Thank you to everybody who read or review the last conversation. You are so fabulous.

Day 275: Your Job is Very Weird

From: mental_health_help_desk_SuarezTo: Spock' s_cuddlebunnyTime arrived: 11/24/2260 00:00:01Subject: Your Job Is Very Strange Sometimes

I feel like I need to start this letter out by apologizing for my uncontrolled laughter when you described the sentient volcanic rock creatures. Although Selek assured me that he saw weirder during his long, illustrious career at Starfleet. Although he refuses to give specifics. He is such a bastard. Selek knows I can use a good story or seven. Of course, when I said that, he pointed out that his parents were married at the time of his conception. Does your Spock still do that? It's quite annoying.

I'm glad Spock did come back safe, even if he was a little worse for wear. I know you're afraid of losing him because you've lost so many people. I'm not going to tell you that it's wrong for you to be scared. I'm scared. It might be why I never really dated again after becoming a widow. It's hard to keep putting yourself out there when you lose people, but sometimes I think being alone is worse. I'm glad I at least have friends now. I've even gone to a few mixer events hosted by the Vulcan Science Academy. It was nowhere near as pretentious as I thought it would be. The fact that the Academy now primarily consists of Vulcan ex-pats that got the hell off Vulcan 1.0 because they never fit in is poetic justice in some ways. I heard rumors about some heading your way to work on a joint VSA Starfleet project.

Considering everything that's happened to Peter in the last six months, his reaction was perfectly normal and healthy. Were there any lingering effects on Peter? Starfleet isn't exactly a desk job, even when you are senior management. It is even less likely to be a desk job when you are in senior management. I was the therapist to a lot of senior Starfleet management over the years, and I've heard stories. This is why I really shouldn't have laughed about sentient volcanic rock creatures.

I think Enterprise is getting the young interns because having the youngest command team in Starfleet might mean that you're better suited for the younger generations. Although Ming is probably extremely impressed with your parenting skills. You raised Kevin. That's a ringing endorsement for anybody. If anybody else knows about the perils of raising a kid post-Tarsus, it's Ming.

I do agree with your assessment that Starfleet should reassess how young we allow people into the service. I can understand letting someone young into the Academy, but maybe you should wait a while before sending them on their first mission. Genocide should not be the first mission of a 17-year-old. That can cause all sorts of problems.

Since your brother is dating the head of Starfleet, this might provide you with a chance to influence this policy. I heard that Ming is coming to the colony in December to inspect the Starfleet outpost and a dedication ceremony. Isn't that convenient timing? She's even bringing this outside party planner from Sulu and Associates to do the entire event.

I hope the subterfuge isn't because they are planning to do a wedding at the colony. Please talk Sulu out of a wedding during New Vulcan summer. If you thought your wedding during spring was terrible, summer is so much worse. I'm starting to get used to it after being here for a year, but I think newbies would have a severe problem. Looking like a lobster in the wedding pictures would be the least of their problems. No one wants heatstroke on their honeymoon.

Although please pass on my congratulations to the happy couple. I hope they have a long and happy life together.

I can't wait to see you, Spock, and Peter in December. Even if you don't make it to the planet, which I doubt, I'll come to you. I'm still technically Starfleet. I think that allows me to spend some time on Enterprise.

So, what is your current mission? I have a feeling that the surveying assignment on the planet of the volcanic rock creatures was cut short. As I stated earlier, I need fun stories. The only other person I'm getting regular emails from is Dr. Weston. Her nephew is adapting well enough that they might be moving back to the colony in June. Apparently, she will be bringing a recently graduated Vulcan psychologist with her. It's a whole new field.

It's exhausting but rewarding at the same time.

Xxx

From: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_Selek

To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 11/24/2260 00:00:01

Subject: I enjoy hearing strange tales of Enterprise

It is great to hear from you again, old friend. I am enjoying our correspondence immensely. Although the doctor has been a great confidant, I enjoy conversing with you and hearing about what you're doing on Enterprise. I can say that even though I never quite experienced an encounter with sentient volcanic rock creatures, I did experience some similar situations. Starfleet did not believe us either. Unfortunately, we did not have lapel cam footage to back us up. That seems to be one of the beneficial policy changes that occurred in this timeline.

I am starting to accept that my past is merely the past, not the future. What is ahead of me is the future. It is shaped by the choices that people make this time around. Different options lead to different pathways and different lives. Those choices are no less valid than those made in my own timeline. Maybe, in the long run, they are better choices.

I am pleased to hear that Carol has found a path in this life that makes her happy. I'm not shocked that my counterpart is somewhat jealous. I wish he did not know about different choices made in the other timeline, but Spock should be secure knowing that you will not make those same choices here.

In that regard, I should keep parts of my past to myself, unfortunately. There is too much temptation to let that past dictate current choices, and I will do my best to prevent that. However, I will take it under advisement that Dr. Suarez can be trusted with these secrets.

I believe Sarek was always planning to be a foster parent or maybe use a gestational carrier's services to have additional children. Others have been donating their genetic material to the cause of re-populating New Vulcan. It is no surprise we are in the middle of a baby boom of sorts. I will leave any decisions on donations of genetic material to my younger counterpart.

I also believe Sarek is making plans for you and Spock to come to visit. There will be a diplomatic event regarding the new Starfleet facility's christening on the planet and partnership with the Vulcan Science Academy. I believe the head of Starfleet is also coming for the ceremony. It is supposed to symbolize a new commitment between Starfleet and the VSA.

I've been invited to attend, so we will see each other at the ceremonial dinner if nothing else. Although I hope you'll find time to at least have tea with me. I think it would be better for us to talk about my health in person. I would also like to see this great-grandchild of mine. Sarek keeps sending me artwork. Peter is incredibly talented.

