Live long and prosper, epilogue.

Amanda was back in her quarters. These were silent and dark. She was staring at the empty crib with sadness and nostalgia, while remembering the events of the day before. In particular, the last time that Spock has get into his crib.

Dressed in a pair of blue pajamas, a lion cub embroidered on it, Spock had been so fragile and so small, asleep in the middle of his crib.

Then, Amanda raised her hand and gave life to the three vessels above the little bed. The sphere went from blue to green while Spock's mother was totally engrossed in the lullaby. She did not hear the chime and she did not see her visitor entering the room.

She knew that Doctor McCoy was here. She also knew that tonight, Spock was not in his arms.

Finally, she took a deep breath and turned to face him.

"Good evening, Amanda. I have noticed that you had not eaten much tonight. You have left the dining room so fast. Are you fine?" He asked, already knowing that she was not.

Spock's mother sighed.

"Well, I'm happy…I suppose. My son has regained his adult size. Sarek and Spock are speaking again…and me…" Amanda didn't end her sentence.

"I understand, you know. I have a daughter. Unfortunately, her mother and I have divorced when she was 6. Now she is 22 but I often dream that she is my baby girl again…I go with her to the pool, I play to take tea with her and her dolls, I dream and I wake up, alone and I feel useless."

"What do you do then?"

"Well, I try to call her if the communication can be established despite the great distance between us. If this is not possible, I watch some old holograms of us…" Leonard replied while giving to Amanda a photo album. A recent picture of baby Spock was on the cover of the book.

Amanda's eyes suddenly began to shine. She opened the book at its first page while Leonard McCoy turned on the light. He faced her again just in time to watch a beautiful smile appear on her face.

"Jim and I have begun to take these pictures the day after the incident with the antidote. Of course, Spock will receive the same album photo but something tells me that he will not smile like you do…"

Amanda looked at the first page, then the second…

…Baby Spock on his Captain's lap on the bridge / Spock in McCoy's arms in his nursery / Spock on the lap of Lieutenant Uhura with Sulu and Chekov at her side / Spock in his high chair, spoon in hand and the face covered with strawberry jam / Spock seated on his play mat, a cube in his mouth / Spock asleep in a baby bouncer, a bottle of whisky in his hands, a chief engineer smiling beside him / Spock on a bed, seeking to catch McCoy's tricorder / Spock in Sarek's arms during a mind meld / Spock and his mother in Sulu's lab / Spock in his bath …

Amanda laughed at the last picture: Spock seated on the training potty, scowling!

"I have taken the last picture myself. It was taken two days after the recovery of his memories. I did my best to hide the camera. Despite that, he has noticed it." He explained.

"Thank you, Leonard. Thank you for everything. This was not intentional but you have allowed me to live the dream all parents do, namely relive those precious moments with their children…when they still need us. Thank you for this and for being a friend for my son…" Amanda said, smiling at the good doctor.

"It is a pleasure, Ma'am…" Leonard replied with his strong southern accent." Oh, and I hope that you have enough room for two trunks full of stuffed animals and other toys in your house…"

Amanda laughed again.

oOOOo

Meanwhile, on the observation deck…

Sarek was fascinated by the panorama of the stars thought the window. The ship was going at warp 2 in order to arrive on time to the rendezvous with the Ker'fl'ch. Sarek sighed. Perhaps, he has made a decision too hasty. Perhaps, he and his wife could have spent a few more days with their son, now that he was back in his normal state. He was remembering their first meeting in that classroom. Spock was so young, so vulnerable…but also so intelligent. Sarek had been impressed by the sum of his son's knowledge, accumulated in only 38 years. Amanda would say again that he was proud of his son and she would be right! Suddenly, Sarek became aware of Spock's presence behind him. He turned to face him.

It was an undeniable fact that their father-son relationship and link have strengthened, thanks to their repetitive mind melds.

"Father…"

"My son." Sarek acknowledged.

"Father, we have not yet discussed the events that led me to follow Doctor McCoy, despite your disapproval." Spock announced in a neutral tone. He was standing straight in his Starfleet uniform, hands clasped in his back. Sarek recognized his attitude as he had used the same on numerous occasions. The ambassador took time to observe the face of his son before answering. His face was thinner; his eyes were those of his mother but they hid his emotions perfectly.

"Spock. You were and you are right. Your mother was right. You were and you are no longer a child. You're old enough to make decisions about your future, even if I agree or not. Your friend, James Kirk was right. When you left Vulcan for Earth and Starfleet Academy, I was worried. I was afraid that you turn away from me and our Vulcan customs. I was wrong. Your departure was necessary. I can see that now. Your knowledge is greater than those of your peers who stayed at the Vulcan Science Academy. Here, you contribute to the advancement of science in many areas. Your career in Starfleet is …more than honorable but you can understand that I'm worried to know that you are in the front line. Those missions on unknown planets are dangerous and you are my only son. However, I'm pleased that you have found so loyal friends, almost a second family."

Spock blinked. Such a confession from his father was unexpected. To thank his father was unvulcan but as he was half Vulcan, he answered: "Thank you, Father. Thank you for your help, your tolerance and your soothing thoughts and words during those last days."

Sarek nodded while seeing James Kirk approach.

"Gentlemen, Doctor McCoy have just informed me that Lady Amanda will join us in the Rec-room, to hear the concert given by Lieutenant Uhura." Jim said.

"Lieutenant Uhura…Is that the person who has recorded the lullaby…for the mobile above your crib?" Sarek asked innocently.

Jim grinned from ear to ear while Spock was biting his lip, holding back a long sigh. No doubt he would hear about this little sphere and its three vessels long after the end of his mission on the Enterprise…

The end