Christmas at Lake Tahoe

Chapter 4

Archer and T'Pol arrived at the boat dock at 1:45pm. They purchased their tickets and boarded the Tahoe Queen. They sat at the front of the paddle wheeler, on the second deck.

The cruise left promptly at 2pm, easing out of South Lake Tahoe in the direction of Emerald Bay. A young girl who looked around 25 years old named Emily introduced herself as the tour guide. She began with some facts about the lake.

T'Pol listened with great interest. Emily explained that Lake Tahoe was the second deepest lake in the United States and the tenth deepest in the world. It had a maximum depth of 1,645 ft with average depth of 1,000 ft.

"What's the deepest lake then?" T'Pol asked Jonathan in a whisper.

"Crater Lake in Oregon," he answered.

Emily must have noticed them whispering as she remarked if anyone had any questions to please ask and she'd do her best to answer them.

Emily continued giving the lengths of the Lake. It was 22 miles long and l2 miles wide.

An older man sitting across from Jonathan and T'Pol asked the length of the shoreline.

"It's 72 miles," Emily replied. "The lake has a surface area of 191 square miles. Did you know that it's the highest lake of its size in the US?"

Most people answered no. "Yeah, its average surface elevation is 6,225 ft."

"I notice that the water is crystal clear," T'Pol said. "Does the lake have any attributes that enable this?"

"Good question!" Emily enthusiastically responded. "Lake Tahoe in fact has a water clarity of about 100 ft. This is mainly due to the rainfall. Forty percent of the precipitation that falls into the Lake Tahoe Basin lands directly on the lake. Any remaining rainfall drains through granitic soils, which are relatively sterile and create a good filtering system."

"Fascinating. Thank you." T'Pol almost wished she'd brought a PADD along with her to make notes. This location was not only one of serene beauty but of scientific interest.

Next Emily went onto talk a little about the mountains around the lake. The highest mountain was Freel Peak at 10,891 ft. She explained how geologic movements millions of years ago had created the Sierra Nevada and Carson Range of mountains that surrounded the lake.

A young boy asked what the water temperature was and she told him the surface temp was around 40 to 50F in the winter months, and went up to 65 to 70F in the summer. However, below a depth of 600 to 700 ft the water would remains a constant 39F. Emily spoke a little of the history of the Tahoe Queen, explaining it was a replica of the original one built in 1983. Before finishing she repeated that if anyone had any more questions to feel free to ask. She said they should be arriving in Emerald Bay within twenty-five minutes.

T'Pol asked Jonathan if they could walk around the boat and explore a little now that Emily had concluded. He agreed. Taking the stairs they climbed up the final flight to the top deck which was in the open air.

T'Pol zipped up her jacket and put on her gloves. "Warm enough?" Jonathan inquired. She nodded.

"It's so beautiful," Jonathan mused, taking in the vista before his eyes. "I know why Dad loved it here so much."

"It is…impressive," T'Pol agreed. She'd seen a lot of aesthetically perfect places in her lifetime; she'd add this to her list.

"Would you like a hot drink?" Jonathan asked, noting that they were serving tea and coffee in an enclosed area at the other end of the boat.

"I'm fine."

He told he was going to get himself a coffee and he'd return in a moment. She gazed out onto the horizon, noticing the boat was turning in a westerly direction towards Emerald Bay.

The paddle wheeler docked for 15 minutes allowing its passengers to disembark and explore a little…take photographs etc. T'Pol asked Jonathan why a castle, which could be viewed from the bay was of an unusual architecture.

"That's Vikingsholm. Doesn't look very American does it? Actually it's fashioned after the castles found in the fjords of Norway. That was its owner's wish."

"How old is it?"

"If I recall correctly it was built in 1928 — so that makes it 227 years old. That's young in comparison to most of the castles in Europe. Next time we get shore leave on Earth we should take a tour of Europe. I think you'd like it. Places like Versailles in France and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany are magnificent."

