Fragile-Part 21

Fragile Universe
An "Enterprise" story

By Alison M. DOBELL

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

SUMMARY: "Captain Archer reluctantly exacts Starfleet's
wishes. Sub-Commander T'Pol takes it upon herself to get
to know Trip's friends."
The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and
'Enterprise' are the property of Paramount. No
infringement of copyright is intended.

Part 21

"THIRTY DAYS"

* * * * *

Lt. Reed stared at his Captain. He had gone in search of the Commander at the Captain's request, eventually finding him in Sub-Commander's T'Pol's quarters. Fortunately he was dressed by the time he got there. Now Commander Tucker was standing to attention, eyes staring straight ahead, not daring to meet the Captain's eyes. The Lieutenant hesitated at the Captain's order. Surely he had misheard him? "Excuse me Captain, did you say you wanted me to *arrest* Commander Tucker?"

The Captain sighed. "I'm sorry Lieutenant but it seems this storm between Starfleet and the Vulcan High Command won't just blow over. If we want to put things right we have to eat crow."

Eat crow? He meant the Commander would have to eat crow. Lt. Reed felt uncomfortable. Tried not to let his emotions show. Stiffly he straightened even more if that were possible. "As you wish, Captain. May I ask how long the Commander will be spending in the brig?"

"One month."

A month? The Lieutenant was shocked. He saw the pulse in Trip's jaw jump. It was the only movement the man made. Commander Tucker was silent. The Captain stared hard at his Armoury Officer. "I would like that order carried out some time today, Lt. Reed." He said with an icy edge.

The Lieutenant nodded and looked at the Commander. "Commander Tucker, it is my duty to escort you to the brig. About turn."

Trip did a one eighty turn and waited. Lt Reed swallowed hard. Trying not to think about the fact that he was marching his best friend off to gaol.

"By the right Commander, quick march!"

Captain Archer watched in depressed silence as the two men marched out of his office and disappeared down the corridor. Only when the door hissed shut behind them did he brace his hands down on his desk and drop his head, breathing erratic. Eyes smarting.

* * * * *

Sub-Commander T'Pol had wanted to go with Trip to see the Captain but Lt Reed had politely stated that now would not be a good time. She had watched them go in silence and decided now was as good a time as any to thank Dr Phlox for his assistance. She was surprised therefore to enter Sickbay and discover that the curtained off area was now open. Sitting in a biobed was a young Volaran boy. He was wearing a pair of light sunglasses. T'Pol was so surprised at the incongruous sight that she stared at him. The boy at first did not notice her. He was in animated conversation with a small group of Volarans. A little girl about a year younger than the boy, held one of his hands between both of hers. A family. Obviously.

Seeing no immediate sign of the doctor she walked over to them. The boy turned his head and felt his breath catch in his throat. What was it Trip had called her? A pointy-eared guardian angel. This had to her. It had to be. Unaware of the child's fascination with her, T'Pol gave the little group a polite nod. Sar smiled and began the introductions. "My name is Sar. This is my wife An-aga, Kai and Sarsa. You are Sub-Commander T'Pol."

Her eyebrow arched slowly. "I was not aware that we had met."

His look was gentle. "You were not in a condition to be aware of much, Sub-Commander. I helped my Senisa bring you back to Enterprise."

A frown dusted her face. "Your Senisa?"

"Commander Tucker."

She was not familiar with the term but let it pass. "I take it you met the Commander on Volara?"

He nodded solemnly, taking time to fetch a chair for her before explaining. "Yes. I was his personal guard."

Her face stiffened. A subtle shift in facial expressions. Kai watched her intently. Not willing to interrupt but wanting to learn everything he could about her.

"You guarded him while he was imprisoned?"

Sar's smile grew, such a gentleness in his countenance that she could not help wondering what had happened down there. And why would Trip bring his former guard with him to Enterprise? "It was my honour."

For a long moment she just stared at him. It was almost as if the Universal Translator did not work. "Your honour?" She managed at last.

"Your Commander is a very brave and honourable man, Sub-Commander. He gave his freedom so that your Captain could return to this ship and be saved from certain death. My life is honour bound. As a former member of the Simitarial Guard I was one of a handful responsible for the personal safety of the Prince Regent."

His explanation was confusing her more than ever. "I do not understand."

"Your Commander impressed the Prince Regent with his loyalty to the Captain. While he reluctantly agreed to transfer the sentence to the Commander he was ill at ease punishing an innocent man, yet the law is the law. It cannot be circumvented for convenience nor used to please the crowd. It is what it is. Therefore he could not remove the sentence but he could ensure the Commander survived it."

"Sar, I do not know why he should need your services to accomplish that."

