All Good Things

Chapter Nine - Another Daughter For the Clan

On Board the Enterprise

February 2274

Nyota

She was glad that there was now always child care set up when an important social event occurred on the Enterprise, because this enabled her to attend. If she had had to try to find a babysitter, she would have missed many things. And the chance to get her husband to dance with her did not come very often. He was much more agreeable to this public exhibition than he had been when they were first together. And she loved to waltz with him, swinging about the dance floor held close in his arms. She was in a very good mood when they arrived back at their quarters with two very sleepy children in their arms. Spock noticed the message light blinking and said he would check it after tucking Grayson in, and she carried Amanda off to her room, quickly changing her into a nightgown and tucking her under her blankets, with her doll beside her. She walked back into the living room, and saw Spock already at the comlink. He reached for her, and she went to stand beside him, and watched as Sarek's face appeared on the screen.

After the customary greetings, Sarek asked if there had been a special event. When told of the Valentine's Day Dance, he quirked his lips up and asked her if she had been able to get Spock to dance with her. When she stated that she had, her father-in-law's eyes twinkled, and he told them how much Amanda had loved to dance. Elinor did as well, but there were not many opportunities on New Vulcan. She always made him take her out somewhere they could dance when they were on Earth. "This is a valuable lesson you have learned, my son, to please your bondmate by dancing with her. And now I will tell you the news. Tarel and T'Sura are once again parents. This time they have a new daughter, who they have informed me will be named T'Jia. She is healthy and vigorous, according to the healers."

"I am sure that T'Sura is glad to have a daughter after two sons. And T'Pau must be happy as well. The clan is beginning to even out."

"Indeed it is. There are now a total of eleven male children, and nine female children. And T'Boh's coming child is a female as well. T'Pau is pleased."

Spock nodded. "She has every right. The clan is growing again, and flourishing as well. The relatives that have been brought in and made part of the clan have added to its stability as well."

Sarek agreed. "We were much too small. I am sure, that if more close relatives to anyone already in the clan are found, who have no other clan to turn to, they will be welcomed in as well. It would not do to turn away people who have no family left to turn to."

Spock suddenly became more serious. "There has been talk that there is another Orion slaver syndicate working. There are rumors that they have a breeding program established on some hidden world. StarFleet is actively searching for them. There is no way of telling whether there is any truth in these rumors or not, but the possibility exists that more people will be found and rescued. I will keep you informed whenever I hear anything concrete."

Sarek thanked him. This type of news was always difficult to hear, but when people were actually rescued, it was heartening, even though it took time, and much care, to return these people to useful, satisfying lives, if it was possible at all. He well remembered how long it had taken for those who had joined with their clan.

They asked Sarek to extend their good wishes to new parents, and said their goodbyes. Spock sat there for a moment, and she rubbed softly against the back of his neck, willing him to relax. "We cannot do anything at all until we know whether there is any truth to those rumors. If indeed there is a slaver syndicate operating, StarFleet will stop it, even though it may take a while."

He nodded. "It is hard, though, to know that people are out there, suffering, and we cannot help them."

She leaned over and kissed him softly. "We will do everything we can to help. That is all that is possible."

"Yes, you are correct." He made a small sighing noise, and pulled her down into his lap. "And now, I believe that there was an intended end to this evening that has not yet occurred."

She smiled at him, and ran her hands up the sides of his neck, tangling them in the short hairs on the back of his neck and teasing the sensitive tips of his ears. "I believe you are correct. What do you propose to do about it?"

He stood up from the chair, lifting her in his arms. "I believe I shall issue orders to the environmental controls and take you into our bedroom, shutting the door firmly, and have my way with you."

"That sounds like a good plan to me." And she snuggled closer to him, and bit him on the neck, causing him to growl softly at her, and walk just a bit faster.