Oh my god, an update! It's not dead! :D Sorry for the wait again. Real life getting in the way. Looking for a job and writing a book take a lot of time, not to mention the holidays.

I hope this is worth the wait.

LINE

Jim woke with a snort when someone jostled his shoulder, blinking awake. "The tribble ate my wallet," he muttered.

"Jay?" He blinked and looked up to see Spock's mother leaning over him.

"Amanda?"

"We just got home...how long have you been here?"

"Here?" He looked around, realizing he was still sitting in the chair by Spock's bed. Looking over, the young Vulcan was asleep under the covers, holding on to the older man's shirt sleeve. "Oh...I said I wouldn't leave till he fell asleep. I guess I fell asleep too." He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Amanda smiled warmly. "I see...did everything go more smoothly after you called?"

"Yeah. But for future reference, please list any allergies or "reactions" he might have to things."

"Will do. Not used to having a babysitter. But you can go ahead back to your room if you want."

"Sure." Jim moved to stand, but had to pause when he felt a tug. Looking down, Spock still had a hold of his sleeve and wasn't willing to let go apparently. Jim had to smile at that, feeling a touch of warmth go through his chest. Amanda smiled warmly as well.

"He's really taken a shine to you…"

"Yeah…He was especially affectionate tonight. It was…cute, but weird."

She reached over and gently pulled at Spock's hand. The boy tried to hold on, but she gently rubbed his wrist. Apparently that was a secret way to get them to release their hands as he let go without really waking up. Wish I'd known that before…

Amanda stroked through Spock's hair with a warm smile. Jim felt both nostalgic and sad, having only a few memories of his mother like this. The woman in front of him, rather than his memories, look up and smile at him. "We've all grown fond of you…"

"Me too…Um, I should go to bed I suppose…" He stood and groaned, stretching his back. "Ah, no more sleeping in chairs."

"Probably a good idea. Sleep well."

"You too." Jim headed for the door, walking back out to the living room where Sarek is apparently checking their video log.

His eyes went to the human and he nodded in greeting. "Hello, Jay. I see you indeed watched some movies."

"Yeah. Toy Story and a marine documentary."

"What is Toy Story?"

I'm more convinced than ever Vulcans have deprived childhoods... "It's a...fictional based, computer animated movie about toys that can move on their own and are sentient beings."

"..."

"I know it's illogical, but it's a good movie. An earth classic over a hundred years old."

"I see...Did Spock enjoy this movie?"

Jim smiled. "I think so. He chose the marine documentary next, I think he'd had enough of illogicalness. By the way, Spock's interested in seeing the beach and the aquarium here."

He nodded. "I will try to arrange a tour for you both."

"Um, I think he'd like to go with you and Amanda..."

"…I see…I will attempt to arrange that. However, my duties will keep me rather busy."

Jim tried not to frown. "Alright…but please try."

He nodded again. "We will also need to arrange for where you will stay after this trip..."

The blonde did frown now but didn't argue. "Yeah...I'm gonna head to bed now though if that's alright."

"Yes. Thank you for watching Spock."

"No problem. I enjoyed it too," he said honestly. "Goodnight." He headed for the door and back to his room to lie down. He was tired, but it took him a while to fall asleep. His mind was still turning around itself, trying to figure out how to tell Sarek where he was really from and get help home. He drifted off to sleep with a headache in the early hours of the morning no closer to a real answer.

He was woken up by a knock at the door at around ten. "Jay?" Amanda's voice floated in.

"Yeah?" he yawned.

"May I come in?"

"Sure." He sat up as she walked in, unabashedly not dressed from the waist up. Amanda blushed just slight but smiled fondly.

"I have some great news. Sarek is taking the day off!" she grinned. "I was so surprised, he so rarely does that. He even said he'd like to go to the aquarium."

Jim smiled, mentally clapping the older Vulcan on the back. "That's great! I'm sure Spock will love that."

She nodded. "I think so too. You are coming as well, aren't you?"

"Heck yeah. Just need to get dressed."

"Good...um, I have more serious news too though..."

"Oh?" he asked, feeling a bit tenser.

"Well...Sarek also made an appointment for you tomorrow. It's with a company that will...help you get started here."

"Get started?"

"Yes. They'll take your picture so they can try to find your family with another organization, but they'll help you find a job, a place to live..."

