Aftermath

Apart from unfounded rumours, Spock learned little of the aftermath. Sam Danziger was awarded a posthumous medal; the four surviving members of the team were given commendations then Spock's life returned to normal. Of his fellow students, only Kirk seemed to know how to approach him. Spock knew that they were intimidated by his intellect but did not understand how to respond on their level. For his own protection he was forced to maintain his barriers at all times and although it was becoming easier there were occasions when he needed to relax them. He found himself doing that in Kirk's company although in all logic, Spock knew he should have been more comfortable in the presence of another scientist. The human was an enigma. He had a formidable intellect but still had difficulty in applying himself to certain scientific subjects. Spock continued to tutor him and with some success. Unlike many of his peers, who partied - as they called it - whenever they could, Kirk worked on projects during most of his off-duty time. Some days he would walk in the hills outside the Academy. Spock was always invited on those trips and sometimes he accepted.

A month after Demarco's disappearance his replacement arrived. Spock was called to the Deputy Commander's office where he found Professor LLan Warr awaiting him in the outer room. "Cadet Spock, this was not my idea nor Admiral Simonson's but it was the price of you remaining at the Academy, and arranged at the highest level. Being your mentor has been most rewarding. I'm unhappy that it has ended. Please, however, still feel free to consult me on any matter."

Spock was puzzled. What had been happening without his knowledge? "Sir," he began.

"I'm sorry, Spock," LLan Warr said.

"Enter, " a familiar voice called from the inner office.

Spock drew in a sharp breath and obeyed at once. He raised his hand in the traditional salute and spoke in his native language. "Live long and prosper, sir. I come to serve."

The tall imposing Vulcan who returned the gesture was well known to him. "Peace and long life, Spock. I bring clan greetings."

Spock bowed his head. "I am honoured, sir." He fought to control his nervousness before his respected cousin, Serav, a distinguished officer of the Vulcan fleet.

The other Vulcan's gaze rested on Spock for a few moments before he spoke, "The Matriarch extends her greetings to you. She has charged me with your safety."

If Serav had been placed here to protect him then not everyone behind the conspiracy had been apprehended. But to accept a Vulcan fleet officer, someone with little or no comprehension of their methods, to serve in such a responsible position at the Academy was unprecedented. "Sir, I do not understand," he ventured.

"After details of the attack on Starbase Seven and the assassination attempt on you and your fellow cadets were presented to them, there were those who demanded your withdrawal from the Academy. T'Pau wished you to remain. As a compromise, the council accepted one of the Federation requests to permit a Vulcan fleet officer temporary assignment with Starfleet."

Spock could scarcely believe that his situation had been discussed at the highest level of planetary government! He who had never before been of importance to anyone apart from his mother and, perhaps, his great-grandmother. "Sir, the welfare of a half-breed who defied his father to join a human-run organisation is hardly the business of the Vulcan council."

Serav stared at his young cousin. "You speak with bitterness, Spock. Have these humans contaminated you?"

"No, sir. I was not accepted on Vulcan. I had no choice but to leave."

"Are you accepted here, Spock?"

"Yes," Spock replied, thinking of Kirk. "There are other aliens here."

Serav nodded. "I regret that some amongst your father's people have not treated you well, Spock, but a scientist of your brilliance would be welcome in the Vulcan fleet."

"I wish to serve in Starfleet, sir."

"If that is your decision then I am here to be your protector and teacher lest you forget Vulcan ways. If other alliances are made then it will be to the future benefit of the Federation. You will not forget your heritage, Spock. That is not permitted."

"I have chosen the Vulcan path, sir."

"Yet you left your home and family."

"I did not wish to attend the science academy."

"Some say your human blood drove you to defy Sarek. Others argue that your father was also a rebel. He did, after all, bond with a human." There was a glint of humour in Serav's eyes before he continued, "I am to be your new mentor. We will arrange a training schedule. Your psi-ability is too powerful to be left untutored. You must learn proper control if you are to survive here. I do not know how you have coped with these humans and their emotions."

"It has been difficult, sir," Spock replied.

Serav studied him. "You have Surak's blood flowing in your veins, Spock. He risked all for peace. Your own risk was more modest but banishment from Vulcan was a possible consequence. Sarek will not speak of you and there are those who support his stance. Although your method of joining Starfleet Academy was an unorthodox one, others and I believe it was the correct decision. Your achievements here have brought honour to Vulcan and will pave the way. Many believe that we can no longer isolate ourselves. Our people must bring our knowledge and skills to Starfleet and temper its use of force. My appointment is the next stage to that end. My cousin, you have conducted yourself with dignity. We will speak further tomorrow. You may leave."

