Saavik was born on Hellguard, an abandoned Romulan colony. She is half Vulcan and half Romulan (although references to her mixed heritage were cut from "The Wrath of Khan" and never mentioned in the following movies, it is clearly stated in most of the novels). She was rescued from the colony by Spock among with other children, and she was adopted by his parents Ambassador Sarek and Amanda Grayson. Following in the footsteps of her step-brother and role model Spock she entered Starfleet Academy. After graduating, as a fresh lieutenant Saavik was on her cadet cruise on Enterprise with Admiral James T. Kirk and Captain Spock when Kirk's old enemy Khan seeks revenge and attacks the Enterprise. Spock dies while saving the Enterprise, but later his body is discovered alive, Saavik saves him and takes him to Vulcan where his body and mind are reunited. After that, she remains on Vulcan with Spock's family, the reasons for this are unknown, it is rumored that she was pregnant with Spock's child.