"Oh..." He couldn't help how soft his voice was. He knew that part of the trip was for leaving him there so he could start his own life. He wouldn't be going back to Vulcan with them. I know what my life is...I gotta get Sarek alone to talk to him. "Okay. Thanks."

She frowned. "I'm sorry..."

"No, you shouldn't be. It's great what you're doing for me, really," he said. He meant it too. If he really was an amnesiac he'd be really touched by all they were doing for him.

She smiled a little. "We'll miss you...Sarek too, though I don't think he'll admit it."

Jim did smile at that and nodded. "Thanks...I'll get dressed and join you guys in a little bit."

"Alright. We'll go down and have a nice breakfast in the hotel too."

He nodded, watching as she closed the door. Sighing, Jim rose and went to put his clothes on. He was still wearing the clothes he wore on Vulcan. He'd gotten very used to them and they were surprisingly comfortable.

Meeting the others, out in the hall, he smiled at Spock. The boy looked like he had a tiny hangover from his chocolate incident last night, but also buzzing with excitement. T'Fua and Sarrin were behind them. T'Fua didn't look enthused about their planned adventure, if Kirk was reading her body language right, and Sarrin looked...well, Vulcan. Like he didn't care at all.

"Good Morning, Jay," Sarek said.

"Good Morning."

"Amanda has informed you of what we will be doing today?"

"Yeah. Sounds like fun, I'm looking forward to it." He nodded before leading the group down to the restaurant. Jim ordered waffles and bacon and sausage, enjoying the earth foods he had somewhat missed. He also thought he saw Spock looking at chocolate chip pancakes but the boy had apparently learned hangovers could be painful. Amanda ordered pancakes with strawberries and Sarek a vegan stack of pancakes. T'Fua and Sarrin ordered similarly to their employer.

After eating, they were all taken to a nice town car they all fit in. Driving into town, they headed for the San Francisco Aquarium. Spock was sitting next to Jim again and looked excitedly out the window though his body and face were schooled into masks of almost calm. Amanda smiled as they did before reaching into her purse and tapping her son's shoulder.

Spock turned to her just as she took a picture. She giggled. "I brought my camera to take some pictures. I'll be sure to get some of the aquarium's exhibits if you'd like to look at them later."

Spock blushed a bit but nodded. "A good idea, mother." She smiled more.

The car parked and they all unloaded to head to the entrance to the San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay. It had been renovated a long time ago into the larger structure it was now, it's outside painted white, and it had several large faced windows on the front. The windows class had images streamed into it like a screen, showing fish swimming by in a loop. A glass enclosed entry way led inside, water from above trickling down over it.

"Ambassador Sarek?" a woman asked as she walked up. Sarek nodded. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Natalie. We were informed of your visit earlier when tickets were called for, so I'm here to show you around."

"I see."

"Thank you, dear," Amanda said.

"Not a problem. Please, follow me. Your tickets have all been comped already. Oh, please put these on." She held out pins for them in the shape of waves with the aquarium's name on it. "They'll show you're special visitors."

"Thank you," Amanda said again. She took one and helped Spock put it on, then getting her own on. Everyone else handled their own.

"I'll show you around and answer any questions you may have, though there's no rush or formal tour if that's alright."

"That is acceptable. I would prefer to study the exhibits at leisure," Spock spoke up.

Natalie looked down in surprise before smiling. "Those are some impressive words, young man."

Spock narrowed his eyes and Jim had the feeling he didn't like Natalie.

Amanda must've gotten the same feeling because she quickly set a hand on his shoulders. "Shall we continue in?"

"Of course. Follow me please." She led them through the entrance, Spock looking at the rushing water in fascination. It was definitely something you would see on Vulcan regularly. The entered the lobby, where several extinct whale species were floating in effigy above them in hologram form. A humpback swam by, then an orca, then a sperm whale and it went on and on. But the holograms were detailed and beautiful and seemed to capture Spock's attention.

"Neat, huh? Fascinating I mean."

"Yes...very fascinating. It is despairing to think they are no longer here in flesh and blood."

"Yeah...too little too late I suppose when we finally worked to protect them and get our act together. Our loss."

"Everyone's loss."

Jim smiled and patted his head. Spock had a surprisingly soft heart.

"If you come this way, we can begin to see some of the fish we have in our care. Our tanks are huge and do our best to recreate their natural environments," Natalie said.