He wondered if he was getting ahead of himself…who knew if they'd be a couple then…or for that matter if they'd even be together by the time this shore leave was over.

"I'll have to research the places you mention."

The fifteen minutes were almost up, so he suggested they make their way back to the boat.

"Thank you for suggesting this cruise, Jonathan. It's enjoyable."

He smiled. "I'm having a great time myself." It was probably the 6th or 7th time he'd taken this cruise…but this was the most fun he'd ever had on it.

They returned to their seats on the Tahoe Queen on the second deck. Emily was available for questions and T'Pol noticed a few people approach her.

"You got any more questions?" Jonathan asked, noting she looked in Emily's direction.

"Not at the moment. If any come to me, I'm sure I can look the answers up on the computer later on."

They sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the trip back to South Lake Tahoe.

The paddle wheeler docked back at South Lake Tahoe just after 4pm. T'Pol and Jonathan disembarked and walked towards his parked car. He opened the door for her, and she climbed into the car.

Within a few minutes they were back at the house. Jonathan asked what she wanted to do for dinner.

"I don't have any preferences. What about you?"

"I could make some pasta with pesto — does that sound okay to you?"

"You're on vacation, Jonathan. Why would you cook?"

"Guess cause I don't get much of a chance on Enterprise. That is if I have no objections."

"No objections from me. It sounds appetizing."

"Great. You hungry now?"

"Not yet."

"So if I serve it around 6pm, that would be okay?" She agreed.

They strolled into the living room. Jonathan threw some logs onto the fire and lit it. Glancing up onto the mantelpiece he noted the candlestick he'd told T'Pol to take for meditation had been returned.

"The candle wasn't of use to you?" he asked.

"I thought it looked odd with it missing, so I returned it."

He had a closer look at it. "It hasn't been lit."

"I couldn't meditate last night. I felt…restless — too many thoughts flitting through my mind."

"Hmm…guess I'm to blame for that."

She said he wasn't. She informed him she'd retire to the guestroom for a while and attempt to meditate again. She needed to unwind.

He turned the television on after she left and flicked through the channels. There was nothing worth watching. He sat down at the desk and switched on the computer terminal. Checking his messages, he read a communiqué from Malcolm. The lieutenant had wanted to say hi and hoped the captain was having a good time. He said Malaysia was beautiful and the weather perfect. The downside was that his parents were driving him nuts and his nerves were frayed. Jonathan smiled, recalling his own conversation several years ago with Mr and Mrs Reed.

He thought Trip might have got in touch but he was presumably too busy with family to do so. He hoped he'd had a good Christmas with his family. The next unopened message came from Starfleet Security. Odd, he thought.

Then as he opened it he realized it was from Commander Sarah Collins. She thanked him for dinner last night and asked how long he'd be staying in town. Her note was direct; she wanted to know if he'd be interested in having dinner tomorrow night. She ended it saying that if he didn't have time or was preoccupied, she hoped she'd bump into him on the slopes.

Last night after dinner it had appeared she'd just wanted to be friends. Now he had his doubts, especially after their walk last night and now this message. She'd seemed perturbed by T'Pol's appearance, asking if he'd known why his first officer had appeared out of thin air, so to speak. His answers had been vague but honest — he hadn't known why T'Pol had turned up.

At the end of the walk Sarah had told him it was best she head back to her hotel. If Jonathan and T'Pol had ship's business to discuss, she didn't want to be in the way. He hadn't contradicted her and walked her to the taxi that was waiting for her upon their return.

What had surprised him was that as she said goodnight she'd given him a quick peck. However it wasn't on the cheek, like a friend, but on the lips.

He'd been too embarrassed to say anything and had opened the door to the vehicle for her, saying goodnight and thanking her for her company. He'd forgotten all about it after returning to the house, being far more interested in T'Pol and her sudden appearance.

He typed a short reply, thanking her for the invite but explaining that he had other plans. He wrote that he hoped the remainder of her stay would be pleasant and left it at that. Not a direct "I'm not interested" but hopefully she'd get the message.

