First Date (ch 1)
Posted on July 20th, 2015 by T'Lira and Tyler Slade

Even as she mused on where she had gone wrong with using the PADD, T’Lira still found herself curious about this… what was it called… "getting to know one another". Much could be gleaned from such an endeavor and a relationship, or even just a good friendship, could begin with such endeavors, despite her past decidedly nontraditional ways of making friends.


He knew he had to be cautious but he found it difficult. He wanted to know everything about her, but didn’t want to move too fast! Everything else on the Atlantis had moved fast. Being assigned, his first major surgery, commissioning and, being named the acting CMO. He didn’t expect that he would find a crew mate so interesting and attractive. He knew he wanted to know everything about her but he didn’t want to screw it up.

Finally, she came up with an acceptable topic to discuss.

"An agreeable place to begin a discussion about one’s past is most likely their childhood, correct? I believe we have covered the basics of that topic?" she asked.

Admittedly, that came out sounding more than a little awkward. As did much of her discussions with anyone on personal subjects.


“We have covered the basics on that subject, but I still feel like I know nothing about you" 

After reaching the beach he removed his shirt and laid a blanket down. Making himself comfortable he realized she was still standing there.

“Are you going to lie down? Is everything alright?"

Very cautious not to step on any toes, being this was his first date with a Vulcan.

"I am… not familiar with this particular activity. What is the purpose of simply lying on a beach and risking potentially harmful effects from the solar rays?"

She didn’t recall this from anything at the Academy or anything her old friends had said. It was certainly going to be a new experience

He giggled at the response.

“It is just the opposite; it is the lack of activity. To relax and talk, and let the doctor assure you that this amount of solar exposure will not adversely affect you.

Most people would have hated the fact that she had never done this type of relaxing before, but he found it amazing that he could experience this with her for the first time.

“If you are uncomfortable doing this we could do something else"

"There is no need," she replied, simply sitting in the sand, "A lack of activity is a welcome change to the previous surge of activity."

Even as she sat, she noted with some mild annoyance that the pebbles really did get everywhere. And what exactly was the point of simply sitting in the pebbles? She may have been a naturally impatient person, but this would prove interesting.

"As we have already begun to discuss our pasts, I believe we should continue."

"That is an understatement; there has been a lot more activity than this. Ok well I have told you about my parents, what about your parents? Are they still working at the colony?"

He laid there smiling at her waiting to hear more about her past.

"No. My parents returned to Vulcan, although I am unsure about what they are currently doing. I do not speak with them often."

She didn’t bother to bring up the reasons for that lack of communication. It would have been uncomfortable, to say the least.

Noticing that she became uncomfortable he moved to change the subject quickly.

 ”Oh, well that is unfortunate. What made you join Starfleet?"

He tried to move along so as to not ruin the experience.

This was something she rather… enjoyed discussing.

"I spent a sizable amount of time on the colony working with a scientist named T’Pas. She would often speak of her daughter, Soleta, who had joined Starfleet. I once had the opportunity to meet Soleta and she shared her experiences in Starfleet. It was only logical to join Starfleet after that point, as scientists are always needed. What led you to join Starfleet?"

Perhaps this would not be as awkward as she had once thought.

Realizing that the conversation was continuing he smiled and responded

“After my parents I knew that I wanted to do whatever I could to save as many lives as I could. So that no one would have to be in the situation I was"

Sensing the negative turn in the conversation he transitioned

“So by joining Starfleet I knew that I could explore and not only seek out new life but save new life and even more, to make life better. I initially started in command courses and con officer in mind, but I switched and went to med school. I passed up a spot on Red Squad to follow this dream."

The mere mention of Red Squad brought back a memory of the Dominion War.

"It is fortunate that you did. In my experience, that particular group of cadets has caused quite a bit of trouble in the past. Why did you initially begin in command, though? If your goal was to learn to save people, would it not have been logical to immediately start out on the medical track?"

Although, her own initial choice of a career path would also have seemed illogical once she considered it.

“I thought that if I were to save as many as possible that it would be smart to be in command. I also was being convinced by my instructors, and not to mention I showed hi marks in flying. I had a revelation when I was offered the Red Squad spot that my skills would be better spent on medicine. Did you want to be a science officer always? What is your end goal?"

He propped himself up on his elbows to intently pay attention to her.

It took a moment of thought before she could formulate an answer.

"I… did not always desire to be a science officer. My initial career choice was as a engineer, but shortly before I entered the Academy, I chose to become a science officer. I cannot say for certain that I have an ‘end goal’. I just know that science provides far more answers than engineering."

“But as an engineer you could use science and provide the answers, it may be something worth pursuing if you are passionate about it. Do you have any children? Or pets?"

He hoped that she would ask a question before his line of questioning runs out, or he becomes boring or invasive.

"I did once have an Earth cat as a pet, but it passed away three decades ago. And I do have one child. My son, Taril. He is a rather inquisitive child. Do you have any pets or children?"

She was unsure where this conversation was going, but it seemed to be fascinating.

