Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you so much to vulcangiggles and Black-Moon-Onaa-Inu for reviewing.

Faith was sitting at her desk typing when Ammie entered the office, "Grand opening tomorrow at sun down. The festivities Actually start at noon, with hayrides for the special needs kids, and a fall picnic. The rides will be going, the witches caldron's cups, and the corn maze is ready. There will be a pumpkin pie eating contest, at 3, bobbing for apples, and of course the corn maze contest to see who gets through it quickest. Faith, I think we managed to put it together with a full day to spare."

Faith looked up, "We did indeed. Our hayride conductor will be here tomorrow morning, he got held up so he won't be at the staff dinner tonight. The gift shop is fully stocked, and I handled the fake blood crisis the make-up artist was having. We should have plenty now for the season. And are you ready for the best thing yet?"

"Hit me!"

"We have enough tour buses booked that if we don't get a single walk in, which you know isn't going to happen, that we will still make it to Vulcan!"

Ammie grabbed Faith's shoulders, "Shut up!"

"Seriously."

Faith grinned, "All we have left to do is go over to the medic station and make sure your Dr. Bob is set, check on our artistic director, and boom we are all done. We will all get to go out to dinner tonight and relax before we open."

"He's not my Dr. Bob, you know..."

"May I say, your v-neck red sweater does look lovely with your hair. And do I see a red apple pin in your hair? That's a lot more effort than I would have expected from you, Ammie."

She blushed and punched Faith's shoulder, then led her out of the boarding house towards the medical bay. It was a small cabin, like a ranger station, and it smelled of antiseptic on the inside.

"That autumn air just gets your blood moving, doesn't it, Ammie? Makes you want to just...kiss someone out of the blue."

"Yeah, like that protester. How cute, she even brought a sign!"

Faith raised an eyebrow at the rugged posterboard on a wooden stake, hoisted up by a pale, scrawny girl of no more than sixteen.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" Ammie yelled. The girl's cheeks turned a splotchy, bright red color.

"Halloween is evil! And what you're doing is evil!"

"Well, don't trespass on this property or we will have you arrested," Faith warned. Ammie giggled.

"Lighten up! It's the feast day of St. Jerome, patron saint of librarians! You should be celebrating!"

Faith pointed at Ammie, "And don't forget All Saints Day too." She slugged her in the shoulder, "Oh, look, your Doctor Bob is standing on the porch of the medic station, almost like he was waiting for you."

"I'm gonna cut ya, Faith...gonna cut ya deep," she replied in a fake menacing way.

"Mebbe, I should cut you so you can get all inspected by Dr. Bob." Faith grinned and took off on a run toward the medic station, forcing Ammie to run to follow her.

"Good morning, Dr. Bob. How is everything in the land of the sterile and stitches?"

"I would like to have another box of gauze, just in case things get...messy." His eyes fell on Ammie at that moment, and she blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Also, if you would be so kind as to order another unit of painkillers, I would be very grateful."

"Will do, doctor! Anything else?"

His eyes drifted towards the girl at the gate. "Why is she standing out there?"

"She thinks Halloween is sacrilege, tantamount to adultery and thievery," Ammie said quietly with a sigh. "Religious nutjobs. What can you do?"

Strom started to ask if "she wished her removed" but stiffled himself, thinking that would sound too Vulcan. "Uh, do you want me to get rid of her?"

"Nah, we'll give her some warm cider when it gets a bit colder. She's got the right to do it, it just doesn't make sense."

Faith tapped in his order onto her PADD. "Ok, gauze and pain killers ordered."

"Where are you ladies off to next?"

"We are going to the props and acting department to check on Greg. Are you two joining us tonight for our pre-season dinner? Faith and I are making pumpkin soup, vegan sourdough bread with olive oil and garlic spread, and I think Faith made an apple and a pumpkin pie."

"That sounds good," Strom said. "Do you cook often?"

"Only when I have guests," Faith replied, and Ammie giggled.

"I've been baking bread since I could follow a recipe. I love to cook, when I have the time. Do you cook, doctor?"

Strom nodded. "I like to cook, and I'm pleased you're making a vegan meal."