The grandfather clock informed him it was 5pm so he made a start on dinner.

"You're a good cook, Jonathan." T'Pol complimented him on the pasta as she twirled it around on her fork.

"Thanks. Here have some more salad." He passed her the salad bowl.

"So you're an excellent pianist and a good cook — two things I didn't know about you before."

"You should spend more vacations with me — who knows what you might discover." He winked at her.

"Only vacations?"

He wasn't sure if her tone was playful or if she was being serious, but he didn't dare ask. Neither one of them had discussed what they wanted from a relationship — if that's what this was. But it was only the first day. Things didn't need to be rushed he told himself.

He laughed her question off, not wanting to appear vulnerable. "Have you ever been skiing, T'Pol?" He doubted it, but maybe she had while being stationed on Earth before being assigned to Enterprise.

"No. Is it enjoyable?"

"I find it exhilarating. If you'd like to have a go, we could try a few beginner slopes tomorrow. We could get you a ski suit in the morning, and take the gondola up after lunch. What do you think?"

"You wish to teach me?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Maybe it would be prudent if I took one of the skiing classes, if they are on offer. After a few sessions I could then join you."

"Oh okay, if you want." That was probably more sensible. While he would have enjoyed teaching her, the beginner slopes were rather boring. While she was having lessons he could go off and ski down the intermediate and advanced runs.

"I'll check the computer and book you into a lesson after dinner."

"I can do it myself, Jonathan."

"All right. It's the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort."

"Who taught you?"

"My dad. He said I took to the snow like a fish to water. I was about eight at the time. A buddy of mine had been to Mammoth Lakes with his parents and wouldn't stop talking about it for 3 days straight. After that I wouldn't stop begging my dad to take me skiing. Tahoe was his favourite place — so he brought me up here."

"You learnt to ski right here then?"

"Yup."

"This place must hold a lot of memories for you."

"It does. My dad was the greatest father in the world. He rarely said no to me, unless of course I was being unreasonable. He was patient, kind, giving and a great friend. We loved to do stuff together — when he had time. The Warp 5 project kept him very busy…but he made an effort to spend quality time with me."

"Did this house belong to him?"

"No, I bought this not long after I graduated from flight school. When Dad and I came up here we usually stayed at one of the casino resorts in Stateline. Mom loved to gamble, so while Dad and I were on the slopes, she was playing the slots."

"Your mother didn't ski?"

"Nah, she said the idea of speeding down a mountain didn't appeal to her. Neither did the cold."

"Can one get very cold skiing?"

"Well if you've got a decent ski suit you should be okay. Don't worry, I'll make sure we get you something that will keep you nice and warm."

They finished dinner and T'Pol helped him clear the table. He said he'd wash up while she booked her skiing lesson. She perused the information on screen and went with a highly recommended instructor by the name of Hans Schneider, who was Austrian.

"Did you book it?" Jonathan asked as he walked over from the kitchen with a tea towel draped across his shoulder.

"Yes. The lesson starts at 12:30pm and lasts 2 hours."

"That's great. I can meet you around 2:30pm and we could try a few slopes together — that is if you feel confident enough."

"I would like that."

He smiled. "Me too. You feel like going for a walk?"

"What's the temperature outside?"

"A balmy 22F. But the skies are clear, it's not snowing."

"Yes, but can you give me a few minutes? I'd like to check my messages on the computer."

"Sure thing."

She had two written communiqués. The first was from Trip, so she opened it.

Hey T'Pol,

Tried contacting you at Soval's but heard you'd gone up to Tahoe. Glad you took my suggestion. Hope you and the captain are having fun. It's crazy here — I've been entrusted with looking after all my cousins' kids — there's like 12 of them! Going to Sea World tomorrow — wish me luck.

Sorry this is short, I'm really busy. Say hi to the Cap'n from me.

