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"Spock." The Vulcan rose from his desk and turned to see his father at the doorway, hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, Ambassador?" The older Vulcan didn't move from the doorway, which meant he wasn't there for a mere intellectual discourse. Spock hid his nervousness well, but not well enough as those dark eyes grew sharper in the scrutiny of him.

"You have been home for 3.67 days and have yet to explain your presence."

Straightening, he gestured for his father to take a seat upon the vacant guest chair, which the ambassador did without breaking contact once with his son. Spock had been expecting such a visit and was prepared for the interview that was to commence in 3.276 seconds after he resumed his seat.

"Explain."

"I have decided to resign officially from Starfleet and accept an offered position at the Vulcan Science Academy."

"Insufficient." Perhaps it was due to his new acceptance of emotion after V'Ger, but the serious statement almost made him smile with inappropriate, human amusement. Only a Vulcan would use such a word to tell another that the explanation wasn't satisfactory.

"Your failed Kolinahr to rendezvous with the Enterprise." There was no shame in the mention of failure, but Spock's lips did thin slightly, causing his father's eyebrow to rise. He expected his son to fill in the rest.

"I was told that my answers laid elsewhere."

"Specify."

"I found the answer on the Enterprise."

"Your are not giving me a direct answer, Spock." There was a hint of reproach in the ambassador's tone.

"I found that pure logic was not the path I should pursue. I am reconciled now—"

"What caused you to leave the Enterprise again?" There it was: the question the both of them had been avoiding. If Lady Amanda were present, she would've accused them both of showing human reticence.

"I saw no reason for me to remain once I found my answer."

"Were your former colleagues hostile to you after your reappearance?"

"No."

"Spock, you are being evasive."

"On the contrary, ambassador, I believe I answered your question directly."

"This is about the admiral, isn't it?"

"...yes."

"And you do not wish to tell me about it."

"Affirmative."

"Then we have nothing more to discuss. Your mother expects your presence at dinner in 1.6 hours."