The Morning Rise Marina
Nuvia City, Risa
The Marina seemed to be little more than a collection of shops and eateries scattered down the length of the beach, separated from white sands and clear blue waters by a long railing one could lean comfortably on to view the ocean.
It was beautiful, of course. Very comfortable and the sort of place you could easily just lounge around at, shop a bit, swim a bit, eat a little something. Just sit and soak in how marvelous everything looked and what a wonderful place it was.
Lots of very interesting people wandered about on both sides of the rail. Sunbathers and swimmers on the one side, shoppers and browsers all along the other. Tables distributed evenly down the walkway, available to provide rest and a nice, convenient place to satisfy oneself with the purchases made, to enjoy the sun or simply enjoy the company of those you'd come there with to experience those things. Or the people readily available to be picked up in order to experience those things with, of which there were very many.
They'd had to stop and chase them off occasionally while they ate. And even now, after having eaten and just sitting there talking. Very obviously talking and not requiring these people to keep popping up insinuating themselves into the conversation, thank you very much.
Companions, employed by the Risian Hedony to provide exactly that service; being available for companionship. Visitors not having any occasion to find themselves alone and lonely on Risa of all places being something the Hedony had recognized as very good for business a long time ago.
It was starting to get a little damned irritating, though.
"Yes, thanks." Trip said, glaring. "We're fine. Have a nice day."
The very attractive…and very shirtless young Risian man who must work out pretty religiously, with his hand so casually resting on the back of T'Pol's chair…yeah, that guy was getting on Trip's nerves something fierce.
"Well, if there's anything you require…please do let me know." The guy smiled warmly.
At T'Pol, not him. Because he apparently failed to notice him sitting right there making it clear it was ten seconds past time for him to go the hell away.
"Yes, thank you." T'Pol nodded, politely. And the guy moved comfortably on to find someone else to bother. Making sure to let his hand brush her shoulder a bit as he moved on, of course. To emphasize the 'anything' part of that, presumably.
Trip's legs got a little jumpy for a second, anticipating the signal from his brain that it was time to get up and go smack that guy around a bit. But he managed not to do that after a moment.
"Just so you know," Trip said, frowning. "I'm beating the hell out of the next guy that does that, T'Pol."
"I appreciate the gesture, Trip, but we have business to discuss here. It would not be convenient…"
"Kinda hard to discuss business with all that crap going on."
"We require a public venue at the moment." She insisted. "So we will suffer the occasional interruption in the interests of that. And you are aware, of course, that provoking jealousy in one's partner is merely part of the service these 'companions' provide. Not to mention, they likely find us intriguing. A Vulcan and a Human. I'm sure they are mostly just curious."
He would have snapped something back at that. Something along the lines of how he'd like to educated them on that point by beating the hell out of somebody about it. But T'Pol suddenly wasn't looking at him anymore. She was staring intently…and rather hostilely…at something over his shoulder.
Suddenly having decided that twirling a fork around her fingers right on top of the table was a good idea.
T'Pol didn't usually display any nervous little habits like that, because she didn't really have any nervous little habits to begin with. So that was intentional.
He didn't have to look over his shoulder, though. He already knew. So he just relaxed back in his chair and smirked. Waiting until the lovely, bronze-skinned young lady in the very revealing bathing suit altered her course and strolled right on past the shoulder of the handsome blond Human she'd targeted a second ago, off to find a less dangerous target.
He smirked when T'Pol met his eyes again.
She gave an eyebrow. Just a little bit.
"It is, however, something of a distraction." She admitted.
"At least you didn't threaten to bury her up to her neck down on the beach." Trip smirked. "Which…by the way, that was a little scary."
"Entirely the intent." She said. "I would not have done such a barbaric thing, of course. At worst, I would have simply shot him and only if that were required."
"Still pretty scary. And it sort of suggests a whole new side of you I maybe haven't fully appreciated until now."
T'Pol propped an eyebrow up then.
"A side you find intriguing?"
