A/N: Back to Earth for Spock and Alex! Some info from TOS Spock's page at Memory Beta. Last planned chapter! Would be interested if you have any ideas…
"Passengers are reminded that we will be arriving at our destination in approximately ten minutes. Please take all your personal belongings with you. We hope you have had a pleasant journey and that your stay in San Francisco is productive." A soothing female voice issued over the spacecraft's PA.
Spock might not have called the journey pleasant, being full of troubling thoughts and emotions, but certainly hoped that his time in this city would be. The conversation with his father was as he had expected. He couldn't help agreeing with his mother's assessment that it was "Sybok all over again" as he and his father had the closest thing to a 'row' Vulcans were culturally capable of having before he left the family home with the belongings he would need for his journey to Earth.
His mother's reaction was rather different, as he had anticipated. She had told him she was happy and that he had made a good choice. She had already predicted his decision and arranged his transportation. "Remember, you have a very proud mother, Spock. All you are and all you will be. And you'll be quite something. Us mothers have a habit of knowing these things". She gave him a warm smile and hesitated slightly before enveloping him in a tight, loving embrace, moisture in her eyes. His usual aversion to such contact aside, he felt strangely vindicated and contented with his choice. He returned the 'hug' with reserved affection. "Comm. me as soon as you arrive okay, the shuttle leaves in an hour." She told him, breaking the contact and giving his arm a gentle rub and push out of the door.
"Father will not be pleased with our actions, Mother."
"Let me deal with your Father, Spock. I've had plenty of practice! He'll come around. Don't worry about a thing."
Spock was about to say that, as a Vulcan, he was not worried but thought that it would be an insult to her intelligence and the innate understanding of him she had always shown. Words were not needed between the mother and son so he simply said "Farewell, Mother and thankyou. I will communicate with you shortly and inform you where I will be staying". He raised his hand in the ta'al and waited for her to reciprocate before departing. Had he simply imagined it or had Amanda's parting smile been rather…knowing?
Later on, hours after the shuttle's departure from Shi'khar Spaceport, his personal PADD had bleeped. When he checked the display a simple text-based message scrolled across the screen "Just got ur mum's message. Ur staying with me when u get here. No buts! Live in the Archer building. No. 1701. See u in a few hours. Will get u from SFSP – A". So that explained the knowing smile. Spock replied:
"I would raise no objections even were I to have the option, Alex. I will see you when I arrive at San Francisco Spaceport at 17:12".
"Okey, dokey!"
"Another whimsical colloquialism?"
"What else? Cu J"
"Welcome to my very humble abode!" Alex said opening the door to her dorm "Good to be out of that rain, huh? Still, probably a novel experience for you!". A small apartment with a simple kitchenette in the living area, two cupboards that served as bedrooms and a wetroom, it was perfectly adequate for the needs of Alex and her two roommates. At least it would be if Alex and Kelly Gardener were not so neglectful of their tidying duties. Every surface had books, pens and various other pieces of academic and personal detritus that students are wont to accumulate littered across it. The sink was piled high with evidence of at least three meals and the sofa appeared to double as a clothes horse.
"Sorry, Spock! Didn't realise it was so trashed! God, I feel sorry for Darcey sometimes. She's our resident neat freak." Alex explained while trying to remove some of the mess.
"I echo her sentiment, krei" Spock quipped "I trust I will not impose…"
"Nah, they're on the Medical Track and they've got placements at the moment. Not me. I get to do another exam on Friday! Go me!"
"I will not disturb your studies?"
"You kidding? I'm counting on you to keep me on track. I just can't get this module in my head!"
"May I shower before beginning my duties, Alex?"
She aimed a half-hearted slap at her cousin before nodding "Sure! Do you like Chinese? Was gonna order in tonight. Nothing in the cupboard except a tiny cube of cheese and a very suspect looking half loaf!"
"That will be acceptable, yes." Spock said before leaving to freshen up.
"For my first semester, I believe I will have Talbot, Jones, Shah and Nes'art" Spock told her over the food. It was a rather more formal affair than dinner with her roommates. She could barely remember the last time they had used the table for meals. Or proper utensils for that matter.
"Oh, I had him! He's a really good instructor, enthusiastic. Keeps you awake at like eight in the morning. Looks don't hurt either! He's Orian and gorgeous!"
"You are aware of the regulations pertaining to…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know! Doesn't mean we can't all look, right?"
"You are incorrigible, Alex."
She laughed "Good to have you here, Spock! You're gonna love the Academy! Can't wait to show you around and meet everyone."
