Amanda sat in her room in deep contemplation about what had just occurred. She wasn't able to get her apology out due to bad timing. An exaggerated sigh escaped her mouth. Amanda had no idea where Sarek ran off too. She understood why he would steer clear of her. He had made it perfectly clear that he would avoid her as much as possible. Message received.

Amanda went to grab a PADD and started to mindlessly look through it. Sarek was a strange man. He was a scientist but now was an important figure head of Vulcan. Amanda tried not to think too much about how he thought less of her because she was human. Another sigh left her lips as she recalled what he said about her not being able to learn Vulcan properly.

As she looked through the PADD, she saw that Sarek had sent her a message 40 minutes ago. It was a long message about her duties and roles as Lady of Vulcan. Something she could barely wrap her mind around. She only skimmed the message to gather it's most important takeaways, but she knew she would read it more in detail later. She had other things to focus on. Amanda decided to put her focus into researching a way off this planet. The sooner she could leave this hell hole the better. She looked at maps and the various space stations floating in orbit throughout the planet. Her best bet was out of Shi'kahr but according to Sarek it was too dangerous for her to go there. The question was what would happen when she left the planet? Where would she even go?

A feeling of dread filled her at the realization. She had no idea where to start. She needed a final destination. Maybe there was a colony she could fade into and just live out her life quietly? Were there any corners left of space where she could live freely? It felt as though the Terran Empire had an all-seeing eye watching her every move.

A thought occurred to her. Her father had mentioned that he was leaving before he died. Where was he planning to go? Did he really leave behind no trace of his whereabouts? Was her father really working with Skon? Could there be information here on Vulcan? Amanda tried to recall if her father had mentioned where he was going but the details of the night were overshadowed by her emotions of that evening. Her breathing started to accelerate as anxiety pooled in her when she remembered seeing the life leave her father's eyes. She could remember the officers that took her away. Their eyes, their sneering smiles, the feeling of that hypospray spreading through her veins and the bright sterile light that was unrelenting.

"No!" Amanda yelled.

The verbal outburst brought Amanda to her senses as she looked around her. She was still in the bedroom and the PADD that she was holding was now on the floor. Amanda wiped the sweat off her forehead and grabbed the PADD off the floor. She struggled to focus but continued to look into the various inhabitable planets that existed in the Beta Quadrant. There were so many planets that Amanda felt overwhelmed. She wondered if it would be safe to venture into old Klingon Empire territory. Qo'nos had been destroyed for over a decade now so they had little influence in the region, but would anyone try to look for her there?

"Lady Amanda"

Amanda jumped in her chair when she heard Saya's voice from her doorway. Amanda immediately turned off the PADD and threw it on the table next to the other ones. Her heart rate slightly accelerated, and she hoped that she didn't look suspicious.

"Lady Amanda, are you well?"

"Uh-sorry, Saya, I'm just not used to the title of 'Lady' yet. You don't need to use that when you are talking to me. It weirds me out."

Saya tilted her head slightly, "That is illogical. You are the Lady of Vulcan. That is what you are Lady Amanda."

Amanda sighed. She had a feeling she was not going to win this debate for now, "Let's not discuss that now. Why are you here?"

"Governor Sarek asked me to retrieve you so introductions could be made with the maid."

"Okay, then. Take me to her."

"Before we go to her I wanted to present you this."

Saya pulled out a dagger in a hilt. Amanda looked at the weapon and back at Saya skeptically. Was she going to use this thing on her? Amanda felt a little nervous.

Saya waited for Amanda to take it but Amanda became quite and stared at it.

"Why are you staring at the dagger? I have presented you a gift so you can protect yourself if I can't do so. It is my duty to make sure you are protected even when I am not near or unable to. There are many enemies and those who oppose Governor Sarek, and there are many more enemies on Vulcan that oppose Terrans. It makes you a vulnerable target, Lady Amanda."

Amanda nervously laughed, "Thank you, Saya. I will keep it on me. Your service honors the Terran Empire."

