When I reached the Conference room there was only a small group assembled. Tlok and Ambassador Riax were standing near the windows. They motioned for me to come to them.

"You look rested this morning." Riax exclaimed.

"Thank you, Uncle." I smiled, "I am." We chatted about what we were missing about home, being cooped up in this space station, which was not small, but was not Vulcan, the planet we loved. Soon most of the other attendees gathered including Spock, everyone except the Romulans. Even Suneena, who was usually there before Spock and I arrived, was not there. We were still milling around when there was a commotion in the corridor outside the room. Two Romulan guards arrived, with full weaponry. Behind them was Ambassador Mamon, Suneena and Senator Pardek. Following them was another two guards.

There was a collective gasp when Suneena looked up. Her face was bruised, her lip split and there was a tear in the neckline of her gown.

Ambassador Mamon pulled Suneena to the center of the room with the guards spread out to the sides, weapons at the ready. "We came here in good faith and this is how we are treated." He shouted, thrusting Suneena out in front of himself. The room erupted until Ambassador Riax was able to push her way to where they were.

"What is the meaning of this?" She stated calmly. "You come and accuse. Speak plainly, exactly who are you accusing?"

"Ambassador Spock," Mamon ground out, pointing at my husband who was standing across the room. "Our Suneena refused his advances late last evening outside his quarters and this is what he did in retaliation."

My mouth dropped open and I turned, but Tlok grabbed my arm, anchoring me to my spot. I turned to him, "it's a lie." I hissed softly.

"A feeling?" Tlok questioned. I could feel his concern for me, he has been my unspoken protector since we were teens. I looked up at him.

"A truth," I grabbed Tlok's hand, needing full skin contact to share a bit of memory from the night before.

"Interesting," he still held tight to my arm. "For your safety, stay here with me, for now."

I bit my lip but nodded and settled in next to my best friend, he dropped his hand from my arm and took my hand in his, pulling me unusually tight to his side.

Spock moved to the center to stand next to Ambassador Riax, so calm and assured. "I did not see Suneena after the session ended last evening. I went directly to my quarters and did not leave until this morning." He stated calmly.

"Were you alone?" Mamon spat.

"I never left my quarters."

"Tell them I was there."I sent to Spock.

"I will not risk your safety,"he replied.

"We will adjourn this discussion now." Riax snapped, Uncle was coming out, he was always the forceful side of the duo. "For now, Ambassador Spock, please adjourn to your quarters. This conference is now postponed. This session is over."

Spock nodded at the Ambassador and was gone. The stunned Romulans still stood in the center, looking livid and disillusioned. Ambassador Riax sternly warned Mamon to send the guards back, with a warning not to bring armed personnel onto the Starbase again. Still holding Tlok's hand for strength I dropped my shield and anchored my focus on Suneena. All that was radiating from her was fear and panic, for a moment I felt sadness for her, then in an instant it was gone. I tightened up my shield, knowing that strong emotions made it harder for me to control my ability.

Ambassador Riax came back to where Tlok and I were standing. "You two, with me, now." She clipped and pointed to the door. Yup, Uncle was still in charge.

When we arrived at Ambassador Riax's quarters we gathered around the table. I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible, but Riax has known me since I was nine, there is nothing I can hide from her for long. They say Trill are not externally telepathic, but I sometimes wonder.

"Out with it." She stated plainly, looking right at me. "There is something I need to know, and I need that information from you." She took my hand. "I have known you for most of your life, talk to me Grace."

"I was with the Ambassador last night, all night." I whispered. "In his quarters."

"Truly?" She asked.

"Truly." I replied. "I am his wife."

"Wife? When?" Then it dawned on her, "that was why you were sent to the Enterprise?"

"No, that was not the reason, but it did happen, I promise Uncle, it was my choice, freely."

"Explain it all to me." She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, "I will not judge, I love you as if you were my own, you know that."

"I know." I paused. "Shortly after I arrived on the Enterprise I was awakened by Jean-Luc, that I was needed in the transporter room…" I told her the whole story, minus the more intimate parts, real or dreamt. "He gave me this," I pulled the moonstone out of my gown where it was nestled near my heart. "It was his mothers."

"Then what's this nonsense with Captain Picard?"

"It was supposed to keep me safe." I put my head down in sorrow, "I was with him last night, all night, he did not do this."

Riax squeezed my hand again. "I will speak to him. You will stay here with Tlok for now."

"Yes Uncle."

Ambassador Riax returned about two hours later. I was staring out the window when the door slid open, I turned at the sound. Behind her were Jean-Luc and Data, but not the one I wanted to see. I just wanted to go to Spock and then back to Vulcan.

"Grace, we have spoken to Ambassador Spock. He refuses to testify in public that he was not alone, for your safety."

"I am not that important." I stated again. "Why?"

"You are the consort of a living legend, that is reason enough." Riax responded, "they will hurt you to hurt him." She came and wrapped her arms around me, "You will stay here in my quarters for now."

"Yes, Uncle."

The rest of the day I stayed in Riax's quarters, I tried to link with Spock, but he was avoiding my questions. I was inconsolable, avoiding everyone. Riax finally convinced me to eat something mid-day but I cannot tell you what it was. That evening Riax let me know that there would be a tribunal starting the next day, Spock would be represented by herself. The JAG officer on the starbase would preside. Ambassador Riax wanted me to stay in my quarters during the sessions but I reminded her that I was Ambassador Spock's assistant and may be called to testify.

"I need to see him Uncle." I whispered.

"You will, he will be coming here shortly."

"Why will you not tell them I was with you last night?" I asked Spock, we were sitting at the table in Riax's quarters. "It would end their ridiculous accusations."

"Logic," he replied.

"Damn your stubborn Vulcan logic. Are you sure it's not embarrassment of your choice of mate," I snapped. In my heart I knew it wasn't true, but I was feeling overwhelmed and worried for him, so I was striking out like the emotional human that I am. It is not rational or logical, but that was how I was feeling. I decided then if he was going to be stubborn, fine. He could be stubborn alone. I stood up and headed out the door. I was halfway to my quarters when Spock and the two guards with him caught up to me, he gently took my elbow and followed me into my own small suite, the guards waited in the corridor. Once the door closed and locked, he turned me into his embrace.

"Grainne," he spoke into my hair. "Please listen, Riax and I have both expressed to you that as my consort you would not be safe."

He released me from his embrace and led me to the couch. Though I was still upset, my body yearned for his touch, I was embarrassed by my emotional outburst.

He continued, "I feel there is more to this. The Romulan's are looking for something to test me, to use against the Federation in these negotiations." He sat next to me, close enough I could feel his warmth.

"I hate all these games," I looked up at him. "I am sorry for my outburst, I just want to go home, with you, to Vulcan."

"Once this is completed, we will." He leaned his forehead against mine, "I promise."