I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writing. All of these facts wound me deeply, however I would find a kind review to be most healing.
Healing
Sarek invited Sybok to see the house that he shared with T'Sela.
"It is so very different than the ancestral home. It is difficult to believe that our home world and so many of our people are gone. Though T'Veri and I left in disgrace, we mourned our loss. In many ways, we still grieve. I had always hoped to return someday."
"Sybok, it is the type of loss that one never fully recovers from. However, we honor those who were lost by continuing to live on and to build new lives. Vulcan society has changed greatly already. Should you and T'Veri decide that you wish to do so, I am certain you would find a place in it."
"That is one of many things T'Veri and I must discuss together."
"Indeed. Sybok, I was contemplating making a subspace call to Spock. Shall we see if we can reach him?"
"Yes, I would like that, Father."
Father! The relationship between them was beginning to heal.
Sarek led Sybok to his study, where they could both have a seat in front of the comm terminal.
"Computer, contact Commander S'chn T'gai Spock aboard USS Enterprise."
Spock sat in his quarters, playing his ka'athyra for Nyota before she went on watch. He was not in the best of moods, having just been ordered to participate in a shipboard production of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore.
"Incoming transmission from Ambassador Sarek on New Vulcan. Do you accept?"
"I accept......Greetings, Father."
"Greetings, my son. Sybok is here with me."
"Then I greet you also, Brother." Spock motioned for Nyota to stand next to him. "Sybok, this is my bond-mate, Nyota Uhura."
"I am pleased to meet you, Sister."
"The pleasure is mine, Sybok, however I must report for duty. I look forward to speaking with you in the future."
Nyota hurried off for her bridge shift.
"So, Spock, does shipboard life agree with you?"
"For the most part, yes. At the moment we are engaged in a rather tedious planetary mapping survey. We hope to complete it within the month."
"You are a Science Officer....."
The brothers spent half an hour learning about each other and the life choices that made them who they were. Spock had never known why Sybok left Vulcan. Sybok seemed logical and in control of his emotions now. Spock had read the journal articles and the textbook Sybok had written. They were most impressive.
Sybok had always envied Spock his parents affection and imagined that he had led a charmed existence. He was shocked to learn of the prejudice Spock had faced growing up and still faced now. Evidently Spock had his own wounds to heal. Sybok wondered if the Vulcan people truly realized the importance of his younger brother's actions. If Spock had not helped destroy Nero, there would likely be no Vulcans left alive, as his plan was to destroy the Federation planet by planet.
Sybok and Spock agreed to speak together again and to meet in person at some future time.
Sarek was making dinner for his wife when she returned from another after school meeting. He was not much of a cook, but he could manage to reheat soup and make a simple salad.
"Thank you, my husband, this is much appreciated. Do you have plans for this evening?"
"Yes, I plan to spend the evening with my much-neglected bond-mate. T'Sela you have been more than patient with the situation of Sybok and T'Veri. I have not been the best father to either of my sons and so I have paid the consequences. I hope that I have learned my lessons and will do better with our children."
"Who can say what the future holds, Sarek. Each child is unique as is our response to them and their needs. We will manage together. I am enjoying spending time with T'Plesa and pleased to renew my acquaintance with T'Veri. The rift between you and Sybok seems to be closing. Spock seems to bear you no resentment. It is a time for celebration, not regret."
"You are correct, my wife. Come eat your dinner that we may celebrate our bond afterward."
"I find that a most agreeable suggestion."
T'Veri's condition continued to improve over the next few weeks. She no longer resided in a locked room. She was allowed to leave the clinic grounds for outings and had even spent several nights at the inn with Sybok and T'Plesa. Her unborn daughter was growing and the healers found no abnormalities with the child.
On a beautiful New Vulcan spring morning, she sat on a bench in the clinic garden. T'Pau was next to her, having just completed a mind meld.
"T'Veri, there is no longer any trace of Pa'nar Syndrome. There is no more I need do for thee, as thy mind is healed."
"I thank thee, Elder T'Pau. Thee has given me back my health. I would like to give thee something in return."
T'Veri withdrew a small painting from the tote bag at her side. She had depicted a meditation garden in full bloom, the trees and flowers in soft, tranquil shades of yellow and peach.
