Author's Note: I need to thank Aphrodite420 for her assistance in smoothing out many of the transitions you see in this chapter. Thank you for filling in the gaps when my brain went numb. I do appreciate it. This chapter took almost three weeks to write, but I think its the moment everyone's been waiting for. Enjoy.

Alekhine's Gun

Chapter 14

It was a rare, hot day in San Francisco. The normally cool ocean breeze that flitted through the city was at a stand-still, and 'Friscans, human and alien alike, had drifted out to Golden Gate Park.

Sarek, Silek and T'Nerual found themselves attracted to the welcoming warmth of the outdoors, and among the throng of humanoids currently making their way through the wrought-iron gates of the park.

It was on days like this that Sarek found he could almost see why other species found Earth so appealing. The park was awash in a myriad of colors; there were the colors of people, colors of clothing, colors of flora and fauna and the bright blue sky standing in contrast to the lush green beneath their feet.

IDIC.

They had opted to walk in a less crowded area. The maze of trees provided an intimate setting that projected peace and tranquility.

Silek and T'Nerual walked ahead and Sarek followed a few paces behind. From his place he had an opportunity to watch his brother and his wife. It would be apparent even to a casual observer that the two were mates.

Their bodies naturally inclined toward one another as they walked, the distance just close enough to suggest a greater intimacy but far enough away to remain appropriate.

They were only connected through their fingers- signifying their attachment to one another.

Sarek felt a pang of longing and jealously stab at him as he watched them, and he quickly worked to suppress it. He and T'Rea had never…

It was better not to think about such things. To dwell in the past was illogical, and he knew he should not expend energy over events outside his control. They had not been well-suited to one another. Perhaps his next mate would be…

He blinked in surprise at the thought. It was truly random, as he had not even considered a new mate. His time was still a year away, and he knew perfectly well there would be one who was willing. But as he looked up and into the distance, he could clearly see Silek's fingers gently stroking T'Nerual's. They were the only people in this section of the garden and apparently, his brother and his brother's wife had momentarily forgotten he existed, as he was a following several meters behind them.

Sarek watched as they stopped and turned toward one another. Silek rested his forehead against hers and Sarek turned away, averting his eyes as he began walking in another direction of the garden.

It was completely wrong, but he could not stop himself from feeling. For a moment he closed his eyes, and worked to clear his mind. And so it was that he missed the syllables of a name that fell unconsciously from his lips.

.

.

They were heading back to the embassy when T'Nerual made a suggestion.

"Perhaps we should allow Sa'taan the evening off and fend for ourselves. There is a restaurant Dr. Grayson recommended that accommodates vegetarians."

Sarek was about to politely excuse himself when a sharp pang in his stomach reminded him that he had not eaten in three days. The sensation momentarily dropped his mental guards and Silek looked at him. He did not say anything but raised a single eyebrow. Sarek raised his own in response.

Through his connection to his brother, he could feel tiny flecks of…amusement, coming from—he looked sharply at T'Nerual, who stared at him calmly, her voice completely flat. "The decision is made."

.

.

The night was high when Sarek finally settled down in his living suite. His formal robes were gone, and he was bare as he walked toward his meditation place. The area was strewn with pillows in reds and oranges, the walls dark. Slowly and with practiced ease he began to light the candles that stood on pillars of varying height around the space. As they began to burn he inhaled deeply, their fragrances filling him.

He looked around, taking note of the space and then his eyes fell upon the curtains on the far wall. They stayed closed, their heavy ornate draperies keeping the natural light out. It worked well in day.

Stepping toward them he raised his hands and drew them open, allowing the moonlight and stars into his personal space.

Vulcan had no moon.

He stood a moment, not worried about being seen. He was high enough to not be noticed in the evening, and this part of the embassy was secluded in the back, where tall trees grew providing cover. The probability that a person could see him at this time of night was impossibly small. Besides, Vulcans were not modest about nudity.

From his vantage point, he could make out the star designated as 40 Eridani and from there he could mentally map the location of his home world.

A light smoke from the incense had begun to fill the room and he moved back toward the center. Drawing a match he stroked- the small flame springing to life as he dropped it into the yawning center of the pot and the contents below caught flame.

He settled down, finally, to meditate.

Slowly he let himself go deep, clearing his mind, silencing his thoughts as he began to travel the familiar paths of his mindscape. It was dark there, the corridors round- like a tunnel turning mechanically and cloaked in a velvet hue.

He found himself strolling the familiar peaks and planes, each part carefully organized. The tunnel never stopped turning, always at a constant speed, but he was able to continue moving forward. He knew where this path invariably led.

