Author's Note: Thanks to my beta, Lucy1656! Please leave comments and, if you want to, you can leave plot suggestions. Message me if you have any questions. Live long and prosper.

Commander's Personal Log: Stardate 2276.05

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Vulcans are in complete control of their emotions. I will now relate to you a series of anecdotes which suggest this theory to be, to use a human colloquialism, utter bullshit. This is the story about how I, Commander William Darcy, fell in love with Captain Elizabeth Bennet.

First, some disclaimers. As a scientist, I should state a single, or even multiple, anecdotes are not enough grounds to completely prove or disprove a theory. Also, because I am only half-Vulcan, I cannot claim that Vulcans in general do not have complete control over their emotions. Although, based on my personal experiences, I am very skeptical of this generalization.

But I digress.

I often heard from my mother that if one wishes to tell a story, one should begin from the beginning. As a child I tended to only recite anecdotes using a very succinct method. My mother, as a human, was displeased with this form and wanted me to disclose details which I found superfluous. "How did his actions make you feel? Were you angered, saddened by your bully's taunts?" Questions which I find difficult to answer even today.

My father, a Vulcan anthropologist studying human society, met my mother on Earth and married her shortly afterwards. Depending on who he was speaking to at the time, he either claimed he married her due to scientific curiosity, or because he loved her. I myself, from what I can remember, believe it was a combination of the two.

Vulcan: Stardate 2254.13 (22 years ago)

Ann and S'jvas Darcy argued quietly in the room next to where their firstborn slept. Well, S'jvas called it "a debate." Ann recognized it for what it was; an argument.

"I wish to have another child, S'jvas."

S'jvas tenderly caught her hand in his. "I will hear no more of this nonsense, t'hy'la. Please, put it out of your mind."

Ann looked at her husband in earnest. "Can you not see that this will be logical? We will not live forever, but to further our blood line would be a wonderful thing. William is such a kind and intelligent boy. He will do great things in this universe, and so will this next child!"

Her husband cast her a disapproving look before turning away from her. "Do not pretend that logic is your sole motivation. I know you too well to believe this."

"You are correct, ashayam. I want another child because I feel as if I have more love to give." She placed his hand over her heart. "Can you not feel it?"

S'jvas withdrew his hand and ignored her unshed tears. "It would be foolish of us to try to procreate again. Birthing William almost caused you to die. There is only a 17.3548% chance that you survive a second child. Please, do not ask this of me. I will never approve of this idea. It is illogical."

Ann opened her mouth, preparing to counter his statement when their son entered the room. At first glance William appeared to be just another Vulcan child, but on closer inspection a couple of characteristics stood out. His hair, like many in the Vulcan population, was black and cropped close to his hairline. His posture never faltered, and his clothes were a drab brown. However, his blue eyes, inherited from his mother, were an anomaly compared to the brown eyed children. Although it was apparent by William's slightly disheveled clothes that he had just awoken, his eyes and general demeanor were very alert.

"Come here, Will." Ann gestured for her son to sit on her lap.

"Mother," William replied while sitting on the edge of her knee. "I have informed you approximately seven times in the past month that I prefer the name William. Please refer to me as such." His voice was neither petulant nor irritable, but calm and composed.

"William," his mother relented, "would you be opposed to having a sibling?"

The child considered the question for a couple of seconds before answering. "I am indifferent to the prospect. It is not uncommon for stable families such as ourselves to have more than one child."

"Yes, but do you not wish for another child in the house? Someone for you to play with, protect, love?"

"...I am indiff-"

"Okay, William," Ann huffed before rolling her eyes in exasperation. Both her son and husband stared at her in confusion at her human expression of emotion.

"You win this battle, but I will win the war!" she exclaimed to S'jvas before playfully storming off.

"Most perplexing behavior," William said with an air of curiosity.

"Indeed, son. Indeed."

Another year past before the subject was brought up again. Surprisingly enough, S'jvas Darcy was the one to mention it.

S'jvas entered the room and immediately stood in front of his wife.

"I wish to discuss something of the utmost importance with you-the possibility of receiving another child into this family."

Ann dropped the PADD that was in her hand onto the table and looked up at her husband hopefully. "We're going to have a baby?" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why have you suddenly changed your mind? It's very unlike you."

