PART 41
Author: Witezon@aol.com
Pairing: A/T
Rating: PG-13
Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Jonathon was standing outside the transporter room door, waiting for his in- laws to arrive. His in-laws. He knew he had them, he knew he was going to have to see them sometime, but why now? He shook his head at the timing of it all.
'Jonathon, you seem...upset. I am sorry that my family has brought this about. I would wish that they could have postponed their visit.'
'Ahh, Aisha, I'm not angry - I think I'm nervous. I usually don't get along well with Vulcans, and these are your family and you're not here to help.'
'I think you get along very well with certain Vulcans.' 'Yeah, well, it took us long enough to get along.'
'I am glad we did. I would not change anything.' 'I love you, T'Pol.' They both took refuge in the other for a moment. 'I believe that your Grandfather has arrived and I should go in.' 'If you need a diversion, I need to brief you on a conversation I had with the Mezzia.'
Frowning, 'Problems?' 'No, they are sending a ship. Good luck, Jonathon, but I do not believe you will need it.'
Straightening his shoulders, he walked in the transporter room. There stood S'Talen.
Walking up to him, "Sir. I'm Jonathon Archer. Welcome to the Enterprise." He was even more impressive and regal in person.
Looking at him, "Thank you, Jonathon. I hope we did not come at an inopportune time, but it was deemed by the Vulcan Council, recommended by the Vulcan High Command, that we come out to you. Or they would arrange to have your ship come to Vulcan."
He paused, watching Jonathon absorb what he was saying, "The family thought it was best to come to you without the entire planet observing the process."
Jonathon nodded, "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the family's consideration."
T'Lar had materialized behind them, "What else could we do, Jonathon, when T'Ran and S'Kel vouched for the trueness of the bond?"
Jonathon squinted at her, "T'Pol told you about that?"
They all walked out of the room, "Yes, she did. She thought it important for her family to understand that even though this is a..."
She paused as she considered her words, but S'Talen had no need for consideration and he finished her sentence, "...iri-kaisha or inter- marriage, it is a true bond."
S'Talen spoke to the supposed concerns that Jonathon may have with what T'Pol told her family, "Jonathon, T'Pol's correspondence consisted of descriptions of the situations she found herself in. In the beginning, it was a method of understanding the differences between our culture and yours. Even though she was thoroughly trained and had lived on Earth in the Vulcan compound, there is always a difference in learning about something and actually being a part of it." Jonathon nodded in understanding. "It was a difficult time for all of us, but I had my friends and the other crew members and T'Pol had no one."
He shook his head in memory, grinning, "She always seemed so cold and logical. Not at all adverse to telling her Captain that she thought differently and saw things differently."
S'Talen nodded, "Yes, did not you tell her you would knock her through the bulkhead?"
He dropped his head in embarrassment, "Yeah, that was good in theory, until I found out I couldn't do it. Or only if I caught her by surprise."
T'Lar looked at S'Talen, "I did not know this. Did Soval?"
S'Talen said, "Unknown."
S'Talen studied Archer, T'Lar stared at S'Talen. Finally he spoke again, but formally, "Jonathon, T'Pol has been under a familial confidence. I did not agree with it, but T'Pol agreed to it."
Frowning, "I don't understand." He thought for a moment, "Do you mean that thing with Koss?"
S'Talen almost smiled, "No, that is not it. Soval imposed this confidence. Though I do believe that if T'Pol found it necessary, she would have broken it to tell you."
"Soval? Why would Soval impose a family confidence on T'Pol? How could he do that?"
Suddenly, "Are you trying to tell me that Soval and T'Pol are related? He's a member of your family?"
T'Lar answered, "A member of your family too, Jonathon."
Shocked, "T'Pol's father's brother? He raised her after her parents died? No wonder..."
Before he could finish, Jon raced towards him, "Daddy!" He raised his arms to be picked up.
S'Talen and T'Lar watched him. "Jonathon, T'Pol did not mention you had a son."
He said softly as he held Jon, "I probably didn't know I had one the last time she wrote."
Jon asked, "Daddy, where's Mam?"
"She's still working, Jon. She'll be here later."
"But its reading time! Mam reads now." Jonathon felt the stares of S'Talen and T'Lar. Jon finally noticed them.
Tilting his head he looked at them, "You look like Mam." He smiled at S'Talen, even to a 3-year old, S'Talen's strength of personality drew him.
"You read to me, please?"
Crewman Wayne ran up, "Captain, I'm so sorry. I just turned around to pick up his book and out the door he ran. I am so sorry."
She then noticed the Vulcans. "I didn't mean to interrupt, Captain. I can take him back to your quarters."
S'Talen looked at the young, naive face looking so earnestly at him. "I believe that this young person asked me to read to him."
Jonathon turned to look at him and smiled, "He likes to be read to and he prefers T'Pol to read to him because she says the words correctly."
"The words correctly?" T'Lar asked that in confusion.
Jon answered, "Ha." (Yes) The Vulcans blinked. Jon spoke again, "You read to me? Read about Surak?"
Jonathon stifled a laugh, as the Vulcans blinked again. S'Talen said gravely, "I would be honored to read about Surak to you."
Jon squirmed to get down and reached for S'Talen's hand. "Okay, let's go." He pulled him down the hall with Jonathon and T'Lar following.
T'Lar asked, "T'Pol downloaded a child's book about Surak for him?"
"Yeah, and now everyone has got to say the Vulcan words correctly or he gets upset. We've got a lot of budding Vulcan linguists on-board. T'Pol and Hoshi try to teach everyone who reads to Jon the correct way to pronounce the words."
T'Lar looked at him under an arched eyebrow, "How well do you say the words, Jonathon?"
He grinned, "Not nearly good enough for him. He takes the book away from me and gives me another one to read." He shrugged, "According to T'Pol, Jon has an adequate Vulcan accent his age."
They entered his quarters to find S'Talen waiting for Jon to lay down in his bed.
Jon said, "You sit here, please." He pointed at the chair hear at the head of the bed.
Jon looked at him and in childish Vulcan, "Wanimo mekano itisha Jon. Maiya, yanamo mekano?"
S'Talen and T'Lar looked at the boy. Then S'Talen spoke, "I am Mam's grandfather. Wanimo mekano itisha S'Talen." He pointed to T'Lar, "This is T'Lar, Mam's aunt."
S'Talen looked up at Jon, "Does T'Pol speak to him in Vulcan?"
Jonathon nodded, "Yes, usually when its just the two of them."
Jon giggled at him. S'Talen looked down at Jon, "Let us read your book."
Jon jumped up and got the book. He ran back and handed him the book. He pointed to the book mark. "Mam stopped here."
T'Pol had marked the book as Vulcans do, so he was able to pick where she had left off. His deep, melodious voice soothed the 3-year old and he quickly fell asleep. S'Talen observed the boy for a few more minutes, then he marked the spot and closed the book. He went out to the other room to join Jonathon and T'Lar.
CONTINUED IN PART 42
PART 42 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Jonathon stood up, "Thank you, sir, for reading to Jon tonight."
S'Talen nodded. "How long has your son been with you?"
Jonathon gestured for S'Talen to take a seat and sat down himself, "He's been with us alittle over a month."
"May I ask how you came to get him?" S'Talen paused, "Jonathon, I perhaps should say that Vulcans treat children as gifts. We do not have many children who are not pure Vulcan, as there are few races that can biologically mate with Vulcans."
He stared at Jonathon and T'Lar watched the both of them. "You and T'Pol are raising him in the way of Earth and also kahr-y-tan (the way of Vulcan). Was that intentional?"
Jonathon immediately thought of T'Pol and she pondered that question. 'It was not a conscious decision. Even though he is not Vulcan, I do not know how to raise a child another way.'
'It doesn't seem wrong -' 'Wrong?' 'I mean, you're right, he's not Vulcan, but it seems natural to do it both ways. A combination of the two.'
He felt T'Pol's feelings of contentment as she thought, 'Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.'
He smiled as he agreed completely. He turned his attention back to S'Talen and T'Lar, who seemed to have tolerant expressions on their faces.
"What?"
S'Talen asked, "Jonathon, were you just speaking with T'Pol?"
Hesitating for a moment, he heard T'Pol again, 'It is alright to tell Grandfather and T'Lar. It is why they are here.'
Jonathon confirmed, "Yes, we often talk with each other through the bond."
T'Lar spoke, "Jonathon, how far is the range of your bond?"
He thought about that and he felt T'Pol also thinking about it. They finally agreed on, "We can talk with each for about 3 light years, but we haven't found a distance yet where we can't feel each other's presence. Of course, normally we aren't very far apart."
He questioned them, "Why? Does it make a difference?"
S'Talen answered truthfully, "We are unsure whether the bond would hold up over distance. No Human and Vulcan has ever entered into a relationship before. You and T'Pol are the first."
He paused and stared at Jonathon, "However, as T'Pol's grandfather, I am pleased that your bond is strong and that you also considered with T'Pol your answers to my questions."
"This is a test?!" Jonathon pushed back against his seat.
T'Lar answered him, "Jonathon, everything is a test. S'Talen, me, and the others have been sent here to validate and officiate the bond, if we deem it a true Vulcan bonding. We must ask questions and listen to your answers and how you arrive at your answers."
As Jonathon pondered this, S'Talen spoke up, "Jonathon, the primary reason we came out to you, is that T'Pol would not do this if it were not a true bonding, therefore we did not want to put her or you under scrutiny on Vulcan."
He began after a moment, "T'Pol accepted several risks when she began a relationship with you. Beginning with even recognizing that a relationship was possible."
Jonathon asked, "What risks?" He felt T'Pol's resignation in the bond. 'Please do not be angry that I did not discuss these with you. I accept responsibility for my actions. You are not responsible for my actions in regard to our relationship. Remember that I could have requested a transfer back to San Francisco, as Soval requested several times, or I could have returned to Vulcan and found a Vulcan mate.'
He continued to frown as he listened to her. 'Explain the risks you took.'
S'Talen spoke into their conversation, "Jonathon, the Vulcan culture is very old and steeped in tradition. It is also steeped in blood. We have brought our world back from the brink of destruction more times than Earth has. We understand our motivations and we have controlled and turned them to preserve our world and our species."
"Vulcan has centuries of traditions in regards to bonds and mates. We appear very insular," he shrugged, "perhaps so, but it is how we are. With your relationship, T'Pol is considered by some to be k'torr skann."
Jonathon asked, "What is that?"
T'Pol answered, 'Outcast.'
He said out loud, "Outcast? What does that mean?"
T'Lar spoke for the first time, "It means to be cast out from Vulcan and having one's name stricken from Vulcan's history. She will have lost her history and her family."
"That's..."
"That is Vulcan tradition. We are here to validate the bond and perform the official bonding ceremony - if the bond is true. If it is not, then we would perform the p'pil'lay - the severing of what mind link you do have. T'Pol would then be removed for the retraining of her mind - kae'k'akkayam. Never to leave Vulcan again."
Silence rained in the room, but Jonathon was furious. It buffeted S'Talen and T'Lar, causing them to strengthen their shields.
T'Pol lowered her shields to absorb the fury. 'You knew what could happen to you and you didn't tell me?!'
'Jonathon, I could no more not recognize our bond that I could stop being Vulcan. If k'torr skann did occur, then I would still be Vulcan. But I would be Vulcan elsewhere. I cannot explain what truly being Vulcan is - we are very controlled - even in our subconscious. You will only truly understand what we are capable of without control when I undergo Pon Farr. Then you will see the true savagery of my Vulcan heritage.'
'But T'Pol, what would happen to you after my death - you would not be allowed to return to Vulcan.'
'True. That is why my family is here. It is not normal for the Patriarch of any family to participate in the normal bonding of the couple. The parents usually validate the bond and announce the mating.' She paused and they slowly wove themselves together in the bond. 'Our bond is kaiidth. You know what I feel. I followed my c'thia.'
Sighing, 'Yeah, I know, but still. What you were willing to give up to be with me for however long I have left, leaves me -' he stopped.
S'Talen and T'Lar frowned, they had decreased their shielding, as this was more validation of the bond. Before they departed they would teach Jonathon how to strengthen this bond when with other Vulcans.
'Intense and frightening in its intensity.'
'Yes and no. You know my feelings -' ' I do.' 'I just don't have to give up my entire heritage to be with you. That makes me angry. You should have told me.'
They quietly communed in their bond. 'Jonathon, I am going to do something unheard of on Vulcan. I will let my emotions, momentarily, be uncontrolled and I will let you feel them. Please remember that Vulcans are peaceful. You know how my culture has rules about hurting others, we are even vegetarians so as to not hurt living beings, and we do not want to contaminate others with our culture. This is a risk to both of us. Do you wish to take it in reaching an understanding of what it is to be Vulcan and why we control and frown upon deviation?'
He frowned. But S'Talen and T'Lar were shocked into stillness. Immediately recovering, they made themselves ready to go to Jonathon if they needed to intervene. The action that T'Pol was taking was very risky. There was the possibility that she could not regain her control or she could damage Jonathon. They all waited for his decision.
'T'Pol, you don't have to prove anything to me. I love you. I don't want you to risk yourself trying to prove something about Vulcans. I'll wait until your Pon Farr - but I think I'll get the restraints.'
S'Talen's nose twitched and T'Lar dipped her head. Relieved, they looked at Jonathon. He was grinning. The largest hurdle had been overcome.
CONTINUED IN PART 43 PART 43 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Jonathon was tense after that last session with the Vulcans...his in-laws. He shook his head at that thought. A very strange occurrence in his life. With a quick grin to himself, 'But T'Pol's worth it."
S'Talen and T'Lar blinked, then looked blandly at him, "If you would excuse us, Captain, we would like to meditate before dinner this evening."
"Of course. I'm going to work out for awhile myself. If you need anything, please let me know."
He changed his clothes and checked in with Crewman Wayne to make sure she could still baby-sit. "Sure, sir, no problem. He's playing with Porthos and we're fine."
"BRIDGE TO CAPTAIN ARCHER."
Getting off the treadmill and wiping away the sweat, he walked to the intercom, "Archer here."
"Sir, the Away Team is returning and should be arriving in 15 minutes."
"Thank you, Archer out."
'T'Pol?' 'Yes, Jonathon?'
'Why didn't you tell me you were returning?' 'You were exercising and I did not want to interrupt you.'
'But I want you to interrupt me. I'll take a quick shower and meet the shuttle.'
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
Archer walked in to the shuttle bay.
"Report, Sub-Commander."
T'Pol, with the Away Team standing around her, "Sir, we have secured the ship and have left the security team there for the night. We will need to return tomorrow for more repairs and continue our investigation."
"Is there anything that we need to discuss tonight or can it wait for the morning briefing?"
Glancing at the Away Team, who shook their heads, she said, "No, sir."
Nodding, "All right, everyone is dismissed. Get a good night's sleep. I want a briefing at 0800, before you return to the Vergent."
Everyone left but Jonathon, T'Pol, T'Pel, and Storen.
T'Pol introduced her cousins. "It is an honor to meet you both. If you would come with us, I will show you your quarters."
As they walked down the corridor, "S'Talen and T'Lar will be meeting us for dinner at 1900. Would you like to join us?"
It was a quiet dinner, but companionable. Most of the attention was directed toward Jon. He was tiring, and getting cranky, so dinner ended quickly. Everyone was pleased to return to their quarters to relax for the night.
DAY 2 - 0730
Jonathon and T'Pol were in their quarters getting ready themselves and Jon ready for the day.
'This is going to be a long two-weeks.' 'I know.'
'What does this ceremony consist of?'
She glanced over at him and said out loud. "Before we discuss that, we need to provide you the skills to not share our bond conversations with others."
"What!"
"I did not know what impact the strength of our bond would have on others. Last night, Grandfather told me that it is very strong and we are projecting our conversations and thoughts to others that would listen."
"Like they did yesterday."
"Yes."
Sighing in frustration, "Okay, is there anything else? And I want to stop every telepathic species in the universe from listening to our personal conversations."
She looked at him, taking his hand, "I do not believe so. We can start as soon as you choose. However, we need to have our conversations out loud. That provides interference of what our thoughts are."
He smirked, "Great, just great."
0800 - CONFERENCE ROOM
After dropping Jon off at Sickbay, they entered the Conference Room. Everyone was there, to include S'Talen, T'Lar, T'Pel and Storen.
As everyone stood up, S'Talen spoke, "Captain, I hope you do not mind if T'Lar and myself attend this meeting. We are very interested in what you are doing."
With a glance at T'Pol, "No, of course not, please stay for the meeting."
"Sub-Commander, if you would start please."
She nodded, "Captain, The Gegan is 3 days from rendezvousing with the Enterprise and the Vergent. I spoke with Captain Sertam last night before returning to the ship. He has sufficient crew to staff the Vergent to return it to Sek'heim'ya Sector."
She paused, then continued, "Doctor Phlox and Healer T'Pel are working with the Mezzians in regards to the beings in the cylinders. Commander Tucker, Lt Kowalski, and Engineer Storen are continuing with emergency repairs on the docking bay. As our supplies are not endless, we are providing only what they need to keep the engines functioning. Captain Sertam has assured me that they will have sufficient supplies to continue the repairs."
She nodded at Lt Reed, "Lt Reed and I are continuing to interrogate their computer and databases to search for how the saboteur got on-board and if any assistance was rendered when they were on-ship."
She looked at Reed and he continued, "We've also been able to decipher some of their information on tactical planning and weaponry."
He saw Archer's surprise and added, "Sir, the Sub-Commander has the approval of Captain Sertam. I believe they are having lunch when he arrives." Tucker snorted, but quickly covered it with a cough.
Archer frowned at T'Pol in surprise, "Sub-Commander?"
She arched an eyebrow at Reed, then turned back to Archer, "Captain, the Gegan Captain has requested that we share a meal with him upon his arrival and he has given us approval to review their computer databases. They do not have anything in the Vergent they consider classified and it is also recompense for our assistance to their vessel."
Tucker decided to tease her, "But Sub-Commander, I was there when Captain Sertam asked 'you' to share his meal." He clasped his hands over this stomach, "I think it was you who included Captain Archer."
Jonathon gave her a slight grin, "Thank you, Trip."
Smirking, "No problem, Captain. At least it's not Stenbar."
T'Pol blinked and Hoshi and Reed rolled their eyes. Archer lost his grin and said somewhat stiltedly, "Thank you, again, Commander Tucker."
Archer stood up, "Dismissed." As everyone left, T'Pol said, "Jonathon..."
Grinning, he stopped her, "Don't worry about it, T'Pol."
He could feel her emotions, those the others couldn't feel as they were more subtle and buried in the bond. He was touched with amusement and love.
"Jonathon, T'Lar and S'Talen have volunteered to assist you in building a shield. It is a simple lesson that will take only a few moments of your time. But you will need to practice it several times and they will tell you whether you are successful or not."
He nodded, "Go, Sub-Commander and keep me abreast of what's happening on the Vergent."
With a slight smile in the depths of her eyes, "Yes, Captain." She nodded at Storen and T'Pel, who was watching them, and they left the room.
VERGENT, DAY 4
Two more days had passed and the Gegan was due to arrive tomorrow afternoon. The focus had turned from Engineering to Phlox, T'Pel, and the cylinders. The Enterprise had done everything in Engineering that they could, and only Kowalski and Storen stayed on-board the Vergent to monitor the systems.
Archer and T'Pol had quietly acknowledged that Phlox and T'Pel were working on Riann's cylinder. They didn't ask many questions and Phlox and T'Pel didn't provide any unasked for information.
CYLINDER ROOM
They stood there in silence. T'Pel looked up at Phlox, "Doctor, we have completed all the tests that the Mezzians have requested, to include a few more." She nodded at the cylinder they were standing at while continuing to stare steadily at him.
He finally nodded, "You're right. I'm just..." He broke off looking at the cylinder to look up at T'Pel.
Sighing, "What do you think?"
T'Pel paused, then answered the unspoken question "We need to complete the other tests."
An uneasy silence roamed throughout the cylinder room. T'Pel cautiously gathered her thoughts, "We also need to report our findings to the Captain and Sub-Commander."
"And our recommendations." She nodded in agreement.
He contemplated the cylinder, "I suggest we report our findings and recommendations privately and let them make the decision." Phlox looked extremely serious and T'Pel was the epitome of the unemotional Vulcan.
He gestured to the table they worked at and they walked over to it. He handed her the tea she had been drinking, and sighed, "This is the part I dislike the most about being a doctor."
"Indeed."
"We shouldn't procrastinate."
"Agreed."
They still didn't move. Finally,. Phlox walked the few feet to the intercom.
"Phlox to Sub-Commander T'Pol."
"T'Pol here, Doctor."
He looked at T'Pel, "Sub-Commander, could you and the Captain meet with T'Pel and myself in the cylinder room? We need to discuss our findings."
A pause, "Doctor, is there a particular reason for requesting our presence?'
Taking a deep breath, "Yes, Sub-Commander there is, but I would prefer to discuss it here."
"All right, I will contact the Captain."
One hour later, Captain Archer and Sub-Commander T'Pol walked into the cylinder room. It was the first time Archer had been there. He slowed and looked around.
Phlox and T'Pel walked over to them. "Captain, Sub-Commander, thank you for coming." He gestured for them to have a seat at the table.
Archer looked hard at them and nodded. "All right, Doctors, why did you want T'Pol and myself here?"
Phlox and T'Pel exchanged another glance and another pause.
Archer frowned and thought to T'Pol. 'Do you have any idea what's going on?'
'Only that it must concern Riann to call us here like this.'
He exchanged glances with her and nodded. He looked across the table, "Doctors?"
Phlox began very seriously, "Captain, with the data provided from the Mezzians, and the additional testing that T'Pel and I completed, we have determined why Riann is here."
Still frowning, "We already knew she has an incurable illness. What else did you find?"
"Her illness is a breakdown in her cellular structure. The current Akaali medical knowledge could not prevent her death from it. Its not developed enough."
"Is the Mezzian medical knowledge developed enough?"
Phlox looked at T'Pel, then shook his head, "No. But that's where her best chances lay."
T'Pol finally spoke up, "Do you know how did she acquired this cellular breakdown?"
No one said anything. T'Pol looked at T'Pel, "Can you answer this question?"
She nodded, "Both the Mezzians and we believe that she actually initiated her own disease."
"How?" Shot out from Archer.
T'Pol had already figured out the answer. Archer jerked around to look at T'Pol, when he felt her shock.
"T'Pol?" 'Aisha, what's wrong?'
She turned to him, "Jonathon, there are several possibilities that could cover this situation. She might have done something wrong with the herbal medication she used or she has a genetic make-up that would preclude this type of impregnation or your species cannot intermingle without assistance or it could be a combination of these."
T'Pel nodded, "That is correct, T'Pol. Riann had two of those conditions. The genetics of her species does not fully combine with human physiology. We also believe that the herbal medication she used to increase the probability of inception also intensified mismatching of the genetics. If she had received the needed simple genetic intervention, she would not have gotten ill."
After a moment, Jonathon asked, "So, do we know if it can be corrected?"
Phlox shook his head, "We don't know, Captain. While in the beginning the treatment would have been fairly simple, the correcting of the developed disease is more difficult."
Archer shook his head, "What you're really saying is that if Riann hadn't wanted a baby so badly, with me, she wouldn't be in this situation?"
Phlox and T'Pel exchanged glances, "That is what we believe, Captain."
T'Pol fully opened the bond between them.
'T'Pol?' 'Jonathon, if Riann is ill, we need to ask about Jon.'
He froze in shock, Phlox and T'Pel could see him close in on himself. He reached over and took T'Pol's hand.
T'Pol asked the question they didn't want to, "Doctor, is Jon in any danger of having the same disease?"
Phlox replied In a low, serious voice, "We don't know, Sub-Commander. We'll need to run T'Pel's scans on him. The genetic scans I had originally run to determine parentage aren't detailed enough for this disease."
T'Pol replied, "Then, Doctor, we need to proceed."
It was a good thing that T'Pol was a Vulcan, Jonathon's grip was so strong he could have seriously broken her hand. She glanced at him, and their eyes caught each other. They took strength from their bond.
Archer sighed and looked at Phlox, "Doctor, when do you want to do this?"
"Tomorrow morning, when you normally bring him to Sickbay."
Jonathon ran his fingers gently over T'Pol's hand and asked softly, "Will it hurt him?"
T'Pel answered, "No, Jonathon, it will not hurt him."
He nodded jerkily, "What kind of test is it?"
She replied, "It is a body scan, which looks for different genetic markers. It will only take 10 minutes and then we will review the findings."
He nodded again, having a hard time choking back his emotions. T'Pol spoke into the silence, "Thank you, Doctors. If you would excuse us?"
Phlox looked at them, "Ah, yes. I was going to show T'Pel the Engine Room."
T'Pel's eyebrows rose at this, but replied, "Let us go."
As they quietly left the room, T'Pel lightly touched T'Pol's shoulder.
Once they were alone, T'Pol moved closer to Jonathon, "Aisha, what are you feeling?"
"Feeling? Nothing. Shock, I suppose.
"Fear."
Nodding, "Are you afraid?"
"Yes. I love Jon and I am afraid for him. And for us."
