Archer had no idea that under T'Pol's calm exterior there were so many emotions roiling that she worked so hard to keep under control. He detected ambition, desire, fear, longing, happiness and any number of sensations which flitted by too quickly for him to identify. The intensity was incredible and Archer marvelled at the strength T'Pol had to possess in order to keep control. The moment ended and this time Archer was the first to speak
"I don't think I can wait until tomorrow"
A few minutes later found the Captain and Subcommander seated, as they had so often been in the past few days, on either side of T'Pol's table. Both commanding officers were trying to calm themselves, with T'Pol obviously being more successful than Archer.
"Captain, we should do this at another time, there is too much to be discussed for it to be done with any speed."
"I'm not tired and you're not on shift again for 18 hours. T'Pol, I really think I need to understand what has happened here, and you're the only one who can explain it"
"Very well. What do you wish to know?"
"Well, for starters, does this mean that you…I mean, I don't want to presume on your feelings" Archer could feel himself getting embarrassed and stopped talking before he could make a complete idiot of himself /again/ he thought wryly
"This bond is of the mind, not the body, but I believe I have been having some romantic feelings towards you. You must understand that this has never happened to me before, on Vulcan children do not experiment with their feelings, do not get 'crushes', nothing. I am hoping that you will help me to decipher my feelings."
Archer smiled internally, that was near enough the answer he had been hoping for, he knew that this experience was likely to be quite scary for T'Pol, and as intense as anyone's first experience with strong emotions. He just wanted to help her get through it, but he restrained himself to a short nod, knowing that T'Pol would appreciate the moderation.
"This isn't going to be easy, is it? We're going to have to work to get people to accept this, aren't we?"
"It is unlikely that we will find acceptance on Vulcan, and attitudes are somewhat hostile to my people on Earth. Even some of the Enterprise crew might be shocked by our bonding"
"T'Pol, I don't think I've said this to you yet, but…I love you. And it's taken me a long time to realise it, and even longer to accept it, and if it hadn't been for this bond I don't think I would have had the courage to tell you. You and I are meant to be together, this bond proves it, and nothing is going to separate us now, not Starfleet, not the High Command, and not small minded people who think that what we have is wrong. I'm not going to push you in to anything that you don't want, but I'm not going to let you go."
"Jonathan…may I call you that?', Archer nodded, smiling slightly, 'I cannot show my feelings in the same way as you, I will continue to act in the same way towards you, I cannot behave in any other way. However, you will be able, in time, to feel my thoughts, and I hope that you will be reassured that I feel deeply for you, although I will not show it."
A moment passed in silence, before Archer spoke again
"This feels a little weird, doesn't it?"
"It does have a sense of the unfamiliar" T'Pol agreed
"One last thing T'Pol, do you want to tell the crew or not?"
"I believe it would be best if we did not inform the crew at once. I would appreciate some time to allow our bond to grow and become stronger. However, I see no reason why we should not tell our close friends, there is no need to keep our bond a secret, indeed, if we were on Vulcan we would have been subject to several public rites at the temple on Seleya. This Katra t'hy'la is very rare; there have been fewer than 5 pairs in the last two centuries on Vulcan. It will be necessary to meditate more often together, in order to strengthen the link. We will be able to have some sense of each other's feelings when touching, then when in the same room and, if the bond progresses to the normal pattern, eventually over larger distances." T'Pol stopped speaking and as she did Archer realised the time
"I should let you get some rest; it was selfish of me to keep you from your sleep. I'll speak to you tomorrow, ok?" Archer stood from his position at the table and moved towards the door, then turned back...
"How do Vulcan's feel about kissing goodnight?"
"T'Pol extended her two fingers again, waiting for Archer to mimic the gesture.
"This is how Vulcans kiss' at the surprised look on Archer's face she lifted an eyebrow, 'however, I find that I quite enjoy experimenting with the human version" at this she leaned forward and captured the Captain's willing lips in a chaste kiss, the contact causing Archer to feel a slightly mischievous streak, almost entirely hidden beneath stoic calm. He smiled in to the kiss, then broke it gently and left T'Pol's quarters.
Captain Archer felt elated as he walked along the corridor, but he knew that his relationship with the Subcommander would not be easy. He was deep in thought as he moved through the ship, barely noticing Malcolm Reed on yet another midnight sojourn /the man must just not need sleep/ Archer thought to himself vaguely. By the time Archer had reached his own quarters he was no nearer to a conclusion, and he continued thinking about the situation as he got ready for bed and fed Porthos. He found himself distantly wondering if his children with T'Pol would have pointed ears and a calm demeanour, or if they would inherit his temper instead. As he caught himself speculating on this issue he asked himself a vital question…would he fight for T'Pol? Would he be willing to fight every level of Starfleet, every local prejudice, every snide comment from a respected colleague?
And the answer was simple: yes. He would not, could not allow himself to turn his back on their bond, everything it was and everything it promised to be in time. He knew, in the deep recesses of his heart and mind, that it would not be an easy task, that no matter now he worked, some people would remain judgemental and closed minded. This would be a long struggle, but one made bearable by the presence of T'Pol in his life. This much Archer knew, throughout his whole being, and that was all anybody could say for now…after all, he had become a Starfleet Captain looking for adventure, and life had just handed him a most enjoyable challenge.
A/N bloody hell, I think it's finished! Thank you to everyone who read, and those who reviewed. If you've any desire/ideas for a sequel, let me know, I'm always happy with feedback. Feels like the end of an era…sniff….
WfmS