DISCLAIMER: The Star Trek characters are the
property of Paramount Studios, Inc and Viacom. The
story contents are the creation and property of Djinn and are copyright (c)
2013 by Djinn. This story is Rated R.
The Best is Yet to Come
by
Djinn
Chapel
sidled in next to Spock, ignoring the empty seat across from him in the booth
heÕd chosen in the cafeteria. ÒBuy
a girl a drink?Ó SheÕd waited her
whole life to say that to him and since he was never in a bar, sheÕd damn well
ask it here.
He
looked pointedly at the empty booth seat across from him. ÒThey do not sell alcohol in the
cafeteria, as you well know.
Moreover, you are hardly a girl.Ó
ÒOuch. Just for that IÕm not moving.Ó
ÒNot that I am averse to your company, Christine, but what are you doing?Ó His voice was off, but she was damned if
she could figure out what he was feeling—sheÕd known him too long to
think he didnÕt have emotions, especially after everything that had happened
lately.
ÒWell,
Spock, Command might just wonder if maybe you had a little something to do with
a certain conspiracy. But if Command
did think that, I would never tell you.
Got it?Ó She also wouldnÕt
tell him that a fellow Emergency Ops officer, Ray Nottam, had told Command they
should leave him alone and start looking at the man who was fucking one of the
traitors. Ray was a goddamned
idiot—even if she fully sympathized with him being sick of the whole
Òunder suspicionÓ scenario.
SheÕd
been questioned, too. Before Ray had. And it had been beyond unpleasant.
ÒAh.Ó Spock slid his plate over so she could
take what she wanted.
She
helped herself to a bell pepper slice.
ÒYou would never have done this back in the day. I would have been a quivering mass of
happiness if you had.Ó
ÒI
was going to come see you as soon as I finished eating.Ó
ÒOh,
yeah? Why, pray tell?Ó
ÒI,
too, would never tell you if you were also suspected of being part of the
conspiracy.Ó
ÒOh. Great.Ó She sighed—Security had told her
she was okay to resume her duties.
Did they still suspect her after everything? ÒDo you want me to move to the other seat? WeÕre getting a lot of stares.Ó
ÒI
do not care.Ó
She
studied his expression. He actually
seemed not to care. ÒOkey dokey. Here IÕll stay, then.Ó She reached for an olive on his plate,
but he gave her a hard look that stopped her. ÒI forgot how you get about sharing your
olives. HavenÕt really had a pizza
with you since when? Valeris?Ó
He
pushed the olive toward her. ÒTake
it if it will prevent you from speaking of her.Ó
ÒHmmm. How badly do I want it?Ó She took it before he could change his
mind. ÒIÕm not going to ask, Spock,
if you were a member of the conspiracy because I know it would be an asinine
question. You stopped the goddamned
thing.Ó
ÒIndeed.Ó He moved his other olives to the far
side of the plate, pushed some of the mutant tiny corncobs toward her.
ÒWhen
I was a kid, I used to think you had to eat those like corn on the cob. My brother would make so much fun of
me.Ó She sighed. Thinking of Tom always made her sad;
heÕd died far too young.
ÒWere
you involved in the conspiracy, Christine?Ó He was staring at her in a way that made
her wish she had chosen the seat opposite instead of right next to him. How long had they served together? He thought she might be involved?
ÒNo,
Spock, I wasnÕt.Ó
ÒYou
were CartwrightÕs protŽgŽ.Ó
ÒAnd
you were ValerisÕs lover. I think
your guilt potential trumps mine. I
didnÕt meld with my boss. I assume
you melded with your golden girl.Ó
His
face tightened, which was quite a trick considering heÕd started out at stone
face.
ÒThe
admiral never even dangled the idea in front of me. IÕd have told him to get lost—and would
have reported him.Ó
ÒI
see.Ó
ÒYou
donÕt see. You donÕt see at all, do
you?Ó She leaned in. ÒHow happy was I finding out it was your
slut-o-rama who was his pick for coconspirator? The answer—in case youÕre
unsure—is pretty goddamn happy.Ó
ÒShe
was not promiscuous.Ó His look told
her he was comparing his former love to her.
Chapel
liked to have fun—big whoop.
It wasnÕt like Spock had ever tried to lock anything down with her;
sheÕd have gladly given him fidelity in exchange for love, not just sex.
ÒValeris
was sleeping with Cartwright, Spock.
She cheated on you all the time.
So wake up and smell the Ôshe used youÕ coffee.Ó
He
exhaled slowly—and pretty loudly.
ÒHow do you know she was sleeping with Cartwright?Ó
ÒHe
told me. When he asked me to work
on Jim, to ask for clemency for her.
He argued she was just a foot soldier compared to him. But I could see it in his eyes. Love. I asked him point blank. He didnÕt lie.Ó
ÒAs
Valeris and Cartwright are now on Rura Penthe, he misjudged your influence on Jim.Ó
ÒOh,
no, I went to him. He briefed the
council in closed session.Ó
ÒI
did not know this.Ó
ÒHe
didnÕt think his request was going to go anywhere. DidnÕt want to raise your hopes that she
might be saved from that place.Ó
Spock
pushed the plate so it was completely in front of her. ÒAnd now he is gone. And I cannot talk to him about it.Ó
ÒI
know. IÕm sorry.Ó
Whatever
hostility he was feeling toward her seemed to drain away slightly. He met her eyes. ÒWere you sleeping with Jim?Ó
ÒSometimes. When we both needed to blow off some
steam.Ó
ÒNothing
more?Ó
ÒWhat? Are you jealous? He was in space, and I was here. A casual thing seemed best. He knew I still loved you.Ó Idiot that she was.
ÒYour
constancy is commendable.Ó
ÒOr
pathetic. Take your pick.Ó
ÒAnd
yet every time I am on Earth I see you with a different man.Ó
ÒWhy
are you looking?Ó She laughed at
his expression. ÒAnd if you were
really paying attention, youÕd see me with a few women, too. IÕm flexible that way.Ó She finished off all but one of the
olives. ÒTake it. You know you want it.Ó
He
shook his head, so she took it for herself.
ÒSo,Ó
she asked, Òwhat will you tell whoever it was in security who thought I was
involved?Ó
ÒI
did not say it was security that thought so.Ó
She
studied him. Finally, the hostility
made sense. ÒAhhh. You think so.Ó
ÒYou
were ValerisÕs friend. Although
given what you just said, I wonder if you were more than that.Ó
ÒI
wasnÕt. I wasnÕt really even her
friend. More...her mentor. She knew I liked you and went for you
anyway. ThatÕs not a great way to
cement a friendship.Ó
ÒYou
had no claim on me.Ó
ÒThereÕs
a pizza place that delivered quite a few nights to my place that would beg to
differ. Hell, I even ate vegetarian
toppings for you.Ó She slid out of
the seat. ÒDo you actually think I
was involved?Ó
He
gave her a half-shrug that spoke volumes.
