T'Les: "Koss, why have you come?"

Koss: "My apologies for arriving unannounced T'Les, I had heard that T'Pol had returned to Vulcan and I wished to speak with her."

T'Les: "I see, T'Pol is in the back garden, she is with her betrothed."

Koss: "Yes, a Human. I will not remain long, nor will I invoke the Kali-fee, What I have to say will only be brief."

T'Les pondered Koss's words for a few moments, then she bowed her head and allowed him into the house. She watched as he made his way towards the back, and then returned to her work preparing the evening meal.

T'Pol and Jon were walking back towards the house, the heat had started to get to on and T'Pol had wisely decided to cut short their tour. However as they almost reached the entrance, T'Pol stopped in her tracks. Jon looked up and saw what, or rather who had stopped his wife. It was a Vulcan male he stood a little taller than Jon and was waiting patiently.

Jon and T'Pol walked over to where Koss stood.

Koss: "T'Pol, it is agreeable to see you once again."

T'Pol: "Koss, why have you come here?"

Koss: "In a moment T'Pol" Koss turns to face Jonathan "Please forgive me, you must be Captain Archer. I am Koss, I was T'Pol's betrothed until she broke of our relationship."

Jon: "I know who you are, T'Pol told me about you and what happened between you."

Koss: "I see, If you would Captain, I would speak with T'Pol in private. I assure you it would only be for a few minutes."

Jon looked at T'Pol: You want me to stay?

T'Pol: Thank you but that will be unnecessary.

Jon nodded and entered the house without looking back. He knew she could take care of herself.

T'Pol looked at Koss: "Why have you come?"

Koss: "I do not intend to cause you distress. I have come with news I thought you and your mother would be of interest to hear. In a way it is good that Captain Archer is here so he may inform Earth. If he so desires."

T'Pol: "What news could you have that would be of interest to Earth?"

Koss: "Have you heard of the Syrranites?"

T'Pol: "I have not"

Koss: "They are a group of Vulcans who have come to the conclusion that we have strayed from the true path of Surak."

T'Pol: "I fail to understand what this has to do with us or Earth."

Koss: "Through my contacts in the High Command I have learned that there is a plan in place to wipe out the Syrranites."

T'Pol: "Again I fail to see the point of your visit."

Koss: "T'Pol, I am a Syrranite. I have come to ask the aid of you and your captain, and hopefully Earth."

T'Pol: "I do not see what aid we can offer. Or why you wish to involve Earth."

Koss: "You are aware of course of the newly opened Earth Embassy here on Vulcan? Our leadership has discovered a plan that involves both the Embassy and the High Command. However we do not know yet what it is.."

T'Pol: "I do not presume to speak for my captain or for Earths government. However I shall pass on what you have told me and allow Jonathan the decision on whether or not to inform his superiors."

Koss: "That is all I request. I will contact you again after your ceremony."

Koss held his hand up in the Vulcan Salute to which T'Pol returned. He then made his was back into the house and left the way he had come.

T'Pol walked back into the house and found Jonathan helping her mother by setting the table. Jon looked at her and then returned to his task. Allowing her the decision on whether to tell him or not. T'Pol had of course already made that decision.

Over the course of the meal, T'Pol told both Jon and T'Les what she had been told by Koss. T'Les was sceptical at the information. She had heard of the Syrranites at the university. But dismissed them as a radical student group. Even on Vulcan they had them.

Jon however was not quick to dismiss the information. His time spent in the Expanse had taught him to listen to any bit of information. And he was definitely listening now. Especially since it involved Earth.

Jon: "And Koss didn't say who he got this information from?"

T'Pol: "No, he merely said that he had contacts within the High Command."

Jon: "The Embassy has just opened, the Ambassador and his staff haven't even arrived yet. I wonder what could involve it?"

T'Pol: "Would it not be prudent for you to inform Starfleet?"

Jon: "Of what? That your ex-boyfriend told us that a dissident faction on Vulcan is irritating the High Command and there may be something involving a nearly empty building of ours? Sorry, not until I get more proof of anything substantial. However. Just to be on the safe side, I will send more security down from Enterprise to the Embassy."

