Consequences-Part 28

Consequences

by Samantha Quinn

A/N: David is entirely my own invention. His existence, however, comes from the conversation between T’Pol and Phlox in “Dear Doctor” in which T’Pol gives him “advice” concerning intimate relationships with humans. It sounded, to me, deeply personal. Anyway, that’s where he comes from. His name is a projection from a similar creep in my own universe.

Part 28: The Calm Before the Storm

****

T’Lal rolled off Commander Tucker with as little force as possible. They had completed their tenth round of copulation.

“T”Lal?” Trip ventured.

“Yes?” T’Lal inquired. She had not been certain that Commander Tucker had remembered her name at all. He had, after all, insisted on calling her by another name for the duration of the process.

“I’m sorry,” Trip offered.

Had T’Lal been human, she would have acknowledged feeling surprise at his statement. “For what reason do you offer an apology?” she asked.

“I haven’t . . . attended to your . . . um, needs,” Trip said remorsefully.

T’Lal furrowed her brows together and contemplated that perhaps they should have chosen T’Pal for this duty. T’Pal was an anthropologist. She surely would have had much better luck in understanding the human’s emotional whims.

“I am uncertain as to what you are alluding to, Commander Tucker,” T’Lal stated truthfully.

If possible, T’Lal’s statement had caused the Commander to redden even darker than he currently was. “I haven’t felt quite up to . . .um, makin’ sure ya . . .um.. . "

“Making sure I what, Commander Tucker?”

Trip sighed and wondered if, in fact, the woman lying next to him was being facetious. “Makin’ sure ya . . ya know, enjoy yourself.” As soon as he said it, he gave an inward sigh, knowing she would tell him that Vulcans do not experience enjoyment.

He wasn’t disappointed. “Enjoyment is an emotion, Commander Tucker. I am certain you are aware that Vulcans do not experience emotions.”

Trip suddenly felt very tired. Perhaps it was the marathon mating sessions. But more likely, it was this conversation. “Don’t Vulcans have orgasms?” he asked, frustrated.

T’Lal arched an eyebrow at that. “Orgasmic release by the female is not necessary to Vulcan procreation,” she stated simply.

“Then why did ya want me to pay attention to the ears?” Trip demanded.

“Ears are erogenous zones amongst Vulcans. By rubbing them, you release certain hormones which in turn stimulant the release of vaginal fluid. Considering the nature of our actions, it would be considerably more-“

“Please stop,” Trip muttered. “My head already hurts. By the way, when will that go away?”

T’Lal furrowed her brows again. “I am uncertain when your discomfort shall cease. However, you are much more coherent than you were when I entered the chamber. That is a beneficial development.” She did not add that his headache should have been relieved by now. “You require sustenance, for the next round. I shall obtain it. In the meantime, you should try to sleep. It is most likely that you will need to copulate again in one hour, thirty-four minutes and twenty four point two seconds.”

Trip nodded and reached for his skivvies.

“It is illogical of you to redress yourself, Commander,” T’Lal pointed out. “We will need to copulate again.”

Trip shrugged. “But ya said I had an hour and a half left. I can’t just sit here naked until then.”

T’Lal noted again the illogic of humans as she began to dress herself. “Very well, Commander.” Before she left, she turned and noted, “You were barely able to respond physically during the early stages of our copulation, Commander. While you have recovered somewhat, you remain quite ill. There is no reason to feel you have failed in your role in any way.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Elsewhere on the Enterprise, a very remorseful Malcolm Reed was making his way to quarters which had once belonged Sub-Commander T’Pol and were currently the temporary quarters of Hoshi Sato.

Standing outside her quarters, Malcolm hesitated only slightly before straightening his shoulders, lifting his head, and ringing the chime. *Prepping for battle, Reed?* he chastised himself.

“Come,” Hoshi’s cheerful voice. Such a pleasant, and friendly voice. One that Malcolm had definitely missed.

