"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Amanda hissed.

Sarek raised an eyebrow at her. "The house needs to see that I haven't killed you."

They were moving very slowly down the corridor from their rooms trying to get to the eating hall and Amanda wasn't at all happy about it. Everything hurt and now that she didn't have a constant feed of naked desire blasting her through the bond, the pain had caught up to her. She was exhausted, stiff, and disinclined to company.

"Great, wonderful." Amanda huffed and stumbled on an uneven stone in the floor. "Sarek, I can't even walk! I'd really rather not be paraded around right now. It's undignified."

Sarek breathed out heavily in a not-quite sigh. "Amanda, they know what you have been through."

"For a society that won't talk about it, I'm surprised you think nothing of looking at the aftermath. I'd expected to hide until the bruises disappeared and pretend nothing happened. This is way too public an acknowledgement for my comfort." Amanda clutched his arm for support. "I'm moving like an old woman. I think I pulled something. A lot of somethings."

Sarek put an arm around her back and took most of her weight. "You have not been in a household when anyone returns from the caves, have you?" he asked softly. "You are in better shape than many experienced females. Coming down to dinner will raise their estimation of you. You will gain the respect of many."

"We didn't go to the caves. Isn't this going to seem...odd? I mean, they've been seeing you. I'm the one that disappeared. It's a little backward."

Sarek stopped their forward movement and looked down at her. The near smile played at the corner of his mouth and Amanda sighed. "Right, they know. They figured out that we tricked the system or something. They don't know how we did it, only that it happened. And the room will be rife with silent speculation."

Sarek nodded. "It would be rude for anyone to ask. You will not have to field questions, Amanda."

She snorted. "T-Pau requested my presence this morning, Sarek. I'm not going to be answering questions, I'm going to get interrogated. And meanwhile all those people down there will be staring at me!"

They started moving forward again and Amanda sighed. "You can let me walk on my own. I'll make it. I don't want you embarrassed if anybody sees us."

"It is a service to me that caused your condition." Sarek replied softly. "It would be dishonorable if I were not to support you, in any fashion you require." He paused and Amanda could sense his struggle for words. "Your allowing me to...touch you, so soon after, it...means a great deal to me, Amanda. Walking in, together like this, will be a powerful symbol to my house and family. Believe what I tell you. It will do much for your position with them. You will be honored and trusted even more, considered a most loyal bondmate."

"Great." Amanda sighed again and gave up arguing, leaning into his side letting him bear most of her weight. "But if you want to support me, find me an ice pack and a heating pad later. I've got to do something to loosen up these muscles."

Sarek nodded. "And a healer will be by after breakfast to make sure you are undamaged."

"Poked, prodded, examined..." Amanda cursed under her breath. "The things I get myself into. Damn stupid curiosity and good will. I should know better."

Sarek let her vent under her breath until they'd reached the door to the eating hall. He silenced her with a look and Amanda did her best to straighten up. Her back protested and her calf and thigh muscles nearly refused to work, but she managed to unbend enough to look a little less like a feeble old woman. She kept her grip on Sarek's arm, however, just in case. He seemed pleased by this and Amanda steeled herself for what she knew was going to be a trying meal.

As soon as they crossed the threshold all conversation stopped. It wasn't polite in Vulcan society to stare but every eye in the room was trained on a reflection in a mirror or was peeking out from under a carefully arranged piece of hair, to watch them cross to their usual private table in the back. Amanda kept her head high as they made their slow progress.

She sat down carefully and Sarek pushed her chair up to the table and took a seat. Conversations started up again, this time hushed. So much for not talking about it. Amanda thought to herself. They are all commenting on it, just not in so many words. It's all veiled, but by midnight tonight every bloody one of them is going to know about it.

Their breakfast came out via the usual serving girl. The young woman's eyes stayed on the floor but Amanda could see the slight blush to her cheeks. She set Amanda's plate down carefully and peeked up at Amanda for a moment, her dark eyes flittering to Sarek and back in silent question. Amanda gave her a tiny smile and got a small, nearly invisible one back in return. Sarek was momentarily distracted by one of his aides bringing his schedule and Amanda took the chance to say something to the girl before she left.

