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The Third Degree, Part II

"Speaking of attention, come here and give me a hug. Umm, you smell so good. New cologne? Very sexy. I'm going to have a hard time keeping my hands off of you."

Fascinating. Terran women could also be attracted to yamareen!

"Rachel, we must talk." Sirin broke the embrace and took her hands in his. "Paula has evaluated my latest test results and believes that I shall be entering Pon Farr in the next few weeks. We do not have much time, so we need to make preparations."

"What kind of preparations?

"We need to have safe, very private quarters, devoid of breakable objects. There should be medical facilities nearby, in the event that you need....if I should injure..." Sirin was examining the toes of his boots, not looking at Rachel.

"Sirin, I will be fine. Paula has survived this. Amanda has been through it more than once. My Mom owns a small cabin near Lake Tahoe. It is sparsely furnished. Let's go there tomorrow and get it ready. I don't have duty again until Monday. There is a hospital nearby for all the idiots who injure themselves on skis."

"That seems a logical plan. Rachel, you said that I smelled good. I believe that you are reacting to yamareen, a hormone secreted by Vulcan males just prior to and during Pon Farr. Among its many functions, it serves to help attract a mate."

"Yeah, I can see how that might be helpful. We should probably eat our dinner before I decide to nibble on you instead." She led him to the kitchen, carrying the Mexican take-out they had picked up on the way.

"Such a snack has a certain appeal, so long as I get to reciprocate. However, there is another matter we must discuss first. We need to talk about family planning."

Sirin grabbed plates and flatware, as Rachel opened the food containers.

"Well, I'd like to have a family in the not too distant future. Oh, you mean family planning as in birth control. Well, I haven't had the standard shots because I'm allergic to them. I haven't really worried about the issue since Larry... What about you?"

"The standard injections for males were not engineered with Vulcans in mind. My people tend to practice self control rather than birth control. Many in Vulcan society consider it "uncivilized" to mate outside of Pon Farr. Those who feel otherwise are most grateful to the Terran individual who invented the condom. It keeps the neighbors from gossiping about the irregular spacing of one's children."

Rachel looked puzzled.

"I'm not following you here, Sirin."

"When I was a teenager, a family in our neighborhood had a new child only three years after their last one. The expected interval is about seven years, though there is variation. There was much gossip as to the husband's lack of self control and discipline."

"I see. I bet one doesn't buy "supplies" at the drug store on Vulcan either. That could prove embarrassing."

"Quite true. The reason I bring this up now is that it would not be wise for you to become pregnant right before Pon Farr. The child would not survive it and the danger to you would be increased. However, you have expressed a desire to "familiarize yourself with my equipment." I have no objections to this, but appropriate precautions must be taken."

"So, um...have you been to the drug store lately?"

"No, but I have gotten some interesting free samples from a pharmaceutical company representative. Perhaps we might investigate them together."

It was very late when Sirin brought Rachel home. Esther heard the now familiar sound of Sirin's car. She got out of bed, put on her robe, and hurried down stairs. Rachel was just coming through the door.

She looked a bit disheveled and she had a dreamy, far away look in her eyes.

"Took him for a test drive, huh?"

"Mom!"

"Don't "Mom!" me, Rachel Elizabeth. Honestly, sometimes you young people act like you invented sex. You didn't, you know. After all, how do you think you got here in the first place?"

"Okay, I'll 'fess up. Yes, I've been for a "test drive", and yes, we took precautions. As long as we're being all open and honest, I need the keys to the Tahoe place. I want to take Sirin up there tomorrow."

"You got it. Bet you're not going to ski, though."

"We might,"

Sirin packed his duffel, smiling to himself as he added more of those "free samples." He had been a little nervous about the differences between Human and Vulcan anatomy, but Rachel hadn't minded at all. In fact, she seemed to rather enjoy them. This was good, as he enjoyed Rachel's differences. This might work out after all.

He gave Ivan food and water, then loaded the car. He would drive to SF General for his daily blood work and then pick up Rachel at her house.

Rachel was ready when he got there. Esther had packed them a huge basket of goodies.

"You kids behave, now. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, Sirin. I'll see you tomorrow."

