Ah, sorry for the wait guys I just could not get the second half of this right, It was really difficult to get the emotional confusion and the progress from being upset to being decisive. I am just not happy with it but I have to put it up because it's the best I can do. So sorry guys.

Thank you Jay Fitzpatrick for your edting eye.

The (oops, can't tell you it would reveal too much)

Doctor Yamin stared across the table at Mandy. He steeped his fingers and peered over the top of his glasses at her. Mandy squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She had always been healthy and had never come to Doctor Yamin for anything other than an ear infection and the stomach flu. She had also taught his daughter the previous year. So this was a rather awkward situation for her. But she had to know what was wrong. She could admit that she was scared.

"I'm sorry Miss Grayson could you repeat that."

Mandy took a deep breath and repeated herself.

"I think I've caught an Alien STI."

"Right." Yamin stretched the word out. Mandy wondered if he'd ever heard anything like it before. She'd told herself that with all the aliens that visited earth that this must be quite a common problem, but she knew from Yamin's reaction that she was kidding herself.

"And why do you think that? What symptoms do you have?"

Mandy took another deep breath. She took a moment to figure out the best words to use but she knew which ever she chooses it would just sound weird.

"I feel like there is another person in my head."

Yamin didn't blink and his expression didn't change in the slightest. It reminded her of somebody she would rather not think of.

"You hear voices that are not your own?"

"No, just...like...a presence."

Yamin continued to stare at her; it was a full minute before he asked his next question as if he was being careful as to what questions he asked her.

"You say that you believe this to be a sexual infection, may I ask why? You have not told me of any physical symptoms yet."

"There aren't any physical symptoms."

"Then why do you believe it is a sexual infection? And an 'alien' sexual infection?"

"I had a sexual...partner two weeks ago. He was Vulcan."

She noticed the flicker of surprise pass over Doctor Yamin's face.

"I say I believe it is a sexual infection because I first noticed my...symptoms the morning afterwards."

"A Vulcan?"

"Yes."

"And have you discussed this with him?"

"No, I cannot contact him."

Yamin gave out a sharp breath. Perhaps he was wondering what kind of woman he had left his child with.

"Amanda, perhaps you could tell me more about this presence that you feel. You are sure you do not hear words spoken to you?"

Mandy felt her muscles tense, she knew where this was going. She had considered it, in the middle of the night she had questioned her sanity. That feeling that she was not alone was not normal. She would be making a sandwich and feel the shiver up her spine as if somebody was watching her; she would turn around and found nobody there. She would feel something unusual, like a tickle in the inside of her skull as she worked. She would sit on the sofa to watch a film and she would know, just know that she was not alone. At times she would feel hints of emotion that were completely apart from what she was feeling or doing at the time, as if those incidence of irritation or frustration were not her own. And she had heard a voice that was not her own, as she had made love to Sarek she had heard that strange voice in her head. She didn't want to admit to it, that there were signs that suggested something wrong was with her mind. She preferred to think that Sa- He had given her some kind of infection.

Yamin stared at her, she had obviously been thinking the question over for to long. He would know she was keeping something from him. She had to be honest; she didn't think she was going insane. But does an insane person know they are insane? And if she were somewhat unstable should she be around the children?

"Yes." She admitted. "Once."

"What did the voice say? Did it want you to hurt yourself? To hurt anybody else?"

"No, nothing like that. It said..." She tried to remember the night that she had been avoiding thinking about. "I thought a question and a voice answered I do not know, I do not experience things as you do. And it said 'I claim you as my own'. Then I uh... I wanted something and it said 'as you wish' and uh...it happened."

Doctor Yamin was definitely frowning now.

"And that was the only time you heard the voice?"

"Yes."

"What were you doing at the time?"

"That was uh... that was during the sex."

Yamin nodded slowly then his face turned to something sympathetic and he spoke gently.

"Mandy, was the sex consensual?"

"Well, he seemed to want it at the time."

Yamin's harsh stare came back.

"I see... Miss Grayson, would you be willing to take a psychiatric examination?"

"Do you really think it's necessary?"

"Yes."

"You do not think it's an infection?"

"Voices in the mind and the feeling of a presence connected to you that is not your own is not a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection. I understand that you are linking this to the sexual intercourse and there may be a reason for that. I would like to refer you to a psychologist after you have taken the psychiatric examination so that we can find out why that is. "

"You think it's something like schizophrenia don't you?"

"Maybe nothing quite so advanced. Perhaps this is a reaction to stress. Have you been under a lot of stress lately Mandy?"

