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Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:27:07 -0600
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW CORR: It's All Relative [TOS, Sa/Am, Soran, Al, Nel, T'Sar, K, S/NC-17] 3/8
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PART 3 [CORRECTED VERSION]

Disclaimers in Part 1

Soran handed a note to Sarek during the final day of the conference.  The
situation in the Cellesian system had worsened, and they were required
immediately.  Apparently the Klingons had learned of the Federation's
attempt to acquire the Cellesian system and in an attempt to thwart their
efforts, they were now also pretending to offer the Cellesians a legitimate
treaty.  The Federation was well aware that it was a ruse, but the
Cellesians were apparently considering the Klingon's offer seriously.  The
Enterprise, which was actually enroute to Risa for some overdue shore leave,
was now being dispatched to pick them and their families up in the morning.
Sarek read the note, and left the lecture he was attending with Soran in
tow.

They returned to the suite, and Sarek gave Amanda and her parents the news,
requesting they begin their packing immediately.  Soran and he went to the
office in their suite of rooms and sequestered themselves again, pulling out
the PADDs and notes on the Cellesian situation.  Even Amanda's hunger
couldn't budge them from their room; they worked throughout the night but
could see no resolution to the crisis.

The only high to Amanda's current low was the fact that it was Enterprise
picking them up.  She could think of nothing better than seeing her son
again!  Her parents were completely abuzz amidst their packing as they
hadn't had the opportunity to see Spock in several years.

The next morning, Soran and Sarek emerged from the office, still in hushed
conversation.  Soran's communicator beeped and they heard Lt. Uhura's voice
saying they were ready to beam them up.  Soran sent the elder Graysons and
T'Sar up first, then he, Sarek, and Amanda came up last, as per diplomatic
protocol.

Once they materialized on the transporter pads, Captain Kirk stepped forward
in greeting.  Sarek quickly looked beyond Kirk's shoulder and saw his son
standing as stiff as a piece of wood.  Stepping off the platform, he
introduced his extended party and greeted the senior officers gathered
there.

When they finished the formalities, they could see that Nell was already all
over her grandson, much to the amusement of the captain and CMO.

"Nell, leave the boy alone," Al chided his wife.

"I can't help it; I've never seen him in uniform before!  Isn't he
handsome?"  She reached out to squeeze his cheek, which Spock deftly
avoided.

Sarek raised an eyebrow at his mother-by-marriage's actions, but did nothing
to intervene.  Spock was old enough to deal with his grandmother.

"So, my Herbie is First Officer, right?  That means he's practically the
boss!" Nell exclaimed.

"Herbie?" McCoy asked as he turned to Spock.  "Herbie?  You wanna explain
that?"

"Not at this time, Doctor," Spock said frostily.

Amanda thought she'd better intervene before the grin on Kirk's face split
it wide open.  "Perhaps we can be taken to our quarters, Captain Kirk.  I
know that my husband is anxious to get back to work."

"Very true, Amanda," Sarek said.

"I'll escort you immediately, Ambassador," Kirk said in his most charming
voice.  Soran had previously informed the Enterprise who was coming aboard
so they were prepared for the extra passengers.

As they were walking to their quarters, Sarek asked, "Captain, when are we
due to arrive at Celles V?"

Kirk turned to Spock who said, "Seventy-three point one-five hours,
Ambassador."

"Thank you.  Will you dine with us this evening, Spock?"

Spock looked at his father uncertainly.  "I...will have to check my
schedule..."

"I'm sure it can be cleared, Commander," Kirk insisted, his tone indicating
his attendance was as much an order as a request from Sarek.

"Very well," Spock nodded, "then I shall be honored to do so, Sarek."

McCoy walked beside Nell and Al behind Sarek and the others.  "So, you're
Spock's grandparents?"

"Sure are!" Al beamed

"Doctor," Nell whispered conspiratorially, "do you suppose I could find
access to a kitchen?  There're these cookies that Herbie just loves!"

"Really?"  McCoy's face lit up with his smile.  "Well, I'm sure we can come
up with something."

They approached their quarters just as Sarek was saying, "Then it is
settled.  We look forward to seeing you at 1800 hours ship's time."  Sarek
turned towards the door, then reconsidered and turned back to his son.  "It
would be pleasing to have you come to our quarters before dinner.  From
there, you can escort us to one of your mess halls.  Or, if you would prefer
we could simply meet at an appointed destination for end meal.  We leave the
choice up to you, my son."