T'Pol: "Koss was never my boyfriend."

T'Les: "indeed Captain, if I understand the word correctly, Her only boyfriend was you."

Jon: "Really"

T'Pol: "Mother"

T'Les: "Yes, unfortunately as a young girl, T'Pol did not get along well with others of her age."

Jon smiled at T'Pol.

T'Pol: "Mother, it is unkind to be discussing this."

T'Les: "Very well my daughter. Now if you will be kind enough to clear the dishes, I will retire to meditate."

The next few days were spent in a flurry of activity, Jon made good on his word, and mixed teams of MACO's and security from Enterprise were now stationed in and around the Embassy. Admiral Forrest had demanded to know why and Jon reluctantly told him. The ball was now if Forrests court as it were.

T'pol, T'Les, Hoshi and Amanda were deep into the preperations for the ceremony. Jon, was getting more nervous.

Finally the day had arrived, Jon was in his room struggling to put on his robes properly, Trip and Admiral Forrest were helping as best they could.

Trip: "As I understand it, the ceremony itself it quite short. The priest says some type of fancy poem, then the two of you retire to your room to consumate the marriage."

Jon looked at Trip: "Where'd you hear that?"

Trip: "I asked Ambassador Soval about it."

Jon: "And he told you?"

Trip: "Yeah"

Jon: "I've been asking T'Les about it for the past 3 days but she kept brushing me off."

Finally after one last tug in the appropriate place, the robes settled into the right position. Jon smiled and looked at Admiral Forrest.

Forrest: "JOn, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be marrying a Vulcan on her home world. I said it before and I'll say it again. I think your father would have been proud of you."

Jon smiled.

The three of them left and headed to the place of marriage.

Once they had arrived Trip and Admiral Forrest went over and stood off to the side, they stood with some members of Jon's command staff, Malcolm, Travis and Hoshi, as well as some Earth dignitaries.

Jon walked over to the gong hanging over a small firepit and rang it once, this was the signal to show he had arrived. After a moment he rang the gong again, this showed he was ready for the ceremony to begin.

After a moment T'Pol enters, she is escorted by T'Les, and Soval. As well as the high priest who will be performing the ceremony. T'pol stands in front of jonathan and extends the first two fingers of her right hand. Jonathan does the same and touches them to T'Pols.

The priest comes over and begins to speak.

Priest: "What you are about to see comes down from the time of the
Beginning. This is the Vulcan heart, this is the Vulcan soul this is
our way."

The priest then reaches forward and initiates a mind meld with both Jon and T'Pol, He strengthens the bond that is already present between them. Then he withdraws his hands. He looks down at Jonathan, then at T'pol.

Priest: "Pon farr!"

With that, the ceremony ends. Normally the Priest and a guard would stay and watch over the two as they consummated the marriage. But jon had argued extensively against that. And with Soval's help he was able to change that part of tradition.

Malcolm stood with the rest of the Enterprise crew and watched as everyone walked off, Jon and T'Pol would return to the house to, finish the ceremony in private.

Malcolm: "So that's it? When you told me it was going to be short I thought it was going to be longer than 30 bloody seconds."

Trip: "At least it got you off the ship."

Forrest: "Alright that's enough you two. C'mon lets go back to the hotel and have a drink in their honour. I'm buying the first round."

Trip: "Why that's mighty generous of you Admiral."

2 days later, Jon and T'Pol are strolling through the garden once again, this time it is near dusk and the temperature has dropped to a more tolerable level for Jon to handle.

T'Pol: "Mother informed me that Commander Tucker called you while I was meditating. May I inquire as to what he wanted?"

Jon: "Oh nothing much, just wanted to let us know that if we were done consummating our marriage, that they were going to take a tour of the new Earth Embassy in the morning, and wanted to know if we wanted to come along. I told him I wasn't sure but I'd let him know."

T'Pol: "That was wise of you, I had planned to take you to see the monastery at Mount Seleya, however you will not be allowed to climb the mountain. It is not allowed to off worlders."

