Disclaimer : Paramount, Viacom, Desilu and probably other corporations that I don't even know about hold the copyrights that own the context and the characters of the Original Star Trek series. No copyright infringements are intended and I am making absolutely no money with this.

A Note from the Author : If you've read my profile, I have one other thing to add. I don't believe in killing off characters, even if they come back to life in a sequel. The fact that 'the powers that be' chose to do this with both Kirk and Spock really turned me off. I started to write my own fan fiction with the knowledge that in my 'own', post-V'ger galaxy, these events would never occur. This venture has amused me greatly, and now, hopefully, others as well. I've read so much TOS fan fiction that I have adopted certain words and phrases from others, but cannot recall who the originators are. If you know, please contact me so I may give them the credit they deserve. These stories are my very first attempt at fiction writing, but I do own the story, and no one may use it, in whole or part without my permission.

Spock and Christine, Finally! - For Ni Naar

Chapter 1

Survivors

"Shall we take a walk?" Kirk gestured 'after you' to Spock.

"It would seem indicated." Leading the way with his tricorder, the landing party headed into the thick trees and brush. Although there had been no disturbance inside the wrecked ship, the path appeared to be of more current use. It was, at least, passable. It was difficult to get used to the idea that there was absolutely no animal life. No spider webs in your face, no mosquitos to swat away, but no bird-song either. Just the gentle breeze through the trees and grasses.

The path opened up at the top of a shallow hill, and there it ended. Before them was a savannah ecosystem, rolling hills of grassland dotted with mature trees. Kirk reflected on how much it looked like parts of California. One could easily walk in any direction now.

Spock consulted his tricorder again since it contained detailed topographic maps. "One point nine seven kilometers", as he indicated the direction. "One of those ancient craters, and an extensive network of caves. Possible shelter for our survivor?" They set out.

The morning sky was deep blue, the sun... bright. "Should we have any concerns about solar radiation, Spock?"

"Surprisingly, no. The atmosphere is effectively screening any harmful wavelengths."

Kirk had another question. "What percentage of this planet would you say is arable?"

"Restricted to the stable zones, about twenty percent of the total. This could be colonized, Jim."

"Depending on what we find in the way of dilithium, that will be a UFP decision. Pleasant enough here. What's the global temperature range?"

Spock knew not to get too 'scientific' with his Captain. "Very moderate throughout the middle latitudes, ice caps at the poles. More temperate than Earth. Mild variation through the seasons. Captain... look."

The savannah had leveled out. In front of them, about seventy meters across, the remains of an ancient, shallow crater. The rim was no higher than three meters. It looked like a thick crust on a homemade apple pie. The level ground in the center, was being cultivated! They all stood in silent awe. Neat rows of a type of grain, fully mature, was waving in the breeze.

Kirk drew the logical conclusion before Spock could. "Okay, we have at least one survivor. So, where is he? Still no life signs?" Spock shook his head to indicate 'no'. "Spock, what time is it here?"

"We arrived at planet dawn. If his dwelling is a cave, we would not be able to locate him until he came up to the surface."

KIrks communicator sounded. "Captain, we have four life readings, due west of your location. They just 'showed up', sir."

"Thank you, Uhura, we'll take it from here. Your theory appears correct, Spock. Do you have them on your tricorder?"

"Yes Sir. Four humans, two are heading off in other directions, the others are relatively stationary."

"Let's go say 'hello' to the ones that are staying put. Phasers on stun but keep them out of sight. Lead the way, Spock, if you please."

They had a few more kilometers to reach their destination. In the distance they could hear 'wind-chimes'? They also encountered other, smaller, cultivated fields with unknown types of vegetables and squash. Now there were fruit trees and 'grape' arbors, carefully pruned. Irrigation channels, bridges over streams, even flower-bordered paths going in various directions. All good signs.

Before they could see her, she saw them, and screamed bloody murder! The sound of footsteps running down a gravel path. "George! George! They're here! They're here! George!!!" That was one panicked woman. Kirk decided they would stand their ground. Let this woman and 'George' come to them now.

"Captain, someone is coming." Spock said softly. "If you call out, they could hear you now."

"Hello? Hello! We're from Starfleet. Please don't be afraid." He waited.

A clean-cut, middle-aged man wearing homespun clothing came into view, no closer than five meters. There he stood, and stared at the landing party. No one else moved. "It's true, oh God! It's true! You're speaking English! Uniforms are different. Starfleet? Really?" George was coming to his senses now. His wishful thinking had stopped decades ago, but this was no illusion.

"I'm Captain James Kirk of the starship Enterprise", as he held out his hand. The man walked up now and extended his own.

As they shook hands, "George. George Rheinhardt. Hello."

"I do apologize that our presence frightened the woman. Is she alright?" Kirk asked.

