Mbaruku clenched his jaw and mentally sent curses to the flitter that refused to start this morning. He could handle the vehicle's lack of cooperation. What he dreaded was Faizah's lecture, justified by her multiple reminders to bring it in for maintenance.

Why did it have to die now? If only it would power up, just this once, he could drive it to Yosefi Mpopo's Flitter Bay a few blocks away, persuade Yosefi to take care of the problem, and complete Faizah's errands before she woke. That is, if he were lucky. Mbaruku felt his store of luck dwindling by the moment.

Whatever he did, he had better do it soon. Faizah's list this morning included stops at a bakery for fresh bread and the grocer's for produce. Fortunately no one else was up and around yet.

His fingers flew over a different starting sequence, and he tried initiating again. Nothing. Not even a derisorily weak hum of an underpowered panel to mock him. Wonderful. The desperate hope that a new power pack could prod some life from the dead engine welled inside him. He had the spare power pack recharging in his office, but he needed to retrieve it before Faizah emerged from the bedroom.

In the most stealthy manner any history professor could muster, he left the covered flitter alcove on the side of the house, slowly opening the access door to the family's private cloak and storage room. He stepped through and peered into the front foyer. Thankfully, it was clear. He glided through the living room, tip-toeing to the small hallway to his office. The door across the hallway, the one to his and Faizah's bedroom, remained closed. Good. He grabbed the power pack and hurried back out. Before he could make his getaway, he sensed the sight of inquisitive eyes upon him. He looked upward, meeting the eyes that flickered with some amusement.

Spock paused halfway down the stairway. He wore loose cream-colored pants and a loose long tunic that came down to the middle of his thigh. A brown embroidered sash tied around his waist provided the only fit to this casual attire. He looked rested and, Mbaruku thought, clearly curious about Mbaruku's odd manner and movements.

Aha! thought Mbaruku, here could be the solution to his problem. He set his embarrassment about being "caught" aside. "Spock!" he whispered. "Would you come outside with me, please?"

As Mbaruku expected, the eyebrows rose into the younger's bangs, but he said nothing as he approached. Mbaruku placed his index finger over his own lips, requesting silence. Spock nodded and followed him through the small room and out the access door to the flitter alcove.

Once outside, Mbaruku closed the door. "I need your help."

Spock's eyes surveyed the open fitter battery compartment and assortment of tools strewn on the alcove floor. "How so?"

"Faizah has given me a list of things to pick up at the markets, but I can't get the flitter started."

"Our rental flitter is available."

"I can't use it."

Spock's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Again, wonderful. Mbaruku did not want to explain his dilemma to the younger, who would probably think it was illogical. It was illogical, but it was the reality of Mbaruku's life at the moment. Still, he weighed the discomfort he would have telling Spock versus the consequences he would suffer telling Faizah and succumbing to her incessant teasing. He decided to confide in Spock.

"Last week the flitter acted up and was making odd noises. Faizah told me to have it looked at, and I intended to make the appointment, but we were busy."

"Is mobile service unavailable?" Spock asked.

Mbaruku looked skyward in frustration. "I cannot call the mobile service. If I do, Faizah will not let me forget about the many reminders she gave me to arrange for service in the first place."

Spock tilted his chin downward and narrowed his eyes again.

"Spock, if we don't 'progress in this domestic undertaking,'" Mbaruku said, using Sarek's words, "there will be no 'mitigating' Faizah and Nyota."

Spock's eyes narrowed even more. "We, Sir?"

Desperation called for desperate measures. It was time to pull rank. "You know the wrath of an incensed Uhura woman. If you want peace in this house—and peace with your future father-in-law—you will help me in my time of need."

There, nothing wrong with a little blackmail, a bit of bravado from the father-warrior who nonetheless knew he was entirely at Spock's mercy.

Spock straightened, and Mbaruku thought he saw the younger's lip turn up minutely. "Rendering assistance is logical in this instance," he stated.

Was that a smirk on Spock's face? At this point, it no longer mattered. Mbaruku was not delaying anymore. "Good, I am glad that you agree. We need to get out of here before Faizah or Nyota wakes up. See what you can do."

Spock walked to the flitter and hooked his hands under the engine panel to remove it. "Engineering is not my expertise."

Expertise or not, Spock knew more than Mbaruku did, which was better than nothing. "Surely you've had some mechanical training," Mbaruku prodded. "Even Nyota had basic mechanics courses. Just take a look. That is all that I ask."

