Turn (R)- Ch. 6

Turn

By stub & Joe

DATE: 10-25-02
RATING: R
Disclaimers in Chapter 1

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Chapter 6

Trip had barely slept that night. He had tossed and turned, worried about what T'Pol's decision might be. He was thankful that she had offered him a chance to present his side. He wasn't quite sure if that was even going to happen at first. Even if the answer was no, at least he said what needed to be said. Even though he was expecting it, he didn't know what he would do if she said no. The knot in his belly kept twisting up, his nerves shot to hell. Finally deciding to get his day started, he dragged himself out of bed and to the shower.

As he scraped the razor across his jaw, Trip wondered if he'd ever get the chance to show his kid how to do this. Assuming they had a son. Assuming T'Pol wanted to keep the baby. "Dammit all ta' hell," he muttered as he cut his chin. This was killing him. Trip had to know.

He quickly finished up in the bathroom and threw on his uniform. Instead of heading to the mess for breakfast, Trip figured he'd swing by T'Pol's quarters instead. He'd given her ample time to make a decision, right? Was one night long enough to make a life-altering decision like this? Probably not he figured, but he was hoping she had made some sort of progress. Anything would be good now.

His zipper caught and he cursed aloud. As he tried to free it, he felt himself getting antsier. He was certain he'd not make it another hour without knowing her decision.

The chime on his door went off. Trip finally freed the snag, paused mid-zip and called out, "Come in!"

T'Pol stood in the doorway, cautiously peeking in. "Good morning."

"Hey there," Trip greeted. "I was jus'...ah...comin' to see you." He stepped into the center of his room. T'Pol met him halfway. "How you feelin'?" he asked.

"I'm...well," she replied. She looked into his face. His eyes were pleading with the unasked question.

"So uh, did you have time to think about things?" Trip asked. He was absently kicking a small spot of nothing on the floor.

"Yes, I did." T'Pol was her usual stoic self.

Trip didn't like the tone of her voice. "And...? What did you decide?" Trip was about to burst at the seams.

T'Pol continued. "I'm on my way to see Doctor Phlox. I thought you'd like to join me. I think it's wise that you be there with me to tell him of our decision to keep this child."

Trip froze. He wasn't exactly ready for that answer. His face ran a gamut of emotions. He finally settled on a huge grin and lunged towards T'Pol. "Trip?" T'Pol barely had a chance to spit out the word as he picked her up and spun her around twice.

"That's great!" Trip sounded positively jubilant. "Thank god, T'Pol!! Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!!" He began to pepper her face and neck with kisses. She struggled free of his bear-like hold.

"Commander," said T'Pol with a huff. "I do not think it's a good idea for you to be hurling me around in my present condition."

"Uh, right," muttered Trip, the smile not waning for an instant. "Sorry. I'm jus' so damn happy right now."

He released her and almost out of habit, T'Pol smoothed the sides of her uniform. "Shall we go see Dr. Phlox now?"

"I would like nothin' better," Trip replied.

** ** ** **

Trip couldn't wipe the grin off his face if he tried. As he and T'Pol strode into Sickbay, he noticed the Denobulan in the corner feeding a plant.

"Doc?" Trip called out.

Phlox turned around and smiled tentatively. "Good morning Commanders. You're both up early this morning." He took note of the expression on Commander Tucker's face. "Am I to assume a decision has been made?"

"Yes," said T'Pol while looking at Trip. "We've decided to continue on with the pregnancy."

At Trip's enthusiastic nodding, Phlox replied, "So I gathered, Sub- Commander. Excellent!" He clapped his hands together once. "Why don't you two have a seat. There are some things I'd like to go over with the prospective parents."

For the next hour or so Phlox explained the inherent risks involved, prenatal care, and his desire to monitor T'Pol closely. He made no effort to hide his exuberance about this pregnancy and was quite possibly more excited than Trip. The good doctor made T'Pol promise to see him on a daily basis to monitor the progress of the fetus. He gave her special dietary instructions and a modified exercise program. He also reminded her to continue her daily meditations as well. Phlox encouraged Trip to participate in these as a sign of unity.

At the end of the consultation, the two commanders thanked the doctor and made their way to the exit.

"Commanders?" Phlox called out.

"Yes, Doctor?" T'Pol answered for them both.

"I was just wondering when you were planning on telling Captain Archer about the pregnancy."

Trip and T'Pol looked at one another. "Well," began Trip, "we haven't told the Cap'n yet."

"I think that is fairly evident already," responded Phlox perhaps a bit too cheerily. "You do realize you must tell him eventually. I think he might notice if T'Pol suddenly began gaining weight in one particular area."

"We will tell him, Doctor," said T'Pol. She paused momentarily to look at Trip. "We are waiting for the proper moment."

"Very well," said Phlox. "I'll see you both later this evening."

T'Pol and Trip turned back towards the exit and headed off to their duties.

** ** ** **

For the next few days Trip found himself unable and unwilling to stop smiling. His Engineering crew was beyond curious, but no one uttered a word for fear it would break whatever spell their C.O. was under. Trip whistled to himself, told jokes to his crew, and even sent them on extra breaks. For a man with such a huge secret, he didn't seem to be hiding it very well.

