Elizabeth Coulter lead me through the forest for 6.298 minutes, and even though Vulcans are known for their acute sense of direction, I found myself becoming quite lost for all the twisting and turning that we were doing.

Finally, passing through a slight clearing, we stopped.

Here is it, Elizabeth said, It's my secret place. I come here whenever I'm upset, and it cheers me up.

I rose an eyebrow. I see nothing unusual about this area.

Spock, it's beautiful! Elizabeth said, kneeling down next to a small, clear, river, I always find an excuse to come out here. And it's so far out from anywhere, that most of the animals don't even know what humans are, and aren't afraid of me! See, look! She said, and I turned, seeing my first Earth animal.

It was quite small, and grey, and looked very tame. I knew from my studies that this creature was called a squirrel.

She said, running her hand through the water, I even, She continued in a silent whisper, Saw a deer one time. It was really quiet, and I thought maybe he was gonna run off. But I sat up in that tree, right there, being real still, and he kept on eating just as if I had never been there.

I said. I had , of course, never seen a deer before, and thought that they sounded amazing.

So, Spock, She said, stealthily and quickly climbing a tall birch,How do you like it here? On Earth? Is it much different on... Vulcan?

That is a very broad question. Which aspect are you expecting me to comment on?

Elizabeth laughed, swinging down from the tree. Well... Spock... do Vulcans... date?

I rose an eyebrow. No, in fact. Our bondmates are picked for us when we are very young, at the age of seven years.

She said, her face sullen for a second. Then she giggled. So, Spock.... you're married? How old are you, 13? This seemed to amuse her greatly.

I again rose my eyebrow. Actually, Elizabeth, I am not married. Possibly I will be next year, but I am unsure.

She walked closer to me. So.... you're saying you can date.

I didn't respond, as I had actually said something along those lines, and it would be illogical to protest.

Do you think you could date me? She asked, stepping closer, and I began to feel uncomfortable.

Miss Coulter, it is highly ill- I began to say, but Elizabeth cut me off by leaning in quite close to me and pressing her lips against mine. Somehow I found myself enjoying the sensation, and all I knew was a pulsing feeling in my heart as we moved closer and closer.....

Someone asked, and quickly we jerked apart.

Standing in the clearing was a small child, possibly six years of age. He turned to Elizabeth with a toothy grin.

'Liz-beth, Gramma wants you to come help make lunch. It's gonna be potatoes. Potatoes are vegetables. They grow underneath -

Thank you, Colin. Elizabeth said, picking up Sara,Spock? I have to go.

I nodded, wondering if I should raise my hand in the traditional Vulcan salute. But, to my great wonder and fascination, Elizabeth turned to me, her hand displaying the Vulcan Peace Sign I had been wondering about.

Live long and Prosper. She said, continuing to walk through the woods.

Peace and long life, I responded, wondering how such a young girl could know so much, especially about alien cultures.

I turned, expecting Colin to come with her, but instead he stayed with me.

Are you Liz-beth's boyfriend? He asked me blatantly, displaying a mouth with many missing teeth.

I suppose I am, I responded. He grinned at me.

Aren't you Vulkin? He asked me in the strange, whiny tone he had,Don't Vulkins not have any girlfriends? Don't they not have any

I thought about explaining Surak's teachings to this child, but thought better of it, and nodded.

We have emotions, but they are hidden.

He nodded, skipping around.Didja know that Abe Lincoln carried letters in his hat?

No, actually, I did not. I responded, not quite sure what to make of this odd child. How are you related to me?

He gave me quite a serious look. You're one of my cousins, and I'm Colin. My mama said you were Vulkin, and you traveled all the way through the sky to get here.

That is true, I responded, beginning to travel back towards the house. For some reason, I did not like this child.

Was the ship real big? He asked me, and, to my dismay, began to follow me back.

Yes, actually. It was exactly 4.135-

The child cut me off. Does everyone in the sky look as funny as you? Does they all have weird ears?

This was an unexpected comment. I tried to reply as best as I could. No, Colin, there are many different races. The Vulcans are only one of many, but all of us do look quite similar to what I look like.

Oh, He said, skipping ahead of me,Do you like penguins? He asked, and suddenly I was very glad to be near the house.