"Maybe a little." He shrugged. "Can't say I want you drowning people down at the beach but it was interesting to see. And I get how scaring him silly was probably logical and all right then."
"Of course." She said. "And while we're on the subject, you seemed to adjust to your role as 'the Tripper' easily enough. 'Shaddap' being an especially interesting choice of vernacular."
"Oh, come on. You've got to admit it was a little funny."
"Perhaps." She admitted. "But it would best if we not avail ourselves of those particular personas in this venue."
In other words, Trip reasoned, please don't assault the companions and draw attention to us. So, yeah, okay then.
"Maybe we should have gone to an indoor restaurant." Trip suggested.
"Loya required more appropriate clothing and there are shops available here. And the crew have interpersonal matters that they need to address."
Well, now, that was suddenly a little interesting. T'Pol almost never openly recognized either of the relationships that had been going on right under her nose all this time. That wouldn't be appropriate to acknowledge, of course. Curious that she did so now.
And it opened up a few topics for discussion all of a sudden, in fact. Which, upon further reflection, he realized had probably been her intent.
"So let's talk about us." Trip said, diving right in.
T'Pol was of course quite ready for that.
"Concerning those matters we will discuss in detail, in private, later." She said. "They will be discussed in detail. In private. Later."
He held up one hand, acknowledging that right away.
"Understood." He assured. "Looking forward to it. But that kinda calls attention to a few things, T'Pol. Like how we're bonded now and it suddenly seems like we're not even dating anymore. We've been all business since we figured out we were bonded. That kinda has me wondering…what's the point of all this? I don't know what I expected, but I'm pretty sure this isn't it. Kinda feel like I'm missing something here."
T'Pol allowed a moment for that to fall between them, then folded her hands in her lap and began the process of adjusting their relationship to the unscheduled and entirely too rapid progression of things that had apparently occurred.
"Trip," She said. "I am largely responsible for that. Recall that I have never actually been bonded before either. This is, in many ways, as new to me as it is to you. And as you know, I tend to be overcautious when confronted with unfamiliarity."
Trip nodded. "That's fine and I understand that. That's why I haven't really made a fuss until now. But after what happened…the thing we're not going to discuss until later…it just kinda puts things into perspective. And not only that, I get a real sense of how that changes things now. Or, at least, that it should change things."
"Yes." She admitted. "And I am…unprepared for that."
Trip nodded easily.
"Okay." He said, "I'm not making any demands here, T'Pol. Or…maybe I am, actually. I think I am going to have to insist we're clear on what we're going to have here. I was under the impression that by the time the bond formed, we'd have at least have an intimate relationship. That's how the bond happens. But then, having reached that point…a romantic relationship."
"You mean, a sexual relationship."
"Not necessarily." Trip corrected, quickly. "Yes, that, sure. Of course. But I read those letters too, T'Pol. The ones all the other versions of us wrote to one another. Most of that wasn't really even sexual. It was intimate and romantic, and that's what we're missing here. I thought that's what we were hoping for with us."
T'Pol was quiet for a moment. But only long enough to steel herself, to stand her ground.
"Trip, understand this." She said, firmly. "I am not Human and I am not well equipped to pursue a relationship with you in a Human manner. Quickly developing a romantic and passionate relationship, only moving forward then to build intimacy and then from there attempting to establish a deep and abiding spiritual relationship on that inadequate foundation. I am not well equipped for that and I simply do not want it. I refuse to have it.
"Such relationships are weak and typically dysfunctional. They rarely last and offer little of value. I will not have that with you. Let us build intimacy first, develop our bond upon that foundation and work toward romance and passion once our bond developed enough to benefit from it. That is how a bond becomes permanent and reliable. That is what I intend to have with you.
"Sexual behavior is required for procreation, but it also serves a purpose within the mating bond as well. It is exists to support the bond. It presents a consistent need that we are able to fulfill in one another that encourages intimacy and mutual acceptance in the process of fulfilling it. It is not something upon which to build a relationship, however. To use it in that manner is destructive to the deep, abiding relationship that we should have."
