Three Months Later

Three Months Later

PART ONE

By Aquila

Timeline: After Expanse, before Season Three – Alternate Universe - SPOILERS
Rating: R
Summary: T’Pol has submitted her report to Starfleet, eliminating the issue of conflict of interest that interrupted her developing relationship with the Chief Engineer of Enterprise.

==

The tension had mounted daily during the five weeks they had been searching the Delphic Expanse for the Xin’di home world. More and more members of the crew were visiting sick bay asking for sleeping aids and remedies for anxiety. The situation was reaching epidemic proportions. He had to inform the Captain.

“Sick bay to the bridge.” Phlox used the comm unit in his office. He did not want his lab assistants to overhear his conversation.

“Sato here, Doctor. What can I do for you.”

“Would you ask the Captain to visit sick bay when he has a moment. A situation has developed that needs his attention.”

“He is in a meeting with T’Pol and Commander Tucker. As soon as the meeting is adjourned, I will inform him of your request.”

“Thank you, Ensign. Phlox out.”

==

“Parry. Feint. Side step. Fall back. Thrust. Parry. Feint.”

The Colonel in charge of the elite fighting force that had been assigned to Enterprise took his troops through another drill. He was apprehensive. Training had become monotonous. His people were bored. They were losing their edge.

==

Ensign Mayweather was doubled over, his hands on his knees. His chest heaved as sweat poured from his brow. He had lapped his running mate about ten circuits ago. He began his cool down routine, while he waited for his buddy to materialize. This wasn’t fun any more.

==

The faces of the Captain and Chief Engineer showed signs of stress. Their mouths were drawn and tight. Their complexions were pasty. If she had a fanciful bent, T’Pol would have said their eyes had a haunted look. Their new mission was taking a toll and they had yet to encounter the enemy.

“T’Pol resigned her commission when she remained on board.” Archer reminded Tucker.

“We’re glad she did, Captain. But that makes an already muddy situation, as dark as the Delphic Expanse.” Trip’s attempt to lighten his friend’s mood failed.

Archer rose from his seat to pace the limited deck space of the ready room. “Precisely, Commander.”

Trip frowned. The use of his rank was not a good sign.

“Before we left, did Admiral Forrest give you any instructions about my situation, Sir?”

“Yes, but his instructions did not take into account the possibility that T’Pol would choose Enterprise over the High Command.” Archer turned to look at his two senior officers. “I’m going to have to fly this one by the seat of my pants.”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow, which Tucker interpreted as a request for clarification of the idiom.

“Fixed wing pilot talk, back in the days before instruments and canopies,” he supplied.

“You are going to write your own rules of conduct, Captain?” T’Pol concluded.

“Exactly.”

The Chief Engineer stood at attention. “I’m sure whatever you decide will be best for Enterprise and our mission, Sir.”

“Dismissed, Commander.” Archer held up a hand in T’Pol’s direction. “Please stay, T’Pol.”

She nodded her ascent as the ready room door whooshed open to permit Trip to exit.

==

Malcolm Reed stood on a catwalk above the cargo bay that had been converted into an exercise room for the Marines. He was ambivalent about their presence. On the one hand they offered great security should Enterprise confront hostile forces. On the other, their mission parameters overlapped his area of responsibility creating a fuzzy chain of command that made him uncomfortable.

==

Hoshi turned when she heard the ready room door. She opened her mouth to call to the Captain, only to see Commander Tucker emerge alone. He was frowning. She could not remember the last time she had seen him smile. It must have been before he learned that his sister had been one of the victim’s of the unprovoked attack on earth by the Xin’di. Whatever had transpired in the meeting, it had not erased the frown.

==

“We’ve been dancing around one of consequences of your decision, T’Pol.”

Archer swung a chair around to face hers. He sat, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped. Fruitlessly he looked into her eyes.

“What rank and position in the chain of command should I hold.” T’Pol stated the problem succinctly as she always did.

“I can give you a field commission in Starfleet, if you want it. My order may be rescinded when we return to Earth, but it would make it less confusing for the crew.” Archer waited for her comment.

“The idea has some merit.” T’Pol then asked the question that went to the crux of the matter. “If you give me the rank of Commander, according to Starfleet regulations, Commander Tucker will be the senior officer, as he has held his commission longer than I.”

“The regulations do not give me the power to assign a rank higher than Commander.” Archer knew he did not have to remind her, but felt it was imperative that the issue needed to be aired.

“Are you reluctant to have Commander Tucker second in command?”

It was inappropriate to ask, but she was no longer an observer for Vulcan High Command and they were 12 weeks from Earth in uncharted space.

Archer stiffened. “Are you asking would I prefer you as First Officer?”

“No,” it was T’Pol’s turn to stiffen, “I am merely asking if you are reluctant to have Commander Tucker act as your First Officer.”

