Spock was able to make passage on the starship Hawking, which had a planned stopover on Vulcan. Hawking, true to the memory of her namesake, was a science vessel, and as such had a great deal to offer which was of interest to the young Starfleet officer. He spent the four days of the voyage assisting the ship's physics research team.

He had protested against taking this leave, but Captain Kirk had overridden him: "This may be your last chance to see your home or family for five years, Commander. That's a long time, and I'm sure they will miss you. So go! And don't come back until your full leave is up!" Spock had no inclination to agree with Kirk's sentiment, but he could not argue with the Captain's authority.

To say that he was uncomfortable about going to Vulcan would have meant admitting to the emotions that Spock rejected out of hand; however, had he been allowed to make the choice himself, it would not have been this one. Kirk had phrased his suggestion as an order, and having served under Enterprise's new captain for only a few months, Spock was in no position to argue – indeed to do so had never crossed his mind. In addition, Spock was influenced by the pleasure his mother had expressed when she learned of his leave. Certainly he did not want to disappoint her –and so he steeled himself to endure his father's expected coldness.

Within an hour after Hawking had established orbit around Vulcan, Spock had beamed to the planet and was home.

Both parents were there to greet him, though the meeting with Sarek was cool and brief, as Sarek had to leave shortly to return to his office. With his mother, however, he spent a long afternoon in conversation.

Spock and Amanda had always been close. Even at an early age he had sensed the pressure placed upon her – by Sarek and Vulcan society – to raise him according to the strictest Vulcan standards. His childhood had been very painful at times, and he had always found her there to help him get through it, even when he did not admit the existence of the pain.

With Sarek, Spock always felt inadequate, always on trial; but a real break did not come between them until Spock's decision to enter Starfleet Academy. Since then he had spent very little time with his parents. Meetings with his father were cold and strained, and distressed his mother, so he avoided them. However, on this visit, he expected to be under Sarek's roof for an entire Season. Spock had tried to prepare himself for this meeting, but Sarek's first cold, dark-eyed glance had raised within him the same turmoil and sense of inadequacy that he had known as a child. Of course he suppressed these feelings quickly, and his face gave no clue of their existence, but he himself was left uncomfortably aware.

That first evening's dinner was formal and tense. Amanda was determined not to take responsibility for filling the strained silence between her husband and son. Consequently the meal was marked by long gaps between brief exchanges. Sarek, the consummate diplomat, brought none of his skills to this table.

"I assume you have made plans for your time here." Sarek addressed Sock directly for the first time since they sat down. "I would not expect you to remain idle for an entire Season."

"I do have plans," Spock replied. "The Academy has invited me to conduct seminars in astrophysics and computer science. I shall also seek training with Jh'err Solen at the School of Mind Discipline."

Sarek's eyebrow rose fractionally, a faint but unmistakable sign of interest. "You will doubtless be quite occupied."

"That is my intention." Spock's remark seemed to close the subject. For several more minutes they ate in silence.

It was Amanda who spoke next; "Spock, do you remember Sidak ch'Solek?"

"Of course, Mother."

"And his wife, Elizabeth?"

Spock became very still for an instant. He had been very young – four or five years old – when Elizabeth Maitland used to come to visit. She had always seemed interested in the little boy, and would take time to listen and talk to him. She had a vibrancy and inexhaustible energy which fascinated him. Secretly he adored her. When she left he had been very sad and puzzled, and embarrassed that he missed her. The memory brought a faint pang.

"I remember her," he said without expression. "She left Vulcan twenty five years ago."

"Yes. Sidak divorced her. She returned to Earth with her child."

"Child? I do not recall that she had a child."

"Kerin was an infant – less than a Season when they left. It's possible that you never saw her. Elizabeth's visits were very infrequent toward the end," Amanda explained. "Anyway, Kerin is grown up now and has been studying at the Academy for the past seven years. She is a student of the same Solen you mentioned before."

Spock could not fail to hear the warmth in his mother's voice when she spoke of Elizabeth's daughter. Even Sarek's expression had softened minutely at the mention of Kerin's name. "An intelligent and gifted young woman," he observed. The tone was neutral, but this was high praise from Sarek.

"Kerin visits us often," Amanda said, looking at Spock. "I hope you will meet her."

Spock raised a faintly questioning eyebrow.