Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

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"God, Nina, I don't even know what to say! This weekend's been such a blur, Spock's mother is absolutely wonderful!" I exclaimed as I made tea for the two of us.

"At least tell me the basics," she begged with a giggle.

"Well, Spock and his mother get on really well. I was surprised to see he's actually a bit of a mama's boy, really. He loves keeping her happy."

"That could be a good thing because it shows he has respect for women, but it could also be a bad thing because maybe he looks to her to baby him," she warned.

"Nina, Spock's a Commander of Starfleet who lives light-years away from his mother," I reasoned with a smirk.

"Right, sorry, that was stupid," she said, shaking her head as she began drawing her henna design on herself. "Continue."

"His mother is funny and so kind and considerate. She was very supportive of me and my decision to open up. And she told me a little secret about Spock," I told her with a smirk. She immediately stopped drawing on herself and looked up at me.

"What is it?"

"He dances."

"What?"

"I'm not kidding! She used to have him take lessons for all sorts of partner dancing, waltzes, sambas, tangos, practically everything. Apparently she realized women appreciate dancers," I told her teasingly, unable to stop the small giggle that emanated from my lips.

"Yeah, especially women who dance. You're freaking made for each other," she muttered so I wouldn't hear her while I sifted through the fridge for the cream.

"Hmm?" I asked, pulling my head out of the fridge.

"Nothing, keep going," she said a little too quickly, getting back to her henna. I just brushed it off.

"Anyways, Saturday we met at the fountain, then we made our way to the coffee shop, then his mother wanted to window shop, and we had a light lunch and we went to see a ballet before dinner, and then we parted ways. Pretty uneventful, really, we just had a lot of fun and Amanda asked a never-ending stream of questions... Amanda purposefully left Spock and I alone, though, and it was very... pleasant. And surprisingly relaxed. Especially for such a public setting."

"What did she do?" Nina asked.

"Oh! Darn, Spock, would you mind ordering me a water? I think I left my bag in that store," she explained. How had neither Spock or I realized that sooner?

"Would you prefer me to retrieve it for you?" Spock asked.

"No, no," she said quickly. "You two stay here! I'll only be a moment. I like the exercise anyway."

Spock nodded to her and she sent us one last smile before heading out.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Spock asked me as we sat down at the table. He sat directly across from me.

"Very much so," I told him. "Your mother's lovely... She's a woman I would love to be like somewhere in the future."

"My mother appears to have become very fond of you in a very short amount of time," he told me.

"I find I have also become very fond of her," I admitted with a smile. "Your mother's very beautiful."

"I agree," he said.

"It's so effortless," I continued with a small smile as I looked out the window. "She doesn't have to try at all. I find I envy her."

"I don't see why. Your looks are alluring. There are nearly no flaws on your person, which is of a charmingly elegant nature, and therefore you are also very beautiful, even when you do not try."

I was stunned into a silence in which my face grew to a pale green.

"Thank you, Spock."

"You are welcome," he told me.

"If I may be so bold, I seem to have found where you get your good looks as well," I teased, trying to lighten the mood and get the focus off of myself.

"Thank you," he accepted, only very slightly hesitant.

"You're welcome," I told him with a smile.

"Hello, my name's Freya and I will be your server for today. What would the happy couple like to drink?" she asked with a wink. Suddenly my ears burned green and I felt slight nervousness and embarrassment emanating from Spock.

"We-we're not a couple," I denied swiftly but politely. "And we're waiting for a third person. She and I would each like a water with lemon, please."

"As would I," Spock agreed.

"O-oh! I'm so sorry, I just heard you two complimenting each other and-I'll-I'll go get those drinks," she said, flustered. She walked away quickly and Spock and I sat in stunned (yet somehow not awkward) silence for almost three minutes before Amanda finally came back.

"I leave for almost ten minutes and neither of you speak? I thought you two were friends!" I jumped, suddenly shocked from my reverie as Amanda took her spot next to Spock.

I couldn't help it.

