AN: sorry it's been a while. My daughter was in the PICU for a bad stomach bug. Poor kiddo couldn't keep down her epilepsy meds or her tube feeds. She's home but still pretty sick. She's a tough little girl and should be fine but it's still been a rough week.

I hope this chapter lives up to expectations. Please remember that Spick will seem OOC because of his stress levels. Any ideas or improvements, I will happily listen! So please review. It keeps me sane. :)

tishbing

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Sarek finished the administrative paperwork for the hospital at Vafer-Tor and looked around his temporary quarters on the Enterprise. It seemed that he was destined to never be a guest during a completely happy time. The first was when Vulcan had been destroyed and he had lost the love of his life, his Amanda. The second was when Spock and a very angry Charlotte had bonded. She had been a very recalcitrant mate but had finally come around. Her sheer force of will would have put Amanda's to shame. And now...it was a mix. He had two grandchildren, expected to make a full recovery but his daughter-in-law's future was uncertain.

It was not logical to feel guilt and yet...he did. It had happened in his home. He knew how fragile humans were and should have insisted...no ordered her to rest. Amanda had not taken well to her orders of bed rest during her pregnancy but she had eventually complied even though it had been a daily argument. He had been grateful to have grown up under T'Pau's tutelage. She had taught him well in tactics and diplomacy when dealing with emotional beings. When to give in and when to put a foot down, so to speak. Every relationship was give and take.

Seeing Miss Jones on that biobed had elicited strong emotions within him and it had taken a surprisingly large amount of concentration to control them. He did not wish for his son to suffer the pain of a broken bond like him. It still bled like a raw wound, and every time he felt that it had healed, it was torn anew and he could not allow that to happen to Spock. Sarek had faith that Miss Jones would awaken but when she did, he knew that he wasn't going to allow her to risk her health again. He was certain that Spock was going to agree with him. He made arrangements for Charlotte to be placed in home care at his residence once the twins would be released from the hospital with twenty-four hour nursing care to ensure her health. This way Spock would not have to travel between facilities. He had also contacted the Enterprise's quartermaster and had the new family's belongings beamed to his home.

He had one final task before his return to New Vulcan. Sarek stood and left his rooms, making his way to the medical bay. There were more crewmembers on board as the ship was making final preparations to leave orbit that afternoon. Once he arrived in the medical bay he noticed a distinct air of depression. The nurses were going about their tasks with the utmost professionalism but their movements were stiff. Dr. McCoy was talking with T'Peni off to one side and he could hear him going over Charlotte's file but his features were pinched and strained. T'Peni was not faring much better. She seemed more reserved than what was natural and seeing this made Sarek's decision that much easier.

He waited until they had finished talking and she had moved away before making his presence known.

"Healer T'Peni?" He said quietly.

T'Peni turned and upon seeing him, her eyes widened slightly in surprise but her features quickly schooled into an emotionless facade.

"Ambassador." She nodded. "I had assumed you would have accompanied your son to the surface."

Sarek carefully walked through the bay until they reached a more secluded alcove. T'Peni followed but her face betrayed her curiosity. Sarek waited until they were alone before he started talking.

"I understand you do not wish to bond with the man your parents have chosen?" He watched T'Peni for her reaction and was not disappointed. Surprise, embarrassment, irritation and shame shone through her eyes at such rapid speed, Sarek was not sure he had seen them at all.

"Their previous match was not favorable." T'Peni fixed him with an intense look and Sarek knew he needed to tread carefully.

"Perhaps this match will be." Sarek said. T'Peni's eyebrows drew down in displeasure. She drew herself to her full height and her lips thinned.

"I doubt it. He is the sibling of he who was my husband. He is..." Her eyes flicked away for a moment while she searched for an appropriate word. "...very much like his brother. I do not wish to bond with another Vulcan."

Sarek raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Perhaps your decision is based in fear?"

"Negative." She snapped.

"Then why?" He asked quietly. The woman looked out the door and watched the brown-haired human doctor with longing in her eyes. Sarek just needed to hear her say it. After two minutes of silence, he sighed and decided to press.

