"I don't like it, Sarek," Amanda finally admitted. "The tradition seems archaic, if I'm going to be honest."

"I agree," he said.

Amanda looked at her hands, pale from clasping them tight enough to cut off circulation. The worry was not expressed elsewhere though. Sarek did not interrupt her thought process, knowing that it would annoy her.

"We should let Spock decide," she said.

Sarek controlled the frown and kept his face simply stern. "He's only seven," he reminded.

That seemed to anger Amanda. Her gaze scorched him with its intensity as she said, "And yet you want to marry him off to some stranger! He's a smart boy, and he'll resent us if we do this without his input."

There was pride in those words. Sarek acknowledged her point with a nod, though he wanted to correct her misconception. Amanda relaxed.

"I will explain the situation to Spock," he demanded. "He must understand how serious the consequences will be if he does not bond soon."

Amanda considered it quickly before smiling. "You're going to tell him about the birds and the bees then?"

"He has already studied the basics of anatomy and biology, Amanda," he answered stiffly.

She laughed, her eyes teasing him. Sarek narrowed his own.

"Goodness, how have Vulcans managed so far without me. Let me handle explaining love to him," she suggested. "You help him with his homework."

Sarek felt warmth linger along their bond and wrapped it closer. "That is acceptable."

That evening, Sarek sat on Spock's bed, and waited for him. When Spock entered his room, he sat beside his father. The top of his head still did not reach Sarek's shoulders despite this, but the doctors had assured them that this was not uncommon for male omegas to not have significant height changes until they were well into adolescence.

Sarek was direct. "Your hormonal imbalance has not corrected itself despite the treatments. The symptoms will soon negatively affect you if we do not perform the Kan-Telan."

Spock seemed to have trouble meeting his father's eyes. He did not fidget though, so it was a noteworthy improvement from last year. When Spock did not say anything in response, Sarek continued to explain.

"This will be your choice, Spock, but you must understand what the implications of this decision will be. We have the option to seek more experts pertaining to your issue, but that will take time that you may no longer have," he emphasized. "If we wait until you have begun puberty, there will be little that they can do. There is a study that suggests linking your mind to another, at least in this way, will convince your system to realign yourself appropriately."

"If I was completely Vulcan, I would not have this problem."

Sarek was unsure if Spock was stating his opinion or posing it as a question. He chose to regard it as the later.

"The study indicated that this was not an uncommon for all omega male Vulcans," he reassured Spock. "In this matter, there is nothing unusual about your situation."

That seemed to encourage Spock enough to meet Sarek's inquisitive gaze with brown eyes strikingly similar to Amanda's. Spock nodded. He would agree to the bond.

"Do you know who will agree to the ceremony?" Spock asked.

Sarek considered for a moment. His son was being unusually amenable with his recommendations. A sign of maturity? If so, Sarek was relieved. Spock would be better able to interact with his peers at the Vulcan Learning Center.

"Her name is T'Pring."

Spock tested the link with his mind again, fascinated by the strange and foreign sensations. T'Pring withdrew in response. He looked at her from across the table. She was watching him as well, expression devoid of any emotion.

Your thoughts are loud, T'Pring complained.

He withdrew behind his shields as well. Spock did not want to hurt her. He did not apologize though. According to the other males at the Learning Center, apologies were illogical. Spock sensed that she understood his regret, however.

T'Pring pushed a book across the table. For you.

"Thank you," he said aloud so that Amanda would not think he was without manners.

She waited for him to examine the title before explaining. These are instructions for different types of meditation.

A looming shadow appeared in his mind. Spock knew that the images he saw were pale overlays from her imagination. He did not react despite the coldness he felt down his spine. T'Pring understood that the others were singling him out at the Learning Center for his lack of emotional control, and that she wanted to protect him in her own way.

Do all omegas let others fight their battles? he wondered.

T'Pring's eyelids fluttered, her delicate features echoing her surprise. I am not ashamed to be an omega. We are different and weaker than others, so we must find other ways of protecting ourselves. She did not flinch at the frustration that surged down their link. I think you will understand later, Spock. It is still dangerous to be an omega. There are people that would hurt us.

Spock could not envision a situation where anyone would attempt to take advantage of T'Pring. She sat poised and in control of what happened to her. That anyone would want to hurt her seemed wrong to him.

Surely the alpha instinct would not allow them to attack an omega, he thought.

You're wrong.

"I'm assuming that the reason you two are so quiet is because the link is working?" Amanda interrupted. She didn't smile down at the two children, but Spock knew that she wanted to. "Can you talk with one another telepathically? I could never manage a whole conversation."

Spock folded his hands primly in his lap. "Yes, mother. I have been able to differentiate T'Pring's thoughts from my own for 9.34 minutes now."

"Affirmative," T'Pring attested. "We are also able to transmit images and emotions."

Sarek said to Amanda, "Their bond is strong for such a young age. They will be compatible enough to bring stability to one another."

T'Pring caught Spock's eye. I'm helping you too?

It would seem that both of us have a hormonal imbalance issue, Spock concluded. A yes rushed into his mind along with images of an endless cycle of doctor visits and hospital treatments. Spock tried to share some of his own experiences, but did not quite have the skill for the transference.

Sarek turned to T'Pring's parents to begin arrangements for further meetings. Their continued proximity would not only help the bond, but hopefully also regain an equilibrium that their bodies could maintain. T'Pring would have to attend the same Vulcan Learning Center as Spock, but her parents did not consider that an issue.

Spock could feel her sadness though, since both of their mental shields were not fully in place. T'Pring would miss her friends. She was worried that she would be alone.

He tried to reassure her, We'll be friends.

I know. But…

Spock understood. She was concerned with what others would think about their link. They were both omegas, which seemed to be an issue, and Spock was a half breed, which was definitely an issue.

Apologies were illogical, but Spock could feel T'Pring's sorry linger along their bond. He withdrew behind his shields, trying to regain emotional control.

"Let's go, Spock," Amanda touched his arm lightly.

He blinked up at her. She was worried again. Unable to meet T'Pring's eyes, he stated his farewell, and left with his parents.

Spock didn't look back, but he could feel her eyes on him.