"T'Veri, this is beautiful. Thee has not lost any of thy talent. I thank thee for this gift and will always treasure it. Go now, and prepare to depart this place. Thy husband and daughter await thee. Live long and prosper, child."
"Peace and long life, T'Pau."
The Council of Elders held a very brief meeting. T'Pau had called them together to discuss only one matter. She believed that Sybok and T'Veri should no longer be considered V'tosh ka-tur.
T'Veri had acted out of illness, her mind was now restored. Sybok had acted out of grief, he had lost a mother who had treated indifferently. He had no bond with his father and so he had availed himself of the affection T'Veri had so freely offered.
However, his actions and accomplishments since that time demonstrated him capable of logical behavior.
The Council of Elders agreed with T'Pau's reasoning. The pronouncement of V'tosh ka-tur was vacated. Their relationship with Vulcan society was healed.
Sybok and T'Veri spent a great deal of time discussing their future. T'Veri had resigned from her position when she became too ill to work. The healers advised against her return to teaching until after the pregnancy, due to the stresses it placed on her body. Her gluten allergy could not be cured, merely managed with diet.
Sybok had taken a leave of absence from the university on Risa. There were six weeks until the new term began there. However, Sybok did not yet have tenure. He had sold their house and most of their possessions. There was little to tie them to Risa and the appeal of a fresh start on New Vulcan was great.
They both decided to apply for teaching positions at the University of New Sura'Kahr, and both were accepted. They would return to Risa, where Sybok would teach one more year, then come back to New Vulcan.
It was also time to make amends with Trethis, T'Veri's father. Because Paula was still recovering from a difficult pregnancy and delivery, Trethis could not leave her and baby Saphone alone. Sybok, T'Veri, and T'Plesa would travel to San Francisco for their reunion. Trethis was nearly beside himself with anticipation.
There were only a few days left until the end of the school term. Sybok and T'Veri wanted T'Plesa to finish it as the child had already suffered a great deal of upheaval in her life. Then they would take her to meet the rest of her family.
Sarek wanted to give T'Plesa a special gift to remember him by, as he would most likely not see her again for nearly a year. The child was gifted in both art and music. In the future, he would build her a child-sized ka'athyra.
As he walked the street of shops, Sarek remembered Trekell and his hand-carved kolchak. Safin had begun selling them for him at the tea shop where she worked. However, the hour was getting late so Sarek quickened his pace.
When he reached the tea shop, the owner was closing for the day. She paused when she saw Sarek.
"Is there something I may help you with?"
"I was hoping to find Safin and purchase one of kolchak that she sells for her husband."
"Ah. Safin is on maternity leave. She gave birth to a son last night. However, I believe there may be a kolchak here."
The woman looked under the counter.
"Yes. The price is fifty-two credits."
"I will take it."
Trekell had obviously raised his prices to what the market would bear. Good for him. He had a family to support.
At dawn the next day, Sybok , T'Veri, and T'Plesa left for San Francisco. Sarek had gotten them first class accommodations so that they might travel in comfort. He saw them off and when he returned home, he contacted Trethis to let him know that they were en route.
At mid-morning, he took tea with T'Sela on the patio.
"Now, my wife, perhaps we might finally have some semblance of a normal routine."
"Sarek, I doubt very much that there will ever be such a thing for us. By the way, your mother is joining us for dinner tonight. I wonder what I should serve.....
Another most excellent dinner, T'Sela. You are a very good cook."
"Thank you, Mother T'Pau. The fruit salad you brought made an excellent addition. Since I cooked and you made the dessert, it must be Sarek's turn to clean up."
"I have no objection, as I have been well fed." As he stood to begin his task, the comm link chimed. Sarek walked to the terminal and pressed a button. The screen was blank except for the UFP insignia.
"In-coming personal transmission from S'chn T'gai Spock. Will you accept?"
"I will accept." A second later, Spock and Nyota's faces were visible.
"Good evening, Father."
"Good evening, my children. To what do we owe the pleasure of this communication?"
"The Enterprise will be in New Vulcan orbit in two weeks. Nyota and I would like to formalize our bonding at this time......"
T'Sela sighed. So much for their normal routine....