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Be Careful What You Wish For - Ch 7

Author - Evalyn A.
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Be Careful What You Wish For

by Evalyn A

Rating: G, Action/adventure, T/T shippiness of course.
May be archived, just let me know.
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.
A/N: Takes place sometime after “Home”. Thanks to Quills for inspiring this plot by his cryptic spoiler comments. Officially A/U since that episode – T’Pol is still married to Koss, as I reserve myself the right to get rid of him as I darn well please, and still has Pa’nar.

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Chapter 7

The return to Enterprise in the shuttlepod was quiet, with little conversation amongst the three officers. Although she knew she should be focussing on the upcoming negotiations, T’Pol found herself still musing over the strange symptoms she had experienced on the planet. Most of the sensations had passed, but she was left with an odd sensation of resonance, as though her every thought was echoing back from a faraway surface.

Suddenly Archer spoke from in front of her at the console. “Yesterday, there were times when I wondered if we were moving too fast trying to bring together Andoria and Vulcan.”

“We have been in a state of hostilities at intervals for many years. Change will not come quickly,” T’Pol replied.

“Well, I think I was wrong. We’re not going far enough,” he said, swivelling his chair to face her. Reed observed him with interest from the co-pilot’s chair, wondering where this was heading. “What we need between Vulcan and Andoria is not a treaty, it’s an alliance.”

The movement of T’Pol’s eyebrows, which threatened to disappear beneath her carefully coiffed bangs, expressed her scepticism better than words.

“Think of it, T’Pol. You have Romulans on one side of Vulcan space, Klingons on another – both of them willing to invade your space and not look back given half a chance – they’d probably wipe you out if they could. Most of the Vulcan/Andorian disagreements, on the other hand, have been minor border skirmishes, more like two siblings who have to share a room and can’t get along. Yes, people have died on both sides, but it’s more a matter of pride and political posturing than it is a true desire for war. Together, you could defend your space better than separately, maintaining regional stability. And we don’t need to stop there. What if Earth joined with you? Or one of the other five or six species that are all threatened by the Klingons and the Romulans?” Archer was warming to his theme, his enthusiasm becoming evident.

She pursed her lips, and said quellingly, “Earth is not interested in any more involvement in interstellar affairs that might lead to conflict – remember, Captain, even in this you are here without the official sanction of your government. And humans and Vulcans have not had the best relations of late.” She winced inwardly at the phrasing, realizing how her own relations with one particular human mirrored that statement.

“They’re not interested in conflict, but that’s not what this is – we’re talking about a mutual aid pact. Earth went it alone the last time against the Xindi, and without Shran’s help, we might not be here today – an agreement like this would go a long way to reducing some of the xenophobia we’ve seen back home,” he continued.

“The High Command would never agree to such a thing,” T'Pol asserted, “and neither would the Andorians.”

“Well, what have we got to lose from trying, hmm?” he replied with a final grin, as he turned his chair forward again for their approach into Enterprise’s docking bay.

*********

T’Pol found herself gazing out the viewport again, as she awaited in Hoshi’s quarters for Starfleet’s reply to Archer’s proposal. She could imagine the look on Admiral Forrest’s face as Archer made his case – Starfleet had not even officially sanctioned Enterprise’s presence in this part of space, the idea that Earth government would agree to support diplomatic discussions towards a mutual aid pact with this kind of notice was undoubtedly ludicrous.

And yet, Archer was right. Another treaty between Andoria and Vulcan was not the answer. They had had treaties before, and each one had been broken as a result of some perceived aggressive action on the part of the other. This time would be no different unless a radically different approach was taken. And there was no doubt, she ruefully admitted to herself, that a radically different approach was what Archer had proposed.

The door buzzer sounded, and she strode over to respond. “Yes?” she queried as she punched the comm button, careful not to identify herself, as her presence on Enterprise was not public knowledge with any but a select few senior staff.

“It’s Archer,” came the reply. She opened the door, standing to the side to allow him to enter.

“It’s a go,” he informed her, a bounce in his step as he paced about the room. “Earth government has approved our plan. The senate sat for 12 hours straight debating. There was some opposition, but less than Forrest expected, in the end. We’re to collect the Andorian representatives immediately and head to Vulcan under a flag of truce. Earth will be notifying the High Command.”

