Chapter 10
Thy'lek yawned as he woke up and he heard a soft noise as Soval yawned too. He opened his eyes and looked at the baby who was rubbing his face awkwardly with his hands, as babies do. He smiled and nuzzled the top of his head. Then he sat up, slowly so Soval could grip his shirt as he did. He rubbed his face and stood up, stretching as he walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. Suddenly he paused and sniffed the air. Paint, a strong smell of paint permeated the house. That usually meant Senkrad was painting. Foregoing his stomach for the moment, he walked into the room that held his own music instruments and Senkrad�s painting tools. He noted that a couple of his instruments were collecting dust, particularly his meltela that he hadn�t played in months. Senkrad stood near the window, painting furiously, his antennas squirming on the top of his head.
�What are you painting?� Thy'lek asked as he walked over. Senkrad smiled at him and Thy'lek chuckled. His brother had some green paint on his cheek and his fingers were covered with colour.
�Morning. I�m painting something I read.� he said, nodding at the padd that was near him. Thy'lek furrowed his brow as he picked it up. He full out frowned when he read the piece.
�Sen?�
�Mm?�
�How much did you actually read?�
�Uh� just the part about the garden.� His brother was distracted by painting, so didn�t notice Thy'lek�s frown or tone.
�This is private Senkrad!� Thy'lek said sharply. �How could you read it?� Senkrad froze and then looked at him bewilderedly.
�Private? I picked it up for you, I saw a line that caught my attention and I read the rest. I thought it was a book, how was I to know it wasn�t? What is it anyway?�
�These are letters from Soval�s parents to him! I�m reading them so I can understand what they were like, because I�m obligated to.� he snapped, unable to explain why this felt like such a violation. The letters weren�t his for goodness sake, they were someone else�s. But at the same time it had been him in a way that had written them.
�Oh great, now I�m starting that nonsense again.� he mentally groaned, hating his own mind at times. Senkrad stared at him with worry and he swore inwardly. He knew that look, now his brother would be on thin ice around him for the rest of the day, being careful with what he said and did, afraid to say or do the wrong thing. �Don�t give me that damn look Sen like I�m about to have a break down! I keep telling you I�m fine!�
�You haven�t been going to your sessions.� he muttered, lowering his brush, and his head.
�Because I don�t want to waste my time talking to some doctor that thinks I�m sick in the head!!� Thy'lek exclaimed, disbelieving he was having this argument again. Soval let out a whinge of concern and Thy'lek went quiet, rubbing his son�s back and gently rocking him briefly to ease his distress.
�She doesn�t think your sick in the head and I wish you wouldn�t use that term.� Senkrad said softly, looking at him from under lowered eyebrows, a sad look on his face.
�Alright then, some doctor that thinks I�m insane! I�m fine, in fact I�m better than fine, or I would be if you would all stop treating me like I�m someone who needs to be handled with great care or else I�ll shatter into a million pieces.�
�I don�t treat you like that. And could you possibly keep it down? Honestly Thy'lek, why must you always disturb me the mornings I decide not to wake you in the traditional way?� Lissiel stood at the doorframe, leaning against it, her arms folded over her chest and the family smirk on her face.
�I know you don�t Lissiel and it�s about the only thing about you that I like.� Thy'lek said breezily, no real heat in his words now. His sister had a knack for saying things that would give him ample opportunity to change the subject. She shrugged now and glided into the room, and she looked the painting over, her antennas twitching in interest.
�That�s lovely Sen, here Lek, come and see it.� Lek? She hadn�t called him that in years, in fact she was the least likely person on Andoria to call him Lek. Ambassador Soval was more likely to call him by his childhood nickname than she was. It was enough to make him put aside all his problems and go and look at the painting.
