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Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:26:00 -0600
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW CORR: It's All Relative [TOS, Sa/Am, Soran, Al, Nel, T'Sar, K, S/NC-17] 1/8
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[NOTE:  For some reason, the copy I had had mistakes in it.  This is the
cleaned up version.  Sigh...  This is the one to archive, please.

Selek]

Title: It's All Relative
Authors: Selek, Saidicam29, T'Lea
Rating: NC-17
Codes: Sa/Am, Enterprise crew, several OCs (Al, Nell, Soran, T'Sar)
Beta: A huge thank you to Elise for finding the time in her hectic schedule
to beta this for us!!!

Summary: Sarek puts his family second behind his negotiations and it turns
Note: A common theme in ST fanon, and one that's being used in this story is
that sugary products cause Vulcans to become intoxicated, and cinnamon is
used as an aphrodisiac.  This story is in response to T'Riva's challenge
whereby cinnamon, chocolate, sugar, Amanda's relatives, and the senior
officers of the Enterprise are all involved.

Disclaimer: The Star Trek universe and all characters associated with it are
the property of Paramount/Viacom.  This story is for entertainment purposes
only.  No infringement is intended and no money is made.



One year post JTB:

Amanda slept curled up in the wide, overstuffed lounger she had appropriated
from Earth years ago, and brought here to her home on Vulcan.  It had since
become Sarek's chair, and the only time she could manage to use it herself
was on the occasions he was gone, which lately had been many.  She was
already dressed in her night attire - had been for hours - as she waited her
husband's eventual arrival from his latest mission.

She was stirred from her slumber by the sound of the front door shutting,
and the soft murmurs of her husband and Soran, his chief aide and best
friend, speaking quietly as they moved through the house.  She rose and left
the room to meet them, finding the Vulcans predictably in Sarek's home
office.  She stopped short in the doorway, disturbed at the scene before
her.  Soran was sitting in Sarek's chair, directly across the room from her,
using the computer link to access their latest files and communiqués from
the High Council while Sarek...Sarek was sitting on the small loveseat that
Amanda had put in that room a few years back - to give it a more homey feel
for his occasional off-world visitors - with his head laid completely back,
eyes closed, exhaustion oozing from his very essence.  He looked terrible.
She had rarely ever seen him so worn, and never had she seen him allow it to
show to this extent, even if front of Soran.

He was so out of sorts that he wasn't even aware of her arrival, but Soran
was.  The two looked at each other, shared concern and affection for Sarek
passing between them unspoken.  This could not go on; they both knew that.
Even Sarek knew that, but he would not refuse his government's requests to
attend mission after mission.  Amanda normally never interfered in Sarek's
business...he'd been doing it for longer than she'd been alive, and he
neither needed or particularly appreciated it when she asserted herself in
his business affairs, but enough was enough.

Amanda's eyes held a silent plea to Sarek's assistant which was both heard
and understood, for Soran slowly nodded his head and, after passing a quick
glance in Sarek's direction, he fervently went back to tapping at the
consol.  Sarek was completely unaware of anything that had transpired in the
room around him.

Moving inside, Amanda softly called his name as she approached.  His eyes
opened immediately, and by the time he raised his head to look at her, he
had managed to mask his fatigue to some extent.  "Aduna, you should not have
waited up for me," he chided quietly.

"I missed you," she stated, knowing after all these years no further
explanation would be necessary.

Sarek nodded, holding his paired fingers out to display his affection and
appreciation for her.

She brushed her fingers against his, then took a seat beside him, her
concern clearly evident.  "How did it go this time?"

Sarek shook his head minutely.  "The same as the others, I fear.  A complete
stalemate."

"Oh," she frowned sympathetically.  "I wish I could have gone with you."

"Absolutely not!"  Sarek avowed.

"There was nothing you could have done, T'sai," Soran interjected.

"Amanda, the manner in which those people treat their women and children
is... revolting."

"We saw many deaths on this last planet, one right in the room where we were
negotiating."  Soran noticed Sarek's eyes close at the horrific memory of
that day.  "The tribal leader killed one of his wives because the manner in
which she prepared his mid-meal was not to his liking.  No one, except us,
even reacted to the woman's demise."

Amanda was clearly as appalled as the Vulcans.  "I don't understand; why do
they keep sending you to this system if all the planets in it are like that?
What's the point?"

