Daybreak- Epilogue

Daybreak

by ShouldKnowBetter

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

~~~~~~~

Epilogue – Convergence

Two years later:

It didn’t need the noise from the kitchen to tell Cole that Soval was in a bad mood. She had known the moment she got within a couple of kilometres that something had happened to annoy him, and she had a fair idea what it would be this time. “Hey.” He didn’t look up from the harmless vegetables he was ruthlessly attacking, and she crossed the small room to slip her arms around him from behind, leaning her chin on his shoulder. “I’ve told you it’s not logical to throw things around just because you’re in a temper.”

“I do not throw things.” His voice was curt. “Neither do I become angry.”

“Liar,” she said amiably. “You shouldn’t let the kids annoy you.”

“They are not interested in learning, only in comparative sexuality.”

“All teenagers are interested in sex.” She nuzzled his ear. “Tell ‘em to talk to me.”

“I did.”

She chuckled and released him, but only so that she could wriggle in front for a proper greeting. Soval wasn’t a great deal less grumpy by the time she had finished kissing him, and Cole sighed and raised a hand to stroke his face. “They like you.” That was something that had surprised her, until she realised that Soval simply treated children as he treated adults – sarcastically. They thoroughly enjoyed having the resident Vulcan be rude to them. His scowl didn’t lift, and she sighed again. “If teaching’s gonna make you downright miserable, I’ll tell Bethany she can’t use you anymore.”

“Passing on knowledge to the young – or trying to! – is an obligation.”

“You’ll give them the wrong impression of Vulcans.”

“They already have the wrong impression of Vulcans.”

For the third time in as many minutes, Cole sighed and kissed Soval some more. He wasn’t usually quite so curmudgeonly. Life in the colony lacked the high tech conveniences they had both been born to, but electricity – most of the time – hot water and enough to eat were more than they had often had when they’d lived in the Australian settlement after the Xindi’s devastating attack on Earth. And she knew damn well that Soval would have put up with a great deal worse in order to live with her in a society that didn’t treat them as outcasts; neither of them had enjoyed the few months they’d had to spend on Vulcan. The real problem was that Soval was bored. It was taking the other Humans a very long time to realise that his position as Vulcan ambassador to the colony was primarily a titular one. Bethany was one of the very few to realise that he had a useful contribution to make to the rapidly expanding population, and was quite prepared to help – if only he was asked!

At least the ready availability of hot water meant that she had a means of distracting Soval from the iniquity of the Human and Skagaran children. “Come wash my back. I’m stiff.”

“No.”

“No?” Soval approved of showering together. Not only did he enjoy the almost inevitable sex, but it saved water – theoretically, at least.

“T’Pol called.” He didn’t sound particularly pleased to have heard from his daughter. “Enterprise has returned. She invited herself and Captain Tucker to dinner.”

Cole took him firmly by the hand. “Then you definitely need to wash my back. We don’t want Lorien to be scared by his mean old grandpa.”

~

They were still a trifle damp when they went to the door to greet the rest of the family, a fact that caused Tucker to eye them dubiously. Cole knew that he still found it hard to accept that she and Soval enjoyed a healthy sex life, and he was always looking for evidence that they didn’t. Fortunately Lorien was a great deal too young to share his father’s obsession. He pulled free from T’Pol to trot up to Soval. “Good day, grandfather.” Then he turned his blue eyes on Cole. “Hey, grandma.”

“Horrid child!” She scooped him up, holding him at arm’s length to look forbiddingly at him. “Who taught you that? As if I didn’t know!”

“You are his grandmother,” Tucker said cheerfully, and she stuck her tongue out at him, then kissed Lorien, who was trying the new expression himself.

Soval frowned and plucked the boy from her arms. “You are a bad influence on Lorien, Amanda.”

She grinned affectionately at his retreating back; Lorien’s hand was in his grandfather’s, the boy chatting happily. “Come on in.” She addressed the other two. “I hope the news is interesting. Soval’s climbing the walls.”