"Marie, my wife... yes, but she's hiding in the house at the moment." Then he saw Spock. "A Vulcan! Forgive my manners. His hand held up in the Tal, "Live long and prosper, Sir. My name is George."

Spock responded politely. "Peace and long life to you, and yours, Sir. I am Spock."

Kirk continued with the introductions, "...and Lieutenants Blair and Duehring from our Science Department."

"Pleased to meet you. Pleased to meet all of you! Marie and I never thought we'd see this day. Oh, thank you dear Lord! Our prayers have been answered."

"Your prayers, Sir?", Spock asked. "To be rescued?"

"No. This is our home now. Our prayers were that our children would not die here alone, never seeing Earth..."

"Your children? The two others on our scans. We saw them leave the area." Spock continued.

George turned to face the entire landing party. "They'll be gone all morning. It's harvest season, gathering nuts today. A bumper crop this year! Captain Kirk..."

"Please, call me Jim."

"Very well, if you call me George. Please come meet Marie. Would you like some coffee?"

"Coffee?", Kirk smiled. "For real?"

"No, of course not. It's just what we call it, and it's quite good too. Can you stay awhile? What even brought you here? No one else has ever come. We've been here thirty four years." He paused. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling, aren't I?"

"It's quite alright, George, quite alright. We would be pleased to meet Marie and share some coffee with you." Kirk answered with a relaxed smile.

The landing party followed George further down the carefully tended, gravel path, lined with a variety of colorful flowers. "Marie loves flowers, calls them her silent birds. Took a long time getting used to not having animals. You'll hear wind-chimes at various locations, when the breeze is up. Another substitute for no birds."

The Rheinhardts

A twenty minute walk brought them to their destination. George and Marie's 'home' was within another shallow crater, a smaller one about twenty meters across. The outer rim was thicker, and taller, a minimum of eight meters both ways. A short wide tunnel with large wood doors was the entrance. The doors were wide open. Outside the rim, as far as they could tell, were small plots of seasonal vegetables. Kitchen gardens. Inside, they had transformed the rim into a carved out, rock dwelling. At least part of it was the dwelling. There were other doors and latched windows that continued around the entire crater.

The center, level area inside the rim was a another type of garden. A formal one, with large shade trees, manicured lawn areas, lawn furniture and flowers, flowers, flowers. Three paths divided the area into six slices, like the apple pie again.

"Welcome to our home." George proudly stated. "The section over here with the front porches is the house. The rest of the compound is work shops, storage, whatever. The rim is comprised of a very soft rock, a little harder than pumice. Never seen anything like it. No cracks, waterproof. Took a while, but as we needed more room, we just kept digging. After we built the gate, it became obvious that it wasn't needed. The doors have always stayed open. At least they're nice to look at. Let's go find Marie." He stood on the porch.

"Marie! That day has come to pass! They're here, from Starfleet. It's okay. Where ya' hiding, honey?"

Marie opened the front door, and shyly peered out. "You folks must think I'm plum crazy."

"In this case, the cause was sufficient, ma'am." Kirk borrowed Spock's phrase. He continued with the introductions again. When he introduced Spock to Marie, she bowed her head with hands folded down in front of her and replied. "I am honored, Sir." Kirk was impressed with their etiquette. It was becoming very difficult to think of them as 'survivors'.

"Marie, I promised them 'coffee'. Think we have enough cups? Come in, everyone, please."

Kirk could not believe he was 'underground', as it were. The interior looked very much like the adobe homes of the American southwest. All windows were wide open to let light in. No bugs to worry about. Whatever George had pulled out of their wrecked ship, it must have included tools. Finely crafted wood furniture with stuffed cushions of homespun fabric in various colors and patterns. The words just fell out of his mouth. "Your... home... is... beautiful!" Complimenting a woman on her home, Kirk just made a friend for life.

"Thank you so much, Jim. George, pull a couple of chairs in from the living room. We're going to have to 'make do'. The water's on, but the cups don't match."

Everyone laughed!

"And you call this 'coffee'? It's very good." Kirk took another sip.

"Appropriate name", Spock continued, "it definitely has caffeine in it."

"I always thought so", George answered, "but I never had a way to test it. We certainly took our chances when we first arrived. Finding food. Eat a small bite and see if you die. No, not really. Our initial fears were unfounded. We have yet to encounter anything here that is least bit poisonous. Perhaps without insect pests or foraging animals, the plants here never needed to evolve any defensive mechanisms."

Marie brought out... coffee-cake? "I love to bake. You may find this interesting. Neither of us could figure out how to make baking powder. That mystery was never solved. Then, we didn't have a clue as to where you would find yeast, because I think it's a bacteria or something like that. We found some small berries one day. Mixed with flour and water to make some of our usual 'unlevened' pancakes, it had the same effect as yeast. Just like you save your 'sour dough starter', we did the same thing, then let it dry out. Whatever it is, it works. I can make bread, rolls, anything! "

"Spock," Kirk began right after he finished a bite of cake, "How are we going to put in our reports that we came in search of survivors, but wound up having coffee and cake at their kitchen table?"

