Stardate: 2227.31

Amanda's eyes shot open when the constant humming of the ISS Defiant had stopped. The sound had been her constant companion in the silence of her room these past few days. She sat up and looked at her surroundings. The ship must have landed. Reality was starting to sink in and now she was her, on a planet she had only seen on the holonews. The place she would probably breath her last breath. She stood up and tried to calm down her breathing. Her breath was shaky. She had to tell herself she was a survivor and they couldn't take away her free thinking.

All of a sudden, there was a shift in gravity in the ship, and it felt like breathing was a very laborious task. She put her hand on the ledge of the hard bed for support. When the doctor on earth said that the gravity on Vulcan was higher he wasn't lying. Amanda tried to take a deeper breath but it just reminded her of when her father took her hiking in Yosemite and the air was thin. A small feeling of sorrow filled her breast as she recalled the small memory.

Immediately an Imperial Starfleet officer walked into her room as she ruminated. The woman looked at Amanda and smirked at Amanda in a way that made her feel belittled.

"I have your tri-ox compound. Looks like that doctor on Terra was stingy with your prescription. You are going to need a lot more than this."

The female officer walked over to Amanda and so she could administer the hypo. Amanda felt anxiety and had a flash of a haunting memory. She flinched when the officer got closer to her, and put the hypo in her neck.

"You will thank me later for this. The gravity on Vulcan is ruthless just like its people. I need to put eye drops in your eyes. The light here is too strong for Terran eyes."

The officer grabbed Amanda's face and tried to open her eyes. Amanda struggled against the officer but the officer was stronger than her and jabbed her in the ribs. Amanda winced and put her hand to her side as she reeled in pain.

"If you don't stop moving I'll be forced to knock you out you Vulcan whore."

Amanda stopped moving as the officer roughly grabbed her hair with one hand and used the other one to violently open her eyes and put the eye drops in her eyes. Amanda tried to swallow back the anxiety in her chest as she remember the light torture and the brutality of her captors. She told her self she was strong.

It was over and the officer practically threw her towards the dresser in the room.

The officer spoke, "Get dressed! Now!"

Amanda shakily reaches for the standard Starfleet clothes that were in the first drawer. She quickly averted her eyes from the irritated officer as she dressed. The officer swiftly grabbed her arm and led her through the corridors of the Defiant. The looks the various officers gave her were ones of pity, spite, and disgust. She saw zero compassion in their eyes. Amanda realized that she didn't want anyone to pity her or look down on her. It was just a reminder that she couldn't even trust her own race and people. The bitterness filled her chest and she saw them look away from her and laugh. The entered the ship's bay and board a shuttle to a destination she did not know.

When they landed and the shuttle hatch opened, and Amanda gasped at what she saw. Vulcan was full of red hues and the skyline of the city she saw was so alien and foreign. Yet she could not help but notice the beauty and intricate designs on the buildings far away and near her. She had never seen anything like it. She immediately felt the dry wave of heat hit her face and the scorching temperatures had nothing on the deserts she had visited on Earth. Then she saw the sun and it reminded of her of that light. dShe felt vile rise in her throat and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. She looked away from the light source and then saw a group of Imperial Officers and Vulcans. The novelty of seeing this new planet was lost with the reality of her situation. She was not here to visit, but to live our her prison sentence. Amanda let one bitter tear fall from her cheek as she approached the crowd of people in front of her.

The Vulcan healers Leis and Nivek stared at the fragile human approaching them.

The female Vulcan healer Leis spoke, "This Terran female is not strong enough to stand next to our governor."

Nivek replies, "Agreed. Her cheeks are hallow and her bones protrude which indicate malnutrition. I question why the Emperor chose her to be the mate of Governor Sarek?"

"I concur. I only wish to serve the Terran Empire and no longer desire to question our Emperor's logic. To say otherwise is to align your ideals with the Ak'spar."

Nivek raised his eyebrow and looked over at the officer and the female.

