Chapter Text
It’s good to be back. Whistling slightly, Jim rocked on his heels as he waited for the turbolift that led to the bridge. He liked shore leave well enough, but he craved the hum of his ship and the sense of adventure it carried with it. The stars were filled with adventure and he had no problems with seeking out parts of the galaxy no one else had ever seen.
“Captain.” Spock’s crip voice broke Jim out of his thoughts, drawing his attention to his first officer as the half-Vulcan stepped up beside him.
“Hey Spock,” greeted Jim with a grin. “How was New Vulcan?”
“Pleasant,” replied Spock with a nod.
Jim nodded back, his grin growing. “How’s the family?”
“They are in good health,” stated Spock as he stepped up beside Jim to wait for the lift.
Jim nodded in acknowledgement. It sounded like nothing crazy had happened then. He's been worried given this would be Nyota's first time visiting Spock’s family since their bonding, but his first officer's short, precise answers indicated everything had likely gone well. “Anything interesting happen?”
Spock paused for a moment, his head tilting slightly in thought before he spoke. “My cousin has given birth to her daughter and my father indicated that he would welcome the addition of grandchildren.”
Jim coughed a little to clear his throat. Wow. He wondered how that conversation had gone down. And how his communication’s officer had taken the suggestion. He couldn’t imagine it was a comfortable experience. “How did Nyota take that one?”
“She is amenable,” replied Spock. Jim might have been imagining it, but he thought he saw a touch of a curl to Spock’s lips.
“Really,” stated Jim in surprise. Bones was going to love this. “Guess you guys are going to be pretty busy for the foreseeable future. At least it’ll be fun.” He considered that for a half second, then added: “Well, except the medical stuff.”
“‘Medical stuff’ is an imprecise term,” remarked Spock as the turbolift dinged to announce its arrival. “Please specify.”
“You know, reproductive stuff,” elaborated Jim, neither knowing the precise terms nor wanting to think too hard about it.
“There are a number of medical procedures necessary for the safe gestation and delivery of a healthy child,” replied Spock as he stepped into the lift. “I doubt Nyota will enjoy them.”
“I was more referring to the stuff that’ll help her get pregnant,” explained Jim as he stepped in behind Spock and hit the button for the bridge.
Spock’s brow furrowed slightly. “Those medical procedures are unnecessary.”
Jim blinked, hard. Wait, was Spock trying to say…
“Nyota is already pregnant,” explained Spock calmly as the turbolift doors opened. “A fact she blames you for.” Jim’s brain ground to a halt. Had Spock actually just said Nyota blamed him for her pregnancy? Oh shit.
“Spock, I swear, I didn’t impregnate Nyota!” exclaimed Jim with an edge of panic in his voice. He rapidly followed Spock off the lift, just refraining himself from grabbing his first officer in an attempt to drive this fact home. “I never slept with her, ever. Even at the Academy.”
One of Spock’s eyebrows rose in that way that indicated he thought Jim was being illogical. “I am aware of that, Captain. The child is most assuredly mine.”
Jim blinked at his first officer. “Wait, then how is it my fault she’s pregnant? That would make it your fault.”
“The bacteria you brought with you from the class M planet in 27 Tauri required all crew members be inoculated with a antibiotic,” stated Spock simply as he glanced around the bridge. Jim did too, noting that every bridge member present was staring at them. He suspected that was why Spock dropped his voice and leaned forward before continuing. “The antibiotic negated Nyota’s contraceptive, a fact she was not aware of until several weeks later.”
It took a moment for that information to actually sink in. One of his “hair-brained” decisions (Bones’ words) had caused Nyota’s birth control to fail. She was going to kill him. He wasn’t sure why she hadn’t already.
“So, uh, did you find out on New Vulcan?” asked Jim as he glanced around the bridge in search of the woman in question. She didn’t appear to be there, though.
“Nyota informed me there,” confirmed Spock calmly. “She had been informed several days prior to our departure by Dr. McCoy.”
Well, she’d had plenty of time to kill him already then, so she probably wouldn’t at this point. “Where is she anyway?”
“She was unwell this morning,” stated Spock as he headed to his station. “I escorted her to medical and Dr. McCoy insisted that she rest.”
“Is she going to be okay?” asked Sulu, turning towards them with a worried furrow of his brow.
“Dr. McCoy diagnosed her condition as ‘morning sickness’,” replied Spock calmly as he settled at his console. “He assured me it is a normal phenomenon.”
“Yeah, pretty much standard,” confirmed Jim with a sigh. Nyota with morning sickness was not going to be fun. He’d have to offer Spock some chocolate later in solidarity. “Did you call Lieutenant M’Ress to take over?”
The turbolift dinged before Spock could answer. Jim turned, expecting to see the lieutenant in question. Instead, Nyota stepped out, fully dressed in her uniform and looking none the worse for wear. Spock began to stand almost immediately, but she waved him down as she crossed to her station. “Sorry I’m late, Captain.”
“Nyota-” began Spock, but she held up her hand to silence him.
“I’m fine, Spock,” assured Nyota quietly as she settled at her station and popped in her earpiece.
“Lieutenant, if you aren’t feeling well, M’Ress can take over,” assured Jim wearily, spinning his chair to face her. “No one will judge you.”
For a moment, Nyota was silent. Then, she turned to Spock and shot him a glare. “You told him.”
“He inquired about our trip to New Vulcan,” replied Spock, apparently not realizing that wasn’t an excuse for announcing her pregnancy without her permission.
“You didn’t have to mention my pregnancy though,” countered Nyota with a scowl. “I wanted to be there when we announced it, together. Now the whole bridge probably knows.”
Spock blinked, clearly confused. Jim winced. This was not an auspicious start to her pregnancy.
Clearing his throat to get their attention, Jim gestured to the field of stars in front of them. “Lieutenant, contact New Vulcan and get clearance for departure. Spock, stop, now, before you make it worse.” Ensuring Nyota was turned away, he mouthed a quick ‘later’ to the Vulcan before spinning forward again.
He’d grab Bones after shift and try to explain to Spock why Nyota was mad with him. Hopefully, between the two of them, they could make Spock understand. Worst case scenario, they call Sarek. He’d been married to a human, surely he could explain to Spock the minefield that was a pregnant human female. Any why the announcement of her pregnancy was an activity they should have both participated in.
He nearly sighed, shaking his head a little as he focused on the stars again. It was going to take a lot of alcohol to get through her pregnancy, he just knew it.