XxX

Bones grew more nervous the closer we got to the small port. I'd never seen his eyes so wide as when we entered the narrow tunnel. Sulu did his best to not bump any of the walls but to err is human and, each time the helmsman's hand slipped, Bones' hand would tense on my shoulder.

"An ancestor of the great Harry Potter, scared of parking a starship." I smirked, letting my head fall back to look up at him.

Bones narrowed his eyes, his face a bit green, "Gotta love your bedside manner, Herms."

"That's why you are the doctor, and I'm not." I replied smugly, heading to the elevator as Jim announced our arrival. I looked back expectantly to Spock, who explained he would follow after the crew had debarked and the ship was properly docked.

I nodded and waved Bones on, "Come on, I will buy us a round."

"I believe I'm the one that is supposed to offer to buy you a drink." Bones quipped, giving a very southern, and playful, wink.

I rolled my eyes, pushing the button harder than I needed to, "It's 2266, Bones."

"And you are a woman of the 20th century, surly you much prefer men doing everything for you?" He jested, knowing very well that if I had waited on men to do everything for me in my life both worlds, the wizarding and ours, wouldn't be standing today.

I wrinkled my nose, trying to come up with a quip, "Bones?"

"Ya?"

"Shut it." I crossed my arms and fell back against the wall, wondering why my wit had decided to abandon me in that moment, leaving me with nothing more than to tell my best friend to shut up.

He gave a deep laugh and pulled me to his side in a hug, leaned back against the wall as the elevator lights whizzed past us. I gave into his friendly touch and rested against him, savoring our bond which transcended time, just like mine with Spock's did.

Over the years, our friendship had evolved to include theses affectionate gesture. Spock truly held my heart, but it had taken him a while to meet my need for touch throughout the day. Bones, who was my only real piece left of home, had sensed my need for these small affections and naturally stepped up to meet them as any friend would. It was a comforting habit which continued even after Spock had learned of my love language.

The only problem with our routine was when a new cadet, who was unfamiliar with our friendship, caught sight of Bones and me, knowing very well that I was Commander Spock's wife, and would inform him of my "infidelity". Of course they meant well, but it was an issue none the less.

It happened so often in the second year, especially right after our loss when I had sought out more solace from my friend, that Jim and the rest of the bridge not only took to betting but making a drinking game of it. Spock had an extensive explanation memorized to explain to the loyal informant that there was nothing to concern themselves with when it came to Dr. McCoy and his wife and to please pass the word along to other cadets.

I smiled as the doors opened, finding peace in the strong trust Spock and I had built between ourselves. Never once did his faith in me waver, nor mine in him.

My thoughts turned and I couldn't help but brighten when I thought about the crew; they were my all my family and nothing could break our ties.

"So, about that drink you promised me…" Bones winked and I burst out laughing, wondering if his blood truly was made of Kentucky whiskey.

XxX

Spock and Jim were on the last elevator down once everyone had departed; the latter chattered on about trivial things to fill the quiet so he didn't speak his actual thoughts aloud. The captain breathed a sigh of relief as the doors opened, letting them escape into the masses.

"Scottie said they were headed to the Glass Nebula." Jim informed as they started out of the terminal.

Spock nodded, his hands grasped behind his back as they took their leave. Always observant, his eyes quickly scanned the crowd. His brow narrowed as he continued to study the different faces. Something was off and Spock couldn't help feeling like someone else was watching him.

In a fleeting glance he caught sight of a familiar pair of chocolate eyes which quickly turned away, shielding their face from him with the purple scarf she wore.

Spock instantly halted his steps, gazing after the small being, "Captain, I have something I need to attend to. You go on ahead and I will catch up shortly."

Jim looked back at him, caught off guard, but nodded, "Alright, have fun. Not too much." He said, continuing down the way.

Spock narrowed his eyes and started towards the woman, who was making her way through the crowd, not fast enough to lose him but quickly enough to hurry his steps.

His eyes never strayed from the hood she wore as they weaved through the crowd. Finally, with one last turn, they were the only two present in a quiet alcove.

Spock stopped at a respectful distance, his hands together behind his back and head inclined in greeting, "It is good to see you once again, Skladasu."

The woman turned around, a smile bright on her slightly aged face, and pulled down her hood, "As it is to see you, Commander Spock." She started forward, the light held within the red gem she wore casting an unsettling feel as her smile dimmed, "Though I wish it were under more happier circumstances."

He tilted his head in study, his brow creasing in thought, "Has something happened?"

Skladasu reached into the pack she wore and pulled out a communication pad. Without a word, she handed it to him.

Spock's eyes grew as he read the screen; he quickly looked up to see his companion fighting back tears.

"He went peacefully." She whispered, her eyes lingering on the screen. A soft smile pulled at her lips, "I tried to get him to see you once last time when we both knew the end was near, but he didn't want to. He didn't even want me to inform you of his passing right away, he thought it might change your path, but I—" Skladasu finally met his eye, the tears breaking through her resolve and streaming down her face, "I had to see you."

A sigh filled his chest at the heavy news. He kept his eyes steady with hers; their shared feelings needing no spoken words.

"I'm so sorry, Spock." She finally said, breaking the silence that had settled around them.

Spock slowly nodded, "As am I, Skladasu."

In that moment all dignity was cast aside as Skladasu rushed into his arms, her voice broken in sobs as she cried into his shoulder, "I miss you so much."

