Return to Valjiir Stories
Jilla took a conventional transport from San Francisco to Los Angeles after stopping at her cabin to store the bridesmaid's dress. She found her way easily to the café Sulu had specified, and for a moment stood just at the doorway to the outdoor tables before approaching. Sulu and Jeremy sat across from one another, drinking coffee. Jeremy was snacking from a small plate of pastries. There was an umbrella over the table, but it was tilted back, allowing the warm rays of Sol to reach their faces. Judging from their expressions, they were enjoying the heat. The Indiian smiled faintly herself, knowing how much she appreciated the warmth after the relative chill of San Francisco.
The two men spoke easily to one another, often laughing, often touching. Even with the short distance, Jilla could feel the rapport between them, the love and the sharing and, of course, the longing and desire. She became aware that she felt no jealousy, and wondered at it. Perhaps it was due to her knowledge of Jeremy's ultimate trustworthiness, of his honor and commitment to Sulu's happiness - and her own. Perhaps it was due to the soothing awareness within her that Sulu had been, as he had promised, utterly faithful during their year-long separation.
"Lady, he's never felt for me what I feel for..."
"You are wrong, Jeremy.""Why did you and Sulu never marry?"
The conversation aboard the Enterprise's Chutzpah shuttle returned to her, and she didn't want to acknowledge the voice within her that told her perhaps it was because, given the tias of both men, and the history between them, that it was she who was the interloper.
Jeremy glanced over his shoulder, looking for the waiter to ask for more coffee, and caught sight of the gentle shimmer of Indiian skin.
"Your lady's here," he said, turning back to Sulu. Sulu's face lit up in a smile, then he rose, striding across the sand to where Jilla stood. Jeremy kept the sigh of longing to himself, watching the graceful, purposeful movement, the firm, warm embrace and loving kiss, then added the appreciation of Jilla's reserved, fluid steps as the couple returned to the table. The TerAfrican stood, offering his chair to Jilla, then turned to a nearby table to retrieve another for himself.
"Hey, Lady," he said as he sat down.
"Jeremy," she replied and he, of course, shivered. Sulu's eyebrow rose as he noticed it.
"She still does that to you, huh?" he teased.
"She still does it to you, doesn't she, babe?" Jeremy countered jovially, and smiled at Jilla's faint blush.
Sulu laughed. "Coffee, hon?" he offered.
"Yes, please," she replied and Sulu raised a hand, signaling the waiter.
"How'd the fitting go?" the captain asked as the waiter brought both another cup and another pot of the hot, brown liquid.
"The dresses Jade has chosen are quite beautiful," Jilla returned. "They are red..."
"Floor-length, sleeveless," Sulu put in with a grin.
Again, Jilla flushed. "With a lace jacket," she amended.
"I'll bet you look stunning," Jeremy commented.
"Uhura and Daphne certainly do," she said.
"What about Spike?" Sulu asked.
"Come on, Spike would look good in burlap," Jeremy joked.
"True."
"Ruth was not there," Jilla said. "Jade said she was having difficulty locating her."
Jeremy snorted and Sulu flashed a knowing grin. "I'll bet I can guess why."
"Spock knows they are to be in the wedding party," Jilla said, deliberately not commenting on the probable activity being referred to. "It is not like him to wish to disrupt the preparations."
"Yeah, but if Ruth doesn't want to let him come up for air..." Jeremy rejoined, then he and Sulu shared another chuckle.
"I wouldn't worry about it, hon," Sulu said, placing his hand warmly on top of Jilla's. "Ruth's got perfect measurements. The dress is gonna fit."
"And if it doesn't, she can do a little rearrangement of body mass and voila!" Jeremy grinned.
Jilla looked faintly puzzled. "I am not aware that she is capable of..." she began.
"It's a joke about not knowin' the extent of her abilities," Jeremy explained. "N.C. always said she didn't know what she could do until she did it."
"N.C.?" Jilla asked.
"Noel Christopher," Sulu returned. "It's what he's always called DelMonde."
