Birthday

U.S.S. Enterprise, 2271.294, 1214 hours. She knew this was what she wanted—what she had asked for 7.2 months ago, really—and yet she was still disappointed.

It had taken four months and ten days' worth of hard meditation for her to decide to commit to the Vulcan way. When she approached her parents with her decision Mama understandably balked but Sa-mekh was secretly pleased. They spent a week discussing her request before agreeing to help her bind her emotions. Ever since her parents had treated her as if she were a full-blooded Vulcan.

Stepping back from her feelings T'Alora examined the situation logically. There was nothing to be gained from celebrating the anniversary of one's birth save for the acknowledgment that one was another year older; therefore she should not have been surprised when she sat down to breakfast and no one wished her a Happy Birthday. Not even Selas, who at two years and seventy-four days old could not control these things, said one word about her reaching such a milestone.

When they were through with the meal Sa-mekh rose from the table requesting that they follow him. "Come T'Alora, Se'tak. I have reserved the smaller gymansium for our practice session today. Selas, behave for your mother while we are gone."

"Ok." He nodded his head while Mama tried to wipe the remains of his breakfast from his face. "Bye-bye!"

They spent 90 minutes each learning a new katra and practicing before returning to their quarters. After a quick sonic shower she sat down at her computer to resume her extracurricular lessons while Sa-mekh helped Se'tak review his Vulcan history in the living room.

It did not occur to her to question why Mama and Selas were not there.

As midday approached she rose and stretched, then headed to the living room to inquire whether they would take the meal in their quarters or the Mess. She had no sooner entered the room then the Captain called.

"Spock, you there?"

Sa-mekh approached the comm. unit on the wall. "Yes, Captain. how may I assist you?"

"We, uh, have a bit of a situation in the hangar deck. Think you could come down here and lend a hand?"

His eyes fluttered briefly and she knew he was talking to Mama. "Captain, Nyota is momentarily indisposed and I would need to bring Se'tak and T'Alora with me. Is the situation dangerous?"

This time when Uncle Jim spoke T'Alora made out low whispers in the background. "Uh, no, Spock, it's not dangerous…just a little something that needs your particular expertise. Bring the kids with you and get down here when you can. Kirk out."

Sa-mekh nodded. "Very well. Spock out." He turned to the pair of them. "Children, we are needed in the hangar bay."

As they walked along the corridors Spock tentatively checked the bond with his daughter. She did not suspect a thing.

"Good," Nyota replied. He sensed excitement from his adun'a and then…hesitation? "Spock, she will like this, won't she? She won't think we're trying to pressure her into being more human?"

"K'diwa, you sensed her disappointment this morning as well as I, yet she has not spoken one word of it to either of us. She is committed to her path. Though I cannot accurately anticipate her emotional response I believe she will be pleased by this gesture."

He felt the mental equivalent of a sigh. "I guess you're right. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"Yes we shall."

"Ok. I love you. See you in a minute."

They rounded the last corner and he could feel Se'tak jiggling with excitement. His son slipped a hand into his. "Sa-mekh, we're almost there! T's gonna be so surprised!"

"Indeed she will be, my son. Now remain calm so as to not give the plan away." He settled back down until they reached the doorway. Spock gestured for T'Alora to enter first as he keyed in the code.

"SURPRISE!"

T'Alora blinked rapidly and took in all the people in the balloon and streamer-laden room. Mama and Selas were up in front, next to Uncle Jim, Aunt Taline and the twins, Lily and Sam. She saw Uncle Len, Aunt Chris, Jo-Jo, Tabby and Becca…Uncle Pavel…Uncle Scotty…Uncle Hikaru, Aunt Wendy, Dimora and Kyson…the list went on and on as she looked to each of the guests and she was overcome.

Before she took another step into the room she anxiously looked up at her father. "But I am Vulcan," she said in Vulkhansu. "Vulcans do not celebrate birthdays."

"Ha, ko-fu, you are correct; yet you forget that you are human too and living amongst humans." He bent down so they were eye-to-eye and added, "You have also forgotten that I am Vulcan and that the anniversary of my birth is celebrated in a similar manner as well. There are times when Vulcans must adapt and make concessions to human idiosyncrasies such as these."

She could hear the tease in Sa-mekh's voice and grinned a small grin. He was giving her permission to have a birthday party! "I understand and concede to your logic."

"Then, as your mother would say, 'simply enjoy'."

Se'tak couldn't stand still any longer and started running around. "Were you surprised? Were you? We got you good, didn't we? Bet you thought we forgot all about you…as if! Ha ha ha ha!"