"The mines are dangerous, Sub-Commander, not because we work with molten heat within the planet's core but because of the men who are incarcerated down there. Violent men. Prone to acts so appalling that less than ten percent of those convicted survive to complete their sentences below ground. The Prince Regent is a man of honour. He would not allow an innocent man to die therefore as a mark of respect for his sacrifice I was released and assigned as personal guard to the Commander."

It made sense now. T'Pol nodded to him with respect. "I thank you for protecting him, Sar."

The man laughed lightly, his deep voice pleasing her ear. Her response pleasing him. "My Senisa has chosen well."

Again. That word. "Your Senisa?"

He moved closer to the biobed and put his hands on Kai's shoulders. The massive hands gentle. "It is my honour to present Kai to you, Sub-Commander. I know my Senisa wanted to introduce you himself but as he is not here and you are, I must do this for him. Kai is too impatient to wait any longer."

She looked at the boy, her curiosity piqued. "Kai?"

He beamed at her. On his best behaviour. He wanted to make a good impression and not shame his father. "Pleased to meet you."

A look of startled surprise drew a rare half smile to her solemn lips. He had almost perfectly mimicked the Commander's southern twang. "I am pleased to meet you also, Kai." She paused. "Why are you wearing those glasses?"

He was not embarrassed by the question. Nor offended by her prying. Rather he was proud that she was taking an interest in him. "I was blind."

"Was?"

He looked so happy. "Dr. Phlox operated on my eyes and now I can see!"

He was so obviously thrilled and grateful that it warmed the Sub-Commander's heart. This obviously was the reason the Commander had brought them to Enterprise. To obtain medical assistance for their child. It was so like him to try to help others. Even if most of the time he ended up in trouble for his efforts. "I am happy for you."

The boy's smile softened as if he was close to tears. "I wanted to see my father's face."

T'Pol nodded and looked at Sar. Moved by his simple heart-felt admission. "Then I am infinitely pleased your wish has come true."

The Sub-Commander began to rise from her chair. Anxious, Kai reached out a tentative hand and she froze. Her eyes fixed on his face, wishing she could see his eyes. Were they golden like his parents?

"Please, T'Pol. Don't go."

She ignored the familiarity of being called by her name without the use of her rank. They were Volaran and did not know the Vulcan protocols of polite conversation. Plus he was a child. One who was recovering from recent surgery. "I am sure you would rather talk to your family, Kai."

"I want to talk to you."

A pause. A tilt of the head as she observed him more closely. "Me?"

An energetic nod. "I want to know all about you. What it is to be a Vulcan. How you met Trip."

An-aga gently touched the boy's arm. "Perhaps you ask too much too soon, Kai?" She suggested gently.

His face flushed. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have..."

T'Pol cut him off mid-apology. "I will only answer your questions Kai if you will answer mine."

"Anything, T'Pol."

"You must tell me how you met the Commander and what happened down on your home planet."

For a moment they just looked at each other then a huge grin broke out across the boy's face. He stuck out his hand. "Deal!"

* * * * *

Lt. Reed was feeling more and more uncomfortable. Commander Tucker said next to nothing, his silence making the Lieutenant even more uneasy. When they reached the brig he could stand it no longer. "I'm sorry Commander, I had no idea this was going to happen."

Trip stepped into the cell and turned around slowly. He gave his friend a serious look. "Not your fault, Malcolm."

Malcolm, not Lieutenant. Lt. Reed took a moment to study the Commander closely. "You're taking this a lot better than I would have expected."

He shrugged. "Not much I can do either way. I was in the wrong, put the Cap'n in an impossible position." He paused. "But I'm not sorry, Malcolm. An' given the chance I'd do the same thing again."

The Armoury Officer raised his brows, mild surprise etching into his accent. "Isn't that a little reckless even for you?"

Trip smiled. It was such a sweet expression that the Lieutenant caught his breath. What was he thinking about? What could possibly make thirty days in the brig put a look that beautiful on a man's face? His skin pinked slightly with a suspicion of the answer. Not that he would ever ask. "I love her, Malcolm, pure an' simple. When I've served my penance the love will still be there. A joy I could never have imagined holdin' in my arms." He paused and tilted his head slightly. "T'Pol will be waitin' for me."

"You're awfully sure of yourself."

He sighed, a soul enhancing sound that made the Lieutenant quite envious. "I am."

Lt. Reed watched the Commander sit on the preformed bench of his cell. Knew he should activate the security measures but did not like to just lock him in and turn his back. This was his friend and even if he could be calm and sanguine about his confinement Malcolm could not. He was upset. "I don't understand how he could do it. Your best friend."

