A/N: Sadly, this chapter will mark the end of this story. But take note, I am working on a sequel to it. It takes place about 5 months later. It should be up in a week.

Jon walked back to his cabin deep in thought. He couldn't understand why a race they had met only briefly and exchanged only a handful of words with, would do something like this. It was so, so, illogical. He grinned slightly at his use of that word. He keyed open his door and stepped over the threshold, and found himself someplace completely different.

He looked around and saw that he appeared to be in some type of meeting room. There was a long slightly curved table with about a dozen well padded chairs situated around it. On one wall was what seemed to be a glassed in garden, while the other was taken up by a row of windows looking out into space. There were doors situated at either end of the room and what looked like small view screens set into wall beside the row of windows.

Jonathan turned around as someone walked through the door behind him, as he saw who it was, he frowned.

Jon: "Daniels."

Daniels: "Good Morning Captain. I apologise for bringing you here, but what I have to tell you is of the utmost importance."

Jon shook his head: "It always is. Where are we now? On board some other future version of the Enterprise?"

Daniels: "No, just a simple space station. We're actually not that far ahead of your currant time, a couple of years at most."

Jon was getting tired of being pulled from his time and jumped around all over the place to do someone's bidding.

Jon: "Why the hell can't you people leave me alone! I've had enough of trying to fix these mistakes you keep telling me about. I'm not some inter galactic time traveling saviour, putting right things that you say have gone wrong. I just want to go home, I think after all me and my ship have been through we've deserved that at least."

Daniels: "I understand that Captain, I'm not here to have you do something for us, rather I'm here to pass on a warning."

Jon's anger quickly faded, and turned to confusion: "A warning? About what?"

Daniels: "Do you remember when I told you that you'd play a pivotal role in the birth of the Federation? Well something is coming, something very bad, and you're going to be a major player in this as well."

Jon sighed: "Just get to the point already."

Daniels: "First I must tell you, that we can't interfere at all in this. What is going to happen, must happen, it's part of history and leads directly to the forming of the Federation."

Jon: "Yeah, yeah, the Federation I help bring about. What's going to happen!"

Daniels: "War Captain. Earth is about to be drawn into a war that will last four years, this war will be devastating to both sides. There is nothing you can do to stop it. The events have already been set into motion that will bring it about. One of the main ones you already know about, the other, you'll have to ask the Vulcan's about, it happened in the late 2140's."

Jon: "I already know about? You're talking about the assassination, you can send me back in time, like you did a few months ago, I could stop it, and maybe end this war."

Daniels shook his head: "I'm sorry Captain, I can't. As I've told you, this has to happen. This war is the catalyst that will bring about the Federation. There is nothing you or I can do."

Jon: "Then why the hell did you bring me here? To tell me that a war is coming and there isn't a damned thing I can do about it?"

Daniels: "You can tell your superiors, Earth is in no way ready for a war, you've got one warp 5 ship that will need months of refitting and repairs once it reaches Earth, another not even finished building, and a few smaller slower ships. Someone will have to let Earth know they need to start mobilizing."

Jon: "And you picked that someone to be me."

Daniels: "Yes, your leaders are more likely to believe you than someone from the organization I work for."

Jon sighed: "Alright, what do I do?"

Daniels: "Nothing, you go about your life and routine as normal, when you get back to Earth tell them what I've told you, Earth must be made ready to fight a war. But don't try to change anything. It won't work."

Jon: "Fine, I'll let them know, now send me back to my ship, and from now on, leave me the hell alone."

The next thing Jon knew, he was standing back in his cabin, Porthos was sitting at his feet looking up at him with his head cocked slightly to one side. Jon turned and hit the COMM button.

Jon: "Archer to Bridge."

T'Pol: "T'Pol here Captain, is there a problem?"

Jon: "Get me Admiral Forrest at Starfleet, Priority channel and patch it to my cabin."

T'Pol: "Understood Captain. Jonathan, what is wrong, I can tell that you are, angered.

Jon: I had another meeting with Daniels, I'll tell you about it after I talk with Forrest.

T'Pol: Very well. Hoshi informs me the call is now being relayed to you now

Jon: Thank you, talk with you soon.

