Who Says a Vulcan Needs a Bodyguard - Part 5, by myst123

Who Says a Vulcan Needs a Bodyguard?

by myst123

Disclaimers in Part 1

AN: I hope I successfully pulled the story together!

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Part 5

Soval could not meditate. He was still affected by the torture, and concerned about his conversation with T’Pol. He still could not absorb the fact that V’Las had been removed from the VHC, and that the mythical Kir’Shara had been found. Vulcan society could be destabilized. The death of T’Les, and T’Pol alone and emotional. Stuck in this sickbay, far from his world, he felt helpless in the face of such revelations. He opened his eyes and stared blindly at the ceiling. He could hear the human woman breathing, but instead of annoying him it comforted him. He concentrated on her breathing and continued to gaze straight ahead.

Amanda was in a contemplative frame of mind, even as she held vigil over her charge. She always found this type of work the most difficult because it required waiting, and she was not good at waiting. Aware that Soval was awake, she watched his profile, trying to guage if he were in pain or in need of assistance.

Soval became aware of the human woman’s eyes on him and turned his head toward her. “I’m not going anywhere…,” his voice trailed off, unable to recall if he knew her name.

“Corporal Cole,” Amanda supplied helpfully. “Do you need Phlox? Are you in pain?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Can’t you meditate?”

He didn’t respond, just turned his head back towards the ceiling.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Amanda asked. She sometimes found talking about what was bothering her helpful, one of the reasons she liked Trip so much. He was so easy to talk to, never judgmental, and always thoughtful and funny. Stop it, Amanda, why do you keep doing that to yourself? she thought angrily.

“Talk about what?” Had he been human, Amanda would have suspected him of prevarication.

“About what’s bothering you. Is it T’Pol?”

“Why do humans ask such personal questions?” he replied irritably, avoiding her question. “I don’t ask humans personal questions, so why do you do so?”

“Go ahead, ask me a personal question. I don’t mind,” Amanda said, thinking he wouldn’t take her up on the challenge, or if he did would ask her something dry and Vulcan-like.

He was silent for a few moments, then turned and looked at her. “Are you, as humans would say, *in love* with Commander Tucker?”

Amanda was shocked. She never expected a question like that. “What a question! Of course not. He is a colleague, and besides he is love with someone else,” she found herself stammering. Quickly she pulled herself together, slightly stunned he had caught her off guard like that and that she had revealed so much. “I mean, why do you ask?”

“I was complying with your request to ask you a personal question.”

“Well, that was very personal. Why would you think I’m in love with Tr…, I mean, Commander Tucker?” Amanda had never felt so off balance. Normally level headed, she seldom lost her composure.

“I’ve been around humans for thirty years and have learned to read their emotions, which all of you insist on displaying to those around you. When he departed for engineering, you watched him and looked what I would call sad and regretful, two human emotions which reveal you care about him and perhaps he doesn’t return your regard.”

“You’re in the habit of watching human behavior to determine if they are *in love?*”

“Humans aren’t a subtle species. It is easy to read your thoughts and reactions.”

“Oh, yeah? Care to tell me what my expression tells you about my thoughts and reactions right at this moment?”

Soval glanced at her. “You are annoyed with my words, and are directing your anger at me for being correct in my assessment of your situation. You resent that Vulcans have the ability to read human responses.”

“My…*annoyance*…has nothing to do with Vulcans in general, but with one Vulcan in particular. You are supposed to be an ambassador. Why’d you ask something you know would get me riled up?”

“The question you asked me was just as personal as the one I asked you.”

“I asked you if your conversation with T’Pol was bothering you, not delving into your personal business! Are you saying you’re in love with T’Pol, too?”

“Of course I am not in love with T’Pol. Humans always jump to the oddest conclusions.”

“You’re the one who equated my supposed feelings for Trip…for Commander Tucker…with my comment about T’Pol.” Amanda suddenly realized that, although she was talking in as low a tone as possible, she was practically shouting the words in a whisper. Who was this guy? He had to be the biggest pill she had ever met. In her anger and mortification she forgot how ill Soval was. He turned his head away from her and closed his eyes.

“Who is in love with T’Pol?”

“What?”

“You said, ‘Are you saying you’re in love with T’Pol, too?’” That implies someone else is in love with her.”

Amanda shifted uncomfortably. “She’s married. I assume her husband is in love with her.”

