Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you so much to Fameanon, SadaraLochlan, mvw, T'Sara, and bina W for reviewing.
Sovar stepped off the shuttle and led T'Pel towards the school. He had not warned Solok of his visit, nor did he stay to greet the admirals who gathered for his arrival. He brushed them off and continued on his way, knowing from the bond more than sense that T'Pel was following him.
He found his son lounging under a tree, a redheaded human at his side. He was drilling her on math problems, holding a PADD in one hand, stroking her fingers with the other.
"Solok of Vulcan!" he called, and his son leaped to his feet. He did not look at all ashamed, which irked him, but what irked him more was the way T'Pel brushed past him and strode casually up to Solok and the young human.
"You must be Roxanne," T'Pel said, holding her hand out for the redhead to shake.
The young woman smiled and obliged T'Pel, giving her a hearty handshake. "In the flesh," she said cheerfully. "You're Solok's mother, aren't you?" When T'Pel confirmed this, the woman's smile widened.
"He looks just like Solok," Roxanne continued, gesturing to Sovar. "I figured you were his lady."
T'Pel's eyes brightened. "You're Crewman Samuel Hartman's daughter. I looked up your record."
She looked surprised. "You know my dad?" she asked, her tone incredulous.
"Yes, I was his commanding officer aboard the Okinawa. But I don't see much of him in you. You must take after your mother."
Solok slipped away from their conversation and approached Sovar, bowing his head in a belated sign of respect.
"Father."
"What were you thinking?" he hissed in Vulcan. "Have you taken leave of your logic?"
"No," Solok said calmly. He offered no explanation for his behavior, but rather stared defiantly at him, as if challenging his authority.
"And you think," Sovar growled, barely suppressing his anger, "that it is acceptable to bond without the permission or approval of one's parents, that you are free to-"
"I have the right to choose another mate," he insisted. "T'Kara would have called the challenge. We dissolved our relationship, as there was no logical reason to continue, and I have chosen Roxanne as my mate."
"You make it sound so simple," Sovar retorted, glaring at his son. "You will enlighten me with your logic."
"Later, father. Roxanne's parents, Samuel and Lindsey Hartman, are coming into town tonight. I see no reason why we cannot discuss this, the six of us, tonight. Roxanne tells me they have rented a condo to stay in. We can meet there."
Sovar's eyes widened. "You dare tell your own father-"
"Sovar," T'Pel said calmly. He stopped himself and looked to his wife, who was staring at him coldly. Roxanne looked worried.
"We will discuss this later, with Roxanne's parents," his wife said.
Sovar raised an eyebrow, but nodded a moment later. T'Pel had not touched him or allowed him to touch her since they had found out about Roxanne. He missed their physical relationship, so he thought it logical to comply with his wife's wishes.
…
Roxanne thought the tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Her mother and father were sitting across from Sovar and T'Pel, and Solok was seated at her side, his fingers wrapped around hers.
"Would someone," Samuel began, "kindly explain what my daughter is doing pregnant with this Vulcan's child?"
Solok looked slightly affronted, but she nudged him. "You started this," she insisted, stroking his fingers. "Back in the Launching Pad. You started it. So explain."
He sighed and began the story, and once he was retelling the events at Christmas and New Year's, Sovar stopped him.
"So you left Vulcan early to go see this human?"
"I left to see she who is my telsu," Solok said evenly. Sovar's eyes bulged.
"Telsu?" T'Pel gave him a warning look. "So it is true? When did you abandon your reason, Solok?"
"What's a telsu?" Lindsey asked. T'Pel leaned forward.
"It means my son has chosen your daughter to be his wife. They are less than married, but more than engaged."
Sovar glared at Solok. "You should break the bond you have so rashly formed with this human-"
"This human?" Samuel growled. "This human is my daughter, sir. I would thank you kindly to give her the respect she deserves."
Roxanne swallowed thickly and switched her grip so she was holding Solok's hand.
"She seduced my son and made him throw away an advantageous bondmate-"
"I told you already, father, T'Pera did not want me," Solok said, just as Samuel straightened and hissed, "Are you insulting my daughter?"
Solok apparently heard Samuel's remark, and he rounded on his father.
"Sovar of Vulcan, do not insult she who is my telsu. I will not tolerate it."
"Besides, I'm not convinced your son isn't the one to blame-"
"Dad!" Roxanne interjected. "We're both at fault!"
"The hell you are! I never thought my baby girl would ever sell her body and not take the proper precautions-"
"Mr. Hartman, data on the...receptiveness of the human reproductive system to Vulcan DNA, and vice versa, is very limited," Solok said, turning to her father. "The chances of me getting your daughter pregnant through natural means was always slim. It would have been wise to take precautions, yes, but I do not regret what has occurred. I am to be a father, an honor I never would have thought to have so soon."
"Are you ready to accept the responsibilities of being a father?" Lindsey asked calmly. "You're both in Starfleet, and raising a child while training to give your lives to the service is not easy."
"We as their grandparents should offer our services," T'Pel said, apparently jumping on Lindsey's bandwagon.
"We would appreciate any help you offer," Solok said, bowing slightly to his mother.
"So that is all?" Sovar said, standing and pacing in front of the coffee table that occupied the space between the two couches. "You throw away your career, your future, for a woman we do not approve of-"
"I approve of her," T'Pel said coldly.
"Some of us aren't so keen on your son, ambassador," Samuel said, looking like he might rise, but Lindsey held him back.
"I think Roxanne has made a good choice," she said. "And the ambassador's wife is correct. We should plan ahead, not dwell on the past."
Solok bowed to her, approval gleaming in his eyes. "Thank you, madam."
