The Battle of Evermore

The Battle of Evermore

by Kevin

Rating: PG-13 (language)
Disclaimer: The characters mentioned within this text are the sole property of Paramount Studios, UPN, and Viacom. I intend no infringement.
Genre: AU, Angst, Friendship, Romance
Summary: Scene additions to Twilight. Jonathan Archer experiences a series of shocks but never remembers them.

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Trip ran his fingers through T’Pol’s hair and kissed her lightly on the top of her head. They were still in the process of catching their breath after their latest “exploration”.

“Once we set up the colony, I want you to head home.”

She shook her head. “I will not.”

Trip sighed. “T’Pol, be reasonable. It’s only a matter of time. I can’t have you throw your life away on me.”

“I am not throwing my life away.”

“Yes you are. When the Xindi find us, they aren’t going care you’re Vulcan. They’ll kill you along with the rest of us… Go home. Show them our evidence. Convince them they’re in danger too. They have to listen. In a few years, they won’t be able to stop the spread. It’ll be too late. The Expanse will be too large.”

“They will not listen to me. Soval rejected the evidence. He said it was an Andorian plot to draw their forces away.”

Trip snorted. “Fools. Why won’t they at least send a scout ship?”

“They refuse to enter the Expanse.”

Trip looked into her eyes as he caressed her cheek. “I still want you to go home… You have a chance to live out your normal life span. The Expanse won’t reach Vulcan for nearly two hundred years. Staying with me is a death sentence.”

“I will not. My place is here.”

Trip knew she would never leave. They had this argument many times over the past months. It was pointless. She’s not going to leave. She’s determined to throw her life away.

“You are a fool too…” He said to her as he pulled her into a kiss.

Just then he heard the door to his quarters open and in rushed Jonathan Archer.

“Trip, we’ve got two Starfleet ships along side. I can’t find T’Pol. We need to…”

Trip and T’Pol sat up with a gasp as the three of them stopped horrified at their situation. T’Pol quickly pulled the sheet up higher as soon as she realized her right breast was exposed.

“Jon, what the hell are you doing!?! Can’t you knock?”

“What the hell am I doing? I’m Captain of this ship! What the hell are you doing Trip? My two senior officers in bed together! We have a mission to complete and you’re messing around!?!”

Trip closed his eyes and began counting backwards from a hundred. He doesn’t remember anything… He doesn’t remember anything…

T’Pol spoke before Trip had a chance to regain his composure. “Jonathan… Captain… I… we can explain… If you return to your quarters we will get dressed and come by… Give us five minutes?”

“Yes. And you better have a good explanation! I’m disappointed in your behavior Sub-Commander. Even if you aren’t Starfleet, you’re still his senior officer.” He turned his focus on Trip. “You should know better too Commander.”

T’Pol looked down. Jonathan Archer assumed it was in shame at having been caught with Trip.

“I will see the two of you in five minutes.” He stormed out of Trip’s quarters.

Trip turned to T’Pol and slumped. She frowned at him.

“Trip, how many times have I told you to change the lock code? This is the third time he has barged into our quarters. He gets upset every time. If he had arrived five minutes earlier... it would have been humiliating… for all of us.”

Trip shook his head. “I know. I hate going over the same thing with him… I promise I will change it this time.”

“That is what you said after the last time.”

Trip laughed. “But I’ve used that lock code for years. I don’t want to learn another.”

“Learn a new one. We cannot have Jonathan barge into our quarters like this again.”

Trip clenched his jaw. “If this was Biggs again, I’m going to bust him down to guarding cargo bay 2. The MACOs can’t just let him roam.”

As Trip and T’Pol arrived outside of Jonathan Archer’s door, Trip stared down a red-faced Biggs.

“Dammit, Biggs, what have I told you about letting him out?”

“He tricked me sir.”

Trip shook his head. “He did that last time too. Learn dammit!”

“It won’t happen again sir.”

