A/N: Thank you all for the support! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Peace and long life!
A week had passed since Sarah's grief melt down, and she was finding a new normal. Other humans had come, replacing about a half dozen vulcans who were headed to Earth for the exchange. It hadn't taken too long to get them acclimated, and she worked on schedules so there would be a blending of vulcan/human workers through the day. Almost everything was going smoothly, except Kuvak seemed more withdrawn in the last five days. That bothered her. She only generally saw him once a day at breakfast, and things seemed off with him. She had tried, as much as she could being his servant, to reach out, but he had not seemed to want or ready to share.
This morning, Kotov, one of Kuvak's cousins at approached her that he was hosting a gathering in the far house on the back of the property. His son was being bonded next week, and after the ceremony there was a traditional gathering of the bondmate's family and his own. He was asking for the main house to cater and serve.
She was sitting at her desk planning the event, when a shadow fell over her work. She looked up ready to tell her subordinate that they had to knock before entering when she saw the very solemn face of Kuvak looking down at her. Sarah stood, "Osu, I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd entered." She wasn't sure why she was apologizing, or why she felt like she'd been caught doing something wrong, but she felt a bit frantic at his presence.
"Please sit, may I sit?" Kuvak said in a soft humble voice.
She sat down, and motioned for him to as well. "Of course, Osu. Please. May I get you some tea?"
Kuvak started to say now, but then nodded, "Yes, I believe tea would make good ice cream at this time."
Sarah's eyes widened and she nodded in understanding, this was the vulcan version of an 'ice cream moment'. "I'll be right back." She went to her private kitchen and fixed them tea, but she also brought them yogurt with fresh fruit since she had no ice cream.
When she entered her office again Kuvak was standing with his hands behind his back staring out the window. "Osu, I brought tea and a treat from earth so we might talk."
He turned and his face softened slightly, "Your service is admirable." he said and moved to pour himself some tea. "I noted your concern for me these past few days. In truth, I have no other person I may speak of this with yet. I require some council. I was not going to speak of this with anyone, but as I considered the issues I decided you would best to advise me. As it deals with a human."
Sarah poured herself some tea, "Ok, let's hear what's going on. I will do my best."
"My nephew, Kov, came to me seven days ago and told me that he was secretly bonded, married by your terminology. He had taken a mate while waiting for his ship to be repaired. His mate was a dancer who had shown interest in him, and she is…" he paused blinking a few times, "Human." he sipped his tea and shook his head slightly, "Her name is Missy Bae and he wishes permission for her to join him here at the family estate. They have been bonded for three years now, he tells me."
Sarah was listening and waiting for the dire part of the story. When he finished she wasn't sure she completely understood. "May I ask some questions?"
Kuvak nodded, "Of course."
"What kind of dancer is she?"
Kuvak shrugged, "Kov was vague about it, he said something about her dancing in an adult forum. I'm not sure what that means."
"So, he married a human exoctic dancer. Which part of that, precisely, bothers you." Sarah asked not wanting to presume at this point, "Is it the fact she was an adult entertainer or the fact that she is human."
The way Sarah's eyes fell on him when she asked that question suddenly made Kuvak feel exposed. He shifted in his chair and reached out to get a cup of the yogurt to delay his answer a moment, "The...human factor."
"I see." Sarah replied looking at Kuvak intently. At first, she'd found a mild amusement in Skol's squeamishness, but now she was getting a broader picture of the attitude vulcans had toward humans, at least when it came to intimate partnerships. It was like they saw human and vulcan pairings as a vulcan marrying an animal. Sarah frowned and took her own moment to keep her mouth in check. "So we are clear, what about the human factor do you find undesirable? Is it the emotional thing, because Kov isn't exactly the paragon of emotional control."
"I had hoped to guide my nephew back to the ways of Surak." Kuvak confessed, fighting not to squirm under her gaze, "It seems unlikely now that he is bonded with a human. You do not understand…"
"Oh yes, tell me what I don't understand." Sarah said fighting to keep her voice neutral.
