Amanda wasn't exactly sure what she had been expecting of Sarek's home. She had always vaguely assumed that he lived with Councilman Skon - the mansion that she'd visited was probably big enough to house two families of five children each. The address Sarek had given her did not correspond with his father's, though. Nevertheless, his residence was on the rise that Amanda had christened "Palatine Hill", as it was the wealthiest part of the city, and the houses that studded the hill were as elegant as they were giant.

As her little hovercar mounted the rise, Amanda was secretly worrying that Sarek's house would be huge and grand and intimidating, just like all the others there. To her surprise, though, the car turned off the main road where most of the opulent mansions were. This little side street led up to the northern side of the hill, which was higher than the rest, and craggy. The houses were farther apart and smaller, like town houses in a Terran city. Amanda's car stopped outside one set behind a low stone wall. It was narrow and made of pale stone. To Amanda's inexperienced eye, it looked more modern than the other houses on the rise, but Vulcan architecture was so alien to her still that she couldn't be sure.

Amanda stepped out of the car and surveyed the building, feeling her heartbeat quicken. She had changed out of the dress she'd worn to visit Ahror, opting instead for something more casual: a tunic of billowy fabric that settled loosely on her, and a pair of dark leggings. Amanda hated to admit it to herself, but she always felt more confident when she thought that she looked pretty. It wasn't quite working that evening - Amanda's hands trembled slightly as she went through the gate and up the walk to Sarek's door. She rung the bell and stepped back, forcing herself to slow her breathing. After what felt like no time at all, the door opened, and a young woman that Amanda didn't recognize opened the door.

"T'sai Grayson," She said, ducking her head, and Amanda realized with relief that the young lady was a maid. She'd never gotten used to wait staff, and still felt slightly awkward around T'Iva, but she supposed that Sarek's father's wealth had provided the servant. Amanda allowed herself to be ushered inside, and managed with difficulty to suppress her surprise.

Sarek's home was beautiful, and in its way just as opulent as his father's. The decor was spare, but lovely; furniture in neat, simple shapes; wall hangings in muted shades that glimmered here and there with ornamentation; ample windows providing natural light. The first floor was completely open, a plan that included a small sitting room, kitchen and dining area. Amanda noticed a bunch of thin-stemmed flowers with purple-gray petals tucked into an alcove.

There was a slight noise behind Amanda, and she turned to see the maid servant patiently waiting at the foot of a slim staircase. Amanda realized she'd been staring - the maid had evidently been waiting for some time for Amanda to notice her. Feeling a little blush rise on her cheeks Amanda thanked her and went up the stairs, her sandals making soft noises on the stone.

The young woman didn't accompany Amanda upstairs, and when she reached the top, Amanda found herself wondering where to go. The second floor was divided into rooms, and the doors that led off the hallway were all identical. Amanda wondered if she should start just peeking into each when she noticed a door to the outside. The hall led out onto a deck where a few chairs were arranged. Sarek was sitting in one of them, but not in his usual stoic manner. One leg was looped over the arm rest, and he was sprawled in a position of repose, scanning a PADD that was propped up against his leg. He didn't seem to have noticed Amanda's arrival. He had a finger pressed against his lips, a look of deep concentration on his face as he read. Amanda couldn't help a little smile. It was the most relaxed she'd ever seen him, and the way his bangs were falling into his eyes was quite endearing.

Finally, Sarek seemed to take notice of the world around him, and looked up. When he caught sight of Amanda, he hastily scrambled out of the chair, almost dropping the PADD in his haste to get out of such an indecorous position. Amanda opened the door and stepped out onto the deck as Sarek straightened his jacket, a tinge of green on his high cheekbones.

"Hello, Sarek." She said, unable to keep her amusement out of her voice. "You were catching up on some reading?"

"I...yes." Sarek said, looking uncomfortable. He clasped his hands behind his back, a posture that Amanda had learned was his standard attitude. "Forgive my lassitude."

Amanda shook her head. "No, don't worry about it." When he looked far from relaxed, Amanda wanted to smile to reassure him, but refrained from it. Instead, she went to the railing and looked over into the garden. "Your house is lovely," She said, turning back to look at him.

"Thank you," Sarek replied, somewhat mollified. "The evening is cool, will you sit?" Amanda did so, and Sarek resumed his seat, although not as comfortably as before. Amanda felt her nerves begin to twang again, induced by the slight awkwardness of the situation. Sarek seemed to be feeling it keenly, and said nothing. What are we going to do? Amanda thought miserably. She cleared her throat.