Amanda looked at the aging Vulcans right in front of her. There was one male and one female. Both of them had stoic expressions as they gazed at her with judgement. She shifted under their hard gaze. They looked so much like Terrans is scared Amanda. Their lack of expressions still concerned her and when she saw them lift their eyebrows in a condescending way she felt belittled. She couldn't help but feel irritated regardless of the situation. She heard them speaking in their language and that didn't help.

The female Vulcan spoke and gave the Terran salute, "We wish to serve the Empire. You are Amanda Grayson. We are healers and are here to assess your mental fortitude for a telepathic bond with your future bondmate."

Amanda's nerve endings were firing and she skeptically returned the salute. What were they talk about? Telepathic bond? She heard of Vulcans being telepathic but she was complete ignorant on the subject. She was ignorant about many species, something she was beginning to finally to see.

The female closed in on Amanda and she tried to move but the Imperial Starfleet officer on her left was holding her firmly. The Vulcan woman placed 3 of her fingers to Amanda's face and started to repeat a phrase. In an instant Amanda's head felt like someone had hit her in the skull with a rock. The phrases that the woman spoke were now in her mind and Amanda panicked. This woman is in my head. Amanda's dismay quickly left and was replaced with this fire of irritation.

"Get out of my head!"

She focused trying to get the sound out of her head and just as quickly as it happened the Vulcan woman left go of her face and Amanda began to feel vertigo.

"Her mind is sufficient. It is strong enough for a bond."

The Vulcan women's face had a look of shock to it as she rose her eyebrows.

The male Vulcan raised an eyebrow at her response. Amanda raised her own eyebrow and frowned. So Vulcans made no facial expressions but they used those eyebrows to silently communicate to each other. It was so condescending that she wished to rip their eyebrows off. Their expressionless faces were better than this.

"My mind is strong enough for a bond? What are you even saying?" Amanda replied.

The male almost looked vexed and retorted. "Your response indicated you understood what was said. Your questions are highly illogical."

Amanda tried to remain calm. She remembered the holonews and did not want to witness the violence a Vulcan was capable. "I don't understand what a bond is?"

The Vulcans looked at each other again and she could tell they thought her question was stupid.

"Like most species, mature Vulcans obtain mates. When Vulcans are in their adolescents they form a telepathic bond with their betrothed in a ceremony called, Koon-ut-la, until they are old enough to solidify that bond as adults. In the bond only mature Vulcans can communicate telepathically and can understand one's emotions or even thoughts. On Vulcan we regard our spouses as bondmates. Soon you will become the bondmate of Governor Sarek."

Amanda was immediately fixated on the whole mind reading thing and completely missed all the other information. Her face went white with the thought. That could mean that her "husband" could potentially read her mind? Her thought were a disaster and even traitorous. What if he found out her resentments? She would probably be executed. How was she going to survive this one? Amanda finally understood this prison sentence. She would never going to have the peace of her own mind ever again. There would always be someone listening to her innermost thoughts. There would always be someone watching her every move. Amanda felt this sense of panic and resentment for her future spouse. Her mouth went dry as she tried to swallow and process everything. She didn't know if the heat made her feel faint or if it was this revelation. She moved her feet to stand firmly planted on the ground.

Amanda could only manage a nod. Fear outweighed her nerve and the gravity of the situation.

The male spoke, "It would seem your mind is strong enough to forge a bond but your physical health is far from the strength you require to overcome the fires. Terrans are of course physically inferior and the likelihood of survival can be hypothesized at 20.2%."

Amanda felt more terror wash over her. He had to be referring to intercourse. Amanda tried not to think about that. She felt sick and disgusted. The officer nudged her side as she was lost in her rumination again.

The pair of Vulcans were waiting for her to follow them. Amanda came to her senses and followed them. They led her down corridors until they reached a room. The Vulcan healers stepped to the side to let her into the room first.

"We have assessed the mind of Amanda Grayson and she is ready to be clothed in traditional robes."

