Moving across country next week and have been super busy, love the reason we're moving…hate having to move ;-) thus, the long wait between chapters. Once we're settled, I'll be updating more regularly. Thanks in advance for your patience!

Okay, totally blew it on chapter 3, sorry. I didn't want to reload it because I'm afraid I'll get my chapters all mixed up, but…

-this is what the sentence reads in the chapter, very confusing…

'As to the time differential, basically, one day on Eden is approximately 3 months, give or take a couple of weeks on the outside.

…and this is what the sentence SHOULD'VE read…

'As to the time differential, basically, one day on the outside is approximately 3 months, give or take a couple of weeks on Eden.

Like I said…searching for a beta…

Intrepid…

"Okay, so electromagnetic instability and possible time flux? Is that even possible?" Christopher rubbed his hand over his face. "Just tell me, how do we get them back?" Pike demanded.

"Sir, I just don't know. Not yet. I've been in contact with Star Fleet scientists and we're both running scenarios. It's just with all the ionic distortions and the electro-magnetic fields it's hard to get anything definitive. And as we said, we are considering a time displacement, as well." Dr. B'Nira, the senior science officer explained.

"Why?" Pike ran his hand over his face. They had to figure this out, there was no alternative.

"The space wobble, the planet that no can see…time displacement, it's all theory, sir, but we may have something akin to it."

"Fine, but I don't want you talkin' outta your ass, Mister. Are we clear?" The last thing he needed was the Ambassador hearing about this. The doctor clenched his jaw and nodded.

"Ambassador Sarek and his wife, the Lady Amanda of Vulcan will be arriving within the next three hours. They are bringing several scientists to aid you, doctor." His jaw tightened. "I will not tell Spock's parents that their son is lost, so do your job."

"Yes, sir." The doctor nodded again.

Back on Eden…

It was decided that they would wait until the next day to trek back to the shuttle. They made their way to 'Lodge House' and did a cursory scan of supplies. The building had several large storage units as well as a lab. Everything was sealed up tight and Nyota used her knife to open up one of the food containers. She turned to Spock and gave him a small smile.

"Well, looks like we'll have some sort of dinner. Look." She motioned to the boxes of pre-packaged foods. "He somehow freeze-dried soups, vegetables…even drinking water. Tea of some sort. We'll have time to figure out what indigenous plant and animal life we can live on while we use this."

"Indeed. There are copious amounts of information, as the Doctor indicated, regarding all aspects of this planet."

"I guess he had more than enough time." She shrugged before looking up at him. "Do you want to use one of the houses here? Or do you want to camp out?"

He decided to give her the option. "Which would you prefer?"

"I'm sorta nervous to just be outside, maybe one of the other houses? Not the one where he died." She shuddered.

"I agree with your assessment." He picked up several folders and indicated she should follow. Nyota grabbed several packets of food and some pots she had seen coming in.

"I hope there's some sort of warming unit."

"There is always fire, Cadet." Spock deadpanned.

"Hey! Was that a joke?" She smiled.

"Merely a suggestion."

On the way to the Intrepid…

Amanda looked over at her husband and saw as well as felt his concern. A time flux. One of the doctors onboard the Intrepid had spoken with Sarek's aid and had touched based on all the information they had accumulated and several theories. The one that stuck with her husband had been a time flux. Oh my god, if Sarek felt this was bad then she knew it must be. "Husband? We are almost at the Intrepid."

"I know, wife." He turned to her and took her hand. "You should have stayed on Terra." He kissed her palm.

She chuckled. "How could I? Our only child is lost. I need to be there when he is found. It is a mothers' prerogative, my love."

"I shall endeavor to remember this." He quirked his lip.

"As you have an eidetic memory I do not see how you could forget." She teased him before quickly sobering. "You are worried about our son." A statement, not a question.

"Time flux, it is spoken of, theorized and postulated upon, but no real data is available." He almost shrugged.

"Well, won't this be a feather in your Vulcan cap when you solve it. And bring our son home." She leaned towards her husband. "You must bring our son home."

"Yes, wife, I must and I will."

On Eden…

They agreed on the second largest of the houses available. It had two bedrooms and an extra room that would serve as an office. The kitchen was a nice size and the main room held a large fireplace. Spock had asked Nyota if she would prefer a house of her own and she quickly shook her head.

"I couldn't, sir. I…please, I won't impose..." She almost pleaded.

"Nyota, I did not mean to imply that this was my wish. I simply did not wish to intrude upon your privacy." He reasoned.

"You won't. I promise." She breathed a sigh of relief.

The first night in their new 'home', Nyota used the solar heated shower and marveled at the ingenuity of the men who lived here before. The water was piped in from a nearby river and although Spock had to clean out the pipes, it was thoroughly heated by the time she used it that evening. She came out of the washroom braiding her hair.

"You know, Dr. Saunders totally planned for someone else to crash here. I mean, all the linens, the towels, the bedding. He cleaned and sealed all of it. The food stores, even those are still usable, not the tastiest, but nutritious...I think." She sat across from Spock. "I'm just amazed."

Spock looked up at her from his reading and nodded. "Yes, according to his journal, his contemporaries died at least ten years before he did. He stated that he had more than enough time and he did not wish any of their work to go to waste. He was a…considerable man."

Nyota chuckled. "Considerable, indeed. I'm feeling better, sir. Sorry I fell apart earlier." She thought back to earlier in the day. After they had buried Dr. Saunders she saw all the other markers of the men who had already died. She fell apart, unable to stop herself from sobbing.

She looked over at him. "It just struck me, if we don't get out of here, one of us is going to have to do what Hank Saunders did. One of us will have to bury the other and one of us will have to lie down and die."

He rose and went to sit beside her. "Cadet Uhura, we have a significant amount of time before that happens. And I am sure Captain Pike will not rest until he had rescued us."

She smiled up at him. "I'm sure your right, sir. However, with the time differential it may be a really long time."

"Yes, it may be. And I think you should call me Spock. We are far from any Star Fleet facility and I believe it would be more conducive to our work and living arrangements." He tilted his head to one side and waited for her reaction.

"I do believe you are right, Spock. And I'd appreciate it if you'd continue to call me Nyota." She smiled again. "Well, it's been a very long day and I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed. What time should we start in the morning?"

"Why do you not sleep until you naturally awaken? It has been a trying day and there will be time to move forward." He offered.

"Oh, thank you, sir. I mean Spock. I'm sure I won't sleep that long anyway. And we need to get back to our shuttle." She nodded and turned to leave the main room. "Good night."

"A restful sleep, Nyota."

Spock sighed as he watched his young ward retreat into her room. He had to find a way to get her back to her home. Back to their home. He felt the weight of the responsibility he felt for her deeply. She was young, too young to have her life stunted in such a way. And he was fearful if they were her too long he might have to inform her of his 'time.' He shook his head and retired to his own room to meditate before attempting sleep.