Again, unbetaed. I hope you enjoy. Thanks to Ashlee Elizabeth and Nyota Rules for their suggestion and StarQuilter57 for continuing to allow me the use of her original characters.

The SFS Continues Lights, Action, Camera Chapter Twelve

Spock's link with his father communicated his response to his father's statement about Amanda. Lo'vaak and Sirin turned away from this most private moment. His parting words to Sarek were, "Father, please advise me when I should bring your grandsons back to see you here at the Embassy. I was thinking that T'Paal would like to see them on a regular basis.. Spock remembered his years in the old housekeepers company. She had to be at least one hundred fifty years old now. All her years had been in service to his family. In her earlier years she had served in T'Pau's father's house. Vulcan housekeeping staff never retired, these who were in a family's service's, would gradually have their work load lessened and they would become honored older members of the household. Their worth never diminished.

Soval approached Lo'vaak, "Hakausu, do you have a preference as to the type of vehicle you wish to operate?"

Lo'vaak answered, "I will bow to your knowledge as to what is available. I do wish that it is a comfortable vehicle for my wife who is with child." With that statement, Soval, nodded, "I know just the vehicle that would be suitable. I will have it brought out to the front.

When they exited the building a shinny black vehicle was brought up to the front door and Soval exited the passenger side and came forward and held up two sets of keys. He informed Lo'vaak, "Your wife has also been listed as an approved driver. "

Soval then said, "Thank you Hakausu Lo'vaak." All knew from what this expression of appreciation stemmed. No more words were needed.

The three, acknowledged 'brothers' knew their destination-Spock's house.

Something that had been in the back of Lo'vaak's mind for some time was his need to find a permanent place for his growing family, perhaps a house in the same area as Spock and Sirin. He would speak to Christine about such a possibility. As Lo'vaak pulled out of the parking lot in the sleek vehicle provided by the Vulcan embassy he had the deepest feeling of belonging, not in any way reaching the level of his bonding with his Christine, but very close. His acceptance by his bondmate, his 'brothers, the Betazoid ambassador and now Sarek erased any doubts about his belonging here, on Terra. He wished that he could fully convey that message to his family, so that no doubt would exist in their minds about the wisdom of his decision to come to Terra; made those many moons ago. Although the journey to where he was at this point had not been initially smooth, had been fraught with seeming roadblocks, his contentment now was total.

In the vehicle that housed Sirin and Spock the conversation included purposed classes, side trips, and finally the scouting trip to Nevada. Spock had composed several tests to evaluate the 'gifts' that each member of this group possessed. One of the reasons for this type of testing would help to determine what kind of supplies should be purchased to tap into this large numbers of survivors. Contact with the quarter master assigned to that property should also be made to insure that the utilities were up to code, that the units were all functioning properly and if not, that all repairs will have been made by the time the group visited. After the report came back to Sarek, the closing would take place. Spock had already composed a check list, and planned to distribute it when they met again with the 'survivors'. Spock also determined that their designation as survivors did not fully reveal who and what they were because individuals or groups could survive and be broken and unable to view themselves as valuable. This was not the case with these ones, a better name for them would be Eifa t'ri rishan k' lof" (Those who survive with purpose)

The first class in Standard was extremely successful. It took up an entire day. The class was animated, and rewarding. There were no written tests, instead the students were given a subject to converse in and marked according to their ability to communicate in Standard. None of his students received a mark below what was acceptable on Spock's marking scale. So much for doubts of their mental abilities. A fact that kept presenting itself to Spock as the explanation for their station on Vulcan was it was not the lack of ability, but the lack of opportunity that had stagnated these Vulcans of lower class. Now their full potential would be broadcast for all Vulcans to note. All communications about this group was being handled by his father who had already started a log for his daily observations. At first it had been thought that the group would have to be divided into smaller segments but he found that the desire to be helpful extended to the classroom experience also. Those slightly ahead, put efforts into helping those with a need. It was like having a multitude of teacher's assistants on hand, So after the third day, he heard his students putting forth the effort to converse in Standard. Asking questions of one another in this new language. Everything learned was stored on their individual units and could be taken from the classroom to their rooms for study at night. Spock was sure that many continued their studies late into the night hours, after all Vulcans do not require much sleep.

Within three weeks, it was determined that a graduation ceremony would allow these gifted Vulcans to experience what could best be described as a party. Esther, Rachel, Nyota, Christine and the children would all come to the Embassy with Vulcan foods and Terran treats to surprise the new graduates.

The students stood as the women and children came in, Spock, Sirin and Lo'vaak took the consort stance behind their respective mates and children and introduced them to the group. All of the students placed their right hand over their chest and bowed their heads to acknowledge these guests. For some reason, after the families were presented the students all returned to speaking Vulcan. It was unknown to them that all but one of the females understood everything they were saying. As was overheard by the wives and Jason, the students were very much impressed with their fellow Vulcans choice of mates.

The food was set out and at first the graduates shyly lined up to inspect and sample the foods that had been lovingly prepared. Then it could be observed that they all took healthy portions. Esther was surprised by the actions of an elderly Vulcan who helped a plate and brought it to her. It was later brought to her attention that he was the herbalist and he was curious about the spices used in preparing the dishes offered. Esther promised that she would send him the recipes and the description and picture of the herbs and their uses.

