Disclaimer: Do not own Star Trek.

Author's Note: Sorry everyone about the long absence. Hope this makes up for it!

Ch. 9 Of Logic and Empathy

Spock POV

Spock looked at his father's unmoving face with the same unreadable expression, he always wore. His human eyes reflect what his Vulcan face couldn't show, concern. He had been in a silent visual over his father's bedside, since he had been brought aboard of the Enterprise. Doctor McCoy had put him in a medically induced coma.

"Commander," Someone said behind him. He turned and was face to face with Cadet Alana Green.

"Cadet Green, this is unexpected," Spock said in calm surprise.

"Y-You haven't been on the bridge….." Alana said softly. "I heard about your dad, how is he?"

"His prognosis is grim," Spock told her. "Doctor McCoy says that there might be some brain damage…"

"Couldn't you fix it.." Alana said thinking of the next words. "… with the mind meld?"

"How do you know about that?" Spock asked the young cadet in surprise. She didn't seem like the type that would read about Vulcan literature and from he's knowledge was never mentioned in her presence.

"When you know did whatever you did…" Alana said. Spock nodded in understanding. He accidently had brushed her bare skin, and had temporary heard her thoughts. The incident still greatly embarrassed him. "I was curious so I looked it up," Alana finished.

Spock nodded and then said, "I'm afraid my efforts to heal his mind is insufficient in this case. Doctor McCoy is doing all he can…"

"I-I'm sorry…" Alana said sincerely.

"Thank you…" Spock said not knowing how to respond to the young woman, who had said disrespectful things in the past.

"What about your Mother, is she coming?" Alana asked thinking it odd that Spock's human mother wasn't at her husband's side.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Spoke said. "My mother was killed on the day, Vulcan was destroyed," there was deep sadness in his eyes.

"Oh my…" Alana said unexpected emotion. "I-I'm so sorry…."

"Your term of sympathy baffles me…" Spock admitted. "You apologize when you are not responsible for neither events,"

"It just seems like a thing to say…" Alana explained. "It's just what is sometimes said…" Spock nodded and was silent for a few minutes, staring at his father. "My mother is dead too,"

Spock turned his head sharply the information was unexpected. "How long?" He asked cautiously knowing how rare it was for her to reveal such personal information.

"My whole life…"

"How?"

"Childbirth…" Alana said looking away uncomfortable. Spock didn't expect that. The woman's birth had killed her mother. It was rare that such things occur, but it did happen.

"That much have been terrible for you family," Spock stated.

"It was just me and my dad," Alana sad. "And he couldn't care less about me, and I don't think my mother's presence wouldn't have changed that," She looked at her commanding officer horrified that she said it, "Sorry that was inappropriate,"
"It is fine," Spock nodded. "We are just talking, Cadet Green,"

"A-Alana…" She said.

"What?" The Vulcan said confused.

"I'd like to be called by my first name," Alana said being rather pink in the face.

: "I shall honor that only when not on active duty," Spock said firmly.

"Thank you…." Alana smiled.

For the first time since she had been in there, she looked at the older Vulcan directly. He did not look like a prestigious Ambassador of earth. It was no secret that he and his wife were one of the few intergalactic couple that successfully conceived and gave birth to a child. She thought of how difficult the relationship must have been to the woman. Alana found she respected Spock's mother a great deal.

"Where is your father now?" Spock asked.

"We don't speak," Alana said quickly. Spock noted that the subject of her father, seemed to be causing her distress.

"Father and child relationship is often quiet complicated…" Spock said. "My relationship with mine, hasn't always been peaceful,"

"Why's that?" Alana dared to ask.

"The relationship was greatly strained when I decided to enlist in Star Fleet over the seemingly more logic choice of attending The Vulcan Science Academy," Spock told her. Alana was taken aback at the seemingly rebelliously action. That didn't fit the stern Commander she had come to know.

"Well I'd be damn," Alana smiled. "You had a rebellious steak Commander,"

"It was logically that, since I was the first Vulcan hybrid that I chose my own path," Spock said. Alana could have sworn she had seen him smirk, but decided she had been imagining it.

"Well, what the reason, I am deeply impressed," Alana smiled. "Good for you, Sir,"

"Tell me why did you come here?" Spock asked curiously

"I-I was concern about you…" Alana admitted. Spock raised his eyebrows in surprise. This wasn't what he expected.

"You were?" He asked.

"Yah, I mean I know I haven't always treat you with the respect you deserve, but I come to like everyone on the enterprise," Alana said. "You guys have done more for me then you realized.

"Oh?" Spock asked.

"Yah," Alana nodded firmly. "The crew has made me realize how selfish I've been, and what the word family truly means," the cadet face was serious and firm.

"Family is a good word, to describe the enterprise," Spock agreed. Alana smiled and before she knew what she was doing hugs the Vulcan. She immediantly broke the hug, remembering something she had read. Vulcan's didn't like to be touch.

"I'm sorry Commander," Alana blushed.

