The trio walked back to the center of town. Zach side by side with Chris, David purposefully lagging slightly behind. Zach halted. With a hand across his forehead to shade his eyes from the glaring sun, he turned to Chris. "Sir, why are you doing this? I mean I'm sure you had different plans for today. Why take us on? You don't even know us."

David had retreated into silence but broke it long enough to remind in a tone that clearly telegraphed he expected the opposite, his eyes issuing a challenge, "Remember you promised us the truth."

In typical fashion Chris met that test head on. "Because anything that distresses your aunt gets my undivided, unwavering attention. Many would warn you against invoking that. When I tell Aalin what you did this morning, she's going to be worried … and hurt."

David tilted his chin up, acknowledging a promise kept.

Zach's shoulders sagged as he folded his body into itself.

Chris added, "And we should get to know one another. We'll start with you calling me Chris." He then resumed walking.

Zach hustled in order to catch-up.

Still cautiously skeptical David continued a few paces behind again carefully observing their new uncle.

Their trek halted here and there when passersby struck up a conversation with Chris. After one exchange, Zach's eyes grew wide, "You've been together all this time and Aalin's never met your parents? Not even over subspace. Does that feel weird?"

"Yeah, it kind of does," Chris replied. "Probably for them too."

"And you're going to have to meet all of us," Zach muttered. "Though I don't blame Aalin for putting that off as long as possible, we're … a lot."

Unintentionally abandoning the silent treatment, David blurted out to Chris, "Aalin feels shy when meeting new people, especially when she wants to make a good impression. So you'll be there too, right? You won't just drop her off and let her fend for herself? You'll take care of her?" The last sounded like a demand.

"Yes, no, and always."

Did I see approval in his eyes? David asked himself. Deep, deep down a spark flickered. And a tiny desire to have this man's good opinion.

Zach soaked up Chris' attention like a sponge. "So what's this errand?"

Chris stopped. And wished he had pockets to shove his hands into or a uniform jacket to tug down, anything to occupy his hands. Absent that he scoffed the toe of his boot on the ground and looked slightly up and away from the boys. He disliked feeling out of his element. "Ah. That. Well. I … I … I want to get present for your aunt."

"Cool," Zach said with his favorite response.

David asked suspiciously, "Why do you need our advice?"

"She … I …" Chris took a breath. "I've never picked out a present for her before, it has to be … I want it to be special."

For a moment David's face lost its sullen expression and was replaced with an amazed look. "You've been married how long? Seriously, the commander of the storied flagship is that lame?"

"It would appear so." Chris acknowledged with a slight smile and tilt of the head. "In my defense, we've been on back-to-back missions, usually far away from any Federation outposts. And replicating something didn't feel personal enough."

Zach looked at the surrounding stores. "Do you have something in mind?"

Chris' unsureness returned. "Maybe … jewelry?" He finished in a rush, "She doesn't even have a wedding ring. Does she like jewelry?"

"Yes, how is it possible you don't know that?" Zach asked.

"Aalin has very few personal items on the ship, having come directly to Enterprise from the refugee camps. And it never came up in conversation."

"You are fortunate you fell for her and not our aunt Chloe," Zach declared emphatically before whole-heartedly embracing the task and continuing in a stream of consciousness. "Here's a jewelry store, Aalin likes simple, not sure that is the right word, the size doesn't matter, ok it does but not in the direction you think, she prefers jewelry that isn't showy. And she likes antiques, things with a history."

For the next hour, Zach buzzed from case to case in the shop, pointing out rings, necklaces, and bracelets for Chris' consideration, chattering as he evaluated and recommended. "I gave her a bracelet once, one of those braided ones that kids make, it's blue, and grey …"

"And white with tiny coral beads, and creamy seashells," Chris finished. "She wears it often when not on duty and when she is feeling homesick."

"Really?"

"Really," Chris echoed with sincerity.

