Received: from [66.218.67.193] by n9.grp.scd.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 17 Jul 2004 19:07:56 -0000 X-Sender: asc-l@ix.netcom.com X-Apparently-To: ascem-s@yahoogroups.com Received: (qmail 56086 invoked from network); 17 Jul 2004 19:07:54 -0000 Received: from unknown (66.218.66.167) by m11.grp.scd.yahoo.com with QMQP; 17 Jul 2004 19:07:54 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO granger.mail.mindspring.net) (207.69.200.148) by mta6.grp.scd.yahoo.com with SMTP; 17 Jul 2004 19:07:54 -0000 Received: from h-66-167-56-30.phlapafg.dynamic.covad.net ([66.167.56.30] helo=katiedell.ix.netcom.com) by granger.mail.mindspring.net with esmtp (Exim 3.33 #1) id 1BluXH-0006Za-00 for ascem-s@yahoogroups.com; Sat, 17 Jul 2004 15:07:51 -0400 Message-Id: <6.0.3.0.2.20040717150549.03d309c0@popd.ix.netcom.com> X-Sender: asc-l@popd.ix.netcom.com X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.0.3.0 To: ascem-s@yahoogroups.com X-eGroups-Remote-IP: 207.69.200.148 From: ASC Archive Team MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list ASCEM-S@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEM-S-owner@yahoogroups.com Delivered-To: mailing list ASCEM-S@yahoogroups.com Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 15:05:59 -0400 Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW: TOS Revenant [R] 4/6 K/Ch, ChFF Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-ELNK-AV: 0 TITLE: Revenant AUTHOR: Djinn CONTACT: djinn@djinnslair.com http://www.djinnslair.com SERIES: TOS RATING: R CODES: K/Ch, Chapel Fic Fest PART: 4/6 DISCLAIMERS: Paramount and Viacom own these characters--I'm just warping canon--and trying to explain some things. SUMMARY: Sequel to "Commander" and the final installment in the look Christine hears a noise at the front door and reaches for her Daqtagh. She has never felt threatened here, not even when Spock has been away on his frequent diplomatic missions. But whoever has come in is trying to be very quiet and that worries her. Jim still has plenty of enemies on Qo'noS--not all of them want to party with her and Spock. And Spock isn't here to party with. Just her, the defenseless human. She grips the Daqtagh tighter. Not totally defenseless. Getting up, she pulls her robe on, then creeps out of her bedroom and into the main room. A rising eyebrow greets her as Spock puts down his carryall and studies her. "I see you have gone native." Lowering the knife, she glares at him. "You weren't due back for a week. And why were you being so quiet?" "It is late. I did not want to wake you if you were sleeping." He is staring at her. She realizes her robe has fallen open and ties it shut. "So why are you back?" "I postponed my visit to Vulcan." "Why?" The look he gives her is searching. "What?" She moves toward him, feels a sinking in the pit of her stomach. He's never shown so much interest in her nightclothes before. And he's still staring at her. "It's not that time of the decade, is it?" He actually smiles. Just the smallest tip of his lips in the upward direction, but it is a definite smile. "No. It is not the Pon Farr." "Well, that's a relief, because, you know..." She is unsure where she is going with the thought, so she just waves the knife around in an almost threatening manner. "I stand warned." He moves to her. "I have missed you, Christine." She sets the weapon down and hugs him. As always, it is a surprise that he allows it. But he has let her do this since that day she first had to use her Daqtagh. His arms close around her, and she is reminded of his strength as she sinks into his embrace. She feels a touch on her cheek, thinks she imagines it. There is no way Spock just kissed her. "So why did you come back early?" He pulls away enough to look at her. "I was tired. And I needed to come home. And much to my surprise, you and this planet seem to represent that to me far more than my home world does." She stares at him, unsure what he wants her to do with that information. It touches her to know he thinks of her that way. But it confuses her too. Surely he is not saying... "Is that sentiment unwelcome, Christine?" Stroking her hair away from her face, his hands stop to rest on either side of her head. His skin is warm, so warm. "No. Not at all." She can feel his pulse though his hands--it is racing. "Spock? What are you doing?" "Nothing, if you do not want it." His eyes are intense, more so than she's ever seen. "I know I am not Jim. I know I can never be him for you, and that what you felt for him is not something you can call back up." His hands run though her hair, then move to her face, tracing the lines of her cheeks, her forehead. "But...perhaps you can feel something else for me? I