You know your mission?

Yes. I am adequately prepared. And you?

I too am ready. The truth is always preferable.

Once returned to the Enterprise, Vivian and Spock departed in different directions.

A pie settled on the physician's desk, causing him to look up from his work. "Howdy."

"Leo," Vivian softened her expression as she sat on the edge of the desk, "I allocated a pie for my return, given you were so intrigued by the mere mentioning of the recipe."

"Thank you MA'AM," He grinned and pushed back from the desk. "Y'all have a nice Christmas?"

"It was pleasant."

"Spock got along with grandma? Watched claymation? Put little sprinkles on cookies? Don't tell me you got him to church!"

"He did accompany my family to mass...How was your holiday?"

"Fine, routine really." He wasn't a man of many words to begin with, but he watched her face and stopped. "What's up?"

"Despite my best efforts, you can still read my face...I thought it best I tell you in person-"

"You're not pregnant again are you? Sorry, that came out too fast- and kinda harsh."

"It would be a rational guess...However, it is incorrect...I am to marry Spock."

"Yeah, I know. I found out right before I got punched in the face. Or have you forgotten already?"

"No...I told you of our Vulcan arrangement, which is still planned...But he has additionally asked me to MARRY him." She wiggled her fingers, displaying her new ring.

"Well I'll be." McCoy sighed and shook his head, "Nice rock. Can't say I'm surprised."

"What?"

"I'd hate to take credit but it was kinda my idea." He stood and placed his hands in his pockets.

"Explain."

"I told him you leaned more into your human side than he did, so if he wanted you, in your entirety, he should go after that side too."

"That is...profound...and has been to my benefit." She stood and circled the desk to hug him. "Thank you."

He relaxed into her embrace, but made it a point to pat her back like he would a male friend. "Yeah, don't mention it."

"Captain." The first officer crossed paths with his captain in one of the long, rounding hallways, and changed his path to follow.

"Spock! Hey! How'd the whole Christmas thing go?"

"Well- her family was unexpectedly accepting." Spock recognized their trajectory as heading to Kirk's suite.

"Hey, that's great! Um, do you wanna come in? Just like, for a second; I had something I wanted to run by you."

He nodded and entered the spacious suite behind his friend. The smell of cologne and musk rolled out of the mostly dark room.

"Lights." As the room illuminated, the Captain closed the door. He wrung his hands and exhaled, puffing out his cheeks. "Okay um, honesty is the best policy and all that jazz, so, I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I've been seeing Lieutenant Uhura." He held his breath, awaiting a response.

Spock raised an eyebrow, "Casually or-"

"It was casual! Yeah, at first, but then..." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "I really like her, Spock. I know she's your ex so I-"

"She is autonomous, as are you. My approval is not required to pursue this relationship."

"I know you don't HAVE to approve, but I wanted to let you know so you didn't just find out later."

"While I appreciate the respect, jealousy is a human emotion. Additionally, given that I terminated the relationship, it would be illogical for me to protest. It pleases me to know that she has also moved forward and found happiness with another partner."

"Wow...that's...really mature."

"I do still experience affection towards her, though now it is platonic in nature. You are both bold, passionate individuals, so the pairing appears to be logical." Spock titled his head then paused, "Your history, however, causes concern. I would ask that you not discard of her as carelessly as you have other females in your past."

"Ok, call me out...but you know what? Totally fair."

"Aw, Spock," A woman emerged from behind the partition, "That means a lot."

"Nyota?" Both men echoed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was going to surprise you, James." She leaned against the wall.

"I should exit to provide privacy," Spock noted, backing up to the door.

"No no, wait," Uhura urged, "You said ALSO."

"Hm?"

"You said 'it pleases me to know that she has ALSO moved forward and found HAPPINESS with another partner'."

"Affirmative. You are both aware of my relationship with Dr. Vida-"

"Yeah but, you're HAPPY? You're willing to say that?" Kirk perked up.

Spock sighed but moved his head with affirmation, "Yes...I believe so...I find myself looking forward to our coming unions." He turned to the door again.

Uhura held her hand up to signal his stop. "Hold up, UNIONS? More than one?"

"Addressing this now would prove most efficient. I had intended on locating you Nyota, to have this conversation privately. In addition to our Vulcan betrothal, Dr. Vida and I are now 'engaged' by human standards. I performed the traditional proposal ritual and she now wears a ring indicative of our commitment."

"You actually proposed? Damn! Proud of you!" Kirk encouraged.

"That's great news! Congratulations to you both. So are you having a human wedding too?"

"Likely, yes. Details have yet to be determined, but I will provide updates when they are available...Anything else captain?"

"No, uh, that's it. That's...wow..."

"Then I will return to my post." With a slight bow, Spock made his exit.

