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"Ambassador," Lieutenant Mananquil inclines her head, looking impeccable in her Starfleet dress uniform as the assigned security officer to escort Ambassador Soval back to the Vulcan Embassy on Earth. She had her standard-issue phaser on her belt, and her machetes strapped to her back. She wears her dark hair in a long mohawk, a way of adding her own flair to her formal uniform to showcase her culture. She opens the door to the shuttle for him, then follows him inside, taking the seat behind him, but Soval motions for her to sit on the seat opposite him.
Soval nods to Ro, acknowledging her gesture of respect, and takes his seat. He looks at her, taking in her appearance and how she incorporates her cultural heritage into her Starfleet uniform. He can't help but admire her strength and bravery, qualities that make her an exceptional security officer and a valuable asset to their mission. Lieutenant, Ro Mananquil, is his Filipino security officer assigned to him whenever he is aboard the USS Enterprise NX-01. Soval stayed aboard the ship long-term, so she's assigned to guard him, long term as well, and they became closer to each other because of her interest in alien cultures, especially in Vulcan culture.
They sit in silence, occasionally conversing in Vulcan, and Soval cannot help but admire her grasp of his language and culture. When they arrive at the Embassy, the Filipino lieutenant falls into step two steps behind him, and they make their way to the main entrance. However, a few meters away, there is a blast of a bomb that knocks the both of them off their feet. Human voices surround them and Soval realizes that there has been a planned attack on the Embassy.
"Fuck. Mananquil to Enterprise!" Through the ringing in his ears, Soval makes out Ro frantically shouting into her communicator while shooting their human attackers with her phaser. "There has been an attack on the Embassy! Send back the shuttle!"
Ro's eyes widen as she looks at something when Soval gets up from his prone position. She leaps in front of him as soon as he hears a gunshot blast from somewhere in front of him. She grunts in pain as she lands at his feet, then retaliates with a phaser blast of her own and the man holding the gun drops, dead. The Vulcan is unable to avoid a small intake of breath when he sees that Ro's shoulder is bleeding from the bullet she took for him when she struggles to get to her feet.
"Ow. Anyway, who still uses guns?" She grumbles as she ushers the stunned Ambassador toward the rendezvous point with the shuttle and away from the attackers. "Crazy xenophobic terrorists." She is grumbling and making sarcastic comments as she shoots her phaser with her good hand, but Soval knows she's only doing that to distract herself from the pain. "Putang-ina... Tagal nung mga kasama natin." She shouts into her communicator. "Fuck it, Enterprise!! Where are you? Two minutes? We don't have two minutes! Fine, fine, I'll see what I can do. Just,, make sure the Ambassador gets back up there yeah? I don't care what you do. Okay, Mananquil out."
Ro disconnects the call and turns to Soval. "They'll be a little longer, Ambassador. We'll have to hold out here."
"Lieutenant, you're injured." Soval says with a stoic expression, but his voice trembles with his worry for the lieutenant.
Ro gives him a smirk, but he knows it is full of pain. "Don't worry Soval. Malayo sa bituka 'to." It’s far from vital organs, she says in Filipino, but Soval knows that she is in pain.
She places a light hand on his shoulder as they keep on moving, then another bomb blast goes off somewhere near them, and he hears her curse. He also grunts in pain as he realized that he has twisted his ankle, but Ro, being human and more fragile than his Vulcan body structure, had broken her leg. She shoots at more attackers from her position on the ground while struggling to get up and limps to him, and they walk a few meters to the rendezvous point. She curses again when she sees her phaser has run out of charges, then she brings out her machetes.
"Ambassador," she turns to him, her gaze sad but determined, "The rendezvous point is one hundred meters in that direction. There is one minute before the shuttle arrives. Go now, and leave me here. I'll just slow us down." She draws out her machetes. "I can fight with one leg and a hurt shoulder, I'll buy you enough time to escape. Go."
She begins to take off her feather crown, but Soval stops her.
