The Pon T'Keshtan

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

Kirk's morning was a whirlwind of activity. He'd hardly had the chance to check in with McCoy when the Martin James, Merton and Laurant Despins arrived ahead of schedule. He had a quick breakfast in his command chair while exchanging pleasantries, a few crude jokes and possible course corrections with the other captains, and arranged with Ambassador McCormick, on the Laurant Despins, to have the Fonn Vuhlkansu delegation beamed aboard the Enterprise. He then rushed to the transporter room to be with Ambassador Sarek and Gilgreni when the delegates arrived.

The ten Fonn Vuhlkansu delegates included the child Tasmeen, who, at about nine years old, looked like a miniature adult: her soft curls accentuated with pearls, and her long chalice-like dress covering her from neck to ankles. Captain Kirk had met her, and the others, when in response to the Ek'tevan Prerogative, they had renounced their Vulcan citizenship and fled from New Vulcan with Spock. The Fonn Vuhlkansu was a small but well-organized group who believed in a less isolationist approach to interplanetary relations than the Traditionalists who had controlled the Transitional Council when the New Vulcan colony was established. The group had sought to form closer ties with the Federation - which they believed could offer the Vulcans protection and support while they rebuilt their race - and also sanctioned and encouraged their followers to find tel-ketelau (1) among other species associated with the Federation, preferably Humans. Most of the Fonn Vuhlkansu were "young" by Vulcan standards, and not one of the delegates who had beamed over from the Laurant Despins was even close to Sarek's age.

Sarek was their patriarch, the learned elder among them. His diplomatic career and standing in the scientific community were highly venerated by the Traditionalists, although his progressive viewpoints had made him something of an outcast. His previous attempt to bring the Fonn Vuhlkansu to power on New Vulcan had met with stiff resistance from the then-standing military-backed Transitional Council; and some of his peers had suggested he was, in his old age, becoming as rebellious and revolutionary as his sons. Once, Sarek might have taken insult at the comparison; now, he chose to accept it as a backhanded compliment. Although his sons did not always comport themselves with the decorum and self-control he would have preferred, they were men of passion and intelligence who, like himself, believed true self-awareness, and long-term stability and security for the Vulcan people, could come only from challenging the status quo and making changes where necessary.

"A lack of growth and evolution condemn all species to inevitable extinction," he had once told his sons, paraphrasing the words of Surak. Apparently, they had taken him at his word. Sybok had embraced the ways of the emotionally expressive V'tosh ka'tur, and Spock had embraced the ideals of passive resistance, quietly challenging and testing many of Vulcan's deepest traditions, rejecting anything he deemed to be illogical, unsubstantiated, or archaic.

Four of the males in the delegation, K'Rel, Serran, Sol't'gol and Stilvan, were all Spock's age or younger, and had supported Spock when he refused to acquiesce to the Ek'tevan Prerogative. Slim, elegant figures, each with the classic bang-style haircut, three were brown-eyed brunettes. The exception, Serran, had slightly lighter coloring and odd, violet eyes. The fifth male, Sionak, was the real standout, however. An ex-Chamber Guard, he was about fifty-years-old and sometimes acted as Sa'aat's right-arm, personal bodyguard and go-fer. He stood over six-foot-five and weighed several hundred pounds. Kirk had seldom seen Vulcans of this body-type, and admitted to himself that he found Sionak's presence more than a little intimidating.

Of the four remaining females in the delegation, two, T'Kela, who Kirk remembered was S'Risha's bob-haired bondmate, and T'Zantha were about Spock's age. Enteria and T'Stala were older, pregnant and both dealing with the symptoms of placenta previa. Thick decorative straps extended from the shoulders of their maternity gowns, around their ripe bellies and held up their girth. Like S'Risha in the Medical Bay, both women hid their discomfort behind a mask of long-practiced Vulcan stoicism.

After providing Enteria and T'Stala with gurneys so they wouldn't have to walk in their condition, Kirk had Yeoman Rand escort everyone to the Medical Bay. Sarek chatted quietly with all of them along the way, while little Tasmeen trailed after them like a soundless shadow.

Back on the bridge, Kirk took about an hour to catch up on the ship's status and check the duty roster for the day, before heading back to the Medical Bay to check on everyone. By the time he had reached the bay, the only Fonn Vuhlkansu members there were T'Stala and Enteria, now resting comfortably on biobeds sporting copies of the prototype version of the MAGGIe, T'Kela, who sat on a stool beside S'Risha's bed, and Sionak, who stood beside Sa'aat's bed.

Sa'aat's eyes were sharp and focused, and his body radiated vigor as his long legs dangled over the bed's side. The only sign of his ordeal from the night before were the grey-green circles under his eyes. He leaned toward Sionak, deep in conversation, their voices too low to be easily overheard. Nurse Chapel approached them without any sign of trepidation, even though she was dwarfed standing next to Sionak - Kirk admired her self-assurance and spunk - and said to Sa'aat, "Okay, Dr. McCoy has released you from the Medical Bay. You're free to go now."

Sa'aat gave her a flat look over his shoulder and said with stony stillness, "I have always been free to go. I simply chose to stay here until I felt more fully recovered."

"Whatever you have to tell yourself to make it through the day is fine with me, honey," Christine quipped, patting Sa'aat's hand. She walked off, grinning. Sionak, eyebrows arched in surprise at her familiarity, threw Sa'aat a look of astonishment that was characteristically ignored by his superior.

"He's gonna smack her one of these days," McCoy muttered from behind Kirk.

Kirk chuckled in response. "If he tries, Christine will knock him flat."

"Never underestimate a Human woman."

"You said it." The captain turned to McCoy, asking, "Speaking of Human women, where's Uhura?"

"Where else? In with Spock."

"How are they doing?"

