A/N: A thank you to JDC0 for helping me outline the therapy scene.

Chapter Three: And Getting Assigned Homework.

My focus was elsewhere. My body ached for him, throbbed for him, and if it could beg it would be doing just that as we sat on the sofa in the therapist's spacious office that overlooked the beach. While the view would usually put a smile on my face, it was overtaken by my annoyance, and constant thought of wanting to saddle my husband on the sofa beside me. With a frustrated sigh, I looked at the clock on the wall. The therapist was six minutes late. So much for them waiting for us.

"We could have squeezed it in." I told Sarek, my voice filled with bitterness.

"It is wise to be punctual." He replied flatly.

A statement that only made me even more annoyed.

"I prefer your dick over being punctual." I blurted, adjusting myself in my chair. I felt as though I was about to burst with all this sexual frustration. I throbbed, I ached, and my breathing was rapid. I wanted this to be over before it even began.

The door opened from behind us. I turned around to see an Orion female with jet black hair enter the room. She wore a tight black pencil skirt that stopped at her knees, with a white button up blouse that barley covered her gargantuan breasts. She greeted us with a quick hello as she walked in the room. Placing her clip board down on the small table beside the loan chair beside the sofa, she took a tissue from the tissue box and began to wipe from her mouth a mystery substance.

"I am so sorry." She said, her voice soft and light. "I didn't think that would last longer than it did."

When I sensed Sarek's arousal growing as the woman turned her back towards us, I found my own jealousy begin to rear its ugly head. I tried to push it aside, but when the woman sat down on the lone chair to my left and leaned forward, revealing her light pink bra as she extended her hand to shake my husband's, I fought myself to maintain slow and steady breaths.

After a couple of seconds, I saw her notice his pointy ears. She retracted her hand and moved it into a Ta'al, to which Sarek reciprocated.

"I apologise," she said lightly. "I did not notice at first."

"There was no offensive intent." replied Sarek.

She extended her hand to me with a warm smile. I forced myself to shake her hand, and after noticing a sticky substance on it, I wiped my hand on my skirt and glanced at my husband who I found covering his groin discreetly with his hands.

Her next few words fell on deaf ears. Her name was Dr. Shannaa, but she preferred a first name basis. Which I nodded to acknowledge. Then she stood up from her chair and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows before us that displayed the beautiful beach and drew the thin privacy curtain. It was then that I noticed her black stilettos, which clacked with each step she took. Jeez, how could she wear those things all day?!

She sat back down in the chair beside us and after taking a few notes in silence she looked up at us and asked,

"So, is this your first time at this resort?"

"Yes, this is indeed our first time at this resort." Sarek replied.

"It's quite lovely isn't it? Right, well, the first half of the session involves me asking some questions about your relationship, and then for the second half we move onto the experimental part which his all based on the outcome of the first half of our session. But I supposed you read that already knew that from the website?"

"There is a lot of things we do not know about this resort." responded Sarek.

"Then how did you book it?" She countered.

Feeling a sudden wave of annoyance, I placed my hand on Sarek's knee responding in the kindest voice I could manage,

"Our children purchased the trip thinking that it was a trip to the beach. They wanted us to have a honeymoon."

"Now that's definitely one I haven't heard!" She said, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I think that beats the one I heard a couple of days ago with that mother-in-law buying her son and daughter in law a weeklong stay at the resort."

That caused a small smile to graze my lips. The thought of Sarek's father buying us a weeklong stay at the resort. HA!

"So, shall we begin?"

"Yes."

"Yes." I nodded.

"Great." She smiled. "So, how often do you have sex?"

So blunt… and so quickly. I was silent for a moment as I forced my breathing into a steady rhythm, trying to push aside the irritation and embarassment the question caused. Just the word caused the throbbing between my legs to become almost unbearable. I felt my knees clench together. I turned to Sarek who glanced at me but remained silent.

May as well answer and get it over with, I thought to myself.

"Usually, three times a week…" I said, "but we haven't had sex in three months."

"And why is that?" She asked.

