After greeting the Enterprise crew, introducing them to Sarek, and accompanying them to their guesthouse, Spock joined them for an afternoon meal. Although he was nervous about how his friends and colleagues would view him in this new context, the men were friendly and interested in his translations and explanations, and he felt accepted, even admired. When asked about Nyota's absence, he said that she was touring the capital with a new friend and would join everyone at the evening diplomatic reception. After a few agreeable hours he excused himself, explaining that he needed time to brief himself on political issues before the event.

True, a stack of padds awaited him back at the ambassadorial manor, but his journey home involved a detour. Conveniently located in the city center, the small shop with a discreet, secure entrance was operated by a collective of some of the most imaginative, skilled Vulcan jewelers to survive the destruction of new Vulcan. Recognizing Sarek's son, the artisans almost elbowed one another in their eagerness to present earrings, bracelets, necklaces, hair ornaments. When Spock explained his search for an item with a specific style and metaphorical meaning, they opened their safe storage and produced unusual designs - experiments, some of them - made from the unfamiliar metals found on their new planet. Spock reviewed each design carefully, selected an elegant but bold piece, and paid, promising to analyze the suitability of a return visit and future purchases. Gifts usually opened a closed bedroom door, McCoy had hinted, or at least thawed difficult communications between spouses.

Their quarters were empty and silent, which surprised him; Nyota usually liked to have plenty of time to dress for an event. Spock laid the cloth-covered gift box in the center of Nyota's side of the bed, and prepared to put on his Federation dress uniform.

...

Vulcans did not giggle, nor did they fidget, but T'voria made squeaking noises and bounced slightly on the balls of her feet as Nyota smiled and slipped out of the dress.

"Thank you again, a thousand times! It's beautiful. I've never had anything quite like it," she said as she changed back into her clothes. "You're very talented. Surely other women would love to wear the dresses you make."

T'voria had altered a dress of her own design for Nyota to wear; a few dozen other dresses in various stages of completion, along with children's clothes, hung on a long rack inside the room she called 'my sewing cave'.

"It is good to maintain one's manual dexterity and sense of aesthetic design during the hours when I am not being a parent," she said, wrapping the dress inside a length of fabric and placing it into a basket. "I am devoted to my children and my husband, but I enjoy the time I spend with my ideas. There are some who look down upon those who make a living by using their hands; I find great satisfaction in knowing that I have a skill." She placed the basket into Nyota's hands. "I look forward to seeing you at the reception."

"Yes, and I think that I'll enjoy it more than I expected, thanks to you." Nyota almost hugged the woman, caught herself, then clasped her hand and kissed her cheek.

T'voria's eyes widened, and she squeaked.

...

"The reception begins in one Standard hour, but Nyota is not in our room. Punctuality is one of Nyota's strongest characteristics. Perhaps something bad has happened."

"Can you not sense through your bond whether she is in danger?" asked Sarek.

Flushing green, Spock lowered his gaze.

"I see. She temporarily muted your connection with her when you argued last night, and has not restored it yet? I thought that you had apologized to each other."

"We spoke the words, but she remains...distant from me."

"Spock, you must resolve this conflict. Take it seriously. Accept the fact that you cannot always 'be right', and make an effort to listen to her more closely."

"I will, Father." His communicator beeped, and he quickly read the message on its screen. "It is Nyota. She says that she will come here to dress and then meet us at the reception. Such behavior is uncustomary. I will contact her and insist that she -"

"Spock," his father said, a warning tone in his voice.

"Perhaps I will not insist, but I will...do as she says," he conceded. "This time."

Sarek sighed. There were some things that his son would have to learn on his own.

...

T'voria completed the finishing touches to her evening clothes, caressed the faces of her sleeping children, and joined her husband near the front door of their home. "I am ready, tal-kam."

"As usual, your choice of dress is aesthetically pleasing, ashayam. I continue to be pleased by your suggestion that we spend more time together." He paused and looked at her carefully. The small prosthetic patch that his wife usually wore to hide the scar on her face was missing. "You are not wearing your patch tonight."

"No. I decided...I felt like being myself tonight."

"You know that you are always aesthetically pleasing to me, no matter how you choose to appear. Come; I look forward to meeting this Nyota you spoke of."

...

