T'Pring of Vulcan did not understand the logic behind the decision several families had made concerning the bonding of her 11 year old son Toranok to one of their daughters. Logically he should have been bonded years ago, and she should have been able to find a bondmate for him easily. He was of good blood - T'Pring herself, his mother, was of an ancient, well respected clan and though her husband Stonn's clan was not well known on Vulcan as hers was, his family was wealthy and could adequately provide for its clansmembers. Additionally, Toranok was logical, intelligent, talented, aesthetically pleasing, and his education was being well tended. These factors alone should have motivated many of the families with eligible daughters to pursue her suggestion for a bond. Yet, after 3 years nobody had expressed an interest in bonding their daughters to her son.

A Vulcan boy who was not bonded risked his life when he reached full maturity and experienced Pon-Farr. A male who entered Pon-Farr without an established bondmate was vulnerable and had to bond with inferior females, sometimes even out-worlders, and often the telepathic bond could not even be established if Pon-Farr was too advanced and insanity had already set in. T'Pring wanted her boy bonded young. It would insure that he would not die from Pon-Farr when he was older.

Childhood bonding was the norm for Vulcans and had been practiced since the beginning of recorded history. The practice evolved as the natural biological processes associated with Vulcan reproduction lended themselves to the Vulcan ability to telepathically link minds. However, it was slowly becoming more popular in recent times to leave a child unbonded for a longer period of time and let him/her select their bondmate. Certainly if they had not selected one by their early twenties, when Pon-Farr might occur, the parents usually stepped in and selected for their child. T'Pring herself had been bonded as a child by her parents at the age of 7. Over time, she found she did not wish to be married to her parents chosen mate and wanted another man instead so, she challenged at the time of Pon-Farr to divorce the mate her parents had chosen. This is why T'Pring chose not to bond her own daughter. She did not want her to experience the censure she had experienced when she challenged Spock at the time of his Pon-Farr.

Now that T'Pring's daughter was in her late teens T'Pring realized the necessity for her daughter to chose a mate before most of the males in her age group were already bonded. This was not going as she had anticipated. A year earlier T'Pring's 16 year old daughter, T'Pathana, had suggested a bond with one of her unbonded male acquaintances. He declined after discussing it with his parents. T'Pring was surprised at this because he would have been a good choice for her, and she for him. He came from a decent clan, had sufficient wealth, talent, intelligence and education. Also, their logic patterns seemed to compliment each other and they seemed to find each other's company agreeable. T'Pathana had received no explanation as to why his parents did not wish for the bonding except that "They thought it unwise". This had occurred over a year ago. Recently her daughter had found another boy whom she expressed desire for as a bond mate. He had visited at their house several times and had formed an acquaintance and familiarity with her daughter. T'Pring herself researched the boy and his background and after finding it acceptable it was she who suggested that they bond. Both of them seemed very agreeable to the bonding when she suggested it, so T'Pring decided that she herself would contact his parents to discuss it further. The boy's mother was a school mate of T'Pathana's whom T'Pring knew slightly, so she invited her to a mid-day meal the following day. At the appropriate time T'Pring walked into the restaurant where they had decided to meet.

"Good day, T'Rica, I hope you are in the best of health" said T'Pring as she greeted her daughter's prospective bonds mates' mother.

"Best of health and prosperity to you T'Pring. To what do I owe the honor of this meeting? Is there something you wished to discuss?"

"Indeed there is but let us obtain some refreshment first." replied T'Pring.

After they received their food and drinks a short discussion about their children's schooling and future career choices ensued. What T'Pring discovered about Sortek, her daughter's prospective bond mate, was agreeable to her. Sortek hoped to pursue healing as a profession, something her own daughter had also considered. He had made a definite plan for this and at 17, he was still unbonded. T'Pring knew his parents would be concerned if he did not chose a mate soon. Soon the conversation lulled, so T'Pring brought up the reason for their meeting.

