The Two Big Ones

Chapter One - Preparations

San Francisco, Earth

June 2263

Nyota

Spock sat the duffels on the bed and she immediately went to unpack the things they would need for the two days before they moved to the Embassy. The remainder stayed in the duffels. Spock set the duffels on the closet shelf, out of the way. They looked at each other. Spock reached out and caressed the side of her face. "I have something I must do, k'diwa. I will try not to take very long."

"I also have something I must do. I will return as soon as I am able." She gave him a quick kiss and gathered together what she would need to take with her, stuffing things into a small bag with a long loop to hang over her shoulder. They walked down to the lobby together, separating there.

She went to the transit station right around the corner from the hotel, choosing her destination carefully. She stepped onto the lit disc and went elsewhere. Where it was much warmer, much drier.

This was the best known gold souk on the planet. There were rows and rows of tiny shops, filled with everything imaginable, all made from gold. She roamed through shop after shop, seeing nothing that even approached what was in her mind's eyes. In the twenty-first shop, she finally found what she wanted. It was a plain circlet, only slightly domed, its curves so perfect, so sublime. It was made from gold with a very distinct reddish glow to it, like fire inside the gold. It took her breath away - so simple, but so perfect. Quickly she pulled her PADD from her carrybag and showed the craftsman what was to be engraved inside.

Spock

He went to a different transit station, from there to an entirely different continent, to a street that had been recommended to him. He had been told this was the place where he would find what he was looking for. He found the address he had been given and went in. There were cases and cases of every conceivable type of jewelry. He looked about, helpless. Nothing that he saw was even remotely close to what he wanted. The jeweler came out from the back room and asked what he wanted, then showed him trays full of rings set with large, shiny stones.

"No, none of these will do. It must be perfect. It must speak of her."

"Ah. Then tell me about her."

"She is tall and straight, proud and full of life. Her skin is cinnamon and glows vibrantly. Her eyes shine with intelligence. Her mouth curves in a smile."

The jeweler listened entranced as the customer continued to describe his beloved. No one had ever told him that Vulcans were romantic poets. Well he could see why none of the flashy rings he had offered were suitable. "What is her job?"

"She is a communications officer."

"So she uses her hands all day, then. She won't want something that might catch on her instruments, will she?"

"That is right, yes." He began to have hope that this man could help him.

The jeweler went to a case against the back wall, took a key from his pocket, and unlocked the front. He drew out a drawer and brought it over to where Spock stood. Reaching under the counter, he drew out a stack of small pieces of velvet. He chose one that was very close to the color of Nyota's skin and spread it out on top of the counter. Then he looked into the small drawer in his hand and fished out a ring, which he laid in the middle of the square of velvet.

"Yes, this is hers." And he drew out the small PADD and showed the jeweler what to inscribe on the inside curve.

***

They came back to the hotel by different routes, their purchases carefully hidden. And neither tried to see what the other had purchased, willing to wait and be surprised.

***

That evening they met Sarek for dinner and sat and talked for a long time, until the waiter was hovering around their table, asking if they would like another bottle of wine. Reluctantly, they left the restaurant, walking the short distance back to the hotel when Spock and Nyota were staying. Unfortunately, there were not enough chairs or space in their room to sit comfortably and talk. So Sarek left them in the lobby to return to the Embassy. They were to be at the Embassy at 1000 the next morning to welcome her parents and walk through all the events that would occur there. Sarek had arranged for a light lunch in the Embassy garden and dinner in his quarters there. Her parents would be staying in a room at the Embassy. Everything seemed to be taken care of.

They returned to their room. It was only 2100. They looked at each other. Nyota giggled. Spock locked the door and turned down the lights. And then he advanced on her. "If you wish to wear those clothes again, please remove them quickly." She wasted no time.

***

They had pre-ordered their breakfast from room service. When the door chimed, Nyota elbowed Spock and he climbed from the bed, grabbing his trousers on the way to the door. He spoke through the closed door as he pulled them on, and then opened the door to let the waiter in. Nyota sat up in bed, clutching the sheet to her chest. The waiter kept stealing looks in her direction. Spock began to glower. He growled softly. Nyota suppressed a giggle. The waiter set the trays on the table and backed out. Spock almost slammed the door in his face. Now Nyota did giggle. Spock came back over to the bed and pulled her up against him. "You are mine! Only mine!"

She threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly. "You are quite right and you know it. Now let's eat that breakfast before it gets cold. We need to shower and dress and head for the Embassy."

Spock raised one eyebrow at her. "Shower?"

She looked back, smirking at him. "What we do in the shower depends on how long it takes to eat breakfast."

Spock lifted her up and deposited her in one of the chairs, yanking the covers off the plates. "Eat."

She was laughing outright now. But she ate her breakfast without further ado.

***

They arrived at the front gates of the Embassy fifteen minutes before her parents were due to arrive. The gatekeeper recognized Spock and opened the doors promptly. As Spock knew where his father's quarters were, they did not need an escort, and proceeded directly to the turbolifts on the other side of the lobby. Nyota looked all around, trying to take everything in. They reached the door to Sarek's quarters just as he was coming out.

"Excellent timing. Let us go down to the shuttle landing now." So they turned about and went back down in the turbolift.

They stood outside the door to the shuttle landing area and waited. In only a few minutes, the shuttle set down. The pilot opened the door and extended the stairs and there they were! Baba came first, then held his hand for mama, and she watched her feet carefully as she came down the steps. Then they were walking forward. Nyota could wait no longer. She rushed forward and hugged them both at once, so happy to see them. Behind her she could hear Sarek ask Spock a question, but she didn't care what it was. She was too happy.

After the initial hugging and kissing was over, she took her parents by the hand and brought them over to where the two Vulcan men stood waiting. "mama, baba, this is Spock's father, S'chn T'gai Sarek. He is the Ambassador from Vulcan to Earth and is addressed as Ambassador Sarek."

Sarek dipped his head in acknowledgement. "It is not necessary that they address me as Ambassador when we are in private, Nyota. Sarek will be sufficient. I am glad to meet you, Mr and Mrs Uhura. I hope the trip was uneventful. If you will come this way, I will show you first where you will be staying. Someone will bring your luggage there later." He turned and headed toward the door. Spock waited until Nyota's parents had followed him, and joined her at the end of the trail of people.

Back up the turbolift they went and down a corridor to stop before a door. Sarek handed a small wand to her father and showed him how to use it to open the door. They all went inside. It was a very nice room - almost a suite. There was even a small balcony. Nyota was impressed. Her parents were even more impressed. They thanked Sarek for his hospitality.

Now they headed back out, and back down the turbolift. Nyota was starting to get dizzy from all the up and down. Sarek showed them through the ground floor of the Embassy, taking a brief tour through the museum there. And then he led them out into the Garden, to the table set with lunch. They all settled down and ate and talked, getting to know one another.

After lunch, Sarek led them back inside and up the turbolift to the second floor, where the formal ritual rooms were. They paced through what would happen the next morning, her parents asking many questions. Noticing how quiet she was, Spock slipped two fingers of his hand into hers, silently encouraging her. She gave him a small smile in return.

When no one seemed to have any more questions, Sarek took them up in the turbolift again, to another room. This one, he indicated, would be the room Nyota would use in the morning, to dress in her Vulcan robes. Her mother would be welcome there, to help her, and there would be two Vulcan women as well. Her clothing would be here when she arrived. Spock would dress in his father's quarters. Nyota and Spock would spend the following night here in this room. Though their linked hands, very warm feelings passed back and forth. Finally, the Vulcans would consider them properly bound.

When everything possible had been considered, Sarek excused himself. There were a few details he needed to handle. Supper would be served in his quarters at 1800 and he would see them all then.

After he left, Nyota's parents said they needed a brief rest. After all, they had started from Africa that morning! Nyota grinned and hugged them again, and they went out the door, leaving Spock and Nyota alone in what would soon be their honeymoon suite. Spock raised one eyebrow and tilted his head towards the bed. Nyota giggled at him. "Spock, you can't be serious! What would your father say?"

"And how will he know?"

How indeed. The door was locked. The balcony door was locked. They looked at the bed again. No, it would be quite obvious if that was used. But there was an extra blanket on the closet shelf which could be spread on the floor. That would do very nicely. Clothes were shed and carefully laid on the bed, so that they would not appear wrinkled. And then a very good time was had by our young couple, who went to supper very nicely relaxed.

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Souk - marketplace