Amanda looked to the older woman in the room. She had some gray hair and wore long elegant robes. When the woman saw Amanda she raised her brow, and responded to the healers, "I see. Bring her in. I must see that she is dressed appropriately and spoken to."

Amanda felt slightly scared by the woman. She seemed daunting.

She cautiously approached the woman and the officer and the 2 other Vulcans left the room.

"You are Amanda Grayson. I am T'Rama, the mother of Sarek."

Amanda's eyes went wide. This was going to be her mother-in-law.

"I-I, um, nice to meet you. I'm ready to serve the Empire by marrying your...son."

T'Rama's expression did not change but her eyes narrowed, "We shall see."

T'Rama moved into Amanda's space and placed her hand on Amanda's face and started to speak, "My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts."

Before Amanda knew it she had vertigo again. She felt anger well up in her. Why must every Vulcan she meets force themselves in her mind? She pushed back mentally and T'Rama let go. The meld ended quickly.

T'Rama gazed down at Amanda, "Peculiar. You have a strong will," she continued quietly in thought, "your odds for surviving are potentially higher than I calculated."

Amanda looked into the older woman's eyes and almost saw something twinkle in her eyes. She wasn't sure if it was respect because she could hardly understand the woman expressions. T'Rama scanned her from head to toe.

"It is time to dress you in traditional Vulcan robes. Usually, it is the mother who prepares her daughter for dressing in her ceremonial robes, but since both of your parents are deceased I will perform this duty. It is also in Vulcan tradition to have a pele-ut-la before a bonding ceremony, you do not have an uncle therefore I will also assume this duty. "

Amanda swallowed, "What is a pele-ute-laa?"

"It is pele-ut-la. In Terran it means chaperone. I will now retrieve the articles of clothing."

Amanda nodded in response. She felt nervous about the unknown that laid before her. She had no idea where she would be in the next week yet alone the next day. T'Rama walked to a table and lifted out clothes that were elaborate in their details and had rich warm hues. She looked around the room and she saw that there was an ornate jewelry on the table. For a moment, she forgot that she was being forced to marry a Vulcan man she didn't know.

She shook her head, "These garments are so beautiful. I've never seen beadwork like this before."

"It is because you are ignorant of Vulcan culture."

Amanda was trying to understand if the woman was trying to insult her or not. Amanda frowned. It was true, but the delivery was blunt.

Amanda quickly dressed into the clothes with the help of T'Rama and Amanda finally was able to see herself in the mirror. The clothes flowed from her in a way that reminded her of ancient Greek statues, but there really was no exact comparison. She looked so...Vulcan. The hallows of her cheeks were notable and her eyes looked more sunken in than before her dad's death. She didn't expect to look like a healthy athlete, but she thought that maybe after a couple days she would look slightly like herself.

T'Rama walked to the table and grabbed a small bowl with strange fruit in it.

"It is tradition as your pele-ut-la to give you tono-pak berries every hour for two days before a betrothal ceremony. It is a sign of the end of childhood and the coming of womanhood. This marriage is neither conventional or common so tradition cannot be fully adhered to in this instance. You are now an adult and do not need a chaperon. Yet, you can respect this tradition by partaking a tono-pak berry."

"Wait, you said end of childhood?"

"Yes, the healers explained this to you. Vulcans are betrothed as children. Parents find potential mates and come to an agreement with another clan."

"What? Vulcans are engaged as kids?"

"Yes, it is tradition which you should respect." T'Rama said matter-of-factly.

Amanda realized she was referring to the fruit. She quickly grabbed the brightly colored berry and put in her mouth. It was extremely bitter and Amanda's nose scrunched up and coughed. T'Rama looked at he with a raised eyebrow and she swallowed the berry.

There was a knock at the door and T'Rama walked towards it to let the Imperial Starfleet officer in. The officer grabbed her and threw her into a small waiting room.

