Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek Enterprise or any of its characters; they belong to whoever owns 'em. I just took the general idea for a test jaunt. However, L'Ras, Ambassador Soval's aid, is an original character created by myself.

Authors Note: Sorry about the break between updates. I realize I actually promised this chapter about a week ago! My bad! I blame fandom and its many pitfalls and distractions. Kink memes shall be the death of me, I swear! - Thank you to all my reviewers, I am thrilled that you enjoyed the last chapter!

When Opposites Collide - Chapter 29

"Commander Shran." He greeted. Inclining his head formally as the man appeared on his screen. Careful to let none of his surprise show as the ice-blue walls of the Imperial Guard's diplomatic sector framed the background of the video feed.

"Surprised, Ambassador?" Shran questioned. Barking out a rejoinder in place of a proper greeting as his antennae wriggled in amusement, looking bizarrely gleeful as he took him in with blatant interest.

"To admit surprise would be admitting to an emotional response pertaining to the unexpected nature of your call, Commander. So no, I am not surprised, merely intrigued." He responded smoothly, cocking a brow at the amused grin that spread across the Commander's face at his usual knee jerk reaction to the Andorian's baiting.

"I was just checking my friend. After all, we wouldn't want any of the pink skin's pesky human emotions rubbing off on a Vulcan of your standing, now would we?" Shran bantered back. Grinning wickedly like he'd just made some sort of joke at his expense as the Andorian leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh.

"Your concern is unwarranted, but noted." He replied, tone dry and decidedly brittle as he adjusted the hang of his robes and laced his fingers together with a meticulous air. All too aware that Shran was being difficult on purpose.

"That was another close call Ambassador." Shran began, tone turning serious as a hint of concern and condescension trickled into his voice. Filling the pause in conversation with what he suspected was probably the real reason Shran had contacted him in the first place. A suspicion that was only strengthened by the way Shran's antennae pointed towards him as he leaned forward in his chair.

"That's one too many if you ask me. Besides, the way I hear it, without the services of a certain Corporal Amanda Cole, I might have been attending a traditional Vulcan wake right about now." The man commented slyly, still smirking but placing just enough emphasis on the words that he could glean the meaning underneath.

Shran had been concerned for him. That was what it all came down to underneath all the political maneuvering and high minded talk. It was curious, but ultimately appropriate, he supposed. Because despite their admittedly rocky past, something close to friendship had formed between them in the years following the dissolution of the High Command. - And as he'd come to realize over the course of the past few years, a barely veiled insult was simply Shran's way of expressing his concern.

He shook his head minutely. Sometimes he was torn between who was the more illogical species, the Humans or the Andorians.

"Such an outcome would have been highly unlikely. Save for a few unforeseen complications the situation was largely under control. It was merely a matter of bad timing and the choice of locale." He replied flippantly, seeking to steer the conversation back into more neutral waters as Shran's gaze seemed to sharpen. Feeling distinctly unsettled by the apparent familiarity Shran seemed to enjoy in concern with Amanda's involvement in the case.

"Perhaps," Shran began, eyes narrowing thoughtfully before continuing, "I have heard that she is remarkably capable. – In fact she seems to have a…vested interest in your health." The Commander offered, clearly digging this time as he eyed him down from across the video link.

"I would certainly imagine so. After all, if I were to die in her care I would assume it would be poorly looked upon in consideration for her future job prospects." He said flatly. Deliberately keeping his tone and facial expression neutral as he considered why the Imperial Guard had someone like Amanda under surveillance in the first place.

"I never figured that a Vulcan would end up adopting the pink skins flair for the dramatic." Shran muttered darkly, reaching forward to switch off a few flashing buttons on the console in front of him before leaning back in his chair again.

"If that were true, which of course, it is not, that would indeed be unfortunate." He deadpanned. Purposefully evading the issue as Shran's antennae suddenly stiffened, his posture going rigid with frustration and an emotion he couldn't quite define as the man made to reply.

"Don't play coy with me Vulcan! Save your diplomatic trickery for the conference table you pointy eared menace! We both know that you and I go beyond that." Shran bit back, fist slamming down across the table in an unexpected fit of temper as the man's antennae lanced forward aggressively.

If he were human he was sure that this would be the moment where he was supposed to sigh, and convey some form of frustration in his reply. Indeed from his observation of Captain Archer's dealings with Commander Shran, he'd noticed that the man's patience began to fray right around the point where Shran started to get accusatory. - However, being Vulcan he didn't suffer from that particular shortcoming and was able to look at the situation logically and without bias, using the added time to consider his response carefully before answering.

However, even he had to admit that Shran was being rather persistent this time.

"As I am sure you are aware, the official report showed that it was the location of the terrorist attack that served as both the biggest complication and the unwitting mode of our escape. You have seen the report Commander, so I doubt that I have to repeat that Amanda's strategy was not only highly innovative and obviously successful, but at the time was also our only option other than surrender." He returned neutrally.