"No. Well...I..I was in a relationship with this man, the Vulcan, and it...it ended...badly."

"I see. I can get you in for a psychiatric evaluation in two days, and to see the psychiatrist on the same day. I want you to take some time off work until then and to avoid all stress."

"But... Vulcan's are a little telepathic you know...it is possible that that something along those lines happened."

"Amanda, will you go to the appointments I make for you?"

"Yes, I will. I just...I, was wondering if there were any specialist in this sort of thing I could talk to?"

"A specialist in sexually transmitted infections will just tell you the same."

"I meant a specialist in alien diseases."

"No, I do not know of anybody."

Mandy gave a short nod. Yamin turned his attention to the computer in front of him and typed in something then printed off a sheet with her appointment times on them. The conversation was over. Mandy took the sheet thanked him and walked out the doctor's office feeling more worried than she was when she entered the doctor's office. Was she going insane? Had she been more stressed than she realized lately? And why if so, did that presence that scared her not feel scary itself. It felt...somehow comforting, caring.

Mandy had two calls to make. She didn't know which one would be worse. How do you tell your boss that you were taking two days off work because you were either fruitier and nuttier than a fruit and nut bar or you had caught some kind of telepathic disease that was caught from surprisingly hot and slightly rough sex with a supposedly unemotional alien ambassador? But the other one, the 'did you do something to me?' talk with your ex-boyfriend who you didn't think you could face seeing because even though you weren't together long you had cried last night because it was the two week anniversary of when he had walked out on her. She had never cried for a man like that before. She couldn't understand it, three crying bouts over somebody she had not known for long. It was then, at those times that she felt the presence, warm and comforting and she'd be thankful for it, welcome it with open arms. It wasn't until later when the tears had stopped and she felt calmer that she became scared of that strange presence. Dammit, she was nuts.

She took a deep breath, it had to be done. Time to get it over with. She typed the familiar number into her com system folding herself up on the floor as it connected. She was thankful (for the first time ever) to see Max. He frowned openly at her but she didn't mind. At least she didn't have to face him.

"Hello Miss Grayson." He said civilly. "Ambassador Sarek is in a meeting. You may ring him in a few hours."

"That's okay. Can you take a message?"

Max gave her a look of absolute disgust. He reached for a PADD that was on the desk in front of him though. When he stared with barely concealed hostility across the bed at her she decided he was ready for her to talk.

"I need to know whether... whether he did something to me the last time I saw him."

Max didn't write he just stared at her. Then with a sigh he put the stylus down on the table.
"I do not have time for this."

"Look, I know it's a cryptic message but it's an important one."

"And what exactly is the ambassador meant to have done to you; I don't want to be unknowingly accusing my boss of something."

"Look, it's...I was just wondering if he had accidentally I don't know...done something telepathically to me. Look, just ask him or I'll ask him and tell him that you refused to do your job."

Max shot her a scowl.

"Send him an e-mail."

The screen went blank.

"Shit." She muttered under her breath. She took a deep breath and thought 'here we go again'. She typed in Max's number. It was the weekend so it was his home number so she had to look it up on the com. She had only visited his house once and only called his home a handful of times. She remembered it to be quite a cosy place for a bachelor pad, the entertainment screen had been much larger than necessary of course, the kitchen had obviously never been used for anything except replicating but there had been interesting trinkets and art work and even a decorative throw. This time when the com connected it was the person she had expected to see. Paul, who Mandy had to admit always looked good in his work clothes, (shirts and slacks and the occasional suit jacket at winter) had a strange fascination for badly dyed jeans and brightly coloured polo shirts outside work. This time it was an unflattering bright orange.

"Mandy" He said his please voice and smile made her feel even more guilty than she already did.

"HI Paul." She tried for a small smile but just ended up feeling sick. "Are you having a good weekend?"

"Yeah, pretty good. Just been relaxing but I have a pub quiz tonight, you might want to come along we're one man short and I know we could use the help." He said happily, and then something dark crossed his face. "But then I guess you probably have a date."

"No not tonight, I um...I'm not well."

"Oh, what's wrong?"

"It's uh...it's uh, the doctor wasn't actually too sure what it was I'm uh...going in for more tests on Tuesday. But I was told to stay away from work until then. I'm sorry for the short notice."

"It's okay, I'm sure I'll find somebody." he said with a reassuring smile.

"I'm just worried about you, is it something serious?"

Mandy looked up at him, for a moment he couldn't answer. His sweetness was just making her feel worse by the second.

"Would you like me to pick up some fresh soup and come over?"

