The journal was leather bound with well worn pages. One whose writing the reader was all too familiar with. The hands holding that said tome had been trembling slightly as she read the name and date at the end of the last entry. It seemed the tears got in the way and made it harder to focus. Setting the journal down on the coffee table. She raised her hands to wipe the tears away before turning her attention on where her guest sat with her daughter. Looking him in the eye. She whispered. "Why...?"

Beside their guest, her daughter sat on the couch, trying and failing to hold back her own tears. For as long as both women had known Soval. He had never outwardly displayed emotion. His only claim in that department, exhibiting a very severe demeanor that most Terran's found off putting. But to the few who regularly interacted with him, they could sense the deep sadness that seemed to radiate off him. She watched as he brought his attention from the journal back up to meet her eyes. She could see the pain in them. Her daughter had just wiped her eyes, unconsciously bringing her hand to brush her hair off her ear. Her Vulcan heritage unmistakable.

"Soval. This journal entry was written 14 months after dad died.. Why...?"

She whispered her request into the quiet of the room. "Ashaya?"

For the first time in her life. Genevieve witnessed what she thought was shame cross Soval's features as he lowered his eyes to the journal but didn't speak. She held her peace knowing he would answer, but only when he was ready. Off to Genies left, she heard her mother shift her position in her chair. Heard the catch in her breathing as she realized what her daughter had said. Soval moved his attention to Abigail. But still held his silence. Looking over, Genie saw that Abigail wanted to ask him but like her daughter and grand daughter, held her piece. Finally Soval rose to his feet, indicating the three ladies should follow. Scooping up the journal as he did. As they left the room. Genie saw Soval struggle as he went through the door. She, Katherine and Abigail followed him out of the room into a much larger room. Making his way across, he stepped through into the outside onto a veranda. Following. Genie looked around at the surrounding area and realized where she, her daughter and mother were beamed into. At the edge of the veranda, the vegetation was obviously tropical, and across the horizon, they could make out the ocean. The women traded looks as Soval stopped at the edge of the veranda and turned back to face them. Genie realized what he was struggling with was not just sadness, but grief.

Facing Genie. He raised his hand, looking into her eyes as he did. She understood and stepped forward. Taking the proffered hand and holding it up to her face. She closed her eyes as she felt him placing his fingers at the meld points. And opened her eyes in the space where their minds had joined. His face was still stoic, but after knowing him for most of her daughters life could see his grief more obvious.

In her mind, she could sense his thoughts as he shared them with her. She knew in his own way that he was answering her question. Letting the information flow and not fighting to try to understand it as it came, knowing that it would sort itself as it settled in her mind, she simply focused her attention on his eyes. She understood that he had kept a very heavy burden from her. One that would have torn her and her family apart more than it had been. There was a price for loyalty and in this moment Genie understood that despite his stance as an ambassador, he'd held Genies family in high regard.

"Ashayam. I hope that after all this, you may find it within you to forgive me for what I and your father had been forced to accomplish. The stakes were simply too high."

His voice ghosted within her mind, but she sent a burst of love through the bond.

"Its alright my love." She sensed her mind picking up what he'd shared and finally disseminating it.

"Tell me Genie. All those years ago when it was my time. Why did you help me with that need? I do not regret the daughter that resulted, but there were many opportunities to wed one of your own species. I have wanted to ask you why as well. You had shaken me to my core when you came into that room. I had preferred to die than to subject you to the shame of the blood fever."

"Because you were worthy Soval. I had admired you then. And you conducted your self better than any man that had vied for my hand. And it was necessary. If a child had resulted, so be it. I did not look upon it as rebellion towards my folks. I saw a real man in need and I wasn't impressed by any man that came before. I wanted your children as well."

As she spoke she saw what he had shared fall into place before her eyes. Soval understood she was comprehending what had been shared within the meld. Her father was still alive. Crippled. But alive none the less. Soval had hid him during the aftermath of the bombing, when it had been obvious that he was in danger from his own people. And she saw what he had shared with Soval in a meld. And she gasped. Terra Prime had been infiltrating Starfleet for a good number of years and their influence in daily operations and planning staggered her. In the information shared. Genie understood now why she and her mother and daughter had been suddenly beamed out of their home in the wee hours of the morning to find themselves sequestered some place safe. And it was obvious that they weren't the only ones. Soval watched her not saying anything, until her eyes focused back on him.

