Author's Note: In Chapter 45, Uhura waits at the Teahouse of Diarmuid to inform Spock of her pregnancy.

As always, your comments are appreciated.

At the House of Diarmuid, Uhura sat at a table engrossed in an iTablet program Sevat had given her to build her Romulan reading comprehension. Without looking, she reached over to a teapot and attempted to refill her cup. However, when she turned it up, the vessel only yielded a few remaining drops. Just as she lifted her head, the Irish Manager appeared by her side.

"Can I get you another pot, girl?" He asked.

Uhura replied. "Yes, Diarmuid. More of the red raspberry leaf tea, please. I didn't even know you carried herbal tea."

"Well, officially we don't. You know the boss is such a snob about it. Since herbal tea isn't made from tealeaves, he says it has no place in an authentic teahouse. However, I do have customers who ask about it from time to time and, unlike him, I realize I'm running a business. So, I stock a selection of herbal teas where the boss can't see it."

"I don't ordinarily like being a party to deception, but I'm glad you have it."

As Diarmuid took away her teapot, Uhura checked her chronometer. 9:43 PM. While she knew the teahouse stayed opened until midnight on Thursdays, Uhura knew she had to leave within 45 minutes to report for security detail at the Academy. While she could not be sure Spock would come by the teahouse that evening, she hoped he would so she could inform him of her pregnancy.

Despite the fact the teahouse was almost at capacity that night, Diarmuid quickly returned with a fresh pot of tea and an additional item.

"Thanks for the tea, Diarmuid." The East African told him. "However, I don't remember asking for the cookies."

"They're not cookies, they're tea biscuits. And, you can rest easy about them, since they're not like that Vulcan crap you had a while back that made you sick."1

"But Diarmuid, my budget can only allow the price of the tea, tonight."

"Hold on, girl. Was I asking you to pay for it? It's my treat."

"But – "

"But nothing. You're eating for two, now."

The Irishman's remark took awhile to sink in. When it did, Uhura hesitated to reply right away hoping she had misinterpreted his statement. However, there was no mistaking his next comment.

"From the looks of you, you can't be that far along. But since you're quite a petite little thing, I'd say in three or four months it'll be starting to show on you."

"Why would you say something like that?" She asked as coolly as possible.

"Come on, Nyota." He laughed. "You spend months studying the tea arts, then all of a sudden you're asking for the herbal stuff in Spock's teahouse!"

"You said you have other customers who asked for it. Did they all turn out to be pregnant?"

Diarmuid smiled slyly. "I do recall a certain East African girl taking tea lessons from me a ways back who admitted she was doing it to please him. I remember her saying something like, Tea is something he is obsessive about and I want to learn all about it. So, knowing that, why deliberately drink something - in his own place - that you know will turn up that snooty Vulcan nose of his."

"Don't be ridiculous, Diarmuid. Pleasing Spock certainly doesn't govern all of my actions."

"So then, are you or aren't you?"

"Am I or am I not . . . what?" She feigned ignorance.

"You're evading." He told her as he sat down in a chair next to her.

The East African found herself giving Spock's oft spoken line to Diarmuid, as she told him, "Don't you have other patrons who require your attention?"

"Miriam's got it under control." He replied, nodding to his capable co-worker busily serving customers. "So, just tell it to me straight. Are you carrying the Vulcan's child or not?"

Uhura did not usually consider herself as superstitious, but she did not want to risk evoking bad spirits by denying this newly created life force.

"All right, it's true."

"I knew it!" He exclaimed, patting her almost too roughly on her back in his zeal. "Congratulations, girl!"

"Diarmuid." Although pleased with the Irishman's reaction, Uhura tried to quiet him using a soft tone. "Not so loud. I haven't told Spock, yet."

"So that's why you've come here, tonight? To give him the news?"

"Yes. But even after he knows, it's not something we'll want to be made public right away."

"Nine months will tell, girl. No point in trying to hide it."

"It's more complicated than you think."

What's so complicated about having a baby? This kind of thing happens every second of every day."

"Not when the mother is an ordinary Cadet, while the father is a noted Academy faculty member and decorated Starfleet officer."

Diarmuid shook his head and retorted, "First of all, there is nothing at all ordinary about you. Second, class differences shouldn't make any difference to anybody. When that child was conceived, the sperm and the egg were certainly not checking references before they got together."

