Dislaimers : See Part One
XI (Hunger) PG-13
Soval straightened his tunic and watched with appreciation as Amanda dressed. Her trim form was graceful and he fought down the desire to take her again. He was grateful for the invitation to dine with Captain Archer in the Captain's mess. She was correct, they did need to go find some sustenance; he heard a strange sound coming from her midsection.
Amanda blushed as her stomach growled. She was starving and wanted a nice thick steak. Clearly all the activity had made her hungry. As she pulled on her clothing and zipped the suit, she could feel Soval's eyes on her. She was grateful for her hunger or she would be jumping his bones again.
"I am starved, Soval. I could eat a horse."
"Why would you wish to eat such an animal?"
She saw the look of horror on his face. "Oh for heavens sake it is just an expression."
"Expression? An idiom then?"
"Yes, I would never eat a horse. A thick juicy steak would be wonderful, however. It means I am really hungry."
His brow rose. "A vegetarian diet is far healthier for you."
Amanda wrinkled her nose. "I like vegetarian food sometimes, Soval. I like Steak and chicken. I do not think I can give them up."
He folded his arms. "It is my duty to see to your health and well being."
"Then do not try to stop me from ordering a thick steak. " She
The truth was she only ate meat on occasion when she craved it. BBQ generally broke her vegetarian resolve. The chef made this wonderful BBQ steak with fried potatoes that Amanda could not resist.
XII (Solutions) PG
Soval and Amanda entered the Captain's mess together. Soval felt better now that he had slept and was bonded to Amanda. Despite her being human he was able to gain a measure of additional control from her. He theorized that despite the upheaval she as an emotional being was better equipped to deal with the changes that affected their emotions. He did not understand why she seemed to have almost Vulcan like emotional controls.I will need to meditate on this
Captain Archer had a meal prepared for them and they all sat down together. Amanda was very nervous as she had never eaten with the Captain before. The closest she had come was when she had been trying to gain Commander Tucker's attention. She found herself moving closer to Soval. He might be a grumpy, sarcastic Vulcan, but he was hers. He had promised to keep her safe and he outranked everyone here. For the first time she thought that was a good thing.
"You want me to do what!" Amanda said jumping up. "No way, Nada it ain't happening! I may be bonded to Soval but I want a proper wedding with my parents and a preacher."
"Amanda, Captain Archer is making a very logical suggestion," Soval said, Shocked that she had refused to marry him.
Amanda noticed his hurt expression. He was so closed off and stoic. She sighed. "Soval, I want to marry you. It is too important a thing to be used just to defend me in a court marshal. It won't matter anyway. They need a scapegoat and I am it. "She touched his injured hand lightly. "I want to have my family there with us."
Soval sensed she was not refusing to be his mate, rather she did not want to cheapen the ceremony. He could respect that logic to a degree.
"Amanda, if you are my wife I can protect you." His fingers touched her lips silencing her. "I can say I ordered you to go to your post. That along with your Captain's orders will protect you. If not that, as my wife you would have diplomatic immunity."
"Your orders, Sir? Why would I follow them? You are not my ambassador." A little shocked she slipped back to a more formal mode.
T'Pol looked at Trip who was fighting not to laugh. She glared at him and looked at Soval who had a blank look on his face. Cultural blindness was still a problem for their species. She wondered if it ever would be solved.
"Amanda, on Vulcan a bond-mate or wife obeys her mate." The Sub-commander was seriously thinking of writing out a PADD with all relative information for Amanda Cole.
Amanda looked confused and asked the question T'Pol had hoped she would not. "Why would they do that?"
Now Commander Tucker smiled and looked away.
Soval understood now what was wrong.
T'Pol sighed and answered. "We obey our bond-mate because we belong to them."
"Oh, alright," Amanda said. Then she jumped up as the implications hit her. "You are talking spiritually, right? We are not property."
"No, a bond-mate or wife belongs to her mate. He has authority over her," Soval answered. He did not understand her fear.
"No, that can not be. I am a free person." Amanda said backing away in a mild panic. T'Pol could understand her fears. She had suffered the same fear when she had been forced to marry Koss. She had not wanted him or trusted him and the idea of being owned by a male she disliked was horrifying. It was the check tot he political power of women in the clan. One day she would explain this to Amanda.
"Corporal, it is not that bad. Nothing truly changes," she said. She looked at Trip who moved to her side. He sensed she wanted them to show Amanda it would be alright.
"Amanda, it is not a big deal. I may technically be able to own T'Pol but I am still her inferior officer as the chief engineer here. I love her and would never do anything to make her feel less then the other half of my soul." Trip offered his fingers to T'Pol who touched then gratefully.
Amanda looked at Soval almost in a panic. Their situation was vastly different. Soval was older, out ranked her, and she sensed a very dominate personality. Amanda knew Soval tempered his actions and used diplomacy to get his way. Yet deep down he was a throw back to pre-reform days. He was a warrior in his soul and he would not be as flexible as Commander Tucker. He would insist on being in control.
Soval knew she was panicking. So much had happened in so little time and she was afraid. He held out his hand to her palm up; a human gesture rather then a Vulcan one. Amanda wanted to run away and hide. Her life was spinning out of her control, yet the need in Soval's face called to her.
"Ambassador, Sir I can not do this." She said. Even as she spoke her hand took his.
Soval smiled at her reply. No one but Amanda saw it. It is agreeable when you address me as Sir.
Amanda blushed and looked down as he pulled her to his side. I am not your property. Why must I do this? She looked into his eyes almost pleading.
He stroked her face as she sat by him. Is it so bad to be mine? There is a reason, beloved. Do you trust me to explain the reason why? It is not what you think.
I am afraid.
No one said a word as Amanda tried to understand this alien concept. It was clear a silent communication was going on and no one wanted to interfere.
"Corporal Cole, I can not order you to marry Ambassador Soval. That is not what I am trying to do. I would never force anyone to marry against their wishes," Captain Archer said. "The problem is Star Fleet will remove you as a body guard from Ambassador Soval even if you are cleared."
"Why? I have done my duty," Amanda said, suddenly afraid and lost. Only Soval's holding her had made her feel safe. Staying with him was vital to her. She shook as she understood submission to his wishes might be the only way.
They will do it to create an example of you," Archer said, clearly not pleased.
"Alright, Captain, Please marry us." I trust you Soval. "I do not wish to leave his side. He gets into to much trouble unless I am around."
Captain Archer stifled a laugh.
T'Pol and Soval's brows rose a fraction and Commander Tucker piped in. "She has you there, Ambassador." He chuckled as he watched Soval pull Amanda to his lap. A clear indication of his possession of her person.
Amanda felt his arms possess her and she smiled silently wondering how he intended to keep track of her. She had already decided he was getting a tracking device.
Soval caught that stray thought and he had to admit it was a reasonable precaution. He was going to look into it when they returned to Earth. Perhaps two would be better. One that could be scanned as an electronics device and one that carried a quantum signature. He held Amanda close for a moment.