A/N: Disclaimer is in the first chapter. Other than Vulcan words, letters in Italics represent people's inner thoughts or memories.
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Chapter 2: A thoughtful gift
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Skon opened the door of his hovercar and carefully placed the large box on the co-driver's seat. Then he sat on the driver's seat, closed the door and took a deep breath.
It felt almost like a ritual; something he knew he always had to do, but never decided. Well, today, after so many years, the time had come. It was something T'Rama always wanted. He owned it to her and to himself.
He took a moment to compose his thoughts and threw another look at the square box next to him. There was no noise. Slowly he raised the cover and peeked inside. There was no movement either which was helpful for his plan. Skon closed the cover, started the engine and headed home. His bondmate awaited him.
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T'Rama sat on the stool in front of her bedchamber's mirror. Although her gaze was fixed on the glass, her memory played again and again the same message, the one she received from their family healer ten days ago.
Another Time had passed and she was not pregnant.
Reading the message was one of the few times T'Rama wished she could cry. She and her bondmate were grieved heavily from this. Both had spent the next week meditating. She even had brought a spare mat into her office and meditated during work.
Yet grieving for something that was beyond their control was illogical. She reminded herself of this again and again when the pain of what was not achieved yet overwhelmed her.
It was illogical, yes, but what if… Her bondmate was a member of Vulcan's most prominent family, the S'chn T'gai clan. And although she was never told of anything, she knew… An heir was expected most anxiously.
This year marked Skon's fourth Time since their bonding. And she had not conceived yet.
T'Rama looked herself at the mirror. She was still young, only 63 years-old. The same age as Skon and… in the perfect stage of life to have her first offspring.
Alone in her bedchamber she allowed a small lapse in her control and let out a heavy sigh. Then she looked at the PADD she held. Skon had sent her a message, that today after his work he would visit his sister, T'Pau to discuss some 'family issues'.
Her knees had almost given way when she read the message. She had sat on the stool and had not risen since. Too stunned to do anything else, she simply remained still, observing her own reflection in the mirror, lost in her thoughts.
What if Skon's family requested that he divorce her and take another bondmate? She was no fool. She knew that some clans had left their daughters un-betrothed in the hope that the S'chn T'gai bride failed to fulfill her obligations to the clan.
And the S'chn T'gai clan, Surak's bloodline, was too important to be left without an heir.
Fertility examinations were not performed on seven year-olds. That was her age when she was betrothed to her bondmate, he who was half of her heart, half of her soul. He who completed her.
Skon wanted a child; she could feel it through their bond. But again, so did she. So they had both undergone a fertility test the previous year, which showed they were fertile. And she watched her diet, she exercised daily. And they'd been through four Times. And the Fever's purpose, apart from saving the male's life, was to extend the bloodline.
And the S'chn T'gai bloodline had never been broken in nearly three thousand years…
The healer repeated the same thing he said seven years ago. That nature would take its course; that it was only a matter of time. But the unanswered question still burned her mind. Why wasn't she pregnant yet?
T'Rama looked her image in the mirror. Her face was calm. But in her heart she cried rivers of tears. It seemed unimaginable, but… what if Skon requested a divorce? How could she live without his beloved presence in her mind?
She almost flinched when she heard the knock at the door.
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Skon stood outside his bondmate's bedchamber. In his arms he held the large box. For a moment he hesitated wondering what would be the best option. Should he sent to T'Rama a mental signal that he stood outside her door, or should he knock?
He contemplated for a few seconds, before choosing the second option. She had kept their bond in the minimum level; it was possible that she wished solitude. He had felt her grief when the healer informed them that a pregnancy had not been achieved this Time either.
Yet what he wanted to tell his bondmate could not be delayed any further. He stood uncertain. He didn't know how T'Rama would view his request, something he decided after much meditation. Maybe she would be disgusted with him, possibly she would refuse. But Skon believed there was no other way.
Gently, he placed the box on the floor and knocked on the door three times.
"Come in," T'Rama's voice was heard from inside.
Skon took the box and entered the room.
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"Adun'a," Skon greeted his wife by bowing his head. "I trust thee are well?"
"Adun," T'Rama acknowledged with a slight bow. For a moment her attention was diverted to the large box in his arms. "I am well."
Small talk of course was illogical. "I have brought thee a gift," Skon said, approaching her.
T'Rama rose from the stool. "That is… most unexpected. I thank thee. What is it?"
"Open the cover and find out," he said, offering the box.
T'Rama looked at him uncertain for a few seconds. "Very well," she nodded, and raised the cover.
The contents of the box made her raise both eyebrows. Inside the box there was a large basket and inside the basket, wrapped in a soft blanket, there was-
"A baby sehlat!" she exclaimed, and reaching carefully inside the box, brought out a sleepy cub a little larger than her handful. "It is so small. Skon, is it weaned?"