“You bet it won’t. Starting tomorrow you’re guarding cargo bay 2.”

Biggs slumped. “Yes sir.”

Trip scowled at the MACO. He took a deep breath. “Well, there’s not much point in you standing watch anymore tonight. Go to your quarters. Get some sleep.”

The MACO nodded his head and scurried off. Trip sighed and pushed the door chime button.

“Enter.”

Trip and T’Pol entered Archer’s quarters and took seats across from his desk.

“Captain, I can explain…”

“You better have a damn good explanation! What the hell were you think…”

Archer stopped in mid-sentence and Trip saw his face contort in confusion.

“T’Pol, when did you start wearing a Starfleet uniform? And why the hell are you wearing Captain’s bars?” Archer turned to glare at Trip. “This isn’t very damn funny, Trip! You’re already walking a fine line and having her impersonate a senior officer is a crime.”

“Now just calm down Jon and I’ll explain… A lot’s happened that you don’t remember.” Trip explained Archer’s injury and how he was unable to form any new memories.

Trip repeated the words that he always hated to relay. “Starfleet relieved you of command after your accident. Forrest gave T’Pol a field commission of Captain. She’s not impersonating a senior officer. She’s Captain of Enterprise.”

Archer frowned. He couldn’t believe it, but he also knew Trip wouldn’t really joke around like this.

“What about the mission? Have we found the Xindi weapon?”

T’Pol saw Trip’s eyes water. T’Pol reached out her hand and placed it over Trip’s. “I will tell him.” She knew he could never get through this part.

Trip nodded, unable to speak.

“After several months of searching, we learned where the weapon was being constructed. But the Xindi knew we were getting close. They dispatched two vessels to intercept us.” T’Pol described the battle and the resulting damage to Enterprise.

Archer could tell from Trip’s reaction, where the story was most likely headed. “You said we eventually found the weapon. How could we manage that with out Warp engines?”

T’Pol swallowed hard. “We located the facility where the Xindi constructed the probe… but it had already been deployed.”

“Earth?”

“Destroyed…”

Archer saw tears start to stream down Trip’s face.

“They did not stop with Earth. They attacked every Human outpost they could find. Mars. Alpha Centauri. Vega colony. All were destroyed.”

Archer struggled to control his own emotions. His heart was breaking under the weight. “How many of us are left?”

Trip finally could speak. “We’ve got about 5000 in this convoy. There are four others…”

“Approximately 18,000 Humans are known to have survived the attacks,” T’Pol added.

Archer was crushed. His world, humanity, all destroyed and he couldn’t remember a single detail of it.

“What about… before? You being together…” Archer said as he turned his attention to her.

“Trip and I are married.”

“Married? I never figured the two of you getting together.”

Trip chuckled to himself and reached over to hold T’Pol’s hand. “It kind of snuck up on us. It’s been six months… You were the best man at my wedding.”

“But how?” Archer couldn’t believe it–Trip and T’Pol married. But he could clearly see the love in Trip’s eyes for her. And they were in bed together apparently enjoying each other’s company just moments before. He couldn’t believe he just barged into Trip’s quarters. What the hell was I thinking?

“After the Xindi crippled Enterprise, T’Pol and I were at each others’ throats. We fought all the time about how the mission turned out. I blamed her for everything…”

T’Pol gave him a mock scowl. “It was very unproductive.”

Trip smiled and chuckled. “Yeah. Our lives’ were falling apart. One day I guess we just both realized we needed each other. We were able to kind of get the mission back on track. Taking care of the ship… taking care of you… brought us together.”

Archer watched Trip close his eyes and take a deep breath. “Once Earth was destroyed we didn’t see the point in denying ourselves so we got married. The Saratoga has a pastor on board who performed the ceremony.”

Archer sighed. “I wish I could remember it.”

Trip put his hand on Archer’s shoulder. “That’s okay, Jon. I understand. We taped it so you could watch it.”

