The Captain entered the elevator and straightened his shirt. "This will be a quick trip, just accompanying supplies down and reaffirming diplomatic connections with the Dalerians."

"In preparation for the visit, I reviewed the cultural profile Starfleet provided." Spock added.

"Anything of particular interest?"

"Yes, Captain, the Dalerians do possess telepathic capabilities. They claim to be able to see an individual's future by touching their hands."

"Hm, maybe if we're lucky, they'll look into their proverbial crystal ball for us, eh?"

They were met on the surface by Ambassador Lambegus and his wife Cybil. The supply transfer was brief, and predominantly conducted by their small military. The Captain exchanged words with the Ambassador, while Spock supervised. Once the mission was complete, Spock joined the other men inside what appeared to be a palace of other estate for their head of state. The architecture reminded Spock of the ancient Terran Middle East. When he finally stopped admiring the construction of the building and entered the study, he found them drinking an unfamiliar tea, which he politely declined.

Eventually, the Ambassador thanked them and welcomed his wife to the room. He noted that they were welcome to stay and speak with her as they finished their beverages, but he had other obligations. On his way out, he made it a point to note that Cybil was one of the Dalerians with 'the gift'.

Cybil bowed her head slightly with respect. "If you will allow me to show my appreciation, I would be happy to share my gift with you both."

"You mean, show us the future?" Kirk's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"All due respect miss, showing an individual his or her future is virtually impossible. I have no doubt in your ability to provide glimpses into potential future occurrences, however the future remains undetermined until it becomes the present, at which point it is no longer the future. Additionally, by offering an individual insight, he or she may modify behaviors in an attempt to avoid or achieve the future occurrences depicted."

"You're very wise Commander...Perhaps, you then, could consider it an amusement. Think of me as nothing more than a fortune teller at a traveling fair."

"Ah c'mon Spock, it'll be fun. Miss Cybil, I would be honored."

"Excellent, Captain. If you will follow me. It is best if you're most comfortable." She led the men down a hallway into a smaller room, styled much like a Persian harem from the days of old with floor to ceiling velvet. There were excessive rugs and pillows. Lanterns hung, casting dim light and patterned shadows. "Please, sit."

"I'll go first." Kirk eagerly lowered himself into the seeming sea of cushions.

Spock, raising an eyebrow in suspicion, followed suit.

The woman lit some incense and took a seat in a meditative pose, prompting them to mimic her form. "Relax, deep breaths- in and out- in and out...Captain, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Please put your palms up and close your eyes. I'm going to touch your hands now."

Spock watched intently as she carefully took his hands, exhaling deeply. The entire encounter lasted approximately 4.74 seconds before she withdrew her hands and opened her eyes.

Kirk opened his eyes, appearing disoriented. "Spock? Where?"

"Captain?"

He laughed, "Right...it was just a vision- It was...I'm an admiral in Starfleet...I have a son...But I don't know who...or why...It was wonderful."

Cybil reached her hands out again, "Commander? Are you ready?"

No harm has been done. Allowing her to perform the ritual would signify respect and trust...I will maintain my own reality and remain skeptical as to not be influenced by these images. Intrigued, he nodded and opened his hands. He closed his eyes and listened to her words, expecting to feel her hands on his...but he didn't.

Suddenly, he felt a familiar warmth. Vulcan. Confused, he blinked, realizing he was in entirely new surroundings. He stood in a living room, reminiscent of his own or his parents. The space was colored in cool neutral tones, with a few plants in corners. Modern art pieces hung on some walls, which were mostly lined with books. A kitchen was behind him, and in front of him were glass sliding doors leading into a garden. A form, mostly obscured by shadow, stood under an awning. Raising an eyebrow, he walked forward.

"Hello?" Spock moved through the open door, "Vivian?"

His wife, who had been leaning against a column, turned to face him. Her hair hung long with waves and her face was pleasantly flushed. She wore a long, olive colored gown that hung off her shoulders and fluttered in the breeze. Without restraint, she smiled at him and approached without hesitation.

She took his face in her hands and brought him down to kiss her, stunning him. Somehow, the kiss was deep with significance and filled with a profound love, but also light-hearted, relaxed, comfortable. familiar. Their bond felt stronger than ever, and her feeling, her sheer joy overwhelmed him. He melted into her welcoming embrace. When she pulled away, still smiling, she curled into him so that her head rested in his chest. Moving in sync, his arms wrapped around her. Although he swore he would remain unaffected, he began seeking clues into when or how this might happen.

