Fragile-Part 35

Fragile Universe
An "Enterprise" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

RATING: PG-13

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html
SUMMARY: "Trip and T'Pol plan to obey both traditions. As T'Pol nears the time to give birth things become a little anxious for everybody on Enterprise."
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Enterprise' are the property of Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.

Part 35

"IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH"

* * * * *

She wanted to speak to him. He wanted to love her. Show her with actions not words. His proximity robbed her of any rational thought. They moved slowly into the middle of her small quarters, hardly breaking off to draw a single breath. Trip could feel T'Pol's body heating up. Smiled inwardly at the knowledge that he was causing that rapid rise in temperature. Could tell by the way her body clung to his as she slowly writhed against him that she wanted him with a growing urgency that would break bones if he pulled back now. He had no intention of retreating. T'Pol was more precious to him than the air he breathed. Without her presence in his life it would be like sucking vacuum. It was T'Pol who gently ended the kiss, her lips breaking free of his to speak. Her voice a sultry hush of vowels and consonants that for a moment in time lacked any coherence for his addled brain. "We need to talk, Ashayam."

His smile lit her heart up. A hand brushed the gently perspiring planes of her glowing face. His fingers sending shock waves from her body to her soul. Mesmerised by her beauty, her pheromones driving him absolutely insane. He loved her so much. "How 'bout we scratch this itch first an' talk about it afterwards?"

She arched a graceful eyebrow at him. The liquid heat in her eyes traveling straight to his crotch. T'Pol began to open her mouth in reply when another voice spoke.

"I do not think this is the explanation you intended to give us, T'Pol."

Shock flashed through him like a lightening strike. *What the...?* His head spun round, looking for the speaker as T'Pol stiffened in his arms. Her voice came out cool. Controlled. "Father, I will speak to you later."

This time her mother's voice responded. "No, daughter, now is the perfect time to speak to Commander Tucker." Trip's eyes narrowed suspiciously as if T'Pol had somehow set him up.

"What's goin' on, T'Pol?"

T'Pol turned and drew him over to the monitor. His mouth sagged at the sight of Saveth and T'Vrel staring back at him from the screen. He mouthed empty air for a moment then his brain kicked into gear. It was a little sluggish but right now he was proud that he still had one brain cell that functioned. Especially as everything had gone South the moment he touched T'Pol. "Trip, my mother and father wish to know about our feelings for each other."

"Do they now?" He said softly, his eyes not leaving the screen. "Exactly what d'ya wanna know?"

Saveth looked at him gravely. "You once said you loved my daughter, Commander."

He nodded. "Still do."

"Explain what you mean by that."

"Don't tell me ya don't fall in love on Vulcan?"

A strange expression flitted so quickly across T'Vrel's face that he almost missed it. Was that humour? Nah. She was a Vulcan. Vulcan's didn't have a funny bone in their bodies. If they did he was sure it was crushed at birth. Probably Surak's Law or some such thing. "We wish to understand what you mean by love, Commander. We are not trying to trick you."

He risked a glance at T'Pol. She stood calmly by his side, her arm around his waist as naturally as if they had always been free in showing their affection in front of others. He had to admit to himself he got a kick out of her doing it now. In front of *them*. It made him feel so proud of her. Love her even more. Was that possible? Hell, he didn't know. "O-kay." He paused to draw her closer, not wanting the tiniest whisper of air to pass between them and leave him bereft. "Don't ask me how it started 'cause I have no idea. All I know is that I never had much to do with Vulcans until T'Pol came to Enterprise. We're so different in many ways. At first we didn't even like each other though I did appreciate that your daughter was beautiful it didn't really register. She was a Vulcan and that was that." He paused a moment and gave her a gentle surreptitious squeeze of reassurance. His eyes softening with love just thinking about her. "Gradually we learned to get along. Our skills complementin' each other. I began to appreciate what a gifted science officer your daughter was an' smart too. I grew to respect the hell out of her. As time went on that respect widened into friendship. Tentative at first an' full of teethin' problems you couldn't begin to imagine. From the friendship came deeper feelings. Caring. Slow at first. Hardly noticeable until one day I realised a moment spent without her was a kind of living death." He paused, his voice dropping low with emotion. "I don't ever want to feel that loss again."

