The atmosphere in the café was cozy. That was the only word Maeve could think of to describe it. Sitting across the table with a venerable Vulcan, perhaps the most revered diplomat in the Federation was astonishing. To be in such close quarters with said Vulcan was beyond belief. Adding to her awe was the heat that emanated from him. Maeve had never spent time with Vulcans and had not been aware of that aspect of them. He could be very useful on cold wintery nights on Spectra.

As if he read her mind, Sarek began to smirk. "I fear that the…atmosphere…may be too warm for you."

Smiling at him, she nodded. "It is warm, but I'm alright. I was just thinking that…"

"I could be useful on a cold night," he finished, slight discomfort spreading over his face. When she gasped, his dark eyes fixed on her. "I apologize. I…your emotions and thoughts come through to me…easily."

Her brow furrowed as she considered his statement. "Oh, that's right…Vulcans are empaths."

"Not exactly, more like telepaths.. We can link our minds and therefore know what another is thinking and feeling. However, we cannot read minds in the strictest sense. You …broadcast your emotions freely and …I am not rested, which weakens my shields."

"Oh. I am sorry if my broadcasts are upsetting."

She thought she detected a faint smile. "Your broadcasts are… appealing, fascinating even."

Suddenly her heart was beating in her throat, constricting her air flow. Was he…could it possibly be…no, no way, she told herself. But, he did seem interested and he discussing emotions, something she understood Vulcans didn't discuss with just anyone. She felt her face blushing, heat rising rapidly. "I um…I …don't know what to say."

His eyes seemed to penetrate hers as he looked at her patiently. Finally he broke the silence that had settled between them. "May I call you by your given name? May I call you Maeve?"

"Yes, of course." Her voice sounded strange to her.

"Maeve, while I have knowledge of the customs of your people, I am quite out of practice. I wish to know you better and if you find it agreeable, perhaps plan your future…with me."

"Well, knock me over with a feather…" she uttered before her brain could think. It was another old phrase that she had heard her grandmother use when surprise had taken any coherent thoughts from her.

"I beg your pardon?" Sarek said, looking at her with raised eyebrows. "Why would I wish to do that, even if it were possible, which I do not believe would be."

Maeve lowered her head and dipped her eyes as a smile crept across her mouth. He was going to take some getting used to. "You wish to court me?" Her voice sounded timid to her and she hoped he didn't think that of her.

"I realize that my suggestion is somewhat unorthodox. However, I find that I miss having a mate. And after spending so many years with a human, I do not believe I could adjust to a Vulcan female. But even if I had not been thinking along that path, when I saw you today, it would have occurred to me. As I have said, I find you interesting."

"You miss having a mate and you prefer a human one. Am I getting it right? You know that you want me before you even know me; so you want to…to….what do Vulcans call it anyway? Pretty simple really…he wants to screw you.

Tentatively he reached across the table and covered her hand with his. "I am…turned on, as Amanda called it, by you. But I am seeking something much more satisfying than a strictly physical relationship; I find that I am…lonely. It took only one encounter to understand that I might find what I seek in you. I am not certain that the opposite may be true, however."

She sat, staring at him, completely befuddled.

"Perhaps I am progressing too rapidly, though. I should see you to your home and perhaps call in a few days to see if you wish to go any farther with my idea."

"Uh, yeah…" she conceded. Her mind refused to work beyond that.

Consequently, twenty minutes later Maeve found herself standing on her porch, staring into the eyes of the distinguished Vulcan. "I…this is all so surreal, but…I was wondering…" she began. He stood, listening patiently as she tried to formulate her words. "I mean, is it appropriate…" she sighed deeply. "Oh hell, just say it," she told herself. "Do Vulcans kiss?"

An eyebrow shot up as her question registered with Sarek. "That is not our usual way, but Amanda taught me the… benefits of such an action. Is that what you wish; that I kiss you?"

She licked her own lips as she stared at his sensuous one. "Um, yeah…it will help me decide what I want to do. I don't date guys who aren't good kissers, you see."

Mirth played in his eyes as he listened. "Ah, so this is a test of sorts?"

