"What is happening to my ship?" Kirk wondered aloud. He put down the PADD that he was studying and looked at Bones.

"Spock, Uhura, Jess, then Uhura again, and now you."

"She's sick, Jim and she asked me so…"

Kirk sighed. "I guess you've got a replacement at the ready, too then?"

"Of course. Mbenga is going to—"

"—Yes, I know. He'll be here later on today. You've told me that already."

He picked up the PADD again and entered the necessary information that would allow the doctor to take his seven day leave of absence from the Enterprise. "It'll do you some good, anyway."

Handing it to McCoy, he sat himself down in his chair with a heavy thud. He looked up at the ceiling as he spoke in exasperation.

"Spock's coming back."

Already poised to exit the room, McCoy stopped in his tracks. He turned around to examine the Captain.

"Son of a -" the doctor began.

"—Easy Bones. He had to come back sometime. He probably wouldn't have so soon if Uhura wasn't hurt."

"So he's worried about Uhura now, is he?" McCoy's voice was laced with contempt for the Vulcan. "Does he know that she won't even be here?"

Kirk turned his face toward Bones. "Should he know that you're taking leave with her?"

One look at the doctor's face made Kirk immediately wish that he could retract the last statement.

"Strike that last one. I didn't mean anything by it."

Silence hung briefly between them.

"No. He doesn't know anything about Uhura's plans and when he gets here in about… forty hours time, Spock is gonna act like Spock and pretend that he doesn't care," said Kirk.

Dr. McCoy shook his head at a thought that only he was privy to.

"It's like a regular soap opera around here." he mumbled as he grabbed his PADD and left.

McCoy spent much of his time the next morning going over the specifics with Dr. Mbenga and the rest of his medical crew. He outlined the additional duties that were required of each of his subordinates and talked with Mbenga at length regarding Nyota's pregnancy. Talking about the very recent tragedy made McCoy feel anxious as he knew that the worst part of Nyota's suffering was yet to come.

Against his insistence and professional medical advice, Nyota had decided to deliver her baby in her family home. McCoy delicately informed her that she would undergo a typical labor and the baby would be delivered then. She quietly took in the information. She decided immediately what she needed to do. There would be a very private funeral at home and the baby would be buried on her property alongside her parents. When she told McCoy of her plans, he complied without further question.

After arranging for shuttle transport for the two of them, McCoy returned to Nyota in Sick Bay. With his bags in hand, he waited patiently outside of his office as Nyota finished a transmission that she was preparing to send to her family on Earth. Although he wanted to allow her privacy as she spoke in front of the small monitor, he couldn't help but overhear. The mounting fatigue and anguish behind her words were too much for him to bear. He moved further out into the corridor and waited.

…..

Once the taxi pulled up to the gates of her estate, memories of Nyota's childhood bombarded her mind. In the corner of the expansive yard where only dirt used to be, she would make pies of mud and construct mountains and rivers out of dirt and water from the old well. She noticed that Esi had replaced the bare spot with fat plants that were native to the area and had made a border of large round stones that Nyota would've killed for to be able to play on as a child.

Esi and her people were the only true family that she had now. Caretakers and farmers on her estate, they had seen her grow from the precocious little girl in pigtails to the unwaveringly serious teenager into an ambitious young cadet. After the death of her grandmother before her acceptance into the Academy, Nyota had found herself the singular owner of the Uhura estate and the large land tracts nearby. Having no need of such a deed, she had given all but the house away—a gift of love to them and a relinquishment of memories.

McCoy took care of the niceties with the driver and removed their belongings. The driver moved to Nyota's side of the vehicle and held out his hand to assist her into the wheelchair. McCoy quickly put down their bags and stepped aside the older man to take his place.

