The BLTS Archive -  White Day
by Drusilla Dax (drusilladax@free.fr)

---

This takes place after the end of Star Trek -TOS season
3 and before Star Trek - The Motion Picture
(there might be a few canon twists... o.O).

Notes: In Japan, women give chocolates to men on Valentine's
Day. In return men give presents to women one month later,
on White Day. Thanks to Qzee, Artemis, Julianna and Janet
for their help about Vulcans and sweets.

Disclaimer: I'm just playing with other people's toys. May I
be forgiven in my next incarnation! Flamers will be adopted
by my blood relatives (if you don't believe it's a threat...
too bad for you!).

Editor: Mikee. The remaining mistakes are all mine, and I
apologize for those.

---

"I don't know this ritual," Spock admitted simply.

He was having lunch with Uhura, Chekov and Scotty, and his
shipmates were discussing gifts for Valentine's Day.

"Rituals, Mr. Spock," Chekov corrected him.

"Traditions," Uhura pointed out.

"It's a combination of two traditions," Scotty explained,
using Uhura's word on purpose. "There's a part, which is a
general tradition, and something that is specifically
Japanese."

"You really never had a Valentine, Mr. Spock?" Uhura asked
gently. "I don't mean to intrude into something very
personal, I promise, but sometimes even just friends
exchange Valentine padds."

"The niece of a friend of mine sends him old-fashioned paper
cards for Valentine's Day each year," Scotty said.

Uhura cooed.

They all turned towards Spock.

When he remained silent, Chekov, in all his innocence, said,
"So, you really know nothing about that, Sir."

"It had escaped my notice, indeed," Spock answered smoothly.

"It's a nice tradition. You can share something with
friends, family, or with someone you like. You can give a
padd, or a small gift," Uhura explained.

"I fail to understand why Mr. Chekov is so nervous about
this," Spock declared neutrally. He was really lost.

"Because the lad is going to give something big to someone,
and he'll add a Japanese tradition," Scotty said, coming to
a blushing Chekov's rescue.

"For a few centuries now, it's been the tradition for
Japanese women to give chocolates to their love interests,"
Uhura said. "If the recipient is interested in the giver
that way, he, in return, gives a present to his girlfriend a
month after Valentine's Day."

Spock looked at Chekov. The young man was blushing
furiously, and he was looking pointedly at his plate.

Spock analyzed the situation fast. Ensign Chekov was not a
woman, and he would be the one giving chocolates. There was
a Japanese tradition involved, but there was no Japanese
woman on board the Enterprise. The only logical conclusion
was that Pavel finally admitted his feelings for Lieutenant
Sulu, and he was planning to do something.

Spock looked at Uhura and Scotty, and they were both smiling
widely.

"I hope I'm not mistaken in thinking that it might be
appropriate to wish you luck," Spock told Chekov.

Chekov looked at Spock as if he'd just told him he was the
new Czar. "Thank you, Sir," Chekov said, his accent
thickening with emotion.

"Everything will be fine, Pavel," Uhura said soothingly.

"What if he's not interested?" the young Russian asked.

"It is illogical to dwell on the future," Spock intervened.
"Plan your actions, and act, but do not fear about the
future."

"You're right, Sir!" Chekov said. He smiled at his friends,
and stood up. "I'd better go back to work. Thank you for
your help!"

He brought his tray back to the synthesizer and left.

Uhura chuckled.

Spock looked at her, one eyebrow rising.

"He's so discreet that Hikaru already bought what he's going
to give Pavel on White Day," she explained.

"It's a nice tradition, but I prefer ours. There's nothing
like exchanging presents on the spot," Scotty intervened.

"That's because you want us to share the treats
immediately!" Uhura protested.

"You're a treat every day!" Scotty said.

Uhura beamed.

Spock remained silent. He found most human mating rituals
odd.

Uhura turned to Spock and asked, "You didn't know about
Valentine's Day, though it's something cultural that's
rather big, but what about Hallowe'en or Christmas? We never
had the opportunity to discuss those before."

"There were Samhain celebrations in my dorm when I was at
the Academy, and my mother's relatives send me presents or
messages for Christmas," Spock answered. "Now if you'll
excuse me, I have scans to check."

"Have a good day!" Scotty said merrily.

Spock only bowed, and left.

"We have a lot of planning to do," Uhura declared.

"Are you sure it's wise to interfere?" Scotty wondered.

