A/N: Disclaimer is in the first chapter. English is not my native language, so thank you for tolerating my Greeklish mistakes.

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An Intruder in the Garden between Vulcan and Earth

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Part 4. Amanda

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It is late in the afternoon, when I awake from one of the best naps I've had in a very long time. Obviously Earth's gravity agrees with my round belly.

I check the clock and gasp. I've slept for almost four hours! Daniel prescribed long naps so that my body would better acclimate to Earth's time, but four hours is just ridiculous. Goodness, he wasn't joking about how my body would be affected by the different time zone. I wonder how I'll sleep later.

I go to the bathroom and, since there's nothing I can do to look slimmer, I try to make my hair more presentable. After ten minutes and several attempts I settle for a simple ponytail. I have neither the heart nor the courage to prepare an elaborate Vulcan bun.

Leaving our room, I decide to go check on Sarek. Walking the long corridor, I arrive at the elevator and press the call button.

I give a longing look at the stairs next to me and caress my belly. "Seven months down, six to go," I murmur and look down at my unborn son.

"Do you hear me, junior? I used to exercise, you know. Yea, yea, yea, sounds unbelievable but it's true. Now, I can't even use the stairs. But I could get worse, right? I might end up talking to myself," I snort. I hope at least my son will get my sense of humor.

"Nah, I'm just screwing with you, you worth everything," I laugh, embracing my belly. Sometimes I'm so excited I'm pregnant, I think I might explode from happiness.

The elevator arrives and as I enter, I idly wonder if my child's workaholic father has eaten anything today. Sarek becomes so absorbed with his work, he sometimes skips meals.

Shortly after our Vulcan bonding ceremony, and during a family dinner, his mother T'Rama told me her son took that 'trait' from his father. I suspect that's a family joke because both Skon and Sarek stopped their conversation on the latest astrophysics discovery and gave her an adorable innocent look. Afterwards, I swear Skon looked a little smug.

Do other Vulcans share family jokes? Many things are revealed if one spends some time among them; the biggest being Vulcans don't have feelings. Of course and they do, their savage past is a testimony to that. They simply exercise strict control. And the fact that they are secretive doesn't stop rumors from spreading across the galaxy in the speed of light.

Talking about secretive reminds me of my own species gossiping tendencies.

I know tabloids were on fire at the news that the first Vulcan-Human legally married and expecting couple returned to Earth. My parents visited us two days ago and during dinner, my mom casually mentioned we made it to the headlines again. She offered no further details, probably because daddy kicked her under the table. As per our standard habit, we declined interviews and apart from the flyer I haven't seen any paparazzi. Yet it is obvious that security around the embassy has increased since the last time we were here.

The elevator arrives at the ground floor and I exit. Maybe I should feel guilty for the few headaches our visit gave to both Human and Vulcan Security Officers. And I do. I do feel a little guilty.

But I couldn't miss this golden opportunity and return to Earth even for a few days. I wanted to see my parents. I never thought I'd miss them so much. Perhaps the pregnancy makes me more emotional. It certainly has made me horny. Poor Sarek, he was so worried he'd hurt me. He didn't of course, but anxious Sarek is a rare sight. Anxious and aroused Sarek… I smile at that recent memory.

Solev, the embassy's security supervisor, walks past me along the main corridor and silently greets me by bowing his head. Other embassy staff or visitors I encounter act in the same way. I must say, I am a little surprised. Ever since my pregnancy started showing, every Vulcan I meet is clearly courteous. Heavens! Sarek wasn't joking when he told me Vulcans always celebrate the birth of new life.

Finally I arrive at his temporary office; it is located opposite the enormous Ambassadorial one. It is smaller but cozy and has a lovely view to the garden. Sarek's assistant, Speek is sitting in a small desk outside and looks at me as I approach.

Gosh, I hope he's not watching the Terra Natura channel. I think I walk like a penguin.

"Hallo, Speek. Is Sarek in?"

