Your Mom 'n Me - Part I - sec. 3

Your Mom n' Me

Part I – Startling Discoveries

By John O.

Rating: R for language and eventual sexual content - Romance/Drama/Series/AU
Disclaimer – Paramount owns the characters and everything Star Trek related. Unfortunately.
Spoilers: “Affliction,” “Bound,” maybe further but unintended.

A.N.: Notes are in the previous section. One thing I didn’t mention that is probably obvious anyway is that bold is used for inflectional emphasis in speech since italics are reserved for proper vessel names and internal thoughts.

Also a Supplemental Notes is included following Chapter 7 that gives some background in a new character that will be important in the rest of the Series.

Our couple reunites for the first time since T’Pol’s accident with many questions and feelings to be addressed. Not only has Trip been forced to face his emotions by the possibility of her death, T’Pol’s accident has certainly not been without impact on her.

Part I

section 3 (Chapters 4-7)

Chapter 4:

Morning of Day 4 after T’Pol’s Accident

Loving you is like a song I replay, Every three minutes and thirty seconds of every day. -Lauryn Hill

He froze and turned towards her, eyes darting to T'Pol's face when a sudden and distant voice called out to him.

Whe- where are you? Who's there, where am I?!

The voice sounded desperate and terrified.

What the hell Tucker, now you're hearin' things.

Not completely convinced, Trip returned noisily to the chair by her side. Dr. Phlox shuffled out from behind a cabinet door, squinting through the dimness of the blue light that bathed the walls. Trip's eyes fixed on her face; he crouched over her bedside and instinctively reached up to touch her cheek.

Phlox approached the scene, "Commander Tucker, I MUST ask -" "Doc please wait!" Trip retorted to the irritated Denobulan. Trip held the conscious finger which grasped at his fingers so tightly with a gentle embrace, motioning at the hand to Dr. Phlox. "I think she's almost conscious Doc she's holdin' my hand to her, I felt it squeeze when I got up to leave."

Phlox sighed, "Commander Tucker she's barely alive there is no wa-", but the doctor's arguments were interrupted by the furrowing of T'Pol's brow. Even the ever-so-slight muscular movement captured Phlox’s eyes and held them while he pondered what could be happening. Her mouth contorted, a look of anguish captured Trip's concern as he unconsciously squeezed her hand and brought it to his chest.

I feel you somewhere, where are you Trip?

With a look of total astonishment Trip opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Something overcame his inhibitions to the voice in his head, his instincts overwhelmed his conscious judgment and he reached out to her. His eyes narrowed and closed in meditative calm.

Is that you T'Pol? I'm here, T'Pol...

Phlox moved across sickbay, touching buttons and sending a flurry of equipment to life, skimming his hands across numerous control panels. Sickbay flew to life and the lights came brightly into Trip’s eyes as he squinted.

Trip I can hear you, where are you?

The doctor returned to her side, opposite the Commander and watched her vital signs, looking for indication of consciousness.

"Her neuropeptide levels are rising quickly, Commander if she abruptly comes to, it could be harmful in her heightened condition I may need to sedate her before she goes into shock."

I'm right beside you T'Pol…

It is very dark where I am… I – I do not wish to remain here, Trip where are you?

As the doctor reached for a hypospray and returned his attention to T'Pol, a silent hand of Trip's went up as the other cradled T'Pol's left hand.

Pl… Trip please help me…

Trip!? I don’t want to stay here Trip I- I don’t know where I am and I – I’m scared Trip.

"Wait Doc, please..." Trip begged.

You don't have to, just follow my voice, and come to me very slowly T'Pol...

Come very slowly, just follow my voice darlin, that’s it…I, I can see you, slowly, take my hand…

Trip opened his eyes, already fixed on her open lids. Phlox sat in shock for a moment before regaining his composure and rushing to take readings of her vitals. T’Pol looked up at Trip with urgency in her eyes, looked around sickbay and saw that only she, the doctor and Trip were present. Her disorientation subsiding, a clench of her jaw and facial muscles told Trip and Phlox she was trying to sit up and at a loss as to the malfunction. She opened her mouth and her eyes pierced with panic as the damaged neurons tried desperately to reach each other but nonetheless, continued to fall short. Her lips flailed uncontrollably and Trip’s heart wrenched, she seemed so helpless, so terrfied…

“I must sedate her! If she tries to move it could traumatize her motor neurons further and degrade any progress the regeneration has made.” Phlox reached again for the hypospray but Trip was close to her face with a finger on her lips.

Shhh, T’Pol can you hear me, you must relax, calm down T’Pol, you’re going to hurt yourself.

Trip! Trip what’s going on I am unable to move and I – I speak but nothing comes out!

T’Pol it’s gonna be aright you’re in sickbay, you’re going to have to trust me T’Pol, don’t struggle it’ll hurt ya more.

I promise you I’m not goin anywhere just relax, it’s all right.

Throughout the silent exchange, Phlox stood by with hypospray in-hand ready to latch onto her neck to render T’Pol unconscious. Her eyes soon calmed with Trip’s face hanging over them and one hand still cradling hers to him. Her hectic breathing slowed and the panic left her eyes.

“Shhh….it’s all right,” he soothed her audibly, not yet realizing the medium which they had discovered held a unique sincerity speech couldn’t match. Doctor Phlox set the hypospray down, turned toward his instruments and began cycling through various view-screens displaying T’Pol’s central nervous system.

**The accident – T’Pol’s POV***

A loud sound like shattering glass crashed against her while she felt her body flung through the air, position and motion all a blur of light and sound. Suddenly she came to a hard thud against a cold and metallic surface. She could see the bridge, tall and overwhelming with deck-plating against the far right wall of her vision. The captain lunged from his chair and his voice blurred

“Archer to Enginee…” until darkness overcame her and her last respite of consciousness was the labored passage of breath through her plasma-stricken lungs.

Then, as the darkness that shrouds memory of the womb, so was woven the chaos of thought that followed, her last coherent thought conceiving only that she would be no more.

Suddenly she was again aware of a formless darkness, almost reminiscent of the uncontrollable dreams that followed the invasive mind-meld she suffered years ago. Images fluttered back and forth, panic rose and swelled, drowned out and rose again in terrifyingly chaotic spurts. A face appeared above her, a young woman with something in her hand, above her loomed the dancing ceiling-lights of the bridge. Suddenly a pungent stench of burned flesh stung her powerful senses until fading away in an instant. Now she was rolling, tumbling, into a blue world with white light at the tips of her feet, quickly receding and she tried to leap towards the light but found no response from her limbs. The blue light shattered into flakes of fire all around her; suddenly she was running through the jungles of Risa, pursuing her prey with a bloodlust that penetrated the darkness from which she felt the physical world surround her. A splash of taste and sensational touch devoured the imagery, her panic and disembodiment floated away and suddenly two words crept into her mind as if a floating marquee jolted by with the word “Georgia peaches…” With that she saw her own hand caress a cheek pocked with stubbly, rough hairs before pulling the lips on that face to her own. The void surrounding her gave way to substance and her consciousness inched towards the light with trepidation, comforted by an alien pair of blue eyes. The eyes seemed familiar and warm – but detached from a face, no face to recognize the figure. Relaxation just began to take hold when out of the darkness into her formless consciousness at the center of a vast void, a virulent face of lesions and blood-soaked teeth lunged at her, skin bright green with a menacing madness, its eyes seemed as a whole universe apart, full of anger and detached rage.

No! no, who are you? Sta, stay away! What do you want!

She felt as though she were backing away, backing away, further and further into her own mind, hiding from the horrible face when just as she looked back…A new face appeared in front of her and she stopped dead still.

The face smiled gently, looked down a small distance in front of her and moved something towards her… a hand. The calming eyes and the stubbly cheek together wore the mask of an alien face, but for the first time since losing consciousness a remnant of her self resurfaced. She now recognized the person as a part of her. It – no he, was a part of her and suddenly parts of herself she had lost came flying from the darkness into her being.

Strength, control, courage – all fluttered back through the darkness as she suddenly felt a physical sensation and saw the feeling penetrate her skin…but fall short from reaching her by some broken path between the limb and her mind. She looked into herself for the skills to repair this damage and found that it was retrieved from the darkness by this face. Her focus also rescued, suddenly the sensation of his touch shot to her through her physical impasse and her own broad smile exploded in her mind at the touch. After an eternity of darkness and fear in her mind she leapt for the light.

But suddenly darkness took her and all was silent. As a dark room menaced, flashes of light followed by incalculable bouts of black, images and senses flickered into being for time without end.

Father! No, kohlinar… I have failed you…

Pudvel-tor Tu, Lashark! T’hy’la! Fun-tor Shai Trip! Trip come back!

As a splash of reality hit her cold in the face, T’Pol realized some interminable time had passed, how long she could not say. She was locked in darkness, her mind a cage and she could feel a presence but didn’t understand what it was or where she was. Shooting through the darkness and erupting into memories of her past, a man stood before her with a smile and laughed. Warmed by his eyes she brought them closer, a storm of memory flew around her as she realized she was in his quarters… something happened! The ship was attacked! The eyes locked with hers.

But the eyes averted, looking far away at something else. She then realized the room had changed…sickbay… then the body rose and turned to fall out of vision. The face, the eyes, the cheek, the touch! The touch was leaving, the piece she knew to be herself, the only thing that brought comfort and not hysteria was departing. Suddenly all she cared about was keeping his reassuring touch near. And in that moment of intensity she sought the control he had helped her to retrieve from the recesses of her battered mind. In a last ditch moment of desperation her mind screamed and imparted a flinching impulse into the fingers grasping him.

Whe- where are you? Who's there, where am I?!

Is that you T'Pol? I'm here, T'Pol...

---------------------------

Day 4 - 0430 Hours

Roused from rest, Ensign Hoshi Sato pulled a robe on and went to the comm. panel. “Yes, Captain?”

“Hoshi I’d like you to send an update of our status to Vulcan, apprise them of the latest report from Phlox on T’Pol’s condition and our warp status. Inform them we should have warp power back in two days.”

Hoshi sank in her desk chair, rubbed her eyes and tried to keep the irritation out of her voice, but her old friend Jonathan knew better.

“Captain… couldn’t- Um, is there any particularly time-sensitive information the Vulcans need to be aware of?” The young officer searched for a way of saying ‘just why the hell couldn’t this wait until MORNING!’. Archer understood Hoshi’s ulterior meaning and decided to drop the ball.

Least I won’t have to tell the crew, she will…

“You can also inform them that T’Pol has regained consciousness,” Hoshi’s hand went to her mouth in surprise.

“Uh y-yes, sir!” Archer smiled at the shocked expression, and he knew the news would brighten the crew’s spirits.

Hoshi wearily retrieved her uniform and Starfleet undergarments from her drawers. Releasing herself from the robe she stepped into the bathroom to ward the sleep away with the relaxing heat of the water.

When she was finished and dressed, Hoshi headed to the Mess Hall to pick up a quick meal to soothe her angry stomach. When she entered, she wasn’t surprised to find the Mess Hall empty at this hour, save for Chef and the cooking staff preparing for breakfast in a few hours. Suddenly she caught the eye of the one person who was already in the Mess Hall this early.