David loitered around the periphery, watching, ready to intervene if his brother needed him, thinking, Zach wears his heart on his sleeve which sets him up for constant disappointment. He continued watching … considering … deciding … OK, maybe I can trust Chris a little. "I think … well … considering the symbolism of the gemstone makes what you choose really personal. And I know you've been watching me too. Never, not once, have you been unaware of where I am and what I am doing."

"Years of habit and training. If this were an alien or hostile environment, careful observation could mean the difference between my crew's survival or demise. It's hard to turn it off, even when at home. Show me what you mean about symbols. Please."

Pointing to an eternity band studded with small diamonds and rubies and then a plain necklace with an oval emerald that Zach picked out David said, "The rubies represent passion. Diamonds are the quintessential symbol for love. But the emerald embodies so much more. Grown-up passion. Love that has known ups and downs but is long lasting, eternal. Faithfulness and a natural connection. Friendship and loyalty. Unconditional love that accepts and heals."

Chris picked up the necklace. He brushed his fingertips over the emerald resting is his palm. For ten minutes he stood there cradling the gemstone, his expression unreadable and shielding far away thoughts. A favorite bible verse of his father's came to mind, Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The translation may not be perfect, but that is how it resonates with me. Most of the time Talos feels like it happened in another lifetime. Because love heals. He closed his fingers around his palm and the necklace. And this is another touchstone. Speaking quietly and solemnly Chris said, "For reasons I cannot explain today, that I may never be able to talk about with you, this is perfect. Thank you."

David was unsure how to interpret that. "You don't think it sounds … I don't know … silly?"

"Not at all, I think it is remarkably insightful. I've seen and experienced too many things to dismiss beliefs or symbols of any kind. Or coincidences. Where did you learn about the meanings of different gemstones?"

That deep internal spark flicked again, lasting longer this time. Careful to look neutral David shrugged. "I like geology and was curious why people find different stones precious and valuable. Like why an emerald is more to them than a chromium-rich variety of beryl. So I read about it."

"When we have time, I'd like to know more, perhaps you will teach me?" Chris suggested.

David tried to sound disinterested but failed, "Sure, if you are really interested."

"I am."

Zach added, "You should also get a wedding band, what if some guy hits on her because he doesn't know she's married?"

"Good idea. The delicate eternity band with diamonds?" Chris suggested.

"Uh-huh … or …" Zach started.

Chris noticed Zach's attention drifting back to a ring of hammered gold. It was etched with small iconographs, a mountain, a dolphin, a moon and stars, and an angel. Randomly it was studded with three tiny diamonds. Zach muttered, "She likes mountains and snow and the ocean …"

Nodding to the jeweler Chris said, "I'll take the necklace and both rings." To Zach he continued, "I think two wedding rings are a good idea. One for dressing up, a present I can give her in the future when we are far from home. And the gold one for every day from the three of us. We'll have dinner together tomorrow and give it to her then. Like that plan?" To Chris' surprise both boys nodded. His communicator beeped.

"I guess you are going to pawn us off now?" David said with a note of dejection in his tone of voice. Disappointment escaped his careful mask.

After concluding the conversation with his chief engineer, Chris said, "Let's go outside." They sat on a nearby park bench. "No. Yes, to be honest, that was my plan this morning. But no longer. Unless, knowing that, you prefer we part ways."

Zach and David traded glances. Zach shook his head slightly. David answered for them both, "That's fair, especially after the way I treated you at first. If you have time … and we understand if you are too busy, we'd like to stay with you."

"Are you ready to talk about what happened this morning?"

"No," David replied quickly and resolutely.

"Can we see your ship? And the bridge?" Zach implored.

"I'll consider a tour of the ship, but visiting the bridge is a privilege that has to be earned. Even if you are a crewmember."

"What's next then?"

Chris looked up at the late afternoon sky judging the weather. Cloud cover was minimal, and the winds were light. "Would you like to go flying?"

"Cool."