The BLTS Archive - Twist of Fate
by T'Lin (LinkyS@aol.com)

---

Note: Written in answer to T'Guess' challenge - Write a MU Sa/Am story
adding  a whole new twist on why Sarek later says about marrying her,
"It was the  logical thing to do".

Note 2: Inspired by T'Guess' wonderful MU illos, found at -- 
http://www.crossfadeproductions.com/~kelly/tos/

Note 3: Written for the Sarek Fun Fest.

Archiving: SaFF, ASC*, COCO/SSD, BLTS, and my own web page. All
others, please ask first.

Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own the TREK universes on both sides of
the  'mirror'. This journey into the Mirror Universe is only a
temporary one. I promise  to return everyone to their proper place
when I am through with them. This  original work of fan fiction is ©
T'Lin, 27 July, 2003 Warning: Contains actions that are not typically
associated with these  characters ... but this *is* the Mirror
Universe, where anything can happen.

---

As diplomatic Posts go, Sarek could have done better. Humans gave him
little  challenge. As a whole, they lacked integrity. Their lofty
ideals, so  diametrically opposed to Vulcan ideals, should have been a
true test of ones diplomatic  skills. But what good are ideals, if
they are so easily set aside? Their lack  of integrity would do
nothing to help him advance as a diplomat.

Sarek would have preferred to be stationed on Andor, or Tellar ... now
*they*  were species who had some backbone! It took a great deal of
finesse to sway  their way of thinking so that it harmonized with the
Vulcan view of the  universe.

Of course, even with humans, there were exceptions. Throughout their
brief  shared history, humans had not always given in to the will of
their Vulcan  Overseers. The most well known dissenter had been
Captain Jonathan Archer. Through  his sheer stubbornness, he ascended
to the captaincy of the first Warp 5  Starship -- much to the dismay
of Ambassador Soval, and his staff.

Had his science officer, T'Pol, not assassinated him on ENTERPRISE's
first  mission, there is no telling what havoc he could have created
to the balance of  power on Earth. As things currently stand, however,
few humans remembered  Jonathan Archer. The only reason Sarek knew
anything about the man was that he had  thoroughly researched his
current assignment -- diplomatic liaison to Admiral  Malcolm Reed, the
man who assisted T'Pol in the assassination of Jonathan  Archer and
Charles Tucker, III.   

---

The NX class of starship was being phased out. Admiral Reed, under the
controlling influence of Prefect T'Pol, had been placed in change of
training  personnel for assignment to the new class of starship ...
the DY-Heavy Cruiser,  whose main purpose was to intimidate all who
come in contact with her.

The days of simple exploration for the sake of exploration were over
...  space was a dangerous place. It had always *been* a dangerous
place, but humans  had a tendency to overlook the reality of it with
their sentimental views.  The  NX class was a ship for exploration.
They lacked firepower, speed,  maneuverability and shielding. Of the
original 10 ships in the fleet, all but one,  ENTERPRISE, had been
destroyed by Klingons, or other dangers in the void. How  ENTERPRISE
survived is a mystery to most, but not to her crew, or the Vulcan High
Command.

Under the leadership of T'Pol and Reed, the crew became ruthless ...
when  unknown threats came their way, the motto 'shoot, then ask
questions' became  their motos operandi. The crew had learned their
lessons well ... do as you're  told, or be killed. T'Pol made sure of
it. After having assassinated Archer to  become Captain, she instilled
fear in them. When Tucker was killed trying to  apprehend her, her
hold on the rest of the crew was sealed.

Reed had proven to be her most valuable asset aboard ship, having
always  loathed the style of command -- or lack of it -- that Archer
wanted. As the new  First Officer, he was able to set the tone and
level of discipline to ensure the  overall safety of the crew, and
survival in such a hostile environment as  deep space.