"Yeah, I'm scared, T'Pol. We just got him, what if Riann made him sick, too? What are we going to do?"
He stood up and pulled her tightly against him. They exchanged emotions along with their bond - fear, pain, shock, then anger entered.
At that, she looked up, "Jonathon?"
"Aisha, you love Jon and he loves you. You've done so much to make him happy and secure, you have given him a home. That's the most precious gift to give a child. One of love and security."
With a sad smile, "You're even teaching him Vulcan. I love you so much for that. I honor you for that."
She tilted her head at him and he continued in a low emotion-filled voice, "Have I every told you how much I love you just for your kindness to him? The son of your mate and another woman?"
She tightened her arms around him, "Aisha, you do not have to, I have felt it. Loving your son has been very easy. He is so very much like you, but also like Riann. I believe that she was a good mother."
She stopped a moment as he sent her his love and pride and devotion. "He has become my son. I could do no less than to treat him as such."
He pulled back to kiss her, and then whispered, "What if he has this disease?"
Momentarily resting her forehead against his chest, "Then we will make what decisions we must."
They stood there for a few minutes, holding each other physically and in their bond.
Jonathon pulled back, "I want to see Riann."
She nodded and took his hand, leading him to her cylinder. He stared at her. 'She was such a good person, at least I thought so at the time, and look what's happened.'
He looked up at T'Pol and gruffly said, "Was she selfish? Did she know what she was doing to herself and possibly her child?" He shook his head, "Never mind what she did to me, but her own child. Did she know?"
T'Pol leaned against his shoulder. "I do not know. What is the Earth saying about hindsight?"
She watched him stare at Riann. He looked up at her, "Would you have done this?"
She tilted her head, "I am Vulcan. To take this action, without the knowledge of the biological father, is an anathema to what we believe. We do have artificial insemination, but only used when all other options have been exhausted."
That surprised him, "Why?"
"Biological imperatives. But when a Vulcan is ill and may not be able to conceive at a later date, then artificial insemination is not seen as a loss, but as a logical decision."
He shook his head, "You Vulcans are a strange race sometimes."
Arching an eyebrow at him, "Oh?" He felt she wasn't quite as amused as he hoped her to be.
"Sorry, I only meant it as a joke."
They both stared down at Riann and thought about the consequences of her actions. Finally, Jonathon stepped away, pulling T'Pol with him.
Again he hugged her to him. "Aisha, I am so scared that Jon also has this disease." Softly, "I am, too."
THE NEXT MORNING
They walked into the Sickbay with Jon and Porthos. Phlox and T'Pel would do the tests and Jon would play with Miss Anne and Porthos while they waited.
They had told S'Talen, T'Lar, and Storen last night. Along with the Tucker. T'Pol's family met them in Sickbay that morning to provide what support they could. The doors opened and Tucker walked in. Pausing momentarily as he looked around the room. His eyes stopped on T'Pol.
He sighed to himself, 'It just wasn't fair.' He knew that Jon was closer to T'Pol rather than Jonathon. Heck, even he felt closer to her in this particular instance. But that was because he had helped her with Jon when he first arrived, and because they had permanently formed their friendship during that time.
He walked over to where she stood with Jon as Jonathon was talking with Phlox.
He said softly to her, "T'Pol, I'm so sorry. I really hope everything is all right. If there is anything I can do for you or for Jonathon. I'm there. Just let me know."
She turned to look at him as Jon walked over to him for a hello hug, "Hiya, Unca Trip!"
Hugging him, Trip smiled, "Hi, Jon. How're ya' doing this morning?"
"Fine!" Grinning, he went back to play with Miss Anne.
In a low voice, T'Pol nodded, "Thank you, Trip. Your support is appreciated." They exchanged a look, not sexual, but in understanding.
Jonathon and Phlox watched them. Jonathon with a small smile on his face, he wasn't jealous. Not really. He knew that Trip had tried to find common areas between him and T'Pol after he had asked Trip to be there for T'Pol if anything happened to him. 'No, I'm not really jealous of my wife and my best friend.'
He felt her arch a mental eyebrow at him and with a small grin, 'I know, Aisha, I know.'
In a soft voice, Phlox said, "Captain, T'Pel is ready. I'm just going to give him a slight sedative so he won't move around. It will be like a morning nap for him."
He nodded and joined T'Pol, Tucker, Crewman Wayne, and Jon. "Hi Daddy. Me an Mam are playin' with Miss Anne and Unca Trip."
He grinned at him, "That's great, Jon. Doctor Phlox is going to give you a check-up this morning."
"Oh?" Jonathon froze at the 'Oh.' He was always surprised, and amused, to hear T'Pol's words come out of Jon's mouth. Today it was almost painful.
Then, "Yeah, he's going to give you a shot -"
Jon looked at him, "More vit'mins?"
Jon had gotten vitamin shots for the first couple of weeks on-board. Phlox wanted his immune system to be better equipped. Jonathon nodded, "Yeah, more vitamins."
Archer felt T'Pol literally cut off her emotions, until he felt nothing but silence in the bond. He knew he wasn't alone in there, but it was very quiet, controlled.
With a big, exaggerated sigh, Jon looked at him, "Okay."
Jonathon picked him and held him as Phlox gently gave him the injection.
Everyone quietly watched as Jon quickly fell asleep in Jonathon's arms. He carried him to the imaging table, gently laying him down. He stood there watching him. Phlox and T'Pel stood beside him, waiting.
T'Pol gently pulled him back from the table, "Jonathon, Dr Phlox and T'Pel must run the scan." She didn't release his hand and he held onto her tightly.
S'Talen came up behind them. "Jonathon, T'Pol, there is nothing anyone can tell you to make this less difficult. But your family, and I believe your crew, is here to support you."
Jonathon looked back, "Thank you, S'Talen." T'Pol nodded and they all turned back to watch.
Phlox completed the scans, then he and T'Pel started the review. Tucker shifted nervously behind Archer. It was unnaturally quiet in Sickbay.
The doors opened and Hoshi walked in, stopping as everyone looked at her. Tucker went to her. She whispered, "Commander, is it over? I wanted to come down and help or something."
He nodded and whispered back, "Yeah, we all feel that way."
Twenty minutes had passed, Phlox and T'Pel looked at each other, then turned to Jonathon and T'Pol.
CONTINUED IN PART 44
PART 44 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Everyone in the room closed in behind Jonathon and T'Pol, waiting with them.
"Captain, Sub-Commander," Phlox began, "I'm sorry, but Jon does have the genetic markers telling us the disease has begun. Its in its very early stages."
Jonathon felt as if he had been cut in half. He quickly sought out T'Pol in their bond and felt her shock, but she smothered her emotions to handle later, and gave him her support.
She asked Phlox, "Doctor, even though Jon has the genetic markers for the disease, does that mean he will fully develop the it? What are the symptoms?"
T'Pel answered, "T'Pol, there is a 95.269% chance that he will develop the full-blown disease. As you know, currently there is no cure."
T'Pel looked over at Phlox, and he continued, "He will begin to tire, and want to sleep more. His appetite will fade away. He'll loose his strength. That is all because his cells will be breaking down and mutating in his body."
T'Pol nodded and Jonathon still couldn't say anything.
S'Talen asked the next question, "Granddaughter, do you believe that the Mezzians will find a cure?"
As T'Pel considered that, T'Pol and Jonathon merged even closer in the bond.
In a shocked thought whisper, 'T'Pol, Jon has the disease.'
Equally as quiet, 'Yes.'
'What are we going to do?' 'We will do what is best for Jon.'
Impatiently, 'Yes, of course, we will. But what is it?'
'I do not know.'
They heard T'Pel answer S'Talen, "Grandfather, I believe that they will eventually find a cure. It is a genetic mutation and ways can be found to correct that."
Jonathon finally asked, in a strangled voice, "Doctors, how long before the systems appear?"
Phlox shrugged, "We just don't know, Captain. Riann was very close to death before she was put into stasis. We know that she developed the disease sometime in the last 3 years. We can use that to extrapolate for Jon. Maybe a little longer since he has your genetic make-up, maybe a little shorter." He stopped as he watched them absorb that information.
Jon started to wake up, "Mam!" He sat up and put his arms out for T'Pol to pick him up. She did, carrying him back to where Jonathon stood.
Archer intensely concentrated on them. Trying to see everything at once, but knowing he never would. His first thought was that this was going to hurt T'Pol so much.
Some of his shock receded and he made a quick decision, "Doctors, thank you. We have a lot to think about. We're going to our quarters for awhile. Trip, you've got the bridge. Kowalski is on the Vergent?" Trip nodded.
Archer looked at Storen, "Storen, if you'll go over to Vergent and help Lt Kowalski, I would appreciate it." Storen nodded his agreement.
Jonathon put his hand on T'Pol's back and gently guided her to the doors.
He stopped and looked back, "Thank you for your support today. T'Pol and I really appreciate it." He gently ran his fingers up and down her back, "But I think we need to spend some time alone right now."
He looked out the doors, then back at the Doctors, "We'll contact you later."
They nodded as Jonathon and T'Pol left. Everyone stood in the room - in silence. Hoshi tried to stifle a sniffle.
S'Talen looked at her, "Indeed."
Tucker took a breath, "Alright, let's get back to work. The Gegan should be here this afternoon. Storen, I'll have someone shuttle you over to the Vergent."
Looking at Phlox and T'Pel, "I'm assuming you're gonna stay here until they want to talk again?"
They nodded. Storen, Tucker, and Hoshi left. S'Talen and T'Lar stayed with the doctors.
ARCHERS' QUARTERS
They walked into their quarters in silence. Except for Jon. He'd been asleep and now was ready to play.
"Mam! Daddy! Read me a story! I'm hungry!" Jon scrambled around the room, picking up a book and dropping it, stopping to give Porthos a quick pat on the head, and then heading over to the snacks that T'Pol started keeping in the room.
As he opened that container, a hand reached into it first and pulled out a banana. "Jon, you may eat this banana and then we will read you a story."
Grinning up happily at her, Jon grabbed the banana she had finished peeling. "Nemaiyo!"
Jonathon's eyes were bright with unshed tears as he watched T'Pol and Jon. He saw T'Pol swallow and look back at him. He felt her iron will control her emotions and fully opened their bond. Helping each other with their grief and fear.
"Jonathon, I think that you should read to Jon." Blinking them back, he tried to grin, "Yeah, sure."
Walking over to them, "Hey, buddy, which book do you want to read?"
With a banana-filled grin, Jon pulled him over to the book shelf with his books on it. "Tigger, Daddy. Read about Tigger and Pooh Bear!"
Thirty minutes was long enough for Jon to sit there quietly and he wanted to walk Porthos.
"Daddy, Porthos needs his walk!" Energetically, he raced over to pick-up Porthos' leash and raced back, handing it to Jonathon.
Frowning, 'T'Pol, how can he be sick? He's racing around here just like always. He's acting normal!' Frustration raced through the bond.
'I know.' She was silent, both in the cabin and in their bond.
Archer pulled his eyes away from Jon to glance up at T'Pol. The very lack of expression in her eyes had him up and out of his chair in a heartbeat. He pulled her tightly into his arms and they held each other.
A few seconds later, they felt the small arms of Jon grab them around their legs. Looking down, "Me, too! I want hugs, too!" Jonathon reached down and tucked him into their hug.
CONTINUED IN PART 45 PART 45 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
They had spent the day with Jon, in their quarters and in the Mess Hall. They were aware of the sympathetic looks they got from everyone, but they weren't acknowledging them yet.
Finally, Jon went to sleep for the night. Jonathon and T'Pol sank down together on the sofa. She took his hand. She knew he was thinking about something, but what she couldn't tell what it was.
He glanced over at her and said in a low voice, "Aisha, I don't think we covered this possibility when we were talking about what we were going to do."
Nodding, but replying in the bond, 'I know.'
He pulled her into his side, 'I think we should probably talk to Phlox and T'Pel again tomorrow.'
'Yes. But tonight, we need to rest. I need to meditate first.'
She felt him nod against her head, 'Yeah. Can I meditate with you tonight?' As they were meditating, T'Pol jerked out of it, looking at Jonathon. Arching an eyebrow, she crushed her emotions and tried to enter the meditation again.
An hour later, they were finally relaxed enough to get some sleep. But about halfway thru the night Archer woke-up. He looked over at T'Pol and found her sleeping.
He looked away from T'Pol, to stare at the stars beyond the port hole. He didn't know how long he'd stared at them, but it was long enough his eyes hurt. 'Stars - we once thought they were permanent. They dominated the heavens. Now we know they aren't permanent either.'
Sighing in weary acceptance, 'Shit.' He looked back out the port hole, 'Stars - One moment they're all you see, then you fly past them and all they are is a memory.'
