Author's Note: In this chapter, T'Lau surprises Spock with an unexpected late-night visit to his home. Later, in his bedroom, she makes a disquieting discovery.
Adult themes and some coarse language, but not quite requiring a "M" rating. I have repaired the spacing issues of an earlier posting of this chapter. Hopefully, it is now more readable.
Your comments are always welcome.
47 hours . . . 47 hours, 33 minutes, and 26 seconds since he last saw Uhura at Diarmuid's . . .
Why had she not picked up her communicator when he called just now?
At 10:57 PM, the door chime sounded. Spock moved to answer it. Uhura had never ventured to his apartment before and he certainly had never asked her due to the risk of discovery. The Vulcan was not even sure if she actually knew the location of his residence except knowing he lived in the Officers Housing Complex.
When I see her, he thought, I will certainly scold her for being out alone at such a late hour. Scold her . . . after filling my arms with her and taking in all the tender kisses she has to offer. Spock so longed for her touch.
Before touching the door plate to allow her entrance,the Vulcan paused for a moment to calm himself, After all, he reasoned, I should not give the appearance of being anxious.
Without checking his monitor for his visitor's identity, Spock opened the door and found T'Lau on the other side.
Dressed in a beige trench coat and tan slacks with matching flats, T'Lau wore her medium-length sandy hair in a neat ponytail. Although six years his senior, most humans would detect no age difference between the two Vulcans.
Several moments passed before she asked, "Will you not step aside so I may enter?"
Keeping his disappointed shielded, Spock commented, "Your presence at this hour is unexpected."
"That may be true; however, does that condition necessitate my continued subjection to the cold San Francisco night air?"
Spock stepped aside to allow her entrance. He watched as she removed her coat, revealing a long-sleeved ochre-colored tunic. She laid her coat across a chair and moved to the kitchen area where she found his teas.
T'Lau commented. "I envy your selection. While here on Terra, I have not been as fortunate to find a source for such varieties." She turned back to him. "Spock, which tea may I prepare for you this evening?"
"You will provide an explanation as to why you are affording yourself such familiarity in my household."
While a human could not detect any emotion in Spock's voice T'Lau clearly heard the sharp indignation in his tone that matched his words.
"I did not realize I could offend you so. Our families have known each other for generations and the two of us have shared the intimacies of a marriage bed. Why now should you treat me as a stranger?"
"Of the two of us, only you have experienced the bonds of marriage. Moreover, what we shared were certainly not intimacies. Humans have a term for our former agreement. They would say we were f**k buddies."
"Need you debase our relationship with such a vulgar Terran expression?"
"The term is, indeed, crude but accurate in describing that aspect of our association."
"In all those years we have known each other, surely there have been at least one or two moments when you have been with me and experienced something more than the byproduct of genital friction."
Spock began to speak, but then paused as if in reflection. His answer caught her by surprise. "Your wedding day."
"Why do you speak of my marriage to Sarin?"
"Six months before the ceremony, you called for an end to our sexual arrangement. I was still young, but we had been involved two years to that day. However, under the circumstances, it was of course logical for us to end our understanding. After seven years of duty in the Vulcan fleet, Sarin was returning to our home planet to claim you as your bride and complete the bonding ritual."
"He had to return to Vulcan at that time out of concern he soon would be in the throes of plak tow1."
"I attended your Kun-ut Kali-fi2 with my parents."
"Your parents appeared to know nothing of our arrangement."
"There is a difference between not knowing and choosing not to disclose one's knowledge. There is little the Ambassador and my mother do not know about my life and relationships. However, my parents rarely interfered with my decisions after I endured the Kahs'wan3, signaling my maturation. Knowledge of our sexual activities would not have affected their obligation to witness the ceremony."
"Yes, of course. However, I do not understand how this event exemplified a time when you experienced more than carnal impulses for me."
"While his time of the plak tow may have been near, Sarin showed no apparent effects of the Pon Farr when I saw him. Yet, during the ceremony . . . "
T'Lau looked to Spock who rarely displayed a loss for words. Yet, now, he uncharacteristically seemed to be searching to find a way to express his thoughts.
Spock continued. "It was the way he looked at you . . . as if nothing else mattered in the universe. I knew then it was possible for our people to experience . . . love. As a result, like a child who did not fully appreciate something until it was taken away . . . I wanted you."
"Spock, why have you not previously disclosed this? After Sarin died of Rigellian Fever and I accepted my current position on Terra, we resumed our previous arrangement, but you spoke nothing of this matter."
"As before, we were not exclusive to each other."
