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Consequences-Part 34

Author - Samantha Quinn
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Consequences

By Samantha Quinn

All disclaimers in part 1


Part 34

************

Out Jumped the Vulcan Twin Suns in the Form of Prince Sopel. . .

A/N: For all you continuity buffs out there (yeah, I’m one too): This story was in part inspired by Spock’s line in the TOS episode “Amok Time.” In that ep, he tells Captain Kirk that no humans have been told of the pon far mess nor have they been involved in the koon-ut-kalifee ritual EXCEPT those that have been DIRECTLY involved. This tells us plainly that even though T’Pau has a minor hissy fit about Kirk and McCoy being there, and the pon far thing is supposed to be a guarded secret, there have been “outworlders” involved before. So, in fact, I am respecting canon. ;)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~

T’Pol, having little strength left, was confined to the bed of Skon’s guest bedroom. The pain she had been suppressing with growing difficulty with each progressive day had overcome her with the start of this new day. The overwhelming discomfort was enough that T’Pol greatly contemplated closing her eyes and permitting the pain to overwhelm. She did not. *My own life would not be the only one to suffer,* she reminded herself.

Still, the effort to walk and perform daily functions was beyond T’Pol’s current abilities. For that reason, she remained in bed and her betrothed, Prince Sopel, regarded her from his stance near the doorway.

T’Pol was not certain what she was expecting when she met Sopel. She was certain, however, that the haughty Vulcan in front of her was not it.

Deliberately, Sopel laced his fingers behind his back and fixed T’Pol with an icy stare. “Explain yourself, T’Pol,” he said firmly. There was no pretense of pleasantry-or even feigned politeness in Sopel’s voice.

*It is difficult to believe that this man is partaking of any type of revolution,* T’Pol reflected. *His attitude is similar to that of Captain Vanik’s.*

“What information do you seek me to explain?” T’Pol asked.

“Why have I been summoned to you? It violates tradition,” Sopel explained.

It did, T’Pol knew. Traditionally, the male would summon the female to the land of his family where they would be wed. Male and female were not traditionally to see one another before the marital ceremony. For the male to be summoned by the female was a direct violation of all tradition.

“Tradition is of the utmost importance to our union, T’Pol,” Sopel continued. “We are both viewed as dissidents. For that reason, our union must observe more traditions than most other unions.”

“We must post-pone the wedding by one day,” T’Pol answered.

Sopel did not answer for a moment. Instead, he crossed the room, closing the distance between them. “You do not have that right,” he said coldly. “The wedding will proceed as tradition dictates.”

“I may not have the right to post-pone the wedding. However, I do have the right to have in attendance to my wedding meal those that I want to be there. As they will not be able to attend until 24 hours from now, the wedding must therefore be postponed, in accordance to my rights,” T’Pol stated.

Sopel regarded her. His dark eyes held none of the warmth that Skon and Koss had possessed. T’Pol met his gaze and held it.

“Your logic is without fault,” he replied. “Whose attendance do we wait for? Your mother’s?”

“No. Mother has sent word but she shall be unable to attend as she is doing research on Earth. We will wait for my shipmates,” T’Pol replied.

“Your shipmates?” Sopel mocked. “You have invited humans to our ceremony?”

T’Pol arched an eyebrow in confusion. “I have invited my colleagues, yes,” she answered.

“I met your father at a conference a year ago,” Sopel stated. “He was concerned your time with humans had contaminated you. I see he was correct about the accent. Apparently he was correct about the contamination as well.”

T’Pol chose to ignore the insults. “From what I had heard of you and your career from Captain Skon, I did not believe you would be willing to find fault with my human acquaintances.”

“You have heard of Terena, then?” Sopel asked. “My Andorian sexual partner?”

“Yes,” T’Pol answered. “Although I believed there was more to your companionship than intercourse.”

“Such as what?” Sopel demanded. “You have spent too much time amongst humans, T’Pol. Vulcans do not feel ‘love,’ as humans do. Nor are we consumed with the passions that Andorians have. There is no reason to assume my relationship is based on anything other than sexual relief.”

“Vulcans do not feel love,” T’Pol agreed. “And we do not feel passion. We are capable of developing affection. We can cherish our mates.”

“Rest assured, T’Pol. I do not hold affection for Terena. Nor do I cherish her.”

T’Pol greatly ached to send Sopel away and close here eyes to be rid of him. But she could not. “I do not understand,” she admitted finally. “Casual intercourse is not common amongst our people.”

“I am an anthropologist. I study relationships between Vulcans and Andorians. I have been accepted into many previously undisclosed rituals amongst the Andorian people. Rituals they would not dare permit another Vulcan to view.”

“Because of your relationship with Terena?” T’Pol asked incredulously.

“Yes.” For all that pride was an emotion, Sopel was full of it.

“Is she aware of her status as a research tool?” T’Pol questioned.

Again Sopel’s darkened eyes stared down at her. Again, T’Pol met them with her own questioning gaze. In reply, Sopel answered, “She does not. If she did, I would not be privy to the revelations our intimacy has brought.”

