Soo sorry it's late! School and getting sick have really kicked my ass recently. Hopefully it'll be getting better soon. This chapter is really setting up for more to come.
Sweet Dreams-
After falling asleep in Spock's arms Seraphina began dreaming only to once again find herself on Sher'Tak.
'Greetings Seraphina,' Princess Berlinika stood in the middle of what appeared to be yellow wild flowers.
'What else is coming?' Seraphina asked wishing to go back to peaceful sleep.
'He will continue to come after you, New Vulcan will be his next target. You must be prepared.' She approached hands reaching out before her towards Seraphina.
'Then tell me what I need to know. Tell me how I can beat him.' Seraphina demanded, taking a step back to avoid the Princess's hands.
'I cannot tell you how to defeat him, but I wish I could. Seraphina,' Berlinika began stopping in her tracks and lowering her hands.
'No! You tied yourself to this stone and waited until I came along to battle with some creature from the proverbial hell and you can't tell me a damn thing! You can tell me he's coming and that's great but I need more than that. People have died because of this stupid stone! Because of me and I just want this to all be over!' Seraphina yelled out in anger and exhaustion.
'I understand you are upset, I do wish there was more I could do. I can only tell you what my mother told me, be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.' Berlinika looked down at Seraphina with kind, pleading eyes.
'To do what you did?' Seraphina asked her voice no louder than a mere whisper, fear etched upon her face.
'My people dying, my family slaughtered. When Gertan came for me and the Aruzul stone I spoke the ancient words, held the stone in my hand, and cut my own throat. I had hoped the wars would stop than but they did not. My race brought about their own deaths. Gertan, survived somehow with his most loyal follower-'
'That pink blob thing.' Seraphina supplied.
'Jixi is a Shertu, what you would call a shape-shifter. He is able to change his form into whatever creature he lays eyes upon.' Berlinika explained with a slight smile at Seraphina's description, 'Seraphina you must understand that I have been essential imprisoned in this stone for over a thousand years. I would not tell you the words so you could do this to yourself, even if you begged.' She turned serious once more.
'Then you're just telling me to be prepared to die?' Seraphina asked slightly confused.
'Perhaps.'
'But if I die he gets the stone, he gets what he wants and he'll destroy the universe…' Seraphina stepped forward as if standing closer to the Princess would help her understand.
'I would still reside within the stone, if you perish then perhaps it is time I faced Gertan.' Berlinika let out a heavy sigh.
'I won't die. I will not let him kill me.' Seraphina declared, clenching her fists as she tapped into her inner strength.
'You will need this strength, Seraphina.' Berlinika advised, feeling the change in the human, 'You will it and so much more.' The Princess's figure and voice began to fade into blackness.
New Vulcan docking station-
Seraphina gripped tightly onto her sister's arm as they exited the spacecraft and touched the soil of New Vulcan, both were nervous the former more so as she was about to marry into this world. Spock had assured her that no one would cause her any harm on New Vulcan and that she was truly safe, also Vulcan views on humans had changed dramatically for the better since his own mother married his father. Worrying was illogical he pointed out, only once though because she gave his a chilling glare. He was so wrong, she had every right to worry. Standing in the docking station Seraphina was seeing more Vulcan's then she'd ever seen in her entire life (a grand total of 2, Spock and Sarek). What put her off more so was the looks Spock was receiving from the Vulcan women in the area, but could she really blame them?
Spock was in every sense of the word an eligible bachelor until recently, and there were still Vulcan's who believed that they should try to keep their race as pure as possible. Those who did felt that Spock and Seraphina's connection was false. Just as they believed any connection other than one between two Vulcans is false. There were surprisingly a little over 62,000 recorded Vulcan's now. Groups from other colonies had come to New Vulcan to help rebuild and mourn their losses together. A great number were bonded to other species; humans, betazoids, deltans, orions, and a few romulans. Majority had children as well. The Vulcan couples were impressed upon to have as many kids as possible. Hence there were a great deal of pregnant women everywhere.
