Merged

Chapter Eight

After leaving the Vulcan Compound, Jontek headed back into town to retrieve Porthos. He knocked at the door which was opened only partway by his friend, Becca. She had kept the chain latch in place

"May I help you?" She looked at him suspiciously through the small opening.

"Uh, Becca. I know what I'm going to say is going to sound insane but it's true."

She started to close the door. "Becca, don't. It's me. Jon."

"You are insane. I'm calling the police."

"Jon, I think we'd better leave."

"No. She'll believe me…eventually,"

"I can prove it's me, Becca. Remember the night right before I left for the Expanse? I told you that joke that Trip told me about the alligator with the loose tooth." Suddenly the door started to open again.

"How did you know that?"

"Because it's me, Becca. There'll be a press release tomorrow. I'd give you the scoop but Starfleet wants to control the report. Not that I can blame them. This is about as whacked as it can get."

"How could you possibly be a Vulcan? Is it makeup?

"No. Let me in. I'll tell you." When she hesitated he stated, "Come on, Becca. Vulcans aren't sexual predators. In over 100 years there's never been an attack on a human by a Vulcan!"

She opened the door and let him in. Porthos was laying in the middle of the living room floor, snoring away. Occasionally a paw or ear would move, but mostly the dog was just sleeping. Jontek walked over to his friend of many years. He leaned down and started to pet him. "Hey there, boy. How's Becca been treating you? Not too much cheese I hope." The dog stirred looking up into the Vulcan's brown eyes. He got up and jumped up on the man in front of him, licking his face. Somehow, dogs just knew.

"You actually enjoy this quadruped slobbering on you?"

"He's my best pal."

"Well, Porthos seems to know you. Okay. If you're Archer, spill it."

"Becca, there was an accident."

"I know. It's was all over the media about two weeks ago. During a diplomatic mission, your shuttle went down and there was only one survivor. A Vulcan male." She looked over at Jontek. "Did he tell you to come here? Before he died?"

"Becca…they found his body alive but his brain was severely damaged. My body was gone, but my brain was alive. This species had the ability to merge us together. We both exist in Sontek's body."

"You chose this?"

"No. We just woke up like this. There's nothing we can do to reverse it without us both dying. We're doing our best to learn to coexist."

"So…you're telling me…there's both a Vulcan and a Human in the same body. Sontek and Jonathan Archer. You've got to think I'm the biggest rube anywhere if you expect me to believe that."

"Okay…so ask me anything that only Archer would know. Something that he wouldn't tell anyone."

"All right. Tell me what happened with the set of twins that you and Trip picked up that night during the three months you and A.G. were grounded."

"Uh…Becca, I'd rather not dredge up that particular memory. Trip should never have told you about that."

"What is a drag queen?"

"Too late. Okay. Trip and I had gone to a bar that a friend of his had told him about. There were two young ladies, the twins, which seemed to be rather interested in us. After a few beers, we decided to go someplace and get a bit comfortable with them. I swear though, I didn't know she was a he…not until he kissed me! And then both Trip and I high tailed it out of there."

"Oh my God! You're telling the truth!"

"See. I told you she'd believe me."

"I didn't know that that Human mating was so complex."

"No! I wasn't mating. It was mistaken identity!"

"Jon? You're really in there? This must be about your worst nightmare come true."

"Well, we're getting used to it. Let me introduce you. Becca, this is Sontek. Sontek, Becca Winters. We go back a few years."

"Yeah…back to the Warp Three Project. Damn you were cute then!"

"So Humans are cute?"

"Well, we tend to use the word a lot."

Sontek greeted the woman, his hand being placed into a Vulcan "V" hand greeting. "Live long and prosper."

"Any friend of Jon's is a friend of mine."

"Becca. They're putting me on medical leave. After 30 years in Starfleet, I'm being removed from active duty."

"I'm sure they have their reasons, Jon."

"Et tu, brute?"

"I don't believe I've ever heard that Earth expression."

"It's from an ancient language. Latin. It means, 'You too, Brutus.' It's from a famous play where a Roman emperor was murdered by a group that included his best friend."

"Jon. This IS a little more than a slight change. You're a Vulcan, for God's Sake. You…a Vulcan. God, A.G. and Trip would have a field day with this!"

"I guess the universe has a weird way of repaying negative thoughts. The upside is, I'm learning that Sontek is a pretty terrific guy. I guess I should be glad that if I had to be merged with anyone, it turned out to be someone that could put up with me"

"That is yet to be seen. It's only been twelve days."

"What are you going to do, leave me?"

