Fragile- Part 8

Fragile Universe
An "Enterprise" story

By Alison M. DOBELL

RATING: PG-13
STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "DESTINY".
ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Events on Volara bring Trip to a momentous decision. Meanwhile T'Pol is dancing with dark forces which challenge her belief in Vulcan logic."
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Enterprise' are the property of Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.

Part Eight

"PIONEER SOULS"

* * * * *

He could not believe how incredibly good it felt to be above ground. Missing the indulgent looks on his friends' faces he closed his eyes to savour the light breeze that caressed his face. The only visible sign of his beating was the long white scar above his left eye running parallel to his eyebrow. More troubling was his shortness of breath and lack of stamina. It was not as if he could grow another lung. Sar watched him closely. Even more protective of him above ground than he had been below though he took care not to make it too obvious. If Trip was aware of it he showed no sign. Sarsa walked beside her mother, hand in hand. Sar walked beside the Commander, content to walk wherever his Human friend led. He knew where they were going and was looking forward to the looks on his wife's and daughter's faces when they found out. As they drew nearer to their destination Trip's footsteps slowed. He glanced at his friend. "Ya don't have to come with me, Sar. I'm gonna be a while and ya might want to go explorin' with the family. Could get kinda borin' for ya just hangin' around."

Sar smiled gently at him. He loved the Human so much. Like a brother. Like a father or a son. He remembered only too clearly what had happened last time Trip had told him it was okay to leave him. He would make his own judgments and taking chances with his friend's safety was not one of them. "You are family, Senisa."

Trip swallowed slowly. Emotion readily rising and robbing him of words. To ease the awkward moment Sar pointed through the slatted fencing. "Senisa, look."

The Human was easily distracted and moved immediately to the gap in the boarding. His face breaking out into a grin as he recognised the boy sitting quietly under a tree all on his own. Trip had a gift for him. One he had started making in the mine. When he was injured he had used the time he spent recovering to finish his project. The soft malleable alloy had been created by a process of illiquation using the intense heat of the lava to melt and change the peculiar alloy of the metals that made up the molded artifacts so highly prized above ground. He had adapted the process to make a durable gun metal grey sheet. It was then carefully beaten and rolled to get it thin enough for his purpose. Trip had carefully cut and trimmed it, using pieces of wood he had cut down into long narrow squared off strips to his own exact specifications. He had patiently trimmed and cut the wood, then layered it painstakingly between the now glossed sheets of metal. It took many attempts for Trip to get the effect he wanted. Testing and resetting, then testing again. Adjusting. Trimming. Fine tuning the finished article with an engineer's precision and critical eye. Not even form was allowed to overshadow function. Sometimes having to remake a new sheet and trim more wood. It was not until his fifth prototype that he got the pitch and mix of sounds right. A beatific smile of pride and joy lighting him up when the job was done.

Sar had marveled at the Human's inventiveness. His genius. His unending patience with a project which clearly baffled him. He had no clue what the odd device was. Then. To confound him even further the Human began all over again and made another one. Sar had shaken his head in bewilderment and wondered if Trip's time below ground had addled what little wits the alien had started off with. But Trip was happy and that was all that mattered to Sar. Now, many weeks later he was about to find out what that little circus act had been all about. He had no intention of missing it for the world. An-agar asked him quietly what he was up to but he just gave her a smile and a gentle kiss. Almost as tight lipped and secretive about it as Trip.

The boy seemed to have a sixth sense where Trip was concerned. It was eerie and oddly endearing. The head rose and the boy froze. Trip had been tempted to call out to him but did not want the other children crowding round. But Sar had a surprise for them both. Instead of having to speak through the fencing, Sar had already arranged with the overseer to allow Trip to visit officially. As the boy rose to his feet and turned his face towards them a huge gate was opened startling the Commander. He stepped back warily, fearing he had committed some offence and might bring trouble upon his friends. A smile from Sar stopped him in his tracks. He watched as the door was swung wide enough for an official to appear. Sar spoke quietly to him, the man nodded then looked at Trip. Raising his voice he addressed the Commander formally.

