James T. Kirk

Chapter 20: Ko'mekhil T'Pau

Chapter 20: Ko'mekhil T'Pau

Spock sat at the oversized desk in the oversized office his father had determined was the appropriate setting for the chief editor of House Net'no'kwa. And Executive Vice President of all business affairs of Clan Shi'Kahr. In the process of fulfilling his responsibilities, he had met an extraordinary man with amazing blue eyes, a sensual mouth, and a fierce intellect that he had rarely encountered in someone not a Vulcan.

And now he found himself in the unfortunate, extremely un-Vulcan-like position of being in love with someone who embodied all that Vulcans repudiated. How could he love one who took another life on the orders of those who believed themselves the arbiters of who deserved to die? Never mind the fact that his own father was the de facto Vulcan member of the Board of the Consortium. Not that Spock was even certain there was a Board. Since their initial talk, Sarek had not discussed his involvement. He had not refused as much as avoided the topic whenever the opportunity seemed to present itself.

This was an extremely unsatisfactory situation for him to be in and Spock found himself resenting it. His father would not explain. Spock could find no additional information. His mother was not involved and could provide him no further insight.

He resolutely picked up the phone, dialing his father's extension. "Father."

"Yes," Sarek responded.

"I need to discuss the Consortium. Do you have the time?" Spock asked. His question came perilously close to a demand but it was not.

"I do not. However," Sarek continued before Spock simply hung up on him. "T'Pau is in possession of all of the information you may require. She is expecting your call."

"You did not think to tell me?" Spock asked.

"You had not asked. Call your grandmother. She will satisfy your curiosity."

"It is not inappropriate inquisitiveness," Spock said with a hard edge.

"I was not saying that it is inappropriate for you to ask."

"Very well," Spock said, hanging up in a rare display of pique. Was being in love with a Human going to remain this complicated? "Grandmother," he said when T'Pau had taken the phone from her assistant.

"Spock-kam," T'Pau responded. "You are well."

"I am," Spock agreed. "May I come for a visit? I have many questions I wish to pose to you."

"Of course. Come now. We will share lunch. I will provide you the information you seek if I am able."

"Thank you, Ko'mekh-il. I will arrive in 23 minutes."

"I will see you at that time," T'Pau agreed, hanging up.

Exactly 21 minutes later, Spock stood at the door to his grandmother's luxury apartment. It was in one of the oldest, most stately buildings in the city, the one with a waiting list forever long of those who wished to take up residence. T'Pau had lived there since her arrival on Earth, initially living in one of the 10th floor apartments. When the one next to hers came vacant, she purchased it and opened them up so that it was larger and quite grand.

Spock barely had the opportunity to knock on the door before it was opened by T'Pring, T'Pau's assistant. She hadn't had the job particularly long and although she did an admirable job of disguising her trepidation, she clearly was concerned her next action would be the wrong one.

"Spock," T'Pring said in her cool voice, her eyes equally cold.

"T'Pring," Spock responded, sweeping past her to enter his grandmother's apartment.