"Have you had dinner yet?"

"No."

"Let me take you out."

"Is that okay with Sontek?"

"This woman is pleasant. I would enjoy speaking with her. And she has been taking care of your quadruped."

"Yeah. He likes you."

"How do you know?"

"He said so."

"I didn't hear anything."

"I hear him in my head."

"Jon. You know what they say about hearing voices."

"Yeah. But the ones who say that never had to share a brain with someone."

"Touché."

"You humans have a lot of expressions."

"Yep…about a million of them!"

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

After dinner, Jontek took Becca back to her apartment and retrieved Porthos. Back in his own apartment, the dog walked around and checked out all of his favorite spots before coming back to his bed and laying down to sleep.

"You pet is of acceptable comportment."

"Yeah, Porthos is a special little guy. You know he was with me during the entire mission on Enterprise."

"I didn't know dogs were allowed on Starfleet ships."

"Normally they're not. But I had an Admiral that owed me a favor. Starfleet agreed as long as I kept him under control and the crew didn't complain. He mostly became a mascot and Phlox often used him with sick patients. He found that petting Porthos had a healing effect on most humanoids."

"Phlox?"

"The doctor on Enterprise. He was a Denobulan."

"Jon. I think after the day's events, meditation would be beneficial to both of us."

"I think you're right." They went into the room and set up the mat and candle. After a few minutes, they were entranced and centered.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

The next morning when Jontek entered Starfleet Headquarters, he'd given himself more time. He knew they wouldn't know him and didn't expect them to this time. They went through the same drill as the day before only this time, the meeting Jontek went into was in the conference room. In addition to Gardner, the head of the Federation Diplomatic corps and several of the Starfleet brass were present.

They spent the next few hours going over reports. They talked about the star geyser, the damage to the shuttlecraft that wasn't found until after the crash, the Tananites and the reasons why they might not be the best candidates for admission into the Federation. They talked about the medical procedure that had led to the current situation. When they were finished, they all indicated to Jon and Sontek their concern for their well being. Everyone left except for Gardner and Jontek. Starfleet P.R. personnel expert, Lt. Tanya Canter entered the room. She brought copies of the planned press release.

The media experts at Starfleet had crafted the press release which indicated that Admiral Jonathan Archer had been seriously injured in the accident but had not died. It explained that on the planet where the accident occurred, the sentient species had a medical procedure that had put together two dying humanoids (one being Admiral Archer) so that both would live. It was stated that although neither of the humanoids had given their consent prior to the procedure, they were learning to co-exist with each other. The press release had ended with the statement that Admiral Archer had been put on medical leave and it was unknown if or when he would return to duty. All inquiries regarding Admiral Jonathan Archer were asked to be sent to Starfleet Medical.

Jontek finished reading the release. "Gives the broad brush strokes. Why is Sontek not identified as the other humanoid?"

Lt. Canter answered, "We believe this will provide you with the best chance of privacy. This could turn into a media circus."

Jon picked up that Sontek was confused by Lt. Canter's statement. "Sontek, humans sometimes seek out strange or bizarre things for thrills. That's what Lt. Canter means by a media circus."

Jontek nodded. "We suppose so. Humans have always had a desire to learn about the bizarre."

"Vulcans may be interested in the phenomena...but they do not seek thrills. Only to understand the situation."

"Yes. We've already gotten a few inquiries to see if you'd like to appear on some entertainment channels."

"Jon, Why would your planet's entertainment channels be interested in us?"

"To display us as a freak or to use us to push someone's political agenda."

"That doesn't seem right."

"It isn't. It's a throwback to a time when human curiosity was unchannelled."

"How could they know if the press release hasn't been sent to the media?"

"Apparently some on the Trafalgar have spoken to reporters."

"I see."

"If you and Admiral Gardner agree to the release, we'll put it on the wire immediately."

Gardner and Jontek both voiced their acceptance and Lt. Canter left.

Gardner looked over to Jon. "You seem a little more relaxed today."

"Well, We've have the night to sleep on it. Meditation is helping. What's the possibility of teaching at Starfleet Academy?"

"It may be a possibility in the future. But the Academy is still in its infancy. Having too much publicity about alien cultures like the Tananites wouldn't be very helpful at present. We're trying to build up Starfleet and the Federation, not cause another Terra Prime incident."

Jontek nodded.

Gardner went on. "You know, Jon, Soval contacted me after you met with them yesterday. He said that the Vulcan's were willing to have you join the Vulcan Science Academy."

"You trying to get us off Earth?"

