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Someday, and the Rest of Your Life Chapter 10: (Spock/Uhura)
Title: Someday, and the Rest of Your Life
Paring: Spock/Uhura
Summary: When the Enterprise receives a distress call from a Vulcan rescue vessel, Spock finds himself confronted by his past, and he must choose whether to uphold Vulcan traditions or find his own way.
A/N: So this is the first time I've posted a chapter of this story without having a draft of the next chapter done. Considering I've totally rewritten chapter 11 three times already, it may be a few days before my next update.
Rating: NC-17
Previous chapters can be found here.
“Commander Spock, you have an incoming transmission from Starbase 11. It is from Ambassador Sarek.”
Spock stopped by one of the com panels to respond. “Thank you. I will take it in my quarters.”
Slightly less sure, Spock turned in the direction of his quarters.
He was unsure what his father might have to say to him. The truth was they had barely spoken for years, ever since Spock had chosen Starfleet over the Academy. Sarek had not approved.
Had it not been for his mother’s death, Spock suspected they still would not have spoken. And although Spock found himself grateful for what his father had said to him, for acknowledging that he had loved Amanda, Spock couldn’t help but wonder if his father would see Spock’s returning to Starfleet instead of joining the other Vulcans as a betrayal.
There was only one way to find out. Spock sat down in his quarters and turned on his view screen to take the communication.
“Spock,” Sarek said as soon as his face came on the screen.
“Father,” Spock nodded.
“We have received the Enterprises reports on the survivors, and I have seen the good news,” his father told him.
“Good news?” Spock asked, although he suspected he knew to what his father was referring.
“Yes, T’Pring’s survival. You are most fortunate my son. The majority of us lost our mates in Vulcan’s destruction.”
A sudden flash of guilt hit Spock. How could he tell his father that neither T’Pring nor him were interested in consummating the marriage, when Sarek had lost his own wife?
“Arrangements are being made,” Sarek continued. “Although there are no appropriate facilities here, we are doing what we can so that you and T’Pring may complete the marriage ceremony.”
‘We’ Spock wondered? How many people had become involved in his marriage to T’Pring?
“Father,” Spock argued. “It is not the time yet. There are still most likely many years until. . . the time for marriage has come for me.”
“True, but under the circumstances, it seems imprudent to wait. Spock,” his father’s tone softened slightly. “This is a chance for us to show that the old ways have not been lost along with Vulcan. That we may still continue as we were.”
“Then is it not logical to wait for the customary time, so as to honor all our traditions?” Spock countered.
“Spock, you seem resistant to the notion. It is not necessary that you leave Starfleet if that is your concern?”
“No, father, that is not my concern.” Spock paused, finding it hard to say the next words when his father seemed to have so much invested in his marriage to T’Pring. “I have spoken with T’Pring. Neither she nor I are interested in consummating this union.”
“Spock, T’Pring was not chosen for you lightly. Many factors were taken into consideration. You are bound under Vulcan law. What logical reason could you have for declining this union?”
Spock’s mind raced. His father would only accept the most logical of answers. But what was the answer that satisfy Sarek? His mind found it quickly, but he wasn’t sure he could speak of such things with his father. And yet there didn’t seem to be any other alternative.
“Father, I am only half-Vulcan. It is possible that the. . . “ Spock stopped unable to say the words ‘pon farr’ in front of his father. “Time of mating shall never come for me. That I am completely sterile.”
There was silence from the other side of the screen. Vulcan’s did not talk about the pon farr, even in veiled references if they could help it. Spock could remember clearly when it had been explained to him, when he had realized that even his father, even Sarek could have his logic stripped from him. But the fact remained that every seven years an adult Vulcan male entered into a time of illogic, when his desire to mate overrode everything else. And it was only during that time that a Vulcan male could father a child. The rest of the time they were sterile.
Finally his father broke the silence. “As you say, you are half-human. And you may be right, you may not. . . you may not be subject to our curse. And yet, that does not preclude the possibility of your having children. You may be able to reproduce as easily as any human male.”
That was a possibility Spock had never considered. He thought of himself as a Vulcan, and had assumed that his biology was Vulcan, even as he had hoped that he would be spared the pon farr.
Did Nyota use birth control? He had never thought about it before, simply assuming that he was currently sterile and incapable of impregnating her. But what if he wasn’t? They had never discussed it, and yet she must he decided. She could not know about Vulcan reproduction, and Starfleet was so important to her, that he could not imagine her not taking precautions against an unwanted pregnancy. So the possibility remained that his father was correct.
“I, had not considered that,” Spock admitted.
