p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Amanda Grayson was obscene./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Each emotion was worn on her features, expressed in the way she held her form, in the lilt of her laughter, or the sharpness of her voice. Standing before her, being privy to everything that she felt, broadcast at full volume to the space around her, had felt voyeuristic. It was something he should not have been exposed to, something he should have shied from, but Sarek found he'd been unable to do so much as glance away./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She was beautiful, of course, but the idea of beauty was such an insubstantial measure of meaning. Everything in existence held some kind of aesthetic appeal. No, his attention had been held not by the curves of her form or the pout of her lips. Instead, Sarek had been blinded by her brightness, by the way those excessively expressed feelings appeared to be woven into her being like gilt thread through a tapestry./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"This made her genuine, authentic. She was as she seemed to be, without the need to dim or restrain. The truth of her stunned him. Being a Vulcan meant seeking the path of absolute logic and suppressing all else. His work led him into further subterfuge, interacting daily with those who had their own agendas. Each action made was done in anticipation of a reaction./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Not so with Amanda. She had not even known who he was. His position was not a boast, merely fact, and due to it, others treated him differently. She was neither someone who was looking for something nor someone who showed him deference. She just existed./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Loud./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Salacious./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Intoxicating./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is not my place to ask." The voice of his aide, T'Kara, tore Sarek from his observance of Miss Grayson and her class as they moved through the embassy./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Then why do you ask at all?" Turning Sarek looked down at the female Vulcan who had stood by his side since he'd obtained the title of Ambassador./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Because I fail to understand." She was, of course, referring to the fact that Miss Grayson and her class were there at all. "What is the purpose of allowing Human children to tour our facilities?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""They gain an understanding of a world they do not know. Knowledge brings clarity." Miss Grayson, both in person and in her paper, had made a handful of logical points regarding diverse experiences for the children of all species./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Perhaps." T'Kara's voice was soft, but he knew her to be akin to a slumbering serpent, always with the potential to strike. "What do we gain from this imposition?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Must we gain anything?" The arithmetic of politics, an absence of altruism./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You would not have agreed had you not felt indebted to her." T'Kara turned, and at once Sarek could feel the censure that he felt from most of his people regarding his son./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"His emson/em. A boy who had just been thrust into his life, as unexpected and unanticipated as the appearance of Miss Grayson. Sarek recalled mating with T'Rea, vividly, but it had held no import within his life. Until now, four years later, when a transport had arrived with Sybok on board. T'Rea had ascended to the highest realm of priestess, and the son that she had hidden from Sarek was deposited without ceremony on his doorstep./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""The child would not have been injured had she not intervened." A sharp giggle across the lobby drew their attention while causing T'Kara's nostrils to flare./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""The possibility of danger to Sybok is not the root of my debt. She acted where others might not have. She acted when she did not have to." Miss Grayson had expected nothing, wanted nothing, just to ensure that Sybok was safe./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Sybok who had all too obviously fallen in love with the Human woman. Sarek could understand the rationale of the strong emotion, even if he held it in disdain. Sybok had been ripped from what he had known, raised by a mother who eschewed the teachings of Surak, leaving him confused and alone in a sea of measured minds. Sarek was doing what he could, but the boy had only been with him a few months, and in his position, Sarek was so often called away by duty./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There had been a sensation of yawning emptiness in his chest as Sarek had watched his child settle so serenely into Miss Grayson's arms. Nothing he or others had tried had succeeded in bringing Sybok to a state of calm. The sight of her, the feel of her, it had grounded Sybok in an instant. It had even left him more restrained for several hours afterwards./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"T'Kara tilted her head a millimeter, signaling her uncertainty. Sarek did not owe her an explanation for any action he took, but he had long believed her to be his protege. "Expand your vision," he began. "Think not of these children, causing chaos within our space, but think instead to those they go home to. For each child we interact with today, we not only plant a seed within them of acceptance where there was only fallow ground before but also within each person in their familial unit."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Proselytization," she said./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Awarness," Sarek countered. "It need not be anything more."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Picking a non-existent thread on her robes, T'Kara turned towards the office suites. "If she had not requested this of you, it would never have come to be."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Can the same not be said for any action?" Miss Grayson was counting off children, bubbling at one of the Vulcan attendants who had seen to the tour. She turned toward him, their eyes meeting across the space filled with severe stonework and small children./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"That mouth, which he thought nothing of, curved into a sly smile. She excused herself, handing off the class to one of the other Humans who had arrived with her./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Radiating disapproval and superiority, T'Kara stilled in her movements to leave, straightening to stand beside Sarek, a united front he appreciated in some moments, but not that one./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""That will be all, T'Kara." He could feel the sharpness of his aide's gaze bore into the back of his head, but he did not turn as she walked away. Instead, Sarek's attention was fixed solely on the Human woman approaching him./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Ambassador." Her smile, though still holding an edge that could only be described as playful, had softened./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Miss Grayson." He inclined his head, taking in all of her. Long hours of meditation had been required after their first meeting, and Sarek knew the same would follow of these moments. The effort was worth the time shared, however fleeting it might be./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Thank you for today." She moved as if to reach out for him, but second-guessed the motion and clasped her hands together instead. "Sorry about the statue."