Solok lowered himself into the chair at his desk and stared at his computer for a long moment.
He'd returned to his quarters after his impromptu lunch with Lochlan feeling an odd mixture of hope and trepidation.
Vulcans often said that they did not experience emotion, but that wasn't true at all. They strive for control over their very intense emotions. To deny that they felt emotions as any sentient being did would be illogical.
Lochlan had agreed to the courtship, but she'd added a caveat during their meal.
She requested Solok attempt to date her in the Terran fashion as well.
For what purpose? It is illogical. She is half Vulcan and is well attuned to the ways of our people. To date her in the human manner as well is unnecessary and frivolous. Why would she request this? He wondered.
He would be meeting her at her quarters to escort her to dinner in the evening. He imagined there was some human tradition regarding the first date he should make himself aware of.
Scooting his chair closer to his desk, he tapped his computer, bringing it to life and instructed it to pull up all pertinent information regarding Terran first dates customary to the region her human family was from.
Presenting her with flowers appeared to be the appropriate gesture. The rest of the date had already been planned so there seemed little else of relevance for this particular evening aside from…
His eyebrows hit his hairline in surprise and not a little hopeful anticipation.
If the date goes well, a brief kiss is appropriate when the woman is returned home at the end of the date.
A mischievous part of him latched on to the more liberal human attitudes regarding physical affection and physical intimacy and quietly celebrated it. While rarer for his kind, Solok was one who indulged in recreational sex at times.
Perhaps Sadara's request will have some benefits for me as well…, he thought, his attitude towards it suddenly taking an upward swing.
While Solok absolutely had no interest in using Lochlan physically, neither would he balk at sex prior to marriage.
Still, he was likely going to need guidance from more than the Federation database. A human male with experience, and more importantly, success at convincing a human woman to marry him would be the logical choice.
And Solok knew one person who had accomplished the feat twice with the added bonus of being long term friends with the woman he was currently pursuing.
But he was going to have to, what was that human expression again? Eat humble pie?
Calculating that the climb down was a small price to pay for the increased chances of success, Solok messaged Benjamin Sisko.
"You want me to what?!" Sisko asked incredulously, unable to believe his own ears.
He burst out laughing as he repeated Solok's words in his head, finding them even more surreal the second time.
"I fail to see what you find so humorous," Solok said seriously and with a touch of exasperation. "I am merely asking for your help with an endeavor with which you have far more experience than I have. I know extremely little about pursuing Terran women as I've had no cause to attempt it until now."
Calming down, Sisko cleared his throat and tugged on his uniform shirt before lacing his fingers together over his middle. He regarded the Vulcan seated across his desk more seriously, though he still hadn't quite gotten all the giggles out of his system. Every now and then a few more attempted escape.
"I'm just surprised. I thought I'd be the last person you'd turn to for help. Didn't your research turn up any useful information?"
It was an obvious reference to Solok's penchant for writing papers about "illogical human bonding rituals'' and he was not quite able to keep the pointed sarcasm out of his voice.
"She's my friend, Solok, and she's half human. I need a good reason, not just a logical one, for why I should make it easier for you to… woo her when you've displayed nothing but scorn for humanity? How can I trust that you will treat her like a person and not a subject of one of your Psychology papers?"
Solok's broad shoulders lifted and fell in a silent exhale of frustration, possibly even defeat, but he soldiered on.
"Given our history, I understand your concerns, but I assure you that I have nothing but honest intentions toward Sadara. I am Vulcan and would not deceive you in such a deeply personal and serious matter," Solok said with great, almost pleading, sincerity.
"I have come to you for assistance because I believe I would have much greater success in honoring her request if I enlisted the aid of someone with actual experience," Solok continued. "If I did not care about her as a person I simply would not be here, humbling myself before you now. You were the logical choice for this as you've managed to persuade two women of your species to marry you."
Sisko's eyebrows raised slightly at the subtle condescension in his old rival's tone, but he wasn't about to rise to the bait.
Shoving the old anger and competitive feelings aside, Sisko refocused on Solok's request like he would anyone who would ask for his help.
Vulcans generally prided themselves on their independence and self sufficiency so for Solok to come to him for help with anything, especially a personal matter, had to have been difficult.
I really should stop being immature about it no matter how much fun rubbing his nose in it would be…, Sisko thought.
