Be Careful What You Wish For

Be careful what you wish for

by Evalyn A

Disclaimer: Not making a dime off of this, they belong to Paramount, they don’t belong to me, although finally they’re starting to act as if they did.

Rating: G. Action/adventure, T/T shippiness of course. May be archived, just let me know.

Takes place after Episode 3 of Season 4. Thanks to Quills for inspiring this plot by his cryptic spoiler comments.

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Chapter 1

Admiral Forrest paced the length of his office and stood looking out the window into the Bay. Archer could see the muscles of his jaw clenching. Without turning around, the Admiral said, “I don’t have to tell you what this means, Jon. Earth’s just gotten used to the idea of peace. And Vulcan wasn’t exactly at our side against the Xindi.”

Archer followed the admiral to the window. “I know. No one’s going to want to get involved in this now,” He grimaced impatiently. “But we can’t just sit back and let it happen, Admiral. If Vulcan and Andoria go to war, it’s going to affect us, no matter what the outcome is.”

“It’s not our war, Jon,” the Admiral said. “The government’s made that very clear.”

“It may not be our war, but we’re up to our necks in it. If I hadn’t let Shran get the plans to the Xindi prototype weapon …”

“It was a calculated risk. We needed all the help we could get, and you were outgunned to boot. And in the end, those plans helped you disable the weapon when you had to. If it had been the Vulcans there instead of the Andorians …” Forrest shook his head. “There’s no knowing how things could have changed. But they chose not to get involved, and maybe now they’re going to have to pay for that choice.”

“I realize we can’t take sides, sir, but that doesn’t mean we have to sit at the sidelines. Surely there’s something we can do to defuse this situation? We can talk to them …” Archer used his most convincing tone of voice. “We know them, sir, and they both trust us.”

“Not unless somebody asks, Jon. For now we wait and see what happens. Maybe the Andorians will see sense and this whole situation will blow over. They have to know that threatening the Vulcans with the use of this weapon unless they withdraw from the disputed space is no-win situation.”

Archer shook his head. “I’m not so sure. Andorians and Vulcans are like oil and water, and they can both be pretty irrational when they deal with each other – don’t tell the Vulcans I said so,” he interjected ruefully.

Forrest smiled grimly. “I’m not likely to get the chance. Soval’s been recalled to Vulcan and he’s taking a good chunk of the embassy staff with him.” After a pause, he continued, “How’s T’Pol taking all this? She must be concerned about her family, and her husband – she’s only been married a couple of months …”

“She hasn’t really communicated her thoughts on the matter, sir”, Archer replied, “But it’s got to be hard on her.” They both stared silently out the window at the whitecaps on the water, thinking thoughts of war following upon war.

The subject of the latter part of this conversation was sitting in her quarters on Enterprise, gazing unblinkingly into the flame of her meditation candles. After some minutes, she closed her eyes briefly, a weary expression on her face, and then leaned forward to blow them out. She stood and moved to her console, bringing up onto the screen her most recent written communication from Ambassador Soval on behalf of the Vulcan High Command. She touched the reply button, and entered a brief message. After a long moment, she sent eh message, and then turned off the console. She continued to sit, staring at the blank screen, for a long time afterward.

Archer strode onto Enterprise to be greeted by Lt. Reed at the docking bay entrance. “Well, sir? Did Admiral Forrest have any additional news?”

“Nothing we couldn’t guess, Lieutenant,” Archer replied, as Reed turned to walk beside him towards the Bridge. “Earth is not declaring for either side, nor are we even officially neutral. I tried to get Forrest to talk to the President, to let us negotiate, but he said she’s determined not to let us get dragged into this. Her popularity’s at an all-time high with the Xindi conflict over, and any sign that we could get involved in this war is not going to sit well with the public. The Isolationist party is still gaining momentum at the expense of most of rest of the opposition, so for the moment, it’s wait and see.”

Malcolm grunted. “Can’t they see that we can’t possibly stay out of this forever?”

