Chapter 3

A pair of dark brown eyes fluttered open. Blinking to adjust to the darkness in the room, Sarek took a deep breath and rose from his Meditation Mat. The Comm. Unit for his dwelling was, to use the Terran term "ringing off the hook".

It is 9:45 pm. Perhaps it is Spock.

Exiting his bedroom, he pulled on his silk night robe and walked swiftly to the Comm. Unit. Pressing the button to answer the call, he sat down, and faced the intrusion to his meditation.

The young girl staring at him through the Video Feed looked devastated. Her eyes were bloodshot, tear tracks stained her light tan cheeks. Her brilliant amethyst eyes were marred with a look of panic and bewilderment.

Effortlessly displaying the ta'al, the young girl took a ragged breath waiting for Sarek's response.

His eyes softened and he returned the gesture, nodding slightly, giving her the silent approval to begin her story.

"Sochya eh dif, Ambassador Sarek. I am Lieutenant Serenity Jones. I apologize immensely for this intrusion. I did not know who else to contact this late. There has been an incident at the Starfleet Science Colony. Our Commanding Officer is missing. This is abnormal for her. I am concerned something has happened. A Sandfire Storm broke out in the area of the Desert she was working in, and she missed evening Check In and Lockdown." Serenity's voice was threatening to shatter all over again. Tears were welling up in her bright eyes.

Sarek took a brief moment to absorb the information and glanced at the chronometer on the wall. He sighed, unhappy with the time conversion.

"Ms. Jones, I thank thee for contacting me. If you will please remain on this line, I will contact someone who I believe can help you. Please hold." Sarek spoke gently, trying to reassure the young Human. Reaching his slender fingers out from the place where they were folded on his lap, he gracefully dialed the code to allow a Third Party Connection to be made, then dialed the all-familiar code for his sa-fu. It was 04:45 on the ship, but he knew Spock would answer. Sure enough, after the 2nd ring, a not-so-sleepy Spock answered the call.

"Father. It is early, still. We must be quiet, my sa-telsu is still sleeping." Spock gestured back to the large bunk where a very serene looking James Kirk was snoring lightly.

"My son, I fear you will need to wake your ashayam. There has been an incident here. We will await your return. I must stress the importance of speed. A life may be at stake." Sarek quietly, yet forcefully warned his son.

Through the Video Screen, Serenity watched the young Vulcan cross to the bed and place a comforting hand on the outstretched arm of his mate. A few seconds went by, the body shifted under the blankets, and then the most radiant cerulean eyes flashed open. The figure sat up, and looked to the Comm. Unit, before displaying the ta'al.

"Father! Please allow me to replicate a cup of coffee before we begin." Kirk flashed his favorite toothy grin to his Father-in-Law, and rose - almost colliding with the mug of steaming liquid his mate held.

"Forgive me, t'hy'la, I made it for you already. This matter is extremely time sensitive." Spock sent reassurance and love through their ancient bond. He pulled the second chair over to the Comm. Unit and took his place beside his Captain and husband.

"Lieutenant Jones! It is a joy to see you in person. I have reviewed your reports on the indigenous plant life of New Vulcan. They are of exceptional quality. Please, tell us how we may assist you. From the beginning, please. Spare no detail." Spock intoned swiftly.

Taking a racking breath, Serenity reached to the side of her viewscreen and pulled a box of Kleenex into her lap. Taking a few in hand, she began the recollection of the night. After 10 painful minutes, the girl was beginning the end of her story.

"... and that's when I called Ambassador Sarek. I… I didn't know who else to call. I still don't, actually. Lilly is in charge here… was in charge. I'm in charge now." The Lieutenant sobbed after her last statement.

Jim and Spock looked at each other, unsaid messages passing between the bond. Jim cleared his throat and looked at the devastated young girl.