"I can't argue with you about that." Uhura laughed, before voicing a more sobering thought. "However, the brass isn't going to take the matter lightly."

"Who gives damn what they think? You know they'll just give Spock a slap on the wrist and say something like, This act will severely reduce the chance you will ever receive an appointment as Captain. Yeah, right . . . like Spock ever wanted that position."

"Diarmuid, that may be true for Spock, but I have no delusions about my place in Starfleet. As a Cadet, I am on the lowest rung of the service. Like other women who become pregnant in the military, I'll still have to serve out my five-year commitment after graduating from the Academy. At best, I hope to get an appointment right here on Earth so the baby can have the support of my friends and family members."

"Now, don't forget me. I'll make a great baby-sitter. I practically raised my younger brother and two sisters single-handedly at times, since both my parents served with the United Earth Starfleet."

"Thanks, Diarmuid. I might take you up on that, if I'm stationed anywhere near San Francisco. Of course, they could very well send me to some distant Federation colony. Wherever we end up, after Spock completes his tour of duty, perhaps, he could then finally join us and we can begin living like a family."

"You seem to have it all worked out."

"It's all so new to me, but I see no reason why we couldn't make it work whatever the circumstances."

"Do you really think the Vulcan is going to see it that way?"

The Irishman's question took her aback. "Diarmuid, are you saying there is a possibility Spock may not want the baby? Because if that's true, it doesn't matter. I would never do anything that would harm this child."

"Whoa now, girl. That's not what I'm saying at all. It's my understanding from my dealings with Spock that one of the Vulcan ethical principles is based on a kind of implied protection of all life that can think."

Uhura sighed with relief upon hearing Diarmuid's clarification. "You mean sentient forms of life."

"Yeah, that's right." The Manager concurred.

"So, what were you implying when you asked about Spock's perspective on my plan?"

"It's just that you might have to consider he may want the kid raised on Vulcan and learn their ways. Spock told me they start getting use to those education pods as soon as the child can stand up."

"I can't imagine subjecting my child to that mode of learning." She said without hesitation.

"That's not the only thing. Did Spock ever tell you about this Vulcan rite of passage called the kus-won?2 When still a youth, they're expected to go out alone into the desert and survive just by using their wits! And, don't think some don't die trying."

"That has to be an ancient ritual." Uhura said, trying not to shudder at the thought. "I cannot believe a race as logical as the Vulcans would subject their children to a tradition which would place their lives in danger. After all, aren't modern-day Vulcans pacifists at heart?"

Diarmuid laughed. "Where did you get such a wrong-headed idea like that? Pacifists?" He laughed again.

"But, Vulcans are directed by reason. Wouldn't they contend that willingly subjecting oneself to hostile circumstances is an illogical way to build character?"

"Sure, they suppress their emotions and use logic to guide their thoughts and actions. However, they put their children through the rites of passage so they'll be tough and able to defend themselves when needed. Sure, they're motivated by logic, but also by another maxim . . . survival of the fittest. That is why they're experts in the martial arts. And, you know their military fleet of Starships is second to none in this quadrant of the universe."

Uhura nodded, realizing Diarmuid's remarks appeared reasonable. His comments evoked an anecdote told by one of her Academy martial arts instructors. Over a decade earlier, there was a young Vulcan Cadet so proficient in hand-to-hand combat, few would volunteer to serve as his training partner. Since Spock was the only Vulcan to accept an appointment to Starfleet Academy up until that time, it was not difficult for Uhura and her fellow Cadets to identify the subject of their instructor's story.

"Spock and I definitely will have quite a bit to discuss regarding the raising of our child. The only thing I know for sure is it certainly isn't going to be resolved in one evening. Tonight, I just want to break the news to him and hope - after the initial surprise – he'll be as happy about it as . . . "

Diarmuid wondered what caused Uhura to suddenly stop talking. He turned his head toward the entrance and saw Spock, still wearing his Academy uniform. However, he was not alone. The Irishman saw the life seeming to drain from the East African's face as she watched Spock and T'Lau walk over to one of the few remaining empty tables.

Uhura tried to suppress a feeling of disappointment as she turned her eyes away from the Vulcan couple and quickly downed her now tepid cup of tea.

"Hey, why are you upsetting yourself? You don't think he cares anything about that harpy, do you?"

"I thought he might come here, alone, tonight."

"Do you want me to go over there and tell that thing to go home so you can have your say?"

"If I didn't think you were joking, I might have taken you up on it."

