Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thanks so much to Laura 2468, thaifighter30 and mintandtea for reviewing.

It was only after my mother pulled the steaming turkey breasts from the oven that I even considered Thanksgiving dinner might be awkward for a Vulcan. Fortunately, Soval didn't even flinch at the meat options at the table, but rather politely passed the gravy across the table to Callie, who couldn't reach it. My niece was fascinated by my roommate, asking him all sorts of questions throughout dinner, while Emily, who was seated beside Callie, chewed her lip as her daughter all but interrogated the ambassador, in case she said something unintentionally offensive. But Soval answered every question directed his way with patience and honesty.

"Do Vulcans have Thanksgiving?" the girl asked, and I smirked. Soval seemed almost amused.

"No, Ms. Forrest, but we do have a holiday that celebrates similar ideals. In fact, it falls on the last day of this month, and I hope your aunt will attend the festivities with me."

"Cool!" she cried, and I smiled. "What happens at the fest...festivities?"

He nodded. "Festivities, yes. To begin, the holiday commemorates–"

"What does that mean?"

"Callie," her mother chided, "don't interrupt."

Soval simply raised an eyebrow. "To commemorate something, child, is to recall and remember something or someone through ceremony. Understood?"

She smiled and leaned forward, hanging on his every word.

"As I was saying, the holiday commemorates when my hometown of Ra'al was freed from the warlord Venakur. The people in the city were, in essence, his slaves, but then those who wanted peace and logic to flourish came to Ra'al, and the people rose up against Venakur and tore down his palace. The city was freed and has been a center of logic and learning for its region ever since."

Callie accepted this explanation without question, but Oliver was not so easily satisfied. "Surely it wasn't that easy," he muttered, throwing the ambassador a sidelong glance. "I mean, wouldn't the ensuing power vacuum cause a scramble for what power was left?"

The ambassador considered him with raised eyebrows. "Indeed, there were many outbreaks of violence in the city for nearly three decades after Venakur's fall, but I was attempting to give your niece a concise explanation."

"I see," Oliver said. "Please continue."

"We honor the actions of our ancestors and remember all they sacrificed to free Ra'al by recalling things we are thankful for. Much like this holiday. After a day of fasting, we end the holiday with a feast and storytelling and music. It has always pleased me that my staff is willing to celebrate with me, even those who are not from Ra'al."

Callie seemed satisfied with that answer and continued on asking other questions, but when dessert was ready, Oliver spoke up.

"So when are those prisoners due to leave Earth?"

"What prisoners?" I asked before my dad could reply. Ambassador Soval answered me.

"Last week, my government offered to take one thousand non-violent prisoners out of the penitentiary system. They will be doing hard labor, mostly mining and quarrying, in exchange for a lighter sentence."

Perhaps he caught the suspicious look on my face, because he pressed on. "We are experiencing a labor shortage at this time, at least in menial labor. These prisoners will help relieve it."

"A labor shortage?" Oliver said, and Soval turned to him. "That's interesting. What's causing it?"

Soval raised an eyebrow, then sighed. "It is an inevitable result of our growth over the last century. Several new colonies have provided opportunities in what you would consider the middle class, leaving vacancies that laborers have filled, and thus, more vacancies are left as the laborers move on to more prestigious positions."

My brother did not linger on the subject, as everyone at the table could tell Soval did not wish to dwell on this labor shortage. Once we had eaten our fill of pecan pie, the ambassador volunteered to start on the dishes, and I leapt up to help him. It was satisfying to see that we had happily consumed every bit of the dishes Soval had brought along, and as I glanced sidelong at him, I thought I saw a smirk on his face.

"Can I dry?" Callie asked; I was sure she mostly wanted to help Soval and ask him more questions, but Emily stepped in.

"Honey, those dishes are too heavy for you. Why don't you help Grandma clean the table?"

My niece was clearly disappointed, but obeyed her mother and scooted back to the table. My dad was busy handling leftovers, and Emily was rearranging the fresher unit to make way for the new influx of food. And Max grabbed a broom and started sweeping up in the dining area.

Which left Oliver on drying duty, and Soval immediately struck up conversation with him. "Do you have plans for this next year, Mr. Forrest?"

"Ambassador, you can call me Oliver."

Soval raised both eyebrows at him. "Very well...Oliver, do you have plans for this next year?"