“Lieutenant Reed, I should know that being up as early as you is a bad sign!” Malcolm looked up drearily from his coffee as he was shocked to hear another voice in the empty Mess Hall. He smiled at her as she collected a plate and made her way to his table. “Hoshi,” Malcolm greeted her, “So what are you doing up this early?”

Hoshi rolled her eyes and rubbed at one of them, “The Captain wants me to send a message to Vulcan tha-” suddenly she stopped and realized the great news she had bottled up. Malcolm stopped the motion of his fork at the peculiar glaze of her eyes as she froze for a moment.

“Oh yeah I forgot, T’Pol’s come around,” Hoshi informed him. He continued to eat, “Oh that’s great! When did this happen?”

Beverage swelling her mouth, Hoshi shook her head until she swallowed. “I don’t know, he didn’t say,” Malcolm rubbed his jaw in contemplation.

“But I think she’s still paralyzed,” Hoshi’s comment hung as a solemn quiet held the two.

Hoshi looked up before taking a bite and grew curious about his far-away expression.

“What?” she finally asked. Drawn out of his thoughts Malcolm started, “Oh nothing, I was just thinking to myself that Trip was probably there when it happened,” he chuckled to himself.

“I hear they’ve been spending a lot of time together,” Malcolm looked deeply at the Communications Officer, trying to bait her. She gave him a devilish smile, glancing innocently around as if she hadn’t the faintest clue what he was talking about. Suddenly Malcolm’s attention was caught by the striking facial expression. He had never seen her resemble much of anything in terms of womanhood other than the girl next door. But that look was different, he thought to himself, not without a bit of excitement. He decided to play along.

“Come on Hoshi, I know you’ve got your ear to the deckplating around here,” she giggled in response. He looked intensely at her and now Hoshi was the one taken off guard, the passive face on Malcolm replaced by intense blue eyes. She dropped her glass and finally gave in.

“He’s been going to sickbay after every shift, I heard he’s not even sleeping,” she continued into her food.

“That he just leaves Engineering to Sickbay, Sickbay to Engineering,” she eyed her food as she spoke. Malcolm gruffed to himself in thought, “Wow,” he quietly observed. Shifting the conversation Hoshi chimed, “So what’s got you up so early, Malcolm? Surely even you aren’t up this early every morning?”

Shuffling a piece of food across his plate as she teased him Malcolm replied, “Actually, it’s a new training program I’m trying out for the Armory. Once a week the crews assemble at 0500 before shifts for battle drills.”

Her eyes satirically widened, “You’re evil you know that?” Hoshi shot at him with a dangerous smirk, eliciting a grin on the tactical officer’s face.

“Not everyone gets up before Phlox as easily as you do, ya know,” Hoshi teased him. Rubbing her eyes she continued, “I always screw up my dinner schedule when I get up this early, after lunch I’m not hungry again until late, then I can’t sleep,” she rolled her eyes. “It’s a vicious circle,” Malcolm sipped his cup before taking a breath.

“You’re kidding,” he looked surprised, staring off with a somewhat glazed appearance. Brought back to reality he continued, “I’m the same way, I can’t eat until at least 2200, I have to go down to the gym to work off the energy before I can sleep.”

Silence held the two for a solid minute before Malcolm cleared his throat. “I can show you a workout program I use to put myself to sleep tonight,” he hesitated, almost biting his tongue, “if you like.” The words hung, to Malcolm for what seemed like an eternity until Hoshi responded. Regardless of Malcolm’s estimate, a few second later Hoshi spoke up, “That’d be great,” throwing her hands up, “after all it can’t hurt, I’ll be up anyway.”

Malcolm almost audibly gasped when she continued, “I’ll be here to eat dinner at about 2200 hours Lieutenant,” she began to stand to dispose of her tray.

“See you here?” she asked with a smile. Malcolm graciously stood, “Yeah, see you here.”

----------------------------

Commander T’Pol had now been conscious for several minutes and Captain Archer was on his way down to see his First Officer. Commander Tucker still lingered in the chair next to her bedside, but had released her hand and held his folded nervously in his lap. After Trip explained to her how she was hurt, the gravity of the doctor’s prognosis captured her and she had said little since the news.

Trip’s eyes grew misty and he looked down to hide the raw emotion building on his exhausted appearance.

Commander you are obviously exhausted, you should get some rest.

Trip looked up at her and suddenly she saw that fatigue was not the primary weight on his shoulders. Trip sat while the various thoughts and reasons for the tears in his eyes flew through his mind. For days now he had wanted to badly to tell her he had feelings for her. But now, looking at her, he struggled to piece together the simple declaration that he wished to stay.

I won’t leave you like this…

When the commotion of her thoughts settled to a quiet, he thought T’Pol may now understand the sadness that captured him the moment the Captain told him how serious her condition was. The fear that I’d lose you again…

I do understand, she answered. His eyes were ripped from empty contemplation by the silent words that felt as loud as a gong in his ears. Realizing the Captain would soon be here, urgency flowed from him that T’Pol immediately recognized. She suddenly regarded him with the full attention of her thoughts.

What is ‘this’, T’Pol? How come we can hear each other’s thoughts?

This is something I’ve been meaning to talk with you about, but I was unsure how to broach the subject…you can imagine it would be difficult to casually bring up.

Trip managed a slight snicker, I can’t argue with you there.

Good, then you understand why I came to see you this morning in your quarters…the dreams you’ve been having, like the one you had this morning…the romantic thoughts you experienced while in the shower.

Trip stared at her in shock before erupting into a gentle but clearly audible laugh that caught the Captain’s attention as he entered sickbay. Trip’s face followed suit with a light shade of crimson.

Trip hadn’t realized she would have sensed the way he was feeling in the shower just before she arrived at his quarters that morning. The self-assuredness he enjoyed while she couldn’t respond to his words melted away as he became frightened of how she would react to his thoughts. He was humiliated and terrified she’d never speak to him again.

You have nothing to be ashamed of, I was with you in those dreams. I, unlike you, suspected that it was really you and not a dream… Even in her mind her voice tensed as she inched towards confession.

I…would not have participated if I did not wish it…

Trip sat in shock.

T’Pol decided she needed to break the tension and borrowed a memory to surprise him again.

I don’t believe I’ve seen you turn that shade of red since you slipped and fell while carrying me into the shower during the night we shared in the Expanse…

Trip reached up and wiped a blissful tear, trying to suppress the grin he had ear to ear, unaware of Jonathan Archer standing only a few meters away.

Why are you crying, Trip?

As if stifling the joy even in his thoughts Trip hesitated through misty lids until he replied.

I just coulda swore for a second there I could feel you smiling even though you can’t…

I believe you did.

“Am I missing all the fun?” Archer called over Trip’s shoulder. Trip wheeled around to see his favorite Captain with a surprised and confused look on his face but a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth underneath.

The Captain was perplexed at the levity of the situation in T’Pol’s grave state of injury, especially the goofy grin Trip wore as he turned to face him. Something told Jon that these two had finally accomplished a long overdue understanding. The way T’Pol lie peacefully on what could very well be her death bed – even for a Vulcan, insisted something warmed the two whose hands were now clasped. He began to wonder how long Trip had been in sickbay.

“Was I misinformed of your vocal condition Commander?” Archer mused at her with a sly grin.

These two must have been talking if Trip had been laughing…or has he been crying? Trip decided to intercept the question for T’Pol, conscious of the various quips flowing through her mind as she tried instinctively to answer the Captain. Trip opened his mouth to speak when suddenly a chuckle seized him as some of the more un-Vulcan comments in her mind caught his attention and he shot her a hearty laugh.

“Nah cap’n, she still can’t talk…”

Archer looked utterly confused Trip thought, so he attempted to clean up some of the damage. All the while he could swear he could – not quite hear – but sense T’Pol smirking as he struggled to explain.

“But you two look as though you’ve been carrying on a conversation,” Archer’s face contorted while Trip’s mouth hung open searching for the words while staring at his friend’s confused face.

“This is gonna sound kinda strange cap’n…really strange actually.”

Trip stopped, nervously scratched his cheek before looking back up at Jon. “Well um…Me and T’Pol have been able to …pick up each other’s thoughts through some…” his words trailed off as he saw the Captain’s face cycle from confusion to disbelief to shock to speechlessness. He tried to suppress the endless curiosity that pecked at him at this new development, the rumor mill was going to get word of this like wildfire – hell they probably knew before these two. Trip and T’Pol exchanged looks again and a long silence passed before the Captain, but as T’Pol’s eyes darted from Trip to Archer, Jon got the distinct feeling he was being talked about. He suddenly knew he had to ask when Trip cocked a grin and laughed.

“All right! Something’s going on here, you wanna fill me in, Trip? T’Pol, I recall a little about Vulcan telepathic bonds from my experience with Surak’s katra,” Archer looked on her with questioning eyes.

“Cap’n she says...” Tucker’s face contorted as he looked back at her in confusion. With another look from T’Pol he shook his head and turned back to Archer. “I don’t quite get it but she says she’s aware of what you know of bonds, but that…” looking back at her to get it right.

T’Pol was getting a little nervous. Archer nearly came out and blurted the purpose of a mating bond before she could calmly explain it to Trip as she had intended to do the very morning of the attack. The last thing she needed was at this point for someone else to blurt it out before she could speak with him. The thoughts weighed on her tremendously, she had been ever fearful that Trip would feel forced to be with her and recoil. He was always a very independent person, she observed, sharing a mind with another would undoubtedly frighten him. Perhaps to the point of…

“She says you need not concern yourself with the details of the bond,” Trip uttered the last few words slowly in confusion as he looked back to T’Pol. But T’Pol’s intense gaze was on Archer, burning holes into him with a telling purpose. Whether he got the message or just gave up in confusion, he changed the subject.

Shaking his head, “But you can talk to her Trip? Er – s-she can talk to you?”

Trip straightened up and resumed Commander Tucker-mode, “I don’t know how to explain it…It started a few days after I came to see T’Pol after the accident. I didn’t notice it at first but now we can talk back and forth. After a little while I…” he stopped and looked back at T’Pol.

You called me back from the darkness, Trip. I had lost so much of myself to emptiness that I don’t think I could ever have found it again if you hadn’t spoken to me.

But I’m not telepathic, how could I have called out to you ?

That’s what I wanted to tell you earlier Trip…but this isn’t the time. Tell the Captain I can hear him just fine. I will speak through you when necessary, if that’s all right with you of course.

Oh far be it for me to keep you from getting up right now and headin to the bridge, Commander! Trip shot back with a smile.

You must tell the Captain that the best chance for my recovery would be for us to return to Vulcan, Dr. Phlox is well versed in Vulcan medicine but they have neurological specialists whose experience with Vulcan brain chemistry is unmatched.

“Cap’n she says we need to get her back to Vulcan as soon as possible,” the Captain crossed his arms and threw a hand up to his jaw before lighting into Trip.

He stared hard at Trip and recalled their encounter in Engineering nearly three days ago before Trip rushed off to Sickbay. His anxiety over a junior officer taking command in Trip’s absence had been eating at him. His irritation rose, telling him this was no time to be looking out for equality. Enterprise had to get to Vulcan as soon as possible and Archer knew there was no time to piddle around with appeasing Kelby’s bruised ego.

