You were FAR from My FIRST Choice --

[T'Pol's quarters]

(T'Pol is sitting on the floor, 

meditating with candles.)

Autistic Queer Woman :

Come in.

Hetero Life-Partner :

You decide to tell me what Vanik said?

Autistic Queer Woman :

Please, sit down.

Hetero Life-Partner :

I've never seen your 

quarters before. Cozy.

(Tucker sits on floor.)

Hetero Life-Partner :

You know you're not supposed to 

have an open flame on the ship.

Autistic Queer Woman :

I was given permission 

from The Captain. 

They're for meditation.

Hetero Life-Partner :

So, what can I do for you?

Autistic Queer Woman :

Doctor Phlox believes that it might help if 

I was to discuss my problem with someone 

I felt comfortable confiding in.

Hetero Life-Partner :

You want to talk to me? Well, I'm not sure 

I'm going to be much help. I mean, 

I've only been in three relationships 

and they all went bust. 

Are you sure you wouldn't rather talk 

to Hoshi or Ensign Kimball? 

She's married.

Autistic Queer Woman :

You were far from my first choice, but 

speaking with someone else would mean 

more people knowing about my situation.

Hetero Life-Partner :

I'll do anything I can. 

What's your problem?

Autistic Queer Woman :

You read The Letter.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Yes.

Autistic Queer Woman :

Then you know that unless 

I leave Enterprise immediately, 

my wedding plans will be cancelled.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Have you talked to -- ?

Autistic Queer Woman :

-- Koss.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Have you talked to Koss about all this?

Autistic Queer Woman :

We haven't spoken in many years. 

Marriages on Vulcan are 

arranged during childhood. 

I've only met Koss four times.

Hetero Life-Partner :

How can you be in love with a guy 

you've only met four times?

Autistic Queer Woman :

It's assumed that we'd eventually 

develop an affection for one another.

Hetero Life-Partner :

So his parents send you an ultimatum? 

He doesn't have a say?

Autistic Queer Woman :

His parents planned the union. 

It's their decision.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Boy. Where I come from, 

arranged marriages 

went out with slavery.

Autistic Queer Woman :

Are you going to give me advice 

or criticise My People's tradition.

Hetero Life-Partner :

I'm still a little fuzzy 

on why they threatened to 

call it off in the first place.

Autistic Queer Woman :

The ceremony was supposed to take place next week. When I decided to remain on Enterprise I requested a postponement. Koss's parents were insulted that I would put off our plans to serve on a human vessel.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Well, Vanik can take you home. Why don't you go marry Koss, then come back?

Autistic Queer Woman :

It's customary for a husband and wife to reside together for at least one Vulcan year.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Maybe he can come to Enterprise.

Autistic Queer Woman :

He's an architect. It would be illogical for him to live aboard a starship.

Hetero Life-Partner :

This whole thing sounds illogical.

Autistic Queer Woman :

-- Your advice, Commander.

Hetero Life-Partner :

What do you want to do?

Autistic Queer Woman :

That is irrelevant.

Hetero Life-Partner :

No, it's not. It's very relevant. 

Do you want to go back and marry this guy, 

spend a year with him, ten years, 

a hundred years, or do you want 

to stay on Enterprise?

Autistic Queer Woman :

I have an obligation.

Hetero Life-Partner :

You've got an obligation to yourself. 

You've spent the last year around humans. 

If there's one thing you should have learned 

it's that we're free to make our own decisions. 

There's a lot to be said for personal choice.

Autistic Queer Woman :

If you'd spent the last year on Vulcan, you would have learned that our commitment to tradition outweighs personal choice.

Hetero Life-Partner :

I respect your customs, but this marriage was arranged when 

You were a kid. A lot's happened since then. People change.

Autistic Queer Woman :

Vulcan's don't.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Really.

Autistic Queer Woman :

My obligation is to my culture, my heritage. 

It has to take precedence.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Sounds to me like you already made 

up your mind. Why the hell 

did you ask me here?

Autistic Queer Woman :

It was a mistake. I apologise.

(T'Pol stands. Tucker goes to leave.)

Hetero Life-Partner :

Did it ever occur to you that you might have postponed the wedding because subconsciously you wanted to get out of it?

Autistic Queer Woman :

That would imply that my 

subconscious mind controls 

my decisions. It doesn't.

Hetero Life-Partner :

Well it happens to humans all the time. 

Maybe you're picking up some of our bad habits.