Snippet 2b

"Of course he will," Sybok said, raising an eyebrow at Spock again as he turned back to his desk. "I am surprised it took him this long to arrange the appointment."

Spock looked up at him with a frown as he put the PADD back on Sybok's desk. "We have been gone for only a few days - why would this surprise you?"

"I haven't the faintest idea," Sybok said airily, picking up a folder from his desk and glancing over it casually. "But he has exceeded his previous record in time between his contact with you by a whole eight hours. I was beginning to become concerned."

Spock looked at him in confusion. "I do not understand."

"You realize that the last time he went a full week without contacting you was almost a year ago?"

"We have become close friends," Spock offered, still confused. "It has been the same with us as well."

"Mm," Sybok said offhandedly, still looking through some of his papers. "Well, I shall be certain to inform you of his arrival if he does not seek you out first - which I greatly imagine he will."

"Your tone indicates a subtext."

"My apologies," Sybok said simply, glancing up from his desk to give him a look that was perfectly calm - but somehow still teasing all the same. "I will not comment on the matter further. I shall merely make sure to give you both the time together that you require while he is here. Was there anything else you needed from me?"

Spock raised an eyebrow in thought as he glanced down. "I do not believe so. I merely wished to be sure that you and Sam were an equal terms in communication."

"Do not concern yourself with us, Spock," Sybok said, his face growing familiarly stony as he turned back to his desk. "What is done is done. It is all in the past now. You needn't concern yourself with my affairs."

"I merely wished to do what I could. It would not be logical to be concerned." Spock replied, his voice equally as stony now as he watched his brother. "All I request is that you do not be the stubborn mule you resemble in these circumstances."

"The stubborn - " Sybok turned toward him, frowning. "Well, then, little brother, since you seem to have all the answers, what would you suggest I do in this circumstance? Basing your decision off of what would be the best for Sam Kirk and myself in the process, what would your advice be?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Rejoin your relationship."

Sybok stared at him for a few seconds. Then, as though barely restraining himself from arguing, he sat back, and lightly folded his arms. "All right," he said evenly. "Why?"

"I believe that you two have affection for one another, and I do not believe that either of you will truly enjoy life to its full capacity without the other." Spock replied, his eyes trained on Sybok. "Sam's affection for you is greater than I anticipated. If you return it and have the knowledge that he will not "move on" I suggest that you follow what you wish."

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