“Trip you’re temporarily reinstated as Chief Engineer until we get the engines back up and get T’Pol to Vulcan. I won’t lie to you, I don’t know how long that could be, Captain Hernandez won’t be too happy about it.”

But I should be able to persuade her to acquiesce…

Trip ripped the Captain from his silent chuckling, “Captain what about Kelby? You know he’s gonna be one big pain in mah ass the moment I get back down to Engineering… hell that guy was so hostile before I wouldn’t put it past him to take another swing at me in the wrong situation.” Archer stepped back, straightened his shoulders and put on his best ‘captain-face’.

“Lieutenant Commander Kelby will be in charge of the Gamma shift in Engineering, if that meets with your approval. Any serious problems and I’ll have no quarrel with throwing him in the Brig. I don’t need two of my Engineering officers squabbling right now when we’re dead in the water with my First Officer is in dire need of getting back to Vulcan.”

“Understood Cap’n.”

The captain looked sincerely at T’Pol and nodded silently. Part of Jonathan Archer winced to see her so docile and bed-stricken. The T’Pol he knew and grew to depend on being a part of his team couldn’t be anything less than infuriated to be subdued into paralysis when vital ship’s operations needed her. But something else in him was hurt to see her laid out like that, something he grew to suspect over the past year that only Trip Tucker was allowed to feel.

“Trip, we’ll need you back in Engineering to get those repairs moving.” The Captain turned to leave, and then motioned for Trip to speak with him in the corner. He hadn’t quite grasped the depth of the mental bond that had formed between the two of them, but even Trip didn’t realize T’Pol would hear their conversation through Trip. The two of them stood glancing back at T’Pol before the captain spoke.

“I know you would like to stay here for as long as the Doctor would let you, Trip, but T’Pol needs you on those engines, the doc says he doesn’t know how long it could be before her neural pathways begin to degrade regardless of the regeneration. I spoke with him before I came to see you two; he too believes the only way she will survive is if we make the trip to Vulcan.”

The captain sighed, he knew what he wanted to tell Trip but he also knew the pressure wasn’t going to help any.

“Phlox says there’s no telling how long she has. Once we’re up and running it’s still another day after that to Vulcan.” Trip’s eyes flared in terror as he realized T’Pol may not even have that long. He still suspected it would be impossible to get the engines back up in any less than three or four more days, tops.

Trip pulled a hand up to stroke lip as he thought, “We can run everybody on triple shifts, cut the work down to three more days and then I can give you warp 5.3, that oughta get her home quicker’n we’re used to.”

The Captain gaped, “5.3?! Won’t that tear the engines apart?”

A smile crept across his lips, “Nah, I’ve been workin on takin data from what the Klingons did and usin it to stabilize the nacelles, reinforce manifolds, bring the engine temps down, that sorta thing; we can hold warp 5.3 for three or four hours. The last eight or twelve hours of work will be checkin safeties since we’re exceeding just about every tolerance this ship was built for. But I’ll see to that work myself, make sure it gets done right. That’ll get us to Vulcan, cap’n.”

Archer nodded, “Good work Trip, keep me updated,” Archer nodded behind Trip, indicating T’Pol rather than the engines.

Charles Tucker turned on a heel and headed out the door to Engineering. But as he reached the door to sickbay something compelled him to stop. He turned and looked across the now-empty sickbay to her bed. Her eyes met his and twinkled as he slowly turned and passed through the sickbay doors.

Chapter 5:

Trip looked out over the madhouse Engineering had become in the crew’s recent mad dash for completion. He had never seen his group so war-torn, so exhausted yet so diligent and professional. And they were doing this all for her. He suddenly realized he wasn’t the only one who cared about T’Pol, it had just taken a tragedy for everyone to realize it. Maybe they aren’t the only ones…

Engineering was as busy as a flee market, repair crews were pushing past each other, plasma torches sent showers of sparks sailing across the upper catwalks. Lt. Commander Kelby’s repair team was working on stabilizing plasma flow through the manifolds in an attempt to increase speed in the ship’s dire effort to reach Vulcan. The crews worked around the clock with poetic efficiency the Vulcan science officer would have been proud of, were pride not an emotional indulgence. Intermittent shouts and replies assailed the room as officers gave orders and teams acknowledged; many Starfleet courtesies and protocols had been abandoned after the first eighteen hours went by slowly and with little progress. Finally the crewmen and junior officers complained that speed was preferable to tidiness for the next few days and their chief engineer didn’t argue.

The blonde engineer standing atop of the warp engine directing traffic for the bustling storm of crewmen below him was suddenly captured by a woman shouting his name from the far corner of Engineering near a comm. panel.

”COMMANDER TUCKER!” the young ensign finally screamed at the top of her lungs.

The room fell deathly silent and the irritated ensign composed her appearance and softly relayed her message to the Commander.

“Doctor Phlox wants to see you in sickbay.” The room remained much quieter than its previous roar but a symphony of whispers and nods circled the room like wildfire. The rumor mill had been bustling with information on the latest goings on between their favorite bridge couple, albeit with a more respectful attitude about the rumors they allowed to circulate in deference to T’Pol’s condition. Trip nodded to the ensign, looked painfully around the room for someone he trusted to keep this madhouse under control. He avoided looking at the ranking Lt. Commander in the corner junction.

“Lt. Hess, keep repairs moving I’ll be back in… uh, just keep things moving.” Trip dropped from the warp reactor and headed for the door. His eyes locked on the deck-plating and the pounding of his feet as he reached the sickbay doors, starting to worry why the doctor would have summoned him – he was usually trying to get rid of him.

“Doc, what can I do for you?” he asked with heightened urgency. The doctor turned from a control panel that was near but not too near T’Pol’s bedside. He came towards Commander Tucker with a look Trip thought appeared solemn, but mostly curious…things can’t be too bad.

“Commander, do you recall three days ago when I offered to allow you to remain in sickbay overnight, you were quite surprised as I recall.”

Trip looked invariably surprised, “Um, yeah doc, is this important cause there’s a lot of work to be finished,” Trip threw his thumb at the door.

“Actually, Commander it’s about T’Pol,” Phlox knew just how to get Trip’s undivided attention. And he got it, Trip’s irritation left his face making way for uncertainty.

“So you called me here because of…T’Pol?” Suddenly Trip’s mind raced, a terror shot through him and he realized this was the moment he had been afraid of all along. His head fell, arms dropped from his waist into dead masses. They were too late…I’ve failed her!

Interrupting his panic the doctor chimed, “Because her vital signs have been fluctuating quite a bit and I’ve been at a loss as to the cause for it. Increasing at times quite a bit, sometimes only a little, other times dramatically falling. Quite honestly I was baffled. Until that night you stayed in sickbay.” Raising his head from depression, Trip realized this wasn’t the news he was afraid of. But now he was just confused. Trip looked at him intently, waiting. “Well, don’t keep me wai-”

It’s you, Trip

Trip suddenly looked to his right at T’Pol’s shrouded bed just as Phlox was about to come clean. Trip walked over and pulled the curtain back to find T’Pol lying with eyes wide open and beaming at him. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and T’Pol felt a rush of emotion flowing through their bond.

He’s happy to see me, she thought to herself – shielding that one from Trip.

It is…agreeable to see you.

Trip returned to his place next to her bed and noticed her eyes looked more far away than during his last visit. “Doc she doesn’t look so good… Oh I’m sorry, I totally interrupted you, you were sayin about the dip in her vitals? Ya know I think she’s havin one right now,” Trip winced at her weakened condition as he took her left hand.

Dr. Phlox stepped closer to Commander Tucker, “this is going to sound strange but you will have to accept that it is the most likely explanation for the… fluctuations in her health. Your presence in sickbay has elicited a regenerative reaction in her cerebrum. I verified it with some tests that I took two nights ago when you slept here, I needed you to be present for an extended period but I didn’t want to inform you because I was afraid you would get your hopes up if I was incorrect. The longer you’re here, the more her neural-cellular regeneration accelerates, but after you’re gone the rate of regeneration rapidly declines until her synapses begin to degrade again.”

The doctor looked at him silently and expected disbelief, “I know that this sounds very unlikely but I’ve run every conceivable test and your presence is the only variable that accounts for the changes in her condition. There is no other explanation.” Trip sat hunched over in the chair, with a look to which ‘surprised’ would hardly do credit.

“I might have suspected something like this if I knew more about Vulcan social culture, I apologize but they are very secretive about their mating customs – there is a very limited amount of information available on the subject.”

Trip’s head shot up like a rubber band, “mating customs?!” he asked in shock. The doctor began, “well yes haven’t you and T’Pol-” the doctor was interrupted by a painful grunting coming from T’Pol.

Her face contorted, her mouth opened and her eyes flared with frustration. She was desperately trying to take over this conversation but her condition hardly allowed more than incoherent throat noises. Trip and Phlox reacted in horror, both assuming she was going into some kind of shock. Trip forgot about the doctor, “T’Pol what is it, what’s wrong?”

The doctor leaned over her, “T’Pol if you can I need you to calm down you may aggravate your condition further!”

Suddenly, Trip became aware of the desperate voice calling to him from his mind.

Trip, stop him! Please, tell the doctor to let me speak with you before he goes any further, it’s very important …to me.

All right, all right just calm down I don’t want you to hurt yourself.

T’Pol relaxed and felt the warmth of his care envelop her, the weight behind his thoughts as he communicated his concern held her in comfort and she dreaded what she now had to tell him. She was terrified he would reject her, that he would feel cornered into becoming her mate. For so many months she tried desperately to forget him, to bury his memory underneath the logic and reason of Surak, the loss of her mother. She even pushed him away every time he let his feelings for her be known. She had pushed him away so many times now she was terrified he wasn’t ready to accept what she wanted to tell him…what she had to tell him. She had wanted too much for him to choose her but she couldn’t bring herself to confront her emotions and admit them her own. Now he would never be hers of his own wishes, why have I waited!?

“Doc, she wants to talk to me… alone,” Trip hesitated on the last word.

Phlox nodded hesitantly, then looked over at T’Pol, “but try to relax, your condition has worsened enough as it is.”

None present seemed to question why privacy was required for a personal conversation that was bound to occur on a telepathic level, in fact the thought hadn’t even occurred to Trip. He was still so unaccustomed to the silent communication that he hardly realized the doctor would not hear their conversation even if he were standing mere centimeters away. When the doctor had crossed sickbay to make himself busy, T’Pol looked up at Trip, then down as his hand as it slowly moved to hers.

Trip… it’s time that I told you what’s been going on with me…with us. When I came to your cabin the day of the attack I felt your sadness, your fear, but I felt other things too.

T’Pol, I’m so sorry about the way I snapped at you that day, it was a stupid thing to say, I-

It’s all right, Trip. Have you forgotten? I can feel the shame in you for the anger you showed, and I can feel the care you have for me when you’re near.

Trip glowed with anticipation, realizing the moment of truth was coming. She was either going to shoot him down or open her arms and his heart was racing.

I believe it is I who should logically fear to be ‘shot down’, Trip.