ÒThatÕs
great. Nothing like trust.Ó She met his eyes, tried to make sure
there was not a trace of hurt in hers, but probably failed miserably.
He
seemed to see the hurt; his expression softened. ÒChristine, I melded with Valeris on a
regular basis and was still blindsided.
Is it such a stretch that you, too, could have fooled me? Especially as I did...reject you.Ó
ÒYouÕve
rejected me as long as IÕve known you.
IÕve never, ever betrayed you.
Look to your damn Vulcan women for that.Ó She stood up as straight as she
could. ÒAmbassador, whatever it is
you do next, wherever you go: take care of yourself.Ó
ÒYou
as well.Ó As she turned to leave,
he murmured, ÒChristine?Ó
She
looked back at him.
ÒA
meld would settle this.Ó
ÒA
meld like what you did to Valeris?
I heard about that from Ny. Valeris
moaned in pain from what I understand—a full Vulcan showing pain? And you—you hurt the woman you
love. What in GodÕs name would you
do to me?Ó She took a step
back. ÒLeave me alone.Ó
ÒI
cannot promise that.Ó
She
hated that she swallowed hard, couldnÕt control the reflex. Fear—goddamn fear. Just when she thought things were
finally starting to blow over.
And
from someone sheÕd thought she could trust.
Would
she never wise up?
##
Spock
saw Christine sitting with Commander Nottam in the auditorium. As another of CartwrightÕs protŽgŽs,
Nottam had been under particular scrutiny after the conspiracy.
There
were seats free all around where they sat.
No one seemed to want to be guilty by association.
Spock
walked over to them, nodded, and asked, ÒIs this seat free?Ó
Christine
gave him a hard look. ÒUh,
yeah. You might get conspiracy
leprosy from us, though. So think
carefully.Ó
He
sat next to her. ÒI remember a time
on the ship when you chose to sit next to me when no one else did.Ó
ÒOh,
you mean when Lester took KirkÕs body over and tried to have you executed? Good memories, Spock. Thanks.Ó She glanced at Nottam who was reading
his padd and did not seem to be paying any attention to them. ÒIÕm stupid that way, I guess. I hate seeing my friends ostracized.Ó
ÒHe
is just a friend?Ó Spock kept his
voice pitched very low.
ÒNone
of your goddamn business.Ó She gave
him a smile that was in no way friendly, and then turned her attention to the
podium.
He
did the same and tried not to let the fact that Christine leaned over
occasionally to comment to Nottam distract him from the speaker.
Tried
and failed.
Was
she doing this on purpose? And if
so, was it for the benefit of those around him, to show her support for Nottam,
or was it for SpockÕs benefit? To
make him jealous in some fashion.
Or was it for herself—because no one would sit with her, either.
There
was another option: both Christine
and Nottam could have been involved in the conspiracy and knew that the best
way to show innocence was to flaunt their willingness to be seen together
rather than trying to hide. HeÕd sensed
no evidence of ChristineÕs involvement in the meld heÕd forced on Valeris, but
that didnÕt mean she wasnÕt involved.
Conspirators often kept cells sequestered from each other to improve
security.
He
would not know if Christine were involved until he melded with her.
But
Command had cleared her. Why could
he not accept that?
ValerisÕs
face swam in his memory. HeÕd melded
with her often. SheÕd hidden everything
from him—apparently even that she was sleeping with Cartwright. And sheÕd had less reason to be
disaffected by the Klingons than Christine did.
ChristineÕs
brother had been killed when Klingons raided the outpost he was stationed
on. SheÕd been a teenager.
SheÕd
told Spock this after a Pon Farr. It had never seemed incriminatory until
now. When hatred of Klingons was
perhaps a reason for ruining ValerisÕs life.
He
realized that everyone else was laughing at something the speaker had
said—he had let his own issues interfere with his ability to be present
and professional. This was
unacceptable.
Christine
leaned over to Nottam again, and Spock forced himself to find peace with it,
but he had to dig his fingers into his palm to do it.
Why
had Christine come to him in the cafeteria? If Command had not sent her—and
Spock could not very well ask—then had it been a Òballsy,Ó as Jim would
have said, move to preempt SpockÕs questions?
Spock
saw Admiral Nih a few rows down in the
auditorium. She and Spock had
served together on PikeÕs Enterprise,
when she was a security officer.
Now she was head of Starfleet security. If anyone would know about this, it was
she.
ÒYou
okay?Ó Christine asked softly, and looked pointedly at his clasped hands as if
she knew he was having trouble maintaining his composure.
He
nodded, pretending that he was focused on the speaker. Who was this speaker? He had forgotten to get a program.
He
bit back a sigh. Since heÕd lost
Jim, he had not been at his best.
Truthfully, even before, after ValerisÕs revelation as a traitor, he had
been distracted.
And
angry. He was angry—he should
just admit that, if only to himself.
He wanted to make someone pay for how much he hurt.
Hurt. Emotions. Would his father feel this way had he
been in the same circumstances?
He
could tell Christine was looking at him again. He ignored her.
The
speaker finished and a break was called. Spock hurried out, not looking back as he
left Command—and Christine—as far behind as he could while still
staying in the same city.
##
ChapelÕs
chime rang and she groaned. She was
off after a long day. Who the hell
wanted her now? ÒIdentify guest.Ó
The
apartmentÕs security system took an awfully long time to say, ÒAmbassador
Spock.Ó
Had
he not wanted to identify himself?
Shit. She did not need this
now. ÒRequest privacy.Ó
ÒOverride
attempt in process.Ó
Was
he fucking insane? She hurried to
her desk, pulled out the phaser sheÕd requisitioned in a rather irregular
manner after Starfleet security had gotten done with her Òquestioning,Ó and
told the door to open. ÒWhat the
hell do you think youÕre doing?Ó
He
turned to her. ÒI assumed your unit
would notify you I was breaking in.Ó
He raised an eyebrow, then seemed to realize she was holding the phaser,
and the eyebrow went even higher.
ÒAre you authorized to have that?Ó
ÒAuthorization
is such a complicated word.Ó She
waved him in. ÒWhat do you want?Ó
ÒI
told you what I want in the cafeteria.
I wish to meld.Ó
ÒWhy?Ó She stepped farther away
from him. ÒSo you can blame
someone—anyone—else for what Valeris did? I wasnÕt involved. Starfleet cleared me.Ó She could hear panic in her voice, knew
her hand was shaking.