"I will not leave you behind, Lieutenant," Soval says firmly, with a mix of emotion in his voice that is unfamiliar to him. He has always prided himself on his Vulcan logic and control, but at this moment, he is anything but logical. "I will not abandon you. We will face this danger together." He takes the feather crown from her hand and places it back on her head, his fingers lingering for a moment on the feathers.
"You are too valuable to me."
Ro takes a deep breath and curses, Soval’s emotional proclamation flying completely over her head in her distraction, and, most probably, pain. "Okay, okay, fine. Stubborn Vulcan. I can tell you a hundred different ways how you're being illogical right now, with perfect Surakian philosophy backing it, but I'm pretty sure you won't listen to me. C'mon."
Both of them make their way to the rendezvous point, and to their relief the shuttle arrives on time. However, the Terra Prime terrorists gain on them and they are surrounded. Security backup arrives, eliminating the terrorists. but not in time to stop an attacker from leaping on Soval and trying to stab him in the heart. Ro leaps into action, knocking the attacker from Soval before he gets harmed, but because of her injuries, her reactions are too slow and she gets stabbed in the stomach before she dispatches the man with her machetes. She is still able to herd a mostly unharmed Soval into the shuttle, bleeding red all over the floor and n his robes.
"Fuck, that was crazy, right?" She smiles up at the Ambassador, then passes out in his arms. Soval is still in shock, and through their skin contact, he could feel her life force bleeding away. When they arrive on the Enterprise, he frantically calls for medical assistance and carries her to sickbay, since his t'hy'la, the person he loves most in the entire universe is about to succumb to her injuries without him ever having been able to tell her what he truly feels about her.
Soval's heart leaps to his throat when he sees Ro's heartbeat monitor flatline, and the doctors administer electric stimulation, which thankfully starts her heart again. He moves to Doctor Phlox to offer his assistance.
"Doctor, I can initiate a meld in order to stabilize Ro's condition. I will help her initiate a Vulcan healing trance so that she has better chance of surviving the operation."
Doctor Phlox nods in agreement, knowing the benefits of a Vulcan healing trance in this situation. "Very well, Ambassador. Please proceed."
Soval moves to Ro's side, placing his hands gently on her head and initiating the mind meld. He melds with the fallen lieutenant, and he fully enters her mindscape for the first time, and it looks like the mountains of her childhood, with a firepot in the tribal square. The firepot is flickering faintly with dying embers, and he realizes that it is a representation of her life force, barely clinging on to life. He hears a pained bird's cry, and he sees a bedraggled, battered Philippine Eagle painfully moving away from the edges of her rocky, forested mindscape to the grey sands beyond. His heart leaps in his throat when he sees the suffering eagle cross the border between mountain forest and dark grey sands which litter the shore of a vast river leading to a beautiful, mystical bright light. A single boat with a perch sways in the lightly roiling waters of the black river, and the eagle seems to be making its way to it.
Ancient humans called this river many names. For the Ancient Greeks, it was Styx. For the Ancient Egyptians, the Duat. Ancient Filipinos and their indigenous relatives, Ro's own people, called it Kan-on. Vulcans called it Ri'tevak Mashau, the Undying Waters, the river wherein a soul has to make its final journey to the land of the dead.
Soval runs to pick up the eagle, which he now knows to be a manifestation of Ro's soul in her weakened state, to stop it from entering the boat and making the journey to pass beyond the veil as all human souls did and as Vulcan souls did before the time of Reformation. Its familiar dark, human eyes are wild, and screeches and thrashes in his grasp, its sharp beak and talons gouging deep wounds in his face and chest, bleeding emerald blood, and yet he does not let go. He speaks to the thrashing eagle softly as he carries it back to the mountains, back to the firepot, cradling the bird to his chest.
"Ro, no! Do not leave me! You must stay! You must fight! I am not ready for you to cross this river yet! I am not ready for you to leave me yet!" He pleads with her through their mind-meld connection, tears streaming down his face. "You have so much more to live for, so much more to experience, to see, to feel. I need you, Ro. I need you in my life. I cannot imagine a future without you." He cradles the eagle close to his chest, feeling its heart beat slow and unsteady against his own. "Please, my t'hy'la, my love, do not leave me. Please, stay with me. I cannot bear the thought of losing you."
