Sarek and Dansk
Chapter Twelve
Walking the corridor toward the garden Sarek asked,
"Do you foresee any problem with your relocation to the embassy?"
"I must pay off my lease for my apartment."
"The embassy will take care of that."
"No Sarek let me take care of it. It will not be a financial problem and I do not want gossip to follow me as I leave those apartments. Credits issued from the embassy account will raise all sorts of questions. I will allow the payment from my personal account. You know that I am a very private person."
Sarek looked at her and then patted her hand and said,
"As you wish."
He again thought about how his estimation of Dansk's character had indeed been reinforced. She certainly was not joining with him for, as was the Terran expression, 'for what she could get out of it.'
As they entered the garden he observed Dansk's expression. It was one of recognition.
"I was here before to view the memorial for the lost Survivors. I was not able be view the site's beauty. Thank you for the opportunity to do so now. So with this visit that omission will be corrected."
Dansk looked up and observed an enclosed staircase leading down to what appeared to be a glassed-in, fenced private area of the garden.
She inquired,
"Those steps and private garden…?"
Sarek answered before the question was completed,
"The staircase leads down from our private apartment and into our private garden. There is no access from these public areas nor is our garden area visible from any level. There is a fountain in the center of that private space and the constant temperature is maintained by exhaust fans and heating units."
He thought of how he had surprised Amanda with the creation of this private area. After she finally stopped crying she revealed the story about an ancient monarch of a desert kingdom who had married a princess who was from an area of lush vegetation. When he observed his wife longing for her fertile homeland he created a lush garden called 'The Hanging Gardens of Babylon' for her.
After that revelation Sarek later researched the subject and was greatly impressed with the actual description and statistics involved with the construction of this 'labor of love'.
As they left the gardens he said,
After the tour and her expressions of appreciation Sarek asked,
"Are you prepared to go shopping?"
She looked up at Sarek and smiled.
He continued,
"As I understand it, even from my own personal experience, it is one of a Terran females most adored pass times."
Dansk playfully nudged him and he was flooded with a feeling of Déjà vu, recalling the playful nature of His Amanda. He felt comfortable with the thought that those type of experiences would be repeated.
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Sarek piloted them to a mall and they entered a Sears Department store and asked for a specific salesperson who quickly appeared, and led them to a particular display.
Sarek was dressed regally, and standing before a bed that was on display at that department store while Dansk had seated herself and was bouncing up and down on the mattress. An action that caused Sarek's mouth to become dry. She whispered into his ear,
"Come Sarek, you must also test the mattress. After all you will be sleeping on it also."
Sarek then explained to Dansk that although they would be purchasing the entire bedroom set, the bed they would sleep on would be manufactured at The Settlement. Of course, Sarek was fully aware that Vulcan muscle mass would quickly decimate a Terran style bed especially when…well he did not go there.
To appease Dansk he placed the palm of his hand on the mattress to estimate its firmness and from the printed description on the 'Do Not Remove' tag, that were always on such items, he analyzed the listed elements of the mattress manufacture, and was able to evaluate the structure and strength of the mattress. After that mental assessment he determined that it would serve it's purpose. While on Terra, he and Amanda purchased a new mattress set every six months. It was automatically shipped to the embassy. Sarek made the purchase and after settling on a delivery date they left the store. As they exited, he inquired,
"Do you require sustenance?"
Dansk, nodded in the affirmative.
Escorting her to his vehicle he opened the door for her and then entered and set the navigational settings for Wong's. Once they arrived, he escorted Dansk through the door and his entrance was met with applause. This restaurant had been Amanda's favorite but he had not visited this establishment even once since Amanda's death. He was aware however, that other family member did eat at Wong's regularly.
Mr. Wong came rushing toward the door from the kitchen and he bowed,
"My old friend, you have made my now cloudy eyes shine. Please, please, come I will give you a private room."