ÒI
do not believe they were thorough.Ó
ÒAfter
everything weÕve been through? The Pon Farrs IÕve endured for
you?Ó She steadied the phaser by
grabbing her hand and holding it up.
ÒYou donÕt trust me?Ó
ÒChristine. I know Admiral Nih
quite well. If you will not let me meld
with you voluntarily, I can ask her to reopen your case.Ó
She
felt like she was back in the Starfleet holding cell. Nowhere to go but into the room with
that chair that hurt so goddamn bad that sheÕd told Nih
and the other questioners everything sheÕd ever thought about anyone.
It
had been new tech. ÒBorrowedÓ from the
Cardassians, Nih had told
her, under unusual circumstances that the admiral couldnÕt go into, as she was
sure Chapel would understand.
TheyÕd never tried it on a human before. Nih had said
Chapel was helping them find the baselines.
Said
it like Chapel was there voluntarily, helping out science for the good of
mankind not being goddamned tortured. By the time Ray got to the chair, theyÕd
learned to turn it down...a lot.
But heÕd told her heÕd screamed, that heÕd thrown Spock under the bus in
a fit of rage at what theyÕd been doing to him.
Even
though Spock was innocent.
If
she could believe in Spock, why couldnÕt he believe in her?
She
saw the resolve on his face. She
knew that look from all the years sheÕd served with him. It was always for someone else, that
resolve. Always to save someone
else, to love someone else. Even if
they were a confirmed traitor.
Why
did Chapel never rate such effort and loyalty?
She
lowered the phaser. ÒDo your
worst.Ó
He
seemed surprised at her capitulation and studied her. ÒWhat?Ó
ÒOkay. Fine. Do it.Ó Her voice was shaking and she swallowed
hard and visibly—hated she was showing so much weakness to him.
ÒChristine,
I will not hurt you.Ó
ÒYeah,
thatÕs what Nih said. Only she was lying.Ó She dropped the phaser on the floor and
walked to the couch. ÒJust get this
over with.Ó
He
moved slowly, as if he was afraid he would spook her. She had a sick feeling, starting in her
stomach and roiling up to her throat, which felt like it was closing down.
ÒShhhh.Ó He sat
next to her, reached for her face and she flinched back. ÒChristine, shhh.Ó He touched her cheek but not for the
meld; he was only wiping a tear away.
She
was crying? Shit.
ÒI
hate you,Ó she murmured as she reached up and pressed his fingers into where
she thought the psi points were.
ÒJust finish this and get out of here.Ó
ÒWhat
did they do to you?Ó He eased his
fingers out from under hers and pulled the throw she kept on the back of the
couch down, wrapping her up in it.
ÒYou are shaking.Ó
ÒSee
for yourself. How not thorough they
were.Ó She closed her eyes. ÒDo it, Spock. Damn you. You wanted this. Do it.Ó
He
touched the psi points, and she could barely feel his fingers, then he pressed
in slowly, his mind touch very gentle but still there. Still invading. Still potentially hurting her.
She
realized she was crying again. Damn
it all. She hated this, hated
living like this, like the world was going to come crashing in on her.
When she hadnÕt done a goddamn thing wrong.
ÒChristine,
shhhh.Ó
Cold,
she was so cold.
ÒShhh, I will not hurt you.Ó With his other hand he pulled the throw
more tightly around her.
She
didnÕt fight him. Tried to remember
everything from the detention facility to make it easier for him to find, to
make this go faster.
He
gave a sharp intake of air as he surfed her memories, then dove in deeper in
certain parts. She realized he was
horrified at her treatment. He
started to pull away, but she slammed his fingers harder into her face.
ÒFinish
it,Ó she said, trying to reinforce the words with the emotions she was sending
to him in the meld. ÒLook for your
proof.Ó
He
hesitated. She could feel a new
emotion from him as his consciousness sat merged with hers. Uncertainty. Finally, he was going to give her a
break and believe her?
ÒI
mean it, Spock. I want no
doubt. I know you donÕt trust me,
even if youÕre suddenly not so sure you should be doing this. I want you to exhaust every possibility. So look for it.Ó
He
was extraordinarily gentle as he began to hunt. She let go, tried to float and not fight
him. Let him see how jealous she
was of Valeris, how angry she was with him for not choosing her. TheyÕd spent time together after his
last Pon Farr.
Significant time. It had
meant something to her—sheÕd thought it had to him, too.
And
then heÕd left her for that goddamned traitor.
Spock
eased free of her mind. ÒI am
sorry.Ó
ÒGet
out.Ó
He
didnÕt move. ÒI am concerned by the
treatment you received from Admiral Nih.Ó
ÒYour
concern means so much to me.Ó She moved
away from him and lay down at the other end of the couch, her legs drawn up tight,
the throw around her. She was
freezing. Once he was gone, sheÕd
turn the temperature up in the apartment, but she wouldnÕt give him that. WouldnÕt let him know how scared sheÕd
been.
Although
he knew. The goddamned meld told
him everything—probably more than he wanted to know.
ÒSpock,
please go.Ó Her voice was
quivering. Goddamnit,
could she not grow a pair of balls, now of all times?
ÒI
may lodge a complaint.Ó
She
sat up and stared at him. ÒAgainst Nih? On my
behalf?Ó
He
nodded.
ÒAnd
then youÕll be gone. And IÕll be
here on the wrong side of the head of fucking Starfleet security. Are you nuts?Ó She got up and went into the kitchen,
tried to open a beer, but her hands were shaking too much.
ÒLet
me.Ó He eased her aside and opened the
bottle. Then he backed away and
gave her some space.
She
chugged half the bottle down, expected some censure from him, but he only
watched her with what looked like concern.
ÒYou can go now Spock. How
many ways do I have to say that?Ó
ÒYou
did not have to warn me that Nottam had given my name to security.Ó
ÒI
shouldnÕt have. Stupid emotional
need to see you. I think I actually
believed youÕd want me now that youÕre free of Valeris.Ó She carried the beer into the living
room and stared out the window. ÒI
never learn when it comes to you.Ó
She
felt empty inside. Empty and cold
and in need of more than one beer.
ÒI donÕt know if you saw this in the meld but I ran into a friend today. Found myself in line behind her in the
cafeteria. I said hello, and she
suddenly had forgotten something.
Would see me later.Ó She
took a long swig of beer. ÒIÕm
poison.Ó
ÒI
can help you change that.Ó
ÒI
donÕt want your pity.Ó She turned
to look at him. ÒI wanted your
love. Your trust and respect I
thought I had. Guess I thought
wrong.Ó She inhaled raggedly, tried
to master the exhale so it was steadier—tried to not cry again. ÒPlease go, Spock.Ó
He
nodded and walked away from her.