"They're our friends, aren't they?" she asked rhetorically.

"Aye!" he answered with a sigh.

"We must nudge them in the right direction. If they screw it
up, it won't be our fault. And the kid had a good idea," she
said.

"They could both kill us for this!" Scotty whispered
urgently.

"Montgomery!" Uhura hissed.

He flinched and caved. "All right! I'll help!"

"In two months, we'll be back on Earth, our mission
completed, and God knows where we'll all be sent next," she
said.

Scotty shuddered and nodded.

Valentine's Day arrived.

Padds and messages were exchanged everywhere on board. A few
gifts were given, too.

Uhura and Scotty wanted to wait for the end of their shifts
to trade their presents.

Chekov brought Sulu's present to his quarters, and flew away
as soon as he'd placed the chocolate box in Sulu's hands.
The helmsman had to hunt Chekov down to thank him, and
promise the return of a gift in a month. Jim Kirk understood
what was going on the instant he noticed Chekov's silly grin
and dreamy look.

Something else was going on, but Kirk wouldn't notice it for
a few days.

Christine Chapel walked into the sickbay with a small box
and a few padds.

"Just how many admirers do you have?" McCoy teased her
gently.

"Only two," she answered. "Those aren't all for me. I have
one from Scotty, and one from Uhura."

"Oh," he said.

"You have one from Uhura, too, and one that she received and
downloaded for you," Christine said as she handed him the
two padds.

McCoy read them immediately. Uhura's was all about
friendship, and it warmed him more than he'd ever admit.
He'd never given many thoughts to Valentine's Day after his
catastrophic divorce.

The second was from his daughter, and he melted on the spot.
How and why he had such an angel was beyond him.

Christine put one hand on his arm and pecked his cheek.
"Happy Valentine's Day," she said softly.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he answered with a boyish grin.

"I have those to deliver for Nyota," Christine said as she
showed him one padd and the white box.

"Is Uhura making you deliver her gift to Scotty?" McCoy
asked with a happy and warm chuckle.

"The padd is from her to Mr. Spock. The box arrived for Mr.
Spock with the latest supplies we received," Christine said.
"There were instructions to deliver it today."

"Someone is sending Spock a Valentine's Day present? Well,
I'll be damned!" McCoy said, his grin widening. "I guess you
want to know who the competition is."

Christine shook her head and said, "I know I stand no
chance. It's just that I was there when Nyota said she had
to take those to Spock, since he's off duty today."

"Nurse Chapel to the bridge!" came Uhura's voice through the
com.

Christine walked to the communication system and pushed the
button, "On my way."

She turned to McCoy and asked, "Could you please take those
to Mr. Spock?"

McCoy was dying to know what was in the box. He accepted the
mission.

Christine stepped onto the bridge and took two steps to
Uhura's station.

Jim swirled towards Christine and asked, "Is there anything
wrong?"

"Absolutely not, Captain. I only needed to tell Nyota that
the delivery is being made," Christine answered cryptically.

The two women beamed at each other, and Jim swirled back to
face the screen and his beloved stars. Jim didn't want to
know what the ladies were doing as long as it didn't
interfere with the ship's work.

Uhura smiled warmly at Christine. She knew that Christine
knew she didn't stand a chance with Spock for various
reasons. Christine still had feelings for Spock, but her
joining the Valentine's Day plan was proof enough that she
was ready to sacrifice for Spock's happiness.

Christine nodded, and left the bridge.

Sulu and Kirk traded a look, but they didn't dare ask what
was going on.

At the exact same moment, McCoy rang at Spock's quarters and
waited for the Vulcan to answer.

"Come," Spock called quietly.

McCoy walked into Spock's quarters, and found himself in a
little corner of Vulcan on board the Enterprise. Lights,
temperature, artifacts, and Spock in meditation robes made
this place so Vulcan that McCoy had the feeling he'd been
transported to Spock's home world in the wink of an eye.

"What can I do for you, Doctor?" Spock asked.

"Nothing. I have presents for you. A padd from Uhura, and a
mystery box," McCoy said.

McCoy delivered the presents, and Spock's eyebrows rose
together.

"Don't tell me it's your first Valentine's Day!" McCoy
exclaimed.

"It is," Spock admitted. "Lieutenant Uhura was nearly as
surprised as you are when she asked me. I imagine she wanted
to include me in this human tradition."

