Spock is currently experiencing a mild case of anxiety. He places himself down crossed-legged in the middle of the lounge floor and supresses the urge to bite at his bottom lip. T'lera has been collected from school and has not ceased in asking him - what he feels is a thousand or more questions - about his meetings with James earlier this afternoon and he sighs internally as the barrage of curiosity and insistent pestering continues to assault his ears.

''T'lera. Please do sit down.'' He says quietly and watches his little girl narrow her eyes before taking a seat opposite him. She crosses her arms and raises a small eyebrow in impatience.

Spock sighs and takes a deep breath before opening his eyes. ''What have we discussed in regards to privacy?'' her eyes lower and he sees her mouth move and shape words but no sounds come out.

''Daughter.'' He prompts – his voice as even and steady as it has always been; however he trusts that she knows him well enough by now to look beyond that and to discern when she is in trouble and when she is not.

''I cannot hear you. Please speak up.''

''I know… but I just wanted to see you smile again.''

''I thank thee for the sentiment but it is not appropriate to be conversing with a stranger through comms that you do not know, that you have only met once and it is even more inappropriate to become involved in the affairs of adults.''

Her lip begins to tremble and he softens his voice deliberately. ''I trust now that I have reiterated my concern to you that you will consider your actions more carefully when tempted in the future.''

T'lera nods once and while he is sceptical and some part of him knows he will be repeating his words for the next several years at most – for now he is content that she has been disciplined accordingly and that they can now move on.

''As for your queries regarding my meeting with James T Kirk. It was satisfactory.''

''Is that all?'' she ask incredulously her arms flying up. Occasionally she is more human than necessary he thinks.

''What else would you have me say?''

''Will you be meeting again? When? Did he mention me? Did you like your food? What food did you eat? Would you eat there again? Did yo-''

''The air grows thin in here my daughter. Breathe.'' She giggles and flops back down to the ground before him.

''Did you really like him?''

''Yes. He was most….unexpected and …fascinating.'' He explains, his hand coming up to straighten his robes at this throat.

''He has a son. One year younger than you. I have come to believe that he is Vulcan. As we are.''

''Wow! Really. Do you think I could I play with him sometime?'' she shoots up again and he marvels at her energy. Does she not ever tire?

''I do not know. Having only just met and not having been informed of the boys origins through James' own words I do not think it would be wise to rush any meeting.''

''Did he have a baby with a Vulcan lady like you did with Mother?''

''No. He has adopted the boy.''

''Then he has no Mother?'' she asks quietly and he hums in the affirmative, taking note of her sudden dip in mood.

He reaches out to her and places a finger on her temple, her surface thoughts have combined into a vortex of pain, confusion and determination. A curious combination. She casts her eyes up at him and gives him a watery smile.

''My child. Why do I sense that you suddenly want to weep?'' She sniffs and quickly wipes at her eyes in a blurred movement before sitting up straight.

''I would like meet this boy, father. I feel that we may have many things in common.''

Spock stands and holds out his hands in front of him and she accepts them as she is pulled up onto her feet. He keeps hold of her and leads them out onto the balcony overlooking the garden. The sunflowers they had planted together in full bloom swaying gently in the breeze, the aroma of summer in the air.

''T'lera – I do not know if you and your mother will ever reconcile. Perhaps with time and consideration the two of you may come to have an amenable relationship.''

''And you and mother?'' he shakes his head solemnly and she sighs, knowing the answer at her tender young age but still confused about it.

''I do not understand why.''

''Perhaps when you are older and able to understand the intricacies of our culture in regards to bonding, you will see why your mother and I were never meant to be together.''

The pair stand for a while, falling into a rare few moments of companionable silence overlooking the garden before she suddenly spins on her heels, hand above her eyes to look up at him questioningly.

''Father, will you be meeting James again?''

''James is due to visit tomorrow night to partake in supper here at our home. Will you promise not to pester him for any information that he may not be willing to share?''

''I will endeavour to remain on my best behaviour.'' She vows seriously and a flutter of amusement ripples up his spine at the look on her face.

''I am pleased to hear you say so. Now, daughter I do believe you have neglected your studies for far too long this afternoon.'' His large hand coming to rest upon her head as she squirms slightly beneath it.

''Yes Father. Perhaps after you will read to me? I am eager to discover what happens to Moby Dick next.''

The corner of his lip twitches as he fights the urge to smile. Really… he was far too proud of his daughter's insatiable thirst for knowledge.

It is only much later that night that Spock takes the time to meditate and reflect on the day's proceedings.

He dims the lights, he ignites his lavender scented asenoi and adorning his frame with his silken robes he takes up his familiar pose of meditation. He mutters a few words to himself to set the mood.

Peace. Logic. Serenity. Wisdom.