�Wow.� He would never, ever get over his brother�s talent for painting. He�d captured the detailed description of the garden within the other T�Pol�s mind when the couple had melded. The three trees, one representing the Vulcan, one representing his own counterpart and one representing Soval. The first two trees stretched up and their branches clung to each other, entwining in a loving way, and they sheltered the smaller, aquamarine tree with icicles hanging from the branches and sand surrounding its base like a blanket. The sky was a delicate pink, with wisps of clouds and there were smaller plants in the background, visible between the trunks of the trees. It was a vivid, beautiful, strong painting and Thy'lek knew Soval recognised it or at least knew it by the way the baby was staring at it so carefully. �It�s great Sen.�
Unable to say more he walked away, hurrying into the playroom to retrieve clothes for Soval and then into his own room, shutting the door and sitting heavily on his bed. Soval sat in his lap and sucked on his two middle fingers, gripping the wrist of that aquamarine hand with the other to make sure it didn�t get away. Thy'lek gently rubbed the base of the child�s antennas, something that had the same effect on Andorian adult or child as when a dog�s ears were scratched.
�I�ve been trying to ignore it son.� he said softly, �I�ve been avoiding thinking about it even though it�s right in front of me. You are mine, and I love you, but you are his as well and he�ll always be your father. Your Papa. Maybe it�d be easier if he were anyone but another version of me. And it seems to be following me, this fact, like some monster that I�ve been avoiding but can't escape. The fact is� I don�t know if I�m good enough to be your papa. I see, I know, I feel that this man, the one who sired you was more than me� better. How do you raise a child if you feel inadequate to do it, no matter how much you love the child?� Soval looked up at him, his eyes, that were so like T�Pol�s it was uncanny, seeming to ask him something. More than likely the baby was asking him what in the world he was talking about. He sighed and stood up, laying the baby on his fur and silk covered bed while he went and put the padd away in a drawer in his room, slamming it shut with a little more energy than he�d meant to. Soval jumped but stayed quiet, looking at him curiously. �Ignore me little one.� he sighed walking over and leaning forward so he hovered above Soval. �I�m just� loosing my mind.�
�Wouldn�t be the first time.� Lissiel remarked as she shoved the door open. Thy'lek straightened up and scowled.
�Ever hear of privacy?�
�Yes but I�ve never thought you were overly entitled to it so I don�t care if you feel indignant.�
�You�ll care if I break your jaw.�
�Yes, but that won't make me care about giving you privacy.� He groaned and rolled his eyes, antennas falling slightly. He wasn�t up for a fight with his sister at the moment. �What no comeback?�
�Not at the moment.� Thy'lek sat beside Soval and let his son grip his finger in his hand. Soval cooed and kicked cheerfully. Lissiel frowned,
�This must be serious. You usually put up more of a fight.�
�Not today. I�m too tired.� Thy'lek admitted, staring at Soval with a faraway look. Lissiel sighed, stretching her arms out and arching her back as she swooped into the room, to flop gracefully onto his bed. �Off my bed.� he said automatically
�No.� She looked down at Soval and smiled lightly. �You know� he reminds me of Tren. He�s got his face, except for his eyes, definitely got the Vulcan�s eyes.�
�Her name is T�Pol, Lissiel.� he growled irritably, �Could you at least call her by her name.�
�I don�t like Vulcan names. They feel weird in my mouth.�
�Well get used to them. T�Pol and Soval are part of the family now.�
�So you're going to take the Vulcan as a mate?�
�WHAT?� he exclaimed, sitting up straight. �Where the hell did that come from?�
�Well you just said that she�s a part of the family. So� does that mean you and her will mate?� Thy'lek pulled a face, he couldn�t answer that question, mainly because he wasn�t very sure at the moment. �I mean I suppose I can see why you would be attracted to her, she�s very attractive, although I think she�d look better if she grew her hair out, but I can admit, if she were anything but a Vulcan I�d probably entertain the idea of having a night with her myself.�
�I did not need that image in my head!� Thy'lek said, shaking his head at the stomach-churning image that brought up.