"No...No I, I'm just..." She floundered, she was just what? Worried that she was going insane, tired because she couldn't sleep, possibly (though the doctor didn't think it) had caught some weird mind attacking alien disease, heartbroken. She couldn't take it any more she let her head fall into her hands and she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Mandy."

She heard Paul's voice over the com but she didn't look up.

"Mandy, what's wrong. Look I'm coming over. "

"No, no please don't I just need some time alone."
Paul was quiet for a long time.

"Okay, if that's what you need. But will you ring me tomorrow?"

"Yes okay."

"Will you be able to return to work after Tuesday?"

"Maybe."

"Mandy, if you need the week then just tell me."

"I... I think I need the week." Mandy said, she had no idea what would happen on Tuesday and even if everything turned out all right perhaps she could use the time off. She needed to give herself time to relax and distress.

"Okay. Call me."

Mandy nodded aware that her limited make up was running and that her eyes were red and puffy and that, rather unfortunately her nose was also running. Her mother had always told her not to cry 'some girls can look perfectly pretty when they cry and men want to put their arms around them. You are not one of them you are and ugly crier and should never do it in the presence of a man.'

"Thanks Paul. I'm sorry I'll call you tomorrow."

She hit the button to turn off the screen and now alone wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt. Her whole body seemed to hurt. But after a while of sitting still trying to stop crying she felt a warmness fall over her. The presence came upon her; that feeling of somebody else sat next to her. She thought that she should push it away, that it may be a symptom of insanity but it felt comforting to her so she allowed it. She felt it wrap around her and sink into her and calmness fell over her. The tears and shaking stopped and the pain and worry dissipated.

She was able to stand up and after a moments consideration she went to the freezer where she got out a big tub of double chocolate chip ice cream. Sarek hadn't like ice cream she thought as she grabbed a spoon . Movies could be dangerous when she was feeling blue so she turned on the music player and collapsed on the sofa. It wasn't the time to be thinking of calories or of how unhealthy it was to spend a day on the sofa singing along to sad tunes. It was just a day to get over and done with. She'd tackle e-mailing Sarek the next day, for now she allowed herself to act like a dumped teenager.

Ambassador Sarek

I would not contact you if I were not desperate. I do not know how to ask this question, it seems strange even to my own ears. Did you do something to me telepathically, I do not know how these things work but something odd has been going on in my mind since that night. I feel like I am experiencing emotions not my own and I feel a presence around me that's not my own as well. If you could tell me anything that might explain this I would be grateful.

Amanda Grayson

Mandy pressed the send button before she could rethink it. She felt somewhat better after eleven hours of sleep. She had woke up with a clear head, she was not going insane. She was perhaps a little stressed and needed a break and there was a possibility that Sarek had done something to her. She felt that Sarek had done something to her because that strange presence for some reason felt a little like him. She left her desk and took a shower and planned out her day. She decided to go and get some nice fresh salads as she had eaten too much junk the previous day. She would visit her favourite book store, the one that still sold paper books and she would buy herself a present then later she would go out jogging and she'd call Paul and apologize for the previous night and then to her mother's for dinner. She would make today a good day.

After jogging, showering and fixing a good healthy lunch Mandy started to clean the apartment. She worked none stop, cleaning her oven and worktops, sweeping and mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors, turning the auto clean on in the shower and wiping down the sink and toilet. Then the bedroom, she changed the sheets, put the automated window polisher on, and started vacuuming. Then she moved into the front room, vacuuming through. She was sweating by the time she started to clear the floor of little pieces of fallen paper and the general little pieces of junk that ends up being pushed into corners and under sofa's when she quickly hovered before work. She bent down to peer under the sofa and fished out an old stylus and a sweet wrapper.

There was a little gap between her mantle and the bookshelf on the side of it and as she hovered she noticed that a thin line of paper had fallen in between that gap. She sighed, wiped the back of her hand over her forehead and bent to pick it up. The moment she saw it she froze, her heart decided to skip a couple of beats and then make up for it by going three times as fast. It was a picture, the picture, the one of her and Sarek at the bowling alley. She sat down on the back of her heels and stared.

