A/N: So, I was happily surprised at the attention that this new idea received. To everyone who reviewed, thanks so very much. This is still untitled, as I just can't think of a good one at the moment, so I'm still taking suggestions. Suggestions usually help me come up with something. Reviews are very much appreciated, and I'll do my best to answer them.

Amanda Grayson pushed her door open and stalked through it, throwing her purse on her desk. Once again she cursed Mondays, when they followed the weekend she'd just had. Forty-five minutes until classes started: just enough time to get a cup of coffee (and maybe spike it with some Bailey's). With that goal in mind, she hurried to the department lounge so she could get to the treasured cappuccino machine before any of her professors or fellow graduate students. The only good thing about this week was the fact that she wasn't student teaching, so she didn't have to deal with any children. Much as she loved them, she knew that today interaction with children would be unhealthy all around.

"Amanda, how was your weekend?"

She didn't even deign to give an answer to that question; she just punched her order into the machine and waited for it to prepare her cup. They were fortunate enough to have a real coffee maker that produced real coffee. No replicator swill for them, not at the university.

"Earth to Amanda, are you even listening?"

"I'm doing my very best not to, Sean."

Her coffee ready, she left the young man to gawk at her and returned to her office. She just wasn't in the mood for a conversation. All she wanted was to get through the classes she assisted with, then hole up in her office and spend the rest of the day working on her Masters thesis. She only had two more months to turn it in, and then a month more before she stood in front of the review board. Time was ticking away. Summer would be here before she knew it, and then her first classroom that would be entirely hers. She wouldn't be just a teacher's Aide, or student teaching, she would be Ms. Grayson. She couldn't wait.

"Amanda, good to see you in. How was your weekend?"

She'd managed to get in an hour of uninterrupted work before this disturbance, but since he was her advisor, she couldn't give him the same Glare of Death she'd given everyone else that passed her door with a question. He could have an actual effect on her career.

"It was exactly what I expected it to be, Tom. What about you?"

The older man took the comment for the "leave me the hell alone about it already" that it was meant to be, and left that line of questioning.

"It was good. We went out to the lake. How's the thesis coming?"

"It's coming along well. I should have the next chapter done by the end of the week."

She waited for him to get to the point. He never stopped by just to chat: he left it to her to work at her own pace, only periodically checking in on her progress to make sure she'd reach the deadline. Apart from that, he pretty much left her to her work, and made himself available to answer any questions she had. It was a good system for her.

"Good. That's good news. There was actually something I wanted to ask you to do for me."

"I already told you I'm not signing up for the auction at the fundraiser."

It was absolutely demeaning; to be auctioned off like a painting, just to raise money for the university. She fully intended to be sick or injured the night of the fundraiser.

"And I already told you that it's not an optional event. But this actually has nothing to do with next week. I need you to escort the Vulcan Ambassador around the university and answer any questions he has."

"What?"

"You heard me. I was supposed to show him around myself, but a mandatory meeting's been called that I can't miss."

"And just why would the Vulcan Ambassador want a tour of the school? Shouldn't he be more concerned with abassadoring? Ambassing? Whatever you call it? Doing ambassadorial stuff?"

Tom smiled at her. She worked so hard, it was easy to forget she was only nineteen years old, and just barely that. Not the youngest student San Francisco State ever admitted, but close to it. She was nearly as young as his oldest daughter.

"I think this does count as 'ambassadorial stuff'. Carter asked me for a favor, but I can't get out of this meeting, so I need you to show the ambassador around. And be polite to him."

"I'm always polite."

Amanda looked up at the man in disbelief. First of all, when was she not polite? More importantly, how could he expect her to drop her first chance in a month to get some solid work done on her thesis to show a Vulcan around? Senator Carter was his brother-in-law, not hers, so why did this become her problem?

"Yeah. Tell that to Randall Williamson. His testicle retrieval operation went well, in case you were wondering."

"I still maintain that he kicked himself in the balls."

And even if she had done such a thing, it was completely deserved. Randall Williamson had been one of those who thought 'leave me the hell alone' meant 'oh yes I can't wait to jump into bed with you'. She'd been a hero to the other female TA's and undergrad students.