“It seems there is much to consider,” Sarek replied. “We will speak of this when you arrive at Starbase 11 tomorrow.”
Spock only nodded as the image of his father flickered out. There was indeed a lot to consider.
It was as if all the progress he had made during the day, trying to restore logic to his life had been swept away. Now that he was off duty, meditation seemed the best answer. Perhaps there he could find the logical solution he was now missing.
It took him longer than normal to clear his mind, to find the empty space within himself where there was only logic. And yet there seemed to be no clear answers. He tackled the problem from every angle he could think of, and yet he could not see a way out of his dilemma.
He was startled out of his meditation by the beeping of the com system. He had spent a little over an hour in mediation and had nothing to show for it.
“Commander Spock here,” he responded to the computer’s incessant beep.
“Commander Spock,” the temporary communications officer told him. “We’re getting another transmission for you from Starbase 11. No identification this time.”
Curious, Spock thought. Who else on Starbase 11 would want to talk to him other than his father.
“Put it through to my quarters,” Spock said, closing the channel to the bridge.
The view screen flickered on once again. To Spocks surprise the face he saw was his, give or take a hundred years.
“Commander.”
“Ambassador,” they greeted each other.
It was the older Spock who began the conversation. “I have just had the most unusual and somewhat uncomfortable conversation with our father.”
“And he has asked you to explain to me the logic of marrying T’Pring,” Spock finished.
“On the contrary,” Spock Prime disagreed. “Although I believe that is what our father would want, I have no intention of trying to make your decisions for you. Your circumstance are different than mine were, and your life must be your own. However, you may not have all the relevant information needed to make this decision. I only wish to tell you what I can be sure of.”
“And what would that be?” Spock asked. He was somewhat relieved that he was not going to be told what to do by an older, wiser version of himself. And yet at the same time, it would have been nice to have clear direction.
“The pon farr.” Spock Prime said the word in a matter of fact manner the shocked his younger counterpart. The older Spock took no notice of it and continued on. “Since we were born before Nero interfered in this time line, it seems logical that our biology is the same. Although it is still a few year away, I can assure you, that you will experience the pon farr and continue to experience it every seven years like any other Vulcan.”
“I see,” was all Spock said as he tried to recover from his shock. The older vulcan’s words felt a bit like a death sentence. Spock had always hoped to avoid the pon farr, now it seemed it was inevitable that his logic would be ripped away from him, and he was a little afraid that even when it was over, he would never get it back. It was, he reminded himself an irrational fear, as the other Spock proved.
“I should add,” Spock Prime continued. “That although you will experience it, you can over come it. There are meditational techniques that can enable you to survive without a mate. Although this is a dangerous risk for most, I can assure you that you are capable of this. However, the life of a Vulcan without a mate is a difficult one. I would carefully consider if it is the path you wish to follow.”
“Fascinating,” Spock replied. Despite his discomfort with the subject he had listened intently to everything the older Spock said looking for something to help him in his decision. “You imply that my only choices are to marry T’Pring or to live without a mate. Nyota does not seem to enter into your considerations.”
“Nyota?” Spock Prime asked. “You mean Lieutenant Uhura?”
“Indeed. I take it that you never engaged in a romantic relationship with her.”
“No,” Spock Prime answered with a hint of surprise. “We were good friends, when she came aboard the Enterprise I saw her promise and attempted to mentor her, but it never went any further than that. Curious, in my time line she was not yet part of the Enterprise’s crew.”
“And she was not your aide at the Academy?” Spock asked, curious about the life the other version of himself had led.
“No. Although I taught at the Academy several times durning my career, I did not beginning teaching until about ten years from now. Curious, you career seems to have departed from my own at some unknown prior point.”
There was a moment of silence as they both considered the possibilities.
“The Kelvin,” both Spock’s said at once.
“Most of the crew of the Kelvin did survive Nero’s attack,” Spock thought out loud.
“But without the Kelvin,” Spock Prime continued. “There were suddenly more officers than billets. Starfleet would have had to place them in a variety of other duty stations, thus changing the available opportunities and effecting the career of almost every member of Starfleet for the last twenty five years.”
“Placing myself and Lieutenant Uhura at the Academy at the same time,” Spock finished.
“As you said, fascinating,” Spock Prime agreed. “It seems you have more to consider than I was aware. I shall leave you to find your own path. However, I shall be most curious to see where that path takes you.”
“Of course,” Spock answered. “It is only logical that you should be curious. I shall keep you informed.”
The two Spocks nodded to each other and ended the communication.