He turned and looked at her again, lifting one questioning brow. “Indeed, she is married. But I do not believe that is the person you had in mind when you said your words. Again, Commander Tucker presents himself as a possibility.”

This man was beginning to scare Amanda a little bit. Was he omniscient?

“I don’t know anything about Commander Tucker’s love life.”

“Your voice, when you asked the question, revealed a personal interest in the men who are *in love* with T’Pol. As I am certain you are not concerned with my affection for her, the other person who does concern you is Commander Tucker.” Soval turned his face back towards the ceiling and closed his eyes. “As I said, humans are very easy to read.”

“Why don’t you just go back to meditating. I’m sorry I ever tried to be nice to you and find out if you needed to talk. Where did you take your diplomatic lessons, anyway?”

Soval, who had been treating the situation as an intellectual exercise to distract himself from his thoughts, suddenly realized he had unintentionally upset this human woman very much. He heaved an sigh internally, and realized he had to defuse the situation. Sometimes, when dealing with humans, offense could be taken so easily and emotions escalate too rapidly. He decided the best way to deal with the situation was to tell the Corporal what had happened with T’Pol. The human woman would find out about it tomorrow when they arrived on Vulcan, so he would be revealing nothing but the facts.

“T’Pol told me that her mother was killed in a bombing in the Forge, and is deeply unsettled. She insisted she would stay in her mother’s house alone, which I find to be unwise. I will contact her again in a few hours at her mother’s home to ensure her safety.” Soval stopped talking, aware that he had said more than he intended. He had only meant to tell of T’Pol’s loss, not of his anxiety about her.

Amanda was still reeling from his easy interpretation of her expressions and words. It took a few moments for his words about T’Pol to sink in.

“So you don’t want T’Pol to be alone tonight, and you can’t be there for 24 hours, so you are worried about her? Is that what is bothering you?”

“Yes,” Soval replied. He was not willing to reveal more of his shock at all the news T’Pol had relayed.

“Doesn’t she know anyone she can ask to help?”

“T’Pol…withdraws into herself…when she is unsettled, and refuses help. At times she simply internalizes the emotion and is unable to resolve it using meditation.” Soval was beginning to wonder about his own sanity. Why was he telling this woman about T’Pol?

“What would you do, if you were there?”

“I would meditate with her.”

“And out of the billions of people on Vulcan, there’s no one to do that tonight?”

“She told me she didn’t want anyone.”

“Do you think you’re right to worry?”

“I do not understand the question.”

“Are you really worried something will happen to her, or are you bothered because you can’t be there for her yourself? Do you think she really needs someone, or do you want to be there because you want to comfort her?”

Soval frowned. “I do not comprehend your meaning.”

Amanda didn’t know how to express to a Vulcan what she was trying to say. “Is it your own peace of mind you want? Would contacting someone to go look in on her make you feel better and less helpless? If so, then think of someone you can call, and do it. If T’Pol really wants to be alone, she can tell the person herself, but you’ll have done something. It will make you feel better and, maybe, help T’Pol at the same time. I can’t imagine being alone, with no one to turn to, when my mother dies. You’ll have someone look in and, perhaps if T’Pol does need support, that person is there. Do you have any friends to ask?” Amanda wasn’t really sure Vulcans have friends. As far as anyone could tell, the Vulcan commander didn’t have any friends except Phlox and, at one time, Trip. Soval’s worry over T’Pol was a surprise to Amanda, although she didn’t know why. She didn’t know T’Pol well, and didn’t know Soval at all.

Soval pondered her words, a bit startled she accurately interpreted his concern as mixed with helplessness. He rapidly surveyed those he knew to be on Vulcan and settled on V’Lar, a colleague who had met up with T’Pol on Enterprise several years before. It had been so long since T’Pol lived on Vulcan that Soval didn’t know whom else to contact.

“There is someone I can approach, although, in light of recent events, she may be too busy and unavailable. Would it be possible to set up another com link?”

“I can ask. Who?”

“Ambassador V’Lar.”

The Enterprise crew went through the ritual again, contacting Vulcan and getting the equipment and Soval ready for communication link. Amanda let Malcolm think the contact was about the events planned for the following day, which caused her some unease. She was putting a lot of trust in this man she had spoken to for all of a couple of hours, and had never met before that night. But she saw pain in his eyes when he spoke of T’Pol. This didn’t seem like a ruse of any sort.

