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

Shija had spent the rest of her mandated time off trying her best to meditate, and she did not get very far. Her thoughts returned again and again to the shame of assaulting the bishop, the dread of facing her father, Sopek's warm eyes following her around her office...

She loved her sisters at the convent and had found some peace in working with the Order, but the day to day minutia of working alongside Strom, of seeing Sopek nearly every day and hearing of his accomplishments...she illogically did not wish to give that life up. She was touched by the forgiveness the bishop had offered her, but she worried that if she returned to the convent, her time there would be forever tainted by her false memories, and there was also her Time to think about...

An answer came to her in that moment, the one option she had not considered. It would displease her father, but she had a right to it. She just had to convince the right people that it was the best option.

...

She milled about the park, pacing back and forth in front of a park bench, glad that the early morning had driven away any other bystanders. She was in public, as was proper, but this meeting would be mostly private, for which she was thankful.

She turned at the sound of footsteps and stifled a cry of relief at the sight of Sopek.

Her relieved sigh gave Sopek the courage to step forward. "Shija," he said softly, raising the ta'al.

"Oh Sopek, I am so glad to see you," Shija spouted in a small frenzy. "So much has happened since you left on your trip." She swallowed hard, and steeled her nerve. "I have a major thing to ask you."

Sopek stood slightly taller. "Ask, and if it is within my ability I will do this for you."

Hester sat in her aircar, with her window open slightly and the glass tinted. She wanted to know more about the Vulcan courtship rituals and communication. So without them knowing, she was there to listen and learn.

"Sopek," Shija breathed, wringing her hands before stuffing them in her pockets. "Will you…um…you see, they wanted me to go back to being a nun, I was forgiven and welcome, but I can't imagine my life without you and Strom and the work, but my father…he has chosen a mate, but I know that I don't want some v'ol from Gol." She ground out a name she suspected might be him, and used the name of a rat in place of his real name. "So…would you be my champion?" She swallowed again, and tripped over her words in her haste to make him agree. "I don't want you to die, but maybe if they just know I have one, they will go away and let me be."

Sopek listened intently, and he opened his mouth several times only to shut it again. He was completely confused for many moments as his hopes went up and down like a heart attack patient on a monitor. He finally held up his hand to indicate that he needed to speak, "I will not be your champion," he stated plainly, "As I –"

Shija gasped. "No, please! I need you!"

Sopek gently grabbed her by her wrist, moving her fingers into position with the first two fingers pointing upward toward him. He then held her hand still while he gently stroked his fingers up hers and rested them at the points. He saw her go weak in the knees and nodded with self-satisfaction as she gasped. "I cannot be a champion for you because I am your mate, if you will have me."

He got down on one knee, never breaking contact with her fingers. "In honor of your humanity, I ask thee to be my mate. In honor of your Vulcan nature, I declare Koon-ut-So'lik." With his other hand he held up a Vulcan ruby ring, one that matched her hair in fire and shimmer.

In the car not far away, Hester covered her mouth. It was so blunt and romantic in a very uncomfortable way.

Shija held back tears, instead caressing his fingers, hoping he could feel how happy she was in this moment. "But...my father approved the bonding? I thought I was going to be stuck with some stranger from Gol. Strom never said it outright, but...well, if this is what my father wishes, it would be logical to obey." She hoped he could see that she was agreeable to this beyond obligation to her family.

"I have been in contact with your father for a full year, and arranged to be bonded to you. I will have no other, Shija."

She nodded and allowed him to put the ring on her finger, and he stood up, gently cupping her face in his hands.

"We will be bonded, then?" she whispered.

Sopek didn't answer with words, instead through his hands; gently cupping her face, he began the base bond between them. He could feel the brilliance of her mind, her insecurities, her desire for him, and all the hope of her life – all of it filled him. In return, waves of two hundred and thirty years worth of knowledge and self-discipline bolstered her mind. His inner calm, his peace, and his complete devotion to her wrapped up the broken pieces she did not even know were broken from her failed attempt at going through her own pon farr alone. When the bond was made he kissed the tip of her nose. "Our base bond is complete," he purred softly, now caressing her cheeks with his knuckles. "We are parting and never parted."

He held up his fingers for her to touch, and she did. "Your mother insists on a Catholic wedding as well as a Vulcan ceremony, and I have promised both. And you will have all you want as I lay my life in your hands."

Hester had seen many times over how connected Vulcans would get with a few simple touches of the fingers. Seeing him hold her head so carefully, and how her face changed, as his did, she had to assume there was something telepathic happening between them. She made a mental note of that, and of the phrase parting never parted.