Nyota stepped forward onto the center of the tiled circle at the entrance to the large room at the Parliament Building, and the already soft volume of conversation in the room fell to a hush. Spock turned slightly away from the circle of his Enterprise crewmates.

Nyota had disobeyed T'Pau.

She wore a simple, ivory colored long column of a dress. The neckline was high, leaving her collarbones visible. She had braided her hair into a simple, upswept style. She wore no jewelry other than dangling earrings with small green stones and a single bracelet made from two different colors of metal, shaped in a way that entwined the contrasting colors. The smooth brown skin of her bare arms gleamed subtly, as though her body had been lovingly and carefully oiled and polished. Spock wished that he had been present to rub the lotions and creams into her skin with his own hands.

He looked at his gift, shining on her wrist, then into her eyes. Nyota looked back at him and nodded slightly.

The harpist, who had slowed the notes of the background music he played, changed tunes. Now he played the melody of an old Vulcan ode to a pair of lovers who had returned to each other after a long period of separation. Spock nearly winced at the unconscious irony of the choice.

For his part, Sarek wanted to scold the man for his musical response to the attention the crowd aimed at Nyota. She looked sad, and she clasped her hands tightly in front of her. Despite her visible discomfort, she held her head high and still under the scrutiny of most of the room's occupants. Only her eyes moved as she sought Spock, who quickly strode forward and extended two fingers; Nyota lifted her fingers to meet his, and Spock led her into the room while the next guest entered.

The first step Nyota took as the couple stepped forward revealed a long slit in the side seam of her dress, revealing the length of her bare leg up to just above the knee.

Watching, Jim Kirk groaned. "Oh, damn. Yes."

"It's not for your benefit, Jim," McCoy muttered. "Trust me on that."

Jim shrugged his broad shoulders. "I'm only looking, I don't touch."

"Touch and you'll get to experience Vulcan combat techniques up close and personal - again," chortled Sulu. "But yeah, I think I'll be committing that image to memory. She looks good enough to e-"

"Good evening, gentlemen." For an older man, Sarek moved quickly. Jim could have sworn Spock's father had been standing halfway across the room a moment ago, chatting with a grumpy-looking Tellarite delegate.

"Good evening, Ambassador! Nice to see you again. The entire Federation is well represented here tonight." Jim broke out a modified version of the famous Kirk smile and aimed it at Sarek.

"Indeed. As one would expect, many different points of view are represented as well."

"Ambassador, I thank ye again for inviting us. I look forward to making my presentation tomorrow," Scotty said. "Rarely am I asked to give my perspective as an engineer on the experience of dealing with dilithium supply chains."

"I've got plenty to discuss from a navigator's perspective as well," Sulu said. "Ambassador, I understand that there is some opposition to the admission of the Coridian planets. Perhaps we could meet early tomorrow, and you could tell us which Federation members oppose the admission of the Coridians? I am willing to appeal to the opposition and explain how, as someone working within the Federation, it benefits all if we work together."

"Quite insightful, Mr. Sulu. Yes, let us all meet. Eight Standard hours, if it is agreeable to all?" Sarek asked.

Everyone agreed to the plan. Nighttime entertainment on New Vulcan seemed unlikely to keep even hardcore partiers such as Jim, Sulu, and Scotty out very late, unless they developed a sudden passion for harp playing.

...

Heart pounding, Nyota gratefully allowed Spock to lead her to small groups of People Who Must Be Acknowledged. Somehow she managed to make polite small talk with Vulcans, the Coridian trade delegation, Tellarites, Andorians, and other offworlders.

My adun'a, Spock said confidently to each group before he spoke her name.
Repeatedly, he touched her: fingers, elbows, her shoulder, even a light brush against her hip. The altered dress had a small keyhole opening in back which left part of her back bare. The warm pads of his fingertips moved along her spine. Not a single touch was accidental. Nyota felt warm and increasingly edgy. When they locked gazes during an unguarded moment, he looked at her as though they were alone.

Sarek's large, taciturn bodyguard - Nyota refused to believe the man's services were limited to those of a valet - suddenly appeared, then disappeared into the crowd. It was strange that such a large man could move in a way that attracted such little notice.

It was a relief to distract herself with greetings to the Enterprise men. She missed them all after less than three days.

