The restaurant Sarek had selected was gorgeous. It was likely one of the nicest establishments that Amanda had ever gone to, far beyond what she'd expected when she'd thought of their sharing dinner. When he'd brought up the Bay, Amanda had figured they'd be eating down by the water while fighting off seagulls for the majority of their meal. Instead, she rode the elevator 42 stories up, greeted by the breathtaking sight of the sinking sun over the expanse of blue when the doors opened.

Nervousness poured through Amanda as she stepped onto the well-manicured rooftop, looking around for that familiar and impassive face. Part of her knew she should be perplexed at the notion the sight of Sarek could already calm her. The other part didn't care, only wanting to see him, to steal a few moments of his apparently precious time.

T'Kara had messaged an hour prior, letting Amanda know that Sarek was mired in important business and that he would be running late. It wasn't as though Amanda could feel put out, Sarek had been transparent that he was busy and leaving the next day. And it wasn't as though he had canceled outright, which Amanda took as a good sign. He wanted to see her, he wanted to spend time with her. He would be there.

This was what Amanda told herself as she was seated, alone, by the maître d'. It became her mantra after her first glass of wine, and then her second. The view was stunning, but as the sun set and night marched in, lights winking into existence over the horizon, doubt seeped around her defenses.

Footsteps sounded beside her, and Amanda whipped around, a relieved smile gracing her features. Disappointment followed swiftly, though, as she was delivered yet another message from the embassy by her waiter. The Ambassador was still detained, and it was suggested she eat without him.

So much for their date.

However, the food was divine, even if it was vegan. Amanda took care to eat slowly, hoping against hope that he would miraculously appear before she finished. It had crossed her mind to just leave, to forget it, but for whatever reason she couldn't bear to give up this chance. Waiting weeks to see him again felt too long. She needed to talk to him that night, to spend time with him, to know if whatever was going on with her was just passing or something more.

Eventually, her plates were cleared and the crowd thinned out. She didn't check the time, because she didn't want to know how long she'd been sitting there, alone, waiting like some pathetic fool. The restaurant wouldn't be open all night, and sooner than later she would have to recoup whatever piece of her dignity that she could, gather her things, and leave.

She'd been taking in one last look at the view, consigning herself to disappointment and rejection, feeling all kinds of bruised and hurt, when his voice sounded smooth and even behind her.

"Miss Grayson."

Desperation clawed at her, mingling with excitement, all threatening to bubble out in ridiculous laughter. Taking a steadying breath, she turned to look up at him. "You changed." For some reason this soothed her, the notion that he would take care of his appearance before their time together. Amanda never imagined a moment when Sarek wouldn't appear distinguished, but he was all the more striking in a simple tunic instead of the formal robes she'd previously seen him wear.

"As did you." He replied, gaze drawing over her form.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come." Her lips curved into a teasing smile while her heart resided firmly in her throat.

He looked puzzled, tilting his head as his brows drew together. "Did you not receive the messages from my aide?"

"Oh no, I got them all." She reassured. "I just …" Amanda sought the right words to explain what she was thinking. How did one share their insecurity with someone they hardly knew? "After the first hour I just wasn't sure if you were putting me off."

Sarek released a huff of … well it wasn't laughter. Disdain? Frustration? "The Ambassador from Andor enjoys the sound of his own voice. I apologize, again, for the delay." His gaze was earnest and unflinching. "In my position, my life is often not my own. One of the many challenges of this … experiment."

"Experiment?" Amanda cocked an eyebrow. She wasn't all too sure that she appreciated their date being considered something worthy of a peer-reviewed paper.

"The notion of a romantic attachment between us is uncharted." Sarek replied, unbothered. "As such, there are many similar properties to a scientific experiment."

"We could just start with dinner." She glanced at the table, shrugging at the plates that had come and gone. "At least that was the idea." Amanda turned to look back up at Sarek, where he continued to stand. "Were you planning on joining me?"

"As we have both eaten…" As Amanda was wont to do, she interrupted him.

"You ate?" Was she offended by that? She didn't think so. But maybe?

