Having no medical knowledge beyond wrapping a simple sprain or applying a bandage, I was unsure why Jean-Luc requested I follow, but I did. I stood near the door as Beverly, the Klingon doctor and two other medical staff quickly moved Spock from the stretcher to the bed in the middle of the room. In my fatigued state, my mental control was minimal, everyone's minds were a flurry of emotions and rapid-fire thoughts. I leaned against the wall and clasped my hands together, trying to calm myself. It was over a decade since I could hear everyone at once. All except one, the still one laying on the bed in the middle of the room. I could sense his presence, but I could not hear his thoughts. Beverly saw me and motioned to one of the others with her, the young man came over.

"Would you like to sit in Dr. Crusher's office? It may be some time before we have any answers."

"I would." I followed him into the office and sat. I could not see what was going on in the other room, but I was no longer picking up on anyone's thoughts either. A few moments later Jean-Luc walked in.

"I believe I know why you were chosen."

"What?"

"Ambassador Spock told Pardek that should anything happen to him while he was on Romulus, he was to somehow get you."

"That's crazy, I have met him twice, who am I?"

"Someone very special, to many of us," Picard began as he laid his hand on mine. "I saw the video briefing, I don't think it was altered, but I gave it to Data, just to be sure."

"How does Pardek figure into any of this, I heard he was the one who betrayed you when you were on Romulus?"

"He was and I don't trust him," Picard rubbed his eyes, "he claims that when he heard that his old friend, that he betrayed, was in prison and possibly going to be executed; something snapped and he did everything he could to get him off Romulus. Even risking death, to save Spock. But I still put him in the brig."

"I don't trust him either, and what is going on with the Ambassador?" I asked, my head was spinning. I could feel waves of emotion coming off Jean-Luc, stress, and exhaustion could break down my control. I needed to get away from everyone, I needed space, but even on a large starship, it is hard to be alone, especially when you are used to being able to go out into the Vulcan desert. "The Ambassador is alive, but I feel nothing from him, other than his presence, it could be everyone else drowning him out. I have to tell you, Jean-Luc, I have not had this much trouble controlling my ability since I was a teen." I rubbed my forehead. "I need to find somewhere alone."

"Follow me." He grabbed my hand. "Beverly will let us know when we are needed." He walked me to one of the holosuites, it was the middle of the night in Earth standard time, so the area was completely deserted. Jean-Luc programmed in something on the outside panel and the doors slid open. It was Vulcan, right down to the stronger gravity, as I stepped in the door slid closed behind us; the thoughts of others around me, including Jean-Luc, disappeared. There was a Vulcan meditation stone in the center of the space. It was a welcome relief. "There is enough EM interference to give you some help to block out others and this is as close to Vulcan as we can get here." He reported.

"Thank you, Jean-Luc, it is perfect. Please let me know when I'm needed or if there's any change in Ambassador Spock."

When Jean-Luc left I pulled off my veil and laid down on the Vulcan meditation stone, it warmed to my body temperature within moments. I closed my eyes and relaxed into the warm stone; it was nice to be in a silent space again. I began my meditation mantra and began to feel the strain of the moment drain away.

I awoke to the relentless chiming of the communication panel in the holosuite. "Yes?"

"Please come to Sickbay," Dr. Crusher requested.

I smoothed my hair, pulled my veil back on and walked quickly, okay maybe ran to Sickbay. When I arrived the lighting was dimmer, Spock was still on the center bed, he appeared to be asleep or still unconscious. I did not want to lower my psychic shielding to sense any more than that; still stung by the events earlier. Beverly and Jean-Luc were standing near the door quietly conversing. Jean-Luc motioned me over to them.

"How is he?" I asked before either of them could speak.

"I'm not sure," Beverly offered. "For all intents and purposes, he is fine, he was a bit dehydrated and bruised. But I fixed all that."

"Could you scan him?" Jean-Luc asked. I glared at him, he knows how I feel about using my gift on others, it was one of the reasons I stayed on Vulcan even after my parents died. The Vulcans taught me to control my ability and to filter out all the noise of other minds around me. I did not like to intrude, though in the past day or so I have not exercised my control well. Now Jean-Luc was asking me to scan Ambassador Spock.

"Jean-Luc…" I started, "please don't ask me that."

"Maybe that's why he asked for you?" Jean-Luc retorted.

"If the vid is real." I snapped.

"Data confirmed it is real." He countered. "I know how you feel about this, Grace, I would not ask if I knew of any other way. Deanna has already been here; she can sense his life force but nothing more. I need to know if he's alive, or just an empty shell now. I need to know if the Romulan's destroyed Ambassador Spock."

"Jean-Luc," the tears began, "I will," I whispered. "But not in this space, I need to be on Vulcan, or at least as close to Vulcan as we can get. Can he be moved?"

"I believe so." He turned toward Dr. Crusher. "Can we transport him to Holosuite 4?"

"I would prefer he stay here." She replied. I could sense her worry, even without dropping my shields.

"You could be there with us, for his safety," I replied, trying to assuage some of her fears.

"Okay. We will transfer him to the stretcher and move him."

"Is he stable right now?" I asked.

"Yes."

"I need an hour to prepare myself. I will meet you in the holosuite."

I went back to my quarters and quickly showered, I dressed in a lightweight gown, Vulcan in style and material. I brushed out my hair, allowing it to fall down my back. A pair of soft Vulcan slippers and I was ready, well I was physically ready. I have never initiated a mind meld with anyone without consent, and never when the other party was unconscious. I wasn't even sure what to do. A thought came to me, perhaps if I could contact Tlok. I stepped up to the communication module. I was unsure what time it was on Vulcan, or even where he may be. I started with his rooms at the Embassy, I was in luck.

"Grace?" He questioned when he answered the communication.

"Yes, so sorry to intrude. I hope I did not interrupt your rest cycle."

"It is just now the dinner hour."

"I have an interesting dilemma. I must initiate a mind meld with an unconscious person." I began, afraid to reveal too much, but needing information. "The individual is unconscious, and 'quiet' if you understand what I mean."

"And this person has no way to agree to this meld?"

"Exactly, but we're not sure if the person is even there." I grimaced, "there is so much I wish I could tell you, but I cannot at this time."

"Have you met this person before or is this someone you do not know?" he queried, raising one pointed eyebrow. I have known Tlok for twenty or more years. I knew he was fishing for answers and trying to help.

"I have known this person in my past, however, I do not have a relationship with this individual at this time," I reported honestly.

"Then this may be easier than melding with someone unknown to you." He paused, "try just touching this person first, gently on the face. Introduce yourself. This will work or it will not."

"Thank you, friend."

"Be well Grace." He terminated the communication as he normally did, abruptly.