Chapter 12

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.167, 0010 hours. Spock stood so unnaturally still that Nyota began to worry she'd said the wrong thing after all. Finally his hand unclenched around her wedding ring and he looked down at it blankly before back to her in his own expressionless disbelief. It wasas she originally suspected then; Spock was ashamed of the bonding. Just because his father had married a human didn't mean he wanted to face the same stigma and shame. His actions on Meritani, the feelings she saw him having for her…he'd been trying to suppress them because he found them repugnant. She'd misread the entire situation and now she'd only made it worse...

The revelation made her meltdown, exactly the scenario which she'd tried to avoid since he first woke up. "I'm sorry, I…I misunderstood, I shouldn't have…I'll…" Spock swiftly blocked her path, palm out and hovering centimeters away from her belly. She met his pleading look with one of shock and ever so slowly he laid his hand to rest on the shirt over her abdomen. The baby, who had been relatively quiet up until now, began to push back against the warmth of Spock's palm, making him gasp. Just that one exclamation made her eyes light up, and after lingering on her stomach a moment she watched his hand travel upward to come to rest over her heart.

"We are bonded?"

"Yes." She stared into his eyes, brown orbs pooling so deep she thought they were limitless.

"You are mine?"

He didn't believe her. Of all the possible outcomes she'd anticipated, this—her beautiful, stubborn, wonderful, literal-minded husband—didn't believe her. Nyota chuckled amidst her sobs and reached up, drawing his head down until their foreheads touched. Yes, Spokh; I am yours and you are mine.

Mentally he nudged back, widening the connection, and cradled her face in his hands as he sought entry into all that he had missed. She wanted to show him everything and tried but the thoughts tripped over themselves until even she couldn't keep the chronology straight. His awe over their relationship stifled her like a wet heat that threatened to drown her and his joy only made Nyota cry harder.

Do not cry, k'diwa*, he urged. His words had the opposite effect and she began to cry harder still, hating the spectacle she was making and knowing how uncomfortable it made him. Spock surprised her by reaching around and brushing the tears away with his thumb. Show me. Show me what is troubling you.

She was too emotional, she was in no fit state to explain herself but the thoughts came out in spite of it all just as rapidly, if not more so, than before. Nyota tried to tell him why she did what she did, why she hid in plain sight, distanced herself, kept the bond and the baby a secret. It made no sense now, none of it, and she cursed herself for her human failings and stupidity.

Stop, he told her. Just stop.

She did, jerking her head back and breaking the bond as she gulped down air. Reaching around Spock cradled the back of her head and pulled her closer, tucking her under his chin in the oh-so-familiar posture that let Nyota know she was finally home. "I'm sorry," she sobbed in relief. "I knew everything you were going to face. I thought it'd be better…it'd be easier if you didn't…I just didn't want to burden you…"

Were it not for years of practice her thoughts would have bowled him over with their intensity; as it were Spock still struggled to keep up. Her mind was a jumble yet as she opened up her consciousness to him all the pieces began falling into place.

Why she had been waiting for him at his sick room bedside.

Why there had been voids left throughout his quarters—her hair ties, PADDs, knick knacks, clothes, all removed from their quarters in haste.

Why the crew always stared at them whenever they were together in public.

Why she knew more about him and his private life than anyone else aboard.

Why she dominated nearly every single recovered memory he had.

As she helped him revisit their life together Spock could not help but be more amazed by her and her resilience and fall more and more madly in love. This intelligent, compassionate, beautiful woman had consented to be his bondmate.

She was his.

Spock could feel the tears continue to stream down her face and while his own emotional center began to fall back into place hers rapidly unraveled. Happiness, relief, bewilderment, anger…her heart rate sped up and, ever mindful of their child growing inside of her he urged her to calm down. Do not cry, k'diwa. In spite of his gentle instruction the tears kept falling and he could feel a pressure building in her mind, threatening to break. Show me. Show me what is troubling you.

That was all he needed to say. Spock watched himself through her eyes in that same rapid tumble. There were so many memories he had yet to recover which, given the fact that they were presented out of context, made no sense; and while he did not fully understand her motivations for her behavior he could not fault her for her choice; what was done was done. He urged her to stop berating herself and as she pulled away and broke the surface bond he grieved for the loss of her presence in his mind. He pulled her close and tucked her head under his chin just to feel her again.

