Cleo woke to a Vulcan male standing over her, she felt him touching her but did not know why. She grabbed his wrist hard pressing a point along his bone that made him release what he had in his hand. Her other hand felt sluggish to respond, but it was fast enough to grasp him by the trachea and squeeze before he could move away. She squeezed until his eyes bulged and she knew if he moved without her consent his movement would rip his throat out. "Who are you." She said evenly, no trace of fear or anger.

The man gargled an answer and she backed off the pressure just slightly. "Your Doctor. Miss Mannheim."

Then it came back to her, the surgery…She let him go immediately, and sighed, "I'm sorry, I did not.."

"It is fine, Miss Mannheim," he said rubbing the green bruises at his throat, "It is understandable that you were disoriented. You have been under sedation for several days."

Cleo slid up quickly and felt for a moment like she might be sick, "Several days?"

The doctor raised his eyebrows, "That is the second impressive show of strength after what should be a taxing thing to a human body."

Cleo ignored him and swung her legs around the side of the bed. She concentrated on wiggling her toes and the responded a bit slower than normal. They felt like they had fallen asleep and were only just waking up.

"Miss Mannheim, I would advise you to not to stand…"

Before he could say up, she was on her feet trying to gain her balance. He stepped toward her and she said softly, "Don't touch me, I will be fine."

The doctor stood before her with his hand folded neatly, ready to catch her should she fall.

She looked down at herself, "I am naked." She said as a statement, with no shame or embarrassment. "If you aren't too busy, Doctor, a robe please."

The doctor pulled a robe from the hook and walked behind her, gently sliding it up her arms, "I have never seen a human have such an illustration on their skin, Miss."

"It is rare in my culture these days, but this one was earned for achievement." She tried to stand as straight as she could, her muscles were quaking from the exertion, "When do I leave?"

"I have you scheduled to stay another week, but you have already exceeded my expectation in ability. You have only two more milestones to meet before I can ethically dismiss you."

She finished wrapping her robe around her and tied it off carefully, "My guess is that if you show me where your bathroom facility is I will be able to exceed those expectations as well." She gave him a curt smile.

He pointed to the smaller door on the left side of the room.

"Where is T'Pel?" she asked, hobbling slowly toward the door, the doctor lingering at her side.

"She is at her residence, I assume. Would you like me to contact her?"

"No. But when I get out of this bathroom I would like my clothes laid out, and a shuttle to take me there." She said wincing between syllables.

"Self-reliance is an admirable Vulcan trait, Miss Mannheim, but you are still only human. "

Cleo leaned against the frame of the door to the bathroom, and looked intently at the Doctor, "Noted Doctor, and I appreciate what passes for concern from you. I will heal better in familiar surroundings, where I can allow my body to relax and I am able to meditate."

The Doctor bowed his head, "Your logic is sound enough I will allow you to go. I will send you home with medication for the pain."

She closed the door, "No medicine, just my clothes and a shuttle."

A small smirk curled over the doctors lips, he could see why the Vulcan male earlier in the week seemed to focus on her like a bond mate. Had he met her in another circumstance, he could see himself doing the same. She was like no human he had encountered before.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

"The game goes to me, Father." Solok said, pointing at the Kel-toh

The elder Vulcan frowned lightly, "So I see." He said steepling his fingers before him, "Another game my son?"

Solok looked at the time, " We were supposed have heard from the Doctor before now.

T'Pel walked in and placed her hands on Sovar's shoulders, "There is a medical shuttle approaching." She said gravely.

The two men stood and guided T'Pel from to the front door. They watched in silence, and unspoken worry mixing between them all that bad news was at their door step.

The pilot got out first and opened the side door. He held out a hand only to have it swatted away, Cleo took slow careful steps down the plank , then turned and gathered the few things she had brought to the institute, "Thank you." She whispered and began walking gingerly toward the door.

T'Pel and Sovar watched and Solok broke between them walking swifter than normal toward Cleo.

"Cleo." He said, more emphatically than normal.

She lifted her head and graced him with a soft smile, "I did not expect to see you here."

Solok looked at her she was ashen pale, "Are you well?"

"That, Solok ,is a dumb question. I am well, or I would not be here. I am losing strength though so…" she trailed off and held out her hand to him.

Solok looked into her eyes, the sparkle was there, dim, but there. "Are you sure?" he asked before his hand touched hers.

"Please."

He took her hand, and he felt her interlace her fingers with his. He could feel her squeeze his hand, the pressure felt good, but her skin was cooler than he was used to feeling from her. His stomach twisted but he did not show his worry. She leaned against him slightly and whispered into his ear, "Slowly, please."

He nodded, "You lead me, Cleo, guide me. I am here only for your comfort."

She lowered her head and grinned, "You have been to earth haven't you."

