The Vulcan Changeling Project

Vulcans Don't Lie

Spock felt as if someone had poured liquid into his lungs. He gasped. Every breath was sheer torture. Spock then felt tears running down his face. He quickly brushed them away and then doubled over. Strong, gentle hands pushed him on his back. Spock looked up into his father's eyes. "Father," he whispered as everything swirled away into darkness.

When Spock next awoke the room was empty. He was alone. Spock sat up and slid to the edge of the bed. The room blurred out of focus as he tried to stand.

"I wouldn't try that if I were you." A gravelly voice warned.

Spock turned to see Doctor McCoy standing in the doorway. "Doctor, I should have surmised that yours would be the first face I would see."

Doctor McCoy grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment, Spock, welcome back." McCoy's grin faded when he noticed Spock resuming his attempts to get out of bed. He stepped closer to Spock's bed. "Spock, you need to rest. You've really had a rough go of it."

Spock sighed, willing his dizziness to subside. "Yes, Doctor I am inclined to agree with you."

McCoy frowned. "Spock, why do you always agree with me when I'm not in a position to gloat?"

Spock sighed again, arched an eyebrow as he said, "Doctor that is an illogical theory."

McCoy crossed his arms in a defense gesture. "Well, Spock, I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

Spock nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."

McCoy, never one to keep secrets began to bounce on his heels. "Spock, I ..." He let his voice trail off not sure how to proceed.

Spock's eyes darkened. "Doctor, what is it?"

McCoy stopped bouncing. "Well, it's about Muriah. She became ill the way you did. Sarek melded with her in an attempt to heal her but..." McCoy closed his eyes as he remembered the sheer terror on Muriah's face. "They discovered that a mind block had been administered when she was a child. Sarek broke the block, but as a result...Muriah now remembers everything."

Spock swallowed and took a deep breath. "Doctor, I must see her as soon as possible."

***

Muriah lay in her bed shivering. Her mind refusing to accept the memories which flooded through her thoughts, for the nightmares weren't over. They were just beginning. Muriah buried her face in her pillow and began to sob. She didn't hear Spock as he quietly entered the room. Sensing someone's presence Muriah jerked up into a sitting position. "Who's there?" She asked with a quaver in her voice.

"It is I, Spock." He said as he walked to the edge of Muriah's bed and sat down. He didn't move away from her as Muriah leaned against his shoulder and began to weep.

"Spock," Muriah sobbed, "they killed my parents."

Spock bowed his head. "I know," he whispered.

Muriah shivered as she looked around the Vulcan Hospital room. "This place brings back horrible memories. I must get out of here."

Spock walked over to the wall and pushed a button. A few minutes later a nurse appeared. "Nurse, I wish to have this patient released into my care," Spock said.

The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Spock, this patient is not due to be released yet."

Spock clasped his hands behind his back. "I will take full responsibility."

The nurse frowned. "Mr. Spock, my records indicate that you haven't been released either."

A muscle twitched in Spock's cheek. "Your records are in error. I suggest that you check them again."

The nurse inclined her head towards Spock. "Yes, Mr. Spock I shall return momentarily."

As soon as the nurse left the room, Spock disconnected Muriah from the hospital machines. He helped her up and then walked over took the pillow case off of the pillow. Then he handed it to Muriah. "The sun is bright. You will need to put this over your eyes until we find you protective eyewear." Spock then held out his hand without reservation to Muriah. "Come, let's go, before they realize that I have exaggerated."

Muriah smiled for the first time in weeks, it made the muscles in her face ache from disuse. "You mean lie, Spock?"

Spock looked outraged. "Vulcan's do not lie."

Muriah raised an eyebrow. "But humans do."

A smile played around the corner of Spock's lips as he said, "Indeed."