"No, we don't!  We expect your butt to be at their quarters nice and early
so we can have a decent visit or you'll have me to answer to, young man!"
Al nodded firmly at Sarek, who raised his eyebrows in surprise.  "I'm not
missing a moment of time with that boy.  I hardly ever get to see him!"

"Indeed," Spock conceded, "than I shall certainly have my 'butt', and the
rest of me as well, at Sarek's quarters as requested, Grandfather."

Sarek nodded approvingly, his eyes shining with amusement and not a small
measure of pride in the man his son had become.

Al nodded, satisfied, then turned to Sarek as they entered the room.  "See
there?  Sometimes you just gotta put your foot down with these kids."

~~**~~

Later that afternoon, Spock informed his parents and grandparents that
Captain Kirk had scheduled a formal dinner in their honor in the Captain's
dining room, and that he would be pleased to invite the entire entourage to
attend.

Sarek protested, claiming he needed to continue his efforts on the Cellesian
negotiations, but after Soran reminded him it would be it would be against
diplomatic protocol not to attend, Sarek sent his acceptance of the
invitation on behalf of his parents-by-marriage as well as Soran and his
bondmate.

Spock said, "I will come to your quarters early enough to visit and to
escort you to the dining room at 1800 hours."

"We look forward to it," Amanda said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
This would be the first formal dinner her parents had ever attended with
them, and she couldn't wait to get their impressions of it.

When Spock arrived, everyone was dressed in his or her finest clothes.
Sarek and Amanda were dressed impeccably, as were Soran and T'Sar.  Al and
Nell had also never looked better.  Spock, who was attired in his dress
uniform, made quite the impression on his grandparents, who insisted that he
explain every ribbon and medal, as well as the activities that earned them.
Spock obliged, though he was loath to carry on about his Starfleet
activities, especially in front of Sarek.  His father didn't object;
however, and although his face remained completely expressionless throughout
the visit, he listened with secret pride to Spock's narrative.

When their party arrived, they saw that Kirk had ordered an honour guard in
their dress attire, and the dining room was decorated to the hilt.  Yeomen
were wandering around, carrying trays of drinks including champagne, sherry,
port, and wine.  Al took a glass of wine and handed it to Nell, taking
another one for himself.

They were seated and soon the table was filled with all sorts of delicacies,
both Terran and Vulcan - but all vegetarian - and they were served on the
ship's best china.

Al looked around him, overwhelmed by all the fine fare, and said, "All this
food for Sarek?  The man's lived on twigs and berries all his life."  Nell
nudged him in the ribs to silence him.

It just so happened - much to Spock's chagrin - that, while he took his
customary place next to Kirk who was at the head of the table, and Sarek
occupied the other end of the table, that placed his grandparents directly
beside Dr. McCoy.  He was taking full advantage of the seating arrangements
to find out more about the enigmatic First Officer from those in the know.
While McCoy softened his grandparents up with his Southern charm, they kept
him regaled with stories of Spock's youth.  McCoy kept watching Spock to see
what kind of effect Al's stories were having on him, and he wasn't
disappointed.  Spock kept looking at his plate and was avoiding all eye
contact, especially with Sarek.  'Spock's embarrassed,' McCoy thought
somewhat gleefully.

Sarek remained quiet, although he sympathized with his son's plight;
however, when the stories began to turn towards his own days of courtship
with Amanda, he decided to step in.

Al continued, "Then there was this time I went in the barn to grab some hay
for the neighbor, and--"

"I believe the doctor has heard enough for today, Alfred.  Perhaps the
discussion could turn to a more...current topic," Sarek stated, hoping to
stop his father-in-law from telling that particular story.

"I agree," Amanda stated emphatically, giving her parents a pointed look and
causing all the senior officers to wonder about her reddish hue.

Spock's head snapped up at his parents' interruption.  His grandfather had
never told him this tale, and his curiosity was peaked.

"What?  It's a funny story!"  Leaning toward McCoy, he added, "Technically,
they were already engaged, but this was the first time she'd ever brought
him home.  Despite anything she'd ever said in her calls and letters, that
was the first time I realized my Amanda was truly serious about this Vulcan
fella."

The entire party noticed Amanda's embarrassment, and when McCoy looked to
catch Sarek's reaction, he was surprised to find a greenish hue to the
Ambassador's features as well.  'He's embarrassed too,' he thought, then was
even more surprised to see that Spock was just as curious at his parents'
reactions as he was.

