Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would

CHAPTER FOUR

Earth date, July 2268 - USS Enterprise, The Bridge

16.00pm

"I am here to relieve you Commander."

Uhura rose from her seat and handed over to her second in command.

"Not much to report Lieutenant, it has been a quiet day, pretty boring actually. Maybe things will be more entertaining for Beta shift."

"Sir, as long our encounters are peaceful, I do not desire to be entertained." T'Shira replied.

Uhura had been around Vulcans long enough, well one in particular to know that she was not being rude just precise and to the point. She liked T'Shira. The Lieutenant had settled in well since her arrival two months ago. Some of the crew expected her to be a female version of Spock but she had her own personality. Sure she was raised in the same culture but just as all humans were not the same, neither were all Vulcans. She was not a stranger to working with nonVulcans despite being on the colony for ten years. She as more at ease with other cultures, which was a requirement for a good communications officer.

'She could probably do my job with her eyes closed,' Uhura mused. She wondered why she was not Chief Communications officer on a Vulcan ship.

Well the colony's loss was now the Enterprise's gain. She was much better than *Hawkins, he still had problems distinguishing some Vulcan words from Romulan, even after he transferred off the ship. Although Uhura would miss Lt Cheorax, his replacement who had died from her injuries when the ship suffered a Klingon attack. Such was the nature of their jobs in Starfleet, they all knew the risks.

20.00pm

'Guhfik'- uninteresting and tiresome

'Boring – English/Standard

T'Shira mentally recited all the Federation languages and dialects that used the word 'boring.' Vuhlkansu was no exception. She was up to version 1,353 where on the planet Vampere- the word for boring was the same as the word for sleep, it just depended on the context. For a race of beings that slept during the day during their winter season, she found them a fascinating species. There were two Vampyrs on board the ship, Ensign Drak and one of the crewmen who served in the galley. Some of the Terran crew seemed uncomfortable around them, something about their mythology and beings who liked to bite and feast on the blood of others.

As a Vulcan she saw nothing to fear from that encounter, as long was it was consensual. After all biting between bondmates was expected and if a little blood was involved even better. Well since nothing eventful was taking place on the bridge now might be a good time to speak to Lieutenant Saylen.

Having sent a message to his comm she informed Commander Kyle that she would be taking a 5 minute break. Not that she needed it and since Vulcans never took breaks, apart from looking slightly surprised he asked no questions.

"You requested my presence." Saylen spoke as they entered the nearby turbolift.

T'Shira wet her lips before she spoke, it would be her first time doing this but how hard could it be. Make a request and then deal with the answer be it negative or positive.

"There is a Caitian cultural event in the recreation room tomorrow at 13.00pm. I would be honoured if you would accompany me."

"I cannot accompany you," Saylen replied.

"Understood," was her response. Perhaps he had other duties to perform hence his use of the word "cannot." It was logical to put duty before recreational pursuits.

"Perhaps another time will be more amenable," She asked trying not to sound hopeful.

"That will not be possible," Saylen responded. He decided to end this since her pursuit of him was not logical for either of them.

"It would not be logical to pursue me since you do not suit my requirements."

"Explain." T'Shira demanded. She was an unbonded female, they had similar careers, her clan status was not questionable, if such things mattered to him, she had no communicable sexual diseases, her body odour was not unpleasant and neither were her physical features.

"You are not male, Lieutenant," Saylen answered.

T'Shira nodded her head in understanding, yes it would definitely not be logical. She had nothing that he wanted.

"However," Saylan continued. "I would appreciate your company as a fellow V'Tosh. My two ko-kai perished in the Va Pak. I am Maat-fam."

"That would be agreeable Saylen."

T'Shira understood where he was coming from. Losing a psychic connection to one's clan was devastating for millions of Vulcans after the Va Pak. At the time many could not handle it and ended their lives, perhaps it took the mentally strong to survive and recreate a new Vulcan for their people.

As they returned to the bridge, T'Shira reasoned she did not gain a potential bondmate but she had made a friend. She started to recall the unbonded males in her clan who would suit Saylen's requirement. Perhaps it was time to contact T'Nara after her shift.

Author's Notes –

*Uhura replaced Hawkins in the movie when he could not tell the difference between Vulcan and Romulan.

Guhfik (Vulcan) - Boring/boredom

Vamperes – The writer's creation

Maat-fam (Vulcan) – without a clan

Spoken Vulcan in italics

Ok so T'Shira has to keep looking, time to bring her into McCoy's social circle I'm open to ideas. I'm thinking of having her as part of the poker circle and having her and Bones lock heads