Hell Hath No Fury

Posted on Sunday, 7 February 2021 - 5:38pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears
Location: USS Standing Bear | Various
Timeline: 2394 MD 07 Evening- Pre Shift

ON:

Soral stood reviewing the meeting notes and truly feeling better then he had in days. From a tactical advantage the best thing to do was, as Alex had suggested, send in a probe first.

His pride in his wife was great yet she still needed to firm up her stance. She had a soft and good heart when it came to standing up for herself. His thoughts were still flying when the doors to tactical opened. It was a quiet night, he'd sent the staff on patrol so nobody should be there.

"Commander Soral," T'Paris acknowledged with a nod. "I did not expect you to see you here. May I be of assistance?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You were not on the duty roster Lieutenant." He said. "I may in turn return your inquiry."

“I completed my meditations and in the absence of other activities I wished to tend to some of the more routine diagnostics and reports,” T’Paris informed him. “In the evening there are fewer distractions. If you wish to be alone, however, I can return to my quarters.”

He thought a moment. "No...I wish to discuss something with you."

“Of course. I believe I have made it clear that I am always available if you have a need to discuss any subject,” she replied with a simple nod.

"I wish to ask you something. It has come to my attention, three different people have pointed this out, that you may... harbour some ill feelings towards my wife."

A raised eyebrow was the only immediate response. “I assure you, Commander, they are mistaken. I do, however, believe it is not a match within your best interests. If I may be so bold to say so. You have surely considered this. For example, you took me into your confidence and explained you are no longer bonded. That is rare amongst our people. For one obvious reason. When it is your Time, Commander, you will need to establish that bond again or risk your life.”

"Perhaps." He said. "So you can tell me in all honesty that you have not goaded Alexandra in any way?"

“Goaded?” T’Paris repeated. “I have spoken with her, if that is what you mean. I was not... goading? Perhaps she took my words out of context. With respect, her temper and emotion often overrides logic and reason. Meditation would assist her greatly but I appreciate she finds it a difficult skill to master.”

"I see." He paused. "You do realize that Alexandra is your superior officer and the second officer of this ship. I am not detecting the respect that should be shown to her. I would remind you of that in future when dealing with Lieutenant Kingsley. Now to my next question. I have been told by many, and Alexandra seems to agree that you seem to see yourself taking her place. Is there any truth to that?"

"Many?" T'Paris challenged, sounding dubious. "Commander, who are these many? Beyond Lieutenant Kingsley. I believe I am entitled to know, if my character is being called into question."

"Lieutenant McKenzie for one, Petty Officer Eyelaya, and a few others who've asked for anonymity. So I ask you once again. Is there any truth to that?"

"Do I consider myself a more... suitable mate? Of course. We share many common interests, I am from a family of good standing and I fully understand and respect our traditions. You broke a vow of marriage for someone who neither understands nor respects them or her obligations to you, as your wife; she who is emotional, quick to anger. Her insecurities led to you attempting a dangerous ceremony without the assistance you required, the consequences of which could have cost you your life, Commander. I would never have placed such a restriction on you, either directly or by manipulating your feelings to make you feel such a risk was necessary.

There are many Vulcans aboard who noted how quickly you became attached to her, they could not understand it. Nor can I. What can a human, this one in particular, offer you that a full bloodied Vulcan cannot?"

She stepped closer, "Soral, I value the guidance you have given to me as a superior officer, your teachings as a mentor. And I cannot deny, as I weigh up the arguments on both sides, I do consider that I am the more logical choice."

Rounding the corner, Lieutenant Kingsley stopped in mid stride as she realised her husband was not alone. Her eyes narrowed as she saw who he was with, although she chided herself. A tactical officer, in the tactical office was hardly odd. Still, she hung back, even taking a step back so that she was hidden from sight. Which made it hard to tell what was being said, but what she saw was enough the make her blood boil. Had that woman never heard of personal space?!

Oblivious to the arrival, T'Paris was on a one way path. For the moment at least. And if Soral valued action and emotion as much as he seemed to, she was willing to take that risk. What was that Human expression? Fortune favours the bold? Or perhaps it was the brave...

And so, without warning, she took that last small step to close the gap and kissed him. She was aware of his sudden tension, his surprise and something else... yet she was certain that if he could only see... instinct brought her hands up, in search of the touch points on his face. If she could show him the truth of her feelings then he could not continue to deny she was the most logical choice.

Soral had been caught off guard by her openness and angry at the low regard she had for his wife and the fact that she, a Vulcan woman, would dare seek a mate not her own. He was trying to formulate a response when she kissed him. For a moment he could feel the truth of the fact that his time of Pon Farr was near, a disgust that this was not Alex and then he felt her mind trying to meld. I was not a bond but she was seeking something. His instinct was to push her away but perhaps the only way to do that was to show her how he felt. He severed the kiss but allowed the meld. He allowed her to show him her mind first.

Feeling his resistance to the meld dissipate, T'Paris closed her eyes, aware she would never likely have another opportunity if she failed to convey her feelings adequately.

She reached deep into her memories, grasping that pain, buried deep, at the loss of her beloved Sunek, the pain of their broken bond. For she wanted Soral to know that she could understand his own pain at the loss of a bond and could help him build another. She lingered only briefly on the loss, the agony of those first few hours and days and then she shifted to here. The peace, the tranquillity which followed their shared meditations.

