The Odd Couple
By Kara and Riz

This is a Sirella and Martok story written for entertainment, not profit. We acknowledge that the names etc. are the property of Paramount/Viacom. We are merely borrowing them. If you have any comments, please write to either zealstyler@aol.com or kdruidh@aol.com

Part Two - The Mating

Sirella was not displeased to learn that Martok was coming round for another meal. She even raided the store cupboards to prepare some sweet pastries which were a particular favourite in her family. She decided she was quite looking forward to entertaining the new Captain again. He was quite stimulating to talk to and she was able to understand why her father had become interested in him. So she was not at all put out when her father contacted her to say he had been delayed with some High Council business and that she'd have to look after Martok till he came home.

He arrived with the same quantity of the same gagh as the previous evening. He still didn't know for sure if it was the most appropriate gift, but at least it had been accepted. He was surprised when Sirella took it with a gracious smile. As far as he was aware, it was the first friendly look she had given him. He realised he must have done something right the previous evening, and she couldn't have known about the pie on the fire.

This time she took him on a tour of the grounds round the house. He amazed her by being very knowledgeable about the plants and flowers though he didn't tell her that his knowledge came from being brought up in a farming province. They sat together on a stone bench in the sunshine and Sirella began a discussion on Klingon values. As it happened, Martok was one of those who felt the Klingon people had lost their way and forgotten the meaning of the teaching of Kahless. He knew this could be seen as criticising the ruling elite. For a highly ambitious young officer this was not a clever move, but something in the way she had made him welcome caused him to drop his guard. She was enchanted. His views matched hers, and like him she'd never dared express them for fear of the consequences.

Needless to say, it didn't last and they soon came to another topic where their views were diametrically opposed and Krollor arrived just as she pulled a knife on Martok.

'Sirella' he bellowed 'How dare you behave like that to our guest? You'll make him think you are flirting with him. Get into the kitchen and get the wine for the meal.'

She stormed off, furious at being spoken to like a child while Krollor apologised to Martok for her behaviour. The meal was not a success with Sirella sitting in frozen silence making Martok most uncomfortable. The thing was, he had believed she was flirting with him, and he had been on the point of responding. He was glad when they went into Krollor's study and could concentrate on analysing battle tactics. He did not expect to see her again. He had been given a new ship and was due to start commissioning it. That would take most of his time while he was in the capital city, and after that he would be away on whatever mission the navy saw fit to give him. To marry someone that high born was in any case an impossible dream. Ambition was one thing but he had to have achievable targets.

**************

Pandemonium reigned in the Ja'Rod household. B'Etor had spread the word that her elder sister Lursa had a par'machi and Ja'Rod had come to hear about it. His fury was awesome. After an extremely painful interview, Lursa admitted that she had only caught the warrior looking at her and had never so much as spoken to him. She did not even know his name. Ja'Rod had both girls soundly whipped and made arrangements for them to be sent back to their mother in the country. The servants, wary of his temper, scurried round organising transport and packing, but all were secretly pleased at the turn of events. The sisters had not made themselves popular.

Matters could have been left there but Ja'Rod wanted to be sure the warrior concerned truly had no designs on his daughter. He was going to make inquiries himself but then thought of his son Duras who was a credit to his father's teaching, and had been well rewarded. Ja'Rod had used his influence to make sure Duras had a meteoric naval career and he had become the youngest ever ship's captain. He had also proved to have inherited his father's political skills and had added to the power base of the family. It would not be long till the family were so powerful they would be beyond challenge. Duras was currently on a mere surveillance mission so he should have time on his hands, and he had been at the Empire Day celebrations. Finding the name of this unknown warrior should not prove too much of a challenge. Ja'Rod sent Duras a message asking him to find the identity of this person and deal with the matter in whatever way he felt most appropriate. It would be interesting to see what action, if any, Duras would take.

*****************

His mind was not on the reports in front of him, they were detailed, thorough, impressive but boring. As he sat waiting for his Chief Engineer to deliver his report in person, all Martok could see was a face, her face, and he had to admit that for the first time in many years, his mind was not absorbed by his work. It had only been three weeks but it felt like three years and the shakedown cruise was due to last for another month! A buzzer brought him back to reality. His new chief engineer entered in response to his command but the look on his face mirrored Martok's inner frustration. In one hand Lorikan held the dilithium crystal assembly, in the other his personal dagger which he held out, handle first to Martok. 'My life is forfeit, the assembly is fractured, we need to return to port before the crystals lose integrity'

If it had been any other officer, Martok might have taken him up on his offer but Lorikan had come up through the ranks with him and Martok knew he'd pushed the ship and crew too hard since leaving port. He blamed himself for not seeing the consequences. Ordering Lorikan to sheath his weapon, he ordered the helmsman to return to Kronos. It was not quite the ending that he'd envisaged to his first cruise as Captain. He'd devote the return journey to getting his thoughts in order; she was out of his reach and he couldn't afford to waste any more time on her. No, he'd finish his proposal for an attack on the stations the Romulans were building along the frontier.