“Thanks. I’d like that.” Archer turned red in the face. “I’m sorry I interrupted you two. Why don’t you head back to your quarters and…”

This time it was Trip’s face, which turned red. “We were pretty much done anyway… Besides, you kind of killed the mood.” Trip laughed and T’Pol diverted her eyes to the floor to hide her embarrassment.

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Trip looked at the view screen. “There it is T’Pol. Ceti Alpha V–our new home. We’ll be there in less than a week.”

T’Pol moved over to the window and Trip put his arm around her shoulder and pulled tightly.

“I should stay on the surface and take care of Jonathan.”

“Why?”

“Trip, you do not need a science officer on patrol. You cannot keep Jonathan on board. You have to post a watch to protect him. That means two people on board who can add nothing to your mission.”

“Yeah, but that means we’ll have to build a house–and take material away from the others. I’m not sure if we’re going to have enough for everyone.”

“I do not want you to remain aboard the ship all of the time. When the patrol is over I want you off the ship. You will need your rest. We need a home on the planet’s surface.”

“If you’re going to resign your commission, that means I’m the Captain. I need to stay on board.”

T’Pol shook her head sternly. “No. You established the twelve-day tour/four day rest rotation for a reason. I expect you to adhere to your own rules.”

Trip slumped. He knew this was a losing battle. “Okay. But our place can’t be large. Just big enough for the two of us plus Jon–three rooms and a bathroom–no more. I won’t take building material away from the others just because I’m Captain of Enterprise.”

“There will be plenty of building material from the transports and freighters. Most of them are barely space worthy. There is no reason to keep any of the civilian ships once we arrive.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for this T’Pol? Taking care of Jon is going to be difficult.”

“Jonathan is a full grown adult. He is not a child. He can take care of himself.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it… He’s never going to remember anything. Each day you’ll have to re-explain everything to him.”

“I know…” She looked into Trip’s sad eyes. I owe Jonathan my life. It is the least I could do.

Trip rubbed his hand along T’Pol’s back. “Come on. Let’s go… I promised Jon we’d have supper with him.”

The two turned and walked out of their quarters.

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T’Pol stood in front of Trip. He looked natural in the Captain’s ready room. Her ready room. Soon to be his.

He wants to join the away team doing the planet survey. That is unacceptable. “You are needed on Enterprise. The civilian leaders are going to want to meet with you.”

“Me? You’re the one to deal with.”

He still refuses to accept my decision. We have discussed this. “I am resigning my commission.” When will he accept the fact he is to be the Captain?

“You’re sure you want to do this?”

“Captain Archer will be better off on the surface with the others. He will need a caretaker–someone he trusts. I cannot be in two places at the same time.”

“You’re making one hell of a sacrifice… Why?”

“I have my reasons.” She owed her life to Jonathan. Moreover if she did not take care of him, she knew Trip would. Humanity, what remained of it, needed him. She would dedicate her life to taking care of Jonathan and sacrifice her time with Trip if it meant he could spend his time helping his people without worrying about Jon.

Trip moved over to put his hand on T’Pol’s shoulder. “It’s going to be tough being on patrol without you. I can’t remember the last time we’ve been apart more than two or three days.”

T’Pol straightened herself and looked into his eyes. “I believe it has been more than two years.”

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Archer couldn’t believe how things turned out. Their mission failed. Humanity nearly wiped out–fewer than 6000 people left. His grief was almost too much to bear.

Even worse, he realized that T’Pol had to retell the story every day for at least the past five years. Everyday was a new day for him with no memory of the previous. What must it be like to know the first thing you have to do every morning is to retell a story of a failed mission and humanity’s near destruction? The strain must be excruciating.

She looks so… comfortable… almost serene. I haven’t seen any of the tension I remember. Maybe she’s just resigned to her fate–to most likely die on this planet with the rest of us. Why wouldn’t she return to Vulcan? What’s keeping her here?

