It is a foggy Sunday morning in the city of San Francisco. Spock helps his pregnant wife enter his skimmer. Their children were already settled in the back of the vehicle. With all ready, he pilots it towards The Church of Everlasting Life.

As they enter the stone building, Spock notices T'Mara place her hand on her lower back. He whispers with concern, "Are you alright? You are in your final month and two weeks from your due date. Perhaps we should leave."

She gives him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine now. Just a slight twinge of pain, but it has passed."

As T'Meika, T'Anya, and Stefan make their way to their Sunday school classes, Spock and T'Mara enter the sanctuary.

oooooooo

When the service comes to the end, T'Mara whispers in Spock's ear. His eyes slightly widen. "T'Mara, now?"

"Yes, now!" she says louder than she wished. She stands. "We need to go to the med center before my water breaks."

He takes in a breath. "Very well." They quickly as possible leave the sanctuary. He calls T'Meika on his phone to inform her that she needs to get her siblings right away and meet them at the skimmer.

Once everyone was safely fastened in their seats, Spock guides the vehicle into the air. With a hint of emotion, he asks of his wife, "T'Mara…if you were experiencing contractions, why did we not leave when I first suggested it?

"They were so far apart, I thought there would be enough time. It was not till the last song that they grew in intensity."

Halfway through the flight, she winces in pain. "Damn! No…uh…"

"What is the matter, T'Mara?" Spock asks, keeping focused on piloting the skimmer.

Her face twists with pain. "Oh...fly faster...my water broke...maybe we should land here and call for emergency help?"

Spock warns the children to hold on. "And T'Anya, take your brother's hand so he does not become frightened. I must make tight maneuvers to get your mother to the hospital."

As the vehicle flies swiftly between the fleet buildings, T'Mara yells with pain. "Oh, Spock! I hope we make it – for I feel him coming!" Pain and fear cause tears to stream from her eyes.

With emotions raging through him, Spock had to release a deep breath. "We should arrive in 1.35 minutes." He then thinks, why can infants not arrive on their expected due date? And why did his Vulcan mind rules seem to escape him when each of their offspring was born?

He contacts the fleet hospital to notify them of their imminent arrival.

oooooooo

Andre greets Spock in the hallway outside T'Mara's birthing room. He hears the cries of his new grandson. He barely holds back his joy. "My son, how are my daughter and the baby?"

Spock's eyes give away the happiness he is now feeling. "Both are quite fine. He is nine pounds, twenty ounces, and twenty-one inches long."

Andre's whole face lights up. "Wonderful. T'Sora sends her apologies; she was in a middle of surgery at San Francisco General."

His other grandchildren gather around Andre. All embrace him.

"Grandfather…we are so anxious to see our baby brother," T'Anya says with pure happiness.

Andre looks over at Spock. "Can we all go in?"

"Yes, the nurse has informed me that everyone can."

They make their way into T'Mara's room. She is lying on the bed, with the baby in her arms.

Suddenly McCoy pops in and lightly smacks Spock on the back. "Well friend, I was here with a patient and heard the good news. A bouncing baby boy! Have you chosen a name yet?"

Spock gives him a quizzical look. "Bouncing? Right now he is asleep."

McCoy huffs then remarks, "Dammit, Spock. You know what I mean...So doyou have a name?"

"We were thinking of Sorvon, a family name from T'Mara's mother's lineage." Spock gazes at his smiling wife.

Although she is worn by the birthing process, her joy seems to revive her. Learning that their baby is healthy has given T'Mara peace of mind. Her sparkling eyes look upon her husband. "Yes, I think it's a good name. It means 'hopeful one'."

"Sounds fine to me," McCoy says as he pats Stefan on the head. "Well, I have to go. Take care, all."

The family gathers around the bed to welcome Sorvon.

ooooooo

A few hours later, as Andre walks down the hospital corridor with Spock and the children, he sees the Vulcan glance back at T'Mara's room with yearning in his eyes. "Spock, you look like a man who wants to stay with his wife and newborn," he notes.

Spock stops, for Andre is right. He does not know why he aches to stay, for they have been parted before – even by death. He clears his throat. "You are perceptive, Father. Yes, I do wish to stay even though there is no logical reason for me to remain," he admits.

"Go ahead, stay. I can take the children to my home. You are her bond mate. I am sure T'Mara will appreciate you being here."

He hesitates then says, "Yes, I believe I will spend the night."

Young Stefan, as of late has been feeling left out. No longer the youngest, he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. With disappointment, he says, "Daddy, do you love the baby more?"

Spock kneels down in front of his son. He places a hand lightly on his small shoulder. "No, I am staying for your mother's sake." Seeing that his words did not soothe his son, he includes, "Stefan, our love for you or your siblings has not lessened due to Sovron's arrival."