Trip sat shocked, dropped his head. After several moments he looked up at her with a bright grin and chuckled. It always warmed his heart to hear her repeat his slang terms with mocking tone. Even in their thoughts he sensed the sweetness under the feigned disdain.

Even in three days I have… missed you so much, T’Pol.

Simple words rarely said so much.

They sat, just looking at each other for a silent minute. Trip was as happy as he could ever remember being. She didn’t need to admit unrequited love, the silent reception of his compliment, the twinkle in her eyes said enough to send him into the clouds. But a short moment after his grin couldn’t get any wider it suddenly dropped. A pang of regret touched T’Pol as it raced through his own mind. They had pushed at each other all this time, spat back and forth when their true feelings were right there, clear as day to any fool. And now she was lying on a bed, paralyzed and possibly bound for death. Trip was overcome with loss when he realized all the warm memories he now cherished of holding her those precious few times, all of them were fleeting as she lie there unable to move, inert. He realized he would never again feel her arms grip him tightly.

Trip, Phlox began to tell you that you were the reason my neurons were regenerating. He is partially correct.

What do you mean, how can I do that, how can I make your brain heal? And they said it wasn’t enough… that you won’t hea…

His face choked up a tear that threatened to shatter T’Pol’s control as she watched him intensely.

A Vulcan and her bondmate share a very deep emotional and psychological connection that can even be utilized to assist recovery in situations of neurological trauma…

Bondmate? “I’m your bondmate…”

The words came out of Trip’s mouth as well as his mind, not as a question but a declaration. The words made T’Pol’s nostrils flare with a passionate desire to embrace him and complete their bond.

It explains everything we have shared, Trip.

It must have been terrifying for you, T’Pol… Trip’s hand went up to her cheek and he gently stroked it along the palm of his fingers, then across the back of his fingers. Her eyes closed as she craned the muscles in her neck to lean into his touch. But few of the muscles responded to her demands to move and she wept inside that she could not even be touched by him. Her mate, the man she had chosen, and had in kind chosen her. Her Pudvel-tor.

It’s all right… we’re gonna get through this together, I don’t know how but if I’m helping you by bein here well hell, I’m not leavin your side till we get to Vulcan. I don’t know what they can do for you there but I promise that my engines’ll get you there.

T’Pol was warmed all over, but regained her focus. She had silently rehearsed this in her mind so many times she felt the inclination to finish her mental script.

When you left for Columbia, I thought I would never see you again and… that’s when the dreams started.

They weren’t exactly dreams Trip, I was really there, either while meditating or sleeping… I was with you. Always, I was there.

The sudden rush of memories of all the dreams he had experienced with T’Pol overwhelmed him. It was an inescapable thought that she must know everything about how he feels if she had really been there. Like the nights lying on the beach together in South Florida, when he explained everything about his sister. How terrified he was of losing someone else he cared about, like her. The days they spent on his boat off the Gulf Coast, basking in the sun, making love on the open sea, cuddling under the moonlit sky as evening fell. She knew everything about his feelings, everything about his fears and his pain. She knew all too well how painful it had been when she told him their sexual relations meant nothing, and now he knew so much more about her. When his dream-T’Pol told him about her frustration trying to follow the path of Surak, he was sure it was some nuance of his own mind telling him what he wanted to hear. When she confessed that she was afraid of the implications of embracing her deepest emotions, how she feared that the memory of her mother’s death would overwhelm her control if she sought to touch her feelings. He thought it was all just a dream-T’Pol’s feelings. And now he knew. Now he knew her.

We became bondmates because… She hesitated, fearful of speaking for him.

Because we both wanted it, he finished for her.

Yes, we both wanted it.

Yeah, we did, he smiled and let the words sink in.

Trip looked at her sincerely, never wanting to leave her side. The two clung to an endless moment laced with tranquility, until Dr. Phlox broke their detached silence upon his return to her bedside. Trip looked up and heaved a sigh of surrender to the doctor’s impending fusillade, gripping T’Pol’s immobile fingers. Before releasing her hands as he stood to depart, a radical thought crossed his mind. The strength of her warmth beaming at him quelled his inhibitions and he pulled her hand to his mouth. Gingerly kissing her soft knuckles, he grudgingly released her and rose.

I will return to you soon, you should get some rest.

There is still much we need to talk about, I will be…anxious for your return.

Trip’s face lit up with a boyish glee as he spouted back using speech, “I’ll miss you too.” A part of him just wanted to hear his own voice use the words.

Much to his surprise, however; the doctor stood in his way and threw his hands up.

“Commander Tucker, in light of the new information about your connection to T’Pol’s condition I think it would be wise if you remained here until we reach Vulcan.”

Trip looked back at T’Pol, he definitely would like to stay with her, but suddenly realized Kelby would try to take command from Lt. Hess. And I’ll be damned if that incompetent sonofab-

Calm yourself, Trip, the repairs will go smoothly without you, the Captain will see to it.

Trip looked back at her, somewhat disoriented by the confusion of responding to two different people when one of them is in your head and the other is standing in front of you.

He grew stressed and it didn’t take T’Pol’s telepathic link to see that he began to feel torn between being needed in two places at once.

Phlox, however, would have the final say, “Commander… Trip,” Phlox hesitated. Trip was shocked to hear Phlox use his nickname, he had never called him that. Phlox huffed and Trip noticed the alarm in his expression, yet even more clearly strewn across the Denobulan’s face was the weight of many days’ lack of rest. Even Denobulans must have their limits, Trip thought, and this one looked to be quickly gaining on his. He’s done a lot for you T’Pol…

Phlox snorted at his own use of the nickname, suddenly aware of his own exhaustive appearance. “Commander each time you leave the rate of degradation accelerates. No matter how quickly we reach Vulcan, I fear that without your presence, T’Pol will die. However, if you remain in sickbay until we reach Vulcan her condition will at least stabilize, and may possibly improve a considerable amount. There’s no telling how long she would survive as long as you were with her.”

The doctor paused, Trip searched the floor and then pulled a hand up to rub his eyes. “In these circumstances your presence is the only treatment we can provide for T’Pol until we reach Vulcan and as a physician it is my duty to attempt to administer any treatment available.”

Suddenly Trip realized the doctor sounded like he thought Trip would have a problem staying in sickbay. As far as he was concerned, he just changed quarters for the next few days and that was absolutely fine by him. He just had a nagging concern in the back of his mind over Kelby screwing up the repairs and risking T’Pol’s health by taking longer to reach Vulcan.

T’Pol smiled inward at his ardent concern, even if it was overly confrontational for her Vulcan sensibility.

The revelation of discovering she fostered feelings of her own for him made Trip feel like an entirely new man. It was as if a deep and festering hole in his heart left by Lizzie’s loss had never harmed him. Trip resumed the empty chair beside her and cradled her hand once again.

Hell as long as it helps, T’Pol, I’d never go back to that engine room in mah life.

Too damn bad, he shot back. I’d give it to ya anyway.

Trip looked at Phlox, “So what kind of excuse are ya gonna manage to the Captain about all this,” Trip waved his hand around sickbay. “Me stayin here with her. I assume I’ll be shackin up on one of these biobeds next to her,” at that he shot a sly grin to T’Pol.

“Nobody need be the wiser, however, the Captain will require a more accurate explanation than the rest of the crew. I will only tell him the very little I know myself – that at this time the only treatment for T’Pol’s condition is your presence. I’ll make something up for the rest of the crew about oh…how does the Tarkelian Jungle flu sound, Hm?” Phlox’s grin stretched ear to ear.

Trip nodded and turned back to T’Pol.

“Then I guess it’s just you n me, kid.”

You have me at an unfair advantage.

Trip’s grin turned to a confused frown. T’Pol gave him a few moments to grope in futility for her meaning.

You are aware that I still cannot move my eyebrows.

Trip exploded into a roar of laughter until he couldn’t wipe away the tears.

Chapter 6:

*3 days later* --approx. 6 days after T’Pol’s accident.

Commander Charles Tucker strode from Engineering to the Captain’s ready room. He had been excused from sickbay only on special permission to pick up a PADD from Lt. Hess on the warp specifications that had been completed during his absence from duty. Never thought I’d be missin’ sickbay…

The engineering crews were running on two and three hours of sleep and often not more than one meal following their rest before returning to the repair and upgrade work. Trip wasn’t happy he was the only one on the Engineering staff not busting his tail – but a matter more pressing than the engines had derailed his services away from Engineering for the past few days. He was going to owe the Engineering staff after this thing was over; he made a mental note to stonewall the Captain for extended shore leave for the crew.

As he rounded the last corner to deliver the final specs for the engine modifications that would bring Enterprise to Vulcan within a few hours, he soon found himself lost in recollection of the last three days that found him holed up in sickbay. But they weren’t the torturous days of agony he normally would have expected just a few days ago such a ‘sentence’ would entail. Instead the engineer began to recall the most amazing 72 hours of his life.

“Come in,” the Captain’s voice echoed from the other side of the door. Commander Tucker entered the office, briskly striding over to Archer and handing him the PADD.

“The repairs are complete, we won’t be able to break warp 5.275 but thanks to the progress Lt. Hess and her teams made while we were making repairs that’ll be enough. We’re ready to run a test right away, soon as everything checks out we’ll hit the button and be on our way to Vulcan, be there in a couple hours.” Archer leaned back in his chair examining the specs on the PADD for a few moments before sliding it across his desk and eyeing his friend.

After silently taking in the demeanor of a calm and collectedness about Tucker, Archer explained his interrogative gaze. “I haven’t seen you this well rested in months, Trip.”

Trip looked at his feet and let out a chuckle, “it helps when the Chief Medical Officer confines you to sickbay to rest for three days.”

“True, but Lt. Hess had some PADDs taken to you for analysis if I’m not mistaken, at your request of course,” the Captain jested at his friend’s stir-crazy nature. Trip couldn’t sit in a room for more than ten minutes without a task.

Shoulders relaxing from ‘attention’, Trip moved across the room and leaned against the wall with his hands across his chest. Archer motioned for Trip to sit on the couch of his ready room. Trip collapsed with a sigh.

“Hell, I couldn’t be shut up for three days with absolutely nothin to do cap’n,” Jon let a mischievous grin snake across his lips.

“As I understand it you weren’t…completely without burden,” the Captain referred to Trip’s unofficial job as ‘curer of T’Pol’.

“I’d hardly call it burden,” Trip mused as he relaxed further into his friend’s company.

“Phlox wasn’t exactly forthcoming Trip and I have to admit, I’m a little curious what exactly was involved,” Jon hesitated, unsure if he was treading on some kind of sacred Vulcan ground.

He waited for Trip to pick up his gesture, and he responded, “Well T’Pol said the healing would happen just by me bein’ there, but there were some techniques for speeding it up. Different kinds a’ meditation, some stuff similar to neuropressure,” Trip brushed his lip, “hell to be honest, Jon…”

Trip sighed heavy and rested his head against the wall, staring at the ceiling. A curious smile tugged at Archer’s face waiting for Trip to finish.

He looked back at Archer, “it was the most amazing experience of mah’ life. I mean, the meditation we did to heal her neurons was like…like walkin’ through her mind and her walkin’ through mine. I was able to help her mind fix itself, and I don’t even know how, all I did was focus and do what she told me. It was just plain amazing.”