Now, I was becoming uncomfortable. Do I tell her about the miscarriage? About Michael coming into the house? About another job as translator on top of my job at the learning centre? Do I tell her about the late nights, the early mornings? The exhaustion? It was all too personal and something I did not want to get into, let alone with someone I did not know. When there was nothing but silent for about a minute, she cleared her throat and asked,

"When did it start? Was there something that happened three months ago that triggered it?"

"Things just…changed." I said, suddenly feeling a wave of nervousness through my stomach.

Please, I thought to myself Don't make me talk about this.

"What changed exactly?" She pressed again, "There has to be a trigger point."

I drew in a breath and glanced at Sarek, feeling a huge wave of sadness shoot through my chest and stomach. I knew I had to say it, she was not going to leave it. It was something I forced myself to push aside since it happened, and I suppose I had always known that was a 'trigger', so to say.

"I um…" my voice began to shake, "I had a miscarriage."

"I'm sorry to hear that." She said sweetly. "That can definitely effect more than just a couples sex life."

Silence.

"Yes." I managed, softly.

"How long did it take you to recover?"

More sadness rushed through me. I turned my head to the side and drew in a breath. Why did I have to talk about this?

"One month." Sarek said flatly. "She was very weak and required blood transfusions and intravenous fluids."

"So, it was traumatic?" She asked softly.

"Can we please change the subject?" I blurted, feeling the lump in my throat grow harder.

"A part of the healing process is to speak about the experience. I take it that you both haven't talked about it since it happened?" My eyes were glued to the floor as she talked, I felt the tears unwillingly begin to well in my eyes when, suddenly, there was a piece of tissue suddenly in my view which I accepted and began to wipe my eyes, "Miscarriages are very common." She explained, "But, I understand that you have two healthy children though?"

I forced myself to answer her through my sadness and anger at the subject in question, "Yes, thankfully…but I only gave birth to one."

"You are still her mother, regardless of how she came into your life."

She was right. That I could not deny. I simply nodded and sighed softly in relief as Sarek send a wave of calm through our bond. My hand squeezed his knee gently.

"After you recovered," the therapist continued, "did you feel embarrassed to show your body to your husband?"

I wiped more forming tears from my eyes. That was an answer I had to think about. While I was only four months along when I lost the baby, my body changed rather quickly this time around. Stretch marks, a quicker growing bump. It funny how, as women, we may expect it all to go away within days after giving birth, but it does not, and it didn't.

The more I thought about it, the more it started to come together.

"Yes." I whispered softly.

After the midwives and healers said that I was fine to resume sexual activity after six weeks, the thought of my husband looking at my body so soon after not only made me shut down and feel physically sick, but it made all the pain come back.

The guilt. The sadness. The anger.

I feared he would not find me beautiful, and that when he looked at my stomach, he would only see me as an incompetent woman. The realization only caused more tears to fall down my cheeks. I had never faced this, I never wanted to face this and now that I am facing it, it was more painful than I had ever imagined.

Please make it stop.

"She is beautiful." Sarek voice's broke me from my realization. I turned to see him looking at me, his eyes glued to my face. "She's always been beautiful."

"Good, Sarek." The therapist's voice was light, soft and empathetic. "Communication is key in relationships. I'm aware that Vulcans aren't necessary good with this concept, but that's very good that you were able to share that with your wife. Amanda, did you know that he always thought you beautiful?"

"Not right after the miscarriage."

And just like that, it all came out. I told her everything, about my body changing so quickly this time around, the sadness, the guilt, and how I was scared for a while that when he looked at my stomach that he would only see an incompetent woman, unable to do the one thing that women were designed to do. When I told her how I was scared that he would not find me beautiful, his forefingers found mine as my hand, that rested on his knee, began to shake.

I relaxed in the feeling of love and calm the ozh'esta brought.

You are beautiful. He told me, You have always been beautiful.

"What about when your daughter came into the house? Did you still feel this way?"

"At first, yes…but as our schedules got busy it all kind of just…faded away, I suppose"

I went on to explain the chaos of our new life began. Michael starting school, my new job on top of my current job at the learning centre and the late nights and early mornings and how I just began to miss him.

