Building Good Human/ Vulcan Relations.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of the characters and I am not making any profit off of them.

Authors notes at bottom.

Chapter one: The Vulcan and the Nursery Children.

The alarm clock rang; Mandy woke up and slammed her palm down on it several times until it finally stopped. Her head hurt like the blazes and she rolled back over and dragged the covers over her head. The room was blissfully quiet and dark for all of five minutes and she closed her eyes and started to drift back into sweet oblivion. Then the pre-programmed lights (programmed for occasions such as this) came on and despite being under the covers a pain ran through her right eye like a red hot needle into the brain. She groaned and rolled out of bed staggering over to the dimmer switch to turn the lights down. She headed to the bathroom stepping over the empty triple chocolate ice-cream carton, wine glass and empty chocolate wrappers. Sugar hangovers are the worst. She grabbed a bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet trying not to flinch at the reflection in the mirror, dark mascara stains had run down her cheeks. She popped two of the pills turned the shower to the water setting, stripped and jumped in.

When she got out she felt quite a lot better, whether the shower had relieved built up tension or the pain killers had kicked in she didn't know. She walked back into the bedroom, the sight of the rubbish littering her usually spotless floor brought back memories of the previous night and she considered taking a sick day for about three seconds then decided against it, nothing like trying to keep thirty hyperactive kids in order and on task to distract from the post-break up blues.

She and Bobby had been dating for just over eight months, the thing was thing's between them had been fine, thing's between them had always been fine, stuck in a rut isn't ever going to be better than just okay, fine. There had never been any romance or any spark and though she was too old for fairy tales Mandy wanted something that was a little better than fine. Not mind blowing romance or whole weekends filled with carnal desires but perhaps somebody that when she looked at she didn't think, 'well he's nice enough, he's good looking enough, he's got a job and he doesn't live with his parents so he's fine' she wanted somebody she could look at and see, what? She didn't know, love perhaps? Hell, even lust or vague interest would do.

The fight last night had been over chocolates, it was a simple fight and if it hadn't been preceded by months of doubt and questioning and little annoyances that built into a big picture of relative dislike then it would have been the type of fight that was forgotten about the next day. Bobby had brought her chocolates, nice enough, except they were chocolates with a cherry filling and she didn't like them, she had told him several times she didn't like them because they were the chocolates Bobby tended to have in his own cupboard and grudgingly offered to her from time to time.

"I don't like these."

"What? They're your favourites."

"No, they're your favourites."

"Oh come on."

"No Bobby, don't make this into me being irrational, you aren't listening to me."

"Okay, you don't like them, I've got it. Now can we just go out to dinner? I've book a table at that little Italian place."

"Bobby, I don't like Italian."

"We've had Italian loads of times."

"And every time I've said I don't like it but if you've already booked the table I'll go and just put up with it. I've had enough of putting up with it."

"Who doesn't like Italian?"

"I don't Bobby." She shook her head. "You don't know me at all do you?"

He'd never tried, not really, he'd been charming and done everything he thought a boyfriend should do, he took her on dates, he was nice to her family and he did the washing up on the occasions she had cooked for him, he introduced her to friends. He played the role like the best of actors, demonstrating feelings and actions without any true emotion behind them. He'd never tried to get to know her, he'd never seen her for who she really was, and he treated her like she was the same as every other woman on the planet, no individuality. And, the thing that was going to be the biggest problem now he was actually out of her life was everybody thought he was perfect. In public he acted perfectly, he smiled with his mouth (though never with his eyes, she had noticed that) he was polite even charming at times, he was handsome in a traditional fashion and he had a good job. Now her friends and her mother were going to ask for reasons why she dumped him and she wouldn't be able to give them any except descriptions of petty arguments and irritations that couples have all the time. She didn't think she could say it was fine, he was fine, but something was wrong, she would never have loved him, she didn't think they would understand. He had lacked something; at least she thought he had. Her biggest fear was that in actual fact it was her who lacked something. Perhaps she lacked the ability to love, or the ability to be happy, or the ability to settle for fine.