"Just keep chugging away at the old power plant."

"Do you enjoy your work there?"

My brother shrugged. "It's a living. I like my coworkers well enough."

"Have you ever considered teaching?"

At that, he laughed. "I don't think I could handle that many kids at one time. Callie's enough of a handful, and I don't even see her every day."

"Hey!" Callie protested. "That's not fair!"

Oliver winked at her, and she finally understood he was teasing her. Soval, however, pressed on.

"Would you consider it if your students were adults?"

"You know," my brother said, "I've never seen myself as a teacher. Never really thought about it, and the pay's a joke."

"Not on Vulcan," the ambassador countered smoothly. "On my homeworld, we hold educators in high esteem. They are well-compensated for their services. And you are just the type of man suited to this type of work. Whatever you are earning now at your power plant, we can double it."

"Are you sure?" Oliver looked incredulous. "I make a good salary at the plant..."

Soval simply raised an eyebrow, letting my brother come to his own conclusions. "Consider it, Oliver. We need men like you on my planet. You would be doing us a great service if you were to join the exchange."

After we finished cleaning up, we all drifted to the living room, too full and content to do more than choose a channel on the comm and let it play in the background. Dad was soon fast asleep in the armchair, Mom was absorbed in a novel, and Max and Oliver decided to make a run to the liquor store. Emily and Callie went upstairs to take naps of their own, which left me and Soval essentially alone for at least thirty minutes.

"Would you like to walk around the neighborhood with me, Genevieve?" he asked.

I was tempted to take a nap, but I had too many questions buzzing in my head to sleep well. I agreed to a walk and fetched my jacket.

"Don't you think you'll be a bit cold in that?" I asked, eyeing his silver robes with a critical eye. "We can loan you a jacket." I looked to my mother, who glanced at us in confusion. She hadn't even heard our conversation, so I asked her if dad had a spare coat in the closet.

"Sure!" Mom said, leaping up to fetch it. "He's got a few old ones you can borrow." And she traipsed off to the closet to fetch it for him. It was dark green, thicker than his robes, and lined with beige fur.

"Don't worry, that's not real fur," I assured him as he looked over it. "No animals were harmed in the making of this jacket. That's basically some polyester-cotton blend."

He nodded, thanked my mother, and then slipped the coat on. It was a tad overlong on him, but he filled it out well, which was no small feat considering my dad was fairly muscular, and that jacket had always been too big for him. And I knew Soval could lift me without batting an eyelash; not for the first time, I wondered just how strong he was.

"Nice and cozy?" I asked, and he smirked.

"It is a very comfortable coat. Thank you again, Mrs. Forrest. I will return it to you after our walk."

"You can keep it if you like. Max never wears it anymore, and it never fit him that well anyway. If he doesn't decide to keep it this spring, I'm getting rid of it, so you might as well have it."

Soval sighed and glanced at my dad, who was now snoring lightly, his mouth slightly open. "I will ask your husband when we return, when he wakes."

"Suit yourself," she murmured, shrugging. "Have a nice walk. Be back by dinner, please."

The ambassador turned to me and leaned forward. "Please excuse me a moment, Genevieve. I must hang up these robes," he whispered in my ear, and I nodded, suppressing a shiver.

"I'll be outside," I whispered back, and he headed upstairs as I slipped out the door.

Just then, Max and Oliver pulled up, but I refused their proffered beer and told them my plans. Max frowned.

"Where's Emily?"

"Taking a nap with Callie."

"Mom?"

"Reading."

"Dad?"

"Snoring."

"So it's just the two of you going on this walk?" Oliver asked.

I nodded.

"When will you be back?" Max pressed.

"In time for dinner, by the latest," Soval replied, and I jumped, surprised he had gotten down the stairs so fast. "We won't be going far."

"We're going to play poker or a board game when you get back. Ambassador, you in?"

He considered it for a moment. "I believe I will join you. However, you may have to explain the rules to me. I am not familiar with most Earth games."

With that arrangement out of the way, we headed down the street, falling into an easy silence. Although the chill wind that had started last night was still blowing strong, we passed several children playing outside, their laughter carrying in the cold autumn air. The afternoon had warmed marginally despite the brisk breeze, and we walked slowly, taking in the weak sunshine and clear blue sky.

"So...non-violent prisoners as miners, huh?"

