Hey everyone. I know it has been awhile since I posted and I'm sorry for the wait. For this next chapter, I decided to take a little departure from the McCoy Ranch and have a look at Nyota's home life :) Hope you enjoy!

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Genre: Family

Characters: Nyota (POV), Asani (an OC)

Summary: "You are thinking of something else." Asani accused, slipping back into their native Swahili as they stopped their walk to watch the giraffe pick leaves off the top most branches of the tree.

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"Nyota, what are you thinking of?"

The soft question, spoken in her native tongue caught her attention, and she turned slowly, fixing a smile on her younger brother. Asani was tall and handsome at his sixteen years of age, his dark skin glowing in the light of the afternoon sun.

She paused on her walk, and he caught up with her, his lanky form taking only a few long strides to be at her side. He put an arm around her shoulders and they continued their walk together, taking in the scene of the African savannah. She had missed this, being with her brother. They were several years apart in age (seven to be exact), but she had always been close to him. "I am thinking, of how glad I am to be home." she answered in Standard.

Asani smiled again. "You still want me to learn the languages?" he was speaking standard as well, though it was a little less fluid than Nyota's. Her brother had never been quite as apt at languages as she had, preferring instead, to speak the international language of mathematics. He was top of his class at the local secondary school, his intellect pushing him onwards, the potential of an amazing career looming ahead of him.

A giraffe ambled past them, ignoring their presence, its eyes fixed on a tall tree a few meters to their right. Nyota loved the wildlife preserve she had grown up on. Her father was a zoologist, and had been assigned to the park by the government just after she was born. Growing up, there had been no shortage of amazing sights, cruising around in her fathers Jeep, Asani giggling beside her as they watched the stalking prowl of the lions on the hunt, or spotted the play of elephants on the river.

"You are thinking of something else." Asani accused, slipping back into their native Swahili as they stopped their walk to watch the giraffe pick leaves off the top most branches of the tree.

Nyota didn't answer right away. Asani, never a patient boy, continued to pester. "Nyota…"

"I'm thinking I want my family to meet Spock."

Asani's look was calculating, but fond. "You really like this Spock don't you. Though I am surprised you ended up with a Vulcan. You have such spirit sister, how can you be with someone who does not have emotion?"

Nyota shook her head. "You would be surprised, Asani. Lack of emotion…that is such a misconception. He is...deep, his emotions run deeper than any person I've ever met. I think…no, I know. I love him."

Something in her face must have changed when she talked about him, because Asani's gaze had softened. "Such joy." he finally said softly. "Yes. We must meet him. You will have to be careful around father though. He is like a lion guarding his cub with you."

Nyota laughed and took off in a jog, allowing her brother to chase her, falling into the childhood game with ease as the love of her family warmed her heart.