"Yes, and careful around the house according to T'Pau."
She took the small creature in her embrace and sat down with it on the bed, caressing it gently. "Where is the mother?"
The cub shivered at her touch and started crying with a weak voice. Its cry caused a sting in T'Rama's heart. She covered it with her robe to keep it warm, touched its head and sent a mild feeling of affection, and an inquiry as to whether he was hungry. The cub stopped crying and then, encouraged by warmth and its natural curiosity, began sniffing her clothes and hands.
"It is male, two months old," Skon replied. "As for the mother… she died giving birth."
T'Rama nodded and tenderly caressed the little creature. Its head was trembling. "That is most unfortunate. Poor infant."
"T'Pau tried to persuade I'Obol, her sehlat, to adopt him, but without success," he continued. "She feared for the cub's safety and asked if I knew a family willing to adopt him. I told her I did. But if it is not what you wish-"
"No!" Her eyes flashed but quickly she re-gained control. "I do. I do wish to keep him. Thank you, adun," she said and gave him a look filled with gratitude. "I know what this means to you, bringing a sehlat home. Your gesture is very thoughtful."
He nodded. Watching his bondmate gently caressing the cub, Skon remembered again why he worshiped her. T'Rama did not care about his family's wealth. She did not care for their political power or for the fact that she had joined one of Vulcan's most influential clans. What she cared about was helping others. Her gentle and kind soul was perhaps the most beautiful thing he had ever encountered.
Which made what he wanted to say more difficult.
"My reasons are not as altruistic as you might think," he confessed and T'Rama's hand froze while caressing the cub. Her gaze was fixed on the small creature snuggling in her lap.
"I am listening," she said with a voice so quiet, Skon barely managed to hear.
"We are bonded for 28 years. Yet so far we have not produced an offspring."
"That is true," she replied, without averting her gaze from the cub.
"T'Rama, I meditated for many hours over the last week."
"So did I."
"Now I come before you with a request. I understand you might find it unusual… or even offensive. However, I urge you to consider it as a logical alternative."
She closed her eyes for 2.2 seconds. Then she reopened them. "What is it?"
"I wish for us to… mate outside my Time."
Astonished, she raised her head to look at him.
"What?!"
T'Rama's heated voice betrayed her surprise. Then she noticed that Skon's ears were also slightly green from embarrassment.
"It is only logical," he insisted, unable to hide his own discomfort. "Mating outside my Time will increase the chances of us conceiving. I researched it. It is possible."
Ashamed, T'Rama bowed her head and contemplated. What Skon suggested was indeed logical. After the teachings of Surak, mating outside one's Time was considered shameful. Vulcans never copulated merely to indulge in carnal acts. This could lead to acts of intense, unreasoning passion, upsetting societal stability. Yet in their case… an illogical act would serve an entirely logical purpose.
Her heart was caught in her throat. If she refused… it would appear she would not wish to conceive. Which she did, with all her heart.
Yet… what would everyone say when they heard about this? They would have to share bedchambers. The servants, despite cultural strictures, might mention this to others. People would find out, their families, friends, colleagues...
And even if they did not… how would Skon view her reactions while mating? During his Time he was feverish and had no memories. Yet now, he would be aware of all her responses to his… touch. Would she be capable of controlling herself?
"I… agree. It is logical," she nodded. Her cheeks were aflame, but she was too upset to control that reaction. "But Skon… what if others find out? People will talk-"
"I am the male in this house," he said with a stern voice. "Nobody will speak about my sharing of sleeping facilities with she who is mine. It is no one's concern but ours."
Sensing her discomfort his voice softened. "Do not worry, adun'a," he said, approached her and extended his fingers to form the ozh'esta.
T'Rama raised her index and middle fingers and met his. "All will go well," Skon said, sitting on the bed next to her. Through their touch he soothed her discomfort by communicating reassurance. Then he raised his arm and embraced his bondmate. It was only logical.
"How should we name him?" he asked in a low voice, looking down at the cub that had fallen asleep in T'Rama's comfortable lap.
"I am not sure. Let us observe his behaviour for a few days," she whispered, caressing the cub.
Skon covered her hand with his. "Very well, I agree. Shall we start tonight?"
"Start what?" she asked, puzzled.
"Mating. Why delay?"
Ashamed, she lowered her head and remained silent for a few seconds. Then, while avoiding his eyes, she nodded.
"I am pleased that you agree," Skon whispered and stood. "If it will ease your discomfort, I will dismiss T'Enia and T'Nooun earlier tonight."
"And tomorrow. Don't let them come," T'Rama whispered looking down at the cub, still unable to meet his gaze.
Tomorrow? Skon wondered. Why would she want to…?