"I'm sorry," she said, choking back a sob. "I knew everything you were going to face. I thought it'd be better…it'd be easier if you didn't…I just didn't want to burden you…"

The fact that she thought she needed to distance herself to protect him alarmed Spock. "Nyota, how could I not be troubled? Yes, I was," he swallowed hard at the admission he was about to make, "Devastated by Mother's death and the loss of Vulcan but those losses were made worse by your absence. You had half of my heart and soul and I did not know it, and believing you to be bonded to another…"

"Say it again," she whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Spock furrowed his brow. He had yet to finish and she needed him to repeat himself? "You had…"

"No, Spokh, not that. Please..." She pressed a hand to the back of his neck and showed him what she needed.

"Nyota." Beautiful, beautiful Nyota. He closed his eyes, reveling in the way her name rolled off his tongue—a name he previously only dared utter in his dreams. Mutual waves of pleasure washed over them both. "Nyota."

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.167, 1037 hours. Spock awoke slowly and stretched out across the mattress like a cat, tugging gently at the new skin on his chest. Only when he reached down to rub the thin shirt over his raw flesh did he realize he was alone in the middle of the bed and his wife was nowhere in sight.

"Nyota?"

As if in answer to his question the toilet flushed and water started running in the sink. She emerged a moment later in a red tank top and loose black pants. "I'm right here," she said as she stood in the doorway. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you but nature called."

She spoke but Spock did not hear a word for he could not tear his eyes away from the protruding bit of stomach that refused to be constrained by her clothing.

He was reluctant to leave their quarters, wanting to spend the entire night asking questions only she had the answers to, but she led him through the halls to sickbay regardless. "I won't let you do this," she admonished him gently, looking down at his hands. "Not on account of me. Not when a few minutes with the dermal regen can fix it." He took hold of her hand, letting her know how grateful he was to have her looking out for him. Nyota stopped in her tracks and turned around, cupping his cheek in her hand right there in the middle of the hallway. I always worry about you, Spock. Always. I love you; I only ever wanted what was best… Feeling her remorsefulness he stopped her short with a flick of his head and gently took hold of her wrist, leading her the rest of the way to sickbay.

If Dr. M'Benga was surprised by their joint, late-night appearance than he hid it well, ushering them over to an empty bio-bed to repair the damage from the Basilisk hound attack. "There," he declared, leaning in close to examine his handiwork without extraneous physical contact. "Good as new. Be careful though and try not to put too much pressure on your chest or hands for a couple of hours just to let the nerves fully heal." He strode over to a computer on the wall and keyed in a couple codes. "Lieutenant I see you're on forty-eight hours restricted duty while you recover?"

"Yes."

"Ok." His fingers flew over the console as he input some new data. "Commander, I'm going to go ahead and order the same for you."

"That is not necessary, Doctor, as I will be…"

"Spock," she interjected. "He's trying to give us some time together. Alone."

Oh. "Very well, Doctor. I will defer to your medical expertise."

Dr. M'Benga nodded and grinned at Nyota. "Good, good. And don't forget to stop in again before either of you return to the bridge."

"Understood." But Nyota was already tugging him back out into the hall. When they entered the turbolift she ordered it to her quarters.

He escorted her down the empty corridor on Deck 10 and could not fathom how alone she must have felt up here, isolated from the crew as she was. From her frenzied glimpses it was clear her friends had not abandoned her, but rather she had exiled herself. While he had craved solitude since his awakening he knew that Nyota thrived on social contact and here she had none. It was as though she had buried herself away along with their love and he grieved for the pain he had put her through.

She stopped in front of her door and turned to him expectantly. "You'll come and get me later in the morning, right? So we can talk?"

She was leaving? "I do not understand. Are we not here to retrieve your clothing and belongings so that we may return to our quarters?"

Desire pulsed through him as he watched her worry her lower lip. He had the overwhelming urge to kiss her but she chose that moment to take a small half-step back. "You don't think it's too soon?"

That question left him well and truly puzzled. "Clarify."

"I only told you about us what, like two hours…"

"Two hours and thirty-nine minutes ago."

He thought even her glare of annoyance was lovely. "Right. Don't you want some time to process this? Maybe meditate? Shouldn't we take a minute before jumping back in…"

"We are bonded, correct?" he interrupted. Though he only had her word and her memories to go on he knew in his heart this was true.

"Yes," she answered hesitantly.