"She doesn't want to lose her friends after the end of our
mission. She gave a few of us something to remember her,"
McCoy said.

"So human," Spock declared.

"She's a woman, Spock, and one who cares a lot. The females
of your species are the only ones who are quiet and logical.
Keep that in mind," McCoy said.

Spock nodded.

"And you have one secret admirer," McCoy added, pointing at
the box Spock had put on his desk.

"I don't understand," Spock said.

"Someone had this box delivered with our last supplies. It
means there's someone who wants to be your friend - or
more," McCoy teased his friend.

Spock looked at the box as if it contained a dangerous
beast.

"There, there, Spock. You're not required to reciprocate.
Take this for what it is - a gift. Just something someone
wants you to have," McCoy said.

"Do you think it might be from someone on board?" Spock
inquired.

"You want to know if it's from Nurse Chapel," McCoy said.

Spock nodded.

"I know it's not from her," McCoy declared, stepping into
the plan without knowing. "Enjoy the gifts, Spock," he said.

McCoy grinned, and left Spock's quarters.

Spock first read Uhura's message. It was simple, and yet
moving in a way that puzzled him. She told him that she knew
Valentine's Day was not something that was in his culture.
And yet... she just wanted to give him something for it -
even if it were just her human friendship. She didn't expect
anything back, but even though he was mostly Vulcan, she
wished to include him in this tradition because - Vulcan or
not - he was a part of her world.

Spock looked at the padd. If he were honest - at least with
himself - he understood friendship; he didn't know if he
owed that to his mother's heritage, or if it was something
other Vulcans could feel, but never mentioned.

Spock had nothing to give Uhura back right then, but he
thought that maybe the Japanese tradition worked for
friendship, too. Within a month, Spock would have enough
time to record some music for Uhura. It would be a part of
him that she could have with her. It was something a friend
would do for another friend - and he knew that Uhura would
not boast about such a gift.

Spock had been thinking about the future - his future.

Spock was beginning to think that it might be a good idea to
go back to his home world, and try to get rid of the few
human characteristics he had. It was too painful to be
trapped between worlds; his human heritage was minimal -
much to Amanda's regret - and he had to get rid of it if he
wanted to be fully accepted. Suddenly, the idea of leaving
his music with Uhura sounded brilliant; his music would not
die on Vulcan.

Spock placed Uhura's padd back on his desk.

He looked at the white box.

The high temperature in his quarter melted the vegetal glue
on the wrapping, and Spock could finally see the real box,
and the card that was placed on it. Spock put the wrapping
on the other side of his monitor. He picked up the card; it
was a thick piece of real paper where a short message was
written in simple Vulcan characters. It read "For you" - it
was simple and clear. What was slightly disturbing was the
signature, a transcription in Vulcan of a human name
"McCoy".

Why was McCoy giving him a present? Why was the doctor
pretending he didn't know what it was?

Spock had so many questions whirling in his head.

The wooden box was a work of art. Spock opened the box, and
his eyebrows rose with surprise. Neatly arranged in a sober
wrapping were squares of erginis; it was a fruit from Pakire
IV that Vulcans enjoyed for its robust taste. The squares
were dipped in a paste of pure cocoa and powdered with
cinnamon.

Spock was puzzled. McCoy had managed to find quite an
expensive gift, and Spock didn't understand why the CMO was
so mysterious about it. The box itself was something Spock
could keep, the squares of fruit were a real treat for a
Vulcan - though no Vulcan would ever admit it, and it had
certainly taken McCoy a certain amount of research to find
these, and then write the card in Vulcan.

Dr. McCoy may be strange to Spock most of the time, but he
just knew that this was not a joke. The few times McCoy
wanted to make fun of Spock for whatever reason, he did it
face to face.

The first logical conclusion was that the sentimental human
was as sad as Lieutenant Uhura about their future parting,
and the Valentine's Day tradition was all he'd found to tell
Spock that he was a friend - and without advertising his
feelings to the whole ship. Yes, it was the logical
conclusion.

Spock was beginning to think of the kind of music he'd give
Uhura. He took one of the tiny wooden picks that were in the
box, and he stabbed one of the ergini squares. He saw the
cinnamon powder fly around the pick; he felt the smoothness
of the cocoa paste and the unique texture of the fruit.
Spock brought one square to his mouth; he smelled each
distinct aroma and their interaction the one with the other,
and then he placed the treat on his tongue where he let it
melt as the tastes exploded on his buds. Had he been fully
human, he would have moaned with delight. Had he been
anything but Vulcan, he would certainly have purred.