When she arrived at the school she headed straight for the staff room, she was really in need of a second cup of coffee, though the headache was starting to go she felt a strange mixture of sluggishness and shakiness. It was one of those morning when she wondered how the hell she was going to get through the day without snapping at an eight year old, the thing about being a teacher is that when you're teaching you have to try and put everything else in your life aside, you have to try not to be human or have emotions and just to encourage and motivate the kids as best as possible, she had learnt how to smile when the whole worlds falling apart quite early on in her career.

As she poured the tepid, mud like liquid into her 'World's Best Teacher' mug the Head Teacher came in. Paul was only a few years older than her, young for the position he held, but he was good at his job and the school had increased in its average grade marks and efficiency levels since he'd taken the job on just over two years previous.

"Good morning Mandy. You look stunning as usual."

Mandy looked up, she knew he wanted something, she knew for two reasons: One, he only used that tone of voice when he wanted something and two, she knew she looked like crap, she hadn't slept well, she had spent most of the night crying and she had forgone make-up, she was looking at her worst.

"What do you want Paul?"

"We have been honoured, we have been asked to show somebody very important around our school."

Mandy held back the sigh, honoured and important were Paul's bullshitting words that translated to 'it's an annoying and impractical circumstance but some board of director or rich parent or senators second want to look round the school and we have to let them and do it with a smile'. And Paul was going to ask her to meet that person and be the one to do the smiling when she really just wanted to sit somewhere and feel miserable for the day and eat more chocolate and watch old comedy movies.

"Another school board manager?"

"Ambassador to Vulcan."

Mandy froze as she was getting milk out the fridge. She looked up at Paul.

"Ambassador to Vulcan?" She asked wondering if she had misheard.

"Yes."

"Why on Earth does the ambassador to Vulcan want to visit a school?"

"He's new. He wants better insight into Terrans so that he can do a better job."

"Okay then. When he comes into the class I'll give him five minutes." By the time she had finished the sentence she knew the day was just going to get worse, Paul was shaking his head and had a big fake grin on plastered on his face.

"Mandy."

"Oh no, no. No!"

He tilted his head to the side slightly, the gesture spoke words, specifically the words 'you might not like it but you're going to do it because I'm your boss and I'm making you do it, but I will look at you in a sympathetic manner and listen to you complaining before I force you to do it.'

"I need you to give him a tour of the school."

"I am a teacher not a diplomat." Mandy complained.

"Sometimes you have to be both."

"Why me?" She said, defeated.

"Because you are my most charming staff member."

"Like hell I am."

"Okay, my two most charming staff members are off ill and everybody else is busy. I've arranged cover for your class in the morning so you can charm the pants of Mr. Vulcan."

"Firstly, his pants will stay on, thank you very much and secondly, can you even charm a Vulcan? Aren't they like...void of emotions?"

"Mandy?"

"Yes Paul?"

"Just do it."

"Yes Paul." She sighed.

Mandy had seen Vulcans, she had even been to a party as a student where there was a stiff looking Vulcan girl stood in the corner and she had tried to make small talk with her for five minutes before giving up. She knew what most people knew, they were the first none Terran species to make contact with Earth, the planet they were from was really hot, they were brilliant scientists and mathematicians they were taller and stronger than Humans, they weren't humanities biggest fans but they had never shown any hostile intentions, they were part of the federation but not the most active of members and the big one, they had no emotions. Well, she thought to herself, at least you can't piss off somebody with no emotions, can you?

Paul, knowing that Mandy would be on her best behaviour in front of the Alien ambassador, left. Mandy drunk her coffee then headed into the bathroom where she tried to straighten her shirt and skirt so they looked a little neater and deciding that though she did not look pretty or especially tidy at least she did look like a primary school teacher. She didn't have to look like anything else, did she? Just because some big shot wants to look at a little school doesn't mean she had to dress up. She pulled the band from out her hair letting the straight brown mass flow round her shoulders, somehow it made her look less tired so she decided to leave it that way. She went back to the staff room took a pile of math homework's out her bag and started to mark them, it wasn't even five minutes later that Paul walked back into the room followed by a very tall very pale man. At least that was what she thought he was until she saw that his ears had very distinctive points to them.