"I've released Lieutenant Uhura for duty, but go easy on her. She's still pretty worn out from last night."

"And Spock?"

"Physically, he seems okay, but - Come with me." McCoy escorted Kirk to his office, where they could speak without being overheard.

As he closed the door, McCoy continued, "I've asked Dr. Surrey to run a battery of tests on him, to determine where he is emotionally and cognitively, and to measure what neurological and non-neurological damage, if any, was done by the shariv t'kae. The good news is, Spock knows who he is and where he is; his long-term memory seems intact, although he's a little fuzzy on things relating to his earlier connection to Sa'aat. He knows how all the machines work, and accessed the computer without needing to be shown how to do that. As far as my cursory examination can tell, however, he's lost almost a year of memories. He recalls the destruction of Vulcan and defeating Nero, and he remembers being called to New Vulcan, but after that, things are pretty much a blank for him - until this morning when he came to in his room. The only thing he seems clear about, over that period, is Uhura herself."

"Crap, Bones, you're telling me we're going to have to sit Spock down and tell him what happened to him on New Vulcan - about the plak-tau women, the rapes, and everything - all over again? I swear to God, I don't think I can watch him go through that for a second time."

"I agree, but we might not have a choice," McCoy said. "On the bright side, though, there is the real possibility the trauma has been wiped out; Spock might be able to take in the information without re-living it or being re-traumatized by it. Surrey will be able to tell us more once he's had a chance to work a bit with him."

"I want you working with him, too, Bones. I need my Science Officer back; I need Spock on the bridge with me..."

"Believe me, I understand how much Spock means to you and to the Enterprise, but Jim, you've got to remember we're in a crisis situation here with New Vulcan, and that involves more than just your First Officer. I'm going to be in medical conferences all day today, and for the next week or so I'll be assisting Dr. M'Benga and Dr. Deerfoot with the coordination of medical services planetside, so I won't be much help in the short term as far as Spock is concerned. Dr. Surrey, however, has cleared his schedule so he can be with Spock as much as possible over the next few days; he will get Spock up-to-speed before we arrive at New Vulcan. The more prepared he is for what he encounters there, the better."

"Hold on. I'm all for re-educating Spock if necessary, but I am not letting him back down onto New Vulcan, not after what he's been through."

"Jim, it's his homeworld now. If all his traumatic memories were obliterated by the shariv t'kae, he may want to be with his people and lend a hand there."

"Bones, I - "

McCoy put a hand up in surrender. "I know, I know. But we have a couple of days before we get to the planet. Let's just see how things play out. Okay?"

Kirk shook his head, but then shrugged in acquiescence. "Fine. Can I see him?"

"Absolutely. It might be a good idea to knock first, though. He and Uhura might be... you know, engaged."

"He's feeling that good this morning?"

"He's a Vulcan; they rebound from medical problems like rubber balls. Must be something in that damned green blood of theirs."


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At the door of the private suite, Kirk pressed the chime button and only waited a few seconds before Nyota, who seemed bright and chipper despite whatever fatigue she felt, greeted him. She wore a Starfleet-issued red pantsuit and was dressed for duty, her hair pulled into a high ponytail that bobbed as she moved. Spock sat on the biobed, his back to the wall below the monitors, his crossed legs stretched out over the bed's length. He was dressed in black pants and a black t-shirt, but was barefoot. The side table held the remains of his barely eaten breakfast. He was sipping tea and reading information displayed on a small bedside monitor when Kirk entered, and he shifted his position in an attempt to come to attention.

The captain shook his head, saying, "At ease, Spock," as he took in the state of the room. The place was pristine; the meditation lamp and jasif crystal vre'katra were gone. The only hint a ritual had taken place there the night before was the faint scent of frankincense in the air. Nyota drew his attention away from their surroundings as she said, her tone positive and buoyant, "I was just on my way to my station on the bridge, Captain."

"Are you sure you feel up to that? You're welcome to take an extra day's leave if you need it," Kirk offered.

"No, I'm fine. There's a lot going on and I don't want to miss anything. Besides, I think Spock can do without me for a few hours."

"Yes, I believe I can," Spock said.

Nyota laughed at his frank remark. "See? Except for some memory loss, he's himself again, Captain." Her ponytail bounced as she turned back to Spock. "Hafau muhl, Spahk-kam."

"Nakarat kup-terkadau dungi nash-veh, k'diwa." (2)

Stepping out of Kirk's way, Nyota blew Spock a kiss and left for her shift.

"That is an extraordinary and resilient lady," Kirk said.

"Indisputably." Spock set his tea aside so he could give his full attention to the captain.

Considering what he had been through, Spock looked remarkably well to Kirk: he seemed alert and composed, all the gauges on the biobed registered in the NORM range, and his color looked good - for a Vulcan; as a people, they were always a little green around the gills. His right eye was still discolored by the hemorrhage in the sclera, but otherwise he appeared surprisingly normal. The Vulcan capacity for recovery was astonishing. "I'd ask how you were feeling, but you'd just tell me you're fine and ask to be put back on duty."

"I am physically fit, Captain."

"Yeah, well, just the same, I'll wait for Dr. Surrey to clear you before I make a final decision about that. Both Dr. McCoy and Lieutenant Uhura mentioned memory loss..."

"Yes, it appears I am missing a block of memories stemming from approximately eight months ago until this morning."

"And... how do you feel about that?"

"Any mental dysfunction is a cause for some concern, Captain; however, I have been going through my personal journals -" Spock indicated the small bedside monitor. "- and I do not believe that whatever deficiency in memory I may have sustained as a result of the shariv t'kae will have a substantial impact on my ability to perform my duties as First Officer."

"You've read your personal journals -?"

"Yes, Captain."

"So, you know you went to New Vulcan -?"