"Yes, t'sai. You may enter." He glances down the corridor, behind me. I follow his gaze to see what he is looking. The corridor is empty and Speek looks quickly back at me.

"What? Is something the matter?" I ask.

"No, t'sai. Everything is as it should be," he replies looking straight into my eyes.

Hmmm… An evasive answer. Vulcans are masters in that. I know. I'm married to one.

Oh, well. I'm too hungry to care. I give him a polite smile and walk inside my husband's office. He must have sensed I was coming and lowered the room's temperature. Sarek is so much better in handling the marital bond than me. But again telepathy is part of his nature.

He looks deep in concentration. Damn, I hate to disrupt when he's working. I'll make this brief and then roll down the kitchen to EAT. Nowadays, I think I eat as much as I'Chaya.

"Hey you."

"How hey me?" he asks looking at me in his usual stoic look and I laugh. That was a joke from our first lessons, back when I was teaching him Earth idioms. He was asking me many silly questions back then. Later I realized that was his way of flirting. I'm glad he's in a good mood.

"I don't want to intrude."

"Of course not. I have almost finished for today." He stands up and offers me the ozh'esta.

I caress his fingers with mine. "How's the treaty going?"

"We'll need a few days more. Three or four, I believe. God is in the detail, as your people say."

I hug him. As much as I can, considering my round belly. "Well, they couldn't get a better man for the job. Your meticulousness is exceptional."

"Good exceptional or bad exceptional?"

Oh, my. Someone is in a good mood this evening. I decide to play along. Dinner, be damned.

Or, I'll just visit the fridge after sex. Yea, most definitely, after sex.

For now, I try to sound as cool as possible.

"Well… Last night was… Not that bad, I suppose. On the other way, your constant nagging for me squish the toothpaste from the top–"

"I do not nag."

"Nagging as I was saying… It tires me. I wonder sometimes for how long I will continue tolerate your quirks, Sarek. I really don't know."

"Well then. We seem to have reached an impasse."

"Have we? And what's that, if I may ask?"

"Toothpaste or sex."

I give him a cunning look and run my hands over his broad chest. "Oh, my. What a dilemma we have here."

"Indeed. What's your answer?"

"Gosh, I don't know, this is serious stuff. It'll take me several hours to decide. Tell you what. Let me sleep on it, and you'll have my answer in the morning."

"I'm glad to hear you say that. It means I have one night to help you decide."

"Oh, I'm not sure… Just one night? Can you rise to the challenge? It's a short deadline."

He gives me a look that can set an iceberg on fire.

"Believe me, adun'a, I can. I am a very good negotiator. My meticulousness is exceptional."

"Good exceptional or bad exceptional?"

"You'll have your answer by dawn."

Shoot, I need some air. It must be at least 100 degrees in here and I think I'm a little wet. Damn. Will this man ever stop making me damp and horny?

Noticing my flush, Sarek visibly frowns and moves to open a window. A sweet breeze is coming from outside. It is a lovely evening.

"Come and sit," he says placing a chair next to the open window. "Have you eaten?"

"No, not yet."

"I'll finish in five minutes. I'll just need to add some final notes. Then we'll dine together."

"Okay, thanks," I reply, sitting on the chair. Sarek gently runs his fingers across my belly and then returns to his desk.

I check him out as he walks away. Argh. No diplomat should look this good from behind.

"You know ambassador, my mom advised me never to be alone in a room with a man who might have dishonorable intentions."

"Indeed."

"So I must ask, what are yours?"

"Well t'sai, since you ask, they are quite … lascivious."

"Oh. Lucky me," I purr. I wish I looked and sounded more seductive, but truth is I'm pregnant and hungry. "When will you finish?"

"In approximately 4.54 minutes."

"Uh huh. Okay." Having nothing else to do, I look outside the window. The view is beautiful, both in and out of the office.

When I turn to check on him, Sarek has stopped writing and just gazes at me. For how long has he been sitting like this?