He turned back to look at T'Pol and found her watching at him. He took her hand in a crushing grip. She said nothing. He looked down at their bed, then raised a pained face to look at her, "Yeah."
She nodded in agreement, though her eyes became pinpoints as she felt all his emotions and her shielding became impenetrable and her expression relentless.
Reaching up she pulled him into a tight embrace, both physically and mentally. She reached deeply into his mind, causing him to stiffen as she forced her way deeper than she had ever gone before. She never had pushed him to share himself, he always gave freely. But now she thrust past his automatic rejection and fear, bursting through his walls of self-protection and privacy.
Physically, she dominated him, something she had done twice before. But both times at his decision. Now she did it at her own. At his first twitch, she rolled them over until she had his arms and legs clenched together. Even those two previous times, he still hadn't felt the full strength of a Vulcan.
Fear, 'T'Pol? What are you doing? I don't...'
He couldn't finish as a force of hot wind blew across his soul, silencing him. It offered little in comfort. 'Jonathon, we will understand and accept this decision tonight. If we do not, it will fester and come between us.'
Jonathon drew in a deep breathe, nothing T'Pol was doing was familiar. 'Why like this? I don't like what you're doing to me.'
Softly, 'I know, Jonathon.' Then in a harder voice, 'While I am sorry that I have to do this, you need to understand nothing, today, can cure Jon. Vulcan cannot. Mezzia cannot. Earth cannot.'
He shuddered, his son could not be cured. His fierce primitive anger erupted quickly, if T'Pol hadn't been expecting it, he could have been hurt her in surprise.
'WHY THE HELL AREN'T YOU MAD? AND, WHAT THE HELL IS WITH YOU AND TRIP?? He's always hanging around you and Jon! I'm not likin' that at all, T'Pol. He's my son and you're my wife...mate whatever! What the hell was that in Sickbay? Are you happy Jon's sick? So you can spend time with Trip?'
His anger was heavy and its darkness came from his soul. Stinking of fear and dread. It roamed around her mind searching for a foothold. She poked at his emotions, pushing his anger even higher. They had to deal with his hidden fears and emotions or they would never get through this.
With all of her calm Vulcan 'arrogance,' 'Commander Tucker was there when you were not. He helped me with Jon when you could not. He helped me when you could not. He was there for me when you were not. Is that not what you asked him to do?'
Fire shot through the bond, 'ONLY IF I WAS DEAD!! DAMN IT, I'M NOT DEAD!! MY SON IS DYING! Why aren't you mad? Damn it, are you happy because Jon's not truly your son?'
At that last thought, Jon stopped, froze. Not that he could move, but he froze anyway.
The silence in the bond was a ticking bomb - just a few more seconds and it would explode.
Fiercely, 'How dare you assume that you mean nothing to me! How dare you assume that Jon means nothing to me! If we do nothing, Jon will die. He may anyway. The actions we take give him his only hope!'
Jonathon felt Vulcan fire burn at his consciousness, but he fought his way into it. 'You're angry! An angry Vulcan! How's that possible? Vulcan's don't have emotions. Yeah, right! Another Vulcan myth exposed!! You're pissed because I had a child with another woman and you're happy that he's sick!' Jonathon couldn't believe the things that poured out of his mind, but couldn't seem to stop himself.
Into his mind, sounds and pictures forced their way in. It was Vulcan - red sky, with its intense, unrelenting heat, and its desert sand and rocks. In the background there was the heartbeat of hundreds of drums, each enhancing the uncontrolled emotions of Vulcan as they crashed in his mind, deafening him to all but, 'You are wrong, Jonathon Archer, and now you will really see.'
He barely had time to take a breathe, both physically and mentally, before T'Pol scorched her final path into his soul. His back arched at the intrusion.
S'Talen, T'Lar, T'Pel, and Stolen all sat up in bed, realizing that the ancient Vulcan way of kae'at k'lasa (forceful mind intrusion) was occurring.
Pushing the communication pad, "S'Talen to T'Lar."
"I know. We will meet at their cabin.' The connection broke off.
The four Vulcans met at the door to the Archers' quarters. They did not enter or push the annunicator button. They merely stood outside the door - waiting.
One hour later the cabin door opened and T'Pol stepped out. Totally expressionless, but with bruised eyes, she surveyed the others.
T'Pol nodded, then in old Vulcan, "Yes, it was a...drastic measure to take. He is my mate and its my decision. Any repercussions are my own affair."
They nodded, but S'talen replied, "Granddaughter, can you accept the repercussions?"
Swallowing, "I did not have any choice but to try to reach understanding. This would have disabled him from...us and with continuing his mission. It was my choice."
T'Pel and Storen had stepped up behind her, offering their silent support. Finally, T'Lar spoke, still in Vulcan, "Unfortunately, I agree with T'Pol." She stared at T'Pol, "But I also agree that the repercussions may have damaged your relationship with Jonathon."
T'Pol dipped her head for a moment, then "I can only hope that Jonathon understands once he has had time to absorb what and why I did what I did."
They all nodded. She looked at them one more time, "They are both asleep. Please ensure that Dr. Phlox sees both of them?"
They nodded again and she went to the communicator on the wall, "T'Pol to Commander Tucker."
After a moment, "Tucker here, Sub-Commander."
"Commander, I am returning to the Vergent, please take command of the Enterprise until Captain Archer is available."
She could see Tucker raising his eyebrows at her phrasing, "Will do, Sub- Commander. Is everything okay?"
Unemotionally, "Yes. T'Pol out."
Without turning around, she walked away.
CONTINUED IN PART 46 PART 46 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
"Man, what the heck happened last night?" Jonathon rubbed his eyes, moaning, "T'Pol, I've got the worst headache I've ever had." He kept his eyes closed, trying to figure out why he ached so much.
Jerking his hands from his face, he looked over at T'Pol's side of the bed. Empty. Shit.
Racing from his bed, he found Jon sleeping in his small bed. Closing his eyes in relief, then embarrassment. 'What did you think she was gonna do, steal him away?' He crept back to sit on their bed as some memories from last night's nightmare crashed back into his mind.
Wincing, he dropped his head into his hands. 'What the hell did we do last night?' Pushing his palms into eyes, he tried to push out the pain pounding behind them, 'Why did we do what we did?'
With another soft groan, he gathered up his clothes, heading into the shower. With a sigh of relief, he let the hot water pour down over his head, easing some of his headache. Frowning, he continued to think about last night.
Ten minutes later he quietly got out of the shower, as he wanted Jon to sleep as much as possible. Dressing, he paused as more memories raced in. He looked at his arms, bruises. Then he looked at his legs, more bruises. 'Damn.'
Frowning, he asked himself for the fifth time, 'Why isn't T'Pol here?' Pulling on his boots, 'Yeah, sure this was bad, really bad, very bad, but she's never left before when we had a fight.' He tossed his wet towel into the container and looked around the cabin.
A deeper frown, their bond? He tried it. It was there, but it felt like they very far apart. Walking over to the intercom, "Archer to T'Pol."
A pause, then Trip answered, "Bridge here, Captain. Can I help you? T'Pol's not here."
Narrowing his eyes, he remembered what he felt last night about Trip and T'Pol, "Where's my wife, Commander?"
Startled, Trip looked over at Hoshi, who was also surprised at the question and the harshness of his tone, "Ahh, Sir, she's on the Vergent. She left me in charge until you get here."
Silence, "Captain, do you want me to hail her?"
"No, Commander, I don't think so. I'll be there shortly. Archer out."
"Yes, si-." The connection broke. Trip looked over at Hoshi and Travis, "What the heck was that about?"
Sighing, Archer collected his thoughts and dropped down into his chair. Porthos walked up and put his paw on his foot.
Staring down at him, "I guess you didn't get fed this morning, did you, boy?" He quickly put down some breakfast for Porthos. Archer walked over to Jon, watching him sleep. Exhaling, 'I can't believe I accused T'Pol of not loving him. I know she does. Hell, I know she loves me, too.'
Glancing over at the chronometer, he saw that it was still about 20 minutes before Jon normally woke up, 'I need to get something for this headache.'
'Buzz.'
Puzzled, Archer went to his door and found four Vulcans staring at him.
'Great.'
Quietly, "Good morning. Would you like to come in? Jon's still asleep."
S'Talen shook his head, "No, Jonathon. Perhaps you would step out?"
With a quick look behind him, he did. "Is there something I can do for you? T'Pol's not here right now, but if you need her, I can -"
Stopping at S'Talen's shake of his head, "We have already seen T'Pol this morning, Jonathon. I believe that you are in need our assistance."
At his piercing gaze, Jonathon blinked, then shored up his shields, "What do you mean?"
"We know what happened last night, Jonathon," T'Lar answered his question. At his frozen expression, she continued, "We know what has happened, but the exact details are between you and T'Pol."
Slowly nodding, "All right, then why are you here?"
T'Pel answered, "Jonathon, T'Pol asked that we ensure that you and Jon see Dr. Phlox this morning. You, because you may possibly have a headache and Jon for more testing."
Reluctantly agreeing, "He's not up yet. But I could use something."
"Jonathon, if you would permit, Storen and I will stay with Jon until he wakes, then bring him to Sickbay."
Slowly, "Thank you, I would appreciate it." They nodded and went into his cabin, while he went to Sickbay. S'Talen and T'Lar accompanying him.
S'Talen said quietly, "Jonathon, if you have a need to discuss what has happened, T'Lar or I would listen."
Stopping, Jonathon turned to look at them, challenging, "Why?"
Shrugging, as it was obvious, "Because it is traditional in Vulcan clans to assist family members if we are able."
Not saying anything he walked into Sickbay. Phlox turned around with a somber expression on his face, "Good morning, Captain. May I help you?" Phlox nodded at the Vulcans.
Studying Phlox, "I suppose T'Pol stopped by and to see you this morning, Doc?"
"Yes, she said that you might have a headache. Would you like some pain medication?" Phlox picked up the preset injector. At his nod, Phlox injected him. "I tried to give some to the Sub-Commander this morning, but she wouldn't take any."
Feeling his neck finally relax, he asked, "T'Pol needed pain meds?"
Surprised by that question, Phlox nodded, "Yes, Captain. She appeared to be slightly in pain. While you know most Vulcans handle pain through meditation, I didn't think T'Pol..." he trailed off.
Frowning, "T'Pol, what?"
"Well, I thought she didn't seem to be quite herself. But I couldn't convince her to do anything about it. But you know how Vulcans are about pain meds."
Looking over at S'Talen and T'Lar, "No offense."
S'Talen put his hands in his sleeves, "None taken when the truth is told."
Archer turned around, "S'Talen, you knew T'Pol didn't feel well today, yet you let her leave?"
Arching an eyebrow at him, "Jonathon, she is your First Officer and Mate, if you did not want her to leave, you could have tried to prevent it."
Frowning, he paused, trying not to get angry at S'Talen since it wasn't his fault, "All right, what's wrong with her?"
T'Lar answered in a dry voice, "The same as yourself, except as the initiator, she exhausted more personal energy."
Then she scared him, "Captain," something his visiting in-laws hadn't called him since their arrival, "something very serious is happening to you and T'Pol. Something that is being triggered by your son's illness. You need to understand what it is and how you wish to deal with it."
He gestured for her to continue, "And?"
He got another arched eyebrow, "And? All decisions are yours and T'Pol's."
At that point the Sickbay doors opened and Jon walked through with T'Pel and Storen. "Daddy! Mam's family got me up today! They let me have raisins and bananas in my cereal!" Jonathon smiled at his enthusiasm.
Jon walked around Sickbay chattering happily at the animals, then went over to Archer, "Where's Mam, Daddy?"
Everyone watched as he knelt down to Jon with an awkward smile, "She's on the other ship right now. Remember, I showed it to you the last time she was there."
"Oh, okay." Jon traced Archer's IDIC symbol on his collar. He hadn't taken it off since that mission on Harkarin. "She comin' home tonight?"
"Yeah, Buddy, I think so."
Still playing with the symbol, "Mam mad at us, Daddy?"
Frowning, "Why do you say that, Jon? Did you see Mam this morning?"
"Yeah, when she was getting dressed. But she didn't see me." Archer asked again, "Why do you think Mam's mad?"
"Cos, she usually kisses us when she gets up, but today she didn't. And she rubbed her head, like it hurt."
Smiling sadly, "Well, Mam's got a headache this morning. I'm sure she just forgot."
Looking up at him with innocent eyes, "Daddy, you'll make Mam all better? I like it when she kisses us."
Swallowing a lump the size of a small asteroid, he was able to drag out, "Yeah, I like it, too."
"But you'll make Mam better?"
Feeling the eyes of the entire room on him, he answered truthfully, "I'm gonna try."