Before long Soval was conversing in Vulcan with V’Lar. He explained what happened and asked her to go see the young woman, to ensure her safety and perhaps, if possible to meditate together. V’Lar, remembering the outspoken T’Pol from decades before and her constrained transformation on Enterprise four years back, agreed to the request. She assured Soval she would contact him once she had met with T’Pol and knew the outcome of the visit.

“So, do you feel better?” Amanda asked Soval, as she pushed the monitor slightly out of the way until they heard from V’Lar again.

“I didn’t feel bad. But, yes, I am satisfied V’Lar’s visit will be beneficial to T’Pol.”

Amanda mentally rolled her eyes. Clearly the old Vulcan wasn’t about to admit he was relieved.

“Thank you for your advice. How did you know contacting someone would…make me regain control?”

Hmm, she thought, would wonders never cease!. “Because it’s how I’d feel. I hate feeling I can’t do something, especially when I’m worried about someone I love.”

Soval almost gritted his teeth. “I am not in love with T’Pol. For one, Vulcans do not fall in love, and for another she is…she is young enough to be my daughter.”

Sighing over semantics, Amanda replied: “I didn’t say you were in love with her, but that you love her, or whatever Vulcans do when they care about another person. Your feelings were pretty clear to me.”

“Oh, you know how to read a Vulcan’s expression?” Soval said, a bit satirically.

“No,” said Amanda slowly. “Not really. I guess it was a combination of everything. You were clearly bothered by something, you were irritable, you actually told me a bit about what was upsetting you, and you didn’t seem to know what to do. When you told me about T’Pol, you seemed to know a great deal about her mental state and it…troubled…you. You’re concern was very evident. I just thought of what I would want to do in those circumstances, and recommended it.”

The torture must still be affecting my ability to control my emotions, Soval thought. That must be the explanation for this human’s ability to determine my frame of mind.

“Don’t worry, it is probably the torture which is causing you to be less than the perfect Vulcan,” Amanda assured him. “You’ll be all buttoned up and closed off again before you know it.”

Soval stared at her, speechless. Amanda wondered what she had said to deserve such a look.

Deciding it was time to change the topic, Soval contemplated meditation again, but he was too aware of the time passing s he waited for V’Lar to contact him. He decided to talk to the human some more.

“What did you say your name is?”

“I thought Vulcans had minds like steel traps.”

Soval raised a brow in question.

“It means Vulcans grasp new details very quickly, like catching a something in a trap and not releasing it. You’ve heard my name twice now. Think you can recall it?”

“Humans have extremely violent means of describing a person with a good memory, Amanda Cole.”

“Well! So you were listening after all. Do Vulcans have a saying to convey the meaning that someone is mentally quick?”

“Not a saying, but a word: Vulcan.”

“Very funny. I won’t ask you what you say instead of ‘he’s a few cards short of a full deck.’” Soval opened his mouth to respond, but Amanda raised her hand, palm out. “Don’t say it. I may decide to take my bodyguard duties more seriously and put you in the brig to ensure your complete safety. I can wheel you right out of here at a moment’s notice.”

“Violence and threats. How quickly humans revert to their past, primitive behavior when faced with a sharper mind.”

Amanda felt like sticking her tongue out at him, but decided that childish responses would lower humans even further in this Vulcan’s mind. He did seem distracted from his problems, though, and not as upset.

“You seem perkier than before,” she teased him. “We could play a game of cards to pass the time.”

“Will it be a full deck?”

She grinned at him and asked Phlox if he had a deck of card. Phlox brought one over, along with the other games he kept for those restricted to sickbay. Soval was interested to note that such devices were in a place of healing, but Amanda explained that humans, when confined to bed, get very bored and the games help pass the time. Friends would drop by and hang out, shooting the breeze, while playing a game of some sort. Soval decided he had heard enough human phrases for the evening, so didn’t ask for interpretations but simply decided humans were a very odd lot. He thought, after 30 years, that he knew all about humans, but there were obviously still more cultural details he had missed. Phlox informed Amanda he was going to the mess hall, and to contact him there if necessary.

“How can you guard me and play a game at the same time? Shouldn’t you be focused on your job?” Soval pointed out.

“I’m perfectly capable of doing one thing and remaining alert about my surroundings. I’m trained to subconsciously be aware at all times.”

