Disclaimer: No change, except to thank my roommate for some wonderful
ideas for this chapter and the end of the story. And thanks to Lessa and
Takara Soong for their suggestions, which I will incorporate. Lastly,
thank you to my boyfriend for being the ever-helpful and patient editor.
The next few chapters may be delayed, as my copy of Susan Kay's "Phantom" just arrived at the bookstore I ordered it from, and I want to read some of it. If I have to type stuff about his past before I get the chance to read it in "Phantom," and mess something up, please let me know.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 5 – Fallout Below the Opera and Counseling Sessions
T'Maeve stood backstage and watched Mme. Giry bang her stick on the floor. It was another practice session today, and there had been no word from Christine since last night, opening night. Maeve shook her head, wishing she could change the events already set in motion. **At lease I've had the chance to talk to him, and possibly earn his trust.** Too soon, it was her turn to get into place, and begin her dance steps. All was going well, and Maeve let herself go slightly, moving with the music. But the feeling she had been waiting for since that morning hit her like a ton of bricks.
**Pain, anger, rage,.... Sadness, such sadness,.... Fear of seeing death,... such fear,...** Maeve was on one foot in a very complicated dance move, and it took all her Vulcan training to stay on her feet. **Don't fall, don't fall,.. this will pass.**
It did pass, and as soon as practice was over, Maeve ran to her dressing room before her composure left her. She locked the door behind her and fell into the divan in the room shaking and crying. **Oh, Erik. I'm sorry, so sorry this has happened to you,... such pain and hurt from you and Christine. Why, Christine?! Why did you have to take off his mask?**
So wrapped up in trying to shut her perceptions down so as to re-center herself, she hardly noticed Amanda flashing into the room, carrying a pot of tea and a sad smile on her face.
"Maeve, I brought this. I'm sorry Q or myself can not stop what's going on, but I think you know as well as I that this is fated to happen, no matter what we want." Amanda sat down by Maeve and handed her a cup of tea. Maeve smiled her thanks and let the soothing flavor of her favorite tea calm her raw emotions. "I understand, Amanda. I was actually hoping that you and Q would not be messing with Erik's feelings or anything, but I wish this event could have been avoided."
Amanda blinked, seeming a bit surprised. "You thought Q or myself would have influenced Erik? Why?"
Maeve sighed. "Well, his acceptance to my offer to talk again, and the fact he actually stood behind my mirror and didn't try to take off, it did make me wonder. Erik is not known for being open or trusting. Please don't take it as a personal insult towards you. It was my logical side asserting itself."
Amanda nodded, and refilled Maeve's cup. "Oh, I also wanted to let you know, Q told Captain Picard what is going on, and though he wasn't overly happy, he's relieved that you're OK. He did insist that both Q and I make sure you come home in one piece. Q teased him, as usual. I promised him that I would make sure you get home."
Maeve grinned, imagining the 'talk' between Q and Jean-Luc. "Thank you both for letting him know what's going on. Now, I best be getting home. I think tomorrow will be long. Christine should be returning tomorrow, right?" Amanda nodded. "You want some company, Maeve? I missed being able to talk to you like I did before I left the Enterprise."
Maeve shook her head. "I need to meditate alone. After feeling both Erik's and Christine's emotions I need to re-center and gather my thoughts. But thank you. You are aware that you're welcome to visit me anytime? You don't need an invite."
Amanda smiled. "Thank you. I'll remember that. See you around, Maeve." With that, she left Maeve to her thoughts.
As she got dressed and left for her flat, Maeve could not help but wonder just what tomorrow would bring.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**Thank the Gods I took the time to re-center.** Maeve thought what felt the hundredth time that morning. Christine did indeed return, but was not talking to anyone. Carlotta was in a fit, the managers were frantic to find out what happened to Christine, and everyone else was 'Poor Christine' this and 'Poor Christine' that. It was enough to make Maeve scream. Yes, Erik had been wrong to make the young girl believe he was her Angel of Music, but she had hurt that man in a way that she might never truly understand. Raoul had hardly left Christine's side when he wasn't locked out of her dressing room, holding obscene amounts of roses for her when she emerged from her room. Maeve laughed every time she passed by and looked at him. But she still had had no chance to talk with Christine, to see what was really going on in that girl's mind. After the shock the last evening, Maeve had not opened herself to anything, but came to the conclusion that before writing Christine off entirely she may as well find out what was going on internally in Christine.
Finally, Christine quietly walked out, Raoul not there as he had been drug off by Carlotta and the managers for some thing or another. As she walked to Maeve's dressing room, she tapped on the door.
Maeve was rather surprised to hear someone tapping on her door. "Who is it?" She was even more surprised to hear Christine's small voice ask if she could come in. Maeve got up and let her in. "What brings you to my room Christine?"
Christine looked even smaller then before, and very lost. She looked at Maeve and it seemed to Maeve that the girl was looking for guidance. "Maeve, as you may have already heard, something happened to me after the gala,..."
Maeve nodded. "Yes, but I wasn't about to push you. You can tell me anything, and I shall not tell a soul. It must have been terrible, whatever it is." Christine looked up a bit surprised. "Yes. It was. I,..I met my teacher,... but he wasn't the teacher I thought he was. And his,...his face,... it was like the dead! He was angry that I saw it,... but I was angry that he lied to me!"
