Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thank you so much to 2redbird, Catherine grey, wolfen281, Krisarna, Artanaro, DarkPrincesa, Mary, tea for the tillerman, and the anon reviewers for reviewing!

The toasting dragged on for quite some time, and it seemed every senator in the room wanted to toast somebody or something: good health to all, a grand holiday season, wealth and prosperity and everything in between. I sighed about halfway through and leaned forward to whisper in Soval's ear; he raised an eyebrow and bowed his head, allowing me access.

"Do these senators have nothing better to do than to blabber on about nothing?" I breathed in his ear, and he smirked.

"So it would seem," he murmured back. "This portion could have easily been consolidated into a few toasts."

"I think they like the sound of their own voices better than anything else." He nodded, his smirk widening ever so slightly, and I grinned to myself. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, we were released from the tedium of toasting and speeches and told dinner would be served presently. I took the card out of my robe pocket that told me where we were to be seated, but Soval was already offering me his arm; I should have realized he would memorize our table number and know exactly where to go.

"Shall we?" he asked, and I took his arm with a smile.

"We shall. Lead on, ambassador."

He looked down at our joined arms and breathed in slowly, and though I could be wrong, it seemed like he was rather pleased at the sight. My smile widened, and he pulled me into the crowd, deftly steering me around the other guests to the corner of the room to the left of the stage. Our table was already almost full, but he let me go to pull out my chair for me, and I blinked in surprise at the gesture. But nothing could stop me from taking it, and he pushed me back into the table before seating himself. Our table consisted mostly of men, the only exceptions being two older female Senators and myself.

I had to admit, dinner was absolutely delicious, more rich and decadent than what McCabe had served at his dinner party. Course after course of rich stews and steaming plates of vegetables were laid before me, and it wasn't until the third course that I noted anything odd. Everyone else but myself and Soval was served fish, but a vegetable medley was placed in front of us; I didn't complain. The roots and winter vegetation smelled amazing, and I dug right in. Soval eyed my plate with confusion and called a waiter over.

We learned I had accidentally been registered as vegetarian, and though the waiter insisted he could remedy this, I demanded that he not.

"I eat vegetarian food all the time," I said kindly. "Though, I gotta ask...what's for dessert?"

"The vegetarian option is fruit, but the regular option is gingersnap brûlée and eggnog."

I thought for a moment. "Would it be possible for me to have fruit and eggnog? Would that be too much trouble?"

"Not at all!" he said. "I'll tell the chef immediately."

"Thank you! I'm sorry for being a bother."

"You are not a bother," Soval said before the waiter could talk, but he thanked the man for his service and turned back to his meal.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" the waiter asked me, and I quietly declined. He nodded his head and walked away, and I turned back to my vegetable medley, eating it with relish.

Once dinner and dessert had been whisked away, waiters passed out eggnog as promised, and more champagne for those who wanted it. Soval took a glass of the proffered alcohol and rose from the table. I followed, clutching tightly to my mug of nog. He weaved through the crowd, slowing when traffic became too heavy for him to proceed without me. He offered his arm, and I took it gladly.

"You appeared to enjoy your meal," he murmured in my ear once we were in a quieter corner of the hall. Warmth spilled into my stomach, and I breathed in deep to suppress a shiver of longing. "I found it quite agreeable."

"It was delicious," I agreed. "My compliments to the chef." I paused a moment. "Still...it wasn't as good as that casserole you made for Thanksgiving. It would take considerable talent to make something vegetarian better than that."

He looked pleased at that, and I took a deep pull from my mug.

Senator McCabe popped out of the crowd and smiled at us. "Ambassador, did you enjoy your meal?"

"It was very agreeable, yes. Did you require something?"

I heard the first chords of a waltz come from the orchestra on stage (who I didn't even notice until now), and McCabe turned to me.

"Would you be too upset, ambassador, if I stole your lovely companion for a dance?"

Soval narrowed his eyes, but sighed and shook his head. "If she is agreeable to a dance, you may take her. Only one dance, Senator."

He turned to me expectantly, and I bit my lip and shrugged.

"Why not?" I said with a smile. McCabe grinned and offered his arm for me to take. I downed the rest of my eggnog and walked out with him to the floor.

"So how's the exchange coming along?" the senator asked, pulling me into the waltz.

"Swimmingly! I'm really excited for Christmas, you know. What do you think I should get him?"