"Are you Commander Tucker of Earth?"

He straightened and approached cautiously. "Yes, sir."

"I am told you have an interest in one of our charges?"

Trip swallowed, suddenly anxious. Not wanting to get the boy in trouble. Palms sweating, heartbeat racing. An-aga slid a hand in his and he felt a measure of reassurance. "Yes."

The official nodded. "Which one?"

He hesitated then saw that Sar was beaming. His anxiety eased somewhat but he was still wary. After all. He was a stranger in a strange land and in this place not all was as it seemed. He pointed to the boy now standing under the tree, his head turned, looking straight at them. There was an aching sadness about the lonely figure that tugged at Trip's heart. He could not help it. It was as if the boy's very soul cried out to him.

"People come for children
And take them for their own
But they all seem to pass me by
And I am left alone.
I know they'd like to take me
But when they see I'm blind
They always take some other child
And I am left behind...
I'm nobody's child
I'm nobody's child
I'm like a flower just running wild.
No mommy's kisses
And no daddy's smile
Nobody wants me
I'm nobody's child."

- 'Nobody's child' sung by the Alexander Brothers

The man regarded Trip silently for a few moments. "I am the keeper of the house in which these children dwell. I am charged with their care and well being."

"Yes, sir."

"What is your interest, stranger?"

"I am a friend."

"Friend?"

The official looked baffled. Trip was not sure how to explain himself. "I found this place by accident, sir. At first I thought it was a prison..."

The official snorted as if offended. The Commander did not feel so confident now.

"I realise now it is an orphanage. A place for those who have no one to care for them."

The official nodded. "What do you want here?"

"The boy, the blind boy. I came to visit."

"You are ... interested in him? In his well being?"

Trip nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, sir. Yes, I am."

The gate opened wider. "Then come in Commander Tucker and do not peer through the woodwork. It makes you look as if you are a criminal."

He flushed, nodded his thanks. "What about my friends? May they come too?"

For the first time since the gate opened the man smiled. "Yes." He pointed to a small brick building just separate from the huge ugly main building. It reminded Trip of an old gate-keeper's cottage. "When you are ready to leave come to that building. I will be waiting for you. Do not attempt to leave without my permission. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

Once the gate was locked behind them, Trip watched the official go to the small building and only when he disappeared inside did he take a deep breath and relax. He closed his eyes and tried to calm the frantic beat of his heart. An-aga squeezed his hand. Sar looked at him in concern. "Are you alright, Senisa?"

"Yeah." He sounded breathless. His eyes opened and fastened on Sar. "What was that all about? I thought I was gonna be arrested."

Sar dipped his head in apology. "I wanted to surprise you. I did not mean to cause you alarm or distress."

"Well ya surprised me alright, Sar. Next time tell me first."

"Then it won't be a surprise." Piped up Sarsa.

Trip looked at her then looked at his friends and began to chuckle. "Okay, Sarsa, ya got me there."

Sarsa looked thoughtful, peering round her father's legs to take a look at the boy standing patiently under the tree. Looking curiously in their direction. "Who is he, Danna?"

"A friend of Trip's." Sar turned to Trip. "You go ahead, Senisa. We will sit here and enjoy the bright sun upon our faces."

Trip nodded and gave his friend a grateful look. An-aga surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at her then walked over to where the boy awaited him some twenty odd yards away. As he drew nearer he was startled and grieved to see that the boy had been crying. "Kai, what's the matter? Are you hurt?"

The boy wiped the tears from his face. A tremulous smile quivering on his lips. "I thought you had forgotten me, Trip."

He felt his heart lurch. Some of that pain filtered into his voice. "No, Kai, I could never do that. I had an accident, was injured, but I'm alright now."

Kai looked alarmed. Tilted his head as if listening to something. "Your breathing is not right."

The Commander felt a shock go through him. How did he know that? "A lung was damaged." He admitted, deciding honesty was best.