"I haven't changed my mind technically. I refuse to put you in danger despite your wishes. Yet, I believe that you are open to adoption, if I'm not mistaken."

Ann huffed out a breath of air. "I've researched that option most thoroughly. Vulcan orphans are very rare- practically nonexistent."

"Yes, it is quite true that strong familial ties in Vulcans prevent the necessity of adopting children out to families outside of their house. However, the child in question is not Vulcan."

"I don't understand. Interplanetary adoption is extremely difficult to navigate. It often takes years and there's a great financial burden. We can't afford that."

"Correct on all accounts. But this situation is relatively unique." S'jvas sat next to his wife on their settee. "At approximately 1400 hours yesterday I was contacted by an acquaintance whom I used to work with. She and her fellow crew members were researching archaic bacteria on Alastor VII, a planet that was believed to be uninhabited, when they discovered a shuttlecraft. The people involved were attempting to settle on Alastor VII, but a malfunction of their engines caused them to crash. While most of the settlers were uninjured there were a few casualties, including the father of a toddler. The toddler in question, as far as we can ascertain, has no extended family willing to adopt."

"That poor baby," Ann crooned sadly. "But do we not have the same issues with interplanetary adoption as we would with any other child?"

"My acquaintance, T'pei, confided in me that (even though she knows it is illogical) she and her research team feel a certain responsibility for the child as they were the ones to discover her and care for her until the Federation could arrive. The child is from Tasos, a planet where their child services are severely understaffed and underfunded. The majority of the orphans there have a fairly short life expectancy. T' pei convinced her mother, a member of the Vulcan council, to grant the child Vulcan residency. Tasos agreed. Although the child will technically be a Vulcan, members of the high council agreed that the child should have a human role model. T' pei suggested that we care for the child."

Ann stood up rather hastily. "We're getting a baby? Are they a boy or girl? How old? My goodness, we need to start preparing now!"

"Relax, t'hy'la. I will make all the necessary preparations. The child is a girl, and is 8.4 months old."

Ann was smiling broadly by now. "Her name?"

"Georgiana."

Earth: Stardate 2254.77 (22 years ago)

Across the galaxy, around the same time that the Darcys were expanding their family, a little girl contemplated her destiny.

"I want to join Starfleet when I'm old enough," the girl announced to her silent family as they were eating dinner one night. "I'm going to be an officer."

Her mother tittered. "How ridiculous! Starfleet academy only accepts big, strong men who can fight!"

"My dear," her husband said, "I believe that you're forgetting that Starfleet is a peacekeeping organization that has one of the most diverse bodies of employees in the galaxy."

"Lizzie," Mrs. Bennet ignored Mr. Bennet's rebuttal, "wouldn't you rather be a mother?" she questioned as she rubbed her pregnant belly. "Or a doctor-"

"I suppose I could be a doctor-"

"-'s wife?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes as her older sister, Jane, and her father looked on in amusement. As Lizzie opened her mouth to respond, her younger sister, Mary, uncharacteristically interrupted the conversation.

"I would like to be a doctor."

"Enough of this nonsense, girls," their mother said in a high pitched manner. "You need realistic expectations."

"You're right," Lizzie said unexpectedly. Everybody turned to her in shock. She stuck her chin out. "I need to aim higher. I'll be a captain."

Her mother faltered in shock before continuing her rant. "That is not what I said, I said that-"

"I'm going to play with my telescope," Lizzie said before running out of the house.

"I didn't excuse you, young lady!"

After a moment Mr. Bennet followed his daughter outside where she was adjusting her telescope to face the night sky. Since leaving her house, Lizzie's manner had become more subdued as she considered her mother. Her father, reading her face, told her to ignore her mother's comments.

"I know, Dad. I just wish... I just want her to... I don't know what I want from her."

He laid his hand on her shoulder as she leaned into his side. "You just want her to support you, which is a completely acceptable feeling. She'll change her mind- eventually. You just have to prove her wrong."

Lizzie gazed upwards. The sky was clear of clouds, and the stars shone bright on the rural town. "There are thousands of worlds out there, with beings that are totally different from us. I'm going to meet them, to help the ones that need help. I want to let them know that they're not alone. I want to explore, to have completely new experiences."

"You will, Elizabeth. I believe in you."

Lizzie turned to her father, her face thoughtful and confident. "I will be captain of a Starfleet ship one day. Just watch me."