"So, there was a point when you stopped thinking that he didn't find you beautiful. Were you ready to share your body with him then?"

"Yes."

"Why do you think you started to feel that way?" She asked, "What made you suddenly stop worrying?"

"I don't know." I said truthfully. "I think…I think I just knew that what I was thinking was wrong… irrational. He never lied to me, and if he wasn't attracted to me… I feel like I would feel it… through our bond."

"I see." She looked down at her clipboard and started to take some notes, "And around this time, were you wanting to have sex with him again?"

"Yes, but our lives were starting to get crazy. Michael going into the learning centre and with her being the first human to even go there, she would come home crying from all the bullying. Then the Embassy translator went back home and resigned from his post, so I had to jump into a role that I hadn't done in seven years."

"I see, and that's when your nights became long and your mornings became earlier." her voice filled with realization.

"Yes." I replied.

"Can you turn to your husband and tell him how you felt during that time?"

I was surprised when I turned to face him so willingly and quickly. And just like that, it all came out.

"I missed you. Yes, we saw each other every day, we talked about translations and conferences, lectures, and engagements but I felt as though we were more of colleagues than husband and wife. Even at home, we would talk about work even when we were getting ready for bed. I wanted to hug you then and I missed talking about things other than work. I felt us growing a bit distant, we didn't even finger embrace when we worked and when I would… give you hints, you would turn away..."

"We were engaged in the translations and revisions of our conference with the Tellar Ambassador."

"But it sounds like to me, Sarek," The therapist interrupted, "that Amanda is saying is that when she was ready to provide love and perhaps your earlier intentions that you seemed unwilling to receive them."

"Is that true?" He asked me.

"Yes." I confirmed softly.

"Is that true, Sarek?" she asked. "Were you unwilling to receive Amanda's affections? I know you share a martial bond and thus share a closer and more personal bond than any other species."

"It was logical to give her time to heal and thus I distanced myself. When we were engaging in our duties, I assumed with her previous mental state that she would not be ready, and so I denied her advances."

That could not have been further from the truth.

No. I said softly through our bond. I was ready.

He looked at me and admitted, "And I see now that I was wrong. I regret that I distance myself from you. I am sorry."

Taking his hand into mine I interlaced my fingers with his and rested my head against his shoulder.

"It's okay." I whispered, sniffing my forming tears away.

She took some notes and then looked up with a smile,

"So it looks like now, with all of the hard stuff out of the way that not only can you continue to healing process but now we can move onto 'lighting a fire' so to say. However, I couldn't help but notice that perhaps the fire is already lit."

I rose a brow in confusion as I wiped my eyes from the last of falling tears. When I followed where her eyes were looking, she stared at a noticeable white stain on Sarek's robes just under where our hands sat. The sight sent red to my cheeks and a wave of embarrassment through me.

The therapist continued, as her smile morphed into a wicked one,

"There is a white residue on your robes, Sarek. And Amanda, I noticed that you were clenching your knees together in the beginning of our session."

More blood rushed to my cheeks, I turned to Sarek to see the tips of his ears were green.

"So, I think we can move on to the experimental part of our session, if you are ready?"

I shot her a smile and wiped my cheeks for a final time before tossing the tissue in the wastebin beside me. "Yea. I'm ready, are you?" I turned to Sarek who bowed his head.

"Okay, so it sounds like, Amanda, you still have underlying insecurities with your body and that's something that we need to rectify in order for your sexual relationship to…how do you say…get back on track. So, are you guys ready?"

"Yes." I smiled.

"Yes." Sarek said, flatly.

"Good, now if you would please stand up, go into the middle of the room, remove your clothing and face each other."

Her nonchalant request made a laugh unwillingly escape my lips. All the remaining sadness throughout my body suddenly vanished and was replace with shock. She was serious?

"I'm- I'm sorry, what?!"

"I assure you, Amanda, that I am a certified sex and relationship therapist. I have seen the bodies of all species including Humans and Vulcans. This is part one of your session, and vital to the healing processes."

"I would prefer to keep my clothing on." Sarek said flatly.

"I second that. I would prefer to keep my clothing on."

