Today, three boys napped deeply in the afternoon heat on the porch in a shared hammock under a solar porch fan. Grayson and Edward's two youngest children played and ate themselves into exhaustion. Nyota curled into Spock's lap on a swing under a second fan at the other end of the porch.

Beyond the porch, Uhura looked over the two gardens. She'd received special permission to grow vegetable species native to Vulcan. After three weeks here, the veggie varieties she'd planted were almost ready to harvest.

This is nice. Kids asleep on the porch. The two of us not getting shot at. Not getting patched up in Sickbay. Not watching the other one get patched up.

That is the nature of exploration, Nyota. No amount of preparation can anticipate every possible outcome.

Look at them, Spohkh. The boys are having the time of their lives just being kids. Grayson's so happy to have someone to play with everyday.

She quieted but she wasn't done.

I didn't think about that when I got pregnant...

Grayson is not lonely, Nyota.

I know, I know... But it's not like our childhoods, is it?

Spock did not consider his Vulcan childhood similar to this experience. At times he did not consider his Vulcan childhood a childhood at all. He'd moved around a lot before Sarek based the family on Vulcan for Spock's schooling. Little fun or friendship or love occurred during his schooling on Vulcan - vacations with his human grandparents and cousins in Seattle being the notable exception.

Are you ovulating, Nyota?

Raising up, she stared directly at him, her look aiming for the "OFF" switch on his spinal cord.

Why would you ask that!?

Because I noted during our time at the Academy that your nesting behaviors were most pronounced during ovulation. I am sure you are aware of the biological advantage of that response in procreation. Your desire to -

Spock! I'm not ovulating - a process over which I have control, as you know. And you could've checked that yourself. It's that last away mission. Jim is Grayson's legal guardian if something happens to us. Grayson could have lost all three of us on that mission. I'm just wondering if raising a family on a star ship is such a good idea. That house Jim owns north of San Francisco? He bought it while we were at the Academy because he doesn't believe in raising a family in space. Look what he suffered through after George Kirk died. I never thought about it before this last mission. We could've both died. It isn't fair to...

Behind tight shielding, Spock began evaluating her receptivity to opening a restaurant in San Francisco. His analyses indicated their family wasn't complete; Nyota would want a daughter before they sought more permanent contraceptive choices. Commuting to San Francisco would take no more than an Earth hour each way.

Are you ready to conceive another offspring, k'diwa?

I'm thinking about it. I thought I had decided until сигма Iotia II.

You are not yet 25, Nyota. We have time, now that we know we need not get medical assistance.

Spock patiently waited out her mental silence.

I know you've been considering working on Earth. Did you contact the Academy?

I have not. I would not pursue that course without discussing it with you. You would, as your father says, skin me alive.

I hate to admit it but I've enjoyed being here for you and Grayson. Just keeping house for my guys.

Your brilliant mind and athletic body would get bored. This respite is provoking 'Vacation Syndrome'.

Her puzzlement prodded Spock to clarify his statement. Outside of childhood family vacations, his workaholic wife did not know how to vacation. They were enjoying their first real vacation since their honeymoon.

Vacation Syndrome occurs when a restorative activity in a pleasing locale causes the stressed vacationer to rethink their present life choices, to consider a significant life change.

You think that's why I want to get pregnant again?

No, the most probable reason for your desire to have more children is Uhura's have large famiies. I think that Vacation Syndrome may explain why you want to end your enviable Star Fleet career and move back to the Uhura compound.

Our *house*, Spock. Bibi [grandmother] left the *house* to *you*. You're the only non-Uhura male to inherit in clan history.

I am an Uhura. My name is in the clan scroll.

Skip the technicalities. You know what I mean. She really loved you.

She loved the fact that I ate her cooking with relish and that we stopped sleeping in separate bedrooms so I could successfully impregnate you.

Jim sent photos to her family throughout her pregnancy without her knowledge. She'd thank him for that when they got back.

We have a house and a growing family, ashayam. Should we stay?

I suggest we enjoy this vacation for the next 10.391 Earth weeks then return to the Enterprise. If after an equivalent time you wish to relocate to *our house*, I will support that decision.