Stefan hugs him. "Okay, Daddy."

Spock stands. He faces his daughters. "I am sure the doctor will allow your mother and baby brother to go home tomorrow. Goodbye, and remember to behave for your grandfather."

"Of course, Father. Goodbye," T'Meika and T'Anya happen to say together.

Back in T'Mara's room, Spock sees that she and the baby are sleeping. He settles into a chair and taking out his padd, checks his messages. Then he engages in some light reading until his wife stirs.

T'Mara looks over, surprised to see him. "Spock…I thought you went home. Where are the children?"

"With your father. I have chosen to stay," he informs her as he goes up to her bed. He stands, admiring his wife and new son.

"You are going to stay the night? Why?" she asks, amazed. There is no reason for him to remain.

"Well…" He wants to explain his desire logically, but he cannot arrive at a logical answer. "T'Mara, I desire to be with thee, my bond mate, and with our newborn child."

She smiles at him. "When the others were born, you didn't stay. Why is this time different?" Her curiosity is getting the best of her.

"T'Mara…I also wanted to then, but did not act upon the desire" He moves closer to her. He touches her upper arm. "Perhaps, it also has to do with the fact...that I caused you so much pain from my addiction."

Her hand reaches for his. She feels his remorse and wonders why he has not let it go after all this time. "Spock, I truly appreciate you being here, but you need to turn that guilt over to God. I have forgiven you, and now you need to forgive yourself."

He pulls the chair by her bed, then sits down. "I have tried, but it still troubles me. Right now, let us both enjoy this time together."

oooooooo

In the morning, they awaken to the sound of their newborn's cry. After T'Mara nurses the baby, Spock gently holds him while she goes into the shower. A few minutes later, the door buzzer goes off, and Dr. McCoy's voice asks if T'Mara and the baby would like a visitor.

"Come in, Doctor," Spock says.

McCoy is taken aback seeing Spock there so early. "Did you spend the night?"

"I believe that is obvious, Doctor."

"Well, I'll be damned. I…just…why…never mind," McCoy stammers. "How is T'Mara?"

"She is fine. She is in the shower." Spock is amused by the good doctor's reaction, and smiles inwardly.

Hearing voices, T'Mara is aware that Spock is not alone. She turns off the water and calls out, "Spock, is that my doctor?"

"Not yet. It is Leonard."

Within a few minutes, she emerges fully dressed from the bathroom and finds McCoy smiling down at little Sorvon in his arms. "Healthy as a horse…but of course, he comes from good stock."

Spock's eyebrow climbs. "Really, doctor…"

"Yes, really, Spock!"

oooooooo

It is almost noon when T'Mara and the baby are released from the hospital and go to Andre's house to pick up the other children.

When then walk into the living room, Stefan runs up to his parents. "Mommy, Daddy, we go home now?"

"Soon, son," Spock replies

Sorvon begins to whimper inside the hover stroller. His older brother stares down at him. Jealousy takes hold of him, so he pokes the baby in the arm. "You need to be quiet. If you don't behave, my daddy and mommy will take you back to the hospital."

Spock takes hold of his son's hand. "Come with me."

Stefan swallows as he wonders if his father will punish him. "I...I didn't mean it."

Spock walks him to the back deck. He sits on a deck chair and puts Stefan on his lap. "Look at me, Stefan." When he sees he has his son's attention, he continues, "Your words to Sorvon were untrue and unkind. Although I'm not pleased by your actions towards him, I 'm not going to punish you. You are reacting with an emotion you may not have experienced before. Remember, your mother and I will always cherish you. And think, your baby brother will need guidance from you and your sisters. And before long, you will spend many hours playing together."

Stefan ponders over his father's words. Maybe it won't be so bad having a baby brother. His face brightens as he peers into his father's discerning dark eyes. "Okay Daddy, I'll treat Sorvon better."

Spock lightly embraces Stefan. "Good, son. But if your mother or I hear you speaking unkindly to any of your siblings, you will face a reprimand. Now, come."

ooooooo

On a quiet Monday evening in mid-July. T'Meika and T'Anya are in their room, working on a summer assignment given by their father. Spock and T'Mara agreed to give their school-aged children some lightly challenging writing and mathematical homework to keep their minds fresh during the summer break.

T'Anya stops typing and looks at her sister. "Geez, Dad's math questions can be quite difficult. I never seem to get a hang of these word problems."

T'Meika gives her a sympathetic smile. "I know what you mean. I struggle too with his questions. My forte seems to lean toward writing. But you get high math scores in school."

"Yeah, but my teachers are all humans. Father's wording can be too analytical."

T'Meika chuckles. "I know what you mean."

Her younger sister leans back in her chair. "Can we take a break? We still need to ask Mom and Dad about the get-together at Fishermen's Wharf."