Maeve nodded, but as she lightly probed the girl, the one thing she could feel was that Christine was not in any way worried about how she had hurt her teacher, one that she loved as a father and cared about. No she was more worried about herself, and her future as a singer. And she was blown away by Raoul's flattering attentions, and his status. **So, you'll take all that Erik taught you, throw it in his face as you run off with an overly wealthy fop, who wants a little wife to give him babies, and be a proper wife. In marrying Raoul you most likely will never sing again, and that is your life. But you're ready to run away from a little bit facial deformity!? Ugh, you are hopeless girl.**
Maeve kept her eyes calm, but she was only feeling a coldness towards Christine, tempered with pity. The child was silly, confused and not really thinking this whole thing out. "Well, Christine. All I can say to this, is that if this man was willing to teach you, and do so very well if your performance on opening night was any indication, then your ripping his mask off was not the best thing to do, and that you best figure out what you wish to do with your life. For if your description is anything to go by and taking into account the way Raoul is acting towards you, that your teacher may not be overly willing to go on teaching you. And if I were you I would apologize to him for taking his mask off. Now, Mme. Giry wanted to go over some steps with me, so if you'll excuse me." At this Maeve stood up, and left her room, not even looking back.
**Serves you right, silly child. Not excusing Erik's actions, but at least he didn't try to reveal your greatest secret or would reveal your deformity if you had one.**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Three hours and two very sore feet later, Maeve returned to her room. No one had seen Christine since she left for her small flat that evening. Raoul followed her, but no one knew if he stayed with Christine, or if she sent him on his way. Not that it mattered to Maeve.
Locking her door, she moved to get out of her rehearsal dress when she spied a piece of paper written in red ink on her vanity. Moving to it, knowing that it most likely came from Erik, she picked it up to read it.
I will meet you at your flat. ~Erik~
Maeve sighed and finished dressing. **Well, now comes time for the counseling session.** Locking the door behind her as she left, she walked very quickly to the door of the opera, and to her flat. In this case, she was very thankful her home was so close.
As she walked up the stairs to the flat's door, she noticed that a light shown under the door, and yet it was still locked. Casting her mind forward, she was not at all surprised that Erik had already let himself inside. She laughed to herself, and opened her door. Looking to her right into the sitting room, sat Erik. His black cloak pooled around his feet, his hat cast aside on the end table to his right. A fire crackled and two of her six gas lamps were on, giving the room a very warm and secluded glow. The semi-darkness suited his mood, and he sipped brandy, as Maeve put her cloak away and moved to make herself tea.
With tea in hand, Maeve slowly sank into the chair that sat across from the couch Erik now occupied. For almost thirty minutes, nothing was said. Maeve knew Erik wanted her so say something, but this was his idea for him to come; she had only offered him the invitation and the knowledge that she would listen to him without judgment. **At least, I hope he takes it that way,...**
Finally, it seemed that Erik didn't want silence anymore, and he stood up with a gritted growl of annoyance. "Well, will you not say something? Women are so good at saying something when they have guests."
"What would you like me to say, Erik? This is your chance to talk and to be listened to. All I can say is that I know what you are going through, and I understand." Erik, who had been pacing around her flat like a caged animal, turned towards her, eyes flashing.
"And how would you know ANYTHING about how I feel?! You don't know what it's like to have a face like mine! You never lived my life!! In fact, I really have no idea why I'm telling you of all people that you have no idea how I truly feel!" His outburst ended right in front of Maeve's face. Erik was a bit surprised that unlike others, she didn't even flinch from him. She just looked back at him, with what looked like understanding in her eyes.
"I do know, Erik. As I said two days ago, you have the excuse of a face for what you suffered. Mine was blood, and there was little I could do to stop the pain I went through." Erik pulled back slightly at this, and she took the chance to place her teacup down, lest she break it. "You asked to know about me, and how I knew so much about you. I am just not aware of a way to tell you the truth, for you deserve the truth, that will not have you committing me to the insane ward of a hospital." She looked at him as she said this, gripping the side of her chair tightly.
Erik sat back down, and looked at her with his head tilted to the side. "And what, dear lady, could you say that would show me what you went through and that you truly understand? You have no idea what I suffered!! And what's this about you being insane? You are truly mad to even be talking with me. Your life could be forfeit, like others." He settled back in his seat, looking rather smug in Maeve's opinion.
Still gripping the chair, she pondered his words. "I great deal has happened to me that was just as painful as what you went through. And I do know what you went through. As for me being insane, well then I am. But you need a friend; someone that will understand you, and not do what a certain young lady did just yesterday. What she did was uncalled for, and an extreme violation of the trust you placed in her, and the hopes you had and still have."
