Holography 3

As a Reminder and a Promise

By

Pat Foley

Chapter 54

Stardate 2229.12 Terra

Sarek wouldn't care to ascribe jealousy to himself. But he had made sure he was informed when Amanda's colleague left the embassy. Though he doubted the man considered business the sole aspect of his relationship with her. Sarek didn't waste any time seeking his intended wife out. "What did he want, Amanda?"

"To discuss an upcoming lecture series. Sarek," she reproved, shaking her head at his dissatisfied look. "He is only interested in me as a colleague."

"He doesn't speak to you as a colleague." He gave her a sharp, meaningful glance. "He doesn't look at you as a colleague."

"Sarek, all human men look at human women. It's part of their biology. It comes built into the model. It doesn't mean they want a relationship with them. Not the sort you mean, a long term one. Nor does it mean they'd act on that sort of interest. They just like to look. To a certain degree, it is even considered flattering."

"There are times when I find humans singularly disgusting," Sarek said, not bothering to moderate his tone to one of the controlled indifference suitable to a diplomat.

"Thanks."

"I did not mean you."

"I'm human too."

He gave her a sharp look, eyes narrowed. "You have never done such a thing."

Amanda drew a breath at that. "Sarek I am human. If I decide to marry you, I can't be locked up like Rapunzel in some castle-"

"Like who?"

She drew another breath and counted to ten. "Sometimes our lack of knowledge of each other's cultures is a pro, and sometimes it is definitely a con. I can't see explaining fairy tales to you, though if you plan to have much business with humans, you ought to read them. They are archetypal and would give you insight. Suffice to say, human behavior is not black and white, but a continuum. And given that, there are lines that culturally we don't cross. Or if we do, we accept that society frowns on such transgressions. But human males have a tendency toward polygamy, in thought if not in action."

"And human females?"

"Less so. Though even those that haven't may look. Even those in relationships. To a point it is considered perfectly acceptable, even natural."

"And to you?"

She turned, mouth open in surprise, even knowing him as well as she did now, shocked that he would be so openly jealous. She closed her mouth and then drew a steadying breath. "You're enough trouble all on your own that I rather doubt I'd even have the energy, much less the inclination."

"Indeed." Sarek considered that. "I am well aware from my literature review that humans are less than constant. You are saying that sufficiently engaged in an existing relationship, human females – and you in particular – would be less so inclined. That it is beholden on one's spouse to keep one…sufficiently engaged. I see no issue in that requirement."

She eyed him. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that. Or what you mean by it. But let's leave it there for now. I'm not sure I can take much more of this conversation. Jealousy doesn't become you Sarek."

"It is not jealousy, to hold one's own as one's own. It is logical."

"A wife isn't a possession."

"Perhaps it is so for humans. In my culture, it is far otherwise."

"In mine, considering women to be so is singularly rude."

"In my culture, not to consider one's wife as such would be unimaginably inconsiderate. To a Vulcan male, there is nothing else more valuable."

"You mean no one. Women are not things."

"I will not debate semantics in English, Amanda. It is a most imprecise language."

"You're a diplomat, Sarek. Discussions such as these are your business."

"You have just said women are not things, and then you speak of your status as if you were so many parsecs of space. Perhaps you will concede error."

"I never said anything of the kind."

"I'd advise you to quit while you are ahead," Sarek said, saying the English phrase with a certain relish.

"Oh, you!" Amanda regarded him furiously for a moment, at an impasse, neither willing to give ground, and then she laughed. "This is utterly ridiculous. I never – never – imagined that in my life I would be advocating against jealousy with a Vulcan spouse."

Sarek's ears virtually perked at the latter word. "Is that a commitment?"

"No! Honestly, Sarek. You can have a one track mind."

"At least you can be sure in that, Amanda, that I would not be interested in looking elsewhere."

"And I guess as long as you don't have any castles you plan to lock me up inside, it's not an issue for me, either." She sighed. "What a life I would have with you. I'm not sure I can bear it. It certainly is rife with surprises." She eyed him. "On the other hand, imagining anything else is starting to seem…very boring."

"My sentiments exactly." He reached out, and very gently, and caressed her cheek, fingers trailing from her brow to her temple. She recognized the light touch of his mind, and as she was just learning to do, she shielded a little against it.

"Not yet, Sarek." She drew back a pace, and shook her head. "I'm not ready to say yes yet. I still have things to consider. Many things."

And she slid away from his hands and left.

Sarek looked after her, considering. It was as he had first assumed. Her colleague did have designs on her. He was making claims on her. Even if he purported not to desire marriage, Sarek did not trust him.

And as for Amanda…he did not fully trust her to reach the obvious conclusion to their relationship either. Sarek had long ago deduced that the logical course was for her to marry him. He desired her. He understood her. He was determined to have her. And he would give her everything she required. It was thus logical that she marry him, her imperfect human understanding of the situation aside.

And this …colleague of hers… He had not declared for her. He did not thus deserve her, and should have no rights to her.

It was up to Sarek to ensure that remained so.

Having made such a determination, Sarek found it easy to act.

To be continued…