Bumps in the Road - Ch 2

Bumps in the Road

By: Angela Koerkel

Rated: PG
Genre: Angsty
Disclaimers: The usual, I still don’t own Star Trek and I’m still not making any money off of this.
Spoilers: ‘Home’ , maybe leading a bit into the VCW area
Synopsis: Trip and T’Pol, and that’s all I’m gonna say.

Notes: This is the continuation of the ‘Aftermath’ and ‘Road to Recovery’ series. As always, thanks so much for reading and responding. Please continue to give feedback as it motivates the muse much more effectively than idle threats of “If I don’t write, I’ll have to do housework!”

More Notes: I’m trying desperately to keep this in canon, but I’m not sure what is going to come about with the VCW, so at some point, I’m going to veer off and head into totally AU. Just a head’s up!

CHAPTER TWO

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“What the hell do ya’ want?”

“It is agreeable to see you again, as well, Commander,” Koss responded.

Trip dragged a hand over his haggard features, discharging a heavy sigh in the process. “Look, it’s been kinda a long day, and it’s probably goin’ ta be a long night. I’m not exactly in the mood for Vulcan sarcasm.”

“Very well, then, Commander,” Koss answered. He placed his folded hands on the plain tabletop in front of him. “You must help me convince T’Pol to return home.”

The human’s empty laughter echoed throughout the space of his quarters. “Why on Earth would I want to do that?” he finally managed between guffaws.

Koss tilted his head to the side. “What does Earth have to do with it? I was referring to ‘her’ home, Vulcan.”

That brought the engineer up short. “First of all, it’s jus’ a damn figure of speech. Secondly, T’Pol is home, on Enterprise.”

“Commander, I did not contact you simply to argue over T’Pol. We must ensure her return to Vulcan.”

“Once again, why should I do that?” he didn’t bother to hide his exasperation any longer.

“The reasons are of a private Vulcan nature and do not concern off-worlders.” He moved his hand in a dismissive fashion, a single quick horizontal stroke.

Trip squished up his face and stared hard at T’Pol’s husband. “If the reasons are not my concern, then it’s also not my job to convince her of anything. Good day, Koss.” He moved his hand as if to break the connection, but paused at the other man’s plea.

“If you love her, as I believe you do, you will assist me.” It was a powerful message, even if spoken in a sterile voice, devoid of emotion.

“All right, ya’ve got my attention. But if ya want my help, I’m gonna need more information.” Tucker watched the internal debate flutter across the Vulcan’s face as he weighed his options.

At last, Koss came to a decision. “I have been in touch with T’Pol several times over the past week in an attempt to recruit her home, however she has been unresponsive.” He paused a moment. “There are divided factions on Vulcan and the division is growing more sharply every day. We are facing a time of political turmoil and her presence is required, both as my wife and in service to her government.”

“Why? What is she supposed to do about it? She hasn’t even lived on Vulcan for years!”

Koss almost sighed at the human’s persistence. “I am aware of that, Commander. My family is very powerful within the Vulcan Ministry, however my wife’s absence makes us appear to be divided within our own house and this has fueled the fires of dissension.” He considered stopping there, but finally continued. “Also, her past career in espionage will make her a strong asset to us.”

Trip considered all of this for a moment. T’Pol had told him of her past during one of their long neuropressure sessions and Koss almost looked disappointed that it hadn’t come as a shock to the engineer. In fact, Tucker pondered telling Koss how he had learned of her former career, ‘Ya’ know, she mentioned that whole espionage thin’ one time durin’ neuropressure. She had her top off and I was applyin’ pressure to all the right places, when she started talkin’ about the past…’ In the end, he just smiled inwardly at the memory and let it go. “I still don’t see why I’d want to go along with this.”

“Because it will only hurt her if Vulcan is torn apart from within. And, her Mother will suffer in a much more tangible fashion.” Again he paused. “T’Les is involved with the insurgent group. I am hopeful that T’Pol’s return will help persuade T’Les from this foolish avenue.”

Reluctantly, Tucker had to admit that Koss was probably right. Hanging his head, one hand pulling through his hair, he said, “I’ll talk to her.”

Nodding his acceptance, Koss responded with the Vulcan salute. “Thank you, Commander.”

As the screen went blank, Trip said to himself, ‘Don’t thank me yet! T’Pol’s gonna be pissed!’

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The lights in the Mess Hall were already dimmed and the opening credits of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” were rolling when Trip walked in. He found Amanda in the darkened room and quickly took the empty seat next to her. “Sorry I’m late,” he whispered as Gandolf appeared on the screen.

