AN: I'm sorry for the delay. Health problems, (not COVID) have limited my ability to type. The idea of T'Pol's mindscape comes from the Star Trek Online MMO, a fun game with some very interesting Vulcan lore.

Vulcan words:

katra- soul

ko-fu- daughter

ko-mekh- mother

sa-mekh- father

kali'farr- marriage ceremony

Del'haiu- honored elder

t'hai'la- beloved soulmate

T'Pol found her consciousness in a mental landscape of a cave off the Forge where her father had taken her camping many years ago, with Solkar beside her. "This is unexpected," she remarked.

Solkar smiled gently. "The first step in treatment, is to create a mindscape where your conscious mind can retreat, allowing all of your natural psionic abilities to be redirected to healing your illness and injuries; while I guide your brain into a healing trance and use my psionic abilities to find and repair the damage to your control."

"I am uncertain of my part." T'Pol ruefully admitted.

Solkar's gentle voice infused her being with warmth and hope. "Your part, my Child, is to find your true center as I use my psionic abilities to stimulate the healing points of your brain. To do that, you must create a mindscape where the places, objects, and the people whose katras you've touched, can represent defenses and controls for your mental and emotional balance. Unconsciously, you have a rudimentary foundation. That is why we are here in this cave."

"I've never done any meditation or meld of this sort," T'Pol answered, trepidation coating her voice. "I do not believe I have ever touched another's katra, not even my mate's."

"You would be mistaken, dearest daughter," a deep and mellow voice contradicted.

Shock permeated her katra as she stared up into the face of her father much younger than even at his death. His eyes deep and dark had no lines around them and the tiny creases that marred his forehead in her adolescent years did not exist. "I do not understand, how is this possible?"

"Calm yourself, ko-fu, I will explain," her father replied gently, kneeling beside her. "When you were an infant both your mother, and I melded with you many times. It helps deepen the familial bond and spurs the development of control and security of the emotional responses in children. I found much contentment and peace in you, my daughter, and our melds went far deeper than usual between a parent and child. I deliberately left an imprint of my katra on yours. I intended to teach you melding and how to build a mindscape for your protection after you completed your studies—"

"But you died before that!" T'Pol interjected. "How could ko-mekh keep this from me? Where is the logic of such secrecy?"

"Daughter, not even logic can subdue a mother's instinct to ensure her child's safety," he answered. "We both knew your psionic abilities to be exceptionally strong. In fact, you attempted to initiate melds with us in your second year. The High Command's propaganda dissuading melding and many other aspects of our heritage created much discord in that time. Your mother rightly concluded that to keep you safe you could not know your own abilities. I hypothesize that her attempts to protect you resulted in unforeseen consequences, still you must realize that logic is the foundation of our enlightenment not the whole of it. Try to think of a river cutting through different terrains at different strengths of currents, and we float on a crystal. The crystal is our logic and the river life. As one navigates the crystal along the river using the same methods of navigation along a fast current that would be used on a slow current would spell disaster. Logic will always change with each situation. What may be logical one day, may be extremely illogical the next. Precognition is not a gift of our species; therefore, mistakes and unintended consequences are an inevitable reality."

"I do not know what to do," T'Pol murmured.

"Perhaps sleep would be best, my child. Solkar can work more efficiently to help you heal without the strain of these questions and mistakes," her loving father soothed.

"Would you help me find peace here, sa-mekh?" she murmured.

"Of course, T'Pol," he answered. He sat before her, taking her hands in his, he guided her from the mindscape he'd created for his only most beloved child in infancy, to the soothing cool of a healing trance.

Trip finished his cup of 'not-tequila tea' and shuddered. "She needs me," he whispered. He resisted the urge to move toward T'Pol and wrap her in his arms. Solkar's face remained as smooth as ice on a frozen lake, only his closed eye lids showed any sign of life. The tension and pain that infused T'Pol's face for so much of their time together, decreased in micro-increments. "How long do you think the healing take?" he asked, softly.

T'Lyri gracefully poured another cup of the healing tea in the etched petrified wood cup, eons old. "It is impossible to say, Commander. However, your devotion and patience have helped her immeasurably. I will do everything in my power to assist you," she assured, handing him the cup. "I am not as proficient in your language as my betrothed, however, I believe that without your care T'Pol's condition would be irreparable. T'Pau healed her pa'nar some time ago, however, the strain of her time serving on a human ship, cannot be underestimated. That is not to say this achievement is unworthy, on the contrary, T'Pol is a living example of IDIC, but doing so without vital techniques for truly beneficial meditation and proper suppression must have exasperated her other illnesses and injuries greatly. Indeed, I hypothesize that you quite literally have saved her life."