"The way you have just said, because it is the truth. Excellent cake, Marie."

"Why, thank you, Spock." Marie just made another friend for life.

The Forty-Niners

"Well, Jim. I suppose you'd like to know how we came to be here?

"We are curious. Our scans found your ship. That's where we started."

"Here goes. Thirty four years ago, Marie and I had just graduated from Iowa State University. I majored in geology and Marie, in education. We had several friends in common, four of them also were geology majors. Then, shortly after graduation, Dan Bergen inherited that ship from his uncle, who was a prospector. Dan had grown up hearing tales from his uncle about flying around the quadrant and prospecting. It never made the man rich, but it made him a very interesting person to know. The ship didn't have warp, but it could do point nine! Dan got his pilot's license. He already knew the ship from his uncle's instructions before the man passed on. Soon, he had all of us catching the prospecting bug."

"Despite protests from all of our parents, we decided to 'have a little fun' and go prospecting for a while. Just a while... then we'd settle down to more sensible professions. It took every credit we had, collectively, to make the ship certified space-worthy and supply it with the equipment we would need. We adapted the interior to handle ten people."

"We didn't even know where we were going at first. Just before our departure, I was still reviewing old Federation surveys. The lack of information on 49-R was enough to feed our imagination. The ship needed a new name, so the night before we left, we painted 'The 49ers' on her. A play on words. It seemed appropriate. For prospecting, you don't need to file a flight plan. In our enthusiasm, we later realized that none of us had bothered to tell anyone exactly where we were going."

"Took us three months to get here. As you have already noticed, the landing did not go very well. Four of us survived the crash, but the other two died within two days. All our close friends, gone. Marie and I were injured too, but time seemed to take care of it. Those first few days, she and I did what we had to do in a state of shock. Marie is the practical one. She convinced me our friends would understand that we would probably need their clothes and shoes, if we were going to be here a while. Each person's personal effects are still carefully stored, in individual boxes now with their name and the date on it. We wrote a letter to each family and placed those in the boxes too. We did

not want them to be forgotten, hoping that one day, their families would finally know."

"We still go there once a year to pay our respects." Marie added.

"Yes, we do. That's right, Marie. Once all the burials were done, and we had healed up some, well, that's when reality hit. We were stranded on a planet that no one had any interest in. It was a very hard time for us, coming to accept what was. Marie and I are both 'believers'. If it wasn't for our faith, we would have never made it. We stayed at the ship for a few weeks, eating the food stores brought with us. Each day we would take a walk in a different direction, marking our trails. The season at that time where we landed was summer. Without insects, we could sleep outdoors on the ground. It would get quite warm during the heat of the day, but not really hot."

"I didn't have the prospecting bug anymore. To file a mining claim, you would fill out a form and bury it, until you could contact a mining claims office. Instead, I wrote up a paper that I claimed the entire planet, dated it, and buried it by the ship. Made me feel a little better, like this was my home now."

Kirk and Spock looked at each other, but said nothing.

"Marie and I had always been good friends during school. We came from the same home town. But now, just the two of us, dependent upon each other for everything... well, we fell in love."

"Give me a break! I fell in love with you years before that!"

"That's correct. I'm sorry, my Love. I was an idiot for several years before I fell in love with you." Every one at the table laughed, except Spock, but he was laughing on the inside. "To continue, we started eating the native fruits, berries, nuts, grains. Our one day trips became two days, by leaving a sufficient cache of food and water. We had six basic trails established. Two days became three days, and so forth. "

"On one of our 'walk-abouts', that's what they call it in Australia, I like the term... we reached an area where the vegetation was rather sparse, like it was turning into a desert. The night we camped there, we heard explosions in the distance, three of them I believe."

"It was always our routine to return to the ship after we had gone to the farthest point on the trail. We had the cache of food and water to be left there. Two more explosions in the morning had us curious. We chose to take half of the provisions and continue another half day, then return. An hour of walking and everything was different. Looked like a war had been fought there overnight. Explosion craters everywhere. Some of them were huge. No plants, grass, nothing grew there. About five miles from where we were standing, Marie and I saw one of those explosions. We didn't need any more convincing. We had found our first 'boundary', and turned back."

"Two more of our trails took us to the 'active zone'. Having studied geology, I tried to evaluate what this information was telling me. An area of violent seismic activity, next to an area that appeared very stable. We had no way of measuring the direction of the seismic activity. Our only option was to head in the opposite direction."

"Our 'explorations' were now limited to three trails. We gathered up the containers we had used from the abandoned trails and used them to extend the others further out. One trail finally led to a very large river that we could not cross. Another boundary, and that trail was abandoned too."

