A surprise visit

Posted on Tuesday, 14 July 2020 - 6:32pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Commander Soral & Lieutenant Raith Kolani

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Various
Timeline: 2393 - MD3

{ON}

With shore leave underway, T’Lanna was enjoying some well-earned downtime with Raith. The previous evening had been another night full of passion and now they were sat eating breakfast with T’Lanna in her dressing gown admiring Raith as he sat enjoying his breakfast. “You are seriously too sexy you know that?” She grinned playfully. “I could happily spend all of our shore leave in the bedroom with you and never come out!”

"Now there's a thought...spending all of our leave in bed together...or in the shower together...or in the holodeck in bed together..." he said as he smiled. "There are benefits to this," he finished. Look at her, he carried on smiling as he admired T'Lanna in her dressing gown. "I'm not the only sexy one here though."

T’Lanna grinned, just then the door chime rang. T’Lanna looked at Raith in surprise wondering who would be dropping by her quarters at this time in the morning! Pulling her dressing gown closed and tying the belt she walked across to the door and opened it. Her eyes went wide with surprise and embarrassment as she saw her father standing outside. “Father!” She stepped back to let him in. “Please ... come in. I’m sorry I didn’t know you were coming.”

"I had sent word with your communications department." He raised an eyebrow at the inefficiency of the communications officer. He may have to send a note to Stillwater. He stepped through the door and looked at the human who was...not quite fully dressed. He raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps I should return at another time."

T’Lanna looked towards Raith, then back at her father. “No, it’s fine. We were just having breakfast.” She paused. “Father ... this is Raith Kolani, the man I was telling you about on Vulcan. He is my ...” She paused to think of the word. “Ashayam” she smiled at Raith. “My beloved.”

His eyebrow continued to perch. "I see." He paused. He greeted Raith with a typical Vulcan split-fingered salute. "Live long and Prosper."

Raith was caught by surprise from this sudden visit by T'Lanna father, however, for a split second, he was really glad that he'd decided to wear some jogging bottoms for breakfast. As soon as he saw the Vulcan split-fingered salute, Raith stood up and performed a well practised Vulcan split-fingered salute of his own, returning the greeting with "Peace and Long Life, Admiral," said in a very reverend and respectful manner.

T’Lanna looked at her father. “Please sit and make yourself comfortable while we get dressed.” She motioned to Raith to join her in the bedroom.

He said nothing but walked over to the sofa and sat down. His mind went over things. This was the man that his daughter loved. He would attempt to get to know him.

Walking into the bedroom T’Lanna quickly pulled out a clean uniform and changing into it. “I’m sorry!” She looked at Raith. “I didn’t know my father was coming or I’d have arranged a better first meeting.”

"Well, that's one way to meet the in-laws," joked Raith as he started pulling on a fresh uniform of his own that he kept for such emergencies as this. He was just as surprised she was by her father turning up and guessed now was as good a time as any to make an impression.

"I hope I said the right thing, I learned a lot at the Academy through a grid and also read up a lot more after our chat with Soral and Alex a few days ago," he admitted as he straightened his uniform in the mirror. Looking over at T'Lanna, he still thought that she looked great in uniform and smile as he watched her straighten her self out. "Can I help you out of that later, when we're alone again?" he offered before placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Most definitely!’ T’Lanna grinned as she pulled him closer for a more passionate kiss. “Now let’s go.” She headed towards the door and out into the living area again. “My apologies father, may I get you something to drink?”

"Water is fine." He said in his proper Vulcan way.

T’Lanna looked at Raith “Raith can I get you anything?”

"Erm, I'll have a lemon water, please T'Lanna," Raith answered as he took a seat in the armchair opposite her father. He smiled as she went off to get the drinks.

She nodded and headed over to the replicator leaving the two men in her life to get to know one another. She just hoped her father wasn’t too hard on Raith.

"So, did it take you long to get to the Standing Bear, Admiral?" Raith asked, trying to be polite and start a conversation with him.

"I am on my way to a to a diplomatic conference in the Triangle Sector it did not take long." He paused. "You are in ops?" For all his diplomacy he was finding it hard to think of things.

"That's correct, I'm the Assistant Chief of Operations on board the Standing Bear," Raith explained. "I took the position when I came aboard before the ship launched, I was part of the team that was involved in getting the ship ready for service and also completing her shakedown cruise and I stayed on as part of my assignment." Despite not knowing a lot about her father, Raith was impressed that he picked up on the area of the ship her served on.

T’Lanna returned with the drinks placing a water on the coffee table for her father and handed Raith his Lemon Water. “I appreciate you coming here to see me, father. I wanted the two of you to meet.” She smiled at Raith as she sat down beside him. “Was there a reason you called to see me, or is this just a social visit.”

"Both." He said. Simply allowing his daughter to choose which she wanted to hear first.

T’Lanna looked at her father uncertain whether to be concerned or not. “What did you come to see me about?”

He paused a moment wondering if he should speak to his daughter alone. "Well since it does involve the two of you. Have you thought of the bonding ceremony?"

T’Lanna nodded. “I’ve ...” She looked at Raith as she took his hand and held onto it. “We’ve spoken to Soral about being bonded. He said exactly as you told me when I was at home for mother’s funeral. I’ll do whatever is best for Raith when the time comes.