Spock leaned closer as well, "How did you know that, Grandfather?"

"Well, I dunno," Al said, looking at Sarek.  "I guess the fact that your
father was tucking in his shirt and was covered from head to toe in straw
may have tipped me off."

Spock straightened, his eyebrow climbing above his bangs as he looked at
Sarek.

Sarek returned his son's stare with one of his own, then his eyes softened.
"Is your curiosity satisfied now, my son?"

"Actually, I think I would have preferred not knowing.  Forgive me, Father."
Spock indulged himself in his drink.

"Why is that, Spock?" Amanda asked.  "Can't you see your father courting me?
Or is it that you can't see him covered in straw?"  She couldn't resist
teasing her oh-so-formal son.

"Both," Spock mumbled.

The humans at the table burst into laughter, and Sarek and Spock simply
raised their eyebrows.  Soran looked amused.

"I do not understand," T'Sar spoke for the first time that evening. "How did
the ambassador become covered in straw?"

"The same way his robes became tangled in the rose bushes at the embassy,"
Soran supplied.

T'Sar's eyebrows rose fractionally.  "Ah.  I see," she said, nodding.

"I told you the benches were too close to the rose bushes," Sarek lamented
to his aide.

Deciding perhaps it would best for everyone to redirect the conversation,
Kirk began telling his own stories of the Enterprise's adventures,
concentrating on Spock's involvement, of course.  He explained how Spock got
each medal, greatly expanding on the version Spock told his grandparents
earlier.

Al looked at his grandson in a new way after hearing of his exploits.  "Wow,
you're a regular hero, Spock!"

McCoy snorted and muttered, "Damn straight!  And you know who always gets
stuck patching him up."

Amanda's eyes twinkled in amusement.  "Seems to me that Nurse Chapel and her
staff did all the work the last time we were here, Doctor," she teased.

Spock added, "Indeed.  The doctor's level of involvement in my
post-operative care was minimal, much to my relief."

"Minimal?  Now wait just a minute..."

Kirk cut off McCoy's response and suggested that they move to the sitting
area for after-dinner drinks.  Finally the conversation turned to Sarek's
last visit to the Enterprise, on his way to Babel, and everyone had a turn
in giving his or her own accounts of that mission.

"Speaking of Babel," McCoy said, turning to Sarek.  "I'd like to get another
look at that heart.  Make sure the ticker's ticking and whatnot."

"I assure you that my heart is functioning perfectly now, thanks to your
surgical expertise.  There is no need for an examination," Sarek said,
nursing his drink.

"It won't take a minute, Sarek.  C'mon.  I'm curious as to how my 'surgical
expertise' is holding up."  McCoy poured himself another bourbon and plunked
himself down beside the ambassador.

"It can't hurt to double check, Sarek, especially with everything that's
been going on lately," Amanda said.

"What's been goin' on?" McCoy asked, concerned.

"Well, he's just been working non-stop, and has been really tired lately,
not himself at all."

"I assure you, I am fine.  Please leave it at that," Sarek insisted.  He
couldn't abide people fussing over him.

"Now, wait just a minute.  I am the doctor on this ship and responsible for
the health of everyone aboard her," McCoy continued.

Sarek stood and said in a low, threatening voice, "I am telling you that I
am in perfect health.  Cease interfering in my affairs!"  He turned and left
the rec room, robes flying.

Soran shook his head at his employer's actions.  "I apologize for the
ambassador," he said.  "He has been under a great deal of stress lately."
He stood and followed Sarek out of the room, T'Sar behind him.

"Mrs. Sarek, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset him," McCoy looked from
Amanda to Spock, who was just as shocked as his father's outburst as the
rest of them.

"I, too, have never seen Father as. troubled as this," Spock added.

"It's not your fault, Doctor."  Amanda cleared her throat nervously.  "He's
been like this lately.  I guess it's his current mission.  It's not going
well."

"You're certain it is not--" Spock caught himself just in time, remembering
Vulcan propriety.  He looked meaningfully at his mother.

"No, no!  I'm sure."

"I see," Kirk said.  "Well, perhaps this trip will solve whatever issues he
has outstanding with the Cellesians," he added, hopefully.

"One can only hope, Captain.  I was rather optimistic that this trip to Risa
would give him the opportunity to relax, but he spent all his time working."

"Well, he did see that topless show with us at the resort," Al added hoping
to lighten the mood.  "That should have loosened him up.  It sure did me!"

