Snippet 3 :-)

Spock nodded, looking worried for the poor little creature as he hurried inside and did exactly as his mother had instructed him. He wrapped him carefully in a blanket and put him by the fire, lying down on his stomach so he could stroke the little head. "There you go," he said gently to the little creature. "Is that better?"

The baby sehlat peeked up at him with large, dark eyes, its little tongue flicking out briefly as it snuggled down into the blanket, enjoying the feel of being petted and loved, and enjoying the feel of the warmth of the fire beside it.

Spock smiled and fluffed up the blanket. "You stay there now, ok? I'm going to go get your mama." He covered the sehlet with the blanket and then quickly got up and started to run back towards the gardens. He stopped just outside of them, making sure no one could see him before he gave a low whistle.

Luna's head came up at the sound of the whistle, though with nowhere near her usual eagerness. She rose from where she lay, lumbering slowly toward the place where Spock had called, her stubby tail drooped as she approached.

"Luna!" Spock called, leaning down in a hoarse whisper and motioning to her. "Come on, girl! I have something to show you," With a smile at the older sehlet he led her quickly over to where he had left the little one and quietly let her in. "There you go - you know where to find him."

Luna let out a little whuffling sound, her head perking up again, this time with the energy she usually had. She gave a small whimper, eagerly trotting forward to the place by the fire where Spock had left her baby.

The baby sehlat sensed her coming just as easily, lifting its small head to greet her, stubby tail beginning to wag quickly and happily when she approached. Luna nestled up eagerly to her baby, nuzzling his little face and licking him all over as if to be sure he was all right. She glanced at Spock, making a little happy sound before continuing to give the baby sehlat his little makeshift bath.

Spock laughed, sitting down next to them and watching with delight as the two were reunited.

No matter what happened, he would never regret it.

*

At lunchtime that day, Spock was summoned out into the courtyard to meet Rorek. The servant who told Spock seemed to be hinting at the fact that it was something to be nervous about - which Spock could only think meant one thing. Rorek had been told about the sehlat situation.

Spock couldn't say exactly whether he was nervous or not. He didn't want too go, but at the same time he was almost happy he did it. The night with the sehlets had gone very well and he knew someone was going to talk to him. He just didn't think it would be Rorek.

Going up to the courtyard he spotted Rorek talking with another servant. He made his way slowly to an appropriate distance and then waited to be noticed.

The servant finished talking, and Rorek nodded, saying something back to him before turning toward the place where Spock had come in. He motioned to him when he saw him, beckoning him forward. "Come on in, Spock."

Spock stepped forward, stopping a few feet before him with his hands behind his back. "You called, my lord?"

"Yeah. I heard the news about the sehlats," Rorek said, walking toward him another foot or so before stopping. "You made off with the last baby, huh?"

Spock nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Rorek eyed him. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you'd get in if my dad found out?" he asked, almost curiously. "I'm thinking you do...but then, why do it?"

"It is worth it if one of them can live and the other can be happy," Spock replied, and Rorek could see he meant it. "The little one was so weak, and Luna needed a cub to be all right. It wasn't right that the little one would be drowned."

Rorek nodded. "I agree. But, still," he glanced at the place where the other servant had exited, before looking back at Spock. "I'm going to have lunch with my father today, just to make sure that he won't blow up when he gets the news. I'll take care of it. But for now, keep a low profile, okay? Finish your chores quick and then keep out of sight. Especially from the human guards, okay?"

Spock nodded, although he looked, again, taken off-guard by the response. "Of - of course, my lord."

"Okay," Rorek said, giving him a nod before he turned to head toward the door. "I'll see you this evening then, Spock. 7:00 again?"

Spock nodded, regaining himself. "Yes, my lord."

"See you, then," Rorek said, before disappearing out the door.

Spock, once again, was left nearly speechless.

*

With his chores being done in relative secrecy for the better portion of the day, Spock finally made his way up to Rorek's door just as the clock chimed 7. He looked around briefly to make sure no one was coming, and then knocked three times on his door.

"Come in, Spock."

Spock opened the door and quickly stepped in, closing it behind him. "I have your clothes, my lord."

"Thanks," Rorek said, a chess board already set up on the table beside his bed. He beckoned for Spock to come over. "Set them over there and sit down. Do you like cider?"

Spock looked over as he set the clothes down. "I...have never had cider, my lord."