The news traveled, at first as gossip, amongst crewmembers. It was confirmed shortly after they departed Spacedock Earth, at the Terran New Year's Celebration. Vivian, forgetting herself, kissed Spock at the stroke of midnight. Despite the public display of affection, he was unbothered by the affection. Some were surprised, not by the action, but its public context. Others were surprised at the action itself.

"Christ...I'm drunker than I thought," Scotty blinked hard. "I coulda sworn Dr. Vida snogged the shite outta Spock just now...I'd be'er go lie down."

Before they back into the unknown, the Enterprise had a stop to make at New Vulcan. Kirk remarked that he was unsure of whether to classify the visit as political or scientific, given the complex nature of Vida's research. She was anxious, ready to proceed with Project Keshtan. Not only did she have an experiment to pull off, but tricky policy to lobby for. She hoped to convince them to modify the koon-ut-kalifee, given that they no longer had excessive population to discard of through ritualistic combat. Additionally, she would have to conduct interviews to provide a foundation on which to write some persuasive pieces, urging individuals to expand their families. Traditionally, Vulcan families produced two children for the sake of replacement- maintaining the population. Many couples only had one child or chose to forgo reproduction entirely. If the species was to survive, the culture would need to shift; encouraging larger family units. Of lesser but still significant importance, this would also be the first time Vivian visited Ambassador Sarek's estate and the last time she was to visit New Vulcan prior to the koon-ut.

The land transport rolled to a stop at the bottom of the rocky steps leading up to the large home on the hill. Sarek worked closely with the architect in the design process. His first thought had been to replicate his home exactly on this new land, but the idea of being in the same home without his wife saddened him beyond expression. Instead, he created something new with callbacks to his original home, such as a garden similar to the one Amanda tended. The stone on this new planet was lighter in color but sturdy, capable of forming the arches typical of Vulcan dwellings. The estate was austere and demonstrated wealth, but without superfluous frills. The main building sat out front, almost encircling a courtyard with the gardens and a reflective pool. Other smaller buildings branched off and meditation platforms hung nearly off the cliffs.

Ambassador Sarek and some dvinsus, students of his working in the household in exchange for his training, awaited their arrival. They were immediately sent to retrieve the baggage. He made the salute at his son and future daughter-in-law as they disembarked.

"Father," Spock returned the salute.

"Ambassador," Vivian provided the salute, but included a slight bow to further demonstrate her respect.

"Your formality is unnecessary. You are welcome in my home. I anticipate you will find the suite prepared for you to be comfortable."

She nodded. I understand Vulcan tradition is conservative, however I had anticipated I would stay in your quarters.

The expectation is that we have not yet consummated our relationship and will not do so until we are legally bound.

That would be naive for a parent of a human to assume...However, if this is what occurs, it does, in part, explain why the birth rate is so low.

Spock fought down his smirk. Affirmative. Is this something you plan to address with the council?

Yes, however, I have yet to find the correct wording for a campaign catch-phrase.

A campaign?

Yes, to encourage Vulcans to have intercourse in more frequent intervals. You would be surprised to know how many widows from the planet's implosion have yet to re-partner themselves.

Fascinating. Do you suggest we employ match-makers?

I do.

This was typical; they often carried on entire conversations mentally. Carrying on in their own world provided a level of closeness both appreciated.

Vivian was shown to a guest room decorated in a desert color palate. A large, low white bed sat in the center. There were occasional vases or books along the wooden shelf that ran the length of the room. Her baggage waited for her on a stand. He must entertain foreign diplomats frequently. Out the window she could see the smaller building she knew to be Spock's quarters. For a moment she toyed with the idea of either sneaking out or trying to sneak him in. I sound like an adolescent. She used her time to freshen up before the meal with the ambassador, which would be followed by her tour of her new facilities.

"Are the accommodations to your liking, doctor?" Spock appeared in the doorway. I am confident in my ability to enter the room undetected. He raised his eyebrow. If you so choose. "Our meal has been prepared."

The two shared the afternoon meal with the ambassador, discussing politics and the activities of the coming days. The older Vulcan noticed how the younger ones regarded each other during their speech. He recognized a familiar sparkle in their eyes, which prompted a nostalgia in him. He remembered having once looked at his own wife with such eyes. When he rose from his seat, he turned his head form them briefly. In the corner of his eye, he saw the unmistakable stroke of their fingers. He wondered if their relationship remained confined by their Vulcan traditions, or if it had spilled over into something more human.

The Vulcan Medical Institute sat beside the Vulcan Academy of the Sciences. Both had been priorities on the reconstruction list for New Vulcan, and while each had incorporated new metals and other building materials, they stuck to traditional Vulcan architecture. The structures were higher, with triangles incorporated throughout the design, and nearly transparent walls. Their use of natural light was spectacular. It was all similar enough to strike a chord of nostalgia for the new hire, who immediately struck the feeling down as being illogical.