"Two trails left. Both looked promising. The trail you found took us into this area with all the old craters. The other trail did not. It was still a very nice area, but I was fascinated by the craters. It was really a toss of a coin, so we wound up here. We chose this location specifically, because it was relatively close to the ship. I knew it would take us years to strip it down. The mining equipment came in handy once we realized where we would be living, and we had ten full sets of them."

"Marie, do you mind me telling them about, us?" She nodded her approval. "Under the sight of God, we said our vows to each other, and became husband and wife. When we were here a year, Marie's contraception shot had expired, but we didn't realize it. We had already discussed that it would not be fair to have children here because of the same situation we were in. To the best of our ability, we would live here as just the two of us. God had other plans."

"Marie became pregnant. No pre-natal care available. It was a very anxious time for us. Thank God. When she delivered, there were no complications, and she presented me with twins! A boy and a girl."

"No other children?" Spock asked with all politeness.

"Spock, you may not believe this, but it's the truth. A few months later, Marie and I had a difficult decision. Marie grew up on a farm, and was familiar with certain procedures performed on domestic animals. We do not drink, but there was a bottle of whiskey from the ship. With my approval of course, she got me dead drunk one day and performed a vasectomy on me. Did a good job too."

"Oh, my..." was all that Kirk could think of to say. "Please continue."

"It's been the four of us for the last thirty two years. Good years too. What you see is what we've accomplished. Our children, Beth and Gary have been taught absolutely everything Marie and I know, right through college level. We're very proud of them. They are fine persons in their own right. Now they can go to Earth, find what's left of our families. Live their own lives."

"You might want to at least 'visit' Earth at some point... maybe?" Kirk asked encouragingly.

"Maybe. He finished his cup of coffee.

"Jim, I have to go out and switch over some of our irrigation channels. My head is spinning with all that we've talked about. I need a break."

"I know what you mean", Kirk agreed. He had already sent the other two landing party members back up to the ship a few hours ago. Spock, he was convinced, could sit there for the next three days and remain as attentive. "I could use a break too, clear my thoughts. Mind if I take a short walk down one of your paths?"

"Of course, there's nothing here that will hurt you. Be my guest. Now there's something I haven't said for over thirty years. Imagine. Marie, we will be having 'guests' for lunch."

"Will you stay for lunch? It's our main meal. Oh, please Jim, say yes, please?"

"Thank you, Marie. It would be our pleasure to be your guests." he replied.

"May I assist you, Marie?" Spock offered. "According to my wife, I know my way around a kitchen."

"I accept your gift of self. The kids aren't back yet and I could use the help." Kirk and George left.

"Kids?" Spock asked politely.

"Kids! Look at me. They're both 32 this year and we still call them the kids or the children. 'Kid' is human slang for a youngster." she explained.

"I was taught that a 'kid' is an immature goat. Is this correct?"

Marie laughed. "Well, if you've ever seen one of those, you'd have to admit it's a good analogy. My parents used to raise some dairy goats, but that was a lifetime ago. Okay, you're tall. Fetch me that big bowl up there, the basket too. We're heading out back to the garden."

"You know Vulcan culture." Spock stated.

"George and I went to the same University. One of our professors was Vulcan. We felt it was only proper to learn some manners."

"In honoring one, you honor us all."

Nuts

Kirk wanted to clear his thoughts. A walk in this park would do that. He was amazed at how this family had adapted themselves, and they were happy, too. He wasn't sure how to approach the subject of dilithium. Was his claim to the planet legal? If 49-R became a UFP mining operation, it would surely break their hearts to think of the impact mining would have on their 'Eden'. Except for the lack of animals, it did seem like Eden.

'Interesting,' he thought, 'these paths are all gravel lined. Where did they get gravel? More than could have come out of the house. Well, there's an old expression, 'You've got more time than money', and they certainly had time.' He continued down the path into a forested area. No dead or dying timber laying around. Of course! Cleaned out for firewood long ago. Wind-chimes again, different ones. He decided to find them. A path turned off to the right, so did he. Large, old trees... looked like oaks, except they weren't, and there it was. A large wind-chime. This one was making quite a racket, too.

Bop! Something fell on his head. There, on the path, a nut. Kirk smiled and picked it up. Looking back up from the path, his eye caught something at the base of a tree. Looked all the world like a burlap sack. It was, filled with the same kind of nuts. George said his children were gathering nuts. They must be in this area. He looked through the forest at eye level. Nothing. A cracking sound brought his attention upward, just in time for a young woman to land directly on top of him. He could only remember two things. Getting the wind completely knocked out of him, and another woman screaming bloody murder as she ran away.

