T'Pol sat in the mess eating her lunch. Across from her sat the Captain and Commander Tucker. They were to arrive on Vulcan tomorrow and the Captain wanted to be prepared. He insisted the three of us have lunch so I could explain what I would face tomorrow.

"The set up for an inquisition is much like a court trial you would have on Earth. I will stand before the Vulcan High Command and the Ambassadors. It is also open to the public so any citizen who wishes to attend may do so. Ambassador Soval and the High Command will have many questions for me to answer. If they determine at the end that I am guilty, I will be taken into custody until a punishment is agreed upon by all parties."

"What kind of punishment would they give you?" Trip asked.

"I do not know Commander. No Vulcan has ever been charged with such a crime. I would be the first."

"Have you spoken with your family about this? Are they allowed to be there?" the Captain asked.

"I have not been contacted by my family. Nor have I tried to contact them. They will not stand with me tomorrow.

"Why?" They both asked.

She looked out the window at the stars when she answered them next. "My family has disowned me. When I made the decision to stay on Enterprise they cut off all contact with me. They said I was an embarrassment to them and they no longer knew me."

"They didn't mean it T'Pol. I'm sure once they hear what happened they will come."

"You are right Captain. They will come, but not for the reason you think. My father agrees with Ambassador Soval and he believes these. He will be there to offer support to the Ambassador."

"How could he do that to you? You're his daughter." Asked Trip.

"It is because I am his daughter that he did this. He cannot allow me to damage the family name." Archer and Trip continued to stare at T'Pol. Surely her father wouldn't do this to her. What kind of father was he that he cared more about his reputation than his own child?

"You are shocked by my last statements, but they are true. I did not grow up in a house full of love, but a house of duty. I was supposed to obey my father and never question him. I am the youngest of my siblings and he expected me to follow in their footsteps. He said he allowed me to take the position at the embassy because he knew it would only be a temporary assignment. Once Kos was ready and I became of age I was to marry and start a family. Then I received your offer to stay." She said looking at Captain Archer. "When I informed my father of your offer he forbade me. I told him it was my choice and I had already accepted. After that he refused to speak with me and would not receive any of my transmissions."

"Has he contacted you at all since then?" Archer asked.

"Once. A week after I sent my response to Kos, I received a transmission from my father. He had spoken to Kos and learned of what I had done. He said he was ashamed of the way that I was acting and from that moment on I was no longer a part of the family."

Archer and Trip just stared. They both had grown up with parents that had stood by them regardless of what choices they made. What do you say to someone after that.

"I'm sorry T'Pol."

"What are you sorry for Commander?"

"For this. It's my fault your family won't speak with you. I should have never opened up my big mouth. Then maybe none of this would have happened." Trip was so angry with himself he could scream. T'Pol was going through a tough time and needed her family. He felt bad that they were estranged and now felt even worse when he learned he was the cause of the rift.

"Commander, there is no reason for you to apologize. This is not your fault."

"It's not your fault either T'Pol. You know that don't you?" the Captain said.

"Yes Captain I know. I did nothing wrong and I will not apologize. I do not need my family with me. I am more than capable of doing this alone."

"You won't be alone T'Pol. If you want I will stand with you tomorrow?"

"Me too. Are we allowed though?" Trip asked

She gave them both a questioning look. "Why would you do this? "I know you both dislike Vulcans and the prospect of going to Vulcan is not appealing. I would also be putting you in an awkward position with Starfleet and the High Command. You do not have to do this."

"T'Pol I don't hate all Vulcans. If that was the case I wouldn't like you would I? I consider you my friend T'Pol and I want to be there for you. You would do the same for me."

T'Pol stared at Archer. He was right. If it came down to it she would stand with him. Friendship goes both ways she thought. "Thank you both of you. I may bring whomever I choose with me tomorrow, but I did not know how to ask you. I consider you both my friends and I trust you above anyone else."

"Wow, T'Pol. I'm honored." Trip said.

"So I guess that's it then. We face the firing squad in 24 hours." When T'Pol just stared at him Trip laughed. "It's an expression T'Pol. Meaning we are facing hard times ahead."

"I am not afraid Commander. I will face whatever comes."

"You amaze me T'Pol." Archer said. "You've had to endure a lot this year and half and now you are faced with even more challenges. Not many people in your position could handle the strain."

"I believe the human saying is, What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." When she looked at them for a response they were grinning at her. T'Pol gave them puzzled look and asked, "Did I say it wrong?"

"No T'Pol. We understood you." Trip said smiling.

As they got up and walked out of the mess they didn't realize they were being watched. The minute Commander Tucker sat down they had been prepared to witness another argument. The Commander and Sub-Commander never got along and hardly a day went by without them exchanging words. However, lunch had come and gone without incident and as the three exited the mess the crew was left to wonder what T'Pol had said to make them smile.