Jilla frowned and Sulu shrugged. Jeremy returned it, knowing as well as his friend did that Jilla disapproved of nicknames.
They talked lightly of other things for nearly half an hour, then Sulu checked the chronometer. "We'd better go, hon," he said. "I told my mother we'd be there at 1700." He again signaled for the waiter, paying the check with his Fleet credit voucher. "You want to come, too, Jer?" he asked. "My parents would be delighted to see you."
"Just for a minute," Jeremy agreed. "Then I gotta go and listen to another when-you-gonna-stop-chasin'-that-Takeda-boy-find-yourself-a-wife-and-give-me-grandbabies lecture." He grinned and Sulu snorted. Jilla looked confused. "My Mama," the Security Chief explained. "She's been sayin' that to me - oh - since I was seventeen or so."
"Will I also be meeting your family, Jeremy?" Jilla asked.
Paget's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Well, sure, if you want to. I mean..."
"Maybe she wants to help convince your mother that you aren't chasing after that Takeda boy now that he's settled down," Sulu suggested, grinning.
Jeremy glanced at Jilla. She was looking up at him, her eyes full of understanding and gentle sympathy. "I'm sure that'll do her heart good, Lady," he said, all seriousness.
Jilla's faint smile warmed him right down to his toes.
"Jim!"
Jim turned from the door to Admiral Bradigan's office at the boisterous voice of Commodore Dave Calvin. Here it comes, he thought, but put on his best relaxed smile.
"Hello, Dave," he returned.
The Head of Starfleet Public Relations, bounded over to him, clapping him on the back, pumping his hand with unrestrained enthusiasm. "Congratulations, you old dog!" Calvin said. "When's the big day?"
"Thank you, Commodore," Jim replied. "As soon as all the preparations are complete."
Calvin suddenly frowned. "I'll need more of a press release than that," he stated.
"Well, it really depends on where we can find the room for the ceremony, and who we can get as an officiator on such short notice."
"Hmmm," the commodore murmured, his spectacle-oriented brain obviously going into working mode.
"I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we've decided," Jim put in quickly. "I've got an appointment with Poul just now, so perhaps we can get together later."
"What? Oh, sure, Jim, sure," Calvin said, then smiled again. "I'll see you later then."
Jim nodded, then pressed the buzzer for Bradigan's door. He didn't really have an appointment, but it was a convenient way to get out from under a PR grilling.
Uhura turned elegantly before Tomor's appreciative gaze. "What do you think, sugar?" she asked.
"I can't tell if the dress is gorgeous because it's on you, or if you're particularly gorgeous in the dress," he replied.
Uhura laughed. "You always know just what to say, honey."
"I always speak the truth," the Haven returned with a grin.
"That you do," she acknowledged, then started to unfasten the red lace jacket over the dress she was modeling for him. He stepped up to her.
"Let me," he murmured. "I'm still at your service, Beauty."
"Don't you dare get impatient and rip it," she warned. He chuckled.
"You know me too well, sweetheart." After a moment of careful undoing, the Haven grunted. "Okay, I'm gettin' real impatient now."
Uhura gave a sultry laugh and stepped away from him, quickly finishing. She was aware of his eyes on her as she walked to the closet and hung the jacket on its padded hanger, then smiled to herself and did a slow striptease, running her hand along the fastening seam of the red sheath, sliding it sensually from her body. She stepped out of it, bending artfully to pick it up, then shook it gently - seductively - in front of her before retrieving its hanger. When she turned to place it in the closet, she heard Tomor's growl and braced herself. He moved to tackle her and she stepped aside, grasping his arm, turning him over in a neat flip. He landed on the carpet with a soft "Oof!" then grinned up at her, grabbing her ankle, pulling her down on top of him. She shrieked, laughing as she went down and they rolled together on the floor, kisses and caresses mingling with little jabs and tickling. They were out of breath when Tomor finally flopped onto his back. Uhura was immediately astride him.
"Got you!" she declared.
He laughed. "That you do, Beauty."
"Give up?"