"K'Tara informed me that you had eaten, so I felt it only prudent to do so as I dressed." He paused, and Amanda nodded, accepting the explanation, and allowed him to continue. "There is a terrace garden, just below. Would you care to view it with me? I believe that there are night blooming flora."

He wanted to go on a walk, in a garden, with her. Every bit of nervousness within Amanda vanished as giddiness took hold. She was such a loser, she'd never felt this way about anyone, and it was extraordinarily evident. But she imagined that was how all the great adventures and romances began. "Alright."

Following his lead, Amanda descended into the garden. A small rope was strung at the bottom with a sign that declared "Reserved". With a backwards glance at her, Sarek unhooked the barrier, holding it so Amanda might pass. "I requested privacy."

There was something exciting about stepping away from the rest of the patrons who remained at this late hour. There was also something mind-bending about the idea that an individual who was so busy could have the forethought to locate a space for them to speak where others would not overhear, but where they were not quite inappropriately isolated.

Not that Amanda gave a half-damn about propriety.

"So," she began, looking around the small but lush space where several benches were sprawled for about fifty feet. The view was not as stunning as the restaurant above, but the landscape design was more than enough to hold one's attention. "What's the plan for this grand experiment of ours?"

Hooking the rope back once more, Sarek moved to fall into step behind her, hands folded neatly behind his back. "This was to by my first query as well. What are your intentions?"

"Intentions?" Amanda snorted, looking sidelong at Sarek, before reaching out to draw her fingers over a flowering vine. "You sound like you're from another century."

"Just another world. One where our romantic entanglements are," he paused, seeming to search for the correct words, "deep and long lasting."

Turning, Amanda faced Sarek, looking up at him. "To begin with, I'm not sure how I feel about your implying that on this world relationships aren't deep and long lasting, but I think I get what you're saying. And what I think you're saying is that you've never had a one-night stand."

Which, honestly, felt a little ridiculous. Sure he was Vulcan and important but that might even be more of a draw to some women (or men, Amanda didn't know how Vulcan's treated gender much less sexuality). Certainly, someone had attempted to drag him into bed before she'd decided to throw herself at him during a school outing.

"I do not understand your use of this idiom," Sarek replied, tilting his head as he apparently tried to compute what she'd said.

"Sorry, idioms suck." They were notoriously difficult to translate. "What I meant was that you've never had casual sex."

"Mating is not done casually for Vulcans," he said. "We are betrothed to be bonded to another from the age of seven."

Amanda had begun walking again but froze in her steps at the idea of anyone being engaged at the age of seven, at the idea of him being engaged at seven. "Sybok's mother?"

"Our bonding was never finalized," he replied without offering any more, leaving Amanda with only more questions.

"Then how did Sybok happen?" It might have been indelicate of her to ask, but Amanda felt like it was an important question. Plus, she was just so damn curious.

However, Sarek, who had seemed to previously only have a mild discomfort for the topic of conversation, shifted where he stood. He glanced back at the stairs, likely searching for an escape. For a moment Amanda thought to reach out to him, to offer comfort as she would with almost anyone. But she knew in the end it would likely only unsettle him more.

"These matters are very private, and not spoken of with outsiders." His voice was even, yet she caught the tension in his shoulders and the line of his jaw.

"Okay," Amanda nodded, "we don't have to talk about it." She was hardly going to force him into a discussion that would unnerve him so.

"Yet we should." With determination, Sarek took a seat on a nearby bench, gesturing with a sweep of his hand for Amanda to join him. "Mating can and does happen prior to bonding, but often it is with the betrothed."

Perching on the opposite end, Amanda tucked her feet and curled to face him, appreciating the moment they were sharing, even if it was the source of some minor distress. "All of this is about sex," she said after a moment's silence. "Which with the whole touch/privacy/childhood betrothal thing, well, it feels like that's going to be a disappointingly long way off for us."

That perplexed look was taking residence on his features once more. "You find this disappointing?"

Amanda shrugged, "I don't have Vulcan hangups about sex. Sex is kind of fantastic and should be had often. I mean, I didn't exactly think we'd hook up tonight, but you never know."

"You would mate with me tonight?" Incredulity colored his tone. Just a tiny bit. But it was definitely there. This left Amanda to wonder if that was because he was surprised she'd be so wanton, or if his ego was getting a boost.