It was that level of dedication to T'Pol that ensured his rise through
the  ranks ... not to mention his more *private* talents. Their
working (*and*  personal) relationship made them invincible ... their
crew, top notch. There was no  doubt in the minds of the Vulcan High
Command, that together, they would mold  the new Imperial Fleet of the
Earth/Vulcan Alliance into a formidable foe for  all who opposed them.

---

Sarek arrived at Admiral Reed's office for his first meeting with the
legendary military leader. He was punctual, as was his habit, yet he
was told that  the Admiral was busy and he would have to wait. This
casual dismissal irritated  him, but as a junior diplomat, he had come
to expect this kind of treatment  from the humans.

After nearly 30 minutes had passed, he stood, intending to tell the
Admiral's  secretary that he had another appointment, and that the
Admiral could contact  his office to reschedule their meeting. But as
he stepped forward, the door  to Reed's office opened, and two people
stepped out.

The first was undoubtedly Prefect T'Pol, for although Sarek had never
met  her, her likeness was familiar to everyone ... petite, yet well
endowed, dressed  entirely in skin-tight black leather that left
nothing to the imagination.  Even with the four-inch heels on her
thigh-high boots, she was below average in  height, yet there was a
presence about her that made one feel as if they were  looking up at
her. 

But it was not the Prefect which had caught Sarek's attention ... it
was the  human female that was with her. Like T'Pol, she was clad in
black leather ...  skin-tight pants tucked into knee-high boots, and a
vest that barely covered  her ample breasts. The long knives sheathed
along her arms were reminiscent of  the warrior cast of his people. If
it weren't for the long, flowing blonde  hair, and her complection,
she could easily be mistaken for a Vulcan.

The two females were deep in conversation, and paid no attention to
him as he  continued to watch them. The sound of someone clearing
their throat brought  him back to himself a moment later, and he
turned to see a small, gray haired  man standing in the doorway to
Reed's office. A quick glance of the insignia on  the mans uniform
informed Sarek that this was the Admiral.

It took all of his mental abilities to prevent the shock of this
insight from  being expressed on his face. He had assumed that Reed
would be far more  formidable ... the impression Sarek had gotten,
through his reading on the man's  exploits, was of someone
larger-than-life.

Short and thin, even by human standards, Reed could be considered
rather  feminine in appearance. That is, until one looked into his
eyes ... they were an  intense blue; cold and hard. There was a
shrewdness in them that stood up to  his reputation, even if his
stature did not.

He lifted his hand in salute, saying, "Forgive the delay, Ambassador.
The  Prefect and I were instructing my assistant on how she is to
serve you while you  are assigned to this office ... and she was a bit
... shall we say ...  reluctant." As he said this last, his eyes
shifted to the two women.

Sarek saw the human turn toward them, contempt in her eyes. The
Prefect  slapped her across the face, but she refused to lower her
eyes in submission.  "Fascinating," Sarek whispered, as he assessed
the level of defiance. It was rare  to see one so young refuse to
submit to her betters ... especially when they  were Vulcan. He
returned his attention to Reed, asking, "In what capacity is she  to
serve me?"

With a lecherous glare, Reed answered, "In any way you see fit. She
has been  instructed to serve your every whim." He looked at her once
again, and Sarek  could feel the lust pouring from the old man as he
continued, "She is a defiant  one, but that is part of the fun in
subduing her. Do not hesitate to punish  her, if she defies you.
You'll find that the results are quite pleasurable."

The human woman had still not averted her eyes. Sarek could see the
loathing  for this small man in them, and he began to admire her for
it ... it took a  great deal of courage to openly defy a man such as
Reed. "I am sure she will be  adequate," Sarek said, as he, too, gave
her a more intense scrutiny. When he  made eye contact with her, he
saw only curiosity, not fear. He inclined his  head ever so slightly,
then returned his attention to Reed, asking, "What is her  name?"