With this he discards the multitude of barriers protecting the secrets and emotions of his mind and soul and takes a small look over to the centre where his familial bond with T'Lera is.

It sparkles brilliantly in fuchsia tones and pulses with happiness, growing brighter with each day that she grows older. Satisfied that his daughter is well - he conjures up all the hundreds upon hundreds of visual imagery he has of his time with James since meeting him.

The gold of his hair, the blue of his eyes, the black of his stubble, the pink of his cheeks beneath his lashes.

What an extraordinary human. It has been so long since he had had any worthwhile conversations with another being and he was immensely looking forward to discussing Xenolinguistics and physics in much greater detail.

He is pleased that they were able to find some common ground while conversing - as the pursuit of knowledge and all the universes mysteries of how, when and why – were exceedingly fascinating to him. The fact that he had left his career in Starfleet for a child which was not his also spoke countless words of what type of person he was and whether he was suitable to around his daughter.

Spock surmised that Kirk possessed many of the qualities that he deemed necessary and vital in a partner. Intelligence, integrity, honour and loyalty. Needless to say kindness and generosity were certainly included in that. He wondered excitedly what else he would discover about James' personality.

As for the matter of his son, David – it was an utter shock to see a child of his race reach up and so blatantly initiate a mind meld in the middle of the street. Small touches with children were allowed but why did the child simply not speak and relay the day's information to him as is normal? Did Kirk not employ the help of a Vulcan tutor to teach and instruct his child? Was David maturing under the pure influence of humans and their customs and forgoing the rich culture of their shared history? Would he be remiss in offering aid or information on such matters?

There were a great many questions that ran through his mind as he contemplated the child's upbringing and he was conscious of the fact that Kirk had mentioned that David was in a school for troubled learners. Would he cause T'lera to behave inappropriately or influence her in a way that could lead her down the wrong path? These were all questions to which he desperately craved answers but as he milled about the information available to him - he knew that the only way to discover any of these answers was to simply ask or glean them through contact with the boy.

Perhaps he should meet the boy before he allowed his daughter the chance… to ascertain his mental state of mind. However – he would have to be extremely tactful and not allow Kirk to see that he was evaluating his son as this may lead to the abrupt end of their relationship. He dismissed that train of thought.

Not seeing James' again was not an option. Something inexplicable and beautiful was drawing him to this human. He could not let it go. He would not. He checks his internal chronometer and clearing his mind as best he could given the excitement of the day – he opens his eyes slowly and begins to stretch. An hour has gone by in what has felt like mere moments. He dons his sleep wear and leaves his bedroom to check on his daughter.

The holo-projector which he had given to her for her fifth birthday illuminated her pink painted bedroom, the silver shooting stars and planets circulating on the roof a mesmerising sight to behold.

She is breathing deeply, already long into her REM sleep and illogically he enters the room and pulls the blankets up to her chin. He is aware that Vulcans run hotter than humans but he could not tolerate the thought of her being cold no matter how slim the chance. He slips through the door quietly, leaving it open on the off-chance that she may require his presence at some point even though he knows that she has long since ceased that behaviour. She may only be six years of age but she was after all a Vulcan; her independence was as strong as her will and attitude.

Reaching his bedroom he pulls back the covers and throws his sheets over his body with a small sigh. He laces his hands across his sternum and closes his eyes, preparing himself for his nightly 6.5 hours of sleep. Just as his mind begins to switch off - his comm begins to flash. The green light irritatingly penetrating the darkness behind his eyelids.

'Hey Spock! Just wanted to say I had a really great time. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Jim'.

His heart rate skyrockets at reading the message and he scrambles up into a sitting position. He impatiently switches on his bedside lamp before hovering his hand over the keys – eager to respond but his mind suddenly drawing a blank.

'James I concur with your statement. I, too, am eager to resume our conversations tomorrow evening. Spock'

He hums for a moment, supressing his knees urge to start bouncing as he sees the three dots appear on the screen indicating that James is in the midst of replying to his message.

'Are we not conversing now? Technically speaking of course. ;) Jim'

Spock lets out a small huff of amusement, his fingers flying over the keys.

'James. We are indeed; however the topic of conversation is conversation therefore I advise we pick a different topic since we have now established that we are in fact conversing. Spock'

His heart pitter-patters around his chest as he awaits the response – seeing the dots disappear and reappear multiple times to suddenly vanishing all together. Five minutes passed. Ten now and Spock illogically becomes concerned that he has somehow offended the man and begins to type out an apology only to have James interrupt him.

'Spock Sorry about the delay. David woke up. Just needed a bit of settling. Are you sure you want me to come round yours for supper? Jim'

Spock frowns and wonders if perhaps James was distrustful of him or perhaps he had reservations about attending supper in his home. He was after all - merely an acquaintance at this stage. Perhaps it was unwise to have made the offer. He swallows down his disappointment and types his response slowly.

