The notification chimes on his communicator and Spock briefly considers ignoring it. After doing some personnel research he has found one of his preferred candidates for the Tachyon Physics Lab has perished in a personal accident and Spock is unimpressed with the individual who has been deemed qualified to replace them. He would prefer if-

It chimes again.

"Authorize call, audio only." Spock waits for the acknowledging tone. "Spock here."

"Oh! I… Of course you have the same comm ID."

Spock experiences a temporary decrease in respiration at the sound of the voice and words momentarily escape him.

"It's me, Leila."

At the sound of her name Spock recovers the ability to speak. "I have no reason to change comm IDs. I have never understood why Humans do so and with such frequency." That was not what he had planned to say.

Leila laughs. "Same old Spock."

He swallows and tries again. "It has been some time since we've spoken," he says.

"I know." She trails off and Spock remains silent because he doesn't know what to say next. "Are you busy?"

Spock considers. Nyota has gone to meet her parents for dinner and the work before him is not due for another month. "I am not," he says.

"Can I meet you in five minutes?"

"Acknowledged. Spock out."

Nyota swallows the rest of her araqi and motions for another refill.

"Want to run that by us one more time?" Alhamisi asks lowly.

"I… didn't have a project," Nyota says again.

"This is amazing. The pheromones are about to make me dizzy," Gaila says happily.

"You're not helping," Nyota hisses.

"Oh, am I supposed to?" Gaila asks, confused as she looked up from the streaming data on her padd.

"No," M'Umbha and Alhamisi says in unison. "You," Alhamisi says while pointing at his daughter, "you keep going."

Nyota sighs lowly and takes a deep breath before straightening her posture. She looks directly at her parents and decides to get it over with. "I didn't have a project this summer."

"Then why did you say you did?" M'Umbha asks.

"I didn't. Technically," Nyota adds with a wince.

"If I weren't staring at Nyota I'd swear it was Kamau," Alhamisi mutters to his wife. "Technically," he repeats derisively. "So what's going on? Are you in trouble?"

"No," Nyota says firmly. "I'm fine."

"More than fine," Gaila drawls, still caught up in the information coming through.

"Gaila," Nyota snaps.

"What does that mean?" M'Umbha asks.

"I was originally going to stay here for the summer with someone," Nyota says.

"Gaila?" Alhamisi asks.

"At first no," Gaila says. "But then yes, me too!"

Nyota wants to crawl under the table, and she still hasn't gotten her refill of araqi. "I don't need your help, Gaila," she snaps.

"Don't get mad at your friend because you were caught in a lie, young lady," M'Umbha says as she reaches out to pat Gaila's wrist. "Without her we wouldn't have known anything about this double life you're attempting to lead."

"Please don't be dramatic," Nyota begs. "It's not that big of a deal, I promise."

"Big enough that you felt the need to lie to us, though. Just big enough for that." Alhamisi rubs his face and inhales deeply. "So what's not a big deal but big enough to lie about?"

"I wanted to spend the summer with my… boyfriend." Nyota blanches at the use of the colloquialism as both her parents stare at her, skeptically.

"Come on, Nyota. One lie is enough," M'Umbha says. "What was it, some dangerous class you didn't want us to know about? Extra credit on an unstable asteroid?"

"You aren't sick, are you? You still look underweight," Alhamisi chimes in.

"I thought so, too, but she's so touchy about her weight," Gaila says. "But I can't force her to eat and all she does is work."

"She does that at home, too," M'Umbha says with a wave of her hand. "I used to shut her devices out of the network but she learned how to reconnect and make them invisible."

"There's hope for you yet," Gaila says softly as she turns to Nyota.

"I've been in relationships." Nyota crosses her arms. "I've introduced you to others before."

"Yes. There was Gioro Guang who you promised could be your boyfriend if he taught you Mandarin and Cantonese and Nobuhle Silongo realized you only wanted to pick her brain to learn isiZulu," M'Umbha recounts fondly.

"I could never tell her how pretty I thought she was. I asked her to teach me so I had a reason to speak to her and then…" Nyota trails off sheepishly.