"Still, why did you not tell me of your desire?"
"Because it did not take long for me to realize I did not feel as Salek did for you. T'Lau, I was not and am not in love with you."
Although Spock spoke in an unwavering voice, the truth of his statement had little effect on T'Lau. She chose to hear what she needed to hear.
He wanted me. She told herself. Spock wanted me. If he felt that way at one time, was it not reasonable to believe he could feel that way, again?
"Thank you, Spock."
"Why the expression of gratitude?"
"A discussion of such experiences among our people is not our usual practice."
"I believed it to be necessary. Now, I would appreciate such openness with you. Please explain why you have come to my housing unit at this late hour."
"I will tell you all you ask of me. However, must we continue to behave as if we were barbarians? We both are only visitors to this planet. Certainly, we need not adopt their boorish ways."
Spock studied T'Lau. Spock had ended his sexual relationship with her 12 months and 13 days ago, because he sensed she had began to develop an emotional attachment to him. This was a circumstance he did not want to encourage. And, although he and Uhura had not established a romantic relationship at that time, thoughts of the East African seemed to come to him with increasing frequency in the midst of his sexual activities with other women, including T'Lau.
Aware of his growing passion for Uhura, he attempted to quiet his forbidden desires for the Cadet. However, even with his disciplined mind, he found it difficult to control his growing appetite for Uhura at the height of sexual fervor. Indeed, the last time he had engaged T'Lau in their usual coupling position, his mental shield slipped and he called her name . . .
Nyota . . .
At the time, he was not certain if T'Lau had heard him. However, after their sexual session ended, she left no doubt what she had heard.
"What is Nyota?" T'Lau said it so calmly as if asking for the time of day. Yet, when T'Lau heard his voice, she could tell from its tone she had struck a nerve in Spock.
"How do you know that name?"
"So, it is not a what, but a who? Being unfamiliar with the name, I could not classify it."
"It was not for your ears."
"You said it as we were experiencing orgasm." She said coolly. "Not very flattering, was it? Who is this Nyota?"
"She is no concern of yours."
"She is not my concern? Do you really believe I have the capacity to disengage myself from the knowledge you are thinking of someone else, while you are having sex with me?"
Spock turned away from her unable to respond.
Like a wounded animal, T'Lau now wanted to cause him pain. "Nyota – what type of name is that? What species? Could it be, yet, another Terran?"
The situation further deteriorated as Spock's pent-up frustration with not being able to openly pursue the Cadet was now coupled with T'Lau derision of a human rival for his attentions.
"What of this Nyota?" T'Lau demanded to know. "Is she now close to your heart? Is she the receptacle you use to sheath yourself when you are not with me?"
Unable to contain his rage, he took T'Lau by her wrists - his tight hold causing her pain.
"You will not hold her name in your mouth! Do you understand this, T'Lau?" When she did not respond, he tightened his grip. "Answer me!"
As tears came to her eyes, she could only whisper, "Yes, yes . . . I understand."
Spock did not condone his behavior toward T'Lau that night. However, he did never apologized for his "unVulcan-like" behavior. Why should I? He reasoned. She wouldn't understand how he could love her . . . a human. How could I possibly expect her to comprehend something I do not fully understand myself?
At this period in Spock's life, he was certain his father had not married for love. Sarek had told him it was only logical for him to take a human as a wife, since her "other world view" would complement his diplomatic duties. Pragmatism, not love appeared to have guided Sarek choice for a second wife4.
From her calm demeanor, Spock assumed T'Lau had taken well his statement admitting a lack of romantic affection toward her. And, while her initial behavior upon her arrival had been presumptuous, there was no reason not to afford her the hospitality expected of a Vulcan household.
"I shall prepare the tea."
Pleased by his acquiescence, T'Lau sat down at a table as she watched Spock begin the brew.
"Can you now inform me of the reason of your visit?"
"Convenience motivated my visit. Admiral Pok hosted a dinner party at the Starfleet Officer's Club this evening."
"If one were to attend every occasion a high-ranking official held as an excuse to eat and drink, I would be as unfit for active duty as they are and would not have the time or will to fully attend to my work." Spock drily advised. "You would do well to remember this now that you will be residing here over the next three months."
"I accepted the invitation to the dinner, because I assumed you would be there. Obviously, I was incorrect. Unable to think of a plausible excuse to suddenly leave the gathering once there, I remained until other guests began to depart. Of course, with so many Terrans present, I found myself waiting until they had nearly exhausted the stock of alcoholic beverages on hand."