They nodded and followed, Spock again staring in wonder at the floor to ceiling windows in between walls made to look like natural stone. Behind the windows was a whole new world to him, a world of water and plants waving in the water and brightly colored animals swimming around in them. A school of fish swam by and Spock moved closer to look into the murky depths. "Amazing..."

Amanda smiled at him, going over to set a hand on his shoulder as they watched the creatures swim about. Sarek walked up as well to look in, seeming to also relax as he watched. He set a hand on Spock's head other shoulder, surprising the boy who then look back in further enjoyment.

Jim smiled as he watched them, glad they were spending time together as a family. It was something he never really did as a child. His mother had returned to work for the federation when he was about six, going to a station far away. She could've taken his brother, Sam, and him with her but she didn't. Sam, being older, preferred going out with friends to watching his little brother. His step father, Frank, just didn't care. He wasn't abusive, not physically and rarely verbally, but he really only treated him like a house plant. Made sure he was fed and watered and then ignored him. The one thing he would say most often to him was, "I'm not your father. I married your mother, but she went and left us both. Leave me alone, kid."

The infamous car incident had been his gambit to get him to pay attention. It had worked. He'd been chewed out like a piece of old jerky, before being sent to a boy's home that was meant to "set him straight". Didn't quite work. Bullies had set their eyes on him as fresh meat. Rather than let them get away with it, Jim fought back, eventually earning a reputation as top dog.

Jim was startled out of his memory lane stroll by a gentle prodding at his arm. "Jay?" He looked down to see Spock looking up at him, his brow slightly puckered. "Are you alright? You look...lost again."

The blonde smiled. "Yeah, fine. Just thinking on something."

"I see...but come over to the glass. The fish are quite...lovely."

Jim smiled and followed him to the glass, looking at the brightly colored world in the water. It was quite lovely. Spock stood next to him as they watched the fish swim by without a care for them, Sarek on Spock's other side and Amanda next to him.

"I realize it's very pretty, but there is more to see if you would like to continue," Natalie said. "We have some aquatic mammals in the next area. And you can come back through here later if you want."

Sarek looked at his son, who nodded minutely. "Very well, let us continue."

Natalie led them through the tanks, pointing out a few more interesting ones, before coming to a more open area with several exhibits on either side of a winding concrete path. Spock walked quickly to the nearest one, looking between the walls of the black iron fence. Jim and the others followed, looking in.

"Sea lions," Jim smiled.

"One of our local residents," Natalie smiled. "I always thought they were rather cute."

"Yeah, pretty cute," Jim agreed, smiling at the girl on reflex. She blushed a little but smiled back.

"They are intriguing," Spock said. He moved to keep going, the others following. An otter enclosure was nearby and Spock was surprised when they focused on him, running around and chirping at him.

"I think they like you," Amanda giggled.

Spock blushed a bit before continuing. They saw alligators and crocodiles, seals, turtles and more. Spock was very intrigued by the dolphins and how smart they were. A trainer nearby even gave a demonstration. They began getting into the climate controlled area where some of the colder animals lived. Spock examined the penguins for a time before moving along, and then did a double take before walking quickly to another enclosure. Jim and the others followed, noting it was the walrus exhibit.

"Walrus's are interesting, huh?" Natalie asked, still as if speaking to a child.

Spock narrowed her eyes and gave her a side long look of annoyance. "Yes..."

Amanda smiled after she took a picture and patted his head. "They're tusks and big brown eyes remind me of I-Chaya."

Spock blushed but nodded slowly. Jim had to smile again sympathetically. Spock was missing his massive pet. "I'm sure he's doing alright," he said.

"Of course. He is in good care."

Jim smiled then noticed Natalie looking confused. "I-Chaya is Spock's Sehlat. A sort of pet."

"Oh, I see," Natalie said with a smile. "My, he must be cute."

"Very. And very large too. Not a toy animal you can fit in a bag, I could ride on his back if I wanted. Or if he'd let me."

Natalie giggled. "Oh, that's quite large." She smiled at him coyly.

Jim blushed a little in surprise. Ooooh...she's flirting with me I think. Dang, months without viable women may have made me lose my mojo...Can't use innuendos in front of Spock and Amanda though. He settled on smiling back.

Spock looked between the two of them before frowning rather more obviously. Reaching up, he took Jim's sleeve and tugged rather hard. "Let us continue."

"Uh sure..."