A smile lingered on his face longer than he realized until Jon harassed him, “I’m happy for you two, Trip.”

Trip squinted at Archer on the last comment, expecting him to express his gratitude for him helping T’Pol to recover. But I ‘spose it’s no surprise he saw what was goin on, not like I didn’t make it too obvious in sickbay…

The Captain stood up, put on a farcical “Captain face” as if to chastise his subordinate for unbecoming fraternization. Before Trip could wonder if he was really going to be lectured the Captain’s face turned into a grin, “Now, are you going to wipe that silly grin off your face so we can go get your Mate to Vulcan?” Trip laughed, shaking his head as he headed for the door.

Suddenly he whipped around, looking at the Captain behind him with pure shock when he realized Archer had used the ‘M-word’. Archer bellowed and only replied, “You can’t hide anything from Hoshi on this ship!”

Trip just laughed before leaning in to Archer, “Try to keep it a little low though if you could, I’m not sure how comfortable T’Pol would be with the whole crew knowin’ and givin’ us looks ya know?”

Archer slapped a hand on Trip’s back, “Think nothing of it my friend, not a word from me. Oh and I’ll let Hoshi know to keep it quiet.” The two walked onto the bridge and Trip back towards the turbolift.

“Oh, Trip!” the Captain called back. “Give Lt. Hess the go-ahead on the test right away, I’m assuming you’ll still be confined to sickbay for recovery?”

Trip glanced around the bridge to see if anyone looked suspicious, “Uh, yessir.” Hoshi caught his eye and Tucker turned bright red as she gave him a puppy-dog smile, he could practically hear the wedding bells in Hoshi’s head. She’s gonna be trouble, Trip thought.

“Very good.” Trip exited the bridge and headed for sickbay.

Phlox had warned him not to be away from her too long, however, T’Pol had assured him that she was in good enough condition for an extended leave in order to speak with the captain. It was clear to T’Pol through their thoughts that Trip was happy about their arrangement, but there was guilt hiding in the recesses of his mind... guilt over his deteriorated friendship with the Captain. T’Pol wanted to give him a chance to mend the rift between them, and as Trip walked into sickbay he realized with a smile that things didn’t feel quite so bad. T’Pol sensed his comfort and was all the more content.

------------------------------

------------------------------

As the doors swooshed open Tucker caught sight of Dr. Phlox making his feeding rounds, in turn making chirping and snapping sounds to various alien species. As Trip entered he felt a familiar presence, it was like the feeling associated with looking up into the face of a very old friend as they walk in the room – but he felt this way any time he was near T’Pol now. Looking into the corner of the room, T’Pol’s biobed was only partially covered with the white shroud but on the right side to block visitors from “gawkin’ at her” as Trip had put it to the doctor. Trip stood at the entrance with a grin, threw his hands to his hips and stared at the shroud with an accusing look, sweetened with a wide grin.

“Does the Doc know you’re awake?” he called to his mate behind the shroud. He reveled in hearing her thoughts and sensing her consciousness behind the barrier. At the remark Phlox only partially turned his head to Tucker while absently feeding his snow-beetles.

“Actually,” the doctor returned the food canister to a shelf and moved towards T’Pol. Pulling back the curtain to T’Pol’s uprightly sat form staring at Trip, the doctor continued.

“She is doing very well this morning. I will take my leave of you Commander,” Phlox smiled big enough to scare small children and nodded at T’Pol.

Phlox quickly excused himself while Trip dropped his arms to his sides and slowly approached T’Pol with an expression of total confusion. If T’Pol had been human she would have giggled out loud at his scrunched features. But the circumstances were far too serious.

T’Pol?

Trip searched their bond and called to her but received no answer. He moved closer to the chair he had spent so much time in lately, a simple little thing like a white chair that would probably remain in his memory forever. In fact, he thought as he approached it, I might ask Doc if I can keep it…

Now reaching her side he took in her countenance of calm, her hands laid serenely at her sides, her eyes gazing intently into his. T’Pol! What’s goin’ on? Trip’s face showed concern but more tangibly, T’Pol felt an electrifying apprehension shoot through their bond. Finally she made up her mind as Trip leaned into her, his eyes locking with hers, his mouth opening slightly to call to her in a whisper. Before he could speak, she gave into her plan.

“I love you,” she spoke softly. Trip nearly jumped half a meter when the softness of her breath melted against his lips. Eyes wide, Trip exclaimed “Jesus, T’Pol you scared the –”, suddenly two complete surprises overtook him. “You spoke!” he was elated, her vocal centers had healed. Suddenly the words themselves hit him.

Only partially, but I wanted my first words after recovering to be appropriate for… what you’ve done for me, Trip.

Trip’s former worry melted in a microsecond and his hand came up, brought up of its own volition to caress her soft cheek. She leaned into it and Trip let a soft chuckle escape his lips, a tear dribbled from his eyelash and crept its way down his cheek. Gradual and measured, the tear gathered all his tension, all his worry, all his remaining apprehension as it drifted down his face and dropped into the air, gone forever with all his doubt.

You’ve done so much for me, darlin, I couldn’t even begin to reciprocate…

You already have, t'hy'la, you have saved my life.

What is “thuhsha”? Trip grunted with difficulty trying to pronounce the Vulcan word. He felt ashamed for butchering anything T’Pol said with such softness. T’Pol mused inside at his mispronunciation and Trip took this to mean he had not committed any severe infraction.

My ashal-veh, it means you are my ‘beloved’, perhaps ‘darlin’ is how you would understand it. If you like I will abstain from using Vulcan terms and adopt your appellation by referring to you as ‘darlin’?

Bursting into laughter Trip looked at her thoughtfully and returned vocally, “Nah I think I like that. But I’d like you to help me work on pronouncing it right, I don’t wanna insult your culture every time I wanna tell ya I’m crazy about ya,” leaning in to feel the comfort of being in her closely guarded proximity. Every time he was this close to her, so close he could already taste the impending kiss he was about to plant on her – he was filled with awe that she would allow him and him alone to break her physical barriers. Physical, and so many others, T’Pol finished his thought. Both honored and delighted each would let the other so near, and she with illogical comfort that he wished to be. He slowly met her lips and tasted her sweet mouth. A perfectly, lust-less chaste kiss spawned from the moist union of their lips in a handful of timeless moments throughout the Universe between a Vulcan and a Man. Lifting from her face with a dubious grin Trip retreated back to his chair, suddenly recalling any crewman could come in and see them, having shed the white curtain from the biobed.

“T’Pol I’m not sure how we should communicate now, I mean I love the closeness I feel with you through ‘this’,” he motioned at his head. “But if other people are around they’re gonna get mighty uncomfortable with us standin around in silence,” he feared she might think he was ashamed to use the bond, to let others know how they felt.

No way in hell I am, I love her and the whole damn world can know it for all I care…I just don’t want anyone to give her a hard time… nobody would understand a Vulcan bein with a human… Trip thought to himself, forgetting as he often did that in close proximity their thoughts were unabashedly shared.

I know you feel no shame, Trip… T’Pol straightened up and spoke for only the second time in nearly four days.

“At this junction our bond is only strong enough to convey direct thoughts when we are in close proximity…I do not know how far exactly. But if we work to strengthen the bond, if you wish to…” she trailed off. Even declaring their love for each other had not completely alleviated her uneasiness with how serious the bond was and how fearful she was that one day he would grow tired of the intimacy of the bond, tired of the complete joining it symbolized. She feared he would not be ready for the consummate joining of mind, body and spirit that a lifelong bond would initiate once it was completed.

Of course I wish to, I want to explore this as far as it goes T’Pol. You’re it for me th-ja…t’hy’la. There I got it, Trip grinned. T’Pol, I didn’t tell you this yesterday when we were talking but from the moment I saw you I gave ya a hard time because I already felt drawn to you and I couldn’t understand how a Vulcan could do that to me. Now I realize it’s not just a Vulcan I’m in love with. It’s just T’Pol, my lovely logical T’Pol.

T’Pol’s control began to slip from her fingers and her sorely restored muscles started to ache for action. Her eyes tickled with tears in them, a knot formed in her throat that threatened to choke her as her breath came rapid and irregular.

I want this forever, as deep as this bond could go into my mind, every secret out in the open. You put me back together in that Expanse and I can’t imagine feelin safe with anyone else for the rest of my life. I would love to strengthen our bond.

With difficulty T’Pol regained her composure and pushed the growing bubble of warmth back down to the pit of her stomach and took calmly measured breathes.

“You require food,” changing the subject, T’Pol observed Trip looked unusually pale and his mouth looked dry.

You have been by my side with the exception of your visit to the Captain for several hours now, you must go to the Mess Hall and have a meal.

My t’hy’la, I sense your trepidation that I might stay on Vulcan and be separated from you due to my condition…my home is now with my mate, wherever he may go. Do not worry, I will call for you before I depart to the surface.

Trip looked at her with raised eyebrows, eyeing her with a smirk, trying in futility to elicit a return grin from her stern appearance.

“Promise me,” he threw a finger sarcastically into the air, “that you won’t go down without me.” A grin suddenly crossed his face as he realized he was being protective of his mate. My mate.

“I promise,” T’Pol spoke aloud, lifting an eyebrow at his airborne finger and nodding most slightly at it. Trip dropped the finger into a shallow swoop across the line of her jaw, eliciting her eyelids to droop and a low purr to escape her throat.

Trip rose to leave, but before the swivel of his boot completed he turned back towards her. With nervousness that T’Pol could not quite discern through their bond, he lifted her left hand into the air above her chest with his left hand. Reaching out with his index and middle finger outstretched together he tried his best to mimic the kiss of mates he researched in the Vulcan database. Gently caressing his fingers to hers in the Vulcan joining gesture, her eyes gently followed his.

T’Pol nearly audibly gasped at the gesture, endeared with the surprise. She nearly choked, “You honor me,” is all she could manage.

Slowly and gingerly kissing her knuckles before stepping away, Commander Charles Tucker III turned and walked out of sickbay. And amidst an empty Starship sickbay in the year 2154 of the Terran pre-Federation calendar, an event of unspeakable rarity occurred, an event witnessed by only a handful of individuals in the myriad trillions.

A Vulcan smiled.

Chapter 7:

The door swooshed open as Trip approached the Mess Hall. It was only about an hour past lunch so many crewmen were still enjoying a late meal. Most of those present were engineering crewmembers that had hardly left their posts for the past twelve hours getting ready for the engine test.

As he entered, a flurry of voices called out to Commander Tucker, “Commander! It’s good to see you’re feeling better!”

The jovial intonations didn’t immediately suggest it, but Tucker had a small suspicion that some may have heard some part of the truth about Trip’s real absence from duty. He nodded at many familiar faces, smiled cordially through his growling stomach as he moved towards Malcolm’s table. After so many hours of solitude with T’Pol he was in the mood for some company. Moving to the far end where the Tactical Officer chatted happily away, Trip noticed his companion was a well-built MACO, Corporal MacKenzie. Trip chuckled to himself as he recalled how much more sociable Malcolm had become with women ever since they ran into Lorian’s ship in The Expanse and learned of the marital fates of each Enterprise crewmember. Trip smiled for a short moment at the memory of his son, fated to command and give up his life for Earth’s salvation. That encounter sure had an effect on everyone, Trip and T’Pol not the least of all.