"You became more interested in the language and the culture than the person," Alhamisi says, his smile fond. "We know you, daughter."

"Then you should know she really does have a boyfriend," Gaila pipes up. "His name is Spock."

"Gaila, stop helping!" Nyota blinks and closes her eyes against the shocked expressions on her parents' faces. "Um, his name is Spock," she says, her voice straying into higher octaves as she opens her eyes again. She laughs nervously when her parents' expression doesn't change.

"As in Commander Spock?" Alhamisi asks.

"A Commander? How old -" M'Umbha pauses as her eyes widen. "Spock. As in Ambassador Sarek's son, Spock?" she asks as her tone slips into subzero.

Spock is a full thirty seconds early and Leila is already present, resting against the stone wall that separates Briarcliff from the Kalomi's Ivy Point. He takes a second to tighten his control and emerges into the garden light. "Leila," he says when it is obvious she does not see him yet.

Leila blinks and pushes off of the wall. "Spock. I'm surprised you came," she admits.

"You requested my presence," he says. "Though it was unexpected considering how we parted ways."

"I'm sure," she trails off. "You've changed." Leila gestures toward Spock's person before she runs her hands through her thick blonde hair. "You're not so skinny anymore."

That is indeed true, through regular exercise Spock has increased his muscle mass by fifteen pounds since Leila's departure. Spock wonders if this is the moment where acquaintances exchange observed differences with each other.

Nyota says it is a sign that one has thought about the other and remembered them as they were enough to note differences. Spock has an eidetic memory, as does approximately all Vulcans, but Nyota stresses it is something that Humans appreciate.

"Your hair is approximately six point one inches longer than upon your departure though it remains the same pale blonde shared by your mother Phyllis and brother Alan. You have also gained what appears to be roughly eight pounds," Spock says.

Leila huffs a laugh and crosses her arms over uncomfortably. "Spock, you don't have to be so specific," she says.

Spock experiences an echo of previous conversations and Leila's exasperation with his attention to detail. "Indeed," he says, and a peculiar anxiety Spock has always experienced with her threatens his biocontrols. He takes a deep breath. He is not the same Spock left devastated and he will not revert. "I am aware there is no requirement for my specificity here on Earth, but I am most comfortable when I feel there are fewer chances for me to be misunderstood."

"Wow. I guess I never thought of it that way." Leila looks at him with an inscrutable expression. "Can we walk? I have dreamed about your garden while I was gone."

"Mother would be gratified," Spock says. "I am amenable to a walk."

"Great."

They lapse into silence as they progress through the garden and Spock recalls Nyota's words again. Ask the person about themselves. Most Humans love to talk about themselves or their work.

"Is your work at Oxford fulfilling?" Spock asks and he observes the tension in Leila's shoulders lessen considerably.

"Well Oxford isn't San Francisco," she says dryly, "but I'm used to it by now. Actually, I'm only here for a short visit. I finished my doctorate program and my family wanted to celebrate."
"Congratulations, Doctor Kalomi," Spock says, and receives a nudge and a laugh.

"Leila is more than fine," she says. "I've thought about this moment for so long. Now that it's here it feels a little surreal."

Spock nods. "Your peers now recognize your expertise in xenobotany. You should feel satisfied."

"I should," Leila says. "But I guess I've set my sights on the next goal. Always moving forward, as my Dad says."

"There is logic in your father's words," Spock says. Martin Kalomi is a tall man with a firm grip and an eager mind for business.

"I know it's been a long time since we've spoken," Leila says. "That's my fault, I know I didn't handle our last conversation well."

"Your father told me you had no desire for further contact and to desist attempting to reach you," Spock says as he adjusts his tunic with a tug to the hem. "I respected your wishes."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just freaked out I guess. I wasn't ready to be married and it scared me. You scared me," she admits.

Spock pauses midstride. "I scared you," he repeats. "How did I inflict fear upon your person?"