As soon as Jon broke the mind link with T'Pol, the screen on his desk blinked on and a tired looking Forrest stared back at Jon.

Forrest: "Jon, you really have to start thinking about the time difference when you place these calls."

Jon: "Sorry Admiral, but it was important."

Forrest: "I figured that out when you used a priority channel. What's going on?"

Jon: "Admiral, how close is the NX-02 to being finished?"

Forrest: "About a couple of months from leaving dry dock, then she begins her trials. Please don't tell me you use a priority channel to check up on your competition?"

Jon: "No Admiral. What I'm about to tell you, I hardly believe myself. I'm assuming you've read my reports about Crewman Daniels?"

Forrest: "The one who is supposed to be from the future? Yes I've read them, and honestly Jon, I'm still having trouble believing them."

Jon: "He's never been wrong yet Admiral, even though he's admitted to making mistakes, the information he's passed on, has always panned out."

Forrest: "Let me guess, you've had another meeting with him. Is this why you're suddenly interested in fleet information?"

Jon: "Admiral, how ready is the fleet, for war?"

Forrest: "War? Are you kidding me?"

Jon: "I wish that I was Admiral. But that's what Daniels told me is coming. Within the next couple of years, Earth is going to be plunged into a war with an alien race, and it's going to be pretty bad."

Forrest: "Did he say who this alien race was?"

Jon: "No he didn't, but he did say that it would last for about four years and we needed to be better prepared for it."

Forrest: "Well, I'll have to take a look at the fleet stats, but I don't think we are that under prepared for anything. As I said the NX-02 is almost finished, what I didn't say was that the NX-03 and NX-04 have both begun construction at different sites, with some new techniques that the Vulcans have decided to share with us we can have then finished an just over a year."

Jon: "I'm guessing that we'll have some time then to prepare more for what's to come, is there anyway that we can get a hold of more ships?"

Forrest: "I'm not sure, I'll have to check the regs and see what we can do, thanks for the information Jon, I'm still not sure I believe it though."

Jon: "Neither am I Admiral, Enterprise out."

Jon sat back in his chair and thought about what Daniels had told him. He was still thinking when the door opened and T'Pol walked in. She had to tap him on the shoulder to get him to respond to her presence.

Jon: "Huh? Oh I'm sorry T'Pol, I was distracted."

T'Pol: "I seem to recall a time when it was I who distracted you more often than a, blank monitor."

Jon smiled." You're still a distraction, an always welcome one at that."

T'Pol: "I also recall you mentioning you were going to get some rest."

Jon: "Yeah well something came up."

T'Pol: "Does this something, have anything to do with the priority call you placed to Starfleet?"

Jon: "Yes it does, and I also think I said I'd explain what it was."

And Jon did just that. He told T'Pol about how he had returned to his cabin, only to find himself someplace else. He told her everything Daniels had told him, and he told her everything Forrest had told him.

T'Pol sat for a few moments before replying.

T'Pol: "It would seem to be a daunting task indeed. How to prepare for a war with an aliens species without knowing which species it is, or why it is even happening."

Jon: "Yeah, it gives me a headache to think about it, and no I don't need to go see Phlox, it's a figure of speech."

Jon stood and straightened his uniform, as he walked towards the door, T'Pol reached out and grasped his arm.

T'Pol: "Jonathan, where are you going?"

Jon looked at her, puzzled

Jon: "C shift is over, A shift is beginning, you're in charge of C shift, I'm in charge of A shift, with both of us here, it means someone's late for his shift."

T'Pol: "I take it then you have not reviewed today's duty roster yet, which I gave to you at the start of B shift."

Jon: "No I'm sorry T'Pol, I had forgotten about it, I was still sending out letters to the families of our lost crew. I'll look at it right now."

T'Pol: "There is no need. I have removed you from the roster today. Lt Reed can stand your watch."

Jon: "Why did you take me off duty?"

T'Pol: "With the crew shortages, we've had to make some changes to the command structure and who stands which shift. I had though that we would be able to get by with the revised roster, but I am mistaken. Lately I have found something, missing in my day to day experiences. Something I no longer wish to, go without."

Jon steps closer to T'Pol, he can sense her heightened feelings through their bond, chief among them, is her desire. He reaches his hand out and softly strokes her face, T'Pol leans her head into his touch.