Erik looked at Maeve, his eyes holding a rather dangerous glow. "You best tread lightly. You are on very dangerous ground. I have killed people for knowing less and hinting at less then you do right now. Also, what happened between myself and my dear Christine is none of your business!" He stood, and loomed over Maeve again. "In fact, I just may end this little question and answer session right now. You do interest me, but all that has happened here has cut too close to my privacy, and I still have not heard a word about yourself, or how you 'know' about me." His hand went to his cloak, and Maeve braced for his lasso. This wasn't how she had wanted to show him who and what she really was, but then again she had botched her attempts to win his trust more thoroughly with her comments. She didn't want to lie, but she did rub the wrong nerve. **The books have nothing on how to talk to this man,...**
Erik flicked his lasso out, and it curled around Maeve's neck. **Pity. I really did want to know more about her. But she knows too much.** Yet, as she tightened his hold, she didn't move. She didn't even seem bothered by this attack. **Is this girl truly mad?!**
Slowly standing up, and thanking her parents that they had made sure her predominate genes were Vulcan, therefore giving her the increased lung capacity so she could hold her breath and for the added strength, she took the lasso in her left hand, and flicked it off her neck, and thrust it back into Erik's startled hands. As she did this however, her hand caught a sharp edge of leather, and the skin tore away. With a hiss, she clenched her fist. The blood welled up and started to seep between her fingers. Looking at her hand, she realized here was the way she could prove that what she told was true.
Erik, standing stunned that this wisp of a girl had just removed and thrown his lasso back at him with a strength she should not have had, noticed her hand. She looked at him, and extended her hand to him, opening the fingers up so he could see the damage. **What is she trying to do, make me feel guilty?**
"You wanted to know who I am, Erik. You just gave me a way to tell you, and ensure you believe what I say." Erik looked at the blood, and in the light of the fire and lamps, he gaped at what he saw.
It was green! The blood was green!
He took her hand, and looked it over, seeing if there was any way she could fake this. But he found nothing. The cut was real, the blood was real. He looked back at her, and took a step back. "Who, what are you?"
Maeve smiled slightly, and took a cloth from the kitchen to stanch the flow of blood. "Please sit down, Erik. This will take some time to explain,..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As the hours past, he sat in rapt attention as Maeve told of her real heritage, how the Vulcan people evolved and almost killed themselves with their rage and out of control emotions. She told of how her family was related to the great Surak, the man who brought logic to Vulcan and saved all of them form extinction.
She told of Betazed, and the Human linige she had through her father's family line, though he was full Boatload. She then told of the United Federation of Planets, and how Humanity achieved warp drive and that it was the Vulcans that discovered Humans, and in their own overly cautious way helped them travel into the stars.
She finished with some of her own history, of how hard it was being caught in three cultures, and never knowing which she truly belonged to. The pranks she was subjected to at the Academy, even when she went home to Vulcan, or to Betazed. She hesitated when it came to her near marriage, and she hinted at an incident five years after her ex-husband was placed in jail on Vulcan. Even after over 60 years, it was still hard to discuss what took place.
Erik looked her in her eyes. "You said you would tell me everything. Why leave out this part of your life? You said it gives you the understanding into me that you claim to have."
Maeve sighed. "Too tell you, I have to ask that you trust me to do this. Telling you any other way would,... not impart the full enormity of the event." Erik looked at her, and raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to do?"
Maeve moved to kneel in front of Erik, and raised her right hand. "I told you Vulcans are telepaths. I wish to perform a mind meld. I feel, despite what my logical side is saying, that this will help you understand this part of my life. Do you accept?"
Erik, asking himself why he even came to his place and questioning his own sanity, nodded. "You shall observe my privacy?" Maeve nodded. "Always, Erik. My wish is to be friends. To be a friend you can trust to come to when you need help. And I know that this may be the only way to earn that trust, after all you have gone through. I know that I need to show you this, so you know I have suffered for my differences like you have suffered for yours."
Still wondering where his good judgment went to, Erik nodded again. Her warm fingers rested on his face, her voice sounding very hypnotic. "My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts. We are one,..."
**Beginning of Meld**
The hot sands of Vulcan pulled at the young woman that stood at gong, the family ancestral land for the Pon Farr. The procession with her father, mother, Sarek, and Amanda entered the grounds. Sendet was nowhere to be seen, but that bothered young T'Maeve little. The plak tow was growing, and all her mind could focus on was her husband, Solkar. He entered then, and then T'Pau, with her attendants. The two guards, holding lirpa's, stood ready if a challenge was issued.
The words were a blur, and an annoyance. She wanted her husband now! But she held still, as the voice of T'Pau rang out over the assembly.
Suddenly, Sendet ran into the group, and pulled T'Maeve away from Solkar. "Do not wed them, T'Pau! He means to kill her, due to her non-Vulcan blood! He's an Isolationist.*"
Solkar grew green in his ears, showing his anger, and T'Maeve struggled against her brother. "No, Sendet!! I don't believe it! He is my mate! I know him, though our betrothal bond! He could not do this!" She looked to Solkar, as if for him to assure her. But with the blood fever in full force, he only looked to her with contempt. She felt the same through their bond, and saw for the first time the real Solkar. Not the one she fancied herself to be in love with. She sagged against her brother, as he provided the proof of Solkar's plans to kill T'Maeve after she had produced a male son that would be fully Vulcan with help from the healers. No alien blood was to exist in the child. Then T'Maeve would die in a tragic 'accident,' leaving Solkar to take over all of T'Maeve's titles via the infant son. She heard none of it, for she could only hear Solkar's laugh, his cold and evil laugh. T'Maeve was barely 20, and the Pon Farr had come early for her. This was not something she could handle.