'James If this option is not to your liking I am happy to meet elsewhere. Spock'

His pulse thunders in his ears.

'Spock Noooooo! That's not what I meant at all. I was just trying to be polite and give you a way to back out if you weren't comfortable with the idea anymore. I would love to come to your house. '

The relief he feels is palpable.

'Spock Sorry about this but I have to run. David's up again. I will call you tomorrow and get your address and discuss what time you need me there. Sweet dreams, Spock.'

Slightly concerned over David's sleeping habits he chided himself for his skittish teenage behaviour. However he was after all… very new to this past time of communicating socially via text with a potential lover. Not having had one since T'Pring. Not that she was ever his lover apart from that one instance and Spock sincerely doubted if she was even capable of loving anyone but herself.

Disappointed but resigned to the fact their conversation was at an end he quickly typed out a suitable farewell. Attempting to calm his mind again before sleep was proving to be challenging.

Indeed he only required three to four hours sleep a night; however since the birth of his daughter he had decided that routines should be established early on and now he went to bed to sleep each night purely out of habit- rather than out of tiredness.

His mind whirred to life once more as his stomach inexplicably tightened at the thought of James entering his home. He would freely admit that he felt nervous.

Nervous about James' interacting with T'lera, nervous about his home and possessions and whether James would find them interesting or not. All manner of illogical thoughts filled his head until finally, somewhere in the time frame of two am he finally fell asleep.

It was safe to say that Jim was feeling a little overwhelmed what with the whole boarding an alien ship only to kind of but not quite take on adopting a Romulan infant while commanding a starship and keeping it all quiet from the admiralty.

And breathe he reminds himself as he snaps out of his inner whining to pay attention the EPIC rant and scolding Bones was currently dishing out.

''I mean for the love of god Jim! I gave you one order! JUST ONE! DON'T GO NEAR THE KID!'' He all but roars and Jim fights back a small flinch at the fury he hears in his friends voice.

''I know you won't believe me Bones' but something in my head wouldn't le-''

P''I don't care if there was a whole bee hive buzzing around in there and crawling out through ya nostrils. You shouldn't have gone near the kid. Now you and the little elf have formed some sort of link or something and the kid can't go five minutes alone without crying for you. Do you have any idea how hard it will be to get this taken care of?'' he huffs and puffs, cheeks flaming red as he marches not paces in front of Jim.

''Bones, I-'' '

'Shut it Kid. Now we have to think of a plan to swing by Vulcan and find a healer to sever whatever is going on between the two of you and that means speaking to the admiralty to authorise the detour and the paperwork for you and I will be enough to suffocate us both.''

He finally runs out of steam and Jim has the good sense to keep quiet as he waits for the storm to pass.

''I couldn't leave him. And now – I'm not even sure I want to. Ever. He feels like … well, like mine, I guess.''

''That's just the mind mumbo-jumbo making you feel this way Jim. I don't have a lot of speciality in Vulcan or Romulan mind practices but I do know that their links whether they are familial or not - are sacred and incredibly important to them as a species. Did you think of the trauma you would put this kid through now? Obviously his real folks didn't give a rats ass and dumped him but now you have to do it as well.''

Jim sighs and combs his fingers through his hair in mild frustration, sensing David once again pulling at the strings in his mind.

''You're not understanding what I'm saying Bones. I will not leave him again. It's the strangest thing. You know about Tarsus, about my shit-show of a childhood and how I've always struggled to – fit in, to feel like I'm home. Holding that kid in my arms last night was the first time I've felt anything like that since before my parents died.''

He stands up and looks down at his still seething friend. '

'Let me make this as clear as day. I am not abandoning this kid. If I have to give it all up then so be it.''

''Jesus Christ.'' Bones mutters before closing his eyes, scrunching his face up; the wrinkles making him look years older than his young 35. '

'Ok, Jim. Let's say you feel this way now… once we get a healer, we'll talk again. I know it's no use asking you to stay away from him… I just… don't want either of you getting hurt. It's a damn shame that you've worked so hard to get where you are and now you're… not throwing it all away- cause what you want to do its noble - it's just a damn shame is all I'm saying.''

With that he stands and dramatically pulls down his sleeves and Jim hears him say something along the lines of ''soft-hearted idiot captains'' before leaving him alone.

The kid instantly stops crying the moment Jim picks him up, to the pure relief of everyone in the medbay.

Jim tuts disapprovingly at all their sighs and groans as silence descends and smirks at Christine's scowl.

''I've got the magic touch.''

''Should we set up a crib of some sort in your quarters for the little screamer?'' she asks affectionately as she coos at him from afar.