********

Duras was equally frustrated. After ordering his son to find out about Lursa's supposed par,machi, Ja'Rod had left the capital to escort his daughters back to the family's estate. Forced to return to Kronos, Duras had set his spies to work but so far they'd had little of interest to report. That Martok had worked his way up the ranks was no secret, he'd been sponsored by his first commander General Katrellan, who'd given him a field commission only three years ago, but Duras had found no trace of Martok's name on any academy graduate register and the man seemed to have no family. Perhaps that was no bad thing, his family usually only served to irritate him! He had given his spies until that evening to report back to him and if they failed him...........Well, one didn't get to fail Duras twice.

As he prepared to leave the house, his major-domo brought him a sealed packet and as he stood reading the enclosed documents, Duras began to laugh. A herdsman's son, not even a common farmer, his sister's 'par'machi' was a herdsman and ship's skivvy, the lowest of the low, a nobody. He couldn't wait to see the look on his dear sister's face when she realised what a fool she'd made of herself. However, that pleasure would have to wait. If his sister's infatuation became public knowledge the shame would publicly dishonour the entire family and Ja'Rod would hold him responsible. When he reported to his father, he'd have to make sure the 'problem' had been dealt with, once and for all.

*************

His meeting had gone well. Having finished his plans Martok had been able to present them to Fleet HQ upon his return and they were being proposed to the Council that evening. If approved, it would make his name and mark him as a rising star. For once, his thoughts were on something other than Sirella as he strode through the city. He'd reached the outskirts when three assailants ambushed him. As he fought, Martok realised he'd have to kill them because they certainly intended to kill him. He'd killed two when he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his abdomen and looked down to see a dagh'tag deeply embedded in his flesh. As lost consciousness, he heard a voice saying 'Stay away from your betters, peasant. The daughters of great houses are not for you'. As he tried to reach for his communicator, he heard someone calling his name but he couldn't make out who was calling out to him and then he knew nothing more.

**********

He didn't usually frequent taverns on his own but tonight Lorikan had needed a drink and no company. However, even five flagons of black ale hadn't been enough to banish his dark thoughts, Martok had trusted him with his first ship and he'd let him down. He should have told him earlier that the dilithium assembly was at risk but Martok hadn't been in a mood to listen to him or anyone else for that matter. Leaving the tavern, Lorikan saw his commander under attack and as he called out to him, Martok's assailants ran off, leaving Lorikan to summon help.

***********

Martok was not a good patient and he didn't have a very high opinion of doctors - especially ones who repeatedly told him he was lucky to be alive. Lying in bed gave him entirely too much time to think but however much he wracked his brains, Martok couldn't think who would want him dead. He couldn't believe Krollor would invite him to his house then arrange for him to be assassinated. On the other hand, he wasn't aware of having come anywhere near any other noble lady. He certainly wasn't going to wait around to give his enemies a chance to finish the job. Summoning Lorikan he decided to return home.

*************

She didn't know what to do - stay at home or swallow her pride and go and see him. No, she couldn't do that. Her father might find Martok stimulating company but he wouldn't spare the time to escort her, not when he had been invited to spend the weekend hunting on the Ja'Rod family estate. However, she rather suspected that the family archives were of more interest to Krollor than targ hunting. Enough, if she was going to be left behind, she'd do what she liked for once, even if it was only once.

After her father had left, she went though her wardrobe looking out the perfect dress, then spent time arranging her hair in its most becoming style. She felt uncharacteristically nervous. Suppose she had got the wrong idea about Martok? Suppose he didn't like her? What would happen if her father knew she was going alone to see him? Straightening her shoulders she reminded herself that the blood of the most feared warriors in the galaxy ran in her veins. This self doubt was demeaning. She left the house every inch the proud noble too arrogant to be questioned.

Martok was surprised by the hail from his front door. His first reaction was to grab his bat'leth, but then he thought that assassins rarely announced themselves. Even so, he was very guarded and prepared for attack as he opened the door. The last person he had expected to see was Sirella. His wits temporarily deserted him as he wondered if his injuries were causing him to see things.

'Well, aren't you going to invite me in?' she demanded. 'I have come all the way across the city to see you.'

Still speechless, he motioned her into the house and closed the door. She looked around at the empty spaces. 'I see you go for the minimalist approach to furnishing.' she remarked. Even for the home of a traditionalist, the house was extremely bare.