"The point, my wife, is to convince these people to change their ways, to
afford equal rights to all their population in exchange for being admitted
to the Federation and all the benefits that would accompany such an action.
This system is important to the Federation as it lies between Vulcan and the
Klingon Empire, thereby making it a strategic military route as well as a
trade route.  This system has a wealth of dilithium crystals; if we can get
them to join, it would better protect them from unfair trading practices
being employed by the Klingon government.  We would teach them to preserve
their resources as well, so the entire system can benefit from their natural
resources for generations to come.  At the rate of their current
consumption, the Klingons will have the system stripped within the century."

"We shouldn't have anything to do with a planet that supports slavery
anyway!"

"Therein lies the problem, T'sai.  It is a matter of semantics.  Every
planet we have attended in the Cellesian system insists they do not have
'slaves', and therefore qualify for membership in the Federation, but they
refuse to alter the manner in which their women are treated."  A low beep
emitted from the computer, and Soran resumed his frantic tapping of the
keyboard.

"Well, I hope this puts an end to these ridiculous missions into this
system.  This is the fourth one you've been on, and they're all the same.
Obviously they have no intention of joining the Federation.  They're just
wasting our time."

"Agreed," Soran stated empathically, not looking up.

Sarek looked in turn from his wife to his friend.  "We will attend each
planet in this system that has shown an interest in joining the Federation,
and we will give each one our complete attention and best efforts.  One
cannot judge the values and actions of one planet based on another's.  Is
that understood?"

"Of course, S'haile."

"I suppose," Amanda relented.  "But I don't see why you're killing yourself
over this mission.  It's not that crucial to the Federation."

"It is not the Federation's interests that motivate me, my wife.  It is the
millions of women and children living in such atrocious conditions.  I have
the opportunity to change their lives forever, to bring them peace, and
security...and education.  Is that not worth a few months of my time and
effort?"

"Of course it is, Sarek."  Her heart swelled with love and pride for the man
before her.  For anyone who had ever questioned how she could fall in love
with a Vulcan, here was the answer.  "Forgive me; I just worry about you."

"Understood, and there is nothing to forgive, Aduna."  He reached up to
stroke her cheek, then remembered they were not yet alone so he settled for
placing his hand atop hers.  "Go home, Soran.  Rest and see to your wife
while there is time before we depart on the next mission."

Another low beep emitted from the computer, and Soran quickly accessed the
communication before answering.  "I shall, Sarek; however, there has been a
slight change in the itinerary.  Our next mission is a diplomatic conference
on Risa.  We depart the day after tomorrow."

"What about the negotiations on Celles V?  Have they pulled out?"

"Not at all, Ambassador," he quickly reassured him.  "It has simply been...
rescheduled."  He looked meaningfully at Amanda, who smiled her
appreciation.

"Risa is perfect!  It'll be like a vacation."

"No, this will not do.  That conference on Risa holds little importance for
us.  I am needed in the Cellesian system.  Soran, rearrange my schedule;
they can assign someone else for the Risan conference."

"I..." Soran cleared his throat nervously.  "It is rather complicated to
make changes to the schedules this late.  I would have to coordinate with
the other ambassador's staff, contact Celles V about rescheduling the
negotiations yet again, the other ambassador would have to contact those
they were to meet to reschedule..."  Soran faltered.  His upbringing did not
permit him to lie outright, but his concern for his friend would not allow
him to do as Sarek requested.  "I am uncertain if I could accomplish this in
such a short period of time."  'Especially since I just barely managed to do
it a few moments ago,' he thought.

"Soran's right, dear.  What could it hurt?  Celles V has already agreed to
the postponement, and to ask them to reschedule yet again would hardly
reflect well on you."  She turned her attention to Soran as though the
matter was settled.  "You should bring T'Sar with you this time, Soran.
It's been ages since the four of us have gone anywhere together."

"That would be agreeable, Amanda.  Providing the ambassador finds it
acceptable."  He looked to his friend for approval.

"Of course he does!"  Amanda answered.  "We'll have to get a schedule of the
shows...I remember they have these great--"

"Amanda, I believe 'the ambassador' is capable of answering for himself, is
he not?"  Sarek asked, dryly.

Amanda stopped, crossing her arms to stare at her husband nonplused.  "I'm
sorry, Sarek.  Do you object to Soran's wife joining us on Risa?"

"Of course not, her presence would be most welcomed."  Everyone was silent,
assuming Sarek had something more to add, but he remained quiet, slouching
back against the couch as fatigue again overtook him.

"Okay..."

"Indeed," Soran agreed, shaking his head slightly.  "I thank you both for
your generosity.  If there is nothing more for tonight, I shall take my
leave at this time."

Both Sarek and Amanda stood to see him out, everyone pretending not to
notice how Sarek swayed slightly upon rising.  Once gone, Amanda wrapped her
arm around her husband's waist, as much to assist him as to show some
affection.  "You're exhausted," she accused.

