I hereby inform the reader that I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. Therefore, any legal action would be highly inappropriate.

Inappropriate Part III

Leila was not a drinker. She sat through the recital and even managed to remember not to clap, as this was not the Vulcan custom. T'Ler and her daughter T'Mair gave a brilliant performance, accompanied by Skar on the ka'athyra.

The trouble began after the dance finished. Leila was served a second glass of champagne on a still empty stomach. That was when her behavior became truly inappropriate.

A member of the Embassy wait staff announced that a light meal was to be served in the dining room. Spock gave Leila his arm and escorted her to a table that would be shared with several acquaintances from his youth. Spock had been very pleased with her appearance and her conduct thus far. He had even begun to consider pursuing a romantic relationship with Leila.

Spock introduced Leila to his friends T'Pela and T'Ler, who like Spock, had spent much of their childhood on the Embassy grounds. Leila noted that both of the young women were very beautiful and she felt a bit jealous. She wondered if they were old girlfriends but that didn't correspond with what Debbie had told her about Vulcan bonding and marriage customs.

Leila felt possessive anyway, so she grabbed Spock's hand under the table. Immediately she felt waves of emotion that were not her own, shock and disapproval. Spock quickly disengaged his hand from her.

"Please do not do that again." he whispered.

"I'm sorry. I forgot."

"You are forgiven."

There were others there from Spock's past, among them his Andorian friend Shrelb, Shrelb's sister Tireth, Kehel the Rigelian Ambassador's grandson, and Ghezi, a daughter of the Tellarite Ambassador Gav. Shrelb had brought two other Andorian females with him, Tama and Elara.

Leila giggled as she observed the trio, then whispered in Spock's ear.

"I can't figure out which one is his girlfriend. He seems to be flirting with both, but neither is getting jealous."

"Jealousy would be inappropriate. They are both his girlfriends. Four people are needed for an Andorian marriage bond, two males and two females."

"Oh, that sounds so kinky!"

Leila had forgotten about sensitive Vulcan hearing. All around the dining room, people were staring at the couple disapprovingly.

"Leila, please keep your voice down."

"Oh, sorry."

The servers brought salad and white wine. Leila really didn't need any more alcohol, but the Napa Valley chardonnay was one of her favorites. She drank her glass a little too quickly and began to have difficulty concentrating. She couldn't remember what she had read concerning Vulcan table manners.

When the main course arrived, a quiche-like vegetable dish, Leila had trouble with the two-tined fork used to eat it. Her attempt to use the bread tongs ended with the kreyla in her lap.

Dessert was a cake made with dried fruit and a glass of saya, an intoxicating beverage which looked for all the world like green tea. Leila drank about half of hers before managing to spill it on Ghezi, who was sitting next to her. The pig-faced Tellarite female reacted quickly, dabbing at her ruined gown and snarling at Leila, who felt she was over-reacting.

"Calm down. You don't have to act ugly, even though you are." Leila again giggled as she said this.

There was an awkward silence, everyone in the room was waiting to see what would happen next. Spock realized it was up to him to smooth things over.

"Ghezi, I must apologize for my companion. Dr. Kalomi obviously is not feeling well. Something she consumed must have disagreed with her. If you will excuse us, I must escort her home."

"You are excused" grumbled Ghezi. "I am surprised that the son of the noble Sarek would choose such an inappropriate dinner companion."

Spock said nothing as he helped Leila rise from her seat. She seemed disoriented.

"Are we leaving already? I was just starting to have a good time."

Having a good time? Spock was becoming a bit concerned as to what she might do next.

"Yes, it is time to go."

"Oh, pooh. It's a pity you Vulcans don't let your hair down and relax. It's a bit confusing, 'cuz I saw some of the same crowd really enjoying themselves at T'Vrana's the other night."

There was a muffled gasp from somewhere in the room. T'Vrana's was never to be mentioned in polite company.

Spock steered Leila to the foyer and retrieved her wrap. They waited while the valet brought the vehicle, unaware that Security Officer T'Mys had been watching.

When the car arrived, Spock opened Leila's door and helped her in, as she was somewhat unsteady on her feet. They traveled the short distance to Leila's home in silence.