Everything about being on Vulcan felt surreal she couldn't believe it was happening. Amanda heard footsteps coming towards the door and she felt trepidation as she heard it open. It felt like everything froze as her nervousness paralyzed her.

There was a man in the doorway, a Vulcan one. She looked at him. It was the same man from the night at the delegation. Even though she knew it would be him the shock was still there. His dark brown hair was cut so his bangs were in a perfectly straight line. His facial hair was perfectly manicured. His eyes looked into her's and she noticed his eyebrows sweep elegantly upward. She looked at his ears and wondered why Vulcan's had the strangest eyebrows and ears. He was wearing what Amanda assumed was traditional Vulcan wedding attire. He was wearing charcoal and deep crimson robes that showed part of his physique. He looked young, too young to be a governor. She ended up staring at his feet after doing a full body scan. She saw him do the Terran salute and her mind was so scattered that she wasn't sure if she did it in return.

Sarek's nerve endings were firing at anticipation of what this moment would be. When he saw the Terran he remembered her. He remembered seeing her on the holonews talking to children with a gentle smile. He remembered her brown hair and those eyes that were filled with fear as she was dragged away from the delegation. Those eyes now had that same look of fear, and it was directed at him. To say he was shocked to cross paths with her again was an understatement. To find out that she was to be his bondmate was nothing he could have estimated. He hadn't thought of her in weeks, and he assumed that she was eliminated in prison or a labor camp. He noticed how she was quivering as the tense silence grew between them.

Amanda wondered why his face was so expressionless when he saw her. He wasn't saying anything, and that continued to make Amanda's discomfort grow. She nervously tried to smooth her hands on her robes.

Sarek spoke, "You are trembling"

Amanda made a noncommittal sound and looked into his expressionless eyes.

Sarek continued, "Your cheeks lack a healthy amount of fat, and the bones in your hands are protruding through your skin 25% more than when I met you."

He walked around her analyzing and compartmentalizations every detail about her. Amanda nerves persisted and she continued to tremble. Adrenaline was rushing through her veins as she listened to his words.

"You are Amanda Grayson, the daughter of the traitor Admiral Grayson."

"Yes, you are Saaerek?" Amanda responded.

"It is pronounced sæ-r ɛ k. We briefly spoke at the delegation."

Amanda nodded, "Yeah, we did, about gambling," she paused deciding to find out why she was here, "Why did you chose me to be your...wife" Amanda averted her eyed from his when she spoke those last words.

"I only just discovered you were to be my bondmate when I entered the room 1.3 minutes ago."

Amanda let her mouth open in shock, "You're kidding me."

"I do not understand your term 'kidding.' Does it involve offspring?"

Amanda felt heat rising in her neck, "No no no no, no. I just-uh-am surprised that you didn't know that I was going to be your...…"

Sarek finished her sentence for her, "bondmate."

Amanda nodded and looked at his hands. She felt scared just thinking about what he might do to her with those.

"It is unanticipated," he spoke and he noticed she continued to stare at his hands, "Why are you staring at my hands?"

Amanda shot her eyes to look into Sarek's questioning ones. Her nerves were slightly calmer, but the unknown was still present in her mind.

"Er-uh. I was not looking anywhere in particular."

"Yet your eyes were looking at my hands. Are there any deficiencies with them?"

Amanda felt some irritation at him assuming that her blank stare did some great harm. She tried to bite back the anger in her voice.

"Look. I was just dazed. Anyway, nice to meet you again, Governor Sarek."

A part of Sarek did not like the fact that she addressed him so formally. It felt sterile and forced. As Sarek thought about this, Amanda took her hand out and offered a handshake.

Sarek tilted his head slightly and looked at the hand. His heart reacted in a strange way. For a moment, he thought she was offering him an ozh'esta. He realized it was a handshake and felt some offense. A part of him wanted to reach out to her hand and see if he could get that euphoric connection. He felt his ears get warm with the thought. Quickly, he disregarded the thought and focused on the unusually pale human in front of him. She was now wearing a frown and Sarek wondered if he could acclimate to being in the presence of someone who wore the expressions on their face of openly. He just stared at Amanda's outstretched hand.