T'Meika sighed. Their church friends would need an answer soon, for the outing was scheduled for next Monday. "Ok, I think they are both in the living room. Let's ask."

"Monday? What sort of outing?" T'Mara questions, her eyes moving from T'Meika to T'Anya.

"At the wharf, with a few girls from church. We'll explore, shop, watch the sea lions. You'd drop us off at 1300 hours and pick us up at 1700."

T'Anya adds, "We have their parents' numbers if you need to speak with them."

"I see. How old are the other girls?" Spock asks.

"The oldest is sixteen, and the youngest is nine," T'Meika replies.

T'Mara believes it would be good for their daughters to get out and socialize. But she wonders if Spock will agree. He tended to be, at times, overprotective of their children. "Sounds like a good time for all. Nothing like spending time at Fishermen's Wharf."

Spock realizes that his wife was already in favor of going, however, he says, "Indeed, however, we won't have an answer for you tonight. Your mother and I need time to discuss this. We shall give you a response tomorrow."

Both T'Meika and T'Anya glance at each other with some disappointment in their eyes. They really had hoped to hear an immediate 'yes'.

oooooo

The following Monday afternoon arrives with two very excited girls getting ready for their special day. T'Anya is making sure her ID and other necessities are in her small purse.

Smiling, T'Meika goes up to her sister. "That's the fifth time you've checked your pocketbook."

She shrugs. "It's my firsttime going with a bunch of girls without any parents supervising us."

T'Meika's eyes gleam as she says, "I know. I was kind of surprised Dad agreed to let us go. I bet Mom used her line of logic in convincing him."

Her younger sister giggles. "Yeah, I only can imagine. Sometimes it's the way she smiles at him."

T'Mara stays at home while Spock pilots the skimmer, with his two daughters in the back, to the Wharf. Within minutes he lands the vehicle in a designated space and sees the other girls waiting nearby. He looks back at T'Meika and T'Anya. "Alright, please act responsibly, be aware of your surroundings, keep track of the time, and lastly of all, enjoy yourselves."

"Okay, Father," they respond in unison and exit the skimmer.

The girls wave at Spock as the vehicle takes off into the air

ooooo

It has been a day of fun for the girls, and their father will soon be picking them up.

"I hope we can do something like this again," T'Meika tells her sister.

T'Anya moves closer and quietly says, "Hey, can we tell our friends goodbye now? I want to spend a little time with you. I want to take one last look at the sea lions."

T'Meika stops and faces her. "Well, I guess there would no harm in doing that as long we return to the parking lot in time."

"Thank you, Sis," T'Anya says cheerfully.

They say goodbye to their friends and walk to the docks.

Both of them are leaning over the fence rail watching the sea lions at play. T'Meika brings out her phone to take some photos. They do not notice five men coming onto the scene. Three of the men stand about ten feet behind T'Meika and T'Anya, to block the view of curious onlookers. Two men gradually approach the fence. One is on T'Anya's side and the other on T'Meika's side. The black-haired man by T'Anya kneels down and says, "The sea lions are active today, aren't they?"

She just nods yes.

"Don't talk much," he states.

"I don't know you," T'Anya says, facing the bay.

"Oh, that's okay." He then discreetly pulls out a phaser pistol and presses it against her side.

The rugged-looking man near T'Meika pulls out his pocket phaser. She stiffens as he waves it near her face.

Still on his knees, the man by T'Anya speaks to her in a harsh whisper. "Don't scream or your sister will be killed. Do you understand?" She sees the phaser being held by the man next to her sister. She nods. He grabs hold of her arm and coaxes her away from the fence.

The rugged man points his phaser at T'Meika. "Don't scream or try anything. If you do, your sister will die," he quietly says in her ear.

She nods, but as she turns, she snaps a picture of the man holding T'Anya. The man at her side snatches her phone and throws it into the bay. T'Meika slowly moves her empty hand toward the man holding T'Anya. With one swift movement, she manages to slap him hard across the face.

He turns to her with anger. "You will pay for that later!"

Then the three men that are standing behind them come up. They encircle T'Meika and T'Anya, then carefully guide them to a large air transport vehicle, where other children are tied up and seated, their eyes frightened.

The rugged man forces T'Anya onto a vacant seat. A man wearing a green jumpsuit forces T'Meika onto her seat. She is sitting across from her sister. Another man enters and starts to bind their hands and legs.

The man that was with T'Anya goes over to T'Meika and then backhands her across her face. He whispers in her ear. "Just wait till we get to the commune. I have plans for you, my beautiful Vulcan girl." His voice drips with evil.

T'Meika just stares at him with a stoic expression. The men let the door shut behind them.