When he walked in, he was relieved to find her alone. He had half expected her to be in the company of someone else-Hess, Cutler, Thomas from engineering. Not that he would have blamed them. After all, Hoshi was just someone that you wanted to spend time with. *I certainly do, at any rate,* he lamented. “Hello, Hoshi,” he greeted softly.

Hoshi visibly tensed slightly at Malcolm’s presence. “Greetings, Lieutenant,” she said coolly. “What brings you here at such an hour? I do hope you were careful. After all, it wouldn’t due for anyone to see a lieutenant coming into the quarters of an Ensign so early in the morning.”

Malcolm sighed. *I suppose I deserved that,* he acknowledged quietly. It was quite evident that Hoshi had no intention of making this easy on him. “Hoshi, I know you aren’t pleased with me,” he said. “And I don’t blame you. I treated you rather atrociously when you where trying to show you cared for me.” He paused. “I’m truly sorry.”

Hoshi bit her lip for a moment before answering. “It’s okay, Malcolm,” she said finally. “You don’t have to apologize. If anything, I should apologize for the way I behaved at lunch yesterday. I know it probably made you uncomfortable.” She gave a small smirk. “Especially with the way you value protocol.”

Malcolm was relieved to notice the lack of malice in her tone. Certainly a change from the day before. “I would have preferred we had the conversation in a bit more private atmosphere,” he admitted. “However, I do understand your reasoning.”

Hoshi immediately became extremely fixated on her hands. “No, I’m not sure you do,” she murmured.

“Then perhaps you should explain it to me, Hoshi,” Malcolm offered gently.

The tenderness used in his tone induced a slight shiver down Hoshi’s spine. “Well, I wasn’t really that upset until after T’Pol left. . .and I started thinking about what she’d left behind. . .”

“Trip?” Malcolm asked softly.

Hoshi glanced up once, briefly, before returning her glance to her fingers, clasped tightly in her lap. “Yes,” she continued softly. “And I’m not certain why T’Pol left, but Trip’s sick and we don’t know what’s wrong, exactly. But either way-they’re permanently separated. I just thought. . . of all the time they had wasted that they could have spent together. And, well, I didn’t want to be in the same position some day, wishing I’d told you how I felt about you, when I still had the chance.” She paused before adding, “I am . . . quite attracted to you, Malcolm,” she said, in barely a whisper.

Malcolm swallowed and closed his eyes as the familiar battle raged within. Finally, he closed the distance between them in two short steps. Tilting her head up towards his face, he remarked simply, “As I am to you, Hoshi.” He was rewarded with what had to be the most beautiful smile in the universe. At least to Malcolm. “Now, I believe breakfast and Captain Archer are waiting on us.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was a brief journey from Vulcan Security Head Quarters to the home of Skon. T’Pol was certain they could have walked, yet Skon insisted on taking a sand runner. T’Pol acknowledged his elderly age and acquiesced.

“I have not had the opportunity to inquire, T’Pol,” Skon remarked, “Did Soval handle the news of your upcoming nuptials in a logical manner?”

“He responded more logically than either of us expected,” T’Pol answered. “Do you believe he will be found guilty of the crime of which he is accused?”

Skon tilted his head to the left in contemplation. “I believe his punishment shall be insignificant. He most likely shall have his Ambassador title revoked for a specified amount of time. However, the evidence is compelling”

“What type of evidence exists?” T’Pol inquired.

“T”Pau ran an extensive neurological and physiological scan of Soval while we were on board the Enterprise. It showed his body to be experiencing the same symptoms as someone who had only recently been purged of his illness,” Skon replied.

T’Pol furrowed her brows slightly. “There will be no witnesses?” she asked.

“No. According to the scans, the purging would have taken place on the human ship. Thus, the witness would have been out of our jurisdiction,” Skon supplied.

“A human? Is he to stand trial for rape as well?” Again, T’Pol felt pangs of possessiveness at the thought that someone had potentially damaged someone in her crew.

“There is no reason to believe the act was non-consensual,” Skon answered. “If you learn otherwise when you return to your ship, you will let us know?”