He felt a sliver of disappointment, but banished it. He could save the gloating for if, no when, Solok successfully won over Lochlan with his help.
Then Solok would never hear the end of it.
Hell, Sisko might even write a paper about it.
The human male grinned, mischief twinkling in his eyes like stars seen through Earth's atmosphere.
"Alright. I'll help you, but it's going to cost you."
He almost busted out laughing again as Solok's eyebrows hit his bangs at warp speed.
"Relax. I'm only joking," Sisko grinned. "Now… have you begun planning the first date?"
"Sadara suggested counting dinner in your quarters as our first date so I found there was little to plan, though I did peruse the Federation database for any first date rituals that should be observed," Solok admitted.
"Such as?" Sisko asked, curious to know what dating deficit level he was rescuing Solok from.
"Apparently an elaborate presentation of dead vegetation is appropriate when arriving to collect one's date."
"A bouquet of flowers, yes," Sisko corrected with a nod. He looked Solok in the eyes with a warning in them. "You'll want to make note of her favorites as you'll be needing those flowers to accompany any apologies you will be making in the future."
Solok's blue eyes widened in disbelief though his facial expression remained unchanged.
"Apologies…?"
Sisko nodded solemnly. "Apologies. We'll cross that bridge when you come to it."
Solok somehow managed to look skeptical and smug at the same time.
"I can hardly imagine what I'd ever have to apologize for," he stated arrogantly and drew himself up straighter in his chair.
"Keep telling yourself that…," Sisko snickered.
Some parts of this are going to be painful…
"You mentioned her favorites," Solok continued, ignoring Sisko's last remark. As her friend, would you know which ones those are?"
Sisko nodded slowly with a smirk. He stood and plucked his baseball off his display stand and turned it around in his hand, looking at the signatures of his senior staff. A few of those officers were no longer aboard DS9 and Sisko's heart squeezed a moment as he was reminded how much he missed them.
Tossing the baseball up in the air and catching it, he returned to Solok's question as he paced back and forth in front of his window like he did when he got excited about a conversation. Solok's unwavering neutral stare was a little unnerving though.
"I would. Jennifer and I brought her some after the loss of someone close to her on the Repulse," Sisko stopped briefly and his voice trailed off at the end as he reflected on that particular moment. It had been one of the more difficult days in his early career. One he would happily give back to the universe.
"Anyway… Tulips will score you the most points, but if those are difficult to get hold of, carnations or peonies would be good backups," Sisko continued with a wave of his empty hand, bringing himself back to the matter at hand. "Generally, any flowers will work, but obviously giving her her favorite will get you the most brownie points. You may want to read up on Terran flowers. Humans have associated meanings with their colors and whatnot. Yellow roses, for example, are sometimes used for goodbye. Wouldn't want to send the wrong message."
"I see…," Solok acknowledged simply. "I will acquire the appropriate vegetation. Do you have any other suggestions?"
Sisko squinted at Solok's continued use of the word vegetation in place of flowers, but didn't comment on it. Vulcans were unnecessarily clinical and scientific in their speech at times.
His right index finger lifted from the baseball and wagged a few times as he launched into his next pointer.
"Oh yes. Since you are having your first date at dinner in my quarters, there will be some subjects normally explored during the first date that would be considered inappropriate in mixed company. I personally don't need to be in on the chatter about whether or not you both want children one day."
Solok lifted an eyebrow for the hundredth time it seemed and observed curiously as Sisko resumed tossing the baseball in the air and catching it repeatedly.
"That would be awkward for all present, I agree."
Solok shifted slightly, seeming suddenly uncomfortable and Sisko wondered if the other man was anticipating that the conversation was about to take a sudden swerve into more personal topics. He choked back more laughter.
"I'm sure Vulcans value efficiency in courtship like everything else so they discuss those things early like humans do. I would suggest picking Sadara up early enough for you both to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Sovereign's arboretum or the Promenade. This will give you some time alone together. This is also an appropriate activity after dinner if you'd rather. Humans might link arms for this, but as a Vulcan, that might be too much physical contact at that stage. You'll have to decide that for yourselves."
Solok appeared to digest that. His eyes shifted to the side as if in contemplation. Sisko gave him a moment to process it all.