"Okay," He said, immediately. "This may surprise you, but I get that. I understand the concept, T'Pol. And whatever you think, Humans have a long history of arranged marriages just like you people. Maybe we do things backwards these days but that's just cultural. It's not an inherently Human thing, so I'm not only perfectly capable of what you're describing, but that tends to work best for us, too. I'm fine with that.
"But…I'm not Vulcan either. I don't have time to waste here. I can't spend a decade or two letting things just gradually fall into place…"
"Trip, I understand. I admit that I have…pulled back recently but only because I was concerned for you. I wanted you to have time to adjust to the bond."
"Then what should we be doing now?" Trip pressed. "Because, T'Pol…I may not remember everything we did at Du'kar's place, but I remember one thing pretty clearly. I remember…I really missed all those mating rituals we used to do. The ones that helped make this bond happen in the first place. I missed just being with you and talking to you. I missed touching you. We haven't done anything like that in a while now…"
He huffed a little suddenly in frustration.
"T'Pol, I don't think I'm asking too much of you here." He said. "And you want to know what image keeps running through my head while I'm sitting here talking to you about all this? I mean, if you're worried that all I want to do now is get you in the sack, then I think you should know this. Do you want to know?"
T'Pol didn't say anything right away, so he was almost concerned.
She was looking at him, though…in a way she usually didn't. Hadn't for a while now, in fact. Her eyes soft and…almost seeming to need for him to say whatever he was about to say. Even if she couldn't possibly know what that was.
"Tell me." She said, softly.
So Trip steeled himself now, because he felt as if he were taking a big chance here…
"T'Pol…everything I can't really put into words all that well here…I've just got this picture in my head that I think must sum it up. It keeps running through my mind, anyway."
He took a deep breath.
"I keep picturing…just holding you. Just…standing there with my arms around you, holding you tight. And you've got your hands on my chest and your head just…resting right at my neck…and I'm just holding you tight. That's it. Just…that. And maybe that sounds stupid but that's what I want here. I don't think I've ever just held you like that, have I? Not as long as we've known each other. But that's what I want. So bad it…kinda hurts."
T'Pol just nodded. As if she had known after all.
"I also have something similar that I desire." She said, quietly.
And that surprised him.
"What?" He asked.
"I do not remember what happened at Du'kar's." She said, "At least, I don't remember as much as you, but having touched that in your mind I remember one thing now. I remember…laying with you, on the bed. After…we finished. I was very relaxed. Content and safe with you. All of my defenses were put aside, all my disciplines relaxed. I was…disheveled, in fact, and not merely in the physical sense.
"And Trip, I think you do not understand what that means. You know that Vulcans are, on average, significantly more intelligent than Humans. We naturally possess a greater mental acuity and overall capability. But most of this is dedicated to maintaining discipline. Defenses, self-control, patterns of thought and management of emotional suppression. These things are not easily put aside. Nor are they normally safely put aside.
"But I was able to do that with you. And that is what I desire from you."
She tossed an eyebrow though, before he could respond to that.
"I find it curious, actually." She said. "I seem to require a sense of security from you. A place where I can be vulnerable. You, meanwhile, seem to desire to provide that. That is quite convenient."
Trip chuckled a little. "I guess it is, isn't it? So what are we going to do about all this?"
"I have considered that and have already made several decisions in that regard. But now I find I'm curious what you have to say."
"You sure?" Trip asked. "Because I've thought about it, too. If you ask me, I'm going to tell you. In fact, I'm going to tell you what we're going to do here. So be sure before you ask."
"I am confident I can adjust to your requirement. Proceed."
"Okay. Once we've taken care of business here and we get back to the ship…we're sharing quarters. That's just for starters."
T'Pol blinked a bit at that. Because, no, she hadn't expected that at all. Nor was she quite prepared.
"Why?"
"Because we're bonded." Trip said. "Married, in a way. In fact, more than married if you get right down to it. So I find not sharing quarters with my wife completely unacceptable. Once we get back to the ship, someone's moving in with somebody."