Jon: "I think I'd still like to see it, it sounds pretty exciting. I'll contact Trip later and tell him we won't be going with them."

Jon had no idea that that decision would have far reaching consequences.

The next day, after an travel pod flight of about an hour, Jon stood at the base of the Mountain, and gazed up at it in wonder. As he stood there looking up and trying to count the steps that faded into the distance, T'Pol was approached by a younger Vulcan female. She wore the customary robes of a student of the Kohlinar. T'Pol walked over to the woman and listened intently to what she had to say, Jon was startled out of his train of thought when through the bond he shared with T'Pol, he felt a wave of shock and grief. Quickly he turned to face his wife.

Jon: "T'Pol? What is it?"

T'Pol walked back towards Jon and to his surprise past him, heading for the travel pod.

T'Pol: "We must return to the city immediately."

Jon: "Why, what's going on?"

Jon finally caught up to T'Pol, but not before she had already climbed into the travel pod and started its engine.

Jon climbed in and strapped himself in, as the buckle snapped into place, he was pushed back into his seat by the abrupt takeoff.

Jon: "T'Pol what the hell…?"

T'Pol: "Aisha it is imperative we return as quick as possible."

Jon: "Damnit, tell me what the hell is going on, That's an order Commander!"

T'Pol turned and faced him: "Captain, there has been an incident in Shi'Kar."

Jon: "What kind of incident?"

T'Pol: "The Earth Embassy has been attacked and destroyed."

Jon felt himself go numb, he didn't want to ask the next question but couldn't stop himself from doing so.

Jon: "Were there any casualties?"

T'Pol: "19 people have been killed."

Jon: "Who?"

T'Pol: "Most of them were security and staff from the embassy itself. They were making the final preparations for the arrival of Earths Ambassador."

Jon: "Who were the rest T'Pol?"

T'Pol: "2 MACO's from Enterprise, as well as 3 of our security personnel."

Jon know there was more, he could feel T'Pol holding it back.

Jon: "Who else?"

T'Pol: "Perhaps we should wait until we…"

Jon: "Tell me!"

T'Pol closed her eyes briefly, opening them she stared straight into Jonathans.

T'Pol: "2 other Enterprise crew were also killed in the attack. Corporal Amanda Cole and Commander Charles Tucker."

Jon sagged back into his seat, Trip was gone, his friend for many years, the man who he'd had a clone made of and then killed to save Trips life, was gone.

Jon, his voice heavy with held back emotion ordered T'Pol to take them to the site of the Embassy.

T'Pol: "I think it would be best if…"

Jon: "Do it Commander."

T'Pol: "Yes sir."

The pod gracefully executed its turn and sped for the capital city. T'Pol knew that Jon was hurting, but he was in his 'Captain' mode and had closed off his side of the bond, It pained her that he would close himself off from her like that.

T'Pol also grieved for the loss of her friend and colleague. She had hoped that upon receiving the news of the passing of their friend, she and Jon would be able to comfort each other. But he had withdrawn from the bond and would not answer her questions. T'Pol decided it would be best to let Jonathan deal with it on his own, for now.

Jon retreated into his thoughts, the only thing he was feeling right now strangely enough, was extreme anger, not grief or sorrow. He had an overwhelming need to reach out and strangle someone until he found out what happened to his crew, to his friend. Jon could sense T'Pol trying to reach him through their bond, but thanks to her teachings, he had been able to close off his end of it. He didn't want to send her his thoughts right now. He even ignored her verbal comments.

Soon, the pod was touching down near what remained of the shattered building. From the air Jon had seen a large hole had taken out one whole section of the building, and as the pod landed he watched as more of the building came down.

As Jon and T'Pol stepped from the pod and headed over to the security outpost that had been hastily set up near the site, T'Pol saw Koss standing nearby. She watched Jonathan march up to a security officer covered in dust and debris. While he was occupied she headed for Koss.

T'Pol: "What do you know about this?"

Koss: "This is what I had tried to warn you about."

