Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to the late genius, Gene Roddenberry. Characters you don't recognize are mine, with help from friends. Props on the title to Ladybug the 3rd.
Also, many thanks to those who have reviewed or will review especially crusherjaneway and Ladybug. Enjoy the next chapter!
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Ambassador Tarik looked at his son and the human who had just entered his office with a curious, one eyebrow raised Vulcan look. "Son, what are you doing back here so quickly? And you did not deliver the equipment to the science lab as was asked of you. Who is this human?" asked Ambassador Tarik.
"I'm sorry, Ambassador," said Zandile apologetically, "I was the one who prevented your son from completing his task. He was nice enough to show me to your office." How should I say this? She thought. "I'm Ensign Zandile Rey." Tarik quirked his eyebrow in recognition of the name. "I believe you knew my mother, Tamara."
Another eyebrow quirk, and a reply: "Yes, I knew Tamara Rey, but it was before you were born. How has she been? What has she been doing these past 25 years?""Well, I came here because I thought you deserved to be told in person. My mother died almost a week ago during a Starfleet mission. A long time ago, she told me about you. About how you were friends, and maybe more. She told me then that you're my real father."
"Please explain, young lady," said Tarik, who, if he had been human, would have just swore or reacted violently. Tarik's son, who had been standing in a corner patiently, looked as if he had just swallowed an insect, the most emotional reaction Zandile had ever seen from a Vulcan.
"Well, um, Mom told me that years ago, you were on the same ship, and you started having symptoms of that 7 year thing Vulcans have." Zandile said this with difficulty.
Tarik saved her from further explanation as he turned to his confused looking son and said, "Tamara saved me from dying of Pon-farr related brain chemical imbalances." Comprehension dawned on the cadet's face, and was replaced seconds later with the bug- swallowed look.
"Selik, you must learn to repress further your emotions. It is improper for a Vulcan old enough for the Academy to show any emotional facial expressions." Then he turned to his long lost daughter, and said, "Ensign Rey… Zandile, do you know why your mother never told me about you? Also, why did you not follow the Vulcan traditions and learn emotional control, logic and meditation? These things are important to Vulcans for our own well being."
"That's hard to explain," said Zandile, "Mom taught me to be human, to act human. I remember when I was young; I didn't fit in with the other kids at school, so I started to look human. I started plucking my eyebrows and hiding my ears. Only my family and my doctor, and a limited few others even know that I'm half Vulcan." She pulled a few locks of hair away from the side of her face, revealing pointed ears. "I don't meditate or anything, because I don't really need to. I was raised human, I can't and I don't want to act Vulcan or learn logic. I only came here because I thought you deserved to know that my mother Tamara is dead, and to invite you to the funeral in three days on Earth. I think she wanted you to be there. I think she would have wanted to see you again, but that isn't possible anymore. I think…" Zandile trailed off, tears were starting to fall down her cheeks.
Ambassador Tarik stood up. He had a concerned expression on his face. "Of course I will come to the funeral. I am glad, and honored that you came here personally to tell me. I believe that you have significant self control, even though you act human."
"Others in your family are welcome, too," said Zandile shakily, "I must leave on the next transport, I look forward to seeing you there."
"I do to."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
I'm not very good at leaving cliffhangers, but believe me, there will be some later. Read and review fellow trekkies!
