Chapter 9
Spock's first night with Nyota was uneventful. He wanted her to feel safe in his arms. He held her tightly. In the morning, Spock awoke to three surprises,
The first was a swollen lok.
The second was his fiancé wrapped around his body.
The third was his father staring down at the two of them.
Spock sat up and disengaged from her grasp. "Sa'mehk," Spock acknowledged his father. He dared not ask what Sarek desired.
"Well done, Sa'fu. You will see the hassu today?" Sarek asked.
"Affirmative. There is one at the campus medical center who is familiar with interspecies pregnancies." Spock said. It was not quite a lie. The campus doctors had worked at the academy for decades. Spock was sure they had seen a few pregnant females.
"That sounds logical," Sarek said. "I will join you."
Spock nudged Nyota. She opened her eyes and smiled at Spock.
"Good morning, Osu Spock," she said.
"When we are alone, you may call me Spock," he said.
"Yes, Osu," Nyota replied. She dared not take such liberties. She desperately wanted to move out.
"My father will be joining us today," Spock said.
Nyota nodded, but Spock could see she was disappointed. As was he. Spock wanted to get to know the female. She was quite pleasing on the outside. Based on Kamu, he assumed that she too, was of good character.
Spock went to Nyota's wardrobe and pulled out an outfit for her. He disliked the apparel selected for concubines. So, he selected an elegant gown that married females would wear. Spock was pleased until he saw her expression.
"You are not pleased?" Spock asked.
"It is just different. I will adjust, Osu," she said.
Spock nodded. Nyota was very cooperative. He was sure that they would be bonded soon. Then they could live in the privacy of their home. Sarek was waiting outside with a limo and several security vehicles.
"Sa'mehk, I will drive my car. I don't want to scare my students," Spock said.
"I will agree, but you must allow two guards to follow you," Sarek said.
"It's fine, my Lord," Nyota said.
Spock wasn't ready to concede, but Nyota wanted to see the campus. She would walk on fire to get a chance to visit Starfleet Academy.
"She is compliant. I have never seen a human female so compliant," Sarek stepped forward and stroked Nyota's cheek with his finger.
"She is compliant because her brother arranged our marriage," Spock said. She complies for the sake of her family." It was partially the truth. Spock was taking her for a mate for the sake of her brother.
Spock and Nyota arrived at the campus, and Spock helped Nyota out of the vehicle. Spock looked around for Sarek. He was sure his father was close. As they were headed across the campus, Spock spotted Admiral April. He was about to change directions when Admiral April called him out.
Spock looked around. Sarek was at the gate talking to the guards. Spock walked toward the entrance of the communications building with Nyota in tow.
"Lieutenant Spock?" April called out.
Spock turned, and Nyota spun around. Admiral April gasped when he saw Nyota.
"Sir," Spock replied.
"I just wanted to say hello," he looked at Nyota curiously. He had heard stories of V'Tosh kidnapping and torturing human females. Spock did not seem like the type to do so.
"Admiral April, this is my fiancé, Nyota Uhura," Spock replied.
"I …I did not know you were engaged. When is the big day?" April asked.
"Vulcans form a different type of union," Spock said. "However, it will be soon. We must first take our medical exam."
"I guess you are here to register for benefits, then?" April asked.
Spock had forgotten that this was required in Starfleet.
"Yes, of course," Spock replied. He was digging a hole, but he could not figure out how to get out of it.
Admiral April opened his communicator, "Hello, Myrtle, Lt. Spock is here with his fiancé, Ms. Uhura. They will be over shortly to register their relationship. Please expedite their benefit package. They will be taking their blood tests soon…"
He looked at Spock for confirmation.
"Today," Spock said.
"Oh?" April chuckled. "They will be right over."
He closed his communicator and patted Spock's back. "Good luck, son." It was an odd gesture, but Spock was quite different from any other V'Tosh. Despite his logical nature, he seemed almost human.
April left, and Spock peaked out the door.
"There is a rear exit," Nyota said.
Spock looked over her shoulder and pulled her along. They hurried down the hall and went around the campus to the administration building. Myrtle Armstrong was there with the documents. Spock placed his thumb on the padd. Nyota did the same, and she was issued credentials. Then they hurried over to the medical center. Spock was shocked to see Sarek waiting there for them. A young doctor stood by Spock's side.
"Dr. M'Benga will see your fiancé now," Sarek said.