Well it sounded like he was enjoying himself. He was a natural with children, she was sure when he eventually married he'd probably have 4 or 5 kids of his own.

The next message was from her mother's sister — V'Lara. She had a feeling what it was going to be about. As she read it, it was as she'd expected. Her aunt had just learnt Enterprise was in spacedock and T'Pol was off-duty. The note was curt and to the point stating that she was disappointed her niece didn't deem it important to spend time with her Vulcan family. She surmised her niece became more human every day, regarding Enterprise's crew as more of a family than her own blood relatives.

She ended it saying how it had been her sister T'Les' wish that T'Pol was closer with the rest of the family.

T'Pol turned the screen off and went to put on her coat. She called to Jonathan, telling him she was ready. He emerged from his bedroom with an extra pair of gloves and a woolly scarf. "Here, take these," he said as he handed them to her.

"You want me to wear these?"

"I don't want you to get cold. You didn't bring a scarf and those gloves you've got look thin. I know the ones I'm giving you are mine and will probably be too big, but that's better than your fingers going numb."

"Very well. Thank you."

He offered to put the scarf on for her and wrapped it around her neck several times. Then he helped her on with her coat, and suggested she put the hood up, so she'd keep those lovely Vulcan ears of her warm.

"You like my ears?"

"Oh they're one of your prettiest attributes."

She was pleased with the compliment. Jonathan was being so nice…taking care of her this way, making sure she was warm. He was being the perfect gentleman.

They walked outside and he held her hand as they climbed down the steps. They'd turned icy and one could easily slip. They walked down the garden path to the lake. T'Pol noticed different animal footsteps in the snow and pointed them out to Jonathan.

"Those are probably from the deer we saw last night."

"And these?" she pointed to another set.

"Probably racoons."

"What do they look like?" She'd never seen one before.

"They are very cute looking. About the size of a domestic cat, they have grey and white fur and a stripped tail." They turned right when they got to the lake and walked in the Nevada direction.

Jonathan slipped his arm around her waist and she leaned into him. "You warm enough?"

"Yes. And you?"

"Sure. Doubt I'm gonna get cold with you at my side."

They walked a few steps in silence. It was a beautiful moonlight night. The air was crisp and their boots made a rhythmic sound as they traversed over the frozen snow covered ground.

"You like animals, T'Pol? I remember you said when we were in the Forge last year that you had a pet."

"Yes a sehlat. I was…attached to it. I believe my mother was concerned that I cared for the animal too much. After I fed it I would often sit with it for up to an hour, just talking to it. I didn't have a lot of friends as a child — I think children my age considered me aloof and avoided me. Surak was a good listener. My parents got him for me when he was only a few weeks old and he grew up tame. "

"You called him Surak?"

"Yes."

"Interesting name." Jonathan smiled to himself as he had this vision of a little Vulcan girl confiding in her pet. "He wasn't as large as that beast we encountered in the Forge?"

"No. I would estimate his size was the equivalent of an Indian tiger."

"That's still pretty big. So what happened to Surak?"

"He lived a good, long life. He was twenty years old when he died in his sleep.
I was twenty-five at the time, and was saddened by his passing. But I never told anyone…it was not acceptable for a Vulcan to show emotions over an animal."

"That's a long time to have a pet. I can imagine it was sad. I'm surprised you weren't more sympathetic when Porthos got sick."

"As I grew older I reasoned that my attachment to Surak had been illogical. Animals die…it's a way of life. And I was as sympathetic as I could be Jonathan. If you recall, I didn't sleep that night either and brought you food to sickbay."

"I remember, I was only kidding. But I don't think there's anything wrong with being attached to animals. You telling me about Surak shows you have a softer side than you let on."

"Perhaps…but let's keep that between ourselves."

"Of course," he smiled.

She remembered what Trip had said in his message and told Jonathan he said hi.

"Trip contacted you?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes, just a brief message. Said he's busy with his family."