T’Pol was having a similar reaction to Sopel as she had experienced with Soval. Fortunately for Sopel, she was too tired to argue with him as she had with her father. Still, she was obligated to point out that, “Your actions betray true Vulcans.”

“Oh?” Sopel mocked. “How precisely do you believe I have betrayed our people?”

“Vulcans do not lie. We do not practice deceit. Our people may act arrogant from time to time, but that is because we believe we are superior. We demonstrate this supposed superiority through our actions-by showing others how we believe they should behave. If we act disgracefully, this is incongruous with our people’s beliefs,” T’Pol answered. The answer tired her, and she leaned to rest her head upon her pillow.

“Those objections matter only if you value emotion. I do not. My interactions with Terena shall promote the greater good. Vulcan-Andorian relationships shall prosper far beyond what they currently are, once I have supplied our people with the knowledge Terena has passed on to me,” Sopel answered. “As a result of my sacrifices--"

“You have sacrificed nothing,” T’Pol interrupted. “It is disreputable of you to claim you have.” *He is no different than David,* T’Pol reflected inwardly. *I have refused to admit to my affection for Commander Tucker because he was the same species as my previous ill chosen companion. Yet here stands a member of my own species willing to betray the trust of a mate for their own selfish reasons.*

“Regardless, it is none of your concern. I shall continue my relationship with Terena, and you shall continue your association with the humans. After the initial year, of course,” Sopel avowed.

Involuntarily, T’Pol’s heart rate increased. “After the initial year?” she echoed.

Sopel rewarded her with an appropriately condescending look. “You are aware of the tradition, are you not? The male and the female must live together for the first year.”

*Of course I am aware of it. It is the reason I broke my engagement to Koss.* A decision that was looking increasingly unwise. “I had been under the impression that I would return to my ship and you would return to your station.”

“That shall be the arrangement. After the initial year, we need contact only for official functions. But tradition shall be upheld, T’Pol.”

“I will not return with you to the station,” T’Pol said firmly. It was not as firm as she would have liked. But that was not a reflection on her character as it was a reflection of her illness.

“You have no choice. My work as an anthropologist--“

“Can be done from a post on a starship.”

“Not my type of work,” Sopel answered easily. “Andorians do not live as long as we do, T’Pol. I must return to Terena.”

“I must return to my humans. They too, have short lives,” T’Pol replied.

“You forget, you are marrying a prince. Our roles are not reversed.”

“I agreed to marry you solely on the condition that I be allowed to return to my ship.”

“Then it is unfortunate for you that you shall not be returning immediately,” Sopel stated. “However, I shall agree to a compromise. I shall not keep you the entire year-only until you have conceived a child.”

The thought was not a welcome one. In T’Pol’s newly emotional state, it was horrifying. Seeing her reaction, Sopel raised an eyebrow. “My line must continue, T’Pol. Surely I do not have to explain that to you.”

“What will Terena think, when your wife comes to live with you and share your bed?” T’Pol demanded.

The left side of Sopel’s mouth twisted and his eyebrow raised in the form of a definite smirk. “Terena believes I am marrying against my will to please my parents and to produce an offspring.”

“What makes you certain I will not relate to her what you have related to me?” T’Pol questioned.

“Because surely you know that if you were to be killed on a space station lying in the borders of Vulcan-Andorian space, no one would be surprised.”

The coldness of his threat made it seem that much more sincere. Still, T’Pol held his gaze. “Our Vulcan ancestors from the days before Surak would be proud,” she said, making certain her voice was as equally cold.

“The humans have contaminated you,” Sopel replied. “You confuse logic with the emotion of caring.”

T’Pol finally broke his gaze as she leaned her head back on her pillow and closed her eyes briefly, momentarily allowing the pain to win. Reasserting her claim on her body, T’Pol opened her eyes. “Perhaps,” she answered. “It is not a decision I regret.”

“I will grant you leave, T’Pol, as your illness threatens to overwhelm you. Are you certain you do not wish to meld before the ceremony?” Sopel asked.

“No.”

“Very well. Then I shall call for you when your crew arrives. Be advised that I am not a patient Vulcan, T’Pol.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

Koss had promised to visit T’Pol later that evening. When he arrived, T’Lara ushered him into her room, explaining, “Her illness threatens to take her. The visit with Sopel earlier today extracted a high cost.”

“I trust it invoked emotions she was unable to control because of her weakened state?” Koss prompted.

“Yes,” T’Lara responded. “Skon has summoned Sopel. They are going to meld in order for Sopel to absorb the bulk of her emotions, as he can control them.”

Lowering his voice slightly, Koss greeted T’Pol, “I have come, T’Pol, as I said I would. But I assume you are not up for a game of chess tonight, after all.”