"Honey, I'll give you anything you want."
"I want your complete and total surrender, Mr. Rand," she said archly, her eyes gleaming with wicked intent.
"Baby, my heart surrendered to you the first time I saw you."
"Did it really?"
"No shit done deal, Beauty." He was smiling so warmly that Uhura forgot the game and pressed herself close to him, kissing his deeply. "You suppose Fleet would accept a Haven Security expert?" he whispered when she broke the kiss. Uhura blinked at him.
"Tomor... are you serious?"
"Only if I can get a guarantee of serving with you." He grinned. "And under, over, or in any other way you want."
She pursed her lips. "There's only one way to guarantee that."
"Which is?"
"A dependency posting."
"Which requires?"
She paused. "That we get married, Tomor."
"And the Fed requirements for that are?"
"Are you serious?" she asked again, sitting up. He sat up beside her.
"Devri, honey, I'd do anything to have this all the time," he said, and he lightly caressed her full breast. Annoyed, she slapped his hand.
"There's more to a marriage than sex, sugar."
He shrugged. "It's a contract, right? We negotiate the terms, reach an agreement, and done deal, right?"
Uhura studied him, trying to force herself to remember that he was Haven, not Human, and that he undoubtedly had an entirely different set of cultural assumptions regarding the state of wedded bliss. He was being casual, yes - but that was Haven nature. He wouldn't be proposing a done deal if he wasn't absolutely serious. Which begged the question of whether or not she wanted to be that serious.
"Let me think about it," she told him. "For Terrans, it's a big step."
He shrugged again. "Take all the time you need, Beauty. The offer's on the table, and there ain't no expiration date." Then he smiled. "But we can still fuck each others brains out while you think, can't we?"
Uhura smiled back at him. "We surely can, sugar."
"Oto-san, oka-san, this is Jilla, my wife."
Jilla gave a proper bow as Sulu introduced her to his parents. Midori was not much taller than she was, her black hair pinned up in a soft sculpture, her dark eyes warm and smiling. Jiro was built like Sulu, if a little more stocky, his head shaved, a small, thin mustache above the full lips. They bowed in return, then Midori stepped forward.
"Welcome to our home, yume-san," she said formally.
"Arigato gozaimasu, shuutome-san," Jilla replied and felt Sulu's loving approval.
"Oka-san, come meet Sulu's wife," Jiro called. A small, slight women with grey hair and bright eyes shuffled into the house's common room from what was obviously the kitchen. She held a broom in her hand.
"Wife?" she cackled. "You mean he not bring that Paget boy?"
"Oba-san," Sulu chided with a chuckle, and with surprising speed, the old woman had moved forward, striking him on the shin with the broom.
"You! Show respect!" she snapped, but she was smiling.
Sulu bent down, rubbing his leg. "Hai, gomen nasai, oba-san," he said, but he, too, was grinning. "This is Jilla, Sobo." He glanced at Jilla. "And if you couldn't guess, hon, this is my grandmother, Tayu."
Again Jilla bowed, and caught the suspicious glint in the old woman's eyes as it was returned.
"You not Korean?" she asked with a sly glance at Midori.
"No, I am Indiian," Jilla returned softly. The woman nodded.
"Good!" She again turned to Sulu. "You make good choice, finally!" she stated.
"Is that Sulu?" came a bright female voice from somewhere else in the house, and a lovely young woman flew through the room to throw herself into Sulu's arms. "Sulu-chan!" she nearly shrieked.
Laughing, Sulu caught her, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hana-ichi!" he returned, almost at the same volume. He set her down, smiling at her as he brushed her long, dark hair from her face. "Jilla, this is my sister, Hana. Hana, my wife, Jilla."
Hana bowed, then reached forward to hug Jilla. "He's told us so much about you," she said to the Indiian. Hana was pretty, resembling Midori, with a broad face and slightly flatter features than Sulu's.
"He often speaks of you and of his home here," Jilla returned.
"You hungry, neh?" Tayu said, and the broom briefly smacked the back of Jiro's legs. "Manners!" she demanded.