When he reached the door, he turned and said, ÒYou have my utmost respect.Ó
ÒFat
lot of good that does me.Ó She kept
her face as emotionless as she could until the door closed behind him, and she
could fall apart in peace.
##
Spock
walked the city, unsure what to do.
The meld with Christine had left him shaken.
He
had wanted her to be guilty, to be at fault for ValerisÕs decisions, but she
was not.
Valeris
was to blame for her own decisions.
And Spock was at fault for not seeing what had been right in front of
him the whole time. HeÕd been in
love with a traitor. And judging
from what heÕd seen on CartwrightÕs face in ChristineÕs memories, Valeris had
been an unfaithful traitor as well.
He
returned to his apartment, tried to sleep but could not. Finally, he settled for meditating until
it was time to report in. He had
meetings all morning, and when he went into the cafeteria, he saw Christine
sitting alone.
He
got his food and slid into the seat opposite her in the booth.
She
gave him a wide smile but it did not carry to her eyes. ÒYou here to work on my reputation?Ó Her smile got wider and she laughed a
little louder than she might otherwise.
ÒIÕm not going to tell you to get the hell out of this booth because IÕm
not stupid. My reputation does need
a revamp and youÕre the best person to do it.Ó She leaned in, pitched her voice lower,
the smile never leaving her face.
ÒBut just so weÕre clear: I
fucking hate you.Ó
He
found it entirely unnerving that her smile never wavered as she said the
words. Or the many other words that
followed as she spent the next few minutes telling him exactly what she thought
of him. All while occasionally
saying, ÒOkay, talk for a moment.
This shouldnÕt look like a goddamn monologue.Ó
She
leaned back.
ÒAre
you finished?Ó
ÒFor
now.Ó She pushed her tray
away. ÒIÕm suddenly not hungry.Ó She looked rather obviously at the clock
on the wall and got up. ÒIÕve got
to get back to work. It was so good
to see you.Ó
Again the words and the smile did not go with the steel in her eyes.
He
watched her go, wondering how long sheÕd been working on the list of his
shortcomings. And how sheÕd managed
to fit so many expletives into the inventory.
ÒSpock.Ó Admiral Nih
walked up. ÒLooks like you lost
your lunch companion. You want a
replacement?Ó
ÒPlease.Ó
She
sat and smiled—a real smile that reached her eyes. ÒNot that I want to tell you who to
associate with, but Chapel may not be the best bet.Ó
ÒYou
cleared Christine.Ó
NihÕs smile changed.
ÒAh, Christine is it? You
two go way back. I get that. And she looks like Number One. I remember how you used to follow her
around like a little puppy back in the day.Ó
Spock
bit back any sign of a frown, but felt the assessment was unfair. He had never followed her around like
that.
Nih leaned in. ÒShe
may look like Number One, but sheÕs lacking in the kick-ass department. I could never have gotten our former
first officer into my interrogation room.Ó
ÒI
have seen what happened in your room.Ó
He did not try to keep the censure out of his voice.
ÒYou
do love mind melding with traitors, donÕt you?Ó She laughed, the sound mean and small,
and not what he would ever have expected from her.
ÒChristine
is not a traitor. You know that and
so do I.Ó
ÒNo,
I suppose sheÕs not. But she could
have been. We both know that,
too.Ó Her tone was very casual as
she asked, ÒDid she complain about the interrogation?Ó
ÒI
am complaining. Such a device is
appalling.Ó
ÒSo
was killing the Klingon chancellor.
Trying to disrupt the peace process. Betraying everything we stand for.Ó She leaned back. ÒWe had to know, Spock. We obtained
this device knowing the Cardassians had a lot of luck
with it.Ó
ÒI
do not consider that an endorsement.
Their methods are often appalling.Ó
ÒYes. But they work.Ó Her expression finally relaxed and she
looked like the officer heÕd served with so many years ago. ÒRelax, Spock. Your girlfriendÕs off the hook. I came over to talk to you about you,
not about her.Ó
He
decided not to correct NihÕs choice of labels for
Christine. ÒThen a change of
subject is in order.Ó
She
laughed. ÒIndeed it is. So who have you seen from the old gang
recently?Ó
The
rest of the lunch passed much more comfortably, as they caught up and let talk
of traitors rest.
##
Chapel
was looking at the note Jan had sent her.
The CMO slot on the Excelsior
was opening up. TheyÕd push for her
to get it if she wanted it.
God. Her life really was in the toilet if
Sulu and Jan thought she needed rescuing from the far side of the
quadrant. Although it was very
sweet of them, and if she wanted to go back into medicine, sheÕd say yes.
But she didnÕt. She wanted to stay
in Ops—hell, she wanted to run
Ops. She was in this field for real
now. She loved it, and hated it too
some days, but it was exhilarating—and home.
She
saw Admiral Nih come into the Ops bay and stiffened
involuntarily. The woman gave her
the goddamn creeps now. SheÕd used
to consider her one of the good guys.
A pleasure to deal with, professional and funny to boot.
Now...
Nih walked over to her station. ÒChapel.Ó
Once
upon a time sheÕd called her Christine.
ÒSir?Ó
ÒLetÕs
walk.Ó
ÒWhere,
sir?Ó
ÒDoes
it matter? I want to talk to you.Ó
Chapel
set her station status to ÒAwayÓ and followed Nih out
of Ops. She didnÕt fill the
silence, didnÕt want to give Nih that—show the
nerves that were right now making her want to make small talk just to ease some
of the tension between them.
Nih finally turned to look at her. ÒYou seem to have a problem with your
interrogation. Spock put in a
complaint on your behalf.Ó
She
closed her eyes and planned how to murder Spock the next time she saw him. ÒI told him not to.Ó
Nih stopped walking.
ÒWhy?Ó Her smile turned
ugly. ÒIt wasnÕt because you
understood why we had to do it, was it?
It was because youÕre afraid of me and the rest of my people.Ó
ÒYou
have a little too much power right now.
A little too much leeway.Ó
Nih started to smile.
A strange smile. As if she
was proud of her. ÒThatÕs the
Christine I remember. Not the woman
who whimpered in my chair.Ó
ÒYou
get in that chair at the settings you put me on. I dare you not to whimper.Ó She felt rage building. God damn it all, what the hell was this?
ÒI
did, actually.Ó
ÒWhat?Ó
ÒAfter
Spock said something to me, I got in the chair and I had them turn it up to
what you had.Ó She lifted her lips
in some sort of contemptuous half smile.
ÒI didnÕt whimper.Ó
ÒI
donÕt believe you.Ó
ÒNo,
I suppose you donÕt.Ó She pulled a
padd out, handed it to Chapel.