Spock closed his eyes, recalling the ancient marriage chant—'Parted from me and never parted.' "Nyota, I do not wish to be parted from you another minute more. I want us to return home together." Her face flushed and he could hear her heart pound while her sweet, natural scent filled his nostrils.

This sentiment…aroused her.

Fascinating.

"Ok." Her voice trembled slightly with what he hoped was desire. "Let me just change and get a few things. Wait here."

She emerged 7.9 minutes later wearing her long bathrobe and slippers and carrying a small pile of clothing in her hands which he promptly took. The intoxicating perfume was gone, replaced instead by clean cotton. Secretly he lamented the loss though he conceded it was most likely for the best.

It was 0258 when they finally returned to their quarters. As he removed and folded each article of his uniform Nyota raised the thermostat on the wall before crawling in under the thin sheet. Once he was down to his underwear Spock turned off the lights and also headed for bed. While he was certainly comfortable he knew other humans of his acquaintance would call this heat 'stifling'. "You do not find this temperature setting too warm?"

"No," she replied in the darkness. As he slipped in beside her she added, "It was hard learning to sleep without you. I missed your heat and I'm, well I guess you could say we're used to it by now."

The baby. So many things he wanted to know about his wife and their child but he knew Nyota must have been exhausted. His questions would keep. He lay on his back hardly daring to move as she lay beside him. He wished he knew what she was thinking. If only the bond had not been taken away…

Reaching out he took hold of her hand, surprised to find her clutch his hand right back. She felt as awkward as he did and it was a comfort to learn he was not alone in this regard. After another moment Nyota started to slowly stroke his middle and forefinger in the ozh'etsa*; the bond blossomed under her tender embrace.

"Is this what you need too, Spock?"

A bond, a connection, an anchor; a place of belonging. Acceptance. Love. Yes…

She broke the connection and rolled over on her side, facing away from him. Why had she done that? He was about to inquire as to her motives when she reached back for his hand. "Trust me, Ashayam*. I know I don't deserve it right now but trust me."

He did trust her, always had and always would, and allowed her to guide him into position. She placed his arm around her chest and scooted up against him until he completely cocooned her, the bare soles of her feet freezing the tops of his, but he did not care. Tenderly he caught some of her loose hair in his free hand and brought it up to his nose, inhaling the lavendar-tinged shampoo mixed with the exotic spices of her natural scent. His palm he pressed flat against the skin of her shoulder to keep the connection open and he followed her as she finally fell asleep. She dreamt of herself in a beautiful, bright red khanga* dancing in the desert, a small, pointed-eared infant dressed in traditional Vulcan robes balanced on her hip. It pleased him to see her so content—to see them so content.

Sleep did not elude him long after that and Spock awoke refreshed and centered, only growing worried again when she was not near.

"Spock," she said, shaking him out of his reverie. "You're staring."

He blinked up at her as he pulled himself into a sitting position. Indeed he had been staring. "I am staring because you are carrying our child."

She grinned and stroked her belly affectionately. "Oh is that what this is! I thought I swallowed a basketball."

"I believe the Captain is in need of a remedial lesson on human reproduction if that is what he believes. You did not swallow a basketball or any such object of similar size."

Nyota burst out laughing and came to sit on the foot of the bed. "You heard about that?" He nodded. "Oh my God, I'm just trying to picture Len having that conversation, and with him of all people…"

A silence descended over them as her chuckles trailed off and he found his eyes settling once more on her stomach. "Is the child healthy?"

She instantly sobered. "Yes, quite."

"Was the child…"

"Yes?"

Spock swallowed hard, unsure if he could handle the answer. "…conceived…naturally?"

Nyota blushed and a small grin spread across her face. "Yes."

His brows shot up in surprise. "The likelihood that we would be able to conceive on our own is less than 3…"

"'…3.17%, not accounting for outside reproductive assistance which would only marginally increase the odds in our favor,'" Nyota quoted back at him. "I know, but we did and now here he or she is."

"I have mentioned this statistic before."

"Yes." He was only vaguely aware of her mood shifting as she grew more subdued. Spock sensed that there were more details that he was not yet privy too; however, despite his curiosity he let the matter drop so as not to upset his adun'a*. "And the cause of your fainting spell sixty-seven days ago?"

