Merged

Chapter 13

Jon looked at the subtle sign outside the market. It had a picture of the Milky Way Galaxy with the name "Universe Kitchen" in English. Sontek confirmed that the Vulcan lettering below it indicated the same name. Walking in, Jontek was assaulted by the smells of the foods and spices of a sizeable cross section of the galactic neighborhood. He noted that the names of species were on signs above the shells. Jon recognized Andorian, Tellarite, Klingon, and Vulcan, Risan and a few others but was amazed to see products from multiple species he had only read about in the Vulcan Database. Even after twelve years of exploring the galaxy, humankind had yet to meet many of the species that had already met the Vulcans. Of course, the Vulcans had been in space much longer than twelve years. He headed to the Earth section.

"What are you planning to prepare, Jon?"

"I was thinking of eggplant parmesan served with pasta with an oil/garlic sauce and a salad." He started looking at the produce to find an eggplant and was dismayed that one was not available.

Sontek considered the situation. "You might use a plaq-wal."

"What is that?"

"It's a Vulcan tuber that has the general taste and constancy of eggplant."

"How will it taste breaded and sautéed?"

"I believe it will be suitable for your needs."

Jontek agreed to try it. Over the next thirty minutes, they shopped. Jon found some of the items he needed. He decided to substitute for others from the wide choice of available products when a suitable replacement was available. He was thrilled to find a pasta from Earth made with a tri-triticale blend. The store provided wicker-like baskets for shopping and when Jontek was finished, he took it to the proprietor, a Suliban that had not been a part of the Cabal, to pay.

The proprietor eyed the items as Jontek placed them on the counter. "Quite an interesting selection."

"I'm attempting to make an Earth dish without all of the proper ingredients. I'm finding I have to substitute quite a bit."

"You are quite adventurous for a Vulcan. Most of my clientele are not from this world."

"I've been trying to expand my appreciation of various cuisines."

"If there is anything you would like me to obtain, let me know. I'll inquire as to if it is available and the cost."

Jon was about to thank the man but Sontek stopped him. "You are perceived here as a Vulcan. We usually do not say thank you as it is not logical to thank one for doing their job.

Jon questioned not doing so. "On Earth, it is considered to be a courtesy. It is not strictly necessary, but people feel better if they hear it."

"Yes. But as your species would say, 'when in Rome.'"

"Point taken." "That would be most acceptable. I will let you know if I require any other products." Jontek finished paying and left.

When they arrived back at the apartment, Jontek sent T'Pol the pertinent information about the dinner which would give him a few hours before she arrived. He then spent a little time playing with Porthos. The dog seemed to be adjusting well to his new home. He had noted Sontek's small patio and decided to see if he could set it up for al fresco dining. If the temperature the night before was any indication, it would be enjoyable to sit outside for the meal. Pulling a table and two chairs out, he found a throw to cover the table. He found that Sontek only had meditation candles and figured that T'Pol wouldn't mind too much. He set the larger one in the center of the table.

Sontek was curious and watched without comment as Jon went about his apartment, pulling things together that he felt would provide the ambiance he was seeking. Jon seemed to be especially interested in finding the right music to play. He found some light jazz which he felt certain T'Pol would appreciate; setting the music to randomly select tracts. When Jon was finished Sontek commented that the patio looked more aesthetically pleasing than he'd ever seen it before. Jontek nodded, declaring it acceptable.

Jontek next went into the kitchen and started preparing the tomato sauce. Actually, he was doctoring a pre-canned sauce from Earth, but he'd had a lot of success in the past making the jarred variety taste almost homemade by cutting up various vegetables and adding a variety of spices. A few minutes later the sauce was simmering, providing a very Human ethnic smell to the kitchen.

Over the next hour, the meal was pulled together. Sontek had been right; the plaq-wal was a perfect choice to substitute for the eggplant. He reached the point where all he had to do was toss the salad and went to get cleaned up. He'd come out of the shower and was drying off when he heard a knock at the door. He'd never known T'Pol to come earlier or later than the appointed time. She was always exactly on time. It was at least a half hour before she should be here. Jontek put on a clean set of robes and went to answer the door.

He found a tall Vulcan woman on the other side of the door. Jon noticed that she looked similar to Sontek but older. "T'Plorn. It is agreeable to see you, ko-kai."

"This is my sister," Sontek explained.

"Sontek. It is agreeable to see you as well. I was pleased to hear you had survived."

"Yes. It was a difficult situation. Please come in."

A puzzled gaze crossed T'Plorn's face. "The smells in the apartment are strange."