CONTINUED IN PART 47
Jonathon was standing outside the transporter room door, waiting for his in- laws to arrive. His in-laws. He knew he had them, he knew he was going to have to see them sometime, but why now? He shook his head at the timing of it all.
'Jonathon, you seem...upset. I am sorry that my family has brought this about. I would wish that they could have postponed their visit.'
'Ahh, Aisha, I'm not angry - I think I'm nervous. I usually don't get along well with Vulcans, and these are your family and you're not here to help.'
'I think you get along very well with certain Vulcans.' 'Yeah, well, it took us long enough to get along.'
'I am glad we did. I would not change anything.' 'I love you, T'Pol.' They both took refuge in the other for a moment. 'I believe that your Grandfather has arrived and I should go in.' 'If you need a diversion, I need to brief you on a conversation I had with the Mezzia.'
Frowning, 'Problems?' 'No, they are sending a ship. Good luck, Jonathon, but I do not believe you will need it.'
Straightening his shoulders, he walked in the transporter room. There stood S'Talen.
Walking up to him, "Sir. I'm Jonathon Archer. Welcome to the Enterprise." He was even more impressive and regal in person.
Looking at him, "Thank you, Jonathon. I hope we did not come at an inopportune time, but it was deemed by the Vulcan Council, recommended by the Vulcan High Command, that we come out to you. Or they would arrange to have your ship come to Vulcan."
He paused, watching Jonathon absorb what he was saying, "The family thought it was best to come to you without the entire planet observing the process."
Jonathon nodded, "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the family's consideration."
T'Lar had materialized behind them, "What else could we do, Jonathon, when T'Ran and S'Kel vouched for the trueness of the bond?"
Jonathon squinted at her, "T'Pol told you about that?"
They all walked out of the room, "Yes, she did. She thought it important for her family to understand that even though this is a..."
She paused as she considered her words, but S'Talen had no need for consideration and he finished her sentence, "...iri-kaisha or inter- marriage, it is a true bond."
S'Talen spoke to the supposed concerns that Jonathon may have with what T'Pol told her family, "Jonathon, T'Pol's correspondence consisted of descriptions of the situations she found herself in. In the beginning, it was a method of understanding the differences between our culture and yours. Even though she was thoroughly trained and had lived on Earth in the Vulcan compound, there is always a difference in learning about something and actually being a part of it." Jonathon nodded in understanding. "It was a difficult time for all of us, but I had my friends and the other crew members and T'Pol had no one."
He shook his head in memory, grinning, "She always seemed so cold and logical. Not at all adverse to telling her Captain that she thought differently and saw things differently."
S'Talen nodded, "Yes, did not you tell her you would knock her through the bulkhead?"
He dropped his head in embarrassment, "Yeah, that was good in theory, until I found out I couldn't do it. Or only if I caught her by surprise."
T'Lar looked at S'Talen, "I did not know this. Did Soval?"
S'Talen said, "Unknown."
S'Talen studied Archer, T'Lar stared at S'Talen. Finally he spoke again, but formally, "Jonathon, T'Pol has been under a familial confidence. I did not agree with it, but T'Pol agreed to it."
Frowning, "I don't understand." He thought for a moment, "Do you mean that thing with Koss?"
S'Talen almost smiled, "No, that is not it. Soval imposed this confidence. Though I do believe that if T'Pol found it necessary, she would have broken it to tell you."
"Soval? Why would Soval impose a family confidence on T'Pol? How could he do that?"
Suddenly, "Are you trying to tell me that Soval and T'Pol are related? He's a member of your family?"
T'Lar answered, "A member of your family too, Jonathon."
Shocked, "T'Pol's father's brother? He raised her after her parents died? No wonder..."
Before he could finish, Jon raced towards him, "Daddy!" He raised his arms to be picked up.
S'Talen and T'Lar watched him. "Jonathon, T'Pol did not mention you had a son."
He said softly as he held Jon, "I probably didn't know I had one the last time she wrote."
Jon asked, "Daddy, where's Mam?"
"She's still working, Jon. She'll be here later."
"But its reading time! Mam reads now." Jonathon felt the stares of S'Talen and T'Lar. Jon finally noticed them.
Tilting his head he looked at them, "You look like Mam." He smiled at S'Talen, even to a 3-year old, S'Talen's strength of personality drew him.
"You read to me, please?"
Crewman Wayne ran up, "Captain, I'm so sorry. I just turned around to pick up his book and out the door he ran. I am so sorry."
She then noticed the Vulcans. "I didn't mean to interrupt, Captain. I can take him back to your quarters."
S'Talen looked at the young, naive face looking so earnestly at him. "I believe that this young person asked me to read to him."
Jonathon turned to look at him and smiled, "He likes to be read to and he prefers T'Pol to read to him because she says the words correctly."
"The words correctly?" T'Lar asked that in confusion.
Jon answered, "Ha." (Yes) The Vulcans blinked. Jon spoke again, "You read to me? Read about Surak?"
Jonathon stifled a laugh, as the Vulcans blinked again. S'Talen said gravely, "I would be honored to read about Surak to you."
Jon squirmed to get down and reached for S'Talen's hand. "Okay, let's go." He pulled him down the hall with Jonathon and T'Lar following.
T'Lar asked, "T'Pol downloaded a child's book about Surak for him?"
"Yeah, and now everyone has got to say the Vulcan words correctly or he gets upset. We've got a lot of budding Vulcan linguists on-board. T'Pol and Hoshi try to teach everyone who reads to Jon the correct way to pronounce the words."
T'Lar looked at him under an arched eyebrow, "How well do you say the words, Jonathon?"
He grinned, "Not nearly good enough for him. He takes the book away from me and gives me another one to read." He shrugged, "According to T'Pol, Jon has an adequate Vulcan accent his age."
They entered his quarters to find S'Talen waiting for Jon to lay down in his bed.
Jon said, "You sit here, please." He pointed at the chair hear at the head of the bed.
Jon looked at him and in childish Vulcan, "Wanimo mekano itisha Jon. Maiya, yanamo mekano?"
S'Talen and T'Lar looked at the boy. Then S'Talen spoke, "I am Mam's grandfather. Wanimo mekano itisha S'Talen." He pointed to T'Lar, "This is T'Lar, Mam's aunt."
S'Talen looked up at Jon, "Does T'Pol speak to him in Vulcan?"
Jonathon nodded, "Yes, usually when its just the two of them."
Jon giggled at him. S'Talen looked down at Jon, "Let us read your book."
Jon jumped up and got the book. He ran back and handed him the book. He pointed to the book mark. "Mam stopped here."
T'Pol had marked the book as Vulcans do, so he was able to pick where she had left off. His deep, melodious voice soothed the 3-year old and he quickly fell asleep. S'Talen observed the boy for a few more minutes, then he marked the spot and closed the book. He went out to the other room to join Jonathon and T'Lar.
CONTINUED IN PART 42
PART 42 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Jonathon stood up, "Thank you, sir, for reading to Jon tonight."
S'Talen nodded. "How long has your son been with you?"
Jonathon gestured for S'Talen to take a seat and sat down himself, "He's been with us alittle over a month."
"May I ask how you came to get him?" S'Talen paused, "Jonathon, I perhaps should say that Vulcans treat children as gifts. We do not have many children who are not pure Vulcan, as there are few races that can biologically mate with Vulcans."
He stared at Jonathon and T'Lar watched the both of them. "You and T'Pol are raising him in the way of Earth and also kahr-y-tan (the way of Vulcan). Was that intentional?"
Jonathon immediately thought of T'Pol and she pondered that question. 'It was not a conscious decision. Even though he is not Vulcan, I do not know how to raise a child another way.'
'It doesn't seem wrong -' 'Wrong?' 'I mean, you're right, he's not Vulcan, but it seems natural to do it both ways. A combination of the two.'
He felt T'Pol's feelings of contentment as she thought, 'Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.'
He smiled as he agreed completely. He turned his attention back to S'Talen and T'Lar, who seemed to have tolerant expressions on their faces.
"What?"
S'Talen asked, "Jonathon, were you just speaking with T'Pol?"
Hesitating for a moment, he heard T'Pol again, 'It is alright to tell Grandfather and T'Lar. It is why they are here.'
Jonathon confirmed, "Yes, we often talk with each other through the bond."
T'Lar spoke, "Jonathon, how far is the range of your bond?"
He thought about that and he felt T'Pol also thinking about it. They finally agreed on, "We can talk with each for about 3 light years, but we haven't found a distance yet where we can't feel each other's presence. Of course, normally we aren't very far apart."
He questioned them, "Why? Does it make a difference?"
S'Talen answered truthfully, "We are unsure whether the bond would hold up over distance. No Human and Vulcan has ever entered into a relationship before. You and T'Pol are the first."
He paused and stared at Jonathon, "However, as T'Pol's grandfather, I am pleased that your bond is strong and that you also considered with T'Pol your answers to my questions."
"This is a test?!" Jonathon pushed back against his seat.
T'Lar answered him, "Jonathon, everything is a test. S'Talen, me, and the others have been sent here to validate and officiate the bond, if we deem it a true Vulcan bonding. We must ask questions and listen to your answers and how you arrive at your answers."
As Jonathon pondered this, S'Talen spoke up, "Jonathon, the primary reason we came out to you, is that T'Pol would not do this if it were not a true bonding, therefore we did not want to put her or you under scrutiny on Vulcan."
He began after a moment, "T'Pol accepted several risks when she began a relationship with you. Beginning with even recognizing that a relationship was possible."
Jonathon asked, "What risks?" He felt T'Pol's resignation in the bond. 'Please do not be angry that I did not discuss these with you. I accept responsibility for my actions. You are not responsible for my actions in regard to our relationship. Remember that I could have requested a transfer back to San Francisco, as Soval requested several times, or I could have returned to Vulcan and found a Vulcan mate.'
He continued to frown as he listened to her. 'Explain the risks you took.'
S'Talen spoke into their conversation, "Jonathon, the Vulcan culture is very old and steeped in tradition. It is also steeped in blood. We have brought our world back from the brink of destruction more times than Earth has. We understand our motivations and we have controlled and turned them to preserve our world and our species."
"Vulcan has centuries of traditions in regards to bonds and mates. We appear very insular," he shrugged, "perhaps so, but it is how we are. With your relationship, T'Pol is considered by some to be k'torr skann."
Jonathon asked, "What is that?"
T'Pol answered, 'Outcast.'
He said out loud, "Outcast? What does that mean?"
T'Lar spoke for the first time, "It means to be cast out from Vulcan and having one's name stricken from Vulcan's history. She will have lost her history and her family."
"That's..."
"That is Vulcan tradition. We are here to validate the bond and perform the official bonding ceremony - if the bond is true. If it is not, then we would perform the p'pil'lay - the severing of what mind link you do have. T'Pol would then be removed for the retraining of her mind - kae'k'akkayam. Never to leave Vulcan again."
Silence rained in the room, but Jonathon was furious. It buffeted S'Talen and T'Lar, causing them to strengthen their shields.
T'Pol lowered her shields to absorb the fury. 'You knew what could happen to you and you didn't tell me?!'
'Jonathon, I could no more not recognize our bond that I could stop being Vulcan. If k'torr skann did occur, then I would still be Vulcan. But I would be Vulcan elsewhere. I cannot explain what truly being Vulcan is - we are very controlled - even in our subconscious. You will only truly understand what we are capable of without control when I undergo Pon Farr. Then you will see the true savagery of my Vulcan heritage.'
'But T'Pol, what would happen to you after my death - you would not be allowed to return to Vulcan.'
'True. That is why my family is here. It is not normal for the Patriarch of any family to participate in the normal bonding of the couple. The parents usually validate the bond and announce the mating.' She paused and they slowly wove themselves together in the bond. 'Our bond is kaiidth. You know what I feel. I followed my c'thia.'
Sighing, 'Yeah, I know, but still. What you were willing to give up to be with me for however long I have left, leaves me -' he stopped.
S'Talen and T'Lar frowned, they had decreased their shielding, as this was more validation of the bond. Before they departed they would teach Jonathon how to strengthen this bond when with other Vulcans.
'Intense and frightening in its intensity.'
'Yes and no. You know my feelings -' ' I do.' 'I just don't have to give up my entire heritage to be with you. That makes me angry. You should have told me.'
They quietly communed in their bond. 'Jonathon, I am going to do something unheard of on Vulcan. I will let my emotions, momentarily, be uncontrolled and I will let you feel them. Please remember that Vulcans are peaceful. You know how my culture has rules about hurting others, we are even vegetarians so as to not hurt living beings, and we do not want to contaminate others with our culture. This is a risk to both of us. Do you wish to take it in reaching an understanding of what it is to be Vulcan and why we control and frown upon deviation?'