She felt the stab of pain and nausea. She stared at the photo, taking in Sarek's chiselled features. Once she had not found him hansom, now that face had no faults. The wonderfully deep eyes, the slightly curved lips and perfectly straight nose, the salt and pepper hair that dipped slightly over those pointed ears that she had nipped lightly as they had made love. She remembered the warmth and smoothness of his body over hers; the strength of him and the gentleness of some of his caresses. She would not allow herself to cry this time. But she could not help the feeling of disappointment and loss. Sarek was something special, he had made her feel wanted in a way she had never experienced before. He had made her laugh and had said sweet things to her and had made her skin feel alight with desire every time he touched her. She had felt adored. She had been falling in love. And she had felt like there was so much more time to be had with him; so much more to discover about him and to experience with him. It had not had it's time and its incompleteness would always fall under the regrets column in her life story. She didn't know what had gone wrong, so she didn't know how to fix it but given the chance she felt she would forgive him and try. They just needed more time.

She looked at the picture one last time then she put it back on the floor hidden between the mantle and the bookshelf just as she had found and continued to vacuum.

All the way to her mother's house Mandy thought about turning around and pretending she was ill so she couldn't go. The only reason she continued driving was that there was a very good possibility that if she did not go to her parents house for dinner then her mother would turn up at her apartment with homemade chicken soup and proceed to 'tidy' the place whilst looking through all her possessions and making unwanted comments on how to make her life better. She might have even tried to set her up on a date whilst she was weak and unable to argue.

She resisted backing over her mother petunias as she parked, it was not the petunias fault she was had to put up with her prying mother. She got out the car walked down the cobbled path and pressed the button. When her mother opened the door she got a long body sweeping glance taking in her old worn jeans and tatty T-shirt.

"Amanda. Have you been redecorating?"

Before Mandy could answer her mother answered the question for her.

"Good, it's really out of date; neutral floral patterns are in this year."

"Are they?" She asked deciding not to start arguing straight away. "Is Sarah here yet?"

"Yes, she's actually up in her own room. Doing..." She waved her hand in the air. "Whatever, I swear her hormones are all over the place."

"Okay, I'm going to go up and say hello."

"Okay darling, oh I'm making a risotto."

"Sounds good Mum." Mandy went up the stairs feeling a little relief to be able to speak to her sister in private. Their mother had a habit of interrupting and putting her two cents in. She peeked into her old room as she walked past, as a teenager she had it painted a nice pale yellow but her mother had repainted it fuchsia when she had moved out. It now contained a running machine and yoga mat and a big silver ball. Mandy felt her insides wince and quickly closed the door. She knocked on the metal of her sisters room and the door slid open. Sarah was sat folded up on the bed (her room had not been changed but she had only moved out four years previously) hugging her old threadbare teddy. It was just like when they were teenagers except for Sarah's huge pregnant stomach. She looked up at Mandy as she walked in and gave her a weak smile. Mandy sat on the edge of the bed and brushed Sarah's light hair away from her face. Sarah looked like the little timid girl she had been when they were growing up and Mandy felt a surge of affection for her. She reached down and rubbed the ears of the little yellow teddy.

"Is Tootsie going to the baby?"

Sarah held the bear out from her and looked at it.

"Do you think Brian would mind if Tootsie shared the bed with us?"

"Nooo...Tootsie was there first."

Sarah nodded and put her head back down into the bear's barely-there fur.

"So...you going to tell me what's up?" Mandy asked.

Sarah sighed.

"Mom says that she's moving in with me for a few weeks after little one is born because there's no way I would be able to look after him, on his own and Oh! Of course I have to continue on a family name and name him after granddad."

"You are not naming your son Herbert!"

"I know right!"

"And you will be able to look after him on your own, you have Brian and yes I know being a new mother must be confusing but I know you can do it."

She gave another small smile.

"Thanks Mands'."

Mandy pulled her in for a cuddle smelling that familiar Sarah smell that reminded her of childhood games and falling asleep together on the couch after a big thanks giving dinner.

"Oh, you know you could always say that Brian's mom already said she was coming to stay."

"Mom hates Brian's Mom"

"Exactly."

Sarah gave a giggle.

"You know that might actually work."

"Of course it will."

Sarah laughed. Then she turned and looked at Mandy as if he was trying to work something out.

"Are you okay Mandy?"

Mandy sighed and looked down at her hands she wanted to talk to somebody about everything that was going on but she didn't want to worry her heavily pregnant sister with the whole 'tomorrow I'm going to go see a psychiatrist because I'm hearing voices' thing.

"Mandy?"

"I um...Something happened with Sarek. We broke up."

She felt Sarah's hand on her shoulder.

"What happened? Did you have an argument?"

"No, no arguments, he just walked out."

"Why?"

"I don't know, we...we had sex and he got up and he said he was sorry that he slept with me and then he left."

Sarah was silent and Mandy turned to see her string back looking a little gob-smacked a little concerned and a with a touch of hero worship thrown in.

