Consequences-Part 23

Consequences

By Samantha Quinn

Rating: PG-13
All disclaimers in part 1

Part 23

Suggestions

All disclaimers in part 1
Spoilers: On-going for Stigma and Fusion, additional for "Breaking the Ice." The quotes from Trip below come from Trip and T’Pol’s conversation in BtI.

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Archer stood on the bridge of the Enterprise pensively. The Vulcan shuttlepod had arrived back at the T'Lar without incident and the Vulcan ship was getting ready to leave. Archer had not yet seen Lieutenant Reed concerning Commander Tucker, deeming T'Pol's departure more immediately demanding.

Captain Skon's face appeared on the screen in front of him, breaking Archer's reverie. "Captain Archer, I wish to thank you for your assistance in the capture of Ambassador Soval. You have done planet Vulcan a great service this day."

Archer briefly wondered if he was the first human a Vulcan had thanked. He was relatively certain he was the first human to be praised for servicing planet Vulcan. Then he considered the Vulcan who had his full attention at the moment and contemplated that perhaps he was wrong in his assessment.

"I'm glad I could be of assistance, Captain Skon. I'm sorry you're in such a hurry to return- I was looking forward to our discussions of philosophy and history," Archer commented, referencing the revealing conversation the pair had shared in sickbay.

"As was I, Captain. However, when I made that statement, I was . . . unaware of the urgency of Soval's illness," Skon remarked. The statement did not fool Archer for a moment. Something else had occurred between Skon and T'Pol in sickbay that had forced Skon to return to the planet sooner than necessary. Archer was relieved to know that T'Pol would be in such caring hands.

"I see. Take good care of her, Captain. Please let her know that if she should recover, she is more than welcome to return to our ship," Archer implored.

Skon was silent for a moment. In truth, he wondered if T'Pol had bothered to tell these humans the nature of her illness. It seemed illogical to let them believe she had any chance of healing, when she was refusing to partake in the one treatment that could heal her. Still, it was not his decision to make. "I shall, Captain. Live long and prosper."

"Good bye, Captain Skon." As the transmission was cut, Archer shook his head and hoped the conversation with Lieutenant Reed had a happier ending than T'Pol had.

****

"You have not eaten." The statement from Skon contained the slightly reproachful sound an adult Vulcan gives to their child.

"No, I have not," T'Pol replied.

"You require nourishment, Sub-Commander. Particularly in your condition."

"Food will not cure my illness."

Skon tilted his head slightly. "No, but a lack of food shall increase its effects."

"I have had to remind the humans on several occasions that a Vulcan can survive prolonged periods without nourishment. I should not have to remind you of the same." T'Pol did not manage to hide the irritation in her voice.

"That is true of Vulcans who are healthy. You are not," Skon replied easily.

T'Pol fought down the urge to sigh, which took considerable more strength than it should have. The man seemed desperate to irritate her today. *Much like Commander Tucker,* she noted. The thought brought the predictable pain that she was beginning to associate with the engineer.

"I am fine," she replied in answer to Skon's questioning her health status. T'Pol questioned if that statement would ever be truthful again.

"I have been contemplating your illness," Skon informed the Vulcan as she gave in to his protests and began consumption of the plomeek soup.

"Indeed?"

"Yes. Your resistance to bond with a Vulcan because of the Pa'nar Syndrome is understandable."

"It is logical," T'Pol responded stoically.

"Perhaps," Skon agreed. His response earned him an accusing eyebrow lift from T'Pol. He fought down the urge to chuckle. It had been so long since he had served with his former protégé that he had forgotten her ability to silence an enemy with only a glance. It was a trait that had served her well in her position at the Defense Ministry. Skon did not wish to relive that memory-recommending T'Pol for the post had resulted in great emotional pain for his former science officer. It wasn't a concept he wished to dwell upon.

"Yes, perhaps," Skon continued. "Although surely there are other Vulcans with Pa'nar Syndrome with whom you could bond."

