"Captain, Romulan warbirds have just decloaked." T'Pol called across the bridge.

"What? We're in neutral territory." called the Captain.

"Not anymore. They are firing." T'Pol read off her sensors.

"Raise shields. Target their weapons systems. Hail them."

"Don't bother, Captain, there's no one aboard those ships. Fire at key areas, phasers at modulation 18-92, 04-25, Malcolm."

"T'Mir?"

"Do it, Lieutenant." she called. "We need to destroy these ships before they have a chance to retreat. Accessing secondary weapons control."

"Do it." affirmed the Captain, "Evasive manoeuvres, Travis. T'Pol, boost power to the shield generator."

x x x

One hair-raising victory later, in which a delighted Malcolm blew one ship to a million tiny fragments, the crew celebrated while T'Mir looked visibly worried.

"Thank you for your help." the Captain said quietly standing next to her, "Your knowledge has proven to be beyond useful. You are welcome to stay on this ship as long as you need. I will have more suitable living quarters prepared for you."

"Thank you, Captain, that is very kind."

"Is something bothering you?"

"I have only one set of phaser alignments left to give you, Captain. The Romulans will have adapted to the others, and I still believe it imperative we destroy all five of the advanced ships."

"So, we have one more chance?"

"Yes."

"And you don't believe we can do it?"

"Not really, no, if I may be so blunt, Captain."

"Do we have to destroy them?" Malcolm asked from behind her, for once his love of blowing things up surpassed by the enthusiasm of the youngster.

"I would think you, Mr Reed, would be the last person to object."

Malcolm looked at her, had she just made a joke? "It's simply a strange prerogative, and I'm still not clear on the motives."

She rubbed her temple, fatigue showing through for just a minute. "I will be honest, Lieutenant, even I'm not entirely clear on this mission. Logically, it seems it would suffice to avoid the Romulans, and maintain our upperhand knowledge for further encounters. However, as much as I am privy to, the ships are designed and built on an off-world colony. There have only been five prototypes made. The Romulan government ordered the construction of the ships, and has sent them for trial runs against Enterprise.

"As you can see, these ships will pose a great threat once we are no longer able to destroy them. I believe we are being sent to eliminate all remnants of this new technology before it can be produced en masse by the Empire."

"We'll have to destroy the ship yard, then, too?" Malcolm asked, a familiar boyish glint coming back to his eyes."

T'Mir turned to him and gave a brief low smile, "Indeed."

x x x

"May I speak with you?" T'Pol stood at the doorway to T'Mir's temporary quarters.

T'Mir didn't let her surprise show through. "Of course." She stood aside to let the older Vulcan through. "You must excuse the clutter." she said hastily, drawing attention to a neat pile of artefacts on the floor, "I find an alternate to meditation to be reminiscing on objects of significance to me. I was unpacking."

"I hope you find your quarters to be satisfactory." T'Pol asked, doing a thorough visual sweep of the room.

"Indeed." T'Mir nodded. "Although, I was not aware there would be a formal inspection." She commented, drawing T'Pol's attention away from the pile of things.

"I was merely curious."

"Some of those things you must recognize." T"Mir knelt down and picked up an old package, recently unwrapped, "My namesake's purse from Carbon Creek." And she fished out a bright yellow swim cap, "From the Water Polo World Championships in a few weeks, Captain Archer will always envy Commander Tucker for catching it." She pulled out another photo. "Commander Tucker's extended family."

T'Pol recognized it as the one from Trip's quarters, as she had recognized the purse duplicate to the one she kept under her bed. It startled her somewhat, and she stared at the objects.

"But that's not why you came here." T'Mir stated.

T'Pol turned as the girl stood up, watching her with ill-covered nervousness. "No."

"You are losing control. Please, meditate with me." The girl turned towards a meditation candle in the far corner, flashing an inviting smile and soulful blue eyes that made T'Pol's heart race.

"I cannot." she stated, "I must know before my mind will allow an equilibrium."

T'Mir stood, waiting for T'Pol to speak out loud what she knew she was thinking.

"You said that Commander Tucker and I were ... that we were bonded. I have felt it as well, but am still uncertain."

"A might bit shocking that must have been, as it was for me as well. Although, I suppose I was too young to notice it before." T'Mir smiled again, and sat down, indicating for T'Pol to do the same on the meditation cushions.

"I have informed Commander Tucker of my suspicions, and of the ... consequences."

"How has he taken it?"

"Well, admittedly, though he still has not grasped the concept in entirety. I do not believe it wise to continue to be bonded to a human, particularly in the path of Surak. I wondered if you might have any insights into this predicament."

T'Mir inclined her head to say she understood. "Tell me, when did you first see the bond for what it was?"

"While Commander Tucker travelled to the Columbia, I found him in my meditation. He believed he was daydreaming, and I believed that my emotions were affecting my thoughts. It was not until he returned briefly, and a group of Orion women came aboard that I suspected the truth."

"It does seem like a rather old bond, one that has been existent for perhaps a year, maybe more. It seems you are quite comfortable with it, despite denying it's existence. Although, I expect, you would experience flashes of emotion not your own. That would be rather disconcerting, particularly considering the continually charged emotional state of Commander Tucker." She laughed a little here, but stopped it almost as soon as it had come, as though forgetting whose company she was in.

"I have read that finding another in meditation is a feat of only the strongest Vulcan bonds. However, my vision is clouded on the matter." she stood again, and made for the door, "You must understand that, at the time, I was not old enough to recognize anything of significance that I may pass onto you now. This is for you to discuss with Commander Tucker. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance if it is required."

T'Pol nodded her thanks and left as the girl was asking. She needed to speak to Trip.