Leila looks away and sighs. "Not like that, I guess. You were so put together and a little intimidating at times and so…" She looks at him fondly. "So alien."

"I see." Spock did not see. There are many experiences to reflect upon with new information and the difference of context makes him feel vaguely ill.

"I'm not being clear," Leila says. "I'm sorry. Can I take it all back?"

"I am currently incapable of forgetting your words," Spock says.

"Spock. You're doing that thing where you're looking at the top of my hair instead of at me. I upset you, didn't I?"

"There is no logic in becoming upset," he says, but forces his gaze down to hers. "Your proximity is causing me disquiet."

Leila's eyes widen as she takes a step back. "I'm sorry," she murmurs. "I don't ever want to hurt you."

Spock says nothing. Leila stepping away does not help.

"My parents are throwing a party to celebrate my title. I would love for you to come," she says. "Day after tomorrow."

Spock considers telling Leila that he will be busy. That he does not want to go and seeing her is making his breathing irregular. "May I bring a guest?" he asks instead.

"Oh, right! Your girlfriend. I never thought – You know what? It doesn't matter what I thought. Of course, bring her," Leila says.

Spock wonders how Leila knows of his current relationship but does not ask. "Thank you."

Leila rubs her neck beneath the fall of her hair and turns away awkwardly. "Okay, well I guess I'll see you between there. I've got stuff I've got to take care of but hopefully we can make some time to see each other?"

"There is a distinct possibility," Spock says.

Leila nods. "That's all I can ask, I know." She hesitates and moves forward and up to kiss Spock on his cheek, very close to the corner of his mouth. Spock remains absolutely still even when she falls away. "I'll see you later, Spock." Leila says.

Spock does not move until she is out of sight, then takes an alternative route through the garden to the house.

"You're dating the Vulcan son of the Vulcan Ambassador," Alhamisi says flatly. "Who outranks you?"

"Do you call him that in bed?" Gaila asks.

"You're sleeping with him?" M'Umbha screeches.

"Mama – "

"Oh no, no. Don't Mama me, young lady," she says.

Alhamisi pinches the bridge of his nose. "M'Umbha-"

She whirls on her husband with a warning in her eyes. "Don't." She turns to her daughter. "I know we disagreed when you chose Starfleet but I would've thought you would have better sense than this," M'Umbha says.

Nyota falls mute in the face of her mother's ire. "I didn't-"

"What, think? That is obvious, Nyota," her mother says. "Especially now, when I could be promoted they're going to be looking into all aspects of my life, including my family."

"It's okay Mother M'Umbha," Gaila reassures the woman. "We shouldn't fight."

M'Umbha looks at Gaila angrily, then deflates. "You're right," she murmurs. "Now is not the place and time."

Nyota blinks at her mother's about face and glances over at Gaila, who looks a bit smug. Nyota doesn't know whether to praise or damn Orion pheromones, and lightly kicks Gaila in the ankle. "Mama, I'm not in this relationship to get back at you, I promise," she says. "I wasn't thinking of you when we started."

"Again, that much is obvious," Alhamisi says. "Help me understand how this happened. You're usually so focused on your work you don't socialize much, let alone with an instructor."

"I'm still focused," Nyota says. "Spock helps me stay motivated by making sure I don't burn out. He's… helping me accept my limitations and aids in finding ways to eliminate stress and promote efficiency in all aspects of my life."

"Sounds like a teacher," M'Umbha says.

"He is. He's really good at it," Nyota says fondly. "Besides, you told me that the best type of relationship is one where you're constantly learning from each other."

"It's true, you do say that," Alhamisi says as he takes M'Umbha's hand.

"Stop repeating my words when I don't want to hear them," she jokes as she pulls away from her husband. "Oh, my daughter, what am I going to do with you? After Makena and Kamau you were such a change. We never worried if you were sneaking out to a party or getting into trouble."

"The worst Nyota used to do was get into arguments with the head librarian of Mombasa's Municipal Library," Alhamisi tells Gaila. "She would petition and fight for longer hours at the town council every year before she went to college. It didn't matter the library was fully digitized, she enjoyed reading the paper books."