"As I was saying to Gov. Sarek, Starfleet requires credentials for medical services," M'Benga said nervously.
Nyota held up her card. M'Benga exhaled slowly. He was glad Spock had the foresight to get her registered. M'Benga did not want any trouble.
"Come this way." He said.
"Your hassa served on T'Vulk'ain," Sarek said. "He was the logical choice."
Sarek was quite impressed with Spock. However, Spock had never even heard of M'Benga. He wasn't expecting Sarek to show up. He planned to lie if necessary.
"I was displeased with your delay. However, it was prudent to get the credentials in advance." Sarek was pleased with the way that Spock was handling the relationship.
Inside the exam room, M'Benga asked many questions about Spock and Uhura. He was from Uganda. She was from Kenya. Nyota said little other than her brother Kamu worked for Spock, and he arranged the marriage.
"Will you need birth control?" M'Benga asked.
"No, it is my fiance's desire to produce a child as soon as possible," Nyota said. She looked away.
M'Benga finished his exam. He sat back. It was obvious that she was afraid, but there was little he could do to help. Sarek tolerated Starfleet Academy because he did not perceive it as a threat. M'Benga dared not do anything to challenge Spock or his father.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" he whispered.
"I must do this. Spock has been very kind to my brother, and he saved my life," she whispered back.
M'Benga nodded. "I will speak to you both, then."
He got up and left the room, and returned with Spock. Nyota dressed and sat in the chair. Spock entered and sat with her.
"When will the boding take place?" M'Benga asked.
Spock looked at Nyota. He sighed and said, "We will bond tonight."
Nyota flinched but said nothing. She looked down at her hands.
"According to Ms. Uhura, she should be mid-cycle. This will most likely result in a pregnancy." M'Benga said.
"That is acceptable," Spock replied.
"I can provide anesthetic for Ms. Uhura to ease the discomfort when you mate," M'Benga said.
"That will not be required," Sarek said. He was standing at the door.
"I have arranged a ceremony this evening with notable guests. You will attend to provide medical assistance if it is required." Sarek said.
"Yes, of course," M'Benga said.
He looked at Nyota. He knew Spock would do his best not to hurt Nyota, but once Pon farr began, he would have little control over his actions.
"Do you need an exam?" M'Benga asked Spock.
Spock considered it. He had mated with T'Pring, and she had been with others.
"That is logical. I have been with another female," Spock said.
Sarek was about to speak. Spock cut him off and said, "We must see to the health of our offspring."
"Very well, I will return to the embassy to make the arrangements and to secure the garments. Do you want me to take Nyota?" Sarek asked.
"No, I want to show her my office when we finish here. I have to pick up student padds." Spock replied.
Nyota looked up at Spock and smiled. He had promised to show her the campus.
M'Benga smiled too. There was something between the couple. It was not all forced.
Sarek left, and M'Benga began the exam. Spock removed his clothes. Nyota looked away, embarrassed.
M'Benga examined Spock's lok. It was very large, even for a Vulcan. He inserted a cannula and then a swab. He took the swab and looked at the microscope. M'Benga nodded, "It looks clear, but I think I should give you antibiotics just in case." He said as he scanned Spock.
There was so much more to be concerned about since the V'Tosh arrived on the planet. M'Benga heard tales of women who were devoured from the inside out by space parasites.
"Do as you wish. I do not desire to hurt my mate," Spock looked over at Nyota. She looked at him and quickly turned away.
"Are you aware that she is a virgin, Osu Spock," he asked.
"You may call me Spock when we are alone," Spock said.
"I was not aware. Whatever you can do to help, I would appreciate." Spock said.
M'Benga smiled.
"Please sit on the table," he said as he walked over and prepared three hyposprays.
"I will also give her the shot as a precautionary measure," M'Benga said.
He injected Spock once and Nyota twice.
"I will see you tonight. I will send you the location of the ceremony," Spock said.
M'Benga sighed. He was fully aware of the location of the ceremony. He served as a trauma unit resident. He was frequently called out for females who were injured during the V'Tosh sporting events.
"Have you ever attended a bonding ceremony?" he asked Spock.
"No, I was raised on T'Vulk'ain, and then I served on a vessel. I recently relocated to Earth." Spock replied.
M'Benga sighed again. He patted Spock's back and nodded at Uhura. They had no idea what lay ahead for them that evening.