Chapter Text
Gravel crunches beneath her feet as they step outside, onto the surface of Talos Four.
I am not here to absolve you.
“When did you decide to step foot in every area of my life?”
Halt. Stop. Michael looks to Spock, who walks forwards two more paces before turning to face her.
“What?”
Spock looks at her, glancing at Vina once before looking back at her. “You share a culturally-significant marking with my captain, one I recognise as Acamarian in origin. Such tattoos are consistent with matrimonial markings used across all eight planets in the Acamarian System.”
“That’s none of your business,” Michael says, clamming up.
“Incorrect. Christopher Pike is my captain and more importantly, my friend. You are insufficient.”
Her hackles rise and Michael glares at her brother. “Insufficient? You don’t get to hold up the bar for relationships for him, that’s not your right.”
“I am third in command on the Enterprise. In the absence of Number One, my word is central to his decision-making. I would have warned him away from you.”
“Don’t conflate your personal life with your duty as an officer,” she warns. Spock looks to Vina again. Why? Michael wonders. “Christopher and I are happy together. Deal with it.”
“Is that why he called you ‘Michael’ instead of your rank?” Spock’s head tilts slightly, his eyes narrowing. “I thought it was out of character.”
“As you’ve already confirmed, I’m his wife,” Michael replies, testy. “And he’s only called Pike when you put Captain in front of it, now.”
“He took your name.”
Michael raises her chin. “I’m part of Clan Surak. Why wouldn’t he?”
Her brother has no reply to that.