"Because you require sexual relations regularly."
"Okay, look…no, T'Pol." Trip frowned. "I mean…well, yes. But that's not what this is all about…"
"Trip, let's settle that point first. Do you require a sexual relationship now or is that something you prefer to put off until our relationship overall had progressed further?"
"I'm willing to wait for that, T'Pol."
"That does not answer the question adequately, Trip."
"I can live without it." He said, firmly.
T'Pol paused…
"I see." She said, disappointed.
"Wait…you're disappointed?"
"Of course."
"What? Why? I though you just said you didn't want a relationship built on that."
"I do not. Of course I don't. Nor will I accept such a relationship."
"Then what are you disappointed about?"
"I assumed you require it, because you are male and Human. I would prefer that."
"Why?"
T'Pol just stared at him for a moment. Obviously trying to determine if she'd overestimated his intelligence up to now.
"Trip, it is intimate behavior. We are bonded. Naturally I would prefer to share that with you."
He almost smacked the table over all the frustration he was suddenly feeling.
"Okay, so why aren't we doing that then?" He asked. "What the heck did I miss here? I must have missed something."
"Trip, I was concerned that our bond would progress too quickly for you to adjust comfortably to it. For that reason I avoided various forms of intimate behavior, in order to slow the progression of the bond. Clearly I have underestimated your ability to adapt, as our behavior at the Du'kar compound has already accelerated the bond to the point where even sexual behavior is now productive."
Trip squinted a bit at that…then took a wild stab in the dark, hoping to pin things down before they got away from him.
"So…it's logical for us to be intimate now." He guessed. "We're not just talking about sex here, right? Intimacy."
"Yes. That has obviously become logical, with all levels of intimate behavior..."
"Okay, any chance we can stop talking now? Because I really like where we are and I don't want that to change."
"That will not change." T'Pol said. "In fact, I think that you are very insightful here. I admit that I had forgotten to avail myself of your intuitive grasp of emotional issues. Sharing quarters at this point in our bond would be very productive. It would require significant adjustment, of course, but that very process will strength our bond."
She looked to him then, to gauge his reaction to that.
And found the look on his face…and even the strange feeling coming across their bond…inscrutable.
A shadow suddenly fell across the table.
A young, very attractive shadow wearing a bright smile and not a whole lot else. Bronze skin, raven hair and bracelets made of tiny red flowers…
"Hello, I am A'She. Is there anything I can…?"
"Yeah, go away." Trip said, absently.
She went away. And Trip just kept looking at her, that strange feeling coming across their bond...
"What?" She asked, curiously.
Trip eyed her narrowly.
"You know…I just realized something." He said. "I love you, T'Pol, but you don't know any more about this stuff than I do. I've just been sitting back, letting you take the lead this whole time, because I don't know the first thing about how to have a Vulcan bond with somebody. But you don't either, do you?"
"I have never been bonded to a mate, so of course my experience is limited entirely to family relations…"
"Right, exactly. Maybe it's time I started taking the reins a little here. I hate to remind you again, but I actually do have some experience with this stuff."
"Yes, I'm well aware of that." She said, disapprovingly.
Because, no, she didn't appreciate being reminded of it and he knew that quite well already.
"Well, it turns out that's actually helpful here. I think it's time I stepped up a bit. Should have already."
"In what way?"
"Like sharing quarters." He said. "And kissing you whenever the hell I feel like it. Even in public. That's what the Vulcan kiss is for, isn't it? We're going to start talking about some things we should have already talked about. It's time I started learning just who the heck I'm married to and started showing you who I am. And we're going to start taking this bond seriously, too. Forget just letting it happen. You're going to tell me everything I need to know about it so we can get to work on it. We are going to start acting like we're married, damn it."
T'Pol found herself…entirely thrown for a loop all of a sudden.
But, of course…
"I…would find all of that agreeable…"
"Good. So saddle up, because that's what were doing."
"Very we-…what does 'saddle up' mean?"
"You'll figure it out."