“It’s okay, we’ll talk later.” She offered him some popcorn, which he grabbed by the handful since he hadn’t eaten dinner. Then, they sat back and watched as Middle Earth came alive once more.

Several hours later, when the lights came up again, Tucker stood and stretched the kinks out of his back, like most of the other viewers. “Damn. I forgot how long that movie was. I can’t believe I sat still for over three hours!”

Laughing, Amanda also rose. “Maybe you should schedule a neuropressure session,” she paused before adding, “or maybe I should just give you a good old-fashioned massage.”

Just then, Trip noticed T’Pol sitting a few rows ahead of them. While the comment was soft, he had no doubt that she had heard every word. He mentally cringed at the thought before responding to his companion, “Actually, I think I’ll just get a hot shower and hit the sack.” He wiped his butter-covered fingers on a napkin and continued, “Sorry I wasn’t better company tonight; I really oughta go now.”

“Are you sure?” The disappointment rang through loud and clear in the pretty woman’s tone. “I was thinking we could get some coffee, maybe talk for a while.”

Although Trip needed to be able to talk to somebody, he realized now that Amanda wasn’t who he wanted to share with. He offered her a small smile and answered, “Yeah, I’m sure, Amanda. This was nice and all, but I’m really not lookin’ for anythin’ other than an occasional movie buddy right now.”

She nodded casually. “Okay, Trip, I understand. Maybe another movie sometime? No strings attached,” she said lightly, clearly meaning it.

“Yeah, sure. Listen, I’ll see ya’ ‘round, okay?”

“Good night, Florida,” she called as she headed for the door. Trip turned to see T’Pol still sitting in her seat. He drew a heavy breath before approaching her. As he made his way around the chairs towards her, he realized that they were the only two people left in the Mess Hall. “Hey, T’Pol,” he said as he came around in front of her. “Did ya’ enjoy the movie?”

“I found it to be a fascinating tale. I am looking forward to seeing the remaining films of the trilogy.” She looked up at him for the first time. “How was your date?”

“You are the most frustratin’ woman, T’Pol of Vulcan! I know ya’ heard every word we said. Ya’ know perfectly well that it wasn’t a date.” Suddenly remembering his conversation with Koss earlier in the evening, he was likewise reminded that she was married. “And besides, even if it was a date, what’s wrong with that? Why shouldn’t I have a date?”

Standing, T’Pol moved toward the doors with Tucker at her heels. “There is no logical reason why you should not have a date, Commander.”

Such a simple statement, but it stung them both like ice. He reached out and tenderly grasped her upper arm, forcing her to stop and turn to face him. “No, only an emotional one,” he said softly to her. He paused as her gaze met his. “Listen, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get so defensive. Sometimes I’m still not sure where ‘we’ stand or how to handle things.”

“You’re apology is accepted. I, too, am sorry. My rebuttal was unnecessarily cruel. You did not ask to be placed in our current circumstance.” They stood for a moment before he dropped his hand.

“Actually, I need to talk to ya’ about this situation.” They resumed walking down the corridors. “I got a very interestin’ communication from your husband tonight, before the movie.”

She stopped dead and stared intensely at him. Through gritted teeth she inquired, “Why did Koss contact you?”

Trip also stopped and answered, “It seems that he thinks it would be logical of ya’ to return to Vulcan now and he wanted me to help convince ya’ of that.”

“Is that so? Well, you may inform my ‘husband’ that I will return to Vulcan at our previously agreed upon time, and not before.” She turned to go, but stopped again at the sound of Tucker’s voice.

“What about yer Mom? He said that she’s all mixed up in this upheaval and that she could end up in a lot of trouble over it.”

Again, her anger was barely restrained. “He told you of the political instability on Vulcan?”

“He didn’t have a choice, I refused to help him without knowin’ why.”

“My Mother’s decisions are her own and I can neither fault her for them nor save her from them. I will not, can not, go back there now.” Her tone was steady now, not the slightest inflection of emotion was revealed.

Tucker nodded. “All right, then, but what about yer world. Don’t ya’ think ya’ should help if ya’ can?”

“You, Commander, are the last person I would have expected to try to talk me into this.”

“Ironic, eh?” He moved closer to her until they were mere inches apart. Softly he said, “T’Pol, I don’t want to see ya’ regret this decision later. If Vulcan is ripped up from the inside, I’m afraid of what it’d do to ya’. I…care too much for ya’ to stand by and let that happen if there’s a chance ya’ could help.”

