Chapter 25: Home

Another night had fallen, and the occupants of Plum Creek were still settling back into their normal timeline. In the comfort of their own bed, T'Naisa turned toward Spock and ran her fingers through his freshly clipped hair.

"Oh yes," she said by the flickering light of an attunement flame, "I like it so much better this way, all neat and trim, with your ears showing." Her index finger explored one elegantly pointed tip.

As he reached over and drew her close, the baby kicked.

"Did you feel that?" she asked. "Just like the doctor said; little T'Mara is as healthy as can be."

"T'Mara?" Spock said with the sleepy lift of one eyebrow.

"I'm thinking about it."

"Here on Earth, the children will call her 'tomorrow'," he warned.

She laughed. "Roll over, smartie, and I'll give you a massage."

Wordlessly he complied. As she rose up and worked her thumbs into the neuro points along his back, she slipped into a pensive mood. "T'Mara and Wayne. I keep wondering what's become of them."

"They are almost certainly back in their own timeline," Spock replied. "And if they are in bed, you need not wonder as to…"

"Oh hush," she laughed. Pressing her thumbs down his spine, she said, "I bet this feels good."

"Mm," came the muffled response.

"It's not fair that you get all the pleasure, and besides, T'Mara told me that Surah'than helps women during childbirth. So in the morning…before you start losing yourself in Yanashite business or timeshift theory, you get your first lesson. Agreed?"

"Most certainly," he replied in a very relaxed manner.

And then he was asleep and T'Naisa lay beside him, lost in sweet dreams of motherhood.

oooo

In a separate reality, Spock and T'Mara had just tucked in their daughter, T'Kera, for the night. T'Mara headed to their home office to contact their older children and found the screen linked to the Seismic Early Warning site. A chill ran through her. Hearing a quiet footfall, she turned, and there was Spock standing in the doorway. She had trimmed his hair back to Starfleet regulation before they arrived home, and for a moment she just eyed it.

Then she said, "So…when are we going to share our timeshift experience?"

For an unusually long moment, he considered. "Perhaps there is no need. When we arrived back, we were among strangers at Santa Cruz, so none of our acquaintances saw the change in us. It would be different for John and T'Naisa, since I assume that she arrived home in an advanced state of pregnancy."

T'Mara did not understand. "But what of the big earthquake that John warned us about? I know you've been checking on the SEW system, but he told us that it failed. When you bring this up to the proper officials, you'll have to explain how you received the information." He was silent for so long that she finally said, "Spock. You are going to tell the authorities, aren't you? You can't trust the SEW system. That quake could strike at any time. Think of our family and friends; think of the millions of lives here in San Francisco."

"There is no evidence that a severe quake will strike in our timeline," he countered. "And as we have no proof of meeting my alternate and his wife, who would believe such a bizarre tale?"

"But an earthquake might strike. Make them believe."

One eyebrow rose as he considered the distasteful task. Finally he conceded, "T'Mara, you are correct. Whatever the consequences, we are obligated to try and prevent even a potential disaster by any means at our disposal. Therefore I will arrange a meeting with Admiral Jamieson first thing on Monday."

Her resolve did not waver. "Monday? Shouldn't we contact him immediately?"

"The hour is late. He would not be pleased."

"I don't care. This is vital. Either contact him, or I will."

Coming to a decision, he headed for the computer. "Very well, T'Mara. We shall…as they say…'beard the lion' now."

As expected, Admiral Jamieson was not happy to have his evening interrupted, and therefore answered rather gruffly. Spock apologized for the late call. With T'Mara at his side, he related all that his counterpart had told him about the possible failure of the Seismic Early Warning system and the potential for upheaval on the entire West Coast. He then explained how to relieve the stress on the tectonic plates.

Predictably, Jamieson asked how Spock had obtained such knowledge. As Spock and T'Mara shared their tale of the recent timeshift and encounter with a second Spock, they watched the admiral's forehead furrow. With concern or with disbelief?

When it was over, Jamieson loosed a sigh and declared, "Spock...if I had heard this from anyone else, I'd tell him to sober up and go check into the psyche ward. But alright. We'll investigate this. I want both of you in my office at 0900 hours tomorrow. I'll leave a message for the mayor and the top engineer at SEW headquarters. Hopefully they can meet us, too."

"Tomorrow?" T'Mara pressed. "Why not tonight?"

"It can wait," the admiral replied firmly. "Now goodnight to you both." At that, his image faded to black.

Spock rose from the desk chair. Still deeply concerned, T'Mara said, "Do you think he really sees how important this is?"

"I prefer not to speculate," Spock predictably replied. Taking her hands, he spoke softly. "My determined wife...we have done all that we can for now. Come, let us focus on this present moment. It is as John once told me. 'One regrets those opportunities when one might have expressed affection and did not'." His lips tenderly met hers and then he whispered, "I love you."

Her heart warmed as she smiled at him. "And I love you always and forever."