Well he couldn't have been that busy, he'd had time to write T'Pol a note. And he hadn't written him one. He felt a tinge of jealousy intermixed with uncertainty. Was there still something between Trip and T'Pol? He didn't wish to come between them if there were any unresolved feelings there. And he didn't like the idea of being a rebound person either. Was that a possibility?

He wasn't going to ask and start up a serious discussion. He was just going to enjoy this vacation and his time with T'Pol. Whatever happened after they left Tahoe…well he'd deal with it then.

"I believe it. He's got an endless amount of uncles, aunts and cousins. Must be nice to have a large family."

"You have relatives on the East Coast — why don't you contact them?" T'Pol asked.

"I didn't know you were aware of that."

"Trip mentioned it once."

What else had Trip told her? "Oh."

"Was it a secret, Jonathan? I don't think he would have said anything if he thought—"

"My relatives aren't a secret. Look, T'Pol — a shooting star!" They stopped and gazed up into the sky together. Jonathan made a secret wish, but didn't suggest for T'Pol to do so. She'd probably think it illogical.

There was a bench along the path so Jonathan suggested they sit down for a few minutes. He made a ball out of the snow and ice, stood up and threw it into the lake. He did this several times. He'd done it as a kid with his father — seeing which one of them could throw it the furthest.

"I assume you aren't close to them?" T'Pol asked, as she watched him perform this unusual ritual. What was the sense in throwing snow into the lake?

"Who?"

"Your relatives?"

"No, I'm not. My mother's sister asked me to spend Christmas with her — but I didn't want to. Haven't seen her since I was seven years old. It would be awkward and strange. She has a son a few years younger than me — he was a baby when I saw her last. I think she wanted us to become friends or something."

"If you say having a large family would be nice, why not make an effort at getting to know these people?"

"I guess cause it would require just that…effort. And I'm hardly ever here — how could they get to know me if I'm out in space most of the time? It would be different if I'd grown up with them, but I didn't. In essence, they are strangers to me."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"I read a message from my aunt before we left the house. I've never been close to her, and when my mother was alive she didn't visit often. Yet now she acts as if we were a very close family and chides me for not returning to Vulcan when I have time off from my Enterprise duties."

"Well you can always explain you're keeping your lonely captain company."

Did he say that in jest? She didn't know. She imagined he probably did get lonely — and not just when he had time off. He spent most of his evenings alone, locked up in his quarters with Porthos. She knew what it was like to be lonely — it was one of the reasons she'd sought Trip's company in the Expanse when Jonathan had seemed to pull away from her.

She rubbed her arms in an effort to keep warm. Now that they'd stopped walking the cold was beginning to set in. She wiggled her toes; they felt numb. "Jonathan, do you think we can continue walking?"

"Yeah…you cold?"

"A little."

He threw the remaining snowball in his hands into the lake and joined T'Pol. "We'll walk briskly."

She nodded and they walked back in the direction of the house.

"I know a great way to warm up," he told her. "Did you notice what was on the deck as we left the house?"

Come to think of it she had seen a large wooden object in the shape of a tub with a thick plastic lid. She'd noticed steam escaping from it, but hadn't enquired as to its use. It could have been part of the heating for the house.

"Yes. What is its use?"

"It's a Jacuzzi. Wanna try it when we get back?"

"But it's situated outside."

"The water's around 100F, T'Pol. You wouldn't be cold."

Jonathan noted she didn't seem enthused with the idea so didn't push it. He fancied a dip himself even if she wouldn't join him.

They made it back to the house in ten minutes. T'Pol had set a fast pace and Jonathan was a little breathless in keeping up with her. Vulcans sure could walk fast!

He disappeared into his bedroom and changed into his swimming trunks, and wrapped himself in his bathrobe. He took a towel from his bathroom and joined T'Pol who was sitting in the living room.

"So you coming or not?"

"I don't have any swimming attire."

"Well you could always go—"

"In the nude?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"No one will see you…unless of course you're embarrassed a wild animal might spy you getting in the tub."