She tilted her head at him in query. “So, you want me to go to Vulcan, to be with Koss, because if I don’t and the government is overthrown you are concerned for my well-being after the fact?”

A small smile pulled at his lips. “Yep, although I’m not so sure I woulda used the phrase ‘be with Koss’.”

“Commander, that is most illogical.”

Now a bigger smile shone through. “What can I say? I’m only human.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Let me get this straight,” Archer said as he came around to the front of his ready room desk. “We’ve been out of space dock for less than a month and now you want to go back to Vulcan for indefinite leave?”

T’Pol stared straight ahead, hands clasped tightly behind her. “That is correct, sir.”

“And you can’t tell me why?” Now Archer was pacing the length of the small office.

“That is also correct, sir.” Still no movement from her.

Sighing, the Captain leaned one hip against the edge of the desk. “Does this have anything to do with Trip?”

“Sir?” This time she did move; her head turned to face the Captain and one eyebrow rose sharply.

“Is Commander Tucker or your relationship with him in any way responsible for this decision?”

Again she turned to face front, staring literally into space. “If I refuse to answer that, sir?”

Another deep sigh, this one of exasperation. “Consider it an order, Commander.”

“Then, yes, my relationship with Commander Tucker is responsible for this request.”

“Dammit! I knew it! What the hell happened between you two?” He didn’t really expect an answer from her on that one and she didn’t disappoint him.

When she looked at him this time, he registered the sadness that floated over her face briefly as she continued. “You misunderstand, Captain. My relationship with Commander Tucker is responsible for this request because I revere his friendship and he has encouraged me to seek this leave for personal reasons. Without his council, I would not be here.”

Stunned into silence, the Captain moved back to his chair on the far side of the desk. The multi-layered meanings of her words sinking in, he nodded. “All right, T’Pol. I’m granting you personal leave for an unspecified duration.”

Meeting his gaze, she tilted her head in acknowledgement. “Thank you, sir. I intend to return as quickly as possible.

“See that you do. Dismissed.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

End Chapter Two

Notes: Funny how this was supposed to be a short, one shot deal (see ‘Aftermath’), and now I’m working on Chapter Three of the third installment. How I let you people rope me into these things, I’ll never know!

Chapter 3

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Trip is just great, isn't he, - next one,please and thank you for your wonderful stories.

Hanging in here for chapter 3!

These stories write themselves, don't they.

Looking forward to MORE!

snif. *wipes tear* I'll bet any money that this fic ends up way better than the actual show - showing them up with just how well it COULd have been done.

I LOVE Koss calling Trip to help him with T'Pol.

sniff sniff.

It never stops at just one! Not when they're this good! I gotta say I know you're going into AU territory, but I'll stay along for the ride. This is really, really great so far. Completely within canon at this point, that's what makes it so interesting and intriguing. If only the show's writers were this good! But then I guess none of us would be here...:-)

This is such a great story.

I'm looking forward to the next part!

Looking good! This is great!

Maybe you should 'blame' yourself for having started such a good story. ;)

u "let us rope u into it" bc u looooooove us very much. please- continue loving us for a very long time.

u "let us rope u into it" bc u looooooove us very much. please- continue loving us for a very long time.

You do it because you know we love this story! ;) It would be very cruel to with hold a good story!

If you don't write more, you'll have to do housework.... **grin** Brilliant story! I can only find one fault so far, and it's a very serious one....you've stopped! I'm hoping you'll fix that in the next chapter.

Quote: "How I let you people rope me into these things, I’ll never know!"

Pffhtt! That's easy you have a willing audience :-)Great story, looking forward to the next chapter!

Great chapter!
Awww... that sneaky Koss...
Trip could volunteer to go with T'Pol...
MORE PLEASE!!!

This is weird, but I actually like the "new relationship". They're suddenly having all of these deep, meaningful conversations that they couldn't have before, and there's just enough UST and angst to keep things interesting! I only want this for a while, mind you! Eventually I want them together. Great story. (And thanks for not letting that hussy Amanda get her hooks into Trip.)

tracy steps back and eyes her length of rope, nope not long or strong enough must keep working! want to continue to rope the writer into much much much more of this incredibly enjoyable story.

That was weird Koss enlisting Trip's help to get T'Pol to return to Vulcan but it was very well handled and I liked that so much. I thought the Captain was out of line jumping to conclusions like that and ordering T'Pol to tell him what he wanted to know, would have thought he would have moderated his stance somewhat after all they have been through. Can't wait to see what happens next. Ali D :~)