Uhura, Sulu, Scotty, and Chekov found themselves heading towards one of the ships numerous rec rooms. Once there, Scotty got everyone their preferred drinks and they all sat around a table in silence. None of them wanted to talk about what they had seen, each to lost in their own thoughts; wondering how much more of the timeline would be changed and how they could ever hope to prevent it
Bones pulled Jim into his own room, not wanting his friend to be alone. Grabbing them both drinks from his own supply the two old friends reflected quietly on what they had seen
"We have to stop it."
Bones looked up from his drink at his friend, "I know Jim. But, how? We don't even know how this even came about!"
"... we know Spock is a part of it"
Bones frowned at the mention of Spock, an uncomfortable feeling was curling in his gut after seeing those bullies taunt the younger Spock
"Hey Jim. You don't think our Spock was bullied that badly before do ya?"
Jim looked knowingly at McCoy, "Doctor, I think that our Mister Spock has had his fair share of hardships and children will be children no matter what planet or species they are."
The two old friends remained in silence for the rest of the night.
In one of the ships observational rooms sat the Vulcan-Human family. None of them spoke, they simply sat in silent contemplation and reviewed all that they had seen so far. And if Amanda's hand rested on her son's arm and said son did nothing to remove then no one said anything, certainly not Sarek, who knew his wife needed this as much as his son did.
The next day after a quiet breakfast everyone slowly returned to the viewing room
Hiding yawns behind their hands everyone sat down around the table, this time Bones sat at the end of the table with Uhura on his left and Spock on his right.
Next to Uhura sat Amanda and Sarek followed by an uncomfortable looking Chekov; having been the last one to sit down the Russian was forced to sit in the only available seat left. On the other side of the table right after Spock was Scotty followed by Jim then Sulu.
The black screen lit up suddenly with the face of the Talosian, "I hope you all are ready for what is to come next."
"We're ready for whatever you have to show us."
The Talosian looked around at everyone at the table before his gaze stopped at Spock, "I warn you Captain, what you will see will be hard on one of your own. Out of everything that you must try to prevent, this is of one of the largest scales."
Before anyone could ask any questions the Talosian disappeared from the screen and was soon replaced by a woman in front of a window.
[VULCAN HALLWAY - YEARS LATER]
A women is shown to be standing in front of a window and holds her arms up towards Spock who is out of sight
AMANDA: Spock, come here. Let me see you
SPOCK: No
AMANDA: Spock
Footsteps are heard as Spock walks on screen and stops in front of his mother. Amanda starts to fuss over his clothes.
AMANDA: There's no need to be anxious. You'll do fine.
SPOCK: I am hardly anxious mother. And fine has variable definitions. Fine is unacceptable.
Amanda smiled over at her son, "you're nervous. I can always tell."
AMANDA: Okay
Spck grabbed Amanda;s hands and held them for a minute, he seemed to hesitate before speaking
SPOCK: May I ask a personal query?
AMANDA: Anything.
SPOCK: Should I choose to complete the Vulcan discipline of Kolinahr, and purge all emotion, I trust you will not feel it reflects judgment upon you.
Bones fumed silently to himself, after seeing how Spock was treated by those billies for being half human that uncomfortable feeling was becoming too hard to ignore. He had to admit to himself that he felt guilty for all the times he had gotten mad at the science officer for being more Vulcan than Human. But what he was hearing now made his blood boil, not at Spock directly, but he was more so mad that Spock was going to be denying a whole other part of himself to try and reach someone else's vision of what he should be. There was a part of the Georgian that was reminded of old Earth and he didn't like it. Bones silently vowed to himself that he would try and be more understanding of the Vulcan, but to also encourage him to embrace his human side as well.
Unknownst to anyone else, the rest of the crew had made similar promises to themselves.
Amanda looked a little upset before she looked down before Spock could notice her expression, when she looked up she was forcing herself to smile for her son
AMANDA: Oh, Spock. As always, whatever you choose to be, you will have a proud mother.
[VULCAN SCIENCE ACADEMY]
Spock is shown standing in front of the Vulcan council. Sarek is seen to be on the council looking down at his son.
MINISTER: You have surpassed the expectations of your instructors. Your final record is flawless. With one exception, I see that you have applied to Starfleet as well.
SPOCK: It was logical to cultivate multiple options.
MINISTER: Logical but unnecessary. You're hereby accepted to the Vulcan Science Academy. It is truly remarkable, Spock, that you have achieved so much, despite your disadvantage.
"Oh boy…" muttered Scotty
Jim and Sulu who had heard him nodded along, they had their suspicion of what this… disadvantage was.
MINISTER: All rise
The Vulcan council rose from their seats
SPOCK: If you would clarify, Minister. To what disadvantage are you referring?
MINISTER: Your Human mother.
"Ublyudok," Chekov swore under his breath
Uhura, Sulu, and Scotty looked appalled that the Vulcan minister would come right out and say it, meanwhile Jim and Bones looked murderous.
Amanda looked resigned, she remembered hearing about this from Spock when he had gotten home and feeling the flare of anger from Sarek through their bond before he had been able to cover it, she hated the fact that she was the cause of her son being treated a different way and not having as much expected of him.
Like all those years ago, Spock and Sarek were angered by the Minister's words, but like then there was little they could do to change his or anyone else's views on Amanda
Before replying Spock looked over to his father, Sarek gave a small almost unnoticeable nod to his son
SPOCK: Council, Ministers, I must decline.
MINISTER: No Vulcan has ever declined admission to this academy
SPOCK: Then, as I am half-human, your record remains untarnished.
SAREK: Spock. You have made a commitment to honor the Vulcan way
MINISTER: Why did you come before the council today? Was it to satisfy your emotional need to rebel?
SPOCK: The only emotion I wish to convey is gratitude. Thank you, Ministers, for your consideration. Live long and prosper.
"Why, Mister Spock, I didn't know you had it in you."
Spock turned towards the Captain, "I do not know what you mean."
"Right Laddie, of course you don't," Scorry laughed
"It should be noted that these events happened slightly differently for me than what you have just seen."