Logical Life-Mates

by FireStar

Disclaimer: I do not Own Star Trek in any of its forms. Sadly, it was invented by Gene Rodenberry and belongs to the corporations now.

Author's Notes:

This is a fan Fiction for fun using the Enterprise Series and her crew. It is a fiction that may be adult in nature. Ratings will be up to NC-17.

The primary characters will be Ambassador Soval and Amanda Cole.
Sub-Commander T'Pol and Commander Tucker pairing as well.

This may be considered an A.U as I have changed the destinies and personalities of several characters and ignored others. It may be taken as happening after the Kishara was found and after the displacement of administration V'Las.

Acknowledgements: This would not have been remotely possible without the assistance of Linda who betaed this monster. Her many helpful insights and corrections made this story a lot more readable and enjoyable and I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Miigwech niin niiji !!

Telepathy and thoughts are in Italics

Part I Confusion

Soval woke with a start. He was momentarily uncertain where or when he was. He felt cold and pain that astounded him and ruthlessly brought his bio controls up. His eyes opened and he scanned the room. He spotted a sleeping human her head resting against his hand. This contact brought him out of his healing trance that was to cure the injure done to his left hand by Shran's guards.

He looked over and noticed the female MACO Corporal Amanda Cole sleeping, and recalled her being assigned to guard him. His internal clock told him it was 0200 hours. She had been in sickbay for 16.25 hours and he knew she had been working for over 72.5 hours. The fact that she had drifted to sleep did not concern him because he knew she was very skilled at her work, though he disliked most humans because they were always too emotional. This MACO had demonstrated control and the ability to suppress her emotions. He had noted that unlike many humans, she could shield her thoughts easily. She did it naturally and this did not cause him the least bit of discomfort. Although he found her to be stubborn, rude, and opinionated, and even considering her relative youth over their short acquaintance; he was intrigued. It had been many years since any female had drawn his interest. One of the things he found interesting was the fact that his mentee T'Pol clearly held this human in contempt.

T'Pol, like all bonded females, was very protective of her mate. Commander Tucker's insistence that they keep their relationship private had allowed Amanda to think that perhaps she had a chance. His failure to clarify the issue had caused the women to clash on several occasions. It had been an interesting event to watch unfold. Soval was oddly pleased to see that Tucker chose T'Pol. He had deduced that Amanda had been assigned as his bodyguard as a punishment for threatening T'Pol's bond, but did not mind this because it gave him time to observe the petite human.

Amanda Cole awoke and noticed her hand was being held tightly. She looked up and was about to pull away when she realized it was Ambassador Soval that was holding her hand. Amanda's eyes locked on to the ambassador.

Soval released her hand and his eyes seemed to watch her intently. That was one thing she had noticed about Vulcans; they tended to stare. It was not that they intended to be rude, but rather they gave complete attention to the thing or person they were observing. It was unnerving to many humans, as a Vulcan did not blink. One often would get the impression that they were trying to intimidate you. Amanda had been around Soval long enough to know that in his case, at least, it was merely interest. He could be intimidating but sarcasm usually was used to achieve that effect, though he would deny it.

"Did you rest well, Sir?" Amanda asked.

Soval's brow rose. He was about to say he had, until she awoke him with her dreams. Yet he sensed she was genuinely concerned for his well-being. He stopped a sarcastic retort and relaxed visibly. "Indeed, I slept very well. You did not need to hold on to me."

Amanda blushed and replied. "I am responsible for keeping you secure here on this ship. Holding onto you seemed logical."

"I still could have been transported away."

"Yes, Sir, but I would have gone with you. In addition, my holding your hand might confuse anyone scanning for you. After all, Vulcans do not hold hands with humans. They may have thought such a reading was an error and had to adjust the scans. That would have taken extra time in which Sub Commander T'Pol would likely have noticed them."

"That is a very logical consideration." Soval said, impressed.

Amanda released his hand, hoping that Soval did not know she was improvising. She had held his hand to ensure he was alive and well. For some odd reason she liked this crusty old Vulcan.

"You look like you could use some rest." Soval said

I am fine, Sir. However, I am certain I could use breakfast and perhaps a shower. Are you hungry?"

It was now 0330 hours but Soval found he was thirsty. "Tea or juice would be appreciated."

Amanda rose. "Let me go grab a quick shower and by then the galley should be open. I can get you something to drink. Any preferences?"

"Earl Grey Tea hot if possible."

Amanda smiled. "Will do. Let me get someone to sit with you. "She located
Dr. Phlox and when the Doctor was checking Soval she slipped out. She sprinted to her quarters and slipped inside. Swiftly she stripped off her uniform and dove into a hot shower. Ten minutes latter, she was dressing in a clean uniform, her hair wet tied back. Then she went to the galley. Chef was in the kitchen preparing the morning meals. Amanda grabbed two large mugs and got Tea for herself and the ambassador. She grabbed a tray and loaded it with fresh melon and a large bowl of that poltink soup that T'Pol seemed to favor. She had a feeling that Soval would also find it refreshing.

"Hey, Chef, I am stealing this soup for the ambassador."

"No problem, Corporal, "he said." I made extra."

