2. Sarek's Gaze

He was not frustrated as some might think. Frustration after all was an emotion. But if he could have spoken without offending the sensibilities of his hosts, he would have said the event was a waste of his time that could of been better spent in work or private meditation.

It was late in the evening, the dinner and speeches over, but propriety would not allow him to leave for some time yet. As a guest of honour he would be expected to stay until the end, a honour he could have done without. Music filled the hall, almost painfully loud to his ears, and many moved to the cleared space in the centre of the room to dance, their emotions brushing against him as they passed. He briefly considered what it would be like to dance among them.

Of course as a Vulcan it would be inappropriate for him to dance, or to touch any female but his wife. But she had died 3.1415 standard years ago. Not that she would have consented to dance were she alive, nor would he have considered asking.

He found that his thoughts had become less than satisfactory and began a few mathematical calculations. As his thoughts returned to purely logical patterns, calm sufficed him, and he was better able to tolerate the noise and external emotional stimuli.

He looked around for other people of importance to converse with. Perhaps he could get some informal work done here tonight.

While scanning the room, he noticed a woman 6.723 meters away that he did not recognize. He had memorized the lists of guests, an easy task with his eidetic memory, but he did not recall her among the names or faces. She must have been a last minute addition, as all attendees and staff had to be security screened. Reports were then dispatched to the attending embassies so their security could be aware of any potential hazards. He was certain she had not been on the list. His curiosity raised, he took a moment to examine her.

She was satisfactory to look at, with curled brown hair artfully piled on the top of her head, and blue eyes, blue like the ocean here on Earth. She wore a long blue dress that shimmered in the light. He assessed her as somewhat on the short side being only 1.651 meters in height, but she compensated with the impractical spike heeled foot-ware that seemed to be a fashion among Earth women. She shifted towards the dance floor, and at that moment her dress changed from the deep blue, swirling to a soft dusty pink.

As he began to consider what phenomenon had caused the optical shift, his scientifically trained mind went from curious to intrigued. It did not appear to be a simple bi-layer of fabric. Perhaps some other inherent property of the textile? Optical nano fibers embedded in the material perhaps, or a chemical reaction sensitive to temperature, light, or even sound? Pondering the matter he decided further observation was in order. It was logical to move nearer.

A few long strides brought him closer. She must have noticed his movement, because her eyes lifted to meet his.

He stopped suddenly 1.2m away (why did higher precision seem to be currently impossible?) almost as if impacting a forcefield. If any one had asked he would dismiss the idea that his thought had been hyperbole. He had actually walked into a forcefield once as a young aide, and the tingling pain currently coursing through his skin was remarkably reminiscent of the effects.

Despite the sensation he was experiencing, or perhaps because of it, he could not move his eyes from hers. His vision locked, he turned his attention inwards to determine the cause of his response. To his shock (meditate on this later!), he observed his katra stirring within him, moving, stretching. It was reaching towards something…It was reaching towards her! Then, impossibly, without touching, his mind began to overlap the edges of hers. He now knew her name. Her name was Amanda. And then he began to learn far more than that.

Suddenly realizing what he was doing, he pulled all his mental disciplines to stop himself from forming a bond with her at that very moment. He closed his eyes, and was suddenly released from the intense pull towards her, his mind snapping back inward. Quickly shoring up his mental shields he risked opening his eyes.

He was relieved (surely not disappointed?) that his katra did not escape its bounds again dragging his mind with it. He considered the ramifications of what he had done. It had only been seconds, and she would not be familiar with a mental touch. Perhaps she would not have noticed. He would need to speak with her at length regardless.

He saw her form the ta'al, and she spoke the accompanying greeting flawlessly. Yet he realized he was far more impressed with the way she said his name and smiled.

He greeted her in turn, speaking her name for the first time. Then he stretched out his hand towards her and heard himself say, "You will dance with me".

It came out not quite a question, almost a demand. It concerned him for a moment that perhaps she would take offence or even refuse, that perhaps it was inappropriate to ask.

Something inside him warmed when her smile broadened and she laid her hand in his.

He just might have smiled then too, though he did not because he was Vulcan.

Amanda of course tells a different story.

He would have a great deal more things he must meditate on before the night was over.

o0o

Translation and Notes katra essence of a Vulcan's mind, a human may call it a soul but a Vulcan would probably disagree with you.

The internet tells me Amanda Greyson is 5'5" which is 1.650999m in case you were interested.

Vulcan's are always as precise as they can be, and are usually capable of measuring distances very accurately without requiring outside measuring tools

Bond refers to a telepathic linkage, some are temporary connections such as a mind meld, others are permanent mind links such as the bond between mates (married couples).

o0o

Author's Note

It is my first fan fiction story and is mostly fluff, but hopefully decently well written fluff. Let me know what you think, comment, and perhaps suggest another prompt. I plan to be write more Star Trek set vulcan/human relationship stories in future.

I do not currently have a beta, but have thoroughly checked this. If you find errors feel free to let me know. In terms of spelling I use UK English though some American spellings may be present, and the vulcan words and translations come from the Vulcan language Dictionary /vld/