All the remaining chapters will be set during the episode 'Home'.
We we are getting to the home straight (no pun intended). It has taken a bit longer to get these next chapters written because, although I had a good idea of what would happen, I had not actually written anything. I had intended the events in my "Home" to be two more chapters. After I started writing things got a little out of hand and there will probably be about 6 more after this.
T'Pol's theories about humans' unsuitability for emotional suppression are all mine but I based them on Dr Paul MacLean's Theory of the Triune Brian.
Chapter 15: Home is where...
T'Les entered the house and observed her daughter sitting at a small living room desk reading a PADD. It had been a surprise when T'Pol had arrived home the day before accompanied by the human and T'Les' suspicions had been aroused immediately. Although T'Les had not noticed any inappropriate contact between the two and Commander Tucker slept in the guest room, it was not difficult to discern a strong attachment between them.
T'Pol rose from her seat and greeted T'Les. "Mother, I trust your study group was enlightening."
"It was." T'Les responded succinctly. Conversational niceties were unnecessary.
"What topic does your group examine?" T'Pol expected it to be related to the work T'Les had done at the Science Academy but was surprised by her mother's reply.
"We study the teachings of Surak and attempt to find new perspectives in his work." T'Les told her with typical Vulcan flatness.
T'Pol's response to this was a raised eyebrow. The current version of Surak's teaching was generally accepted as fact. To look for different perspectives was tantamount to heresy.
"Do you and Commander Tucker have plans for your day, Daughter?" Not wishing to enter a conversation about her association with the Syrannites, T'Les quickly changed the topic.
"I believe Commander Tucker is still acclimatising to the higher temperature and thinner atmosphere of Vulcan. I anticipated this and did not schedule any activities for him today. I have arranged to meet with some former colleagues who also have an interest in micro-singularities." T'Pol told her.
"And Koss?" T'Less watched closely as T'Pol took a deep breath then pressed her lips together, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"I have arranged to meet him this morning. I expect him to arrive in seventy eight minutes." T'Pol replied cooly.
T'Les knew her daughter well enough to know when further discussion on a topic was not invited.
"What is Commander Tucker doing now?" She asked instead.
"I believe he is taking a shower and then he plans to examine your stasis unit."
T'Les considered the human, she was surprised at how calm he was. She had very little direct experience with humans and had been led to believe they were rampantly emotional. Certainly, Commander Tucker expressed an emotion of some sort most of the time but he seemed more than capable of some logical functioning even with the constant parade of emotions that must pass through his mind. Without doubt his emotions did not hinder his ability to speak, he seemed to produce a near constant stream of patter regardless of the participation of either her or T'Pol in the conversation. Her daughter had lived among these people for three years and was clearly close to Commander Tucker, She decided that perhaps T'Pol could provide insight into his behaviour.
"Is it necessary for Commander Tucker to talk incessantly? It is an illogical habit. Much of the time he is imparting information of little or no relevance to either of us." T'Les asked baldly.
"It is a function of his social nature, Mother." T'Pol was not surprised or offended by the question. She had observed her mother's perplexity at the Commander's more human behaviour and T'Pol knew T'Les was only seeking to understand him better. "Humans have evolved to be a part of large social groups that extend far beyond immediate family. They maintain these bonds through this kind of talk. As you are my mother, he considers you to be part of his social group. He is trying to establish a bond with you in the human manner."
"How do you interpret the constantly changing emotions he expresses with his features. Surely it is a distraction?" The scientist in T'Les was suddenly intrigued. Among Vulcans the general consensus about humans was that they were illogical and undisciplined. She had never met a Vulcan who had analysed their behaviour from a different perspective.
"I admit, when I first began working among humans, I found that their emotional expressiveness to be a distraction. I have come to understand that much of their communication is non verbal and their emotions are part of this. I am now more adept at deciphering these non verbal cues. It has improved my communication with the crew." For T'Pol it was refreshing to discuss what she had learned about humans over the past three years without concern that they would be insulted by Vulcan bluntness.
"And you have become more emotionally expressive yourself." T'Les was unable to keep disapproval out of her voice. T'Pol had always been excessively emotional, it was unfortunate to find her more so after her long association with humans.
"Perhaps," T'Pol was well aware of what her mother was inferring, so she was careful to keep any emotion out of her face and voice. "It is not surprising, given that the majority of my communication over the past three years has been with humans. It does not follow that I am more emotional, just more willing to express some emotion. Humans would most certainly not define me as emotionally expressive."
"I am surprised that you have been able to endure this behaviour for three years. Surely it is time to return to Vulcan, you would be more comfortable amongst your own people." T'Les looked questioningly at T'Pol. T'Pol's announcement that she was taking a commission with Starfleet had surprised T'Les, she felt duty bound to recommend to T'Pol the benefits of returning to Vulcan.