Unconvinced, but not really thinking he was in danger anyway, Soval decided a game of cards would be acceptable. They decided on “21” and began. The element of luck in the game intrigued him, for he was not logically able to determine the outcome of any hand.

“Don’t tell me you never played cards before,” Amanda demanded.

“No, Vulcan recreational needs do not include such frivolous diversions.”

“So, what do you do with you friends that is so much fun? Or don’t Vulcans have friends? I always wondered about that. Do you have any friends?”

“Admiral Forrest was my friend.”

Amanda was horrified by how her teasing had backfired. She hadn’t expected Soval to take her words seriously, and she realized that, along with T’Pol, the torture, the deception of the VHC against the Andorians, and his role in revealing that deception, he had lost a friend.

“Ambassador, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was just teasing….” Amanda’s words trailed off. They continued to play in silence, the former bantering gone.

After a few hands, Soval said, “Admiral Forrest and I knew each other since I first went to earth. We disagreed over many decisions, but we respected each other. Over the years he taught me to play golf and to sail, and I taught him to fly a Vulcan shuttle and how to cook some Vulcan dishes. I found acceptable the time spent with him and his family. They must be unhappy about his death. When I return to earth, I’ll visit them, and then I will go play a round of golf in memory of him, and maybe cook one of the dinners we used to share.”

Amanda didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent for a while. Finally she said, “I’m so sorry about your loss. You haven’t even had time to grieve over his death because of everything that happened.”

“He died saving my life.”

Amanda reached out and squeezed Soval’s hand, holding it and looking at him, almost feeling his sorrow. She watched him try to shake off his emotions and released his hand, both returning to concentrate on the game. The door to sickbay snapped open and, before they completed the movement, Amanda’s phase pistol was in hand and she aimed it at Trip as he entered.

“Amanda, what the hell?!” Trip demanded.

“Just assuring the Ambassador I can play cards and keep watch. He seemed to doubt I can do more than one thing at a time.”

“You scared the living daylights out of me!” Trip put his hand over his heart to see if it had started beating again.

“I swear, Trip, you can be so melodramatic. I wasn’t going to shoot you, you know. It was just a demonstration.”

“Next time let me in on the plan. I’ve aged ten years.”

Amanda rolled her eyes and Trip smiled at her, shaking his head.

“How are you feeling, Ambassador,” Trip inquired, turning his attention to Soval.

“I am recovering.”

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Trip went on, frowning over the cards scattered over the bed.

“We’re waiting to hear from Ambassador V’Lar about some plans for tomorrow,” Amanda said. Soval gave her the now familiar raised brow. That raised brow has about 250 meanings, Amanda found herself thinking. She raised both her brows at him in return, letting him know she was aware she was prevaricating, but she had her reasons.

“OK, but let him get some rest. You’re supposed to be guarding him, not wearing him out.”

“Yes, sir,” Amanda said, saluting him smartly.

Trip smiled at her again, and told Soval to take care to stay on Amanda’s good side. “She is one mean MACO,” Trip informed the Vulcan. “Threw me across the room during a practice session. I had bruises for weeks.”

“Sure you did, Commander. Maybe if you ever took your mind off your engines and practiced your fighting skills just a bit, you would have a better chance at beating your opponents.”

“Now, Corporal, why would I need to do that when I have you around to take care of me?” Trip gave her one last teasing glance before he checked the time. “We get to Vulcan in about 19 hours. I’ve finished the repairs in engineering. Malcolm still has you on duty?”

“He hasn’t said anything.”

Trip nodded. “OK, I’ll go to the bridge and see what’s happening and will be in touch.” He inclined his head towards the two and left.

Soval had observed their exchange. They were clearly good friends, and liked each other. “Why didn’t you tell Commander Tucker we are waiting to hear about T’Pol?”

Amanda lowered her head and focused on her hands. “You were right about Trip,” she admitted. “He’s in love with T’Pol. There isn’t anything he can do to help her while he has to get the ship safely to Vulcan. I didn’t want to worry him when he has so much on his mind. He’ll find out tomorrow.”

“He does know T’Pol is married, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, of course he does, but it doesn’t mean his feelings for her disappear overnight. I know he would be fine if I told him, but…it’s just a burden he doesn’t need right now.”

