PART 57 Author: Witezon@aol.com Pairing: A/T Rating: PG-13 Everything belongs to Paramount/UPN; but what I think up.

Jonathon was waiting as the shuttle docked, dismissing the crew with his thanks. 'Don't leave,' he thought at T'Pol.

'She may not appreciate my presence.'

'Tough.' Then he sighed, 'Well, if it gets bad, there's no reason for you to stay and listen to her abuse.'

In a very strong mental voice, 'Jonathon, there is no reason for you to subject yourself to that either. She is the one at fault. She is the one who chooses to dislike other species. But if you believe that it would be easier without me, I will take that into consideration.' A smile crossed his face at that thought.

Impatiently, Riann broke into their conversation, "Why do you two stare at each like that? Its unnerving."

His smile disappeared as he turned to Riann, "Sorry, Riann, but I haven't seen my wife in awhile."

At T'Pol's uplifted eyebrow, he suggested, "Why don't we show you to your quarters and we can talk there?"

With a deep sigh, "Yes, that would be fine."

As they entered her quarters, Riann turned around and gestured at the room, "This is very nice, thank you. Now tell me what's going to happen."

Glancing at T'Pol, he began, "Now we're leaving this sector and returning on our scheduled course. Tonight, we need to explain to you about your illness and how it affected Jon. I'd prefer the doctors explain it to you, but we can attempt to answer any questions you have."

Riann stared at him, then looked at T'Pol who was just standing to his left. "What is the name of your species?"

Archer frowned at that question, but T'Pol thought to him that it was alright. "I am Vulcan."

"And you have been taking care of my child?"

"Yes."

"Ensign Cutler said that you are second in command, behind Jonathon, of this ship?"

"That's right," Jonathon answered, not understanding where this conversation was heading.

Riann merely nodded, "Can I see my son?"

Still frowning at her, "Yes, he's in Sick Bay. I'll ask Crewman Wayne to bring him here."

"Crewman Wayne?"

"She watches him when we work."

She nodded. As they waited for Crewman Wayne to bring Jon, Riann said, "He's a very smart child, I suppose you're teaching him something?"

T'Pol answered after a moment, "Yes, Jon is a very smart child and he is learning in areas appropriate for his age and abilities."

Jonathon thought to T'Pol, 'Why's she asking these questions?' 'I do not know. It is not what I would have expected.'

Riann studied them again, "You have been together a long time?"

Archer frowned again, "Why -"

BUZZ. Archer stepped back and touched the door pad. In walked Anne with Jon.

"Thank you, Crewman. You're dismissed." She shot back out as quick as she could.

Jon hadn't gotten any further than seeing Jonathon and T'Pol. He skipped over to them, "Hi Daddy. Hi Mam, are you home now?"

Grinning, Jonathon squatted down, "Yeah, she sure is."

At that he tossed himself at her legs. "Good! You've been gone a lot. Even Daddy said so."

With raised eyebrows, T'Pol looked at Jonathon, "Oh?" He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

He grinned abashedly at her, while Jon hugged her legs. Leaning down, T'Pol hugged him for a moment. He smiled at her, then went to stand in Jonathon's arms.

T'Pol had been surreptitiously watching Riann during the entire conversation and was not sure she understand the expression on her face. Jonathon thought at her, 'Don't look at me. I don't understand either. She seems angry, but there's something else, too.'

Jonathon turned Jon around, "Jon, look who is here."

Jon finally saw his mother. Riann knelt down and opened her arms, "Jon, I'm so happy to see you."

After a moment, he walked over to her, "Hello, Mummy. Where's Aunt Mayea?"

She hugged him, "Aunt Mayea is at home."

"Okay." He turned back to T'Pol, "Mam, can we have dinner now? I'm hungry and Grandfather said he would eat with us tonight."

Riann looked up, "Grandfather? Your Grandfather is here, Jonathon?"

Shaking his head, "No, T'Pol's is, along with her aunt and two cousins."

"They're Vulcans, too?"

Jon smiled, "Ha." Then he asked her a simple question in Vulcan.

Frowning, "What did you say? What language was that?"

T'Pol answered that one, "He is learning to speak Vulcan."

Trying to smile, Riann ground out, "Wonderful. I told you he's a smart boy."

Jon pulled away from Riann and went to T'Pol. Pulling on her hand, he pulled, "Can we go now, Mam? I know its dinner time."

"You do?"

"Yeah, my tummy's hungry."

She looked up at Jonathon, 'Would you take Riann to meet with Doctor Phlox, while I will take Jon to get some dinner. Grandfather will be there waiting for us there.'

Sighing, 'Go, we'll meet you there. I hate this, I feel like we're just treading water waiting for the shark attack.'

He felt her surprise at that comment, 'From what I recall that is bad. But we will watch out for each other.'

He smiled at her, then looked at Riann, "T'Pol is going to take Jon to get some dinner and meet her Grandfather. I'd like to take you to meet with Doctor Phlox and he can explain about Jon."

T'Pol put her hand out for Jon, "Come Jon, let us go to dinner." As she passed in front of Jonathon, he stopped her and held out his two fingers where Riann couldn't see. She touched them with hers and a blaze of emotion and desire warmed them. A touch of that warmth flickered across her eyes, 'I am here, if you need me.'

He watched as they left. Riann watched him, rather than her son.

"You love her, don't you?"