With his own propriety set aside by his human half, he caringly wrapped his arms protectively around her, "Selfishly, I am content knowing I will never have to live a day without you. On the other side, my heart breaks knowing that you are alone at this time." He stated. Compassion was not a traditional Vulcan trait, but, for once, he didn't feel like a Vulcan; he felt like a man comforting the woman he loved.

She couldn't help but laugh through her tears, "Did you just use a metaphor?" Skladasu pulled back to look at his young face, admiring the growth she was allowed to witness.

"I believe I just did." He replied, tilting his head to the other side in study, "If you do not mind my asking, what will you do now?"

Skladasu gave a small shrug, her face growing still, "I have not decided. There is still so much to do on New Vulcan; the colony is struggling to stay afloat and the future is so uncertain. I don't think I can leave them just yet."

Spock inclined his head, "Then I think you have already decided what you will do."

Her soft lips pulled up in a smile, "I believe you are right." She brought her hand up to cup his face, "Was I right to tell you?"

"You were." Spock answered, gazing down at her face and taking it to memory. No matter her age, Hermione would always be the most beautiful creature he would ever behold. If only he could spare her this pain.

Skladasu nodded, "He left you a few of his things. I am not sure when you will want them, but they are there for you whenever you are ready." She met his eyes, the sorrow etched deep within them, "I—I should go."

All Spock could do was nod.

"Good bye, Spock." Skladasu chastely kissed his cheek before stepping back, smiling through her tears, "You will have an amazing life."

Spock watched her go, "Good bye, taluk."

Her smile lit up and she inclined her head in gratitude before turning on her heel and disappearing, leaving Spock alone in the dim alcove.

For a while, he just stared at the empty place where his wife had once occupied. He held up the pad he had kept, gazing down at what would one day be his reflection, and quickly hid it away before his thoughts could linger too long on it.

XxX

I kept looking up every few minutes, anxiously awaiting the sight of a familiar pair of pointy ears to appear in the doorway and put me at ease. But the minutes went on and no such relief came.

"Did he say where he was going, Jim?" I pressed, knowing I had already asked at least three times before.

Jim downed his shot, grimacing at the burn, and shook his head. A familiar trill filled the table and our captain reached for his communicator.

"Relax, Her-myoh-knee." Pavel gave a soft smile, patting my clenched fist with a gentle hand, "He vill be here soon, Spock is probably filling out his report."

I forced a smile, appreciating his attempt to cheer me up, and sighed.

"Do you knov, Scotch vas inwented in Russia?" Pavel tried to distract me, holding up his glass and letting it swirl to catch the light.

I smirked, taking a sip of my glass, "You don't say…" I looked to a very ruffled Scottie and gave him a wink, "Why do you think they name it after Scotland then?"

"Vell, that is simple. They named it after Scotland because…" And Pavel was off on another monologue while I got the pleasure to see Scottie slowly get redder and redder until his Scottish temper took over and he let Pavel have it. I sat back, quite pleased with myself, and enjoyed the entertainment I had started.

"You are evil, you know that?" Bones whispered, joining me in watching the argument.

I laughed, "Yes, but the main goal of this outing was to distract me from my thoughts and now I am thoroughly distracted." I replied, taking a sip of my drink, "Aye, what do you want to bet Scottie will throw a punch soon?"

"Pfft." Bones chortled, "My money is on the kid riling him up and him storming off."

"I was thinking instead of money you could put up the last swig of Kentucky whisky you have stashed in your cabin."

He turned to me with wide eyes.

I smirked, my eyes lingering on the pair across from us, "You should know by now that you can't hide anything from me. Not for long, at least."

"Oi! Ye are impossible!" Scottie called, gathering the attention of multiple of table, as he stood up and marched off.

Bones grinned smugly, "And my whisky is safe for another day." He leaned in as if he had a secret to share, "You have yet to learn, my Dear Granger, that Scottie does not get punchy until his fourth drink."

I toasted my glass, "And now I do." He clinked his glass against mine and we each drank.

Bones looked over my head and his eyes grew, "Spock?"

"Spock?" I asked, my nosed wrinkled. Then it clicked, "Spock!" I jumped up and turned towards the door. My heart settling when I saw the tall frame of my husband making his way through the crowd to our table, "Spock." I breathed, my shoulders finally able to relax.

"Hermione." Spock greeted, giving a soft nod before moving to push in my chair as I sat.

Jim clapped his communicator shut as Spock took his seat, "I have to go to Headquarters for a bit." Spock rose a brow and watched as the captain took his leave.

I leaned into his side, "What did you have to do?" I whispered, thankful for the chatter and music which concealed my question.

He turned to me, his face unreadable, and kept quiet longer than usual. I shifted in my seat, wondering what he was contemplating so intently.

"I had some business to tend to from New Vulcan. Nothing of real significance, but I determined it was best to deal with sooner rather than later." He finally answered, adding the last part when he saw my worried eyes.

I nodded, forcing a smile, "O-okay." My eyes wandered to Bones, who was looking to the Vulcan with a raised brow.

Something isn't right, I thought as Bones turned to me. He nodded as if he knew my thoughts.

My eyes shifted slowly back to Spock as he reached for the menu, trying to act as normal as possible.

Something is going on, Spock's never been good at keeping secrets. Eventually, I promised, my eye narrowing studiously, I will figure it out. I always do.

XxX