ÒLook familiar?Ó
A
woman who looked very much like Chapel filled the screen. Only ChapelÕs hair had never been dark
when she was the age of this woman.
The uniform the other woman was wearing was of a style that marked it as
before her time. ÒI donÕt
understand.Ó
ÒHer
name was...hell, who cares what her real name was. She went by Number One. She served with Spock.Ó
Chapel
met NihÕs eyes.
ÒSo?Ó
ÒSpock
had a thing for her. She had a
thing for the captain. I was there
to watch.Ó
ÒAnd
you had a thing for Spock, didnÕt you?Ó
Nih shrugged.
ÒDidnÕt matter. He only had
eyes for her.Ó She cocked her head,
seemed to be studying Chapel. ÒTell
me, IÕve seen pictures of you in your service record. You werenÕt always brunette. Did Spock show any interest in you when
you werenÕt?Ó
Chapel
felt her mouth tightening and forced herself to relax. ÒHe hasnÕt shown much interest either
way. Do you have something official
you want to talk about, Admiral? Because
youÕre starting to seem more than a little unprofessional.Ó
ÒYou
talk a good game, Christine, but youÕre not anything like Number One. ThatÕs what IÕm saying. And IÕm telling you this because I think
you need to realize it. I know I
gave you a hard time in that chair, but you were the most logical person to
have been involved. IÕm just trying
to do you a favor. Give you some
background on Spock.Ó
ÒI
donÕt believe you.Ó
Nih shrugged. ÒYou
should take that posting on Excelsior.Ó
ÒThat
was a private message.Ó
ÒNo
such thing, Commander. You agree to
monitoring of all comms on Starfleet channels when
you sign up—or didnÕt you read the fine print?Ó Nih handed her
the padd. ÒKeep it. Show it to Spock. See what he says.Ó
ÒSpock
and I arenÕt together.Ó
ÒThen
you wonÕt mind leaving him behind.Ó
Nih patted her arm—a gesture that felt
patronizing, not comforting. ÒYou
may have been cleared, but there is no way youÕll be getting a sensitive post
right now. People are too
jumpy—we missed things the first time, no way weÕre going to put
CartwrightÕs protŽgŽs in vital roles.
Nottam has already been assigned to the Enterprise. Good
posting for him. CMO on Excelsior would be good for you,
too. Think about it.Ó Nih turned and
walked off.
Chapel
watched her go. Then she turned and
walked down to the suite of offices given to diplomats and those who didnÕt
have permanent space at Command. It
took her a while, but she eventually found Spock.
He
looked wary. Probably worried she
might continue her list from the other day of all his annoying habits and
actions.
She
held up her hand. ÒI want you to
meld with me again.Ó
ÒWhy?Ó
ÒNih wants me off Earth. Way off Earth. I think she wanted me to think this was
personal, that she liked you, but IÕm not sure that was it.Ó
ÒShe
has never shown the kind of interest you did.Ó
ÒSome
people are more subtle than I was, Spock.
Hell, most people are more subtle than I was.Ó She closed his door, then sat across
from him. ÒShe made sure I was the
first one in that chair. But there
were other people—cronies of Cartwright—with more access that
logically should have been questioned before me. Now she wants me gone. I just wonder whatÕs in my mind she
wanted to find—what she thought I might spill.Ó
ÒIt
is an odd confluence of events.Ó
ÒYeah. And she was always nice to me,
Spock. Before all this. I really liked her—felt like she
had my back. This is...weird.Ó She sighed. ÒWill life never settle down?Ó
ÒI
am sorry.Ó
ÒSulu
wants me for CMO. I should take
it. Just get the hell out of
here. IÕm not sure IÕm strong
enough to keep being defiant.Ó
ÒYou
are.Ó He got up, walked around the
desk, and sat next to her. ÒI can
come tonight if you wish.Ó
She
nodded but didnÕt meet his eyes.
ÒPerhaps
it would lift your spirits to detail my shortcomings some more?Ó
She
laughed and looked over at him.
ÒIÕm sorry about that. I was
really angry.Ó
ÒI
ascertained that rather quickly.Ó
His eyes were light. ÒMost
of what you said was true.Ó
ÒThat
doesnÕt mean it needed to be said.Ó
She closed her eyes. ÒIÕm so
tired. I feel like IÕve been
sleeping with one eye open ever since the conspiracy was exposed.Ó
ÒTell
Sulu you will come, then. Leave
this alone. Do what Nih wants.Ó
She
handed him the padd. ÒShe gave me
this.Ó
ÒNumber
One. She was first officer on the Enterprise when I was first assigned
there.Ó
ÒWere
you in love with her?Ó
ÒI
was not. I did, however, consider
her a mentor.Ó
ÒI
look like her.Ó She traced the
outline of the woman. ÒSheÕs
prettier though.Ó
ÒYou
do resemble her greatly.Ó
ÒIs
that why you never wanted me?
Because I wasnÕt her?Ó
ÒNo. I have struggled with who I am for
decades, Christine. And always it
seemed the ideal for me was on Vulcan, with Vulcans. I left Leila behind, as well.Ó
She
nodded. She remembered seeing him
with her on the planet. Swinging
from trees. Having fun.
Making
love.
He
touched her cheek. ÒTÕPring was
something done to me. But I chose Gol on my own.
Chose Valeris because she seemed to offer a balance of fitting in with
humans while retaining essential Vulcan attributes that I often felt in danger
of losing.Ó
ÒGuess
you need to go find a new Vulcan.Ó
She waved the padd away when he tried to hand it back. ÒI donÕt want it. SheÕs your past. What do I care?Ó
ÒDo
you want me to come over tonight?Ó
She
thought about that. Felt the sick
feeling in her stomach that had been with her for weeks start up again. She was tired of that sick feeling. Maybe whatever Spock did—or did
not—find would set her free.
She
could leave if she wanted to, then.
Go to Jan and Sulu where sheÕd be welcome.
ÒYes,Ó
she finally said.
He
nodded as if heÕd expected that to be her answer. ÒI will see you at seven.Ó
She
nodded and left him alone.
##
Spock
rang for admittance at ChristineÕs door and considered the conversation heÕd
had with Nih.
She was a casual acquaintance these days—their lunch had been the
first in over a year—and she had never struck him as overly interested in
him in any romantic way.
Her
comment about him following Number One like a juvenile canine was perplexing,
especially since he had looked to Number One as a mentor to help him find
balance between what he had left behind on Vulcan and the new life he was
trying to shape in Starfleet. HeÕd
always known she was interested in Captain Pike, and had been untroubled by it
as heÕd had no romantic interest in her.