Their talks on Vulcan history and culture which had preceded the arrival of his now wife, time which she had found enlightening and yet left her unfulfilled. Her reluctance to pursue the feelings she had harboured for he was due to marry another Vulcan... yet they refused to be quelled. And an anger at the discovery of his relationship with the Human woman who had so bewitched him and ultimately caused him to break the very vow of marriage which had obligated her to maintain her distance.

The there was her protectiveness of him and her fear for him. He was on a path few had followed, turning away from tradition. Breaking vows. And she doubted Kingsley's motives and how she had caused him to turn his back upon the ways of his people. Yet for Soral himself, her feeling had only grown stronger.

Her mind flashed to the day in the cargo bay, a day when Soral had endangered himself to save his friend. And then to the hours she had spent at his bedside. A time when she had finally allowed herself hope. A strained marriage, an absent wife. It was she who had spent hours at his bedside, reciting ancient Vulcan prayers to aide his healing. Knowledge that she could offer what his human wife could not. Soral had told her himself. The bond was broken. As such the marriage was no such thing to her mind. And she was of no doubt. One too weak to sustain a bond, was too weak to bear a child of Vulcan.

She was a full bloodied Vulcan, and through the meld she showed him how she she had studied and embraced the teachings and traditions he himself favoured. Unlike his human wife, she understood what was expected of a wife, of a marriage, and what it meant to be Vulcan.

Her revelations were enlightening. He understood now. In tern he shared with her his own feelings, T'Aurora a marriage contract that was only struck to ensure his sister's happiness, his immense loneliness and then Alexandra. He shared with her the rawness of his enchantment with Alexandra and his love for her. The happiness of an accidental bond, the joy and peace at their union. The deep acceptance of self and the sheer power of their bond and his love for Alexandra. Then the pain and utter hopelessness at the loss of their bond and finally his willingness to rather die married to her then risk bonding with another. For Soral there was only Alexandra. He also shared with her the pain she had caused for Alexandra.

Their minds eased apart, he the stronger melder breaking the mind meld. "T"Paris I grieve with thee for thy loss. I am...humbled by your feelings and your care for me and honoured but Alexandra is my wife, she is the breath I take, my very source of strength and life. I cannot have feelings for you. Do you understand now?"

T'Paris gave nod, almost shaking at the rawness of the emotions he had shared with her. "I.. I believe I do, yes," she managed, clearing her throat as she took a step back, attempting to re-establish her composure. "I have never known of a Vulcan and non Vulcan to share a bond quite so powerful. Had you not shared it with me, I would not have believed it possible. My apologies, Commander. For my behaviour. As both an officer and a Vulcan... it is inexcusable."

"Given the pain that you have gone through, the broken bond...it is understandable. It is not easy to feel the death of ones mate. You will find someone that you can share a bond with again and you will make him an extraordinary wife. The fact that you were able to feel for me tells you that your heart and mind are ready to seek another." He paused. "Perhaps rather then give the apology to me speak with Alexandra." He studied her. "She is the second officer of this ship, your superior and for all you have done to upset and hurt her she had not used her rank against you. Perhaps, a conversation with her could bring understanding on both your sides. As I told her all this is a misunderstanding ... perhaps a lack of communication is more apt."

T'Paris considered it for a moment and nodded. "Of course. If she would be willing to speak to me, that is."

"I can listen," Alex spoke up from behind them. "Perhaps when this mission is over we can sit down and talk?"

"I think it a good idea," he said. He walked over to Alex. "I think that this tension between you two is now done?" He looked at both.

Alex studied T'Paris, "truce?"

T'Paris was silent for a moment, then said, "indeed. Truce."

Alex released a sigh of relief as she smiled up at Soral. T'Paris gave one final nod and then moved past them to take her leave. Alex almost felt sorry for her. "I just came by to see you before I headed to the Bridge."

"I am glad you did. T'Paris came in search of me. I have to admit to something. She kissed me, I pushed her away, we did have a mind meld but it was to show her how I feel about you and I discovered her story as well of how she lost her bond mate, she ... felt him die. I was her first...what do you call it, crush after."

"I saw most of it," she admitted with a sheepish smile as she wrapped her arms around him. "Hopefully that is the end of it. I can hardly blame her for having a crush on you, can I?"

He would never tire of her hugs. "I believe that it is the end. She has seen my devotion to you and my love for you." He held her tight. "I also...have some news."

"News?"

"I have spoken with Doctor Rose. It appears that I may in he early stages of Pon Farr."

“Soral...” the worry was evident in her voice as she pulled back enough to look up at him. They were weeks away from Hary being ready to help them. “How long do we have?”

"It is still early. We have time. It is not detectable medically yet so it is pre stage one. We have time. I promise you and meditation will help."

“You have to promise me that you won’t hide anything from me, please,” she told him as she rested her head on his chest. “We will do this together.”

"Indeed. Absolute Candor," he said using the Romulan vow. "I promise." He held her. "Alright. I should finish here. You, my wife, should be on he bridge." He cupped her face and kissed her.

“I suppose,” she pouted. Standing on her tip toes she kissed him back, “goodnight.”

OFF: