Chapter Twenty-Two
The Desert Saga
Sarek surfaced after five hours of deep meditation and was amazed at his clarity of thought. He showered, dressed and went to his com unit and contacted his son. As Spock face appeared on the screen Sarek apologized for the extremely late hour for contact, and made a request,
"My Son, I request the opportunity to talk with you and your aduna tomorrow. Would that be possible?"
"Yes My Father, once my teaching responsibilities are complete we shall come to the Embassy."
Both Vulcans ended the conversation with the acceptable phases and then Spock informed Nyota of the change of plans for tomorrow evening. He instructed her to allow T'Paal to take over their sons' tomorrow evening rituals. Later that evening he would let her know about their daughter. But on his arrival home, he found her quietly sleeping. Tomorrow he would advise her of that evening's destination and knew out of respect she would dress herself in her robes and be ready to accompany him to the Embassy.
After work the following evening as they entered the Embassy building, Sarek was standing by the entrance as they came in. No words were exchanged, but all their fingers were raised in the ta'al.
Sarek stated that nourishment would be brought to his office so as to insure privacy they would not eat in the formal dining room. From that statement Spock was aware of his father's desire for utmost privacy. His father now stated to Spock,
"My mind saw your mother yesterday. I have not told you but I have not slept in our sleeping quarters since we returned to Terra after…"
There was a pause,
"…after I lost my K'idwa.
"Yesterday Drevi spoke to me, as a Betazoid his words were blunt, but were true and made me revisit aconversation I had had with your mother many years ago. Let me share it with you my son."
Spock leaned forward to allow his father access to his PSI points and closed his eyes.
Nyota saw Spock's body react to the picture that his father had sent to him. She was glad his eyes were closed for she was certain that the mental visit would bring up his own almost non-acceptance of the complete loss of his mother. She was certain his meditation time would be extended late into this evening.
When he opened his eyes she could see he would need a few moments to calm himself after the emotional transference inherent with mind melds. Spock then reached out and took her hand and she too saw what Sarek had shared with her husband. A hand went to her mouth to stifle a sob.
Sarek rose from his desk and went to the window that looked out over his private garden and remembered how many years ago, he was in his garden with a bared chest, meditating when Amanda happened upon him and almost lost consciousness from her embarrassment, thinking he was totally nude. That incident presented the opportunity for him to touch her for the first time.
That was the beginning…
He shook his head and thought of how taxing it will be to relegate these memories into the deep recesses of his mind. That would be the completely burying of their life together he did not wish it to be lost. He then thought of the proper tribute to his beloved. To find a way to save these memories outside of his body, and in some way place them in a Katra ark for its' deposit in the Hall of Memories in New Vulcan. It would be his wish that after he had breathed his last he be laid to rest next to His Amanda in their family's wall. This was contrary to Vulcan custom. The male's present wife always was to her husband's right. But the action he would take in this matter would indicate no one could ever replace Amanda. He married, bonded to address the needs of the many and also the eventual needs of himself. The second wife would rest on his left side, a secondary position.
He would be a good Vulcan bondmate. He would address her every need, but as he admitted to Spock those many years ago, he had loved his Amanda and even within a Vulcan's long lifetime that would be difficult to duplicate.
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The husbands were seated in one of the rooms that had served as a dormitory for the Survivors. The wives, T'Paal and the children all entered together. Spock went toward Nyota, took her hand and led her to a now empty room. He sent to her the thought that he had something most important to say to her, in private. With everything that had happen lately the two of them had not been able to enjoy time together. Nyota was trying to figure out exactly what Spock had in mind when he brought her to this isolated place. He said nothing. Seated himself and placed her on his lap and then took his hand and placed it on her abdomen and took her hand and placed it on top of his. There he shared the message of new life, a female.
Nyota was peppering his face with kisses when he whispered to her,
"She who is our daughter shall have the name T'Ama in honor of my mother."
Nyota took his face in her hand and simply said,
"This makes me very happy."
Spock simply said,
"Thank you Beloved."
After a few more moments of 'quiet time' they returned to the group who were now getting ready for the candidates to take their class on the Vulcan bond.
By the time Spock and Nyota returned all the candidates were seated.
