Devil_Flash I liked writing this one a lot. Thanks for the idea and I hope you enjoy!

You stood off to the side as you watched Amanda talk to Spock before he went to stand before the council. You tried to keep your emotions in check but since meeting Spock at such a young age, you found yourself acting a bit humanlike. Not that you found anything wrong with that.

Amanda glanced at you and you almost missed her small knowing smile before she turned back to Spock, nodding her head to you. You already feel a blush warm the tip of your ears as Spock said goodbye to his mother then made his way over to you. Something pulled at your heart, making it almost hard to breathe.

Suddenly, as Spock walked the somewhat large distance, he became young again and you had to blink a couple of times to get an old memory out of your head. The first time you ever saw Spock the two of you were adolescents and you were being bullied. Relentlessly. You were accepted into the Vulcan Science Academy and that was an amazing feat for you not only for being a female but for being so young an age. Your proclivity with marine animals made you ideal in upcoming research.

You were finished with class at the normal school and was about to head to the Science Academy when four upperclassmen came and practically knocked you over. You cowered on the ground as they insulted you and threw your school supplies at you. One of your books hit your head hard and your vision blurred. But the bullies suddenly stopped and you opened your eyes to see who you later learned was Spock walking toward them, his face full of determination and what you assumed was anger. Your memory was spotty at best after that but the image of everything blurred but Spock stuck with you since then.

He had taken you to the infirmary and that was where your bond of friendship bloomed.

Spock stood but an arm's length away from you, taking in your beauty and poise. He remembered the day he met you so clearly, never regretting the blows he gave those upperclassmen or the suspension due to emotion that he received.

You hair glinted in the evening sunlight piercing through the parted hall curtains. Your eyes shown with pride and something else he could not place as you stared up at him. Like so many times before Spock was tempted to reach out and stroke your soft cheek or pull you to him in a warming embrace. But, like many times before, he stayed his urges only to settle with a small smile as he spoke your nickname with practiced raillery.

"Otter."

His heart soared at the smile it procured.

"Now, I thought you were done with such childish names." You smiled up at him, not at all bothered at hearing your old nickname again.

Spock stepped closer, the edges of his lips pulling up just slightly. "Forgive me, I could not help it seeing you looking so childish, eager to see off your friend and school competition."

You let out a gasp and feigned shock as you stepped closer, the toes of your slippers almost touchings his boots. "I'll have you know I am more than eager to see you off. I am ecstatic. I will finally be the one to best Professor Vic'na at chess now that you will not be there to take the glory from me."

Spock's smile grew. "I do seem to remember you cheated last time."

"I was distraught! You had distracted me and took my queen. It was entirely unfair."

"Distraught?" Spock clucked his tongue taking half a step forward, his face alarmingly close. "Showing emotion; how very unVulcan of you."

You smirked, staying perfectly still. "I learned from the best."

This time Spock smiled, truly smiled. It blew you away and that tugging feeling on your heart returned. Your breath shallowed.

Slowly and gently, Spock reached up and cupped your cheek, his eyes never leaving yours. "Pray you never out-grow it, little otter."

At that, tears sprung to your eyes and sob threatened to escape. To stay your weeping tendency you leaned forward, resting your forehead against his as you closed your eyes. His thumb stroked your cheek, grounding you as you tried not to think about the inevitable.

Your voice barely raised above a whisper. "I will miss you, Spock."

"Come with me," came his equally quiet reply.

"I wish..." you started. You sniffed and stepped back, taking his hand in yours as it dropped from your face. "You know I am unable to. And not by my own choice. Father is ill and mother is beside herself with worry. I cannot in my right mind leave them in their time of need."

Instead of sorrow, Spock peered at you with pride. "As I knew you would not. I will visit when I can. I do not wish to ask too much of you, but I would be eternally grateful if you would visit my mother."

You smiled, letting out a weak laugh. "I'm hurt you would think I wouldn't see my second mother. Worry not, she will be sick of me by your second mission in Starfleet."

"Good." Spock could only muster that one word as he tried to soak you in, memorizing your face with every little detail. Oh, how he wished he could hold you to him, even if it was for just a moment.

You were sure Spock was about to say something but both your heads turned to the sound of Spock's name being called. It was time for him to go. You knew of his plan and it was best you not be there when he was done. Spock nodded to the man.

One the delegation member retreated back into the room and without hesitation, you stood on your tiptoes and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Good luck," you quipped before you hurried out, wiping silent tears as you willed yourself not to look back.

Spock took a fortifying breath as he brushed the spot your lips touched. Suddenly, he wasn't so sure if his future was before him, or hurrying off behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You ears rang and your heart felt as though it was about to pound right out of your chest. You had just finished picking strawberries in your little garden when the rod of energy had struck Vulcan with sudden power. The ground shook and the air grew thick. Fear and worry coursed through your veins as you picked up your skirts and run to your parent's home, pleading with the Gods that this was all just a dream.

But it wasn't.

~

Spock's heart dropped and his blood ran cold as he watched his home planet quickly degenerate. His body moved without provocation as he hurried to the transporter room, his mind waging a war on who he should go to first.

His parents.

Or you.

Vulcan temple.

Or fruit fields.

As he took out his phaser and knelt on the pad, his instincts made the choice for him. "To the Vulcan temple."

He tried not to think about your laugh as he ran to avoid falling land segments and floating rocks. He tried not to think about your gentle smile as the temple came into view. He tried not to think of your sweet kiss as he spotted his parents. His last thought of you, before he took his mother's hand, was of your glowing face and how he wished he had held you the day he left.

~

You burst through your parent's door to see your mother struggling to help your father off his bed. You rushed forward and took his other side. "Mother where are you going?"

"We have an emergency transport waiting for us. Your father was given priority the moment he became ill. This will be the one time you hear me say I'm thankful for his delegation position." She must have seen the worry on your face as the three of you stumbled along the shaking earth to a landing pad a couple of meters away. "Do not fret child. We both have slots as well."

When that didn't lift your creased brow, she tried again. "Spock is safe, dear."

You mutely nodded, grateful for her show of concern, but your concern for Spock was not allayed. Your father remained quiet as the shuttle drew closer. But as fate would have it a shock wave shook the ground, toppling your small family to the ground. Skinned hands and knees greeted you painfully as to struggled to stand. A few medical personnel rushed out of the shuttle, aiding your parents to safety.

You tried to stand again but your head pounded and your vision blurred. You must have hit a rock on the way down. You reached up to cradle your head to help steady your vision but you stumbled to the ground when another wave hit.

It must be getting closer.

You looked up to where your parents were taken and you about let out a shout of surprise. Spock strode toward you, his face filled with determination just like before when you were younger. But your vision cleared and Spock was replaced with a medical aid, picking you up as you let the last of your energy go.

The last thing you remembered before your consciousness failed you was the bright, wide smile of Spock peering down at you as he held your face in his hand. You dearly hoped he was safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of crumbling earth and Vulcan cries was displaced by the soft beeps of technology and the quiet hum of voices. Your mouth felt dry and your head now only ached. You opened your eyes slowly, closing them again against the harsh white medical light. But soon your displeasure was soon superseded by the thought of the one Vulcan you longed to see.

"Spock," you croaked.

The voices nearly stopped and you felt a person near you. "(Y/n)? Did you say something, dear?"

At the sound of your mother's voice, you sat up, disregarding all feelings of discomfort as you fought to stay conscious. "Spock. Where..."

"Just as I told you, dear. He is safe. As are your father and I." You felt her stroke your hairline like she always did when you were stressed. But you didn't want her. You wanted Spock.

~

As soon as Spock beamed aboard the Enterprise he masked his pain of losing his mother with the mission to find you. He could not afford to think the worst about you. He contacted all those he could to find you. But as it turned out your mother was smart. She had the emergency shuttle take you to the Enterprise where you now sat in Sickbay along with your father who was being treated for his illness.

Spock ignored all others as he rushed to Sickbay. No other thought but you occupied his mind as he burst through the doors. He ignored Bones' knowing look and the small shouts of surprise from nurses as Spock scanned the room for you. But it didn't take him long to find you.

"Spock," you breathed as you stood from the bed unsteadily. With inhuman speed Spock was beside you, catching you before you fell. You looked up at him and smiled, reaching up to wipe away the dirt and dust from his face. The last bits of your home planet.

Spock held you to him as he leaned into your hand. He closed his eyes as he leaned forward, resting his forehead against yours like before. "Are you alright?" He spoke softly, not wanting to shatter the moment.

You closed your eyes as well, leaning on him for support. "I am now." Your voice was raspy but strong.

You opened your eyes a bit to find Spock already looking at you, the tugging returning to your heart. Your eyes closed once more as you felt his lip press to yours, eager yet gentle. Had Spock not been holding you, you would have been on the floor in a puddle, your knees going weak and your hands grasping at him.

Suddenly you tasted tears so you pulled away, not sure who's they were. Your heart dropped at the sorrow you saw in his eyes. Something happened. No one spoke as you pulled him to you, cradling him as he cried silently into your hair and on your shoulder, finding peace with you in his arms.

Spock knew from that moment forward that you were never leaving his side and that his mother would have wholeheartedly approved.