A/N: It's been an eternity but I graduated in that time which is why I've been away so long. The way things are looking, I think this story will wind up with a nice even 40 chapters. Thank you all for your kind reviews, I always appreciate them. Hope you enjoy. If there are any errors please let me know. I want to fix them. Hope you enjoy.

It was late in the afternoon, nearly evening, when Skon and T'Pau arrived. Nyota had expected them to look more like legends—whatever it was the legends looked like—but they just looked like grandparents. Their clothes were casual and their entourage was small, one attendant for each of the aging individuals. But despite their modest entrance, everyone stood when they walked in the room.

Uhura could sense Spock's affection for his grandfather. His regard for his grandmother was one of relative fondness born from familiarity, but that was as far as it went.

"Spock-Kam," Skon greeted, matching his all his finger tips to Spock's in the Vulcan equivalent of a hug. "It is agreeable to see you again."

"Greetings, Grandfather. Greetings, Grandmother."

"Hello, Spock. We had begun to believe that you would never return to Vulcan." T'Pau commented as she sat. Her husband followed her lead, and everyone else was seated after that.

"Vulcan is Spock's home," the elder man responded. "Why should he not return? Not only is he here, but he has expanded the clan. Congratulations."

"Thank you. I present she who is my wife, Nyota Uhura."

"Live long and prosper." She inclined her head respectfully as they returned her salutations.

She fully expected to be grilled by the elders and was surprised when Skon skipped the getting to know you portion of the interaction and started to converse.

He was old enough to know that the least effective way to get to know someone was to make them feel like they were being interrogated. He was a practiced conversationalist and diplomat. He could draw any relevant conclusions from her contributions to their discussion or even lack thereof.

She was intelligent, equal parts curious and knowledgeable. She was obviously respectful and had a bit of diplomatic skill herself. T'Pau was always direct, and some of her questions about Nyota's station and financial situation were blunt, but the younger woman answered them graciously without hedging. From what they could tell, she was an admirable choice. Like Amanda, she would serve as an agreeable liaison between Spock and his non-Vulcan counterparts when he finally took his place as ambassador, an eventuality in which Skon was extremely confident.

Dinner was prepared by Mrs. Uhura as something of a peace offering for the newlyweds and was well received by all the diners. Afterward, Nyota favored them with a performance on her harp and the elderly couple was impressed by her ability as well as Spock's ability to teach her.

"I understand," Skon began, conquering the lull in the conversation that had set in after the music, "that Vess' protégé is your physician."

"That is correct."

"Then you are fortunate."

Vess and Skon had been friends since their school days and in the four years that Geoffrey had been on Vulcan he'd been in his company often and found him altogether agreeable. The young healer shadowed Vess closer than any of his natural children ever had. Few humans—only Geoff and Amanda in Skon's personal experience —could adapt to Vulcan society well enough to endure it for any length of time. Geoff was so integrated, that within his first few month on the planet, people started to refer to him as Vess' human son. There were quite a few people anticipating his return, but none so much as Vess and his family who truly considered Geffrey one of their own.

"You know Geoff?" Nyota asked.

He nodded. "Indeed. He had no trouble making a name for himself in the short time that he was here. He is expected to eventually succeed Vess as the chief of interspecies medicine. He would be the first off-worlder to hold such a position."

"Well, he did say that he made himself at home."

"That is a very accurate statement. I'm sure that you and Spock will benefit from his skill as you serve with him."

"We already have." The first officer confirmed. He went on to recount some of the missions where Geoff had shown himself to be invaluable.

"Are you certain that he will be returning with you?"

"He has not turned in a resignation, so I have every reason to believe that he will. Do you have information that I do not?"

"I know that Vess plans to exercise his considerable influence over Geoffrey in an effort to get him to stay."

"I expected as much before we beamed down, but since all of the doctor's associates were unsuccessful in getting him to stay the first time, I doubt they will be any more successful now."

"Time will tell." Skon replied sagely.

"I will speak with Nyota alone." T'Pau announced suddenly, standing and starting for the door.

A knot of panic rose in Uhura's throat before she slid a look at Spock who did a good job of shrugging subtly. With a nod, he urged her to follow his grandmother, who was now waiting by the patio door. The attendant meant to accompany them, but T'Pau waved her back to her place.

The air outside wasn't exactly cool, but it wasn't the stifling heat that Uhura had been warned about. This was the kind of weather her childhood in Africa had prepared her for. The sand made a soft crunching noise as it shifted under their feet. The rushing noises of the city could be heard at a distance and the skyscrapers were lit, creating a picturesque skyline. Nyota took all this in while trying to stall the fact that she would have to speak to T'Pau eventually.

