I entered the holosuite. Spock was still on the stretcher, Beverly was standing beside it, checking the readings. Jean-Luc was also there, along with Worf. I raised an eyebrow at the presence of the formidable Klingon.

"I thought you might want the Ambassador moved to the meditation stone. I promise he will leave once that is accomplished." Jean-Luc answered.

I nodded. I watched as Jean-Luc and Worf moved Spock to the meditation stone, Beverly ran the medical tricorder over him again, looked at the readings and then nodded. I began mentally preparing to drop my shield, yet keeping control of my ability, while I tried to ascertain if Ambassador Spock's Katra still resided within his body. Tlok alleged this might be easier with someone I was acquainted with and to 'introduce' myself, I was not sure what that meant. Once Worf left, Jean-Luc and Beverly, moved into a corner of the room in the shadow of an outcropping. Giving me as much privacy as either of them felt they could. My shield dropped a little. I could feel their apprehension as I moved toward the figure lying so still on the stone.

I closed my eyes and calmed my breathing. I thought back to the first time I met Ambassador Spock, I was fifteen, my parents were killed in a shuttle accident off the planet, the same shuttle carrying Tlok's parents, two other diplomats and the two crewmembers manning the controls. They were traveling to a conference on Andor, there was a mechanical failure, and all were lost. I was just beginning to manifest real telepathic power while going through puberty and when I heard of my parent's death, I lost it. My brother Tessius was in Starfleet and could not come for a few days, I was unable to control my mind and basically was institutionalized, if you could call it that. I was angry, scared and lashing out physically and mentally. I tried to harm myself, possibly others, and that was when they medicated me, hoping that when my brother arrived, I would calm down. Well, Tessius arrived, and I still was untamable. Then Ambassador Spock walked in the room. He calmly took my arm and touched my face. It was like a switch flipped, he shared a part of his stoic calmness, his logic. He never spoke a word that day, he just fixed me. At times I think it was just a dream I have come to believe, but Tessy tells me it happened. When he was finished, Spock nodded acknowledgment to my brother and left.

I did not see him again until just a few years ago, on Vulcan, shortly before he went to Romulus. He came to the Embassy where I lived and worked to speak with the former Federation ambassador. When I encountered him in the embassy hallway, I put my head down, trying to be inconspicuous, so many others were vying for his attention. I was hoping to escape to my office which was just past where he was standing; to continue the research project the ambassador assigned me that day. Spock called out to me, "Grainne."

I turned, keeping my eyes to the floor, "Yes, Ambassador."

"It is agreeable to see you again." He moved closer, pushing past the others. He touched my shoulder, I looked up at him with the contact. "You are well?" he asked. I saw the others gaping, as Ambassador Spock spoke with me.

"I am," I replied quietly, still looking up at him.

He raised his hand in the Vulcan salute, "Live long and prosper Grainne."

I copied the gesture, "live long and prosper, Ambassador." He nodded once and turned back to the stunned group, I looked down to the floor again and disappeared into my office.

Now this living legend was lying in front of me and I was supposed to meld with him and see if he was still there. I was unsure if I was afraid, he was gone, or afraid he wasn't.

I took a cleansing breath and raised my hand, gently touching his cheek as Tlok suggested, it was warm and rough like most Vulcans. I took another breath and narrowed my focus, working hard to block out the emotions coming from Beverly and Jean-Luc. I began to feel another presence, someone buried deep.

"Ambassador?"I called out in my mind, moving my hand to the traditional mind meld position, my thumb on his chin, my index finger on his cheek, my middle finger on his temple, my ring finger near his ear, my pinky just below."Ambassador Spock?"

Something stirred…a whisper. I tried again, placing both hands on his face."Ambassador Spock. It's Grainne, I have come as you asked."Still just a whisper in the dark. I closed my eyes, concentrating, searching, calling, soon through the bond I could see a figure, far away in the trees, crying out for me…The ground moved as I walked, always keeping the figure just out of reach, the figure was tall, surrounded by shadows and lit from behind, obscuring identification. I walked on yet never reached my destination…as the figure turned…it was Spock.

"Ambassador?" I tried to move forward faster in my vision. Spock turned around and paused, no longer moving away from me in his mind. "Spock, I have come to find you." He raised his hand in my vision and was suddenly there, touching my face, his fingers searching for the familiar pattern, just a gentle caress.

I awoke in Sickbay, the lighting was dim, but I could hear murmured voices. I tried to sit up and failed. Suddenly Jean-Luc and Beverly were at my side. Jean-Luc extended his arm, helping me to rise. "What happened?" I asked. I looked around, there was no else in the room. Tears began to fall, afraid that I failed, and the Ambassador was gone, "the Ambassador?" I asked.