Archer heard a communicator chirp and saw T’Pol move to pick it up. “Yes.”

“Hey darling… We just entered orbit.” It was Trip’s voice. He called her darling? And she didn’t seem to care.

“When will you return?”

“I’ve got a debriefing and then Governor Heineman wants to meet. I should be home for supper.”

“We look forward to your return.”

“Me too! I love you…”

“And I, you.”

“Tell Jon I said hi. Tucker out.”

Archer was stunned. He recognized that Trip and T’Pol were becoming closer in the Expanse, but he hadn’t realized just how close. Did she actually just say she loved him? In front of me? He shook his head.

T’Pol recognized the confused look on Jonathan’s face. She had seen it so many times. “Trip has just returned from patrol. He and I are married.”

“I can’t believe it.” He shook his head and grinned. “I didn’t think Trip would ever get married.”

“Trip helped me through a very difficult time… we helped each other through a difficult time. We found we needed each other. We decided to get married after Earth was destroyed. By that time trying to hide our feelings toward each other from the rest of the crew was pointless.”

Archer sighed. That’s why she’s staying here. “I’m glad you have each other. I hope your lives are happy.”

“I believe we are doing the best we can under the present circumstances.”

“I guess I’m going to have to give him a hard time for saying he loves a Vulcan.” Archer started to laugh.

“He has heard that many times from you.” Archer stopped laughing when he recognized T’Pol did not find his attempt to needle his friend amusing. He wondered how many times over the years he’d said the same thing to Trip.

“Jonathan, I need your help with our generator. We have to realign its power converter before Trip arrives. Spending twelve days straight as Captain and Chief Engineer of Enterprise is exhausting and I do not wish him to spend his rest period working on our home.”

“Sure thing T’Pol. It’s the least I could do. Let’s get to it.”

A few hours later Trip walked along the path that led to his home. He knew how crucial his role aboard Enterprise had become but his favorite time was the long walk from the landing pad. The anticipation of seeing T’Pol again after being without her for twelve days was almost too much to bear.

Trip smiled as he saw T’Pol standing on their porch waiting for him. He pulled her to his chest and gave her a deep kiss. After breaking the kiss, he stroked her long brown hair. “I’m glad to be back.”

“Did you find anything unusual on patrol?”

“Nope. Boring as hell just like the last hundred and some patrols… Thank God! We had to repair a couple of sentry probes but nothing else really happened.”

He stared into her eyes and felt a warm, tingly feeling pass through his body. Twelve days is too long to be away from her!

“How’s Jon?”

“He is cooking supper.”

“What’s he making?”

“What do you think?”

Trip slumped. “Again.”

“Yes… It is a balanced meal that meets our complete dietary needs.”

“I know. It’s just… boring.”

T’Pol scowled at him. “We have limited options. If it were not for the food donations, we would have no variety in our diet. They are the only foodstuffs that can survive the voyage from Vulcan without requiring stasis units.”

Trip grinned at her. “Well at least we ran out of those damn ration packs. Uck!”

“Indeed.”

They walked into the kitchen where Jonathan was cooking supper.

“Hi, Jon. How’s supper coming?”

Archer turned to see Trip and scowled.

“What?”

“It’s just tough seeing you so old. Yesterday you seemed so young…” Archer recognized the pained look in their faces. “My yesterday, I guess.”

“I don’t look so old. I’m only thirty-eight. I think I look pretty good all things considered.”

“I’m sorry Trip… This is just so…”

T’Pol finished his sentence… “Disconcerting.”

“Yes… I hope I’ve told you two this before, but I am very grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”

Trip nodded. “Yeah, you’ve told us that many times. But really you need to thank T’Pol. I spend most of my time on patrol. You do a lot more around here than I do.” Trip started laughing. “Most of the time I feel like you guys are taking care of me. When I’m home all I ever do is eat and sleep.”

T’Pol gave him a curious look.

