Out of the Mouths of Engineers: ABC Challenge: A

Trip and T’Pol’s Alphabet Challenge: A

Out of the Mouths of Engineers

By Bether6074

Rating: G
Genre: ABC challenge
Disclaimer: Enterprise belongs to Paramount.
Summary: This is a little piece written for “A” and takes place during “Affliction”. The white space scene from T’Pol’s POV.
A/N: Thanks to Distracted for her beta-ing help. I intend to add to this little scene with another scene addition written during “Bound” since B is up next.

T’Pol knelt down on the floor and closed her eyes. She wondered if meditation could put
a halt to the nearly constant replaying of Trip’s words in her mind. It seemed rather unusual for him to say something so deliberately unpleasant, least of all to her. Or so she thought.

During her time living amongst humans while serving on Enterprise, T’Pol had discovered that human behavior was frequently illogical. She’d noticed that humans often spoke words which they did not mean as a form of self-protection. Emotions clouded both their judgment and their ability to deal honestly with many issues. This made the true motivations for certain human behaviors and comments nearly impossible to determine.

T’Pol surmised that Trip’s behavior was likely typical for a human. He’d spoken harshly to her, but it appeared obvious that something was disturbing him—something which he clearly did not wish to reveal.

T’Pol had known Trip Tucker for over four years. During this time, she’d discovered that Trip could be a highly emotional and sometimes irrational human being. But, despite these flaws of character, the Vulcan had come to the conclusion that he was an honorable and trustworthy individual. There could be no logical reason for him to leave Enterprise, other than the offer of a more important position, such as ship’s captain. It was quite evident to her that the commander and Captain Archer were allies. And for one ally to wish to be separated from another ally was completely illogical. Even for humans.

“This may come as a shock, but not everything in my life revolves around you.”

Trip’s words had been edged with bitterness, cold and distant. T’Pol found the remembrance illogically uncomfortable.

T’Pol concentrated harder, attempting to rid herself of the emotions that now threatened to surface. She allowed her body to relax while she focused on the white space in her mind. Peace and tranquility. No fears, no pain, no feelings. No nagging ache in her heart due to the impending loss of Commander Charles Tucker III.

Vulcans do not love, so therefore Vulcans can not be heartbroken. It is illogical .

T’Pol sat with her knees folded. She felt her simmering emotions begin to ease as she regained self-control.

Suddenly, there was a disturbing noise in her silent world. It sounded almost like…footsteps. Footsteps? Clearly that was impossible. This was her mind and her quiet place.

T’Pol attempted to ignore the approaching sound, but quickly discovered that she was unable to deny its existence as the distinctive thumping drew nearer.

T’Pol turned her head and stared up at the approaching figure. Wavy blonde hair. Blue eyes. Familiar physique.

Trip.

What was he doing here, now of all times? T’Pol felt a familiar twinge in her chest. She’d just managed to calm her emotions and here he was appearing in her white space? This human certainly did have a lot of nerve.

T’Pol stood up and faced Trip, growing increasingly annoyed by his presence despite her attempts to repress such a reaction.

“Why are you here?” she questioned.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing. Is this a daydream?”

The Vulcan turned away. “I’m meditating. This is where I go in my mind.” She stepped even further away from Trip, hoping that the distance between them might somehow make him disappear.

“Well, I would’ve thought you’d pick a more interesting place.” Trip lifted his arms up in to the air, as if he didn’t understand. It was a common human gesture T’Pol had seen numerous times before that was often used to express puzzlement. Obviously Trip was unaware of the fact that any external stimuli, be it auditory or visual, could be detrimental to the entire meditation process. Vacuous space and silence were essential.

“Like the beach. Or one of those fire plains you showed me.” Trip stood with his hands on his hips and gazed back at her. T’Pol allowed the eye contact momentarily. At least this aesthetically pleasing human appreciated the beauty of Vulcan. Most humans would have failed to notice. All the more reason why she required solitude.

Now.

“Please leave.”

“Exactly where am I supposed to go?”

It was time to put an end to this conversation. No human was gaining the upper hand on this Vulcan—not even a most satisfactory human specimen like Trip Tucker.

“Away.”

“This is my daydream! You go away.”

As she gazed back at him with a hint of unrepressed irritation, T’Pol was certain that Trip’s face was now eternally imprinted on her mind… and there was nothing she could do to change that fact. Almost everything about him that appealed to her senses was a clear reminder of his “humanness” and in stark contrast to the Vulcan way. That’s what made the entire scenario that kept playing in her mind all the more illogical. How could this be possible?

T’Pol opened her eyes. She was uncertain of what had just taken place, why she’d found Trip in her quiet zone… or how he’d even gotten there. He certainly had a way of appearing in the most unusual places at the most unusual times. T’Pol raised a brow in contemplation. She unfolded her legs and stared blankly ahead. The Vulcan was becoming convinced that it would be advantageous for everyone involved if Trip stayed aboard Enterprise. Her reasons for this opinion were, of course, objective and completely unrelated to her own personal preferences.

She thought about it logically for a moment. The Captain had always appeared to draw strength from his companionship with the commander. And the engines would certainly never perform optimally under the guidance of another engineer.

A spaceship needs its engines.

At least that’s what Trip always told her.

A sequel follows in “B” for “Bound” with A Trip to the Beach

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Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

A whole mess of folks have made comments

Very nicely done. I like when people fill in the blank spots and give a more clear picture of what was going on in the background. Thanks. T.

I'm impressed. Quite enjoyable. thank you.

I'm impressed. Quite enjoyable. thank you.

I got an early preview, but I just want to say that the main thing I like about this little story is the subtlety of it. The reader can see that she's obviously head-over-heels, but she's STILL in typical Vulcan denial about the whole issue. She doesn't rant, rave, or salivate over him, either... nor does she lie to herself about his attractiveness. All the lies she tells herself concern her OWN reactions and her own emotions. By sheer strength of will, she's decided that she's NOT going to love him because Vulcans don't DO that... despite the fact that he's pretty much the most delectable living being in the known universe... and that's just the way it is. ; )

I agree with D, very well done! :)

Thanks everyone. I know there really wasn't much to this little addition, but I wanted to write it in the hopes of keeping my brain functional and still able to form sentences. Hopefully I'll be able to write something a little more meaty in the near future.

But some of us LIKE vegetarian, Bether! : D

Bether, its good to see another story from you! And you picked a very interesting dialog line to focus on. A very angsty and thought provoking thing for Trip to say, which you did quite well with. "Emotional and sometimes irrational, honorable and trustworthy" - you have Trip pegged from T'Pol's viewpoint. Nice job on T'Pol trying to understand Trip's words.

Nice fill in! I tend to love episodes that fill in the blanks of an episode. Good job!

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read and comment on my little ficlet. It's amazing sometimes how a few kind words can be so encouraging. Thank you. : )

I'm catching up with the fiction board now. I like this, Bether. I particularly liked the way she has been puzzling out how humans think:

She’d noticed that humans often spoke words which they did not mean as a form of self-protection. Emotions clouded both their judgment and their ability to deal honestly with many issues. This made the true motivations for certain human behaviors and comments nearly impossible to determine.

So true! I'm looking forward to your next story.