Chapter 25: Behind Garden Walls

"Oh, hello there."

Amanda had zipped up the dress left in the room for her in the nick of time. Future Spock opened the door just as she turned to get some shoes.

"Are you sure that you are in a condition to explore already? Perhaps you should rest a while longer."

"Oh, no I think I'll be fine."

Spock Prime just smiled at her, knowing that she was going to do what she wanted no matter what he said.

"Vulcan attire suits you." He observed.

Amanda looked down at her long navy blue gown and smiled. It was...interesting, to say the least. Vulcans had maintained the tradition of corseted gowns for women, and Amanda got to know her breasts in ways she never had before. She also hadn't known that her waist could get that small… At least it as flattering, if not completely comfortable.

"It certainly is different."

Spock Prime smiled at her. "You get used to it."

"Well, I don't think that'll be necessary. Though it is a pretty flattering cut."

"It is indeed." He nodded, leading the way towards the door. "Most Vulcan women do not have the same figures as human women. The styles seem to fit your race differently."

"I hope I'm not going to be considered improperly dressed."

"Not at all."

Amanda walked through the door that older Spock chivalrously held ajar for her.

"Where is Spock? Did he find Jim?"

"I'm not sure where our young friend has wandered off to at the moment. But, I can tell you that your brother is downstairs in the drawing room. Chatting up some of my neighbors."

When they reached the room, Amanda was amused to see Jim sitting soberly across from three Vulcan women. They appeared to be three generations from the same family, all with firm Vulcan brows and cheekbones. They were staring back and forth at each other glumly.

"Where's the party?" she smirked as she entered the room.

"SIS!" He jumped up and practically leapt over to her. "Finally. I'm about to die in this analytical hell hole."

On the contrary, Amanda felt perfectly fine. So, perhaps this was what it was like to be "normal"? She couldn't feel any anger, sadness, distress, or anything coming from the people in the room. It was stark, and for once she could analyze her own feelings.

She was… tired. And wanted to see Spock.

"Amanda, these are my neighbors, T'Rat and her daughter T'Dan, and T'Dan's daughter T'Pring."

"Nice to meet all of you."

Amanda smiled at the women, but they did not smile back. She was undisturbed.

"Where is Spock?" She threw the question out, hoping that someone would have the answer.

Jim gave her a knowing smile. "I think he was headed out into that dessert that they call their garden a few minutes ago."

"That's this way?"

"Yep."

She began walking in that direction.

"You're leaving?!" Jim called after her. "But you – we have to catch up!" His eyes pleaded with her not to leave him alone with the silent statues.

"I'll be back." She assured him.

"And until then, I will keep you company." Spock Prime told him with a smile.

~*~

Amanda wandered out into the strange Vulcan garden. It was quiet, and she wasn't even sure if Spock was really there. She moved slowly, observing the plants with genuine interest. They were surprisingly colorful for the desert climate of New Vulcan – similar to multi-colored versions of the cacti that she knew from the States.

She rounded a corner, and there he was, standing stiffy, observing a particularly tall, flowering plant.

"Hello there."

He spun on a heel to see her.

"Amanda – You shouldn't be up. You're not yet well enough-" He made a move towards her and to his surprise, she let him grab her by the shoulders.

"I feel fine."

"You're pale –"

"I'm always pale."

"I can't help but think that you are – what is it that you humans say? Pressing your luck." His brain told him to release her arms but his body wouldn't let him. He was careful not to hold her too tightly – her frame felt so small in his hands. She was staring at him – not letting him look away.

Amanda didn't know what came over her – for some reason, she was unreasonably attracted to Spock just then. The tall, dark figure in the colorful garden was a sight to be seen. She wanted to wrap herself around him. Not knowing if she could take it that far right away, she resolved herself to take some form of physical action. Fortunately, he had made the first move.

"Maybe I am."

She forced herself to stop thinking about everything inside her that was screaming that she was going insane and launched herself up at him. Their lips met in a crash of shock – for both parties involved.

Spock wasn't entirely sure what was going on. He instinctively stiffened, but as soon as his lips, long-deprived of feminine attention, felt hers, he couldn't stop himself. He softened against her and the same arms that had grasped her shoulders now forcibly pulled her in towards him. Something inside him unleashed itself and he hiked her legs up around his waist so that she wouldn't have to strain to reach him.

He had released her shoulders to lift her and Amanda took the opportunity to run her fingers through his smooth, dark hair. She ran her tongue along his lips as he continued to devour her.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Spock pulled away from her. His eyes were wide with shock. He practically dropped her on the ground before turning away. "You really should go lie down. I think you're still delusional." He called to her over his shoulder as he sped up the path and back into the house.

She stood there, stunned, for several long moments. What was that supposed to mean? He had responded favorably in the beginning – of that much, she was sure. She had never known a Vulcan to experience such obviously overpowering lust. It was contagious from him.

But then, he had just left her there. Dropped her, in fact. What the hell?