But this had gone far better than he expected. He would accept every request T'Rama made.
"As you wish, adun'a," he bowed, "and tomorrow. I shall shower and return," he said and exited the room, leaving his bondmate sitting on the bed.
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When the door closed behind him, T'Rama raised her head and let out a deep shaky breath.
Kaiidth. What is is, she thought, rose from the bed, took the sleeping cub and gently placed it inside the box.
Then she removed her clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower herself. As her body was cleaned by the sonics, T'Rama recalled seventeen days ago their frenzied mating inside the clan's cave.
Skon, under the influence of the fever, had taken her again and again and again. His fever lasted approximately 50 hours, an average time. Afterwards, exhausted, he had fallen asleep. Just as he had every Time.
By the time he had awoken, free of the fever yet totally exhausted, she had bathed herself, dressed and had prepared him a small meal which she helped him consume.
Then they had left the cave; she had driven them home.
The same scene had been repeated three more times during their marriage, without producing offspring. Who knew? Maybe something this unconventional succeeded where tradition had failed.
T'Rama exited the shower. With her body refreshed, she was calmer and felt more confident.
Indeed Skon's idea was logical, she mused to herself. And of course she could control her reactions. And should she conceive… She caressed her flat belly and an almost invisible, timid smile formed in her lips. Should she conceive… they would have a child. A baby. An heir.
Feeling optimistic about the future, she took her robe and exited the bathroom.
Passing in front of the mirror she stopped and took a minute to examine her reflection. This would be the first time Skon would see her naked. Every other time her adun was lost in the fever. T'Rama checked her chest, her waist and her thighs. She turned and checked her posterior and back.
Through her marital bond she knew Skon found her aesthetically pleasing. Yet, this would be the first time he would see her… as she really was.
A momentary feeling of pride tempted her. As a female she had the upper hand during their mating – she could recall with every single detail everything Skon did to her inside the cave, and the ways she retaliated: scratch for scratch, bite for bite. Things he would never know as he did not wish to meld with her and share with her memories from his Time. For a male this was an uncomfortable and sensitive subject.
She had intimate knowledge of his entire anatomy. Her adun on the other hand… had never known her. Not consciously, at least.
"Males are always insecure," her mother had told her on the day of her bonding, while helping her dress. "He may be violent, but not necessarily because of the fever. He could be violent a few days before the fever. Do you recall that time your father broke the vase?"
"Yes, mother," T'Rama had nodded.
"Violence is always the result of insecurity and is a sign of weakness. Can you sense his fear?"
"Yes. I've… never sensed that from him. He is terrified."
"Of course he is. He is terrified you won't be there in his time of need. Now that you two will live under the same roof, you will see. A few days before the Fever, he will seek you all the time. Males are afraid, T'Rama. Therefore it is your constant duty to assure him of your affection and loyalty. Even with the bond in its lowest level, always – always – make sure he knows that you will be there for him. Always."
T'Rama looked at her reflection in the mirror. Yes, she thought with satisfaction, Skon would find her appearance pleasant. It was only logical.
She put on her robe, sat on the bed… and waited.
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Skon exited T'Rama's bedchamber and… finally exhaled. How long did he hold that breath? Yet, despite his fear, this conversation had gone far better than he expected. T'Rama had agreed with his proposal. Now the only thing that remained was to put it into practice. Logically and efficiently. And of course it would work, he thought to himself. He had researched it.
Satisfied with the outcome, he went to the kitchen. T'Nooun, the maid, had already left and T'Enia, their cook, was preparing dinner. Skon made his request. T'Enia agreed to absent herself one hour early this evening and to be absent tomorrow. She would tell T'Nooun that Osu requested her to be absent also. Osu should not worry about anything.
Afterwards, Skon went to his bedchamber. He took off his clothes for a quick sonic shower. As he exited the shower, he caught his image in the mirror. Ah, his hair was mingled by the sound waves. He took his hairbrush and started combing his hair.
As he looked at his own reflection, Skon caught himself wondering about the logic of his actions. Surely this was for the best. He knew that they could mate out of his Time; he wasn't impotent. His research in the Science Academy library was most thorough concerning male and female erogenous zones, mating styles to increase the possibility of impregnation, duration of the sexual act, and personal hygiene.
Only…
T'Rama. How would she view their mating? He didn't know her reactions during his Time. He didn't want to know. Being lost inside one's own mind was torture enough, and the knowledge that it would repeat for the rest of his life…
It was a disgrace, not controlling one's actions, being no different that a wild animal – or worse.
There was also the subject of mating on a practical level. They had never done it before. Did other people do it? He had researched that, but the answers he found were not clear. Not that it mattered. They would go ahead with his plan, unconventional as it was. T'Rama had agreed.