"Hm..." He looked as stumped as I felt. "To be honest, I have no idea."

I sighed in frustration, but put on a brave smile for McCabe's sake. "I'm sure I'll figure something out. Do you have any special Christmas plans or more of the usual visit with relatives?"

"I had planned to invite Soval to a Christmas Eve party with several other senators who don't necessarily have a family to go to. But I suppose you'll be wanting him elsewhere?"

"Most likely. But go ahead and invite him anyway. We may want to drop in on you sometime that evening."

"I'll remember to do that," he said with a wink, and the song ended. He led me back to Soval and thanked me for the dance, then disappeared into the crowd.

"Would you care for another glass?" the ambassador asked as I eyed his champagne.

"Mm...just one more. Don't want to get sloshed in front of these people."

"No, that is not my intent." And he bowed his head to me and hurried off to find a waiter. I watched him go, absorbed in the purposeful way he weaved through the crowd, and I sighed to myself.

"So," a voice said behind me, and I jumped, startled out of my reverie. "You must be Genie Forrest."

I turned and stared into a pair of bright green eyes. The woman who owned them tucked a stray lock of fiery red hair behind her ear, and smoothed down her expensive, jewel-encrusted crimson dress. As she looked me up and down (wearing the same expression Sam had worn when he saw my robes), her hand found the string of diamonds around her neck and she fiddled with it.

I got the distinct impression that this woman didn't like me, but I smiled at her anyway.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."

"Colette Barlow," she said, holding out her hand with a gorgeous smile, but there was something off around her eyes. I shook her hand anyway, trying not to think about the callouses on my hands. Her palm was smooth and soft, and as I pulled my hand away, I could smell the perfume on her. It smelled floral and rich; she seemed like a woman who had her life in order, who could get whatever she wanted, who could simply look at a man and have him chasing after her. She reeked of confidence, and I felt like a little girl going out for the first time.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, senator," I replied kindly, offering up a smile of my own. Hers widened, and she glanced over my robes.

"That's quite an outfit. I assume your date got it for you?"

I nodded. "Blue looks good on you," she continued, and she reached out her hand and lightly traced her finger down my sleeve. "It's very well made."

"Vulcan clothes tend to be that way," I said blandly, watching her finger's progress down my sleeve. She pulled her hand away.

"You're an old friend of Sam's?" she asked, and I snickered. Her eyes hardened.

"We could hardly call each other friends, but I do know him. Or at least I used to. We went to high school together."

"But you haven't spoken since?"

I shook my head. "No, we moved in very different circles. We hardly ever spoke in school, and I didn't care to keep in touch with him after."

She smirked. "You don't like him."

"Not particularly, no. But I'm sure a woman of your caliber has found a good use for him."

"Every office needs a little eye candy," she replied with a wink. I must have looked appalled, because she laughed. "Have I shocked you, sweetheart? Men do it to us all the time, so why can't I have a good-looking assistant? He works just enough to justify my hiring him, so it's not like he's good for nothing else. He has his uses."

I shook my head and stared off at some decoration in the corner. "I've made you uncomfortable," she said in a whisper, touching my shoulder again. "The ambassador is lucky to have such an innocent young woman guiding him. It's good to know he's getting to view the better side of humanity."

"You give me too much credit, senator," I said, staring at her in exasperation. I would have liked to have Soval here to back me up with this woman; I felt like she was hiding something, that she was trying to embarrass me or put me in my place or something, and if I ever needed the ambassador, it was now. "Soval got a flawed, no-so-innocent human for a guide, and I wouldn't exactly call him lucky. But what do I know? I just work with the man. I can't tell what he's thinking half the time."

The senator briefly glanced down, as if to hide her grin from me. "I'm sure he thinks about you quite a lot. The way he talked to Sam..." Her eyes found mine, and they laughed at me even if her mouth did not. "He was so...protective of you. He was jealous of Sam, of the relationship you shared. He didn't want anyone else touching you...take it from me, sweetheart, I know what men want. I have to know in order to succeed in this career. I know when a man wants a woman, and there can be no doubt in my mind that Ambassador Soval wants you."

My heart stopped beating for a moment, but then I gathered myself and snorted in derision. "You're wrong. I'm not at all what he wants."

"You're ignoring your own power, you know," she retorted, sneering at me. "Men think they're so strong...and they are, until a pretty woman looks their way. You could bring him to his knees if you tried."