Nodding, she answered. "Yes, sort of…"

She felt the warmth of his hand on her cheek as she stared into his dark orbs. His thumb rubbed over her lips, tracing them. And then he was kissing her. His lips seared hers as they made contact; so much that she felt herself beginning to melt into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself into him, seeking more. She opened her mouth wider, hoping he would get the hint and he did. His tongue moved around her lips and then eased into her mouth, searching for hers. Electricity ran through her as their tongues met and she felt as much as heard the moan that emanated from her. His kiss was dizzying and her legs were weakening. Still, she didn't want to break the contact. This was too good. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her closer until she thought they couldn't possibly be any closer. Her thumb was next to his ear and she began to rub along its foreign shape. His fingers dug into her and it was he who moaned with her ear action. So their ears are erogenous zones…

It was Sarek who broke the kiss. He leaned back, his eyelids heavy. "Please, do not do that unless you…unless we are…bonded."

"But why not? You seemed to enjoy it?" She was teasing him but from the expression his face, she surmised that he was not seeing any humor.

"It…I cannot guarantee…" he paused, seemingly collecting himself. "I have been without a mate for some time and Amanda was sick for a long while before she died. It has been too long since I…since…" He sighed. "I fear I would not be able to contain my…instincts, if you were to continue to do that."

"So? What would be so bad about us having a little...preview? Is it so totally unheard of in Vulcan for the men to just…get some action?"

He was clearly nervous with the discussion. "It is not unheard of but…I do not wish for that kind of relationship and… as I said it had been too long for me. I fear I might hurt you if…"

"Well, if we did enter into a long term relationship, then it would stand to reason that eventually we would…you know."

"Yes," he conceded. "But without the bonding, I might not know if I were hurting you." He was blushing wildly now and Maeve thought he was kind of cute, in a Vulcan sort of way.

"Well, what if I just told you? You know…I could say, 'Sarek you are hurting me."

His mouth flattened into what she was coming to recognize as his smile. "I suppose that would be adequate."

Maeve turned to open her door. "But," he added, "I do not wish to move too quickly. I want you to be certain of your decisions."

"Oh, I am very certain," she smiled.

He stood, firmly glued to her porch. A quizzical expression overtook him. "Is it your custom to… couple with someone upon first meeting them?"

"No," she said frankly. "It is not my custom. But there is something about you …and when you kissed me, I knew that I want this. And I want it…you… now." She was burning up, the electricity between them so intense.

Stepping inside, she turned to see if he followed. He hesitated momentarily at the doorframe but then stepped inside. "Maeve, if we do this, I do not believe I could easily turn back. Bonding would be the next logical step."

Maeve chuckled at his seriousness. "What has logic to do with any of this?"

He looked mildly surprised. "I suppose it doesn't. I…" he seemed at a loss.

Maeve stepped into him, her hands travelling up his robes and into his hair. Her fingertips massaged his scalp, lighting a flame within him. She knew the effect as his body heat rose immediately. Then, standing on her tiptoes, she sought his lips. His mouth crashed into hers, his demeanor revealing his need.

She began to play along his ears again and he lifted h is head just enough to look into her eyes. "Maeve, I burn for thee," he said heatedly.

"What?"

"I burn," he growled. "I burn for thee. I need thee."

Suddenly she understood what she was doing to him. He had suppressed his instincts for so long that they were overwhelming him now and she had set him off. "Then, you shall have me," she whispered.

He lifted her in his arms and carried her through the house into the hallway. She pointed to her bedroom door and he carried her in. His lips locked onto hers and didn't leave as he lowered her to the bed. Before she had time to think, he was tearing her clothes from her and somehow divesting himself of his robes.

Even thought he was years older than her, Maeve couldn't help but admire his physique. He was simply beautiful, in a greenish tinted sort of way. His body was tight and muscular, his pecs rippling as he moved over her. He hovered, hesitating again as his eyes locked with hers, questioning.

Not taking her eyes away from his, her hand began to run over his chest, relishing the tautness of him. Her own body was aflame as she took in the feel of him over her, the intensity of his look, the heat of his desire. Slowly his gaze began to shift and his eyes began to devour her, inch by inch. His expression seemed to be agony almost. He was retraining himself, she realized. "You can touch me, you know. I won't break."

Dark eyes shifted back to hers. "I don't wish to hurt thee."

"I trust that you will not. I want you, Sarek. I want you to touch me."

His groan had an animal like quality to it as his hand moved over her body worshipfully. His fingers played over her reverently, touching but not lingering, driving her to madness. Finally, she grabbed his hand with hers and stopped it over her breast, his fingertips resting over her nipple. "Ah," he whispered huskily. Then he began to tease her with his fingertip and thumb. She arched beneath him, her body begging for more.

