Three Summers

[sesh_khem]

Spock learns about women, and eventually, love.

S/OCs, S/U

 

Three Summers

Chapter 1: Camping

After Spock's first year at Starfleet Academy, he and his mother agreed that it would be best for him to stay on Earth. It was still too soon for Spock and Sarek to share the same house for any length of time. Amanda joined him for a few weeks and they visited various relatives throughout the United States of America. She left him at her sister's house near Seattle for the remainder of the summer, feeling it important that he got to know his human cousins.

His aunt and cousins tried to draw him out of his shell. They planned day trips, ordered special vids that he might like. For all their efforts, he seemed the most content with his nose in a book. The only thing that seemed to pique his interest more was the occasional game of chess with his uncle.

Oh, he was perfectly polite, helpful around the house (Vulcan strength came in handy when moving furniture), and tried to show interest in his family. They were simply too different.

His older cousin, Cheryl, was an athletic blond with green eyes and almost as tall as her Vulcan cousin. She tried running with Spock occasionally, but he got up so early and ran twice as fast and as far as she, so she gave up on that attempt at family bonding.

She tried asking him about his reading, but it was always something technical and she was a literature major.

She walked into her parents room one night and flopped on their bed. "I've tried and I've tried, but I just can't believe I'm related to him!"

"Cheryl, you may not see it, but he's trying. You know what he's been through, the rift with his father, his first year on Earth. This is a new world to him in so many ways."

"Well, it's not right that someone two years younger than me can be so mature. It's annoying."

Her father chuckled. "I find it refreshing. Spending time with him, I find it hard to believe you're 20!"

Cheryl stuck her tongue out at her father. "Well, Anyway, I'm really here to let you know next week I'm going camping with some friends from college..."

Her mother never let her finish. "Why don't you take Spock along, hon. He enjoys the outdoors."

"Mom, no, please! He's such a bookworm! Don't make me babysit!"

"I'm not asking you to babysit. He is, as we all know, a self-sufficient being. If he could withstand 10 days in the desert of Vulcan with no supplies as a 7-year-old, he can certainly survive a week camping with a bunch of college students."

Cheryl turned to her father. "Dad?"

"I think it's a good idea, personally. Just ask him; he might not want to go."

"Geez!" She left in a huff.

At 5 am, Spock went for his morning run. He came home and showered, wrapped a towel around himself and exited the bathroom he shared with his cousins. As he rounded the corner to his bedroom he ran right into Cheryl.

"My apologies, cousin," he said. Cheryl stepped back, sleepy eyes now wide open, surveying the half-naked half-Vulcan before her.

He was confused, and looked down. His towel was still in place. What could she be so intent on?

"Dude! You're built!"

"I beg your pardon?"

She laughed, "Sorry, Spock! I'm just surprised is all. You are in great shape for a..."

"A bookworm?" He said with an upturned brow and an almost smirk.

"Oh, geez, Spock, you heard that?"

"You forget...the ears."

"Damnit, Spock, I'm sorry about that. Look, please come camping with me and my friends...let me make it up to you."

He thought about it a moment, "I would like to go camping with you."

A week later, she and Spock were driving to the state park where they'd meet her friends. He looked over at her. "Cousin, please be assured that you do not need to entertain me. I have books with me, and as I sleep less than humans, I may wish to take nighttime hikes."

"Hiking at night? When you don't know the trails? That's dangerous Spock. Not a good idea."

"You forget, my vision is superior to a human's."

"Is that how you see yourself, as superior to us?"

"My vision, reflexes, strength, hearing, and memory are all superior to a human's. But that does not make me a superior being.

She thought about that for a moment. "I like you, Spock."

"And you are a satisfactory cousin."

She laughed. She was starting to get her weird relative.

They arrived at the park and met Cheryl's friends. Chad, her boyfriend, had dark athletic good looks. Lacy was a petite brunette with dark brown skin, and her boyfriend, Mike, had Nordic coloring and a forehead that put Spock in mind of a Romulan. Finally there was Sandra, Cheryl's roommate, a young woman with dark almond-shaped eyes. Cheryl told Spock on their drive that Sandra had recently broken up with her boyfriend, so she was glad Spock was with them; Sandra wouldn't feel like a fifth wheel.

They all hoisted their packs to their backs, and Spock offered to carry some of the heavier items so they wouldn't have to make a second trip.

As the guys hit the trail first, Cheryl pulled Sandra aside. "Not that I'm suggesting anything...but Spock's really quite hot under the chilly surface." She winked. Sandra shook her head and smiled. And they made their way to the campsite.

After the tents were set up, Spock helped build the fire. Preparation of the evening meal began, and Spock brought water from the river for his soup. The others made burgers and and baked beans. As he chopped his vegetables, he noticed the large distance between the tents. It dawned on him that the couples intended to sleep together, and he and Sandra would have the two smaller tents to themselves.

