When they materialized on Vulcan Kirk saw Sarek standing before about twenty others. There was just the slightest of nods from Sarek in recognition and welcome to him before he walked up to Spock with three of the others. Spock knelt on one knee and held up the wrapped box, holding it while the three unwrapped it and then looked at Spock before taking the box and turning to the group and saying something. The others parted and the three walked through them followed by Sarek. Spock took two steps to follow and looked at Kirk with a nod that indicated he should follow, and the others silently followed him.
They had walked into a building and Kirk found he was surprised as he could not mentally place where the building was he realized that even the Enterprise's scanners had not detected it as he had watched the scans done of the area prior to going to the Transporter Room. He remembered how on the screen this area had looked like an open field. In so many areas the Vulcan were clearly more advanced than even Starfleet knew about. He knew that Vulcans like privacy and to be able to somehow hide such a building in plain sight, undetectable by scanners such as were on the Enterprise showed him the lengths they would go to for that privacy. He found himself wondering how anybody but a Vulcan would know it was here as there were no signs to indicate where it was or what it was.
He remembered when he realized he was to get the Enterprise and that the Chief Science Officer was Vulcan that he did some studying into the Vulcan way and had been told that much of this was lost in the wars or that Vulcans did not care for history the way others did. In those weeks before he took command he had studied all he could find and seen all he could that there was about Vulcan history but what he saw in the Hall dedicated to Surak went far beyond that. Here was real Vulcan history. Here were artefacts from when there was so much conflict and wars on Vulcan. All around him were bits from that history. It was obvious that the further into the building they went the more personal the displays were to how great a philosopher, scientist, and logician Surak was.
Four times during the ceremony Spock had moved closer to him and handed him a bottle of water. Although the others were possibly aware of the movement most were in awe and reverence about the book being back and ensuring it had not been damaged. Even though he did not understand much of what was said he could tell that both Spock and his father were being praised for the finding and return of the book. He listened to how easily Spock slipped back into speaking Vulcan and how he only hesitated shortly after saying what sounded like besu after mentioning Colin Hanley and then Kirk recognized the word toitak and a word that sounded like matoi. There was no mistaking the look on the faces of those there as it was clear they had not been told before. Sarek quickly took over the talking as clearly what was being said or asked about Hanley was starting to annoy Spock and Kirk had seen a bit of annoyance on Sarek's face so it had not surprised him how the Elders looked at Sarek after he had said only a few words. Whatever those words were the Elders went quiet and seemed to have a different look about them when they looked at Spock, an understanding and almost, for a Vulcan, sympathetic look. One-by-one the other Elders all lightly touched the book and said a few words giving Spock and his father a nod. When the last one approached the book a strange quiet seemed to fill the room and when the old man looked at him Kirk wondered if he were looking at all of Vulcan in those eyes, eyes that seemed to see into his core. For at least three minutes, while the old man talked and had kept looking at him, Kirk had a sensation of total peacefulness all about him. Even when the old man finally looked away from him and at the book and the others Kirk still was aware of a peace about him he often experienced when with Spock. There was a slow chanting, almost a song, that was started by the senior Elder and finished with a solo verse started by Sarek but finished by Spock and Kirk could tell from the subtle reaction of the others that they had not expected that.
As soon as they stepped outside the hall the senior elder walked up to Kirk with the others behind him and Sarek and Spock beside him. "Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Vulcan thanks you for assisting in the return of that which was stolen from Vulcan. At your convenience we would like to send a representative see one Colin Hanley, an officer on your ship. in order to thank him for what he did in securing the book for Spock, son of Sarek."
"It has been my privilege, Sir. I informed my Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Leonard McCoy, when I accepted the invitation to attend this ceremony that I would most likely be returning with some guests who would want to see Officer Hanley and he said he had no objections. I shall return now to the ship and await your arrival."
"That is most kind, Captain Kirk. Spock, son of Sarek, will return to the ship with you. If we may we would like a select group of our Healers to also see Officer Hanley."
"That matter was also raised with Doctor McCoy and he had no objection to them seeing Officer Hanley as long as my First Officer is present."