It was the same every time.

Soon he found himself approaching a door. It was heavy with chains, sealed and locked. Or so it had been the last time he was here.

Now those chains were broken, and lay coiled on the floor. But the door was still closed. Did he want to enter? So many things lay behind it, this he knew. Was he ready to confront them? Yes.

Slowly the knob began to turn and the door creaked open, flooding the corridor with light. He squinted into the brightness, seeing shapes in the distance. They began to move closer to him as he stood, molding and folding until they began to form figures-humanoid.

As they came closer he focused on their faces. Silek. He blinked and looked toward the other. T'Nerual.

Unusual.

They did not speak to him- instead they looked to one another, their fingers extended as if reaching…

And then as quickly as they coalesced, they began to break up again, their almost solid forms becoming more fluid and translucent as they began to dissipate and then…change. And, when he looked again, a new face began forming. He could only watch as it began to grow clearer, stronger. And he found he was looking at himself. The other figure was still fluctuating, but growing steadily stronger, and as he watched it, he started to recognize the face, the hair and the eyes. But more importantly, he noted the fingers. Reaching, as if for an embrace…

.

.

When Sarek opened his eyes again the sun was streaming through the windows.

II

Two weeks after leaving the Embassy Amanda once again found herself in a familiar setting. In the auditorium of Berkeley's Wheeler Hall sat three hundred- plus students. From her vantage point on the stage, she could see the rows, bodies warming seats and numerous PADD screens up and glowing- ready and waiting. That familiar tingle began in her fingers as she quickly began inputting data up on the viewer.

Ah, the smell of young minds in the morning

The bell chimed, signaling the start of class, and the room grew quiet as she strode to the center of the stage.

"Good morning, all. I'm Dr. Amanda Grayson. You can call me Dr. Grayson, or Dr. G, but in the spirit of fostering professionalism, we go by last names here. Now, just to clear up any class confusion, you are in VUM 3223. This class is Cultural Humanities with emphasis on the planet Vulcan. If you are not enrolled in this class or have found yourself here by accident, I understand and will be granted leave."

She paused and waited while about 10 students slowly rose and left. It always happened like this. Once the room was quiet yet again, she began outlining her syllabus.

"Alright, now that that part is out the way, I have forwarded to you all a copy of your syllabus. It is also posted on the viewer before you." She pointed her laser at the telescreen that filled up the wall behind her.

"This class will not be easy. Here, you are expected to learn concepts- not just memorize dates and vocabulary words. If you are in this class for an "Easy A," you won't get it. I can, guarantee though, if you make it here, you will be set for the duration of your undergraduate career and beyond. I'm going to teach you how to THINK. For those of you who feel you won't be able to hack it, now's the time."

She stopped and waited patiently as a large mass of bodies rose and moved quickly to the door. She couldn't stop the tiny curl of her lip at that one. Now, when she looked out over the auditorium she saw the group remaining was about half the size it had been minutes before.

All eyes were on her.

"Now, with that settled, let's get to work. Please pull up page 142 of the document I sent to you. We will begin with Pre-Enlightenment and First Contact Cultural Survival Thrusts…"

.

.

It was 1500 hours and the end of the first week of classes. Amanda breathed a sigh of relief as she ushered the last student out of her office and began packing up her Padds and notes.

The first week was always the most hectic-with students changing their schedules, dropping and adding classes, overrides, grade changes—she'd been at it for hours. Now it was HER time, and she couldn't help but grow more and more excited by the minute.

Today would be her first day returning to the embassy. And while she wasn't exactly enthused about the workout she knew Sa'taan would give her, she was thrilled to be going back. Earlier in the week she'd even spotted Sakketh walking around the campus, and true to his word, she had found he'd enrolled in two Earth humanities courses.

She'd given him her office number and shown him to her building.

The next day, once her schedule became clearer, she'd called the embassy and spoken with Sa'taan to get a schedule going- Friday evenings at 1600 hours she'd be in training. She hadn't done much of it in the last two weeks. Sweat therapy here I come, she thought as she headed out the doors of the building and toward the garage that housed her flitter.

As crossed the green quad and made her way through the throng of students she began to feel little flutters in her heart when she thought about the embassy. There was one person she hadn't had a chance to say goodbye too, and part of her hoped he'd be there today. Sarek. The ambassador's dark eyes were etched in her mind, and she couldn't deny her attraction. Although they were no longer enemies, they were far from friends. Still, he intrigued her. He excited her. He made her feel. And she wanted to feel again.

