Disclaimer - See Chapter 1

Chapter 19 - Clarification

Sordd was on his way to visit Mimi, there were many things he wanted to say. He had concluded that it was always logical to speak to her face to face as opposed to sending messages on PADDs, as PADD messages could lead to misunderstandings, and he certainly did not want any misunderstanding regarding the questions he currently had in his mind. The other logical reason for not sending a message to her PADD, was that if he spoke to her face to face then he would be spending time in her presence, the laws of magnetism dictating that the closer they were in proximity to each other the stronger the force of attraction would become.

His birthday party was only a few days away, and if he were human he would admit to the feeling of nervousness, however, he was not human. He had pressed Mimi on a number of occasions regarding the details of the party, but she had been resolute in not giving away anything, other than it being Afternoon Tea. She kept telling him that she wanted it to be a 'surprise'. This irritated him, another emotion that he would have denied feeling, as 'surprises' led to emotional responses, and for any Vulcan, emotional responses were to be avoided at all costs.

He knocked on the door of the lodge and then walked straight in. The short corridor opened out into a spacious and light open plan living area. At the far end of the room, there was a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling patio door, which optimised light. To the right of the patio door there was a comfortable looking corner sofa. A rug and coffee table had been placed into the gap made in front of it, giving a friendly and cosy feel. Mimi was currently curled up on the sofa reading her PADD. She was wearing blue jeans and a sleeveless white top. Her hair was tied up in a loose ponytail. Sordd noted that she was wearing the vokaya pendant, he was inwardly pleased.

She looked up, obviously delighted to see him. "Hi there, how are you doing?"

"Satisfactory thank you, and you?" He sat down beside her and gave her a peck on the cheek. This was still a very alien concept to him, not at all Vulcan. However, it always pleased she who he intended to be his wife, so he indulged it.

"I'm great, I've had a quiet day reading a book. It's called 'Biodiversity - the History of Life on Earth', I think Avarak might like it." She showed him the cover, "Would you like a brew, I was just going to make one?"

"An Earl Grey tea would be agreeable, thank you." Since coming to Earth Sordd had begun to sample their various varieties of tea and coffee on Sarek's recommendation. Mimi had introduced him to the Earl Grey blend, its floral flavour with hints of lemon-y citrus and grapefruit, was most agreeable to his palate. He had also become quite partial to Lady Grey tea, which he found to have an even more delicate flavour than Vulcan White tea.

She stood up and went to the kitchen, he followed her. "How was your day?" she asked as she took two china mugs out of a cupboard. One had a periodic table glazed onto the surface, Mimi always gave this mug to Sordd. The other had roses, which was for her.

"It was a change over today, with new staff arriving from the embassy, statistically change over days are quieter. As a result I was able to work on a research paper."

"What is the paper on?" she asked,

"I'm researching differing means of ATP and ADP synthesis between Humans and Vulcans."

"That sounds interesting."

"It is quite fascinating."

She handed him the mug and they went back over to the couch, they sat down and began to sip their tea. Almost without thinking Sordd carefully undid her ponytail, "I hope you don't mind T'Sai..."

"If you want to play with my hair you can." she pecked him on the cheek.

He started to caress her hair. He had wanted to do this for quite some time, her locks were thick and soft. She leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder.

"How is your headache T'Sai Mimi?"

She looked up at him with a sparkle in her eyes. "It's still gone." she smiled. He smiled the smile that wasn't a smile in reply.

'"Good." after some time. "Would it be agreeable for you to meet with my parents on Saturday, they would like to take the opportunity to formally thank you for your assistance with Avarak?"

She turned to look at him, "The thought of it makes me very nervous... What time were you thinking?"

"1500 hours at the 'Four Seasons' if that is agreeable to you, unless you want to meet somewhere else? " He wasn't looking directly at Mimi, but instead he was looking at her hair and the way it changed colour in the sunlight, he could definealty detect some blonde streaks and there was also a hint of red, like her sisters.

"No, the 'Four Seasons' is probably best, less likely to be interrupted."

He raised an eyebrow, "Is your family around at the moment?"

"No, don't worry." she grinned, "They have gone into town and won't be back until late."

He nodded…

"So, what about those swimming lessons? I could book the pool for the slot before T'Shahel and Avarak's lessons, 0800 hours tomorrow morning?" She could feel him stiffen slightly. "You're not scared are you?"

"It would be illogical to be scared."

"Are you sure?" she teased.

He sighed inwardly, "0800 hours tomorrow morning will suffice."

Mimi smiled to herself.

He was still pulling at her hair, "I think your hair is getting lighter."

"The sun does that to it." she took a sip of her tea.

"Fascinating."

Mimi closed her eyes, "I don't know how you manage it but you always make me feel so relaxed."

"I could go into the scientific reasons why you are feeling the way you do but I will not."

Mimi laughed.

Sordd continued to play with her hair and also began to massage her scalp, "I have some things I would like to clarify with you if that is agreeable T'Sai Mimi?" he could sense her breathing deepen.

She smiled, her eyes still closed, "Yes, of course what is it?"

