Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you to Fameanon for helping me write this.

Sopek pulled out the chair for Shija after they obtained their trays. He waited for her to sit before seating himself, and he set out food for the doctor as well. Sopek fiddled with some ramen on his plate and then looked to his dining companion.

"Has work been productive today?" Seeing as he didn't know how to engage in 'small talk', it was the only thing he could think to ask that wasn't personal, though something inside him wanted to ask impertinent personal questions.

She looked over both shoulders and leaned in. "Yes, it has. One of other doctors – Dr. Hester Cardwell, the head of the psychiatric ward – and Dr. Strom are working together to aid human Starfleet officers who are afflicted with PTSD. It is…intense, and Dr. Strom did this…" She put her fingers on her face in a peculiar manner and pressed in, causing her face to distort. "And I think he said something about 'my mind to your mind'." She dropped her hands from her face and held her hand out. "But even more than that, I saw him touch the guy's palm, very soft like this." She used her other hand to mimic what she had seen. "My own father never touched my hand like that, but…it calmed the man down, and suddenly he was able to speak, and even got sleep despite his chart saying he doesn't get much rest due to nightmares."

Neither person noticed an assistant, who was sitting a table away, slowly get up and walk out of the cafeteria.

Sopek's eyebrows rose to his hairline as he realized what had occurred. "There was a time in our history when that practice was seen as abhorrent, but now we understand that it is the heritage of all Vulcans." He frowned suddenly, tilting his head. "Your father did not tell you of mind melds?"

Shija shrugged. "I mean, I think I heard of it in passing, but I've never participated in one, or seen one performed until today." She fiddled with her utensils, illogical shame washing over her. "My father was...he wasn't cruel by any measure, please understand, but he was not prone to affectionate displays."

Sopek saw an opening for more personal questions, and since it seemed Strom would be tardy, he took this opportunity. "You never mentioned where your ancestor was from."

She smiled ever so slightly. "He was from Ra'al."

Now he was doubly intrigued. Many great families came from Ra'al, some of the greatest. "But you have not been to Vulcan?"

"No, well, at least not in my memory. My mother speaks of a time when she had to go to Father's home to meet his father and mother. My mother says my grandparents held me, but grandfather said I was not Vulcan enough, that I was too human."

Sopek frowned. "Given that your grandfather married a human woman, and your father did as well, what did they expect you would be? A sehlat?" He pointed at her. "That too is racist, but more than that, it is unfair, as you were a babe and your potential had yet to be unlocked. You are a credit to both of your races, Shija. Never let it be said otherwise."

He wondered now if that wasn't why she choose a life of solitude as a nun, because she did not feel that she fit in either world well enough to be mated and raise children. "It has been my observation over my life that blended humans and Vulcans create a better version of each."

Shija didn't know what to say. Her father always indicated that she would likely not be welcome in polite Vulcan society as she wouldn't be logical enough. Taking her tea in her suddenly cold hands, she held onto it for a bit and sighed. "Thank you," she said softly, feeling tears well in her eyes. "It shouldn't hurt, but it does. But that made me….made me feel good."

Her father did not do a good job teaching her. How is a baby supposed to learn the ways if they are not taught? Thankfully, the person she had become was very admirable. "No thanks is required, for truth is it's own thanks." He took a bite and chewed it mindfully, trying to connect whose family she might belong to, yet not wanting to make indelicate inquiries that may bring up unpleasant feelings. He would be patient and wait. "Do you see your family often?"

"No, not really. Thanksgiving is coming soon, so I usually take a couple days and go home for that. My mother makes all the best foods."

"Have you told them that you are now working for a Vulcan man?" Sopek asked, hoping he didn't have to be jealous of Strom.

"I haven't. Father has been back on Vulcan for a couple months. I am going to spring it on them when I go for Thanksgiving."

"I see. And…has your father arranged your marriage yet?" He no sooner got it out of his mouth than a spray of tea covered him. She had choked and spewed her drink all over him and the table.

"Are you alright?" he said with concern, and not a hint of embarrassment.

Shija devolved into a coughing fit, having accidentally inhaled some tea. "O-o-oh, um..." She tried to clear her throat and resorted to gulping down the rest of her beverage to cover for her rapidly reddening face. "My apologies, your question caught me off-guard."

Sopek frowned. "I meant no offense in the asking, but I apologize if I have caused you discomfort."

"No, it's fine, no need to apologize!" She took a deep breath in and cleared her throat. "Um...I don't think my dad has made any arrangements. He doesn't know yet that I left the convent, so..."

