When he opened his eyes again, Koss had settled back upon his knees, and was watching T'Khut.

Kov studied him for a time, to determine if his companion was meditating. No, his respiration was too swift and shallow for that to be the purpose of this silent observance.

"Koss," he said, at last. "I would speak further on this."

"What is there to be said? We know the desire; we know we are Awakened. I had hoped it was only myself, even as I wished for you to share my Awakening."

"I share it, Koss. We must discuss that."

"No, Kov. I thought I wished you to share in what I feel. But now that I know that you do, I would that you did not." Kov felt a barrier rising in the connection they had shared. He didn't understand, but he would honor it if that is what Koss preferred.

Instead, he watched the man to whom he was newly Awakened. There had been a different kind of promise in their touch, in the natural way their minds had flowed together. It was deeper and more intense than what had been created between Kov and T'Sia.

Had Koss experienced the same, or was his Promising to T'Pol stronger, sustaining, a thing that he desired?

"Koss –"

"I claim my privacy in this, Kov." The other turned back to face him, and his eyes glittered. "We may share – what we will share – but I will speak no further on my Promising to T'Pol. I further ask that you speak no more to me on yours with T'Sia."

"I don't understand."

"I can give you no other answer, Kov. However, you may learn more if you read the book you pulled from the shelf, and the other volumes there. They give better answer than I am able."

Kov would read the book. He was certain of that. He would not breach the privacy barrier Koss had placed – or he would not this night. But there were yet things that could be learned, it seemed, only from asking Koss. "Why did you wish me to come here with you this night?"

"I wished to touch you, and to see if you would also wish to touch me."

Koss did not turn his regard from Vulcan's sister planet as she leaned in to watch them. There was no request or demand for privacy that would long deter the Watcher; perhaps that is why their species so valued it between themselves.

"Only that, Koss?" It seemed illogical to have made this journey only to explore the touch of paired fingers upon paired fingers, and nothing more.

"The ouz'hesta is an intimate act. It is not to be conducted where others might witness, except in the Promising and bonding ceremonies, or the most basic of touches, without the souldancing."

Kov didn't argue that there were many places closer to ShirKahr where such a touch could be explored unwitnessed. They had, after all, the use of a work chamber together that no other would enter without their leave. There were meditation spaces around the city, and many areas designated as private.

There was no need to have come here, simply so that their exploration would not be seen by any others. However, it did not seem Koss would respond favorably to having that fact stated, so Kov held it to himself. There were other questions he might ask.

"How is it that you know so much more of this than I, Koss?"

"I Awakened to you six days ago. I have had ample time for research."

Kov felt the response. It was honest, but there was an emptiness to it. Koss had given him the facts, but not their substance. That he would apparently not reveal this night.

"Then I, too, shall have to conduct my research, Koss. I sense that there is much I must learn."

"For what purpose? I have studied it; I am able to tell you what you wish to know."

Kov knew from that that there were things Koss would not have him learn. He didn't know what manner of things, or what purpose the other man thought there might be in withholding them, but he was certain that that was Koss' intent.

He would not say so outright, however. He considered for a time.

"When I am given an assignment to create or recreate a space, Koss, I am always given certain files that pertain to the project. These include measurements, plant life found in the area, and what the client would have me do with the space. They are often quite detailed and precise; there would be no need to enter the field to learn what is needed to create a suitable plan for improvement."

"I am familiar with reports such as those you speak of. I receive similar reports when I am given a new assignment. I find them most helpful and efficient."

Perhaps, while their fingers were dancing together, Kov might have been surprised to hear Koss make such an admission. But now he was getting a deeper sense of the other, and this information fit the new model he was building in his mind. "I don't find them helpful, Koss. Certainly not at first, and seldom ever."

"You said they were specific and thorough."

"That is true. But they don't hold within them the information I seek, because no other will know what is of value to me in designing the space to suit their needs. I must walk the space, be still in it, watch the light as it moves, feel the wind. All these things are of greater import to me. A report consists of measurements. However, there is more than quantifiable measures in any learning, whether it be a report regarding a new sand garden, or the art of touching one another. There is more, and it is this I must learn. So I will make my own study first, Koss. Once that is done, I will come to you for your measures and facts. Until I have my own understanding, yours may as easily prove detrimental than helpful for my purposes."

Koss said nothing to that, but he did shift his focus back to Kov, and there was something in his posture now that suggested tension, but of a differing nature than what they had shared before they touched. "I would choose to dissuade you – "

"You will not." The fact that he would desire to do so, after what Kov had said, was reason enough not to allow it. "You chose the manner of your research, Koss, and I will choose mine." An inspiration occurred, because he could feel that Koss would argue it further, if Kov permitted it. "I claim my right to privacy in this."

Koss said nothing, but Kov thought he was attempting to decide whether he was pleased. They remained in silence; Koss watching him. Kov decided to test the other man the way he might test a space to verify it was fit for the function and design he intended for it.

He settled to watch T'Khut in his turn, as though he was unconcerned with Koss or anything he might have to say.