This chapter is more about Spock's relationship with his mother but it's the last chapter with Spock's parents in (the last time he actually sees his mother before the movie events) and the next chapter will be wholly Nyota and Spock.

Note: I know I've made Spock into a bit of a mummy's boy but the way I see it is that as a half-human Spock needs affection, maybe not as much as a human but definitely some and definitely when he was a child even if he did try to turn away from it. Living with Vulcan's his mother was the only one who ever gave him that affection so he became rather willing to please her to gain that affection even if he hated himself for needing it. Also as a half-human amongst Vulcan's his mother was the only one who was ever truly accepting of his human aspects, his whole nature which is why he goes to her to ask her questions that it may seem strange for a young man to ask of his mother.

Another authors note: Poetry was never my strong point .

Sunday.

"Bondmate

She who is graceful.

She who has clear sight.

She whose company is most pleasing.

She who is as caring as a mother, when care is needed.

She whose companionship is a sweet as a sisters.

She who is the loyalist of friends.

She who is not withholding as a lover.

She who will share the intimacy of thoughts.

She who does not judge when judgement is poor.

My ashayam.

My T'hy'la.

She is worthy of love in all it's illogical fashions."

Nyota gave a soft sigh as he finished reading the poem from the book she had given him on his birthday. He loved her rare little soft sighs of contentment. Her little unconscious way of saying she was so happy, so relaxed that words weren't necessary just that pleasing little noise. She nuzzled against him slightly, he was lying flat on his sofa and she was lying half next to half on top of him. Her hand resting over his heart, her head on his chest and he had wrapped one arm round to hold her firmly just under her breasts and the other held the book aloft so that he could read it. After four days in a hospital bed on a ward that was kept below his preferred temperature and being poked and prodded he could probably be persuaded to admit that he was happy at this moment. He gently kissed the top of Nyota's head to let her know how happy he truly was to be alive, to be free from the hospital and to be with her once more. Able to hold her and touch her without being weary of the doctors or nurses wondering why a Cadet was visiting a Commander, he had over heard Nurse Chapel say Uhura was one determined girl to be stalking her professor after an experimental and somewhat dangerous operation. Spock was happy about this, if they were thinking she was an over determined student then that was a lot better than gossiping that there was maybe something going on between the two of them. Then again maybe that was just nurse Chapel, he was aware that she was attracted to him, not only had he felt it in skin to skin contact but said contact had occurred when she had, after a very determined persuasive rant finally got him to submit to a sponge bath, and she had been entirely too happy about the whole thing.

" That's a passionate poem, you told me once that you did not know that Vulcan's were capable of love."

Spock remembered his fathers eyes as they took in his mother as he lay in bed delirious from illness. He thought of when he and Nyota were on Vulcan watching her walk in the cave her eyes alight and intent as she took in the cave paintings and of brushing the sand slowly from her hair as she recovered from the sandstorm and the exhausting heat of the day .

" I now know them to be fully capable my T'hy'la. The passion is just deeply hidden."

The first Sunday of December.

Nyota straightened her blue robes for the forth time in twenty minutes.

" Nyota, worry serves no logical function." He said calmly, it did not have it's desired affect her eyes darted to him in panic.

" Oh God, is your father going to hate me because I'm nervous and that's illogical?"

"No, I am merely stating that you will be more efficient at your task and less likely to make mistakes if you remain calm."

" You're right I don't want to burn the plantains."

Nyota put a hand on her forehead. He could feel the stress emanating from her In waves. It was his mother who had suggested that Sarek and Nyota meet, it was Nyota who had suggested that she cook a meal for the four of them in Spock's apartment. She had been contented and confessed to wanting to get to know his parents when she had made the suggestion three days ago. Two days ago the panic had began, she did not only wish to know Sarek but to be accepted and perhaps even liked by him. The panic emulated from the fear that Sarek would not like her nor accept her but disapprove of her so much that he would try to intervene in her and Spock's relationship. Nyota did not appreciate it when he told her her fears were illogical, that she probably would never actually know what his father thought of her as he was not at liberty to share such opinions and that perhaps her higher stress levels and somewhat neurotic actions were partly to do with the fact that she was menstruating. She had ended that conversation rather abruptly by slamming the door of his office, or rather kicking the door with her heel once it had closed to make a noise like a slamming door, Sometimes Spock forgot that his girlfriend was a teenage human.