As the crew gathered and waited to make sure everyone was off and accounted for, 3 elder Vulcan males approached them, one was a familiar face to many. Ambassador Sarek. To everyone else he seemed to stone of un-emotionalism but his son could feel his father's concern for them all but mostly for his son's intended. Two groups were made of the crew, half followed one Vulcan, and the other the second Vulcan. Only Spock, Seraphina, Agatha, and Kirk stayed with the Ambassador.
"Come, I'm sure you must be tired from your journey." Spock could feel his father was hiding something from him, he was concerned over more than the Sher'Mec. Despite his half human heritage Spock is a strong telepath.
They followed closely, everyone forming a circle with Seraphina in the middle unconsciously shielding her from prying eyes. However one set of cold, hostile eyes did find her small form hidden among them. T'Pring had spurred Spock during his first Pon Farr and chose Stonn instead. Spock nearly killed Stonn during the challenge but was able to overcome the Plak Tow before ending his life and spared him. Telling them they could be together. T'Pring had never been more than cold to Spock, still somewhere deep inside him her refusal hurt. It had made Amanda happy though that her son wouldn't be dependent or stuck to that 'cold hearted spoiled brat' and the icing on the cake, as his mother would way, was that shortly after the challenge Stonn met his T'hy'la who was definitely not T'Pring. She'd lost him and was alone. Although there were plenty of males to be had, they outnumbered the females currently, she expected Spock to reconfirm their engagement as he had been one of the only un-bonded males of high stature left. But now this tiny unimportant human claimed to be his T'hy'la. T'Pring was not about to admit defeat. Spock might be a mutt but he was heir to the House of Surak. His wife would eventually take the place of T'Pau, and there was no way a human would ever deserve that position of honor and power. No. She would not allow it, even if she had to carry his mutts. At least her brother had a proper Vulcan wife whose two boys would carry on the pure lines of their house. She wondered if eventually the human could be bred out of Surak's line….
Ambassador Sarek's House-
They were all pretty impressed with how far along New Vulcan had come in terms of rebuilding. The Ambassador's own house was not large, one story with four bedrooms. He had helped build it himself as well. The city center had quite a few buildings that were complete and many more in the process of being built. Sarek's house was toward the edge of the city closer to the untamed desert. It was peaceful, and relaxing.
And hella hot if you asked Kirk, Agatha, or Seraphina.
When Agatha made a comment on how hot and dry it was Spock and Sarek plainly explained that Vulcan had been 23.6 degrees higher but the Vulcan's were making due. The humans were served refreshments the moment they entered the house. Sarek had two servants, both had been a part of his household back on Vulcan and neither could produce children anymore so they chose to stay in his service. The man, Serka, was at least seventy years older than Sarek and had lost nearly all of his family during the destruction, including his wife. T'Resha was the woman and she was a year or two younger than Serka and had never married but had lost her sisters and a number of their descendants. The three of them found a great deal of comfort in one another, in their routines, and the normalcy of being with one another so they stayed together.
Within the house the human's found decent relief from the arid heat outside. Kirk was shown his room first, then Agatha and Seraphina were shown the room they would share, Spock already knew where his appointed room in his father's house was.
"I believe you would all like a chance to 'freshen up' before part-taking in midday meal." Sarek concluded with a slight bow of his head as he turned and continued down the hall.
"I have to share a room with you again?" Agatha let out a dramatic sigh.
"I call bed. You can sleep in the tub." Seraphina flopped herself down on the comfortable bed teasing her sister.
"That's not fair!" Agatha called out in mock indignation.
"I'm older! I'm in charge!" Seraphina laughed as her sister flopped down next to her.
"How about I get a room to myself and you can share with Spock." Agatha teased wriggling her eyebrows.
"In his father's house!" Seraphina shouted in a whisper.
"I seem to recall you crawling into bed with him back at our house!" Agatha laughed at the blush that was quickly spreading across Seraphina's face.
"Agatha! I was sick and nothing happened! You know that!" She socked her sister in the arm.
