Title: Old Friends

Copyright: I do not own Star Trek or else I get paid for this. Enjoy!

Sarek enjoyed a game of three level chess; it was an excise in logic that was also enjoyable. His opponent was Lord Christopher, an Ambassador for a people who called themselves the Keepers, was presently negotiating with the Vulcan High Council.

Sarek looked at his opponent as he moved a chess piece to another level. Lord Christopher looked human but did not age as most other humans; his appearance was that of twenty five standard years the same as it was when Sarek meet him seven years ago. The same was of his sister, Lady Philomena another Ambassador for the same people. Sarek was not sure how old his human friend was, but old enough to teach Sarek, as Lord Christopher put it, a few tricks of the trade. The appearance of youth hid the wisdom that Lord Christopher and Lady Philomena possessed.

The brother and sister made many visits to Vulcan and in the process became good friends with the Vulcan Ambassador. The friendship was made even stronger after Sarek married Amanda and she already had a strong friendship with Lady Philomena. Both woman attended school on Earth. Amanda could not have more delighted when she discovered her old friend knew her new husband when she first came to Vulcan.

"How long will you be visiting?" Sarek asked making another move.

"No idea," Lord Christopher said as he looked for his next move. His green eyes probed the boards as his hand lingered over the chess pieces. "However long it takes your High Council to agree to the new treaty. Though I'm not sure what was wrong in the last one."

"The Creator only knows." Lord Christopher's sister said as she entered the parlor followed by Amanda. By human standards both woman were considered beautiful; Amanda beauty was brought on by her innocence that twinkled in her blue eyes and how she held everything so dear, with Lady Philomena there was something about her green eyes that said everything but one could not discern what exactly was being said. "Sometimes I would rather negotiate with a Chernabog then with the Vulcan High council."

Lord Christopher was unable to suppress a smile and a chuckle at what his sister said. "You will let me know how that turns out if you're not burnt to a crisp."

Lady Philomena just glared at her brother. "Make your move."

Lord Christopher did as he was told without looking at the board and to Sarek's surprise it was a very well thought out move. Sarek glanced over at his wife and saw that she was very tired and appeared pale.

"Amanda, are you alright?" he asked her.

"I'm just tried Sarek," Amanda said trying to ease Sarek's concern. "It was a long day."

"It reminded me of the time Amanda and I were trying to get several professors of ours to agree to a valid point we had." Lady Philomena looked back at the memory. "Remember Amanda – they had us running all over Oxford."

Amanda returned the smile but suddenly she felt very dizzy. Fortunately for her Lady Philomena was near enough to support her until Sarek could get to her side.

"My dear friend I'm going to say you are not alright." Lady Philomena said when Sarek gathered Amanda in his arms to carry her to the couch. Lord Christopher handed Amanda a glass of water for her to drink.

"How long have you been feeling like this?" Sarek asked, concern could be heard in his voice.

"Just the past few days," she explained after finishing the water. "I thought I was just tired – but I guess not."

"Sarek may I examine your wife?" Lord Christopher asked. "It would save you a trip to the hospital."

Sarek looked at Lord Christopher then back at his wife. He knew that Lord Christopher was a renowned Healer amongst his people and that his wife would be in good hands. Sarek nodded and stepped aside for Lord Christopher.

Lady Philomena gently guided Sarek further away from them. "Amanda doesn't need us to crowd over her."

Sarek nodded in agreement. "You are right."

"Sarek, don't wo--" Lady Philomena suddenly stopped speaking. She looked at Amanda then Sarek, then back to Amanda. "I think I know why Amanda feels so tired."

"I think I just came to the same conclusion as you Mina." Lord Christopher had a small smiled on his face as he helped Amanda into a sitting position.

"What?" Amanda asked. But before either one could answer Lord Christopher's communicator beeped on his writst.

"Kann ich Ihnen helfen?"* Lord Christopher asked. A response came back in German and Christopher nodded. "Ich verstehe."**

"Sometimes I think out superiors think we can do anything they want with a wave of our hands." Lady Philomena said sighing with resignation. Lord Christopher nodded in agreement.

"Sarek can we borrow a shuttle craft, we have a meeting to go to." Lord Christopher asked.

"Where?" Sarek asked.

"Right in the middle of nowhere." Lady Philomena responded annoyed. "We have to meet someone and the closest dimensional rift is here on Vulcan."

Sarek was slowly learning not to ask too deeply into the affairs of the Engels that did not concern the interest of Vulcan. Many times their explanations went beyond his understanding. Sarek simply nodded, "You many take mine."

"Thank you." Lord Christopher smiled at the Vulcanian. "Come along Mina."

"Of course my dear brother." Lady Philomena followed after her brother as he headed to the door. But she stopped just at the door and turned back to her friends. "Before I completely forget – Congratulations."

"It is illogical to give congratulations when there is nothing to congratulate about." Sarek said standing next to his wife.

"Oh but there is a reason my friend," Lady Philomena shook head in good humour. "For you are going to have a son."

With that said she bowed to the Vulcanian and to his wife and went out the door leaving the couple dumbfounded.

"A child?" Amanda whispered. She was surprised, she had resigned to the fact that she would not be able to have children due to the biological differences between herself and her husband. "A child." She said again but with more joy and certainty.

Sarek looked at his wife as the realization hit him. The joy that he felt inside did not show in his face but he did take his wife hand in his.

* "May I help you?"
** "I understand."

Authoress' Note: I will give brownie points for anyone who can find the random allusion in this chapter that I put in for fun! If you're right you can request any random allusion of your own in the next chapter! I will not post until I get at least two reviews! Thanks!