"What do you mean by love though, Commander?"

He stared at Saveth. Hadn't the man been listening? He could almost feel T'Pol willing him to stay calm. And he would. For her. "I mean there is nothin' I wouldn't do for T'Pol. I will love and protect her all the days of my life. I care about her so much it hurts but it's precious to me if ya know what I mean? It's like I can't be whole without her. She has my heart and my happiness and no one could be more content than I am."

"Vulcans bond to their mate. They share more than simply their physical existence. The pleasures of the flesh, Commander."

Commander Tucker flushed not with embarrassment but a tinge of anger. "This isn't about titillation, sir, an' if ya knew your daughter half as well as ya think ya do you'd be ashamed to suggest such a thing."

"I suggest nothing." Stated Saveth calmly.

"Then mind your words. I know you're T'Pol's father and I respect that but it gives ya no right to make assumptions. If I could never hold her in my arms again, if we could never make love again, if all I could ever do was share a platonic relationship with your daughter I would do it in a heartbeat and count myself blessed." His lips compressed, a fire in his eyes that was muted only because he did not want to upset T'Pol. "I love T'Pol an' a minute with her is worth the rest of eternity in hell. I don't know what your definition of love is Saveth, but pairin' your children off with other kids an' makin' them marry when grown isn't my idea of love. Ya have no idea how much that sickens me inside. Makin' slaves of your children to perpetuate a myth has little to do with respect an' honour an' nothin' at all to do with love. So don't ya lecture me on my emotions, sir. At least they're open an' honest."

"I meant no offence, Commander." He responded mildly.

Trip felt his anger evaporate though he still felt offended. Not for himself but for T'Pol.

"The reason we are asking you these questions, Trip," Said T'Vrel smoothly. "Is because our daughter has asked us for our blessing."

He felt confused. "Your blessing? I don't understand."

"T'Pol wants to marry you."

For a moment all the stars and planets froze in their orbits. Sound amplified into a vacuous echo of nothing but the heady sound of his heartbeat drowning out every other sense. He heard, saw, felt nothing. A slow beautiful wonder stole through him. Laughter bubbling up through his senses with a joy so bright he could not contain it. T'Vrel and Saveth watched the Commander's face stunned. Every emotion the Human felt was mirrored on his face in a way that answered all their questions more accurately than any amount of words could have done. Their answer was shining back at them in the unmitigated joy that enraptured the Human's face. His smile was too small to contain it. His grin too confining. He laughed with joy and spun T'Pol around and around in his happy arms. She looked amused. He gently kissed the tip of her nose and laughed again. It took him a few minutes to realise that T'Pol's parents were still silently waiting for him to speak. The conversation interrupted not ended. He fought to keep calm, to at least appear serious but the smile would not stay off his face. His eyes dancing with pleasure. "Ma'am, Sir, I'd be the happiest man in the universe if ya gave us your blessing."

T'Vrel nodded almost to herself. Trip now recognised a new look taking up residence in her eyes. "You have answered our question, Trip."

Trip. That was twice now that she had used his preferred name. Twice. Not a mistake. His smile widened and would not stay in one place. "An' your answer, ma'am, if I may be so bold?"

She surprised him again by laughing outright. Saveth frowned but did not look shocked. "You have our blessing though we would like the ceremony to take place here on Vulcan." She glanced at her husband and a smile twitched her lips. With an effort she managed to keep her face more or less straight. Trip found himself liking her more and more. She had a sense of mischief, of fun about her, that told him more about T'Pol's parents than anything that had ever passed in conversation between them. It also told him who *really* wore the pants in that household.

Saveth nodded gravely. A wise man it was who recognised when a battle was lost. "As my wife has said Commander, you have our blessing." He paused a moment. "I have not forgotten that you saved our daughter's life. It is obvious that you have already bonded."

He nodded and fought the urge to smirk. "Yes, sir. Our thoughts are one."

T'Pol looked at Trip. He froze and just stared at her, unable to look away. Unable to keep his heart from shining in his eyes. Such love. Such depth of emotion. She gently touched his face, her eyes locked on his. "We are also one heart. One soul."