I burst out laughing.

"He said you were beautiful?"

"It was probably just his human half talking," I told her, my face green all over again.

"Yeah, okay, right. Well, what about today? You seemed to have something on your mind when you walked in."

"We met at the coffee shop this time and then we spent a lot of time at the park before we had the picnic I packed, then we took a shuttle to spend time walking on the beach, and then we had dinner and came back here."

"Then what were you thinking about when you came in?" she asked, confused. "What happened?"

"Amanda had a conversation with me during dinner," I told her, unable to stop the blush from spreading across my nose and the tips of my ears.

"About what?" she prompted, excited.

I sat at the table with Spock and Amanda, happy to finally sit down once again.

"Spock, would you mind to go get us some tickets for the next shuttle?" Amanda asked. "Let us two women relax and chat for a moment?" Despite his curious look, he nodded, turning to walk to the building across the street.

"Are you having a good time, Amanda?" I asked her. She grinned at me again.

"I'm having a wonderful time. You know, you've changed Spock."

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"No, no, in a good way. He seems... happier. More like he enjoys his time," she told me. "You know, he talks about you all the time. And I can tell he enjoys your company. I don't think I've ever seen him so relaxed before."

There was a green flush making its way back onto my cheeks.

"He's a wonderful friend," I told her. "He and I value each other's intellect as well as each other's talents, and although recently my personality has somewhat changed, I found that our personalities work together wonderfully... Even more so now than before, I think."

"I agree," she told me with a wink and a look. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were hiding something."

"Hiding something?" I asked, confused.

"Hello, what would you like to drink?" The waitress came up to ask.

"Just water for me, please," Amanda asked.

"Make that two," I agreed with a smile. I didn't feel so lonely now, usually I was the only one who ever asked for water.

"Perhaps the waitress wasn't so wrong yesterday?" she asked and I nearly choked on air.

"E-excuse me?" I asked, incredulous. My heart was racing and I knew my face was greener than the Irish grass. "N-no, really, we're friends. We don't even know each other well enough to be romantically involved in any way-"

"Well to be honest, I'd love to see you with Spock," she elaborated. "You've brought out a side of him I haven't seen since he was eight, and I love it. He's happy when he's with you, he really is."

"Amanda, I don't know what to-"

"Is everything alright, Maeve? You seem agitated," I heard Spock ask me from behind. I had been so flustered I hadn't even felt his confusion from behind me. I jumped.

"Y-yes, yes, I'm fine, please, sit down," I invited, unable to meet his eyes.

"Are you certain?"

"Of course," I told him quietly as he chose the seat next to me. I glanced up at Amanda for a moment.

She winked at me.

"Oh my God, she tried to set you up with the Commander!?" she asked half-excited, half-incredulous.

"Not... necessarily."

"Well sorta," she said, suddenly forgetting about her henna design halfway through. "Oh my God, she's right though."

"What?"

"You guys would be like... the perfect couple," she said, a grin growing with her excited and mischievous emotions.

"Stop it, Nina, it's not going to happen! He's a Commander... and my professor! Stop it and leave me alone!"

"Oh come on, you can't deny-"

"Incoming call from Commander Spock," the computer called out. Nina gave me a mischievous look and I glared quickly before jogging into the living area.

"Computer, answer call," I called out. Suddenly Spock's screen lit up the screen and I smiled. "Good evening, Spock."

"Good evening, Maeve," he greeted. "I have just been made aware that my mother wishes for you to accompany me to send her off when she boards the flight to Vulcan with my father at 0700 hours tomorrow morning."

"Hmm," I thought for a moment. "Where do we have to bring her?"

"She and my father are taking off from Starfleet headquarters, no more than twenty minutes walk from here," he told me.

"I should have time," I told him. "What time are we meeting? Should I eat breakfast?"

"We will be meeting at the fountain again at approximately 0620 hours, and my mother wishes to take a quick stop at the coffee shop once again, so only eat if you should like to."

"Alright, I'll see you then. Thank you, Spock," I told him, a grin on my face.

