Not Quite Paradise

(Set shortly after the episode `Manhunt')

Legal Disclaimers: Paramount owns everything. I own nothing except the original characters.

Jeanette Moreaux stared at the guest list and rubbed her head in frustration. Her headache had begun the moment the first delegate arrived on Pacifica and had gotten steadily worse ever since. She lay the printout down on her mahogany desk and turned to the Vulcan who'd just entered her office.

"I've moved the Tellerite delegation to section C, Commander. I believe they will be satisfied now."

"Thank you." She pushed a stub of grey hair out of her eyes and cast an appreciative smile at the Vulcan standing before her. "Kevak, one more conference like this and I'm quitting. I've been in the diplomatic corps for over forty- five years, and this bunch is the worst group of spoiled ninnies I've ever encountered."

Kevak shifted from his left foot to his right and back again. He looked through the picture window behind her to the bustling space port, then looked back at her, then out the window again.

"Something wrong?"

"If that is all, Commander..."

Moreaux sighed. Kevak - her aide, her right arm - was going on leave in exactly fifty-three minutes. She didn't blame him for being antsy. In fifty-three minutes, he'd be off the hook and she'd have to face the battle alone.

"I'm sorry. I know you want to prepare for your wife's arrival, but I really need you to stay. One-third of the delegates have not arrived yet, the schedule is completely off, and we still have last minute arrangements to make for the welcoming banquet tonight." And I'm going to lose my best assistant to some Vulcan ceremony, she added silently. Aloud, she said, "When is the Vulcan delegation scheduled to arrive?"

"62.431 minutes."

"That's cutting it a little close, isn't it?" She smiled, but Kevak still stood stiffly at the corner of her desk. "You must be happy to see her again. I've never been married, but I don't think I could stand living light years away from my spouse."

"Our occupations make that situation unavoidable." Kevak paced, obviously uncomfortable with the entire conversation. "T'Shonn and I were married by proxy 2.36 years ago. We have not seen each other since we were bonded as children."

The commander stared at him, aghast. "Do you mean that this is going to be your honeymoon?"

"No. Vulcans do not engage in honeymoons."

"Of course not." She stifled a grin at his unintentional pun. Leave it to Kevak to keep something like this from her. She studied him for a moment. He was tall; his brown hair almost blond from the Pacifican sun. Although he was in his early thirties, standing there with his fists clenched in-- nervousness?-- he looked like little more than a teenager. Moreaux smiled. He's probably scared to death.

"You know, maybe I could manage..." She was interrupted by a bleep from her communicator. Tapping the golden pin on her chest, she said, "Moreaux here."

"Lieutenant Chin here. The T'Pau has just entered sensor range and should be in orbit within the hour."

"Excellent, Sue. Keep me informed." Moreaux tapped the insignia once more and smiled at Kevak. "Well, it looks like the wait is about over. T'Shonn and the Vulcan delegation will be here soon." The Vulcan looked relieved. "Now, as I was about to say..."

"Commander Moreaux!" Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, et al, swept into the room followed by the mountainous Mister Homm and a very flustered Lieutenant Chin. "Commander Moreaux, I cannot believe the audacity of your staff."

"I'm very sorry, Commander," Chin pushed her way around Mister Homm to speak. "I informed the Ambassador that you were busy, but..."

"Nonsense," Troi clucked. "You have absolutely no idea who I am, do you, child?" She looked down at the young woman, her expression a mixture of scorn and disbelief.

The commander stood, extending her hand to the ambassador and her towering companion. "I'm so sorry, Ambassador Troi. The lieutenant was only following her orders. You are dismissed, Sue. I'll handle this." The diminutive receptionist beat a fast retreat to the outer office. "Shall we sit?" Moreaux asked, gesturing to two empty chairs opposite her. Troi stepped past Kevak, tossing her head, and descended with a flourish into the chair on the other end of Moreaux's desk. Homm declined the nearest chair to stand vigil behind Troi. Even though Moreaux's office was spacious, Mister Homm seemed crowded.

"I'm sure you've met my aide, Lieutenant Commander Kevak."

Troi let out a disgusted groan. "Met him? I was trapped in a broken turbolift with him for two hours yesterday."

Moreaux glanced at Kevak quickly. "That was you?" she mouthed as the ambassador continued ranting.

"Imagine! Two hours with a Vulcan in a confined space." This was directed at Homm, who shuddered violently. "He lectured me on the teachings of Surak." She grunted. "You can imagine the nightmares I had last night." Homm placed a supportive paw on her shoulder, which she immediately shrugged off. "But that is not the reason I'm here, Commander. It's about the welcoming banquet tonight."