The ambassador was not good looking, not in the classical sense of the word, but he had a presence to him, like serenity but also a great power behind that serenity. He stood completely straight with his arms folded behind his back; he was dressed in some kind of gray robes, which did nothing for him. His face was angular, with high cheekbones a flat and long nose, thin lips and strangely slanted eyebrows. It was his eyes that her attention lingered on though, they were almost black and gave the impression of depth like a lake on a moonless night, and they stared back at her as if staring right into the core of her. His hair was salt and pepper and although he looked to be in his early thirties by Human standards Vulcan's lived for over two-hundred years so he could have been in his sixties or eighties for all Mandy knew. She noted the body under those gray robes was firm and muscular, athletic in the runner or swimmer sense with the occasional go at weight lifting.

"Mandy, this is Ambassador Sarek."

Paul said completely oblivious to their inner summing up of each other. Mandy stood up and silently scolded herself for having 'checked out' the physic of an interplanetary diplomat.

"Ambassador this is Miss Amanda Grayson, she is one of our most knowledgeable teachers and will be able to answer all your questions and give you a tour of the facilities." The ambassador nodded and she noted that his expression had not changed in the slightest and his eyes had not left hers since he had walked into the room.

She held her hand out to shake his; the ambassador looked down at it but kept his hands firmly behind his back.

Mandy quickly dropped her own hand, she felt suddenly nervous.

"Hello Ambassador, it is a pleasure to have you in our school."

The Ambassador nodded, and did nothing else. Mandy waited for one of usual reply of 'thank you for having me here,' 'the pleasure is all mine' 'I hope it is not too much inconvenience to you.' But none came, and she waited too long so that there was a long uncomfortable silence between them. Paul gave her a very pointed look and she hesitated briefly trying to build up her nerve to talk to the disconcerting ambassador again.

"Shall I give you the tour now?" She asked nervously.

"No." The ambassador replied, when he spoke his voice was deep and emotionless.

Mandy shot Paul a worried look wondering if she had somehow managed to insult the Vulcan already.

Sarek seemed to notice the glance as he spoke again.

"It appears that I have disturbed you at some task, I will wait until you have completed it, then you may proceed to show me your Terran teaching practices."

Mandy stood in puzzlement for a moment then turned to look over her shoulder at the papers she had been marking. She considered telling him it wasn't important then decided that it may be simpler to just finish up the papers first.

"Uh, thanks. It'll only take a few minutes."

"That is acceptable."

"Great, I'll just leave you two to it then." Paul said giving his wide fake smile and leaving the room.

Coward, Mandy thought as she was left standing with the Ambassador. There was about thirty seconds where they just stood looking at each other then Mandy turned and went to sit back by the coffee table to finish her marking. The tour of the school was going to be uncomfortable but if he didn't like to talk then at least it was going to be quick. She picked up her pen and drew a line of ticks down the first of the homework's, then she glanced back up at the Ambassador, he was looking around the room with disinterest. Well, actually his expression hadn't changed but Mandy assumed it was disinterest; after all it wasn't an interesting room. She felt that she was perhaps being rather rude and one thing Mandy was not was rude to strangers, her boss maybe but that was different.

"Would you like to sit down?" She asked.

"No."

"Would you like a drink, tea, coffee maybe?"

"No."

"Okay, just ask if you need anything."

The next two minutes where she rushed to finish her marking were perhaps some of the most uncomfortable in her life. She almost let out a sigh of relief as she put her pen down and stood up to face the Ambassador again.

"Is there any area that interests you the most? We could start there and then move around?"

The ambassador seemed to consider this for a moment.

"I suggest a thorough sweep of the school emanating from this position."

Mandy took a deep breath, she would not let herself be thrown by the Ambassador this was her school, her territory and he was the guest there. Reminding herself of that fact seemed to make her feel stronger.

"Right you are, follow me please."

The ambassador's eyebrow quirked up, it was the first sign of expression since he had arrived. He stepped out of Mandy's way as she went out the door then fell in next to her easily keeping pace with her swift strides as she walked him down the hallway to the first classroom. The nursery room, nobody could face the loosely organized chaos of twenty-three four to five year olds without some kind of reaction.

