Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would

Earth date 21st June 2257 – Lt Commander Spock's apartment

"You're telling me, you've never acknowledged Father's day, even when living on Earth?" Uhura asked baffled.

"It is not a Vulcan tradition, Uhura," Spock replied. "The origins are also American."

"I know that, but it's one of those American customs that other nations did not mind taking on. Now all humans celebrate Father's day, even if its on different dates. In Kenya, it's the third Sunday of June."

Uhura stopped chopping the vegetables as she looked up at Spock.

"Plus your mother is American, you're half human, so she never, ever encouraged you to send your father a card or some other gift?"

Spock paused before he replied. His memory went back to the last time he honoured the custom.

Earth date - 18th June 2237, Ambassador Sarek's residence, Vulcan

"Kunli-gad Sa-mekh."

Sarek viewed the e-card on his screen, the writing was in Standard script, the grand design of a Vulcan male in his robes, bore a close resemblance to his features; the olive face, straight dark hair, pointed ears and pointed brows.

He looked at his young, seven year old son, he had been honouring the tradition to appease Amanda for the past seven years, but now the time had come to place human customs in the past. His son had chosen the Vulcan way, having passed his kahs'wan. He was in negotiation to find a suitable bondmate for the Telan t'Kanlar ceremony. It would take some time, since many members of the high clans still considered humans unsuitable mates, despite contrary evidence. Amanda suspected T'Pau's influence for their narrow minded attitude.

"My son, perhaps it is now time to fully honour Vulcan traditions. Since the annual acknowledgement of fatherhood is a Terran custom, I will accept your tribute for the last time. From now on, your complete acceptance of the Vulcan way is a fitting tribute to fatherhood."

And this was the last time Spock considered the event was worth any attention.

Earth date – 19th June 2270, S'ch T'gai-Uhura residence, New Vulcan

Before first contact humans would consider a mixed race relationship one that took place between two humans with different melanin levels. The existence of sentient, more advanced life on other planets put paid to the illogicalness of that definition. A real mixed race relationship was one that took place between beings of different species, from completely different planets and solar systems and that truly involved lots of extra compromise and negotiation. One of them was on the celebration of Father's day.

Uhura decided she would never force Spock to honour the day, but Mother's day was another matter. Thus far, Spock respected Mother's day as much as his Vulcan sensibilities would allow, especially after the tragic death of his own mother.

So during their courtship and the early days of their marriage the idea of giving Sarek a Father's day tribute never entered his head and Uhura never mentioned it. But life is never stagnant.

"Greetings, my son," Sarek appeared on the vidcomm, early on what aas on earth, Sunday morning.

"Greetings Sa-mekh," Spock answered, it was so early, he was still wearing his meditation pants.

"T'Ynise has requested you and your family join us for Last meal today. She desires to honour an ancestral custom."

"That is agreeable, as long as it does not involve the removal of clothes."

T'Ynise his step-mother, was half Vulcan, but the rest of her heritage was Terran and Betazoid. She was born on Betazed, so her cultural experiences were more influenced by that planet.

Sarek's eyes lit with humour. "I believe that will take place after your departure, and when the children are asleep."

Spock's right brow lifted in surprise, his father making a joke and a 'blue' one at that, with him? The conversation continued as they discussed the health and wellbeing of siblings and grandchildren. As they prepared to signoff Sarek lifted his hand in the ta'al, but the words he uttered were not the traditional ones.

"Kunli-gad Sa-mekh, safu t'nash-veh"

"The honour of such a day is not a Vulcan custom Sa-mekh," Spock replied slightly baffled.

"Perhaps not," Sarek replied, "But is it not logical to honour all the customs that make up the S'chn T'gai clan?"

And this was how Spock once again, embraced Father's day for the rest of his life.

Author's Notes

Happy Father's day to all good Father's and Father figures.

All conversation in Vulcan dialect

Kunli-gad Sa-mekh –(Happy day of Father) Happy Father's day

kahs'wan - test of maturity

Telan t'Kanlar - childhood bonding