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From: "Keith & Jessica Bratcher" <campbratcher@psci.net>
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Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:23:19 -0500
Subject: [ASCEM-S] N2U: TOS-Gifts of Gold 1/6 [NC-17] (Sa/Am, S/Ch)
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From: "Bert" <news.55553@buckeye-express.com>

Title:  Gifts of Gold
Author:  Roberta Clark

Series:  TOS
Pairing   Sa/Am, Sp/Ch
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: If God intended me to own Star Trek I would be rich.  Instead he
gives me the ideas to play with Paramount's toys.that I do so with no
gain.except for the satisfaction of helping characters live and breathe in
my own eyes. The characters contained here-in are the brain children of Gene
Rodenberry, whom I am indebted for spicing my life.
Summary:  Memories of Sarek & Amanda's 50th wedding anniversary.


Amanda sat on the edge of the bed holding a holopic album. With a smile on
her face, she watched as the pictures flashed by. One by one the scenes
played out for her. That day had been the most romantic she had ever shared
with Sarek. When she came to one very special scene a tear slid down her
cheek. Sarek had kissed her in a very human fashion. It wasn't a private
kiss that they sometimes shared, but a kiss for all to see. She was so
engrossed with the holopics that she didn't hear Sarek enter.



"Amanda, we will arrive home in one day's time."



When she looked up to him she smiled, lifting her fingers in the Vulcan
embrace. Sarek lifted an eyebrow at the gesture and then sat on the bed next
to her. Holding his fingers against hers he poured all the feelings for her
he never said aloud into their bond.



"Oh, Sarek, I still don't understand how you managed to do all this without
me knowing." She loved the fact that her husband and son had planned such a
party. With both men being Vulcan she was surprised at how romantic it was.
No doubt it was thanks to the human friends Spock had enlisted for help. But
still the idea had been Sarek's, he had wanted to surprise her, and boy had
he! She looked at the room full of presents, most of them the traditional
gold that earmarked the day, but her favorite was the band of gold that sat
on a finger, which for 50 years had been void of jewelry.



"My wife, it was not easy, you can be rather ... nosy ... when it suits you.
However, I found it only logical to, for once, follow the traditions of your
people. You have spent the last 50 years of your life following my
traditions." His lips had the faintest bit of a smile as he saw the holopic
she had paused on. "I didn't realize someone had taken this one." He stared
at the picture of him giving Amanda a kiss.



Amanda's bright smile deepened. "Yes, I understand that Dr. McCoy was quite,
as they say, 'camera happy'." She set her hand on Sarek's leg, and he
instinctively laid his hand over hers. "Would you like to see them from the
beginning?"



Sarek gave her hand a light squeeze. "Yes Amanda, I would. I have not yet
taken the time to view them ... and seeing them with you would be most
enjoyable."

After the holopic album had rewound she pressed the play button. One by one
the pictures came alive. They began with photos that showed the preparations
for the party. Spock, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Commanders Uhura and
Chapel were trimming the same church that she and Sarek held their Terran
wedding in. The entire chapel was being decked out in gold and white lace.
Fine crystal glasses and china dinnerware where set on tables that
surrounded a dance floor. Each table had a centerpiece with two roses. The
head table had a mixture of fifty red and white roses, arranged in a way not
to cover the occupants of the table. Spock and Kirk were trying to center a
banner that read, 'Happy 50th Anniversary.' This picture alone made Amanda
laugh at what she had been told later that night by Captain Kirk. It seemed
the banner had to be put into place twice. The first time, just as Jim was
about to hang his end, the chair he had been standing on lost a leg. He had
suffered a bruised bottom, but the ego had been hurt much more. "It all
looked so lovely Sarek. They put a lot of hard work into doing this."



"They did indeed, my wife," Sarek said as the next set of photos came up.
This time there were scenes of Amanda's human family and friends dancing and
having fun. Even Spock had seemed to get into the mood of the events as he
danced with Dr. Chapel. Looking at the holopic, Amanda realized he seemed to
hold Christine in a fashion that suggested perhaps a hidden passion between
the two. To anyone but Amanda, and maybe Spock's close friends, it wasn't
even noticeable. Amanda had missed that the first time around. "Spock and
Dr. Chapel make a nice looking couple. It's too bad Spock can't how see she
would be prefect for him."



