Shi'Kar, Vulcana Reghar. Epsilon Eridani
Soval had spent exactly 45.3 mics out in the garden with his uninvited guest and truth be known. If a human could manage to fluster a Vulcan.
This man had succeeded. Standing towards the back wall where the residence abetted another. In the shade of several hagash trees in full bloom.
The two had been going on in deep discussion for this long and all that had been accomplished of this conversation was Soval was not backing
down in denying the man's request.
"Major Haynes. I do not understand why you keep insisting when the answer from the council has been no. I know first hand what
Ms. Forest and Ms. Cole went through when we removed them from their home world. We barely got them out in time. As for Ms. Forest,
there is nothing for her to go back home to. I do not know what or how to convey to you more strongly than myself or the High Council
has when the answer has continued to be no."
Major Haynes stoically but politely stood in a relaxed stance of parade rest. Calmly listening to Soval's reply to his query.
Again he tried to speak. Only to be stopped by a dangerous glint in the Vulcan's eyes.
"If as you say this olive branch being held out to them was Commodore Archer's idea. Then it would only be logical the it would be him standing
before me and not you. I fully understand that events on earth have finally stabilized. But all earth is to the two Maco's is a monument to pain
that they would prefer to put behind them. When and if they decide to return. Only then will your request be remotely considered. Until then.
I will say no more."
Frustration was plain on the Starfleet officers face, but looking Soval in the eye. He nodded.
"Then we can agree Sir, than an honest effort had been made to contact them to heal the breach."
Pausing. He glanced to the house, but the polarized windows only showed their reflection.
"I will report directly to Commodore Archer and Captain's Tucker and T'pol/Tucker your answer. I will also humbly point out that
Captain T'Pol/Tucker will be reluctant to travel at this time herself."
Soval nodded.
"Give them my respects Major. If they come. I will speak With them. I promise nothing beyond that."
The Major nodded. Presenting the Ta Al as he turned to leave.
"I would be appreciative Major that the next time we meet. That the matter is closed"
Slovak spoke in a low tone of voice conveying what he meant quite clearly. -No More-.
The major had paused in mid turn, nodded soberly at him. And continued on his way. Soval watched him leave. Then turning to his right.
Approached the house, glancing at the polarized windows as he passed. During the course of his conversation, he had left the bond wide open.
So not only did Katherine hear every word, but had shared with him her displeasure. She had already been saddened by what she'd been
presented earlier by him earlier that morning. And the Major's sudden appearance hadn't helped. Soval had been exercising a great deal of
control in talking to Major Haynes, and was still amazed at himself for not losing his cool as his A'duna would say.
Entering the house, he went into the main room and found Katherine sitting in a rocker chair still gazing thoughtfully out the window, holding a
letter in her left hand. Her right was clasping Amanda's hand on her left shoulder. Amanda was standing behind her looking right at Soval.
Approaching them. He stopped just short and gazed at Katherine. Drinking in the sight of her form before speaking.
"I would use our bond to tell you directly Ashayam, but Amanda needs to know as well."
"The cause is more than sufficient Ashaya."
Katherine replied in fluent Vulcan. A fact that pleased Soval greatly.
"Whats going on Soval?"
Amanda asked.
Soval came up in front of Katherine before kneeling and placing his hands on her swollen stomach, lightly caressing her. He told them.
"Someone who has a very difficult time taking no for an answer. He and a dozen Star Fleet officers had deployed from the Star Fleet
vessel; Rio Grande three weeks ago for the express purpose of locating and contacting Terran expatriots and inviting them to return home.
You two were especially tagged for retrieval."
He had stopped caressing Katherines stomach. Letting his hands rest there. Katherine moaned in appreciation at the heat his hands spread.
Soval smiled slightly at hearing Katherine, but pulled back and stood while keeping his attention on the two MACO's.
"Vulkhansu Security allowed them to contact the majority of our registered expatriots who'd fled Earth during the same time period as you.
But have managed so far to deflect their search away from the more volatile ones."
He looked pointedly at Katherine with unconcealed mischief a moment before shaking his head and continuing.