T'Pol's parents looked at each other. Saveth hid a sigh. T'Vrel allowed a rare smile to grace her lips then let it go. Both turning back to face T'Pol and Trip with emotionless masks back in place. Saveth spoke to break the silence bringing his daughter's attention back to him. Trip followed her lead and did the same. "When will you return to Vulcan for the ceremony?"

"First sir, I'd like to have the Human ceremony here on Enterprise. Then if it's alright we can come to Vulcan for the Vulcan ceremony."

Saveth looked from one to the other. Noting their happy faces. The calm joy that radiated from them made him feel young again. It also reminded him of another Vulcan so many years ago. One every bit as stubborn and wayward as his gifted daughter. He predicted that their life together would be many things but it would not be dull. "Why the haste?"

Trip looked at T'Pol, his eyes asking her whether or not they should tell her parents. Her smile was his answer. Wrapping his arms gently around T'Pol's waist he gave his prospective in-laws a shy smile. "In Human circles it's tradition for a child's parents to be married."

The looks on their faces made Trip chuckle. He thought Saveth was going to have heart failure. "Are you saying that T'Pol is pregnant?"

T'Pol spoke for herself. "Yes, father."

His mouth shut fast. T'Vrel raised both eyebrows. It seemed her daughter had gone a step further than even she had dared. "How long have you known?"

"Not long," Said Trip a little hastily.

T'Vrel was not looking at him. T'Pol took a few steadying breaths before replying. "A few days, mother. The doctor on board Enterprise is keeping a close eye on the pregnancy."

It was a long time before they finally killed the link and watched the monitor shut off. T'Pol closed her eyes and sighed with relief. Trip cradled her in his arms, her back against his chest, his arms around her waist - hands spread gently across her stomach as if he could hug the baby as well as T'Pol at the same time. She felt his warm breath on her neck. Inhaled his beautiful scent, intoxicated by him. He kissed her neck gently, swaying to a song only they could hear. All their movements gentle. Every action written in the rhyme of love.

* * * * *

Morning came with all the artificiality of mathematical convenience. The hours marked off and splitting up identical periods of time into bite sized pieces that mimicked the pulsing beat of their homeworld. The dark vault of space had its' own treasures. Day and night was not one of them. Captain Archer loved space. Everything about it sent his nerves tingling with excitement. His blood racing with anticipation. The thrill of exploration. Of seeking out new worlds. Meeting beings that were so far beyond his imagining that sometimes he had the urge to pinch himself to see if he would ever wake from this dream. Dream. That was what it was. His father's dream had become his. And Trip's. And every soul aboard the star ship Enterprise. He was proud of that dream. Proud of this crew. Proud of this ship. A luckier man surely never lived or breathed.

He was therefore surprised when his door chime sounded just before he was ready to leave for breakfast. He was surprised to find Lt Reed standing at the door with Sar. "Lieutenant? What brings you and Sar here so early?"

"May we come in, Captain?"

The Captain was eaten up with curiosity but also wary. Anything that would drag Lt Reed from his Armoury especially to see him at this hour could not be good. He stepped back and watched the two men enter, the door hissing shut behind them. "Okay, Lieutenant. You have my full attention. Now what can I do for you?"

Lt. Reed looked at Sar. "I think you should be the one to tell him."

The Captain looked from the Armoury Officer to the Volaran, a puzzled look on his face. "Tell me what?"

* * * * *

Months passed and nothing happened. No one invaded the ship while they slept. The warp core did not suddenly explode taking them all with it. No one attacked them out of a clear sky. The alarm and state of readiness faltered. Old habits intruded on the new. The alertness of the crew lapsed into the comfort of normal life. The hum of the engines soothed frayed nerves and everyone relaxed. Except Sar. He kept his worries to himself and stayed even closer to his Senisa if that were possible. Trip accepted his increased presence without comment. T'Pol noticed but said nothing. All her thoughts were now on the baby growing inside her. The Human/Vulcan hybrid demanding all her attention. She was convinced that part of the child's character was one hundred percent Trip. If it had been Vulcan the child would calmly be waiting until the moment came for the birth. Only a Human child would kick and stir so vigorously that hardly anything but Plomeek soup would stay down. That and pecan pie. The child was ruined before it was even born.

