OTF's Blue Publication August 2013
T'Pel woke up to a very quiet house and headed to her parents room. She quietly knocked on the door to check on her mother, and heard nothing but knew she was in there so she cracked the door, but stopped when she saw Lorina meditating and still no sign of father. There was a sick feeling growing in her stomach as she shut the door and headed down stairs where Kalen and Nala were sitting at the table drinking Raktajino from the smell of it.
Kalen looked up at her and forced a small smile,"Sleep well?" He asked.
T'Pel took up her own cup of raktajinoand sat, "Well enough. Father never came home?" She asked, not wanting to avoid the issue any longer.
Kalen shook his head and looked at his wife, "We informed the authorities an hour ago. They are looking into it and said that they would contact us should any news surface. They suggested that he perhaps just wandered off on his own. However, we both know it is not like him to do that."
"Mother hardly ever meditates unless she is stressed beyond her tolerance. I also still have not heard word from him." T'Pel responded, ignoring the fact that she was being stared at by Nala.
Silence followed until she couldn't stand it any longer and looked to Kalen with a firm stare, who quirked a brow before looking to Nala who in turn darted her eyes to him and back to T'Pel, "Sorry. I didn't mean to stare. It's just that even with Vulcan ears, I would have expected you to be a bit more worried about this. After your mother comes down, we were going to go searching for him ourselves."
T'Pel quirked a brow and took a sip of her coffee, "Worrying would accomplish nothing. Vulcan logic dictates that emotional control must be a constant and being worried is not a productive emotion. That being said, do not think that I do not care."
"You just have a funny way of showing it. He is your father. He raised you." Nala said and drank her coffee.
T'Pel stared at the woman a moment, finding her to be a growing disappointment as a mate for her brother and took a deep breath, "The fact that Bajoran's lack emotional discipline does not render their feelings more genuine. That I choose not to engage in hysterics does not mean that I am indifferent to my father's well-being nor ambivalent about his safe return."
Nala then bit her lip and looked at Kalen who said nothing and sipped his coffee. There was some telepathic communication between the two, T'Pel assumed, and she shot Kalen a stern look… do not be rude.
Kalen said nothing but looked to the table, and for the first time T'Pel was able to notice he was holding back tears. She knew he was concerned but had no idea it was affecting him to this point, "Vulcan security are doing everything they can, I am sure. This man will be found and brought to justice." She assured.
His dark eyes fixed on her sternly, "Before or after father is murdered? You are in Starfleet. Surely there is something you can do." There was a slight quiver in his voice, and despite Kalen's usual acceptance of his emotional nature he was often more adept at holding onto his nerve.
T'Pel could not help but stare at him, "It is not that simple. Vulcan is a sovereign member of the Federation, and Starfleet cannot simply barge into Vulcan internal affairs. Also, Starfleet likely is aware of the situation and has moved to offer assistance."
"So…you are saying you are going to do nothing. Sakar I am sure would turn every rock over to find you." Nala chimed in angrily.
T'Pel just sat and stared at her in mild shock. The nerve this woman had. However she was correct and T'Pel knew her father would not sit idly by if it was her missing. Which just made the sickening knot in her stomach tighten painfully and she stood, heading for the back door.
"You are going on a walk, now? Are you sure you should go alone, Kessy?" Kalen called after her. She turned back and picked up her phaser from a drawer, shooting them both a glare, "Since you seem to expect Starfleet to solve this problem while you are sitting around drinking raktajino, I will do as you demand and begin my own investigation.”
Nala was staring at her cup and Kalen put a hand on hers, "She is not angry at you. Though, it would be best not to push her buttons on this matter. T'Pel is capable of a very violent and unrelenting temper and with this added stress we do not want to unleash it. She is not like me."
Nala gave a nod, "I suppose you are right."
More of the story here.