At first, she hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to be around people and noise. She wanted silence. She needed peace. Her decision to come here would not allow her such a respite- she knew. Esi and the rest of the property caretakers (some of whom were even present at her birth) would certainly be making a fuss the moment they see her if they weren't doing so inside the large house already. She steadied herself on the arms of the chair as she lifted her body into the seat. McCoy placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder before announcing their arrival to the monitor mounted above them.

In moments, they were whisked inside and repeatedly hugged and kissed. Even McCoy, who had never met these people in his life, was considered family and they regarded him as they had Nyota. Despite the circumstances, Nyota smiled at this- although she was just going through the motions and inside was emotionally numb.

In the evening, Esi stayed locked in a room with her for a long time. From the sitting room, McCoy could hear sobbing and some speech which eventually turned into soft singing.

A lullaby, he thought. It was right to come here.

As the evening turned into night, McCoy fell into well-deserved, much needed sleep.

In the days that followed, a cloud of melancholy settled over the Uhura home. The Cesarean delivery was textbook in practice and her recovery promising. The funeral had been beautiful but very sad. McCoy, who thought that he was fully emptied of tears, was moved to them by the display of respect and tenderness by the people there. It was evident that Nyota was undoubtedly loved and cherished, and her sorrow was borne by them as well.

Leonard worried about Nyota. At the service, she did not cry. Her stoic face and stiff composure left little clues as to what she was thinking. The worst of it was that even he was unable to reach her now. Esi, aware of the doctor's growing concern, sat on the porch with him after handing him a cup of tea.

"I don't know what to do, Esi. She won't talk to me…ever since the birth….she wouldn't let me put her to sleep for it, refused pain relief afterward, and now -not a single word."

McCoy set his cup down on the small table between them and ran his hands over his face.

"You are tired," she said gently patting his knee, "She grieves, Doctor."

Her accent was heavy, but lovely. Since their arrival, McCoy enjoyed the time spent listening to her speak about Nyota and the land around them. Her easy words and melodic tone could lull him to sleep or captivate him entirely. He sat back in his chair. She sipped her tea.

"When Nyota was little after her mother and father passed, she stopped talking, then too. For a very long time there was nothing from the girl."

McCoy fixed his gaze on a small flower bud in a pot in front of him. He nodded his head in acknowledgement. He knew that many children stopped speaking after going through a traumatic event. It was somewhat making sense to him.

She continued. "Then, one day….she decides 'okay that is enough and I am finished'….and she returns to us. Almost as good as new."

Snapping out of his temporary trance, McCoy added, "She doesn't have to suffer. I can give her some medications…relief…something… to help her work through this."

Esi shook her head quickly from side to side. "She will not agree. She wants to feel, Doctor. She must feel first."

It was McCoy's turn to shake his head now, as he couldn't escape the obvious irony.

"Mutism….she's a communications officer, for crying out loud, Esi."

"I know, I know. Why do you think she becomes this in the first place?"

A pause.

Esi took another sip, "Ah, but I don't know….people do things for their own reasons."

"I don't know how to help her," McCoy admitted.

"You just listen and wait. Be her good friend, like you are doing now."

She stood up and walked toward the front door. Before entering, she looked over her shoulder at McCoy who was off in another trance.

"She will come back to us."

And with that, she disappeared into the house.

…

As she expected, the young commander reported back to duty in less than two days time. Chapel greeted him in the lobby of medical bay and ushered him into an empty stall. She made the necessary small talk, asking about his father and his trip back. He, in the attempts to stay calm and polite at the same time, obliged. All etiquettes aside now, Jess got right to it.

"What is this emergency, Christine? How is she?"

Christine wavered. She had not known that things would turn out this way for Uhura. How could she have known that her baby would be in peril? After things were settled again, she searched through Uhura's bay and found no evidence that her pregnant condition had changed. No instruments for that purpose were used, all the hypos were accounted for and no anesthesia was administered. McCoy must have been able to handle things just fine without her. She frowned slightly as she thought of how he dismissed her abruptly when it was clear that her assistance was needed that evening. He guarded the lieutenant jealously as if she were his and the baby his own.