Yesterday she had called him panicking now about the meal she was going to cook, she had chosen some spicy African dishes spinach with peanuts, a type of vegetarian curry with flat corn breads and plantains followed by grilled chili and saffron pineapples sprinkled with powdered coconut. Spock had agreed that the menu sounded appetizing but Nyota had asked him to go shopping with her so that she didn't pick out any ingredients that his father would be allergic to, he tried to point out Vulcan's didn't have allergies and could stomach practically anything But then gave up and agreed to go

shopping with her. They met outside a shop on the other side of San Francisco to avoid being seen. As they walked around the shop picking out produce they had talked of their favorite childhood foods and those that brought specific memories when they ate them, like for Nyota grilled orange segments made her think of hot summer afternoon BBQ's with her uncle and father fighting over whose turn it was to man the coals and her cousins and her running races and trying to catch fireflies once the sun had finally set. For Spock crystallized ginger brought back memories of being three years of age and his mother giving him lots of new untried foods that she had had imported from earth. She smiled each time he found something he liked, the widest smile had been when he'd asked if she could import more of the crystallized ginger.

Now he was stood in his kitchen watching Nyota carefully measure out spices and occasionally stop to worry about whether she should add extra salt or whether it would be spicy enough. He wished to touch her and send her a calming influence but her hands were constantly at work so he could not do it overtly.

" Have you put up the table?"

Spock nodded he had moved his sofa and coffee table to put up a folding dining table as the one in his kitchen only sat two and that was uncomfortably.

Nyota grabbed the bag she had brought with her and went Into the front room. Spock followed her watching as she put a white cloth over the table and set up some plain white candles. Spock watched her busy efforts for a minute and then walked over her. He reached out and took her hand as she smoothed the table clothes, she moved as if about to turn around to face him.

Calm Nyota.

He sent feelings of tranquility to her and felt her body relax she leaned her back against him, his arms immediately wrapped around her stomach. Knowing he would not get the chance to touch her again tonight he placed three soft lingering kisses down her neck and she leaned her head against his shoulder to give him better access to her sweet skin. This time he was facing the door when it suddenly opened revealing his mother, luckily his father was not in view and therefore could not see them. Spock took a step back from Nyota and flustered she rushed into the kitchen quickly saying something about overcooked vegetables.

" Really Spokh, this time you knew we were coming."

" Your timing as always mother is impeccable."

As his mother walked in his father now looking almost the right color and far less drawn than when Spock had seen him five days previously for another mandatory (according to his mother) visit appeared in the doorway.

" Father, I am glad you have recovered enough to leave hospital."

" Yes, it is difficult to be productive when you are forced to be in bed all day but unproductiveness is essential at the first stages of recovery."

" May I inquire as to your plans now regarding returning to Vulcan?"

" I must wait a week before attempting the journey, I have been ordered by Doctor Puri to 'take it easy' , he insisted on long periods of rest and that activity be infrequent and short. I do see the logic in his recommendations and therefore I shall follow them "

Amanda stepped forwards she glanced at Sarek before turning her full attention to Spock.

" Though, I thought maybe we would make a little holiday of it. It's been thirty years since I've had a Christmas on Earth and if you didn't have any plans we could spend it as a family."

Spock considered it for a moment, he considered how his fathers illness had led them to speak to each other after six years of near silence and how he had seen his mother on three short occasions since relocating to Earth. To have them in the same town for anther three weeks could be pleasant.

" No mother I do not have plans."

"It's settled then, a family Christmas."

Spock felt a slight tingling in his mind, it was an inquiry.

Yes Nyota come in now.

He turned as she walked into the front room showing the same grace and poise and apparent (though he could sense nervousness she was doing a good job of hiding it) confidence that had struck him the first time he had ever seen her.

" Father this is she to whom I am bonded Miss Uhura."

"Sarek, it is an honor to meet you." She said clearly bowing her head and holding her hand up in the traditional Vulcan salute. " May you live long and prosper."

" And you, Miss Uhura chosen of my son."