Spock placed the tea set on the table and poured the brew into cups. "How did you locate my apartment? I have never brought you to this place."
"I asked one of your colleagues who I later learned had served with you during your last tour of duty. I believe his name was Lieutenant Commander Chandrakala. Do not be concerned, Spock. Like most Terrans, I am sure he believes all Vulcans are sexless creatures and not involved with even the hint of impropriety."
Spock rarely discussed his sexual activities in detail with anyone but Captain Pike. However, both spurned and satisfied partners did talk, dispelling any misconception of the asexual nature of Vulcans among the officers with whom he served. And, while most of the officers would talk boldly about their exploits with each other, none would risk betraying their bond by divulging these deeds to outsiders.
"The Lieutenant Commander is a fine officer. I have no doubt of his fidelity."
Spock watched T'Lau as she tasted her tea. When she nodded her acceptance of it, he picked his cup and began to sip its golden contents.
"I will trust your judgment of this man." She told him.
"At this point, you have no other choice."
"His directions to your dwelling were most accurate."
"I believe that has been established by your presence here."
"By the way, what type of a tea did you use here? Was it not the Puerh Leaf variety?"
"T'Lau." Spock paused for a few moments to calm his impatience. "Have you decided to provide a DNA sample for our experiment?" Is that not the reason why you sought me out this evening?
"My answer is affirmative to both inquiries."
Her response appeared to have contented him as he refreshed her cup of tea. "If you will forward your next day's schedule to me, I will set your appointment with Dr. McCoy at a time which is most convenient for you."
T'Lau removed her Smartphone from her slacks pocket and made quick work of sending him her schedule. "Done."
For several minutes, the two drank their tea in silence as was the Vulcan custom to provide an opportunity for inward contemplation. While Spock took advantage of this time for reflection, T'Lau found her mantra in her Vulcan comrade. She caught a glimpse of Spock as he sipped from his cup and closed his eyes to aide to his meditation.
As Spock held his contemplative state, T'Lau noticed a small drop of liquid remained glistening on his top lip. She remained fixated on this drop suddenly feeling an impulse to lean toward him and remove it with her tongue. She thought, How delicious would that be! Yet,she knew she could not act on that desire . . . not yet.
In the few remaining moments she had while he was occupied, T'Lau scanned his small apartment with her eyes. As typical of a single Vulcan male, Spock had furnished it sparsely accented by a few sculptural pieces, two paintings, seven books, and three plants from his home heart lightened as she saw the iPlayer she had given him on a stand next to his ka'athyra.
Spock opened his eyes to find T'Lau's focus on another part of his apartment.
"Is there something you are finding of interest?"
"I see the iPlayer next to your ka'athyra. I was curious if you have had a chance to perform with it since I gave it to you two days ago."
Spock studied T'Lau for a moment. While gift giving was not nearly as common for Vulcans as for humans, it was considered bad form to remind the receiver of the gift giver's gesture. Yet, he had taken pleasure from her offering and chose not to be critical of her lapse of decorum.
"The device is truly remarkable." He commented. "I must confess great satisfaction with using it as a complement to my daily practice of my ka'athyra. I have already ordered more music disks to augment the selections now available to me."
"When your disks arrive, perhaps, you again will afford me the pleasure of your performance."
Spock gave her a wary eye recalling T'Lau's unexpected sex act when he had played during his last visit to her apartment. The act in itself had not offended him. After all, he reasoned she was in the privacy of her own apartment and obviously believed it imperative to address her arousal. However, he had no doubt how Nyota would have reacted to the display and, more than accommodating T'Lau passions, Spock wanted to be faithful to the East African's expectations.
"T'Lau, shall I poor you another cup of tea?"
It did not concern T'Lau that he had not responded to her suggestion. In fact, his lack of comment fed her belief there existed a possibility for them to resume their sexual arrangement and build it into a much more substantial relationship. Dare I hope, she thought, Spock would choose me as his bond mate.
In the year since they last had sex and parted under stressful circumstances, T'Lau assumed Spock had gotten involved with another woman. Perhaps, it was this female he called, Nyota. Was that not the name he called at the height of their sexual joining?
Still, T'Lau doubted if he had been exclusive to this woman or that this relationship was still ongoing. Although in his early-30s, Spock was not known for long-lasting monogamous affairs. Even in the early years of their arrangement when Spock was in his late teens, T'Lau knew Spock had experience with a number of sexual partners and did not limit himself to Vulcan females.
