Worthy

Posted on Sun Nov 18th, 2018 @ 12:35am by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Sonak
Edited on on Sun Nov 18th, 2018 @ 6:15am

Mission: Escaped Pantheons
Location: USS Hera, Deck 8, Commander Paris & Mr. Sonak's Quarters
Timeline: 2395, closing in on the Galactic Core

The day had passed in a blur, one meeting after another, one brainstorm after the other. Today Rita Paris had lost her old uniform, but gained a new one. Then she'd spent the day planning in advance how to do the impossible, instead of just winging it on the bridge like they had back in the old days. Apparently with radically advanced technologies at their command and a fleet officer who was as willing to wing it as Rita herself, the Hera got into trouble professionally.

It was a different sort of approach than she was accustomed to pursuing, but she liked it. Organized chaos.

It was 21:42 hours by the time she decided the day had been long enough. When she yawned three times in five minutes, that was her rule to stop unless she needed to get something done. And while there was still plenty to get done and quite a few projects that she was overseeing at the moment, in addition to her usual workload of keeping the mighty starship running, nothing couldn't wait. Exiting Environmental Support on Deck 27, the thought of which she still couldn't consider without a mental shake of the head. A starship with 30 decks, not counting the 5 decks of the Intel pod.

Here's to the future.

Walking the decks all day, she got a lot of double-takes. Partially because she wasn't in her old gold minidress, her anachronism that had been the uniform of the day where she'd come from... or rather, when. In the sea of black and charcoal grey uniforms, it had definitely made her stand out. Not that she needed help in that department, but even moreso, it marked her as being out of place, as a living representative of another era, another generation. The original series of trekkers through space.

Wearing the new crimson minidress was definitely catching the eye around the Hera as she circulated, and more than a few of the crew were curious to discuss it with her. She reassured a great number of the crew, just about every gender represented, that no, they did not have to wear the skirt and that the uniform did offer pants, which Captain Telvan was modelling. Although there were a few who were intrigued, and Rita was hopeful she might not be the only one aboard wearing a miniskirt as the new uniforms went into circulation.

Ensign Gonadie had been an early adopter of the skirted style, much to Rita's surprise.

For now, she took the turbolift up to Deck 21, then took a brisk walk across the Hera, moving at that military pace of hers that she'd perfected long ago. While she could sexy walk with the best of them, it was just impractical on a starship to try to get around like that. Generally she tended to view the women who made that effort to be desperately crying for attention. In truth, she knew her old uniform was just the same cry for attention in it's own way, but in part it had been her protest against the sea of dark uniforms. The only other bright spot of color in the crew was, of course, Sonak, who simply chose not to wear his duty jacket.

Rather, he did not wear it because she had asked him not to, he saw the logic inherent in her request, and agreed with her sensibilities in the matter. It made her happy he would still be in science blue- she loved how it set off his eyes, and that dark, dark hair of his. Thinking of him, she wished their bond was still what it had been back home. She missed being able to share her day with him anywhere in the ship, off the record... like their own private comm channel. Which had worked only because he was always listening should she reach out to him- lacking any psychic ability of her own, it had been work for him. But he'd done it because if she called for him, he wanted to be there.

Still, they could share their souls now when they touched, and they would spend the night bonded. Seldom did she separate from him when they slept; though a lifetime of discipline and solitude had left him with a tendency to the solitary, still too he sought contact with her while they slumbered. For he knew it brought her comfort, and kept at bay the demons of her past and the memories and insecurities that haunted her.

Catching the turbolift out of the saucer section, the displaced damsel tapped away at her PaDD to compose a simple message. While she could tap her comm badge or just address the overhead, she knew that wherever Sonak was he would get a text and be able to process it with the dozen other things most likely on his mind at the moment. To have a conversation required more brain power. Thus her way was easier for him to deal with and less of a demand on that brilliant mind of his. Besides, she was asking for something selfish. Left to his own devices, Sonak could work for days, weeks even, particularly if he had a puzzle worthy of his intellect. But he understood her needs, and fulfilling them fulfilled him as well.