**Why? All for my tainted blood,.... You are Vulcan. What of IDIC? My tainted blood,...** These thoughts filled her mind, and T'Pau reviewed the evidence and declared it true. "Now, thou must decide if thee wants to challenge, or if thee wishes the bond be dissolved?" T'Pau looked over to T'Maeve, wondering if she heard anything.
T'Maeve had. For though all she had heard was 'challenge,' it was enough. "Kun-ut-kali-farr!!!! I challenge thee, Solkar, son of Solan!!! I challenge you myself!!!" With that, she lunged for a lirpa, yanking it out of the very startled guard's hand. She hardly gave Solkar time to get his own before she threw herself at him, attacking him with a rage not seen on Vulcan for many generations. Sendet quickly dived out of harms way, and looked on with a bit of fear for his sister evident in his eyes.
The sounds of breaking ribs, and screams of pain rang out over the sands, and the two combatants fought on for what seemed like hours. But soon, Solkar was drained of his Pon Farr, and the guards deemed T'Maeve was drained of hers. She sat, cut and bleeding heavily, as Solkar was taken into custody. T'Pau touched both T'Maeve and Solkar briefly, dissolving the betrothal bond.
Yet when Sendet moved to help his sister up, she threw him off of her, and she screamed in pain of her betrayal. Before anyone could stop her, she ran as fast as she could, her mind almost shattered from the shock of what had happened.
For five days, no one found her. But on the sixth morning, she staggered into the front yard of Sarek and Amanda, almost falling into Amanda's rose bush. It took several weeks to hear all of her injuries, and her emotions. Her mind was also healed, but she kept the scars. A reminder, she told everyone, of a very hard lesson in life.
For 6 years, T'Maeve moved on, but the shadow of Solkar followed her. He could still touch her mind, and she blamed her Betazoid blood. She fought with her mother, and asked why had she and father had cursed her to be tainted like she was, never belonging and hated by Vulcans, and ignored by Betazoids. Her father Marcus was crushed, and retreated to his office to get away from T'Maeve. Her mother T'Ana, would try to comfort her daughter, knowing that Solkar and his memory had clouded her daughter's judgment. T'Ana would then comfort her husband, and assure him it was just the idea that Solkar had implanted into their daughter's mind. And that they could do nothing, but be there for her, and let her handle it. The healers could do nothing, as this problem was something T'Maeve had to get rid of herself.
It was ironic that Solkar offered that chance himself. Having gone mad, he killed two Vulcan guards, stole a ship, and followed T'Maeve to Earth, where she was teaching a class at the Academy. T'Maeve had taken a few years sabbatical from Starfleet, and was thinking of leaving completely. The class she was teaching was to get her mind off of all that was going on in her life.
Solkar tracked T'Maeve to her quarters, and cornered her there. Sendet, who was planning to visit his sister, saw Solkar enter his sister's quarters, and was the only one to witness the slaughter.
T'Maeve had collected old and restored samurai swords, and she used them often. Ripping one off the wall, Solkar went after T'Maeve, screaming that she had ruined his life. T'Maeve, caught off guard, tried to act Vulcan (something she had been trying for some time to fit in someway) and defuse the situation. But as he attacked harder, something in T'Maeve snapped, and she returned the attack. The clashing of steel on steel filled the room, along with the gasps of blades hitting home. Sendet was rather glad he was not Solkar right now, as she watched his sister set about attacking her ex-husband with the same rage she had 6 years earlier. Finally, it was all over, Solkar was dead, and Sendet regarded his sister as she stood there. Blood from her sword dripped onto the floor. It was the only sound in the room besides her breathing.
Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.
"Sendet, all of the details shall go no farther then us. Please inform security of this incident, and explain that it was to save my life that I attacked as I did."
Sendet moved towards the door, but stopped. "Sister, are you alright?" She turned to look at her brother, and he had to hold in a gasp. The amount of blood on her was so great, Sendet had no idea where her blood started, and Solkar's started. T'Maeve looked her brother full in his eye, and nodded. "Yes, I am fine. I am free. Finally free."
**End Meld**
Her hands shaking, Maeve pulled back from Erik. His eyes looked at her with shock, and a bit of wonder. She sat back, wiping tears away. "I was finally free. After the Vulcan Government sealed the record of the event with a privacy seal, and Starfleet recorded it all as self-defense, it was never mentioned. But I felt a freedom that I never had before. It made me realize that I was not tainted, or less then anything. I was me. Special, unique, and my blood was something to be proud of. I never got away from the teasing or the looks of distain from my fellow Vulcans, but they no longer bothered me. I knew better then to let them get to me. And I embraced my differences. They are part of me, and the best way to heal is to love yourself."
Standing up shakily, Maeve sat back in her chair, and said the only logical thing that came to her mind.
"More brandy?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**sighs** Oy, this was a long chapter. Hope it's not too long, and you'll enjoy it. Again, thanks to my roommate, boyfriend, fellow fan fic writers, and to those who have reviewed so far. Your comments/advice/suggestions all make this worthwhile. I really can't say thank you enough.
* - The Isolationists are a group of Vulcans that crop up in the novel "Spock's World." They also return in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Gambit" parts 1 and 2.