"What?"

"You slept with him?"

"Yes then he dumped me."

"I'll get to that in a minute. But YOU SHAGGED AN ALIEN!"

"Shush, Mon will hear."

"Was it weird?"

"No it wasn't weird." Mandy said feeling slight abashed. "Well." She corrected. "There was a weird moment but I am not telling you about that."

"But, you know...was he normal."

"Of course he was normal."

"And they do it in the same way."

"No." Mandy said getting angry. "We were on other sides of the room and he hypnotized me and shot me with a sperm gun."

Sarah gave her a wide eyed look until she realized that Mandy was being sarcastic.

"Come on Mands, I'm just curious, I don't know anybody whose slept with an alien. And you know I was a virgin before I met Brian."

"Like hell you were, what about-"

"Doesn't count." Sarah said before Mandy had even got the words out.

"And-"

"Doesn't count either."

"Okay what about..."

"Other girls don't count either."

"Okay, how does that work, you had three partners before Brian so how do you figure you were a virgin?"

"It's like that song...he made me feel like a Virgin."

"Okay you're being ridiculous."

"I know I am but you're not thinking about what's-his-face, now are you?"

"No." Mandy gave a little smile. "Not till I brought him up again I wasn't."

"So...he was a fuck 'em dump 'em?"

"No, I don't think so. I think something happened. He's sixty you know and... WHAT NOW?"

She said as Sarah's mouth dropped open again.

"He's almost as old as Dad."

"Vulcan's age differently, they live over two hundred years."

Sarah looked thoughtful.

"I don't think you should feel depressed over a guy that does that to you. He's obviously not wroth it. I know you must be feeling pretty embarrassed..."

"No, Sarah I'm not. I did really like him and this behaviour doesn't seem right to me. It was like something was wrong and he wouldn't tell me. Or maybe I got angry and shouted at him before he'd tell me. I don't know." She shook her head holding back tears again. "It wasn't like he was trying to get me as some kind of a conquest or an experiment. I was the one who had to wait for him. You know Sarah I felt something I've never felt before and I'm wondering how I managed to lose it."

Sarah wrapped her arms around Mandy's back in a very awkward hug.

"I thought he was a good one and for some reason I still do."

"Oh Mandy, I don't know what to say. But that doesn't sound like the actions of a good man."

Mandy hugged her back.

"I'll get over it."

"I know you will."

"You know this reminds me of old times."

Mandy laughed.

"Us both feeling pretty damned depressed."

"Yes, but being able to talk about it with each other."

"You know you can always com me."

"I know. It's just better to talk to you face to face."

"You know I'm taking some time of work this week." She held her hand up as Sarah began to speak. "Just stress. But listen, as I have some time off perhaps you and I can go shopping. Buy some cute onesies for the baby."

Sarah smiled widely.

"Yeah. Yeah, I don't know when the last time we went shopping together was."

"I think it was the weekend before your wedding."

Sarah laughed.

"Oh yeah when we got my wedding underwear."

Their sisterly moment was ruined when they heard their mother calling them for dinner. Mandy gave a 'here we go again' look at Sarah.

"You ready for this."

"You got my back?"

"Always."

Mandy nervously fiddled with her cardigan. It was baggy, blue, and she hoped it said responsible adult who is not insane, but that might have been to much to expect a cardigan to say. She checked her bag one more time and looked towards the clock, time to go. She did not relish the prospect of meeting the psychiatrist. In fact it was terrifying to her, she had always considered herself level headed and emotionally stable but how would she know? Do insane people really know if they're insane?

Just as she was taking a deep breath and sealing herself to go out the door bell rang. She silently swore under her breath and preyed it wasn't her mother or Paul turning up with a bowl of soup, she did not want to try explaining to them that she had an important appointment to go to. There was one name she didn't think to add to that silent prayer. When she pressed the unlock button the door slide open to reveal Sarek.

He looked down at her his hands folded behind his back and his expression somewhat brooding. Illogically the first thing that sprung to her mind was ' god, I'd forgotten how tall he is.' The emotions quickly worked their way through the shock though and she felt as if her chest had been hit by a large hammer.

"Hello Amanda."

"I'm getting ready to go out."

"If you could spare me three minutes, I do not think my business here will take much longer than that."

Mandy didn't answer, she simply couldn't. But she knew he was here because of the message she had sent him and she needed the answer before she went to the psychologist.

She watched him wearily as he walked into her house. She had different emotion flickering through her at every moment there was a little anger left, mainly just hurt and a left stir of unwanted desire in her stomach.