care for you, Christine. Very much." His fingers are dancing over the meld points and she shivers. Desire--she can feel it even without the meld. He wants her. She reaches up, touches his face, and he groans softly and closes his eyes. He really wants her. She laughs softly, sees his eyes fly open as if he is afraid she is making fun of him. She smiles at him, doesn't stop stroking his face, his ears, his neck. "I can't be Jim for you either. I know you loved him." He nods. "I am not asking you to be him." Leaning against him, she feels him push back. "Maybe we both represent that last link to him, though. Even if neither of us can be him. Maybe that's why you want me?" "Perhaps. But I want you for yourself as well. I did not rush back here to recapture Jim." "No?" He shakes his head. Then he kisses her. The mechanics of a kiss are so simple, yet being with Spock is nothing like being with Jim. His lips feel hotter, but less demanding. He is waiting for her to meet him. He needs that from her. He is unsure of her. Wrapping her arms around him, she kisses him back, feels him relax. When they finally pull away from each other, she searches his face. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Spock?" "No, I am not." He gently pushes her toward his bedroom. "I am sure, however, that I do not care whether it is or not. I want you." She laughs. It is such a wonderfully impulsive thing for him to say. He kisses her again, and she runs her hands up under his shirt, feels his skin--so much hotter than her own--and the dark hair that covers his chest. He is built differently than Jim. Lean, almost lanky. Yet he is strong as he pulls her to him, as he kisses her again and pulls off her clothes and his own in one long impatient flow of pants and shirts and under things. Then he is lifting her up, and she wraps her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, and settles onto him. She gasps at the feeling. It has been so long since she and Jim made love, and she did not think she would ever want this with another man. But she wants Spock. She wants him badly. His hand finds her face, touches down on the meld points, and he is in her mind, just as he was when they shared consciousness so long ago. She can feel his desire for her, and a rush of affection and admiration from him too, and coloring it all is Jim and how much they both loved him. "I love you," Spock tells her, the sound ringing through her mind. Then he is worming his way deep, into her memories. Her memories of loving Jim. She gasps, tries to pull away. He is instantly back with her; her memories are safe. "Christine. I did not intend trespass. I just want to please you. I know Jim did. I am not sure that I will and I thought...if I knew how he did..." "You'll please me." She kisses him, holding his fingers in place as she does it. "But please me as yourself, not as him." He kisses her back almost desperately. "I beg forgiveness." "I forgive you. Just ask first before you go traipsing through my memories." She can feel that what she has said resonates with him in some way she doesn't completely understand. She can sense him falling away from her, as if disappointed in himself. So much so that he thinks he no longer deserves this--no longer deserves her. "Spock." She kisses him again, her tongue finding his, and as she touches him, she feels his shock of desire. "Spock, come back to me and finish what you started." She can hear her own amusement ringing through the meld. It seems to be the best approach. It occurs to her that it is what Jim would have done. She can hear the echo of that thought from Spock. Jim will always be a ghost between them. But that's all right. They both loved him; they will not mind his company. Spock carries her to the bed and somehow manages to get them both onto it without falling or crushing her. She decides she loves Vulcan strength. She knows she loves him. She tells him so, in words and then tries to project the love through the meld. She can feel his satisfaction. Then he deepens the meld, and she is lost in the sensation of his pleasure and her own. She can't begin to compare it to Jim anymore; it is so different...so alien. When Spock comes, he doesn't make a sound, but his pleasure screams through the meld. He keeps moving, doesn't seem to need to stop despite his climax. He begins to touch her, his fingers moving over her until she cries out. She can feel her pleasure ricochet through the meld. It is so intense she is not sure if she is coming again or just reliving what's happened. She has the strange, disconnected thought that she is glad Jim never made love to Spock. He would never have wanted to leave his friend's bed if he'd tasted this. To her