But the disturbing truth for Malcolm Reed, one of the most libidinous men Trip had ever known (albeit one of the quietest), was that he had never managed to marry and have a family on the alternate-Enterprise. He seems to be goin at every chance he can find… And not doin too bad from the looks of it, Trip noted the female’s broad smile as he shoveled himself into the seat next to Malcolm.

Malcolm was only picking at his food between anecdotes, a stark contrast to the typically expeditious eater. It hadn’t taken long for Malcolm to earn a reputation for being able to destroy his meals faster than enemy vessels. Trip hadn’t seen Malcolm for days and expected – even slightly hoped – that Malcolm would slap him on the back and barrage him with questions about his supposed illness. But he was consumed with jokes and smiles with the young MACO. Somethin about Malcolm really has changed…

“Trip! How’s the flu eh?” Malcolm asked with a knock of his elbow into Trip’s side. It was no surprise to Trip that Malcolm didn’t buy the ‘flu’ story Phlox manufactured. Anything involving Trip and T’Pol and Malcolm was going to manage to turn it into a sexual encounter of some sort. Trip laughed and shaking his head, just dug into his food. He was hungry, it must have been all his concern for T’Pol that kept his mind off of it.

You honor me with your self sacrifice for my well-being, but enjoy your meal and I will rest.

Trip suddenly dropped his fork loudly into his plate and looked in all directions about him. A befuddled Lt. Reed looked up from his conversation with the young woman. “Trip are you all right? Maybe that flu has gotten to your head!” Malcolm shot at him with a chuckle.

Trip still had a bewildered look in his eyes and a mouthful of food sat motionless within his jaws. It took a few moments for him to realize he could still “talk” to T’Pol with his mouth full. I had no idea we could communicate this far away, just how far does this go T’Pol?

Our bond was strengthened by spending a great deal of time together and also by the meditation you initiated to assist my recovery. It is impossible to tell how far or deep the link goes at great distances. Our bond is unique to the typical Vulcan bond, but I will ignore your thoughts when you are not with me until we have learned to control our own explorations into each others’ minds. I do not want to invade your privacy, t’hy’la.

Trip just smiled inside, but made it big enough for T’Pol to feel.

Malcolm was still eyeing him as the MACO excused herself, eliciting only a smile and a passing wave from Malcolm. Trip swallowed and let a chuckle pass his lips. Shaking his head with a big silly grin Trip looked down at his food as he took another bite, then looked up at Malcolm. Trip opened his mouth to speak before stopping himself. He was about to blow their cover story. He paused, and then decided to hell with it, I can trust Mal. He was too happy not to tell someone and Malcolm was a good friend.

“So what in the bloody hell is that grin all about,” Malcolm asked with typical British zeal and a wily smile. Trip smiled, leaned in closer to mask his words from the rest of the dining hall, “Mal I hope to God one day you find yourself lucky enough to be in love with the most amazin woman in the galaxy!”

Trip dropped back and threw another bite of chicken into his mouth. “In LOVE?!” Malcolm nearly shouted before realizing Trip had meant to keep their tone covert. He looked around in reconnaissance, gauging the response to his boisterous exclamation. Satisfied they were adequately secluded to continue, Malcolm lit into Trip.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Malcolm’s eyes went from befuddled to amused, “It’s you and T’Pol isn’t it!” Malcolm grinned nodding his head as if he’d just discovered Atlantis. Trip looked at Malcolm and suppressed a chuckle as he lifted his glass.

“Nobody can know about this Malcolm a’right, anything I tell ya, I’m trustin ya. I just gotta tell somebody.” Trip dropped his hand towel down and dropped back in his chair, eyes to the ceiling before proclaiming, “It’s amazing Mal, I’ve never been so happy in all mah life.” Forgetting his food completely, Malcolm was hunched forward over the edge of the table, committed not to miss a word of this confession.

Malcolm eyed Trip for a moment then chewed his lip, “And the Comma…er, T’Pol, does she feel the same way?” Malcolm had always suspected there was once something of a flirtatious nature between the two senior officers, and only in his wildest fantasies did it go so far as to materialize into a romantic encounter.

But in LOVE with Trip Tucker, a Vulcan?

“Yessir, we’re a regular Romeo n Juliet… can’t imagine how it ever came to be,” Trip began looking out the window to start counting the dots that fortune sent him.

Hm…then again on this ship, stranger things have certainly happened, Malcolm mused.

“But I’ve never imagined being so connected to a person, Mal,” Trip realized Malcolm didn’t know of his time with T’Pol over the past three days. Staring at the wall in laborious thought Malcolm finally broached the obvious question. “What’s been going on the past few days then? You haven’t really been confined to sickbay with the Tarkelian Flu have you?” the second query was more of a statement with Malcolm’s calm smirk smeared across it.

“Remember, don’t tell anyone this, as far as anyone else knows until… well for now, I had the flu and I was sick as a dog,” Trip put his hands down on the table. Realizing a mountain of an explanation lie before him, Trip wondered suddenly if T’Pol would mind him divulging much about their intimate time together in sickbay with Malcolm. He sought her in his mind and found her sleeping. Suddenly Trip realized this was a new perceptual ability he had not previously been aware he had. Now he could see her sleeping soundly in sickbay, feel the calm of her breath coming evenly and knew he could reach deeper into her mind and rouse her unconscious thoughts if he wished to get her attention.

Deciding this was the time to make the first real relationship-decision about trust, Trip withdrew from the link and saw Malcolm sitting with very attentive eyes locked on him. He was unsure how long he must have been sitting there waiting for Trip to come out of the trance-like state, but he was still silently awaiting an explanation.

Trip finally let it all out in one line, “T’Pol and I are telepathically bonded mates now.” Like a bust of ancient stone the young British officer didn’t move. Stilled into complete silence for a solid minute, he regarded every word of the declaration with analytical intrigue before attempting a response.

“Oh,” is all he managed. Looking up at Trip and breaking himself from his reverie, his face contorted in confusion. “So, how does that explain the Tarkelian Flu?” Malcolm realized he was still lost and squinted miserably.

“I never had Tarkelian flu, when T’Pol was injured, I was goin nuts not bein allowed to see her as often as I wanted to, hell I was in there every couple of hours in between shifts,” Trip waved his arm frantically.

“Then I rushed in there one day when Phlox called down to Engineering to ask for me and to make a long story short he tells me I’m healin T’Pol by bein there, doesn’t know why, but tells me I can’t leave. So I figure hell this is a blessin in disguise, I can see her all I want now. But I felt pretty bad about not helpin the engineerin teams with the upgrades,” Trip’s glee faded. “So I stayed there for a coupla’ days while she recovered. Oh she can talk now by the way. You can tell that to the crew, she’s gettin better,” with that Trip sipped his beverage.

Malcolm nodded, “I’m real glad to hear it Trip, everybody will be,” his mood darkened and he asked what he dreaded bringing up. “I’m sorry Trip,” he stared into his glass, eyes filled with mourning. Trip looked positively confused, “Sorry bout what Mal, I just told ya she’s getting better and that we’re in love, what’s to be sorry about?”

Malcolm looked pensively and fidgeted in his chair, “Well she’ll be permanently paralyzed, right?” Trip let out a breath, finally realizing the good Doctor hadn’t been keeping the crew as up to date as he was.

“Nah, Malcolm, there’s a good chance she’ll regain most of what she had…we don’t know for sure yet though,” Malcolm brightened visibly with the news. Trip stopped, “Well… if I continue to have anything to do with it” holding his glass stationary in the air before taking a swig. His voice turned into a murmur, “Everything’ll be fixed.” Eyes far away in thought, he was startled by Malcolm’s voice.

“Well that’s fantastic, the crew will be thrilled to hear that, but Trip… How is that possible, I thought that kind of brain trauma was irreversible, I hear she was in pretty bad shape when she went in there. In a coma for five days, lungs collapsed, broken bones?”

Trip nodded, “Her lungs were badly burned by the plasma eruption, but that’s where the Doc says she got real lucky…he treated her for that the moment she got to sickbay and luckily her lungs were able to re-inflate, so that’s all taken care of. Course the rest were surface injuries, Doc’s got them all healed.” He sighed in thought, “Phlox’s really done a lot for her, hell he hasn’t been sleepin at all in the past few days.”

Malcolm thumbed his jaw, “and the brain trauma, it was pretty extensive wasn’t it?”

Trip sighed, threw his hands up to his face before he groaned out loud, “That’s the craziest part Malcolm, doesn’t make any sense…Even the doc doesn’t get it, but…” he trailed off. With his jaw cradled in one hand Trip leaned on the table, “T’Pol thinks that because we’ve become mates.” Pointing at his temples Trip continued, “I’ve somehow…helped her recover. That’s why I couldn’t leave. We did some meditation therapy that turned it up a bit. I mean even Phlox’s instruments couldn’t repair this kinda damage.”

Looking astonished, Malcolm straightened his face then leaned back in his chair sipping his coffee. “Our Commander Tucker, a regular Vulcan telepath,” he snickered with an accusing grin. Malcolm could imagine no greater irony than the indefatigable Trip Tucker, Engineering extraordinaire and far from Vulcans’ biggest fan – nor they his – was telepathically healing his ailing Vulcan mate. The juice of the irony was just sweetening Malcolm’s upturned visage when he noticed Trip looked troubled.

“Well what’s wrong, this is great news, T’Pol’s going to be right as rain and you all are happily in love. I couldn’t imagine a better life Trip.” The tactical officer slumped in his chair as he looked towards the door the MACO had exited several minutes before. It was no secret he had always had a thing for T’Pol, at least found her attractive. It was in some strange way comforting for him to know all that time that he wasn’t the only one who didn’t have a chance – no Human man did.

Now things were different, but where some might expect Malcolm Reed to be feeling the sting of self pity stir in his gut, Trip Tucker’s friend realized he was in awe of the man. He had always been a little jealous of Trip’s success with the ladies, Ok, more than a little. Hell, when he first met him Trip’s cavalier attitude and cocky swagger absolutely disgusted Malcolm. Typical yank. But that wasn’t the guy sitting in front him. In front of Malcolm sat his strangely unhappy looking friend who he had nearly shared death with on several occasions. A friend who had just confessed he was in love with a gorgeous woman whose life he may have saved and who passionately loved him in return.

Trip looked up from the table, deciding he could speak of doubt freely since T’Pol had promised to respect his mental privacy.

“I don’t know Mal, it feels so amazing bein with her, experiencing this bond we have but it’s kinda scary at the same time. I mean a week ago I was the only one in my own head.” Well sorta, Trip reminded himself of the white-room encounters, but decided Malcolm didn’t need that much detail.

“Now, though, we’re practically the same person when we’re together,” Trip flailed his hands, unaware if anyone could see or hear his display. Malcolm looked around, lucky for him the engine test has got everyone busied, he thought while looking at the frustrated man.

“I feel like I love her to death Malcolm, it’s not that, but that’s the scary thing right there, I feel like I’m losin myself to the two of us combined, it’s real confusing.”