Sarek looked at her; there was something similar to nervousness in the way he stood.

"Our cultures have very different ..."

"Wait." She held up her hand not wanting to hear any excuses or any back stepping on why he had walked out on her. With his sudden appearance surprising her she found that she couldn't handle discussing that, it was too painful. She had thought herself in love with him and he had left mere minutes later. She didn't want the explanation because she didn't want to cry in front of him. While she held onto those tiny wisps of anger that remained then she had the strength to handle this.

"I don't want to know that, all I want to know is if you did anything to my mind. Did you try to read it?"

Sarek stared at her for a moment, his face was completely blank.

"I did not try to. Our minds connected when our bodies connected, there are telepathic sensors in the skin and every time that we touched I received impression of emotion that I could block but there were too many connections to block. That was the mistake."

Mandy had been staring down at the floor as he spoke but when he said the word mistake her eyes flicked up to see him again. She felt a sudden rise of anger and wanted to shout at him again. That night, those words just kept repeating themselves in her mind. She took a deep breath trying to get back into control.

"So you did do something?"

"Yes."

"Is that why I still feel like there's another presence in my mind?"

Some unknown emotion flashed across Sarek's face.

"You can feel it?" He asked then muttered to himself. "I had no idea our minds would be so compatible."

"Sarek, can you please just explain this to me in straight forwards standard what this is about because I am scared."

Sarek looked up at her sharply.

"You are scared? The link, presence as you said scares you?"

"Yes because I don't know what it is. Sarek! Just tell me."

"It is the start of a bond. It is already strong."

"A bond...wait." Mandy bit her lip as she was trying to remember all the things about his race that Sarek had told her. She bit her lip, not quiet believing she was going to ask.

"Like the telepathic bonds that you make when you get married."

"Exactly like that."

Mandy sighed; she had no idea what to ask first, how? Why? What do they do about it?

"That is why I am here."

Sarek reached into the pocket of his long coat. "I have researched this tradition but I am as yet unaware of if there is a specific knee one is meant to use. I hope that you do not take offence if I make a mistake."

Then Sarek knelt on her floor on one knee and got a small box out of his pocket. He flicked it open to reveal a simple diamond ring. Mandy stared back, blinking in confusion.

"Amanda Greyson, will you marry me and undergo the full bonding ceremony on Vulcan?"

Mandy blinks for a few minutes, no idea what to say, not quite believing what was going on in front of her. Maybe she was mad, and this was all a hallucination. She opened her mouth hoping some intelligent words would come out.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Sarek stared up at her and she saw a note of surprise pass over those fine features.

"That was not one of the two answers I anticipated."

"Wait, wait." Mandy held up her hand and shook her head, she felt completely lost. The whole situation seemed surreal. If it were anybody except Sarek Mandy would think it were a joke but she unfortunately knew he was being completely serious. It was scary and confusing but she didn't want to tell him to leave. That comforting presence in her mind, the soothing companionable presence no longer scared her now she knew that it was him.

"We sleep together." She saw his eyebrows furrow slightly and knew he was going to make an objection somewhere along the lines of 'we did not sleep' so she corrected herself.

"We had sexual intercourse together and you said you were sorry for it and walked out the door and now after two weeks of not hearing a word from you, you turn up at my door and ask me to marry you."

"That seems an adequate summation yes."

Mandy opened and closed her mouth several times.

"I need.. I need... I need to sit down." She walked past the kneeling Sarek and collapsed on her sofa. She had imagined this conversation; she had imagined asking him why he had left her that night. She had imagined accusing him of telling her lies and playing with her affection. She had imagined slamming the door in his face and she had imagined asking him to come back and give her another chance. She had not imagined this.

Sarek stood up and she was vaguely aware of him walking around her apartment, then his legs appeared before her and she looked up to see him offering her a glass of water. She took it not trusting herself to thank him. He sat next to her and she could feel the warmth coming of his body.

"Amanda." He said slowly.

She didn't look up at him.

"I do not expect you to answer straight away. We have created a rare natural bond, one that has not had to be initiated by another party. I did not know that it would be possible with a Human and I understand that you do not understand the emphasis, the respect that Vulcan's have for these kinds of bonds."

"I...I, explain it in words I'd understand." Mandy said looking up at him for the first time to see him looking at her with something like tenderness.

"Why? Sarek, why do you want to marry me? Aren't Vulcan's meant to do thing's logically? Shouldn't you have thought this through? Not you know, turn up at my doorstep two weeks after embarrassing me and leaving me feeling damn stupid and a little heartbroken and proposing to me without another word. And don't correct me."

