A/N: Sorry, guys. Work + slight case of writer's block = irritating. However, I am still here, and eager to give you more chapters to read. Hope this lives up to expectations, but please let me know. For those who are and remain loyal readers, I thank you for your patience and support.

Song lyrics from "Return (Coming Home)," by The Cruxshadows.

Continuous thanks to Hannah, my co-conspirator and center of inspiration.

Vulcan II

The evening following the High Council meeting found Sarek traversing through the long hallways of home. Several data screens in hand, he reviewed important details regarding the upcoming ambassadorial missions.

Turning the corner, his ears detected music coming from the far end of the hall. From Lauren's room. Violin notes once again glided with the harmonies of her favorite songs. Lowering the data screens, he paused and listened to the lyrics floating from her computer system.

"And though my mind is cut by battles

Fought so long ago,

I return victorious

I am coming home,

And if the paths that I have followed

Have tread against the flow,

There is no need for sorrow

I am coming home…"

Not realizing it himself, Sarek secretly smiled. Without a word, he glanced back down at his screens and continued on.

U.S.S. Enterprise

BEGIN TRANSMISSION

Destination: Starfleet Command, United Federation of Planets

Starship: USS Enterprise

Sender: Lady Lauren Grayson-Reed, Vulcan II

Recipient: Commander Spock, First Officer

As promised, I'm letting you know what happened with the High Council. Long story short, they didn't grant me citizenship. Uncle Sarek argued with them for a long time, but in the end, they didn't agree. Their stance is that since Vulcan was destroyed, giving me citizenship could be a potential threat to everything they are rebuilding. They think human influence could be a distraction if I were to be admitted into the academies here. I have emotions I express; it's not something they want their children exposed to.

I won't lie: I was hurt by this. But I have to look through their eyes on this. I understand where they're coming from, and I don't hate them for their decision. Believe me when I say I'm not mad at your people, Spock. I can't blame them for being cautious. It just shows me how much they care about their race.

At the very least, they're allowing me to live with Uncle Sarek, no questions asked. I just won't be allowed to enroll in the academies. So, Uncle Sarek said he'd tutor me privately, and we both know he'll teach me well.

Just because things didn't turn out the way I hoped doesn't mean it's shaken me. It's disappointing, yes, but not the end. Uncle Sarek will keep appealing for my citizenship, and I will keep up with my studies. Who knows? Maybe they'll change their minds in the future. No matter what happens, I'm going to be alright here, but I need you to believe that, too. Your support and love are all that matter to me. Please don't forget that.

I look forward to seeing you again in a few months. I love you, Cousin Spock. Live long and prosper.

Lady Lauren Grayson-Reed

END TRANSMISSION

The final words were held within his heart. After reading the transmission from Lauren, Spock settled back into his chair with a long, controlled sigh. It was as he had expected, and the notion did not please him. He had been ready for the worst case scenario, had been prepared to be angry along with her, to feel animosity towards those who did not accept her just because she was human. However, the preparations turned out to be unnecessary. He faced conflict in his feelings, due to the manner in which Lauren had written to him: she was not angry. She expressed initial pain and shame, but she was not resenting the ones who rejected her.

Believe me when I say I'm not mad at your people, Spock, her message had said. I can't blame them for being cautious. It just shows me how much they care about their race.

Strongly logical. He almost felt robbed of the chance to feel ire. At the same time, though, he knew Lauren would not appreciate it. How would hostility bring her the results she hoped for? Quite the poor example to set for her.

Sighing again, he let the tide of feelings recede from his mind. As his father's pupil, she would at least be in capable hands. This he took great comfort in. Sarek was more than qualified to provide the education she would need in their world. It would be good discipline for her, even though she was already a well-mannered individual. Perhaps this would maximize her abilities in the field of science.

The quiet hiss of the doorway sounded from behind, announcing the expected arrival of his guest. So the day's shift had finally ended. He smiled to himself as a brown arm wrapped lovingly around his neck, which he reached up to touch affectionately.

Nyota Uhura bent close to his cheek with a beautiful smile on her face. Her scent, a mild floral fragrance, was heavenly. "I like this one best," she proclaimed, brining his data screen into view with her free hand. Displayed on the screen was the image of young Lauren sleeping in Spock's lap. "Who ever knew you could be such a softie?" She jibed him gently.

He gave the smallest of smirks. "I am known to display that quality on rare occasions."

"Oh, I believe it," she kissed his temple lightly, "but it's nice to see it in your younger years."

Savoring the brief press of her lips even after they left his skin, he glanced at the image. "I also find preference in that capture as well. It suits us."

"It does, huh? I'd say there's more to your human side than even I've seen these past few years."

He gave a nod. "Admittedly, there are traits that are easier for me to display in her presence."

"Of course," she came around to sit on his lap, a position he rather enjoyed. "She's your family, after all."

"Yes," one arm snaked around her waist. "And thankfully, she keeps her promises to write promptly when she knows I anxiously await," he indicated his transmission monitor, suggesting that he granted permission for her to read.

"Is that from her?" She bent forward to read the message. He knew Uhura had been excited about Spock having another living human relative, and her enthusiasm was appreciated. Absently, Spock traced his fingers across the small of her back as her face morphed from soft smiles to frowns and back again. "She sounds sweet, Spock."

"Indeed."

"She also sounds like a strong kid."

"Yes," he said quietly, then let the quiet linger for a bit.