Jiro frowned at his mother, then glanced at Midori.
"We have a small dinner prepared," she offered, with another bow to Jilla.
"Arigato gozaimasu," Jilla replied with another bow, and Sulu smiled.
Spock had made the call to the Vulcan Embassy and received another appointment with T'Pen. Ruth was more than gratified that the Healer agreed to see them almost immediately When again faced with the Vulcan woman, she approached her humbly.
"Forgive my discordant emotions," she said quietly. "I am prepared to accept all my husband is."
"We shall see," was the sharp response, and Ruth kept her annoyance to herself.
Again T'Pen stood between then, and again the link was smooth and effortless. The extensive mapping that had been done earlier was, of course, unnecessary, but the Healer was nonetheless careful to completely renew her knowledge of Ruth's telepathy. She did the same for Spock. When what had been the sticking point was reached, T'Pen again turned her awareness to Ruth. Ani Ramy, you are aware of and accept the lingering presence of others within him?
I accept... Ruth began.
There can be no acceptance without the knowledge of it, T'Pen informed her, and Ruth squirmed. She remembered Spock's reaction, and said, as calmly as she could, show me.
Sweet, mild, unassuming, delicate, sad, winsome Leila Kalomi. She taught him it was possible to love, to feel, without losing what it is to be Vulcan, Ruth thought, and sighed - wistfully, she noted. I accept, she told T'Pen.
Cold whites and grays, lost, abandoned, fearful and desperate and urgent, ancient passion, warrior's blood. Zarabeth. With her he learned that he could let go of the strict Vulcan control, that he could accept Vulcan's passion and yet still return to calm logic and necessary decisions. And from her, he learned to endure loss and sadness and Human flaws. I accept.
Perfect blending, wit and warmth, submission and devotion, the fire of The Time, brazen Human hungers, full lips, lush body, pointed ears, long, slender legs, large eyes, sensitive temples, strong talented mind. Jith, and Jilla, too. Is there a separate memory of Jilla? she wondered.
T'Pen said, you have been told that link was completely dissolved, ani Ramy.
Yes, but he still cares for her, apart from the joining that was Jith.
He cares for many, as do you. These memories are those that will touch the Bond, as were yours that he was required to accept.
Jith will touch the Bond?
As she was comprised partly of you, it would be impossible for her not to.
That makes sense. Ruth shrugged, then took a deep breath. Okay. She's everything he could want in a wife, me with all my flaws smoothed out by Jilla's perfection. No, wait, that's not right. Jilla has flaws too, and Jith would have all of them - most notably that she would need Sulu. What did Jith give you, husband? Nothing that I can't, except for the pointed ears thing. And the Time. But she would only feed those fires. I can cool them, I won't be bound to it like she would. So all she really gives you is...
She smiled. I am aware, and I accept, she said.
There is acceptance, T'Pen acknowledged and Ruth could hear the satisfaction in her mental tone. The Antari waited while the Healer competed her mapping of Spock, and was again addressed. Ani Ramy, will you hold the life of Spock Sareklrn in your hands, vowing your duty to him when the Fires of our Fathers consume him?
I will, Ruth replied, her heart rate picking up.
Will you, Sarek's son, bind yourself to the care of Keheil ani Ramy, trusting her to serve you at the time of plak tow?
I will, came Spock's strong, calm answer.
Ruth felt the Healer's strong telepathy taking a hold of her mind, bringing it forcefully to Spock's in a way the Antari had never felt before. She felt the bright, golden strand being twisted artfully around Spock's deep jade, the colors fusing and blending. A streak of olive traveled along her mind, settling itself deeply in her medulla oblongata. She was aware of the line of amber that moved through Spock's being, anchoring itself within him. She felt T'Pen testing the strength of the joining, plucking the dual string as she would've plucked the strings of her guitar.
Never and always, touching and touched, T'Pen intoned, at the proper time, in the proper place, you will fuse these strands into one. I, T'Pen Seera'an, have sealed it.