Tonight, Christine started,
"On your seat you found a small packet that contained very specific information on a small personal PAAD. Please read this information in the privacy of your own home.
"What will be discussed this evening is the special gift the Vulcan possesses and how it relates to the marriage or bonding.
"Perhahs you remember my husband is a Vulcan/Betazoid. If I say so myself, quite a combination. Our daughter seems to have inherited whatever gene he possesses that will not allow tact to be a part of her present verbiage or communication skills. Her father and I are working on that. In addition, like her father she is a touch telepath. Do any of you have an idea of what that means?"
One of the two hands raised was selected and the answer given was,
"That means when they touch you they can read your mind."
Christine nodded and then said,
"That answer would be correct if we were dealing with an undisciplined people, so the correct answer should be, They can choose to read your mind but this is done in a very structured way because to read another intelligent creatures mind without permission is a criminal act. The only exception is if the saving of a life is involved, otherwise it is a criminal act to a Vulcan-kae'atik'tasa which translated means mind rape, one of Vulcans' few capitol offenses.
"There is a complex system within the Vulcan mind that allows him or her to tap down this ability until it is virtually silent. Another expression of that gift is your bondmates ability to communicate with you silently, there is no distance too great for his or your thoughts to travel. So always in the back of your mind is your bondmate's presence comforting, protecting, at times uttering endearments.
"That presence is not dominant, but is permanent and life altering. Your bondmate always knows if you are safe, where you are, your state of health, for he can tell you if you have a fever and can advise you when you are pregnant from the moment of conception.
"During the time before the enlightenment, this gift allowed the male to always act as a protector for his bondmate. This ability also allows the Vulcan to take another's pain and carry it in their own bodies. In the latter part of my child birth experience, my husband took my pain and he himself bore it most bravely. I know for a certainty many females have wished that on their mates.
"The Vulcan can also communicate with the lowest life form. This carries through to being able to communicate with his unborn child. My husband bonded with our daughter almost from conception and communidated and educated her prior to her birth.
"For a bondmate when there is communication there is a very slight hum. All members of a family and a clan have deep connections, although, in fact all Vulcans have a degree of connection with one another. The strongest bond is between the bondmates or husband, called A'dun or wife A'duna. This part of The Vulcan Way isnurtured within each family and strengthen by meditation. We wives will demonstrate."
There was silence, and simultaneously the four husbands entered the room and went to their mates side to determine the reason for the summons.
When he entered, Lo'vaak did have a look of apprehension on his face and then smiling said,
"Ah, a demonstration. Perhaps I can add to the validity of what you are trying to teach. I am an empath and telepath that does not need to touch. Do I have a volunteer to receive a brief message from me?"
Bettie said,
"I was once on the receiving end of one of Lo'vaak's message, It was quite…different."
Lo'vaak selected one of the ladies in the front row to stand. He simply sent "hello" and the recipient jumped and her mouth flew open.
Bettie repeated Christine words from long ago,
"Now wait for the period. It is like a closing door."
Spock sent to His Nyota,
'We males will return to our children, T'Paal and my father.'
After the husbands had left Christine continued,
"Love making is done in silence. Everything that he wants to say to you is through your bond. Everything you want him to do, you request through your bond. So the messages between you and your bondmate are explicit, beautiful and powerful in their expressions. There are no surprises, just fulfillment of desires, and wishes. So then, part of the process is the fulfillment of all your desires which your adun can read. You will never be so satisfied. As a matter of fact a Vulcan's ultimate goal in everything he does is to be satisfied, satisfied that he has done his best in whatever endeavor they undertake, even lovemaking.
"Because they are touch telepaths their hand will seek signals from all parts of your body. There is much caressing on his part. He will respond with intensity to your touch and kisses. By the way, Kissing is a new experience to a Vulcan male. Since they do not touch their food, two lips touching and with tongues involved takes some getting use to for them. This act has been viewed as unsanitary, but once they start, they are won over and will eventually initiate it.
"Believe me, teaching them is most rewarding, for a completely satisfied Vulcan is a sight to behold and he can only reach that state if you are first satisfied."
Giggling Christine said,
"Any questions?"
The audience was transfixed. She then said,
"And ladies, this is our little secret. If word got out women would be engaging in combat to secure their own Vulcan and the supply is limited."