Chapter 14
“I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate it when our grandparents come for a visit!” groused Shran as he checked on the dinner.
“Thy'lek? Do you hate it when our grandparents-”
“Finish that Senkrad and I swear I will not be held responsible for my actions.” Shran pointed a wicked knife as he spoke. Senkrad snapped his mouth shut, smiling. “Are you finished cleaning up?”
“Just about.”
“What have you got left?”
“The playroom.”
“Well go do it.”
“But I’m scared to go in there! I think Erib brought something with him last time he was here and left it in the playroom and it’s hatched or spawned or something.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because there’s a load of squeaking going on in there and a strange smell.”
“Well take care of it. I haven’t got time to worry about it.”
“Stop worrying! It’ll be fine.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one on trial here.”
“You make it sound like they’re soulless monsters.”
“There are times when I’m not sure if there’s a difference.”
“Thy'lek!”
“What? You saw what they were like with Ducheddet and Lealion when they were going to bond with Sakrana and Sanakral.”
“You’re not going to bond with T'Pol though.”
“Which will give them even more incentive to be cruel. It’s not enough that she’s a Vulcan but since I’m not bonding with her, you know they’ll be even worse to her.” Shran ran a hand through his hair, absent-mindedly noting that it was growing out. “Gah! I hate this! I hate the fact that our grandparents make me feel like I’m a child all over again! I’ve faced things that are worse than them and yet a dinner with them is enough to make me break out in a sweat.”
“They’re grandparents, they’re meant to instil that feeling. If they didn’t there wouldn’t be any point in becoming grandparents.” Senkrad grinned, his antennas squirming a little in amusement. Shran glared at him.
“Go sort out the playroom Sen.”
“Aye sir!” Senkrad saluted him and then rushed away before Shran decided to go through with his earlier threat. As he did the front door opened and Lissiel entered. “Where’ve you been?”
“None of your business little one.” said Lissiel smirking at him in that nonchalant way that her youngest brother had adopted for his own use.
“Thank you for joining us Lissiel.” Shran sneered, “Had a nice time out?”
“Yes in fact I did.” Lissiel’s face was schooled, giving no indication of what she’d been up to.
“Well, while you were out having fun, Senkrad’s been good enough to do the cleaning for both of you. So you can set the table.”
“I hate setting the table!”
“Does it look like I care!?” Shran’s face was angry, but his eyes told his siblings that he was very disappointed in his sister. In truth, Senkrad was too. Lissiel could be very cold and selfish when she wanted to be, but she would generally come through when her family needed it. To go out, to do her own thing when Shran was facing their version of an apocalypse, was incredible, even for her. Lissiel’s mouth tightened.
“Fine. How many places.”
Shran did a mental count and said, “Sixteen including Soval.”
“Sixteen!” Both Lissiel and Senkrad’s eyes were bugging out. “Who the hell did you invite as well?”
“Well, we’ve got the four grandparents, then Old Man and Lady, then T'Pol, Soval, Archer, Tucker, you two and me and then three surprise guests that I’m not telling you anything about!” Shran smirked at them and disappeared into the kitchen again.
Lissiel and Senkrad shared a concerned look. The look of rebellion in Shran’s eyes made them slightly queasy. The last time Shran had gotten it, he’d joined the Imperial Guard and they’d lost him for five years.
Lissiel sighed to herself and disappeared into the dinning room to set the table while Senkrad went into the playroom to do battle with whatever infestation his nephew had left behind this time.
‘Someone needs to explain to that child that animals do not belong in the house!’
Shran heard his brother answer the door when someone knocked on it and he stiffened in anticipation of hearing his brother’s over-cheerful warning of their grandparents arrival. Instead he heard the genuine cheerfulness of Senkrad greeting Archer, Tucker and T'Pol, presumably with Soval.
“I hope you’re feeling better Jon, Trip. And T'Pol… you look amazing!”
His curiosity peaked, and his upbringing telling him to be polite, Shran came out of the kitchen to greet his guests and son. His mouth nearly fell open when he beheld a sight. T'Pol, looking beautiful in a formal Andorian dress, the colours of which, accentuated her dark skin stood with Soval in her arms. Shran wasn’t sure what was shocking him more; how beautiful the Vulcan woman looked or that she was wearing that dress.
“T'Pol… my brother is correct. You do indeed look amazing.”
“Thank you. It was your sister who procured the dress for me, and she and your cousin assisted me in dressing in it.”