Sarek looked at her.

"If you would let me show you my mind then you would understand instantly."

"No. No, it's...I had to go to the doctor because of this bond thing that's been created in my head."

"Our heads."

"Our heads because I didn't know what it was and on Earth feeling somebody else in your own head, hearing somebody else's voice in your own head means you're insane."

"You believed you were losing your mind?"

"I...wondered."

"I am sorry for this. I myself took some time to realize what had happened. You must understand it was not something I was expecting."

Mandy let a tear escape down her face she saw Sarek's gaze following it as it ran down her cheek. His hand twitched as if he was longing to wipe it away but he did not.

"Why did you leave, Sarek? Why? Was I...did I do something wrong?"

"No. Amanda, you are perfect, to perfect for me to have resisted. For a Vulcan it is a grave offence to enter another's mind without asking permission. I was...disgusted with my actions. I lost control of my desire and of my emotions and although I did not initiate a mind meld and it was through the bond that was forming between us that we were communicating I should have stopped it. Your mind is so inviting, warm and welcoming like your body. I have never experienced anything like it."

Mandy tried to process what he was saying but she had heard so much in the last ten minutes, had so many surprises. She need time to process everything. A few days ago she had come to the realization that if she had a chance. She didn't know if her willingness to forgive made her weak or desperate or stupid or whether it would be alright.

"Leave." She breathed the word out almost scared of it.

Sarek's eyes dipped to the floor.

"If you wish." He stood up. He looked down at her with longing and sadness.

"Goodbye Amanda Greyson."

"No no! I...I wasn't saying that. I need time; I need time alone to think. You've said a lot. Can I just.. can I just think, can we speak later?"

She saw a kind of loosening around Sarek's shoulders. Something like relief.

"You will consider my proposal."

"Sarek, we...we've only known each other a few months. I...I'm not, I'm going to consider...continuing this relationship. And what to do about this bond thing. Having you in my head, it's... it's kind of nice now that I know what it is but it's going to take some getting used to."

Sarek inclined his head slightly.

"I understand."He reached out and took her hand. He raised it and bent his head to kiss it.

Mandy felt a warm shiver go down her spine. She looked up to see those deep pool like eyes that always seemed to express so much whilst simultaneously looking deep into her very being. She had missed that feeling. At that moment she knew that she was going to get back together with him.

Mandy sat quietly, for the first time in her life she wished she knew how to meditate. Knew how to take the overwhelming emotions and shrink them into something that she could deal with. She was so confused her head hurt. She looked at the clock, she could probably make it to the psychologist but now that she knew that she wasn't crazy and that she had simply created a telepathic link with her alien lover she didn't think it necessary.

He'd asked her to marry him. Nobody had ever asked her to marry them before. It was rather flattering. But she could not allow herself to be flattered she had to think this through. She got up finding her legs shaky and went to her bedroom.

Mandy threw herself back on to her bed. She had hoped that lying down and staring at the ceiling would help clear her head, or at least make her mind accept some kind of 'things to consider' priorities list. But as her back hit the springiness of the bed she remembered another time when her back had hit it with that force. That time a warm body had stretched over her. Strong muscles had surrounded her, held her and touched her. Had she forgiven him? She could think of their sexual contact (there was something to fierce about it to call it love making but perhaps there would be time for that later) without that pain she had experienced before and without the bitterness. Yes, she thought she had largely forgiven him though she didn't quite trust him. Again, she knew she would at some point though.

She wanted him, she wanted him badly. So badly that she didn't want to think about it because it seemed a little desperate and in all honesty crazy. He made her feel dizzy and excited and so wanted. He treated her as if she was something precious. He made her laugh and looked at her with such intensity. And he wanted to marry her. That...that was extraordinary. That anybody would want to spend their entire life with her. So she knew that she was going to accept him back into her life.

What about the proposal?

She found herself smiling widely at the thought. She was back to the thought that Sarek wanted to marry her. He had got down on one knee and looked up at her with shining eyes and asked her to marry him. She turned and buried her face in the pillow next to her. She could not stop smiling. It was ridiculous for her to feel so happy; it was silly to even consider a proposal from a man she had only known a few months. It would be like her school kids with their little weddings on the playground. Except, people did it all the time didn't they? If they met somebody that they just felt was right. And he was right, the most natural feeling relationship she had ever been in. Even though it was rather unnatural, his mind had been connected to hers for two weeks and it had felt good. Scary but good, it was as if he had been comforting her when she was upset.