"What's your name?" Amanda asked softly. "You're here everyday but I'm afraid we've never been introduced."

"Varen." the girl replied in a whisper. "Lady," her eyes flickered back to where Sarek was still going over his morning schedule and back. "Will you...?" She swallowed nervously and Amanda realized how young she must be.

"Why don't you come see me later? We can talk." Amanda smiled softly. "I really do need a tour of this place and Sarek is far too busy to do it properly."

The girl's entire face relaxed. "It would be an honor to serve, T-Amanda. May I access your schedule for a time that is mutually convenient and will not interfere with my house duties?"

"Of course." Amanda replied just as Sarek turned his attention back to them. The girl dropped something surprisingly close to a curtsy and hurried away before the ambassador could question her.

"My wife, what did she want?"

Amanda took a bite of fruit before answering. "Who? Varen?" Sarek nodded and Amanda shrugged. "She's new here isn't she? Well, not as new as I am but she's not born of the house."

"You are correct. She is from one of our agricultural areas. She is betrothed to the son of one of my aides. We thought it best if she acclimated to the city life slowly. She moved here under T-Pau's supervision a month before you arrived." Sarek raised an eyebrow. "But that does not explain what she wanted. She was not rude, was she?"

"Heavens no!" Amanda denied quickly. "She didn't ask a thing, Sarek. You should know better. She's just...lonely I think. I'm new, she's new...I'm guessing from how everybody looks at her and her accent that she's considered a little...country. She probably feels about as alien as I am. Every time I see her she seems...alone. I asked her to give me a more in depth tour of the city and the grounds sometime later."

Sarek nodded. "Logical. It is good that you seek out the younger house members. They would benefit from your maturity."

Amanda coughed, her almost-orange juice going up her nose. "What!"

Sarek's eyes twinkled at her in hidden amusement. "Perhaps I spoke prematurely."

Amanda glared and Sarek casually picked up a piece of bread and slowly spread his favorite jelly. (Amanda called it jelly. He called it fortified nutrient paste.) "Amanda, you hold a position of high esteem in T-Lar's clan. Moving to this house does not change that fact. Indeed, you now hold a high position in this one."

Amanda raised her own eyebrow. "Human. Young. Non-Surak follower."

"True," Sarek acknowledged, "but you are my wife and you have...proven yourself capable of handling Vulcan society and culture." Sarek paused and surreptitiously glanced around to make sure no-one was close enough to hear them. "You will be less intimidating to them, Amanda. They may seek you out for...information. Information they feel uncomfortable asking another Vulcan. The reputation of your species will make them think you will be more amenable to answering their inquiries. Recent events will prove too tempting and they will seek you out."

Amanda took a slow breath. "How do you feel about that?"

Sarek tiled his head to the side as he thought about it. "It is not logical to withhold valuable information. I see no other way that others may benefit from our discoveries if you do not discuss it with those that are concerned enough to evade tradition and inquire." He paused. "However, I would prefer not to know about it."

"Or hear about it, see it, or otherwise be forced to acknowledge that it is taking place." Amanda offered, amused. "Got it."

Sarek ate his bread silently. When he finished he eyed Amanda critically. "I am not unintelligent, Amanda. T-Pau has...more information than I believed. You and she will coordinate these discussions. She would not appreciate you handling such delicate clan business without her guidance."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Amanda wiped her mouth with her napkin. "I imagine that's what my meeting with her this morning is about. Now, care to help me up all those stairs before I'm late for it?"


A/N: I want to thank my new beta Naomi for the wonderful job she's been doing on the last few chapters.

Also, I want to thank all of you that have reviewed. Your feedback has been wonderful and very inspiring. Thank you.

And before everyone starts thinking I'm wrapping the story up, let me assure you I'm no where near done. Unfortunately. (I have a lot of stories on my plate and I'd love to have this one finished.) Alas, this is not the case. There are several subplots that haven't made an appearance in a while and will be resurfacing now that the pesky pon farr is done. I have no idea how long it will take to wrap them up, but it will be several chapters at least. A lot of it depends on whether or not Sarek behaves himself and how annoying Shras decides to be.