So I've had some questions I guess I should answer maybe some of these are a bit of a stretch I guess I've been concentrating to much on the emotional interplay and overlooked a few thing.

I do think that the baby would have a good chance of being cooper blooded despite being ¾ human. Spock's green blooded and his blood has so few human elements that in Journey to Babel they were able to filter them out .Spock has Vulcan ears, strength senses and telepathy, So I'm making the assumption that Vulcan DNA is always dominant over Human. So the baby would have more than a ¼ Vulcan DNA.

I tried to explain in the last chapter during Spock's dream how he and Nyota somehow managed to get pregnant in the 23rd century. Basically, Nyota is afraid of hypos and didn't get a contraceptive jab and Spock overlooked that fact. Then Spock did have his contraceptive jab but it wasn't fully effective due to his Vulcan heritage.

Another note, I spent an hour making corrections and the uni server went down so have to start all over again. How annoying is it when that happens?

Just before getting off the public fast speed shuttle he had taken to Africa. Spock checked through his bag. Usually he would not need to double check his own work but today his planning skills and memory wasn't up to par. He moved the change of cloths at the top aside and unzipped his over night bag to check he had remembered his toothbrush. He had raided medical supplies taking a tricorder and a small collection of hypospreys picking those that could be turned into the most diverse range of medicines, those most useful in an emergency and those that would help Nyota in the most likely case. He didn't want to think about what that was he wouldn't be able to focus if he did. He checked the little serial numbers on the sprays and spent some time deliberating over whether he could have brought anything more effective. He just hoped that he would get there in time. After getting the message from Nyota's father he immediately checked the shuttle timetable and paid a good deal of his earnings for a ticket. With an hour before he had to be at the public air and shuttle port just outside the city he ran to the medical supply area bypassed the alarm system thinking he could always explain later he took what he had thought he would need. Returning to his apartment he had sent a quick e-mail to Chris saying he was out of town on an emergency and didn't know when he would be back. Then he had grabbed cloths and personal products from his cupboard not paying much attention to what he was throwing in. He had arrived for the shuttle twenty minutes early and flashed his star fleet I.D. which acted in place of a passport (something that due to his alien appearance he always needed to do when leaving the continent.) Then sat for two hours trying to meditate as the almost empty shuttle passed through the atmosphere and the dove back to earth landing in the same landing strip that he had been to the first time he had met Nyota. He knew that her house was yet another hour by fast land vehicle. He walked through the small airport not seeing anything except the signs that pointed him to the car park where he could hire a car and driver. He found a black hover van, got in and gave the address that he had seen on Nyota's file many times but had never been to. He answered a few questions from the driver not really knowing what he was replying until eventually the man seemed to understand he was not in the mood for conversation. Spock watched the passing landscape, he watched as they passed through a small industrial town and back out into the countryside where they passed a few small farmsteads. After a what for Spock felt like a very long time ( it was strange how time seemed to have slowed down its flow today) they came back into a small town. They drove up through the shopping area and then passed a large park Spock felt exasperated as they seemed to be passing back out of the town, the houses growing a lot less frequent. Then just at the point where Spock was going to ask why they had left the town the address he had given the driver had been in the car stopped, turned once in the air and landed. Spock looked out the window to see a large house set in a square ache field. The house was two stories and painted white with bright yellow shutters painted with little red flowers around the windows. There were little flower beds and rock gardens positioned around the field and a little area set aside for a swing set and a basketball hoop. The house had a wrap around porch and on it was a young woman Spock had never seen before, he did not think she was one of Nyota's relatives as there was no family resemblance. He handed the driver his payment card and then got out.

The young woman immediately stood up and Spock noticed for the first time that there was a cradle of sorts on the bench next to her. She walked towards Spock as he retrieved his bag and payment card.

"Is this the Uhura residence'' He asked her.

''Yes. You are commander Spock?''

" Yes.''

'' Baba! He came." Spock took a few steps forwards before the door to the house swung open and the familiar form of Nyota's father appeared.

"Commander Spock."

"Mr Uhura, may I see Nyota?"