He'd noticed her face only appeared the slightest bit older, maybe a handful of years. It was, however, rounder with more color on her cheeks. He realized too, with her leaning up against him that her breasts were also rounder. As the thought crossed his mind that her stomach was no longer flat, he felt a small movement. Through their bond, he knew. His bony fingers settled on the front of her dress. He marveled at how her stomach was fleshier than before, but also somehow harder or more muscular underneath. The little heartbeat fluttered, and an occasional shift could be felt under his hand.

"Mm, she's active today." Vivian sighed.

Spock pulled away to face her, feeling his eyes burn. "Vivian..." Holding her by the waist, he kissed her again, returning her warmth and passion, accepting hers readily. He hadn't previously realized how thirsty he was for her affection. When they broke away again, he noticed that while she was still alluring in a sexual manner, her newfound roundness was endearing in an entirely different but still attractive way. He felt proud and fiercely protective, both of which were jarringly new. Something else took him away from those thoughts- a sound- giggling.

He froze and turned toward the garden. The source of the sound was apparent- a small boy, no more than three years of age. At first sight, Spock thought he might have been sent to the past to look at himself. The way the little cheek rounded almost to the shoulder served as a tell, however, of Vivian's genetics. As he toddled about, his bangs bounced in his face and he occasionally squealed with delight. He was relatively steady on his tiny feet, running back and forth to collect various rocks from planters and assemble a pile in the center.

"A-a-and you gotta get this rock...because...'cause this rock is a good one. Then...then.." Excitedly, he explained his reasoning to his pet. The sehlat was little more than a cub, and on all fours stood slightly higher than the boy.

Vivian chuckled, "I'm glad I gave in to the sehlat idea. As you suggested, the friend will help ease his transition to having a new baby in the house...Darling." She called out.

"Mama?" The boy looked up and grinned. He wasn't looking at his mother. "Daddy!" Dropping the rock, he broke into a run towards them.

Spock couldn't stifle his smile, stunned in disbelief. As the child approached, it all disappeared.

"Wait!"

The blackness reformed into the Enterprise. Spock snapped back, standing at his post on the bridge. I do not recall returning to the ship. Was there a hallucinogenic property in the incense? He couldn't see the star date on any of the equipment. Did I fall unconscious? Is this a dream? Testing himself, he turned off his screen to stare at his face in the monitor. Maybe he was older, if so, maybe only be a few years. Is this another future? Maybe this is the present and the monitor has a distorting quality.

He couldn't recall the mission they were on, or where in the star system they were. Vivian. Excusing himself, he made a trip down to the life sciences floor. No door bore the name "Vida". Curious. This must still be part of the trance. In this future, she is no longer aboard the Enterprise...Perhaps she is in what I assume is our home on Vulcan. Or perhaps she transitioned in being a full-time physician. Following what Kirk would've called "a hunch", Spock proceeded to the sick bay.

One patient left with a cast on his arm and squeezed past Spock in the doorway. Vivian moved a tricorder over the shoulder of another patient who seemed to have pinched a nerve or pulled a muscle.

"Dr. Vida," He regarded her. She looked at him, briefly and without reaction, before returning to her work. It appears she is dissatisfied with me in this future as well as the present.

"Dr. McCoy," Another patient called.

He waited for Dr. McCoy to emerge from the lab, but instead, Vivian turned around to respond. The patient thanked her, and, again, called her Dr. McCoy.

Spock raised his brow. Do not make assumptions too quickly. He moved as if he was going to exit but lingered to watch Vivian enter the lab. McCoy was there, grumbling as he clanked vials about. His demeanor changed to a smile and pleasant air when the woman arrived.

"Well, howdy...Dr. McCoy," He winked.

She shook her head, beginning to smirk, "Dr. McCoy...when will you tire of saying it?"

"When I wake up from the fever dream- that's when."

"Oh you two..." Nurse Chapel rolled her eyes, took her tablet, and left.

"Nurse Chapel," Spock stopped her once she'd exited the second door, "This may sound like an odd request- but please remind me of how Dr. Vida became Dr. McCoy."

Chapel appeared confused, "That is a strange request. I don't know why you'd want to suffer through it again."

"Please."

"Well, I don't know the whole story anyway- neither of you are particularly forthcoming. I think it started with the Rugalan fever outbreak. She took it hard and needed a shoulder to cry on, if she cries, hell I don't know. Point being, you weren't there but Leonard was. Some time after, she must've ended whatever agreement you had. They made it official and got married a couple months ago. They seem happy...You never seemed bothered by it...Or are you? Sorry, I know I shouldn't pry..."

"I see." His stomach turned and tightened as he remembered what his mother told him before the koon-ut. A human husband likely would've abandoned his duties in favor of the wife, even if it endangered the ship...Is it possible that I am enacting a post-hoc rationalization? The Enterprise likely would have been stable under Mr. Scott's leadership.

"If you ever want to talk about it, I'd be happy-"

"That will not be necessary, thank you."

