PART 56 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN; but what I think up.

Archer broke in, "Trip, what's going on?"

The people on the Vergent bridge looked up at the screen, and Trip replied, "Sorry, Cap'n, T'Pol, but things are gettin' somewhat...fractious around here. I need to work on the engines with Katie and the Mezzian engineers. The Gegan should be ready to take the Vergent back with them in about 4- hours, if we can get the engines working. Batag, the Gegan First Officer, had an accident and is in the Gegan Sick Bay, but should be able to get here at about the same time."

He sighed and looked apologetically at T'Pol, "I'm sorry, T'Pol, but Riann is driving us crazy here. The Mezzians are getting upset, and truthfully, so are the rest of us. The Mezzians want you to come back until Batag gets here, then we can all go home."

Archer frowned, then asked, "Commander, is there anything else?"

"Yeah, Cap'n, there is." He nodded over at the other side of the bridge and they saw Riann laying on the floor, unconscious. Nybm was beside her.

"What happened?"

Tucker, Reed, and Nybm exchanged a look, "Well, Cap'n, we had the screen on the Enterprise's bridge, but no sound as she was gettin' alittle loud. And, well, when she saw T'Pol walk out of the 'lift carrying Jon, she got -- "

Nybm broke in, "Hysterical, Captain. I made a medical decision and gave her light sedative. She should wake up in 30 minutes and this will not effect the vaccine she received earlier."

Exchanging a quick look with T'Pol, Archer asked, "Why do the Mezzians want T'Pol to go back? I could return if you need someone there."

Trip nodded at Nybm to answer, "Captain, you would be welcome, but my Captain would prefer that T'Pol continue to command our vessel until Batag takes over. We do apologize for the discomfort this may cause, but we have agreements and history with Vulcan."

While frowning at the view screen, Jonathon gently teased T'Pol, 'Well, that's unusual. Someone actually wants Vulcans.'

Feeling an eyebrow arch, 'I had believed you did also.'

'Yeah, I do. I really do. You'll be home tonight?'

'If not, I suggest we will determine why there is a cylinder in the middle of the bed.'

She felt his chuckle in the bond and thought, 'I must go, even though I do not want to go.'

As they exchanged their feelings, T'Pol thought, 'Jonathon, do you forgive me?'

Jonathon physically turned to look at her, 'Yes, Aisha, I do. As much as what happened was terrible, it would have been worse if we had ignored it." He fully opened his side of the bond, so she would feel everything he did. She felt his anger, his sorrow, his forgiveness, and his apologies.

As she studied him, a smile crept through her eyes only noticed by Jonathon. 'I cherish thee, Jonathon.'

Smiling at her, not caring that the bridge crew on both ships' watched, 'I cherish thee, T'Pol.' He waited a heartbeat, 'Does that mean you forgive me for my fears?'

'You feel what I feel, you know what I know. There is nothing to forgive.'

He leaned down to kiss her, then realized where they were. 'The Hell with it.' He kissed her anyway, very circumspectly. Grinning, he pulled back. Everyone stared as they broke the stare.

Jon patted his thigh, "Daddy?"

Jonathon looked down at him, "Yes, Jon?"

"Is Mam goin' away again?"

"Yeah, buddy, she's going back to the Vergent."

"Again? Over there with Uncle Trip?" Trip grinned at him.

"Yeah. Let's watch Mam go back over." He looked at T'Pol, then nodded at Reed.

T'Pol stepped back, disappeared in a scatter of light, then reappeared on board the Vergent.

Retreating back into ship's decorum, "Captain, I will contact you shortly with a status report."

He teased her, "I'll be here, Sub-Commander."

A glint of a smile found its way into her eyes, "Indeed. Vergent out."

T'Pol turned around to look at the people on the bridge, then, "Commander Tucker?"

Exhaling, "No change, Sub-Commander."

He paused, then stepped closer to her and asked quietly, "T'Pol, maybe this isn't my business, but what are we gonna do about Riann?"

At her arched eyebrow he added, "Are we gonna leave her on the Vergent or what?"

She considered that for a moment, "I suppose I could not choose or what?"

He was stunned at that, then smothered a chuckle, "You and Jon are okay?"

She looked at him, then replied softly, "Yes. Thank you. You are a good friend."

Shrugging that off, "Yeah, well... You're welcome."

T'Pol turned the conversation back to the ship, "When will the engines be ready?"

Taking his cue from her, he stepped back, "If all goes well, about the same time Batag gets here. They've sent us more supplies, so that's not a problem. Its just time."

Nodding, "Very well. Would you please go assist in Engineering?" "Sure. If anything changes, I'll let you know." Tucker took one last look at the woman laying on the floor. Shaking his head, he left the bridge.

T'Pol also was looking at Riann, then glanced up at Nybm. "Should Riann be moved to sick bay or a cabin?"

"Perhaps a cabin would be best. But I would request that your Ensigns Cutler and Watson stay with her, rather than I."

Agreeing, "Ensigns, would you please move Riann to the cabin she was previously in?"

She turned to look at Reed as Watson picked Riann up and left the bridge with Cutler.

Reed began his report, "The area around the ship remains secure. Weapons and shields are on-line, but of course, we can't move anywhere without the engines."

"In Earth idiom, that would make us a 'sitting duck'?"

He blinked in surprise, "Ah, yes, Ma'am, it would."

"Ensign Womack, please maintain a sensor sweep in all directions and ensure communications are open between the ships."

As Womack acknowledged her orders, Nybm walked over to T'Pol, "Sub- Commander, perhaps we could talk privately?"

Nodding, "Lt Reed, you have the bridge. Doctor Nybm and I will be in the conference room."

They sat down at the table, as the doors swished closed enveloping them in silence. Nybm studied T'Pol. The silence got longer, but T'Pol waited until Nybm spoke.