"Yes, yes of course." He waved his arm towards the house. "Thank you for coming."

" Has she opened the door yet?"

He asked as they walked towards the house. The young woman stopped on the porch and leaned over the cradle gently lifting out a infant, Spock judged her to be female and between the ages of eighteen months and two years. Spock froze as he looked at the beautiful child, she was round faced with curly black hair and wide eyes. She was wearing pink dungarees and when Spock stopped next to her she stared at him and reached out towards him with pudgy hands.

"Is this Akina?" Spock asked transfixed with the child.

" Yes." The woman said. " I guess Ny talks about her. " She looked down at the child with a fond smile. "They are really close.. Well they used to be, she doesn't seem to have time for her at the moment."

"I understand she has been distracted of late."

He reached out to the small child. She clamped her little hand around his finger and Spock got t e strangest impressions, they were from a Childs mind security, contentment and seemingly endless curiosity.

Hello Akina I am Spock.

The child gave a startled gasp and then gave a little laugh.

" Lo Spot."

Her mother starred down at her a little crease of confusion between her brows.

"." Mr. Uhura prompted.

Spock nodded and continued on to follow him through the light airy house. Despite his own emotions he could feel those of others infringing on the centre of his mind. Worry confusion, fear even misguided anger. They were starkly different from the mind of the child and Spock found himself longing for his own infancy when life was undoubtedly simpler.

They did not encounter any other members of Nyota's family as they climbed the stairs. They emerged at a long simple corridor five doors interspersed, family photos lining the walls between them. Spock knew that he had let to much time pass already and he could not spare them a glance but as he had got closer to where Nyota was he became more afraid of what he would find. Despite the urgency of the situation he wished to linger.

stopped at the top of the stairs.

"I won't come. She may not let you in. It's the furthest door on the left."

Spock gave a short nod. He searched the surrounding area and found the familiar edge

of Nyota's mind. He wanted to turn away from the depression he felt there but strengthening his minds walls as much as his state would allow he delved a little deeper.

Nyota, I am here. Tell me the codes to your door.

2478/90/45 Her beloved voice came into his mind.

There was no lock on the door. He looked around the hallway and saw a little access point two inches above the floor. He knelt and wedged it open. Amongst the wires there was a small number keypad he typed the code Nyota had given him in. The door immediately opened. He froze, his muscles all seemed to tense at once. It was her voice that drew him to action.

" Spock."
He got up and went to the doorway.

She was curled in on herself her knees brought up towards her and arms wrapped tight around her heart ached at the sight of her so small in the big bed, so fragile.

"Hey." She said weakly.

He walked over and sat at the end of her bed. Now closer he could see little yellow rings around her deep brown corneas, she was pale, her hair fell limply around her face and there was a sheen of sweat covering her skin. He touched his hand lightly to her forehead and she closed her eyes. He could feel a deep tiredness from her, a dull pain and a lack of emotions, like a big black pit inside of her. He gently took her hands and moved them away from her stomach laying his own there instead. He felt nothing, there was no life there.

"Have you bled?" He asked finding his voice come out in whisper.

She bit her lip as she gave a singular nod. He felt a pain coursing through his body. He took a deep breath to steady himself as he walked across the room to where he'd dropped his bag he knelt down and pulled out the change of clothes he had thrown on top out the bag, leaving them where they fell on the floor. He found the medical tricorder and small collection of hypospreys he had brought. He felt his fingers tremble as he turned back to face her a small illogical part of him had hoped that when he had turned back around he would find her curled up asleep beautiful and healthy and content. However he found her lying there, her body shook in a deep tremble and she took several rasping breaths then she went still again. He concentrated on the small machine in his hand. He had to clear his head to remember which of the little graphs pertained to what. He moved the reader across her body with a slow determination. He stared down at the readings in the screen component occasionally twiddling a little dial to show him various organ functions. As the little screen revealed his worst fears he started to feel nauseous he stared at the screen checking the readings a third and forth time, it allowed him to avoid looking at her.

"Spock." She finally said with a strange gulp at the end.

" Copper poisoning. Released from the foetus as parts of it were .." He found himself unable to finish the sentence.