"T'Rica, I asked to meet you here today because our children seem to have established a preference for each other. I know your son is yet unbonded as is my daughter. They do seem to get along very well. Yesterday I suggested that they might consider bonding to each other. After my comments, they told me that they had already discussed it between themselves and hoped that I would approve. After researching your sons background, family and credentials I saw nothing objectionable. What are your thoughts on this subject?"

T'Rica was silent for over a minute. Her impassive face revealed little about her thoughts. At last she replied, "I do not think that it would be wise for my son to bond with your daughter."

If T'Pring was surprised her face did not reveal it. "Please explain" she said after a short pause.

Looking directly into T'Pring's eyes T'Rica began "Didn't you challenge Spock, son of Ambassador Sarek of Shi'Kahr several years ago during his Pon-Farr?"

T'Pring rose an enquiring eye brow and replied icily "Yes, this is common knowledge. Events of this nature are considered private and should never have been made public information to anyone else except the participants. It was the humans in attendance who have made public knowledge of my private affairs."

She was correct. Records and the details of matters associated with Pon-Farr were private. Vulcans did not discuss this subject between themselves unless necessary. The events which occurred on that day would have remained unknown if Dr McCoy, of the Starship Enterprise, had not told Spock's mother all the details of the fateful day when he thought he would be attending Spock's wedding. Amanda Grayson had boarded that vessel while on a diplomatic mission, and became friends with her son's acquaintances which had included Dr. McCoy. Spock's mother, had reacted quite humanly after learning the details. She expressed sentiments of shock, sadness, anger and betrayal. She did not let her anger end there. She told everyone in her husband Sarek's clan, her teaching colleagues, friends and acquaintances about the events of that day. Soon what had occurred on that day was known throughout most of Vulcan.

The challenge, kalifee, had not been used in years to divorce one's bondmate. Logical Vulcans usually accepted the mate of their parents choosing. There is no logic in preferring one mate over another. However, some bonded couples do decide to dissolve their union prior to marriage. The bond is dissolved telepathically with a priestess in attendance who determines if the link has been successfully broken. Once a male is in Pon-Farr though, he is biologically and telepathically driven to mate with his bondmate or die. The challenge (kalifee) is the only way she can divorce her bond mate and marry another once the blood fever has set in.

Spock was a legend on Vulcan. He had made contributions to all the sciences, computers, engineering, music, space exploration, galactic development, peace keeping , and education. He had saved lives and worlds, made history, guided the Federation, created, invented, designed, and produced. He was constantly in the news for his work and adventures in Star Fleet. His father, Sarek was also a powerful, respected man, and his clan was a noble one. T'Pring had waited until Spock was already in Pon-Farr, and likely to die if she challenged him at Koon-et-Kalifee with her lover Stonn. Her behavior had sent waves of disbelief and disapproval through Vulcan. That she had obtained what she wanted by choosing his captain as her champion caused further concern and disapproval. Vulcan's ancient laws were designed to allow a bonded woman to chose another should her bond mate refuse to release her from their bond. But, T'Pring had used the laws and ignorance of Spock's friends to divorce Spock, and protect her lover Stonn.

"Nonetheless" replied T'Rica, "You did not ask Spock for a divorce prior to his entering Pon-Farr. Why did you behave as such."

"That is none of your concern." T'Pring quickly replied.

"I think I know why" said T'Rica, "You were content to have the status, respect, financial support and safety of having Spock. While he was away from Vulcan, in Star Fleet, you could have Stonn too. You calculated that if Spock never entered Pon-Farr, you could have the advantages both men offered. So you never dissolved your bond with Spock until he was in the throes of Pon Farr, weak, and fevered. You cared nothing for his well being or life nor did you have concern for the life of his captain. Had you informed Spock at an earlier date that you no longer wished to marry him and preferred another he would have been free to chose another mate too and avoid what you put him through."

"It was my right to chose another mate and challenge at Koon-et-Kalifee." T'Pring interjected. "I never desired the bond with Spock. My parents chose a mate for me. They chose a human/Vulcan hybrid based on his status and clan not my wants. It was a great injustice to me. This is why I did not bond my daughter as a child."