"Well, it did say in your profile that you don't eat meat, and that's just fine with us. We don't either," Ammie said.

"We don't mind if other people eat meat, and we're not going to judge, but I physically can't stomach meat," Faith said quietly, and Strom raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you at dinner. Please let me know when those orders come in, ok?"

"Will do Doc!" Faith said and waved as she and Ammie started walking toward their next place, "He is a nice guy, Ammie. If he were a Vulcan, I'd say go for it."

Ammie blushed, "You know that's not who I am...I don't go for it."

"I know, but I think he is fond of you." Faith said with a shrug, "You ready to see Mr. Surprising Eyes?"

"Sure enough. The actors have been saying this guy is a total perfectionist."

"Well then, let's hope we get some scary ish out of them."

Faith grinned at Ammie, who she could tell was still thinking of the doctor. Ammie was about to ask Faith what on Earth she was grinning about (even though she already knew) when they were nearly knocked over by a herd of people, half of which were in costume, walking down the path. The pair stepped to the side, waiting for the hoard of actors to pass.

"What is it?" Ammie growled at Faith.

"Nothing," she replied with a wry smile. "Let's see how our director is doing, shall we?"

The two walked into the barn, where the director was bent over a table, looking as if he were planning the invasion of Normandy.

"So how are things going?" Ammie inquired politely, stepping up to the table.

"We are ready for the opening," he said, straightening to his full height. "I assure you, the actors are prepared and will perform their tasks to your satisfaction."

"Rawr!" Faith said making scratches in the air, "Go get'm tiger. We stopped by to see if you require anything further for your work, or if you have all the supplies you need."

"We are fine in my department, and running under budget." Solok said with a note of pride obvious in his voice, though his eyes shot to Faith wondering what was mean by calling him a large feline. He decided he would find out later, some how, perhaps Strom would know.

Ammie grinned, "Under budget is something we like to hear. Are you coming to dinner tonight? We hand made everything."

"Wonderful," Solok purred. "May I ask what's on the menu?"

"Pumpkin soup, vegan sourdough bread and pie."

"Truly exquisite. I'll come."

Faith giggled. "You sound great when you get fancy with your words." He puffed up at this and smiled again, and Ammie started giggling with Faith.

"Well, then, dinner is at six. Don't be late! And don't feed the gremlins!"

Strom entered Solok's room. messing with his jeans around the groin, "Human males have a truly have uncomfortable clothing. I find it...binding."

Solok turned, "I know. I prefer our clothes, but we need to fit in. I believe I am nailing acting as if I'm human."

Strom nodded, "I am as well." he blinked, "What do you think of our human bosses...do you think they might be involved in the trafficking?"

"Unlikely," Solok replied. "They seem more concerned with raising funds and making sure the camp is a success. I doubt they are involved. However, if need be, we could...cheat."

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "You propose we touch them?"

"Indeed. We can feel whether or not they are lying."

"But that would undermine our cover."

"Perhaps that would not be such a bad thing, in the long run. After all, they find Vulcans attractive. Ammie is already warming up to you, and I believe Faith has looked my way several times when she thinks I'm not looking. However, you are correct. This mission is of utmost importance. We do not want our homeworld to be so...rife with unsavory things. Did you examine the evidence of the last raid? I read there were even Orion aphrodisiacs contained therein."

"Are you suggesting that we...flirt with these women?" Strom asked staring down Solok.

Solok backtracked a bit, "Perhaps we should make our choice after we touch them."

"But touching them, is..."

"Cheating to our mission, but I think we might be able to accomplish it without them knowing we are searching for dishonesty."

"You are insinuating we kiss them," Strom said bluntly, knowing that he wanted to kiss Ammie, but feared doing so under a pretense...would it compromise her thoughts on him? He turned away from Solok and frowned the discord in his mind meant his katra was stirred already.

Solok nodded simply. "Do not be forceful, or the entire operation will backfire."

Strom swallowed thickly and turned away, pulling on a button-up flannel over his undershirt. "And if they do not wish to kiss us?"

"We will regroup and discuss other options."

"And how soon do you want to know this information?"

"As soon as possible. However, if we do not hurry, we will be late for dinner. I suggest we make haste."

