Visitors

XV

Mac'hla clutched Reelok's hand and guided her down the hall, preparing to say goodbye to her dear friends.
Spock had said he wanted to meet the children, and Mac'hla was not about to let him leave without giving him this.
"Admiral." Mac'hla greeted, "Captain."
Jim and Spock turned and watched their young friend approaching.
Spock looked pleased. Perhaps anyone else wouldn't have noticed, but Jim and Mac'hla knew him well enough to read him.
Mac'hla knelt down to Reelok's level, "Can you say hello?"
Reelok held up a ta'al. It was perfect, especially for such a young child.
"Hello." She said softly, and quickly hid behind her mother's legs.
"She is shy." Mac'hla said, reaching back to pat her head.
"Is this..?" Spock asked, gazing at the dark haired infant.
"S'chn. Yes, he is." they said, showing his sleepy face.
His eyes were the same multicolored hazel as T'Ve's, and his dark curls reminded Spock and Jim of Mac'hla's before it had turned white.
To Mac'hla's surprise, Spock reached out and gently stroked S'chn's face with the back of his finger. Spock had never been comfortable with babies... Mac'hla wondered what had happened to change that.
"You know I do not like mysteries." Mac'hla said, "I find it difficult to accept that I do not know the information the box contains."
Jim looked at the black box placed by the door, "You know I wouldn't leave you in the dark, don't you? You'll find out."
"Admiral, it would be unwise to inform Misses Tirok... it is meant to be classified." Spock protested.
"Well, they know this much already, don't they?" He asked.
Spock rolled his eyes slightly, but he secretly agreed. Mac'hla's crew had risked their lives to get that information, and it would be illogical and unfair to keep it secret.
"I appreciate it Admiral... It is unfortunate that we have to be parted so soon."
"Come on, Maggie, you know you can't get rid of me. We'll see each other again soon, I'm sure." Jim smiled sadly, "Come here."
Jim pulled Mac'hla in for a warm embrace, and this time they didn't hesitate to return it. There was no awkward tension or discomfort this time.
He cupped her face, "I'm so proud of you Captain. I knew you'd make it here... ever since you were just an Ensign I always said you'd be a Captain someday. I just didn't know it would be so soon."
"I am very grateful, Admiral." Mac'hla said, a barely visible smile pulling at the corner of her lips, "Good bye, sir."
"Goodbye, Mac'hla."
He turned and picked up the box, exiting through the port with a final smile at the Captain, and left the two to have their goodbye.
"Spock." she said quietly.
"Mac'hla."
"I am pleased to have seen you again." She said, "I did miss you... illogical as it may be."
"I share the same illogical feeling." Spock admitted, "And I believe I will feel the same once we part ways."
Mac'hla felt an uncharacteristic urge to show him her true affection, and so she reached up and pressed her palm to his cheek.
He didn't pull away or seem displeased. In fact, he seemed quite content with this contact.
"How am I supposed to let you go, knowing this may be the last time I see you?"
"You said those exact words to me the day we left the Enterprise, Misses Tirok. And here we are. There is always a chance that any meeting may be one's last– especially in Starfleet. But it seems the universe always has a way of bringing those meant to know each other back together. This will not be goodbye."
Mac'hla tilted their head, their eyes gleaming.
"Live Long and Prosper, Mister Spock.
The corners of Spock's lips turned slightly upwards.
"Live Long and Prosper, Misses Mac'hla."