The Vulcan Changeling Project

Vulcan Soup for the Soul

Spock’s stomach churned a new experience for him and one that he didn’t want to repeat, for alcohol was not the only contributor, Spock had to face the truth and he had to tell Kirk and Muriah before they reached Vulcan. So, a few moments later after being summoned, Kirk, McCoy, and Muriah  all stared at Spock as he took a deep breath and he wished that Uhura was beside him to provide a sense of calm. For a moment Spock entertained the idea of calling Uhura down to sick bay on some pretext or other and then he mentally chastised himself for the moment he had wasted on idyll speculation. However, as if she had read his mind the doors swished open admitting Uhura into sick bay and even though Spock knew it wasn’t logical it seemed as if the ghostly white illumination from the light fixtures shone brighter for a moment or two.

Muriah smiled in greeting and then looked back at Spock and Kirk, “I hope it’s alright that I asked Uhura to join us? I might need her for moral support,” Muriah said as she briefly glanced in Spock’s direction.

Since Kirk had no idea what Spock was going to enlighten them about he shrugged and said, “Lieutenant Uhura has top level clearance, so I see no reason why not.”

Uhura smiled and came and stood beside Spock’s bedside, “Spock, I hope you are feeling better I programed the food synthesizer to generate a bowl of  Vulcan Vegetarian Soup, it took a few tries, however I think you will be pleased with the results,” Uhura said as she beamed at Spock and handed him a small container.

Spock reached out, took the container and for a brief moment their fingers brushed against each other, “I’m sure it is a reasonable facsimile,” he stated flatly.

McCoy raised an eyebrow as Spock’s heartrate accelerated, “Wow, that must be some soup,” he commented dryly. For a moment McCoy watched the monitor pulse and fluctuate with a perverse pleasure, for even though Spock appeared calm on the outside, something had gotten him riled up and McCoy felt a sense of satisfaction at the visual evidence that Spock indeed got all hot and bothered about something.

After a few moments of the beeping from the monitor, Kirk took pity on Spock, “For God’s sake Bones shut that thing off, it’s driving me crazy,” he snapped.

McCoy reluctantly complied and then they all turned towards Spock. Spock swallowed, “I must tell you all the reason we are headed to Vulcan.”

After a few moments of silence, Kirk gently prodded Spock, for he knew the Vulcan was not as ambivalent as he would have others assume, “Go on, Spock, it’s okay you’re among friends…family.”

Spock nodded and told them, he told them of the Vulcan Cry of Distress, he told them of Vulcan’s violent past and then he told them what he knew about Muriah’s history and when he had finished everyone stood there in stunned silence. McCoy was the first to react as he led Muriah to a bed for her face was ashen and it looked like she was going to faint at any moment. “Are you okay?” McCoy asked futility.

Muriah’s hands trembled as she looked over at Spock, “So, I’m like you, half human, half Vulcan and you knew this and didn’t tell me? You should have told me first.” Muriah said as she began to weep.

Uhura was the first one to her side, as she glared at Kirk, McCoy and Spock and said angrily, “Give us some privacy. In other words get out.”

One by one they all did as she ordered and left the room. Kirk was the first one to speak as they all looked at each other in bewilderment, “Did we all just snap to and let Uhura give us an order?”

Spock nodded, “It would seem so, Captain.”

McCoy laughed, “How do you think I feel? I let her kick me out of my own sick bay.”

Kirk chuckled, “Well, Spock let’s get to the bridge and let the Lieutenant cool off.”

McCoy looked troubled, “Do you think it’s safe to go back in?”

Kirk put a hand on McCoy’s shoulder and said, “Bones, I would give it a few for you know how long a woman can be mad.”

McCoy spread his hands in confusion, “No, I don’t that’s why I’m divorced.”

Kirk laughed and said, “Spock, let’s go and let the good Doctor figure out how’s he going to get back in sick bay.”

Spock nodded quietly for the very thought that Uhura might be angry with him was enough to send the meager contents of his stomach churning again.