Disclaimer:
Gene Roddenberry and others own Star Trek in all its many forms. This is just a
fan fic for fun no profit and no gain. No
infringements intended.
Summary:
Scene from JTB
By:
Lisa AKA FireStar
Traditions and Respect
Head nurse Christine Chapel sat
watching Lady Amanda Grayson as she sat at her husband’s side.
She did not touch him even as he slept waiting to undergo heart surgery. She
wondered how any human woman could be content, much less happy being married to
a Vulcan male. She had no doubts that Amanda loved her husband of 40 years it
was in her every look. It was in the panicked questions and the anger at his
withholding news of his heart condition.
Christine
had watched in horror as Lady Amanda had struck her son Spock for refusing to
help his father. She saw in that moment the deepest love. A love that was so
consuming it demanded absolute obedience not only for herself but also for her
son. Christine had been shocked and angered at Amanda’s
actions. How could anyone place their whole being in the hands of one person?
Sarek was a husband who clearly did not seem to value or respect either his
wife or son. A husband who would not even give a name to his
wife. A Husband that shunned her son and showed contempt for his son has
chosen profession.
She
slipped out for a moment needing to regain her professional persona.
Amanda
rose from Sarek’s side she was deeply disturbed the
day’s events. Sarek was resting for the moment and there was nothing to be
done. She looked up and Dr. Mc Coy came in and ordered her to go get something
to eat and drink.
“I cannot leave him," Amanda said
“Lady Amanda either you go to the mess hall on your own or I will bar
you from here until you do," Leonard Mc Coy said. “I do not
have time to attend you and Sarek. I can not be in two places at once. We both
know that if you become weak and ill Sarek will order me to take care of you.
He will not risk your health and well being. He is very stubborn and I would
have to obey him.”
Dr.
Leonard Mc Coy watched as she stiffened and her brow rose. He was shocked
always assuming that that action was a Vulcan trait. Then again The Lady had
been living with them for over 40 years. Maybe she had learned to copy it.
“I will go and try to eat something. I could really use a cup of coffee,
but if anything changes you are to call me at once.”
Leonard
recognized a command when he heard it. “Yes, my lady.” He half
bowed. He now saw that Spock got his stubborn nature from both of his parents.
He almost smiled at that.
Amanda
spun around and left the sick bay. Her temper clearly still up. She walked to
the mess hall and entered it heading to grab a tray and something to eat. She
was in such a temper she collided with Christine.
“Excuse me," Christine said she bent to retrieve the tray. The Mess
hall was almost empty and Amanda looked away and suddenly burst into tears.
Christine
was shocked and appalled that she may have caused Spock’s mother
distress. “Lady Amanda, excuse me. Are you injured?”
“No…no I am fine. “She moved to a chair and collapsed
into it. Tears flowed freely even as the sobs ended.
Christine
watched as she tried to regain control. Uncertain she went and ordered two
black kona coffees. She picked up cream and sugar and
carried the tray over.
“Lady Amanda would you like a cup of coffee with me?”
“Nurse Chapel isn’t it?”
“Yes, Ma’am," Christine said she waited
for an answer.
“Yes, please I need the caffeine.” Amanda took the cup and sipped it. “I am
sorry I ran into you. I am… I am just so worried.”
Christine
nodded understanding and now almost understood Amanda’s
actions she was running on adrenaline and caffeine alone she probably had no
idea what actions she was expressing.
“Nurse Chapel may I ask you a question?”
Christine
nodded as she sipped her coffee. She wondered what question the lady could
possibly ask of her.
“Is is really necessary for Spock to be in
command?” There was desperation in her voice.
“Commander Spock is a very dedicated and loyal officer. He faithfully
follows regulations and protocols.”
“That is no answer, yet it is my fault. I allowed Sarek to raise him as
a Vulcan.” She looked down at her cup. “”Maybe I should explain.”
“It is not…”
“Please Nurse, if I need to talk about it. To remind myself of what is
important and why I accept it so easily.”
“”In that case I would be honored to listen," Christine said “Please
call me Christine if we are to exchange such confidences.” She
smiled. She found Spock’s mother was not as weak as she first
appeared to be.
Amanda
smiled warily. “Then I am Amanda Christine. I
suppose you wonder why I struck Spock.”
“He was doing his duty," Christine replied.
“Duty…I am so sick of that word. Duty, honor, tradition and
Logic oh how they rule our lives. When I married Sarek, I had no idea
how my life would change. I was only a young girl in love. He was this tall
handsome stranger. Cliché I know but oh so true. I fell in
love the moment I saw him.”
Christine
listened sensing Amanda needed to get this out to gain perspective once more.
