Disclaimers: See part one

IX (Placated)

T'Pol allowed Trip to pull her into his quarters.

"So what is going on? I thought Soval hated us humans."

"Obviously he does not hate Corporal Cole," T'Pol said.

"Well yeh, that is true. Soval bonded, who'd a thought it," Trip said, his accent becoming heavy as he seemed excited. "I am happy for him."

"Indeed, I too am pleased."

Trip laughed, "Of course you are now, she won't chase me anymore."

T'Pol glared at him. "Had you been more honest she would have understood the situation better."

Trip blushed and realized he had just stepped in it. "Awe Honey, I was just trying to protect you. The High Command would have had a fit if they knew about us."

T'Pol took a deep breath. A part of her knew he had been protecting their privacy. She saw him extend two fingers in a gesture of peace. She went to his side unable to remain distant. What ever he did or said, in the end, their bond was strong and she would forgive him… She touched his fingers and allowed him to pull her close for a kiss.

I love you, T'Pol and I will not lose you, Trip sent. i am such a fool at times.

I cherish thee, she responded. We must go. I have the bridge.

In a minute. He held her so she would know he loved her. Sometimes he forgot how vulnerable she was.

X (Orders)

Jonathan Archer entered the bridge and was immediately given a message from Lt. Sato.

"Sir, Starfleet Command has just sent us updated orders. Sir, it seems Admiral Forrest and Admiral Gardner are on the Avenger. They are here to set a General Court Marshal."

"This is not good. Hoshi let them know we will meet them at the coordinates they have sent. Travis warp 3.5 when ready"

"Aye, Sir," the helmsman replied. He hit the codes and the ship engaged to warp 3.5.

Captain Archer knew he was going to have to find a way to exonerate Corporal Cole. He did not want to have to sacrifice Lt. Reed to do so. Archer rose and signaled T'Pol.

"Sub-Commander, may I have a word with you in my ready room?" He could think of only one solution and he knew it was going to cause Star Fleet to explode.

Sub-Commander T'Pol followed her captain to his ready room. She had been contemplating the problem for the last 1.25 hours and had only one solution. She wondered if Jonathan Archer had come to the same conclusion as she had.

"Sub-Commander, is a bonding like marriage to a Vulcan?"

"In many ways it is Captain. " She knew he was still upset with her and Commander Tucker by his formal tone. She was, however, grateful he was attempting to assist the Ambassador.

"Do you believe Soval intends to marry Amanda Cole?"

"Yes, Captain." She said sharply, almost offended for her mentor.

"I mean no disrespect, Sub-Commander. I have found only one possible way to protect the Corporal: if she was following orders and obeyed them despite her personal feelings. If she were married to Soval then they would have no reason to believe she was derelict in her duties. She would have stayed out of personal commitment unless ordered by me to do something else. I ordered Malcolm to have all MACO's at their posts and I heard the Corporal protest, but overrode her concerns. It was my fault Soval was taken. I think the best way to protect her is if we make it official. I can marry them before we reach the Avenger and will log it for a week ago to protect them both."

"Captain, that is falsifying records."

He looked away. "Soval told me he claimed her then. If it is a Vulcan marriage who am I to suggest it is less valid then a human one. If I log it as having taken place, then it will protect them both."

"You will need witnesses, Sir."

"Yes, I know that. I need you and Commander Tucker to make this work." Archer said looking away.

"Vulcan's do not lie, Captain Archer."

"Would it be a lie, T'Pol?" Jonathan Archer knew this action might forever alter the ships dynamics but he did not care. He wanted to do the right thing even if it meant altering the records. No, but you do bend the truth to fit.

She looked away this time. She knew Soval would fight to keep Amanda. He would do whatever it took including tossing away his career. Could she allow that when he had also claimed Amanda so long ago? She had know of his intentions and had he not been kidnapped, the bonding would have been in place then.

"I can not speak for my mate but I will agree," she said

Captain Archer smiled. "Commander Tucker to the Captain's ready room please. " The captain removed his finger from the com unit. "Now all we have to do is convince Soval."

T'Pol's brow rose and wondered if that was all? Soval would agree but would Amanda?

"Why are you willing to do this, Captain?" she asked.

He ran his hand through his hair. "That is not a simple thing to answer. Maybe it comes down to family T'Pol. For all we have been through together we have become a family. Ambassador Soval has been with us from the beginning. Perhaps he has not always been as supportive as I would like but he has always come through when I needed him to. He risked his life, career, for this ship and crew many times. I suppose I owe him. In a strange way, he is the head of this misbegotten family unit of ours. "

T'Pol looked at him sharply.

"I trust him, T'Pol, almost as much as I trust you and Trip. If he says he needs Corporal Cole and she wants him, then I will do every thing I can to help them."

"I do not believe the ambassador would understand your assertions," T'Pol replied.

Jonathan Archer laughed for the first time in days. "I know. Perhaps that is what makes it so important. I won't say he is a father figure but he is a definite Dutch uncle type."

There was a knock and Commander Tucker joined them. He was grinning and Jonathan knew T'Pol had shared the last part of the conversation with him.

"Uncle Soval. I like that," he said, grinning.

T'Pol rolled her eyes. The only gesture that fit, human or not.

Shall we contact him and see if he will follow this plan?"

"Yes. We should do that," Trip said. "Who'd a thought a shot gun wedding for a Vulcan."