"Yes. We will speak of it later. My parents will be anxious to speak with you. They have been concerned for your well-being." Solok felt her stand a bit straighter and raise her head. He felt her muscles trembling for the effort, and every step was an effort.

When they got to the top of the stairs she gently released his hand and walked toward his waiting parents. T'Pel hugged her, "It is pleasing to see you." She said, "It is pleasing you look so well."

Sovar placed his hand on the back of his wife, and on Cleo.

"Ambassador, I did not expect to see you here." Cleo said softly, clearly tiring from her trip.

"The embassy did not seem as safe to me without my Captain to handle the affairs."

Cleo chuckled softly, "Well then, when I return, I will triple their training schedule. My dear ambassador should never feel unsafe as long as I live and breathe. " she closed her eyes and softly leaned against T'Pel, "I believe I need to lay down, unless your Vulcan scientists are playing Kel-toh with the gravity."

Solok stepped forward, "I will see her to her room."

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

Cleo leaned on Sovar until they got to the stairs, without asking he wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her effortlessly carrying her up the two flights of stairs. She looked at his face watching him as he took each step. "You were not surprised to see me." He said breaking the silence.

"No, I felt you here." She said simply, "You know, Solok, it occurs to me the night you kissed me at the Romulan party. You tasted like chocolate, an intoxicating substance for Vulcans."

A nearly unperceivable smile curled his lips, she could not tell whether it was the memory or her observation. "I do recall that you mentioned the taste."

"It occurred to me before I went in for surgery that you played my own trick on me."

He raised an eyebrow, as he gently sat her on the edge of her bed. "I may have."

"Drunken Aikido, to give the perception of intoxication to trick your opponent into lowering their defenses. " she sighed as she bent to take off her boots, "It did not cross my mind that perhaps, just perhaps, I was being given the perception that you were not in full control of your behavior." She pulled the one boot off and moaned slightly, "Please, help me."

Solok went before her on one knee and began undoing her boot, "What logical help would that perception be, Cleo?"

She lifted her hand and stroked his silky black hair, "It would protect you from embarrassment if I were to have reacted in a negative way. "

Solok looked down focusing on the boot, "That would be a logical plan, if that were the truth."

She ran a finger softly from the tip of his pointed ear, to his jaw and lifted his head to look at her. "And then you went to earth, I am assuming based on my pointing out your distain for my entire race, now here you are. More than that." He said lifting his head to bring him to her eye level, "You were there, when I teetered between life, and death." She sucked her front teeth slightly to make a clicking noise, "What am I to think, Solok son of Sovar." She watched his pupils dilate slightly, covering the cool grey with black as if he was soaking her into the black pool of his gaze.

"You make accurate observations. I am afraid I cannot answer your last statement. I have learned that logical or not, it is not wise to second guess what you, Cleo of Earth, will think."

She smiled and pulled his face forward, close enough he could feel her lips move over his as she talked, "I think, we should both be thankful I am in no condition to show you what I think."

His eyes slowly closed as he savored the feel of her soft skin over his lips. His blood pricked at his veins, and he forced the desire down firmly. He took the back of her head in his hands, and kissed her soft and full on her lips, pulling back at the edge of his own self-control. He ran his hands down her shoulders removing her robe, and gently lifted her legs pivoting her around to lay her head on the pillow, then kicking off his shoes he nestled in behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he pulled up the sheet to her neck. He kissed her ear tenderly, and let his hand stroke her silken blond curls, "Rest." He whispered into her neck, "Rest and be well."

His warmth bathed her, the sore tired muscles gave up their struggled, and she fell asleep for the first time in years completely secure everything was going to be alright.

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

T'pel cracked open the door and Solok looked at her. She entered quietly, "Dr. Bashir is on the com for you." He nodded sliding carefully out from under his sleeping love.

When the door was shut Solok straightened himself, "She slept well all night. "

T'Pel smiled softly, "This is a side of my son I have not seen before. I have never known him to lay all night protecting anyone."

"She has lost many nights sleep protecting our family, mother, and if I am to be her mate then I will perform my duty as well. It is not an unpleasant one. "

He smoothed down his hair and stood at the Com. "Doctor Bashir, it is pleasant to see you."

Bashir smirked, "I have been in constant contact with the Vulcan medical academy as you requested. "

"You have my thanks, Doctor, you have been most efficient in your efforts."

Bashir bit his lip but could not resist since the gloating of the baseball game, "For a human, Captain Solok."

Solok shook his head, "For anyone, Doctor. You have more news for me? I am sure you are aware Miss Manneheim is home now."

Bashir was shocked, Solok seemed almost cordial, "Ah, yes, the vulcan DNA that they found. I traced it back to the 1950's, on earth. One of your vessels crashed after investigating one of earths primitive satellites, Sputnik, The survivors of the crash settled mostly in the old country state of America, but several migrated to Munich Germany. Apparently, Miss Mannheim's ancestors were descendants of the crashed Vulcan ship. I am sorry to tell you though; it does not make her much more than human. The Vulcan DNA is much diluted, she has not much more than what you might think of as a few freckles."

