Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to its respective owner(s). Sadley, I'm not one of them.

Thank you to Hepburn for the beta! And also, thank you to GeekyBMWWFan.

So, I sort of derived this idea from Guess Who, also staring Zoe Saldana. So her father in this story is a homage to the late, great Bernie Mac.

And thank you, thank you to all who reviewed! I am truly floored! :D You guys are the greatest! I only hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.

Chapter Two-

Nyota leaned over Spock and watched as the setting sun descended upon the lights of Kenya's largest city. The cognizance of being home hit her all at once.

"I think I didn't realize just how much I had missed it," she commented quietly.

Spock watched her for a moment, as the light from the sun was doing wonders to her facial features. "Returning home has an alleviating effect, does it not?"

This coerced her to focus her attention elsewhere. She expected as much; his dark eyes reflected a deeply and markedly hidden sadness.

Perhaps it had been too soon.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel like you had to come with me." She sat completely still in her seat for a moment, staring down at her clasped hands. "I couldn't imagine what you're going through. You have an obligation to your father, your race, ... and to the rebuilding of what's left. And," she forced a smile while looking up at him. Usually she was quite partial to feeling dwarfed in his presence, but at that moment, she felt entirely too small. "Here I am, flaunting my home and my family in your face."

"Nyota," he placed his hand over her own. "There is nowhere else, in the entirety of the galaxy, I would rather be. I am truly grateful that I indeed have another home to which I belong. And that is Earth. Or rather, it is here. With you."

Reassuring as his words were, Nyota also couldn't help but realized just how damn lucky she was to have anyone remotely as wonderful as him.

She knew in her heart that her family would feel the same.

Again, she wrapped her arm around his and sighed contentedly as the transporter readied to make a landing.

After they exited and took their luggage, which wasn't much, they made their way to find appropriate transportation to take them out of the city center.

On the ride over, Spock had remained quiet. Which Nyota noted astutely.

She grabbed his hand, prompting him to say something.

"What exactly is your father like?" He finally asked.

"My father? Well, he's very kind. A little protective. But what father isn't?" She was laughing nervously. And Spock of course had caught on.

"I see. And I understand that he will not have any trouble with me coming along?"

"Of course not. I love you. And that's all that matters." She reached up to cup his cheek and their mouths moved closer together.

The driver of their taxi couldn't help but notice this in his rear-view mirror.

"Well, whatever floats your boat," he muttered under his breath so his passengers wouldn't overhear.

For the rest of the ride, Nyota filled Spock in on her family.

Her father worked for the small branch of Starfleet located in the southwest corner of Nairobi. He was in the records and data directory and had been there for many years.

Her mother was a professor at the University. She taught, which came as no surprise to Spock, linguistics.

Nyota's older brother, who would be visiting much later, also studied at the University of Nairobi.

And her younger sister still resided in the family home, as she was currently attending her final year of high school.

After retaining all of this knowledge, Spock still asked, "When you say protective, what do you mean exactly?"

"Oh, it's nothing really." She fluttered her hand as if to mentally brush it off. "Let's just say, if I was bringing Jim Kirk home, then we'd have a problem." She then chuckled heartily at that.

Spock didn't seem to share her same enthusiasm, naturally. Involuntarily, he turned away from her and stared out the window to admire the green foliage punctuating the desert-like landscape, or whatever else could be seen in the waning daylight.

Apparently the thought of Jim with Uhura was too much for him. And she made a mental note of that.

Nyota then informed Spock of her family members names. Stanley and M'Umbha were her parents. Amari was her younger sister, and Samwe was her brother.

Spock was making his very own mental note.

"My dad sounds very American. Complete with Northern accent. In fact, my grandparents moved to Illinois from South Africa close to sixty years ago, and they're still there. Anyway, my dad met my mother after being transferred to Kenya. Long story short, he's been here ever since." She smiled, "Oh, my mom is the sweetest person ever. You'll really like her."

"And I intend to."

With that, the taxi pulled up to the family home. It was tucked away in a quiet suburban setting, mirroring the houses in the neighborhood. A few decorative details gave away that it was a home in the United States of Africa, otherwise it could have been a home on any street anywhere.

But Spock seemed to already like the look of it, as he made sure to inform Uhura.

"Your family's home is aesthetically pleasing."

She grinned. "Why thank you."

Stanley Uhura was busy watering his rhododendrons as he watched the taxi pull up to his driveway.

"They're here!" He called to his wife. She appeared next to him, wiping her hands on her apron.