surprise, Spock laughs. Not loudly, or long, or even very hard. But he is amused. And pleased. He is pleased that he has pleased her. He is pleased that she thinks he would have pleased Jim. He lets go of her face, and the meld eases. Opening her eyes, she kisses him. "I'm glad you came home early." "As am I." They lie together quietly for a while, then he says softly. "Will you come to Vulcan with me? I will go in two weeks." "Come with you?" He nods. "My father thinks highly of you." She chuckles. "Yes, he thinks highly of all the people who nearly get him killed by visiting probes." She kisses Spock, feels a rush of pure affection at the sweet way he kisses her back. He is not Jim. But he is her friend, and now her lover. And she loves him, has loved him, even if not this way, for a long time. And she knows Jim would approve. He would not have wanted either of them to be lonely. Especially if they both still love him best. She grins at that thought. Jim was generous, but he also liked to be first. "You will come then?" Spock looks worried. She nods. "I'll come." She cuddles in next to him, feels his arms go around her, pulling her even closer. She is unsure what to do, does not know if the sex is over or just beginning. She studied Vulcans when she had her crush on him, but information on their sexual habits was hard to find and not detailed when she did find it. "Are you tired?" he asks. "No." "Do you still desire me?" He sounds tentative, almost awkward. She feels such a rush of tenderness for him it leaves her breathless. She doesn't answer, lets her kiss tell him that she still wants him, let's her questing hand tell him that she needs to be touched again. He moans as she grasps him--there is no doubt that he still desires her. She smiles as she moves out of his arms, as she pushes him to his back and crawls onto him. He looks so complete as he watches her, his hands holding her, helping to move her. "You saved me." She moves faster. "You know that? You saved me when you brought me here." "You were so alone. How could I not try to help?" He pulls her down so he can kiss her. His tongue works at her lips, and she opens her mouth to him. When he finally lets her sit back up, he says, "You were my friend. You are my love." His world is still such a simple place at times. It is one of the reasons she loves him. ----------------------- Amanda's garden seems to glow in the tolerable heat of night. Christine wanders through the primarily white flowers, stopping to inhale the aroma of night-blooming jasmine and lovely, huge roses. She hears the door open and turns to see Sarek stepping out into the garden. "You enjoy my wife's garden?" She smiles. "Very much." He joins her by the rose bush. "She used to plant more colorful flowers. But it was too hot during the day to enjoy them, and they faded into the darkness when the sun set." He touches the petal of one of the roses. "So she created a night garden." "It's beautiful." "Yes. And very fragile. It takes constant care for these flowers to thrive here." He turns to look at her. "Fortunately, my wife thrives here with greater ease." "Indeed." She has been around Spock too long. It is something he would say. "I did not have the opportunity to express to you my deep sorrow at the loss of James Kirk. He was a man of excellent character and deep loyalty to those he loved." She feels a familiar rush of pain when she thinks of Jim, but it is somehow muffled now. By Spock she thinks. By loving him. She looks up at his father and smiles gently. "Thank you, Sarek." They walk a bit, and he identifies the flowers she does not recognize. When they reach the end of the garden, she sits on a bench and Sarek joins her. "I was surprised when my son told us you would be coming." "Not half as surprised as I was," she says, with a grin she knows is Jim-worthy. She wonders if Sarek can see a bit of Kirk in the expression. Sarek appears to miss it. "It is not good for a man to be too alone. And my son, I fear, is often isolated." She can see where Sarek is going with his explorations, decides to make him work for the knowledge that she suspects Amanda sent him out to gather. He looks at her, as if surprised she does not answer, then he continues gamely on. "My son seems less isolated this time. Perhaps we have you to thank for that?" She grins at him. "Amanda put you up to this, didn't she?" He begins to say something, and she shoots him one of her Emergency Ops looks. A look she has perfected on Qo'noS dealing with Klingons. He stops talking, regroups. "It is possible that Spock's mother has some understandable curiosity about the state of her son's heart." It seems an awfully romantic way for him to say Amanda wanted to