"Just say the word and I'd send her out of here quicker than you could say . . ."

"Diarmuid," The familiar voice began. "Don't you have other patrons who require your attention?"

The Irishman rose up from his chair quickly, surprised but - for Uhura's sake – pleased by Spock's sudden presence. "I was just keeping the lady company."

"The teahouse doesn't run itself." The tall Vulcan commented with his back turned to the table he left with T'Lau. "I suggest you get back to work."

"Spock." Uhura spoke up. "You shouldn't speak to him that way. He really has been quite helpful."

"Oh, girl, don't pay it any mind. He don't know any other way to talk to me." Diarmuid remarked. "Can I warm up your pot?"

"No, Diarmuid. I'm not going to be able to stay much longer anyway."

And then, Spock saw Uhura reach over and touch Diarmuid's hand as she told him, "Thanks for everything."

The Irishman smiled and patted her hand reassuredly, "No problem. And, here's one last word about this Vulcan I'll give you at no extra charge. He can be an asshole at times, but he'll do right by you. I'm certain of that."

Spock watched as Diarmuid moved away from the table, before looking back at Uhura and asking, "Is Diarmuid charging you for advice?"

"No, Spock it's just an expression."

The Vulcan then lifted her teacup, examining the remnants at the bottom. "What are you drinking? It is definitely not tea."

Out of the corner of her eye, Uhura could see T'Lau observing with a smug look on her face. "It's herbal tea."

"You brought this misnamed substance to a teahouse?" He said as her returned the cup to the table. "That is quite unorthodox."

Uhura decided she would not reveal the source of the tea. "I enjoy the ambience of the teahouse, but wanted a non-caffeinated brew. Even on my Cadet's stipend, I have enough credits for hot water as well as the service."

"And biscuits." He noted the pastries on a dish. "They appear to be a variety from the European continent."

"So, you do know your stock."

"Yes, and I also am quite aware of the commodities Diarmuid keeps hidden for customer special requests that he believes I know nothing about."

Uhura looked up to the Vulcan and caught the look in his eyes that made her melt like a schoolgirl. Yet, as much as she wanted to tell him about the pregnancy that evening, she knew this was not the time . . . not with T'Lau waiting in the wings.

Uhura suggested. "Perhaps, you should inform Diarmuid of your knowledge so these items may be listed on the menu."

"I doubt if he would be very pleased with that tactic. Giving patrons the feeling of receiving special treatment most often translates into greater tips. For Diarmuid, the reward for these services in turn provides an increased sense of satisfaction for his position. No, it would not be wise to meddle with such a successful formula."

A grin appeared across her face . . .

How the East African wanted Spock to sit down and talk all night long . . .

She missed him so . . .

Spock continued with his eyes taking hold of her. "You see how I have now benefited from the gift of you smile. It well illustrates how little it appears to take to bring one so much joy."

Sigh . . .

Federation may not have been Spock's first language, she thought, But he definitely knew how to use its words to his advantage.

Seeing T'Lau shift slightly in her chair let Uhura know Spock had now overstayed his visit, at least, in his companion's mind. The Cadet glanced at her chronometer and said, "I didn't notice the hour was so late. I have to report for security detail in 30 minutes."

It pleased her the Vulcan appeared momentarily saddened with her remark. Uhura raised her hand to catch Diarmuid's attention. The Irishman nodded and proceeded to retrieve the credit card machine. She then turned her attention back to Spock.

"I know you did not make your way over here just to discuss business practices. Was there something you wanted to ask me?"

"No." He reached into his pocket. "There was something I wanted to return to you." He extended his hand holding a folded red neck scarf.

"You're returning that scarf?"3 She said, while trying to control her facial expression so not to betray her surprise with the naughty article as well as the nonchalant manner in which he presented it.

"The scarf has been properly cleaned for this occasion. However, that is not what I am returning to you."

Uhura gingerly lifted it from her hand and noticed there was some added weight to it. Setting it on the table, she opened it.

As her eyes fell upon the object . . .

A single tear fell down her right cheek . . .

Fearful she would provoke more tears if she were to look at him . . .

She quickly picked up the precious silver chain with the Gye Nyame4 pendant . . .

And placed it around her neck where she secured it with the clasp . . .

"You found it." She finally managed to say.

"I must admit allowed 3 days, 14 hours and 23 minutes to elapse before bringing it to you. It unexpectedly provided me with such pleasure to have something so dear to you on my person."