"We shall notify them and prepare to board on one standard hour."
Back on the ship Kirk did not have to wait long for Spock to arrive at his quarters back in his uniform and looking like the Spock he was used to seeing. On Vulcan he had seen him fitting into a role he was born into but not of his choosing. Many would not notice the differences unless they knew his different postures and facial features. Everything about him on the planet had been so different from his normal life, it had been clear that he was just going through the motions that he had had been conditioned to follow in those situations.
"Captain, basically the ceremony was about the loss of the book and the return of the book and the new building it and all things to do with Surek are kept. They had had one ceremony for the opening of the new building and this was to celebrate the completion and the return of the book. A recording was made of you being there as the captain of the ship that not only brought the book back but also my commanding officer as well as the commanding officer of the officer who got the book for me. They mentioned that in getting the book the officer was exposed to Toitak and that he was being assisted by both Human and Vulcan healers."
"New, new building?"
"The fact that an off-worlder was able to get to the book as easily as that man did showed the need for a new Hall to store it in. This building is not exactly a new building but it has been renovated to be worthy of holding things that Surek had owned and that are of such significance to Vulcan and as such it had to have a small special ceremony they incorporated with the return of the book."
Not too sure how to raise the topic Kirk just nodded for a moment then looked at Spock, "I heard toitak mentioned and a word like it that made them all look surprised."
"Ahh, the word was ma'toi and was used when it was mentioned that he had to drink a great quantity of toitak as he is in a state very close to death. I did check with McCoy before I came here and there has been no change in Officer Hanley's condition. If you have no questions about the ceremony, Captain, I best go try to get McCoy into a calm state before our guests arrive."
"I will think over the whole ceremony after our guests have been but I agree it best you try to keep McCoy calm when our guests arrive and while they are here." Kirk smiled, "You know, one day I may forgive you and McCoy for double-teaming me the way you did about you being in Sickbay while the Healers are here. That making me make it an order was a new thing for you. Caught me right off guard." Kirk stopped there as he knew Spock would only say he was being illogical if he were to say that the two of them were more alike than they were different and that they shared more than either wanted to admit. For years he had known that there was a bond between the two but this just showed how close they were.
"I will be most interested to see how the good doctor reacts when so many Vulcan Healers arrive in his domain."
"Many?" Kirk looked at Spock, "How many do you think they will bring?"
"I believe Humans used to ask how long is a piece of string, Captain, when they wanted an exact number when the number was unknown or uncertain. The words used were 'a select group" which, by Vulcan standards when applied to Healers, is about twenty as that is one specialist from each of the areas of medicine. It will be most enlightening to see what sort of questions they ask McCoy and how he replies. I believe my services will be of need not only to reassure McCoy but also to translate from his rather colourful descriptive terms to the exactness of Vulcan."
Kirk smiled and saw Spock reflect it, "I am sure he will appreciate it, Spock, despite how he might react at the time. I most surprised that you two were so calm about allow them to come aboard, you are usually at loggerheads about it."
"We just calmly discussed how we would deal with the visitors and answer all their questions but remind them that Hanley is not only McCoy's patient but also an officer who answers to me. We both also agreed to what they asked for and that we would make it clear that Officer Hanley would remain on the ship."
"I have my doubts about the calmly discussed part, Spock, but you clearly agreed on what you will do when they are here and you will be able to keep McCoy from starting some major conflict that would end up involving the Command and more than just the Vulcan Ambassador. I'll leave it to the two of you to deal with them after I bring them there. Think there will be any who know anything about Human biology?"
"There is one, a woman, who studied at the facility at Command. She is known to have the best skills with most non-Vulcans of the Healers, but she is also the most reclusive, seeming to prefer study to being actually involved with others. It is said that after her mate caused the death of their only child and then committed suicide while she was off-planet several years ago she finished her studies, returned to Vulcan and has not left Vulcan since although she has been offered many opportunities to work and further her studies off-planet that most Healers, as Humans say, can only dream of. Should she come I would not be surprised if she asks the most questions."
