"So...how was your trip?"

The small boy raised an eyebrow. "Is this an attempt at what father says you humans call 'small talk'?" His dark eyes stared hard.

Amanda sighed and suppressed a shiver. There was something off in that boy's stare. "A poor one, but yes," she replied in a controlled voice.

"Father says such attempts are generally an indication of unease or a desire to attend to a human form of social etiquette that avoids silence." Sybok gave a small frown. "Why would asking unnecessary questions be a requirement for polite behavior?"

Amanda gave another sigh. "Because humans don't like to sit silently in a room with others. We feel conversation is a necessity. Based on the number of questions you've asked in the last half hour I'm beginning to think Vulcans do as well."

"An erroneous conclusion. My questions have been pertinent to the situation."

"Asking how my hair was bleached is not a pertinent question." Amanda crossed her arms. "And for the fourth time it is naturally blond."

"I fail to understand how that could be an evolutionary development. The color would not protect from the sun."

"But it does help with camouflage in the middle of a wheat field." Amanda smirked as Sybok's shoulders drooped. "Piece of advice, don't argue with another species on the evolutionary developments. You'll either lose or make an enemy."

Sybok's frowned deepened. "I will remember."

Amanda bit her lip. "I wonder when your father will get back?"

"You said he was in consultation with the new Vulcan ambassador to Earth. He will likely be gone for hours." Sybok fidgeted. "I should have called ahead."

"No." Amanda waved it off. "This is your home, Sybok. You don't need to call ahead. I just...hadn't expected to have to introduce myself." She smiled. "Now, how was your trip?"

"You will keep asking that until I answer, won't you?"

"Yes."

Sybok sighed. "It was uneventful."

Amanda frowned. "How old are you again?"

"I will turn seven in three cycles."

"Seven going on seventy." Amanda leaned back into the sofa. "So what's the real deal?"

"I do not understand." Sybok frowned. "What deal?"

"You getting kicked out of school." Amanda leaned forward and stared Sybok hard in the eye. "Obviously you've the self possession to keep your cool. And from what I've heard, the school you were in was in the north and more lenient about emotionalisms anyway. You were on your way to being a healer. Why did you get yourself kicked out?"

"You believe I did so on purpose."

Amanda snorted. "Had to have." She leaned back again, satisfied that her attempt at intimidation had worked as Sybok began to squirm slightly in his seat. "Now, what made you do that? If you'd wanted to come back here you'd have only had to ask Sarek. He's been missing you."

"I doubt that." Sybok crossed his arms and glared, something of the child finally appearing. "He's never taken much of an interest."

"He's a busy diplomat, Sybok, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care." Amanda frowned. "The two of you shouldn't have separated after your mother's death. I'm sure you both needed one another."

"Perhaps. But father was assigned to Earth." Sybok looked away. "And T-Pau thought it best if I went with mother's clan for political reasons."

"Did anybody ask you?"

"No." Sybok glared at the wall. "So I took matters into my own hands."

Amanda laughed. "Next time try talking to your father first. It might save you burning a few bridges. Regardless, I'm glad you're here."

Sybok turned back to her clearly surprised. "Why would you want me back here? I am, what do you humans call it? Baggage?"

Amanda shrugged. "A lot of people would think that. But I knew you were part of the deal when I signed on. You're a kid, not extra luggage. While I might not know what to say to you, I'm still glad you're here. You mean a lot to your father and I want him happy."

"Happiness is an emotion."

"Alright, I want him content." Amanda shrugged. "Whatever adjective you prefer. He worries about you and I think he'd be more at ease with you around."

Sybok crossed his arms. "You're going to take him back to Earth as soon as the charges are lifted. I'll never see him again."

"Boy, you are a paranoid one." Amanda sighed. "We are planning a trip to Earth." Sybok looked smug. "But," Amanda smirked. "We're planning on taking you with us. And it'll be a short trip."

"Really?" Sybok leaned forward, an eager look lighting his eyes. "I'm going to get to go off-world?"

"If these blasted charges ever get lifted, yes." Amanda smiled softly. "There's this big holiday celebration in a few months, back on Earth. My family usually has this big get together, all the extended relatives and my cousins I don't see very often. I thought it would be a good time to introduce you and your father."

"You are taking us to a Christmas celebration?" Sybok tried to hide a smile. "I have read about those. Will there be a lighted conifer?"

Amanda laughed. "A Christmas tree? Yes, we always have one. When did you read about this?"

"When father informed me of his intention to bond with you. I started researching." Sybok bit his lip. "Will there be snow? I do not know if I will like snow."

"Maybe. It's cold that time of year where I'm from. Sometimes we have snow but not always." Amanda grinned. "But I'll bet there will be some before New Year's and we'll stay that long at least."

"Can you teach me to sled? And ice-skate? And make snow balls?" Sybok couldn't help the smile that started to form.

Amanda chuckled. "So long as we don't give your father a heart attack! I'm more than happy to introduce you to winter sports."

Sybok's grin faded. "Will he let me?"

"I suppose you will have to ask." Sarek's voice surprised them both causing them to jump. "But there is a significant possibility that he will."

"Sarek!" Amanda smiled and muttered, 'Thank god' under her breath. "You finally got my message."

Sarek nodded. "Indeed. Sybok," He walked forward and put his hands on his son's shoulders and nodded once down at him. "It is agreeable to see you again, however I was not expecting you till late this evening."

