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“I believe they are engaging in intercourse,” T’Shonra supplied bluntly.
Sevek almost choked on his drink. “Intercourse? With an alien species?”
He barely concealed his disgust. What a disturbing thought.
T’Shonra, noticing his ill-concealed unease, gave him a disapproving look. “Human physiology is remarkably similar to our own. Therefore, it should not be too difficult for Vulcans and humans to mate,” she speculated. “Procreation is likely impossible at this juncture, given that we evolved separately on different planets and our genomes are doubtless, incompatible. But the mechanics of intercourse should not be significantly different.”
“I do not appreciate you speculating in this manner about our ship’s commander,” Sevek said. “It is inappropriate.”
T’Shonra ignored him. “I am only attempting to prepare you for the inevitable event of their marriage.”
“Marriage?” Sevek scoffed. “That is preposterous. There is no logical reason why—”
“Commander Solkar and Doctor Cochrane are eminently compatible,” T’Shonra insisted. “They are both intelligent. They both appreciate space. They are both pioneers in their field. I do not see any logical reason why they should not marry.”
“Doctor Cochrane is human, and our captain is Vulcan,” Sevek pointed out, in as clear and plain terms as possible.
“And you are being xenophobic,” T’Shonra replied. “I thought serving aboard an exploratory vessel would give you an appreciation for life’s diversity, not derision toward it.”
“Diversity is admirable,” Sevek allowed reluctantly. “But that does not mean we have to allow ourselves to… mingle with it.”
T’Shonra raised an eyebrow. “I believe ‘mingling’ is the reason we are here. Is that not the purpose of First Contact? To immerse ourselves in new cultures? Gain new experiences?”
Sevek leaned away from T’Shonra slightly, regarding her with suspicion. “Have you… mingled with these humans?” he asked warily.
T’Shonra held out two fingers. Then raised her voice. “Lily?”
“Yes, dear?” a human woman replied.
Sevek turned and saw a dark-skinned human woman come over to their table. She smiled widely—a shockingly unrestrained display of emotion—and then held out two fingers toward T’Shonra. Sevek fully expected his Vulcan companion to decline the human’s untoward advances. But to his horror, without hesitation T’Shonra pressed her own two fingers against the human’s with an ease that suggested they had done this before.
Perhaps, many times.
Sevek watched the pair with a combination of surprise and horror leaking onto his face, despite his best attempt to contain it. The end result was a somewhat… constipated expression.
“Why’s your friend looking at us funny?” the human woman, evidently named Lily asked.
Sevek’s cheeks started to look green. He should not stare… not at such a blatant act of impropriety. But despite decades of rigorous training to gain full control over his mind and body, he simply could not tear his eyes away. It was like watching a shuttle accident—mesmerizing and alarming all at one.
“He is unwilling to pursue new experiences,” T’Shonra explained to the human.
“Pity,” Lily said. “I think he could have some fun if he’d lighten up.”
“I concur,” T’Shonra said. “I, for one, greatly appreciate your companionship.”
“And I appreciate yours,” Lily replied. “Now, come on, let’s get out of here.”
Lily Sloane jabbed a finger in a direction that Sevek could only assume was the location of her dwelling. T’Shonra rose gracefully out of her chair and flounced off with Lily in tow, leaving a very confused and disturbed Sevek behind at the table.
He was about to get up and leave his table by the bar when he spotted Solkar and Zefram coming out of the T’Plana-Hath together. As they descended the ramp, side by side, Sevek concluded that it was possible Solkar had simply offered the human a tour of the ship. But it was also possible that T’Shonra was right. Perhaps they were engaging in intercourse.
Sevek’s stomach turned. How unnatural.