Spock led them around the rest of the exhibits, keeping close to Jim. Around lunchtime Natalie led them back to the Aquarium's café where they had a nice lunch. T'Fua and Sarrin, who had been nearly silent followers, ate sparingly. Amanda took more pictures, being sure to get one where Sarek and Spock to a bite of their lunch (both mixed green salads) at the same time, looking almost like doubles of each other. "That one is going on my desktop," she said with a smile.

Jim chuckled as well, not missing Natalie's speculative glances at him from the bar where she chatted with a coworker. He smiled and raised his glass of tea at her as if in toast with a wink. She blushed and smiled a bit more at him.

"I think we have seen most of the aquarium," Spock said. "It has been a full four hours."

"Indeed," Sarek agreed. "Perhaps we should venture to the shoreline to see some of the ocean in person."

Spock looked at him quickly in surprise. "I would...greatly appreciate that, father."

Sarek looked at him with gentle eyes before nodding. "Very well then."

Amanda smiled bright before pausing. "If we do that, we should get some better clothes for the beach."

"What is wrong with what we are wearing now?" T'Fua asked.

"Well, nothing, but long robes are hardly comfortable or practical for the beach. They would get wet with salt water and sand." T'Fua seemed displeased but Sarek was nodding.

"Shopping trip first then?" Jim asked. "I know I don't have a bathing suit."

"I suppose that would be logical," Sarek said. "We should find a place to shop now if we wish to spend time enough at the beach."

Amanda nodded before rising, going over to Natalie. They two woman chatted before Amanda handed her a nice cash tip and returned, the others rising. Natalie caught Jim's eye again and she waved flirtatiously at him. Smiling, he waved back. Would be nice to have a friend once I'm down here again-what the hell am I thinking? He quickly squashed that train of thought as they went back to the car.

"Please take us to a shop where we could purchase bathing suits."

"Yessir," the driver said, hiding any surprise he might've had.

He took them to a department store, where Amanda went with Spock to the children's section. Sarek and Jim went to the men's section and selected two suits. Sarek seemed to go with the first thing that would fit, which was a pair of black long trunks. Jim searched a bit more.

"I'm surprised. I didn't imagine you the beach type."

"Amanda and I honeymooned at a resort on Vega 10. And swimming is good exercise. I sometimes do it at the embassy's gym."

"I'm surprised again. But I'm glad, I think Spock is really enjoying today."

"Yes...I will also get you some clothes for tomorrow."

"Ah...the appointment, right."

"...You do not sound enthused."

"No, I'm really grateful. I am. I just...I'll miss you all. What memories I have of my family so far-the little I do remember that is- aren't perfect...I guess I started to think of Vulcan as home."

"...I see. I will admit, it will be different without you."

"Yeah...listen, Sarek, I need to talk to you about something later. Something really, really important." He looked into his eyes seriously, trying to convey how important this was.

Sarek stared before nodding slowly. "Alright. This evening perhaps?"

"That'd be great. It'll give me time to think how to put it..."

He nodded again. "Are you ready here?"

"Uh, hold on..." He selected a pair of red trunks with gold lines down the sides. "This'll do."

"Very well. Let us go see if the others are ready." They found Amanda and Spock ready, T'Fua and Sarrin apparently not getting anything.

"We will observe, Ambassador. I have no interest in the sea," Sarrin said, the first thing Jim might've heard him say that he could remember.

"Nor do I," T'Fua agreed. "In fact, with your permission, I would like to return to the hotel so that I may work on some important documents for our meetings later."

"That's fine, T'Fua. Your diligence is appreciated. Shall we have our driver drop you off?"

"No, I will find my own way back. The hotel is out of the way for you. It makes more sense that I not hinder you."

Sarek nodded. "Very well. The embassy would likely be glad to send another car for you if you should call. We will talk more later about tomorrow."

T'Fua nodded and walked towards the exit. Jim couldn't help but feel something was up, but maybe that was just because he didn't like the cold Vulcan woman.

Jim shouldn't have been surprised that the area of the beach they went to belonged to a private club, but he was. Apparently as an ambassador, he had free entry to the exclusive beach area of a hotel they weren't even staying at. Perks are nice...

