A/N: Many, many thanks to LornaWinters, WikkityTweak and CeresMaria for your lovely reviews! And LornaWinters, don't worry, I do have plans for Neral ;) Also, thanks to all who began following this story!
Vreenak rubbed his raised temples tiredly as he seated himself in the chair of his desk in his temporary quarters. To say it had been a trying and exhausting day was an understatement. After the disgraceful fight with the Klingons his men had instigated and the strange episode with the Starfleet ensign, Vreenak had had just about enough of socializing for the day. And as the brawl had shown, the ongoing negotiations were proving to be unsuccessful, to the point that Vreenak expected his delegation to be recalled to Romulus any day now.
The beep signaling a subspace communication sparked irrational hope in his chest. Perhaps this was the order to withdraw?
"Computer on screen." He ordered.
To his utter dismay and irritation, Benjamin Sisko's face filled the view screen.
"Captain, how can I help you?" his tone retained its normal relaxed and even tone, but inside he was boiling. The Starfleet captain was proving to be persistent in the peace negotiations, and Vreenak was hating him more and more with each passing day.
"Senator Vreenak. I trust our medical staff saw to your needs satisfactorily?" Sisko asked, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Indeed." As strange as the female Starfleet officer had been, he couldn't deny that she had administered treatment.
"I trust the Ferengi's establishment was not too badly damaged?"
At this Sisko openly smiled, "Oh I'm sure you'll be getting a bill soon."
Vreenak grimaced.
He despised having to dish out apologies. As a matter of fact he had deliberately avoided them as much as possible throughout his career. Generally, the political game on Romulus relied heavily on subterfuge, more so than on other worlds. In avoiding issues directly, politicians never really found themselves in front of podiums dishing out apologies. Unfortunately, Vreenak now found himself in such a position.
"I'll be sure it's paid in full." He said.
"I apologize for the disturbance." He added stiffly. He reached to turn off the viewscreen but was stopped by Sisko's booming voice.
"Just a moment Senator. I have a request."
Of course he did.
"How may I be of assistance?" Vreenak asked, his voice taking on a tightness.
"Given the state of the negotiations, my superiors at Starfleet command have come up with a rather…creative measure that might assist us."
Vreenak nearly snorted. Just what this situation needed, human creativity.
"I've been authorized to institute a cultural exchange program, between members of my own crew and the delegations of the Romulans and Klingons, provided we have your agreement." Sisko explained.
Vreenak raised an eyebrow, "A curious method."
"It would be a 6 week program, taking place here on the station. I'd like to set up a meeting with you to hash out the details, see if you'd be willing to lend your support."
It was clear to Vreenak that this cultural exchange program was nothing more than a ploy by Starfleet to prolong the stay of the delegations on Deep Space Nine. Likely, they thought that such a program would support the idea of "togetherness" or some other equally ridiculous ideal that the Federation professed to uphold. In any case, he was sure his government would never sanction such an endeavor.
That thought bolstered his confidence considerably and he nodded at Sisko, "Perhaps tomorrow morning Captain?"
"0800?"
"That will work."
The next morning, Vreenak went to meet Sisko in his office. He fervently hoped the Klingons had given an outright rejection, thus putting an end to Starfleet's ill- advised venture, but his hopes were dashed at the sight of General Martok's one eyed visage seated next to Sisko.
He inclined his head politely, "General."
"Senator. Glad to see you in one piece." He chortled, "Heard you took a bit of a tumble."
'Tumble' was a generous word to describe being tossed about by one of the General's own aides.
"Have a seat." Sisko said, "Kali fal? Or perhaps bloodwine?"
Vreenak eyed Sisko's own half drunk glass of the blue liquid, recalling the wide eyed look of shock on the Starfleet ensign's face when she had downed his drink the night before. He guessed that since Sisko was not laid out on the floor, the drink before him was a synthesized version of his homeworld's most famous beverage.
He politely declined, and didn't even entertain the notion of drinking the repulsive bloodwine.
The meeting went on without delay and Sisko's description of the program surprised Vreenak in several ways. First, it would apparently use a partner system that required each pair to spend several hours a week together doing different cultural activities, alternating between cultures with each event. On top of that, there were going to be general meetings where Federation members, Klingons and Romulans discussed their progress. It was up to each faction to select six members of their delegation to participate.
Vreenak predicted utter disaster.
"You can see that in leaving the planning of cultural events to the participants, we're giving them the opportunity to take a more active role." Sisko said.