Slumped back in his chair he stared at the stars as they crawled by. “It’s hard to explain…It’s like I’m never alone anymore, not that I mind her presence, she’s wonderful, even just in my mind it’s just, ah,” the engineer broke off, softly knocking his head with a closed fist.

“I don’t know what it is Mal it just feels so fast, I feel like I oughta say something if I have doubts cause this Vulcan bond thing is real serious, I mean they take it like marriage vows and the way I was raised that really means somethin.” Trip threw his head in his hands and collapsed them to the table.

Malcolm sat back in his chair and regarded Trip with heavy eyes. Trip peered up at his friend and suddenly forgot his trouble at the silent contentment across the man’s face. “Mal? You got something for me there Socrates, ya look like a damn Vulcan, sittin there all rigid and postured,” Malcolm broke his pose and laughed while downing the remainder of his cup. Shifting his chair Malcolm leaned forward to Trip’s already sunken face centimeters above the table where he had left it after sagging in despair.

“You’re in love with her, Trip,” Malcolm said very simply. “You always have been, bloody hell the two of you were born for each other, always biting and snipping back at each other,” Malcolm laughed. “Made me bloody sick,” he jested with a smirk. He contently realized there was really no jealousy in him. Trip had been through so much, losing his sister; and it would seem their relationship has had its bruises to get this far… He decided Trip certainly deserved happiness with T’Pol.

“Look Trip, I know you’re worrying that you’re not ready for the magnitude of the Vulcan commitment this thing means and I don’t have a clue how important it is,” Malcolm paused, waiting for Trip to meet his gaze. “But you are only person on this ship, and probably the only Human alive who has even the faintest idea how important it is.” Trip digested the thought before Malcolm continued.

“That’s a hell of a lot further than where the rest of us stand. The two of you were made for each other Trip, and if all this mind melding and linking telepathy stuff is as intimate as it sounds, there’s one person you can trust with your doubts.” Malcolm nodded silently.

Malcolm really has changed¸ Trip couldn’t help but think to himself. But the moment his friend’s condition was off his mind, his anxiety returned to T’Pol. How he did love her so deeply, and why should I feel nervous, she loves me, I love her…

“For a Vulcan I imagine a declaration of love is a violation of everything they learn about withholding emotions,” Mal’s got no idea just how much emotion they have… Trip recalled some their more strenuous meditations over the past few days. Not to mention the dreams. Trip began to smirk on the outside but Malcolm urged his doubts away further.

Reed continued, “She’s obviously put quite a bit on the line to tell you how she feels Trip…With how important emotion is to a Vulcan, that sounds like the ultimate revelation to share with someone.” Reed looked around nervously, beginning to feel like he was talking about his own fear of getting close to someone. Malcolm set his glass down and looked at Trip who was staring at the table, then met his glance.

“I can understand being apprehensive about being involved in something so…momentous, but Trip do you trust her?” Trip looked shocked, he misinterpreted Malcolm’s tone to imply he didn’t, “Of course! Completely!”

Malcolm nodded, raising his glass to drain the last drop, tipping it in Trip’s direction with a warm smile, “Then you have absolutely nothing to fear, my friend,” Malcolm laid his glass down with a smile. Trip stood, “Hey…thanx Malcolm, I gotta get back to sickbay, T’Pol just woke up.”

Malcolm snorted, “That’s just weird,” he grunted at Trip then affectionately squeezed Trip’s shoulder. Trip turned to leave, shooting a glance back at Malcolm, “Hey Mal.”

“Yeah Trip?”

“Thanks again,” Trip nodded and headed out the door as two engineering crewmen entered and exchanged smiles with their estranged Chief.

----------------

Three hours later the Enterprise hurdled along at high warp towards Vulcan while Commander Tucker nervously paced from desk to door of his Engineering office.

Awaiting their arrival to Vulcan, Trip had been looking over system status PADDs when Archer called sickbay. Lt. Commander Kelby needed to speak with Trip in Engineering. They were due to arrive in just a few minutes and Trip had been antsy enough sitting at her side while she rested, unsure of what the Vulcan doctors who came aboard would say about a human accompanying her.

Trip had responded with irritation, first asking the Captain if Kelby could send whatever data he had to sickbay so Trip could look it over there. When the Captain informed him Kelby didn’t have data for him to overlook, the irritation only increased. Trip realized this was the worst possible time for him to leave sickbay.

I could just see those damn doctors rushin’ T’Pol off the ship without even wakin’ her, she wouldn’t even be able to throw a fit if I weren’t there.

*************

“Cap’n do you know what the he-,” suddenly Trip had to catch his tongue before snapping at his friend and more importantly a superior officer.

“Do you know what he wants, I… don’t think it’d be the best thing for T’Pol right now for me to leave sickbay.” Trip appealed to the safety of the first officer but he also didn’t want to leave any chance he’d be kept by Kelby from going with T’Pol.

You miss your opening with the Vulcans and they just love to put you through the ringer…

He suddenly imagined going through clearance after clearance to get to see T’Pol if he didn’t go down with her.

Unfortunately Phlox wasn’t too quick to pick up his deception, raising his voice across sickbay to respond to Archer.

“Actually, Commander T’Pol’s condition is sufficiently improved for Mister Tucker to leave for a few minutes if his duties require,” Trip drilled holes in Phlox’s head with his eyes.

Archer didn’t respond, waiting for Trip to concede. With an audible sigh the engineer grunted, “I’m on my way,” Trip stormed out of sickbay.

*************

Trip was getting downright angry, he heard the warp engines disengage – quite an obvious drop in ambient noise that all engineering crewmen knew without question. Finally, Kelby walked into his office leisurely and Trip crossed the distance between them in a mere second.

“Can I help you Commander?” Trip’s inquest came like a snake bite. Kelby's confrontational air was missing and he seemed inordinately submissive as Trip waited for an answer.

"Um, uh, yessir," Kelby stuttered several seconds as Trip became more irritated. Trip began to realize Kelby wasn't his usual self. Not bein a dick today, Trip thought. At any rate, even if Kelby had become an ordained minister and was resigning his commission the fact didn't change that Trip was in a hurry to get back to T'Pol.

Finally the Lt. Commander spit it out, "I'd like your recommendation sir..." Trip wore confusion like a cheap suit.

"To Captain Hernandez, to fill the vacancy sir. I," he hesitated, looking at his feet. "I regret the things that have happened as a result of my susceptibility to the Orion women and, frankly sir I don't feel comfortable on Enterprise anymore. It's pretty clear you're here to stay and the Captain will want you to resume your command. I believe Columbia needs an engineer with deep space experience, and to be honest sir I believe I have what it takes. I'm just not you, and the people around here want you back."

Trip was stunned almost enough to forget his haste. He hadn't even said he was remaining on Enterprise, hell, Trip thought, it hadn't even occurred to me since the Cap'n told me to stick around temporarily anyway. As he inspected Kelby, Trip realized it may dull Erika’s anger at losing him back to Enterprise if she would be getting a field experienced engineer in his place. Columbia's crew certainly wouldn't mind. While a talented engineer when he wasn't under the influence of pheromones, Kelby ran a looser ship than Commander Tucker and Columbia's staff would be all in favor of that.

"I'll think about it, but right now I gotta go Commander," Trip forcefully sidestepped the man. Trip was exiting the engine room as he realized Enterprise had been in orbit now for several minutes and the Vulcans' punctuality wasn't something to bet against. A Vulcan ship was scheduled to meet them in orbit to transfer T'Pol to their doctors’ care and then take her to a facility on the surface immediately. Trip was just approaching sickbay when he suddenly felt a twinge of uneasiness from T'Pol. His step quickened as he heard muffled voices through the sickbay doors, his neck craned to peer through the glass as his walk turned into a saunter.

A trio of Vulcan doctors stood near T'Pol speaking with Dr. Phlox. Trip noted the resemblance the eldest doctor held to Soval. The elder Vulcan had a soft face, beaming with vitality unlike the silent and stern younger two Vulcans. Trip guessed at their ages, the younger maybe...70, 80. The old man could easily be 170, 180 years old though... A third Vulcan stood a distance from the other two, carefully observing them. When Trip entered the room he clearly caught the third Vulcan’s attention. Trip suddenly got the feeling, perhaps an instinct lent from T’Pol, that the Vulcan keeping his distance wasn’t a doctor.

Trip approached them and now noticed Captain Archer standing between the younger Vulcan doctor and Phlox.

"Ah, Commander," Phlox chimed as he sternly walked up waiting to be acknowledged. "This is Dr. Sevel," Phlox indicated the younger physician, "Subcommander Talkon," Phlox turned towards the Vulcan standing aside. "He is here as adjutant to Councilman V'Lek," Trip cocked an eyebrow at that.

Why would the High Council send someone... he thought to himself.

"And this," Archer interrupted Phlox with excitement as he held out a wide arm of introduction to the wise looking elder, "is Professor Solkar." Tucker approached the older Vulcan, raising his right hand to the appropriate Vulcan greeting, "Peace and Long Life," Trip opted for the less-used expression. Solkar, with stony gray eyes looked long and discerning at Commander Tucker before raising his spread fingers in acknowledgement, "Live Long and Prosper, Commander Tucker."

He patiently turned to Jon, "It is... agreeable to meet you Captain Archer." The famous Vulcan spoke gruffly but with distinction, reminding Trip of a thousand year old talking tree from an old Earth tale.

"I am here as Senior Adjutant to Chancellor T'Pau. The Commander's condition is quite... important to her.” The elder’s weight shifted slightly in the direction of the distanced Subcommander, imperceptible to human eyes. “I was sent to ensure her expeditious and complete recovery." Trip liked him immediately.

"As you know," Archer continued, "Professor Solkar was the first Ambassador to Earth almost a century ago." Trip's eyes widened as the measure of the man before him set in. To Trip most old Vulcans were just that - old Vulcans, argumentative old bats, Trip recalled his father’s words from the days of the NX Project. They held Archer and his father back for so many years, Trip recalled. But before him stood the man that was responsible for the joint mission that brought Vulcan and Earth officers together. He most assuredly didn't realize it, and probably didn't condone the bond that it had led to, but Trip realized Solkar was responsible for bringing T’Pol to the Enterprise. And now, he thought, bringing T’Pol to him.

Ripped from his thoughts, Trip looked up as Dr. Phlox interrupted Solkar's quiet investigation of the engineer, "I was just informing Dr. Sevel and his colleagues of T'Pol's injuries," Phlox's glance nervously turned to Subcommander Talkon. Tucker's attention was suddenly drawn to T'Pol's bed, a few meters away behind the white sheath.

"Uh, excuse me," Trip walked towards T'Pol as he wondered just how much about T'Pol's condition Phlox had told them. Surely he wouldn't have told them about my involvement without consent from T'Pol an' me. He felt her consciousness from behind the shroud and realized the uneasiness that captured him in the corridor was her calling to him when she became aware of the Vulcans' presence. She had kept her word to assure he would accompany her.

He has not informed them of your assistance, t'hy'la.

