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Trip Tucker yawned and stretched on the large bed in T’Les’ house. No, their house now, he reminded himself. He still sometimes felt his mother-in-law’s stern gaze in the hallways, though she had passed years ago.
The Vulcan sun was already climbing the sky, meaning he had slept in. Thankfully, it was his day off from his teaching job at the Vulcan Science Academy. T’Pol also had the day off from her ambassadorial duties.
They hadn’t had much free time together lately, as all of Vulcan was preparing for one of their few big holidays. He had wanted to spend the day with her, but the empty spot next to him on the bed indicated that she had gotten up to prepare for something or other. Ah well.
He made his way to the dining area, and found her already eating breakfast.
“T'hy'la, I have prepared the morning meal. Join me.”
“It looks great, thanks Darlin’. But did you have to schedule something today? I was hoping we could just hang out together.”
“I have a consultation. They should arrive soon.”
“Another one? Feels like you get one or two a week now.”
“As relations between our peoples improve, more Vulcans will need to understand humans. I am one of Vulcan’s foremost experts on dealing with humanity. Therefore, it is logical that they consult with me.”
“I know, I know. I just wish we got to spend more time together.”
“Do not worry, T'hy'la. You know that our schedules will soon return to normal. The consultation should be complete by midday. Then we can ‘hang out’ as much as you wish.”
He grinned. “Looking forward to it.”
Their conversation was cut short by a knock on the front door, just as T’Pol finished the last of her meal. Her timing, as always, was impressive. She got up to open the door, revealing a young Vulcan woman who nodded to T’Pol and sent a curious glance Trip’s way. Well, that wasn’t unusual. As his wife directed her guest to the study for privacy, Trip was struck by a thought he had had before:
Why are these consultations always with women?
Once in the study, T’Pol gestured to a pair of pillows on the floor. She sat on one while her guest took the other.
“I greet you ambassador T’Pol, daughter of T’Les.”
“As I greet you, T’Nar, daughter of T’Lon.”
“Your mate is… very attractive.”
“I agree. But you have not come here to discuss my husband. I suspect you have come to me to discuss a different human male.”
“You are correct.” T’Nar controlled her emotions well, but T’Pol could see a slight green hue creep up her cheeks. She likely would have missed it had Trip not pointed out the same thing on T’Pol’s face more than once.
“Tell me about him.”
“He is one of the human warriors stationed at their embassy. They call themselves MACOs. I became acquainted with him at a tea shop we both frequent.”
“And how far have you two progressed?”
At that, T’Nar’s control slipped and anyone would have been able to spot her blush. “We joined for the first time three nights ago.”
“And you have come to me for advice about continuing the relationship?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.”
#########
“He often wishes to engage in physical contact, even when we are not copulating. I find it difficult to deal with.”
“What does he attempt?”
“He wants to ‘hold hands’ and ‘kiss’.”
“Do you dislike these actions?”
“No, but he tries to perform them in public.”
“I see. Humans, especially males, are often unable to determine what is or is not acceptable in Vulcan society. The difference in cultures is too large. If you inform him that these actions are inappropriate in public, he will likely understand.”
“Do humans do such things on Earth? Around others?”
“Yes, often. Sometimes with multiple partners at once.”
“Then I will also inform him that I will allow no other partners.”
“Most humans do not engage in this practice, but it would still be wise to do so.”
#########
“Have you expressed your opinion of him in words?”
“I have told him that his company is agreeable.”
“That is not sufficient. Human males, as members of a non-telepathic species, require regular declarations of affection. Otherwise, he may begin to doubt your relationship.”
“I… do not know if I can. For a Vulcan to express such a thing…”
“These expressions are something you must do if you wish your pairing to succeed. I significantly impeded my early relationship with my husband by refusing to do so.”
“I will... attempt this.”
“It will not be necessary forever. Once you are fully bonded, you will each be able to communicate your affection without words.”
“Then it is true? You and your mate are bonded in the manner of the Syrranites?”
“Indeed.”
“Incredible…”
#########
“Humans have wildly varying emotional states, and sometimes he may become unhappy due to any number of factors in his life. When I wish to improve my husband’s emotional state, I find that engaging in intercourse works the majority of the time.”
“I will keep that in mind. How should I approach him when I am the one who requires satisfaction?”
“If you act unhappy with him, he will likely attempt to please you more when copulating.”
“So whether I am unhappy or he is unhappy, the solution is intercourse?”
“I see that you are coming to understand the human male.”
T’Pol walked T’Nar back to the front door, then turned to her husband who was once again tinkering with the kitchen appliances.
“The consultation is concluded.”
“Good! I was thinking we could try one of those new human restaurants in the city? They all have vegetarian options for you, and I’m getting sick of plomeek broth.”
Her husband had mostly gotten over his unhappy emotions from the morning, but through the bond she could feel a small lingering sense of discontent. It would be logical for her to follow her own advice.
She moved closer to him, and surprised him with a kiss on the lips. He deepened the kiss greedily. She pulled away, nearly breathless. “Perhaps we can have the food delivered to us here. I would prefer to spend the rest of our day… alone.”
She smiled inside herself as she felt the last bit of unhappiness drain from him, replaced by far more… agreeable emotions.