"Hi, guys!"

"Hello, Ny - or should I say, Lady Uhura. You look smashing, missy," Leonard McCoy drawled, greeting her with nothing more than a squeeze of her hand. Spock was looking very protective tonight. Sulu and Scotty were equally conservative in their greetings, but Jim appeared to be angling for a cheek kiss before Len cleared his throat. Jim heeded the warning, choosing to hold her hand a little too long instead. Spock raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, that's a really nice bracelet, Ny," Jim said, and let go of her hand.

"Thanks, Jim. Isn't it lovely? It was a gift from Spock, just this afternoon," she said softly, turning to gaze at the silent man beside her.

Len smiled into his drink. Not bad. The Vulcan appeared to be heeding his advice.

Detaching himself from the Andorian thelev, Sarek guided Spock and Nyota to yet another group of Very Notable People and introduced them, saying loudly and clearly how pleased he was to welcome his son's adun'a to New Vulcan, and that he looked forward to accepting her invitation to visit the Uhura home in future. He had heard that her home region was famous for its hospitality, Sarek said, and he hoped that Nyota would be made equally welcome during her visit to New Vulcan.

This last sentence was accompanied by a meaningful look directed at everyone in earshot. Voices buzzed again as Sarek's unspoken warning was relayed throughout the room. Nyota let her emotions show long enough to direct a grateful smile at her future father-in-law.

"Thank you, Sarek," she whispered while Spock was drawn away into discussion with the Tellarites. "I was afraid to come here tonight. I'm still afraid, but your help makes a tremendous difference."

She sought out T'voria, finally locating her next to the side of a tall Vulcan man.

"Nyota, the dress is as aesthetically pleasing as I expected. May I present my adun, Sireve?" The man looked somber, but he returned Nyota's greeting with courteous ease and made conversation effortlessly. His dry humor balanced T'voria's sense of whimsy. As she complimented T'voria on her own choice of a rosy pink dress, Nyota saw the couple's fingers subtly brushing together. They seemed settled, calm, happy. She must try to find some indirect way of asking T'voria for advice on living with Vulcan men.

Spock disentangled himself from the Tellarite delegation and rejoined Nyota, who introduced him to T'voria and Sireve. She opened their mental bond a little, feeling his mixture of relief and worry.

Trouble?

Conflict. Gav, Tellarite Ambassador. Can't discuss now.

"T'voria, allow me to introduce you to the rest of the Enterprise crew. These are some of the wonderful people I work with every day."

The Vulcan couple was eager to meet such interesting humans, and a fresh round of conversation began, with recommendations of places to visit on New Vulcan. Nyota was quiet, enjoying the feeling of having Spock next to her again.

Nyota, you are exceptionally aesthetically pleasing tonight. The dress?

T'voria's creation, altered for me. She is very kind. Thank you for the bracelet. Only you would choose metaphorical jewelry.

Does it please you?

Intensely. As do you, in your public support of me.

Nyota touched the back of her hand to Spock's palm, feeling a wave of pleasure flow from him. Oh, yes. Perhaps they could leave this party early and -

T'voria pulled at Nyota's skirt. "Behind you!"

Spock's warm hand steadied Nyota as T'Pau approached, followed by a nervous-looking Vulcan official of some sort.

T'Pau's fame and reputation preceded her; as one of the most well-known public figures to turn down a seat in the Federation, her history was a standard element of intelligence documentation about old and New Vulcan. The jovial Enterprise men fell silent.

T'Pau stared at Nyota. Nyota kept her voice steady. "Good evening, T'sai. May I present the Entrprise bridge crew?"

The eminent Vulcan ignored the men.

"At least the dress is not red," she said, then turned around and marched off, trailed by the official.

The Enterprise crew exchanged confused looks.

"It's a long story," Nyota said.

"I'll bet it is," replied McCoy. "With all due respect, Spock, Sarek - some of our other off-world guests are wearing far less clothing tonight." This was true of male, female, and bi-and-tri-gendered guests of various ages, one of whom was dressed in two pieces of gold mesh and some dark blue paint.

Spock lifted his shoulders in the equivalent of a Vulcan shrug. "Coverage is not in question here. Conformity to expectations is."