The club let them change in their facilities before they went out to the private area that was thankfully free of crowds in the off season, only a few other patrons sunbathing nearby. Jim did take a moment to admire the bathing beauties in bikinis as he walked out in his trunks before being called over by Amanda. Amanda wore a simple one piece violet suit she had gotten at the store, her hair tied back in a messy bun. Spock looked a little more gangly and awkward in his green and white Hawaiian print trunks. Jim smiled though at how his attention was captured by the sea.

"Pretty great, huh?"

Spock looked up before nodding, a slight smile on his face. "It is...incredible."

Jim smiled. "It's even better when you start looking in it."

Spock nodded, about to head to the water before his mother stopped him. "Let me put some sunscreen on you first."

"Mother, I am Vulcan. I would not burn," he said stubbornly.

"Humor your mother so I don't worry."

Pouting, the boy finally held up his arms so she could start slathering the sunscreen on him.

"Where's Sarek?" Jim asked. He could see Sarrin on the nearby deck under an umbrella, apparently getting some reading done.

"I don't know...Oh, there he is."

Jim looked up and frowned when he realized the man hadn't changed out of his Vulcan attire. He motioned for his wife to come over and the blonde human followed with Spock close behind. Sarrin also rose and followed.

"Something has come up I'm afraid," Sarek said. "T'Fua was notified of a problem upon her return. There is a disagreement between several parties that needs resolving. Most of them respect Vulcans and so she tried to intervene to bring them to a peaceful conclusion, but was unsuccessful and has apparently exacerbated the situation. She requests I return that I may help to settle this before it turns violent."

Amanda frowned and Spock looked a bit disappointed as well before she held out her hand for him. Sarek pressed his fingers to her fingers smoothly. "Preventing violence is a good reason to go...and we had you for almost a full day."

"I truly regret it is not more. I found our outing thus far most pleasant and hoped to enjoy the beach."

Spock didn't say anything but looked up when his father's hand fell to his head. "I will wish to see pictures and hear about what you find in the sea later, Spock."

"...yes father."

Sarek patted his hair before nodding to Jim and turning. "Sarrin, do you wish to return with me?"

Sarrin glanced at them, or maybe just at Jim, before back to Sarek. "If you think I will not be of more assistance to your family here..."

"...I see no reason. They are quite capable on their own and the car will return for them."

"Very well." He fell in line with Sarek as they left through the hall.

"Well, too bad about that..."

"Yes...but I'm glad we got to spend our time together at the aquarium. Right Sprocket?"

Spock blushed at the nickname, rousing him from his pout. "Mother..." She smiled before finishing putting sunscreen on him. "Alright, you're free to go."

Spock nodded and quickly headed for the water.

"Mind if I get some of that? I don't want to burn again."

"Of course. Want me to do your back real quick?"

"Thanks, that'd be great." He turned, shivering when the cold lotion hit his skin before she quickly and efficiently worked it in. "Need me to do yours?"

"Much appreciated, but my suit has a high back." She showed him. "I can get the areas needed on my own."

In the past Jim might've felt burned or disappointed, not getting to sun screen a pretty lady's back. But he felt fine with it. Apparently Amanda was an exception. He quickly worked in some more sunscreen before going to join Spock in the water. The young Vulcan had apparently busied himself looking at a nearby tide pool in a rocky outcrop that blocked one part of the enclosed beach. He walked over and looked down with him into the small world contained in a single pool of sea water.

"Neat, huh?"

The young Vulcan spared him a glance before returning his attention to the things swimming about. "Interesting you mean? Yes. It is fascinating to see so much life in such a small area..."

Jim smiled. "It's like a city I suppose."

"Yes...a good analogy." Jim grinned, and Spock blushed at him before looking away. The blonde didn't dwell on why he did that, attributing it to shyness maybe.

"Do you know how to swim?"

"Yes. Father made sure I would, to be safe."

"Great. I thought I might have to teach you."

"...I would not mind a refresher. I have not done so in a long time."

Jim smiled and nodded, leading him down back to the water. Spock seemed to need a moment to get used to the feel of wet sand beneath his feet. It was a lot like standing in oatmeal Jim knew. Then he got used to the feel of the ocean as they waded out to Spock's waist. Amanda watched from the shoreline, waving to them now and then as she took pictures. Spock it appeared didn't need a refresher course at all, since he literally swam laps around Jim in just a few minutes. Jim just smiled and followed his lead.