"Leave it, Malcolm. Jon'll be tearin' himself to pieces over it every hour I'm in here but he had no choice. Ya heard what he said. Admiral Forest was forced to demand he punish me by Starfleet. The Cap'n was also under pressure from the Vulcans."

"He should have told them to go to hell."

Trip raised an eyebrow in surprise. "He's the Cap'n," He said slowly. "Ya know he has a mighty thin line to walk and I've kind'a stretched it a time or two."

"You saved his life." He said softly.

So that was it. The crux of his friend's dilemma. "Malcolm, I'd'a done the same for you."

"I know but loyalty goes both ways, Trip."

"Cap'n is loyal, Malcolm. I admit it hurts when he has to pull rank on me at times but it's accepted. We both knew it was bound to happen if we served together. I'm just gonna take my punishment and look forward to puttin' it behind me when I come out again."

Lt. Reed was reluctant to voice his other concern but it kept haunting his mind. "What if you can't put it behind you?"

"'Scuse me?"

"I said, what if you can't put it behind you?"

"Why wouldn't I be able to do that?"

"The Captain intimated this might not be the end of the matter."

For the first time since he had sat in the cell Trip began to look worried. "What d'ya think he meant?"

The Lieutenant shrugged uncomfortably. "I don't know but the usual disciplinary measures would also include the possibility of a court martial or a military tribunal. Demotion in rank would be a distinct possibility as would recall to Earth."

The blood drained out of the Commander's face. He looked sick. "Cheer me up why don't ya Malcolm?"

"Just trying to be realistic, Commander."

There was a short silence. Both men deep in thought. "Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Commander?"

"Can I speak to T'Pol?"

He shook his head reluctantly. "Sorry. While you're here you are effectively in solitary confinement."

` "I'm talkin' to you."

"That doesn't count, I'm your gaoler."

"Can't my gaoler be female and pretty? Preferably with pixie ears and lips just cryin' out for some sweet southern charm?"

The Lieutenant sighed. Commander Tucker was incorrigible. "I believe it was that kind of thinking that got you into this position in the first place."

"Can't blame a guy for tryin', Malcolm." He paused. "How about Kai? Think the Cap'n would let me see him?"

Another shake of the head. Much sadder this time. "I'm sorry. The Captain's orders were quite specific Commander."

Trip sucked his bottom lip and tilted his head back to rest it on the wall of his cell. His eyes looking up at the ceiling. "No face to face contact?"

"None."

The Commander looked at Lt Reed as a thought occurred to him. "What about message PADDs?"

"What?"

"Can I have a message PADD to communicate to T'Pol and Kai? Let 'em know I'm alright, that kind of thing?"

"I don't see why not. The Captain said nothing about writing letters or passing messages along through a third party."

Trip smiled with relief. "Thanks, Malcolm."

"I haven't said you could yet just that I couldn't see why you couldn't."

Trip frowned. Was that yes or was that no? "Come again?"

"I'll have to ask the Cap'n's permission first."

The Commander swallowed and nodded slowly. Thirty days. He would just have to do his best to get through it as best he could. He could do this. How hard could it be? He watched Malcolm leave and nod to a young armoury crewman who then took up position in the corridor. Trip turned and laid down on the narrow bench. At least he would be able to catch up on his sleep.

* * * * *

Within hours the buzz was all over the ship. Ensign Hoshi Sato was visibly upset. She was in the mess hall making rings around her salad with a fork. Travis got his meal and put his tray on the table, pausing to cast her an anxious look. "You know it's only thirty days, Hoshi."

"What about Kai?"

Travis sat next to her and picked up his fork. "What about him?"

"How's he going to feel with his adoptive father thrown in a cell? Malcolm says he won't even be able to visit him."

The boomer paused mid-chew. "That's tough."

Hoshi nodded. "A month is going to seem like forever."

For a few moments neither spoke. Hoshi rearranging the food on her plate while Travis ate with single minded determination. A thoughtful look having settled on his gentle face. At last he picked up the conversation. "Maybe we can't help the Commander but that doesn't mean we can't help Kai. I bet he could use some visitors himself and we could show him around Enterprise and help him pass the time."

She stared at Travis for a moment, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. "That's a great idea, Travis."

The boomer nodded. He was thinking of his years aboard cargo ships. His father, mother and brother always within arms' reach. The crew had been his family. The ship his home. He took another bite of his resequenced steak and chewed it through physically and metaphorically in his mind. Yes. That was the best thing to do. They would make sure the rest of the crew not only accepted the boy but made him one of them. You could never have too many aunts and uncles.