After the meal, alcoholic beverages were passed around the campfire. Mike brought out his guitar. Cheryl tried to bring her cousin into the conversation. "Spock, did you really survive 10 days in the desert when you were a kid?"

"Yes, all Vulcan children go through this trial."

"How old were you?" asked Mike.

"Seven Terran years." They all gasped.

He understood that his cousin was trying to include him, and having spent nearly a year on Earth, understood the crowd was waiting now for an "anecdote."

"Vulcan is a harsh planet," he explained. "Survival skills are taught early as a necessity. But there are physical, cultural, and spiritual aspects to the ritual. It is, as you say, a rite of passage. Forgive me, we do not speak of it. You already know more about it than most humans."

"Dude!" said Chad. "That's deep!" Spock realized that he was the only one there who was not nearing inebriation. He had accepted a beer, not disliking the taste, but it had no effect on him.

He listened as the friends talked and sang amongst themselves, and watched with curiosity as the couples became more and more demonstrative in their affections. He also noticed Sandra's dark eyes seemed focused solely on him. This brought an unusual sensation, not wholly unwelcome, but discomfiting. As they planned an early start, he excused himself and went to his tent. Soon he heard Sandra retire as well.

He lay still until approximately one hour after the others retreated to their tents. He rose, bringing a blanket and a small packet of incense. He seated himself before the fire, his back to the tents, threw the incense onto the coals and began his meditation. The sounds of tree frogs and cicadas, the whisper of the light wind through the trees, all somehow made his meditation more grounded. He found his center quickly, and after only two hours, arose completely refreshed from the experience.

He returned to his tent and slept until dawn. The others were not yet awake so he donned swim trunks and went for a quick swim in the river. As he swam, he noted a sense of heightened well-being. If he were human, he might have said he was enjoying himself.

He turned back to the shore to see Sandra standing there, wrapped in a blanket. "Good morning," he greeted her as he rose from the water.

"Good morning, Spock" she said. He noticed she regarded his body with surprise and something else he could not name. He assumed it was just curiosity.

"Are the others awake?" He asked.

"No, I heard the splashing and decided to investigate."

Spock dried himself. "I will dress and prepare the fire."

"Sounds good. I'll help get breakfast started."

When he emerged from his tent, she had the fruit and bread and jam out and ready. He quickly started the fire and she put on the kettle for hot water. The others soon sleepily joined them.

"Everybody ready to hit the trail?"asked Chad.

Sleepy mumbles answered him. He laughed. "C'mon...eat up, we've got 10 miles ahead of us."

The hike was invigorating. Spock of course slowed his pace to allow the others to keep up. But the fresh air, the unfamiliar landscape of the Washington mountains, and even the conversation among his companions were enjoyable.

They took frequent breaks (at least frequent for a Vulcan) rehydrating and often taking pictures of each other. They stopped for lunch at cove in the river where the water was still. As they swam then dried themselves in the sun, Spock caught himself taking too much notice of Sandra and her bathing suit. The hikers ate lunch and got back on the trail.

When they reached their destination they set up camp. Sandra assisted him gathering wood.

"Spock, do you like living on Earth?" she asked.

"I neither like nor dislike it," he answered.

"Is it very different from Vulcan?"

"Vulcan is arid. We seldom have rain."

"Ah," she said, trying to think of more questions.

"We have a sufficient supply of wood," Spock said. "Shall we return?" he headed for the campsite.

"Not yet," she said, setting down her basket of kindling. "I mean, you go on. I think I'll sit here for a few minutes."

He regarded her. "Are you unwell?"

She smiled sadly. "I'm fine. I'm just not in the mood for being with the happy couples right now."

He looked confused, but after a moment he put down his armload of wood and sat with her.

"I believe," he said "you and I are the fifth and sixth wheels on the excursion."

She laughed. "Yes, well, it would have been worse if you hadn't come along."

"I am afraid I am not the most engaging companion for you," he said apologetically.

"No! That's so not true! I think you are fascinating, I just am always afraid I'll ask a stupid question or say or do something offensive."

"Do not concern yourself," he said.

"Thank you." She smiled. "Ready to go back?"

"Yes." They gathered up the wood and returned to the campsite.

After dinner, Mike pulled out his guitar again and Cheryl produced a bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bars. As the others opened more cans of beer, Sandra explained that they would roast the marshmallows on sticks over the fire, place them between two crackers and add a piece of chocolate to create "s'mores." Spock regarded the messy enterprise with distaste, but agreed to try it in order to have the chocolate. He had never purposely ingested the intoxicant before and was pleased to have an opportunity. He nursed his one s'more while the others had seconds and thirds.