"That is unacceptable," T'Pol responded.

"Why is that? True, your marriage would not be one of mutual affection, but you would share a mutual connection. That is more than most Vulcan couples share in the marriages arranged by their parents," Skon reminded her.

**"Boy. Where I come from arranged marriages went out with slavery."*** Closing her eyes to force away the memory from her conversation with Commander Tucker, T'Pol replied, "Affection is irrelevant."

Again, an unwanted and unbidden memory surfaced. **"No, it's not, it's very relevant. Do you want to go back and marry this guy spend a year with him, ten years, a hundred years, or do you want to stay on Enterprise?"**

"What then is the basis of your decision? Neither affection nor logic are figuring into your decision," Skon chastised.

*You could not be more wrong. Both are essential to my choice.* "I would do my family shame by marrying someone with Pa'nar Syndrome. The only choices would be known to be Melders-something viewed as a disgrace in our culture," T'Pol said forcefully.

"I am aware of our society's stigma on Melders," Skon replied.

T'Pol regarded Skon with barely contained irritation. "I have an obligation to my family, to my heritage to not disappoint them. It takes precedence over personal want." **You've got an obligation to yourself,** Commander Tucker's voice haunted her thoughts. "No," she retorted. "I do not."

"You do not?" Skon inquired questionably.

"I . . . apologize. My illness has resulted in considerable lack of mental discipline."

"There is no need to apologize. I am aware that you are ill. You are aware, of course, that there are others that could serve as a mate that are not known publicly as Melders?"

"How is that possible?" T'Pol questioned.

"You have been away from Vulcan for some time, T'Pol. In your absence, the Melder Resistance Movement has grown considerably. Lady T'Pau and myself are . . . involved in the movement."

**"People change."

"Vulcan's don't."*** "I see. I wish you prosperity in your endeavors. May your revolution be as peaceful and successful as the Revolution of Surak was," T'Pol responded.

Skon nodded thoughtfully. "T'Pau and I could arrange a bonding between you and a very high respected member of the community who has Pa'Nar Syndrome. No one would suspect, and your parents would be most pleased, even your father," Skon suggested.

**Pleasing my father would be most unlikely.** "Perhaps."

"If you were to meld, however, it would be a mating bond. Your most intimate thoughts would be known to your mate including any sexual preferences for him . . . Or for someone else," Skon warned T'Pol.

**"What do you want to do?"** Commander Tucker's voice again taunted her and T'Pol gripped her hands tightly together to prevent the pain from becoming visible. "I do not wish to initiate such a bond with a stranger." Inwardly, she felt her hope crumble. The only cure possible was then out of the question. If they would know of her desires, then she could not risk such a linkage.

"I see. If you change your mind, T'Pol, let me know."

"I shall," T’Pol promised. *A change in my thought is not possible.*

“Ambassador Soval wishes to speak with you,” Skon remarked as he turned to leave.

“That shall have to wait until we are on Vulcan. I require meditation at the present. I trust I shall be allowed to visit him in confinement?” T’Pol questioned.

“Yes, it is his right to have visitors. I am certain he would want you as one of them,” Skon told her.

