Conquering Fears
By Bert
Summary: Before Amanda can take the biggest leap of her life, she must
conquer her biggest fear. She chooses her twenty-fifth birthday to make
it happen.
AN: This tale is dedicated to the memory of Jane Wyatt and Mark Lenard. Happy Birthday Jane. If
you have ever seen the scene in ST V, when Spock rescues Kirk from the mountain
with hover boots you have seen these boots.
Disclaimer: As you may or may know, I do not own Star Trek. If I did
Amanda Grayson would be alive and well in both timelines.
The August breeze threatens to tangle the robust tresses of my mink
hair. My normally, neatly pinned hair flows around me as I look to Terra Firma
276.14 meters below. The city of lights looks so calm beneath me.
Day has given way to night as I glance out at the serenity that
surrounds the night. Above me stars tinkle.
My gloved hands brush the field that runs the perimeter of the large
observation deck. I wait for it to be deactivated. I was told years ago the
tower was shielded by fencing and windows. With the invention of force fields
those primitive designs of engineering have been retired, to my good fortune.
My petite feet are clad with a new special designed boot. They were
engineered for exactly what I had in mind. Still in the developmental stage I
laugh as I hear my father’s voice now, “Amanda Jane Grayson, have you entirely
lost all sense of reason.” I know he isn’t there. He is thankfully,
approximately 9100 kms away. To keep the wind from
chilling my body too deeply, I wear special flowing windbreaker suit.
I smile politely at the guard who passes me. He has no inclination of
what I am about to do-only one person knows, and he awaits me at the bottom.
Even he seemed…apprehensive when I told him my plans. He used logic to try to
persuade me not to attempt such a feet. I would have
no part of it. It isn’t for the glory I do the things I do. I do then for the
rush. My granddad would say I am a thrill seeker. Besides today I celebrate the
twenty-fifth year of my birth.
Watching the guard round the squared corner of the observation deck and
take the lift down, I know I am alone for the moment. A shooting star streams
through the night sky. It’s my cue. The very reason I am up here, braving both
wind and vertigo. I know if I take this step, my next will not be so
frightening.
I take a quick deep breath and run from the northwest side, positioning
my hands in the precise location that will allow me to use my skills in
gymnastics. With great skill I vault over the steel structure. My heart pounded
hard against my chest, as I break free of the massive steel structure.
Both above me and in front of me is the night.
Below me he awaits, disapprovingly yet I think trying to understand. It had not
been what I was brought to
Like a sugar glider I expanded my arms and legs so the wind suit made a
near perfect square. It would slow my descent, and allow the boots to activate
in time. All I heard around me was the sound of the wind as it hit the suit,
the near deafening sound of fabric flapped in the night.
Flying was something I had always desired to experience. I had spent
hours in a simulator in anticipation of this.
I felt alive, free. Soon life would once again take its hold on me and I
would be grounded by duty and commitment. Here and now I was free. Free to
conquer my fears.
My eyes spotted my mark, in the near distance. Thankfully, the winds
were assisting me in my journey towards it, towards him. From above, the beauty
of the grounds was breathtaking. I almost wished I had been able to talk him
into joining me.
As I grew ever closer my eyes made out the lone figure who awaited me.
He was wrapped in heavy Vulcan robes. Despite the warm summer night to him, it
was still quite chilly no doubt.
I activate the boots, which would slow and eventually stop my descent.
Slowly, I brought by brightly colored suit back towards my body, as I prepared
to land.
My heart was still racing, as I crashed into the arms of Sarek of
Vulcan. As he held me, I watched his stone face soften into what for him was a
smile. “I hope your birthday was all you wished Amanda.”
I find myself smile at him. I always found his rare smiles quite
handsome. First he had taken me to dinner at the Balzar,
followed by a ride in a horse drawn carriage, right out of Cinderella, topped
off by fulfilling my wish before leaving Earth. I look back towards where I
descended from. From here the