Then the Healer was gently disengaging. When Ruth opened her eyes - not realizing that they had been closed - Spock was flushed.
"Since you are mature adults, a place has been provided for you," T'Pen said. "The consummation will set the Bond between you, to be completed when next come the Fires of our Fathers." A small smile touched her lips. "Peace be between you, Bonded son of Sarek, Lady Ruth." She gestured toward a door at the far end of the garden.
"My thanks, Healer," Spock said formally. T'Pen raised an eyebrow.
"My duty, Spock," she replied.
"Your duty was fulfilled when you determined that we were not yet at a suitable place for a bonding," he returned. "That you agreed to allow us to try again so soon requires acknowledgement."
With another smile, T'Pen bowed her head. "Then the customs of your Human blood require me to say you are welcome," she said, and gracefully walked from the garden.
Ruth took two eager steps toward her husband. "Consummate?" she asked brightly.
"Indeed," he replied, then took her face into his hands. "My wife... thank you."
Ruth grinned impishly. "My duty, husband."
It was after dinner when Sulu's older brother, Ichiro, and his wife and children arrived at the Takeda home. "They were at a company function," Midori explained to Jilla. "It is traditional for the family to attend."
Jilla nodded her understanding, and bowed graciously as Sulu introduced them.
"Chiro, Sosei, this is Jilla, my wife," he said. Jilla noted that Ichiro, like Hana, favored Midori more than he did Jiro, and that Sosei was a thin, very modern-looking young woman, her hair short, spiked, and tinted a bright auburn.
Sulu bent down to ruffle his nine-year-old nephew's hair. "And this is Koshiro," he continued with a smile, " and this - " He picked up the two year old who was hiding behind her mother's legs, "is Kiko."
The little girl giggled, burying her face in Sulu's neck.
"Konbanwa," Jilla said. Ichiro's eyebrows rose.
"An Indiian who speaks Japanese?" he said, and punched his younger brother on the arm. "Quite a catch, otouto."
Sulu grinned.
"She's pretty, oji-san," Koshiro said, smiling up at Jilla.
"Isn't she?" Sulu returned proudly, then spoke to the child in his arms. "Say hello, Kiko."
"Konbanwa," came the shy whisper.
Jilla leaned close. "Konbanwa, mei-san," she whispered in return and the child giggled again. Sulu kissed the girl on the head, then handed her back to her mother.
"Sorry you got here so late," he said to his brother. "We've got to get back up to SanFran."
"The Nests will be launching in a couple of weeks, won't they?" Chiro said.
"Yeah, so the Yards are pretty busy. And Jilla's the Chief of Engineering."
Ichiro whistled. "Beauty and brains," he said, then smiled at Jilla. "And just what do you see in this baka?"
Jilla stared, confused. "Hey, she doesn't know Japanese insults," Sulu put in.
"Maybe she'd better learn some if she's gonna spend her life with you," Chiro joked.
"Ichiro, enough," Midori said softly, but her eldest son immediately straightened, then bowed to her and to Jilla.
"Gomen nasai," he said.
"Wakarimasu, gikei-san," Jilla returned with a bow of her own.
Sosei stepped forward. "It was nice to meet you, Jilla," she said. "I hope we can get to know one another better."
"Hajime mashite," Jilla replied, and heard Ichiro whisper, "Can she speak Anglo?"
Sulu chuckled. "It's Indiian custom to adapt to the husband's culture," he said. "She's being proper and polite."
"Ah. So." And Ichiro bowed again. "Hajime mashite, Jilla-chan."
"And it was nice meeting you, Ichiro," Jilla said and smiled inwardly at Sulu's snort of amusement.
Jeremy was sitting at the kitchen table of his childhood home, talking casually with his father when a knock came at the back door. His mother moved from her position, leaning against the kitchen sink, and went to the door. Jeremy smiled, rising as he heard Sulu's voice.
"Hi, Mrs. Paget. Is Jer still here?"
"Where else would he be if he isn't at your house?" Dominique Paget replied tersely, but Jeremy knew that there was affection beneath it.