Amanda waved goodbye and headed back to the sick bay. She was now wide-awake and very hungry. Amanda arrived just as Dr. Phlox was finishing up his tests on Soval. The ambassador's robe was off and Amanda swallowed hard and looked away. For a male who was over 100 years old, he was in excellent shape. Amanda set down the tray and retreated.

Dr. Phlox smiled brightly, as always, cheerful and eager to see to his patient's comfort. He smiled at the MACO's reaction and mentally calculated the odds that Soval would act on the MACO's rather obvious admiration.

"I smell soup. Ambassador, I would highly recommend you try to eat something. The Corporal was wise to bring you a meal."

Soval glared at Amanda's back. I am not hungry.

Amanda shrugged her shoulders. Grumpy old Vulcan. I am nice and all he does is complain.

Soval looked sharply at her. He clearly heard that thought. He decided to be polite and then to investigate this thing.

"May I have my tea now?"

Amanda turned and handed him his mug. She sipped her own and wished Phlox had put the Ambassador's robe or shirt back on. She was hard pressed not to stare. He has a lovely chest. So perfectly muscular and smooth. Who would have thought?

Soval almost choked on his tea. He felt the wave of desire shoot through his body. The MACO's admiration made him instantly hard. He suppressed the desire and sipped his tea. He knew he was reacting due to the torture he had been subjected to. He looked at Dr. Phlox and said: "May I return to my quarters? I believe I would rest better there. It will also be easier for Corporal Cole to stand guard."

Phlox checked his instruments. "After you have eaten. Only then will I release you. If you feel you can not eat I will be forced to give you nutrition though other methods."

Soval grimaced. "May I have some soup?" Soval said resigned.

Dr. Phlox was silently amused at the ambassador's sudden submission to his orders. Clearly, he wanted out of sickbay and was even prepared to be polite to achieve that goal.

Part II Escape

Amanda watched as Soval ate his soup. His long fingers moved the spoon to his mouth with efficient movements and she was surprised to see he could even hold a spoon in his left hand. It was badly damaged and she knew he was in pain. She did not stop to wonder how she could tell, but she knew. He was restless and eager to be away from the sickbay.

"I am finished." Soval stated.

Amanda set her mug aside and lifted the tray out of his way.

"Shall I get the nurse to help you dress?"

Soval looked at her and said, "Please hand me my robe. I believe I can slip it on unaided."

Amanda swallowed hard. "Yes, Sir, here it is." She handed it to him and prepared to turn her back. Soval's eyes showed amusement at her attempt to give him privacy. Oddly, he felt no modesty in her presence. He found he was not adverse to her admiration. He sung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, slipping into the robe with practiced ease. He tried to fasten the robe and cursed softly.

Amanda faced him and turned a deep red. He was covered but the robe was not closed.

Soval locked on to her eyes.

"May I assist you?" She said softly.

"Yes that would be acceptable," he said.

Amanda wanted to curse herself. She had offered before thinking. Her hands shook as she fastened the clasps on the robe. The belt covered the middle thankfully, yet she could not help but notice he wore nothing below the robe.

Soval caught her hand. "Thank you. Now escort me to my quarters."

"Yes, Sir." Amanda said quickly.

Not noticing his amusement and his pleasure at her immediate compliance, she offered her shoulder for him to lean on. Soval felt weak but would not lean on the Human woman heavily. Instead, he leaned against the wall and allowed her to stay on his left. She was, to his amusement, slightly behind him. She seemed concerned he would fall. He wondered if she had any idea what her position would mean to a Vulcan. He was glad she could not see his amusement at her being in the place of a bond-mate. Oddly, the idea did not displease him.

T'Pol came to check on the ambassador and froze as she saw him walking toward the guest quarters. She could not believe what she was seeing as her dislike for Amanda Cole had never been hidden. The MACO's attempts to flirt with her bond-mate had sorely tested her controls. This unexpected event made her raise her brow.

"Good morning, T'Pol," he said. "The Corporal is escorting me to my quarters. Please inform Lt. Reed his choice of a body guard has been fortuitous."

"Indeed, she seems to be taking her duties seriously," T'Pol said, her brow rising. "Perhaps she should take a rest period? I believe she has been on duty for a significant time."

"Thank you, Sub-Commander, but I am able to do my job," Amanda said. She did not like the implication that she was not protecting the Ambassador well.

"Your efficiency in this area is not in dispute, Corporal. I would not have you overextend your abilities."

"I will see to it that she rests, Sub-Commander, " Soval said firmly, closing the discussion. "She is mine now and I will protect this female," Soval thought in his native Vulcan. The family bond working for communication.

T'Pol's brow rose. "As you wish, Sir." She bowed and said to the corporal: "Your care of the Ambassador is appreciated by Vulcan. I will inform Lt. Reed that you have excelled at this duty."

Amanda was shocked. She looked at Soval for a translation of what he had said. None was forthcoming.

T'Pol left them and knew she needed to meditate. Soval had just claimed Amanda and informed her she was under his protection. She could almost feel pity for the MACO because Soval was not going to allow her to stray from his side. She was amused in a way, as Amanda was going to drive the ambassador crazy at first. T'Pol, however, had no pity for Soval because he had shown her little in her own bond. She knew, even if she was to warn Soval, that he had already chosen. She wondered once more what it was about humans and their irreverent attitudes that drew otherwise logical Vulcan's to their sides to bond?