Thankfully, the older woman spoke first.

"Logically, you are curious as to why I called you out."

"Yes, My Lady."

"I was in your position once, more than a century ago. I was new to the prominence and reputation of the Schn T'Gai clan. There were many who thought I was unworthy to be Skon's mate, none more so than my mother-in-law. According to these individuals, I was a renegade, a rebel, and a subverter. Only Skon understood what I was trying to accomplish then. It was very much the same way with Amanda. She was young and ill prepared for the realities of being Sarek's wife. Unfortunately, I chose to add my voice to the chorus of her detractors instead of offering myself as a mentor. Granted, my concerns were genuine, but Amanda has proven herself as I proved myself. You will be put through your paces too so to speak. There will be many occasions when you are called upon to show yourself worthy.

I will give you this advice Nyota—I did not tell this to Amanda, but I should have. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but they do not have the right to disrespect you. Regardless of whether or not others feel you belong in this clan, you are here. You are Lady Schn T'Gai and there is nothing anyone can say or do to change it. You will do well to remember that at the reception."

"Yes, My Lady. Thank you."

"One does not thank logic, Nyota."

"No. Of course not. I'll try to keep that in mind."

They returned to the rest of the group and joined them as they looked over Sanaa's latest holo-essay. The images were captivating and seeing her mother's talent and passion for the work she did went a long way to soothe Nyota's aggravation toward her.

It got late and the elders opted to stay the night and when they finally retired, everyone else followed suit.

"That was pretty painless." Uhura said as she and Spock crossed the threshold into his room. "Lord Skon is nice. You two have a good rapport."

"Very much so."

"T'Pau's okay too." She went over to the closet, where the bags had been unpacked earlier and retrieved a set of pajamas for each of them.

"I'm sure she'd be gratified to know you think so."

"Don't tease me. I was scared to death."

"You had no reason to be. As usual, you made a good first impression. They would not have stayed so long, or continued to be so cordial had they not found you agreeable."

"So you think they like me?"

"Yes."

She smiled brilliantly before kissing him gently and stepping into his embrace.

"I don't want to go anywhere tomorrow," she sighed.

"And I would be willing to indulge you, My Wife, if we didn't have so much to do. But regardless of what anyone else has planned, I will see to it that you get adequate rest this week. Starting now." He swept her off the floor and carried her to the bed before laying her down gingerly and putting himself beside her.

"This bed feels huge compared to the one on the ship."

"Indeed."

"Don't let me get too used to it," she drawled, her speech already slowing and her voice dropping.

He couldn't think of an appropriate response so he simply smoothed his hand over her hair and watched her eyes close as she started to drift off.

Nyota woke early the next morning, at the same time Spock did. She was excited to finally have their bond inspected and validated. Ever since she found out about it, her joy had been laced with a thread of fear because there was no way of knowing how it would affect her. And even though there had been relatively little difficulty, it would be nice to be sure.

"Do you think Geoff needs a ride to the hospital?" She asked Spock, parting her hair asymmetrically and brushing part of it down over her eye.

"We dropped him off at the healer Vess' house. It's likely that he's already there."

"I still think we should call and ask."

He nodded toward the comm unit which was made to blend in seamlessly with the rest or his heavy wooden furniture. She sat down in front of the screen and connected to the doctor's frequency on a video call.

"Good morning, Lady Schn T'Gai. Do you require anything?" He asked coolly. His usually smiling eyes had been tamed to reveal nothing. It was startling to see him so…un-Geoff.

"Hey Geoff." She chirped, trying to inspire an equally cheerful response in him. "Spock and I wanted to know if you needed a ride to the hospital."

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness; however, I'm already at the hospital. Is there anything else?"

"Um…no."

"Very well. If you'll excuse me, I have to finish my rounds. I'll see you when you arrive." He disconnected and the screen went black, leaving her blinking at her own reflection.

"Did you see that? What's wrong with him?"

"Wrong? I thought he was refreshingly professional."

"That's not Geoff! He's always so friendly and jovial."

"He is on Vulcan…in the workplace. He likely assumes that demeanor so that he can be taken seriously and to avoid making his colleagues uncomfortable."

"I don't like it. It makes me feel like he's mad at me or something."

"That is illogical."

She rolled her eyes and followed him out. They quickly ate breakfast, which had been prepared by T'Pau and Skon, who were known to cook together. And after more than a century of practice, they had gotten quite good at it.