He nodded slowly. "They will relieve the pressure on our Natural Resource Directorate. We...predicted this problem several years ago, and have been searching for a solution, and Earth's government providing prisoners to fill the empty positions is most fortuitous. It is a viable temporary solution until we find a permanent fix to this problem."

"Did you get to pick the prisoners?"

"Yes, I provided my government with a short-list of candidates last month. The Natural Resource Directorate and the High Command selected the best from the list, and those prisoners will be en-route to Vulcan by next week. Interestingly enough, providing proper living arrangements and equipment to the prisoners has opened a small job market in Shi'Kahr. They may not have touted it in the media, but a few humans were able to take temporary job opportunities on my home planet."

"Job opportunities for humans, on Vulcan," I repeated, shaking my head. "That's a sentence I never thought would come out of my mouth."

"And why is that? No society is perfect, Genevieve. These things do happen. Even with all our advancements, we did not acquire the best solution until recently. Even with all we have accomplished..." His gaze was not on me, but focused on the horizon, his expression introspective, almost forlorn. "We cannot foresee all ends."

I paused, staring at him, puzzling over his expression. "Are you ok?" I prodded gently, and he blinked, seemingly coming out of a daze.

"I was...merely lost in thought. Have you considered coming to the celebration with me?"

"What celebration?"

He opened his mouth to answer me, but then I remembered. "Oh! The one about liberation and being grateful..." He nodded. "Yes, that sounds really interesting. I'd love to go."

He smirked in satisfaction, and we walked on, contented silence between us. But I still had too many questions to ask, so I broke the silence, trying not to phrase my inquiries in a way that would make him upset with me.

"Do you really think Oliver would do well as a teacher?" I asked carefully, and he nodded, his eyes earnest.

"As I said, he is precisely the type of human we need. He is curious and willing to learn, and seems to have a wealth of knowledge at his disposal."

I snorted. "Yeah, Oliver's a real Renaissance man. You two get along so well that maybe he should be your roommate," I teased, smirking at him, "and then I could go to Vulcan and get paid."

"No."

I stared at him, my jovial mood disappearing. His tone was harsh, his expression twisted into a cold mask. I had meant my statement as a joke, but he was clearly upset about what I had said.

"I thought you liked Oliver," I said lightly, my smile strained. "Come on, you have to admit that he'd make a good roommate."

"I am sure he would, but I already have a perfectly adequate roommate," he said, his voice stiff, every word out of his mouth sharp and clear. "I do not wish another, no matter how eager he or she may be to learn about my people, and impart to me the knowledge I wish. I have you, and that is enough for me."

"Ok," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "I'm...flattered you think that...I was just joking." I was more than flattered and very confused, but he need not know that right now.

"I was not attempting to flatter you, and I did not find your 'joke' amusing in any fashion."

"Ok!" I said firmly, stepping a little ways away from him. "Sorry I offended you. That wasn't my intent."

He sighed. "I know that. Forgive me...I...forgot myself."

I frowned at him, and we walked in silence again, but it was not as comfortable as the last silence. Though his tone of voice had been frightening and the thought that I had offended him mortifying, a small part of me (perhaps not so small) pulsed in pure pleasure at the thought of him so upset over even the possibility of my absence. My thoughts drifted to a previous conversation I had with Timok, how he had said Soval had been a widower for quite some time. He had to have been lonely at some point over all those years, and now he had someone to talk to and spend time with, someone who didn't mind walking with him on cold autumn evenings and playing kal-toh games with him, even if that someone lost every game.

Was he saying, indirectly, that he would miss me if I left? And not in a platonic sense, but in the way I wanted him to miss me, like a man misses a lover, a girlfriend, a wife?

Well, after so many years alone, the cynic inside me said, he wouldn't be too picky about the company he kept, as long as they weren't complete dolts. You're nothing special.

And with that, the hope that had sprung up in my chest died, withering away along with the pleasure I had felt just moments ago.

I noticed he was staring at me, and I pulled myself out of my dark thoughts and focused on him. He was frowning, and his pace slowed as he turned to face me.

"Now it is my turn to ask you...are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I said immediately, shaking my head. I really was hopeless and delusional if I thought Ambassador Soval of all people would ever pine for me.

"Your tone of voice suggests otherwise."