Finally, Solok glanced up at Sisko again and this time he shifted nervously, reluctant to voice whatever it was that had swung to mind.
"Go on," Sisko encouraged, beyond curious at what would cause Solok so much hesitation.
"Humans seem to want to engage in physical affection quite early. The first date literature I read mentioned a kiss at the end of the first date."
Suddenly, Sisko felt another surge of excitement bolt through him. This was actually kind of fun, advising Solok. It was almost a research project that he could hardly wait to get the results of. He was immensely curious to find out if his advice would work.
"Yes," he grinned. "If the date goes well and you get the feeling that she'd welcome it, you can lean in for that first kiss when you escort her back to her quarters. Just uh, try to do it when no one else is in the corridor. You know how gossip travels at warp 10 on starships."
Solok almost winced at that.
"Indeed. It does so even among all Vulcan crews…," he admitted with something close to disappointment. "Anything else of import?"
"One more. Have you read about "rounding the bases" in the figurative sense?"
Now Sisko's big toothy grin had reached supernova levels of brightness. He was practically levitating with anticipatory glee. Baseball jargon had a whole new meaning in what Solok was about to undertake.
"I have not," Solok said. "What could baseball possibly have to do with the romantic pursuit of a woman?"
"Rounding the bases in the figurative refers to certain levels of physical intimacy with a woman," Sisko explained.
Solok shot up from his chair as if jettisoned like a rocket. His fists clenched tightly at his side in obviously repressed anger.
"I refuse to treat Sadara like she is some sort of trivial game meant only for base physical pleasures!"
Sisko blinked, taken aback by that and he cocked his head, brown eyes squinting in confusion. That was a rather extreme reaction, especially for a Vulcan. What was going on with him? Men in love reacted with that sort of intensity, but a Vulcan? Was it possible?
His thoughts must have shown on his face because Solok jerked his head to the side, breaking eye contact. His eyes closed and with a few deep breaths, the Vulcan's control was mostly restored, but Sisko could tell there was yet another issue Solok was wrestling with.
Stiff as a board, Solok joined Sisko at the window behind the desk and clasped his hands behind his back so tightly Sisko worried the Vulcan might dislocated his shoulders. They were not close enough to be shoulder to shoulder, but close enough that Solok didn't have to speak any louder than was comfortable for him.
They both stood facing the window, looking at the distant stars for a long, awkward moment until Solok broke the silence.
His deep voice was strained and hoarse, almost a whisper.
"Vulcans refer to it as the Shon Hal Lok, the Engulfment," he ground out, jaw clenched tightly. "Humans would call it infatuation or possibly in love. It is distracting and an absolute menace to our control. It is an intolerable condition and yet… I'm not certain that I'd call it entirely… unpleasant."
Sisko turned his head to glance at the other man.
"It has its moments," Sisko murmured softly. "We hope for pleasant ones more than not, but as with any relationship there will be times that will try your patience and test your resolve. That's why Sadara is asking you to do all this. Her human half is part of her. To keep her, you'll have to do more than just accept it. You're going to have to want and love all of her, even when she says or does things that you don't understand."
The two captains fell silent again until after a long moment, Solok nodded.
"Thank you, Benjamin. I am grateful for your insight," he said sincerely.
Sisko's eyes brightened with surprise at the Vulcan's use of human manners. Vulcans did not use please and thank you with the same frequency that many other races in the Federation did so it was a little surprising when they did.
"You're welcome," Sisko returned just as sincerely. His small smile broadened into another huge grin and he suddenly slapped Solok on the back, jolting the other man forward slightly. "I think you're all set for your first date. I expect to hear how it goes."
The Vulcan opened his mouth to speak when Sisko's comm unit came to life with Colonel Kira's voice.
"Captain Sisko, Admiral Ross and the USS Reliant are en route. He is requesting to meet with you and Captains Lochlan and Solok as soon as he arrives. At present speed, that's 21 minutes."
Sisko glanced at Solok and the two exchanged curious looks.
What brought Ross all the way out here in person on such notice?
"Acknowledged, Colonel. Let Admiral Ross know we'll meet him at the Airlock."
"Yes, sir."
Sisko rose from his chair and replaced the baseball back on his desk thoughtfully.
"Dinner plans may just have to wait…"