She kissed Rachel goodbye, and then Sirin. He did not object.

"I think she's getting attached to you."

"So it would seem."

Sirin thought about his own mother and wished things were different between them. However, Rachel had become his world now. He knew T'Lonna would never give Rachel the acceptance Esther had given him. Stryel was even more rigid in his thinking than his brother Sarek. There was now no returning home to his father's house for Sirin. His parents would never approve of such a union. They had witheld their acceptance of Amanda for years.

It was February in the Sierras, so everything was covered in snow. San Francisco could be quite cold in the winter, but usually didn't see much in the way of snow accumulation. It was beautiful beyond belief. When they got to Esther's cabin, Sirin brought the food and their gear inside.

The couple did a quick inspection of the cabin and decided that Rachel's room would require the least amount of rearrangement.

"Sirin, there's a shed behind the cabin that we can put everything into."

They emptied the room of all its breakable contents, leaving only a low table and the window curtains. There was an overhead light source and quick access to the rest room.

Sirin unrolled a thick king-sized futon mattress onto the floor. He and Rachel made it up with some of the heaviest, thickest sheets she has ever seen. He places several more such sheet sets in a corner of the room and then adds some firm pillows to the bed. The next additions are a case of energy bars, bottled water, and a first-aid kit. Finally, Sirin produced a box with various lubricants and ointments.

"I will purchase restraints on Monday."

"Sirin, why do we need restraints?"

"You made find it necessary to bind me, if things get out of hand."

"That is the most frightening thing you have said so far."

"I would rather frighten you now than harm you later. Let us go into another room. This one is unsettling. I could use some of Esther's delicious food."

After they had eaten a late lunch, Rachel dragged Sirin outside into the snow.

"Rachel, is there a reason we are outside in the cold?"

"Yes, but it is not a logical one. I want to build a snowman while it is still light outside. We need a little happy diversion around here."

"I have never built a snowman, nor have I stood in this much snow. I shall have to rely upon you for instruction."

Rachel showed Sirin how to compact the snow into a ball and then roll it to gather additional size and mass. They made a large base, followed by a smaller middle and an even smaller head. They used a carrot for the nose, a strip of red pepper for the mouth and black olives for the eyes and buttons. All of those items were leftover from their lunch. Rachel used an old hat and scarf to complete the project. These were kept in the closet expressly for that purpose.

As Sirin stood examining their creation, Rachel broke out in an evil grin. She started pelting him with snowballs. Sirin finally got the idea and began to return fire, so Rachel ran, trying to evade him. He was much faster. He caught her and carried her back into the house.

"It is much too cold out here to play the game I want to play."

Admiral Johnathan Archer sat at his desk catching up on his reading. He was way behind on all the reports that needed his signature. One item in his inbox caught his attention, a message from Commander Dixon at the Medical Branch of the Personnel Support Detachment.

Admiral,

You had requested to be notified if I ever got a request for permission to form a domestic partnership involving a Vulcan. I have received such a request. Please see the attached application.

Cmdr. Robert Dixon

Archer only knew of two Vulcans in Starfleet. Cadet Spock seemed too young to be seeking such an arrangement. Somehow he doubted that Admiral T'Pol was involved. Archer opened the attached file.

"S'chn T'gai Sirin wants to bond with one of our doctors. Where have I heard that House name before? Of, course. He must be related to Cadet Spock and Ambassador Sarek. I need to know more about him."

Archer pressed the page button for his secretary.

"Lucy, I need to contact Admiral T'Pol."

They spent a lovely afternoon in front of the fireplace. Later, they redressed and drove down the mountain to a small restaurant. The inter-species couple raised a few eyebrows, but no rude comments were made. Rachel ordered them a vegetable quiche and a spinach salad. Sirin enjoyed both of these. When she suggested that they have chocolate cheesecake for dessert, Sirin consented reluctantly.

"Rachel, if you wish me to consume chocolate with you, we must either get it to go or you must drive home. It is a potent intoxicant for Vulcans, causing us to lose our inhibitions."

"Really. I thought that was just a myth, like the cinnamon thing."

"That is also no myth."

"Oh, so some Mexican hot chocolate would be quite effective on you. It's made with cinnamon and vanilla. I'll file that away for future reference."

