Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are absolutely fabulous.

Day 338: No found family left behind.

From: Legal Queen

To: Doctor bones

CC: NyotaUM

Subject: Re: Happy holidays, thank you for all the presents (especially the slippers)

Time arrived: 01/22/2261 00:00:01

Thank you so much for writing. I'm happy all the presents got to you on time. Of course, I had to get you and the girlfriend something. I actually like her. You're also the only family I still like, and I am on speaking terms with. You guys are my family now. Found family is better anyway.

I also want to apologize because I didn't testify on your behalf during the divorce. I was freshly back from rehab stint number three, but I should've tried harder to testify. Back then, I knew you would be a better parent for Josephine than my sister, but I didn't say anything. I knew your fake family were slandering you, and I kept my mouth shut. I'm sorry for that.

At a minimum, once I was healthy, I should've handed you a bunch of lawyer recommendations. I'm sorry I didn't do that either. That's one of my many regrets, and I have a whole truckload of them. Most of them are related to drug use but not everything. My family is a mess, and I should've tried harder to keep Josephine away from it.

I feel you knew about what my father did on Christmas day but were kind enough not to mention it. Thank you for that. He's been arrested, and the bosses are doing everything possible to ensure he doesn't get out before the trial. It helps that he's managed to burn all his bridges with every lawyer that could handle the case, and it's not exactly like he can pay them right now. Future stepmom number whatever just took everything and ran off to Risa with her girlfriend.

I don't really care about losing my inheritance. I'm pretty sure I'm disowned anyway, and I rather the judge not have resources to help him get out of the punishment awaiting him. Money is starting to become increasingly worthless now with universal income. Maybe just maybe, we will eventually become a post-capitalistic society. I definitely don't want the land or the house of hell. I just wanted to burn it to the ground.

Despite the hiccup with the judge, I still love San Francisco much more than being in Georgia. I like the cases I'm working on and management that respects me. It helps that my bosses have never clerked for my father. I also have actual friends here, not just work colleagues. I even met Chloe, who may eventually be more than a friend. I'm working on it. She's helping me look for a new place to live anyway.

I was leaning towards buying. But it was pointed out to me that maybe I should rent. Particularly if I decide to make good use of my hopeful ability to litigate on New Vulcan once I pass their bar exam equivalent. I'm not opposed to renting. Especially if my father does do something stupid again. Although if I buy and move, I can always just rent the place. I'll figure it out eventually.

Work has been challenging but good. I know you are aware of that since at least one of my colleagues pulled you into an emergency call about the unauthorized likeness issue. Be happy it's just children's toys, and you don't have a sex toy named after you. This surprises me because Dr. Bones feels like something that would work, or maybe it's just too on the nose for a dildo. I am glad I can't work on that case due to a conflict of interest. I would start giggling during deposition, and that would be very unprofessional.

So far, I'm still coming up this summer. With how things are going, I'm probably doing depositions on Yorktown. I have a feeling this won't be an enjoyable working vacation. I blame Nana Kirk. You'll need to talk to Jim for details on that mess.

Anyway, please keep sending pictures. I love them. You're much better at telling me about what's going on in my niece's life. Keep it up.

PS: I'm sending you another one of the blankets. Of course, your girlfriend is a blanket hog.

Xxxx

From: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez

To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 1/22/2260 00:00:01

Subject: We will leave no Vulcans behind

No, we will definitely not let the Elder go through this alone. During our last tea date, I told him I would accompany him to any necessary doctor appointments. He appreciated the gesture. I am not sure if he's going to tell me about these appointments or not. Don't worry. I have my ways.

I think he's hopeful, too, because they're going to start a new treatment regime. We will see how that goes. But at least they're trying something, and that's what matters.

Good luck with getting a third therapist. I'm sure you guys need one as much as we need more people here. I am currently lobbying the VSA to have a psychology program. At this point, it would have psychology students come here to learn how to treat Vulcan patients as part of their rotation. It's needed.

I don't know if I'm even going to be able to go this "summer" to Yorktown even though I was invited because, of course, the grandparents are maudlin. Although I won't say that the embassy doesn't need a therapist during the setup. Or somebody to chat with the psychiatric team on Yorktown to teach them best practices for working with Vulcan patients.

Some days, I feel like I'm rewriting the entire book on Vulcan psychology with just a few of my colleagues. There weren't that many Vulcan psychologists before the Cataclysm. Very few survived that, and now we're rebuilding. We're just doing our best to get through it.

You know your husband best, and I'm sure you realize by now that his first love is science. That's why he's in Starfleet. Yes, he is an excellent captain, but maybe that's because science comes first to him. So let him have a couple of hours to indulge in his science. How did that go, by the way? The ambassador hasn't received any emergency messages, so I assume he did not end up in sick bay again. How did Peter deal with him being away for a mission?

Please take advantage of being relatively close and write me more.

