Logical Life-Mates - Part 2
Logical Life-Mates
by FireStar
Rated NC-17
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.
PART 2
Part XX (Changes)
Captain Archer sighed in relief as the Avenger went to warp. They had managed to actually improve relations. A plan to allow T'Pol and Trip to go to Vulcan had been set in place and T'Pau had agreed to send Vulcan High Command officers to replace them, as well as ten other officers who would be working in pairs on various Starfleet ships. What was surprising to Jonathan was that four officers volunteered to fly back with the Avenger. This act of good faith made the concessions that Starfleet made for Amanda Cole and Soval seem worth it… Soval for his part had declined a ride back to Earth stating he had to return to Vulcan first.
Admiral Forrest had smiled. "I guess you have to introduce your wife to the family."
Soval's brow rose at that and Amanda would have sworn T'Pol was smiling.
"Yes, then we will return to Earth to meet Amanda's family," he said
"I can hardly wait. My mom is going to love you," Amanda said. "She will never believe I caught such a handsome fellow."
Soval sighed determining that she was teasing him. He was not looking forward to meeting Amanda's family. He had forgotten he would have to. He wondered briefly if he could spirit her away for a few years.
"They are not that bad, Soval. I know my folks will like you. Besides my dad can hardly complain that about anything as you will have married me three times. Plus he won't have to pay for a big wedding." She winked at him.
"Amanda, that is hardly a reason to be pleased. Why would one pay so much?"
"Yes it is, Soval. My Uncle Rick wanted Stephen and Gloria to elope to save money. He offered them ten thousand credits. He figured it be cheaper."
"Was it?"
"Nope, Aunt Grace found out and gave him a hard time. It was so funny," Amanda said. "They only had a small wedding and it was twenty thousand. So dad will owe you for that. The wedding itself is not expensive, it is the party after. Don't worry, we will just have a simple BBQ. We will have a potluck. That will be fun and informal."
"BBQ? Roasted vegetables? Amanda, I do not think I would care to be around roasted meats," Soval said.
"Opps… Maybe not. Well, I will think of something," Amanda said smiling. "Nope, a roasted pig would not work. Soval, it will work out. Besides, I think you need to go rest now."
"I do not need rest."
"Yes you do. You are being grumpy again. I can tell you are not feeling well."
"I do not feel," Soval said with wounded dignity.
"Oh for Pete sake. Come on," Amanda said.
"Who is this Pete?" he demanded.
Amanda slowly counted to ten. I swear I am going to give he and T'Pol a language course. "It is a phrase. Now lets get you to your quarters."
"Ambassador Soval, you should rest. The doctor is worried about you," Trip said. "He threatened to put you back in sick bay." That was a lie, but Amanda needed all the help she could get.
"Attend me then, my wife," Soval said, his annoyance very clear to them both. "I believe you too should rest."
Soval left the captains ready room with a swish of his regal robes. Amanda had a feeling he was very annoyed. She also knew that he would not hesitate to let her know in detail in private. Wining this argument might not have been worth it.
Part XXI (Rumors)
Jonathan Archer held his hands up to silence the crew. After a moment they all feel silent. "I know this may seem hard to believe and that you all have questions. If you will remain silent all will be answered for you. Sub-Commander T' Pol will explain the situation and how it can and will effect our lives. Sub Commander."
"Captain Archer is correct. I will endeavor to answer all your concerns. First let me begin by saying what Ambassador Soval has done is considered an honor on Vulcan. It has never been done to a non Vulcan. It is a measure of his respect for this captain and crew that has compelled him to do this thing. The Ambassador has asked me to explain this to you all. Ambassador Soval understands that each of you has gone above and beyond their duty in serving this ship and captain. He has come to respect this crew above all of humanity. He sees Enterprise as the best of what humanity is and can be. We on Vulcan owe this ship and crew a debt we can never repay. You have saved the life of one of our greatest diplomats, consequently Soval has decided to adopt you all into his clan. This does not mean you will lose anything, rather that you have gained something. While Earth is your home world Vulcan too will now embrace you. If you ever desire or have a need that Vulcan can provide we will be there for you. You may live and work on Vulcan just as any citizen may and if you need our help for medical or other needs we will seek to provide it."
There were voices softly taking now. T'Pol looked out at the offenders. "We do not seek to frighten you."
A crewmen raised their hand.
"Yes, Crewman Elise."
"We are still citizens of Terra?"
"Yes, the only difference is you are now citizens of Vulcan as well."
"We can live and go to school there?" Ensign Hoshi Sato asked. She was clearly excited at the prospect. She was thinking of the Vulcan language base.
"Yes, you would be required to attend as any citizen would. It would be allowed," T'Pol explained.
"We can buy land there?"
"That is possible in a way, Sgt. Even the Ambassador could not change the law completely at this time. You could buy land but it would have to be returned to a Vulcan or an other member of the family. It would be yours for your lifetime and the lifetime of your mates. After that it would be returned to Vulcan. It could not be sold to a non Vulcan unless it was one of the others who were adopted."
"Sub Commander, does this mean we are all related?" the Chef asked.
"We are all of the same clan now," T'Pol answered. "Ambassador Soval's clan has over 250,000 members."
"Wow," Chef said. "Must make for a heck of a Christmas party."
T' Pol's brow rose. "Vulcans do not have Christmas parties."
The room burst out laughing. Trip grinned. "It looks like some Vulcans will."
"Indeed," T'Pol said. The implications of this act now setting in.
"Yes and I look forward to the certain traditions like mistletoe," Trip said.
Amanda giggled." Well at least maybe they can be the elves."
"We are not elves," Soval said.
"Nope, not a red rosy cheek among them," Amanda said. "We will work on that." She impulsively kissed his cheek.
The room fell into a stunned silence.
"I believe that there should be mistletoe for that activity." Soval said dryly.
"We will just have to pretend then," Amanda whispered. "I won't do it again, I promise," she said, knowing she made him uncomfortable.
"Well I think this is great," Hoshi said. "We all have a second home now. Just think of all we can learn and see."
"Yes , It could be interesting," Dr. Phlox said. "The Vulcans have many skills and much knowledge we can learn."
"Yeh, I think it will be great," Corporal Turner said. "I mean they live on a dessert world. They have even less water then we have in New Mexico. Maybe I can learn ways to help irrigate or conserve water."
Soval listened as the crew began to discuss what they might learn and he wondered if his people's patience would be able to stand all the questions. It was to late now, however, to reconsider. Though the human's enthusiasm was refreshing, his society was definitely going to get a shake up.
He wondered what rumors would soon flow on Vulcan about humans.
"If there are no more questions, we can all go and consider what this will mean for us," Captain Archer said.
The crew fell silent and rose realizing that the briefing was over. Captain Archer knew Soval was not the most patient of Vulcans and it would take him time to get used to Enterprise's teasing ways. Once more he wondered what had possessed him to adopt them all. He shook his head wondering what his father would have thought of this turn of events. He just hoped his people would take it easy on their new planet.