When they arrived at the hospital, the first thing Nyota noticed was how differently everyone was wearing their hair. Spock caught her trying not to stare and gave her a questioning look.

"I'm just surprised by all the hairstyles."

"Why? Did you expect all Vulcans to wear their hair like mine?"

"I think I did."

"Nyota, there are seven billion people on this planet—"

"I know, I just—"

"One haircut for an entire species?" He asked incredulously.

"What do I know?"

"That is illogical."

"I see that now. And that's the second time you've called me illogical today."

"It's the second time you've given me cause."

She could sense his amusement through the bond and accepted when he offered her his first two fingers.

M'Benga met them at the reception desk and led them to their first appointment.

"So…" she began conversationally, "I know you're glad to see your family again."

"It has been agreeable." The doctor responded curtly.

"Are you okay?" She asked in Swahili, thinking that their native tongue might make him loosen up some.

"Quite." He said in kind. "You will first meet with Healer Selaya. She specializes in natural bonds and mental health, as the two are closely related. She will be able to determine the depth and strength of your connection and make any necessary adjustments. The chief will also perform an inspection, but he will focus mainly on the viability of the bond, confirming that it is secure and sustainable. Seeing both of the healers will give you a well-rounded idea of how the bond functions, how to maintain its health, and what risks—if any—are involved."

They arrived at one of the only doors in the hospital that wasn't automatic. M'Benga went in first and spoke with a man behind a desk that Uhura assumed was the receptionist. Then he went through another door and gestured for them to follow.

Unlike the rest of the hospital, this room was cozy. The color on the walls was warm, and instead of sterile looking chrome and glass there was wood. There was a desk and two chairs along with a plush couch. In a nook in the corner was a meditation rug, a firepot and thick, fluffy cushions. The temperature had also obviously been adjusted for Nyota's benefit.

Spock and Nyota sat across form Selaya at the desk and Geoff finally seemed to relax, kind of sinking into the sofa. A looked passed between the two healers. Geoff's face softened at the sight of the other woman and Uhura didn't miss it.

The healer was stunningly beautiful. Her skin was the pecan colored and her eyes were a soulful brown, her features made all the more striking by her elegantly pointed ears and upswept brows. Her hair was curly, framing her face in a neat and defined afro, pushed back by a braided headband. Aside from her unique features, she had an air of kindness about her that was missing in many Vulcans. Of course she never smiled, but Uhura felt at ease as if she had. When she spoke her voice was deep and rich.

"Greetings, Lord and Lady Schn T'Gai. Live long and prosper."

"Peace and long life."

"Is it acceptable if Healer M'Benga remains for the rest of our appointment?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I will ask you a series of questions, all of them designed to help me asses the nature of your bond and how it was formed." She stopped talking long enough for the man from the front desk to bring a tray of tea and sit it in front of them. "I will begin. Please explain how came to know one another."

"We are officers serving on the same starship."

She scribbled on her PADD and looked up again. "And you are the superior officer, My Lord?"

"That is correct. I am a commander—the first officer—and my wife is a lieutenant—the chief of communications."

"Is…um…is that relevant?" Uhura asked.

"Yes. I ask so that I can ascertain the dynamic of your relationship. In some cases, with natural bonds, when one party is a position of authority over another, the more powerful partner asserts his or her will and creates a dangerous imbalance of power. It is vital, especially in situations such as these, that neither partner ever feel coerced or dominated."

"That's not a problem for us."

"Yes, My Lady. Please understand that these questions are standard and are not meant to reflect directly on your specific case. I will continue."

"Go ahead."

"How did you come to be in an exclusive relationship?"

"Well, Spock used to be so indifferent to me—"

"That is not true." He protested.

"You used to ignore me completely."

"I won't deny that I tried to ignore you, but I was not indifferent." He turned his attention to the doctor. "I experienced a strong reaction upon first meeting her. In an effort to minimize any further reactions, I limited our interactions, but I was never indifferent."

"Was your reaction one of attraction?" Selaya pried.

"Yes."

"Obviously you were unsuccessful in ignoring your wife. What changed?"

"The music," Uhura told her. "He was my partner in the talent show. He plays beautifully and existing in that moment together...up there on stage—it changed things. At least it did for me."

"Agreed." He confirmed. "Music drew us together. In time we developed a friendship, which later evolved into a relationship."

"It is agreeable when couples are friends first. In my experience, such couples have healthier bonds. We will now move on to the meld. I will join with you individually and then all three of us. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes."

