The pink elephant in the room Nyota called it, his bond with T'Pring; it was something that could not be ignored. For weeks Nyota spoke of needing to feel 'validated', she understood why he had been bonded, she understood that romantic relationships were very personal matters in his culture. She understood his situation, but he had failed to comprehend hers "I do not want to be a secret" were her exact words; she had stormed out that night when he had told her that there was nothing wrong with secrecy. She had told her parents about their relationship, her mother was less then pleased, but had to admit that at least he was better than Etana's boyfriend, the starving artist who practically lived at the family compound. Her father had been surprisingly accepting of the idea of her dating a Vulcan and insisted on meeting him when the family came for her graduation ceremony at the end of the term.

"Spock, how nice of you to call your dear, old, mother." Amanda smiled as Spock greeted her on the video comm. The last time she had talked to him he had been on recess from the academy, she never understood why he preferred not to come home to visit during those breaks, it would be nice to see more of him.

Spock studied the image, the lines on her forehead were more pronounced, and there was a considerable amount of gray in her hair, but he would hardly consider her old.

"How is your health mother?"

"Oh, I'm fine…I am well my son. How are things at Starfleet?"

"Things are well, is father around?"

"Sarek had an off planet convention to attend, he will return in a few weeks. Why the sudden interest in your fathers whereabouts?"

"Mother I want to speak to you about a personal matter…"

"Anything Spock"

"There is someone, with whom I have become romantically involved with. She is human and her name is Nyota, I am telling you because... she insisted."

"Oh Spock your first girlfriend, that's wonderful, it would seem as if I have had an effect on you after all!" she quipped, smiling broadly.

"Mother, please try to restrain yourself, there is another important matter I wish to discuss. T'Pring has never contacted me, even when we were younger, she has purposefully-"

"Spock" she broke in, her grave tone betraying her calm exterior "You need a bond mate, I know it is something we don't talk about but… you are almost twenty-seven years old… it would be illogical to tamper with your bond now, without knowing whether or not someone else would understand, or be willing to comply…and what if this relationship does not last, it was so difficult for your father to find a family that was willing to…" she paused. She looked at him intently; she had seen this look before, the resentment in her son's eyes that he could never hide, her voice softened. "Spock, I speak to you as a mother, with fear for what may happen to you in the future. Because of me, they tormented and ridiculed you. I heard the names they would call you, I saw how the nightmares kept you awake. Spock, I have never regretted marrying your father, or having you, but I realize how difficult I made your life. I urge you to think long and hard about the choices you plane to make regarding T'Pring. It may not make much sense to you now, but I have learned from experience that having is not as pleasant as wanting, try to remember this, the consequences of your actions will be lifelong"

"Yes, I do agree that acting in haste is unwise, I shall thoroughly consider all you have said. There is something else I need to tell you. I wanted you to know that I have decided that this will be my last year as an instructor at Starfleet, Captain Pike has asked me to accompany him on the next mission aboard the new starship at the end of this term, I will be acting as first officer…"

Their conversation lasted a few minutes longer; concluding as is usually did with his mother insisting that he try to communicate with his father regardless of his father's obvious disapproval. As always he appeased his mother, stating that he would consider her request.

When his mother's image flickered off the screen he sat his comm. on the table. He considered his mother's warning, as he looked at Nyota reclining on the couch. He had wanted her, though he had not wanted to experience such weakness. He had been without her, and he had been with her, he had wanted her and he had possessed her, from his experience, wanting had been more agonizing than having which he found to be more acceptable than the latter. However, moments of pleasure and contentment were insignificant when compared to a lifetime of coexistence. Could she accept him when the novelty of their relationship was no longer there? Once his curiosity was satisfied would their union still seem as logical as it did now? There were many unanswerable questions, and yet there was something that he was sure of; his mother had a valid argument. If he remained bonded with her, he would eventually have to honor his commitment to her.