Shran and Senkrad shared a look of shock and Shran felt a little guilty for berating his sister when she’d apparently been doing him a favour. Then again, he hadn’t known, so he decided to let it go.
“Well she didn’t tell me.”
“For some reason that doesn’t surprise me.” T'Pol arched her eyebrow at Shran. If he hadn’t known better he’d have sworn she’d made a joke. “Would you like to hold Soval?”
“Absolutely, give him here.” Shran grinned from ear to ear as he took his son, looking very impressive in his own little silk outfit. Shran’s grin managed to widen when he recognised it. “Wasn’t this yours Senkrad?”
“Hm? Oh! You’re right; it was my ceremonial outfit when I was a baby. I didn’t know we still had it.”
“Lissiel must have dug it up somewhere.” Shran admired his son who cooed and smiled up at him. “Fits him well.”
“It does indeed.”
“Is… is Lissiel here?” asked Archer, looking nervous. Shran looked him over and smirked. Archer had the look of a man who couldn’t get a woman out of his mind. Well, if he was that interested he’d have to work for it. Lissiel was still steaming about Archer’s rejection.
“She’s setting the table.”
“Are we the first to arrive?” T'Pol looked around the room. Shran guessed she was as nervous as him, in a Vulcan way.
“Yes. I’m not expecting anyone else for a few minutes.” If he was really lucky, his guests would arrive in order of their invitation. He wanted his grandparents here before his surprise guests. The reaction would be much better. Shran didn’t notice the nervous look Senkrad got at the mention of the guests. If he had he might have wondered if his idea was a good one or not. Since he didn’t, he was firm in his conviction that it was a great idea.
“What are your grandparents’ names?” asked T'Pol, standing close to him. Shran ticked the names off his fingers as he spoke,
“Our grandsire is called Narion. Our grandmother is called Aresa. Our grandpapa is called Th’nack and our grandmamma is called Tenal.”
“Don’t assume that because our grandmamma has the less formal title that she’s any nicer. It’s just tradition to call your mother’s parents by more formal titles.”
“We’ll do our best.” said Archer, looking like he found the whole situation bizarre.
“There’s also Old Man and Lady. They’re best friends with our grandparents, like a third grandparent each to us.”
“I assume they have names besides Old Man and Old Lady.”
“Not Old Lady. Just Lady. And they do. Old Man is called Ghee and Lady is called Melani.”
“We’ll be relying on them to help control our grandparents who are rather… biting when they want to be.”
“And with Thy'lek being the youngest of our generation in the family, they’re extra protective.” Senkrad grinned. Shran groaned,
“Shut up Sen!”
“But it’s funny. The Great Commander Shran is still coddled by his grandparents.”
Archer and Trip snorted and sniggered. T'Pol raised an eyebrow at them and they tried to control themselves. Shran narrowed his eyes, and passed Soval to T'Pol.
“I’m not great anything.” he said, biting back anger. Senkrad’s smile fell. Shran went back into the kitchen. Senkrad followed him.
“I didn’t mean it like that little brother.”
Shran sighed and wiped his hands on a towel. “I know big brother, but just… don’t tease me tonight. I’ll barely be able for everything else, without you teasing me.”
“You're right. I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. Just do me a favour and make sure Lissiel stays nice.”
“Will do. Are you going to let me know who the other guests are?”
“You’ll find out when they arrive.”
“I worry.”
“Don’t. I’m just doing something to… spread the baggage around so it’s easier to carry.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Just go and talk with pink-skin and T'Pol and Trip while I finish this up. Once I’m done here I can leave it and join you all properly.”
Senkrad nodded, and then he wrapped his arms around Shran’s shoulder, hugging his younger brother. Shran gripped his brother tight for a moment before pulling away and resuming his work. Senkrad clapped him on the shoulder and then walked away.
Shran finished making the meal and left it to set or heat or whatever each part was supposed to do, rejoining the group. Just as someone else knocked on the door. It was a sharp knock, one that made the three siblings cringe. T'Pol tensed. Senkrad looked around and then went and got the door.
~*~
T'Pol had tried to picture Shran’s grandparents, but none of the images she’d envisioned fitted the people that entered the house.
First came a woman with formidable eyes. She was tall, curvaceous, with long white hair, streaked with cerulean, done in an elegant knot at the base of her neck. Her face was all sharp angels, her jaw set in a grim look. Despite her age, she had only a few deep lines on her face. She was dressed in a formal black dress that was elegant and elaborate. T'Pol knew that this was Aresa, Shran’s grandmother.