You think you're going to die until you're able to get that first full breath of air back in you lungs. He finally stood up. Sore, but no damage done. That must have been their daughter. Who else? He smiled at himself again. Not much luck with women today. Take one look at me and run away screaming. Now he was laughing too. What a day! Better head back to the 'house' and try to apologize. Looking up one last time, he could see the broken branch still hanging up in the tree, high in the tree. My god! She could have been killed. Kirk laughed at himself again. At least she had something soft to land on.

Poor Beth, it just wasn't her day. So intent on reaching those nuts, she never heard Kirk over the wind-chimes. Falling was frightening enough. Landing on 'who is this?!' was terrifying. Despite a very painful arm, she ran for home. Mom would be in the kitchen.

Instead, she ran straight into Spock and fell backwards. She was trying to scramble away on hands and knees when her mother's voice stopped her. "Beth! Beth! It's okay! Stop! Stop! Calm down." Beth stopped when she reached a corner, and just stared at Spock. Marie knelt down beside her. "Remember your Dad and I said a certain day may come to pass? Today is that day!"

Beth looked at her mother, back at Spock, who was standing very still, then back at her mother again. "Really? Is that a Vulcan?" she whispered.

"Yes, he's a Vulcan. This is Spock, one of our new friends. Spock, my daughter, Beth."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Beth. Forgive me if I frightened you. We are from Starfleet. May I assist you?" He held out his hands for both of them to get up. Mother and daughter each accepted a hand and stood. It was then Beth realized her other arm was hurting, bad. She sat on a chair and cradled her injured arm.

"Oh, Mom... I think it's broken. Spock reached for his tricorder, held it at an inconspicuous distance and took a reading.

"Yes, your arm is broken. Our ship's doctor can heal that for you, today. Forgive me Marie, I must contact my Captain." He pulled out his communicator.

"Your Captain? Blond hair, red jacket like yours?"

"Yes."

"I fell on him. I hope he's okay."

"Captain, Spock here."

"Yeah, Spock, I'm heading back to the house. Has anyone new arrived?"

"Yes, their daughter, Beth. She has a broken arm. I need to get McCoy down here. Are you injured?"

"No, not really, just sore. It's not very often that a beautiful woman falls out of space and into my lap." Spock was speechless. "Please tell her I'm sorry I frightened her. I'll be there in ten more minutes. Kirk out."

By the time Kirk arrived, McCoy was already there, with a smiling Christine too. She was assisting him as he knitted the break in Beth's arm. George had also returned. With her parents nearby, she relaxed and enjoyed the attention she was receiving.

Spock returned to the kitchen. The meal wasn't ready yet, and more people kept showing up. After Beth, Christine took a scan of the Captain. Just sore? How about a broken rib? McCoy asked George and Marie if they minded getting a quick 'once over' while he was there. They both agreed. He did his scans, and then told them he had to go back to ship to analyze the data. Christine gave McCoy a look, then kept her mouth closed. He already knew, and it wasn't good.

Lunch

"Beth, where's your brother?" Marie asked.

"Headed out to the red-nut trees. He took food and water. I don't think we're going to see him until later today."

"Okay, no lunch for Gary. How many are staying for lunch, I have to know.

McCoy looked to Kirk for guidance. "You've got to stay and see this for yourselves. Marie, do you have room for two more?"

"Seven people. George, find another chair. It's going to be cozy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!" Marie was one very happy woman. She went back into the kitchen, Spock was stirring the pot of soup. "We've got to stretch it, Spock. Here. Get it to a boil and add these noodles. I'll get some bread and butter."

"Butter?"

"Made from a certain kind of nut. You won't believe it's not butter." The kitchen table was rather large. It was the first table made, and practical Marie wanted it big so it could serve many purposes. Extra company was one purpose she never dreamed of. The bowls were all hand-carved wood. The spoons and other flatware were metal, still from the ship. "Okay everyone, soups on. Cafeteria style. Bring your bowls." Marie was having the time of her life! A line formed, and Spock ladled out a large portion to each one. Christine was last in line.

"See, one way or the other, I was getting to come down." She teased.

"Yes, my Wife... your determination is admirable." Spock filled his own bowl and sat down next to Christine.

"Jim, do you mind if my family says 'grace'. It is our practice."

"Please, George, we respect everyone's beliefs." Kirk answered.

"Dear Lord. Thank you for this day... this special day you promised would come to pass. Thank you for our new friends. Bless Gary where he is today, bless all seated here, and bless this food which we are about to receive. In Your Name, Amen... Please, everyone, dig in."

Lunch was a banquet. Thick, hearty, vegetable noodle soup. Thick crusted bread with herbed 'butter', and fruit juice. Enjoyable conversation across the table. Jim just happened to be sitting next to Beth, and helped her a few times because her broken arm was going to be in a light cast for two days. They softly joked to each other about their first meeting, too. Christine could not hear what they were saying, but caught Spock's eye and nodded in the Captains direction. "I have much to tell you later, Beloved." Spock sent to her.