"Maeve?" he asked me, almost hesitantly.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I find I am inclined to inform you that... I find that I am... anxious to see you again," he told me honestly. I felt flaming heat rise to my cheeks as I smiled.

"As am I, Spock."

"I shall see you at 0620 hours then?" he confirmed.

"See you then, Spock. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Goodbye, Spock," I called.

"Goodbye, Maeve," he called back before I ended the call.

I looked up to see Nina giving me a look.

"What?"

She just sighed, rolling her eyes, before mumbling something I couldn't hear and going back to the kitchen to finish her henna, leaving me confused beyond belief.

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I smiled one last time at Amanda before she hugged me. I hugged back after a moment, shocked at the gesture.

"Take care of Spock for me," she told me quietly.

"I'll make sure he stays out of trouble, Amanda," I assured her jokingly as we let go of one another.

"I fail to understand why I would need an overseer, as I have proved myself highly capable of looking after myself, which is proven in my success and authority within Starfleet," Spock denied.

"Spock, just let your mother worry," she said. I smiled at their banter.

"We both understand you're capable of taking care of yourself, Spock," I told him with a smile. "But knowing someone you trust is there with someone you love to make sure they're not only successful, but happy as well, is a comfort to humans."

"I see," he gave in after a moment in which he registered the information.

"And you, Spock, had better look after this young lady as well," she assigned. "I don't want anything bad to happen to her, either. Make sure she stays this wonderfully happy young lady for me?"

"I will ensure that Maeve is content, mother," he agreed. Both were ignoring my obvious blush.

"Spock," I heard from behind me. I turned quickly, my long ponytail almost hitting me in the face, only to see an elderly Vulcan man walking our way.

"Father," Spock greeted. "How are you?"

"I am well," he answered, though he kept his gaze on me.

"Sarek," Amanda greeted with a small smile. I felt the love shared between them - though Sarek's was obviously hiding a bit - and their happiness at being reunited and it almost brought tears to my eyes as well as a small smile to my lips. "I have missed you."

"Father," Spock began after his parents shared a short look. "I must introduce my friend Maeve."

"Live long and prosper," I greeted with a small smile and a Vulcan salute.

"Live long and prosper," he greeted as well, holding his hand up in the same fashion.

There was little small talk, mostly goodbyes being given to one another, wishes for health and longevity, and many glances in my direction from Sarek. I could feel the concealed curiosity as well as slight familiarity (perhaps due to understanding, since his son was also of mixed-race) and I understood. He was probably wondering who - or more precisely what - exactly I was. Obviously a mixture of Betazoid as well as Vulcan, but perhaps he understood there was more to me than that.

It was bittersweet to see Spock's parents off. Though we had only been all together for a grand total of five minutes, I found his family easy to talk to. Especially his mother. She had already become like a second mother to me. It made me sad to see her go.

"Are you ready to depart?" Spock asked me as the ship took off.

I sighed, "very well."

"You do not wish to go?"

"It's not that, Spock, I just... I find I'm going to miss your mother," I told him as we began walking back to the Academy.

"I understand. You have grown... close to my mother these past few days."

"I have," I agreed. "Perhaps I'll visit her on Vulcan one day soon."

"I believe she would appreciate that," he admitted. "She's admitted to fondness toward you."

"Maybe we should both go. Maybe this summer or something, if you have some time for a little vacation. We can visit Vulcan, and maybe you could meet my mother on one of her trips as well," I told him with a grin, excitement and hope pouring from me. "She went there a few months ago, for a week after she had a small spout with my dad. My father told me she's going back again soon to see her mother again and spend some more 'healing' time there. She misses it there, but it's okay because she goes often."

"I believe that would be rather... agreeable," he admitted, making my grin grow exponentially. It was quiet for a moment. "May I make a personal inquiry?"

"Of course, Spock."

"How does your mother deal with being half Vulcan?"

