Characters – Pike/OC; Gaila, cameo appearances - Sarek, Spock Prime, Kirk, Spock and Uhura
Romance/Family
Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would
Earth date, late November 2263 – L'Langon Ha'shal, (L'Langon apartments), downtown Shi'kahr Uzhar
Seria checked her comm as she dressed for the Ministry of Defence dinner that evening or as they called it 'social engagement'. She wore a long cream and black gown, backless but with a mandarin collar so at least her cleavage was not on show, it just about past the Vulcan modesty test. The outfit was topped off with long black velvet gloves and what Shayla would call her 'fuck me' shoes or as Seria justified it as logical shoes to give her added height. Her hair was added in the sort of twists and turns that only a Vulcan stylist could do, and he had done a very good job.
She knew most people would probably expect her to wear traditional Vulcan formal wear but she was not a traditional Vulcan. Besides Vulcans knew how to dress up for the appropriate occasion, they just covered up more than most.
The Admiral was due to arrive at 6.45pm, it would only take 15 minutes and 58 seconds to arrive at the Vulcan cultural centre where the 'social engagement' was being held. Why did she agree to be his 'date' for the evening it seemed a good idea at the time but she wondered if she was making a mistake? Seria reflected back on what led her to this moment.
The Admiral's offices, three weeks earlier
Pike checked the invite on his comm for the fourth time, looking at it again was not going to change the wording:-
"The Ministry of Defence requests the presence of Vice Admiral Christoper Bruce Pike to a social engagement t'ved stehkuh (day 7) leh-wun tevan –krus (month 11) at 19.00 hours.
Venue – Vulcan cultural centre
Mode of dress – Formal wear or Dress uniform
Guests – admit two"
Pike was surprised he was allowed to bring a guest. He knew the second person was not going to be Gaila or Commander Stolek since they had similar invitations both inviting them to also bring a guest. He considered going stag since he could think of no one else he knew that he could invite. It was probably a bit of a stretch to expect one of his lady friends back on Earth to come all that way for a night out in Vulcan, a culture not known for its dinner and dancing under normal circumstances.
'Hold on', he thought, 'How about…nah she never would. Then again maybe she might, you won't know until you ask'.
Pike decided a call to Ms Seria 'Logical' Maxwell was in order even if she seemed indifferent to him. After all he could sell it to her as colleagues networking together at a function.
"Call to architect's office," Pike ordered the comm. The comm was set to vid mode. It went direct to Seria's office and bypassed her Executive assistant.
"Dif-tor heh smusma Seria Maxwell"
Seria was surprised at the comm. Grell and the other staff had already left for the day so she was just about to leave and meet her cousin T'Ynise. Her cousin's clan although not related to Seria were the only Vulcan clan members on the planet she had time for.
"Dif-tor heh smusma Pike shaltra-lan (Vice Admiral)". replied Seria containing her surprise.
"I apologise for the interruption to your evening. I have an invite to a social engagement. It requires me to bring a guest so I was wondering if you would do me the honour of accompanying me?"
Pike hoped he did not sound like he was asking her out on a date although he hoped if he did she wouldn't say no.
"Are you asking me on a date"? Seria asked.
If this was the case it was better to speak in English so nothing was lost in translation when she turned him down. After all she was a taken woman, bonded, well almost…. any day now, as soon as she said yes to Tayver.
"Not at all Ms Maxwell. I thought it would be a good chance for us to get to know each other better as colleagues, seeing as we will be working on a major project for the next two years." Pike mused if she falls for that line she is more Vulcan than I thought.
Seria looked at the screen as if she could read Pike's intentions. She wished she was part Betazoid like her friend Shayla and her cousin T'Ynise. Part of her argued it was best to say no, Tayver would not be pleased. But the other half said well he did say it was not a date. And he was right, they had to work together, getting to know each other outside of work might make things less tense at their meetings.
"Where is this social engagement?"
"The Ministry of Defence is holding a…. "
Before Pike could complete his sentence Seria interrupted.