know if Spock and she were involved. But she is beginning to suspect that Vulcans are far more romantic than anyone gives them credit for. "Yes, I can see how she might be curious." She smiles innocently at him. Amanda has given Spock and her separate rooms--with a convenient connecting door. "Christine..." Sarek's voice is no longer that of the master diplomat of Vulcan, but only a slightly frustrated father. She decides to put him out of his misery. "We're together." He nods. "Good. My wife will be most pleased." She laughs. "You, of course, could care less about Spock's happiness." "Happiness is an emotion." "Right. And you'd never have one of those." She looks up at the night sky awash in stars, takes a deep breath of the fragrant air. "I can see through your little ploy, Sarek. I know you care about him." He makes a sound--not quite a sigh, more than an exhalation. "It is possible that logic deserts me when it comes to my son." "I can believe that." She thinks it is possible logic deserts Spock too. She's never seen two men have a harder time relating than Spock and his father. It's not logic that stands in their way; it is all the emotions that rise between them almost without any effort on their part. Len would say that they just rub each other the wrong way. She suddenly misses Len very much. Maybe they should go to Earth and see him? The door opens again and Spock comes out. "Christine?" he calls softly. Sarek looks at her. "I will leave you alone. I am glad you are with my son. I have always respected you." "I like you too, Sarek." She grins at him. An elegant eyebrow is her answer, then he stands. "She is here, my son." Spock comes to her, seems to be walking with almost exaggerated care. As if he is in no hurry to reach them. As if he is not dying to know what they've been talking about. "Good night, father." "Good night, Spock." Sarek turns to her, dips his head to her. "Good night, Christine." "Good night," she murmurs, as Spock sits down next to her. As soon as the door shuts behind his father, he takes her hand. She laughs at him, and he shoots her a glance she can only call annoyed, so she leans in and kisses his cheek. When she goes in for another pass, he turns so she has to kiss him on the lips. It is no hardship. As they kiss, she hears the sound of people talking in the neighboring gardens. Evening must be the time to stroll through the flowers, enjoying the relative coolness. Vulcan saps her strength far more than Qo'noS ever has, even though she expected to hate living on the Klingon home world. But there is a vitality and rawness to the heat and dust there, an energy that seems to be lacking in the logic-filled parlors of Spock's home world. She can't believe she is homesick for Qo'noS. "I am glad you came," Spock says softly. "Was your mother grilling you about me?" "Unmercifully." She grins. "She sicced your father on me." "And did you fall before the great negotiator of Vulcan?" "Oh, yes." "Good. Then he will tell her, and she will leave us alone." He is almost smiling. "Will you sleep with me tonight?" She has slept with him every night since they became lovers. But she finds it charming that he asks. "If you want me to." "I do." He pulls her close, and they sit quietly together. Then he says softly, "I told my mother about us. She will not have to hear it from Sarek." She turns to look at him. "I do not want you to think that I am ashamed of you." She kisses him. He is so sweet sometimes. "And just how much did you tell her?" "Admittedly, not much. That would have spoiled her fun, and been out of character for me." He gives her another almost-smile and she grins at him. "I understand. I didn't tell Sarek much either." "They will no doubt have much to talk about when they retire." She laughs softly. "No doubt." She rests her lips against his cheek, kissing slowly down to his throat. He does not stop her, just tilts his head up and to the side to give her more access. She never expected loving Spock to be this easy. It is the best kind of surprise. ----------------------- Being back on Earth feels strange after so long on Qo'noS. She is struck by how green everything is as they walk from the transporter station to Len's home. She looks over at Spock, sees him give her one of his miniscule smiles. She knows he is a little nervous, felt that in the meld when they made love in their cabin on the shuttle. This is the first time together with their friends. She allows herself to drift, bumps up against his shoulder. "They won't mind that we're together. What is, is, right?" He nods, and his hand glances off of hers, the touch just long enough for him to stroke her skin lightly. She would never have guessed how tactile he is, how