"I am not uncomfortable amongst humans. I have become accustomed to their behaviour. I can see the value it affords them, given their emotional natures." T'Pol responded. T'Les was surprised by her quiet acceptance of humans' emotional natures.
"But you have not instructed them in the practice of Vulcan emotional discipline?" From what other Vulcans had told her, T'Les was under the impression that humans would benefit greatly from learning Vulcan emotional suppression
"I have taught a few members of the crew some techniques, but only those that have expressed an interest." T'Pol paused, deciding whether or not to expand on her answer and reveal more private aspects of her relationship with Trip. "I regularly meditate with Commander Tucker, for instance." She elaborated, hoping the information would soften her mother's attitude towards the human. "But full emotional suppression in the Vulcan manner would not be suitable for humans." T'Pol added, almost as an afterthought.
"In what way?" Once again T'Les was intrigued. This hypothesis had never been put forward in any of her discussions about humans.
"The human brain is organised differently to the Vulcan brain. Unlike Vulcan brains, the section of the human brain that controls higher order brain functions such as cognition, motor commands, language, and spatial reasoning; is relatively separate from the emotional centres of the brain." T'Pol started to get into the topic, the scientist came to the forefront. "This means that humans can perform complex reasoning and motor skills while simultaneously processing emotions. Conversely the emotional centres of their brain are closely linked to their endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Emotional suppression can disrupt these essential systems. Something I have seen occur with Commander Tucker." T'Pol informed her.
"Indeed," both T'Les' eyebrows went up. "I am surprised Commander Tucker has any skills related to emotional suppression." Her tone was noticeably acerbic.
"I can see why you would make that assessment," T'Pol ignored her mother's sarcasm. It was not unusual for Vulcans to hold the same opinions as T'Les was expressing. T'Pol herself had thought similarly when she had first joined Enterprise. Her experience with the human crew had forced her to reassess her prejudices and examine human behaviour from a scientific perspective. "And I am aware that the High Command was of the same opinion when he was selected as Chief Engineer for Enterprise. However, much of his emotional expression is related to communication. He is considered open, friendly and honest by many humans and as a consequence is well liked and respected by his colleagues and staff. Converse to his seemingly chaotic emotional expression, his is the most efficient and organised department on the ship." T'Pol hoped she was not being too complementary of Trip, she was aware it would not endear her mother to him.
"But you have observed him suppressing emotions?" T'Les was starting to come to the conclusion that there was much about humans that was misunderstood by Vulcans. She wondered what role the High Command played in that. The organisation seemed intent, most illogically, on isolating Vulcan from potential allies.
"Indeed, when his sister was killed in the Xindi attack on Earth." T'Pol experienced a moment of disquiet before she continued, and hoped she was not revealing information that Trip would consider private. Humans and Vulcans had such different ideas about what information it was suitable to discuss with others. "Because we were in space at the time of her death and we had to ship out again shortly after our return, he was not able to perform the grieving rituals common to his culture. He was also required to function at an extremely high level while we were in the Delphic Expanse. Both of these factors meant he was unable to process his grief and his response was to suppress it. The affect on his health was catastrophic. In light of this, I would not recommend complete emotional suppression to any human."
"If we can not expect humans to adopt Vulcan mental disciplines, it suggests an even greater need for our guidance. Surely your observations demonstrate they are incapable on the logical reasoning required for further development."
T'Les suggestions were not new arguments. T'Pol was cognisant of the fact they were ones she had herself made when she first began to serve amongst humans. She had long since realised that her experience among humans could be of great benefit to Vulcan, if they were to accept her views.
"It is true," she agreed with a thoughtful look "humans could benefit from a Vulcan perspective, and indeed do on Enterprise. However, I have come to the conclusion that they have something to offer Vulcan as well."
"In what respect?" T'Les had never heard this position before.
"They are highly motivated, their emotions drive them to achieve at a much higher rate than Vulcans. They are more likely to take risks, which increases the chance of failure, but also affords them greater opportunities for success. Their emotional approach to problems presents them with solutions to that would never occur to Vulcans. Their highly social, yet conversely independent minds, allow them to come together to negotiate solutions, but also makes them receptive to dissent. They do not just tolerate, but actively encourage ideas that challenge accepted knowledge." It wasn't just a list of how their emotions served them that had convinced T'Pol of the developmental trajectory of humans, it was when she had looked at their recent history and compared it to Vulcan. "All these factors drive their development forward at an exponential rate. It took Vulcan two thousand years to achieve the technological advancements they have made in the past two hundred years alone. I have every reason to believe they will continue to advance."
