Lunch with his father was going well, traditional Vulcan foods in a charming house, which Sarek had put a lot of effort into making reminiscent of their home on Vulcan without being exactly alike, it was an homage without being a replica. Spock thought it might be because as much as he wanted to remember their home before, it would be too easy to forget and reach out for his mother, only to remember her absence, if the house had been identical. As it was there was still the bright blue across the floor of the bathroom but the tiles that made it up were a different size, and the air was scented with floral fragrances but it was lilac rather than his mother's favourite of hyacinth. Little differences that he was sure were deliberate as they were not mistakes his father would make.
Spock was trying to decide how to go about bringing up T'Leiarel's studies, and possible roles she might be able to find on the Enterprise, without it seeming too artificial or pressuring her into staying aboard... nothing seemed the right way to bring the topic up, and his father was clearing the plates away before he quite knew it. Then they were going for a walk through the streets, discussing the new developments and the plans for improvements to the settlement, and he didn't want to interrupt or to bring up the topic where others might involve themselves.
He was beginning to think it would end up waiting until they were back on the ship, when a young man came running up to the thre of them from the house they were passing. All three tensed, not sure what the intentions would be. They had upset a lot of people the day before with the marriage being cancelled and while so far people had limited their disapproval to pointed glares they were all feeling on edge with the situation.
"T'Leiarel, I am Nakeel, Savel is my cousin. You were in the year above me at the Science Academy I believe, and studied Neuroscience? I recall your paper on the transferral of emotions through mind melds and effective mental hygiene in medicine?" The young man said, urgently, T'Leiarel nodded, unsure what it was he wanted. Nakeel didn't seem aggressive so much as agitated, though either being visible, even subtly, was a worrying sign. "There are some complications with Savel, following yesterday's altercation. I understand if you do not wish to involve yourself, but I recalled your specialisms. With so few Vulcans left and accordingly few Vulcan doctors, especially specialising in such an area and with an interest in abnormalities resulting in or stemming from emotional issues..."
"I would be happy to consult. My license to practice is not current, but if I am able to see the charts I can provide what insight I may have to his physicians. I can't promise that I will find anything they haven't already." He nodded. "I suppose you two will be able to have your father son chat without me sooner than we planned." T'Leiarel nodded to both the others politely. "I will let you know when I am finished."
As she walked away Spock found himself watching her leave, anxious, he didn't like the thought of her being down here alone, without him, especially going to see Savel's family, but he could hardly object to her providing medical advice where it was needed. At least he now knew what she had studied, what her focus was. There was always space on board the Enterprise for more medical staff, but they tended to have more general practice doctors than those with specialisms... he wondered whether Dr McCoy would be open to having an addition to his team, though Spock would rather she was working in the Science department with him, he knew that was lingering traces of possessive tendencies from the lack of certainty regarding their relationship. It was definitely for the best that she wasn't likely to end up in his chain of command though, as that would cause problems with Starfleet regulations.
It was several hours later when they recieved a call from T'Leiarel to say that she was finished at the hospital. Savel had responded well and seemed to be recovering but they were keeping him for observation and she wasn't at liberty to tell him any of the specific details. At least her willingness to help might go some way towards smoothing things over on New Vulcan should she wish to come again, but Spock wasn't sure he wanted her to come back here. In any case her voice was positive and he found himself smiling at the comm unit. Even his father's raised eyebrow of amusement at the look on his face couldn't dent things.
"We have discussed a lot of the family and of the colony, but now that you know she is well and on her way back, do you feel able to discuss with me the nature of your feelings? I know that the two of you are bonded, and are trying to establish what that means and how to move forward, but the question I wish to ask you is this. What is it that you want? Additionally, is there anything I can do to assist you in achieving that? I do want you to be happy with your life and the people in it." It was more blunt than Spock had expected from his father, but since dealing with their mutual loss of the more emotionally present of his family, Sarek wanted to be there for his son, even if it was not an area he felt particularly comfortable discussing. Spock contemplated the questions carefully for a few moments.
"I want..." It was complicated the situation, and it was difficult to figure out what he wanted in terms of her being on board when he didn't know her feelings and then it became clear. "I want love, like you had with mother, illogical but emotionally sustaining." It was not a statement he had expected himself to make, and the shock was clear on his face as it was evident on his father's as well, but then Sarek gave one of his rare small smiles that suggested pride.
"That is a much more logical thing to want than many of our people are willing to admit even to themselves. What I had, was something which supported me and gave me strength and purpose, comfort when the world was harsh, determination to improve things for your sake and for your mothers. Love is illogical and it is unnecessary, but it can greatly improve a person and the life they lead." There was no trace of melancholy to his voice but Spock knew thinking of his mother must be causing his father pain as well as reminding him of the positive times together. "It is not, however, an easy thing to want. Courtship is a much more complicated and prolonged matter than a simple marriage based upon the wishes of the families. It was over a year before your mother would agree to marry me, and T'Leiarel has more reasons to oppose the idea of marriage and seems much more headstrong and independent. Though your mother had her own strength and stubbornness when she needed it."
"I am unsure of the logical course of action. We are about to embark on a five year mission, it has been mentioned to me that we could at least provide passage off of the colony for T'Leiarel but that still seems like we will be parting ways shortly. I feel an urgency and a lack of time. However any attempt to bring her with me would mean a commitment to serving together and I am not sure how the relationship would progress, I do not want to cause the crew any issues on the matter or have it impact on my ability to remain impartial and perform my duties." And those were just the logical reasons to be concerned, quite aside from the worry that she wouldn't want him, that she would refuse any offer her might make.
"I will see about a letter of recommendation, we will see what your Captain thinks on the matter." Spock was about to respond but they heard the gate open and stopped before T'Leiarel could walk in on their conversation about her... He could not turn off his thoughts quite so easily however. He would need to meditate on the matter when he had some time to himself. It was difficult to know what he truly wanted from the Captain, other than wanting to know what T'Leiarel wanted. Emotions were strange and confusing, and it was little wonder they were discarded as distractions, but it seemed they could also provide strength. For now though Spock firmly put them to one side and focused on polite conversation with his father and his bondmate.
Courtship was not something he had expected to need to know much about, indeed it was not something often discussed among Vulcans, and Spock was not sure how one would go about doing such a thing. Even if he were to do so, would it be something T'Leiarel would respond to or would it be unwanted harassment? Of course there was no guarantee that, even if she was open to being courted, that the Vulcan way would be right, that it would provide any insight. Spock smiled slightly to himself at the thought, he was a scientist, sometimes you have to investigate and experiment if you want to learn things, and he did want to learn about her.