“Of course they can,” Archer replied, punching the lift button as Malcolm entered behind him. “But if they wait until things get worse, there will be more public support for action of some sort. Right now, they can just close their eyes and hope it all goes away.”

“Hunh,” Malcolm muttered in a disgusted tone. “Politicians. Surely the diplomatic corps will still try to do what they can, under the table if necessary?”

“I expect so,” Archer agreed, “but I don’t hold out a lot of hope.”

He stepped out onto the bridge, and nodded at T’Pol, who stood up from the Captain’s chair. “In my ready room, please, Commander,” he indicated. She followed him in, and he indicated for her to take a seat.

“Earth won’t be taking sides in this one,” he stated, as he sat down at his console.
“I am not surprised,” she replied, inclining her head. She paused, and then said, “I have been recalled to Vulcan.”

Archer was taken by surprise. “But you’re Starfleet now, they can’t …”

“I am still a Vulcan citizen, Captain,” she interrupted, “and as such, am bound by her laws. Vulcan will be declaring war within a matter of hours,” she continued, as he gazed at her in stunned silence, “and I have been drafted back into the Intelligence Corps. I will be returning to Vulcan with Ambassador Soval’s party.”

Archer stood angrily and placed his fists, knuckle down on the table as he leaned towards her. “You don’t have to go,” he stated firmly. “You have a place here.”

“My place is on Vulcan,” T’Pol replied gently. “When I joined Starfleet, I did so for a number of valid reasons, Captain. However, I had not foreseen this. No matter how much I might disagree with the Vulcan High Command over their recent actions, I cannot turn my back on Vulcan at this time … I would be no better than they.”

The Captain sagged back into his chair, acknowledging the truth of her statement. “How soon do you leave?”

“I was only waiting for your return, Captain. I will depart as soon as you have released me from my commission.”

“Well, T’Pol, you’ll have to wait a while for that. I’m not releasing you from your commission,” Archer said with a stubborn expression. Raising his hand against her protest, he continued, “I’m giving you an indefinite leave of absence. Do what you have to do, and when it’s all over, I’ll be expecting you back here, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” He smiled briefly at her bemused expression, and then said, more seriously, “You’d better go pack your things. And I expect you might have some goodbyes to say,” he added, somewhat awkwardly.

While he had not said the name directly, she knew that it was Commander Tucker to whom he referred. She inclined her head, and murmured, “Thank you Captain. For … everything.” Back straight, she stood, and left the room, without looking back.

As she finished placing her few possessions into a small storage container, the buzzer to her quarters sounded. She stood and faced the door, her hands behind her back. “Come in.”

Commander Tucker entered, and immediately took in the signs of her imminent departure. “Is somethin’ wrong?” he asked, frowning in concern. “Why are you packing?”

“Please Commander, sit down,” she indicated the only chair in the room. He sat, reluctantly, still frowning. “I am handing over the first officer’s duties to you. I have been recalled to Vulcan, and before you say it –” she forestalled his angry comment, “I have no choice. I am still Vulcan, and if my planet is not already formally at war with Andoria, we will be within a matter of hours,” she explained.

She tried not to flinch as he stood and thrust his angry face inches away from hers. “They’re doing it to you again, T’Pol,” he said furiously. “First they made you marry Koss, now they’re making you go back to Vulcan. They’re leadin’ you around by the nose and you’re letting them.”

“This is not about control, Commander, it is about loyalty and duty,” she replied, trying to keep her voice level.

“Loyalty? Duty? What about your loyalty to Starfleet, and to the Captain, and this crew?” he shot back, angrily. “Don’t you think maybe after all that’s happened you should be re-evaluatin’ where your loyalties lie?”

She stared at him, mutely, trying to formulate an answer that would not wound any further. “If I could see any other way …”

“You’re not even tryin’, T’Pol. I guess we didn’t mean that much to you after all,” he tossed back at her, bitterly, as he turned and headed for the door. He paused as he reached the door, and added acidly, “Anything I should know about the duty roster for tomorrow? I guess I’ve got a lot of work to get caught up on if I’m takin’ over the exec’s duties as well.”