M'Umbha smiled. "Oh, I can't wait to see our baby girl... And who she brought home." Her eyes were twinkling in anticipation. "Whoever he is, I hope he likes roast."

"Sweetie? No one dislikes your roast, that's a proven fact."

Together they watched their daughter exit the automobile and squeal upon sight of them.

"I'm home! I'm home!"

After one gigantic enveloping hug from her father, Nyota moved on to receive one from her mother.

"Now I wonder which one he is..." Stanley said to himself watching two tall men extraditing luggage from the car. One had funny ears and eyebrows, while the other looked semi-normal. Either one of them could have been considered a taxi driver from his standpoint.

"Mom, dad, I'd like for you to meet Spock!" She pointed at both of the men's general direction.

What kind of name is Spock? Stanley wondered.

While both men walked up and distributed the luggage, the semi-normal one walked away and back towards the taxi. That left funny eyebrows.

It was right then that Stanley spotted the Starfleet insignia on the man's grey shirt.

His daughter was dating a Romulan?!

'Spock' came forward and held out his hand. "Mr. Uhura, it is an honor to finally meet you."

Stanley forced half a smile. "Pleasure's all mine, all mine. Your name is Spock? That's a really ..go- ..interesting name."

Stanley watched M'Umbha as she gave Spock a hug. The man looked slightly uncomfortable, which made Stan laugh. On the inside.

He then looked over at Nyota who was searching her dad's face earnestly. Stanley smiled at her. She was looking for approval.

All in good time.

"I'm glad to have my little Nyota home," he said, reaching around to give her shoulders a good squeeze.

"I hope you two are hungry!" M'Umbha announced as the other three followed her into the house.

Right off the bat, Nyota took Spock off on a little tour, while Stanley and his wife discussed their prospective future son-in-law. Technically, it was more Stanley talking, M'umbha listening. And when it came down to him thinking 'son-in-law', that future was still far off. He'd consider it in another 20 years. Or so.

"He not from Earth."

His wife smiled at him while pulling some small fruit out of the refrigerator. "Nothing gets past you, honey."

"You think she would have told us, I mean." He paused and leaned against the tile counter. "It came as quite a surprise..."

"Does it matter that he's Vulcan?"

"He's a Vulcan? Oh, I mean, of course he's a Vulcan..."

M'Umbha chuckled. "You didn't confuse Romulans and Vulcans again, did you?"

Knowing he had been caught, Stanley frowned. "Boy, that would have been awkward..."

"What would've been awkward?" Nyota asked while walking into the kitchen, Spock discreetly at her side.

"Oh it's nothing, sweetie," her father answered.

Nyota knew better. But she remained close-mouthed about it and changed the subject.

"I was just showing Spock the house. And I gave him a tour of my old room." She grinned. Stanley stiffened.

"As I noted to Uhura earlier," This made Stanley's eyebrow raise as he watched Spock correct himself, "Or rather, Nyota,... your home is aesthetically satisfactory."

Stanley's other eyebrow now matched its twin. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You two take a seat," M'umbha said, indicating the small breakfast nook in the kitchen. "I'm about to make maji ya nanasi." She then placed the fruit into a processor.

"Oh! That's my favorite!" Nyota exclaimed to Spock. "I can't wait for you to try it."

Stanley was eyeing Spock from across the kitchen.

"So what do you do exactly, Mr. Spock?" Stanley asked while crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I am the commanding Science Officer and First Mate aboard the USS Enterprise."

M'Umbha was extremely impressed with this. "My, that is a lot of responsibility..."

"Now, when you say Science Officer, what does that entail exactly?" Having worked in the data directory for close to twenty-five years, Stanley knew perfectly well what a science officer's duties entailed. He just wanted to make sure the Vulcan was well versed in them also.

Nyota sighed. "Dad, are you badgering him?"

"No," Stanley smirked. "I'm simply asking a question."

Spock looked at Nyota and then turned to her father. "I do not feel... badgered. It is a warranted question. As the science officer aboard the ship, I am responsible for observing and theorizing explanations for strange or seemingly unexplainable circumstances. I am also required to supply the captain with all reports, observations, and speculations that might affect the safety of the vessel."

Stanley gave a low whistle. "So pretty much you're the guy with the sufficient data. Does that mean you work in close proximately with my daughter?"

"Pretty much..." Spock echoed quietly, copying Stanley's words, though his face was etched in puzzlement. He then leveled his gaze. "We are both stationed on the bridge where we perform our outlined duties."