"Is something wrong?"

"Wrong!" She tossed her curly mane indignantly. "Absolutely, something is wrong. The seating arrangements are completely inappropriate and will have to be changed!"

Quickly retrieving the arrangements from her desk top terminal, Moreaux said, "Ambassador Troi, I have you seated with the delegates from Delta Four. I thought you would enjoy their company."

"Enjoy?" She stared suspiciously at the commander and then sighed. "You poor dear. You really do believe that." Leaning forward onto the desk, she said, "Granted, Deltans are excellent company. Why, next to Betazoids, Deltans are the most sensually advanced race in the galaxy. But," she added conspiratorially, "you've overlooked one tiny little detail--the delegates are all female."

"Yes?"

Lwaxana Troi threw her hands up in disgust. "Now why in the name of the Four Deities would I want to spend an entire evening with a bunch of horny, bald women?"

Moreaux almost choked. She glanced at Kevak, who wore an expression of thinly-concealed disgust, and laughed. "Forgive me, Ambassador. I can't imagine making such a foolish mistake. I'll see to it that you receive suitable accommodations as soon as possible."

"Well, I should hope so." She rose to leave.

Moreaux's communicator bleeped. "Commander, we're receiving a distress signal from the T'Pau..." Moreaux did not hear Chin's message, for at that moment Kevak moaned and crumpled to the floor. Stumbling to his side, Troi pressed her fingers to his temple. Over the comm, Lieutenant Chin continued, "...have no reading on the T'Pau, ma'am."

"What?" Moreaux tapped her insignia. "Get healer Solan in here immediately. What was that about the T'Pau, a distress signal?" She hurried to Kevak's side. Reaching for the ambassador, who was huddled over Kevak's inert form, Moreaux felt a huge hand grasp her shoulder. Homm, Ambassador Troi's valet, was holding her back.

"The T'Pau has exploded, Commander." Chin said soberly over the communicator. "All aboard her are presumed dead."

The thought persisted. Madam! It probed further, smoothing over the pain which had left her shivering. Madam, do you hear me?

Go away! Exhausted, she could only manage a feeble plea. Leave me alone. It was a whimper.

Too late. Consciousness set in; and Lwaxana Troi was beginning to distinguish between the mental and physical, both of which were presently in severe pain.

She moaned, stretching out on the divan where Homm had deposited her. Her shoes lay on the floor beside her, and her cloak and jewelry had been placed on the nightstand with fastidious care. Homm?

The giant, who was seated at her feet, leaned forward, concerned. At last. You were unconscious far too long.

She sighed and tried to sit up. Bad move, she thought to herself. She plopped back down as gently as she could. What happened?

You collapsed. After you helped the Vulcan. At her nonverbal request, he began rubbing her foot gently. The Vulcan healer arrived soon after you lost consciousness. He was extremely upset with you.

"Upset?" This she said aloud. "That Vulcan was dying. If I hadn't..."

You entered his mind without permission. You know how particular Vulcans are about that. His huge paw was kneading her left foot. He smiled as she wiggled it, relaxing.

Particular? She humphed. Well, I'm a bit particular about having emotions blasted at me in such a manner. Who would've believed one Vulcan would be capable of THAT? "Oh, Homm, that feels wonderful."

It wasn't just one Vulcan, Madam. He gently rested her left foot back on the divan and grasped the other. The T'Pau was destroyed. You felt the death cries of all of them.

"Destroyed?" She pushed herself up onto her elbows. "Homm, how horrible! As dull as Vulcans are, they didn't deserve to die such painful deaths." She sank back down in horror. It was as if the lives had been ripped from them.

Homm stopped his massage. Pain?

I felt their deaths, but it was quick and painless. The only emotions I perceived were of surprise. His hand resting on her calf, he resumed his massage as she stiffened beneath him. Am I hurting you?

No. "Homm, I can't imagine your not feeling it. It would be easier to miss a supernova. Granted, my perception is greater than yours..." She yelped as he kneaded a tight muscle. "Careful, Homm." She stretched. "I don't know why I'm so stiff."

And irritable. Homm added.

She glared at him and changed the subject. "How is the Vulcan now?"