It's late, and I need a shower and some time with you before bed. Please come home in 15 minutes?

That would give her time to get to their quarters, get undressed, get a shower and be relaxed by the time he arrived.

The response flashed quickly on her PaDD.

Is that an order, Commander?

Despite the formal seriousness of the sentence, this was definitely a humoristic reply. This would have been astonishing to other Vulcans, let alone his former masters; but since bonding with his Human mate, he had been exploring her emotional psyche and adapting to it with his totally emotionless mind, to better fulfill his obligations as her husband. The concept of humor he got from their regular mind melds he found to be most useful as the pillar of stability she needed him to be for her... and also most fascinating. He might be unable to feel it, but that didn't deter him in his effort to explore it, albeit only on an intellectual level.

One always learned better by doing.

Some might see it as a dry statement, or passive-aggressive, or perhaps that the recipient had missed the point of the request. But seeing it warmed her heart, and brought a happy smile to the face of the lost navigator. Because she loved seeing his humor, and it meant the world to her that he shared it with her. Considering many possible responses, she settled on one that seemed the most appropriate.

The new commander is feeling insecure about change, and her sentimental attachment to the past. She requires a logical mind to assist her in sorting through her tangled thought process; ergo, clearly no less than a kolinahr master would be capable of such a feat.

Their union brought so many things to her life, but one that she appreciated although she seldom gave voice to it was the fact that he literally helped her thought processes to organize. Learning to communicate via logic and facts rather than emotions and opinions had been new to her when they had first met, but it had become invaluable to her over time. Thus when he responded with a humorous reply, which he had gained from her, she replied with logic, which she had gleaned from him. Yin and yang, anima and animus, they were perennially orbiting one another, and it delighted her to no end.

We shall meet at the appointed place and time.

Simple, short, to the point. Typically Vulcan; yet it stated just as plainly that her needs were as prominent in his mind as his duties. It was his task to juggle the two as best as possible. As long as he was able to and it was appropriate, he would ever favor her. After all, scientific studies and experiments could more often than not be delegated to another of the other capable scientists on board. There was no one to whom he could delegate his obligations to his mate.

Which brought yet another smile to her face. A lesser man might point out the experiments in which he was involved, how critical his works were to the mission and the ship, how personal needs and interpersonal relationships were irrelevant in the face of duty and science. Instead, her serious-minded spouse cracked a joke and said, in his own words, ‘I’ll be there’. Which was his way of reassuring her that of course she could rely upon him, just as she had for their entire association.

“My hero,” she sighed as she entered into their quarters. At first she tried tugging her uniform off by pulling it over her head, which had worked easily with her old open-necked uniform. But this uniform had a collar, and that would no longer work. Instead, she had to undo the flap then unzip the top a bit to be able to shrug her way out of the one-piece uniform garment. “Gonna have to get used to that…”

Ten minutes later, she was showered and refreshed, clad in a tight white v-neck t-shirt that in simple black letters declared her to be the ‘Token Human, USS Hera 2395’ along with a pair of simple cotton panties. Now she was curled up on the couch with a cup of steaming plomeek soup on the coffee table, while she herself cradled a steaming cup of herbal tea.

It was far too late for caffeine, and it wouldn’t disturb Sonak, and he could insure it wouldn’t affect her either. But she just wanted something to ease her into the evening, and the replicator had seemingly endless options for teas, and she was slowly investigating them over time. This one was called ‘ceylon peppermint’. And she found it warming and soothing- two things she needed as she eyed the old gold uniform she had spread on a chair opposite her, as if the empty uniform were interviewing her.

When Sonak came home, he had to exert a second of self control smelling the plomeek soup that welcomed him like an aura surrounding Rita's luminous smile.

