Chapter 7

Thank you for the continued reviews. It makes me really happy to hear from you. Though it takes hours to put out a chapter, it is a labor of love. So to get feedback means a lot to me. There are only 9 chapters to this story so we are getting there. Also, I don't mean to leave you on cliff hangers as I have been told by several people I know who are reading this. I just try to stop at a natural point before I go on to a whole new scene. Thanks to all you readers who have continued to follow Spock and Cassandra's story.

Italics are meld conversations.

That concerned the Vulcan. His mental shields immediately addressed the emotion coupled with the ever-present confusion, but instead of repressing said emotion, he channeled it. Going over to the doors, he took a deep breath with hands pressed together, closed his eyes in concentration then breathed out hard. His eyes snapped open and on the sharp inhale he placed his hands on the door, fingers jammed into the crevice where the door met the frame. Sharp exhale and with great effort, he overpowered the door's mechanism manually. Just as the door sprang loose, he felt a pop in his right bicep followed by white hot lightning pain. His mental skills went into overdrive, utilizing suppression mode to ignore the torn bicep muscle as he stepped over the broken threshold.

Taking in the sight of the three children and two infants still secured in their protective harnesses he looked for his family. Strangely enough it was quiet as the toddlers looked around with wide eyes. Several of the women were coming around. Making his way to the left, he approached Skye and Cassandra. Cass was unconscious with Skye holding tightly to her limp hand.

Spock dropped to one knee, calling the woman's name. There was no answer. Skye was becoming agitated at the restraints keeping him from going to his parents. Spock quickly worked the clasps, releasing Skye into his arms. His son held tight around his neck, having used up all his courage and logic for the moment. Spock projected a calm reassurance to the boy who stopped shaking and just clung to him. "Skye, let's check on your mother." The Vulcan said as he tried to assess her condition while comforting the child. Taking a shuddering breath accompanied by a small sniffle, Skye quickly wiped tears from his cheek and turned to see his mother. He watched as his father leaned down, putting his hand in place before quietly saying "my mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts." Skye stood very still as he watched his father mind meld. He did glance up to see how his friends were doing. He noted Ben was sitting in his mother's lap and April was clinging to her father. The 2 infants were with a parent too but the babies didn't interest him much. Turning his attention back to his parents he watched his father help his mother sit up.

Cass sat up with Spock's help only to have the world tilt under her, causing her to sway. Spock kept his arm around her to steady her. Her head dropped onto her husband's shoulder as she closed her eyes, willing her vision to right itself. Finally, the dizziness stopped and she was able to focus, then sit up unassisted. Looking over to her family, she smiled at Skye who hesitated for a fraction of a second before launching himself into her waiting arms. Snuggling him close she looked to her husband. "He did really well. When I arrived, the other kids were crying but he was in control. Scared but still in control."

Spock reached over to caress the child's head "He is a Vulcan." Shifting position to stand caused Spock to wince before he could control it as he cradled his right arm. Cass stood with Skye in her arms, the wince not going unnoticed by his family.

"Let me see." She stated as she put their son down.

"I need to get back to the bridge."

Taking a hold of his right arm, she palpated the area with experienced hands until she came upon the ball of muscle in his upper arm. "We need to get to sickbay right now."

Spock opened his mouth to argue but she spoke first. "No Adun. You have ripped the bicep tendon right out of the bone. Feel this here" her fingers touched the bulged muscle. He suppressed a grimace which she should have felt through their bond. She frowned. "This should not be here. We have to get it reattached or it won't heal properly. Come on." Looking down at Skye, Cass told him "the battle is over now. I need you to stay here so I can take your father to sickbay."

"Can Dr. McCoy fix it?" he wondered.

"Yes sweetheart. It is an easy fix but we have to go now. I will stay in sickbay to work for a while because there are people who need help. Your father once treated will return to the bridge."

Skye saw Ben walking away from his mother. He nodded then looked at his father replying with a smirk "Lenny is going to yell at you." The child giggled. He had seen those two go at it before.

Spock didn't fully repress a sigh when he responded "this much is true." At that Skye was off and running as he and Ben headed over to a climbing frame. Cass turned from watching Skye and his friend burn off energy at the expense of the jungle gym to return her attention to her injured husband. Together they left the nursery and made their way back to medical.

Once there, she helped the reluctant Vulcan walk over to the upright examination table just made available by the retreating security woman who had finished her exam and was being led away for treatment.

Dr. McCoy looked up to see who his next patient was when he spotted Cassandra leading her husband over. Knowing arguing with these two about anything medical would be illogical and a waste of time, Spock grudgingly stood on the table's foot pad before Dr. McCoy lowered the bed to initiate the exam. "What happened?" He questioned while reading the biomonitors overhead.