"Ouch!" Agatha pouted for a moment before turning slightly devious, "But I know for a fact once we got back to the Academy you guys started going at like rabbits. You're a totally space=case if you think no one else noticed you coming in with the Commander every morning looking pretty satisfied!"
"I- What- You- Grrr!" Seraphina tackled her sister and the two proceeded to wrestle like they were back home not on New Vulcan.
A knock on the door had them separating and dissolving into giggles as they told whoever it was to enter. Turns out it was T'Resha, she had come to tell them midday meal was ready. What the elder Vulcan woman did not admit was that she was concern and curious about the manner in which she had heard the two human females fighting in their room from across the house. T'Resha had been a close confidant of Lady Amanda however she had never seen her Lady engage in such behavior. Perhaps it was something only done between siblings? She had never seen her Lady around her siblings, none had ever come to Vulcan and T'Resha did not accompany them to Terra when they made trips. If nothing else S'haile Spock's intended would make an interesting Lady of the House. Internally smiling for the first time since the destruction of her home planet T'Resha was 99.89% positive Seraphina Jones was exactly what this family needed to heal.
"I think you scared her." Seraphina commented once the elder woman left the room shutting the door once more.
"Me? I'm might be crazy but I'm not the one marrying Spock, you're the one she's probably worried about." Agatha teased back as she changed out of her uniform into a pair of capris and a t-shirt. "Sera?" Agatha turned to her sister, suddenly serious.
"What?" Seraphina was brushing out her long tangled hair before throwing it up into a ponytail, she had put on a pair of shorts and tank top she was still dying somewhat in the heat.
"Are you nervous? I mean forget everything else that's going on, you're getting married to Spock in like 2 months, or bonded. Whatever they call it." Agatha asked.
"Bonded, and yeah I'm nervous. I'd be crazy not to nervous. But honestly I'm just trying not to think about it right now." Seraphina took a deep breath and forced her nerves back down and led the way out of their room to the dining area.
Afternoon City Center-
After a silent midday meal Sarek offered to show them the progress that they had made on New Vulcan more closely than they had as they first went through the city to Sarek's home. The girls were thankful for a distraction. Although Seraphina and to argue with Spock over her choice of outfit. He did not believe she should show so much skin outside of the home, most Vulcan's were unused to seeing that much and it would be considered vulgar. Seraphina wanted to say that she didn't care what they thought, they could shove their opinions where the sun don't shine, but eventually she went back to her room, put on a pair of capris and a t-shirt.
The city looked to be about half built upon further inspection, the Vulcan's had been working tirelessly. Seraphina guessed the quicker everything was built the quicker they could continue moving on. There was a park that held many Vulcan plants, they were in the process of being watered when the group passed. Seraphina noted all the Vulcan's kept their distance from the water. Even though it was nothing more than sprinkles.
It was great seeing such a mix of races majority practicing Vulcan customs and traditions but Seraphina noted a few other cultures had been blended in as they walked down the market street. The girls stopped at a booth that sold some Vulcan clothing, it was extremely tradition but the outfits would protect their skin and keep them cool at the same time. Agatha picked out a green robe that had yellow and pink flowers embroidered on it. Seraphina went simpler and chose a dark blue one with little white embroidery here and there on it. Spock paid for both outfits, not even giving the girls a chance to hand over a card.
Spock would never say he was happy but that was the only word he had to describe the feeling within him. Seeing his mate in such revealing clothing earlier today had struck a chord with his libido, however the thought of her wearing that out in public on New Vulcan had a more possessive part of him arguing against it, not giving up until she changed. Now that she was completely covered in Vulcan robes he found himself relaxing marginally. He would normal find these thoughts disturbing but Spock knew it was the result of being closer to his Time. Over the next 1 month, 3 weeks, 1 day, 7 hours, 54 minutes, and 14 seconds he would become increasingly more possessive and protective of his mate until they were bonded and went through Pon Farr together.
