A/N: Thanks for all the replies. Just a quick head's up: I'm working on Chapter 17 right now but it may be awhile in coming. My grandmother went into the hospital recently and between that and classes there's been very little time for writing so I hope you'll bear with me. However, this should tide you over until the next update. Thanks again for all your kind and helpful reviews and I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to them like I used to!

Chapter 16

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.294, 0202 hours. "You're about 3 cm dilated now, Lieutenant. How are the contractions?"

"They're manageable," she replied, scooting about the bed. She shifted up on her knees and moved a cache of pillows in front of her for when the next contraction hit. "Nothing I can't handle yet."

"Ok." He made some notes on his chart. "Have you changed your mind about an epidural?"

Nyota shook her head; she and Spock agreed to try a drug-free birth, fearful of any unforeseen reactions their daughter might have to the various medications on-board. Besides, they both believed that when the time came Spock would be there to help her manage the worst of the labor pain.

M'Benga was still scribbling in his PADD when she asked if there was any news from the surface. No one from the Enterprise or the team still in Ni'Strell were able to get in contact with the Captain, the Doctor or, more importantly, the Commander. "Communications thinks there's some kind of electrical interference but they're not sure. Word has it all their equipment's going haywire."

Great, just what she needed, her husband MIA and her department falling to pieces. Another contraction hit and she nodded along as he talked, focusing on her breathing just like she'd practiced. "What about…sending a team…down to the Temple?"

"Commander Scott says no one's to beam down or take a shuttle near that region because of a local storm. As soon as it's safe though…"

"I get it," she panted angrily. If she weren't so busy trying to block the pain she'd be cursing out the universe. Dammit all, all she wanted was Spock! She was scared and tired and uncomfortable and if they couldn't get him back on this damn ship soon she was going to tear it apart bolt by bolt, so help her!

"I'll call the bridge again," M'Benga said nervously, edging toward the door. Dimming the lights on his way out he all but sprinted from the room. Christine sat giggling in her seat and almost upset her cup of ice chips.

Nyota's brow creased in confusion. "Did I just say that out loud?"

Chris' laughter only increased. "Man, Ny, I am SO glad I'm on your good side!"

Temple of Qua'lash, Stardate 2261.293, 1338 (local time). He was going to die.

Cadet Kirk—acting Captain Kirk—had just outlined a suicide mission that, if executed correctly, would save Earth from the rogue future Romulans bent on destroying the Federation planet by planet. His heartbeat quickened in anticipation and fear of their arrival on the other ship as they made their way toward the transporter room.

The sorrow he also felt was not only over this impending event but over the fact that he would be leaving Nyota Uhura without ever admitting how he truly felt.

He knew she was aware of his feelings—she had let him know as much in the turbo lift after his return from the doomed surface—but now there was no time for her to hear it from him in his own way. It would be his one last regret.

They were walking the corridors of the Enterprise, Kirk in front, Nyota behind. She did not stop at the doors or even at the control station but rather followed him up onto the platform, holding her hands tightly behind her back.

She had known that this was farewell just as surely as he did—and yet he found himself lying to her for the first and last time. "I will be back."

"You better be."

"Spokh." That was not her voice. Who was calling him? Where was that voice coming from?

"I'll be monitoring your frequency."

She was kissing him—or he was kissing her, he could not be certain who initiated the kiss—that smoldered with longing and sorrow and heartache…

"Spokh."

He turned at the sound and the transporter room quickly receded into the background. A tall man with a cone-shaped head and neon blue robes addressed him—the Kerralian priest. He was not currently aboard the Enterprise; he was in the Temple of Qua'lash. "Yes," the man replied. "You must focus. This is not your present. Remember…"

With that warning Spock turned back and viewed the scene again. This was indeed a memory. He had survived his encounter with Nero; his fears for Nyota went unrealized.

With that infamous day now recovered the Kerralian priests forged ahead, working hard to restore the rest of his memories while he took a moment to center himself. This was the longest single meld Spock had ever engaged in and his energy was waning from the sheer amount of concentration. Through the collective he was aware that several hours had passed though his own internal clock was—just like the rest of him—out of sync.