After lunch, everyone wound up on the front porch, which shaded the noontime sun. It was warm, but it also felt like autumn was coming on. Kirk hated to break up the party. "George, Marie, thank you for your gracious hospitality. It is noon for you, but it is late evening for us on the ship. We have had a very long day already. I promise you on my word as an officer of Starfleet, we will return tomorrow. The Enterprise will not be leaving for a very long time, and when we do... you will have the option to come with us. I hope you believe me."

"Of course we do, Jim. God doesn't pull tricks on us. Sleep well, all of you. Tomorrow we will talk about letting your crew come down and get to walk barefoot in the grass. How does that sound?"

"That... sounds... wonderful...!" Christine exclaimed. Everyone turned to look at her. She blushed. "Well, it does, doesn't it?" With a round of laughter, Kirk's group arranged themselves in transporter position.

"Enterprise, five to beam up."

A Secret

It was 2100 by the time Christine and Spock were back in their quarters. "Christine, please come to me. I want you to hear this for yourself." He sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. As he reached out to her Psi points, she knew she was going to get a replay of something he experienced today. Mind melds between them now were as natural as breathing. He didn't even have the say 'the words', just touch her. Then, in Kirk's voice, 'It's not very often that a beautiful woman falls out of space and into my lap.' So surprised, she broke the meld, which did cause considerable pain to Spock. "Owww!"

"My Love, I'm so sorry!" She kissed his forehead, as if that was going to make the pain go away. It didn't. "Forgive me, but... is that for real?"

"No, I made it up because I wanted to get a headache tonight. Yes, Christine, it is real. Those were Jim's words."

"Beth? I watched them at lunch. There was something there. You already knew. Why didn't you tell me then? Were you afraid that I would say something and ruin it?" Spock just looked down. "Oh Spock, you don't trust me?"

"Don't say that Beloved, I trust you with my life, with the life of my son, I trust you completely. It wasn't a matter of trust. You... tend to speak from your heart, without advance notice." Christine could only laugh in response, grab him in a big embrace and push him backwards onto the bed. Laying side by side. "Do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive if it's true. God, I love you. Now, you are not one to draw a logical conclusion from just a coincidence. Am I right?"

"Perhaps I am trying to exercise my humanity and 'leap' beyond logic." Spock replied. With that smirk on his face, she wasn't buying it.

"My Love, that is one heck of a big leap. You think that Beth is 'the one' for Jim? You just met these people."

"I wanted you to be aware of the same things I am in this situation. We will be here for quite a while. There are... complications."

"What kind of complications, something bad?"

"No my Love, but George told us that he 'claimed' the planet. I believe what he did is quite legal. I have yet to speak with Jim about it. Please do not tell anyone else this, and yes... I trust you." He got up.

"One last thing, Spock. The time has come that you have to start helping me to get out of bed. Ooof!"

Maintaining a geosynchronous orbit over the Rheinhardt's home, those who were going to be involved with this mission would have to switch their internal clocks to match the planet surface. Easy for Spock, naturally... harder for everyone else. Christine decided to be bleary-eyed for one day and just switch over with Spock, tomorrow.

Diplomacy 101

Kirk called all his senior staff to a short meeting to fill them in on the events so far. He finished by telling them to inform their departments of the 'possibility' of shore leave, and he would keep them informed as to if and when. Everyone filed out, except Kirk, Spock and McCoy. Time for an 'executive session'. "Okay, Bones... you first."

"I'm glad George and Marie didn't catch on to my delaying tactic. In this situation, a doctor's confidence... well, I know you'll keep it under your hats. And don't look at me that way, Spock, you know darn well what I mean." Spock just looked up at the ceiling and said nothing. McCoy continued. "Yesterday was a very special day for that family. It was not the time to give them bad news. Beth is healthy, but both of her parents have very serious medical conditions. This is to be expected. they've been out of touch for thirty four years. If I told them then what they have, those nice folks would have been totally devastated, if not traumatized. George has a serious heart condition and prostate cancer. Marie has breast cancer. Now the good news. Even at the stages they are in, their conditions are totally treatable. After the initial excitement of our arrival calms down a little, I will have a talk with the two of them, together, and we'll get all of this taken care of. Again, this is just between the three of us."

"Agreed.", Spock replied first, to make up for his attitude earlier.

"Yes, Bones... and thanks. I'll let you go now, Spock and I have a few more items to discuss." McCoy left the conference room.

The two of them were silent for a moment. Kirk rubbed his eyes and sighed. Spock knew his Captain was just 'switching gears', clearing his mind for the next subject. He waited patiently, as he always did. "Okay... ," He was ready. "George has given us a bit of a problem, wouldn't you say?"

"It is easy to assume you are referring to his 'claim' to the planet. Yes, this is a complication we had not anticipated."