"I'm fine," I repeated, crossing my arms against the cold.

I was not a complete stranger to relationships, with one sort-of boyfriend late in high school and three official boyfriends through college under my belt. I had only gone on one date with the first, based on the rumor that he liked me and wanted to see me. Samuel Gardner was a handsome football star, and I was flattered that he found me attractive, until I found out this date was just a ruse to get his girlfriend back and he didn't really find me attractive at all. My boyfriends in college, however, were much more mature and were certainly attracted to me, but Gerald decided our differences were too much to reconcile and broke it off after two months. Joshua wanted to focus on his career and wanted to let me go, so he wouldn't feel guilty about not having time for me. And after six months dating Thomas, he confessed that he didn't feel the connection between us anymore and it wouldn't feel right to continue.

I respected all of their decisions and I had since reconciled myself to the fact that they just weren't right for me, but here I was once again, falling in love with someone who could never return it. And every single time I thought I had a handle on things, that I had convinced myself of this absolute truth, he turned around and did something to send me straight back to square one. I had had impossible crushes before, sure, every girl did, but this one would be a lot easier to be rid of if I didn't have to face him every day.

But I did face him, swallowing my misery and forcing a smile on my face. "You don't have to worry about me," I said firmly. "No one expects you to give a flying feather about how I feel, and that's ok. It's not a requirement to being an ambassador to this planet. All you have to worry about is representing your people."

His expression hardened. "But I do give a...'flying feather' about how you feel. I want you to be happy under my care, and if you are not, I would know why. So tell me," he urged, his voice softening, his eyes like liquid amber as he gazed down at me. "Tell me if it is something I am doing that makes you so upset."

"No," I insisted. "It's not you. You're doing everything just fine. It's me who's doing everything wrong."

"In what way?" he said with a frown.

I sighed. "I really don't want to talk about this, ok? Can we please change the subject?"

"I do not understand your meaning, Genevieve, but if it pleases you...we will change the subject."

I breathed out in relief and immediately began asking more questions about the prisoner program, and as the sun dipped lower towards the horizon, we turned our steps back towards the house.

…

Perhaps teaching a stoic Vulcan with incredibly good memory to play poker wasn't the best idea Oliver had ever had, but it was kind of satisfying to see a first-time player dominate the game as he did. I noted as I watched him play against my dad and brothers that the Vulcan had a way of staring down his opponents and throwing them off their game. This technique was especially effective on Max Jr and Oliver, who hadn't spent nearly as much time around the ambassador as my dad. I supposed Dad was used to Soval's intimidation, and it did not affect him as much. Soval won the first game, and I slipped away to join my mother and Emily and Callie in the living room, where my mother was still reading her book and chatting with her daughter-in-law. Callie and Emily were engaged in a checkers match, and I sat down next to my niece and watched their game.

"Honey!" Dad called from the kitchen. "Come in here and join us! Maybe a woman will throw this Vulcan off and the humans can have a win."

"Genie's played games against him and lost!" Mom replied. "But if you think it'll make a difference, I'll come in there."

"Every little is a gain!" Dad shouted back.

My mother trotted off to join the game, and I relaxed into the ottoman, watching languidly as Emily took two of Callie's pieces.

"So how have things been?" I asked m sister-in-law. She smiled.

"We've been all right. Max's been a bit stressed at work since he had to train some new people, but otherwise, we can't complain. How are things going with the ambassador?"

"They're going," I sighed, silently pointing out the piece my niece should move next. "Overall, I can't really complain either."

We chatted for a while until we heard cheers in the next room; apparently my mother had won that hand of poker.

Soval walked in a few moments later, frowning. "Your mother," he began slowly, "has a very disconcerting smile. I am ashamed to admit I found it very distracting." He sighed. "I believe I will make use of your shower now."

"M'kay," I murmured, gesturing up the stairs. "Enjoy yourself."

"I believe I will."

He disappeared up the stairs, and the rest of the family trickled back into the living room, still congratulating my mother on her victory.

"Now you know how to beat him at that game you play, Genie," Mom said brightly. "Just keep smiling at him. I could tell it was getting to him by the third round."

"You did good, Mom," I said, smiling slightly. "And you thoroughly creeped him out."

"There!" Callie cried out, raising her arms. "I won!"

"Good job," her mother said, her voice gentle. "You get one more game, then it's bath time and bedtime."