Despite himself Kirk laughed, "Just what Bones would want, a female Vulcan to question his treatment of a Human male. You know, Spock, I do not envy you that role if she does come aboard."
"I do not believe she will come as, having worked and studied at the medical facilities at Command, she will know how Command gets copies of all medical findings on all ships. She is most protective of her work and only releases papers when nothing in them can be refuted or proved to be in error in any way from fact to format."
"You sounded a bit disappointed there, Spock."
"It is only that for a case such as we have with the toitak I would find McCoy's reports more insightful as he would involve how the patient was, he would state the multitude of options that were considered if only for a moment. His reports reflect the concern, compassion, confidence, and dedication of a real Healer in his own unique way and not necessarily in the structured way expected. I believe her reports show a lack of what you would call soul."
Spock walked into Sickbay and saw McCoy had done a noticeable tidy of his office and had put on a new jacket but said nothing. "Ya know, Spock, there is a Vulcan Healer who would have been real interesting to have met before they got so analytical. Don't even ask me to try to pronounce her full name but she is known as Rai. Something must have happened to her about twelve years ago as her papers went from being enlightened and enlivened to being as exciting as reading sheet after sheet of medical readings from banks of computers. Do you know if anything happened to her like some sort of mental illness?"
"I was just speaking with Jim about her. Her husband killed their only child and then committed suicide twelve years ago while she was doing an advanced study at Command. She has become almost a recluse. There are some on Vulcan who still believe that those who survive the severance of a bond either die through loneliness and isolation, go mad, or become recluses. Widows and widowers are not common in Vulcan society – they do exist and are there but are not usually found in the general public. She finished her studies, returned to Vulcan and is often sought out by other Healers for assistance. If memory serves you are correct as to when her papers started to have a different style to their presentation." For a moment Spock was quiet and looked at McCoy and then at Hanley, "I mean no offence, Doctor, but it might be beneficial if you ask for her opinion as to what could be done for Hanley, she may have studied toitak and be able to offer some new insight."
McCoy nodded, knowing Spock's suggestion was not questioning his ability but reminding him that others might have had access to material he had not had access to. "No offence taken, Spock. If the opportunity arises I shall ask her for her opinion, as long as you can translate if she goes all Vulcan on me."
They were standing in silence looking at Hanley when they heard Kirk's voice saying, "And here is our Sickbay. I am pleased to introduce my Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Leonard McCoy and my First Officer, Spock." Both McCoy and Spock turned to see a gaggle of about twenty Vulcans and amongst them a statuesque Vulcan woman. McCoy glanced quickly to look at Spock who gave a slight nod but otherwise seemed unmoved.
One elderly man walked forward from a group of four men, the others respectfully parting so he could easily get to where McCoy and Spock stood by the bed. Spock recognized him as an Elder from Gol, a man revered for his age and his wisdom. Without a word he walked up to the bed and placed his right hand on Hanley's face in a way Spock had only seen once before in his life. It was not a normal meld but a touch used for blessings and peace.
For a moment there was a tranquil stillness in the room and then the man looked at Doctor McCoy, "I thank thee for allowing me to thank him on behalf of all of Vulcan." then he looked at Spock, "Spock, son of Sarek, he gives thee all credit for the safe return of that which was stolen. Vulcan thanks thee and thy line." Finally he looked at Kirk who had stayed at the back of the group. "We will take our leave of you, Captain Kirk. Vulcan thanks thee for transporting the book back to where it belongs. May you and all on your ship live long and prosper."
"Thank you, Sir. Ensign O'Connel will escort you to the Transporter Room."
It was only as the Elders were leaving that the others, the Healers, were able to really see Hanley and Spock noticed how they started to walk forward to get a better view. Two that Spock recognized as specialists with impressive reputations started to reach towards Hanley when they suddenly stopped as though suddenly paralyzed by the power and emotion behind the voice that seemed to fill the room.
"KROIKAH! Thou will not touch Adaptive Civilian Transactions Officer Colin Glenn Hanley!"