Although
it had been a bit of a shock the first time heÕd seen Christine. She could be Number OneÕs twin in looks
if not attitude.
The
door opened and Christine stood there, no phaser this time. He could not read her expression.
She
backed away, leaving room for him. ÒCome
in.Ó
He
walked in. HeÕd spent considerable
time in this apartment with her after his last Pon
Farr. Before the lure of things
Vulcan pulled him away and to Valeris.
Christine
thought she was a fool for never getting over him, but was he not a fool for
continually making the same mistake?
HeÕd been on retreat on Vulcan—trying to get over his anger at
ValerisÕs actions—when the Enterprise-B
had launched. HeÕd been invited to
the launch, should have been there.
He had let Jim down because he could not accept the betrayal of a
Vulcan. How could he have been
surprised that she would turn on him?
After his brotherÕs actions stealing the ship? After TÕPring and Stonn? After TÕPau
tricking Jim into fighting him without knowing the cost? After even his fatherÕs often
inexplicable obstinacy when it came to matters between Spock and him.
Who
was the fool here?
Christine
walked to the kitchen, to where a glass of wine sat on the counter. She saw him looking at it, smiled somewhat
warily. ÒIÕm nervous. I thought this would help me relax. Do you want something? Water? Juice?Ó She looked down. ÒJesus, I sound like a shuttle
attendant.Ó
ÒI
am fine. And you are gracious. Finish the wine so we can begin.Ó
She
nodded but didnÕt drink. ÒI never
answered your question the other day.
Ray Nottam isnÕt one of my lovers.
I follow JimÕs rules—donÕt shit in the nest.Ó
ÒI
see.Ó
She
laughed, the sound extraordinarily bitter.
ÒAnd you donÕt give a damn, do you?
God, why did I even tell you?
I told you: IÕm nervous.Ó
ÒI
asked you about Nottam. So clearly
I do give a damn.Ó
She
shot him a look, then started to laugh.
ÒI donÕt think IÕve ever heard you swear.Ó
It
was good to see her smile, a real one that made her eyes sparkle and the skin
crinkle. ÒYou needed me to.Ó
ÒI
did.Ó She pushed the glass of wine
aside. ÒI think IÕm ready.Ó
He
held his hand out to her, and she stared at it in what was clearly
surprise. Finally, she took it and
let him lead her to the couch.
ÒI
will not hurt you.Ó
She
nodded. ÒYou didnÕt last time.Ó
ÒBut
I forced the meld on you. By
threatening to go to Nih. And IÕm sorry for that.Ó
ÒOkay.Ó She didnÕt meet his eyes.
He
tipped her chin up so she had to.
ÒChristine, I am truly sorry for that.Ó
She
nodded. ÒPlease, just start, all
right? YouÕre really confusing me.Ó
ÒI
do not mean to.Ó He settled in to
the couch, pulled her against him in a way that would support her but still
give him easy access for the meld.
ÒClose your eyes.Ó
She
did, and he settled his fingers on the psi points and slipped easily into her
mind.
He
went slowly, looking for every memory of Nih he could
find. It was tedious work. A bit like browsing through a padd
trying to find specific words in a larger work without benefit of a search
function. She had interacted with Nih more often than he expected. The woman seemed to have taken a liking
to her when she was still at Starfleet Medical, when she had left the Enterprise after VÕger. Nih had been a
patient.
But
there was no link from Nih to Cartwright. Or to West. To Valeris. Until—there.
Spock
stopped at one particular memory. Nih and Cartwright arguing in a corridor far from Ops. Christine had been running to a meeting,
had turned a corner and saw them.
Had
heard them, too. Even if she
probably did not consciously remember.
ÒSheÕs perfect. We need to
put someone close to him. And she
has her own reason for hating them.
Her parents were killed on an outpost. She survived by hiding under the house.Ó
Christine
had thought they were talking about an operation and knew better than to ask
about things she had no business knowing.
But
they were talking about Valeris.
Spock knew her backstory; Christine did not—she had not lied. SheÕd never really been friends with
Valeris. Only a mentor. And not long one of those. Valeris had cut Christine out of her
life as soon as sheÕd taken up with him.
Her
lover. Her mark.
ÒNih was part of the conspiracy,Ó Christine whispered. ÒThis is what she was afraid I would
remember.Ó
ÒYes.Ó He eased out of her mind. ÒThe two of them deciding Valeris should
target me.Ó
ÒI
could have protected you from her.Ó
He
was illogically touched that this was her first thought. ÒI doubt that I would have believed
you.Ó
She
laughed, a bitter sounding expulsion of air. ÒYouÕre right. You were besotted.Ó She drew away from him, putting space
between them on the couch. ÒWhy
canÕt I learn when it comes to you?
How many years have I been carrying this stupid torch?Ó
ÒDecades.Ó
ÒI
didnÕt really want an answer.Ó She
glared at him. ÒIÕm an idiot. In so many ways.Ó She started to get up and he pulled her
back down. ÒWhat?Ó
ÒI
was the fool. Had I stayed with
you, they could not have targeted me.
Who knows how history might have changed?Ó
ÒYou
never stay with me. You never want
me.Ó She jerked her hand away from
him and rose, walking around him with enough room to prevent him from grabbing
her again. She finished the rest of
her wine in a gulp. ÒSo now what?Ó
ÒI
meld with Nih.
And find all the evidence we need.Ó
ÒSpock,
sheÕs a Starfleet admiral. You
canÕt just waltz into her office and force a meld like you did on me. And sheÕs Security, for GodÕs sake. Those guys are loyal. TheyÕll eat you alive if you try to hurt
her.Ó
ÒShe
and I served together. If I ask to
see her in private—tell her that I have some new information on you that
she should know—I see no reason why she would not say yes. A simple shoulder pinch and she will be
out. I can meld with her conscious
or not.Ó
Christine
looked like she was going to argue, then laughed softly. ÒThat just might work.Ó
He
got up and walked over to her. ÒI
will contact her in the morning.Ó
ÒOkay.Ó As he moved closer, she backed into the
kitchen. ÒFine, then. You can go home, right?Ó
ÒI
can. Do you want me to?Ó
For
a moment, her expression went soft, and he thought he saw desire and longing
and a need to connect. Then the
openness was gone, and she shook her head.
ÒThis is my test, Spock. And
IÕm finally going to pass it. No, I
donÕt want you to stay here and use me until you find the next more suitable
woman to leave me for. Go home. Plan your trap on Nih. I need to think about the position on Excelsior.Ó
ÒI
would prefer you stay on Earth.Ó
The words were out before he realized he was saying them. But they were true, so he let them
stand.