Aresa’s husband, Narion, was shorter than her by about an inch and a half, and his face wasn’t as sharp, but he had high cheekbones, with many small lines around his eyes. Like his wife, his eyes were hard, judgmental. They were dark blue, but their shape was unmistakeable as Shran’s. Aresa’s eyes were brown, which told T'Pol where Shran and his siblings had gotten their eyes. Narion’s hair was shot through with cerulean and he was dressed in the formal uniform of the Imperial Guard.
Shran’s grandpapa, Th’nack, was stocky, and well built, and because of that he resembled Shran and Senkrad the most. His face was softer, with deeper lines around his mouth, and he had Shran’s, and consequently, Soval’s nose. His eyes were not very kind, and his brow was knotted in a scowl. His dress was slightly more elaborate than Narion’s, which, despite being formal, was still relatively simple. His hair was longer than any of the other men’s, and was actually a bit like Trip’s in style, falling into his eyes.
Th’nack’s wife, Tenal, was slimmer and less curvy than either Aresa or her granddaughter, but she was clearly well built and strong, which is how T'Pol imagined Shran’s mother must have been. She was dressed in clothes that matched her husbands, in vivid violet, which gave her a rich appearance. Her hair was left lose and wasn’t past her shoulders.
All four Andorians gave off an impression of hardened lives, of strength and fire. They also couldn’t have given T'Pol colder looks if they’d tried. T'Pol felt some of her confidence wane under their penetrating glares. Senkrad was kind enough to distract them.
“Grandmamma! Grandpapa! Grandsire! Grandmother! It’s so good to see you all again.” And he bowed his head to them.
“Yes it is so wonderful to see you.” said Lissiel, brushing past Archer to bow her head to her grandparents. Shran swallowed and said,
“It is good to see you.” and he bowed his head to them, before giving his grandsire the Imperial Salute.
“Children.” drawled Aresa, looking each of them over in turn. All three siblings winced at the term. “It is pleasing to see you all so healthy and happy.” For a fraction of a second, all four elders looked at Shran who dropped his gaze to the ground. T'Pol’s eyebrow twitched. ‘Odd.’
“Yes, we are glad to see all is well.” agreed Tenal.
“Oh for goodness sake!” snapped an impatient voice outside the door that the other four were blocking. “Would you four drop the formalities? They’re your grandchildren, not your allies that you can’t stand. Now move along and let us in so they’ll get some warmth today.”
Tenal was pushed out of the way by a giant of a man that made even Archer look small in comparison. Broad, tall as a Klingon, with bulging muscles, this man had kind eyes and a cheerful grin. His hair was askew, giving him a slight crazy appearance, but T'Pol found it made him appear more charming.
Behind this man was a woman who wore a large smile and was as curvaceous as she was beautiful. Her lines made her refined, her long body made her graceful and her eyes made her warm.
This had to be Old Man (Ghee) and Lady (Melani).
Ghee strode up to Shran and crushed the younger, smaller man in a hug that lifted him right off his feet. Shran didn’t seem to mind though, because when he was released, he was smiling. Senkrad and Lissiel received similar treatment. As Lissiel was being set on her feet Shran took Soval from T'Pol’s arms. Just in time too because Ghee threw his arms around the Vulcan and crushed her to him. T'Pol couldn’t even think she was so shocked.
“So this is the mother of a new member of the Shran family. I simply must say you are much easier on the eyes than I’d have expected.” Ghee laughed and slapped Shran on the shoulders. “So the child is lucky on both sides. He’ll be a looker when he’s older.”
“He’s a looker now.” smiled Shran, holding Soval up to show him to Ghee and Melani and his grandparents. Ghee scooped him up and held him up.
“You’re not wrong Thy'lek. What a beautiful child.” Ghee turned around and held Soval out to the others, showing him off. The grandparents looked him over and seemed to relax a little.
“He looks very like you Thy'lek.” said Narion, his eyes fixed on Soval, taking him in. T'Pol noticed their eyes paused on Soval’s ears and eyes, then moved to hers. She stared stoically back. When they were finished admiring Soval Ghee returned him to his father. Soval cooed and giggled, his antennas wandering over Shran’s shoulder and his feet pushing against Shran’s arm. Shran settled him before saying,
“This is Soval’s mother, T'Pol.” and he gestured to T'Pol who inclined her head to them.
“It is an honour to meet you.” and since she didn’t know what else to say that could appease them, she added, “Your grandson is a remarkable man.”
Shran’s cheeks coloured a little. Trip scowled.