Then and there, Spock reconsidered his conclusion. There was
a lot of work behind that gift.

He carefully closed the lid of the box that was designed to
preserve the alien confections, and he entered the ship's
computer system. He wanted to know if any other mysterious
parcel had been delivered with their latest cargo, but it
turned out that his was the only one.

It was logical to assume that McCoy might have found
something else for his human friends, something easier to
find - and yet, there was something in the situation that
was puzzling Spock.

He was convinced that McCoy was not trying to make fun of
him - the ship's doctor could be harsh, but he wasn't cruel,
and he was a man of honor.

Spock decided to try to understand what the meaning of the
gift was.

---

In the evening, Spock decided not to have dinner in his
quarters. He found himself invited to join Uhura, McCoy,
Chekov and Sulu.

McCoy had almost finished his meal, but the others had just
arrived. Spock synthesized his meal and sat at their table.

"I will have to use the Japanese tradition to thank you,
Lieutenant," Spock told Uhura.

"You don't have to," she protested, blushing furiously. "I
merely wanted you to have a little something from me."

"And I have found something suitable to share with you.
However, I do need time," Spock declared.

"Thank you, Mr. Spock," she said, deeply moved.

"What's that Japanese tradition you mentioned?" McCoy asked
inquiringly.

It was Sulu who answered, "Most traditions include the
exchange of gifts on Valentine's Day, but in Japan we do
something different. Originally we had women giving
chocolates to their love interest, and the men gave their
girlfriends something a month later. Needless to say, all
combinations of couples do that today."

"Interesting," McCoy said.

"I already started working on my gift for my Valentine, but
I'll need the month to complete my surprise," Sulu said.

Chekov blushed.

"Which doesn't mean that we have to wait for a whole month
before... you know," Sulu said softly to tease his new
boyfriend.

"Hikaru!" Chekov whispered urgently.

Sulu grinned and briefly caressed Chekhov's hand, making the
younger man grin widely.

"I'll need a month to find a way to show how much I
appreciated my other gift. I will definitely have to borrow
the Japanese tradition,' Spock announced.

"So you liked the surprise in the box," McCoy said, with a
wide smile.

"Quite," Spock answered honestly.

"Excellent!" McCoy said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must
make sure that Lieutenant Tria's arm is healing well."

"Tell her I'll come and see her, will you?" Uhura asked.

"I will, but Christine is staying with her, so don't feel
guilty if our chief engineer takes all your free time
tonight," McCoy said.

"I'll come and say hello. She hates spending the night in
sickbay," Uhura said.

"You wound me," McCoy pretended to growl.

Uhura winked, and he bowed.

"Goodnight, gentlemen, my lady," McCoy said, and he left.

Dinner was a quiet affair, and Sulu and Chekov left their
two friends rather fast.

"It's high time those two see they're made for each other!"
Uhura exclaimed joyfully.

"May I ask you an odd question?" Spock whispered, leaning
towards her.

"Of course, Mr. Spock, you can ask me anything you want -
and I mean that," she said barely above a whisper, convinced
that he would hear her in the crowded room. "Would you like
us to go somewhere more private?"

Spock was touched by her concern, and he nodded.

They ended up in Spock's quarters.

"In what way may I help you?" she asked.

"These Valentine's Day traditions are puzzling me," he
admitted.

She knew how much such a statement must have cost him, and
she waited for him to go on.

"I am all the more puzzled since I almost immediately had an
idea to thank you for your kindness. However, I do not know
how to thank the person who sent me the box you know," he
said.

"I swear I will not try to interfere or make fun of you, but
why is it more difficult to find something for that person?"
she asked.

"You and I have a few tastes in common," he answered.

She looked at him, and realization dawned. She beamed and
said, "Music."

Spock nodded, and Uhura beamed even more.

She became serious again and said, "If you don't have tastes
in common with your secret admirer, then you have to find
out what that person might like. Have you known this person
for long?"

"A few years," he answered.

"Then that friend of yours must have given you some clues
about personal tastes. You could also find something from
your friend's place of birth - or you could give something
from your place of birth. It all depends on what you feel
for your friend," she said. "I imagine it's completely alien
for you, maybe even unpleasant. Whatever you find, I'm sure
it will be deeply appreciated."

Spock looked very skeptical.