Continued in chapter 6 – Reactions at Home and Reactions from Erik
The next few chapters may be delayed, as my copy of Susan Kay's "Phantom" just arrived at the bookstore I ordered it from, and I want to read some of it. If I have to type stuff about his past before I get the chance to read it in "Phantom," and mess something up, please let me know.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 5 – Fallout Below the Opera and Counseling Sessions
T'Maeve stood backstage and watched Mme. Giry bang her stick on the floor. It was another practice session today, and there had been no word from Christine since last night, opening night. Maeve shook her head, wishing she could change the events already set in motion. **At lease I've had the chance to talk to him, and possibly earn his trust.** Too soon, it was her turn to get into place, and begin her dance steps. All was going well, and Maeve let herself go slightly, moving with the music. But the feeling she had been waiting for since that morning hit her like a ton of bricks.
**Pain, anger, rage,.... Sadness, such sadness,.... Fear of seeing death,... such fear,...** Maeve was on one foot in a very complicated dance move, and it took all her Vulcan training to stay on her feet. **Don't fall, don't fall,.. this will pass.**
It did pass, and as soon as practice was over, Maeve ran to her dressing room before her composure left her. She locked the door behind her and fell into the divan in the room shaking and crying. **Oh, Erik. I'm sorry, so sorry this has happened to you,... such pain and hurt from you and Christine. Why, Christine?! Why did you have to take off his mask?**
So wrapped up in trying to shut her perceptions down so as to re-center herself, she hardly noticed Amanda flashing into the room, carrying a pot of tea and a sad smile on her face.
"Maeve, I brought this. I'm sorry Q or myself can not stop what's going on, but I think you know as well as I that this is fated to happen, no matter what we want." Amanda sat down by Maeve and handed her a cup of tea. Maeve smiled her thanks and let the soothing flavor of her favorite tea calm her raw emotions. "I understand, Amanda. I was actually hoping that you and Q would not be messing with Erik's feelings or anything, but I wish this event could have been avoided."
Amanda blinked, seeming a bit surprised. "You thought Q or myself would have influenced Erik? Why?"
Maeve sighed. "Well, his acceptance to my offer to talk again, and the fact he actually stood behind my mirror and didn't try to take off, it did make me wonder. Erik is not known for being open or trusting. Please don't take it as a personal insult towards you. It was my logical side asserting itself."
Amanda nodded, and refilled Maeve's cup. "Oh, I also wanted to let you know, Q told Captain Picard what is going on, and though he wasn't overly happy, he's relieved that you're OK. He did insist that both Q and I make sure you come home in one piece. Q teased him, as usual. I promised him that I would make sure you get home."
Maeve grinned, imagining the 'talk' between Q and Jean-Luc. "Thank you both for letting him know what's going on. Now, I best be getting home. I think tomorrow will be long. Christine should be returning tomorrow, right?" Amanda nodded. "You want some company, Maeve? I missed being able to talk to you like I did before I left the Enterprise."
Maeve shook her head. "I need to meditate alone. After feeling both Erik's and Christine's emotions I need to re-center and gather my thoughts. But thank you. You are aware that you're welcome to visit me anytime? You don't need an invite."
Amanda smiled. "Thank you. I'll remember that. See you around, Maeve." With that, she left Maeve to her thoughts.
As she got dressed and left for her flat, Maeve could not help but wonder just what tomorrow would bring.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**Thank the Gods I took the time to re-center.** Maeve thought what felt the hundredth time that morning. Christine did indeed return, but was not talking to anyone. Carlotta was in a fit, the managers were frantic to find out what happened to Christine, and everyone else was 'Poor Christine' this and 'Poor Christine' that. It was enough to make Maeve scream. Yes, Erik had been wrong to make the young girl believe he was her Angel of Music, but she had hurt that man in a way that she might never truly understand. Raoul had hardly left Christine's side when he wasn't locked out of her dressing room, holding obscene amounts of roses for her when she emerged from her room. Maeve laughed every time she passed by and looked at him. But she still had had no chance to talk with Christine, to see what was really going on in that girl's mind. After the shock the last evening, Maeve had not opened herself to anything, but came to the conclusion that before writing Christine off entirely she may as well find out what was going on internally in Christine.
Finally, Christine quietly walked out, Raoul not there as he had been drug off by Carlotta and the managers for some thing or another. As she walked to Maeve's dressing room, she tapped on the door.
Maeve was rather surprised to hear someone tapping on her door. "Who is it?" She was even more surprised to hear Christine's small voice ask if she could come in. Maeve got up and let her in. "What brings you to my room Christine?"
Christine looked even smaller then before, and very lost. She looked at Maeve and it seemed to Maeve that the girl was looking for guidance. "Maeve, as you may have already heard, something happened to me after the gala,..."
Maeve nodded. "Yes, but I wasn't about to push you. You can tell me anything, and I shall not tell a soul. It must have been terrible, whatever it is." Christine looked up a bit surprised. "Yes. It was. I,..I met my teacher,... but he wasn't the teacher I thought he was. And his,...his face,... it was like the dead! He was angry that I saw it,... but I was angry that he lied to me!"
