Title: AFTER THE
CREDITS Journey to
Author: Ster Julie
Series: TOS
Characters Spock,
Amanda
Rating: G
Part 1/1
A/N: Well, I suppose I
am stuck in a JtoB frame of mind.
--ooOoo—
Last of the Line
"What's wrong,
Baby?"
Spock sighed. No
matter what he said to his mother, he could not break Amanda of calling him by
that name. He was grateful that she only did it when they were alone. "How do you know that something is
wrong?" he asked.
"Spock, I learned
long ago how to read every out of place hair on your face, down to the
eyelashes," Amanda stated. "I can see that something is wrong."
Spock took a long time
to reply. "Mother," he said at last, "perhaps you and Father
should look for a new bride for me."
Amanda studied her son
for a moment. "What brought this on?"
"I have a
responsibility to the clan as last of the line," he replied.
Amanda tipped her head
to the side in a kind of shrug. "Well," she answered slowly, "we
could look for someone for you, Spock, but I think you have a perfect candidate
right where you are."
"Who?" Spock asked with trepidation.
Amanda smiled fondly.
"That head nurse obviously adores you."
Spock sighed. He had
long felt like prey in the good nurse's sights.
"I will consider it, Mother," Spock answered, not sure himself
if he was lying or not. "In the meantime, I will be sending a… sample… to
the
"'Sample'?" Amanda repeated innocently. Despite his best
efforts,
Spock blushed
verdantly. "Sperm sample," he
whispered, ducking his head shyly.
"Well, all
right," Amanda replied, smothering a grin, "but I think you should
give Nurse Chapel another look." She studied her son further. "What
brought all this on, anyway?"
Spock hid his face
from his mother. Long before he left home, Sarek had forbidden Spock from doing
or saying anything that would upset his mother. This information would fall
under that stricture. "I cannot
say," Spock said at last.
Amanda circled her son
until she could look into his face. "You cannot or you will not?" she
asked softly.
Spock looked at his
mother. "I should not say it."
Amanda lightly traced
her fingers over Spock's arm. He could sense her projected loving concern and
acceptance. "What brought this
on?" she repeated gently.
Spock sighed heavily
and took his mother's hand between his own. It took several tries to get his
voice to work properly. "I have had
seven life-threatening experiences since I left Vulcan," he said
carefully.
Amanda shrugged.
"So?" she declared. "You had five life-threatening experiences
before you left home! Life is a series of risks. Without risk, we might as well
stay in the womb. But even that was risky for you and me both. I almost lost
you before you were born, twice!"
Spock favored his
mother with a faint smile. "'Life is a series of risks'? You sound like
James T. Kirk," he teased.
"Well," she
responded, "then I am in good company." Amanda looked around
conspiratorially. Finding the two of them alone, she leaned in and kissed her
son's cheek. "I'm so glad you are feeling better, Baby," she cooed,
"and I want to thank you again for saving your father's life. I don't know
what I would have done if…"
"Sh," Spock said gently, laying two fingers across his
mother's trembling lips. "'It' did not occur. There is no logic on
dwelling on what didn't happen."
Amanda looked at her
son long and lovingly. "Remember what I said about risks, Spock" she
said at last. "Not recklessness, mind you, but worthwhile risks. Look at
the incredible risk I took leaving home and marrying an -alien!" Spock raised a wry eyebrow in response.
"I wouldn't change it for the universe. Please, risk being happy, uh,
loved, uh, fulfilled. That's it! Fulfilled."
Spock was hard pressed
not to smile as his loquacious mother groped for just the right word. Instead
he leaned in toward Amanda and spoke quietly.
"I already am loved," he stated simply and he held out his
hands to Amanda for the ritual filial embrace.
Amanda locked her gaze
with her precious son for many moments before they reluctantly broke contact.
Spock threw back the
covers of his sickbed and rose to escort his mother to the door. After one step
Spock's legs buckled. Amanda grabbed his arm and helped him back to bed. "I rose too quickly," Spock
muttered.
"See,
Spock?" Amanda pointed out. "Even getting out of bed can be
life-threatening some days."
"In the future, I
will endeavor to get out of bed more carefully," Spock promised in a
teasing tone.
"See that you
do," Amanda responded in kind.
END