Xxxx

From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

To: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez

Time sent: 1/22/2260 06:06:06

Subject: Re: We will leave no Vulcans behind

You have to come to Yorktown this summer. If anybody deserves an actual vacation, it's you. As you stated in your letter, you're doing a lot, including literally rewriting the book on Vulcan psychology. If you don't take a break, you'll burn out, and then what good are you to your patients? You definitely don't want to burn out.

Besides, it might be good for you to spend time with the family you actually like. I am enjoying having family members that I'm on good terms with. Even Winona, which feels weird, but we're in a better place. She apologized to Spock for how she treated him, which I wasn't sure she would ever do. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it because I am well aware of how Frank has messed her up over the years. So I was inclined to let it go. But I'm glad she's reaching out. It definitely shows progress.

Thank you for offering to accompany the Elder to his various doctor appointments. I think the Elder really does need emotional support. Being ill by yourself is never good. Since I'm such a Spock expert, I don't think it's good for him to be alone. So take care of the old guy for us. Spocks do not do well when they get too caught up in their heads. At all.

I'm just starting to see how much my husband needs science time. He's definitely been happier these last couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong, he's a great captain, better than me. But after Peter and me, science comes first. It's why he's here. He does need quality science time.

I should've realized this earlier because he volunteers to help Peter and all his friends with their science homework. We pretty much have a lab designated for just the kids now. Also, he is entirely on board with my plans for a kids' rec room. Although I think that's because he keeps stepping on Legos and hopes a designated spot will keep that from happening. I'm working with the engineering team to find the best location.

Yes, the mission went well, sort of. There is intelligent life on New Vulcan's closest neighbor. They kind of look like Fraggles and have an entire underground society. Yes, we found out all without violating the prime directive. You would be so proud. They also have some plant species that match a few that were Lost when Vulcan imploded. Thankfully the team was able to acquire seeds and cuts. The VSA team will be taking them back soon. Honeybear was very happy with that discovery.

We're currently collecting soil samples of a neighboring moon but will be wrapping up today. We're moving onto the only other planet in the system that might be suitable for life. We'll spend a little extra time checking for life before we send the team down. We decided that Sulu gets to go down this time. We're trying to rotate among the three of us since, let's be honest, he's really the first officer without the paperwork. I genuinely hate paperwork.

Anyway, as always, write back when you can. I have included pictures of the kids' latest Lego building project. Also, a copy of their research project if you're willing to read it. Please note this is not light reading. Spock cried, and Ny broke things. She's pissed off that nobody took her warning seriously. Honestly, we all are.

Xxxxx

From: Doctor Bones

To: Legal Queen

Cc: NyotaUM

Subject: Happy holidays, thank you for all the presents (especially the slippers)

Time sent: 01/22/2261 23:34:01

We actually didn't know about the entire situation with your father until after I wrote that letter. Elizabeth Chen is very good at keeping secrets and doesn't send rapid messages immediately. Also, personal correspondence from the New Vulcan colony had a slight delay. I'm just glad you're safe at the moment. The judge is a problem. It would be much better for us if he just dropped dead.

I accept your apology, but you don't need to apologize for what happened. I remember where you were back then. You were barely holding it together. I think having to testify against your family would have sent you straight into a relapse. And you wouldn't have had daddy's money for rehab trip number four. And if I remember correctly, that was the magic trip that really did help. You did what you needed to do to keep yourself healthy. I'm not gonna be mad at that.

You did help us take out the judge in the end. I'm grateful for that and for your support now. You are part of my found family.

Even I laugh about the girlfriend taking everything. Ny says it's what he deserves, and I agree. I feel it's the universe's way of paying me back for him taking my family business away from me. Hopefully, he'll stay away from us going forward.

As for buying and or renting, you have to decide if you really do want to stay in San Francisco with your new friends or go use your fancy new legal license on the New Vulcan colony. Your niece would love it if you were closer. I feel like she will spend a lot of time on the planet, especially since my girlfriend will be a citizen soon. I have to read through the rules, but I think this means that Josephine now qualifies for Vulcan citizenship when she turns 14. I would eventually qualify if we were married, but non-married partners have different rules.

If you really like it there, then you should stay. Unless you're worried about the judge, I can understand wanting to be farther away from him. Part of me says don't let him chase you out, but I'm sure you probably know what happened to Peter's maternal aunt at this point. I don't want that to happen to you. So just stay safe.

I've gotten to know way too many of your colleagues. And yes, I am very grateful not to have my own sex toy. Also thankful that my girlfriend doesn't have one named after her. I also know way too much about the litigation with Nana Kirk. Absolutely hateful woman. The only person I've met that I've wanted to punch out more than your father. I didn't because I'm a gentleman, but I really wanted to.

I'm glad you're still coming our way. Josephine is really looking forward to showing you off to all her friends in person. Prepare to spend quality time with lots of teenagers.

To be continued.