Nyota turned and curtsied to his mother.

" Lady Amanda, it is good to see you again. I hope you are well."

" Yes dear, you look lovely."

Nyota blushed slightly.

" Thank you. Would you like some drinks?"

" I require water."

His father answered going to sit at one of the four chairs laid at the table.

" And the same for me." Amanda added.

" I shall help you finish the preparation of the meal." Spock said. Nyota nodded she stayed where she was and as Spock walked into the kitchen followed him two steps behind.

How am I doing?

You are behaving as a well raised Vulcan female would

That's good right?

If you are trying to gain my fathers approval then yes.

There's a but there.

But I am glad you do not always act like a well raised Vulcan female.

She smiled. Nyota added the finishing touches to the food and started to put it into serving dishes as Spock finished setting the table. Amanda came in to help them carry all the dishes into the front room. Spock could see Nyota glancing nervously up at his father as he tried the foods he himself knew that the spicy and salty foods were both nutritiously balanced and pleasing to the Vulcan palate.

" This is delicious Nyota, did your mother teach you how to cook?" Amanda asked.

" It is pleasing." His father added and although Spock felt a wave of relief coming from Nyota her neutral expression did not falter.

" Yes, my family have always placed an importance on pleasing food and gathering together at meal times."

" It is nice to have family dinners."

Sarek put down his fork and looked thoughtfully at Nyota for a long moment.

" You are the cadet that accompanied Spock to Vulcan 2.3 months ago."

" Yes."

" You speak our dialect well."

" Thank you."

" The observation is true, thanks is not necessary. Have you spent time on Vulcan?"

" Only that one visit."

He nodded.

" As you have adopted the accent Into your speech I assume you speak it often."

" Over the last year yes, I originally learned the language three years ago but did not get a chance to converse in it before I came under Spock's tuterledge "

Sarek again nodded thoughtfully he took a few fork full of the food before speaking again.

" As ambassador I have been in contact with star fleet on numerous occasions, I believed that there were rules about student teacher fraternizing."

Spock and Nyota shared a look.

" There are Sir, but due to the wording of the rules and the nature of our relationship we have skimmed around them."

" Skimmed around them?"

" Well, we share a bond and bonds are.. more than engagement less than a marriage." She glanced nervously at Spock and he gave a slight nod. It pleased him to hear her say those words, it was as if there was an understanding between them that had never been voiced.

" So as we're neither and we don't fit into any of the usual boxes I think half of those rules don't apply to us." Nyota finished. Amanda burst out laughing, when her husband looked over at her she reached over to briefly touch his hand.

"Sarek don't you remember the number of 'rules' you broke to marry me T'pau took twenty years to accept me as a member of her family. "

" I do recall."

"Good, now stop making the girl nervous."

" That was not my intention, I was merely inquiring as to whether Star Fleet was accepting of there bond."

" Father, I believe that if the need ever arises I can enlighten Star Fleet on the nature of Vulcan bonds and convince them that their rules need revising. I am the first Vulcan to join therefore there is no precedent, I have the opportunity to set the precedent."

Sarek nodded. They continued eating in silence Spock was fully aware that Nyota kept shooting him worried glances.

Do not worry Ashayam. It is not customary to speak during meals on Vulcan. He has done so to satisfy Human customs.

When they had finished the main meal and all had at least tried the pineapple desert that delighted his mother as sweet things often did Amanda glanced at her husband in a way that Spock recognized as them sharing a brief telepathic conversation. Then turned to Nyota.

" That really was lovely dear you will have to share the recipe for that desert with me.

" I'll send it to you, it's actually very simple."

"I look forwards to it, Spock dear will you help me clear the table?"

"Oh I'll.." Nyota started getting up.

" No dear, you sit down we'll do it."

Nyota seemed to crumble back into the chair. She looked apprehensively at Sarek for the first time in the evening her emotion clear on her face.

Spock 'accidentally' brushed her fingers as he reached for the left over spinach. Leaving Nyota in the front room alone with his father. In the kitchen his mother was already putting the left overs in plastic tubs. Spock stood very close to her and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

" Are you sure that it is wise to leave father and Nyota alone?"

" Yes, I told him if he made her cry I would ask for a separate room."