Oh. Might as well relax. She closed her eyes as Homm massaged her knee and lower thigh. A chill went up her spine as he continued, soothing the tense muscles. "Homm, you're marvelous. Almost worth your salary. What would I do without you?" He didn't verbalize his answer, but it got a laugh out of her. "You're just lucky I'm too tired to think of a response to that." Without warning, she felt a sharp burst of masculine desire -- urgent, intense and very near. She stared at Homm, who smiled innocently and continued rubbing her thigh. Stop that! She slapped his hands away and sat up. Homm, I will not tolerate such insolence from you.

Madam? The smile was gone and Homm transformed immediately from caring friend to respectful domestic.

Don't play innocent, Homm. I never dreamed you would take advantage of your privileged status. She snapped at him mentally as he stared in shocked incomprehension. Another wave of fire swept over her. Homm, I can understand your desire, constantly in my presence, but...

Finally comprehending, Homm shook his head vigorously. It isn't me. He pulled away quickly to emphasize his point. Perhaps it's The Phase.

"Nonsense," she said. "Don't you think I can distinguish between male and female lust?" She gasped as another rush of desire hit her. "This is definitely male," she whispered, staring at Homm with a mixture of awe and delight. Homm, I never knew. She reached up to touch his cheek, smiling lasciviously.

Madam, please! The giant shook her gently by the shoulders. I don't know what you're feeling, but it isn't me. Firmly removing her hand, he assumed the air of a displeased tutor. You must focus. Your mental functions have become sloppy since you've entered The Phase.

She concentrated on the feelings. You're right; they're not coming from you. He rolled his eyes. Then where? It feels so near - it's almost inside of me!

She focused. Oh, no. She stood up, clutching her chest in horror. "Oh, by the Four Deities, no!"

The wall intercom interrupted her. Homm hit the speaker.

"This is Lieutenant Chin. Lieutenant Commander Kevak has just regained consciousness. He's asking for you, Ambassador Troi."

Troi groaned. "Of course. I'll be there as soon as I can." Homm, this cannot possibly be happening. It's the Vulcan!

Homm's face twisted into a sympathetic frown.

Help me to dress, Homm. Something demure. He looked at her with surprise. Great Mother, Homm, I certainly don't want to encourage him. She slipped on her shoes. "As a matter of fact, I intend to put a stop to this as soon as possible."

Commander Moreaux entered the room where Kevak had been placed. News of the T'Pau's destruction had spread quickly. This and the Antedian incident aboard the Enterprise had many of the delegates near panic. She'd spent most of the afternoon assuring worried ambassadors that, yes, an investigation was underway, and, yes, they would be informed of any news. She still had delegates arriving and the welcoming banquet to attend to. Through all the commotion, she'd not even had time to check on the Vulcan.

"You should have known better than to have allowed that Betazoid in your office, she thought to herself. Moreaux knew that Lwaxana Troi had not actually caused the explosion, but the woman seemed to carry trouble in her back pocket. Not to mention the fact that Healer Solan was furious with Moreaux for letting the Betazoid near Kevak.

She sighed. Separately Vulcans and Betazoids were highly respected species. But put them in the same room... Even though the two races shared common abilities and talents, they had never gotten along either culturally or politically. The commander was grateful to Troi for saving Kevak's life, but had the uneasy feeling that this was the start of an inter-species incident.

Kevak looked awful - his close-cropped hair was matted with perspiration and a look of pain covered his angular, Vulcan features. Thanks a lot, Ambassador, she thought tensely. Five minutes in my office and you short-circuit my aide.

"Don't blame me, Commander." Troi stormed into the room with the ever-present Mister Homm in tow. "I didn't cause that explosion, and I'm the only reason Kevak is alive right now."

Moreaux sighed. "I'm very sorry, Ambassador..."

"Don't worry. I know you're frustrated and just need to vent your emotions." She looked down at Kevak, who moaned lightly. "I'm about to do a little venting, myself."

The ancient Healer Solan entered the room with a male nurse. He was a short, thin man dressed completely in black who had the air of authority about him. His skin was cracked with age, and the thinness of his face gave him a hawk-like appearance. At the sight of Lwaxana Troi, he stopped short, stiffly appraising the tall woman wrapped in a sequined maroon sarong and oversized black wrap. The Vulcan raised an eyebrow at what he apparently considered a ridiculous sight. "Ambassador Troi," he said without inflection.

Troi smiled, but it seemed like a snarl to Moreaux. "You MUST be Healer Solan," she purred. "I could tell right away - must be that devilish sense of style I've heard so much about."