ÒYou
donÕt get a vote. Go home, Spock.Ó
He
moved toward her.
She
reached down and suddenly the phaser was pointing at him. ÒDid you think I wouldnÕt keep it where
I could get it? Leave, Spock. WeÕre not doing this.Ó
ÒI
would never force you.Ó
ÒI
know. One touch and you think IÕll
be gone. And knowing me, I probably
would be. Ergo, the phaser. Now, see yourself to the door, would
you?Ó
He
let an eyebrow go up, saw no wavering in her expression. ÒI will talk to you tomorrow then.Ó
ÒFine. Good night.Ó
ÒGood
night, Christine.Ó He let himself
out, heard the doorÕs lock click, saw the privacy notice go up.
She
was quite serious. He felt a
distinct sense of disappointment.
##
Chapel
was just getting into Ops when she saw Nih come
in. ÒAdmiral.Ó
ÒI
need to talk to you. Walk with me.Ó
ÒHavenÕt
we done this dance already?Ó Chapel
didnÕt want to irritate the woman too much—although maybe it would play into
SpockÕs plan if she did. Maybe Nih would want something on her if Chapel was a big enough
pain in the ass.
ÒChapel,
get up and come with me. Or IÕll
have a detachment of security officers down here to bring you to me in
restraints. Is that what you want?Ó
The
scary Nih was back, the woman whoÕd locked her into
that damn chair. Chapel could feel
herself wilting in the face of that memory. She got up and followed Nih out.
Nih scratched her arm as she walked, then grimaced as if sheÕd
gone too hard. She turned a corner
and led Chapel to an elevator that they rode down two levels, to a floor that
Chapel was not authorized to be on.
When she hesitated, Nih said with a sneer,
ÒCome on, Christine. Grow a damn
pair.Ó
Chapel
stepped out and tried to memorize the turns they took in case she needed to
make a run for it. What the hell
happened on this floor anyway?
Nih opened a door, and Chapel saw it—the chair. What was it doing here? There was only one, wasnÕt there? And it was at the detention facility
across town, not here, not at Command.
Not right underneath her every day.
She
tried to back out, felt an electrical pulse surge through her, not enough to
cause unconsciousness, but enough to make her limbs quit working, her reactions
slow down. She heard Nih saying, with what sounded like regret, ÒSorry,
Christine,Ó as she caught her when she slumped. Nih hauled her
to the chair, secured her to the connectors, then walked to the controller
station in a small glass enclosure at the far end of the room.
The
chair started up. Chapel had heard
this particular sound in her nightmares.
It was a low hum, punctuated by strange pounding sounds. The noise started out soft but gradually
built. It would do this until the
pain started, then the sound would change to more of a squeal, the humming and
pounding resuming if a break was called.
ÒSpock
wonÕt be long,Ó Nih said as she came out of the
controller, a phaser trained on the door.
ÒIÕm making it easy for him to enact your master plan to force a confession
from me. DidnÕt it occur to you I
might bug your apartment?Ó
It
hadnÕt. It should have. Jesus, she and Spock had given
everything away. They were both off
their game these days.
There
was a low ping from the door. ÒHere
he is now.Ó Nih
moved out of range of the door, then told it to let Spock in.
He
took several steps, then stopped when he saw Chapel in the chair.
Nih said gently, ÒI doubt you have a phaser on you, Spock. So sure of your shoulder pinch. So sure you can overpower me.Ó
ÒI
can overpower you.Ó He took a step
toward her.
ÒI
have this set to kill. And it wonÕt
be you I shoot.Ó She pointed it at
Chapel.
Chapel
tried to move—the effects of whatever Nih used
to stun her seemed to be wearing off—and said in a voice that barely
wanted to work, ÒShe bugged my apartment, Spock.Ó
He looked sufficiently chagrined to not make her feel as dumb. Neither of them had seen this
coming. But they should have. They could have set a hell of a trap.
ÒI
knew it was just a matter of time once you told me youÕd melded with her. I plan to skedaddle, and I can assure you
that youÕll never see me again.Ó
ÒYou
have this well thought out.Ó
ÒIndeed
I do. My back-up plans have back-up
plans, old friend.Ó
Chapel
closed her eyes. Nih had sounded too much like Jim there, and she thought it
might have been on purpose, to hurt Spock and throw him off balance.
Suddenly,
the noise from the chair changed, and Chapel felt a familiar burning
begin.
Spock
turned to her, moved closer. HeÕd
heard this noise in her memory.
HeÕd know what it meant.
Nih smiled at Spock.
ÒIÕve set it well over the recommended limit. If you thought what I did before was
barbaric, wait till you see what this does to her. The controller to turn it off is in that
room, which youÕll need to break into.
Or you can stop me and let her die.
Your choice.Ó
She
eased around Spock. He stared at
her for a long moment, and Chapel finally said, ÒSpock, stop her. Who knows what sheÕll do if she gets
away, how many people sheÕll hurt.Ó
ÒIndeed,
Spock. Who knows?Ó Nih grinned at
Chapel. ÒAnd wow, when you grow a
pair, you really go all out.Ó
The
pain was starting, working up quickly, much more quickly than before. Chapel clenched her teeth as the pain
turned to agony. She would not
whimper this time. She would not
make one goddamn sound to distract Spock from what he needed to do.
But
he didnÕt go after Nih. He turned and ran for the controller
room. Chapel watched Nih escape as she heard the sound of the controller room
door being broken down, and then the pain finally stopped. She slumped, could feel her heart racing
dangerously fast as sweat ran down her neck and forehead.
ÒComputer,
location of Admiral Nih,Ó Spock said as he came out
of the controller enclosure.
ÒAdmiral
Nih is not on the planet.Ó
ÒOr
sheÕs just ditched her communicator, Spock. Go get her.Ó Chapel tried to say more but started to
cough.
ÒYou
need medical attention. And you
heard what she said—she has no doubt planned well.Ó He helped her out of the chair, seemed
like he was going to pick her up and she said, ÒYou are not carrying me through
the hallways of Starfleet Command.
I can damn well walk.Ó
He
did not argue, but he did slip his arm around her and helped her walk. And by the time they got to Starfleet
Medical, he was very nearly carrying her.
She
passed out as he transferred her to the emergency team. When she woke later in a bed in the
critical care ward, he was still there.
ÒYou
could have stopped her,Ó she said, her voice an ugly croak.
ÒI
did not want to lose you.Ó
ÒSince
when?Ó She shook her head. ÒThe needs of the many, Spock.Ó
ÒI
believe Jim would have said that the needs of the many can go to hell.Ó He cocked an eyebrow at her. ÒI have filled in the CINC as to NihÕs involvement.