"She is Amanda ... she is skilled in languages. Until now, she has
been  working with the ship designers to improve the Universal
Translation devises on our  ships. It is in this capacity that she
will be working with you, officially  ... what you do with her on your
off time is entirely up to you." Reed picked a  disk off of his
secretaries desk, and handed it to Sarek. "Here you will find  your
assignments for the next month, as well as contact information and
deadlines. The equal partnership between Human and Vulcan that this
new Alliance  has created *must* endure if we are to survive the
coming years. There is war  coming, a war that makes it vital that
this work be done quickly, and  efficiently." Reed glared at Sarek,
adding, "I have been told that you are up to the  challenge ... do not
disappoint me ... or it will be the last assignment you ever  have."

Sarek bowed slightly, knowing that the formal gesture would appease
the ego  of the haughty human, as he said, "Understood. You will not
be disappointed, I  assure you. If I may take my leave ..."

"By all means, and take her with you," Reed said, dismissing Sarek and
his  human assistant. Turning to T'Pol, he added, "Prefect, a moment
of your time, if  you please."

"Of course, Admiral," she said, then whispered something to Amanda
before  stepping away from her. Sarek couldn't help but notice the
blush that came over  her fair complection, and vowed to himself to
find out what the Prefect had  said that could result in such a
reaction, when all the glaring and lustful looks  of Reed had garnered
no results but contempt.

He turned to Amanda and said, "Attend me," walking out the door,
knowing that  she would be a fool to ignore his command.

---

Sarek's office was five levels below that of the Admiral's ... more a
sign of  his lowly position within the Diplomatic Corps of the Vulcan
High Command  than anything else. The room was small, but adequate.
Once there, he removed his  ceremonial robe ... the slight intake of
breath behind him made him smile  slightly. He knew that his body was
impressive, and obviously, the human had  noticed. He turned to face
her, moving slowly so that she could appreciate the full  effect of
his well sculpted form.

When their eyes met, he lifted his brow quizzically. She did not
disappoint  him, as she said, "I had heard that Vulcan males were well
proportioned," then  she winked, and added, "a welcome change from the
Admiral, if I do say so  myself."

"You do not care for him, I gather." It was obvious from her actions,
but  Sarek wanted to hear her admit it openly.

"What is there to care for? He is small, and weak, and sadistic ... he
knows  nothing of pleasure that is not derived from pain." Her
contempt for the  Admiral was clear, making Sarek wonder what it was
about *him*, a total stranger,  that made her feel comfortable enough
to speak so openly.

He decided to test her, by asking, "What makes you think I am not as
he is?  Or possibly worse? You do not know me ... or my appetites."

Amanda took a few steps toward him, so that she was within touching
distance,  yet she did not touch him. instead, she looked him straight
in the eye for a  moment, and said, "I may not know you, but I do
*know* you," and to emphasize  the last, she touched his temple. She
continued, "I have an unusual talent  among my people, in that I can
sense the innermost ... emotions, for lack of a  better word. It's as
if I can see into the mind and heart of most people I  encounter, and
know whether they are good or evil ... and you, Ambassador, fall  into
the 'good' category."

He smiled ever so slightly, and said, "I do hope you will keep that to
yourself ... I doubt I would go far in the Diplomatic Corps if I
cannot present  myself as being a bit ruthless when it comes to
negotiations."

"Your secret is safe with me ... however," she smiled at him, "it is
entirely  up to you when it comes to proving your ruthfulness." Her
fingers had still  been on his temple, so she slowly ran them back
along the delicate point of his  ear before pulling her hand away. She
was pleased to see the slight shiver  her touch had elicited in him. 

As she pulled her hand away, Sarek reached up, and grabbed hold of her
wrist.  "Oh, I can be quite ruthless ... never doubt it." Their eyes
were locked ...  their only contact was the hold Sarek had on her
wrist. The intensity of the  moment should have made her fearful of
him, but all he was sensing was deep  interest, and desire.
"Fascinating," he said, as he released her and stepped back
slightly.  