When the eagle hears the normally stoic Vulcan’s heartfelt words, it stops thrashing and looks up at him with curious Human eyes. Tears are falling down Soval’s face as he carries the eagle back to the forested mountain of her mindscape, back to the dying flames of the firepot, and lays it beside the flames. It flutters weakly and gives a soft chirp at him. Soval drops a human kiss onto the top of its beak, then begins to pour his own energy into the fire, causing it to leap higher and stronger. He focuses all of his love and will into the meld, pouring his life force into hers, strengthening her soul and allowing her to hold on to life. The flames leap higher, and higher, and they seem to be flickering in the direction of the bird lying prone next to the firepot.
“Please…. Do not take her from me, not now, not yet… Please… I love her…” Soval pleads to whatever gods might be listening, forgetting all his Vulcan emotional controls as he bares his teeth, forcing his own life force into the pot, pouring all his unsaid love and emotion for Ro, his t’hy’la, into the firepot. The flames give a rush and a roar, leaping up in a magnificent pillar of flame that inundates the bird in a rush of red-gold. The great eagle, now strengthened, gives a triumphant screech as it leaps and flies gracefully into the air then swoops down, transforming into Ro’s human form in mid-air. She is wearing a feathered eagle’s head tribal headdress and a warrior’s vest and loincloth from the style of her tribe, holding her two machetes with a confused expression on her face. She turns to face the Vulcan, her mouth open to speak, and in typical Ro fashion, the first thing to come out of her soul's mouth after facing certain death is a sarcastic question.
"What in the freaking, flying fuck just happened? Aaaaaand, next question, where the hell am I?”
The Vulcan Ambassador gives a little chuckle, which is already a hysterical laugh for a Vulcan, then all goes black as the meld ends as he loses the energy to maintain it.
Soval returns to consciousness lying on the bed adjacent Ro’s, surrounded by machines and the worried faces of Doctor Phlox and the other medical staff aboard Enterprise. Ro is still unconscious, but he sees that her vital signs have improved tremendously. From the looks of everything, it seems that the surgery was successful.
Soval stands up, a little unsteady, but he manages to keep his balance. He turns to Doctor Phlox, a mix of gratitude and relief in his voice as he speaks, "Doctor, thank you for your assistance. I trust that Lieutenant Ro is stable?"
Doctor Phlox nods, a small smile on his face, "Yes, Ambassador. Thanks to your intervention, Lieutenant Ro's vital signs have improved dramatically. She's still unconscious, but she's stable and should recover with proper care. I must say, I've never seen anything like that before. That was some impressive telepathic work you did there."
Soval nods, still in disbelief at what has just occurred, "I will remain here with her, Doctor, until she awakes."
Doctor Phlox nods, "Of course, Ambassador, take all the time you need. We will keep monitoring her progress."
The Vulcan Ambassador takes a seat beside Ro's bed, still in shock at what has just happened, but also deeply grateful that she is still alive. He takes her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, and begins to meditate, waiting for her to awaken.
A few days later, Ro returns to consciousness, surrounded by the beeping of the machines in sickbay, bandaged, disoriented and in pain. Dr. Phlox is standing beside her bed, checking her readings, and he gives a small smile when he sees her open her eyes.
"Fuuuuck. Am I dead?" She turns her head, squints, then sees him standing beside her bed. "Oh fuck. I'm in hell, aren't I? If it was heaven you wouldn't be here."
Phlox chuckles and slaps the security lieutenant's good shoulder lightly with the paper he was holding. "Damn asshole," he mutters fondly with no heat to it, "You almost die, I save you, and that's the thanks I get?"
"Yeah, yeah, love you too Phlox," Ro grins, but it falters because she is still weak, then her expression sobers. "Ambassador Soval, is he okay?" She tries to put on a joking demeanor, but Phlox sees right through it. "Gonna be kind of stupid if I put myself through all that shit just to find out that the damn green-blooded bastard still got himself hurt. Ugh, damn Terra Prime.."