He has alerted all Federation members and allies as well as the Klingons. She will find no safe harbor anywhere in
Federation or Klingon space.
Someone will see her and report it—there is a reward.Ó
ÒYou
donÕt want to go look for her? She
was the one who turned Valeris. She
and Cartwright.Ó
ÒOthers
will look. I am exactly where I
should be.Ó He stood and leaned
down, his lips gentle on hers. When
he pulled away, he stroked her hair, his expression tender. ÒI am sorry that it took me so long to
realize that.Ó
ÒKiss
me again like that and IÕll probably forgive you.Ó Sap that she was.
He
leaned down and kissed her with a bit more urgency. She sighed and wrapped her arms around
him. The kiss went on a very long
time.
ÒYouÕre
going to get me in trouble with my doctor.Ó She smiled, and realized the sick
feeling that had been plaguing her all these weeks was gone.
ÒI
would not want to do that.Ó He took
her hand. ÒThey will release you in
a few hours if your readings remain stable. I should see you home, do you not
agree?Ó
ÒSee
me home, and then go?Ó She grinned,
and felt a lightness with him she didnÕt think theyÕd ever had between
them. A lightness not tinged with
the bitterness of all his past actions.
HeÕd
saved her, in direct contradiction of his rules. She mattered now.
And
she liked it a lot.
ÒI
did not plan to leave. Unless you
would prefer that?Ó
She
pretended to be thinking very hard about that. Then she shrugged. ÒOh, all right. If it will make you happy to stay, you
can. I, of course, couldnÕt care
less what you do.Ó
ÒOf
course.Ó He squeezed her hand.
She
squeezed his back.
They
stared at each other like two lovesick teenagers on a first date. To anyone watching they probably looked
like idiots. He pulled her hand up
to his lips, touched down in a soft kiss.
SheÕd
never felt so cherished by him. It was
wonderful. And long overdue.
Something
sheÕd remind him of frequently—later. Right now she wanted to enjoy this
moment of sappiness.
SheÕd
concentrate on just being happy for a while. What a novel idea.
##
##
##
Epilogue:
The
woman who was currently going by the name Nih beamed
into the facility buried deep below a planet that was otherwise barren. Federation and Klingon colonization
efforts always came to naught—primarily because the woman and the rest of
the team she was on made sure nothing thrived on this planet that wasnÕt part
of their experiment.
Their
very long-term experiment.
A
man looked up as she walked into the lab, smiled a greeting but then his smile
faded. ÒWhy did you push her so
hard about Number One? That was
risky.Ó
ÒI
knew I was going to have to move on anyway. In addition to my role in the conspiracy
about to be exposed, this body is starting toÓ—she held up her arm and
pushed back her sleeve—Òwell, see for yourself.Ó
He
made a face. For someone who loved
to tinker with the inner workings of beings, he was so squeamish when it came
to their own bodies breaking down.
ÒIÕll get you a new one.Ó
ÒI
know that you will. You always
do.Ó
ÒAnd
confessing like a bad melodrama villain?Ó
She
smiled. ÒAfter all these years with
them, I got sentimental. I wanted
to give them closure. This body is
toast anyway.Ó She walked over and
sat next to him, watching him do his work—work she barely understood but
then she was an observer, not a scientist.
Her specialty was blending in wherever she went, not manipulating
personality at the cellular level.
Nature
versus nurture. Proclivity versus
cultural norms. That was what they
were working on answering. ÒAs far
as Number One goes, I wanted to see if ChapelÕs conditioning and modifications
would hold. Spock put her through
the ringer. I wasnÕt sure if she
would keep loving him after Valeris, but she did. So I brought out her predecessor as the
final test.Ó
ÒWe
gave Number One every advantage to not succumb to loveÕs drive. But she still did.Ó
ÒShe
did. But she had the self-sacrifice
inclination fully developed, too.
She may not have cared if she lived or died once Pike was injured and
forced her to leave him, but she didnÕt just off herself. She perished saving a world.Ó She smiled down at his work. ÒChapel has something heroic in her, too. She would have died to stop me from
escaping.Ó
ÒFortunately,
Spock chose to save her and not pursue you.Ó
ÒAs
I figured. IÕve known him a long
time. HeÕs had too many losses to
lose her, too. Including the loss
of his old friend Nih—gone bad the same way as
his Valeris. Finally getting Spock
was my goodbye gift to Christine. A
reward for all the pain.Ó She
walked over to where a brown-haired young woman was lying in stasis. ÒThis one never did anything for
me. So cold.Ó
He
rolled his eyes. ÒSheÕs a scientist
to the core. Unlike your little
love machine.Ó
She
ignored the jibe. ÒToo bad this one
couldnÕt be placed. Rather
emotional of you to have let her grow up.Ó
ÒI
like her. And sheÕs easy on the
eyes. When I get bored, I wake her
up and we talk about science.Ó He
sighed. ÒI let emotions drive me,
IÕll admit. I got her ready when
Spock died, not letting things play out to see if heÕd come back to life. Stupid of me considering he was dropped
on the Genesis planet.Ó
ÒYes,
well, we all miscalculate occasionally.Ó
ÒIt
was a waste of resources, though.
ThatÕs what galls me. But I
couldnÕt risk using her so soon if Spock was still around. How many doppelgangers can he see before
he realizes the truth?Ó
ÒI
think a lot.Ó She grinned at him. ÒSo your new one—will she be blind
this time?Ó
ÒNo. But she has to wait. WeÕre looking for the perfect human family
for her. We want her to have all
the advantages. Her natural
aloofness combined with the benefits of wealth should make for an interesting
combo.Ó
ÒI
think it would be more interesting to make her poor. Scraping up any way she could would make
her harder but more acceptable to those around her. No one likes rich people except other
rich people. And even then itÕs
just herd mentality, not real affection.Ó
ÒGood
point. IÕll consider that as I look
over candidates. I may implant this
time. Not help a family who canÕt
conceive.Ó
ÒRisky.Ó
ÒItÕs
for science. IÕve assessed the
risk.Ó He gave her an amused
look. ÒYouÕre not the only one who
can shoot the rapids, my dear.Ó
She
laughed, then looked at the microscope he was using. ÒWill my girl have to wait?Ó
He
smiled. ÒNot long. The heir to the Fifth House of Betazed is having trouble getting his wife pregnant. HeÕs asked for our help.Ó Or the help of the foundations they
ostensibly represented, foundations on many worlds devoted to matters of
fertility.
ÒA
Betazoid? Oh, my.Ó She couldnÕt wait to see what kind of
trouble this one got up to. Love
and Betazoids were a match made in heaven—or
hell. Either way, it would be
interesting.
And
as an observer, that was really all she could ask.
FIN