Chapter 32

T'Pau, escorted by her bondmate Skon, were the first Vulcans to board the Human Star Fleet ship Enterprise when it returned to Vulcan. While she was here to complete her duties as High Council representative, she also wanted to see her son as soon as possible. Loosing a betrothed mate was not as devastating as loosing a full bondmate but that did not mean it was not difficult. She could only hope that the Humans had treated her son well.

It was three days after the Grand Gathering at Mount Seleya and two days after V'Las' death. After they had been seated at the conference room table, T'Pau turned to Soval. "V'Las is dead. He died of wounds he received attempting to assassinate the Clan Mothers at the Grand Gathering. Your evidence against him will not be needed other than your formal report."

Soval bowed his head. "I found it very disturbing that I was not able to anticipate his actions in ordering the release of the virus at the Embassy."

"No one could have Soval," she said firmly. "He was insane. He thought he could bring about Reunification and rule Vulcan." Admiral Forrest and Captain Archer could see that this information meant a great deal to Soval. She then turned to Archer. "Captain, your efforts on the part of my sister T'Pol, in the matter of her bonding has been invaluable."

"You're T'Pol's sister?" Archer asked shocked. "You wouldn't be Sarek's mother would you?"

"I am and Skon is his father," T'Pau said. She had not been aware that Captain Archer knew of the relationship between T'Pol and Sarek, although it was logical for him to make that connection. He would have been there when Spock introduced himself to T'Pol.

"I can have him brought to you or I can have someone take you to his quarters as soon as you wish. He's not doing as well as Dr. Evans would like, although he wasn't exposed to the virus." Archer said, his own face showing an amount of worry that startled all of the Vulcans. Archer smiled in response, "Human families come in two different categories, one is related by genetics and the other is chosen. T'Pol is a part of our family here on Enterprise, thus her nephew is a part of our family too. We've tried to support him as best as we could but we know that he needs you right now."

Both Vulcans inclined their heads and shot each other a quick glance before Skon spoke. "My bondmate has duties here that must be fulfilled. I will accept your offer of an escort to my son Captain."

"Lieutenant Reed will take you sir," Archer said and Malcolm stepped forward to lead the way.

"This way sir," he said. As he led Skon down the hallways to the small guest quarters where Sarek was staying he filled Skon in on what had been happening with his son. "We're not exactly sure what is wrong with him but Dr. Evans is certain that he wasn't exposed to the virus. However, he hasn't been eating or sleeping. He has spent most of his time meditating but we're really starting to get worried."

"How long has this behavior been happening?" Skon asked. He was aware of just what was wrong with his son but was wondering how the Humans saw the situation.

"Since he came on board," Malcolm reported. "We checked on him several times in the first day but then Chef reported that he had not eaten any meals. That's when we took up our vigil. We know that something is wrong and we wanted to make sure that he knew he wasn't alone. We did ask, but he declined to answer and we didn't press. All of the Vulcan passengers have had physicals to make certain that they didn't come in contact with the virus."

"What has this vigil consisted of?" Skon asked concerned.

"Someone has been with him around the clock. We've done our best to make certain that he wasn't disturbed but someone was always in the room with him. We've also tried to ensure that the person with him has a calm nature in case the reason for his unusual behavior was of a telepathic nature." Malcolm answered. He gestured to the door of the quarters they had stopped in front of. "This is his cabin." He opened the door and stood in the open doorway.

On one side of the cabin Sarek knelt in meditation and on the other side sat Hoshi with a data PADD. When Malcolm looked over she shook her head, no change. She silently went over to the door. "He hasn't said anything in the last six hours. I'm really worried Malcolm. I know Vulcans can go without food and water for a while but,"

"Don't worry Hoshi, this is Skon, he's Sarek's father." Malcolm introduced them. "This is Ensign Sato sir, she's our communications officer."

Hoshi greeted Skon in his own language and then continued in English. "I know it is inappropriate for me to be here sir, but I am the only one on board that speaks Vulcan. Your son has spoken no English since his arrival and I have acted as translator. Normally we would have had Dr. Phlox looking after him but he is still on Vulcan." She didn't say anything about how those who had taken the other shifts had UT's to help if Sarek had spoken. She doubted Skon would have understood the Human need for untranslated spoken language in times of stress. "We still do not know what is wrong. As far as the doctor can tell he's fine physically. He has spent most of his time in meditation. If there is anything we can do for you or him, please tell us. We'll be on the bridge."

Skon considered what Archer had told him about Human families and the way Ensign Sato had acted as she had left his son's cabin. If he understood the concept correctly, the Ensign was acting as a surrogate sister to his bondmate. "Your concern for my son and your actions are understandable. I will inform you if anything more is required." He entered the cabin and closed the door.

Hoshi and Malcolm exchanged glances and started for the bridge. "Did you find out anything?" Hoshi asked.