Jontek explained, "I have the Chair of the Academy Federation Studies Department, T'Pol coming to dinner. I am preparing an Earth dish for her."

Nodding, T'Plorn stated, "I am aware of her. She is Vulcan, is she not? Why would you serve her an Earth dish?"

"Yes, she is Vulcan. But she spent many years with the komihns and found Earth cuisine pleasing. I doubt she has had it since she left two years ago."

"She is known to favor the komihns."

Jon had begun to recognize the Vulcan word for human. He perceived it was being used simply as a descriptive term in this conversation. Jon did not note any animosity from Sontek's sister at all.

"She is simply more open to other cultures and practices."

"Have you also become more open to other cultures, Sontek? My understanding is you now host a komihn in your mind." There was concern in her voice.

"It is more than that, T'Plorn. We are now rish-ha-vel. A hybrid. I have chosen to go by the name Jontek now. It honors my komihn side as well as my own."

"I will not call him sa-kai."

"She is saying she does not see you as her brother, as family."

"I wouldn't expect she would."

"I understand. But I ask that you accept that he is a part of me now."

"It is logical to accept that which can not be changed."

"Indeed."

"As you are expecting a be-hai-la, I will leave you to your evening. I would like to see you again soon. We have family issues to discuss." She got up and headed to the door. Jontek followed.

"We're expecting a what?"

"A guest."

"Yes. My sa-fu-d-ko-kai is to start his tal'oth in a month," Jontek stated, indicating he knew what was to be discussed.

T'Plorn nodded. "That is correct. Since my sa-telsu is off world, you must provide the blade to him."

"My nephew is to complete his tal'loth. Since T'Plorn's husband is off-world, I must give him the blade he will carry," Sontek explained.

Jon was curious. "Tal'loth?

"Yes. He will have to survive for four months with only the blade."

"I've been in your desert. Surviving would be difficult. How old is your nephew?"

"He would be the equivalent to 14 of your years."

Jon was shocked. "You'd send a 14-year old out into that desert for four months!?"

With a mental shrug, Sontek explained, "All Vulcan children do so. It is our way."

"You mean T'Pol did this as well? Jon knew T'Pol was strong and brave but he couldn't imagine her surviving for four months in the desert.

"Yes."

"I am honored to do so, T'Plorn."

"I will contact you tomorrow."

"Rom-halen, T'Plorn"

"Rom-halen, Jontek. As Jontek opened the door, he noticed T'Pol was just arriving. She and T'Plorn greeted each other and exchanged a few pleasantries before T'Plorn left to walk towards her flitter-car.

T'Pol commented, "Your ko-kai is pleasant, Sontek."

"She has been so as long as I can recall. T'Pol. I believe it would be more conducive to conversation between old friends if I were to give you both some privacy. You will excuse me?"

"Sontek, you do not need to leave on my behalf. I look forward to getting to know you."

Sontek noticed Jon becoming concerned with the direction of the conversation. "We have an agreement and I will honor it, Jon. I'll get to know T'Pol better under different circumstances."

"Perhaps later. I would like to have what I believe humans call, 'downtime.'"

"I understand, Sontek."

With that explanation, Sontek pulled up the mental shields that would allow Jon to have their primary consciousness.

"I made eggplant parmesan."

"I can smell it. I'm sure it will be delicious."

"I've set up a table on the patio. I thought it might be nice to eat outside."

"Like on Earth." T'Pol remembered occasionally eating at Jonathan's apartment in San Francisco. Most of the time, the air had been too chilly to dine on his patio. San Francisco weather was notorious for being on the chilly side. She remembered one or two meals, though, where it had been warm enough and what she most remembered were the lights of the city around them. It had seemed to her that Jon had seemed content. As if the city and he were old friends.

"Yes. Although it will be much warmer here." He stopped for a moment, one part of him wishing that Earth normal activities were the only ball in play. "Can I get you anything? I know that Vulcans don't drink wine but I'm not sure what they would drink."

"We usually just drink water, that would be fine."

"Okay." Jon walked to the kitchen and pulled the water pitcher out of the chiller where he was keeping it until the meal. He poured her a glass and handed it to her. "You look beautiful, T'Pol."

"Thank you, Jon."

"Would you like to eat now, or wait for a bit?"

"Now would be agreeable. Can I help you bring anything out?"

"You can take the water out. I can get everything else. I just need to toss the salad a bit. You go out and sit and I'll be right out."

T'Pol nodded. As she stepped out on the patio, she noticed the meditation candle in the center of the table. Candlelight at dinner was a human concept. She felt Jon's personality coming through and it brought about a moment of consideration as she waited for him to come out.