"Madam Ambassador, I've heard a great deal about you, as well. I will be direct in order to avoid any misunderstanding." He looked at her with contempt. "You have violated one of the basic tenants of Vulcan law. You will be held responsible for your actions." He looked at Kevak pointedly. "I will inform you of your duties."

Troi sneered at him. "No, don't thank me. It was nothing."

The healer turned to Moreaux and said, "Commander, you and the nurse will leave now." As the nurse exited, Solan noticed Homm. "You will leave as well." The cracked voice was laced with disgust.

"Now, wait a minute, Healer Solan." Moreaux said. "Kevak is under my command, and his welfare is my concern."

"This is a private matter, Commander. I assure you, all will be taken care of according to custom."

She turned to face him head on. "I beg to differ, Healer. When an ambassador is involved, it is no longer a private matter."

"Don't worry about it, dear." Troi seemed almost amused. "He's just embarrassed to let a human know that Vulcans have weaknesses, too." She smiled indulgently at the Vulcan. "Let her stay, Solan. We're all dying to see you take care of this matter `according to custom.'"

The Vulcan ignored her. "As you wish, Commander. I will explain in terms suitable for human comprehension." He turned his back to the Betazoid. "When the T'Pau was destroyed, Kevak's bondmate was destroyed with her. The resulting trauma should have caused Kevak's death." He paused at Moreaux's look of shock. "It is not the natural order for Vulcans, Commander. Of course, there are widows and widowers on Vulcan - it is not all Vulcans who die with their mates. However," his eyes did not meet hers. "Kevak is entering a physiological phase in which he is extremely ... vulnerable." He turned to acknowledge Ambassador Troi. "When this ... woman invaded Kevak's mind, she interfered with the normal

process."

"Invaded?" Troi repeated. "I was contaminated. This Vulcan projected such violent thoughts at me that I had to help him to avoid being sucked down with him."

Solan continued as if she had not spoken. "During the process of examining Kevak, I became aware of something unusual. Kevak showed no signs of a broken bond. Upon further examination, I discovered that somehow, the marriage bond between Kevak and T'Shonn had been transferred to this..." he took a slow breath and indicated Ambassador Troi. "...woman."

Moreaux gasped. "You mean, they're married?"

"Absolutely not!" Ambassador Troi laughed.

"The marriage will take place as soon as possible. The pon farr is too advanced to wait any longer."

Troi spoke slowly, as if to a stupid child. "Read my mind, Vulcan. Absolutely not. I would never live down the humiliation of being mated to a Vulcan. I'd sooner fuck a Ferengi."

"I agree, Solan." During the preceding debate, Kevak had risen, unnoticed, to a sitting position on the bed. "Given the alternatives, I would rather not go through with the marriage."

"Finally, someone with a little sense." Troi smiled, the matter settled. "Now we'll simply break the bond..."

Solan stood stone-faced. "That is not possible."

"Of course, it is. We'll just clear this up and Kevak can find himself some dull, little Vulcan woman and settle down to raise a bunch of dull, little Vulcklings."

"Ambassador Troi, the marriage bond can only be broken by death. You will either choose a challenger," he looked at Homm with distaste, "or Kevak will die honorably by Tal'Shya."

"Challenger! Don't be ridiculous. All you have to..." She paused, her cheeks flushing, as his meaning became clear to her. "I have never been so insulted in my life." She pushed through Moreaux and the Healer to face Kevak. "How dare you choose suicide over mating with me? I've been feeling your lust ever since you regained consciousness. Don't you dare sit there and tell these people you'd rather die than make love to me, you over-grown jackrabbit. We both know better!" She was about to say more when she suddenly seemed weak. Grabbing Moreaux's arm for support, she managed a flirtatious smile at Kevak. "See what I mean?" Kevak looked both embarrassed and aroused.

Solan asserted himself once more. "I will not allow you to make a mockery of Vulcan traditions, Betazoid. I ask you now -- Koon - ut - Kallifee?"

The Ambassador looked from one Vulcan to another and then at Homm. After a moment, she smiled graciously. "I will not allow Lieutenant Commander Kevak to die."

The healer seemed almost disappointed. "Then we will proceed with the marriage immediately. You will be instructed as to your rights and duties as a Vulcan wife."

"Don't be silly, I'll do no such thing."

"But you..."

"I said I wouldn't let him die. I never said anything about marrying anybody."

"Ambassador..." Moreaux was beginning to lose control of this situation.

"Listen, all he needs is someone to mate with. I happen to be in a position to help him out. But, dear, I simply cannot marry a Vulcan. I do have my pride."