“Yes, of course.”

There conversation ended abruptly as the sand runner came to a halt in front of the house of Skon.

As they walked up the stone path that led to the home of Skon, T’Pol took in the surroundings and remembered distinctly the voice of Commander Tucker asking, “Is Vulcan grass green?” The memory induced a painful increase in her headache, so powerful in intensity that it temporarily blinded her. Fortunately, she had Skon’s firm arm holding her upright.

“I am gratified by your assistance,” she told him. “I should be able to continue unaided.”

Skon nodded, and released his grip on her arm. As they entered the home, Skon showed her to the guest bedroom and supplied, “My wife is currently teaching. She shall return in approximately three point six hours to engage in the afternoon meal.”

T’Pol nodded. “I wish to extend my appreciation to both you and your wife for allowing me to reside at your home for the duration of my stay on Vulcan.”

“I am informed your mother is conducting research on Earth at the present time,” Skon remarked. “With your father under investigation, you would have been alone had you stayed at your family’s estate. Given your condition, that would be most unwise.”

“Logical,” T’Pol agreed. “Are you certain as to when Sopel shall arrive?”

“He has left Andoria. He shall arrive in approximately ninety-six hours,” Skon replied. When T’Pol said nothing further, he continued, “Are your certain you wish to go through with the arrangement, T’Pol? The wedding has not been announced yet. Once it does, you are aware you will not be able to withdraw from the arrangement, as you did with Koss.”

T’Pol knew this well. Her wedding was being overseen by Skon and involved her marrying a prince. It was much different from a scientist scorning an architect. Illogical, but true. “I am aware of that. As I have stated before, I see no other option.”

“Very well. You indicated a desire to communicate with your ship. Do you wish to do so now?” Skon asked.

“No. The Captain most likely is currently engaged in breakfast. I shall wait until he is on duty,” T’Pol answered. She would need to speak to the Captain, of course, to alert him that Soval had most likely provoked Commander Tucker. As such, the human could not be responsible for his behavior. T’Pol was not displeased with her father. After all, T’Pol knew-as every Vulcan did-that Soval’s temperament during the time of pon far was not one he could have controlled. He would not have provoked Commander Tucker under normal circumstances, T’Pol reasoned.

Skon promptly handed her a PADD. “Since you have time, perhaps you will wish to acquaint yourself with the information found within this document,” he said.

T’Pol briefly scanned the contents. “A history of mind melding?” she inquired.

“Yes,” Skon replied. “Both a history and a detailed explanation of what to expect. I realize you have been on the receiving end of the meld previously. However, you shall be reciprocating the meld with Sopel. There are some subtle-and some not so subtle- differences in the experiences. I assume you would want to be prepared.”

“Again, I express gratefulness,” T’Pol told him. Privately, she had been experiencing some anxiety on the upcoming melding event.

“I shall take my leave of you, unless there is anything else you require,” Skon asked.

“No,” T’Pol replied.

“Then may your reading be productive,” Skon answered.

T’Pol sat down on the bed and began to read, with a good deal of interest, about Selak, the fallen follower of Surak.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

To Be Continued. . . ***

Continue to Part 29

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A handful of people have made comments

Very well done. I like how the whole melder issue is being dealt with amongst the Vulcan characters.

Of course, I wanna see what happens to Trip and T'Pol more than anything else ;)

Keep up the good work.

Excellent but am I the only one lighting candles and praying that T'Pol DOESN'T marry Sopel? This is a really good story and you are doing such a wonderful job writing it. I can't wait to see what happens next! Ali D :~)

Well, now that I've read the correct ch. 28, I really must reiterate that we all want Sopel to get lost. The universe is a big place, I'm sure that some kind of chain events can bring Trip and T'Pol together ;)

*helps Lt. Brugman push Sopel out of the airlock* Okay...he's gone...now it's time to get T'Pol to Enterprise to help Trip...

Looking forward to the next chapter! Thanks for a great read!

Very nice. We're getting close to crunch time now! Can't wait to read the next chapter!