Trip grinned back at her. “Well almost.” He started laughing to himself.

Archer turned back to the pot on the stove. He lifted a spoon to his mouth to taste its contents. “Okay you two.” He gave them a dismissive wave. “Go! Take a seat. I’ll dish it up in a few minutes.”

T’Pol took a step toward him. “Jonathan, please let me do that. You and Trip can take a seat. I will get everything ready.”

“Nonsense, T’Pol. Trip just returned home. Go out there and have a seat with him. I’ll give you a few minutes alone while I serve it up.”

T’Pol scowled but she could tell he would not budge.

Trip grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the table. “Come on. Fill me in on anything that’s happened. I can’t believe things here could be as boring as on patrol…” Trip chuckled. “Make something up if you have to.”

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“Seven months!” T’Pol refused to believe this day would come. “You will be gone seven months!”

Trip closed his eyes and nodded. “Yes.”

“No! I will not allow it.”

Trip laughed at her demand. “It’s my turn to pick up the supplies.”

“Send someone else.”

Trip’s face turned serious. “No! I will not pull rank. It’s my turn and I’m going.”

T’Pol stiffened and glared right at Trip.

“That won’t work–don’t even waste your time! We need those supplies… Without them we’ll all be dead. I’d crawl naked across that damn ice ball they call a home world if that’s what they wanted. But they don’t. They’re not asking for anything in return other than we put our ships at risk picking the stuff up… I’m going whether you like it or not.”

He could tell she still wasn’t happy.

“I will speak with Commander Reed…”

Trip’s anger bubbled over. “You most certainly will not! He went last year! I am not having Mika spend another seven months alone because you don’t want me to leave! You know as well as I do he’ll take my turn if you ask him… It’s not fair to him. He went last year.”

T’Pol recognized the logic in his statement and both of them relaxed slightly.

Trip took a deep breath to calm himself. “Look, you’ll be working with Phlox. He says you should be ready to try Jon’s treatment when I get back. The Andorians are giving us the anti-proton emitters just like Phlox requested. We’ll have them mounted and integrated into our systems by the time we’re back. You’ll hardly notice I’m gone.” He chanced a slight grin. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I will notice you are gone. It will be seven months! I cannot work all of that time.”

Trip sighed. “Come on T’Pol. It’s going to be hard enough leaving you for that long… I don’t want to fight anymore. I have to leave in a couple days. I don’t want to spend them fighting over something that’s going to happen anyway.”

Trip reached up to rub her arm and give her his best pleading face. “I just want to spend a nice couple days home alone with you. I’m going to get pretty lonely over the next seven months and I need something to tide me over.”

He saw her face soften. “Yes, of course. I apologize.”

“Thanks. You know I love you more than anything, don’t you?” She nodded to Trip as he pulled her close in an embrace. “Where’s Jon?”

“He is spending the evening with the Reeds. I believe they are playing cards.”

Trip smiled at her. “That means he’ll be gone until at least midnight. We’ve got at least five hours to ourselves.”

T’Pol looked into his eyes. “How do you suggest we spend them?” she teased.

Trip grinned at her and pulled her by the wrist toward their room. “I’m sure we’ll think of something...”

“Remember to lock the door this time.”

Trip started laughing as he closed the door–and locked it.

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Trip gathered together the remaining Enterprise officers to welcome their old Captain. He just returned from his supply run and wanted to be alone with T’Pol as soon as possible. He’d held out for seven months, he could hold out for a few more hours. If I have to. It’ll be too obvious if T’Pol and I just disappear in the middle of the reunion. He chuckled to himself.

His heart warmed at seeing Jon again. “It’s good to see you sir.” He felt his palms get moist after his vastly different reaction from seeing T’Pol again. He hoped the change wouldn’t be noticeable to anyone but her.

Archer stepped up to Trip and put his hand on his shoulder. “Captain Tucker… I don’t think you need to call me sir any more.”