She ignored his remark and flicked through the pages of a magazine he'd left on the coffee table. The subject matter was not of interest, but it gave her something to do.

Jonathan came and sat by her. "Look if you don't think the idea of sitting in a tub of hot steamy water is relaxing, that's okay. Just say so."

She felt sufficiently warm now. The fire had roared to life and the living room felt very cosy. She didn't see the point in going out into the freezing cold again to sit in a tub of water. When she wanted to relax she usually meditated — that seemed a far more efficient method of achieving the state.

"Okay, I won't ask a third time," he said after she said nothing. "I'll see you later."

"Jonathan?"

"What?" he asked about to head out the door.

"Have I offended you in some manner?"

"No. Why?"

"I thought perhaps you were upset."

"Not at all. You got something to do while I'm gone?"

"I think I'll meditate."

"I thought you did that this afternoon."

"I did."

"Do you meditate more than once a day?"

"Sometimes…if necessary."

"Oh." That sounded bad. Why did he feel he was responsible? "You feeling restless or agitated?"

"A little. My emotions are close to the surface."

"Is that my fault?" he asked, fearful of the answer.

"It's no one's fault, Jonathan. It is the circumstances. A lot has happened over the last two days."

"Okay." Somehow he still didn't feel off the hook, but couldn't think of anything else to say. He got up to go to the Jacuzzi.

After he left T'Pol sighed. She never used to do that; it was a habit she wished she'd never picked up — a bygone of her experimentation with Trellium. Phlox had told her she'd probably never have as much emotional control as she'd once had. So had her older self — Lorian's mother. She just had to adjust and come to terms with it.

Normally, her emotional control wasn't a problem. With a strict regime of meditation suppressing her emotions was relatively easy. It was only when she allowed herself to experience emotions to the full that the following day she had to deal with the repercussions. That probably explained why she'd acted in a weird fashion this morning, almost being snappish with Jonathan when he'd returned from the store.

Last night she'd experienced emotions to the full: passion, lust, desire, pleasure…and something else, though she couldn't quite name it. It consisted of a powerful attachment to Jonathan along with an insatiable need to be near him. That feeling had guided her decision to leave Soval's house and come up here. She'd noticed it the night Trip had told her about the captain being alone here in Tahoe.

It wasn't a new feeling…but one she'd discovered about 3 years ago. When they entered the Expanse and Jonathan had pulled away from her, she assumed her feelings were unrequited and attempted to bury them. They never quite disappeared, but she thought she could forget about him. Commander Tucker seemed far more interested in her anyway, and once she'd started on her diet of Trellium she'd found his attentions flattering.

Dealing with these emotions wasn't easy. She'd felt calmer after meditating this afternoon but felt keyed up again. She should meditate now but she felt pulled in two directions. Part of her wanted to join Jonathan in the hot tub. She didn't like the idea of him sitting there alone, thinking something was wrong and his fault.

She paced the living room for a few minutes, thinking. Jonathan said it helped him work things out, maybe it would assist her.

Perhaps this had nothing to do with her Trellium usage. It could be that she felt restless because she was dealing with this emotion head on. It had been there for a long time, but after last night she'd come face to face with it. She'd certainly never had this kind of reaction after her intimacy with Tucker. She'd been surprised that she'd hadn't felt anything then…emotionally that was.

There was something so noble about Jonathan. He had a beautiful spirit — he was kind, giving, generous and self-sacrificing. When she was away from him, she missed his presence keenly. It had been that way during her stay at Soval's house. She'd always found his character fascinating…at first it had been almost like scientific curiosity — now it was much more. Over the years she'd come to care for this human very much, now she cared more than ever.

She stopped pacing and decided the meditation could wait. She made her way to the guestroom and undressed. She rummaged through her luggage and found what she was searching for — it was the closest she had to swim wear. Putting on a black bra and panties she wrapped her robe around her and headed outside to join him.

TBC