Jon: "Oh, and just what have you been missing Sub-Commander?"

T'Pol: "You, Jonathan. I have missed you."

T'Pol reaches up and grabs Jonathans uniform, and pulls him to her. She covers his mouth with her own and kisses him with an intensity he has only felt a few times before.

The two spend a frantic few minutes removing each others clothing and Jon picks T'Pol up and carries her to their bed, The next few hours are spent in a mix of heated lovemaking and tender caresses. Eventually once they are sated, they fall asleep wrapped in each others arms.

Jon wakes up and leans over and plants a kiss on the tip of T'Pol's nose. He looks over the still sleeping form of his bond-mate and smiles to himself. He leans back on the pillow and closes his eyes again. He thinks about what Daniels told him concerning this upcoming war. Another war, they just came out of one, a war to save his planet, and now they're going to be thrust into another one, and they don't even know why.

Jon wished that this wasn't going to happen, or that at least Daniels could find someone else to impart this information to. Jon had been sincere in one of the things he had said to Daniels, he desperately wanted to go home. He needed a rest. Even with how much he loved being out here, and wanted to return to exploring, after the events of the last year, it would hardly bother him to step off this ship for a few months, and not look back.

Jon was glad to hear that soon they would have three more ships in their little warp 5 fleet. He had been slightly amazed by Admiral Forrest's revelation that the Vulcan's had given Earth some technology and tips on how to improve the ships build time. Jon sighed and rolled over, putting his arms around T'Pol and snuggling closer to her. He breathed in the faint lemon scent that was T'Pol, and smiled once again. Within moments, he was asleep once more.

In Engineering, Commander Tucker was fussing over his engine. The other engineers on his staff knew that when he was like this, it was best to give him a wide berth. The near constant travel at warp 5 was putting a strain on the engines. Trip had to literally beg Jon to drop the ship to impulse so they could do some maintenance on the pylons. Trip looked over his engine and grinned. Lately things seemed to be going right with it, no plasma leaks, no burned out injectors. Trip was glad the ship was going to be in dry dock for the next few months while it underwent a major overhaul.

Trip looked over at the entrance to Engineering as he heard the door open, and his face lit up, Amanda Cole had just walked in. Trip called her over and she came to stand just below him as he was at the main engine controls at the front of the reactor.

Trip: "Hey there, what brings you down here?"

Amanda: "I thought I'd stop by and say hello, with all the down time the Major's given us, stripping and cleaning your weapons gets pretty old pretty fast. I was wondering if you were free for the movie tonight?"

Trip: "Yeah, I really didn't have anything else planned for tonight. Who's pickin' the movie?"

Amanda: "I think Ensign Sato picked it. But I haven't heard what it is yet. I was going to go and try to find out after I came here."

Trip thought back to the last time Hoshi had picked the movie for movie night. With a mostly male crew, Love Story, did not go over too well.

Trip: "Ya wanna grab dinner first? Or wait till after the movie?"

Amanda: "I think I'd prefer to have dinner after the movie, that way you'll have something else to talk about, besides your engine."

Amanda winked and smiled at him as she turned and headed back for the door.

Trip: "I'll see ya at 1900 hrs."

As he watched Amanda leave, he thought about her last remark.

Trip: "I thought she liked hearin' about my engine."

On the bridge, Lt. Reed was sitting in the command chair and reading over the daily reports. He flagged the ones he thought the Captain should review, and signed off on the rest. He glanced up and saw that Hoshi had wandered down from her station and was talking with Travis, Malcolm sat up and paid more attention to what they were saying.

Travis: "So what'd you pick for movie night tonight?"

Hoshi: "We'll, seeing as none of you liked my last pick, I asked around. I asked the Captain if there was any preference he liked, and he said anything was ok with him. Malcolm here, said anything with explosions. Trip wanted another horror movie, and you wanted a comedy.. Phlox said he wouldn't mind seeing something called Star Trek, but I'd never heard of it, and it wasn't in the database. So I tried to please most of the people I asked and I made my choice. I picked, Air Force One."

Malcolm: "Ah, that is a very good movie Hoshi."

Hoshi: "I know, thanks."