*Would he if he knew why I cannot cure my illness?* T’Pol wondered.
****
Archer scowled at the frame in front of him, his frown growing deeper and deeper with each passing moment. Beside him, Malcolm stood watching his captain with growing concern. *I don’t think he understands the significance of this video,* Malcolm thought with concern.
The video revealed Sub-Commander T’Pol bending over in agony. “I’ve seen enough, Malcolm,” Archer said, clearly angry. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
Archer started to leave, and Malcolm felt a bit more than desperate. “Sir?” he questioned, hesitantly.
The Captain sighed wearily. “I suppose we’ll have to add conduct unbecoming to his list of official charges. If you need anything else, Lieutenant, try to save it for morning. It’s been a long day.”
*Bugger, bugger, bugger.* “With all due respect, Captain, you are missing the point,” Malcolm said bravely, hoping he didn’t sound as insubordinate as he felt.
“Excuse me, Lieutenant?”
Malcolm expanded the facial region of Commander Tucker’s body, and rewound the tape. His actions infuriated the Captain. “I’ve seen it once, Lieutenant, and I have no reason to see it again. Perhaps you have some sick desire to watch Trip in this state, but I don’t.”
*If I had only stayed with the navy, I wouldn’t be in this situation, * Malcolm noted. “I assure you, Sir,” Malcolm fought to keep his voice steady, “I have no desire to watch Commander Tucker in such a state. If you would only pay attention to-“
“I watched the video, Malcolm, and frankly, I don’t see what you are seeing. I’m disappointed in you, Lieutenant, as you promised you wouldn’t let your personal feelings interfere in your duty. As far as I’m concerned, you haven’t kept that promise,” Archer spat.
*If you knew how strongly I was resisting the urge to strike a senior officer, you would have no grounds to question my sense of duty, Captain,* Malcolm thought angrily to himself. “Respectfully, sir, pay attention to his face. He is undergoing convulsions in that area and in his hands too, when they aren’t . . . occupied,” he implored Archer as he pressed the signal for the video to play again.
Archer watched the video with his arms folded and hands clenched. He searched desperately for the signs Malcolm saw and thought he saw them-but were they enough to warrant Malcolm’s claims?
When the video ended, the acting first officer turned to look at the Captain expectantly. “Alright, Malcolm,” Archer sighed, “I’ll grant you that he is shaking-it may be because he is sick, it may be because he realizes the damage he’s caused to the Sub-Commander, it may be because of his past activities.”
“With respect, sir, neither you nor I are physicians. Regulations clearly state that if a prisoner’s health is in danger, he is to be checked by the Chief Medical Officer,” Malcolm replied. His urge to slap some sense into Archer had grown considerably.
“Yes, of course. I’ll send Phlox to check on Trip immediately,” Archer agreed.
“That won’t be necessary, Captain. I’ll take care of Commander Tucker’s situation.” At Archer’s questioning look, he continued, “You have noted that you are tired. Perhaps you should get some sleep, Sir.”
“You know, I have a feeling you are going to be even more of a nagging First Officer than T’Pol was,” Archer said with a groan.
*If I have my way, a certain Commander will soon be first officer instead anyway,* Malcolm thought. “It is likely, sir. Goodnight.”
“Malcolm,” Archer called, making the man pause on his mission towards sickbay, “The Captain in me isn’t allowed to have favorites or preferences. But the friend in me hopes you’re right.”
*You haven’t bloody well acted like it,* Malcolm noted. Aloud, he stated, “Yes, sir.” *Lovely thing about rank. It is always safe territory.*
“See you tomorrow, for breakfast?” Archer asked hopefully.
“Yes, sir. I’ll have a full report on Commander Tucker by then,” Malcolm replied.
When Malcolm left, Archer sat alone in the armory officer’s quarters for a moment in quiet contemplation before finally getting up to leave.
****
To Be Continued.
A/N: Trip will return to us in the next Chapter. Archer will explain why he’s acting so harshly (other than the author’s personal bias.)

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Three people have made comments

who still continues to dislike this Archer but will hold on for a little while longer.

who wants to kick T'Pol!

And hopes we get some good resolving Trip agnst soon!

Keep it coming.

So thrilled to have more posts!

Brilliant! Poor Trip, poor T'Pol. Annoying and aggravating Captain Archer. Malcolm is excellent in this. Can't wait to see what happens next. I just hope they don't convince T'Pol to bond with a Vulcan before things can get back on track and she can return to Trip. Fingers crossed! Ali D :~)

Riveting! Malcolm's great in this chapter. And poor T'pol and Trip. The TOS/Classic in me is wondering though if the Skon in your story is the same one who goes on to be Sarek's father (and Spock's grandfather)?