"Not specifically. But Jontek might be better received on Vulcan. You'd also be able to start to teach there. Get your feet wet in the classroom. Then when the time comes, you'll be ready to take on Starfleet Academy."

"You've forgotten. I've taught before."

"I haven't forgotten. That was years ago, back when you were a Commander. As Jonathan Archer. This will be different. You've got to realize that."

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask."

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Jontek spent the next few days getting reacquainted with San Francisco. Each day he'd take Porthos for a walk on the beach. He spent a significant amount of time with Becca, taking her to dinner and just talking. He'd received communiqués from Hoshi, Reed, and Mayweather. They were all concerned for him and when they heard what had happened, were all ready to offer him whatever support he might need.

He'd found that the doorman, George had been a little put off until he sent him an email from Starfleet Medical indicating that what Jontek had said was true. He was okay with the Vulcan using his apartment and asked George to help him out in any way he could. George was much friendlier after that.

It was about two days after the Starfleet debriefing when Jontek started noticing the tabloids. Pictures of Archer's head attached to various extraterrestrial species started to appear. Jontek had to laugh at the one with Archer's and a Klingon's head glaring at each other with the caption "Is Co-Existence Possible?" Well, in the absence of the truth, the ridiculous was fair game.

Three days afterwards, Jontek got a communiqué from Phlox. When he opened the computer message, he found the good doctor was absolutely upset. Per the last instructions that Jon had left as to what to do with his mortal remains, they had been sent to Phlox for study. Phlox was concerned that Jon hadn't been allowed to make different arrangements if he had desired. He'd already started to examine the body and was unsure if Jonathan would want it back.

As Jontek read through the letter, he recalled the conversation that had occurred during the Romulan War. No one was sure who would come out the other side and it was during one late night in the mess hall when Jon was taking some time for a cup of coffee.

"Captain"

"Ah…Doctor. Care to join me?

"That would be most pleasant. It seems that the war is going well."

"We've been able to scrounge up some older ships. Got a few more allies. If the Romulans would stop using nuclear devices, I'd be much happier. The radiation poisoning at some of the colonies has been brutal."

"Have you thought what you would do with your body should you die?"

If it hadn't been Phlox, Archer would have been shocked by the question. He'd ceased to be surprised by anything his Denobulan physician brought up. "No, Why?"

"Well Captain, you have been through a rather remarkable eight years. You've gone through the transporter any number of times, almost been turned into another species, been infected with a variety of bugs, had your DNA mixed with Klingon DNA, and other situations that are not normal to human kind.

"Yes and after every one of them, you indicated that I'm totally back to normal. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Not at all, Captain. It's just that as we have advances in medical science, things that we haven't been able to see before, we can finally examine. Unfortunately, by that time, things from the past are usually lost unless they have been preserved. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to will your body to my lab after you die."

"Huh. Archer thought about it. "Well, if I'm dead, it's not like I'd have any use for it. Sure, Phlox. Consider it yours."

"Thank you, Captain. Although I'm sure I won't see you there for quite some time."

Archer had even gone so far as to fill out the paperwork and turn it in. He figured if he could continue to help Phlox's search for medical knowledge after his death, It was worth doing.

Jontek wrote Phlox back assuring him that all was acceptable. He explained the situation and even scanned the Tananite Medical File data to him. If anyone would be interested in this, it would be Phlox.

It was a week after the debriefing that the communiqué from T'Pol had shown up. She'd been off on a trip with a group of Syrannites. They had been doing what they could do to restore the area that the Vulcan High Command had destroyed when they'd tried to wipe out the sect. Each year, T'Pol would spend her month long break at the Forge, totally removed from any outside contact. When she'd returned, she'd been delighted to receive the first letter, written just after the group had explored the star geyser. It had brought to mind the time she and Jon had witnessed the dark matter nebula lit up in all its beauty. That delight had turned to abject misery when she'd read about his death. Now she was concerned for his well being as a merged being. She asked him to contact her as soon as possible.

Jontek composed the letter, indicating that he would be on Vulcan the next week to bring back the belongings of Sprong and T'Vlan. He also indicated the possibility of his staying on Vulcan to teach and do research. He asked if she would have time to meet with him. He was pleased to get back a communiqué indicating that if he didn't meet with her, she would "sic a sehlat on him." Jon was always amazed at the human slang that T'Pol had picked up, especially the colloquialisms of Trip Tucker.

Thus, two weeks after Jontek had returned to Earth, he left it again with Porthos by his side, heading to Vulcan and the possibilities that he might find there.