“We know he is.” said Aresa, narrowing her eyes at T'Pol spitefully. “Are you trying to insinuate we are not proud of our grandson?”
“Oh Aresa, she was giving a compliment! Let the woman alone.” scolded Melani. “Ignore these four T'Pol. They’re stubborn and thick headed when it comes to Vulcans.”
“It is understandable. Our people were at war for so long.”
“You mean you were threatening invasion for so long and we had to lose people to defend ourselves!” snarled Narion. Shran’s antennas drooped and he looked like he dearly wanted to speak up, but Narion shot him such a severe look he said nothing.
“While I will admit my people made mistakes, your people were not innocent victims.” said T'Pol. She was perfectly willing to be polite and diplomatic, but she would not say that the war was her peoples’ fault alone.
“We didn’t start the war with you! You started it by looking down on us! You tried to force your ways upon us.”
“We did no such thing. We accept that each species is unique.”
“That’s a load of-”
“ENOUGH!” Shran was quivering and he was glaring at his grandparents with such fury that even Lissiel looked alarmed. “This isn’t a meeting to fight over who threw the first punch or who did what to who. I, quite frankly, don’t care! War is war and it’s over with! Now if you cannot maintain some politeness and decorum in our house then you can leave!”
Senkrad’s mouth was hanging open. Lissiel looked amazed. Ghee was grinning and Melani was biting her lip to keep quiet. The grandparents looked stunned, staring at Shran as if they didn’t recognise him. T'Pol was as surprised as they were. Granted, she hadn’t expected Shran to stay quiet, but she hadn’t expected such a disrespectful tone.
There was a knock at the door. Everyone jumped and Soval began to cry. Senkrad hurried to answer the door, while T'Pol and Shran tried to soothe the boy. Ghee looked around and spotted Archer and Trip, who were trying to stay out of the way for the moment.
“Now it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that you're Captain Archer.” Ghee grinned at Archer, looking him over with approval.
“That’s me.” said Archer, relaxing at Ghee’s smile. Archer held out his hand and Ghee gripped it. Archer’s smile became a little fixed and his eyes bugged out a tad. “Nice to meet you.” he squeaked. T'Pol heard Shran snigger near her ear as they watched Ghee release Archer’s hand, which was white and grip Trip’s hand as the engineer introduced himself. Archer shook his hand out with a wince.
“I could have told him that would happen. Ghee’s got a grip like a Klingon.” Shran muttered as he jiggled Soval in his arms, having managed to get the child to stop crying.
“Um, Thy'lek?”
Shran and T'Pol looked around to find Senkrad frowning in confusion at his brother, while a smirking Telev stood behind him. Shran grinned.
“Glad you could make it Telev.”
“Thanks for the invitation Shran.”
“Telev!” cried Melani, clapping her hands in delight. She rushed over and hugged Telev like a mother would a son. T'Pol’s eyebrows rose. Senkrad threw Shran a very strange look, as if he was contemplating hitting him.
“Hello Lady. You look beautiful.” Telev smiled a very charming smile, which he turned to Aresa, “Aresa, it’s wonderful to see you and Narion again. It’s been far too long.” And he bowed to them. “Tenal, Th’nack, I’m so glad to see you in such good health.” Telev bowed again. “Age hasn’t touched any of you since I last saw you.”
“Telev!” boomed Ghee, who’d stopped grilling Trip and Archer about themselves and grabbed the slim Andorian and crushed him in a hug. Telev winced a little and shot Shran a look over Ghee’s shoulder. If T'Pol was interpreting it right, he was saying ‘You owe me for this.’ Shran smirked and nodded his head. “So, are you the reason Thy'lek here has been able to resist the fine beauty that is T'Pol?”
“Oh great.” grunted Shran under his breath. T'Pol noticed his cheeks were flushing a little again.
“I would love to think so Old Man.” smiled Telev, his smile turning cheeky.
“Let’s go and sit, we’ve only two more guests to await and at the moment they won't be able to get past the door, not with everyone blocking it.” said Lissiel, pointing to the dinning room.
“Good idea.” said Narion. The guests all filed after Lissiel. Only Shran, Telev and T'Pol hung back. Soval drooled down his chin as he sucked on his fist. Once Trip had vanished into the room, Telev said,
“So, what’s my job specifically tonight?”
“Just help me keep them from attacking T'Pol too much. And try and keep the subject of… well things you know I really don’t want to discuss.” said Shran.