The exhaustion and lack of control were beginning to irritate him, an emotion he barely owned up to having in the face of the men diligently treating him. He was truly grateful for all that they were doing even as his body and mind wanted nothing more than be done with it all and sleep.

"We understand," the Elder answered, "But our work is not yet done. Come." With little reluctance he ventured forth and together they delved into the recesses of his trapped mind once more.

Temple of Qua'lash, Stardate 2261.293, 1512 (local time). Ambassador Dieni had stepped out half an hour ago citing some personal business and Jim yawned for the fourth time in half as many minutes. Idly he wondered if he should suggest that Starfleet make bags of instant coffee standard issue on all utility belts—though why he needed another jolt of caffeine this badly was anybody's guess...after all, they'd only been down there what, 10, 11 hours? He'd been on longer away missions then this without needing a nap.

Of course, the adrenaline from all those other away missions might've had something to do with it too. Staring at 4 marble walls instead of a Nanuen firing squad was safer but it was also boring as all get out.

He yawned again.

"Oh hell," Bone remarked grumpily. "If you need to take a nap lay down over there, and don't use me for a pillow." He went back to staring at the double doors. Jim thought if he stared at them much longer he might actually develop x-ray vision.

Ha!

"I'm fine."

"Uh huh." The Doctor turned and gave him the once over and he had the feeling a hypo was coming his way. "There's no shame in admitting you're tired, Jim. You've been up longer than usual."

He snorted. "I'll have you know I've pulled whole alpha, beta and gamma shifts without relief…"

"Yeah, and afterward you crashed like a ton of Andorian ice bricks. Everyone's got a breaking point. Besides, you've been up for almost 24 hours now."

"What're you talking about, Bones? It's only 3 in the afternoon."

One eyebrow shot up. "How much of that debriefing packet did you read, Kid?"

Jim eyed his friend suspiciously. If he kept up this 'holier-than-thou' attitude with him much longer he was going to start taking it personally. "All of it."

The eyebrow rose higher. "All of it?"

Frak. He was too tired to play their usual 'stubborn' game to it's natural end. "Ok, so maybe I skimmed a few pages. What's the big deal?"

Bones groaned and rolled his eyes. "The big deal is that if you'd read all 32 pages you'd know that for every hour we spend down here 2 hours go past on the Enterprise."

His jaw fell open. "Say what?"

"You heard me. It's already 6 in the morning again up there."

"Bull!"

Bones smirked. "Go ahead, Kid, call my bluff. Call the bridge and ask them to tell you the time, cause that won't sound stupid."

Dammit! They both knew he wouldn't do anything half so ludicrous as that—if he did he'd never live it down. And Bones was acting all self-satisfied which he really hated because it usually meant he was right…and if that was the case then they'd really been down here for 22 hours straight. He hadn't pulled an all-nighter like this in at least 13 months and it just wasn't agreeing with him like it used to. He hated getting old. He used to be able to go days without sleep and now all he wanted was his own bed…

"Here." Bones pulled the med-pack strap off his shoulder and pushed the bag toward him.

Jim looked at it like he'd been handed a bomb. "What's this for?"

"For your pillow, what else?"

He looked again at the harmless bag. "But what about you?"

Tonight—or maybe it was this morning, he really wasn't too sure anymore—Bones was a fountain of smugness and eye rolls. When he finally looked Jim's way again he barked gruffly, "I'm a doctor, I'm trained to go 36, 48 hours at a stretch with minimal sleep. Now shut up and get some shut eye."

"Hey, who's the Captain here?"

"Shut up and get some shut eye, Sir."

Jim smirked. "That's more like it." Pushing off to the far end of the bench he adjusted the make-shift pillow and curled up facing the wall. "And don't let me sleep more than an hour, ok?"

He could just hear the grin in Bones' voice. "An Enterprise hour or a Kerralian one?"