Of course the children were of special interest. The twins, who were just starting to walk and Jason who looked more like his cousin/uncle than Spock's own sons could converse in Vulcan with the adults. Sarek came down and gave a short speech which was not congratulatory in nature. For a Vulcan it was expected that they would all excel. So the speech was to advise them of the steps already taken on their behalf and share some tentative deadlines for packing, and transporting personal items. The date for the initial inspection of the site, by Spock, Sirin, Lo'vaak and the clan heads was three weeks away.

After his speech, Sarek took his grandsons in his arms and announced that they could be picked up in his office when their parents were through. As he was about to leave the room he called to Jason, "Grand nephew, you should come also. He left the room after announcing, "I will not attend to my son's son's and my brother's son's son." He had already notified T'Paal that the boys would be in his office.

As he climbed the stairs it dawned on him that he had never interrupted a working day to interact with Spock and he came to understand that that was his loss. He hoped that this interlude would be interpreted as a sign of how much he wanted to be a part of these young one's lives. He acknowledged that with age, wisdom does come.

When all had been satisfied, the woman began to clear up the left food and place them in containers so the class could them enjoy later.

As Spock was speaking to the herbalist in the back of the room S'lock made his way back and waited patiently. When Spock had finished, he turned and waited. S'lock bowed his head and shyly stated, "Osu, please do not think me forward or disrespectful but I wish to make an inquiry about your bondmate. Would you be adverse to any disclosure. Spock said, "You must first reveal what you wish to know, before I am able to answer that question."

"Of course," the young Vulcan said and then continued, "I could not but be impressed with all of the bondmates of you three 'protectors' but your bondmate is different from the other two. She is like those of our people from the equatorial territory of Es'ban, where my bondmate was from.

"You are correct, S'lock, she is from a different area on than the other two. But these three are like sisters."

"All of the females are astatically pleasing, but your is to the extreme. She appears to be extraordinary."

Spock answered, "In many ways, your observation is correct."

S'lock then confesses, "My aduna was of her same skin color. I find myself drawn to those of darker skin. Was that the case with you?"

Spock first had to control his possessive and protective instincts as he looked towards his Nyota. In order to prevent further viewing of his aduna, he walked to the far end of the room and indicated that S'lock follow him, he then took a position that forced the young Vulcan to face him, not Nyota. This was not a calculated action, it was an automatic, a Vulcan males expression of his position as consort and protector.

"Although my aduna's physical appearance creates a certain first impression, this was not what attracted me to her. She is brilliant and unsurpassed in her skills in Xenolinquistics. She graduated second in her class of three hundred sixty. We served together on the star ship Enterprise, during the battle of Vulcan and Terra. We have been bondmates for eight Terra years. She is my K'diwa (half my heart/soul). I could only wish such a life and future bondmate for each one of you, my brothers.

S'lock's responded with an uncharacteristic audible sigh, "May this be so. Does your bondmate have a younger sister?"

To simply supply facts Spock replied, "She has an extremely large extended family."

Spock turned and viewed Nyota's quizzical face and he sent, "I am giving some advice to the young spokesman who was inquiring as to whether you had a younger sister. Through their bond he hears his wife's laughing sigh.

'And how did you respond,?"

"I mentioned that you have an extremely large family."

"I would assume that you considered your reply as giving a favorable recommendation.," was his wife's reply.

"Indeed," was his final say on the matter.

The women left after bidding the group the best. Nyota gave the keys to her vehicle to Rachel. "I am going to pick up the boys and I'll meet you in a few minutes.

She quietly knocked on her father-in-law office door and said, "Kah if ko-fu Nyota (It is daughter Nyota). Instead of telling her to enter Sarek opened the door for her and she viewed an endearing sight. T'Paal had seated both twins on her lap. She looked up at Nyota and nodded. The twins were holding each others hand. There was a serene look on T'Paal's face. This was the fifth generation of this family she had held in her lap. Life had allowed her much, She was fulfilled.

Nyota went to her and placed her forehead on her knee, a position of submission and honor. "Amsetri-tre." (Your presence honors us.)

Below stairs the students had been instructed to submit a personal biography. In some way it might serve as a step toward healing, but in addition, it allowed the exploration of the talents of each one. After these were submitted, each of them would be interviewed.

Later that evening, as Spock reviewed plans in their bed Nyota she suddenly sat bolt upright. "I think that we should call our guys "The Vulcan Bachelor Workers."*

Spock responded, "I think that if their bachelorhood had been chosen, voluntary, they would not object to that designation, but perhaps they would not wish to be constantly reminded of their circumstance, and possibly the consequences of that state."

She nodded in agreement.

Sirin and Rachel were in the family room when she suggested the possibility of assisting him with the physicals. He pulled her closer and said, "Over one hundred unbounded Vulcan males waiting for your services instead of mine. I do not think so!"

Christine was already in bed when Lo'vaak climbed in. He sent, 'How would you like a house of our own, with a backyard? Perhaps close to Nyota and Rachel?"

Excitedly she responded, "You mean it?"

In the typical forthright, upright, direct Betazoid way he replied, "My Christine, when I formulate a question I am not uttering empty words."

He is looking at her with a slight smile as she rolled over closer to him.

:Is this a gift for our daughter?"

With his hands on Christine's stomach he said, "No, she could not appreciate such a gift, but her mother could."

*Thanks so much to Ashlee Elizabeth for that name designation.