''Yes. I think that makes sense given the situation.''

David blows a small bubble of spit and when it pops his eyebrows draw down in confusion at the sound. Jim laughs as he attempts the act again and fails. '

'It's like he's a totally different kid. All he's been doing is crying and whenever someone tries to touch him he just ups the volume so we've tried to take care of him as best as we could.'' A note of amazement graces her voice as she watches Jim bounce David in arms slowly while making ridiculous faces at the tot.

The medical staff begin to laugh at seeing this side of their Captain and he blushes uncontrollably until he puts a hand up ''Alright, alright you've had your fun at my expense. Back to work.''

They scatter and salute their goodbyes before he hails Scotty on the intercom system.

''Scotty. You're a genius right?'' ''Err… Aye Sir. If I might say so myself Sir.''

''Do you think you could …toddler-proof… my quarters for me?''

''Beggin' your pardon Sir…but I don't quite underst-''

''The kid we rescued is going to be lodging with me Mr Scott. He needs to not kill himself on the corner of my coffee table. And he needs somewhere to sleep as I'm quite selfish when it comes to my bed.'' He chuckles when David grabs at his ear his eyes going wide at the sound.

''Ah…yes. Well good on ya laddie for stepping up. I will see what I can do for ya.''

''Thank you Scotty. Kirk out.''

'Shall we go get something to eat Kiddo?'' he hums and the boy smacks him in the lip by accident as his arm flails about. An 'oomph' escapes him as the boy stills in his arms before suddenly starting to whimper.

Jim realises belatedly that with every touch skin on skin the kid could feel what Jim was feeling and he must have projected his shock at being whacked in the face a little too loudly through to the boy.

' 'Hey, hey it's okay. I'm alright. Look, see no harm done.'' He smiles the widest smile he can and hoping against hope that he was doing this right- he thinks hard about everything being okay, about being happy and watches as David slowly creeps out of his shell again.

''Me and you… we're gonna be alright Kid.''

************* One week later *************

''What the hell do you mean no Vulcan will go near him?!'' Jim furiously hisses at Pike – the back of the chair his hands are squeezing screech under the pressure as he fights the urge to fling it into the wall.

''It's taboo Jim. The Vulcans and Romulans may share similar DNA but the stigma attached to treating a Romulan – despite the fact that Vulcans have no feelings – would be a great big black mark on their reputation and could impact the standing their family have on Vulcan.''

''But that's just ridiculous – I mean what about their Hippocratic Oaths? What about do no harm? God only knows what this kid has been through and he needs proper treatment that we as psi-nulls cannot give him! Throw me a bone here, Chris. Tell me you've got someone I can contact who could help.''

''I am sorry Jim. As soon as the news broke across medical channels that Starfleet was looking for aid for a Romulan child- all our Vulcan doctors suddenly became 'exceedingly busy and had no slots available in their schedule' for some reason. We can try traditional counselling and healing with the boy through therapists and I can get you the best of the best. That's all I can do. I have to go Jim. Let me know what you decide before the month ends.''

The vid goes blank abruptly and Kirk lets out a frustrated growl of fury as he kicks his chair instead. He forces himself to take deep long breaths, trying to remember that he is Captain and that it wouldnt do anyone any good to go lose his temper.

' 'Fine. I'll do this myself. I mean… hey… why the fuck not… I've been through trauma, I know shit - I studied enough psychology at the academy to know the signs.'' He says to the room at large and with a great heaving sigh he flops down in his seat suddenly exhausted.

He feels the first tingle in the back of his brain… he's learning to differentiate between them now. Each tug and tingle somehow had an unspoken word attached to it, a way to communicate directly into his brain what it was that David wanted.

''Ah…diaper full of shit. Wonderful.'' Kirk begins to laugh and with a resigned shrug of his shoulder he walks through his quarters to the empty room next his and scoops the smelly bundle up into his arms.

''Hello David.'' He murmurs softly at the boy who gurgles and places a hand against his cheek seeking reassurance that everything was ok.

''How do you feel about coming back to Iowa with me? We could live on my dad's farm. You'd have sunshine and trees and fields of corn to play in. We would get you into a day-care where you could make some friends? Do you like that? Does that sound good?'' He doesn't expect to get a response from the boy and yet shockingly David's arm flies back to his face and a firm 'affirmative – yes – please' sort of feeling all but punches him in the gut.

He's slightly nauseous after that but his shock that the kid understands him is enough to send him reeling.

''Wait – hold up – You can understand me?'' In-credulousness is making his voice squeak and the tot kicks out with his feet. Hand slapping his cheek '– yes – sort of –' feelings wash over him and he hurriedly holds the boy away from him with outstretched arms.

''Well, shit.''

Jim laughs as the tingle in his head intensifies.