"Nyota does not cry except in extreme circumstances."

" Well then, I guess we will be sleeping in the same bed tonight."

"Mother.."

She held her hand up to stop him.

" I have had the chance to spend time alone with her and to get to know the woman that my son has chosen to give himself to. Now let your father have that same chance it'll only take ten minutes to wash these dishes."

" There is a sanatisor unit under the replicator."

"' I know but we're going to wash them by hand anyway."

Spock tried to hurry as he washed the dishes but his mother slowed the process down by lingering over the drying and putting away, he had to wonder if she did it purposefully. He kept his mind on Nyota's emotions and she did not seem to be any more stressed than she had the rest of the evening and there were some hints of excitement and interest coming from her as well. His mother had purposely closed the door so that he could not hear the topic of conversation only the muttering of voices. When his mother finally put the last of the dishes away he felt somewhat relieved.

Nyota and his father were in rapid and intense discussion, well rapid and intense for a conversation where one of the members was a Vulcan, that is his father was speaking at a speed of fifteen more words a minute than usual and did not look bored, in fact at the moment Spock walked into the room his eyebrow had been slightly raised.

Nyota?

I think everything's okay

He went and sat back at the table followed by his mother who was smirking again.

" If emotions are not allowed on Vulcan why have the words for them not become extinct? Languages can only express thing's that exist to the user or can be imagined by the user. There are words in all Vulcan dialects for passion, love, admiration , lust, affection, longing." Nyota was saying.

" If there are names for them so we can guard against their illogical effects. Vulcan's are born with emotions they are just taught to suppress them as they mature, it is not that it is wrong to experience emotions merely to let yourself be influenced by them in anyway."

" But aren't emotions and their influences needed for the survival of the species, to find a mate."

Sarek looked very discreetly at Spock. Then turned back to Nyota who had obviously seen the loaded look.

" These are not things we discuss with outsiders."

Nyota opened her mouth as if to speak.

Do not question him further

She sent him a reproachful look but did as he asked.

" I must return to my quarters now rest."

Sarek said standing up. Everybody else at the table also got up from their chairs. Sarek turned as he reached the doorway.

" It has been an agreeable evening."

" I agree." Spock answered, then held his hand up.

"Father, Mother may you Live long and prosper."

"And you." Sarek answered, then turned his attention to Nyota.

" May you have success in your studies." Sarek walked out the door, Amanda quickly leaned in and kissed Nyota on the cheek whispering 'he likes you' as she did so, then they both had left and Spock and Nyota were alone.

He felt her weariness through the link and opened her arms just as she stepped forwards to be held by him. She buried her head in his shirt and let out a sigh of relief.

"How did it go?" She asked him.

"Well, you did not falter. I believe you may have taken a large step in earning his respect and he does not disapprove of you."

She sighed again.

" Good, I never thought I'd be doing met the parent Vulcan style."

The second Sunday of December.

He looked into her eyes and kissed her lips sweet and sticky with some kind of make-up that she only wore on rare occasions. He tried to savor the seconds away to be able to draw on them over the next few weeks. He glided his fingers through her silken hair then knowing the time was near forced himself to move away again.

There were unshed tears in Nyota's eyes.

" I know it's only a few weeks, but it feels like we only said goodbye for summer yesterday."

"A day will come when we'll never be truly parted but for now take Comfort in the fact that you can contact me when ever you wish."

She nodded and drew herself straighter she raised her hand fingers outstretched and he touch his own to hers feeling that wonderful warmth and tingling and electricity. She gave a weak smile and turned to leave his apartment only glancing back briefly when he told her he would be awaiting her call.

Then she was gone again only that little glimmer of her remained in his mind, he went and took an electronic book from the pile he had got from the library too read over the break and sat down in Nyota's favorite chair, it still had the faintest smell of perfume to it. He took a moment then cleared his mind and begun to read about the new water filtration system they were installing in the Enterprise.

Dear Spock,

Arrived safely back in Africa. My brother came specially to greet me, Akina has grown and babbles none stop, I think she recognized me as she wasn't at all shy when I went to hold her. I hope you are well.

Dear Nyota,

I am glad you arrived home safely and are happy in the presence of your family.