And then… his lok. Unfortunately, his research was crystal clear on that subject. For Vulcan females, ovulation went hand in hand with sexual pleasure. Did he please T'Rama? Could it be that she wasn't impregnated during the Fever because he didn't satisfy her? They were both fertile. There was no reason why she wasn't pregnant yet. The healer had told them that the only thing they had to do was wait; that it was only a matter of time. But time flew…
He stopped and looked at the grooming implement in his hand. He had brushed his hair for 19.9 minutes, lost in his thoughts, and now it was silky and shiny.
Excellent… he thought, with a touch of irony. If T'Rama wasn't impressed by his lok, then she would be impressed by his hair.
With a sigh, he set the hairbrush aside, put on his robe and left.
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"You are such a typical male!"
The almost angry voice of her mother echoed still inside T'Rama's head, after so many years. It was one of those childhood memories that seemed to come back at an untimely - yet actually quite suitable - moment.
She was nine years old and had just awoken. Although their home was small - and their income smaller - each member of her family had their own bedroom. So it was a surprise to step out of her room early that morning and see her father inside her mother's room. The door was open and her parents were joining fingers in the ozh'esta.
T'Rama had taken a step back to avoid being seen. It was a private affair, and she had no desire to embarrass her parents or herself.
But the scene itself had puzzled her. Her father was clearly leaving her mother's room. It was very early which meant that her parents didn't wish to be seen.
Now after all those years and being married herself, she knew that her parents had spent the night together. But what confused her wasn't what they had done, but that single phrase her mother had said.
"You are such a typical male!" T'Ella had said to her bondmate.
But… why? Obviously her father was a typical male. Why did her mother state the obvious?
To make matters worse, T'Ella sounded annoyed, almost… upset. But if she was upset, why did she offer to her husband such an intimate gesture of affection as the ozh'esta?
It was a childhood mystery surrounding her parents' relationship as seen by their closest outsider, their child.
Well, time was passing and Skon had not arrived yet. By now, even the cub had fallen asleep.
That was when it hit her.
The cub!
They couldn't mate with the cub inside the room!
She went to the box, brought out the basket and, careful not to awoke the sleeping sehlat, placed it in the hall outside her room. There was no sign of Skon – he was still in his room.
T'Rama went to the kitchen and threw the box in the recycler. Then she took a small bowl. At the food processing unit she requested nutritional milk for a sehlat cub and placed the bowl in the hall, near the basket. If the cub awoke, the milk would sate its hunger.
Then she returned to her room. Still no sign of Skon.
T'Rama decided to change her strategy. She couldn't believe it but… Skon had not yet come! Well, she wasn't going to keep waiting for him like a frightened girl. No more moaning. She was his wife and knew him better that Skon knew himself. Besides, they weren't going to do anything they had never done before.
Which made her wonder… how would mating be? They had never done it out of Skon's Time. His lok would be different… T'Rama felt ashamed but the temptation was big… How would it feel inside her? Smoother, obviously – the spines grew only during the Fever.
Ashamed, she looked down. Would she reach an orgasm? Would it be… satisfying, like in the caves? She screamed – fiercely and uncontrollably – every time Skon took her. Not from pain – because her body was designed to match his – but from pleasure. Inside the caves, Skon became violent but so did she.
Luckily he had never asked about the marks in his chest and back. She always cut her nails before Skon's Time, but even then, deep scratches and bruises, not to mention bite marks, were… unavoidable.
T'Rama took off her robe, put it in the closet, and took a final look in the mirror. Her pubic hair had started growing again. Another thing she did approximately ten days before Skon's fever was a waxing; after their first Time she had decided it was most convenient – the lack of cleanliness was the only thing she regretted during their repeated bouts of mating. But now almost a month had passed and her hair simply looked as if it had been neatly trimmed.
I look unobjectionable! she thought with a small touch of pride, looking at the mirror.
Then she looked around the room, to see if everything was in order. When she had gotten married, one of the things her mother gave her as a wedding gift was a bed large enough for two people. Back then T'Rama had thought that her mother wanted her to sleep comfortably; her room in her parents' home was small.
Now she thought differently. Could it be that her mother had predicted something like this? Well, it was a possibility, since T'Ella also shared her bedroom with her husband sometimes.
Shortly after she finished inspecting the room, there was a knock on the door.
Filled with confidence, T'Rama stood next to the bed's foot. She threw her hair back, pushed her chest forward, straightened her posture, assumed what she hoped was an inviting look and… took a deep breath.
"You may enter."
TBC
Author's note: I would like to thank SpockLikesCats who edited this chapter. Her spot-on comments and corrections helped to improve greatly the story's pace. However as I always make last minute changes, all remaining mistakes are mine. As for you, dear readers, your thoughts and ideas are most welcomed. I'd love to hear what you think. Happy New Year!