�Oh don�t be such a prude.� Thy'lek gave her a wide-eyed look, she�d called him many things in his life but a prude was not one of them. Lissiel continued, always maintaining that airy tone like she was discussing the weather, �She is attractive, and maybe she�s got a fire within that�s just harder to ignite, but worth it in the end. Perhaps taking her as a mate wouldn�t be too bad.�
�Lissiel I don�t even know right now if I like her or not, so can we please not discuss mating!�
�Oh you like her. Otherwise you would have yelled at her by now, I know you. You�re so soft.�
�I am not!�
�You are. I�ve seen you with Jhamel.� Thy'lek felt his cheeks warm. �You get this really dreamy look in your eyes when you see her, and you grin for hours after you part.�
�Are we talking about T�Pol or Jhamel?�
�Thy'lek,� Lissiel stood up and went to his cabinet of drawers, and opening one, took out a brush that was hers. She gave him the brush, and sat on a cushion in front of him. He sighed but started to slowly brush her hair out. �When you see Jhamel you get this dreamy look in your eyes that reminds me of when you were with Telev. But when T�Pol is mentioned your eyes get a fire in them like they did whenever Talas was mentioned before she died.�
�Where are you going with this?� Thy'lek asked, trying to ignore the pain he felt at Talas� name.
�I�m saying that you should think about this. You and Talas were discussing marriage before she died. Now you�re attracted to two women who are completely different to both Talas and each other.�
�I just said I don�t know if I like T�Pol or not!�
�Forget that, you're still attracted to her. And you're attracted to Jhamel.� Thy'lek didn�t answer, becoming immersed in undoing a large knot in his sister�s hair.
This was a ritual between them. If they were going to talk seriously then Thy'lek would brush her hair as they did. It was something they�d done since they were children. Thy'lek had a knack for brushing hair well when he was little and Sakrana would force him to brush hers. Being the baby and a boy, he�d little choice but to agree. Lissiel, who hated the way her parents brushed her hair, made a deal with him. He�d brush her hair and she�d be nice to him while he did. The then-five year old had agreed and they�d talk to each other as it went on. Now it was the only time they didn�t argue and mock each other.
�Thy'lek?�
�Look I really don�t know Lis. I�ve no idea how I feel about either of them. I just� can�t get my head straight.�
�Senkrad was right, you haven�t been going to your sessions and I think you should.�
�Lissiel I am not going to see what humans call a Quack!�
�Interesting name and why not?�
�Because it�s embarrassing. Talking about how I feel to a complete stranger? I have trouble doing so with my friends, so forget it. Besides, all they�ll say is that I need some drugs, need to get out there again and time will heal all wounds. Heard it, believed it, was disappointed later. So I�m not going.�
�Well alright, but what about one of us. We�d listen to you.�
�Because�� Thy'lek trailed off and fell quiet. Lissiel waited, enjoying the feel of his fingers and the brush going through her hair. She made a mental note that she�d need to get it re-highlighted soon. The winter was a good time to have silver highlights. �Because I�ve done that before and made you all miserable.� Lissiel sighed and reached behind her to squeeze his hand briefly. �I�m just tired of being the one who always makes our whole family miserable.�
�It�s not your fault.�
�Then how come it happens?� he asked darkly. He set the brush down and plaited the hair into what humans would have called a French plait. �You�ll need new highlights.� he told her, dropping his hands. She lightly whacked his leg. Soval squirmed and let out a noise. He wanted attention. �Oh you're definitely my son.� Thy'lek chuckled as he scooped him into his arms.
�Without a doubt.� she smiled tickling the baby under the chin. Soval giggled. �What are you going to do today with him?�
�I think I�ll take him up to the surface and walk to the temple of Hamenath�el. I�d like to bring him into the shrine of Corspa Zenar.�
�Want some company? I�m sure Senkrad wouldn�t mind going.� Thy'lek rolled his eyes lightly and shook his head.
