The next day, Spock's parents weren't talking. Or at least Amanda wasn't. At first, Spock thought it might just be an unusually quiet morning, but then Sarek picked up the paper and asked,

"Have you read this yet?"

Amanda gave no reply.

She looked pointedly at Spock and said,

"I'm not talking to him."

Spock kept his comments to himself.

Sarek continued with his one-sided conversation, but Amanda remained silent.

"What would you like to do today?" she said eventually, to Spock.

There were three suggestions left in the romance article: have a bath together, eat a candlelit dinner and learn something new together. Considering that the bath might be a bit crowded and it was hours before dinner, Spock asked,

"Can we go to the aerospace museum?"

It happened to be one of his favorite places on Vulcan.

"Spock has been to the aerospace museum six times in the last nine months. Visiting again would be illogical," Sarek interjected.

"Of course we can go," Amanda agreed over him, and then added, raising her voice, "Your father doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to."

Spock was pleased. According to the article, the museum would be romantic. And they had rockets.

*****

Spock and Amanda walked through the gates of the museum, followed begrudgingly by Sarek. The first exhibit showed different types of engines. Spock ran up to them excitedly.

"Spock has certainly memorized every facet of these engines, but he is still excited to see them," Sarek commented.

Amanda ignored him.

Spock stepped into the chamber of a twenty-first century nuclear spaceshuttle engine.

"You are encouraging emotionalism," Sarek continued.

"I think it's my right to encourage emotionalism in my kid," Amanda defended, and then realized that she had talked. She walked off toward Spock, lest she be tempted again.

"I can tell that even you are bored," Sarek stated, catching up. Spock put down the pistons he was looking at. This would not do.

"Shall we go watch one of the educational holos?" he asked.

At least both parents wouldn't be allowed to talk in there.

*****

"She requires translation plates in Standard," Sarek said to the attendant as soon as they walked in.

"I can speak Vulcan!" Amanda corrected in very good Vulcan.

Sarek gave the attendant a look, as if Amanda was an invalid who only thought she could speak Vulcan.

The attendant brought the plates.

Afterwards, they walked into the rocket exhibit. Spock looked around without straying too far from his parents.

"I think you should tell me why you are upset," Sarek demanded.

Amanda said nothing.

"It is illogical to stay silent, as it may be something that could be easily rectified," Sarek went on in monotone.

"Exactly. And then I'd have to talk to you," Amanda snapped.

Sarek raised his eyebrows, indicating that not only had she talked, but what she had said was completely illogical.

"I am so sick of you!" she cried out. Everyone stared at her including Sarek.

Spock looked around. Clearly the article had been wrong on this one.

"I want to leave now," he said to his mother.

He hated when he had to leave places because his parents couldn't behave he thought to himself.

*****

Sarek and Amanda argued all the way home.

Amanda was tired of Sarek thinking she was an idiot and talking down to her.

Sarek didn't like how Amanda was always dismissive and assumed he couldn't possibly understand anything about her.

Spock got away from them as soon as they arrived home.

Several hours later they were still fighting. Their argument had devolved into a general airing of all grievances in their twelve year relationship.

Spock asked the maid for dinner, but he couldn't eat much. He couldn't help but feel that he was somehow responsible for the disagreement. Going upstairs, and noting that they were at least quieter now, he deleted all his romance research. This just wasn't worth it.

Finally, Spock's parents were quiet. Half-wondering if they'd managed to kill each other, he crawled into the closet and peeked through the cracks. Spock was shocked by what he saw.

His parents were standing in the corner, kissing. They still seemed angry, in fact, at one point, Amanda threatened,

"I you weren't so hot I'd--"

But Sarek cut her off with a kiss, as if it was a clearly moot point. Soon they were in bed, tearing at each other's clothes.

And there was mating. Repeated, aggressive mating. Eventually, Spock walked off bored.

The next day, he could barely wait to get to school. He yelled to Surlek and discretely motioned to Lebena.

Success!