She fought a grimace as she rolled her eyes. "Just a little something the VSA forgot to mention in their 'What to Expect When Your Human Bondmate is Expecting' manual." Her attempt at deflective humor alarmed him further. Spock was ready to call the sickbay and demand access to her pre-natal records when she reached for his wrist and placed his hand atop her shirt. "We're fine. Honest. Completely and totally healthy. Len would have me locked up in sickbay right now if we weren't."

Just like before the child started nudging back at his palm and he struggled to visibly contain his delight. "Has the sex of the child been determined?"

"No," she replied, smiling shyly. "I…I've been waiting for you. I wanted you to be the one to tell me."

He reached for her bare arm and sent her wave after wave of love at this gift. "May I do so now?" he asked, eying the tank top and seeking permission.

"Of course."

Adoringly Spock brought his hands to the hem of her shirt, slowly rolling it up until her stomach was exposed. He was about to sense for the baby when she stopped him with a hold on his wrist.

"Are you sure it's not too much?" she asked, eying his recently-mended hands in apprehension. "We can wait. Dr. M'Benga said…"

"It is not too much." He wanted to do this—she had no idea how badly he wanted to do this. Gently extricating himself from her hold he cradled his hands around her belly and closed his eyes in concentration. The bright white light of the lifespark danced and shimmied before him, equal parts thrilled and fascinated at the connection being made. Time itself seemed to stop as he bonded with the child.

Her child. His child.

Theirs.

After a fashion the infant grew tired and Spock slowly withdrew. "Well?" Nyota asked before he was fully recovered. The corner of his mouth ticked up ever-so-slightly; he could not help it, he was too happy to contain himself.

"You were correct. Our daughter is healthy."

"Our daughter," she repeated with a gasp.

Spock could not help but wonder at her and with her over this miracle they created, for their daughter was a miracle no matter how illogical the notion was.

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.168, 1921 hours. It had been a strange weekend on so many levels, yet as Nyota sat at the kitchen table going over her duty reports she couldn't help but bristle feeling Spock's eyes on the back of her neck. He'd been watching her like a hawk for the last two days and after the initial joy of their reunion wore off irritation set in. Sometimes he'd have that look on his face too—the one he got when he came across a problem he couldn't solve quite right—and if she didn't make a point of asking him what was on his mind he'd just go right back to staring at her like that.

On the one hand it was unnerving being scrutinized so closely; on the other hand she knew she deserved it after all she'd put him through. Spock probably did think that if he blinked she might up and disappear—either that or he'd wake up and find he was having a break with reality—which was why she'd put up with it for so long. She owed it to him.

But after a further fifteen minutes she just couldn't take it anymore. "Ok, enough! Uncle! Uncle! What gives?"

One eyebrow shot straight into his hairline. "Uncle? I do not understand. I am your husband, not your uncle."

"It's an idiom," she said with a dismissive flick of the wrist. "But that's not the point. Why do you keep staring at me like that? Can't you see how annoying that is?"

"I noticed your exasperation increasing as of 12.9 minutes ago but was unaware that my scrutiny was the cause. If it will make you more comfortable I will desist."

"Thank you."

"However, I must insist that you then join me on the sofa as we complete our assignments in preparation for tomorrow."

That was new. She almost always worked at the table so she could spread her work out (much to his annoyance) in her typical controlled chaos; but if sitting next to him was what he wanted… "Ok…" She plopped down beside him. "Is this better?"

"Affirmative." Spock returned to his own reports and did not pay her another thought.

Another ten minutes went by before she spoke again. "This isn't working either."

He quickly glanced down at her PADDs strewn about the coffee table commingling with his own. "Do you require more usable space? Perhaps if we both return to…"

"No, Spock, that's not what I'm talking about. What's going on with you? I know I deserve—" she gestured at him emphatically with both hands "—this, but can we please at least talk about it instead of you guilting me with your eyes for the rest of our lives?"

She watched him parse out her meaning and struggle with his own response. "I am not attempting to 'guilt' you with my eyes, now or in the future. I find that in light of recent events I…am in…need…of certain reassurances…with regards to our relationship."

The last bit was stilted and quiet but at least it was a start. Nyota's anger instantly left her knowing how hard it was for him to articulate his feelings. She turned in her seat and leaned forward. "Would it help if we…?" she pointed to her temple.

"Yes."

His relief was palpable as he connected with her psi points and entered her mind with the barest ripple.

"You're hardly here," she thought.

"I did not wish to overwhelm you."