Spock headed for the fountain. The area was deserted and as he sat there considering Serav's words he wondered what changes the other Vulcan's presence would bring. His cousin had never been one of his detractors but Spock could not suppress a touch of fear at the prospect of being under Serav's watchful eye. His freedom had, in a few short minutes, been curtailed.

***

Over the weeks, Kirk noticed a change in Spock. They had been on the verge of a warm friendship when almost suddenly; the Vulcan had become withdrawn. He rarely accompanied him on hikes now. He still tutored Kirk but spent more time with his new mentor, the Vulcan Deputy Commander, until it began to impinge on their study hours. It annoyed Kirk more than he acknowledged. One evening, Spock was late. Kirk was taking exams the next day and was apprehensive. He cursed loud enough to disturb the student at the next computer.

Ten minutes later, Spock sat down beside him. "My apologies, Mr Kirk."

"So you finally decided to join me. Gee thanks." Kirk was angry at his own inability to grasp the subject, at Spock for being late, at the other Vulcan for monopolising Spock's time, at Finnegan who had caught him earlier that day with a lucky punch.

"Do you wish to proceed?" Spock's voice was controlled and calm.

"If you don't mind," Kirk said sarcastically.

Spock inched back before asking, "Please specify what is giving you problems, Mr Kirk?"

"Every damn thing." He listened to Spock's explanations and could not take them in. The Vulcan was talking way over his head. "Oh for chrissake, this is impossible. I'm not going to pass these exams."

"If you will apply yourself, Mr Kirk... "

"It's easy for you. Everything is easy for you. Why don't you just go back to your research with Professor Solberg and leave me alone." He sniffed, feeling sorry for himself. He was bruised where Finnegan had punched him and was just plain mad at everyone. He forced himself to ignore the confusion in those compelling dark eyes. "Go on, just get lost."

"If you wish."

Spock stood up and had left the library before a stunned Kirk could respond. He leaned his head in his hands and closed his eyes. Contrite now for having lost his temper with Spock, he logged off the computer, picked up his notes and made for the fountain. A young couple was there and Kirk backed away, heading now for the science faculty residences. There was no answer from Spock's room and Kirk trudged back to his own quarters where he flopped onto his bed and sulked. Damn him, anyway. I'm not going to run after him.

After a restless night, he went into his exams determined to succeed. Had Spock not been tutoring him now for months? Just because he had been stuck yesterday evening did not mean that he would fail the complete paper. Three hours later he emerged depressed and angered. It had been impossible!

Carol was waiting for him in the mess hall and he unloaded his problems onto her sympathetic shoulder. He slept with her for the first time that night. After that in the flush of his new romance he did not frequent the library anymore in the evenings. Sometimes he would see Spock in classes but apart from formal greetings and necessary conversation they hardly spoke. Kirk missed the Vulcan more than he dared admit to himself. In time though he was able to shut Spock from his thoughts and he immersed himself in a determined effort to fulfil his ambitious dream to become the youngest ever captain in the fleet.

Stardate 4126.1

The Fountain

Kirk bit his lip. "I always regretted losing touch with you, Spock. It was my fault. I was immature. I was angry with you for being late for study time. You had become remote and I believed you preferred Commander Serav's company to mine. When I told you to go away, I didn't realise you'd take my words literally. I tried to find you that night but when I couldn't I just got more annoyed and blamed you for failing me." He grinned with embarrassment. "I passed the exams - only just - and after that with my science subjects out of the way for that year I became involved with other things. I discovered girls. I told myself that we'd never really been friends and that you were now caught up with your projects with no time for me."

Spock listened with interest for he had always wondered why he had rarely seen Jim after that night. On the occasions they had met, few words had been exchanged and Spock had hidden his hurt under layers of control. He had thrown himself into his work but sometimes he had returned to the fountain or the library in the hope that Kirk would be there. "I too was young, Jim, and unused to human ways. I decided that you had approached me for my academic skills and once your examinations were completed you had no further need for my assistance."

"You mean you thought I used you?" Kirk looked shamefaced.

Spock arched his eyebrow. "Yes, I believed so."

"Maybe I did a little but, Spock, I sincerely wanted to be your friend. I felt relaxed with you even then and I didn't understand why because you intimidated everyone else. Somehow we just drifted apart and I hated that. When you graduated I was proud of you. When you left to become a science officer for Captain Pike, I envied you. The best and worst day of my life was when I became captain of the Enterprise. I was so pleased at being reunited with you and wanted to explain my past behaviour, but you'd had years to become super-Vulcan. I didn't know how to approach you. I was so frustrated by not being able to reach the person I thought I'd known at the Academy." He chuckled without mirth. "We had a few clashes didn't we?"

"Indeed, Captain. That is only to be expected when humans and Vulcans interact," Spock replied with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Kirk grimaced. "Well, you've got me trained now. I've learned not to be so impetuous."