"The nursery door was jammed and the override panel unresponsive. I could hear the children crying from the corridor so I forced the door open."

Leonard stopped mid reach for his scanner. "You WHAT? Spock, are you aware of how many pounds of pressure it takes to manually open one of those doors? Why you're lucky you…"

"I am aware doctor." Came his dry reply as Dr. McCoy first scanned then palpated the arm.

"Well then you must be aware that we need to repair this immediately. It is a short surgery but we must do it now." Looking up to Cass, he continued "will you assist me."

After that things moved rather quickly. Their resigned Vulcan patient was taken to a different area of sickbay where he changed then laid down on another biobed. Dr. McCoy a surgical tray, with Cass standing on the other side of their patient, ready to assist. A sterile field was generated around Spock's upper body. A small incision was made so Dr. McCoy could retrieve the tendon with a tool Cass thought looked an awful lot like her dad's old needle nose pliers. Wisely, she said nothing. Once the tendon was in place, Cass handed the doctor the musculoskeletal regenerator which he used to reattach the tendon to the shoulder. After, laser therapy was applied to avoid infection and inflammation. The incision was then closed. The entire procedure took 20 minutes to complete.

As Spock sat up, Cass helped him put on a sling while Dr. McCoy made sure he understood it was to be worn for the next 3 days to assure proper healing. He actually threatened bodily harm if the doctor caught the Vulcan without it. Spock nodded his head once in acknowledgement then retreated to change back into his uniform after which he departed sickbay as silently as he had arrived. Cass continued to clean up the operating theater, merely shrugging her shoulders at McCoy's look. He rolled his eyes, then left to attend the next emergency waiting in his sickbay. Cass sighed. It was going to be a long couple of days.

In the end, the Enterprise stayed in Mars' orbit for the next 24 hours. During that time, the crew was able to stabilize the ship while the med staff stabilized their injured. Spock was on the bridge when the Captain asked him to join him in his ready room. Spock looked up from the repair work he was involved in. "Aye Captain, I need a minute." At the Captain's consent, Spock leaned back over the exposed console and had a short discussion with the tech and engineer who were working the problem after which he turned, gave a one handed tug to his science blue shirt to straighten it then made his way to stand by the Captain's chair. Jim handed a PADD back to a yeoman, gave further instructions to helm, then stood to leave the bridge.

Once the two were in the privacy of Jim's ready room, the Captain's military straight posture softened a little in weariness as he rubbed tired eyes and sat heavily in his chair. Motioning to Spock to sit across from him he looked carefully at his Vulcan friend. To those who did not know him, he would appear maybe a little more pale than usual, thinner perhaps, but that's it. However, in the eyes of a friend, Jim could see the strain around his eyes coupled with the tension in his frame. He spoke kindly "Spock, we are going to go back to Earth within the hour. Once we put in at space dock, I want you and your family to take the next ship heading to Vulcan. At 16.5 light years from Earth, you can still arrive later today."

Spock corrected automatically "16.26 Captain."

Kirk smiled "of course Mr. Spock, 16.26 light years. Still, it would be easier for you to fly out directly from the space station. If you come to Earth with the Enterprise crew, you know you will be pulled into debriefing despite Dr. McCoy's recommendations. It would be easier and less revealing if we explain the reason for your absence as medically necessary rather than having to give details on why you need to leave immediately."

"Logical Captain, though technically I should be at those meetings. Perhaps…"

Kirk stopped him with a raised hand. "No Spock. You have done enough already for this mission. Plus, I know you have been awake for over 48 hours. Go to Vulcan. That's an order." He finished gently.

Spock sat back silently, fingers steepled under his chin as he looked out the window. Coming to some sort of decision, he stood saying "Yes. Perhaps it is time to go home."

Kirk stood as well. "Glad we are seeing things the same way Science Officer." Coming around the side of the desk, the two men stood before each other, one blond hair, blue eyes, the other pointed ears and slightly green toned skin. Spock cocked his head in expectation, waiting to see what more the Captain would need of him. Kirk just shook his head then held up his hand in the Vulcan sign then said "Peace and long life Spock."

Spock was taken by surprise but his response was immediate. Raising his hand in a mirror image of the gesture he answered "Live long and prosper Jim." At that he turned and walked out of the ready room to gather Cassandra and Skye for their imminent departure. Kirk watched him leave then turned to look out the window, giving himself the luxury of a few minutes to be worried about his first officer. Straightening his shoulders, he headed back out to the never ending demands of being a Starship captain.