Trip withdrew the curtain to find her looking up at him as the party of Vulcans drew closer to them. Solkar looked quietly at T'Pol, and then turned his gaze to Commander Tucker for several seconds before turning to Archer. "We would like to take T'Pol to a special facility at the Science Directorate's research hospital. Considering the trauma she has suffered, your doctor and I have concurred it would be unwise to use your transporter device. A transport shuttle would be sufficient."

Solkar turned to Dr. Sevel, "Doctor you will carry the patient," before turning towards the door Solkar gave Commander Tucker a slight glance.

Trip...

For a moment he was held with Solkar's intense look before he could think to speak up, "Uh, Professor Solkar I'd like to go with T'Pol," the group silently waited for the Professor's response. The Subcommander and Dr. Sevel were obviously taken aback, Professor Solkar; however, showed no outward sign of surprise. Before he could respond Talkon protested, "It would be most illogical to burden a mind as traumatized as Subcommander T'Pol's with the proximity of such... reckless emotions." Trip visibly winced and tightened his knuckles. His disgust for some Vulcans was clearly still present.

Trip was on the verge of an outburst to proclaim his right to accompany his mate when T'Pol softened his anger with her gentle and soothing thoughts. He finally relaxed but responded nonetheless, "That's Commander T'Pol," Trip corrected Talkon. The sound of her human rank upturned his nose.

Solkar never seemed to notice Talkon's objection as he held Tucker in an unbreakable gaze. Eyes widening with Tucker's clenched knuckles as his anger for Subcommander Talkon rose to a tumult, even the disciplined mind of the Vulcan ambassador had difficulty holding Trip's fiery outflung emotions in check. It was clear the former Ambassador was in charge of the party as he nodded to the Captain. "Commander Tucker will pilot the shuttle." Solkar turned to exit but stopped, with long and deliberate motions turned his gaze back to Tucker, then Subcommander Talkon.

"Talkon, accompany Dr. Sevel to prepare the transport to land at the facility," then gave little more than a telling glance to Tucker. Without question Trip turned and walked to T'Pol's side, looking down into her features with a slight smile at his victory to remain by her side. Before T'Pol's control could rein it into submission a powerful pride enveloped her, pride that her mate had passed the test the Vulcan professor had placed before him. The test he had not even known he was taking.

Archer watched the display with passive curiosity. Solkar's authority was clearly in effect over the two other Vulcans, but Archer, for the briefest of moments, wondered if he would have to restrain his Chief Engineer. Solkar's clandestine observation of Commander Tucker was not wholly lost on Archer - his notice was caught the moment Solkar regarded Trip for a few extra seconds as they exchanged the Vulcan salute. Archer was nearly floored and somewhat confused when Trip picked up T'Pol and Sevel followed Talkon and Solkar to the shuttlebay.

Solkar spoke nothing to the Commander with the silent glance that immediately lit Tucker out to carry T'Pol to the transport. With his incredibly trained telepathy, Solkar merely implanted the suggestion into Tucker's mind to retrieve T'Pol. Only an empathic mind, a mind touched by Vulcan discipline could receive such a telepathic suggestion and correctly interpret it. The commander's novice capability, however, muted him from recognizing the suggestion as anything but his own motivation.

Trip lifted T'Pol into his arms, slinging her left hand around his neck hoping that the even the weakest muscle control might allow her to hold onto him. Even in the presence of prying eyes, he could not resist the urge to seek her touch, to enhance their connection. He wanted her to feel his comfort while being taken off Enterprise, after all, Trip thought, there's no tellin how they're gonna react to a Human demanding to accompany his Vulcan mate... With apprehension he realized how difficult it would be for T'Pol to face her people with him at her side. To admit she bonded with a Human. Suddenly he wished he could be more for her, of all damn things, Trip thought... He wished he could be Vulcan for her.

Her touch electrified the soothing warmth he felt from her proximity, I feel no shame for us, or for you, she told him. And he felt her truth in the strength of her gaze. Hesitating only a moment as they confided in each other, Trip hoisted her out of the bed and carried her out of sickbay. As he effortlessly carried her down the corridors to the launch bay, T'Pol surreptitiously wormed her free hand into the nook between their bodies. The contact sent a calm sense of togetherness through their bond and relaxed the tensions Trip felt at the approaching situation.

Soon they would have to explain why he went with her... But Solkar already seems to suspect, Trip thought to himself as they neared the shuttle-bay. Two officers stood aside as the Vulcan cavalcade spread in wide birth about the entrance to the shuttle, allowing the Science-Officer-carrying Tucker to proceed through ahead of them.

Solkar does not suspect we are bond-mates, Trip. He knows we are.

Trip gaped down at T'Pol as he was about to carefully step into the shuttle-pod with her still cradled in his arms, oblivious to the "curious" looks of the crewmembers stationed about the bay. Face painted in equal shock as the rest of the crew they encountered, Lt. Reed opened the hatch for them.

As Trip cautiously but clumsily slipped into the pod with her in his arms, the Vulcan party followed. As he was about to leave her to be tended by Dr. Sevel, she explained the certainty with which she knew Solkar was aware they were bonded.

Trip, Solkar is my forefather. A wave of deja-vu overtook Trip as he muttered, "Your what?"

My grandfather.

[Vulcan Supplement to Chapter 7:

To better understand the construction of T’Pol’s family tree as it appears here, some details may be necessary to clarify. There is only one piece of hard canon-based information I have found to determine the ages and connections between her family members as I have written them, and the rest is fiction. It is known that Sarek died of Bendii Syndrome in Unification, Part 1 of The Next Generation, at the age of 202 – in the fifth season of the show, the year 2368 ship-time. That means Sarek was born in 2166, and based upon the requisite age for Solkar to become Ambassador to Earth and the ages required of each generation of the family to have their first child, I have devised the following: Solkar, father of Skon, was born in the Earth-year of 1959. His first child was born by his mate 50 years later in 2009. He was called Soval. In the year 2025, Solkar had another son, the father of T’Pol with his mate T’Les. His name is not given thus I have not manufactured one, I believe it is best left untold. The time and means of his death is also unknown. Born 20 years later in 2045 was Solkar’s third and youngest son Skon, a brilliant and successful scholar whose achievements include the first English translation of the works of Surak. In 2063 humanity made first contact with Vulcan. Subsequently, at the age of 104, being an accomplished diplomat with Tellar, Andoria and many other worlds; Solkar was assigned to Earth. He held that position and resided on Earth for nearly a century. During that time he developed the very foundation of Vulcan-Human relations and would later be the driving force urging his successor to implement joint-mission programs. His successor, son Soval, held the position until the Vulcan Reformation of 2154 when he became a Councilman of the Vulcan High Council. As of 2155, Skon is 110 years of age, Soval 146 years, and Solkar the ripe old age of 196. Solkar is currently a retired adjunct professor at the Vulcan Science Academy, senior member of the Vulcan Diplomatic Council, and close confidant of Chancellor T’Pau. When his son died, Solkar turned paternal responsibility of his granddaughter over to eldest son, Soval. When T’Pol’s mother was killed, Solkar relieved his eldest of this paternal responsibility and took it upon himself. At his advanced age, the sons of Solkar began to worry that his emotional control could be wavering, as evidenced by his apparent deep familial concern for T’Pol beyond the scope of rationale. But as a historical giant in Vulcan society and a legend surely to be remembered throughout the history of Starfleet and the coming Federation, none shall ever speak dishonorably of his name. During the Vulcan Reformation and the subsequent fall of Administrator V’Las, Solkar held the confidence of the Administrator to investigate his activities. When discovery of the Kir’shara came to light his investigation was halted and Solkar was forced to keep a low profile until the change of power yielded a more stable Vulcan. Solkar unearthed many secrets of V’Las’ activities, his connection to Romulus, and names of other prominent Vulcans involved in his treacherous circle.]

Part 1, sec. 4 (Chapters 8 & 9)

Return to Part 1, sec. 2 (Chapter 3)

Return to Your Mom 'n Me MENU

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!

A whole mess of folks have made comments

Seems to be some missing. I couldn't wait, I read the link posted earlier at TBBS.

LOL! Y'all need to wait for me to finish posting!

Damn, JohnO.! That was most excellent!!

Never done that before, clicked before it was finished posting LOL.
So you've made T'Pol and Sarek cousins? I like.

Technically T'Pol is Sarek's Auntie :D

I really like how the bond healed T'Pol. Interesting way to bring them together. I look forward to the next chapter, and their reception on Vulcan.

Most excellent! I can't wait for the next installment. Stories like these ease my sadness of the unmentionable finale.

crap! did the end get cut off?!? "...trying in futility t..." to WHAT? grrrr. it's because you were drinking... WASN'T IT?? you're an evil little man, drinking evil little beverages. i know--i was lurking. damn you, but this is GOOD!! i really like this, and it's really sucking me in, as evidenced in the above tirade. keep up the good work!

okay---whew! after i posted comments i saw the font change and more. THANK GOD! sorry about being an ass.

Hey Starwind, what link? If there's more to this chapter, I want to read it!

This bit-by-bit thing is killing me! Can't wait for more.

LOL I don't know why but you guys seeem to be gettin cut off from the total release or somethin??

Bucky are you torturing them? ;) cuz I see the whole thing, ch4-7 :confused:

Hey Bucky, I think a partial-post of section 3 got pasted OVER the old section 2...

Section 2 should be the chapter 3 submission I sent in about a week ago.

-John

great story! Is there more coming? I sure hope so.

Absolutely excellent story. Can't wait for the next part. Please

Very good. Can't wait for the next part, I just love Trip and T'Pol's bond. Ali D :~)

Question to Readers -

You all can see all the way through on Section 3 to the end of Chapter 7 right?? you can see the "Vulcan Supplement" ?

Ooooooooooooo! Me like! Especially the historical context, that was cool! More, please! :)

So thats how Sarek is related to T'pol,, Their cousin's. Loved this update John. I really like how your explainin the many use's of the Vulcan Bond,, ;) and hope their are other ways of usin it.

great story so far!! :) can't wait for the rest... and yes. I can see all the chapters thru #7 and supplement

Glad to hear everything's sorted out now.

btw something I forgot to add to the supplemental notes, i'm just gonna toss it in here cuz it's not a huge big deal...But since Solkar is sort of a unique character you can't visualize since he's not in the show, it may help to think of him as Unification-era Spock meets Star Trek IV - era Sarek. That's how I've visualized him in my mind as I write him.

John,
What's your source for the Vulcan words you're using in this story? I'm trying to find the correct spelling for some words I've only heard spoken in TOS for my latest fic. Thanks!

i love it cant wait for the next part so dont make us wait so long

"And amidst an empty Starship sickbay in the year 2154 of the Terran pre-Federation calendar, an event of unspeakable rarity occurred, an event witnessed by only a handful of individuals in the myriad trillions.

A Vulcan smiled."

Loved that.

Really enjoying the story, John. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more. :D

So, John, are you done with school for the summer yet? So we can expect updates very soon???

This is a great story and I'm thoroughly enjoying it!

Yeah done w/ school - just moved back into my rents house - in combination with moving SOME of my stuff to a new house in my college town *sigh* what a clusterf***.

yes updates should be coming soon, but i'm also working two jobs :( sooo...I'll do my best, but I'd say 3-4 days between updates ;D