Amanda grabbed the dagger and felt the weight of it in her hands. She smiled at Saya, who remained aloof. She was unsure if she should feel grateful that Saya was concerned for her safety or if she should be more terrified of the fact that she had many unknown enemies that wanted her dead.

"I only wish to serve the Empire, Lady Amanda."

Amanda quickly secured the dagger under her robes on her leg, and followed Saya down the stairs to the kitchen where she saw the back of Sarek. He seemed like an immovable wall. As she looked past his figure, she saw a lithe creature of curiosity. This young woman was not quite a full grown adult yet. She looked so young. Her skin was pale and her eyes were a steel grey blue and a traditional hair cut. She was Vulcan but looked so fragile. The maid's gaze matched Amanda's and they stared into each others eyes for a second. The longer Amanda stared into her dead eyes, the more she wanted to look away.

Sarek started to turn to see that Amanda was coming down the stairs, "Amanda, our servant is here."

She silently nodded in reply.

"Amanda, this is Zhi'rev. She will be assisting you with whatever you will be in need of."

The timid girl spoke evenly, "I only wish to serve the Terran Empire, Lady Amanda."

Amanda replied, "Nice to meet you Zhi'rev. I'm sure you will do just fine."

Sarek looked at Amanda and was surprised by enunciation of Zhi'rev's name and her civil response. He stared at her for a moment longer and Amanda noticed and it made her feel uncomfortable. She was supposed to apologize to this man, but couldn't help but feel scared around him. She ignored him for a moment.

"I'm sure you haven't shown her the house yet, Sarek?"

"I have not. That is why I requested you meet her so you could be a part of this tour."

Sarek led them around the house and Amanda put on a fake smile as they wandered from room to room and gave very specific instructions to Zhi'rev. They ended up in Amanda's room and Sarek paused at the entryway, hesitant to enter.

The stoic man spoke, "I will leave Zhi'rev with you. I have business to attend to."

Amanda opened her mouth for a moment and then closed it. She wanted to apologize but she didn't want to do so in front of this maid. It wouldn't be a good look for their marriage to say, 'hey, sorry for accusing you of being a sexual predator' in front of this young girl.

She sighed instead, "Goodbye, Sarek."

He made the Terran salute and they did so in return and he left the room. They were both alone in the room and Amanda smiled at her trying to disarm the emotionless girl in front of her. She knew she wouldn't be successful but she hoped they could be friendly with one another. Maybe she could prove useful to her in her escape or just be an ally. She needed more of those.

"Zhi'rev let me show you around my room."

Amanda proceeded to show her where things were. They entered the large closet and Amanda continued, "I am new to life on Vulcan and will greatly appreciate your help when it comes to putting on some of these outfits. Terrans don't normally wear stuff like this."

"It is my honor to serve."

There was an awkward silence for a while, and Amanda's smile faltered.

"Great. Thanks."

Amanda walked out of the closet and Zhi'rev followed behind. "So, Zhi'rev, tell me more about yourself. Where are you from? Who is your family?"

The girl raised her brow, "Lady Amanda, I was told not to speak of such things."

"Oh, don't worry about that with me. I might be a Vulcan citizen now but I'm very much a Terran still."

The girl tilted her head and spoke evenly, "Why do you require such information?"

Amanda let out a small laugh, "It isn't for anything other that the fact that I would like to get to know the maid who I will be seeing everyday for the next little while."

"I am not familiar with such a custom. Do most Terrans have amiable relationships with their servants?"

Amanda knew that was far from the case. Servants and slaves were at the bottom of the societal food chain, but in her house where she grew up she had servants that they were at least friendly with.

"Not entirely, my family treated ours slightly differently. The servants were treated more fairly than our Kelpian slaves were. We were cordial with our servants at least. Either way I wish to know you better."