He frowned. But S'Talen and T'Lar were shocked into stillness. Immediately recovering, they made themselves ready to go to Jonathon if they needed to intervene. The action that T'Pol was taking was very risky. There was the possibility that she could not regain her control or she could damage Jonathon. They all waited for his decision.
'T'Pol, you don't have to prove anything to me. I love you. I don't want you to risk yourself trying to prove something about Vulcans. I'll wait until your Pon Farr - but I think I'll get the restraints.'
S'Talen's nose twitched and T'Lar dipped her head. Relieved, they looked at Jonathon. He was grinning. The largest hurdle had been overcome.
CONTINUED IN PART 43 PART 43 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Jonathon was tense after that last session with the Vulcans...his in-laws. He shook his head at that thought. A very strange occurrence in his life. With a quick grin to himself, 'But T'Pol's worth it."
S'Talen and T'Lar blinked, then looked blandly at him, "If you would excuse us, Captain, we would like to meditate before dinner this evening."
"Of course. I'm going to work out for awhile myself. If you need anything, please let me know."
He changed his clothes and checked in with Crewman Wayne to make sure she could still baby-sit. "Sure, sir, no problem. He's playing with Porthos and we're fine."
"BRIDGE TO CAPTAIN ARCHER."
Getting off the treadmill and wiping away the sweat, he walked to the intercom, "Archer here."
"Sir, the Away Team is returning and should be arriving in 15 minutes."
"Thank you, Archer out."
'T'Pol?' 'Yes, Jonathon?'
'Why didn't you tell me you were returning?' 'You were exercising and I did not want to interrupt you.'
'But I want you to interrupt me. I'll take a quick shower and meet the shuttle.'
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
Archer walked in to the shuttle bay.
"Report, Sub-Commander."
T'Pol, with the Away Team standing around her, "Sir, we have secured the ship and have left the security team there for the night. We will need to return tomorrow for more repairs and continue our investigation."
"Is there anything that we need to discuss tonight or can it wait for the morning briefing?"
Glancing at the Away Team, who shook their heads, she said, "No, sir."
Nodding, "All right, everyone is dismissed. Get a good night's sleep. I want a briefing at 0800, before you return to the Vergent."
Everyone left but Jonathon, T'Pol, T'Pel, and Storen.
T'Pol introduced her cousins. "It is an honor to meet you both. If you would come with us, I will show you your quarters."
As they walked down the corridor, "S'Talen and T'Lar will be meeting us for dinner at 1900. Would you like to join us?"
It was a quiet dinner, but companionable. Most of the attention was directed toward Jon. He was tiring, and getting cranky, so dinner ended quickly. Everyone was pleased to return to their quarters to relax for the night.
DAY 2 - 0730
Jonathon and T'Pol were in their quarters getting ready themselves and Jon ready for the day.
'This is going to be a long two-weeks.' 'I know.'
'What does this ceremony consist of?'
She glanced over at him and said out loud. "Before we discuss that, we need to provide you the skills to not share our bond conversations with others."
"What!"
"I did not know what impact the strength of our bond would have on others. Last night, Grandfather told me that it is very strong and we are projecting our conversations and thoughts to others that would listen."
"Like they did yesterday."
"Yes."
Sighing in frustration, "Okay, is there anything else? And I want to stop every telepathic species in the universe from listening to our personal conversations."
She looked at him, taking his hand, "I do not believe so. We can start as soon as you choose. However, we need to have our conversations out loud. That provides interference of what our thoughts are."
He smirked, "Great, just great."
0800 - CONFERENCE ROOM
After dropping Jon off at Sickbay, they entered the Conference Room. Everyone was there, to include S'Talen, T'Lar, T'Pel and Storen.
As everyone stood up, S'Talen spoke, "Captain, I hope you do not mind if T'Lar and myself attend this meeting. We are very interested in what you are doing."
With a glance at T'Pol, "No, of course not, please stay for the meeting."
"Sub-Commander, if you would start please."
She nodded, "Captain, The Gegan is 3 days from rendezvousing with the Enterprise and the Vergent. I spoke with Captain Sertam last night before returning to the ship. He has sufficient crew to staff the Vergent to return it to Sek'heim'ya Sector."
She paused, then continued, "Doctor Phlox and Healer T'Pel are working with the Mezzians in regards to the beings in the cylinders. Commander Tucker, Lt Kowalski, and Engineer Storen are continuing with emergency repairs on the docking bay. As our supplies are not endless, we are providing only what they need to keep the engines functioning. Captain Sertam has assured me that they will have sufficient supplies to continue the repairs."
She nodded at Lt Reed, "Lt Reed and I are continuing to interrogate their computer and databases to search for how the saboteur got on-board and if any assistance was rendered when they were on-ship."
She looked at Reed and he continued, "We've also been able to decipher some of their information on tactical planning and weaponry."
He saw Archer's surprise and added, "Sir, the Sub-Commander has the approval of Captain Sertam. I believe they are having lunch when he arrives." Tucker snorted, but quickly covered it with a cough.
Archer frowned at T'Pol in surprise, "Sub-Commander?"
She arched an eyebrow at Reed, then turned back to Archer, "Captain, the Gegan Captain has requested that we share a meal with him upon his arrival and he has given us approval to review their computer databases. They do not have anything in the Vergent they consider classified and it is also recompense for our assistance to their vessel."
Tucker decided to tease her, "But Sub-Commander, I was there when Captain Sertam asked 'you' to share his meal." He clasped his hands over this stomach, "I think it was you who included Captain Archer."
Jonathon gave her a slight grin, "Thank you, Trip."
Smirking, "No problem, Captain. At least it's not Stenbar."
T'Pol blinked and Hoshi and Reed rolled their eyes. Archer lost his grin and said somewhat stiltedly, "Thank you, again, Commander Tucker."
Archer stood up, "Dismissed." As everyone left, T'Pol said, "Jonathon..."
Grinning, he stopped her, "Don't worry about it, T'Pol."
He could feel her emotions, those the others couldn't feel as they were more subtle and buried in the bond. He was touched with amusement and love.
"Jonathon, T'Lar and S'Talen have volunteered to assist you in building a shield. It is a simple lesson that will take only a few moments of your time. But you will need to practice it several times and they will tell you whether you are successful or not."
He nodded, "Go, Sub-Commander and keep me abreast of what's happening on the Vergent."
With a slight smile in the depths of her eyes, "Yes, Captain." She nodded at Storen and T'Pel, who was watching them, and they left the room.
VERGENT, DAY 4
Two more days had passed and the Gegan was due to arrive tomorrow afternoon. The focus had turned from Engineering to Phlox, T'Pel, and the cylinders. The Enterprise had done everything in Engineering that they could, and only Kowalski and Storen stayed on-board the Vergent to monitor the systems.
Archer and T'Pol had quietly acknowledged that Phlox and T'Pel were working on Riann's cylinder. They didn't ask many questions and Phlox and T'Pel didn't provide any unasked for information.
CYLINDER ROOM
They stood there in silence. T'Pel looked up at Phlox, "Doctor, we have completed all the tests that the Mezzians have requested, to include a few more." She nodded at the cylinder they were standing at while continuing to stare steadily at him.
He finally nodded, "You're right. I'm just..." He broke off looking at the cylinder to look up at T'Pel.
Sighing, "What do you think?"
T'Pel paused, then answered the unspoken question "We need to complete the other tests."
An uneasy silence roamed throughout the cylinder room. T'Pel cautiously gathered her thoughts, "We also need to report our findings to the Captain and Sub-Commander."
"And our recommendations." She nodded in agreement.
He contemplated the cylinder, "I suggest we report our findings and recommendations privately and let them make the decision." Phlox looked extremely serious and T'Pel was the epitome of the unemotional Vulcan.
He gestured to the table they worked at and they walked over to it. He handed her the tea she had been drinking, and sighed, "This is the part I dislike the most about being a doctor."
"Indeed."
"We shouldn't procrastinate."
"Agreed."
They still didn't move. Finally,. Phlox walked the few feet to the intercom.
"Phlox to Sub-Commander T'Pol."
"T'Pol here, Doctor."
He looked at T'Pel, "Sub-Commander, could you and the Captain meet with T'Pel and myself in the cylinder room? We need to discuss our findings."
A pause, "Doctor, is there a particular reason for requesting our presence?'
Taking a deep breath, "Yes, Sub-Commander there is, but I would prefer to discuss it here."
"All right, I will contact the Captain."
One hour later, Captain Archer and Sub-Commander T'Pol walked into the cylinder room. It was the first time Archer had been there. He slowed and looked around.
Phlox and T'Pel walked over to them. "Captain, Sub-Commander, thank you for coming." He gestured for them to have a seat at the table.
Archer looked hard at them and nodded. "All right, Doctors, why did you want T'Pol and myself here?"
Phlox and T'Pel exchanged another glance and another pause.
Archer frowned and thought to T'Pol. 'Do you have any idea what's going on?'
'Only that it must concern Riann to call us here like this.'
He exchanged glances with her and nodded. He looked across the table, "Doctors?"
Phlox began very seriously, "Captain, with the data provided from the Mezzians, and the additional testing that T'Pel and I completed, we have determined why Riann is here."
Still frowning, "We already knew she has an incurable illness. What else did you find?"
"Her illness is a breakdown in her cellular structure. The current Akaali medical knowledge could not prevent her death from it. Its not developed enough."
"Is the Mezzian medical knowledge developed enough?"
Phlox looked at T'Pel, then shook his head, "No. But that's where her best chances lay."
T'Pol finally spoke up, "Do you know how did she acquired this cellular breakdown?"
No one said anything. T'Pol looked at T'Pel, "Can you answer this question?"
She nodded, "Both the Mezzians and we believe that she actually initiated her own disease."
"How?" Shot out from Archer.
T'Pol had already figured out the answer. Archer jerked around to look at T'Pol, when he felt her shock.
"T'Pol?" 'Aisha, what's wrong?'
She turned to him, "Jonathon, there are several possibilities that could cover this situation. She might have done something wrong with the herbal medication she used or she has a genetic make-up that would preclude this type of impregnation or your species cannot intermingle without assistance or it could be a combination of these."
T'Pel nodded, "That is correct, T'Pol. Riann had two of those conditions. The genetics of her species does not fully combine with human physiology. We also believe that the herbal medication she used to increase the probability of inception also intensified mismatching of the genetics. If she had received the needed simple genetic intervention, she would not have gotten ill."
After a moment, Jonathon asked, "So, do we know if it can be corrected?"
Phlox shook his head, "We don't know, Captain. While in the beginning the treatment would have been fairly simple, the correcting of the developed disease is more difficult."
Archer shook his head, "What you're really saying is that if Riann hadn't wanted a baby so badly, with me, she wouldn't be in this situation?"
Phlox and T'Pel exchanged glances, "That is what we believe, Captain."
T'Pol fully opened the bond between them.
'T'Pol?' 'Jonathon, if Riann is ill, we need to ask about Jon.'
He froze in shock, Phlox and T'Pel could see him close in on himself. He reached over and took T'Pol's hand.
T'Pol asked the question they didn't want to, "Doctor, is Jon in any danger of having the same disease?"
Phlox replied In a low, serious voice, "We don't know, Sub-Commander. We'll need to run T'Pel's scans on him. The genetic scans I had originally run to determine parentage aren't detailed enough for this disease."
T'Pol replied, "Then, Doctor, we need to proceed."
It was a good thing that T'Pol was a Vulcan, Jonathon's grip was so strong he could have seriously broken her hand. She glanced at him, and their eyes caught each other. They took strength from their bond.
Archer sighed and looked at Phlox, "Doctor, when do you want to do this?"
"Tomorrow morning, when you normally bring him to Sickbay."
Jonathon ran his fingers gently over T'Pol's hand and asked softly, "Will it hurt him?"
T'Pel answered, "No, Jonathon, it will not hurt him."
He nodded jerkily, "What kind of test is it?"
She replied, "It is a body scan, which looks for different genetic markers. It will only take 10 minutes and then we will review the findings."
He nodded again, having a hard time choking back his emotions. T'Pol spoke into the silence, "Thank you, Doctors. If you would excuse us?"
Phlox looked at them, "Ah, yes. I was going to show T'Pel the Engine Room."
T'Pel's eyebrows rose at this, but replied, "Let us go."
As they quietly left the room, T'Pel lightly touched T'Pol's shoulder.
Once they were alone, T'Pol moved closer to Jonathon, "Aisha, what are you feeling?"
"Feeling? Nothing. Shock, I suppose.
"Fear."
Nodding, "Are you afraid?"
"Yes. I love Jon and I am afraid for him. And for us."
"Yeah, I'm scared, T'Pol. We just got him, what if Riann made him sick, too? What are we going to do?"