�I�m going to go with just the two of us. I want to spend time with him alone. No one�s going to bother me there.�
�Whatever.� She waved her hand in the air and made for the door. �Hey.� She turned around suddenly, a softness in her eyes. �You know why I became a physiotherapist, right?� Thy'lek smiled and nodded.
�You know why I�m still alive.� she smiled and then walked out. Thy'lek could hear Senkrad saying dryly,
�You two have the weirdest way of saying �I love you� to each other.� Thy'lek laughed.
�I�m glad you agreed to come along.� Trip smiled at her warmly.
�You made it sound� pleasant.� she said lightly, studying a sculpture. She and Trip were in the park that grew below the city, admiring the artwork from various students. T�Pol had to admit that the park must have required extreme ingenuity to be able to grow real trees and plants within a cave. Then again, she had heard that Andorians had a surprising skill with ecology, both flora and fauna. Speaking of which, she watched as a strange creature crawled speedily over the branch of a tree. It was about half a metre long, and seemed like a cross between an earth rabbit and an earth squirrel. She didn�t get a very good look at it though.
Trip bent over to sniff a very dark blue flower curiously and then he leaned back on his heels.
�That�s a nice one.� he said,
�You have pollen on your nose.� she told him, fighting the urge to wipe it away. He chuckled embarrassedly and wiped it away,
�Better?�
�Much.�
�You think we should pick a couple of these for Phlox?�
�I�m sure the Doctor knows what he wishes to examine and will be able to collect them himself. Some of these plants may be illegal to take.�
�Yeah, and we don�t wanna get the Andorians all riled up by taking their flowers.� Trip chuckled in amusement but T�Pol did not see the humour in the suggestion.
�Andorians are fiercely protective of their eco-system and all within it. They no doubt have many rules over the transport of all such things. From what I have heard it is because they are so protective of it that they have never had a world war.�
�Yeah I found that real hard to believe in the museum, considering what we�ve seen of the Andorians?�
�I believe some of that is� bravado. A shield to protect themselves.�
�Well they didn�t have much luck when it comes to aliens, did they?� Trip was thinking of the Orions, Vulcans and Tellerites, all of whom the Andorians had fought with at one point or another.
�They have had some luck with other species, I believe they are very strong allies with the Caxtonians.�
�Who are they?�
�They are a species Vulcans know very little about. Because they are so close to Andorian territory my people did not approach them.�
�But now that things are better between your people and Shran�s?�
�I believe we will make contact with many of Andoria�s allies.� Trip nodded and paused in their wanderings to study a sculpture. As T�Pol stared at it, it seemed to change. She turned her head slightly and it changed completely, yet didn�t move. �This is an impressive feat of art.�
�It�s making me kinda dizzy.� Trip muttered, almost cross-eyed. He shook his head, �Come on, let�s keep going. The park�s huge and I want to see everything.�
�Very well.� As they wandered they said little and T�Pol found her mind wandering to Soval and Shran. She wondered what they were doing. She hoped they were spending their time well and forming the appropriate bond.
Her mind suddenly brought her dream from last night to the foreground and she nearly stopped.
�You ok?� Trip glanced at her in concern.
�I am fine.� she said, yet she couldn�t help but be drawn into the dream. She�d felt such contentment and peace that she hadn�t had since before she�d begun taking Trellium. It seemed unlikely that such a calm could be achieved with someone as passionate as Shran. Even with Trip she didn�t feel such calm and she�d have considered the human to be slightly more tranquil than the Andorian.
�You know Shran�s invited the senior staff to a bar tomorrow night. He says we need to find out how to really party. You think you might come?� T�Pol hid her surprise of Trip bringing up the very man who�d been in her thoughts.