Spock returned to his quarters then called down to sickbay instructing Cassandra to retrieve Skye from the nursery then join him there. They packed their bags, with Skye packing a little satchel of his own containing his PADD, toy boat and a few snacks for the trip. By the time they finished, the Enterprise was performing docking procedures and Spock had them booked on a flight whose estimated time of departure was in 23 minutes. Spock swung the same heavy duffel bag they had taken to Alpha Toas up over his left shoulder, then took Skye's hand. Looking back, he watched Cass close her hover suitcase, pull the strap then walk towards him. The three made their way to the transporter room. Once there, Uhura's voice came over the comm, confirmed their clearance to depart and wished them Godspeed. Spock glanced over to Cass knowing this method of travel unsettled her. Illogically, her only rebuttal to his scientific explanation had been that it was just too weird to fax a person.

They arrived at their departure gate just as the Vulcan passengers were making an orderly line to board the craft. Following those in front of them, the family of three found seats together where Cass secured Skye in his seat while Spock stowed their luggage in back with other Vulcans doing the same. Cass was one of the few Terrans on board. Once back to their row, he faced Cassandra "it will take 5.5 hours to reach Vulcan." Cass acknowledged him then reached for Skye's PADD, handing it to their son as he settled more comfortably. Cass smiled at him then turned to look at Spock's impassive face. She sent a small bump through their marital bond to him for reassurance then settled back to watch the stars go by. Sadly, she knew that due to the poor state of their bond, she doubted he even sensed it. After an hour of travel, Skye asked for food. Cass retrieved his satchel handing out a snack for him, then offering a nutritious travel bar to Spock who declined. He did however accept the apple she had packed away, knowing it was one of his favorites. Skye was asleep curled up in his seat soon after that. Now adults could speak without little ears listening in.

Actually, Cass realized exceptional Vulcan hearing would allow others to inadvertently listen in. Looking pointedly at Spock, Cass held up the two finger ozh'esta. It wasn't ideal but she was confident enough in her skills. Spock turned to the woman next to him. Touching fingers, the telepathic conversation began. 'Once we have landed on Vulcan, I will take you and Skye home to my grandfather's house that we inherited. You two can wait there while I go to the healers at Mount Seleya. I estimate being gone for 2.87 days.'

'Adun let me accompany you to Mount Seleya.' Cass asked tentatively.

'I fail to see the logic of your request.'

Cass looked away from him for a minute, then down at her lap. 'I promised during our meld that I would' she admitted humbly. She looked up at her bondmate. Before he could argue she softly whispered 'please. It's important to me.'

Spock nodded once before they separated fingers. He turned his gaze out the window. The sight of stars whizzing by at warp was familiar, allowing his mind to relax into a light meditation. He purposely had not slept since the nightmare three nights ago. The mental strain was taking its toll and he appreciated Jim sending him directly to Vulcan. Going to Earth in his present condition would not have been wise.

Cass continued to read her PADD while keeping an eye on her husband at the same time. She knew he had not slept since that uncharacteristic nightmare. She could also feel the strain being placed on him through the faint remnants of their bond. She promised him she would take him to the healers, and that was a promise she intended to keep. They were an hour outside of Vulcan when Skye woke up and sleepily turned to Cass to be picked up. She snuggled him in her lap for a while until fully awake, then he moved over to Spock's lap asking questions about Vulcan as the planet came into view.

The pilot skillfully entered the atmosphere and merged into traffic, making his way to the Vulcan Interplanetary Travel Hub. After docking, Cassandra assisted Spock in retrieving their luggage so he wouldn't overdo while wearing the sling. They disembarked from the transport ship, stepping outside only for Cass and Skye to come up short. Other passengers stepped around them, pretending not to notice the Terran's sudden stop. She focused on breathing in the hot, thin air of Vulcan. The gravity was such that she felt like she weighed 300 pounds. This was way more intense than experiencing Vulcan during a mind meld. Setting her bag down she knelt next to Skye. "Are you ok?"

Skye's eyes were unblinking as he tried to adjust to the foreign surroundings. Spock realized the problem and was already unzipping the side pocket of her luggage to retrieve a hypo containing the tri-ox compound. He dialed in the dose for Skye then administered it, before adjusting the dose for an adult and giving it to Cassandra. Putting the hypo away, the three waited two minutes and eighteen seconds for the medicine to take full effect. "Thanks Spock" Cass said as she took a restorative breath before reaching for her luggage. Skye took her hand as they followed him across the tarmac, into a large high ceilinged building then outside to meet Sarek and Amanda who came to pick them up.

Knowing the gist of their sudden trip to Vulcan, Amanda suggested they return to her and Sarek's house first. Skye watched everything going on around him with solemn, wide brown eyes. Of course, he had seen his grandparents on vid calls but this was the first time meeting them in person. Amanda was so happy to have her family together that she wanted to scoop her little grandson up into her arms and kiss him until he giggled. But this was Vulcan. And though Skye was only a quarter Vulcan, she settled for smiling down at him as they walked towards their flitter so Sarek could fly them home.