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Like a Phoenix from the Fire - Part 4

Author - Aquila
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Season 3.5 - Summer Fan Fiction Challenge

Like a Phoenix from the Fire – Part 4

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 4

To become a Chief Engineer of a Warp 5 star ship the optimum requirement was “the ability to analyze objectively and dispassionately” according to Starfleet Regulations. Many a dispassionate and objective Starfleet engineer had asked over a pitcher of beer, well out of range of the brass, “If that be true, why was Trip Tucker the chief engineer when Enterprise left dry dock on her maiden voyage?”

Had they directed the question to newly promoted Commodore Jonathon Archer, hero of the Xindi war, he would have answered, “Because there isn’t a dispassionate bone in Trip Tucker’s body.”

Archer believed in the power of passion to fuel imagine and creativity, important qualities while Enterprise was light years from repair stations and supply depots. Ironically, thought T’Pol, as she recovered from the cleansing of the last traces of Trellium-D and excess hormones from her bloodstream, the quality that Archer admired most was the one that irritated her the minute she met Trip.

She recalled that Tucker’s passionate nature and incontrovertible engineering talent were a continual affront to her belief that Starfleet’s expectations, based on Vulcan standards, were indisputable. Indisputable until the continual pounding of circumstance eroded the shores of certainty. Irritation evolved into scientific curiosity, which expanded to include curiosity about the value of emotion in all aspects of human endeavour. My curiosity gathered momentum as I slid down that slippery slope until I spun out of control into the arms of Trip.

She sighed. Trip and time had proven Archer’s judgment to be sound and hers lacking.

--

“Excuse me, Admiral?”

There were not many Starfleet officers of Tucker’s or any other rank with the self-assurance to pop his head through the boss’s door and interrupt the business of managing Jupiter Station.

Spinoza completed an entry in his PADD before acknowledging Trip’s intrusion, “What can I do for you, Commander?”

“I need some leave, sir?” Trip had heard that Admiral Spinoza preferred a direct approach.

“You just got here, Tucker,” the Admiral said pointedly, circumnavigating his desk.

Trip nodded, “Yes sir, but something personal has come up that I have to care of immediately…sir.”

Spinoza rested his behind on the edge of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. He was puzzled. “Has there been a death in the family?” If there had he would chew his aide out for failing to alert him.

Trip ploughed ahead, “No sir, my family is well. And before you ask, Admiral, according to Starfleet I’m single with no dependents.”

Tucker’s odd and notorious domestic relationship was an open secret amongst Starfleet admirals. “Something has happened to T’Pol.”

Trip drew a breath, “Dr. Phlox informed me that she is undergoing an emergency procedure as we speak. He recommends that I be at her side during recovery.”

The subject of Tucker’s unofficial liaison with the Vulcan had occupied an inordinate amount of time at the last meeting of Starfleet admiralty. Spinoza had listened with interest, never imaging that he would be the first to deal with the awkward situation.

At the end of the discussion, Admiral Forrest had summed up their dilemma, “The Vulcan High Command can barely contain its displeasure that we gave T’Pol a commission. Our own politicians are disgruntled by the fact that a hero of the Expanse who is conducting a torrid affair with the first Vulcan to serve in Starfleet. Complicating even further an already complicated situation, the couple has requested that they be assigned to the same ship in direction contravention of Starfleet regulations. Yet if we do not grant their request, we lose two of the most experienced and knowledgeable deep space officers in the fleet.”

Admiral Forrest scanned the faces at the table. “Ladies and gentlemen, we must address this situation unanimously once we leave this room. Are you agreed that we will grant their assignment request on the conditions that they do not make their liaison official and that neither will be entitled to compassionate leave or any other of the privileges granted married officers?”

One after another the admirals nodded assent to a policy that saved face diplomatically but did not set a precedent that they would later come to regret.

“Columbia leaves dry dock at 16:00 for her first shakedown cruise,” the Admiral reminded the engineer. “Your orders are to be on that ship and remain with her until Captain Adams is satisfied she is space worthy.”

“Yes sir.” The engineer acknowledged.

“Request denied, Commander.” Spinoza enacted the unofficial policy shaped while Trip and T’Pol cavorted in the Scottish Highlands.

“Don’t even think of going AWOL, Commander or I’ll throw you in the brig myself.”

The look on the commander’s face turned the Admiral’s threat into action. “Corporal Dickens.”

The corporal stepped into the office and stood at attention.