T’Pol opened her eyes and shook her head slightly. “No. I am afraid not.” Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. *I can barely lift my head from my pillow.* The emotions did threaten to overwhelm her. Her pain had ceased to be caused only by certain emotions. Now all emotions overwhelmed her. *I grow weary of trying to control them. I grow weary of disowning them. I grow weary of having them.*

*I am a Vulcan! I should not have emotions!
*
Koss surveyed the Vulcan lying on the bed in front of him. Her breathing was labored and audible. Sweat dampened her brow. Yet she was clearly still struggling for control. Her hands remained at her side, curled in fists which jerked regardless of her wishes. With each additional jerk, her fists tightened again.

Presently, Sopel and Skon arrived. Koss reflected that Sopel bore the look of a child after completing the kahs-wan. Smug. Victorious. Koss suppressed the urge to physically correct the expression upon Sopel’s face.

Coming to T’Pol’s bedside, Sopel laced his hands slowly behind his back. For several moments he simply watched T’Pol, and did not speak.

Koss could take no more. “Are you not going to do help her?” he asked.

Sopel still held the victorious look. “We will need to be alone,” he stated finally.

“No,” T’Pol said forcefully. “They will stay.”

The look did not vanish from Sopel’s face. “T’Pol, I understand that your illness is producing emotions, even if this could have been prevented by cementing the ceremony today instead of waiting for tomorrow. Surely, however, you do not express fear?”

T’Pol’s fists tightened until they could tighten no more. Taking a deep breathe in order to compose herself, she again met his gaze as she replied, “In the past two years, I have overcome Suliban, Klingon, Romulan, and Andorian forces and escaped scenarios that many would believe to be un-winnable. You do not frighten me.

Koss noted with pleasure that the look fell from Sopel’s face. T’Pol’s breathing grew more labored, but she continued on, determined to say her peace. “However, I do not trust you anymore than my aforementioned foes. For that reason, they will stay. Or I shall die. If that occurs, you shall not have an heir.”

“Fine,” Sopel answered. “I assume you still do not want to initiate the mating bond?”

“No. That can wait,” T’Pol answered.

“Fine. You are perhaps too weak at this state to reciprocate regardless.” Sopel leaned forward, pressing his fingers to T’Pol’s face. After a moment of contact, he closed his eyes-no doubt an effort to control the emotions he was receiving from T’Pol.

Koss waited in fascination. He watched as T’Pol’s face became visibly less constricted. Her fists uncurled and her hands stopped jerking. She was again in control. Here, in front of him, was living proof of the validity of the melder community.

After an additional moment, Sopel pulled away. Koss noted he again had the smug look plastered upon his face. “I trust you are more in control?” Sopel inquired of T’Pol.

“Indeed,” T’Pol answered. Her voice was firmer and noticeably louder.

“The effects will not last long, but they shall last until tomorrow,” Sopel promised. “But surely, T’Pol, you do not truly find me as repulsive as raw animal flesh?”

“You have seen my mind. You know what I know,” T’Pol answered.

“Indeed. Which is why I now quite look forward to meeting this Commander Tucker of yours,” Sopel replied.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(are we the least little bit disturbed, yet?)

To Be Continued. . .


Continue to Part 35

Return to Part 33

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Nine of you have made comments

I too look forward to the meeting between Tucker and Sopel. I hope Trip gets to beat the crap out of him, figuratively or actually.

OOooh, that sneaky evil slimey creepy Sopel. I do not trust him as far as I can spit Andorian ale in a force 10 gale. So, he can't wait to meet Trip? Well I can't wait for Trip to knock him on his sorry smug backside and teach him some manners before booting him the hell out of their solar system! Please hurry with the next part, can't wait!!!
Thanks for a great story, Ali D :~)

Wow. I never thought that I could dislike a fictional character as much as Sopel. Atleast the villians in most other fiction have some sort of explanation for their behavior, but Sopel is just... and angry little man.

I'm still hoping that Archer decides to pull out the space cowboy routine and stop taking flak from some of those Vulcans.

Please hurry w/ the next chapter.... I love what've you've done so far

Oh no! *bangs head on keyboard* WHen I saw the next chapter posted I was so sure you were finally going to get Trip and T'Pol together but you've left us with another cliffhanger! Please hurry with the next chapter, I love this story!

Oh my gosh! There aren't whole lot of fictional characters that I cannot stand. But Sopel just rocketed into first place. I can't believe him! Why bother leaving the correction of the expression on his face to Koss or Trip? I wanna have a go at the jerk!

Love it love it LOVE IT! Please don't make us wait long for the next chapter! Trip and Sopel, who will of course rub Trip the wrong way (on purpose), is just to enticing!

Ditto the above comments on Sopel! Great writing; I HATE him! :o) Can't wait to see where you go with this.

I love everything that you've done!!! So far, Sopel is the best creepy villian that I've ever encountered!!!

we are exceedingly disturbed... on two counts... Sopel and the wait for more of this story! HURRRY MORE NOW!!!

Oh perhaps he will die instead of T'Pol on the station? after she bonds with Trip Sopel will not want her... please?!?!?!?!