Temple of Qua'lash, Stardate 2261.293, 1746 (local time). The priests were puzzled.

Although the Kerralian and Vulcan people had several traits in common the idea of a mental link as strong and as intimate as a marriage bond was completely alien to them; and, despite their openness, their society placed a great amount of respect on people's privacy. Though they were very much aware of Spock's abilities to shield and dampen his various connections they were still astounded by the perceived lack of boundaries.

But no matter their opinion on the subject the fact still remained that they had yet to reconstitute the bond and had no previous practical experience whatsoever in recovering such an important link—in fact they were not aware such a bond could be formed prior to meeting him.

They had hoped—and fully believed—that the bond would restore itself once memories of his wedding ceremony were recovered. He now recalled every intimate detail of that day and the days both preceding and following it yet the link did not return. However, the priests were fully confident in their ability to heal him and so, for the first time since the entire ordeal began, Spock was asked to sit back and wait, no longer an active participant in the whole affair.

Without the voice of the Elder reminding him to focus he allowed his thoughts wander. He found himself contemplating how his friends were faring just beyond the double doors. No doubt that even on this peaceful world the Captain had managed to get himself into some spot of trouble, even in a place this far removed from society. Hopefully the Doctor was able to keep him from irreparably damaging relations with the Federation's newest member planet; if not he must ready himself to rescue them and repair to the ship as quickly as possible.

Thinking of the Enterprise also made him think of home. The ship he so proudly served on was his home now—had been for some time—and not simply because Vulcan was gone. The Enterprise was where he finally found the acceptance and friendship that had been missing all his life. Sulu, Chekov, Kirk, Scott and yes, even Dr. McCoy (though he would never admit the fact aloud to him), were as much his family as was Sarek.

And Nyota…his relationship with her was without parallel. It was almost beyond his capabilities to put into words how he felt about her though that did not stop him from making the attempt. His wife meant so much to him and his life meant so little without her by his side. He was the man and the officer that he was because she was there beside him, his partner in all things, making him the best he could possibly be…

"Yes," murmured the priests. "Yes…"

Suddenly, the collective swarmed him with thoughts of Nyota, from his initial impressions of her on her first day of class to the moment he left her aboard the ship. The memories came on so fast and furious he had trouble keeping up with them.

"She is the key."

They did not need to elaborate. Spock concentrated again on his wife, focusing on the sensations aroused by each memory, the priests closely monitoring his every move. Slowly, the silvery tendrils of the bond emerged and took hold, snaking their way through the garden of his mind. Every emotional reaction he ever had in response to her made the roots of their link sink deeper and he felt unadulterated joy as her mind reconnected with his. An instant later the bond exploded, fully invading every crevice and causing him to flinch at the intensity of her mental cry.

"SPOCK!"

She was wounded. His bondmate was in pain and calling for him and he was not there...

He carefully studied her memories of the last few hours to determine what had happened. She was still safely aboard the Enterprise when she had been hurt. She had been standing in the observation room when…

No, Nyota was not injured. She was in labor.

His eyes flew open in terror. Chest heaving he stared straight up into the face of the Elder sitting cross-legged before him. The rest of the room was bare, the other priests having retreated into their sanctuary as soon as their work was complete. Looking down he saw he had been brought to sit on the blue circle with his empty hands palm up on his knees—hands which were now trembling with the need to be with Nyota.

Wordlessly the Kerralian stretched forth his slender fingers to access his meld points. "Your mate is delivering your child."

"Yes," he replied, worriedly tapping into the renewed link for more information. She was currently in such distress that she was completely unaware of his presence. In between the colorful curses and her fears for their daughter she was also worried about him. Apparently the Enterprise had been trying to hail them for the last 16 hours without success.

She had been in labor all that time and he had not been there for her…

"The Temple is sacred ground, protected by the gods. Your technology does not work here; that is why your people could not reach you."

