Louisville, Kentucky

Gripping the P.A.D.D tightly, I jogged to catch up with Captain Pike. Christopher Pike glanced back with a tug of his lips. He asked his commander, "It's a nice day, isn't it?"

I nodded replying, "Yes sir. It definitely is. The clouds soften the sun's rays glaring upon our persons. It's a comfortable setting."

A laugh resonate from the captain. I raised an arched eyebrow. Pike answered my unspoken inquiry, "I forget sometimes you are Vulcan."

I asked curiously, "Captain by saying such statement must mean you dealt with my brother more than a handful of times, am I correct?"

Another laugh escaped from the captain as he answered, "That is correct, Sara. Spock is different from you but you act similar."

I gave a nod, "We both were schooled in the similar fashion of the Vulcan learning center. We are close in age with one year in between us."

Christopher Pike shook his head with a smile on his face, "I would have guessed, Sara. You two are two sides of a coin. You happen to show more emotion than him."

I tilted my head to the side holding up a finger, "Actually when provoked he shows emotion. I have seen it a handful of times."

The captain opened the door to a Starfleet facility. He gestured with his free hand for me to go in front of him. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of the large building. I did not but should of expected it to be this big. Grey uniforms ran around to different booths. Casual wearing people stood in front of booths speaking with red and grey uniformed Starfleet personnel. A hand reached around to my shoulder pulling me close to the owner. Pike's voice was smiling, "Isn't it amazing? So many brilliant minds wanting to explore the unknown systems and help our planet as well as many others."

I gave a nod before looking down at the P.A.D.D. My finger tips lightly touch the screen dragging files to their appropriate places. Christopher Pike glanced down at the young hybrid before his hand grabbed the P.A.D.D. I tried grabbed the P.A.D.D out of his hands but failed as he has a longer arm span. I tried to reason with the captain, "Captain, it's my duty to ensure this goes well."

Pike kept the P.A.D.D away from me as he answered, "Yes and you did. Look everything is going smoothly. Why not go over to the engineering panel? Take a break. You've been working since we landed here."

My lips went into a firm line. My hands were placed on my hips, "Captain it is my duty. I cannot drop my duties-."

The older man interrupted me, "I can stop you from your duties. I am your superior during this tour. Now I order you to take a break. Please, for me."

I couldn't help but give the older man a glare. I mumbled in my native tongue, "That jerk."

My captain waved with his ringed hand to shoo me away with a smile on his face. I let out a huff before turning my heel away from him. I walked around the building. Some of the casual dressed people are with their family or friends. My hand reached up to touch a stone amulet, my father has given my mother and I, underneath my grey uniform. My thoughts went out to my mother being supportive with the decision I made of joining Starfleet whereas my father was expressionless but I knew where his true want of my future to be. It was difficult to leave my family behind but I did not want to be on a planet where my human side is looked upon as defective. My father does not see it that way as he loves his wife and his children. There are times my father never understood why humans act the way they do. I am sure Spock overheard our parents argue just like I did when we were children.

I hugged the arm of my older brother. Frightened was one of the emotions that ran through me. Spock was bullied first then I stepped in to stop it. The bigger Vulcan child decided to really go for me. My green hued skin was tainted by my blood. A cut laid on my forehead as well as my cheek. Spock's lip became cut due to the punches. I whispered to Spock, "I'm sorry... I really wanted them to stop bullying you. It is not right."

Spock moved a little on his seat to place his free hand ontop of my head. Spock spoke softly, "It is alright, T'Saraphina. They simply do not understand."

Both of our attentions were directed to the end of the hall. Loud but hushed voices were arguing. I could see it was our parents. The teachers mentioned before sitting us down here that our parents were to pick us up. I spoke quietly to Spock, "Mother and father are fighting. Do you presume it has to do with the bullies?"

Spock lightly shook his head giving his bottom lip a nip in thought. He answered, "Negative."

I looked down feeling tears start to well up. Spock glanced over at me and pull my head up. Spock continued, "It is possible it has to do with our reactions to the teasing..."

I continued for him, "It's not the Vulcan way. The Vulcan way is to take it like it is."

Spock agreed, "Affirmative."

Footsteps caught our attention. I noticed our mother disappeared and our father is the one approaching. Spock moved slightly to his left making me move a little bit. Sarek looked at his two children taking in the damages being done. Spock spoke first, "They called you a traitor."

Spock and I looked up at our father to see what his reaction would be. His lips was in a flat line. Sarek took a breath and spoke, "Emotions run deep in our race... In many ways more deeper than humans."

I looked away from the two males of my family and stared down the path. I interrupted our father and Spock, "Father where did mother go? Why must we keep things controlled?"

