Announcements

U.S.S. Enterprise, 2278.285, 2231 hours. Nyota sat in bed beside her husband, quietly fuming as she pretended to read from her PADD. "I still don't see why you're surprised by all this."

"I was not entirely surprised," he coolly replied.

"Well you're certainly not supportive."

At that remark one eyebrow rose sharply in indignation. "After T'Alora made her intentions known I merely suggested that she cultivate multiple options in the event that the Vulcan Science Academy does not admit her."

"Implying that she wasn't good enough to get in in the first place."

"That was not my intention."

Nyota huffed and rolled her eyes. He had an answer for everything tonight. Setting aside her reading she looked him square in the face. "Ok, then what was your intention?"

"My intention was that she seek out alternative institutions for higher learning in addition to the VSA."

Infuriating; he was being absolutely infuriating! "Will you stop trying to quash our daughter's ambitions? She's brilliant, she's practically guaranteed a spot based on academics alone and I don't understand why you're not on-board with her plan…and don't feign some cultural misunderstanding, Mister, you know exactly what I mean! What have you got against T'Alora going to the VSA!"

Spock inhaled deeply and looked down at his lap. "It is not that I do not want her to attend…"

"Then what?"

"I do not want her to be subjected to the same prejudices I faced when I went before the Council for my own admission hearing."

Oh. Her cheeks flushed and she reached out for him both physically and mentally but he'd shut down. Thirty years on and the Council's slights still cut him to the quick. Despite his resistance she took hold of his hand. "Ashayam…"

"It is of no consequence," he said brusquely.

She gave him a sympathetic squeeze. "Of course it is. You don't want to see our daughter get hurt, you're just being a good father."

"Indeed. However, T'Alora will apply to whichever institution she chooses no matter my reservations."

"You mean she's going to make whatever choices she feels are best for her."

"That would be correct."

The fact that he had made similar choices despite his own father's misgivings seemed to be lost on him. "Spock." He looked over at her, the pain clear in his expressive brown eyes. "Times have changed; things are different now. Vulcan children of mixed-species parentage aren't as rare as they once were and the VSA is so much more accepting of off-worlders then it was before. She has just as good a chance of being admitted as any other candidate regardless of the fact that she's ¾ human. What you need to do is show her you're ok with her decision and help her in any way you can."

Spock swallowed hard and nodded. "I will…attempt to comply."

She couldn't resist giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you. That's all I ask." Rolling over to turn off the light she let her free hand travel from his hand down to the covers over the top of his thigh. "You know, for what it's worth…"

"Yes?" He resumed his reading.

"If those idiots thirty years ago hadn't been so insulting you wouldn't have gone to Starfleet Academy."

"That would be correct," he replied, nose back in his PADD.

"And if you hadn't gone to the Academy, you wouldn't have excelled and been offered the teaching position prior to the launch of the Enterprise."

Spock still wasn't looking at her. "That is also correct."

"And if you hadn't been teaching there you might never have met me."

Though his posture did not change one iota she noted that his eyes no longer scanned the page. "'Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful'," he replied, sending her a strong burst of affection.

Nyota smirked back across the bond. "You know, you've used that line on me before. Quite a few times, in fact."

He grinned back. "The repetition cannot be helped for I speak the truth."

"Well when you put it like that…"

It had not been her intention to eavesdrop on her parents; however, when she heard her name spoken on her way back to her bedroom she could not help but listen. Her announcement earlier in the evening had not gone over as well as she had thought it would and in listening in on them now she hoped for some enlightenment as to why.

Were she more physically emotive her surprise would have been written all over her face.

In her mind her Sa-mekh was the epitome of all things Vulcan; he was the model she held herself up to whenever she battled for control. Hearing that he had made one of the most important decisions of his life based on emotions was startling.

And yet, T'Alora understood and even supported his reasoning. Mama was correct in stating that if he had attended the VSA they would never have met and she would never have been born, but there was more to it then that. Had she been in Sa-mekh's place and had to listen to thinly veiled insults against her human parent she would have reacted in a similar manner. To know Mama was to love Mama, whether you were Vulcan, Human, or any species in-between.

Taking in this new information as she returned to her room she began to reconsider her position on the VSA. They still had the most premier mechanical engineering program in the quadrant but what if they could not see past her human heritage as well? It was illogical to expend all that time and effort on an admission application when the decision to include or exclude her would be based on so arbitrary a thing as her lineage.

Resolved as to her new course of action T'Alora slipped under the covers in an attempt to get some sleep. She would inform her parents of her latest decision in the morning.

U.S.S. Enterprise, 2278.286, 0823 hours. "Enter."

Sa-mekh strode in and took a seat on the edge of her bed, opposite her desk. "T'Alora, there is something I must speak with you about. Regarding your announcement the previous evening, I…"

"There is no need, Sa-mekh. I am revising my academic plans to no longer include the VSA."

She spun about in her seat in time to see one eyebrow go up. "Indeed? And what was the basis for this decision?"

"To apply would be an unproductive use of my time."

The other eyebrow rose to join the first. "Clarify."

Very coolly she placed her hands in her lap and met his gaze. "It has been brought to my attention that the Admissions Council will be judging me not on my intellectual merits but rather on my pedigree, of which I have no control. Therefore it would be illogical for me to continue spending time on such a fruitless endeavor." It did not escape her notice that as she spoke, Sa-mekh clenched and unclenched his fist multiple times.

He drew a deep breath and waited a moment before speaking. "Where did you come by this information?" Not wanting to admit to eavesdropping T'Alora kept her mouth shut but that did not stop him from drawing his own conclusions. "You overheard your mother and I speaking last night." She nodded.

"T'Alora…" The way he spoke her name, it almost sounded like a sigh. "Do not forego your dreams because of the narrow-mindedness of Council members long dead." She must have looked at him queerly at that comment for he added, "Your mother was correct in stating that the Vulcan people have come far in the last thirty years. Formerly they preached 'Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination' but only in recent times have they truly come to practice it. The VSA only has to review your achievements to know what a worthy candidate you are for admission."

She nodded, carefully considering his words as he rose and headed toward the door. Pausing in the entryway he added, "Once, many years ago, I received advice from someone that has continued to serve me well whenever the need arises. Ko-fu, I urge you to set aside your logic with regards to this decision and do what feels right." He keyed open the door. "If I may be of any further assistance do not hesitate to ask."

Months later, when she received notification of her acceptance, no one in the family was prouder of her accomplishments then him.

A/N: A new story for you all! I hope you like it. My plan is to update roughly once a week and hopefully interweave T'Alora's story with those of Se'tak and Selas as they grow up too. That's easier said then done though and I hope I can accomplish it. Whatever the case stay tuned and I'll try not to disappoint!