Phlox smiles, "Don't worry, Lieutenant. The Ambassador is fine. He was quite worried about you and insisted on staying by your side during the entire surgery, even though I told him he needed rest as well. He's a very devoted friend."
Ro nods, relieved. "That's good. I owe him. Hell, I owe all of you. You guys saved my life. Again." She adds with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"Think nothing of it, Lieutenant. It's our job, and it's what we do. Now rest, you need to get your strength back. I'll inform the crew you're awake, I'm sure they'll want to see you." Phlox says with a warm smile, patting her good arm gently before leaving the room to give her some privacy.
People come and go to sickbay to visit her. Ambassador Soval comes by and is her most frequent visitor. He thanks her for saving his life, to which she replies that it's fine, she's just doing her job. However, there is something in his demeanor that she can't quite place, yet she just brushes it off.
A week later, she is discharged from sickbay, her broken leg mended and her wounds healed, but just given light duties so she can rest and recover from her injuries. She goes back to her quarters in order to change into her uniform and she was planning to get a haircut to style her rat's nest of post-sickbay hair back into her usual faux hawk, when she gets a text message from Ambassador Soval to meet her on the observation deck. She raises an eyebrow at it, shrugs, changes into her uniform and tames her hair into something serviceable, then makes her way to the observation deck.
When she arrives, Soval is standing by the large window overlooking the stars, his hands behind his back, looking out into the vast expanse of space. He turns to face her as she approaches and gives her a nod. "Lieutenant Ro, it is good to see you up and about," he says.
Ro smirk back, "Likewise, Ambassador. So, what’s a place like you doing in a guy like this?” She gives him a wink while running a hand through her messy, lengthening hair. “Didn’t take you to be a sentimental, look-at-the-stars-to-feel-poetic kinda guy.”
Soval clears his throat, and Ro’s smirk fades into a curious expression. "I asked you to meet me here because I wanted to thank you again, Lieutenant. You saved my life, and I am deeply grateful. I also wished to speak with you about something, Lieutenant," he says, his voice serious. "May I ask you to sit down?" He gestures to one of the chairs nearby.
“What’s up?” Ro asks as she sprawls onto one of the chairs opposite him.
Soval takes a seat opposite her and looks her in the eyes. "Lieutenant, I am sure you are aware of my reputation and my stance on emotions. I have always considered them to be a hindrance, a weakness in our species. But after what you have done for me, I have come to realize that emotions can sometimes be a strength. Your bravery, your loyalty, and your willingness to put yourself in harm's way to protect others is a testament to that," he says, pausing to take a breath. "I wanted to apologize for any offense I may have caused you in the past, and to express my gratitude for your actions. You have my respect, Lieutenant."
"Eh, past is past," Ro waves a hand, her expression almost bored, "It's just the way you Vulcans are built, the way you guys evolved both naturally and culturally on a desert world. You guys needed strong emotions to survive at first in a harsh environment, but then your emotional wisdom got left behind by your intellect and technology so you guys almost went 'splodey and destroyed yourselves." She waves her hands around while mimicking an explosion. "If that happened to my species because of emotions, I'd hate them too. Our cultures are just a manifestation of how we tried to survive the best we could, I guess. So uh, no harm done, sir, don't worry."
Soval nods, "Indeed. But there is something else I wish to discuss with you, Lieutenant. Something more... personal."
Ro leans forward, her curiosity piqued. "Personal, huh? Sounds serious. What's on your mind, Ambassador?"
“Why did you risk your life in such a manner?” The Ambassador’s face is unreadable, his tone is stern, but there is something shaky in his voice that Ro can’t seem to place.
“It’s my job,” Ro shrugs nonchalantly, “I’m a security officer, it’s my duty to protect those under my care, especially those whose deaths may have repercussions in maintaining Terran relations with other races. We’re always supposed to die first. I’m expendable. You’re not. Ganyan talaga ang buhay. That’s just the way it is.”