"So you've always been like this," Gaila says as she shakes her head.

Nyota's groan sounds loud in the wake of her parents' silence. "I'm sorry I lied," she says when the conversation does not resume. "I just… I didn't think you'd approve, even if I waited until I wasn't his student before I asked him out."

"You asked him out?" M'Umbha looks only slightly mollified as Nyota nods.

"We don't exactly approve," Alhamisi says. "But we're trying to understand that you're in the phase of your life where parental approval isn't… strictly necessary. But you are still our youngest daughter and you are still young. You don't have to hide from us. We would rather you seek our counsel than to feel that you must lie to us."

Nyota's shoulders slump under the weight of her guilt. "Mama, Baba, I'm sorry," she says miserably.

"Darling girl, don't cry. If you cry I'll cry," Alhamisi says.

"If you guys cry then I'll cry, too," Gaila resolves. "I don't wish to be left out."

M'Umbha laughs and shakes her head. "Oh, Gaila. You're are by far more than Nyota could ever put into words."

Gaila preens. "I do try my best."

"Now," Alhamisi says, reaching for Nyota's hand with his free one, "when do we meet him?"

Sarek rises out of his meditation and takes a long, deep breath as he registers the heat of the sun's light on his face. He rises and stretches, luxuriating in his body's obedience. He considers reaching out to Amanda through the martial bond but after last night's unexpected news it's probably best he wait until she wakes and greets her in person.

An unfortunate caveat of an ambassador's career is unexpected and lengthy periods away from home. Sarek finds that before his marriage to Amanda he harbored no ill will toward the demands of his office. After Amanda he finds he experiences less patience for tasks that dominate his time away from his family.

In an attempt to offer a conciliatory overture Sarek cleared his schedule before meditation so he may spend the entire day of his departure with his lovely and exceedingly patient wife. Sarek contemplates letting Amanda sleep but he knows she would rather know as quickly as possible.

But upon return to their suite Sarek finds their bed empty and neatly made. Since he is alone he allows himself a frown, byproduct of years of being bonded to a Human. "Adun'a?" he calls out.

No response.

Sarek reaches out to Amanda and receives a very thorough deflection, a tactic he himself employs when he cannot be distracted by his wife and the litany of thoughts that filter through when enthusiastically wishes to communicate.

It is of no matter. Ten hours, twenty minutes and nineteen seconds exist between he and his departure. More than enough time for Amanda to conclude her business and return to him. Sarek is unconcerned.

He sets about completing business ahead of schedule. Sarek attends to the clan's needs, updates himself on his family's financial situation and informs his investment banker on Earth of a few key moves he wants implemented. He answers a few emails from Ambassador Thira sh'Clasia and with no regret declines an invite to dine with her and her family due to being called away.

Busy work falls before Sarek's dutiful hand, and when he has completed anything that could possibly require his attention, he is cognizant of two things. One, Amanda has yet to return. Two, he is scheduled for departure in two hours, fifty-seven minutes and forty seconds.

Sarek experiences displeasure and reaches out again to Amanda.

Patience, my love, she says.

Sarek does not wish to be patient.

He takes a walk through Amanda's gardens and attempts to center himself and find emotional peace but there is none to be had. Has his adun'a not stated in the past that he was inconsiderate to not think of her between frequent periods off-world? That their marriage is something that requires attention and nourishment so it may grow strong?

Sarek is attempting to nourish his marriage, if his wife will cooperate.

He feels Amanda before he hears the flitter, and absolutely does not rush outside to greet her. Sekuv, he who pilots the flitter, helps Amanda onto the ground and bows. "S'haile," he says with a bow to Sarek.

"Sekuv. I trust I will be prepared to depart on time," he says, while staring at Amanda.

"Indeed." Sekuv bows yet again and returns to his duties.

Amanda looks at him and opens her arms. "I do not wish to be pacified," he says.

"I think you do," she says, and takes a step closer. "You're angry."

