The Ambassador

Raising my shields so that I wouldn't disturb my sleeping husband I dislodged myself as gently as possible and then slipped quietly out of bed. My foot came into sudden contact with the edge of the bed causing me to physically restrain a verbal feeling of discomfort. Stumbling around I finally found my robe on the floor and pulled it around me and then I quietly opened the door and made my way into the darkened living room.

I couldn't sleep because my thoughts were running rampant again. I had tried to suppress my emotions, to form no opinions of my latest assignment, but it wasn't working. I had experienced deep anxiety when I learned with whom I would be negotiating. I could not believe that Starfleet would even ask me to do this.

'Can it really be ten years? Why do things have to change? Jonathan and I have been so happy, why now, after all these years, has Salanacon resurfaced? We have managed to move beyond the pain of the past, now I am expected to face them again? And then, there is Jonathan, what of his feelings?'

I closed my eyes, 'I am so tired of putting the needs of others always before our own. I have seen enough of the Ral's and the Yulae's of this Universe, enough for a lifetime.' I drew my robe tighter around me and shuddered. My memories chilled me to the bone.

Because of our ability to work well together, we have spent the early part of our married life on Enterprise serving as negotiators, bringing small warring factions and dissidents like the notorious Andorian, Yulae, to the negotiating table for the Federation.

We are a couple, but, because Starfleet wasn't sure as to how our union would be accepted, we agreed to keep it quiet. Of course we insisted that everyone on board Enterprise be allowed to know that we are bond mates.

A warm glow filled my heart as I remembered the conversation between Starfleet and Jonathan on that fateful day.

Jonathan had adamantly refused to sneak around ducking into my quarters on Enterprise and I certainly had no intentions of hiding the fact that we were bonded.

I had become the Vulcan Ambassador to the Federation, continuing to negotiate with other planets while Jonathan became involved with teaching at Starfleet Academy.

As soon as Enterprise had been decommissioned and I was no longer part of Starfleet, Jonathan insisted that we be legally married according to his laws; he wanted the license, the rings, the ceremony and the honeymoon. I tried to explain to him that our bond made us already husband and wife, but he wasn't satisfied, he said it wasn't legal on earth. To pacify him, I agreed to a civil ceremony as long as he agreed to be married afterward in a simple Vulcan ceremony according to our customs.

I reinforced my shields again for fear that I would wake Jonathan, 'I'm too emotional tonight.' My bond with Jonathan is very strong; he is extremely sensitive to my thoughts and emotions, perhaps it's because of my inability to suppress my emotions. That seems probable, to many past injuries, too. Or perhaps his strong control comes from his bond with Surak.

It is difficult knowing that he knows what the Salanacon, and more specifically, what Ral did to me. He has handled it well for a Human, but I fear how he will react in face-to-face negotiations with them. I am also unsure as to what my own reactions will be.

Thankfully the storm has passed, as illogical as Jonathan's tirades are, I can at least understand where they are coming from and why. He is Human and it is his nature to be overprotective of his wife. There was a time before we were bonded that I would not have understood his logic. 'Time and circumstances tend to change the way one looks at things.'

Perhaps if I had been able to vent my emotions the way Jonathan does, I would be more at peace with myself.

It had been so easy for Jonathan to become my bond mate. He took complete control of my emotions. He could calm me immediately when I was unable too. I remember how, in the beginning, his tremendous strength and control frightened me. He had the power, but he never forced me.

Our ability to bond telepathically surprised both of us. I did not know if we would bond completely or if we would be able to share our thoughts as bonded Vulcan couples do, but we did. At times his emotions overwhelm me.

Remembering earlier tonight, I sighed. Jonathan asked me again to talk to Phlox. Family is very important to him. He wants a child with me; I desire one also. But, if it doesn't work, I don't know if I can withstand his emotional heartache.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I knew of course, that I would talk with Phlox as soon as this mission is complete, when I can relax, making our prospects stronger. I only hope that I can give him what he so desperately wants, the most precious of gifts.

'But first, my assignment.' Originally I was to be escorted to the negotiations by a Vulcan ship. Jonathan refused to let me go when he learned I would be talking with delegates from Salanacon. After throwing a tantrum Starfleet agreed to let Jonathan be my official escort and assigned Enterprise to us.

Enterprise has been refitted and upgraded with a Warp 6 Engine and the weaponry is state of the art. Enterprise's prime function will be to keep the peace and forge further alliances with other planets.

The Federation protects the Quadrant now, along with its allies. The four original members of the Alliance consist of Humans, Vulcans, Telerites and Andorians.

'I don't want to think about Salanacon tonight. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.'

I pressed my fingers to my lips and absently began to lick them. In a mate I could not have asked for more. My needs are different from Human women and Jonathan seemed to know that from the beginning, from the very first time we were together. He was aggressive with me as if he had already known about my primal ancestors and our mating habits. He knew what I needed. But at the same time, he could be so gentle.

I opened the door to our bedroom and re-entered.

My mate was still sleeping, his chest rising and then falling; I could still see my mark on him from earlier this evening, a rush of heat went through my lower extremities as I remembered. I licked my fingers again, inhaled deeply and slowly let my shields down. Mentally my fingers began to roam over his chest, pulling at his dark blonde, finely curled, chest hairs; then I let my fingers walk across his stomach ever southward.

Jonathan's eyes flew open. I could feel the heat rushing hot through his lower torso. He was fully awake. His eyes focused on me.

"I'm sorry I woke you."

Smiling, Jonathan looked up, "The hell you are. What time is it, anyway?"

"It's early, Jonathan, I'm sorry."

"What's wrong, T'Pol?"

"I guess I'm just restless. I've been thinking to much, I really am sorry for waking you, Jonathan, it was selfish of me, you truly do need your sleep."

"Well, I'm awake now, and as you can see, you have my full attention." Jonathan threw the covers back and smiled.

Dropping my eyes, I slowly took in his nakedness. "I guess I have." I took in a deep breath.

"You don't want to start something, T'Pol, unless you're prepared for the consequences." Smiling, he focused on his link with me and gave me a small mental push.

I gasped and nearly lost my balance. He now had my undivided attention, too. "Are you sure you want to do this? You really do need your rest, Jonathan."

"So do you, my Love, however, I don't think it's going to happen. Do you?"

I lowered my hooded, demure eyes, looking at what he was offering me and exhaled loudly, then, I let my robe fall away from my naked shoulders.

"Come here, T'Pol."

I approached the bed and Jonathan suddenly grabbed my wrists and aggressively wrestled me down onto the bed, pinning my hands under me.

I growled and then inhaled deeply and bit him.

TBC