T'Anya eyes the other frightened-looking youngsters. There are ten of them – all kinds of humanoids – ranging from her own age to upper teens. One girl near T'Meika's age is also a Vulcan.

Tearfully she turns to her sister. "What will happen to us?"

"I am not sure…" T'Meika answers. But she fears that they were all going to be slaves.

oooooooo

At the wharf, Spock leaves his skimmer and scans the area for some sign of his daughters.

Twenty minutes pass, and Spock attempts to call T'Meika. The call does not go through. Strange, he thinks, for it should go to her voice messaging system. He makes a mental note that he should purchase T'Anya a phone of her own. He informs T'Mara about the delay, but assures her that they would all be home soon. He cannot help but wonder if that will be the case. He then realizes he has the home phone number of T'Meika's close friend, who was also on the outing.

After speaking with the girl's father, Spock learns that T'Meika and T'Anya had left the group and headed to the docks alone. He decides to walk to the pier.

He begins scouring each of the docks, without success. His concern for his daughters deepens. T'Meika and T'Anya were conscientiousness children. They would never run off or hide from him. He stays in the area of the pier to evaluate the situation. As he ponders the next logical action he should take, a young woman approaches him.

"Uh, sir, are you looking for two Vulcan children?" she asks.

He faces her, curious and hopeful. "How did you come to this deduction?"

"Well, I saw two Vulcan girls here a while ago. You are Vulcan, so I just assumed that was the case."

"I see. Did you happen to see where they went?"

"I did. They left with a group of men towards the main street." She looks worried. "Were they acquaintances of yours or perhaps family?"

A group of men. Spock attempts to control a rising sense of alarm. "Can you describe the girls and the men?"

Her description of the girls fit his daughters perfectly. Could they have they been abducted? "I am their father. Can you please stay? I am about to call the authorities. I need you to tell them what you witnessed."

She agrees. While they wait for the police, he calls T'Mara and tells her the situation. He inwardly shudders as he hears her break down and sob.

At last, the authorities arrive. Spock explains to them that his daughters may have been kidnapped. He shows their pictures and identification.

The witness tells that she had noticed the Vulcan girls by the sea lions. She saw men near them, but she did not see the men's faces.

As the police investigate the area, a female patrolman introduces herself as Officer Stanley and begins questioning Spock. "Sir, your daughters, do they go on social media sites?"

"Yes, but only sites we approve of, and those are restricted."

"I see. You eldest is fifteen. Are you certain she does not go on dating sites? Teenagers are very computer wise, perhaps she ..."

Spock interrupts, for he dislikes her line of inquiry. "She is very intelligent; however, I am certain she would not access a dating site."

"Perhaps." The officer then turns to a different line of questioning. "Alright, maybe the girls want to run away, so they set up a meeting with these men."

Anger rises within him. This woman did not know his children, so why is she making such outlandish assumptions? His eyes turn cold as he replies to her statement. "Officer...instead of inferring that our children are juvenile delinquents, I suggest you focus on investigating what truly happened to them."

Hearing the tension in his voice, she felt it best to stop the questioning. "Alright…believe me, we have every intention of finding them. We will have someone call you tonight to schedule a time when an investigator to come over to discuss the case with you and your wife. If there are any updates, we will contact you ASAP. And of course, here is my contact information in case they show up at home." She holds out a card.

"Very well." Spock accepts the card, turns, and quickly walks to his skimmer.

oooooo

When he arrives home, T'Mara runs to him, and they hold each other tight.

"Where can they be?" she cries. "I checked with the other parents. Our girls didn't go home with any of them."

Slowly he releases her. "My wife, how I wish I had some positive news."

"Oh Spock, I should never have told you it would be beneficial for them to go. I'm...I'm so sorry," she says with tear-dampened eyes.

"No...do not place guilt on yourself. Neither of us is to blame. I cannot even calculate the odds of such an event occurring."

She slowly nods. "I know. Sorvon and Stefan are sound asleep. I was beginning to look through some pictures that T'Meika sent from her phone. Maybe we'll find some useful information."

They sit on the sofa together and carefully view each image. There are lovely pictures of the bay, fun photos of them and their friends. The final image was a bit fuzzy, but they see a man with dark hair quite close to the two girls. Neither Spock nor T'Mara recognize him.

Spock immediately sends the image to Officer Stanley in a top priority message. Within minutes she replies with a text: "Thank you, I will pass this on to the investigators. They can enter it in the criminal database to see if the man is wanted or has a criminal background."

In light in what has transpired, Spock contacts Admiral Jamieson and Commandant Samson, requesting an emergency leave. The leave is granted, and Samson states that he will pray for the family.

Spock holds his wife close to him. With weariness, he says, "Prayer…I think we, too, should pray right now."

They hold hands, and T'Mara begins a petition to the Lord to keep their daughters safe and quickly return them.