Now, Uhura was gone to continue her pregnancy in secret and keep Paul's baby all to herself.

Christine had, indeed, made the most ethical decision when she sent for Paul. He needed to know what Uhura was planning. Pleased with her own heroics in the situation, Christine strengthened her resolve and answered him.

"I don't know how she is, Commander. The last time I saw her, well….she was very unhappy."

Jess furrowed his brow. "Unhappy?" This is what he had been afraid of while he was away. She didn't' want him, didn't want a baby, didn't want to be a mother. He felt his heart sink.

Sensing his alarm, Chapel informed him that feelings of this nature were normal during pregnancy. She informed him of her whereabouts, but made certain to stress the importance of establishing himself in Uhura's life. She suggested that he see her immediately lest 'things get out of hand'.

"Thank you, Nurse, but I won't be able to leave the ship again. I've just returned and duty doesn't permit me to do so."

Christine shook her head. "You almost sound like Commander Spock, Commander…..it's all about duty with you men. But, I understand. I just thought it best that you knew what was happening behind your back."

She sighed in mock defeat, "Well, at least she has Dr. McCoy to take care of her…so you don't have to worry there."

The young commander fell into deep thought. The last time he had seen Nyota, she seemed depressed. He knew how she felt about her career and her position aboard the Enterprise. They both knew that a starship was no place for an infant. Starfleet command would surely ground her the instant they knew she was going to be a mother. Nyota did not want this. She didn't want any of it. But…would she get rid of his unborn? Could she really be so cruel as to do that without his knowledge or consent? He wasn't so confident now, as he had seemed when Chapel first alerted him to her pregnancy. He remembered how Nyota was reluctant to talk about it. She hadn't even told him. Perhaps she was considering the option, after all. Why else would she have brought McCoy along? He was her friend, her confidant, and the only one who could perform something like this for her without incident or record. He was quickly losing his control of the situation and it was time that he did something about it.

Returning to her company, Jess excused himself to report to the bridge. While his personal life was beginning to crumble, he was still the Acting First Officer of this ship and his duties therein awaited.

…..

As the weeks went by and the lunar months came to a close, things began to slow down aboard the Enterprise. It was once again business as usual and the Captain was beginning to feel more in control over the vessel. Pleased that there were no more conventions and official meetings to have to deal with, he settled back into the large chair in his ready room, content with his current lot. All of his bridge crew was returned, except one—and she would be here in three days time.

On the bridge, Spock worked with his usual precision as he tended both his station and assisted Lt. Hawkins with the difficulties he was encountering with his, in communications. Spock knew that she would be there in seventy one hours and sixteen minutes.

There would be much to discuss with her then. Since his arrival on the Enterprise, he had done little else off duty but think of what to say to her. How could he possibly form an adequate apology? This was, indeed, a delicate situation and he dreaded hurting her any more than he already had. He never wanted any of this to happen- not to him and certainly not to her.

When his father had abandoned his anger and discontentment with Spock after Nero, the young Vulcan's desire to remain in his graces was too overwhelming to ignore. The loss of his mother- a human had united father and son but it seemed that his continued union with Nyota threatened to sever it.

When the Vulcan Elders convened one afternoon to offer a proposition, Spock was more than reluctant to accept…

"Spock, your accomplishments here have been more than satisfying. We ask of you now one last point to consider in your duties to your people."

Spock raised his chin slightly to indicate that he was ready to consider the elder Vulcan male's proposal. He had no concerns to the propriety nor the logical merits of what the elder was about to propose. He had merely been…curious. What more could he do here? He was due to return to the Enterprise in thirteen point four hours and could see no significant task completed in such a short amount of time.

Spock said nothing and the elder continued with his request.

"Starfleet is more than well aware of the situation that faces our race. Much like we have, in the past, assisted humans in their advancement, the Federation has allowed us to request special dispensations on your behalf with regard to your service."