Travis: "If you wanted something with Harrison Ford in it, you should have picked the fourth movie of the Raiders of the lost Ark series. Now that was a great movie."

Hoshi: "Maybe next time. He's a great actor and I like him in all of his movies."

Malcolm: "Yes well, hopefully the rest of the crew will appreciate you pick tonight Ensign, but until then, perhaps you should return to your station? The Captain mentioned yesterday that Starfleet wants to be kept updated on our progress daily, and it's just about time for them to call."

Hoshi nodded and went back to the communications console. "You know, I'm still waiting for someone to ask me to go to the movie tonight."

Malcolm fidgeted in his seat fro a moment, as Hoshi looked back at him.

Malcolm: "Yes, well. I was, merely waiting for the right time. You would like to go wouldn't you?"

Hoshi: "Yes I would, thanks for asking."

Malcolm: "Jolly good."

The rest of the day passed with little to no surprises. Starfleet got it's update from Enterprise, and relayed a message to them if they would check on a supply convoy in their area that was overdue. Enterprise checked out the request, but found no trace what so ever of the convoy, no ships, no logs, no debris. It was another of the growing mysteries being heaped on the shoulders of Starfleet.

Jon looked at his reflection in the mirror and sighed. Starting movie night up again had been a morale issue, Jon didn't mind going to it, but it kinda got tiring seeing all those old black and white horror movies Trip liked so much, There were times Jon had considered handing it over to someone else, someone who understood, not everyone liked black and white movies.

T'Pol had no opinion either way. She enjoyed his company at the movie, but other than that, she still failed to see the logic in them. She went more for Jon's benefit than her own, so finally Jon asked her if she really liked going to the movies. T'Pol had told him in her calm voice, that she neither liked nor disliked the movies, but that if given a choice, she would choose to no longer go to them. Jon had understood, and told her she had always had a choice. It wasn't mandatory attendance, at least not yet. She only raised one eyebrow at that.

However, tonight Jon had decided to ask her, and she surprised him by saying yes. She had explained that they had spent little time together the last while, other than spending the day in bed, and if they wished to spend more time together, this was the logical choice.

So here he was, standing in their bathroom, getting ready to go on a date with his fiancé. Why did he suddenly feel like he was 16 again and going on his first date? Jon shook his head and wiped away the last bits of shaving cream from his face. He put on some of the scented oil T'Pol had given to him a few weeks ago. She had had it ever since they left Earth and had intended to present it to him for Christmas. T'Pol had calmly explained that Vulcan's used the oil to keep their skin from dehydrating in harsher climates. She had said that the scent, suited him.

Jon finished getting ready and went into the other part of their enlarged cabin to see if T'Pol was ready, she was. He walked into the room to find her seated on the couch, feeding Porthos small bits of cheese. Jon found it funny how attached T'Pol had come to Porthos. He had asked her about it one night when they lay together, she was silent for a minute, then she spoke. She had said that it was only logical. Jon couldn't argue with that.

Jon: "Are you ready or did you want to give Porthos more cheese?"

T'Pol: "I am ready and that was his final piece for this week."

Jon: "Well then, shall we go?"

T'Pol merely nodded and headed for the door. Jon quickly followed her and soon caught up to her.

Jon: "Did you get a chance to look over the scans of the convoys route?"

T'Pol: "I have reviewed them and I found nothing to indicate why they have disappeared or if they were attacked by anyone."

Jon: "We're still a couple of weeks out from home, there have been some reports of missing ships in this area. Maybe Starfleet could send another ship this way to do a closer investigation. Who knows, maybe we found the outer space version of the Bermuda Triangle."

T'Pol: "I do not understand."

Jon: "It's a place on Earth, located between Bermuda and Miami Florida, where ships and planes and people have gone missing in for about 200 years or more. Even now, we're still hearing reports of small ships and sailing craft that have vanished there."

T'Pol: "And what causes this?"

Jon: "No one knows, many theories have been put forth, everything from, undersea earthquakes, to magnetic anomalies, to the lost city of Atlantis. Even Aliens have been blamed for it. The truth is, no one really knows how it happens or why. Speaking of aliens, you wouldn't by chance know if any of these people or ships have turned up on Vulcan would ya?"

T'Pol: "I am sorry Jonathan, I do not. But I will place a request with the Consulate as soon as possible."

