Merged

Chapter Three

Sontek(Archer) walked out of the conference room, still moving without the grace either man usually exhibited. It was as if both beings were trying to control the motor actions of the body, with neither having success due to the interference of the other one. Finally they stopped a bit down the hall, almost causing Captain Clark to walk into them.

'Admiral, I've been moving this body all of my life. I believe I can handle it adequately without your interference.'

'Sorry. It's hard trying to exist inside of someone else. I don't have any experience with dealing with this situation. Who would?'

'It is…understandable. But please just let me move us.'

'I'll try.'

"Sorry. I'll try to warn you if we're going to stop suddenly again."

They started moving again in a more relaxed manner.

The human half thought, 'I have a question for you though. Why didn't you let me speak to the Vice-Chancellor about his reluctance to join the Federation?"

'I would think that was obvious to you.'

'Indulge me.'

The part that was Vulcan sighed for the second time in his life. 'Admiral. This culture was willing to completely impose its will on two other cultures without even considering the ramifications of that action. I know you are familiar with the Vulcan concept of IDIC.'

'Yes. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. I've learned about it from both T'Pol and from Surak's katra.'

'I know. I…remember…it is strange remembering through someone else's memories. It is similar to a mind meld but somehow different as well...' Sontek suddenly stopped his musing. This musing activity was not…Vulcan. It must be another of the human traits he was experiencing. He decided to continue the description of his actions. 'And I know that the Articles of Federation embrace a similar idea.'

'Yes.'

'I do not believe that the Tananites would embrace such a concept. They would not be willing to allow those cultures that do not value life to the same extent their culture does the ability to exist. They would spread dissention through the Federation councils. They could potentially derail it. Do you wish that?'

The part that was Archer shook his head, resulting in 'their' head shaking. 'I understand. You are right.'

Captain Clark must have noticed the gesture asking, "Did you say something, uh…um… It's difficult to know how to refer to you."

The Archer part answered. "If you think it's difficult for you, you have no idea of how difficult it is for us."

'We will need to address this name situation, Admiral.'

'I think if we're going to be together like this, you can call me Jon.'

'That is acceptable.'

'Hmmm…speaking of which…since we have to come up with a name to be referred to…how would Jontek work? It sounds similar to your name but incorporates my name as well.'

'A logical solution.'

'Then you are in agreement?'

'Yes.'

"You may refer to us as Jontek. If you need to speak to a particular side of us, ask for that side specifically."

Captain Clark and Doctor Shaffer looked at each other, Dr. Shaffer finally breaking his silence. "This is going to be a strange."

From the expression on Jontek's face, it was obvious that Archer was replying. "You have no idea."

They continued walking toward the shuttle Captain Clark and Dr. Shaffer had parked on the landing tarmac, reaching it quickly. As soon as the three men, or four if you counted the number of life forms present, entered the shuttle craft to return to the Trafalgar, Archer became aware of a scent he'd never really noticed before. He suddenly realized this is what humans smelt like to Vulcans.

'How did T'Pol stand it?'

'We use numbing agents when dealing with species who are odiferous to us."

'No. I mean, T'Pol eventually stopped using them.'

Jonathan felt an eyebrow rise. It felt strange knowing that the eyebrow was on what was as much his face as Sontek's. The experience was fascinating. He questioned the use of that word. It was not one he typically used.

'I imagine she eventually got "used" to it.'

'I don't know how. We are a rather smelly species aren't we?'

'Yes.'

It was Jonathan's turn to use a visual expression, his mouth turning into a somewhat sarcastic grin, eyes crimped.

Jontek started to seat himself at the piloting control but Captain Clark indicated he would be flying the shuttle.

"You know that the crash was not my fault."

"Yes. I know. However, we do not know how this merging will affect your abilities, Admiral..uh…Jontek?"

"Just drop the Admiral for now. We'll get it sorted out on Earth."

"Very well, sir."

The flight back to the ship was quick and when they arrived, the question of quarters needed to be addressed. It was decided that since Archer's quarters had been a bit more fitting his rank, they would move to there. Sontek and Sprong had shared a room and T'Vlan had been the single occupant of hers. Jontek asked to be allowed to pack up his colleagues' possessions.

Dr. Shaffer was ready to leave for sickbay and Captain Clark to go to the bridge. Clark took a moment to answer the request which had obviously come from the Vulcan part of Jontek. "Of course. If you need any containers, the quarter-master can supply those to you."

"Thank you." The countenance changed again and the two Starfleet officers were aware that Admiral Archer was now addressing them. "Uh, Captain Clark and Doctor Shaffer? I'd like to be the one to break the news to Admiral Gardner and anyone else at this point. You are not to speak with anyone about this situation until you have my permission."

"Aye, sir," both men answered in unison. They then headed off to their respective posts.

After moving Sontek's possessions into the larger quarters, they walked back to the room to pack up Sprong's items. There were several sets of Vulcan robes, some meditation tools, a copy of the Kir'Shara, and a small analytical PADD to work out computations and write reports. Jon felt Sontek's deep grief at the loss of his mentor. He was unsure how to convey his empathy.

'Thank you.'

'What?'

'For your concern. I can feel the waves of your emotions. They are a bit much for me and my mental shields are somewhat weakened.'

'I know he was your mentor. The loss must be hard on you.'