Although he did not express it, Spock's interest had been piqued. None of the Vulcan elders nor High Council members had ever mentioned his involvement in Starfleet. It was a topic of contention among those with whom Sarek served. Spock found it odd that his service to Starfleet would be mentioned now.

The Elder paused a moment before continuing.

"It is well known, Spock, that you have experienced difficulties during your youth on Vulcan. While your unique heritage has been cited as the reason for your unfortunate castigation, your people call upon you now through us, to commit to the common cause of unification."

Spock waited for his point to be made, a practice that he had grown accustomed to since arriving to New Vulcan.

"Since we can no longer allow our Vulcan bloodlines to thin, we must require the participation of all remaining Vulcan males and females. The members of our society have deemed it absolutely necessary to increase the population of Vulcan infants and children. This can only be done through selective and purposeful bonding between individuals who share this common goal. Our heritage can only be preserved through our own. It is logical."

All eyes rested on the young Vulcan. Spock, as with all of those who had been interviewed, was expected to consent to this logic. He was, however, unable to readily agree. Taking on their stares head on, he responded in his usual calm.

"It is logical to look toward the children of Vulcan in the hopes to re-establish those whom we have lost. My Vulcan Elders, while I am daily reminded of my mixed heritage and my duties to the unfamiliar planet that I now call home, I am unable to comprehend how I am able to perform both my duties to New Vulcan and to Starfleet…. simultaneously."

Sarek's gaze turned from his son to that of the Elder sitting in front of him. He did not want Spock to make the same incorrect choice twice. Having chosen against the Vulcan Science Academy once before had been bad enough, but now with the threat of extinction drawing nearer, Spock's refusal of his Vulcan duties would certainly be a violation of allegiance to his Vulcan heritage and people.

Sarek almost doubted his son and was grateful when he heard the voice of another Elder interrupt the silence.

"Perhaps, we have not been clear in what we wish for you to do, Spock. Your loyalty to Starfleet, is undoubtedly, a reflection of the strengths in which your dual heritage has given you. Indeed, you have a gift for diplomacy in that regard. However, propagation of the species is of the utmost import here, and – as I am sure all of the Elders will agree- it is one that does not require a constant presence on New Vulcan."

Upon the other Elder's comment, heads turned and murmurs filled the tiny room. This was not the arrangement to which they had agreed prior to convening before the Ambassador's son. It was, however, the only one that Spock would even remotely listen to.

When the second Elder spoke again, the room quieted.

"Many eligible Vulcan women await their call to the duty of procreation. Contributing to the Common Goal through the bonds of marriage is their primary agenda. Perhaps, one is a suitable mate for you, Spock."

Spock did not hesitate a reply.

"The act of bonding through marriage is sacred, is it not?"

"Undoubtedly, Spock. It is only through this sacred union that children may be brought forth and taught in the tradition of Surak. You must not forget that the onset of this union takes place at the age of reason—an age that you, yourself are well beyond."

Spock berated himself internally for the ridiculous statement. He had hoped to make a clear point about the ethics surrounding marriage for the sole means of procreation, but this was an issue that was of no concern to the Vulcans. Bonding first took place at the age of seven, after which the couple was required to reunite as adults when the time of mating occurred. Neither love nor compatibility was a determining factor in it. He conceded the point, but he would not satisfy them with a ready answer.

"Perhaps, Spock requires a moment for meditation that will allow him to see the logic in our proposal," said Sarek, speaking up for the first time this evening.

The Elders looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement. Though they failed to understand the existence of possible fallacy of logic in their proposal, they granted Spock time for reflection. He was half human, after all, and perhaps required this additional time.

The passing of several days found Spock still uncertain about his future. Should he agree to aid New Vulcan by way of marriage and eventual siring of children, or should he risk being branded a traitor of sorts and return to the Enterprise shunned completely by his people? He meditated often, but could not bring himself to resolution.