A/N it seems that this pairing was more of a success than I thought, so upon request, here's the next chapter
Jonathon Archer paced restlessly in his quarters, which wasn't very satisfying; he could only take a few steps before turning. He wanted to be back on the bridge, but the doctor had threatened to remove him from duty. Archer didn't really think that Phlox would do it but, truth be told, he didn't want to cross the doc, he'd become a valuable friend. And, Archer thought to himself, T'Pol was on the bridge, and he didn't want to have to face her.
>>how did we…bond? >>he thought to himself. >>why me? She's meditated with other people. Did she do this on purpose?...no, she couldn't…could she?>>
He stopped pacing and made his way other to the computer terminal at the desk, ordering it to search for all known files on Vulcan meditation and bonding rituals. There were three pages of files, most of them with only a brief mention of meditation. A memo on how Vulcan dignitaries should be given an ante-room to meditate while they were on board. The use of meditation in Vulcan marriage rituals. Etiquette training for Starfleet Admirals when meeting a Vulcan. hang on, marriage rituals? Archer tried to access the file, but a message flashed up on the screen
THIS FILE HAS BEEN LOCKED. ACCESS CODE REQUIRED
He tried a few of the other promising looking options, but the same message appeared. Archer sighed to himself; there was only one person on board Enterprise who would lock these files. He knew that T'Pol would be on duty until 21:00 hours, and he remembered that they were supposed to be meeting to perform some sort of 'de-bonding', Archer didn't know what exactly it entailed, but he did know he needed to have a serious talk with his second in command.
At the appointed hour, the Captain stood awkwardly outside T'Pol's quarters, although, quite why he felt awkward, he couldn't say. He rang the door chime and went in at her answer. He found a small table, set with T'Pol's meditation candle, just as he had only a few weeks earlier when the bond had apparently been formed. A rustle of movement at the edge of his vision caused Archer to turn and what he saw took all of his diplomatic training to stop his jaw dropping. T'Pol stood framed in the doorway, formal robes falling to the floor. She crossed the room and sat cross legged at the table before acknowledging the Captain and gesturing for him to seat himself opposite her.
He did so, then silently slid a padd across the table, showing the blocked files. She had the grace to look slightly discomfited for a few seconds before the Vulcan composure reasserted itself.
"Since you've chosen to stop me accessing these, I'd appreciate you answering a few questions…if you don't mind, that is?"
There was the briefest of small sighs before T'Pol looked up and met his gaze squarely, giving permission to ask whatever he wanted, but not promising answers.
"Alright then, how did we do this?"
"I believe that, during our recent attempt at meditation, I was not careful enough in shielding my mind. That is when the bond occurred."
"And, does this happen often? How come it hasn't happened with any of the others you've meditated with?"
"I cannot explain why it has happened with you and no other. I can only offer my most sincere apologies"
Archer ran a hand through his hair, a gesture which showed a certain agitation of mind.
"T'Pol…some of those' he waved a hand in the direction of the padd, 'mention marriage rites. Is that the kind of bond that you and I have now?"
"The bond we share now is the preliminary stage for several kinds of ceremonies. It could become anything, depending on the next stages undertaken by the participants. Captain, I was under the impression that we were here to dissolve the bond, not to discuss it."
As she spoke, T'Pol arranged the candle in between them, then reached across it to take Archer's hands. She slowed her breathing, making herself ready for the ritual. Archer tried to remember what he had been taught when she had tried to meditate with him before. He breathed in and out slowly, focussing on the candle flame and trying not to think about what she was doing.
A few moments passed in silence, then T'Pol let go of the Captain's hands, jolting him from a trance-like state.
"The bond is getting stronger. I cannot break it, something is preventing me."
"What's stopping you?"
"I am not certain. Both parties must desire the dissolution of the bond." T'Pol almost, almost, looked faintly pleased, but Archer was too preoccupied to notice the expression.
"I don't know how to stop you. I'm as confused as you are, this is your people's area of expertise…humans don't need telepathy to communicate fully." Archer didn't mean for his last comment to sound like a slur on his first officer, but he was feeling angry and confused, an unusual state for the stoic Captain. As a flash of hurt flared in his mind, it suddenly occurred to the Captain that the feelings he was experiencing did not come from him, but from the seemingly emotionless being opposite him. He almost gasped as he made the realisation, the emotions roiling just below the surface of the calm Vulcan exterior, he had no idea that T'Pol, or indeed any Vulcan, worked so hard to control herself.
"I'm sorry, T'Pol, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. It's just…" the Captain broke off, he couldn't begin to explain what he felt or thought, the experience was entirely new, there was no precedent for the Captain to draw a comparison, nothing like this had ever happened before.
"what do you want to do?' he asked, 'Shall we try again?" Archer settled himself at the table again and held his hands across the table as before.
"I do not think we should continue Captain. The bond could strengthen further, which neither of us wishes."
Wordlessly, deep in their souls, each added silently 'yet'
A/N. Continue? I probably will, as I hate cliff-hangers with a fiery vengeance, but it'd be nice if I had some feedback on it