"Not now." She held up a hand to prevent him from responding immediately. "It obviously holds higher meaning for you than it does for me. I wouldn't want to rush anything between us."

"Are you having casual encounters?" He asked.

Laughter spilled from Amanda's lips. "If this was any other first date, I'd tell you it wasn't any of your business. Since you're being direct with me, it's only fair I do the same." She shook her head. "No, not at the moment. I wouldn't have been so forward with you if I were. Apparently, my intentions with you are a little deeper than normal." Their gazes met across the small yet too-large space that separated them. "Are you relieved to know my bed is empty?"

He studied her, but it was not unnerving. "Yes," he said finally. "I would not have wished to be distracted by the notion of another."

"Possessive much?" Amanda asked, laughter poised to fall but withheld at the earnestness present on his features.

"We are not unaccustomed to competition for our mates."

"But you're betrothed." It was her turn to be confused. "How much competition can there be?"

"Our rituals are both complicated and nuanced. It would take many hours to educate you fully on them."

"Ah." A mix of emotions swelled at the idea of hours-long lectures on Vulcan mating practices… just what had she gotten herself into? "Well, I've got time."

"Perhaps on another evening, should we choose to continue down this path," he replied. Amanda supposed it made sense. Already she had asked so much of him. And already he had been more willing to share than she had anticipated.

Silence fell between them, Sarek seemingly content to look her over, to simply be in the same space that she was. Amanda was nowhere near as self-controlled and picked distractedly at the hem of her dress.

"May I touch you?" Sarek asked, leaning forward to extend his hand. The question caught Amanda off guard, especially after her experience with Kavor.

"Do you want to?" She asked in return, that boldness creeping in again.

"Yes." His eyes were dark pools, causing heat to rise to her face.

"Is touch meaningful to Vulcans?" Now she was just teasing him, drawing out answers that she wanted to hear.

"Very." A single word, spoken with great weight behind the syllable. Amanda felt herself flush all over.

"No," she replied, surprising herself. "Maybe later." Why she refused him, Amanda wasn't certain. It could be some kind of push and pull that she naturally went for, or it could be that much of this was overwhelming. Dinner dates with Vulcan Ambassadors were hardly something she had experienced and were much different from the dinner dates of her past.

"I will wait." Amanda knew he would. Perhaps that was what she wanted, for Sarek to desire her in even a fraction of what was warring inside her mind.

"Tell me why touch is so meaningful." She scooted closer to him, close enough that they could touch with the barest extension of their fingers.

"We do not often touch those not within our familial groups," he explained. "There are certain connections created through Vulcans by skin-to-skin contact, or intimacy, which are magnified when repeated."

"Like the telepathy thing?" A severe eyebrow rose at her words. "What? I research."

"Yes," he nodded, "such as the 'telepathy thing.'"

"Does that mean you're going to read my mind by holding my hand?" Amanda asked.

"No. Not yet." His gaze shifted up to take in the heavens above, stars twinkling in the night even with the light pollution provided by San Francisco. "Over time, I have built up shields as I must often submit to the practices of other cultures. If we were to continue, however, and were you Vulcan, yes. I would be able to ascertain fleeting impressions of thoughts. Once bonded, the connection becomes clearer, stronger."

Her vision followed his, wondering just how many worlds he'd gone to. "I have, like, zero mental shields."

"I am aware." He turned his attention to her once more. "It is yet another challenge that concerns me."

"Oh?" So he'd been thinking about her mental shields? Okay. He'd thought much more in-depth about their dinner than she had.

"If we were to consider… continuing this, I am unsure of how your emotions would affect my mind."

"This is all pretty serious for dinner," Amanda said with a sigh, feeling weighed down by all the things that needed to be ironed out just to get to know someone. "Have you never been on a date?"

"Mistakenly, twice." That was something she would absolutely ask him about later. "Before that, I courted T'Rea, Sybok's mother, but we saw each other rarely. Perhaps once every few years. I had not yet gained an appreciation of her."

"You didn't like her?" It was possible, although for most arranged marriages that she knew of, love or something like it developed eventually. And she didn't know anyone who got engaged that young.