"Serenity, it's okay. You're doing great. You did a great thing here. We aren't that far from New Vulcan. I think we can get there in less than 3 hours. You just hang tight. We're coming. We'll find Lilly for you, try not to worry. I'm totally sure that she's safe and hiding out from that storm somewhere." Jim flashed her a brilliant smile, hoping to reassure the frightened girl.

"Dad - I know it's late, is there anyone that could go to the Colony for the time being? Someone that might have an A7 Computer Clearance for Starfleet Computers? And can play a wicked game of Chess?" Jim laughed, yet his face portrayed utter seriousness.

"Child, how often must I scold you for using your Terran slang when referring to me? I will release you from this call, so that I may contact Ambassador Selek for his assistance in this situation. Ms. Jones, I ask you for more of your time this evening, as I arrange for a liaison from the Vulcan Embassy to come to the Colony to aid you until the Enterprise can make it here. I will remain available until I hear from you again, my sons. Contact me as soon as you know how long it will take you to reach New Vulcan's orbit. Peace and Long Life, sons." Sarek displayed the ta'al a final time, then ended the connection.

Jim stood and walked to the door that connected Spock's Quarters to their shared bathroom. Unlocking the door, he stepped into the medium sized chamber. As he crossed the room to his door, he swiped his toothbrush off its place on the counter. He entered his Quarters and dashed to the Comm. Unit there.

Typing in his Captain's Code to create a Ship-Wide Broadcast, he cleared his throat and began speaking. His voice portrayed every ounce of authority and compassion the young man had. He was aware his crew was going to be resentful for starting their day even earlier.

"We have received a Distress Call from Ambassador Sarek of New Vulcan. It is now 05:30. I am ending Gamma Shift now and require that all Alpha Shift crew members make their way to their Stations and Posts. Know this - Ambassador Sarek is not in any situation of his own. It is the Starfleet Science Colony requesting assistance. You have 30 minutes to make it to your Posts. Kirk out."

Spock had quietly slipped into the room behind Jim and was idly tidying up the nightstand on his side of the bed. Arranging everything to his desires, he stopped and turned towards his husband. Noticing the toothbrush still in Jim's hand, he sighed slightly.

"Jim, what your plan? Do you wish for me to make an Away Team? I completed some research into the Desert where the young Shade girl has gone missing. It is quite expansive. I have located the Orchid Cultivation Site that she had traveled to. The Orchid Site is 457.2 meters in length and width. It is quite remarkable. The Kal'ta Desert is approximately the same size as the Colorado Plateau. It is 335,000 kilometers square." Spock folded his hands behind his back and stood at parade rest.

Jim turned and smiled at his beloved. He moved to the closet and pulled out a fresh uniform. Shucking off his A-shirt and boxers, he pulled out a fresh pair of soft, grey cotton boxer-briefs and black undershirt. He placed them on the bed and grabbed his Uniform shoes from the wooden Shoe Stand Selek had gifted him as a wedding present.

Locking eyes with his First Officer, he smiled coyly. His eyes were playful and happy. Taking Spock's hand in his, Jim squeezed it slightly.

"We still have 26 minutes. Care to join me in the shower? I've got two months of Hot Water rations saved up we can use." Jim whispered to his mate.

"Jim, ashayam. You know that I find luxurious showers wrong. Wasting that much water is illogical. Unless you are hurt and need the muscle relaxation. Given that we have had a quiet three months, that is also illogical." Spock lamented at his mate's disdain for water conservation.

"Okay, okay, I'll be out in a minute… or ten." Jim was walking back to the bathroom. He slipped in the door and keyed the Sonic Shower to come on. He stepped into the steam filled chamber and felt the gloriously relaxing pulses as the sonic waves cleaned his still slightly sleepy muscles. He heard the Comm. Unit go off in his room, then stop as he could hear muffled voices drifting in from his room. Trusting Spock to handle himself, Jim closed his eyes.

"Computer, play music - Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata with Rain. Dim lights to 65%." Jim quietly ordered.