Lindsey seemed taken aback at his address, but blushed and muttered softly, "my pleasure."
"Mr. Ambassador, sir...dad...the hallmark of adulthood is the ability to accept responsibility," Roxanne said. "We made a mistake, but if we accept the responsibility of our actions, we can turn a mistake into a blessing."
"What is, is," Solok added. "Roxanne is right. We should plan ahead, not dwell on what we cannot change."
Sovar stared at him, almost as if he could not believe what was in front of him, then walked to the door and exited the house.
"Father!" Solok called sharply, but T'Pel held him back.
"Let him go," she whispered gently.
Samuel looked at Lindsey, then at Solok, then at Roxanne.
"I hope you're proud of yourself," he growled, then followed Sovar's lead and marched out.
Roxanne felt an onslaught of tears, but Lindsey slid in beside her and wrapped her arms around her.
"He didn't mean that," she whispered. "He's angry at himself, because he thinks he's failed as a father."
"I didn't ask for this," Roxanne whimpered, tears coursing down her cheeks. "I don't even remember half of it."
"All you can do now is accept your responsibility, and move on. It's all in the past," Lindsey said sagely. "You're totally within your rights to cry. And I'm sure it'll be hard some days, but you're not alone."
T'Pel stepped forward. "No matter what my husband says, I believe you are good for my son. I rejoice with you both for the increase to our houses."
Solok stroked Roxanne's hair. "We will get through this, ashaya. Together."
"There is one thing more," T'Pel said. "Roxanne, has my son told you of the Time?"
She noted Solok's ears turned minty green, but T'Pel's expression remained placid.
"No," Roxanne said. T'Pel gestured to the door.
"Then walk with me, and I will tell you."
"Mother, I should-"
"My son, you had your chance all these months to tell her. Since you failed to do so, I will do it."
Roxanne frowned at Solok, but he looked defeated. So she followed T'Pel out into the gathering dark.
…
She found Solok outside the condo, talking with his father. Or perhaps arguing was a better word.
"You did not listen to your katra, my son, but rather your loins. She will run, and you will-"
"I'm not going to run," Roxanne said firmly. "T'Pel just told me everything, ambassador."
Sovar's grey eyes flashed, and he advanced on her, towering over her.
"She would reveal our shame, our deepest secrets to you, human?"
Solok made to step forward, but she held up her hand. He paused.
"You wouldn't last one night," Sovar hissed. She raised an eyebrow.
"If you doubt my...sexual prowess...ask your son about me. He has a better idea of how I'll fare than you do."
Solok put his hand on his father's shoulder and growled something in Vulcan, and Sovar backed away.
"We will see about that, Solok."
He went inside.
Roxanne waited until the door was closed before stepping up to Solok.
"You will not run?" he whispered. He sounded relieved.
She shook her head, then pulled him down for a gentle kiss.
Several minutes later, she pulled away. "We could do a trial run, you know. Go out to Vulcan, go camping in a cave. It'd be fun!"
He smirked down at her. "You insufferable...wonderful human..."
He leaned down and kissed her again.
…
"Admission?" Roxanne said incredulously.
"Yes," her adviser replied. Solok had been busy packing her books up for her, but he paused at Monroe's next sentence. "Ambassador Sovar himself requested your presence on Vulcan, to study at the College of Astrophysics, a subdivision of the Vulcan Science Academy."
"What?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Monroe asked impatiently. She glared at him.
"Vulcan Science Academy, huh?"
"The ambassador wanted me to tell you that he only wishes the best education and health services for his daughter-in-law, and his grandchild."
Roxanne turned to Solok. "Um...when would I leave?"
"After your term here has ended."
"How long will this admission last?"
Monroe raised his eyebrows. "Two semesters, until further notice. All credit you receive will count as Starfleet Academy credit as well, should you choose to return to this institution."
She bit her lip. "I'll have to think about it."
"He'd like an answer by tomorrow."
"That is not enough time," Solok insisted. "Tell my father she requires a week to review her options."
"Very well," Monroe acquiesced. "I will pass along your message."
…
"Roxanne, are you sure about this?"
She frowned up at him, then silently cupped his cheek. "I don't know your father like you do...but this might be good for me. I don't know...I like T'Pel, and she'll be there...maybe this is the change I've been looking for. And at one of the best schools in the galaxy!"
Solok raised an eyebrow. "The best school in the galaxy, Roxanne."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, sweetie. The thing is, I'd like to at least try...I know the work will be hard, but I'm willing to give it all I've got."
"You were already struggling with Calculus here."
"I was already miserable from being the wrong major. I like astrophysics, and I like studying the stars. I want to try, Solok."
He sighed. "Your unquenchable human spirit is making me...anxious, telsu."
"If me living on your own planet and going to a school you say is the best in the galaxy makes you anxious-"
He pressed his finger to her lips. "Point taken. I will contact my father and tell him you are willing to accept admission into the Vulcan Science Academy. You should probably tell your parents."
She nodded. "Mom's going to be disappointed...I think she wanted to be close to me throughout the pregnancy, you know...be there. Tough luck, I guess..."
"Will you be uncomfortable without your mother there?"
"Solok, I'll be ok. And Vulcan's right around the bend from Earth. It's not like I'm on the other side of the universe."
He raised an eyebrow. "With the way my father is behaving, I fear it may feel like that. For both of us."
She bit her lip, then pulled him down for a kiss.
"Do you often do that when you are nervous?" he asked when they pulled apart.
She shrugged. "It relaxes me."
His eyes darkened. "Do you need me to relax you?" he purred, his lips hovering over hers.
"Considering we'll be apart soon...oblige me, sweetheart."
"With pleasure," he replied, and he sealed his lips over hers.