Amanda felt irritation rise in her chest. She was a survivor and she hoped that maybe she could possibly be cordial with this man in front of her. "Why are you staring at my hand? Haven't you seen a handshake before?" Irritation was dripping from her voice as she threw his words right back at him.

Sarek noted the emotion, "I have seen numerous hands and 'handshakes.' It is illogical to assume I have not. Furthermore, the delivery of your questions were too emotional. "

Amanda's pride was hurt and she quickly put her hand to her side not realizing her face was burning with embarrassment and anger. He just belittled her and Amanda hated feeling small. She had just spent so much time suffering for the actions of other people it was frustrating to her. She was now prone to feeling anxiety and fear because of everything she had to suffered in the past couple weeks. She didn't feel quite like herself anymore and that made her so angry at herself and everyone involved in this situation. If the man in front of her didn't even know that they were to get married, just maybe he had power to end it.

Amanda spoke, "Anyway, if neither of us want this marriage why don't we stop this before it happens."

Sarek looked at her and titled his head, "This marriage is by command of Empress Sato. I only wish to serve the Empire. Any alternatives could mean the extermination of your life and mine. That is the penalty for those that commit treason."

Amanda clenched her jaw. Was he talking about her father or herself?

"Sir, you are insinuating that I deserve the death sentence instead of whatever the Empress has planned for you and me! I'm innocent. I had no part in my father's plot."

The emotional outburst only validated Sarek's thoughts about Terrans. Her personal account of those events were not sufficient evidence to prove her innocence. He would send someone to investigate this in the future. For now, Sarek could not trust her, especially because of her emotional nature.

Sarek stood straighter and put his hands behind his back, "You were put into prison for treason. I do not question the justice system of the Terran Empire. You are guilty according to all accounts."

Amanda searched his face for anything else but it remained emotionless and absolute. She swallowed. He would not hear her out. They were supposed to be getting married. In that instance, Amanda was reminded that this wasn't going to be a conventional union. According to the Fleet Admiral, she was a whore. Even the Vulcan doctors question if she would survive sex. Reality was a brutal. The spark of anger that was in her died and somberness overtook her.

She was about to speak, but the door opened and that Vulcan looked at Sarek. Without a word she saw Sarek turn on his heel and leave the room.

There was no way out of this marriage. Even if there was a way her other alternative was to be in a labor camp. This was not how she envisioned her wedding day. As a girl she had visions of beautiful bouquets of lilacs and daffodils and being surrounded by her family at her wedding. At that age, she imagined her mother would find her a beautiful gown. Her father would walk her down the aisle to, what her 10 year old brain could image was a prince. Obviously, over the years and after maturing and going through dating and becoming jaded, she knew that was never going to happen, but she always thought she would meet someone who worked for the Imperial Starfleet or maybe they would have been involved in some sort of scientific research. Now she was a bargaining chip, a sacrificial lamb, her right to being human was being taken away from her.

Amanda sat in the chair near her and wept bitter tears.

Sarek walked to his own office in the Hall of Thought. He was informed that the ceremony was to begin in 20 minutes. That would give him 10.4 minutes before he was needed. He made it to his office and paced the room.

He was going to be the first Vulcan to have a bondmate for a human. The irony was that both their fathers were killed on the same night and for the same reason. Sarek's mind raced through the night of the delegation trying to dissect every interaction he had with Amanda Grayson. To him she was aesthetically pleasing, but she was too human. She was not to be trusted. He didn't truly know her, but he suspected that the Empress wanted to have someone keep surveillance on him at all times. The likelihood of her being the Emperor's spy were high, and not out of the realm of possibilities. He could potentially eliminate her, but Sarek recalled the look of fear in her eyes and he knew that he might not be able to do such a thing. The fact was that he needed a bondmate. He was going to have the fever over take in a few months.