"I am truly sorry for holding this back from you and yours for so long, but we weren't able to act until two days ago. We will continue with the beam outs as long as we can. Then we will act. I must ask you to remain in this abode until called for. Do not leave even to go into the town for food. We will be back for you."

Reaching down. He touched her stomach.

"I have taken the liberty to leave you a gift before you were awakened. Cherish them as you have cherished Katherine."

Genies face lit up at that. Only Soval could bring happiness in the face of bad news. She thought. Reading her thoughts, Genie saw the smirk on his face. And couldn't help but be amused herself. Naughty Vulcan. That smirk only got darker.

"We wont be much longer Ashayam." He said. Then broke the meld. Then supported her as the shock made her unsteady for a moment. As soon as she was able to stand on her own. Soval stepped back, then gave Katherine a hug before nodding at Abigail.

"We wont be much longer for this place Mrs. Forrest. All three of you need to go through the journal. There is something for each of you there. As well as what is to come in the immediate future. I will return, no later than three days. There will be someone coming to see to your needs after I leave. But I need to go now."

Handing the journal to Genie as well as a communicator. Soval stepped clear of the three women and pressed a button on his own communicator. Disappearing in a flash. Genie stared at the spot where Soval had been. Then looked around at her surroundings.

They were standing on a veranda that over looked a large town. There was a harbor filled with vintage sailboats and yachts, and further out the three women could barely see a reef just under the water. Genie glanced at her mom and could tell she was captivated by the view. Looking over at her daughter. Katherine just stared awestruck. Even though it was a strange place they had ended up. The look the young teenager had on her face was priceless.

"Want to guess where we are?" Abigail had finally spoke.

"Polynesia?" "Hawaii?" Both Genie and Katherine's answer had the elder lady smile.

"I might have known." Abigail answered with a grin. Looking at Genie she went on. "Were on Papeete. I recognize this place. Me and your father came out here on vacation one year. The year before you were born."

Shaking her head with a rue full smile. And continuing.

"And just around the shoulder of the hill is the rest of the town and another harbor. Soval must have depended on Richard for ideas on how to handle an evacuation. And he ends up choosing a honeymoon destination. This is great. Too bad we cant go shopping Genie. You would have loved it here."

Genie giggled. Putting her hand up to her mouth trying to hide the guilty grin on her face, before looking up and around again. Katherine stared at her mother. Slightly mystified by her behavior. Genie noticed Katherines look, but it only made her even happier.

"Its ok sweetie. Your father and grandfather are definitely looking out for us. This would be the closest thing to a tolerant place to hide for a short while. Plus, Dad would know grandma would remember this place. And out here, no one would give a damn whether we have pointed ears and green blood." "What do you mean Mom?" Katherine asked.

"In the Oceans of this world, every Island is a cross roads. Everyone is going someplace. In a fashion. While they are very protective of what is theirs. They are hospitable to most every one from off island. They are a small microcosm of a larger world, there fore their resources are somewhat more limited. That being said. They have to be more open to what is available outside the boundaries of their world. So for a while, we should be safe."

Katherine nodded at her moms answer as she took in the scenery. The three stood there taking in the greenery, the town at the bottom of that hill from their house, and the endlessness of the blue ocean that filled the scene to the horizon. Turning, they made their way back into the bungalow and taking seats in the common room. Genie looked down at the journal she still held, and pondered. whether to read on. Looking around at her mother and daughter. She decided.

"Katherine. You start. We'll each read off a page. Then if something's worth discussing. We'll go over it. This way we wont be hogging it from each other." Katherine reached out and took it. Opened it up and scanned through it. Going back to the first page. She began.

Notes:

This is a work in progress and deviates from canon at the time of the Vulcan Embassy bombing and beyond. The actions of Terra Prime and other xenophobic factions on not just Terra but Vulcana Rheager, Tellar Prime and Andoria have shown they can be tenacious little shits.

Anyone want to guess which town on Papeete that would be?