"You know, my first boyfriend gave me a pebble for
Valentine's Day. We were only kids, but he'd spent time
looking for a heart-shaped pebble. I still have it, and I
cherish it more than if it were a precious gem. It's the
thought behind the gift that counts," she said.

Spock considered the amount of time McCoy must have needed
to find his gift, and he nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, I will try to find something suitable," Spock
said.

Uhura nodded. "Good night, Mr. Spock," she said warmly.

"Enjoy your evening," he told her.

She smiled and left him.

Spock started looking for something that would please McCoy
as much as he liked the card, the box, and the treats.

Spock ate another square of fruit, and he looked for
information on the Japanese tradition, and things that McCoy
might like.

Uhura was pleased to share with her co-conspirators that
things seemed to work nicely.

Three days later, the former Mrs. McCoy almost ruined the
plan.

A private communication arrived for McCoy, and Uhura relayed
it to the sickbay.

"What's going on?" Kirk asked when he heard his officer gasp
and growl.

"Our doctor's ex-wife seems to be in quite a foul mood,"
Uhura answered reluctantly.

"I hope the shrew doesn't pester him," Kirk whispered to
himself.

Spock's blood froze in his veins. For some reason, unknown
to himself, he monitored the exchange.

"Your daughter has been at it again!" Mrs. McCoy yelled in
way of greetings.

McCoy sighed deeply. She'd gotten custody of their baby only
to bug him; she never wanted the child, and she didn't care
for her.

Joanna was eleven now, and it broke McCoy's heart to know
she was with such a shrew - even if said shrew did give her
half her DNA. It was for Joanna that McCoy was planning to
resign and go back to Earth.

"What happened?" McCoy asked calmly.

"She spent all her pocket money on something for you!" she
yelled.

"What?" he wondered.

"She bought expensive confections and had them delivered to
your ship! She only gave me a padd!" she growled.

"But she..." McCoy's voice trailed off. He'd been about to
reveal that his daughter bought sweets for their Vulcan
First Officer.

"I've had enough! She's too much like you!" she yelled.

McCoy saw her disappear from the screen, but the
communication was still on. He was about to disconnect his
computer when he spotted his daughter in the room.

"Joanna?" he called her softly.

She walked to the screen and said softly, "Hi, Daddy."

"I loved your padd, my Princess," he told her.

"Really?" she asked sadly. "Mom didn't like hers."

McCoy wanted to throttle his ex-wife for being so heartless.

"I can't speak for your Mom, but I did love mine. You know I
wouldn't lie to you," he said.

She nodded instantly.

"Good," he said. "Why did you buy those sweets?" he asked as
gently as possible.

"He's the one you mention most when you speak about your
friends. I thought he's got to be special, and you said he
saved your life several times. I wanted to thank him. It
took me a lot of work to find something a Vulcan might like.
I even made a trip to the Embassy to be told how to write in
his language," she answered innocently.

McCoy sighed. His wife was angry, and now Spock would be mad
at him - and at Joanna. He couldn't say why, but it pained
him.

Suddenly, McCoy realized that Spock must believe the gift
was from him, and he was planning to reciprocate. For once,
his cold-blooded Vulcan was reacting humanly, and he'd be
the one to kill his effort in the egg. Life sucked.

Joanna began crying. "I'm sorry! I just wanted to thank
him!" she wailed.

"It's okay, Princess! You did nothing wrong," he reassured
her.

"Really?" she sobbed.

"Actually, I think I wish I'd had such a good idea myself,"
he told her.

"Really?" she insisted.

"Yes, Princess, I never thanked him, and I should have. I'm
glad you did this. I'll have some money transferred to your
account so your mother doesn't bother you, all right?" he
asked.

"Only half of it if you want, but not more," she said
stubbornly.

He chuckled and said, "As you wish, Princess. Try to be nice
to your mother, I'll be home soon."

"I can't wait, Daddy!" she said.

"I love you," he said.

"Love you, too," she answered.

"Oh! This is ridiculous!" Mrs. McCoy yelled as she came back
into the room.

She ended the communication abruptly, and McCoy sighed even
deeper than before.

He immediately logged into his and his daughter's bank
accounts. He winced when he saw how much she paid for the
box of sweets and its delivery. It was a lot of money for a
little girl, but he had to admit that she'd had a very good
idea.

He gave her half of the money it cost her for the gift and
its delivery, but he knew it wouldn't quiet his ex-wife.

