Merged
Chapter Nine
As Jontek stepped off the shuttle that had transported him from the Vulcan spacedock to the surface, he realized they both had different reactions. Sontek was home, Jon was surprised it wasn't as hot as he remembered it.
"You are experiencing the planet as a Vulcan this time."
"That would change things." Jon looked down at Porthos, his tongue hanging out as far as possible and realized that for those creatures of Earth, the planet was still damned hot.
"Any chance of getting Porthos into a climate controlled area? He's a bit old to handle this heat well."
"Why didn't you think about that before you brought him here?"
"We don't know if we're going back. I wanted him with me in case we stay."
"Logical. I believe we may be able to accommodate our quadruped."
"Our?"
"I'm growing accustomed to his presence."
"I see. Why don't you call him by his name then?"
"That is a logical suggestion. I will do so."
They retrieved the rest of their luggage and hired a flitter-car to take them to the Vulcan Science Academy where Sontek's apartments were located. When they arrived, Jon was pleased to find that Sontek's two bedroom flat was only a bit smaller than his own. Sontek contacted the maintenance department and asked for a air modifying unit to be delivered to cool his second bedroom.
"This is a common request?"
"When we have visiting colleagues from other species, it is sometimes necessary. I believe that Porthos could be considered such a colleague."
"I think this may be the first time he's ever had his own room."
"It will take care of the heat situation. Do you think he will dislike living there?"
"No. During our time on Enterprise, he spent most of the time in my quarters alone and it didn't seem to bother him much. I just kept a lot of toys in the room and took him for walks. He sleeps most of the day now anyways. We will have to stay with him sometimes though. He still likes to have his tummy rubbed and he's used to me being in the room with him."
"If I can live on your planet, I can spend some time in the cooler room. We will accommodate Porthos's needs. I find that your Dr. Phlox may have been right that 'petting' a quadruped has healing properties."
Jontek went into the apartment's kitchen and pulled out a vulcanware bowl. He filled it with water and placed it on the floor for Porthos. The dog gratefully accepted the offered liquid and made short work of it. The bowl was refreshed but Porthos had had enough.
They started putting things away. Jontek had found that while most of the human's clothes fit him well enough, they tended to feel tighter than Sontek would have preferred. Sontek was used to wearing Vulcan robes which did not bind to the body as closely. As a result, they had left most of Jon's clothes behind. The t'shirts and sweatpants were another matter. They had brought all twelve of the t-shirts and six of the sweatpants with them. Sontek had mentally voiced the idea that all humans should adopt wearing these all the time.
"They would be too casual most of the time."
"Humans do seem to put a high value on dressing correctly."
"Vulcans do the same. You have different dress for various functions."
"Not to the extent the humans do. You had many clothes in your abode."
"Not too many. I wasn't a clothes horse. But you don't always want to wear the same thing everyday, unless it's a uniform."
"You owned more 'outfits' than a Vulcan male would own. It is logical to wear something until it is no longer functional as long as it is clean, pressed, and in good repair."
They walked into Sontek's room and opened the closet. There were five outfits there. One was formal. Another less so, but obviously not for everyday were. Two looked to be used for travel in a hotter outdoor climate. The final outfit was a typical everyday robe. Jon figured that with the two they had with him, which included what he was wearing, that made three outfits to be rotated through the days.
"Nice threads."
"They suffice."
Jontek started to unpack his luggage when he heard a knock at the door. He went to open it and found the maintenance crew had brought the unit. He indicated to them which room needed the modification. They took care of the job efficiently and then left. Setting the temperature to meet a pleasant Earthlike temperature, he placed Porthos and his water into the room. He had brought Porthos's bed with him, enclosed in a plastic bag. That was set up in the room and Porthos went straight to it, lying down for his nap. Jontek smiled and closed the door to allow the room to cool down.
He headed back to his bedroom and finished unpacking. He had some work to do at the computer and decided to change into one of the t'shirts and a pair of sweatpants. Jon was amused to find that Sontek found an almost hedonistic pleasure in wearing the comfortable human clothes.