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is of no matter. The child did not cause the damage on purpose." It was a priceless antique from Vulcan, but there had to be a dozen more of them around./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""How's Sybok?" Sarek had expected the question, but still found her asking it agreeable./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""He is well." Shifting, he took a piece of badly formed clay out of his robe. "He made this in anticipation of my seeing you today. He has little talent, but I believe it is intended to represent a sehlat."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"That grin of hers morphed into the blinding smile he'd seen several times in their small span of acquaintance. "Please tell him that I will cherish it." She held the palm-sized trinket with undisguised reverence. "I know exactly where I'm going to put it, so I can see it every day."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"The notion that something of his, even if it was a product of his son, would be a part of her everyday routine tugged at something within Sarek. "The tour appears to have been well received."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Oh, they loved it." Turning, she looked over her shoulder at the students as they made their way from the Embassy. Long brown hair spilled over the cloth of her shirt, drawing Sarek's attention. "We're going to do a whole unit on Vulcan next week."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""If you are ever in need of assistance..." The offer fell unbidden from his lips as his gaze rose to meet hers once more./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She laughed, the sound pleasing. "This was more than enough. Again, the statue." Her nose wrinkled in amused apology./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I will never be able to repay what you have done." The threads of meaning behind those words tangled even in Sarek's ordered mind./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Are you married?" The non sequitur was unexpected to Sarek, but from the flush on Miss Grayson's features, he was not alone in his surprise. "I know I'm not supposed to ask things like that, but I read your biography and I couldn't even find anything about Sybok. So, I…" The curve of her lips faltered as she ducked her head, tucking a strand of hair behind an ear./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""That is a private matter." It felt all too alien to discuss something of such importance with someone he hardly knew. Although upon reflection Sarek realized it was not a question that he minded./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Pretty much the definition of not being available for public consumption." She was still uncertain, and red still stained her cheeks, but she did not back down./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is also a complicated matter." Sarek watched as the threat of a frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I am not, however, bonded to Sybok's mother or any other."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Oh good." Relief showed on her features before embarrassment swept in. "Then you should ask to take me to dinner." Looking up at him through long, dark lashes, guilelessness seeped from her every pore./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""In order to assuage my debt?" The notion felt ludicrous. He often took meals with colleagues, or during negotiations. But she fell under neither category./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""No, because you want to." She took a single step closer. "Because I want you to."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Want. Desire. They were not connected, but he could almost feel it roll from her. "You wish for me to provide a meal for you?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I want you to want to spend more time with me." Another step, he could touch her without effort if he wanted to. "I think you already do."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You are implying romantic intent." Sarek's voice lowered an octave, his gaze snapping up to drag over those who might be an unwitting audience. Fortunately, all were still distracted by children attempting to replicate the Ta'al./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I'm not implying anything." She laughed, though this was different than those before. This laugh was darker, softer, for their ears only. "I'm being pretty damn plain-spoken."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Much like with this outing," with a tilt of his head, he invited her to follow as he moved towards his office, "I do not think you are aware of what you are asking."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She fell into step readily, running a thumb over the clay which remained in her grasp, before she placed it within a pocket. "This went pretty well. No Vulcans spontaneously combusted, and other than the statue, I don't think my kids broke anything."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"They couldn't get to the relative privacy of his office fast enough. "Vulcans do not court in the manner of Humans." T'Kara stood from her desk as he approached, but Sarek dismissed her with a shake of his head, holding the glass door open for Miss Grayson to expedite her leaving the very public thoroughfare./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""We just call it dating." The door shut, but not until after her chirped reply./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Date, then." He replied tersely./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She seemed unbothered, barreling forward. "I know now that you're not married or seeing anyone. Is there any other reason you shouldn't want to take me to dinner?/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Apart from your humanity?" It was a valid question, yet also one of the reasons Sarek believed he was fascinated by the woman who stood before him./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Is that really an impediment?" She floated around the office, taking in the austere space and dragging her fingers over the length of his desk. She moved to stand before him again, once more in a manner which was too close. "Or is it maybe kinda fun?