"I've, um, learned a little bit about Vulcan relationships," She offered. When Sarek remained silent, she continued. Why would he ask me here to talk when he has nothing to say? "My meditation counselor told me...it seems as though we've formed a preliminary bond."

"We have," Sarek said, quietly. "It is, of course, still weak. It would not be difficult should you wish to sever it."

"Oh, no!" The words rushed immediately to Amanda's lips. Sarek blinked at her, surprised at her vehemence. Amanda sat back and bit her lip, although she was aware of the indecorousness of such a gesture. "I meant that I...I don't want to sever it."

Sarek shifted in his seat, moving a little closer to her. His expression was calmer now, free of the underlying agitation that had disturbed it before. "Should we choose to leave it, however," He said, watching her face, his eyes as dark as the gathering night, "it will continue to strengthen...in which case, I would ask your permission to court you."

It felt to Amanda as though a flower were blossoming over her heart. Sarek's closeness, the hint of his scent, his hair still slightly mussed from his stumble, was all making her excitement grow. But then, a sudden stab of doubt made her withdraw from him. "But..." She began, feeling her face redden, "what about your father? I mean, I'm a Human." Oh, how cliche! She scolded herself. A forbidden love? Just suck it up and kiss him, it doesn't matter! Amanda had nearly convinced herself and begun to retract her question when Sarek looked away from her. Damn, look what you've gone and done.

"I cannot deny that the situation would not be...favorable to my father," He said, and Amanda saw a current of frustration run through him. His brows drew together in a slight frown. "Nevertheless I am a grown adult. My decisions are my own." He looked back at Amanda. "Should these concerns disturb you, however..."

"No. I was only worried for you." Amanda said, cursing herself as soon as the words left her. She sounded like such a ninny. Sarek didn't seem to mind, however.

"Your concern is kind." He said. "There may be difficulty, but I tend to be in favor of pursuing you despite complications, instead of refraining to do so for fear of them." Amanda's heart purred, and she struggled with the urge to smile.

"Thank you," She said. They had drifted closer to each other again unintentionally, but Amanda did not draw away again.

"Should I interpret your thanks as acquiescence to my intentions?" Sarek asked. His voice really is attractive when he speaks quietly like that, Amanda thought. She swallowed and nodded, finding it difficult to say anything when his eyes were fixed on hers. What could she do but say yes, especially when every part of her was urging her to agree?

"Good." Sarek's eyes flicked to her mouth and back again, and Amanda saw the green flush darken on his cheeks again. I really just want to jump his bones, Amanda thought, surprised. I've always found him attractive, but...

That would not be displeasureable.

Amanda started. Just as that thought had entered her mind, she'd felt Sarek's answer, a different strain of thought in her own head. It wasn't as though the other thought had spoken in Sarek's voice - after all, Amanda wasn't sure that she heard her thoughts in her own voice. Sarek's feeling had truly been strange though, as if it were in a different color. Amanda sat back immediately, feeling as though someone had just come up and rattled her brain.

"Are you all right?" Sarek asked, his tone laced with concern.

"The...I felt something." Amanda said, stumbling over the words in her nervousness. Sarek blinked at her for a moment, then cleared his throat gently, looking just as embarrassed as she felt.

"The bond," He answered, and then, after a hesitation, "Does it frighten you?"

Amanda's brows furrowed and she swallowed. "It's new," She said. "I've never...it's strange." When Sarek still looked unsettled - rather like a cat that has had its fur rumpled the wrong way - Amanda tried to reassure him. "It will take some getting used to, but," The corners of her mouth twitched in a smile, "I want to get used to it." In a rush of boldness, Amanda reached out and laid her hand on his forearm, very gently, and only for a moment before removing it. Amanda's palm and fingers felt warm with the Vulcan heat of him, and tingled strangely. It had only been for a second, but still, that one gesture was surprising enough to Sarek that he gaped at her for a moment before regaining his composure.

"Amanda, you are quite...extraordinary." He said.

"For a Human, you mean?" She asked, teasing.

"No. For a woman." And he kissed her.

Amanda's head felt well and truly fluffy when she left Sarek not long after. She had been nervous that there would be more...interaction between them that night, but it seemed that Sarek had only meant to talk to her and perhaps steal a few of those kisses. Once again they had only been chaste - grade school kisses - but Amanda still felt as punch-drunk as if they'd spent the evening hard core making out. There was another feeling as well, a sort of taste of Sarek left on the edge of her mind. If she reached out to feel it, it responded warmly. It was a sort of remnant connection between them. That was the only way Amanda could describe it. Was that the bond? In any case she felt a bit like a baby deer on her way back, with brand new legs that were still wobbly and awkward.