Nyota shot him the mental equivalent of a look of ire. "I'm not a china doll, you don't have to be quite so gentle. I won't break and I'm not going anywhere. What I need is for you to get in here and talk to me about what's bothering you."

He sighed, something he would never allow himself to do outside the mental plane. "As you wish."

Her world quickly exploded with the heat and autumn colors she associated with his mind as he opened up the bond more deeply. "There," she said with relief. "Much better."

"Yes. I could not agree with you more." After an indeterminate time she felt Spock sigh again and attempt to begin.

"Nyota, I am unsure as to how much you know about the custom of the Vulcan marital bond but if you would permit me I would like to explain it to you." Giving her acquiescence he began with more confidence. "The bond is not simply an affectation of our telepathic evolution; it is a necessary component of a marriage partnership. It comes from the time before Surak when mates were regularly taken by force. The bond not only legitimized the relationship but cemented the male's claim on the female. If another tried to take her he would be able to use the bond to locate her and fight for her as was his right.

"Today the bond is as much about protecting one's mate as it is about fostering affection and support. Bonds are forged as children so that the intended can grow accustomed to one another's presence, to learn their likes and dislikes, to…"

"Like the bond you had with T'Pring."

Spock gave her the equivalent of a double-take. "I do not know why I am surprised that you know about her."

She resisted the urge to shoot him a smug smirk. "You two were bonded for a long time; it'd be difficult for me not to know about her considering the marks she left on your psyche. I chose not to ask too many questions because I know you don't like to talk about her but it's obvious you two weren't well-suited for each other."

"She despised me." It was the first time he'd ever admitted such a thing despite vague hints and feelings along those lines. In fact, although he grieved her senseless death, just thinking about T'Pring now made his blood boil and that feeling was transferred across the bond. "She despised the abomination she found herself connected to."

"You are not an abomination," she growled back.

"No." He replayed the moment he first interacted with their daughter, how in awe he was of her and her vibrant life spark. "We are not." Spock set the memory aside.

"The point I am attempting to make is that the bond is a vital part of a Vulcan relationship and without it I find myself struggling. We know that we are bonded and yet we are without a bond—a predicament I must admit I am not fully equipped to deal with. I grow more concerned for your well-being when you are not within visual range, especially in light of the pregnancy. Also, I cannot gauge how best to interpret your moods or discern your needs without direct physical contact and that is not always convenient or appropriate."

She considered arguing with him on that point before realizing she wasn't the one protesting physical contact—he was. He wanted to be a good bondmate but knew that when they returned to the bridge it wouldn't be proper for him, a most private and proper Vulcan man, to suddenly reach out and take hold of her hand whenever he was in need of edification or support.

However, his answer wasn't quite answer enough. "Is that the only reason why you keep staring at me all day?"

Nyota felt his mortification even as he dutifully replied, "I also find that I am both surprised and humbled that you would consent to bond with me. I have not yet been able to reconcile these emotions and find myself staring at you more often than not."

Now it was her turn to blush. After everything she'd put him through and he didn't think he deserved her. "Oh Spock…"

She swallowed hard and focused. If she didn't say it now she'd lose her nerve and chicken out. "I need to ask you something. May we…" She gestured toward the waking world.

"Of course."

He withdrew from her mind slowly but before he could fully take his hands away she clasped them in hers and brought them down to her lap. His gratitude was obvious and she squeezed his hands back. "Don't go thanking me just yet…" His confusion crackled like static across the bond but Nyota ignored it. "I need to know if you understand why I did what I did and if you'll ever be able to really forgive me."

Spock quirked his head and carefully reviewed her question. "I admit that I have considered the situation carefully, but while the entirety of your reasoning escapes me I trust that your logic in doing as you did was sound."

"Really? Why?"

"Because I trust you, Nyota. You would not have done as you did without considering all possibilities."

Her heart melted at his vast confidence in her, despite it's being misplaced. "Spock, I…I want to explain myself." He started to protest. "I mean really explain myself. I know now that my reasoning was flawed even if you don't and I want to try and tell you why things happened the way they did."

Spock sat beside her on the couch quietly rubbing small circles in the back of her hand with his thumb. She took it as her opening. "Ok." Her breath came out all in a rush as she suppressed a tremble. Why was she suddenly so scared? What did she have to lose?

Everything; Nyota realized if he rejected her now that he had full knowledge of their relationship then she had everything to lose.