The first order of business was to again contact Sprong's and T'Vlan's families to confirm his appointments with them the following day. He had contacted them from Earth and they had set up times to meet. It was a common Vulcan courtesy to confirm that nothing had changed. He sent off the communiqués and then thought to send one to T'Pol to let her know he had arrived. He continued to resettle into his apartment, taking care of mail that had arrived while he was gone.
Within a half hour, the two communiqués confirming the appointments for the next day had been received. Jontek was surprised that his note to T'Pol hadn't received a response. Perhaps she had second thoughts about meeting with him. The thought that she wouldn't want to see him caused his heart to ache.
Sontek offered a logical explanation. "She is probably in class teaching."
"I know. I'm being paranoid. T'Pol said she'd be expecting me."
He went into the kitchen to make some tea and had just pulled down a cup when he heard a knock on the door. It surprised him. Jontek figured it might be S'Bont, the man who had been promoted to Sprong's position in the lab. Jon felt a sudden fear from Sontek that his new boss would see him in human clothes. A second, more insistent knock sounded and Jontek decided he could explain away the clothes through their unique situation. That it was a way to soothe the now human side of himself into his new surroundings. He opened the door, a totally stoic expression on his face.
It was T'Pol.
She was concerned to see the changing visage of surprise to stoicism and then to joy appear on the Vulcan's face before her.
"T'Pol!" Oh my God! How…?"
"She is beautiful, Jon."
"I indicated to you that I'd be expecting you. Sontek works and lives at the Vulcan Science Academy where I also work. After receiving the communiqué that you had arrived, I looked up his address in the directory. Is my being here unacceptable?"
"Yes, she is. The most beautiful woman alive."
"Lord, No. Come in!" The expression on Jontek's face changed yet again to a stoic expression and his hand raised in the Vulcan "V" hand gesture. "T'Pol. Live Long and Prosper."
"Are you Sontek or are you Jonathan Archer?" T'Pol looked confused.
"We are both. We have chosen to use the name Jontek to reflect our situation. If you wish to address one side you will need to let us know." Again the male Vulcans facial expression changed to a lop-sided smile, a look that didn't fit the face, but did the personality behind it.
"It's so good to see you, T'Pol. It's been way too long. I was just about to make some tea. Can I get you some?"
"Yes, Jon…tek. I would like a cup of tea."
She walked into the sitting area and sat on the low, backless bench. He headed back into the kitchen and pulled down another cup.
"Do you have chamomile? She likes chamomile."
"No. But I have theris"
"What's that?"
"A Vulcan herb used for tea."
Her voice called out from the sitting area, "Is everything all right, Jontek?"
"Yes. I'm making theris tea for you."
"Thank you. It is one of my favorites."
"Okay. I'll let you make it since you know your way around your kitchen."
"How accommodating." The Vulcan Forge was back.
"Can it. I'm just a little nervous here."
"Why?"
"I haven't seen T'Pol in two years. Not since she left for Vulcan to teach."
"Well, if you are 'just friends' it shouldn't matter."
"You're right. It shouldn't. It does."
Finishing the tea, he carried the mugs back to the sitting area. He set the mugs down and sat down beside her. He looked at her, not saying a word.
"Is something wrong?"
"Uh, no. I'm just so glad to see you that it's enough…uh…to see you…" he trailed off.
"This must be awkward for you, Jon. I shouldn't have come without calling first."
"No! I mean, I wanted to see you T'Pol. I just don't know what to say. I've missed you."
"We've corresponded regularly. I've informed you of my life and you've informed me of yours. What have you had to miss?"
"I'm blowing this."
"What?"
"She's never gonna want to see me again."
"I mean I've missed 'you,' T'Pol. During our time aboard Enterprise, I really looked forward to working with you daily. It was hard to give that up."
"You've been doing what you've wanted at Starfleet. Building the Federation. I'm proud of you Jon... Jontek." She suddenly stopped and looked down. "This is a difficult conversation." Looking up she suddenly noted what he was wearing. "Are those Jon's clothes?"
"Perhaps I could give you two some time together, alone."
"Yeah, that might help. Thanks."
"Yes. Sontek says they are comfortable and I prefer them to wearing robes all the time."
