Negotiations - Ch 3

Negotiations

By Hoshi’s Sis

Rating: PG/13
Genre: Angst/Action/Adventure
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Paramount. No infringement intended.
Summary:

A/N: Takes place after they have left the Expanse at the end of Season 3, but before the Season 4 episode, “Home.”

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Chapter Three

Trip was in his quarters preparing to leave for his tour of the Andorian ship when the door comm.. buzzed.

“Come in…… hi T’Pol, what can I do for ya,”

“If you’re not busy this morning, I was wondering if you would like to help me on this new project I have been planning,” T’Pol asked, anticipating that they could carry on where they had left off the previous night.

After completing the crew evaluations together they had spent a very enjoyable meal after, talking about their past lives, family, home, etc. Neither of them had wanted it to end due to the total ease they felt in each others company, but unfortunately Trip was working a late shift, so he had to call it to a halt. He had walked back down towards Engineering with a huge grin on his face, convinced that it wouldn’t be long now before T’Pol was prepared to move ahead relationship wise. She seemed so much more composed and sure of herself than she had been in the Expanse and definitely a lot more relaxed and calmer, and from some of the looks that he had seen directed his way over the course of the night, he was now more certain than ever that friendship was not the only thing on her mind.

“Sorry, T’Pol….. normally I would love too, but Shran has just offered me a full tour of his ship.”

T’Pol was quite shocked by this, “I surprised by his offer, Andorians aren’t usually so open with their technological secrets.”

“Maybe he’s just being friendly.”

“Highly doubtful considering their previous devious nature and history,” said T’Pol trying to gauge their motivations for making such an offer.

“They’ve always been pretty much on the ball with us, T’Pol.”

“I wouldn’t call our previous tussle with them regarding the Xindi weapon, ‘on the ball’,” replied T’Pol as they walked out of Trip’s quarters and towards the shuttle bay.

“That was one incident T’Pol. I don’t know about you but I’m willing to give someone the benefit of doubt. He did come through for captain Archer at the end, when he helped them board the Xindi Weapon to destroy it.”

“Nevertheless, I would suggest that you stay on your guard at all times. My people’s dealings with Andorians have shown us that trust isn’t an option with them because their motivations are always backed up by what they can get out of it for themselves.”

“T’Pol….. it’s just a tour for cripes sake,” replied Trip, throwing his arms up in the air in exasperation.

“Trip……..,” said T’Pol in a serious tone of voice, which completely stopped Trip in his tracks, “I am just offering advice from a…… friend who has had a lot of prior dealings with this species in the past. Please be careful………. ”

She seemed so serious and concerned with such big round brown eyes pleading for him to listen, that Trip felt a complete fool for thinking she was just being her usual superior Vulcan self. “Sure….. I’ll sorry, I’ll be careful, thanks,” he said as he placed his hand on her shoulder and stared into those beautiful twin brown pools. All he wanted to do at that moment was to bend down and give her a kiss to show her how he really felt, but just as he was about to grab hold of the moment, all of his past insecurities crept right back up and he reined his courage right back in.

“Can ……. I see ya …… later, maybe…… dinner again?”

“I will look forward to that. Have a good time, Commander.

Smiling, he said, “I’ll see ya later then,” before climbing onto the shuttle to take him across to the Andorian ship.

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Two hours later

Trip was as giddy as a kid in a candy store – the Wheyton was absolutely amazing in its sleek engine design and style. He couldn’t believe that Shran had actually given him permission to view the ship; neither could Lieutenant Seldar by the looks he threw Trip at every opportunity and the tone of voice that he spoke to him in. It didn’t take Trip long to catch on to the bitterness and resentment in his voice, but Trip refused to be pulled down by his dark mood – he was having too much of a good time.

He tried asking questions at every opportunity about their technology and warp design but Seldar refused to acknowledge them, which was beginning to piss Trip off no end. He was definitely going to have a word with Shran about the attitude of some of his crew. He was just about to try again with another round of questions when Lieutenant Seldar suggested that they go and have a look at the new plasma regulator injectors.

“Sure,” replied Trip, confused by his sudden change of attitude.

Seldar steered Trip to the back end of the engine room, pointing out various mechanical parts that he knew would interest a fellow engineer, while wearing a half hearted attempt of a smile on his face. Instead of putting Trip more at ease, he was feeling decidingly uncomfortable in his presence. While he was pointing out and describing the technicalities of a particular piece of Andorian technology, he was called to by one of his crewmates, Doctor Anders,

“Lieutenant Seldar, could I have a moment with you please,” asked Doctor Anders, “I sorry Commander Tucker, this won’t take a moment,” he said as he guided Lieutenant Seldar to the other side of the room.

// Must be something interesting. // thought Trip, as he watched the two converse in deep discussion.

“Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?” asked Doctor Anders in a quiet voice.

“Yes, it’s our best option. We probably won’t get another chance as good as this,” replied Seldar, “If only Shran knew what an opportunity he has presented to us – the actual perpetrator of his own demise. Set it off now while he least suspects, it’ll look like an ordinary accident.”

“I’m not sure about this,” said Anders.

“Do it, that’s an order.”

Doctor Anders threw Lieutenant Seldar an annoyed look as he flipped a switch on a remote control in his pocket. He didn’t like being ordered around like this by a fellow officer equal to his own rank, or railroaded into a scheme that he didn’t think would work. There was a loud explosion in a panel just off to the left of where Trip was standing with a huge outpouring of a bluish grey gas, which Trip received full blast in his face. He staggered back clutching his throat. For a few minutes it seemed his whole body was racked in a violent coughing fit, but then as Lieutenant Seldar and Doctor Anders came rushing over, he collapsed unconscious on the floor.

Chapter 4

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Half a dozen of you have made comments

Trip Tucker - Rule #4 always listen to the Vulcan's warning... she's usually right. Ok the Andorians are going have have one pissed Vulcan on there collective blue ass. Certainly don't want to be them. Love the build to this story.

Great story! Cant wait for the next chapter!
Hope Trip gets to pull out can of county boy ass kickin on those blue devel's! Cause if T'pol gets a hold of them their wont be anything left!

Damn it Trip. No more leaving the ship for you!

Oh, what a shock. Trip has been injured! He needs some TLC from a certain Vulcan we all know and love.

Good chapter Hoshissis. Look forward to seeing what they plan to do to Trip. Please update soon. Thank you.

I have a feeling that Shran is going to be absolutely furious when he finds out what his subordinates have done. Not that anything he does to put things right will cut it with T'Pol. I am expecting one very angry, ready to kill Vulcan, in the next chapter. Ali D :~)