Chapter Five: Behind Closed Doors

Calypsa stared at the stars and leaned on Jaref while he told her about his job. They sat in the sand, gazing at the night sky with rapt attention. He had pointed out Earth as it was visible at this time; she felt nothing. Earth was the past and Vulcan was her present, her future. She snuggled up to him, pretending to be cold. He had not commented on this behavior, only a twitch in his lips showed her that her actions were unusual, and she could totally be misreading him. She sighed happily and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Jaref got the impression that Calypsa wasn't really processing anything that he said so he ceased talking. It was very late and he had to go the lab tomorrow; they should leave soon. "Calypsa, I think we should return to my home now."

Calypsa lifted her head; she was tired. "Alright." She stood up with some effort, she wasn't sure if that was because of the gravity or her reluctance to pry herself from Jaref. He was like a teddy bear but…real. As soon as she steadied herself she was surprised when Jaref picked her up and headed towards the transport.

"You are not yet used to the environment on Vulcan." Calypsa was not short but she was light and Jaref found carrying her to be an easy feat.

I could get used to this, Calypsa thought.

When they arrived at the house (it was more of a palace in Calypsa's opinion), Calypsa noticed for the first time that there we numerous other vehicles. She watched a servant fly their transport to an immense garage, which was where she spotted the other crafts. Why would Jaref need so many?

Jaref saw an opportunity to mention that the rest of his clan lived here as well. "Those crafts do not belong to me; a large portion of our clan resides here, mostly in the other dwellings. I live with my parents and brother of course. I will introduce you to them in the morning. You will undoubtedly meet the other members of my family eventually as well, if you are to stay here."

"Oh…that sounds…great!" Calypsa was not thrilled about the idea of meeting his mother. Mother's always seemed to know exactly what she was before she opened her mouth. She followed him to the front doors and he paused before entering.

Jaref was not sure why he was hesitating. He needed to tell her something but he didn't know what that was. He turned to see her looking at him with a serene expression; was he forgetting a Terran custom? Oh yes, he was supposed to say that he had a good time and kiss her goodnight, or something of that nature. "It was…pleasant to spend the day with you."

"Thank you."

Jaref wasn't sure how to kiss her when it wasn't at least semi prearranged. He recalled something he had witnessed in an ancient film he had seen in the terran archives. The kiss had been impulsive at first glance, but obviously well thought out. He reached an arm around her waist and carefully leaned her over backwards to kiss her fervently. He believed he was 'dipping' her, as it was called.

Calypsa wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself, trying not to laugh. This was not logical at all. She was breathless when he released her, from lack of oxygen and restraining out of place laughter. "That was…something. Where did you learn that?"

"I observed the behavior in one of your old Terran movies. Was it satisfactory?"

It was unexpected as hell. "Yes, quite satisfactory." Calypsa's lip curled.

"Good. I am going to bed now. Good night." Jaref walked into the house, curious as to why Calypsa found his action more amusing than appropriate. The female in the movie did not find it 'funny'. One simply could not trust those Terran movies.

Calypsa closed the door to her room and laughed out loud. She'd been holding it back. The whole thing was just surreal; robot, robot, BAM! It was adorable how obsessed he was with being culturally sensitive. She really had little interest in such outbursts; she liked the way the Vulcans knew how to shut the fuck up and keep their mitts to themselves.

Calypsa took off her makeup and got undressed. She picked up Datie and kissed his head and scratched him behind the antennas. "Datie, I think we are going to be very happy here. Mr. Jaref is so sweet isn't he? I think his family will be nice too, yes I do." She ended in a mild baby voice and nudged the creature with her nose. She walked to her bed with her pet in hand and lay down. She surprised herself; she purposely didn't set an alarm, so that Jaref would come wake her up. She had felt so apathetic about men, why she wanted Jaref to wake her up was a mystery. Maybe she just finally found the right species for her. The Vulcans were exceedingly monogamous and apparently found very little logical about prostitution. She found the idea of living your life according to logic appealing to her somehow. She had always wanted to have as much control over her emotions as a Vulcan. Then she wouldn't get that numb feeling when she had a client. The numb feeling was worse than sadness; it was like…not existing at all. The numb feeling was so icky that it had to be related to emotionalism. She didn't care if Jaref loved her or not, perhaps love was part of the problem. If you never required love, you would never be disappointed.

Getting an education was something Calypsa had not thought possible for quite some time. She could be a truly independent woman; Jaref had said as much. Would she then bask in the justice of being free to live without dependency on men? It did not sound as if Jaref would ever stop her from being an independent entity. Jaref…Jaref was…perfect. She wasn't sure if he could be for real.

Calypsa held Datie to her breast and closed her eyes. If Jaref was as genuinely easy to get along with as he seemed she might dare to dream of a family. The prostitute raising a bunch of little Vulcans; how ridiculous did that sound?

Jaref entered his father's room as soon as the automatic doors slid open at his father's bidding. Jaref scanned the room briefly, his father's room was filled with elegant tapestries and controversial pieces of art; everything was in a very bright or deep color. It was completely different than his room. "May I speak with you father?" Jaref asked in Vulcan, a much prettier sounding language than standard. He knew he should be abed as Calypsa was, but he had not spoken to his father in many days and it seemed fitting to do so.