To her knowledge, there had only been two relationships between Spock of any import to him. Once Spock had confessed as a Cadet he had experienced affection for a human woman of Hawaiian descent, who also served as a Cadet during this period. He called it love, but T'Lau suspected it had more to do with loneliness from being the first and only Vulcan attending Starfleet Academy at the time. The object of his attention chose to leave Spock and the Academy when he proved unable to express his feelings for her to the woman's satisfaction.
Good riddance! She thought after Spock unburdened himself to T'Lau, who at that time served as his confidante. Despite his biracial heritage, the match with the human was certainly doomed to fail. Spock looked and behaved as a Vulcan in every perceivable way and would never be able to reconcile his differences with a human.
As for Spock's fiancé – T'Pring, according to T'Lau's sources was as uninterested in completing the marriage bond as he. Due to the significance of their families to Vulcan society and the physiological need for the joining, T'Lau realized the dissolution of this arrangement would prove much more difficult than his dalliance with the Hawaiian Cadet. However, for Spock, T'Lau vowed she would find a way to break the bond and free him to choose his own mate.
T'Lau reasoned, Would it not be logical for him to choose me? Have I not proven to be compatible with him on an intellectual, cultural, and sexual basis? Surely, he would not want to further dilute his family's racial heritage by choosing an alien for his mate. This was obviously a concern of Spock's father. Why else would he have arranged the marriage to T'Pring if this were no so?
T'Lau looked to Spock and answered his question. "Another cup of tea for me is not necessary, Spock. I believe I have consumed a sufficient quantity."
"Then you should acquire your coat, so I may escort you to your apartment."
"Your gesture is not needed. I will acquire a SkyCab at the gatehouse."
"I did not ask if you required my escort." He told her sternly. "We should be on our way."
T'Lau knew this would be his response. Although females had achieved equality with Vulcans centuries ago, remnants of a chivalrous past remained.
"Before we depart, I would appreciate the use of your bio-disposable unit."
"You will find it through my bedroom." Spock told her as he cleared the dishes from the table.
T'Lau hastily scanned his bedroom which portrayed a more ascetic lifestyle than other sections of his apartment. When inside the bathroom, she closed the door and quickly looked for signs of a female presence. To her delight, none such evidence could be found. To avoid detection of her true purpose, she flushed the toilet and turned on the hand sanitizer.
Satisfied with the results of her investigation, she left the bathroom and something caught her eye on a nightstand next to his bed. It was a gift-wrapped box.
T'Lau was not sure why she had previously overlooked it. She concluded her initial view of the room had been made in too much of a rush. She drew nearer to the box certain the present must be for her. She thought, Spock must have felt obligated to obtain a gift for me, since my present to him had brought him so much pleasure. He had not expected me to come, tonight. He probably had plans to offer it to me at a special time and I shall not spoil that moment for him.
As T'Lau began to turn away, she noticed what appeared to be two words handwritten on a tag. Drawing nearer, she hardly expected what she found.
The SkyCab ride to T'Lau's apartment had been quiet. In fact, Spock noted, T'Lau appeared somewhat withdrawn upon her return from using the bio-disposable unit. However, her muted state did not concern him. In fact, he preferred the silence as he had little else to say to her.
Upon their arrival, Spock requested the driver to wait for him as he walked T'Lau to the door of her apartment.
Spock reminded her, "I will attempt to send you the time of your appointment by 9 AM, so you will know how it will fit into your day."
"Appointment?" She asked.
Spock noticed she appeared unusually inattentive. He surmised her condition to be the result of fatigue.
"I am referring to your appointment with Dr. McCoy to provide the DNA sample."
"Yes, of course." T'Lau touched her keypad to open the door.
"Good-night, T'Lau." Spock watched as disappeared inside her apartment without returning his departing words.
T'Lau stripped her coat from her body as the two words on the gift tag burned in her mind . . . To Nyota.
Nyota . . . the present was for Nyota. How could this be? Was she the reason why I have not enjoyed Spock's sexual favors for the last 12 months and 13 days? Is she the one into which he buries his cock?
Without further hesitation, T'Lau moved to her computer to search the name.
"Computer." She commanded, what is the derivation of the name, Nyota? Federation Standard alphabet, N-y-o-t-a."
"The name is of Terran origin." The computer intoned. "It is a Swahili name meaning star."
How pedestrian. She commented to herself, before making another computer inquiry. "Computer, provide a brief definition of the word, Swahili."
"Swahili is a Bantu Language; once the lingua franca of East and Central Africa. Swahili also served as one of the official language of the former African countries of Kenya and Tanzania."