"Either way, none of that with the ambassador. You are to be polite and charming, and helpful."

"Seriously Tom, I can't do it. I'm sorry for the ambassador and everything, but I have way too much to get done this week before I go back to student teaching. I'm sure you can find someone else to give a tour."

The university had tour guides. Why couldn't Tom just call one up from the Admissions office? They could give the ambassador all the mundane details he could possibly want.

"Amanda, I really need you to help me out with this one. The ambassador wants to learn about Earth educational processes, and the campus tour guides can't give him the detail he'll want."

"And you think I can?"

The look on his face said 'cut the bullshit now, please.'

"Since you're almost a teacher? Yes, I think you can. And your assistance with the ambassador will go a long way towards all those job recommendations you're asking for."

"That's blackmail!"

"Yes."

He had her in a corner, and they both knew it. Her transcripts and student teaching would speak very highly for her, but nothing would make as much difference as the recommendation from her professor when it came to job placement. She wasn't the only graduating teacher who'd applied at the local school system. She'd fallen in love with San Francisco while attending college, and she didn't really want to go back north. California was such a nice distance from Newfoundland.

"Damn it."

"Good girl. I've already spoken to Dr. Sabol, you'll be excused from class today. The ambassador will be here in an hour, and he'll meet you at the entrance of the library. You know, it wouldn't hurt you to run a comb through your hair."

An hour? Ignoring the fact that an hour's notice was just beyond rude, she wasn't dressed to show anyone around the campus. She was dressed for sitting in a classroom and working on a paper.

"I think I hate you."

"I'm okay with that."

He left her, still cursing him. Only an hour to do something with her clothes, and her hair, and get across campus to the library to meet this guy? Tom must have lost his ever loving mind. Good thing her apartment was just across the road. She should have enough time to make herself presentable and still meet the ambassador on time. Muttering to herself, she tossed her PADD into her bag and locked her door, tossing a hurried explanation over her shoulder to her neighbor.

ST-ST-ST-ST-ST-ST-sT-sT-ST

Sarek stood, waiting, outside the library as directed. He was uncertain of this course of action. Was touring a university really the best use of his time? Andrew Carter had suggested that it would be useful to do so, as he would gain a better understanding of Earth's educational system. He might better understand the Senators and Councillors he must work with if he had a better knowledge of the fundamental teachings of Earth. His query as to how a university would expand his knowledge of fundamental Earth teachings better than a primary education facility had been met with a smile and a "trust me, children will destroy any patience for humans that you might have."

Where was this Doctor Rooker? His appointment was for 2:30, and it was now 2:34. Did humans not believe in punctuality? If this man could not be on time, it did not bode well for the rest of this tour.

Amanda pushed through the small crowd of students that seemed determined to take up the walkway. She was late, and that was probably not the best impression to make. On the one hand, the water heater burst when she was home to change, which meant that she could shut off the water and call maintenance immediately instead of coming home to a flooded apartment, a pain in the butt if ever there was one. On the other hand, this was really the worst day for a problem like that to happen, and it had taken too long for the property manager and maintenance team to get there, and she couldn't leave until they showed up. What should have taken only twenty minutes to accomplish had instead taken nearly an hour. She might seriously murder Tom.

It wasn't hard to pick the Vulcan out of the crowd. He stood off to the side, apart from the mass of humanity that seemed to flow around him. He also looked incredibly disapproving of what he saw. Wonderful.

Give him the benefit of the doubt, Amanda. He's Vulcan. Maybe they're just born looking disapproving of everything.

As she got closer, she could see that he looked young for an ambassador. The word "ambassador" drew a picture of someone middle-aged, already graying at the temples. This Vulcan looked like he couldn't be more than thirty.

"Ambassador?"

The Vulcan looked over at her, and she was momentarily struck dumb. His eyes seemed to bore into her, and she'd always had a thing for a man's eyes.

Get it together, Grayson!

"Good afternoon. My name is Amanda Grayson, and I'll be showing you around the university this afternoon."