With the silence of his quarters restored, Spock tried to return to his meditation. He only wished that the other Spock had given something that would have made his decision easier.
Paring: Spock/Uhura
Summary: When the Enterprise receives a distress call from a Vulcan rescue vessel, Spock finds himself confronted by his past, and he must choose whether to uphold Vulcan traditions or find his own way.
A/N: So this is the first time I've posted a chapter of this story without having a draft of the next chapter done. Considering I've totally rewritten chapter 11 three times already, it may be a few days before my next update.
Rating: NC-17
Previous chapters can be found here.
“Commander Spock, you have an incoming transmission from Starbase 11. It is from Ambassador Sarek.”
Spock stopped by one of the com panels to respond. “Thank you. I will take it in my quarters.”
Slightly less sure, Spock turned in the direction of his quarters.
He was unsure what his father might have to say to him. The truth was they had barely spoken for years, ever since Spock had chosen Starfleet over the Academy. Sarek had not approved.
Had it not been for his mother’s death, Spock suspected they still would not have spoken. And although Spock found himself grateful for what his father had said to him, for acknowledging that he had loved Amanda, Spock couldn’t help but wonder if his father would see Spock’s returning to Starfleet instead of joining the other Vulcans as a betrayal.
There was only one way to find out. Spock sat down in his quarters and turned on his view screen to take the communication.
“Spock,” Sarek said as soon as his face came on the screen.
“Father,” Spock nodded.
“We have received the Enterprises reports on the survivors, and I have seen the good news,” his father told him.
“Good news?” Spock asked, although he suspected he knew to what his father was referring.
“Yes, T’Pring’s survival. You are most fortunate my son. The majority of us lost our mates in Vulcan’s destruction.”
A sudden flash of guilt hit Spock. How could he tell his father that neither T’Pring nor him were interested in consummating the marriage, when Sarek had lost his own wife?
“Arrangements are being made,” Sarek continued. “Although there are no appropriate facilities here, we are doing what we can so that you and T’Pring may complete the marriage ceremony.”
‘We’ Spock wondered? How many people had become involved in his marriage to T’Pring?
“Father,” Spock argued. “It is not the time yet. There are still most likely many years until. . . the time for marriage has come for me.”
“True, but under the circumstances, it seems imprudent to wait. Spock,” his father’s tone softened slightly. “This is a chance for us to show that the old ways have not been lost along with Vulcan. That we may still continue as we were.”
“Then is it not logical to wait for the customary time, so as to honor all our traditions?” Spock countered.
“Spock, you seem resistant to the notion. It is not necessary that you leave Starfleet if that is your concern?”
“No, father, that is not my concern.” Spock paused, finding it hard to say the next words when his father seemed to have so much invested in his marriage to T’Pring. “I have spoken with T’Pring. Neither she nor I are interested in consummating this union.”
“Spock, T’Pring was not chosen for you lightly. Many factors were taken into consideration. You are bound under Vulcan law. What logical reason could you have for declining this union?”
Spock’s mind raced. His father would only accept the most logical of answers. But what was the answer that satisfy Sarek? His mind found it quickly, but he wasn’t sure he could speak of such things with his father. And yet there didn’t seem to be any other alternative.
“Father, I am only half-Vulcan. It is possible that the. . . “ Spock stopped unable to say the words ‘pon farr’ in front of his father. “Time of mating shall never come for me. That I am completely sterile.”
There was silence from the other side of the screen. Vulcan’s did not talk about the pon farr, even in veiled references if they could help it. Spock could remember clearly when it had been explained to him, when he had realized that even his father, even Sarek could have his logic stripped from him. But the fact remained that every seven years an adult Vulcan male entered into a time of illogic, when his desire to mate overrode everything else. And it was only during that time that a Vulcan male could father a child. The rest of the time they were sterile.
Finally his father broke the silence. “As you say, you are half-human. And you may be right, you may not. . . you may not be subject to our curse. And yet, that does not preclude the possibility of your having children. You may be able to reproduce as easily as any human male.”
That was a possibility Spock had never considered. He thought of himself as a Vulcan, and had assumed that his biology was Vulcan, even as he had hoped that he would be spared the pon farr.
Did Nyota use birth control? He had never thought about it before, simply assuming that he was currently sterile and incapable of impregnating her. But what if he wasn’t? They had never discussed it, and yet she must he decided. She could not know about Vulcan reproduction, and Starfleet was so important to her, that he could not imagine her not taking precautions against an unwanted pregnancy. So the possibility remained that his father was correct.
“I, had not considered that,” Spock admitted.
“It seems there is much to consider,” Sarek replied. “We will speak of this when you arrive at Starbase 11 tomorrow.”