The com buzzed. Expecting Trip, Amanda leaned over and hit the button. It was Hoshi, ready to put V’Lar through. Amanda pushed the monitor towards Soval and again retreated to the place she had waited before, watching the far wall. Phlox hadn’t re-engaged the room’s universal translator, so Soval’s conversation in Vulcan ensured his privacy. As she stood there, waiting for the conversation to end, she thought about the bitter old Vulcan. He wasn’t at all what she expected. Normally a very calm person, he had provoked a wide variety of emotions in her which she hadn’t experienced so intensely in years: anger, sorrow, compassion, joy, curiosity, regret, and annoyance. She wasn’t at all sure what she thought of him.

After about fifteen minutes, Soval ended the communication. Amanda looked at him expectantly.

“T’Pol was unsettled, but she has allowed V’Lar to stay with her. They have meditated together. V’Lar knew her mother, and they spoke of her. T’Pol is calmer. V’Lar will stay with her until I can be there tomorrow. Thank you, Amanda, for your advice. T’Pol’s welfare is important to me.”

Amanda nodded. “I’m glad she is OK.”

The com sounded again, and this time it was Trip.

“Malcolm’s on his way down. He’ll bring someone to relieve you of duty. Although all seems quiet, Malcolm wants to make sure it stays that way. He’ll give you your further orders once he arrives.”

“Yes, sir.” Amanda released the connection. “I guess it’s time for me to clean this mess up,” she said, as she gathered the cards together. She put all the games away, pushed the communications monitor to the side, and straightened up the furniture. Soval watched her erase all evidence of the last few hours with a few, efficient movements.

“Well, the Lieutenant will be here soon. I hope you continue to get better, and that you successfully meet up with T’Pol tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you going to be doing on Vulcan?”

“Much has changed in the past days. There is much work to be done. I do not know what lies ahead.”

Amanda realized that even more had been going on in Soval’s head than just T’Pol. She didn’t know all the details, but sensed Vulcan didn’t mean sanctuary for Soval at that moment.

Malcolm and a MACO entered sickbay. Amanda knew Smith, a good officer, serious and dedicated. He probably wouldn’t open his mouth the entire time he was on post. Soval would probably get that meditation in now. Smith would just guard the body, which is what she should have been doing. She didn’t need to guard anything more than that. The old Vulcan’s peace of mind wasn’t her business. She continued to chastise herself mentally, irritated with herself that she was feeling bereft at the thought of leaving. She wondered if he would visit earth again, visit Forrest’s family, play that game of golf, cook that mean of remembrance. Cole, what is your problem? This was just a job. Get over it. However, knowing how much uncertainty faced Soval upon his arrival on Vulcan, she couldn’t help but feel anxious for him. Damn Vulcan probably doesn’t have the sense to feel any anxiety on his own account. Probably run himself into the ground worrying about everyone else. Damn Vulcan. He really does need a keeper.

“Thanks, Cole, we’ll take if from here,” Malcolm dismissed her.

“Yes, sir.” She nodded goodbye to Soval, who raised his hand in the Vulcan farewell she had seen him give to T’Pol.

“Live long and prosper,” he said.

“Take care.” She gave him a smile, turned, and left.

The End

Return to Part 4

A whole mess of folks have made comments

I liked it! You keep Soval's curmudgeoness yet show his volnerability. It sows the seeds of an intimate relationship to come.

Great story!
Love the talk between my second favorite Trek-couple... but I can't imagine Soval go sailing...
;-)
Any chance of a follow-up?

I just found this series, and am loving it! Can't wait for the next installment . . .

Drat. I just realized that was a 'The End' on the, well, end of that. Maybe a sequel?

Enjoyed the story and the interplay between the two characters.

I would love a follow-up to this one! It feels so much like just a beginning and not a complete story!!

I don't know if any of you will be checking back here for more comments, but Myst wrote this story as a backstory for how Soval and Amanda met previous to "That Which Hides Under the Bed", a story I continued in "Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner(22nd Century style)". I wrote one more story about these two which was submitted to the Strange New Worlds contest. If it gets rejected, I will send it to Soval's Annex in January 2006. It is called "Again My Beloved". Otherwise ShouldKnowBetter has many Soval and Amanda stories. She was the inventor of this wonderful couple and her stories about them are the best ones.

Interesting story. read it all in one go. Any chance of a sequel?

Well, I finally read the complete story. I like!! It was believable and well-written. Never was I thrown out of the story by spelling/grammar errors. A very nice story!

I am a newcomerto this site, and enjoying it very much, especially your Amanda and Soval stories. Thank you.