much comfort she derives from touching and being touched by him. Len is on the front porch of his house, Uhura and Scotty sitting by him. "Sure, just because you're coming from Qo'noS, you think you can be the last to arrive?" He lifts his drink to them. "Wish me happy birthday, at least." "Happy birthday, Len," she says as she walks up the stairs and leans down to kiss his cheek. "You don't look a day over forty." "Thirty, dammit. And don't try to flatter me." He pulls her closer, whispers, "You two together?" She whispers back, "Yes. And don't tell me you planned for this to happen." "Planned might be stretching it. Hoped for--now, that'd be true." He kisses her again, then lets her up. "So, Spock. Is having Christine on Qo'noS agreeing with you?" He winks at her. Spock nods. "Her company is quite satisfying." "Interesting choice of words, my friend," Len says. She hopes she is not blushing. Sees Nyota grin and knows that she is. Scotty seems oblivious, or else he's just taking pity on her and Spock. "Good to see you both here." He smiles. "I'll be outward bound myself in a few weeks. I'm retiring on Norpin V, finally." Scotty has been talking about retiring for years, but Christine wasn't sure he'd ever really make the move. She can't imagine him not on a ship. She smiles at him. "Congratulations." "Let's get you a drink so you can toast him properly," Len says, getting up and motioning for her to follow him. His house is bright and welcoming, just what she expected. "Nice digs." "Well, it's not a Klingon fortress." He laughs. "So how are you? You look great." She smiles. "I'm good. You were right to send me away." "I hated to do it, Christine. It broke my heart, in fact. But you weren't doing anyone any good, least of all yourself. And I don't mind telling you, I was a little bit scared." He looks out the front door, where Spock is sitting down next to Uhura. "For him too. I just thought..." "You thought right. Even if it was the last thing I expected." She smiles at him. "Did you really think this would happen?" He shrugs. "I know how much you loved Jim. And how much Spock loved him too. And once upon a time you had pretty warm feelings for our Vulcan friend." He lifts a glass. "Mint julep? I'm fresh out of bloodwine." She laughs. "How about some Scotch?" He smiles as he grabs a different glass. "Single malt? In honor of Jim?" "Of course." She takes the glass, sips at it. She hasn't had Scotch in a long time, hasn't wanted to have it. "Can you make a non-alcoholic julep for Spock?" "Sure." He grins at her. "Pretty handy having someone around who actually knows what he likes." His look becomes devilish. "And I imagine it's pretty interesting what that man likes, isn't it?" "No power on this Earth, Len." She grins at him, holding her glass out. "Thank you." He clinks his against hers. "Seeing you happy again is all the thanks I need." He hands her Spock's virgin julep. "Now, tell me about the state of medicine on Qo'noS. And do I still have a bad name over that little Gorkon thing?" He has the grace to look embarrassed. "Don't know what in the Sam Hill I thought I was doing." She laughs. Decides not to tell him that Khorta calls a misdiagnosis a "McCoy." It sounds even worse when said with a Klingon accent--roughly like someone trying to clear their throat. Following him back out to the porch, she tells him a little bit, leaving out the harsher realities. She's not sure she's ready to share that, doesn't think Spock will mind if she lets some aspects of Klingon life stay safely on Qo'noS. She hands him the drink. "It's lemon and mint," she says. Much like the tea he's so fond of. He tastes it, and not gingerly. He trusts her. "It is good. Thank you." "Thank, Len. He's the bartender here." She sips at her Scotch, sees Spock looking at it. "I was feeling nostalgic." His look is untroubled. "I understand. It is good to be back." "Yes, it is good to be back." They share a long look, and she realizes that neither of them is calling Earth home. Home is where the other is. Home is Qo'noS. ----------------------- Christine collapses into a chair in Gramton's main room, tired after spending the afternoon with Khorta cleaning up the wreckage of another feud. She looks down at the Klingon clothes Khorta has given her to replace the uniform she ruined. Good thing she picked up more when she and Spock were on Earth. Although, she has to admit the Klingon leathers and furs are more comfortable than she would have expected. Her hair is still wet from the shower she took when they finally arrived back at the Gramton stronghold, and she finger combs it back from her face. It was a short shower--she no longer spends all night cleaning up from one of these missions. And