“In any other situation, I would not hesitate,” the Captain admitted, hoping she would not press him for an explanation.

“Do you believe his grief over the loss of his sister would impair his judgment, making him an unsuitable candidate for the position?”

Archer had the grace to look uncomfortable. T’Pol’s question had shown surprising insight.

“If you believe that Captain, then you doubt the veracity of the report, which I presented earlier today. In my opinion, Commander Tucker should no longer be confined to the ship and has earned the right to participate in away missions. He has shown remorse. I believe he would not repeat the mistake he made with the Vissian Cogenitor.”

“Are you telling me that you believe his ‘grief’ would not interfere with his duties as First Officer?” Archer challenged.

“His grief would ensure that should you be lost or incapacitated in any way he would carry out the mission to the best of his ability.”

“Do you want the First Officer’s position?” Archer sighed. “This is not the time to be evasive, T’Pol.”

“If you were to offer me the position, I would accept, but only if Commander Tucker supported your choice.”

“Thank you for a candid answer.” Archer ran a hand through his hair. “I need to reflect. Dismissed.”

==

“He doesn’t trust me.” Trip twisted his neck as if he were trying to relax a knotted muscle.

“It is your judgment he does not trust.”

T’Pol and Tucker were sitting cross-legged on pillows, facing each other. They were in T’Pol’s quarters. They had not been alone together for three months, yet the Vulcan was not surprised to find the Chief Engineer waiting for her. He had spread the blanket and arranged the pillows as if he were planning to meditate with her. That had surprised her.

“Do you trust my judgment?” Trip waited for an answer, hoping that her habit of truthfulness had prevailed in her report.

T’Pol changed position, moving to kneel behind the human. She began to massage the back of his neck. Her powerful fingers kneaded and pushed his tight muscles. She found the kink that had caused him to stretch his neck. He yelped in pain, but let her work to loosen the knot.

“I trust that you will not let go of your anger and desire for revenge.” T’Pol continued the massage, working down his spine. “I trust that you will put yourself in grave danger to avenge your sister’s death.”

Trip tried to turn. He wanted to see her face. She restrained him, then whispered in his ear, “Undo your uniform and lie face down.”

He did as instructed, peeling the top portion of his uniform from his arms and torso. He arranged the pillows so that he could lie face down on them. He bent his arms, knitting his fingers together to make a headrest. As soon as he was comfortable, T’Pol straddled his back. She rested her bottom on his, with her legs folded on either side of his body. With her hands she began to massage the small of his back, working her way up his spine to the nape of his neck.

“If you had to make a choice between revenge and the success of the mission, I trust you to complete the mission.” He moaned when she reached a particularly sensitive spot between his shoulder blades.

“But Charles, it matters not if I trust your judgment or the Captain trusts your judgment.” T’Pol felt his muscles tense as he waited for her to continue. “Charles, what matters is whether you trust yourself to perform the duties of First Officer to the best of your ability.”

Trip took advantage of her momentary distraction to roll over. She settled her buttocks on his abdomen. Her fingers trailed over his skin, leaving shivers in their wake. He captured her hands in his.

“If I outrank you, then the no-fraternization rule applies. We could not pursue an intimate relationship” He reminded her.

“If I assume the duties of First Officer without rank and obligation to Starfleet, then the rule no longer applies to us. I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with the lower ranks.” She assured him.

“Jon wants you.” Trip had pulled her down so that his breath tickled her right ear.

“He wants something he cannot have,” she whispered against his cheek.

End Part One

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

Continue to Part 2

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Seven people have made comments

true true t'pol, somethin' he can't ever have or get close to. keep writin' i like.
artemis moonshine

That's right girl! Now go tell Archer he can't have you. I like this, and it takes so much into consideration. keep it coming.

Oh this is brilliant, so much bubbling under the surface and that's before you take into account Trip and T'Pol... Shiver. This is so good and I am holding my breath waiting for the next part. Brilliant! Keep going and a million thanks for an excellent story, Ali D :~)

WOW!
I liked that!
And I agree, it's good that she said that Archer couldn't have her.
I've only seen the beginning of the first season, so it's a huge risk I'm taking (spoilers, you know), but tell me: Has there been some kind of relationship between either T'Pol-Archer or T'Pol-Trip?

YOWZA!!!! more and soon. I really am enjoying your series and this one is... one of the best to date!

Oh, I'm liking this, very much.

The chemistry between Trip and T'Pol is SIZZLING!

I just wish TPTB would give us WHAT WE ALL WANT.

In the meantime, we have to rely on really good fanfiction, such as this.

Thanks for posting, and I look forward to the next part.

Oooooo! This is getting really good. Great story line. I knew Jon wants her too!!

More, please!!!