Author's Note: Edited by Aphrodite420. One more chapter left...

Alekhine's Gun

Chapter 22

Sarek rose from his spot beside her on the bed well before the sun made its appearance in the sky. He moved lightly out of the room and down the hall toward his own suite. Once there, he moved to his meditation room and, after stoking the flame, he settled down to meditate until the first rays broke the sky. His body was still worn and tired, but his mind was sharp- there was still much he had to do.

.

.

Several hours later, refreshed and content, Sarek re-emerged from his suite. It was 0800 hours and the city was, once again, quiet. He made his way toward his office, where Sakketh and Silek were already hard at work.

They could not have predicted the events of the day before and now the damage was being assessed. The morning feed reports showed there had been casualties- the blasts had killed fifty people, and wounded over 200 more. The property damage was minimal.

The mood of the embassy was solemn.

"Sakketh, request a meeting with the President and his staff. We must ensure that events such as those of yesterday do not happen again." Sarek's order was met with a nod from his assistant.

"Yes, Osu."

Sakketh rose and left the office, leaving Sarek and Silek to stand together.

Silek turned to him, but before he had an opportunity to speak, Sarek stopped him. "Though it is not logical to think that our policies were responsible for the violence of yesterday, I cannot help but wonder what we could have done differently. Had there been another way-"

"There was no other way, Sa-kai. We exhausted every option at our disposal. Vulcan had to fall before it could reach enlightenment. The same is true for the Humans."

"Indeed."

Both were quiet a long while, and stood staring out of the window at the gray clouds of fog that had descended upon the city during the night.

The door chimed again, and they both turned to face Sakketh.

"Osu-au, Earth's delegation is ready to complete the transfer process. An emergency assembly is being called today. They are planning to repeal the original vote, and carry out the transfer process as originally negotiated."

"Very well." Sarek nodded and Sakketh left the room, leaving the brothers alone again.

"She has accepted my proposal," Sarek said once the doors closed.

"There is still much she needs to know," Silek replied, still looking out of the window. "I believe it would be prudent of you to allow T'Nerual to speak on your behalf. If she is to come into our clan, she must be adequately prepared."

Sarek did not reply vocally, but there was understanding between them.

Vulcan males were not like Human males. And he understood that he could not allow her to accept his offer without the full knowledge of what bonding with a Vulcan male entailed.

"You will speak with T'Nerual about this."

"I share your discomfort; however, my wife has shown herself to be quite adept in the manner of human interaction. You would regret such an omission when the time came to pass."

"Indeed." There were no more words on the subject, and they soon departed from their places at the window. Silek exited the office to head to his own, and Sarek sat down at his desk to deal with the issue at hand. He was determined to see this crisis through to the end, and while he did not relish the discussion he also knew T'Nerual would have with Amanda, and the questions she would most certainly have for him afterwards, it was obvious the worst was over. This, he could deal with, logically and effectively.

Reaching over, he buzzed his communicator.

"Sakketh, I have a task for you. I am enclosing the documentation. Let me know when it is complete."

II

"Sarek, I don't understand. What is it you can't tell me?" Amanda asked as they walked down the street toward her apartment. They'd just come from dinner at the embassy and Amanda was sleepy. It was their first weekend together after the riots and it was also the first time she'd seen Sarek since agreeing to his proposal. He'd been working to steer money back into Earth's economy and stabilize the markets. And his efforts had paid off.

While things weren't perfect, they were far better now. It had been a wake-up call.

"Amanda, I cannot. No Vulcan male can. However, T'Nerual will supply the information you will need. You must make a fully-informed decision. It is the only way."

She sighed as they approached her door and she buzzed for entrance.

"Still, Sarek, as much as I respect T'Nerual, I'm a grown woman. I mean, seriously…I'm not exactly keen on talking about our sex lives with my soon-to-be sister-in-law."

"If there was another option I would accept it; however, there is none. You must do this. Good evening, Amanda."

They had arrived at the top of the building and her flat and were now standing outside her door.

With a sigh, Amanda swiped the key fab for entry and the doors slid open.

She knew there would be no way to get out of this. Sarek had made up his mind, and when he was resolved in something there was no budging him.

Leaning close to him, she reached up on her tip toes and drew him close for a kiss. They rubbed noses and he stuck his face between her chin and shoulder, in what she now knew was a sign of Vulcan affection. There was much Vulcan males had retained from their feline ancestors. The "nuzzle" as Amanda liked to think of it, was one of those things.

"Good night, Sarek."

-xxx-

T'Nerual stepped through the sweeping steel doors of Amanda's apartment and looked around. It was her first time here, and she was surprised by how much it resembled a Vulcan home.

The colors were warm oranges and reds, and she could see her counterpart had a knack for antique artifacts. It resembled a small museum, only with updated furniture.

She could also sense that Amanda was nervous, and she felt some empathy for her. These sorts of conversations were reserved on Vulcan for mother to daughter- and NEVER talked about among the men.

Although Amanda was not a blood relative she was a…friend. And, she would soon be called upon for a larger duty. A duty for Vulcan and a duty to the clan in which she would be married into.

As a female bonded to one of the most difficult males (and yes, though his peaceful demeanor would fool many, she would not be deceived) she could empathize with what Amanda would soon go through.