"Oh, so its Amanda now is it? What happened to Corporal Cole or Miss Cole? You have to admit that's not very professional, is it Ambassador? Calling a subordinate by their first name?" Shran exclaimed, pouncing on his slip with all the glee of Commander Tucker receiving a new shipment of warp coils.

"If there is anything going on between us, I'm sure your government already knows about it." He posed stoically, deciding to cut straight to the heart of the matter when it became apparent where the conversation was heading. Refusing to be drawn into another one of the Commander's mind games as Shran adopted a decidedly smug expression, antennae curling in clear satisfaction as the true topic of the man's interest was finally revealed.

"…Strictly for official government business, of course." Shran broke in with a self depreciating grin. Apparently unmoved when he raised an incredulous bow at Shran's unusually smug tone, sensing the man knew far more than he was telling as he straightened his posture and decided to respond directly to the man's baiting.

"And what precisely does the Imperial Guard believe they know?" He inquired. Completely unsurprised that news of his interest in Amanda had already reached Andorian security informants. Knowing all too well that it had always been a matter of 'when', and not 'if' Andoria's formidable security agency began to see a pattern in both his attentions and behavior.

"Why everything of course, did you really expect anything less? You have to admit that it's all rather sensational. It's given my superiors quite the complex. A Vulcan interested in a human? It's liable to become quite the scandal when Earth's media and the High Council receive wind of it." Shran hummed salaciously, clearly enjoying himself as he played his advantage shamelessly, expression reminiscent of a predator that had just scented blood on the wind as the blue skinned man grinned into the monitor.

...The High Council and Starfleet Command might not know what was going on between Amanda and himself, but it was all too clear that Shran did...

"You know, I've been doing some research on these pink skins," Shran began good naturedly, tone all but dripping with self satisfaction as he needled the point home. After all, it wasn't everyday that the Commander could best him at his own game. Only this time it wasn't trade disputes or peace talks they were dealing with. It was the politics between tested friends, tenuous allies, and a Vulcan and an Andorian that still didn't fully understand the facets and complexities of the other. - So logically, with his attentions having fallen squarely on that of a human female, something quite atypical for any Vulcan, he was quite certain that he'd never hear the end of it.

"And while their females may not be as aggressive as Andorian women, I've read that they aren't above tying up their prospective mates and having their way with them. Immobilizing them with their own bed sheets before the males even know what's happening. Their...exuberance might be more than a Vulcan can handle." Shran finished with a grin, antennae waving back and forth as a sharp-toothed grin broke out across the man's usual hard lined expression.

Shran was clearly enjoying himself...

"I hate to interrupt what I am sure would be a revolutionary new take on some far flung facet of human behavior, Commander. But as admirable as your sentiments are, I doubt you contacted me purely to impart them." He prompted, content to give the man the benefit of the doubt considering the circumstances. After all, Shran never contacted him without reason. And if he did, it certainly wouldn't be to gloat, at least not completely at any rate.

"No, I didn't." Shran admitted, straightening in his chair as he leaned forward and slid a data chip into the computer terminal beside him.

"What I'm sending you is a copy of the latest security brief from our Ambassador and a missive regarding the Imperial Guard's official threat assessment of the Terra Prime organization. The same copy was sent to the committee overseeing the upcoming raid yesterday morning. But our government believed that considering the politics surrounding this particular case, as well as your personal involvement, that you merited a copy of your own." Shran replied, pausing for a rather pointed moment before continuing.

"You have to admit that they certainly seem to have a rather…vested interest in your well being." Shran finished candidly, flashing him a disconcerting smile that showed far too many sharp looking teeth as he nodded in response.

"I am deeply reassured." He bantered back, eyes following the progress bar on the side of the console as the document was quickly downloaded and transferred into his private files.

"That being said, the Imperial Guard does have some concerns relating to the possibility of an alliance between a rouge faction of Andorian dissents and the remnants of Terra Prime. The rouge faction shares a number of basic tenants with Terra Prime, planetary solidarity and general xenophobia. No outsiders, no aliens, the usual backwards, paranoid drivel." Shran replied, waving his hand dismissively as he snorted in clear disgust.

"While an actual alliance is considered to be highly unlikely given their conflicting their values, they are wounded, hunted, and desperate. And I think we both know that stranger things have certainly happened. A wounded animal can still escape a hunter's snare by gnawing off it's own paw. ...People get unpredictable when they're desperate. They can catch you off guard by taking a course of action even they would have never considered unless they had too. - Again, like I said, the possibility is low, but as you know, the Imperial Guard considers nothing unworthy of attention. The official report should hit allied desks by early tomorrow. But in the interests of diplomatic relations, I felt that Vulcan deserved a more personal touch." Shran explained, lips still harboring the ghost of a smile as he retrieved the data chip from his console and stowed it out of sight.

"Your diligence is appreciated Commander. Do give Vulcan's regards to the President and his Cabinet for their efforts." He returned blandly, already considering what such a gesture might mean in consideration to both the raid and his diplomatic position on Earth as his mind searched for an appropriate response. The Imperial Guard rarely parted with intelligence without good reason. There had to be an angle, something the Andorians would want in return for their…thoughtfulness.

"Oh, and Ambassador? For the date you aren't going on with Miss. Cole tomorrow evening. Might I suggest taking a bottle of Vulcan Port? As I understand it, it is customary on Earth for the guest to bring a bottle of alcohol to be served with the evening meal, and your Port is the only beverage Vulcan makes that is even half worth drinking." Shran added with a grin, eyebrows arching suggestively, like he was just waiting for him to demand how he could possibly know about his plans with Amanda, before he made to continue.

"I'd send along a bottle of Andorian ale, but last time we met I won't deny that she gave me a look that could have melted the great ice sheet of Andoretic." Shran commented quietly. Clearly discomforted as he referenced the incident a few years earlier when he'd been tortured by Shran under orders from the Imperial Guard to ascertain if his intelligence on the corruption in the High Command was accurate.

And as the thought breathed out into the stillness, the man's antennae wavered, leaning back against his skull in a way he'd rarely seen on Shran. It was an emotion that could only be loosely translated as one of shame and self recrimination. He had believed that they were long past the events of those days, but it was clear that the man still held regrets. - Andorians were such an emotive species; they carried their feelings dangerously close to the surface, like exposed nerves on a fresh wound, or damaged plasma coils that had been stripped of their cooling rods. Perhaps that was why they seemed to get along so well with Humanity, bonding more over their similarities than their differences.

But he'd known Shran for a long time and with that closeness came the knowledge of knowing just what to say to either diffuse a situation or entice it. And naturally he chose the former, or at least the Andorian equivalent of the former. Because as illogical as it was for the man to feel guilt for wrongs and misunderstandings that were long since past, he often found himself discomforted by the thought of the other man suffering for it.

Un-Vulcan thoughts indeed…

"You sound almost intimidated by the Corporal, Commander. …How intriguing. Didn't I once hear you say that humans were hardly a threat?" He remarked candidly. False deference tingeing his tone in a way he was sure the other man would recognize as he steepled his fingers and waited for the man's response.

Luckily, he didn't have to wait long. In fact, he actually had to temper the modest burst of gratification that flowed through him as the man's usual temperament quickly returned. Present in the back of his eyes and the curve of his smile as the man's antennae finally seemed to settle. Pointing forward once again with warmth and good humor as the man leaned back in his chair and took a cautious sip of what he strongly suspected was a glass of the potent Andorian brew itself.

"I've come to realize that certain…concessions deserve to be made after our more recent dealings with the Pink Skins. Captain Archer for instance, along with Commander Tucker, Lieutenant Reed and the rest of Archer's crew, they have all proven their worth as both formidable allies and fierce opponents. ...Quite the feat for such a young species if you think about it. - Corporal Cole is simply a recent addition to that list. Soon to be Sergeant Cole if my sources are correct," Shran retorted easily.

"Indeed." He replied. Thoughts inexplicably lingering over the contents of Amanda's message as his gaze flickered over to the data pad. Eyes catching on the title page of the "Karma Sutra" as it glowed in the low light. Highlighting the manner in which the rather amorous couple featured on the cover were embracing as the image appeared to shift and writhe as the shadows lingering in the corners of his office lengthened. Growing deeper and far more mysterious as the afternoon sun slowly began to set.

"Careful Ambassador, what is the human expression? You might find that you've bitten off more than you can chew with this pink skin." Shran mocked lightly, as if somehow sensing the nature of his distraction before saluting him with his glass and knocking back the rest of his drink with a single, overly indulgent gulp.

"Goodnight Commander," he replied tonelessly, effectively ending the conversation when it became apparent that Shran had nothing more constructive to add and was obviously in one of his moods. Trying, as he ever did, to get a rise out of him as the man's antennae wavered in clear amusement.

In fact, he could still hear the man chuckling as the connection closed and his screen went dark. The sound echoing in the eves of his office for a long moment before the lingering sound flat lined and eventually faded. Leaving a strained sort of silence in the place of his office's previous tranquility as he attempted to collect his thoughts and purge himself of the unnecessary details of their latest conversation. The man's exuberance had been somewhat…unsettling.

And yet, Shran's juvenile antics aside, as he looked from the blinking console to his abandoned data pad, he realized quite suddenly that Shran actually had a point about the Port.

A/N #1: Hope you enjoyed! It is back to Amanda in the following chapter! - I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has reviewed thus far, I usually respond to all my reviews unless there is some sort of internet hiccup going on. But I know that some of you comment anon, so, from me to you, thanks a million you guys!