"Always my son. I have seen your newly intended wife; she seems very level for a Terran and not unpleasing to look upon. It is as good of a match as you could have expected." Mortaf said tranquilly from his seating apparatus that closely resembled a bean bag chair; he had always found comfort to be highly logical. He motioned for his son to be seated.

Jaref sat across from his father on another cushy object that gave one the feeling of sinking. His father seemed to furnish his bedroom in a most illogical manner. "I too, find her an adequate mate for myself. Your approval is appreciated. Mother does not think that she should stay, if in our research we find a cure for Vulcan females."

Mortaf tapped his fingers together in a steeple-like shape under his chin and thought for a moment. Jaren's proposition would only be logical if the earth woman produced no offspring, otherwise it would be completely illogical to send her away. He could feel through his paternal bond that Jaref more than approved of Calypsa. His mind had fixated on her as his; very instinctual for a Vulcan if they find another compatible. Mortaf could see no profound reason why Jaref should not be allowed to keep Calypsa, the female seemed content in his presence. Tearing them away from each other after they had established a telepathic link would be unnecessarily cruel. Even demanding that she leave before a bond was established was likely to harm Jaref; Jaref had done much to learn of Earth customs, just so the relationship between himself and the human would be harmonious. Logical, very logical. "I will speak to your mother about this matter. I do not agree with her view. It would be illogical for you to have worked so hard to have the…'fruits' of your labor taken away from you. It is not as if our species will disappear because you do not take a Vulcan wife. If a cure is found there are plenty of young male Vulcans who have still yet to experience their times."

"I thank thee father, it is agreeable that you understand my view of the situation. I will leave you to your own devices now. Good night father."

"Wait." Mortaf held up a hand. "Did Ms. Reynaldi find the dunes agreeable?"

Jaref stood by the door and cocked his head. "She finds Vulcan agreeable, the dunes are a part of Vulcan. She has no desire to leave. She as good as informed me that she would rather be forced into a marriage than return to Earth where she would have freedom. She exudes an emotion similar to fear when her return is suggested. She is...safer here. Mother must understand this." Jaref nodded to his father and left the room, grateful that his father was not as biased as his mother.

Mortaf approved of his son's protective nature; Mortaf was the same way. Mortaf was confident in his ability to sway his wife's decision. She was the one with true power but she valued his advice. He was displeased with Jaren's rashness; he had expected her to be more sensitive. Jaren was peculiar in that way though. She considered Mortaf's well being much more important than their children's. Mortaf had always spent more time with their sons than she had; he would have preferred that the distribution of attention be more equal. She was an important figure on Vulcan though, and he had spent more time at home.

Mortaf knew he had made the right choice in not mentioning ambassador Klen and his human being kidnapped. Jaref had enough to think about without worrying about his good friend.

"Am I interrupting important musings husband?" Jaren sat on the floor next to her bond mate; she couldn't stand his squishy furniture.

"I'm afraid not. Just idle ones." Mortaf held out his fingers to her and transferred his entire opinion of sending away Calypsa.

Jaren lowered her eyes. I may have been reflecting illogical bitterness. I am not pleased with the situation but, you are correct. It would make little difference in either case.

"I am glad that we see eye to eye." Mortaf gazed at her, she was so lovely.

"It is because our bond is strong, you manipulate me." Her voice was solemn but she half-smiled.

"I do nothing of the sort."

"If I had disagreed with you there would be a high probability that you would not please me sexually until your next pon farr. You must not find the activity as fulfilling as I do." Jaren stroked his face, reminded of their first pon farr. They had never even seen each other in their lives before and all at once they shared a mind. She had been struck by his peaceful and affectionate nature, and of course he had always had a handsome face.

"On the contrary, I simply find it logical to create a balance of power. I can think of nothing else as convenient that is in my control." Mortaf picked up on her memory and beckoned her telepathically, to sit on his lap. "You were not very gentle, if I recall accurately."

"That is your job." Jaren sat on Mortaf's lap, something she did not do anywhere else but their private chambers. She rarely even touched him in the presence of others.

Mortaf held her close. "Evidently." He kissed her neck innocently at first and then his kiss turned into a more erotic action.

"I am being rewarded for my good behavior then?" She pretended to be unaffected by him.

Mortaf commenced unfastening her highly conventional dress. "I think that would be the logical thing to do."

Author's Note: So I have finally gotten around to planning out this story and figuring out how I want it to go. I am going to try to finish it in around 8 chapters like "Unspoken" but it might end up being more or less. All in all, this story is going to be rather odd so prepare. This chapter I changed almost nothing about but the next ones I had previously written are getting a major rewrite. Thank you so much for all who follow, favorite, and review this story! Especially 09sasha! You are the best!
If once this story is finished there is a stronger preference for the continuation of "Pink, Green, Blue" or "What I Hate About You" please let me know! I plan to finish both but can focus on one or the other first. :) Toodles.