* * * * *

Kai was fascinated with the prospect of a new family member. Any fears Trip might have had that the boy would be jealous were ill founded. Kai was Volaran. Jealousy was not a natural emotion for them. They were too pragmatic to be so irrational. They also had little use for envy. If someone wanted something he had and he saw their heart was set on it he would gladly give it up for the simple pleasure of making them happy. His gift to them gave a gift back and one more enduring to his Volaran sensibilities than physical possessions. It had humbled Trip to see how giving his son was. It made him proud and emotional. And watching how close he had become to Sarsa filled him with another kind of joy.

It was one of those rare times he was alone with his son. T'Pol was in Sickbay for her now daily check-up. He had asked Sar to go with her. Now he was sitting up next to an open conduit with his son sitting next to him, eyes bright and watching every move his father made. Trip was hot. Glad to be out of the confining space for a few moments and enjoying being able to speak to Kai. He wiped the back of his hand over his forehead, smearing the grease and dirt across his face in an effort to wipe the sweat out of his eyes. Kai smiled gently at him, noting with amusement that he was making himself muckier not cleaner. "Have ya asked her yet?"

Kai played dumb. A habit he had picked up from his father and which occasionally came in useful. "Asked who what?"

Trip puffed out a great breath of air in exasperation. "Ya know who! Sarsa. Have ya asked her to marry ya?"

His son smiled affectionately. Trip was so easy to wind up but it was all done in a gentle way. Love was like that. "No."

His father shook his head in disbelief. "Why not? You're a Tucker."

Kai tilted his head and reminded Trip of Sar. That little questioning look on his face made Trip chuckle. He loved the boy so much he had to resist the urge to keep hugging him. Especially as his son was now an inch taller than he was. It should not be allowed for a son to be taller than his father. No matter that he was from a different species. God should be more flexible. "I figured one wedding at a time would be enough for Enterprise to handle."

He snorted back at him. "Son, ya have a lot to learn about Humans."

"I don't think I'm doing so bad." He paused. "Speaking of weddings I thought you would have the date fixed by now, father? I have to admit to getting pretty impatient with you. You bein' a Tucker an' all."

Trip laughed at the mocking drawl of his last sentence. "Now don't ya be cheekin' your father, Kai. Ya may be a bit taller than me but I can still knock ya down to size if ya don't behave."

Both knew it was an idle threat. Trip would no more raise a hand to Kai that cut off his own arms and legs. "You haven't answered my question."

Commander Tucker smiled softly, a distant look coming into his eyes. "Don't worry, won't be long now. Less'n a week in fact by the Cap'n's reckonin'. Just as soon as my parents and family get here and T'Pol's mum and dad arrive we'll have the biggest damn wedding ya ever did see!"

His son laughed then became quiet. Trip gave him a keen look. "What's up, son?"

"I was just thinking that this'll be the first time I've met your family." He paused, suddenly nervous. "What if they don't like me?"

Trip's eyes widened. "Are ya kiddin' me? They'll take one look at ya and fall in love with ya. My mama will forget she ever had me, my dad'll be tickled pink with ya and my brothers will wanna take ya home faster than ya can yell *core breach*. An' my sister, ya don't wanna know what my sister will do to ya."

He was delighted to see a little pink flush come to Kai's cheeks. Trip laughed then relented. He was, after all, only teasing.

"Don't worry Kai, they'll love ya and when ya get to know my folks you'll realise that you could never be more blessed."

Kai hugged him, too overcome with emotion for words. His father patted his back and held him tight for a moment then pulled back. "Now, are ya gonna sit there gawpin' at me all day or are ya gonna quit your yackin' an' do somethin' useful?"

The boy knew exactly what he was getting at and laughed brightly. Trip watched him take his jacket off. "Okay, father. What mess of yours do you want me to sort out for you?"

"I do declare Kai, I've never raised a hand to ya but today may be the day I have to box your ears."

Kai laughed and the two climbed up into the troublesome conduit. Chuckles and gentle laughter peppering their playful conversation and echoing around their ears. Lt. Hess walked passed with a smile on her face. Danny was up on the gantry and could not suppress a chuckle. Toby Weiss shook his head and looked across at the redhead. They shared a smile and he swallowed hard, suddenly lost for words. The desire to ask her out tying him up in knots.