T'Pol: "Captain Archer will need to speak with you about this."

Koss: "I cannot remain here, the Syrranites are already being blamed for this attack. But it could not have been one of us."

T'Pol: "Why?"

Koss: "We follow Surak's true path. We are pacifists. None among us would do such a thing."

T'Pol: "Then why would you be blamed for it?"

Koss: "As I informed you, the High Command wishes to do away with us, they see us as a threat to their continued power."

From behind her T'Pol heard Jonathan shout her name, she knew he was calling for her to assist him. She turned and nodded to him, letting him knew she had heard. As she turned back to Koss, he reached out and placed something in her hand.

Koss: "If your Captain wishes to discover the truth about this attack, use this. It will lead you to where we can talk more, freely."

And with that said, he turned and walked away. T'Pol was tempted briefly to go after him and have him explain what he knew. But Jonathan's second call forestalled that idea. Upon reaching her husbands side she noted that the Ensign with whom he had been talking was from Enterprise, and not one of the Embassies security members.

Jon: "Ensign Martin told me that The explosion came from near the main living quarters for the Ambassador and his family. Malcolm and Travis were injured and are in a nearby medical facility. Hoshi and Admiral Forrest were not here."

T'Pol: "What do you suggest we do."

Jon: "First we bury the dead. Then we find out who did this and make them pay."

It was a sad day on Enterprise, in truth it was a sad day for Earth and Starfleet, but it was more personal for the crew of Enterprise, they had lost their own, they had lost family. The deaths of Commander Charles 'Trip' Tucker and Corporal Amanda Cole had hit everyone who knew them hard.

But not as hard as it hit Jonathan Archer. Jon always hurt when ever he lost a crewmember, but not like this. To Jon, Trip had been like a younger brother, they had a close friendship for years ever since meeting during the NX test program. Amanda was a very important part of Trips life and there for Jon had "adopted' her into their group.

Jon sat in his darkened ready room, the only light available came in from the porthole. Jon reached over and grabbed his nearly empty glass of whiskey, beside it sat a half full bottle, Jon looked at the glass in his hand, turning it to catch and reflect the starlight, in one quick motion he slammed the drink back and put the glass back on the table, he reached over and poured another full glass.

Once again, the buzzer to his door went off, the same as it had every 20 minutes for the past 4 hours. He had been in his ready room for 2 days, he had been on the comm with both Starfleet and the Vulcan High Command. He had no answers from the latter, and nothing but empty sympathy from the former.

However he had one thing on his side, Admiral Forrest. If not for his intervention, Enterprise would be on her way back home by now. But Admiral Forrest had intervened and Enterprise was now stationed here in Vulcan orbit until the bombing and deaths had been solved.

Jon could feel the tentative brushing of his mind from T'Pol, but he didn't return the gesture. He had closed her off, he had closed everyone off. Jon sat back in his chair and taking a drink from his glass, stared out the window into space.

T'Pol turned away from the door to the ready room and returned to the bridge. She met the looks from the crew that were there. Hoshi's eyes were still red from crying, Malcolm and Travis had been released from sickbay and both looked at her.

T'Pol merely shook her head and resumed her seat in the captains chair. Straightening her uniform she looked over at Hoshi.

T'Pol: "Lieutenant, please contact the Vulcan High Command."

Hoshi: "Captain Archer already spoke with them no more than 2 hours ago Commander."

T'Pol: "I am aware of this, please do as I asked."

Hoshi: "Aye Sir."

Within moments the view screen changed to show the image of a stoic elderly Vulcan.

T'Pol: "Councillor V'Las, I am Commander T'Pol. I am inquiring into the investigation of the bombing at the Earth embassy."

V'Las: "Commander, I have already spoken with your captain in this matter, I fail to see the logic in your call."

T'Pol: "My apologies Councillor, I was hoping you would be able to send us the rest of the material you had collected in the case."

V'Las: "I believe that information has just been sent to your ship. Now if you'll forgive me I have other matters to look into."

And with an abruptness that was rare even for a Vulcan, V'Las stabbed at the button to end the transmission.