Jon laughed for a moment.: "I was only kidding T'Pol."

T'Pol: "I see."

Jon: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, you really need to work on your humour."

The two reached the mess hall and took a couple of seats in the middle of the room. Jon grabbed a couple of bowls of popcorn and T'Pol merely raised her eyebrow.

T'Pol: "Vulcans do not eat with their fingers."

Jon: "I know, that's why I grabbed two, and got you a fork as well. I don't want you spearing me with it."

T'Pol: "How, considerate of you."

They were actually one of the last few people to arrive. Once everyone was seated, Hoshi got up in front of the screen and explained a bit about the movie. Once she was done, the lights lowered and the movie began to play.

Everyone was just getting into the movie, when from the back of the room came a woman's voice.

Amanda: "Trip if you don't move your hand, I promise you, you won't have one to remove."

T'Pol: "Corporal, please moderate the level of your voice."

Amanda: "Sorry Ma'am."

Jon: "Everyone knock it off, especially you Trip, just watch the movie, save play time for later."

The movie progressed without any further incidents, T'Pol would occasionally lean close to Jon and comment quietly about something, but other than that she seemed engrossed in the film. Once the movie was over, Jon and T'Pol headed for the Captain's mess and had a quiet dinner, where they discussed various points of the movie.

T'Pol: "Why did the President not simply give the captors what they wanted?"

Jon: "Because then he would have gone back on his word. He had given a promise that his government would not negotiate with terrorists. To go back on that so soon would have hurt both him and his government."

T'Pol: "It was an illogical decision. A Vulcan axiom dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. In choosing to fight against the captors, he caused needless deaths and suffering."

Jon: "From a certain point of view that could be true. But he did was he thought was the right thing. And it worked out in the end. He saved his family, and the bad guys were all beaten."

T'Pol: "With the amount of violence that seems inherent in your species, I am frequently fascinated that you have managed to persevere."

Jon smiled: "On behave of my violent species, I'll take that as a compliment."

T'Pol merely raised her eyebrow.

Jon: "So I was thinking of extending movie night to three times a week, what do you think?"

T'Pol: "While it would benefit the crews moral, do you not think that it distracts them from the still much needed repairs?"

Jon: "Aisha, we're only a few weeks out from Earth, once we get there, this ship will be going onto dry dock for at least the next three months. What repairs we do now, is just going to be torn apart and redone then anyways."

T'Pol: "Jonathan that is certainly no excuse to allow the crew to become lax in their duties."

Jon: "Hey I never said I was doing that. I feel that it would be best if they concentrated on something other than repairs. Enough of the ships main systems are functional enough to allow us to briefly do what we originally came out here to do, explore."

T'Pol: "I see, forgive me for mistaking your intentions."

Jon: "You're forgiven. But next time try to let me finish what I'm trying to say." He said with a grin.

T'Pol: "Indeed"

Jon and T'Pol finished their dinner and took a stroll to the aft observation lounge.

T'Pol: "Why have we come here Jonathan?"

Jon: "I haven't been in this part of space in almost eight months, I want to look at some familiar stars. And I thought you'd like to look at them with me."

T'Pol: "That would be a satisfactory arrangement."

Captain's Log, Supplemental.

"Enterprise is now only a few hours out from Earth, the crew is eager to finally be returning home after such a long and near disastrous mission. The ship has been scheduled for an extensive refit. I'm told it will be at least three months before she'll be ready to be taken out again. That should put us into running contention with the Columbia, who gets finished first?

Trip says he's only taking a week or so off, then he'll be back here overseeing the teams on the ships refit. Malcolm and Hoshi also say they wish to oversee the repairs of their respective department, both of them have new ideas they wish to incorporate. I have given them all my permission. Travis and Phlox are both going off world for their leaves, Phlox is going back to Denobula to visit with his extended family and Travis is doing the same, he told me it's already been too long since the last visit."

Jon stood and exited the ready room, as he stepped onto the Bridge, he couldn't help but feel the restless energy being generated by his crew.

Jon: "Travis, what's our ETA?"

Travis: "Well Captain, we've just passed Saturn, if you'd give me permission I could have us home in five minutes with a warp jump."