After the "couple" had departed, the Embassy gathering broke up into two distinct groups, male and female. Each went to a separate drawing room for tea.

The males made a few comments on the evening's adventures.

"Spock made a most unfortunate choice of companion for this evening."

"Yes, most embarrassing for him."

"I doubt that we will see that young female here again."

That was all that needed to be said on the topic. The discussion then moved to the latest Federation trade negotiations.

Things were quite different in the ladies' salon.


T'Pela and T'Ler stood next to each other at the fireplace, especially concerned for their friend and his reputation. T'Pela's hands were balled into fists, as she barely concealed her anger.

"This is all T'Pring's fault. If she had not dishonored their bond and disgraced herself with Stonn, Spock would not need to be in the company of such a creature."

T'Ler could not help but agree.

"True enough. It is most unfortunate that all Human women are not as wise and gracious as the Lady Amanda."

Both the girls had studied Federation Standard and Terran customs with Spock's mother. From the time she was three years old, T'Pela had assumed that she would become Spock's bondmate. Though it had never been spoken aloud in the little girl's presence, her parents had hoped for this as well. T'Pela had been Spock's best friend until his bonding to T'Pring at age seven. When the bonding had occurred, T'Pela had been devastated. At the first opportunity, T'Pela had engaged in a little inappropriate conduct of her own.

The occasion had been a family gathering at the home of a distant relation that both T'Pela and T'Pring shared in common. Half a dozen girls aged six to eight sat on a patio drinking hivas milkshakes, a purple fruit-flavored drink favored by many Vulcans.

T'Ora, a distant cousin sat on a bench next to T'Pring. T'Pela sat on a wall behind her.

"Congratulations on your bonding, T'Pring. Spock is from a prominent family."

"I am not pleased with him. He is the son of a Terran woman. Our children will likely be deformed. My father has disgraced me."

T'Pela choose that moment to pretend to sneeze, upsetting her drink all over T'Pring's elaborate hairdo and dress. T'Pela made her insincere apology and T'Pring hurried to her mother, who cleaned the child up as best she could.

T'Pring's vanity had been wounded. T'Pela found it a most satisfying sensation. T'Pela's mother, Healer T'Mena had suspected that her daughter had spilled her drink on purpose, but had not dared to ask for fear of the answer. Besides, T'Mena had also felt that T'Pring's ego could do with some deflation.


T'Mys and her assistant Hirel followed Spock and Leila, concerned about what else might occur. Three years previously, a drunken Human female had accused one of T'Mys' own sons of inappropriate conduct following an evening at T'Vrana's. It had been attempt to extort money from the family, as the young woman had assumed that all Vulcans were wealthy.

Strin had taken the young woman home, but he had left shortly after. DNA evidence proved that the man the girl had had relations with was a Rigelian, not a Vulcan. She had hoped that the Embassy would wish to avoid scandal and give her a monetary settlement. Strin protested his innocence and his parents backed him up. The young woman and her Rigelian friend were now serving prison terms.

T'Mys parked her vehicle a few spaces from Spock's and waited to see what would happen next. She would intervene if necessary.


Spock exited the ground car and opened Leila's door. He gave her his arm and escorted her to her door. Leila could sense his disapproval.

"I embarrassed you again, didn't I? I'm so sorry."

Leila placed her arms around Spock's neck and pulled him down into a kiss. He quickly pulled away, nearly causing Leila to trip over her own already unsteady feet.

"Please cease this action at once! This is highly inappropriate."

Leila was very confused.

"Why should I stop? You like me, right? People who like each other kiss."

Spock swallowed. Sirin and Rachel and Rachel had been correct. Leila had misinterpreted his actions.

"Apparently I have given you the wrong impression. I admire your professional skills and appreciate your abilities. We share common interests, however we have known each other only briefly. Also, kissing is not the Vulcan way, especially not outside in public."

Leila smiled at him.

"If you come inside, we can get to know each other better. Besides, you're also half Human. Maybe you should learn to indulge your Human side a bit. I could help you with that. You could be happy living like a Human, living with me."

"I could not, for I have been raised a Vulcan and I respect our ways. Under the circumstances, it would be unwise for me to visit with you tonight. Dr. Kalomi, I must leave and you should retire for the night. We will speak again when you are no longer under the influence of alcohol. I bid you goodnight."

