Like a Phoenix from the Fire – Part 3

Season 3.5 - Summer Fan Fiction Challenge

Like a Phoenix from the Fire – Part 3

by Aquila

Category of the plot summary from the list below – Plot #10

Rating: R
Genre: Angst

Disclaimer: All things Trek, even Enterprise – the prequel, are Paramount’s – my passion for Trip and T’Pol, well that’s mine.

A short summary statement:
Although there are spoilers this story assumes that the season three cliff-hanger never occurred. T'Pol discovers the damage done by the Trellium D can be reversed. She decides to go through with the treatment, knowing she may lose access to the emotions she has unleashed, and that she may have to suppress her new emotions permanently as she has to do with all her emotions. What happens to her relationship with Trip? How does this change her views of herself?

******

Part 3

Starfleet medical was housed in a multi-storey building on the Academy campus a short shuttle ride from downtown San Francisco. Before entering the building T’Pol paused spontaneously to gaze upward for a moment, where she caught Phlox waving from a window on the second floor. She waved back. She was too far away to see the shock on Phlox’s face but she felt her own and dragged her arm down in self-disgust.

--

Phlox with his arms open wide greeted T’Pol with a hug, which she readily accepted.

“There is no need for subterfuge, Doctor,” admitted T’Pol, “One of the manifestations of my condition is that I can tolerate the touch of those for whom I have a fondness. As you have deduced my condition has not reversed itself naturally.”

“And I thought you were here for your Starfleet medical exam?” returned the doctor hiding his concern behind a broad smile.

Sunlight illuminated the face of T’Pol where she sat on the practical if not comfortable sofa pushed against the wall opposite the window. Her complexion was pale. Dark circles under her eyes stood out in sharp contrast. Her hands clutched at her Starfleet uniform.

Phlox sat beside her. For a long moment they merely looked at one another.

“Congratulations, Starfleet has gained a fine officer.” The pleasantries fulfilled, Phlox questioned her. “I informed you of the procedure more than four weeks ago. Why did you take so long to respond? May I remind you that delay prolongs the recovery period.”

Still agitated, T’Pol rose to pace the room with her hands behind her back. Phlox waited letting her choose her words and observing her uncharacteristic behaviour.

“I was consummating a partnership with Commander Tucker.” She stopped to face Phlox. “He has an extraordinary capacity for emotion.” It was as much a question as it was an observation.

“He loves you,” Phlox stood, “In human beings, love is elastic. It expands when it is shared willingly and freely. It is capable of absorbing pain, soothing anxiety, inspiring courage or steadfast loyalty. For Humans love has the power to destroy and the capacity to forgive. ”

T’Pol nodded, “While we were away he absorbed my excess emotions. I regained control in his presence.” She sat on the sofa again.

“As a scientist you know that the phenomenon humans call love is in many ways similar to an addiction?” Phlox compared her evident restlessness with the memory of the still being he first encountered on Enterprise. “How long have you been apart from the Commander?”

“Six days, 5 hours and twenty-three,” While her hands trembled and a muscle at the corner of her mouth twitched, T’Pol looked at the chronometer on the wall to her right, “No, twenty-four minutes.”

“Did you discuss the procedure and its possible consequences with him before his absence?”

“No,” was delivered in a tight, low voice.

Phlox picked up a scanner that had rested on the low table in front of the sofa. T’Pol listened disinterestedly to the familiar sound of biological data being gathered and analyzed.

“Phlox,” here eyes were damp with tears, “I am…adrift.”

Phlox passed the completed scan to his patient.

T’Pol looked up from the readings. “I have substituted one addiction for another.”

“The absence of Commander Tucker has triggered another bout of withdrawal symptoms.”

--

On Jupiter Station half a dozen of Starfleet’s up and coming engineers formed a semicircle around the legendary Chief Engineer of the NX-01, who was crouched in front of an open access panel explaining the modifications that he and his team had made.

“And that gave us a 3.5% increase in efficiency,” he said rising to face them, “Any questions?”

Genero was inevitably the first to speak. Trip had begun to think the young woman’s eagerness was driven by an ambition to be hand-picked for his next engineering crew.

“Commander Tucker,” she began respectfully, “What inspired you to consider that option?”

“Not what, lieutenant. Who?” Trip waited for their surprise to dissipate before continuing, “Sub-commander T’Pol was a frequent sounding board when we were developing new engineering ideas. She brought a scientist’s scepticism to any debate and Vulcan knowledge of quantum physics that my team and I came to rely on.”