"Thank you."

Noting their faces when he arrived, Diarmuid chuckled to himself as he picked up Uhura card from the table.

"Diarmuid, you only need to clear the table. Nyota is my guest tonight."

"I guess that's the least you can do under the circumstances." The Irishman remarked, as he began to pick up the table items.

Neither Uhura nor Spock seemed to have heard Diarmuid's comment. Instead, she watched with amusement as he slid his hand over the red scarf on the table and returned it discretely to his trousers' pocket. With one last look to Uhura, the Vulcan turned and rejoined T'Lau at her table.

Uhura rose happily from her chair, ecstatic with the day's events. She decided she could wait a day or two to give him the news of the pregnancy when they could speak in a more private environment. Unable to express her joy with Spock, she impulsively kissed Diarmuid on the cheek before grabbing her bag and heading out the door.

At the table shared by Spock and T'Lau, the imposter told him, "I took the liberty of ordering Silver Needle tea for our consumption this evening."

"You chose well. Now that Ms. Uhura has departed, there should not be any further distractions for Diarmuid. He should be able to serve our beverage shortly."

"I would have preferred having our tea in either one of our living quarters."

"It grows tiresome to recite the reason why that would not be advised."

"Am I not still free to speak my preference to be with you in a place more conducive to our sharing of confidences?"

Remembering back to intimate conversations he had shared with Uhura at the teahouse, Spock commented, "When hearts are aligned, the location has little import to speak what is true."

"Spock, how now is your tongue laced with poetry? I dare say these words fair better on my ears than your admonition at the Command Center."

"A systems check found a nonfunctioning circuit in one of the power conduits leading to the intermix shaft."

"My staff would have identified the issue during its daily diagnostics routine. The circuit would have been replaced at that time."

"I am not so sure. If I had not run a subroutine on the duct networks, it might have been missed."

"Your tone exaggerates the significance of this problem, Spock. The circuit was contained in a component not at all vital to ship power systems."

"Is it necessary to remind you there is no clause in your contract for your company to install inoperable parts."

"Of course, not. However, we would not be having this conversation at all if you had not arrived to Command Center before expected and began your inspection before our usual tests. The issue would have been addressed before you would have noticed it. Until this incident, has not my team exceeded expectations for our contracted services?"

"That may well be so. However, remember, until I and the other Oversight Committee members are completely satisfied with the operation of every component of the Starship Enterprise, we will continue to be quite vigilant."

"I would expect nothing less, Spock. So, may we now dispose of the matter and return to more of your poetic dialogue. It would better complement our tea when it finally arrives." Seeing Diarmuid and Miriam busily waiting on other patrons, she remarked, "It appears ownership does not afford the privileges one would expect."

"You should have gathered from your last visit, service here is democratically dispensed. Even the owner must wait his turn."

"I am not sure that is entirely true. When I last visited this establishment, I was in the company of you, Sevat and Ms. Uhura. As I recall, the Irishman was most attentive to our table that night. Of course, the common thread to his more responsive behavior appears to be the East African. Judging from their interactions this evening, it appears your Teahouse Manager and the Cadet have forged quite a familiar relationship."

"Are we to mar our conversation with idle gossip, T'Lau?" Spock asked with cool detachment.

"I was only making an observation, Spock. Did you not also witness her public displays of affection with your hired hand?"

He could not tell her . . .

He could not let the imposter know his true heart . . .

He loved her so . . .

He loved Nyota . . .

Spock replied, "Like you, the physicality of human emotion is quite alien to me. However, in my study of this phenomenon, I have come to understand there are degrees to this language of touch with the range being quite broad. At one extreme are those acts a human would experience as an acquaintance to more personal forms of contact one would reserve for a family member or intimate associate."

"Then, with that framework in mind, how would you characterize Ms. Uhura's exhibition toward the Irishman?"

"There is no doubt she cares for him."

Without meaning to do so, Spock could see by the subtle changes in T'Lau's facial expression that his words had pleased her. The imposter turned her eyes to meet his.

"Spock, I must confess something to you." She began. "There have been times when I have allowed petty jealousy toward Ms. Uhura to affect my reason. Can you imagine me actually thinking there was any possibility you could have any affection for someone so obviously . . . needy?"

"I would find it difficult to believe only petty jealousy has affected your reason." Spock quipped.