"Shall we get to work?" Sarek asked ... he needed to distance himself
from  the emotions he was feeling, and work was the best way to do
that. "Tell me all  you know about the project we are to work on. I
would rather hear your views,  as someone who has been actively
involved in the project, before I read the  Admiral's."

And so, they spent the next several hours going over all the pertinent
data  regarding the linguistics project that had integrated the
Earth-based and  Vulcan-based systems into one. Merging the
technologies had been rather simple in  comparison to the task ahead
of them -- integrating personnel.

Both Sarek and Amanda knew that their task was a difficult one. With
nearly  one-hundred years of Vulcan domination of Earth, the humans
were angry and  rebellious ... but there was nothing more dangerous
than a defeated Vulcan. To  suddenly find themselves on an equal
footing with the very beings they had  oppressed for so long ... many
would not take the change in status well.

---

It didn't take long for Sarek to come to the conclusion that the
younger the  Vulcan, the better suited he or she would be to working
with the Humans as  equals ... the same could be said for the Humans.
It was only logical, of course,  since they did not have a lifetime of
preconceived notions about one another  to overcome.

It was decided by the Admirals and Prefects of the Imperial Command
that each  new ship of the line would have an equal number of Human
and Vulcan officers  aboard. It was Sarek's task to interview
candidates, and assign personnel to  each ship that would work well
together.

Thousands of applicants presented their credentials ... Sarek and
Amanda  spent endless hours reading through them, discarding those who
would never work  out, and pairing up potential command teams based on
the applications. It was  tedious work, but essential.

They worked well together, seldom arguing over choices. Of course, at
this  juncture, nothing was set in stone ... each and every candidate
that was chosen  would be interviewed, then potential teams would be
brought together for a  period of time, to see if they could work
together.

Sarek knew that Amanda's participation in the interview process would
be  invaluable ... her 'talent' for reading people would aid him in
creating well  balanced command teams. He was pleased that she had
agreed to aid him in this way  ... and not for the first time, he
thought about making her a permanent part  of his diplomatic team when
it was time to move on to another assignment.

He watched her as she worked ... it had been nearly two weeks since
they had  met. It seemed as if he had always known her. His brief, but
frequent,  conversations with Admiral Reed always ended with a snide
remark about her ... for  which Sarek was growing irritated.
Obviously, Reed assumed that he was sexually  abusing and torturing
the woman ... apparently Reed had told her to expect  such treatment.

But that wasn't Sarek's style ... he found no pleasure in forcing
himself on  anyone. Nor did he want to be with someone simply because
they have been told  to submit. So for the past two weeks, he had left
her alone ... despite the  desire he felt for her, and from her.

Besides, they had had too much work to do. But tonight, they would
finish the  preliminary work ... the interviews would start in two
days time. They  deserved some off time, and a bit of recreation.

Suddenly, Amanda looked up from what she was doing and said with a
smile, "A  penny for your thoughts?"

The sound of her voice startled him, and he flinched slightly, his ear
tips  blushing green. "What?" he asked, understanding her question,
but using her use  of the colloquialism as an excuse to buy time for
himself.

She smiled, knowing full well that he knew what she had meant, but
clarifying  anyway, "You appeared lost in thought ... I was just
curious." She then  turned back to the stack of papers in front of
her, and said, "These will be done  in an hour. Do you have plans for
this evening?"

"You read my mind," he said with a raised brow. It was uncanny how she
could  do that, he thought, before adding aloud, "I was thinking how
we both deserve  some recreation for a day or two." He stood, and
crossed the room to stand  behind her, placing his hands on her
shoulders as he continued, "I was wondering  if you could suggest a
nice quiet place, where we could go ... without risk of  being ...
disturbed." His voice had grown husky, as his hands explored her  neck
and shoulders. On the last word, he bent and kissed the back of her
neck,  as he had read that human females liked.

She shuddered, and he noted that her breathing had become more
labored. She  leaned back against him, and lifted her hand to cover
his as it lay on her  shoulder, as she said, "Yes, I know the perfect
place ... but if you continue what  you're doing, I'll never get this
work done." She then lifted his hand off  her shoulder, and turned her
head to kiss his palm and lick along the length of  his fingers.

