The BLTS Archive - Interludes
#10: On a Clear Day
by T'Kuht (lngbrnchlady@yahoo.com)

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"It was a suitable planet," Commander Spock said quietly as the ship
pulled further away from Omicron Ceti III.  He watched the departure
from the lounge spaceport.  He had agreed to meet with Leila Kalomi in
public for tea.  She had wished a more private conversation. 

"It was paradise," she lamented, "But you won't admit that will you?"

The Vulcan shook his head, "It is not that I will not admit it, it is 
that I cannot." 

She reached for his hand, held it in hers. "Spock, please come with 
us."

He removed his hand from hers. "No."

Her eyes pleaded. "Then let me stay aboard.  There is an opening in 
botany.  I could sign on as a midshipman."

"No," Spock insisted, hoping she'd remain calm. 

Leila sniffed. "We could be happy."

Spock's head jerked up.  "Leila, there is no we.  It can never be," he 
said, trying to make her understand what he could not say to her 
outright. 

A burst of laughter from a table across the room interrupted the 
moment.  Lts. Uhura and Chapel were thoroughly enjoying something 
Barry DeSalle and Hikaru Sulu were telling them.  Spock did not 
recall seeing Chapel laugh in such a fashion before and paid close 
attention to her for a moment.  Leila could have used the eye line as 
a guide for the blind.  Suddenly things were crystal clear to her. 

Resolved she whirled in the chair. "I'm sorry to have taken up your 
time.  It will not happen again."

Before she left the room she detoured to the table Chapel sat at.  
With red eyes but firm chin, she said, "Good luck nurse, but I  warn
you, he'll break your heart."

Chapel was mystified but had no time to ask.  Kalomi was out the 
door. 

"What was that about?" Sulu asked.

"No clue," she replied truthfully but caught the look on Spock's face.  
It was a pained look of resignation, only there a second, and then 
gone. 

Spock mentally sighed.  Leila had misunderstood, but did it really 
matter?  He would never be free to choose her. 

He did not see Leila again while the settlers were aboard.  As the 
ship left Belle Terre on its way back to its scheduled stops, Spock 
found a hand written message waiting for him in his cabin.  It was 
short, to the point—


Spock,

Now that I can see clearly I realize I was wrong about a lot of 
things.  I'm sorry for both of us.  Elias has asked me to marry him 
when we reach Belle Terre.  He is a good man and deserves all I can 
give him.  This letter is my way of saying goodbye and closing our 
door to the past or future forever. 

My heart will always love you,

Leila


Spock folded the paper back the way it had been.  Opening his private 
safe, he removed a small plain box and  placed the letter inside.  He
could not help thinking that if she had  known the truth about T'Pring
and not believed a lie involving  Christine Chapel things might have
been different.  Perhaps she would  have reconsidered Sandoval's
proposal.  "But then," his mind echoed,  "What difference was there,
except to me?"

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The End