"Then perhaps there is another?"

T'Peni's body twitched and her ears flushed olive.

"A human perhaps?" He hedged.

"And if there was?" She asked while still watching McCoy work. Sarek's lips twitched in amusement.

"If there happened to already be a bond in place...perhaps a betrothal bond rather than a full marriage bond, then your obligations to the family would be a moot point."

T'Peni frowned slightly as she considered Sarek's words. "I do not believe he would be amenable to such a commitment at this time." She said in a sad voice.

"Have you explained your obligations and that a betrothal bond is weak enough to endure separation?"

T'Peni spun around. "I would not choose to play on his guilt to spare me from a marriage I do not want."

Sarek nodded his head, acknowledging her wise words. "That is admirable, however, I believe that if he cares for you as much as you care for him that he would agree to the bond."

"He does." T'Peni whispered and Sarek placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Then I will inform your parents of the bond between you and the good doctor." He started to move off when T'Peni called him back.

"But there is not yet a betrothal bond. He may not agree."

Sarek gave a small smile. "I said I would tell your parents of a bond. If he agrees, then there will be a betrothal bond. If he does not then there is still the bond of friendship. I did not specify as to what type I would be informing them of. If it is the latter then it will allow you some time."

T'Peni bowed in respect. "Very creative, Elder. I thank you."

Sarek was pleased to note the next time he saw the young woman, her very katra was radiating a happiness that could be seen by even the most blind of people. She informed him that Sarek would not need to...imply her betrothal bond. He felt a great sense of satisfaction for that.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It had been a month. Thirty days, seven hours, thirty-two minutes and forty seconds since Charlotte had been in a coma. Their children were thriving but he could feel their confusion at not having a complete familial bond. Spock held T'Anwen and was currently feeding her a formula solution. Grayson was asleep in the next room. Spock's eyes were fixed on the still form of his wife, as always.

His father had made room in his home for Charlotte and the twins to recover. Once the babies were released from the hospital, T'Peni agreed with Sarek that it would make little to no difference if Charlotte was cared for at home rather than in a hospital setting. Spock spent every spare moment in her room to minimize the chance of her waking without him there. He knew it was illogical and that his father and T'Peni were becoming concerned but it was his choice. His only focus was his children and Charlotte.

Charlotte was becoming thinner and less like herself with each passing day. Even with today's advanced medical technology, her muscles were wasting away and the occasional pressure-sore would be found. Her cheeks were sunken and her hair was a flat yellow. Spock was sickened to see tubes being surgically placed to feed her and a constant watch negated any privacy or dignity. Spock had asked to meld with her to try and bring her back and had been refused many times. He considered going against his father's and T'Peni's recommendation but soon after his request a nurse was placed at Charlotte's side. Spock was sure it was to protect him from attempting the meld as well as to care for Charlotte.

Spock finished T'Anwen's feed and held her as he watched Charlotte sleep, unaware of the world around her.

The days wore on and Spock continued this cycle of watching and waiting. Spock was rocking both children for their sleep cycle when a quiet voice interrupted his thoughts.

"It has been six weeks."

Spock gripped the twins tighter as a wave of anguish ripped through him. Grayson opened one blue eye in irritation at his rough handling.

"I know." He said quietly. His voice was gravelly and rough with emotion.

"Dr. McCoy has contacted me and wondered if Charlotte has held her children, yet." T'Peni moved fully into the room. Spock's control was on a hair-trigger since this ordeal began and couldn't help the frown that marred his features.

"Of course not."

T'Peni pick up the scanner from the bedside table and ran it down her still form.

"As you know, humans believe, that even in a coma, an individual may be aware of their surroundings. Leonard suggested that possibly, a mother's love would be strong enough to help tip the scales in our favor."

Though she said the words casually, Spock could hear a hint of hope in her voice. They had tried everything else to stimulate Charlotte into waking.

"Perhaps your idea has merit." He admitted grudgingly. He stood and T'Peni shifted Charlotte's arms to where they were bare and could accommodate the children. She took T'Anwen from Spock and gently placed her in her arm while Spock placed Grayson on her other side. Spock waited with baited breath but nothing happened.

