A/N: Thanks again for the comforting words. I was getting depressed, not as many reviews lately. The stats are encouraging though. Guess I'll finish the story. Could use some encouragement though. Now I introduce you to Ral.
Chapter Seven
I had examined every corner of my sleeping chamber, the walls, the ceiling every piece of furniture. Trying to identify things by shape since nothing would come into focus. Starfleet Medical was boring. I had then recounted the day's events, at least all that I could remember. That turned out to be very little since the explosion happened early in the morning.The night was growing very long. Phlox refused to let me leave, and, to be perfectly honest, I had no idea where we would have gone. I wasn't even sure of where Jonathan was now.
'So much has happened, some of which I simply do not understand, and my anxiety weighs heavy.'
" I thought you would be sleeping, T'Pol, are you in pain?" Phlox checked my monitor readings.
"No, I am just restless." I sighed. He was nothing but a blur. "Phlox how long before I can see again?"
"Don't be concerned about your eyesight, you will be fine. It all depends on how much rest you afford yourself. A healing trance would help, T'Pol."
I nodded. "I know. What do you think will happen during my pregnancy? I am extremely anxious." I looked down at my hands; they were trembling.
"I know losing Elizabeth was traumatic. I cannot promise you that there will be no complications, T'Pol; I'm positive that there will be, as a matter of fact. This pregnancy is going to be a landmark case for the medical journals; you are the first. I can assure you that I intend to do everything in my power to protect both you and your child."
"I have concerns. I intended to come to you as soon as we returned from Andoria, to ask for your help to have a child." I shook my head. I still could not believe any of this had happened. "I honestly never expected this, Phlox."
"To be honest with you, T'Pol, I have wondered if it might be possible since I saw the changes taking place in your blood. I must profess I have read everything I can find in the medical journals as well as the Vulcan archives. I am extremely excited about this T'Pol."
I couldn't see him, but I could sense he had something on his mind that he was reluctant to discuss with me. "What is it Phlox?"
"May I ask you a few questions about Vulcan pregnancies?"
"Of course, but I must be truthful with you, having never been pregnant before, I know very little about the subject, I did not expect to ever be pregnant."
"I have spent many hours in the Vulcan medical archives, T'Pol. I understand there is a long bonding process between a Vulcan mother and her child. If I understood it right, it takes something like six years, I believe, to bond."
Suddenly he was quiet again. "Phlox, please, just ask whatever it is you're trying to find out."
"I know this question is going to be painful to answer, but I must ask for the health of both you and the baby. Is nursing your child a vital bonding process?"
I couldn't refrain from sighing as I nodded. The anxiety swept over me making it difficult for me to breath. Well, I had pushed him, forcing the issue.
"I have been pondering ways that I might perform corrective surgery. Don't give up yet, T'Pol. I believe I have come upon an idea, but, I want to consult with a colleague of mine first. If I am right, you may still be able to nurse your child."
I looked up at him, but I was unable to speak, I could feel my emotions near the surface, threatening to spill over into tears.
"Why don't I give you something to help induce your healing trance? I want to keep you for a few days to monitor your vital signs as well as your child's. I don't want any surprises.
"I'll talk to my colleague again after I get you situated, and, perhaps I'll have something to discuss with you and Jonathan when you wake up; something that will produce the desired results that we want. Plus, while I have you captive here, this might also be a good time to talk about your prenatal care regimen."
I nodded, he was correct; I was not going anywhere. I watched his face light up as he approached with his hypo-spray. "Are you sure that there will be no side affects from that?" I pointed to the hypo-spray.
"See, your maternal instincts have kicked in already, T'Pol, you're being overly-protective, just like a mother. You have my word that the only effect it's going to have, is to help both of you relax."
ooooo
I awoke to Jonathan's soft voice whispering in my ear and his hot breath on my neck. I tried rolling over, but I realized I was already on my back and being held down evidently by his strong arm across my waist.
"Wake up sleepy head. You've been asleep long enough and Phlox says you can wake up anytime now. Come on." He gently shook me.
Taking a deep breath, which I immediately regretted, I opened my eyes, or at least I tried. My voice threatened to fail me as I hoarsely said, "Phlox, I thought you said a healing trance would help my sight."
"Let me wash the lids, their just dried shut. Try opening both lids now, T'Pol." I could feel him gently wipe at both eyes again with a damp cloth, then my lids began to open. "There, isn't that better. Just a little dried medication holding them shut. Now can you see?"
"I think so, thank you. Things are not as blurred as they were."
"I have talked with my friend, I have also explained your problem to Jonathan. My colleague agrees with the procedure that I would like to use, and if it meets with the approval of both of you; he would like to assist me with the operation. He said that he could clear his calendar by the end of the week and be here early Monday morning. He has a good feeling about this T'Pol. We both believe that you will have complete use of both mammary glands with very little discomfort."