Spock only nodded as the image of his father flickered out. There was indeed a lot to consider.
It was as if all the progress he had made during the day, trying to restore logic to his life had been swept away. Now that he was off duty, meditation seemed the best answer. Perhaps there he could find the logical solution he was now missing.
It took him longer than normal to clear his mind, to find the empty space within himself where there was only logic. And yet there seemed to be no clear answers. He tackled the problem from every angle he could think of, and yet he could not see a way out of his dilemma.
He was startled out of his meditation by the beeping of the com system. He had spent a little over an hour in mediation and had nothing to show for it.
“Commander Spock here,” he responded to the computer’s incessant beep.
“Commander Spock,” the temporary communications officer told him. “We’re getting another transmission for you from Starbase 11. No identification this time.”
Curious, Spock thought. Who else on Starbase 11 would want to talk to him other than his father.
“Put it through to my quarters,” Spock said, closing the channel to the bridge.
The view screen flickered on once again. To Spocks surprise the face he saw was his, give or take a hundred years.
“Commander.”
“Ambassador,” they greeted each other.
It was the older Spock who began the conversation. “I have just had the most unusual and somewhat uncomfortable conversation with our father.”
“And he has asked you to explain to me the logic of marrying T’Pring,” Spock finished.
“On the contrary,” Spock Prime disagreed. “Although I believe that is what our father would want, I have no intention of trying to make your decisions for you. Your circumstance are different than mine were, and your life must be your own. However, you may not have all the relevant information needed to make this decision. I only wish to tell you what I can be sure of.”
“And what would that be?” Spock asked. He was somewhat relieved that he was not going to be told what to do by an older, wiser version of himself. And yet at the same time, it would have been nice to have clear direction.
“The pon farr.” Spock Prime said the word in a matter of fact manner the shocked his younger counterpart. The older Spock took no notice of it and continued on. “Since we were born before Nero interfered in this time line, it seems logical that our biology is the same. Although it is still a few year away, I can assure you, that you will experience the pon farr and continue to experience it every seven years like any other Vulcan.”
“I see,” was all Spock said as he tried to recover from his shock. The older vulcan’s words felt a bit like a death sentence. Spock had always hoped to avoid the pon farr, now it seemed it was inevitable that his logic would be ripped away from him, and he was a little afraid that even when it was over, he would never get it back. It was, he reminded himself an irrational fear, as the other Spock proved.
“I should add,” Spock Prime continued. “That although you will experience it, you can over come it. There are meditational techniques that can enable you to survive without a mate. Although this is a dangerous risk for most, I can assure you that you are capable of this. However, the life of a Vulcan without a mate is a difficult one. I would carefully consider if it is the path you wish to follow.”
“Fascinating,” Spock replied. Despite his discomfort with the subject he had listened intently to everything the older Spock said looking for something to help him in his decision. “You imply that my only choices are to marry T’Pring or to live without a mate. Nyota does not seem to enter into your considerations.”
“Nyota?” Spock Prime asked. “You mean Lieutenant Uhura?”
“Indeed. I take it that you never engaged in a romantic relationship with her.”
“No,” Spock Prime answered with a hint of surprise. “We were good friends, when she came aboard the Enterprise I saw her promise and attempted to mentor her, but it never went any further than that. Curious, in my time line she was not yet part of the Enterprise’s crew.”
“And she was not your aide at the Academy?” Spock asked, curious about the life the other version of himself had led.
“No. Although I taught at the Academy several times durning my career, I did not beginning teaching until about ten years from now. Curious, you career seems to have departed from my own at some unknown prior point.”
There was a moment of silence as they both considered the possibilities.
“The Kelvin,” both Spock’s said at once.
“Most of the crew of the Kelvin did survive Nero’s attack,” Spock thought out loud.
“But without the Kelvin,” Spock Prime continued. “There were suddenly more officers than billets. Starfleet would have had to place them in a variety of other duty stations, thus changing the available opportunities and effecting the career of almost every member of Starfleet for the last twenty five years.”
“Placing myself and Lieutenant Uhura at the Academy at the same time,” Spock finished.
“As you said, fascinating,” Spock Prime agreed. “It seems you have more to consider than I was aware. I shall leave you to find your own path. However, I shall be most curious to see where that path takes you.”
“Of course,” Spock answered. “It is only logical that you should be curious. I shall keep you informed.”
The two Spocks nodded to each other and ended the communication.
With the silence of his quarters restored, Spock tried to return to his meditation. He only wished that the other Spock had given something that would have made his decision easier.