"Where I was subjected to the demands of the Ek'tevan Prerogative, yes, Captain."

"Where you were subjected to..." The captain echoed; he couldn't believe how nonchalant Spock sounded. Where you were raped and forced to procreate; and where you relinquished your Vulcan citizenship, Spock. "Spock. Don't you...? Do you remember any of it?"

Spock shook his head slowly. "I have no independent memory of the events."

"Going through your journals... about what happened to you... It must have elicited some kind of a response. Don't you... feel anything?"

"I admit, I did experience an initial flush of moral outrage over the fact that my rights were reft from me in such a fashion by the edict; however, what was done, was done. It cannot be undone. Logic dictates that I not waste time, or emotion, or mental energy on past actions, but rather, consider now what do to next; how to best address the possibility that I might be a father; how to best assist the mothers of my offspring - if offspring exist."

"And what will you do?"

"I have not yet made a decision. My journals indicate Lieutenant Uhura and I discussed the matter briefly, but... I am not satisfied, within myself, that the topic has been sufficiently analyzed. There are the needs and desires of the plak-tau women to consider, after all, as well as the fact that my Starfleet duties, and my relationship with Lieutenant Uhura, will undoubtedly be impacted by all of this. I will wait for more complete data before settling on a final determination."

It was odd hearing Spock speak this way. He was using the tone and speech patterns Kirk had heard him use when they first met at the Academy; when Spock's inclination toward him was more adversarial than cooperative. Over the last year or so, as they had become far more comfortable with one another, far more trusting and supportive of one another, the edge in Spock's voice had moderated considerably, and the inflexibility in his thought patterns had soften to accommodate the "illogical Humans" around him. Now, it seemed, he and Spock were back to square one... or maybe square two or three; but they had certainly lost some ground with one another in their relationship. It was something the captain hadn't expected or considered, and now that he realized the loss, he felt the dejection that came with it.

Kirk looked at the foot of the bed, tried to conceal the hurt in his face, and then looked back up at Spock. "And, um... Do your personal journals include more recent entries?"

"Yes. Apparently, I had some interesting interactions with my half-brother, Sybok, and later brought a sehlat named Pa'shu aboard the Enterprise," Spock said emotionlessly, as though he had been reading an encyclopedia and was giving the captain a recap of the information he'd uncovered. His lack of despair over his memory loss and what that loss entailed was, for Kirk, both reassuring and distressing. The captain was glad Spock wasn't feeling distressed anymore, but he was concerned that maybe the Vulcan had detached himself so completely from his emotional base he no longer felt anything at all.

"About the sehlat," said Spock. "May I ask where she is?"

"She's with Surrey. She had her cubs last night; two of them, a boy and a girl."

"I must remember to thank the doctor for his assistance. The sehlat is my responsibility, and I regret he was put into the position of having to tend to her."

No reaction to the news of the births, Kirk noted. "I don't think Surrey minded. I actually think the births were kind of fun for him."

"Indeed."

"Don't be surprised if he asks to adopt one of the cubs."

"Such an adoption would be highly unlikely," Spock said bluntly, and Kirk scowled a little hearing too much of the self-contained, superior, "one of our most distinguished graduates"-Spock in the tone, but he said nothing in response. "According to the ship's logs," Spock continued, "our heading is taking us directly to New Vulcan. There is a medical emergency taking place there."

"Yeah. We rendezvoused with the medical frigates and brought the Fonn Vuhlkansu delegation aboard just a little while ago. We should reach New Vulcan in two or three days."

"Sixty-nine hours, forty-seven minutes, given our current speed," Spock corrected him. "Will the Federation have a delegation present at the meeting with the new Transitional Council when it convenes?"

"Uh, yeah. Ambassador McCormick will be the lead delegate, and several senior officers from the Federation will be backing her."

"Including you."

"I've been asked to attend, yeah, but I'm not sure..."

"May I go with you?"

Kirk gave Spock a long, appraising look before answering, "Are you sure you want to go back there, Spock?"

"I believe I could be of assistance to the Federation delegation in regards to Vulcan customs and traditions, as well as act as a translator. I recognize Lieutenant Uhura is, in most regards, an unmatched interpreter, but I am more versed in the nuances of Vulcan linguistics, especially those which may be employed in a diplomatic setting such as this one."

"Well... Let's have Dr. Surrey check you out first, and then I'll let you know what I decide."

"Very well," Spock said, reaching for his cup of tea, and returning his attention to his journals.

The captain watched him for a moment, and ventured, "If we do attend the Council meeting, wouldn't you rather stand with your father and the Fonn Vuhlkansu?"

"No," Spock said frankly. "My allegiance is to the Federation."

"But... It's your dad and... your people, Spock."

Spock cradled the teacup between his hands, and thought for a moment before answering. "My father is quite capable of representing the principles and ideals of the Fonn Vuhlkansu without my standing beside him, Captain. Further, I suspect he would prefer I was not a part of his delegation."

"Well... okay," Kirk said. He wasn't satisfied with Spock's response, but... Really, he thought to himself, what did he expect?


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Dr. Surrey stood back while Tasmeen and Sarek looked in on Pa'shu and her cubs. The newborns, asleep between their proud mother's forepaws, sporadically kicked and hiccupped as they dreamed. Tasmeen sat down on the floor in front of Pa'shu and scooted toward her.

"I'm no expert at sexing sehlats, of course, but I think there's a boy and a girl."

Sarek reached down to carefully turn each cub. "Yes. So it would seem."

"I didn't name them yet. I thought Spock should be the one to do that."

"Usually, sehlats name themselves. When they are approximately six months old, they come into full self-awareness, and at that time select a unique autonym. However, it is not uncommon for their custodians to provide them with 'pet names' in the interim; and, on occasion, sehlats will retain the pet names as their own."