"It is fine…"Spock said. "I got used to the action, Jim is very fond of it,"

Alana laughed at that. He was right. The Captain was obviously very fond of all his crew, and didn't simply salute his officers, but hugged them. It was especially, true of the main crew. Alana heard that he had a difficult family life, but didn't know the details. This was probably the closest thing he ever got to a real family. The thought made Alana sad.

"I better go," Alana said firmly. "Have you eaten?"

"No, I haven't" Spock said. "I do not wish to leave my father's side,"

"I'll have a plate sent to you," Alana said nodding. "Bones would get pissy, if he finds out you haven't eaten,"

"Thank you, Alana," Spock said. Alana smiled back at him and walked out of the Medical bay. It was only after, did Spock realize, he found out valuable information.

Alana POV:

After Alana had sent the food to Spock, she went back to her room. Uhura, who had just gotten off duty, was sitting on her bed reading. Alana had come to enjoy the woman's presence. Alana knew she was probably very anxious about what was going on with her boyfriend's father.

"How are you Ny?" Alana said.

"I'm so tired," Nyota said eyes heavy with tiredness.

"I made sure he ate," Alana told her.

"Thank you, stubborn man…"Nyota grumbled. Alana laughed. At that.

"Oh, Pavel left you a message," Nyota said handing her a piece of paper.

Meet me in the leisure room, same time…" It read. Alana grinned. There we're having their date tonight. Uhura looked at the younger woman's face, and recognized it anywhere. She had a smile, she had suspected it. Though, she felt like she did have to warn her.

"Please be nice to him," Nyota begged. "Sulu and the guys are kind of over protective of him,"

"Really?" Alana asked.

"Yah, he's like the little brother to most of them," Alana took this in.

"I-I won't….." Alana nodded and went into the bathroom and changed into a pair of white washed jeans, with a simply light purple sweater. She grinned and Nyota. The older woman in turn gave her a look that told her without words, behave.

Like clockwork, he was there before her. Like her, he had switched into his leisure clothes. She thought the red t-shirt suited him well. He was currently having an argument about who cheated in his chess match with Sulu.

"You cheat!" Sulu said.

"Vou did!" Checkov argued.

"Still arguing?" Alana asked amused.

"Only because he can't expect that I won!" Sulu said. Alana laughed, and Sulu looked at the two. Deciding that he was getting in the way, he excused himself to allow them privacy.

"Ready to go?" Alana asked

"Ves," Checkov said and got up. They walked side by side to the elevator. Going to the right floor, they headed to his secret spot.

"I have a surprise for you" Checkov told her. He opened the door to the room. In the middle of it, there was a blanket and a basket. Smiling they walked toward it and sat down. Checkov opened the basket and brought out the food.

"How did you get all of this?" Alana asked.

"I asked avound," He said. Alana smiled. Alana loved his deep Russian accent.

"Well, this is great, Russia," Alana told him. Checkov smiled at her, and passed her some food. It was good, he favorite was probably the sandwiches. For desert he had managed to get two cookies.

"You're joking…" Alana giggled at his story of the time, he was on an unknown planet and he had gotten a bad rash and a few other embarrassing symptoms. "That must have been so embarrassing,"

"Ves, vasn't the most comvertible I've been. The Kaptain, had to put me under quarantine," Checkov said.

"Let me guess Bones said," Alana lowered her voice to imitate southern doctor. "Damnit Jim! Next time make sure the kid is properly sanitize!"

"It vas like vou vhere there!" Checkov said, which made Alan laugh more.

"Classic McCoy," Alana said fondly. Checkov smiled and nodded. Alana got up and put out her hand. Checkov looked confused.

"Vou know, I made a mistake once," Checkov said.

"What do you mean?" Alana asked frowned.

"On my virst day on the enterprise, I had to beam up Spock and a few other people, while Vulcan was being destroyed. Their vere six, but only five were on the pad,"

"You mean, the person died?" Alana said. Checkov nodded looking somber.

"Did you find out who is vas?" Alana asked.

"Kommander Spock's mother," Alana gasped little in surprised. Checkof looked even sadder as he said it.

"It wasn't your fault," Alana said firmly taking his hand and squeezing it. "You did all you could, I'm sure he doesn't blame you,"

"Vt vas terrible," Checkof said sadly. "He just stood there staring. "

"Have you ever talked about it, to him?" Alana asked

"No," Checkov said.

"You know that it happens sometimes," Alana said lightly rubbing his back. "You have to be perfectly still in order to be teleported, even a more experience officer couldn't have prevented that,"

"I know," Checkov said. "I vust really wanted to get all six," Alana gave him a sad look then kissed him lightly on the lip. Checkov smiled at her and kissed back. As their lips parted Alana grinned at him. Checkov said something about getting her back. Alana agreed with a healthy yawn. She was tired. She was glad, she wasn't on duty the next morning. They walked back in silence.

"Goodnight," Alana said,

"Goodnight," Checkov said not meeting her eyes. As she turned away she grinned and lightly pulled him back. He looked at her confused for a second. Alana answered his questioning look with a kiss. She giggled at his look. She opened the door to her room and waved to him as the door closed on him. None of them noticed the figure at the end of the hall, who saw the exchange.