Disclaimers : See Part 1

Part 21

John was angry that his question had not been answered. However, he had the money and transport. Harris had insisted on driving and John could not refuse. He was worried and scared but having Harris along made him calmer. At least he knew he would do all he could to help for Harris loved Amanda too.

They arrived at the shuttle site and they all climbed in. The media watched as it appeared that Vulcans were indeed leaving Earth. The media had been encouraged to broadcast this picture. Sarek sat alone and looked unseeing out the window. He felt the ship launch but he had no care except to find his mate. Skon stayed back and quietly instructed the team. He knew that they would be beaming directly into the warehouse. Sarek had pinpointed the location and subsequent scans revealed Amanda's transponder codes. The scans also identified Soran who was alive and over 20 other humans. Including one female who was with Amanda and presumed to be her mother. Skon hoped they were on time.

While Jeremiah waited while his men went to get the money. He hoped it went better than this part of the operation had. He watched from the flitter as Dave and Tomas carried the bags to him.

Pete was bored and he was going to entertain himself. After all, the little lady needed to know what a real man was. A real human, that is. He laughed and went to find Amanda. No one would stop him as he was a cruel bastard. He opened the door and closed it quickly. It relocked and he grabbed Maria and tossed her into the bathroom and locked her in. Then turning he grinned wickedly at Amanda. "Come here sweet thing I think it is time for you to see what a real man is."

Amanda backed away. "Where? I don't see one. All I see is a low-life who thinks he is a big shot."

Pete grinned and took a drink from his bottle. "Come on, don't be that way. I even brought us a drink." He picked up the paper cup and poured a generous amount into it. He handed it to Amanda.

She took the drink and threw it at his head. "Go to hell. I don't drink."

He was angered by this wiping his face off with the back of his hand. He grabbed Amanda and struck her hard across the face. She fell to the floor. He kicked her brutally then dragged her up by the hair. He tossed her toward the bed. She stumbled and ran back away. "Look, Mister. My father will pay."

"Yes, he will. But this little girl is a bonus for ole Pete, having to wait on you and those snobs. Let's just call this a tip." He caught her and she struck him hard in the stomach. He grunted but tossed her across the bed. He followed her down and brutal lips tried to force their way into her mouth. She bit his tongue and he retaliated by striking her again. Bruises were forming across her face, arms and body. He jerked her up and brutally spanked her.

"Act like a child and I will treat you like one. This can be easy or hard." He laughed clearly enjoying her struggles and fear.

Sarek stiffened as he felt Amanda's terror. "Amanda," he shouted as he stood up.

He ran to the transporter. The chief tried to stop him but he put in the coordinates and was gone. The team ran to catch up. Sarek materialized in the middle of a group of Amanda's captors. He pulled his phaser and fired. One fell and another charged him. That was a mistake as it triggered the Fires. Sarek caught him and tossed him dead into his companions. Then he turned and ran to find his mate. He did not seem to know or care that his team appeared and were making short work of the humans. They quickly found that human males were no match for Vulcan females as they were dispatched.

Sarek found the room where Soran was and ripped it off its hinges. Soran, now awake, came after him. Seeing Amanda was not there Sarek left him and ran down the hall and up a flight of stairs. He heard her scream and he ripped the door off the wall. The scene he came upon would haunt him for years to come. A man pressing Amanda into the bed. He roared. Pete barely escaped the blow that would have broken his neck. He rolled and stumbled buttoning his pants as he went. Sarek looked like a demon. The low light cast a shadow across his face. A face that was hard and cruel and showing no mercy. He touched Amanda's bruised and battered face. A moment of sanity returned Forgive me, t'hy'la. I did not spare you this. He turned as he heard a click. Pete cocked the gun and faced him. Sarek grabbed a lamp and threw it at him catching him off guard and knocking the weapon away.

Soran was trying to climb after Sarek, his limbs refusing to work because of his wounds.

A Vulcan guard caught him and helped him sit. "Rest, sir. You are injured. I will find the leader."

Soran began to protest but Skon joined them. "You would just be in the way."

He looked up and bowed his head, ashamed he was so useless.

Sarek jumped and drove Pete back. He was enraged and this man challenged him, would dare to take his mate from him.

Pete felt as if he was battling a madman. Sarek struck him across the face and he went flying. Pet hit the wall and cursed. Rolling to his feet he pulled a knife from his boot. "I am going to carve you into a million pieces."

Sarek was deep into the fever he could no longer tell right from wrong. He saw only a challenger.

Skon and the guards arrived to see the fight. One raised a stun pistol to stop the fight but Skon stopped her. He was kneeling at Amanda's side. "No, let them fight. He must fight for the fever. She is in no condition to accept him. Help me get her more comfortable."

The guard obeyed and the others blocked the door so Pete was trapped. He could not escape unless he went through Sarek to the other door. He lunged, intent on killing Sarek and escaping. Sarek caught his arm and jerked it back hard. There was a loud crack as he crushed the wrist then broke the arm in three places. Pete pulled back barely escaping a killing blow.

"So, civilized are you," he mocked. But, it was lost on Sarek.

He attacked again trying to go for Sarek's throat. Sarek sidestepped and his hands went around Pete's neck. His knee pressed into the back of Amanda's attacker and with a wrench it was over. He dropped the lifeless body and stumbled to her side. Sarek was breathing hard and Skon stepped back. He was taking no chances. Sarek pulled Amanda into his arms, his fingers finding her katra pints.