Wondering why she kept asking these questions, but determined to be as pleasant as possible, "Yes, I do."

Gesturing to the door, "Why don't we go to Sick Bay?"

As they walked, "Doesn't she ever smile? Or laugh? Does she have emotions?"

"Why are you so interested in T'Pol?"

With a careful answer, "Because she is taking care of my son and he seems to like her."

They walked in silence, then he pointed to a door, "We're here." Staring at her, "The doctor doesn't look like us either, and he's very good."

She muttered, "What a surprise."

In they walked and found Phlox and T'Pel. Jonathon introduced them to Riann and she turned to T'Pel.

"You must be T'Pol's cousin?"

"Yes." "You don't smile either?"

"No."

Archer rolled his eyes, and broke in, "Doctors, would you please explain to Riann about Jon?"

Phlox started, but realized Riann wasn't at all comfortable with him. He nodded at T'Pel for her to continue.

T'Pel dispassionately explained the illness, how it occurred, how she had been cured, but because of the genetic differences with Captain Archer's genes, Jon's illness differed from hers and what treatments he needed. She also explained that they would continue to research to find a cure for him.

Once Riann had asked the few questions she had, as T'Pel had been very thorough in her explanations, they left.

Jonathon looked at her, "Riann, did they answer your questions?"

She glanced up at him, "Yes, the Vulcan answered my questions."

After a moment she asked, "What are Vulcans? Why are they green?"

Frowning at her, "They're just the same as you, but physically different due to their planet's environment."

She didn't say anything else and they continued in silence. "This is the Mess Hall." He opened the door and saw that T'Pol hadn't gone into the Captain's Dining Room. She were sitting at a table with several other people.

T'Pol looked up at him, 'It seems that dinner has become some sort of social gathering.'

He grinned at her, 'I see. Did you save me a seat?' 'Always.'

Not only was S'Talen, T'Lar, and Storen there, but also Trip, Reed, Cutler, Wayne, and Sato. Trip was sitting on the other side of Jon, talking with him and the others.

Riann watched him, "That blond man, Tucker, seems very comfortable with your wife and our son."

T'Pol looked up at Jonathon as she heard the comment. As did the other Vulcans, but they ignored it, continuing with their dinner.

'Don't worry, Aisha. We really did need that confrontation and it helped. But you know that.'

'Yes, Aisha, I do. Come, I saved two seats.' Smiling at everyone, he directed Riann to the chair farthest from T'Pol.

Jon was enjoying all the extra attention he was getting during dinner and T'Pol kept trying to keep him from becoming hyper and unmanageable. Jonathon looked around T'Pol, watching Jon's antics, "How are we going to get him to sleep tonight?"

With a perfectly stoic expression S'Talen answered, "Read to him, after you have taken him for long walk with your canine."

Trip and Reed almost choked trying not to laugh. Archer had more experience with T'Pol making the same type of bald statements and was able to rub his nose to hide his smile.

He nodded, "Good suggestion. Thank you."

Riann didn't make many comments during dinner and sooner rather than later, most of the crew left to go on with their duties. Their clan also retired for the night.

Jonathon and T'Pol stood up, he looked at her, "I guess its time to walk the dog and kid. Wanna come?"

He felt her amusement in the bond, but all she said was, "Yes, but I should do something else first."

She then tilted her head in Riann's direction and asked, "Riann, may I bring some items to your cabin?"

Riann sighed for the umpteenth time that night, "Yes, thank you. I don't have anything with me."

Being the responsible First Officer and Vulcan, "Perhaps you and I should go to Supplies instead and you may select all the items you need?"

With Riann's grudging agreement, T'Pol turned to Jonathon, "Perhaps you and Jon can start without me? I will stop by the bridge and then meet up with you."

Gratefully and sympathetically, Jonathon put his hand on her shoulder, "Thank you." Then in the bond, 'How soon do you think you will be done with Riann and how soon do you Jon will fall asleep?'

She arched an eyebrow and he felt a flare of heat, 'Soon for both.' 'Good.'

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

T'Pol stood quietly, as Riann walked through the supplies area selecting what she needed. It was an awkward silence as Lt Salenger, the Supply Officer, followed Riann through the aisles. Finally, she finished.

T'Pol and Riann waited as Salenger finished the documentation, which T'Pol authorized, then T'Pol nodded to her, "Thank you, Lt."

"No problem, Sub-Commander, I'm glad I could help."

Once they were back at Riann's cabin, "Riann, if you need anything, please contact us through the intercom." As T'Pol walked back to the door, after showing Riann how to work the intercom, she heard --

"Wait."

T'Pol turned around and waited.

Riann studied her and still couldn't figure out what Jonathon saw in her. "Thank you for taking care of Jon."

Nodding, "You are welcome."

"I didn't like you when I first met you on Akaali."

T'Pol said nothing.

Riann stared at her, "I don't believe I like you now either."

T'Pol still said nothing.

Riann took one step forward, "I want Jonathon to come back to Akaali with me. And Jon, of course."

T'Pol continued to say nothing, merely observing Riann's performance.

Frustrated by T'Pol's lack of response, "Aren't you worried about that? I want your husband. I want him to come back to Akaali with me. And Jon."

"No."

She stared at Riann for a moment longer, then turned and left. THUMP. Something hit the closed door. T'Pol arched an eyebrow, but didn't turn around.

CONTINUED IN PART 58