After a time they returned to the shore and Jim taught him the finer points of sandcastle making with Amanda. Spock tried his best to get his structure historically accurate while Jim just had fun. Spock's turned out quite amazing, with turrets and flying buttresses, while Jim's looked more like a mound of sand with some odd towers in place. He smiled though, admiring Spock's with genuine amazement.

"Great job! Hey, you even gave him a king. That's pretty amazing, Spock." He admired the stout little figure Spock had put at the top of a tower. It wasn't detailed but Jim could tell he was wearing a crown. "I'm thinking there's not much you can't do." Spock blushed again, but was obviously pleased by the praise.

Amanda grinned as well before holding up her camera. "Get in close and smile!" Jim grinned and got in close, reflexively putting a hand on Spock's shoulder like he would a buddy. Spock tensed at the touch, and Jim thought he saw a huge blush crawl up his neck to his cheeks as Amanda took the photo. "So cute! And you're not bad either, Jay."

Jim chuckled at the playful banter. Something caught his eye however and he reached into the sand to dig out a lovely shell, gold and white with flecks of red on one side and pink to almost red on the inside. It was whole, no cracks or chips to be had. Spock looked at it as well curiously. Jim smiled and offered it to him. "Sea shells are popular souvenirs. Why don't you hold on to this one? It's pretty nice."

Spock blushed again but took the shell in his hands. He looked at it more before nodding. "Very nice..."

"You could give it to your dad too. Or find another for him."

Spock clutched the shell to himself almost protectively before blushing more. "I...think I will find another." Rising, he went about scouring the beach for another shell as Jim and Amanda watched.

"He's going to miss you, I think," Amanda said quietly. "We both will. You...really are like a brother to me, Jay. It feels like I've known you longer than six months."

Jim felt a cold feeling of remorse settle over him. "I know what you mean...I'll miss you all too." Gotta tell Sarek...gotta make sure Amanda doesn't die, that Spock doesn't have to go through that pain.

Eventually the sun began to dip below the sea level. Spock found another shell, this one a dark grey green on one side and the inside mother of pearl. It had a small chip in one side, but the colors inside were quite dazzling. His mother folded both shells very carefully in their bathing suits after they changed and they headed outside to catch their car.

After the car dropped them off, Amanda received a message for Sarek. "What timing he has," she smiled. Reading the message though, she frowned and sighed. "Sarek is still tied up in helping to smooth over that fight...he says we should have dinner without him." Spock and Jim frowned but they knew there was no fighting it. "Well, let's go try a nice restaurant then. I'm sure he won't mind."

Jim smiled and nodded. "I think I saw one called Nunzio's nearby that looked good. We can probably walk it easily enough."

"That sounds great, Italian food is one of my favorites." She looked at her son, smiling encouragingly. "Does that sound okay?"

"It sounds adequate..." the boy said quietly.

Jim pouted sympathetically. "You okay, Spock?"

"I am fine. Let's go," he said more brusquely, heading for the cross walk. Apparently he wasn't paying attention though as it said not to cross when he took a step out. A car coming up nearby was likely going to hit him, going a little over the city speed limit.

"Spock, don't!" Jim yelled. The boy was frozen in surprise before Jim grabbed his hand and hauled him back. He held the boy protectively close. "Watch where you're going, asshole!" he yelled at the car. He felt the small body in his arms tense up and he quickly rubbed over his shoulders. "Not you, Spock, that asshole that almost hit you. I swear to god, people don't know how to drive...Spock?" He looked down to see the boy blushing badly, bad enough he thought he might keel over, and staring at the clasped hands. "Buddy, you okay?"

That seemed to startle him and he quickly shook his hand out, clutching it close. "F-fine—I'm fine!"

Jim blinked before looking at Amanda. She seemed as if she'd been ready to do the same thing to get her son to safety, Jim had just been a little faster. Now though she looked ready to laugh. "S-Spock, are you okay?" she asked, lips twitching. The boy blushed more before glaring. "I'm fine. May we please go to the restaurant?" He turned and went to the cross walk section, pushing the button hard.

Jim frowned and sidled up to Amanda as they waited. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked quietly.

"Yes...and no. It's not your fault really."

"What isn't? What'd I do? I was trying to save him!"

"I know, and thank you, Jay. I owe you a lot now." She smiled and patted his shoulder. "But you see...Vulcan hands are sensitive."

"Oh crap, did I hurt him?" Jim asked immediately.

"No...Just, um...you gave him his first kiss I believe."