she no longer throws up. In fact, she's salivating smelling whatever Gramton is cooking in the courtyard. Is she turning as hard as Qo'noS? Or just adapting? Maybe it's the same thing. "Smells good," she smiles at Gramton as he comes in with a heaping platter. Hehnak is following him, grabbing bits of meat from the platter as his father pretends to scowl at him. "It is Sh'iril," Gramton says. "Have you had it?" She shakes her head. "It's a delicacy--once you remove the venom sacs." She frowns. "It's a snake?" "Yes. A fierce one--its bite is deadly, and there is no antivenin. It is a most worthy opponent of a warrior such as myself." He grins at her. "Shall I tell you how I captured this one?" Hehnak nods for her. Then he looks over at her, as if surprised to see her in native dress. "You look good," he says brusquely, then turns back to his father. "Tell us of the sh'iril." "Have you charmed my son, Christine?" Gramton asks. "He is a bit young to take as your next ParMach'kai. Or perhaps your affections are already given?" Khorta comes in. "You are an old gossip, Gramton." She winks at Christine. "Everyone knows her heart beats only for Kirk." Gramton doesn't look convinced. Christine glances at Khorta, wonders if she has guessed that she and Spock are together now. They haven't announced it, see no reason to, and their behavior when they aren't behind closed doors hasn't changed much. Khorta looks over at her and gives her a knowing smile, then she turns back to her husband. "Yes, Gramton, tell us of the sh'iril kill." The servants begin to cut the meat and pass the plates around. There is no gagh tonight so Christine does not have to think up elaborate ruses for avoiding it. She tastes the meat, smiles in appreciation. It is good. Gramton stands up. He pulls a spear from the wall. "No bat'leth?" Christine asks, grinning. "Klingons are brave, but they are not fools." He glares at her. "No more interruptions. This is an exciting tale." "Sorry." She goes back to eating, washing the meat down with bloodwine. "I approached the fields where the sh'iril are known to congregate during the mating season." He looks at her. "At other times, they stay far underground. In a few weeks, they will be gone again." She nods understanding, smiling broadly. It is generous of him to fill in his story for her benefit. "This sh'iril"--he taps at the platter with his spear--"was waiting for me." He crouches down, as if studying something a few meters from him. "She lay coiled, moving slowly, hissing." He begins to move his body in a slow circular pattern. "I knew she was ready to attack as soon as I stepped within striking distance." Hehnak sits forward, his meat forgotten. Christine reaches out and pushes his plate back so he will not knock it over. Khorta grins at her. "I knew that I could kill her from where I stood. But it seemed unsporting." Gramton stands suddenly, then stomps twice. "I sent her the message, through the ground. 'I am not afraid of you,' I sent to her. 'I will kill you.'" Christine realizes she too is leaning forward. She smiles. Gramton advances toward his son. "I moved slowly. Deliberately. She hissed and began to circle more quickly. Oh, she was angry, this ladysnake was." He grins at his wife. "She did not like my message. She did not think I would kill her after all." He jumps at Hehnak, who leaps out of his seat, crying out with a loud war cry. "Yes, just like that, she leapt at me and just as you did, my son, I met her, my spear catching her in the throat and stopping her before she could get to me." He laughs, and Hehnak roars in triumph. Khorta laughs too, looking over at Christine who is grinning madly. Gramton leans down to his son. "I cut her head off and left it there as a warning to the other sh'irils. Beware the House of Gramton. We are your blood enemies." Hehnak grins ferociously. "Beware us!" "Yes!" Gramton gestures to the wall, where several snakes hang, stuffed. "Those were my first sh'iril kills. Now, I do not save them. Now, I have the luxury of eating them." She smiles. "I am glad. It's delicious. Made more so by the bravery of he who killed it." It is apparently a very good thing to say. Gramton looks suddenly very touched. "You do me honor, Christine." He looks over at the servants. "Well, what are you waiting for? There are empty plates. Eat, it is no good when it is cold." Gramton is in a mood to be generous. Christine goes back to eating. A rush of happiness fills her. Life is so strange. End part 4 of 6 Messages from this list are mirrored on the ASCEM newsgroup. Read http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML/files/faq.txt for more information about your subscription to ASCEM/L. Yahoo! Groups Links