Tucker and T’Pol exchanged an amused look, before the woman said dryly, “I believe we may be able to help.”

~

“Was anything achieved?” They had barely taken seats in the living area, never mind dealt with the social niceties: Cole had still not worked out whether Soval never bothered with polite questions about his family’s health because he was Vulcan, or because he was a rude Vulcan. Fortunately Tucker and T’Pol were used to him and Lorien didn’t care, as long as his grandfather let him sit on his lap. But it did ruffle a lot of feathers amongst the Human colonists.

In answer to the question, Tucker fished a PADD out of a pocket and tossed it across. “Quite a lot. That’s the draft of the treaty we thrashed out.”

Soval gave him a sceptical look and turned his attention to the PADD, while Cole asked, “Who turned up?”

“Who we expected. Vulcan, Andoria, Rigel, Xindi. General Shran sent his regards.”

Cole grinned at the mention of the Andorian, and Soval lifted his head to scowl at her. “I’m sure he did!” He was still touchingly jealous of every man who admired her. He threw the PADD back to Tucker. “That is entirely inadequate. Were it to be signed, the alliance would founder within a year.”

“Yeah.” Tucker tossed it back again. “That’s why V’Lar asked that you provide input on the terms. Oh,” he made a show of having remembered something unimportant, “Degra and Shran wanted to know why you weren’t involved in the discussions. They kind of insisted you be there for the next round of talks.”

Soval was rendered momentarily speechless, and Cole winked at T’Pol, before reaching over to ruffle his grey hair. “See? Told you they’d want you back.” His daughter hadn’t needed much encouragement to help ensure that Soval was allowed back into mainstream politics. It was only logical, after all. For all Cole teased him for being bad-tempered and impatient, he was one of Vulcan’s most experienced diplomats. Effectively exiling him had been a shortsighted move by the High Council.

“The committee’s scheduled to resume talks in three months.” Tucker had also been part of the conspiracy, and rather an important one, since he represented Humanity in the group that had been formed to discuss the possibility of forming a league of planets. As V’Lar had said in her opening remarks, events of recent years had shown that they were all vulnerable if they stood alone. Together, they might become stronger than their individual parts.

“What are you gonna call it?” Cole asked cheerfully, anxious to prevent Soval monopolising the conversation and Tucker for the rest of the evening.

“I thought ‘Star Empire’ had a nice ring to it.”

“With you as emperor, Trip? Sure you wouldn’t go over to the dark side?”
They were still chuckling about that one, to the confusion of the Vulcans, when Lorien decided that he’d been ignored for long enough. He tugged on one of Soval’s hands. “Grandfather, I’m gonna have a sister.”

Cole directed a long look down at the boy, his short crop making the pointed ears clearly visible. “Well,” she lifted her eyes briefly towards Tucker and T’Pol, “that’s great. Congratulations.” She stood up a little abruptly. “Anyone want tea?”

“Amanda.” Soval stretched out a hand towards her but she ignored the gesture, heading for the kitchen, cursing herself when her hand shook as she filled the kettle. She couldn’t avoid Soval knowing how much that innocent statement hurt, but there was no need to spoil the others’ pleasure in the news. It was just …

“Amanda.” She stiffened: she and T’Pol had developed a cautious friendship, but the Vulcan woman hardly ever called her by name. “I apologise for Lorien’s behaviour. We did not intend you to find out in such a way.”

“That’s okay,” but she didn’t turn around. “Why shouldn’t he be pleased? I hope you’re not gonna be so ill this time.”

“No. Dr Phlox has found a way to combine Vulcan and Human genes that does not produce such severe side effects. Amanda,” T’Pol’s voice was gentle, “he assures me that the procedure would work for you too.”

For a moment Cole remained motionless, then spun around, briefly noting that both Soval and Tucker were standing in the doorway, listening, before she fixed her gaze on the other woman. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. He finalised the procedure that would allow me to conceive last year.” T’Pol glanced briefly at Tucker, who smiled faintly in encouragement. “We delayed my conception until he had adapted the technique to enable a Human woman to bear a child with Vulcan DNA.”