He felt a small surge of anger at T'Peni for getting his hopes up but quickly squashed it as it was not her fault. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from shedding a tear. He knew that if he started he might not be able to stop.

Both children shifted in Charlotte's arms and it felt like someone had stuck a knife in his side, right into his heart, as he saw the scene in front of him. His fingers ghosted over Charlotte's face and he whispered his love to the woman. He was about to remove the children when he saw it. Charlotte's left hand twitched and jostled Grayson. Spock's heart stopped and his eyes flew up to T'Peni.

"Did you see that?" He asked anxiously.

T'Peni immediately began running her tricorder over Charlotte's head rapidly.

"Her neural activity is increasing." T'Peni said quickly and signaled the wall comm to contact Sarek to let him know about the change. Spock's heart was pounding in excitement and he closed his eyes focusing on the thin thread that connected him to his wife. He rested his hand on her arm and gasped as he felt a small movement from her. He followed the link and where there had been emptiness before, a small wavering presence filtered through. It was weak and unsteady but unmistakably there.

His eyes opened and the sight that met his almost made him weep in relief. Charlotte's blue eyes, so much like her children's, were open.

"Good evening, Ashayem." He smiled a full smile. "It is wonderful to see you awake."

Sarek rushed into the room and stood next to T'Peni. Spock could hear them talking in hushed tones. Charlotte tried talking and moving but because of her muscles being so weak, she couldn't manage much. He could feel and see her confusion and fear. As she tried moving again her frustration only made her panic more. Sarek quickly pulled the children away to keep them safe. Spock stroked Charlotte's hair, trying to calm her but with her limited movements she started to hyperventilate in fear. T'Peni pressed a hypospray to her neck and to Spock's heartbreak, Charlotte's eyes drifted shut again.

"You should have given me longer to try to calm her." Spock said harshly. His fists were clenched in frustration and there was a tendril if fear curling around him. What if she didn't wake up again? She had been terrified the last time and now, this time was just as horrifying.

"She was in a severe state of panic and could have caused herself harm. Physiologically and psychologically. She made a large step in the correct direction by simply waking up."

Spock could feel the sting of tears threatening to fall and he clenched his fists tighter. T'Peni moved closer and pulled up the biomonitor display that was trained on Charlotte. Her room in Sarek's home was more like a hospital than a bedroom.

"If you will notice her readings, they are a normal sleep pattern rather than what they were before. I can assure you that she will wake in approximately eight hours." She stated calmly. T'Peni held out another hypospray.

"I recommend that you rest as well so that you can be of assistance when she wakes." She pressed the medication into Spock's hand and waited. Sarek, still holding the children, stepped forward.

"I will watch the children and arrange for additional help in the morning." He gave a small smile. "I am pleased that my daughter-in-law is finally starting to recover." He nodded respectfully to his son and took the children with him as he left. T'Peni was running scans and adjusting medication flows when Spock turned back. T'Peni looked up from her work.

"I gave you that medication for you to take, Spock. She will be here in the morning and you both have a long day tomorrow." She reassured him. Spock hesitated before replying.

"I know but it is hard to leave her. Especially now." He said quietly as he reached out and held her hand. T'Peni gave him a look of understanding.

"I understand however, she will recover."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

She could hear voices in the darkness. It was warm and comfortable but her back hurt. Her arms felt heavy and weak and she was so very tired but it was like she was being pulled from her sleep.

Bright lights pierced her eyes and blinded Charlotte when she opened her eyes. She quickly closed them and tried to turn away. Feeling a warm hand on her forehead and she knew it was Spock. Worry and concern and a deep love poured into her. Charlotte wondered why he was this...emotional.

"Charlotte, you must open your eyes."

Charlotte turned her head to Spock's voice. His words were laced with an undercurrent of worry so she decided to listen. Spock's face hovered above her and he looked like he had aged ten years. Charlotte quickly took stock of her body and realized something was very wrong.

She felt weak and sore but floaty. Her body felt...she moved her hand and instantly noticed that her abdomen was flat. Her eyes widened in fear and Spock must have noticed. He quickly gripped her hand.