Nyota's father seemed overly excited about this prospect. He had already pushed aside the Spock 'working in close proximity' issue. "That's right! My baby girl is on the bridge! Oh, we're so proud!"

She shrugged. "Oh dad, it's nothing..."

M'Umbha sat a tray of fresh juice out on the counter and poured a glass for Spock. "I hope this is satisfactory," she said with a kind smile while handing it over.

"Thank you, Mrs. Uhura."

"Oh please, call me M'Umbha."

Spock nodded at that. He then looked back over at Stanley. "And I also thank you, Mr. Uhura, for opening your home to me on such a short notice."

"It's nothing. And please, continue to call me Mr. Uhura." After the glares he received from his daughter and wife, and the odd look of confusion from the Vulcan, he chuckled. "Gotcha! Just call me Stan."

"Thank you, Stan."

Stanley then clapped his hands together. "So Spock, my boy! You play any sports?"

"Daaaaaad," Nyota warned. "Is that really necessary?"

"Hey, a man is not a man unless he plays sports," her father firmly pointed out.

Before Spock had a chance to do or say anything, Stanley was already pulling him up out of his seat and pushing out the back door.

"Time for some hoops! We're gonna bond."

"Bond?!" Spock gasped.

Nyota merely smiled at him as she watched her dad drag Spock to the basketball court in the back yard.

Both she and her mother giggled at the sight of Stanley throwing Spock the orange ball and Spock simply staring at it.

"Oh! That is so cute! I wish I had my camera."

Her mother smiled at that. "You truly care for him, Nyota."

Her daughter looked guilty, but then she smiled. After a complete cleansing breath, Nyota was quick with the confession. "Mom, I love him."

"He's a good man. After being well acquainted with Vulcans through the University, I have come to greatly respect them. This Spock of yours is no exception. He may be a bit..." M'Umbha paused to think of the correct word, "different. But that's to be expected." She gave her daughter a reassuring smile.

Nyota followed her mother into the kitchen to help her prepare the evening meal. "He's had a challenging life so far."

M'Umbha nodded. "After losing his planet, I can only imagine. Professor T'Kal doesn't seem to be taking it as well as he is."

"He watched his mother perish, right before his eyes. It all happened so fast." Nyota's eyes grew dark as she re-imagined that fateful day in her mind. Much had transpired since.

Her mother was quiet at first, digesting the saddening information. "That's terrible...." M'Umbha then turned back to look out the windows facing the yard. Her husband now somehow had Spock in a headlock. She chose to look the other way, since it was part of 'bonding'. "I suppose he'll need plenty of encouragement..."

Nyota nodded and sighed. "You have no idea. He's half-Human." She shook her head. "I still don't understand how he's keeping it together so well."

"Half-Human, you say? Well, he's certainly special indeed."

Nyota also turned around to witness the commotion outside. "Do you think it's going well?"

"I think so, yes. Your father hasn't cleaned any shotguns in Spock's presence yet."

"Shotguns? I thought he got rid of those antiques a long time ago."

Her mother made a face at that. "You do realize who we're talking about here."

"Oh, great!"

After a half hour passed, Stanley and Spock emerged from the back yard while mother and daughter had completely set the table for dinner. Stanley was out of breath while Spock appeared completely unfazed.

Stanley pointed to Spock between gulps of air, "He's.... a .... fast learner." He then patted Spock's shoulder roughly. "You should challenge Sam this weekend."

"The rules of this 'basketball' are rudimentary at best," Spock said while taking a seat at the dinner table.

Nyota, who was trying desperately not to laugh at the scene before her, finally asked. "Where is Samwe anyway? And where's Amari?"

After the family was completely seated, M'Umbha spoke up. "Your brother is in Tanzania working out in the field for some project. And your sister is off at a study group. She's been getting home late all week..."

After a quiet dinner, since there was less grilling of Spock and more eating in Stanley's case, everything seemed to be going well.

And Nyota couldn't have been happier.

"Your culinary skills are nothing but outstanding, M'Umbha."

"Why thank you, Spock." She then turned to her husband. "I wish I could hear that more often."

Stanley was in the middle of his second helping of salad and happened to be shoveling a forkful into his mouth. "Mmmmhhhf!"

Once dinner had completely concluded and the table had been cleared, the family finally noticed how late it was.

"Well, we have to be up early," Stanley said after glancing at the clock. "Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of shore leave."

Nyota smiled at her father. "Aww, ok. Good night, daddy."