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Urges came to his mind, and Sarek was quick to shove them away. The want to reach out and caress her face, the need to step closer into her space. "Vulcans do not have fun."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Miss Grayson snorted, rolling her eyes as she shook her head. "I doubt that. You might run around saying you don't have fun, but I bet you just find other things than we do enjoyable. Like making discoveries, or solving math or something."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""One does not solve math."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You could tell me all about Vulcan courting during it." It was apparent she was not going to let the subject drop. In her defense, he had not encouraged her to stop./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I will be off-planet for the next several weeks." Sarek offered a valid reply. It was ambiguous at best, but it would give him time to meditate, to process this turn of events./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""When do you leave?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"If he could, he would leave now, heading for the sanctuary of his home and the ability to sit and order his thoughts. "Tomorrow."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""So what are you doing tonight?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There were a dozen things he had to do that evening. Half of which would not be able to be completed even if he were to dedicate each waking moment to his tasks./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""This is as forward as I get," she continued. "And I'm only saying this because I'm not sure if you know, but you emcan/em say no. I promise not to melt down in front of all your coworkers."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There was nothing for him to say no to, as Miss Grayson had never asked a direct question about them going to dinner. But he understood her meaning all the same. Did he want to? Did he want? What did it mean if he did?/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"As his thoughts moved, so did she, eagerness fading as rose rushed to color her skin once more. "Thank you again for this opportunity, Ambassador." His gaze was drawn to her throat as she swallowed nervously. "I appreciate the educational experience you have provided to my students."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Taking a step back, she turned towards the door. She was going to leave, and there was no reason for them to cross paths again. Unease welled in him. "Miss Grayson."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Fingers grazing the doorhandle, Miss Grayson turned, smile burgeoning once more./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Would you be opposed to eating outside?" They were not as close as they had been moments before, the space of his office separating them, making him aware of the loss of her proximity. "I still find the expanse of water novel after my short time on Earth."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Her fingers drew down the polished metal as that sly smile stole across her features. "So long as that's not all you're looking at all night."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Amanda Grayson was obscene./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Sarek was certain that this spelled trouble./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Each emotion was worn on her features, expressed in the way she held her form, in the lilt of her laughter, or the sharpness of her voice. Standing before her, being privy to everything that she felt, broadcast at full volume to the space around her, had felt voyeuristic. It was something he should not have been exposed to, something he should have shied from, but Sarek found he'd been unable to do so much as glance away./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She was beautiful, of course, but the idea of beauty was such an insubstantial measure of meaning. Everything in existence held some kind of aesthetic appeal. No, his attention had been held not by the curves of her form or the pout of her lips. Instead, Sarek had been blinded by her brightness, by the way those excessively expressed feelings appeared to be woven into her being like gilt thread through a tapestry./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"This made her genuine, authentic. She was as she seemed to be, without the need to dim or restrain. The truth of her stunned him. Being a Vulcan meant seeking the path of absolute logic and suppressing all else. His work led him into further subterfuge, interacting daily with those who had their own agendas. Each action made was done in anticipation of a reaction./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Not so with Amanda. She had not even known who he was. His position was not a boast, merely fact, and due to it, others treated him differently. She was neither someone who was looking for something nor someone who showed him deference. She just existed./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Loud./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Salacious./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Intoxicating./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is not my place to ask." The voice of his aide, T'Kara, tore Sarek from his observance of Miss Grayson and her class as they moved through the embassy./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Then why do you ask at all?" Turning Sarek looked down at the female Vulcan who had stood by his side since he'd obtained the title of Ambassador./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Because I fail to understand." She was, of course, referring to the fact that Miss Grayson and her class were there at all. "What is the purpose of allowing Human children to tour our facilities?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""They gain an understanding of a world they do not know. Knowledge brings clarity." Miss Grayson, both in person and in her paper, had made a handful of logical points regarding diverse experiences for the children of all species./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Perhaps." T'Kara's voice was soft, but he knew her to be akin to a slumbering serpent, always with the potential to strike. "What do we gain from this imposition?