Dear Nyota,

Chris has introduced me to jaffa cakes, I believe that they have high levels of sucrose as I feel strangely strange.

I just felt I should tell you that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. I have desire for you, will you wear that champagne dress and talk in Orion whilst firing a phaser for me? And perhaps eating some chocolate, well you cannot do both at the same time you only have two hands and you should use two hand for firing a phaser, Do you know that the women of Seti Alpha nine have three hands, it is a fascinating evolutionary adaptation, I want to see your breasts again.

Dear Spock,

You really got drunk on Jaffa cakes?

Dear Nyota,

My sincerest apologizes. I should not have 'drunk txted' you. Christopher did try to stop me as he tried to stop me after the fourth of the cakes but I found them strangely addictive. I will make a note never to consume them again.

Dear Spock,

After I fell on top if you, propositioned you and almost threw up on you the one time I have ever been inebriated you are quite forgiven for a strange message, at least now I know you like to watch me speaking Orion and firing a phaser. I already knew about the dress and the chocolate. At least you made me laugh and I'm really in need of a laugh right now.

Nyonda has paid a 'surprise'' visit, that's obviously a set up by my mother. She's being simply horrid, she keeps making snide and xenophobic remarks and every time I start to argue with her she threatens to tell Mother that she suspects I'm be 'used' and 'seduced' by a young Vulcan commanding officer who everybody knows has telepathic abilities. She thinks I'm being naïve and that you are controlling me somehow and that I'm throwing my career away. She says Star Fleet should be solely for the protection of Humanity against alien threats and they should not be protecting other cultures unless those cultures make good minors for precious ores. Father is starting to catch on to her attitude problems but mother has never been very clear sighted when it comes to her. I love you and I miss you Kipenzi.

Dear Nyota,'

I wish to call you but do not know if it is wise as your sister could answer and take the fact I am calling as confirmation of my attachment to you. I do not think it wise that she is given any evidence to confirm we are in a relationship believe she would have no qualms reporting us to Star Fleet. I know that I am not the direct cause of these problems but still I am sorry that a connection to me brings you pain in any way. Please, if there is any family member you can trust to reveal this too who could help you deal with your sister then do so, I will talk to your father and tell him my intentions are honorable if you wish. Otherwise I can only suggest avoidance. I do not like to think of you unhappy or tormented.

I miss your presence my precious one, guard yourself well.

Christmas day

Dear Spock.

Merry Christmas, send my best wishes

to your parents.

Dear Nyota,

I will do so, merry Christmas.

"Tinsel is the most frivolous of human inventions. It serves no purpose except to be attractive to the eye and then it is only allowed to be In sight for three weeks of the year."

" Spock, it's a fake recyclable tree I'm not going to let go on the tinsel or the lights." His mother answered.

Spock turned back to the tree he stood on the second rung of the stepladder and started to wrap the gold tinsel round the tree once it circled it in an exact clockwise spiral he took the red string of tinsel from his father and did a parallel spiral. Next the little white lights in a anti-clockwise spiral.

" We need some Music, how about jingle bells? It is a classic."

" What ever you want Amanda." Sarek answered, both Spock and Sarek were being more agreeable than usual to give Amanda the Human family Christmas she never got and had always wanted.

" Computer, Jingle bells." Spock said. The tune immediately started playing. Amanda started to sing along as she hung up gold and red baubles. When she had finished she went into the kitchen to check on the diner, they were having nutloaf with all the trimmings, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, honey roasted carrots and turnips, peas, sage stuffing, Brussels sprouts and gravy.

" She is happy." Sarek noted. Spock turned to look at him he was looking thoughtfully at the trees.

" It is an emotion Humans prize above most other things."

" Yes, that was probably the most important thing I learnt when I became ambassador. Thing's that seem frivolous brings them happiness and if they are of no great cost it is not entirely illogical to make allowances for your partner to pursue happiness."

" Father are you giving me relationship advice?"

Sarek actually managed to look a little taken aback.

" Yes, it seems that I am."

Amanda came back in at that moment.

"Mother do you wish me to turn the lights on?"

"Yes Spokh."