Davidson spoke for them all when he observed, “Having a Vulcan science officer on board is something most of us will never experience at any time in our careers.”

“At least in the foreseeable future, I grant you,” said Trip moving toward the next access panel, with his flock of chicks following behind, “But you will have a science officer, an experienced captain and more than likely a tactical officer with an understanding of certain aspects of physics that usually results in large bangs.” The flock chuckled. “Use the resources at hand. Collaborate and consult. Don’t let your departmental pride get in the way of a solution, not when you are light years from a repair station.”

At the next access panel, Genero did not wait for a prompt for questions, “What’s it like working with a Vulcan, sir?”

The twenty-million credit question, thought Trip. From the Highlands of Scotland to the halls of Jupiter Station his relationship with T’Pol provoked intense curiosity. He admired the lieutenant’s timing and the indirect way of asking how he became T’Pol’s lover. Genero would not lose her commission, at least not yet.

Trip let his eyes rove over the group, “Three things that might surprise you about Vulcans. Behind the inscrutable reserve a sense of humour lurks. Some are capable of self-sacrifice, even in the face of overwhelming logic. And some are capable of deep loyalty if you gain their trust.”

As his apprentices returned his gaze with scepticism, he felt as if a fog had lifted. With blinding clarity he understood that he had not described the attributes of a species, but rather an individual. An individual he had forgotten existed. Where had that woman gone? Who was the wanton, insatiable, volatile female she had left in her place?

“Excuse me, Ladies and Gentlemen,” Trip was on the move, “I have just remembered some unfinished business.”

--

Phlox leaned over the biobed to smooth a wrinkle in the sheet that covered his patient. His hand lingered longer than was appropriate perhaps, but this patient was a cherished friend and respected colleague. He hoped she found his touch reassuring.

“Are you sure you do not want to discuss this with Commander Tucker?”

T’Pol drew on the last remnants of her control, “If the procedure fails I do not want him to blame himself for the results. This must be my decision and mine alone.”

Phlox placed a hypospray unit against her neck and pushed the button. Within seconds of the hiss that was emitted she was unconscious.

--

Trip was frantic. The nurse he had reached by vid phone at Starfleet Medical had told him that Phlox was unavailable for consultation as he was performing a delicate procedure on a patient. She had refused to tell him the name of the patient, but Trip was certain he knew.

When he and T’Pol had communicated the night before, she had told him that she had a morning appointment with Phlox for a physical examination. Standard Starfleet protocol she had assured him.

“Standard my ass,” he ranted at the vid screen, “T’Pol, what have you been hiding from me?”

His security clearance allowed him access to all but the most sensitive files. He punched in his query.

“Son of a bitch,” he exclaimed when access denied appeared on the monitor. “T’Pol, what the hell were you doing in that lifetime before we met?”

He began a frenzied punching of keys. Each time the access denied window appeared he swore, but he kept trying, again and again.

“Yes,” his fist shot up in victory.

Rapidly he scrolled through the file, searching for her most recent medical logs. He was distracted momentarily by the word lover that caught his eye. He memorized the name and spelling for future reference then recommenced scrolling.

“No, no, no….” He held his head in his hands and wept. “Baby…not Trellium-D...,” he noticed the dates, “You never really loved me, did you?”

End of Part 3

Continue to Part 4

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Nine of you have made comments

Oh... yes she did! She does! Trip, don't be sad!

I wonder what procedure she's undergoing. Probably for Pa'Nar right? She better be okay. Poor Trip.

Ah, no, no, no. Don´t leave us there!!! And could someone please smack Trip over his head for this statement?!

Please, hurry and post some more!!

Wow, great addition!! *Gulp*... I think that rollercoaster has just reached the top, and is heading... AAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Argh! This is heart breaking! :(
Aquila, you are a master of manipulating empotions! Love it!

No Trip, don't fall into the trap of self doubt she loves you, she LOVES you! Please write faster, I have to know what happens next... Very good story, Ali D :~)

Oh, no . . . the angst begins! Will T'Pol still be able to access (and act on) her feelings for Trip after she undergoes the procedure? And will Trip believe her if she does? Or was it just the Tellium-D? I really didn't think you could get so much out of that plot summary! Please hurry with the next chapter.

Here it comes! Brace for impact!
Oooo, I can't wait.

Just started reading this fic and already I want an update. I'm really enjoying this fic. Your style is very unique and my heart is beaking for Trip.