"Thank you." T'Lau replied, somehow turning his veiled slight into a compliment. "Being with you has taught me, relationships must depend on much more than love."

Thinking of Nyota . . .

Holding a vision of the East African before him . . .

Hearing her call his name . . .

Spock . . .

Spock . . .

Spock . . .

Feeling her touch . . .

Taking her into his arms

Quietly listening to her breathing as Nyota lay against his bare chest . . .

Spock then spoke from his heart.

"Fear has been my enemy . . . fear of a lack of control . . . fear of revelation . . . fear of giving oneself wholly to another and not knowing if she . . . if she will reciprocate. And then, when one finally learns her affections are, indeed, with you . . . another door opens full of even more mysterious . . ."

Caught up in the moment, T'Lau could not bear the sudden halt in his speech.

"Do not still your voice, now." She urged him. "I cannot recall the last time you have disclosed such thoughts which you have rarely if ever shared with others."

But it was not T'Lau's voice he heard . . .

It was his own voice . . .

The night he attempted to end their relationship . . .

The night he told Uhura their relationship had reached an impasse that could not be brokered . . .5

So cold . . .

So dispassionate was this voice . . .

Fed by fear . . .

Afraid she would find out who he really was . . .

An emotionally immature man . . .

A virgin to love . . .

The kind of love between two persons . . .

That would last always . . .

Spock found his tongue.

"There is so much I have yet to learn about this emotion called love . . . But, this I know. Love is not a singular endeavor. Its nourishment is found in the trust one has in the other embraced by the trust the other has for you. It is in this way one's fear dissipates, as one's love deepens . . . for you finally come to accept the fact . . . she is yours forever more."

Spock became aware of the intensity of T'Lau's attention on him, as she took his words to be a comment on their own relationship.

"Spock," She called to him. "You are six years younger than I, but you appear much wiser. How could this be so?"

"A wise man heeds his own enlightenment. I do not pretend to have mastered the sentiments of which I have spoken. For reasons I cannot explain, my love has demonstrated a patience with me that is more resilient than one could think possible."

T'Lau basked in the compliment she thought belonged to her, before offering her humble rejoiner. "Your love is not without her own imperfections. She looks to you for guidance on how best to ripen her fruits to better . . . "

"Silver Needle tea . . . coming right up!" Diamuid exclaimed, interrupting T'Lau's comment. He then noisily set down each item of the tea service from his tray onto their table. "I already had the leaves steeping for you so it could be readily served. Shall I pour it for you, Boss?"

Before Spock could answer, the Irishman picked up the teapot and filled their cups.

"As you can see, I also brought you an order of kreyla6 for your eating pleasure. It's on the house tonight."

"You certainly are being quite magnanimous with my funds, Diarmuid." Spock quipped.

"Glad to please you, Boss. So, is there anything else I can do for you before I get on my way?" Diarmuid asked as he tucked the serving tray under his arm.

T'Lau commented. "I see Ms. Uhura has put you in quite a contented mood."

"Of course, it's always great to talk with my girl. But, Spock's the one I've got to congratulate."

"Are you speaking of the finding of her missing jewelry?" T'Lau asked. "Was the return of an item of such questionable value really worth trouble of commendation?"

T'Lau failed to catch Spock's glare provoked by her comment. However, his attention was not on her remark for long.

"Jewelry? Who's talking about baubles?"

"Then, enlighten us, Diarmuid." Spock commanded, growing impatient with his lack of directness. "What is the occasion for your praise?"

Diarmuid became wide-eyed, as if not believing Spock could be so dense.

"I'm congratulating you on being the father of Nyota's baby!"

Author's Note: In Chapter 46, Spock and T'Lau react to the news of Uhura's pregnancy. Later, the Vulcan's trepidations are alleviated by an unexpected source.

Your comments are always appreciated.

1 In Chpt. 25, Uhura sampled a type of Vulcan biscuit known as kreyla. She did so against the advice of Spock who knew it would not sit well with her human digestive system.

2 It is actually known as the kahs-wan.

3 In my story, "Needs," Spock acquired Uhura's scarf when it was accidently left among his mother's possessions after the two women had spent the day together. The Vulcan eventually returned a replica of the scarf to the East African. Later, Uhura learned he had retained the original article to use as an assistance in masturbation.

4 Symbolic of the supremacy of God.

5 See Chapter 17.

6 Kreyla is a type of Vulcan biscuit.