"You sound as if you admire them." For a Vulcan this was tantamount to an insult. T'Pol was aware that her mother was attempting to provoke an emotional response and did not rise to the bait.
"I have come to respect them." She responded maintaining her still gaze on her mother.
"You have formed an emotional connection with them?" T'Les was aware she was being provocative but some devil on her shoulder was urging her on, telling her T'Pol's association with the humans had been ill advised.
"It is likely, particularly amongst those I work with most closely, that they feel an emotional connection to me. It is a part of their nature." T'Pol neatly sidestepped the question. It was not appropriate to admit to emotional attachments even if they were perfectly natural. "I have formed relationships with many people that would, in human terms, be considered friendship."
"And this is the nature of your relationship with Commander Tucker?" T'Les finally got to the question she had wanted answered from the moment she saw the Commander in her courtyard.
"No," fortunately T'Pol had prepared herself for this line of questioning as soon as she decided to invite Trip to join her on Vulcan. "My connection with Trip is more profound."
"You would pursue a relationship with this human over that of a Vulcan." T'Les asked, aghast. The significance of T'Pol's use of Commander Tucker's nickname was not lost on her. "Humans have no psionic abilities, you will never be able to bond with him."
"We have formed a bond of sorts, true it does not have a psychic component, but I find my relationship with him to be deeply satisfying."
"The psychic bond you will form with Koss would be satisfying as well." It was disquieting to hear T'Pol speak of her connection to the human as a bond. T'Les began to foresee difficulties in the days ahead.
"There is little evidence of that." T'Pol retorted, some emotion finally bleeding into her voice. "I have never felt any connection to Koss despite the betrothal bond that was initiated when were young. We are very different in our interests and natures. I am convinced that any matebond that formed between us would be superficial in its nature. I have always felt an aversion to deepening my relationship with him." T'Les was not surprised by this pronouncement. She had often observed in T'Pol, a great indifference towards Koss. But she saw the marriage as a logical way to bind T'Pol to Vulcan.
"You are already somewhat ostracised from Vulcan society. A relationship with a human will only worsen that." T'Les could feel her own emotions building. She had underestimated her daughter, expecting her to acquiesce to traditional Vulcan wisdom and see the logic of marriage to Koss. She had not been prepared for how far T'Pol was willing distance herself from her people and build a life with another species.
"I am accepted among the humans I work with and within Starfleet in general. I am considered a hero on Earth because of my part in ending the Xindi threat. If I am cast out of Vulcan, I am confident I can maintain a position within human society on my own merit. I can make a home among humans." T'Pol had recognised her changed status on Vulcan some time ago. It had only made it easier for her to resign from the High Command to enter the Expanse, and pursue her relationship with Trip.
T'Pol never got to hear T'Les' response to that statement. A small noise from the south end of the house alerted the women that Trip was approaching and the conversation was abruptly terminated.
Trip entered the living area and greeted the mother and daughter with typical human enthusiasm.
T'Pol returned his greeting and walked over to him. She advised him that she would meditate while he worked on the stasis unit and told him she would direct him to some tools. He gave her a soft smile in return and turned to follow her as she left the room.
T'Les watched their disappearing backs and pondered the discussion with her daughter. T'Les was disturbed to note that she had blindly accepted the prejudiced assessment of humans that was common on Vulcan. Her daughter's perspective was far more balanced and better informed than any T'Les had previously encountered, although much of the information T'Pol had provided should be readily available to other Vulcans. It should not surprise her that humans were more capable than the High Command would have Vulcans believe. She had her own foremother's stories of Earth that contradicted much that the High Command touted as fact. T'Pol was also correct in her assessment of their technological development. The Earth that T'Mir had lived on just two hundred years ago was the technological equivalent of Vulcan during Surak's time.
T'Les had encouraged Koss to pursue the betrothal as she saw it as a way to reintegrate T'Pol into Vulcan society. She was aware that should her own association with the Syrannites became widely known, T'Pol's reputation would be further tainted by their relationship. Now she was faced with the prospect that T'Pol was satisfied with her position among humans, was forming meaningful bonds with them and was indifferent to her status on Vulcan.
She began to doubt the logic of the course she had chosen. She had always been aware of T'Pol's aversion to Koss and did not disagree that there was a certain lack of compatibility in their natures. T'Pol's relationship with Commander Tucker was most disturbing in the fact that it indicated T'Pol had formed a strong relationship that would only greatly increase her reluctance to bond with Koss and further separate her from her own species, and her home.
She sighed and looked out the window at the sun, she would need to tend the garden and complete the day's harvest before the heat of the day became too great. Then she would meditate. The conversation with her daughter had aroused many troubling emotions.