She had obviously been reading up on Vulcan pleasures, as well. "You
are  quite right ... I will leave you to your paperwork." He stepped
away from her,  trying to compose himself. "I have a meeting with the
Admiral, and will be back  in an hour. I expect you to be finished by
then."

"I will be done, I promise." Amanda deliberately turned away from
Sarek,  knowing that at long last, they would consummate their
relationship that night ...  and perhaps, if she pleased him, she
could get out of this hell hole she  called home.

---*

Three hours later, they were in a small cabin, on a lake, in the
middle of  nowhere. Much to Sarek's surprise, there was not even a
comm unit. Oh, in an  emergency, he could always be located through
his intradermal transponder, but he  did not anticipate any
emergencies arising.

Amanda had prepared a light meal when they first arrived, for neither
of them  had eaten before leaving the city. She had also provided some
intoxicating,  and highly illegal, Klingon Blood Wine ... she had read
that the potent brew  had a rather unusual side effect on Vulcan
males, and was more than interested  to see if it was true. Much to
her dismay, Sarek had only sipped the wine.

The conversation throughout dinner, as well as the trip to the cabin,
had  focused on their work ... but once dinner was over, Sarek said,
"That is enough  talk about the project. For the remainder of our time
away, we will not mention  diplomats, or officers, or starships ... is
that understood?"

"Perfectly," Amanda replied, as she stepped out of the small kitchen
area,  and crossed the room to stand in front of him. Pressing her
body against his,  she added, "I'm pretty sure I can find other things
to do with my mouth besides  talk." Having said this, she proceeded to
kiss him on the lips, then moved  lower, to lick his flat nipples. She
felt each one stiffen to a small peak as her  tongue flicked over it.

She could feel the heat of his body as he pulled her closer against
him ...  the hardness of him, as their groins met. Suddenly, she
wanted to see every  inch of him ... feel the double ridges that she
had only read about ... taste the  alien flesh and seed.  Her hands
slipped lower, appreciating every inch of  his flat stomach, and rock
hard abs. She released the fastenings that held his  leather codpiece
in place, and pulled it away, letting his erection free of its
confinement.

She had chosen a black leather mini, which Sarek had already slid his
hands  under, raising it to her waist ... his finger slipping easily
into her wet  pussy, through the crotchless lace panties she wore
beneath. When Sarek lifted  her, she wrapped her legs around his
waist, sliding down his body until he was  fully sheathed within her
depths.

She had never felt so filled ... the double ridges an unusual, but
highly  stimulating, experience. She rode him, ever mindful of his
great strength and  control ... amazed at his ability to thrust deeper
and deeper inside her.

When she came, she felt the overwhelming heat of his seed filling her.
But it  was not enough. He was still hard, buried deep inside her, as
he carried her  to the bed. He sat on the bed, keeping her impaled. In
their current position,  she could kneel on the bed, and he was able
to have his hands free ... he  removed her leather vest, and unzipped
the skirt, pulling it over her head to  remove it, as well. Amanda was
now dressed only in lace panties and leather boots  ... Sarek in
leather chaps and boots.

As she began to move her hips, Sarek reached up to pinch her nipples
... her  own hand slipping between her thighs to stimulate her clit
and the other  reaching behind her to grab his balls. As the
stimulation increased, so did her  breathing ... and she smiled to see
that Sarek had closed his eyes, determined to  hold off the inevitable
for just a moment longer.

Amanda clenched her inner muscles, at the same moment she squeezed his
balls  ... the double impact of the contraction was too much for him
... his hips  thrust upward, as his seed spurted into her with a cry
of pleasure.