It was much the same for the next few days. Amanda worked with her class and did research just as she had before, although now she was armed with new information for Ahror. She was kept busy by her work, and that made her happy. It was always reinforced, however, by the little corner of herself that felt like "Sarek". She couldn't help examining it when she had a spare moment, just giving it a little prod, like a tongue poking at a new tooth growing in. Amanda had no idea that her exploration ever reached Sarek until once when, curious, she had given the corner a particularly hard poke and received a rebuke, in the weird not-Amanda "color" that meant it was from Sarek. Busy!

Shocked and a little embarrassed but pleased none the less, Amanda tried to project "sorry!" over the little link, but she had no idea whether it reached him or not. It's as though we have a very bad PADD connection and only little bits and pieces can go through, Amanda thought. This newness raised another question, though: what to tell Ataur.

As her teacher and friend Ataur had brought Amanda understanding and reassurance on more than one occasion. Amanda, while excited about her new...whatever-it-was with Sarek, was still anxious. She knew next to nothing about Vulcan bonds and telepathy, and she couldn't very well ask Sarek to explain it to her. It was one of those situations where one needed an external source of support, and Amanda wanted that source to be Ataur. She had told no one about her interactions with Sarek, thus far, and was therefore nervous the next time she met with her teacher. She had a feeling that he would be helpful and pleasant, and probably happy for her, but the anxiety still remained.

It shouldn't have surprised her, then, that the instant Ataur walked in the door he recognized that something was different. His blue-green eyes were slightly suspicious as he took his customary seat on the floor. "There is something different about you, Amanda. You should know by now that it is quite difficult to conceal secrets from me."

Amanda sighed and joined him on the floor, tucking her legs underneath her in the meditation position that she had finally mastered. "Yes, Ataur, you're right." She paused, uncertain, before continuing. "Sarek and I are...courting."

An almost-smile crossed Ataur's face, a bright flash of sunlight. "I see. I had hoped that you would." Amanda gave him a suspicious look, and he made a casually dismissive gesture. "Ashal-Amanda, you know that I consider you deserving of love, and I have known Ambassador Sarek for many years. At the first when you told me that he was, well, unkind, I believed a courtship was a viable possibility. In fact, quite a probable possibility. And now it seems that I have been proved right."

Amanda didn't know whether to smile or scowl at this. She had to admit that Ataur was right, but it did take some of the fun out of revealing her secret to him. It was like telling someone she was pregnant, and having them reply by saying "oh, I did notice you were getting fat." "Congratulations," She said dryly. "I'm so pleased that your prediction came true."

"No need to be disgruntled." Ataur said pleasantly. "I am simply relating to you my thoughts on the matter. Was there anything in particular you wanted to ask me about?" Once again, Ataur had guessed what she was thinking, but she couldn't be frustrated with him for long. His advice was too useful to ignore because she was grumpy. Amanda nodded.

"Well yes," She said, putting aside her slight annoyance. "I know we've had discussions about bonding before, but as I appear to be forming one myself I'd like to know a little more about them." She allowed herself a sheepish look. Whenever she thought about the little bond, she was aware of it, and now she felt a sort of glow filter from its source.

"Indeed," Ataur leaned forward, interested. "Truly, it was wise of you to ask me about this, as I am perhaps the only Vulcan in your acquaintance who can describe the formation of a bond. Most of my fellows formed their current bonds in childhood, and have little memory of how they came about. But, as I have told you before, I did not make any successful bonds until I was 16 years of age." A little tinge of sadness passed across Ataur's face. "Although our experience of the formation of bonds must be very different. Humans are said to feel the bond as an intruder at first, but for me it was like learning finally to breathe." Ataur shook his head very slightly. "I apologize; I should not speak so freely of my feelings."

Amanda was certainly taken aback by this admission, but she was not offended. When she said as much to Ataur, he gave her a rueful look and simply folded his hands in front of him. "No, it is of no matter, let us not speak of it. I will advise you to the best of my ability. Will you describe to me what you are feeling?"

Amanda did so, although it was difficult. It felt to her exactly like trying to stumble through describing abstract concepts in a language she was just starting to learn. I must build my vocabulary, she thought. "It's nothing very...intense." Amanda said. "There just seems to be a little corner in my mind that somehow reminds me of him." She licked her lips. "Once, I sort of gave it a poke, and I think he responded. That's as far as I understand it."

Ataur nodded. "Of course - that is the very rudimentary beginnings of a bond. The connection will not be incredibly significant until you are formally bonded. Little feelings, memories, and dreams will be the only things that will pass between you for now. Is it at all alarming to you?"