Spock pulled the front panel, and a slight expression of recognition crossed his features. "Sir, the propulsion regulator conduit is damaged, which is disrupting the initiation sequence. I may be able to provide a temporary bypass. However, its capacity and duration will be limited. It may be enough to power up and pilot this craft for a limited distance."

"But you can't guarantee how far?"

"No, Sir."

"What do I do if it breaks down before I get to the flitter service bay?"

"Another bypass may be possible."

"It's only a few blocks away, and I'm not calling for mobile service if I'm within a few blocks," Mbaruku said, thinking on his feet. "You must come with me."

"Sir? It is not advisable. I would draw attention."

"We will disguise you. I have a keffiyeh in my office."

"A keffiyeh?"

"A Middle Eastern head covering that men wear. It was a gift from a couple of my graduate students. It would complement what you're wearing now, and you will look like one of them if no one looks too closely."

Spock folded his arms and tilted his head slightly in question. He did not look convinced.

Mbaruku was not going to let Spock argue. "It's still early, and we would not be out long. You get the flitter started; I'll be right back." He turned and hurried again to his office to retrieve the keffiyeh before Spock could answer.

-o0o-

As Spock had warned, a block from the flitter garage, the Uhura Family Flitter descended onto the street when Spock's bypass overloaded and blew.

Mbaruku exhaled. Spock's eyebrows disappeared behind the keffiyeh's fabric. Inexplicably Mbaruku sensed some more amusement. Had Mbaruku not retained some awe of the historical figure and depended on him to coax the flitter another few meters, he might have snapped at him. Instead he took in another calming breath. "Any recommendations?"

"In future instances of flitter malfunction, engage service promptly."

Mbaruku adopted a Faizah-style glare. "Thank you for that wisdom, Spock."

Fortunately Spock did not push his point on Mbaruku any further. Instead he grabbed the small tool bag they had brought along and exited the vehicle to assess the situation. He removed the engine panel and inspected the latest damage. Mbaruku got out and stood off to the side, watching Spock work. Spock frowned slightly, and his eyebrows knitted together, concentrating as he removed a burned tube, whose function mystified Mbaruku, from an array of other mysterious tubes. Not a good sign.

Spock calmly attended to removing and repurposing various chips, tubes, wires, and power panels while Mbaruku simply shook his head. At least this was going well. Even if Spock was not an expert, he was faking it well.

"You seem to know what you are doing," Mbaruku commented. "And you say this is not your expertise?"

Spock pulled another panel out, then wiped it clean with a cloth. "No, it is not. However my father has comprehensive experience in flitter and hoverbike construction and repair. I received basic instruction from him."

Mbaruku laughed at the revelation. Sarek of Vulcan had many talents. "I will repeat myself: I truly need to meet your father."

"Yes, Sir." Spock nodded, returning the panel to its slot before reattaching some kind of conduit.

Despite the breakdown, this was going well. Mbaruku relaxed. He was in good hands. It was a pleasant morning. He and Spock would get the flitter to the shop, Yosefi would fix it, and then he…

Mbaruku's eyes caught something approaching from down the street. He blinked to reconfirm it. "Oh, no…"

Spock lifted his head from his work. "Sir?"

"See that skimmer that is coming here?" Mbaruku frowned. "It looks like Angela Wambua's. She's Faizah's best friend. If she asks, don't let her know what's going on, or she'll tell Faizah, and I'll never hear the end of it."

"Does this matter concern Ms. Wambua?"

"No, but she will think it does."

"Understood," Spock replied with one of those innocent tilts of the head as he returned to his work.

Did Spock really "understand"? Mbaruku had no time to find out because it was indeed Angela, who pulled up along the Uhura flitter, smiled knowingly, and punched a button to roll down the window. "Mbaru, what is going on here? Do you need…help?"

"Oh, Good Morning, Angela." Mbaruku adopted his most friendly manner. "Beautiful day, is it not?"

Angela smiled sweetly. "Oh, it is pleasant so far."

Mbaruku realized that Angela was humoring him, and that she had surmised Mbaruku's predicament. Faizah and Angela talked to each other all the time. Faizah must have complained about the flitter issue. But appearances had to be maintained.

Angela tilted her head and her eyes narrowed. "Flitter trouble…?" she lilted casually.

"Oh, nothing serious," Mbaruku smiled back, maintaining his charade. "Just taking a look. Heard a strange rattling. I thought I should investigate."

"Ah," said Angela, tilting her head to the other side, observing (and obviously appreciating) the back side of the younger man actually engaged in examining the craft. "So that is you, yourself, there looking in the propulsion compartment? Or do you suddenly have a twin?"

