The Cerelan Dilemma
Chapter 29
Seral accompanied Salek to the upstairs bedroom where he was holding Sarek's bondmate captive. Salek stood beside Amanda's bedside as Seral removed his medical tricorder from his bag and began to examine her. Steeling himself against the assault of her Human emotions, he reached forward to touch Amanda's face. Seral paused as he noticed purple bruises encircling Amanda's upper arm. Scandalized and shocked, he stared at Salek and asked, "What have you done to her?"
Salek said, "Before she was unconscious, she struggled with me, attempting to escape."
Seral simply said, "I request privacy to examine T'sai Amanda, Salek." Reluctantly, Salek left and shut the door.
Seral studied Amanda's countenance as she lay unconscious, her rhythmic breathing. Her face belied a childlike innocence as she slept. Seral reached for Amanda's psi points. Although he was experiencing her Human emotions, they were not as chaotic as he had feared. Amanda's heightened state was not emanating from her. In her mind, he sensed Sarek's presence greatly. The strength of Sarek and Amanda's marital link could not be denied, either. "Fascinating," mused Seral, "that a psi-blind Human and a Vulcan could share such a telepathic bond with each other."
Seral removed his hand from Amanda's face and removed a hypospray from his bag. Almost immediately after administering the medication, Amanda started to open her eyes. "Sarek," she whispered.
Seral looked into the very bluest eyes he had ever seen and said, "T'sai Amanda, my name is Seral. I am a Healer sent to examine you."
Amanda became suddenly aware of her surroundings and remembered her circumstances. "Please help me!" she pleaded softly. "My husband is in trouble, and he needs me."
"T'sai Amanda," answered Seral, "I am aware of what is troubling you. I want you to try to remain calm. I am going to attempt to help you."
Amanda's eyes closed again in slumber and Seral straightened up and left the room.
Salek strode to Seral's side and asked, "What is the matter with T'sai Amanda?"
Even his Healer's stoic face betrayed his slight embarrassment as he answered, "It is Sarek's Time. That is why she is not well. Her Human physiology was not prepared for the onslaught of Sarek's violent emotions at this time. She must be allowed to join with her husband."