Spock raised both eyebrows and Kirk laughed. "You're not convinced?"

"No, sir." As Kirk mulled that over, Spock considered his friend's explanation and realised that many of his questions of that time had been answered. He explained the situation concerning Serav then added, "The times we spent together at the Academy were most interesting, Jim. I had never lived away from home. I was alone amongst aliens. In particular, the emotional outpourings of humans caused me distress yet your company did not. Your mind was always compatible with mine. Even then you were my friend and brother although I did not realise it."

Kirk reached out and gripped Spock's shoulder. "I really had to fight to win your friendship again, Spock, but it was worth every frustrating minute of it." His grin was mischievous.

"I am honoured, Jim." Spock answered Kirk's smile with a slight quirk of his own lips.

Kirk chuckled. "C'mon, my friend. Let's go and see what Intelligence will tell us."

"Very well, Jim," Spock replied. With regret he stood up and allowed the memories to fade.

They travelled by monorail to Starbase Seven where they were escorted to the security building. Intelligence Chief Damon Millard showed them the cell where the prisoner lay pretending to sleep on the bunk. "Wake up, Demarco," he said.

Demarco opened his eyes and glanced up at Spock. He winced in fear but Spock could sense no remorse in him. "Keep him away from me," Demarco said.

Millard shrugged. "Vulcans are pacifists. You should know that."

"It's not true. He burned me." Demarco looked down at his hand. "It doesn't show but he did burn me. I was going to kill him this time but he escaped me again."

"What we've never understood is the real reason behind the original attack," Kirk said "And why did you try to revenge yourself? It was stupid."

Demarco started to pace his cell. "Not everyone is in favour of the Prime Directive. There are powerful organisations that resent not being able to exploit new worlds because of the ban placed on them. We wanted to hurt the Federation through Starfleet. Wipe out all those bright young cadets along with one of the largest bases in the galaxy. There were plans to destroy other bases too. It would have taken Starfleet years to recover. During that time we could find rich planets for the taking and Starfleet would be helpless to stop us. After our failure and with so many key people arrested we proceeded with caution. Starfleet thought they'd destroyed Mestro. They didn't succeed in finding me or some of the companies the family still owned. It took us all this time to regroup but we were determined to succeed."

Horrified by the callousness of the man, Spock clasped his hands tightly behind his back. Only Kirk's presence prevented him from leaving.

"You were in this for profit! For exploitation! You weren't even concerned about the thousands you were going to murder," Kirk said in shock.

Demarco snorted with derision. "What are the lives of Starfleet's finest to me. I should have been an admiral. Instead they relegated me to a teaching post while others, less competent, were given top positions." He stopped his pacing and faced them. "That their Vulcan genius could have stopped the Hirayama infuriated me. That's why I wanted him killed. Even that proved impossible." Demarco shook his head. "I almost got the famous command duo this time. It seemed like a foolproof plan. I'd even recruited that fool, Pryce-Jones. He was a good scientist even if he was a coward. He helped me lure you to us. Now he's dead. It's over. You've won."

"We want names, Demarco," Millard said. "Your organisation will never challenge us again."

Kirk looked up at Spock. "I need some air. Let's get out of here."

Spock followed him out into the main concourse. After a visit to those crew recovering in the medical centre Spock turned to his friend, about to suggest they should depart but Kirk anticipated him. "Let's beam over to the hill, Spock. It's fresh and clear there."

Spock agreed and within a short time they were standing looking out over the splendour of Tau Ceti 5's countryside. He breathed the pure air into his lungs.

"We humans think we're so civilised." Kirk turned to face him. "Then along comes someone like that. Ruthless. Filled with greed and envy. Only concerned with power and profit. Will we ever change, Spock?"

"The human race has changed for the better, Jim," Spock reassured.

"You can say that after what's happened?"

"Indeed, Captain. However there is one human trait which can be most irritating."

"And that is?" Kirk asked looking up at him.

"The tendency to 'fish for compliments', Jim," Spock replied.

Kirk's eyes widened. "I assure you that I wasn't fishing for compliments."

Spock raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Indeed?"

Kirk began to laugh. "You know exactly how to improve my mood, Spock."

"Merely my logical concern over my commanding officer's ability to perform his duties in a proper manner."

"Your logical concern!" Kirk exclaimed. "But that's a contradiction in terms."

"Indeed it is not, sir." Spock knew that an argument over the matter would take Kirk's mind off the worries of the previous subject.

Kirk settled down on the grass, obviously preparing for a lengthy discussion, and with the utmost dignity Spock sat beside him. They remained there deep in conversation until Tau Ceti sank beneath the horizon and Enterprise called them home.

The End.

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