Spock spent much time in her meditation contemplating their guest and his mysterious, dark past. He certainly hadn't lost a zest and curiosity for life and learning even though he'd been told he was nothing but property for so many years. The casual way he'd listed the derogatory terms used on him had been very unsettling. He'd been conditioned to hearing them so much, he didn't care anymore.
She wondered what kind of soul lay hidden under the emotional scar tissue that had built up a seeming indifference to cruel words that would rile up even some Vulcans. When Stonn had called Amanda a whore, young Spock had indeed wasted no time in reacting with strong emotion.
She'd seen obvious marks left on his wrists from the chains he'd worn for long periods of time. Who knew what other scars his body bore?
He had such fascinating eyes and she hoped (illogically) that they would only see good while he remained with them. She took out her instrument and began to play softly a soothing Vulcan melody. Playing her harp was something Spock often did when thinking about difficult matters or when she was feeling agitated, being very beneficial for reaching inner calm.
Downstairs, in his cool room, Jim could hear faintly the music and was lulled into a restful, dreamless sleep thinking about dark eyes and kind hearts.
Jim had been their guest for a week when she had a conversation with Jim and her parents about his education and the possibility of continuing it.
"You are certain you do not wish to return to earth in the near future, James? It would provide you with the most opportunities in whatever field of study you should choose."
"That's true, Ambassador," Jim said slowly. "But I'm in no hurry to see earth again. They had plenty of chances to take a stand against trafficking and only put up some weak "guidelines" with a very lax enforcement once you get away from planets with a major Starfleet presence. If I go back to school, I may try the Institute on Betazed or a long-distance program. But they'd want to see my diploma, which I do not have."
"I can help you with that, Jim." Amanda put in. "I have connections from my teaching days and they could get you a sample aptitude test, find out where you are, and then you could take the Federation tests required to get your basic certification, like the old GED. You're a bright boy, so I imagine you'll pass with flying colors once you've had a chance to brush up on your reading, writing, and 'arithmetic."
She grinned at Jim, who was beginning to look very alert and interested, a spark in the blue eyes that Spock had not seen since he'd been there.
His hair was pulled back again, exposing the finely shaped bone structure of his face and head and the expressive way he moved his thick eyebrows. Jim had remarkably small ears even for a human and an equally small, round nose that Spock thought was adorable, to use the human term.
He caught her staring and gave her a little half-grin, causing her to blush and avert her eyes. How ill-mannered of her to gape like that!
She quickly schooled her features into a proper Vulcan non-expression and kept her eyes resolutely on her mother.
"Well, if it's not too much trouble, I think I'll take you up on that," Jim said determinedly. "If I'm going to restart my life, might as well start now, see if I can be useful to society as something more than a...laborer." He'd caught himself before saying another word and his lips tightened briefly.
"It is a logical course of action, James," Sarek said, eying the young man searchingly. "You still have a long, productive life ahead of you and I am told, a very lively, intelligent mind. I must also inform you that Starfleet has sent a delegation to ascertain your general condition and persuade you to return to Terra for further examination. Seeing as you are still considered a citizen of earth, I could not refuse their request. This Captain Pike I spoke with appeared to have a personal rather than merely professional interest in your well-being."
Amanda looked concerned at Jim's guarded expression. "When will they be here?" She asked her husband.
"Five Days, approximately. Be assured, you are under no obligation to leave with them if you do not wish, my son."
Jim nodded, relieved. "Thanks, Ambassador. I'm nowhere near ready to deal with the barrage that will come with the whole "thought-to-be-dead-Kirk-turns-up-alive" fame. I get cold shivers just thinking about it."
Cold shivers? On a desert planet? Spock decided Jim was merely using another human colloquialism and didn't comment on the blatant illogicalness of his phrase.
She was rather curious to find out where Jim's mental acuity was strongest. If he needed some assistance brushing up on math or science, she would certainly offer her services. What could be more logical than that?