Tasmeen picked up one of the cubs and cradled it in her lap. Pa'shu extended her muzzle to snuff the child, and made sure her cub was comfortable before returning to her sphinx-like position.

"Spock had a sehlat as a child, didn't he?" Surrey prompted.

"Yes, I-Chaya. It was actually my pet before it was Spock's. Has Spock indicated how he intends to see to this animal's long-term care?"

"It was my understanding he was going to try to find survivors from Pa'shu's original caregivers' family, and if that failed, he was going to donate her and her cubs to the Vulcan people."

"It seems a considerate and logical course of action."

"Yes, I agree. If I may say so, sir, your son has a lot of compassion, and he seems very devoted to his people and his homeworld. I think that says a lot about you and how you raised him."

If Sarek was flattered by the compliment, his face did not show it. Instead, he replied without looking at the doctor, "Compassion and devotion to Vulcan were also quite indicative of his mother."

Surrey had heard about last night's fal-tor-pak ritual. "She... has been returned to you."

"Yes," Sarek replied. "We are gratified that her katra survived the holocaust. It was... an unexpected outcome."

Dr. Surrey didn't pretend to understand the process, but he was encouraged by the fact that since Spock's mother's katra no longer resided within him, Spock's mental health prognosis might now greatly improve. "Where is the vre'katra now?" he asked.

"In my quarters. We thought it best to remove it from Spock's proximity until he is more fully recovered."

"Well... I'm glad the transference went well."

"As am I." Sarek took a few moments as if to stifle some surge of emotionalism inside himself, and then stretched his hand down for Tasmeen to take. "Come, child. We are keeping the doctor from his duties."

"Oh, no, no," Dr. Surrey said quickly. "It's fine. I can go check on Spock, and you two can stay here as long as you want. I don't mind. Besides, I think Pa'shu likes the company."

"What say you?" Sarek asked Tasmeen.

She lifted the cub up in her arms and hugged it against her cheek.

"She accepts your offer, and wishes to remain here."

"Okee-dokee," Surrey smiled as he gathered up some PADDs before heading out the door.


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Sa'aat stepped into the Haulat with Sionak right behind him. They rode the turbolift to the ship's upper deck, and as Sa'aat checked the various systems on the bridge, he said, "The Haulat can make the trip to New Vulcan faster than the Federation ships. I can go there, reconnoiter, and rejoin you in the city before the Council convenes. I would like to be ready to leave by this evening, if not before."

"I foresee no hindrance to that timetable, osu."

"Good. When we reach the planet's surface, I want you to meet with our people and ensure security measures are in place to protect the Ambassador and our delegation. Be discreet, but do not allow the military or the standing Council to impede your efforts in any way. The safekeeping of Sarek and the Fonn Vuhlkansu is imperative. Meanwhile, I will go to the Mazhiv Solai and find T'Pau's hiding hole."

"And when you find her?"

Sa'aat looked up from his work at Sionak and said, "She may wholly regret the encounter."


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"I'm telling you, Doc, it was kind of creepy."

"Can you define 'creepy' for me, Captain?" Dr. Surrey asked. He had met Kirk in a corridor near Medical Bay, and had stopped when the captain flagged him down.

"It's like nothing has happened to him at all. There's no anxiety, no grief, no perplexity, nothing. He spoke to me about his hallucinations of Sybok in the same breath he mentioned Pa'shu, like... I don't know, like they were items on a grocery list or something, like he's completely emotionally severed from what happened to him."

"If we were talking about a Human patient, I'd say such a display of indifference would be a cause for concern, but we're talking about a Vulcan here. You know Vulcans pride themselves in their ability to stay at arm's length from their emotions."

"He's not an arm's length, Doc. He's, like, light years away."

Surrey thought for a moment. Observations by friends and relatives were never to be summarily dismissed or ignored when it came to examining the emotional or psychological health of a patient. "Okay," he said. "I'm... I'm going to keep your concerns in mind, Captain, and thank you for your input."

"About how long will the testing take?"

"I'll have an appraisal for you first thing tomorrow morning; I promise."


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The medical symposiums scheduled for that day started promptly at ten-thirty-hours even though there was a last minute rush to get Scotty and Dr. McCoy to the conference room on time. Again, there was standing room only in Medical Conference Room One, but today Kirk had a seat reserved for himself in advance, so when he arrived late, he didn't have to stand through the presentations.

Before Dr. M'Benga began his series of in-depth seminars on Vulcan anatomical systems, surgery, emergency intervention techniques and anesthesiology, the engineers displayed the different versions of the MAGGIe they had fabricated overnight. All of the designs were sleek and innovative, with the Ionians' version, which looked more like a piece of jewelry than a medical device, being the most decorative. After comparing and deciding which version could best be mass-produced and tested in the time allowed, a composite of the original MAGGIe and the Ionian design was chosen. Kirk was impressed with the cooperation and competence displayed by all of the teams and congratulated them openly. Specs in hand, the engineers then departed from their respective conference rooms and set off to manufacture working versions of the units as quickly as possible.

After a brief break, Dr. Jabilo Geoffrey M'Benga began his presentations, and in deference to him, the packed conference rooms were silent. Dr. M'Benga was the Federation's foremost expert in Vulcan physiology. Even without his credentials, he was a striking and commanding figure; handsome, dark-skinned, poised and eloquent, with a no-nonsense approach to medicine that, Kirk imagined, the Vulcan medical community had appreciated and admired. It wasn't easy for a Human to work in Vulcan medical wards, and the fact that M'Benga had excelled during his four-year internship with the Vulcan Medical Academy Hospital, was quite impressive.