�I don�t believe so. If Shran is taking you somewhere I shall care for Soval.�
�Shran�s got him for all of today?�
�I said I would collect him at 1900 hours. Shran said he was taking him to a temple on the surface.�
�A temple?�
�He said that there was a shrine of an ancient hero there. Shran mentioned he�s always admired the man.�
�Hm, sounds like he�s really taken to being a dad.�
�He seems to find great pleasure in caring for Soval. He also seems to find it extremely easy.�
�You�re not saying Shran�s a better parent than you are you?�
�He�s been raised to care for children, and has had much experience with them.�
�You could say the exact same thing about fighting with them ice picks, and Shran lost to Cap�n Archer who�d never fought like that in his life. Experience doesn�t always mean you're better.�
�I do not believe that is a fair comparison Trip.� She felt a need to defend Shran at Trip�s words. �Shran was devastated by the loss of so much, his ship, most of his crew and of Lieutenant Talas. And Captain Archer is his friend. Despite his anger, I find it hard to believe he could have lost so easily.�
�So what are you saying?�
�I believe he may have been holding back somewhat, reluctant to truly kill Captain Archer.�
�So what? He just challenged the fight to get himself killed?�
�I�m not saying that. However, I just have difficulty believing that he would be so easily defeated. There is also the matter that Captain Archer severed his antenna, which rendered him unconscious, and unable to fight.�
�I thought the antenna being cut off rendered him defenceless.�
�It is a fairly important part of the Andorian physiology. The loss is extremely severe, that much is clear from Shran�s reaction��
(Flashback)
�Say you quit!� Archer growled as he tightened the chain around Shran�s neck.
�Never.� Shran gasped, still struggling. T�Pol could see a strange glint in the Andorian�s eyes. Resignation perhaps? Archer sighed heavily and raised the Ushann-tor above his head before bringing it down.
There was a stunned second of silence.
Shran screamed in agony and the Andorian soldiers ran over. They pulled Archer away sharply freeing their commander and then laying him down as he screamed again. One, a man she recognised from P�jem, lifted Shran�s head and laid it in his lap gently as the Andorian commander fell unconscious, but began to tremble.
�Get over here Denobulan!� snapped another Andorian, shoving Archer so hard he nearly fell over. Phlox obeyed at once, rushing over and scanning Shran carefully.
�He�s going into shock.� the doctor said grimly. T�Pol walked over urgently, �We need to get him to sickbay now!� The Andorians lifted their fallen commander carefully and laid him on the awaiting gurney. It had been set up with the expectation of Archer laying on it, not Shran. The Andorian was shaking worse, sweat glistening on his skin. T�Pol watched as the Andorian soldiers pushed the gurney as fast as they could. Crewman Cutler tended to Archer who seemed dazed. Clearly he had not been expecting such a severe reaction. Travis looked horrified. Hoshi was trying to comfort him. T�Pol looked at the ground. There, in a small pool of blue blood, lay the severed piece of antenna. She stared at it, unable to look away. Her thoughts turned to sickbay, where Dr. Phlox was no doubt doing his best to care for Shran. She found herself hoping that he would recover. Of course, knowing how stubborn the man was, nothing but survival was likely or acceptable.
(End Flashback)
�So? What are you trying to say?�
�I am simply trying to say that I don�t believe it is fair to compare an incident like that with parenting. Experience is key to caring for children.� Trip looked sour. He didn�t seem to appreciate her defending Shran. T�Pol pressed her lips together. They walked through the park slowly, glancing at the artwork. Yet the companionable feeling between them was gone. T�Pol fought not to sigh as she studied the man beside her out of the corner of her eye. Trip was so unpredictable, it was frustrating at times. �Perhaps we ought to reunite with the group.� she suggested at length, knowing there was nothing that could be done to bring back their companionship. Trip nodded, a slightly sour look still on his face. Yet he seemed troubled, his brow drawn into a frown and his eyes faraway.
Together they walked back to the entrance of the park, reuniting with Captain Archer, Hoshi, Travis and Malcolm. The group didn�t seem to pick up on the iciness between the two as they discussed what they�d seen. Suddenly a voice called to them from above.