"It is alright. The children are safe."

Her eyes darted around the room to see them but they weren't there. This wasn't the medbay. Charlotte frowned as she looked around the room. The walls were in neutral tones and it looked like a bedroom but...there was equipment surrounding her making it like a makeshift hospital. There was a burly vulcan male sat off to one side wearing robes that denoted him as a medical professional. His brown eyes were watching her like a silent sentinel. Charlotte saw T'Peni near the head of the bed with a slight frown marring her features. Charlotte was very confused. Her last memory was going back to the room at Sarek's house to rest. She frowned and tried to remember but it wasn't coming to her.

"Wha' happened?" Charlotte asked and tried to rise but a well placed hand on her chest stopped her movement. She'd never felt this weak before! She pushed at the offending hand and focused on T'Peni.

"You went into premature labor and we had to deliver the twins by emergency ceserean." She stated and Charlotte nodded for her to continue. The babies must be in the local hospital then since they're eight weeks early, she reasoned.

"There were complications with your uterus contracting after the delivery. We were forced to perform a partial hysterectomy. You lost a great deal of blood."

Charlotte nodded her understanding. It hurt that she couldn't have any more children but at least she had been blessed with two. "Babies?" She asked. T'Peni raised her eyebrows in surprise but quickly recovered. Spock squeezed her hand in a gesture of support.

"They fared very well, considering the circumstances of their birth. They needed support with their breathing, feeding and maintaining body temperature. They both had a mild case of jaundice but it was easily treated with phototherapy."

Charlotte's frown deepened. How long had she been out? T'Peni was using past tense words. And where was Dr. McCoy?

"How long?"

"Forty-two days, sixteen hours and twenty-seven minutes."

Charlotte felt like she had been hit with a truck. What the hell? Her heart started to beat violently and her hands started to sweat and shake. She looked around with a more critical eye. The amount and type of supportive equipment started to make more sense. Spock's exhaustion and worry was because she had been asleep for over a month.

"What?" She gasped.

Spock's hand tightened and Charlotte gasped again as she felt the bones in her hand grind together. Spock quickly released her and rested his hand on her arm. Charlotte started to try and sit up to be on a more even level. T'Peni's eyes darted to the bio readout and typed something into the panel, which Charlotte now realized was connected to an IV box. Before Charlotte had much of a chance to panic, she started to feel a warmth spread up her arm and into her chest, instantly calming her against her wishes.

She shook her head to try and clear it but everything was becoming slightly fuzzy, the lights winking at her in a friendly way, encouraging her to rest. She let her head fall back and blinked owlishly at the vulcans in her room.

"When can I see them?" She asked Spock. He looked to the healer for her answer.

"Tomorrow. Today, your responsibility is to submit to testing to see how much therapy is required before you can resume your responsibilities."

Charlotte could see in the Vulcan doctor's eyes that there was no room for argument on this point and when she started to protest, Spock shook his head slightly.

As the day wore on, Charlotte was realizing just how dire her situation was. Her swallow reflex was weak so she was reliant on enteral and IV nutrition, her arms and legs were like jelly and she struggled to keep a conversation going as she fell asleep frequently. It was frustrating. To top it all off, she had yet to meet her children. The nurse assigned to her was driving her nuts. Savir was attentive to the point of obsession. Any time Charlotte moved, he would immediately assist her and her lack of independence was worrying to her. Spock hovered nearby as if he was afraid she would disappear on him. It was heartbreaking. She tried to reassure him but understood his fear. If she had gone through what he had, she would probably be doing the same thing.

She was told that she was in Sarek's home and that he had arranged her care and that of T'Anwen and Grayson's. He was watching the children so that Spock could focus on her for her first day of being awake. The Enterprise had been called away and Spock had stayed behind to care for them. Everyone had come together to support her family and it left her with a warm feeling but a strong sense of determination to get better faster. She needed to be an active participant in her children's lives and Spock looked like he was ready to break. Her jaw set, Charlotte allowed the next round of strength testing. T'Peni was thinking six months. Charlotte was praying for two. She couldn't live like this for half a year.