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Last time on Enterprise...

"Jon your my brother. There is this old Earth saying, you know the one Bros before..." Trip didn't finish but laughed as he said the last words. Both laughed a little more. After the laughter Trip put his hand on Archer's shoulder and said "Tessa will be proud of you." Archer smiled at that. "I haven't even gotten to ask T'Pol about starting anything yet. One step at a time."

Now...

Captain's log supplemental...

We intercepted a transmission from an Edosian freighter that had been effected by what they say was a quasar-like electromagnetic distortion, similar to an Ion Storm, near Murasaki 312 which caused them to lose their magnetic field that stabilized their warp core, causing a ship wide feedback damaging 45% of their electrical systems. It also threw them two light months away from the Murasaki sector which is on our way to the Paulson Nebula. The repair teams have reported that it will take two weeks to repair the systems but we could tow the freighter to an Edosain station four days away at Sub-Warp. Though I miss the grappler I am glad we received a tractor beam. Commanders T'Pol, Tucker and Reed along with Lieutenants Sato and Michaels and Dr. Phlox with myself were invited to dinner on the Edosian freighter. I have been told that the Edosians are a peaceful people with out any form of class ranking. I am looking forward to discussing their system with them. After all we are here to explore first even though we are now at war with the unseen Romulan Star Empire. Seems like we humans will never be able to have peace no matter where we go. According to the theory of evolutionary aggression in the past, males that found other mates desirable found it necessary to compete with other males. The most successful male was the most aggressive. This aggressive behavior made sure that the fittest males survived and were more successful in securing mates and passing on their genetic fitness to their offspring. The more aggressive a species the more successful they become on their world. Though there are acceptations to that theory; the Edosians for example.

Archer is the first to step off the platform, along with his officers with four security personal armed with phase pistols holstered. Even though Archer was told they would not be necessary he has learned that a little paranoia was good at times. The Edosians have 3 arms, 3 legs and 3 fingers on each hand. The third arm came out from the middle of their chest, their legs were very dog-like. With their Orange to Pink skin, the bony ridge around their cheeks flowing over the forehead, large yellow eyes and animated feature the Edosians seems like a hodgepodgeof features. Archer thought to himself {To seek out new life...}"Captain Na Eth allow me to introduce you to my command crew" Archer began, "Commander Reed, my security officer, Commander Tucker my chief engineer, Commander T'Pol, my second in command and science officer, Lieutenant Sato; communications, the best in the fleet, Lieutenant Michaels my helmsman and Doctor Phlox our ship's medical doctor."

"The four others Captain?" Asked Captain Na Eth.

Archer smiled slightly as he answered, "They are security from my ship. It is standard procedure to bring security now since we have been at war with the Romulans. They are Chief Patterson, Petty Officers Donovan and Parker, and Crewman Barnes." He had hoped that he didn't offend his host.

Smiling with a chestier grin Captain Na Eth began, "This one can see why you brought your body guards now that you say Romulans. " Na Eth began introducing his senior staff. "Commander Ra Gif Na Eth the second in command and this one's mate, Lieutenants Ul Kra, Si Nue, and Ni Kra." He then motions to an Edosian child, "This is our youngling Arek." Archer could tell the pride the Captain of the Edosian freighter had for his son.

"Captain is it a normal practice for Edosians to travel with their families on ship?" Doctor Phlox asked. Archer and T'Pol looked at him with vacant expressions.

"Yes Doctor, after all family is important as is what we do in life. They are as part of the identity of self as what this one does for work or recreation." Captain Na Eth replied as he inconspicuously placed one of his hands within his mate's hand, then he placed another hand on his child's shoulder conspicuously. T'Pol noticed his action as did Archer. "We can speak more as we eat, my little one is hungry as an Altha."

"Altha?" Archer had asked merely as a conversation starter as the party walked out of the transporter room of the freighter.

"It is an Edosian predator, it is six legged, four eyed large creature that is known to have an endless appetite." This time Commander Ra Gif Na Eth responded, her voice was pleasant and calm. She was more reserved than her mate in manner but she smiled broadly.

One would expect beings with three legs to be clumsy, but on the contrary they were anything other than that. The entire Edosian group moved gracefully, with purpose and flowing motion like water. Archer began to think of a quote he once heard from the philosophy of Bruce Lee{"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend."}

The dinner with the Edosians went without a hitch. Both crews asked questions and laughed at humorous stories of the other, save T'pol who only raised an eyebrow on occasion which caused more luaghter. It was toward the end of the evening that the youngling, Arex, feel asleep while he sat in T'Pol's lap. Archer had noticed it was unusual for T'Pol to accept when the young Arex had come to her. His father walked over to the Vulcan and with one fluid motion he picked is son up slow enough not to awaken. Captain Na Eth smiled at T'Pol and bid goodnight as he left his mate and staff to continue to entertain the Enterprise crew for a few minutes while he put his child to bed. It was T'Pol who spoke to her counterpart away from the others so no one could hear her question. "When did you know your Captain was to be your mate? I know that Edosians mate for life in a bond that is somewhat empathic."

"It was within the year this one came on board. We had conflicts at first but we overcame them." Commander Ra Gif Na Eth replied. "It is true those that bond for life have an empathic bond, yet we do not have inexperience Commander T'Pol. We explore options before we settle with our one." With an understanding the Edosian Commander smiled in an animated way much as Phlox did. "You ask this of this one because you have a connection to your Captain?"

T'Pol straightened slightly as she was about to say her normal line of Vulcans did not possess emotions when she was interrupted by a gentle hand of the other Commander. "Every species has those connections Commander T'Pol, it is natural for all evolved species to want this." Archer from across the room noticed the gentle hand of Ra Gif Na Eth on T'Pol and a somewhat subdued smile on the Edosian's face, subdued for the Edosians anyway.

Meanwhile as Captain Na Eth placed his youngling to bed, little Arex Na Eth opened his eyes slightly and said "This one wants to be like those of Enterprise mine father."

The Captain smiles at his little one "Then perhaps when you are grown you may serve on one of their ships but that will not be for another 100 cycles mine son."

Arex yawns almost like a cartoon character "This one wishes to serve on Enterprise." In the future he becomes the navigator for two years with the legendary Captain Kirk and Spock on a future Enterprise. He also will teach at Starfleet Academy in that future 100 years from now, where he will meet a young Poval Chekhov. Teaching the young human how to navigate and is responsible for getting said young Russian human on board of the Enterprise NCC-1701.

If you spend too much time thinking of something, you'll never get it done.-Bruce Lee.

Commander T'Pol walked with Captain Archer in serene silence down the corridors of B deck. They stopped in front of T'Pol's door and Archer smiled as he normally did. "Good Night T'Pol, I had a good time, although we were not alone. I will see you tomorrow."

T'Pol held him by the arm and looked at Archer saying, "I slept better when you were near Jonathan but after you had to return to Earth sleep eluded me more than it should have."

Archer looked at T'Pol for a moment and quietly spoke, "Are you saying you would want to sleep with me again T'Pol?" The question was there and needed to be answered.

"I do not wish to appear as, Lt. Sato says, needy or weak." T'Pol breathed in deeply, his scent was something she enjoyed. "I am not a vulnerable child Jonathan. I want you to understand that. I miss your presence when you are not near. I have for a long time."

Archer looked down and asked if he could enter her room. She opened her door and allowed him to follow her. She knew he wanted to continue the conversation but not where anyone may hear it. After her door closed he looked at her for a moment, taking her in as he did so many times before. "T'Pol before I say yes or no I want you to know, I can't just sleep in bed with you without wanting to be with you. I respect you more than anyone I know. If you need comfort I would be happy to be that for you but you need to know I will want more. I have missed you when you were not near me for a long time as well. Can you in all honesty want to be with me in that form, regulations or careers be damned?"

T'Pol stayed where she was and looked at this man, this human, her friend, her captain, her love. She picked up a book on her desk as she began to speak. "Jonathan, remember when you lent me this book on Terran philosophy?" She saw him nod in silence and she continued, "There is a quote I want to say to you. 'Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very attractive, often hot and fierce, but in the end only light and flickering. As true love grows older, hearts mature and love becomes like coals, deep-burning never quenchable'." She noticed her captain stayed silent waiting to see what she was saying, "When we first met we were at odds with each of our prejudices. Then we found common ground and we built a foundation that is strong. When I was..."She stopped for a moment in self disgust, though it was hardly traceable on her face, "addicted to the Trillium-D, I thought that I wanted Commander Tucker because he was there and his pain matched my own. We succumbed to that pain and had a relationship. I thought I loved him but it was more of a fire that, when it was extinguished, had no fuel to sustain. He was safe. He is a good friend and I do become concerned as any friend. He has become what Vulcans call "ne ki'ne" you are more to me Jonathan. You are my telansu my bond-person, I would want you to become my t'hy'la. When I came to you that night I realized you had come to Vulcan for me, I did not take that lightly. It was not just comfort from anyone I wanted," She paused, "It was you. A Vulcan does not break down as I did to anyone but the one they want as their T'Hy'La. Some bonded Vulcans never find their T'hy'La, I did. It wasn't Trip or Koss it was you. In accepting the inevitable, one finds peace Jonathan and you are that peace for me. It was inevitable that we should be with each other. I find that my heart is like the coals for you Jonathan."

Archer looked at her for a long moment, then closed the small distance to her and held her.

Two days later as Archer walked over to T'Pol's science station on the bridge, he placed his hand on top of the panel as he spoke to her. She covertly place her hand next to his, just touching his little finger with the side of her hand. It escaped the view of everyone except Lieutenant Hoshi Sato who sat quietly at her station. "How is our tractor beam holding up Commander?"

T'Pol looked at him in her Vulcan way, stoically not emotional. "It is working well within the normal perimeters of the technology Captain." After a moment Archer turns to his helm and navigator. He never removed his hand from T'Pol's console or her touch. "Lieutenant Michaels how goes the flight?"

"Smoothly sir." Michaels said as he kept his eyes on his instruments.

"How much longer till we are in range of the Edosian station Ensign Kirk?"

"A little over 27 hours Captain." responded the young Ensign. Archer smiled a little as he kept his hand on the science station's panel. He liked this new ensign, too bad this was a temporary duty station. He was to be transferred to the Pioneer in two months as the ships historian, Archer thought it was a waste for the young ensign. Perhaps he could have Michaels and Reed train Ensign Kirk in a few maneuvers to help him someday. You never know with the Romulans, the Klingons or another war-like race out there those maneuvers could help him.

"Hold course I will be in my ready room, Commander you have the bridge." Archer said as he moved from his position to the door leading to the ready room. Like a well oiled machine, as he left T'Pol transferred to the command chair from her station, the bridge crew continued their tasks. He was about to the door when a voice came over the comms system. "Phlox to Captain Archer."

Archer stopped, went back to the arm of the command chair, hitting the communications switch, he felt T'Pol barely touch his hand. "Archer here, go ahead."

"Captain could you come to sickbay for a moment when you have time?" Phlox responded over the comms.

"I have time now Doctor I will be there shortly," Archer looked up at T'Pol in the command chair and smirked slightly. "Archer out."

Hoshi Sato walked over to T'Pol to giver her commanding officer a PADD then went back to her station. T'Pol read the little note typed out in Vulcan, then looked over to Sato and replied "Indeed". The note simply read..."When is the bonding ceremony, and may I be invited? Sato."

Minutes later Archer walks into sickbay and toward the Doctor's office. "What do you need Phlox?"

Phlox looks over to Archer and with his normal smile he offered the captain a chair to sit in. Archer suddenly felt as though he was about to receive news that would be pretty bad. "Captain I have the results of your latest physical." Phlox continued with a sigh, "according to the findings you have what appears to be aDiffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma; its a tumor located in the middle of the brain stem. Glioma is a general name for any tumor that arises from the supportive tissue called glia, which help keep the neurons in place and functioning well. The brain stem contains all of the afferent neurons within the spinal cord as well as important structures involved in eye movements, face and throat muscle control and sensation. It is rare though in adults your age. It mostly affects children and young adults. With the Glioma massed where it is, it will disrupt the neurons..."

Archer stopped Phlox for a moment, took a deep breath and asked, "Perhaps T'Pol needs to be here when your explaining this Phlox."

Phlox looks at Archer, puzzled at the request. "Captain if you wish by all means I can call her."

Minutes later T'Pol walks into the office unsure why she was called here but sees Archer sitting in the chair, a look of disbelief etched on his face. She then felt something from him, sadness.

T'Pol stood there as Phlox restated what he had told Archer moments before. She looked over athercaptain, herfriend, herlove. She walked over to him and in an act that no one would have ever thought, she knelt down next to him and placed her hand on top of his. It was a public display of affection that was not lost on Phlox. He understood. "There is hope though Captain." Phlox reiterated.
"Unlike on your planet in the early 21st century where the survival rate was at 0% there has been great strides where that rate has risen to an astonishing 38% with treatment."

T'Pol spoke,"What would be the treatment Doctor?"

"Electromagnetic radiation mainly Neutron beams aimed at the area of the brain stem, with a mixture of medications discovered by Earth's very own Pyong Ko, can keep the tumor from growing. There are also surgical techniques that did not exist until recently." Phlox answered as he wanted to stress there was hope.

T'Pol looked at the man next to her and could see the look in his eyes. He was processing the information and then he looked at her,his T'Pol. "I want to fight this for us." T'Pol's eyes showed everything in that moment, she smiled slightly not ashamed of her "emotional" display for her captain. She held up two fingers to Archer and he did the same, she touched his slightly and Phlox understood more than he had before. They were beginning a relationship, with that knowledge he smiled. Vulcan's did not show emotions or affection publicly, it was done in private. By T'Pol showing this small affection it showed how much she really did love Archer, and by him not shutting her out he showed the same. According to some psychologist of Earth there are two basic types of love: compassionate love and passionate love. Compassionate love is characterized by mutual respect, attachment, affection and trust. Compassionate love usually develops out of feelings of mutual understanding and shared respect for one another. Passionate love is characterized by intense emotions, sexual attraction, anxiety, and affection. When these intense emotions are reciprocated, people feel elated and fulfilled. Ideally, passionate love then leads to compassionate love, which is far more enduring. While most people desire relationships that combine the security and stability of compassionate with the intensity of passionate love. Phlox sees that with Archer and T'Pol; Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.