“I do not have either, but I haven’t slowed down long enough to get a pet. As far as children I guess I haven’t found the right woman yet. How old is your son?"

He enjoyed the realization that there is more to her than the bridge

"He is six years old. Though, having a child is not necessarily dependant on a partner. It merely requires patience and a vast amount of time."

She didn’t point out that it was also dependant on one’s readiness, as she had discovered.

“Well I think it would be more beneficial to have a child with a partner that also wants to have a child with you for that entire amount of time, and while patience is a virtue you never know what the future holds. That is what my father used to tell me."

He was excited about the continuation of conversation, but hopeful that her independence would lead her away from a potential relationship.

"That is logical. I cannot claim to understand, however. I adopted Taril when he was a mere infant. However, it is Vulcan custom to follow such advice and wait. There are… natural reasons as well, but those need not be discussed."

In her opinion, this conversation was certainly beginning to develop beyond the basics. That was a "good thing", as the humans often said.

“Well my understanding is that Vulcans have a physical urge to mate every matter of years after they reach maturity. Is that the natural reason you are referring?"

Pausing in shock of what he just said

“I apologize that was forward, the doctor in me just flew out"

Confused, she tilted her head to the side a bit.

"There is no reason to apologize for stating facts. You are correct, though the majority of Vulcan society is uncomfortable discussing pon farr. I must admit I fail to understand their reasoning for such an endeavor, but it is illogical to question the practices of an entire species."

“You speak as if they are a different species from you, but then you quote that it is logical. That seems like a contradiction."

He laughed at the humor in the statement

"I have myself apart from the mainstream Vulcan society in numerous ideological ways. I have been viewed by some as too contaminated by my time spent in Starfleet, yet my siblings are viewed as… normal. It is feasible that I refer to them as a different species simply because I view them as such."

Although, upon later thought, it could be due to how her family views her career, but that was hardly a topic for the moment.

"Well I wouldn’t say you’re contaminated at all. You are the most interesting Vulcan I have ever met. What would you like to know about me?"

Realizing that the time had gotten away from him he looked to the sky to try and judge the time

Running through a mental list of questions, she settled on a random one that seemed relevant.

"Do you have any siblings? I have often found that siblings tend to shape one’s view on other."

Indeed, that sounded incredibly… what was the phrase… "half-assed" to her, but it was a start, at least.

“No, I am an only child,” he smiled. "Would you like to continue talking as we walk back to the hotel and dress for dinner? I mean I guess the better question is…." He reached his hand across the blanket and touched hers. “Would you like to have dinner with me?"

He hoped that he hadn’t made obvious that he changed the subject from his family, and that he had not crossed the border of physical contact.

The contact surprised her, although she did her best to raise her mental shields so as to not intrude on any surface thoughts.

"I believe that would be an… agreeable course of action, yes."

Seeing the physical jolt he stood up and looked at her

“T’Lira I apologize, I did not mean to cross a line; I would still very much like to have dinner with you"

He still felt as if he has to walk on egg shells trying to make this go well

She lifted an eyebrow as she stood and replied, "There is no need to apologize. Many people often forget that Vulcans are touch telepaths. And yes, dinner would be agreeable."

Sometimes, the endless capacity of some species’ abilities to ceaselessly apologize amazed her.

Realizing that he had just transferred his thoughts to her he looked with a moment of shock, but relaxed

“So what did you think of the show? I did forget that Vulcans are touch telepaths."

He stood up with her beginning to walk back to the hotel

"I do not understand. To what show are you referring?"

She began to walk too, still confused. That was becoming a familiar expression as of late.

"My thoughts and memories, which ever ones you just glimpsed"

He walked along side her considering grabbing her hand once again.

"I saw neither. I was able to raise my mental shields. I view any type of unsolicited mental contact, even on accident, as something to be avoided. Viewing another person’s mind without their express permission is distasteful and quite frankly, rude."

Even with that said, she still did recall some emotional contact, but nothing for certain. It could have just been her own emotions.

“Well then, would you like to? I would like to make sure you know more about me, and if I am not mistaken you can show your thoughts and memories to me. It could make this getting to know one another a bit more detailed."

He put his hand out for her to take.

After a brief mental preparation and shielding of certain areas, she slowly nodded.

"As I am lacking in the area of interpersonal communications, perhaps it could be for the best…"

And, with some hesitation, she accepted his hand.

He closed his hand around hers and opened his mind so she could view his past and his intentions. While viewing the images that she was transferring along to him, he felt different and overwhelmed, but intrigued and curious.

This was something she was most definitely not accustomed to. This flow of emotions and memories was… strange. She was confused and most definitely overwhelmed, yet calm and focused at the same time. Very disconcerting.

Overwhelmed with the experience and invigorated by the emotional interaction, almost without thinking he took a step in front of her and kissed her directly on the lips.

She was so surprised she didn’t know how to react. This was so new and she’d certainly never done this before! So, she had no idea what to do except stand there, with an uncharacteristic display of surprise on her face.

He stepped away not knowing what to say and just continued walking with her hand in his. Not to mention a huge grin on his face.

This was most certainly not a disagreeable course of action in her mind.