"Spock…"Nyota sighed, rousing him from his thoughts, "What time is it? I need to leave soon if I am going to catch the last shuttle before it gets too dark out."

"It is exactly 7:02:37; there is still ten minutes before you need to be at the shuttle stop" Spock replied moving to the armchair across from where she lay, "However I would be pleased if you spent the night"

Nyota giggled "As pleasing as it would be, I don't have my uniform and I would never make it to my dorm in time to change and get ready for class. Anyway I stayed last night, too bad I fell asleep while you were meditating again though."

"Yes, it is too bad" Spock replied, the corners of his lips quirking slightly. "You would be pleased to know that I have complied with your wishes. I informed my mother of our relationship, I believe that she is happy that I have a companion. Yet she cautioned me, regarding disrupting the bond with T'Pring."

"Oh yes…T'Pring "Nyota murmured dropping a PADD into her bag, "Spock, I know arranged marriage are an honored tradition on Vulcan and that such bonds unite families and all but, what if you don't want to marry the person your parents chose for you? Your father married a human and he is an ambassador what ever happened to his bond mate?"

"She died, death breaks the bond." Spock stated flatly, "He married my mother because it was logical, considering his ties to Earth as an ambassador."

"Then it is logical, considering your heritage that you too might consider… a similar course of action" she countered pulling on her jacket.

Spock arched his brow, "perhaps"

Nyota smiled holding her hand out to him; their unique farewell, he reached out and entwined their fingers. She was relaxed, hopeful, and content. "rom-halan ashal-Spock" she whispered stooping to kiss him lightly, as she pulled away Spock felt her reluctance, "rom-halan sha' Nyota, it would be wise to bring a spare uniform next weekend."

"Sure" Nyota smiled as she turned to leave.

"Welcome home Sarek" Amanda greeted her husband when he arrived home three weeks later. He nodded slightly in acknowledgement as he entered their home, the convention had been pleasant, and the journey home had been without incident, he was completely relaxed, aside from a dull discomfort that was not own. His bond mate was worried, she had been for some time, it was their son. That evening as they dined on the veranda he approached the subject. "What has he done now?" Sarek inquired without looking up from his plate. "Do not be so hard on him; he has not done anything wrong. He is a young man, alone, away from his family it's only natural that he…" Amanda paused, sensing Sarek's tension "I am just concerned about his wellbeing," she sighed, "There is a human girl that he is involved with, he asked about his bond with T'Pring, I think he means to… if the blood f-"

"Our duty is done in this regard. Because of my position here, I was able to secure a bond mate for him. If I were not an ambassador with high standing among my people he never would have been bonded. Since he wants to disregard the ways that I have taught him, the Vulcan ways, I cannot be bothered with his foolish, irrational behavior."

Amanda nodded slowly and returned to her meal, blocking out her husband's pulses of anger and disapproval. Spock was her main concern, and Sarek's indifference only made her more aware of her need to protect him from himself, his human nature.

****

The next morning she invited T'Pring's mother T'Pura for breakfast in her home. Amanda regarded the tall slender woman as she sat across from her sipping tea. The women had last spoken at the Vulcan Music competition more than six months ago. Though she was always pleasant T'Pura like most Vulcan women was silent and reserved in her presence. "How is your family" Amanda offered breaking the dead silence in the room. T'Pura sat her tea down lightly "they are well, my eldest son recently graduated from the Science Academy, but it is T'Pring that you are really interested in is it not? The woman inquired tilting her head slightly.

"Well, yes I am interested in T'Pring, as she will eventually become a part of our family. I was curious though, about her communications with Spock, perhaps they should-"

"There has been no communication" T'Pura stated coolly, "Your Spock has become somewhat of a legend here, T'Pring finds this distasteful. Neither she, nor I had any say in the matter of her being bonded to your son, the hybrid who had the gumption to turn down one of our most highly regarded institutions of science." She paused momentarily acknowledging the startled look on Amanda's face. "Perhaps you do not understand" she continued "their bond has been difficult for all of us to accept, most of all T'Pring; I will talk to her, but do not disappoint yourself by expecting too much."

