Parallels - Chapter 4

Parallels

by Giggling Vulcan

Genre: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: If I owned Enterprise, Archer would have flown out an airlock long ago. Don’t own it, don’t make money from it, don’t sue me.
Summary: This is a retelling of The Next Generation episode “Parallels,” But using the Enterprise crew and T’Pol in place of Worf.

A/N: Apologies for the long wait for the update! My computer’s been on the fritz and I haven’t been able to use it for a week.

*****

Chapter 4

“Computer, access logs on Shuttlepod 1. Play log entry for March 2, 2154.”

“There is no log entry for that date.” The words flashed across the screen. T’Pol closed her eyes and thought for a moment.

“Computer, access any personal log entries regarding my shore leave on Vulcan with Dr. Yuris.”

The computer hummed momentarily, then her voice began its monologue.

“Sub-Commander’s personal log, March 2, 2154. Due to an assault on the Enterprise by a hostile alien race, I will be unable to take my shore leave on Vulcan. Commander Tucker suspects he will require two more days to complete the repairs. As a result, Dr. Yuris is obligated to find another subject for his research—“

T’Pol jabbed a button on the computer and the log ended abruptly. She stared thoughtfully at the screen for a moment until the door chime broke her concentration. Startled, she rose and opened the door manually.

“Why’d you lock the door?”

“Why should I not?”

Trip let himself in, apparently quite comfortable to do so.

“I…uh….heard about what happened on the bridge.” He said softly, taking a seat on her bed.

T’Pol occupied her self with straightening up her meditation candles, carefully avoiding unnecessary communication. Maybe if she was cold enough, he would just leave…

“You wanna talk about it?”

“I would prefer not to, Commander.” She got up to replace her lighter on her shelf, but was surprised to find a harmonica residing in its usual place.

“Very well, Sub-Commander.” The way he said her rank, with such bitingly playful sarcasm…

“Is there anything I can do for you?” She asked, turning around to face him. She found him rummaging around in her refrigerator. He extracted a piece of pecan pie, which she didn’t remember placing there. He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully.

“Actually, there is…” He set the pie down and sat on her bed. “I want you to sit down, and chill out for a minute.”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow, but in spite of her doubt, took a seat beside him. He gently gripped her shoulders and turned her away from him slightly. He skin tingled at the touch.

“You’re really tense, even more than usual.” He commented. He slowly slid his hands beneath the back of her pajama top. T’Pol stiffened at the intimate gesture, but relaxed when his fingers began to apply pressure to one of the points she’d taught him during their neuro-pressure sessions.

“T’Pol, I know you don’t want to talk about what happened out there…but there are times when it’s best to open up, even though it isn’t logical.” His fingers splayed across complex pressure points on her back that she hadn’t even begun to teach him. Her eyes widened in surprise as she inhaled sharply at the sensation it caused.

“Surprise you?” He asked with a grin.

“I…do not recall instructing you in that posture.” She stammered.

“Well…” He began mischievously, sliding his hands over her back to a different position. “I had a pretty darn good teacher…and…” He punctuated his words with swift pressure to points that were employed to extract a response that was quite the opposite of relaxation. She stifled a groan as her head fell backwards onto his shoulder, only being able to mute her expression of desire to a soft moan. “…I’ve been practicing…” He whispered as he closed in to tease the pointed tip of her ear playfully with his teeth.

Groping for her senses through the fog of arousal, T’Pol grudgingly pulled away from him. “I do not believe this is appropriate behavior.” She gasped.

“Not even for your husband?”

She stared at him in shock, for the first time noticing the gold band on the fourth finger of his left hand. It was symbolic in human culture, of permanent bonding to another, she remembered. Seeing the love shining in his hurt eyes was too much for her to bear. It was too beautiful to ignore, yet inappropriate to take advantage of.

“This is not my Trip.” She thought to herself. “I mustn’t lead him to believe that I am his T’Pol either. For once, I must tell him the truth.”

“T’hai’la, what’s wrong?” He implored, moving to sit beside her again.

“I do not know. Things are…changing…”

“What’s changed?”

“I do not remember our bonding…our…being mates…It is as if events, circumstances, continue to change from moment to moment, but I am the only one who seems to be aware of it.”

Trip sat, wrinkling his brow, obviously trying to make some sense out of what she was saying.

“So you’re saying you don’t remember the last three years? You don’t remember us falling in love and getting married? You don’t remember our bonding?”

“I do remember the last three years…only very differently. We were not…officially together as mates. The Enterprise did not have a battle with the Andorians…and no one believes me…” The hopelessness in her voice resonated through Trip.

“Darlin’, whatever’s goin’ on…I want you to know that I believe you.” He took her hand gently in his own. “And that I love you. We’ll find out what’s happening.”