As the soothing notes of Beethoven's Sonata and the gentle sounds of a Rainstorm sprinkled down through the bathroom, Jim laid back against the shower wall, reveling in the shower's quiet comforts. He was still plagued by nightmares of the Nero and Khan incidents. Both men had stolen his fathers. Nero took his biological, and Khan claimed his surrogate. Both died fighting for those they loved, but still Jim blamed himself for Pike's death.

Remembering the still tender wounds caused Jim to sigh and start crying softly. Tears he rarely shed anymore. He needed to be strong. It was in times like these, when he was alone with nothing but his thoughts, that he remembered the pain and anguish that both men had caused.

He remained with his eyes closed, drowning himself in the music. He was so lost to his thoughts and remembrances he didn't realize that someone was now holding him.

He felt the cool hands slide around his waist as the arms they were attached to pulled him even closer. He buried his head in the strong security of his mate's chest. They stood, almost like a mother comforting her child for what seemed like an eternity. Jim felt the bond he shared flare to life as he let his mental shields down. Soon Spock's voice was softly whispering in his head.

"Oh Jim. My darling Jim. You are not alone. I know that I have made this clear to you before. I will say it again. I will say it whenever you need it. I will always say it. I love you. I am forever and eternally grateful for the sacrifices you have made in your short life. I am sorry that you have been through so much pain, heartache, anguish and despair. You are my t'hy'la. Without you I would be lost. You are the humanity that I so greatly find myself needing. You know how to ground me. You are the one thing in life that makes life worth living. I will love you from now until I am no more." Tears were pouring down both their faces as they held one another.

Spock's internal alarm clock went off. It was now almost 06:00. Neither of them had eaten. Spock disdainfully resigned to having a replicated breakfast as that was all they would have time for.

As he pulled Jim out of the shower, Jim covered his mouth with his own. Suffocating with the ferocity of the kiss, Spock stepped back slightly. He ran his fingers through Jim's golden brown tresses.

"I… I feel better now. Sorry about that Spock. Just… got distracted with my own misery for a while. I'm better now. Just needed to get that out of my system. I'm sorry I worried you, ashayam. It's time to head up to the Bridge. I need to talk to Scotty and fill the Bridge Crew in on the situation." Jim slipped around Spock and began brushing his teeth.

Finishing the task he entered the door for his Quarters and crossed to his bed. Picking up the cotton grey-blue boxer-briefs he pulled them on. He did the same to the black undershirt that was a part of his Uniform. The short-sleeved Shirt helped to hide more of the collar area and made his already attractive uniform even more sexy, as he often joked with Spock.

He pulled on a pair of white socks, then his Uniform trousers. The sleek black slacks miraculously never needed pressing or ironing. He tucked his undershirt in and buckled the delicate leather belt that kept his pants in place. There were many things in life James Kirk had - a butt with any semblance of a curve was definitely not on the list.

He pulled the Goldenrod colored Command Shirt on and fastened his Command track Badge to his left breast. Turning to look at the mirror he admired himself favorably.

"Well… I am just one 6'1" sexy beast today! Rawr." He laughed and sat down to pull his shoes on. Spock joined him on the bed, having already gotten dressed in his Quarters.

Spock pulled a comb off the small nightstand Jim used and began trying to tame Jim's cowlick. After several trying minutes he finally got the stubborn locks of hair to lay correctly in place without sticking up too much. Ready to start the day they both exited through Jim's Quarters and made their way to the TurboLifts.

A/N: Thanks for the r/r! I appreciate it, honest!

Here is the translation of the Vulhkansu used in this Chapter. Some words will be used again, so I'd like for you to know them!

Sochya eh dif - Peace and Long Life (It is the greeting before Live Long and Prosper)
ta'al - The Vulcan hand gesture, in which the index and middle fingers, and ring and pinky fingers form a 'V' shape, with the thumb extended.
sa-fu - son
sa-telsu - husband
t'hy'la - friend/lover/brother (equivalent of soulmate)
ashayam - beloved