The fact that they would be bonded would make things complicated. He could maneuver his way through a betrothal bond, but when the time came to complete and strengthen their bond, could he hide his unfavorable thoughts about the Terran Empire? Could he conceal what information he deleted while on Project Satev-Tukh? During the fires, he wasn't sure he was capable of such a thing. All he could do now would be to keep his distance from her until after his pon farr. She would learn his secrets and then he could dispose of her afterwards. The logic made sense in Sarek's mind but it left him feeling hallow and unsettled. A part of him despised himself for letting the thought go through his mind. He tried not to feel the emotions that coursed through him at the thought of getting rid of Amanda Grayson. He closed his eyes and he could see her eyes full of fear staring back at him. The storm raged with in him as he tried to overcome the guilt that was welling up inside of him. His father would have told him that a life taken for self-preservation was a logical endeavor, but that principle still did not resonate with him. He realized that it may not be an option to take her life. The the Emperor would expect him to maintain some form of a relationship with her. She would attend various events with him and be at his side for most of his life. His chest swirled with emotion, and it wasn't until he heard T'Pau speak that he realized that he was no longer in the room by himself.

"Thou have spoken with the Terran."

"Correct."

"The healers say her mind can forge a bond but her physical health is not well according to Terran standards."

"Pid-kom, that information is accurate."

"It would seem that there may be no need to find a way to separate ourselves from her. The natural progression of life is taking a toll on her."

Sarek nodded, the emotions of guilt still carefully concealed within him.

"T'Rama mind melded with her and said her will is strong."

"That information appears to be valid according to the discussion I had with her earlier. Your previous statements infer that have not yet conversed with her?"

"That is true. I will continue to circumvent this issue. I have come to retrieve thee for the ceremony."

Sarek walked over to T'Pau and exited the room.

Amanda had let her tears dry and now she was feeling emotionally numb and physically drained. A set of officer had come to retrieve her and now she was standing in front of this large metal door with an ancient bas-relief artwork. She tried not to think about what was going to occur. She heard someone walk up from behind her and to her side. It was Sarek. He was taller than she realized.

Sarek spoke evenly but in a quite voice, "We are to be bonded soon in a koon-ut-la, it is a betrothal bond. A Vulcan-Terran bond has never been attempted before. We will be the first of its kind. In approximately 11 months from now there will be another ceremony and our bond will become stronger and more intimate."

Amanda shuttered at the lack of emotion behind the word intimate. She hesitantly looked up at him, and spoke quietly in return, "Is it in Vulcan tradition to wait 11 months to do that?"

"It is not. No aspect of this union is traditional. We are an exception. The amount of time is different for each set of bondmate, but it does not typically exceed 7 years."

Amanda felt confused. 11 months was really weird amount of time for that to occur, and why was 7 years significant? A thought occurred to her. 11 months could potentially be enough time for her to find a way to escape. Her mantra to herself was that she was a survivor. She could eventually find away to escape in that time and maybe go to some far corner of the delta quadrant and become a hermit. It was better to survive than be a part of this crazy life she was bound to now. She would suffer whatever she needed to the next while if it gave her time to escape from her prison sentence.

Amanda silently nodded; a new spark of hope was inside of her.

An Imperial Starfleet officer grabbed her by the shoulder, "Hey! You need to smile for the holo cameras. This is going to be on the Official Imperial Holonews. This is supposed to be the most anticipated intergalactic wedding of the century. I don't think you want to make a fool of the Empress."

Amanda put a smile on her face, and she knew it did not reach her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a Vulcan charge at herself and Sarek. They yelled something she could not understand. A hoard of Imperial Starfleet officers shot the Vulcan down and they were now dust.

Sarek spoke, "The Ak'spar still have a following on Vulcan it is best we continue."

Amanda turned back to the door after Sarek did. She started to feel nervous. There was a lot of political pressure that was on this wedding. An officer came to her side and spoke,

"Put that damn smile on your face. The doors will open in 3, 2, 1."

