NOTE from the PHOENIX: Sorry it has taken so long to update, now that the holidays are over I'll be able to write more.

Chapter Fourteen

"Daddy!"

"JoJo!"

Joanna threw herself into her father's arms. McCoy hugged his daughter tight and for a moment it looked as though he actually might never let go. When they had first boarded the Enterprise Salen could see the stressing in his father in law's eyes. Starfleet had alerted the Enterprise that the Intrepid had sent out a distress call before the Diamond could contact them and let them know that Joanna was safe. Even after getting the call it was clear that the doctor wasn't ready to believe his baby was safe until he had her in his arms.

"Daddy, you can let go...it's getting hard to breath."

"Sorry." McCoy muttered as he released her.

"I do love family reunions." Kirk said with a chuckle. "It's a nice reminder that our good doctor is human after all."

"For god's sakes, Jim, a man is dead, a Starship has been destroyed, my daughter almos..."

"You're right, Bones," Kirk held his hands up in surrender "I'm glad you're okay, Joanna."

"Captain?" Razor asked.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if anyone on your crew has this tattoo."

Razor held out a tablet to Kirk with a close up picture of the tattoo on Bryce's shoulder. Kirk studied it for a moment before shaking his head and handing it back to Razor.

"Sorry, not that I know of. You'd have to go through the Starfleet database."

"I did, but I think it has recently been tampered with. Six men that I had found to have this tattoo in the database are missing."

"The men are missing, or the photos of their tattoos?"

"Both."

"Now that is odd, you think all of this was an inside job?"

"No, yes, maybe. I don't know." Razor shook his head. "I'm not sure what to make of it yet, it just seems like such a strange coincidence."

"In the immortal words of Ian Fleming: 'Once is happenstance, Twice is coincidence, Three times is enemy action.'."

"So I need to wait till I find one more connection?"

"Unless you've got a better idea."

"I don't." Razor admitted. "The Brass back at the Dog's HQ think I'm looking too much into this."

"Well I'll keep my eye out for anyone with that tat."

"Thank you, Captain."

The conversation died down for a moment. Salen shifted his weight uncomfortably. He was trying his hardest to keep any and all emotion to himself in fear that Spock was going to pick up on his recent loss of control. However to Salen it was clear that Spock could sense that he was nervous. Spock calmly stepped up to Salen and looked him over for a second.

"Salen, may I speak with you privately for a moment?" Spock asked.

"Yes, Sir." Salen replied meekly.

Spock left the group with the understanding that Salen would follow him. Razor shot Spock a dirty look when he walked past, he didn't like the way the Vulcan's presents put his partner on edge. When Salen to follow Razor casually reached out and stopped him to whisper in his keen ear.

"Don't let him get to you, Salen." Razor said so quietly that even Salen could barely hear him.

Salen flashed Razor a tight lipped smile. He did appreciate Razor's support, but it didn't keep the knot in his stomach from tightening painfully. Spock had disappeared into a private VIP room. Taking a deep breath Salen stepped inside, ready for the standard 'you need to control yourself before you hurt someone' lecture.

Spock was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window staring out into space. He glanced over his shoulder at Salen before returning to look at the stars. Salen furrowed his brow, he could have sworn he had seen a look of sorrow, perhaps even pity place across Spock's usually stoic features. Salen felt a flash of anger that Spock of all people would look down on him with pity.

"Spock, I know why you wanted to speak to me and I do not need any more of your empty advice." Salen said firmly. "I have tried everything you have ever told me to try and gain better control and nothing has ever worked. From now on I will deal with it myself, I do not wish to be lectured by you any longer."

"It was never my intent to lecture you, Salen." Spock returned calmly. "You are, however, currently radiating emotion to the point where I can feel it in my own blood. That is a dangerous trait, Salen, and a rare one even for a Vulcan."

"It is my concern, not yours."

"You are correct." Spock said with a slight nod.

"Then if you will excuse me I would like to spend what limited time I have left aboard the Enterprise with my wife."

"I have not yet explained to you why I wished to speak with you."

"I...I thought it was about my emotions."

"No."

Spock turned away from the window and stepped up to Salen. His anger forgotten Salen's anxiety quickly returned. For the first time Salen noticed that there was something in Spock's hand. Whatever it was that Spock was holding it was clear that he was uncertain if he should give it to Salen or not. After a short pause Spock held the small flat object out.

Salen took the gift. It was a five by five inch digital tablet. Looking at the tablet Salen found himself looking at a tiny baby Vulcan swaddled in white cloth. The clearly newborn was sleeping peacefully. Salen didn't understand why Spock would give this image to him.

"What is this?"

"Your daughter."

Salen nearly dropped the tablet in shock. He stared at her again, but he still could not comprehend it. He shook his head in denial.

"No. No, it can not be. T'Pring should not be due for another month."

"She went into labor early, the child is premature."

"Is...is she okay?"

"It is my understanding that both mother and child are doing well."

Salen felt like the floor had dropped out from beneath him. So many thoughts raced through his mind that none of them made any sense. He reached out and gently touched the image of his sleeping daughter.

"What is her name?"

"It was difficult enough to get the image, I was unable to get her name. Before the child is a year old she will be entered into the Vulcan census, you can look her name up then."

"I should not have to 'look up' my own daughter's name." Salen growled.

"There is nothing I can do. The verbal contract you made with T'Pring is binding."

"Why did you even give this to me?"

"I was unsure if I should. However, I felt you deserved to have it."

Without further explanation Spock left Salen alone with the photo. Salen sat down on the edge of the bed that took up the middle of the small VIP room. He stared into the photo, memorizing the infants features. After brushing away a stray tear that had slipped down his cheek Salen gently placed the tablet into the night stand drawer. Standing up to leave he paused before sliding the drawer closed.

"I am sorry that I have to leave you behind, but I can not live with a constant reminder of the terriable choice I made that night. I can only pray that your life is a happy one and that you never, not even for one moment, think that your father does not love you..."