Italics= Thoughts

Normal=What is really being said and going on

"Now, Spock..." Sarek paused to look down upon his youthful son, hands crossing underneath the longer sleeves of his brown robes. " I trust you to be on your best behavior. Today is a very important day for not only our family, but yours as well, my son."

Copying his father's stance, Spock raised one eye in question. He knew of course to what his Father was referring to, but did not understand why his tendency to attract trouble would come to light at this moment. Was he not standing here in his best robes? Was he not adapting the human saying 'Children are to be seen and not heard'? Wasn't he going through with something he truly did not wish to do?

Spock nodded silently accepting the small lecture with the grace befitting one with age much higher than his current standing. "Of course, Father..."

'You're scared I'm going to embarrass you...'

Sarek seemed to take his answer as true enough for his nodded and began walking once more down the graveled garden pathway. Planets of every shape, color, and size greeted the duo upon their journey, each sight more strangely appealing than the first. Like any human children, Spock was of course curious.

His hand reached out to caress a dangling flower bud only to be received with a reprimand swat. An emotional filled frown crossed over the young Vulcan's face only to disappear seconds later without a trace. He rubbed at his hand though it was his stinging pride that hurt more than anything now.

"You must not touch, Spock. These planets are foreign and not native to this planet. They could produce strange results to your physic."

"I am sorry, Father. I will..control myself better in the future."

No, the council would not allow anything dangerous to be brought planet side. You only are worried that your imperfect human-hybrid won't break anything....'

"Please do so. I would hate to loose you to something so trivial as an allergy."

Again you lie, Father. You only worry about Mother's feelings for you would change if her only blood son died while under your watch. She did not want this ceremony either, but the two of us are so illogical for you...

Their journey started once again, a large estate built into the under side of a rock face growing closer and closer.

"Father, must we do this? Can the bonding can not wait until later? I do not know T'Pring at all. What if we are ...incompatible?"

"You will learn. This will be an adjustment, but you will be grateful for it in the future."

'In other words, you don't really care. You want me to just shut up and deal with it like a good little boy...

A sigh escaped Spock's lips as his head hung for a moment, black bangs covering his human eyes. This would be a great blow to his pride and self-esteem he was sure if the rumors of his future-wife were anything to be believed. She was considered a brat even amongst her supposed logical peers.

"What if she rejects me?"

"Spock, you are worrying. She has no reason to do such a thing."

"What about the fact I'm half-human..."

A silence hung in the air for a moment as Sarek turned raising an eye in his son's direction.

"You are Vulcan, Spock. There is no reason to reject you..."

'Yet you do every time you look over the truth of my existence. It's your fault I do not live up to you expectations, Father. I did not ask to be born. If only you knew what I go through just for you....'

"Of course, Father. I am allowing my emotions to compromise me."

"It is forgiven. Let us continue."