Trip grinned. “Old habits… I apologize for the low lighting. We’re running on reserve power. Anti-matter’s at a premium these days.”

Archer thought he looked so tired. “How long has it been since you took Command?”

“Nine years.” Trip turned to move the Captain toward the others. “I’ve got some people who’d like to say Hello.”

As Archer shook hands with Malcolm, Trip turned his attention to T’Pol. He pulled her to him and clutched her tightly. “I’ve missed you so much. It’s been awful without you.”

“I have missed you too. I was… lonely.”

Trip smiled. So was I, but I guess she knows that by the lump in my pants. “Come on, let’s join the others. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

Two hours later, Archer stared at Trip and T’Pol sitting in a corner. Trip kept his hands wrapped around hers and they spoke together… intimately. No one at the reception seemed to notice anything strange. Everyone seemed to leave them alone without a word being spoken.

“Are you okay sir?”

Archer turned to Hoshi. “I’m fine. I didn’t know Trip and T’Pol were together.”

Hoshi sighed. “They’ve been together almost ten years. Even now it’s almost impossible for me to believe. Trip in love with a Vulcan! Who could have guessed? But she makes him happy. I’ve even caught her smiling at him a few times.”

A tiny part of him felt angry… betrayed. When T’Pol told him their relationship had evolved, he thought it meant romantically. He gave an amused snort. You woke up in a single bed. Where’d you think she sleep if you were really together?

Hoshi continued. “I can’t believe they’re still here. If Hitu just got back from a seven-month supply run, we sure wouldn’t be at this reception–no offense, sir. She has more self control than I do.”

Archer gave her a questioning look. She realized probably no one filled him in on the details today. “Enterprise got back early this morning from a supply run to an Andorian outpost. It’s just over seven months round trip. They give us food, equipment, parts, anti-matter and so forth. Mostly junk and surplus but it keeps us going.”

She paused for a moment to watch Trip kiss the back of T’Pol’s hand and whisper something to her. “They haven’t seen each other in seven months and still insisted on having your reception as soon as possible.” She rubbed her hand across Archer’s back. “They both care for you very much sir. You know, their biggest argument was over how to best take care of you–on the ship or on the planet. T’Pol won that argument. She convinced him you’d get better care on the planet.”

Archer felt his heart ache. He couldn’t take any more. He had to get away from the roomful of familiar strangers. He took a deep breath. “I need to take a walk. I’m going to head to my old room.”

“Good luck… Trip’s lived there for seven months without T’Pol to clean up after him. I think you’re taking your life into your own hands…” Hoshi laughed.

Across the room Trip watched as Jon stood up and left the mess hall. T’Pol noticed something distracted his attention away from her. “What is it?”

“Jon. He just got up and left.” Trip frowned.

“Let me go talk to him. I believe being back on Enterprise is unsettling for him.”

Trip ran his hand along her cheek. “Okay. I’ll meet you down in engineering. I’ll make sure everything’s ready. Phlox and I can set everything up ourselves.”

“Have Doctor Phlox notify us when you are ready. I expect he went to his old room.”

Trip nodded. “Yeah, I figured he might do that. I actually cleaned up. You’d be proud of me.”

T’Pol arched eyebrow. “Really.”

He nodded.

T’Pol saw his eyes water. He swallowed hard. “If this procedure works, I want you to go home. Jon won’t need you to look after him any more.”

“No.”

“Please T’Pol…” He took her hand in his. “Please leave for me. I don’t want you throw your life away. Even if somehow I die of old age, you’ll still outlive me by a hundred years. Think of yourself for once!”

He saw her stiffen but she did not answer. He recognized the slight quiver in her jaw when she was trying to control her emotions.

“We could still see each other. I’ll take all of the supply runs to Vulcan. It’d only be four or five days every other month but at least you’d be safe.”

She reached out to run her hand along the slight stubble of his face. “We will discuss this later. I should make sure Jonathan is fine.”