The nursery room had extra sound proofing so the students in the adjoining rooms would not be disturbed. That was why when Mandy pushed the door open there was a sudden rush of noise, Screams, laughter and crying. Mandy glanced at the ambassador, he didn't bat an eyelid. She walked in and shouted to one of the three nursery teachers, she waved but didn't pay any more attention, people tended to come and go in the nursery every day. She watched Sarek glance around the room, there were vaguely organized groups of children, one teacher was teaching letter to sound recognition in one of the corners. There was a table of eight children and one teacher drawing, and the final teacher was at the white board with a group of three children who were using the big computer screen to copy numbers with the encouragement of cartoon characters. The rest of the children were spread across the large carpet in the middle of the room playing with blocks and puzzles and a my first universe play set with a big map of nearby solar systems and little toy aliens and star ships.

"This is the nursery class, four to five year olds. They're eased into education, taught to interact with each other properly and what is expected of them when they are in a class." She explained.

"They are not taught any subject matter?" Sarek asked his first question and Mandy was a little thrown out though she hadn't really expected him to go the entire tour without asking questions. When he asked he sounded bored, no curiosity or interest in his tone whatsoever.

"They are taught number and letter recognition in preparation for next year. By the end of this year many will be reading short books on their own but next year they will read every day in groups."

Sarek nodded, she found it disconcerting that she couldn't make any inferences on what he was thinking- the man was just too stoic.

"May I ask what you teach children on Vulcan at this age?"

"At the age of four Earth years Vulcan children are taught more effective methods of meditation than the ones they are encouraged to learn previous to that age."

Mandy felt shocked at the idea of a child younger than four being expected to meditate.

"They are taught the basic principles of mathematics, logical reasoning skills, they are given books on Surek's teaching, 78% of children of this age attend dance classes to increase their muscular strength and coordination, and 43% are given their first instrument."

Mandy stared blankly for a moment at him.

"I did not expect you to be so aware of the teaching methods on your own planet."

"I did the necessary preparations to give a thorough report."

"You're comparing Vulcan and Earth teaching methods?"

"I am providing the data from Vulcan as a comparison to measure how far Terran's have come in this field and where their ineffectiveness lies."

Mandy had to bite her tongue from making a rude remark. Be charming she reminded herself, avoid diplomatic incidents. She just smiled sweetly at the Ambassador then pretended to notice something over his shoulder.

"Oh dear the books aren't alphabetized. That won't do at all. Will you excuse me for a minute?"

"Of course." Sarek bowed his head slightly to her.

She went over to the small bookshelf and started moving the books around, the teacher at the drawing table caught her eye and smirked, Mandy winked back. The books were never alphabetized, what was the point when the kids didn't know their alphabet. But by walking a few steps away from the ambassador she was leaving him open for the kids to get a good look at and sure enough as she glanced around she saw lots of pairs of eyes pointed at the ambassador.

Some children when faced with a new adult become shy while others strive to be the focus of their attention. In a class of this size there were about a dozen of the attention strivers, all Mandy had to do was wait for one to build up the courage to talk to him first then the rest would swamp him a couple of minutes after. Sure enough by the time she got to the C's a little blonde girl in a bright pink romper was heading towards where he was stood glancing around. The girls name was Tiffany and Mandy had known from bumping into the girl whilst on playground duty that she could be extraordinarily irritating. She watched the little girl go stand next to the Vulcan, the child only came up to his knee caps but she boldly put her hands on her hips and talked to him

"Can I touch your ears?"

"I would prefer it if you didn't."

"Why?"

"My ears are Very sensitive."

"Why?"

"Because there are a large number of nerves in them."

Mandy knew that the Vulcan was altering his speech for the child; she had the feeling that if an adult had asked then he would have given the precise number of nerves in those pointy ears of his.

"Why?" Tiffany said again, enjoying the game.

"Because that is the way they have evolved."

"Why?"

"There is a lot of debate on the matter; evolutionary scientists on my planet have yet to determine whether they evolved in that manner due to natural or sexual selection."

"Why?"

"The evidence is inconclusive. It can be taken to point in either direction. Though the evidence is vast and."

"Why?"

"Well Vulcan's hot dry climate is perfect for preserving remains."

"Why?"

"All the liquid is quickly drawn out of the body stopping decomposition and mummifying the remains."

"Why?"

Sarek's eyebrow quirked a bit whether from confusion or irritation Mandy didn't know but she felt a mixture of pity and a strange respect for the man who'd managed to get to eight why's the previous record was six and she herself had only ever managed three. She stopped her pretend tidying and went to place her hand on Tiffany's shoulder.

"That's enough Tiffany let some of the other children talk to our visitor."

