Spock walked into his father's house, cataloging all of the differences from the one on Vulcan as he walked through. He found Sarek in the sitting room, drinking a glass of tea. Sarek never turned his head, but acknowledged his son nonetheless.

"Where are your friends?" he asked. Spock walked over and took the seat next to his father.

"I asked them to wait outside. I had an idea that this conversation would be of importance to you and I."

"You are correct. I wished to talk with you about the upcoming ceremony. As you know, it is to take place in two more days. The ceremony is to celebrate the colonization of this new planet, but it is also to honor those lives that were lost." At these words, Spock looked down and inspected his hands. He still didn't feel ready to speak of his mother.

"How?"

"The council has decided to erect a monument with the names of all those taken. It will be our job to add your mother's name to that list." Spock thought for a moment, then looked up at his father, question burning in his eyes.

"Are there any opposed?"

"Why would you ask that?" There was a tone in his father's voice that answered Spock's question for him.

"I have recently been approached by some that are...not as accepting as others."

"Unfortunately, there are those that do not wish for your mother's name to be added to the monument because she was a human. They are the minority, though." Sarek sighed slightly before changing the subject. "Will you be residing here during your stay?"

"I had not thought about it. I would be amiable to the idea, though."

"What about your friends?" Spock cocked his head at his father's question.

"What about them?"

"They are more than welcome to stay here as well. Although, I only have two rooms available at the moment." Before Spock could even think about the words coming out of his mouth, he responded.

"We would only require one." At the realization of what he just said, Spock's face began to turn green as he ducked it in embarrassment. His father raised an eyebrow as he looked at his son as he waited for him to continue. Spock thought about just stopping there and leaving for the moment, but decided that it was better to explain. We are t'hy'lara." he said simply and softly. Spock kept his head down as he waited for his father to respond to his revelation.

"They are good men." his father stated. Spock lifted his head and looked at his father. He couldn't believe that Sarek accepted his new relationship just like that. He was astounded. "I will have the room made up for three, then."

~x~x~x~

When Spock exited his father's house, he saw Jim and Leo leaning against the outer wall bickering about something or other. He approached, he felt a tenderness swell up inside of him.

"Nuh-uh!" Jim exclaimed, causing Leo to outright laugh. When they saw Spock, both stood upright and turned inquisitive eyes to him. "Well?" Jim asked.

"We are returning to the Enterprise to pack whatever belongings we will need for the next few days." Both just stared in confusion for a moment. "We are staying here for the remainder of our visit."

"What about your dad?" Leo asked. Spock smiled slightly, a smile meant only for the two men in front of him.

"He knows about us. I told him we are t'hy'lara."

"Ty-whatta?" Jim asked.

"T'hy'lara. It means friend, brother, and/or lover concerning more than two people. It is the definition of our relationship.

"I like it." Leo responded with a grin.

"Well, let's go get our stuff." Jim said.

~x~x~x~

"Wow..." Leo and Jim were taken aback by the size of the room they would be staying in. The room was, at least, the size of three cabins on the Enterprise. It had an connected bathroom that was the size of one. The room was decorated in earth tones and reds. It was very reminiscent of the Vulcan landscape. The bed was a huge four-poster canopy bed with deep red, silky fabric draping down around it. There was a large window beside the bed that overlooked the city. The bathroom was just as impressive as the bedroom itself. It housed a large counter made of sandy colored marble and a large, ornate mirror hanging over it. There was a glass shower and a gigantic claw foot bathtub that can fit at least four adults. Jim looked at Spock, mouth hanging open. "This is huge!"

"Well, my father is an ambassador." Jim and Leo walked over to the bed and tossed their things onto the bed. Everyone began unpacking said things and putting everything away.

~x~x~x~

Later that night found Jim, Spock, and Leo laying in the bed. Spock was attempting to sleep, but was restless. He decided he would take a walk throughout the city, something he loved to do at night when he was younger. Carefully, so as not to wake the others, Spock extricated himself from the two sets of arms around him. He got up and threw on some clothed before heading outside. Once out, he looked up at the sky. The two moons and the stars were beautiful and brighter than they were on Vulcan. That was one of many differences between the two places. Spock decided that New Vulcan was a good place for a fresh start. Spock had been so lost in his thoughts that he failed to notice the near silent footsteps behind him. Suddenly, something hard hit him from behind, causing him to briefly lose consciousness.