�Archer! Well this is an unpleasant surprise.� Looking up they saw Ambassador Gral staring down at them with a wide grin from a bridge above them. �What are you pathetic excuses for creatures doing here?�
�Avoiding you like the plague. You stink!� Archer responded with a wide grin. �When was the last time you took a proper bath?�
�Bah! You talk of smells? You�ve no room to talk.� Gral pottered over the bridge and down a set of steps to meet them on their level. He held his hand out and Archer gripped it. �You seen Shran yet?�
�Yeah, we were at his house a few days ago for dinner.�
�Humph. He�s never had me over for dinner. Suppose that�s just as well. Andorian food makes my stomach turn.� grumbled the Tellerite. Archer grinned even wider. The group began to head back into the city, which was bustling with activity. �So what�s this I hear about you having a sprog Vulcan? With Shran no less.� Gral grinned up at T�Pol, whose eyebrows twitched. �I thought I saw a spark between you two on Enterprise. Didn�t know you�d wind up expelling him a son.� T�Pol fought every urge to sigh as she said,
�I did not give birth to our son, but yes, he is mine and Shran�s. We are not in a relationship. It is a complicated tale, one I�d prefer not to explain.� Gral rolled his eyes and waved a clawed hand in the air.
�Ah, that Andorian will probably let something slip. I don�t need a lecture on how you procured a child without mating. You�d make the traditional way sound boring.� Archer coughed awkwardly and tried to change the subject,
�So Gral, what�s happening with the negotiating between you and the Andorians and Vulcans?�
�Ah a load of tedious negotiations. I don�t think I could have taken another day holed up with Shran and Soval and going over every single detail. Soval seems determined to bore me to death.�
�Ambassador Soval is simply being thorough. You would not want a slip up in the details to result in the dissolving of all you have worked for.� T�Pol said pointedly. Gral grunted, he couldn�t argue with that.
�Still it�s nice to get a break. Even if it has to be in this dump of a city.� Several Andorians paused and narrowed their eyes at the Tellerite angrily. A laugh broke the tension.
�Ambassador Gral it�s no wonder you try my brother�s patience.� They all looked to see Sanakral strolling up to them, two young babies, only a few months older than Soval, peeping over his shoulders curiously. �Still according to him, the more you complain, the more you like a place.� Gral snorted,
�Shran talks a lot.� he said dismissively, but his eyes were twinkling. Sanakral laughed again.
�Well I have to say it�s nice to hear him talking so much. Sometimes he gets all moody and silent and believe me, that�s when you have to watch your back. Anyway, I don�t suppose you're after him are you?�
�Not really.� Archer shook his head, �We�re just walking.�
�Your brother informed me that he was taking Soval to a temple on the surface, to a shrine.�
�Ah. The shrine of Corspa Zenar. He�s mad about the man. Can�t say I blame him.�
�Who�s Corspa Zenar?�
�He�s an ancient hero from over 1000 years ago. He lived during a time when, because of an evil empress, all men were treated as objects. We had to obey all women no matter who they were. Corspa Zenar forwarded the revolution that got us back our equality. Some believe he was the incarnate of Hamenath�el, the spirit of Men and Masculinity. I don�t, but I do believe he was a great man.�
�He sounds like some of the heroes of Earth.� Travis said with a smile. Sanakral shrugged,
�A hero is a hero. Corspa Zenar was famous for his song of freedom as well as his passive aggressiveness. Have to say, I don�t want to think about what would have happened if men had tried to take women on. I�m not stupid enough to take my wife on. She�d pin me and give me whatfor with no problem and she�s the calm one of us.�
�Passive aggressiveness?� Archer questioned, raising his eyebrows. Sanakral grimaced,
�I know, I know, so pathetic sounding but have you ever wrestled with an Andorian female? And they were more aggressive back then. And besides, there�s a rumour that Corspa Zenar was part Aenar. Having met Jhamel� I can certainly see where it came from.�
�Speaking of talking a lot.� Gral grunted, eyeing Sanakral. Sanakral rolled his eyes.