“Okay.” Trip shook his head as she walked away from him. ‘We will discuss this later’ is her code for ‘I will not’ when she doesn’t want to make a scene. Well dammit, not this time! If Jon’s treatment works I’ll make sure she’s on that transport back to Vulcan.

The End

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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

Loved it, Kevin! To be honest, I'm one of the few people who didn't like 'Twilight', but that's because I have a bias against big whopping resets - and time travel, but that's a whole other discussion. My immediate reaction after the episode finished was, "Okay, so nothing happened this week to advance our heroes' quest. They're exactly where they were when the episode started, unless of course, you count Archer's sudden insight that T'Pol would have made a good nurse." But enough of my ranting about the episode...

You fit everything in beautifully with the episode and still managed to make sense of some of Sussman's nonsensical dialogue. I always wondered what T'Pol meant by 'Our relationship has evolved'. An evolution is a gradual change from one thing or state to another over time. Since T'Pol spent every single day in a repeat of the day before because Archer forgot everything over night, I always wondered how Sussman saw their relationship as 'evolving'. Even if T'Pol jumped his bones every day, Archer would have forgotten it by the next morning and they're still back to square one, so where's the evolving change? It's the inane lines like that that irk me, but I like your take on 'Twilight', Kevin. You've thought this through very nicely and actually made the episode seem better than it was.

I really like the way you tie in what we saw with what I (and apparently, others) wanted to see.

Verra, verra nice! Thank goodness your muse still visits you on a regular basis! That's a very interesting set up you've created at the end of the story. I'm hoping there's more!

Very nice. And don't worry, Trisun5, I'm in that minority as well and for pretty much the same reason. Stupid Magic Reset Button...

Excellent work, Kevin. Glad to see more from you...

Very sweet. And I agree that there should be more!

I always wondered what would happen to the Xindi when that cowboy planet, the lost Human colony from 'North Star' made use of all the technolgy and tactical information that they got from Enterprise. Imagine the reaction to finding out that aliens had destroyed Earth. The Xindi might have made a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Kevin,
To be perfectly honest with you, after you cast J.B. as Trip's sexually twisted girlfriend who left him with a serious need for therapy in one of your previous fics, I made the conscious decision to avoid reading and commenting on your work... but the premise of this one one caught my eye, and I must say I'm glad I changed my mind. Not only have you cleaned up your subject matter, but your writing has greatly improved as well. I enjoyed this story. Thank you for continuing to polish your craft.

Thanks everyone for the comments. The first time I saw Twilight was when it was voted "fan's choice" or something like that. For the life of me I cannot understand why this episode would be so highly rated.

So I wanted to "fix" it. I know I said the same thing about "Emperor Charles I", but I just can't there being much more to this story. Very shortly after this story ends, Super Archer appears and I vomit into my trashcan. :-)

Have to agree with Trisun5 except that while I didn't love the episode because of the reset I did so enjoy the rest of it.

This was a great, what really happened, story.

Thanks for fleshing the episode out properly for us.

Agreed the quality of your writing is at another, better, level in this story.

Tracy-ThePleasedNaggingCube

I very much loved this version but wanted to shake Trip for continually insisting she should leave him and go back to Vulcan. No, no, NO. Trip and T'Pol need to be together, whether in heaven, hell or purgatory. Anything less than that is not a good ending. Ali D :~)

Yeah but come on, Ali, he's just trying to look out for his woman. Makes perfect sense to me that he'd want her to be safe someplace...

^^^ Crap. That came out like I was angry or something at Ali D...Sorry! Just arguing for Trip...

This is getting a little repetitive, but I loved it! "Twilight" was one of my favorite episodes and you have, in fact, improved it. I would have to disagree with other reviewers who want more. Sadly, we know this version of history is about to blink out of existence in a few more scenes, which makes your story all the more poingant.

Also good for Trip, for trying to get T'Pol to safety. He's so descent!