Kuvak swallowed thickly, "A vulcan without logic is a danger, bonding with a human who has unchecked emotion may exacerbate that in him."
"Let's see, he's been bonded to her three years now, correct?" Sarah asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to lead Kuvak toward some logical conclusions.
"Correct."
"And had he returned to Vulcan before that time?"
"No."
"But he has now, not only for his father's passing, but he's stayed here and been open to you."
Kuvak slowly nodded his head.
"You may ask, Kov, why he really returned. You see, a good human wife will encourage their spouse to reach beyond what is comfortable to become a better man. Likely, his wife, encouraged him to return to Vulcan for the funeral and to reconnect with his family. Family is important to we mere humans and we will try to mend connections if we see they are broken." She hadn't meant to say 'mere' but the edge of emotion in her forced it out of her mouth. "The other thing I would say about his bonding is this...Is he more erratic than he was before he left Vulcan? If you answer yes, then perhaps you have concern. If no, then you might consider she isn't as bad of an influence as you might think. If the answer is that he is better, then you have to consider that he may be better because of her influence."
Kuvak looked down at his yogurt, feeling suddenly rather illogical. She had made excellent points. In a few short seconds she had cut through the mire of his own illogical thinking that kept running him in the same thought "But she's human." He cleared his throat, "My species has many, misconceptions, about yours."
"I'd say." Sarah said with a rueful chuckle, "Can I be honest with you?"
"I would appreciate it, but given your directness in all matters I do not see where you need my permission." Kuvak answered still running a spoon through his yogurt.
"You all seem to see us like some kind of barely controlled pet or animal." Sarah couldn't believe she was saying it outloud, but something inside her demanded that it actually be said, "You are polite to us, but probably don't want us as neighbors. You tolerate us, but definitely don't want us in your families." she shrugged, "You can't have things both ways, Osu. You can't be around us and not also be with us. Like it or not, humans and vulcans are in bed together. We are going to develop relationships, friendships, even be lovers. Pointed ears, or not, men are men and women are women, where those two things are there will be love." she shrugged. "In earth's history there were times when certain kinds of humans were not allowed to marry. Black humans couldn't marry white humans. Jewish humans could not marry gentiles, and on and on, but love manages. Love finds a way." she put her tea down, "So, Osu, come to peace with the fact that, it may not happen often, but it will happen. Be happy, or whatever the vulcan version of that is, that your nephew found someone who accepts him just as he is, and probably tries to help him become better than he was."
"What of society?" Kuvak asked, "Any vulcan choosing such a pairing will be ostracized at least some."
"Kov is already ostracized, isn't he?" She shrugged, "As for anyone else, if society can talk you out of being with someone then it's probably for the best because you aren't devoted enough to the relationship to make it work anyway." she sat back, "Look, there are always growing pains when societies grow and change, but if individuals don't do it anyway, then nothing ever changes."
"Would you be this open minded if your sons brought home vulcan mates?" Kuvak asked, not in challenge but in earnest inquiry, "What of yourself, would you take a vulcan mate?"
"I would like to think if my sons brought home any mate, that I'd love and support their choices. As long as whoever they brought home treated them well. If that takes the form of a vulcan, then I will, as your people say, celebrate the increase in my house." she said with a small smile, "As for me, I don't know that I'll ever marry again, but if I do the person is going to be someone I can be a partner with, if I find that in a vulcan or human, so be it. To me, Osu, people are people."
Kuvak nodded, he had much to think about, and many things he had not considered, "Thank you for your council, T'Sai Sarah."
Sarah shrugged, "I'm a mother, it's what we do. Can I make another observation, Osu?"
"Please do." Kuvak said finally looking up to meet her eyes.
"Why are you retired? You are a healthy, vital, intelligent man, with so much to offer your people in this time of change. It seems a waste that you knock around this house all day. That is the kind of thing that kills the spirit of a man like you."
Kuvak blinked, he didn't know she saw him with such regard, he sat a little straighter. "I have had concerns in my short retirement. I do not wish to return to governmental service, yet I do find my days lack meaning."
"If you can't find a place to serve, create one, Osu. You are far too valuable to make this house a mausoleum rather than a home."