"The act must be mental as well as physical," the healer began.

"Healer Solan, I am a Betazoid. Do you honestly believe that a Vulcan can have any mental needs that I can't handle? If the Vulcans would spend more time developing their minds and less worrying about traditions, you wouldn't have this problem."

The Vulcan was about to respond when Moreaux interrupted. "Listen, while you two are debating cultural philosophies, Kevak is the one suffering. Now, Kevak, do you agree to go through with this, uh, thing without a marriage ceremony?" The Vulcan said nothing, but nodded his head with a jerk. "OK. Ambassador, can you do this and complete your duties at the conference?"

"Unnecessary. Homm is fully competent to serve as my replacement at the conference."

The man bowed graciously to the commander. Moreaux had her doubts, but continued anyway. "Very well, we'll compromise. Healer, how long do you think they will need?"

"About three weeks."

"Ha!" The Betazoid gave him a superior look. "Fifteen days at the most."

"Whatever." Moreaux saw another argument brewing. "I'll set up the accommodations for you two immediately. I don't care what you do, I just want Kevak safe and healthy."

With that, the Vulcan healer left the room without another word. Moreaux blew out a frustrated breath.

"Don't worry about him, Commander. Improvisation is a dirty word to Vulcans." She motioned to Homm. "Now, I have a few things to discuss with Homm. Please inform me when you have..." she glanced seductively at Kevak. "Our room ready." She left with a flourish.

Alone with Kevak, Moreaux began to speak, but thought better of it. The Vulcan seemed to be in a trance. Poor thing, she thought. I don't envy him the next few weeks for anything. With that thought in mind, she left to make the preparations.

Day 3:

Troi sat at the table, staring in disgust at Kevak. He sat across from her, shoveling down two plates of food with no concern for manners and etiquette.

"It is a good thing Commander Moreaux remembered to give us a kitchenette. Could you imagine the stir we'd make at the conference after... well, you know?" Kevak grunted and continued eating. Lwaxana sighed and daintily stuffed a forkful of viigi fruit in her mouth. Between bites, she studied the picture Kevak presented.

All in all he wasn't nearly as bad as she'd expected. His physical strength and endurance were phenomenal - better than any human or Betazoid she'd ever been with. She looked at his bare chest with a mixture of lust and amusement. If she were into the brainy, anal-retentive type, she might even find him attractive. His body was a mass of firm muscles hidden under a deceptively smooth surface. With a glance, she tickled his stomach, imagining the muscles rippling just below the skin. The loose pajama bottoms didn't hide his tight, strong legs or the erection which Lwaxana had never seen him without ... at least not since they'd entered their bedroom.

"You know, Kevak, with a little bit of work, we might be able to transform you into a decent lover. First of all, we'll have to do something about all that anger and guilt you insist on feeling." Kevak's head popped up. "That's what happens when you go a decade or two without sex. But don't worry, dear. We'll get that straightened out in no time."

Kevak was staring at her now, and Lwaxana allowed herself a smug smile. She'd worn this feather robe just to make sure Kevak found her irresistible, although in his current physical state, it was hardly necessary. She shrugged demurely, allowing the shocking pink material to slip slightly off her shoulders.

"What we need to do is find a way of releasing you from these hang-ups your race has manufactured about sex. Now, don't look at me that way. Anyone can have guilt-free sex, even a Vulcan. Hmm, let's see, what is right for you?" She studied him closely.

"Bondage? No, I don't think so. My third husband was into the dominant/submissive thing. He had a terrible Oedipal complex. Wanted me to do all sorts of odd things! It was everything I could do to keep from laughing." Kevak dropped his fork. "I know! You look like a fantasy man. Role-playing is a marvelous means of releasing inhibitions."

Lwaxana stood up, pacing, arms folded across her chest and her chin resting on one hand. "OK ... I'm a Menduvian princess, sunning myself near a crystal lake. You're a woodsman, spying on me from a clearing in the forest. Obviously, you're taken with my virginal beauty, my perfect breasts, my lily-white skin, the ripples of my back as it tapers into firm, creamy buttocks. You approach me cautiously, in the traditional Menduvian way, and--"

Kevak knocked the table onto its side and grabbed her, sending a shower of shocking pink feathers into the air around them. Hurrying towards the bedroom, he tripped on the train of her robe, ripping the garment and tumbling them both to the ground.

"Kevak, that's not how a traditional... ouch, watch the table... a traditional Menduvian woodsman is supposed to act!"

