Epilogue

The warm lighting of Amanda Grayson's bedroom softens her features and highlights her laugh lines as she studies her child in turn, who has surprised her with an off-their-monthly-schedule call.

"How unexpected," she says. "Are you well, Spock?"

"I am, Mother."

"I will inform your father later that you are healthy. He will be relieved."

"What has given him concern?" Spock asks, bemused. Then he realizes why and adds, "I am aware that Father took part in the recent emergency Council conference on Qinaid. Logically, he will know there were no casualties because of the... incident."

"Logically, yes, but a parent worries, my son." Amanda tilts her head and considers him. "Sarek mentioned... a message from you?"

He wishes he could say he did not know what she speaks of, but he has recently learned Sarek would have been given clearance to access any data recorded during the occupation of the government seat.

He locks his fingers tightly in his lap, just out of sight of the viewscreen. Although she phrased her remark as an inquiry, Spock feels there are some things that are best not discussed with one's mother. He responds with a simple "I see."

She smiles. "He shared no details," she says knowingly, "only that he confirmed the recording was made under duress." She adds lightly, "But I know when something has unsettled my husband. Maybe you two can discuss it later."

Unlikely. Sarek and Spock prefer to be non-communicative about emotions, especially with each other.

His mother is the exception, naturally. Which is the reason Spock has called her.

Spock begins, "Mother, there is something I need to tell you. It is quite important."

She says, eyes twinkling, "As a human might say, kind of a big deal?"

"In that the upcoming change is one I hope you will support."

Her amusement fades. "The last time you told me this, you had been accepted into Starfleet."

"I am not leaving Starfleet."

"Well, not that I would be upset, Spock, if you did. I will always support your choices when they are reasonable."

It is lucky for Spock then that he and his mother share a similar definition of reasonable.

She goes on, "I can see you are eager to tell me. I'm listening."

Spock's eyebrows climb to his hairline. "Precisely how am I expressing excitement?"

"A mother can tell!"

Spock would rather like to get to the point of his calling her. He can see no other option than being blunt, if only to keep the topic from meandering.

"I have decided that I no longer wish to be single." He fixes his gaze at a point just beyond her shoulder.

Her eyes widen. "You want to get married?"

"Eventually, I would." Although technically Spock's consideration of becoming more than friends with Jim and Leonard has certainly not skipped straight to marriage.

"Ah, I understand," murmurs Amanda, her voice having softened. "You like someone. Oh, Spock."

"That is... correct."

She leans forward. "It's that cute Jim Kirk! I knew he was too suave for you to resist!"

Spock begins to feel that he should not have called her about this. Maybe a note would have sufficed?

"Or is it..." She giggles. "That physician you so love to banter with. McCoy? That's right, a perfect gentleman!"

As she giggles, Spock allows himself a very light sigh. He says, "Correct."

"Correct as in the latter? Or correct as in the former?"

"Correct," Spock states again.

"Why, Spock! Are you—?" Now she laughs, clearly delighted. "Of course it would be both. I did think they were a complementary pair."

Spock asks slowly, "You... approve?"

"My son, it is good to know that you have someone—excuse me, someones—you can be comfortable with. Of course I give you my blessing!"

"Thank you, Mother. I realize I interrupted your plans with Father for the evening—"

"Oh, nonsense. Sarek will have his dinner on time regardless of where I am! No, this is much more important. You must tell me everything about your sweethearts and, oh, I have so many questions! When do you think we can arrange a meeting? In hindsight, I did not inquire of them properly before, not regarding how they feel about you and what their intentions are..."

As his mother speaks, leaping ahead to planning as she loves to do, Spock realizes he miscalculated his strategy by telling her first. He will have to get her to promise not to contact Jim and Leonard before he can. What a surprise they would receive, being interrogated by Amanda Grayson about their feelings for her beloved son Spock.

But in the end, Spock will have his say in the promising future ahead of him. He looks forward to exploring it, a certain captain and doctor at his side.

The End