* * * * *

Ensign Hoshi Sato could not hide the smirk on her face. Lt. Reed fidgeted and Travis had to fight to stop himself laughing out loud. "Ensign Sato, I need hardly remind you that the Sub-Commander is a Vulcan."

She laughed lightly. "Relax Malcolm, it's just a girl's night out,"

"T'Pol is *not* a girl, she is five months pregnant, and in no condition to go *out on the town*."

Travis shook his head, his eyes dancing with merriment and glee. "How can anyone go *out on the town.*? We're on a star ship light years from anywhere."

"My point exactly, Travis."

Travis paused and his smile began to slip. "It is?"

Lt. Reed smiled for the first time. The mess hall was about half full but no one was paying them any attention. "Yes. The whole idea is preposterous. Not only would the Sub-Commander not want to engage in such a pointless and frivolous exercise she might put the baby under adverse pressure if she did so."

The Communications Officer paled slightly. "You really think it could harm the baby?"

He shrugged. "I honestly don't know but I know this. Human/Vulcan hybrids are rare for a reason. It's not just the fact that few Vulcans and Humans choose to mate with each other, it is also the genetics. It is a solemn fact of Nature that if something is not intended to work it will not do so. Unless of course there has been some tampering by outside forces. In the case of the Commander and Sub-Commander we are talking about interspecies mating and that is tricky at best. I need hardly draw your attention to certain recent examples. I merely do not want the Sub-Commander to engage in any activity which may narrow the chances of a perfect and safe birthing process. We do not know what harm might be done to the baby in vitro."

For several moments no one spoke then Hoshi gave a slow nod. "I hadn't thought of it like that. I'll speak to the others and we'll think of something else."

"A wise decision."

Hoshi and Travis exchanged a look. Hoshi sighed and looked at Lt Reed. He was polishing off his pasta as if he was not even tasting it. An automatic reaction to eating that had nothing to do with enjoyment. Some times he reminded her of a Vulcan himself. Too controlled for his own good.

* * * * *

Dr. Phlox beamed at T'Pol. She was looking anxiously at him. "How is the baby?"

"The baby is fine, Sub-Commander. Do you wish to see him?"

She blinked. "Him?"

"Yes. The baby is male and in perfect health you'll be happy to hear."

She nodded numbly. A boy! After a few moments of stunned silence she nodded. "Yes, I would like to see him now please."

Dr. Phlox indicated a monitor and an image of the inside of her womb appeared. A small body curled into the fetal position and connected by an umbilical chord. She pointed in surprise. Her normally monotone voice tinged with awe and excitement. "Doctor, the baby is Vulcan!"

The doctor nodded happily. "Yes, the ears are definitely Vulcan."

He glanced at his charge and was not sure whether she was pleased or disappointed. He decided that every Vulcan should come with a hand book. It would make life so much simpler. Sar took her to his quarters so that T'Pol could be with An-agar. He wanted to go and find Trip. Spending any length of time away from his friend was becoming painful for him. He was his Senisa and Sar could sense that he would be needed soon. An-aga looked him in the eye and gave a tiny nod. Sarsa frowned at her mother but An-aga cautioned her to silence with a look. Gently they guided T'Pol to a comfortable chair, easing a cushion behind her back and chattering about the upcoming wedding. T'Pol looked at her swollen stomach and resisted the urge to be sick over them. Suddenly the wedding seemed a foolish act of self indulgence. What did it matter? Then she thought of Trip. Her Ashayam. Her t'hy'la. And all doubts vanished. He was as excited as a child on Christmas morning. Seeing the happiness on his face was worth every ache and pain of pregnancy. As long as the child was born whole and healthy what did anything else matter?