As usual he came in empty handed. He rarely used a PaDD, relying instead on his phtotographic memory and his ease with computer operations to retrieve any data he wanted from any system. This gave the appearance of someone who had nothing to do but stroll around the ship. It occurred to him that this deceptive casualness could send wrong messages to someone not knowing him as did his mate. But for him, that was all that really mattered. He was not in this life to cater to others perceptions; except save one.

And she was there, welcoming him with a curious message of her own written on her clothes.

He raised an eyebrow as he extended two of his fingers to her.

"Rita my wife, one day you will have to explain to me these... pearls of wisdom you enjoy displaying when we are not on duty. I must admit, a great many number of them, starting with this one, are... intriguing."

Rising smoothly from the couch, setting her mug of tea down as she did so, Rita extended her fingers toward his, gingerly making contact, even as her blue eyes sought out the steel-grey of his own. Lightly stroking his fingers in the tradition of his people was akin to passionate kissing for them, and it was the ritual of his people she had once imitated trying to bridge the gap between them. Now she understood well the significance, and it made her happy that he offered, and that it pleased him to come home to her, to enact these rituals of his.

After all, she had taught him so many of her rituals and habits and idiosyncrasies of her human life experience, not even half his lifetime, yet he still found the wonder and excitement of exploration within them. Thus when he offered to her a chance to reaffirm one of his people’s rituals, she was always flattered. To share such things with an outsider was exceedingly rare- but Sonak was rare amongst even Vulcans. While he was no longer a member of an endangered species, still he sought the beauty and mysteries of the universe, and somehow one of those was the experience of sharing it with one Rita Paris.

“Welcome home, my One,” she said aloud, although there was no need. This close, in contact with him, he could hear her thoughts clearer than she could speak them. Yet still, she smiled happily at his presence, and at the shedding of her responsibilities and duties. Here, alone with the hero who had traversed space, time and dimension all for her, she could be just Rita, the human woman who loved a man with no emotion, who paradoxically loved her with an enormity that might intimidate her, were it not matched by the swelling she felt within her own breast at his presence.

"It is as always agreeable to be with you again and resume our sharing of life," he answered to the most fascinating being in this or any universe. "I sensed some urgency in your call. Is there anything specific we need to do or discuss?"

"I do have a slight conundrum," she replied, guiding him to sit, then perching her rounded rear onto his lap. It was a position that was a favorite of hers, both for the proximity into which it brought their bodies, as well as a reassurance for her. As he slid his arms in to support her there, it made her feel protected and cared for. Not that she was feeling particularly vulnerable nor fearful in the moment, but it was a simple request of hers that was easily obliged.

"Old goldie there has been retired, I'm afraid," Rita glanced over to her old uniform on the chair lovingly. "The Captain wants to sell the crew on the new uniforms, and if Commander Paris won't wear it, why should I? I will miss being in gold- which I wasn't about to ask for the gold version of the new uniform, if I am adapting I need to adapt. But now my old uniform has finally come to the end of her run. She served me faithfully and well, and I will always, always miss her, but her day is done. So I was debating between framing her up on the wall, or maybe making a mannequin to put her on."

"However, this is our space, together. And since I am not sure, I thought to call my logical spouse away from his experiments to come sit with me and discuss... the possibilities." With that, she turned back to regard her handsome husband, which in turn made her smile a bit wider and the twinkle in her eye that much merrier.

"Vulcans do not attach feelings to objects as humans are fond to do," he simply stated. "You are human, exceptionally so I might add. I know this is significant for you. Since it has no resonance with me, you may proceed as you best see fit."

He knew however that this response would not satisfy her. And so he added:

"But if I may offer a suggestion; this is clothing and as such is meant to exist threedimensionally and to be felt as much as to be looked at. Therefore, I would consider the standing support option. It would stand harmoniously between your pictures of Michael and the Exeter and evoke better those feelings you want associated with it."

“Robo-Rita it is! I’ll get on the replicator to take care of that later.” Glancing over at the spot Sonak had indicated, Rita nodded. “A perfect choice, and perfectly logical. Part of my little shrine to the past, our origins as best they can be represented in the prime timeline, at least.”

