Slow Way Home
Chapter 24
[Day 31 of 45]
Spock was sitting in the office alone. It had become a sanctuary for him where he could meditate and do paperwork in peace. His wife often had company over and he didn't mind… that much. It's just he needed some place quiet to think.
But she was not there – helping in engineering again. So when he heard a Comm. going off in the next room he stood up to go answer it.
"Commander Spock speaking," he said and his son showed up on the screen. His almost black hair was immaculate, his face seemed controlled yet Spock could tell his son was struggling as his son's bright blue eyes glanced around.
"Is Ko-mekh there?" George asked.
"Your mother is in Engineering and I do not expect her back for at least another hour if she sticks to the routine," Spock informed his son who looked disappointed. He was conflicted and Spock felt as his father he should attempt to help. "Maybe I could be of assistance."
"No thank you," his son rejected. "I… would prefer mother's assistance as the situation is… embarrassing."
"In what way?" Spock queried. George's ears turned green from embarrassment as did his cheeks.
"Several of… the other children have been… taunting me about my… connection to Joanna," George mumbled. "I… I cannot speak to anyone here as they would… not understand. The humans would step in and make it worse while my… Vulcan instructors would tell me to control my emotions and not let them bother me." Spock held back his anger as he understood the taunting.
"The bond you and young Joanna share – if your mother is right – is a unique one. Most children do not feel as pulled to another person as you two do to each other. It is the same with your mother and I. We feel pulled and are not just spouses but also dear friends," Spock told him.
George's head cocked sideways as he thought about what he'd just said.
"Whatever you do… don't get into trouble like I did when I was a bit older than you and was taunted by my peers," Spock warned his son. His son's head snapped straight and there was almost this light about his son. Curiosity maybe.
"What did you do?" George asked.
"I got into a physical altercation with several older boys after one insulted my mother," Spock informed his son. "My control slipped at the slight and I later regretted my actions but they could not be taken back."
"You sound like Amanda. I always assumed that personality all came from mother but… maybe she's more like you than we considered," George said before he seemed to get far away and considered that. "It would be logical that along with many of your appearance and heightened mental capabilities that some of her personality would come from you."
Spock nodded.
"Joey," a voice called and a pretty brunette stated as she ran to him. "We need our brain if we are going to win this challenge."
"I will be there a minute, Joanna. Though would you please inform my sister that throwing taunts at me is not going to get me there faster," George stated before actually glaring past her. The girl giggled and George's eyes snapped to her.
"Come on Brain. We've got – as Jimmy called us – the voice, the leader, and the bronze. We need you or we'll make a mistake," Joanna said though she'd changed over to Vulcan.
"One minute," George said before motioning to the screen. The girl noticed and blushed. "Father, this is Joanna McCoy."
"Hi," the girl said with a shy smile.
"Hello, Joanna. Your father speaks highly of you," Spock informed the girl. She grinned. "I apologize for my advice not helping very much. Next time I will contact your mother."
"It helped," George stated as Joanna began to pull his arm gently to try and get him to go. "I must…" His son went to say goodbye and Spock understood.
"Go. Spend time with your friends," Spock told his son before he held up his hand. "Live long and Prosper." His son did the same before the Comm. went dark on both ends. Once it was over he let out a breath because that was awkward. He didn't know how to deal with his own emotions let alone the emotions of others.