McCoy hoped that his wife would leave their daughter alone.

He wondered why it never occurred to him to give Spock a
"thank-you" gift, and right after having that thought, he
wondered when he'd developed feelings for his shipmate.

He realized that Spock was working to find him a suitable
present, and he knew that the situation would be
embarrassing if he told him that it was his daughter who
gave him whatever it was that she gave him.

'To hell with it!' McCoy thought. 'I paid for half of it,
and I won't tell him it was Joanna's idea.'

McCoy planned to call his daughter in a day or two to ask
her what they'd given Spock.

In the meantime, he decided to try and spy on his Vulcan.

'Since when is he your Vulcan?' McCoy argued with himself.

McCoy looked towards the bed where Lieutenant Tria was
getting treatment for her broken arm.

"In the mood to help me trick the computer if I let you out
of bed?" he asked.

Tria was up in the wink of an eye. Thanks to her, McCoy
could read all the files Spock had accessed from his
quarter's computer, and the main computer would keep no
trace of McCoy's search.

On the bridge, Spock was surprised by the McCoys. The
ex-wife was the kind of human who made Spock happy to be a
Vulcan. The little girl was deeply intriguing, and her
father had admitted he wished the idea had been his. Spock
had good ears, and for the first time he realized that he
could hear the many nuances of McCoy's voice, and it had
been no trick to soothe his daughter.

One of Spock's distant cousins worked at the Embassy, and he
contacted him. Spock didn't know why, but he had the feeling
it was important to do so. Sevenn remembered the quiet human
child, who asked politely how she could learn a few words in
Vulcan to thank someone.

A few Vulcans had made fun of her in their native language
because she was too eager to please someone, and they found
her efforts ridiculous.

One clerk asked her why she wanted to do something human for
a Vulcan, and she had silenced them all when she answered
quietly that she was using the only traditions she knew, but
she thought it was nicer to write in the recipient's
language. The Ambassador herself had left her office to help
the little girl write what she wanted.

"Would you help me?" Spock asked his cousin after telling
him why he was calling.

"I assume you want me to make sure that she is not being
abused," Sevenn declared neutrally.

Spock wouldn't trust most of his relatives, but this cousin
was a decent man, and a very quiet citizen of Vulcan.

"The child is the daughter of our CMO," Spock said.

Sevenn understood that the gift must have been for Spock. "I
will visit the child after work," Sevenn said. "I can call
you in a day," he added.

"I thank you for your help," Spock said.

"The child is a fascinating human," Sevenn said.

"Her father is interesting, but far from being as logical as
his daughter," Spock said.

"A good day to you, Cousin," Sevenn said.

"And to you, Cousin," Spock said before closing the channel.

Two days later, McCoy was frustrated beyond words because no
one was answering in his former home, and he didn't like
that at all.

From sickbay, he called Uhura, and asked her to try again.

By then, the whole ship knew there was something possibly
wrong with McCoy's family.

When Uhura received a message, she hoped it was Mrs. McCoy
calling back, but it was only Spock's cousin.

Spock took the communication, and asked Kirk if the captain
allowed him to leave the bridge because he had news for
McCoy. Kirk allowed him to go, and asked Uhura who had
called. Kirk failed to understand how a call from the Vulcan
Embassy could help McCoy.

Uhura remained silent, but she knew she'd have good news to
share with her co-conspirators.

Spock was exiting the turbolift when he almost collided with
McCoy.

"Come with me to my quarters, I have news from your
daughter," Spock said.

McCoy allowed his friend to guide him.

"I know the truth about the box," Spock declared simply.

McCoy flinched. "It wasn't my idea, but it was a good idea.
I should have thanked you long ago," he said bravely.

"And I want to thank you - and your daughter - for a very
thoughtful gift," Spock said. "I have a cousin who works at
the Embassy, and I asked him to visit your daughter. I need
to know if you trust me."

McCoy blinked, but said, "Yes, Spock, I do."

"Then I need you to sign this blank padd," Spock declared.

Spock looked so serious that McCoy nodded. He signed a padd,
and Spock inserted it into his computer and sent the data to
his cousin.

"Sit down, Leonard, as we wait for an answer, and I'll tell
you what happened," Spock said.

McCoy almost blinked, but obeyed.

"My cousin finished his work too late after my call, and he
went to see your daughter yesterday morning. She was alone.
I'm sorry, but her mother left her," Spock said.