Shija felt mentally and physically different than just a few moments ago. Different and yet more perfectly her, as if a part of her had been missing and Sopek was the piece. "I am sure mom will be in touch to arrange things," she said, in a calm, almost serene way.

"I will make it known to your father that you have accepted me, and our base bond is complete." He withdrew from the intimacy as people walked by, but they both still felt very connected without even touching.

"Strom?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"He knew of my intentions but will welcome hearing that we have come to an agreement," he replied with a smirk. "We must join him in the cafeteria now. I told him we would meet him once the preliminary meeting was over." He turned to walk through the parking lot, toward the hospital cafeteria, and Shija fell in behind him, just a step as was the custom of their people. Sopek was her protector and mate now.

Hester waited until they were in the hospital and far out of sight before getting out of her car. It was time for her to happen to be in the cafeteria too.

…

Strom had just sat down at a table when Sopek entered the cafeteria, leading Shija with a subtle but clearly triumphant expression on his face. The two of them joined him at the table, and Strom let the tiniest smile touch his lips.

"I congratulate you on the increase of your house. Both of you."

Shija smiled openly for just a moment, then schooled herself back to neutrality. "I rather enjoy our routine, and this way we do not have to break our arrangement."

Sopek gently touched her fingers, admiring how her ring glimmered in the light. "I will contact her father and make all arrangements so you can focus on your work."

Hester got a tray and sat down two tables over, not wanting to intrude on their intimate moment.

Sopek went and got them both a tray. He sent a quick message to her father to let him know that she had accepted him and that the base bond was made, a sense of masculine pride swelling in his chest due to the increase of his house. When he returned he placed her food before her, the things he had observed she liked over the last year, and then his own food.

Strom cast his eyes between the two of them, "How does your bond feel?" He asked gently, his suppressed joy at the news glittering in his eyes.

"It feels very much like the missing piece of my life has been fit into place," Shija whispered, casting a fond glance to Sopek who nodded in agreement.

"It is agreeable that you will not be leaving." Strom picked up his tea for a sip. He noticed Hester sitting alone and asked in Vulcan if it was acceptable that she join them.

Sopek nodded, as did Shija.

Strom called over gently, "Dr. Cardwell, please, join us. We have cause for celebration today."

Hester pretended to be surprised they were there, but picked up her tray and joined them, "I didn't even see you all. What's going on?"

Shija lifted her hand, showing off her ring. "Sopek and I are engaged."

Strom nodded. "More than engaged, less than married. Much like I told you about last night."

Sopek cleared his throat. "I would be honored if you joined us when the time comes for our bonding to be complete. You have honored Dr. Strom and Shija with dutiful teamwork and research that will benefit many species and individuals. Such a person is welcome at any gathering we host."

Hester was genuinely shocked. She didn't even think Sopek knew her name, but he had put major thought into her placement in their circle. "I would be honored, if the bride doesn't mind."

Shija's eyes went wide. "Of course you may, and since I don't have any female friends, if you would be my bridesmaid in the Catholic part of our wedding, I would find that agreeable."

Hester blinked. It was like the whole of Vulcan society was dancing to music only they heard or understood. Shija was always professional and good to her, but for her to ask for something like this was beyond anything Hester could have anticipated. "I….I would…do that," she replied belatedly as her brain processed the kindness.

Sopek nodded, seemingly satisfied. "That is agreeable, and Strom," he turned to his friend, "as it is customary for the human groom to have what is called a best man, much like the Klingon Cha'deech, I would ask you and have no other."

Without hesitation, the doctor nodded. "I would be honored to be that for you. I will need to obtain a lirpa, but I will stand by you." He didn't fully understand the human customs, but evoking a Klingon custom he assumed there may be the need for violence.

Sopek, assuming the same thing, raised an eyebrow as he pondered what to do. "We will make a trip to Ra'al for clothing and weaponry."

Hester's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait…what?"

"It is customary in Vulcan tradition that the champion of the man that is to be married carry a long-bladed weapon called a lirpa," Strom explained. "In case the challenge is invoked, and it becomes marry or die."

Hester gasped. "For such a stoic race there are a lot of really harsh realities and fighting to the death."

Strom looked deep into her eyes, his thin lips twitching slightly before he spoke. "We take our mates very seriously, doctor. Nothing comes between a Vulcan man and his mate."

Shija broke the momentary tension. "I can better explain some things later, but it has a lot to do with psychic bonding."

"Why don't you come by later and explain, and let me know what I need to wear...and what to do, I suppose." She was still stunned that she had gone from a professional relationship to being Shija's bridesmaid in under two days.

The rest of their meal passed with easy conversation and eager planning from the couple, and Hester was privately disappointed that their allotted mealtime came to an end. It was nice to be a part of a circle of friends, even if she didn't understand every aspect of their culture.