I stared at her blankly, sizing her up, and then played the only card I had left. I stepped closer to her, and lowered my voice to a whisper. "Not only do you sell men short, but you fail to remember that the ambassador is Vulcan. You cannot judge him based on human behavior, because he is not human. You'd think a woman in your position would know better."

Her eyes narrowed, but she still managed to pull a smug expression on me, as if I were a child who had just told her I didn't want to go to bed. She simpered and shook her head, but I backed away, trying not to glower.

"Now...if you'll excuse me, the ambassador said he'd be right back. I think I'll go find him."

"Don't bother," she said just as I turned around, and I found myself chest to chest with my Vulcan companion, who stared down at me with a raised eyebrow. I stepped back, giving him space, and he handed me the drink I had asked for fifteen minutes ago.

"Forgive the delay," he said gently as I took a sip of the champagne. "I was drawn into a conversation with Senator Luthra and his aides."

"It's fine," I said with a gentle smile, then leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Ambassador, do tell the senator that she cannot judge you by human standards, that Vulcan men do things for their own reasons. Would you do that for me?"

He frowned, but nodded and turned to Senator Barlow with a stern expression. "My companion makes a fine point in saying that it is improper to judge Vulcan men by the standards of your people. My race operates differently from yours, and though you may think you know your own race, I am not a human male. It must frustrate you, Senator, to not know my motivations."

"It fascinates me," she replied with a grin, and she took a large sip of her drink. "But I'm sure you'll agree, ambassador, that your companion has power she doesn't realize yet?"

To my surprise, Soval bowed his head. "She does, and she refuses to use it. She is too kind to use such deplorable means to achieve her ends. I am not sure I can say the same for you."

"Ambassador!" she exclaimed with a mock smile, and she ran her hand lightly over his shoulder. He flinched and shrugged away her hand, and his expression was no longer stern. It was livid, yet cold as a stone. The senator saw her mistake and stepped away, and he drew himself up to his full height, towering half a head over the woman.

"You would do well to never touch me again," he all but growled, and she stared at him blankly. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, calculating her next move, and she wisely offered a quiet apology and fled into the crowd.

"Well...that was awkward," I said once she was out of earshot. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared after her; I didn't dare look at Soval, who still looked livid.

"She knew better," he muttered under breath. I could feel his eyes on me, but I refused to look at him. "Do not let it bother you."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him turning towards me, but I kept my eyes straight ahead.

"Genevieve?" he whispered, reaching for me. Warm fingers grazed my shoulder, and I looked down at his shoes. "Did she make you uncomfortable?"

I sighed. "Forget about it." I looked up at him, forcing my lips into a smile. "Thank you for the drink. I appreciate you fetching that for me."

He bowed his head in acknowledgment, then glanced around at the crowd. Everyone was ignoring us, too absorbed in their own conversations to even look at us.

"Would you care to step outside with me? You look as if you would benefit from some fresh air."

As if to drive home his point, I noticed Senator Barlow talking with Sam across the room, and the both of them threw dark looks my way. The room felt too warm, the crowd was getting louder as more alcohol was consumed, and I could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.

I nodded silently, and he must have noticed the grim expression on my face. He took my glass from me and gave it to a passing waiter, put his arm around my shoulders and wordlessly steered me out of the open glass doors that led to the courtyard; I didn't even look at my surroundings as he pushed me further down a garden path and into a secluded alcove. He sat me down on the stone bench and took the seat beside me, but I closed my eyes against the mounting pain in my temples.

"You are in pain."

He was good enough to keep his voice down, and I nodded. Immediately, warm fingers found my temples, and a crackle of electricity ripped down my spine. I breathed in quickly through my nose, my back arching a little as an involuntary response to his aid. But after only a minute of massaging my skin, the pain in my forehead was abating.

"Thank you," I breathed, and he withdrew. I slowly opened my eyes to find him staring intently at me, his eyes dark.

I couldn't think of anything to say for a moment, until I blurted out, "I wouldn't know what I'd do if you weren't here with me tonight. Thank you for backing me up there...you were amazing."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips before disappearing, but then his gaze grew sterner. "May I ask what happened?" he asked gently, and I sighed, shaking my head.

"It's not important, really, it's not. She just made me...uncomfortable. I didn't like how she talked about you. It wasn't right."

"What did she say about me?"