-xxx-

Sarek walked down the main stairs of the Embassy and turned the corner, heading down the back hall and toward the cafeteria. He had worked well past the midday meal and, while he normally did not eat in the dining area of the embassy, it was late enough so that the facility would be mostly clear.

He entered and headed to the back, where the kitchen was housed. The glass doors slid open at his presence and he entered. In the five years he had been at the embassy, he could count on one hand the number of times he had actually been here. The kitchen was done in stainless steel. It had an industrial appearance, with processors, replicators and stasis units.

"Sa'taan?" he called out, waiting.

Soon, a tall figure dressed in all white appeared from a corner office.

Sarek bowed in deference to his elder.

"I require sustenance," he said, voice lowered.

Sa'taan pointed to a wooden basket, situated by the back doors of the room leading to the embassy's garden.

"I will prepare a meal for you. Come."

"Where are we going, Sa'taan?"

"We are going to the gardens, so that you can choose your meal."

Seeing the puzzlement across Sarek's face, Sa'taan continued. "We have much to discuss. Or would you prefer to have this conversation in the embassy? Hunger is not the only thing that brought you here."

Sarek paused a moment, and then wordlessly followed Sa'taan, stopping by the door to remove his shoes, roll up his pants, and grab the basket before stepping into the moist soil of the garden.

.

.

They walked along in silence, only breaking their pace so that Sarek could pluck fruit and vegetables for his meal.

"You have something to say to me, Sa'taan." It was not a question, but a statement of fact.

"I have noticed a change in you, Sarek. You are not as openly hostile as you once were."

Sarek stiffened at the statement. "I do not understand you, osu. You imply some emotion on my part-"

"Sarek, I know your history. I have worked with maat S'chn T'gai for generations. You are changing."

Sa'taan turned to face him, his hands clasped behind his back. Sarek found himself looking into dark eyes that bore his own reflection. He began to grow ill at ease as Sa'taan studied him silently; seeming to contemplate a thing or idea which he himself did not fully understand.

Finally, and mercifully, Sa'taan turned and began to head back into the embassy kitchen. Sarek followed silently.

As they approached the steps, he turned.

"I will prepare your meal this evening; however, in the future I urge you to be timely. Dr. Grayson will be here this evening, as I have agreed to resume her training."

His gaze seemed to linger on Sarek a moment longer, and then move away as the two men climbed the stairs.

Sarek stopped to cleanse his feet before entering.

"You should spend more time here, Sarek. Dr. Grayson found the gardens quite enjoyable during her time here."

Sarek did not reply to the comments, but inside his mind, a thought began to form and he knew he must take action.

III

"Higher Dr. Grayson. No, you are bending too deeply. Straighten your back, and bend only at the knee. Yes…yes…"

Amanda was presently engaged in what felt like a forward lunge. She was squatting, knees bent, torso turned to the side and arms extended. From her position she slowly moved one leg forward, while balancing back on her heel. This position was familiar- resembling a yoga stance.

They had been working in the gymnasium for about thirty minutes when the doors swooshed open. Amanda's head automatically turned toward the sound, an inexplicable hope surging within her as the possibility that it was Sarek struck her.

She didn't even have time to turn her head back around before Sa'taan broke his stance and dropped down, executing a low kick that took her feet right from under her and she landed with a thud on the mat.

"Ow!" she cried as her head hit the padding.

"And that is why it is always important to be aware of one's surroundings, while not falling into the temptation to look."

Sa'taan hovered above her as she rolled over to climb back on her feet.

"Point taken, lesson learned," she said as she rose and folded her body down to touch her toes.

"Greetings Dr. Grayson."

Amanda looked up to see T'Nerual standing before her. A pang of disappointment hit her and she quickly brushed it off as she straightened up to greet the Vulcan female.

Ah. So that was who had entered.

T'Nerual was currently dressed in a white tunic and trousers, similar to what Sa'taan presently wore. The color seemed to jump from her brown skin, and her thick black hair was wrapped atop her head in a bun.

"T'Nerual! I've only been gone two weeks and I've missed you!" Amanda exclaimed. She thought she saw a tiny smile playing at the corner of T'Nerual's lips.

"I, too, have felt the absence of your company. May I join you?" she asked.

Amanda looked at Sa'taan, who beckoned with his hand.

"Your presence is welcomed, Lady T'Nerual. Perhaps you would be of assistance. Dr. Grayson has not yet had an opportunity to test her skills. Perhaps a light sparring match is in order."