He stood up and pulled her tightly against him. They exchanged emotions along with their bond - fear, pain, shock, then anger entered.
At that, she looked up, "Jonathon?"
"Aisha, you love Jon and he loves you. You've done so much to make him happy and secure, you have given him a home. That's the most precious gift to give a child. One of love and security."
With a sad smile, "You're even teaching him Vulcan. I love you so much for that. I honor you for that."
She tilted her head at him and he continued in a low emotion-filled voice, "Have I every told you how much I love you just for your kindness to him? The son of your mate and another woman?"
She tightened her arms around him, "Aisha, you do not have to, I have felt it. Loving your son has been very easy. He is so very much like you, but also like Riann. I believe that she was a good mother."
She stopped a moment as he sent her his love and pride and devotion. "He has become my son. I could do no less than to treat him as such."
He pulled back to kiss her, and then whispered, "What if he has this disease?"
Momentarily resting her forehead against his chest, "Then we will make what decisions we must."
They stood there for a few minutes, holding each other physically and in their bond.
Jonathon pulled back, "I want to see Riann."
She nodded and took his hand, leading him to her cylinder. He stared at her. 'She was such a good person, at least I thought so at the time, and look what's happened.'
He looked up at T'Pol and gruffly said, "Was she selfish? Did she know what she was doing to herself and possibly her child?" He shook his head, "Never mind what she did to me, but her own child. Did she know?"
T'Pol leaned against his shoulder. "I do not know. What is the Earth saying about hindsight?"
She watched him stare at Riann. He looked up at her, "Would you have done this?"
She tilted her head, "I am Vulcan. To take this action, without the knowledge of the biological father, is an anathema to what we believe. We do have artificial insemination, but only used when all other options have been exhausted."
That surprised him, "Why?"
"Biological imperatives. But when a Vulcan is ill and may not be able to conceive at a later date, then artificial insemination is not seen as a loss, but as a logical decision."
He shook his head, "You Vulcans are a strange race sometimes."
Arching an eyebrow at him, "Oh?" He felt she wasn't quite as amused as he hoped her to be.
"Sorry, I only meant it as a joke."
They both stared down at Riann and thought about the consequences of her actions. Finally, Jonathon stepped away, pulling T'Pol with him.
Again he hugged her to him. "Aisha, I am so scared that Jon also has this disease." Softly, "I am, too."
THE NEXT MORNING
They walked into the Sickbay with Jon and Porthos. Phlox and T'Pel would do the tests and Jon would play with Miss Anne and Porthos while they waited.
They had told S'Talen, T'Lar, and Storen last night. Along with the Tucker. T'Pol's family met them in Sickbay that morning to provide what support they could. The doors opened and Tucker walked in. Pausing momentarily as he looked around the room. His eyes stopped on T'Pol.
He sighed to himself, 'It just wasn't fair.' He knew that Jon was closer to T'Pol rather than Jonathon. Heck, even he felt closer to her in this particular instance. But that was because he had helped her with Jon when he first arrived, and because they had permanently formed their friendship during that time.
He walked over to where she stood with Jon as Jonathon was talking with Phlox.
He said softly to her, "T'Pol, I'm so sorry. I really hope everything is all right. If there is anything I can do for you or for Jonathon. I'm there. Just let me know."
She turned to look at him as Jon walked over to him for a hello hug, "Hiya, Unca Trip!"
Hugging him, Trip smiled, "Hi, Jon. How're ya' doing this morning?"
"Fine!" Grinning, he went back to play with Miss Anne.
In a low voice, T'Pol nodded, "Thank you, Trip. Your support is appreciated." They exchanged a look, not sexual, but in understanding.
Jonathon and Phlox watched them. Jonathon with a small smile on his face, he wasn't jealous. Not really. He knew that Trip had tried to find common areas between him and T'Pol after he had asked Trip to be there for T'Pol if anything happened to him. 'No, I'm not really jealous of my wife and my best friend.'
He felt her arch a mental eyebrow at him and with a small grin, 'I know, Aisha, I know.'
In a soft voice, Phlox said, "Captain, T'Pel is ready. I'm just going to give him a slight sedative so he won't move around. It will be like a morning nap for him."
He nodded and joined T'Pol, Tucker, Crewman Wayne, and Jon. "Hi Daddy. Me an Mam are playin' with Miss Anne and Unca Trip."
He grinned at him, "That's great, Jon. Doctor Phlox is going to give you a check-up this morning."
"Oh?" Jonathon froze at the 'Oh.' He was always surprised, and amused, to hear T'Pol's words come out of Jon's mouth. Today it was almost painful.
Then, "Yeah, he's going to give you a shot -"
Jon looked at him, "More vit'mins?"
Jon had gotten vitamin shots for the first couple of weeks on-board. Phlox wanted his immune system to be better equipped. Jonathon nodded, "Yeah, more vitamins."
Archer felt T'Pol literally cut off her emotions, until he felt nothing but silence in the bond. He knew he wasn't alone in there, but it was very quiet, controlled.
With a big, exaggerated sigh, Jon looked at him, "Okay."
Jonathon picked him and held him as Phlox gently gave him the injection.
Everyone quietly watched as Jon quickly fell asleep in Jonathon's arms. He carried him to the imaging table, gently laying him down. He stood there watching him. Phlox and T'Pel stood beside him, waiting.
T'Pol gently pulled him back from the table, "Jonathon, Dr Phlox and T'Pel must run the scan." She didn't release his hand and he held onto her tightly.
S'Talen came up behind them. "Jonathon, T'Pol, there is nothing anyone can tell you to make this less difficult. But your family, and I believe your crew, is here to support you."
Jonathon looked back, "Thank you, S'Talen." T'Pol nodded and they all turned back to watch.
Phlox completed the scans, then he and T'Pel started the review. Tucker shifted nervously behind Archer. It was unnaturally quiet in Sickbay.
The doors opened and Hoshi walked in, stopping as everyone looked at her. Tucker went to her. She whispered, "Commander, is it over? I wanted to come down and help or something."
He nodded and whispered back, "Yeah, we all feel that way."
Twenty minutes had passed, Phlox and T'Pel looked at each other, then turned to Jonathon and T'Pol.
CONTINUED IN PART 44
PART 44 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
Everyone in the room closed in behind Jonathon and T'Pol, waiting with them.
"Captain, Sub-Commander," Phlox began, "I'm sorry, but Jon does have the genetic markers telling us the disease has begun. Its in its very early stages."
Jonathon felt as if he had been cut in half. He quickly sought out T'Pol in their bond and felt her shock, but she smothered her emotions to handle later, and gave him her support.
She asked Phlox, "Doctor, even though Jon has the genetic markers for the disease, does that mean he will fully develop the it? What are the symptoms?"
T'Pel answered, "T'Pol, there is a 95.269% chance that he will develop the full-blown disease. As you know, currently there is no cure."
T'Pel looked over at Phlox, and he continued, "He will begin to tire, and want to sleep more. His appetite will fade away. He'll loose his strength. That is all because his cells will be breaking down and mutating in his body."
T'Pol nodded and Jonathon still couldn't say anything.
S'Talen asked the next question, "Granddaughter, do you believe that the Mezzians will find a cure?"
As T'Pel considered that, T'Pol and Jonathon merged even closer in the bond.
In a shocked thought whisper, 'T'Pol, Jon has the disease.'
Equally as quiet, 'Yes.'
'What are we going to do?' 'We will do what is best for Jon.'
Impatiently, 'Yes, of course, we will. But what is it?'
'I do not know.'
They heard T'Pel answer S'Talen, "Grandfather, I believe that they will eventually find a cure. It is a genetic mutation and ways can be found to correct that."
Jonathon finally asked, in a strangled voice, "Doctors, how long before the systems appear?"
Phlox shrugged, "We just don't know, Captain. Riann was very close to death before she was put into stasis. We know that she developed the disease sometime in the last 3 years. We can use that to extrapolate for Jon. Maybe a little longer since he has your genetic make-up, maybe a little shorter." He stopped as he watched them absorb that information.
Jon started to wake up, "Mam!" He sat up and put his arms out for T'Pol to pick him up. She did, carrying him back to where Jonathon stood.
Archer intensely concentrated on them. Trying to see everything at once, but knowing he never would. His first thought was that this was going to hurt T'Pol so much.
Some of his shock receded and he made a quick decision, "Doctors, thank you. We have a lot to think about. We're going to our quarters for awhile. Trip, you've got the bridge. Kowalski is on the Vergent?" Trip nodded.
Archer looked at Storen, "Storen, if you'll go over to Vergent and help Lt Kowalski, I would appreciate it." Storen nodded his agreement.
Jonathon put his hand on T'Pol's back and gently guided her to the doors.
He stopped and looked back, "Thank you for your support today. T'Pol and I really appreciate it." He gently ran his fingers up and down her back, "But I think we need to spend some time alone right now."
He looked out the doors, then back at the Doctors, "We'll contact you later."
They nodded as Jonathon and T'Pol left. Everyone stood in the room - in silence. Hoshi tried to stifle a sniffle.
S'Talen looked at her, "Indeed."
Tucker took a breath, "Alright, let's get back to work. The Gegan should be here this afternoon. Storen, I'll have someone shuttle you over to the Vergent."
Looking at Phlox and T'Pel, "I'm assuming you're gonna stay here until they want to talk again?"
They nodded. Storen, Tucker, and Hoshi left. S'Talen and T'Lar stayed with the doctors.
ARCHERS' QUARTERS
They walked into their quarters in silence. Except for Jon. He'd been asleep and now was ready to play.
"Mam! Daddy! Read me a story! I'm hungry!" Jon scrambled around the room, picking up a book and dropping it, stopping to give Porthos a quick pat on the head, and then heading over to the snacks that T'Pol started keeping in the room.
As he opened that container, a hand reached into it first and pulled out a banana. "Jon, you may eat this banana and then we will read you a story."
Grinning up happily at her, Jon grabbed the banana she had finished peeling. "Nemaiyo!"
Jonathon's eyes were bright with unshed tears as he watched T'Pol and Jon. He saw T'Pol swallow and look back at him. He felt her iron will control her emotions and fully opened their bond. Helping each other with their grief and fear.
"Jonathon, I think that you should read to Jon." Blinking them back, he tried to grin, "Yeah, sure."
Walking over to them, "Hey, buddy, which book do you want to read?"
With a banana-filled grin, Jon pulled him over to the book shelf with his books on it. "Tigger, Daddy. Read about Tigger and Pooh Bear!"
Thirty minutes was long enough for Jon to sit there quietly and he wanted to walk Porthos.
"Daddy, Porthos needs his walk!" Energetically, he raced over to pick-up Porthos' leash and raced back, handing it to Jonathon.
Frowning, 'T'Pol, how can he be sick? He's racing around here just like always. He's acting normal!' Frustration raced through the bond.
'I know.' She was silent, both in the cabin and in their bond.
Archer pulled his eyes away from Jon to glance up at T'Pol. The very lack of expression in her eyes had him up and out of his chair in a heartbeat. He pulled her tightly into his arms and they held each other.
A few seconds later, they felt the small arms of Jon grab them around their legs. Looking down, "Me, too! I want hugs, too!" Jonathon reached down and tucked him into their hug.
CONTINUED IN PART 45 PART 45 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
They had spent the day with Jon, in their quarters and in the Mess Hall. They were aware of the sympathetic looks they got from everyone, but they weren't acknowledging them yet.
Finally, Jon went to sleep for the night. Jonathon and T'Pol sank down together on the sofa. She took his hand. She knew he was thinking about something, but what she couldn't tell what it was.
He glanced over at her and said in a low voice, "Aisha, I don't think we covered this possibility when we were talking about what we were going to do."
Nodding, but replying in the bond, 'I know.'
He pulled her into his side, 'I think we should probably talk to Phlox and T'Pel again tomorrow.'
'Yes. But tonight, we need to rest. I need to meditate first.'
She felt him nod against her head, 'Yeah. Can I meditate with you tonight?' As they were meditating, T'Pol jerked out of it, looking at Jonathon. Arching an eyebrow, she crushed her emotions and tried to enter the meditation again.
An hour later, they were finally relaxed enough to get some sleep. But about halfway thru the night Archer woke-up. He looked over at T'Pol and found her sleeping.
He looked away from T'Pol, to stare at the stars beyond the port hole. He didn't know how long he'd stared at them, but it was long enough his eyes hurt. 'Stars - we once thought they were permanent. They dominated the heavens. Now we know they aren't permanent either.'
Sighing in weary acceptance, 'Shit.' He looked back out the port hole, 'Stars - One moment they're all you see, then you fly past them and all they are is a memory.'