When she took a moment to think about it, Amanda realized that the answer was no. The little connection was far from alarming. "It feels almost natural," She said.

"Excellent." Ataur said. "I am impressed, Amanda. You are the most telepathically receptive person I have met outside of the Vulcan species. It is quite fascinating."

"Please don't turn me into a scientific experiment." Amanda said with the hint of a smile.

"I would never do such a thing." Ataur said placidly. "In any case, your bond with Sarek is in its very early infancy. The more time you spend with him, the stronger it will become. It will not be a proper bond, however, until it is officially made." He cleared his throat. "That can happen in a number of ways. One is for a skilled bonder to meld with you both and, well, 'link up the loose ends', if I may use such a phrase. I believe that the Matriarch of Sarek's own house is a master of the art."

The name came to Amanda's mind immediately. "T'Pau." She said, and a little shiver went down her spine. She didn't like the idea of the Grande Dame of Sarek's house learning anything of her relationship with Sarek. "But that isn't the only way?"

Ataur's eyes took on a warm look, like sunlight on the bright blue-green ocean waves. "Well, for two minds who very well suited to each other, say for instance, t'hy'la, the formal bond can often form on its own. Before our people learned the skills of mind-joining to create bonds, this was the only way that they formed. Now the process is not so easy, and almost all bonds are cemented with the help of a third party. But, as I say, it is not always necessary." Amanda let out a sigh of relief without really meaning to. This earned her a raised eyebrow.

"I don't suppose it will shock you to learn that I'm hesitant for anyone else to find out about my relationship with Sarek." Amanda said. "I came to understand that the match isn't exactly orthodox."

"Not in the least." Ataur said brightly. "Vulcans very rarely bond with Humans. Your case is not the first, of course, and certainly won't be the last, but the incidences of such a relationship are few and far between."

Amanda could feel her heart sinking, a balloon slowly being drained of air. "People will not approve."

Ataur considered her for a moment. "Amanda, I will not tell you that it will be easy. But if you wish to be with Sarek, you must both be willing to fight for it. I know, and I'm sure that Sarek knows as well, that you are an incredibly special individual. Your connection with Sarek is irrefutable; however, there will be those among my people who will object. Not all Vulcans are happy with our relationship to Humankind, as cordial and distant as it is." Ataur's eyes became clouded again. "Your love may garner hate."

Amanda looked down at her hands in her lap. She had hated Sarek for a long time because she believed that he looked down on her for being Human. Should anyone find out about her relationship with him, it seemed that she would be subject to far more abuse and hatred. She would have to fashion armor for herself, a suit of armor stronger than steel, if she were to survive. Now that she had admitted her attraction to Sarek, however, she could see no way that she could ever give it up. She only had to picture him, and the light taste of him on her lips, for her feelings for him to surge up strong. To her surprise, as soon as those thoughts passed through her head, she felt a reassuring warmth from the little bond, as though Sarek were enveloping her in a hug. Amanda felt her tension lessen and her shoulders relax. Soothed, she looked up to see that Ataur was watching her closely.

"It is amazing, Amanda. I can sense what you are experiencing. The first blossoming of a bond, and in one such as you...it is a wonder." Ataur's face was as calm and smooth as ever, but Amanda felt his affection and happiness. She risked a smile, which seemed to please him more.

"Thank you, Ataur."

When her teacher had taken his leave, giving her a little more advice as he left, Amanda wandered back into her sitting room and collapsed on the couch. She felt a little dazed, but in a good sort of way. Tentatively, she reached out across the bond again, just to see what she could feel on the other side. Immediately she felt the sense of Sarek, a pleasant coolness and calm that was both soothing and invigorating. Amanda enjoyed the sensation for a moment, her eyes closed. The memory of Sarek's scent was there, as well as the feeling of their kisses, and the depth beyond them that waited to be explored. Sarek, she thought.

Amanda, t'hy'la, she felt in return.

Author's Note: So it turns out explaining Vulcan bonds is more difficult than I'd imagined. I hope my attempts at explaining them aren't too bungled! I hope also that you guys are enjoying the heating up of the relationship ;) God knows I'm enjoying writing it. Seriously though, this has been so much fun, and don't worry...I have so much more planned. I intended to have the entire plot wrapped up after 18 chapters, but then I was like "lol nope" so now it's going to be more like...30. Or so. I'm not sure yet.

On another note, sweet ForeverHate sent me an image edit that they did for Amanda's dress from Chapter 18. They quite skillfully changed the pink fabric to blue! Thank you very much ForeverHate 3

See it here a : / / twitter TheHatIsHere/status/225319677537161216/photo/1 (obviously without all my spaces and whatnot.)