She gave a disappointed nod and continued about her business elsewhere.

He returned his attention to the doorway of the lab, ensuring he remained unseen. Something in him forced him to stay, to watch- to find proof for himself that this wasn't some elaborate practical joke. Maybe he expected to see something unsettling as a punishment, the suffering he felt he deserved.

"Looks like we uh...have a minute..." McCoy grinned, stepping forward to her and settling a hand on her hip.

Vivian raised her eyebrow and bit her lip, backing into the counter.

I am familiar with the facial expression- she's enticing him.

Then came the sucker punch to the gut; he kissed her, assertively, and she returned his gusto. It was as though someone sucked the air directly from Spock's lungs as he was rattled with pain he had only experienced perhaps once before. The devastation rivaled what he felt the day his father called him useless and cut ties for joining Starfleet.

The woman lifted herself onto the counter, encircling her partner's slender hips with her fuller thighs.

"Ah hell...You think we got twenty minutes?" He bumped his eyebrows suggestively before leaning down to kiss her neck. Her back arched into it as he kicked the door closed.

Any sadness, jealousy, or softer, negative human emotion shut down. Instead, the Vulcan felt a surge of primal, alien rage. Another male was attempting to mate his female, a direct threat to the continuation of his own genetics, his own species. He leapt forward, with every intention of ripping the door from its hinges and bludgeoning his rival to death with whatever heavy equipment was inside.

Instead, he blinked, reappearing in the plush cocoon with his palms up. His brow furrowed with confusion, but only for a moment before he righted his headspace. That was not reality. Calm yourself.

"As you said...the future remains undetermined...but at your present, there are crossroads." Cybil withdrew her hands.

"You uh, didn't look too happy there Spock. You okay?"

"Captain...how long was I..."

"Oh, six or seven seconds really." Kirk stood with a smile, giving a slight bow to the woman. "Thank you, Cybil. That was enlightening. Wasn't it Spock?"

"Yes...quite..." He didn't say much on their return to the ship, not that he ever said much anyway. The visions troubled him more than he was willing to let on, and, as illogical as it sounded, he immediately made a trip to the life sciences deck. His tension lessened when he saw the name Vida still on a door. He planned on attempting to talk to her again, to apologize, but he was unsure of when. While his mind wanted to plan what to say and when to say it, he understood that some individuals saw the calculation as disingenuous. It became less of a concern, however, when the opportunity arrived on its own.

They made a routine check in with a scientist colony. Dr. Vida joined the usual landing crew, eager to learn of the data collection methods employed by the other scientists. The group was predominantly male, but one married couple was present, and the female was currently in the third trimester of her first pregnancy. There was, of course, a physician within the group perfectly capable of caring for her and the child to come. However, she longed for a female companion- someone who could truly understand.

"I don't know if that's a good idea Jim," McCoy grumbled after the women disappeared together. "Think about it, she was pregnant herself just a few weeks ago, and we know what happened."

"Dr. McCoy, you of all people should understand that a physician must set aside their personal life to aid their patients." Spock retorted, "Dr. Vida, being Vulcan, is able to control her thoughts to perform her duties."

Kirk shrugged, "What I'd like to know, is if something's wrong with the other doctor. Why does she want Vida's attention?"

"In most cultures or species or whatever you want to call it, when a lady's having a baby, she often surrounds herself with other women: female friends, sisters, hell, her own mother even. If she's the only woman out here, she's probably just lonely." McCoy explained, "V knows that, s'probably why she went on. I'll make sure to check in on them later."

While McCoy did pop in to say hello, Spock also made a pass by the open door. Long past any medical examinations, the women moved to a sitting room to talk. Vivian wasn't the type to disclose much, but she also appreciated the opportunity to be around another female who wasn't a militarized crewmember. His intention was not eavesdropping, but his hearing was so that he caught part of their conversation.

"This is the first grandchild for my in-laws too, so I'm sure you can understand the excitement. Do you have any children?"

Spock held his breath, unsure of how Vivian would react. She didn't seem to outwardly react, but, even in her attempts to block him, he could sense a shift in her energy.

"I do not."

"That's surprising, if you don't mind my saying so, given your field."

"Understandable...I am what you might refer to as 'newlywed'."

The other woman bumped her eyebrows suggestively. "Then it is a possibility."

Vivian hesitated...Most Vulcans were private...but the human in her sought to confide in someone, anyone, who couldn't bring about consequences for her disclosure, "Perhaps...in a few years...I anticipated sooner, however...I realized my husband's first priority is the Enterprise...Which is admirable for an officer of course...But I would not want to introduce offspring knowing they would come second to a Starship."