Amanda looked from Sa'taan to T'Nerual, suddenly very unsure of herself. Seeing her obvious nervousness, T'Nerual spoke up.

"Do not concern yourself with the probability of my injuring you. I am not as well practiced in the arts as I once was. We shall be equals."

Amanda smiled. "Well, there's no time like the present to give it a try."

"Now," Sa'taan spoke from his position several paces away from them and interrupting them before they could speak further, "Assume the first position."

.

.

Their movements were jerky at first, each going slowly over the motions as Sa'taan called out to them, guiding them step-by-step through the motions.

Soon, though, they began moving fluidly.

T'Nerual's cat-like grace served her well as she pivoted easily on the balls of her feet, spinning out of the way of Amanda's strikes. Amanda was able to block and counter T'Nerual's high kicks using her own high jumps- gleaned from hours kicking around a swimming pool.

They ebbed and flowed, dancing around each other as Sa'taan monitored their progress. Amanda grew more and more confident as she successfully blocked a series of soft kicks and dropped low, jutting her leg out and catching T'Nerual so that she was finally able to trip the Vulcan woman up.

"End match!" Sa'taan called out as T'Nerual rose to her feet, and Amanda stood panting heavily.

Yes. She'd definitely be sore tomorrow.

.

.

Sarek opted to wait and watch as the females sparred. He felt a sense of satisfaction when Amanda expertly blocked an attack by T'Nerual using the technique he had helped her learn. His body flushed as he remembered how she had felt so close to his chest, how she had smelled and, most importantly, what she had thought about him at the time.

He wanted her to think that of him again.

Finally, he heard Sa'taan bring their match to an end and, not wanting to be noticed, he quickly moved out of view behind the intersecting corner as first T'Nerual left, and then Sa'taan. Finally, Amanda was alone and he walked back toward the gym.

She stood at the far corner, a towel draped around her neck, her skin flushed from the energy she had expended. Her skin glistened with exertion. And he found he could not divert his eyes from the way her tank top clung to her curves, and the way her shorts stuck to her thighs…

Enough.

He walked toward her, making his presence known by the sound of his footsteps on the floor. Hearing him, she looked up, surprise written across her face.

"Amba— Sarek! I didn't expect to see you this evening. I am sorry I didn't have the chance to let you know I was leaving…"

He drew himself up so that he was only inches from her, staring down at her. She had to raise her head to look up at him.

"It is of no importance. However, given that you are here, I would like to make a request of you."

"Oh?"

Her voice came out as almost a soft gasp that tickled his ears and made his skin go hot. She was so close…and yet, a momentary wave of uncertainly and…fear hit him. What would she think of his request? Was it too much? Too soon? He was Vulcan. If she said no…

"Sarek…"

She whispered his name and he drew back from her marginally.

"Amanda, would you care to dine with me tomorrow evening?"

He heard her inhale sharply and froze. Had he offended her? She was silent a long while as she looked away from him and he worried that he had done something wrong. He opened his mouth to attempt to explain away his invitation but her words stopped him.

"Professionally or personally?"

He looked at her once again and found she was staring at him with an intensity that made him flush to the tips of his ears, even as his own voice dropped an octave lower in response.

"Personally."

The silence between them seemed to stretch on endlessly as he waited for her response. She had lowered her eyes, her eyebrows drawn together, and biting her lips. He could only stand there, face still, and wait while she weighed his words. He felt it would almost have been better for her to deny him than having to endure this, this-

"Yes."

IV

"Well done, Sarek," Sa'taan mused to himself as he moved down the hall and away from the gym. He had returned after catching a glimpse of Sarek in the opposing hall. Apparently, his not-so-subtle hint had worked, and he was pleased to see the young sa'te 'kru making a move.

His earlier premonition had proven correct. He walked out of the living quarters and into the main embassy, heading to Silek's office.

.

.

Amanda left the embassy, stepping out into evening's dying light. She walked quickly down the portico, clutching her gym back closely to herself to ward off the evening chill. And yet, while the air around her was cold, she was burning up. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, of emotions.

Fear, excitement, dread, lust, anxiety…

She whipped out her keys, and activated the motion sensor, her flitter lighting up before her to start the un-lock and ignition sequences. She opened the door, threw down her bag and quickly jumped inside.

Her heart was beating fast as she rested her head back against the chair base and closed her eyes…

Inhale…Exhale…Inhale…Exhale…

She raised her hands to her face and looked- they were shaking…

Fear, excitement, dread, anxiety…lust….

What in the world had she just agreed to?