"This is my wife, Jilla," Sulu said, and Dominique was moving aside as he and Jilla stepped into the bright, open room. "Jilla, Mrs. Dominique Paget." Charles Paget stood, smiling welcomingly.
"Well, well, if she isn't the pretty little thing," he said, and stuck out his hand. "I'm Jeremy's father, Charles."
"The Reverend Charles Paget," Dominique added proudly.
"Jilla, my parents," Jeremy said.
"I am pleased to meet you both," Jilla returned, as she gently shook Charles' hand. Her voice was soft but suffused with pleasure.
"And hello to you too, boy," Charles added to Sulu. "Who'd've ever thought you'd end up with a beauty like this?"
"And does she have any nice friends?" Dominique said pointedly.
"Mama, stop it," Jeremy protested, and Sulu chuckled.
"There's a very nice young woman in Security on my ship," the captain replied, grinning at Jeremy.
"Can you introduce them?" Dominique wanted to know.
"They've already been," Sulu said, "and they seemed to hit it off well enough."
The tall, comely woman turned to her son. "Well?" she demanded.
Jeremy sighed. "I'll certainly see what I can do, Mama."
"Now, Dom, stop badgerin' the boy," Charles rejoined. "Now that his career's all set, he's got plenty of time."
Dominique scowled at her husband, but her eyes danced with merriment. "Come on, sit down," she said to Sulu. "We want to hear all about the wedding."
Jeremy winced as Jilla's head bent, her face shimmering with her flush.
"I'm sorry, but we really don't have time," Sulu said easily. "We've got to get back to SanFran. I just thought I'd pop in and let you meet Jilla."
"That means you gotta go too, Jeremy?" Dominique asked, her expression sad but resigned.
"'Fraid so, Mama."
The woman sighed. "But you're on Terra for two weeks, right?"
"At least," Jeremy replied..
"You come see us again," she said.
"'Course I will."
"And Sulu, maybe you and your pretty wife can have dinner with us?"
Sulu grinned. "Chictai?"
"Whatever you want, darlin'," Mrs. Paget returned with a grin of her own.
"What is..." Jilla began.
"It's a Haitian dish," Jeremy said, then frowned. "But it's made with meat. Jilla's a vegetarian, Mama."
"Then I'll make some diri a jon jon to go with," she said.
"That's rice with mushrooms," Jeremy supplied.
Jilla nodded her thanks. Jeremy gave and received a long, fierce hug from his mother, and an equally firm embrace from Charles. Sulu, too, got a hug from Dominique, and a warm handshake from Jeremy's father.
"Do you all hug on Indi?" Dominique asked.
"Jilla's a little reserved," Jeremy answered, and Dominique glanced suspiciously at him.
"You know more about her than her own husband, boy?"
Sulu laughed. "No, Dominique, he's just playing the host." He smiled. "Like you taught him."
Mrs. Paget 'hmmphed' and gave Jilla a warm embrace anyway. "Nice to meet you, child," she said.
"And you," Jilla returned, though she was still glowing.
When the door to the house was closed behind them and they had walked quite a way down the street, Jilla said softly, "Your mother is quite - overwhelming, Jeremy." And Jeremy and Sulu both laughed.
There was a message for Sulu and Jilla when they arrived at Jilla's quarters, Admiral Bradigan requesting their presence in his office at 0800 the next morning. Jilla keyed in an acknowledgement, then made a call to Ruth's house in Berkeley. There was no response and she sighed.
"Don't worry, hon," Sulu told her. "Even if she and Spock are there, you don't really expect her to answer, do you?"
"I suppose not," Jilla replied. She went to her wardrobe, removing the civilian clothing she'd been wearing. She flushed as she became aware of Sulu's warm smile.
"God, I missed you," the captain murmured. She went to his arms.
"And I, you, husband."
"Whatever Bradigan has to say tomorrow," he said, "I am going to serve with you."
"Sulu, I cannot allow you to so injure your career," Jilla returned softly.