'The rest of the furniture is elsewhere' he said. Well, it wasn't a lie - just not the whole truth. His mind was still reeling at seeing her here in his house. The spell was broken as his targ came to inspect the new arrival. As it snuffled round Sirella's skirts she looked at it in distaste.

'Is this disgusting specimen yours?' she asked in her most imperious tone.

'I'll put him out in the garden,' said Martok. Ushering the animal outside gave him some time to try and make sense of the situation, and to recover from his intense sense of danger. The stiff soreness of his scars were a reminder that getting close to a great lady was a very risky business.

He returned to find Sirella had invited herself to an inspection of the house. He escorted her round as she gave her opinions on what furnishings he needed.

'A chair or two might help.' she remarked as, to his dismay, she headed for the bedrooms. 'Or do you eat and drink sitting in bed?'

'On it, usually'

'Well I'll just go and sit ON a bed and you can bring me some refreshments.' she announced.

He went to get some wine and goblets, his mind in turmoil. Was this some trick? If it had been any other female he would have thought she was making a determined pass at him, but Sirella was much too proud. He might be getting a reputation for being a master of tactics but this time he was out of his depth. He returned upstairs to find her sitting on his bed, quite in command of the situation. She patted the bed , indicating that she wanted him to sit beside her.

As they drank their wine, she told him that she had heard about him being attacked and had come to see how he was. Martok decided there was no point in beating about the bush and asked her directly if her father had arranged it. She responded with fury that if her father had any problem with Martok, he'd sort it out face to face not hire assassins. Was he accusing her father of being dishonourable?

The more Martok tried to soothe her the worse her temper seemed to get, till her accusations began annoying him too. So when she grabbed a bat'leth from the wall and faced him with it, he took up the challenge with a weapon of his own. They circled each other warily. Normally Martok would have been sure of victory in such a situation but his injuries were slowing him down. The fight was brief but intense, ending with Martok pinning her to the floor with his blade.

'Surrender or die' he growled.

Instead she reached up and pulled him down on top of her. 'Kiss me or kill me then.' she replied. He could hardly believe his luck. It was no trick. She really did want him. The kiss was long and passionate. Then they lay on the floor looking at each other, both realising a barrier had been crossed. There would be no more pretence between them. They embraced again. His hands slipped inside her clothes while she loosened them to make it easier for him. It wasn't long before she was naked and began to remove his clothing, running her fingers and then her tongue over his scars. Fresh scars were always an aphrodisiac to a Klingon.

Later they lay together in the bed, both battered and bruised and completely fulfilled. He ran his hand gently over her bruises, ending at a breast where he began teasing a nipple. 'Why?' he asked.

'You were different. I've never met anyone quite like you. I had always thought my fate would be an arranged marriage but this is much better.'

His heart nearly stopped. What had he been thinking about? They were mated so by tradition were already married. There were only the formalities to be gone through. If he'd nearly been killed for coming too close to a noble lady, what would happen to him if he were to announce that he had mated with one? Had he blown his career, his dreams, for a mad evening of passion? As a man of honour there was only one course.

'I'll tell your father that we wish to be married.' he said. Krollor would have no trouble tracing Martok's roots and there was little doubt he'd be less than pleased.

'No.' Sirella was in as little doubt as Martok about her father's reaction. He had wanted her to marry well to bring some prosperity back into the family. While she had no doubt that her par'machi had a golden future, he certainly wasn't rich at the moment. He did not fit into Krollor's plans. She would have to work on her father, and this would take time. 'Let's keep it as our secret for now.'

It wasn't strictly honourable, but Martok agreed. In time they might find a solution, and he now knew for certain that he had found the perfect woman. Oddly, she wasn't anything like the woman he'd thought he'd marry, but he had no doubts. He got up to get them some more wine, grimacing as his scars pulled. She pulled him back to her. 'Why would you think my father was behind this?' she asked.

He told her about the assassin's cryptic message. She frowned, but she was prepared to believe him that he did not know of any high born lady he could have offended. 'You must get the protection of your House.' she told him, stroking the wounds.

He was in yet another dilemma. Should he tell her his background and risk losing her, or keep presenting himself as something of a man of mystery? 'I am founding my own House.' he said. 'The House of Martok'. Sirella liked that. If he founded his own House, she'd have so much power. There would be no bowing and scraping, no following the wishes of others. She would be the one to set the rules. Delighted she rolled on top of him and instigated another session of love making.

For both of them the weekend passed all too quickly as they explored each other's bodies, their likes and dislikes. Late on their last night, he escorted her back to her home then wandered back through the city. This time he kept well away from dark allies or other potential ambush sites. He had learned that lesson all too well. There was still the puzzle of who and why, but he had to admit he might never know. If nothing else it was a reminder that in this society one chose one's friends and allies with great care.

Click here for Part III