�I�m chatty. Drives my wife mad at times, to say nothing of my siblings. I swear the amount of ways they have tried to shut me up is incredible.�
�I can imagine.� Gral said in a mock whisper. Sanakral smirked.
�I�m sure you can.� He said, �Anyway, I�d best be going. Only that my daughter was ill this morning I�d already be in work. Senkrad�s minding her now, so I can get some work done.�
�You take your children with you to work.�
�Of course. I�m the father, I have to take them with me. Lealion can�t, she�s the principal of the primary school in the city, besides males rear children. Anyway. I really have to go, so I might run into you soon, because I am determined to see this nephew I suddenly have. Senkrad gave me this, but it�s just not a substitute for the real thing.� Sanakral held out a sheet of parchment to T�Pol as he spoke. She took it and unfolded it. Her eyebrow twitched,
�Impressive.� she said softly. Archer peeked over her shoulder and raised his eyebrows. In strong dark strokes of what appeared to be charcoal, was a drawing of Shran and Soval. Shran had the baby in his hands, lifting him up in the air so the baby was above him and their identical noses were touching. Antennas were touching in an affectionate gesture and both were smiling widely. Soval�s little hands were reaching out to his father�s face and Shran�s eyes were alight with delight as he stared into the child�s. Archer smiled at the tender moment.
Gral snatched the parchment out of her hands and looked it over. He snorted,
�Scrawny thing ain�t he? I can see where he gets that from.� He eyed the picture. �Picture isn�t much either.� Sanakral scowled,
�This happens to be a brilliant drawing my younger brother has done, in less than fifteen minutes. I�d like to see you do better Ambassador.� And he took the parchment back so sharply it nearly ripped. Gral growled at him and bared his teeth. Sanakral�s glare dared him to try something. Archer was amazed at the sudden change in the two men. But before he could say anything to prevent a scuffle another voice intersected.
�Hey! I�ve spent months working with you Gral! Don�t go spoiling it all by listening to my moron of a brother.� Shran sauntered over to them, a smug smile on his face, clearing enjoying the fact that he was the only one who knew how to handle both men. Soval peered out from over his shoulder curiously, his little antennas whirling around with interest. The baby�s cousins cooed as they stared at him over Sanakral�s shoulders.
�Moron! Why I ought to-�
�Calm down San, I�m perfectly entitled to call you a moron.�
�Oh really?� Sanakral faced his brother now, arms folded over his chest. �And why is that?�
�Because you are a moron.� Shran replied with a cheeky smile. Sanakral opened his mouth to retort but Soval chose that moment to let out a curious noise, that sounded rather like,
�Ba-pa-ha!� which distracted both men quite suitably.
�So this is my nephew! Give him here.� Sanakral said with a broad grin.
�Only if you give me mine.� Shran said as he turned around to let Sanakral take Soval from him. Soval didn�t seem to appreciate this and he let out a shriek, clinging onto Shran�s shirt. Sanakral didn�t press.
�Never mind.� he sighed, �Maybe another time.� Shran nodded as he reached out and plucked a babe from his brother�s back. Just as quick he grabbed the second. Both babies laughed and clapped their hands eagerly before they clung to Shran�s shirt. �Hey! Give me back my sons.�
�I want to say hello to them!� Shran said curtly, raising an eyebrow at his brother. Sanakral stared at him and then said,
�You are spending waaaay too much time with Vulcans baby brother.� Shran grimaced. Gral snorted in amusement although whether it was the Vulcan part or the �baby� part he was laughing at was anyone�s guess. Shran rolled his eyes at the Tellerite and then grinned down at his nephews. Soval tugged on his shirt and he looked at his son over his shoulder.