Jon smiled: "Sorry Ensign, Starfleet wants us to take our time coming through the solar system, something about the news media getting their fill."

Travis: "Aye sir."

Jon: "Hoshi, is the space dock ready for our arrival?"

Hoshi: "Yes Captain, everything is set, all we have to do is dock, they'll handle the rest."

Jon: "Very well, contact Starfleet and let them know when we'll be docking."

Jon sat in his chair and touched a control on the arm "Trip? How's things coming down there?"

Trip: "We're all set down here Cap'n, As soon as we dock, all power relays will be transferred to space dock, and then the fun can begin."

Jon: "Just try not to scratch the paint this time."

Jon looked over at T'Pol, she raised one eyebrow at him.

Jon: "Are the sensors getting a good look at everything?"

T'Pol: "Most of your system has already been charted, both by Earth and by Vulcan, however as we passed Saturn we were able to catch an interesting storm in the upper atmosphere, it will prove quite a challenge to study it's behaviour."

Jon: "Well, so long as you're happy."

T'Pol choose not to respond, knowing that he was only trying to tease her.

Soon enough, the ship glided into orbit of it's home planet. Jon thought he could almost feel the ship give a sigh of relief of its own.

Jon: "Ship wide please Hoshi."

Hoshi nodded

Jon: "This is the Captain, as you are all by now aware, we have achieved Earth orbit. We are now on our way to meet with space dock and after that, well that's up to all of you, after debriefing, you are all given three months R & R. Don't get into trouble. Well, not too much."

Enterprise came into range of space dock, Travis matched orbits and with little effort, docked the ship into the grid like structure.

Jon: "Nice work Travis, Now I'm probably not going to say this to you for a few months so, you're all dismissed. Now get off my bridge."

The crew smiled and stood up from their stations, Jon stood with them and shook their hands as they left the Bridge, finally it was just him and T'Pol left alone.

T'Pol: "Jonathan, we must finish packing if we are to make the meeting time with Admiral Forrest."

Jon looked around the Bridge and then smiled. "I know, I just wanted one last look, knowing Starfleet engineers, we may come back to an entirely different ship."

The two turned and entered the turbo lift, shortly they entered their cabin, Porthos trotted over and sat down in front of Jon, he smiled and bent down and petted him. "Later boy, we're going home, remember"

Porthos: "Rowf"

Jon smiled at T'Pol, who simply turned away to finish packing her suitcase.

Finally the time came for them to depart the ship, they made their way to the launch bay and climbed aboard shuttlepod 2, they were the only ones on board, the rest of the crew were either still packing, making plans, saying goodbye to friends. Most of the crew would be utilizing the space docks shuttles to get planet side, they were larger than the one's Enterprise carried.

The shuttle dropped effortlessly toward the surface, Jon put the pod on automatic and leaned back in his seat, gazing out the window.

Jon: "There were a few times out there, when I was certain we were never going to see this sight again."

T'Pol: "Jonathan, you got the crew home, you completed what you set out to do."

Jon nodded then took the controls again, soon they were flying over San Francisco Bay and gliding by the Golden Gate Bridge. Jon landed the shuttlepod at the pad behind the Command Center, he and T'Pol exited the pod and found a welcoming party coming to meet them. Although the party consisted of only two people, Admiral Forrest and Ambassador Soval.

Forrest: "Jon it's good to see you, I know you're eager to get some rest, and let me be the first to tell you, you and your crew have certainly earned the time off, but we do need to discuss some things."

Jon: "It's good to see you as well Admiral. I expected the debriefing. T'Pol and I will join you in your office as soon as we get our things stored before we head to my apartment."

Soval: "Actually Captain, I wished to speak with T'Pol in private."

T'Pol: "For what reason?"

Soval: "I wish to relay a message from the High Command."

Jon: "T'Pol, it's ok, you can go if you want. I don't think the Admiral will keep me long."

T'Pol: "Very well, I shall accompany you Ambassador."

T'Pol turned to Jonathan and held up the first two fingers of her right hand, Jon smiled and touched the fingers of his right hand to hers. Forrest looked confused, Soval looked annoyed, for a Vulcan.

As Jon and Forrest watched T'Pol leave with Soval, Jon spoke first.

Jon: "Tell me Admiral, have things calmed down any since our last transmission?"

