A/N: Okay, kinda feel like I should have put this in 2009 as I've used an awful lot from that movie but, again, I pretty much feel like everything until Spock got to the Academy was TOS canon cause of how much the Kelvin incident may have realistically affected normal life in the Federation up until the whole Vulcan fiasco. Might add it to ST 2009 section later (can I even do that without having to stick it in Xover?). Anyway penultimate part, guys! Was gonna be last one but would have been hella long!

For a number of weeks after the wedding, Spock was at a complete loss. He hadn't expected Alex to be thrilled with the news of his life choice but he hadn't anticipated quite such a volatile reaction. His human half was…moved by the realisation of the importance and value that Alex placed in their friendship. It also made him concerned at what the reaction of his mother would be if his cousin had had that response. She would no doubt hide it better than Alex but he suspected she would interpret it in the same way his cousin had. He had no desire to cause pain to any of his family. On the morning of his admission hearing at the VSA Amanda expressed to him that no matter what he decided she would be a proud mother. His conscience was appeased by her response and yet he found his decision to pursue Kholinhar rather less concrete than it had been. He wondered briefly whether his father would feel the same about his choices.

"It is truly remarkable, Spock that you have achieved so much, despite your disadvantage"

The minister's words returned obstinately to Spock as he recalled the same word used by Alex. Was that what his decision had truly sounded like to her? The Council of the VSA may have accepted his application but they certainly had not accepted him. It was then that he made the decision he had truly intended to make all along. To utilise the one aspect of his application that was flawed in their eyes. His 'logical cultivation of multiple options' as he had explained it. His father had looked as stern as the rest of them when he respectfully declined the proffered VSA place, already destined for infamy as the first Vulcan ever to do so despite his flippant remark that "as I am half human your record remains untarnished". Spock couldn't help resenting the fact that his father still hadn't come to his wife's defence and that even now he was willing to ignore such bigotry in her presence. He had to confess that he had not been entirely sincere in his parting comments: "the only emotion I wish to convey is gratitude. Live long and prosper".

He arrived home before his parents. At this point, he was glad of the solitude. After some time, however, he tired of it and found himself remembering his mother urging him for weeks to speak with his cousin. He decided that that conversation was long overdue and started his computer rather than his hand held communicator. He felt visual contact would be needed for such a sensitive conversation.

Alex hated this. She had never dealt with confrontation well or had a true argument with anyone besides Kaycee her entire life and now she found herself in the lamentable position of being estranged from her cousin and best friend. Granted, 'estranged' may have been a strong term to apply to a raw rift that was only weeks old but ordinarily they would have spoken at least five times. Alex had fluctuated between wanting to speak to him (especially when anything noteworthy happened on campus as his dry lack of comprehension never failed to draw a laugh from her) and somewhat petulantly feeling that since he was the one who had upset her he could be the one to comm. if he wanted. Still, as life at the Academy settled down and the first year assessments loomed, thoughts of Spock were driven from her mind as invites to the movies, the arcade or the student bar began to change to study groups in the libraries and practice simulations. Besides, she had many friends at the Academy so couldn't exactly call herself lonely. The silence between her and her cousin still bothered her, though.

One sunny afternoon, she sat in her dorm buried both figuratively and literally under heaps of revision notes for Basic Warp Theory and her assignment: "Zefram Cochrane was responsible for the single greatest achievement in space travel of all time. Discuss in 3,000 words with 15% word count allowance.". Her argument was to point out the flagrant Terran bias of the statement (after all many races, including Vulcans, had reached warp capability long before humans and a great deal of them would happily have shared such technology) and that, while clearly a brilliant and praiseworthy scientist, he was merely building on foundations stretching all the way back to the NASA days. She was enjoying the essay immensely, being fond of philosophical and hypothetical debates but many of her classmates yearned for less of a history lesson. They had all gathered in the library but Alex felt she would get more done in the doorms, being almost dead at this time of year because of the glorious weather.

"It's not fair!" her half-Orian friend Mel'vala had complained after one particularly hard study session for the Navigation Track "We should be drinking milkshake on the Golden Gate bridge, sparkling in the sunlight, not cooped up here learning Stellar Cartography!". Alex, much as she enjoyed her studies, very much agreed.