"You can easily find my records in the Vulcan Citizen Database, but I will tell you that I come from Raal and my family worked in the Imperial Starfleet. Recently, my parents were killed in an attack with the Ak'spar 14.5 days ago. Since my clan is of little influence or power on Vulcan, I took up this posting with the intent of building my connections to the S'chn T'gai."

Amanda was surprised she was so forth coming with that information, "I'm sorry to hear of your parents' death. I understand how that is."

The servant seemed almost confused, "There is no need to feel 'sorry.' I am hired by Governor Sarek to work for your household."

Amanda shook her head, she wondered if she would ever be able to fully understand Vulcans. There was no point in convincing her since she would not understand. For now she would let the subject rest, "I understand. Nonetheless, thank you for telling me more about yourself, Zhi'rev."

Zhi'rev's response was the Terran salute, "I need to leave to go prepare end meal, Lady Amanda. I You will find my comm information on your PADD if you are in need of assistance. I only wish to serve the Empire."

Amanda returned the salute and watched the young Vulcan girl leave her room. She felt empathy for her. It was strange for her to feel kinship to her.

Amanda sat in her room a little longer but soon felt restless. She was curious what the rest of the fortress looked like. Maybe she would run into Sarek and she would be able to apologize to him? Amanda made her way out of her room down the stairs and out the front door.

The first thing that hit her was the heat coming from the sun. She could see the heatwaves sizzling off the ground. Even on Earth there was never desert so hot. She had visited the Mojave desert as a 12 year old girl for a Terran Girls Youth Summer Camp and she thought she was going to die. She wished she had spent more time in the desert because maybe this heat would be more bearable. She would take the mild temperatures and the wind of the Bay Area any day over this. Sadness filled her chest as she thought back to her previous life. One before her father's betrayal, and one before she felt hatred for the Empress. Part of her longed for a time when she was ignorant and still living her life as a school teacher. Never did she think she would be homesick for a life that no longer existed. She had a small sad smile on her face she shook her head, and continued to walk towards the shaded halls. The temperature difference between under the shade away from the assaulting rays of the sun was astonishing.

The courtyard looked less menacing than when she first came here yesterday. Without the haze of anxiety she realized the place was very ancient and regal. She wandered around and didn't see anyone for a few minutes. Finally she saw a pair of Vulcan's standing and talking together they put both their index and middle fingers together and Amanda recognized that as something her and Sarek did. She remembered the sensation in her finger tips. The couple turned their heads to acknowledge Amanda's presence. The both set their hands to their sides and remained phlegmatic. They gave the Terran salute to her and both quickly disappeared from her.

Amanda felt a little annoyed by that reaction. No one wanted to talk to her. She understood that she must look like an intruder in this home, but she didn't sign up to come here and marry a big shot in their clan. She felt some irritation but that was mostly covering up the loneliness and isolation she was feeling. She was starting to realize that being out of that prison cell brought a different set of challenges.

It was as she walked in silence she saw T'Pau. Amanda knew she was the clan leader or was he Sarek's grandma? She had no idea. It was hard to keep track of everyone's roles. Amanda forced a polite smile on her face and looked at the woman, but she just stared at her. Amanda couldn't help but sense that the woman vehemently disliked her the look she was giving her was one of silent judgment.

Amanda was able to get out one word to the intimidating woman, "Hello."

Amanda could have sworn she saw the old lady stand a little taller and tilt her head up. She continued to walk away and paid no head to Amanda. Annoyance was boiling in her chest as she watched the woman walk away. It took everything in Amanda's power not to drop her jaw in shock. This woman was so rude. Vulcans were not very friendly, and Amanda thought back to the holo videos she saw of the Ak'spar attacks and she wondered if any of these people would attack her. There was a reason Saya gave her a dagger. I don't think she fully trusted anyone in this clan. Amanda would have to do the same. She had her own life and well being to take care of at the moment.

As Amanda continued to wander and she found a garden. She was surprised to see something like this in such an arid place. She was not familiar with any of the plants but it was lovely to see something like this. One plant had many vibrant reds on it's leaves with blue veins on it. Amanda got closer and looked at the mossy texture of the leaves. The plant had a warm and spicy fragrance. It was one that reminded her of Sarek briefly. She lightly blushed feeling mortification thinking back on the incident of that morning.