The sensation was pleasing. He felt a relaxing warmth flow through his body. He found he was tapping his feet to the tune Mike played. He suddenly wished Sandra was a little closer.

Sandra noticed he'd had only one of the messy desserts. "Spock, would you like another?"

"No," he said regarding her. "Chocolate is an intoxicant for my people. I do not wish to get drunk."

"You're kidding me. Chocolate?"

He nodded. The others were singing loudly. "Sandra, I have noticed you staring at me. Am I so different?"

He sounded almost hurt. "No! Spock, I..." she leaned in to whisper. "I find you attractive, Spock. I am sorry if I've made you uncomfortable."

"I am not uncomfortable." he declared. "I am pleased."

"Really?"

"Yes. The feeling is mutual."

Thank God for s'mores, she thought. She huddled up in the blanket around her shoulders as she considered her next words.

"Spock, would you like to take a walk with me later? When the others go to bed?"

"Yes," he said after a moment, and then, "I think I will have another s'more."

The gathering around the campfire couldn't disperse soon enough for him. He was determined to engage in the Terran custom of kissing. Surprising, since this became an imperative only after ingesting the chocolate. He did not, however, waste much thought on that fact.

When the group did break up for the night, the others didn't notice that Spock and Sandra did not walk to their tents but headed for the river instead.

Spock put up his mental shields and reached for her hand. "May I?" he asked. She placed her hand in his. He drew her to him and whispered, "I have never done this before."

She reached up and pulled his face closer, gently touching his lips with hers. She drew back, giving him a moment before kissing him again, harder now. She felt him respond. She deepened the kiss, parting his lips with her tongue. She felt his surprise, but he was proving a fast learner. She pulled away, took the blanket from around her shoulders and placed it on the mossy river bank. They lay there in the light of the half moon, their kisses growing more passionate.

She took his hand and placed it on her breast. He drew a breath in surprise, but nature took over and his hand moved confidently as he kissed her again. Soon, she took off her top, and helped him remove his. She unclasped her bra and his hands and eyes and lips explored her. He inferred from the sounds she made that he was doing this correctly.

He noted the tightness in his trousers and tried unsuccessfully to will it away. She whispered, "Spock, do you want to make love to me?"

"Yes," he answered, but logic took over. "Sandra, I do not wish to dishonor you. I understand that humans view sexual relations differently, but I do not want there to be misunderstanding between us."

She grinned as she unzipped and removed her jeans. "I'm not looking for a relationship or marriage or anything if that's what you're worried about." She stood before him in only her underwear. The bulge in his pants began to throb. "I just broke up with someone, Spock. While I have physical desires, my heart is in no shape for anything more. When we leave the mountain in a few days we will say goodbye and go back to our lives. Okay?"

"Understood." And he removed his trousers as she kissed and licked his chest.

She showed him what to do, told him what felt good, slowed him when he was too fast. Considering it was his first time, his performance was admirable. He wasn't the best lover she'd ever had, but he certainly wasn't the worst.

After, as they lay rolled up in the blanket, he asked, "Was that satisfactory?"

She giggled, "That was better than satisfactory, Spock. But it's cold. Let's go back."

They dressed and walked to the campsite. "Bring your sleeping bag in here," she whispered. He complied.

As they settled in her tent he told her, "I do not sleep as long as humans. Will you be offended if I leave you in the morning to meditate?"

"No," she replied sleepily. "Just as long as you are here now."

As the next day wore on, he pretended to ignore the smug looks on his new friends' faces. Cheryl found him alone at one point and said, "I'm glad you two hooked up. I wanted you both to have a good time on this trip."

He regarded his cousin with an upturned brow, "If by 'hooked up' and 'good time' you mean sex, then yes, we have done so."

She laughed and gave him a playful jab in the ribs. "Good for you, Bookworm!"

Sandra was a patient teacher. Spock had learned more about the human female than he thought possible, not to mention about his own body. He was pleased to note in his brief telepathic contact that Sandra had no romantic feelings for him.

When they said goodbye, she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for a wonderful week, Spock."

"Thank you, Sandra, for an enlightening experience."

She laughed, and joined Lacy and Mike for the ride home.

The rest of the summer held no more adventure. Spock grew more comfortable around his human family. When the time came to go, he was ready to return to the Academy.

The whole family insisted on accompanying him to the transport station. He steeled himself for his uncles handshake and his aunt's concerned hugs and kisses. Cheryl stepped up to him.

"I'm going to kiss you, cuz. Prepare yourself!"

He sighed the sigh of the long suffering and said, "Proceed."

She laughed and gave him a hearty peck on the cheek. "Take care, Spock!"

"Live long and prosper, cousin," and he saluted them all as the transporter beam took him.

Chapter 2