Grandma's Gift
by Rob Morris

Vulcan, 2284

Amanda watched the monitor with an intense curiosity about how the news would play.

"Reporting again : Admiralty Hall at Starfleet Headquarters on Earth has been completely destroyed. This is the greatest single act of terrorism in Federation history, striking as it does at the heart of Starfleet Command. Kono, does anything else compare to this?"

The second newsperson shook their head.

"Certainly not in magnitude, J'onn. Before this, the only similar crime had been the still-unsolved murder of Brianna O'Reilly, mother to the famed Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk. As we all recall from last year's terrorist attack on the Vulcan sector by Klingon renegade Kruge, that murder has a still odder twist. For many years, it was believed that the Captain's nephew, a  Peter Kirk, was killed in that same attack. But he was in hiding on Vulcan after his rescue, living under the name Richard Grayson. Again, in an ironic twist, the younger Kirk has just graduated from the Academy, along with his Vulcan wife, a young woman named Saavik, whose life he saved during that attack of one year ago. His is a young life ringed by terror."

"Indeed. Here on the Academy campus, even more terrible was the sick sight of cadets cheering as the explosion occurred, and then cheering again upon confirmation of the deaths of all the senior Admiralty. Some---unflattering stories are emerging about that crew. Rumors of demonic worship, human sacrifice, ritual abuse--this story is not over."

 You can say that again."

Amanda shut off the monitor.

Sarek's wife knew full well who blew up Admiralty Hall. After all, he had lived in her home for over six years. For four of those years, he had been haphazard lover to the young woman who was secretly her own granddaughter. She had always felt a sense of motherly pride about Peter Kirk. But this pride became nova-intense when he risked his life and fragile sanity to bring Saavik through her Pon Farr--by bonding with her. Only his strength and the deep love they felt for one another brought him through subsequent bouts with heart failure and personality detachment.

Before Amanda went about her task of readying the couple's room for their return, she checked a computerized star chart. By the words 'Last Known Location' was a silhouette of a three-headed dragon. It was the path of The Ancient Destroyer, King Ghidorah.

"God, protect my children from this obscenity. Let my Peter slay this monster.     Give Spock the peace of mind to acknowledge his daughter. Let my precious Saavik smile. She does it so rarely. Oh--and while you're at it—a great-grandchild?"

After her brief depression in 2280, following Saavik and Peter's departure for Starfleet Academy, it would be grand indeed for Amanda to have them back. A little old-fashioned at her core, she was doubly glad the young lovers were married, now. With a new bed and the room a collection of both their things, the belated honeymoon would go as planned. A definite bonus was the extension that was built on---containing a sunken tub.

"Great-grandmother-hood, here I come. After all, a tub like this can make a young couple forget precautions. Plus--one last surprise."

The next night, Amanda heard them arrive. Seeing Sarek wearing a look of grim satisfaction over the bombing cost her a few contentment points, until she remembered Peter crying himself back to sleep after being kidnapped and brutalized again and again in his dreams. Saavik had a small but noticeable smile. Those who had dared touch her husband had finally paid.

The only one not smiling was Peter. Raised with the idea of duty and obeying superiors, he had just murdered the elite of Starfleet Command. Now his task was to end the Line Of Blood, and destroy Ghidorah. He was a  being of prophecy. But that prophecy only said he would fight the monster—it never said that he would win, or exactly how he might do so. His love for Saavik was one of a few things that kept him from being crushed by the burden. Another was a fervent desire to prove himself worthy of being -to his  knowledge- the only son of Captain James T. Kirk. Of course, this itself was a burden, and loving the mercurial Saavik was its own challenge.

Sarek spoke first.

"Wife, we have made our displeasure clear to The Order Of The Ancient Destroyer. The negotiations took an untoward turn. Kaidith."

Saavik, all the while holding her husband's shaking hands, spoke less subtly.

"The baby-rapers are done, Mother. Their dragon is next. Logic dictates my Peter will avert Galactic Armageddon, as is his destiny."

Finally, the young man with the haunted eyes spoke up.

"Saavik, my destiny is only to fight the monster. You and I both know that many worlds are destined to fall, including---"

In a move that Amanda would later demand an apology for, Saavik punched Peter in the stomach, and left him gasping for air. Amanda winced once again at how harsh the pair's physical relationship sometimes was.

"Why must you put yourself down, Peter? You are a hero. More---you are my hero. I will not here you speak of failure. My love for you is too great to bear it."

As Peter followed her into their room, an evil grin took over his face. He closed the door, and Amanda heard Saavik yelp.

"Peter!!"

"This, wife, is why I had you agree to wear a 'ponytail'!"

As was custom, they were laughing within a minute. Then, they made the discovery.

"Amanda."

"Yes, Peter?"

"Is this a hot tub?"

She smiled, and Sarek nodded his head toward her, in acknowledgement.

"Yes, it is. Saavik, do you like it?"

"Indeed, Mother. It is a refreshment for sore muscles."

Sarek shook his head.

"Amanda, do not say it."

But it didn't need to be said.

"Also, Mother, this scent is most alluring."

"Thanks, Amanda, Sarek."

Sarek and Amanda walked to their own room, and lay down to relax.

"Wife, that is indeed a vivid smell. How did you achieve such a strong artificial strawberry smell?"

Amanda grinned.

"Oh, it isn't artificial. I used one of the industrial replicators at the market. Every centimeter of their bodies is currently awash in boiling hot, 100% pure strawberry juice. Heh. I'll be a great-grandmother in no time!"

Sarek stared at Amanda.

"Wife---you will not be a great-grandmother anytime soon."

"Oh. What makes you so sure?"

"The unique chemical properties of the strawberry cause a reaction in certain races--subtle genetic differences between Surakian Vulcanoids and Rihannsu cause the Rihannsu--the Romulans--to be among those races with the most pronounced reactions. Peter is one-fourth Romulan. Saavik is one-half Romulan."

Amanda sat up in wide-eyed horror.

"They're allergic to strawberries!!!"

So it was, come the next morning, Grandma's Gift became a hot tub additive based on Calamine Lotion. Sarek came out of Saavik and Peter's room, after installing the filter.

"Sarek, are they still dressed?"

"Yes. They are yet resting from the outbreak of hives along their lower torsos. Thankfully, the excretions have stopped altogether, and their faces are clearing up."

Concerned, Amanda got up to go see them. Sarek grabbed her arm as she did.

"Wife---I would not go in there, if I were you."