Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last section. You are all so wonderful. I truly appreciate all your encouragement. It's been a hard couple of months for me. This is the last chapter pre-written before surgery and my mother's death. I'm sorry this is a week late. I wanted to have at least one new check section done before posting this.

Day 355: The father-in-law check-in

From: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_ Sarek

To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 02/07/2261 00:00:01

Subject: Have you recovered from your accident?

I apologize for not emailing you again sooner. I saw no need because of my bimonthly chats with Spock. Especially while the Enterprise is within close proximity to the colony. However, you missed the most recent calls due to your medical incapacitation.

I am so sorry that you hurt yourself during your moon exploration. My son was very concerned, even though it was a simple fracture. I feel he gets that from Amanda; she would always worry if anything happened to Spock or me.

I hope you have a swift recovery. I am also interested in learning more about the rock that you tripped over. I decided it was in my best interest not to ask Spock additional questions about the accident. He dislikes when you're in pain or in danger.

Yes, I will keep an eye on my eldest child. I'm well aware that Spock should not be alone for long periods, any Spock. We are planning to invite him to dinner at least once a week. I did not consider asking him to join us on the embassy project, but we could benefit from his expertise. If his medical team clears his travel, of course.

In the interim, we will see you when the Enterprise team drops off the VSA science team. Is that departure still on schedule? Or did your accident adjust the timetable? Spock did not mention that happening during our coordinating call, but sometimes things need to be adjusted.

I am certain Spock and Peter have informed you, but things are still going well at the international school. I already attended my first PTA meeting yesterday. I find these parents significantly more tolerable than those in the traditional Vulcan school system. Amanda used to give me chocolate laced coffee whenever we were forced to mingle with other parents when Spock was in school. I am realizing it was easier to interact with other people with her present.

The situation may be better with the international school parents because several are diplomats like myself. Other planets are starting to send representatives to the colony now that most of the infrastructure for the settlement is in place. "Embassy row" should be finalized within the next year. However, the first cohort of delegates has arrived; their children are at the international school. It did help that somebody brought chocolate chip cookies. I will bring good lemon bars next time.

After consulting Dr. Suarez, I have decided that Saavik will begin seeing the school psychologist once a week. After corresponding with Peter, Saavik felt that she would benefit from speaking with somebody that is not a family member.

We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. I hope you will be fully recovered by then.

Xxx

Spock arrived at the breakfast table to see his husband reading an email from Spock's father. Peter had already left to have breakfast with his friends in the cafeteria. It was a good sign that he was spending time with his friends when not absolutely necessary. He hadn't been doing a lot of that since the accident.

"Did you freak out to your dad when I was in medical bay?" James asked his husband as he looked up from his PADD. "I know about your regular call but was there more than one call?" Now Spock was profoundly regretting his father not BCCing him. He wondered what the Vulcan wrote his husband.

"Yes. I had to coordinate the return of the VSA scientists, and he is my intermediary with the Academy." Spock explained.

"I'm sure that's what happened." James sounded skeptical.

"I did not freak out. I was just concerned."

"I knew you were. But I wasn't that hurt."

"You lost consciousness because you hit your head." Spock retorted.

"For like a minute. I am completely better right now. I even get to do bridge duty today." Spock would have preferred for James to stay on light duty for another day, but he was already cleared by Dr. McCoy to come back.

"I dislike when you are injured or in medical."

"I know." James caressed his hand. "Especially after I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital almost 2 years ago."

"I would like you to avoid a repeat of that."

"I am trying, which is why I took the least dangerous away mission option, and I still ended up tripping over a rock. An actual rock."

"Made out of a compound that can reflect the images around it and essentially cloak itself. It was not your fault."

"I'm glad you have a better idea of what happened out there. I bet the science team is loving that."

"They are. There's a separate team on that moon taking additional samples. Another team will check one of the other moons to see if the rocks are made of a similar compound. Thankfully, we adjusted the sensors, and they can now detect the rock formations." Spock explained.

"At least we found something fun, and no one else will hurt themselves trying to find out more. Are we staying on schedule?" James asked.

"Yes, we will drop the VSA team members off on the morning of February 13. We will stay in orbit for the next two days for meetings on the colony before departing for repairs." James groaned at that. "We will need to be part of the debrief with the Vulcan science team," Spock explained.

"Of course, we're going to have more meetings." James sighed. "At least the VSA meetings are almost tolerable. It makes sense we have to do something on the colony. Otherwise, we would just beam the team back and go on our way to repairs."