Sarek's eyes went down the hallway then to his daughter. He opened his mouth and knew he would come up with an excuse. In return I felt my eyes start to well up, "We were standing up for you and mother. That was the right thing to do, Father."

Sarek didn't know what to say to his daughter. I hopped off the bench, "I understand emotions run deep and Vulcans rather keep it controlled and not show. I want to show it. I am half human as well."

Spock reached out for me but I bolted to see if I can find our mother. Spock glanced at our father, "Father she has more emotions than I. What path do you believe she will take?"

Sarek glanced down at his middle son and answered, "T'Saraphina would have to decide for herself and find the path is right for her. Just like you should with your own destiny."

I shook my head rubbing my eye with the heel of my palm. I dislike remembering something that put a little distance between my parents and I. Spock kept close like a bridge between our father and I when we were children. Our family is closer than ever now but back then... Emotions was the reason for the rift for a short amount of time. My eyes landed on the engineering division table. A small smile graced my lips and I headed over.

My eyes marveled at the little gadgets the table set out. A voice brought out of my amazement, "Aren't they little beauties, eh lass?"

My hazel eyes met blue green eyes. I smiled, "They are wonderful... Lieutenant Commander."

The man in grey held out his hand and I glanced at it for a moment before reaching over placing my hand in his. As long as our two fingers don't touch and only touch, I should be okay. His hand gripped at mine tightly giving it a shake. The man introduced himself, "Montgomery Scott, and you are lass?"

I pulled my hand away from his bending my fingers away from his hand. I gave a smile, "I'm T'Saraphina."

Scott noticed my hand movement and did tag it as weird but he didn't find it as weird as my name. Scott asked, "How do you pronounce that?"

I looked down at the gadgets to get my attention else where. I answered, "Sara will be fine."

The scotsman wagged his finger at me, "You'll have to teach me how to pronounce your name there one day."

A light chuckle came out, "One day Mr. Scott."

The scotsman studied my uniform, "What is a lieutenant commander doing here?"

My angled brows raised and I answered, "Just like any lieutenant commander. I am attending the fair."

He gestured to the booths, "But ya ain't behind any booth."

A frown replaced my smile. My fingers grazed against a tool. I mumbled, "My captain took my P.A.D.D."

His brows went up and he crossed his arms. Montgomery bobbed his head, "I see so you are a workaholic."

I scoffed, "No I just have the need to do my duties to ensure this fair is running smoothly. My captain felt the need to take my duties away as a break. I do not take a break."

A smile graced his lips and a laugh erupted out of him. I huffed. Montgomery wiped away any tears that formed, "I'm sorry lass. It's just you are an workaholic. How about this... Tonight I am heading up to the bar in town before I leave and I am sure you leave as well. Why don't you join me?"

My eyes met his. I found the logical answer in my mind. I answered, "My kind does not get drunk if that is what you are wanting to do."

Montgomery Scott raised his hands and spoke, "Only for a drink, lass. I just would like to talk to you."

I eyed him for a moment, "I am not up for an intimate relationship at the moment."

The scottish man laugh, "No lass! That is not what I am proposing. I am simply asking if you would like to have a drink and talk in a friendly atmosphere."

I shook my head, "No I simply-."

A voice interrupted mine, "She will be delighted to, Lieutenant Commander."

I moved to the side slightly, "Captain! It is not your choice to say what I do and not do."

Christopher Pike winked at the young female, "You will not pick up your duties till tomorrow. Now enjoy your time. You are becoming like your brother more by the day."

I felt my green blood rush to the tips of my ears, "Captain. My brother and I are-."

Pike raised a hand to hush me, "I know, Sara. Right now be yourself."

He released my shoulder after giving it a squeeze. Pike gave a nod to Scott who looks like he won. A scottish voice brought my attention back to its owner, "Now lass, I'll see you at 8 at The Goose Chase?"

My brows knitted together. Who would name their bar 'The Goose Chase'. Sometimes humans baffle me. I let out a deep breath, "Alright. I will see you then, Mr. Scott."

The brown haired man smiled big, "It's Scotty, lass."

I gave a nod to let him know I heard him but I know I would continue to call him Mr. Scott. I turned my heel to go find the captain to give hi ma piece of my mind... In respect, of course.

So I updated a few chapters of this story to put it as promotion ceremony and not graduation ceremony. Someone mentioned they graduate as ensign but I did find a few places where Kirk in TOS was lieutenant at graduation. So I changed it a bit so it is understood better. I also read upon the two fingers ( index and middle finger touching a spouse or intimate partner) is referred as an intimate gesture. Apparently according to Nimoy's book it wasn't originally shown as a kiss but as holding hands. So I think I am going to have it has an intimate holding hands. Ya know? Anywho I hope you enjoy. :D