Kai took a step towards him and gifted him with a smile. Trip felt himself begin to relax.

"I brought ya a present, Kai."

"A present?"

"A gift."

A look of surprise momentarily left the boy speechless.

"C'mon Kai, let's sit under this beautiful tree of yours."

The boy nodded and sat, his face turned towards Trip. Trip rummaged in his pockets and took out the two things he had spent weeks making before sitting down beside him. One was ornately embossed with fancy scroll work and a design in the metal, the other was plain. He took one of Kai's hands and placed the ornate one in his palm. Curling the fingers gently around it. "I made this for you, Kai." He said softly.

The boy felt tears prick. He had never had a present before. A gift. He turned it over and over in his hands, a slow delight stealing across his face, his sensitive fingers following the pattern. On one side the design reminded him of a tree with flowers around it. "What is it, Trip?"

A smile lit the Chief Engineer's face. "Why don't I show ya?"

"Show me?"

"I made one for myself. It's a musical instrument from my home world. It's called a harmonica."

Then the most incredible thing happened. As Kai waited to find out, a mix of seemingly discordant notes merged and blended into a harmonious melody. Trip played something lively. Nothing like a bit of Sousa to get the toes tapping. He then went through a medley of musical styles from country and western to blues, from pop to classical strains. He broke off and reached out to the stunned boy.

"Here. Put your harmonica in your pocket where ya can find it easily. Now put your hands over mine so ya can feel the vibration as I play. Are you okay with that?"

Kai nodded. His face shining with joy and anticipation. Excitement fairly buzzed in him.

"Okay," Said Trip gently. "Now ya don't just have to play music on this instrument. Ya can make it talk. Mimic birds and animals, even make it sound like it's talkin' to ya. Would ya like to hear that?"

"More than anything, Trip!"

Trip smiled. Slowly put the harmonica to his lips so that Kai's hands would not be dislodged and lose their place then began to play mimicking birdsong, running water, thunder, crying, laughter. So many things that by the time he had finished there were tears streaming down Kai's face. Trip felt tears prick his own eyes and gently wiped the tears from the boy's face. "I'm sorry, Kai. Didn't mean to upset ya."

The boy shook his head. The whites of his eyes shining. "Will you teach me how to play, Trip?"

"Be my pleasure, Kai. My pleasure."

Sitting off to one side, enjoying the bright sunny weather and the light warm breeze, Sar and his family watched over Trip and the boy with interest and no small amount of emotion. An-aga had tears in her eyes as she looked at her husband. "Trip is a good man."

Sar nodded. "He is, my heart-love. I told you he was not like the others."

"Danna?"

Sar smiled down at his daughter. "What is it, Sarsa?"

"Why is the boy blind? And Danna, why is Trip crying?"

* * * * *

The three days before the wedding were a busy time. T'Pol had insisted she stay at her parent's house. A room was made up for Koss though she would have preferred him to stay with his own family until the formal day of joining. As it was he excused himself to go and make arrangements for the ceremony. T'Pol breathed a great sigh of relief when he had gone. Her mother gave her a searching look. "We did not expect to see you. After you refused to return for the wedding..."

"I know. I was headstrong."

Her father watched her for a moment. "You do not like him."

"He is my betrothed."

"Perhaps he will improve with age?" Suggested her mother.

The look on T'Pol's face told her not. Her father allowed the smallest hint of worry to seep through. "Why did you change your mind, T'Pol? Why tie yourself to this loveless match?"

His words surprised her. Ignited fire in her already fractured nerves. Anger barely in check. "You arranged this match not I."

An eyebrow rose. "Yet you refused. What changed your mind?"

She sucked in a deep breath. Trying to hold back the walls of pain. Retain at least some of her dignity. "Another ship, the Sh'tok, brought Koss out to me. He had entered the Pon Farr..." She broke off and took a moment to regain her control. "As was his right he demanded fulfillment of our betrothal. I could not deny him or he would have died."

