A Taste of Honey

Chapter Eight

The clinic continued serving it's patients, working for the good of the colony. With Dr. Blake's approval, McCoy started some inventive changes to the clinic. He had started classes for the settlers discussing subjects that at one time were taboo, e.g Pon Farr. Now with the multi-species offspring in every area of the galaxy, there could not be any more secrets.

The bondings, marriages, joinings or whatever else it was called, of couples on this settlement were so diverse Dr. Blake had written a book that revealed the various pairings he had observed. Included were observations on their problems-social, psychological and physical along with information about their offspring's diverse talents.

It was as if the destruction of Vulcan had caused most species to review the fragility of life. The basic instincts having to do with survival, not necessarily of a species, but the continuance of life had caused procreation at all costs to be an underlying thought. What happened sort of mirrored that old Terran song, 'Love the One You're With.'

Dr. Blake's book addressed problems related to achieving sexual fulfillment, procreation, expectations, and everyday cohabitation. Thanks to public relations and publisher's magic, when first released the hard copy sold out the first day. The downloads of the publication kept being requested. The author was rewarded with credits beyond his wildest imagination.

Interestingly, the author's bio simply stated he had been a doctor for sixty years and had specialized in non-Terran medicine for fifty. There was no picture, no place of birth, no employment history, no places of residence, no hobbies, nor favorite holo-vid star or book. There was nothing personal revealed. But the revelations his book supplied raised questions as well as answered so many more, although the author himself remained an enigma.

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The appearance of McCoy's mother-in-law proved to be a blessing. She was a 'take-charge' person and immediately took her daughter to task and advised that meditation was in order, not a dwelling on self. Within a few days, there was a completely atmosphere in the house. McCoy was greatly relieved.

The first week-end she was free there was a com message from Dr. M'Binga,

Elsse:

'I would be honored if you allow me to give you a tour of the settlement. Please advise me if you are available and the opportune time to pick you up.'

She replied,

Geof:

'That sounds like a delightful idea. I do not wish to leave T'Mie alone so perhaps we will 'play it by ear'. Once my son-in-law arrives home I will contact you. If that is agreeable, you need not send a reply.

Elsse'

M'Binga realized that he had sat and looked at the view screen for several moments after the message ended…so unlike him. As a scientist, he was a man dedicated to the securing of facts. He had always been absolutely dedicated to and absorbed in projects, research, education, experiments, and his patients. These had completely consumed him.

The only personal relationships he had cultivated were not of a romantic nature. He certainly was aware of biological urges, fulfillment, and thus the sexual act itself, which he had acted on at times but never within a committed relationship. He thought of how it had been described by persons like himself, who were never in one place long, 'The best resolution is act on 'need and opportunity.'

But, in this case he found himself drawn to this dynamic female who was warm, intelligent, and as any male could observe, beautiful. M'Binga turned off the unit and uncharacteristically, poured himself an alcoholic beverage, which he nursed. How to proceed was simply beyond his life's experiences.

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During his life the good doctor had made few true friends. His habits did not lend themselves to that activity for in essence he was 'here today, gone tomorrow'. As he looked back he was at times, here today, gone today. His work was his constant companion. Why did it take these many years to come to a different conclusion as to what would bring true fulfillment? He knew that Dr. Blake was swamped, at times overwhelmed as if he was possessed with finishing something before a deadline. Little was M'Binga aware the reality of that expression.

M'Binga decided he would visit his friend unannounced. That would be nothing out of the ordinary. As he arrived he noticed that although it was twilight, there were no lights on in the house. He used his key and entered, calling out,

"One old man visiting another."

Silence.

He checked the living room, then the kitchen and finally the bedroom where he found him collapsed by his bed.

Rushing to his aid he noticed a large bump on the side of his head. He must have struck his head when he fell. Placing his hand on his pulse point he determined he was probably just unconscious with no other contributory reasons for the fall. M'Binga knew that his friend was driven, obsessive in areas of his work, even before the change of identity. Perhaps he had to drive himself in order to crowd out memories of his past life.

He carefully lifted his friend and placed him on his bed. Returning from the bathroom with a damp washcloth he wiped his friends face and then lightly tapped his cheek. Dr. Blake's eyes flew open,

"What in the H E double hockey sticks are you doing…here?"

"Old friend you decided to take a nap on the floor…"

"Alright, alright, this doesn't leave this house, not even this room. Geof, I have been so tired."

"Well, anyone who tries to live thirty two hours a day, instead of the normal…"

"I just have a lot to get done. Say, are you hungry? I could eat a Kentucky racehorse.

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The two men were seated at a table in the settlements only all night eatery. It was owned by a couple from Terra. Often when he and McCoy/Blake would come in one of them would join them at their table. It was a means to exchange whatever news they had from home. Usually, they would share a drink with them but this time Bones put up his hand in protest,

"I think I'll forgo it tonight."

I thought to myself, 'How unlike him…'

When we were alone at the table again I stated,

"Len, I got a problem."

"Not another one of your cockamamie experiments again…"

"No, no, nothing to do with work."

"My friend, that's all you know."

"Up until now…"

Running his hands through his hair my friend started laughing…hard. Finally, at long last, you have a personal problem? What got through your impenetrable façade?"

Raising his right hand he said,

"Wait! Tall, blond, blue eyed, tan skinned unmarried lady?"

He slammed his hand down on the table and laughed until he started wheezing, and then coughing. He looked up at me and said,

"This doesn't leave this room either."

Of course, he knew I knew. What he was displaying were the symptoms of congestive heart failure.

"Len, you have to stop pushing yourself, slow down and take care of yourself for a change."

"When I have to, I will, not a moment sooner. I have to leave everything just right for my son."

With those words I knew that there was nothing I could possibly say that would stop his reckless charge. The only thing I could possibly do is work with him to take as much of the load off of him as I could.

He then put his hand on my forearm and said,

"The happiest time of my life was when I was with Nyota. To give her up was only possible because of what I had become certainly not a candidate for a husband. It was an unselfish act on my part, but believe me Geof, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her…smiling, lying in my arms, telling me she loved me. So while I could not do right by her by being with her, I can do right by my son.

"Oh yes, about your problem, if she is not adverse to your company, and is over her Vulcan mate's death, take your time, you will win her over."

With a bitter sweet smile he said, "By the way you two look almost as good together as Spock and my Nyota."