Sarek looked at his wife with a raised eyebrow, "Amanda, I would have
thought you'd given up on trying to play matchmaker years ago." Her last
attempt to get Spock to notice Christine Chapel had been met with her son
informing her that he had no desire for a relationship with anyone.

"Sarek that was years ago, Spock was still hurt by T'Pring." Her voice was
soft and loving and her eyes gave a hint of the thoughts that spun in her
mind. She had found happiness with Sarek and she knew he had found what he
needed with her, so why couldn't their son? The next set of photos replaced
the dancing scenes and these scenes were ones they could share through their
bond. Sarek as he guided Amanda into the church; to keep the events he had
planned a surprise she was blindfolded. The look on Amanda's face was
priceless, with a swift movement Sarek had picked up his blindfolded wife
and as he removed the blindfold he kissed her. Amanda smiled at the photo.
"You were so romantic." The memory washed over their bond. Sarek hit the
pause so they could relive the shared memories without losing their place in
the album.



* * *



Sarek had stopped the skimmer they had been riding, he lightly touched his
sleeping wife. "There is business I must attend before we arrive at the
Embassy for the night." He hoped she was well rested as this could be a long
night. He had been called to Earth six months ago for an extended stay that
would leave him there the better part of a year. Amanda joined him whenever
his duties as Ambassador permitted it. For once he was glad, it would mean
that they would spend their 50th Terran wedding anniversary on Earth. After
spending the last three years feeling his wife's near disappointment with
the fact they didn't celebrate certain parts of Terran culture, he wanted
this special day to be remembered. Amanda had all but dragged him to her
brother's 50th anniversary party three years before. She had seemed so happy
and free, and Sarek knew he wanted her to be that way when they shared the
very same important Terran anniversary.



Amanda was half asleep in the skimmer; she always seemed to fall asleep on
long skimmer rides. Ever since she was a small child she found it easy to
sleep in a skimmer. Once Sarek had discovered this he would take her for
rides on nights she was too upset to sleep. When she looked around at the
scenery she asked, "Where are we?" She knew she remembered this place
somewhere in the back of her mind.



"We are taking a scenic route," he replied. Not quite a lie, it was scenic
and it would take them to their destination. The ultimate destination was
just around the corner, "Amanda, place this over your eyes." She looked at
him questioningly. "As you would say, beloved, 'humor me.'" With a devilish
smile he placed the blindfold over her eyes. Tightening it until he was sure
it was covering her completely but without hurting her. "It is not too
tight, I trust?"

With her hands she shifted the blindfold so that it was not so binding in
the back. "No it isn't to tight Sarek ... it does have me curious, however."
She knew he had something planned. After all, any time he and Spock were in
a room alone when she entered they suddenly stopped talking. The flashbacks
caused her to smile; her husband of nearly 50 years had been very secretive
as of late.



Sarek led the skimmer back onto the road and continued to his destination. A
place he had been to 10 times in the past week. It had taken quite a bit of
negotiating to see that this event would take place the way he wished it to.
At one point he even felt this was twice as difficult to achieve then his
most difficult meetings as an Ambassador. "We will be there shortly, my
wife."



Once they arrived at their destination Sarek guided her out of the skimmer
and up the steps whispering at each step. "Step up." After they reached the
large wooden doors of the building he told her, "We have arrived." With an
easy and swift movement he picked her up, surprising her so much that she
giggled. When he pulled off the blindfold with one hand, he pulled her face
to his with the other, kissing her, "Happy anniversary Amanda."



She looked around wide-eyed at all the people that had come, she didn't know
what she had expected, but this wasn't it. "Oh, Sarek, thank you..." She
buried her face into his shoulder to hide her happy tears. Whispering in his
ear she requested, "Put me down." He did as she asked and she walked into
the room to take in its full beauty. "But our 50th Terran Anniversary isn't
until tomorrow."



Sarek smiled slightly at her, "It is now 2 minutes after midnight ... it is
tomorrow. How else was I to surprise you?"



Spock, who had been dancing, walked over to his parents with his partner in
tow. "Mother, I trust you are pleased."



"Oh, yes, Spock it is all so lovely. I couldn't have asked for a more
pleasant way to spend my 50th anniversary." She smiled at her son and his
lovely dance partner.