Soval stands up and paces as Ro speaks, and even to Ro it is clear that he is trying to keep his emotions in check. When Ro finishes, he is gripping the back of one of the chairs so hard that he bends the metal, forgetting his Vulcan strength in his agitation. The metal gives a loud creak when he grips it and Ro jumps. “Whoa, sir, chill out!”
The Vulcan moves so fast he is a blur of motion, stopping when he is standing above the sitting Lieutenant, ther faces only mere inches apart. “Ro, you are not expendable to me…” He grits out, and this is the most emotion the lieutenant had ever seen him show, and it is also the first time he had used her nickname. Not Lieutenant, or Lieutenant Mananquil. Ro. Just Ro.
Ro's eyes widen in surprise at the sudden display of emotion from Soval. "Uh, Ambassador, I don't understand. Why does it matter so much to you?" she asks, her voice soft and cautious.
Soval takes a step back, letting go of the chair and making an effort to compose himself. "I apologize for my outburst, Lieutenant," he says, his voice still shaky. "You see, in my culture, it is not common for us to show such strong emotions. However, I find myself struggling to contain them when it comes to you. Your bravery and selflessness is truly remarkable, and I cannot help but feel a sense of... attachment towards you."
Ro is left speechless, unsure of how to respond to such a revelation from the stoic Ambassador.
She gets up from her chair, toppling it over in her agitation. "Wait, hold up, wait a second. So you're saying, you have feelings for me?" She gives a laugh of disbelief. "Ambassador Soval of Vulcan, head of one of the most powerful Vulcan clans, member of the new Vulcan High Council has feelings for me?"
Her eyes then widen as the weight of his words begin to sink in, and she gasps then bolts to the other side of the room, curling herself into a ball in the corner farthest from Ambassador Soval. "W-why?"
Soval flinches as if he had been slapped, taking her sudden distance as rejection at first. However, he sees her curled in that corner, embracing herself and trembling, and he realizes he's never seen her this vulnerable before. He'd never seen the strong, masculine, confident Lieutenant Ro afraid before, and he'd seen her face death many times, in order to save his life. This wasn't the look of a woman who was afraid of him, it was a look of someone who was afraid for herself.
It was the look of a woman who had been offered everything she ever wanted, and was now afraid that when she reaches out to take it, it would slip right through her fingers and leave her heart shattered and broken beyond repair.
Soval takes a step towards her, then another, until he is just a few feet away. He speaks softly, his voice gentle, "I know this is unexpected, and it goes against everything I have been taught as a Vulcan. But I cannot help the way I feel, Lieutenant. I have been alone for so long, and you have shown me that there is more to life than just logic and control."
He kneels down beside her, "I understand if you cannot return my feelings, Ro. But I want you to know, you are not expendable to me. You are valuable, you are important, and you are worthy of love." He reaches a hand out, offering it to her, but not forcing her to take it. "I hope that you will give us a chance, Ro. To explore this and see where it may lead."
"Soval," Ro begins in a quiet voice, but shakes herself as she stands, "Ambassador... Look." She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, running a hand through her hair which is now sticking up in all directions. She turns and grips the railing of the observation deck as if to steel herself.
"I've been in love with you for ages now, okay? But the thing is, I never did anything, because other than the fuckin' risk that I'd lose my job, I never thought I'd have a chance, y'know?"
She shrugs as she turns to face him again. "So I bottled all those feelings up, placed 'em in a box, and threw the key into the nearest black hole. I mean, what would one of the most powerful Vulcans on that damn desert planet want with a security officer with ADHD who just reads about alien cultures for fun and got saddled with the task of guarding 'im because of it, yeah? So.. I wouldn't be surprised if I were still stuck in medbay and this would be a dream made up by my delirious, blood-deprived brain."
Ro gives a tired sigh and buries her face in her hands as she sags against the railing, as if carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders. "But now you're saying you have feelings for me too? And now I'm even more confused because I'm not sure if this is real or just my imagination. I need to know, Ambassador. Is this real or not?"
Soval watches Ro as she speaks, taking in every word, every emotion that flits across her face. He can see how much she's been carrying with her all this time and it breaks his heart.