He and T'Pol would meet in Sickbay every evening for check-ups after dinner. Phlox would run his tests, verify diets and exercise and remind them to tell the Captain of their situation. Then the two soon-to-be parents would retire to quarters and meditate for the rest of the evening. Trip had all but moved into T'Pol's quarters and had taken up the recent habit of rubbing her tummy while they lay in bed. T'Pol wasn't overly fond of the constant, almost obsessive attention Trip lavished upon her, but she had decided it was a small price to pay. He was happy, she was happy, and all was going well.

"I'm disappointed in both of you," chided Doctor Phlox. "You do realize that the longer you wait to tell Captain Archer, the more betrayed he will feel."

Trip's response had all but been expected. "I know Doc but....."

"But nothing Commander." Phlox's normally cheerful demeanor had taken a turn for the worse over the past few days. "My oath as a doctor prevents me from informing Captain Archer of Sub-Commander T'Pol's status. Neither of you share that same privilege and your reasons for not telling him become less and less plausible each day. They are motivated by fear."

"Now jus' wait a second Doc," Trip cautioned.

T'Pol put her hand on Trip's knee. "No Trip, Doctor Phlox is right. We do need to tell Captain Archer."

"He's jus' worried about gettin' in trouble," spat Trip. He had earned his right to be blissful and didn't want that taken away from him just yet.

"As should we," added T'Pol.

Phlox waited for a moment before continuing. "If I am being curt with you, I am sorry. I am just trying to let you know that the longer you wait, the harder it will be for Captain Archer to accept your decision." His smile, albeit a little forced, returned to his face.

"No Doc, I'm the one that should be sorry," said Trip. "I'm jus' kinda' enjoyin' things right now an' I have a feelin' the Cap'n is gonna toss a wet blanket on top of this."

"That is entirely possible, Commander," replied Phlox. He stood up. "Well, I have said my peace. If you don't have any further questions, we're finished here for the evening."

"Thanks Doc," said Trip. He continued, "We'll tell him tomorrow. At dinner. Right before dessert." He tossed a wink at T'Pol.

"Very good Commanders. I'll see you here tomorrow night." Phlox nodded.

T'Pol looked puzzled. "Trip, why would the Captain toss a wet blanket on the situation?"

He shook his head. "Ah, it's jus' an expression is all. I'll explain it on the way back to your quarters."

*** **** ****

The next evening on their way to the Captain's Mess, Trip was a nervous wreck. He was not looking forward to telling Archer the recent development in his life. He was not altogether certain he knew what his best friend's reaction was going to be.

Trip turned to T'Pol. "How do ya think he's gonna react?"

T'Pol pondered that. "You know him a little better than I do. What do you think?"

"Don't have a clue," Trip admitted. "He's not gonna be happy though."

T'Pol nodded. She knew Trip and Archer had been friends for quite a number of years but didn't know exactly how close the two men still were. She had noticed over time that when the Captain had a personal problem, the person he would go to was Trip. Trip had done the same before he became closer to T'Pol. She had often wondered if her friendship with Trip had driven a wedge between the two men. If that was the case, the news they were bringing to dinner would surely push her lover and her captain further apart.

The doors swished open and Trip shoved aside his trepidation. Following T'Pol in, he smiled broadly at Captain Archer, who stood up from his place at the table.

"Evenin', Cap'n!" Trip greeted.

"Good evening, Captain," replied T'Pol.

"Commanders," said Archer politely. He smiled at them in turn. Trip walked around to the other side of the table and watched as T'Pol took her seat first, then both men sat.

Idle chitchat followed between Commander and Captain as dinner was served. They discussed the engines and agendas for the next week or so, the most recent sports scores and letters received from mutual friends from home. T'Pol, as she often did, sat quietly listening, picking slightly at her salad. She was not looking forward to dessert any more than Trip was. However, she did note the captain seemed to be in a particularly jovial mood. Perhaps that would soften the blow they were about to deliver.

The steward came in all too soon to clear away the dinner dishes. Trip and T'Pol exchanged glances while Archer thanked the young man clearing his place.

Trip took a deep breath and turned to Archer. "What's for dessert, Cap'n?"

Before Archer could respond, a small gasp was heard at the table. Their attention was quickly turned towards T'Pol. She had pushed herself back from the table. She sat doubled over in her chair, her breathing coming in short, shallow gasps.

"T'Pol?" Trip exclaimed. He jumped up and rushed around the table, grasping her gently by the shoulders. "T'Pol, what is it? Are you okay?"

"What's going on, Trip?" Archer asked.

Ignoring Jon for the moment, Trip focused on the Vulcan before him. The cords in her neck stood out as she clenched her teeth. Obviously T'Pol was in pain.

"Can you stand up, darlin'?" he asked, throwing an arm around her waist. Trip tried to help her to her feet, but T'Pol just shook her head once. She looked up at him, fear and terror clear in her eyes. Sweat dripped from her brow. It scared the hell out of him.

"Aw Christ," Trip swore under his breath. He quickly gathered T'Pol in his arms and headed to the door.

"Trip!" Archer said. "What's going on? What's wrong with T'Pol?" He stared incredulously at the scene in front of him.

"I'm takin' her to Sickbay, Cap'n!" Trip tossed over his shoulders and was out the door. Jon followed closely at his heels.
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Continued in Chapter 7

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