It was still a little disconcerting that she was interacting with a Vulcan and yet at the same time with Jon. She had to admit, that the Vulcan male he had merged with was quite pleasing to look at. His build was similar to the body that Jon had once inhabited although it did not have the definition of muscle groups. That was normal in Vulcans. While physically they were much stronger than humans, their muscles did not present the same way. She was sure that Sontek's body was also hairless as Vulcans did not grow the face or chest hair that human males exhibited.

She had also noticed Sontek's scent. It was pleasant to be around him. She compared this as well to what she remembered of the man she had called Captain for so many years. She had grown used to the smell of humans and had stopped requiring the use of numbing agents. She especially remembered Jon's scent. She recalled being carried by Jon on several occasions, her body pulled tightly to his chest. During those times when she was in such close contact, she felt him protecting her, caring for her, and at one time she had believed, loving her. In her mind that scent had eventually come to be a balm. She felt safe in his arms. She felt content. She missed it now. But it was illogical to want something she could not have.

Jon walked out carrying the salad. He'd picked up a dressing at the market that he knew she'd prefer. A type of Vulcan dressing similar to a vinaigrette. He sat down and asked for her salad bowl, filling it with a salad of greens, sliced vegetables, and pine nuts. He had splurged on those. The proprietor had indicated that another human had requested them and it had been necessary to obtain more than was needed.

Jon had turned on the jazz right before coming out. T'Pol recognized the style and closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the sounds she had learned to love from Earth. Jon watched her slightly sway to the music and his heart caught. A moment later, she opened her eyes and voiced her enjoyment of his selection.

They ate their salads and T'Pol commented on how much she enjoyed it, especially the pine nuts. Jon smiled. "I thought you might like them."

The dinner progressed through the entrée. T'Pol recognized the vegetable and was pleasantly surprised that he'd found a way to serve it in an Earth style. She complemented him on his chef skills.

When the meal was finished, Jon removed the plates and brought out a pot of chamomile tea and two mugs. He poured a cup for her and handed it to her. "I hope your day went well after I left."

"It was a short day. I was able to finish up a lot of administrative items."

"That is one thing I don't miss."

"Did you get your schedule from S'Bont." At the sound of the man's name, Jon's countenance changed.

"No. Not yet. We'll get it tomorrow," Jon's said the words in the clipped manner he often used when annoyed on Enterprise.

T'Pol looked Jon in the eye. "Is there a problem?"

Jon nodded. "Yeah. A big one. The man hates humans."

"I didn't know. S'Bont and I have not conversed much."

Dryly, Jon responded, "I gathered that."

"Are you going to be able to handle working for him, Jon?"

"I think that Sontek and I have worked out a way to make it work. I just won't be there."

"How can…" The look on T'Pol's face indicated her confusion.

"The same way I'm here with you tonight and Sontek isn't. I'll just put up mental shields and let Sontek have our primary consciousness. That way he can do his job without my emotions causing him trouble."

"I would be interested in learning how that works out."

"Sontek said he's going to look into channels regarding S'Bont's behavior."

T'Pol suddenly seemed quieter than usual. "I may not know the man well, but I know he has some well placed friends. Warn Sontek to be careful. It might be best to let it go for now."

Jon's head tilted and his forehead creased. "Let it go? S'Bont all but said he wanted humans to just disappear. Completely."

T'Pol was direct. "I know it's hard for you when you meet Vulcans that reinforce your old feelings. Understand, though, that sometimes you have to allow something to continue until the time is right to do something about it. S'Bont would be a dangerous man to cross for now. I think I've heard you suggest giving someone enough rope to hang themselves."

"Okay, T'Pol, you've made your point. I won't interfere with the way Sontek handles things. I just hope the bastard gets his due sooner than later."

"Patience, Jon. That is one of the virtues that you still need to cultivate more. You've always been a man of action. Perhaps for now, it would be best to be a man of observation instead."

"Perhaps. You've always given me good counsel before. I don't doubt you're right about this situation as well."

As they finished their tea, Jon watched T'Pol's face reading a question that she was not voicing. "T'Pol, you seem to have something on your mind. Care to share it?"

"The conversation the other night reminded me of our joint meditation sessions. I was wondering if you might like to resume them."

"You want to meditate with me?"

"Yes."

"All right, T'Pol. I would like to meditate with you as well."

They went inside, carrying the large meditation candle with them. Jon went into the bedroom and brought out two mats. They set them in the sitting area and each took a position sitting across from the other. Jon and T'Pol placed themselves into a meditative mode, the candle again the only item between them.