Kevak ripped the remains of her robe from her body and tossed it into the pile of half-eaten breakfast and broken dishes. Forcing her legs apart, he plunged his erection into her.

"Kevak, you oaf, not yet. A Menduvian woodsman is not supposed to have sex with his princess until after he's performed two hours...of..." Against her will, Lwaxana felt herself being swept into Kevak's passion. "...ritual foreplay." He fell into a fast, steady rhythm, pumping frantically towards ejaculation. As the plak tow overwhelmed her, Lwaxana groaned. "No imagination whatsoever!"

Day 9:

Lwaxana programmed the shower for water, hot water. Stepping into the stall, she closed her eyes and let her muscles melt. The tension the Vulcan insisted on feeling was exhausting. He'd fallen asleep after hours of pounding away senselessly at her. Taking advantage of the temporary reprieve, she'd snuck out and locked the door behind her.

The effects of the pon farr were beginning to wane. Lwaxana sighed with relief as she kneaded the tense muscles in her shoulder. Homm, you're going to be furious when you see the damage that Vulcan has done to me!

Not only was she stiff and uncomfortable, but she had never experienced such incredible boredom in her life. Kevak's lack of imagination had grown from a minor difference in taste to a major annoyance. He won't even try anything slightly unorthodox. she grumbled to herself as she submerged herself in the steaming water. No wonder Vulcans only have sex once every seven years -they're trying to avoid being bored to death.

She lathered herself slowly, enjoying the slippery feeling against her skin. To her annoyance, she felt herself begin to get aroused. Well, she thought, since this is the only foreplay I've gotten in over a week, I might as well enjoy it.

Kevak was such a waste; all that raw material and no style whatsoever. She rubbed her hands over her sore breasts, thinking what a great service it would be to womankind if she could teach even one Vulcan man how to make love. She thought of Kevak's hard body, wishing he had the spirit to match. Kevak's idea of foreplay was "man-on-top-woman-on-bottom-bang-sigh-offtosleep."

Lwaxana continued massaging the soap into her tingling skin. Jean-Luc Picard! Now there was a man who knew a thing or two about women. Put his soul into Kevak's gorgeous body, and she'd never leave Pacifica.

Smiling, Lwaxana slipped her hands lower, massaging gently between her legs. She thought of one of the fantasies she'd stol...borrowed from Picard's subconscious mind during their dinner together on the Enterprise...

Lwaxana arched her eyebrows and did a bit of revising.

Her shower was interrupted by a blast of male desire and a pounding on the door. Snookums is awake, she thought. "Just a minute, Kevak." The mental summons intensified. Quickly turning on the sonics, she dried off and joined her bondmate in the bedroom.

Day 14:

"You may leave now, Ambassador."

What? Troi opened one eye halfway and tried to focus. "What are you doing over there, Kevak?" The Vulcan was seated bolt upright in a chair across the room, fully dressed in his Starfleet uniform.

"Your assistance is no longer necessary. I have reached a plateau. I can control the pon farr from here with no danger to my life."

Pulling the sheets around her, Troi sat up to look at him. "But it's not over - I can still feel it." She felt a wave of heat as he stared at her bare shoulders. His face was carved in rock. "Kevak, you're nowhere near the end."

"I can control it. Now will you kindly remove yourself from my room?"

"Our room," she corrected. "And I am not exactly thrilled with your tone. You've been on me like a dog in heat for two weeks, and I've not had one bit of pleasure out of it. Now you're throwing me out of this room like a common prostitute." He stiffened. "Well, Vulcan," she leaned casually against the headboard, "I'm not going."

"I do not understand." Carefully, he rose and moved to her side. "I thought you would welcome the opportunity to leave. You have obviously hated every moment with me. I could feel it through the bond."

"You felt BOREDOM through the bond." She sighed. "Kevak, you're young. And inexperienced. AND Vulcan. So I can't hold it against you that you're a lousy lover." Smiling at his affronted expression, she continued. "However, if I didn't think you had potential, I would've broken the bond back there in your hospital room."

"I see. In order to appease your curiosity, you granted me my life and suffered the pon farr. I am in your debt," he said formally. Never taking his eyes from the bare skin almost covered by the sheet, he sat stiffly on the bed next to her.