Maeve nodded, but as she lightly probed the girl, the one thing she could feel was that Christine was not in any way worried about how she had hurt her teacher, one that she loved as a father and cared about. No she was more worried about herself, and her future as a singer. And she was blown away by Raoul's flattering attentions, and his status. **So, you'll take all that Erik taught you, throw it in his face as you run off with an overly wealthy fop, who wants a little wife to give him babies, and be a proper wife. In marrying Raoul you most likely will never sing again, and that is your life. But you're ready to run away from a little bit facial deformity!? Ugh, you are hopeless girl.**
Maeve kept her eyes calm, but she was only feeling a coldness towards Christine, tempered with pity. The child was silly, confused and not really thinking this whole thing out. "Well, Christine. All I can say to this, is that if this man was willing to teach you, and do so very well if your performance on opening night was any indication, then your ripping his mask off was not the best thing to do, and that you best figure out what you wish to do with your life. For if your description is anything to go by and taking into account the way Raoul is acting towards you, that your teacher may not be overly willing to go on teaching you. And if I were you I would apologize to him for taking his mask off. Now, Mme. Giry wanted to go over some steps with me, so if you'll excuse me." At this Maeve stood up, and left her room, not even looking back.
**Serves you right, silly child. Not excusing Erik's actions, but at least he didn't try to reveal your greatest secret or would reveal your deformity if you had one.**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Three hours and two very sore feet later, Maeve returned to her room. No one had seen Christine since she left for her small flat that evening. Raoul followed her, but no one knew if he stayed with Christine, or if she sent him on his way. Not that it mattered to Maeve.
Locking her door, she moved to get out of her rehearsal dress when she spied a piece of paper written in red ink on her vanity. Moving to it, knowing that it most likely came from Erik, she picked it up to read it.
I will meet you at your flat. ~Erik~
Maeve sighed and finished dressing. **Well, now comes time for the counseling session.** Locking the door behind her as she left, she walked very quickly to the door of the opera, and to her flat. In this case, she was very thankful her home was so close.
As she walked up the stairs to the flat's door, she noticed that a light shown under the door, and yet it was still locked. Casting her mind forward, she was not at all surprised that Erik had already let himself inside. She laughed to herself, and opened her door. Looking to her right into the sitting room, sat Erik. His black cloak pooled around his feet, his hat cast aside on the end table to his right. A fire crackled and two of her six gas lamps were on, giving the room a very warm and secluded glow. The semi-darkness suited his mood, and he sipped brandy, as Maeve put her cloak away and moved to make herself tea.
With tea in hand, Maeve slowly sank into the chair that sat across from the couch Erik now occupied. For almost thirty minutes, nothing was said. Maeve knew Erik wanted her so say something, but this was his idea for him to come; she had only offered him the invitation and the knowledge that she would listen to him without judgment. **At least, I hope he takes it that way,...**
Finally, it seemed that Erik didn't want silence anymore, and he stood up with a gritted growl of annoyance. "Well, will you not say something? Women are so good at saying something when they have guests."
"What would you like me to say, Erik? This is your chance to talk and to be listened to. All I can say is that I know what you are going through, and I understand." Erik, who had been pacing around her flat like a caged animal, turned towards her, eyes flashing.
"And how would you know ANYTHING about how I feel?! You don't know what it's like to have a face like mine! You never lived my life!! In fact, I really have no idea why I'm telling you of all people that you have no idea how I truly feel!" His outburst ended right in front of Maeve's face. Erik was a bit surprised that unlike others, she didn't even flinch from him. She just looked back at him, with what looked like understanding in her eyes.
"I do know, Erik. As I said two days ago, you have the excuse of a face for what you suffered. Mine was blood, and there was little I could do to stop the pain I went through." Erik pulled back slightly at this, and she took the chance to place her teacup down, lest she break it. "You asked to know about me, and how I knew so much about you. I am just not aware of a way to tell you the truth, for you deserve the truth, that will not have you committing me to the insane ward of a hospital." She looked at him as she said this, gripping the side of her chair tightly.
Erik sat back down, and looked at her with his head tilted to the side. "And what, dear lady, could you say that would show me what you went through and that you truly understand? You have no idea what I suffered!! And what's this about you being insane? You are truly mad to even be talking with me. Your life could be forfeit, like others." He settled back in his seat, looking rather smug in Maeve's opinion.
Still gripping the chair, she pondered his words. "I great deal has happened to me that was just as painful as what you went through. And I do know what you went through. As for me being insane, well then I am. But you need a friend; someone that will understand you, and not do what a certain young lady did just yesterday. What she did was uncalled for, and an extreme violation of the trust you placed in her, and the hopes you had and still have."