With that question answered his next concern was how quickly he might be able to vacate the premises so that he might return to the ship in time for his daughter's birth. Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind Spock tried to shield his selfishness from the Elder; it would not do to reward all the time and energy the Elder and his people had expended in treating him with nothing more than his own impatience.

"You must go. It is the way with our people as well when their mating comes to fruition. Blessed be thee and thine, S'chn T'gai Spokh of Vulcan. We welcome your return should you ever need us again."

"Thank you. I look forward to being of assistance to you and yours as well. Live long and prosper, Elder."

And with that the priest withdrew from his mind for the last time, releasing him from any and all obligations. Spock did not need to be told twice what to do and swiftly rose to his feet. With a last grateful nod at the Kerralian he sprinted for the door.

Temple of Qua'lash, Stardate 2261.293, 1750 (local time). All that time he'd been sittin' out there and he damn near missed the moment he'd been waitin' for.

He'd just been about to nod off when without warning the doors of the healing chamber finally burst open. There Spock stood, framed by a white light while his eyes darted around the room. Physically he looked none the worse for wear but the way he was acting made Len suspicious and he knew only a full body scan would tell whether or not something was really wrong. Jumping up from his seat even faster than Jim he barely had a chance to call out Spock's name when the Vulcan ran out of the room, moving so fast it made his head spin.

"What in the—wait!"

Reaching back Len grabbed his medkit and dashed out after him, wondering what in the hell went on behind those doors to have spooked Spock so badly. In the back of his mind he knew this chase was an exercise in futility—he wasn't the most physically fit man but even he was no match for Vulcan speed—and by the time he reached the bottom steps the Commander was already some 300 meters away and the gap was growing.

"BONES!" The cry made him stop short just outside the gate. Spinning around he saw both Jim and the Ambassador hurriedly rushing down the steps. "He's alright, Bones."

"Oh really? And where's your medical degree, Jim? You just saw him, does he look alright to you?" He was about to take off again when the kid grabbed his arm.

Dieni stepped forth, hands clasped together and half hidden under the sleeves of his robes in deference to Len's dislike of being touched. "Perhaps I may be able to explain the Commander's abrupt departure…"

He did not stop running until he was 22.8 meters beyond the transport shuttle. Whipping out his communicator Spock was able to connect to the ship within seconds. "This is Spock to Enterprise, come in Enterprise."

A crackle of static was followed by the relieved voice of Lieutenant Marks. "Gosh, Commander, you've no idea how good it is to hear your voice! We've been trying to hail you for hours but between the electrical storm and our equipment breaking down this place has been a mess!"

"I am not in need of a report at this time, Lieutenant," he said somewhat tersely. Every second longer he spent on the surface was a second more he was apart from his adun'a. "One to beam up."

"One?" the order was parroted back to him confusedly. "But Sir, what about the Captain and the Doctor? Aren't they…"

"I said one to beam up, Lieutenant. Now."

"Y-yes Sir. Standby."

"Labor?" He looked to Jim incredulously. "You're wrong. If Nyota'd gone into labor then I would've been paged and I haven't been paged."

He'd just learned a few seconds ago why they'd been out of touch with the Enterprise from a meld with the Ambassador and was about to explain it all to Bones when the diplomat answered for him. "It was not possible for your people to reach you while you were within the walls of Qua'lash. There is a great concentration of Halsettir in the bedrock that causes electrical interference; the priests believe that because no technology can work within the Temple grounds that it is sacred and has been blessed by the gods. It was also because of the mineral that we could not safely land the shuttle closer to the entrance when we first arrived." Seeing the anger flare in Bones' eyes he added, "I apologize; I had thought your Captain Sigurson had informed you of this beforehand. It was not our intention to cause you or your people any grief."

Soon Jim found himself the recipient of Bones' sharp-eyed glare. "How far do we have to go to be in place for an emergency beam out?"

His head snapped up and he looked off into the distance past the shuttle they'd arrived in. His gaze directed everyone else's and they watched as Spock dematerialized. "About that far, I'd guess."