"Human men do not place nearly as much value on promptness than our people. Being a few minutes late is perfectly acceptable."

"Mm, taste this soup." Faith said holding the spoon up to Ammie, who took it.

"Wow, we out did ourselves. This is going to be awesome." Ammie grinned, placing the last of the silverware on the table. She glanced at the clock, "It's almost time. I made tea, and coffee. I hope they don't want soda."

Faith put the bread on the table and then ladled out a generous portion of the soup at each placement, "I feel terrible that our hay ride coordinator isn't going to be here. He's going to miss a good meal."

The oven dinged and Ammie smiled, "I'll get it I hear the guys coming."

Strom paused in the hallway, reeling slightly from the smell of the apple pie that Ammie pulled from the oven. Something about the smell of it was making his head spin, and he glanced at Solok, who was breathing in the smell with an eagerness that concerned the doctor. How could they maintain their cover with that smell permeating the kitchen?

Solok forced a smile on his face and entered first, complimenting Faith on her cooking (she was cutting up the vegan sourdough). The woman smiled at him, her pupils blooming, and Strom raised an eyebrow. It seemed she was more agreeable to Solok than he first anticipated.

Ammie, on the other hand, turned and saw him, smiling at him, and he swallowed nervously before stepping into the kitchen and approaching her. "Thank you for making dinner," he said after a short pause. "It looks wonderful. And smells quite delightful." He closed his eyes when she turned away to set her oven mitts down. He sounded too Vulcan. He had to sound human.

Faith took a seat and waited for Ammie to bring the two pies in and sit them on the table. "Thanks Ammie. Ok guys, it's time to dig in!"

"Are we not going to wait for the others?" Solok asked smelling the food.

"What others? The gentleman who runs the hay rides and all that won't be arriving until mid morning tomorrow. His travel plans got messed up, I guess." Faith stood again, "Oh I forgot...tea or coffee?"

"Tea," Solok replied.

"Ammie, would you mind getting the doctor what he wants while I get the tea?"

"Sure Faith."

When the girls were back in the kitchen Solok stared at Strom, "The scents...they are serving beverages..." he was salivating slightly as he spoke.

"Remember your disciplines," the doctor murmured, trying not to breathe deeply. "Remember this mission."

But it seemed his words were falling on deaf ears, because the minute Faith returned with tea, Solok locked his gaze on her and did not stop staring until she set the tea in front of him.

"Thank you," he murmured, raising his glass in toast to her, his dark eyes fixed on her as he took a drink. He noted Faith's eyes were blooming again, and Solok's nostrils were flaring, seemingly taking in her scent. It was a dangerous game they were playing now, but his own attention was drawn away when Ammie set a glass of tea in front of him. He caught a whiff of her scent as she moved away, and it mixed with the smell of the pie. He swallowed down a purr and the urge to pull her into his lap. She would not appreciate that, he told himself. However, he could not stop himself from glancing over at Ammie's neck. He could see the vein on the side of her neck pulsing with blood...

"Alright, gentlemen, now you can dig in."

Strom started to eat in silence, but then he realized that was a Vulcan way to eat. "So, Ammie, tell us about yourself. What do you besides work?"

Solok eyed him for a moment and then piped up,"Yes, Ammie, and Faith, tell us what you like to do?"

"If we tell you do we get to ask in return?" Ammie said with a grin.

Strom swallowed, it was a stupid game he just started, but Solok answered for them both, "Of course."

"Ammie, you go first," Faith said, taking another bite of soup.

"What do I like to do?" she wondered aloud. "Well...I like to draw. I'm trying to learn Vulcan, but Faith is better at that than me...and I like to read. I try to broaden my horizons and read books from other cultures. I have Prixes' Law and some of the writings of Surak on my shelf at home. And what about you, doctor? What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"Research," he replied simply. It wasn't a complete lie. "And I too like to read."

"Don't be modest, Ammie, we are learning together, and she is every bit as good as me, better in some respects. She is also an artist, she does some amazing work. That wall hanging in her room is her design." Faith said smiling at her friend. "I'm pretty much like her too, and I make jewelry too." Faith said, "I don't wear it as you can see, but I do make it...So, what about you, Greg? What do you do?"