Her own orgasm subsiding, she collapsed on top of him. She felt him
soften  within her but made no move to release him. It felt good to
lie there, she  almost started to doze. Suddenly, Sarek rolled onto
his side, taking her with him.  the move made his deflated erection
slide out of her, and she moaned at the  loss. "Sh," he said, as his
hand caressed her cheek. "There is plenty of time  for more of that,
later ... let us rest now," Sarek said, as he kissed her in  the human
way. Then he added, "when we awaken, I wish to show you the Vulcan way
... as pleasant as the this has been, it is nothing in comparison."

Amanda smiled sleepily, saying, "I can hardly wait," and she buried
her head  against his shoulder, and fell asleep.

---**

Amanda awoke to find herself alone in the unfamiliar bed ... it took
only a  moment to recall where she was, and who she had been with. She
rose and wrapped  herself in the silk robe lying on the chair beside
the bed.

She found Sarek outside watching the sunrise, his matching robe
loosely tied  around his waist. She watched him from the doorway, not
wanting to disturb his  meditation, if that was in fact what he was
doing. Within seconds of her  arrival, however, he turned and held out
his hand, two fingers extended.

Her heart raced, anticipating the touch of those strong fingers. The
night  before, Sarek had linked their minds, so that she could feel
everything that he  felt ... until that moment, she had no idea what
he was feeling every time she  slid her fingers along his. Now, she
did ... and she couldn't imagine having  sex with someone *without*
that level of intimacy.

Yet he had warned her that they could not join fully, or often, for
that  would lead to a permanent bond, and no matter how much they
might desire it, a  Vulcan/Human bonding would never be approved by
High Priestess T'Pau. Amanda  accepted this without question, for she
had been raised to expect nothing more  than the life of a slave; her
relationships nothing more meaningful than to be a  concubine for a
wealthy patron.

With his warning, however, she also made a vow ... to make love to him
only  in the human way, never joining minds with him again ... after
all, that level  of intimacy was addictive, and she knew what she
would be returning to when  their current assignment was over. After
only one taste of the joy that Sarek  could give her, it would be
difficult to return to the sadistic ways of Reed,  but she was strong,
and would endure.

In the meantime, she would enjoy every minute of the brief time she
and Sarek  had left to them. She approached him, touching his fingers
as she had learned  to do, then pulled away suddenly, as if she had
been jolted by an electric  current.

"Amanda, what is it?" Sarek asked, as he watched her stare at her hand
as if  she had never seen it before.

"When I touched you," she said, still looking at her hand, then she
shook her  head and looked him in the eyes as she said, "you said the
meld was only  temporary ... yet for a second, as our fingers touched,
I could have sworn that I  was feeling what you're feeling." She
smiled a bit nervously, adding, "It  caught me by surprise."

"How curious," Sarek said with a lifted brow. "May I?" he asked, as he
held  his fingers out to her once again. Amanda touched her fingers to
his, this time  prepared for the flood of emotions and images that
filled her mind. "Tell me  what you feel," Sarek said, wondering how
deeply this mental bond went, for he  felt nothing out of the ordinary
from her in return.

"When I first touched you," she said, "there was an overwhelming
desire for  sex. I pulled away before getting much of anything else.
Now, that desire is  still present, but overshadowed by your curiosity
and ... admiration?" She  looked into his eyes, puzzled by this last
observation, wondering if she was  interpreting his thoughts
correctly. Concentrating on his feelings, she continued,  "You're
puzzled because you don't feel what I'm feeling ... and you don't
understand why I'm feeling what you feel."

Sarek pulled his hand away, breaking their connection. "You are
correct ... I  am puzzled." He closed his eyes, as if concentrating,
then opened them,  touching her fingers once again. "Tell me what you
feel now."

She concentrated for a moment, looking into his eyes, then frowned as
she  said, "Nothing ... absolutely nothing. What did you do?"

"Fascinating," he said, then took her hand in the human fashion. "I
raised my  mental shields ... something I seldom have to do in the
presence of humans."  He paused, then went on, "I can only assume that
your unusual 'talent' has  resulted in an unexpected side effect to
the mind meld."