"It has been a taxing mission," he agreed as they made their way down the
hall to their bedroom.

"Did you eat?"

"No, but I do not require sustenance at this time, my wife."  They had
almost reached their room when Sarek remembered his luggage.  "My bags..."

"Leave them.  I'll take care of them tomorrow."  She deposited him on the
bed, and as he began undressing himself she fetched a clean pair of pajamas
from his dresser.  "Do you want to shower?"

"No."  He stood to put on his nightclothes and looked at the bed longingly.
"I require meditation first."

"You require rest more."

"If I meditate, I will rest more efficiently."

"If you rest, you will mediate more efficiently.  Now get in bed."

He obeyed, an audible sigh escaping his lips as he lay back.  He watched as
Amanda finished tiding up the room before joining him.  As soon as she was
beside him, he turned on his side to wrap her in his arms.  "I have been
gone often lately.  I should see to your needs first."

Amanda held his arm around her, hugging it lovingly.  "Never mind that now,
just rest.  Besides," she quipped, "you wouldn't be much good to me now,
anyway."  She smiled in the darkness, waiting for his dry but witty
comeback.  When there was no response she turned, worried he might have
taken her silliness seriously, but there was no concern of that.  Sarek
wasn't offended; he was asleep.

~~**~~

"I don't know what to do about him, Mom."  Amanda used Sarek's office comm
unit to contact her parents in Maplewood, Minnesota.

"He's always worked hard, Amanda.  I wouldn't expect him to change at this
point."  There was a loud crash on Nell's end, and she turned around to
investigate.  "Oh, for God's sake," she muttered.  "Alfred, don't tell me
you were out in that weather shoveling snow!"

"Just trying to get the hover out," Amanda heard her father's muted
response.

"What for?  It's snowing too hard for us to go anywhere anyway!

Amanda heard her father's disgusted grunt, then Nell turned back to the comm
unit, giving up the battle with her husband, for now.  "So, you're not
coming to see us this Christmas?"

"I can't, not this year.  There's no way Sarek's going to take time off, and
I don't feel comfortable not being here.  Not with the way he's been acting.
Mom, I don't remember ever seeing him this worn out.  These last few
missions are really taking their toll."

"You think it's his heart still?"

"I don't know.  The healer swears he's completely recovered..."

There was another bang, and Nell spun around again.  "Al, put that damn
shovel down!  Wait 'til the boy next door comes over to take care of it!"

There was a response Amanda could not discern.

"Come talk to your daughter!  They're not coming for Christmas this year!"

Amanda shook her head at the way her poor mother needed to yell to be heard.
Her father's hearing had started to go a few years ago, but not enough to
warrant implants, according to Al's doctor.  Instead he had given him some
old style hearing-aids to test out, to see if he could notice any
discernible difference with them.  Amanda's father was always forgetting to
use the aids, and by the sound of it, he really needed them.

"Who?" he yelled back.

"Amanda!"  Nell turned back to their daughter, "Oh for God's sake...he's
gonna be the death of me, I swear!"  She turned back to yell to him once
more.  "Amanda's on the comm!  Turn your hearing aid on, will you!"

"Hang on, I can't hear you!"  He walked into the house and Amanda could hear
him coming closer.  "I need to turn my hearing aid on."  He looked at the
comm unit.  "Kitten!  When are you coming?"

Amanda saw her mother throw her hands in the air exasperatedly; she
struggled not to laugh.  "Not this year, Daddy.  Sarek isn't feeling quite
himself lately."

"Ah, well, that's too bad.  It's been a while since we've seen you two."

"I know, but we're leaving for a conference in...  You know what?  You and
Mom haven't visited us in a long time."

"I don't know, honey...the heat..."

"Actually, we'll be on a planet called Risa for the next week or so.  It's a
fabulous tourist site!  All kind of shows and shopping and whatnot."

"Sounds perfect...but what would a trip like that cost?"

"I'm not sure.  We've always gone there on business.  Don't worry about it.
Sarek and I will pay for it.  Consider it your Christmas present!"

Al looked at his wife, whose eyes lit up excitedly.  "Hell, I'm not about to
pass up a free vacation!  You got a deal, Kitten!  What do we need to do?"

"Just pack.  I'll handle everything else on this end.  See you guys soon!"
She closed the comm link, already making plans for the holiday.  She would
comm them with the final details - the shuttle number and where they were
staying and the like - in a few hours.  She got busy making all the
arrangements, humming Christmas carols as she worked.

~~**~~




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