A wave of tension wracked through his muscles. Incorrect...He moved on to avoid hearing more, but experienced a sinking feeling associated with realizing that maybe, just maybe, she was right. The need to reconcile with her grew greater, and he planned to visit her room that evening.

"Dr. Vida," Spock nodded with respect and stepped through the doorway, hands clasped behind his back.

"Commander," Eyebrow raised in suspicion, Vivian backed away from the door to allow him in.

"I would commend you on your work today, but, given that I am not in your field, my complements are irrelevant."

"Acknowledged. For what reason are you present?"

"I noticed today that you provided prenatal care."

Vivian turned her attention to preparing her evening tea, unconsciously making enough for two. "Yes...It was routine and only one patient required such assistance."

He recognized her discomfort- the slightest increase in movement speed accompanied by the slightest decrease in coordination. A human would've missed it...Perhaps another Vulcan may have even missed it, but he knew her in a way no one else did.

"It was admirable...I was unsure of how you might respond to...such a situation...given...recent events."

My mental health status concerns him. This surprises me. "I am a physician, obligated to care for patients in whatever capacity they may require, regardless of my personal circumstances." He was right, the experiences of the day had produced an ache in her chest. She began to drop the wall in her mind.

Instantly, Spock felt the wall fall. Her pain rushed in, but this time, he welcomed it. "There is a difference between having no reaction and practicing discipline to continue to serve." He saw her nod, without turning to face him. "Vivian...I can not begin to imagine what you experienced..." Her shoulders tensed. "But I have since spent significant time thinking about it...and I now know that I should have behaved differently- I should have come to you when you called for me...I disappointed you...and for that, I am sorry..." He changed his stance to an open one, inviting her forward if she so chose.

She finally turned to face him, and he read the tension in her face as she struggled to remain unresponsive. "That is...appreciated."

"I would also like to clarify that my absence was prompted by my responsibility to the Enterprise and was in no way indicative of my feelings toward you."

"Noted."

He approached her, slowly, like a trainer asking an animal for permission. "Vivian..." Gently, he reached out, brushing her temple with his fingers, "I love you."

She closed her eyes, letting her head fall towards his hand for a moment before collapsing forward into his chest. Her head rested on his sternum as her arms wrapped around his narrow waist. He felt his muscles relax with what he considered an exhale but was actually a sigh of relief. His arms rubbed her back. He felt his shirt become wet and kissed the top of her head, nuzzling his nose in her hair. She didn't pull away, but she did eventually look up to face him.

"I love you." Her eyes pleaded for his attention. Sensing it, he responded by kissing her lips this time. They fell into each other, rebuilding their mental link quickly, and carrying on an entire conversation about love and loss without using any words. When they finally stopped, to breathe and to reassess, she poured two cups of tea.

"Tea?"

"Yes...but then I should sleep soon..."

"...You could sleep here..."

He nodded, "I would like that...On a related note...I found a solution to our housing dilemma. The majority of the crew is unaware of our union...We would like to spend additional time together, yet we both value our independence."

"Identify your solution."

He walked around the room, measuring with his eyes, until he found a bare wall, on which, he planted a slim device. "I will return momentarily."

Vivian inspected the device on the wall for a few moments, awaiting his further explanation. The waiting did not last longer however, as the wall disintegrated before her. She almost walked into the blue shirt that appeared before her as Spock re-entered the room from the new opening.

"Fascinating," Vivian mumbled, "You've created a portal, conjoining our suites."

"Using a mechanism similar to the transporter, yes. Do you approve?"

"Yes, it is satisfactory." She handed him a tea cup, and sipped on her own as he explained the mechanism.

They disappeared into their own bathrooms for various nighttime rituals. Since he'd agreed to stay with her that night, he found his way back into her room, where he found her seated at her vanity, brushing out her hair.

"May I?" He asked, motioning to the bed.

"I'll be there momentarily."

The pink linens welcomed him, silky, cool, and still smelling faintly of her shampoo. She joined briefly after, stopped to untie her robe at the end of her bed. He raised an eyebrow at her sudden nudity before remembering that she preferred sleeping that way. Somewhat unsure of how close to be, she crawled in next to him and was pleasantly surprised when his arms found her, the hair on his arms gently tickling her smooth torso.

His head dipped closer to hers, nudging her forehead with his as if to ask for permission. Their lips met again, this time settling with more comfort and ease than before. When it deepened, she pulled away.

"Wait...While I would very much like to engage in sexual activity, I am still within the healing timeframe and-"

"I am aware. Am I only permitted to kiss you when it precedes intercourse?"

Her hand fell on his chest, allowing his to encompass it. "No...you are permitted to kiss me whenever you feel so inclined."

"Lights- off." The room darkened at the command of the low voice, which became silent as it busied itself with other things.