Her mother turned away, knowing only too well what that meant. Her father said nothing. T'Pol gave them a nod. "Now if you will excuse I am tired."

"Of course."

Only when she was in her room did T'Pol allow the tears to fall. She felt trapped. No way out. About to be wed to a man she not only did not love but was rapidly growing to despise. Her hands shook as she changed into her meditation robe. It took her three tries to hold her hand steady enough to light the candle. As she stared into the flame another face hovered before her. A gentle smile slowly forming as if he could reach out to her over the distance and cushion her with his love. Why did she keep thinking of Commander Tucker when he was lost to her? Why yearn for that which could not be? She bit her lip and trembled as she fought for control then realised something. Had the Commander still been on Enterprise when Koss had come on the Sh'tok he would have prevented this from happening. She did not know how but she was firm in her belief that with his knowledge of her past he would not have stood by and allowed this to happen. Whether she agreed with him or not he would have stepped in and stopped it. Was that why she kept seeing his face before her? The gently mocking eyes, the lazy drawl of humour and affection. The concern deep in his eyes when she was troubled or upset. The almost instinctive way he had of knowing her moods, complimenting her feelings with an uncanny knack of his own. And why. When she was about to be married to her betrothed, had given herself to Koss in his Pon Farr, was it the Commander's face she saw not his?

Was she mentally running away again? Or was she facing a heart shattering truth? If only she could speak to him. Hear his voice. See his face one more time. Take him in her arms just once. Lose herself in him. Then perhaps this nightmare would end. She stared in the mirror but suddenly. The gaunt drawn face that stared back at her with frightened eyes was one she no longer recognised.

"That lonesome feeling all the time
Knowing you cannot be mine
Dreams that hurt me in my sleep
Vows that we could never keep.
Too far away from lips so sweet and warm
Just out of reach of my two open arms..."

- 'Just Out of Reach' sung by the Immortal Patsy Cline

The knock on the door startled her. Before T'Pol could rise from her abortive meditation her door opened. Her mother and father entered. She frowned. Her mother knelt beside while behind her, standing just inside the door with an unreadable look on his face, her father watched in silence.

T'Pol could not understand what they were doing there. "I have not yet finished meditating."

Her mother gently touched the tears upon her daughter's face. T'Pol never cried. She looked at her husband and nodded to him. T'Pol's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"What is going on?"

"T'Pol. We have found out something that you should know."

She frowned. What were they talking about? It was her father who broke the news. When she heard it the wail that escaped her carried the bright red edges of her shattered heart with it.

"Koss lied to you, daughter. He is not in the throes of his Pon Farr..."

* * * * *

Captain Jonathan Archer heard his Tactical Armoury Officer out in silence. Stunned he just stared at him. He looked across at Ensign Sato from his Captain's Chair. Part of him wondering why Lt. Reed had made the suggestion on the bridge and not in his ready room. But that was immaterial. He looked at Hoshi for a moment before speaking. "Is it possible, Ensign Sato? Would we be allowed to contact Volara to inquire after Commander Tucker?"

She bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, Captain. I have been reviewing the laws and customs of the Volarans and it would be permitted providing we made no attempt to land on the planet surface. Visits to the planet have to be authorised by the Prince Regent in advance."

"And if we did, chance to land I mean?"

"We would be thrown in prison." Said Lt. Reed dryly. "They'd probably throw away the key this time."

Captain Archer frowned. Travis Mayweather averted his face so the Captain would not see his smile. The Captain looked at his Armoury Officer for a long moment, his eyes narrowing. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"Who, me sir?" Said Malcolm innocently.

"Don't 'who me sir' Lieutenant! I know a setup when I see one."

Travis decided it was time to distract the Captain. Get him back on track. "Then you don't want to see if we can find out how the Commander is doing, sir?"

His head whipped round. "Of course I do, Travis. Do not put words in my mouth, and that's an order!"