McCoy paled.

Spock put one hand on McCoy's shoulder and went on, "Sevenn
didn't know what to do, but he knew he couldn't leave her
alone. He brought her to the Embassy, where she is staying
with the Ambassador herself. I needed you to give us
permission to give your daughter shelter, and allow my
cousin's wife to have your ex-wife prosecuted. I want to
help you obtain full custody of your daughter."

Tears welled in McCoy's eyes.

"She's safe, and she'll be entirely yours soon. Do not
worry," Spock said soothingly.

"I'm not worried, Spock. I'm grateful," McCoy explained as
he tried not to let his tears spill.

"Oh."

"How is it possible?" McCoy asked.

"She left your daughter alone. It will be easy for T'Pen to
prove that you are a more suitable parent. Besides,
Ambassador T'Yina is quite fond of your daughter. If I know
T'Pen well, she only needed your signature to obtain
everything," Spock said.

"It would be a miracle, Spock!" McCoy exclaimed. Tears were
still shining in his eyes, but he was grinning, too.

Such paradoxes never ceased to puzzle and amaze Spock.

"But I'll have to leave! If Cathy is out of the frame, I
can't leave Joanna alone," McCoy said.

"My cousin could take care of her until we complete our
mission. He already offered to," Spock said.

"Why?" McCoy wondered.

"I promised to upgrade the Embassy's computer in exchange,"
Spock said.

"Why are you helping us?" McCoy asked.

Spock looked at his friend and said, "Because Joanna
deserves to grow up with you. It will be my gift to her -
even if I give her back to you before White Day. You,
however, will have to wait for your gift."

"Joanna would be my gift," McCoy countered him.

"Don't you want another one?" Spock asked.

"Only if I can give you a gift myself next year. We could
stay in touch, or..." McCoy's voice trailed off.

"Leonard?"

"What are you planning to do when we're back on Earth?"
McCoy asked.

"My plans have changed," Spock answered.

His voice was way too neutral for McCoy's liking.

"What stupid idea did you have before?" McCoy growled.

"A very stupid idea, but Joanna opened my eyes. I'd like to
stay in touch with you, since I'll have to spend a few weeks
working at the Embassy," Spock said.

"You could stay with us," McCoy offered.

"Why?" Spock asked, really surprised.

"Damn it, Spock! I've come to realize I want to have you
around. That's why!" McCoy barked.

Spock chuckled.

"Spock?" McCoy said softly, afraid that he was in another
dimension.

"It took your daughter to see the truth. I'm eager to meet
her," Spock said.

"And help me raise her?" McCoy asked.

"If I may be of assistance," Spock agreed.

McCoy closed the space between them, and wrapped his arms
around Spock.

"I don't know how to do this, Spock," McCoy admitted.

"Neither do I, Leonard. Logic is the only way for us," Spock
answered.

"What do you mean?" McCoy asked.

"We'll take one step at a time - together," Spock suggested.

McCoy nodded.

Slowly, Spock wrapped his arms around McCoy, too.

Spock's computer beeped, announcing T'Pen's victory in
court.

McCoy put his head on Spock's shoulder, and Spock knew that
this was a much better place than any temple on Vulcan.

"How did you know about Joanna?" McCoy asked, not moving his
head.

"The same way you know what I've found for you. I've been
monitoring you. The next time you want to spy on me, ask
Joanna or ask me to devise a program against myself. Tria's
attempt was no match for my skills," Spock answered
good-naturedly.

McCoy chuckled and said, "Busted."

Spock nodded.

"One step at a time?" McCoy asked.

"One step at a time," Spock confirmed.

"What did Joanna and I give you?" McCoy inquired.

Spock extended one arm and took the box, which he opened.

"Would you like to have one?" Spock offered.

"You first," he answered.

Spock ate one of the squares. He seemed to like it so much
that McCoy didn't think, and he pecked his friend's lips.

"I have the feeling that you and Joanna are going to keep me
on my toes," Spock declared calmly.

"Is that a bad thing?" McCoy asked.

"No, it's another gift. One day I'll have to tell you what I
was planning to do with my life before you brought me this
white box," Spock said in a whisper.

"Excellent. Now we have time," McCoy said.

"Yes, Leonard," he answered quietly.

"Did anyone tell you about a Christmas tradition involving
mistletoe?" McCoy asked, grinning impudently.

---

The End