"It is regarding my birthday party." he continued to pull her soft hair though his fingers.

Mimi opened her eyes, "Sordd that's not fair. You know it's a surprise and you've been fishing for information since I suggested it. I don't want to give anything away, don't think you can disarm me with your soft hands."

"I am not fishing, I am trying to obtain information, your comment is illogical T'Sai Mimi."

She sighed. "It's a saying Sordd, but you know that don't you?" she looked up at him and could see the twinkle in his eye.

"I would like to have some things clarified, please indulge me Mimi." He gently placed his hand on her bare shoulder. His touch on her bare skin always made her feel weak and on top of that he had a particular look in his eyes which was always persuasive.

"Ok, but I'm not promising to clarify anything that I believe will spoil the surprise."

He began to draw small circles on her skin with his fingers, this began to produce a tingling sensation in Mimi's core. "I have been researching birthday customs, and I have two main areas of concern. I have endeavoured to accommodate human traditions Mimi, in respect to your culture and background. However, I am concerned about the tradition of wearing a 'birthday suit'," his ears flushed, "I do not believe it would be appropriate for either the guests or myself to not be wearing any articles of clothing. If I was a Betazoid it would be a different matter, but I am Vulcan."

Mimi jumped up and burst into a fit of giggles. By doing so she was now out of his reach.

"What is so amusing?" Sordd looked confused, which was becoming quite a common occurrence.

"You crack me up Sordd, that is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time, and you have come out with some corkers before." Tears of laughter started to roll down her cheeks and she grasped her sides because they were getting sore.

Sordd, who was himself so restrained, found the display of sudden emotion to be quite 'exotic' and 'tantalising.'

A few minutes later she managed to pull herself together, "Sordd where in all the world do you get your information?'

"I accessed the 'Galactic Cultural Exchange Database.'" He said with a neutral face.

Mimi laughed again, "Amanda told me about that, it sounds so …. authoritative. The database is flawed, Sordd, and you should maybe stop using it for your research purposes!"

"In what way is it flawed?" He blinked twice.

"It's flawed because it leads to misinterpretation."

"I have to disagree with you Mimi, it is the way that humans use language that leads to misinterpretation."

She laughed again, she was not going to win this battle, "Sorrd… there are now words." She pecked him on the cheek…. "A 'birthday suit' refers to the lack of clothes worn when one is born, it does not mean that you have to be naked on your birthday. It's a term used for anyone that is naked at any time, for example some people sunbathe in their birthday suits, some people sleep in their birthday suits, it does not mean it is their actual birthday! For your birthday party I was going to suggest you wear something formal!"

Sordd suddenly wondered if Mimi slept in her birthday suit, he quickly schooled the thought away, "I see." A wave of relief coming over him.

Mimi leaned back on his shoulder.

"Dare I ask what your other main concern is?" She sniggered.

She was within reach again, so he continued with toying between her hair and bare shoulders..."The database informed me that one of the 'surprises' at a birthday party is a 'stripper'. Again I do not believe this to be appropriate, especially when children will be in attendance. I would prefer not to have one at my party, I hope that is agreeable to you as well?"

Mimi tried to control her giggles again, "Sordd, I've been to hundreds of birthday parties and not one of them had a stripper, it's the last thing on my mind when planning a party. The 'Galactic Cultural Exchange Database.' needs updating! Please, trust me, I've been checking things with Sarek and Amanda to ensure that what I am planning is appropriate. And from now on, if you have any questions about human culture, please just come and ask me directly."

Again he was relieved. "I confess that I am uncomfortable at the thought of being 'surprised'. The aim of a surprise is to garner an emotional response and Vuclans endeavour to suppress emotions."

"Does it really bother you that much?" she looked at him with concern.

"To be bothered about something is illogical, however it does bring a feeling of …. discomfort." He looked straight at her, searching her out.

Mimi shifted herself so she was facing him, they were now looking at each other eye to eye. She placed her hand upon his chest, "Oh Sordd, I don't want you to be uncomfortable," her eyes softened as they looked into his, she had held out for weeks not giving anything away, and then suddenly he managed to disarm her. "For the party, it is going to be Afternoon Tea with you, T'Shahel, Avarak and myself, which I told you about. And then we will have some 'surprises' in the form of gifts to give you and a birthday cake, is that ok?"

He immediately relaxed, "That is more than agreeable, thank you Mimi."

She pressed her hand against his chest, "You do understand you will have to pay the price for obtaining that information." Her breathing was now very heavy.

He raised both eyebrows, "And what is the price?" there was a nervousness in his voice.

She lent in and brushed her lips against his, giving him small butterfly kisses. He was also breathing heavily now. "If you," she kissed him more passionately, "do that kind of thing again," she ran her hands through his hair and then clenched a handful in her fist, he groaned. "it will cost you a lot." she continued to kiss him on the lips. Humans were so confusing, he thought to pay a price meant to experience something unpleasant because you had done something wrong. This was far from being unpleasant. His tongue licked her lower lip asking for access, she opened her mouth ... their tongues began to dance.

Notes

Brew - used in some regions of England to describe having a cup of tea.