T’Pol shook her head in silent surprise. “Congratulations, Captain, you have already accomplished more than anyone could have expected.”

“Do you need to file your own report?” Archer asked.

“Under the circumstances, it would be prudent,” she agreed.

“You don’t need to remain locked up in here any longer from our point of view,” Archer pointed out. “We’re out in the open now. It’s up to you.”

“I will need to spend some time preparing, and if we are to bring the Andorian delegation on board Enterprise, it might be better if we reduced the opportunities for casual contact,” she considered, “provided Ensign Sato does not mind allowing me the use of her quarters for the next two days. However, once I have informed my superiors, I would be glad to join you for continued negotiations and for meals.”

Archer smiled. “It’ll be good to have you at the Captain’s table again, T’Pol, we’ve missed you. I’ll let you get to work, just let Hoshi know when you’re ready to send your report. 1800 for dinner with the Andorians,” he concluded, as he departed.

Some time later, she felt the shudder of the ship as the docking bay doors opened to receive the Andorian delegation. She had sufficient time after completing and sending her report to Vulcan to freshen up. After completing her shower, she hesitated in an uncharacteristic manner over her choice of clothing, and then selected a traditional Vulcan robe made of a soft silk that coincidentally happened to fall over her figure in a rather flattering manner. Effectively, the dinner was an affair of state, and it was important to present an appearance that honoured the guests.

Almost without thinking, she counted heads; if all three of Shran’s group attended, with herself and the Captain, there would be room for one more member of Enterprise’s crew, presumably a senior officer. While there were a number of possibilities, it would be usual for the first officer to attend such a gathering. She firmly suppressed the incipient flutter in her stomach, and departed her temporary quarters for dinner.

As she paused at the door of the Captain’s mess, she experienced a strange feeling of déjà vu, as though she was already inside the room. She could clearly see six crystal goblets sitting on the table. She shook her head and entered, to be faced with a room empty but for Enterprise’s best crystal goblets and her first officer, Commander Charles Tucker. It was the first time they had been alone since that angry conversation before her departure from Enterprise. He stared at her, a confused expression flitting across his face, and then greeted her with a simple, “Subcommander.”

She paused for a moment, and then, “I am sorry,” she said simply, surprising herself as much as him. “I did you, and Enterprise, an injustice, departing as I did. I did not treat our friendship as it deserved. Is there some way in which I can make amends?”

He briefly looked somewhat stunned, and then a rueful expression crossed his face. “Aw, forget it. I was a jerk myself. I had no right to chew you out for doing your duty. I was just … bein’ selfish.”

A very slight smile flitted across her lips. “I would have been … disappointed if you had not been upset.”

The commander opened his mouth to reply, just as the door opened, and a security guard stood to flank the doorway. Shran and Talas entered, followed by Captain Archer and Lt. Reed; the Andorian security guard apparently had been omitted under the circumstances. Shran bore a flagon of Andorian ale, as was his custom when eating at Archer’s table. “The drinks are on me!” he expostulated, placing the flagon on the table with a flourish. “And,” he added, glancing pointedly at T’Pol, “I will be most offended if anyone should fail to partake of this, at it comes from the finest production area in the Chakyar mountains of Andoria. The temperatures only rise above freezing for two months, just long enough to grow the blue Chakyar ennis vine before the berries crystallize,” he explained, as he filled each of the goblets in turn.

“I have not previously partaken of Andorian ale,” T’Pol replied graciously as she seated herself at the table opposite Tucker. “I am sure it will be an interesting experience.”

Tucker grinned at her, and it was almost as though the months of tension and absence had never been. “This I’m lookin’ forward to,” he commented, as he picked up his drink.

T’Pol was not entirely sure whether he referred to her consumption of the drink, or his own. She sipped at the icy blue beverage, with, it must be admitted, some trepidation. However, it had a pleasantly mild berry flavour overlaid with a slightly tart combination of aromatic compounds. She continued to sip at her drink, trying to identify the various organic aldehydes that she suspected it contained, while the others exchanged stories of their exploits. After a time, she felt her concentration slipping, and belatedly realized that while the alcohol itself had little effect on her Vulcan physiology, perhaps some of the additional compounds contained in the ale were not so innocuous. She frowned at the empty glass, feeling somewhat betrayed.