"I too will like the opportunity to become better acquainted with this city. When do you plan to return to your parent's house for the summer?" Spock asked.
"Um, in about four weeks. And you're coming, okay? You're not the only one with an insistent mother."
"Please pass my thanks on to my Aunt" Spock replied appreciatively. After dinner and a movie Alex chose (a title they had watched on one of his visits as a child), she showed him to the room he would be staying in (quite obviously usually occupied by Darcey) and they said goodnight full of the promise of new beginnings tomorrow. All of them.
Epilogue
Alex sat beside her Aunt on one of the chairs set up in the neat Main Quadrangle on the picturesque grounds of Starfleet Academy. The beautiful sunshine gave all colour a sharp yet surreal quality as the prestigious organisation's graduating class for this year gathered in the grassy area to receive their diplomas. It was a great shame Sarek had been called away on urgent business. Surely this day, the completion of Spock's mandatory term of training for Starfleet, would have been enough to move him to a flicker of pride, despite his objections? Then again, pride was probably at fault for the rift between father and son in the first place. She was only too happy to accept the invitation in her Uncle's place but felt sad for her cousin when he had said that "it is perhaps more appropriate that a second person who has always supported my choice be in attendance than one who even now wholly disapproves of it". Alex had always liked her Uncle, being a decent, intelligent man but could not forgive his treatment of his son these past years. Only one parent had kept in regular contact with him during his time at the Academy. Alex, of course, saw him fairly regularly. Less so as their different Tracks and social groups took them to different places in the later years. This was especially true of Spock's time on board the new USS Enterprise during an internship under Captain Christopher Pike. He had temporarily fulfilled a research role left vacant by the Chief Science Officer who had fallen ill. The Captain had noticed great potential in the cadet. Still, the cousins had always tried to make time to visit one another.
The two human women exchanged smiles as the name 'S'chn T'gai Spock' was called. They both winced slightly at the truly appalling Vulcan pronunciation of the Admiral presenting the event. If the owner of the name felt any similar dismay, he didn't show it. Impeccably neat and proper in his new uniform as always, he approached the podium and was handed the ceremonial diploma. Admiral Barnett redeemed himself by presenting the ta'al rather than offering a hand. Spock returned it with a respectful nod and once again took his seat as 'Smith, Oliver' was summoned.
After the ceremony, drinks were laid on for the graduates and their guests. Alex hung back, allowing Amanda a moment alone with her son before stepping forward with a wide smile. She just about caught herself before hugging her cousin. He reached over and clasped her arms in a reserved gesture of affection.
"Well done, Spock! We're so proud of you!" She beamed, returning the motion.
"I do not think the events of today required any great effort on my part, krei."
"She was referring to the events of the last four years, Spock" admonished Amanda gently.
"Thankyou for attending, Alex." Spock said simply, his tone implying 'it meant a lot to me.'
"Anything for the best Vulcan in Starfleet!"
"Illogical as I am the only…"
"You know exactly what I mean!" Alex responded indignantly.
"So, what are your plans now, my son?" asked Amanda.
"I have been approached by Captain McKenna of the USS Artemis to serve as a junior science officer. A position which I have accepted. I am now an Ensign."
"Wow! A ship assignment? Again? Bloody good!" Alex interjected enthusiastically.
"What are you doing at the moment, Alex?"
"Oh, I'm on Jupiter Station helping improve the warp efficiency of the new starships. It's a smallish team. About twenty of us."
"Well, I seem to be a dunce between two high flyers! I'm very proud of you both!" Amanda replied.
They both protested. "You, Mother, are very far from a 'dunce'. Your work has greatly improved the cultural understanding…" Spock began.
"Well enough of this mutual appreciation, you two! You appear to have visitors. Isn't that Armand, Spock?"
The two of them turned to converse with friends and colleagues that had approached and Amanda stood back, picking up a drink with a smile and a contented sigh as she glanced between the two young people she loved best in the world. Now a grown man and woman, they were ready to take their places in the galaxy and she had no doubt that their futures would be bright. Amanda, after all, was rarely wrong.
\\/, Fin ,\\/
A/N P.S. It's been quite a journey and I've really enjoyed creating my version of Spock's childhood with his cousin. Thankyou all for sharing it with me and leaving reviews *grins and distributes virtual pet Salets*. Hopefully will have a sequel to this featuring Bones and Jim and Alex may feature in future one shots for both TOS and AOS. The sequel may feature more details of their time at the Academy. Thanks again and hope you enjoy the last part. Cu next story! Let me know what you think of the ending. Live long and prosper, y'all! :)