I could sense Jonathan's excitement and that he was very much in favor of the operation. "Very well, Monday will be fine, Doctor."
I looked up trying to focus on Jonathan. After looking closer at him, I realized he was a mess, "Jonathan where have you been? You don't look like you've had any sleep."
"I'm afraid you're right, we have something not so pleasant to discuss with you, Sweetheart.
"Since the news of the attempt on your life hit the air ways, Ambassador Ral has contacted us no less then a dozen times. Demanding word of your condition, also demanding to talk to you at your earliest convenience.
"I have spent several hours with the President and Admiral Marshal. We have been in communication with the Prime Minister of Salan, who has been begging for information on your condition.
"Malcolm has been here twice, he and Harris have laid out two exceptional plans to choose from; but I believe it depends on Phlox's decision and yours, T'Pol.
"The first thing Malcolm suggests; if both of you agree to it, of course, is a face to face meeting with Ral by way of a live on-line meeting, which is the only way I will agree to a one on one." Jonathan watched me closely as I felt him search my mind for my mental response.
Phlox was first to respond. "It's not the way I would have started your day, T'Pol, but perhaps if you got it over with, you would heal faster. You are plagued with enough anxiety, putting him off only adds to your distress."
"Do you believe I am capable of controlling myself in a face to face on-line encounter with him, Phlox? I must confess that I am not."
He nodded. "I believe that we can take some of the fear out of seeing him. He knows you've been injured. He will expect to see those injuries. Dark glasses, your arm in a sling should be nice diversions. Your hearing is still impaired that will make him sound different. He will be unable to make and hold eye contact. It will be impossible for him to judge his affect on you from your stance because the sling will change your normal posture, plus you will be sitting. Are you getting the picture, T'Pol? Nothing will be as he expects."
His smile and his calm attitude were convincing. "The glasses need to be dark enough that I cannot see the color of his eyes, Phlox."
"I promise, you'll barely be able to make him out, T'Pol."
Jonathan spoke up, "We might have to change that one little part about your being in control, T'Pol, I believe Malcolm has something else in mind. I'll give him a call right now, he can be here in half an hour, he wants your feedback about an idea he has, okay?"
Now I was nauseous. Phlox was watching the monitor above my head and it was obvious he didn't like the affect Jonathan's last statement had on my blood pressure. "Why don't you call Captain Reed, while I see to my patient, she needs to rest now."
Waiting until Jonathan left, I turned to Phlox, "I'm alright now; really, I am. Until now, it had only been talk, I guess the reality of seeing Ral face to face is upsetting me more than I realized. At least this meeting won't be face to face with him in the same room."
"It's going to be just as devastating, T'Pol. You're going to have difficulty keeping things in perspective." I could tell by his expression that my blood pressure was going up again.
I slept with Phlox's help until Malcolm arrived. The next hour we spent going over both plans that Malcolm had drawn up, choosing one, but keeping the other as backup. I wasn't happy with what they wanted me to do, but had to agree that it was more likely to work. The Prime Minister of Salan had also approved the plan. 'Everyone is pleased with the plan but me, perhaps they would like to take my place.'
Jonathan took my hand, rubbing the back of it, "Sweetheart, I don't want you to do this unless you're absolutely sure you can pull it off. This is as close as he's going to ever get to you, I promise. We've got him, I can feel it, he's obsessed with you, when he sees you on the screen he's not going to be able to maintain his nice Ambassador from Salanacon facade, trust us on this T'Pol."
'Trust them! They want me to let Ral attack me verbally.'
"Are you alright with this T'Pol?" He knew my thoughts.
"I don't know." I stared at nothing.
"I'll call Malcolm right now and cancel the live feed, T'Pol. I won't have you catatonic again." He turned to go make the call.
Shaking, I reached out to him, "Jonathan, no, don't go, I want this to be over, if facing my nightmares again brings and end to it, I'll survive. As Phlox said, we have more important things ahead of us. I want this over and I want it over now.
"My robes are ruined, what do I wear to this on-line event, Jonathan?"
"V'Lar is at Starfleet headquarters. I'll give her a call maybe she will have some ideas."
ooooo
Standing in front of the mirror has told me very little, 'I look like a large green blur.' V'Lar has given me her robes. They are not Federation colors, but Admiral Marshall assures me that the emerald green with gold trim and rich deep brown Vulcan symbols is very becoming and quite acceptable. V'Lar has also provided me with the proper ornamentation, including a rather large Vulcan IDIC, and, the Admiral has included the Federation's lapel pieces. Hoshi has volunteered to see to my hair and makeup. 'I feel like an invalid.'
Jonathan says I look like a Goddess, which, I am afraid, may not speak well for my appearance.
"Ambassador, your glasses and your sling." I suddenly realized Phlox was holding them out in front of me. "Allow me to put your sling on for you, T'Pol, it will help with the pain." I nearly groaned out loud when I tried moving my arm. "Now for the glasses, the final touch. I believe these are dark enough."