"Wise ass," McCoy harrumphed before taking off again at a run. If there was anything that could easily re-direct Bones' anger it was knowing that one of his patients needed him. Jim wanted to follow but turned and held his hand out to Dieni.

"I'm afraid we're needed on the ship, Ambassador." He laid the charm on thick in the hopes of smoothing any ruffled feathers caused by their abrupt departure.

"We understand, Captain. We would expect no less and look forward to seeing and working with you and your people in the future. Blessings on the health and future of the child and on you and your crewmates."

Jim nodded. These were good allies to have. "Thanks. And thanks to you and your people too, for everything."

The Ambassador smiled. "We are happy to be of assistance when assistance is needed."

He broke contact and sprinted off after Bones who was already halfway back to the shuttle. Even knowing everything that could still go wrong he was giddy with excitement knowing that Spock was back in one piece and that Uhura was about to make him an uncle.

Uncle Jimmy…who'd have thought?

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.294, 1151. "Ok Lieutenant, a few more minutes more and I think we'll be about ready to push."

Chris watched in surprise as her friend surged forward and swore—SWORE!—that she would "do no such g-ddamn thing" until Spock got there. She knew Nyota well and she knew that 9 times out of 10 the girl could talk her way into or out of any situation but stopping labor this far along wasn't really an option. Still, Ny was adamant and Dr. M'Benga shot her a look that Chris read all too well; without her cooperation he might just have to sedate her and deliver the baby by Caesarean, an outcome none of them truly wanted to see come to pass.

She leaned over and pushed the dark, sweaty hair out of Nyota's eyes for the umpteenth time. "Sweetie, you've got to listen to me. We've tried hailing him and everything but this baby's coming now and not one of us can stop it. I know you want…"

"It's not just me, Chris." She was sobbing and pleading and panting all in the same breath and it broke her heart. "We've waited so long and wanted her so badly. But he needs to be here to meet her, he…he…" Another contraction hit and Nyota ground her teeth while she watched the monitors around the bed spike. After a long labor there was no denying that they were entering the home stretch and the team stood by ready and waiting. When she finally caught her breath she finished, "He needs to be here, he needs to see for himself that he's not alone anymore and never will be again. You have no idea what she means to him, to us."

Nyota leaned back and breathed deep and Chris just sat there squeezing her hand in sympathy. She knew she was a poor second choice for a labor coach and that they all wanted the Commander to be there but that just wasn't going to happen and somehow she had to get that through her friend's lovable but thick head. Suddenly the grip tightened and she watched as Nyota went glassy-eyed.

He rematerialized on the transporter pad and blew out of the room, leaving 2 shocked ensigns blubbering in his wake as they attempted to direct him to the medical bay as if he did not already know. Spock made it to the turbo lift without incident and ordered it to take him to Deck 5. Only in the quiet of the elevator did he take the time to check in on Nyota's progress again. She was still unwitting of just how much she was broadcasting.

"He needs to be here, he needs to see for himself that he's not alone anymore and never will be again. You have no idea what she means to him, to us."

The lift crawled along at what felt like a snail's pace. Nyota was correct about his desire to be present for the birth—he wanted to be there to support her as much as to greet their daughter—yet she was mistaken as well. With the unconditional love and support of his adun'a he was never alone. "I am coming, k'diwa. Do not despair. I am coming." The doors opened and he shot off down the hall.

"I am coming, k'diwa. Do not despair. I am coming."

It was him! He was back in her head…he was cured!

"SPOCK!" Pulling herself up she looked wildly about the room. He said he was coming, but how close was he? Was he on the ship or was he still trapped on the surface by the storm? Had he even left the Temple? He must be…

"It's time to push."

"What?" she shrieked. "NO!" Squeezing her friend's hand she yanked Christine closer. "It's Spock," she told her. "He's coming. You have to…you have to…ACH!"