* * * * *

The ripple left an odd little wake through the bulkheads as it passed. Lt. Anna Hess raised her head and turned around but she could see nothing and no one was near her. She was standing on the walkway next to the warp reactor. Toby Weiss was arguing happily with Ensign Becky Cox, the young redhead with a temper to match. He seemed to enjoy baiting her gently but never pressed enough to have that fiery temperament blow up in his face. A wise young man that boy was turning out to be. She frowned slightly and turned back to her work. There would be hell to pay if the Commander returned and found anything not up to par in Engineering.

* * * * *

Sub-Commander T'Pol stared at the boy in stunned silence. Slowly she turned to Sar and An-aga. "Are you saying Commander Tucker adopted Kai?"

They nodded, happy little smiles on their faces. An-aga reached out to lay a hand on the Vulcan's forearm. "He will be a good father, T'Pol."

She did not doubt it. That was not what had shocked her so much. It was the fact that he had said nothing to her about the boy. Why had he remained silent? Certainly he would not have been ashamed him. One look at Kai's shining face whenever he mentioned Trip told her that the boy already adored the Commander. It was Kai who brought her thoughts back into focus. He sounded a little nervous. Hesitant to speak. "T'Pol, did I do something wrong?"

T'Pol shook her head firmly, berating herself for letting him think her distraction was his fault. "No, I was just taking in everything you had to say." She paused, her tone becoming gentle. "Do you remember your birth parents?"

He shook his head. "No. The keeper says I was an infant when they took me in."

"What happened?"

"There was a plague. My mother was a botanist in experimental spores. The compound became contaminated when they had some visitors from an alien world. Although they had been scanned they carried an air born virus that went undetected by our equipment. By the time anyone realised something was wrong most of the centre had been contaminated. My mother had gone to meet my father. They were both infected. I was at the child centre. Before they could come to collect me on the way home my mother fell sick. By the time they got her to the infirmary my father was having difficulty breathing. They died."

"I'm sorry Kai."

He put a small hand over hers. Oddly the boy comforting the Vulcan not the other way around. "I don't remember them, T'Pol. But I remember Trip." His eyes shone. "My memories of how he found me are more vivid than anything I can now see with my eyes. You have no idea of what it was like. The years of loneliness and longing. The silence. The isolation from other children. The way adults shunned me when they visited. I had never known anyone reach out to me the way he did." A lovely smile curved his lips as he lost himself in the bliss of memory. T'Pol found herself spellbound by his story. Trapped within the widening circle of his emotions. A warm gentle sea that drew her in without any effort at all. "I had never met anyone so caring but he never pushed me. Never made me do or say anything I didn't want to."

The boy's face was almost glowing. He chuckled lightly. "He made me laugh. Told me stories about Enterprise and all his friends." The smile became smug but not offensive. "He told me about you. Do you know what father calls you?"

T'Pol shook her head slightly. "No, I do not know what he calls me Kai."

The boy was laughing now. A happy bright sound that was a gift to anyone with ears to hear him. "He calls you his 'pointy eared guardian angel'."

T'Pol's eyebrows rose. Amusement tugged at her lips. "I see I will have to reprimand him for his unseemly behaviour."

If he had not seen that tug on her lips and the hint of amusement in her eyes, Kai would have worried that she meant it. So much about the Sub-Commander he would have missed without this precious gift of sight. "Do you love him?" He asked softly.

To his surprise the Vulcan did not take offence or show any sign of anger. Her eyes softened in an inexplicable way. As if it was a rare thing even for her. "Yes."

Happy with her answer Kai threw his arms around T'Pol and hugged her. Startled T'Pol froze. "So do I." He whispered in a kind of awe. As if he could scarcely believe it himself. A confession of the heart.

T'Pol found herself unconsciously wrapping her arms around the boy's slender figure. Drawing him into the slow rocking motion Trip used whenever she was upset or just wanted to be held. It felt so right to have him cradled in her arms. To know they both shared the love of a most remarkable man.

* * * * *

Continue to Part 22

Return to Part 20

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!

Four of you have made comments

Oh I just love this! What is going to happen? Will the captain allow notes? What will T'Pol do when she finds out what's happened to Trip? What's the crew going to do for Kai?

Wonderful scene between T'pol and Kai, but what a way for her to find out. Will she be angry with Trip for not telling her about his son?

Not only is Trip a good Dad, T'Pol looks like she'll make a great Mom too! ;)

Lovin' this story!

Gosh, I hope the thirty days goes by quickly. ;_;

I had a little tear in my eye when I finished this part - so sweet, yet so sad. Will Archer let Trip have his PADDs? I hope so. Oooh - weird mental image of T'Pol giving Kai a piggyback around the ship. Sigh - what a perfect family.

Loving this!