"Not well, really. She is much like you in most regards, but she finds containing certain emotions - particularly anger, which she is prone to - difficult to withstand and contain. Most of her trips to Vulcan are for meditation and understanding. She often comes back and finds she is able to control herself for some time. It's... difficult to handle at times, but I was similar when I was young. I understand why it is difficult for her to cope."

"And she goes to Vulcan often?"

"For a week every two months, even if she hasn't had any sort of explosion of anger. It's very much like a medicine to her. My grandmother allows her to stay with her for a week to meditate."

"And she meditates for the entire week?"

"Yes, it was difficult for her at first, even frustrating, for many years, but she's got it down pat now. She only goes to Vulcan now both out of habit and preference-it soothes her and slows her down. She meditates as much as she can at home too, but it's not quite the same."

"Do you meditate?"

"I meditate very often. In fact, I learned from a member of the Vulcan High Council when I was young. My mother went for one of her week-long sessions, and she had me learn control over the Vulcan part of myself as well as the Betazoid half."

"Who was the member of the Vulcan High Council?"

"I can't remember his name. But he was very patient. And... you may find this odd as Vulcans do not show such emotions, but... he was very kind to me, as well as understanding. Almost like he had experience with children like me. But he is-or at least was-a member of the High Council. I'm sure he had to deal with plenty of obnoxious people."

"I see," was all he said. I looked at him, brows furrowed.

"Is... anything the matter?" I asked.

"No, I just can't help but wonder if it was my father who taught you, as he is not only Ambassador to Earth but also a member of the Vulcan High Council."

Suddenly I remembered the curiosity and the streak of familiarity I felt in Sarek and my heart jumped.

"So that's what that was about?" I murmured to myself.

"I'm sorry?"

"O-oh, sorry, Spock, it's just that... when we were with your parents I felt your father's emotions. I sensed curiosity and familiarity," I told him. "I assumed he was curious about my mixed heritage and the familiarity was tied back to having a son who also had a mixed heritage... However now, upon closer inspection, I believe you guessed correctly. I had... buried those memories, as I was young and I found them... painful. However, I have never forgotten your father's teachings, and I have grown to both understand and master the art of meditation. Your father is a wonderful teacher."

"How old were you?"

"Fourteen," I told him. He nodded. We were quiet for a moment as I thought, perhaps he does have experience with unruly children.

"I was in my twenties at that time," he told me and I blushed, suddenly feeling very small, remembering he was easily somewhere around nine years my senior.

"Were you unruly as a child?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"I was..." he began slowly. "Conflicted. I didn't often let my emotions get to me, but when someone called my mother something rude, or when they degraded my human half, I was prone to... fits."

I didn't even know what to say for a moment before I giggled. Spock looked at me like I had asked him if I could see his weenis.

"I'm sorry Spock, I just... I don't know what to say, I can't imagine you losing your cool," I told him honestly. Suddenly I couldn't stop the smirk from growing onto my face. I cleared my throat. "Of course I also find that I can't imagine you taking dance classes."

"I-"

"Oh, your mother told me all about them," I told him, teasing. "She told me you excelled, actually. I'm impressed. You'll have to show me sometime. I'm not sure I'll believe until I see it."

"You question the integrity of my mother?"

"N-no! No, that's not what I meant, I-" I cut myself off when I looked up at Spock, who, I noticed, was smirking slightly, a brow raised. I lightly pushed against his arm. "Goodness, Spock, you frightened me! I thought I offended you!"

"I apologize-"

"No you don't," I told him with a laugh. "You don't apologize for jokes you made that no one took real offense to."

We were almost to campus and we kept quiet, both of us in a content silence as we continued on. I couldn't stop thinking.

Spock made a joke. A genuine, funny, laughable, joke, and he shared it with me of all people.

Suddenly, I felt as though nothing could go wrong.

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Thank you SO much for reading!

And PLEASEEEE review! Let me know what you think! Anything well-written? Anything need fixing (if so please be nice about it!)?

Thank you so much and I'll see y'all soon!

Much love,

Em <3