Erik looked at Maeve, his eyes holding a rather dangerous glow. "You best tread lightly. You are on very dangerous ground. I have killed people for knowing less and hinting at less then you do right now. Also, what happened between myself and my dear Christine is none of your business!" He stood, and loomed over Maeve again. "In fact, I just may end this little question and answer session right now. You do interest me, but all that has happened here has cut too close to my privacy, and I still have not heard a word about yourself, or how you 'know' about me." His hand went to his cloak, and Maeve braced for his lasso. This wasn't how she had wanted to show him who and what she really was, but then again she had botched her attempts to win his trust more thoroughly with her comments. She didn't want to lie, but she did rub the wrong nerve. **The books have nothing on how to talk to this man,...**
Erik flicked his lasso out, and it curled around Maeve's neck. **Pity. I really did want to know more about her. But she knows too much.** Yet, as she tightened his hold, she didn't move. She didn't even seem bothered by this attack. **Is this girl truly mad?!**
Slowly standing up, and thanking her parents that they had made sure her predominate genes were Vulcan, therefore giving her the increased lung capacity so she could hold her breath and for the added strength, she took the lasso in her left hand, and flicked it off her neck, and thrust it back into Erik's startled hands. As she did this however, her hand caught a sharp edge of leather, and the skin tore away. With a hiss, she clenched her fist. The blood welled up and started to seep between her fingers. Looking at her hand, she realized here was the way she could prove that what she told was true.
Erik, standing stunned that this wisp of a girl had just removed and thrown his lasso back at him with a strength she should not have had, noticed her hand. She looked at him, and extended her hand to him, opening the fingers up so he could see the damage. **What is she trying to do, make me feel guilty?**
"You wanted to know who I am, Erik. You just gave me a way to tell you, and ensure you believe what I say." Erik looked at the blood, and in the light of the fire and lamps, he gaped at what he saw.
It was green! The blood was green!
He took her hand, and looked it over, seeing if there was any way she could fake this. But he found nothing. The cut was real, the blood was real. He looked back at her, and took a step back. "Who, what are you?"
Maeve smiled slightly, and took a cloth from the kitchen to stanch the flow of blood. "Please sit down, Erik. This will take some time to explain,..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As the hours past, he sat in rapt attention as Maeve told of her real heritage, how the Vulcan people evolved and almost killed themselves with their rage and out of control emotions. She told of how her family was related to the great Surak, the man who brought logic to Vulcan and saved all of them form extinction.
She told of Betazed, and the Human linige she had through her father's family line, though he was full Boatload. She then told of the United Federation of Planets, and how Humanity achieved warp drive and that it was the Vulcans that discovered Humans, and in their own overly cautious way helped them travel into the stars.
She finished with some of her own history, of how hard it was being caught in three cultures, and never knowing which she truly belonged to. The pranks she was subjected to at the Academy, even when she went home to Vulcan, or to Betazed. She hesitated when it came to her near marriage, and she hinted at an incident five years after her ex-husband was placed in jail on Vulcan. Even after over 60 years, it was still hard to discuss what took place.
Erik looked her in her eyes. "You said you would tell me everything. Why leave out this part of your life? You said it gives you the understanding into me that you claim to have."
Maeve sighed. "Too tell you, I have to ask that you trust me to do this. Telling you any other way would,... not impart the full enormity of the event." Erik looked at her, and raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to do?"
Maeve moved to kneel in front of Erik, and raised her right hand. "I told you Vulcans are telepaths. I wish to perform a mind meld. I feel, despite what my logical side is saying, that this will help you understand this part of my life. Do you accept?"
Erik, asking himself why he even came to his place and questioning his own sanity, nodded. "You shall observe my privacy?" Maeve nodded. "Always, Erik. My wish is to be friends. To be a friend you can trust to come to when you need help. And I know that this may be the only way to earn that trust, after all you have gone through. I know that I need to show you this, so you know I have suffered for my differences like you have suffered for yours."
Still wondering where his good judgment went to, Erik nodded again. Her warm fingers rested on his face, her voice sounding very hypnotic. "My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts. We are one,..."
**Beginning of Meld**
The hot sands of Vulcan pulled at the young woman that stood at gong, the family ancestral land for the Pon Farr. The procession with her father, mother, Sarek, and Amanda entered the grounds. Sendet was nowhere to be seen, but that bothered young T'Maeve little. The plak tow was growing, and all her mind could focus on was her husband, Solkar. He entered then, and then T'Pau, with her attendants. The two guards, holding lirpa's, stood ready if a challenge was issued.
The words were a blur, and an annoyance. She wanted her husband now! But she held still, as the voice of T'Pau rang out over the assembly.
Suddenly, Sendet ran into the group, and pulled T'Maeve away from Solkar. "Do not wed them, T'Pau! He means to kill her, due to her non-Vulcan blood! He's an Isolationist.*"
Solkar grew green in his ears, showing his anger, and T'Maeve struggled against her brother. "No, Sendet!! I don't believe it! He is my mate! I know him, though our betrothal bond! He could not do this!" She looked to Solkar, as if for him to assure her. But with the blood fever in full force, he only looked to her with contempt. She felt the same through their bond, and saw for the first time the real Solkar. Not the one she fancied herself to be in love with. She sagged against her brother, as he provided the proof of Solkar's plans to kill T'Maeve after she had produced a male son that would be fully Vulcan with help from the healers. No alien blood was to exist in the child. Then T'Maeve would die in a tragic 'accident,' leaving Solkar to take over all of T'Maeve's titles via the infant son. She heard none of it, for she could only hear Solkar's laugh, his cold and evil laugh. T'Maeve was barely 20, and the Pon Farr had come early for her. This was not something she could handle.