�You can�t possibly be jealous Soval.� he said. Soval pouted his lips and whined softly. Shran sighed and handed his nephews back. Then he reached back and lifted Soval, bring him around to the front. Soval beamed and kicked his legs, happy he wasn�t being ignored. T�Pol stepped closer and ran her finger over her son�s cheek. Soval let out a laugh and wriggled in Shran�s arms. He reached out and grabbed T�Pol�s finger, squeezing it tightly. �Hm� that reminds me, I need a word with you T�Pol.� Shran said, �Sanakral, wait here.�
�I�m late for work as it is!�
�So you can be a little later! Just wait!� Sanakral sighed heavily and began to tap his foot. Shran led T�Pol aside.
�I wanted to talk to you about Soval�s diet.� Shran explained simply. �Normally, Andorian children are introduced to solid foods at Soval�s age, but continue feeding from their mother�s milk for another while. I�ve nearly finished reading the letters from the other Shran, and he wrote how there was a problem during the later stage of the pregnancy with the other T�Pol. It meant she couldn�t feed Soval with her own milk.�
�I remember reading that.� T�Pol agreed, �They fed Soval with special formula instead, the other T�Pol was uncomfortable about the idea of another woman feeding her child. I believe it was because Soval would form an attachment to his primary caregiver and she wanted to ensure that she spent enough time with him.�
�Yes well� I want to know what you want to do now. I already talked to my sister in law, and she said she�d be happy to provide Soval with milk.� T�Pol raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged, �What?�
�I would have preferred it if you had consulted with me first. I am Soval�s mother.�
�No one�s saying you're not.� Shran said, sounding exasperated, �Why do you keep doing that?�
�Doing what?�
�Why do you keep acting like I�m some idiot who doesn�t remember that you are Soval�s mother? T�Pol every single time I look at Soval I know it! He�s got your ears and your eyes for goodness sake! How could I forget it?�
�I am not treating you like that. I am simply-�
�You're simply reminding me of the fact because you�re afraid I�m going to try and replace you! For the love of the spirits T�Pol! I already told you I wouldn�t.� Shran was glaring at her and she stared stonily back. The tension was broken when Sanakral called,
�You two going to be at this a while? Because I�m leaving now!� Shran�s eyes shot to his brother who frowned in confusion, �Wait, weren�t you at Corspa Zenar�s shrine?�
�An hour ago San!�
�Oh� my bad. I�ll talk to you later Thy'lek.� Sanakral waved to his brother, and then nodded to the others. His two sons secure on his back he walked away quickly. Shran looked back at T�Pol who stared back, their eyes were boring into the other�s.
�Why do you keep acting like I�m trying to steal him away when all I want to do is spend time with him?�
�I do not. Why do you keep overreacting to what I am saying?�
�I think considering how you just dumped this on me, I�ve been very well tempered. Don�t accuse me of overreacting!�
Gral hooted and said quite loudly,
�First Jhamel, now T�Pol! You my blue friend have very varying tastes.� Shran looked at Gral in surprise.
�What?�
�You and Vulcan and you and Jhamel, oh my friend I am impressed.�
�We are not-�
�Ah, so you say.� Gral cut T�Pol off, �And you�d like to convince us with all your bickering. But I can tell that you two, if you were alone, would be all over each other like Klingon targs in heat.� Vulcan, Andorian and Humans were all too stunned to say a word. Gral rubbed his fat belly in amusement. �Hm� and Jhamel as well. I�ve heard Andorians can have more than one mate, and sometimes all at once, in the same bed. Now that would be something!� Shran went a slight blue, and T�Pol was completely speechless. Archer was torn between grimacing and laughing. Trip�s expression was very dark. The others tried to act as if they weren�t there. Finally Shran snapped,
�Shut your snout you fat pig!� Gral snorted and said,
�Admit it Shran, go on.�
�I won�t!�
�Come on!�
�Gral if you don�t shut up right now, I swear I�ll-�
�My, my, what�s going on here?� They all turned to see who else was joining the argument. Archer�s jaw dropped in surprise he shouldn�t have felt. T�Pol raised her eyebrows and Shran smirked. Telev grinned at them, �It sounds like fun. Can I join in?