"Hey, shouldn't you be working?"

He remains silent for a few seconds, eyes fixed on me. "I'm the one who's lucky."

I give him my warmest smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere, ambassador," I tease.

"That's not true."

"Oh?"

"It got me into your pants."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Hmmm… I should never have taught you Earth idioms."

"I respectfully disagree. Besides, private tuition has numerous advantages. I got to appreciate your … oral skills."

I pretend to be shocked. "Mr. Ambassador! Such language."

"Indeed. For someone who, as I recall, inebriated and seduced her fiancé in the office across the hall, you seem prude enough."

I wave my hand dismissively, although I secretly rejoice every time I remember that night. Sarek will never let me forget it. Getting him drunk with chocolate liqueur is among my top five sexy moments in our relationship. If Tevarn, the current ambassador, knew what we did on his chair, desk, sofa and floor, he'd probably burn the entire room.

"You still remember that? Ahh… What can I say in my defense, your Honor? I was young and adventurous. Besides, don't remind me that night. My hips still hurt."

I laugh but Sarek's gaze darkens. His worse fear is that he'll injure me one day.

"Oh, come on Sarek. I'm well. We are well. See?" I smile reassuringly and pat my belly. "I've got your heir safe right here. You don't need to worry about a single thing. We're safe."

He runs his eyes all over my body and a soft sigh escapes from him. I pretend not to notice. I know how stressed he is about this journey and our safety.

"Yes, you are," he finally says.

"Well, hurry up. I'm hungry."

"As always, t'sai, your wish is my command."

He returns to his work and I turn again to observe the sunset. It really is such a lovely evening. Vulcan sunset is unbeatable but during sweet, quiet moments like this, I miss Earth.

Suddenly, a nightingale starts singing. And it's such a humble and peaceful sound, that my heart sinks.

Maybe it's the beauty of the scenery. Maybe it's the fact that I hadn't embraced my parents in nearly a year. My mom cried so much at the sight of my round belly. She and daddy promised they'll visit Vulcan once I give birth.

Maybe it's the heavy medicines, or that fact that I overslept. Or my swollen feet, or the haemodialysis. My son's blood is poisonous. If I don't remove the extra cooper from my body, I'll die within a week. My unborn son will kill me.

And my body that gave birth and nurtures my baby can also kill him. The oxygen I provide is not enough. I take shots of pure oxygen on a daily basis for my baby's proper development. Along with Daniel's formula that tricks my body into accepting my son's alien DNA. It's heavy stuff but without it I would lose the baby within twenty days. The mere thought makes me shiver.

Or maybe it's the fact that we're practically prisoners here. I can't leave the compound; there are paparazzi everywhere and because of Sarek's highly confidential work on a treaty we can't take any risks. That's why Sarek agreed for I'Chaya to come with us, to keep me company.

Of course my husband notices immediately the change in my mood. Because of the mental bond we share, there are no secrets between us.

"We could consent to an interview. Perhaps this way, the photographers will seize this absurd siege and you could enjoy a walk outside the building."

I shake my head. He values his privacy, but again so do I. I know Sarek wouldn't feel comfortable with an interview. And truth is I despise publicity.

The words of an old erotic poem come to mind.

"Do you remember this poem you translated for me once, back when we started dating?

"Because the untried and the from else brought

The people can't stand it and it's early, do you hear me

It's still early in this world my love

To talk about you and me. (1)

"Do you remember our interview, when we got married? How they insulted you. And you were sitting right next to me. Little green man, my foot. Who the hell they think they are? And you are an adult; you have a choice, to defend yourself, to speak up, regardless if you chose not to.

"Who will speak for our baby? Who will defend it? And why should we have to defend it? We are family, not a spectacle." Determined, I shake my head. "No. No interviews. Do you honestly think these people care about you, me or the baby? If it is healthy or how many extra months I can manage?