XXXXX

From: Spock's_cuddlebunnyTo: mental_health_help_desk_Suareztime sent: 11/24/2260 23:14:31Subject: it's been a long couple of weeks.

Yes, my Spock Pooh does like to play dumb with colloquial phrases. I find it cute, Usually. Although I told him he can't do that with Peter.

Honestly, it feels like it's been years since I got your last email, even though it's been just a month. I had to go back and read my original email because it feels like I wrote it to you a million years ago. We've gone through a lot since then.

Our current mission is to investigate the murder of the captain of the Hamilton. Along with the two-week captivity of the first officer, a.k.a. Admiral Chen's daughter, a.k.a. Sulu's baby's momma. I'm sure you're aware that the head of Starfleet's daughter getting kidnapped would be problematic on its own. The fact that nobody reported it for a week makes it 1000 times worse. Obviously, heads are rolling, possibly literally. It's been a hard couple of weeks investigating, along with trying to stabilize relations with the planet responsible for the murder and kidnapping. We are almost done. Thank God.

Unfortunately, I can't give you that many details. Kevin and Liz are on the authorization list, but no one else, and I barely got permission for that. Let's just say you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to quality time in the New Vulcan system. Since they were in a rush to get the new colony off the ground, they didn't do a complete survey of all the planets in the system. Now they're backing up and making sure the sun won't go supernova anytime soon. I don't think that was the best decision, but that was above my pay grade.

Compared to these last few weeks of investigating the Hamilton cluster fuck, I'm looking forward to some nice planetary surveys and climate research. Although we are going to be working with a team from the VSA. Thank you for letting me know they're not complete ass holes. After what happened last time Spock went home, I could understand his apprehension.

Spock was a little worried about that. Spock is convinced Enterprise got this mission because the team wouldn't want to work with a non-Vulcan captain. At present, Spock is the only Vulcan captain in Starfleet.

Peter is okay-ish. Which is miraculous after the last few weeks. We had to put him in a secure lockdown with the other kids while searching for Sue. Okay, Peter slept with us for a couple of nights immediately after the sentient volcanic rock people incident, as well as once getting out of lockup, but he's doing better. He was even okay doing a sleepover last week with JoJo. We are even going to do it again tomorrow. Although it may be because it was JoJo. Should I be concerned that he slept in the same bed as JoJo during lockup and during the sleepover? JoJo says it's a comfort thing. That makes me concerned too. I'll talk to Margarita.

I'll take your suggestion under advisement regarding talking to Chen about raising the minimum age. I don't want to take advantage of family ties or give the impression of nepotism. Suppose I catch you one more Intern in botany trying to harvest the Vulcan headache medication. In that case, I will bring it up with Ming when I am forced to play Spock's pretty husband at the event in December. Since Spock is the captain of the Enterprise, I feel like I will just get to be his lovely arm candy.

I'm looking forward to that.

I am also looking forward to seeing you. I think I have a call with my father-in-law soon, so I'll bring it up with him. We will make it work. That way, I can tell you all my amusing stories in person. This is best because some of the stuff I've seen should not go in writing.

The wedding will not be taking place in the colony. We successfully convinced all parties that no marriage should happen in the colony during the dead of summer involving humans. They're planning for Yorktown in the summer. I heard the sisters were coming along but hiring the civilian one as an event planner is pure genius. I think they can all use some extra family time after the last few weeks. New Vulcan is going to be interesting this December. We will talk more then.

Xx

From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

To: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_Selek

Time sent: 11/24/2260 23:45:51

Subject: It's never a good sign when you want to talk about health issues in person

The last time I did one of those was one of the many times Winona had to go to rehab again. Fingers crossed, the most recent attempt works. She's moving to London, and I'm pleased about that. Winona deserves to have her own life without her George baggage. I think maybe she will be happy in London.

You're right; it's not fair to focus on the life we could have had. We must make the best of the life we have now. I'm trying my best to do that. I like being my husband's first officer and having time to do art with my kid. I do not like investigating Starfleet corruption like I am now, but that's neither here nor there. I'll tell you all about it when we meet up in person.

I am not surprised that my brother's future mother-in-law and my father-in-law have conspired against us to create an opportunity for family bonding time. I'm looking forward to being Spock's trophy husband at the Starfleet VSA event. I'm sure it's going to be fun.

Actually, it might really be fun because, apparently, the VSA is no longer run by assholes. I heard what they said to Spock that made him decide Starfleet was best for him. If any of those guys are still alive, I will hug them all. It would freak them out, and it would be the best vengeance.

I will make time for us to have tea or lunch. Peter is excited to meet his great grandfather. He needs good grandparents, and it's Spock's job to provide them. Spock is forever sad that he's the one with the good grandfather. I tried to explain to him that parents are usually better at grandparenting, but he doesn't get it.

Spock is not planning to do the DNA bank right now. Maybe we'll reconsider it in the future or make our own arrangements. Peter is enough for us to deal with at present. We are not ready to add a toddler to that.

I sent you tons of pictures. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Susan got kidnapped because Starfleet is a corrupt mess. Or at least people are jealous and stupid and idiotic. I'm legally not allowed to talk about my outcomes from the investigation. It is enough for me to consider other career options. At least for a minute, but then I remember the importance of being the change I want to be. So, I'm going to keep wading through the bureaucratic bull shit, and hopefully, it will be better eventually. One can help, right? Does it eventually get better?

Wait, don't answer that.

Anyway, we are looking forward to seeing you next month. I hope to hear from you again soon.

PS: Sorry, this is so short. I'm just mentally exhausted now. Spock is making me take a "me day" tomorrow.

To be continued.