"Okay." She said sullenly then craned her neck up at Sarek and gave him her most winning smile.

"I like you, you're funny."

"And I find an inquisitive nature to be a virtue in a child."

"What's In-Quit-tit?"

"Tiffany." Mandy said in a warning tone. Tiffany caught it.

"Bye bye." She said wiggling her fingers in a wave at him.

"Live long and prosper." Sarek said wiggling his fingers back. He turned to Mandy still wiggling his fingers in the childlike fashion.

"Is this the common farewell used by Terran children?"

Again the words were perfectly toneless and Mandy let a little smirk pass her lips.

"Yes, I guess you could say that."

She considered whether to continue onto another class, she decided five more minutes wouldn't hurt too much. She hadn't known Wade, the youngest child in the class, had been waiting to talk to Sarek. She only realized when Sarek looked down at the tiny boy who was tugging at his robes.

Sarek raised a solitary eyebrow again.

"Mr, where you from?"

"I am from Vulcan."

"My Daddy's a Canadian too."

"I am not a Canadian, I am a Vulcan."

"You're tall."

"By human and Vulcan standards I am greater than the average height."

Another child Ian, having built up courage from seeing his classmates talking to the stranger came over.

"Mr., why are you wearing a dress?"

"It is not a dress; these are the traditional robes of an ambassador of Vulcan."

"Robes?" Wade chimed in.

"Yes."

"That's what you wear over your jammies in the morning."

"What are 'jammies'?"

"You don't wear jammies?"

"I cannot ascertain that fact as I am not sure what article of clothing that you are referring to."

"What do you wear in bed if you don't wear Jammies?"

"Are Jammies clothes that you sleep in?"

"Yeah."

"I understand now, if the meaning of the word Jammies is clothes that you sleep in then I do wear Jammies."

"Then why did you say that you didn't?" Ian cut in.

"I did not say that I didn't, I said I could not ascertain if I did."

"You do so you can't ascertain it."

"You are confusing beings."

"Being what?"

"Confusing."

"I know you are but what am I?"

"You are a Terran child of roughly five earth years of age born on the American continent."

He turned to Mandy.

"Miss Grayson I have seen enough can we precede now?"

After Mandy had shown the ambassador the first and second grades, the cafeteria and the hall she had taken him to the fifth form class. Their teacher Mr. Andrews was a serious xeno-lover. He always saved up all his credits and went off planet for the summer break. He collected artefacts from different worlds and read as many books as he could on non-Terran life forms. Apparently he had been to Vulcan a few years previous and spent the first ten minutes of their visit talking about places he'd visited there as a seemingly more disinterested than usual Sarek nodded along politely and Mandy watched the kids to stop a full blown riot from breaking out.

"You know we have very little interplanetary immigration in this state, the kids hardly ever have contact with off worlders. It's not good for them, unfamiliarity breeds contempt."

"It is illogical but I have heard it is often the way with many humanoids." Sarek agreed.

"Why don't you have a talk with them, introduce yourself to the class and answer a few questions, it'll help broaden their horizons."

"That would be acceptable." Sarek had answered.

"Great." Mr. Anderson answered as if it were the most exciting thing to happen all year, which, Mandy reminded herself In Anderson's case it probably was.

He went to the front of the class and clapped his hands together to get their attention.

"Class, we have a very special visitor with us today. Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan. He is going to answer any questions you have about Vulcan, the planet, its history, customs and culture."

The kids looked relatively interested as they surveyed Sarek. Mr. Anderson stepped aside and Sarek took his place, Mandy just watched from the sidelines.

"Greetings I am Sarek."

The class stared at him, and Sarek starred back expectantly after fifty seconds of silence he started speaking again.

"Most of you will know of Vulcan it is the closest planet to yours with an advanced humanoid life form. It was also the first planet that Earth made contact with after the discovery of the wrap engine. The Vulcan's were among the first to join the federation, along with the Telerites and Earth they were the founding members." Sarek paused as if waiting for questions, when there were none he looked directly at Mandy as if questioning whether he was doing anything wrong. Mandy knew it was evil but she raised a single eyebrow at him. Still expressionless Sarek turned back to the class.