"Would you like some tea?" Amanda asked her as she guided T'Nerual to the couch.

"Yes. The child seems to be difficult today," she answered, one hand falling unconsciously to her still-flat belly. Though she didn't express it, her digestive system was especially sensitive and she had found herself consuming less because it would almost certainly be regurgitated. It was a most distressing event. Silek had expressed his concern, but she'd waved him off. Though distressing, such a reaction was quite normal in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Still, it was a most welcome time. They had been bonded for 55 years and in 10 months she would bear Silek's progeny.

T'Nerual settled into the couch and closed her eyes momentarily while Amanda disappeared into the kitchen for the tea.

When she came back again, T'Nerual was sitting up and waiting.

"Now, sit. Let us…talk," she instructed as Amanda settled down next to her and handed her a steaming mug.

.

.

"And this is what it means to be a female in the clan of S'chn T'gai," T'Nerual finished, to the sight of Amanda's wide eyes. "You have questions. I will answer," she offered.

She watched as Amanda blinked, then closed her eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply. She waited while the human gathered her thoughts. After a bout of silence, Amanda spoke up, her voice surprisingly calm to T'Nerual's ears.

"So, this happens every seven years?"

"Approximately. Though, it varies by male. S'chn T'gai is a very…virile clan. The cycles are more…frequent."

"I see," Amanda replied dryly. "But, how will I know when it's time? I mean, what makes it different from regular…intimacy?"

The edges of T'Nerual's lips trembled slightly, but Amanda didn't notice.

"You will feel it. The marital bond allows you to feel each other. You will know his thoughts and emotions, as he will know yours."

This time, Amanda frowned deeply. "I know Vulcans are touch-telepaths but I don't think I like the idea of someone reading my thoughts."

"He will not read your thoughts, and you will be taught to block his and protect your own. Sa'taan is a gifted healer and will oversee your bonding process. It is not to be feared and there are other…pleasurable benefits to the bond as well, which most Vulcan females, and I am sure you— "she looked directly at Amanda as she spoke— "will find highly enjoyable as well."

As Amanda processed the words, T'Nerual waited.

"But during the Pon Farr, is it dangerous?"

"It can be, yes. As a species we are three times as strong as humans. And even for many Vulcan females, the time can be, and for some has been, difficult. However, as a female, you have the power to control the flow of your mate's time. You will learn to control him during the fever. It is something I cannot teach you—you will need to learn for yourself. It is intensely personal and is something that can only be done between bond-mates."

She watched as Amanda's eyebrows furrowed together and she frowned visibly.

T'Nerual rose to take her leave and Amanda followed.

"I have instructed you as I was asked to do. You must consider this carefully. We are a physically strong species, humans are not. You must know that the time is inherently dangerous, but can also be many other wonderful things. I leave you to your final decision. Dif'tor heh smusma, Amanda."

They had arrived at Amanda's door.

"Peace and Long Life, T'Nerual," Amanda replied as the Vulcan female stepped out into the hall. "I suppose I need a while to think on this."

"Indeed. Sarek, for all of his impatience, has recognized what his biology demands of you. He awaits your response."

With that, the doors swooshed closed and Amanda was left alone.

She didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream. So instead, she simply went to the kitchen, and popped the cork on the single bottle of Moet she had stored on the counter. She reached up and into a cabinet, and pulling down a flute, she poured the golden fluid into the glass.

She was beginning to see that nothing with Sarek would ever be simple.

.

.

It was at 0300 hours and the skies were still dark when Sarek's personal communicator chirped. He was alone in his office, and reached to pick it up.

"Sarek, here."

There was silence on the other end, and he frowned, but just as he was about to speak again, he heard Amanda's voice, firm and determined.

"My answer is still yes."

.

.

Later on that morning, Amanda was at her desk in her office at the university when the door chimed.

She looked up at the young man standing in her doorway.

"May I help you?" she queried, rising from her chair.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm looking for Ms. Amanda Grayson."

"That's me."

The young man walked over and handed her a Padd.

"I have a delivery for you. I just need your signature here."

"A delivery? From whom?" she asked as she signed.

"Don't know, ma'am. But here's your package. Have a good day." The man took the Padd and turned and headed out after handing her a small white box. It fit into her hand and was perfectly square.

"Huh…" she wondered aloud as she moved back to her desk and sat down. She sat the box on her desk and began to open it. Inside was another box; this time, she recognized it.

"What in the—"

As soon as she opened the box, she gasped at what was in it. It was BIG. A dark, sparkling red that looked like it would take up her entire finger.

Inscribed on the inside of the box was a small note:

I believe this is fitting with human marital customs.

Sarek.

Lifting the ring out of the box, Amanda slipped it onto her finger. It really WAS too large. The stone, of course, not the ring. But she couldn't deny it wasn't gorgeous, and obviously VERY expensive.

She had to laugh though, at the way it looked on her finger. No doubt many women would kill for such a ring, but really, it was just a bit too much.

At least he got part of the engagement process right, she thought as a flood of warmth coursed through her for Sarek.

Author's Note 2: For a visual on what Amanda's "ring" looks like, go to Harry Winston's website- and and look for the solitaire ruby with the baguette diamonds on the side.