Enemy of the State-Ch 25

Enemy of the State

By Quills

Contact: quills@thequillpen.net
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Summary: The starship Enterprise is on a desperate mission to save Earth from the mysterious Xindi. While searching for the weapon the Xindi intend to use against Earth, Captain Archer and his crew are reunited with their friend from the future, Captain Soma, who brings news of an even more sinister plot by a Xindi faction involving the Vulcans, which threatens not only Earth, but the entire galaxy. Now it is up to Archer and his crew, with the help of Soma, to unravel the Xindi plot and prevent Earth and the galaxy from falling at the feet of their greatest threat…Vulcan.
***Special note: This story takes place after the season three episode, “Carpenter Street,” but before the episode “Harbinger.”

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Chapter 25

Archer sat on the makeshift bunk, rubbing the raw skin along his jaw where Tolaris had kicked him. It was the last thing he remembered before losing consciousness. Apparently, his lack of cooperation didn’t sit well with Tolaris. Waking up, he found that he and Soma were stuck in some cell, guarded by a force field. The only saving grace was that T’Pol had escaped. But that didn’t change their situation any. Looking at the unconscious Soma, he shook his head. He had checked the Vulcan’s vital signs, but wasn’t completely sure what was normal for Soma. He seemed to be all right, except for a nasty bump on the head that he received when he hit the ground, after being stunned. It didn’t look serious, but the only thing Archer could do was let him rest. At least they were alive, which only deepened the mystery. Why? And what was Tolaris’ part in all this? He had met his timeline’s version of the Vulcan, and found him to be about as pleasant. And like his Tolaris, this one seemed equally preoccupied by T’Pol. He remembered what Tolaris had done to her, how he had violated her, infected her. Looking back at Soma, he wondered if she would ever be free of what Tolaris had done to her. Phlox had managed to slow the Panar, but with very little cooperation from the Vulcan’s, he wondered if it would always be with her. At least her son didn’t have it. Phlox had determined that it wasn’t hereditary.

Archer heard a low murmur. Looking at Soma, he could see the Vulcan was waking up. Moving off the bunk, he knelt down next to him, helping the Vulcan sit up.

“Take it easy,” said Archer. “You took a bump on your head.”

Soma put his hand on the swelling. Touching it caused a stinging sensation and he moved his hand away to stop the pain. “My head feels like there’s a Klingon living in it?”

Archer smiled. The Soma wit always found a way out.

“Where are we?”

“Not sure,” answered Archer. “Some kind of cell. Looks like we’re still in the building Setel led us to.”

Soma looked at Archer. “My mother?”

Archer shook his head. “She got out.”

Soma sighed in relief.

“But I’m certain Tolaris will be looking for her.”

He looked at Archer in confusion. “Tolaris?”

“He’s the man who’s furnished these excellent accommodations.”

Soma shook his head, and then regretted it when he felt the buzzing sensation return. Pushing himself off the mattress, he tried to stand. Seeing him fall back, Archer caught him. Steadying himself on Archer’s arm, Soma stood up. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated on suppressing the feeling of vertigo he was experiencing. After a few moments, he released his hold on Archer and stood freely. Archer watched Soma walk over to the force field. He was about to grab him, when Soma suddenly stopped. For a moment, Archer was afraid he was going to collapse again, and fall into it. But Soma remained standing. Studying the field, Soma ran his eyes along the perimeter, looking for weak spots. Moving closer, he ran his fingers along the edge, causing the energy curtain to shimmer.

“I already tried,” said Archer.

Soma didn’t bother looking back. “You don’t mind if I look for myself.”

Archer detected the return of hostility in Soma’s voice. It almost seemed like it was forced, rather than any genuine anger, like he was trying to keep Archer at a distance.

"Jonathan...we need to talk."

Soma stop for a moment. Half turning to Archer, he shook his head. "Agreed…but I don't think now is the time for it."

"You going somewhere?"

