
The child, just days old, roused from his slumber by his mother's heightened emotional state, opened his thickly lashed eyelids to reveal deep, dark brown eyes, accented by dark, wispy upswept eyebrows and a few ebony black strands on top his head that gave every indication of thickening into a generous crown of hair. He was exotic and, to Margaret's eyes, beautiful. After their years of trying, Margaret hardly could believe that her sister and Sarek finally had the child they had worked so hard to have.
Amanda displayed him proudly. "Margaret, I'd like to introduce you to my son. This is Spock."
"Whoa! He's gorgeous! Oh, wow! Omigod! He's got Mom's eyes!"
"And Sarek's ears!" Amanda laughed as Margaret's joy infused her.
Margaret looked at the ceiling. "Obviously!" she huffed briefly, her ecstatic mood refusing to be contained. "Oooooo, Amanda, what a cutie! Congratulations! I can't wait to tell Allen and the girls. How did your delivery go? Was it hard?"
Amanda's lips quirked at Margaret's frenetic barrage of comments and questions. "Technically, it was, as the midwives said, 'within normal parameters.' But if you ask me, I've never been so sore and worn out in my life. I can hardly move! I don't know what I'd do without our household staff. The healers tell me that I am recovering—again, that's 'technically.' Just give me a few more days…"
"I hear you," Margaret sympathized, being a veteran of two deliveries herself. "And is Sarek, er, 'recovering,' too? How's he like being a dad?"
"Sarek went into this already 'recovered,'" Amanda joked, as very few things ever disturbed her husband's outward calm. "However, he did say that he was 'pleased.'"
Margaret giggled. "Translated, that means he was doing handsprings in the front yard."
Still smiling, Amanda sighed as she adjusted Spock in her arms. "Though I wouldn't put it like that, in his own way, I know that he's as proud as any other father."
No matter how much she tried at this moment to follow her brother-in-law's example in control, Margaret could not stop herself from bouncing in her chair. "Oh, this is so great!" she sang. "I still can't believe it! OK, OK, now, tell me about…Spock? You can start with where the name came from. Is it common? I've been reading up on Vulcan culture, but I don't think I've come across that one before."
Amanda had expected this question. "Sarek chose it," she began her ready explanation. "'Spock' was one of the builders of Vulcan society, a uniter of clans and peoples according to Surak's philosophies and directives. Sarek thought it was appropriate for a child whose existence brings together two worlds. I don't know if it's common, but it fits, and Spock already seems recognize his own name."
As if on cue, the child moved his head to look toward his mother and gurgled a few quiet syllables, shocking his new aunt.
"No way!" Margaret exclaimed.
The timing of the child's vocalizations had to be coincidence. Vulcans were smart, but this was ridiculous.
"Perhaps I am only a proud mother speaking, but I can't help feeling that he knows who he is. Don't you, Spock?" Amanda softly stroked her son's face before returning her eyes to Margaret. "High marks for intelligence; high psionic abilities. Strong, healthy…" She looked back down at her son and a warmth suffused her face. For the moment, Amanda and her son seemed to be in their own world. "My baby boy is going to be something wonderful someday," Amanda spoke to him. "A diplomat like his father. A brilliant scientist. A talented artist like his aunt, perhaps. He'll be my joy and make me very, very proud."
Margaret swore that Amanda's love for her new son reached through the screen. She knew Vulcan families often shared telepathic bonds. Maybe that was what Margaret was witnessing?
Amanda drew in a sharp breath and looked up suddenly. "Oh, sorry, Margaret! I'm going to drive you crazy going on and on like that, and it's so unVulcan-like, too!"
Margaret laughed. "All right, I'll forgive you just this once. I think the new mom gets a free pass on baby bragging, and I promise that I won't tell Sarek on you! It'll be our secret!"
"Thank you for indulging my maternal emotionalism. I don't get much of an opportunity for that around here!"
The sisters shared a laugh.
Amanda readjusted Spock again and held him upright, his face against her shoulder. "Speaking of emotionalism, I'd better go. I still have to call Mom and Dad."
Margaret's heart leapt. "You mean, you called me first?"
"Of course I called you first!"
"I'm…oh, I don't know…surprised, and touched."
"Margaret, you have always been Sarek's and my biggest supporter, and you've always been honest without being judgmental. You're my sister and my best friend. I don't know what I would have done without you. So, of course I had to call you first!"
"I'm glad that you know that I'm always here for you and Sarek, even if he never needs it," Margaret said. "And now I'll always be here for Spock, too. That's a promise."
"One never knows what the future will bring. I'm relieved to know that Spock has his aunt on Earth for him, too. I couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you, Margaret."
As she marveled at the boy in her sister's arms, Margaret suddenly felt a bond spring into place between herself and her new nephew. Despite outward appearances, to Margaret he could never be alien—he was a part of her dearly loved sister.
"Amanda, I will love him always as if he were one of my own."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Spock and Margaret were unusually quiet when they returned with the tea. Nyota would have worried about it if Spock had not seemed so at peace. Margaret seemed pleasantly content herself.
Again seated next to her, Spock poured Nyota a cup of tea before pouring his own and settling back into sofa's cushion. If he were a cat, Nyota imagined that he would be curled in her lap purring away. What had happened in the kitchen? She decided not to ask, reluctant to disturb this mood. Maybe he would tell her about it later.
Throughout the evening, they sat in the warm glow of the fire burning in the fireplace and the flickering light cast by the candles lit in the pumpkins and votives around the room. Several rounds of trick-or-treaters called at the door, undergoing the time-honored ritual as Allen and Margaret happily distributed treats while admiring or laughing at the many colorful costumes their visitors wore. They also proudly introduced some of their closer neighbors, like the Garvins, and their children to Spock and Nyota and thanked them for their patience with the ruckus the paparazzi caused and the added security measures. Most just waved their hands in the air and casually said, "No problem!" Margaret decided to throw a block party next spring to thank everyone for their understanding.
Finally, the neighborhood quieted as the last of the trick-or-treaters returned home. Margaret blew out the candles, and Allen cleared away the teapot and cups. After this long day, everyone agreed to call it an early night. Allen and Margaret said their "Good Nights" before disappearing down the hall into their room. Nyota walked up the stairs to begin her evening routine. Spock assured her that he would follow soon.
Alone, Spock walked into the study and gazed upon his and Amanda's portrait again, remembering the events of that time, now doing so with an adult perspective and Margaret's revelations. In the images Margaret had cast on canvas, Spock could now see how much his mother fought for him, took care of him, provided for him—loved him. He looked closer. In her eyes and the way she leaned over him, he sensed her absolute devotion surrounding his younger self. Even in death, through her wish to reunite her son with his Terran family, Spock realized that Amanda was still caring for him.
Perhaps it was his illogical human side given to a lapse of whimsy, maybe he underestimated the degree of his fatigue. In this instant, Spock allowed himself to capture the portrait's warm colors and feel their pleasant warmth within himself. He looked up into his mother's eyes and reached out to her in his thoughts.
"Thank you, Mother…"
Author's Note June15-2010: As you may have guessed, this story is winding down. (Maybe one or two chapters left.) Before I decide on my next project(s), I'd like to hear from all of you, so I am enabling the anonymous review and messaging options for now and opening this to all commentators, registered FanFiction folks and lurkers alike. Please tell me: What have you liked (characters, plot, style)? What haven't you liked? What could I do better? What would you like to read from me next?
By the way, I notice that Chapter 14: "Guidelines" gets a lot of re-reads, more than any other chapter—no mystery about why people like that one, ha-ha!