Turning her head to regard Sonak again, Rita’s smile was not that room-brightening supermodel smile, but the warm happy smile she reserved only for him. Running her fingers gently through his silky black hair, her brows raised at bit. “Have you eaten? I know you don’t require much and that you can go forever without food, but just in case I made you some soup? No pressure, it’s replicated and I can always recycle it if not…”

He raised an eyebrow.

"That is factually incorrect. like all bio-organisms, I cannot go on indefinitely without food, even if I am able to will my body to stay active some time beyond the normal needs of sustenance."

He looked at her smile then nodded.

"Ah yes; Human hyperbole. I will have to continue working on recognizing that peculiar speech pattern of yours."

He then looked at the waiting soup bowl.

"Although it is healthy discipline to refrain from indulging too much into the needs of the flesh, something i have been extensively trained in, it is an incontrovertible fact that having you as a mate justifies such indulgences, at least from time to time. I thank you for the soup. Through it, I will do my best to honor your efforts on my behalf."

And so saying, she reached over to pick up the soup from the coffee table and handed the meal she had prepared for him, without hi ever needing to get up. But before touching it, he turned to face her.

"Was that decorative conundrum the only thing on your mind? Or do you wish to satisfy my curiosity about your activities of the day?"

"Even if you weren't telepathic, you could read me like a book," the bodacious bride of the calm kolinahr declared. Moving his hand holding the bowl of soup to the side, he allowed her her hand to guide his. Then she shifted her weight, planted her knee and grasped his shoulder, levering herself up so that she could straddle him, settling herself on his lap so she could see him better while they spoke. Once she had settled into place, she moved his hand back in toward him, settling it between them as she draped her arms and settled her hands on his taut abdomen, so as to not interfere with his hands.

"I didn't want the promotion, but the Captain was determined. There will probably be some talk... but this is definitely a more liberal and less judgmental society than back home. The first time this came up, I was scared, consumed by insecurities and I needed you to talk me down, like, twice in the same day. But we've come a long ways together, you and I, and... I'm not worried. This ship needs me right where I am, not as the junior executive overachiever, but as the commander who keeps things going smoothly for the captain." Running her fingers lightly up Sonak's torso, Rita sighed happily.

"You trained me well. You prepared me for the job with all of those lessons, all those times leading me through the logical process of decision-making. I've accepted the responsibility, and while it was fun to be the lieutenant commander first officer, the crew all call me 'Commander' anyway." Looking off suddenly into the distance over his shoulder, those bright blue eyes widened in realization. "I think... I think I've grown up. This qualifies, I am reasonably sure, to make me officially an adult."

He eyed her with a slighlty raised eyebrow.

"Seeing you like this, some might be wondering."

Again the echo of her human humor gained through their multiple mindmelds surfaced through his otherwise dry and deadpan tone. It became even more evident when was felt all the seriousness of his next remark.

"Other people's opinion is irrelevant. You deserve the duty and the responsibility. The captain knows it. The crew knows it. I know it. And so do you. A new step in your life has been taken. As always, you will walk it still straight and true as you always have. And we will all be with you along the way. I will."

Running the backs of her fingers along his jawline, she smiled, a close-lipped happy little smile as her eyes drank him in. "I always thought I couldn't do this without you... in my heart I believed that I did my part, but you were what made it all work. But that isn't true. I can do it alone- I proved it to myself, before you arrived."

In her heart, he felt the inspiration of emotion he now recognized as being tied to the memory of their reunion. Whenever she considered it in any more than passing thought, a surge of emotions would grow within her, like a wave driven by the wind. It was so many different emotions tied together, he was still examining it to fully grasp the complexity of it. But feel it she did, and in moments like these in particular, that surging swell of emotion was quite powerful.