“Do you know I had no idea how important he was to Vulcan?” She
laughed slightly at her own naïve nature back then. “I knew
he was an Ambassador but that was all. I assumed we live most of our lives on
Earth.”
Christine
could not help it she laughed. “I am sorry, but…Even I
learned in school that Sarek was a traveling trouble shooter for the Federation
not to mention Vulcan.”
“I was only 20," Amanda said in her own defense. “Sarek
began to explain the customs. “
“I have wondered about that. May I ask why…why do
you let him make you walk behind and not acknowledge your name?”
Christine asked. “I know you are stronger then that.”
Amanda
smiled. “The reasons are actually logical.”
“Logical! How?”
Christine asked. “It makes you a second class person.”
Amanda
smiled. “No it actually shows how deeply Sarek values me. A wife walks behind
her husband so he can protect her from attack. He is ahead of her to shield her
from harm. He is there to show she is his. In the times of old, Vulcan males
often fought to the death over females. So it was unwise to make your mate’s name
known to others least you attract attention to her. It could lead to her being
stolen away. By Addressing, me as my wife he is claiming me as a part of him.
His tone, his two-fingered touch shows all other males I am his wife and he
will protect me. He gives me his fingers so I may touch his mind and know his
would while his hand is in a good position to defend me. Two fingers to show we
are one.”
Christine
looked shocked at this revelation. ”It is because of--”
“Yes, it is because of that and the dangers it presents. Vulcan was a
warring world and it used logical customs to tame the beast. “
Christine
sipped her coffee. “Spock, you raised him as a Vulcan?”
“His position is … we had no choice if he was to be
accepted as the heir to the House of Surak," Amanda said.
“Spock loves you both Lady Amanda. He is honoring you by doing his duty.”
Amanda
looked away “I know this is true. Our whole lives have been bound to duty to Vulcan.
“She sighed. “I was so happy when Sarek decided to
retire. He is still in his prime for a Vulcan. I thought….I hoped
now there would be time for him and Spock to mend their relationship and for
us.” She felt tears form. ”How
could he have not told me?”
The
question was rhetorical so Christine sat quietly.
“Damn them, If Sarek dies I do not think I
could ever forgive either of them.”
Tears
flowed freely as her emotions came to the surface.
Christine
went to her and let hr cry on her shoulder. She held Lady Amanda as her fear
and frustration came out in the all too human tears that neither her husband
nor son would understand. Christine allowed her to give in and to be human. IN
that few minutes a lifetime friendship was formed.
“It seems their reasons are logical and perhaps even honorable in the
way of Vulcan honor. I think Lady Amanda you understand Vulcan and her customs
far better then Sarek or Spock will ever understand humans and our emotional
reactions.”
“Yes, I think you are right.” She wiped her eyes. “I need
to go back.”
“I will walk with you. Remember there may be reasons for what Spock does
but he needs to respect your needs to.”
“I just hope he does not honor and respect his father to his grave. I
rather the never reconcile then that. I love them both," Amanda said
sadly.
“I know and it will work out. Dr. Leonard Mc Coy is clever he will find
a way. He did at Spock’s bonding.”
Amanda
snorted. “T’Pring
humph. Sarek
deserves and earful for that mess.”
Privately
Christine agreed but said noting.
“Well I hope your doctor is cleaver. It is not easy to out wit those two
Vulcan males. I know believe me," She said
Christine
laughed. “He fooled T’Pau.”
Amanda
grinned. ”Indeed, He did.”
They
walked back to the sick bay to find Captain Kirk ordering Spock to get ready
for his surgery.
====================================
Several hours latter.
Christine
watched as tradition fell to the sideline as love shown in Amanda’s eyes
and she was shocked to see it reflected in Sarek’s. She
learned much about Vulcan culture today and she had a lot to think about. One
thing was certain she did respect Spock as much as she loved him. She
understood Amanda’s choices and smiled at family’s
teasing.
“Emotional isn’t she?” Spock
said
I have
always found her so," Sarek replied as he offered her his fingers.
“Why did you marry her then?” Spock said a brow quirked up in
amusement.
“It seemed logical at the time," Sarek said his lips almost in a
smile.
==========================
Twenty
minutes latter.
Leonard
Mc Coy pondered respect and tradition.
Well they were fine as long as they did not create medical emergencies.
He was grateful once more for Spock’s trusting and naïve
nature. He grinned as he finally got the last word in. Ordering three of the
most powerful males he knew to rest. He watched as Amanda touched her husband’s
fingers. A neat little tradition. Somehow he had a
feeling it was far more then a simple touch.
The End