With that thought a new sensation rippled across the bond and she realized Spock was projecting his fears too, thereby magnifying her own. Now that she noticed he tried to send her some encouragement. I will not leave you, k'diwa. Never. And I will hear all you have to say. In spite of his thoughts she could still feel his niggling doubt about her wanting to leave him and she squeezed his hand again.

How had she managed to mess things up so badly?

"Before I start you need to know that I didn't lie to you because I wanted to break the bond. I never want that. The only time I could ever want the bond to be broken would be if it was something you wanted or needed or if it saved your life…which is kind of what I thought I was doing at the time." The tightness in her chest eased as his fear receded.

"The day Vulcan was destroyed—" here his calm stuttered and she couldn't blame him, "You lost your control. You lost it publicly and you lost it badly. Jim provoked you; he had his reasons but that doesn't excuse him and seeing you like that…so…so raw…you have NO idea what it was like, loving you and seeing you hurt like that. And every day since you've gotten up out of bed, reported for duty and gone about your business like you don't still carry all that pain inside when really it's almost as fresh as the day it happened.

"I'm not telling you this to hurt you—I'm telling you because when you woke up I knew what awaited you even if you didn't. What happened to your people—what happened to your mother—was absolutely terrible and I knew how difficult it was going to be for you having to go through that all over again; and without the bond, without any kind of basis for a relationship with me whatsoever, I knew my presence in your life would only complicate your recovery. In your mind I was still nothing more than your TA—another cadet on a campus full of cadets. I only found out about the baby a few days before you beamed down and was going to tell you that night after you got back but then everything happened and it just made more sense to wait. I wasn't showing yet and I figured a cure would be found soon enough and I could tell you then.

"It was me who convinced Len and Jim that you were better off not knowing—but don't be mad at them because even though they went along with it they were against the idea from the start. Sa-mekh too—I mean Sarek—he also didn't think it was wise. But I really thought you were better off processing your grief first, in your own way and in your own time.

"And then one week turned into two, and then a month went by, and another, and it all just snow-balled out of control from there." Nyota felt the tears well up in her eyes and willed them back; Spock deserved to know that while he was bonded to a very foolish woman she wasn't always so prone to blubbering. Stupid hormones. "I always intended to come clean but it got harder and harder to find the right words and when I thought you were doing better without me…well, I love you, and if there was a chance you could end up happier without the bond then I was going to let you go."

She reached through the bond to get a better sense of him. Surprise confusion sadness upset appreciation…love.

Love?

"Yes," he answered aloud. "You were prepared to sacrifice all on my behalf. To not…" Here he faltered and raised a hand to her temple again, seeking permission. She nodded and waited for him to finish. "To not love you as much as you love me—and love you more in light of this revelation—would be illogical."

"Love isn't logical," she reminded him half-teasingly.

"I am discovering that love is more powerful than logic."

She mentally quirked an eyebrow and he smiled. "Does this mean I'm forgiven?"

"That was never in question…"

He suppressed all further discussion with a soft, reverential kiss.

*k'diwa = Vulkhansu for Beloved

*ozh'etsa = Vulcan finger kiss

*Ashayam = Vulkhansu for Beloved

*khanga = Traditional African dress

*a'duna = Vulkhansu for wife

A/N: Hi everybody! Thank you for all the reviews so far; they really make my day!

I know some people were expecting Spock to get incredibly upset when Nyota finally told him the truth but I personally feel that that's just not his style. Think of Spock before as walking in a daze, juggling all these warring emotions not only because his mind was violated but because his mother died, his planet was destroyed and he discovered he was in love with a woman he believed was married to another man and expecting a child. Now that he knows the truth, whether he agrees wither Nyota's reasoning or not, he feels nothing but relief. Don't get me wrong, he's still upset about what happened to him on Anguillida, he's just too grateful to be mad at his wife—besides, getting angry at her just wouldn't be logical.

As for Spock and Sarek, well I always pictured their relationship in this story as being very complicated. I think the two of them had a rocky relationship before the Destruction and they only started mending fences after Amanda and Vulcan were gone. Over the last few years they'd enjoyed a much closer father/son relationship but when Spock loses his memory he thinks that the two of them are still at odds, hence why he's so terse with his father whereas Sarek wants to try and help him. Don't worry, they'll get their moment soon too.

Hopefully this clears up a few things—if not, don't worry, there's always the next couple chapters ;-)