Finally, Nybm did. "Sub-Commander, I can report that the vaccine we gave to the Akaali has worked as anticipated. She is cured of the disease. What we did not expect was that she would no longer be able to bear children."

T'Pol tilted her head, "Is that a problem? From our earlier conversations, we were told she would be encouraged not to procreate as she could pass the genetic malformation to any subsequent children."

Nodding, "Yes, that is correct. Now there is no concern for that."

Again, silence fell into the room and again, T'Pol waited for Nybm. "We are no longer positive that the vaccine will be appropriate for the child."

T'Pol blinked. "In regards to procreation?"

"Yes, but also the human genomes Jon carries have not been considered. However, we have an alternate suggestion."

After a moment, "We should be discussing this with my mate."

"I have already spoken to your Doctor Phlox and he examined our findings. He concurs with our recommendations and will be speaking to your mate."

After a moment, "You elected to separate us, why?"

"Yes, that is true. We did separate you on purpose and I apologize for the subterfuge. We have not dealt with many humanoid species and they are almost as unpredictable as Klingons and Andorians. The Akaali is the first one we have ever treated and we do not know if they are all agoraphobic or if it is just she."

T'Pol arched an eyebrow, "As you have seen, the other humans and my mate are not agoraphobic."

Agreeing, "We have noticed that. However, as you know when we meet and interact with new species, we prefer to have another species that knows both species work with us as intermediaries. It is our way."

T'Pol had known that and was surprised at how accommodating the Mezzians had been in regards to the chaperone concerns.

"I had noted that you were accommodating us in this regard and appreciate the efforts you have made. What do you propose for Jon?"

Nybm had expected this typical Vulcan response and replied, "To reduce the current vaccine to its lowest possible concentration and provide it to Jon in a continuous series of injections until a cure is found. Otherwise we would suggest that he be put into a stasis chamber until the correct vaccine is determined."

At T'Pol's unasked query Nybm added, "We are hoping that between our medical science and working with your Dr Phlox and T'Pel on Vulcan, we can solve this new concern."

Thinking about what Nybm said, T'Pol reached out to Jonathon. 'Phlox just told me. I assume Nybm told you?'

'Yes.'

'What do you think?' 'We have little choice.'

'Yeah, me too. But I need Phlox to tell us more about what we can expect to happen to Jon with just the injections.' He paused a moment, 'Do you know why they wanted to separate us?'

She quickly explained. He grouched, 'I suppose they're right, but I'd really rather spend some time with you.'

He felt her affection, 'I, too, would rather be with you,' then fade away.

Concerned, 'What are you thinking about?'

'Riann. When the Mezzians leave what will we do with her?'

Unease rumbled through his end of the bond, finally, 'As much as I rather she didn't, I guess she'll have to come with us until we decide what to do. What do you think?'

She let him feel her discomfort, then she smothered it, 'I agree, there is no other option. We can put Storen and T'Pel into one cabin and give her the other.'

'Great.'

FOUR HOURS LATER

T'Pol was sitting on the bridge with Reed, Womack, and the Mezzians bridge specialists when the 'lift doors opened and Riann walked onto the bridge. With apologetic expressions, Watson and Cutler followed her.

Watson spoke up, "Sub-Commander, she...ah... didn't want to wait in the cabin any longer and --"

"And I didn't want to be kept in the dark any longer either. Tell me what is going on and where my son is!"

T'Pol contemplated this woman standing before her. Finally, "We are waiting for the engines to be repaired. At that time we will hand this ship back to the Mezzians and return to the Enterprise."

Riann looked at the screen where the Enterprise could be seen against the backdrop of the stars. "Well, I want to go now."

Riann barely contained her anger at this being who had Jonathon for a husband and was raising her child. She didn't know the force of her emotions were crashing against T'Pol's shields.

Staring at Riann, "You will need to wait with the rest of us until we are able to leave. Perhaps Ensign Womack could find you some literature in the library?"

"And when would that be?"

Before T'Pol could answer, "TUCKER TO SUB-COMMANDER T'POL."

T'Pol flicked a switch, "T'Pol here."

"We're ready to try the engines now. Let me know when you're ready."

"Standby, Commander."

She looked at Womack, "Ensign, please inform the Enterprise and the Gegan, requesting that they move away from the Vergent approximately 1.25 AUs."

A moment later Womack reported back, "Ma'am, they've acknowledged and are moving away."

Everyone looked up to watch the Enterprise slowly move away from the Vergent. The Gegan was already holding steady that distance from the Vergent.

"Ma'am, Captain Archer is hailing us."

"On screen."

Jonathon appeared and he frowned when he saw Riann standing by T'Pol. 'I thought I felt reinforced shielding.' Sighing, 'Have I apologized about her yet?'

'Yes, but there is no need.'

"Bridge to Commander Tucker, you may restart the engines."

A familiar rumble sounded, then a vibration made its way from the engine room. Tucker's voice sounded out from the intercom, "T'Pol, we've got green lights across the panels again and the engines are settling down into their normal parameters. We'll watch it for awhile and let you know."

"Thank you, T'Pol out."

Jonathon asked, "What time will the Gegan First Officer be available to take over?"

"I spoke with Captain Sertam and he said that another hour and she and her crew will transport over."

ONE AND HALF HOURS LATER

Batag and the replacement crew had finally transported over to take command of the Vergent from T'Pol and the Enterprise crew. They had been sincerely thanked again, then quickly escorted to their shuttlecraft. The Mezzians wanted out of this particular section of space before they got attacked again.

It was a silent, uncomfortable, and incredibly long, 15 minute trip back to the ship. No attempt was made to break the silence in the shuttle.

CONTINUED IN PART 57