"Doctors and nurses, only. Translate please: Tra'nam-tor nasik kusut svi'weh-neik feshek t'nash-veh," he said, and waited for a response from his listeners. In each of the conference rooms, the medical staffers looked at one another, or whispered to one another, trying to decipher the sentence. Christine Chapel raised her hand.

"Yes, Nurse -?"

"Chapel, Christine."

"Yes. Translation, please."

"There is a sharp pain in my lower abdomen."

"Correct. Excellent." M'Benga looked to the other participants. "And while Nurse Chapel is addressing her patient's complaint of abdominal pain, what are the rest of you going to be doing?"

He was answered with frustrated muttering and embarrassed shuffling. "But are the Vulcans really going to be speaking to us in Vulcan?" someone from the Martin James finally asked. "I mean, don't they all pretty much know Federation Standard?"

"Yes and yes," M'Benga replied. "Although Vulcans are, in general, well-versed in Federation Standard, you'll find that in situations in which their physical wellbeing is compromised, and they're devoting a lot of mental energy to controlling their pain and other symptoms, they often revert back to their native language. I would, therefore, strongly suggest if you don't have ready access to xenolinguists who are fluent in Golic Vulcan, that you at least get your hands on a Universal Translator, so you're not standing with your mouth open when your Vulcan patient speaks to you."

Kirk leaned toward McCoy and muttered, "Better get Scotty's team to grind out more translators for us, too."

McCoy showed him the PADD in his hand and whispered, "Already on it, Captain. Not that we need them, of course, with Chapel and Uhura on our team." Kirk smirked proudly and nodded. Yes, the Enterprise did have something of a linguistic coup with those two - and Spock, of course - aboard.

"My first lecture will be on the Vulcan endocrine system," M'Benga said, "also known as the tvi-sau-torektra; then we'll move on from there to the circulatory system or da-kuvau-torektra, the nervous system or welekra-torektra, the respiratory system or pa'kizh-torektra, and end up with the reproductive system or the kanashivaya-what?"

"—Torektra?" someone from the Merton offered aloud.

"Yes. Excellent. There, we've already learned one Vulcan word - torektra, system - and we've only been at this for about five minutes." Somewhat nervous laughter filled the rooms. "Keep paying close attention and you'll all do fine."


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Dr. Surrey found Spock kneeling near the far wall in the lesh'riq position, eyes closed and fingers steepled before him (3), when he entered the Vulcan's medical suite. "I'm sorry to interrupt. I didn't realize you were meditating."

Spock rose gracefully to his feet, "There is no need to apologize. The interruption was not entirely unexpected." Although he didn't remember spending time with him, something clicked in Spock's mind when Dr. Surrey entered the room; as though a light bulb flashed on inside his mind and then burned out immediately with a distinctive and somewhat frustrating *pop*. "I had been informed I would be evaluated by the ship's Chief of Psychiatric Medicine."

"You're trying to remember when you last saw me."

"Yes. I understand from my journals I have met with you on at least three previous occasions; however, I am at a loss to recall any details from those encounters."

"Your shariv t'kae is responsible for that."

"That was my conclusion as well. The general overriding concern then is: what caused the shariv t'kae?"

"Do your journals tell you anything that might help to answer that question?" Surrey asked, rolling a stool to the biobed and sitting down.

Spock remained standing, his hands behind his back, offering his side to the doctor rather than his chest, and speaking across his shoulder. He stepped away from the wall, to a position where the bed was no longer between them, which Surrey took as an indication Spock was going to be open and frank with him. "I had been ordered by the captain to participate in a mental evaluation after experiencing recurrent nightmares and a hallucination. During our preliminary session, you offered assistance with the interpretation of my dreams. The following day, I confronted you on the Observation Deck regarding a meeting you had with Dr. McCoy, Captain Kirk, Sa'aat, and others regarding my medical and mental health status; this, after spending the evening in a delusional state in which I apparently entertained my brother Sybok at dinner."

He speaks to the nightmares, hallucination and delusion without any emotional connection to them at all; the shariv t'kae burned out those connections. "So, you now understand Sybok wasn't aboard the Enterprise?"

"I believe it is more than apparent that his presence aboard this vessel was unlikely. Although the references to nightmares, hallucinations and delusion are indicative of a psychologically compromised mindset, they do not speak to any specific trauma that might have initiated a reaction as severe as a shariv t'kae. Something more must have triggered the attack."

"Yes. We believe it might have been a response to an array of overlapping stressors."

Spock lifted his chin and cocked his head in interest. "Could you elucidate, Doctor?"

"I can, but... Do you feel up to tackling information like that? You've just recovered from a shariv t'kae and a Katau Fa'ark."

"I believe a full accounting will better assist you in your current evaluation of me, while also bettering my chances to return to active duty."

"That was very nicely put, Mister Spock, but you didn't answer my question."

Spock's eyebrows flinched together and his lips flattened in a frown that he dismissed as soon as it showed itself. He stepped to the end of the biobed and set a hand against its frame. He's bracing himself, Surrey thought. But is he bracing himself against the knowledge associated with the shariv t'kae, or is he bracing himself for a fight with me? Surrey waited while Spock looked at the biobed's monitors. Spock wasn't reading the gauges, which couldn't register anything since he wasn't on the bed; he simply needed some place to focus for a moment. "Your query, if I may paraphrase, seeks to discover if I believe I am competent, mentally and emotionally, to face and accept whatever the impetus was for my shariv t'kae."

"Correct -"

Spock faced the doctor. "The answer to your question is, yes."

"Okay, good. Then let's get started with the evaluations, Mister Spock, and we'll work our way up from there."

"As you wish," Spock said, turning his full chest to Surrey, his hands behind his back, putting himself at a sort of parade rest, the posture implying he was open and willing to accept direction without being too formal.