Solok nodded, "It does not disappoint me, she has always been human to me. But I thank you for your thorough investigation. Would you be adverse to me bringing her in for an exam in the coming week? I wish to make sure she is well."

"Vulcan medical…" he started.

"I am aware, and it may be unneeded, but I would appreciate a second opinion, from you Doctor."

O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O_O

Between Solok and T'Pel both doing what Cleo considered the Vulcan version of "clucking" over her for the last week, she was ready to get back to duty. She realized being laid up in recovery that idle was not something she did well. Having other people serve her was something she did not do at all. So, on the morning of the seventh day, in spite of some mild soreness, she got up earlier than both of them and did her Tai-chi on the roof. She bathed and walked the entire three flights of stairs down to the breakfast table dressed in her uniform. Finding Sovar there, she smiled, "Good early morning, Sovar."

Sovar looked up from his PADD, "T'Pel will be displeased to see you in uniform, Cleo."

"If I didn't know better, Sovar, I would say you are smirking behind that stoic, yet adorable, face." She grinned and sat at the table with him, a servant bringing her tea. "Thank you" she added softly.

"Adorable face? Solok and T'pel will both be displeased to hear you find me such."

Cleo blew softly over the tea cooling it down to a drinkable temperature. "Have you been in the chocolate this morning, Sovar? You are full of jokes and humor." She grinned.

The old Vulcan looked down at his PADD, "I will neither confirm nor deny your suspicion."

Cleo choked on her tea, coughing slightly as she looked at Sovar. She could not be certain in the dim light of the morning, but he seemed to be almost grinning. She was about to ask what he was drinking when he turned to face her, placing his hand on hers. "Yes, Sovar?"

"What is the likelihood of you bond mating with my son?" he said with a very serious look behind his eyes.

"I would say it is likely, if you want a percent I would say between 85 and 95% in favor." She said raising an eyebrow.

"What do you know about Vulcan mating practices?"

Cleo put her tea down, no sense in choking on tea all morning. "Not much, Sovar. " she leaned back looking at him intently. It occurred to her, that even though she missed out on the parental birds and bees talk from her parents, she was about to get some logical version of it now. "There is nothing about Vulcan mating practices in any literature, beyond smatterings of observations by Star Fleet doctors. "

Sovar nodded. "We are a private people, Cleo, on those matters. I hesitated to bring it up, but feel a certain obligation to you. You have heard stories of…" he leaned in and whispered, "Pon Farr."

Cleo nodded, "Ja, I have dealt with it in a couple of my officers. "

"Everything you have heard about the savage nature of it is true." He nodded gravely, "It is a time when all our aggression culminates in mating, fighting, or our death. Some can resolve it, by meditation. That is not what I wish to discuss now though. What you need to know is about guv-tvi-rivak, the act of sex between bond mates outside of pon farr."

Cleo cleared her throat and tried to control her breathing, she did not know if it was uncomfortable and embarrassing to Sovar, but she felt her collar become increasingly hot against her skin. She chastised herself, she was a grown woman this should not feel so embarrassing, but it did, as she imagined every grown woman would feel discussing the subject with her father.

"Has he kissed you yet, Cleo? Has my son kissed you?" He asked intently.

"Ja," she said simply in her native German.

"When he did, did he seem aggressive and possessive?"

Cleo looked up bringing the memory forward, "I would say yes."

"When a Vulcan male chooses a bond mate, one he truly wishes to be with, physical contact with her will melt the suppression of his emotion every time. He will be, "he sighed looking for the right word, "unstoppable, he will ravage her and wish to be ravaged. He will bite in the heat of passion, claw and become almost animalistic. Some have even been known to cry." He nodded solemnly, "People think us a cold people, but…"

"Father, Cleo, what are you two speaking of this morning?" Solok said coming down the stairs.

Cleo slumped back in her chair thankful to whatever spirits roused him this early in the morning. Sovak winked at Cleo, "Just about the expectations of the future, my son." Sovar answered.

"Cleo, you are in your uniform?"

"Yes, I feel fit enough I wish to get back to work, slowly."

"Then we will be going to Deep Space 9 right away." Solok said, leaving out the reason for their destination."

Cleo stood, "I will arrange security."

"It is taken care of, your first Lieutenant took care of our travel."

"Very good, when do we leave?"

"After first meal. "

T'Pel crossed the room, and Cleo noticed the faint marks of teeth on her neck. She looked at Sovar and back at her. "Now would be fine, Solok, I am not that hungry. " Moments like that, she thought, made being an orphan not as bad as other times. It was no wonder, given what Sovar said, and she noticed, that the old Vulcan seemed peppier than normal. It was also no wonder why Vulcan women wore clothing that covered them from head to toe.