"As Ambassador to Earth it is my job to understand Terran's and act as negotiator between Earth and Vulcan on all federation business, such as trade agreements and the sharing of knowledge and facilities and the extradition of Terran criminals from Vulcan."

This time a hand was raised. Sarek nodded at the ten year old boy.

"Have you met any criminals?"

"Not that I am aware of."

The boy seemed to sigh and sink back into his seat. A little girl raised her hand next and Sarek as before nodded at her.

"My mummy said Vulcan's are telepathies."

"Telepathic." Mr. Anderson corrected.

"Yes, Vulcan's do have some telepathic ability. We share a collective unconscious that bonds every member of our species together. Vulcan's are touch telepaths."

"What number am I thinking of?" A little boy called out.

"There is a code of morality that comes with telepathy that disallows the casual disturbance of another's mind. But there is a 65.7% chance that you are thinking of the number seven."

The boy nodded slowly and gapped at the ambassador and Mandy had to wonder how he'd come up with the number and its likelihood.

"Can you explain to the kids a little more about what touch telepath means?" Mr. Anderson prompted.

"A touch telepath can read another's emotions when in physical contact with them."

"But not their thoughts?"

"Not clearly unless they share a bond with that person or perform a mind meld."

Another girl had raised her hand.

"Yes Savannah." Mr. Anderson said.

"I heard Vulcan's have no feelings."

"Any creature with nerves can feel." Sarek answered.

"No, she means emotions."

Sarek nodded.

"That is a common misconception amongst Humans. Vulcan's are not completely emotionless."

Mandy listen carefully, surprised at the new knowledge that the man could feel, he certainly hadn't shown any feelings since he had arrived.

"But it is illogical to allow one's self to be guided by ones emotions and so they are suppressed so they do not interfere with ones logical decision making."

"That's interesting stuff." Mr. Anderson said staring with hero worship at Sarek.

Mandy's eyes glanced at the clock on the wall, it was only half an hour to lunch break and she still had three classrooms the computer lab and the playground to show Sarek.

"Mr. Anderson, the Ambassador will have to leave soon."

"One more question, yes Moomin."

"What's with the ears?"

Mandy let out a snort of laughter as the ambassador raised an eyebrow. If the man could feel he was definitely feeling annoyed at that moment.

As she led him out of the class he turned to her.

"Why are most Terran's I encounter seemingly fascinated with my ears?"

"I believe it maybe because everything else about you looks Human, the ears are the first thing that you notice that tells you that you're not."

Sarek nodded his head slowly.

"That seems a valid hypothesis."

Mandy grabbed the lunch out of the bag she kept on a little hook outside the staff room. She turned to look at the Ambassador.

"So, at lunchtime we all sit in the staffroom and we eat lunch and we talk." She explained.

"I see."

"Did you bring any lunch with you?"

"I do not require nutrition at this moment, but if I may have a glass of water..."'

"Yes of course." Mandy answered quickly. She led him into the staffroom, every eye flickered to him. As she poured his glass of water Paul was standing up to talk to him.

"So, has Mandy shown you around?"

"Miss Grayson has been a most gracious hostess."

Mandy almost spilled the water she had just finished pouring, she may had been polite on the surface but she had gone out of her way to dump Sarek in the deep end and she had not intervened when the kids had asked him embarrassingly naive questions in every class they visited. He had been asked three times why he was wearing a dress and five times about his ears which did seem to fascinate the children, and if she were to be honest her eyes did flicker to them more than was necessary. They were just so pointy, it made her want to rub them, she found the man ridged, stoic and did not like him one bit and she wanted to rub his ears. She really was going insane.

"I know I asked to be here for the morning session but I wish to stay and observe Miss Grayson teaching."

This time Mandy did drop the glass of water she was carrying it smashed on the tiled floor, three of Mandy's friend stood to help as she kneeled down the pick up the glass shards her face burning bright red in embarrassment as the dark eyes of the Ambassador starred down at her. She waved her hand frantically to tell everybody to sit back down.

"Miss Grayson, are you injured?" Sarek asked her and she looked up blushing.

"No, no I'm sorry I just lost my grip."

"You do not need to apologize accidents cannot be avoided 100% of the time it is an inevitability that they will occur. Please stop what you are doing; there is a 67% chance you will cut yourself."