Stanley raised an eyebrow. "That means you two have to turn in also." He turned to Spock, "We have the den ready for you."

"Dad? Really? I'm a grown woman!"

M'Umbha sighed and shook her head when Stanley recited the 'my house, my rules' litany.

Spock seemed unruffled. "A night full of uneventful sleep sounds enticing."

"Good man, good man," Stanley said before he could wonder what 'uneventful sleep' meant.

Nyota hardly budged. "It's ten o'clock!"

"Sweetie, this isn't a Starfleet vessel. And no sneaking around! Not in my house!" Stanley then tried ushering her up the stairs.

But she was agile enough to move away. She had to say goodnight to a certain someone before she retired for the evening. Thankfully, her father didn't intervene. And after her mother said her own goodnight, Spock and Nyota were finally alone.

She snaked her arms around his neck. "Thank you for putting up with this. I'm sorry if he's getting to you."

Spock shook his head. "Hardly. However, if I too had a daughter as captivating as you are, I would be wary to let her out of my sight."

Nyota chuckled at that, but then she sobered and drew in closer to kiss his chin. "Perhaps someday you will."

With that, their bodies melded as did their mouths. After only a brief moment, Spock pulled away.

"You should go, before I have to behold your father's gun collection."

Nyota let out a frustrated sigh. "I can't believe he told you about that!"

Stanley sat on the bed, watching his wife enter the washroom. "Did you know our home was aesthetically satisfactory?"

"He's a Vulcan, Stanley."

"What does that mean exactly? He can't use an everyday vocabulary?"

She only smiled and shook her head while continuing to wash her face.

Stanley wasn't quite finished. "Did it occur to Nyota that her pointy eared boyfriend has no personality?"

"Dear, he's a Vulcan."

"Again, what does that mean?"

He knew perfectly well. He just couldn't fathom the idea of his little Nyota with a grown man in a bowl haircut.

M'Umbha rolled her eyes and didn't answer him.

"Besides, like I said," he continued, "she should have told us."

This finally got something out of his wife. "We raised our children to see past that veneer. We all did. There isn't race, color or status any longer. You of all people should know that better than all of us."

"You forgot to add species."

He received a glare.

Stanley then shrugged. "I'm only saying... You know he's a know-it-all? He was the one who invented that Korbinashu Maru, or whatever it's called."

Now he was in for it. "You pulled up his file?"

Knowing he had been caught, he covered his face with his hand. If his wife had any skills at all, it could have been detecting a lie in a mile radius. "No...."

Of course Stanley would've made time to visit his personal study where he could access his workstation from home. Just to do some checking and figuring. No harm done.

"Stanley Uhura! I cannot believe you did that!'

"What? As a father I have a right to know whom my daughter is dating. And you know me, I can look at any one's file and know exactly who I'm dealing with."

M'Umbha sighed and shook her head. "He's a sweet young man. Be gentle with him, he just lost his mother and his planet."

"See? And that's creepy! Shouldn't he be sad or something?"

His wife merely dimmed the lights to their bedroom and walked to her side of the bed. "Apparently you know little about Vulcans, dear."

She settled herself under the covers and sighed loudly, hoping to finalize their conversation.

But he was still in his same position. "What is there to know? They have pointy ears, they can't laugh, and whether it's the day of their wedding or the day of their mother's death, they have the same blank look on their face."

"Are you expecting Spock to look the same way when he's marrying Nyota?"

"They're engaged?!!"

M'Umbha sat up. "Keep your voice down!" She then patted his arm. "Please don't make this difficult. She's only here for a short while before she has to return to the Enterprise. Let's enjoy her visit while it lasts."

He nodded begrudgingly and finally tucked himself in. After resting his head on his pillow, he spoken up one last time.

"By the way, I wasn't being difficult, I was merely weighing the pros and cons."

"Cons and cons, you mean?"

He was silent for a moment. "And if I find out he's moved a muscle from the den... I'm going to..."

"He'll end up having to perform a nerve pinch to get away from you."

"Hey! Whose side are you on?"

"Please go to sleep," M'Umbha said quietly. "It'll all be better in the morning."

After what M'Umbha hoped to be the finality of their conversation, it all came to an end.

"Do you think they've already slept together?" Stanley asked, his voice sounding quite hoarse at the sheer thought of it all.

His wife remained silent. After a few extra seconds Stanley chimed in with, "You're thinking about it too, aren't you?"

"Good night, Stanley!"

Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think ! :D