A smile touched Kuvak's eyes, "I will think on all you have said." he scooped another mouthful of yogurt and paused before eating it, "Do you have plans today?"
"I have to plan this event out, and do my regular work, my boss doesn't pay me to lounge around talking to men all day." Sarah replied with a smile.
Kuvak took the last bite and stood, "Very well, I will see you later. Your service is appreciated."
Skol hadn't the capacity to directly approach Beth about the perceived flirtation. He had approached her with the mind to do just that, but then she offered him a finger full of cake icing, from her own finger, and he lost the ability to speak appropriately. At her insistence, he found his lips wrapped around her finger tasting the homemade icing, and his resolve melted away with the sugary confection in his mouth. He believed completely in that moment she had no clue what she was doing, that she was simply treating him as she would any person, any friend, but hopefully not just any male. He forced himself to leave the kitchen after that and regroup on what he would do next.
He retreated to his pool house, and sat on the porch looking back at the main house. The incredibly erotic moment he'd just shared had him flustered. He needed to regain his focus, push down the sudden desire to possess her, and think things out logically. His mind kept going back to the idea of her removing the icing from his finger in that way. Full lips, shiny with the pale pink gloss she wore, taking his finger within her warm mouth with a moan of satisfaction, like the one he heard as she tasted the icing for the first time.
Skol's eyes rolled back into his head and he fought growling as he pressed down the illogical beastial thoughts. He was just closing his eyes when he saw Noreen scamper around the pool toward his home. He stood and moved to meet her, "What is wrong, Noreen?"
She held up her small arms to him indicating she wanted picked up, he picked her up and her arms wrapped around his neck, and her legs found his waist. She nuzzled her nose into his neck, where she lay silently as he held her.
He held her close, unsure of what brought on such a display of affection. She clearly did not wish to talk, she appeared to need reassurance. He gently patted her back, and then he noticed her skin felt extra hot against his neck. He frowned, and carefully touched his fingertips to her forehead. Humans were hotter than vulcans generally, but she felt much hotter than even that normal. He began walking back toward the house moving as swiftly as he could with Noreen on his hips.
"Lady Beth," He said softly, not wishing to alarm the child.
Beth stood from putting the cake in the oven and put her hands on her hips, "Is Noreen pestering you, Skol?"
"No, Lady, but I fear she is not well. Her body temperature is elevated, and just from the walk inside she has begun to perspire." He was gently stroking her back, which from the human perspective must have seemed to be a thing of compassion. What he was attempting to do was give Noreen calm through his touch.
Beth frowned and put her hand on Noreen's forehead, "Oh dear, yes, she is hot. Let's take her up to her room. I'll get a thermometer."
Skol nodded and then walked up stairs with the child to her room. He gently laid her down, carefully lifting her hands from his neck, and her legs from his waist, he moved to get her a cool cloth but her hand caught his, and he knelt beside the bed.
Beth came in with a thermometer, and stroked her head with it, and frowned. "That...can't be right."
Skol looked up, "Try it again."
She stroked her head with it again and the frown deepened, "It reads 103 F. That's very high." she said going pale, "We need to get her to the emergency room." She shook a little, "I'll call the neighbor and see if she'll watch the twins, can you get her changed into some dry clothes and put a sweater on her?"
"Of course, T'Sai." Skol said and began stripping her off, her clothes already saturated with sweat. It smelled sick to him, like infection, but in fairness he did not know many human scents.
By the time Beth came back Noreen was cleaned up and dressed, once again clinging around Skol. She was impressed with the patience Skol had, and how tenderly he was caring for Noreen, not even Max was the soft, and definitely not that calm when there was an issue. "Mrs. Peterson is here, I have the flitter pulled around and running."
Skol nodded, and as he did Noreen vomited down his back. Skol did not bat an eye at it, "Come let's go. She seems to be getting progressively worse, let's get her the help she needs."
As they walked through the house toward the flitter, Beth grabbed a towel and wiped up Noreen and him as best she could, "Thank you so much, Skol." she whispered, "You are amazing."