She angled her head, just catching a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye. "But you worry about her, don't you?"

He did not attempt to lie. "The price I pay for caring about her so much."

Setting the data screen aside, Uhura shifted so that she faced him. "So what is it you fear the most?"

He gathered his thoughts for a moment before responding. "Putting it in the simplest of terms is difficult, as it is a culmination of worries. However, the greatest among them is that her time among Vulcans may yield a harming of her in manners I do not wish to consider," he subconsciously tensed his jaw.

Noticing, Uhura's intelligent brown eyes softened. "You're afraid she's going to face the bullying you went through."

Hmm, she managed to put it even more succinctly than he had. "Correct. While she is pure in her race, she is residing in a population where she is the unique exception. From what I have experienced, uniqueness is not always the most desired of characteristics."

"That's legitimate. Is that all?"

He blinked at the unexpected question. "You imply there is something else?"

She half shrugged. "I might have a theory, but only if you'd be willing to hear it."

The choice of words intrigued him. "Please."

"Maybe this is her attempt of breaking away from you."

The suggestion caused a brief flare in his eyes, though more in surprise than anything else. At the same time, the idea brought an acute pain to his heart. "Explain."

Her hand rested on the back of his neck. "Spock, no one could blame you for feeling protective of Lauren. That's an instinct that family members should have for one another. I'm sure she feels equally protective of you, doesn't she?"

He thought about Lauren's story of the taunts she faced in school, when other adolescents harassed her for having alien relatives. Not demonstratively defensive about her loved ones, but strong enough to guard them inside her heart. "She does, yes."

"I figured. But keep in mind that she's a teenager. That stage of life is different from when she was a little girl. As humans, it's a time when we push away from those who have raised us and kept us safe. We eventually want to show our independence, and show that we can take care of ourselves. Kind of like when a baby bird knows it's time to leave the nest."

He looked away for a moment. "Curious. What you have to say is valid, and yet…I am conflicted with the notion."

"I doubt she's pushing you away," she assured him. "From the way you talk to each other, there's no chance of that. I mean, look: some of your logic seems to have rubbed off on her," she indicated the transmission screen. "To take on your traits is quite a complement. She loves you. But what she wants you to know is that she can fend for herself. She probably knows you can't always be there to protect her and neither can her uncle; she has to be ready for that. She's simply making sure she can stand her ground beside you."

The tilting of his head was evidence of his listening.

Her fingers toyed with the dark hair at his nape. "Just remember that the situation is what it is. Your father made the choice to take care of her, and Lauren agreed to live with him. She made that choice. Not you, not anyone else. See? In a way, she's already decisions that are best for herself." Spock arched an eyebrow. "Eventually, all humans need to prove that they can be independent. It doesn't happen nearly as fast for us as it does for Vulcans. It takes a lot more time for us to come into our own."

He glanced down as she thought about her words. She was right. Despite how devoted he was to protecting her well-being, he was not always going to be there. He had to accept the truth. Still, he could find the silver lining in a situation like this. At the very least, she would be guided on a path to becoming an assertive individual. Yes, he could assist her and Father with that, give her the necessary tools to reach her goals, like determination, perseverance, and honesty. Perhaps this would even strengthen their bond.

Uhura sighed heavily, still speaking. "You know, it wasn't always like that," she was looking off somewhere in the room. "Before the twentieth century, humans had a better grasp of what they had to do in order to take care of themselves. God, think about it: by the time many of them were teens, girls knew how to run entire households, and boys knew the importance of having a steady job. They did what they had to do to survive. But as years went on, parents began having the mentality that they wanted to give their children 'everything they never had.' You know what? That was a bad idea. From what I've researched, it made for a generation of spoiled, selfish brats who didn't have the slightest idea of how to be responsible for their own lives! I'm utterly grateful that there was such a dramatic shift after that time." She paused, embarrassed at her sudden tirade. Looking at Spock, he was gazing at her with an eyebrow that had probably been raised that entire time. Then she smiled. "I just talked way too much, didn't I?"

He smiled. "Not at all. Your passion never fails to intrigue me."

She laughed gently. "Well, enough of my outbursts. I didn't come here to ruin our time by turning it into a venting session."

"Venting is healthy, Nyota. You ought to know that as a human."

She knew he was teasing her, and grinned as she went to remove her boots. While she did this, Spock activated the music file Lauren had attached to her transmission; a piece he knew she had chosen for him, not just as practice. A concerto piece by Bach. He appreciated her taste.

Music filling the room, Spock stood and crossed the room to Uhura who, now barefoot, was looking out his window at the star-studded universe. From behind, he collected her into his arms, just holding her as space went by the Enterprise. For a long while they just stood and watched, enjoying the fact that they did not always need to speak to enjoy each other's company. "No matter how many times I see it," she said, "it's still just as beautiful as the first time I looked up at the night sky." Spock's arms tightened around her in response to the proclamation. Her face was very serene and happy. Then she became aware of the lovely song in her ears. "Is that Lauren playing?"

"Yes," he said with quiet pride.

"Wow, she's good."

"You ought to hear her perform in person."

She smiled. "Think she'll ever come to see you on Enterprise?"

He thought about that a moment. "I suppose anything could be possible, but it shall be a choice of her own someday."

Wrapped in his embrace, Uhura could not stop smiling at how wonderful the contact felt. Normally, he was not this quick to be affectionate, but she hardly had any complaints. "This feels nice," she said quietly.

In his mind, Spock silently agreed.