"No, they don't care. They're just curious to see what I look like. What our baby will look like. Yes, it is the first time somebody attempts to prolong a Human pregnancy. That's not a reason for me to become a target, an exhibition to feed people's curiosity. As if we have solved all the world's problems and the only thing we can do is gossiping each other," I murmur and caress my belly.

"It is still early, Sarek."

"Ashayam, I do not wish to see you like this."

"Oh, I'm fine, sweetie. It's just …" I take a deep breath, uncertain of how to express my feelings without worrying him.

How can I tell him sometimes I still can't believe I'm finally pregnant? Other inter-species couples before us had tried and failed. We had discussed adoption before our marriage. That was our plan from day one. And then this occurred … It was so unexpected. Thank God for 23rd century medicine.

How can I tell him I'm still so scared about the future? Because, deep down, I know Sarek is scared too. For both the baby and me. This is a life and death situation. One he is handling with such dignity and poise. I had never appreciated his inner strength and control more than these last few months.

But more than anything else, beyond all the medical tests, the drugs, the experimental formulas, the doctors, the media and all this insane frenzy, I constantly need to remind myself that… I'll become a mother.

I'll become a mother. And that simple truth is a small miracle. Sensing every day the baby growing up … Kicking me. Needing me. Feeding from me. Living inside me. Completing me.

Now I know how much my parents love me. How they feel about me. That's why I wanted to see them so much. There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for this unborn child, my son. A baby whose existence nobody believed one year ago.

"Amanda, what is it?"

I gaze distracted at the garden. "Sometimes … I think our baby is like the plants in this garden. An intruder in an inhospitable environment."

Sarek looks at me puzzled. "What sort of intruder?"

"Vulcan seed on Earth soil. You told me once that when the embassy was being built, people said alien plants would never adjust. That nothing would ever grow."

Sarek gives me a heartwarming look. "Indeed. I am pleased we proved them wrong."

I smile at our double entendre.

"A little intruder in this garden between Vulcan and Earth. A most unexpected intruder," I sigh.

"A most welcome intruder," Sarek says, sending me a warm feeling of affection and immediately I feel better. Sensing my calmness, he returns to his work.

My stomach growls but I'm feeling magnanimous. I'll wait for him. He's got three entire minutes.

Maybe our dilemma should be food or sex. He'd had a harder time convincing me in my present state.

Suddenly something I see outside the window in the garden draws my attention. I'Chaya appears between some thick bushes. Goodness. Between his gray fur and the surroundings there isn't much difference. He is almost invincible.

A natural predator, I think.

Sometimes I forget that before the Awakening sehlats were used as guardians for every clan's weakest members, the sick and the children. Now they are company, but nevertheless…

Regardless of their natural kindness, sehlats are fierce warriors. One of the common traits they share with Vulcans is that they both fight to the death. Maybe that's why Vulcans view them as friends and companions, rather as animals.

I'Chaya looks around to make sure nobody's watching. He spots me, looking down at him. Has he been looking for me? Knowing that he's got my attention, he spits something in the ground. Then looks at me, waves his small tail and smiles.

He winks at me! I'Chaya must be the only sehlat in the universe that can wink at someone. It is our secret code. When I overcame my initial fear and we became friends I taught him so he can warn me every time he steals food from the kitchen.

What's he done now?

I look at him surprised as he starts digging a hole.

"Sarek? Whose shoe I'Chaya buries in the garden?"

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The end.

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(1) Odysseas Elytis, The Monogram, 1972

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Author's Note: Dr. Daniel Corrigan and the healer Sorel belong to Jean Lorrah and appear in her TOS novels "The Vulcan Academy Murders" and "The IDIC Epidemic". Skon's wife is named T'Rama in the short story "A Girl for Every Star" written by John Takis.

And that, dear readers, is the identity of the intruder in the Garden between Vulcan and Earth, the only intruder I'Chaya will always accept and welcome.

Υour thoughts, comments and ideas are most welcome.