He raised a single eyebrow, and Amanda had to remind herself to breathe. How on Earth was that single gesture sexy? She gave him a small smile. Maybe this afternoon wouldn't be too terrible after all.

"My meeting was with Doctor Rooker."

"Yes. Unfortunately, Tom was pulled into a mandatory meeting. He asked me to show you around in his place, and answer any questions you might have. Where would you like to begin?"

"I fail to understand why Doctor Rooker would believe that a student could answer my questions. If another member of the faculty is unavailable, I will reschedule the appointment."

Okay then, good feeling was gone. Amanda knew she looked young; hell, she was the youngest TA on the campus. But still, to dismiss her simply because of her age just grated against everything. Where did this guy get off assuming that she couldn't help him just because she was young?

"I am one of Doctor Rooker's Teaching Assistants, Ambassador. I can assure you that I can answer any of your questions as well as or better than another member of the faculty. However, if you can't manage to take your head out of your ass long enough to give me the benefit of the doubt rather than making assumptions, I'm happy to let Tom reschedule something that works for both of you. Good afternoon."

She spun on her heel, determined to walk away like a mature professional, instead of stomping off like a child who'd gotten her pigtails pulled.

"I have offended you. Fascinating."

Okay, seriously? He'd just been beyond rude and offensive, and he found that fascinating?

"I'm so glad I can amuse you."

"I do not find your behavior amusing, Miss Grayson. It is, however, fascinating to observe just how quickly humans take insult to simple, logical statements."

Okay, she'd had just about enough of this guy. He was insufferable, and that was "logical"? The ego of the man! What she wouldn't give to be able to lock herself into her office and scream into her pillow right now. Tom owed her, so very, very much, for putting her through this.

"You believe implying that I can't do my job just because I'm not the person you were expecting is 'logical'?"

"Based on my limited knowledge of Terran education systems, the odds of a human of your age possessing the necessary understanding to answer my questions are 1 in 187,216.4395 thousand. Therefore, it is only logical to conclude that you are most likely unqualified to fill the role that Doctor Rooker has assigned to you. If, however, you are indeed his teaching assistant, this must mean that you are advanced in your studies and I must conclude that I was incorrect in my assessment of your abilities. Let us begin with the human education regarding the Federation of Planets. You can explain this as we tour the campus."

Amanda was sure her eyes were bulging out of her head like a cartoon character. He seriously expected—after he just-

"You know what, let's just-yeah. As you're no doubt aware, this is our library, where we house all of our reference materials for student's research projects, as well as the collections of literature from other Federation planets."

She would get through this afternoon. She would answer any of the ambassador's questions, she would do her level best not to kick him in the balls, and she would get him out of her hair. He would become Tom's problem after this afternoon, if he had any further questions, and she would get back to her thesis, and never have to see the insufferable (HOT, Grayson, HOT!) Vulcan again.

ST-ST-ST-ST-ST-ST-ST-ST

Sarek returned to the embassy, feeling content with his tour of the university. Amanda Grayson was most advanced in intelligence for her age. She had taken insult to a logical conclusion, but once they commenced the tour, she proved to be quite knowledgeable about a number of subjects. It was likely that Doctor Rooker could have provided more complete information than Miss Grayson, but Sarek could not say that she was in any way deficient.

In his opinion the young woman was overly emotional, but that was likely due to her young age. She was barely past human adolescence, not yet considered a full adult even by their standards. By Vulcan standards, she was still a child. Despite her youth, he was appreciative of the young woman. Because of her assistance, Sarek felt that he did indeed have a better understanding of the human position, which would be most useful when he next met with his human contemporaries.

"Good afternoon, Ambassador," he was greeted by Lynette Stafford. He nodded at her as he passed, wondering as he did why she suddenly changed her posture, pulling her shoulders back farther than he thought was natural, pushing her chest forward. Vulcan males did so when preparing to spar, or issue a challenge, though that was becoming a rarer occurrence. He did not understand the gesture in a human female.

"You received a call from Senator Carter. He'd like you to contact him, and set up a meeting with the finance committee."

"Very well Miss Stafford. Arrange a call to the Senator's office. I will take it in my apartment. Have a meal sent up as well."