“Oh.” Cole’s throat was aching. They’d never discussed children, because it hadn’t been possible. Suddenly presented with the impossible, she was absolutely sure that Soval would not want her to have his child. Why should he? He already had a full-grown daughter, plus grandchildren if he ever wanted youngsters around.

“We will have to attend the conference Charles mentioned.” Soval didn’t wait for her to ask, knowing her far too well. “It should be possible to arrange a visit to Denob – if you wish.”

She bit her lower lip briefly, trying to remain in control. “You’re sure?” He nodded, outwardly emotionless, although she could sense his pleasure – and not just because she could now have the child she wanted. She gave in to her own emotion, stumbling across the floor to hug him, pressing her face into his neck. “Thank you.”

“On no account thank me.” Soval’s voice was dry, even though he had broken with custom to put an arm around her. “You will be obliged to care for the child yourself. I refuse to clean up after it, and I am too old to lose sleep in order to feed it at night.”

She didn’t believe him for one moment, but the threat enabled her to pull back enough to scowl at him. “You really are a mean old Vulcan!”

~

2161:

The council chamber of the about-to-be incorporated United Federation of Planets had been finished so recently that Cole swore she could still smell the paint. The chamber was also woefully undersized for the crowd gathered there, even the space allocated to the spouses of senior diplomats too small for a heavily pregnant woman. She shifted restlessly, trying to ignore a sharp pain through her lower body, and Soval turned his head sharply to frown at her. “Do you wish to leave?”

“And miss this? No way.” She pulled herself up straighter. “This is all your fault.”

“I do not doubt it.” His tone was dry, but he had a hand behind her, surreptitiously massaging her abused back. “Would you care to enlighten me?”

“You let them site the council chamber here. You knew we wouldn’t have the resources to build something big enough.”

“It was necessary to locate the administration so as to avoid the accusation that any one species will dominate. It is considered that there are too few Humans for that to be an issue here.”

“And you wanted the council chamber on your doorstep so that you can meddle without leaving home.”

“If they wish for my advice, I am prepared to offer it.”

“I’ll bet you are! Hello, Colonel Shran.”

The Andorian took the seat next to her, smiling nastily over her head at Soval. “Pregnant women are notoriously bad tempered. I trust she is making your life a misery.”

“She is.”

Cole scowled, but had no time to contest the accusation, because they were called to order.

~

The signing ceremony and speeches took a very long time, and Tucker was grinning when it finally drew to a close and he came over to them, automatically pulling T’Pol to him. “Good thing we left the kids with Hoshi. They’d have been creating havoc by now. I was bored rigid and I thought Amanda was about to scream.”

“No, you didn’t.” She took the hand Soval held out and rose carefully. “We’re leaving now.”

“Why?” Tucker was surprised. “We’ve just got to the fun bit.”

“We have to go have a baby.”

T’Pol blinked and turned a disapproving look on her father. “You forced Amanda to remain here when she entered labour?”

“No.” Cole came to Soval’s defence. “It started this morning. I made him bring me.” She gasped suddenly, clutching at the Vulcan’s hand, while he frowned at her. “Soval, I think we should hurry it up a little.”

~

Soval was in the garden, reading, when Tucker and T’Pol paid a visit the next day. Tucker gave him a suspicious look. “You look far too calm for a new dad. Everything okay?”

“Naturally.” Soval absently smoothed Lorien’s hair into a more traditional Vulcan style as the boy clambered up onto his grandfather’s lap, to peer into the basket perched on the bench beside him.

“Is that my uncle?”

“It is.”

The child scowled. “He’s asleep. T’Pen sleeps all the time too.”

“A problem with all babies. It passes with time.”

Lorien sighed and directed a pensive look upwards. “Grandfather, can I still come stay with you now my uncle’s here?”

“Of course.” The answer was immediate, although Soval frowned over at Tucker and T’Pol as soon as the reassurance was given. “Who said you could not?”