"One of my graduate students," Mbaruku supplied.

Spock looked up at Mbaruku's pronouncement. Angela's eyes opened wide. Despite the keffiyeh covering his hair and ears, Angela recognized him immediately. And why would she not? As Nyota's "second mother," she was almost as familiar with Nyota's crewmates as Faizah and Mbaruku were.

"Mbaruku Uhura, this is not your twin, nor is he your graduate student," she stated. "What is going on?"

Spock looked at Mbaruku in silent question. Mbaruku nodded, inviting him over. He walked to Mbaruku's side, next to Angela's opened window.

"Very well, but you cannot tell anyone, Angela, not one person, do you hear me? This is Commander Spock, one of Nyota's superior officers. No one is supposed to know he's here."

"I see. How…?"

Mbaruku held up his hand. "The Commander has graciously agreed to be interviewed as part of my 'living history' documentation project at the university. We are trying to leave behind as accurate and comprehensive a record of recent events for future historians. It is important work."

"Yes, yes, I am sure that it is," Angela replied slowly, still incredulous.

"Commander, this is Angela Wambua, Faizah's college roommate and an old family friend."

"Ma'am," Spock said, acknowledging Angela.

"Commander, I am honored to meet you," she said.

Spock acknowledged Angela with a nod, then addressed Mbaruku with his most stereotypical Vulcan body language and vocalizations. "Dr. Uhura, I have located the source of the 'rattle.' However, I require your input before I proceed. If I may…." Spock gestured toward the open compartment.

"Very good, Commander," Mbaruku said, bravely maintaining his ruse. "I will be right there."

Spock bowed slightly to Angela as he turned, then returned his attention to his task.

"You are interviewing Commander Spock?" Angela whispered. "And Faizah knows?"

Mbaruku nodded, then intoned as if sharing a confidence. "He and Faizah have met. Nyota introduced them before we began this project."

"Now I know why Faizah has been crazy the past two weeks. She refused to tell me why she was so edgy."

Oh, if only Angela knew, Mbaruku thought to himself. "You cannot say anything to anyone, either," Mbaruku warned. "It would compromise his safety and my project."

"Oh?" Angela smiled wickedly. "Like riding around in your broken flitter does not? Do not worry, Mbaru, I won't say anything to anyone who doesn't already know he is here."

Yes, Mbaruku concluded, she would be calling Faizah the first chance she got.

"Angela, please give my regards to William and the children," he said, plastering a smile on his face while closing the conversation. "Have a good day."

To Mbaruku's relief, Angela Wambua for once appeared to know when she was being dismissed. She pulled away, taking another admiring glance at Spock, but smirking. Though Mbaruku trusted Angela to keep a secret from the rest of the world, Faizah would be hearing from Angela within minutes.

As Mbaruku joined Spock near the flitter, one of the younger man's eyebrows rose.

"Living history documentation, Sir?"

"I had to tell her something, or else she wouldn't leave until she found out why you were really here," he said. "We're lucky it was Angela and not one of The Family."

The Vulcan frowned slightly, momentarily acknowledging the implications of that scenario, then returned his focus to the flitter. "The power coupling to the propulsion regulator conduit is damaged, as is the propulsion regulator conduit," he said. "I have completed the necessary bypasses."

Mbaruku nodded. "If we can make it another block, that is all we need. Will it get us that far?"

"Yes, Sir."

Mbaruku and Spock climbed back into the skimmer. Spock took the driver's seat and performed several systems checks before committing to power initiation. The flitter resisted at first, but eventually powered up enough for the craft to lope with the unblinding speed of a tortoise until, approximately 15 minutes later, they arrived at the service center.

As if on cue, flitter bay proprietor Yosefi Mpopo met them with the doors to Bay 1 already open. "Dr. Uhura, Miss Faizah called. We have been expecting you!"

Faizah's taunts had begun. Mbaruku sighed, accepting his fate.

Before Spock became an object of attention, Mbaruku got out of the flitter, signed the service PADD authorizing the repairs, and provided a credit chit. The sooner they got out, the better. Spock quietly exited the vehicle and directed his attention toward some landscaping, keeping his face turned away from shop staff until Mbaruku collected him for the walk home.

At least once he returned home to face Faizah, Spock would be at his side to diffuse some of her humor. How much support he would get from the younger (if any) was uncertain, but the idea of Spock's presence was comforting nonetheless.

Interesting.

Author's Note February 23, 2012: Thanks again, T'Soy!