"Spock did not chose the bonding either yet remained faithful to our laws and traditions . Had you wanted another mate you could have asked him for a divorce and dissolved the union. You took advantage of whoever you could at that time. I see little change in you now. Tell me T'Pring, are you still trying to find a bond for your son?"

When T'Pring did not reply, T'Rica went on, "So you have no qualms about bonding your son as a child but not your daughter."

"Of course -- a girl does not have the danger of dying in the Pon-Farr like a boy does. You state the obvious" her tone slightly defensive now.

T'Rica replied disbelievingly "Have you considered that if all behaved like you, there would be no girls for you to bond with your son? If he does not find a bond mate, he, like every other male, risks death. When we bond our sons we take a chance that his bond mate won't behave as you did, putting only her own needs and wants before those of the other. We trust the bond mate will behave honorably and not challenge our sons at the time of Pon-Farr which usually results in his death. I understand that sometimes a bonded couple chooses not to follow through with the marriage and chooses to break the bond. But, we trust this will be done in an honorable manner that will not risk his life. The needs of the many outweigh the needs on the one -- it is the way of Surak. You have chosen to twist the interpretation of this philosophy so as to benefit your own needs and wants, while ignoring those of another. I see how your logic works T'Pring and have no desire to see my son bonded to your family. We cannot trust you to follow the laws concerning our marriage ceremony. You did not honor your bond and why should I trust that you will encourage your daughter to do the same? My reservations are quite logical."

"I followed the laws and customs of our people T'Rica. You have no right to judge me or my daughter."

Before she could say anymore T'Rica cut her off "You followed the letter of the law not the spirit of the law. Our laws are ancient and based in our behavior before the Awakening. We are civilized and logical now. We do not kill unnecessarily, we detest violence. I do not approve of you or your ways T'Pring. I have little more to say on the subject. I cannot allow a bond between our children. Even if your daughter is unlike you, I could not trust that you would not take advantage of him or any other who comes into your sphere. I wish you well T'Pring, but based upon your past behavior, I do not wish to become better acquainted with you. It is time for me to be leaving now. Peace and long life to you."

With that T'Rica left the table and headed out of the restaurant. T'Pring suppressed her surprise and sense of injustice at the accusations she leveled at her. There would be no bonding between her family and that illogical, classless family. Her daughter would do better than marry into a clan that thought so little of herself and her family. She knew her reasoning and logic concerning her actions years ago was flawless, and based on the laws necessary to maintain justice, harmony and order in society. Besides, look how well everything had turned out. Spock had his freedom, work, legendary status, accomplishments, supporters and life style that he wanted and chose. She had her Stonn, children, and lifestyle that she wanted. Even Stonn had benefited by her actions years ago -- hadn't he? Just because he was spending more and more time away from her, working harder and harder did not indicate any type of dissatisfaction. The family business was faltering, T'Pring knew this, and Stonn just needed to put in more time until it was profitable again -- which would happen soon undoubtedly.

T'Pring left the restaurant and drove her air car back to her home. She would tell her daughter about her meeting with Sortek's mother. Her daughter would see the illogic, inferiority and emotionality with which that family behaves and realize that the bonding was not a good one after all. On her drive home she requested media news. The big news of today was that Spock of Vulcan, who had undergone the legendary Fal-Tor-Pan ceremony a few months ago, had been healed and reeducated and had helped save the planet Earth from destruction from an alien probe. The star ship Enterprise and her crew, including Spock, had saved yet another world and accomplished what others had failed to do. T'Pring stopped the information broadcast. Would the man ever stop making headlines? Every time he did, others seemed to treat her poorly, as if to say "You chanced taking the life of this extraordinary man who has done so much good for not only Vulcan, but so many others in the galaxy, merely for personal gain?" They would never understand and she would never be respected as she deserved to be. T'Rica's words came back to her. It was the fault of the laws concerning bonding and Vulcan marriage that are to blame. Everything worked out for the best thanks to herself. Why didn't others see this?