“Easy. Your grandparents adore me. I’ll have no trouble with this.” Telev smirked with great confidence. “You do realise that my presence here is making them think that you and I are…”
“I know! I know!” Shran pinched the bridge of his nose. “And that’s a topic-”
“You want to stay off. Got it.” Telev grinned and bumped Shran’s hip with his own before he disappeared into the dinning room. T'Pol stared at Shran and was intrigued to notice how his cheeks darkened a little.
“What?” Shran grunted, glaring at her in irritation.
“Are you and Telev involved?”
“No… not at the moment.” T'Pol’s eyebrow twitched. “We’ve… got a complicated friendship/something else. And… and it’s really none of your business.” Shran made an irritable gesture to the dinning room door. “Are we going to get this over with or not?”
“Of course.” T'Pol swept past Shran and entered the room.
Archer wasn’t sure where he ought to sit. Clearly, unlike the last time he’d eaten here, there was a seating order. There were two seats at the circular table that were clearly for ‘higher ranking’ members of the family, set side by side. Aresa and Tenal sat in these seats, as the matriarchs of the family Archer realised. Their husbands sat on their free sides. Ghee sat beside Narion and Melani sat beside Th’nack. Senkrad took the seat by Ghee and Lissiel sat beside Melani. Telev took the seat beside Lissiel without hesitation, while Archer and Trip dithered by the table. Senkrad coughed a little and pointed to the two chairs beside Telev. Archer sat beside the Andorian captain with Trip on his other side. When Shran and T'Pol entered Shran sat beside his brother and set Soval in the high chair. T'Pol sat on the other side of the high chair. That left two unoccupied seats between T'Pol and Trip.
“So whom else will be joining us for this family gathering.” Tenal’s voice was frosty and she glanced at Trip and Archer with some suspicion. Shran smiled in a mocking way.
“Just two surprise guests. I’m sure you’ll love them grandmamma.”
“Hmm.”
Archer noticed that Ghee’s eyes were twinkling with mirth.
“So Captain, is it true you’re the most trouble attracting people in this sector of the galaxy?”
“It certainly sometimes feels that way. If it’s not fighting Klingons and trying to stop interplanetary wars it’s being sucked into alternate realities and returning with a baby.” Archer smiled, nodding to Soval who was sucking on his fingers.
“Well in that last case let’s be grateful. He’s an adorable child.” smiled Melani. Soval smiled while he sucked on his thumb. Shran and T'Pol both looked at their son with an expression of fierce pride, although only those who knew T'Pol well would be able to see it.
“So… T'Pol. You’re a scientist?” asked Ghee, smiling.
“That is correct.”
“What area specifically?”
“I do not limit myself to one aspect of science, as it is all intertwined.”
“True, but you must have a preferred area. Physics for example.”
“I suppose that would be the area I work in the most.”
“Yes, because of all the calculations you must have to do in your line of work.”
“My daughter was a scientist.” said Aresa, “It only seemed to pass on to one of her children though.”
“Lissiel’s job requires a great deal of science. Biology and the like.” said Senkrad. Lissiel tilted her head to the side. “Although Sakrana’s job is the only one that carries the title of scientist. Trip works in the same area as her.”
“Trip?”
“Me ma’am.” Trip gave his most charming smile. “I’m Enterprise’s Chief Engineer.”
“Is your name really Trip?”
“No ma’am. My name is Charles Tucker III.”
“Are you called Trip because you are accident prone?” there was a touch of mocking in Tenal’s voice. Shran rolled his eyes.
“No ma’am. It’s short for Triple. As I’m the third Charles Tucker.”
“I see.”
A tense silence fell over the table that was shattered by a loud knocking on the door. Shran jumped to his feet so abruptly T'Pol, Soval and Senkrad all jumped.
“I’ll get it!” and he strode out of the room as fast as he could without running. Archer felt rather sorry for the Andorian. It was clear that all three siblings had a hard time standing up to their grandparents… or maybe they were all just struggling to relax because of present company. Archer hoped Shran’s final two guests would help the situation. In the silence around the table they heard Shran opening the door and say in a gruff tone, “You’re late!”
“You’re lucky I bothered to come. There’d better be some decent food here.”
“You’ll eat what you’re given.”
“Hmm. This is my wife.”
“She’s uglier than you.”
Shran’s grandparents looked stunned. His siblings were paling. Telev looked amused. Ghee and Melani were shaking with laughter. T'Pol’s mouth was slightly open in shock. Archer and Trip shared a look of incredulous. On most of their minds was the one single thought.
‘He invited Gral!!!’