"Typically, I join with the female first, but since only one of you is Vulcan, it is likely that the bond sprouted in Lord Schn T'Gai, so I will begin with him. While I join with him, My Lady, please feel free to meditate of center yourself. Please follow me to mat and kneel, My Lord."

In her line of work, there were certain truths that Selaya had to acknowledge that other Vulcans chose to ignore, namely the fact that love was the most difficult emotion to master and that most people failed at it. Though they, as a race, had found unemotional ways to express it, the manifestation was the same. The only force that could draw two people so close together that they literally became one was ashaya—love. So she was never taken aback or uncomfortable when she melded with a couple and found evidence of such a state. Actually, she expected it. But she could never risk vocalizing her thoughts since she would likely be written off as one without logic.

Her expectations were not disappointed when she joined with Spock and had him show her his bond, but he was her most unique patient by far. His regard for his wife was manifested in two ways. First, as a Vulcan, his love for her was hot and consuming and barely contained. She was used to this. But, as a human, his love for her was vast, like space its self, with plenty to room to accommodate flaws and short comings and room to grow—infinitely. It was fluid, adaptable and yielding. This was all new to the doctor—and had a dynamic mind that snatched her in immediately, but it was comfortable, the way coming home after a long trip was comfortable. Her feelings for her husband were much the same as his, deep and constantly in motion, simultaneously stable and in flux. When the three of them joined together, she saw the way they interacted together. They exchanged thoughts in an incredibly efficient relay and seemed to nestle into one another's minds securely. Overall, they were like two halves of a whole, very well suited for one another.

Once they were seated at the desk again, she gave them her summary.

"Your marriage bond is functioning optimally. There are formal bonds that do not function as well. I believe that your connection is safe, healthy and beneficial for both of you. Joint meditation will help you to maintain your closeness and perhaps even strengthen your relationship. Endeavor to meditate together no less than once a day. That being said, the depth of your attachment does leave you very susceptible to severance shock. I have reviewed the measures that Doctor M'Benga typically takes while you are on duty and I believe his methods are sound and that you should continue with the monitors. In the event that one of you meets an untimely death, the surviving partner must seek medical attention as quickly as possible. If there are not medical professionals available then you must begin meditation immediately."

"We understand."

"Very good. I have the certificate of authenticity for your marriage bond. I will sign it now." She brought the appropriate file up on her PADD and scrawled her name at the bottom. Then Geoffrey signed as witness. "By the authority entrusted to me, I declare your marriage to be valid and bonding in keeping with Vulcan law and tradition. Let no one interfere."

"Your service honors us," Spock commented, inclining his head respectfully.

"You honor me."

"So that's it?" Uhura asked, doing her best not to bounce in her seat.

"Yes. You may see Healer Vess."

"Thank you, Doctor!"

"You are welcome."

"Did you get an invitation to the reception?" Nyota prompted.

"I did. I will be attending."

"Wonderful! See you then."

"Yes, My Lady. I look forward to it."

They left the first doctor and went directly to the second, with M'Benga walking ahead of them.

Vess' examination was less extensive than Selaya's. He merely noted its existence and briefly tested its strength after reviewing the notes that the younger physician had recorded in her chart. He agreed with her findings and declared them both fit. He also tested Spock's fertility as per his earlier request.

They waited for the results in a small, private waiting room.

"Are you nervous?"

"I am a Vulcan." Which she knew was code for 'yes, but I'll never admit to it.'

"Either way, it doesn't change anything."

"I know."

"I like Selaya."

"She seemed capable."

"I think she and Geoff would be cute together."

"Wife…"

"What? She's pretty. She's smart. She's a doctor. She's…kind. I didn't mind having her in my head at all, not like I thought I would. Her presence is soft and yet powerful. She's a compelling individual."

"Let's mind our own affairs, K'diwa."

"I never said I would get involved. I was just making conversation. Did you see her hair?! Charlene would be so jealous."

"That is—"

"Don't say it."

"Very well."

Uhura couldn't stand the silence and continued to prattle on and Spock kept giving her brusque answers until M'Benga called them back into Vess' office.

"Spock," Vess began once everyone was settled, "there is no reason why—with proper medical intervention—you and your wife cannot reproduce. Your DNA is compatible and the risk of birth defect is no higher than it is for anyone else."

She sighed heavily, relaxing into the chair. She was too overwhelmed to even smile. She didn't know she'd be so relieved or grateful and didn't really understand why she was, but it was a good feeling.

"Your service honors us, Chief."

"Live long and prosper, Spock."