"But m–"

"No buts," Emily insisted. "One more game. Do you want to play me or Grandma? Or Grandpa Max?"

"I wanna play Grandpa."

So my dad took up the checkers, and Emily relaxed into the couch, clearly tired. Max Jr offered her a beer, but she declined, closing her eyes. So instead, Max led Oliver and me out onto the back deck, and he started a blaze in the firepit.

"Things going ok at the Consulate?" Max asked carefully. "Any...news?"

"Nothing that you haven't already heard. I've got nothing new."

"How is Soval treating you?" he pressed, and I sighed.

"Fine. I can't complain."

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but Oliver quickly changed the subject to something a little less sensitive.

"So, job shortage on Vulcan, huh? What do you two make of that?"

Max frowned. "I'm still not sure how to take this. I mean, a job shortage could happen to anyone, but the Vulcans of all people? It doesn't seem right."

"Yeah, I don't know what to think at this point," I agreed, and we all turned when Emily opened the door.

"Babe, can you take over for me? I'm turning in early."

"Ok," Max said softly, and kissed his wife's cheek as he passed, and they slipped inside.

"Genie," Oliver murmured, "watch the fire. I need a bathroom break before she needs the tub."

So I was all alone by the fire, staring absentmindedly into the flames. It felt good to be alone again, if only for a minute, and I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Soval until he sat down next to me on the outdoor couch.

My eyes wandered from his hair to his chest, my lips breaking into a smile despite myself. His hair lay flat on his forehead, water still dripping behind his ears. He had changed his clothes, abandoning his formal robes for something that looked like martial arts wear, and the silvery fabric glittered in the soft firelight.

I also noted his breathing was a little louder than normal, but maybe that was just the silence.

"How was the shower?" I croaked, then cleared my throat.

He sighed, leaning back into the couch. "I found it quite invigorating. I thank thee for pointing it out to me."

"No problem," I replied, leaning back with him. "Has your stay at the Forrest hotel been relaxing thus far? We always aim to please."

"Your family's company and your hospitality has been restorative, I assure you." He was silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting the flames crackling in the pit. "Has your stay at the Consulate been as relaxing?"

"Hardly," I teased, smirking at him. "Why, if it's not nosy doctors or strict rules on visitors, it's more rules about fraternizing with the staff and restrictions on anything scented...if you keep this up, I won't sleep a wink."

He made a noise of acknowledgment. "Perhaps if you weren't so insufferably curious, you would sleep better," he said in reply, his eyes twinkling in mischief.

"If I wasn't so insufferably curious, I wouldn't be human. And you were the ones who wanted humans in your homes, so...I don't know what to tell you."

He stared at me, his pupils suddenly dark. "You could tell me you are happy at the Consulate."

I gazed into the flames, not even bothering to look at him. "You mean happy with you."

He was silent, then looked away.

"I'm not unhappy, if it makes you feel any better. And I do enjoy your company, even if you are a pain sometimes. Like I said, you have done everything right. It's me who's wrong."

"I still do not understand your meaning."

"That's to be expected," I said, turning a little away from him. "Don't worry about it, or me, ok? Let's change the subject."

"Are you deliberately attempting to confuse me, Genevieve? I cannot help you if you will not tell me how."

"This isn't a problem in which you can help me," I retorted. "Drop it. Please. For both our sakes."

He twisted around to face me, his dark eyes burning into mine. "How can I know that I cannot help you if you do not tell me your issue? Please, Genevieve...I am tasked with coming to a better understanding of your people, but I cannot perform my duties if you, my exchange partner, will not help me understand how I may be offending her."

"You aren't offending me!" I insisted. "If I tell you what's wrong, you will never speak to me again, our friendship will be ruined and you know...I don't think I could stand that. I like you. I like the time we spend together. I don't want to mess that up with my own shortcomings, so can we please change the subject and not talk about this? Please. Tell me more about this gratitude celebration thing we're going to."

"I have not noticed any shortcomings in you over the course of our acquaintance. But if you wish it..."

I relaxed into the couch, staring resolutely into the fire as he told me about the festival he would be celebrating soon. I was relieved when Oliver returned, and then Maxwell, and the conversation drifted to other subjects that I needn't contribute to, allowing me to stay silent and attempt to kill this useless affection plaguing me.