"Vulcan's do not like." Sarek was so serious as he replied, hands folded properly in his lap. He hadn't fidgeted an inch during all of this, while Amanda felt like she was ready to burst.

Feeling bold, Amanda reached out to him, taking his hand and brushing her fingers over it. "So you don't like this?" He froze at the contact but did not pull away.

Much like the rest of him, Sarek's hands were captivating. His fingers were long and slender, with neatly trimmed nails. Absently, as she ran her fingers across his skin with a touch as soft as butterfly wings, Amanda wondered if Vulcans got manicures.

It was so different from every date she'd had before. Hell, it didn't even have to be a date. If Amanda had any interest in someone she would have no problem grabbing a hand and twining fingers together. Now as she drew her thumb over his wrist, Amanda watched as Sarek's eyes closed heavily, his breathing steady, but more measured than it had been before.

So much for him not liking things. He reminded her of a contented cat. Maybe Vulcan's purred?

Looking up at him, she brought his hand to her lips, pressing light kisses to each knuckle, grinning against his skin at the way his Adam's apple bobbed. Feeling impish, she bit him, before running her tongue over his smallest digit.

"Amanda." Her name was growled in response as his eyes sprung open, the irises almost unable to be seen for the way his pupils were blown wide.

"Are we on a first name basis now?" She spoke against his palm. "Rather improper, Ambassador."

"I should escort you home." Gently, but firmly, he pulled their joined hands to rest between them, leaving Amanda to smirk as they sat below the stars.

"Nice try, but I'm pretty sure if me doing this does that to you, then we'd end up in a heap of trouble because you are beyond attractive to me right now." She sighed, leaning to rest her head on his shoulder. It should be safe, no skin-to-skin, other than their joined hands. "Honestly, I kinda wanna rip your clothes off. Then we'd either have to get married like right away or you'd never see me again and I'm not really up for either."

Sarek leaned back, ever so slightly, pressing his cheek against her hair. It was the most beautiful and meaningful thing that had ever happened to her.

"How about you walk me to the transport instead?" She turned to look up at him, studying closer the strong line of his jaw, the pleasing point of his ears.

He shifted to accommodate her movement. "As you wish."

Neither of them hurried to rise, nor did they bother to continue the conversation. Amanda wondered where his thoughts were taking him, but she didn't ask. It was possible that he was thinking about whatever they were starting up. It was just as possible he was thinking of all the work that was waiting for him. She didn't want to know if it was the latter, and was happier to sit in the space of just them, with the universe somewhere beyond reach.

In the end, a pleasant chime sounded from his waist. Amanda buried her face into his shoulder, breathing in that same sandalwood and brightness that Sybok had smelled like, before moving to stand.

Sarek stilled her with a glance. For a fleeting second, she thought he might kiss her, but that would probably be vulgar to such a culture. Instead, and just - if not more - meaningfully, he raised their hands to his cheek, cradling hers against him for a moment.

Their hands separated as they stood, and she felt the loss of him. How silly to feel the loss of holding someone's hand. She worried that he didn't wish to hold her hand in public, in front of others, but there were probably politics to be considered there as well.

"Are you able to communicate while you are away or is this all clandestine?" Amanda asked as they walked past what was left of the staff, and waited for the elevator.

"I am able to send messages." He turned to look at her. "Albeit brief ones."

She chuckled, amused that he probably expected her to send him novels. "Message me while you're gone. Several weeks is a long time. We have more to discuss." Reaching out she tugged on his sleeve. "Plus, I want to know more about you." It wasn't just an experiment.

"Very well," he replied as they walked to the transport zone.

"Good night, Ambassador. Thank you for dinner." And what a strange, disappointing, wonderful dinner it had been.

"Good night, Miss Grayson. I am grateful for your patience." Amanda wanted him to act in some grand romantic way, to grasp her hand, or reach for her face, but he did neither. She supposed he had shown her enough that evening.

"Oh, I'm not patient, Sarek." And she wasn't. Reaching out, Amanda touched his face, drawing her fingers over the line of his jaw. "Just plotting my next move." She had almost a month to figure out what to do next.