I hesitated, but he insisted on hearing me out. "Please, Genevieve, I've heard worse about my person. Nothing she said could be more offensive than what has been whispered behind my back these thirty years."

Even with that statement, I hesitated. "In essence...she said you lacked control, and threw human men under the bus with you on that score."

I could tell this wasn't what he expected, so I continued. "The way she talked was not only disrespectful, it was dangerous too. She made it sound like you can't control yourself at all, that no human man can, and that's a horrible thing to say. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions, because we agreed to live in a civilized society with order and justice. Her thinking ignores that and in a way, robs you of autonomy. I didn't like it one bit."

I sighed, closing my eyes. My headache had not abated, but gotten worse. "I'm not quoting directly here, mind you, just summarizing. It wasn't quite even what she said, just how she said it. But anyway, I know I should let it go...I haven't encountered a person like her in a very long time, so this is very jarring for me."

I couldn't think of anything else to say on the matter, so I looked away, staring off into the darkness. He shifted, and I glanced sidelong to see him holding steepled fingers to his lips. We said nothing for a few minutes, and I was at a loss for what to say

"Tell me about Sam Gardner."

Although I didn't want to talk about it, I had promised him that I would tell this story. So I took a deep breath to steel myself.

"There was a time when I thought he was the hottest guy in my class. Very handsome, very suave, captain of the football and soccer teams..." I sighed. "He had just broken up with his girlfriend – actually, she broke if off. Anyway, I heard a rumor that he liked me, that he thought I was cute...now, you've got to understand, I was very awkward and unpopular during high school. I was also kind of an idiot, as you'll see. In any case...I was so flattered that this handsome boy had even noticed me, that when he asked me on a date, I said yes without missing a beat."

I paused a moment to let him absorb what I had relayed so far, but he raised both eyebrows, a silent request to continue. I obeyed.

"I thought, in my naive little high school brain, that our date went rather well. He went on and on about all the things he had done and all the expensive places his family went for vacation...I was enthralled with every story and just happy to be there. He never once asked me a question about myself, and at the time I didn't notice or care."

Soval frowned, and I grinned wryly. "He took me out on Friday night. Saturday morning I messaged him, telling him that I had had a good time. No response."

His eyes grew dark, and his frown deepened.

"So I thought, well, it's early, he's probably sleeping in. So I wait all weekend for a reply and I get nothing. Come Monday morning, I walk into school and find him making out with his ex-girlfriend."

Confusion spread across his features. "Making out?"

I may have blushed, and it made me feel like I was sixteen years old again. I hated the feeling.

"It means kissing, with enthusiasm."

His eyes narrowed to slits, with dark irises peeking out behind his eyelids. "He used you."

"Yes, to make her jealous."

He snorted in derision. "And tonight he greeted you like an old friend. Did he ever apologize for hurting you? Did he ever recognize his wrongdoing?"

"Nope."

A scowl twisted his face, and I almost flinched at the darkness in it. "Unacceptable. If he ever touches you again, Genevieve, tell me. I will make certain it does not happen again."

"That's sweet of you to offer," I said quietly, avoiding eye contact with him. "So, moral of the story, don't fall in love with narcissistic douchebags."

"I would ask you what that is, but I believe I can infer its meaning."

As I considered that, a grin sprung onto my face; I turned to him with a smirk. "No, go ahead. Ask me."

He raised an eyebrow. "What is a douchebag?"

"Sam Gardner."

I could barely contain my grin, but the amused twinkle in his eye forced it on my lips. He nodded, his eyes no longer so dark and grim.

"It is good to see you smile, Genevieve. And thank you for telling me this. I can feel your embarrassment, but you are blameless in this matter. You gave your love willingly, purely, and he used it for his own ends. But in any case...knowing this information has helped me understand you better. Thank you."

"Thank you for listening," I replied sincerely, "and for siding with me."

"No one with sense could ever side with him."

The warmth of his fingers almost shocked me as he gently brushed a lock of hair from my face. Heat flushed across my cheeks as he held my gaze, but before I could say anything more, he looked over my shoulder, back to the party.

"If we stay out here much longer, we will be missed. Has your headache abated?"

I hadn't even noticed the lack of pain across my forehead until he mentioned it, and I nodded, smiling at him. He stood and offered me his hand, which I took without hesitation. Once on my feet, he linked his arm with mine once more, and I took a deep breath, ready to return to the bustle of the Gala.