K'hat'n'dlawa

The Purists

After precisely two hours and fourteen minutes of rest, Sarek's eyes opened. Amanda's breathing was deep and steady beside him- one cool arm thrown over his midsection.

Comfort. That was what this feeling was.

It was a human emotion to 'miss' anything, but perhaps now being constantly connected to Amanda's mind was beginning to affect him, because he'd missed this. It was the second morning in a row after a long period of deprivation that he'd awoken to such peace, and he did not think he would ever tire of it.

He slid out of her arms, and found his pants on the floor, where she'd tossed them the night before. They were wrinkled, to his dismay, but he pulled them on. He glanced back at the bed, and felt a tug in his chest...

He knew she would question him further about the conference when she awoke, and he could not distract her at all times in the way he had the night before. She'd been suspicious enough then. He rarely initiated their encounters with no encouragement from her- as he maintained that it was illogical to engage in sexual acts unless she desired it at the time. There had been a perfectly logical reason for his actions last night- but she did not know what it was.

In part, he had instigated their coupling to assuage his own fears. He had guaranteed her something that he was not entirely sure he could deliver. He had erred by promising her that nothing would happen to him...he had slipped. Now she knew that he could be in potential danger- and would be even more worried. He had felt her anxiety already. If he told her everything that was happening on Earth- what he was risking by returning there- she would be terrified. She would try to make him stay, or worse- she would insist on going with him. He could not have that. It was best that she remain as unaware of the situation as possible. She was his mate and it was his duty to protect her, which meant leaving her on Vulcan- where she was safe. He saw no reason to worry her further, as he was sure nothing would happen to him while on Earth. And he must go- this annual conference was an important event. He could not miss it.

Sarek realized that he had not moved in several minutes- instead, he watched his wife sleep. Coming out of his stupor, he leaned over to brush his lips against her forehead. It was an action not condoned by logic...but since no one was there to witness it, he was not disturbed by it. She stirred, and a small smile formed on her lips, but she did not awaken.

He left to begin his routine. He found peace in having a routine. He exercised to maintain his physical health, but it also cleared his mind in preparation for meditation. It was a way to "vent" his negative emotions, as Amanda called it. This morning, he vented his concern and frustration for the situation at hand as he went through the positions of Suus Mahna in rapid succession, his movements swift and graceful yet backed with controlled force. When he was finished, he had not broken a sweat, nor was he breathing hard- despite the ferocity of his actions.

Ten minutes later, he was seated on a mat in the meditation chamber. Smoke from the burning incense wafted over him in the dimly lit room- curling around him, clinging to him- before disappearing into the air, leaving behind only its aroma. It mingled with the scent that still lingered on him- the scent that was Amanda, the scent that clung to her very being. It was on his skin, in his hair- everywhere she had touched. He could meditate on that scent alone; it was human, and alien to him, but unmistakably feminine...

Forcing his mind back to where it needed to be, he focused on the current issue. As deep calm spread within him, he thought back to the day before, to the transmission he'd received from Earth...

He'd just ended the call with the Council, and was still pondering their warning. It was not an empty threat- and yet, their request for him to dissolve the bond would be illogical. Every living Vulcan knew that the practice of forced dissolution had died out centuries before- dissolution could only occur with the willing permission of both parties. They knew he would choose Amanda over them- because he had a duty to her as her husband. He could not abandon her, nor did he want to. And they knew this. In other words...they were saying that if Amanda behaved in such a manner again, which he did not believe she would, they would be exiled...