"Oh I have one of those as well. I was going to ask my Senior EA to be my guest. But someone beat me to it. Your former aide Gaila asked him, seems they are quite taken with each other". Seria's mouth curved into an almost smile.
This was news to Pike, but knowing Gaila she would have a new person or persons to be taken with before the end of the month.
"Then we can help each other. I can be your guest and you can be mine," beamed Pike, problem solved for him.
"I was planning to ask my partner to attend." replied Seria thoughtfully. Why was she telling him that, it was none of his concern, Seria pondered to herself.
Was planning? Thought Pike, so that could only mean she has changed her mind? And she has a partner? Male? Female? Business partner or 'partner', partner?
"But you're right; this would be a good opportunity to network. I accept your invitation Admiral".
"That's good, and Admiral is so formal don't you think. Feel free to use my first name." Pike smiled.
"In that case, Christopher, our offices can make the necessary arrangements."
Pike had not been called 'Christopher' since the first grade, but he liked the way his full name sounded coming from her mouth so did not bother to correct her.
"Why don't we just sort something out since we're already here?" Pike did not want her to change her mind due to some scheduling conflict.
Seria agreed, so time and meeting place was worked out. Pike insisted on picking her up from her apartment, something about his mother raised him to be a gentlemen, no matter the species of lady he was accompanying. Seria did not consider him the old fashioned type but she found it amusing and decided to humour him.
Earth date, late November 2263 – L'Langon Ha'shal, (L'Langon apartments), downtown Shi'kahr Uzhar
So here she was all dressed up and ready to go. Having no idea what to expect from diplomatic Vulcan dinners never having gone to one. She hoped it was not too boring and full of logical politics or Starfleet talk. Hopefully she met people in the government ready to use her firm to build hospitals, schools or other civilian projects.
"Visitor for apartment 508" chimed the vidcom
Seria arose and did her last checks, makeup looking good, hair in place, clutch bag, shawl wrapped around shoulders. She descended the flight of stairs and met the Admiral in the apartment lobby. Despite giving security his details she knew Vulcan cultural norms did not expect unbonded males to visit the domiciles of unbonded females and since she was living in an all female Vulcan apartment complex she stuck to the rules.
Pike paced nervously in the lobby, he felt like a high school kid about to take the girl of his dreams to the school prom. The Vulcan security guard looked at him as if she was thinking 'illogical komihn' perhaps she was expecting him to do something that would make her want to tackle him to the ground.
He stopped pacing as he spotted Seria coming towards him. He held his breath for a moment. She looked beautiful, he wished he really was going on a date with the girl of his dreams.
He had deliberated on whether to buy her flowers or not but decided that came across as too 'datelike' and deferred that option as a follow up 'thank you' gift instead, if the evening went well.
"Good evening Seria, you look lovely." Pike admired her appearance; he felt he would have the best 'non date' at the event.
"Good evening Christopher and you look most admirable, Admiral." Seria's play on words made Pike grin.
"Normally wearing dress uniform is not my favourite thing, but tonight I don't mind at all." smiled Pike
"Well our chariot awaits". Pike lead her out to the street where he'd hired a chauffeur driven aircar for the evening.
Commander Stolek had a nephew who wanted a part-time job whilst he was studying. He hoped to one day join his toz'ot and serve in Starfleet. Pike was only too happy to help the youngster and get him registered as one of his designated drivers. Shylock looked very smart in his chauffeur uniform, the position not only gave him a job it also put him in a place to improve his Standard.
He drove the aircar to the cultural centre. He was surprised to see the Admiral socialising with a Vulcan female, she looked aesthetically pleasing. Considering there were more unbonded males than unbonded females in the colony it was not logical that she choose a human mate. He knew that more Vulcan males were considering offworlders for partners. Shylock had registered on a 'potential bonding site', the humans called dating site for human males interested in nonhuman males as partners. Perhaps the Vulcan female experienced shan'hal'lak with the Admiral hence her seemingly illogical decision to choose him. Shylock hoped that he shared such an experience when he met his future mate.
Author's Notes: We are having a heatwave in London so cool me down with reviews! :o)