Shadowtime ... ( Concl. )

[T'aral 0]

Steln stepped into the hotel room, avoiding any extraneous gesture or movement as T'Aral closed the door behind him. "I was just about to make some Vhalesia tea - do you wish to join me?"

"Yes, thank you." He sat down upon a simple chair. "I was sent by the Council; certain members are aware of your situation, and have suggested that I may be able to assist you."

 

T'Aral didn't look up, her hands oddly trembling. "Please do not take insult, but I do not understand how. The troubles I am dealing with are primarily philosophical in nature. A member of the clerical order would've been preferable."

"Perhaps, but then again it is possible that all you need is someone to confide in whom you can speak with honestly. You have offered me that privilege in the past, and it helped to save me from the chaos of illogic. If you will permit it, I wish to repay that debt."

 

T'Aral paused, and then settled in as she passed a cup to Steln. She recounted the recent missions of the Comanche Creek, as much as she felt was needed without divulging any more. As she did, insights into her own mental state came out in conversation. The natural stress of dealing with emotional beings coupled with the burdens of the challenges she had faced - as well as many perceived failures - came out in discussion. They spoke for hours on the philosophies of Surak and T'Plana-Hath, as well as the early Syrrannite writings of T'Pol. The conversation arced and spiraled through discussion and debate on what could've been, what might have been, and the probability of each given the situations T'Aral was in ... all the time coming to the same conclusion.

 

"All philosophy on such matters end with the same results: the past is to be accepted so that one can change the future."

T'Aral nodded. The conversation was helpful in many respects, and yet on a deeply personal level their interaction had left her more disrupted than before. "I appreciate your effort. Now ... I must ask you to leave." There were few outer signs, but inside her heart T'Aral was burning up. She was no longer alone: Steln understood, he was not judgemental at all. He was kind, he was safe, and he was less than a meter away.

 

Steln shook his head. "I am here for your well-being. I cannot leave now."

T'Aral's fingers dug absently into the wooden arms of her chair. Just the sound of his voice was causing trembling from within her chest. "Steln, you do not understand: I am ... not well."

He paused before responding. "I understand the situation perfectly. The Council said nothing to me, but I can sense the condition that you are in. I was told to deliver a message to you - one that I did not understand at the time, but which had become plain once I saw you."

T'Aral's eyes narrowed as she looked up to Steln. "And that message is?"

With the slightest gesture Steln released his cloak clasp. "There is no alternative."

 

---------------------------------

 

It was dawn the next day, and T'Aral was packing her belongings. Steln watched as she silently prepared her remaining items, waiting until she was almost finished before speaking. "You are going to say nothing?"

T'Aral halted immediately. "You understand that this is very difficult. I ... appreciate ... your coming to aid me, and your willingness once you understood what would be required."

Steln nodded. "And you have no other concerns?"

She shook her head. "Consequences from a reactive Pon Farr are rare. The probability ..."

He stopped her. "That is not what I meant. I have seen a side of you that others have not, and in doing so have revealed myself. I consider this to be significant, yet we have not discussed the matter further. For example, I am aware that neither of us are engaged - our prospective mates having died with Vulcan. Logically ..."

T'Aral held up a hand. "I do not wish to discuss that at this time."

Steln raised an eyebrow. "... perhaps later?"

She looked at him. "Perhaps. To discuss the matter now; to make a decision based on what has transpired - that would be a decision based on emotional content. I have no objection to you, Steln, but I need time to consider the matter logically."

He nodded in response, and proceeded to gather his cloak over his shoulders. "I would like to correspond with you, if that is not objectionable?"

T'Aral looked up to him. "I look forward to hearing from you soon. I am certain there is much about your experiences beyond the academy which would be of interest." A hand raised and opened into the traditional Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Steln."

 

He responded in kind, before moving his hand forward to offer twin fingers in a far more personal gesture. "Be well, T'Aral."

 

Although recovered from the Pon Farr, T'Aral could not help but blush slightly as she accepted the gesture. "And you as well." The gesture was held only briefly, however, as her communicator chimed insistantly. Checking the message, she looked up to Steln. "I have been summoned - there is a matter with the crew which needs attending to." Stepping over to a computer terminal, T'Aral used a sub-function for instant checkout ... a necessary feature when dealing with Starfleet personnel. Gathering her few items, she activated the communicator and contacted her ship.

 

"Comanche Creek - this is T'Aral. One to transport directly to co-ordinates."

Edited May 6, 2010 by T'aral