Janelle Grayson did not know whether to be horrified or amused after Allen told the story. Her young cousin seemed unruffled by the whole episode, but, then, he took after his Vulcan father, and it was hard to read exactly what he thought of it. However, the young woman, Spock's friend Nyota Uhura, seemed to think it was funny.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, Spock," Janelle said. "But I have to be impressed with your ability to knock Morton The Wonder Spider off his tether and out of the park."

"You named that thing 'Morton'?" Allen asked, still trying to control himself.

"It was a unique encounter," Spock said diplomatically.

Janelle smiled at his choice of words. He was not as reserved as she had expected him to be. He had Amanda's eyes, now that Janelle could see him better in her home's grand foyer as her guests hung up their coats in the front closet. A warm brown and, Janelle thought, a bit of Amanda's sparkle that made her miss her cousin and mentor more.

Janelle had met Sarek several times, and Spock shared Sarek's magnetism and gravitas, enhanced by his height and strong features, but there was an additional underlying fire that pulled one's attention to him. She had heard before from other family members that Amanda's son favored his Vulcan heritage. Janelle could see that, yet she also could not help seeing something else there, something very human as well, though she was not sure she could pinpoint what that was yet. He was dressed more casually Terran-style, not in the formal Vulcan robes that Sarek always wore, so that might have skewed her impression somewhat.

"Now, let me formally welcome you to my home," Janelle said graciously. "I am so glad that your visit coincided with my party, and I am pleased that you accepted my invitation."

"Thanks for inviting us," said Nyota. "It was very kind, and I'm thrilled to meet you."

What was it Margaret had said during their call yesterday? Nyota was Spock's girlfriend? Like Spock's, Nyota's eyes also had a certain warmth. Her smile dazzled, and she had a presence all her own. Maybe charisma was a requirement for all Starfleet officers. It would be interesting to know the story behind the pair, who, along with their crewmates, she had seen all over the newsvids.

"It's an honor to have both of you," Janelle said genuinely. "And I finally get to meet my favorite cousin's son. I trust that Margaret and Allen are treating both of you well?"

"They are," Spock said.

"Oh, they're great," Nyota followed.

Janelle smiled and ushered the foursome to the home's giant dining room where she had a long buffet table set with hors d'oeuvres, bite-sized desserts, and beverages. At one end was a large punch bowl that bubbled and fogged. "Be sure to help yourself to some Witch's Brew. There is plenty of food here. Most of it is vegetarian, so everyone should be able to find something. Oh, Amy…!"

An aproned young woman placing yet another tray of goodies on the buffet looked up. She walked to join the group. She, too, had a fairy-like dress, but hers was mint green, and she wore a smaller crown. Her hair and complexion matched Janelle's.

"Spock, Nyota, this is my daughter Amy," she said. "Amy, your cousin, Spock, and his friend, Nyota Uhura." Janelle put one arm around Amy and directed herself to Spock. "Amy's given name is Amanda. I named her after your mother."

Amy smiled. "Great to meet you, finally. I hope we can chat later. Mom, I have to get the tartlets out of the oven before they burn."

"Go, go, go." Janelle waved her daughter off. The door chime sounded. "Oh, more guests. Excuse me…"

Janelle and Amy left the room to attend to their respective duties. Spock examined the buffet table. Was this food? In theory, yes, it was food. Apparently, like many things during Halloween, it was in disguise. Looking up at him from the buffet table were spiders, ghosts, and monsters. Bloody fingers were artfully arranged around a bowl full of a gooey green slime. Witches' hats and gravestones—with a few eyeballs in the mix—stood in military formation on a miniature casket. He looked to Nyota.

Margaret and Allen smirked. Their nephew's brow furrowed; he was perplexed. Margaret tugged at Allen's sleeve, pulling him away to let Nyota answer the many questions she thought Spock might be reticent to ask in front of them. Allen seemed to understand. "I think I see Wyatt and Celestine, Margaret. Let's go say hello." He and Margaret made their way to the great room where most of the other guests mingled.

"Ashayam, are you going to live? You look like you just saw something out of Sickbay."

He indicated the bloody fingers. "These appear to be severed digits, so perhaps I have."

Nyota laughed. "It's all edible, and it's all Halloween fun."

"Indeed. However, ascertaining the true identity of these items may prove to be a challenge."

The pair scanned the offerings, making guesses. Nyota delighted in the originality and creativity behind the creations. Her companion tentatively considered his selections with Nyota's help—she steered him away from anything with chocolate—but eventually a few selections made their way to his plate.