"You arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Do you really think a Vulcan marriage bond could hold a Betazoid in The Phase? I could've broken that bond without harming either of us." His shocked expression almost made her laugh. "Of course, I figured it would take a few uncomfortable days to get you under control, but it's worth it. Now I've got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to corrupt a Vulcan." Dropping the sheet from around her shoulder, she pulled Kevak to her. Guiding him into a passionate kiss, she continued to speak through the bond. Which is exactly what I plan to do. Prepare yourself, Little Boy. You're going to do a lot of learning in the next few days.

Day 23:

Troi moaned as Kevak brought her to the verge of orgasm. You're doing well, Imzadi. He looked up at her and continued his assault on her throbbing clitoris. As her body tingled with the impending climax, he suddenly moved himself out of position. Not yet, Kevak. She tried to pull him back down, but he was determined. Placing his engorged penis firmly between her legs, he plunged with practiced accuracy straight into her depths. Through the empathic bond, Troi could feel his frustration as he pushed her quickly to the peak of her orgasm, only to follow immediately with his own release.

"Kevak, you knew I wasn't ready." She pulled him down to kiss her, delighting in her own taste on his lips even as she scolded him. "You need to learn control."

Pressing his tongue into her mouth, the Vulcan took her wrists in his two strong hands. I'm learning all about control, Lwaxana. You have it and I don't.

She pulled her lips away from his, trying to release herself from his vice-like grip. Her struggling only served to arouse and amuse him. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Little Boy." Still, she couldn't pull free.

Holding her in one hand, Kevak pulled one of the pillows from under her head and ripped off the pillowcase. He than wrapped the cloth securely around her delicate wrists and fastened them to the headboard. You know exactly what I'm talking about, Imzadi. As she started to protest, Kevak tore a strip of cloth from the bed sheets and stuffed it into her open mouth. "You talk too much."

Troi began to struggle in earnest. Sitting back on his heels, Kevak admired her sensuous movements. Although his physical need had diminished significantly, his desire had conversely increased. Kevak's slowly-returning logic blamed this partly on Lwaxana's Phase, and partly on the irrational fact that this Betazoid woman gave him intense pleasure. Either way, the time for learning was over. Now it was time for Kevak to assert himself.

Kevak allowed himself a slight smile as he slowly began to explore her now-familiar body. Even though she was almost twice his age ... Watch it! ... her physical appearance was that of a woman twenty years her junior. Better. Ignoring her comments, Kevak continued to examine her with his hands and tongue. Kissing the hollow of her throat, he moved downward until he took one strawberry nipple between his lips. She continued to struggle against the bonds, but from the low moans she was emitting, Kevak knew she wasn't angry or frightened.

Abandoning the nipple, he continued his journey downward, darting his tongue into her navel, tasting the salty perspiration on her skin. A little lower, please. Kevak pulled away quickly, causing her to groan and beg him back with her arched body. Quiet, he scolded through the link. Though she continued to struggle, Troi ceased her mental instructions. Satisfied that she would behave, Kevak began his explorations again with maddening slowness, kissing the curve of her hips, her inner thighs, trailing his tongue down the length of her legs to tickle her ankles. He explored everywhere except the one place where she was aching to be touched.

When her need transmitting itself through the bond became too much to bear, Kevak stuffed a pillow beneath her wiggling bottom. Stroking his erect penis, he placed the head against her fluid opening. Her desire to hold him, to be free of the bonds, was overwhelming, but Kevak did not loosen the knots. Instead, he entered her gently, pulling away when she bucked upwards to take him. Despite her struggling, he did not allow her to be filled completely, rather he teased her with slow, shallow strokes. Her frustration was a tangible thing, still he held his ground.

When his passion and hers matched in intensity, Kevak plunged into her, unleashing an orgasm which had her tugging roughly against the bonds. Unable to hold back any longer, he came within her, groaning. Tumbling onto the bed beside her, careful not to crush her beneath his weight, Kevak tried to slow his pulse and catch his breath.

Imzadi. Untie me. Troi tugged prettily at the bonds, her eyes sparkling. When he simply looked at her, she added, Please.

Stroking her up-stretched arm with one long finger, Kevak tugged at the knots, making sure they were still secure. Black Angel shows no mercy, Lwaxana. You know that.

Day 29:

Troi knew it was over even before she was fully awake. She could hear Kevak's soft breathing beside her, but the last vestiges of his need were gone. She sighed - it was time to end the game. Once he had loosened up, Kevak had become a very amusing playmate. But, unfortunately, they both had lives to return to.

Troi couldn't help thinking she'd missed her calling in life. Judging from the improvement in Kevak's sexual performance, maybe a teaching career would've been right for her. She certainly didn't mind the homework.