"Ro," he says gently, taking a step forward. "You are not just a security officer to me. You are so much more. You are intelligent, strong, brave, and so much more. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, and I have been drawn to you for a long time now."
He takes another step forward, closing the gap between them. "I am aware of the risks and the potential consequences, but I cannot ignore my feelings any longer. I am willing to take the chance, to see where this could go. If you are willing, that is."
Soval reaches out a hand to her, hoping that she will take it, hoping that she will take the chance with him. He may be Vulcan, but for Ro, he is willing to break with tradition, to follow his heart.
Ro peeks out from between gloved hands and straightens up to meet his gaze. Soval sees the fire in her eyes, the passionate glow of her life force that he saw in her mindscape. Her stance becomes sure, steady, as noble and proud as the majestic Philippine Eagle, the Haring Ibon, the King of all birds that represents her soul. She takes off her glove and holds out her hand, holding out her index and middle finger in the gesture of the ozh'esta, the Vulcan kiss.
"You know, I wear gloves just in case I have to touch you, and I know Vulcans are touch telepaths. I wouldn't want to accidentally confess my feelings when I'm carrying you out of danger, hehe. But here, I offer you ozh'esta, Soval, and see through my eyes how much I love you."
Soval stands frozen for a moment, staring at her outstretched hand and the offering of the ozh'esta. He slowly reaches out and takes her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his and the hum of her emotions as they connect through the telepathic bond of the kiss.
He sees her love for him, her admiration, her devotion and the depth of her feelings. He sees her pain, the fear of rejection, the uncertainty and the self-doubt. He sees all of her, the good and the bad, and he accepts it all.
"Ro," Soval whispers, "I had no idea. I have been so blinded by my own emotions and my responsibilities that I did not see what was in front of me." He takes a deep breath and looks into her eyes. "I have feelings for you too, Lieutenant Ro. I have for some time now. I was unsure if I should pursue them, if it was even appropriate. But now, seeing you here, offering yourself to me, I cannot deny my heart any longer."
Soval brings her hand to his lips and places a gentle kiss on her fingers, sealing the ozh'esta and their bond. "I love you, Ro. I will always protect you, always be there for you, always love you. You are t'hy'la to me..." Soval whispers as he steps closer to lay his forehead against hers. "I suspected then, and it is confirmed now.”
"T'hy'la?" Ro pulls away, her head cocked to one side. "The rarest and most sacred of all Vulcan bonds? But, Ambassador-- I mean Soval, wasn't the last t'hy'la pair found eight hundred years ago? Also, I'm human--- are you sure?"
Soval nods, never breaking their gaze. "Yes, I am sure. T'hy'la is not just a bond between two Vulcans. It is a bond between two souls, regardless of their origin. And I have felt it with you, Ro. It is a bond stronger than anything I have ever known."
He reaches out and takes her hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on her fingertips. "You are my t'hy'la, Ro. And I will love you for all eternity."
"T'hy'la, huh? Friend, brother, lover. A bond usually found between two warriors who protect each other in battle, shield brothers, before the Vulcan Time of Reformation. Well, I'm the warrior and you're a diplomat, but who cares, yeah?" Ro jokes, then her expression turns serious. "I love you too Soval, and I pledge to offer everything I am to you, as a Starfleet security officer, as a person, as warrior, as Ro Mananquil, Haribon of the Wang-a tribe. My body, my soul, my mind, my life, my love is yours, for eternity and beyond."
"As your t'hy'la, I accept your pledge and make the same vow to you," Soval responds, his voice steady and filled with reverence. "I offer you my body, my soul, my mind, my life, and my love, for all of time, and beyond. Together, we will face any challenges that come our way, and overcome them, hand in hand."
He takes her hand in his, intertwining their fingers as he leans in to kiss her, a kiss filled with all the love and tenderness that he has kept bottled up inside of him for so long. It is a kiss that is filled with all of the passion and promise of the future, and all of the hope and happiness of the present moment. This is the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one filled with love and laughter, and the joy of being together, forever.
“Parted from me and never parted, never and always touching and touched.”