Forrest: "A little, but not much, of course having the Andorians here isn't helping things much."

Jon: "Wait a minute, there are Andorians here?"

Forrest: "Yes, a delegation of them arrived a few weeks ago, they're interested in opening up a dialogue with us, right now a bunch of them are looking for a suitable location for an embassy, on the other side of the bay from the Vulcans of course."

Jon shook his head "That's all we need, with everything going on surrounding the death of the President, we don't need the Andorians and the Vulcans starting trouble with each other as well."

Jon and the Admiral had arrived at Forrest's office and sat down, the Admiral had his aid bring in some refreshments.

Forrest: "That's another thing I wanted to talk to you about. The Command Council has decided that you be kept off anything else dealing with the investigation."

Jon: "Why?"

Forrest: "Face it Jon, you and your crew are just too public right now, the media loves you. If you took part in the investigation, it would hamper it more than help it. From the moment you walk out of this office, you are on official leave until further notice."

Jon: "Admiral, I don't understand, I had thought the reason you wanted us back here so quickly, was to aid in the investigation."

Forrest: "I'm sorry Jon, but the Command Council decided that you're being back on Earth, would shift the media away from the Presidents death, and give us more breathing room. I hope you understand."

Jon: "Yeah, I understand. You will be kind enough to let me know if you find anything else won't you?"

Forrest: "I'll see what I can do."

Jon stood and shook Forrest's hand and then turned and left, he would wait for T'Pol at the front of the building, besides he bet Porthos needed a walk about now.

Meanwhile, Soval and T'Pol were walking along the grounds surrounding the headquarters building.

T'Pol: "What is the message you have for me?"

Soval: "Are you content with your choice?"

T'Pol: "That is the message?"

Soval: "It is a question."

T'Pol: "I do not understand the context."

Soval: "Are you content with the choice you have made?"

T'Pol: "I believe my answer would be better determined if I knew of which choice you were referring to."

Soval: "The High Command wishes to know if you would be interested in assuming your former duties and rank."

T'Pol: "How does this have any bearing on whether I am content or not?"

Soval: "If you re-assume your duties and rank, you may be separated from Archer. In all likely hood, you would be transferred back to Vulcan and given a job with the Science Directorate. Would Archer be willing to return with you?"

T'Pol: "I am uncertain, Jonathan's dream is being out in space. It is his life. Why would I not be posted back to Enterprise?"

Soval: "The High Command believes that so much time among the humans has, negatively influenced you. They believe by returning home, your talents would be of better use."

T'Pol: "And What of Jonathan? If he were to join me, what would he do?"

Soval: "I have no idea."

T'Pol was quiet for a moment.

T'Pol: "Please convey my regrets to the High Command, but I decline their offer. I believe I may inquire as to solidifying my position with Starfleet."

Soval: "You are once again acting rashly Sub-Commander, but I will abide by your decision. Live long and prosper."

T'Pol: "Peace and long life Ambassador."

T'Pol turned and walked towards the front of the building. A few minutes later she caught sight of Jonathan playing with Porthos. He was tossing a ball and Porthos was running for it and bringing it back for Jonathan to toss again.

T'Pol watched for a moment before speaking up.

T'Pol: "What is that you are doing?"

Jon: "It's called playing fetch."

T'Pol: "It seems a rather illogical exercise."

Jon: "Yeah, but it's fun, what did Soval want?"

T'Pol: "The Ambassador wished to inform me that the High Command wished to re-instate me, if I were to accept a posting back to Vulcan, they even offered to let you join me there."

Jon: "I see, what'd you tell him?"

T'Pol: "I informed him I had no desire to return to Vulcan. I also informed him I may seek to formalize my position with Starfleet."

Jon: "Really? Well I'm sure I could talk to Forrest, we could probably keep you out of basic training."

T'Pol: "That would be, acceptable."

Jon: "Good, I'll call him first thing next week, right now, I want to show you our new home, and get re-acquainted with San Francisco."

Jon reached down and picked up the ball, Porthos eagerly followed them as they began walking.

Jon: "I've arranged for our stuff to be sent to the apartment. It's a good thing I live close to here."

The two walked off down the street, Jon pointing things out to T'Pol along the way