Malcolm: "Well, friendly fellow isn't he?"

T'Pol: "Have we received the rest of the information as he said?"

Hoshi: "Yes, it was coming through as you were speaking with him."

T'Pol: "Very well, Mr Mayweather, you and Mr Reed will go over the information, please use the Command Center to conduct your investigation."

The two men nodded and headed off to their task, their stations were quickly manned by other crew.

Hoshi: "Are you going to let the Captain know we have more information Commander?"

T'Pol thought for a moment. "Yes I suppose I shall."

T'Pol got up and headed for the ready room, as soon as the outer door had closed Hoshi whispered to herself "After all, it's been 20 minutes."

T'Pol stood outside the inner door and pressed the door chime. She had gone through this motion for the last 4 hours. She expected no reply this time, as she hadn't the other times.

Jon: "What do you want"

T'Pol was startled both in the fact that Jon had replied and by how his voice sounded.

T'Pol: "Captain…I, I merely wished to inform you that we have received new information from the High Command."

Jon: "We should have, I asked for it, is that all?"

T'Pol: "No sir I also…"

Jon: "Then we're done."

The intercom clicked off. T'Pol stood there, she was confused. Not even in the expanse had Jon acted like this. T'Pol felt she had no other choice in what her next actions were. She reached over to the keypad and entered her command override code. The door slid open. Immediately her nose picked up the scent of unwashed human, uneaten food, and alcohol.

Before she had a chance to enter the room, Jon was there, in her face.

Jon: "What the hell do you think you're doing! I didn't give you permission to enter!"

T'Pol: "Captain, I need to.."

Jon: "The only thing you need to do 'Commander' is get out. Now!"

T'Pol: "Captain if you'll only let me."

Jon: "What part of that didn't you understand. Leave now before I have you relived from your post."

T'Pol sucked in a quick breath, once before Jon had relieved her and confined her to quarters, but he had been under alien influence at the time, this time, he was under no other influence but his own.

T'Pol: "Jonathan, please, I merely wish to talk."

Jon looked her in the eyes, and felt his anger fade away, T'Pol felt the wall separating their bond come quickly crumbling down and she was assaulted by the terrible grief that was overwhelming her beloved. Unsure of what else to do, T'Pol reached out and pulled Jon into her arms, she had to use her considerable strength to keep from collapsing as he sagged into her arms.

T'Pol fought to control the emotions that threatened to over come her as Jonathan broke down and let himself be carried away by the grief which he had been burying for the last few days.

T'Pol held him tightly to her as she whispered that things would be alright, that Trip would not want him to behave in this manner. That he would want him to get on with his life.

T'Pol guided Jon back into the room and sat with him on the small couch, she held him to her as he let the grief run its course.

After what seemed like hours, Jon opened his eyes, still brimming with tears, and looked at T'Pol.

Jon: "Why?"

T'Pol: "Because I had to, you are needed. You cannot lock yourself away again."

Jon: "I wasn't.."

T'Pol: "You cannot deceive me any longer my husband. I know you as you know yourself."

Jon looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry"

T'Pol: "You do not need to apologise to me Jonathan. I do understand. I grieve with thee as well. Trip was a colleague and friend. I will miss his presence greatly. But the time for sorrow is past. As I mentioned we have received the final bit of information from the High Command Mr's Reed and Mayweather are examining it now."

Jon: "Go and help them, we need to find out what really happened. See if any of your contacts in the Security ministry know anything else. There's one last thing I need to do before I can move on."

T'Pol: "And that is?"

Jon: "I have to plan a funeral."

And so, over the next few days, the funeral for the slain crew was organized and held in the Enterprise's launch bay. 7 caskets, each draped with the flag of the United Earth lay to one side, the crew that were not manning essential stations were massed along the other side.

Jonathan and the rest of the command crew stood on the railing overlooking it all. Jon spoke about each crewman in turn. He spoke about how he tried to treat everyone the same, about how he tried to get them to focus on their talents and make them enjoy being out here as much as he did.