Mandy felt a brush being pushed into her hand and smiled in thanks to her friend Sara who had handed it to her. She knew the ambassador's eyes did not leave her as she continued to sweep up the shards and dispose of them.

"Mandy would be happy to let you observe her class." Paul said, bringing the conversation back on track. Mandy hated him for the words.

"I believe the only one who can ascertain that fact is Miss Grayson." The Ambassador stated. Mandy looked between him and Paul, was it her or had the dark eyed Ambassador just stood up for her.

"Of course."

She answered and then wondered why she had said it.

The Ambassador nodded his head once.

"Well that's all settled then." Paul said clapping his hands together.

Mandy poured another glass of water as the Ambassador sat down, this time she managed to give it to him without incident.

When the staffroom was usually filled with chatter about thing's the children had done, their weekends and the hardships of being an educator today it was almost silent as people eyed the Ambassador nervously.

"So..." Marilyn the sixth grade teacher finally said. "Ambassador..."

"Sarek."

"Sarek, how do you find Earth?"

"Its coordinates were in the shuttles data banks, the pilot merely accessed them and programmed the navigation system to follow them." Sarek answered perfectly seriously.

Marilyn stared at him flabbergasted. But this time Mandy didn't want to laugh at his misunderstanding, there was something endearing about it.

"How long have you been an Ambassador?" Mandy asked before she could stop herself.

"34 Earth days."

"How much training did you have to have?"

"I did not receive any training. The previous Ambassador and the two aides that would have inherited the position died suddenly whilst in transit from an interplanetary conference."

Mandy thought best not to ask how they had died.

"How many times have you visited Earth previous to this?"

"This is the first occasion I have visited Earth."

Mandy suddenly had a much clearer picture of the man in front of her. Thrust into a job he had no training for, encountering for the first time a new species and knowing that he had to be the negotiator between their two planets. And here he was trying to understand them better so he could do a better job.

She nodded in understanding but couldn't think what to say so she went back to eating her sandwiches.

"Mandy." Sara said getting her attention.

Sara was a work friend, they laughed and joked together every day over lunch and occasionally went out for a drink together but Mandy never really shared the intimacies of her thoughts with her.

"How's Bobby, do I hear wedding bells in the air?"

Mandy looked down at her sandwiches.

"We broke up." She said quietly aiming for nonchalance but ending up sounding more upset than she actually felt. There was a moment of silence.

"What happened?" Mira asked.

Two months ago Mandy had taken Bob to a staff party and so now everybody knew who she was referring too, if they hadn't previously, and to most that made it their business.

"I broke up with him."

"Why, he was perfect!" Sara asked her voice incredulous.

"Thing just weren't right."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want to talk about this right now." Mandy said in a tone that left no room for arguments.

Mandy kept her eyes down for the rest of the lunch as conversation stuttered along about the weather and little inconsequential things.

When the bell finally rung she stood and headed out the door and along the corridor she was so deep In thought that it wasn't till she was halfway to her class that she noticed the heavy footsteps falling in beside her. She looked up at the ambassador with a wry smile.

"I guess I'm not at my best today."

"You are distressed by the end of your relationship." The ambassador stated.

"No, not really. Not anymore at least." She had done all her crying last night and now only felt a type of emotional weariness.

"I'm more distressed by peoples questioning of it."

"They should not question you it does not affect them in anyway. You knew he was not right for you. You should trust your own judgement Miss Grayson."

Mandy starred into those pool-like black eyes and thought she saw softness there. Sarek had just voiced exactly what she had been feeling over the last sixteen hours. She thought perhaps she had been a little harsh on him; it was not his fault he had come on a day when she wasn't feeling one hundred percent, or even fifty percent. And perhaps with the ambassador the old saying was true: still waters really did run deep.

Thanks for reading, reviews always appreciated as I like to know what's okay and what needs work. I'll try and get the next chapter up quickly.

Summary: When Amanda is asked to show the Vulcan Ambassador (Sarek ) around the school where she teaches she had no idea how much it would change her life. Rom Com.

Authors note: This story stands alone but it came about when I was writing a Spock/Uhura fic, in one of the chapters I had Spock ask Amanda how she and Sarek met. I wrote about a thousand words on how they met but then decided that wasn't enough to tell the full story so here we are, I hope you enjoy it.

Last Note: There is a place in Canada called Vulcan.