As they entered the privacy of the secluded room and were led to the table Sarek said,
"My friend, I wish you to meet she who will become my wife, Dansk of Terra."
Mr. Wong bowed again and said,
"My friend, Lady Amanda would have wished this. Sit, sit, were his next words as he pulled a chair out for Dansk. I will bring tea and bring my wife to see you."
When he returned. his wife was following the still prescribed two paces behind him and when she saw Sarek she bowed and then her eyes lighted on Dansk. She then spoke to her husband, who translated,
"I have advised my wife of the identity of your guest and she says she wishes you good luck. She also wants to examine her face."
Dansk nodded in the affirmative.
Mrs. Wong stepped forward and gently took Dansk face between the palms of her hands and said,
"Hi, may nwee". (beautiful)
Mr Wong translated,
"My wife said your fiancé is beautiful."
Sarek replied,
"I concur."
The meal was extraordinary. Sarek had asked Mr. Wong to make the selection and his friend had 'pulled out all the stops'.
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As they exited the restaurant into the parking lot Sarek noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Putting Dansk behind him he observed three, males dressed in black.
One voice said,
"The other guys were right to lead us here. That' s the dude that was in the courtroom and embarrassed our brothers."
Sarek stood his ground as he shielded Dansk with his body and said,
"I have no quarrel with any of you. I would suggest that you depart."
To the aside he said to Dansk,
"Return to the restaurant."
As she turned to rush back inside, an unknown object was hurled like a missile and Sarek heard the impact and Dansk's startled cry.
The possessive, protective blackness, that was the Vulcan equivalent of Terran love, rose and Dansk heard Sarek roar and with extraordinary speed he charged the three and within seconds they lay unconscious on the ground.
Sarek lifted Dansk into his arms and brought her back into the restaurant and asked Mrs. Wong to watch over her.
Dialing law enforcement, then the embassy to request security to respond to his coordinates he then went outside to insure the unconscious individuals remained so.
The response time for law enforcement was less than three minutes. Right away the police report was being filed when Dansk and Mrs. Wong appeared together at the entrance to the restaurant. Dansk was standing by the small figure of the restaurateur's wife. Sarek asked the law enforcement officer to be excused and went to Dansk's side. Taking her aside he asked for permission to determine the extent of her injuries.
Dansk nodded.
Placing his fingers at her temple and forming a very slight meld Sarek was able to determine there were no serious external or internal injuries and as he ran his fingers through her hair he discovered a small bump, which would probably manifest itself later as a bruise. Satisfied he took her hands and placed his lips on her palms and told her Taluhk nash veh K'dular (I cherish thee).
Before Sarek could leave the parking lot, a news broadcasting truck arrived and James*, the city editor for The San Francisco Herald exited the vehicle and attempted the Vulcan salute. Spock addressed him and then James asked,
"Osu Sarek, what happened here?"
"I believe this experience was a backlash from the recent Federation trial."
Appreciating Dansk deeply held desire for privacy, Sarek requested that James minimize the reporting of the incident and not mention that he was accompanied by a guest, he said,
"A short article on page five would please me immensely."
Just as James nodded in agreement, Sarek's security arrived. Three impressive sized Vulcans approached Sarek. After receiving instructions, one entered Sarek's transport and started it to return it to the embassy. Sarek then went and retrieved Dansk, and bowed to Mr. and Mrs. Wong thanked them and then the other two security personal escorted Sarek and Dansk to the armored vehicle, one opened the back door for the passengers, the other entered the driver's side and finally the second male took the front passenger's seat. They were silent awaiting Sarek's instructions.
"My companion will enter her residence's address."
As they rose and started on their way James reentered the news truck and said,
"Back to the office."
In compliance with Sarek's wishes there was not a screaming headline to address the happenings of that evening.
As stated by Sarek, on page five the article heading read,
Vulcan Ambassador Subdues Alleged Muggers
*James was Laura's boss in my story 'The Desert Saga Continues'.