Nell nudged him in the ribs again, "Oh, Al.  Stop it!"

"Oh yeah," McCoy got a faraway look, "I know the show you mean."

"It's a good one, eh?" Al said, winking at McCoy.

"Gentlemen," Kirk warned.  "There are ladies present."

"Unfortunately, the ship itself does not offer much in the manner of
relaxation, other than meditation, of course," Spock offered.  "In fact, the
Enterprise was in route to Risa for shore leave when we received our orders
to escort you to Celles V."

"I believe your father has been meditating, but maybe not as much as he
needs to.  He's just been working too hard lately.  He has to realize that
he can't save everyone in the galaxy," Amanda said, exasperated.

The room grew quiet as everyone reflected on the situation.

"What about the upcoming Christmas party?  That would at least provide for
one evening of entertainment," Lt. Chapel piped up as Uhura nodded her
approval of the suggestion.

"What Christmas party?" Nell asked.

"Well, we have a Christmas party every year on ship, not that your grandson
ever attends, mind you," McCoy explained.

"Vulcans do not celebrate Christmas," Spock affirmed.''

"Oh?  Since when?" Al asked his grandson.  "You love Christmas!"

"Yes.  He used to always itemize his lists to Santa in order of preference,"
Nell added.

"Then cross-referenced it by catalogue number, manufacturer, price, color,
topic, area," Al continued, "and then he'd sort it alphabetically."

"We didn't even know that he knew his Terran letters yet!"  Nell exclaimed.

"I knew that he knew some of them from that time he wrote them all over the
dining room wall in permanent marker.  I had to run to the hardware store
for two gallons of white paint to cover it up before his parents came home
and went ballistic," Al rejoined.  "I had a doozey of a time convincing
Sarek I really had planned to paint the dining room that day."

Nell laughed.  "One time he came in with a star chart and said he was unable
to locate the North Pole.  He asked if we were sure it was in this star
quadrant?"

"Hey, remember the time he asked Santa for just about every gizmo in the
Fisher Scientific catalogue?  He was only three," Al said, joining in his
wife's laughter.

"I told Al that he was definitely too young for that matter-antimatter
thingy he asked for.  No way I was letting a kindergartner blow up the
house!"

"I explained that it was just a model, Grandmother," Spock said.

"Well, it certainly looked real enough to me, Mister!  Besides, a model
wouldn't come with a 'Warning: Explosive' sticker on it."

Amanda snickered from her place beside her son as Spock equivocated.  "We
only celebrated the holiday when we were visiting you to respect your
customs."

"Bull!"  Al snorted.  "That's a load and you know it."  Turning to the
others, he said, "You should see his eyes light up when he gives his parents
a present.  Don't let him hoodwink you!"

"Rudolph was Spock's favourite holovid as a kid.  He'd watch it over and
over," Nell said, reminiscing.  "That's why I call him Herbie.  He always
had a soft spot for the little elf.  You remember him, right?  He's the
young elf who wanted to be a dentist, but the head elf refused to consider
it.  'You are an elf, and elves make toys!'" she mocked, laughing.
"Remember the debates he and Sarek used to have?  Sarek would insist that
Herbie should have followed the advice of his elder, but Spock was adamant
that the young elf should be allowed to make his own decisions.  He's such a
sweet boy!"

"I think that's a fine idea!"  Kirk interjected, saving his First Officer
yet again.  "Do you think Sarek would be interested in attending?"  He
looked at Amanda.

"We'd love to!" Amanda enthused.  "I was afraid we'd have to miss Christmas
this year."

"Great," Al agreed.  "And you're attending too, ya hear?" he directed at
Spock.

"Yes, Grandfather."  Spock all but sighed.

"Perfect.  How fast do you ladies think you can have a party up and
running?" Kirk asked Chapel and Uhura.

"When is it?" Amanda asked.  She knew that if it was before the Cellesian
negotiations, there would be no way that Sarek would attend, no matter if
the invitation came from T'Pau herself.

"Whenever you want it," Chapel responded.

"Yep, we're always prepared to throw a bash at a moment's notice," Uhura
agreed.

"Well, it will have to be after Sarek's assignment.  Outside of an
antimatter explosion, or maybe the destruction of the ship, I'll never be
able to convince him to stop his work and leave the office," Amanda said.

"Okay, then we'll plan it for the day after the end of the mission.  That
should give us enough time.  After all, we have lots of hands to help,"
Uhura said, looking at Amanda and Nell.

~~**~~





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