Sarek took his time with her, teasing and bringing her to her limits several times before she grabbed his manhood, Vulcanhood? She gasped, not only at his throbbing heat, but at his size. He whimpered as she stroked him. "I cannot hold back much longer," he told her quietly, desperately.

"There is no need," she answered. "I burn for thee," she said, repeating his words from earlier.

He filled her with himself. She gasped as he thrust into her, his size causing discomfort. But their combined fluids eased the tension and soon it felt natural to her. Her body had a mind of its own as it moved to meet his motions, finding rhythm with him. He brought her to ecstasy several times, each time more intense and leaving her feeling weaker until he had slowly rebuilt the fire and thrust into her again. How can he last so long? Where does he get his stamina from?"

She was clinging to him, his manhood buried deeply within her. She loved the feel of him so deep within her and didn't want him to withdraw, even slightly. "Maeve," he whispered hoarsely, "I must…have you…I must…but…"

"Sarek," she whispered back, "Take me. I am yours to take."

She felt the shudder that ran through him. "You do not understand…"

"I understand that this is… this is beyond anything I ever thought it could be. I want you, Sarek of Vulcan. I want this to never end."

"And so, it will not." The tips of his fingers felt like searing heat on her face and then her world began to shift and he was inside her, inside her head. "Your mind to my mind," he said softly…

Several days later they lay next to one another on her bed, exhausted. He was silent, reflective. She felt his contentment. And then she felt his mood change. Suddenly he sat up and stared at her. "Why did you not inform me?"

"Inform you of what?" she asked in surprise.

"You were... you had not…you were…a virgin, were you not?"

"Yes, I was. You were my first, my only. You will always be my only."

"I…assumed …most human females have…experience by the time they reach your age."

"As you pointed out, I am unique. I was saving my …gift for someone very special."

His demeanor softened. "For me?"

"Well, I didn't know about you before but…on the front porch that night, I knew that I wanted you to be my first and perhaps my only."

Sarek sat, contemplating. "I must apologize then," he said flatly.

"For what?"

"I…in the heat, I mistook your…exuberance for…something else and instincts overtook me. I am afraid the bond cannot be broken."

"I have not asked that you break it. But I do believe I have heard of it having been broken before."

"Yes, under unusual circumstances and…it would almost certainly be my…demise."

"Dear Sarek," she said, stroking his arm, "I mean that much to you?"

"We are bonded. You are a part of me. I almost died when I lost Amanda. I do not believe I could survive it again."

"But it all happened so quickly. And we haven't been together all that long. Surely your feelings for me do not run that deep?"

"My feelings for you? I…you are…as I said, a part of me. You are she who is my wife."

"But we haven't gotten married, not officially anyway. You are not obligated…"

"I am your bondmate." He thought for a moment. "Do you wish to break the bond? Do you not wish to be married? Do you not wish to be my wife?"

"Dear Sarek, I wish to be yours," she said as she reached for his ear, her fingers playing over it. She relished his response as he shuddered. "I did not intend to imply anything else. It's just that everything has happened so fast, it is hard to believe that it feels so…right."

"I understand. I feel complete. But I must warn you…my… attentions may become more…vigorous."

Maeve snickered. "Really?"

He was blushing again. She loved it when he blushed. "Vulcan males have a cycle and when it is time, they must mate. Having a human wife who welcomes the mating ritual regularly instead, of only at the male's time, is helpful. It lessens the intensity. But since I have been without…the activity for so long, when my time does come, I fear it will be…overwhelming for you."

"When do you expect the…time?"

"Four point three of your weeks."

"Ah, so we have time to engage in the activity so that perhaps the effects will be lessened and you won't be so overwhelming?"

A glint shone in his eyes. "Ah yes, I suppose there is logic to your question. Yes, perhaps more activity will lessen the effects."

"Hmmm, so …."

"So?"

"So, what's holding you up? We need to be more active, my husband."

"You are suggesting that we…that now is appropriate?"

"Now is always appropriate," she answered as she began fingering his ear again. "Now and forever…"

Okay, I realize that my Sarek is showing more emotion than we are used to. Also, things progressed rather quickly between the characters, but that's the way it seemed to flow as I wrote. Please let me know what you think. Not having any feedback, I don't know if I'm even close to this being any good.