Gav, the Tellarite ambassador, was signaling towards Spock and Sarek, seeking attention. Urgently. Nyota wondered what was wrong. Although delegates often became enraged during formal meetings, it was strange for someone to become so agitated during a social occasion.

As Spock and Sarek excused themselves and joined Gav, she turned to the Enterprise men. "As happy as I am to see all of you, I wonder why you're here."

"The planetary system of Coridian is applying for Federation membership, and we're here to provide information in support of their application," Jim replied. "Should be simple enough, because they're got an abundance of what everyone in Starfleet and the Federation wants - dilithium crystals. We should be finished within a day of two, and have time left over for sightseeing."

"I haven't seen much of the planet, but what I have seen is nice." She began to describe the camel excursion.

...

Gav, the Tellarite delegate, was in a foul mood indeed. "Sarek, the Coridians have no place in the Federation! Your years as a diplomat have blinded you to the planetary concerns of real people."

"Sir, I understand that we may not all agree about the benefits of Coridian participation, but this is hardly the place to discuss it. A formal process must be followed. Please wait until tomorrow's meetings. You may hear information which affects your views of their participation. Several other planets are considering applying as well, and each one has something to offer."

Gav tilted his head back and managed to look down his nose at Sarek, although Sarek was taller.

"This broad thinking may well apply to personal philosophies, but not to planetary economics. Coridian has historically been hostile in some of its dealings with other planets: Dresal, Rewwa, and...Tellar Prime. These disputes go back for years and have not been resolved to our satisfaction."

"If you please, Gav, will you consider presenting your concerns during tomorrow's debate? The Coridian ambassadors are nearby, and we would like to ensure that this gathering remains peaceful and hospitable for everyone present."

"Sarek, your boy is as bad a listener as you are."

Sarek felt a slight ache in his side, and struggled to conceal his impatience. "Gav, that is quite enough. Please do not insult my son, who is a more than capable adult." It was common for Tellarites to replace conversation with complaints. Already they had complained that their rooms on New Vulcan were too cold, then too hot. Argument might be considered a great skill on Tellar Prime, but it efficiently dampened the mood at a party.

...

T'ober, the most dismissive of the Vulcan women from yesterday's ill-fated camel tour, walked past with the Andorian delegate Thelev, talking to him in low tones. Nyota looked at them, lifting her hand in greeting. T'ober looked back at her blankly, then smirked and walked on.

Although she hadn't been the one to initiate the rude behavior, Nyota felt self-conscious. She was reluctant to have her crewmates know how disliked she was here. It was no use hoping that they hadn't noticed.

"Time for a change of tactics, I think," Scotty said.

He approached the Vulcan harpist, who was taking a break, and spoke quietly with him. The Vulcan's eyebrows rose, and then he awkwardly returned Scotty's thumbs-up gesture.

"Where's this going?" wondered Jim.

Scotty returned to their group. "Nyota, I recall from our entertainment nights aboard ship that ye have memorized several Vulcan songs. Feel like singing now? The harpist told me he will gladly accompany ye in exchange for some of the chocolate bars I smuggled down."

"Hmm. If we all get arrested later tonight, blame Scotty," Sulu said.

"Uh...I haven't warmed up, but I could manage one of the simpler melodies. Let me ask Sarek about protocol first." Nyota glanced nervously towards Spock and Sarek, who had freed themselves from the uncomfortable discussion with Gav and were returning to their group.

Sarek looked pleased by the distraction. "That is very considerate of you, Mr. Scott. Please do consider it, Nyota."

T'voria, looking hugely entertained by the things she observed this evening, tugged at Nyota's skirt. "The old Vulcan songs are much admired here. It may help you to make the good impression that so concerns you."

"All right; just one song. I'll just need some water, no ice, please."

"Got it." Jim signaled a passing waiter.

Nyota touched the engineer on the shoulder. "Scotty, you've been hiding your skills as a social strategist."

"The Federation didna hire me just because I'm beautiful and charming. Here's your water...ready now? Come on, lass."

The engineer escorted her to the harpist's side and fetched her a chair. Trembling slightly, Nyota perched on its edge and introduced herself to the harpist; together they chose a song. Heads turned as the harpist's fingers brought forth a chain of sparkling melodic phrases.
...