Turning around, Soma looked at Archer. He knew the captain was right. Now was as good a time as any to get this out in the open. They had both been dancing around the issue since…the incident. It needed to be addressed.

Archer could see how difficult this was for Soma. But it was hardly any easier for him. He had felt guilt ridden about what happened, but questioned whether it was the act itself or Soma knowing that was the source of his guilt. The uncertainty troubled him greatly.

"I know you're angry and you have a right to be," said Archer, "but if you'll let me explain-"

"No!" said Soma forcefully.

Archer looked up at him and swallowed hard. He felt like he was being called in front of his high school principal. Looking at Soma proved difficult for Archer. Knowing that he would one day be a child aboard his ship, his student and god son, but also that he was four times his age and a man of equal rank. He often believed Soma liked it that way. It gave the Vulcan an edge.

"No, Jon," repeated Soma, his voice softer, more conciliatory. "I don't want to hear your explanation...because you don't owe me one. But I do owe you an apology."

Archer stared at him in surprise. Had he heard him right? He owed “him” an apology?

"You’re my parents' closest and dearest friend," said Soma, looking out the force field. "The three of you have stood by each other, risking your lives for one another on more occasions than I can count. They trust you implicitly. I forgot that for a moment."

"Jonathan..."

Soma looked at Archer. "I was angry. I thought...something I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry for doubting you. You’re family Jon. I know you would never do anything to dishonor us.”

Archer smiled. He couldn’t help the pride he felt from Soma’s words. But he wondered if he deserved them. Soma may have decided he had overreacted, but Archer still felt that he had somehow betrayed him.

“I’m not as innocent as you might think,” confessed Archer. He couldn’t come out and tell Soma the truth, that he was attracted to his mother. He had hurt him enough already.
But he had to say something.

Soma shook his head. “I know.”

Archer shot him a puzzled look. What was it that he knew?

“Don’t seem so surprised,” smiled Soma. “I’ve known you all my life. Don’t you think I would know that you have feelings for her?”

Archer stared at him in disbelief. He knew how he felt about his mother? Then a thought occurred to him, and he had to know the answer. “Does T’Pol know?”

“Eventually, yes. Now…I believe she suspects.”

“And Trip?”

“My father has always known,” answered Soma, matter-of-factly. “Even before my mother knew. It’s one of the reasons he took so long to acknowledge his feelings for her. He didn’t want to come between the two of you.”

“What?” said Archer, in disbelief.

Soma nodded, “My mother has always had a strong affection for you, Jon. If things had been different…if you had met under different circumstances…who knows,” he said shrugging. “But you were her captain and that meant any feelings either of you might have had for one another couldn’t be pursued.”

Archer continued to stare at Soma, stunned by what he was being told. He wasn’t about to dispute it, because he knew his own feelings. But it was unsettling to hear them relayed so clearly by someone else.

“You both resigned yourselves to the close friendship that you shared. What might have been was something neither of you were willing to jeopardize that friendship over,” explained Soma.

“I wish I was as certain about that as you are,” said Archer, shamefully.

“It bothers you?”

“Yes!” he said, jumping up from the bunk. “For god sakes I kissed my best friends wife…and I enjoyed it.”

“You kissed your best friends future wife,” corrected Soma “As for enjoying it…I-I sometimes forget just how beautiful she is. I can’t fault you for feeling something. Your thoughts may have strayed, but I believe that your motives were pure.”

Archer still wasn’t completely convinced, and Soma could see the doubt lingering in his expression. Placing his hand on Archer’s shoulder, he looked at him and smiled.

“Don’t persecute yourself for being…human.”

Archer couldn’t help smiling. He found the whole notion that a Vulcan was advising him on feelings to be some ironic cosmic joke. “You’re a good man, Jonathan.”

“So are you. I’m sorry that I forgot that. And I’m sorry if I made things more difficult for you.”

Smiling, Archer shook his head.

“Just don’t make a habit of it,” added Soma. “We Tucker’s aren’t to be trifled with.”

Archer grinned, holding up his hands, in mock surrender.