"Of course, sir. Anything I can do to assist you."

His office would be more professional, but it was not yet completely reordered, and as he had yet to consume a meal for the day, the apartment was more appropriate for that purpose. He also had a call to Vulcan scheduled within the hour, and that was a call he intended to make from the privacy of his apartment.

"Ambassador, thank you for getting back to me so quickly." Andrew Carter's face filled his video screen. "How was your tour of the university?"

"It was adequate."

"Good. Did Tom answer all of your questions?"

"Dr. Rooker was unavailable. I was met by one of his assistants, a Miss Grayson. She was able to answer all inquiries."

The human looked surprised by that announcement, and unless Sarek was mistaken, concerned.

"If she was in any way impolite or insulting, Ambassador—"

"She was not."

He did not mention her comment about the anatomical impossibility of removing his head from his anus, as he'd been able to ascertain from a brief brush of skin that she'd felt provoked, and later sorry for the outburst. He took no offense from it.

"Really?"

Sarek found it curious that the human was surprised by that declaration.

"That's good then. Now, about the reason for my call, the Presidential Council would like to set up a meeting with you this week. President MtuTu in particular wishes to meet you."

President MtuTu? Ah yes, the president of the African Union. Sarek had yet to meet the man, but he was well briefed on all of those heads of Earth's governments. If his information was correct, much of the African continent was like Vulcan; arid and desert. It might be pleasant to visit there, should he be provided the opportunity.

"That will be acceptable. I will direct the embassy to arrange it."

"Very good."

They continued to speak for several minutes, until the meal Sarek requested arrived. The senator immediately ended the call, which he found pleasing. His brief from the previous ambassador had explicitly stated that the majority of humans he would come into contact with had the tendency to draw out polite excuses and farewells, and find offense if he failed to do so as well. "Flattery and flowery rhetoric over expediency", Ambassador Tu'rin had called it. Sarek could anticipate that Senator Carter would not necessarily follow this pattern.

He had just enough time to consume the food on his tray before a beep informed him that he had an incoming call from Vulcan. He pressed the "accept call" button and the screen was filled with a child's face.

"Father."

"Sybok. I trust you remain in optimum health?"

"Indeed."

"Your grandmother tells me that you progress satisfactorily in your studies."

"Yes."

He was finding it difficult to converse with his son. Only five standard years of age, Sybok had spent nearly all of those years with his maternal grandmother. Sarek knew little of the child, apart from the regular progress reports T'Lia sent him.

He knew that the blame for that landed solely on his shoulders: he'd had the opportunity to care for his son himself, but had instead claimed it more "logical" to leave the boy with his mother's family. Though his bondmate, T'Iman, had been a virtual stranger to him until the day she died bringing the child into the world, he'd felt the loss of their mating bond keenly. Newly widowed, and suffering from a broken bond, he had not believed himself capable of caring for the newborn son, and was satisfied to leave him in the care of T'Iman's family.

"You are meditating sufficiently?"

He knew from experience how difficult meditation could be for a child of his clan. Those of direct descent from Surak were some of the most emotional of their race. They had to work harder even than their peers to suppress their emotions, and achieve the serenity of logic. Sybok must understand the importance of this early, so as not to lose control and bring possible harm to another.

"I am. You are on Earth now, are you not?"

"Indeed."

"Are the humans as different from us as our teachers imply?"

Sarek examined his son's face closely. He could see the boy's excitement, and curiosity. He was showing more emotion than would be considered proper by T'Pau, was he in her care. Intellectual curiosity was to be encouraged, but it would seem that Sybok needed to spend more time in the meditation disciplines. He would make certain to bring it to T'Lia's attention.

Sybok waited for an answer to his question. Sarek spent the remaining hour answering all queries put by his son, even those that he believed illogical. He ended the call with a reminder to the child to continue pursuing his studies, and to aim for better focus during his meditation. His son had so much potential, and it was his duty as a father to help him fulfill it. He did not think it prideful to admit that he was certain Sybok could do great things in this universe, and become an example for others of his race to aspire to.