She nodded and held back tears. He was so gentle, so compassionate…She laid her head on his shoulder and he possessively wrapped his arms around her, tenderly kissing the top of her head. She could only hope that her own Trip would be this understanding…this…wonderful…

She processed the emotion she was experiencing, realizing suddenly that, for the first time in months, she felt contentment…happiness…Trellium-D or not, this was the one emotion she’d longed for most of all, and now, she might have to let it go.

***
“I’m scanning the surrounding area for any temporal anomalies, on and off the ship.” Travis said, entering commands into the console in front of him.

“Commander Tucker, please report to Sickbay.” Phlox’s voice hummed over the comm. system.

Trip tapped a nearby comm. unit. “On my way.” He squeezed T’Pol’s hand gently. “Let me no if you find anything.” He said.

T’Pol nodded and he strode out the door, her eyes following his movements as he went. She thought quietly for a moment.

“Ensign, how long have I been married to Commander Tucker?”

Travis looked up, startled at the question. “Well, um…about two years, I think…” He stammered.

“And when did this…relationship begin?”

“Uh…well…I’m not really sure…gossip started up about you two shortly after that time we had that odd run in with the Vulcans when we were excavating that comet.”

T’Pol remembered Trip’s snooping problem in her own timeline. Perhaps Trip’s invasion of her privacy hadn’t been such a bad thing after all…

The console beeped.

Relieved by the excuse to get off the tentative subject, Travis announced, “I’m detecting no temporal anomalies in this sector.”

T’Pol lowered her head to hide her disappointment. Travis was thoughtful.

“Maybe we can try to pinpoint the exact moment when things started changing. Do you remember the first inconsistency?”

“I went to Sickbay and Dr. Phlox informed me of a medical problem I did not remember having.” She responded.

“Think back. Are you sure that’s the first? Maybe there was one before you entered Sickbay.”

“Before…yes, I was going through the comm. logs of Echo 2 with Ensign Sato, I felt a wave of dizziness, and she was on the other side of the room. I thought I had blacked out for a moment and had not observed her movements…” She thought back further. “And at my birthday party, the cake was chocolate, then it was yellow. And Commander Tucker informed me that the Captain would not be attending, then suddenly the Captain was there.”

“We should try to find a common element in these situations…where were you each time these things happened?”

“I was at the party, then I was in the briefing room…then in my quarters.”

“What about the people you were with? Was there anyone who was present at all three?”

“It appeared that most everyone was at my birthday party, then I was with Ensign Sato, then I was with Commander Tucker and Ensign Sato entered…” She had a sudden revelation. “Ensign Sato was present at all of the events and she was in close proximity with me momentarily before I noticed the changes. Do you think this is relevant?”

“It sounds like a start. We should talk to Hoshi.”

T’Pol nodded as they headed for the door.

***

The doors of Sickbay swooshed open and T’Pol strode through, approaching the doctor. While going to the Bridge to find Hoshi, they had been informed that she was badly injured during the Andorian attack.

“Doctor,” She addressed, “Is Ensign Sato well enough to answer a few questions?”

Doctor Phlox and Trip, who was standing beside him, exchanged grim looks. T’Pol noticed the red-rimmed condition of the Commander’s eyes.

“I’m afraid not, Sub-Commander.” Dr. Phlox said with a broken voice.

Trip looked at her sadly. “Hoshi’s dead, T’Pol.”

Chapter 5

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Nine of you have made comments

Its very wierd. I can hear Worf's, Troi's and Data's voices when I read this chapter. Its good, but maybe you should change the dialog more so it sounds more like T'Pol and Trip rather than Worf and Deanna.

getting better everytime! i like the married time line.....very nice

Eeek, you killed Hoshi! Just as Travis and T'Pol were beginning to think they had somewhere to start their investigation. This is very good and I can't wait to see how the how enchilada unravels all in your own good time. Ali D :~)

I guess from what Ladybird said that I should be grateful I don't remember this episode from TNG. I love it! I'm not having trouble with it at all, and it's all very believable from my perspective.

Sorry to hear about your computer troubles. I hope they've been fixed and we'll get more chapters soon!

I didn't see (or don't remember) the TNG episode either, so this story is fresh and exciting for me, and all the characters sound like they're supposed to. (Of course, Hoshi's not supposed to dead . . . . but I'm sure that'll come out all right.) I'm enjoying this story very much and looking forward to the next chapter!

I remember that episode of TNG....That was a....unique one. :) this is way better. Keep it up! Can't wait for the next chapter.

I'm really enjoying this, and I'm only hearing ENT characters. (I do remember some of the ep, but I've only ever seen it once so things are patchy...I'm certainly not hearing Worf when T'Pol speaks; might just be me though.)

You killed off Hoshi! I wish I'd known her better so that I could mourn her properly.

OMG... I remember this episode!!! I won't give anything away, don't worry but I do know this episode. My mom taped it (well a repeat anyway). I totally love your version though! ;)

Your doing a good job. Please continue:)