“Well, I see neither of you is any the worse for wear.”

Archer and Soma both turned toward the force field. On the opposite side, they could see Tolaris, flanked by two imposing Naussicans. The Vulcan was standing with an air of confidence that reeked of superiority.

“Now, I think it’s time the three of us had a talk.”

Chapter 26

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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

Initial reaction: EEeew! Concessions to A/T!

Delayed reaction: Awesome chapters, Quills. I still kind of with Soma had beaten the crap out of him though. ;)

^^LOL... actually I'm glad Soma didn't beat the crap out of him. Archer can't help his feelings... but he better learn how to deal with them quick! Or he WILL have a Tucker beating the crap out of him. :D

Nice Chapter Quills... in fact, Nice Chapters... they were all great!

Great to see the story coming along and I liked the exchange between Soma and Archer. That Tolaris is a scum bag in any timeline. I am intrigued to find out what Trip and Malcolm can do with the Big Daddy of the alien transporter technology they have already seen. As for those black suited Vulcans they remind me of Ninja. Also had to smile at you having those on the planet with the tattoo on their faces being members of the criminal fraternity, what the Chinese called the Golden Ticket to mark them out as outlaws. Can't wait to see what happens next. Ali D :~)

Wow!! How cool is that, 4 chapters at once.

I'll be honest with you Quills I'm not that enamored with A/T, never have been, never will be. So the A/T undertones in this story is somewhat unsettling. Now having said that, I enjoyed how you had Soma deal with Archer's interest in T'Pol and it's resolution. Will you have Soma and T'Pol discussing the incident at some point?

I think it's time too get the 3 of them off this nightmare version of Vulcan. You've written a very dark, and sinister place. It's starting to creep me out. How about having Trip and Malcolm save day. Great chapters, can't wait for next installments. Thanks a bunch. :-)

Wow, quills! First of all, I generally don't read anything in which Archer has "feelings" for T'Pol, whether acted upon or not, just 'cause I don't see it on the show. It just seems out of character to me so it becomes hard for me to hear the characters' voices as I read. BUT...I continued reading your fic and I'm glad I did. You've created quite a character in Soma. I really, really like him! I look forward to your next post. Thank you!

Nice, lovely lovely 4 chapters to drool over.
Thanks and hoping more to come soon.

YaY!!! 4 chapters! ... except now that I'm done reading them, I want to read more! Great chapters, I can't wait to see what Trip and Co. figure out.

Four great chapters, Quills -- I enjoyed every word. (Well, maybe not the A/T part -- I wasn't wild about the suggestion that if he hadn't been the captain, they would've acted on "their" feelings. It's not that I mind Archer having feelings for T'Pol -- I just don't want her to receiprocate! Anyway, now that it's out of the way, I'm looking forward to the next chapter! Soma's a great character.)

Loved it as usual Quills! What a weird relationship Soma and Archer have. And you handle it sooo well. I had the same reaction to the A/T 'what if' suggestion (EEEEWWWWW!) as others. Guess the fact that Archer was talking to T/T's kid mitigated it for me!

Can't wait for more!

Can't wait for more!

“Please sir, can I have some more”
I’ve read “Gateway” and all of this story (so far) in about a week,
and …
well…
DAMN QUILLS! Most books I’ve paid for aren’t this interesting. The people at paramount are dumb asses for not keeping you on the pay roll. I would stop gushing and make actual points about why I enjoy your writing so much but, truth be tolled, there are just too many to make and I don’t have that kind of time.
Now, please, MORE!!! Before I go through withdraws ( twitch twitch ) ; )

Well this is better than Gateway. I hope you come up with the rest of the story fast because it is damn good. I hope you take out a lot of more chapters.

This is very good and I hope you come up with more stories quickly.

i want the next part...

Excellent story. When do we get the next chapter?

Please tell me that we'll get another chapter soon!!

This story is excellent!

More please! This is a great story.

I have to agree with everybody, please more... It's a great story and Soma it's a heck of a character