Long fingers twisted a strand of her curly, brown hair. She opened her eyes to see Kevak watching her drowsily. He trailed one hand down her bare skin to tickle her belly. Pulling her to him with the other hand, he kissed her firmly while parting her legs with the first. "I apologize for waking you, Lwaxana."

At least he wasn't sitting across the room. "Good morning, Kevak." She looked around her. "It is morning, isn't it? It gets kind of hard to keep track of the time."

"It is three hundred and twenty-two hours. Good morning." He began to massage the soft folds of her sex, dipping his finger into the moist channel.

"Good night, Kevak. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. We should get some sleep."

"We have many things to discuss." He inserted another finger into her and nipped her neck with his teeth. Pushing away the sheet which covered them, he moved his body into a better position, and resumed his assault on her. He lowered himself to kiss and lick her exposed breasts, then suck gently on the nipples.

Lwaxana sighed. She'd known this was coming. "Kevak, darling, I'm sorry. I know you didn't want this, and I pushed you into it. There are simply times when I consider my own needs before others."

He looked at her and, to her amazement, smiled shyly. "Lwaxana, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I'm talking about this, you clod." She pulled his probing hands away and lay them firmly on the bed, covering herself with the sheet again. "I let my own curiosity keep you from bonding with someone who was right for you."

"Your logic escapes me. How were you `not right' for me?"

"You're thinking of asking me to bond with you permanently." At his look of surprise, she tweaked the pointed tip of his ear. "You can't keep secrets from me, Little Boy. The idea is completely absurd, and we both know it. I'm flattered, but no."

"The last twenty-nine days..."

"...have been fun, for the most part. But I could never be a `proper Vulcan wife' as Solan put it. And you would be constantly embarrassed by my antics."

"I would rejoice in our differences."

"Sure, when we're lying here in bed, but what about out there?" She pointed lazily to the door. "IDIC is fine in theory, but don't forget, Surak never met a Betazoid."

"True."

Stretching, she pulled the sheet around her and prepared to break the bond. "So, I guess we'd better end it now and get on with our lives."

"It would seem the only logical course of action." Not at all to her surprise, Kevak looked disappointed. "Lwaxana, I agree we must part, but will you grant me one favor?"

"Of course, darling."

He slipped his hand back under the sheet. "Let's finish this first, then break the bond."

Laughing, she guided his hand back to its former resting place. "Kevak, you're going to shock the hell out of some little Vulcan girl."

Epilogue

Jeanette Moreaux finished recording the official report on the T'Pau's explosion and handed the tape to Chin.

For the first time in days, her head did not hurt. The delegates were finally gone, except for the Betazoids. Mister Homm, who had been the surprising success story of the conference, speaking eloquently at all functions and stealing the show at the welcoming banquet, now waited quietly in the VIP suite for his mistress.

"I just received a message from Ambassador Troi, Commander." Chin interrupted Moreaux' memory of Homm winning the Tellerite Twist contest. "She is returning to her quarters and requests transport back to Betazed as soon as possible."

It had been a little over four weeks since the Vulcan had gone into pon farr. Moreaux suppressed a grin as she remembered Troi's estimate of fifteen days. The ambassador had been a bit overconfident, it seemed. "That's it? Nothing about Kevak?"

"No, Commander."

Moreaux lifted an eyebrow and said, "Very well. That will be all." Chin nodded and left the room, almost running into Kevak. Startled, she dropped the tape, picked it up and hurried out of the room. She must've heard about the nature of Kevak's sick leave, Moreaux thought. Damn grapevine is too efficient.

"Lieutenant Commander Kevak, reporting for duty." The Vulcan looked tired and had lost at least five kilos, but otherwise he seemed healthy.

"Is everything Okay?"

"Healer Solan has cleared me for duty."

"I see." Kevak's not talking, she thought. "Ambassador Troi has requested immediate passage to Betazed."

"I am aware of that."

"Uh, are you sure it's safe for her to leave?"

"Have you found the reason for the T'Pau's destruction?"

"Yes, a malfunction in the matter/antimatter converter. There was no sign of sabotage."

"Then it's safe for her to leave."

"But what about the bond?"

"Ambassador Troi has broken the bond. She is free to do as she wishes."

Moreaux sputtered, "Kevak, I thought only death could break the marriage bond."

"Death and Lwaxana Troi," he said. "She is an extremely ... fascinating woman."

Moreaux sighed. Her headache was returning. "I'm sure she is, Kevak. I'm sure she is."

THE END