Title: AFTER THE CREDITS--Journey to
Author: Ster Julie
Codes: K,S, Am, Sa
Rating: PG
Part: 1/1
A/N: Another exercise in dialogue.
--ooOoo--
Jim?
Hmm?
Are you awake?
Yeah. What's up, Spock?
I spoke to my parents about a new bride for me.
Did they have any recommendations?
I didn't ask them to find me a new bride.
I can see why, Spock. They did such a lousy job the first time.
I told them that I might have someone in mind.
Who, Spock? Chapel?
She does love me.
Yeah, but how do you feel about her? Oh, don't raise that fastidious
eyebrow at me. Your parents obviously adore one another.
Mother doesn't recommend a human wife for me.
Really! Why?
She said I would miss the bond.
Your father seems . . . content.
I know. They are very close. They model one thing to me, but they
tell me another.
"Do as I say and not as I do," eh?
Indeed.
Christine would have needs, Spock, emotional needs. Expecting her to have
enough love to sustain you both in a marriage is asking a lot of her. Do
you feel anything for her?
Yeeeees.
Doesn't sound very convincing, Spock. What
exactly do you feel?
I admire Christine's professionalism. She is an excellent scientist in
her own right. She takes very good care of me whenever I am sick or
injured. I appreciate her respect for me, for my culture. I know if
her infatuation of me, but she never pushes herself on me. I respect her
for that.
Admiration, appreciation and respect are noble qualities, Spock, and all are
necessary for a good marriage, but alone I don't think they would be enough to
sustain one.
So, Captain, you agree with my parents. I should seek out a Vulcan bride.
What's wrong with that, Spock?
I had such a bad experience with their last choice.
Well, your parents couldn't have known that T'Pring would grow up to be such an
ice bitch.
Captain!
Well, she was, and I have the scar to prove it . . . Now, Spock, I'm not
blaming you. It was all her fault. You know, I think that's the reason
you don't want a Vulcan wife. You were so traumatized by . . . her . . .
that you are afraid.
Afraid!
Yes, afraid. Afraid of being jilted at the altar again, afraid that a Vulcan
wife would judge you for not being Vulcan enough and leave you stranded in your
time of need. A human wife would not have recourse to the challenge, and
she would more readily accept you as a Vulcan. A human wife would be the
easier road for you.
Really, Jim.
Really, Spock. I think your mother was telling
you not to go the easy route by picking a human bride. Maybe she sees
that having a Vulcan wife would be the final thing you need to be accepted as a
Vulcan. Unless, of course, Chapel is the one you really want. If
you cannot picture your life without Christine Chapel at your side, if you
think she completes you, then by all means go after her. But don't insult
her by marrying her because she is convenient. You have seven more years
. . .
I do not know how much time I have until my next . . . Time.
Why not? You told me every seven years . . .
My last time was not resolved in the normal manner. I cannot be
unprepared for the next cycle. It would be far too dangerous for the
crew.
As well as terrifying for you.
Indeed.
Well, still, give it some thought, Spock.
But Christine loves me, Jim, and I have already told you of my feelings for
her.
It's not enough, Spock. You can't expect her to be happy with just your
respect. Hell, you respect Scotty for his engineering abilities, and I
don't see you romancing him!
Frankly, Captain, Mr. Scott is hardly my type.
You know what I mean, smartass! Just give it more thought. Don't
choose Chapel because she's second best. Choose her because she is the
best woman, the one who makes you not want to look around, the one that fills
up the void in yourself, the one to whom you can entrust your dreams and
aspirations. Choose her because you know you can make her happy and
fulfilled.
Even if it goes against my parents' preference?
Aren't you old enough to make this decision for yourself?
Excuse me?
Are you considered an adult yet, Spock?
I am . . . on Earth.
But not on Vulcan?
That will not be for several years yet.
Vulcans!
-----
Sarek? My little scheme worked!
Which scheme, my wife?
I used reverse psychology on Spock and pushed him right into the arms of that
lovely nurse.
Has he chosen Miss Chapel for his bride?
He most certainly has.
. . . Amanda, what is "reverse psychology," and how did you "use
it" on our son?
Ah! Reverse psychology is telling someone the opposite of what you want
that person to do so that he or she does it anyway. I knew that Spock
would question anything we would tell him. He always has. So I told
him that Christine would not be right for him, so of course he walked right
into her arms.
As you are so fond of saying, my wife, "I'm glad that you are on our
side."
Oh, don't think that I never used reverse psychology on you, Sarek. How
do you think I got you to marry me?
I thought it was the logical thing to do.
Oh, go right on thinking that, Sarek, dear! Go right on thinking that.
END