Seek First...- Pt. 9

Seek First to Understand

Part Nine

by Aquila

Rating: R
Category: Angst
Disclaimer: Thank you Berman and Braga for creating Trip Tucker. Thank you Connor Trinneer for giving him life. Paramount do you own their souls too?
Summary: Spoilers, Alternate Universe, The effect of the Expanse on Trip, T’Pol and their professional relationship. Part Nine is told from T’Pol’s point of view.

==

I am ravenous. Moments from probable extinction I hunger for his invasion. His invitation unleashed a torrent of desire. I am aflame. The internal temperature controls of the EV suit cannot cope with the heat my body produces. The helmet fogs up. I am blind to everything, but my need to touch and be touched. I reach to reactive the shuttlepod’s life support system and the communication board flashes. Enterprise.

“Commander, we have received an Alpha bulletin.”

He turns and erupts, “Jiminy T’Pol, is your EV suit malfunctionin’?” He frantically taps in the life support sequence. He does not accept my attempts to reassure him that I am in no danger.

“Play that message,” he orders, “While I get this helmet off ya. The air in here isn’t perfect, but it’ll meet the needs of a Vulcan respiratory system.”

I feel instant relief when the cold air of the shuttle surrounds my head.

As I push play I mouth “Thank you, Commander.”

We hear Hoshi’s voice again, “Priority Alpha One Niner Niner. For your ears and eyes only. Do not reply. Maintain communication silence.”

Commander Tucker glances quickly at the life support read out. Satisfied that the levels are safe, he removes his EV helmet.

Captain Archer’s face materializes, “Message received. Repairs have been successfully concluded. We are reviewing your plan. Do not implement until you receive the order to engage from me. I repeat do not implement. Mission is delayed. Archer out.”

We look at each other. He is grinning broadly. Hope radiates from his face. Underlying it is justifiable pride in his plan and the acceptance of it by the man he admires above all others. Impulsively he hugs me, then he lets go.

“That delay gives me time to take a look at the suit.”

He begins to assist me to remove it. His actions are innocent. He is the engineer ensuring my equipment is operating optimally. His hands push the suit from my shoulders. I am within the arc of his arms. Our eyes lock.

“Don’t stop there, Charles,” I whisper as I reach to release him from his suit.

He is puzzled, but only for a moment. As I claw at his suit, he brings his hands up to rest on my cheeks. He pulls me to him, never breaking eye contact.

When we are a breath apart he whispers, “Are you hungry, T’Pol?”

I devour him.

==

“Not this way. Not like this. T’Pol, slow down.” He tries to break out of my embrace. “I’m trying to do the honourable thing here, T’Pol, help me out, please.”

I release him.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He places a kiss on my forehead. “You’re burning up.”

He collects the scanner from the deck where it has fallen and points it at me.

“T’Pol, your hormone levels are over the top.” He looks at me with regret. “I haven’t changed my mind. I won’t to be a solution to an Expanse induced hormone imbalance. When I know you want me, because ya can’t imagine your life without me, then I’ll satisfy any appetite you have.”

“Archer to T’Pol.” The captain’s hail saves me from further humiliation.

“T’Pol here, Captain.”

“We’ll be forward of the target in six minutes from my mark…MARK. Make your approach at the seven minute mark. Run silent. God speed. Archer out.”

We begin to dress. Success is impossible without the EV suits. They are easier to don with assistance. We take turns fastening and securing each other’s hardware and connections. The silence is uncomfortable. I have not felt this awkward in his presence since our introduction.

He secures the last item on my suit, surprising me as he takes hold of my shoulders and pulls me toward him. Our helmets touch. He insists on eye contact.

His artificially transmitted voice engulfs my head, “T’Pol if we survive this, I can’t promise you happily ever after. I can promise a genuine desire to explore the possibilities between us. If you want that too, you will have to communicate that to me. No metaphors. No subtleties, no inscrutable feminine hints. Straight up. Directly, in the Vulcan manner.”

He squeezes my shoulders, “Safe home, T’Pol.”

I am moved beyond words.

==

At the seven minute mark

“There’s a breach amidships and aft.” His eye sight confirms my readings.

“Both breaches have been depressurized and the bulkheads sealed.” I report.

“Is there anyway to tell which one is closest to the armoury? And which one has the fewer number of guards?”

I have been working on the answers, before they are asked. I am doing my job. He is doing his. Together we are stronger, more efficient, and thorough. Together we have a chance of survival.

“The amidships breach is closest to the armoury.”

“Which means that aft breach has fewer guards.”

“Both breaches are large enough for the shuttle.” I do not bother to confirm his conjecture.

“What do you think about taking the scenic route?” He continues to monitor the flight panel, while he awaits my answer.

“The scenic route, without the commentary, please.”

He laughs. “Aye, aye, Sub-commander. Aft it is.”

End of Part Nine.

Continue to Part 10

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