Solok started to falter he couldn't think of anything so he put a big hunk of bread in his mouth and held up a finger to say a moment so he can think. Strom covered for him, "Do you have plans to go to Vulcan?" and then it hit him, "Do you have...Vulcan bondmates?" he asked suddenly concerned that they may already be bonded and their plans to kiss them might not be wise.

Faith laughed. "Don't we wish!"

But Ammie blushed and vehemently shook her head, confused about this entire ordeal. They would have to spend a month with these men, and already she could feel the stirrings of attraction to the doctor. Faith was right; she really did like this human doctor, which made her feel as if she were giving up her dreams. But he was so smart he could probably make it easily on Vulcan...

"And yes, once we're done here with this season, we're off to Vulcan." Ammie noted Faith didn't sound as enthusiastic about it as she had this morning, but they continued on with their conversation. The doctor, it turned out, was from Pennsylvania, and also spoke fluent Vulcan. Greg also spoke it, and they all tried speaking together in Vulcan. Bob's voice resonated in her ears as he recited a litany about an ancient battle, and Ammie closed her eyes, listening to his dulcet tones, the soft, warm cadence of his voice...

"Falling asleep already, Ammie?" Faith teased.

"I'm listening to Bob," she groused. "Go on, doctor, and please excuse Faith for her interruption."

When Bob fell silent, Faith grinned, "His accent is exactly as I said it was. You sound like you come straight out of Raal." Ammie shook her head and sighed, "Yes you do. Our teacher, Sirak, taught us in a Shi'Kahr accent. but he also taught us how to pick out other accents."

Ammie looked at Solok, "Just like you sound like come from Gol."

"You have a good ear," Solok said blandly.

"So who taught you guys? Any teachers we might know?"

Strom blinked, "School."

"That doesn't tell them anything," Solok said as Faith began cutting up the pie. "What Bob means to say is that we learned in college."

"Who was your teacher?"

"You wouldn't know him. Osu Barel?"

"Never heard of him. And you, doctor?"

"Osu Venetak."

"Haven't heard of him either. Would you like apple pie or pumpkin?"

"Apple pie, thank you," Solok said, and Strom opted for pumpkin. The scent of it hit his nose as he raised the fork to his mouth, and he watched Ammie's lips wrap around her fork.

"Mm," Faith moaned. "We did good, didn't we, Ammie?"

Ammie moaned and let her eyes close, "Oh yes...best part of the dinner. That Thai cinnamon you used for the pumpkin and apple really changed it, Faith."

"Thai is the fresh stuff, it's more expensive but worth it."

Solok held the pie to his mouth. Cinnamon...he knew he might behave in a more lascivious way if he ingested this. His eyes caught Strom and saw that he was eating it as if he ate it every day. Solok put it in his mouth and he nearly caught himself starting to purr, and the more he chewed the more he thought kissing Faith was a good idea.

"It is beyond delicious." Strom said, after swallowing down another bite, "Do I get to kiss the cook?" He asked leaning toward Ammie.

"After we do the dishes, sure," she said with a giggle, thinking he was teasing. He licked his lips and ate the last bit of pie, then reached out for her plate. She handed it to him and took another sip of tea, and she made to get up and help him. But Greg insisted that they stay where they were while he and Bob did the dishes, and once they were out of the room, she glanced at Faith with wide eyes.

"Do you think he means it?"

Faith wiggled her eyebrows. "Hey, he's cute. Give the man a chance, hm?"

Ammie grinned but then her shoulders fell, "But...if I do this...aren't I giving up on the dream?"

Faith grinned, "Love...it's a crazy thing. Perhaps, a man who speaks vulcan and tolerates your vulcan obsession is as good as the green blood."

Ammie put her head on Faith's shoulder, "Yeah, maybe, but never to know that bond..."

Solok turned on the water to rinse the dishes, "It appears you will be successful in your kiss."

Strom was still looking toward the door. "It is agreeable that I will. What of you?"

"Faith is mine, she just does not know it yet. I drank all of the tea when she served me, and drank it before her. She refilled it...I drank it again. I have claimed her. There are no other Vulcans around, save you, but you have your own prize to catch; I am safe to take my time in showing her how mine she is."