"It is absolutely vital. Humans are difficult to bond with without a priestess present." He said. "No disrespect meant, of course."

"None taken, sir," Raith answered. "I've already told T'Lanna that I agree to be bonded with her, its what I want. I've taken a lot of time to think about this and I understand the risks that I face. However, I love her and I want to be with her so I'm willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to make sure that she and I are happy together, including bonding."

Raith held her hand as he spoke and hoped that he as coming across sincerely to her father. He was important to her and also know that as her partner, he needed to show that he was worthy of her as well.

T’Lanna smiled warmly. “Commander Soral is arranging for Raith and I to see a priestess here to make sure the bond we have now is stable.” She looked at Raith then back at her father “I have explained to Raith that this bond is barely anything compared to the bond that pon’farr creates.”

"Wise. It is not wise to do this on your own unless proficient in mind-meld techniques. There is too much risk especially while pregnant."

T’Lanna nodded. “I know, Soral warned me of the risks. I won’t put Raith or our son at risk.”

"Good." He looked at the two. "I shall prepare a Vulcan ceremony when I return to Vulcan."

T’Lanna looked at Raith, she wasn’t sure what he’d think of a Vulcan ceremony but they’d have time to talk at length before that time came.

"If you feel that it is best, Admiral, then we'll wait to hear from you when it's ready and time for the ceremony," Raith explained. "I have only the best interests at heart for both T'Lanna and our child that we will raise together." Raith left the last part of his sentence to air for a moment.

"I will see this through and I will do everything I can to make sure that we bond successfully."

Looking at T'Lanna, Raith held her hand and smiled at her, letting her know he wanted this and was onboard for the bonding he wanted with her.

T’Lanna’s smile said it all as she looked at Raith. She held onto his hand as she looked back at her father.

“I am grateful you came to see me, father. I have to admit I enjoyed our talks on Vulcan.” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “I will miss you when you leave.”

Raith sat forward. "It has been a pleasure to meet you sir, I have always wondered about meeting you, despite my discussions with T'Lanna, I feel first impressions often make for a better start in person," Raith said politely.

"Indeed." He studied the man. "I must say something." He levelled his gaze. "My daughter is much like her mother, emotionally driven. I do not wish her emotions injured."

T’Lanna looked at her father and then at Raith, she had no doubt in her mind that Raith would never do anything to hurt her but her father obviously needed to hear that for himself.

Raith could tell that he was concerned about his daughter and during the whole visit he had also picked up on the vibes that he was less than impressed with his daughters choice of partner. However, this didn't sway Raith and when her father made his concerns clear, he decided it was best to be honest with him as well.

"Admiral, you have my word as a Starfleet Officer that I hold your daughter's wishes, wants and demands with the highest regard. All I want is for her to be happy and secure in life and I have already consented to be both her partner in this relationship and also to bring up the child she carries as our own. I have no wish to injure her emotions or to hurt her in any way," he explained, making sure he was clear as he spoke.

It wasn't often that he stood up to a Flag Officer or Senior Officer in this way, but Raith felt it best to be clear with her father now, from the beginning and not later when the chance would be lost. "I have consented to bond with her of my own free will and I will keep that promise. I'm aware of the dangers and I'm willing to risk my life for the chance to be bonded with your daughter," he finished. He held T'Lanna's hand warmly as he spoke, allowing her to know that he spoke the truth about how he felt."

"Indeed." He said. "Do you plan for children?"

Raith nodded. "Indeed I do and we both do," he started. "All of my family, except my sister, were killed in the attack on Mars. Since that day, all I have wanted is to meet the right person and shouldn't be willing, behind a family of my own with them. In meeting T'Lanna, We have both found each other at a time when we needed someone and we are looking forward to bring this child up together."

He looked at T'Lanna. "Did you not say that this child would go to its human grandparents?"

T’Lanna nodded. “Unfortunately so but just while we are out on the ship.” She looked at Raith then back at her father. “I’m not permitted to have the baby onboard ship, as much as I wish I could. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope being separated from my son yet. I guess time will tell.”

Her father couldn't help but be hurt a little. She'd trusted the others more then she had him. He said nothing. "Very well. Then we shall make plans at a late time." He stood. "I should go."

“Father wait” T’Lanna looked at her father noting his quick decision to leave. “We did agree on Vulcan that you could look after the baby too, I’m not going to see you deprived of the joy of caring for your grandson. I just thought with you being out aboard your ship ...” She looked at Raith then at the floor. “I’m sorry ... I didn’t mean to make you feel like you weren’t included. I would very much like for you to share parenting with us.”

He raised an eyebrow and then gave a nod. "Indeed." There was a silence. "I should head out. The captain has a schedule. I shall see you both at a later time then."

T’Lanna nodded. “Thank you for coming to see us, be safe father.”

He gave a nod. He looked at Raith. "I look forward to....knowing you better." He gave a slight bow and was gone."

T’Lanna looked at Raith and smiled. “I think he likes you.” Her smile faded. “I just wish I hadn’t made him feel excluded from our son’s life, when we spoke on Vulcan he sounded alright with my plans.” She shook off her concerns for now, she had time to sort things out, looking at Raith she smiled. “Whatever I did to deserve you I’m glad I did it!” She leaned forward to give him a loving kiss. “I’m a lucky woman Raith.

{OFF}