* * * * *

The wedding came and went in a flurry of activity. T'Pol was vaguely aware of the exchanging of vows. Trip was an engineer not a jeweler yet he had carefully and painstakingly crafted a wedding ring for T'Pol. She had been moved and stunned by its' beauty. The interior of the band engraved in Vulcan script with the words 'Live long and prosper, your heart in mine'. Captain Archer beside himself with joy for them both. Pride and affection evident in his voice as he officiated. Trip's mother had surprised and moved T'Pol not only with her ready acceptance of her son's choice of bride but also the way in which she took Kai to her heart. Trip's whole family made the kind of fuss that would once have grated on T'Pol's nerves and sent her into orbit. Now she just found it all a wonderful haze of affection that cradled her in a love that seemed to be without end. Meeting the Tuckers had explained so much about the son. Next to his brothers Trip seemed almost retiring. They were noisy, fun loving and affectionate. Trip's adored brother Danny was especially fascinated with Sar. T'Pol's parents in contrast were so restrained and silent that at first things had been awkward between the two families. It was Mrs. Tucker who had put the impending friction to bed with her unfailing good humour, common sense and determination to let nothing mar her son's wedding.

Finally managing to take T'Vrel to one side, Mrs. Tucker gave the woman a gentle smile. Blue eyes dancing with good humour. She had an honest open face but quick sharp eyes that missed nothing in a busy face. Her hands were seldom still. Whether making or mending they never lacked purpose. Right now she was sitting on the observation deck staring at the stars, a quiet joy radiating from her and soothing the Vulcan while her hands engaged in some craft involving a soft fabric called 'wool'. Mrs. Tucker had confided that it was called knitting and that she was making clothing for the baby. An archaic craft that had achieved a kind of cult status back on Earth. T'Vrel found herself fascinated by the quick movement of the Human's hands. The tiny garment growing between the assured expertise of the long clicking needles.

"Your daughter makes my son so happy, T'Vrel. I cannot express how happy I am."

T'Vrel looked surprised. "You are not concerned?"

"Concerned? Why would I be concerned when they love each other so much? It's as plain as the nose on your face."

The Vulcan did not try to wrap her mind around that little metaphor. "My daughter is Vulcan."

Her response amused Trip's mother though she was careful not to seem like she was laughing at the other woman. "An' my son is Human, T'Vrel. Relax. God has been joinin' men an' women since the universe began. Your God, my God, makes no difference. The one thing that matters is that they love each other."

"What about the baby?"

Mrs. Tucker gave a truly beatific smile. T'Vrel immediately saw where Trip got both his sunny disposition and his laugher from. "The baby will be loved whatever it looks like. However many fingers or toes it's got. Doesn't matter if the ears are pointed or rounded, if the blood is red or green, boy or girl. My Trip will love that child every bit as much as he loves Kai, and every bit as much as he loves your daughter."

"I was not worried that Trip would not love the child."

"Then what're ya frettin' for, T'Vrel?"

"The health of the child."

A look of concern replaced the happy glow. "I think ya should explain."

"It is simple. A Human and Vulcan baby is rare. One that is completely healthy is rarer still."

Mrs. Tucker lost all the colour in her face. T'Vrel was sorry for alarming her but she would not lie. "Oh Lord!" Exclaimed the Human in a horrified whisper. "Don't let anythin' happen to the child!"

"I am certain that Dr. Phlox will ensure the baby is well. T'Pol speaks highly of him."

"So does Trip but that doesn't stop me worryin'."

T'Vrel nodded solemnly. She liked Trip's family though she could sense how much they irritated her husband. Too loud. Too chaotic. And far too many of them. She glanced at Mrs. Tucker and wished she had not told her of her worries but a small part of her was glad. As if by sharing her fear she had halved the likelihood of it coming true.

* * * * *

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Half a dozen of you have made comments

I love the way this story is progressing. I love the vulcan human interaction. I can hardly wait for the next part.

Ah... you devil! We DID get to see the conversation. ;-)

Oh very nice. The story grows and wraps us in its love and warmth.... a nice needed break from the angst and pain we've had and know is coming again.

I love this line -- Morning came with all the artificiality of mathematical convenience.

Alovely interlude between the chapters of angst and action.

A thought has just occurred whilst reading this: could the 'key' be the unborn child?

Loved the interaction between the in-laws.

I had the same thought as kittytrypsin about the "key", but that makes me fear for the little baby even more. It's amazing how I've become attached to these totally fictitious characters - that's the sign of good writing. And I just loved the initial scene where Trip's in-laws are watching the interaction between Trip and T'pol via the monitor - terrific stuff.

I loved this part!! Just how the engagement was announced, and Trip not knowing that T'pol was talking with her parents. And the two families interacting. it was just perfect! Please keep it coming.