Spock flicked the small switch on the string of lights and they came on. He took a step back to observe the tree, on close inspection he still thought it was the most frivolous thing he had ever had in his apartment and wondered how the tradition of bringing a tree into ones living quarters and decorating it with brightly colored shredded foil, glass balls and little lights had ever occurred.

" Is it to your satisfaction mother?"

" Not yet." He watched as she dove into her bag of decorations one last time and came out with a five pointed gold shape, Spock recognized it as how Earth children directed stars. She handed it to Sarek and wordlessly he climbed the steps and placed it on the top of the tree.

"Now I'm satisfied."

The music finished.

" Computer, I saw mummy kissing Santa Clause." Amanda ordered.

" I have never understood why Humans lie to there children about where their Christmas presents come from."

" Your Mother did try to tell you the Santa Clause story when you were three." Sarek said.

" I do not recall."

" You probably repressed it due to trauma." His mother answered. " You became terrified of a fat alien creeping into your room at night."

Spock listened to his mother tells stories of his youth some he remembered some he was too young to recall. Sarek sat listening to the two of theirs conversation silently for a while then he browsed Spock's shelves and settled down in Nyota's chair Spock suppressed the urge to ask him to move, it was an illogical reaction. He and his mother laid the table and they all sat to eat. The meal was satisfactory, it had been over seven years since he had a meal cooked by his mother and although nutritents are nutritients it is nice to have a meal cooked by ones mother.

Spock could see his father becoming weary, a month on from his operation Sarek had made an almost full recovery, almost full because he still tired far more easily than a Vulcan should. Spock knew from his mother that Sarek tended to rest in the middle of the day, after a full day of activity he was starting to grow weary. That's why it was no surprise that after the meal Sarek said he was going to retire. Amanda stood up to go with him but he waved his hand at her.

" Stay, spend time with our son."

Amanda nodded. Sarek left and Amanda turned off the lights so that she and Spock were sat alone watching the flashing on and off of the Christmas tree lights.

" Do you have anything to drink?" His mother asked Spock switching back to English.

" What do you want?"

" Alcohol, any type."

Spock raised an eyebrow, he'd never known his mother to drink. She sighed.

" It's almost impossible to get alcohol on Vulcan and It wouldn't be right to drink at dignitary functions."

Spock nodded.

" I have Whisky, Chris likes to drink it when he visits."

" That'll do, no ice."

Spock went into the kitchen and got the whiskey out of his cupboard he poured his mother a glass and took it too her. She sipped it and smiled appreciatively

" Mother." Spock said carefully knowing he was about to ask the most personal question he had ever put to her but in the last few weeks his views on his parents had radically changed, he knew his father had some affection for his mother. He felt it was time to ask questions, perhaps it would even add some light to his relationship with Nyota.

" How did you and father meet?"

She looked at him, her eyes a little wide.

" Have I really never told you?" She looked thoughtful. " When you were a child your father and I just argued, I guess that's why I never told you."

Spock nodded slowly watching his mother as she seemed to become more distant becoming lost in her memories.

" You know I was a teacher back then ? Well Sarek came to the school, he was learning about earth, it's systems and culture, he was in training to take over the position of ambassador. I showed him around, answered his questions and let him sit in on one of my classes, he was only there for a few hours and I just showed him around because I'd been asked to and I thought nothing of it except that it was the most contact I'd ever had with a Vulcan and I found him quite interesting. Then One dayabout a week later I found him waiting outside the school for me. He asked me to partake of an evening meal with him, he was good looking in a serious and brooding way and I was curious so I said yes. It was a pleasant enough night I suppose, he asked me about earth teaching methods and I asked him about Vulcan and it's culture. But all the way through the meal he seemed bored and I had to wonder if it was really a date or if he was just getting more information for his notes on Humanity. Of course, he wasn't, he was just showing normal Vulcan behavior but I hadn't realized that then. I was a little surprised when after we'd finished eating he asked if we could meet again. At first I said no and he asked if I had not found the evening pleasant. I said I had but I had nothing more I could tell him about teaching. " She smiled widely. " Then he said that he had wished to ask personal inquiries but did not know that it would be appropriate on a first date, that dating was not a Vulcan custom and he was unsure of the correct procedures. He said that If he meet a woman on Vulcan he desired as much as he desired me he would simply ask her and her family if they could be engaged and then at the proper time they would be drawn together to be married. I was a little confused and maybe even scared but I could see the underlying sweetness in what he'd said and I agreed to another date and suggested seeing a holofilm or going bowling. He'd never heard of Bowling so we agreed to go the next week."