"Goodnight, Spock."

Leila went inside her apartment and cried herself to sleep.

T'Mena waited until Spock had pulled out of the lot, then she and Hirel left as well. The young one had been wise not to enter Dr. Kalomi's home.


Sirin was waiting for Spock when he returned home. Spock changed into pajamas and joined his cousin in the den. He told Sirin all about the disastrous evening.

"Rachel was correct concerning Dr. Kalomi. It would seem that I have much to learn about Terran females. She thought I had already developed romantic feelings for her. I was merely conducting myself as a gentleman, after the manner in which I have been taught. I do not understand how my actions could have been misinterpreted."

"Spock, I do not believe that you have done anything inappropriate. Dr. Kalomi seems to have some personal issues and difficulty respecting boundaries. Do not engage in self-recrimination over this situation."

Spock merely nodded and excused himself for rest and meditation.


Over the next twenty-four hours, Spock heard from most of his acquaintances who had been at the dance recital. They were all in agreement on one point: Leila Kalomi was not the right female for him. It would be most unfortunate if he was considering her as a bondmate.

"...I am concerned about the Terran female you brought to the dance recital. Her behavior was highly inappropriate..."

"...She is totally ignorant of Vulcan culture and unable to pick up on subtle cues as to what is acceptable..."

"...A Human female might be a logical choice of mate for you, however not that one. She does not seem to have much discernment. I do not believe that she respects our ways as your mother does. Dr. Kalomi would be an embarrassment to your family..."

This last statement had come from T'Ler herself, one of Amanda's best friends.

Spock had much to consider. He had once contemplated a future without a bondmate. His brief relationship with Mera had ended with her death, leaving an empty place in his life and heart. Leila was intelligent and attractive. She and Spock had common interests. Her drunkenness had been accidental and her ignorance of Vulcan ways could be corrected with education.

However, she did not truly accept Spock for who he was. While it was true that he was half Human, Spock was culturally all Vulcan. He had rejected the VSA's offer of admission because of the prejudice he knew he would encounter there. In all other things, Spock respected his people and their ways.

Spock would not give himself to a female who could not appreciate this. He had suffered enough with T'Pring's disapproval. He would not endure it again. His time aboard Discovery would end in a few months time, and Spock had been recommended for an instructor's billet at Starfleet Academy.

This meant that he would most likely spend the next three years living in San Francisco. Dr. Kalomi now knew his family and the places Spock enjoyed going. She had the ability to create embarrassing scenes. It would be best to terminate his association with her immediately.


Security Officer T'Mys had not called Spock to give advice. Instead, she spent her time checking into Leila Kalomi's background. The young woman was indeed talented, an award winning botanist and a gifted cellist.

However, she was also know to the San Francisco police department. Her name appeared on their "stalker" list. Two former "boyfriends" had taken out restraining orders against her. The young woman had once spent a weekend in jail for violating such an order.

T'Mys assigned a security detail to watch Sirin's house and another to follow Leila.


On Monday morning, Spock contacted Dr. Kalomi and asked if he might meet with her for a few moments at the Botanical Gardens. She told him to come at 10:30 am, when she usually took her coffee break.

Leila met Spock outside the greenhouse, where they sat on a bench.

"Dr. Kalomi, it appears that I might have given you the wrong impression. I am not interested in a romantic relationship with you. I was only seeking friendship. Under the circumstances, I believe that it would be best if we no longer saw each other socially."

Leila said nothing, merely nodded. Spock excused himself and left for a lunchtime appointment. Leila was still sitting on the bench, planning her next move when T'Mys took a seat beside her.

"Spock has a powerful family and network of friends who do not wish him to be harmed, either physically or in reputation. He has stated that he no longer wishes to see him. Should you attempt further inappropriate contact, I and my staff shall put a stop to it. I am aware of your history and I have heard that Terran prisons can be most unpleasant places."

Leila gulped. She had no wish to go to prison. Her uncle Elias Sandoval was hoping to start an Utopian agricultural colony on some distant planet. He was looking for a talented botanist and had tried several times to appeal to her pioneer spirit. Maybe it was time she took him up on his offer.

A/N: Okay, you all hated her and now she's gone!