"However. Despite our effort. One has gotten a lot closer than I would prefer."
Katherine closed her eyes a moment, then leaning forward and placing the letter back in the tea tin setting on the floor beside the chair. Soval watched
her actions. Thoughtful. The letters had been his correspondence with her father, and he'd recently given them to her. Hoping to give her solace.
After setting it back in the tin, she leaned back and put her arms up. Wanting help standing. Soval reached down. Gently lifting her to her feet. Stepping
into his embrace. She melted into him. Holding each other for a long moment. Katherine pulled back from Soval and looked at him.
"We can never return, and as you told him. It was a very close thing getting us away."
Katherine sighed quietly.
"Indeed. And now there is more than enough reason to stay. Our daughters will only know and treasure Vulcan as home. Now that you both are of Vulcan."
Katherine smiled at Soval's comment. Happier than she'd ever been in a long time. Amanda had stood back. Watching her friend and her A'dun holding each
other. Seeing the regard those two held for each other brought a smile to her face. Standing and caressing her own stomach, she knew Suran would be home
soon and then she would be wrapped around him as Katherine was around Soval.
Despite the happy sight in front of her. Amanda felt a light stab of pain at what Katherine had said earlier. She had left a mother and two brothers behind
and all this time had not contacted them for fear of retaliation. Vulkhansu Spec Ops had managed to keep tabs on her family, but attempted no contact with
them. It had been a gesture to Amanda, to let her know, that if needs be. They could be protected. She had been told her family had had a hard time with
her disappearance and that they were under scrutiny from other shadows. Suran's contacts didn't know who they were short of ambushing them.
Swallowing her sadness. She put her hand on her stomache and caressed the shape of her unborn child. A daughter. And contemplated how things would
be now that Star Fleet had taken a renewed interest in them. Looking over at Soval and Katherine. She still smiled. No other couple could melt dura-steel
with the intensity and devotion as those two. Watching them. Amanda knew with out a doubt that they were blended in the bond. As closely melded as two
could be. And nothing could tear them apart.. Sensing Suran close by. Her pulse quickened, knowing she soon would be sharing the same fortunes as her
friend. Still watching Suran come up beside her and with no hesitation. She turned and met his gaze. The slight grin telling Suran she looked forward to
their joining. The bond they shared hummed with their passion.
Touching her fingers to Suran. She turned her attention back to Sova and Katherine. She'd never noticed this before bonding with Suran, but bonded couples
exhibited a slight aura when they were joined. Amanda had never noticed this before she had bonded, but had been able to sense it. The brighter the aura.
The stronger the bond. And in that room. Her friend and her mate were enveloped in that display. As she drank in the sight, she noticed another small
detail make its presence known. Barely discernable between Soval and Katherine, was a tiny figure, almost like an avatar. It made an intriquing but
disconcerting sight. Until Amanda realized it was Katherine's unborn daughter involved in the bond. The sight completely captivated Amanda.
"Whats her name?" She breathed. Still totally enthralled at what she saw.
Beside her . Suran brought his other hand up and traced his fingertips along the line of Amanda's jaw line. Amanda sighed at the touch.
-Ashayam, it is too soon for her to be named. Right now they are loving her as is their due. Some things are never to be hurried.
Amanda's light smile turned into a grin at that. Knowing it was true. In bonding moments in a couples life. The outside world and its demands had no
place in this time. Amanda herself loved these times. Some of the most liberating, yet exhilarating moments among a people, who according to her
species, considered them nothing more than robots. Had come to Amanda when she faced Suran on their bonding. Knowing she was of Vulcan, as
Katherine was. She'd felt safer, more secure than even during her MACO years. She felt Surans presence grow ever closer and relaxed against him
contentedly. And was pleasantly surprised when her own child made its presence known in the bond.
- Oh, my daughter. There you are. You've become so beautiful. Please know you are welcome and much loved.
Her surprise grew as she got an answering reply. And her already full heart melted, she found herself folding around that that little being with
Suran right behind her. She noticed the boundaries melting away between them. So caught up were the two A'duna's, they never noticed
their A'Dun's spiriting them off to their respective quarters.