Unfinished Business
Chapter 38 : Finding Peace
April 2274
When the Enterprise went into orbit around Delta Theonis VI for extensive engine repair, and replenishment of supplies, a general shore-leave policy was quickly established. Spock lost no time at all in slotting himself and Nyota for a full week's leave, even before discussing it with her. He wished to create a new memory, to replace the last one, which was still something that they had trouble discussing, although it no longer caused as much anguish as it had previously. He spent a long time reviewing what was available, before reaching his decisions. And when the arrangements had all been made, he went to find her, to inform her of what he had done.
She was hesitant, and he did not push, giving her time to become used to the idea. And he answered all her questions as fully as possible, and brushed the side of her face softly with his hand as he did so, so that she could feel his desire to create a new memory, one which would comfort them, instead of causing grief. And then she clung to him, and he held her closely, murmuring softly to her, until she had regained her composure. When she was ready, he led her to the comlink, and showed her the cabin he had selected, and the surrounding area, a small lake, low hills, woods. She sighed, and laid her face against his, and agreed.
They went together to the transporter deck this time, in full view of whoever might care to see, and beamed down to the planet with their duffels. There would be no more hiding, none at all. They picked up their rented flitter, carefully selected to be as different as possible from the last one, and set out for the small cabin. When they arrived, she walked about, looking at everything. She stood on the shore of the small lake and watched the breeze raising tiny little ripples on the water, hardly large enough to be called waves. And she looked at the trees, crowding close, so tall and green, and sighed happily.
He showed her the cabin, and the food that he had requested, and built her a fire. They settled down on the couch, and she leaned against him while they spoke softly of many things, watching the flames flicker before them. And when she turned, and began to nibble on his neck, he was vastly relieved, for he had still not been certain that his actions were correct. But they had enjoyed this type of get-away so many times, and it had always strengthened them, and returned them to duty relaxed and ready for whatever came next, and he had not wanted to lose this experience entirely.
In the following days, they hiked on the low hills, and though the woods, and she frolicked in the water at the edge of the lake, while he watched, and exulted to see her so. And together, they cooked their meals, and cleaned up afterwards, and lay together on the couch before the fire in the evenings. And every day, they found occasions to touch, to taste, to share with each other, growing steadily more at peace with themselves and each other.
It was a healing that they had needed, and they both admitted it. It had been the right thing to do, and they were better for it, happier. The last night that they were there, they did not sleep until they were both exhausted, and limp from the intense release they had experienced. And when they were packing up to return, he brought her something that he had found upon the shore, and she took the small, elongated pebble, stippled throughout with many layers in shades of pale green and glowing cinnamon brown, and curled her hands about it, raising tear-filled eyes to his, and he held her close against him, feeling the peace and joy that filled her.