“Corporal, escort Commander Tucker to Columbia’s brig.” The Admiral directed the second part of his command at Trip. “Lock him up. Give my compliments to Captain Adams with the order that the Commander is not to be released until Columbia is 24 hours out of dry dock.”

--

“Cleaning your blood is only the first step toward recovery,” explained Phlox to his listless patient.

T’Pol rested on a bed in the dimly lit recovery bay. Phlox had ordered that the physical and verbal stimulation be kept at a minimum in preparation for Phase 2 of the procedure.

“So you explained, Doctor.”

Phlox suppressed a hopeful smile. Her dry, passionless delivery was reminiscent of the woman he knew before they entered the Expanse.

--

Tucker seethed with anger. White knuckled he clung to the bars of Columbia’s brig. His forehead rested dejectedly on a cross rung. He was torn between loyalties, desperate for a compromise that would allow him to honour his commitment to Starfleet and to T’Pol.

--

For hours after his discovery that their liaison began during her self-imposed addiction to Trellium-D Trip had wrestled with the possibility that what he had interpreted as affection and desire was a chemical induced lowering of inhibition. Had he merely been a convenient body, willingly seduced to satisfy a seemingly insatiable curiosity?

“The first time – possibly,” Tucker had addressed the walls of his temporary Jupiter Station office.

“But the second time,” he asked himself beginning to pace the floor?

He ticked off his observations one by one on the fingers of his left hand. “She had already sampled the goods.” His mouth turned up in a wry grin of pride. “She was free from any perceived obligation to Enterprise or her people.” He stopped pacing for a moment as he considered his third point. When he began to move again, he boasted to the bulkheads, “I seduced her that second time.”

He sat down at the vid phone and punched in a code, “Starfleet Medical.”

“This is Commander Charles Tucker. May I please speak to Dr. Phlox?”

“One moment, sir,” replied the ensign, “I will put you right through.”

“Commander, I was just about to call you.” Phlox stepped away from the screen revealing an unconscious T’Pol on a biobed that was sliding into a device that Trip did not recognize.

“What’s goin’ on, Doc?”

“If you care for her Commander, I recommend that you be at her side in recovery.”

--

Captive and impotent, Trip released his grip on the bars of the brig and twirled to lean his spine against the cold metal. The memory of that conversation was so vivid that his heart rate rocketed. To calm himself he squeezed his fingernails into the palms of his hands until he drew blood.


End of Part 4


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Eight hardy souls have made comments

Bah. Just have him resign his commission. They'll have to take him back eventually. Bastards. No compassionate leave my ass. Why the hell not? Just because they don't approve of the relationship? That sounds awfully prejudicial and illegal to me...

It's okay Trip. It'll be okay.

Yeah, what she said!!!

Trip's a smart guy, he'll break out and get to his love in time. Right?!?!?!?

I can't believe that TPTB in Starfleet would be that mean-spirited and narrow-minded -- they deserve anything that happens! So . . . how does Trip get out of the brig and off Columbia? Will Archer intervene? Update soon please!

Stupid, stupid Starfleet brass! Silly Trip for not controlling his reaction. If he had, he might be at T'Pol's side right now. Who's gonna come get Trip out? Or, will T'Pol not be notified, and will that be the beginning of big problems (like the treatment isn't)? I'm just gonna sit tight and wait. Maybe Phlox will pull some stunt?

Ok, I know Trip can't breakout, he's a dedicated officer and all. But, his lady love needs him, how's he going to get to her. Oh, right he can't, he's locked up. Why'd she have to go through the treatment now anyway, didn't she know he was on duty and couldn't be there? I'm feeling this "hero of the expanse" thing has gone to their heads! What a dilemma. Great story though.

What bar-stewards and men-of-straw the PTB are! I find them lacking in integrity, morals and compassion. How vainglorious of them to pay lip service to Trip and T'Pol by *letting* them both serve on Columbia then refusing to allow them any time together when it is most needed. Spiteful is too kind a word. I think we should go tittle tattle to Archer and have Trip broken out of gaol and all those smug senior officers sent off to some far away penal colony where they can think about the important things in life like rewarding loyalty and excellence and what it is to BE Human. Can't wait for the next part, rant over. Ali D :~)

Resigning his commission sounds like a good idea. However, I can't see him doing that, or breaking out for that matter. I dunno maybe he will do one or the other. Starfleets decision to not allow compassionate leave... just plain cruel (who are they to judge). You're really putting up alot of obstacles for them. I have faith Trip & T'Pol will succeed. They are aren't they?