**Why? All for my tainted blood,.... You are Vulcan. What of IDIC? My tainted blood,...** These thoughts filled her mind, and T'Pau reviewed the evidence and declared it true. "Now, thou must decide if thee wants to challenge, or if thee wishes the bond be dissolved?" T'Pau looked over to T'Maeve, wondering if she heard anything.
T'Maeve had. For though all she had heard was 'challenge,' it was enough. "Kun-ut-kali-farr!!!! I challenge thee, Solkar, son of Solan!!! I challenge you myself!!!" With that, she lunged for a lirpa, yanking it out of the very startled guard's hand. She hardly gave Solkar time to get his own before she threw herself at him, attacking him with a rage not seen on Vulcan for many generations. Sendet quickly dived out of harms way, and looked on with a bit of fear for his sister evident in his eyes.
The sounds of breaking ribs, and screams of pain rang out over the sands, and the two combatants fought on for what seemed like hours. But soon, Solkar was drained of his Pon Farr, and the guards deemed T'Maeve was drained of hers. She sat, cut and bleeding heavily, as Solkar was taken into custody. T'Pau touched both T'Maeve and Solkar briefly, dissolving the betrothal bond.
Yet when Sendet moved to help his sister up, she threw him off of her, and she screamed in pain of her betrayal. Before anyone could stop her, she ran as fast as she could, her mind almost shattered from the shock of what had happened.
For five days, no one found her. But on the sixth morning, she staggered into the front yard of Sarek and Amanda, almost falling into Amanda's rose bush. It took several weeks to hear all of her injuries, and her emotions. Her mind was also healed, but she kept the scars. A reminder, she told everyone, of a very hard lesson in life.
For 6 years, T'Maeve moved on, but the shadow of Solkar followed her. He could still touch her mind, and she blamed her Betazoid blood. She fought with her mother, and asked why had she and father had cursed her to be tainted like she was, never belonging and hated by Vulcans, and ignored by Betazoids. Her father Marcus was crushed, and retreated to his office to get away from T'Maeve. Her mother T'Ana, would try to comfort her daughter, knowing that Solkar and his memory had clouded her daughter's judgment. T'Ana would then comfort her husband, and assure him it was just the idea that Solkar had implanted into their daughter's mind. And that they could do nothing, but be there for her, and let her handle it. The healers could do nothing, as this problem was something T'Maeve had to get rid of herself.
It was ironic that Solkar offered that chance himself. Having gone mad, he killed two Vulcan guards, stole a ship, and followed T'Maeve to Earth, where she was teaching a class at the Academy. T'Maeve had taken a few years sabbatical from Starfleet, and was thinking of leaving completely. The class she was teaching was to get her mind off of all that was going on in her life.
Solkar tracked T'Maeve to her quarters, and cornered her there. Sendet, who was planning to visit his sister, saw Solkar enter his sister's quarters, and was the only one to witness the slaughter.
T'Maeve had collected old and restored samurai swords, and she used them often. Ripping one off the wall, Solkar went after T'Maeve, screaming that she had ruined his life. T'Maeve, caught off guard, tried to act Vulcan (something she had been trying for some time to fit in someway) and defuse the situation. But as he attacked harder, something in T'Maeve snapped, and she returned the attack. The clashing of steel on steel filled the room, along with the gasps of blades hitting home. Sendet was rather glad he was not Solkar right now, as she watched his sister set about attacking her ex-husband with the same rage she had 6 years earlier. Finally, it was all over, Solkar was dead, and Sendet regarded his sister as she stood there. Blood from her sword dripped onto the floor. It was the only sound in the room besides her breathing.
Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.
"Sendet, all of the details shall go no farther then us. Please inform security of this incident, and explain that it was to save my life that I attacked as I did."
Sendet moved towards the door, but stopped. "Sister, are you alright?" She turned to look at her brother, and he had to hold in a gasp. The amount of blood on her was so great, Sendet had no idea where her blood started, and Solkar's started. T'Maeve looked her brother full in his eye, and nodded. "Yes, I am fine. I am free. Finally free."
**End Meld**
Her hands shaking, Maeve pulled back from Erik. His eyes looked at her with shock, and a bit of wonder. She sat back, wiping tears away. "I was finally free. After the Vulcan Government sealed the record of the event with a privacy seal, and Starfleet recorded it all as self-defense, it was never mentioned. But I felt a freedom that I never had before. It made me realize that I was not tainted, or less then anything. I was me. Special, unique, and my blood was something to be proud of. I never got away from the teasing or the looks of distain from my fellow Vulcans, but they no longer bothered me. I knew better then to let them get to me. And I embraced my differences. They are part of me, and the best way to heal is to love yourself."
Standing up shakily, Maeve sat back in her chair, and said the only logical thing that came to her mind.
"More brandy?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
**sighs** Oy, this was a long chapter. Hope it's not too long, and you'll enjoy it. Again, thanks to my roommate, boyfriend, fellow fan fic writers, and to those who have reviewed so far. Your comments/advice/suggestions all make this worthwhile. I really can't say thank you enough.
* - The Isolationists are a group of Vulcans that crop up in the novel "Spock's World." They also return in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Gambit" parts 1 and 2.
Continued in chapter 6 – Reactions at Home and Reactions from Erik