Disclaimer: I don't own any Vulcans.

Tyback appears in "Descartes' Error" for the first time in Chapter 63 "Tyback". One of my most highly reviewed chapters. He is a very special Vulcan...and several people have prodded me to write more about him.

The Campaign

It happened first in a holo theater. It was a hilarious comedy, and Ashanti was laughing so hard she bent over. Tyback looked alarmed. Unable to even form coherent words Ashanti grabbed his hand instinctively…but it was something they hadn't done in public.

She felt the connection ripple between them, his shock…and…

"Sorry," she said, and pulled her hand away. As soon as she began to laugh again she felt his hand slide gently into hers.

"Fascinating," he said…which made Ashanti laugh more. There was something about the Vulcan sensation of fascination that tickled.

…Little did Ashanti realize that Tyback had suddenly developed a new mission after she slipped her hand into his when she was cracking up.

He had to make her laugh.

Not confident with his own sense of humor Tyback downloaded jokes onto his PADD and read them to her while they stretched out on her bed. Stretching out on a bed together was a Very Big Deal for her Vulcan...Even though they were fully clothed of course – and on top of the comforter. They had just started kissing and Ashanti knew from their conversations that for a Vulcan just kissing was another Very Big Deal.

Ashanti was leaning her head on Tyback's shoulder. He had one arm wrapped around her back, hand touching her temple. The other hand he used to hold his PADD. Through their connection the only emotion Ashanti could feel was determination.

He had scrolled through knock-knock jokes, bar jokes, not so dirty limericks – who knew those even existed, and now he had settled on…elephant jokes.

"How do you make instant elephant?...Open the package, add water, and run," said Tyback.

And then without skipping a beat he continued, "What time is it when ten elephants are chasing you? Ten after one.

"What game do elephants like to play most? Squash.

"Why do elephants paint their toenails red? So they can hide in a strawberry patch."

Ashanti started to laugh…in pain. "Stop! Stop!"

"But you are laughing…" Tyback said, "Why do elephants hide in strawberry patches?"

"I don't know…please…don't tell me!"

"So they can jump out and stomp on people." Tyback finished.

"That is so…not funny," said Ashanti.

"But you are laughing. I will continue," Tyback said, "Why do elephants stomp on people? That is how they play squash."

"Aarrrrgghhhhhh….make it stop!"

"Actually, I have heard they trample humans because they find humans irritating," said Tyback.

"Ummm…was that an original Tyback joke?"

"No, that is just something I read about elephants," Tyback replied.

"Oh," said Ashanti. She'd have to inquire about that later.

"So how was my delivery?" asked Tyback.

"Well, it was…direct…" said Ashanti.

"But not funny?" he asked.

No use not being honest when he had his hand on her temple and would be able to perceive even the little-ist of little white lies. "It was like listening to mission control delivering orders…like being in a briefing room before a campaign…"

"Operation Make Ashanti Laugh," Tyback said lifting his eyebrows – a new gesture he was very proud of.

She did laugh slightly. That was a cute name for it.

Through the connection at her temples she felt…happiness.

"Is that a Tyback original?"

"Yes," he said and rolled his forehead against hers.

A/N:

'Cause if they don't make you laugh you have to throw them back...at least I think so.