AFTER
THE CREDITS The Apple: "Mother Knows Best"
Author: Ster Julie
Codes: Spock, Amanda, Sarek
Rating: PG
Part 1 of 1
Vulcan words from the Vulcan Language Dictionary
Summary: Amanda warns Spock that she and Sarek would be aboard the
--ooOoo--
Spock activated the comm unit in his quarters. "Live long and prosper, Mother," he
said as T'sai Amanda's face appeared on the viewscreen.
"Peace be with you, Spock," she replied
warmly.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Spock asked
curiously. His mother almost never called him via subspace.
"I wanted to give you a heads up," Amanda began. "Your
father and I will be traveling to the conference at
Spock nodded. The officers had been briefed the day before about their
orders to "shuttle and baby sit" the many planetary representatives
en route to the peace conference. He was already hip deep in planning for
the monumental tasks of housing, feeding, entertaining, and shepherding the 114
delegates without any cultural faux pas or interplanetary incidents.
"I know that you are very busy right now, Spock," Amanda continued,
"but I do hope that you will find the time to spend some time with your
father."
Spock turned away from the screen. "Nothing has changed between us,
Mother," he said glumly. "It is illogical to expect that
everything is fine between us now."
"It's not like you to give up so easily, Spock!" Amanda
scolded. "This is your chance, the perfect opportunity for you two
to settle your differences. You have a little over three weeks to think
about what you will say to Sarek, understood?
"Yes, Mother," Spock acquiesced quietly.
Amanda took a gentler tone. "Your father is no monster, Spock,"
she soothed. "He keeps tabs on you, you know. In his own way,
he is very proud of you, of your accomplishments. He follows your career
scrupulously."
"He has an odd way of showing it," Spock murmured.
Amanda let that comment slide. She changed subjects. "So, how
have you been, Son?"
Spock sighed delicately. "I was thinking of you just yesterday,
Mother," he said in answer.
"Oh?" Amanda replied.
"Yes. I was planning a trip to
To anyone else, that statement would be a non sequitur, but Amanda knew that is
was a code phrase between mother and son that meant that Spock had had an
extremely bad day.
"What happened, Baby?" she asked gently. "Can you tell me
about it?"
Spock shook his head. "No," he answered, "but I can tell
you that I was hit with poisonous thorns, I mishandled an exploding rock, I
walked into a force field, and I was hit by lightning."
"And happy April Fool's Day to you, too," she responded.
Spock shook his head again. "I assure you, each of those things
happened to me yesterday, in the course of an afternoon."
Amanda was alarmed. "But any one of those things could have killed
you!" she exclaimed.
"I know," Spock said softly. "Fortunately, all my injuries
were minor."
"Thank the ancestors!" Amanda exclaimed.
"Indeed," Spock breathed.
"Are you fully recovered?" she asked, always the mother.
Spock smiled slightly. "Yes, Mother," he replied.
"You needn't worry."
"I have to worry, Spock," she replied. "I'm a
mother. It's my job!" Amanda smiled at the change she sensed
in Spock's mood. "So, what do you need me to bring for you?"
she asked.
"Mother, you needn't bring me anything," Spock demurred.
"I know," she said brightly. "I want to bring you
something. So, what would you like?"
Spock considered. "A tin of jeweled
biscuits would be adequate."
Amanda smiled. She had already prepared a large tin of the multi-grain,
dried fruit studied cookies that were Spock's favorite.
"I already have those and some kreyla
in the stasis unit for you. What else?" she prompted.
"Soup mix?"
"Done. What else?"
"Mother, you need not trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble, Spock," she replied. "After all, your
ship is picking us up. Just think of me as your grocer."
Spock thought a moment. "In that case, I also need to replenish my
supplies of incense, bar-kas tea, and hot peppers. Also, some of your
brownies would be very welcomed."
Amanda smiled at Spock's grocery list. "No fresh produce or herb
plants?" she asked.
"I have a small garden in the hydroponics lab," he replied.
"I have been able to grow a few things here."
"And how about something a little more grown-up to share with your
friends?" she asked. "Your vineyard produced an outstanding
crop two years ago. The wine is excellent."
"That would be very kind," Spock replied.
"Well, we'll see you in three weeks," Amanda concluded,
"groceries and all. Take care of yourself."
"Safe passage, Mother," Spock replied. "I am looking
forward to seeing you."
"And your father?" Amanda prompted.
"And Father," Spock acquiesced.
"And you will think about what I said," she continued.
"You will try to get along with your father when we are there."
"Yes, Mother," Spock said dutifully. "I will do as you
say."
"Oh," Amanda protested, "don't do it for me. Do it for the
sake of our family."
"Of course, Mother. Live long and prosper."
-~~-
Sarek peeked into the den at the sound of his wife's voice and saw Amanda
speaking to Spock via subspace. He didn't balk at the extravagance of
such a call. In fact, he was pleased to see that their son looked well,
that he comported himself with dignity. The subject they were discussing him rankled Sarek.
Yes, Spock looked well, content even. Sarek's spies kept him well
informed of his son's accomplishments. Under different circumstances, he
would be very proud of his illustrious son.
If only he didn't wear that damned
uniform.
END