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Must we gain anything?" The arithmetic of politics, an absence of altruism./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You would not have agreed had you not felt indebted to her." T'Kara turned, and at once Sarek could feel the censure that he felt from most of his people regarding his son./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"His emson/em. A boy who had just been thrust into his life, as unexpected and unanticipated as the appearance of Miss Grayson. Sarek recalled mating with T'Rea, vividly, but it had held no import within his life. Until now, four years later, when a transport had arrived with Sybok on board. T'Rea had ascended to the highest realm of priestess, and the son that she had hidden from Sarek was deposited without ceremony on his doorstep./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""The child would not have been injured had she not intervened." A sharp giggle across the lobby drew their attention while causing T'Kara's nostrils to flare./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""The possibility of danger to Sybok is not the root of my debt. She acted where others might not have. She acted when she did not have to." Miss Grayson had expected nothing, wanted nothing, just to ensure that Sybok was safe./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Sybok who had all too obviously fallen in love with the Human woman. Sarek could understand the rationale of the strong emotion, even if he held it in disdain. Sybok had been ripped from what he had known, raised by a mother who eschewed the teachings of Surak, leaving him confused and alone in a sea of measured minds. Sarek was doing what he could, but the boy had only been with him a few months, and in his position, Sarek was so often called away by duty./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There had been a sensation of yawning emptiness in his chest as Sarek had watched his child settle so serenely into Miss Grayson's arms. Nothing he or others had tried had succeeded in bringing Sybok to a state of calm. The sight of her, the feel of her, it had grounded Sybok in an instant. It had even left him more restrained for several hours afterwards./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"T'Kara tilted her head a millimeter, signaling her uncertainty. Sarek did not owe her an explanation for any action he took, but he had long believed her to be his protege. "Expand your vision," he began. "Think not of these children, causing chaos within our space, but think instead to those they go home to. For each child we interact with today, we not only plant a seed within them of acceptance where there was only fallow ground before but also within each person in their familial unit."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Proselytization," she said./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Awarness," Sarek countered. "It need not be anything more."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Picking a non-existent thread on her robes, T'Kara turned towards the office suites. "If she had not requested this of you, it would never have come to be."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Can the same not be said for any action?" Miss Grayson was counting off children, bubbling at one of the Vulcan attendants who had seen to the tour. She turned toward him, their eyes meeting across the space filled with severe stonework and small children./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"That mouth, which he thought nothing of, curved into a sly smile. She excused herself, handing off the class to one of the other Humans who had arrived with her./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Radiating disapproval and superiority, T'Kara stilled in her movements to leave, straightening to stand beside Sarek, a united front he appreciated in some moments, but not that one./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""That will be all, T'Kara." He could feel the sharpness of his aide's gaze bore into the back of his head, but he did not turn as she walked away. Instead, Sarek's attention was fixed solely on the Human woman approaching him./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Ambassador." Her smile, though still holding an edge that could only be described as playful, had softened./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Miss Grayson." He inclined his head, taking in all of her. Long hours of meditation had been required after their first meeting, and Sarek knew the same would follow of these moments. The effort was worth the time shared, however fleeting it might be./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Thank you for today." She moved as if to reach out for him, but second-guessed the motion and clasped her hands together instead. "Sorry about the statue."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is of no matter. The child did not cause the damage on purpose." It was a priceless antique from Vulcan, but there had to be a dozen more of them around./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""How's Sybok?" Sarek had expected the question, but still found her asking it agreeable./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""He is well." Shifting, he took a piece of badly formed clay out of his robe. "He made this in anticipation of my seeing you today. He has little talent, but I believe it is intended to represent a sehlat."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"That grin of hers morphed into the blinding smile he'd seen several times in their small span of acquaintance. "Please tell him that I will cherish it." She held the palm-sized trinket with undisguised reverence. "I know exactly where I'm going to put it, so I can see it every day."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"The notion that something of his, even if it was a product of his son, would be a part of her everyday routine tugged at something within Sarek. "The tour appears to have been well received."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Oh, they loved it." Turning, she looked over her shoulder at the students as they made their way from the Embassy. Long brown hair spilled over the cloth of her shirt, drawing Sarek's attention. "We're going to do a whole unit on Vulcan next week."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""If you are ever in need of assistance..." The offer fell unbidden from his lips as his gaze rose to meet hers once more./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She laughed, the sound pleasing. "This was more than enough. Again, the statue." Her nose wrinkled in amused apology./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I will never be able to repay what you have done." The threads of meaning behind those words tangled even in Sarek's ordered mind./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Are you married?" The non sequitur was unexpected to Sarek, but from the flush on Miss Grayson's features, he was not alone in his surprise. "I know I'm not supposed to ask things like that, but I read your biography and I couldn't even find anything about Sybok. So, I…" The curve of her lips faltered as she ducked her head, tucking a strand of hair behind an ear./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""That is a private matter." It felt all too alien to discuss something of such importance with someone he hardly knew. Although upon reflection Sarek realized it was not a question that he minded./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Pretty much the definition of not being available for public consumption." She was still uncertain, and red still stained her cheeks, but she did not back down./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""It is also a complicated matter." Sarek watched as the threat of a frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I am not, however, bonded to Sybok's mother or any other."