"Will it last?" she asked, and then another thought came to her. "Will
I be  able to sense the thoughts of anyone I touch?" He saw her slight
shiver at the  idea, and knew that she was most likely thinking of
Admiral Reed ... he did  not envy anyone who had the misfortune to
read that man's mind.

Sadly, he told her, "I do not know. Perhaps the connection you and I
share  will remain, but since it is only present when we touch, I do
not see it being  an inconvenience to either of us, once this
assignment is over." He opened his  shields just enough to let her
know that he would welcome that inconvenience,  if only he could.
Seeing her smile, he continued, "Believe me when I say that,  for your
sake, I fervently hope that this 'connectivity' is not something you
will experience with anyone else."

"Oh, I hope you're right. I can't imagine ..." she broke off the
thought,  shook her head, and then pulled him close as she continued,
"there's no use  obsessing over it. Come ... let's enjoy the time we
have, for life is too short to  dwell on things we cannot change."

He gladly followed her back into the bedroom, opening his shields
slightly to  let her know how much he appreciated and admired her. At
that moment in time,  he wanted nothing more than to open his mind
fully and permanently to her ...  propriety be damned.

When Amanda sensed these thoughts, however, she frowned and released
his  hand, saying, "Sarek, please ... such thoughts cannot be." She
paused, turning  away as she continued, "I am a slave, and will always
be a slave. Even if I  weren't, I am human ..." another slight pause,
then she turned to face him once  again, adding, "... you know as well
as I do that it would never work."

Sarek wanted to take her in his arms; ward off the hurt she was
feeling. She  had never mentioned her slave status before ... to him,
she could never be a  slave. She knew his mind, so she must also know
that he did not think of her in  those terms.

He said so aloud, adding, "I can arrange to release you from slavery
...  there are numerous ways." Then he smiled, saying, "As for being
human ... that is  what I find most desirable about you."

"Please, Sarek," she whispered as she turned away from him once more.
She  could not bear to see the compassion in his eyes. The touch of
his hands on her  shoulders startled her, and she pulled away. "Don't
..." but when his hands  were once again on her shoulders, she did not
pull away, for he had opened his  mind to her, and the love and
compassion that was flowing from him was too  overwhelming.

She could see in his mind that he planned to marry her, come hell or
high  water, and she began to cry. "Sarek," she began, then turned in
his arms to kiss  him before continuing, "I love you ... but this
cannot be. You said so  yourself." She then pulled away, distancing
herself from him as she wiped the tears  from her eyes, saying, "I
would rather never see you again, than be nothing  more than an
occasional fling; a concubine to be used for your amusement and
pleasure, when your Vulcan wife will not suffice."

"Amanda, beloved ... I would never use you. Believe this." Sarek took
a few  steps toward her, then knelt at her feet, adding, "I love thee,
and wish to  bond with thee ..."

"But," Amanda started to protest, but Sarek reached up and placed his
fingers  across her lips to silence her.

"Hear me out." Sarek said, then bowed his head as he continued, "I
have  meditated on our situation, and have come to a conclusion."
Sarek reached up and  took Amanda's hands in his, as he continued, "I
will marry thee, if thou shalt  have me. After all, it is the only
logical thing to do."

Still holding his hands, she lowered herself to her knees and said,
"But what  about your High Priestess? You said she would never accept
such a bond."

"Yes, I did say that ... and for that I ask your forgiveness. Since
then, I  have thought of a way to convince her that it is the logical
course of action."  Seeing the puzzled look on her face, Sarek smiled,
as he said, "We will be a  symbol ... a sign to all that Vulcan and
Human *can* work and live together,  in harmony and an equal
partnership, for the betterment of both our peoples."

"An ambitious undertaking," Amanda said, as she smiled at Sarek, then
she  kissed him, as she added, "and what of our children, if we are so
blessed?"

Sarek smiled as well, saying, "They will be the leaders of an Empire,
one  day."

---

The End