She put her hand out to feel the fabric, touching him lightly on the chest. She pulled her hand back quickly. "Its okay, T'Pol. It's just me here now. Sontek has decided to give us some privacy."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that he's been teaching me about mental shields and as a Vulcan, he's very adept at them. He's let me have our primary consciousness instead of us sharing it."
She looked at him, her head tilting, "He's not listening?"
Jon shook his head "No. It's just the two of us, T'Pol."
She nodded and then looked down at her hands. "When I learned you had died, I was…dismayed."
"Dismayed?"
"Yes. To know I would never see you again. It hurt." She paused and then looked up into his eyes. "Then when I read you had been merged with a Vulcan male, I was gravely concerned."
"Why?"
"The Vulcans have not always been your favorite galactic species. We have not always been…kind to you." Her head went back down as she began to reexamine her hands.
Jon reached out and took her chin in his hand, gently raising her head to look into her olive green eyes. Softly, he told her, "You've changed that for me." The pools of her eyes seduced him and he pulled his hand away, closing his eyes for a moment, regaining his composure. He continued in a more normal tone, "Although I have to admit what I learned from Surak's katra helped as well. And Soval and I have even basically 'buried the hatchet' so to speak."
She smiled and started to say something, but he stopped her.
"I can't say this has been easy. You know how prideful I can be…"
"Yes." There was a slightly sardonic cast to her eyes.
He grinned at her. "As I was saying, you know how prideful I can be and losing my individual identity is something I still am struggling with."
Concern was written into her eyes as she asked, "Are you happy, Jon?"
His eyes looked away for a moment, "We're working on it."
Confusion played upon her face. "We're? Is Sontek back?"
Jon shook his head. "No. It's still just us. I just mean that's the direction it's going. Sometimes, we feel separate. Sometimes we feel like one. I'm learning to be more Vulcan. He's learning to be more Human. It is a very strange dynamic and one that I'm sure will continue to develop."
Jon heard a scratching sound from Porthos's "bedroom." "Would you like to see another old friend?" He got up and walked to the door.
"Another friend?"
He opened the door and Porthos came out, and walked over to T'Pol. The gleam in his eyes indicated he would have rather bounded over to her, but age had taken its toll on the animal.
"Porthos! It is agreeable to see you!" The dog barked his greeting, licking her one hand as she petted him with the other. "He's looking very well, Jon."
"You know, I think he's missed you too."
She stopped petting the dog for a moment, which annoyed Porthos to no end. "What are your plans now that you've come to Vulcan?
"Well, we have appointments with Sprong's and T'Vlan's families tomorrow. After that, I guess we're going to meet with S'Bont regarding Sontek's role in the lab. I'm hoping we might be able to teach as well."
"I might be in able to help you in that endeavor. You know I'm the chair of Federation Studies." She'd gone back to petting Porthos who had decided he loved this woman. Where had she been?
"Yes."
She coyly looked at him from the side. "Would you be interested in a role reversal?"
His eyes crinkled. "What do you mean?"
"With your knowledge of the Federation, its beginnings and growing pains, I could see you working in my department. I'd be your boss."
"Umm…I'll have to discuss this with Sontek first."
"I suppose that is the logical next step. When can you let me know your decision?"
"Give me until the day after tomorrow?"
"Of course." She stopped petting Porthos and looked at him intently. "Jon? I'm glad you didn't die."
"I'm beginning to appreciate that I'm still around, so to speak. I really have missed you."
"Let me take you to dinner."
"Can we bring Sontek back in?"
"Yes."
Jon and Sontek had been working on mental shielding techniques over the past two weeks. Jon was becoming better at raising and lowering his and the communication between the two was becoming more seamless. "Sontek?"
"Yes, Jon."
"She wants to take us to dinner."
"It would be logical to accept. I haven't had good Vulcan food for months."
"There such a thing as 'good' Vulcan food?"
"Human, you've never tasted good Vulcan food with a Vulcan palate. Now accept and let's go."
"We accept. Let's go."
"Ummm. Jontek, I think it would be wise to change into something a little less comfortable. I suggest Vulcan robes."
With a chuckle, Jontek agreed and headed towards his bedroom. "I'll be right out." He was really looking forward to tonight and knew that he and Sontek would have a lot to discuss in their meditation later.