"It was Dr. Chapel and Ms. Uhura's decorating ideas that made the
difference," Spock said as he gave an almost unnoticeable smile to his dance
partner. All Christine could do was smile., what else could she say? "Come,
let's seat you. Uncle Christopher and his wife will be here shortly." It had
been hard to get people to come to a party that began at 2300 hours and
ended well into the morning, but Spock had gotten over two-thirds of the
guest list to make it. Spock realized that he was still holding onto
Christine's hand dropped it with a light squeeze.



Amanda took note of her son's actions and would remember to talk to him
about it later. "Lead the way Spock." She looked at Christine. "You look as
beautiful as ever, my dear."



Christine blushed lightly, "I have only gotten older." She had chosen to
wear a white and gold dress in keeping with the theme. It was cut low around
her chest and high around her legs, showing just enough of her still shapely
body to be noticed but not enough to look cheep. "You have never looked more
stunning."

Amanda smiled and laughed, "For a woman my age, you mean."



Christine looked horrified, "No ... I meant..."



Amanda only smiled. "I am 83 years old, my dear ... I know I am old." It had
been 9 years since her treatment that caused the death of 2 innocent people.
Her body still felt as alive as it did after the treatment, but still she
knew she was old.



Christine smiled when Spock curved the corners of his mouth slightly.



"Perhaps we should join the party." Spock offered as he reached out his hand
for Christine.



Sarek took his wife's hand leading her to the interior of the room. A small
orchestra played several of Amanda's favorite songs. Sarek led her to a
table that was filled with roses. "I believe this is your table, my lady."
Sarek ignored the odd look his son had been giving him all night. He had
already told him weeks ago 'it's logical to give in to tradition, even when
that tradition means compromising oneself at times.' Tonight, for once in
his life, he would behave as close as he could to a human husband as his
wife would want. After he guided his bride of 50 years around the table he
pulled out a chair for her to sit.



* * *



Amanda smiled at the memory. "I am so glad you let me sleep that night in
the skimmer for so long." She remembered falling asleep at around 2100
hours.

"Yes, it wouldn't do for you to be a sleep during a most important event,"
Sarek said with a bit of a teasing tone. He was just about to hit the play
button when the stateroom doors chimed. "Come," Sarek said as they watched
the door open presenting them with their son. "Spock, come in, you mother
and I where reviewing the photos from the anniversary party."



Spock walked through the doorway, his hands clasped behind his back,
"Mother, Father, we will be having a small dinner and hope you will dine
with us. It will be in Holodeck A."



Amanda took note of her son's odd tone, the words hadn't even escaped Sarek.
Amanda just had to know who 'we' was. "Spock, we would be glad to join you.
May I ask who the 'we' are?"



Sarek shot up a brow at his wife and Spock found he had the same reaction of
his father. "Mother, it is Dr. Chapel." His tone had been one of a slight
embarrassment. He was a Vulcan and should not have given in to his human
half. It was bad enough for Dr. McCoy who still badgered him about his 'new'
relationship with the doctor. Presently, they were more then friends but
less then lovers, all he knew is he wanted more.



Amanda shot her husband a glance. "I believe we would be delighted." Sarek
nodded his head ever so mildly. 'Perhaps,' she thought, 'there is nothing to
be done but for nature to play itself out.'



Spock looked at his mother most curiously. He remembered the last time they
were on this ship and talked of the then Nurse Chapel. He was most unwilling
to listen to his mother's advice. Looking back on it she had been right, it
had not killed him to give her a chance. "Very well, I will inform
Christine. Dinner will be at 2000 hours. She doesn't get off duty until 1900
and needs time to prepare."



Sarek said, "Will that give her enough time to prepare everything?" They
could come later if it wasn't. Logically, it would be hard to have a nice
dinner ready when she had to change and cook at the same time.



He had posed her the same question, but she assured him it would be. "Yes,
Father, she has prepared everything that could be done ahead of time, the
rest will be ready when you arrive." He knew she had the soup in a warmer in
her quarters. She would not leave anything to a replicator; everything had
to be made by hand. "I will let you finish your review." There was a sudden
twinkle in his eyes at the memory of his mother so happy, he turned on his
heals and walked out.




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