Trip slowly sipped his second cup of tea grateful for its soothing power, and T'Lyri's kind words. She sat before him running her scanner over his chest, her eyes reflected the firelight like glittering aquamarine gems, her warmth and compassion freely given and her devotion to his health as powerfully obvious as Phlox's if without his gregariousness. "You honor me," Trip replied. "I've been scared that my emotions would make it harder for her, especially now. I'm the first to admit my emotions run higher than other humans, and since my brain isn't naturally wired for a Vulcan mating bond, I don't want to make things harder for her. Living on Enterprise is hard enough for her, as you said. Now, my emotions are a part of her."

"This is why I say you have saved her, Commander," T'Lyri returned with all the enthusiasm of a person immersed in their profession. "The chemical reactions that cause emotions in Vulcans are higher than in humans, hence our need to suppress and control ourselves with logic, the human endocrine system is far more efficient in producing and regulating these chemicals and hormones, if less complex than its Vulcan counterpart. I believe it is this difference that has helped T'Pol most, because your brain processes her excess emotional output through your bond. I cannot prove this, as this is the first bond I have seen between a Vulcan and a human. However, it is the only explanation I have for the way T'Pol has been able to hold on to her control after losing Elizabeth."

A faint smile tugged at his lips, but a sigh soon followed. "I thought Vulcan physiology is superior to mine in every way," he muttered with a wry smirk.

T'Lyri's eyes widened ever-so-slightly and her left eyebrow climbed straight to her hairline. "I can without any doubt assure you that you are mistaken, Commander. Humans have superior night vision, your respiratory system is far more efficient with humidity, and I have already mentioned humanity's superior endocrine system. I am uncertain of how you came to believe this."

"Let's just say your compatriots who have a lot of dealings with humans like to present that opinion, due to humanity's biological weaknesses. Personally, I think it's because we only live into our early 100's," Trip replied, stifling a bemused chuckle.

T'Lyri tilted her head slightly and nodded. "Then the Kir'shara must guide them back to logic. Although, it is disturbing that anyone would propagate such an untruth when the empirical evidence is so easily available."

"You haven't spent much time at the Vulcan Science Academy, have you?" Trip asked.

"I have not," she answered. "Much of my study and research has been done in the smaller institutions in towns around Gol and Seleya, the former High Command had much less influence because of the ancient rights of the Orders there. As an acolyte, I had more freedom than those doctors and scientists at the Academy. While my primary training focused on the ancient healing arts, I've met so many people who struggle to have children and I am compelled to assist. Logically, I realized that to keep such efforts solely focused on my Vulcan brothers and sisters would not be in accord with IDIC. Vulcan is a part of the interstellar community and as such has an obligation to better it."

Trip's eyes widened as the proverbial light bulb lit up. "You're the Doctor T'Lyri that Phlox mentioned. But you're a priestess don't you have to stay at the temples?"

T'Lyri raised an amused brow. "The structure of our ancient Orders and the roles in them are quite complex. I am sure that with time you will learn the minutia of our society. I look forward to learning much about Earth when Skon and I join Ambassador Soval after our Kali'farr. Doctor Phlox has already offered to put me in touch with his friends in the interspecies medical program."

Before Trip could reply T'Pol suddenly slumped forward onto Solkar's chest. T'Lyri and Trip sprung up and while Trip gathered T'Pol in his arms, T'Lyri swiftly administered a Hypospray. "Be easy, Trip," Solkar assured, "The worst is over. She is not accustomed to so deep a healing trance."

Before he finished speaking T'Pol's eyes fluttered open. "Del'haiu, your service honors me," she rasped. She slowly straightened herself and turned to face Trip. "I have had an experience I do not yet fully comprehend. There has been so much kept from me, more than I ever suspected. However, that is for another time. The meld has helped, do you sense it?"

"Yeah, Darlin', the hurricane has dissipated to the fog over San Francisco bay. I'm so proud of you, so very proud," he murmured, extending paired fingers to her.

She pressed her fingers to his and took a deep breath. "There is more to be done. Water please."

T'Lyri served a cool cup of water and unobtrusively took readings on her scanner. "The healing centers of your brain have performed above my projected estimates. I see no reason you should not regain the control you maintained before joining Enterprise, with time," she stated.

Solkar nodded in agreement and poured water for himself. "I recommend one more meld. The broken bond has been healed and most of the damage due to your time in the Expanse. Still, there is more damage to repair. The attack by the female Rajin caused some imbalances that the good Doctor's scanners could not detect. What you have endured could have crippled any Vulcan, my child, you owe a great debt of gratitude to your physician and your mate. However, take satisfaction that your determination to adhere to logic and your diligence in meditation and neuro-pressure held off true disaster."

"What a relief," Trip sighed. "Drink up, T'Pol, the sooner this is over with, the sooner we can get some sleep."

"Indeed."

Solkar drank deeply and centered himself. The sheer magnitude of emotional and psionic strain his niece had endured for decades nearly startled him. Her empathic senses registered far beyond the norm for a woman of her youth without formal training. Doubtless, her natural empathy contributed to her ability to tolerate and adapt to life among humans. It also explained the strength of her young mating bond with a human. However, with such powerful senses and inclination to from bonds of various types always active, he understood her struggle for control. 'My niece is a very rare individual,' he mused.