" Father went bowling?" Spock tried to imagine the man he knew as his father bowling as he had seen people do when he was a cadet, he just couldn't picture it.

" Yes he did. First he refused to change his shoes saying it was unsanitary."

" It is."

" Then he didn't know how to play so I told him to throw the bowling ball towards the pins, he hitched it over his shoulder and threw it like it was a baseball. It went through the floor of the lane and he had to pay the attendant for the damages. We had to leave after that and I suggested we go to the holoscreens instead but he was adamant that we go bowling, that I need not worry about him causing further damage to the bowling establishments as he would adjust the strength at which he threw the ball. So we went to another bowling alley and he played the perfect game and we got given free drinks and pizza and he got a cap that said 'I bowled a perfect game' which I made him wear and he still has somewhere. Then when we'd finished eating he said he found the beginners level didn't require much skill and he was ready for the next level of the game. He asked if the targets were of a different number, angle, or distance or if they moved."

" Admittedly a game where the objective never changes and are always at the same distance does not require much skill and is hardly amusing."

" I found it very amusing, your father had me laughing all night. Every overly logical statement and facial movement made me laugh. And he didn't mind being laughed at he just asked me if I found laughing pleasant and when I said yes he said that he was glad that he was the cause of it even if he didn't understand it."

"The third date we went ice skating, and he gave me a plant, a box of chocolate and a pair of earrings saying that he had read that a gift of those items were customary. I decided not to point out that he should have only brought one, they were lovely gifts. It took me a lot of persuasion to get him onto the ice, he was almost scared of it, of course he'd never seen ice before. When I'd finally persuaded him it was perfectly safe he stepped out and landed flat on his backside, it was the first time I heard him say 'fascinating."

" I did not ask to hear of the entirety of the time you spent together before bonded." Spock said carefully.

" You said you wanted to know, now can I finish the story or not?"

" Continue."

" Our forth date was a ball at the embassy. There were lots of humans and Vulcan's in attendance and I was quite nervous but your father just stayed besides me and whispered little bits of information about people and how to act in front of certain dignitaries and with his help I managed not to insult anybody, of course it is difficult to tell when you've insulted a Vulcan, anyhow it was a quiet night none of the Vulcan's were dancing or drinking and there conversations were very clipped and all the Humans were on there best behavior. It was good that night was so sedate though, it meant I spent a lot of time watching your father, taking in how handsome he was and how well he handled himself and how he could talk with real knowledge and authority on any topic of conversation. That night I kissed him. He'd never been kissed before, he'd hardly ever been touched by anybody before. It was like a dam of emotions breaking in the both of us, we spent the night together, I won't embarrass you with the details."

" I appreciate that."

A little frown came to his mothers face.

" The next morning he said it was a mistake that he had acted improperly, then he left, except he was still there in my mind. I had no idea what it was and it scared the life out of me but at the same time it felt right.

He came to my door two weeks later. He told me we were bonded, that he had not meant for it and didn't understand it but he did not regret it. Then he just said ' I have researched this matter thoroughly but have not found out which knee should make contact with the floor, do you have a preference?' Of course I had no idea what he was on about so I said no. Then he got down on his left knee and got a ring out his pocket and asked me to marry him and live on Vulcan as his wife. I said yes." She gave a little shrug as if deciding to leave ones family and career and job for an unknown planet and culture was the most natural thing in the world.

" I do not understand your reasons for answering In the positive."

" Because it felt right and I knew I was In love with him."

" You both acted illogically." Spock said, his father had always been the model for Vulcan control in Spock's mind. All those years he had felt he was not Vulcan enough to please his father, all those years striving for absolute control of his emotions and his father had only bonded with his mother through a complete loss of control, an illogical act based entirely on emotion.

" Say's the boy whose dating his student despite the fact that he could loose his career if discovered."