Dr. Vida was met outside by a group of professors and healers who offered her a tour of the new facilities. Their shoes clicked on the marble floors and they strode about the halls. The spaces were designed for functionality- minimalist spaces with no unnecessary decor, yet somehow mathematically pleasing to the eye. Her space, she was told, would exist within the newly erected Reproductive Health wing. In her newly designated laboratory, a neonatologist and some students clustered around an incubating fetus in an external tank- her own project. Small one. The equipment was top-notch, even better than what she had on the Enterprise. It almost made her eager to make the move to her new home.

The surgical suites, while not likely her concern, hummed with intriguing, methodical actions. There were only a few labor and delivery suites, as the majority of Vulcan births occurred in the home. In some previous discussions, some of the midwives mentioned a desire to change the norm so that each delivery could be monitored more closely. Vida argued against it, citing the troubles humans had experienced with the over-medicalization of childbirth. She did, however, advocate for some modifications to the traditional birthing experiences. The birthing in a cavern underground or on a balcony in the heat adding unnecessarily environmental stressors in the name of tradition. She recommended Vulcan women be freer to move about the home, Vulcan midwives to be more patient and flexible, and Vulcan males to be more involved with the process.

The group stopped to converse in a conference room, discussing the demonstration that would occur the following day. Provided it was successful, they would have additional plans to make included how to recruit families to adopt or how to go about designing a collective child rearing process. She left the meeting with more questions than answers.

"Dr. Vida," T'Mol called out to her as she turned to exit. The woman was on the shorter side and had bits of grey streaking through her otherwise black hair. Her face was set with creases, but her eyes were alert- like someone much younger. This healer had triple the experience of Dr. Vida, but with less emphasis on modern reproductive technologies. Vivian knew she was the personal physician of Ambassador Sarek and had been the one to deliver Spock. She'd noted her respect and admiration, along with her appreciation for her mentorship in this project multiple times.

"Yes?" Have I done something wrong? Or does she wish to continue our conversation?

"Please accompany me." The younger doctor followed instructions. "While you are accomplished in your own right, you are fortunate to have found a place in a family of such status."

"Indeed."

"Then you understand it is logical for the Ambassador to ensure you are capable of continuing his legacy?" They rounded the corner into a hallway of exam rooms.

"That would be logical, yes. I will consent to physical examination if that is what has been requested of me...however, I do ask that you first read my Starfleet health records."

"It would be negligent to move forward without doing so."

Vivian could hear the tap of T'Mol's nail across the screen as she changed into a patient gown behind a curtain. Spock and I have already departed from tradition in more ways than one. If she is disappointed with such information and discusses such disapproval with Sarek, it could negatively impact our arrangement. She only worried until she was in a gown once again. Her mind returned to the last time she was in a patient gown, after the fight with Mudd. She remembered the sense of fear and the physical distress she'd experienced. The past is unchangeable- do not dwell on it. Calming breaths. She opened the curtain and took a seat on the patient table.

"Dr. Vida, is your sa-kugalsu aware of your recent miscarriage?"

The bluntness of a Vulcan is unmatched. "He is...The pregnancy was the consequence of an experiment. I tested the plak tow induction serum on him to see if it would impact someone who was not entirely of Vulcan blood. It functioned. Weeks later, I was injured, which resulted in a traumatic spontaneous abortion. Dr. Leonard McCoy performed the removal procedure. I have since recovered and have chosen to look at the experience as a confirmation of Spock and my fertility potential."

"I grieve with thee." She spoke the words in Old High Vulcan, then moved on without asking further questions.

Vivian didn't offer anything further about her relationship with Spock. Nothing else was apparent to her physician; they hadn't had laid together since their visit to Texas. Vulcans didn't believe in small talk, so the two women exchanged no further words until the physician was finished.

"You may dress." T'Mol announced, pulling the curtain again. "As you are likely aware, you are healthy. Your potential for childbearing is great. I expect to see you as an obstetrical patient shortly following your union."

While that had been my plan, seeing my new workspace makes me consider delaying my own maternity. "That is likely, yes."

"You are also likely aware that I delivered Spock. I would consider it an honor to deliver his offspring."

When the women exited, they found the hall bustling with personnel.

"What is occurring?" T'Mol asked a nurse.

"Dr. Vida," The nurse responded, "Your patient, T'Nir, has gone into labor as anticipated."

"I will proceed in that direction promptly." With a quick salute to T'Mol, she took her leave. She would need scrubs and time to send a message to Spock.

An alert appeared at the top of the screen Spock was reading. "We will require one fewer portion." He remarked at the dvinsu who stood in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. The other came and rearranged the table setting for two; each at a head.

Ambassador Sarek came in from the gardens, having recognized his son's voice. "Dr. Vida will not be joining us this evening?"