"Hey, so this is where the food's at!" exclaimed a man in a Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts, sunglasses, and sandals. A young woman in a grass skirt, lei, and bikini top followed him into the room. He grabbed a plate and helped himself to the food. The woman did the same. They did not notice Spock and Nyota until they came to the end of the table. Seeing them, they stopped just as suddenly as they had barged in.

"Dude!" the man effused. "Great costume!"

Spock remained expressionless.

"Shouldn't you be wearing a uniform or something?"

Nyota stifled a giggle. "What's wrong with his clothes?" she asked.

"Oh, well, nothing…but if I were doing a Commander Spock costume, I'd be in uniform or in something Vulcan. I don't think he wears sweaters."

So, the man thought that he was in a costume…as himself? Fascinating. "I shall take it under advisement," Spock replied.

Nyota sensed Spock's amusement. It was difficult trying to hold in her laughter.

"Seriously, Dude, the hair and the ears are great! You look just like him."

Spock raised an eyebrow and in his best flat Midwestern accent said one word: "Thanks."

The man gave Spock a "thumbs up." He and the woman grabbed a couple bottles of beer and happily joined the crowd in the great room.

Nyota looked at Spock mischievously. "It's official. Kirk has contaminated you," she said. "You're just as bad as he is."

"Did you not say that I should 'go with it'? Margaret suggested that I attire myself as a Terran in a Halloween costume. Perhaps this is an adequate representation."

"Ha-ha," Nyota snorted lightheartedly. "And don't blame Margaret. You were being a smartass on your own, and you know it."

Spock did not argue or protest. Nyota would hear none of it anyway, though he gave her his most innocent look and gestured toward the great room. Nyota rolled her eyes and walked toward the partygoers with Spock close behind.

The party was in full swing. Dozens of people in various costumes conversed in small groups throughout the giant gathering space that was aglow in orange lighting with accents of green, purple, and white. Upbeat Halloween-themed music played loudly enough to be overheard over the crowd's din, but not so loudly that it drowned out conversation. In each corner of the room Halloween props and decorations added more flair to the party atmosphere. Frankenstein loomed over a stack of pumpkins in one corner. Ghosts and bats suspended menacingly over a group of chairs in another. Black cats stood guard over a haunted house in the third. In was in this corner among a small group of sofas where Allen sat. He noticed the couple and beckoned them over.

"Hey, you two, there are some people I'd like you to meet," he said. "Spock, these are some of your cousins: Martina, Kyle, Daniel and his wife, Elizabeth." He pointed to each in turn. "Glenn, Graham, Ross… Celestine and her husband, Wyatt… Grace. Benjamin and his wife, Kathryn. Everyone, this is Amanda's son, Spock, and his friend—well, our friend, too—Nyota."

The group erupted into a chorus of different greetings and phrases of welcome.

"Got that, Spock?" Allen joked. "There will be a quiz later."

"Martina, Kyle, Daniel, Elizabeth, Glenn, Graham, Ross, Celestine, Wyatt, Grace, Benjamin, Kathryn…Yes, Allen, I believe that I do."

The Grayson cousins laughed. Allen shook his head.

"See? I told you," Allen declared. "Pure genius. And the bravest slayer of giant spiders anywhere."

The cousins laughed harder. Apparently Allen had told the story. Except for moving his gaze to Allen, Spock maintained a neutral expression. Suddenly Allen felt a slap on the arm.

"Don't tease him!" It was Margaret who had just joined the group. "You've been picking on him all day."

"You picked on him yesterday," returned Allen. "Today it's my turn."

Grace Grayson, like the rest of her family, was surprised at the banter. Cousin Amanda could always banter with the best, as did everyone else in the family, but no one she knew ever tried it with Sarek. From what she had seen of Spock on the newsvids, she did not think that anyone would try it with him, either. Though her Vulcan cousin kept his expression in check, he did not look uncomfortable.

"Do you always treat your guests this way?" Grace asked, poking Allen in the ribs with her elbow. "Remind me never to stay at your house." She made room on the couch she sat on. "Spock, Nyota, please have a seat and join our conversation."

The pair sat down. Because everyone was dressed in costume, Spock did not stand out. In fact, he did not receive the deep stares that he normally received, even from crewmen on the Enterprise. Somehow a Vulcan was less noticeable when he sat among two princesses, an Andorian, a turtle, two chipmunks, a pile of leaves, a samurai warrior, and a shopping basket full of various fruit. As strange as it was, for once he blended in.

Spock found that conversation between him and his cousins flowed easily, made even easier by his familiarity with their cadences and bantering style, similar to those his mother and Margaret had shared. They asked about life on a starship and exchanged information about careers and interests—safe topics.

No one brought up the events surrounding Vulcan's destruction, though it was at the forefront of everyone's minds. Out of respect, the Grayson cousins thought it best to leave that topic alone.