Sopek pulled a clean hanky from his pocket and handed it to her to aid in wiping her mouth from the tea and phlem she was choking on. He was grateful that her marriage had not yet been arranged, and looking into her smart, innocent eyes, his katra stirred. It was hard for him to imagine, but he found himself desiring to be arranged and bonded with her. She was admirable in all ways, even when spraying tea on him.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Strom said, coming to their table from behind Sopek.

He stood. "Not at all, Osu. Come and join us. I have procured a plate for you. The vegetable ramen will remind you of many dishes from home, I believe." He waited for Stom to sit and then took his seat once more.

"We were just speaking about…" Sopek began but Shija cut him off.

"–About the major improvements you made with the psych ward patients."

Sopek nodded. "And the fact her family comes from Ra'al."

Strom cocked his head as he used his chopsticks to grab noodles. "That is where I am from. Which family?"

"Um, V'Las?"

Sopek felt suddenly queasy; V'Las was not his ally, at least not in the world they came from. And suddenly hopes for an arrangement started to drain away.

"Did I hear you say that your father does not know you have left the convent?" Strom continued the conversation, oblivious to the fact that Sopek was suddenly very discouraged.

"No, he was against it at first, but then thought what I was doing was logical. He will not be pleased with…my failure." She knew it sounded harsh, but she was being honest. "Hey, why am I getting all the questions? What about the two of you?"

Strom shrugged. "Ask whatever you like."

Sopek tilted his head. "I did not consider that I was of much interest, but please, ask your questions."

"Strom told me you are a pilot," she replied smoothly. "But now you're in training to be a first responder. Everyone talks about how unusual it is for a nun to break her vows and become a nurse, but I don't think that's half as interesting as a pilot deciding to turn to medicine. What brought about this change?"

Sopek blinked and watched her shovel a mouthful of food into her mouth, and he raised an eyebrow.

"It is an honor to serve. You know our ways, I think, enough to know our need to be of service. There is service in being a pilot, but so much more in helping others in this way." He turned to Strom. "It is an admirable thing to heal others, or to help towards that goal. I am pleased you have made such progress with your patients."

The doctor bowed his head. "I was simply doing what my chosen brother might have done. The credit belongs to him, especially considering he was brave enough to be true to Surak's teachings before the Kir'Shara was revealed."

Shija smiled. "I heard you telling our patient about Yuris. Where is he now?"

The question caught Strom off-guard. He looked for his chosen brother within days of arriving on this plane of existence, and Yuris was nowhere to be found. Not even his family was here, and he felt a hollowness within himself that he had struggled to meditate away.

"I do not know," he confessed softly. "He is…missing." He didn't know exactly what that really meant. All he knew was that his brother was absent from his life right now, and this world did not know him.

Shija frowned. "I'm so sorry." She searched for what her father would say in this circumstance. "My heart grieves with you," she finally came up with.

Strom bowed his head in acknowledgment of the sentiment. "He was the best of us, so I will honor him by applying what he has taught me to my work."

"That also reminds me," Sopek added, his tone turning grave. "I wonder what happened to our mutual friend…Letant."

Strom was glad of the change of subject. "That is a curious question to match a curious man."

"Letant?" the nurse interjected. "That's an odd name."

"He was an odd man," Sopek affirmed. "One with a fondness for red-headed ladies."

Shija blushed. "Well, that…is embarrassing." She stood up suddenly. "I need to do a few things before lunch is over. I will see you both later. See you, bossman." She nodded to Strom, and then gave a quick twisted grin to Sopek before trotting off back to work.

Sopek stayed in his seat. "It seems we are making something of a life for ourselves, but there are still pieces missing."

His companion bowed his head, taking another bite before replying. "Indeed. I find my work satisfying, as I have always, but as time goes on I find that there are things that logically need to be improved upon." He sighed heavily. "I need a wife."

He said it in a matter-of-fact way, realizing that all the intimate friendships he had were important, but he never made time for the most intimate relationship a Vulcan could know.

"I too am drawn in this way, and may – if she is agreeable – attempt to obtain Shija as a bondmate."

Strom turned and faced his friend. "I find that to be an agreeable match. Your mental discipline would aid her greatly. I believe she would be better able to explore both sides of her identity with such support."

"She is an admirable choice and of good character. I am not agreeable to V'Las, and he was not agreeable to me." He looked at Strom almost pleading with blank eyes to encourage him.

"V'Las was not agreeable to me either. Though, from the descriptions I have heard, he has little interest in Shija or her outcome."

"That is a fair point." He said, and contemplated his next move.