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"As you can see," Dr. M'Benga indicated a display on the monitors, "the Vulcan female has nothing that equates to the Human Fallopian tubes; the uterus is connected to the ovaries through these stubby ducts. Therefore, in answer to your question, you won't have to worry about dealing with ectopic pregnancies among the plak-tau women. Next?"

Someone from the Laurant Despins asked, "What about PIH?"

"Pregnancy induced hypertension is uncommon among Vulcans. Even during birth, with their bodies flooded with hormones, females are able to exert control over their emotional and physiological systems. You most likely won't see PIH, hormonally reactive emotionalism, or even expressions of pain in these women. Because of that, it's imperative that you are in constant verbal communication with your patient. Just because she's not showing discomfort doesn't mean she isn't feeling it."

"I've heard," one of the Denobulans said, "that Vulcan births are dry. Is that an accurate assessment?"

"The Vulcan body is made to retain and re-circulate as much fluid as possible, so in comparison to, say, a Human birth, the Vulcan birth may be considered somewhat 'dry', yes. However, it's not dry in the sense that it's arid. What you'll encounter during the birthing process are thick viscous fluids resembling machine oil. The fluids expelled through the birth canal should be translucent and without any appreciable amount of blood in them. If you encounter fluid with a green or greenish-black tint to it, it could be indicative of hemorrhage; if the fluid is opaque looking, it may be indicative of infection. Either presentation should be addressed immediately."

A hand went up on the Merton, and a medical tech said, "We've already established we're going to be dealing with placenta previa and placental abruption among the plak-tau women. Will that increase the risk of vasa previa?"

"The short answer is yes," Dr. M'Benga said. "Although Vulcan physiology has adapted over millennia to the fact that Vulcan women carry their fetuses low in the body to accommodate the placement of the heart and lung structures, the low-lying placement of the placenta does sometimes give way to complications like vasa previa (4). Therefore, you're going to have to screen your patients for this condition prior to delivery. Also, make sure you have plenty of Vulcan plasma available to any patient who presents this complication. At birth, fetal exsanguination due to vasa previa will be rapid, and the mortality rate is about seventy-five percent if the condition catches you off guard."

"Will the Vulcans have plasma available to us or will we have to replicate it?" a nurse on the Oc'c asked.

"The Vulcans have blood stores available, except for the more rare types, like T-negative and VG-positive. If you have a patient with a rare blood type, you may have to find a suitable donor, tap a pint and then replicate whole blood plasma based on that specific donation."

Christine raised her hand. "Doctor, we may have the added complication of hybrid physiologies to deal with," she said, speaking to the possibility Spock might have fathered offspring with his plak-tau females, but careful not to name names.

"What sort of hybrid are we referring to? Vulcan-to-Romulan would pose less of a complication than, say, Vulcan-to-Human or Vulcan-to-Andorian."

"Vulcan-Human," Christine answered.

"Ratio?"

"Three-to-one, Vulcan."

"In such a case, if the mother is Vulcan, and the Vulcan factor in the fetus so outweighs the Human factor, the chances of extreme complications are few. If the Vulcan mother has carried her hybrid fetus into the third trimester, chances of spontaneous miscarriage are low; however, she may require vitamin and enzyme supplements to carry the fetus to term. Now, that doesn't mean you should ignore the species variance. Anything that can cause a complication in the pregnancy or birth needs to be addressed. Next question?"


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Mr. Scott intercepted Nyota in the corridor as she made her way to Medical Bay during her lunch break and presented a package he held under his arm to her. "Lassie, this came over from the Denobulan ship. One of their people snagged it just before beaming off of Jagusch-McGillis." Nyota took the package and saw it was addressed not to her but to Spock. Scotty nodded, adding, "I thought maybe you could deliver it to him."

"Thanks, Monty, I will," Nyota smiled at him, and continued toward the bay. Scotty grinned as he watched her walk away, her hair swaying to the same rhythm as her hips. She was the only one on the ship who called him "Monty", and the idea of that just tickled him to his core.

Outside Spock's medical suite, Nyota had to wait a few minutes for Spock and Dr. Surrey to finish one of their tests. Surrey exited the suite first; typing into his PADD, oblivious to everyone around him. Spock followed him, and Nyota set the package on a nearby prep table so she could stand on her tiptoes and wrap her arms around his neck. Although he did not readily return the embrace, he didn't step away from it either, so Nyota chalked his reticence up to the fact he was probably preoccupied with whatever he had been discussing with Surrey.

She touched his face lightly, letting her fingertip trace the orbit around his injured eye. Feeling the coolness of her skin against his, he closed his eyes appreciatively, for a moment.

"How is your day going so far?" she asked him.

"The evaluations are tedious and time-consuming, but necessary, I suppose," he uttered.

"And what has Dr. Surrey said about them?"

"He has not yet shared his opinion with me." Spock opened his eyes and focused on her, earnest and affirming. "However, I do not anticipate protracted delay to my being reinstated to active duty."

Nyota grinned and, letting her hands slip down his shoulders to the center of his chest, said, "I am so glad, Spock. You deserve some good news; you really do. Are you finished here? Can you join me for lunch?"

"I must meet with Dr. Surrey in his office at fourteen-hundred hours for further evaluation, but I am free until then. Where would you like to dine?"

"Your quarters - or mine. Somewhere quiet, where we can have some privacy."

"Privacy and quiet do lend themselves to improved digestion."

Nyota giggled and slapped him playfully on the chest. "Like digestion was the only thing on my mind -" Spock cocked his head, raising an eyebrow as though confused by her response. Nyota, assuming he was teasing, said, "Okay, Commander, have it your way."

She took a few steps from him, stopped and, extending a hand behind her, invited him to take it so she could lead him where she wanted them to go. Then she suddenly remembered the package. "Oh, wait." She picked it up and handed it to him. "Scotty said the Denobulans brought this from Jagusch-McGillis. It's addressed to you."