"To hell with that," he said, but she could feel the despair it caused him. "It won't be a lot of fun, but I can't live through another year like the last one."
"You did not think that way before you were told of your promotion," she reminded.
"That was then," Sulu answered. "At the time, I didn't realize the alternative." He kissed the top of her head. "And being Spock's First Officer is different than going back to helmsman."
"You are a good captain," Jilla argued. "Starfleet will not so easily give up one who has proven himself..."
"Starfleet will have to," he insisted. "I'm not living without you."
"I will gladly take a demotion..." she began.
Sulu snorted. "Fleet is far more unlikely to allow that, hon."
"If they will not, I will resign," Jilla said adamantly.
"And what good will that do? If I'm not on a Nest, I can't bring you with me anyway."
"Yet if I am employed in the private sector, I can arrange to follow your schedule..."
"No, hon," Sulu interrupted gently. "If you have to resign, so do I."
The Indiian started. "You cannot be serious!" she stated.
Sulu put her at arms' length. "Jilla, the only thing that matters to me is that we be together. I'd prefer it in Fleet, but if that's not possible..." He looked intently into her eyes. "You're the most important thing in my life. Everything - everything else is a distant second. You know that, don't you?"
The strength of his conviction overwhelmed her, making her glow and forcing tears to her eyes. "Sulu, I..." she stammered.
"Celletyea cortayelyea, tu 'emi," he said. I love you for all eternity, my wife.
"Celletyea cortayelyea, tu 'ros," she answered, then clung to him, kissing him and felt his smile beneath it.
Ruth stopped Spock just before the door to the small house. "Carry me," she said.
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's custom," she returned. "The groom is supposed to carry his new bride over the threshold."
"You, madam, are giddy," The Vulcan returned.
She giggled. "I think the term is come-drunk," she said, and laughed again when the tips of his ears greened. She pulled at his tunic. "Come on, carry me!"
He bowed his head. "As you wish, my wife."
Ruth hopped into his arms, snuggling against his neck as he took three steps through the doorway. "The bed is in there," she whispered, nodding toward the small bedroom.
"I remember," Spock whispered back.
"Goodie."
He had only taken another few steps when the chime from the com unit sounded.
"Oh, shit," Ruth pouted. Spock attempted to put her down, but she silently urged him to carry her to the desk instead. With the quirk of an eyebrow, he complied. Ruth bent down from his arms to hit the opening switch. "Valley," she said.
"Commander Valley, Admiral Bradigan wants you in his office right away," came the voice of Jessica Conners, the Chief of Communication at the Shipyards. "And Commander Spock, if he's with you..."
"He is," Ruth said, then sighed "I hate you, Jess, you know that."
"Blame the admiral," the young woman replied, the grin obvious in her tone.
"Oh, I will. And he'll hear about it," Ruth returned. "We'll be right there. Valley out." She closed the com, then noticed that there were several messages on the indicator. She made a mental note to read them later, then said, to Spock, "Okay, I guess you'll have to put me down now."
"I can carry you to the transport station if you wish," Spock offered graciously.
Ruth giggled again. "Yeah, but I can't change into a uniform like this." She gave him a deep kiss, then said, "And you'd better not show up at Bradigan's office in civvies, either."
"So noted, wife," Spock returned, and set Ruth on her feet.
Jade hadn't been included in Bradigan's order to Jim to be in his office at 0800, but she went along anyway. "Whatever he has to say will affect both of us, James," she'd told him, and her husband-to-be readily agreed.
Sulu and Jilla were already there, standing before Bradigan's desk, when Jim and Jade arrived. Sulu gave Jim a boisterous greeting, congratulating him, and gave Jade his promised kiss.
"The bridesmaids' dresses are beautiful," he told her.
She smiled. "As is my gown," she returned.
"Which I haven't seen yet,' Jim put in.
"Which you won't until the ceremony," Jade replied. "That's traditional, you know."
"And what do your groomsmen get to wear?" Sulu asked.
Jade frowned. "Sulu, about that..."