“Lorien was concerned that you would not have room.” T’Pol took another seat, her younger child held carefully on one shoulder.

“I see.” Soval redirected his attention to the sandy haired child gazing solemnly up at him. “There will always be room for you here, Lorien. I trust you will continue to visit frequently. I must soon start to teach you to meditate.”

“Okay.” Lorien produced one of his rare smiles. “Will you read to me, grandfather?”

“Not if it involves one of your father’s comic books.”

Tucker grinned unrepentantly. “Leave Soval in peace today, Lorien. I reckon he needs a rest. Bonding might be a good thing, but not when the woman’s in labour.”

T’Pol gave him a repressive look, and addressed her father. “Is Amanda well?”

“Emotional and illogical. She’s asleep.”

“Have you selected a name for the boy?”

“Apparently, Robert.”

Her eyes widened. “A Human name!”

“We are still discussing the matter.”

“Robert, it is then.” Tucker shook his head sadly. “I’ve told you before, Soval, you shouldn’t let Amanda bully you.”

“I heard that.” Cole appeared in the open doorway and came stiffly to join the others. “Damn it, moving still hurts!”

“You’re not gonna have a dozen, then?” Tucker asked, laughing, and she shook her head as Soval helped her to a seat by the basket.

“One’s enough, thank you!” Then she smiled fatuously down at the baby. “Isn’t he gorgeous? He looks just like Soval.”

“She is entirely irrational about the child,” her husband remarked dryly, then spoilt the effect by touching her cheek gently. Cole smiled at him and settled comfortably against him: she had finally persuaded him that touching was permissible when only family were present.

They sat in companionable silence for a while – not something that would often happen with three young children between them – until T’Pen woke and demanded to be fed. Her crying woke Robert, and Tucker watched with amusement while Soval and Cole tussled over which of them got to feed their baby, who, like his niece, needed specially formulated milk. “I thought you weren’t gonna have anything to do with raising your son, Soval.”

“It occurred to me,” the Vulcan won the battle for once, and took Robert into his arms, “that he will require more discipline than Amanda is able to supply. I will be obliged to help out on occasion.”

Tucker was still grinning when T’Pol handed him T’Pen, who was promptly sick all over her father. Cole smiled happily at Tucker’s disgust and rubbed her cheek on Soval’s shoulder. “D’you think a federation would have been formed if the Xindi hadn’t destroyed Earth?”

“Perhaps.” Soval looked thoughtfully across at his son-in-law. “A Human dominated one, committed to interfering in matters that should not concern it.”

“Hey!” Cole protested. “That’s not fair. And what about Mr President over there? He’s Human and you supported his election.”

Soval studied the first president of the United Federation of Planets, who was currently trying to clean vomit from his badge of office. “True. But he is mostly harmless.”

finis

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Wow, that is amazing. I was reading it all morning. Wow.

Hey, ShouldKnowBetter, I just wanted you to know that I took a vacation day today, just so I could read this whole epic from start to finish... you've definitely written a great series! I love your spin on S & A, and your Mayweather is the greatest ever written! And thanks for bringing Shran into the mix... I love Shran! Love him!

Anyway, this was GREAT fic; HOW did you keep it under wraps for so long, to post it all at once (that was mean, by the way, but a great surprise)? :) Super, super, excellent, fun! :)

*Wipes sweat off forehead* DONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool story... it forever to read since you put it all in one but I finished it! Yay!!!!!!! Loved Mayweather by the way! And of course Trip and T'Pol were nice too! LOL Of course!!!!!!! I hope to see more of this series!

awesome! I couldn't stop once I started. Thank you!

So: you forced me to read this all day ;-))) (nothing of my work is near finished) and you were soooooooooo nice to post it all at once!

THANK YOU for this wonderful fic. You took my breath away, you´ve made me laugh, you´ve made me almost cry. I adored Amanda and Soval, and your T/T-moments are beyond beautiful.

THANKS!!

Bravo. A tour de force!