Yes, Spock thought, he had always thought he took after his mother but it seemed him and his father had far more in common than he gad originally thought.

" We bonded accidentally, and once the bond was created it seemed like it was impossible to keep a distance from her."

"Yes I noticed that when I first arrived, you seemed very close."

"We have not consummated our relationship, she is young, she has the right to change her mind. And it is against Star Fleet regulations." He added as an after thought.

She took a long drink.

"Do you mind me asking how it was that you became linked?"

" I am not entirely certain, I performed a partial mind meld on her In an emergency situation but she had called to me telepathically to tell me she was in danger."

She nodded slowly.

" It is a bit of a mystery."

" Mother, this is a difficult topic for me to discuss but I have questions that need answering and It would only be appropriate to ask a family member, I am not comfortable asking father.."

Amanda leaned across and laid her hand on his arm.

" You can talk to me about anything Spock. There is nothing to be ashamed of, not in matters of the heart."

Spock hesitated, all his Vulcan reserve was telling him not to ask these questions but at the same time it was the most logical way to gain answers.

" I wish.. I wish to begin a sexual relationship with Nyota when she is sure that she wishes to be my partner."

" Is she not sure already? I mean she seems pretty much dedicated to you, she looks at you with absolute adoration."

" I told her that I wished to have only one mate in my life and that she should put deep consideration into it."

His mother smirked, not smiled , smirked he found it slightly irritating.

" Well, it's natural for a young man of your age to want sex Spokh, I don't see where you think the problem is, you're grown up, you're in a committed relationship and you wish to make her your bondmate eventually so I do not see anything immoral in it."

" It is more that I worry about further... Accidents."

" Well Spokh, there is a jab for that and there are always condoms."

" I do not understand."

" If you wish to avoid accidents then you can get a contraceptive jab from Doctor Puri, it's not entirely effective on Vulcan's so Nyota would have to get one to."

Spock felt as if the top of his ears would catch on fire, but as far as he knew Vulcan's don't spontaneous combust.

" Mother I was not talking of Spawning. I am.. Worried that as our bond occurred accidentally that the physical and emotional closeness of intercourse may lead to the bond becoming permanent, a full marriage bond. If that happened without Nyota's permission.." He left off he did not know what would happen if he permanently bonded with Nyota without her permission, he only knew that it was an extremely immoral act that he would despise himself for.

" From my own experiences Spock I think it maybe a possibility. You're going to have to be very frank with her and tell her that, then let her decide if she's ready for the risk."

He nodded slowly, the advice made sense, Nyota had never ran from anything non-human about their relationship before.

" I have a further inquiry?"

" Go on Spokh?"

" When did father see fit to tell You of the times, the Pon Farr?"

" About nine months before you were born."

Spock's cheeks felt as hot as his ears and he knew he was blushing a deep green.

" Though I would suggest you do that before then, it was not a pleasant discovery and I wish I had been better prepared."

" I shall tell her at sometime before I ask her to under go the bonding ceremony with me, I wish her to know of my full Nature before deciding."

His mother looked at him quietly for a minute. The multi-colored lights from the tree casting strange shadows and movements across her face.

" Then it is definite, you really do plan to make her your bondmate?"

" Yes mother, it is definite. It is merely a matter of waiting for the right time, which I believe to be after her graduation and before I start duty on the enterprise. Then we would not be breaking regulations and star fleet would place us together on assignments."

" Oh Spokh." His mother said, he noticed a tear run down her face.

" Mother what is wrong, I was under the impression that you liked Nyota?"

" Oh I do, I could love her like a daughter in time. I'm just so happy that you've found someone, I'm happy that your happy Spokh."

She stood up and kissed him on the forehead.

" My son."

" Mother, what if I hurt her?" He said the question coming out unintended.

" You won't."

" Physically I'm much stronger than her, if I lost control.."

" You won't hurt her Spokh."

Ashayam: Beloved in Vulcan

Kipenzi: Beloved\lover in Swahili

T'hy'la: Soulmate, like mother sister friend lover all in one.

So, thanks for reading, next chapter will be rated M for sexual themes all the way through, I guess I really can't put it off any longer.

If anybody wants a Sarek and Amanda go bowling one shot P.M. me and I'll write one Christmas.