"When we're together, though, we're just that much better. And you'll always be here, because you'll always find me." Rita paused, for a moment, as a question alit in her mind. Guiding his hand to try some soup, she asked him rather than seeking to impress the question upon his mind. "Are you content here, in this far-flung future, on this enormous starship that lives in the shadows? I know that wherever we're together, you call home, but... are you content with where the cosmos have delivered us?"

"There is no cosmos to live in without you in it. This is the choice I made. As for the rest of this new universe we are now sharing, I will remind you of some old wisdom of your own planet; we must within ourselves find the strength to change what can be changed, the serenity to accept what we cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference."

"I accept those precepts, but your answer does not direct itself to the nature of my inquiry. Would you choose to be elsewhere? Or are you content here merely because I am here?" The all-too human woman's head cocked slightly as she spoke, as her left eyebrow rose a few millimeters. When she worked to phrase things logically, often her speech syntax would fall in step with his.

He looked her straight in the eyes.

"Elsewhere is irrelevant.The difference between quantum realities can be as trivial as one molecule within an entire universe. The only difference that matters is the one that matters to me. To me, the only significant difference between here and elsewhere is you. Without you, all the other elsewheres have no more or less intrinsic meaning between themselves. They have the exact same value, therefore choice becomes irrelevant. This one is significant because you are part of it. It is not "merely" because of you. Without you, no other choice would matter."

"My logical romantic," she said as her lips parted and a wider smile took it's place as she leaned in to kiss his lips, her hand cupping his cheek tenderly. "So, I'm not anxious about the promotion. Change isn't bad in our lives, and I'm... worthy, I guess, for lack of a better word. But our recent adventures do have me thinking, and I should discuss it with you."

"I'm considering a 5 year mission... we'll stay with the Hera, because if we don't ask for a transfer the Captain isn't going to reassign us. But at the end of it, maybe... you and I slow down a little, take a planetside position on Earth and go teach at the Academy. Or on Vulcan to teach at the Science Academy or something. Somewhere that we can have some stability and peace in our lives, so that our family might... grow?"

In that moment, her eyes searching his own, was the first time during the evening that she had appeared vulnerable and uncertain. It was a topic she had been considering which was of vital importance to her, an x-factor as she did not know his mind on the subject yet.

"I am a scientist. This is a vast universe. I wish to learn and experience as much as is possible within my lifetime, and share what little I may find and understand. A five year mission in space will provide ample opportunities to achieve the first part; a teaching position will fulfill the other. You have made a sound plan of action for our shared life. I am gratified to be part of it."

He paused a moment before continuing.

"As for the prospect of a family... this would also require good planning and careful proceedings. The genetic in-vitro procreation process allowing our alien genes to combine into a viable offspring is now well established; but it it still delicate, and must be attended by experienced geneticists and physicians. Raising a child of two worlds is not as... socially difficult here as it was in our earlier time and place, even on your Earth; but it will still be a challenge for our child to assume it's dual nature. Our commitment to this, to the child or children as it may be, will have to be fully shared. I would propose to do this, when the appropriate time may come, on your homeworld. It shall prove less harsh and austere than mine for a half-human. Later, if the child expresses a wish to fully partake of it's Vulcan heritage, there will be excellent opportunities to do so. Is that agreeable with you?"

While Rita Paris had never personally been to Vulcan, she had an understanding of it from one of it's most dedicated sons, whom had shared the minutest fraction of his knowledge and experience of harsh the desert world with her. Had he chosen to raise children on Vulcan, she would have happily obliged and adapted, and done her best not to be disruptive to their culture as they lived their lives amongst the logical souls who followed the teachings of Surak.

But at heart, Rita Paris would always be an Earth girl, a proud representative of the planet which spawned her. With her words and deeds and even her very thoughts, she brought the culture of her homeworld to the stars, there to spread the ideals which had raised her, in which she fervently believed. Exporting compassion to the stars, moving amongst them with an explorer's curiosity, seeking friendship with the life forms encountered, and forging alliances to aid one another, to uplift all together. The fact that her logical mate would choose to raise their children on the lush green world of mighty seas and abundant life made her happy, as it would mirror her own upbringing, which had well prepared her for her life among the stars.