Lastly, he spoke about Trip, how they met, how they became fast friends. Jon had to stop more than once during his eulogy as his voice broke and he couldn't continue. Finally he was done. He nodded to a crewman standing near the caskets, and the tones of 'Amazing Grace' played on bagpipes filled the bay. According to the wished of each of the deceased, they were to be shipped back home for burial. Columbia would be joining Enterprise for that solemn duty. Enterprise would be remaining on station until Jonathan had concluded the investigation. Jon stood and watched as the crew filed past the caskets. Some were dabbing their eyes, others reached out to give the caskets a quick touch. Jon stayed standing even as the bridge crew descended to say their own goodbyes to their fallen comrades.

Jon stayed in the launch bay, alone, for a long time.

A day later, Jon was in his ready room when the chime went off. He signalled for the person to enter and was surprised to find T'Pol, Malcolm and Travis in front of him.

Jon: "What have you found?"

Malcolm: "Sir, we've found DNA traces on the bomb fragments. By accessing the Vulcans databases, we've been able to identify the person who placed the bomb."

Jon: "Who was it?"

Travis handed Jon a PADD. On it was a picture of a young Vulcan female, she looked maybe the same age as T'Pol.

Travis: "According to the database, her name is T'Pau. She's a member of a radical group known as the Syrranittes."

Jon: "Radical? On Vulcan?"

T'Pol raised her eyebrow. "They are considered such due to their beliefs. They believe that Vulcan has wandered away from the true path of Surak. Surak as you may recall was the father of Vulcan Logic."

Jon: "I know, I did read the book you gave me, finally."

Malcolm: "Sir, we've contacted the Vulcans and they say that T'Pau and the rest of her group have gone into hiding. They are having difficulty in tracking them down. They feel it would be best left up to them."

Jon: "So in other words they want us to go away and let them handle it. I don't think so. It was Earths embassy that was bombed and it was my crew that got killed. Good job, you're all dismissed."

Jon sat down, his mind searching for a way to find this T'Pau. He didn't notice as T'Pol stayed behind while the other two left.

T'Pol: "Captain."

Jon: "Oh I'm sorry T'Pol, was there something else?"

T'Pol: "Yes, I have something to show you."

T'Pol pulled a small item from her hip pocket and placed it on the desk. It was a triangular medallion. Jon recognized it as an IDIC symbol. It stood for Infinite Diversities Infinite Combinations. And it was one of the founding tenants in Surak's reformation of the Vulcan people.

Jon: "Ok, was that it?"

T'Pol let out a small sigh: "This was given to me by Koss, he said if we ever needed to speak with him, more privately, it would lead us to him."

She leaned down and pressed one of the corners of the medallion. Immediately a holographic image formed in the air above the desk. It appeared to be a map of some kind, there were what looked to be waypoints marked out in Vulcan."

Jon: "Do you recognize the area?"

T'Pol: "Yes, it is a Vulcan desert known as The Forge. If this is where Koss has chosen to go, then it was an ideal location."

Jon: "Why is that"

T'Pol: "The Forge is surrounded by an area of electromagnetic interference. Transporters and sensors and unable to penetrate the area. Also particle weapons will not function within its boundaries."

Jon: "Do you think you can follow this map?"

T'Pol studied the image for a few minutes before responding.

T'Pol: "Yes, I have now memorized the map and all the markers. It should not be difficult for me to find Koss."

Jon: "For us, I'm going as well."

T'Pol: "Jonathan, I strongly suggest you remain here. A Vulcan desert is no place for a Human."

Jon: "So I'll bring lots of water. I'm going T'Pol, and that's final."

T'Pol: "Understood. But I caution you to be extremely careful."

Jon nodded: "Go see the quartermaster and get us outfitted for a desert environment. I'm placing Malcolm in command. I need to give him some advice."

Both Jon and T'Pol left the ready room, Jon stayed on the bridge to transfer command to Malcolm, and T'Pol headed for their quarters and then to the quartermasters office. Catching a stray thought from Jonathan, she knew this was not going to be 'a walk on the beach' for him. Jon meant business.