Nyota squeezed her eyes tightly shut. A single tear ran down her cheek.

"It's dead."

His chest felt tight as if he couldn't breath the room blurred for a moment. He blinked his eyes rapidly to clear his head. He felt unusually warm fingers timidly touch his for the briefest of moments then drew away.

"Yes, she's gone." He told her.

That little gold line was gone; it had been so slim that it had snapped without notice. His child, his daughter because he knew that was what the baby was going to be. It was like.. Like his world had disappeared. But she was here, his Nyota was here and he had to help her. He leaned over her and kissed the salty tears that ran down her cheek.

"It's probably for the best." Nyota whispered.

Spock froze, he felt a wall of anger, black and sharp and mountainous rising inside him. She could not mean that, the death of a child could never be for the best. He must be misunderstanding her again. He stood up slowly as if his pain was physical and movement would damage him.

" I must treat you before your kidneys become damaged."

He went to his bag again, checking through the box of hypospreys he had brought with him.

" We're Star Fleet." Nyota said quietly. "I could never let you give up the chance to explore, the chance to examine all those new worlds. You've already been offered a first officer position after so little time on star ship service.. You would be a captain soon and I would just stay here."

He twirled a dial on a hyposprey Making sure it released the right compound then he went over to her. She backed away a little at the sight of the hypo, that illogical fear of hers. He grabbed her shoulder holding her still as he pushed the container to her skin hearing the little hiss as it was pumped into her bloodstream. He released his hold on her seeing the little patches of skin where his fingers had been were already turning dark. Had he really held her with so much force?

He met her eyes and saw something he had not seen in her since Williams, fear.

"Am I really an evil person because I feel a little relieved? " Her Voice cracked and the tears ran more freely down her face."I am hurting Spock..."

He put his hand on her cheek, he didn't want to hear her voice anymore, didn't want to look at her.

"Rest now." He said trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. " You are ill, you are confused."

Her hand reached for his and he almost flinched at the feel of the damp skin clamping around his.

"Will you stay?"

"I shall assure you go to sleep."

" I don't think I can."

" I can give you a sedative."

She didn't answer.

"You need rest Nyota."

She gave a small nod. He fetched the sedative.

"It's a low dose." He said pressing it to her neck.

He ran his fingers through her limp hair as she fell asleep. He felt to weary to move for a while after she had lost consciousness but he knew he had to get up, her family were waiting for him to tell them what was wrong with her. He had no idea what to say to them. Touching his fingers lightly to hers he got up.

Spock heard the voices downstairs stop as he slowly descended the stairs. He knew they had heard him coming and they had deliberately stopped. Spock tried to block his turmoiled mind of from their thoughts but it was difficult. His mind felt like it was being bruised by a storm of anger and sadness and worry, all hitting him at the same time with equal force. He stopped outside the door to the room where he had heard the voices; he tried to set his face knowing that at the moment it was probably showing everything he was feeling.

He pushed the door open taking in the soft comfy living room with large windows and mint green walls with lots of photos of plants and trees. It gave the impression of being a light forest clearing. He wondered if it had always been decorated in that fashion as Nyota had been growing up? As a child had she played in this room?

Five pairs of eyes turned to him and pudgy arms reached out.

" Spot." She Akina said with a giggle.

Spock looked at the child, she looked like her mother, except she already had shoulder length curls and her mother had tightly cropped hair and she had those strangely light eyes that her father had. He nodded at Peter seeing that in person he was taller than both his parents. Information seemed to be filtering slowly into his mind in strange little drabs that made little sense.

" Mr. Spock." Mrs. Uhura said, she was wearing one of those long flora dresses and looked as tired as everybody else in the room. "What's going on with my daughter?"

Spock felt that tension creeping up his limbs again.

"Nyota is ill." He said trying to buy himself a little time to think about how best to present his answers. He didn't know what to do the logical thing would be to tell Nyota's family exactly what was going on but judging by Nyotaís behaviour she did not want them to know. He did not want to betray her trust, when she awoke again he would try persuading her into being honest. She was not in her right mind. She needed her parents and siblings to support her.