Amanda sat motionless in her chair, fighting back her anger; she told herself that her resentment was not toward T'Prua or T'Pring; they were only behaving as their society dictated. Amanda stood silently and called for the housekeeper to clear away their dishes. After a moment of hesitation she thanked T'Pura for her time and escorted her to the door maintaining the cool, stoic exterior that she had perfected over the years. As she headed up the stairs to her room tears of anger and frustration begin to roll down her cheeks.

"Nyota, you will be late for class if you do not get dressed" Spock warned pulling on his black trousers as Nyota lay sprawled on the bed still wearing his shirt. "Some of us need a little more than three hours of sleep" she murmured crankily pushing the tangled mass of sheets aside. She stumbled to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, briefly examining her neck for bite marks. Nyota returned to the bedroom and flopped back down on the bed, she had nearly dozed off when she was roused once more.

"Nyota" Spock called peering down at her, "you are taking part in the simulation today, I need you to be focused. I suggest that you have breakfast, not only will you be more focused, you are likely in need of the extra energy, considering the amount of energy you exerted last night."

Nyota smiled meekly, "it was worth it"

"Indeed it was." he concluded before leaving her to dress as he prepared their breakfast.

Nyota appeared in the kitchenette looking much more refreshed in her perfectly pressed uniform and high efficient ponytail. She smiled as she took her seat across from Spock at the small table. "I could get use to this" she teased grabbing a piece of bread from the plate in the center of the table. Spock's brow arched, "perhaps you could" They ate in silence as Spock checked emails on his comm. and Nyota reviewed her home work.

Spock responded to a few emails and finished his cup of tea, as he stood to clear away the dishes he felt a sharp bump; it was resembled a headache but had dissipated as quickly as it had occurred. He stood motionless, waiting for her presence to return, after a few moments he carried the dishes to the sink, they clattered into the sink as another violent jolt shout through his consciousness. This was unheard of, T'Pring had never made her presence known before, her sudden contact was unsettling. Spock felt a wave of nausea sweep over him as he clutched the edge of the counter, concentrating on shielding his mind from the sudden intrusion. As her presence faded Spock could hear the familiar chime from his Comm. coming from the other room. "Spock," Nyota called from the dining room, "You have a call…it's a vid..." Nyota paused looking at the image, of a young Vulcan woman, "a video call" Nyota continued still glaring at the screen.

"It is T'Pring" Spock stated as he emerged from the Kitchen. Taking the Comm. from her hand he flipped open the voice receiver "this is Spock"

"You obviously prefer the human form of communication to those of Vulcan."

"They are sufficient, what is the purpose of the communication that you seek?" Spock asked returning to his seat at the table.

"My mother recently approached me with an inquiry, regarding Kah-ka. I hope that you have no intentions of consummating the union before it is absolutely necessary."

Spock's eyes shot to Nyota, who sat across the table listening intently, she was visibly uncomfortable as she avoided his gaze.

"I have no such intentions" Spock countered.

"That is wise Spock. Though you and I are bonded, I do not belong to you, I do hope you understand."

Nyota smiled, relieved that T'Pring apparently had no interest in Spock. She was however slightly angered by T'Pring's tone of superiority; she rose from her seat to stand directly behind Spock and in full view of T'Pring, she rested her hand on his shoulder.

Spock tilted his head slightly "I believe I share your sentiments exactly."

FIN

A/N:

And that is how Spock and Uhura became Spuhura

I decided to end here as it takes you right up their last term at Starfleet… I hope you have been entertained, if not please feel free to comment, I am planning a sequel that takes place just after they return from defeating Nero. Any ideas and constructive criticism are welcomed. Thanks for reading.

rom-halan ashal-Spock - Goodbye my dear Spock

rom-halan sha' Nyota - Goodbye my Nyota

Kah-ka – the bond