"Lieutenant, I'm going to need you to cooperate," M'Benga warned. Seeing that she had no intention of doing any such thing he looked to Christine. "Nurse Chapel, I need you to administer 30 cc's of hypadozone; I'm green-lighting the emergency c-…"

"NO, DAMMIT! CHRIS!" She was panting hard now and trying and failing to keep her desperation at bay. "PLEASE!"

She could see Christine was torn between her duty and their friendship and Nyota could only hope that friendship prevailed. Releasing her hand she watched her turn and walk out of the delivery room. Only when the pneumatics hissed behind her did Nyota breathe a sigh of relief.

It was a potentially career-ending move but she knew Ny and Ny knew Spock; if he said he was coming then he was coming. She only hoped to head him off at the pass and at least get him into some sterile scrubs. The last thing they needed was for him to pass off some Kerralian microbe to the baby in his haste to be present for the birth.

No sooner had she stepped out of the delivery room then the med bay doors opened and a blue/black blur raced in, coming to a halt only centimeters from her face.

"Nurse Chapel, you will step aside."

"Commander, I'm…"

"You will step aside or I will physically remove you from the doorway."

Oh they were trying her patience today—sorely trying it. Frowning at him she threw her shoulders back and pointed toward the decontamination showers, showing him she would not be intimidated. "180 seconds and you'll need to change into scrubs. Then I'll step aside." His eyes flashed and she tried to understand the calculating look on his face. Was he…was he actually debating the merits of arguing with her? "This isn't a request, Commander. She wants you in there as much as you want to be there but I won't risk you potentially infecting my patients—both of them."

Not wasting another second he dashed over to the glass-enclosed sonic decon and locked himself in, glaring at the startled Nurse Ofunzi standing outside to punch in the start-up sequence. While she re-scrubbed Christine glanced up and saw the Commander peel off his shirt and toss it aside then start unbuckling his pants. She quickly turned around; he might not have felt the need to wait until he was out of the shower for a few seconds of privacy but she was still inclined to give it to him.

In no time at all he was standing in front of her again demanding to be let in to the delivery room.

"I want to be beamed directly into Sickbay," he heard Bones order into his communicator as he approached. Jim didn't catch the response but judging by the way his friend's grimace deepened he guessed it wasn't good. "Yes I understand the risk but she's my patient, dammit! And why in the hell weren't we contacted sooner?"

He ground to a halt and caught the tail-end of Lieutenant Marks' simpering apologies. No beam downs allowed due to the storm, electrical interference, malfunctioning equipment…it sounded to him like his baby was going to get a complete overhaul once they broke orbit and things settled down. First order of business, however, was getting back up on the ship. He yanked the communicator out of Bones' hand.

"Hey!"

"Lieutenant, tell the transporter room there's 2 to beam up and get us as close to Sickbay as possible, understood?"

"Yes, Captain."

The Doctor didn't even have time to mutter under his breath before they were caught up in the light and returned to the ship to the astonishment of more than a few crewmembers walking the halls a few yards from the med bay doors. Bones didn't spare them a glance but took off at a run and Jim could hear him barking out orders before he even got into the main room.

"I, uh, guess I'll just wait here then. For news."

She lay limp against the pillows, legs splayed beneath a sterile blue sheet, hair matted to her temples and bags under her eyes…and yet according to his vision she had never looked lovelier.

Without any hesitation he stepped past the medical team rushing around the room and took hold of her hand.

"Peace, Ashayam, I am here. Do not be afraid. I am here."

"Spock!" she choked out between gasps and sobs. "You made it! I was so worried…"

"I'm really going to have to insist you start pushing now, Lieutenant," Doctor M'Benga uttered tersely from the other end of the sheet.

Nurse Chapel sidled up beside him. "Here, Commander. Hurry." She helped Spock get into position behind Nyota so that her back rested against his chest and he could take one of her hands in each of his just as they had practiced in the pre-birth classes.

"You are strong," he encouraged her as he felt the wave of her contraction swell. "You can do this." How she had endured this level of pain for the last 16.28 hours without his assistance or any pharmaceutical aid was remarkable.

"Remarkable my ass!" she barked back unconcerned across the link.