"Your opinion?", Kirk asked.

"I cannot speak for Starfleet's Legal Department, but I believe his claim is valid."

"Good. So do I. Dig up all the legal research you can find for us to provide him with proof of precedence to go with his claim. Until the claim is honored by UFP, we have to go on the assumption that he indeed, is the owner of 49-R. We will have to approach the subject of dilithium with diplomacy. George seems like a very reasonable man. I am not apprehensive about this."

Spock was thoughtful. "Nor I. These people are of good character, and strong faith. We will approach them with the respect they have earned. How shall we proceed?"

"They are open and honest, straight-forward. We will be the same. What time is it down there?"

"1030. Anyone else coming?"

"Not this time. We have serious business to discuss." Kirk replied.

"Agreed."

It was 1040 when they materialized in the Rheinhardt's garden. George was sitting on their front porch, in a rocking chair, enjoying what was probably a cup of coffee. He was not alone.

"Good morning gentlemen. Have you had your coffee yet?"

"Morning George. We're good, thanks." Jim liked this man's relaxed attitude. Reminded him of something."

"Jim, Spock... I'd like you to meet my son, Gary." Gary did the same, formal Vulcan greeting to Spock, then held his hand out to Jim. "Pleased to meet both of you. I missed a lot of excitement yesterday."

"That would be one way to put it, Gary. Finding your family here was a big surprise for us too, a pleasant one. '49-R' has been keeping a secret for a long time."

"Forty nine R?" He looked to his father, who started to laugh.

"Sorry Gary, they don't know. Jim, ever since our kids were starting to talk, we tried to get them to say '49-R', but for them it came out as 'For-Ni-Naar'. That been the name of our home ever since."

"For Ni Naar. The records will have to be changed. This planet no longer has a simple designation code, wouldn't you agree, Spock?"

"Indeed. Gary and his sister, Beth are also the first native inhabitants of the planet For Ni Naar."

"We never thought of it that way," Gary continued. "Makes us feel a little important."

"Well, we're not that important, Gary. Remember that." His father admonished him. Kirk felt that must have something to do with their religious faith. Gary presented himself with the attitude of a grown man in his own right, yet completely respected his father. If Kirk was going to be successful in negotiating with these people, he had to be observant of their very small and unique 'culture'. A society of four.

"George, Gary. We have some legal business to discuss with you, all of you, or however you wish."

"What kind of legal business, Jim?" George asked with concern.

"Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets do things 'by the book', so we are required to approach certain subjects to please those who are in authority over us." The Captain hoped that went over well.

"Trust me on this, Jim." George responded. "I have a good understanding of authority, to have it over others and to be under it too. Say what you have to, and don't feel like you're stepping on toes. Gary and I will take the information to Marie and Beth. Any decisions involves the whole family. For now, just the four of us. Shall we go into the living room? It's rather comfortable there, if I must say so myself."

"Where are the ladies today?" Kirk asked as he looked around.

"Harvesting some special flower seeds. If you remember, I mentioned yesterday that Marie likes flowers. Does she ever like flowers!"

Kirk and Spock each had their own cushioned chair, while George and Gary shared the sofa. The breeze that came in the open window was warm, but low humidity made it very comfortable. Once settled, Kirk began. "George, I'll get right to the point." The Captain wasn't ignoring Gary, but George had made it clear that he was the one in authority here. He wanted his son as a witness to the conversation. The man had wisdom.

"We were here three months ago, just for one day. Spock brought down three new ensigns from his science department for an away mission. They landed at the boundary of the 'active' area. Spock was injured in an explosion. We left right after that because we had to get to our next destination. One of his injuries (indicating with a nod of his head towards his first officer) was being impaled with a sharp rock from the blast."

"Spock, that must have been terrible. If only we had met earlier and could have warned you." George was obviously troubled by what he heard.

"I appreciate your concern. I have recovered well, thank you. The 'rock' in question was analyzed by my department. It was a unique form of dilithium ore matrix. Starfleet ordered us to return and investigate."

"Until yesterday," Kirk picked up from that point. "when you mentioned that you had claimed the planet."

"Did I do something wrong?" George was apprehensive.

"No. Not at all. Until we have a formal ruling, you may have done something very good, for yourselves, without realizing it. Your claim to the planet may be valid. We are required to go on that assumption. We may not do anything, without your permission, even the shore leave you offered. We were required to inform you of your status and not take advantage of your ignorance of the fact, even in that regard."

"Jim. I don't know what to say. I'm... shocked." George looked over to his son. Gary was speechless. "I had no reason to make that claim, but something inside of me said to just do it. I thought it was an empty gesture at the time to make us feel a little better about our situation. Not that I really set out with the intention to own a planet."

"How long until a legal decision is made, and by whom?" Gary asked.

