A/N: Hey all; I'm posting wicked early because I've recently had breakthroughs in my Selas and T'Alora stories and I can't wait to share, so I need to get through my Se'tak stories as a result. I hope you enjoy my work, and if you're able to please leave a review or shoot me a PM with your thoughts. Thanks!
Something to Think About
Albasi's Diner, 2284.117,1824 hours. "Lauren." On the other end of the comm his girlfriend just kept talking; she was really upset. They'd been dating for a little over 2 months and while they were by far the best 2 months of his life the relationship was by no means easy. Se'tak pressed a hand over one ear and held his personal comm closer to try and better hear her over the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.
"Lauren, I said I'm sorry but you know I have to work. We'll go out to dinner together tomorrow, I promise." He waited quietly on the other end of the line hoping that would satisfy her but she was still on a tear.
"I'm just so sick of it! It's Saturday night, Se'tak, I want to GO OUT!"
"You make it sound like we don't do anything; we just went out the other night!"
She sighed. "Yeah, on Wednesday…and to Albasi's! G-d, you know, even when you're not working you're working! Why don't you just blow it off for tonight and come out with me? We could go out on the town and have some real fun!"
"You said you had fun the other night," he remarked rather pointedly.
Lauren screamed in frustration. "UGH! Not everything is about sex, Se'tak! I want to go to the movies, or dancing, or…I don't know but something that isn't that dingy old diner or our dorm rooms! " Both went silent as they tried not to let their emotions get the better of them. Marginally calmer, she added, "No, you know what? I'm only young once and no matter how good you are in bed I don't need this. I'm going to go out with the girls. When you get off work don't come over—in fact, don't contact me at all. We're over, Se'tak."
"WHAT?!" he shrieked hysterically. "Look, Baby, I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you, I promise, I'll…" he didn't go any further when he heard the tell-tale click that she'd hung up.
Little Phomello came over, a heavy plastic bin full of dishes in his hands. "Girl trouble?" he asked.
Se'tak gave vent to some of his rage. "SHUT UP!" The kid scampered away toward the sink. Shit this is bad, this is really really bad…
"'TAK!" Albasi cried out over the din. "I needed those onions chopped 5 minutes ago! Come on!"
He debated ripping off the apron and racing over to Lauren's to apologize but he just couldn't do it; he was needed here and he didn't want to lose his job. Head hanging low, Se'tak submitted himself to the cutting board and dutifully diced up the onions.
Albasi's Diner, 2284.128, 1344 hours. Spock ducked as he entered the establishment, the cool, re-circulated air still carrying faint traces of the recently applied paint on the walls. He carefully observed his surroundings. A young woman bearing a tray of cold beverages maneuvered her way to a back corner where 3 elders were engaged in animated conversation. Other patrons were seated at various tables as well but Se'tak was nowhere in sight and so he approached the counter where a large man stood with his back to him.
"Excuse me."
"One minute," the gentleman replied without looking over his shoulder. Spock took a seat on one of the stools and the new synthetic upholstery squeaked beneath him. Albasi's Diner had indeed undergone a transformation such as Se'tak had previously described in their weekly calls.
It was precisely because of those calls—or the lack thereof—that brought him to the city in the first place. 9 days ago their sa-fu missed their pre-arranged communication and when they were able to connect with him 2 days ago Se'tak did not appear to be himself; indeed, Nyota described him as being despondent, and she grew increasingly concerned for his well being during their brief conversation. With the welfare of his sa-fu and his adun'a in mind Spock requisitioned a small Starfleet, Nile-class runabout after his classes and made the journey to Africa to speak with Se'tak in person.
"May I help you?"
Going by the physical description he had from Se'tak, Spock intuited that this man was the owner, Albasi Otieno. "I have come in search of my son," he replied, "His roommate indicated that he could be found here at work."
Albasi retrieved the sugar dispenser on the counter between them and began wiping it down. "I'm afraid I haven't seen any other Vulcans here today and I certainly don't have any on my payroll."
Fascinating; just as those that did not know him personally thought him a full-blooded Vulcan it now appeared that his sa-fu was equally mistaken for a full-blooded Human. "Fascinating."
"I beg your pardon?" the owner asked as he set the dispenser back down.
Spock was about to inquire of his sa-fu further when Se'tak walked through the kitchen doors, a used apron tied around his waist and an empty plastic basin in his hands. "Sa-mekh?"
Albasi pointed at him while looking at Se'tak. "You know this man?"
He was about to respond when the eldest man in the trio in the corner spoke up. "He already told you who he is, he's 'Tak's father!"
This revelation struck Albasi, along with the other 2 elders, dumb. By this time Se'tak set down his basin and stepped forward. "Sa-mekh, what're you doing here?"
"You…"—Albasi pointed at Se'tak—"And you…"—here he pointed at Spock—"You're his…and he's your…I don't…"
Spock ignored the spluttering man and directed his words at his sa-fu. "Your mother is concerned. Your behavior is much altered as of late and I have come to investigate into the cause."
"Look, I…"
"Hold on a minute here," Albasi again interrupted. It appeared the man was finally able to articulate a complete thought. "Did he adopt you or something? Is that what's going on here?"
Se'tak rolled his eyes. "I'm not adopted, I'm his son!"
Sensing that they would be unable to have a more meaningful conversation until the matter of heritage was resolved, Spock offered, "Perhaps, sa-fu, if you would remove the cloth tied around your head the resemblance would become more apparent."
Doing as he was instructed, Se'tak reached up and untied the knot of his orange bandana to reveal his pointed ears. His supervisor gasped. "Well I'll be…"
"Njau," one of the elders whispered loudly to his comrade, "How did you know?"