One of the boys brought the plates; vibrantly colored vegetables now roasted and brown. The other poured water from an oddly shaped pitcher before both disappeared.

"No, she is tending to a laboring patient at the Medical Institute."

"Then she will likely not return for some time. That can be a long and arduous process." Sarek took his seat.

Spock nodded in agreement as he sat, so they could begin their meal. "So I've heard...She has a particular methodology and a great deal of patience."

"Methodology?"

He hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to express his soon-to-be wife's criticisms of their traditions to his father. He will be aware eventually, either through academic reports of her work or her own eventual experience. "Dr. Vida is critical of traditional Vulcan midwifery practices. She attempts to create peaceful environments and encourages her patients to move as they feel compelled to. On occasion, she has been known to practice a mind meld to take on some of the mother's pain so that she can rest to conserve energy for active labor."

"Interesting." Instead of appearing critical, Sarek seemed to consider the idea for several minutes. "I am not a physician, but I would like to discuss her process with her further. My hypothesis would be that a reduction in stress hormone could have physiological benefits."

"Precisely."

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Sarek spoke again, "Has there been progress in the planning of the koon-ut?"

"We have discussed preparations, but our focus thus far has been the transition to living on New Vulcan as opposed to the ceremony itself. Most recently, we finalized blueprints for the construction of our new home." He received an approving nod in response.

The rest of the meal proceeded in silence. When the dvinsus were called in to clear the dishes, Sarek asked Spock to join him in the courtyard. Eyebrow raised in suspicion, he complied.

"You are aware that Dr. Vida met with T'Mol today."

"I am. She met with a group of healers."

"Correct...I am referring, however, to another meeting. As our family physician, T'Mol will assume responsibility for Dr. Vida's healthcare. I recommended that she perform an initial consultation today."

"You subjected my fiancée to a medical examination?"

"Ko-kugalsu...This was not an exercise of force but a consensual action. Dr. Vida is a physician herself who understands the statistics surrounding reproduction. Moreover, with her specialty in population dynamics, she understands the importance of a family continuing their legacy. She was unlikely offended by my request, and complied."

She understands that non-compliance could result in the loss of your favor and the further complication of our relationship. "I anticipate T'Mol found her to be in perfect health."

"Yes...T'Mol assured that she is capable of producing healthy offspring...And that she will not be impacted by the previous miscarriage."

Spock remembered all too late that since he and Vivian worked out legal paperwork, Sarek would be able to access her health records. This was the only example of privacy that humans managed better than Vulcans.

"Prior tradition would dictate that I censure your lack of restraint-"

"To what are you referring?"

Side-by-side, the men strolled about the gardens.

"You are aware that, traditionally, couples do not engage in sexual activity prior to their bonding as a demonstration of self-discipline...However, I recently reviewed Dr. Vida's latest manuscript in which she discusses potential methods for increasing the population. One such suggestion was the cessation of the sexual restraint practice for monogamous pairings. While it is a departure from previous practices...a being that does not evolve, becomes extinct...There are other ways to maintain tradition."

"You are not opposed to her recommendations?"

"I look forward to the opportunity to discuss them further with her and our healer council...however, I am largely in favor of her suggestions."

"It is logical, as an Ambassador, to approve of methods for returning our population to functional numbers."

Sarek nodded, pausing at a particular flower box to admire a blossom. "In addition...I have something to share, which I consider to be a relevant piece of advice, and thereby justifying the disclosure...My first wife, T'Rea had already undergone the kolinahr. I found our union to be...unsatisfactory. I later met your mother, and our marriage improved my life beyond measure...However, in my time of grief, I reflected on our time together. There were instances in which I denied her affection, determined to demonstrate control. Eventually she learned this control too and stopped trying. In retrospect, these actions may have been illogical as now she is no longer present. I am unsatisfied with having demonstrated my discipline only to myself. If I had another opportunity, I would not refuse her an embrace."

Spock froze, processing the information he'd been given. The mention of his mother produced an ache in his chest. He felt relief in not being scolded regarding his relationship. His father's dispensing of emotion-related advice surprised him, but the advice itself seemed useful and well-intentioned. Perhaps it was premature, but part of him hoped he and his father would become closer through his experience of taking on a mate and becoming a father.

"Thank you, father."

"Forgive my hypothetical...It is not productive to fixate on the past. I share this so that you may consider it in your own future...You appear to be...quite fond of Dr. Vida." Sarek's eyebrow raised in a hint of amusement.

His father's words empowered him to speak. "I love her." The words fired out of him, at which point he realized he'd never before said them aloud. He held his breath, waiting for Sarek's reaction.

"I know...Nonetheless..." His fingers gently brushed the petals, as he breathed in and remembered what it was to be young and in love. "You should consider telling her."