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Oh good." Relief showed on her features before embarrassment swept in. "Then you should ask to take me to dinner." Looking up at him through long, dark lashes, guilelessness seeped from her every pore./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""In order to assuage my debt?" The notion felt ludicrous. He often took meals with colleagues, or during negotiations. But she fell under neither category./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""No, because you want to." She took a single step closer. "Because I want you to."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Want. Desire. They were not connected, but he could almost feel it roll from her. "You wish for me to provide a meal for you?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I want you to want to spend more time with me." Another step, he could touch her without effort if he wanted to. "I think you already do."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You are implying romantic intent." Sarek's voice lowered an octave, his gaze snapping up to drag over those who might be an unwitting audience. Fortunately, all were still distracted by children attempting to replicate the Ta'al./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I'm not implying anything." She laughed, though this was different than those before. This laugh was darker, softer, for their ears only. "I'm being pretty damn plain-spoken."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Much like with this outing," with a tilt of his head, he invited her to follow as he moved towards his office, "I do not think you are aware of what you are asking."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She fell into step readily, running a thumb over the clay which remained in her grasp, before she placed it within a pocket. "This went pretty well. No Vulcans spontaneously combusted, and other than the statue, I don't think my kids broke anything."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"They couldn't get to the relative privacy of his office fast enough. "Vulcans do not court in the manner of Humans." T'Kara stood from her desk as he approached, but Sarek dismissed her with a shake of his head, holding the glass door open for Miss Grayson to expedite her leaving the very public thoroughfare./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""We just call it dating." The door shut, but not until after her chirped reply./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Date, then." He replied tersely./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"She seemed unbothered, barreling forward. "I know now that you're not married or seeing anyone. Is there any other reason you shouldn't want to take me to dinner?/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Apart from your humanity?" It was a valid question, yet also one of the reasons Sarek believed he was fascinated by the woman who stood before him./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Is that really an impediment?" She floated around the office, taking in the austere space and dragging her fingers over the length of his desk. She moved to stand before him again, once more in a manner which was too close. "Or is it maybe kinda fun?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Urges came to his mind, and Sarek was quick to shove them away. The want to reach out and caress her face, the need to step closer into her space. "Vulcans do not have fun."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Miss Grayson snorted, rolling her eyes as she shook her head. "I doubt that. You might run around saying you don't have fun, but I bet you just find other things than we do enjoyable. Like making discoveries, or solving math or something."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""One does not solve math."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""You could tell me all about Vulcan courting during it." It was apparent she was not going to let the subject drop. In her defense, he had not encouraged her to stop./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""I will be off-planet for the next several weeks." Sarek offered a valid reply. It was ambiguous at best, but it would give him time to meditate, to process this turn of events./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""When do you leave?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"If he could, he would leave now, heading for the sanctuary of his home and the ability to sit and order his thoughts. "Tomorrow."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""So what are you doing tonight?"/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There were a dozen things he had to do that evening. Half of which would not be able to be completed even if he were to dedicate each waking moment to his tasks./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""This is as forward as I get," she continued. "And I'm only saying this because I'm not sure if you know, but you emcan/em say no. I promise not to melt down in front of all your coworkers."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"There was nothing for him to say no to, as Miss Grayson had never asked a direct question about them going to dinner. But he understood her meaning all the same. Did he want to? Did he want? What did it mean if he did?/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"As his thoughts moved, so did she, eagerness fading as rose rushed to color her skin once more. "Thank you again for this opportunity, Ambassador." His gaze was drawn to her throat as she swallowed nervously. "I appreciate the educational experience you have provided to my students."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Taking a step back, she turned towards the door. She was going to leave, and there was no reason for them to cross paths again. Unease welled in him. "Miss Grayson."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Fingers grazing the doorhandle, Miss Grayson turned, smile burgeoning once more./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;""Would you be opposed to eating outside?" They were not as close as they had been moments before, the space of his office separating them, making him aware of the loss of her proximity. "I still find the expanse of water novel after my short time on Earth."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Her fingers drew down the polished metal as that sly smile stole across her features. "So long as that's not all you're looking at all night."/span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Amanda Grayson was obscene./span/span/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5;"span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, GNU Unifont, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 15.12px;"Sarek was certain that this spelled trouble./span/span/p