African . . . This female is most likely of African descent, T'Lau deduced and then thought back to the gift box by Spock's bed. He had not prepared it for shipping, thus, it is likely the female held a position with Starfleet either at its headquarters in San Francisco or the Academy.
T'Lau now knew the variables of her initial search. Due to her position as a contractor for Starfleet, the Vulcan had access to Starfleet personnel lists and would now take advantage of that privilege for personal reasons.
"Computer." She commanded. "Search Starfleet Officers list for females stationed within 100 miles of San Francisco with given name, Nyota."
Seconds later the computer answered. "Your search has produced '0' results."
"Computer, search Starfleet Academy faculty and administrator lists for females with given name, Nyota."
"Your search has produced '0' results."
T'Lau suddenly realized why her search had yielded such poor results. Vulcans routinely only used their given names since other races found their surnames too difficult to pronounce. However, Terrans in the military always identified themselves by their surnames. For official business, given names were optional unless needed to avoid confusion. Even then, a given name on a general list may only be represented by an initial. T'Lau did not have clearance for a full name search or access to personal information on Starfleet personnel. Thus, she decided she would need to take an alternative approach to her process.
"Computer, search Starfleet Officers list for females stationed within 100 miles of San Francisco with surnames of Swahili origin. First initial of given name, Federation Standard alphabet – N."
"Your search has produced '0' results."
"Computer, search Starfleet Academy officer, faculty and administrator lists with surnames of Swahili origin. First initial of given name, Federation Standard alphabet – N."
"Your search has produced '0' results."
T'Lau would not give into frustration. She realized the woman possibly did not have a surname of Swahili origin, but running the search again for females with given names beginning with the letter 'N' would produce a list with too large for her to quickly investigate.
There must be something I am overlooking . . .
And, then a notion came to mind she had not previously considered.
"Computer, search Starfleet Academy Cadet lists for females with surnames of Swahili origin. First initial of given name, Federation Standard alphabet – N."
"Your search has produced three results."
"Computer provide report with image of each subject."
"Chizimu, N. 1st Year Cadet. Major: Quantum Physics."
T'Lau thought, She is enrolled in one of Spock's field of study, but Nyota must be in at least her second year at the Academy.
"Computer, display next subject."
"Juma, Nadhari. 4th Year Cadet. Major: Tactical Weapons Systems."
Wrong given name.
"Computer, display next subject."
"Uhura, N. 3rd Year Cadet. Major: Xenolinguistics."
The Cadet's recognizable image drew T'Lau's glare. Uhura? Is she not Spock's former assistant? Is this the human he chose to service his needs . . . a lowly Cadet? Someone of his noble background, stature and exceptional accomplishments should not have set the bar so low. Did he not learn anything from his experience with that Hawaiian?
Then she reasoned, It must have been extremely convenient for him to have her in his office. He work at his computer console and at will call his little Terran dog to come over on her hands and knees and suck his . . .
T'Lau shuddered at the image. Vulcan women considered fellatio an unsanitary and repugnant practice. Yet, she was well aware there were Vulcan men who allowed this act performed on them as a fetish when off-planet.
And then, as suddenly as anger had filled her, a thought came to T'Lau's mind that began to quiet her ire.
But she is Spock's former assistant. When he recently accompanied me to my corporate office in Germany, was she not the object of Spock's seeming irritable nature when he received word of her resignation? So, like his former human slut, this Nyota has left him. The gift I saw is, perhaps, a mere device of his to regain her favor.
T'Lau took several deep meditative breaths to help release the tension from her body. Feeling calmer and in more control of her emotions, she prepared herself for bed.
Spending so much time on this uncivilized planet has tainted me and contaminated my thought process. If I am to secure Spock as my bond mate, I must be careful not to replicate the illogical ways of human thought and behavior. After all, we are superior and can overcome any Terran obstacle. I will take care of this infatuation with this Nyota in due time.
Now in her bed, T'Lau reached for the dildo she kept in the drawer of her nightstand.
Spock, I vow, you will find you need me as much as I need you.
Lights out.
Author's Note: Your comments are always welcome.
1 Known as the "blood fever," it is an intensely felt symptom of Pon Farr which signals the mating drive.
2 The Vulcan marriage ceremony.
3 A rite of passage undertaken by a Vulcan adolescent in which one must survive ten days in the desert without water, food or weapons.
4 By this time, Sarek had already experienced the most brutal effects of the Pon Farr and could more freely choose a spouse without the usual physiological considerations. Still, for Vulcans, marriage to someone outside of their race was a rare occurrence that evoked contempt from many of his people.