Spock took it and turned it so he could read the packing slip. "It seems to be from a Crickian seamstress."

"You ordered something from her while we were shopping planetside."

"Indeed? That seems rather uncharacteristic of me; textiles have never been of interest... Wait." Spock looked at the floor as some memory fragments flickered across his frontal lobe like the flash of a strobe light, and then looked back up at Nyota. "Fascinating -"

"What is it, Spock?"

"I have the distinct impression this item was purchased with you in mind, although for what purpose, I do not recall." Spock handed the package back to her.

"What do you think it is?"

"I am not certain."

"Then we should open it and find out."

"That would seem a logical course of action," Spock said, and he walked past her, heading for the door. As she had done, he stopped after a few steps and extended a hand behind him, inviting her to take it. "Come with me, and we can open it together while we lunch."

Nyota smiled, the package pressed against her chest by her arm, and took his hand in hers. The hand-to-hand contact initiated the familiar light meld, and through it, she felt Spock's - Relief. Clarity. Confidence. A hint of ardor in the background... and a touch of regret... no, sadness, over his memory loss. He was shielding a good deal of himself from her, but she was grateful for even this abbreviated connection.


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They stopped first at Dr. Surrey's quarters to look in on Pa'shu and her cubs. Dr. Surrey was still preoccupied with the notes he was typing into the PADD, and Nyota asked him, "Don't you ever take a break?"

"Sure," he said without looking at her, gesturing with the PADD toward a sandwich and a glass of juice on the table nearby. "Having lunch even as we speak -"

Nyota chuckled and shook her head as Spock squatted down next to the sehlats. Mother and babies were sound asleep, one cub draped across Pa'shu's haunches, the other lying on its back near her muzzle with all four legs splayed out around it. "When the cubs are more settled, I will set up a den for them in my quarters. Dr. Surrey will then be able to adjust the heat and illumination settings in his quarters back to levels more comfortable for him."

"I was kind of getting used to the heat -" Surrey said without looking up from his notes.

"What are they?" Nyota asked. "I mean, what gender?"

"This one," Spock pointed to the one draped across Pa'shu's hip, "is male, the other is female."

"Sarek said sehlats name themselves," Dr. Surrey interjected, still typing away. "But I don't want to call them 'hey you' for the next six months, so I figured you should name them. If nothing else, naming them will make it easier for the ship's vet to keep track of who's who in his records." He looked up from his work with a wry smile, "I was thinking of calling the little boy G'by."

"What a curious name, Doctor," Spock said, genuinely surprised.

"Yeah," Nyota agreed. "I don't recognize the language; it's not a Vulcan name."

"Nope, simple Terran," Surrey replied. "G-B-Y." At the blank looks from his guests, he explained, "GBY for God-Bless-You. Pa'shu's name sort of sounds like a sneeze and since she has a penchant for sternutation, I figured... Pa'shu-Achoo, God bless you-GBY, G'by."(5)

Nyota laughed heartily. "Oh, Spock, we have to use that for one of the names!"

"Very well," Spock agreed somewhat reluctantly. "May we have something a bit less... cryptic for the female's name?"

Surrey shrugged and smiled, interested to see what Spock would come up with. Nyota suggested Vulcan names like Petakov or Takov, and Swahili names like Mtoto and Kicheko, but none of them seemed to fit the comfortable, laid-back baby sehlat.(6)

"Ta'an," Spock said after a while, and the cub squeaked in her sleep at the sound of his voice.(7)

"That's pretty. What does it mean?" Dr. Surrey asked, and Nyota translated, "Gift; especially something precious handed down from one person to another."

"Ohhhh. Sarek had mentioned you might be giving the sehlats to your people as a gift, Mister Spock. The name seems more than appropriate then."

"Thank you, Doctor," Spock said, rising to his full height. Nyota, hugging him around the waist, reiterated, "G'by and Ta'an. Suits them."

"Yeah, cute," Dr. Surrey agreed. "Now, if you kids don't mind, I would like to get back to my sandwich and my notes..."

With an apology for the intrusion, they left, going to Spock's quarters, where Nyota unwrapped the package from the Crickian while Spock ordered steamed vegetables and rice noodles for them from the small, personal in-wall replicator.

The Crickian's package contained two long panels embroidered with delicate, ornate Vulcan calligraphy. Nyota laid them on the floor, side-by-side, and stood up so she could see them in total and read the script. Spock handed her a bowl along with a longfork, and then looking over the panels, stooped to rearranged their order. "I believe they go this way," he said. He picked up his own lunch bowl and stepped back next to Nyota.

She read the first panel aloud, "E'rroi kae t'nash-veh, eh ki'vukut t'nash-veh kup du," then translated it, her voice catching with emotion, "Attract the mind of mine, and have the body of mine you can."

The second panel read: Talal katra t'nash-veh, eh ek'wak t'du nash-veh nam-tor. "Find the living soul of mine, and forever yours I am."(8)

Bowl in hand, Nyota leaned into Spock and let her head rest against his shoulder. Tears stood in her eyes. "Oh my God, they are beautiful, Spock," her voice trembled. "They are so beautiful."

Spock kissed her softly on the forehead. "Vah nam-tor tu, k'diwa."(9) Although his sentiment was genuine, the kiss was somewhat perfunctory, but Nyota didn't seem to notice. Spock was silently grateful that their hands were otherwise occupied; had they been touch-linked, Nyota would have felt, to some degree, the deep confusion he was currently experiencing.

