[ussbansheec] Frayed Threads

_Frayed Threads
_by Senek Menkara and Tuvok

/Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~Simone Signoret

/The Starfleet presence on Vulcan, even after two hundred years of partnership, was unobtrusive, blending in as much as possible so as not to clash (couldn't use the word offend since that required emotional expression) with Vulcan sensibilities. Even more toward that end, somebody in the admiralty finally got the brilliant idea that there ought to be a Vulcan in the office of Fleet liaison. Senek Menkara had held said office for a good twenty years and, by all accounts from both sides, was perfectly suited to the job.

It was a good thing that Senek liked his office so much, he supposed, since he was spending so much time in it. So much time, in fact, that people had begun to realize that they were more likely to find him there rather than at home. Home, he thought ruefully as he rubbed at his cheek, was not some place he would be for quite some time.he was alone, having sent his aide home hours before, so he felt comfortable letting out an audible sigh as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"/One would hope that that was purely a physical complaint./"

Senek lifted his head slowly, the mask of calm back in place even if he was surprised to hear that familiar baritone voice. "I beg your pardon, Master Tuvok," he said neutrally, using the honorific rather than rank as he stood to greet his former teacher, "but it has been a most trying day."

The older Vulcan took note of the vivid, hand shaped emerald bruise on Senek's cheek but passed no comment. It was small, though, and more than likely made by a female. Instead, he offered a nod of greeting.

"Then I will assume the cause of that expression was more than sufficient," Tuvok said mildly. "I went to your home to inquire after you but I was informed that you were not there."

Senek's answer was, at first, simply a twitch of the corner of his mouth. He knew then. "Of course. There are projects and reports to be seen to that could not wait," he explained, dead pan. It was a bald faced lie, especially since he knew the other man had seen the bruise on his face. He sought to change the subject. "Can I offer you refreshment, sir? This office has been particularly well appointed."

"Perhaps some tea," Tuvok said carefully.

That was easy enough, Senek told himself. It was just tea and ready in no time. He placed the mug in front of his old teacher and joined him on the low couch. His posture was as upright as ever but the weariness was visible in his eyes. "My apologies, sir. I did not know you were back on planet or I would have paid my respects. I have been unusually distracted."

"You need not apologize. In fact, that was the reason for my visit. Has there been word on T'Cerys' ship at all?" Vulcans did not do small talk nor did they do beat around the bush but there was such a thing as tact and that Tuvok practiced well.

"Not today--no. Pathfinder 2 is in full swing," Senek said tiredly, not quite smiling at the other man's involvement with the first one, "but it is as if they vanished into thin air. That is apparently my fault, in case you were wondering."

"I hardly thought that the wound was self inflicted," Tuvok stated, now bringing up the obvious since Senek already had. "It would seem you were struck by a right handed female."

"Quite correct since T'Aaya /is/ right handed," Senek said wryly. "She has taken to believing that nothing would have happened to T'Cerys if I wasn't in Starfleet and, thus, hadn't put the idea in her head to join as well. This was just the last straw." He rubbed the bruise again. The thing still hurt. "I've been asked to not show my face there again. Frankly, it's a good thing you are in civilian attire, sir, or she might have attacked you as well."

"Is she quite well?" Tuvok asked carefully. Such violence was, after all, the sign of an unbalanced mind.

"No worse than any one else I suppose," he said, his voice almost sad. "I've been staying here for the past few days and got the slap when I went home for some PADDs."

"Perhaps you would do well to seek other lodgings."

"I should. This couch isn't all that comfortable." Seek realized that he'd slipped in formality but he'd known and respected the other man for much too long. He knew he'd understand. "I'd actually thought about seeking you out, Master. I am finding it quite difficult to think that my only child is missing."

"I am here to serve, Senek," Tuvok said simply. He knew the younger man's father had died a few years ago and it was an honor to stand in for the man, so to speak.

If it had been his father, the words would have been 'talk to me, son' but the effect was the same. "If T'Aaya had her way, T'Cerys would never have left the planet and probably not her sight. The example that I set for our daughter has been digging under her skin these past thirteen years."

"Yet you'd taken the child off planet before then," Tuvok pointed out.

"A logical point that earned me this," Senek said as he pointed at his cheek. "We visited Nan and his family on Earth, we visited Ninitchik to see the rest of his family...there were so many times and places."

"I seem to recall a visit from the two of you when T'Cerys was a ten year old."

"Oh yes," Senek said, a slight smile crossing his face, despite his mentor's orthodoxy. This was his child, his beloved girl, they were talking about after all. "She was very impressed with the Titan, sir, and I don't think I got any sleep on the way home from all the questions she asked me."

Tuvok recalled what his wife told him about how the Voyager families banded together so to speak in the absence of their loved ones. Logical, he supposed, and it hadn't escaped him that Senek was still close to his strange Ninitchik friend, even if the man /did/ have a habit of talking entirely too much.

"If one might suggest," he began, index fingers resting under his chin in contemplation, "I would say that you ought to go to your mother's home and get some rest then perhaps seek out your Ninitchik friend."

Senek nodded. It made sense. He knew it made sense but part of him, a very illogical part, wanted to be home and waiting for his baby girl when they all came home. But he nodded in agreement. "I should, especially since his youngest is aboard as well. The two of them and the two young men who were in their quad for the Academy are all together."

"It is beneficial to have familiar ones nearby," Tuvok stated, making a clear understatement

Senek sniffed softly in amusement. "T'Cerys and Coaimhe are practically sisters and T'Cerys and David are, shall we say, rather interested in each other. I'm very glad they're all together. Master, will you join me at my mother's for the evening meal? I ought to get going but I do know you would be most welcomed."

"I thank you for the invitation, Senek, but I must decline for now. I would ask, though, that you keep me informed as to any developments," the older man said as they both stood.

Understanding that he meant both about Banshee and about his wife, Senek nodded. "Of course, Master." One did not thank logic but there were ways of making appreciation known nonetheless. "Your visit was most welcomed, sir."


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