"Tired but well." Beverly assured me, "He siphoned some 'energy', as he explained it, from you. He is resting in his quarters and requested that you do the same once you woke. Jean-Luc will escort you."

I woke the next morning, refreshed, a full night's sleep without the dream plaguing me. I sat up and looked around, temporarily unsure where I was, or even what time it was. Then I remembered, I was on the Enterprise. I checked the clock, 10 AM earth standard time. Wow, I've not slept this much in years. I cleaned up and dressed, choosing a simple Terran outfit for the day. When I made it to the desk, I noticed there were two messages for me. One was from Tlok, enquiring whether my meld was successful. I knew he was fishing for information; I know that I have influenced him over the years. He is full Vulcan, but when one of your best friends is human, it rubs off. The other message was from Jean-Luc. He wanted to see me when I woke. He would be in his quarters for a good portion of the day and to come when I felt ready. I grabbed a quick breakfast from the replicator and then headed to Jean-Luc's quarters.

"Come," he called out when I buzzed his door. I walked in and Jean-Luc was sitting on his couch, a tablet in his hand. He motioned for me to sit next to him. "Give me a moment to finish looking over these schedules."

I sat next to him, using my time to look at the man I have loved for years. Though we are no longer a couple, I still love him. Jean-Luc was my first real romance. I met him ten years ago when he was on an archeological dig with my brother Tessy. We spent a whirlwind nine months together, then Starfleet and the Diplomatic Corps sent us to different places across the galaxy. We tried to maintain a long-distance relationship and failed miserably. Now we were here again under strange circumstances.

"What are you studying so intently?" he asked, breaking me from my reverie.

"Not studying, remembering…" I stated plainly. I reached out to touch his arm, "remembering us."

"Good memories I hope." He smiled.

"Always." I patted his arm. "I have no regrets."

"At times I regret that I did not try harder," quietly taking my hand.

"Jean-Luc," I moved closer. "We both know that Starfleet and the Corps would have kept us apart, at least physically. And I needed to be on Vulcan for training."

"I know." He kissed the back of my hand. "How are you feeling now?"

"Perfect." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I slept like the dead." I chuckled, remembering trying to explain that idiom to Tlok, years ago.

"What's so funny," Jean-Luc asked.

"Remembering trying to explain 'slept like the dead' to Tlok. I still don't think he understands me half the time."

"Well, your best friend is Vulcan." He replied.

"Yeah, I know." I tipped my chin up to look him in the eye. "Was there a reason you wanted me to come here this morning?"

"I wanted to fill you in on what is to happen next."

"Next?"

"Pardek claims the Romulans want to open negotiations with the Federation, they are now claiming that returning Ambassador Spock was a gift to open the conference."

"By using the Klingons as transport, is he serious," I turned to look Jean-Luc in the face, "after this, a gift, they almost killed him?"

"Ambassador Spock reminded me that Pardek is the one who got him off of Romulus this time."

"Yeah and he almost got you and Spock killed a few years ago I hear."

"Yes, I know." Jean-Luc took my hand again. "I don't trust them either, but the Enterprise is now part of this. The Vulcan Ambassador, the Federation Ambassador, and the Klingon Ambassador are on their way now, as well as some other delegations. We will meet them on Starbase 12"

I stood up, "what is my role?"

"Ambassador Spock has formally requested that you assist him," Jean-Luc stated. "And your friend Tlok will be coming with the Federation delegation."

"Well, then it will feel just like home." I quipped. "When do they arrive?"

"It will be a few days."

"Where is Ambassador Spock?" I asked.

"He is in his quarters resting. He asked that I send you to him once we were done speaking."

"Well are we done or are there more surprises?"

"That's it for now." He walked me to the door. "I'll be on the bridge for the rest of the day."

"Understood."

I walked to Ambassador Spock's quarters, my emotions were a mix of anger and intrigued. Anger that someone was making decisions for me and intrigued that Ambassador Spock chose me to be his assistant. A man I spent maybe an hour with over the past fifteen years. I wasn't even sure I could look him in the eye even now. I put on a brave face and tipped up my chin as my father taught me all those years ago and went to see where my destiny was taking me. The door slid open as I approached, I slowed thinking that maybe someone was coming out. I waited for a moment, but no one emerged. I stepped in front of the door. Spock was sitting at the table near the window, he held a tablet in his hand, and he appeared to be reading something. "Come in Grainne, I have been expecting you."

"Ambassador?" I asked as I stepped just inside the door. Not sure if I should come any further.

"Come sit here at the table. I wish to speak to you about your duties." He motioned for me to come to him.

"Before we begin, may I ask a question?" I moved to sit where he indicated, without raising my eyes to meet his.