General Martok grunted, "They'll have equal opportunity to avoid the program entirely if they wish."
"Well, they'll get out of it what they put into it I suppose."
"What is the point of having the program" Vreenak asked irritably, "if you're not going to ensure cooperation from all sides?"
Sisko stood, bracing his hands on his wide desk, "Because in order for one person to share their culture and heritage with another they have to be willing to do so, and in turn have a willing recipient. You can't force cultural learning down someone's throat!"
"And if you find a lack of willing participants?" Vreenak challenged.
"Then our little project has failed." Sisko stated bluntly, "Doesn't mean it isn't worth a try."
Vreenak snorted, "Ever the idealist."
"For once I concur with the Senator." Martok growled, "It seems a bit optimistic."
"What the Senator fails to realize" Sisko looked pointedly at Vreenak "Is that I already have the full cooperation and, dare I say it, enthusiasm from the Proconsul. Perhaps that won't guarantee participation, but it will surely lend some weight to our cause."
"What!?" Vreenak near bellowed, slamming a fist into the arm of his chair.
Sisko fixed his gaze on him, "I was surprised as you are."
Vreenak seriously doubted that.
Martok guffawed, "Your cousin must be nothing like you Vreenak!"
Sisko looked back and forth between both men waiting for an explanation, but Vreenak kept his mouth closed in silent fury.
"The new proconsul is a kinswoman of the venerated Senator here." Martok grinned, his lips pulling back to reveal several rows of sharp white teeth, "She's an unusual woman by Romulan standards, with liberal tendencies."
Sisko repressed the urge to laugh. He had indeed gotten that impression from his conversation with the woman, whose earnest face and curious inquiries were a stark contrast to the seething Romulan in front of him.
"Really? You know Vreenak, I can almost see the family resemblance." Sisko said, grinning at the chagrined Senator.
Vreenak pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to quell the headache that was beginning to throb against his skull.
"You know, it seems like it will be a rather interesting experience." The proconsul said over the comm later that night.
Vreenak struggled to keep his temper in check, "Proconsul, surely you see that this is nothing but a plot by the Federation to-"
"Yes, yes I know." The proconsul said, waving her hand in what was a decidedly un Romulan like fashion in Vreenak's opinion.
He repressed an adolescent urge to scream in frustration at the situation. He had spent the last few minutes struggling vainly to convince his cousin of the futility of this Federation foolishness.
"But we can spare a few weeks to humor them if it means we learn something more about humans and the Federation." She continued.
"Ael", Vreenak hissed, "Are you certain you're not letting your own peculiar fascination with humans cloud your judgement?"
The proconsul bristled, "And are you certain your own prejudice against humans isn't clouding yours? Perhaps this program would do you some good. Have you considered participating?"
"Of course I won't!"
"You will now. I expect weekly reports from you on your progress."
Progress? Progress in what?
Vreenak gritted his teeth "With all due respect, I am a Romulan senator. My place is on the senate floor, not on a Federation station exploring the supposed joys of human culture!"
Ael smiled sweetly, "And yet the only floor you've been on recently is that of a Ferengi's bar."
Vreenak's face tinged green, "That was-"
"Cousin" Ael interrupted, this time her tone more gentle, "Consider this a recovery period. You served the Empire valiantly during the war with the Dominion. I know it may not be the Romulan way, but allow yourself time to breathe. And believe me when I say that a little human interaction is preferable to the incessant Reman slave debates that are currently occupying the Senate."
She huffed indignantly, "And, by the way, it seems my opinion no longer holds as much standing as it did on that issue. Many senators say I'm biased by my abolitionist views as if-"
"Ael" Vreenak sighed, "I'll do as you ask."
Truth be told, spending time with humans did seem preferable to the never ending debates on Reman slaves. The issue had only grown more polarizing since the use of many Remans against the Jem'Hadar during the war.
"Wonderful! And do remember to write home occasionally, my mother has been asking after you." Ael advised brightly.
Despite himself, Vreenak felt a smile tug at his lips, "Of course."
His cousin's near sunny disposition was off putting to many Romulans, especially in her chosen profession as a politician. However, Vreenak always believed that her success despite that was a testament to her character. She was a formidable woman when she needed to be.
"And you will tell me all about the humans when we next meet?" she queried.
"Naturally."
"Well then, enjoy your time on Deep Space Nine, cousin!"