"I didn't really call you here to discuss your wedding," Bradigan interrupted easily.
"Right," Jim said. "So what's up, Poul?"
"We're still waiting on Commanders Spock and Valley," the admiral stated.
As if on cue, the door chime sounded. "Come," Poul said, and Ruth and Spock entered. Ruth was holding onto Spock's arm, smiling happily, then her face lit up and she let go, moving quickly to give Sulu a bear hug.
"Roy, it's so good to see you!" she enthused.
He returned the embrace. "And you Spike," he smiled. "Having a nice reunion?"
"The best," Ruth beamed. "You?"
Sulu grinned at Jilla. "Likewise," he said, and the Indiian shimmered.
"This isn't really intended to be old home week either," Bradigan broke in, and Jim laughed.
"Really, Poul, what did you expect?"
The admiral shrugged. "Point taken." He cleared his throat. "But as to the actual reason for this meeting..." He waited until all eyes in the room were on him. "You all know the Nests will be ready to launch in the next two weeks," he began.
"Good work, ladies," Jim said to Ruth and Jilla.
"And Starfleet Command had made its decision as to who will command them."
Rapidly mounting anticipation rose in the glances exchanged between the couples.
"Commander Spock, I'm sure you're already aware of Fleet's high regard for you and your wife," Bradigan continued. "And I'm sure it doesn't really come as any surprise to you that you've been named as the Captain of the Class Two Heavy Cruiser, registry number 1901."
Ruth squealed in delight and Spock nodded. "I am honored to accept, Admiral," he said.
"May I assume you're standing next to your Chief of Science?" Poul added with a smile.
"You may," Spock returned. "And, if she agrees, my First Officer."
"I agree, I agree!" Ruth accepted.
Jade caught the fleeting dismay on both Sulu and Jilla's faces, but said nothing.
Bradigan turned to Jim. "I hope you saw this coming, Jim."
"I did," Jim said, grinning proudly at his best friend.
"And I also hope you realize that your shake-down year has been deemed a smashing success."
"I certainly hope so," Jade said.
"Therefore, if for no other reason than to avoid a Federation-wide mutiny," Poul chuckled, "James T. Kirk has been named the commander of the Class Two Heavy Cruiser, registry number 1900."
Jim blinked. Jade gasped. "The flagship?" she managed. Bradigan nodded, smiling.
"I - I don't know what to say, Poul," Jim stammered.
"Say yes, Jim." Poul suggested.
Jim laughed. "Yes!"
"And, Dr. Han," the admiral added, turning to Jade, "Chief Medical Officer?"
"Leonard will be crestfallen, but yes," Jade returned and reached for Jim's hand which, to her joy, was reaching for hers.
"We get Bones, right?" Ruth put in.
"I don't believe it," Sulu was murmuring. "My god, I don't believe it..." Beside him, Jilla was holding her breath.
"Believe it, Captain," Bradigan stated, now turning to him. "The Class Two Heavy Cruiser, registry number 1902, is yours."
"I've only - it's only been..." Sulu was saying.
"You've got an excellent record, Sulu, and quite a number of high-level vouches - " He nodded at Spock and Jim. "Not to mention the recommendations of not only your entire crew, but a good number of the former crew of the Enterprise." Sulu's eyes closed, his face lighting with a pleased, grateful smile. "And - " Bradigan smiled at Jilla, "Fleet couldn't very well take the chance of losing our Chief of Engineering, could we?"
There were tears in Jilla's eyes as Sulu took her into a fierce, exultant embrace. "My Chief of Engineering," Sulu said, then grinned at Bradigan. "Do I need to say yes?"
The admiral chuckled. "It is standard procedure, Captain."
"Yes!" Sulu said, and hugged Jilla again.
Jade moved closer to Jim, holding onto him as the two other couples gravitated around them. Sulu and Jim and Ruth were all talking excitedly, Spock listening, adding the occasional pithy comment, Jilla glowing with pride and relief. She found that she didn't mind sharing her wedding with the news one little bit.