"Anger would be illogical. I may have cleared my schedule to spend time with you but I did not inform you of such in a timely manner, thus I have no right to anger," Sarek says.

Amanda nods slowly. "Those words are true," she concedes. "Disappointment then?"

"Disappointment would be an accurate description of what I experienced," Sarek concedes.

"I'm sorry, my darling. I didn't want to be gone so long but I really wanted to get this done and it took longer than anticipated."

"What did you have to do that required you away from me?" He asks, admittedly calmer now that Amanda is in his arms. The bond flares to life between them and he feels settled again.

"Oh, oh," Amanda coos as she steps further into the circle of her husband's arms. "Would an apology help?"

Sarek presses his cheek against the crown of Amanda's head and regrets that she has her hair covered. Illogical as it is, Sarek appreciates the sensation of her silken strands against his cheek. "It would be a paltry remittance," he says.

"Can't have that. What if I told you I was coming with you?"

Sarek pulls away and probes the bond. "You spent this time apart to organize for your absence?"

"I did," Amanda says as she bounces once on her feet.

"You were unsure if you would be able to do so on such short notice. It was a gamble," he says.

"Yes, I gambled. But I had to try, Sarek. And don't get bogged down in the probability because everything worked out and instead of the time we would've had today we'll have however long you're going to be on Earth!"

Sarek understands this is a better situation, but dislikes having spent so much time without adequate information. He sends the feeling to her rather than verbalize it, and is gratified as she kisses his face.

"Are you at least pleased that I'll be able to join you?" Amanda asks.

"I am. I find I now view this trip favorably, rather than as a burdensome task. I will have the Embassy alerted."

"No need," Amanda says. "We're not staying at the Embassy."

Sarek watches his wife not quite look at him. "Where will we stay, Amanda?" he asks carefully.

"We're going to stay at Briarcliff." Amanda reaches up and kisses him again. "It will be nice to have both of my men together in the same house." She pats his forearm and slips from his grasp.

Sarek follows Amanda back into the house. " Adun'a, I must question your logic," he says.

"You'll live. I'm tired of being a bridge between you and Spock, Sarek. You're both so stubborn and so much alike you can't see each other to talk to each other. Every time Spock schedules a trip to Vulcan you've been busy," she says as she throws the doors open to their bedroom suite. T'Ath has a few garments ready for viewing on a rack, and Amanda steps forward to inspect the selection. "Perfect. All of these, and the jewelry to match."

"Yes, Lady Amanda." T'Ath inclines her head and goes into the large closet that holds Amanda's various garments and accoutrements.

"What you speak of are merely hazards of the office," Sarek says when they are alone again. "I am beholden to my people and the Federation."

"So noble," Amanda deadpans. "When we're on Earth suddenly Spock can't seem to get away for longer than it takes to tell me he's not going to be able to see us during our trip."

"I cannot speak to the schedule of a Starfleet officer but I can hypothesize it is varied and demanding," he says.

"The statistical likelihood that you're both busy each time you're in proximity to each other is very low. I may not be able to compute the probability in my head but I can smell bullshit. Don't," Amanda warns. "You know what I mean."

Indeed he does. Sarek sighs internally and attempts a different approach. "How does Spock feel about your abrupt presence in his home?"

Amanda raises an eyebrow as she settles at her vanity and Sarek is struck by how much he can see his son in his wife. "I am his mother," she says. "Besides, I bought him that house and he is my son. It'll be a cold day in hell before I'm unable to visit my son in the house I bought him." Amanda scoffs at her reflection as if it said something ridiculous.

Sarek narrows his eyes at the back of his wife's head as she removes her dark brown cowl and brushes her hair with long, sure strokes. "You have not informed him of our impending arrival," he says.

Amanda pauses in her work and turns to her husband. "I look forward to the day when I don't have to trick my husband and my son into spending time together. We're going to have a few days as a family, located in the same building, and we will get along. You will be calm and understanding and Spock will be calm and respectful and maybe, just maybe this will be a normal, mundane visit."

Sarek begins to wonder if he has enough time for another meditation session.