Cheater's Notes:

Carla "Hotpants" McCorkle = Carmen Pines, 30 (Human Female)
Filbrick Pines = Sarbrik, 127 (Vulcan Male)
Ma Pines = T'Mau, 121 (Romulan Female)
Stanley Pines = Sarli, 52 (Half-Vulcan, Half-Romulan Male)
Stanford Pines = Sarfor, 59 (Half-Vulcan, Half-Romulan Male)
Sherman Pines = Sarmun, 66 (Half-Vulcan, Half-Romulan Male)
Fiddleford McGucket = Hadron "Fiddles" McGucket, 32 (Human Male)

jolan'tru = Romulan greeting
pon'shad-tel = An emotional/mental equivalent of the infamous Vulcan pon'farr

Dimension 123
ISS Tranquility
Stardate 2272.053

Carmen waits impatiently for her call to connect. It will currently be early morning in Vulcan's capital city of ShiKahr, too early in the day to be considered a polite time to be receiving transmissions, but this is something that can't wait.

"This is Sarbrik," comes a gruff but emotionless voice a second before the visuals kick in.

The woman draws in a steadying breath and responds, "Greetings, Sarbrik. Live long and prosper." Carmen approximates the traditional salute as best she is able.

The Vulcan man returns the salute. "Live long and prosper."

"I apologize for calling at such a time, but I'm afraid it's urgent. Is T'Mau available?"

A subtle change, something around his eyes and the corners of his mouth, though she cannot identify what it is specifically. Surprise? Suspicion? Concern?

"What -"

A voice from beyond the comlink's visual range interrupts the Vulcan, "Sarbrik! Who is on the com at this time of night?" Carmen can't help but be relieved when Sarbrik's life-mate walks into the frame. Vulcan culture's ruthless attempts to stamp out their own emotions has never failed to cause the Human woman discomfort. A conversational partner that does not hide their feelings is a welcome addition. Carmen can tell the exact moment T'Mau catches sight of her. The older woman's whole face lights up with beautiful emotion in stark contrast to Sarbrik's carefully blank expression. "Jolan'tru, Carmen!" the Romulan greets her.

Carmen allows herself a small smile. "Hello, T'Mau," the Human says in English. It's likely the only time during the whole conversation she'll use her own language. "I need to speak with you and Sarbrik. I hope you'll forgive me for disturbing your rest."

"All is forgiven, my daughter," T'Mau says before Sarbrik can make his opinion on the matter known. Sarbrik chooses to remain silent and listen, which in Carmen's experience is the couple's normal behavior. A frown replaces T'Mau's earlier grin as she continues, "What mess has my youngest son gotten into this time?"

"It's not Sarli," Carmen says quickly, but on further consideration she adds, "but it will likely come to involve him by the time the problem is resolved."

T'Mau hesitates. Sarbrik deigns to ask the obvious question when both females fail to keep the conversation moving. "What has happened to Sarfor?"

Carmen searches for some trace of care on his features and finds none. She doesn't believe T'Mau would remain mated to a man that does not carry any concern for their children; but if it is there, Carmen can find no proof of it. "Sarfor has entered pon'shad-tel earlier than was predicted. It has been four days since the onset. We will not reach the nearest warp relay for another five."

"That will not be soon enough. You are certain it is pon'shad-tel?" T'Mau demands. The expression on Carmen's face must be answer enough for the Romulan. "What of Sarli?"

The Human shakes her head. "They tried that when Sarfor first recognized the symptoms. Sarli is not a match for his brother."

"The Vulcan meditations? Sarmun used them when -"

Sarbrik cuts through the desperate mother's inquiries with the answer none of them want to acknowledge but all know to be true. "He doesn't have the time. The regime must be established weeks in advance if it is to be successful."

The Human licks her lips uneasily. "Sarfor is attempting the meditations, regardless, but he does not expect them to be effective."

"Oh, my son!" T'Mau cries. Something that might be emotion flashes across Sarbrik's face, but it's gone again before Carmen can make heads or tails of it. "And the rest of the crew? Is no one a match?"

Carmen takes a moment to calm her nerves. It doesn't help. "That's why I called. The crew has always been small. Tranquility is currently crewed only by Sarfor, Sarli, Hadron, and myself. Before you ask, T'Mau, Hadron is not an option."