"How did I know? How did you not know? I saw it the first day he came in here! With his ears and the eyes and his height…"
"May we now continue our conversation? Perhaps in a more private location?" Spock asked his son. Se'tak nodded and led the way to an empty table away from prying ears or eyes. Once seated it took very little time to extract the full—albeit emotionally colorful—story of his sa-fu's involvement with a young woman by the name of Lauren Belleville. Spock suspected that there was more to the encounter than Se'tak was admitting, however, there was no denying his distress over the termination of their affair.
"It's like she just didn't get it! I care about her a lot but I have responsibilities here, things Albasi depends on me to do to help keep the restaurant going! It's not like I was ignoring her or anything! And besides, the credits I made here helped me take her out to all those fancy places she liked to go to anyway!" He suddenly turned melancholic and lowered his voice. "But the truth is, Sa-mekh, I miss her like crazy and she won't even talk to me or let me explain. I don't know how to get her back."
Spock debated how best to respond to the predicament his sa-fu now found himself in. Nyota was always the more knowledgeable parent when it came to dealing with affairs of the heart…but he had not always been with Nyota—and suddenly Spock knew exactly what his sa-fu needed to hear. "There was a time when I was a student at the Academy where I was assigned a lab partner. Her name was Leila Kalomi*. The attraction on either side was not instantaneous. Over time I came to admire her intellect and her powers of deduction; she in turn respected my needs for privacy and space while also appreciating my intelligence."
Se'tak's jaw fell; he was incredulous. "You were in love with someone else before Mama?"
Spock inclined his head. Hindsight had proven that while he had cared for Leila a great deal in his youth theirs was not a love story; he did not know romantic love until he met Nyota, his k'hat'n'dlawa. There had been, however, a strong attachment between them.
"By the time of our graduation I was offered a position as a science officer aboard the U.S.S. Farragut; Leila was offered a position on-board the ship as well as given the opportunity to join an agricultural expedition to Omicron Ceti III, the latter offer of which she ultimately accepted. Leila asked that I reconsider my posting and join her—what she did not understand was that my duty was to Starfleet and to the captain and crew of the Farragut. We parted company when my ship deployed; 18.7 months later I learned that she and the other scientists perished from prolonged Berthold ray exposure."
He looked to his sa-fu who was atypically silent; thinking that Se'tak was still coming to terms with the knowledge that there had been another woman in his life before his mother Spock pressed on with his story. "I tell you this because while the circumstances are not identical to the ones you now find yourself in, the events that transpired between myself and Leila were, I believe, for the best. Our relationship was not meant to last yet our lives were richer for having known each other; and perhaps, in time, you will find that the same can be said of your time spent in the company of this young woman.
"However, if you disagree with any or all of what I have relayed to you then I believe you will ultimately find a way to reconcile with Miss Belleville."
Ordinarily Spock would have expected an outburst of some sort from his sa-fu, whether in defense of this young woman or in opposition to the advice he had just dispensed; yet here Se'tak sat, quiet, pensive—not at all like the young man he had deposited at the university only 8.28 months ago.
"Thanks, Sa-mekh," Se'tak said at last. Spock could see that his sa-fu's thoughts were still occupied elsewhere. "You've definitely given me something to think about." He looked up and spotted 2 tables that needed to be cleared of their used tableware. Rising, his sa-fu then asked, "Can I get you something to eat?"
"I am not in need…"
"No, wait, you know what? I'm just going to fix you a small plate. Just…just wait right here." Spock folded his hands on the tabletop and proceeded to do as instructed while his sa-fu disappeared into the kitchen. Mr. Otieno then walked out from behind the bar and claimed the seat opposite him.
"Sorry about earlier; I was just taken aback is all. I've known 'Tak for almost 5 months now and I had no idea he was part-Vulcan."
Under the circumstances Spock reasoned his confusion was understandable. "That is because Se'tak takes greatly after his mother," he replied.
"That may be," Mr. Otieno answered back, "But the more I see the two of you together the more I think he takes after you too."
Spock felt the compliment keenly but could not completely accept it. "He has matured a great deal under your tutelage. I believe what you are witnessing are the fruits of your own labors."
The man across from him guffawed. "What? No, he's always been a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. All I did was give him a job…"
"You gave him responsibility and direction, attributes which his mother and I had tried unsuccessfully to instill in him. You have helped shape his character for the better, Mr. Otieno, and for that you have my gratitude."
"Albasi, please," the other man said, clearly uncomfortable with the honors attributed to him. He held out his hand. Spock hesitated momentarily to check his shields before extending his hand across the tabletop and shaking Albasi's warmly.
"I am Spock."
Se'tak emerged from the kitchen with a plate of ugali and kachumbari in his hands and deposited it on the table in front of him. If his sa-fu found it strange that he was willingly shaking Albasi's hand he made no mention of it. Instead all he said was, "Enjoy."
Wrapping up his shift that evening, Se'tak stood at the sink washing his hands while still mulling over everything that happened during his sa-mekh's visit. He should've realized his sa-mekh hadn't lead a monk-like existence before meeting his mother—but more than that revelation Sa-mekh helped him realize that he didn't really miss Lauren, he just missed the idea of her. There were other women out there and Lauren just wasn't The One. Now that that distinction had been made Se'tak knew he could let her go and move forward.
* I recently watched the TOS episode "This Side of Paradise" and while the premise was interesting I wish they could have fleshed out the story a little bit more, particularly the backstory between Spock and Leila. That said, and because this universe is different from the one in TOS, I've borrowed the Leila Kalomi character and altered their story as I've seen fit.