Their walk was enjoyable until they came across a Vulcan Spock had not inclination to ever see or think of again. T'Pring. She accompanied by her mother and sister-in-law the latter Spock had never met but the former was the source from where T'Pring inherited her 'iciness and superiority complex' as Spock's mother had put it. Both he and his father where positive she did not have the scientific proof to back her declarations but never argued over the matter.
The Vulcan's all exchanged the ta'al and the customary greetings before introducing the humans, another round of ta'al and greetings were performed. Seraphina had noticed the way Spock had shut down once the other Vulcan women approached them, he seemed to avoid contacted with the one named T'Pring. Oh right she was his fiancé and then nearly got him killed for another man, Seraphina remembered one of her and Spock's many late night talks. Seraphina felt the intense urge to punch a bitch in the face. T'Pring was pretty but she had a haughty air about her, the way she looked down her nose at the humans in the group. Yeah Seraphina really wanted to punch her.
There was an awkward silence that descended upon the group after introductions were made, and it had Seraphina's skin crawling. Between her despondent fiancé and a bitch woman all but glaring at her the urge to run away became strong. Instead she bit her cheek and attempted to be clam and cool and completely unaffected. T'Sula (T'Pring's mother) and Sarek conversed about the city planning as Agatha tried to get anything more than blank stare from T'Mala (T'Pring's sister-in-law). Kirk was staring off into space while Spock was coolly ignoring any and all looks T'Pring gave him.
"Spock I'm...becoming…fatigued. Would you bring me back to the house?" Seraphina squeaked out cause everyone to look at her.
"Of course Ashayam." Spock put his hand on the small of her back to lead her away.
"I'm a bit tire-" Kirk didn't finish his sentence before Agatha none to discreetly stomped on his foot. "Never mind." He mumbled after getting a glare from the younger Jones girl.
Sarek's House-
"That has to have been one of the most awkward things that has ever happened to me." Seraphina announced as the plopped down on the couch in the living room.
"I believe the time my father and I found you hiding in the closet of my apartment was most likely more 'awkward'." Spock replied handing her a glass of savas-masu juice.
"Oh don't remind me!" Seraphina leaned toward him and buried her face into his shoulder. "At least then you were functioning."
"I do not understand." Spock stated, lifting a brow.
"Ummm…..you shut down out there today. Just blank and completely oblivious." Seraphina pulled back, giving him a look, "I didn't- she's much prettier than I thought." Old insecurities resurfaced, "Totally into you now too."
"While T'Pring is aesthetically pleasing she is lacking in personality, and she is not 'into' me." Spock responded reaching out and cupping Seraphina's face letting her feel his devotion to her.
"I know that look when I see it. Doesn't matter if she Vulcan, you guys still feel and it can totally be read in your eyes if a person knows where and when to look and she was looking at you like you're a prize piece of meat. Didn't you say her engagement to what's his face fell through? Maybe she wants you back now? Can't blame her really, you're a total stud. However, you are MY stud." Seraphina stood and pulled her robe up to her thighs and then straddled Spock's lap.
"Stud; a male animal retained for breeding purposes. If I have estimated your meaning correctly." Spock raised his eyebrow again but this was a different look, a slight tick of the corner of his mouth was like a smirk and the fire in his eyes was playful.
"My clever fiancé." Seraphina giggled and leaned forward her lips a breath away from Spock's letting her lips touch his ever so briefly before pulling back, she did this several times, giggling each time at the impatient look in his eyes, the way his mouth would follow hers, never reaching its goal.
"It is unwise to tease me, Ashayam." Spock's deep voice held a slight growl to it.
"Tease you?" Seraphina feigned an appalled look before grinning mischievously, "What are you going to do about it?"
"Perhaps a lesson is in order?" Spock lifted Seraphina into the air, keeping her legs wrapped around his waist, as he carried her off to his bedroom.
So what did you guys think? Let me know if there's anything else you want to see as they stay on New Vulcan for a bit, I'll try to work your requests into the story! REVIEW you beautiful people!