T'Mau hides her face against her mate's shoulder. Sarbrik remains still.

Carmen worries her bottom lip between her teeth. She dreads bringing up what she is about to propose.

Sarbrik's eyebrows make a slow trip upward. Carmen isn't sure what to make of the sudden break in his impassive facade until he speaks, "You have a solution in mind." It is not a question.

Carmen swallows nervously. He can apparently read her just fine.

"What?" T'Mau turns back around, "Carmen?"

"I do. But I do not think it will be well received by anyone," she admits, "I believe there is a chance I could be a match for -"

"No!" Carmen thinks T'Mau covers her mouth more out of surprise than anything. The Romulan removes her hand only a second later. "You are Sarli's life-mate, not Sarfor's."

"A bond-mate is not the same as a life-mate," Sarbrik interjects.

"They are on Romulus!" T'Mau glares up at the male.

Sarbrik is undeterred. "But not on Vulcan or Earth."

"It would doubtlessly cause Sarli distress if his life-mate were to be bonded to another! And Earth does not count; Humans do not take bond-mates between themselves."

"If it causes him distress, he should exercise more control over his emotions," the man argues, voice smooth and toneless.

T'Mau's face flushes green in her rage. "Sarbrik! You callous -"

"Calm yourself, T'Mau. This is a logical course of action."

"Oh, breaking Sarli's tender heart is logical, is it?" she snaps, "And I'll behave however I like when you are busy making plans that will cause harm to one of our sons!"

"And what of our other son? Would you have Sarfor die for the sake of Sarli's comfort?" the Vulcan demands. Is that actual emotion beginning to color his tone? "She is Sarli's life-mate by her Earth customs, a 'wife.' They were not joined by either Vulcan or Romulus traditions. If she chooses to become Sarfor's bond-mate, that path is open to her."

The conversation suddenly switches from Vulcan to Romulan and Carmen is no longer privy to the exact details. The languages are close enough that she is able to pick up the gist of what is being said, but the specifics are lost on her. Unfortunately, in a discussion such as this, the details are crucial for any real understanding. At one point, Carmen is nearly certain they have begun to fight over her safety, rights, and choices.

T'Mau is obviously still upset when they finish speaking, torn between two of her sons. The woman looks at Carmen for the first time in several minutes before saying in Vulcan, "Do as you feel you must, daughter, but be cautious. Becoming a Romulan's bond-mate is not something to be undertaken lightly. Excuse me, it is time to begin preparing the morning meal." The last is an obvious lie. Neither Sarbrik nor Carmen says anything to contradict her.

"She will calm once she is able to see the logic in your decision," Sarbrik says. Carmen is not so certain.

The silence stretches for a long minute. Carmen is about to make her own excuses to end the call when Sarbrik speaks again, "I have always found your lack of emotional control disturbing." The confession startles and confuses her. Of all Vulcans to say such a thing, she is surprised to hear it come from one who is mated to a Romulan. "I am told it is common for Humans. In the beginning, I was apprehensive about Sarli's decision to take you as his life-mate. My concerns have been proven baseless. He has grown and continues to thrive with your companionship.

"Sarli has always tended toward his mother's Romulan ways. I expect he will challenge the proposed bond as soon as he reaches his own pon'shad-tel. Such challenges are dangerous for all parties. I would advise you to find a safer way to break the bond with Sarfor before Sarli can make a challenge. T'Mau and I will also be searching for a solution."

"Thank you, Sarbrik," she manages once the surprise has worn off enough that she remembers she has a tongue and can speak.

The Vulcan inclines his head slightly in a nod. "Live long and prosper."

"Live long and prosper."

The screen goes black and the sound abruptly cuts off. "Well, time to go do something crazy and hope it doesn't blow up in my face," the woman says to herself, pushing both of her hands through her hair in a vain attempt to calm her frazzled nerves, "I'll be lucky if Li is even willing to talk to me after this is done."

This is the ONLY CHAPTER of the TEASER!

If you want to read more, you can find the rest of the story on Archive of Our Own: archiveofourown dot org slash works slash 8263370

Read the entire Travels and Journals series on Archive of Our Own: archiveofourown dot org slash series slash 543127