I looked through them and could barely make out the end of my hand. "These will do quite nicely, Phlox. Thank you." I removed them. "I can focus and see better than I have all day. Perhaps my eyes are better." Phlox bowed and smiled.
ooooo
The pounding in my ears was loud and my heart felt like it would give out, it was unbearable. To make matters worse I was nauseous again. I had been sitting in front of the monitor for nearly half an hour. We had been waiting for him, 'Jonathan says that Ral is grandstanding. I must ask him what that means.'
Ral's image flashed on the monitor, my breath caught. His entrance, late as it was, had had its desired affect; it had indeed unnerved me."Ambassador T'Pol, so you have finally decided to give me an audience with you."
Shaking, I touched the console to speak.
"I have agreed to talk with you per your request, Ambassador Ral, please explain what was so urgent that you could not wait until I have been released from Starfleet Medical." I took another deep breath, the pain helped ground me.
"I have been trying for two days to warn you of a rumored attack and because you refused to talk to me, see what has happened. They plan to kill you because you know too much. You aren't the only target, either, T'Pol, my Prime Minister is the ultimate target. Now can you understand why it is imperative that I meet with you personally and in secret? And why I told you it was a matter of national security. You owe me, T'Pol. We both know who they are." He was attempting to take control of the conversation.
"I owe you!" I could barely keep a civil tongue. My mind raced, rage just under the surface. I pulled at my injured arm, hoping the pain would help me focus. "Perhaps you would like to explain, Ambassador."
"I protected you from Whitock as best I could, T'Pol, if you hadn't enraged him, he would have tired of you eventually and you would have been no worse off than when you were with me."
"You protected me!" I couldn't calm down. "You gave me to Whitock as I recall, with your blessings, Ambassador." I was losing the battle with my self-control.
"I am here to make amends as best I can, T'Pol, but you shouldn't have attacked Whitock. He's obsessed with killing you. He has taken it personally upon himself, and is behind the plot to kill you and he plans to assassinate my Prime Minister as well. There are rumors of a coup planned on my planet and my Prime Minister is in danger. I believe you are the only one he will listen to. He has sent me to reason with you and to plead with you to come to Andoria for talks."
"Are you really speaking on behalf of your government, Ambassador; because, we have been in communication with your Prime Minister and he has recommended that we hold the talks here. Arrangements are already underway for us to use the Federation Assembly Building. Shran has agreed to bring you and your delegation here immediately. I am surprised that you are unaware of this new development, Ambassador Ral."
'Careful T'Pol, I think your getting away from Malcolm's script.' I no longer cared about Malcolm's plan.
"I demand to be alone with you, T'Pol, do you understand."
I could hear the anger in his voice. "Ambassador Ral, I have respectfully referred to you by your title, please afford me the same consideration."
Although my vision was blurred, I knew from the way he held his shoulders that he had reached his breaking point; he was out of control and what was facing me now was the animal I had met on Salanacon.
"Touchy, are we, Ambassador T'Pol? Still to austere aren't we." I could just make out the movement of his head and could barely sit still as I felt his gaze explore what I knew he could visibly see of me. Even with my hearing impaired and partial blindness there was no mistaking him.
"How badly hurt are you, Ambassador T'Pol?"
"It's nothing serious, Ambassador Ral."
"Then why the dark glasses and why is your arm in a sling?"
"My eyes were damaged by a fireball from the explosion and I took a piece of shrapnel in my shoulder." I had let my head drop down to where my eyes were focusing on his chest.
"Take you glasses off and look at me when I'm talking to you, T'Pol."
My head jerked up, "What did you say?" My skin crawled, emotions welled up inside me; the feeling of hands pulling at my body threatened my reality.
I said, keep your eyes on mine, T'Pol."
'He's trying to brow beat you into looking at him, T'Pol, don't and don't take your glasses off, either, keep your head down.' I had no intentions of doing anything Ral asked off me.
"I understand that you have taken a mate, does he know that you are a Vulcan Whore, T'Pol?"
My blood ran cold; I held my breath as rage burned within meI moved forward in my chair, "Is that what I am? You should know, though, shouldn't you? You encouraged your men to do their worst, you allowed your foreman's aberrant behavior as well as the behavior of your guards?"
Ral was physically shaking. "I said take your glasses off and look at me, T'Pol."
"You enjoyed watching your men's deviant behavior towards me, didn't you? And why? Could it be, because, you're like them, that you're abnormal, too. I remember every nightmarish moment in that cave with you and your men. You're just as sick as they are."
Even with my eyesight impaired, his demeanor was clear; it was pure hatred for me that spewed from him.
"As a child I was told that monsters walk among us, Ral, but until my trip to Salanacon, I had never been face to face with one. You and your friends are those monsters."
Ral reached forward and the screen went black. He had disconnected us.
TBC
12