He turned back to look at T'Pol and found her watching at him. He took her hand in a crushing grip. She said nothing. He looked down at their bed, then raised a pained face to look at her, "Yeah."
She nodded in agreement, though her eyes became pinpoints as she felt all his emotions and her shielding became impenetrable and her expression relentless.
Reaching up she pulled him into a tight embrace, both physically and mentally. She reached deeply into his mind, causing him to stiffen as she forced her way deeper than she had ever gone before. She never had pushed him to share himself, he always gave freely. But now she thrust past his automatic rejection and fear, bursting through his walls of self-protection and privacy.
Physically, she dominated him, something she had done twice before. But both times at his decision. Now she did it at her own. At his first twitch, she rolled them over until she had his arms and legs clenched together. Even those two previous times, he still hadn't felt the full strength of a Vulcan.
Fear, 'T'Pol? What are you doing? I don't...'
He couldn't finish as a force of hot wind blew across his soul, silencing him. It offered little in comfort. 'Jonathon, we will understand and accept this decision tonight. If we do not, it will fester and come between us.'
Jonathon drew in a deep breathe, nothing T'Pol was doing was familiar. 'Why like this? I don't like what you're doing to me.'
Softly, 'I know, Jonathon.' Then in a harder voice, 'While I am sorry that I have to do this, you need to understand nothing, today, can cure Jon. Vulcan cannot. Mezzia cannot. Earth cannot.'
He shuddered, his son could not be cured. His fierce primitive anger erupted quickly, if T'Pol hadn't been expecting it, he could have been hurt her in surprise.
'WHY THE HELL AREN'T YOU MAD? AND, WHAT THE HELL IS WITH YOU AND TRIP?? He's always hanging around you and Jon! I'm not likin' that at all, T'Pol. He's my son and you're my wife...mate whatever! What the hell was that in Sickbay? Are you happy Jon's sick? So you can spend time with Trip?'
His anger was heavy and its darkness came from his soul. Stinking of fear and dread. It roamed around her mind searching for a foothold. She poked at his emotions, pushing his anger even higher. They had to deal with his hidden fears and emotions or they would never get through this.
With all of her calm Vulcan 'arrogance,' 'Commander Tucker was there when you were not. He helped me with Jon when you could not. He helped me when you could not. He was there for me when you were not. Is that not what you asked him to do?'
Fire shot through the bond, 'ONLY IF I WAS DEAD!! DAMN IT, I'M NOT DEAD!! MY SON IS DYING! Why aren't you mad? Damn it, are you happy because Jon's not truly your son?'
At that last thought, Jon stopped, froze. Not that he could move, but he froze anyway.
The silence in the bond was a ticking bomb - just a few more seconds and it would explode.
Fiercely, 'How dare you assume that you mean nothing to me! How dare you assume that Jon means nothing to me! If we do nothing, Jon will die. He may anyway. The actions we take give him his only hope!'
Jonathon felt Vulcan fire burn at his consciousness, but he fought his way into it. 'You're angry! An angry Vulcan! How's that possible? Vulcan's don't have emotions. Yeah, right! Another Vulcan myth exposed!! You're pissed because I had a child with another woman and you're happy that he's sick!' Jonathon couldn't believe the things that poured out of his mind, but couldn't seem to stop himself.
Into his mind, sounds and pictures forced their way in. It was Vulcan - red sky, with its intense, unrelenting heat, and its desert sand and rocks. In the background there was the heartbeat of hundreds of drums, each enhancing the uncontrolled emotions of Vulcan as they crashed in his mind, deafening him to all but, 'You are wrong, Jonathon Archer, and now you will really see.'
He barely had time to take a breathe, both physically and mentally, before T'Pol scorched her final path into his soul. His back arched at the intrusion.
S'Talen, T'Lar, T'Pel, and Stolen all sat up in bed, realizing that the ancient Vulcan way of kae'at k'lasa (forceful mind intrusion) was occurring.
Pushing the communication pad, "S'Talen to T'Lar."
"I know. We will meet at their cabin.' The connection broke off.
The four Vulcans met at the door to the Archers' quarters. They did not enter or push the annunicator button. They merely stood outside the door - waiting.
One hour later the cabin door opened and T'Pol stepped out. Totally expressionless, but with bruised eyes, she surveyed the others.
T'Pol nodded, then in old Vulcan, "Yes, it was a...drastic measure to take. He is my mate and its my decision. Any repercussions are my own affair."
They nodded, but S'talen replied, "Granddaughter, can you accept the repercussions?"
Swallowing, "I did not have any choice but to try to reach understanding. This would have disabled him from...us and with continuing his mission. It was my choice."
T'Pel and Storen had stepped up behind her, offering their silent support. Finally, T'Lar spoke, still in Vulcan, "Unfortunately, I agree with T'Pol." She stared at T'Pol, "But I also agree that the repercussions may have damaged your relationship with Jonathon."
T'Pol dipped her head for a moment, then "I can only hope that Jonathon understands once he has had time to absorb what and why I did what I did."
They all nodded. She looked at them one more time, "They are both asleep. Please ensure that Dr. Phlox sees both of them?"
They nodded again and she went to the communicator on the wall, "T'Pol to Commander Tucker."
After a moment, "Tucker here, Sub-Commander."
"Commander, I am returning to the Vergent, please take command of the Enterprise until Captain Archer is available."
She could see Tucker raising his eyebrows at her phrasing, "Will do, Sub- Commander. Is everything okay?"
Unemotionally, "Yes. T'Pol out."
Without turning around, she walked away.
CONTINUED IN PART 46 PART 46 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN
"Man, what the heck happened last night?" Jonathon rubbed his eyes, moaning, "T'Pol, I've got the worst headache I've ever had." He kept his eyes closed, trying to figure out why he ached so much.
Jerking his hands from his face, he looked over at T'Pol's side of the bed. Empty. Shit.
Racing from his bed, he found Jon sleeping in his small bed. Closing his eyes in relief, then embarrassment. 'What did you think she was gonna do, steal him away?' He crept back to sit on their bed as some memories from last night's nightmare crashed back into his mind.
Wincing, he dropped his head into his hands. 'What the hell did we do last night?' Pushing his palms into eyes, he tried to push out the pain pounding behind them, 'Why did we do what we did?'
With another soft groan, he gathered up his clothes, heading into the shower. With a sigh of relief, he let the hot water pour down over his head, easing some of his headache. Frowning, he continued to think about last night.
Ten minutes later he quietly got out of the shower, as he wanted Jon to sleep as much as possible. Dressing, he paused as more memories raced in. He looked at his arms, bruises. Then he looked at his legs, more bruises. 'Damn.'
Frowning, he asked himself for the fifth time, 'Why isn't T'Pol here?' Pulling on his boots, 'Yeah, sure this was bad, really bad, very bad, but she's never left before when we had a fight.' He tossed his wet towel into the container and looked around the cabin.
A deeper frown, their bond? He tried it. It was there, but it felt like they very far apart. Walking over to the intercom, "Archer to T'Pol."
A pause, then Trip answered, "Bridge here, Captain. Can I help you? T'Pol's not here."
Narrowing his eyes, he remembered what he felt last night about Trip and T'Pol, "Where's my wife, Commander?"
Startled, Trip looked over at Hoshi, who was also surprised at the question and the harshness of his tone, "Ahh, Sir, she's on the Vergent. She left me in charge until you get here."
Silence, "Captain, do you want me to hail her?"
"No, Commander, I don't think so. I'll be there shortly. Archer out."
"Yes, si-." The connection broke. Trip looked over at Hoshi and Travis, "What the heck was that about?"
Sighing, Archer collected his thoughts and dropped down into his chair. Porthos walked up and put his paw on his foot.
Staring down at him, "I guess you didn't get fed this morning, did you, boy?" He quickly put down some breakfast for Porthos. Archer walked over to Jon, watching him sleep. Exhaling, 'I can't believe I accused T'Pol of not loving him. I know she does. Hell, I know she loves me, too.'
Glancing over at the chronometer, he saw that it was still about 20 minutes before Jon normally woke up, 'I need to get something for this headache.'
'Buzz.'
Puzzled, Archer went to his door and found four Vulcans staring at him.
'Great.'
Quietly, "Good morning. Would you like to come in? Jon's still asleep."
S'Talen shook his head, "No, Jonathon. Perhaps you would step out?"
With a quick look behind him, he did. "Is there something I can do for you? T'Pol's not here right now, but if you need her, I can -"
Stopping at S'Talen's shake of his head, "We have already seen T'Pol this morning, Jonathon. I believe that you are in need our assistance."
At his piercing gaze, Jonathon blinked, then shored up his shields, "What do you mean?"
"We know what happened last night, Jonathon," T'Lar answered his question. At his frozen expression, she continued, "We know what has happened, but the exact details are between you and T'Pol."
Slowly nodding, "All right, then why are you here?"
T'Pel answered, "Jonathon, T'Pol asked that we ensure that you and Jon see Dr. Phlox this morning. You, because you may possibly have a headache and Jon for more testing."
Reluctantly agreeing, "He's not up yet. But I could use something."
"Jonathon, if you would permit, Storen and I will stay with Jon until he wakes, then bring him to Sickbay."
Slowly, "Thank you, I would appreciate it." They nodded and went into his cabin, while he went to Sickbay. S'Talen and T'Lar accompanying him.
S'Talen said quietly, "Jonathon, if you have a need to discuss what has happened, T'Lar or I would listen."
Stopping, Jonathon turned to look at them, challenging, "Why?"
Shrugging, as it was obvious, "Because it is traditional in Vulcan clans to assist family members if we are able."
Not saying anything he walked into Sickbay. Phlox turned around with a somber expression on his face, "Good morning, Captain. May I help you?" Phlox nodded at the Vulcans.
Studying Phlox, "I suppose T'Pol stopped by and to see you this morning, Doc?"
"Yes, she said that you might have a headache. Would you like some pain medication?" Phlox picked up the preset injector. At his nod, Phlox injected him. "I tried to give some to the Sub-Commander this morning, but she wouldn't take any."
Feeling his neck finally relax, he asked, "T'Pol needed pain meds?"
Surprised by that question, Phlox nodded, "Yes, Captain. She appeared to be slightly in pain. While you know most Vulcans handle pain through meditation, I didn't think T'Pol..." he trailed off.
Frowning, "T'Pol, what?"
"Well, I thought she didn't seem to be quite herself. But I couldn't convince her to do anything about it. But you know how Vulcans are about pain meds."
Looking over at S'Talen and T'Lar, "No offense."
S'Talen put his hands in his sleeves, "None taken when the truth is told."
Archer turned around, "S'Talen, you knew T'Pol didn't feel well today, yet you let her leave?"
Arching an eyebrow at him, "Jonathon, she is your First Officer and Mate, if you did not want her to leave, you could have tried to prevent it."
Frowning, he paused, trying not to get angry at S'Talen since it wasn't his fault, "All right, what's wrong with her?"
T'Lar answered in a dry voice, "The same as yourself, except as the initiator, she exhausted more personal energy."
Then she scared him, "Captain," something his visiting in-laws hadn't called him since their arrival, "something very serious is happening to you and T'Pol. Something that is being triggered by your son's illness. You need to understand what it is and how you wish to deal with it."
He gestured for her to continue, "And?"
He got another arched eyebrow, "And? All decisions are yours and T'Pol's."
At that point the Sickbay doors opened and Jon walked through with T'Pel and Storen. "Daddy! Mam's family got me up today! They let me have raisins and bananas in my cereal!" Jonathon smiled at his enthusiasm.
Jon walked around Sickbay chattering happily at the animals, then went over to Archer, "Where's Mam, Daddy?"
Everyone watched as he knelt down to Jon with an awkward smile, "She's on the other ship right now. Remember, I showed it to you the last time she was there."
"Oh, okay." Jon traced Archer's IDIC symbol on his collar. He hadn't taken it off since that mission on Harkarin. "She comin' home tonight?"
"Yeah, Buddy, I think so."
Still playing with the symbol, "Mam mad at us, Daddy?"
Frowning, "Why do you say that, Jon? Did you see Mam this morning?"
"Yeah, when she was getting dressed. But she didn't see me." Archer asked again, "Why do you think Mam's mad?"
"Cos, she usually kisses us when she gets up, but today she didn't. And she rubbed her head, like it hurt."
Smiling sadly, "Well, Mam's got a headache this morning. I'm sure she just forgot."
Looking up at him with innocent eyes, "Daddy, you'll make Mam all better? I like it when she kisses us."
Swallowing a lump the size of a small asteroid, he was able to drag out, "Yeah, I like it, too."
"But you'll make Mam better?"
Feeling the eyes of the entire room on him, he answered truthfully, "I'm gonna try."
CONTINUED IN PART 47