"Correct."

"Although, will we be able to have a fancy dinner alone at one of the good restaurants on Valentine's Day, or are we going to be stuck with diplomatic ass-kissing duty?"

"Our temporary assistant has assured me we will have a private dinner on the 14th." James smiled at that. "However, we will have breakfast and lunch meetings in addition to the VSA debriefings."

"OK, the new assistant seems less horrible than the last one. I'm looking forward to having Valentine's dinner with you and no kids."

"The last one participated in a conspiracy to have me killed." Spock pointed out.

"Good point," James said as he returned to his PADD. "You should know I also got a message on the work account from Scotty. The new captain for the Hamilton has arrived. Therefore, he'll be waiting for us when Enterprise docks. He only needs to stay another week to help with the transition. Most of the treasonous assholes have been filtered out. Half the crew is new, but I'm sure the new captain will appreciate that." Spock was slightly disappointed that the engineer emailed James directly, but he knew they were friends.

"That is highly likely. Whom did they send?" Although Spock was asked to make a recommendation, he was not informed of the final choice.

"Captain Chin-Riley. Who honestly should be an admiral already, but people are prejudicial assholes."

"Unfortunately, that is true. Although I feel Admiral Chen will root out such prejudice among the ranks. She did go with my recommendation after all."

"She'll try a lot more than Marcus did."

"Which was very little," Spock remarked darkly.

"Actually, I think things went backward when he was in charge of Starfleet.

He did try to start a war with the Klingons," James added.

"He used us to start a war with the Klingons."

"Thankfully, I'm bad at doing what I'm told to do. Outside the bedroom anyway." James smirked as he leaned over for a kiss."I deeply regret that we have to go to work right now."

"You could have another day of light duty."

"But you won't be with me."Jim pouted.

"I feel it necessary to remind you that Peter will be working with Ashley three and Jay on his group project on the history of Federation propaganda and pop culture. He will be gone most of the evening." Spock reminded his husband.

"I look forward to after work. I'll just try to remember to write your dad back at lunch," Jim said, kissing his husband one last time before leaving.

Xxxx

From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

To: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_ Sarek

Time sent: 02/07/2261 23:54:01

Subject: Re: Have you recovered from your accident?

It's OK. Especially because we do hear from you a lot by other means. I know Spock has been talking to you about work things. Thank you for your well wishes. I'm doing much better now. I'm even back on duty. Because I'm back on duty, I will get to spend quality time with diplomats next week. If I knew that was in the cards, I would have let Bones keep me on light duty for another week.

So the good news is that we are wrapping up close to on time. Even with the new scientific discovery, we are on track to end operations on February 12 and then head back to the New Vulcan colony. We should get there the next day. We'll drop the science team off and then debrief with various department heads. There are also a few lunches where we will be entertaining multiple diplomats. Spock also mentioned picking up some diplomats to take to the star base with us. I don't like playing diplomatic fairy, but Spock bear is the one who will have to play nice.

My husband says I do, too, since I am his husband. That's so unfair. I regret dictating this with him in bed next to me. Although if I don't do this now, I won't do it until tomorrow.

Since we'll be on the planet until the morning of the 15th, I thought Sulu could bring the kids over for dinner. You can ask the elder and Suarez to come over. I was going to ask Nyota, but I am sure she has her own Valentine's Day plans. Sulu volunteered because he loves your Rose garden and wants to take the opportunity to help Saavik with her school project in person. They've been exchanging letters.

I hope Saavik found Spock's notes helpful as well. He wrote to her through Josephine, although in a very Spock way. He sent Saavik a list of plants and asked her about her various class projects.

I have been informed Spock sent her a note from the work account because, of course, he did. He's a little sad she hasn't written him yet. He thought things went well during Christmas. Based on something Josephine said, I'm worried Saavik might be a little intimidated by her big Captain Brother. Or maybe she's just trying to figure out her place in the family. That can be difficult sometimes. Talk to Kevin about that. I'm sure he has stories.

I approve of your plan to have the elder over more. I think it would be good for all of you. Maybe even invite Suarez over. You need more adults in your life.

Hopefully, you'll get that needed adult interaction at PTA meetings. Nyota has joined the Enterprise parents association for wine every Wednesday. Spock and I have been staying away because very few people like to hang out with their bosses. Although bringing the good lemon bars will definitely help you make friends.

To be continued.