The fact that he made the decision based not upon what she wanted nor his own preference, but based purely on logic meant that she never had to second-guess him or wonder at his motivations for his choices. Instead, he always explained his logic to her, and that was that. How he managed to do so to accommodate his emotional mate, whose decisions were affected by fears, hopes, anxieties and aspirations would forever amaze her, but made her no less grateful as she gingerly took that bowl of soup from his hand, set it aside, then pressed herself against him, snuggling into his shoulder with a deep sigh of contentedness.

"Three. Hera said we would have three children... theoretically she is the goddess of such things so she would know, and we did part on good terms," Rita shared with Sonak. "Not the most scientific research, I know, but... " Pulling back so that she could see his eyes, she offered a hopeful expression. "You are one of the greatest minds of the 23rd or any other century, and the best man I've ever known. I want there to be future generations to carry your lineage, to be able to point back proudly and say that they are the sons and granddaughters and great grandchildren of Sonak of Vulcan. I think we owe that to the future."

"They will be even more than that; because they will also be of the lineage of Rita Paris of Earth, a most unique explorer of reality in this or any universe."

He then raised an eyebrow.

"I have no objection to the number three; but I expect you will not mind if we do not submit to the whim of any so-called pretended divine being but only to our own decisions."

The grin that spread across the face of the plucky extradimensional explorer was joyful and filled with mischief. "When have we ever let anyone make our decisions for us, Sonak? I brought it up because... well, it may be psuedo-scientific-who-knows-if-it-really-works mumbo-jumbo, but I... I did want to ask her, because she is supposedly the goddess of matrimony, home and hearth, family and all of that."

"Losing you, even for a little while, made me realize that if you were gone from my life tomorrow, I would forever regret not having started a family with you, and that... I want that, very much. I fought my father so hard against it but... with you, I do. Not now, not today, not tomorrow, but..." Rita's gaze softened as she placed her hand on his chest, where she could feel the steady martial drumbeat of his strong and virtuous heart. "Let's spend a few more years contributing to this vast and amazing universe in which we live. Then you and I can settle down and teach the next generations, and raise some pointy-haired blonde kids that aren't fond of transporters, hm?"

"Which is not to say we couldn't return to active duty when the kids are grown and on their own- after all, you will be vital for many decades and apparently my lifespan in the modern day isn't as short as it used to be. You might just be stuck with the human girl for most of your life." She made light of it, but saying it aloud made her realize the truth of it- she would cling to life with the selfsame tenacity in her old age as she had throughout her career in Starfleet, because to do otherwise would leave Sonak alone, and she would spare him as much of that heartbreak as she could, having had to see just what life was like for her without him in it.

"Vulcans have an average lifespan of two hundred standard years and humans now can expect to live up to a hundred and thirty. Considering our age differential, it is probable that would not survive you by much if I ever do. Considering this, I think the human saying most appropriate would be; we shall grow old together."

That wellspring of emotion within her doubled and redoubled at that, as his words and sentiment filled her with so many positive emotions all at once. As her eyes glistened with the onset of happy tears, Rita Paris ran her fingers through the coal-black hair of the master of logic, then pulled herself close to kiss him, passionately, deeply and quite thoroughly. As her passion rose, so too did he, easily standing as his hands cupped her rump even as she wrapped her legs about his waist, and effortlessly he bore her to the bedroom.

No words were spoken, nor were any needed- the kolinahr would have understood her desires without need of the telepathic bond they shared as t'hy'la. Yet she spoke them anyway, prying herself from the kiss, her fingers still tangled in his hair as she panted.

"We're not starting a family tonight, but it doesn't mean we can't get some practice in..."

He raised an eyebrow in his customary fashion.

"Our genes will not be perpetuated this manner, but our bond will. And from that bond will come our progeny."