'Yes.' The final items were packed into the box and Jontek closed and sealed it. They went to the next room to gather T'Vlan's items. Although there were not as many items in evidence, the room reminded Archer of T'Pol's room on the Enterprise. As Jontek began to pack similar items as Sprong's, Sontek asked, 'You care for this Vulcan woman? This T'Pol?'

It was a question that Jonathan had kept buried. After the first mission they completed, the one where the Klingon had been returned to his home, Jon had developed a respect for the woman that transcended what was then his dislike of the species in general. He found her insights valuable. Over the next few months, he realized that respect had grown into something else. A deep friendship, and, if he were truly honest with himself, a lust for the woman as well. Knowing the latter was something he as Captain would never succumb to, he focused on the friendship feeling the strength of it grow until he realized he was in love with the woman. Then the Xindi and the Expanse happened.

Jon wasn't sure in 20/20 hindsight if it had been wise to push everyone away. At the time it seemed right to do so. He'd been sent to save the lives of everyone on his planet. Failure was not an option. So he'd done everything he needed to do to succeed, even what felt like selling his soul itself. The Expanse had left deep marks on his psyche.

What was almost as bad, though, was seeing the woman he loved turn to another man. Turn to his best friend. He knew he was as much to blame, however. She did not understand human emotions and took his actions as evidence that he didn't want her anymore. He'd been shocked to learn later that she had also developed a trellium addiction, at least partly due to her desire to develop immunity to the toxin. It had almost killed her and he felt that if he'd been there for her, she would never have gone down that path. And maybe she would have never turned to Trip as well.

After the Xindi threat had been alleviated, Jon had been unsure what the relationship between Trip and T'Pol had become, especially when their baby was discovered and later died. T'Pol had been devastated and he knew that she and Trip still talked on a regular basis. He wasn't about to stick his nose in where it didn't belong so he went back to the easy friendship he'd had with T'Pol, keeping his desires hidden, sometimes even from himself.

During the Romulan conflict, there was again the need to focus on military goals and any thoughts of T'Pol were buried even deeper. Although they often visited him in his sleep. When Trip had died, he'd seen T'Pol make the decision to go back to Vulcan to teach. The Vulcan Science Academy had started a Department of Federation Studies and had offered the chair position to T'Pol. They'd kept in touch but with his duties, he hadn't pursued anything deeper.

'You wish a relationship with this woman? A Vulcan?'

Jon tried to bury it deeper. 'No.'

'You're lying to yourself. You do.'

His heart ached as he admitted the truth. 'Yes. I love her.'

'I must meet this woman. This Vulcan who has…what is this human term "captured your heart?"'

'We'll see. After we get back to Earth.'

'Yes. We'll have to return these boxes to Sprong's and T'Vlan's families on Vulcan. I can meet her then.' They finished packing the box with T'Vlan's possessions and brought both boxes back to their quarters.

The Vulcan half of Jontek indicated a need to meditate. The Human half indicated that he needed to contact Admiral Gardner first. Sontek agreed that Archer's duty must come first. That was one thing about Vulcans, they understood duty.

Jontek sat down at the desk and asked the communications officer to patch him through to Admiral Gardner. When the communications officer started to suggest that Sontek should speak with Captain Clark if he had an issue, Clark himself intervened and told her to put the call through. Almost immediately, Admiral Gardner's confused face appeared on the monitor.

"May I help you?"

Jontek wasn't sure exactly how to approach this. "Uh…this is going to be a bit of a different report, Admiral."

Admiral Gardner's visage betrayed annoyance. "Do I know you?"

A lopsided grin appeared on the Vulcan. "Well, you know part of me. What have you heard about the accident on Tanansis V?"

Taken somewhat aback by the uncharacteristic actions of the Vulcan, Garner answered, "That the entire landing party was killed except a young Vulcan scientist. I assume that you are…" He looked down at his notes. "…Sontek?"

The Vulcan's countenance returned to standard Vulcan. "Yes, I am Sontek."

Gardner was confused. "I see."

"But there is more."

The annoyance was back and Gardner was almost at the end of his rope. "I'm not used to Vulcan's talking in riddles. Please get to the point."

In a cadence that was almost the late Admiral's the Vulcan continued, "Well. It seems that the Tananites have rather extensive abilities in prolonging life. When they mounted a rescue to the shuttle craft, they found me, Sontek, alive but with brain damage and likely to die."

"Go on."

"They also found Admiral Archer's body was beyond repair but his brain was alive. He was likely to die as well."

Gardner's face saddened. "He did die."

"Only his body."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm in here too. The Tananites 'merged' us."

A more surprised Gardner couldn't have been possible. "They…merged…you?"

"Yes. Both Sontek and I co-exist in his body. We are both alive."

"Oh, God! Jon?"

"Yes."

"And Sontek?"

"Yes."

"You choose this?"

"No. Neither of us did. The Tananites chose for us."

Gardner rubbed his face. Archer had never seen anything affect the man as deeply as this revelation obviously had. He looked uncomfortable.

"Jon. This is rather startling news. Do you mind if I get back to you?"

"I understand, Admiral. It's hard to deal with on this end as well."

The screen went blank and Jon was left with a feeling of depression. 'That went well.

He had no idea the direction his life would be taking now and he could tell that Sontek had similar concerns. Sontek suggested that meditation would help both of them. Jon didn't disagree. They spent the next few hours trying to meditate through what had become their life.