Spock fielded this question. "The United Federation of Planets is in authority over Starfleet. It will be brought to their council. They will provide you with legal representation. It may take months."

"But you say in the mean time, you have to go on the assumption that the claim is valid?" George directed his question to the Captain.

"Yes. Until you are told otherwise, you are the owner of For Ni Naar."

Waiting

The UFP was contacted first regarding the new situation, with a copy of the message sent to Starfleet. Kirk then sent a second message to Command, seeking their 'opinion'. Their response was that he had done everything by the book, and to continue establishing relations with the Rheinhardts until their legal status was confirmed.

George discussed the issue at length with his family. He said that part of their decision making process included prayer, and asked for patience. It was only a day later that he contacted the Enterprise (Kirk had given him a communicator) and asked that he and Spock come back down. They did so.

"Jim. Spock. To whom much has been given, much is required. For whatever length of time is allotted to me, I am now a steward of something that is not my own. Nobody can 'own' a planet. This is part of God's creation, and at the moment, I am responsible for it. So be it. My family and I are in agreement. Now, we were talking about shore leave?"

The Enterprise was going to be there for a while, and the crew wanted to give this beautiful planet a nick name, the Garden of Eden. That would have to be their secret because George would never go for that reference. He allowed shore leave at the Captain's discretion. The Captain was firm that the area delineated as the Rheinhardt's territory was off limits. There were twelve other safe areas on the planet that had never been explored. Away missions were sent to each area to check it out first, then the crew finally got to run around barefoot in the grass, if that was their desire. Soon the common terms used were the 'safe places' and the 'war zones'. George cringed at the reference to 'war', so everyone agreed that 'danger zone' was just as appropriate. He was a generous and reasonable man, but the Rheinhardts had their commitment to their beliefs.

Shore leave was a privilege that had rules. For an uninhabited area, it was rather simple. Don't cause any damage to the environment. Clean up after yourself. If you qualified for shore leave, Kirk decided that you could go down any time you were off duty. One third of the total crew had to remain on board at any given time, so seniority ruled. No one minded. Every single crew person got their fair share.

Hiking became a favorite activity, thanks to Spock's detailed topographic maps that were provided. Sleeping overnight on the planet was also allowed, and enjoyed. Under the stars. No campfires, definitely. Kirk was sure that when the time finally came for them to leave, they would have to drag them back to the ship kicking and crying.

Captain Sulu and the crew of the Guardian also enjoyed their shore leave. He and Chekhov met the 'family', explained their purpose as an escort. Guardian would have to leave soon, but not for long, not at warp seventeen. It was time to drop off his trainees on Earth. Their own escort was being commissioned, and they were all being promoted to executive rank. Guardian would be there just long enough to pick up four new trainees and head right back to the Enterprise, it's first and only responsibility. For Sulu and his crew, the fun was about to begin again.

Side Effects

It was said before. Four hundred people living and working together form a society. The Enterprise now allowed crew members to marry and live on board, with children up to age five. They knew there was a future for their personal lives. Unlimited shore leave on For Ni Naar had a interesting side effect. Romance was running hot and heavy on the planet. Four wedding ceremonies in one month.

More Waiting

A month had passed without anyone realizing it. Not true. One crew member was well aware of the passage of time. Not Spock... his wife. Christine was in her eighth month. It was Marie, of all people, who got ahold of Spock one day and took him aside for a little talk. After three hours, Spock thanked her for her gift of self. Marie replied that as a mother of twins, the obligation was, without a doubt, hers.

What Spock learned from Marie was the importance of being all the more attentive to his wife at this time. She had given him suggestions and talked with him like he was her closest friend. Spock realized that was how she treated everyone she met. Before their visit ended, he asked if Christine could come down to visit with her on occasion. Marie insisted upon it. Her door would always be open to them.

As long as Christine and the baby remained healthy, she had to remain on her feet. It was the duration of time that would change as she continued into the final months. Spock's mother did not have the same experience that Christine would. His gestation and birth was a medical anomaly. He was taken from his mother at seven months and placed in a maturation chamber for three months. His father had established a parental bond at that time because a Vulcan infant could not survive 'alone' in that way. His father's bond supplied survival, and not much else.

How different it would be for his son. At eight months, Spock had a strong parental bond established. He and Christine worked each evening on adapting her Psi abilities into at least a Terran form of a bond. The child was aware of his mother's presence, had learned to accept her 'gift'.

Spock now joined Christine for her evening swim at least every other time, allowing her to enjoy her friends company too. After their meditation period, each evening, but later... he would provide her with a relaxing massage, or whatever she wanted. He learned from Marie's advice how to 'pamper' her. It did the trick. Christine admitted that her eighth month was easier than her seventh. Most important, he learned that she needed to believe that she was a desirable woman, not a beached whale, as she had once described herself. With the bond that they shared, he had no problem convincing her of his desire for her, now and forever more.