"We cannot experiment with your clothes on." She said. "If you wish, I will allow you to keep on you under garments, but removing all clothing is vital."

I had not seen him naked in months and the thought suddenly made all the horniness hit me like a tonne of bricks, while at the same time pushing all sad thoughts out of my mind. The blood rushed to that sensitive area and my knees clenched together once more.

"Undergarments would suffice." Sarek said suddenly, which caused me to whip my head in his direction.

After unzipping myself out of my magenta dress, I stood there in my red lace bra with matching knickers with my hands around my midsection. My eyes were glued to him as he meticulously removed his clothing. When he stood in just his traditional undergarments, I crossed my legs suddenly feeling more blood rushing to that one sensitive area.

This is going to be hard. I sent through our bond.

Agreed.

His hands covered his groin.

"No covering yourself. I've seen erect penises before. Amanda, could you please remove your arms from your midsection?"

After a moment, I reluctantly removed my hands, revealing a sea of light and dark stretch marks, and slack skin. The sight immediately sending a rush of nervousness rush through me. I wanted so much to cover myself.

"Tell me, Amanda. What are you feeling?"

"Nervous."

"Why is that?"

"My stomach." I whispered, wanting terribly to cover it up, "It… stretched quicker and… there's new stretch marks."

"Sarek, how does that make you feel?"

More nerves filled me as I awaited his answer.

"Indifferent." He replied.

"Are you attracted to your wife?"

"She is as appealing as the day we bonded. Even after the accommodation of…both of our children."

It was a statement that made a small smile appear on my lips and tears of relief to flood my vision. I was not this disgusting unattractive person that I believed that he thought I was. I still made him happy and by the looks of it, with his hardening bulge through his undergarments, the sight of me still turned him on too.

"And you, Amanda. Are you attracted to your husband?"

What a stupid fucking question that was.

"Of course."

"What attracts you to him?" She asked.

"He is handsome and toned… but I did not marry him for his body. I married him for him. He's gentle to me, he's sweet, and kind… in his way, of course. He supports me and accepts me for who I am. That is all I ever wanted in a spouse… his body is a bonus."

God damn, speaking of his body. His chiselled abs and toned chest… he had been working out more in the last few months… Jesus Christ, I just want to jump his bones.

I noticed him staring rather intensively at me. A strong wave of heat and arousal ran through me and I drew in a breath and held my hands over my front. His eyes stared at my midsection and when more arousal ran through our bond and I saw his lok harden, it was a sight that threatened more tears of relief to spring in my eyes… if I weren't now so God damn horny.

The therapist was silent as she observed us and, after a couple of minutes of intense staring and silence she suddenly said, "You may put your clothes back on." Her voice made me jump. "You two look like you're going to start shagging any second."

"I say to you that we would if you were not here." Sarek said, in a seemingly momentary lapse in logic.

A fact that made me unable to contain a smile or moving my fingers to my throbbing nub. The silhouette of the therapist in my eye made me stop and reluctantly pull my hand away. I saw her smile and say again, "You may put your clothes back on."

When we put our clothes back on, we sat back down on the sofa and faced her.

"I can see that you two are still very much in tune which each other's bodies. Perhaps now that the hard part is over with speaking about the trigger point and your body, we are now able to move forward. Does your sex life with Sarek lack adventure?"

"I'm sorry? H- How do you get that from seeing us naked?" I asked timidly.

She smiled, "When your husband said that you would be having sex if I were not in the room, I noticed your body tense and your fingers draw immediately to your clitoris. I sense that you may want a little more adventure introduced into your sex life with your husband. Is that why you're here? Perhaps wanting to try a swinger's lifestyle?"

"Oh no, not-not swingers… uh, perhaps I do want a little more adventure. As of late, I've been thinking a bit more with experimenting. I mean we both have, we chatted about it a little."

"Experimenting with what?"

"Me with women… sex in a public place and…" I trailed off unable to say the last one without blood rushing to my cheeks.

"And…" she continued "It's okay, I've heard it all."

"Pegging." I finished in a light voice.