Amanda put on the best smile she could. The muscles on her face felt strained, she had obviously not used those muscles recently. When the doors opened she saw a crowd of people some she did not know and many whose faces she had seen through the holonews.

The room was vast and beautiful. At the end of the aisle was the Emperor and a Vulcan who was right next to her. After a cough Amanda started to walk and so did Sarek. The walk to the end felt like an eternity, but as they got closer she could see the satisfied smile of the Emperor. She wanted to wipe that expression off the Empress' face.

They got closer and Sarek knelt so Amanda followed his lead.

"Welcome my subjects. This is a joyous day for the Terran Empire. This couple before me has accepted my match and have come here to kneel before me in devotion to one another. This marriage will be the only one of its kind that I will allow because of my grace and mercy."

An applause erupted from the room and the Empress smiled as she soaked in all the glory. Sarek tried not to think about how all the words that the Empress spoke were false. He quickly glanced over at Amanda and her fake smile faltered. He turned his attention back to the ceremony as the applause quieted.

"I will now marry you according to Terran customs first and then there will be a Vulcan ceremony."

The Empress pulled out an intricate hologram, "Sarek, I ask you to sign this marriage certificate that you will honor the union that is being put in place this day by your Empress."

"I will," Sarek replied. He placed his hand up on the hologram and a swirl of blue traced over his hand and confirmed that he willing signed the document.

"Amanda, I ask you to sign this marriage certificate that you will honor this union that is being put in place this day by your Empress."

"I will," Amanda replied. She placed her right hand up and she signed the hologram with her handprint and DNA signature.

"Now that you are married according to Terran law, I will now let Healer Leis perform the bonding according to Vulcan tradition."

The older Vulcan lady stood in front of Amanda and Sarek and placed her hands on both of their faces. Amanda tried to listen to the woman but she started to speak in Vulcan.

Leis continued in Vulcan ,"Parted from each other and never parted, never and always touching and touched."

Amanda heard Sarek repeated the phrase next to her in standard, "Amanda, parted from me and never parted, never and always touching and touched."

Amanda was not mentally prepared for this mind meld that was happening. There was something different about this one than the ones that happened earlier that day.

She somehow found the words that Sarek spoke coming from her mouth without her command, "Sarek, parted from me and never parted, never and always touching and touched."

The healer let go of both there faces and Amanda felt relatively the same, but she didn't quite feel like she was by herself. Something about her head felt strange and mildly hurt.

Sarek could tell the difference immediately. He didn't know that one part of his mind was void until he felt the presence of another there. It wasn't very strong because they had a betrothal bond, but his natural instincts craved for a deeper bond. It still did not dispel the skeptical thoughts he had of the small human female right next to him. He started to feel confusion and nervousness that was not his own and he knew it was coming from Amanda.

The healer spoke, "It is done. Complete the ritual by performing the ozh'esta."

Sarek's heart hammered at his side in anticipation of such a thing. He looked at Amanda and held his right hand out with his index finger and middle finger. Amanda looked a little confused but Sarek tried his best to communicate through their weak bond the feeling that she should mirror his actions. Amanda hesitantly made her hand the same way and touched his fingers. When their fingers touched Sarek was not surprised that the spark between them was weak, but as Amanda held her fingers there for a moment longer the spark grew for a second and he heard her audible gasp as they looked at each other. She removed her hand quickly. The crowd started to applaud, and the thunderous sounds filled the room as the couple stared at each other in disbelief.

Sarek was surprised by the spark that existed in that ozh'seta for a moment. He slightly raised his eyebrows, and said quietly, "Fascinating."

Author's Note:

Sorry, for the huge delay in getting this chapter up. I was busy with life and finally found time to write this chapter. It is a longer one so hopefully that makes up for the long wait.

Please leave a comment it really does motivate me as a writer, and as always forgive my errors! Thanks for all the support.