Chapter 6, "The Truth Comes Out"

Amanda

Honesty is the best policy. I frequently taught that axiom to my human students when I began my career in education after earning my Bachelor's degree. However, I did not always follow it in my personal life with Ben Walker. While Sarek worked on Earth for three months, Ben insisted that we become more seriously committed to each other. . At that time, I decided to give Ben Walker a try, although it was a half-hearted attempt on my part.

More often than not, I found that my mind wandered to the way Sarek would kiss or if Vulcans kissed at all. When I kissed Ben Walker, I imagined sucking face with the sexy Vulcan Ambassador to Earth. Imagining Sarek's lips pressed against mine made me feel hot and bothered throughout my body.

Yet, I knew that T'Pau was correct in discouraging me from pursuing Sarek. I knew that I should follow my family's wishes. In my heart, I knew that I could not.

One evening at the Embassy, Ben and I were discussing the translation of a document when he, out of the blue, inquired,

"Your parents have told me that you are reluctant to marry me, Amanda. Why is that true?"

Ben's voice sounded like a cry of a wounded animal.

"I don't love you," I earnestly answered before thinking. Maniacally, Ben started laughing, and the look on his face was disturbing. Suddenly, I felt scared.

"Come on, Amanda, use some tact," I thought as I watched Ben laugh in disbelief.

"Is that all? You may grow to love me, Amanda," he exclaimed in disbelief.

"I want to marry someone I love," I stubbornly elucidated.

"Amanda, you are so naive. Life is hardly like Romeo and Juliet," Ben scoffed. Do "you think you will find your true love here on Vulcan?"

He heartily laughed for a moment as I felt embarrassed and lowered my eyes to my hands. I hated when Ben made me feel small and ridiculous, and it happened too often.

Eventually, he regained his composure and stated," I care for you, Amanda. Additionally, I will be the Earth's Ambassador to Vulcan, a prominent position."

Shaking my head, I felt my anger rise inside of me, stubbornly declaring, "I don't care about your position, Ben."

"You can raise our children on Earth while I am an Ambassador, and I can give you everything you want," he informed me, ignoring my comment.

"I want to teach, and I like living here on Vulcan."

Ben's voice became gruff as he countered, "You can teach our children, Amanda. Why do you want to stay on a hot planet with humanoids that are like walking computers?"

"First, teaching is my life, Ben Walker. It's what I always wanted to do, and it broke my heart when I transferred here to translate documents. Besides, Vulcans value education highly, and I find their thirst for knowledge fascinating."

"Fascinating is a word Sarek often used," I thought fondly.

"I had you transferred so you and I could become better acquainted before we married," Ben yelled, his face reddened. Luckily, there were not many people in the Embassy at this time, and I felt uneasy at his actions. Then Ben's admission hit me, and I angrily questioned,

"You did that?"

"Yes," he admitted, meeting my eyes with his own.

A brief pause ensued. Shock and disbelief filled me as I turned away from him. I attempted to gather my thoughts, but I felt greatly irked.

"Your parents and I could not think of another way because you were not coming around to the idea of marrying me," he explained, almost in a pleading way.

"That doesn't justify anything," I loudly argued.

Highly distressed, I shut my eyes and took two deep breaths. Rapidly, I spun around then slapped Ben across the face, exclaiming.

"How dare you, Ben Walker! Especially when I worked so hard to obtain a position there for two years!"

Taken aback, Ben grimaced as he felt the area that I slapped. His face turned red due to the slap and the fact that he was extremely angry.

"Don't ever do that again," he growled, his eyebrows furrowing. Ben's green eyes narrowed to tiny slits. Next, he grasped my wrists, and I felt acute pain.

"Owww! Let me go," I wailed, attempting to twist out of his grip, but he refused.

"Not until you agree to marry me," Ben stated, putting more pressure on my wrists with his grip.

"No! Never! You are hurting me!"

"I believe Miss Grayson requested that you let her go," a quiet Vulcan voice stated from behind him. Automatically, I knew it was Sarek, and I felt hopeful for his assistance.

Ben turned around to tell Sarek to go to Hell, but the Vulcan completed the nerve pinch before he could do it. Next, Sarek assisted him to a nearby chair to recover.

When Ben slumped over, his grip loosened on me, and I unexpectedly fell back on the floor.

"'Miss Grayson, are you unharmed?"

"Y-Y-yes," I replied. Sarek's face displayed a preoccupation with my condition as he scanned my face. He offered his hand to assist me in returning to a standing position. Then I held onto his hand for an extra beat because I enjoyed it. Sarek did not resist.

"Do you need transport to your lodging?"

"Yes, please," I timidly answered, looking back at Ben, "will he be ok?"

"Mr. Walker will wake up in twenty-five minutes from a nap, but he will be fine," Sarek promised, letting go of my hand as I stood.

"Thank you, Ambassador," I gratefully remarked.

"My pleasure, Miss Grayson. Shall we go?"

Smiling, I happily viewed my knight in shining Vulcan. As I recounted the events of the argument with Ben, Sarek piloted the shuttlecraft and listened intently.

"Ben orchestrated for me to work in the Embassy so he could persuade me to marry him. I told him that I would not marry him, no matter what my parents wanted," I admitted.

Although I knew Sarek would deny it, I swear I saw a smirk on his lips at my last statement. Instead of calling him out on it, I happily grinned at him. We were quiet for the rest of the trip.

As we arrived, I felt an overwhelming need to ask a huge favor from Sarek. With a raised eyebrow, he nodded for me to continue.

"Would you, please, talk to the Academy about reinstating me?"

Sarek's face fell, indicating disappointment.

"You no longer wish to work at the Embassy?"

"Well, not exactly. I don't want to be around Ben if I can help it. Would you see if I can work exclusively in your office? I will do whatever you need, scrub the toilets if necessary, please," I pleaded. Silence ensued as Sarek's great mind examined the possibilities.

"The sub-Ambassador, Elieth, needs a secretary for a couple of months," Sarek thoughtfully articulated, "I am sure you can split the time between his office and mine."

"Thank you, Ambassador. You don't know how much this means to me. Maybe I can convince the Academy to allow me to return in the future," I remarked, tears filling my eyes.

Sarek's face softened as he saw the wetness on my face, and his hand rose from his lap towards my face. Realizing his actions, he stopped and put it back down.

"I see your discomfort, and I do not like viewing you disquieted," Sarek gently uttered, his brown eyes expressing grave consternation. He viewed me hesitantly like he was trying to prevent himself from taking action.

Abruptly, I kissed his cheek, and it felt bristly because his beard was growing in from the long day. Simpering, I noticed that Sarek's face turned a light green from my action.

"Good night, Miss Grayson. Live long and prosper," Sarek proclaimed. With a large grin, I returned the greeting.

What's next for Amanda and Sarek? Find out next week.