"Yes, father." Sybok leaned into his father's touch. "I took the earlier transport."

"We should discuss the reason for your relocation," Sarek stated firmly and Sybok's shoulders dropped. "However, it is time for the end of day meal. Have you eaten since leaving?"

"No." Sybok looked down. "Your wife offered to get me food but I wasn't hungry."

"Perhaps you could eat now?" Sarek asked softly. Sybok nodded. "Good. I had your things moved up to this wing, the next door down. Go and wash up. We will collect you on the way down."

"Yes, father." Sybok nodded at Amanda and quietly left.

"How much did you hear?" Amanda asked softly.

"The majority of it." Sarek replied just as softly. "I did not know he was so...upset."

"He lost his mother, Sarek. He's just as upset as you are, only he's a child. He doesn't know how to handle it." Amanda bit her lip and kept the rest of her suspicions to herself. "I think it's a good idea to keep him close - for now."

"Yes, I agree." Sarek gave a small frown. "This does not upset you?"

"Not in the least, husband." Amanda held out her paired fingers. "Not in the least."

"You met Sybok yesterday." T-Pau asked bluntly.

Amanda fidgeted. "Yes."

"Thoughts?"

"What do you mean?"

T-Pau tiled her head to the side. "I wish to know your impressions of the child."

Amanda bit her lip. "He's lonely. He misses his mother. He's not sure he can trust Sarek not to abandon him."

"This is obvious. But what do you think about him."

Amanda shifted uncomfortably. "There's something," she hesitated, "...off about him."

T-Pau nodded. "Yes, I know. But I am unable to determine the cause."

"He tried," Amanda swallowed. "He tried to influence me. It was subtle, but I could feel it. My grandmother taught us to recognize it."

"Sarek informed me of your unique ancestry." T-Pau gave a swift nod. "This is why I asked you what you thought of the child. I have noticed similar attempts in the past. Sarek thinks it is unintentional."

"But you don't."

"Correct."

Amanda bit her lip. "He's just a kid. Maybe he doesn't know how to control it."

"Do you believe this?"

"I've only just met him." Amanda shivered. "But Sevok, he thinks there's something wrong too."

"The healers believe it is grief." T-Pau gave a small frown. "But this behavior started prior to T-Rea's death."

"Sevok said T-Rea was very gifted in the mind arts. Sarek isn't exactly a dud either. It's possible Sybok really doesn't know what he's doing. He's still so young." Amanda frowned. "My grandmother had stories, from her grandmother, about people who didn't know how to control it. Or when they figured it out they didn't realize the true potential. Passed themselves off as psychics and mediums - conmen. Maybe," Amanda grimaced, "Maybe Sybok's just not trained? Sarek said he'd never seen anything quite like what my family can do. Maybe Sybok's talent is just a little off from the Vulcan norm and the training practices aren't addressing his specific need. Have any of his tutors noticed a specific talent for telepathic influence?"

"The priestesses could not find any such talent. But such a specific manifestation of the mind gifts is rare - I do not recall such a case in modern record. Sybok rates a high psi 10 in the normal tests but if he's particularly gifted in one area the standard protocols may not apply." T-Pau sighed. "Nevertheless I think you are correct. He has a great ability to influence, more than is common in young children. This is not so problematic on Vulcan. The majority of the population is of enough psi strength to notice his attempts and to deflect them. But when you go to Earth you will need to monitor him."

"I'm not exactly trained, T-Pau." Amanda frowned. "I don't even register on the psi scale."

"Since our methods, and our scale, also seem to have missed Sybok's talent, perhaps his gifts are closer to yours in nature. Can your grandmother assist?"

"Only if you have a Ouija board. She died when I was 12." Amanda sighed. "The talent runs more strongly in the female line. I'm afraid I'm it. Adam has some ability but he's not going to be much help either. This isn't something we really 'train' for. Grandma tried to influence us as kids, so we'd know what it feels like and could try and fight it off. But mostly it was stuff like making us think it was our idea to do the dishes. Adam and I seem to be able to influence, to a degree, but he's never been able to block at all and I haven't a clue how to tell when another person is doing their thing unless I'm the victim. The trick is to always make someone do what they really wanted to in the first place but were too hesitant or too inhibited to do. It's subtle and hard to see. It's not like real telepathic talent and it doesn't require touch. I was able to give Smidler a little push to tell me his plan, but it only worked because his personality is naturally inclined to gloat. Had he not wanted to tell me it wouldn't have worked. I'm not my great-grandmother. I can't force people to do what they don't want to."

Amanda shook her head. "Personally, I think the talent's dying out. I'm nowhere near as gifted as my grandmother and she wasn't anything compared to her mother. Whatever genetic tinkering the scientists did it's been so diluted in the last few centuries it's all but dead. I'm not going to be able to keep Sybok from using his talent on unsuspecting people, T-Pau. I could barely tell he was trying it on me. Whatever it is he's doing, it's far more advanced than anything I've come into contact with."

"And Sarek will never admit his son is a danger." T-Pau frowned. "This leaves us with one option. You will take T-Lar with you."

"T-Lar? But," Amanda frowned, "She can't leave. She's the clan matriarch now."

"I will see to her duties." T-Pau stood up to dismiss Amanda. "I will start work with her now. T-Sehl and I often assisted one another. I will do the same for T-Lar."

"No discussion?"

"I am matriarch." T-Pau raised an eyebrow and Amanda sighed.