Rachel caught the server's eye.

"We'll take a slice of the chocolate cheesecake to go." She smiled a naughty little smile. "I wish to make a study of the effects in a controlled environment."

Ingesting even a very small amount of chocolate is not the best plan when one is also under the influence of yamareen. Sirin became very uninhibited indeed. Initially he was silly and giggling, which Rachel found endearing.

"My Sirin, you are so adorable when you're drunk!"

It was the wrong thing to say.

"Your Sirin! I am indeed that, as you are my Rachel, mine!"

Rachel was then treated to a display of Vulcan marking behavior. Sirin got a bit carried away with his biting. Fortunately, she was able to persuade him to confine his efforts to places covered by her uniform.

"Now you must mark me!" Sirin literally tore his shirt off to allow her access.

"Oh my goodness!" Rachel had just been treated to a preview of coming attractions!

Admiral Archer poured his dear old friend a cup of tea.

"Thank you for coming, T'Pol. I didn't want to risk making this inquiry over the comm channel, given its sensitive nature. Given the age of Dr. Silverstein's fiance, I think that I can make a guess about the nature of their situation."

"That is a logical assumption, Johnathan. It is certainly not a matter I would relish questioning either one about. He is indeed from the same House as Ambassador Sarek and Cadet Spock. He is the Cadet's first cousin, Sarek's brother's son. He is a Healer and a prominent orthopedic surgeon at San Francisco General Hospital."

"With important ties like that I'm inclined to not pry too deeply into these kids' personal business. I think that just one psych eval for Dr. Silverstein should do nicely, especially if two senior admirals sign off on the paperwork. What do you say? Are you with me on this?"

"Yes, Johnathan. The fewer people and complications involved, the better."

Sirin was not feeling so well when he woke up in the morning. He did not recall everything that transpired from the night before, but some of the evidence was unmistakable. There on the side of his neck, above his collar line, was an enormous, dark green bite mark. He could not be angry with Rachel over this, though. He had insisted that she put it there.

Rachel brought him a hot cup of tea and a morning kiss.

"Good morning, my love. Oh, your neck looks so painful. Let's see if we can fix you up."

She got her medical bag and gave him a thorough going over with the dermal repair stimulator. Then she gave him a little something for his hangover.

Sirin got a shower and a quick breakfast. Then they hit the road for San Francisco, deciding that it might be best if Rachel drove.

When they got to SF General, they nearly ran into Paula in the corridor outside the outpatient lab.

"Thank God you're here. I was just going to contact you. Your levels have really spiked since the previous blood draw. I want to check them right now STAT. I'll call you with the results later. I hope you two have made a plan."

"We have."

Rachel drove Sirin home and tucked him into his bed. He was asleep almost immediately. She lay down next to him, waiting for Paula's call.

Sirin was not surprised by the numbers Paula quoted him. She estimated that he had about three days until the full onset of Pon Farr.

Sirin contacted his boss at SF General, telling him he had a serious medical condition that was the result of a hormonal imbalance. It was a condition that only affected Vlcans. He would need to be on emergency medical leave, effective immediately. He expected that he would be off no more than two weeks. Dr. Kroger was sympathetic and told him it would not be a problem. Sirin very seldom took leave of any kind.

When he ended his conversation with Dr. Kroger, Sirin called Rachel back to his side.

"Paula thinks it will be just a few more days. I am going on medical leave, as I might compromise the health of my patients in my current state. Rachel, we should probably not see each other until it is time to go to the cabin. We must try to arrange for someone we trust to drive us there. You must start emergency leave as soon as possible."

"That's going to be difficult, but I will arrange for it. If I can't, then I'll just have to go AWOL."

"I hope it doesn't come to that. Take my car home. That way I will not be able to drive it."

"I love you, Sirin. This will all work out."

Rachel put in her request for emergency leave the next morning. McKenzie was none too pleased, but Rachel had not taken any leave for the last two years. He was in no position to deny her.

That afternoon at 1330 hours, a preliminary psychiatric evaluation was held at Starfleet Medical for a Lt. Rachel E. Silverstein. The presiding board declared her to be of sound mind.