The purchase of the gift, an intimate one suited for a bondmate, had apparently been rather impulsive; and he didn't believe he was prone to emotional impulses. There was more lost to the shariv t'kae than just bits of his memory, he now understood. As he looked at the gift, he realized he was missing an entire train of emotional incidents and connections that had lead him to make such a purchase. Spock watched as Nyota knelt by the panels, stroking the embroidery and swiping away tears so they wouldn't fall onto and mar the fabric. She was obviously far ahead of him, now, in her emotional connection to him. The shariv t'kae had set him back almost a year, and he was going to have to catch up to her, or tell her to slow down and step back to meet him where he was. But how could he approach such a dialog with her without upsetting her? Perhaps Dr. Surrey would have some insight into such a phenomenon and assist him with it.

So pleased with the present and so full of feelings for him that she was unaware of his consternation, Nyota smiled at Spock as she rose to her feet. She wanted to embrace him, enfold him, have him, but he held his bowl high enough now to dip his longfork into it, and twirl the noodles around inside. She didn't know how to take that.

He had given her an intensely passionate gift - and yet was now focused on eating. His actions seemed incongruous. Dr. Surrey had warned her Spock's desire might run hot and cold while he dealt with what had happened to him, but, she had assumed that if the shariv t'kae had burned out the memories from that period, he would no longer have any lingering... discomforts; that he wouldn't have anything to deal with or repress anymore.

Maybe things were still jumbled in his head, she thought, or maybe he needed time to reorient himself within his mind; to figure out which feelings were real and which ones were echoes and reflections. Or maybe she was simply reading too much into his actions; maybe he was just hungry. She knew he hadn't really eaten breakfast.

"What are you thinking of, Spock?"

"Many things... including you."


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In the Shuttle Bay, Sarek, Gilgreni and the violet-eyed Serran stood outside the open orifice in the Haulat's side, which Sa'aat blocked with his body. He stepped aside only briefly when Sionak arrived, so the guard could step past him and enter the ship.

Watching Sionak vanish up the turbolift, Serran indicated himself and Gilgreni, and said, "Allow us to accompany you, osu."

"No. It is imperative the number of Fonn Vuhlkansu delegates not be diminished. Should anything happen to you, we would not have time to replace you before the Transitional Council convenes. It is best if you remain here; protect the Ambassador."

"What do you intend to accomplish with this voyage?" Sarek asked.

"To ensure our security measures are in place before your arrival on New Vulcan, and to determine the whereabouts and status of T'Pau."

"I will remind you, then, there has been no order sanctioning her destruction."

"Of that, I am aware."

"I would not wish you to take the law into your own hands."

"The law is often open to interpretation, Ambassador," Sa'aat reminded him.

"You understand my meaning, Sa'aat. I want no murders, no torture. Ri klau au ik klau tu. Nufau au sochya - yi dungi ma tu sochya."

Sa'aat looked down momentarily as a sign of reverence for an elder, but when he looked up again there was nothing but determination in his face. "Tra'nam-tor wehk fau-yut na'sochya, elyutau-fam ek t'au fa'rom istaya. Dungi-nafau fa'ra nufau nash'veh."(10)

"Then there is little else I can say to you except," Sarek raised his right hand in the traditional split-fingered salute, "live long and prosper."

Sa'aat returned the gesture saying, "Peace and long life." He stepped into the Haulat and the orifice shut, leaving no mark on the ship's skin to indicate an opening had ever been there. Within minutes, the Haulat was on its way to New Vulcan, its cloak engaged before it left the Enterprise's perimeter.


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(1) Tel-ketelau: the Vulcan word for "bondmate"; someone with whom another is mated (mind and body) for life; alternately the word "telsu" (one who is bonded) is also used.

(2) Hafau muhl, Spahk-kam. Translated from the Vulcan means, "Keep well, Spock." And Nakarat kup-terkadau dungi nash-veh, k'diwa, translates as "I will endeavor to comply, beloved."

(3) Lesh'riq position: "lesh'riq" is the Vulcan word for the meditative posture in which the participant kneels on the floor with the feet tucked in under the buttocks and the instep of the foot against the floor.

(4) Vasa previa: according to the eMedicine site "vasa previa occurs when the fetal vessels in the membrane are situated in front of the presenting part of the fetus". At birth, the vessels in the umbilical cord rupture and the fetus can bleed out (exsanguinate) within minutes. It's relatively rare in Humans, occurring in about one in about every three-thousand births, but is very often fatal to the fetus if it's not properly diagnosed prior to delivery.

(5) G'by: this name was actually suggested by FanFiction reader Botsey, and I thought its origin was so cute, I HAD to use the name for one of the cubs!

(6) Suggested names for sehlat cubs: Petakov is the Vulcan word for "cute" and Takov is the Vulcan word for "pretty"; in Swahili Mtoto means "child" and Kicheko means "laughter".

(7) Ta'an: this name, which means "gift" in Vulcan, was suggested by FanFiction reader mcsgirl!

(8)E'rroi kae t'nash-veh, eh ki'vukut t'nash-veh kup du. Talal katra t'nash-veh, eh ek'wak t'du nash-veh nam-tor. This is Vulcan version of the anonymous Terran poem that reads, "Seduce my mind and you can have my body; find my soul and I'm yours forever."

(9)Vah nam-tor tu, k'diwa. Translated from the Vulcan this means, "As are you, beloved."

(10) Ri klau au ik klau tu. Nufau au sochya - yi dungi ma tu sochya. Sarek is quoting Surak here. Translated from the Vulcan it means: "Do no harm to those who harm you. Offer them peace, then you will have peace." Sa'aat answers him with, Tra'nam-tor wehk fau-yut na'sochya, elyutau-fam ek t'au fa'rom istaya. Dungi-nafau fa'ra nufau nash'veh, which translated from the Vulcan means, "There are many avenues to peace, not all of them paved in good wishes. I will offer in kind what I am offered."