"I know she's ill but why is she acting in the way she is? Why won't she talk to us? Why won't she see the doctor?"

"You will have to ask her when she wakes up."

" You can tell us." She snapped.

"I realize you are worried, Nyota has been under a lot of stress lately and has been questioning her life choices. I believe it is passing. And she will have to see a doctor I have started treating her but there may be complications. "

"Mr. Spock, I think you are avoiding the question, what's the illness.?"

"Is it digestive?" Peter asked. "Like a bad infection or something?"

"The cause of the illness was not Terran."

" Are you saying she picked something up off planet? Shouldn't she had been given vaccines for them." Her mother asked.

" Not off planet, on earth but through contact with a none terran. There are preventive medicines but she did not take them. " He shook his head feeling as if he was losing control of the situation. "I am going outside for... for air." He said . He left them without any more words.

He walked from the house, heading away around the edge instead of towards the road. At the back of the house he saw a large tree whose leaves stretched out in a canopy offering protection from the blaring sun. Spock sat down on the crisp dry grass resting his back against the tree trunk. He sat enjoying the quietness and the freedom from the minds of others for ten minutes before the rustling of grass alerted him to the presence of somebody approaching. He reluctantly glanced up to see Mr. Uhura carrying a cup and plate. He had suspected that this was coming, Mr. Uhura had kept quiet in the house but Spock knew the adoration he had for his youngest daughter. Knew the closeness and understanding they had with each other. It was logical he would eventually seek Spock out to question him.

"Mr. Spock?"

" Just Spock."

"Spock, you must be hungry. It's a long journey. I was surprised you got here so quickly."

" I took a shuttle."

"Yeah, that would do it."

Mr. Uhura set the cup and plate down on the grass then settled next to Spock. There was a silence, but Spock was to emotionally weary to feel uncomfortable by it.

"You love my daughter."

Spock looked down at his hands, he was angry with Nyota. But that did not mean he did not love her. He imagined her fingers twinning with his in that wonderful affectionate gesture that sent tingling down his spine.

"Yes sir."

"I'm grateful you came. I'm grateful you're trying to make her better."

"Do not thank me sir." Spock said, the warm word burning and shaming him.

He felt Mr. Uhura shift next to him.

" Do you think I don't know that your making love to my daughter?" Spock turned to him, familiar warm eyes were looking back. Mr. Uhura gave a small bittersweet smile and looked down as if an unanswered question had been answered.

" I knew after that man had attacked her, I saw the way you two looked at each other. I knew it was only time."

Spock considered the words, the calmness in them, the acceptance despite their positions.

"Will you report me?"

"You've saved my daughters life twice."

Spock felt that sudden pain under his ribs again and his eyes blurred.

"Both times I indirectly put her in danger."

"How did you put her in danger this time?"

"I cannot say."

Mr. Uhura nodded.

"You shouldn't blame yourself." He said placing his hand on Spock's shoulder.

"I think you're good for her. I think you'll protect her and treasure her."

"I do treasure her."

Mr. Uhura took a deep breath.

"No father is ever happy to see his little girl grow up and find somebody. To know that they're no longer the most important man in their life. But if it has to be somebody, I'm glad it's somebody like you Spock."

" I am undeserving."

Mr. Uhura stood up to leave.

"I'll just leave you to eat and recover from your journey then."

"Thank you."

Spock looked down at the food as Nyota's father walked away. He was unsure whether he would be able to stomach it. He picked up the cup that had been left from him and sniffed it experimentally. Chamomile tea, he drunk it thankfully the familiarity bringing some small measure of comfort. As he drank his vision blurred again and blinking he felt wetness on his cheek. Confused Spock reached his hand up and touched the small trail of moisture. He stared at his hand and the small drop of water nestled on his fingertip.

Well, there it is the make or break chapter, the one that kept nagging at the back of my mind demanding me to write it, it was going to be a lot longer but again I decided to cut it off here so there wouldn't be too many emotions in one chapter. The next few chapters will be a little depressing. Reviews always welcome even if only a few words.