"Lady Amanda."

Amanda was taken out of her reserve and stood up taller to look at the person addressing her. It was T'Rama in her aged elegance adorned in flowing robes. Her face was impassive as she gazed at Amanda.

Amanda felt awkward and was unsure of how to address her new mother-in-law. Especially the one who was skeptical of her already. She guessed somethings don't change when it comes to in-laws even across cultures. T'Pau made her feel mad but T'Rama made her nervous. "T'Rama. Uh-um-"

"The Lady of Vulcan should not stumble over her words"

Amanda was sick of Vulcans thinking she was less than or diseased. She looked at her with a challenged look, "I realize that. You caught me off guard."

"A Lady of Vulcan is never taken off guard. You will find that your odds for survival on this planet will greatly increase if you learn the true Vulcan way."

"How am I supposed to learn these things if no one is teaching me?"

"Did you not read the message that Sarek sent you?"

Amanda thought back to the message that she received from him. She only skimmed the information but she did not read all it.

"I only read part of it." Amanda answered truthfully, even if it didn't make her look good.

"The Lady of Vulcan should read any messages her bondmate sends her. It is illogical to do so."

"I recognize that now."

"In the message that was sent to you it mentions that I will train you in the ways of Lady of Vulcan. Your training should begin immediately. Your schedule is currently free, it is best to start now."

"You want to start doing this right now?"

"Yes, I find is unnecessary for your to restate what I have said with a question."

Amanda honestly had no plans, and she knew she needed to learn more about Vulcan, and play the role she was thrown into to. The more she learned the more it could help her with her escape. It was only beneficial to her.

"I have nothing in my schedule as far as I'm concerned."

"I know. The Empress gave both you and Sarek a 'honeymoon' that ends in 36.32 hours. I do not understand the term 'honeymoon.' It is illogical to refer to a moon with a sugary secretion that come from Terran bees."

Amanda had to hold back a laugh that was bubbling in her chest. She found that T'Rama was being quite serious in her response.

"It's an old term Terrans use to refer to a time after a couple is newly married."

"I have done research into the topic and understand what it means. I do not understand why you laugh."

"It is nothing."

"Enough. Vulcan's do not laugh and it will not be appropriate for the Lady of Vulcan to do so. We must erase your Terran upbringing in order for you to survive. I will not let your lack of education and culture be the cause for my son's death. It would be logical for you to start immediately on controlling your emotions or death might find you."

Any amusement that Amanda felt was completely gone and instead she was looking at T'Rama again. The woman was threatening her and intimidating her because she wanted to protect her son. It made Amanda feel scared, but there was a stronger part of her that wanted to fight. Her rationality kicked in as she remembered her final objective.

She took a deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth and replied, "I understand T'Rama. I only wish to serve the Empire."

Something in T'Rama's eyes changed and Amanda knew that the stoic woman was pleased with her response.

T'Rama might not have seen the shift in Amanda, but she was ready to live and survive this. She could take this challenge, learn the ways of Vulcan to reach her greater goal. This was her own personal war against the Terran Empire and she would fight it willingly.

Author's Notes:

Wow, I am so sorry that I have walked away from this story for so long, and that this chapter is a bit rough. I'm just trying to get back into the world of this story after being away from it for so long.

I want to let you know I intend to finish it. I don't know how long it will take but I have so much more of the story that I want to write. Thanks to all the well-wishes and comments and fans of this story.

The last 9 months I've been busy in my personal life with everything from work to heartbreak, dealing with quarantine, and the social injustices in this world. It's been an interesting journey for me; honestly a very emotional and mentally taxing one. I'm sure some of you might be feeling similarly too. I just didn't have the emotional or physical bandwidth to write this story. Now that the dust is starting to settle in my life I feel I can start writing again.

Live Long and Prosper.