"Apparently Administer V'Las of the High Command was behind both the assault on the Vulcan Embassy and the cutting off of relations with Earth. He tried to take over Vulcan and got himself killed in the process. T'Pol's sister T'Pau is with the Captain and the Admiral now. She represents the Vulcan High Council." Malcolm said.

"Well it's good to know that a Human wasn't responsible at least," Hoshi sighed before entering the bridge. They both went to their respective stations; Hoshi, communications and Malcolm, command and relieved the crewmen on duty there. "Sir, we're being hailed; private transmission from Vulcan for Captain Archer."

"I'll take it in his ready room Ensign," Malcolm said as he headed off the bridge.

Once seated at the Captain's desk, he activated the communications link. "Hey Malcolm! Is the Captain busy?" The caller was Trip. He was seated at a desk and Malcolm thought he was calling from a private residence.

"Yes, he's meeting with the High Council Representative now. Are you three alright?" Malcolm asked worried.

"Well let's just say that whoever had I'll get shot in the pool won," Trip grinned. He waved down the shout he could see gathering on Malcolm's face. "I'm fine, Dr. Phlox was prepared and he had me fixed up right away. No one else on our side was hurt. The three of us will be headed up to Enterprise at 1900 hours."

"That sounds good. Did you ever make it to your wedding?" Malcolm asked. "Or did your injuries and the situation preclude that?"

"I was injured at the wedding," Trip admitted. "Mule headed Vulcan nut job tried to kill T'Pol's mom and I got in the way."

"And of course you being you, you couldn't let anyone shoot any unarmed woman much less your mother in law. Don't you know that most men would love to see their mother in law shot while keeping their hands clean?" Malcolm smirked. It was good to see his friend alive and mostly well. That situation was all too common as Trip spent more time recuperating from his misadventures than he spent without injury.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. I'm not hurt that bad. The guy was going for a heart shot and Vulcans' hearts are in their sides, not the middle of their chests. Besides I like T'Les, she's a neat lady for a Vulcan," Trip grinned. "Is there anything else we can bring you when we come back?"

"I'm sure Chef would like a few Vulcan vegetables and the like. He wants to make that Vulcan dish the SubCommander likes so well, the one I can't pronounce," Malcolm said eager to have that dish again. T'Pol wasn't the only one that enjoyed it.

"I'll see what I can do, Tucker out."

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"Why is it every time we get married, one of us gets hurt?" Trip mock whined as T'Pol helped him to lie down on their bunk. It was the first time in over a week that they had set foot in their quarters.

"Because we are self sacrificing individuals who are involved in history making events," T'Pol said dryly.

Trip had to laugh at that as he sent his agreement back at her. They did have an inclination towards giving things up for other people. Not that it was a bad thing for people in their professions but it did take its toll on their bodies. "I just hope nothing bad happens while we're on Risa. We need some down time."

"Indeed, we are not the only ones who are in need of rest from stressful situations," T'Pol said as she put away the few items that they had brought with them from Vulcan.

"How is Sarek? Is he going to be ok?" Trip knew that the betrothal bond wasn't anywhere near as strong as a marriage bond but he still worried about the boy.

"He will be fine. In fact he will be returning to Earth with the new Embassy staff." T'Pol said as she completed her task. "It is well that he will be able to return to his work so quickly. He was disturbed that his abrupt departure might have negative effects on the Human children he was working with."

"He's working with Human kids? He's the one Soval sent to help out at the kindergarten?" Trip asked with a huge smile. "That's the best sort of assignment he could have right now. Kids are wonderful to be around when you're hurting. There's just something about how happy they can be at the smallest things that lifts you up no matter how far down you are."

"He has informed me that he finds his work most satisfactory, although quite confusing at times. It seems that Human children are even more illogical than adults," T'Pol said.

Trip could hear quite a few things through their bond that didn't sound in her voice; surprised wonderment that it was possible, amusement at the memory of Trip declaring himself 'just a big kid', worry about their own children, even pride in her nephew for taking on such an important assignment. "That's good. I was a bit worried that he wouldn't be able to go back. For a future diplomat this is the best time to be on Earth. Watching how Earth gov and the High Council work out a new relationship with each other will be a practical lesson on how the governments of two alien species can get along as long as they have the right incentive to do so. Not to mention that I'm sure those kids are going to be missing him."

T'Pol nodded and returned to their bunk. She sat down astride him and said, "With Soval as a mentor he will undoubtedly be able to directly observe the proceedings. It will no doubt be a valuable learning tool for his future."

"Yep, first hand experience is always best," Trip agreed as he drew his fingers over her lips, up her jaw and outlining her ear. "Maybe we should get some more of our own," he said huskily.

"That does seem to be reasonable," T'Pol said breathily as she leaned down to kiss her bondmate. There were quite a few things that could only be truly understood through experiencing them.