Damn... you just made me lose an entire day's work. But I'm glad I did.

Bravo! This was a very entertaining story.

Vaux & Zane, I'm so glad I'm not the only one so addicted that I neglect my work to read great fic... oh, bad! Is there a 12-step for people like us?

:)

This series was wonderfully written! I couldn't stop reading. I know this is greedy, but, when can we expect your next fanfic?!!

Thanks, people, for the very kind comments. Sorry to dump the story on you all at once, but I don't have the discipline or the courage of other people who are able to submit in chapters - I have to hang on to a story until I've finished, in case I need to re-write earlier bits.

I should have known better than to start reading this story because I knew once I did I wouldn't be able to stop til I was done! And though it's early in the a.m. here I can't say I regret a single minute. Tho it still gives me the willies to think about Soval and Amanda together, you've pulled off a wonderful story! Thanks for such an amazing effort.

I started reading this late in the evening, and finished in the early hours of the morning -- I got very little sleep, but it was worth it because it was a great story! I love the post-twilight universe you've created here, and I'm only saddened because it seems like this is the end of it!

Err, I guess its not a post-twilight universe... more of a post-earth-destroyed one... lack of sleep will do that to you :)

Wow!
I had to catch up on your prequels before I started this one.
I was no use whatsoever at work... I had to print it out and read it at home... sigh... but it was worth every piece of paper! I didn't mind at all, that you poured the whole gigantic story in one piece over us. A nice change!
Great chemistry and awesome character interaction. And I always loved the pairing of Amanda & Soval. You just make it work! Excellent!
I had no idea, that Mayweather could be such an interesting character...
In the end I was really upset about the possibility of T'Pol losing the child, but boy was I glad to be wrong... I just love happy endings. And a nice touch to remember the "Western"-planet in the Expanse.
Please feel free to write further mega-monster-fics in the future...
;-)

An absolutely amazing story, ShouldKnowBetter -- quite possibly the best "Trek" I've ever read. I've enjoyed all of your stories, but you've reached a new level with this one. Maybe it's time to think about writing for (paid)publication??

What a great story. Truly amazing and one that I could not stop reading until finished. My favourite portion was the last two chapters. I found the interchanges between Tpol, Trip, Soval and Amanda at times very funny.

I love to read your stuff. It inspires me to better my writing. I hope you keep adding more stories to the collection here.

oh mi god, another great story, wow i just spent like 3 hours reading it, sooo, gd, i reeally like the whole soval amanda pairing, soo funny.

What a remarkable series! I was riveted from start to finish. You managed not only to weave into a complex Xindi arc personal issues between Trip and T'pol but an utterly engaging relationship between Amanda and Suval. With the show, I liked both characters well enough, but never found either of them particularly compelling. Here, I was as interested in them as TnT. That's saying something. I will read anything you write. So please write again soon! :-)

You never write a bad one, do you? You've completely sold me on the Amanda/Soval thing and now I've got another one of your bloody series that I'm going to have to reread over and over and rec to anyone who will listen to me.

In a word: brilliant.

Incredible. This series is very much on par with MissAnnThropic's Cry Havic epic.

Wow, how you could take such devastation and come up with such a beautiful ending, I'm amazed. And I am thoroughly in the Amanda/Soval camp now, thanks to you! Highly illogical match, I know, but so has Trip/T'Pol been and that never stopped me.

I hope that "There is No Sin but Ignorance" will not be your last fic. You have a gift for weaving stories.

::stunned silence::

Wow.

That deserves an award.

Wow.

::thinks over the story again in wonder::

Wow.

That was excellent. Amanda/Soval, Tucker/T'Pol, and little ones to! Bravo! A truly excellent story. I'm looking forward to your next fic, no matter what universe it's in.

Wow, how did I miss this story before. I have spent half the day reading it. Absolutely awsome.
I loved Amanda and Soval, and Trip and T'pol were wonderful as well. This has to one of the best fanfics I have ever read. Thanks so much for all the time you must have put into this story.