Hi again! Read on and enjoy.

djhay4- I'm afraid you're right! =[

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Her condition hadn't changed by the time the Enterprise made it back to Earth. With how emotionally crippled he was after Spock's death, Jim could only imagine how Laken felt…or would be feeling, were she still conscious.

They grew up together. I can't even fathom…

Once he'd seen McCoy home, the issue of his other friend remained. The admiral didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone in her apartment. Bones' state was quite off, but at least he was awake and talking again. All Jim could think to do was check her and her belongings into a hotel room not far from his own place. Perhaps he'd check on her later, but at this point, he knew he couldn't help her. Besides, if he were in her position, he wasn't sure if he'd want to be roused.

But his thoughts were brushed away by Sarek's surprise visit. Though Kirk already felt guilty before, these words from the grieving father only made it worse. Plus, he was downright confused about the whole katra business with Spock and McCoy. It made him sad to think of his friend's soul being lost forever, but Vulcan mythology was lost on him. Despite this, the elder man was determined to make sure Jim followed through. Still, he certainly had his doubts.

"What you ask…is difficult."

"You will find a way, Kirk. If you honor them both, you must."

Doubts be damned…

"I will. I swear."

Though it was hard to think of a plan for all of this, Sarek interrupted the process by speaking again.

"Before you go…might I also be made aware of Laken's whereabouts?"

This road was quickly getting bumpier. Jim didn't think his friend would want the elder Vulcan to seek her out, but at the same time, who was he to deprive him of this knowledge?

"Well, she…she's in one of those trances, so I brought her to a hotel."

"Which one?"

"Golden Gate Inn, not far from here."

"Do you have her room key?" The Human hesitated. "She will die without intervention, Kirk."

"I realize that, but…I don't know what she'd want."

"Nor do I. However, there is no logic in abandoning what can be recovered, especially in light of what has already transpired."

After a few contemplative seconds, Kirk handed over Laken's key.

"Will she be okay?"

"Please allow me to focus on her wellbeing, admiral. You focus on Spock's."

"Very well."

Upon leaving the apartment and arriving at the hotel, Sarek wandered down the hallways until he found the room number on the card key. It was almost completely dark inside, save for the city lights shining through the blinded window.

"Lights, fifty percent."

From the corner of his eye, he saw someone huddled in a corner by the bed. It was strangely painful to see Laken in this state. He remembered her as being headstrong and sharp-witted…nothing like the sight in front of him. Still, Sarek regained his control as he came to a stop before her. Logic dictated that he move her to the bed before starting the meld, but something else compelled him to kneel next to the immobile woman.

Right before the fingers of his right hand could make contact with her face, he paused. What if Kirk was right? What if Laken wanted to die? He was well aware of how deeply she cared for Spock.

Understandable…and logical.

Still, maybe she would want to live in a world where her brother was at peace, even if his body was gone. But maybe she would not. If Sarek pulled her back from the brink of death, perhaps she would despise him even more than she already did. Was this a risk worth taking?

I…I cannot lose another child.

After taking a soft breath, the elder Vulcan initiated contact and began the link.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Laken felt something. Everything was so close to being over for the rest of time, but now, there was a presence pushing at her mentality. It was very familiar as well, and her soul warmed with joy.

Spock…oh, Spock, is that you?

She waited for an answer, or for her brother to take her wherever he'd been dwelling since the tragedy. But her spirit lurched upon hearing a different voice…the last one she wanted to hear.

I am not Spock.

Her grief boiled violently, and anger seeped in.

Get out…get out!

I will not.

Leave me alone!

You shall die if I do.

Good, that's fine. There's no reason to live anymore. Spock was…he understood me, accepted me for who I am.

Your shipmates also understand and accept you, along with—

Stop it! Stop acting like you care about any of my friends. You never cared, just like you never did about me.

As I have said in the past, you are mistaken in your belief that I have never felt anything for you.

Just… The despair was growing. At this point, all she wanted was for him to go away. If you have an ounce of sympathy within you, let me die. Please.

There was a very long pause.

If letting your life end would bring you peace, you can make that choice. But before you do, I invite you to search my mind.

What…?

I wish for you to look into my deepest thoughts, so you will have the truth. Not expecting to hear such an offer, Laken hesitated. Please…go on.

And after a few tentative seconds, she did.

It was impossible to describe the range of intense emotion within the Vulcan, especially since she'd long thought he didn't have any at all. But she was proven wrong. Ultimately, a vision started putting itself together in front of her. Laken could see Amanda speaking to her husband.

"She doesn't have anyone else. Please, Sarek."

Oh…is that when I first arrived on Vulcan?

While seeing this was odd, the Ryosian soon heard Sarek's thoughts from that memory.

Being a young one from an emotional planet, she might not thrive in an environment based on logic. Our customs would surely be foreign to her, just as hers could be damaging to Spock. But…she is a child of two worlds, like our son. Perhaps they can support each other through that connection.

"Very well. I shall contact the Terran Embassy now."

It was this, he said. On your ship…this is what I wished to voice.

Right before I put my hand up to stop you...

Laken saw him reprimanding her, not long after Spock left. She felt angry at the memory, but at the same time, she felt something from the younger version of her adoptive father.

Grief. You missed Spock, and you actually…?

Yes…when Laken left the planet with Amanda, Sarek was hurt…over both of them, not just his wife's departure. Likewise, when they returned for Skon's funeral, a large gap within him had been filled. Nevertheless, he'd acted in a highly abrasive manner with Laken for several weeks afterwards.

Spock was gone, he remembered. I took my grief and expectations for one child, and projected them onto the other. It was illogical, as was my later statement to you.

Before the surprised girl could process all of this, she saw something else. It was herself, weeping on Earth's landing platform immediately after Rafal's departure. And from across the walkway, Sarek (on the planet for a conference) was watching her. She could feel his dormant desire to approach her, to do what he logically could to comfort her; while he was at it, he wanted to offer his condolences regarding her sister's untimely passing.

No…I will likely upset her more.

So he'd reluctantly stayed put and watched her leave.

Being surrounded by various sentiments previously unknown to her was so overwhelming to the woman; she could tell that on the outside, her eyes were filling with tears.

It is not the Vulcan way to put these emotions into words, Laken. But please see what is so. I respect you and care for you a great deal, and have for decades, even while we haven't spoken. Whether you believe me or not, I see you as my daughter, as Spock is my son.

He's gone, she remembered in agony. Spock…

His katra is alive, child, within the doctor.

Bones?

He is going to Genesis with Kirk to retrieve Spock's body. Both of them will be brought to Vulcan. It would be of great comfort if you accompanied me there, so both men can find peace in every possible way. That is what you want too, is it not?

Yes…I do.

Then I beseech you…come with me, daughter. Come home.

Laken felt her soul being yanked up, and she returned to the light.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The shock of being pulled from the reverie caused the woman's arms to dart out. But Sarek carefully caught them in his grasp. In addition to her muscle cramps, Laken was overcome with the knowledge from the meld. Her grief for Spock, her old longing for a family, the realization that the elder Vulcan truly did care about her as she always wanted him to…

She couldn't keep from leaning against the man and putting her head upon his shoulder as she wept. Part of her expected him to move away, but instead, he hesitantly rested his hands on her back. They stayed like this for several minutes as the two of them relished their newfound attachment.

"Now," Sarek gently inquired after a while, "shall we bring closure to Spock's essence?"

Laken gazed at her adoptive father through her tears and nodded.

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