No, she wasn't considering this. She had a life, it may be a reasonably sedate life and one that was at times rather lonely but it was her life. What would that life be if she married Sarek? She'd always have him in her head. Their minds connected. She would be married to an alien and though she didn't think of him that way others would. She would move about from Earth to Vulcan, would probably have to leave her job, she would have to attend parties like the one before. She would see all kinds of places and meet all kinds of people but although that was both exciting and scary she would have Sarek by her side to guide her. And married, to a man who treasured her, who thought she was precious who seemed to love her. Who she might love; if that dizzy safe excitement and warmth was love. Yes, she knew it was. She loved him. And a family? She loved children, she enjoyed looking after them and a part of her had always wanted one of her own. A child, a husband, a family. These were things that made her smile to think about. It could all be one big adventure.

She lied down, tired from lack of sleep. She allowed herself to drift off feeling strangely content.

Mandy awoke with a clear mind. The answer was so simple; she was a woman who was always torn between her head and her heart. Her head usually won. But Sarek, despite the fact that she could see those deep emotions in him The affection and passion. She could trust him to always follow his head. To always be logical. With him there to guide her she could trust her heart more, because he would never allow her to be too illogical, he'd always comment. Just a small rise of the eyebrow could make her rethink something. She felt like she had during her college days. The world was suddenly full of possibilities again. In fact, the whole known universe was open to her. A beautiful, soulful, intelligent and caring man had swept her off her feet. She had fallen for him, absolutely and completely in love.

She rushed to the front room and quickly checked the clock. It was evening, Sarek should be free, but then his hours could be all over the place. She grabbed her bag from the sofa where it had been dropped. She took the elevator down to the car park and jumped in her little old car. She pulled out the car park and drove way to fast down the street. She did not think about where she was driving but she found her way. Her mind just hummed with excitement. Her mouth was dry and her heart beat heavily in her chest. She pulled up outside the Vulcan embassy and jumped out the car.

As she ran down the path to the door of the embassy she saw Max coming out. She was so happy that when he scowled at her she just stuck her tongue out at him and kept walking. The receptionist was packing up as she walked in.

"Can I help you?"

"Amanda Greyson for Ambassador Sarek, is he free?"

She glanced down at the screen of the computer in front of her typed a few words then looked up at her.

"Yes, I believe he is."

"I know the way thanks." Mandy ran at the doors at the back.

"Wait!"

Mandy ran down the hallway, through another set of doors and right into something warm and solid. Before she became aware of what was happening she had fallen backward and landed painfully on her ass.

"Amanda!" The voice was familiar but startled. She looked up just in time to see Sarek kneel next to her.

"Are you injured?" He asked obvious concern in his eyes.

"No. I, I'm sorry I was in a rush I just had to tell you.."

Sarek raised his hand.

"Are you positive you are uninjured? You seem to be confused."

"No I'm fine Sarek I came to tell you..."

As she spoke Sarek stood up and offer her his hand. She took it and that spreading tingling warmth that shot through her for a moment made her speechless. Once she was on her feet. Sarek held her gently by the top of her arms looking down at her his grey eyes looking her over concerned.

"Amanda, you are..."

"Sarek sweetheart, be quiet for one minute." She said pressing her fingers to his lips. She saw his quick surprised intake of breath at her touch but then fell silent and still.

"I came to say yes."

Both Sarek's eyebrows headed upwards.

"Yes, I will marry you Sarek."

She saw his lips quirk slightly.

"You have considered the proposal fully?"

"Yes. As fully as I need to."

She reached up and placed her hands tenderly on his cheeks.

"I love you Sarek. I love you enough to risk it. It could be the worst or the best thing I ever did but the odds are worth it."

Sarek's eyebrows now furrowed slightly as he tried to work out her gambling metaphor.

"You are saying yes?"

"Yes. I am."

Sarek smiled a simple honest smile. It was the most beautiful open expression she had ever seen on anybody's face. She stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him. She thought how those warm moist lips would be the only ones she would ever kiss again and the idea thrilled her. She pulled away and wrapped her arms around his neck just wanting to breathe him in, her fiancé, the man she loved, the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

Sarek placed his hands on the small of the back and dropped his head to rest against her neck. She felt his slow breaths tickling her skin sending a thrill right through her.

"My Mandy." He whispered his voice full of awe.

It's not the end, not quiet.

Oh and the title is the fiancée and the question.

Oh, and final note if you like Spirk with some sprinkling of McCoy and Pike then check my twenty day challenge, twenty Spirk stories in twenty day.