Disclaimer: D'Tan is a character from the episodes Unification I and Unification II of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

A light breeze moved the open window's curtains. It carried the scents from the large lake that lingered outside. Spock appreciated the smell, which somehow reminded him of his many times on Earth; he could sense the differences that made that particular wind unique, though, and told him he was instead in the planet that lately had become his residence and the house that had become his second home. From the window, Spock could see the lake's lazy waters touching with delicacy the small private beach that dominated the building's east façade; a Romulan man was sitting at the shore, his gaze lost contemplating the landscape. However, Spock did not pay him any attention; seated at a table beside the window, his focus was on the playing recording, a three-dimensional image of Koval that virtually walked along the room as he rambled about bio weapons' development.

A soft female voice interrupted him announcing the tea was ready; it was the house's computerized system, and Spock ignored it. However, the message was also listened outside, and the Romulan man went out of his musing and without haste walked into the building. Soon he was at Spock's study, carrying a tray with a steaming teapot and two cups of tea. He passed through Koval's hologram and sat down at Spock's opposite site of the table, placing the tray down.

"Vulcan's spiced tea," he said with a warm smile, "your favorite."

Spock stopped the recording to look at him, a young handsome man with short sable black hair. "It's Saavik's favorite," he corrected.

"And yours since she's far away," the man added, taking one of the cups and offering it to him. "You always think of her when you drink it, a very pleasant thought." His smile broadened.

Spock lifted one eyebrow at the comment, as he reflected; even if the man was an accomplished adult now, he still was very much like the kid he had known a decade ago, when he first visited Romulus to join the Unification's effort; he had still the same naive smile and the same warm dark eyes.

"I always think of Saavik, D'Tan, all the time. She is always with me."

D'Tan looked largely at Spock as if pondering his words; he had still to find his own soul mate. Next, pushing the thought apart, he lifted his draped tunic's sleeve to serve the tea to both of them. The tea's strong perfume filled now the comfy room.

D'Tan briefly side-glanced Koval's stilled image. He only weighted his decision for a moment, then ordered for the recording to go on. Both he and Spock turned their attention to the again walking hologram as they sipped their drink.

Koval certainly gave details that were compromising; he seemed to be running several projects at his own risk, without notifying the praetor, and some of them certainly didn't seem to serve the Empire's goals. However, none of them implied he was a Federation mole, as Asfastr has assured.

"Koval is too smart to keep a record of all these. It's too risky," Spock reflected aloud.

D'Tan shifted his gaze to look at Spock, before adding defensively, "I can assure you none of these recordings are forged. I have already checked them many times."

"I do not doubt you, D'Tan," Spock replied, "but still logic indicates that Koval would have not recorded them."

Koval's image continued explaining himself even if both men were actually now ignoring it.

"We Romulans are very passionate people, and we don't always follow logic. He may like bragging about his secret accomplishments and did these personal recordings to please his desires."

Spock lifted his eyebrows and looked quizzically at him, "Do you seriously think so?"

D'Tan's long sigh answered him, "No."

Spock steepled his fingers as he continued his reasoning. "The person who gave this to Asfastr did not wish Koval any good. I think he was framed, spied in his own home, recorded as he reflected aloud."

It was D'Tan's time to lift his eyebrow; he looked at Spock doubtfully, "The head of the Tal Shiar spied at his own home? Who could get to do that?"

Spock drank his tea before calmly replying him, "Someone very close to him."

His intense gaze was locked on D'Tan. The Romulan opened his mouth to speak but was abruptly interrupted by Spock's sudden shift of attention. He had sharply turned to look back at the hologram and his features had hardened. D'Tan failed to read what was written in the Vulcan's eyes.

"…but his work isn't going to be in vain, no," Koval was saying. "His aborted uprising was just one first try, just as Thieurrul was a first failed attempt of my now ongoing project." He paused, lifted his eyes to the sky. "My dear grandfather Norenci, you were just too short-sighted, but I plan to carry out your scheme into a much larger scope." He had a self-satisfied smile and his eyes sparkled.

D'Tan frowned. "What is he talking about now?"

All alarms had raised in Spock's head, and this time, and for a very different reason, he had thought of Saavik. It was illogical to worry, though. He forced himself to remain calm and detached. He continued listening intently to Koval's vague words as he replied to D'Tan.

"I thought you may know. Who was Koval's grandfather?"

D'Tan only mused the answer for a second, his index finger lightly scratching his temple. "Norenci, he was a centurion from a Minor House," he paused for a moment, "A nobody."

"It was his father's notorious career and his marriage to his better positioned mother what really helped Koval's successful rise."

"Exactly," D'Tan agreed. "And what about Thieurrul?" D'Tan looked inquiringly to Spock.

Spock's lifting eyebrow and silence only answered him.

"Ok, I'll research a bit. See what I can find."