With a harsh buzz that caused Alex to fall over with a very undignified yelp, jolting her sharply from her reverie and scattering biscuit crumbs, her comm. began to ring. A glance at the screen told her it was a video call from Vulcan. Either it was her Aunt Mandy trying to convince Alex to make the first 'make up' move again or the person with whom she needed to carry out such actions. "Deep breath and high ground, Alexandra" she muttered to herself before accepting the call.

Indeed, it was Spock "Damn, my comm. gave me a heart attack!" cried Alex.

"Is this a difficult time, Alex? I can call at a later hour if you would prefer…"

Was it just her or did he look…jittery? "No, don't worry. You kinda saved me from drowning in equations.". A few seconds of decidedly awkward silence stretched between them like the physical light-years over which they were communicating before Spock broke it.

"My application to the Vulcan Science Academy was approved" he stated. Alex couldn't help a slight flare of anger even as she was pleased for his success. She would have wanted a less…blunt approach to the cause of their silence and couldn't help feeling that there was some kind of smug point coming along. Still, she managed a stiff "Well done".

"I declined the offer."

Alex looked up sharply "Why?"

"I believe that your assessment of my decision the last time we spoke was correct, if rather hysterically put, Alex. Also, the head of the VSA council made several remarks suggesting that were it not for my exceptional grades, I would not have been considered."

After learning what he had said and Spock's response, Alex responded "Xenophobic Arse! Good on ya, Spock. What did your dad say?"

"We have not yet spoken but I suspect he will be…less than satisfied with my decision."

"Is it gonna make a difference?"

"No"

Alex raised her eyebrow in an uncanny imitation of her cousin. "Good. He'll come round soon enough and even if he doesn't it's your life!"

"There is another decision that has altered, Alex. I no longer wish to pursue Kholinhar. Given my new career choice, I believe it would be illogical to attempt the ritual and would impair my ability to interact with my colleagues."

"And what is your new career choice?"

"I have applied to the Science Track of Starfleet Academy. I believe it is a much better use of my skills as well as a better way to achieve my goals than the VSA. Working in uncharted territory, perhaps beyond the Alpha Quadrant, will present most fascinating challenges and oppotunities."

Alex's smile grew "Turns out I was right! You couldn't resist could you? Come on say I was right."

"I believe I already have, krei. Nevertheless, it is true, however improbable.". Alex's heart warmed at the use of the old nickname and the residual frostiness vanished.

"Well, when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains however…illogical…must be the truth."

"You are misquoting Sherlock Holmes, Alex."

"Paraphrasing" she countered.

Spock began again "There is an additional reason why I did not choose the ritual, Alex. You made me aware that both yourself and my mother would be emotionally harmed by my decision and that it would not be the most fitting way to honour my duel heritage. In addition, I believe I told you once that our friendship was a meaningful part of my life and your statements during our disagreement indicated that you reciprocate those opinions. It would therefore seem to be detrimental to both of us if that connection was terminated."

Alex was shocked. As apologies went, that was pretty damn impressive. And coming from a Vulcan too! Still, the events of today had established that Spock was certainly no ordinary member of his father's race. The first Vulcanian full member of Starfleet! A rather better achievement, she felt, than doggedly fulfilling his father's wishes as a student of the VSA. She may have been slightly biased, though. The two talked for a while longer about Kaycee's return from honeymoon and Alex's studies "which you should return to presently." Spock coached.

"Yes, Dad! We are never being study partners, okay? Look, good luck with your dad. It's gonna be fine. Speak to you soon, okay? Wish me luck in the assignment!"

"Given your conversation on the subject, that hardly seems necessary."

A/N P.S. Thank God those two made up! Liked writing that. Felt cuddly. I don't like tension either! Anyway, thanks for reading my sappy fangirl indulgences and drop a review! See you all next time! I hope I've done Sarek justice too. He has both good and bad points after all and he himself said his logic is flawed when it comes to Spock (Vulcan for 'I love my son dearly'). Oh and I couldn't resist a Sherlock reference as I LOVE the new series and Spock was a Holmes fan (as well as a descendent of Conan-Doyle from his mother's side!). Won't spoil it for non UK people but it is an impressive emotional roller coaster! See you next chapter!