Human females, upon close observation, were very complex creatures.

Sarek had come to the very logical conclusion that if such a thing as a perfect opposite to a Vulcan existed, a human female would be it. They seemed totally driven by emotions and talking about how they feel at all times.

Another conclusion he'd come to is that upsetting Amanda equaled pain.

And was she ever upset with him. Livid. What was the reason? Him, of course. They fought more about his actions and Vulcan ways than any other topic, and really, it was becoming tiresome. He was not willing to abandon logic for her, and she wasn't willing to reign in her irrational human emotions for him. There was to be no middle ground.

"You know, most people respond to 'I love you' in a POSITIVE way, Sarek." There was an earth saying he'd learned from his time around her: IF LOOKS COULD KILL. His wife was glaring in a most unpleasing manner, hands firmly placed on hips (human body language was particularly interesting to him). "Spock was DEVASTATED by your coldness. He's your son for god's sake!"

He narrowed his eyes. "Amanda, the earlier he learns that such emotional outbursts are not permitted, the---"

She pointed accusingly at him. "Don't. Don't you DARE."

"Such admissions of love are illogical, Amanda. At least for Vulcans." Sarek studied her face. Fascinating, all the combinations of emotions in one place. Anger, hurt, sadness, and some unnamed feeling he couldn't place. "There is no reason to vocalize affection for us. It is, simply put, a waste of breathe."

"I hate you." His impressive Vulcan control was knocked away, and Sarek felt his heart break. Amanda wiped her eyes angrily. "And since it's a waste of breath to convince me otherwise, I know you hate me too. So you won't feel anything if I decide to leave, will you?!"

It took all his will to keep the tears away. "Amanda, I----"

A pair of brown eyes stared from the doorway, face red from the tears and the shame of crying. "Father?" Both of them turned to face the little Vulcan, who looked at his feet. "Father, I---I apologize for my....." Spock wiped his eyes with his tiny fists, looking so small and ashamed that Sarek knew, logically, he couldn't deny him forgiveness.

He nodded. "All is forgiven, Spock. But let this be a lesson, my son. Think with your logic, not with your heart. Remember that."

Amanda gave him one last angry look before storming out, her emotions controlling her once more. Spock watched her go, confused. "Is something wrong with mother?"

"No my son." Sarek winced ever so slightly. "She is merely human."

---

---

He found her on the balcony, crying brokenheartedly in the emerging twilight.

"Amanda?" She flinched visibly, turning away from him even more. Sarek sighed. "My wife, look at me."

She made no effort to do so. "What for?"

He strode over to her, grabbing her hand. "Amanda, please look at me." Amanda complied, her face to him slowly. Her face was stained with tears, and Sarek logically decided they did not suit her, wiping them away. "I would prefer if we ceased our quarreling." He looked down, allowing himself to feel ashamed. "I forget just how different we are sometimes."

Amanda nodded slightly. "I'm always going to have emotions, Sarek. And I'm always going to show them, especially towards Spock." She sighed heavily. "Do not fault me for loving him."

"I am...." How sad she looked in the dying sun! It was truly remarkable how quickly humans changed their emotions, and how subtley too. Sarek cupped her face gently. "I am sorry. I still do not understand humans, or how to avoid hurting them."

She gave him the ghost of a smile. "Careful, Sarek. Someone would think you're actually showing affection." Sarcasm, another human trait that baffled him. Nevertheless, her hands reached up and joined with his, and she smiled wider."Well.....I think I could forgive you."

Sarek knitted his brow slightly. "And you will not leave?"

Amanda's eyes widened. "Oh Sarek...." Her lips found his in a common human sign of affection. "Sarek I didn't mean that, I was just upset, I---- Oh, I'm so sorry for frightening you---"

"Fear is illogical." She didn't buy it, giving him an incredulous look. Sarek felt his cheeks grow hot. "All the same, it was...distressing."

Laughter. He did not understand it more than any other human action. Amanda's laugh was airy, quiet, and heartfelt as she kissed him again. "Don't worry, I won't leave."

Their fingers came together, the bond they shared opening up, and Sarek made sure that his love for her got through.

It was illogical to state it out loud.