**I haven't given Dr. M'Benga a first name yet. She was going to be a minor character, but somehow she's taking on T'Pau?! She is obviously TOS Dr. M'Benga's mom, which would explain how he knows so much about Vulcans. What do you think her name is?**

Private Eyes

The glow of a computer terminal cast a soft light in the dimly lit office of Dr. M'Benga. A frown marred her usually friendly face as she stared at the message on her screen. The urgent missive shocked her to the core. A request for Amanda Grayson's medical records came directly from the Vulcan High Council's medical advisors. The request alone was unusual. Why would the highest office of the Vulcan government request the medical records of a Terran? But what really set off alarm bells was the realization that the request had been forwarded to her by the chief medical administrator instead of being rejected straight away. They actually expected her to comply. There was only one reason she could imagine the request even being entertained by the chief, and it sent a shiver down M'Benga's spine.

Frantically, she started searching public records for any mention of a Vulcan citizen named Sarek. She deduced that Sarek worked with Amanda in some capacity, so she started at the Vulcan Science Academy personnel listings. That sent her down a rabbit hole of information. Sarek was not just some boring old professor, he was also a politician currently on leave. And most importantly, he was the only son of the head Vulcan council member, T'Pau. Amanda had only shared snippets of her life with her so-called fiancee, but this... this was beyond anything M'Benga had imagined. Amanda, it seemed, was not just marrying into an ordinary Vulcan family; she was marrying the equivalent of Vulcan royalty. The marriage would not only be a joining of two people, but it was a merger of considerable political and cultural significance.

Despite the importance of all the players involved, she knew the sanctity of patient confidentiality couldn't be compromised, not even for Vulcan's most powerful rulers. Her refusal to release the records without Amanda's consent was immediate, and it sparked a flurry of communications from her superiors and the High Council's office. M'Benga felt a growing sense of unease and protectiveness for her young patient as the inquiries intensified. Amanda, still under 25 years old, was considered a minor under Vulcan law. Her age affected not just the privacy of her medical records but potentially her autonomy in this impending marriage and she had no guardians on Vulcan to speak for her. So it fell to M'Benga.

"Damnit, Amanda Grayson. Just what have you gotten yourself into? Hell, what have you gotten me into?!"

Dr. M'Benga attempted to reach Amanda to discuss the matter, but before she could get a response, she received an incoming communication on a priority channel. A direct call from the leader of the Vulcan High Council to her personal line was unexpected, to say the least. Dr. M'Benga couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and fear as T'Pau's image filled the screen with the customary blank Vulcan stare. She had lived on Vulcan for many years and thought she was used to that haughty expression, but suddenly, she felt like a green intern again. This conversation could determine the trajectory of her future life on Vulcan. If she still had a future on Vulcan, that is.

"Dif-tor heh smusma," T'Pau began in Vulcan, and then, "I greet thee in the name of Surak, Dr. M'Benga." Her voice was as formal and imposing as her position demanded, and for a moment, Dr. M'Benga forgot how to reply. She took a deep calming breath to steady her nerves, reminding herself of her all her training, professional oaths, and the principles that guided her practice. She could do this.

"T'Sai T'Pau," M'Benga nodded her head respectfully and gave the Vulcan salute as she returned the greeting in Standard. "Live long and prosper. How may I serve?" She knew exactly what the old lady wanted, but she was not going to get it today.

"The matter of Amanda Grayson's health is of significant importance to the Vulcan state. Therefore, I must request access to her medical records immediately."

M'Benga's voice held firm despite the internal turmoil. "T'sai T'Pau, I am aware of the significance of your request, but as I've explained to your advisors and my superiors, I am bound by Federation law and medical ethics. I cannot acquiesce to your request without my patients' explicit consent."

T'Pau's eyebrows rose ever so slightly, the only sign of her disapproval. "This is not merely a request, Doctor. It is a necessity for the continuance of a vital Vulcan lineage. As her future guardian, it is within my rights to ascertain her fitness."

M'Benga didn't care who Amanda was marrying, or how important their mother was. She was not going to bend the rules for anyone and stood firm in her decision. "That may be T'Sai but until Amanda is under your legal guardianship, her rights to privacy remain intact under both Federation and Vulcan law. I cannot breach that trust."

The silence that followed was suffocating. T'Pau's gaze, piercing and calculating, seemed to assess M'Benga's resolve. "Very well, Doctor. I respect thy position, though I find it... inconvenient. Be aware, however, that circumstances will soon change."

With a curt nod, T'Pau ended the call, leaving M'Benga staring at the blank screen. But there was no relief to be had. Her mind boggled at the implications of T'Pau's parting words. Circumstances would change? For who?

Amanda was now caught like a butterfly in T'Pau's web and Dr. M'Benga couldn't shake the feeling that whether she liked it or not, she was now caught in that web of machinations as well.

T'sai=Lady

Vulcan Language Dictionary