Apparently she did not share his level of intrigue on the matter. Considering all that she had recently undergone he did not blame her.

Nyota bore down for the count of ten. "ErrrrrrAHHHH!"

"Good job, Ny," Nurse Chapel said as she wiped away the sweat. "Just keep it up and she'll be here before you know it." She moved away to assist the Doctor.

His wife was about to push again when Doctor McCoy entered the room. "Startin' the show without me were you, Darlin'?"

He appeared remarkably relaxed, yet Spock knew that the Doctor's emotions often ran contradictory to those of other humans when placed in stressful situations; and if this did not count as stressful in the Doctor's metaphorical book then he did not know what would. Leonard moved to stand behind Doctor M'Benga but did not step forward to take over.

"Doctor, are you…"

"You're doin' fine, Geoff. I'm just here for moral support."

Moral support? They did not need moral support, they needed Doctor McCoy and his expertise to assist in the safe delivery of his daughter; not that he did not think Doctor M'Benga proficient enough in his duties but in matters as important as this…

"Again," the young doctor ordered, interrupting his thoughts.

Focusing on his adun'a, Spock sent every calming memory he could her way and took on his share of her pain. She had labored long and her strength was waning yet she was just as bound and determined as he was to bring their daughter swiftly and safely into the world.

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.294, 1208. The Captain paced back and forth a few yards from the delivery room doors. Once he and the team were back on-board the rest of the command team called in their reliefs and joined him in waiting. Sulu and Chekov had a game of cards going and Scotty leaned against the doorframe with a fistful of cigars that looked a little worse for wear from all the hand wringing. Jim, for his part, paced. He knew the room before him was sound-proofed but he kept thinking he heard the sound of a baby's wail.

Ensign Uzugara happened past and just like every other hapless nurse to come within a meter of him he pressed him for news. The answer was always the same.

"No Sir. Sorry Sir. As soon as I know anything though…"

"You'll let me know," he finished, releasing the other man. "I know."

U.S.S. Enterprise, Stardate 2261.294, 1242. She thought the sound of Spock's voice in her head again was the most beautiful sound in the world—until she heard her baby's first, sweet cries. Soon M'Benga had her cleaned up and wrapped in a fresh blanket in no time and placed her in her waiting arms. Despite being a month early she felt so sturdy and solid and that did her heart good. Her little girl's wails quickly settled into whimpers once she realized she was safe with her mother again and Nyota was content to just stare at her.

"10 fingers, 10 toes, 53.35 centimeters long, 3768.72 grams and an APGAR of 10. In other words she's absolutely…"

"Perfect."

Everyone in the room stopped—not because it wasn't true, but because it was Spock who said it. Her Spock who so famously declared on several occasions that perfection was statistically impossible and therefore unattainable.

Not even 10 minutes old and their little girl already had her father wrapped around her little finger.

"Yes," he replied mentally as he gazed lovingly into their daughter's face. "She does."

Looking down she saw that he had wrested one of her tiny hands loose from her blankets and that the baby was quite literally grasping his pinky finger.

"And I am pleased to be corrected upon the matter of perfection."

She smiled back. "And I'm pleased that you're pleased."

He craned his head around and pressed a kiss to her temple, unable both physically and mentally to contain his joy. She couldn't contain it either and kept feeding the happiness loop across the bond as they gazed at the baby they'd so longed and hoped for. A few minutes later and their little girl let loose a big yawn and squirmed, blinking several times before finally settling in for her first nap.

It was a difficult thing, being born. Tiring even. So very, very tiring…

Her exhaustion finally caught up with her and she reluctantly allowed Christine to take the baby while Spock eased out from behind her on the bed. "Rest, k'diwa. I will watch over her while you sleep."

She smiled wide and Spock leaned in to kiss her again while tucking the sheets up around her. "Yes," she murmured happily. Nyota turned to see the bassinet being wheeled right up beside her. "Sweet dreams, binti*."

*Binti—Swahili for 'daughter'