Amanda, attend, he commanded calling her back from the dark place she hidden.

Amanda's mother was freed and she looked shocked at the sight of Pete's dead and mangled body. She went to go to Amanda but T' Mara stopped her.

"She needs Sarek, now. "

Maria began to cry and the Vulcan held her. She offered what comfort she could. Skon nodded his acceptance and appreciation once more for her many skills.

"Sarek?" Amanda said weakly.

Part 22

I am here beloved. Wake and come to me.

Amanda slowly opened her eyes. Weakly she caught Sarek's head with her right hand. She dragged him to her and kissed him with passion. Skon looked away as did the others. Amanda needed to feel Sarek with her. She felt his mind join hers as he tried to help her come back. She began to cry and his hold shifted. He pulled her into his arms with gentle care. As he held her shields went completely down. She wept and he felt a rage boil up. He had believed the fever had banked if not cooled. Yet he would gladly rip the men who took her apart. He was aware he had killed at least one person. Yet there was no guilt only rage. Rage that she had been hurt. He tried to block it but Amanda felt it through the bond. She flinched and tried to get away thinking he was angry at her.

The San Francisco police, the FBI and Federation officers arrived on the scene. They were all stunned to see many of the kidnappers already subdued or dead. The officers looked on in shock as they became aware that all of the security was female and Vulcan. A Starfleet officer went over to Skon.

"Sir. what happened here?" He noted the two dead bodies.

"Those men got in the way and attempted to kill Sarek. He defended himself."

A young ensign called, "Captain, these men have broken necks and backs." He looked up nervous. He knew that it took a lot of power to do that.

Skon looked ahead his expression never changing. "A misfortunate incident. They did however kidnap and abuse Vulcan citizens. They also hurt my son and mother by marriage. He was merely seeking an expedient way to free them. Unfortunately, humans are not as well constructed as Vulcans." His brow shot up in an ironic look.

The captain of the guard was at stunned. He could not arrest Sarek as he had diplomatic immunity. Then again he knew if it had been his wife Sharon he would have done the same thing. He nodded. "Yes, sir. If we could get a report? We can pass it on to the local authorities and the FBI."

"We shall see it is expedited," Skon said. "First, however, the injured must be cared for."

"Who was hurt, sir? We have a doctor with us."

Skon looked at him coldly. "That is unnecessary they will be beaming to our ship in orbit. It has a life-center. The healers will attend our people. Your doctors may be skilled but they are not familiar with Vulcan physiology."

"With respect, sir, Maria and Amanda Grayson are human."

"Yes. Every care will be taken with Amanda. Her mother may choose her treatment," Skon conceded. He was not about to allow his daughter to be exposed to more humans. In her current state they could do her more harm than good. He looked back into the room. Sarek was still speaking softly to Amanda. Her mother had been escorted out of the room and the officer summoned a doctor to check her over.

"Amanda, he… hurt her." She was weeping.

The doctor looked up and signaled a medic to come over. He rose to go check on Amanda. T' Mara blocked him.

"No, Doctor. Amanda needs Sarek."

"Look lady, I am a doctor if she has been brutalized she will need care."

"No," she said. He tried to push past her and was caught by her right arm. "Doctor I have no wish to injure you but for Amanda's sake remain here."

Sarek's mind searched Amanda's. He knew she been hurt and frightened and he was not even certain if the worst had happened. He cared only because he wished to give her comfort. He seen her fight to protect herself and knew she had not willingly given in. She had been so brave. He noted that Pete had several large scratches and bite marks. He almost felt relief that Amanda had managed to damage the man. It was only right he had suffered something. He felt her fear that he would now reject her as unclean. He pulled back and tipped her face so she had to look at him. "You are precious to me. I cherish thee. You suffer no blame for this. I care not what he did to you accept that it caused you pain. It was not you choosing another." To prove his point, he kissed her lips with care aware she was bruised. "I know he did not completely succeed. You, my lady, are a warrior."

"He touched me Sarek. Only you have that right."

Sarek held her and carefully removed her dress. It was wrinkled but amazingly not torn. Her flesh was covered with bruises and bumps. "You defended yourself. No one will think less of you. I am the one to blame. I failed to keep you safe."

Amanda clung to him. "You saved me."

Sarek held her and helped her to her feet. He picked up his cloak and wrapped it around her. They left the room with her dress rolled and held tightly in Amanda's arms. The Starfleet officer came over to offer to help. Sarek afraid that they were going to try to take Amanda swept her up into his arms, carrying her like she weighed nothing.

"Sir, if you ever get tired of being a diplomat Starfleet could use you in security and command," Captain Jorgenson said.

Sarek stiffened as if he had been slapped. Yes, he had killed but it had been because of the Fires. He spun to face the captain.

"Captain, neither I or any of my family will ever wear that uniform. We are a peaceful logical people." Sarek felt Amanda struggle.

"Put me by my mother." Amanda said. She wanted to check how Maria was.

Sarek carried her over. "She is better then you."

Amanda looked and would have gone to her mother's side but Sarek did not let her go.

"We are going to the healer." Amanda had just enough time to see Maria was only slightly injured when Sarek picked her back up. She was held close as he ordered, "Beam us directly to the life-center."

Before the doctor or anyone could protest a light enclosed them and they were gone.

TBC..