Tucker raised an eyebrow at her, and inquired below his breath, “What did you think?”

“I think that Andorians may have invented this beverage in order to undermine Vulcan mental discipline,” she replied suspiciously. He suppressed a snicker. Shran, realizing that her glass was empty, reached out to pour her another. Tucker interposed his glass smoothly in between, saying, “One’s her limit, Shran, but I’ll have hers and mine as well.”

Shran chuckled, and said, as he filled the glass, “Glad to see pinkskins can hold their ale! Definitely a good sign for the alliance.”

The rest of the meal passed in a slight haze for T’Pol, who continued to experience odd moments of displacement in which her point of view seemed to shift. The frequency of the experience was increasing, and she was beginning to fear a new progression of her illness. After a time, she excused herself, pleading tiredness, and somewhat unsteadily proceeded towards Sickbay. Phlox greeted her with his usual exuberance.

“Subcommander, I am more than happy to see you again. Have you come for a checkup? Or is there some other reason for this visit?”

T’Pol slid up on to the table. “I believe an examination would be in order, Doctor.”

“Have you been maintaining your regimen?” he inquired jovially, as he laid her back on the table.

“To the best of my ability,” she replied. “However, I did have some difficulty for a time obtaining the ingredients for the tisane. Doctor, I have been experiencing odd symptoms for the last few days, and I am concerned that there may be a connection with my illness.” She described the odd sensations as best she could.

Phlox tut-tutted, and muttered over his scanner for some minutes. “Hmm. I suggest a full scan, Subcommander,” he said. “Lie still please.” He rolled her examination bed into the scanner and closed the door, so that the shrieks and twitters of Phlox’s animals disappeared behind the low thrumming of the scanner and the buzzing in her ears. She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to go blank.

Some time later, she was unsure how long, the door was opened and the bed pulled out. Somewhat unsteadily, she raised herself up onto her elbows. “What did you find, Doctor?”

“Aside from some slight fatigue, and a rather high concentration of certain organic toxins that I believe are common to Andorian ale,” he replied dryly, “you are in greatly improved health, Subcommander. Your neural connections appear to be healing nicely. I can see no obvious cause for concern. I shall have to do some further research; are there any conditions you are aware of that could cause such symptoms?”

“No,” T’Pol replied uncertainly. She had been so convinced that it was her Panar’s that was responsible, that she had not stopped to consider other possibilities. “I shall do some research myself,” she stated, frowning. “Thank you for your assistance, Doctor.”

“Take care, Subcommander,” the doctor remonstrated, as she departed Sickbay. “Andorian ale is not for amateurs. I will call you in the morning with the results of my research.”

Sitting in her quarters, T’Pol pondered further the peculiar nature of her symptoms. Each time, it was almost as though she was seeing through another’s eyes, experiencing another’s thoughts. When she had seen the crystal goblets before entering the Captain’s mess … her breath caught abruptly. There had been only one person inside, looking at the goblets. One person through whose eyes she had been seeing. One person whose feelings she had been experiencing, since returning to Enterprise. She rubbed her temples, at a loss to understand. Even now, perhaps because of the ale affecting her mental discipline, she realized she could feel the echo of his laughter in the Captain’s mess as someone told yet another tall tale. Why was this happening? She curled up into a tight ball on her bed, her confusion and the ale leaving her feeling drained. The ethereal sound of faint laughter was the last thing she knew as she fell into an exhausted sleep.


Chapter 8

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Half a dozen of you have made comments

Really enjoying this - particularly how you are writing the telepathy, very interesting! I liked very much how their bond stopped Trip in his tracks in the previous chapter...

Good T/T back together again,, well sort of. But there is hope. I cant wait to see how this turns out.

Interesting. I like the build up to T'Pol's discovery. V. realistic.

Nicely done Evalyn... very nicely done! ;)

Looks like a definite bond forming between T'Pol and Trip. I do like the way you write Shran and am eagerly waiting to see where you take the story next. Ali D :~)

Ooooooh, this is getting very tasty indeed, cant wait for more, please hurry !!!