Lt. Reed avoided meeting Ensign Sato's eyes. He was having a hard job not laughing. Trip would have loved it. That thought sobered him up immediately. He missed his friend. They all did. The Captain most of all which was probably why he was trying to pretend so hard that he was not. Emotions could be tricky things.

"What do you want me to do, Captain?" Asked Travis in a neutral voice.

Captain Archer took several deep breaths to steady himself. The ache in his heart was all the impetus he needed but he did not want it to look like his bridge crew did his thinking for him. He nodded slowly and gazed sternly at the blank screen in front of him. "Set a course for Volara, Travis. Warp 4. It's time we checked up on our Chief Engineer."

* * * * *

Liz Cutler looked down at the unrecognizable dish before her. Dr Phlox beamed at her from across the table. He had a PADD in one hand and something that appeared to be crawling up his fork in the other. She was beginning to regret agreeing to eat with him. Her only consolation was that the mess hall was empty apart from themselves. Eating at 3am did have *some* advantages. He beamed at her before placing the wriggling contents of his fork in his jovial mouth.

"I had to pull quite a few strings to get Chef to provide such a rich variety of nutritious food."

She felt sick. Sure her Rovarian marsa was crawling with hidden meal worms. It was definitely *moving*. "Um, couldn't I just have pasta?"

He looked up from the PADD he was reading in shock. "Pasta?" He made a disgusted face. "Bland, tasteless, rubbery goo."

"Goo?"

"Goo." He paused. "That is the right word is it not?" When she did not reply he smiled at her, his natural bonhomie once more to the fore. "Really, try the Rovarian marsa. You won't be disappointed."

She very much doubted that. Trying to distract him she pointed to the data PADD in his hand. "What are you reading?"

"Ah." He looked pleased she had asked. Successfully diverted he began to babble happily, in between mouthfuls that fought him every forkful. "Poetry."

She looked surprised. "Poetry?"

"Hm. Humans have a great propensity for needing to express their emotions in numerous totally illogical ways. Poetry is perhaps the best example."

"Then it's romantic? Keats, Wordsworth, Shelley?"

"Um, no, actually it's someone called - Sam Walter Foss."

She shook her head. "Never heard of him."

"Let me give you a quote:

'There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars that dwell apart
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran -
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man..."

"What do you think?"

"Is that it?"

"No, there are four more verses..."

She waved her fork at him. "No, that's all right. I think one was enough."

"You do?"

"Yes. A little of Foss goes a long way."

He chuckled, amused. "I take it you don't like poetry?"

"On the contrary it's just that's not my kind. Why did you choose that particular verse?"

"I thought it reminiscent of the whole human condition."

"Really?" She had not realised it but while the doctor was casually talking and eating she had begun to eat her Rovarian marsa. Between crunchy munches it really was surprisingly tasty. She leaned forward and waved her fork at him. "What part reminds you of us?"

He blinked and decided to play it safe. "This part: There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths where highways never ran..."

"Because we're explorers?" She guessed.

His face lit up with joy. "Exactly! We are the first explorers of our kind from Earth. This is history in the making, Liz. History in the making." He paused and looked down in amusement at her empty plate. "Did you enjoy your meal?"

Surprised she nodded and smiled at him. "Yes, it was much tastier than I expected. Thank you."

He beamed at her and speared another half dozen wriggly things that wound themselves around his fork. "Excellent!" As he popped it in his mouth he thought it was better not to tell her that the marsa had rather a lot of live meal worms embedded in the sauce. What she did not know would not hurt her and it would be a shame to spoil her meal with unwarranted revelations. Besides. Meal worms were an excellent form of nutrition.

* * * * *

Continue to Part 9

Return to Part 7

Return to "Fragile Universe" Menu Page

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

Three people have made comments

Great continuation! Gotta hate Koss! Anyway, I can't wait until T'Pol and Trip are back on the ship together. BTW, I like T'Pols parents. Seem to me quite nice; more Spock-ish. *lol*

very nice, can not wait for the rest of the story.

Nooo! I can't bear the suspense. Does Trip stop the marriage? Please say yes.