"Yes." He set the tablet down on the table.

"What happened last night?" I continued to look at my clasped hands.

"You helped me waken from my meditation." He stated. "When I began my meditation on Romulus to fight the pain, I did not realize I was so ill from their mistreatment. Look at me Grainne."

I looked up; I felt his calming influence when I looked him in the eye. He arched an eyebrow at me, a very Vulcan thing, trust me.

"Why me?" I queried.

"You were the logical choice."

"Logical choice?" I asked confused.

"I have followed the course of your life since our first meeting on Vulcan." He paused, "you are a strong telepath. Logic dictated that should something like this ever happen to me; I knew I would want Picard to retrieve me, and I felt you have the requisite telepathic ability should I need it. You also have a known history with Captain Picard."

"Logical," I replied. "But why did you choose me to be your assistant?"

"Logic. You are here, you are part of the Diplomatic Corps, and an Assistant to an Ambassador."

"So, what will you need me to do?"

"You will assist me and read the others, discretely. I know your brother is an empath and you also possess this ability."

"No one is supposed to know about Tessy." I looked at him shocked. "How did you know?"

"We have shared two mind melds."

"What about Deanna Troi?" I inquired, I did not like reading emotions, I worked hard for years to control my ability. "She is an empath."

"I have chosen you for this task."

"And I cannot deny you that right." I acknowledged quietly, "you did save my sanity all those years ago. I will do as you ask Ambassador."

"I have some others I must contact today. We will speak again at dinner. You are free to do as you wish until then." He handed me a tablet. "Here is the proposed agenda."

"Yes, Ambassador.

I read the agenda and the list of duties that would be expected to perform, most of them mundane and the reading of emotions requested by the Ambassador. Tonight, I would be dining with Ambassador Spock and Captain Picard. It was going to be interesting. I decided on a gown I loved and carried with me on my clothing replicator card. It was a dark blue gauzy thing, a mix of Terran and Vulcan. It showed off my arms, and some of my female shape but was still high necked with flowing layers, the hem skimmed the top of my shoes. I pulled my hair back in a soft messy bun and applied minimal makeup.

I stepped into Jean-Luc's quarters, the table was set casually, and there was a cup of Earl Grey tea at one place, the smell of bergamot was all around the room. I am more of an iced tea kind of gal, well anything cooler in temperature, but hey, I live on a desert planet. Jean-Luc turned from where he was standing at the replicator console. "Fifteen minutes early." He quipped.

"Nope, on time." I winked. Jean-Luc rolled his eyes at me.

"Drink?" he asked.

"Carrot-orange juice." I smiled. It was my favorite, and one many Vulcans and Humans did not understand.

"Of course." He replicated my drink and brought it to me. "Have a seat while we wait for Ambassador Spock."

As I took the first sip from my drink, the door chimed again.

"Come," Jean-Luc replied, the door slid open and Ambassador Spock walked in.

"Welcome, Ambassador Spock. Drink?" Jean-Luc inquired.

"Water, 90 degrees please." He stated plainly. He turned his gaze to me, holding mine for a moment longer than was comfortable. I felt a ripple of something, anxiety, desire? "Good evening Grainne."

"Good Evening Ambassador," I replied.

We discussed the conference as we ate, like three old friends, well more like two sets of old friends between the three of us. What an interesting contrast between the two men who I was eating with, Jean-Luc Picard, a passionate man, driven, though very reserved most times, and Ambassador Spock, a taciturn, mysterious man, all logic and calm.

"Thank you for dinner Captain," Spock said as he stood. "I must contact the Vulcan Ambassador." He turned his gaze to me, again I felt something…different. "Grainne, please come to my quarters in the morning."

Once the door slid closed behind him Jean-Luc stood and began to clear the table, I grabbed my plate and stood to help. "I got it, go have a seat on the couch if wish to stay for a bit." He handed me my drink and took the plate from my hand. Soon the table was clear, and we were sitting on the couch.

"We have about two days before we reach Starbase 12," Jean-Luc began. "Would you have dinner with me tomorrow?"

"I would love that." I smiled, "here or my quarters?"

"How about a holosuite?" He smiled back, "We could go anywhere we want."

"Earth, somewhere on Earth. Surprise me."

"Earth it is."

We talked for a bit longer about Tessy, and Mal, and Vulcan. The exhaustion of the past few days caught up to me and I yawned.

"Would you like an escort back to your quarters?" Jean-Luc stood and offered his arm. Still the gentleman.

"Sure." I took his arm and we walked quietly back to my quarters. At the door Jean-Luc paused, pulling me into a soft hug. He kissed my forehead. "Good night."

"Sweet dreams," I replied, and he was gone.