He felt T'Lyri's soft touch on his shoulder. "I am well, daughter," he assured. Turning to Trip he asked, "You have done well, Trip. I commend your courage and devotion."

"But all I've done is sit still, breath deep, and chat with Doctor T'Lyri," the younger man answered, with a knowing look at T'Pol.

T'Pol returned his look with her own version of 'you just realized that' look. "Obviously, your ability to remain calm and your own comfort to me through our bond aided this meld." Taking Trip's hand in hers she added. "Where Elizabeth once was, there is only emptiness, I will never be free of that. However, I am no longer in danger of losing control."

"I understand, all I want is for you to be healthy," Trip answered, squeezing her hand before releasing it.

"Take what time you need before we continue, child," Solkar instructed, rising to his feet. "I must contact T'Pau. Is it acceptable to use your communications display?" he asked Trip.

"Of course, sir."

Solkar went directly into the house and Skon came out to the patio. "I brought some sweet fruits for my father and you, T'Pol. I know these melds can be tiring for both healer and patient."

"You are most kind," T'Pol bowed her head gracefully and took a tiny bowl of fruits and two forks for herself and Trip. "Charles, I believe you will find these to your liking, the flavor is similar to a fig crossed with a plum, and the entire fruit is digestible. I believe they might work well in a crumble."

Trip smiled. "Not even wed yet and you're already adding recipes to the Tucker Family Cookbook. You know both sets of my grandparents have to approve new additions to it."

T'Pol elegantly speared her fruit and chewed daintily, taking care to experience the full range of its natural flavor and the sucrose surging through her bloodstream. After swallowing her eyebrow raised. "I shall endeavor not to disappoint our family's elders," she replied.

The two couples sat around the firepit listening to the sounds of evening, watching the glowing dance of the flames surrounding them, and soaking in moments of quiet and peace. The harsh and hectic events of the day slowly releasing their grip. Trip felt the agonizing tightness of the adrenaline pumping through him for weeks loosen slightly. "Is it appropriate to ask when you'll be having your Kali'farr ceremony, Skon," he asked as he finished his fruit.

"Of course, you are family," Skon assured. "T'Lyri must finish out her year at Seleya, I believe the date will be March 30th, 2155 of Earth's calendar."

Disappointment flared in Trip's eyes. "There's no way of knowing whether or not we could get leave to be here, but I guess that's awfully presumptuous of me, seein' how technically weddings here aren't grand events with tons of guests and two entire families showing up."

T'Lyri furrowed her brows at the description of an Earth wedding. "Of course, it would be most agreeable to have you both attend the ceremony. However, there is no logic to anticipating or regretting what has not occurred."

"Indeed," T'Pol agreed. "If possible, we should attend, but if not, we will find another way to offer our support. Either way, the we are still family."

Trip raised his hands in surrender. "I know better than to disagree with two ladies far wiser than myself, but as the only illogical human around, I'll hope we make it."

Solkar waited patiently for his wife's face to appear on the viewscreen. After a short time, she answered. "My husband, is all well?"

"I've completed the first meld with our niece, and the severed bond has been healed. There are still several other injuries to her brain that have not healed properly that need attending, one more healing meld will suffice. However, I believe she would benefit from access to the original manuscripts of T'Plana-Hath and some guidance in meditation techniques to better shield herself from the emotions of others."

T'Pau nodded briefly. "I will compile the various texts and have them ready for her."

"Has the High Council agreed on a course of action considering the latest developments."

"I believe that depends on Captain Archer's willingness to agree to a meld. He is most resistant. We simply do not have any other avenues of information to pursue at present."

"What is the reason for his resistance?"

"He is quite violently offended by our codes of privacy."

"Humans equate secrecy with evil connotations. If something must be hidden it must be harmful. There are very few circumstances where secrecy is acceptable in Captain Archer's specific culture."

"That is unfortunate, however, it offers no solution."

"I propose that merely acknowledging that you understand his culture's anathema to our way will do much good. Humans are more willing to accept what they do not like if their emotions are respected. Agreement is unnecessary."

"How illogical."

"They are different, my wife, but not inferior. I must return to our niece. May logic guide you, t'hai'la," he encouraged, ending the transmission.

Solkar returned to the patio and nodded at his son as he accepted a bowl of sweet fruits and another cup of water. He savored the stillness of the cool air and the flickering flames. All was quiet, the two young couples sat around him each basking in the presence of their beloved partners. His eyes discreetly wondered to the young human to his right. Deep blue eyes full of grief, pain, and adoration, bloodshot, and exhausted yet determined. The pallor of his light skin concerned the older man. He needed as much care and quiet as T'Pol. 'What he needs is a good old-fashioned cry-your-eyes-out nervous breakdown,' he mused hearing Lily Sloan's voice in his mind. He sipped his water and focused on flames.

"Del'haiu, I am prepared," T'Pol announced almost in a whisper to not disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

Solkar finished his water and nodded. "Then let us continue."