Grandfather Greyson slowly limps down the hospital corridor to me. I stand. He gives my shoulder a quick squeeze.
"Any news?"
"Sarek has been in surgery for ten hours five minutes."
He nods, studying me for a moment. "It's okay to be afraid, son."
I wince: Mother's last words, verbatim.
"Spock…Of course you don't want to lose your father, too."
Grandfather and I keep a silent vigil until Doctor McCoy, still in surgical garb, appears.
We rise.
"He'll be fine."
I swallow compulsively. My vision blurring, I turn and walk away. I realize I did not anticipate my father surviving.