I turned to see my husband's cheeks and tips of his ears emerald green.

"What stopped this talk?" She asked

"After… it happened…and then our schedules got busy, and I kind of just thought he wasn't interested anymore."

"Sarek, is that true?"

"No." He said simply.

A statement that made me whip my head in his direction. He seemed dismissive towards my comments…

"So perhaps your homework for the next couple days should be to do one or perhaps two of the things that you've talked about?"

There was complete silence.

Am I dreaming? Tell me I am dreaming.

You are wide awake, his voice radiating our bond.

"Pegging is a bit more involved so, I would suggest you begin with the other two. You said that you've talked about having sex in a public place, yes?"

A suggestion that made my husband's cheeks greener.

"It can be embarrassing at first," She admits with a smile, "but trust me, you quickly become engrossed with each other and the most people will do here is either watch or ask to join. You can always say no, everything here must be consensual, so there's really nothing to worry about."

"It would be logical if we did not engage-"

"It is important when rebuilding one's sex life to take chances and risks." The therapist said, cutting Sarek off. "The most that happen is that you will not like it, and what do you do when you do not like something?"

Sarek was silent, she rose a brow and awaited his answer,

"You do not do it again."

"Very good. All places on this resort is open to consensual sexual activity. It is your homework now to engage in sexual intercourse in a place of your choosing on this resort and then report back to me during your next session."

When I looked at Sarek and sensed more of his apprehension, the colour in his cheeks now turning a deep green she suddenly said, "This is the safest place to let loose with your wife, Sarek. I suggest you take advantage of it."

After a moment, with the green beginning to fade from his cheeks and ears, he bowed his head to her.

"Communication is key." She reminded, "If you do not have good communication, you will not be able to pull off something like pegging successfully. I trust that you saw the complimentary sex toys in your room upon arrival?"

I nodded.

"I would suggest, when the time comes, to start off with the smallest dildo. Be sure to use lots of lube. And Sarek, and what is key when experimenting in the bedroom?" She asked, leaning forward and looking him in the eye. This caused me to break out in a smile, I loved seeing her schooling my husband.

"Communication."

"Good… the last thing you want is a ripped anus when you're trying to experiment. So, go slow. And what is key?"

"Communication." He repeated, like a broken record.

She looked at her watch, "Well, our session is over now. Is there anything else you would like to ask before our next session?"

"Yes, what about…" I stammered, "uhh… you know…"

Her brow rose in confusion.

"You know…when you're pegging and you know-"

"Oh, you mean, poop?"

I felt my cheeks turn red with embarrassment. How could she say it so nonchalantly? I turned to see the tips of Sarek's ears grow green once more. She reached beside her into her small drawer and took out four individually wrapped pills.

"Sarek, take one thirty minutes before you begin." She leaned forward and handed him the pills, "it will stop it from happening."

"Thank you, Doctor." Sarek said taking the pills, the green rushing back into his cheeks/ "We will see to our… homework."

She smiled. "Most welcome. Your second therapy session is scheduled in two days' time, but you can see me any time before that. Remember to complete your homework."

We stood to our feet with the therapist. We took a couple of steps towards the door when Sarek suddenly asked,

"Doctor, if I may inquire?"

"Of course."

"My wife and others attending this resort fail to provide me with the definition of a certain word. I figured with your scientific knowledge you would be able to help me?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"What is the meaning of a 'honeymoon?"

"I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet being on a sex retreat." She smiled. "But I'm sure you will figure it out once you have completed your homework."

He bowed his head as the therapist opened the door. He turned to me and motioned doors the door, "Wife."

I walked two steps before the therapist reached out and grabbed hold of my arm. She leaned forward and whispered softly in my ear, "You are the Master of your man. Make sure he knows that."

A statement which immediately caused a smile to graze my lips. Of course, I was.

"Thank you, Doctor." I smiled.

Hearing her office door shut we walked at a leisurely pace down the empty hallway; I uttered a sigh of relief as he offered his arm,

"What did she tell you?" He asked as he pressed the button to the turbo lift. The door open and we stepped in.

"Let's go to the beach and I'll show you."

The door closed.