She handed him a PADD containing all of the pertinent information. “Commander, I …”

Ignoring her, his expression stony, he grabbed the PADD and left silently, the door swishing closed behind him. Her knees buckling, she found herself leaning against the wall of her quarters beside the door. She stood there, momentarily unable to move. Then, bracing herself, she pushed away from the wall; stepping deliberately back to her bed, she closed the cargo container. She noticed dully the salty drops that fell on the top of the container as she lifted it off the bed, and then she dragged it slowly toward the door. As the door closed behind her, the lights went out, as they were programmed to do. Her quarters sat, silent and empty.

Chapter 2

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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

Let me be the first to say: "WOW!" I can't wait to read more, so please hurry!

Can't wait to see more...

Oh no, Trip's last words to her had to be angry ones. What an ocean of regret that is going to have festering as the situation between Vulcan and Andoria becomes no doubt more taut. Great story, can't wait to see what happens next. Ali D :-)

Great beginning!!! I really like this. I'm a little pissed at Trip for being so selfish. Sure she should have loyalty to Enterprise. But man, to ask her to abandon her own people at a time like this. He wouldn't turn his back on Earth if their roles were reversed. Guilt tripping jerk!! Sorry... guess I'm just a little riled up this morning. I can't wait to see where you go with this.

Great beginning!!! I really like this. I'm a little pissed at Trip for being so selfish. Sure she should have loyalty to Enterprise. But man, to ask her to abandon her own people at a time like this. He wouldn't turn his back on Earth if their roles were reversed. Guilt tripping jerk!! Sorry... guess I'm just a little riled up this morning. I can't wait to see where you go with this.

Great start. I can see Trips point of view here. Why did T'pol join Starfleet if her loyalties still lie with the VHC. She cannot just keep droping everything each time they order her to do something. I thought if she had resigned they couldn't just order her back - shouldn't it be her decision. Look forward to more. Many thanks.

Ocean, that's not exactly true. If she refuses, she could be putting Starfleet somewhat in the middle of this. As a citizen by refusing to leave and staying in Starfleet when a war is about to begin the VHC might try to bring Starfleet into it but having them bring her back, and of course since Starfleet doesn't want to get involved they'd have to listen or they'd risk making an enemy of Vulcan too... that is if Vulcan WANTS to make another enemy.

To tell you the truth the whole this is about politices and how to stay out of trouble. T'Pol is doing the right thing, it would only cause my trouble in the end. Am I right Evalyn, I'm not very good with politices so I could be absolutely wrong about all of this. LOL

Good story! Please continue!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!

Interesting question Triplover. I don't know what I myself would do in this case if I were T'Pol, certainly it's not black or white; both points of view can be argued, and have been right here!

In fact, so much of human (or Vulcan/human) interaction and misunderstandings is less what you say or do and more how you say or do it. Probably my take on this is affected by real life, where I'm dealing with situations where people miscommunicate like this all the time.

T'Pol could have told Trip her decision differently (knowing his likely emotional stake in her decision) which would have softened the blow considerably. She could have even involved him in it. In my universe, which tends to stick pretty close to what I perceive as the canon one at the time I write, she's not very good at that yet. And Trip is far too quick to jump to conclusions; he tends to assume the worst and get angry, to get the hurt over with.

While I enjoy reading the happily ever after stories that others write, for writing I enjoy the challenge of capturing the difficulties I see between them, and then (hopefully) figuring out how to get around them.

Ahhh, the angst! *wail*

Trip can be such an a** sometimes!!! How could she possibly stay, when her world is going to war?!
Leading her by the nose indeed!!!

:D You have gotta write more soon....ok?

Awww man Trip!
What's the matter with you?
Her people are going to war, what's she supposed to do? Drag Starfleet into that conflict too?
I hope he regrets his behavior as soon as T'Pol leaves for home.
Can't wait for the next chapter!

Awesome. Well written and true to character. A joy to read. Can't wait for more...hurry!