A/N: This is my take on Nyota meeting Spock's parents on the Journey to Babel. I've read fics where Sarek is down right rude (which is totally plausible) but I don't plan to go that route. Our original Uhura is incredibly charming and we already know that Sarek has a soft spot for human females. This should be pretty angst free and kind of fluffy if I'm being honest.

As always, I welcome questions, comments and constructive criticism. ST doesn't belong to me I just think about it A LOT!

Nyota had been looking forward to getting to know the Ambassador and his wife—her in-laws—but circumstances kept them on totally different parts of the ship. She was on the Bridge, working double shifts, sending damage reports, repair reports, and updating frantic governments who'd gotten word of the entire incident. She was coding and encrypting every transmission to the highest degree and decoding and decrypting every message that they received. Meanwhile, Spock and his father were still in sickbay with Lady Amanda was at their bedsides. Honestly, Uhura would have preferred to be tending to her husband as well. But she was an officer and sometimes—especially when there was nothing she could really do—that took precedence.

At the merciful end of her shift, she moved to get on the turbo lift and stumbled, nearly tumbling to the floor.

"Lass! When's the last time you had a lie down," Mr. Scott asked, propping her up by the arm.

"Before we picked up the Vulcan delegation," she admitted as she tried to right herself. "So what's that, three— four days?"

"You've got to get to your quarters. Let me walk you down."

"I need to stop by sick bay."

"I'm still going to walk you." He escorted her below deck and left her in McCoy's office, but only after tattling. "She hasn't slept for over 72 maybe 96 hours."

"Oh, feeling left out are we? Trying to earn yourself a bed in my sickbay?"

"No doctor, but there's a lot of damage control to be done when the captain and first officer are out of commission and there's been a murder aboard a Federation Starship carrying over a hundred delegates to a major conference. And said ship was almost destroyed by a non-Federation vessel. It's just me, Scott and Sulu up there. And Scott's been spending most of his time effecting repairs. He probably needs sleep as much as I do."

"So you know you need sleep and yet you're here."

"I need to see him."

The doctor sighed, but the sadness in her voice prevented him from discouraging her any further. "He's one lucky green-blooded bastard. Ten minutes. No more!"

"No less."

She glanced into the recovery ward. Kirk was out like a light, and Lady Amanda was sitting in a chair next to the Ambassador dozing, awkwardly resting her head on his bed. Sarek was examining his wife, trying to figure out an optimal position for her to rest in since she refused to leave. Spock was in the lotus position on top of the covers looking at a PADD, presumably reviewing a report.

"Commander," she said quietly.

"Lieutenant. You should be resting." He sensed through their bond that she was exhausted. She'd pushed her mind and body far beyond any reasonable parameters. She was actually focused on staying upright, leaning against the door jamb.

"I just came to check on everyone."

"I am well enough to return to duty." He said loud enough for McCoy to hear from the other room. Sarek looked to his son and raised an eyebrow. Spock caught his eye and quickly looked away.

Because they were in recovery, neither of them was wasting energy shielding against the familial bond. It was also a comfort to Amanda, who rarely got to experience the full strength of the connection. When the young woman walked in the room he felt a change in his son, like engines going from quarter impulse to best warp. He detected relief, concern, adoration, possessiveness, protectiveness. This must be the human wife Amanda had alerted him to before they left Vulcan.

He originally thought it was the nurse, the way she fawned over Spock. He seemed friendly with her, but didn't treat her like a mate. Then he felt his reaction to this woman and knew for sure. He also noted a small, nearly invisible blemish on her collarbone—an old mark. Moreover, under the fading fragrance of her perfume, he detected Spock's scent. She definitely belonged to his son.

"Good evening, Ambassador."

"Father, I present she who is my wife, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura."

She looked almost horrified. Sarek had no idea what kind of reaction she was expecting. He could only imagine what her perception of him must be if Spock was the one telling the stories.

"I've gathered as much."

"It's an honor to meet you, Sir."

"It is agreeable to make your acquaintance."

"Is Lady Amanda alright? She looks a bit uncomfortable."

"She will not listen to reason." Spock answered. "She refuses to sleep in the quarters assigned to them."

"It is most illogical" the older man agreed.

Nyota had the privilege of exchanging a few subspace letters and live comms with her mother-in-law. She was extremely fond of her. They were fond of each other. She should at least try to get her to rest comfortably before leaving. She pushed herself from the wall and crossed the room.

"Lady Amanda," she whispered, laying a tender hand to her back. "Lady Amanda." She came around slowly, blinking several times to orient herself. "It's me, it's Nyota. You should go get some sleep."

She stretched and yawned, shaking her head. "I'm alright, Dear. It's good to see you, in the flesh I mean."

"It's good to see you too. But come on, let's get out of here and get some sleep."

"I'm fine, really."

Sarek came as close to frowning as he ever did and gave Uhura a look that must have been the Vulcan equivalent of "see, what did I tell you". She flashed a sleepy, but hopeful smile in return before returning her attention to the other woman.

"But, it may slow the Ambassador's recovery if he's concerned with your well-being more so than his own. You resting is aiding in his recuperation. Spock too."

"Her reasoning is sound, My Wife. The most effective way for you to assist me at this stage is to care for yourself."

"Fine, just don't tell me that it's logical."

"But it is logical, Mother. I wish for Nyota to adhere to her own advice. Go rest."

"You're always kicking me out. I'm leaving. I can barely stay on my feet anyway. Lady Amanda?" She held her hand out to her and she took it, warmed by the affectionate gesture. It was such a rarity. "Good night, Sir."

"Ms. Uhura." He nodded, impressed by her ability to sway his stubborn wife. He waited until they left the room to speak again. "You have never been a traditionalist, Spock, but I never believed that you take a human wife. You, perhaps more than anyone, understand the hardships of such an arrangement. Why did you do it?"

"I see no reason to provide you with an answer you already have. I did it for the same reason that you did."

He recognized his son's defensiveness. He never understood why he should have to justify his choice of mate either. And in all the years she'd been his wife he never gave an answer beyond saying that it was the logical thing to do. It was no one else's affair that he enjoyed her smile and her laugh, that he found her alien looks intoxicating. And if he liked to hear her tell him she loved him every once in a while, it was no one else's concern.

"Then it was logical."

"Indeed."

I actually looked it up, the longest a human can go without sleep is four days (96 hours). But the ridiculous nature of this schedule will be dressed int he next chapter.

TBC.